ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER Home | 3 Business | 17 Sport | 27

Over 26m passengers Ezdan Holding Group’s FIFA will not used Hamad full year net profit rose compensate clubs and International Airport last by 27pc to QR1.36bn in leagues unhappy about year, up 13pc compared 2014 compared to the plans to play the Qatar to the previous year. previous year. 2022 in Nov and Dec.

THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 • 7 Jumada I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6353 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

OPINION Durango, Grand Qatar for strong Cherokee recalled Emir’s message DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce in col- to America laboration with Al Muttahida he visit ties with US Automobiles-Al Mana, dealer of Tof Emir Jeep cars, yesterday announced H H Sheikh the recall of Dodge Durango and Tamim bin $10,000 for Qatari students, patients in US Jeep Grand Cherokee models Hamad Al 2011-2014 due to defects related Thani to US to electric connection. comes at a DOHA: Qatar and the US have make sure that the reason why The call comes as part of con- time when reasserted their commitment to this happened doesn’t happen stant coordination and follow-up by the MENA further strengthening bilateral again,” said the Emir in a state- the Ministry, according to a state- region Dr Khalid Al-Jaber relations and work together to ment issued after the meeting. ment. The Ministry is also moni- is going resolve the burning issues in Speaking earlier, Obama toring the process to ensure that through a period of turmoil the Middle East. stressed the strong security rela- car dealers are adhering to protect and open conflicts with The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim tions between Qatar and the US the customers’ rights. Customers huge political, economic, bin Hamad Al Thani, during his and the “extraordinary set of ties” can establish contacts with the social and humanitarian meeting with President Barack that are commercial, educational, Ministry through different commu- consequences. Obama at the White House dis- scientific and technological. nication channels, including hotline It is an exceptional first cussed a number of issues con- “We’ve had a wide-ranging con- number: 8005000; email: info@mec. visit because of its timing, cerning the region, especially versation on a host of regional gov.qa; twitter: @MEC_QATAR; the challenges, and the issues terrorism, as well as bilateral issues. Qatar is a strong part- instagram: MEC_QATAR; mobile involved. The US is a strate- relations. ner in our coalition to degrade app: MEC_QATAR among other. gic partner and special ally of “We are all concerned on what’s and ultimately defeat ISIL. And THE PENINSULA Qatar in political, economic going on in our region… we are I expressed my appreciation to and military spheres and concerned, as well, about the His Highness for the work that it is a ‘solid partnership’ as terrorist groups in our region. I they’ve done in coordinating with 3 Aljazeera scribes described by President Barack think we all share the same view other members of this coalition.” Obama at the end of Emir’s on the reason why those terrorist said Obama. arrested in Paris visit. groups are growing in our region… Continued on page 7 Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with House Minority Leader The Emir’s message to To solve this problem, we have to THE PENINSULA Nancy Pelosi in Washington DC yesterday. PARIS: Three Al-Jazeera TV President Obama was clear journalists were arrested in and explicit as stated in an Paris after flying a drone from article written by the Emir for a park on the edge of the city, a the New York Times in which judicial source said. “The first he called for working together was piloting the drone, the sec- in order to prevent the MENA ond was filming and the third region from sliding into chaos Courts may admit DNA as evidence was watching,” the source said. and failure. Continued on page 7 DOHA: A law is in the offing order a DNA test following the for DNA tests. And the DNA data “DNA tests are needed even Teacher asked to quit that would make DNA tests implementation of the law. thus collected are to be main- in accidents like plane crashes admissible in courts as evidence The Cabinet, at its weekly tained with confidentiality. Their where the identity of a victim or over Modi cartoon INSIDE in criminal and other cases. meeting yesterday, approved the use would be prohibited except in victims is to be found out,” said According to a prominent draft law that aims at regulat- purposes stipulated by the law. Al Zaman. DOHA: A woman teacher of Page 9 lawyer, once implemented, the ing DNA tests for various pur- Asked for comment, prominent However, first and foremost, a famous Indian school here law will likely prevent people poses, reports Qatar News Agency lawyer Yusuf Al Zaman told this the draft law would make DNA was forced by its management Arab issues discussed from getting DNA tests con- (QNA). newspaper that the need for such tests admissible in a court of law to resign yesterday after she in White House ducted privately to confirm blood The draft law suggests that it a law was being felt for long to as evidence in criminal and other posted a caricature of Indian relationships. would be within the authority help gather scientific evidences cases, the lawyer said. “This isn’t Prime Minister Narendra Modi By Jaber Al Harami Only an investigating agency or of a competent doctor to sug- in criminal and other cases and the case so far.” on her Facebook account. the judiciary or any other state gest which part of human body a make them admissible in court Continued on page 4 Report on page 4 body will have the authority to sample or samples are to be taken as evidence. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Emir meets homeland security secretary in US

WASHINGTON: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday met at his residence US Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh C Johnson. Talks dealt matters of mutual interest and means of enhanc- ing cooperation between the two countries. The Emir’s delegation was present. The Emir also attended a reception hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, in coop- eration with National Economic Council at Four Seasons Hotel in Washington. Talks covered topics of mutual interest, especially economic ties and trade and means of promot- Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday met at his residence US Secretary of Homeland Security ing investment between both Jeh C Johnson. sides. A memorandum of under- standing was signed between Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the US chamber. US Secretary of Trade Penny Pritzker, Senator John McCain, Chairman of Senate Armed The Emir attends a ceremony hosted by the Kuwaiti embassy to mark Services Committee, business Kuwait’s 54th National Day anniversary at Four Seasons Hotel. leaders, heads of major US com- panies and members of US-Qatar Business Council were present, along with the Emir’s delegation. The Emir attended part of a ceremony hosted by the Kuwaiti embassy to mark Kuwait’s 54th National Day anniversary at Four Seasons Hotel. The Emir congratulated Kuwaiti Ambassador Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah, and wished Kuwait fur- ther progress and prosperity under the leadership of Emir H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and the Kuwaiti people further progress and prosperity. The Emir also sent a cable of congratulations to Sheikh Sabah. Meanwhile, Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable of congratu- lations to Sheikh Sabah on his country’s National Day. Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani The Emir attends a reception hosted by US Chamber of Commerce, in sent a similar cable. cooperation with National Economic Council. QNA THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Deputy Emir receives new envoys credentials PM meets Hungarian parliament speaker

Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday met Hungary’s Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani received the credentials of five ambassadors at Emiri Diwan parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover and his delegation. Talks dealt with ways of further developing and strength- yesterday. They were Salah Al Salihi (Tunisia, pictured), Igancio Escobar (Spain), Edmond Chasha (Albania), ening cooperation, particularly in the parliamentary field, and topics of common concern. Advisory Council Metin Kazak (Bulgaria) and Abdulaziz Saba (Algeria). Speaker Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi was present. Over 26 million passengers Cabinet approves executive used HIA last year: Official DOHA: Over 26 million passen- services with the latest technol- gers used Hamad International ogy integrated into the airport, regulations for tourism sector Airport (HIA) last year, up 13 establishing its global standing as percent compared to the previ- an international transit hub. We ous year. are expecting a steady growth in DOHA: The Cabinet yesterday The draft includes provisions measures and procedures to Cabinet approved its draft deci- Over 3m more passengers trav- passengers and cargo and aircraft endorsed executive regulations related to tasks of National appeal against QTA decisions. sion, amending the regulation of elled through the airport in 2014 movements. We will introduce new or bye-laws for the legislation Committee on Arms Embargo, The Cabinet ratified a draft some administrative units that compared to 2013, HIA said yes- facilities and services at the pas- that regulates the tourism sec- inspection work, licences and pro- Emiri decision amending some make up Kahramaa and specifies terday. It saw 26,356,392 travellers senger terminal complex to ensure tor, including providing guide- cedures for their issuance, their provisions of Emiri Decision No. its powers. departing, arriving and transiting passengers have a seamless and lines for classifying hotels and validity and renewal and licensed 35 of 2014 on the regulation of The session ratified a draft in 2014. Of these, 10.6m travelled hassle-free onward journey, mark- licensing tour guides. facilities’ commitments. Qatar General Electricity and decision by the Minister of through Doha international air- ing our airport’s commitment to The occupation of tour guides The Cabinet ratified draft exec- Water Corporation (Kahramaa), Development Planning and port, former commercial airport, world-class standards.” was created when the law was utive regulations of Law No. 6 of distributor of electricity and Statistics to establish depart- and 15.7m through HIA, which HIA’s tranquil waterside setting issued in 2012. 2012 on tourism. water, reports Qatar News ments at the administrative units started commercial operations provides a perfect backdrop for Prime Minister and Interior It comprises provisions to regu- Agency. that make up the ministry and last May 27. Cargo movements its stylish architectural elements, Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah late hotel and tourism establish- It endorsed a draft Cabinet specifies their powers. also increased by 13 percent with underpinned by advanced airport bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani ments and licence requests, their decision amending the regula- The Cabinet reviewed and took 114,445,235 more movements in systems. It features two runways, chaired the Cabinet’s weekly ses- issuance and renewal. tion of some administrative units decisions on a draft law amend- 2014 compared to the previous among the longest in the world, a sion at Emiri Diwan. It addresses relinquishing, that constitute the Ministry of ing some provisions of Law No. year. state-of-the-art air traffic control The meeting ratified a draft transferring and cancelling the Energy and Industry and speci- 40 of 2004 on the guardianship of Badr Al Meer, Chief Operating tower, a stunning passenger termi- decree on fixing a date for the elec- licence, commitments of the fies their powers. The session also funds of minors; and a letter by Officer, HIA, said: “I am happy to nal with an initial design capacity tion of the fifth term of Central licensees, fees and wages for serv- endorsed a draft Cabinet decision the National Committee on Arms report the increase in passenger of 30 million passengers per year, Municipal Council (CMC). ices provided by Qatar Tourism amending the regulation of some Embargo on the 30th report of numbers and cargo traffic in 2014. over 40,000sqm of combined retail, It also approved a draft execu- Authority, classification of hotel administrative units that make the panel’s work from September This largely owes to our transi- food and beverage facilities and a tive regulation for Law No. 16 of and tourism facilities, licens- up the Ministry of Environment 1 to December 31, 2014. tion to HIA which offers our pas- uniquely shaped public mosque. 2013 on chemical weapons. ing of tourist guides, inspection and assigns their powers. The THE PENINSULA sengers world-class facilities and THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Indian teacher forced to quit over Modi caricature

BY MOBIN PANDIT striped dog shown emptying its bladder. because India being a democratic country, Facebook account after she posted the some people linked to the Hindu rightist The teacher said the caricature was its citizens enjoyed freedom of expres- caricature. “The influence of these people organisations sent an email to the Indian DOHA: A woman teacher of a famous circulating on social media and she just sion. However, contacted for comment, (a reference to Hindu rightist supporters embassy informing about the teacher’s Indian school here was forced by the picked, shared and posted it on her the management of MES Indian School of Modi) can be gauged from the fact that Facebook posting. management to resign yesterday after Facebook account. said they had asked the teacher to quit they can silence anti-Modi comments The embassy contacted the school and she posted a caricature of Indian “I didn’t create the caricature nor did since she used the school’s name and logo and photographs on social media even enquired about the teacher and asked it Prime Minister Narendra Modi on her I post it to insult Modi,” the teacher told with Modi’s caricature. in the GCC countries,” the teacher said. to take action, said the daily. Facebook account. this newspaper. “I just used it to protest “Also, being a teacher, she shouldn’t The school official said that after the But the school principal told the The incident happened last week and against what has been happening back have posted such a derogatory caricature posting of the caricature by the teacher daily that the teacher was asked to quit triggered a huge controversy in a section home” (a reference to alleged gagging of on her Facebook account. A teacher is a the school got calls from several parents. because she used the school’s name in of the Indian expatriate community as the freedom of speech!). The teacher was role model for the entire society,” said Source added that the school came her Facebook profile. Another vernacular some objected to the caricature saying initially suspended for three days pend- a senior official from the management. under intense external pressure to fire daily, Chandrika, said the embassy for- the ‘photoshop’ work was insulting to the ing inquiry by the management. The teacher, who insisted she shouldn’t the teacher and her resignation was a warded the email to the school asking it prime minister. Yesterday she was asked to put in her be identified, said she didn’t know how compromise formula, although a school to take action against the teacher. The caricature comprised superim- papers, which she said she did. the school’s name and logo appeared on official denied it. The embassy couldn’t be immediately posed photographs of a cut-out of the Her friends told this newspaper that her posting, for she was part of a group. Meanwhile, a vernacular newspaper contacted for comment. Premier’s face and a black-and-white they found the school’s action shocking She said she got threats on her published from here, Varthamanam, said THE PENINSULA

Sheroes contest CMC grills service providers on trenches to celebrate

DOHA: The Central Municipal Qatar General Electricity and inspirational women Council (CMC) hosted authorities Water Corporation (Kahramaa), DOHA: Ooredoo has launched and service providers and ques- Supreme Council of Information 40pc of recommendations ignored a competition and invited all tioned them on road excavations and Communication (ictQatar), women in Qatar to submit a that did not adhere to safety meas- the Ministry of Municipality and DOHA: Several government departments the public if they failed to respond during the story about an inspirational ures and exposed residents and Urban Planning and the Ministry of have not responded to about 40 percent of remaining term of the current CMC. woman who made a difference motorists to danger. Environment. CMC recommendations this season, civic data Councillors also condemned the closure of in their lives, as part of its Authorities undertaking infra- Jassim Al Malki, Deputy Chairman, shows. service roads on main roads and said this had annual celebration of women’s structure development projects CMC, who represents Modern Doha, The fourth council has so far made 404 rec- led to more congestion instead of solving it. achievements. that required excavations, included said he had moved around the city ommendations to 37 government departments They asked the Ministry of Interior, the The theme of the contest and Public Works Authority (Ashghal), and found many trenches left and discussed 191 topics, Saud bin Abdullah Al Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning, the celebration is ‘Sheroes’ — Henzab, Chairman, told the bimonthly session. Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and the female heroes. Participants will He said CMC had received only 248 responses Traffic Department to help ease traffic jams have to submit their stories via (about 61.4 percent) and 156 recommendations without closing service roads. [email protected] and (38.6 percent) still awaited response. A motion on the closure of service roads was the top three will receive prizes Al Henzab said data was important for CMC tabled by Mohammed bin Shaheen Al Dosari and will be the subject of a spe- and its members to assess their achievements who represents South Khalifa City. cial event on March 9. Entries and challenges they faced as the civic body’s He said the closure of service roads had been must be no more than 200 words fourth term nears end. inconveniencing businesses and shops that were and should be about a particular Only 12 sessions remain before a new CMC served by these roads as well as residential areas woman and the role they have takes over after election this May. in the vicinity. played in people’s lives. All entries “Some departments have never responded to Al Dosari said the closure of service roads had must be submitted by March 7. all recommendations we have given this season,” not reduced jams which was the main objective he said, warning them to take recommenda- on most roads. TAMUQ freshman tions seriously and that they will be exposed to THE PENINSULA admissions for uncovered for long, endanger- trenches after work is finished however, has only two petrol ing the lives of motorists and should be considered main vio- stations which are not enough Fall 2015 open pedestrians. lations, they said. to meet the needs of residents, “Trenches with excavated They asked Kahramaa and councillors said. CMC had dis- DOHA: Texas A&M University earth piled up on either sides of ictQatar to ensure their con- cussed with Woqood earlier the at Qatar’s (TAMUQ) fresh- roads often turn into traps and tractors use standard materials possibility of deploying mobile man admissions for the Fall pedestrians are forced to walk and told them to increase the petrol stations. 2015 semester is open through precariously along the dug-up number of inspectors to moni- According to the concerned March 1. Prospective applicants space,” he said, adding trenches tor areas where trenches are civic committee, mobile sta- need to complete admission were also distorting the aes- dug for water, power and tel- tions should be equipped with requirements. Students may thetic image of most roads. ecom projects. petrol, super and diesel, each visit TAMUQ engineering build- Councillors recommended They recommended to with a capacity of up to 30,000 ing on Education City campus a single authority for issuing Woqood to deploy three mobile litres and stationed about 30 and meet admission officials. permits for digging trenches petrol stations in the north to 80 metres from traditional Officials and advisers are and certificates once work was as the region does not have petrol stations. available to explain application completed well. enough petrol stations. Woqood Councillors also asked requirements and the admission They asked the municipal- was also told to speed up the Woqood to build more petrol process from Sunday through ity to monitor all projects that process of obtaining approvals stations outside the city, add- Thursday from 8am to 4pm. require digging trenches to from authorities so that mobile ing that outlaying areas do not Maha Ayyash, Director of ensure they are completed on petrol stations can start work have enough stations. Admissions, said, “I encourage time and the place is cleared at the earliest. They told the Ministry students strong in academics and like it was before. There have been reports of Municipality and Urban are willing to thrive in a univer- Members suggested that about the scarcity of petrol Planning to visit sites allocated sity that offers world-renowned the municipality fine contrac- stations in the country and for petrol stations and study engineering programmes to con- tors for violations and ensure that some in Doha and on its ways of expanding them or pro- sider applying to TAMUQ.” big water lines are not dug on outskirts are being demolished viding more space, adding that Texas A&M commands inter- main roads as they inconven- to give way for more profitable allocated land plots are small national reputation as one of the ience people if there are leak- infrastructure development and one of the main causes of premier engineering programmes, ages. Not completing project on projects like towers. crowding at petrol stations. and TAMUQ builds on that. schedule and not covering up The northern region, THE PENINSULA TAMUQ students receive the same top-tier training as those enrolled at the main campus in College Station, Texas, the US. TAMUQ offers accredited pro- grammes in chemical, electrical, QNRF programme for schoolchildren mechanical and petroleum engi- neering and ranks among the DOHA: Qatar A collaboration inspired to undertake generation of home top US universities for educa- National Research between QNRF and research relevant to grown researchers tion and research. For inquiries Fund (QNRF), a the Supreme Education their academic curricu- by allowing them and appointments, students can member of Qatar Council (SEC), the lum under the guidance to acquaint them- contact the Office of Admissions Foundation Research programme aims of their teachers. selves with various on +974.4423.0043 or visit Texas and Development (QF to nurture a scien- QNRF is inviting types of research A&M Engineering Building at R&D), has launched tific research culture registration and letter and methodolo- Education City. Applications are the fifth annual cycle among Qatar’s youth. of intent with a deadline gies,” said Dr Abdul available on the admissions web- of its Secondary School To date over 1,000 sec- of March 8. “Through Sattar Al Taie, site at www.exploretamuq.com. Research Experience ondary school students the programme, QNRF Executive Director, Programme. have benefited from it, aims to support a new QNRF. “By invest- Draft law may ban ing in youth through such a programme, DNA tests for blood QNRF is enabling the country’s future relationships leaders to equip themselves with Continued from page 1 tools that will help He said that earlier when them steer Qatar on there was not so much of scien- its journey towards tific advancement and DNA tests a knowledge-based were not known, there were prob- economy.” lems in ascertaining the identity The programme of culprits in criminal cases and seeks to identify, identifying the bodies in group attract and nurture accidents like train or plane budding researchers crashes. in Independent and The other cases where DNA private secondary tests could come in handy are, for schools and support example, where a father denies development of their someone is his offspring. research skills and Al Zaman said the draft legisla- critical thinking. tion could ban DNA tests ordered Ninety-three stu- privately by individuals or families dents, including 43 to ascertain blood relationships. Qatari, represent- That can lead to social chaos as ing 18 schools were people could indiscriminately opt recognised for their for such tests to see, for instance, contributions to 51 if one’s father is really one’s father projects. or not or vice versa. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Ooredoo offers cricket fans a lifetime chance

DOHA: Ooredoo Mobile Money Ooredoo Mobile Money by dialling users can win an all-expenses *140# and following instructions on paid trip to see the final of the their mobile phones USSD menu or Cricket World Cup 2015, hosted by download the free Ooredoo Money Australia and New Zealand. App. Ooredoo Mobile Money is giving Once registered, customers can customers a chance to win a fully- deposit money into their mobile paid round-trip to Australia to watch account using any of the 200 Ooredoo the final match live on March 29. self-service machines across Qatar. Existing and new Ooredoo Mobile Deposits can also be made through Money customers can enter by trans- Ooredoo shops or direct transfer ferring money to any of the countries from QNB accounts using the QNB participating in the World Cup before Mobile Payment service. March 10 to be eligible to win. Winners of the MoneyGram The prize will include an economy Cricket World Cup 2015 competi- class return ticket to Melbourne, tion will be chosen at random and Australia, three nights’ hotel accom- will need to apply independently for Some of the children at the event. modation, airport and venue trans- their visa to Australia. For terms portation plus one match ticket to and conditions of the competition or the final on March 29 and hospitality details on Ooredoo’s Mobile Money service. services, please visit www.ooredoo.qa New customers can register for THE PENINSULA Over 700 kids, families take

Qatar, UK legal ties reviewed part in ‘Monster Makers Lab’ LONDON: Mi n ister of Justic e H E D r Has s a n L a hda n Sa qr A l Moha n na d i DOHA: Over 700 children and bridging Qatar’s past and Kuwari, who accompanied three educational institutions host met British counterpart Chris Grayling on the sidelines of the Global Law their families participated in a present through knowledge, daughters to the lab, said, “I’m programmes that allowed fami- Summit which ended yesterday. ‘Monster Makers Laboratory’ QNL is mindful of the fact that delighted that my girls have lies to choose from opportuni- They discussed cooperation, particularly in the legal and judicial areas and organised by Qatar National today’s children are the future been able to express creativity ties to get creative. Under the ways of strengthening and developing it. Library (QNL). of Qatar, which makes them through this event. I hope QNL theme of geometric shapes and Talks also dealt with legal training, exchange of experience in the areas of It taught them the basic art one of our prime audiences,” organises more such activities patterns, ‘Makers Event 2015’ registration and documentation, and work on a comprehensive convention of monster-making using rudi- said Carol Mitchell, Head, regularly at a bigger place.” sought to encourage diverse on cooperation. mentary materials and geomet- Children’s Services, QNL. “We “This kind of event reinforces approaches and interpreta- rical shapes. Held at Recreation seek to engage youth in various the importance of nurturing tions to nurture and showcase Al Khulaifi meets Hungarian official Centre at Qatar Foundation, ways, one of which is the lab creativity in children,” said the community’s creativity. “In in collaboration with Qatar which has succeeded in being a parent, Bettina Bader. “Each its second year, ‘Makers Event’ DOHA: Advisory Council Speaker Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi Museums, the lab saw children fun-filled family event, with an child lives in their world, and was a great success. We were yesterday met visiting Hungarian parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover and aged three to 11 unleash crea- underlying educational element, it is our role as parents and pleased to be able to offer fami- his delegation. Talks focused on parliamentary ties and means of fur- tivity as part of the citywide we had envisioned and we are a society to enable them to lies unique workshops over the ther strengthening them. The council’s Deputy Speaker Issa bin Rabia Al ‘Makers Event 2015’, organ- delighted with the turnout at express creativity.” Aimed to weekend, organised by organisa- Kuwari, members and Hungarian Ambassador Istvan Elter were present. ised by Qatar Museums Family our inaugural participation in educate children through art tions such as QNL,” said Jessica QNA Programmes. ‘Makers Event’.” and creative design, ‘Makers Ludwig, Head of Families, Qatar “To achieve its goal of Fahd bin Mohammed Al Event 2015’ saw cultural and Museums. THE PENINSULA Total commemorates QTF Renovated Fire Station to hold first expo DOHA: Doha’s newly reno- vated Fire Station will open its first exhibition next month, one of the highlights of Qatar Museum’s (QM) line-up this spring. ‘555’ opens on March 15, with installations, photographs and videos of what Doha’s inaugural art residences were like since the early 1990s, introducing visitors to part of Qatar’s recent history that has never been extensively shared before. QM recently announced that the Fire Total commemorated Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) with a masterpiece, which Station has been transformed has become the company’s signature for Qatar Total Open 2015. Total reached to host Fire Station: Artists in out to Thamer Mubarak Al Dossari, a Qatar University student, who created and Residence programme, headed presented the masterpiece to Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi, President, QTF, by Hala Al Khalifa. during Qatar Total Open 2015 Gala dinner at Four Seasons Hotel. Over 300 dig- The programme fulfils a key part of QM’s commitment to nitaries, players and guests, including top seeded Agnieska Radwanska, Victoria nurture emerging talent by Azarenka, Petra Kvitova and Carolina Wozniacki were present. offering artists opportunities Hala Al Khalifa (second left), Head, Artists in Residence programme, with other officials at the media event. to develop best practice and a platform to exchange ideas. Qajar Women, opening on completed film trilogies, each National Vision 2030, developing Al Khalifa, along with other March 25, demonstrates the inspired by stories and scripts and inspiring the next genera- QM officials, announced exhi- centrality of women in the artis- of literature; Cabaret Crusades tion of cultural audiences and bitions and events in the com- tic expression of 19th-century (2010-2014) draws on Amin ideas. Wonderful initiatives ing weeks, at a media event at Iran and how it continues to Maalouf’s novel The Crusades like the Fire Station Artists in Idam restaurant in Museum of inspire artists. through Arab Eyes (1983) Residence programme are criti- Islamic Art (MIA) yesterday. Showcasing women at the while Al Araba Al Madfuna cal to nurturing our wealth of Two new exhibitions will court, and in private, alongside (2012-2015) collages stories of artistic talent, while nostalgic open at MIA this spring — images of female musicians and Mohamed Mustagab with art- exhibitions like Marvellous Marvellous Creatures: Animal aristocratic women, the expo ists’ experience living in Upper Creatures help us celebrate our Fables in Islamic Art; and Qajar explores rarely-told narratives Egypt. favourite childhood stories that Women: Images of Women in of Qajar artistic tradition. The programme culminates are known and loved by us all,” 19th Century Iran. Mathaf: Arab Museum of with the opening of Ismail said Hamad Al Eida, Director of Opening on March 4, Modern Art will open a major Azzam: For Them expo at QM Communications, QM. Marvellous Creatures focuses solo exhibition, Wael Shawky: Gallery at Katara on April 25. QM also announced the on real and mythical animals in Cabaret Crusades and Other It will showcase Azzam’s extension of one of its most legends, tales and fables of the Stories, on March 17. Shawky portraits of painters and sculp- popular collections, the Yousef Islamic world, featuring time- is one of the most powerful and tors who have contributed to Ahmad Exhibition “Story of less stories such as Shahnameh, urgent voices to emerge in the Arab art, created for the show ingenuity” to March 28 at QM Kalila wa Dimna and One Middle East in the last decade. in Doha. “Culture and art sup- Gallery at Katara. Thousand and One Nights. The expo presents two newly port the realisation of Qatar THE PENINSULA

QRC begins recruiting volunteers for camp

DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has charitable work and the importance of the training event of such a scale and aims to launched an interactive campaign to camp in acquiring disaster preparedness build a well-trained base of volunteers who recruit new volunteers to participate in skills and dealing with emergencies and respond to disasters on time and effectively, the Sixth Disaster Management Camp accidents. enhance coordination with organisations to be held from March 31 to April 9 at The camp has been in the process of prep- and authorities, minimise casualties and Marine Scout Camp in Al Khor. aration since last October. Many public and property losses and help society recover The campaign targets 300 to 700 Qatari private sector companies were invited to from any future disasters. and non-Qatari youth aged 18-40. A team sponsor it or to encourage their associates QRC holds basic and advanced disaster of QRC volunteers and medical staff are at to participate with trainees from 20 Arab management courses which, together with different places, including Sealine beach, national societies and disaster management the camp, constitute a complete special- Community College of Qatar, College of trainers and experts. ised training programme to hone emer- the North Atlantic Qatar, Hamad Medical Involving over 300 trainees from Qatar gency preparedness, rescue, coordination, Corporation’s specialised career fair, Qatar and abroad, the camp will be held in and leadership skills among volunteers and University, Hyatt Plaza Mall, Landmark coordination with Qatari institutions, local community. Mall, Ezdan Mall, Villaggio, mosques and International Federation of Red Cross and QRC organised five camps in 2006, 2007, QRC medical facilities. Red Crescent, International Committee of 2012, 2013, and 2014, graduating hundreds of The team communicates with the public the Red Cross, the United Nations, and the volunteers who would play an effective role and raises awareness about QRC’s mission GCC. with it in responding to disasters in other and principles, value of volunteerism and The camp is the only Arabic-speaking countries. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 3km stretch of Al ‘Ghizwan’ wins first Equestrian Wakra Beach to Photography Competition be cleaned up today QM initiative marks 40th year of DOHA: A large number of for environmental problems, Qatari entities have supported we feel it is essential to edu- the third regional campaign, cate and engage with different Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club Waste Free Environment groups on issues surrounding (WFE), initiated by Gulf improper waste disposal,” said DOHA: A photo of the winning and their contribution to Qatar’s Petrochemical and Chemicals Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, Arabian racehorse Ghizwan heritage and culture. Association (GPCA). Secretary-General, GPCA. won the inaugural Equestrian Hamad Al Eida, Director of The pan-GCC campaign raises Qatar Petroleum, Al Wakra Photography Competition Communications, QM, said, “I awareness about the need to pre- Municipality, the Ministry of organised by Qatar Museums would like to congratulate Sharil serve the environment, reduce Environment — Green Qatar (QM) in celebration of Qatar Babu on capturing the true pride irresponsible disposal of waste & Environmental Awareness Racing & Equestrian Club’s of Qatar in such a stunning way. and aims to tackle challenges Division, the Ministry of Interior (QREC) 40th anniversary. “We are shining a spotlight associated with plastic litter. – South Police, the Ministry of Over 100 photos taken at horse on the importance of horses in Clean-up events will be held Education and Higher Education, races hosted by QREC in January Qatari culture, which have always today at 18 locations in 13 cities Friends of the Environment were received, of which 20 were been an important part of our across in the GCC, Europe and Centre, Qatar Sport and shortlisted but winning photog- heritage and it has been won- India. Environment Committee and Al rapher Sharil Babu impressed derful to see so many photos of Qatar Petrochemical Company Wakra Hospital have joined the judges with his shot of Ghizwan, these horses as seen through the (Qapco), a founding member of initiative and Kahramaa, Amwaj, winner of L/B P/A Maiden Plate eyes of the local community,” Al GPCA, is again the local liaison ExxonMobil, Qatar University, race on January 7. Eida said. of the campaign in Qatar. A a Texas A&M University at Qatar, The winning and shortlisted “This year’s competition is a 3km stretch of Al Wakra Beach College of the North Atlantic- entries are on display at a spe- new and exciting initiative we will be cleaned up from 9am to Qatar, Education Above All and cial exhibition at H H Emir 24th hoped would give aspiring and 11:30am. Community College of Qatar International Equestrian Sword professional photographers the Many schools have confirmed have backed it. Festival. opportunity to showcase their participation and many educa- Mesaieed Industrial City’s This photo of The winner will have another talent, and we are delighted to tional institutions are expected other main downstream enti- Ghizwan winning opportunity to display his pho- have received such a high stand- to take part. ties such as Qatar Fertiliser L/B P/A Maiden Plate tography skills by capturing ard of entries.” The general public is also Company, Qatar Fuel Additives race on January 7 action at Qatar Prix de L’Arc de The judging panel included invited. Company, Qatar Vinyl Company, was taken by Sharil Triomphe, the racing and eques- Mohammad bin Salem Al Abdulla Sustainability workshops, Qatar Plastic Products Company, trian event in France. from QREC, Abdulrahman Babu. waste management lectures and Qatar Industrial Manufacturing For the competition, QM Obeidan from Qatar Photographic green competitions will be held Company, Qatofin Company invited amateur and profes- Society and Tamim Al Yafaei on site as well as in universities, Limited, and Qatar Chemical sional photographers to submit from H E Sheikh Joaan bin colleges and schools. and Petrochemical Marketing images that celebrate the role Hamad Al Thani’s Office. “As an industry involved with and Distribution Company will horses have played in Arabic art THE PENINSULA the production of plastic, that also play a role in the campaign. is often erroneously blamed THE PENINSULA Qatar, US will continue to back Regional security important to Qatar moderate Syrian opposition Continued from page 1 security and stability in the The Emir’s visit to US has spheres including strategic He emphasised that address- region, which is important to consolidated bilateral ties. partnership in political, security, Continued from page 1 “Qatar is an extraordinary example ing the root cause of terrorism Qatar and the Arab nation, It has also reaffirmed that military and economic sectors, Obama said Qatar and of that, partly because it’s been blessed requires deeper approaches and and it, is also important to US there is a strong basis for the underpinned by growing trade the US will continue to with natural resources, but also because a long-term strategy to deal interests and its partners in the ties and cooperation between between the two countries. support the moderate it’s made good decisions about how to with related problems and polit- region. the two countries in different THE PENINSULA opposition in Syria since develop its economy. And hopefully that ical leaders should have enough both countries believe that kind of prosperity can be spread more courage to negotiate complete “it will not be possible to widely in the years to come, and I look and multiple solutions to the fully stabilise that country forward to being a partner with Qatar in conflicts in the region. until Assad, who has lost making that happen,” he added. It is important to bring legitimacy in the country, The Emir, in his statement, high- tyrants, whose hands are stained is transitioned out”. lighted the importance of the relation- with the blood of innocent peo- The leaders also dis- ship between Qatar and the US, and how ple, to justice and end the rule cussed the turmoil in Libya to develop strategic relations. of authoritarian regimes. and Yemen and the Iranian The Emir said, “We mentioned about Emir assured that Qatar is nuclear issue. the situation in Palestine, and about the part of the international coa- Obama said, “I gave peace process and what is the best for lition led by the US to fight the Emir an update and Palestine. And it is an important subject terrorism, and it strongly con- assured him that our goal in the Middle East, and we have to find demns all brutal acts of terrorist here is to be able to verify a solution for Palestine. And I’m happy groups, reassuring that “Qatar that Iran does not have a to learn and to hear from you, President, is committed and united with its nuclear weapon, and that that you are committed to find this peace partners in the Gulf to fight all we will continue to press process in Palestine.” forms of terrorism”. Iran on some of its other The Emir directed to provide $10,000 The US-Qatar partnership is actions in the region that each to all Qatari students and patients based on such facts and a long- often have a destabilising in the US, Al Sharq repors. term vision with commitment effect, recognising, how- THE PENINSULA and understanding to maintain ever, that we would greatly prefer to be able to resolve many of these issues diplo- matically. And I know that Doha shares the same view.

Vodafone: 4G roaming coverage for customers in 23 countries DOHA: Vodafone Qatar customers can now enjoy the widest 4G cover- age while roaming in 23 countries. The countries are the UK, New Zealand, Russia, the UAE, Romania, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, France, South Africa, Greece, the US, Oman, Germany, Spain, Kuwait, Ireland, South Korea, Canada, Hong Kong and Portugal. All customers have to do is enable 4G and data roaming on their smartphone. The 23 countries are in the list of Vodafone Passport Pack countries which gives Vodafone cus- tomers, when activated, the ability to enjoy 2GB of the Internet, unlimited minutes to receive calls and unlimited minutes to make calls to Vodafone Qatar numbers for QR100 a week.To activate the pack, dial Prepaid: *200*100#, Postpaid: *110*101# and Business: *110*102# THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

ACTING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR KHALID AL-JABER [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected]

ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION RATES: ANNUAL QR 675 6 MONTHS QR 340 Editorial

Talking to Taliban Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE Afghan government and the Taliban are said to be open the idea of renewing their peace talks. This is indeed good news because the Afghan government Thad always been ready to bring the militants to the negotiating table. The Taliban resisted because of the US Syria-bound British girls presence, saying that the Kabul government was a proxy of Washington and talks would yield nothing. But what is new this time is that talks are being pushed by Pakistan. There are several reasons cited for Pakistan’s change of mind, like aren’t jihadi devil-women December’s murderous attack by the Pakistani Taliban on a military school in Peshawar, which united the country BY NOSHEEN IQBAL three bright young people with families in condemnation of terrorism and secondly, the new army and a future. Why would they do this? chief and director of intelligence may be more flexible on ACK in the 90s, when Britpop How could they do this? “Academically Afghanistan than their predecessors were. was a ubiquitous and unfortu- bright,” came one description from a Taliban too has been persuaded to embrace talks due nate thing, every school had source in the Daily Mail, “but naive and It’s difficult to to the new realities. It had hoped to march triumphantly Bat least one Boyzone fan who vulnerable.” emerged overnight as an authority on They have been brainwashed by an into Kabul after the American troops’ departure but those Blur. Remember how she ditched that ideology many times more threaten- remember when a hopes are now dimming because the Afghan forces have lanky pole with greasy curtains for the ing than a regular cult: ISIS is offering taken control and despite the setbacks they have suffered, closest your suburb had to a Damon religious power to its victims, selling 15-year-old was last they can’t be pushed aside so easily. Taliban forces on the Albarn lookalike (tufty hair; Adidas the idea that recruits become a type taken seriously as an ground have been unable to take any major cities, even in Gazelles)? She was average and bor- of turbo-Muslim, and that theirs is its southern stronghold. Meanwhile, with the war against ing, but somehow pulled the coolest boy a legitimate adventure because it adult in the national in town, having cribbed up on Shine is one sanctioned by God. ISIS has Islamic State heating up, the US is increasing its presence in compilations and flicked through NME. Hollywood-ised war, made barbarity press. Why are we the region. Last weekend in Kabul, Defense Secretary Ashton And it was always thus: teenage girls so blockbuster, that it looks cartoon- Carter said the US might slow its troop withdrawals, now have been changing their personalities, ishly unreal to a young, malleable mind. affording three brown scheduled to be complete by the wardrobes and music taste for boys Plenty of teenagers love violence – this end of the year. they fancy – teenagers of both sexes, for isn’t new. The shock seems to be that Muslim girls that Any deal with Taliban is that matter, have girls, as well as boys, appear to have an been reinvent- appetite for it. privilege now? There is impossible without the complete ing themselves Like all predatory internet groom- a strong cooperation of Pakistan and the – ever since the ers, Raqqa’s warriors wield a sexual government of Nawaz Sheriff is We shouldn’t concept of being a power; anyone who has seen their social against their parents in the most per- possibility now in a mood to help. Pakistan’s teenager existed. media feeds will understand that ISIS verse way they can: by becoming more powerful spy chief has left on an be writing In other words, lads brand themselves as rock stars. pious, more extreme, than their fami- do you actually Marrying one is a religiously approved lies would ever tolerate. that peace official trip to the United States, these girls off remember what it way to channel the mad, hormonal The reality is that they have barely will return to the military said yesterday, with was like to be 15? energy that powers all teenagers – lived. At their age, extremism and possible peace talks between – the rockstar This is what Muslim girls included. nihilism can easily take root, because Afghanistan in Afghanistan and the Afghan barbarism springs to mind Grade-A students aren’t exempt real life hasn’t really happened to them near future. Taliban likely to be on the agenda. as I read through from grooming. If you make that your yet. ISIS knows this; that’s why it’s tar- The brief military statement of ISIS is many of the com- starting point in trying to understand geting teenagers so ruthlessly. ment pieces onthe why three teenage girls, yet to even Spitting in a full-frothed outrage announcing Lieutenant General designed three schoolgirls sit their GCSEs, would run away from over both their audacity and their Rizwan Akhtar’trip said only that who seem to have home to join the world’s most powerful stupidity doesn’t make the problem he would “discuss issues related to recruit disappeared to cult, you are already one step ahead go away, in the same way that trying to intelligence” with his counterparts, whom it did not name. impressionable Syria. Leave them of the bile. Amira Abase, Shamima to understand it doesn’t make you an But security analyst Hasan Askari said the meetings would to rot, scream the Begum and Kadiza Sultana are British apologist for ISIS. Would there be this almost certainly touch on the issue of Taliban talks. “The teenagers, headlines. They’re schoolgirls, two of them born and level of contempt for a victim of sexual colluding with raised here. Being savvy and confident grooming? What would the coverage possibility of dialogue between the Afghan Taliban with Kabul Grade-A evil! These jihadi enough to pack a duffel bag and board look like if three middle-class school- and US, with special reference to any help that Pakistan devil-women a flight without their parents or the girls upped and left to fight on the could extend to facilitate the process, will figure prominently students or know exactly authorities’ knowledge doesn’t make frontline of Golden Dawn? It’s worth at the talks in Washington,” Askari said. He said the ISI chief otherwise. what they’re them immune from being manipulated. asking, because the argument that would brief his US counterpart and other senior defence doing, and will get Being sharp and clever in class doesn’t we reject these girls and refuse them all they deserve make them any less impressionable as help is as dumb as the mistake they’ve officials about the recent improvements in Islamabad’s ties on arrival in Syria! But does anyone children. clearly made. with Kabul, and the ongoing cooperation between the two actually remember, in hindsight, how This doesn’t absolve the three of It’s difficult to remember when a countries on border control. stupid they were at that age? responsibility – I’m betting each of 15-year-old was last taken seriously as Despite the optimism from all quarters, any talks with the Like the neighbours of serial killers, them is self-aware enough to think an adult in the national press. Why are Taliban will be tough. But the launch of talks itself will be a no one voxpopped from Bethnal Green that they’re independent, acting we affording three brown Muslim girls huge achievement. There is a strong possibility that peace Academy can believe it: these were entirely of their free will and rebelling that privilege now? THE GUARDIAN will return to Afghanistan. The other side Quote of Preparing for 2016 the day

HE two companies bidding the retirement of Sixto Brillantes Jr. as impact on the results will be negligible. the voting machines must be settled to supply 23,000 optical Comelec chairman on February 2, has Controversies have hounded the use of ASAP. President Aquino must do his mark reader machines for been questioned before the Supreme the PCOS machines since these were part by speeding up his selection of Tuse in the 2016 elections Court, with petitioners assailing it as a first used in the 2010 general elections. replacements for the Comelec chair- Iran is forever were disqualified yesterday by the midnight deal. So far the SC has not Both Smartmatic and Comelec officials man and two commissioners who Commission on Elections. Smartmatic- granted a petition to issue a temporary have defended the performance of the recently retired. He must pick a per- forbidden from Total Information Management Corp. restraining order on the contract. machines. Filipinos for the most part son who is known to be non-partisan building a nuclear and Indra Sistemas S.A., however, With only a year to go before the accepted the results and liked the and has a reputation for integrity. The can still seek a reconsideration of their official start of the campaign for the speed of the vote count since elections President’s choice must dispel suspi- weapon, that is the disqualification. general elections, the Comelec must were fully automated in 2010. cions that his party, whose presumptive nature of membership Smartmatic-TIM earlier bagged a be able to choose with finality the There’s no going back to manual standard bearer is rating low in surveys, P240-million deal to repair and reha- voting machines to be used and the counting, but the Comelec is expected will resort to poll fraud to maintain its in the Non- bilitate 82,000 precinct count optical company that will maintain whichever to ensure the accuracy of the auto- hold on power. The President’s peace scan or PCOS machines used in the machine is selected. The machines mated count. For this the machines programme is in disarray, but he can Proliferation Treaty 2010 and 2013 elections. The deal, must still hurdle several tests. In case must be put through their paces over still aim for another legacy: clean, which they are a awarded without bidding by the poll technical glitches mar the May 2016 several months. Questions about the orderly and credible elections. John Kerry body and signed three days before elections, these must be so slight their supply and maintenance contracts for The Philippine Star member of. US Secretary of State THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 ARAB VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Arab issues discussed in White House investments in US are expected to reach $35bn in the next five years. US investments in Qatar through more than 120 companies are also increasing, especially after Qatar won the right to host the Fifa World Cup in 2022. Qatar and the US enjoy strong relations based on mutual respect, like other friendly countries. They understand the viewpoints of each other and work together to solve regional and international issues BY JABER AL HARAMI related to security and stability. The US administration knows he visit of the Emir very well the credibility of Qatar H H Sheikh Tamim bin and its position in the region and Hamad Al Thani to the the international community. TUnited States is very Qatar always supports the secu- important as it comes at a time rity and stability of countries and when the region is witnessing fast addresses the issues of people. It is changes in several areas. impartial and does not pay heed to During the visit, the Emir met baseless allegations. It maintains US President Barack Obama, equal distance from all parties. other decision-makers in the Qatar has gained high credibility, Congress, and high-profile politi- because of which it has often been cal and economic figures. a venue for talks and mediation Key issues that need consul- efforts, with parties having dis- tation and discussion were to be putes and differences seeking its taken up during the Emir’s meet- help. Qatar provides transparent ings with top politicians, econo- mediation and is best advisor and mists and educationists. defendant of nations. Relations between the two The best example of Qatari countries extend to a number of mediation is the release of an sectors and have proved fruitful. American soldier in May last A high-level business delega- year after five years as a Taliban tion led by Sheikh Mohamad bin captive in Afghanistan. President Hamad Al Thani visited the US Obama had appreciated Qatar’s recently. Deals concluded dur- role in a telephonic conversation ing the visit indicate that Qatar’s with the Emir. Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US President Barack Obama shake hands at the Oval Office of the White House on Tuesday. Wisdom missing in Yemen Strategic patience or has

Since September 2014, when military, depending on the cir- they were determined to impose cumstances and a clear indica- US quit its leadership role? their power and besiege the gov- tion from the US that it opposes ernment, they have lost confi- the Houthis’ acquisition of power dence to run the country, leading and dismantling of government rebels in eastern Ukraine. mention of ground forces, leaving Yemen to a complicated situation institutions. Last week, while negotiations fighting on the ground to Iraqi that is hard to understand and The situation in Yemen affects were taking place in Minsk and Kurdish forces, while US has no quick solution. all the parties involved and it has between Putin and French, forces will participate in support, There were betrayals, sold worsened due to the lack of a German and Ukrainian leaders special and rescue operations consciences and failed efforts, clear vision. for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, within the framework of coun- including the Gulf initiative, The Houthis lack confidence Putin was sending tanks over the tering terrorism in partnership which was signified by the person in managing the country, and border. with allies. BY FARHAN AL AQEEL of President Abdrabuh Mansur instead of wielding authority We cannot explain China’s This strategy was criticised by Hadi, who represented a frag- are being authoritarian. They are behaviour towards its neighbours, Republican hawks in Congress, ile consensus among conflicting rejoicing in their victory with- especially Japan, Vietnam and the and even by some members of olomon’s hoopoe is absent parties. out elaborating on how they will Philippines, including the North the president’s party. It was from Yemen, whose cur- There are those stirring up manage a country like Yemen. BY DR ABDULLAH Korean missile tests, except as described as a sign of a weak and Srent circumstances require trouble in order to push Yemen They keep waiting for orders KHALIFA AL SHAYJI a test of the determination and insecure United States that had a miracle. towards a situation in which the from Iran, which highlights leadership of the United States abandoned its global leadership How will Yemen recover its country will become a haven for their political allegiance to that and President Obama’s strategy. role. stability at a time when miracles opportunist forces and terrorists country. o understand President Early in February, the White It is a strategy that has have ceased, the scene is blurry targeting the entire Arab region However, Yemen’s future can- Barack Obama’s approach House issued a new 29-page allowed Assad, Putin and others and the road difficult after the and its regimes. In addition, the not be based on a narrow vision Tto world crises, from strategy, called the doctrine of to exploit America’s wavering. country got a new and strange secessionist movement in the that excludes all but on faction returning to Iraq to strike by air “strategic patience”, which is a One of the Republican hawks, political system imposed by force south threatens to divide Yemen of Yemeni society, and on seizure rather than using ground troops revision of the old Obama doc- Senator Lindsey Graham, sum- and fraud? into two. of power by fabricating events, to face the Islamic State’s ter- trine about “not getting involved” marised this strategy’s effect: Time doesn’t permit writing Whoever points out that buying consciences and encour- rorism, to opposing China and and “leadership from behind.” “I doubt ISIL, the Iranian about Yemen’s literature, his- underlying the conflict is the aging hostility between different Russia and his openness to Iran, This strategy rejects “expan- mullahs, or Vladmir Putin will tory and wisdom. It was the first ideological clash between the groups. ignoring its nuclear project, we sion and attrition of foreign pol- be intimidated by President home to the Arabs who lost many Salafis and Houthis, who are Wisdom is needed to solve must closely study his character icy in dealing with world crises Obama’s strategy of ‘Strategic eras after the hoopoe. directed from Tehran, also knows the Yemen issue. Didn’t Prophet and way of thinking. and problems, such as handling Patience.’ From their point No one realises the conse- that many powers are looking for Solomon, despite miracles, cor- Last year, Obama outlined his ISIS threats, extremism and the of view, the more ‘patience’ quences of the current events in influence in Yemen for strategic rect the creed of Sheba with thinking with the following state- war on terror”. President Obama practices the Yemen, not even those who met reasons. wisdom, through his letter to its ment: “Just because we have the The revised strategy provides a stronger they become.” last Friday at the presidential The Gulf states could do noth- Queen, Bilkis? best hammer does not mean that road map for dealing with world Former US defence secretary palace in Sana’a for the estab- ing at this stage except meet US Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) every problem is a nail.” crises during Obama’s remaining Chuck Hagel clarified that “stra- lishment of a new set-up in a Secretary of State John Kerry said that wisdom comes from During the Nato-led interna- time in the White House. tegic patience” meant “a mix of country torn by diverse forces during the Munich Security Yemen. Developments in Yemen tional action to overthrow the It emphasises that the US our economic and diplomatic and ideologies. Conference to shape a global require more than ever wisdom Gaddafi regime in Libya in 2011, will always defend its interests, sources, our values and our solid Where is Yemen heading? This response to the conflict. The and prudence on the part of all an official in the Obama adminis- respect its commitments to its military force.” is a question difficult to answer only effect of the Gulf interven- the parties involved, not emo- tration used the term “leadership allies and partners and take deci- However, this strategy doesn’t even for the Houthis, who are tion was to raise the issue to the tions or shows of force. Who will from behind,” which raised a lot sions based on priorities without scare America’s adversaries, ruling the country with armed global level and produce a warn- bring back this wisdom? of questions among Washington’s attrition and fear; and the smart who, like Obama’s Republican force and an imported ideology. ing of urgent action, probably The author is a columnist allies and enemies alike about strategy is not to solely rely on opponents, interpret it as his the administration’s intention in military force. It also rejects the wavering, weakness and loss of letting France lead the military concept of fighting an extensive leadership. operations. and costly ground war. This strategy doesn’t relieve The idea of “leadership from It isn’t surprising that Obama America’s allies; it rather behind” worried America’s allies refused to involve American increases their doubts about and emboldened its opponents in ground forces in fighting IS in Washington and its ability to their conviction that the United Iraq and Syria. Last week he adhere to their strategic alliance. States under Obama would not requested a mandate for use of The author is an academic fight intense and complex wars force against IS, devoid of any and political analyst like in Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly since the US presi- dent had repeatedly said that he was elected to end wars and not launch new ones. This means no more American wars as long as Obama is in the White House, which is being exploited by America’s adversaries. However, this new strategy has worried America’s allies, who have become sceptical about relying on the Obama adminis- tration. The lax US attitude is being exploited by Bashar Al Assad, Vladimir Putin, China, Al Qaeda, Islamic State (IS), the Houthis, and other countries and organisations. This laxness has produced the American-Iranian rap- prochement despite the long- standing alliance between A poster of Yemen’s President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi is seen on an armoured personnel carrier positioned outside Washington and its Gulf allies, Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican hawk, has said that he doubts the Republican Palace in the southern port city of Aden. and Russia has dared to occupy President Obama’s strategy of ‘Strategic Patience’ will deter America’s foes. Crimea and support separatist THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Palestinian mosque damaged Muslim forum on ‘terrorism’ seeks Kerry, Rice education reform

JEDDAH: A counter-terrorism conference attended by senior Muslim scholars from around the world yesterday called for lambast education reform to tackle reli- gious extremism. Participants at the meeting in the Saudi holy city of Makkah urged Muslim leaders to review the religious messages in educa- tion, to achieve a more moderate Netanyahu approach. The recommendation came in a communique after the three- day conference organised by the Speech ‘destructive’ to US ties Makkah-based Muslim World League, a group of non-govern- WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime two weeks in advance of his elec- ment organisations. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s tion, is that on both sides there “The fight against terrorism acceptance of an invitation to has now been injected a degree of and religious extremism does not address the US Congress, without partisanship,” Rice said. “Which conflict with Islam,” the state- the blessing of the White House, is not only unfortunate, I think it ment said. “Terrorism has no reli- is destructive to US-Israeli ties, a is destructive of the fabric of the Palestinians inspect the damage inside a mosque that was torched and sprayed with graffiti in a ‘price tag’ gion or homeland, and to accuse senior official said yesterday. relationship,” Rice added. hate attack by extremist Jewish settlers in Al Jaba’ah, near Bethlehem, in the West Bank, yesterday. No one Islam of being behind terrorism is The comments by National US Secretary of State John was hurt in the attack. unjust and false,” it added. AFP Security Adviser Susan Rice are Kerry also hit out at Netanyahu some of the harshest yet amid saying the Israeli leader had been a controversy over Republican wrong in the past about foreign House speaker John Boehner’s policy decisions and highlighting invitation to the Israeli leader to that he had called for an exten- address lawmakers, without fol- sion of a November 2013 interim lowing protocol and advising US deal with Iran which he had ini- Model faces jail term for ‘insulting Erdogan’ President Barack Obama first. tially opposed. Obama and other Democrats “I’ll tell you, Israel is safer today ANKARA: A former Miss In her testimony, Buyuksarac context of freedom of expres- (the one that does not include any have said they will not attend the with the added time we have given Turkey beauty queen faces up said she may have quoted a poem sion” and were guilty of “exceed- insult), you will see 960,000 more speech on March 3 in Washington. and the stoppage of the advances to four years and five months called the Master’s Poem from ing the boundaries of criticism” people shared it... it’s interesting, Obama has said his attendance in the Iranian nuclear program in prison on charges of insult- weekly Turkish satirical magazine and “overtly humiliating” the isn’t it?” would be seen as partisan, with than they were before we got that ing President Recep Tayyip Uykusuz. But the 26-year-old said president. The case is the latest in a string Israeli elections set for March 17. agreement, which, by the way, the Erdogan, the latest in a growing she later deleted it after one of The court is due to decide of recent incidents in European Democrats also say Netanyahu’s prime minister opposed,” Kerry number of such cases, reports her friends warned her that such whether to start full legal pro- Union hopeful Turkey, where pro- speech, set to focus on tough told US lawmakers on Wednesday. said yesterday. posts could bring criminal charges ceedings and a trial. testers as well as journalists have nuclear talks with Iran, could “He was wrong. And today he’s Turkish prosecutors said an in Turkey. Erdogan, then mayor of found themselves facing criminal undermine the negotiations as a saying ‘Oh, we should extend that investigation had been launched The Master’s Poem — which Istanbul, was himself imprisoned lawsuits or jail time after being March 31 deadline for a frame- interim agreement.’” against model Merve Buyuksarac was shared by the model while for four months in the late 1990s accused of insulting or slandering work deal looms. Kerry also told the House for- after Erdogan’s lawyer lodged Erdogan was serving as prime for reciting an Islamist poem Erdogan. Rice, in an interview with jour- eign affairs committee that in 2003 a complaint in November 2014 minister — criticises the Turkish that was deemed an incitement In a case that attracted wide nalist Charlie Rose on PBS, said Netanyahu had been “profoundly against a satirical poem taken strongman with verses adapted to religious hatred. But after con- attention, teenage schoolboy US relations with Israel have forward leaning and outspoken” on from a magazine and posted on her from the national anthem. solidating his power in Turkish Mehmet Emin Altunses will go always had bipartisan support. the US invasion of Iraq. Instagram site, state news agency Erdogan, who was elected politics, he has repeated the on trial on March 6 on charges of She said the invitation for the He promised the Obama admin- Anatolia reported. Prosecutors president in August after steer- verses again and again. insulting the president in a speech speech had broken that tradition istration would share the deal with stated the charges carry a maxi- ing the country as prime minister In a statement posted on her in the conservative Anatolian city and added a political component. Netanyahu and again renewed mum penalty of four years and five since 2003, is often dubbed Buyuk Twitter account, Buyuksarac said of Konya. Four young people were “What has happened over the calls for the Israeli leader not to months behind bars. Usta (the Big Master). “I did not “if there will ever be a trial” it arrested in four days last week on last several weeks by virtue of the “prejudge” the outcome, adding he The 2006 Miss Turkey, who was make the adaptation. I shared it would be on charges of “insult- different charges of insulting the invitation that was issued by the would likewise reserve judgement briefly detained last month, told because I found it funny,” she said. ing a public official”. She also Turkish strongman during street Speaker and the acceptance of it on the Congress speech until after- an Istanbul court that she did not Prosecutors said the posts appeared to defend her conduct. protests this month. by Prime Minister Netanyahu, wards. AFP intend to insult the president. could not be considered “in the “If you google the poem I shared AFP Israel court okays distribution of Egypt court Charlie Hebdo copies for vote

to rule on JERUSALEM: Israel’s Supreme Court yesterday ruled that a far-right party could distribute controversial copies of Charlie electoral law Hebdo as part of its campaign ahead of a March 17 general elec- tion. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beitenu party had already displayed copies of the French satirical maga- on Sunday zine that featured an image of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at a publicity stunt in Tel Aviv earlier this month. But party activists CAIRO: Egypt’s Constitutional stopped short of distributing them on that occasion while the Court said it will rule on Sunday Supreme Court decided whether or not to uphold a decision by on whether the electoral law the electoral commission that giving out the magazines for free is constitutional, with polls for was tantamount to bribery. “In the form of election propaganda, a new parliament next month (Beitenu) are allowed to distribute the special issue of Charlie likely to be delayed if the deci- Hebdo to voters,” the court said. “It is legitimate electoral propa- sion is negative. ganda.” Charlie Hebdo’s print version is not available for pur- The election, currently set to be chase in Israel. held between March 21 and May 7, would be the first since army Top Syrian dissident freed on bail chief Abdel Fattah Al Sisi over- threw Islamist Mohamed Mursi DAMASCUS: A leading Syrian opposition figure, Louay Hussein, in 2013. After Mursi’s ouster, Sisi said he was freed on bail yesterday, more than three months announced plans for a new consti- after he was detained. “I just left prison, I am on my way home,” tution, to be followed by presiden- Hussein said in Beirut on the phone from Syria, adding that he tial and parliamentary elections. was in good spirits. His remarks came after his lawyer said the The new charter was adopted head of the Building the Syrian State party would be granted bail A French navy Rafale fighter jet lands on the aircraft craft carrier Charles de Gaulle operating in the Gulf following in January 2014 and Sisi elected and allowed to leave Adra prison northeast of Damascus. Michel a mission over Iraq yesterday. A dozen French fighter jets are catapulted into the sky from the aircraft carrier in president in May. The same Shammas said his client’s trial on charges including “weakening the Gulf, roaring off towards Iraq as part of the campaign against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. court had dissolved the previous national sentiment” would begin on Tuesday. Hussein was taken Islamist-dominated parliament, into custody in November on his way out of Syria at the border which was elected after the 2011 with Lebanon. uprising that forced dictator Kurds cut IS supply line; fears Hosni Mubarak from power. Libya House wants Haftar to lead army It ruled that parts of the law under which it was elected were BENGHAZI: The president of Libya’s elected parliament has mount for abducted Christians unconstitutional. That decision proposed appointing army general Khalifa Haftar as top army granted broad legislative powers commander, parliament’s spokesman said yesterday. The deci- BEIRUT/AMMAN: Kurdish and Sunnis who do not swear a Kurdish official in the YPG mili- to the presidents in the absence sion shows the increasing influence of military figures in the militia pressed a big offensive allegiance to its self-declared tia in northeastern Syria. Some of an assembly, and Sisi decreed official government and parliament, which has been forced to against Islamic State in north- “caliphate”. The group last week Christians are fighting under the the new electoral law. operate from eastern Libya since an armed group called Libya east Syria yesterday, cutting released a video showing its umbrella of the YPG in Hasaka The court yesterday heard gov- Dawn seized the capital Tripoli in summer. “Aguila Saleh (par- one of its supply lines from Iraq, members beheading 21 Egyptian province, he added. ernment arguments that the law liament’s president) has proposed to appoint Haftar,” spokesman as fears mounted for dozens Coptic Christians in Libya. The new Kurdish offensive was constitutional after several Farraj Hashem said. “The House of Representatives supports of Christians abducted by the The abductions in Syria fol- launched at the weekend was appeals were filed pointing at this.” He said a decree appointing Haftar would still need to be hardline group that recently low advances by Kurdish forces focused on dislodging Islamic loopholes in it. The disputes cen- signed by Saleh, who has quasi-presidential powers. Haftar, an beheaded 21 Egyptian Copts. against Islamic State in areas State from areas some 100km tre on the redrawing of electoral army general, has emerged as would-be strongman in the east, At least 90 Assyrian Christians of the northeast near the Iraqi further to the east, including Tel districts and political rights of where the internationally recognised prime minister, Abdullah were seized from villages in border. The Syrian Kurdish YPG Hamis, a town that is one of its candidates for office. Al Thinni, has been based since losing control of Tripoli. Hasaka province in a mass abduc- militia, backed by US-led air strongholds. The court is hearing claims tion coinciding with the offensive strikes, last month drove Islamic The Observatory said at least that the law does not represent Mursi prison break trial verdict on May 16 in the same region by Kurdish State from Kobani, since when 132 Islamic State fighters had all districts fairly, and that it also forces backed by US-led air further signs of strain have been been killed in the fighting since restricts the representation of CAIRO: An Egyptian court set May 16 for a verdict in the prison strikes, according to the Syrian seen in the group’s ranks. February 21. Mahmoud, the Egyptians living abroad. break trial of ousted president Mohamed Mursi, who could be Observatory for Human Rights, The Assyrian Christians were Kurdish official, said seven mem- Also challenged is a clause sentenced to death if convicted, an official said. Mursi, over- which tracks the conflict. taken from villages near the town bers of the Kurdish YPG militia under which female MPs can be thrown in 2013, faces several trials along with top leaders of his The Syriac National Council of Tel Tamr, some 20km to the had been killed, including one dismissed from the assembly only Muslim Brotherhood movement. He and 130 others are accused of Syria put the figure as high as northwest of the city of Hasaka. Australian. if they change their party or inde- of escaping from prisons along with thousands of other inmates, 150. Hundreds more Christians There has been no word on their A Kurdish official said the YPG pendent affiliation, while men are and murdering police officers during the first few days of the 2011 have fled to the two main cities fate. There have been conflicting had cut a main road linking Tel open to a variety of other possible uprising against Hosni Mubarak. Another court is to deliver a in Hasaka province, according reports on where the Christians Hamis with Al Houl, a town just causes for dismissal as well. verdict in an espionage trial of Mursi and 35 others on May 16. A to the Syriac Council and the had been taken. a few miles from the Iraqi bor- The court, in a hearing broad- verdict is also set for April 21 in a trial of Mursi and 14 others for Observatory. “These were peaceful villages der. “This is the main artery for cast on state television, said it will inciting the killing of protesters in clashes outside a presidential Islamic State has killed mem- that had nothing to do with the Daesh,” he said, using an acronym rule on Sunday. palace in December 2013. AGENCIES bers of religious minorities battles,” said Nasir Haj Mahmoud, for Islamic State. REUTERS AFP THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Saleh amassed up to $60bn: UN report UN Security Council votes to extend sanctions on Yemen’s ex-president and two top militia leaders

DUBAI: Yemeni ex-president of others holding the assets on his Ali Abdullah Saleh (pictured) is behalf, the report said. It took the Search widens suspected of corruptly amassing form of property, cash, shares, as much as $60bn, equivalent gold and other valuable commodi- for abducted to Yemen’s annual GDP, dur- ties, and was believed to spread ing his long rule, and colluding across at least 20 countries. in a militia takeover last year, Saleh was ousted in the wake French woman, UN-appointed investigators of the 2011 Arab Spring pro- have told the Security Council. tests, after 33 years at the head Yemeni guide The report by the world body’s of one of the Arab world’s most Panel of Experts on Yemen echoes fractious and — despite modest SANA’A: Efforts intensi- criticism by his opponents that energy reserves — impoverished fied yesterday to find a French Saleh’s rule from 1978 to 2012 was countries. woman and her Yemeni inter- marred by graft, and that even Saleh has remained a power- preter kidnapped in crisis-hit out of office he is broker, and fre- Yemen, with relatives reaching fomenting instability quently criticised his out to tribal chiefs and the Shia — allegations he has successor, Abdrabbu militia that controls the capital. consistently denied. Mansur Hadi, in the Unidentified gunmen seized Presented with months running up 30-year-old Isabelle Prime — a the experts’ 54-page to the invasion of consultant working on a World findings, the Council Sana’a in September Bank-funded project — and voted unanimously by a Shi’a rebel Sherine Makkaoui from a car in on Tuesday to extend group that eventu- Sana’a on Tuesday. sanctions on Saleh ally swept Hadi from French Foreign Minister and two top militia power and opened up Laurent Fabius said Paris was leaders, first targeted a political vacuum. making “every effort” to reach by the world body in Describing the Prime’s kidnappers, while her November for their Houthis’ armed employer said “some contact” had alleged role in desta- surge into the capi- been made with them. bilising the country. tal in September, GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif Al Zayani (right) speaks to media after meeting with Yemeni President Abdrabuh The abduction has prompted Repeated calls the UN experts Mansur Hadi (left) in the Presidential Palace in the southern port city of Aden yesterday. calls by France for its nationals to a spokesman for Saleh were cited “the loyalty of large parts to avoid the Gulf nation following not immediately returned. In an of the army to elements of the old months of unrest. interview with Reuters last year, regime, in particular Ahmad Ali “We contacted various tribal Saleh denied any corruption dur- Saleh and former president Saleh, GCC reiterates support for Hadi leaders in Sana’a and in the ing his tenure. His party has also who colluded with the Houthis in provinces of Jawf and Marib to rejected allegations by Saleh’s what resulted in a coup d’état”. ADEN: The Gulf Cooperation Hadi’s exit from Sana’a and his forces from government insti- ensure their cooperation for critics that he or his son Ahmad Meanwhile, armed men from Council reiterated its support for arrival safely in Aden”. tutions. On Monday, the Gulf the release of the two women,” Ali, once one of Yemen’s top mili- Houthi group took over a spe- beleaguered Yemeni President The GCC has already voiced states, long wary of Iran’s alleged Yassine Makkaoui, uncle of the tary commanders, had had a hand cial forces army base in Sana’a, Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi after its its support for Hadi in his dis- support for the militia, urged Yemeni woman, said. “We have in the fall of the capital Sana’a. soldiers there said. The clashes, chief met him yesterday, just days pute with the Shia Houthi militia Yemenis to “stand by the presi- also contacted, for the same rea- “(Saleh) is alleged to have which lasted around six hours, after he escaped house arrest in that overran Sana’a in September. dent and support him... in order son, the interior ministry and the amassed assets between $32bn started late on Tuesday when Sana’a and fled south. Under effective house arrest, Hadi to end Yemen’s dangerous situa- Houthis,” he added. and $60bn ... partly from his Houthis shelled the camp with GCC Secretary-General escaped on Saturday and resur- tion caused by Houthis”. Makkaoui blamed the militia corrupt practices as President of heavy weapons. At least 10 people Abdullatif Al Zayani, leading a faced in Aden, where he resumed It brokered a UN-backed peace for the lack of security in the Yemen, particularly relating to were killed. delegation of Gulf ambassadors, his duties and retracted a resig- deal that ended a year of deadly capital that allowed his niece gas and oil contracts where he The troops had been trained met Hadi at the Republican nation he offered last month. protests that eased longtime and Prime to be abducted. “The reportedly asked for money in and equipped by the United States Palace in the port city of Aden, a Hadi has branded all measures president Ali Abdullah Saleh kidnapping took place in broad exchange for granting companies as an elite counterterrorism unit presidential aide said. adopted by the Houthis, includ- from power in February 2012 and daylight in the centre of Sana’a exclusive rights to prospect for during the rule of Saleh. The US Zayani “stressed the support of ing the creation of a presidential brought Hadi to office. where the Houthis are responsible gas and oil,” write the experts, military trained and kitted out GCC members for... the Yemeni council, as “null and illegitimate”. Zayani said the GCC will keep for maintaining order,” Makkaoui who monitor violations of UN Yemeni soldiers under Saleh, and president,” said a statement Yemen’s GCC neighbours up its efforts “to enhance secu- said. “They control both the min- sanctions on Yemen. under Hadi the CIA has stepped issued by the Riyadh-based bloc. rejected as a coup the Houthis’ rity and stability in Yemen, and istries of defence and interior, and Most of this wealth was believed up drone strikes aimed at killing After the meeting, Zayani told sidelining Western-backed Hadi, to support the brotherly Yemeni we hold them responsible” for the to have been transferred abroad suspected militants. reporters the leaders of Gulf and the UN Security Council people to overcome the difficult women’s fate, he added. under false names or the names REUTERS countries are “very happy about urged the militia to withdraw its situation it endures”. AFP AFP

Bahrain court Iran stages war games, rejects bail for boats hit model US ship Al Wefaq chief BEIRUT: Iran’s elite Revo- out an exercise in laying mines, DUBAI: A Bahraini court yes- lutionary Guards staged war according to the Iranian Students’ terday again rejected a request games in the Strait of Hormuz News Agency. for bail from a Shia opposition yesterday, including a gunboat Some 30 percent of all seaborne chief whose trial for allegedly attack on a model US warship, traded oil flows through Hormuz, seeking to overthrow the Sunni in Tehran’s latest display of mili- according to the US Energy regime has sparked interna- tary muscle in a Gulf shipping Information Administration, and tional concern. channel vital to world oil exports. US officials have expressed con- The court in Manama ruled The Shia Islamic Republic sees cern in the past that Iran could that Sheikh Ali Salman, the the Gulf, between Iran and the try to disrupt the oil flow or even head of the Al Wefaq association, Sunni Arab states, as its own attack American warships patrol- should remain in detention dur- backyard and believes it has a ling the waters of the Gulf. ing his trial, rejecting a second legitimate interest in expanding Western navies also stage mili- request for bail, a judicial source its influence there. tary exercises in the Gulf, saying said. A ceremony marking the exer- they wish to guarantee freedom Salman, 49, was arrested on cises was attended by command- of navigation. Iran, whose entire December 28 for allegedly “pro- ers of the Guards, an influential southern border runs along the moting the overthrow and change military force led by anti-Western Gulf and the adjacent Gulf of of the political regime by force” hawks, as well as by Parliament Oman, has often said it could and inciting disobedience and Speaker Ali Larijani. block Hormuz, which connects hatred in public statements. “With attention to the situation the two waters, if Tehran came Salman, wearing a traditional in the region, we have noticeably under military attack over its dis- cleric’s cloak and a white turban, Iranian President Hassan Rowhani (right) waving to the crowd during his official visit to the city of Qom, Iran, expanded the defence budget of the puted nuclear programme. appeared before the court with yesterday. Rowhani said any deal with the West on the country’s nuclear programme must include lifting sanctions. armed forces to ensure the stable An exiled Iranian opposition seven defence lawyers, the source security of the region,” Larijani group, meanwhile, accused Tehran said. The court also rejected a told a news conference before the of running a “secret” uranium request for Bahrain’s interior exercises, according to Fars News. enrichment site close to Tehran. minister and the country’s head Iran ‘forever forbidden’ from State TV footage showed a “Despite the Iranian regime’s of general security to be called to number of gunboats swarming a claims that all of its enrichment testify, saying they are not linked huge model warship and blasting activities are transparent ... it has to the case. It then adjourned the it with missiles. The “maquette in fact been engaged in research trial to March 25. having nuclear arms: Kerry of an American aircraft carrier” and development with advanced Salman’s arrest sparked con- was built to scale and targeted centrifuges at a secret nuclear demnation from the United WASHINGTON: Iran is “for- for failing to declare its uranium was seeking to dismiss reports with cruise missiles and ballis- site called Lavizan-3,” said Alireza States, Iran and international ever” banned from building a enrichment programme. that after that time Iran would be tic missiles, according to Fars Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the rights groups. This month five UN nuclear weapon under an exist- World powers — Britain, China, free to develop atomic weapons. News, which is linked to the National Council of Resistance of rights experts urged Bahrain to ing international treaty, top US France, Germany, Russia and But he stressed that “Iran has Revolutionary Guard. Iran (NCRI). free Salman, saying the charges diplomat John Kerry said yes- the United States — appear to be already mastered the fuel cycle” The gunboats also carried REUTERS/AFP against him “appear to stem terday, seeking to dismiss fears close to nailing down a deal with and insisted that the key was to from the government’s dissatis- that limits on its programme Iran which would rein in its sus- ensure that its nuclear program faction” with Salman’s calls “for imposed in a new deal may pect nuclear programme. “was exclusively for peaceful the establishment of a demo- eventually be lifted. The aim is to construct a deal, purposes” — as allowed for under cratic regime and for government “Please understand, there is no which through limiting enrich- the NPT. accountability”. reduction (of restrictions) at any ment and destroying centrifuges US and Iranian negotiators are His arrest also triggered dem- time that permits Iran to build a for example, would ensure that it due to meet again next week in onstrations across the kingdom. nuclear weapon,” Kerry told US would take the Islamic Republic Switzerland, and American offi- Bahrain, which is home to the lawmakers when pressed whether at least a year to gather together cials have said Kerry could again US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has been a deal with Tehran would eventu- the fissile material to build a join the talks as a March 31 dead- rocked by unrest since a 2011 ally allow them to develop atomic bomb. That would give the inter- line for a political framework on Shia-led uprising demanding arms. “Iran is forever forbidden national community ample time the Iran deal looms. a constitutional monarchy and from building a nuclear weapon, to ward off the threat. National Security Advisor more representative government. that is the nature of membership US officials have said they want Susan Rice said that any deal At least 89 people have been in the Non-Proliferation Treaty the deal to remain in place for an would be a “phased one.” Iran is killed in clashes with security which they are a member of.” amount of time spanning “dou- “not going to be able to convince forces since 2011, while hundreds Iran is a signatory of the ble digits” but denied they were anybody on day one that they have been arrested and put on nuclear NPT, but has already thinking of only 10 years. have stopped enrichment,” she Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard troops attack a naval vessel during a military trial, rights groups say. been found in non-compliance At a hearing of the House told PBS television. drill in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday. AFP with the global treaty, including Foreign Affairs Committee, Kerry AFP THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com EUROPE / AMERICAS

Pope’s remark Ukraine truce takes on Mexico not meant to offend, hold amid taut nerves says Vatican ROME: A remark by Pope OSCE sceptical of ceasefire; UK sends 75 troops Francis to the effect that he hoped his homeland Argentina KIEV: A UN-backed ceasefire hardware in to bolster the rebels. could avoid “Mexicanisation” showed signs of taking hold in The West has thrown its hopes was not intended to offend Ukraine yesterday, but ten- of finding a negotiated solution to Mexicans or to undervalue the sions remained high after the Ukraine’s 10-month conflict fully government’s efforts to fight US accused Russia of “lies” behind the truce, which last week drug trafficking, the Vatican and Britain ordered a small won unanimous backing from the said yesterday. troop deployment to train UN Security Council. Mexico’s Foreign Minister Kiev’s forces. But continued breaches by Jose Antonio Meade complained Russia in turn has warned rebel forces — especially their this week that the remark, made it could cut off gas supplies to assault on Debaltseve, a strate- by the pope in an email to the Ukraine by the weekend — and, gic transport hub, and a build-up head of an Argentinian human by extension, to parts of the and attacks on Ukrainian army rights group, risked stigmatising European Union. positions near the port city of Mexico, where tens of thousands For the first time since the Mariupol — have exasperated the have died in drug-related violence European-brokered truce was EU and US. in recent years. imposed February 15, no deaths US Secretary of State John The Vatican said in a statement were reported in Ukraine’s war Kerry on Tuesday launched his that it had informed Mexico’s zone by either side for the past A Pro-Ukraine activist with ‘1938 = most scathing accusation to date ambassador to the Holy See that 24 hours. 2015’ written on his back protests over Russia’s alleged involvement the “Pope had absolutely no inten- “Over the past day, one soldier by being handcuffed to the railings in the conflict. tion of offending the feelings of was wounded but there were no of the Russian Embassy in Prague “They have been persisting in the Mexican people, whom he dead,” Ukrainian military spokes- yesterday. their misrepresentations — lies — loves very much, nor to ignore man Andriy Lysenko told journal- whatever you want to call them the commitment of the Mexican ists in Kiev. pull back heavy weapons, but the — about their activities there to government to fighting drug There was still no confirmation, Ukrainians aren’t,” a rebel com- my face, to the face of others, on trafficking.” though, from the Organization mander going by the nickname many different occasions,” he told According to a report last year for Security and Cooperation in “Khoroshii” told AFP. US lawmakers. from the Pew Research Centre, Europe (OSCE) of a pullback of But the head of the OSCE He said Russia was also engag- a Washington-based think tank, heavy weapons from the front- mission in Ukraine, Ertugrul ing in “a rather remarkable period more than 80 percent of Mexicans line — the other key plank of the Apakan, said in a statement the of the most overt and extensive are Catholic. truce. warring sides had not provided propaganda exercise that I’ve “The expression ‘avoiding Rebels insisted they were with- the information needed to deter- seen since the very height of the Mexicanisation’ was used by the drawing artillery, rocket launch- mine what, if any, arms withdraw- Cold War”. Pope in a strictly private and ers and tanks from some areas, als have occurred. British Prime Minister David informal email, in reply to an and journalists saw a column of Kiev says it will not carry out Cameron separately announced Argentinian friend, who is very howitzer guns being driven along an arms pullback until a full and his country was sending up to 75 involved in the fight against drugs a road near the separatist strong- “comprehensive” ceasefire is soldiers to Ukraine on a “training Activists of the Right Sector political party carry portraits of their comrades and who had used this phrase,” hold of Donestk. observed and has accused Russia mission”, with some leaving for killed in fighting with pro-Russian separatists during an anti-government it said. “We are following orders to of continuing to send military Kiev this week. AFP march in Kiev yesterday. The email, published by Argentine human rights group La Alameda, showed the Argentine- born pope apparently referring to the risk of Mexican-style drug violence reaching Argentina. “Hopefully we’re in time to Austria adopts law on Islam, bans foreign funds avoid the Mexicanization. I was talking to some Mexican bishops VIENNA: Austria’s parlia- Islam” dates from 1912, after the in Germany and Switzerland have from abroad. It also requires the ahead of the vote. The legislation and it’s a terrible situation,” the ment adopted legislation yester- annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina also expressed interest in the nearly 450 Muslim organisations also accords Muslims the right to organisation quoted the Pope as day amending laws on Muslim by the Austro-Hungarian empire. legislation. in the country to demonstrate a consult Islamic clerics on the staff saying in a message sent to its organisations to ban foreign The two-year-old bill passed Passage of the law comes amid “positive approach towards soci- of hospitals, retirement homes, head Gustavo Vera. sources of financing and require by parliament yesterday pre- estimates indicating around 200 ety and the state” in order to con- prisons and in the armed forces. More than 100,000 people have imams to be able to speak dates the recent jihadist violence people from Austria — including tinue receiving official licensing. Muslims in Austria will also been killed in drug cartel vio- German. in France and Denmark, but is women and minors — have gone Imams will be obliged to be able have the right to halal meals in lence in Mexico since 2007. In The new law aims to promote designed to “clearly combat” to Syria and Iraq to join jihadist to speak German under the law those institutions as well as in September last year, 43 students what conservative Integration the growing influence of radical militias like Islamic Front. — a bid to make their comments public schools, and will be allowed were murdered by police in league Minister Sebastian Kurz calls an Islam, Kurz said. A poll published by the OGM more accessible and transparent, to skip work on Islamic holidays. with a drug gang in an incident “Islam of European character” The new law will be carefully institute Tuesday found 58 per- while also facilitating the fuller The adopted text scaled back which drew shocked headlines by muting the influence of for- watched by other European cent of Austrians feeling radicali- integration of Islam into wider farther-reaching measures con- across the world and seriously eign Muslim nations and organi- countries facing the problem of sation of the nation’s Muslims was Austrian society. tained in an earlier version, embarrassed the Mexican gov- sations, and offering Austrian spreading extremism. underway. “We want a future in which including the imposition of an ernment. The Vatican said the Muslims a mix of increased rights Earlier this month, French To combat the rising risk of increasing numbers of imams “official” Holy Quran in German Pope intended only to highlight and obligations in practising their Prime Minister Manuel Valls radical indoctrination of foreign have grown up in Austria speak- that had sparked considerable the gravity of the drug traffick- faith in the central European similarly raised the notion of ban- origin, the legislation bans Islamic ing German, and can in that way controversy. ing problem in Mexico and other country. ning foreign funding of Islamic cultural organisations and imams serve as positive examples for Yet the legislation has still gen- Latin American countries. Austria’s previous “law on organisations. Kurz says officials in Austria from receiving funding young Muslims,” Kurz explained erated opposition. AFP REUTERS

Space for two Charlie Hebdo 3 Aljazeera scribes back with arrested in Paris PARIS: Three journalists A police source said witnesses Pope cartoon for TV station Aljazeera were and security forces reported at arrested in Paris yesterday least five sightings overnight PARIS: “We’re back!”. With after flying a drone from a Tuesday to yesterday over cen- those words — and a cartoon park on the edge of the city, a tral Paris — that may have been depicting the Pope, a jihadist and judicial source said. the same drone or several. French far-right leader Marine “The first was piloting the The tiny aircraft were spot- Le Pen as a pack of enraged ani- drone, the second was filming ted near the US embassy, not mals — Charlie Hebdo marked and the third was watching,” far from the Invalides military its return yesterday. said the source. museum, the Eiffel Tower and The team has lain low since The arrests come after mul- several major thoroughfares rushing out a “survivors’ issue” tiple drone sightings over the leading in and out of the French a week after the January 7 jihad- capital for the past two nights, capital, the source added. ist attack on its Paris office although there was no immedi- Authorities have been left that killed 12 people, includ- ate suggestion that the arrested scratching their heads as they ing some of France’s best-loved journalists were linked to the remain unable to catch any cartoonists. earlier incidents. of the operators or determine “We needed a break, a rest... The trio were apprehended in whether the flyovers are the There were those who needed the Bois de Boulogne, a park on work of pranksters, tourists or to work again straight away, like NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore operating outside the International Space Station (ISS) on the first of three the western edge of the city. something more malicious. me, and those who wanted to spacewalks preparing the station for future arrivals by US commercial crew spacecraft. US spacewalker Terry Flying drones over the There were five separate take more time,” Gerard Biard, Virts is seen reflected in Wilmore’s visor. The spacewalks are designed to lay cables along the forward end of French capital is banned by law, drone flights over parts of Paris the paper’s new chief editor, said the US segment to bring power and communication to two International Docking Adapters slated to arrive later and the latest sightings come at the previous night. earlier this month. a time of heightened vigilance “People should not be worried this year. The new docking ports will welcome US commercial spacecraft launched from Florida beginning in “So we reached a compromise, following last month’s jihadist but vigilant, it’s an issue which 2017, permitting the standard station crew size to grow from six to seven and potentially double the amount of and agreed on February 25... to attacks. is taken very seriously,” govern- start off again on a weekly basis.” crew time devoted to research. The names and nationalities ment spokesman Stephane Le Charlie Hebdo has a long his- of the three journalists from Foll told reporters, adding that tory of courting controversy by Aljazeera’s international service a probe was under way to find lampooning political and reli- were not given. They are aged the operators. gious figures of all stripes, and Three New Yorkers held for bid to join IS 34, 52 and 68. AFP the new 16-page issue was no exception. NEW YORK: Three New York Kazakh citizen but a Brooklyn The third suspect, Habibov, Former president Nicolas residents from Kazakhstan and resident, was arrested yesterday is accused of helping to fund Sarkozy, who has been criticised Uzbekistan have been arrested at New York’s John F Kennedy Saidakhmetov’s efforts to join the for giving lucratively-paid confer- for allegedly trying to join the International Airport attempting Syrian jihadists and is scheduled US spy agency shutdown looms ences abroad, was just one of the Islamic State (IS) group fighting to board a flight to Istanbul. to appear in a court in Florida victims — pictured at a speaking in Syria, officials said yesterday. US prosecutors say that he and later yesterday. WASHINGTON: The risk of a partial shutdown of the US domes- stand, his feet on a stair-shaped Abdurasul Hasanovich Juraboev, an Uzbek citizen but Juraboev and Saidakhmetov tic security agency in two days’ time increased yesterday with wad of cash. Juraboev, 24, Akhror another Brooklyn resident, plot- are due to appear before a US Congress struggling to reach a compromise over immigration The issue also took a swipe Saidakhmetov, 19, and Abror ted to travel to Turkey and then judge in Brooklyn later yesterday, reforms tied to funding the agency. at unemployment in France, Habibov, 30, have been charged to Syria to wage war on behalf officials said. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, seemingly unable Catholics and their aversion with attempt and conspiracy to of IS. Juraboev bought a plane The FBI said “several of the to unite House Republicans, demanded at a news conference that the to extramarital affairs website provide material support to a for- ticket to travel from New York defendants” planned to commit Senate act first on a proposed plan to strip immigration restrictions Gleeden, Le Pen and jihadists. eign terrorist organisation. to Istanbul next month, federal acts of terror in the United States from a funding bill for the agency. AFP The teenage Saidakhmetov, a prosecutors said in New York. if they could not travel. AFP REUTERS THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 ASIA / AFRICA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Bangla court orders arrest of Khaleda Zia Fears of worsening political turmoil

DHAKA: A Bangladeshi court “The arrest warrant was issued yesterday issued an arrest to suppress our ongoing move- warrant for opposition leader ment. But it won’t work. It will Khaleda Zia for failing to attend be counterproductive and will hearings on graft charges, amid enhance our supporters’ resolve,” fears the move will worsen BNP spokesman Sayrul Kabir weeks-long deadly political Khan said. turmoil. Lead prosecutor Mosharraf Judge Abu Ahmed, from a spe- Hossain said Zia “could now be cial anti-corruption court, issued arrested anytime” if she failed to the warrant against her for fail- secure bail from the court again. ing to attend even though Zia He ruled out any “vendetta” or has been “confined” to her office political motive behind the war- since January over the turmoil, rant saying the court “had no her lawyer Sanaullah Miah said. choice but to issue the arrest war- “There is no justice in the coun- rant” after Zia failed to attend on try,” Miah told reporters outside some 56 previous occasions. the court in the capital Dhaka. “They did not take the case Zia is charged with embezzling seriously and are now paying the $650,000 in two corruption cases price,” he said, adding the court has dating back to her time as pre- set March 4 for the next hearing. mier in 2001-2006 that could see But Zia’s lawyers cited what her jailed for life if found guilty. they called her confinement for The former two-time pre- not showing up as well as secu- mier has been holed up in her rity concerns, following clashes office since early January, when between supporters of the BNP Filipino protesters shout slogans and carry banners calling for the resignation of Philippine President Aquino during a protest on the 29th anniversary she called on her supporters to and Hasina’s Awami League when of the fall of the dictatorship of then president Ferdinand Marcos, in Quezon city, east of Manila, yesterday. enforce a nationwide transport she attended in December. blockade to try to topple the gov- Scores of police officers are ernment of her bitter rival Prime surrounding Zia’s office and pre- Aquino urges autonomy for Muslim region Minister Sheikh Hasina. venting visitors from going inside, The protests have unleashed although the former premier her- deadly violence across the coun- self has not attempted to leave for MANILA: Philippine President Aquino, in a speech to a crowd what they see as his poor handling had not informed them of an try leaving more than 100 people several weeks. Benigno Aquino called yester- of supporters marking the 29th of the conflict. operation to arrest two wanted dead, with opposition supporters Zia and three of her aides are day for autonomy for a Muslim anniversary of a “People Power” Aquino said everyone was militants. They say they remain firebombing hundreds of buses accused of syphoning off 31.5m region to end an insurgency uprising that ended dictatorship, obliged to pursue peace. committed to peace. and trucks and police respond- taka (about $400,000) from a there despite widespread mis- said the country had to seize the “It is only by realising a just Earl Parreno, an analyst at the ing by firing live rounds. charitable trust named after her givings after Muslim rebels opportunity for peace. and lasting peace that we can Institute of Political and Electoral Over 10,000 opposition support- late husband Ziaur Rahman, a killed 44 policemen. “To all those calling for a stop say that the sacrifices of those Reform, said the president’s stand ers and dozens of senior officials former president who was assas- Aquino has promised the larg- to the peace process, and to the who fought in EDSA —together on the autonomy law could cost from Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist sinated in 1981. est Muslim rebel group in the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic with those who gave their lives him. Party (BNP) have been arrested She is also accused of leading predominantly Christian coun- Law, we ask: How can they guar- to put an end to the sowing of “Aquino is taking a big gamble as part of a crackdown by Hasina a group of five people, including try autonomy in the southern antee that such an opportunity fear and violence in society - and risking whatever is left of to end the unrest. her eldest son and heir appar- region known as Bangsamoro in will present itself once more?” he were worth it,” he said, refer- political capital,” he said. Zia leads a 20-party opposi- ent, in embezzling 21.5m taka — exchange for peace. asked. ring to the “People Power” Parreno said that if Congress tion alliance which is demand- funds which were meant to go to But the Senate and House of The killing of the police com- uprising. passed a diluted law, the rebels ing a fresh general election after an orphanage set up in memory Representatives suspended work mandos by the Moro Islamic The 45-year insurgency by the would likely reject it. If Congress boycotting last year’s poll on the of her late husband. on legislation for the autonomous Liberation Front (MILF) rebels MILF has killed 120,000 people, passed a law based on rebel pro- grounds it would be rigged. Zia has called the embezzle- region, the Bangsamoro Basic has blown up into Aquino’s biggest displaced 2 million and stunted posals, Aquino could face a back- The BNP reacted sharply to the ment charges politically-moti- Law, amid an outcry after fight- political crisis. growth in the poor but resource- lash from the public. court’s order, saying it was “pre- vated and aimed at destroying ing on the island of Mindanao on Some lawmakers, Catholic bish- rich south. “I don’t see any win-win situa- planned and orchestrated by the her party. Jan. 25 in which the 44 policemen ops and civil society groups have The rebels said last month’s tion,” he said. government”. AFP and 18 rebels were killed. called on him to resign because of clash happened because police REUTERS

Child killed in Bangla fire 7 killed in clash with Abu Sayyaf

MANILA: A Philippine mili- and local government authorities also died, and nine others were tary assault against Islamist “polished” their plans last year wounded. The fighting took place militants on a remote southern so they could launch a series of near Patikul town on Jolo, a heav- island triggered a day-long bat- attacks against the group starting ily forested island with a majority tle yesterday that left five rebels in December. Muslim population that has been and two soldiers dead, authori- A “battalion-sized unit” of a longtime stronghold of the Abu ties said. soldiers were involved in yester- Sayyaf. The military said it used artillery day’s fighting against about 300 It came after another clash and helicopter gunships as they Abu Sayyaf fighters, according to on February 6 on Jolo in which pressed on with the latest stage of the military’s public affairs chief the military said it killed at least a months-long offensive to wipe out in Manila, Lieutenant Colonel eight Abu Sayyaf gunmen. the Abu Sayyaf, which is blamed Harold Cabunoc. The government has been for the worst terrorist attacks in In the Philippines, about 500 struggling for years against the recent Philippine history. troops typically make up a bat- Abu Sayyaf, which was formed in “Our operations are now talion. “We are on the offence... the 1990s with seed money from intended to totally eliminate the we ambushed them. It is a run- Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda lawless element,” Ensign Chester ning gun battle”, Cabunoc said, network. Ramos, spokesman for the mili- adding the fighting started in the American special forces have tary task force on Jolo island morning and continued through- for more than a decade helped where the operation took place, out the day. to train Philippine troops how to said. He said five Islamic militants combat the Abu Sayyaf. Firefighters and civilians try to extinguish a fire in a slum at Agargaon in Dhaka, Bangladesh, yesterday. A six He said the military, police were killed but two soldiers AFP years old child was burnt alive while at least 50 shanties of the slum were wiped out in fire. US trains African armies for Boko Haram fight Jakarta death row ruling

MAO: Under the glare of the trainers all take part, laughing. deserts of northern Mali. militants. “It is all about African Saharan sun, a US special The annual ‘Flintlock’ counter- But many of its troops are still nations finding African solutions ‘disappoints’ Australia forces trainer corrects the aim terrorism exercises are a decade- raw. In the first days of Flintlock, to their problems,” said Major of a Chadian soldier as he takes old US-sponsored initiative to trainers from the US army’s 10th General James Linder, head of SYDNEY: Foreign Minister were recently rejected by Widodo. cover behind a Toyota pick-up bolster African nations’ ability to Special Forces Group walked US Special Operations Command Julie Bishop said yesterday she “We are very disappointed that and fires at a target with his fight militant groups operating in them through basics like adjust- Africa. “We cannot do that for was “very disappointed” at the the appeal was lost at this point,” AK47 — a drill that could soon the vast ungoverned spaces of the ing the sights of their weapons them.” failure of the latest bid to spare Bishop told the Nine Network. save his life. Sahara with training. and properly cleaning them. While France has deployed two Australians on death row in “But I understand that the Chad is sending hundreds of “Even before the conflict with The trainers say there is a some 3,000 troops in Africa to Indonesia, as Jakarta signalled lawyers are considering a further troops to fight Boko Haram in Boko Haram, we were preparing limit to what can be taught in 3 combat Islamic militants, the US that execution preparations legal avenue and they have about neighbouring Nigeria as part of to face a group like them,” said weeks of Flintlock but the objec- military has retained a lighter were almost complete. 14 days in which to do so.” a regional offensive against the the commander of the Chadian tive of the exercise — which this footprint: providing equipment An Indonesian court on Tuesday Lawyers for Sukumaran and Islamist group, which killed an troops, Captain Zakaria Magada, year groups 1,300 troops from 28 and training to allies while par- dismissed a bid by Myuran Chan urged Attorney-General estimated 10,000 people last year whose Special Anti-Terrorist countries — is building relation- ticipating in a few targeted mis- Sukumaran and Andrew Chan Muhammad Prasetyo to respect in a campaign to carve an Islamic Group (SATG) is equipped and ships among African nations and sions, such as the hunt for Lord’s to avoid execution by challenging the rule of law and not execute emirate from the north of Africa’s trained by the United States. Western partners. Resistance Army (LRA) leader President Joko Widodo’s rejection the men pending an appeal. largest oil producer. “Boko Haram is just a militia Efforts to construct a regional Joseph Kony. of their pleas for clemency. “We live in a state based on law At the end of the exercise, a US of civilians. We are an organised African taskforce to tackle Boko Amid calls for the US army to The pair, ringleaders of the so- and this is part of the legal proc- trainer shows the 85 Chadians the army. They cannot face up to us.” Haram have been hampered become more directly involved, called “Bali Nine” drug smuggling ess,” lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis paper target peppered with bul- Chad’s armed forces are among by lack of cooperation between Linder says its focus on capacity gang, were arrested for trying to traf- told reporters. However, Prasetyo let holes — many of them outside the most respected in the region neighbouring countries. With that building is part of a long-term fic heroin out of Indonesia in 2005 and said later that preparations for a the drawing of a gunman. “Not so - a reputation forged during dec- in mind, planners built into this vision. By 2050, Africa is forecast sentenced to death the following year. new round of executions, which great,” he says and orders them to ades of war and rebellions, and year’s Flintlock a cross-border to have 2.7 billion people — a third Their appeals for presiden- would include the Australians, do a round of push-ups — in which honed in a 2013 fight against Al scenario about tackling a militant of the world’s population, he says. tial clemency, typically the final were “about 90 percent” complete. American, Italian and Belgian Qaeda-linked Islamists in the group modelled on the Nigerian REUTERS chance of avoiding the firing squad, AFP THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN ISI chief in US amid Loving memory Taliban talks push White House sees Pakistan’s support crucial in talks

KARACHI/WASHINGTON: only that he would “discuss issues President Hamid Karzai took Pakistan’s powerful spy chief related to intelligence” with his power in Kabul. has reached Washington on counterparts, whom it did not But since President Ashraf an official trip to the United name. But Pakistani security ana- Ghani took office in September, States, the military said yester- lyst Hasan Askari said the meet- ties have improved vastly and day, with possible peace talks ings would almost certainly touch Afghan leaders have repeatedly between Afghanistan and the on the issue of Taliban talks. hailed Pakistani efforts to achieve Afghan Taliban likely to be on “The possibility of dialogue reconciliation. Afghan Chief the agenda. between the Afghan Taliban with Executive Abdullah Abdullah It is Lieutenant General Kabul and US, with special ref- hinted earlier this week that Rizwan Akhtar’s first official visit erence to any help that Pakistan talks with the insurgents could to the US since taking charge of could extend to facilitate the begin soon. The moves towards the Inter-Services Intelligence process, will figure prominently at talks have coincided with the (ISI) agency last year. the talks in Washington,” Askari US reconsidering the pace of its Pakistanis and foreign journalists during a candlelight vigil yesterday for Reuters reporter Maria Golovnina who Pakistan has a civilian govern- said. troop withdrawal. The US-led died in Islamabad on Monday. Golovnina, 34, Reuters bureau chief for Afghanistan and Pakistan, was found col- ment but the military and ISI still He said the ISI chief would Nato force ended its combat mis- lapsed and unconscious in the bureau and was rushed to hospital, but medical teams were unable to save her. wield great influence, particularly brief his US counterpart and sion in Afghanistan in December over policy towards neighbouring other senior defence officials but a residual force has stayed Afghanistan. The trip comes days about the recent improvements on for training and anti-terror after President Barack Obama’s in Islamabad’s ties with Kabul, operations. Official held in food project scam new Pentagon chief said the US and the ongoing cooperation Under the current plan, the was seriously considering slow- between the two countries on bor- 10,000-strong US force will drop ing the pace of a troop withdrawal der control. to roughly 5,000 by the end of ISLAMABAD: The National had been an absconder for four Public Procurement Regulatory from Afghanistan. Relations between Afghanistan 2015 and then pull out altogether Accountability Bureau (NAB) years. NAB has already filed a ref- Authority (PPRA) Rules, 2004, Pakistani support has been and Pakistan have long been by the time Obama leaves office in yesterday arrested one of the erence against senior government causing a loss of Rs164.7 million seen as crucial in recent moves frosty, fuelled by Kabul’s bitter- two years. But the Obama admin- main accused of Rs3.6bn Tawana officials involved in the project. to the national exchequer,” the to persuade the Taliban to talk ness at Islamabad’s backing for istration has already delayed the Pakistan Project (TPP) scam. “In this case the accused per- spokesperson said. Under the to the Afghan government to end the Taliban. Former military pace of the withdrawal, allowing According to a spokesperson, sons were allegedly involved in Rs3.6bn TPP project launched in their 13-year insurgency. ruler General Pervez Musharraf 1,000 additional American forces project director of TPP Irfanullah corrupt practices in the award of 2002, nutrient milk was to be pro- The brief military statement recently admitted that support to remain this year. Khan at the Ministry of Social food supply contract to M/s Vita vided to schools in less developed announcing Akhtar’s trip said for the militants continued after AFP Welfare has been arrested. He Pakistan Limited in violation of areas. INTERNEWS

Waqar Younis’s Over 100 dead in Afghanistan avalanches brother works as

KABUL: Avalanches triggered injuries after being rescued, the pilot with fake by heavy snow have killed more acting governor said. “We will than 100 people in mountainous continue the rescue operation degree: Report areas of northern Afghanistan, throughout the night,” Kabiri officials said yesterday, as res- added. ISLAMABAD: The younger cuers battled to save dozens One hundred have been killed brother of Waqar Younis, the more trapped in the snow. in Panjshir province, while a fur- former captain of Pakistan Almost all of the victims were ther 11 people lost their lives in cricket team and its incumbent in Panjshir province, approxi- the provinces of Bamyan, Badghis, head coach, was appointed as a mately 150km north of the capi- Nangarhar and Laghman, officials pilot in Pakistan International tal Kabul, acting governor Abdul said. Airlines (PIA) on bogus educa- Rahman Kabiri said. Abdul Rahman Kalantari, head tional certificates. The avalanches came after two of disaster response at the Afghan This was disclosed at a meeting days of heavy snow destroyed Red Crescent Society, confirmed of the Public Accounts Committee more than 100 homes in the the heavy death toll and said they (PAC) during the scrutiny of province and blocked main roads, had already dispatched health an audit report on the aviation making it difficult for rescue teams to Panjshir. division. workers to reach the stricken President Ashraf Ghani in a Initially, Secretary Aviation villages. statement expressed his sorrow Division Mohammad Ali Gardezi “Ordinary people and govern- at the deaths and said he had and Pakistan International ment employees are using shovels ordered Afghan authorities to Airlines (PIA) Managing Director and bare hands to rescue those provide urgent assistance to those Shahnawaz Rehman expressed who are still trapped under the affected. ignorance about pilot Faisal snow,” Kabiri said, warning that Earlier in the day, Mohammad Younis’s relations. Faisal was also the toll could rise without emer- Aslam Sayas, the deputy head of a cricketer and had played first gency help. the Afghan disaster management class cricket from Lahore. “We have gathered 300 peo- authority, said rescue teams were Afghans wade through flood waters after heavy downpours triggered flash floods in the Behsood district of But after the PAC quizzed and ple to help with the rescue, but being dispatched to areas affected Nangarhar, yesterday. directed them to produce com- we don’t have the equipment we by the snowfall. plete details, Gardezi informed need,” he added. Deadly avalanches are common mountain range that connects cables in the Salang Pass, which of conflict. Rescue efforts after the committee that Faisal was the As temperatures plunged well in Afghanistan’s mountainous capital Kabul to the north. officials said remained closed to disasters such as avalanches and younger brother of Waqar Younis. below freezing, workers continued areas in winter. One in the remote Large parts of the north of traffic yesterday. flash floods, which often hit as As per details, the PIA to toil into the night to rescue at far northeast in 2012 left 145 peo- Afghanistan have experienced Despite the billions of dollars snows melt in the spring, are inducted Faisal as a cadet pilot least 28 people still believed to be ple missing, presumed dead heavy snowfall over the last 48 in aid from the international frequently hampered by lack of on November 13, 2003, on a five- trapped in their houses buried In 2010, another avalanche hours. community after the collapse of equipment. year contract. under the snow. killed 165 people in the high- Parts of Kabul were hit by the Taliban in 2001, Afghanistan Poor infrastructure makes it During the verification of his Around 30 people were also altitude Salang Pass, which power cuts after snowstorms remains among the world’s difficult for rescue teams to reach educational record after three suffering from frostbite and other runs through the Hindu Kush and avalanches damaged power poorest nations after decades isolated areas. AFP years of appointment, it was revealed that his graduation degree was bogus. The audit report claimed that in 2010 Faisal was penalised by curtailing his three years’ seniority. Military courts to conduct In the meanwhile, Faisal pro- Torture still widespread in duced a diploma in commerce, claiming that it was equivalent to in-camera hearing the graduation degree. The audit report maintained that instead ISLAMABAD: On a summary initiated by the Ministry of Defence Afghan jails, UN report says of dismissing the pilot, the PIA yesterday, President Mamnoon Hussain has approved the prime management allowed him to work minister’s advice and signed and promulgated the Pakistan Army in the national flag carrier. Act (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015. As a result, military courts KABUL: Afghan authorities 2013 and December 2014 had suf- police and the army. Detainees, Both the secretary aviation and have been provided legal cover to hold in-camera proceedings of tortured or mistreated more fered ill-treatment while in the mostly alleged members of the the PIA managing director were terrorist-related cases. than a third of nearly 800 sus- custody of Afghan security forces. Taliban and other militant groups, defending the appointment, say- It may be mentioned here that after the promulgation of this Act, pected Taliban-linked detainees This marks a fall from the UN’s were subjected to 16 torture tech- ing the PIA had invested a huge the military courts will be given constitutional cover.Under this Act, who human rights investiga- last report on torture, which niques aimed at forcing them to amount on Faisal’s training and whatever steps the military courts will recommend for the protection tors were able to interview, the found that 49 percent of detainees confess, the report said. inducted him as a pilot for Boeing of presiding officers, prosecutors, defence lawyers, witnesses and the United Nations said yesterday. were mistreated. These included severe beat- 777. “It is not the Daewoo bus, the heads of the proposed military courts for the hearing of cases of terror- Afghanistan, which last year Haysom welcomed the progress ings with pipes, cables and sticks, commercial pilot should be edu- ists will be given legal and lawful cover. The military courts have also took over full responsibility for and urged the new government of electric shocks and near-asphyxi- cated enough to read the instruc- been given the power to issue orders for open or in-camera hearings efforts to end the Taliban insur- President Ashraf Ghani to make ation, it said. tions on sophisticated gadgets,” of any case of terrorism under this Ordinance. This Act will also be gency with the withdrawal of good on its commitment to end The report found that 44 out of said Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, a implemented on past crimes, and hearings can be conducted through most foreign troops, has made torture. 105 child detainees, or 42 percent PAC member. video link and the latest technology can also be used in this regard. progress in the treatment of “The government of of those they interviewed, were The secretary aviation replied detainees but a failure to pros- Afghanistan’s efforts to prevent mistreated — down from 73 per- that initially the qualification for Concern over weak vaccine management ecute security forces for torture torture and ill-treatment have cent in the last report. the commercial pilot was matric- allowed it to persist, the United shown some progress over the last After the last report, published ulation with a commercial pilot PESHAWAR: The United Nations has expressed concern over the Nations said. two years,” Haysom said. in 2013, the president at the time licence (CPL), adding Faisal had ‘weak vaccine management system’ in Pakistan and urged the gov- “The government of “UNAMA welcomes the incom- Hamid Karzai issued a decree submitted his CPL at the time of ernment to adopt standard protocols to make the vaccination pro- Afghanistan’s efforts to prevent ing government’s commitment to aimed at stopping torture. his induction. gramme effective and put brakes on childhood ailments. torture and ill-treatment have implement a new national plan on The UN said this had helped Till this time, the relation- A survey conducted jointly by World Health Organisation (WHO) shown some progress over the last elimination of torture.” improve the situation, with more ship of Faisal was not disclosed and Unicef last year has identified the key strengths and weaknesses in two years,” the top UN envoy to The report highlights ill-treat- inspections of detention centres and most of the media persons nine different areas of vaccine management at each level of the vaccine Afghanistan, Nicholas Haysom, ment and torture during arrest and training in alternative inter- covering the PAC proceedings supply chain. The two UN agencies have recommended steps to address said in a statement. and interrogation in numer- rogation techniques. But the new were waiting to know who he the gaps. The survey says that overall scores of assessment criteria for In a new report, the UN said ous centres run by the National report said there was still a lack was. Some reporters were mak- Pakistan at all levels of the supply chain show need for improvement there was credible evidence that Directorate of Security — the of accountability, with only one ing speculations that he might be in most areas of the vaccine and supply management system. 35 percent of detainees they Afghan intelligence agency — as prosecution brought for torture the son of a former PIA managing INTERNEWS interviewed between February well as the national police, local since 2010. AGENCIES director. INTERNEWS THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Allies attack govt over land acquisition bill LJP, Shiv Sena raise objections

NEW DELHI: Under attack president’s speech. from the opposition, and now its Another key BJP ally allies, over the land acquisition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) bill, the government said yes- has also expressed reservations terday it was “open minded” to towards the bill, which is facing a suggestions but added that the stiff opposition from political par- measure was “farmer friendly”. ties, farmers and social groups. After the Shiv Sena, the Lok Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Janshakti Party (LJP) said yes- however, defended the law and terday it has apprehensions over blamed the opposition for spread- the bill. ing misinformation on the bill. “We have objections over some Addressing a press conference measures. There are questions in the parliament house here, about the need of doing away with Minister for Road Transport farmers’ consent. They also will and Highways Nitin Gadkari said have no right to move court,” LJP the ordinance had to be brought MP Chirag Paswan told reporters before December 31. here after a meeting, attended by The minister added that the six LJP MPs, where the bill was land that would be acquired will discussed. be used for rural infrastruc- The Shiv Sena has already ture projects like irrigation and made its opposition clear that it roads, which will help the rural will “not support any law that is population. against the interest of farmers”. Gadkari also said the central F armers wave flags as they participate in a protest rally addressed by veteran social activist Anna Hazare against the amendments proposed in the land Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant government did not intend to acquisition bill by the government in New Delhi yesterday. yesterday questioned govern- acquire any land for the private ment’s explanation about the sector or corporates. said. He added: “The industrial- Activist Anna Hazare, who These people will also take irri- Gandhian activist P.V. Rajagopal. legislation and said: “When “Even the industrial corridor ist today does not want the gov- is spearheading an agitation gated land and give it to the He said that the focus would there will be no land left then the ordinance talks about will not ernment acquired land. They against amendments in the act, industrialists,” Hazare said. now be on mobilisation and train- what is the point of PM irriga- be more than 2km wide, and will prefer buying the land. The rubbished the government’s Having vociferously protested ing of youth for a final showdown tion scheme? The farmers are host agro-processing industries. It land that will be acquired under claim that these were more against the land ordinance for the in 2019, a year which coincides scared that the government will will help farmers,” he said. this law will be used for public “effective” and “farmer-friendly”, last two days, activists are now with the completion of five-year take away their land. This needs “It is a misunderstanding that purposes.” saying it was trying to mislead gearing up for a massive show- term of Prime Minister Narendra to be addressed. We cannot make we will acquire land for private Asked if the government the people. down with the government at Modi government. farmers unhappy.” sector. The projects which will would consider suggestion made “The government is more district and state levels. “The government may not be He made the comment while be in PPP mode (Public-Private by opposition parties, Gadkari worried about the industrial- “We are beginning a dis- able to ignore this and engage us participating in the discus- Partnership) will be ultimately said: “We are open minded to ists and not about farmers. The trict level movement from next in a dialogue process,” he added. sion on motion of thanks to the owned by government,” Gadkari suggestions.” country has woken up now. week against the land bill,” said IANS Delhi govt Revolt spreads in Trinamool as leaders allege graft halves power KOLKATA: Trinamool widening rift with Roy would “I have written five times promptly suspended Ghosh. Trinamool leader from Murshidabad Congress yesterday faced a eventually trigger the govern- to Hakim, I also wrote to the “The party’s disciplinary com- district and former state minister tariff, gives series of revolts, with a legis- ment’s downfall. chief minister. But none of them mittee has unanimously decided to Humayun Kabir said Banerjee’s lator protesting in the assem- In the morning, Swapan Kanti responded. For the last two-and- suspend Ghosh forthwith pending dream of passing the mantle to her bly premises against graft and Ghosh, Trinamool legislator from a-half years I have been raising an inquiry. Despite being repeat- nephew would not succeed. free water another being sacked from the Suri in Birbhum district, staged the issue but in vain,” said Ghosh, edly cautioned, he acted at the Kabir publicly showed his alle- parliamentary secretary’s post a sit-in at the gate of the assem- adding that he would meet union behest of other political parties giance to Roy, who has been side- NEW DELHI: The AAP gov- for his closeness to general sec- bly, holding a placard demanding Urban Development Minister M. and made allegations against his lined in the party in recent weeks ernment yesterday halved the retary Mukul Roy. water for his constituency and Venkaiah Naidu next week over own party,” Trinamool secretary after he seemingly fell out with power tariff for up to 400 units Trinamool leader Shilbhadra a roof for slum dwellers while the issue. general Partha Chatterjee said. Banerjee following his interroga- per month and said it would Dutta was stripped of his par- alleging corruption in the local “If I don’t get any response Chatterjee, who heads the tion by the CBI in connection with supply 20,000 litres of water liamentary secretary post for municipality. from him (Naidu), then I will Trinamool disciplinary panel, said the multi-crore rupee Saradha free to Delhi’s metered house- his perceived closeness to Mukul Alleging that the Suri munici- move the Calcutta High Court there were allegations against ponzi scam. “It’s Roy who has holds from March 1 — keeping Roy, who seems to have fallen pality siphoned off Rs10.36 crore seeking redressal,” he said while Ghosh which the party will probe. been running the Trinamool, but its two big-ticket poll promises. out of favour with party supremo meant for central schemes, also alleging that he and his driver Ghosh reacted saying that he now Banerjee is aspiring to make While the cut in electricity Mamata Banerjee. Ghosh said his repeated letters to were manhandled by assembly hoped to be expelled from the her nephew (Abhishek Banerjee) rates through subsidy will benefit Another key district leader Banerjee and Urban Development marshals on the orders of the party. the king. But the people will not over 36 lakh families — 90 percent went hammer and tongs against Minister Firhad Hakim on the assembly speaker. The party suffered more fulfil her aspiration.” of the domestic consumers — the Banerjee, claiming that her issue failed to evoke any response. The Trinamool leadership shockwaves in the evening when IANS free water will be provided to all the 18 lakh metered households in the capital, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told Flooding in Srinagar reporters. He said after a cabinet meeting Prabhu to present maiden here that the power subsidy would cost the exchequer Rs1,427 crore annually, while the free water railway budget today would cost of Rs250 crore. A consumer will have to pay Rs2 per unit for up to 200 units a NEW DELHI: Railway limitations of market borrowings. month, in comparison to the Rs4 Minister Suresh Prabhu is set Railway Minister Suresh per unit at present, which has a to present his maiden budget Prabhu has also rejected the idea subsidy of Rs1.20 per unit. for the department today amid of a reduction in passenger fares For those consuming between expectations of a clear roadmap consequent to the lowering of 200-400 units, the cost would be to re-energise one of the larg- diesel prices following the steep down from Rs5.95 per unit to est railroad networks in the decline in international crude oil Rs2.97. In this slab too, there is world that’s been floundering in rates. an existing subsidy of 80 paise — recent decades due to a mix of Falling oil prices have saved bil- announced by the central govern- political populism, lack of vision lions of dollars in subsidy spend- ment in last year’s budget. and funds crunch. ing, but Finance Minister Arun However, there is a rider. The The latest railway budget Jaitley is under pressure to pre- consumer will be charged full evokes particular interest as it vent the fiscal deficit from cross- rates from zero base if the elec- comes six months after Prime ing the target of 3.6 percent of the tricity consumption crosses 400 Minister Narendra Modi’s gov- gross domestic product (GDP). units. This also applies to the free ernment allowed 100 percent Prabhu, a chartered-account- water consumption. foreign equity in some big-ticket ant-turned politician — hand- “The relief in electricity bills projects of the railways, prom- picked by Modi to oversee the will be provided to domestic con- Vehicles move along flooded roads in Srinagar yesterday. Meteorological Department has predicted heavy ising it to be a game-changer only ministry, other than finance, sumers till the CAG (Comptroller rains and snow over the next 24 hours. for the 162-year-old network, to present a separate budget - is and Auditor General) audit of that transports goods and pas- also expected to chart the path private power distribution com- sengers with an eye on social for his political boss’s pet projects, panies (discoms) is completed,” a obligations. notably bullet trains, dedicated government statement said. Yet, one aspect of the budget is freight corridors, as also for- During its last stint of 49 days Pachauri hospitalised ahead of bail hearing a foregone conclusion — there will eign and domestic private equity in Delhi in 2013-2014, the Arvind be no lowering of fares. “It won’t participation. Kejriwal-led government had be done. Fares are already low A vision statement on utilisa- cut power rates by 50 percent NEW DELHI: Noted envi- stepped down as chairperson Energy and Resources Institute and government is giving subsidy,” tion of surplus land with Indian and made 667 litres of water per ronmentalist R K Pachauri, of the UN Intergovernmental (TERI) said. The news about Minister of State for Railways Railways is also much anticipated. day for all metered households who awaits a bail hearing today Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), his hospitalisation came to light Manoj Sinha said a week ago, The latest rail budget comes free. The Aam Aadmi Party had on charges of sexual harass- would not face any inquiry by the yesterday. echoing what his senior minister at a time when its finances and highlighted these two populist ment, was yesterday admit- world body into the allegations, Registering a strong protest, has been maintaining all along. efficiency are, perhaps, at their measures during its campaign ted to a city hospital even as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s women activists questioned the An across-the-board hike has worst - as measured by a common in the run up to the Feb 7 Delhi women activists mounted pres- spokesperson Stephane Dujarric TERI governing council for not also been ruled out my some sen- parameter, the operating ratio. elections. sure demanding his resigna- told reporters in New York initiating a “disciplinary” enquiry ior officials, given the near 15-per- It suggests how much money is “The reduction in power tar- tion as TERI director general. Tuesday. against him for acts of alleged cent increase in passenger fares spent on day-to-day operations to iff will benefit 36,06,428 families, Pachauri has denied the alle- The 75-year old was on misconduct and demanded that and 6.5 percent in freight last earn the revenues, giving an indi- which is around 90 percent of the gations but proceeded on leave February 21 admitted to a pri- he must be “suspended pending year. So it will be interesting to cation of the funds left for safety domestic consumers,” Sisodia said. from TERI. vate hospital here on account of the enquiry”. watch how the railway ministry and expansion. IANS Pachauri, who on Tuesday a heart problem, a source in The IANS proposes to raise money, given the IANS THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK PRAYER TIME Woman director wins at Saudi film fest

Fajr (Dawn) 4:44 RIYADH: A female Saudi filmmaker won an award for Shorook (Sunrise) 6:00 best drama at the Saudi Film Zuhr (Noon) 11:47 Festival, the chief juror said yesterday, hailing a higher Asr (Afternoon) 3:06 quality of entries despite the Maghrib (Sunset) 5:35 kingdom’s cinema ban. Isha (Night) 7:05 The five-day festival was only the second in seven years, and aired films at an arts and cultural centre in the Gulf coast city of Dammam. WEATHER At the awards ceremony on Tuesday night, Hana Al Omair Today Friday Saturday Weather took the Golden Palm Tree prize Conditions: for her drama “Complain”, said Partly cloudy Cloudy Sunny Abdullah Al Eyaf, the head of the Hazy to misty/foggy festival jury. at places at first, It tells the story of a hospital worker who lodges a complaint High: 26° High: 22° High: 23° becomes moderate Low: 15° Low: 16° Low: 16° temperature with against a colleague, an act sym- scattered clouds bolising everything wrong in and slight dust to her life. blowing dust at Another woman, Shahad times. Ameen, won second prize in the drama category for “Eye & DOHA - SUN & SEA Mermaid”, a fantasy about a girl who discovers her father has tor- SUN TIDE SEA tured a mermaid to extract beau- Saudi filmmakers and actors with their awards on the last day of the Saudi Film Festival at Saudi Culture Centre SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND tiful black pearls. in Dammam, some 400km east of the capital Riyadh, late on Tuesday. BELOW: Saudi filmmaker Faisal Al Utaibi with the golden palm tree award for his documentary ‘The Grand Husband.’ 06:00 17:35 09:30 & 00:00 05:15 & 16:30 03-12/15 KT Mohanna Abdullah took third place for his film “Adam’s Ant”, THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW the story of a prisoner who tries At this year’s Saudi festival, the a two-week wedding ceremony last edition in 2008,” Eyaf told to befriend an ant in his cell. Golden Palm Tree for best docu- taking place in the archipelago AFP, citing the entrants’ bet- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER The kingdom practises an mentary went to Faisal Al Otaibi nation of the Comoros. ter technique, story-telling and austere version of Islam that for “Grand Marriage”. It recounts In the student category, scripts. MUSCAT 27/19 Sunny 25/18 Mostly sunny does not permit conventional Mohammed Al Faraj also earned While only five or six films at MAKKAH 37/24 Sunny 37/23 Sunny entertainment venues such as one of the golden stylised palm the first festival were consid- KUWAIT 24/12 Sunny 25/11 Cloudy film theatres. tree trophies for “Lost,” a docu- ered “good”, there were at least BAHRAIN 23/14 Partly cloudy 21/14 Cloudy It is the only country where mentary about stateless people 15 or 20 this time, and entries SANAA 27/09 Sunny 26/08 Mostly sunny women are not allowed to drive. living in Saudi Arabia. came from across the kingdom, RIYADH 27/10 Sunny 23/09 Sunny The sexes are strictly segregated, Abbas Al Hayek took top prize Eyaf said. DUBAI 26/18 Sunny 23/14 Cloudy prompting critics on Twitter for best unproduced script. Crowds queued to attend the BAGHDAD 19/08 Sunny 24/09 Sunny to complain after photographs Eyaf and his jury selected the screenings, which drew about showed men and women freely winning productions from among 1,500 people every day, he added. THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW mixing at the film festival. more than 60 entrants. “It was a huge success,” and Organisers said they hoped the Eyaf, himself a prize-winning there are plans to make the fes- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER gala would open eyes in Saudi filmmaker, said Saudi Arabia has tival an annual event, Eyaf said. Arabia to the possibilities of film emerged a winner “for having all AFP ATHENS 16/12 Showers 16/10 Thunderstorm despite objections from some this talent”. WASHINGTON 02/-6 Snow 00/-9 Partly cloudy conservatives that cinema would Without cinemas or film SYDNEY 28/19 Partly cloudy 31/20 Mostly cloudy “Westernise” the kingdom or cor- schools, there is no formal film LONDON 12/02 Rain 10/02 Mostly sunny rupt its morals. industry in the country of about PARIS 12/03 Rain 09/01 Mostly sunny In 2013 the film “Wadjda”, by 29 million people. ISTANBUL 14/08 Mostly sunny 15/07 Partly cloudy Saudi female filmmaker Haifaa But Eyaf said having a festival MANILA 33/22 Sunny 32/22 Sunny Al Mansour, became the country’s is “one of the most important DHAKA 33/21 Sunny 33/21 Sunny first to be listed as a candidate things” in trying to develop a film DELHI 24/12 Partly cloudy 26/13 Sunny for a foreign-language Oscar, culture. ISLAMABAD 18/06 Mostly sunny 19/07 Mostly sunny although it did not make the final “There is an improvement, very shortlist. obvious improvement, since the Thursday 26 February 2015 7 Jumada I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6353 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780

Ezdan net profit jumps 27pc to QR1.36bn Number of endowed stocks for charity of Ezdan Holding is 605 million shares with value amounted to QR10.2bn

DOHA: Ezdan Holding Group’s investments. “Actually we started foster the strength of Ezdan Ezdan was keen to contribute in full year net profit rose by 27 to implement that vision through Holding Group and its ability to establishing infrastructure and percent to QR1.36bn in 2014 thoughtful operations and acqui- continue to step forward with superstructure development to compared to the previous year. sitions of several reputable Qatari confident and diligence, seeking serve Al Wakra people. In 2015, Ezdan Holding share recorded companies because they are con- further success and excellence.” Al Wukair area will witness the a remarkable jump during the sidered promising investment The Group CEO said Ezdan opening of Ezdan Mall Al Wukair, year, where the earnings per opportunities, the fact that was Holding plans to launch two consisting of 11 commercial build- share (EPS) reached QR0.51 reflected positively on the Group’s projects among the largest ings, and includes shops, offices, against QR0.4 in the previous profit base,” he added . projects of Group and that will etc. The mall is spread on a total year. Dr Khalid also said that in have a great impact on earnings area of more than 53,000 sqm. The Board of Directors, during addition to the financial invest- during 2015. The projects are The number of endowed stocks its meeting held on Tuesday, rec- ment the Group pumped into “Ezdan Palace Hotel”, which fea- for charity of Ezdan Holding ommended distributing cash divi- Qatar’s stock market, a number tures a unique location and high Group is 605 million shares with dends of 4 percent of the profit to of giant real estate projects have Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani and Ali Al Obaidli. scale services. The hotel was a value amounted to QR10.2bn, shareholders. been launched and that effectively established with the help of inter- according to closing price on Commenting on the financial contributed to stimulate profit Al Obaidli said: “Ezdan Holding variables, in addition to its abil- national companies specialised in February 23. results, Ezdan Holding Group growth. He said the operating Group was successful to meet its ity to analyse the available invest- hospitality. The hotel boasts of 210 The fund includes 22.8 percent Chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin income contributed strongly in promises to its shareholders. This ment opportunities.” guest rooms and suites, the fact of the Group’s total shares, of up Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani said the announced profits as a result constitutes a distinct role model Al Obaidli added that the Group that will be an added value to the to 2.65 billion shares, amounted the results achieved by the Group of the Group’s effective manage- in the business world, based on works with a high operational market. to QR310m. The endowment has are to complement a natural rise ment of resources, which played clear and strategic vision with efficiency, saying: “The year 2015 In addition to Ezdan Mall al been an initiative of the founder of Ezdan Holding Group profits a pivotal role in raising the pro- realistic goals and successful will be witnessing the implemen- Wakra, which will give the city of Ezdan Holding Group Sheikh since the Group adopted a strat- ductivity of the Group’s projects. leadership that is all the time tation of different mega projects of Al Wakra vitality as the popu- Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani. egy based on the diversification of Ezdan Holding Group CEO Ali well aware of all the surrounding of the Group, which will certainly lation in such area is expanding, THE PENINSULA

THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Milaha profits Mena sovereign ratings on decline, Qatar stable DOHA: The sharp drop in oil “The stable outlook reflects our regarding government assets and outlook despite the still-challenging prices since mid-2014 is likely view that Qatar’s high economic external data quality. “In our view, political and economic backdrop. to lead to weakening economic, wealth levels and strong external the net hydrocarbon importers Our rating outlooks are intended external and fiscal profiles for and fiscal positions will balance its — Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, and to indicate our view of the poten- increase 10pc the region, particularly for the institutional shortcomings and lim- Lebanon — could see some modest tial direction of a long-term credit GCC. However, of the 12 Mena ited monetary flexibility over the improvement in macroeconomic rating, typically over six months to sovereigns rated, only the rat- next two years.” indicators as a result of the fall in two years for investment-grade rat- ings on Bahrain and Oman “We could lower the ratings on the oil price, but we do not believe ings and six months to one year for have been decreased since July, Qatar if developments in hydrocar- this will be significant enough to speculative-grade ratings,” it said. to QR1.04bn said a new report released by bon production and prices or in the lead to positive rating actions.” A positive or negative outlook Standard & Poor’s. banking sector were to significantly S&P rate nine of the 12 Mena is intended to designate at least a The average rating for the weaken the country’s external or sovereigns in the ‘BBB’ rating cat- one-in-three likelihood of a rating Operating revenues hit QR2.63bn hydrocarbon-endowed sovereigns of fiscal positions, for example, should egory or above. The average Mena change in the indicated direction. Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, the government’s liquid assets fall sovereign rating is ‘BBB+’. When The S&P view most Mena sov- Oman and Saudi Arabia, is cur- significantly below 100 percent of weighted by GDP, however, the ereigns’ external, budget, and debt rently close to “A+”, while for those GDP by our estimates”. average moves closer to ‘A’ because assessments as strengths. This without hydrocarbon resources it The S&P said it could raise the we rate the larger economies largely reflects the significant for- is closer to ‘BB+’, added the Mena ratings on Qatar if it saw domes- — measured by nominal GDP — eign currency inflows into govern- Sovereign Rating Trends 2015 from tic institutions mature faster than higher than the smaller economies. ment revenues and current account S&P’s Ratings Services. expected, alongside significant “Of the 12 Mena sovereigns we receipts of the economies in the On Qatar, the S&P report said: improvements in transparency rate, 10 currently have a stable GCC. THE PENINSULA

Telefonica profits plunge 34.7pc Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani (left) and Khalifa Ali Al Hetmi.

DOHA: Al Khaliji gets assent Qatar Navigation while the Qatar equity markets Company’s (Milaha) net profit rebounded from the decline in the for the full year 2014 touched second quarter.” QR1.04bn, up 10 percent from The gas and petrochem seg- for $1.75bn bond sale QR950m recorded a year ago. ment had an extremely strong Milaha’s earnings per share year relative to 2013, as very large DOHA: Al Khaliji Commercial bank is to invest inside Qatar,” (EPS) amounted to QR9.23 in gas containers’ (VLGC) market Bank won shareholder assent Fahad Al Khalifa, the bank’s chief 2014 compared to QR8.33 in 2013. rates hit record highs boosting yesterday to issue up to $1.75bn executive, told its annual share- Company directors have rec- the bottom line, and product in bonds which its chief execu- holder meeting. ommended cash dividend of 55 tankers posted much higher profit tive said would be used for Speaking after the meeting, percent of its share’s par value, due to higher freight rates. financing activities in the Khalifa said part of the $1.75bn or QR5.5 per share. Milaha’s Maritime & Logistics country. allowance could be sold this year, The company’s operating rev- segment’s net income perform- Bond issuance from Qatari bor- although he declined to give specif- enues of QR2.63bn reflects a ance declined slightly relative to rowers has been rare in the last ics. “We will hit the market for growth of 14 percent compared 2013, driven mostly by one-time, 18 months as entities cut back sure and have a roadshow and to QR2.30bn for the same period non-operational expenses related on their international debt and see how are the prices, the atti- in 2013. Its operating profit to vessel impairments. Its offshore banks have been flush with cash tude and appetite of the market,” of QR648m increased from segment declined significantly year from local deposits so were in no Khalifa said. QR644m in 2013. Commenting on year, as Halul Offshore faced need of outside funding. Al Khaliji has issued one inter- on Milaha’s solid performance, unexpected vessel offhires, along Only one borrower tapped the national bond previously, selling a Milaha Chairman and Managing with delays in the delivery and market in 2014 — Commercial $500m five-year deal in October Director Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al deployment of new vessels, driving Bank of Qatar, which completed 2013. It was trading to yield 2.685 Thani said, “We have continued higher operating expenses with- a $750m deal in June. percent at 1445 GMT, according to build on 2013’s record results. out matching revenue increases. Any deal is therefore likely to to data. The bank reported a 2.2 This is due to the solid foundation Milaha Capital outperformed an be well-received by investors look- percent increase in net profit for we have in place with the group.” already strong Qatari stock market ing to gain access to the economy, 2014 last month and Khalifa said Milaha President and CEO to drive an increase in net profits which is expected to continue he was optimistic the bank would Khalifa Ali Al Hetmi said, “We year on year. benefiting from high state spend- record further growth in 2015. are extremely pleased with our Milaha Trading’s net profit ing on development schemes and “I hope, God willing, that we overall results, particular given increased significantly relative to Spanish company Telefonica Chairman and CEO Cesar Alierta projects related to hosting the will continue our growth and I where we were at the end of the 2013 due to a boost in sales of heavy speaks at the result announcement function in Madrid yesterday. 2022 soccer World Cup. expect that profits will be better first half of 2014”. “The increase equipment in response to a ramp Telefonica reported a 34.7 percent plunge in net profits in 2014, “The majority (of the cash) will than last year,” he said, declining in project-related activity in up in infrastructure project execu- citing Venezuela’s economic crisis and other exceptional costs. be used for financing internally to give a specific percentage. Qatar improved trade volumes tion in Qatar. THE PENINSULA because the main focus of the REUTERS THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Currency fall threatens Ukraine Hassad Food eyes Currency trading halted till weekend; Russia makes new threat on gas supplies Brazilian sugar, KIEV/MAKIYVKA: Ukraine poultry assets came under increasing economic pressure from a collapsing currency and a threat to its gas supplies from DUBAI: Hassad Food, the agricultural arm of Qatar’s the Kremlin yesterday, just as a sovereign wealth fund, said it was looking at possible long-awaited ceasefire took hold in purchases of Brazilian sugar and poultry assets as struc- the east. tural problems in those industries in the South American As the truce appeared to be com- country created opportunities. ing into force, the Ukrainian army “We have a lot of stuff in our pipeline and Brazil is defi- reported no combat fatalities in the nitely part of that, not only sugar but also poultry,” Youssef past 24 hours, but the news did nothing Hegazy, vice president for business development at Hassad to halt a currency slump that forced Food. the central bank to ban most trad- Cane mills in Brazil, the world’s largest sugar producer, ing before intervening to prop up the have been struggling for years with weak sugar and etha- hryvnia. nol prices, prompting increasing numbers of mills to enter With the hryvnia currency in free bankruptcy protection while they restructure their debts fall as investors flee, the central bank with creditors. “We realise there are structural issues in called a halt by banning nearly all com- both industries in Brazil, like high debt,” Hegazy said on the mercial currency trading until the end sidelines of the Global AgInvesting Middle East conference of the week. in Dubai. It later jumped into the market to Hegazy did not give the names of the assets in which his buy dollars, reversing a free-fall in the company was interested, and said discussions were still in hryvnia that it called “irrational”. an early stage. “We had past discussions and moved to more Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk advanced stages, but nothing materialised then, so now we said the ban was bad for the econ- are in an early stage,” he said. Hassad Food, wholly-owned omy. He had learned about it on the by the Qatar Investment Authority, was set up in 2008 to Internet and would demand an expla- boost the Gulf country’s food security. Qatar has poured nation from central bank chief Valeria cash over the past few years into buying farmland and other Gontareva. Gontareva said there was agricultural assets abroad. no fundamental reason for the panic On the grains side, Hassad Food acquired farmland in the currency market. Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalia Jaresko (right) and Head of the Ukrainian National Bank Valeria Gontareva during a press in Australia in 2009, focusing its investments there on At the day’s end the central bank conference in Kiev yesterday. livestock and grains. Hegazy said the next step would be announced it had bought $80m at an to look into investing in integrated agricultural assets. official rate of 28.046 to the dollar, close “We did a significant investment in production and we to the rate at the start of the week and return for a bag filled with thousands the fourth time in a decade, if Moscow control of the pro-Russian separatists, want to move into the second layer of the value chain. 12.8 percent higher than the close after of hryvnia, laughed and told shoppers: did not receive advance payment. That Putin said: “Imagine these people will We are not closing the book on farmlands, but for the a plunge on Tuesday. Exchange kiosks “Soon we will have to walk around with could disrupt flows to Europe, which be left without gas in winter. Not only time being we are focusing on other layers of the chain.” in Kiev were selling limited amounts suitcases for cash, like in the 1990s.” receives around a third of its gas from that there is famine ... It smells of Hassad Food is also looking at grain assets in North of dollars for 39 hryvnias, around 20 The hryvnia has lost at least half Russia, with 40 percent shipped via genocide.” America and Canada to diversify into the northern hemi- percent worse than rates advertised its value so far this year after halving Ukraine. However, Russia cut off gas “We hope ... that gas supplies will sphere and hedge against the weather, Hegazy said. in the windows of commercial banks over the course of 2014. to Ukraine for six months last year not be interrupted. But this does not Black Sea investments are also under consideration. where dollars were not available. In a potential new blow, President without affecting Europe. depend only on us, it depends on the However, Hegazy added: “Ukraine is a great example for A construction worker exchanging Vladimir Putin warned that Russia Criticising Ukraine for cutting financial discipline of our Ukrainian grains production but there is a high political risk. But we dollars at a kiosk in a grocery shop in would halt gas supplies to Ukraine, for off gas to eastern regions under the partners,” Putin said. REUTERS are looking into other east EU countries.” REUTERS

Doha Bank to Nod for SIIL to buy more hold interactive session on shares of Salam Bounian DOHA: The shareholders of facilities to run the company and Indian budget Salam International Investment its subsidiaries, finance their Limited (SIIL) yesterday gave future projects and compile and DOHA: Doha Bank and its approval to the Company to reschedule loans. associate financial service pro- buy additional shares of Salam The meeting also approved the vider in India, Doha Brokerage Bounian (a real estate subsidi- Board of Directors’ recommenda- and Financial Services (DBFS) ary of SIIL) from willing share- tion to distribute cash dividend is arranging a detailed coverage holders to increase its stake of six percent (60 Dirhams per on the Indian budget which will up to 100 percent of Salam share) of the paid-up capital, for be presented on Saturday at 8.30 Bounian’s capital (based on a the financial year 2014. am Qatar time. new valuation). The GA approved the renewal A special programme on Budget They also authorised the Board of its joint ventures and coopera- 2015, covering in-depth analysis is to take all necessary executive tion with Salam Bounian, includ- planned at DBFS head-quarters in procedures in this regard, includ- ing loans and guarantees of loans. Kochi, India, which will be webcast ing determining the purchasing The meeting, chaired by Issa Salam International Investment Ltd Chairman Issa Abdulsalam Abu Issa with other officials of the company live and presented to the invited terms and conditions. Abdulsalam Abu Issa, Chairman attending the General Assembly in Doha yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT guests at Doha Bank Auditorium. The General Assembly (GA), of SIIL Board, ratified the balance Experts from DB and DBFS which was held yesterday, also sheet and profit and loss state- will conduct a panel discussion approved the renewal of the ment for the financial year ending including disclosures related to Hussam Abdulsalam Abu Issa Abdulsalam Abu Issa; Suleiman on various aspects of the budget authorisation granted to the December 31, 2014 that showed a the subsidiaries and their loans. (Vice Chairman and COO); Doha and Bothers (represented by Ali and its potential market impact. Board in connection with pur- net profit of QR86.8m. It appointed KPMG as SIIL’s Insurance Company (represented Haidar Suleiman Al Haidar); Experts on tax related subjects are chasing, selling, renting, and The meeting approved the auditors for 2015. by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Ali bin Ghanem Al Thani Group also attending the panel discus- mortgaging the Company’s and independent auditors’ report on The new members of the SIIL bin Khalid Al Thani); Nasser (represented by Sheikh Ali sion. As the budget presentation its subsidiaries’ real estate assets. the consolidated financial state- Board of Directors who have Suleiman Haidar Mohammed Al bin Ghanim Al Thani); Jassim progresses in Parliament, panel In addition, to hold the loans, ments and approved the disclo- been elected for a three-year Haidar; Arab Jordan Investment Mohammed Abdulghani Al discussion will also simultaneously issue letters of credit and guar- sures in the accompanying notes term include: Issa Abdulsalam Bank (represented by Hani Mansouri and Badr Ali Al Sada. highlight major announcements antees necessary to obtain bank to the financial statements, Abu Issa (Chairman and CEO; Abdelkader Al Kadi); Bassam THE PENINSULA and proposals, covering quick responses and review. Detailed review of the budget will be held, once the budget speech is concluded. THE PENINSULA Greece sees problems repaying Petrobras hires JPMorgan Avaya unveils for $3bn in asset sales SDN architecture IMF, ECB as Germans air mistrust ATHENS/BERLIN: Greece SAO PAULO/NEW YORK: possible. Worries over a looming DOHA: Avaya introduced a said yesterday it will struggle Petróleo Brasileiro SA has hired cash crunch and the scandal were new, open software-defined net- to make debt repayments to the Greece won’t get ‘a single euro’ JPMorgan Chase & Co to han- behind the downgrade, Moody’s working (SDN) architecture IMF and the European Central dle $3bn in planned asset sales said late on Tuesday. that will help companies create Bank this year as Germany’s till pledges met: German minister this year, as fallout from a cor- In what is being called Brazil’s the agile networks required by finance minister voiced ruption scandal has shut access worst corruption scandal in his- today’s dynamic applications. open doubts about Athens’ BERLIN: German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble to financing for Brazil’s state- tory, prosecutors have alleged that The Avaya SDN Fx architec- trustworthiness. stressed yesterday that Greece, having won breathing space in controlled oil producer, two allies of President Dilma Rousseff ture is the first to deliver “connect A day after eurozone finance its debt talks, will not receive “a single euro” until it meets the sources with direct knowledge used Petrobras to skim billions anything, anywhere” simplicity, ministers agreed to a four-month pledges of its existing bail-out programme. of the situation said yesterday. of reais through overpriced con- shaving weeks in provisioning extension of a financial rescue for If the conditions are not met and the Greek reform plans pre- JPMorgan will be tasked with tracts in political campaign kick- time by allowing devices and users the currency bloc’s most heav- sented to creditors this week are not substantiated with figures, no luring the largest number of bid- backs for over a decade. at the network edge to be added ily indebted member, Finance more money will be paid, he said on SWR public radio, stressing that ders possible for the assets and The scandal has cut Petrobras’ easily to the network. Minister Yanis Varoufakis gave the commitments Athens agreed with creditors the EU, ECB and then structuring their sale, said access to bond markets after The Avaya SDN Fx architec- a frank assessment of Greece’s IMF remain valid. “If they fulfil those, then they can still receive a first source, who asked for independent auditors, concerned ture, built on the Avaya Fabric financial position. the outstanding payments. And if they don’t fulfil those, there will anonymity since the process is over the need for potential asset Networking technology, features “We will not have liquidity be no payments,” Schaeuble said. AFP private. Properties and drilling impairments, refused to sign off new products and capabilities for problems for the public sector. But licences are among assets that on the company’s quarterly earn- a complete solution that delivers we will definitely have problems in funds if it successfully completes not decide to delay or stop priva- could be put on the block. ings reports. on the promise of SDN, without making debt payments to the IMF the programme. tisations on its own. According to a second source, Chief Executive Officer Aldemir the hidden complexity that comes now and to the ECB in July,” he Energy Minister Panagiotis Despite scepticism in both gov- meetings are being scheduled Bendine, who took office a month with the towering overlays of soft- told Alpha Radio. Lafazanis said the government ernments and dissenting voices in the coming weeks to further ago, has made investment cuts and ware and hardware inherent in He put no figure on the fund- would not go ahead with the sale on their fringes, the four-month look at deal opportunities. Both asset divestitures the cornerstone many other vendor approaches. ing gap. After interest payments of the main electricity utility PPC bailout extension seems certain to Petrobras, as the company is com- of his plan to restore confidence in According to a recent Avaya this month of about €2bn, Athens or power grid operator ADIME. be approved by the German and monly known, and JPMorgan the scandal-battered company. A survey, 99 percent of IT pro- must repay an IMF loan of around “The companies have not sub- Greek parliaments this week. declined to comment. reduction in the company’s five- fessionals want SDN to extend €1.6bn that matures in March and mitted binding bids so it will not However, the next round of Asset sales have become year, $221bn capital spending plan beyond the data centre; however, about €7.5bn in maturing bonds be completed,” he told Ethnos negotiations on Greece’s debt imperative for Petrobras now is also widely expected. nearly the same amount (93 per- held by the ECB in July and newspaper. mountain will start as soon as that Moody’s Investors Service Moody’s was the first of the cent) say the ability to do so today August. That drew an angry response those votes go through, and take has stripped the company of its three major rating firms to put is extremely or moderately lim- Greece is due to receive €7.2bn from Berlin, where a finance min- place under the shadow of a loom- investment-grade rating and has Petrobras ratings on so-called ited. THE PENINSULA in remaining EU/IMF bailout istry spokesman said Athens could ing repayment crunch. REUTERS warned that further cuts are junk status. REUTERS THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,471.96 0.43 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,852.81 0.43 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,442.12 0.40 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,249.48 0.38 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,313.77 0.01 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5908.559 18.544 0.31 5908.3 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 4,035.84 0.48 % QR141.9275 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,431.13 0.45 % Cac 40 Index/D 4874.12 -12.32 -0.25 4899.52 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,450.68 2.71 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.6103 QR 5.6885 QE All Share Insurance 4,114.64 0.89 % Dj Indu Average 18209.19 92.35 0.51 18231.1 15855.12 QR 1.9459 Euro ...... QR 4.1083 QR 4.1655 QE All Share Telecoms 1,422.07 0.28 % CA$ ...... QR 2.9043 QR 2.9613 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,295.7 0.03 % Hang Seng Inde/D 24778.28 28.21 0.11 25048.26 23312.5 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8093 QR 3.8668 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5879.71 10.79 0.18 5872.35 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0339 QR 0.0310 Aus$ ...... QR 2.8443 QR 2.9006 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 33845.3 -50.16 -0.15 35055.94 32134.82 CRUDE OIL 25-02-2015 24-02-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0582 QR 0.0594 Index 12,471.96 12,525.88 Nikkei 225 Index 18585.2 -18.28 -0.1 18603.48 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0363 Change 53.92 23.37 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0819 QR 0.0836 S&P 500 Index/D 2115.48 5.82 0.28 2117.94 1814.36 % 0.43 0.19 $ 58.63 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0280 YTD% 1.52 1.95 Straits Times/D 3440.83 3.22 0.09 3458.14 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0472 Volume 11,182,872 10,923,525 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0366 QR 0.0373 Value (QAR) 438,310,650.01 598,195,141.74 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3155 QR 0.3218 Trades 5,574 5,707 $ 55.51 Up 17 | Down 24 | Unchanged 00 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 25-02-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A C C-A/D 1659.1 41.6 22485 Cimmco-B/D 76.9 -0.85 16857 Hind Unilever-/D 900.9 -13.05 69626 Kg Denim-B/D 22.5 -0.5 14260 Orient.Carb.-T/D 464.3 21.3 13662 Imperial Tobac/D 3120 -34 220394 Aarti Drugs-B/D 1283.75 11.25 3184 Cipla-A/D 676.2 -0.8 91328 Hind.Petrol-A/D 613.45 7.5 213183 Kilburnengg-T/D 45 -1.2 15790 Patspin India-/D 7.58 -1.13 13452 Kingfisher/D 348.9 7.2 1926077 Aban Offs-A/D 472.05 -4.05 182098 City Union Bk-/D 97.55 -2.15 61366 Hindalco-A/D 153.5 -0.2 329261 Kinetic Eng-B/D 42.05 0.05 14617 Radico Khait-B/D 88.15 -0.2 86133 Land Secs Grou/D 1228.248408 -10 403783 Aegis Logis-B/D 409.5 -4.8 7798 Colgate-A/D 1945.65 -28.05 12012 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1341 31.75 187565 Kopran-B/D 44.8 -0.65 70546 Rallis India-A/D 243.3 7.2 59563 Legal & Genera/D 276.8 -0.3 1417746 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 277.8 -7.6 216771 Container Cor-/D 1573.6 -1.9 20258 I F C I-A/D 37.7 0.5 670344 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 339 -5.3 2863 Rallis India-A/D 243.3 7.2 59563 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 79.1428 -0.07 34530388 Alembic-B/D 38 -2.35 211901 Dhampur Sugar-/D 40.65 -0.5 18198 Idbi-A/D 74.8 0.65 394360 Laxmi Prcisn-B/D 43 0 5020 Reliance Indus/D 448.3 4.2 88473 Marks & Sp./D 501.55 -2 770103 Alok Indus-A/D 8.94 -0.17 1504597 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3274.95 -83.35 27976 Ifb Agro-B/D 268 -3.4 4607 Lgb Broth-B/D 542.75 -3.5 3490 Ruchi Soya-B/D 44.4 -0.05 100651 Next/D 7395 -20 39226 Apollo Tyre-A/D 173.75 -2.85 348317 E I H-B/D 111.3 1.1 18847 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 494.9 -2 9844 Lloyd Metal-B/D 9.49 -0.18 11435 Saur.Cem-B/D 39.75 0 40332 Pearson/D 1412 1 447230 Asahi I Glass-/D 135.05 1.05 19075 E.I.D Parry-A/D 175.65 0.4 11041 India Cement-A/D 98.9 -1.4 176570 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 13.48 0.48 9108 Thirumalai-B/D 84.95 -1.45 5481 Prudential/D 1614 -2.5 782827 Rank Group/D 187.6 -0.4 262300 Ashok Leyland-/D 66.95 0.05 1053864 Eicher Motor-A/D 15612.65 -200.65 9465 India Glycol-B/D 99.3 -0.8 17081 Lupin-A/D 1668.85 8.65 28289 Til Ltd.-T/D 516 21 20661 Rentokil Initi/D 129.2 0.2 167524 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1367 -17.25 2968 Electrosteel-B/D 17.45 0.1 176323 Indian Hotel-A/D 109.6 -3.45 54206 Lyka Labs-T/D 44.3 1.3 64251 Timexgroup-T/D 16.98 0 29847 Rolls Royce Pl/D 936.5 0 1194172 Ballarpur In-B/D 14.7 -0.1 135051 Emco-B/D 39.6 1.3 120722 Indo-Tcount-T/D 387.9 1 6296 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 167 -7.6 3761 Tinplate-B/D 61.8 0.6 64222 Rsa Insrance G/D 449.7 -0.2 655719 Bata India-A/D 1244.85 -1.55 13355 Escorts Fin-B/D 5.1 -0.26 10740 Indusind-A/D 856.15 -7.7 40735 Mah.Seamless-B/D 209 -3 14282 Ucal Fuel-B/D 122.8 1 22871 Sainsbury(J)/D 271.05 1 2995055 Beml Ltd-A/D 980.2 -4.9 59064 Escorts-A/D 135.65 2.95 431150 J.B.Chemical-B/D 187.45 -2.3 9146 Mangalam Cem-B/D 272.2 -1.5 28041 Ucal Fuel-B/D 122.8 1 22871 Schroders/D 3059 -8 27968 Ultramarine-B/D 67.6 -0.25 9034 Bh Electronic-/D 3706.4 12.65 34168 Essar Oil-T/D 108 -0.45 59982 Jagatjit Ind-T/D 46.3 1.3 3589 Maral Overs-B/D 29.95 1.2 186411 Severn Trent/D 2063.64 -15 151871 Bhansali Eng-T/D 17.5 -0.5 36300 Eveready Indu-/D 206.1 1 57535 Jagson Phar-B/D 28.05 -0.4 5948 Mastek-B/D 431.6 -0.4 98186 Unitech P -A/D 18.05 -0.25 5883935 Smith&Nephew/D 1167 -17 477826 Bharat Bijle-B/D 676 7.5 4534 F D C-B/D 156.75 -1.7 3320 Jbf Indu-B/D 222.2 4.3 339646 Max India L-A/D 440.55 -6.9 52055 Univcable-T/D 41.9 -0.05 20317 Smiths Group/D 1156 -7 272423 Bharatgears-B/D 72.3 -1.9 5122 Federal Bank-A/D 140.05 -1.4 117588 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.56 -0.05 25275 Mrpl-A/D 63.25 -1.75 130118 Standrd Chart /D 929.2 -21.4 2202459 LONDON Bhartiya Int-B/D 415 -0.1 2857 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.27 0.1 35843 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.62 0.01 76769 Nahar Spg.-B/D 97.5 2.6 20490 Tate & Lyle/D 587 -6 298523 Bhel-A/D 274.05 -3.65 424624 Finolex-A/D 280.4 6.9 52649 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 5.1 -0.06 9796 Nation Alum -A/D 48 0.1 50201 Tesco/D 241.91 3.55 6189858 Bom.Burmah-B/D 426.95 -25.3 136600 Gail-A/D 405.45 0.8 68137 Jik Indust-T/D 0.95 -0.05 3292 Navneet Edu-B/D 110.6 -2.1 8017 3I Group/D 489 -3.4 182654 Unilever/D 2836 -25 604194 Bombay Dyeing-/D 73.95 -1.6 404082 Galada Power-T/D 29.75 0.9 39154 Jindal Drill-B/D 178.7 -5.4 3333 Nepc India-T/D 3.08 -0.02 22414 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3019 10 120412 United Util Gr/D 953.35 -9 338303 Camph.& All-B/D 256.2 -2.6 3090 Gammon India-T/D 21.4 -0.5 206757 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 116.8 -1.6 137854 Neuland Lab-B/D 320 -2.8 3379 Barclays/D 263.966 -0.05 6540521 Vodafone Group/D 224.75 -1.75 17938226 Canfin Homes-B/D 607 0.5 10952 Goodricke-B/D 140.7 -4.2 134642 Jmc Projects-T/D 161.1 -3.7 4333 Nrb Bearings-B/D 141 0.7 11458 Bg Group/D 969.9 -11.1 2180559 Whitbread/D 5220 115 204398 Castrol India-/D 470.85 -3.9 48266 Goodyear I -B/D 612.75 -11.25 2981 Kabra Extr-B/D 81 -2.5 11995 O N G C-A/D 317.15 1.8 430356 Bp/D 447.45 -0.9 4785908 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3714.5 -22.5 447611 Century Enka-B/D 155.1 -3.2 14307 Hcl Infosys-B/D 48.3 -0.65 368449 Kajaria Cer-A/D 794.2 11.5 10187 Ocl India-B/D 518.75 -71.25 15820200 Bt Group/D 445.2 -1.8 4627426 Century Text-A/D 482.15 -8.95 116373 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 15.7 -0.35 1257301 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 128.4 0.7 3268 Oil Country-B/D 35.2 0.25 7440 Centrica/D 252.8 1.1 6469461 Chambal Fert-B/D 65.45 -0.8 109796 Himat Seide-B/D 83.2 -0.4 14264 Kalpat Power-B/D 235.95 0.3 21673 Orchid Chem-B/D 63.95 -1.7 152448 Gkn/D 363.8 -9.7 4682721 Chola Invest-B/D 584.9 5.05 5382 Hind Motors-T/D 8 0.01 104175 Kalyani Stel-T/D 148.5 3.5 98848 Orient Hotel-T/D 20.95 -0.2 11145 Hsbc Holdings/D 575.6 -6 8411296 Chowgule St-T/D 24.95 0 5502 Hind Org Chem-/D 18.65 -0.15 13550 Kanoria Chem-B/D 39.65 0.85 22556 Orient.Carb.-T/D 464.3 21.3 13662 THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Struggling Younis denies Ireland hold nerve to edge retirement tweet BRISBANE, Australia: Out of form senior Pakistan batsman Younis Khan yesterday denied tweeting a plan to retire from one-day internationals after the UAE in World Cup thriller ongoing World Cup, saying he was working hard to come good for his team. Anwar’s century not enough as Wilson, O’Brien smash 72 in six overs A tweet from a supposedly offi- cial Younis account on Tuesday said he was going to retire from BRISBANE, Australia: Gary white-ball cricket after the World Wilson and Kevin O’Brien Scoreboard Cup and continue to play Tests. struck brisk half-centuries However, Younis insisted he did as Ireland held their nerve to UAE IRELAND not have a Twitter account of his clinch a thrilling two-wicket vic- Amjad Ali c Sorensen b K O’Brien ...... 45 W Porterfield b Mohammad Tauqir ...... 37 own. tory in their World Cup Pool B A Berenger c Porterfield b Stirling...... 13 P Stirling c Patil b Guruge ...... 3 “I have no Twitter account match against the United Arab K Chandran c K O’Brien b Stirling ...... 0 E Joyce c Patil b Amjad Javed ...... 37 and it’s (the story about his Emirates (UAE) in Brisbane Khurram Khan lbw Dockrell ...... 36 N O’Brien lbw Mohammad Tauqir ...... 17 retirement) fake,” Younis said yesterday. S Patil c Stirling b K O’Brien ...... 2 A Balbirnie c (sub-Saqlain) b Naveed ...... 30 yesterday. Wilson hit 80 off 69 balls while Shaiman Anwar c Wilson b Sorensen ...... 106 G Wilson c Javed b Naveed ...... 80 “I am working hard to come all-rounder O’Brien smashed 50 R Mustafa c Wilson b Cusack ...... 2 K O’Brien c Naveed b Amjad Javed ...... 50 good in batting and have not off 25 to help Ireland overwhelm Amjad Javed c Joyce b Sorensen ...... 42 J Mooney c Ali b Amjad Javed ...... 2 decided anything like that.” UAE’s total of 278-9 with four Mohammad Naveed c and b Cusack ...... 13 A Cusack (not out) ...... 5 Younis has been a subject of balls to spare for their second con- Mohammad Tauqir (not out) ...... 2 G Dockrell (not out) ...... 7 severe criticism from former secutive win of the tournament. M Guruje (not out) ...... 0 Extras (B-4, LB-3, W-2, NB-2) ...... 11 Pakistan players after scores Needing almost 10 runs an over Extras (B-1, LB-4, W-11, NB-1) ...... 17 Total (for 8 wkts in 49.2 overs) ...... 279 of six and nought in Pakistan’s at one stage, Wilson and O’Brien Total (for 9 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 278 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-72, 3-94, 4-97, 5-171, defeats in their first two matches smashed 72 in their sixth-wicket Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-53, 3-73, 4-78, 6-243, 7-259, 8-267. of the World Cup. stand off just six overs to revive 5-125, 6-131, 7-238, 8-269, 9-276. Bowling: Naveed 9.2-1-65-2 (1nb); Guruge He was asked to open the their chase. Bowling: Mooney 6-0-32-0 (1nb, 2w); So- 7-0-21-1 (1w); Javed 10-0-60-3; Tauqir 9-0- innings in Pakistan’s first match O’Brien, who was dropped on rensen 10-0-60-2; Cusack 10-0-54-2 (3w); 38-2 (1nb); Mustafa 9-0-45-0; Chandran 5-0- against arch-rivals India in 24, hit eight fours and lofted Stirling 10-0-27-2 (1w); K O’Brien 7-0-61-2 43-0 (1w). Adelaide, a promotion which Amjad Javed (3-60) for two con- (4w); Dockrell 7-0-39-1 (1w). Result: Ireland won by two wickets backfired. secutive sixes but fell on the next Since arriving on the New ball with his team still needing 36 of 67 in the last match against dismiss Andri Berenger (13) and Zealand tour last month, the runs to win. Zimbabwe, and Javed as UAE then picked up Krishna Chandran 37-year-old has managed just 78 Wicketkeeper-batsman Wilson plundered 147 runs in the last 15 for a duck in his third to deny runs in eight matches, including got Ireland, who beat West Indies overs. UAE a strong start after they four warm-up games and two in their first match, closer but was The duo came together with were put in to bat first. one-day internationals prior to dismissed by Mohammad Naveed Ireland looking to bundle their O’Brien came into the attack the World Cup. (2-65) after hitting the bowler for opponents out having reduced for Ireland and dismissed set Pakistan next play Zimbabwe two successive boundaries ion the them to 131 for six in the 35th opener Amjad Ali (45) and in a Pool B fixture in Brisbane on 48th over. over. Swapnil Patil (two) in his first two March 1, a game they must win to Ireland needed 12 at that stage Anwar eventually fell in the overs to further stifle the UAE harbour realistic hopes of qualify- and tailenders George Dockrell 49th over, skying Max Sorensen innings. ing for the quarter-finals. and Alex Cusack held firm to see for Wilson to complete a comfort- O’Brien, however, proved Former Pakistan captain them through. able catch. expensive in the final overs, turned commentator Ramiz Raja Earlier, Shaiman Anwar reg- Off-spinner Paul Stirling (2-27) eventually conceding 61 off seven has urged Younis to quit one-day istered UAE’s first World Cup struck in his second over to overs. REUTERS internationals. century to help them overcome a “I beg of Younis. Thank you for poor start and post a strong total. your services to Pakistan cricket The 35-year-old right-hander but please leave this ODI side scored 106 off 83 balls and domi- now,” Raja told a Pakistan televi- nated a breezy 107-run stand with sion channel on Tuesday. Javed (42), a World Cup record “I think Younis should tell the for the seventh wicket, to lift management he should be rested.” UAE who were reeling at 78-4 in Javed Miandad, another former the 21st over. Pakistan captain, lashed out at Anwar became the second team management for asking a batsman to score a ODI hundred struggling Younis to open. for the Emirati nation, who are “What’s the rocket science of making their second appearance promoting Younis Khan as an at the event after also qualifying opener?,” Miandad wrote in his in 1996. column for the International Anwar, who hit 10 fours and a Cricket Council website. six, raised his bat and went down “If you are not an opener you on his knees after reaching the tend to struggle against the new Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien plays a shot during a World Cup Pool B match 100-run mark in 79 deliveries. ball and if you are not in form, it against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at The Gabba in Brisbane Ireland were guilty of bowl- UAE’s Shaiman Anwar celebrates after scoring a century against Ireland only compounds your problems,” yesterday. ing too short to Anwar, who at The Gabba in Brisbane yesterday. said Miandad, also a former had scored his previous highest Pakistan coach. AFP Mathews wary of FACTBOX B a n g l a d e s h v s Eye on maiden World Cup win DUNEDIN, New Zealand: But they inflicted a heavy 150- Sri Lanka Scotland and Afghanistan are run defeat on their opponents FACTBOX Bangladesh trial each targeting a first-ever last time they met in Dubai last MELBOURNE: Factbox Cricket World Cup victory when month, when Afghanistan were Afghanistan vs on today’s World Cup match MELBOURNE: Sri Lanka campaign. “The game against they meet in Dunedin today. bowled out for 63 as medium between Bangladesh and captain Angelo Mathews is not Afghanistan was a close one, we Both of the minnow nations pacer Josh Davey ran riot and Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Scotland taking Bangladesh lightly in need to improve our standards,” have given more fancied opposi- ended with figures of six for 28. Cricket Ground: WELLINGTON: Factbox today’s World Cup clash despite Mathews warned. “What we need tion a scare at this year’s tourna- “We know what we have to do on today’s World Cup match a superior record, saying he to learn is to dominate from ball BANGLADESH ment but are yet to win a match. to overcome them,” said Scotland between Afghanistan and expects a tough game against one and stay in the game till the Captain: Mashrafe Mortaza Afghanistan looked a realistic assistant coach Paul Collingwood, Scotland at the University the South Asian rivals. end. Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha prospect of upsetting Sri Lanka the gritty former England bats- Oval in Dunedin. “This will be a pressure match “We have not played our best Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza, Anamul Haq, last weekend when they reduced man. Collingwood said that elu- AFGHANISTAN for all of us,” Mathews said of the cricket yet. If we play the way Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Arafat Sunny, the former world champions to sive first victory was a major Pool A encounter at the iconic we can, we can beat any team in Mominul Haq, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib-Al 51-4 before a Mahela Jayawardene motivating factor for his side. Captain: Mohammad Nabi Melbourne Cricket Ground. the world. We have got to step up Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir century consigned them to a four- “We’re not just here to enjoy Coach: Andy Moles “It will certainly be a tough and set our goals high. Play every Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed, wicket defeat. the World Cup, we’re here to win Squad: Mohammad Nabi, Nawroz Mangal, game. Bangladesh have performed game as a final or a semi-final. Taijul Islam, Shafiul Islam Scotland gave co-hosts New games and we’ll keep battling and Asghar Stanikzai, Samiullah Shenwari, well in the recent past. They have “The batters have to score runs Results so far at 2015 World Cup Zealand some nervous moments trying to play the positive cricket Afsar Zazai, Najibullah Zadran, Nasir Jamal, a good set of players and we have and the bowlers have to take when they took seven wickets as we know can hopefully bring us Beat Afghanistan by 105 runs Mirwais Ashraf, Gulbadin Naib, Hamid to take all their batsmen and wickets.” the Black Caps, one of the tourna- a win.” Match abandoned vs Australia Hassan, Shapoor Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, bowlers seriously. Star batsmen Kumar ment favourites, chased a paltry Afghanistan’s attack will be led Aftab Alam, Javed Ahmadi, Usman Ghani. “Whoever plays the best cricket Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Top performers: Mushfiqur Rahim (71 143-run target. by Hamid Hassan, who is shap- Results so far at 2015 World Cup will win and we hope we can play Dilshan are still to fire, but Sri runs); Mashrafe Mortaza (3 wickets); Both of the non-Test play- ing up as the cult hero of this our best cricket tomorrow.” Lanka’s main concern will be the SRI LANKA ing “associate” nations have year’s tournament, with his red Lost to Bangladesh by 105 runs Sri Lanka, the 1996 cham- indisciplined bowling which saw Captain: Angelo Mathews now lost two from two in their bandanna and face paint in the Lost to Sri Lanka by four wickets pions and finalists in the last 16 wides and a no-ball conceded Coach: Marvan Atapattu Pool A matches and have virtu- national colours. Top performers: Samiullah Shenwari (80 two editions, have won 32 of 37 against Afghanistan. Squad: Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne ally no chance of reaching the He is Afghanistan’s leading runs); Hamid Hassan (five wickets) one-day internationals against Pace spearhead Lasith Malinga Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar quarter-finals, making a maiden wicket taker at the tournament SCOTLAND Bangladesh, and their record in has given away 125 runs in two victory their major goal for the with five dismissals, including Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Captain: Preston Mommsen the World Cup is even better. matches at this tournament so Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, tournament. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, Coach: Grant Bradburn But Mathews’ men have had far, but Mathews was not worried Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Sachithra The Scots, who have appeared which he celebrated with an an uninspiring start to the 2015 that his main strike bowler was Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Lasith at two previous World Cups but unsteady cartwheel down the Squad: Preston Mommsen, Richie event, with their batsmen strug- a long way away from hitting top Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga are still yet to win a match, fol- pitch. Hassan once described Berrington, Kyle Coetzer, Frederick Coleman, gling to cope with conditions in form after ankle surgery last year. Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera. lowed up their stirring display Afghanistan, who are making Matthew Cross, Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, New Zealand. “Lasith is working extremely against New Zealand with a lack- their tournament debut, as the Hamish Gardiner, Majid Haq, Michael Leask, Results so far at 2015 World Cup Sri Lanka were thrashed by hard at the nets,” he said. “One lustre 119-run loss to England. “Rambo” of the cricket world and Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Safyaan the co-hosts in the tournament has to be at the peak when the Lost to New Zealand by 98 runs But captain Preston Mommsen admits his look is based on the Sharif, Rob Taylor, Iain Wardlaw opener in Christchurch, going quarter-finals come and he and Beat Afghanistan by four wickets said his team were not disheart- movie’s star Sylvester Stallone. Results so far at 2015 World Cup down by 98 runs after New the others are working towards Top performers: Mahela Jayawardene ened and were putting in the “I think that there is a similar- Lost to New Zealand by three wickets Zealand had piled up 331 for six. that.” (100 runs); Suranga Lakmal (4 wickets) “hard graft” needed to prepare ity in the story of Rocky and the Lost to England by 119 runs Then a scare awaited them Mathews confirmed that all- Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka head to head for the Afghanistan match. Afghanistan cricket team — we Top performers: Kyle Coetzer (72 runs); against Afghanistan in Dunedin, rounder Jeevan Mendis was out Total played: 37 “It’s a critical game for us,” he both started at the bottom and as the minnows fought tooth and of the tournament with a ham- said. “Having played them quite a gradually made our way up the Josh Davey (seven wickets) Sri Lanka won 32, Bangladesh won 4. (One nail before the Test side scraped string injury and the team man- bit in recent times, it’s important rankings,” he said. no-result) Afghanistan vs Scotland head to head through on the back of a cen- agement had called up opener that we put in a big performance.” Many of Afghanistan’s players Last match Total played: 8 tury by the ever-reliable Mahela Upul Tharanga as a replacement. Scotland and Afghanistan have learned their cricket in refugee Afghanistan won 5, Scotland won 3 Jayawardene. “Unfortunately, Jeevan is out March 6, 2014: Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh played each other eight times in camps after fleeing their war- Sri Lanka will hope the change for two to three weeks,” the cap- by three wickets in Dhaka. one-day internationals, with the torn nation and a win in their Last match in scenery and conditions in tain said. “Upul is expected to decide if we will play him or not Scots on the wrong end of a 5-3 first World Cup appearance would Jan 14, 2015: Scotland won by 150 runs at Australia will galvanise their arrive tonight but we have yet to against Bangladesh.” AFP losing record. be a major achievement. AFP Abu Dhabi. THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Hadlee rates Kvitova, Radwanska cruise into Aussies favourites against Black Caps quarter-finals of Qatar Open AUCKLAND: Legendary New Zealand paceman Richard Hadlee believes Australia have Contrasting fortunes as Wozniacki advances and Jankovic crashes out a slight advantage heading into Saturday’s World Cup showdown between the co-hosts because of DOHA: Top seed Petra Kvitova their pack of power-hitters. of the Czech Republic and fourth This weekend’s clash in seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Auckland, which some believe Poland yesterday signed in for could be a dress rehearsal for the the quarter-finals after posting March 29 final, pits four-times contrasting but quick wins at World Cup champions Australia Khalifa Tennis Complex. against an in-form New Zealand Kvitova, the highest ranked and should decide who takes pole played in Doha this week, was in position in Pool A. dominating form when Serbian Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in Hadlee, who still holds the rival Jelena Jankovic retired in action against Elina Svitolina record for most Test wickets by the second set with the former of Ukraine during their Qatar a New Zealand bowler with 431, leading the last-16 match. Open match at the Khalifa believes Australia’s power hitters Former world number one Tennis Complex yesterday. can take advantage of the excep- Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark BOTTOM: Petra Kvitova of tionally short straight boundaries also won when Romanian quali- the Czech Republic serves at both ends of Eden Park. fier Alexandra Dulgheru retired to Jelena Jankovic of Serbia. “They’ve got probably six power in the second set with the former hitters in their side and with the Kvitova won 6-1, 1-1 after leading 6-1, 3-0. short boundaries, it could be the Jankovic retired. In other matches yesterday, contest of the power hitters - the Radwanska eased past Italy’s PICTURES: IBRAHIM KUTTY team that can hit more sixes and Flavia Pennetta while Lucie fours,” Hadlee, 63, said. Safarova of Czech Republic over- “I think Australia are favour- came a stuttering start to down ites, but the way New Zealand are fifth seed Ekaterina Makarova of playing, we will given them a good Russia. run and we are good enough to get Sixth seed Andrea Petkovic across the line,” added the former of Germany beat Kazakhstan’s all-rounder, who retired in 1990. Zarina Diyas 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in 2 Saturday’s match promises hours and 35 minutes. a fascinating duel between the Radwanska, who has won 14 Australian pair of Aaron Finch career titles on the WTA Tour, snapping a three-match losing quarter-finals for sure. It doesn’t and David Warner and in-form sealed her win easily with a 6-1, streak to her - all three losses in matter how,” she said. “The first New Zealand pacemen Tim 6-1, in just 49 minutes. straight sets. set was good for my side and I Southee and Trent Boult. It was Radwanska’s fourth “I think it’s going to be a felt comfy and in good form,” Southee recorded New career win over Pennetta in very good match for revenge,” she added. Wozniacki said she is Zealand’s best one-day figures of six meetings. Pennetta was the Radwanska said yesterday. “We happy with her overall form going seven for 33 in his team’s eight- shock winner on Monday when just played a few weeks ago in into the quarter-finals. wicket win over England in she knocked out two-time Grand Melbourne. She definitely had a “I played okay. I think it’s much Wellington on Friday. Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova great season last year and a very different conditions this week than New Zealand can also call upon in three sets. Safarova also moved good beginning of the year this it was last week (in Dubai), and skipper Brendon McCullum, who into the quarter-finals yesterday year. it feels like the ball doesn’t fly as smashed the World Cup’s fastest when she beat Makarova 6-2, “For sure it’s not going to be much,” Wozniacki said. “I just had fifty, off just 18 balls, en-route to 6-7, 6-3 in 2 hours 17 minutes. an easy one, but I’m looking for- to kind of get used to it. So, yeah, a 25-ball 77 against England, as Radwanska said she was sur- ward to it. I think playing Venus I’m feeling okay. It’s first match for well as hard-hitting all-rounder prised with her quick win. is always a really good challenge, me and kind of just trying to get Corey Anderson. “Yes, well, actually it surprised so I just look forward to it,” the into the tournament,” she added. “In Southee and Boult, New me as well. For sure I wouldn’t 25-year-old Pole added. Two-time champion in Qatar Zealand have their best-ever new- tell it was going to be that quick. Kvitova who was leading 6-1, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus ball combination,” said Hadlee, Well, I think I really played great 1-1 when Jankovic retired, said defeated Elena Svitolina of New Zealand’s spearhead for tennis today. I was really aggres- she missed out on a fighting dis- Ukraine 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 to make it much of his career. Hadlee added: sive from the beginning and play against her Serbian rival. to the last eight stage. “McCullum is also at his dashing really focused from the beginning “It’s not very nice to see some- THE PENINSULA best. The way he has captained and that worked until the end,” one retiring from a match,” the side has been inspirational. Radwanksa said. Kvitova said. Qatar Open The way he fields and leads his “I think this is a tournament “We always have great matches. Doha: Results from the third day of the WTA side in the field, and his batting that you’re expecting to play long I lost to her last year here in the Qatar Open yesterday (x denotes seeding): ability as well -- if he can put all matches and playing against top quarter-finals, so I was expecting Second Round three things together, the other 20 players. So of course, there’s no for a tough match which showed Petra Kvitova (CZE x1) bt Jelena Jankovic players will follow that.” easy matches.” actually on the court. The the (SRB) 6-3, 1-1 abandon Awaiting Radwanska in the game I think was pretty high Lucie Safarova (CZE) bt Ekaterina Makarova quarter-finals today is No.7 seed level, the tall Czech added. (RUS x5) 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 Moin apologises Venus Williams, who won an nail- “It’s tough to describe some- Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x4) bt Flavia biter in her second round match thing, what’s happened during the Pennetta (ITA) 6-1, 6-1 to Pakistan fans late on Tuesday night against match, but I wondered how it is. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) vs Elena Svitolina Barbora Zahlavova Strycova. But I feel sorry for Jelena for sure. (UKR) 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 for casino visit Williams leads Radwanska in I hope that she going to be good Andrea Petkovic (GER x6) bt Zarina Diyas their head-to-head series, 6-4. and she can be able to compete (KAZ) 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 The American beat Radwanska again,” Kvitova added. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x3) bt Alexandra BRISBANE, Australia: at the Aussie Open in January, “I am happy that I’m in the Dulgheru (ROM) 6-1, 3-0 - retired Pakistan’s chief selector Moin Khan yesterday apologised for going to a New Zealand casino on the eve of a crucial World Cup match, an “inappropriate” Murray in a hurry into Dubai quarters visit which has seen him sent home from the tournament. DUBAI: Andy Murray scored for a semi-final place, where Moin said he was sorry that his his most one-sided victory for the seedings say he should face actions had offended millions of eight months and his easiest win Roger Federer, a six-time former cricket fans at home. over a top 50 player for nearly champion. “I had gone to a casino in six years when he trounced Joao He next plays Borna Coric, a Christchurch with friends and Sousa, the Portuguese number Croatian lucky loser, who also family to have dinner. In hind- one, 6-0, 6-2. had a little luck at the end of his sight, the choice of venue for din- His rapid fire win yesterday Andy Murray of Britain long drawn out win over Marcos ner was indeed inappropriate. It books a place in the quarter-finals returns the ball to Joao Baghdatis, the former Australian has offended the Pakistan public of the Dubai Open. Sousa of Portugal dur- Open finalist. as well as cricket fans,” Moin said It lasted less than an hour and ing their second round The Cypriot wild card entry in a statement. confirmed the impression that the match of the Dubai retired with cramp at four points Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) former Wimbledon and US Open Duty Free Tennis ATP all in the final set tie-break, hav- chairman Shaharyar Khan on champion is a far fitter and more Championships in Dubai, ing led 5-3 in in the final set and Tuesday launched an investi- confident player now than at any yesterday. Murray won being unable to close the match gation into Moin’s visit to the time during 2014, and capable 6-0, 6-2. out at 5-4 on his serve. The score Christchurch casino which took once again of winning big titles. was 6-4, 3-6, 6-6 (4-4 retired). place a day before team’s Pool B Murray served more consist- AFP game against the West Indies. ently than in his opening match, Pakistan lost the match by 150 applied consistent pressure whilst runs. playing within himself, and had ATP Dubai Open “I have already explained my the match completely under con- Dubai: Results from the ATP Dubai Open position to the PCB chairman and trol from the moment he broke yesterday (x denotes seeding): have apologized to him. He has serve early in the second set. Second round asked me to return home to fur- The unfortunate Sousa, ranked and didn’t give him anything for matches, it’s okay to say you’re Ivan Lendl, the former French Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Fernando ther clarify my position in person, 50, was increasingly rattled into free, and he was getting more trying something out, and when Open champion, as well as his Verdasco (ESP) 6-4, 6-3 which I have readily accepted,” more errors, and did not get on frustrated because he couldn’t you lose matches, you’re not protracted recovery from a back Marsel Ilhan (TUR) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP added Moin. to the scoreboard until the ninth get any free points and then was allowed to say that,” Murray operation. “My game, I think, suf- x6) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 “Through this statement, I also game after which he very briefly going for more and more shots replied with an edge to his voice, fered a little bit because of that, apologize to the Pakistan public showed glimpses of the form and obviously making more errors explaining that “I am a wee bit as well,” he said. Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Andrey Golubev for my insensitivity in the choice which once took him inside the because of it.” careful when I say about trying “You know, now I feel like, you (KAZ) 6-1, 6-2 of venue for dinner.” top 40 The only negative feelings after out things, because of when I was know, I’m heading in the right Tomas Berdych (CZE x4) bt Simone Bolelli Moin is likely to depart from “Today I thought I just picked his quietly rapid performance here a few years ago.” direction again. I feel like my body (ITA) 7-6 (9/7), 5-7, 6-0 Brisbane today and will meet the the right shots and played the came when a questioner inadvert- Murray gained his biggest is good, which is obviously a big Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) bt Denis Istomin PCB chief in Lahore tomorrow. right way when he was strug- ently reminded Murray of criti- cheer when he hinted he might part of it. (UZB) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 His expulsion from a World gling,” Murray said. cisms he received here three years wear a kilt for his wedding to “I think when you feel physi- Andy Murray (GBR x3) bt Joao Sousa (POR) Cup is not a first for Pakistan at “I didn’t give him any free ago when he admitted after a Kim Sears, the daughter of a cally strong, I do think that 6-0, 6-2 a World Cup. points. I didn’t make, you know, defeat that he had used the match well-known English coach in a makes you a bit stronger men- Shoaib Akhtar was sent Richard Gasquet (FRA) bt Roberto Bautista just sort of needless errors. for practice. Were there areas of few weeks’ time. tally, as well. I definitely believe home from the inaugural World (ESP x7) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8/6) “You know, I wasn’t just going his game he was trying to work He also suggested that last the two are,?well, for me, anyway, Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007 for shots just because I was up 4-0. on, he was now asked. year’s modest form had been they are very, very closely linked.” Borna Coric (CRO) bt Marcos Baghdatis after he hit fellow fast bowler I thought I made good decisions “It’s funny how, when you win partly due to the loss of his coach Murray thus looks a good bet (CYP) 6-4, 3-6, 6-6 retired Mohammad Asif with a bat. THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

An old love Losail ready for MXGP opener affair: Weiss and rallying in Qatar 8-time FIM Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli is man to beat DOHA: Germany’s Edith Weiss has had a long love affair with the Qatar International Rally. DOHA: The premier category This year was the 50-year-old of the now 58 year-old FIM driver’s eighth appearance in Motocross World Championship the event and once again she — MXGP — will get off to a impressed. roaring start at the Losail At the wheel of a Mitsubishi International Circuit tomorrow. Lancer Evolution IX, along- With an extraordinary pool of side her Greek navigator Vicky talent, 2015 is expected to be to Psaraki, Weiss won the ladies’ the greatest ever season of MXGP. category for the second year run- Qatar always provides some- ning and finished eighth overall. thing special, which is why MXGP Last year, besides her ladies has returned here to open the crown, she had finished 12th over- championship for the third con- all and also came second in the secutive year. At first glance, the Group N category. track looks more or less the same “Qatar has one of the most — the only difference is that some demanding gravel surface rallies new soil has been added and a in the world and I was looking few alterations have been made forward to participating in the to some of the corners. Learning Qatar International Rally again from previous years, some of the this year. I love the stages and the lights have also been shifted to whole event, which is always pro- provide optimal vision for the rid- fessionally organised by the Qatar ers who will be racing their one Motor and Motorcycle Federation and only night event this season. (QMMF), under the presidency Also adding to the insane buzz of Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah. surrounding the event in Losail, It’s always a great pleasure to be just outside Doha, is the 2015 here and congratulations to the FIM Women’s Motocross World QMMF for this fantastic rally Championship, which will also event. I say that, not just to be kick off. friendly, it’s absolutely true,” MXGP this year has an excep- Weiss said. tionally deep pool of talent. The Qatar and Weiss have a long top man to beat is eight-time history in motor sport. Her first FIM Motocross World Champion, rally event in the Gulf state was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s The dirt track at Losail International Circuit, near Doha, where the events will be held tomorrow. in 1992 and since then, she has Antonio Cairoli. Tony, as he is continued to take part in rallies known to his fans, is a smart World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos in the Middle East, especially in rider, he knows championships who qualified on pole here last Qatar. In the last three years, she are not won at the first round and year. Strijbos has upped his inten- has also been successful in cross- is sure to ride calmly. sity over the winter and is looking All eyes on Tixier in MX2 races country rallies in Qatar. Monster Energy Kawasaki stronger than ever, while his fel- She has already finished 17 Racing Team’s Ryan Villopoto on low team-mate and countryman DOHA: In the MX2 category Kawasaki Bud Racing, who abso- WRC events all over the world — the other hand could be a differ- Clement Desalle is also capable of of the FIM Motocross World lutely dominated here in Qatar winning two of them in Argentina ent story. Judging from his recent throwing red plates straight on Championship, world cham- last year. and Cyprus respectively. videos on social media, the guy his bike just as he did at MXGP pion Jordi Tixier is the man to Team One One Four’s Livia Last season, Weiss finished looks to be rearing to go! It is of Qatar back in 2013. beat this season and is already Lancelot will also be a force this third overall in Group N of the said that Villopoto won’t settle for While the guys listed above are looking at home on his Monster year as will the young Dutch Middle East Rally Championship anything less than a win, which he some of the most popular bets this Energy Kawasaki. sensation Nancy Van De Ven and (MERC) championship and won is certainly capable of pulling off. season, there are others to look But how Red Bull KTM Factory MVR-D Honda’s Natalie Kane. the Ladies Cup with a respect- One rider that could make life out for. Some names that quickly Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings will per- THE PENINSULA ful gap. She also became the first difficult for the reigning cham- spring to mind are the rookies, form is probably the hottest topic and only woman to finish in the pions is last year’s round one Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain since he has only been on the bike Friday’s Schedule top three of a Group N event at winner, Gautier Paulin. Last Febvre who has been showing a few weeks since recovering from WMX Free Practice: 4.45pm a MERC. “It was a great honour time Paulin let it rip was at the great form in the pre-season complications of his broken femur. for me to achieve this good result MX2 Free Practice: 5.15pm Monster Energy FIM Motocross races, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Monster Energy Kawasaki’s for Qatar,” she said. “This year, of Nations in Latvia where he Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff, Team other young gun Dylan Ferrandis MXGP Free Practice: 5.45pm after the Qatar International WMX Time Practice: 6.15pm was on fire and cleaned up the Assomotor Honda’s Alessandro is another rider we can expect to FIM Motocross MX2 world Rally, I’ve got an invitation from field. Now, he has switched from Lupino and Marchetti Racing see footing it at the head of the champion Jordi Tixier from the MX2 Time Practice: 7.15pm the President of the Kuwait Kawasaki to Honda’s factory Team KTM’s Jose Butron. And field along with the likes of Wilvo Monster Energy Kawasaki team. MXGP Time Practice: 8pm Motorsport Club, Sheikh Athbi squad, Team HRC, and is looking then there are the likes of Red Nestaan Husqvarna Factory MX2 Qualifying Race: 10pm Al Nayef Al Sabah, to start at to keep that momentum going. Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Racing’s Aleksandr Tonkov and KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls MXGP Qualifying Race: 10.50 the Kuwait International Rally, Yamaha Factory Racing’s duo of seasoned riders, Tommy Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser. Jonass could be the cat among the second round of the Middle Saturday’s Schedule Jeremy Van Horebeek is also one Searle and Ken De Dycker, Team Standing Construct Yamaha’s the pigeons this year. East Rally Championship, and I to look out for. The rider who HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev, TM Valentin Guillod could also raise Meanwhile, the FIM Women’s WMX Warm-up: 4.30pm want to participate in the Qatar ended up second in the world Racing Factory Team’s Davide some eyebrows as could his team- Motocross World Championship MX2 Warm-up: 4.50pm Sealine Rally in April 2015. After championship standings last year Guarneri and also the ultra-fast mate Julien Lieber. should see an epic contest this MXGP Warm-up: 5.10pm this I have a big question mark with 12 podiums finishes out of a privateers DP19 Racing Yamaha’s What about Monster Energy year. The three-time FIM WMX WMX Race 1: 6.15pm because without a good sponsor- possible 17 last year, hasn’t won a David Philippaerts, Hitachi DRT Kawasaki’s Max Anstie? His World Champion Kiara Fontanesi MX2 Race 1: 7.15pm ship it’s not possible to compete at MXGP in Qatar yet. This could be Construction Machinery Revo performance here last year was is not going to hand the gold plate a professional level. I really wish MXGP Race 1: 8.15pm a little added motivation for the KTM’s Shaun Simpson, Wilvo unforgettable. If he rides like that over without a fight, while most the day is coming to get a chance WMX Race 2: 9.10pm 24-year-old Belgian. Forkrent KTM’s Steven Frossard again this year, he could smoke eyes will be on last year’s cham- to start with a top rally car in a Another Belgian to watch out and MX Racing Team’s Rui everyone, although judging from pionship runner-up Meghan MX2 Race 2: 10.10pm professional rally team,” she said. for is Rockstar Energy Suzuki Gonçalves. THE PENINSULA the pre-season events Red Bull Rutledge, of Monster Energy MXGP Race 2: 11.10pm THE PENINSULA Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Gala Dinner LEFT: A model parades a horse at the QREC gala dinner on Tuesday night. RIGHT: Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani (left) with popular trainer Julian Smart (right) at the QREC gala dinner on Tuesday night. BOTTOM LEFT: Italian racing legend Frankie Dettori (centre) at the draw ceremony during the dinner. BOTTOM RIGHT: Guests at the event. THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Horse Racing Results Jockey Thoroughbred Graduation Plate Julien Auge 1400m (right) and Conditions: 3 Year Olds Only - For trainer Maidens, One & Two time winners Thomas Running Time: 1:24:36 Fourcy 1st 57000.00 with their 2nd 22000.00 trophies 3rd 11000.00 after 4th 6000.00 winning the Qatar Beach Samba, I. Al Malki, Gary Carter International Silver Ranger, Jassim Al Ghazali, Gaetan Trophy race, Faucon yesterday Power Play, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley at the Qatar Thoroughbred Conditions - Fegentri Racing and Lady Riders Equestrian 1200M Club Conditions: Open to all Thorougbred (QREC). winners aged 3 years and Over RIGHT: Running Time: 1:12:17 Auge rides 1st 57000.00 Mister 2nd 22000.00 Ginoux to 3rd 11000.00 victory. 4th 6000.00 PICS: JUHAIM Gojeri, Mohammed Jassim Ghazali, Josephine Chini Sandbetweenourtoes, Jassim Al Ghazali, M Blumenauer Morning Post, Jassim Al Ghazali, Marion Dufrench P/A Graduation Plate 1600M Conditions: For Maidens, One & Two time winners Mister Ginoux excels to win Running Time: 1:46:38 1st 57000.00 2nd 22000.00 3rd 11000.00 4th 6000.00 Qassy, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley Qatar International Trophy Dhalyek al Naif, Y. Bentaher, Marco Monteriso Safwan, A. de Mieulle, Gaetan Faucon Stunning Makruma tops field to triumph at Qatar International Cup Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 55 - 75 1200M Conditions: 3 Year Olds Rated 69 - 89 BY RIZWAN REHMAT may enter Running Time: 1:12:12 DOHA: Mister Ginoux yes- 1st 57000.00 terday stormed to Qatar 2nd 22000.00 International Trophy race vic- 3rd 11000.00 tory as French jockey Julien Auge celebrated a ‘fantastic’ 4th 6000.00 triumph at Qatar Racing and Saakhen, Jassim Al Ghazali, J.P Guillambert Equestrian Club (QREC). River Goddess, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Auge timed his burst to per- Bentley fection close to the winning post Yes We Can Dream, M. Al Mansoori, Y. Al as Al Shaqab Racing’s 4-year- Hajri old gatecrashed trainer Julian Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 60 - 80 Action from Smart’s party to win the feature 1400M race at QREC with a time of a race at the Qatar Conditions: 3 Year Olds Rated 75 - 95 1:44:68. may enter Smart, who had four entries in Racing and Running Time: 1:24:26 the 12-horse field, saw Al Anga Equestrian finish second while his stablemate Club 1st 57000.00 Aden - ridden by Richard Mullen (QREC), 2nd 22000.00 - grabbed the third spot. yesterday. 3rd 11000.00 After winning the 1600m race 4th 6000.00 by half a length, Auge said: “For Crafted, I. Al Malki, Gerald Avranche me this was a fantastic win. I Peace Accord, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry didn’t get a great number at the Bentley gate but that was no problem.” Azma, S. Ibido, Marco Monteriso Auge added: “We managed to Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 70 - 90 get a very big finish and that’s what we were looking for.” 1600M In another shock result, Conditions: 3 Year Olds Rated 87 - 107 Makruma annihilated some of the may enter best thoroughbreds in the coun- Running Time: 1:36:71 try to win the Qatar International 1st 57000.00 Cup in a runway performance at 2nd 22000.00 QREC. 3rd 11000.00 Ridden by Piers Convertino, 4th 6000.00 Makruma won the 1,600m race jockey Gerald Avranche made stormed an easy in ahead of Harry After a sluggish start to their was ridden by M Blumenauer. Shaolin, Mohammed Jassim Ghazali,J.P ahead of Janoub Nibras and Pearl his experience count when rode Bentley-ridden Peace Accord and campaign, the Al Ghazali-Bentley “It was a great performance. I Guillambert Bridge as the Majid Safedeen- Nomaas to victory in race seven Azma who had Marco Monteriso duo picked up pace in race three enjoyed this ride,” Chini said after trained filly emerged on top with ahead of Jelmud and Raghed. in the mount. when the popular British jockey the triumph. Leafcutter, M. Hussain, Marco Monteriso a memorable run. Nomaas, trained by M Hussain, Ridden by Avranche and brought Qassy home in the 1600m Veteran jockey Gary Carter Hi Holy, Y. Bentaher, Evert Pheiffer Roman Legend, ridden by produced an incredible burst an trained by I Al Malki, Crafted race. overcame a restless start by nail- P/A Conditions Frankie Dettori, finished in energy with nearly 200m to go rarely looked in trouble as he gal- Five-year-old Qassy finished ing the win in race one when he 1200M fourth spot but it was Convertino and finished the 1200m race with loped to a win in a time of 1:24:26, with a time of 1:46:38. After fin- guided Beach Samba to a morale- Conditions: Weights as per Local who had the biggest smile. a time of 1:18:53. finishing with a flourish in sunny ishing ahead of Dhalyek Al Naif boosting victory ahead of Silver Instructions “It was an incredible run,” “I am happy with this win. I conditions. and Safwan, Bentley said: “It was Ranger and Power Play. Running Time: 1:18:53 Convertino said. “First of all I have been living and riding in In race four, Saakhen pipped a good run. The last time he ran a Beach Samba clocked a time 1st 57000.00 want to thank the trainer and the Qatar for a long time,” Avranche River Goddess in a photo-finish mile, he was just as good. I think of 1:24.36 and finished the 1200m 2nd 22000.00 owner for believing in me. They said. “It is nice to be in this posi- but it was trainer Jassim Al we took off a the right time.” race almost 2 lengths ahead worked very hard,” he added. tion, winning races,” he added. Ghazali who still emerged a win- In the second race for fegentri of Silver Ranger ridden by 3rd 11000.00 “Because of them I had a perfect Shaolin, ridden by J P ner in the 1200m race. lady riders of the weekend, jockey Frenchman Gaetan Faucon. 4th 6000.00 race. I am very happy. I think we Guillambert, relied on a late surge Saaken, ridden by Guillambert, Josephine Chini produced a slick “I don’t know,” Carter said Nomaas, M. Hussain, Gerald Avranche broke from the pack at the per- to beat Leafcutter and Hi Holy to galloped with amazing recovery run when she guided Jassim Al when asked if he was planning to Jelmud, Mohammed Hamad Al Attiya, fect time,” Convertino said. win race six. speed in the last 200m to edge Ghazali-trained Gojeri to a con- continue. “I might retire soon,” Almotasem Al Balushi Trainer Safedeen said: “It was a Five-year-old Shaolin beat River Goddess who had Bentley vincing win. he joked. Raghed, A. de Mieulle, Gaetan Faucon very hard race and a very draining Leafcutter by a head’s length and in the saddle. Saaken clocked a Gojeri, who clocked a time of “He’s a nice horse and runs the Qatar International Cup (Gr 2) one at that. But the result doesn’t topped the 14-entry field with a time of 1:12:12. 1:12.17, finished the 1200m race moment you put on the blinkers. 1600M surprise me. I gave orders to Piers time of 1:36:71. “I didn’t know who won as my ahead of Sandbetweenourtoes and There were a few horses kicking Conditions: Thoroughbreds - 3 Year Olds to wait until the end. It was a per- Crafted scripted a runaway win head was done. It was a really Morning Post ridding by Marion at the back before the start.” & Older fect race for us.” Earlier, veteran in race five when the 4-year-old tight race,” Guillambert said. Dufrench. Sandbetweenourtoes THE PENINSULA Running Time: 1:34:98 1st 570000.00 Horse Racing 2nd 220000.00 3rd 110000.00 Schedule 4th 60000.00 Makruma, Majid Safedeen, P. Convertino Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 70 - 90 1000m 3:00pm Janoub Nibras, B. Al Abid, B.Doyle Thoroughbred Conditions (F&M) 1600m A group photo Pearl Bridge, Z. Mohsen, Adrie De Vries 3:30pm following Qatar International Trophy (Gr 1 Pa) H H The Emir’s Silver Shalfa Trophy 2000m the Fegentri 1600M 4:05pm ladies race Conditions: P/A - 4 Years Old and Older H H The Emir’s Trophy 2400m 4:35pm at the QREC, Running Time: 1:44:68 H H The Emir’s Shalfa Trophy 1850m yesterday. 1st 570000.00 5:10pm 2nd 220000.00 H H The Emir’s Silver Sword 1850m 5:45pm 3rd 110000.00 H H The Emir’s Trophy (Gr 1) 2400m 4th 60000.00 6:20pm Mister Ginoux, Thomas Fourcy, Julien Augé H H The Emir’s Sword (Gr 1 PA) 2400m Al Anga, J. Smart, W. J Lee 7:00pm Aden, J. Smart, R. Mullen THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Europa League Manchester City’s English Fixtures PARIS: Europa League fix- goalkeeper tures today (first-leg scores in Joe Hart brackets): (left) blocks Round of 32, second leg Barcelona’s Argentinian At Khimki, Russia (1700 GMT) Dynamo Moscow (RUS) vs Anderlecht (BEL) forward Lionel (0-0) Messi dur- At St Petersburg, Russia (1700 GMT) ing the UEFA Zenit St Petersburg (RUS) vs PSV Eindhoven Champions (NED) (1-0) League round At Istanbul (1800 GMT) of 16 first Besiktas (TUR) vs Liverpool (ENG) (0-1) leg match at At Florence, Italy (1800 GMT) the Etihad Fiorentina (ITA) vs Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) Stadium in (1-1) Manchester, At Milan, Italy (1800 GMT) northwest Inter Milan (ITA) vs Celtic (SCO) (3-3) England, At Kiev (1800 GMT) yesterday. Dynamo Kiev (UKR) vs Guingamp (FRA) (1-2) At Salzburg, Austria (1800) Salzburg (AUT) vs Villarreal (ESP) (1-2) At Warsaw (1800 GMT) Legia Warsaw (POL) vs Ajax (NED) (0-1) At Moenchengladbach, Germany (1800 GMT) Borussia Moenchengladbach (GER) vs Sevilla Suarez double helps Barca (ESP) (0-1) At Lisbon (2005 GMT) Sporting Lisbon (POR) vs VfL Wolfsburg (GER) (0-2) At Liverpool, United Kingdom (2005 GMT) Everton (ENG) vs Young Boys (SUI) (4-1) At Bilbao, Spain (2005 GMT) beat Man City, Juve win Athletic Bilbao (ESP) vs Torino (ITA) (2-2) At Bruges, Belgium (2005 GMT) Club Brugge (BEL) vs Aalborg (DEN) (3-1) At Piraeus, Greece (2005 GMT) Uruguayan scores twice in the first half for 2-1 win for Barcelona Olympiakos (GRE) vs Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (UKR) (0-2) PARIS: Luis Suarez scored a since Liverpool in 2007 of pre- period. “We conceded an early Juventus coach Massimiliano victory. “They were good at clos- At Naples, Italy (2005 GMT) double on his return to England venting Barcelona from reaching goal and played very bad. In the Allegri about the tying goal. ing us down and not allowing us Napoli (ITA) vs Trabzonspor (TUR) (4-0) for the first time since a big the last eight. second half we did what we talked The players responded accord- to play our kind of game. On the At Rotterdam, Netherlands (2005 GMT) money move last summer as Suarez, who took his tally to about before the game,” said ingly as impressive Spaniard goals we conceded, it was down to Feyenoord (NED) vs Roma (ITA) (1-1) Barcelona secured a 2-1 win nine goals for Barcelona in 23 Pellegrini. Alvaro Morata restored Juve’s errors of positioning,” said Klopp. over Manchester City in their appearances in all competitions, “We have a chance. We must advantage shortly before the half- “These are problems we have to Champions League last 16 first admitted Hart’s save had kept the try to do it there in the next time break. rectify but nothing has been lost. Champions League leg clash on Tuesday night. tie alive. game.” The biggest worry for Juventus There’s still everything to play for The Uruguayan -- who moved “I think that is a positive thing The other tie of the night saw will be the injury to iconic play- at Dortmund.” Results to Barcelona from Liverpool -- for them,” said Suarez, whose Juventus beat Borussia Dortmund maker Andrea Pirlo after he had Meanwhile, Messi will remain PARIS: Results from struck twice in the first-half to career at Barcelona started belat- 2-1 in Turin, in the first meeting to go off in the first-half. Barcelona’s penalty taker despite Champions League last 16 first give his side the upper hand head- edly as he served a suspension for between the two sides since the “We have passed an important his Champions League miss,coach leg matches: ing towards the second leg at the biting Italian defender Giorgio German outfit beat them in the test, and I am pleased with this Luis Enrique insisted. Nou Camp next month. Chiellini in last year’s World Cup. 1997 Champions League final. result against a really good team,” The Argentine superstar will At Manchester, England Sergio Aguero grabbed a goal “If it had gone in it would have Chiellini was at fault for said Allegri. keep his spot-kick taking duties, Manchester City (ENG) 1 (Aguero 69) for City -- though the hosts were been a different scenario. Dortmund’s equaliser -- after “The result is a fair one, but it “without a doubt”, Enrique said, Barcelona (ESP) 2 (Suarez 16, 30) soon afterwards reduced to 10 “But at 2-1 there’s a chance for Carlos Tevez had opened the scor- could have been by a wider mar- despite his failure in the dying At Turin, Italy men when Gael Clichy was sent them.” ing for the hosts -- as he slipped gin because we created several seconds of Tuesday’s 2-1 last 16 Juventus (ITA) 2 (Tevez 13, Morata 42) off -- and Joe Hart kept City in City manager Manuel when in possession and Marco chances, especially in the second first leg victory. Borussia Dortmund (GER) 1 (Reus 18) it with a last minute penalty save Pellegrini, whose side went out Reus needed no second invitation half when we played really well.” Hart brilliantly saved Messi’s (Second leg matches March 17/18) from Lionel Messi. to Barcelona at the same stage to score. Hiss Dortmund counterpart spot kick and the little striker Played on February 18 It leaves City with a glimmer last year, confessed his side had “We needed to be strong men- Jurgen Klopp gracioulsy admit- also missed with a followup At Basel, Switzerland of hope of becoming the first side only started to play in the second tally after that happened,” said ted Juventus had deserved the header. AGENCIES Basel (SUI) 1 (Gonzalez 11) Porto (POR) 1 (Danilo 79-pen) World Cup At Gelsenkirchen, Germany Tevez finds new Schalke 04 (GER) 0 Real Madrid (ESP) 2 (Cristiano Ronaldo 26, Marcelo 79) hero Bresciano (Second leg matches on March 10) Played on February 17 retires from lease of life at Juve At Paris Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 1 (Cavani 54) Socceroos TURIN, ITALY: Italian foot- Boca Juniors in his homenad after Chelsea (ENG) 1 (Ivanovic 36) ball has become something of celebrating a goal against River At Lviv, Ukraine SYDNEY: Australia midfielder a refuge for players who have Plate by flapping his arms to imi- Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 0 Bayern Munich Mark Bresciano (pictured) yes- fallen out of favour in other tate a chicken, a reference to that (GER) 0 terday announced his retire- European leagues or are reach- fact Boca fans use “chickens” as (Second leg matches on March 10/11) ment from international football ing the twilight of their careers. a derogatory nickname for their after 84 appearances over 15 Players such as Kaka, Mario arch-rivals. years, including at three World Balotelli, Patrice Evra, Ashley Instead, his trademark celebra- Greece suspends Cups. Cole, Nemanja Vidic, Fernando tion is to pull a baby’s dummy The 35-year-old, who spent 12 Torres, Rafael Marquez and Javier from his shorts and put it in his professional years playing in Italy for clubs Saviola have all moved to Serie mouth, a tribute to his daughter. including Lazio and Parma, made A in the last two years, to either But the old verve and tenac- football his international debut during revive their careers or squeeze a ity are still there, and combined the 2001 Confederations Cup few more years out of them. with his speed, instinct for goal and ended his career by helping Many, such as Balotelli and and skill make him a nightmare indefinitely Australia win this year’s Asian Torres, struggle and quickly move for defenders, as Borussia found Cup. on, but there has been one out- on Tuesday. ATHENS: Matches in Greece’s He is best remembered as standing success story. He was too hot for the professional soccer leagues have Australia’s goal-scorer in their 1-0 Argentina forward Carlos Bundesliga side to handle and been suspended indefinitely in victory over Juventus’ Carlos Tevez (left) with a dummy in his mouth as he celebrates Tevez, who led Juventus to a 2-1 also started the move which led a crackdown on violence, the Uruguay in with team-mate Stephan Lichtsteiner his goal during the UEFA Champions win over Borussia Dortmund in to Juve’s second goal just before Super League said yesterday. 2005, which Tuesday’s Champions League tie, halftime. The move follows a pitch inva- League match at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, yesterday. catapulted has breathed new life into his This season, he has also struck sion at the end of the Athens the country career since joining the Serie A up an excellent understanding derby last weekend and a Super to the World champions from Manchester City with Spanish forward Alvaro League board meeting which Cup finals in June 2013. Morata, signed from Real Madrid ended in a brawl on Tuesday, with for the first Kaka to captain new Worn out after four eventful before the start of the season. Greece’s recently-elected Syriza time in 32 seasons at City, Tevez was also “We’ve been playing together ruling party aiming to stamp out years. shunned by then Argentina coach more regularly and you can see the problem of crowd violence. “It has Alejandro Sabella amid specula- that on the field,” he said after “What we have been informed been an MLS Orlando side tion that he was considered too Tuesday’s game. is that the Super League and the unforgetta- much of a disruptive influence. Tevez has already made it clear Football League have been sus- ble journey ORLANDO: Brazilian play- fans and police outside a stadium But it has all gone right at that he will end his career back at pended indefinitely,” Super League with a lot maker Kaka, the 2007 World in Cairo earlier this month, could Juventus where the 31-year-old Boca. “When I joined Juve I was president Giorgos Borovilos told of positive Player of the Year, has been resume with games played behind has not looked back since being very clear it’d be my last contract reporters. memories but I feel it is time to appointed captain of Orlando closed doors. given a rapturous reception by before returning Boca. But first “We have a new government let this fantastic group of young City when the new club makes The Egyptian government has the supporters and handed the I want to win everything here.” who are looking to bring this sub- players continue to take the its Major League Soccer debut taken the first steps by forming a number 10 shirt. Meanwhile, Juventus midfielder ject up for discussion and imple- Socceroos forward,” he said. next week. committee to look at re-starting “The number 10 will always Andrea Pirlo is set for scans on a ment state laws related to it.” National coach Ange The team announced Tuesday the domestic championship. belong to Alessandro Del Piero calf problem yesterday amid fears Greece’s Sports Minister Postecoglou said Bresciano that Kaka will take on the role “Cabinet decided to form a but I think of the badge on the he could be ruled out for several Stavros Kontonis met Prime would be remembered as a true when Orlando plays host to fellow committee from the interior min- front. That’s the biggest respon- weeks. Minister Alexis Tsipras on Australian great. MLS expansion newcomer New istry, ministry of youth and sports sibility,” he told Tuttosport in a Coach Massimiliano Allegri Wednesday to discuss the matter “Mark’s career as an interna- York City FC on March 8 at the and Egyptian Football Association recent interview. confirmed Pirlo had gone “off with and held further meetings with tional footballer speaks for itself Citrus Bowl. to take procedures to resume the He scored 21 goals in his first a calf problem” but Italian media Super League president Giorgos and places him right up there “Kaka has demonstrated great league without fans after the season as Juventus won Serie A are speculating the 35-year-old, Borovilos. when we talk about the greats of leadership both on the field and mourning period of 40 days,” by a 17-point margin and is joint who missed the start of the sea- Borovilos said it had not yet our game,” he said. in the locker room since the Egypt’s cabinet said in a state- leading scorer in Serie A this son due to injury, could be out been decided how long matches “His career statistics, mile- start, and the other players have ment after a meeting yesterday. term with 14 goals. In between, for a month. If confirmed, Pirlo, would be suspended and on what stones, highlights and perform- naturally looked to his guidance Most of the dead were suffo- he has also been recalled by Italian footballer of the year for conditions they would resume, ances in the Socceroo shirt are of throughout pre-season, so he cated when the crowd stampeded new Argentina coach Gerardo the third year running last year, adding that “some things are not the highest order and he retires was the natural pick to skipper after police used tear gas to clear Martino, ending a three-year could miss the key upcoming done in one or two weeks. from the Socceroos a true legend the club,” Orlando coach Adrian fans trying to force their way exile which included last year’s games against Roma and the “The government wants games of our sport.” Heath said. Meanwhile, Egyptian into a league match held on Feb. World Cup. return leg against Dortmund on to start again as soon as possi- Bresciano will continue to play soccer, postponed indefinitely 8 between Cairo clubs Zamalek Juve have managed to tame the March 18. Juventus are top of ble, but for that they want to see football with his current club, Al after at least 19 people were and ENPPI, doctors and wit- wilder instincts of a player who Serie A with a nine-point lead immediate reactions from all of Gharafa in Qatar. AFP killed following clashes between nesses said. AGENCIES was once sent once sent off for over Roma. AGENCIES us,” he said. Most Popular Bangladeshi Newspaper

THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2015 PROTHOM ALO WEEKLY SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Published every Thursday 27 Available in all leading stores in Qatar       Tel: 4465 0600 Email: [email protected] Al Sadd, No compensation for clubs Khouzestan play out goalless draw for winter World Cup: FIFA AHWAZ, Iran: Foolad Khouzestan secured a point in their AFC Champions League It’s happening once we’re not destroying football, says Valcke opener yesterday despite being reduced to 10 men for the final 20 minutes as the Iranian BY ARMSTRONG VAS FROM LEFT: champions played out a goal- Nasser Al Khater, less draw against 2011 winners DOHA: Football govern- Executive Al Sadd from Qatar at Ghadir ing body FIFA says it will not Director, Stadium. compensate clubs and leagues Communications While both teams showed unhappy about plans to play plenty of attacking intent, there & Marketing the 2022 Qatar World Cup in were precious few opportuni- at Qatar 2022 November and December. ties created by either side in the “There will be no compensa- Supreme tightly-fought Group C curtain tion,” said FIFA Secretary General Committee, raiser. Jerome Valcke while addressing a Hassan Al Khouzestan were reduced to press conference here yesterday, Thawadi, 10-men in the second half after after a Qatar 2022 Organising Secretary General Mehdi Badrloo was sent-off fol- Committee board meeting. of the Supreme lowing a late challenge on former A FIFA task force on Tuesday Committee for AFC Player of the Year Khalfan made a provisional recommen- Delivery and Ibrahim, but even with the man dation that the 2022 tournament Legacy and advantage for Al Sadd, neither should be played in late November FIFA Secretary they nor their hosts were able to December instead of the tradi- General Jerome to break the deadlock despite tional June-July period, which will Valcke attend a the visitors bringing on a pair of be ratified by FIFA next month. press conference, potent Brazilians in the shape of “It’s not perfect, we know that yesterday in former AFC Champions League - but why are we talking about Doha. MVP Muriqui and Bundesliga compensation? It’s happening winner Grafite. once we’re not destroying foot- Home side Khouzestan made a ball,” he added. will force a number of leagues date of the final. English Premier added. Valcke also said the dura- described as a World Cup warm- positive start and could have gone “There are seven years to reor- to change their local league League (EPL) Chief Executive tion of the 2022 competition up given that allows the host ahead inside the first 10 minutes ganise,” added Valcke. schedules. Richard Scudamore says the final would be reduced from 32 to 28 nation to fine tune its facilities after Mohsen Mosalman’s curl- On Tuesday, Karl-Heinz “Why should we apologise to which will be close to Christmas days, as a “concession” to leagues and conduct a test run some ing shot from a set piece just Rummenigge Chairman of the the clubs? We have had an agree- will cause havoc with the tradi- and the clubs. 12 months before the main outside of the penalty area went European Clubs’ Association ment with the clubs that they are tional festive club programme Valcke also appeared to confirm tournament. narrowly wide. And a minute (ECA) chairman said the clubs part of the beneficiaries. It was and will campaign for an earlier the deal to extend the USA TV Valcke said the tournament, later Cameroonian striker Aloys would demand financial settle- $40m in 2010 and $70m in 2014. final date ahead of the decision rights deal with Fox to include the which pits the World Cup holders Nong also went close, but his shot ments for the disruption. “We are bringing all our people by FIFA’s Executive Committee 2026 World Cup had been done against the hosts and champions from inside the penalty area was The move to have a November- to enjoy the sporting and financial on March 20. to avert the threat of any legal of FIFA’s six confederations, will blocked by an Al Sadd defender. December World Cup will force results of the World Cup. But Valcke said most of the action over its 2022 deal. be played “in an Asian country,” And Nong wasted another some of the major leagues to be “I definitely don’t feel I have to confederations, including the “We have done what we had to which has still to be determined opportunity in the midway rescheduled. Average tempera- apologise for the decision made European governing body UEFA do in order to protect FIFA and and during the traditional June- through the first half when he tures in Qatar are around 25 yesterday to confirm that the want December 23 as the date for the organisation of the World July window. drilled a shot wide from inside degrees Celsius towards the end World Cup will not be played in the Qatar 2022 World Cup final Cup,” he said. Qatar would hold another FIFA the area following a pass from of the year, roughly 15 degrees the summer.” - but that no decision has been Meanwhile, the 2021 FIFA competition, which is yet to be Mehrdad Jamaati. lower than the traditional World FIFA’s Executive Committee made, although December 18 is Confederations Cup – the tra- decided, which will serve as the Although the Iran Pro League Cup months. will meet in Zurich next month also a possibility. ditional World Cup rehearsal - operational test event for Qatar side had shaded the first half, Valcke, however, said FIFA to ratify the taskforce’s recom- “Most confederations say they will not be held in Qatar, Valcke in November-December 2021, a Al Sadd came out the stronger owed no apology for the sched- mendation of the November- want the World Cup to end on added. year before the World Cup. in the second period and seven uling of the World Cup, which December World Cup and also the the 23rd of December,” the official The tournament is often THE PENINSULA minutes after the restart Yusef Ahmed took the ball into the 18 yard area after the Khouzestan AFC delegation visits ICSS defense lost possession, but his poor strike went wide of the left- An Asian Football Confederation hand post (AFC) delegation visited the ICSS Former Wolfsburg and Al Ahli Global Headquarters this week forward Grafite was brought on to meet with senior officials and by Dragan Skocic as he looked international experts from the to sharpen his forward line International Centre for Sport after the hour mark and the Security (ICSS). The high-level AFC Brazilian drilled a powerful shot delegation, which included Dato’ narrowly wide. But on the 70th Alex Soosay (AFC General Secretary), minute Khouzestan’s task was Dato’ Windsor John (AFC Deputy made much harder after Badrloo General Secretary) and Sanjeevan clattered into Ibrahim late and earned his second yellow card of Balasingam (Director of Member the tie to see the hosts reduced Associations & Development), to 10 men. While both teams had met with Mohammed Hanzab chances to grab a late winner, (ICSS President) and other ICSS Grafite was again off-target with representatives from the ICSS to his effort and the Qatari side had discuss a range of global initiatives. to settle for a point against the 10 men. THE PENINSULA Doha 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships logo unveiled DOHA: The Organising the logo, Sheikh Saoud said: Athletics World Championships Secretary General of Committee for the Doha “It is an honour to welcome and we have seen first-hand dur- the Qatar Olympic 2015 IPC Athletics World the International Paralympic ing our visit the excellent facilities Committee, Sheikh Championships have unveiled Committee to Qatar and we are that will be utilised.” Saoud bin Abdulrahman their logo, marking a significant very pleased to unveil our logo Qatar’s National Sport Day Al Thani (centre) milestone on the road to staging for the 2015 IPC Athletics World Paralympic activities aimed to along with Deputy the seventh edition of one of the Championships in their presence. raise the profile of Paralympic Chief Executive of the biggest events in the Paralympic This marks a significant mile- sport and enable the public to calendar. stone in our preparations for this join in and learn more about the Doha 2015 Organising In the presence of the landmark event and we are com- activities available in Qatar for Committee and International Paralympic mitted to partnering with the IPC people with a disability. Executive Director of Committee (IPC) and Qatar’s to deliver an exceptional World With a purpose-built athlet- the Qatar Paralympic best Paralympic athletes, the Championships that will leave ics track in the Qatar Olympic Committee, Ameer Organising Committee con- a strong legacy for Paralympic Committee’s Sport Village, Al Mulla, Head of firmed that they are on track sport across the whole of our the public were able to try out IPC Athletics, Ryan to deliver an exceptional World region. Paralympic sport, many for the Montgomery, and Championships. Led by Montgomery, an IPC first time ever. Qatar’s Asian Para Secretary General of Qatar delegation has been in Doha to Abdulrahman Abdulkader, who Games medallists Olympic Committee, Sheikh learn more about the Organising won a gold and a bronze medal at poses for a group Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Committee’s preparations and the 2014 Asian Para Games, was picture at the unveiling and Deputy Chief Executive of the to visit the key competition and on hand to share his experiences of the logo of 2015 Doha 2015 Organising Committee training venues of the 2015 IPC and give tips to the public, as well IPC Athletics World and Executive Director of the Athletics World Championships. as participating in the unveiling Championships, in Qatar Paralympic Committee, In addition, the delegation partic- of the World Championship logo. Doha recently. Ameer Al Mulla, were joined ipated in Qatar’s National Sport Speaking after the unveiling, by Head of IPC Athletics, Day celebrations and were able to Abdulkader said: “I cannot wait Ryan Montgomery, and Qatar’s witness Qatar’s star Paralympic to compete in the IPC Athletics really hope that I will help oth- from October 22 to 31, 2015 at Qatar aims to use its hosting of Asian Para Games medallists, athletes demonstrate their skills World Championships in Doha in ers to realise that sports can be the 12,000 capacity Qatar Sports the event to increase opportuni- Abdulrahman Abdulkader, Sara to the public and give master- October.” practiced by all. It is the perfect Club’s Suhaim Bin Hamam ties for people with a disability to Hamdi Masoud and Mohammed classes to budding young athletes. The World Championships will way to raise self-esteem, increase Stadium. The competition will participate in sport, to raise the Al Khubazi, at the unveiling of the Also speaking at the unveiling be a fantastic opportunity to raise confidence, learn new skills and feature around 1,300 athletes from profile of disability sport and to logo during a visit of the IPC to of the logo, Montgomery said: awareness about para-athletics stay fit and active.” 90 countries and will be one of spread awareness across Qatar Doha last week. “We are delighted that Doha and disability sport in Qatar and Doha will host the IPC the last major competitions before and the whole of the Middle East. Speaking at the unveiling of is going to host the 2015 IPC across the whole of our region. I Athletics World Championships the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. THE PENINSULA Thursday 26 February 2015 Sport 7 Jumada I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6353 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar to host 2nd GCC Beach Games Over 300 athletes to take part in April event

BY FAWAD HUSSAIN

DOHA: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Beach Games which initiated in Bahrain five years ago will be revived when Qatar will host its second edi- tion in April with the organis- ers promising an action-packed eight days in Doha. Khalid Hamad Al Mohannadi, the Executive Director of the Second GCC Beach Games yes- terday informed that the multi- sporting event featuring seven disciplines will be held from April 2 to April 9, 2015 at two venues in Doha. “We are expecting partici- pation of over 300 athletes,” Al Mohannadi told a press con- ference at the Qatar Olympic Committee headquarters. “Al Gharafa and Katara will be Khalid Hamad Al Mohannadi, the Executive Director of the Second GCC the two venues. Al Gharafa will Beach Games addressing a press conference, yesterday at the Qatar play host to football, handball, Olympic Committee headquarters. PICTURE BY: BAHER AMIN basketball and volleyball events while the contests for swimming, rowing and sailing will be held in Sudaifi as mascot for the sec- Al Mohannadi. “Arrangements for Katara,” he said. ond GCC Beach Games. Sudaifi GCC Beach Games are on track Basketball has been added to was the mascot for the 17th GCC and we hope it will be a huge the second edition as the inau- Football Championship, it may be success.” gural edition saw the GCC coun- recalled. He also promised to hold To a query, Al Mohannadi said tries vying for honours in six the event in a befitting manner. the weather in April will be suit- disciplines. “All the federations are work- able for holding the games. Al Mohannadi announced ing together for the event,” said THE PENINSULA