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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Rising sea threatens Emir meets Ukrainian President artificial Gulf islands Rich, poor countries spar at climate talks

BY SATISH KANADY a projected temperature rise will expires this year and remains the exacerbate the already high level most significant international DOHA: The phenomenon of of desertification of the region, achievement in the fight against rising sea levels is a strong sig- increasing the lack of arable land global warming. Countries are nal for investors pumping huge and water resources. Currently, hoping to negotiate an exten- money into artificial islands in the GCC region is importing over sion to the pact that runs until the Gulf region, according to 90 percent of their food demand. at least 2020 but several nations an expert. The countries possess the low- like Japan and Canada have said The slow-onset of effects of est renewable water supplies per they won’t be party to a new one. climate change is threatening capita in the world, despite an Marlene Moses, Chairwoman The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh the Gulf region. The reports of extremely high consumption rate. of a coalition of island countries, Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich in Doha yesterday. The Emir rising sea levels pose potential Earlier, releasing Greenwatch’s said she was “gravely disap- presented the Ukrainian President with the Necklace of Independence and the Ukrainian President presented threats to the low-lying coastal “Global Climate Risk Index 2013”, pointed” with rich nations, say- the Emir with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. zones of Qatar, Bahrain and the Sven and his colleague David ing they have failed to act or offer UAE. I would say it is not wise Eckstein said the countries of the up any new emissions cuts for the to invest hugely in the artificial Middle East are featured rather near term. The United States, for islands, Sven Harmeling, Team low on the 2013 Risk Index. But example, which is not a signatory Leader, International Climate the new aspects of the region’s of Kyoto, has said it would not Replace cylinders with Safi fish to be Policy, “Germanwatch” (picture weather pattern are expected to increase earlier commitments to left) told The Peninsula yesterday. be reflected in the Greenwatch’s cut emissions by 17 percent below “Germanwatch” is a global next Risk Index. Qatar’s “Vision 2005 levels by 2020. tested for NGO that actively promotes glo- 2030” is a strong reflection of the The position of Japan and other piped gas, says CMC bal equity and the preservation country’s ambition in environ- developed countries has the poten- metal contents of livelihood. This region is not mental management and protec- tial to reignite the battles between DOHA: Public representative Taking part in the debate in the known to be particularly vulner- tion objectives. rich and poor nations that have body, the Central Municipal House, she said she had submit- DOHA: Qatari authorities will able to the adverse impacts of On the second day of the meet, doomed past efforts to reach a Council (CMC), yesterday dis- ted a note to CMC’s general-sec- be conducting laboratory tests on climate change-at least not up to according to agencies, delegates deal. So far that hasn’t happened, cussed the dangers involved in retariat drawing the attention of samples of rabbit fish (safi) col- this point. However, this does not from island and African nations but countries like Brazil are warn- door-to-door sales of cooking Doha Municipality and the Traffic lected from the sea near Doha mean that the countries in the chided rich countries for refus- ing that it will be difficult for poor gas cylinders, with a member Department to the dangerous and Al Khor to check heavy region are not exposed to calami- ing to offer up new emissions cuts nations to do their part if they stressing the need to have piped practice. Not one but several metal levels. ties, he said. over the next eight years which continue watching industrialized gas channelled to homes and trucks filled with gas cylinders The move follows after reports Though slow, effects of cli- could help stem global warming nations shy away from legally- commercial users. can be seen parked near schools appearing in a section of the local mate change are threatening the The debate mostly swirled binding pacts like Kyoto. As for the supply of petroleum and the health centre in her con- media earlier that some people region. An expected decrease in around the Kyoto Protocol — a THE PENINSULA/AGENCIES products to filling stations, some stituency, Al Jefairi said. had taken ill after eating Safi precipitation in combination with legally-binding emissions cap that See also page 5, 6 & 7 CMC members called for a ban Mohamed bin Hamoud Al fish, raising doubts that they were the movement of oil tankers on Shafi said oil tankers, especially, ‘contaminated’ with heavy metals. the roads during day time. shouldn’t be allowed to pass The fish samples will begin to The CMC took up the issue through busy streets. They should be sent for laboratory tests to for threadbare debate after an instead use auxiliary routes. the Supreme Council of Health oil tanker recently exploded on He said only fellow Qatari (SCH) from December 1, a joint a busy road in Riyadh claiming nationals should be allowed to statement issued by the SCH and several lives and leaving many drive oil tankers as they would the Ministry of Environment said. injured. feel more responsible while han- Similar tests were conducted in “We are witnessing so much dling such hazardous materials. 2010 on the samples of this very development so why we can’t have “But the tragedy is whenever a fish and low levels of zinc and lead pipeline networks to supply cook- fellow Qatari goes enquiring about were found, so the fish were fit for ing gas to users? Why we are still job prospects as a driver he is told human consumption. relying on door-to-door supply of that there is no vacancy,” said Al The SCH and the Ministry said gas cylinders?,” asked Mohamed Shafi without naming Qatar Fuel doubts that the sea water near Al Muslemani. Company (Woqod), local distribu- Al Khor was polluted with heavy The lone woman member of tors of petroleum products. metals due to the flow of affluents the CMC, Sheikha Al Jefairi, Another CMC member, from the waste water treatment said she had been consistently Mohamed Al Hajri emphasised plant nearby were baseless. The raising the issue of gas cylin- the need to shift Woqod’s depot statement said that those eating der trucks being parked near from Abu Hamour saying it was contaminated fish do not take ill The Fourth Plenary meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action in progress at the the primary health centre and right in the middle of residential suddenly as the impact is gradual, Plenary 1 Conference Hall, at QNCC, yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT schools in her constituency (Old localities. and asked people not to lend ears Airport Area). THE PENINSULA to rumours. THE PENINSULA

Syrian rebels down army helicopter Egyptians challenge Mursi in nationwide protests DAMASCUS: Syrian rebels CAIRO: Tens of thousands overshadow the show of strength A 52-year-old protester died “We don’t want a dictatorship in a town north of Cairo where downed an army helicopter for Egyptians protested yesterday by the normally divided oppo- after inhaling teargas in Cairo, again. The Mubarak regime was a Muslim Brotherhood youth the first time yesterday with against President Mohammed nents of Islamists in power, posing the second death since Mursi a dictatorship. We had a revolu- was killed in clashes on Sunday. a ground-to-air missile from Mursi in one of the biggest ral- Mursi with the biggest challenge last week issued a decree that tion to have justice and freedom,” Hundreds have been injured. newly acquired stocks, a watch- lies since Hosni Mubarak’s over- in his five months in office. “The expanded his powers and barred 32-year-old Ahmed Husseini said “The main demand is to with- dog said, in a potential turning throw, accusing the Islamist people want to bring down the court challenges to his deci- in Cairo. The fractious ranks of draw the constitutional declara- point for the 20-month conflict. leader of seeking to impose a regime,” protesters in Tahrir sions. Mursi’s administration has Egypt’s non-Islamist opposition tion (decree). This is the point,” “It is the first time that the rebels new era of autocracy. chanted. Protesters also turned defended the decree as an effort have been united on the street said Amr Moussa, former Arab have shot down a helicopter with Police fired tear gas at stone- out in Alexandria, Suez, Minya to speed up reforms and complete by crisis. League chief and presidential a surface-to-air missile,” Syrian throwing youths in streets near and other Nile Delta cities. a democratic transformation. Mursi’s move provoked a candidate who has joined the new Observatory for Human Rights direc- the main protest in Cairo’s Tahrir The protest called by leftists, But opponents say Mursi is rebellion by judges and has bat- opposition coalition, the National tor Rami Abdel Rahman said. An Square, heart of the uprising liberals and other groups deep- behaving like a modern-day phar- tered confidence in an economy Salvation Front. Some scholars amateur video uploaded to YouTube that toppled Mubarak last year. ened the crisis since Mursi was aoh. The United States, a ben- struggling after two years of from the prestigious Al Azhar showed a helicopter plunging to the Clashes between Mursi’s oppo- elected in June, and exposed the efactor to Egypt’s military, has turmoil. Some protesters have mosque and university joined ground in a ball of flames. Across nents and supporters erupted in deep divide between the newly expressed concern about more been camped out since Friday in yesterday’s protest. Syria, 87 people were killed. AFP a city north of Cairo. empowered Islamists and their turbulence in a country that has Tahrir, and violence has flared REUTERS See also page 9 But violence could not opponents. a peace treaty with Israel. around the country, including Picture on page 9 WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Dy PM leads Qatari team at HOPEFOR

DOHA: The Deputy Prime bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud will on the “HOPEFOR” initiative, Minister and Minister of State head Qatar’s delegation to the due to kick off in the Turkish for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmad 2nd International Conference City of Antalya today. Many countries from different continents of the world as well as a number of regional and interna- tional organisations will take part in the confer- ence, which will conclude on Friday. A series of lectures and practical exercises on the best means of coop- eration and civil-military coordination in disasters will be held during the conference. An exhibition will also be held on the sidelines of the conference. The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani launched the HOPEFOR initiative in New York in June 2010 aiming at strengthening civil-mil- itary coordination in the field of humanitarian aid and to ensure the use of the military and civil assets to support relief operations in the natural disasters in an appropri- ate, effective and coordi- nated manner according to the principles of inter- national law and humani- tarian principles. The UN General Assembly adopted the initiative in July after it approved a draft resolu- tion presented by Qatar, Turkey and the Dominican Republic. The first three-day International Conference on the “HOPEFOR” initi- ative was held at the Ritz- Carlton Hotel in Doha in November 2011 which was backed by Turkey and the Dominican Republic. It was attended by more than 130 participants from more than 60 countries and organisations. QNA

WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Emir receives letter from French President PM meets Khaled Mashaal

The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with the French Ambassador to Qatar Jean-Christophe Peaucelle at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. During the meeting the French envoy delivered a letter from the French The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani with Chief of the President Francois Hollande on bilateral relations and other regional and international issues. Politburo of the Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine (Hamas) Khaled Mashaal in Doha yesterday. Sami Yusuf to hold ‘best concert ever’ at Katara DOHA: Sami Yusuf, a would never see anything spiritual “music cheap”. The registration HMC initiative British singer and songwriter, on the television. Spirituality was for the auditions will take place announced the official launch never reflected. What we did 10 from 10am to 11am at the Drama of his fourth studio album years ago, without making it sound Theatre Building 16, Katara on “Salaam” at a press conference melodramatic, was a revolution in December 1. All successful appli- to address pain here yesterday. brining spirituality into the main- cants will receive free tickets to He will also hold a concert at stream,” Yusuf said. the concert and winners will be the Katara Amphitheatre on Katara is also hosting auditions announced the following day of the December 6, which he says will for local singers and instrumen- auditions. be the “best concert” he has ever talists before the concert, who “Sami Yusuf has worked effort- in children done. The launch of the album, will get to perform at the concert lessly to make spiritual music which is produced by UK-based upon selection. Applicants of any relevant to youth across the globe record label ETM International, age can apply online through the and we are excited to host him at will be celebrated by an album Katara website, however, those Katara,” Darwish Ahmed, Acting Pain management team to be formed signing and meet with the fans at interested must be able to per- Director of Cultural Affairs at the Virgin Megastores, Villaggio form one of Sami Yusuf’s songs, Katara said. DOHA: The Hamad Medical populations including adults and on November 30 at 7pm. either vocally or by playing an Tickets to the concert are avail- Corporation (HMC) is develop- children.” Yusuf, who has a background in instrument. able at the Virgin Megastore dur- ing a pain management team “The problem of underdiag- classical, traditional and modern Yusuf said that in the past he ing store operating hours (from that will specialise in address- nosed and undermanaged pain is music, said at the conference that was invited to different reality TV 9:30am – 10:30pm) at Landmark British singer-songwriter Sami ing acute and chronic pain more evident in children because over the past 10 years, the market shows, and he had to politely say and Villaggio. They can also be Yusuf, during a press conference in children and adolescents, of many myths and misunder- of spiritual music has grown. no to them because he felt that it purchased online at www.virgin- at Katara yesterday. especially those suffering from standings,” said Dr Soupramanien “There was a time when you had created decadence, and made megastore.me. THE PENINSULA chronic or malignant diseases Sivagnanam, Chairperson of the such as cancer. Paediatric Pain Management The creation of the pain man- Task Force. QFI to launch agement team is part of a new “For example, many peo- initiative in partnership with ple believe that small children, the Hospital for Sick Children infants and newborn babies do not global social (SickKids) in Canada, which feel and process pain to the same also involves holding the first degree as adults do. This belief is video campaign Paediatric Pain Awareness Month not only wrong but also harmful in the Gulf region this November because it can prevent proper DOHA: The Qatar to raise awareness on pain in detection of the child’s condition. Foundation International children. Babies and older children are fully (QFI) and cloud-based Dr Mansour Ahmed Ali, Head capable of feeling and processing social video editing plat- of Paediatric Surgery at HMC, pain since birth.” form, WeVideo, are launch- said: “The specialised pain man- Dr Sivagnanam explained that ing a global social campaign agement team will ensure more the difficulty in assessing pain at as part of COP18/CMP8’s “7 effective management of pain in a small age can be a barrier for Billion, 1 Challenge.” children and adolescents, and will proper pain management in chil- Anyone, anywhere in the consist of anaesthetists and child dren, especially newborn babies, world can create one-minute life specialists as well as nurses but this difficulty is readily man- social videos starting with the and doctors. Having a proper pain ageable with proper education phrase, “I believe we can…” management team to look after and training. and adding their pledge and children can change their lives. For example, children as young voice to the climate change It can help make their experience as two years can be taught to conversation. Selected videos less unpleasant when they come express their pain using an age- and highlight reels will be fea- to the hospital.” appropriate language. “Almost tured on the website and at the Dr Ali explained that proper all pain in children is manage- conference. pain management is important able with existing technology, “We’re excited about this in the development of a child’s although this does not mean the unique opportunity to gal- behaviour and attitude, includ- complete elimination of pain in vanise a global conversation ing how they react every time all children.” of individual voices commit- they come to the hospital for A declaration issued in 2010 by ted to taking personal action treatment. the International Association for to counter climate change,” Dr Guy Petroz, Director the Study of Pain – a worldwide says Maggie Mitchell Salem, of Anaesthesia for SickKids professional forum for science, Executive Director at QFI. International, said: “Pain is still practice and education in the Throughout the coming a major challenge for patients, field of pain – states that access to months, these videos will be societies, governments and pain management is a fundamen- uploaded and viewable on the healthcare professionals. Many tal human right, and highlights “7 Billion, 1 Challenge” web- studies have proven beyond doubt the need to address inadequate site, (www.wevideo.com/qfi) and that pain is underdiagnosed and pain management in most of the on YouTube: www.youtube.com/ undermanaged in various patient world. THE PENINSULA user/7BILLION1CHALLENGE. THE PENINSULA Mesaimeer burial ground to get QR100m facelift

DOHA: With a significant almost ready, which is seven these numbers,” said Al Sulaiti. rise in the number of deaths times bigger than the old mosque. Each grave is separated with in the country, the Ministry It can accommodate up to 2,500 interlocks so that visitors would of Municipality and Urban worshippers and will be attached not walk over them, inadvert- Planning is working on a with a big library. The funeral ently. The burial ground has been QR100m project to develop prayers are held at the mosque divided into several blocks with the main burial ground in before the burial. each block having a capacity for Mesaimeer. The project also includes 1,000 graves. The project includes construc- expansion of the wash rooms, The facility currently has tion of a new mosque attached where the body is washed accord- employed 59 people for wash- with a library, bigger waiting ing to Islamic rituals, before bur- ing the bodies, 35 of whom are halls for men and women, more ial. There will be four washrooms women. parking areas and a new assem- for men and a similar number for “There are more women bly point for ambulances, among women and more spacious waiting because some families request others. rooms for men and women. their services to wash the body at “We have been witnessing a The new parking area will have home. We have a plan to increase rise in the number of deaths and the capacity for 300 vehicles. the number of women to meet the we receive up to 10 bodies for More roads and walkways have growing demand,” said Al Sulaiti. burial on certain days,” Al Sharq been built for visitors to go to the The burial ground currently quoted Nasr Al Sulaiti, head of burial ground. uses the services of 15 ambulances the graveyard section at the Doha “We are in the process of num- and this will be increased to 25 Municipality as saying. bering the graves. Visitors will be under the new project. Work on the new mosque is able to identify the graves using THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Activists seek carbon cut pledges from host nation

DOHA: Climate Change activists Ria Voorhaar, communications coor- from countries at the Doha confer- is empty. Developed countries had attending the COP18 Conference dinator of Climate Action Network ence. She said, it would be a disaster pledged $100bn but it has not been are expecting Qatar, the host coun- (CAN) told The Peninsula yesterday. if the Doha meet fails to reach an delivered,” said Voorhar. try, to officially announce its car- The Chairman of the agreement on an extension of the Asked if the NGOs were in a posi- bon cut plans during the meet. Administrative Control and Kyoto Protocol, with the first com- tion to influence the discussions, she Qatar with the highest per capita Transparency Authority and mitment period to reduce greenhouse said, “We are working with govern- emission rate in the world has not President of COP18 H E Abdullah gas emissions ending this year. ments and groups like G77. However, announced its international commit- bin Hamad Al Attiyah, on Monday “An agreement on a second com- we have no role in the negotiations.” ment to cut emissions, although the said that Qatar was ready to take mitment period is likely at the Doha Meanwhile, Qatar News Agency country has claimed major break- decisive actions on curbing its emis- conference and we are lobbying for (QNA) quoted a UN official as say- throughs in reducing emission rates sions. He, however, maintained that that. It would be disastrous to the ing that the UN was hopeful that over the past few years. all the figures making rounds about planet if the parties fail to reach a the Doha Conference, under the “In its position as the president of Qatar’s emissions are misleading. consensus,” said Voorhar. Funding for presidency of Qatar, would produce the conference, Qatar has a respon- Voorhar said, CAN, a worldwide developing countries is another major important results “to help reduce sibility to make its emission cut plans network of over 700 non-governmen- issue to be tackled by the conference. carbon emissions and protect the known to the world during this con- tal organisations in over 90 countries “Currently there is no money on lives of the people”. ference and announce its pledge,” was pressing for concrete actions the table. The Green Climate Fund THE PENINSULA

From left: Sven Harmeling, Team Leader, International Climate Policy at Germanwatch, Christoph Bals, Policy Director at Germanwatch, and Dr Saleeul Haq, Director of ICCCAD, Bangladesh, at a briefing on Global Climate Risk Index 2013 at the QNCC yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT Meet calls for ensuring food security ‘870 million experience hunger’

BY RAYNALD C RIVERA

DOHA: The Doha Climate Change Conference yes- terday called for urgent action to ensure agricultural sustainability and food security in countries most vul- nerable to the impact of climate change. “Around 870 million people around the world experi- ence hunger and although the number has gone down, the Sub-Saharan Africa which is very much vulnerable to the impact of climate change is an exception. Action is needed now,” said Alexander Mueller, Assistant Director- General, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. With agricultural sector as the main source of liveli- hood and driver of economy in Sub-Saharan Africa and as population swells threatening further rise in hunger rates, the issue of food security and agricultural sustain- ability becomes even more crucial. Asia, which is highest in hunger rates around the world should also be taken into account, he added, speaking at the conference side event on ‘Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change’. The panel believed achieving food security and combat- ing climate change are closely linked and that through climate-smart approaches on agriculture, increase in agri- cultural productivity and farmers’ income can be attained; resilience of ecosystems and livelihoods strengthened and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduced. Adaptation must be addressed across all sectors includ- ing agriculture, forestry and fisheries, he added. Agnes Otzelberger, Climate Change Adaptation and Global Gender Advisor, Poverty Environment and Climate Change Network, CARE International, stressed on the importance of making climate information available and accessible to the poorest and vulnerable populations. Otzelberger said the cost of providing climate informa- tion remains a challenge to many including farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa who will be hit first by the impact of climate change. She reminded everyone focus should not be only on working on strategies to increase food production through climate-smart practices and technology but ensuring food access to the hungry. James Kinyangi, CCAFS Regional Programme Leader, East Africa, ILRI, said achieving the goals on food secu- rity and agricultural sustainability in relation to climate change challenge is a long and uncertain road. He said the poor and vulnerable, women, children and the landless who are at the core of the matter should benefit from all these efforts. Also in the panel were Austin Tibu, Senior Conservation Officer, Department of Land Resources Conservation, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Malawi and Damdin Dagvadorj, Special Envoy on Climate Change, Ministry of Environment and Green Development, Mongolia. A Knowledge Event on ‘Climate- Smart Approaches to Agriculture’ would be organised by FAO on Saturday, 3.30pm at Crowne Plaza Business Park. THE PENINSULA Renewable Energy Readiness meeting today at GCC Pavilion

DOHA: T he E U- G C C C le a n E ner g y Ne t w ork , a n i nt er - regional consortium promoting strategic cooperation between the EU and the GCC will host a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the COP-18 Conference. The “GCC Renewable Energy Readiness Meeting’ is open to COP18 delegates and co-organised with Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute (QEERI) of Qatar Foundation (QF). It will take place today at the GCC Pavilion, Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) and aims to highlight the importance of a recent initiative, ‘GCC Renewable Energy Readiness Assessment Report’, being developed with Network partners across the GCC. Renewable Energy (RE) readiness is defined as the level of development of a country’s infrastructure, insti- tutions, and human-capital factors that influence the attractiveness of investing in renewable-energy projects. It plays an important role in enhancing the reliability of renewable-energy technologies (RET) to ensure their sustainable deployment. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Shipping industry ready to support Climate Fund

Industry planning 20pc cut of CO2 emissions by 2020 BY SATISH KANADY in 2011, to adopt a package of technical measures to reduce

DOHA: The international shipping’s CO2 emissions. This is shipping industry is ready the first ever international agree- to contribute to the Global ment containing binding and Climate Fund to help slash mandatory measures to reduce global emission rate signifi- CO2 emissions that has so far cantly. The industry’s inter- been agreed for an entire indus- national body yesterday called trial sector. on the International Maritime The shipping industry believes Organisation (IMO) to act glo- that IMO is now very well placed The recycling bins used during COP18/CMP8 at Qatar National Convention Centre. SHAIVAL DALAL bally to facilitate it. to continue the real progress It is vital for all governments it is making on Market Based to understand that in the absence Measures to help deliver further of a global framework agreed emissions reductions. by IMO there is serious risk of This includes a possible ship- QNCC goes green for COP18 regional or unilateral measures ping industry environmental BY FAZEENA SALEEM regulating CO2 emissions for compensation fund with linkages cellulose products. As soon as the eco-friendly for the COP18/CMP8. shipping. to the UNFCC ‘Green Climate delegates pass the security screen- Recycling is not a new concept This would have a seriously Fund established by the COP17 DOHA: Recycling and envi- ing, they find a little hut made of at the QNCC as it recycles plastic, distorting effect on interna- Simon Bennet, Director of in Durban. ronment friendly efforts at the wood, where they could take a quiz oil and paper waste. tional shipping markets, but most This could address the Kyoto Qatar National Convention on recycling and find information Plastic waste is sent to Doha International Chamber of Shipping importantly would be much less Protocol principle of “Common Centre (QNCC) have taken a about how recycling is done in Plastic, oil waste generated from effective in delivering meaning- But Differentiated Responsibility’ new turn as it hosts the COP18/ Qatar. the kitchen is sent to Qatar ful reductions in CO2 emissions the IMO as it continues its vital (CBDR) by directing funds raised CMP8 climate talks. Biodegradable and environ- Reclamation Oil Plant and paper by the global shipping sec- work to help deliver meaningful from international shipping As the eighth session of the mentally friendly food packaging and carton waste are collected by tor as a whole, Simon Bennet, CO2 emission reductions by inter- towards environment related Conference of the Parties serv- used in QNCC’s new catering out- Talib Papers for recycling. Director, International Chamber national shipping, including the projects in developing countries. ing as the Meeting of the Parties lets are prominent. Their white The first of its kind in the of Shipping (ICS) said in a meet- development of “Market based The global shipping industry to the Kyoto Protocol, that set paper cups and brown food packs region, the QNCC’s design itself ing held on the sidelines of the Measures”. believes that it will be possible for binding obligations on the indus- are interestingly a new concept at includes 3,500 sq m of solar panel- ongoing COP18. Significant emission reduction shipping to reduce CO2 emitted trialised countries to reduce their the QNCC. ling which will provide up to 12.5 He urged the governments at is more likely if agreed by the per tonne of cargo transported emissions of greenhouse gases, The centre’s 21 ‘grab and go’ percent of the centre’s energy COP18 to continue to respond IMO on global basis. The gov- 1km (tone/km) by 20 percent QNCC too has enhanced its efforts food outlets will be using 37,500 needs across the complex each positively to the significant IMO ernments must consider setting between 2005 and 2020, through toward sustainability. bowls made from sugarcane resi- day during the Climate Change agreement in 2011, to adopt a up a joint UNFCC-IMO group on a combination of technological “The venue is most environment due, 20,200 salad bowls and 30,000 conference. package of technical measures to shipping finance. Simon said the and operational developments, friendly, yet we have enhanced it drinking cups for cold drinks The roof’s impressive solar reduce shipping’s CO2 emission. idea of government holding the as well as the introduction of to meet the UN requirements,” produced from natural starch, energy system produces 1,225 This was the first international fund contributed by the shipping green ships. said a QNCC official. 120,000 knives, forks and spoons MWh of electricity and offsets agreement containing binding industry is not acceptable for the The International shipping Doha’s commonly used plastic along with 150,000 coffee cups 1,140 tonnes of carbon emissions and mandatory measures to ICS. industry is firmly on track to water bottles are been replaced made from natural cellulose, are annually. This equates to an reduce CO2 emissions that has The Chamber very much hopes reduce its CO2 emissions by 20 with cups made of recyclable among some of the CO2 neutral, impressive 40.8 MWh of electric- so far been agreed for an entire that governments at COP18 will percent by 2020, with significant paper, the recycle bins are placed biodegradable items. ity produced during the 12 days of industrial sector, Simon said. continue to respond positively to further reductions thereafter, more prominently, the centre’s Even some of the cleaning the OP18/CMP8 event. Doha COP needs to support the significant IMO agreement, said Simon. THE PENINSULA cartulary has turned to natural detergents used have become also THE PENINSULA Japan seeks new framework to address concerns Experts discuss impact of BY ISABEL OVALLE gender issues on climate

DOHA: Japan considers the DOHA: The gender issue and helpful if the especial lense of main challenge for COP18 is to its impact on climate change gender could be integrated into prepare a new framework to were addressed yesterday dur- the COP. Doha would always be address climate change that is ing a panel presided over by remembered for it”. fair and effective and where all H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint “Climate is not just about the parties will join. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, on science, it’s about making more On this basis the Ambassador the sidelines of the UN confer- people sensitive. If we can get the of Global Environment for Japan, ence talks taking place in Doha. gender balance in all the sections Masahiko Horie, insisted that the This session marked the end of of the COP it would make a great country wouldn’t take part in the a day dedicated to gender, with difference”, concluded Robinson. second commitment period of the various boards focusing on this From South Africa, Dr Nozipho Kyoto Protocol. Horie explained matter. Mxakato-Diseko considered that that “if we continue this way only In the panel titled ‘Gender the Conference of the Parties and one fourth of the world is legally and Climate: Moving beyond the addressing climate change nego- bound, while the rest is not”. Rhetoric’, participants agreed tiations in particular is mainly a The representative of the that gender balance should be “masculine process”. Japanese delegation stated that integrated in future Conferences On the risk of stereotyping the Durban platform began work- of the Parties, giving Doha’s meet- women by including the gender ing on a new framework and “we ing another opportunity to be issue in climate talks, Mxakato- are hoping it will be agreed upon “historic”. Diseko was clear: “women walk before 2015”. From left: Hiroshi Minami, Ambassador for Civil Society, Deputy Director General for Global Issues, Nobutoshi The session was hosted by the longer distances to get water and Japan has exceeded the pledged Miyoshi, Deputy Director General for Environmental Affairs, Masahiko Horie, Ambassador for Global Environment; executive secretary of the United fire. As a woman who has fought amount for fast-start finance and Koichi Akaishi, Deputy Director General for Environmental Affairs, at a press conference at the QNCC yesterday. Nations Framework Convention so hard for emancipation, I want for developing countries - $15bn SALIM MATRAMKOT on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to be in a table where solutions (from public and private sources)- Christiana Figueres, and it was for climate change are being up to 2012, dedicating up to date the last of three events that addressed.” $17.4bn. This amount is to assist transfer and finance, always with referred to domestic efforts like emissions from 2008 and 2010 approached gender balance in the Also part of the board, Julia developing countries, especially especial consideration for develop- those implemented by the local were of -10 percent average. While climate change context. Marton-Lefèvre, Director of those making efforts to reduce ing countries. governments (such as the Asian between 2009 and 2012 they were During an interactive dialogue the International Union for emission or being particularly On this basis, Japan has imple- Smart Cities and the Asian bellow -6 percent. that developed into a lively discus- Conservation of Nature, said that vulnerable to climate change. mented 191 feasibility studies in 31 Centre for Low Carbon Society) or On this context, Horie said that sion with much feedback of the in her organisation the gender Horie stated that Japan’s ini- countries since 2010 to facilitate the global warming tax since 2012 “we have done a great effort and audience, Sheikha Al Mayassa office was set up in 2007, a cir- tiative to address climate change diffusion of low carbon technolo- and the introduction of renewable are very proud that we have ful- expressed how grateful she is that cumstance that has helped bring centres on three main issues: tech- gies, products and services. energy. filled what we promised”. the UN decided to bring the cli- more gender topics to UNFCCC. nology innovation, and technology The Japanese ambassador also With these measures Japan’s THE PENINSULA mate change conference to Qatar. Liberia’s Minister for Gender “We meet on the aftermath of and Development, Julia Duncan, Sandy, and this drastic weather is participated in the discussion as not only part of our present, but well. part of our future. On this day we Coming from a country where Damages due to climate change rising in Africa look at that future through the women are the main “breadwin- especial lense of women. Here ners”, the Minister encouraged DOHA: African states seek of climate change across our an unfair share of the Earth’s responsibilities and honour their in Qatar we already look at the all participants in COP18 to take compensation by developed continent, in rural settlements atmospheric space. On this basis, climate debts to developing world through especial lense, women’s empowerment to the countries for the impacts and and pastoral areas, in towns, on he invited COP18 attendees to nations and they hope the cli- caught between Asia and Europe”, next level and give more funding costs of climate change, which coastlines and deep in the heart focus on the causes of climate mate negotiations in Doha result she added. for agriculture. they added, have been grossly of Africa, is no longer a matter of change and not on its symptoms. in measures to keep Africa safe, Sheikha Al Mayassa put gender Also a member of the panel, underestimated. speculation but a reality people The coordinator of PACJA share the atmosphere fairly, for in the perspective of her religion, Nawal Al Hosany, Director of Mithika Mwenda, the coordi- are battling”. added that current proposals rich countries to cut excessive “which is very much compatible Sustainability, Masdar, encour- nator of the Pan African Climate The representative from would enable the 20 percent of consumption and pollution and with the modern way of life. I aged women to “not shy away Justice Alliance (PACJA), a coa- PACJA stated that more than 70 people living in developed coun- protect and compensate affected saw my father and mother build a from responsibilities because they lition of African Civil Society percent of carbon dioxide from tries to consume over 60 percent communities, among other goals. nation in which my gender never bring opportunities”. Organisations taking part in industrial sources was emitted of the Earth’s carbon budget Around 300 non-governmental stopped me. Every journey begins The assistant secretary gen- COP18, warned that damages by the 20 percent of people living (historically to 2050) while the organisations, foundations, trusts, with one step in the right direc- eral of the World Meteorological from disasters, droughts and in developed countries. “While 80 percent who are poor would community-based organisations, tion, this week, this month and Organisation Elena Manaenkova, other adverse effects in Africa Africa, home to around a billion be consigned to live within the faith-based networks, national for decades to come,” she stated. invited attendees to “take this are rising rapidly. people, contributed less than 4 remaining 40 percent. coalitions and regional networks On this basis, the former presi- opportunity to really help the In a press conference held percent,” he added. In this context, African coun- from 45 countries in Africa are dent of Ireland Mary Robinson, planet and give more information yesterday, he said “we meet in For this association, devel- tries call on developed coun- part of PACJA. who took part in the panel as well, to women about climate”. Doha at a time when evidence oped countries are consuming tries to address their historical THE PENINSULA considered it “would enormously THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Over 30 groups involved in smooth operation of COP18

DOHA: Qatar’s decision to where negotiations for the development is one of the four Doha for the conference and while extending his thanks to host COP18/CMP8 is yet United Nations Climate Change pillars in Qatar’s ambitious plans more are expected to join when the Ministry of Interior for its another reflection of the host Conference, 2012 are taking set out in the National Vision the high-level segment begins efforts, referring to the auto- country’s commitment to place. Al Attiyah said that Qatar 2030. next week. matic visa system put in place sustainable development, is seeking to transform its econ- Al Attiyah said 7,000 mem- He said that 440 buses were by the host country, Qatar, for said Fahad bin Mohammed omy from the dependency on oil bers of observer organisations allocated to transport delegates. this year’s sessions. Al Attiyah, Chairman of the and gas to the knowledge-based have registered to participate These buses have been operat- Replying to a query, he said Organising Sub-Committee economy. in COP18/CMP8 Doha, and ing since 19th of this month the problems faced by a section for COP18/CMP8 . “We are extremely vulner- more than 30 regional civil soci- for the sessions that preceded of local media in covering the Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiyah Al Attiyah was speaking dur- able to the impacts of climate ety groups are involved in the the opening of the Conference. conference would be resolved by at a press conference at the QNCC ing a press briefing at the Qatar change,” said Al Attiyah, who smooth conduct of the summit. “The eVisa system has worked the organising committee. yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT National Convention Centre, noted that careful environmental About 12,000 people are in very well,” Al Attiyah said THE PENINSULA QP presents Sustainability Report DOHA: To celebrate the opening ceremony of the Qatar DFI films to raise awareness Sustainability Expo 2012, the Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman & Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum (QP) H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, presented an official copy of the COP18-DFI Green Screen to focus on some of the mysteries of nature Energy and Industry Sustainability Report to the Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority and President DOHA: Doha Film Institute President and Home from France. of COP18/CMP 8 H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah. (DFI) together with the 18th Olafur Eliasson: Space is Process Held at the Qatar Energy and Industry Pavilion of the Doha Conference of the Parties to the (Nov 28/8.30pm) by Danish- Exhibition Centre, the presentation ceremony was attended by sen- UN Framework Convention on Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson ior delegates from COP18/CMP 8, QP Directors and CEO’s from the Climate Change (COP18) brings spans four eventful years in the energy industry including members of the international media. The to Doha audiences a series of life of the artist, who is renowned event represents the Energy and Industry’s contribution to the COP18 films that shine a spotlight on for works that feature elements /CMP 8 conference presently being held in Doha. the wonders of nature and peo- from nature. The camera follows In his keynote address, Al Sada said that the Sustainable Development ple’s impact on them. the construction of his monumen- Industry Report was a key mechanism for supporting the sector’s Presented by COP18/CMP8, tal installation ‘The New York implementation of sustainability. THE PENINSULA DFI Green Screen focuses on City Waterfalls’ on the East River, some of the mysteries of nature and the mounting of a major and how people can help solve retrospective at the Museum of Qatargas shows off $1bn project the world’s most pressing envi- Modern Art and MoMA PS1. ronmental issues. The Tsunami and the Cherry DOHA: Qatargas is showcasing its environmental initiatives at Screenings are free to the Blossom directed by Lucy Walker the Qatar Sustainability Expo which is running in conjunction public, with limited seating on tells of the survivors in the areas with COP18, the UN Climate Change Conference, in Doha from a first-come first-served basis, hardest hit by the recent tsunami November 26 to December 7 at the Doha Exhibition Center. and will take place at the open- in Japan. It will be shown after Qatargas is showcasing a model of its $1bn Jetty Boil-Off Gas (JBOG) air Green Screen at the Katara the screening of Olafur Eliasson. Lucy Walker’s The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom will be screened today. Recovery Project to illustrate this significant project which, when com- Esplanade nightly from tonight The Island President (Nov pleted in 2014, will reduce flaring during the ship loading process. This until Saturday. 29/8.30pm) traces the story of submerge the 1,200 islands of the Winged Migration (Dec will save enough LNG per year to power more than 300,000 homes. Five documentary films will President Mohamed Nasheed Maldives. 1/8.30pm) by director Jacques Alongside the model a poster will highlight Qatargas’ four main be screened including Olafur of the Maldives. After bringing Home (Nov 30/6.30pm- Perrin tracks the migration of environmental focus points of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Management Eliasson: Space is Process from democracy to the Maldives after Arabic/9pm-English), directed several species of birds as they Program, Wastewater Management Strategy, Flare Reduction Denmark, Academy Award 30 years of despotic rule, Nasheed by Yann-Arthus Bertrand, is the make their annual gruelling trek Programme and the JBOG Project. The poster highlights the key nominees The Tsunami and the is now faced with an even greater first film ever made using aerial- from their summer homes in improvements being made by Qatargas to help set the standard for Cherry Blossom and Winged challenge: as one of the most low- only footage portraying a compel- northern and southern climes to environmental performance. The event will also see the first viewing Migration, Toronto International lying countries in the world, a rise ling portrait of our planet from a winter nearer the Equator. of Qatargas’ films highlighting its environmental performance as well Film Festival winner The Island of three feet in sea level would truly unique perspective. THE PENINSULA as offer an overview of the JBOG Project. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Dreamliner’s London service from Dec 13 Qatar Airways offers regular 787 flights to UK

DOHA: Qatar Airways yester- unparalleled levels of comfort and “With our ever-expanding day announced December 13 as luxury onboard Boeing’s newest international network, more the launch date of its first long- aircraft. Qatar Airways’ new addi- people from different parts of the haul Boeing 787 commercial tion to its fleet also heralds a fresh world will have an opportunity to service from Doha to London era for Middle East aviation with fly Qatar Airways and our new Heathrow. the carrier being the Boeing 787 787s to and from our Doha hub.” The 787 Dreamliner will debut launch customer in the region. Qatar Airways’ 787s are the on the Heathrow route as Doha- Qatar Airways Chief Executive world’s first fully connected based Qatar Airways becomes the Officer Akbar Al Baker said the Dreamliners with wireless facili- first airline to operate regular maiden long-haul 787 service to ties for passengers to remain in scheduled flights to the UK with London had been in the pipeline touch with their friends and loved Officials of Lusail City Real Estate Development Company (LREDC) and Doka Qatar, during the HSE Day function. Boeing’s next generation aircraft. for some time. “We are delighted ones on the ground through the Initially, one of the airline’s five at last with today’s announcement internet and SMS mobile texting daily flights will be operated with that in just over two weeks’ time, across both the Business and the Boeing 787 – Flight QR 075 the UK market will see its first Economy cabins. Lusail vitalises workplace departing Doha at 0625 hrs, arriv- 787 on a regular full commercial A striking feature of every ing at London Heathrow at 1105 service when it flies into London seat throughout the aircraft is hrs, with the return flight QR 076 Heathrow,” he said. the award-winning touch screen departing London Heathrow at “Inaugurating our 787 on the Android system, where passengers health and safety movement 1505 hrs, arriving in Doha at 0045 London Heathrow route puts are able to navigate through a truly hrs the following day. Qatar Airways firmly on the glo- interactive service offering more Seats on the 787 Doha – London bal aviation map as a carrier with than 1,000 movie, TV programmes, DOHA: Lusail City Real event’s agenda, as participants Other speakers sketched the flights are now bookable online a determination to continue its music and gaming entertainment Estate Development Company reflected and built on existing broader range of HSE landscape at qatarairways.com, through any expansion drive and improve an options in a sophisticated and user- (LREDC) recently organised an ideas, and exchanged knowledge. in Qatar with perspectives from Qatar Airways reservation office already superior in-flight product. friendly way, just like the latest “HSE Day” bringing together “Before the discovery of oil… Ministry of Labour, Doka, the or local travel agent. Passengers “Both new and existing cus- smart phones. some of the leading experts and the natives of Qatari peninsula Institution of Occupational Safety will have the opportunity to travel tomers in the UK and further The touch-screen control unit advocates in the health, safety constructed buildings with mini- and Health (IOSH) as well as onboard one of the most sophis- afield on connecting flights will has a unique dual screen inter- and environment industry in mum risks to human wellbeing. In Velosi, further enabling dialogue. ticated, spacious and comfortable soon have an opportunity to fly on face allowing passengers to play Qatar. creating a city for the future gen- Doka Qatar WLL, a subsidi- aircraft in the skies today. the most talked-about aircraft in games on their handheld device Organised by Lusail’s Health, erations, Lusail City is retracing ary of Austrian formwork experts Qatar Airways took delivery of the world in and out of London. while enjoying a movie on their Safety, Security, Environment, the footsteps of our forefathers,” Doka GmBH, presented “Safety the first of 60 Dreamliners ear- “We have already received our personal screen. Passengers can Logistics and Quality Department said Engineer Essa Mohammed Systems to Boost Productivity” lier this month with the second second 787 with a further three stay connected through WIFI and (HSSELQ) in collaboration with Ali Kaldari, CEO of LREDC in which focused on systems arriving over the weekend. Both to join our fleet by the end of the GSM telephony, sending both text Doka Qatar WLL, the event his welcoming speech. required to maintain vigilance aircraft are currently operating year. And we won’t stop there. and MMS messages, with each seat served as a platform for the Eng Salem Al Kuwari, director toward risk-free working at the commercial flights on intra-Gulf With more 787s being inducted equipped with USB, MP3 and other growing HSE industry at a time of Lusail HSSELQ said: “We have jobsite and highlighted practical routes to familiarise operating into the fleet next year, further charger ports, including laptop when the wellbeing of employees come a long way and have faced examples of full safety packages crew with the aeroplane before route launches and our move to power outlets. Qatar Airways has is commanding more focus in many challenges in Lusail City’s which have already been deployed entering the long-haul market. a brand new international airport 254 custom-made seats across its workplaces in Qatar. development, yet we continue to in Lusail. The message of the The Dreamliner marks the in Doha during 2013, we continue 787 Business and Economy Class A series of speeches and strive to become one of the lead- event also sought to reinforce that start of an exciting new era to look forward to another year of cabins with specially designed inte- presentations from some of the ers in HSE management in Qatar, safety is a living practice. for travellers worldwide with exciting developments. riors. THE PENINSULA leading firms in Qatar filled the and the rest of the Middle East.” THE PENINSULA

PEC Super Sixes Tournament QNB organises graduation event for Qatari trainees DOHA: Qatar National Bank (QNB ) have been offered job opportunities on Friday continues to support trainees who have in line with their capabilities and been nominated by Labour Ministry, interest. DOHA: The Pakistan Education as part of their joint programme that The Bank is committed to training Centre Alumni (PEC-A) is set was initially launched in September young Qatari nationals but also pro- to kick off its first sports event this year and will now see its first viding them with jobs, whenever pos- with the ‘PEC Alumni Super group of young Qatari national gradu- sible. Moreover, the Bank is dedicated Sixes Tournament’ on Friday. ates. QNB held a graduation ceremony to being the institution of choice for The knock-out tournament, and certificates were handed out to employees. which will begin with the first the graduates. Mohamed Al Hajri, the Head of match at 7am at PEC cricket Through this programme, trainees Dispute Resolution at the Ministry ground, will see participation learnt about QNB as well as about Basic of Labor, expressed thanks and appre- from eight professional cricket Banking. Further the Bank taught them ciation for the efforts done by QNB. teams in Qatar, including one about respective banking products and “This type of trainings definitely benefits from PEC-A. Draws between the services. the participants as they receive certifi- teams will be held today by the A core part of the programme was cates that support their resumes and organisers of the tournament. also team working and communication more importantly, the top achievers get The one-day sports event is skills. This is in line with the Bank’s val- employed by the Bank. I would like also open to the family members of the ues to constantly be working on building to congratulate who finished the training participating teams, members and and fostering teamwork. successfully,” he said. former students of PEC, as well as First group of young Qatari graduates with QNB officials. The top achievers of the program THE PENINSULA current students and staff mem- bers of PEC. The final match will be held at around 3:30pm, which will be followed by prize distri- bution ceremony at PEC cricket ground. Although various organ- Fire drill exercise at The Torch Doha izations and different alumni chapters of universities and col- DOHA: The Torch Doha security and has intensified importantly assist guests. It leges exist here, PEC-A is the has conducted a fire drill staff training. In this regard is imperative that staff do not first official functioning alumni exercise recently in the hotel employees have been panic in such circumstances of a community school in Qatar, presence of Civil Defence trained on how to conduct a and the only way to ensure which was officially launched ear- Department. To enforce full evacuation in case of any that is through consistent lier this year. safety and security train- emergency. training.” The structure of the alumni ing, the evacuation exer- The Torch Doha General The evacuation drill has comprises of two councils, the cise involved all members Manager Gerhard Foltin been successfully executed executive council and the man- of staff and guests in the declared: considering the 300m height agement council, as per the hotel and was completed in “We do treat as top prior- and shape of the tower and constitution drafted by the a short period of time. ity compliance to safety regu- also the location of various alumni. The Ambassador of All staff members are fully lations. We realised that we outlets and rooms. Pakistan, Muhammad Sarfaraz A aware of safety procedures have to be the ones to initi- The exercise was part Khanzada, is the Patron-in-Chief and safety evacuation meas- ate and enforce staff train- of the newly implemented Mada CEO David Banes with Vodafone’s store managers. of the alumni. ures and assisted guests to ing. We have trained people routine training and Civil The Principal of PEC, Nargiz nearest emergency exits and from all departments on how Defence has commented pos- Raza Otho, is also a part of the outside assembly points. to identify emergency exits, itively on the hotel’s evacua- Vodafone holds training for sales staff senior management. The Torch treats as top how to use extinguishers and tion exercise. THE PENINSULA priority the guests’ safety and safety equipment and most THE PENINSULA DOHA: In collabora- standards of customer enable individuals with tion with Mada (Qatar service is given across the disabilities to be part of Assistive Technology entire customer base the communications tech- Center), Vodafone held Vodafone’s accessibility nology revolution. It is a a training workshop for initiative aims to make basic human right to be its store managers on Vodafone as accessible able to communicate, and Qtel offers high definition voice technology for 3G network how to communicate and inclusive as possible we want to ensure that and deal effectively with to all members of society, our disabled customers DOHA: In yet another function in noisy environ- service and calls are charged High Definition Voice is customers with disabili- supporting social inclu- are well connected with first for Qtel, the compa- ments such as the workplace, at normal rates. part of Qtel’s ongoing strat- ties. This comes days sion of individuals with society,” said Dana Haidan, ny’s smartphone custom- the sports stadium or the mall. The service is proving espe- egy to improve the customer before the world marks disabilities. Head of Corporate Social ers can now enjoy clearer Qtel launched the High cially popular for customers experience through cutting- International Day of Vodafone recently Responsibility, Vodafone and sharper calls thanks to Definition Voice service in using a growing range of new edge technology. Persons with Disabilities launched a new website Qatar. the state-of-the-art High June 2012 and now, after a smartphones, such as the In recent years, Qtel has on December 3. design with advanced “This starts with mak- Definition Voice technology period of network stabilisa- iPhone 5 and Sony Xperia T, upgraded its 3G network, The workshops held at accessibility features ing our own staff more now available on Qtel’s 3G tion and greater availability which provide High Definition with the aim of delivering the Mada Center focused for people with disabili- aware of how to com- network. of suitable mobile handsets, Voice support. the best possible voice and on disability aware- ties and plans to launch municate effectively with High Definition Voice deliv- the service is available for To take advantage of the Internet experience. For ness and communicat- products and services customers with disabili- ers crystal clear call quality both Hala and Shahry cus- service, both the caller and more information on High ing with customers with that meet the needs of ties. We thank Mada for and also reduces background tomers who use smartphones recipient need to be using Definition Voice and devices disabilities. This took the disabled community helping us do this with noise. This provides a much on the 3G network for voice mobile devices that are ena- that are compatible with the into account different in Qatar. the essential training better call experience espe- calling. bled for High Definition Voice service, visit the Qtel website types of physical, sensory “As a communications they are providing us,” cially for customers using their There is no additional while connected to the Qtel at www.qtel.qa. and learning disabilities provider it is our cor- continued Dana Haidan. smartphone’s loudspeaker charge for using the HD Voice 3G network. THE PENINSULA to ensure the highest porate responsibility to THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

UK court stops Anti-Mursi protest Experts exhume extradition of Iranian to US

LONDON: A British court blocked yesterday the extradi- remains of Arafat tion of a former Iranian diplo- mat wanted by the United States after he was caught in a sting Tests to find whether former leader was poisoned operation trying to export night- vision weapons’ sights to Iran. RAMALLAH: The remains shielded from the public eye. reburial was necessary. Nosratollah Tajik, 59, a of iconic Palestinian leader “At 5am (0300 GMT), experts “The samples were taken from former Iranian ambassador to Yasser Arafat were exhumed began to remove the stones and Arafat’s remains from inside the Jordan, was arrested in London yesterday, eight years after his began opening the grave in an grave and the samples were then in 2006 after agents from the death, with experts set to test orderly fashion,” a Palestinian transferred to the mosque,” the US Department of Homeland for evidence he was poisoned by source said on condition of ano- source said, referring to a building Security posed as arms dealers polonium. nymity. Only a Palestinian doctor adjacent to the Muqataa presi- seeking to sell the military kit in Shortly after the grave was was allowed to directly touch the dential complex in Ramallah. violation of arms embargoes. briefly opened for forensic remains and remove the samples, Speaking shortly after the Britain’s Home Office, or inte- experts to take samples, an official but the process was carried out in exhumation process was com- rior ministry, which ordered warned that if there was evidence the presence of the Swiss, Russian pleted, Tawfiq Tirawi, who heads Tajik’s extradition last year, said that Arafat was poisoned, the and French experts, he said. the Palestinian investigation into it was disappointed by the High Palestinian leadership would peti- Palestinian officials had origi- Arafat’s death, said Ramallah Court’s decision and was consid- tion the International Criminal nally planned a military ceremony would petition the International ering an appeal. The High Court Court to open an investigation. as his remains were reburied, but Criminal Court in The Hague if proceedings revealed this year The exhumation process began a source said that the samples it found proof that the veteran that the British government had before dawn and was carried out were collected without removing leader was poisoned. tried and failed to persuade the in secrecy, with the grave carefully the body from the grave, so no “If it is proved that Arafat Americans to withdraw the extra- was poisoned, we will go to the dition request to avoid endanger- international court,” said Tirawi, ing British diplomats in Iran. referring to the ICC, while Tajik spent years fighting stressing that nothing would be extradition on grounds of ill done until the results were avail- health. The courts rejected these able, which was likely to take arguments in 2008 and he then several months. appealed to the Home Office The ICC can only open an with new medical evidence. The investigation if it is asked to do Home Office rejected his appeal so by the UN Security Council in November 2011 and ordered or by a recognised state, with his extradition. Tajik launched the Palestinians poised to seek new court proceedings against the an upgrade in their UN status Home Office’s decision, culminat- later this week. Should they ing in yesterday’s ruling. But the successfully win the upgrade at High Court hearings revealed that the General Assembly tomor- for almost three years while Tajik row as expected, they will apply thought the Home Office was con- to become party to the Rome sidering his medical evidence, the Statute, after which they would ministry had already decided that Yasser Arafat’s widow, Suha Arafat, watches the television reports of the be able to petition the ICC. ill health was not a valid reason not exhumation of her husband at her home in Sliema in Malta, yesterday. AFP to extradite him. REUTERS Fireworks in Cairo’s Tahrir Square yesterday, during an opposition demonstration against President Mohammed Mursi’s decree.

King Abdullah well and in good health, Saudi authorities detain families at rights protest says Crown Prince JEDDAH: Saudi security of prisoners they say have been purely political activity and have staging a sit-down demonstration Intimidating and confronting the forces detained dozens of men, held for long periods without trial. never been charged. An Interior outside a prison in September. families will not make them back JEDDAH: Saudi Crown Prince women and children yesterday “They detained six children, 23 Ministry spokesman did not The court also handed the men down on their requests for fair Salman said yesterday that after they staged a rare protest women and around 30 men,” Ali immediately comment on the suspended sentences of between trials,” Alhattab said. the Custodian of the Two Holy outside a human rights group’s Alhattab, an activist said from incident. 50 and 90 lashes and suspended Saudi Arabia has not seen the Mosques King Abdullah bin office in Riyadh to demand the the Saudi capital. Activists posted The government has said in jail terms of between two and five kind of protests that toppled four Abdulaziz was “well and in good release of jailed relatives, activ- pictures on social media showing the past that prisoners accused of months. Arab heads of state since the start health”, more than 10 days after ists said. a crowd surrounded by security “terrorism-related” charges were The incident was condemned by of last year but small demonstra- the monarch underwent back Protests are banned in the con- forces. Reuters could not verify undergoing a fair judicial proc- Human Rights Watch which said tions have taken place from time surgery, a message likely to servative kingdom, a US ally that the images. ess any relatives who protest are the Saudi Bureau of Investigation to time in the Eastern Province, reassure many states keen on shows little tolerance towards dis- Saudi Arabia, which has been stopped and dealt with according and Prosecution had charged a where the Sunni Muslim king- the stability of the world’s big- sent. But relatives have occasion- a target for Al Qaeda attacks, to legal procedures. Last month total of 19 men with ‘instigating dom’s Shia minority live. Shias gest oil exporter. ally gathered outside government says the prisoners are all held the kingdom convicted and sen- chaos and sedition’ and ‘gather- complain of discrimination, which No photographs have been offices in the world’s largest oil on security grounds. Activists tenced 15 men to between three ing illegally’. “I believe that such Saudi Arabia denies. released of the monarch, believed exporter to demand the release say some are also detained for and 15 days in jail on charges of actions worsen the situation. REUTERS to be in his late 80s, since the 11-hour operation on November 17 at the National Guard’s King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. Camel competition “Brothers, I convey to you greetings of ... King Abdullah and I convey to you good news that he is well and in good health,” Prince Salman, who is also the defence minister, told counterparts from the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council at a meeting in Riyadh, in comments aired on Saudi state television. Saudi stability is of global con- cern. The pivotal US ally in the Gulf holds more than a fifth of world petroleum reserves and is the birthplace of Islam, where millions of Muslims flock to per- form the annual haj pilgrimage. Top Saudi royals have repeat- edly visited King Abdullah in hospital since the royal court announced the surgery to tighten a ligament in his upper back on November 18 a success, according to state media. Camels are displayed during the Mazayen Al Ibl competition, a parade of the “most beautiful camels”, Saudi analysts said it was in Tabuk, 1,500km from Riyadh, yesterday. understandable that recovery would take time, given the king’s advanced age. On Monday, Prince Salman Syrian warplanes attack towns “reassured” Saudis about the king’s health at a cabinet meet- ing, the state news agency SPA BEIRUT: Syrian warplanes edge of the centre of the capi- Suleiman army base, 30km reported, but he gave no details attacked towns in the coun- tal, activists said. In Aleppo northwest of the contested city on his condition or when he will try’s north and east and province in the north, rebels of Aleppo. be released from hospital. killed at least five civilians in shot down a military helicop- More than 40,000 people The Saudi stock market index a strike on an olive oil press as ter, according to video footage have been killed in the upris- reversed a downward trend after fighting raged in the capital posted on YouTube that showed ing, activists said. What began the announcement on Monday, Damascus yesterday, opposi- what appeared to be a missile as a series of peaceful protests ending the day in positive ter- tion activists said. hitting the aircraft. against four decades of Assad ritory. But yesterday, the index The latest fighting follows Security sources and activ- family rule in March last year fell to a 10-month low to close 1.3 recent battlefield gains by the ists have reported a small but grew into a bitter civil war wth lower. King Abdullah underwent rebels in their struggle to top- growing number of heat-seak- sectarian overtones. a similar operation in October last ple President Bashar Al Assad, ing anti-aircraft missiles enter- UN Special Coordinator for year and had back surgery twice but it is far from clear if a stra- ing Syria, weapons the rebels the Middle East Peace Process, in the United States in 2010 for tegic breakthrough is likely. would need to stand any chance Robert Serry, told the UN a herniated disc, after which he More than 90 people were of overcoming Assad’s increas- Security Council yesterday spent three months outside Saudi killed yesterday, according to ing reliance on air power. that around 450,000 are now Arabia recuperating. the Syrian Observatory for The video could be one of believed to have fled Syria, with Two days after his back opera- Human Rights, a Britain-based the first clear indications that even more displaced inside the tion last year, King Abdullah group. such weapons are in use. The country. appeared on state television and Rebels trying to make Local Coordinating Committee “Destruction, death and suf- was released from hospital within inroads into the capital bat- opposition group said the Free fering have become part of daily five days. tled government forces in the Syrian Army had downed the life across Syria,” Serry said. REUTERS suburb of Kfar Souseh on the helicopter near the Sheikh REUTERS WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 10 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Editorial ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED A necessary test E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD Exhumation of Arafat’s remains E-MAIL: [email protected] for tests will help establish the EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. truth behind his death. E-MAIL: [email protected] ASSER Arafat was given a state burial eight years ago before Arafat’s wife Suha. But there are doubts about what the inquiry can ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 tens of thousands of people, to a chorus of gunfire. On Tuesday, unearth. It may not give answers to all the questions which Palestinians CLASSIFIED: E-MAIL: Yhis body was quietly dug up from the grave in the middle of the will ask, but can certainly give broad hints which will help to arrive 44557857 [email protected] night and reburied. It must have been a heartbreaking sight for those at conclusions. SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY who loved him, who might think the leader should have been left alone, If the tests prove that Arafat was indeed poisoned, Palestinians and without being subjected to this exhumation. The exhumation was nec- the rest of the world wouldn’t have to dig deeper to find out the perpe- TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 essary for tests to check if the Palestinian leader was poisoned with a trator behind the crime. And it’s unlikely that the French authorities, E-MAIL: [email protected] radioactive substance by Israeli agents. despite their best results, will be able to apprehend the culprits even SUBSCRIPTION RATES A Palestinian doctor and foreign forensic experts inspected the after collecting sufficient proof. But the entire episode will again show ANNUAL corpse and took samples, which were moved to a mosque where they Israel in poor light and can be used by Palestinians and their friends QR 675 were prepared for examination by international teams from France, to expose the inhuman and ruthless methods being used by Israel to 6 MONTHS QR 340 Russia and Switzerland. The exercise was carried out in secrecy and eliminate its enemies. there were no thousands to witness it. The speed of Arafat’s death at 75 after a short but unexplained ill- The tests could give an answer of Yes or No, but going by Israel’s nasty ness triggered suspicions of foul play even though French officials said record of eliminating its rivals without leaving even the smallest trace, he died at a Paris military hospital from a stroke caused by a blood most people in our region are likely to have arrived at a conclusion: that disorder. Arafat’s widow refused to permit a post-mortem examination the Jewish state killed the Palestinian leader. And many Palestinians and later gave some of her late husband’s personal items to Al Jazeera have long believed that he supreme leader of the Palestine Liberation channel which sent them to Switzerland for tests. Abnormal levels of PUBLICATION Organisation (PLO) was murdered by Israel. polonium-210, a radioactive substance linked to the death of former The tests are extremely crucial and despite the discomfort it might Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006, were found. have created, it will help dig up the truth about his death. The tests Once the suspicions are proved true, it will certainly undermine are part of a French murder enquiry which has been requested by Israel’s position on the issue.

It is only with negotiations between the two sides that The other side we demand immediately without any preconditions that a Palestinian state can Quote of become a reality. Power tangle in Egypt Laurent Fabius the day French Foreign Minister judicial-political tangle hangs over Egypt. President Mohammed Mursi’s decree vesting powers in his office has come with a cost. A The opposition is up in arms and the lawyers are out to ensure that the president rescinds his decision. The most unfortunate aspect of the power struggle is the fact that it has resorted to violence, and the political debate is no more confined to the four walls of the ballroom. The setback is evident from the stocks taking a nosedive and investors and businesses getting wary over the exploding situation. This is quite unfair to the Egyptians who had started to rest their hopes on the elected dispensation, and were eager to see the economy pick up after decades of stagnation. The lawlessness on the streets coupled with the call for a shutterdown strike in the capital will go on to add to the miseries of the people, and at the same time hinder the business of the state. The Mursi administration, however, has made it clear that the president’s move is temporary and a middle ground would be found once the legislature gets down to its work. Such an assurance from the head of state should be enough for the organs of the state, especially the judiciary to give enough time to the evolving process. It should be taken into account that the country has under- gone a revolution, and the new power decorum is too fragile to stand an unwanted phase of agitation. The arguments against the Mursi decree may have their own merits, but it seems the president has taken the measure in good faith and in an attempt to let the elected representatives exercise their right of governing their constituents. Earlier attempts by the military and the judiciary to create obstacles on the path of the Islamists victory, led by the Muslim Brotherhood, seems to have been responded with this decree that had curtailed the powers of these functionaries. The daredevil manner in which the court suspended an elected legislature and stood with the military junta of Hussein Tantawi, the former defence minister, was more than a coup against the infant democratic process. Mursi, now in office for more than 100 days, is just flexing his mus- cles. The standoff, however, is in need of being resolved, and it would be prudent of both the executive and the judiciary to stand down from their respective extreme positions. As rightly stated by Mursi, a common ground is indispensable. Too much of rigidity on the part of Brotherhood would tantamount to political naivety. KHALEEJ TIMES Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Mohammed Mursi and the fight for Egypt

BY MAGDI ABDELHADI forces” of the ancient regime. To regime stalwarts broad spectrum of after the overthrow of Mubarak into political chaos and paralyse this day, Egypt is still struggling within the admin- Egyptian society. in February 2011. Instead of start- the machinery of the state. The GYPT’S muddled transi- to extricate itself from his legacy istration are trying The constitu- ing by laying down new rules for judges have said they will go on tion from dictatorship to of an all-powerful president who to thwart a transi- tional court is due the game by drafting the con- strike to bring the legal system Edemocracy has entered a rules by decrees with the help of tion to democracy. to issue its verdict stitution first, they rushed to a to a halt until Mursi backs down. dangerous phase with the presi- a secret police. But they are equally President on the legality of parliamentary election based on a With both sides sending their dent and his Islamist supporters Back then, the judiciary, like guilty of pursuing the assembly next faulty electoral law. The law was supporters to the streets, the fear arrayed against the rest – each today, played a crucial role. The a narrow Islamist Mursi says his month, and it was subsequently challenged and the is that it could turn very nasty, side claiming to be the true midwives of Nasser’s dictatorship agenda. The deci- power grab widely expected Islamist-dominated parliament though optimists believe Egypt defender of democracy and the were some of Egypt’s finest legal sion to protect to dissolve the was dissolved. has always pulled back from the revolution. President Mursi says minds who had lost faith in the the controversial is temporary. panel drafting the The Muslim Brotherhood also brink. Let’s hope they are right. his controversial decree (euphe- old ruling elite. Political expedi- constituent assem- But history new constitution bears part of the blame, because it Egypt’s muddled transition is mistically called “constitutional ency superseded lofty legal and bly – packed with because many of supported that roadmap, thinking proving to be a steep learning declaration”) is only a provisional constitutional principles, and jus- Islamists and their shows that its members were it would enable the Brotherhood curve, if not a precipice. The cur- measure to defend the revolu- tice itself became the first victim supporters – from such measures drawn from a to take power quickly. Things rent fear of impending chaos has tion and ensure a swift passage of revolutionary justice. any legal challenge, parliament which didn’t turn out that way. And once again raised the spectre of to democracy. And a presidential Today the judiciary is divided seems to pro- have a habit had been dissolved. when existing laws stood in its “the saviour leader”. Old regime spokesman has now said that only between those who support vide evidence for of becoming This would have way, it decided to change the rules supporters as well as conserva- decisions related to “sovereign Mursi’s swift justice, and those that. The Muslim been the second to its advantage. tive forces within the army and matters” will be protected from who say they are fighting for the Brotherhood and permanent. time the constitu- The scene is now set for a the security establishment believe judicial review. He may be sincere. rule of law and independence of its allies feel they ent assembly was mighty confrontation as more and Egypt is not ready for democracy But exceptional temporary meas- the judiciary. The problem is that are entitled to draft dissolved because more judges and politicians line and can only be ruled by an iron ures in Egypt have a history of some of the latter, especially the a constitution to of disputes over up against Mursi and his party. fist. They are watching with glee becoming permanent. leadership of the Judges Club, their liking, ignoring many well- the criteria of selecting its In fact, Mursi has succeeded in as political crises unfold in quick Back in 1954, Colonel Nasser, have for years been loyal serv- founded legal and political argu- members. something no one else has: unify- succession. They are now praying the leader of the military coup ants of Mubarak and never stood ments that such an important Who is to blame for this mess? ing the fractious liberal and leftist for a strong man to emerge from that overthrew the monarchy, up to him. document should not be writ- A muddled roadmap for transi- groups. the shadows to prevent a descent abolished all political parties in Mursi and his supporters may ten by the winners of an elec- tion was laid down by the mili- But failure to reach a compro- into anarchy. order to fight the “reactionary be right in suspecting that old tion, but by representatives of a tary council which ruled Egypt mise could plunge Egypt further THE GUARDIAN WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Despite disaster, pro-nuclear Lessons from Gaza

BY JACKSON DIEHL to challenge Israel or the West anytime soon. Turkish President hen Benjamin Recep Tayyip Erdogan is simi- party could win power in Japan Netanyahu agreed larly tied down by the civil war to a cease-fire with in neighboring Syria. WHamas rather than Though the Middle East is Media surveys a ground invasion of the Gaza more unpredictable than ever, it’s Strip, he surely knew that his reasonable to forecast that the have shown opposition would taunt him Islamists will grow still weaker with these words from 2009: “We in the next several years. must smash the Hamas power in In Egypt, the Muslim a majority of Gaza,” he said then. “The next Brotherhood will be no more government will have no choice able to sustain an autocracy Japanese want but to finish the job and uproot than was Hosni Mubarak, and it ... the Iranian terror base.” will be blamed for its inevitable That Netanyahu held back failure to meet post-revolution- to exit nuclear from doing so is testimony to not ary expectations. Iran’s ability only his prudence or the influ- to supply Gaza militants with power by 2030 ence of Barack Obama. rockets likely will wane because It is ratification of the most of economic sanctions and the important outcome of the latest crumbling of the allied Syrian if not sooner. Gaza crisis, which is the consoli- regime. dation of a new Islamist front At the same time, this Gaza as Israel’s principal Arab coun- episode may finally finish off the BY LINDA SIEG terpart, adversary and potential stubbornly persistent notion that interlocutor. It comprises not just Israel should negotiate a peace apanese voters look likely Hamas but the allied, Muslim settlement with the West Bank- to hand victory to a party Brotherhood-led government of based Palestinian Authority that favours nuclear power Egypt. without Hamas’ involvement. Jin the first election since As a simple, pragmatic mat- Palestinian President Mahmoud the March 2011 Fukushima radia- ter, “smashing” or “uprooting” Abbas and his Western-backed tion disaster - a result a baffled Hamas is no longer an option. security forces are still relevant, Greenpeace activist likens to one Not only does Hamas have the as Abbas will probably demon- of the “wonders of the world”. support of the region’s richest strate this week by winning a UN But even if the main opposition and most powerful governments, General Assembly vote recogniz- Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) but it is preferable to the most ing Palestinian statehood. wins the December 16 election, it Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda waves to people after an election campaign event in Tokyo, yesterday. obvious Gazan alternative, which But Abbas has less standing will not reflect any groundswell is jihadist movements even more than ever to speak on behalf of of popular support for nuclear closely tied to Iran. Palestinians — and in any case power. (DPJ), although a hefty chunk of Critics say the veteran deal- although Noda said the target This may sound like terrible has repeatedly shown him- Instead, it would underline voters remain undecided ahead of maker Ozawa, who quit the DPJ stood. news, especially to supporters of self unwilling to negotiate with a lack of credible anti-nuclear the lower house election. over Noda’s plan to raise the sales “Noda is trying to empha- the conventional Mideast “peace Netanyahu or commit to the political standard bearers in “The LDP is the likely winner tax to curb debt, lacks credibil- size nuclear policy to distin- process,” who have been hoping concessions a peace deal would Japan and the ability of the LDP and is pro-nuclear, but it will not ity given his checkered record of guish the Democrats from the that Obama’s reelection would require. to focus the debate on security win because it is pro-nuclear but political flipflops, although Kada LDP. Unfortunately, as a stand- open the way to yet another Rather than watch another matters and the stalled economy. because the DPJ is so hapless and might offset his negative image ard bearer for getting out of push to negotiate Palestinian sterile round of diplomatic An LDP win would also signal the economy is in trouble and peo- and help bring together disparate nuclear, Noda lacks credibility,” statehood. maneuvering among Abbas, successful lobbying by Japan’s ple figure it is time for a change,” anti-nuclear mini-parties. said Andrew DeWit, a profes- But for hawkish Israelis such Netanyahu and Obama, Egypt “nuclear village”, a web of vested said Jeffrey Kingston, direc- Noda, for his part, is trying sor at Tokyo’s Rikkyo University as Netanyahu — and maybe even seems bent on overseeing another interests including utilities, tor of Asian studies at Temple to strike a contrast between who researches energy policy. for the doves — there is reason attempt to broker a reconcilia- bureaucrats and lawmakers that University’s Japan campus. the Democrats as committed to “Keidanren pulled out all the for some quiet celebration. tion between the Palestinian remains powerful despite the The DPJ swept to power in phasing out nuclear power and stops and made it very difficult First, the new Islamic front is factions. world’s worst radiation crisis in 2009 for the first time, promising the LDP, which promoted atomic for them to stand their ground.” far weaker than the post-truce In the short run this would a quarter century. to put more money in the hands of energy during its nearly six dec- A new party set up by popular celebrations in Gaza suggest. prevent peace negotiations, to “This is the first election since households through such steps as ades in power and remains vague Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto to Though it survived the assassi- the satisfaction of hard-liners the Fukushima nuclear disaster child allowances and to boost the about the future even now. woo disaffected voters also blot- nation of its military chief and on both sides. and if it does not result in an economy by re-orienting spending The LDP says it will decide ted its anti-nuclear copybook managed to bombard Israel with But in the long run it might anti-nuclear government, that and cutting waste. But critics say gradually on restarting reactors by dropping a target for ditch- 1,500 rockets and mortar rounds, make a deal more possible. will be one of the wonders of the its promises were honored mostly deemed safe by a new regulatory ing nuclear power after merging Hamas once again demonstrated Palestinian elections — a likely world,” said Kazue Suzuki, a cam- in the breach, and the economy agency over the next three years with a small pro-nuclear party that it lacks the means to do part of any internal accord — paigner at environmental group is now widely believed to be in its and reach a conclusion on Japan’s led by the nationalist octogenar- more than frighten or inconven- could bring in new and stronger Greenpeace. fourth recession since 2000. “best energy mix” in 10 years. ian ex-mayor of Tokyo, Shintaro ience Israelis. leaders. The March 11, 2011 massive Former Prime Minister Shinzo In its campaign manifesto, the Ishihara. On the contrary: The success Meanwhile Morsi’s govern- earthquake and tsunami killed Abe, who as LDP head aims to DPJ was expected to include a Whether an LDP victory would of the US-funded Iron Dome ment will have to choose between nearly 19,000 people and devas- get his old job back after quitting pledge to aim to cut Japan’s reli- spell business as usual for energy anti-missile system suggests that pushing the Palestinians toward tated Tokyo Electric Power Co’s in 2007, is calling for hyper-easy ance on nuclear power to zero by policy, however, remains far from missiles will be a decreasingly an accord with Israel or tolerat- Fukushima Daiichi plant, trigger- monetary policy to rescue the the 2030s, echoing a government clear. credible threat. ing growing instability on Egypt’s ing meltdowns, spewing radiation economy and tough diplomacy strategy unveiled in September Some changes are already afoot, Meanwhile, both Gaza and border. and forcing some 160,000 people toward a rising China as the core after months of public and expert including the introduction of a Egypt continue to face major Even if no comprehen- to flee their homes, many never of his campaign. debate. feed-in-tariff (FIT) programme domestic problems. Much of sive peace is possible, the new to return. The small Japan Communist That sharp shift in energy under which utilities must buy Hamas’ governing infrastruc- regional alignment may allow The disaster destroyed a care- Party and tiny Social Democrats policy was met with howls of power from suppliers of renew- ture has been destroyed, includ- Israel and Hamas to work out a fully cultivated myth that nuclear are firmly against nuclear power criticism from business lobby able energy sources such as wind ing tunnels that supply Gaza’s modus vivendi that benefits both power was cheap, clean and safe. but unlikely to win many seats Keidanren. Before the Fukushima and solar power at pre-set premi- economy as well as weapons. sides. It also mobilised Japan’s often given that few voters back their disaster, Japan had planned to ums for up to 20 years and moves In Egypt, President In exchange for more open apathetic voters in huge anti- anti-capitalist ideologies. boost atomic power to more than toward more competition in the Mohammed Morsi, lionised on borders and an opportunity to nuclear demonstrations during a A group led by former DPJ half of electricity supply from utilities sector. Wednesday for brokering the develop economically with back- summer of discontent. leader Ichiro Ozawa has made nearly 30 percent. “There are a number of factors cease-fire, was facing on Friday a ing from its new Arab allies, Media surveys have shown opposition to nuclear power a Manufacturers argue the DPJ’s that would likely stand in the way violent domestic backlash against Hamas could agree to a more a majority of Japanese want to key plank and could tie up with shift would raise electricity rates of a return to business as usual. his attempt to further concen- thorough and reliable truce that exit nuclear power by 2030 if not other small parties - among them and force production and jobs But it’s not impossible,” DeWit trate power. leaves southern Israel in peace. sooner. a new one that media said would offshore. said. “I think we can’t dismiss the Having just signed an agree- That’s a long way from real peace But opinion polls also show the be launched as early as Tuesday Days after unveiling the strat- capacity of the nuclear village to ment with the International — but it’s better for both sides pro-nuclear LDP with a big lead by Yukiko Kada, the female gov- egy in September, Noda’s gov- ram through a ‘back to the future’ Monetary Fund to prop up the than going to war every couple over Prime Minister Yoshihiko ernor of Shiga Prefecture in west- ernment stopped short of fully scenario.” teetering Egyptian economy, of years. Noda’s Democratic Party of Japan ern Japan. endorsing it in a cabinet meeting REUTERS Morsi literally cannot afford WP-BLOOMBERG Fiscal cliff hawks ought to be foreign policy doves

shipment to the US. The same post-war reconstruction efforts. other, less obvious costs have to and treasure, as will the hundreds The occupation of Afghanistan month, another US army ser- Last year alone, American tax- do with sustaining the Afghan of billions of dollars that have not geant pled guilty to smuggling payers accumulated well over national security forces (ANSF), yet been allocated for the mil- costs US taxpayers $10bn a month, $100,000 from Afghanistan. This $113.9bn-worth of debt so that which the Pentagon ramped up lions of veterans returning from sergeant smuggled the money to this war could continue. At the to 350,000-strong, as well as the Afghanistan and Iraq who will America in a backpack at the end of 2012, we’ll see a similar 30,000 members of “militias” that need critical medical and mental and millions in corruption. Yet, end of her overseas tour. Also in tally for total debt-funded war we’ve sponsored and armed, with health services. September, a former US army expenditures. munitions and monies. All of these costs must be con- the Congress is oblivious. chief was convicted of conspiracy And we aren’t leaving any- Militia isn’t my word, mind sidered as Congress establishes for his role in a bribery/kickback time soon. Despite claims that you, it was described to me this cuts for the beginning of the 113th scheme, after soliciting a $60,000 this war will be wound down in way by Sigar. The Pentagon tries Congress. BY MICHAEL SHANK quarterly basis, shows some bribe. 2014, and despite recent draw- to present these militias as an Many, if not most of these astonishing financials that I could go on. The stories downs of 30,000 troops sent over Afghan Local Police, but they are war-related costs, are outside his month, hidden amid remain under-reported by the are pervasive: from a US army for the surge, we must remember little more than local warlords, the normal budget purview, election excitement, a US press and under-emphasised sergeant first class stealing that not only will 30,000 troops deemed fit by local commanders yet they contribute mightily to report was delivered by Congress. While Americans $225,000 in funds earmarked likely stay on well past 2014, to receive millions of defense dol- our growing debt problem. Lest Tto Congress by the have long pointed fingers at the for reconstruction, to a US army but that we are also paying for lars and weapons in a wholly ad another Sigar report goes by Special Inspector General for waste, fraud and abuse by Afghan 7th special forces group sergeant roughly 100,000 private defense hoc and unstrategic fight. under-reported, it would behoove Afghanistan Reconstruction leaders, who are mishandling pre- stealing tens of thousands of dol- contractors to operate, without None of these Afghan forces the Republican leadership in (Sigar). Likely, few in cious US taxpayer dollars in this lars hidden inside a teddy bear. transparency or accountability, in will take lightly to our leaving, or the House to show some savvy Washington read it. The US war debt-funded war, the truth is, These are just a few stories from Afghanistan. to any reduction in force numbers in rooting out corruption, fraud, in Afghanistan wasn’t a big part the misdeeds are equally ubiq- this fall’s quarterly report by The long-term presence of or funds. waste and abuse by US actors in of pre-election politicking and uitous within the US defense Sigar. The convictions are con- private defense contractors in The plan for the ANSF is the war effort. now, post-election, the biggest department. stant, the charges are countless, Afghanistan will be at the whim to draw down from 350,000 to If the Darrell Issas of the thing on congressional mem- This is not merely an Afghan and the monies lost are by now of the Pentagon – as it’s not sub- 228,000. This sounds like Iraq. Republican party would be as bers’ minds is “fiscal cliff” fina- problem, but an American one, in the billions. But don’t take ject to the critical public eye in We already know what happens exercised about grossly misman- gling, not foreign policy. What as well. Late this September, for my word for it, read the Sigar the same way US troops are dis- when formerly armed and trained aged Afghan war expenditures as Congress doesn’t realize, how- example, a US army staff sergeant report. cussed or drawn down. national security forces suddenly they are about far minor issues, ever, is that the special inspec- was charged with smuggling $1m We cannot forget, amid fiscal These costs are merely the face unemployment: they join we might see a more accountable tor general’s report is entirely in cash from Afghanistan to the cliff fecklessness, that as taxpay- most explicit and direct costs militias and end up fighting each US presence in Afghanistan. Until relevant and completely germane United States. This Pentagon ers of this debt-funded fight, we to be incurred by the American other or us. then, it appears the profitable to the cost-cutting conversation. employee attempted to smuggle are sending nearly $10bn every taxpayer, again through debt, These future attacks – and plundering will continue. What The latest report, which the cash inside numerous DVD month to Afghanistan for the since we don’t have the money they will assuredly happen and a shame. is required by Congress on a recorders, which were loaded for war (aka deconstruction) and to actually fight this war. The continue – will also cost US blood THE GUARDIAN WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST France backs Palestinian bid for UN status Britain wants pledges from Mahmoud Abbas not to pursue Israel for war crimes and to resume peace talks

PARIS/LONDON: France yesterday to pursue war crimes charges or other to return to talks after more than two said it will back a Palestinian bid for legal claims against Israel. years. Officals in Ramallah have opposed enhanced United Nations status at a Abbas is also being asked to commit to surrendering on the ICC issue so it can be General Assembly vote this week, just an immediate resumption of peace talks used as a bargaining chip in future, but a year after a failed attempt to secure “without preconditions” with Israel. The views are thought to be divided. Abbas full state membership. third condition is that the general assem- said at the weekend: “We are going to the Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius bly’s resolution does not require the UN UN fully confident in our steps. We will recalled Paris’s “consistent position” on security council to follow suit. have our rights because you are with us.” the issue and told the National Assembly Leila Shaid, Palestine’s representative that France, one of the five permanent THREAT OF RETALIATION to the EU, said: “After everything that members of the UN Security Council, The US and Israel have both hinted at has happened in the Arab spring, Britain would vote for a “non-member observer possible retaliation if the vote goes ahead. can’t pretend it is in favour of democ- state” status for the Palestinians. Congress could block payments to the racy in Libya, Syria and Egypt but accept “We will vote with coherence and clar- Palestinian Authority and Israel might the Palestinians continuing to live under ity,” he said. “You know that for years and freeze tax revenues it transfers under occupation. As the former colonial power, years France’s consistent position has the 1993 Oslo agreement or, worse, with- Britain has a historic responsibility to been the recognition of the Palestinian draw from the agreement altogether. It Palestine. Britain is a very important state,” he said, recalling that former could also annex West Bank settlements. country in the Middle East, it has exten- French president Francois Mitterrand Britain’s position is that it wants to sive trade relations, and David Cameron had staked out that position in a 1982 reduce the risk that such threats might should know he risks a popular backlash speech to the Israeli parliament. be implemented and bolster Palestinian from Arab public opinion if he does not That line was unchanged even during moderates. support us.” the tenure of former rightwing presi- France has already signalled that it Palestinians have rejected the claim dent Nicolas Sarkozy when Palestine will vote yes tomorrow, and the long- that they are acting unilaterally, calling was admitted to Unesco last year, he Riyad Mansour, the Palestine Observer Mission’s Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks awaited vote is certain to pass as 132 the UN path “the ultimate expression of said, adding that recognition of Palestine to reporters in New York, yesterday. UN members have recognised the state multilateralism”. Israel’s apparent oppo- was one of current President Francois of Palestine. Decisions by Germany, sition to unilateralism has not stopped it Hollande’s campaign planks. Spain and Britain are still pending and acting without agreement to build and “That is why when the question is basis of the pre-1967 borders.” Britain’s backing in part because of its Palestinians would clearly prefer a united expand settlements, they say. raised on Thursday and Friday, France The United States, Israel’s staunch ally, historic responsibility for Palestine. The EU position as counterweight to the US. Spain said yesterday it will wait to will respond with a ‘yes’,” he said. had blocked that move at the 15-nation government has previously refused, cit- Willian Hague, the UK foreign secre- see a formal proposal before deciding The draft resolution seeking the status council. Britain for its part has not yet ing strong US and Israeli objections and tary, discussed the issue on Monday with whether to back a Palestinian bid for upgrade also calls on the UN Security decided whether it will vote for the res- fears of long-term damage to prospects Abbas and the French foreign minister, enhanced UN status. “We are waiting Council to “consider favourably” the olution, said the country’s UN ambas- for negotiations. Laurent Fabius, offiicals said. for a formal resolution to be presented. In Palestinian request for full membership sador Mark Lyall Grant. Lyall Grant On Monday night, the government Palestinian sources said Hillary the meantime we are talking with vari- made one year ago. told reporters that Britain believes the signalled it would change tack and vote Clinton, the US secretary of state, raised ous countries,” Prime Minister Mariano The Austrian foreign ministry also Palestinians should delay application yes if the Palestinians modified their the issue with Abbas at his Ramallah Rajoy told a news conference. said it would back the Palestinian bid from tomorrow, but is still in talks with application, which is to be debated by headquarters last week, shortly before a Rajoy, speaking alongside visiting and claimed that more than half of the the Palestinian Authority and will decide the UN general assembly in New York ceasefire was agreed in the Gaza Strip, as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip European Union’s 27 member states “in due time” how to vote. later this week. As a “non-member state”, had Tony Blair, the Quartet envoy. Erdogan, said Madrid had always would vote for the proposal. However, sources say Britain is pre- Palestine would have the same status as Abbas has been widely seen to have backed a two-state solution to the con- The new resolution will also call for a pared to back a key vote recognising the Vatican. been sidelined by his rivals in the flict between Israel and the Palestinians. Middle East settlement that “fulfils the Palestinian statehood at the United British officials said the Palestinians Islamist movement Hamas, as well by Erdogan was more forthright when asked vision of two states, an independent, sov- Nations if Mahmoud Abbas pledges not were now being asked to refrain from his failure to win any concessions from about the Palestinian bid: “Of course we ereign, democratic, contiguous and viable to pursue Israel for war crimes and to applying for membership of the interna- Israel. Abbas, whose remit does not want the resolution on Palestine to be a state of Palestine, living side-by-side in resume peace talks. Abbas, president of tional criminal court or the international extend beyond the West Bank, hopes ‘yes’,” the Turkish prime minister said. peace and security with Israel, on the the Palestinian Authority, has called for court of justice, which could both be used a strong yes vote will persuade Israel THE GUARDIAN/AGENCIES

Wave of attacks kills 19 in Iraq Protest in Beirut Sudan, Saudi target 2014 start BAGHDAD: A wave of attacks including six car bombs, nine roadside bombs and a shooting killed 19 people and wounded 71 others yesterday in to Red Sea mining Iraq, security and medical officials said. The violence was mainly centred in Baghdad, where Shias were targeted, and the country’s north, which has KHARTOUM: Sudan and seen high tensions in areas the autonomous Kurdistan wants to incorpo- Saudi Arabia are targeting a rate over the strong objections of the federal government. 2014 start for deep-water min- In north Baghdad, three car bombs exploded near Shia places of worship, ing of a Red Sea basin believed known as husseinyahs, in the Shuala, Graiat and Hurriyah areas, killing at rich in gold and copper, Sudan’s least 12 people and wounding 50, officials said. mines minister said yesterday Earlier, three car bombs exploded in Kurdish areas of the disputed north as Khartoum seeks to replace Iraq city of Kirkuk, killing four people and wounding 16 others, while two lost oil revenues. roadside bombs exploded in an Arab-majority town about 50km east of Kirkuk, Manafa International Trade killing two people and wounding a third, officials said. AFP Company of Saudi Arabia and its joint venture partner Diamond Fields International Ltd of Canada received a licence in 2010 to explore the area about 115km west of Jeddah. “It is already started and it’s underway,” the Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Ali Al Naimi, said on the sidelines of a regional mining conference. “We are expecting starting production maybe 2014,” added Supporters of Lebanese prisoner in the French jail Georges Ibrahim Abdullah, shouting slogans against Sudan’s Minister of Mining French government during a protest in front of the French embassy in Beirut, yesterday. Abdullah had Kamal Abdel Latif. been in a French prison for over 28 years for his alleged involvement in the planning of terrorist activities. He said reserves are “very huge” at 150 tonnes of gold and more than one million tonnes of copper. However, Diamond Fields Gazans say ‘Thank you Iran’ has reported estimated copper reserves at less than half that amount. GAZA: Gazans offered very relations with Iran and such appeared aimed at dispelling Diamond Fields said last month public thanks to Iran yes- a relationship will continue speculation that the mainly that it is scheduled to meet in terday for helping them in as long as Iran supports the Sunni Muslim Gaza Strip was December with “third parties to this month’s fight against Palestinian people and backs up shutting the door on Shia Iran discuss possible financing options” Israel, when Iranian-made the resistance,” he added. and turning instead to neigh- for the Red Sea project. missiles were fired out of the Israel launched an air offen- bouring Egypt for support and In Tuesday morning trade Palestinian enclave towards sive on November 14 with the protection. the company’s shares traded at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. stated aim of stopping Gaza Israeli analyst Meir 3.5 cents on the Toronto Stock “Thank you Iran”, said large militants from firing rock- Javedanfar said he thought the Exchange. billboards on three major road ets at its southern towns and Iranians would regret telling Sudan and Saudi Arabia signed junctions in the Gaza Strip - cities. the world they supplied Hamas an agreement in 1974 to exploit the first time there has been About 170 Palestinians, more with arms. the Red Sea’s resources. such public acknowledgement than half of them civilians, died “Now that such high-ranking Sudan is trying to boost exports of Iran’s role in the arming of in the fighting that ended in a officials openly admit to having of gold and other non-petroleum Islamic militants in the tiny ceasefire last Wednesday. Six supplied weapons to groups in products after the separation territory. Israelis were also killed, four of Gaza, the job of isolating Iran of South Sudan last year left The message was written in them civilians. will be even easier than before,” Khartoum without three-quar- Arabic, English, Hebrew and Israel has always asserted said Javedanfar, an Iranian ters of its crude production. Farsi. The posters also depicted that arch-foe Tehran supplied expert at the Interdisciplinary As a result, inflation has soared the Iranian Fajr 5 rockets that Gaza with weapons, but until Center (IDC) in Herzliya. above 40 percent and the cur- were used for the first time to the latest conflict both Iran Israel and many Western rency has plunged in value after target Israel’s two largest pop- and Gaza’s dominant Islamist countries say Iran is develop- Sudan lost most of its interna- ulation centres. No one was group Hamas had side-stepped ing nuclear weapons and have tional payments capacity and injured in the attacks. the issue, acknowledging only imposed increasingly strin- half its fiscal revenues. Latif said The billboards were not financial backing and warm gent sanctions on the Islamic traditional land-based mining in signed, but a senior official political ties. Republic to get it to halt its Sudan has this year produced with the militant group Islamic During the eight-day confla- uranium enrichment drive. 41 tonnes of gold worth $2.5bn, Jihad, Khader Habib, said it was gration, the Iranian speaker of Tehran says its atomic pro- with another 50 tonnes targeted only natural to show gratitude parliament, Ali Larijani, said gramme is peaceful. next year. Sudan should aim to for Iran’s role in the conflict. Iran was “honoured” to have Hamas, which has ruled Gaza refocus the economy on its non- “Iranian rockets struck at provided Gaza with military since 2007, refuses to recognise resource sector, the International Tel Aviv. They reached out to aid. Following the ceasefire, Israel’s right to exist and is Monetary Fund says, estimat- Jerusalem. Therefore it was our Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal shunned as a terrorist organi- ing the country’s gross domestic duty to thank those who helped thanked Iran for arms and sation by the United States and product for this year at about 191 our people,” he told Reuters. funding. the European Union. billion Sudanese pounds. “We have distinctive, good The public statements REUTERS AFP WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Climate change Congo rebels set terms for Goma pullout threatens French M23 demands national talks, release of prisoners; Congo says conditions are a farce truffle: Scientists PARIS: Scientists said yester- GOMA: Rebels in Democratic has been coordinating talks with roads, and said Congo’s only government spokesman, quickly an imminent pull-out and con- day that they had proof that Republic of Congo said yester- M23, said earlier that M23 leader schools and hospitals had been dismissed M23’s demands. tinued to guard strategic sites in climate change was hitting the day that they would withdraw Colonel Sultani Makenga had left by Belgian former colonial “It’s a farce, that’s the word. Goma. More than half a dozen Perigord black truffle, a delight from the eastern city of Goma agreed to withdraw from Goma rulers. He said any talks would There’s been a document adopted armed M23 fighters dressed in of gourmets around the world. only if President Joseph Kabila with no conditions. have to tackle such issues. by the region. If each day they’re crisp fatigues stood in front of Trufflers have long suspected agreed to their demands, which But the political chief of M23, “We want the involvement of going to come back with new the central bank building as UN that global warming is affecting the Congolese government was Jean-Marie Runiga, told reporters the political opposition, civil society demands it becomes ridiculous. peacekeepers in two troop carri- Tuber melanosporum — dubbed quick to dismiss as a farce. in Goma his forces would with- and the diaspora so we can tackle We’re no longer in the realm of ers looked on. “the black diamond” on account of The deadlock raises the risk draw only if Kabila held national these issues together, so that the seriousness,” Mende told Reuters “This is a sign we are in this its colour and extraordinary price that the eight-month-old insur- talks, released political prison- people hear the truth and that once from Kinshasa. for the long haul. M23 is dig- — in its native habitat in south- gency could turn into an all-out ers and dissolved the electoral and for all we find a solution to the Later in the day, Ugandan mili- ging in while the Congolese army western France, Spain and Italy. war in a region dogged by nearly commission, a body accused by problems that have poisoned our tary chief Aronda Nyakayirima prepares another offensive,” said A century ago, French truf- two decades of conflict that has Western powers of delivering society and politics,” he said. read out the withdrawal plan to Jason Stearns of independent flers notched up a harvest that, killed more than 5 million people, Kabila a second term in flawed “We are fighting to find solu- reporters, but made no mention research organisation the Rift according to legend, reached 1,000 fuelled by competition over min- 2011 polls. tions to Congo’s problems. of M23’s apparent rejection of the Valley Institute. “It is difficult to tonnes in a year. In the 1960s, eral resources. “The withdrawal, yes. If Kabila Withdrawal from Goma is not a plan. He said the plan specified imagine what the possible com- truffle yields were still 200-300 The M23 rebels, who UN agrees to our demands then we’ll precondition to negotiations but a M23 would begin its withdrawal promise could be between the two tonnes annually. experts say are backed by Rwanda go quickly,” Runiga told reporters result of them,” he said. The con- soon, and government troops would sides,” Stearns said. But in recent years, they have and who say they want to “liber- in a hotel in Goma, flanked by sen- flicting statements indicated a enter Goma two days later, followed African leaders had at the been a meagre 25 tonnes or so, ate” all of Congo, captured Goma ior M23 officials in civilian clothes solution to the insurgency in east- by a visit by regional defence chiefs weekend called on M23 to aban- prompting retail prices to rocket last week after Congolese soldiers and rebels in military fatigues. ern Congo, which has displaced “to evaluate the situation and find don their aim of toppling the gov- to as high as ¤2,000 ($2,500) a kilo. withdrew and UN peacekeepers Runiga said Kabila’s govern- 140,000 civilians according to the out whether all these timelines ernment and to withdraw from In a letter to the journal Nature gave up defending the city. ment was rotten with corruption, United Nations, was not close. were met”. Goma. Climate Change, Swiss scientists The Ugandan military, which lamented the country’s dilapidated Lambert Mende, Congo’s The rebels showed no signs of REUTERS said they now had clear data that drier summers were to blame, as this affected the oak and hazelnut trees on which the prized fungi Merkel visits medical varsity grows, a process known as symbi- osis. The team found that harvests Gas explosion blamed in France’s Perigord and in Spain’s Aragon region fell at roughly the same pace from 1970-2006, and this for deadly German fire trend was in line with an overall decline in summer rainfall. Harvests in northern Italy’s TITISEE-NEUSTADT: An accident,” he added. President of Piedmont and Umbria also explosion following a gas leak Freiburg’s government Baerbel retreated, but not as badly as in triggered a fierce blaze in a Schaefer said the fire protection France and Spain, and this corre- workshop for the disabled in precautions at the workshop had lated with relatively higher levels Germany which killed 14 people, been “absolutely correct” and of summer rain in those regions. officials said yesterday. the rescue operation had been Harvesting of the black truf- All but one of the dead from “exemplary”. fle, also called the Mediterranean the fire which began on Monday Hundreds of firefighters backed truffle, is restricted to the months at the centre in the southwest- by helicopters had battled the between November and February. ern town of Titisee-Neustadt in fire at the workshop run by the However, the success of the Germany’s Black Forest region Roman Catholic Caritas welfare yield depends on the summer’s were handicapped, police said. association for the mentally and weather, explained Ulf Buentgen A 50-year-old female carer physically disabled which made and Simon Egli from the Swiss was also killed, they said, while Christmas decorations among Federal Research Institute, or another nine people were badly other things. WSL. Truffles thrive in wet and hurt and a further five suffered Candles have been placed out- cold conditions and hate dryness more minor injuries, officials said. side the modern building whose and heat. “Given the symbiotic Initial indications suggested the windows were broken, and police fungi-host asssociation, we postu- fire was sparked by an explosion stood at the entrance while more late that competition for summer after gas escaped from a heater officers combed through the soil moisture... might be a critical German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks through a microscope at stem cells that have been bred to grow for unknown reasons and ignited, blackened interior. factor for truffle fruit body pro- heart muscle cells, during her visit to the medical university (MHH) in Hanover yesterday. Merkel visited the a spokesman for the Freiburg Up to 60 people were in the duction, particularly in semi-arid MHH where scientists are studying in the fields of research called “rebirth” and “hearing 4 all” to find possible public prosecutor’s office told a centre at the time of the fire, environments,” they said. methods of treatment for deaf people and people that need organ transplantations. news conference. “The investiga- which broke out just before 2pm Their theory, they added, is tions are in this respect not fin- (1300 GMT) and spread quickly, borne out by research in Spain, ished,” Peter Haeberle said. damaging one floor of the site in which found that oak tree growth A preliminary investigation Titisee-Neustadt, about 35km depends overwhelmingly on rain Ukraine leader against unknown persons into from the city of Freiburg. between May and July. The letter Gruesome Kosovo probe suspected negligent manslaugh- Among the dead were 13 disa- suggests that the future for the ter and negligent arson has been bled people, of whom 10 were black truffle may lie in Germany signs law to opened but does not mean pros- women. They were all aged and Switzerland if temperatures in ecutors already have suspicions in between 28 and 68, according to southern Europe climb by at least 2 held under tight security change statute this direction, he said. a police statement. degrees Celsius this century. “Everything’s pointing to an AFP AFP BRUSSELS: Visitors need for war crimes who in the 1990s KIEV: Ukrainian President 24-hour security clearance, worked as a trial attorney at the Viktor Yanukovich yesterday grizzled Belgian guards man the International Criminal Tribunal signed a law enabling constitu- entrance, no phones or cameras for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) tional change via referendums Plane crashes please: welcome to the latest, in The Hague. instead of via parliament, in a and probably the last, of the big At the heart of the matter are move the opposition criticised off Comoros, Balkans war crimes probes. claims that ethnic Albanian rebels as aimed at ensuring his own The US diplomat and prosecutor in Kosovo removed organs from re-election in 2015. all 29 survive leading a probe into one of the most Serb prisoners of war and sold Yanukovich’s Regions party, gruesome and politically sensitive them on the black market. which approved the new law this MORONI: A plane affairs of the times — allegations In the process, up to 500 peo- month, looks set to secure a slim crashed in the Indian of organ trafficking in the 1990s ple, mostly Serbs, were abducted, majority in the 450-seat parlia- Ocean off the Comoros implicating Kosovo’s current lead- tortured and killed. These events ment in the wake of elections on Islands yesterday after ership — has set up office not in the took place in the chaos follow- October 28, a handful of results suffering mechanical Balkans, but in Brussels. ing the end of the Kosovo war of which have yet to be finalised. problems, but all 29 peo- Only this week, worries about in June 1999. The party’s support fell com- ple on board survived, witness intimidation prompted In a hard-hitting 2010 report, pared with 2007, however, putting officials said. courts in The Hague and Pristina Council of Europe rapporteur Yanukovich’s chances of re-elec- The Embraer jet went to demand new trials for promi- Dick Marty alleged that senior tion in 2015 in doubt. down about 200 metres nent Kosovo politicians embroiled Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) To boost those chances, opposi- from Moroni airport, five in war crimes cases. So John commanders — including current tion leaders say Yanukovich may minutes after taking off at Clint Williamson, the 51-year- Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim use the new law to amend the about 1020 GMT, they said. old American at the head of the Thaci — were involved. constitution - via a referendum The plane, belonging to European Union investigation, the The report said organs were and not via parliament - to scrap Inter-Iles, had been bound most notorious inquiry to date, is taken from the bodies of prison- presidential elections and let par- for the neighbouring island taking no chances. ers held by the KLA in Albania liament pick the head of state via of Anjouan. “Witness intimidation and wit- at the time. It also linked the a simple majority vote. A senior military official ness protection is a big factor,” KLA to mafia-style crime. Thaci Some analysts said he may who gave his name only as he said. “We’ve gone to great and his government have denied even use the law to push through Zarouk and was on board lengths to put this investigation the accusations and condemned policies that his party, backed by the plane, said aircraft fuel in a secure posture,” said the Marty’s report. influential local industrialists, was leaking “like an open former US ambassador-at-large AFP would not support. AFP tap” upon take-off. He alerted the pilot who decided to return to the airport, but was unable to land in time, instead plunging into the sea. France’s UMP heads for split over leadership Abu Mohamed Ali, director general of Civil PARIS: France’s right-wing opposition UMP supporters, who said they were launching a new Aviation for the Comoros yesterday appeared headed for a split after a poi- parliamentary faction which would be dissolved as Islands, said all 29 people sonous leadership battle as the twice declared soon as a new vote was held. on board - 25 passengers winner Jean-Francois Cope rejected demands for At a peacemaking lunch on Monday with Fillon, and four crew - were safe. a fresh vote. Sarkozy said holding a new vote would “avoid an The pilot suffered head The UMP, the political heir to the party founded by escalation of the conflict”, a party source said — an injuries while the rest Charles de Gaulle after World War II, faces one of the account confirmed by both Fillon and Cope loyal- were unhurt. Fishermen worst crises in its history after accusations of rigging ists in the party. Cope also said he had spoken appeared to have led marred a November 18 election pitting former premier to his mentor at length and denied that Sarkozy the search-and-rescue Francois Fillon against hardline rival Cope. wanted a revote. operation. Cope, an ally of former president Nicolas Sarkozy, “This is what is being attributed to him. I have not In June 2009, a Yemeni yesterday brushed aside Sarkozy’s suggestion — personally heard him say that,” he said. Cope said Airbus 310-300 plunged reported by several informed sources — for a fresh under party statutes a new election would take at into the Indian Ocean ballot, as his defeated rival also dug in his heels. “The least six months to allow time for campaigning. “The in bad weather off the time is not right in the heat of the moment, in the time has now come to prepare for the future, to see Comoros archipelago, kill- bitterness ...to say we must vote again right away,” how the statutes can be modified” to make the party ing 152 people who were on Cope said on France Info radio. play its rightful role as an opposition group, he said. board. But Fillon struck back after a meeting with his AFP REUTERS WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Cameron’s Rice fails to convince Republicans flagship job Lawmakers meet US ambassador to the United Nations, but no headway on Benghazi row scheme is a

WASHINGTON: US envoy by acting CIA director Mike failure: Data to the UN Susan Rice yester- Morell, and fired off an angry day failed to quell a row with riposte afterwards. LONDON: Prime Minister Republican lawmakers over the “Before anybody could make an David Cameron’s 5-billion- attack on a US mission in Libya intelligent decision about promot- pound flagship scheme to get that may damage her hopes of ing someone involved in Benghazi, the long-term unemployed becoming the next secretary we need to do a lot more,” said into work found jobs for fewer of state. Graham. than three in every 100 Britons After hour-long talks, the law- “All I can tell you, that the con- referred to it in its first year, makers dug in their heels saying cerns I have are greater today statistics published yesterday they were more troubled than than they were before. We’re not showed. ever over the US administration’s even close to getting the basic The Work Programme, which is explanation, led by Rice, about the answers,” he added. completely outsourced to a range September 11 attack on the US None of the senators said they of private, public and voluntary mission in Benghazi. heard anything to change their sector organisations, was intro- Senator John McCain, who minds on Tuesday, and Ayotte duced by the cash-strapped coali- has led the Republican onslaught said, “I would hold her nomination tion government in a bid to move against Rice, said they had had a until I had additional answers to the unemployed into work and off “very candid discussion” but “we questions.” benefits. are significantly troubled by many The meeting came after In the first 12 months of the of the answers that we got and McCain appeared to have sof- scheme, 18,270 people held down some that we didn’t get.” tened his stand on Rice, following jobs for six months, or three He questioned “whether a sharp rebuke from Obama dur- months in more difficult cases, ambassador Rice was prepared ing a press conference last week. out of more than 785,000 people or informed sufficiently in order Asked on Sunday by Fox News referred, an average success rate to give the American people a cor- if Rice could change his mind, of 2.3 percent. rect depiction of the events that McCain said: “Sure. She can. Opposition leader Ed Miliband took place.” I’d give everyone the benefit of called the programme a “mis- President Barack Obama has explaining their position and the erable failure”, adding that a not yet named a replacement actions that they took.” better way to tackle unemploy- for Hillary Clinton, who is set to State Department and FBI ment would be if the government step down as the top US diplo- Sen John McCain (R-AZ) speaks to reporters after meeting with US Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan probes are currently under way paid the wages to employers in mat early next year, but Rice, the Rice, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, yesterday. to find out what happened in exchange for training. current US envoy to the United Benghazi, with the investiga- “What we’ve seen from this Nations, is known to have long three other Americans died, has meeting, Rice admitted for the anyone else in the administra- tion ordered by Clinton due to government today is a failure to coveted the job. been accused by Republicans of first time that the intelligence tion intended to mislead the report its findings some time in reform welfare,” Miliband said. She is widely touted as the misleading the public. community talking points “were American people at any stage in December. Rice, who has had “Welfare bills are going up not favourite to be nominated for the During the talk shows, Rice, incorrect in a key respect: there this process.” close links to Obama since his down, not because of generosity post as Obama reshuffles his cabi- using talking points provided by was no protest or demonstration Several leading Republicans 2008 White House campaign, in relation to welfare from this net heading into his second term the CIA, said it was the govern- in Benghazi.” have said they would oppose appeared to be largely absolved government, but because their in the White House, with veteran ment’s “best assessment” that the “While, we certainly wish that Rice’s nomination, which needs of any blame when the office plans aren’t working.” senator and foreign policy wonk assault appeared to have started we had had perfect informa- to be approved by 60 out of the of the Director of National The Work Programme was John Kerry also in the running. from a “spontaneous” reaction tion just days after the terror- 100-strong Senate. Intelligence confirmed the terms a central part of the coalition But Rice, who went on the by protesters angry at an ama- ist attack, as is often the case, Republican senators Lindsey “Al-Qaeda” and “terrorism” had government’s 2010 agreement, Sunday talk shows five days after teur anti-Muslim video made on the intelligence assessment has Graham and Kelly Ayotte also been removed from the “talking designed to encourage the pri- the Benghazi assault in which American soil. evolved,” she said. Rice insisted attended yesterday’s meeting points” brief she was given. vate sector to take up the slack ambassador Chris Stevens and In a statement after yesterday’s however that “neither I nor with Rice, who was accompanied AFP as the government cut back public sector jobs in a bid to slash the deficit. However, the approach has been seized on by critics who accuse Cameron’s Conservative- Organ transplant US mammography guidelines faulted led government of having an ideological preference for private outsourcing work by companies pioneer dies CHICAGO: Controversial US guide- guidelines in 2009, recommending mam- Cancer Society recommendations. whose main priority revolves lines for mammography issued in mography every two years for women 50 Women over 40 should have annual around making a profit. 2009, calling for screening every two to 74 years old. mammograms. In my book, there’s no The Work Programme is based WASHINGTON: years rather than annually for women Dr Elizabeth Arleo of Weill Medical confusion. I tell my patients, I tell my on a system of payments-by- Dr Joseph Murray over 50 years old, can result in breast College of Cornell University and lead friends and I tell my mother to get results, which the government (pictured), who won the cancers being missed, according to researcher examined the impact of the annual mammograms,” Arleo said in a is intending to roll out to other Nobel Prize for perform- US researchers studying the hotly revised task force guidelines on women telephone interview. “We hope we can parts of the public sector, such as ing the first-ever success- debated topic. aged 40 to 49, and 65 years and older. quell some of the confusion.” prisons. Data for the 14 months ful organ transplant, died This latest study assessing the impact Arleo analysed data on screen- Arleo pointed out that not one of of the programme provided by late on Monday in Boston of revised guidelines issued by the US ing mammography at New York the 16 members of the US Preventive the Department for Work and at the age of 93, his fam- Preventive Services Task Force three Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Services Task Force is a breast surgeon Pensions showed that not a sin- ily said. years ago comes on the back of a chilling Medical Center between 2007 and 2010. or breast imager. Arleo, who presented gle provider had reached the After suffering a stroke analysis published last week in the New Over those four years, 43,351 mammo- her findings at the Radiological Society minimum 5.5 percent target set on Thursday, Murray died England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). grams were performed, leading to the of North America meeting in Chicago, by civil servants when the pro- at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where The NEJM study, using three dec- detection of 205 breast cancers. Nearly dismissed the NEJM analysis, calling gramme launched in June 2011. he conducted the landmark kidney transplant in ades of US government data, found 20 percent of cancers detected with the premise, methods and conclusions The minimum performance 1954. that nearly one in three patients — or screening mammography were found in of the analysis flawed. The NEJM study, target rises sharply to 27.5 per- “We are grateful that we had the opportunity 1.3 million women — whose cancer was women in their 40s. she said, is predicated on the theoretical cent in year two and to 33 percent to have a wonderful Thanksgiving together as a detected through routine mammograms “In our book, it seems unaccept- idea that all women get screened, but in in year three, targets that provid- family — four generations of Murrays — and we was treated for a tumour that may not able to miss 19 percent of breast can- reality, only about one-third of women ers believe they can reach. One will cherish the many happy memories we have of have been life threatening. cers, half of which were invasive,” she over 65 years old actually get screened. provider in the west of England, this remarkable man,” his son Rick Murray said. Routine screening has traditionally said, noting that “invasive” cancers are The method is flawed because JHP Group, found sustainable Born on April 1, 1919 in Milford, Massachusetts, been recommended by the task force more advanced because they reside in researchers combined data from women jobs for just 2.4 percent of those Murray traced his interest in the emerging science and the American Cancer Society for all the breast tissues and not just the milk with breast cancer in the milk ducts with referred. Larger companies such of transplants to the three years he spent on the women over the age of 40. The American ducts, considered to be the earliest form those who had small invasive cancers, as G4S and Serco performed mar- surgical ward of an army hospital in Pennsylvania Cancer Society has not changed its of breast cancer. thereby falsely diminishing the results ginally better but still missed the during World War II. AFP stance, but the task force issued new “Our findings favour the American for late-stage cancers. REUTERS targets by some way. REUTERS

Kuwait’s Emir in Britain Four US women soldiers sue military over ban

LOS ANGELES: A group of US or any other generalisation. It has servicewomen is suing Defence everything to do with heart, char- Secretary Leon Panetta over acter, ability, determination and the Pentagon’s long-standing dedication,” she said in a state- policy barring women from ment announcing the lawsuit. thousands of ground com- “This policy is an injustice to bat positions, they announced the women who have come before yesterday. us and who continue to put their Four female soldiers, including lives on the line for their country.” two who won Purple Hearts for Women are still barred from bravery in action in Afghanistan, ground combat units, although slammed the policy as an “injus- female troops have found them- tice to the women ... who continue selves in combat anyway over the to put their lives on the line for past decade in Afghanistan and their country.” Iraq, with more than 140 killed “Ever since I was a little girl I on the battlefield. wanted to be an Air Force pilot, They are banned from infantry, and I have proven my ability every armour units and special forces step of the way,” said Major Mary because the military maintains Jennings Hegar, a rescue helicop- that female recruits lack the ter pilot who flew Medevac mis- upper body strength to carry out sions in Afghanistan. the tasks required in those units. Her aircraft was shot down in The lawsuit was filed yesterday 2009 while rescuing three injured in federal court in San Francisco, soldiers, and she had to engage by the four servicewomen and the in combat, returning fire and Service Women’s Action Network, sustaining shrapnel wounds. She represented by the American was awarded the Purple Heart Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and and Distinguished Flying Cross law firm Munger, Tolles& Olson. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II with the Emir of Kuwait, H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, with Valor. It cites Panetta as the defend- on his arrival at the Windsor Castle, southern England, yesterday. “The ability to serve in combat ant, according to a copy of has very little to do with gender the lawsuit. AFP WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Manila misusing UN sea law, says China Beijing unwilling to join Manila in going before an international tribunal to validate and defend its claims

MANILA: China accused the dominates the sea.” territorial sovereignty enshrined China to withdraw their vessels declaration of maritime space in it is not taking sides in territorial Philippines of misinterpret- “Coastal states derive their in the UN Charter,” he said. from Panatag Shoal and respect violation of international law. disputes, China by now is already ing and abusing the United sovereign rights and jurisdiction The Department of Foreign the Philippines’ EEZ. However, Hernandez told reading between the lines in so far Nations Convention on the over EEZs from their territorial Affairs (DFA) said China’s 9-dash Based on UNCLOS and the reporters the Philippines will be as the US action is concerned, the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in sovereignty,” he said. “UNCLOS line claim is an excessive declara- Declaration on the Conduct of accepting Chinese passports for documentary said. making its claim over Panatag does not have any provision to tion of maritime space, which is Parties in the South China Sea visa application through normal US Secretary of State Hilary (Scarborough) Shoal. change a country’s sovereignty a violation of international law. (DOC), Aquino called on all par- process while an interagency Clinton herself openly declared However, China is unwilling over territorial land, let alone DFA spokesperson Raul ties to respect the EEZ and con- committee is still discussing the in July before the Asian regional to join the Philippines in going empowering any nation to extend Hernandez said the Philippines tinental shelf of all coastal states issue. forum in Vietnam that the US before an international tribunal its EEZs to include territories of has sovereignty over the rock irrespective of their size or naval had a national interest in main- to validate and defend its claims. other countries.” features of Bajo de Masinloc or power, he added. US INVOLVEMENT taining freedom of navigation in Zhang Hua, Chinese embassy Zhang said UNCLOS can- Panatag on the basis of effec- Last week, the Philippines pro- The US will block China’s the area. spokesman, said the Philippines not serve as a basis for a coun- tive occupation and effective tested China’ sprinting of a map encompassing territorial claim The documentary quoted cannot use UNCLOS as a basis try to claim sovereignty over jurisdiction. of the West Philippine Sea (South to protect its interests in the Clinton as declaring that the to claim that Panatag Shoal is Panatag Shoal, which China calls “Philippine sovereign rights China Sea) in new Chinese elec- West Philippine Sea, according South China Sea disputes must within the country’s exclusive Huangyan island. over the exclusive economic zone tronic passports. to a University of the Southern be resolved in a collaborative dip- economic zone (EEZ). “In this context, ignoring and continental shelf in Bajo A diplomatic note was sent to California documentary. lomatic process without coercion “Clearly, the Philippines here the fact Huangyan Island has de Masinloc are governed by the Chinese embassy to protest In a video showing entitled: and that Washington will oppose has misinterpreted and misap- always belonged to China, the UNCLOS,” he said. the inclusion of the 9-dash lines “The South China: Troubled the use or threat of force by any plied UNCLOS on the basis of Philippines’ EEZs-based terri- “The Philippines demands in the e-passports of China as Waters” at the USC’s US-China party in settling the issue. “To me its own interests, which is con- torial claim to the detriment of that China respect the terri- such image covers an area that Institute, Dan Lynch, school of that’s a sharp rebuke on China’s trary to international law and to China’s territorial sovereignty is tory and maritime domain of the is clearly part of the Philippine international relations associate position. The US contests and will UNCLOS.” not only a misinterpretation and Philippines.” territory and maritime domain. professor, said the US will oppose potentially seek to block China’s Zhang said it has been an abuse of UNCLOS, but also repre- Foreign Affairs Secretary The Philippines does not any use or threat of force in claim over most of the South established basic principle of sents a violation of the fundamen- Albert del Rosario said that accept the validity of the 9-dash resolving the territorial disputes. China Sea,” Lynch said. international law that “the land tal principle of the inviolability of President Aquino has called on lines that amount to an excessive While the US has declared that THE PHILIPPINE STAR Massacre suspect Thai ‘Red Shirt’ leaders to go on trial

BANGKOK: Thai leaders of the previous government of being provoke them. They saw more “Red Shirt” opposition protests undemocratic because it took and more people injured and that rocked Bangkok in 2010 office in 2008 through a par- dying. The situation was already are set to stand trial tomor- liamentary vote, after a court very heated,” Nattawut told a row for terrorism, in a case that stripped Thaksin’s allies of power. reporter in an interview. risks inflaming the kingdom’s The Red Shirt movement lead- After the May crackdown, pro- political tensions. ers, most of whom surrendered to test leaders asked their support- The 24 accused, who include police after the government sent ers to disperse, but authorities five current lawmakers, could in armoured vehicles and troops accused hardcore demonstrators in theory face the death penalty firing live rounds, say they are of setting fire to dozens of build- for their roles in the demonstra- confident they can prove their ings, including a shopping mall tions, which at their height drew innocence. and the stock exchange. around 100,000 people, mostly “In many countries, those in The leaders pleaded not guilty supporters of ousted ex-premier power will find any accusations to in August 2010 to terrorism Thaksin Shinawatra. support their use of force against charges. Their trial is expected to About 90 people were killed and the people,” said top Red Shirt last months or even years because nearly 1,900 were wounded in a Nattawut Saikuar, now deputy hearings can only be held when series of street clashes between commerce minister in Prime parliament is not in session as sit- demonstrators and security Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s ting lawmakers have immunity. forces, which culminated in a cabinet. No government or military offi- bloody military crackdown. Two He denied the protest leaders cials who oversaw the riots have foreign journalists were among incited their followers to cause been charged over the deaths, those killed. violence. prompting accusations by the Red The Reds were demanding “I’m certain that the protest- Shirts of double standards. AFP immediate elections, accusing ers did not need any speeches to Filipino Bong Andal (centre), a suspect in an election-related crime known as the ‘Maguindanao Massacre,’ being escorted by authorities at the Manila airport in Philippines yesterday. Sri Lanka lawyers demand Bangladesh hunts owner after factory fire UN expresses concern over quashing of impeachment DHAKA: Bangladeshi police is the mainstay of the poverty- Ashulia industrial area, home hunted a fugitive factory boss stricken country’s economy. to about 500 factories who sew Myanmar unrest yesterday after claims that Dhaka police chief Habibur clothing for global retailers. COLOMBO: Sri Lankan law- there was not an “iota” of truth workers making cheap clothes Rahman said officers wanted Witnesses said around 1,000 UNITED NATIONS: A com- yers have asked the Supreme in allegations against her. for Western firms including to interrogate Tazreen’s owner workers took part in the march, mittee of the UN General Court to declare parliament’s The Supreme Court has asked Walmart were told that an Delwar Hossain about alleged holding black flags and chanting Assembly expressed serious con- impeachment of the chief justice that the hearings be suspended alarm for a deadly fire was a violations of building rules after slogans demanding justice for the cern over violence in Myanmar illegal, a legal spokesman said pending its decision on the legal- routine drill. inspectors found the nine-storey victims as well as denouncing the between Rohingya Muslims and yesterday, a move that could ity of the process. About 1,000 workers took part factory only had permission for “death trap” working conditions. Buddhists and called upon the trigger a constitutional crisis. But parliament has insisted in a second day of demonstra- three floors. On Monday, several thousand government to address reports The influential Bar Association it was supreme and could not tions against dangerous factory “We shall also quiz him about workers held marches in Ashulia of human rights abuses by some representing the country’s 11,000 be dictated to by the judiciary. conditions as the country held a allegations from survivors that his demanding Hossain’s arrest. authorities. lawyers has petitioned the Ruling party legislators have also national day of mourning for the managers did not allow the work- Bangladesh is the world’s sec- The 193-nation General Supreme Court to rule against warned the Supreme Court not 110 killed in the inferno. ers to leave the factory when the ond largest clothes exporter with Assembly’s Third Committee, the impeachment by a parliamen- to interfere. Green and red Bangladeshi fire broke out,” Rahman said. overseas garment sales topping which focuses on rights issues, tary panel, the spokesman for the The impeachment hear- flags flew at half mast alongside “As the smoke spread, the man- $19bn last year, or 80 percent of approved by consensus a non- association said. ing against the 54-year-old black flags on top of government agers even told the workers that national exports. binding resolution, which It was the first time the main Bandaranayake, Sri Lanka’s first offices and the nation’s 4,500 gar- it was a fire drill, nothing to be Forty percent of Bangladesh’s Myanmar said contained a “litany professional legal body had united female chief justice, is due to ment factories. afraid of.” industrial workforce is employed of sweeping allegations, accuracies to oppose the move against reconvene on December 4. Two government inquiries Police had opened a mur- in the sector but conditions are of which have yet to be verified.” Shirani Bandaranayake, which “It is an unconstitutional have already been set up to try der investigation as a result often basic and safety standards Outbreaks of violence between has raised international concern interference with the judiciary, a to establish the cause of the fire of criminal negligence at the low. ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and the that the government is trying to disregard of the rule of law, and which broke out late Saturday at plant, Rahman added. “We have Around 700 garment work- Rohingyas have killed dozens and control the judiciary the violation of the fundamental the Tazreen factory 30 kilometres launched a search for him and the ers have been killed in dozens displaced thousands since June. A parliamentary committee rights of the bar,” Bar Association (20 miles) outside Dhaka. managers but so far we have not of fires since 2006, according to Rights groups also have accused on Friday held the first day of head Wijedasa Rajapakse told It was the worst ever fire to hit been able to trace them.” the Clean Clothes Campaign, an Myanmar forces of killing, raping a closed-door hearing against reporters. Bangladesh’s garment industry, The search was launched as Amsterdam-based rights group. and arresting Rohingyas after the Bandaranayake, who has said AFP which employs three million and a fresh protest was held in the AFP riots. Myanmar said it exercised “maximum restraint” to quell the violence. Campaign speech The UN resolution “expressing particular concern about the situ- ation of the Rohingya minority in Japan, N Korea diplomats Rakhine state, urges the govern- ment to take action to bring about an improvement in their situation to meet again in Beijing and to protect all their human rights, including their right to a TOKYO: Senior Japanese and They held two-day talks in the nationality.” North Korean diplomats will Mongolian capital Ulan Bator in At least 800,000 Muslim meet in Beijing in December mid-November in the first senior- Rohingya live in Rakhine State following rare talks earlier this level meeting between the two along the coast of western month, Tokyo’s top spokesman nations in four years. Myanmar. But Buddhist Rakhines said yesterday. After the meeting, Sugiyama and other Burmese view them as The talks will be held on said the atmosphere was “not illegal immigrants from neigh- December 5-6, Chief Cabinet acerbic.” bouring Bangladesh who deserve Secretary Osamu Fujimura said. “It was direct, serious and very neither rights nor sympathy. Top of the agenda is expected rich in substance. We discussed a The Myanmar mission to the to be North Korea’s kidnap- wide range of subjects in depth,” UN told the Third Committee ping of Japanese nationals in Sugiyama told the reporters at that while it accepted the resolu- the Cold War era and its arms that time. tion, it objected to the Rohingya programme, amid media reports The countries do not have dip- being referred to as a minority. that Pyongyang is preparing for lomatic ties and have long been “There has been no such eth- a long-range missile test. at odds, with Tokyo pressing nic group as Rohingya among Japan’s top negotiator will be Pyongyang to come clean over past the ethnic groups of Myanmar,” Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (second right), who is also leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Shinsuke Sugiyama and North abductions of Japanese nationals a representative of Myanmar’s Japan, delivers a stump speech on a campaign van in Tokyo yesterday, ahead of the December 16 election. Korea will be represented by Song and its nuclear ambitions. UN mission said. Il-Ho. AFP REUTERS WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Security pact Taliban militants killed with US to be flexible: Karzai Afghan president gives no details

KABUL: Afghan President United States of using predic- Hamid Karzai hinted yes- tions by the Western media and terday that his government analysts of post-2014 chaos to put would be flexible in negotiat- pressure on his government “to ing “sensitive” issues in a new surrender to their demands”. He security pact with the United vowed to “stand firm”. States. Negotiations on the security Karzai did not spell out what pact were launched this month issues he was referring to, but negotiators said the immunity but one of the most sensitive issue was not discussed in the first questions involves immunity round. from local prosecution for US President Barack Obama is troops remaining in Afghanistan weighing plans to keep roughly after Nato forces withdraw in 10,000 US troops in Afghanistan 2014. after the Nato-led force hands Washington recalled all its over security to the Afghan gov- troops from Iraq after Baghdad ernment, a senior US official said refused to grant US soldiers this week. immunity, and Karzai has in the The troop levels under consid- Afghan National Police (ANP) officials load bodies of Taliban militants onto a vehicle in Laghman yesterday. Some 20 Taliban militants were killed past warned there could be simi- eration remain tentative but the in an overnight operation in Laghman province in eastern Afghanistan. lar problems in Afghanistan. official, who spoke on condition But in a speech to industrialists of anonymity, said options under and businessmen in Kabul, the consideration range from 6,000 Rights group president suggested that a deal to 15,000 American boots on the Taliban claim bid to kill Pakistan TV host would be reached. ground. “With the Americans we will The follow-on force would carry PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s Jang, was criticised by the prominence for working in the urges judges make a deal in which neither the out counter-terrorism operations umbrella Taliban faction Taliban last month in the wake interest of Islam and Muslims. skewer burns nor the kebab,” he against al Qaeda and provide claimed responsibility yester- of the shooting of teenage activist We targeted him because now to stop said, referring to an Afghan prov- training and logistical support for day for planting a bomb under Malala Yousafzai. he is working against Islam and erb on a settlement which ben- Afghan forces, Defence Secretary the car of a prominent journalist “Life and death is in the hands Muslims,” he said. censoring media efits both parties equally. Leon Panetta has said. and TV anchorman and threat- of Allah. Allah saved his life but Police said the device -- half a “Where they are sensitive, we The United States has about ened a second assassination bid. we will make a similar attempt kilogram of explosives fitted with ISLAMABAD: An interna- shouldn’t touch too much, but we 66,000 troops in Nato’s total force Hamid Mir, who hosts prime- again,” Tehreek-e-Taliban spokes- a detonator -- was found stuck tional human rights group should consider our interests 100 in Afghanistan of slightly more time show Capital Talk on Geo man Ehsanullah Ehsan said by tel- under his car in Pakistan’s capital urged Pakistan judges yester- percent,” he said. than 100,000. television and writes a column ephone from an unknown location. Islamabad on Monday. day to stop using their powers But Karzai also accused the AFP for the biggest-selling newspaper “Hamid Mir earlier shot into AFP to censor media critical of the judiciary. Over the last two months, judges have threatened several media executives and journalists with contempt of court if they published reports criticising the Billions in taxpayer money untraceable in Pakistan judiciary, New York-based Human Rights Watch said. ISLAMABAD: A huge sum of of Consolidated Federal and The untraceable amount The government’s budget is budget of Rs22bn in just three “Judges have no special immunity Rs88.7bn is untraceable in the Provincial Budgetary Operations makes 9.1 percent of the total based on cash accounts and previ- and half months. from criticism,” said Brad Adams, official books. are understated, according to a expenditures of Rs975.9bn that ous transactions are not reported The finance ministry’s own the group’s Asia director. “Unless The federal government of report by the Express Tribune were incurred during the first in the new fiscal year. reports suggested that the fed- they want to be seen as instru- Pakistan does not have any newspaper. quarter, according to the official The reported figures also eral development spending was ments of coercion and censorship, clue about roughly one-tenth The finance ministry has documents. undermine the authenticity of the over Rs60bn. they should immediately revoke of the total expenditures that it released the summary of fiscal This is not for the first time entire budget. The discrepancies, giving rise these curbs on free expression.” incurred during the first three operations for the period July- that big amounts are untraceable The summary shows that gov- to doubts of irregularities, are Last week, an Islamabad High months of the current financial September of the fiscal year in the official books; however, the ernment’s development spending despite the fact that the Rs5.6bn Court judge extended an order to year. 2012-13. In the summary, a sum figure is alarming this time. In the during the first quarter remained Project to Improve Financial the media regulatory authority to This also puts a question mark of Rs88.7bn has been described as fiscal year 2010-11, Rs32.4bn was at Rs30.3bn. Reporting and Auditing (PIFRA) halt the airing of programming over authenticity of the entire ‘statistical discrepancy’ a euphe- reported as untraceable, whereas, Contrary to this figure, Prime has in place for the last many critical of Chief Justice Iftikhar fiscal operations since the num- mism that the finance ministry by end of the last fiscal year it Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf spent years. Chaudhry and the judiciary. bers reported in the Summary uses for untraceable chunks. swelled to Rs69.9bn. his entire annual discretionary INTERNEWS Supreme Court officials could not immediately be reached for comment. The judiciary, led by Anti-Israel protest Chaudhry, has become a power centre in Pakistan’s young democracy that has been ruled by 250,000 child deaths in the military for more than half its 65-year history. Critics contend Chaudhry has Pakistan every year pitted the Supreme Court against civilian and military leaders, ISLAMABAD: The quality textile and sugar industries. Only a distracting attention from the of drinking water in Pakistan marginal number of industries con- urgent task of reforming a bro- being supplied to the people is duct environmental assessments. ken judiciary. The Supreme Court yet to meet international stand- The sugarcane-based industry, has about 20,000 cases pending ards due to which waterborne the second largest in the country, and there is a backlog of about 1.4 diseases are on the rise in most is a major cause of industrial water million cases nationally, according parts of the country. pollution. The problem of indus- to a US State Department report. An estimated 250,000 child trial water pollution has remained Of those cases that reach court, deaths occur each year in Pakistan uncontrolled because there have only 5-10 percent result in convic- due to waterborne diseases. Apart been little or no incentives for tion, according to a 2010 report by from the human losses, these dis- industry to treat their effluents. the International Crisis Group on eases are responsible for substan- The experts opined that with reforming the justice system. tial economic losses. this situation in mind, water and Prosecutors are underpaid and According to a report major sanitation providers being mainly overwhelmed and judges rely industrial contributors to water public sector organisations, there almost entirely on oral statements pollution in Pakistan are the pet- is a great constraint in providing rather than physical evidence. REUTERS rochemicals, paper and pulp, food the quality of service expected. Afghan university students shout slogans against the US and Afghan governments during a protest against INTERNEWS processing, tanneries, refineries, Israel’s recent offensive in the Gaza Strip, in Jalalabad, yesterday. Four Pakistanis, including three females, among global thinkers

WASHINGTON: The pres- of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry, Now, after a career defending She found out what standing tigious US magazine Foreign Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan and Pakistan’s deeply unpopular ties up to them means in Pakistan’s Policy has included four current ambassador to the US, to the United States, Haqqani is parliament, where she was a lead- Pakistanis in its list of Top Sherry Rehman, have also been beginning to think it’s time for a ing voice calling for the repeal of 100 Global Thinkers for 2012, featured in the Top 100 Global geopolitical divorce. “If in 65 years, the country’s blasphemy laws an a list that included people like Thinkers lists by Foreign Policy. you haven’t been able to find suf- explosive cause that has cost sev- Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, According to the FP, Husain ficient common ground to live eral of Pakistan’s leading liberal Barack Obama, Turkish Haqqani and Farahnaz Ispahani together, and you had three sepa- politicians their lives at the hands Prime Minister Recep Tayyip have spent their careers fighting rations and four reaffirmations of of radical killers, according to the Erdogan and Myanmar’s Aung the slow-motion radicalisation marriage, then maybe the better magazine. San Suu-Kyi. of Pakistan even as it became way is to find friendship outside Foreign Policy said of Haqqani Former Pakistani ambassador increasingly obvious that the of the marital bond,” Haqqani, a and Ispahani, Their outspoken- to the United States Professor deck was stacked against them. scholar of the Pakistani military, ness has had its own cost: Haqqani Husain Haqqani and his wife The husband and wife, now in said in August. was forced to resign as Pakistan’s Farahnaz Ispahani have both been self-imposed exile in the United Ispahani, meanwhile, has tried ambassador to Washington and honoured ‘for pushing tough love Malala Yousafzai States, were two of Islamabad’s to push Pakistan toward a frank was hauled before a Pakistani for their troubled country.’ most prominent interlocutors discussion of its internal demons. court over allegations that he had Malala Yousafzai has been speech is not blasphemy.’ the thinking of the international with Washington as jihadists The real struggle in Pakistan, she sought US help to head off a pos- nominated for ‘standing up to the The Foreign Policy magazine’s community. According to the spread throughout Pakistan’s wrote this year, is the systematic sible military coup, while Ispahani Taliban and everything they rep- Top 100 Global Thinkers list is magazine, it reflects the global tribal areas and Osama bin Laden elimination of anyone who stands was stripped of her seat in parlia- resent.’ Pakistani Internet activ- published annually. It lists peo- marketplace of ideas and the was discovered a mile away from up to the country’s generals, ment, ostensibly because she holds ist Sana Saleem has been added ple whom the magazine’s editors thinkers who make them. the country’s version of West who have created ‘a militarised dual US-Pakistani nationality. to the list ‘for insisting that free consider as having influenced In previous years, Chief Justice Point. Islamist state.’ INTERNEWS WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17 UPA has the numbers, London mayor mocks France says PM after FDI meet over Mittal comments NEW DELHI: London Mayor Boris Johnson joked yesterday that left-wing revolutionaries Government can win vote in the House if SP, BSP abstain had taken control of France and were driving investors NEW DELHI: The UPA is Congress strategists have been was a compulsion for the UPA away, adding that the British sure of its numbers in the wooing other political parties to government to continue, he said. capital was happy to welcome Lok Sabha, Prime Minister vote for the decision. Though there is no danger fleeing businessmen. Manmohan Singh said yester- Besides Manmohan Singh, oth- to the government if it loses On Monday, French Industrial day after alliance partners met ers who took part in the meet- the vote as it is not a finan- Renewal Minister Arnaud here to thrash out a consensus ing included UPA chairperson cial issue, it could be a political Montebourg said he did not on foreign direct investment Sonia Gandhi, Congress general embarrassment. want steel giant ArcelorMittal, (FDI) in multi-brand retail, an secretary Rahul Gandhi, Defence Congress is the largest party controlled by India-born tycoon issue that has stalled parlia- Minister A K Antony, Home in the UPA with 206 MPs. The Lakshmi Mittal, in the coun- ment for four days. Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and DMK has 18 MPs. Both houses of try any more because it did not “Yes, we are confident of the political secretary to Congress parliament were disrupted for the “respect” France. numbers,” the prime minister told president Ahmed Patel. fourth day yesterday as the oppo- Johnson, on a trip to India reporters after the UPA meet- The meeting had been called sition continued protests against where he is drumming up ing here. Parliamentary Affairs as UPA partner DMK had some the policy on allowing foreign investments in Britain, said he Minister Kamal Nath told report- reservations relating to FDI in investment in retail. had been amazed by the state- ers: “The UPA is firmly united multi-brand retail and wanted After the Trinamool Congress ment which he read in the and all constituents said they are the UPA to discuss it. (19 MPs) pulled out two months Indian press. behind the government on any Before the meeting, DMK ago over the decision to allow “I see the sans-culottes debate in the parliament.” chief M Karunanidhi said his foreign direct investment (FDI), appear to have captured the gov- According to the minister, the party will go in favour of FDI in the United Progressive Alliance ernment in Paris. The French larger sense at the all party meet retail in parliament if there is a (UPA) now has 245 members. minister has been so eccentric on the issue on Monday was for a debate followed by voting to stop The strength of the opposition to call for a massive investment debate and not for a vote. “I will a “communal” BJP from coming National Democratic Alliance to depart from France. consult the Speaker on the issue,” to power. This added to the con- (NDA) is 150, and the Left parties “I have no hesitation in say- he said. “The government is not fidence of the UPA, said govern- have 24 seats. Among other par- ing here, ‘Venez à Londres, mes averse to discussion under any ment sources. ties, Biju Janata Dal with 14 seats, amis!’ (Come to London, my rule. We are not concerned about “There is no denying...The pos- AIADMK with nine seats and the friends),” he told a meeting of voting,” Kamal Nath said after sibility of the United Progressive Telugu Desam Party with six seats business leaders in the capital Mayor of London, Boris Johnson (left), with a memento presented by the one-and-a-half hour meeting Alliance (UPA) government fall- have said they will vote against New Delhi. Chairman of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the parliament library building. ing if the debate on FDI in retail government. The Trinamool sof- “Come to the business capital (FICCI) International Council, Harshpati Singhania , in New Delhi yesterday. “Majority favoured debate is taken under Rule 184 of parlia- tened its stand on the debate on of the world,” Johnson added. under any rule. I will apprise ment as demanded by BJP and Monday but is expected to vote The “sans-culottes,” meaning (the) speaker. Let her decide,” other parties,” Karunanidhi said against government. Though without “knee breeches”, were London Olympics, added that world’s richest people, is engaged Kamal Nath said. The opposition in a statement from Chennai. extending outside support to the the most militant supporters of a giant steel sculpture built by in a fight with French ministers BJP and the Left want a discus- Stressing that the party was government, the Samajwadi Party the French Revolution at the ArcelorMittal for the Games over plans to close a plant in the sion on the issue with voting to against FDI in retail, Karunanidhi (22 seats) and the Bahujan Samaj end of the 18th century. symbolised the friendship traditional heartland of France’s prove that the government does said “communal parties” like the Party (21 seats) have opposed FDI Johnson, a gaffe-prone poli- between London and India. steel industry in the eastern not have majority support in the BJP would take advantage of the in retail. However, the two parties tician whose popularity has Lakshmi Mittal, who ranks Lorraine region. house. situation if the government col- may abstain from voting and help soared after the successful 21st on the Forbes list of the AFP In a move to outsmart the BJP, lapsed. Given this situation, there the government. IANS

Police arrest Pakistani living in Police officials suspended over Facebook arrests India for 38 years MUMBAI: Two police officials Nov 17 and when he was given a chief, Senior Inspector Shrikant the girls’ arrest, released them on Deputy Superintendent of Police involved in two girls’ arrest for ceremonial cremation the next Pingle, also be suspended and a a bail against a bond of Rs.15,000 Vijaykant Sagar said from Boisar. JAIPUR: An 84-year-old man their Facebook comments on day. Her friend Renu, who had departmental inquiry be ordered each. “I have been assigned the case was arrested in Rajasthan’s the Mumbai shutdown after ‘liked’ the Facebook comment, against him too,” he added. Earlier yesterday, it was only three days back. It is prema- Sikar district, 38 years after Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb was also taken into custody. Patil said that Additional revealed that the case has been ture to comment on the findings he illegally came to India from Thackeray’s death earlier this “Based on the report submit- Superintendent of Police (Thane moved out of the Palghar police yet,” he added. A first informa- Pakistan and settled down month were suspended and ted by the Inspector General Rural) Sangram Nishandar has station in Maharashtra’s Thane tion report (FIR) was registered under a disguise, police said others warned, Maharashtra of Konkan Range (Sukhvinder been warned. Nishandhar is district, about 100km from against Shaheen and her friend yesterday. Home Minister R R Patil said Singh), it has been decided that alleged to have played a major Mumbai, where it was lodged. Renu for the comments that “hurt The man, identified as Ummed yesterday. the superintendent of police role in siding with the Shiv Sena With the issue raising a nation- religious sentiments”. A second Khan, got married, acquired all On November 18, police (Thane Rural) be suspended and and ensuring the arrests of the wide controversy, the case was FIR was registered by Shaheen’s identification documents includ- arrested Shaheen Dadha, who a departmental probe be ordered two girls. transferred to the district’s Boisar uncle Abdul, whose hospital was ing a passport and bought agri- posted a comment on her against him,” Patil told reporters The Bombay High Court has police station, about 15km from vandalised by alleged Shiv Sainiks culture land to pose as a farmer, Facebook questioning the shut- here. “Similarly, it has also been also acted in the case and trans- Palghar. “Yes, I have been asked after the Facebook post. they added. Khan was detained down after Thackeray’s death decided that the Palghar police ferred the magistrate who, after to lead the inquiry on both FIRs,” IANS Monday evening from his house in Ramgarh Sekhawati area, some 150km from Jaipur. Fire breathing demo “We learnt that Khan was into suspicious activities in the area. He was questioned. It came up that he was illegally staying in India for 38 years,” a police officer said. He had come to visit his brother, Haqam Ali, in 1954 and 1956. On the second trip, he disap- peared. However, he was traced by police in 1971. He was convicted and deported to Pakistan in 1974 after he completed his sentance. But it seems he returned to India a couple of years later and settled down in Ramgarh Shekhawati. 2G scam biggest in my tenure: CBI director

A Sikh Nihang -warrior- performs a fire breathing act at a demonstration of gatka skills during a proces- NEW DELHI: Outgoing Central Bureau of Investigation sion from Sri Akal Takhat to the Golden Temple on the eve of the 543rd birth anniversary of Sri Guru (CBI) director Amar Pratap Nanak, in Amritsar, yesterday. Singh yesterday said the 2G spectrum allocation case was the biggest and most compli- Jethmalani hits out at Gadkari cated in the two years of his tenure. “...I had to handle several cases, NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha and asked to explain why he At the same time, he made including the 2G scam, Adarsh member Ram Jethmalani should not be expelled from a scathing attack on Jaitley case, Commonwealth Games case, yesterday again hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party for and Sushma Swaraj, saying he against high-profiled accused. BJP president Nitin Gadkari “anti-party” activities. A vocal would not accept any unilateral Among them, 2G spectrum allo- along with Arun Jaitley and critic of Gadkari, Jethmalani order framed by them. He also cation scam was the biggest in Sushma Swaraj while declar- got into trouble vis-a-vis the accused all three of them of terms of its complications,” Singh ing that he was ready to face BJP after he questioned the damaging the BJP’s interests said reporters here. expulsion from the party. attack on the government by by their conduct. “I cannot Singh, who retires on November The noted lawyer also told Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj over account for their lack of wis- 30 after two eventful tenures as the media that he had sent a the appointment of a new CBI dom,” he said. “Even a Congress CBI director, said he could not letter to Gadkari that he would director, Ranjit Sinha. agent won’t be able to do such ascribe any loss figure to 2G not be able to reply to the show Yesterday, Jethmalani said he work (to benefit the Congress). scam. He also said that under his cause notice served on him stood by his defence of Sinha, “I am clear that their actions tenure, the CBI attempted to be within 10 days and sought time adding it was a wise govern- have enormously damaged the transparent and open. till December 31. ment decision. “For a change, BJP’s reputation, have caused “We have attempted to be as Insisting that he had the this PM has done a good job. irretrievable harm to the party. transparent and open in the right to speak freely on any By appointing Sinha, he has Today the common man says functioning. In the two years we issue, he said: “Opposition does stopped a tainted officer from there is no difference between have by and large tried to keep not mean opposition for the taking up the job of CBI direc- the Congress and the BJP.” these commitments. My tenure sake of opposition. I am a man tor,” he said. This, he said, could Asked if he was targeting was marked by complex special- of common sense and intelli- not be interpreted as a criticism Gadkari, Jethmalani said: “All ised high-profile investigations to gence. I have a right to express of the two BJP leaders in the two three of them, Gadkari in par- probe corruption and crime,” he myself.” houses of parliament. “Where ticular.” He defiantly added: “I added. Jethmalani was served the is the question of assault on am ready for expulsion.” IANS formal notice on Monday Jaitley and Sushma (Swaraj)?” IANS

Wednesday 28 November 2012 14 Muharram 1434 Volume 17 Number 5532 Price: QR2

QIB wins Qatar bourse Al Dhameen dips by 28.29 awards points

Business | 22 Business | 23

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

Vodafone Rayyan Bank Industries NakilatQatar Islamic Barwa Gulf HoldingComm. Bank Int. Islamic Qatar Bank of Qatar Bank

126,492 8.55 277,775 26.30 247,432 150.60136,043 15.15 56,131 75.70 145,963 27.50 84,071 22.85 48,458 72.70 21,654 52.10

Five QInvest senior Growth set for sharp slowdown: OECD managers leave following CEO Eurozone crisis remains greatest threat to world economy; growth forecast cut to 3.4pc DOHA: Five senior managers at QInvest, the Qatari invest- PARIS: Global growth is set from 4.2 percent. Another threat 17-nation bloc is “projected to They pointed to falling house- product (GDP) is now expected to ment bank forming a joint ven- for a sharp slowdown next year to business activity worldwide is remain in or near recession until hold and business confidence expand by 1.6 and 0.7 percent this ture with Egypt’s EFG-Hermes, and the eurozone debt crisis a potentially catastrophic budget well into 2013,” the report said. that led to a payoff of debts and year and next, down from 2.0 and have left the firm following the “remains the greatest threat to standoff in the United States, OECD economies are expected said the climate was also morose 1.5 percent, while the eurozone departure of its former chief the world economy at present,” where automatic tax increases to expand by 1.4 percent in 2012 because “unemployment is set to economy is tipped to contract by executive last week, QInvest the OECD warned yesterday. and spending cuts are to take and 2013, and then pick up to a remain high or even rise further 0.4 and 0.1 percent. said in a statement yesterday. In its latest Economic Outlook, effect in January unless Democrat pace of 2.3 percent in 2014. in many countries.” That compared with the ear- The heads of investment bank- drafted before the eurozone and and Republican lawmakers can Unemployment is forecast to Emerging economies such as lier OECD eurozone estimate of ing, financial institutions and IMF unblocked almost ¤44bn come to a compromise. rise from 8.0 percent this year to those in Brazil, China and India, a eurozone decline of 0.1 percent structured finance, placement and ($57bn) in emergency loans for The world’s economic fortunes 8.2 percent in 2013 before easing which are not OECD members, this year and growth of 0.9 per- wealth management, corporate Greece, the OECD also cautioned thus hang next year in large part back to 8.0 percent in 2014. would fare better, but were none- cent in 2013. services and risk management that “the risk of a new major on the ability of political leaders Inflation should decline from theless subject to “spillover from Outside the OECD, growth and compliance are no longer contraction cannot be ruled out” in Europe and the US to deal with 2.1 percent in 2012 to 1.7 percent the euro area crisis” that has in Brazil from 2012 to 2014 was with the company, a spokesman after a global slump in 2009. a crippling combination of unsus- next year, and then edge up to 1.9 undermined global trade. put at 1.5, 4.0 and 4.1 percent, in said. The organisation slashed its tainable debt and cramped busi- percent in 2014. “World trade will strengthen China at 7.5, 8.5 and 8.9 percent, Last week QInvest said it had outlook for the 34-member OECD ness activity. “Economic prospects are very only gradually” over the next two and in India at 4.4, 6.5 and 7.1 appointed Tamim Al Kawari as area, which includes most of the The Organisation for Economic uncertain and highly dependent years, the OECD estimated. percent. its chief executive officer, replac- world’s industrialised economies, Cooperation and Development on the risks associated with the A breakdown of its forecasts The eurozone should have the ing Shahzad Shahbaz. Kawari in 2013 to 1.4 percent from a previ- also downgraded its growth esti- nature and timing of policy deci- put growth in the US economy, highest unemployment, with rates was previously QInvest’s deputy ously expected level of 2.2 percent. mates for this year and next for sions related to the euro area the world’s biggest, at 2.2 percent of 11.1 percent and 11.9 percent of CEO and before that served as On a global level, the OECD cut the United States and Japan, and crisis, (and) the US fiscal cliff,” this year and 2.0 percent in 2013, the workforce, an increase from Goldman Sachs’ country head the 2012 growth forecast to 2.9 its data showed that the euro- OECD analysts said in reference compared with the previous fore- the earlier forecasts of 10.8 and for Qatar. percent from 3.4 percent, and its zone recession could be deeper to Washington’s looming budget cast in May of 2.4 and 2.6 percent. 11.1 percent. Last month, QInvest completed estimate for 2013 to 3.4 percent than last forecast in May. The deadline. For Japan, gross domestic AFP a deal with EFG Hermes where the Egyptian investment bank would hive off its investment banking business to create a joint venture in which the Qatari bank would control 60 percent. Nakilat-Keppel wins Power delay threatens Saudi Ship Repair award aluminium output

DOHA: Nakilat-Keppel facility has also been accredited by AL KHOBAR: Saudi Arabia’s Offshore & Marine (N-KOM) ASME (U, U2, PP and S stamps) first aluminium smelter will has bagged the Ship Repair/ and received the National Board reach full production more Shipyard award at the ‘R’ Stamp. slowly than planned due to long Seatrade Middle East & Indian Abu Bakar Mohammed Nor, delays to a power plant it needs Subcontinent Awards 2012 cer- CEO of N-KOM said: “We are very to run flat out, one of the own- emony held at Atlantis The honoured and encouraged that our ers of the $10.8bn complex said Palm in Dubai recently. efforts in ensuring our customers yesterday. The honour comes a month receive premium and comprehen- Saudi Arabian Mining Company after the shipyard was named sive shipyard services have been (Maaden) expects to begin opera- ‘Shipyard of the Year’ at the recognised by the regional mari- tions at the aluminium smelter Lloyd’s List Middle East & Indian time industry. These awards not it shares with US-based Alcoa in Subcontinent Awards 2012 and only mark a milestone in the com- December and has secured some three days after celebrating its pany’s history but also reaffirm our of the huge amounts of electricity second year anniversary. The com- growing presence in the Middle it will need. pany was recently certified by the East. We would not have been But it will be unable to ramp American Petroleum Institute for able to build up our capabilities up to 740,000 tonnes per year of API-Q1 (8th ed), API-2B, API-4F, so rapidly if not for the immense smelting capacity because the ISO/TS 29001 and ISO 9001, all of support we have received from the 2,400-megawatt (MW) power which serve to enhance the ship- government, Qatar Petroleum and N-KOM CEO Abu Bakar Mohammed Nor receiving the award from Executive Vice-President of ClassNK Toshitomo plant due online in October will yards’ suite of services to the oil the Port of Ras Laffan as well as Matsui (left) at the Seatrade Awards ceremony. not be ready until late 2013. and gas industry. Dedicated to our business partners, our valued “The (power) project halt providing world-class services, customers, staff, contractors and I would like to take this oppor- express our deepest gratitude to our sincerest thanks to the share- may cause shortage in the sup- N-KOM has already been certified vendors.” tunity to thank the Minister for Qatar Petroleum and the manage- holders of Nakilat and to the ply of electricity required by the by Det Norkse Veritas (DNV) for Muhammad Ghannam, Energy and Industry H E Dr ment, port staff and employees employees of Nakilat and its joint Maaden Aluminum Company Quality (ISO 9001), Occupational Chairman of N-KOM and Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada for of Ras Laffan Industrial City for ventures and I thank our partner (MAC) at Ras Al Khair,” the Health & Safety (OHSAS 18001) Managing Director of Nakilat, his support, without which this their full and continued support. Keppel for their invaluable sup- company said in a stock market and Environmental Management added: “On behalf of N-KOM and great achievement would not have “This award is a proud achieve- port of N-KOM’s achievements.” statement. (ISO 14001). The ISPS-certified the Nakilat family of companies been possible. I would also like to ment for N-KOM. I also extend THE PENINSULA AGENCIES

Gulf regulators seek guidance on Basel III Britain shows strong growth LONDON: Britain’s economy emerged from recession in the third ABU DHABI: Gulf regulators supervision yesterday. While number of jurisdictions have eve- Basel III. While national regulators quarter with robust growth of 1.0 percent, official data confirmed are seeking advice from a com- the BCBS had hoped Basel III rything in place and are ready to have the authority to decide on the yesterday, in what was set to be only a brief respite from world mittee that wrote stricter rules rules would be adopted glo- go on January 1 2013,” he said. level of additional common equity financial strains. on bank capital being intro- bally on January 1, US authori- Basel III requires the six Gulf tier-one capital, the proposed HLA “UK gross domestic product (GDP) in volume terms increased by one duced on January 1 to ensure ties said earlier this month they Cooperation Council (GCC) would duplicate measures already percent between the second and third quarter of 2012, unrevised from Basel III is applied consistently would delay implementation and states, who have complied with implemented by GCC states, push- the previously published estimate,” the Office for National Statistics in the region. European Union sources told Basel II, to identify so-called ing costs higher, he said. said in a statement. UAE central bank Governor Reuters this week the bloc was domestic systemic important Most gulf banks are well capi- An initial ONS estimate last month showed Britain — a member of the Sultan bin Nasser Al Suwaidi said set to follow suit. banks (D-SIBs) using their own talised. In the UAE, while the European Union but not the eurozone — powered out of its longest double- “general guidelines on the subject That led Asian financial leaders methods and based on criteria minimum tier-one capital ratio dip recession since the 1950s with a GDP gain of 1.0 percent between July from the BCBS (Basel Committee to say yesterday the EU should specified by the BCBS. is eight percent, the actual ratio and September. But Britain’s strongest quarter-on-quarter rate for five on Banking Supervision) would limit any delay in Basel III to Regional and international is 14.5 percent. years came thanks to one-off factors such as the London Olympic Games. be helpful and they will make months not years, amid fears banking regulators were present Although banks in the region “Quarterly UK GDP growth in Q3 has been left unrevised in the the exercise more consistent the US decision to shelve the at the conference, organised by are well capitalised and Basel second estimate at a solid one percent, but most of this reflected region-wide.” new global regime could derail it the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF). II implementation is wide- temporary factors and evidence is building that activity in the fourth “Central banks in our region completely. Suwaidi said he was concerned spread, challenges remain, said quarter has relapsed,” said Vicky Redwood, chief UK economist at the could develop a peer-group Also yesterday, Wayne Byres, by a proposal requiring banks to Andres Portilla, Director, regu- Capital Economics research group. “The spending breakdown showed approach for this exercise so they Secretary-General of the BCBS hold additional common equity latory affairs department at the a decent rise in consumer spending of 0.6 percent quarter-on-quarter, could learn from each other,” he said the introduction of Basel III tier-one capital to meet higher loss Institute of International Finance. but at least part of this reflected an Olympics boost.” told a conference on banking will go ahead as planned. “A large absorbency requirements under REUTERS AFP WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Kuwaiti lender Eurozone, IMF KFH eyes 20pc capital hike KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH), the state’s larg- save Greece est Islamic lender, will recom- mend a 20 percent capital hike to shareholders, the company said in a bourse filing yesterday, which will help boost capital with debt deal ratios and fund expansion. The company’s board of direc- tors decided on Monday to make Deal removes risk of default by year-end the recommendation when it holds its annual general meeting, ATHENS: The eurozone and IMF lawmakers by the end of the week with proceeds to fund the bank’s saved Greece with a re-drawn res- and the opposition leader said he expansion both at home and cue to avert bankruptcy and to cut would not stand in the way of a deal internationally, KFH said. the debt mountain yesterday which to keep Greece in the eurozone. Any capital issue also requires Greek leaders said marked a new The techniques to reduce Greece’s approval from the country’s regu- beginning for their people facing debt will begin with a buyback by lator. A potential capital increase yet further austerity in the midst Greece of old debt that has fallen in will boost KFH’s paid-up capital of recession. value on commercial money mar- to KD348.5m ($1.24bn) from The deal marked a compromise by kets. National central banks across KD290.4m, Al Watan newspaper the IMF, an admission that Greece the eurozone will forego profits on reported yesterday. will need help with its debt for years, holdings of Greek debt which has QIB’s SME officials with Abdulaziz Nasser Al Khalifa, Executive Director, Strategic Planning and Control The price at which new shares will removes the risk of default around slumped in value. at QDB. be sold during the capital increase, the end of the year, and minimises Interest rates due to eurozone which is part of the bank’s five-year the chances that the country might creditors will also be trimmed or strategic plan, will be determined at have to leave the eurozone. deferred — Ireland and Portugal can QIB wins Al Dhameen awards a later date, it added. The deal struck in the early hours now be expected to demand parity — Shares in KFH were up 1.2 marks a “new day” for Greece, Prime while maturity dates will be pushed percent at KD0.82 at 0705 GMT, Minister Antonis Samaras said after back by years. DOHA: QIB, the leading Islamic bank in Dhameem programme which directly involved trimming year-to-date losses to 13 hours of landmark negotiations in The IMF is pushing for a so-called Qatar and one of the five largest Islamic banks QIB’s support, direction, and financial backing. 1.6 percent. Brussels. “haircut” or write-down of debt by in the world, has announced that it received Maher Kabbani, Relationship Manager for QIB, Kuwaiti banks have suffered since On financial markets, the euro eurozone partner governments in two awards for ‘Al Dhameen’ programme dur- was among the ‘Top 10 Relationship Managers’ at the global financial crisis because of initially climbed but then fell back, the way banks wrote off most of the ing the Global Entrepreneurship Week 2012 the event and he was honoured for this. exposures to the local real estate and while shares rose in relief at the new loans due to them earlier this year, (GEW 2012) event which took place at Doha’s Ahmad Meshari, the Acting Chief Executive stock markets whose values have breathing space for Greece. but Germany is against this ahead of Crowne Plaza Hotel. Officer of QIB commented: “QIB is the leading dropped significantly, as well as to This came in the form of approval a general election next year. In January 2011, QIB signed the ‘Al Dhameen’ Islamic bank in Qatar and is also at the forefront investment firms which borrowed for the latest slice of rescue funding But other Triple A-rated states accord with Qatar Development Bank (QDB). Al in its support of the local economy by financing heavily in the boom years to finance to pay current bills, already agreed have said they would “not exclude” Dhameen is a finance programme for small and SMEs – which are becoming considered, espe- activity in the two areas. but tied to a new round of deep the possibility of a write-down of debt medium enterprises (SMEs) designed to support cially in Qatar, the ‘engine’ of the economy.” In September, Fitch Ratings said budget measures, and a new look at from 2015 onwards. and encourage businesses to start up and thrive. “A significant part of QIB’s overall strategy it had downgraded KFH’s viability the huge mountain of accumulated The IMF in particular was held back Recognising the programme’s potential, QIB is to provide Islamic Financing solutions for all rating because of concerns over debt. “All Greeks have fought (for by one of its principles that it should was the first Islamic bank to sign up for the pro- its customers whether individuals or corporates asset quality and loan concentra- this decision) and tomorrow is a new not lend if there is no medium-term gramme back in 2011. At the GEW 2012 event, reinforcing its role in supporting the fast growing tion at the lender, while its Tier day for every Greek person,” Samaras prospect of debt falling to sustainable QIB received two awards for two projects out economy of Qatar,” added Meshari. 1 capital lagged its Kuwaiti peers. said in a message to the Greek people. levels, but the problem of who will of the ‘Top Five’ projects financed under the Al THE PENINSULA REUTERS Former prime minister Evangelos eventually carry the cost of the debt Venizelos, now head of the Socialist is a problem for the entire eurozone. PASOK party part of the ruling coa- In London, the main FTSE stock lition, described the deal as “a new index gained 0.40 percent, Frankfurt beginning.” was up 0.40 percent and Paris 0.31 European Central Bank President percent. The euro rose briefly above HBK bags raft foundation deal from Msheireb Mario Draghi said that Greece must $1.30 in Asian trading for the first still meet a series of agreed conditions time for about a month, and was but “the decision will certainly reduce quoted later at $1.2947, down from DOHA: Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s which is currently completing the super- to the highest quality standards. Moreover, the uncertainty and strengthen confi- $1.2971 late on Monday. leading sustainable developer, yester- structure for Msheireb Downtown Doha’s we reaffirm our commitment to the devel- dence in Europe and in Greece.” In London, the senior economist day announced that it had awarded the main building works. oper’s strict guidelines on sustainability Eurozone finance ministers agreed at Berenberg bank, Christian Schulz, contract for the construction of the raft Mohammad Al Marri, Chief Officer for and advanced environmental performance in principle to transfer, in December, commented that both the eurozone foundations of Phase 3 of its flagship Design and Delivery at Msheireb Properties, as we have demonstrated in Phase 1A con- ¤43.7bn ($57bn) so that the country and the IMF wanted to see the results project Msheireb Downtown Doha to said, tract with Msheireb Properties along with does not default at around the end of a scheme for buying back Greek HBK Contracting Company. “This opportunity to expand our work- our partner M/s Hyundai Engineering & of the year. bonds before giving final approval and Theseven-month contract with HBK ing relationship with HBK Contracting Construction Co.” They also adopted a new arrange- also eurozone countries had to approve Contracting Company represents another Company,a leading local contractor,is an Construction of Msheireb Downtown ment with the International the details at national level. milestone in the ongoing development of encouraging development and reiterates Doha started in 2010 and the development Monetary Fund, a party to eurozone He noted: “The IMF compromised the Msheireb Downtown project, described our commitment to work with local com- will be completed in five phases. The recent bailout packages, to slice more than on its position that Greece needs to as the world’s first sustainable regeneration paniesand further promoteQatari expertise agreement with HBK follows the appoint- ¤40bn by 2020 from the debt owed reduce public debt to 120 percent of of a downtown area. in sustainable urban development. ment of Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf by Greece. GDP (gross domestic product) by 2020 Raft foundations are used to spread the “Msheireb Properties’ long-term strategy WLL responsible for the construction of German Finance Minister and raised that target to 124 percent load of a building structure over a large is to raise the skills of local contractors and all substructure and superstructure works Wolfgang Schaeuble said the pack- in 2020 but to 110 percent in 2022.” area. Phase 3 raft slab will be 45,500sqm in the Qatari workforce so that they have the involved in Phase 1C of the project. age would be presented to German AFP area, and 1.5 metres thick on average. capacity to independently tender, build and First phase 1A construction contract of Spread over 150,000sqm of gross floor manage projects of the largest scope. The the project was awarded to a consortium area (GFA), Phase 3 of Msheireb Downtown capabilities of local industry are progress- ofHyundai Engineering & Construction Co Doha features 15 mixed-used buildings. ing at a rapid rate and this latest contract and HBK Contracting Co. Carillion was also These include two office blocks with 90 is witness to its development.” appointed in March to complete building retail units; 11 residential buildings with 350 Sheikh Ali bin Hamad K Al Thani, works on Phase 1B. apartments; a mosque ofmore than 2,500 Chairman & Managing Director of HBK Msheireb Properties is a real estate com- square meters; and a five-star Park Hyatt Contracting Company said: “We are very pany and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation. Hotel. proud to have another opportunity to The company was established as a commer- The raft foundations contract is the strengthen our association with Msheireb cial venture to support the Foundation’s aims, second contract awarded by Msheireb Properties. Through this award, we aim to as well as the goals of Qatar’s 2030 Vision. Properties to HBK Contracting Company, demonstrate our consistency in delivering THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Mittal, Hollande talks Etisalat backs Financing woes Saudi unit after SIM ban challenge huge DUBAI: Etisalat, the United Arab Emirates’ No. 1 telecom operator, is committed to its Saudi Arabian affiliate Mobily, the former monopoly’s CEO said Dubai projects yesterday after the kingdom’s regulator banned it from selling pre-paid SIM cards. Etisalat, formally known as Crisis memories make investors cautious Emirates Telecommunications Corp, also reiterated it wants to DUBAI: Dubai is reviving mas- 2009-2010, the viability of the up its stake in Mobily if given the sive real estate projects as its new plans will be based to a large chance. economy recovers from a cor- degree not on Dubai’s volatile real On Sunday, Saudi Arabia’s porate debt crisis, but this time estate market, but on revenues industry regulator suspended around, constraints on financ- from tourism and retail spending. Mobily’s sales of new pre-paid, ing are likely to slow the pace of So if the emirate’s tourist boom or pay-as-you-go, SIM cards its building boom. continues, the projects may pay until it meets “pre-paid service Memories of the crisis will off. Passenger traffic at Dubai provisioning requirements”, a ref- keep many investors cautious International Airport is growing erence to a September order on about stumping up money before at an annual rate of well over 10 SIM registration rules. projects are completed. That will percent. “Etisalat is committed to leave the plans heavily depend- Nevertheless, in the after- this relationship and support of ent on bank loans and the bond math of Dubai’s crisis, it would Mobily,” Chief Executive Ahmad markets - and the global climate be difficult to finance much of the ArcelorMittal’s factory in Dunkirk, northern France. French President Francois Hollande was due to hold key Julfar said in an emailed state- is not favourable for banks. projects by pre-selling parts of talks with steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal over a mounting row threatening the future of ArcelorMittal group in ment said. “Etisalat has always Official announcements over them, said Craig Plumb, regional France. maintained its keenness to the past few days have recalled head of research at consultancy strengthen its investment in the heady days of the mid-2000s, Jones Lang LaSalle. Saudi Arabia through Mobily as it when Dubai was building some “There is natural caution views the Saudi market as a very of its most flamboyant projects, among investors to buy off-plan. important and key market in its including the world’s tallest sky- There is investor appetite for Qatar bourse dips by 28.29 points; portfolio.” scraper and an archipelago of some small off-plan projects but The UAE firm has enjoyed mixed man-made islands. certainly not at this scale,” he fortunes in expanding abroad and Dubai’s ruler Sheikh said. now operates in 15 countries across Mohammed bin Rashid Al “So where the money is going Saudi index falls to 10-month low the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Maktoum unveiled plans last to come from for this project is a with Mobily - Saudi Arabia’s No.2 week for Emaar Properties and question that Emaar and Dubai DOHA/DUBAI: Qatar Heavyweight lender Al Rajhi to state-linked bodies such as the operator - one of its more success- conglomerate Dubai Holding Holding will have to address Exchange index was down 28.29 Bank dropped 3.1 percent to National Portfolio Fund buying ful investments after more than to build a complex housing 100 soon.” points or 0.34 points yesterday its lowest level since July 2009. bluechips. tripling its annual profit from 2007 hotels and the world’s biggest In contrast to its oil-rich neigh- to 8,400.72 points from the pre- Alinma Bank slipped two percent Emir H H Sheikh Sabah Al to 2011. shopping mall. bour Abu Dhabi, Dubai’s govern- vious closing of 8,429.01. and Banque Saudi Fransi lost 1.4 Ahmad Al Sabah had promised Etisalat owns a 28-percent He did not say how much the ment does not have the large The volume of shares traded percent. in comments earlier this month to stake in Mobily and has previ- project would cost but one local fiscal reserves needed to finance fell to 2,124,648 from 3,060,857 on Petrochemicals also fell, with improve the economy and finan- ously talked of increasing its hold- property analyst, speaking on con- the projects; it was forced to take Monday, and the value of shares Saudi Basic Industries Corp cial markets. This came following ing. “We are still eager to do so,” dition of anonymity in the absence a last-minute $10bn bailout from increased to QR125,505,846.18 (Sabic) losing 0.9 percent. protests against a decree reducing Julfar said yesterday. of fuller details, estimated it would Abu Dhabi at the height of the from QR118,875,638.82 on Trading volumes were con- the number of votes allowed per Mobily said this indefinite ban cost between $20bn and $50bn. The crisis to avoid a bond default of a Monday. centrated in insurance stocks. citizen to one from four. would have little impact on earn- upper end of that range would be state-linked developer. Among the top losers were The sector’s benchmark dropped “The positive trend is a ings, but analysts warned it would well over half of Dubai’s annual The International Monetary Qatar National Bank whose share 2.1 percent, signalling the retail reflection of the quietness of hurt revenue if the dispute was economic output. Fund estimates Dubai’s govern- dropped 0.68 percent to QR130.50, investors that usually favour these the political tension, along with not resolved quickly. On Monday, Sheikh Mohammed ment-linked entities will need to Qatar Islamic Bank lost 0.79 per- stocks are jittery. the National Portfolio being Etisalat had Dh12.18bn announced that Dubai planned repay about $9.4bn of maturing cent to QR75.80, Rayan fell 0.57 Elsewhere, Kuwait’s bourse ral- more active, to give back more ($3.32bn) of cash and cash equiv- to build a Dh10bn ($2.7bn) com- bonds and syndicated loans in percent to Q26.30 and Doha lied 0.8 percent to a six-week high confidence to the investors,” alents on its balance sheet as of plex of five theme parks. Other 2013 and $31bn — much of it loans Bank was down 2.70 percent to in heavy trade ahead of Saturday’s Nouf Aloqab, a trader at Global September 30, so has the means projects dusted off by the govern- that were extended during the QR50.50. parliamentary elections. Investment House, said. to up its Mobily stake. Some ment and property developers in crisis — in 2014. It calls refinanc- The banking and financial National Bank of Kuwait Authorities will allow a protest analysts warn Mobily’s recent the last few months include a ing these amounts “a challenge”. sector lost 8.60 points while the climbed 1 percent, Gulf Bank rose march to go ahead the day before stock performance would make canal to the city’s business dis- So Dubai will need to finance industrial sector gained 1.37 1.2 percent and Boubyan Bank the December 1 parliamentary it a costly deal and that Etisalat trict and a $1bn replica of the Taj its projects from the markets, and points and the Services sector added 1.6 percent. election in Kuwait, the prime should have made its move earlier. Mahal. the loan markets do not look as dropped 20.97 points. Kuwait Finance House gained minister said in a move designed Mobily’s shares stood at 71.75 It is by no means certain that attractive as they did in the mid- Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s 2.5 percent. The Islamic lender to ease tensions ahead of the poll. riyals yesterday afternoon, tak- all these plans will go ahead. 2000s, when banks were scram- bourse fell for a 12th session in 14, said it will recommend a 20 per- In Egypt, the market closed ing its gains to 67 percent since Dubai has a history of cancelled bling to lend to the emirate. slumping to a fresh 10-month low cent capital hike to shareholders. little changed as selling pressure March 2011’s 15-month low. The projects: plans for a kilometre- European banks have been cut- yesterday on lingering concerns Turnover rose to Dh53m lessened and non-Arab investors company’s market value is $13.44 high tower, an underwater hotel ting back their foreign lending over the king’s health, while other ($188.18m), the highest daily bought from Egyptians. billion, according to Reuters data. and a huge waterfront develop- because of financial pressures in regional markets closed mixed. value since March 21. AGENCIES REUTERS ment were mooted in the boom their home countries, while many Banks lead declines on the The benchmark has gained 5.3 years and never happened. have been burned by Dubai debt kingdom’s index, which fell 1.3 percent since November 4’s eight- But unlike projects which ran restructurings since 2009. percent to its lowest close since year low. Market participants say QATARI MARKET into trouble during the crisis of REUTERS January 23. the recent recovery is partly due Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 105.94 0.75 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.81 1.67 % Aa2 AA Total acquires Jordan Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 126.13 2.14 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 119.63 2.26 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 115.00 2.64 % Aa2 AA petroleum distribution Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 181.50 3.50 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 140.25 3.97 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 129.88 4.00 % Aa2 AA DUBAI: Total acquired a 10-year petroleum product dis- Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.13 1.52 % Aa2 AA tribution licence in Jordan that will allow its marketing & services subsidiary Total Jordan to cement its position in the Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 117.25 2.51 % Aa2 AA country and quickly and significantly increase its retail net- Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 106.38 1.70 % A1 A- work throughput. Under the licence, Total Jordan will have Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.25 2.35 % A1 A- the right to supply more than 120 service stations, over and QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.75 2.13 % NR NR above its 23 company owned and company operated service QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.75 1.82 % Aa3 A+ stations which will represent a retail network market share QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.88 2.16 % Aa3 A+ of 33 percent. Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 103.75 2.57 % A2 A- Acquiring the licence also enables Total Jordan to step up Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 104.75 2.09 % A2 A its expansion in general trade activities, through gaining the opportunity to contract with industrial customers, and in the Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 130.06 2.81 % A2 A lubricants market. It will also enable Total Jordan to penetrate Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 112.50 3.02 % A2 A to the aviation fuel market. Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 112.88 3.73 % A2 A “We have taken a major step forward in capturing growth Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 108.38 0.88 % Aa3 A opportunities and consolidating the development of the Total Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 110.13 3.02 % Aa3 A brand in Jordan,” commented Mehmet Celepoglu, Managing Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 113.25 3.36 % Aa3 A Director of Total Jordan. In pursuing and acquiring the licence, Total is reaffirming its commitment to continue to expand its SOVEREIGNS presence across the Middle East. Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P THE PENINSULA Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 106.94 0.36 % Aa2 AA Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 127.63 2.09 % Aa2 AA Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 110.88 2.71 % NR NR Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 106.50 3.31 % NR NR Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 122.63 4.32 % NR NR Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 112.81 4.75 % NR NR Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.69 1.30 % Aa2 AA Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 112.81 3.86 % NR BBB Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 106.63 4.43 % NR BBB Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 103.50 5.18 % B2 B Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 99.75 4.54 % NR BBB- *Periodic Distribution Amount IMPORTANT NOTE: Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Regulate US markets Carney track record hints like nuclear industry BY DAVID L KORNBLAU at Bank of England path ith the uncertainty of the US presidential elec- tion behind us, it’s time for regulators of financial BY JEFFREY HODGSON nonsense,” according to one of the attendees pulpit to warn about high household debt markets to get serious about preventing market at the closed-door meeting. levels and the risks of the booming housing Wmalfunctions — from out-of-control algorithms to ritain can expect its next cen- Carney, who spent 13 years with Goldman market. initial public offerings marred by technology breakdowns. tral bank chief to be tough with Sachs Group Inc, reportedly told Dimon the He also courted controversy in August by To some wary investors, these incidents show that the mar- its banks while being more nim- rule changes are a “reasonable” response to accusing Canadian companies of sitting on kets are unstable, unreliable and tilted against them. Given the ble on monetary policy than the financial crisis before leaving the room piles of “dead money”, saying they should extraordinary complexity of today’s lightning-fast equities mar- his recent hawkish talk might visibly angry. invest it or return it to shareholders. Large kets and the speed of technological change, there is no single Bsuggest. In the past year, Carney has not wavered British companies are in a similar position solution. Yet a logical place to start is a fresh approach to the Canadian central bank chief Mark Carney, from his stance on the need for the Basel of having cash to invest, but little appetite regulation of US stock exchanges. named on Monday as the next governor of III rules, which require banks to hold more to do so at a time of high economic risks. For the past two decades, the Securities and Exchange the Bank of England, gained a reputation on capital. Just last month, he was quoted as On the critical issue of monetary policy, Commission has overseen exchanges by inspecting them occa- the global stage by challenging some of the saying the idea that global banking reforms Carney’s longer-term track record suggests sionally and urging them, voluntarily, to examine themselves, world’s most powerful financial executives should be watered down or delayed to pro- he is more likely to be flexible than harbour file annual reports, and notify the agency of planned technology to make their banks less risky, even if it left tect a weak global economy is “fanciful.” an easing or tightening bias. changes and significant system outages. In the past year, the SEC them less profitable. “He’s been clear the changes need to occur This year Carney has sounded hawkish. has also charged two exchanges, Direct Edge and the New York Carney’s approach to regulation has to assure that we don’t pay the kind of costs The Bank of Canada in April became the Stock Exchange, with unintentional rule violations, and may be been “tough rules with some discretion, that we did during the sub-prime mortgage only Group of Seven central bank talking investigating cases against others. as opposed to tough rules with no discre- crisis,” said Derek Burleton, deputy chief about raising interest rates. The SEC has highlighted these enforcement actions as proof tion ... or simply weak rules,” said Edwin economist with TD Bank Financial Group. It was also the first G7 central bank to that it’s getting tough on exchanges. In fact, the actions reveal Truman, Washington-based senior fellow “That’s the message that he’ll be delivering tighten policy after the financial crisis, lift- regulatory failures. If Direct Edge had weak internal controls at the Peterson Institute for International in London. ing its main policy rate three times in 2010. that caused a significant glitch in November 2010, as the SEC Economics. Carney may be less sympathetic to sug- But analysts noted Carney has generally alleged, why did the commission grant it a license to operate as As the head of the Financial Stability gestions Britain’s banks be forced to fully been pragmatic on policy, deftly changing an exchange just four months earlier? Board, set up by the Group of 20 top econo- separate their retail and investment bank- course when conditions merit. If the NYSE allegedly failed to comply with an SEC market- mies to try to ensure there is no repeat of ing operations, a move suggested by a senior Faced with fresh global economic head- data rule beginning in 2008, wouldn’t it have been better for the global financial crisis, Carney has been regulator. winds, Carney last month scaled back the commission examiners to detect the problem then and direct the a key player in leading the drive for new Canada’s six largest banks all have major central bank’s tightening bias, saying a exchange to fix it immediately, rather than for SEC enforcement rules on banks. investment banking arms. As Bank of rate increase was “less imminent”. And the lawyers to bring a case four years later? Next year the Bank of England will take Canada governor, Carney has not spoken bank’s main policy rate has stayed frozen at Instead of signalling a need for more enforcement actions, which charge of British financial regulation as well out against this model for the industry. 1 percent for more than two years. by definition look backward, recent market failures show that the as monetary policy, making Carney a key Instead, Canadian policymakers have “I don’t think it’s obvious at all that he SEC needs to do much more to prevent problems before they occur. player in how the City of London is run. looked to regulation and supervision to has a hawkish bent. The fact that the The agency should take a cue from another federal regula- Britain’s bankers will not have forgot- prevent the blowups that led to taxpayer BOC has a hawkish bias reflects more the tor that places the highest priority on prevention: the Nuclear ten his clash last year with the head of bailouts in other countries. underlying economic situation rather than Regulatory Commission. The NRC has achieved impressive results JPMorgan Chase & Co. If the new Bank of England governor does a (view) that Mr Carney has,” said Doug through a regulatory regime that includes continuous inspection Jamie Dimon referred to requirements feel British banks are falling short on any Porter, deputy chief economist at BMO of all 104 operating US nuclear plants. that banks set aside more capital as a front, they can expect to hear about it in Capital Markets. It has established objective indicators of acceptable performance buffer against future crises as “cockamamie public. In Canada, Carney used his bully REUTERS and has given plant operators big incentives to correct problems before they are found. It posts plant performance ratings and inspection findings on its public website. The NRC has the authority to temporarily or permanently shut down plants with serious operational or compliance deficien- cies, or to impose fines and seek criminal prosecutions for willful violations that create a substantial risk of harm. There has been no meltdown at a nuclear power plant in the US since the Three Mile Island accident in 1979. Adapting this framework to the SEC’s regulation of stock exchanges would be feasible and much more effective than its current hindsight-oriented approach. Here’s why: — Resources would be used more efficiently. Continuous over- sight may require more resources than selective examinations, but not much. There are only 16 registered national securi- ties exchanges, many of which are relatively small. Beefing up exchange inspections would allow the SEC to devote more of its enforcement resources to catching and prosecuting securities fraudsters. — SEC technical expertise would improve. Cumbersome enforce- ment techniques, such as document subpoenas and sworn tes- timony, are a poor way for the agency to monitor exchanges’ compliance with regulatory requirements and to keep abreast of constantly evolving technology. Continuing informal communica- tions between exchange personnel and tech-savvy SEC examiners would allow the agency to gain expertise, to provide up-to-the- minute guidance on ambiguous rules and best industry practices, and to make sure exchanges address problems right away. — Exchanges would have better incentives. In a less enforce- ment-focused regulatory climate, exchanges would be more open to sharing new ideas with and reporting problems to SEC staff. And if the commission could shut them down immediately for serious failings, exchanges would protect against such a disaster by investing more in compliance, system upgrades and capacity increases. — Investors would be better protected. Selective enforcement action can leave the public unprotected and place some exchanges at an unfair competitive disadvantage, if others have similar prob- lems unaddressed by the SEC. By contrast, public disclosure of industry-wide inspection results based on objective performance criteria would stimulate competition that would improve the performance of all exchanges. WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

Fed’s Dudley signals a shift toward bank reform

BY SIMON JOHNSON perception that such protection “iterative process” that will take provision with respect to OTC the ability of banks to provide banks — so they become small exists). This insurance is free of some time to work. My view is derivatives and other qualified credit; in fact, more equity makes enough and simple enough to fail his is now the standard charge and allows them to borrow that they are a sham, meaning- financial contracts may not apply any financial system safer and — to explain in more detail how line from Wall Street more cheaply, and presumably less boilerplate and box checking. through the force of law outside more resilient over the cycle. this could be done and what the lobbyists: Don’t worry encourages them to become even Third, Dudley is also percep- the United States, making orderly We should expect our central precise implications would be. Tabout “too big to fail” larger. Now, whenever someone tive on the difficulty of applying to resolution difficult.” bankers to speak clearly and There is great irony here. financial institutions because questions the existence of these global banks the “orderly liquida- In plain English: When a glo- explain issues in terms that peo- During the debate over the the Dodd-Frank Act fixed the dangerous subsidies, I will cite tion authority” of Dodd-Frank’s bal financial behemoth is on the ple can understand. Dudley is Dodd- Frank Act in spring 2010, problem. Dudley’s speech. Title II. The general idea is sim- ropes, the legal mechanisms for calling for more equity, relative to genuine reformers such as Sen. The implication is that Second, I was struck by ple: Allow the Federal Deposit an FDIC-managed resolution debt, in the financial system. He Ted Kaufman, D-Del, pressed Congress should relax and not Dudley’s admission that the Insurance Corporation to manage won’t work outside US borders. should use plain English to make the administration on the likely push any additional changes, recently completed first round the “resolution” of large financial JPMorgan Chase & Co, Citigroup, this essential point. inadequacy of their “living wills” such as capping the size of our of living wills — potential liqui- institutions in the same way it has Bank of America and perhaps Second, the logic of Dudley’s and “orderly liquidation author- largest banks in a meaningful dation plans drawn up by major handled the failure of banks with some others are literally too glo- speech draws the reader to the ity” approach. way or forcing them to simplify financial institutions — has been insured deposits since the 1930s. bal to fail in an orderly manner. idea that megabanks should Did the New York Fed or any their legal structures. If regula- far from satisfactory. I encounter The insurmountable obstacle — I also have three serious reser- greatly simplify their legal struc- other officials think creatively tors lack support on Capitol Hill, industry lawyers who assert that as critics have pointed out for at vations about Dudley’s comments. tures, which would make any with Kaufman and his allies they won’t try as hard. living wills provide a clear road least three years — is that there First, he says that banks “hold” kind of liquidation easier. At the about complementary approaches, On Nov 15, resistance to this map for winding down systemi- is no cross-border framework capital. This is the wrong verb to largest financial institutions, including a binding cap on size industry view came from a sur- cally important financial institu- or process for handling the fail- use because it encourages rela- the relationship between busi- and leverage? The answer is no. prising place: a speech by William tions. I will also refer these people ure of big financial institutions. tively uninformed readers to ness units and legal entities has Led by the Treasury Department, Dudley, president of the Federal to Dudley’s speech, in which he Different countries have differ- think of capital as an asset, rather become hopelessly complicated, they slammed the door on all Reserve Bank of New York. That confirms that living wills have ent rules, and powerful people in than what it really is, a liability, creating a major difficulty in any alternatives. institution isn’t usually associated accomplished no such thing. those countries — British bankers or shareholder equity. insolvency or resolution process. As Kaufman said at the time with strong pro-reform positions, “We are a long way from the or French civil servants — like it The words of an influential Disappointingly, while Dudley in a speech on the Senate floor, yet Dudley was unexpectedly desired situation in which large that way. official such as Dudley matter flags the general issue, his lan- why is the burden of proof on forceful on three points. complex firms could be allowed Here’s the heart of the matter because they pervade popular guage is opaque and he doesn’t those who want to return to the First, he made clear that too to go bankrupt without major dis- with regard to over-the- counter commentary and can lead to press for immediate action — proven statutory and regulatory big to fail remains with us. Some ruptions to the financial system derivatives, as stated by Dudley in great linguistic and conceptual despite the industry having no approaches of the past? very large financial institutions and large costs to society,” Dudley the nuanced language of a central confusion, for example on Capitol good reason for maintaining this The onus should be on those who receive implicit government sub- said. banker. Hill. They also encourage the illu- degree of complexity. continue to tinker at the margins sidies in the form of downside pro- Still, the New York Fed presi- “Certain Title II measures sion that higher (equity) capital Finally, Dudley calls on propo- of failed regulatory framework. tection (or at least the market’s dent says that living wills are an including the one-day stay requirements will somehow hurt nents of breaking up our largest WP-BLOOMBERG WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,400.72 28.29 WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 11,369.21 38.28 QE All Share Index 2,025.31 4.51 RATE INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 1,985.83 8.60 GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 2,597.23 1.37 All Ordinaries 4473.39 29.844 0.67 4602.5 4033.4 QR204.9845 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,362.22 0.73 Cac 40 Index/D 3514.43 13.49 0.39 3600.48 2922.26 QE All Share Real Estate 1,601.62 2.73 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.8043 QR 5.8859 QE All Share Insurance 1,892.15 0.00 Dj Indu Average 0 0 0 13661.87 11232.16 QR 3.9997 Euro ...... QR 4.6926 QR 4.7582 QE All Share Telecoms 1,069.85 4.25 CA$ ...... QR 3.6198 QR 3.6922 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,723.38 20.97 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8937 QR 3.9492 Hang Seng Inde/D 21844.03 -17.78 -0.08 22149.7 18056.4 Yen ...... QR 0.0440 QR 0.0448 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7822 QR 3.8574 Iseq Overall/D 3248.99 -1.77 -0.05 3382.77 2882.71 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0651 QR 0.0664 27-11-2012 26-11-2012 Karachi 100 In/D 16364.77 94.29 0.58 16339.16 10771.13 Index 8,400.72 8,429.01 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0375 QR 0.0383 Change 28.29 19.34 Nikkei 225 Index 9423.3 34.36 0.37 10255.15 8238.96 Peso ...... QR 0.0884 QR 0.0902 % 0.34 0.23 $ 109.92 SL Re ...... QR 0.0277 QR 0.0283 YTD% 4.31 3.99 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1474.51 1158.67 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0442 QR 0.0454 Volume 2,124,648 3,060,857 Straits Times/D 3011.91 7.41 0.25 3110.86 2657.77 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0409 QR 0.0417 Value (QAR) 125,505,846.18 118,875,638.82 $ 108.26 Trades 1,929 1,787 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4086 QR 0.4166 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 11 | Down 19 | Unchanged 08

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 27-11-2012

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

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

A B G Infra-B/D 100 -1.1 6267 Container Cor-/D 925.25 -4.35 125832 Hind Unilever-/D 541.25 3.9 83050 Kin.Motor-B/D 9.55 -0.05 4988 Timexgroup-B/D 19 1.9 188377 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 46.4305 1.34 61413765 A C C-A/D 1391.95 11.15 9415 Dcm Financia-B/D 1.56 0.03 7517 Hind.Petrol-A/D 277.15 0.95 56976 Klg Systel-B/D 16.6 0.45 3434 Tinplate-B/D 52.05 0.05 18619 Marks & Sp./D 374.3 -1.9 1791102 Aarti Drugs-B/D 221.75 -0.1 34244 Dhampur Sugar-/D 60.2 0.3 13734 Hindalco-A/D 112.4 2.8 718700 Kopran-B/D 21.9 0.45 21016 Ub Engineer-B/D 37.5 0 43078 Next/D 3640 34 103217 Aban Offs-B/D 381.55 2.35 138197 Dr. Reddy-A/D 1785.35 26.45 15050 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 797.4 21.65 410308 Lakshmi Mach-B/D 2095.65 -14.6 78784 Ub Engineer-B/D 37.5 0 43078 Pearson/D 1160 -25 1064626 Aegis Logis-B/D 185.15 12.1 134843 E I H-B/D 71.7 -0.1 53087 I F C I-A/D 29.45 0.85 1697106 Lloyd Steel-B/D 11.68 -0.22 140854 Ucal Fuel-B/D 70.1 5.75 87046 Prudential/D 886.5 4 909430 Alembic-B/D 15.85 -0.05 5820 Eimco Elecon-B/D 204.2 -4.1 7008 Idbi-A/D 101.95 -0.45 176990 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 14.74 0.51 18848 Ucal Fuel-B/D 70.1 5.75 87046 Rank Group/D 146 -3.2 14381 Alok Indus-B/D 11.23 0.09 3715145 Electrosteel-B/D 26.15 -0.15 165364 Ifb Agro-B/D 179.6 3.55 6193 Lupin-A/D 574.3 9.8 24281 Unitech P -A/D 29.45 2.95 12390423 Rentokil Initi/D 88.4 0.95 516929 Andhra Paper-B/D 290.5 0.05 16592 Emco-B/D 28.8 0.2 43302 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 111.25 3.6 155548 Mafatlal Ind-T/D 127.35 6.05 6927 Rolls Royce Pl/D 875.5 2.5 434115 Apollo Tyre-A/D 83.5 0 240950 Escorts-B/D 62.55 0.45 308518 India Cement-B/D 84.9 1.15 154158 Mangalam Cem-B/D 173.75 -1.05 16818 LONDON Rsa Insrance G/D 115.4 0.5 2744457 Ashok Leyland-/D 27.85 0.5 1138421 Essar Oil-A/D 68.1 -0.15 739892 India Glycol-B/D 184.4 -1.15 21234 Max India L-A/D 238.3 -1.3 26068 Sainsbury(J)/D 333.77457 2.4 768096 Ballarpur In-B/D 23.45 -0.55 329387 Eveready Indu-/D 22.9 1.05 307387 Indian Hotel-A/D 61.45 0.6 320612 Mrpl-A/D 60.15 0 73111 3I Group/D 211 -0.2 620891 Schroders/D 1587 6 89558 Bata India-A/D 934.7 31.45 127817 F D C-B/D 87.85 -0.7 38994 Indusind-A/D 394.05 9.45 191715 Nation Alum -A/D 44.4 0.05 45837 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1462 12 351302 Severn Trent/D 1558 2 207556 Beml Ltd-B/D 273.65 1.3 8364 Federal Bank-A/D 461.35 -7.4 10475726 J.B.Chemical-B/D 80.45 1.55 45494 Nepc India-T/D 2.54 0.1 14145 B Sky B/D 776.9151 0 868761 Smith&Nephew/D 659 3.5 356545 Bhartiya Int-B/D 152.45 7.25 22761 Ferro Alloys-B/D 7 -0.02 18565 Jbf Indu-B/D 126.1 1 35058 Neuland Lab-T/D 155.4 7.4 17535 Barclays/D 243.95 3.45 21970931 Smiths Group/D 1065 8 187052 Bhel-A/D 224 2.5 253451 Finolex-B/D 60.8 0.25 38120 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.6 -0.02 4630 Nrb Bearings-B/D 35.85 0.05 5016 Bg Group/D 1071 -0.5 1852090 Standrd Chart /D 1437.5 0 1161552 Tate Bom.Burmah-B/D 125 0.85 70012 Forbes-B/D 644.15 32.05 3757 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.34 0.02 113380 O N G C-A/D 249.75 -0.2 342959 Bp/D 434.2064 2.9 5862564 & Lyle/D 776.408 7.5 137985 Bombay Dyeing-/D 115.95 4.55 419907 Gail-A/D 339.4 2.15 38093 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 3.5 0.09 11884 Onward Tech-T/D 44.2 0.6 5506 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3279 27 784071 Tesco/D 320.1 2.6 4928186 Canfin Homes-B/D 133.8 1.4 14340 Gammon India-B/D 36.85 0.55 66947 Jik Indust-B/D 4.12 -0.29 65904 Orchid Chem-B/D 97.9 0.6 195574 British Airway/D 276.4574 0 0 Unilever/D 2402.825 18 537465 Castrol Ind-A/D 299.6 3.2 13233 Garden P -B/D 60.35 3.4 22418 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 112.8 0.55 6407 Orient.Carb.-B/D 126 -4 11850 Bt Group/D 227.4093 -0.9 2823831 United Util Gr/D 670.5 1 720374 Century Enka-B/D 133.2 1.65 21729 Goodricke-B/D 169 5.8 70750 Jmc Projects-B/D 108 0.5 4530 Orient.Carb.-B/D 126 -4 11850 Centrica/D 321.088 0.8 1848901 Vodafone Group/D 157.4 -0.3 26176901 Century Text-A/D 399.45 16.85 184317 Goodyear I -B/D 310.15 4.7 5359 Kajaria Cer-B/D 247.9 4.2 20909 Oudh Sugar-B/D 26.85 -0.65 4462 Gkn/D 218.3 1.1 1372605 Whitbread/D 2358 12 201130 Chambal Fert-B/D 65.75 0.05 73854 Hcl Infosys-B/D 38.25 1.55 123707 Kalpat Power-B/D 80.5 -0.25 20030 Radico Khait-B/D 144.2 3.5 137884 Hsbc Holdings/D 622.83 2.9 7876267 Chola Invest-B/D 233.9 -1.1 547138 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 10.15 0.06 473004 Kalyani Stel-B/D 51.85 -0.1 16165 Rallis India-B/D 157.65 -1.25 451157 Imperial Tobac/D 2522 27 364889 Cipla-A/D 391.1 9.65 277597 Himat Seide-B/D 38.05 0.5 59113 Kanoria Chem-B/D 37.4 0.35 7146 Rallis India-B/D 157.65 -1.25 451157 Kingfisher/D 276.8 0.6 1345344 City Union Bk-/D 50.3 0.05 103797 Hind Motors-B/D 9.44 -0.09 93338 Kg Denim-B/D 14.86 0.53 187111 Reliance Indus/D 405.85 11 146941 Land Secs Grou/D 797.2281 1 283757 Colgate-A/D 1422.45 61.6 61922 Hind Org Chem-/D 18.8 0.15 29003 Kilburnengg-B/D 20 -0.05 12842 Ruchi Soya-B/D 60.2 -0.95 30798 Legal & Genera/D 143.317 0.9 1644652 WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 28 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Nets edge arch rivals Knicks in overtime Lopez top scores with 22 points for the home side

NEW YORK: The Brooklyn Nets beat the visiting New York Knicks 96-89 in an overtime thriller yesterday in the first battle for ‘Big Apple’ bragging rights between the city rivals. Brooklyn’s victory at the new Barclays Center lifted the Nets (9-4) into a tie with the Knicks (9-4) for first place in the Atlantic Division in front of a boisterous crowd. “Every time some sort of Knick Philadelphia Eagles’ Riley Cooper (left) receives a pass during the first contingent started to cheer, our quarter against the Carolina Panthers during their NFL game in Philadelphia, fans got louder and this is what Pennsylvania, yesterday. we have been dreaming about since I have been here,” said Nets coach Avery Johnson, recalling sparse crowds in the last few sea- Panthers hand Eagles sons in New Jersey. “It is a nice feeling and I am glad we rewarded our fans with a victory. They deserved it.” seventh straight loss Tied 84-84 after regulation, the Knicks scored the first basket of PHILADELPHIA, Barnidge and Brandon LaFell had the extra period but the Nets Pennsylvania: The Carolina first-quarter touchdown catches countered with eight points in a Panthers won the battle between in the victory. row, the last three from hustling two last-place teams by beating Smith became the 27th player plays by Gerald Wallace to surge the Philadelphia Eagles 30-22, of all-time in the NFL to go over to a 92-86 lead and were never behind a resurgent performance 11,000 receiving yards in his threatened. from quarterback Cam Newton. career. “Fatigue set in,” said Knicks The result means Philadelphia “We wanted to get the momen- coach Mike Woodson, whose team, lost their seventh consecutive tum back on our side and finish like the Nets, had also played on game for the first time since los- this game the right way,” Newton Sunday. “Brooklyn’s starters put Deron Williams (8) of the Brooklyn Nets scores two points in the third quarter against the New York Knicks at the ing the final seven games of the said. “Everybody was accountable in a lot of minutes also, but they Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, yesterday. 1994 season. and executed. It was just 11 guys had a little more energy.” Newton passed for two touch- on offence working for a common Centre Brook Lopez led the downs and ran in two for the goal.” Nets with 22 points, with Deron 35 points, while center Tyson season. Blue-and-orange clad hard to deny the atmosphere. It Panthers who halted a modest Running back Bryce Brown set Williams and Wallace each scor- Chandler had 28 points on 12-of- Knicks fans made themselves definitely was an exciting game two-game losing streak. a rookie single game record for ing 16. Reserve player Jerry 13 shooting with his hoops coming heard in the sprawling arena, for us. “This means a lot,” said Newton. Philadelphia with 178 yards. He Stackhouse made 4-of-5 from from tip-ins, follow-ups and slam which is just a 25-minute subway “It was a total 180 (degrees) “Now we got to get that swag back rushed the ball 19 times and had three-point range and scored 14 dunks. ride from midtown Manhattan, from last year when it was and get our confidence back and two touchdowns along with four points for Brooklyn. Missing veteran point guard but their chants were drowned mostly Knicks fans and all the finish out the season well.” catches for 11 yards. Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks’ Jason Kidd, who was sidelined out by the sing-song “Brooklyn, chants and cheers were for them,” He completed 18-of-28 passes Brown was making his first scoring leader who was born in by back spasms, Anthony played Brooklyn, Brooklyn” favoured by added Williams about their games for 306 yards and had 52 yards career start in place of an injured Brooklyn, led New York with over 50 minutes and Chandler Nets fans. against New York when they were on 15 carries as the Panthers won LeSean McCoy, who suffered was on the court for more than The tight, defensive battle in New Jersey. their third game of the season to a concussion in last week’s loss NBA Results 45 minutes. included 14 lead changes with “It was great to feel that we go with eight losses. to Washington. He also had two The game had been originally the score tied 13 times during have a home court advantage Newton had a superb rookie fumbles in the second half. Brooklyn 96 NY Knicks 89 set to kick off the NBA season for the game. finally.” season last year but has had trou- Eagles quarterback Nick Foles San Antonio 118 Washington 92 the New York teams but was post- In the end, the Nets’ cohesion Even Anthony appreciated the ble repeating that success in his made his second consecutive start Detroit 108 Portland 101 poned due to the damage in the and passing made a difference, ambience. second National Football League in place of Michael Vick who is Milwaukee 93 Chicago 92 area caused by superstorm Sandy. with the winners registering “An unbelievable atmosphere,” season. also recovering from a concussion. Memphis 84 Cleveland 78 While that thrill was gone from 23 assists to 14 for the Knicks, he said. “If I could step back from Carolina is last in the NFC Foles completed 16-of-21 passes, Oklahoma City 114 Charlotte 69 this initial clash between the a figure Brooklyn point guard this and take my Knicks uniform South Division, two games adrift but managed just 119 yards. Utah 105 Denver 103 teams, the tension was height- Williams matched all by himself. off ... just to see that and be a part of the New Orleans Saints. The Eagles are two games ened by the great start enjoyed “I thought it was a big game in of that atmosphere there’s noth- Steve Smith finished with four behind Washington and Dallas in New Orleans 105 LA Clippers 98 by both in the early days of the general for us,” said Williams. “It’s ing like it,” he added. REUTERS catches for 60 yards while Gary the NFC East. AFP Brave Qatar suffer 5-4 defeat

DOHA: Hosts Qatar went down fighting to formidable Azerbaijan 5-4 in their open- ing match of the World Hockey League (FIHWHL), at the Al Rayyan Stadium here yesterday. In a match marred by a few umpiring decisions, Noor Hafiq converted three penalty corners (21st, 51st, 54th) for the hosts and Sheraz Ali netted the other (57th) through a stunning solo effort. For the visitors, Gazanfar Ali did the star turn by scoring three goals (40th, 43rd and 65th) including the all-important win- ner, while skipper Balamiyev con- verted from the spot twice (28th, 49th). Both the penalties were con- tentious decisions and the hosts were clearly upset. Earlier, Sri Lanka thrashed Turkey 6-2 in the first match of the League. Dammika Ranasinghe scored in the 33rd and 59th minute. Mohomad Mulaffer, Pushpakumara Dharmarathne, Dammika Abeyrathne and Anju Qatar’s Sami Ullah Hewage scored one goal each. (right) and Muhammad Onur Acikgoz and Orhun Abubaker of Azerbaijan Ozel scored consolation goals for vie for the ball during Turkey. their World Hockey Only one team will qualify for League match at Al Round 2 from the Qatar leg of Rayyan Sports Club the FIHWHL, organised by the yesterday. Azerbaijan International Hockey Federation. won 5-4. BOTTOM: The tournament will be held over . THE PENINSULA Sri Lanka’s Danushka two years Fernando (right) attempts to shoot Men’s World Hockey during his side’s League match against Turkey. Today’s Schedule Sri Lanka won 6-2. Azerbaijan vs Turkey, 4:00pm PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT Oman vs Qatar, 6.00pm Venue: Al Rayyan Stadium WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 29 Higginbotham wary of Wales Wales are a tough side to play against and they are a very physical team, says the Aussie

CARDIFF, United Kingdom: wide and in close,” he said to Wallabies’ enforcer Scott reporters. Fly-half Carter Higginbotham has warned that Higginbotham added: “They are Wales will be “right up for it” a very physical team and that’s expects to in their bid to end a disastrous the type of team I like to play autumn international series on against. a high. “It was a bit disappointing to face England Wales slumped to losses to see them go down to sides that Argentina (26-12) and Samoa I thought they’d win against LONDON: New Zealand fly- (26-19) before going down 33-10 recently. half Dan Carter expects to face to a completely dominant New “Just because a team is off form England at Twickenham on Zealand side last weekend, mean- doesn’t mean they can’t change Saturday in the final match of ing the Australia game is a must- that in a week. Our boys did that the world champions’ European win for them should they want from the French to the English tour. a top-eight seeding for Monday’s game and we won’t be taking Carter missed the All Blacks’ draw for the 2015 World Cup. them lightly.” 33-10 win over Wales in Cardiff But Higginbotham, back in the Wales, however, are on a six- last Saturday with Achilles and Australia set-up after serving a match losing streak, started when calf problems but said yesterday two-match ban for kneeing and they lost a three-Test series to the he anticipated taking part in New head-butting All Blacks captain Wallabies in the summer. Zealand’s last match of 2012. Richie McCaw, warned: “They’ll “They were close games and “Hopefully I’ll be ready, noth- be right up for it, especially after we got up on them in all three of ing’s changed over the last couple that game against the All Blacks. them and I’m sure they’ll want of days,” he said yesterday. “The “But we’re here to get the job a bit of payback,” Higginbotham plan was to get through training done as well.” said. and it was pretty light today, I Australia have rebounded from “It’s tough playing a series like didn’t go over 50 percent. I got a 33-6 defeat by France to wins that where it’s the same team through it well. over England (20-14) and Italy three weeks straight. You get a “We’re looking after it well and (22-19), and Higginbotham said lot of time to watch each other’s doing everything right to be ready his team’s familiarity with the game and by the time you get for this weekend. I’m pretty con- Welsh side meant there’d be no to that second match it’s always fident I’ll be right to play, I just surprises come Saturday. going to be a close score because need some positive thinking,” “I’ve played the majority of my you do know each other so well. added Carter, aiming to help the Tests against Wales. They are a “You can come pretty close to Italy’s Simone Favaro (second left) is tackled by Australia’s Digby Ioane (second right) during their rugby union All Blacks extend their 20-match tough side to play and they play predicting what a team is going Test match at the Franchi Stadium in Florence on November 24. Wallabies’ enforcer Scott Higginbotham said that unbeaten run. a similar brand of football to the to do.” his side will face a difficult match against Wales, when the two sides clash on Saturday at Millennium Stadium. “It’s the last game of the year southern hemisphere game,” the Winger Drew Mitchell, with and I want to be part of it.” flanker said. an impressive try-scoring would be taking the pitch at the “We want to finish this tour on year. We’re looking to finish with New Zealand coach Steve “It’s very quick and they attack record of 30 in 62 international Millennium Stadium “absolutely a positive note and do everything a bang, there’s no next week for Hansen is due to name his team the opposition breakdown out appearances, said the Wallabies ready to rip into Wales”. we can to win our final Test of the us,” he added. AFP to play England tomorrow. AFP ‘Golf war’ players win case against Asian Tour SINGAPORE: Four professional golf- trade and therefore null and void,” their posted on the Asia Pacific Golf Group strong, but I felt the restrictions were members from playing in other profes- ers forced the Asian Tour to pay back lawyer, Christopher Anand Daniel said website. stopping the sport from developing and sional golf tournaments even when there fines and legal costs and let them play yesterday. “We thought we were within our rights also stopping me from developing as a was clearly no conflicting event,” he said. on the rival OneAsia circuit after win- He added the players may also be able on this and I’d like to thank our lawyers player.” “We have always had a much more ning a lengthy court battle yesterday. to claim for damages as compensation for for arguing our case so well. The Asian Tour said it would consider open policy... and we hope this ruling The players -- Australia’s Terry potential earnings while they were forced “This situation was simply unfair. the ruling before deciding whether to opens the way for more players to take Pilkadaris and Matthew Griffin, Manila- to sit out events. Even when the Asian Tour didn’t have appeal. part in our events without fear of puni- based Dutchman Guido van der Valk and The case highlighted a major point of a tournament, we were being prevented “Our lawyers are reviewing the court’s tive fines or banning.” Malaysia’s Anis Hassan -- emerged victo- contention between the Asian Tour and from playing on OneAsia -- and as a pro- judgement and we will make further The Asian Tour is a tournament which rious after a year-long restraint of trade OneAsia, whose launch in 2009 sparked fessional golfer this clearly is an infringe- comments at the appropriate time,” the is recognised as a full member of the case at the Singapore High Court. what has been called the region’s “golf ment of trade,” he added. Asian Tour said in a statement. International Federation of PGA Tours. The players launched the legal action war”. Griffin also celebrated the victory, and But OneAsia chairman and com- The season consists of tournament after they were fined and barred from Pilkadaris said he was “delighted” with said the Asian Tour rules had hindered missioner Sang Y Chun said the ruling played in 14 countries including India Asian Tour events for playing OneAsia the ruling, adding it was “simply unfair” the development of golf in Asia. showed it was “illogical” to stop players and Thailand. tournaments in 2010. that the Asian Tour barred players from “It has been a long wait, but it feels from taking part in both tours. This season will finish in December, “The judge declared that all of those OneAsia events even when the circuits’ very good. I really feel that justice has “Obviously this is a case between those with three more events still to take place. rules which allowed the Asian Tour schedules were not in direct conflict. been done in this case,” he was quoted specific players and the Asian Tour, but The Tour was founded in 1995. Thailand’s to prohibit its players from playing on “Obviously I am delighted,” said as saying. our position has always been that it was Thaworn Wiratchant has won the most other tournaments... were restraint of Pilkadaris, according to a statement “Golf in the region could be very illogical for the Asian Tour to prevent its number of titles (15). AFP QBL: Al Arabi stun Al Rayyan BY DANOTZKI SANTOS

DOHA: Al Arabi stunned Al Rayyan to hand the defending champions their first taste of defeat in the Qatar Basketball League (QBL) at the Al Gharafa Indoor Arena, yesterday. Al Arabi squandered an eight point edge in the dying minutes of the regulation but held on for the win. Al Arabi’s Alvin Mofunanya and William Byrd were impres- sive to lift Arabi to their sixth win in the tournament against two losses. Earlier in the match, Targuy Ngombo of Al Rayyan, made sure the game went into extra time after scoring on the third attempt in the dying seconds of the QBL match. Abdulai Jalloh had a sterling double-double night for Al Arabi, who contributed with 29 points and 17 rebounds. His team-mate Wiliam Byrd added 23 points. For the defending champions, Yaseen Mousa top scored for Al Rayyan with 25 points with Boney Harold Watson adding 22. In the other QBL match to take place yesterday, point leaders Al Sadd pulled away late in the third period to record a 75-65 win over Players of Al Gharafa and Al Sadd try to get the ball during their Qatar Basketball League (QBL) match at QBL Standings Al Gharafa Sports Stadium yesterday. RIGHT: Alvin Mofunanya (left) attempts to take a shot despite the Team Win Loss blocking efforts of Al Rayyan’s Targuy Ngombo during their side’s QBL match at the same venue. Al Sadd 7 0 PICTURES BY: KAMMUTTY VP Al Rayyan 6 1 Al Arabi 6 2 El Jaish 5 2 Al Gharafa. The positive result period. Chris Dela Rosa and in the first match today to be Al Gharafa 3 4 gave Al Sadd their seventh Khaled Salman led Al Sadd played at 5:00pm. Qatar Club 1 4 straight win this season. with 19 points a piece. The second match of the Al Shamal 1 4 The match was closely fough- Whereas, Oussey Ndaye day will be Qatar SC clash- ted but Al Gharafa were no scored 29 points for Al Gharafa ing against Al Wakrah in the Al Ahli 0 6 pushovers and took the upper- in yesterday’s QBL match. 7:00pm showdown. Al Wakrah 0 6 hand until early in the second Al Ahli will face Al Shamal THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 30 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Unchanged South Africa, Australia gear India to face England in up for Perth Test challenge third Test MUMBAI: The All India Senior Selection Committee of the Board of Control for Aussie press praise visitors’ fightback; last Test begins on Friday Cricket in India (BCCI) yes- terday named an unchanged side for the third cricket Test MELBOURNE: South Africa JP Duminy for the series with an survival will feel like a win going against England, to be played in head into the third and final Achilles injury, the Proteas with- into the third and deciding show- Kolkata starting on December Test against Australia believing drew frontline paceman Vernon down this week. 5. that if all else fails their deep Philander from Adelaide after he Debutant Plessis batted India won the first Test at reservoir of grit and determina- pulled up with a back injury. throughout the final day for a Ahmedabad comfortably but tion can still be counted on to All-rounder Jacques Kallis defiant unbeaten century to guide suffered a humiliating 10-wicket confront the most daunting of strained a hamstring early on day the Proteas to a thrilling draw in loss to England in the second challenges. one to compound South Africa’s Adelaide, spending almost eight Test here. Dominated by Australia for woes, but the 37-year-old bat- hours at the crease in a feat of Unfazed, the national selectors much of the epic, drawn Adelaide tled on to score a half-century to physical and mental endurance. persisted with the same squad Test will feel like more of a victory help his team avoid the follow-on “No faffing about from Du giving under-fire star players for Graeme Smith’s injury-hit and then a gritty 38 in the fourth Plessis,” said the Sydney Morning another chance to prove their Proteas, whose batsmen turned innings. Herald, with cricket writer worth. a seemingly hopeless cause into Duminy’s injury opened the Malcolm Knox saying the match “The teams for the fourth a brilliant save on the final day. door for Faf du Plessis to produce had everything bar a winner. Test and the T20 International The series remains locked at a sensational debut, with 78 in “Or maybe not,” he added. series, will be picked later,” BCCI 0-0 after Brisbane and Adelaide, the first innings and superb cen- “South Africa’s survival will Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in and South Africa’s status as the tury in the second to guide South certainly feel like a win as they a statement. top-ranked Test side will be re- Africa to safety on day five and go into Friday’s decider, while Meanwhile, former skipper examined in Perth when the final earn man-of-the-match honours. Australia’s failure to dismiss them Sourav Ganguly yesterday said match begins on Friday. Philander’s replacement Rory in 148 overs will deflate their self- there “could be lot of changes” The Proteas skipper, however, Kleinveldt also made the most belief beyond quick repair.” in Indian cricket if the home side paid credit to the resilience of his of his opportunity, taking three The Australian newspaper lost at Eden Gardens players, who remain unbeaten on wickets to be the pick of South called Australia’s inability to nail Ganguly suggested that Indian tour since Feb. 2010. Africa’s bowlers in the second the win an “heroic failure” while skipper Dhoni should not opt “It’s really a strengthen- innings after a wicketless debut praising the contribution from Du for a turner in the coming Test ing point for us considering we in Brisbane. Plessis, who was at the crease for match against England. haven’t played very well,” Smith Kleinveldt’s performance, along 464 minutes and faced 376 balls “Dhoni should not seek a said of the Adelaide draw. with a dogged effort from pace- in his draining 110. turner. If the ball turns, the “We had another couple of big man Morne Morkel, did gloss over “One of the joys of Test cricket England spinners will create injuries in this Test match that a patchy Test for South Africa’s is when a player explores the lim- problems for the Indian bats- created a little bit of hassle for bowlers, who were blasted for 482 its of their capabilities, proves men. And if India lose two back us and we still managed to scrape runs on day one. something they always wondered to back Tests then there will be through after not being in great Queries over Dale Steyn’s fit- if they could do, finds a reserve lot of changes in Indian cricket,” positions. ness remain after he had treat- hidden even from themselves,” the he said. “We haven’t been at our best ment for a leg strain. paper’s Gideon Haigh wrote. India went down by ten but we still haven’t been beaten, Meanwhile, Australian media “Faf du Plessis discovered some South Africa’s Faf du Plessis (left) celebrates his first Test century with wickets in the second Test of and that’s a very rewarding feel- yesterday praised the rearguard things about himself in this mara- Jacques Kallis in the second Test against Australia in Adelaide, Australia the ongoing series inside four ing for us.” action by South Africa to save thon Test match in Adelaide -- as on Monday. days at Mumbai, with English Having already lost all-rounder the second Test and said their have his opponents.” AGENCIES spinners Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann taking 16 wick- ets between them. Regarding Sachin Tendulkar, who is yet to be among runs in Clarke regains No.1 Test batsman ranking the series, Ganguly said: “Yes, his reflexes have gone down. But ADELAIDE, Australia: moved to the top of the table, part of the back-to-back Ashes unanimously back Ricky Ponting that is bound to happen with age. Australian captain Michael having first achieved the ranking series in 2013, coach Mickey to get us some runs,” Arthur, But what I feel is that Tendulkar Clarke (pictured) has regained in August 2009 and then again Arthur has said, but the third who is on Australia’s selection is out of form and needs runs. his ranking as the world’s No.1 surging to the summit in March- and final Test against South panel along with Clarke, told “I want to earnestly believe Test batsman after his record- April this year. Africa in Perth may be his reporters. that he will get runs in the two breaking performance in the Both times his stay was brief, last chance to reverse a run of “By his own admission, Perth remaining Tests,” the former second Test against South which could prove to be the case wretched form. is a big test for him and that’s by opening batsman added. Africa. again. Ponting scored a duck, four his own admission. The talismanic former Indian The 31-year-old’s masterly 230 He leads Sangakkara by a and 16 in three innings against “He’ll leave no stone unturned left hander said it was for in the first innings of the drawn slender 10 rating points margin the Proteas, sparking renewed in his preparation going into Tendulkar, and not for the selec- Adelaide Test was his fourth and if the Sri Lankan manages calls for the ageing former cap- Perth and I’m backing him for tors, to decide when he will quit double ton of the year -- a feat a strong performance in the tain to give up his place for a a big score in Perth, no doubt international cricket. that saw him become the first second innings of the ongoing more youthful successor. about that. India Squad: batsman in Test history to post Test against New Zealand in Ponting told Australian tel- “If Ricky’s scoring runs we Mahendra Singh Dhoni (cap- four 200s in a calendar year. Colombo, he could reclaim the evision earlier this week that certainly want Ricky Ponting tain), Gautam Gambhir, Virender In the latest ICC rankings coveted spot. he expected to have a “conver- around for six months, certainly Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat released late Monday, Clarke Clarke began the year in 20th sation” with selectors about the next six months. We want Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Cheteshwar leapfrogged Kumar Sangakkara position and has surged through his playing career in the near Ricky Ponting to go to the Ashes. Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin, of Sri Lanka and South Africa the rankings by scoring 1,309 future, but Arthur said the “Like any batsman, you’ve got Ashok Dinda, Pragyan Ojha, duo Hashim Amla and Jacques runs to date at an average of 119. 37-year-old already enjoyed to keep scoring runs, and that’s Ajinkya Rahane, Harbhajan Kallis. Meanwhile, Australia selec- their full backing. by his own admission.” Singh, Ishant Sharma, M Vijay, It is the third time Clarke has tors want Ricky Ponting to be “We back Ricky, we AGENCIES Zaheer Khan. IANS Murray, Sharapova favourites Valcke visits Arena da Baixada Stadium in Brazil for Australian Open: Official SYDNEY: The Australian Open tennis tournament direc- tor has tipped Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova to win the singles titles at the first Grand Slam of 2013. World No.1 Novak Djokovic looks to defend his crown against a likely resurgent Rafael Nadal, who is returning to the action after missing half a year with knee injury, and Roger Federer, who is looking to become the first man in the Open Era to win five Australian Open titles. But Craig Tiley, the chief administrator at Melbourne Park, insists Murray will pose the greatest threat to the Andy Murray (left) and Maria Sharapova Serbian star for the January 14 to 27 event. Sharapova to win the title last intervening months rehabilitat- “I think, on the men’s side January. ing a chronic knee injury, and Andy Murray will be difficult to “In the women’s draw, I think, recently vowed to return at an beat this year,” Tiley said. Maria,” Tiley said. exhibition in Abu Dhabi starting “Novak is a defending cham- “I think she was probably play- December 27. pion, he is playing great tennis, ing the best tennis at the end of “We are fortunate that we start he is obviously tough to beat, but the year. Azarenka is playing in January,” Tiley said. I think Andy Murray is some- great tennis and she won here “Players have taken some time one who we are going to see even last year obviously and this was off so that they are not injured, more.” her first breakthrough.” like Rafa Nadal, whom I spoke to Murray enjoyed the best This year, players in all four last week and he is going to be year of his career in 2012, win- main draws will fight for a share ready to play.” ning the Olympics and his first of $30m, the biggest prize fund The 26-year-old Spaniard won Grand Slam at the US Open in on the tour. the Australian Open in 2009 but September. World No.4 Nadal has given his lost last year’s final at Melbourne Former Brazilian striker and member of the 2014 World Cup Local Organising Committee Ronaldo (left), President In the women’s draw, Tiley word that he will be ready to play Park to Djokovic, in one of the of the Atletico PR football team Mario Petraglia, Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo, Curitiba’s mayor Luciano sided with the Russian No.1 over at the tournament said Tiley. most thrilling five-setters of Ducci and FIFA Secretary-General Jerome Valcke (right) visit Arena da Baixada Stadium in Curitiba, yesterday. Victoria Azarenka, who beat He has spent the five 2012. IANS WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 31 Marseille, Cech urges patience ahead Lyon clash for Ligue 1 of derby clash with Fulham top spot

MARSEILLE, France: Marseille host Lyon in today’s Mancini seeks striking improvement; Anderson hopes for United chance sole Ligue 1 clash in a game postponed from last month LONDON: Chelsea goalkeeper owns the freehold of the Chelsea because of bad weather with top Petr Cech says Rafael Benitez ground. spot in the French champion- must be given a chance to make “If he has a lot of success in win- ship at stake. his mark at the club, ahead of ning games, then I think there’s The south coast club currently a potentially stormy Premier likely to be a solemn acceptance, share the lead on 26 points with League derby with local rivals but the supporters aren’t going to Paris Saint-Germain but are Fulham today. sing his name.” behind on goal difference but a Benitez can only hope the club’s Chelsea’s performance against draw would be enough to reclaim dissenting supporters eventually City offered few distractions and sole pole position, which they last accept him, although the evidence Benitez will expect an improve- held over five weeks ago. of the new interim manager’s first ment when his side confront Marseille are riding high after game in charge suggests that is the club’s near neighbours and getting back to winning ways with unlikely to happen soon. attempt to revive their title Sunday’s hard-fought 1-0 success Benitez will take charge of his ambitions. over Lille, after falling by the second game since succeeding Lying fourth, five points behind same scoreline against Bordeaux Roberto Di Matteo when Fulham leaders Manchester United, the previous weekend. visit Stamford Bridge, three days Chelsea can ill afford to drop Coach Elie Baup revealed that a after Chelsea were held to a points and Cech admits they can- number of players were still nurs- scoreless home draw by Premier not afford a bedding in period. ing knocks but added: “We have League champions Manchester “We, as players, need to adapt to do everything in our power to City. quickly and start thinking posi- recover energy.” The Spaniard was given an tively in order to work with the His side has, however, been early indication during that manager and give him what he boosted by the return from injury game of the depth of resentment needs to help get results,” he said. of midfielder Mathieu Valbuena held towards him by some of the “We need to put things right. and defender Nicolas Nkoulou, club’s fans, who have not forgiven We got a good point (against City), who both featured against Lille. him for his role in the intense and hopefully on Wednesday we’ll Loic Remy, also back but doubt- rivalry that has existed between win our game and push on from ful against Lyon, could offer Baup Chelsea and Benitez’s former club, there. an alternative up front, with Jordan Liverpool. “(Benitez) is here to change Ayew, scorer of Sunday’s winning Some supporters have sug- things, to put us in a winning Chelsea’s interim head coach Rafael Benitez attends a media conference at their training ground in Cobham, goal in his fourth match this sea- gested the protests will continue, mode, and he needs to be given south of London, yesterday. son, set to fill in again for injured ensuring another difficult atmos- a chance.” Andre-Pierre Gignac (foot). phere for the home side as they Fulham will attempt to claim Left-back Jeremy Morel and attempt to revive their flagging a first win at Stamford Bridge in left them a point behind lead- Tottenham Hotspur, while Aguero with the midfield area particu- goalkeeper Steve Mandanda are season. 33 years on the back of successive ers Manchester United in the and Dzeko each had 10 goals to larly problematic. Paul Scholes is also expected to be fit after suf- “I think there’ll always be a defeats and a run of five games Premier League. their name. Dzeko currently has suspended after being booked in fering knocks against Lille, as resentment,” said Tim Rolls, a without a win. In itself a point from Stamford six, the same number as Tevez, the weekend victory over Queens well as England’s Joey Barton, shareholder in Chelsea Pitch That has left them in mid-table Bridge is no disgrace, but the while Aguero has scored five Park Rangers, while Darren still lacking physical fitness after Owners, the fan-led group that after an enterprising start to the alarm bells have begun to ring times. Fletcher may be rested, despite his 12-match suspension, but season and they will again be for the City manager. With Champions League ambi- scoring against QPR, as he fights an important player midfield as English Premier League without influential centre-back No rivals possess a stronger tions dashed for this season at his way back from a career- shown in his first game for his Brede Hangeland, who serves strike force than City’s attack- least, Mancini wants an end to threatening bowel disease. new club at the weekend. Todays Fixtures the second game of a three-match ing roster of Sergio Aguero, Edin the misfiring as he readjusts his Winger Antonio Valencia is Lyon are just one point behind ban after being sent off against Dzeko, Carlos Tevez and Mario sights on retaining the Premier also expected to miss the visit Marseille in fourth place, and Chelsea vs Fulham (1945) Sunderland. Balotelli, all of whom were given League title; a feat so far achieved of Sam Allardyce’s team, after will be looking to recover from Everton vs Arsenal (1945) Meanwhile, Manchester City a chance to break the Chelsea by only United and Chelsea. being absent from the 3-1 win their 3-0 hammering at Toulouse Southampton vs Norwich City (1945) manager Roberto Mancini is deadlock. Meanwhile, midfielder over Rangers with a hip problem, at the weekend, in a Velodrome Stoke City vs Newcastle United (1945) demanding a return to the ruth- But while only neighbours Anderson could return to the while fellow wide player Nani has Stadium where they have a good Swansea City vs West Bromwich Albion less accuracy from his strikers United have scored more than Manchester United team at home been ruled out with a hamstring record coming away with draws (1945) that fired the club to their first City’s 25 goals, a comparison with to West Ham United today as complaint. It all points to a more from the past two seasons. Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool (1945) league title since 1968 in May. last season reveals why Mancini injuries and suspensions unset- significant role for Brazilian “Given the negative result in City travel to the DW Stadium is anxious. tle the Premier League leaders’ Anderson, who has failed to scale Toulouse, it is especially impor- Manchester United vs West Ham United to face Wigan Athletic today City had scored 43 goals by squad. United manager Alex the dizzy heights expected of him tant not to squander (the match),” (2000) after a goalless draw at European this stage a year ago, winning Ferguson has several decisions to when he signed for £20m from warned Lyon coach Remi Garde, Wigan Athletic vs Manchester City (2000) champions Chelsea on Sunday 6-1 at Old Trafford and 5-1 at make about his starting line-up, Porto in 2007. AGENCIES AFP UEFA considers Celtic players give Chelsea ‘regret’ racism scrapping Europa League, backing to Lennon charges against referee says Platini GLASGOW: Celtic star LONDON: Chelsea yesterday integrity of refereeing in this Efe Ambrose has urged the SPL fixtures expressed their “regrets” over country remains paramount. RENNES, France: Parkhead club’s supporters to lay Today the way they complained of “Chelsea FC made it clear they European football’s govern- off manager Neil Lennon ahead Hearts vs Celtic (1930) racist abuse by referee Mark would welcome Mark Clattenburg ing body are considering of today’s trip to Tynecastle to St Johnstone vs Hibernian Clattenburg (pictured). back to Stamford Bridge in the scrapping the Europa League take on Hearts in the Scottish The European champions, in a future and PGMOL would have in favour of extending the Premier League. with patience, everything works a joint statement with referees’ no issue in appointing him to a Champions League, UEFA The Nigerian defender was out better than they think. body Professional Game Match Chelsea FC match going forward. president Michel Platini told left shocked after the Celtic “The team is just building up Officials Limited (PGMOL) and “All parties now believe it is yesterday’s edition of the manager stated on Saturday he and injuries coming along do not the Premier League, admitted time to draw a line under this daily Ouest-France. would walk away from the club help. It’s affecting the team a bit. they should have “given more con- incident, learn from it and move Asked about possible plans if the fans wanted him out fol- When the team is back, you are sideration” before making their on for the good of all Premier to extend the elite Champions lowing an angry confrontation going to see a better Celtic. allegation public. League clubs, players and match League at the expense of the with a section of supporters dur- “The fans should stay behind Last week the Football officials.” second-tier Europa League, ing their shock 1-0 home defeat us and stick with us. They are Association (FA) decided to take Chelsea’s statement stopped Platini said: “There is an ongo- to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. here to see what this team can no disciplinary action whatsoever short of the complete apology to ing debate to determine what Celtic sit top of the Scottish do but we are just starting out against Clattenburg following an Clattenburg some within English form the European competi- Premier League - a point above and have not even reached our investigation into Chelsea’s alle- football had been demanding, with tions will have between 2015 Aberdeen and Hibernian with second stage. gation he used “inappropriate the referee and his fellow officials and 2018. We’re discussing it, a game in hand - and Lennon “We believe in ourselves and language” against midfielder John particularly incensed by the club’s we will make a decision in 2014. has led the club to the brink of we’ll work extra hard to do it.” Obi Mikel. decision to make their complaint Nothing is decided yet.” qualifying for the last 16 of the His thoughts were echoed by That followed an earlier deci- public within hours of the final One of the options being Champions League thanks to captain Scott Brown, who pointed sion by police to end their enquir- whistle. looked at is the possibility of a memorable run in the group to Lennon’s achievements since ies into the incident due to a lack Last week Clattenburg issued extending the final phase of the stages which included a famous taking charge two years ago. of evidence. a statement of his own, saying: Champions League from 32 to win over Barcelona earlier this “The gaffer has been great with Referee Mark Clattenburg, 4th Chelsea said yesterday “To know you were innocent of 64 teams. month. every single player here and the official, attends the English Premier they “would welcome Mark something but that there was the Meanwhile, a decision on But domestically the club have club has made a lot of progress Clattenburg back to Stamford League football match between opportunity for it to wreck your the use of goal-line technology struggled with the Hoops drop- since he has been in charge,” the Bridge in the future and PGMOL Tottenham Hotspurs and West Ham career was truly frightening.” will be made after next month’s ping 17 points in 14 games, 12 of Scotland midfielder said. would have no issue in appointing at White Hart Lane in North London He added: “I know first hand Club World Cup in Japan, FIFA them after Champions League “We are possibly only one game him to a Chelsea FC match going on Sunday. the ramifications of allegations of has revealed. matches and 10 at home, as they away from reaching the knockout forward”. this nature being placed into the Football’s world governing have made the worst start to any stage of the Champions League, The London club also said it League chief executive Richard public domain ahead of a formal body said the two systems to title campaign since 1998. we have won away from home for regretted the “intense media Scudamore. process and investigation. I hope be tested during the tourna- Following the defeat to the first time in the competition scrutiny” Clattenburg had faced It said: “The club regrets not no referee has to go through this ment - Hawk Eye and GoalRef Inverness, the Highland club’s and we have managed to defeat as a result of their allegations. having given more consideration in the future.” - had been chosen from a list of first ever win at Parkhead, Barcelona. Last week the FA said there before issuing a statement on the The Clattenburg incident came 11 prototypes, reports Xinhua. Lennon said he’d do the “hon- “The players know that we need was “no case to answer” over evening of Sunday 28th October. at a sensitive time for Chelsea, “We are going to use both ourable thing” if the club’s fans to start picking up more points allegations Clattenburg said “shut “The club also regrets the sub- who’d defended captain John technologies during the FIFA want him to leave. But Ambrose in the league, especially at home, up you monkey” to the Nigeria sequent impact the intense media Terry before the centre-half Club World Cup and then we reckons the critics are wrong and but the manager has built a good midfielder during Chelsea’s scrutiny had on Mark Clattenburg accepted a four-game domestic will make a choice on which fans should stick with the boss enough team, brought players in 3-2 Premier League defeat by and his family. ban for racially abusing QPR one to use for future tourna- and his team as patience will see from nowhere and made them an Manchester United at Stamford “The referees accept that, given defender Anton Ferdinand in a ments,” the head of FIFA’s them rewarded. important part of the team and Bridge on October 28. Chelsea FC had received a good match last year. General Secretary Office, “I believe these things come that is to his credit. Yesterday’s statement followed faith claim from one of their Clattenburg will referee the Christoph Schmidt, said. with desperation,” the defender Elsewhere, Hibernian, who are a meeting Monday that included employees, the club had an obli- Premier League match between “We will never obligate a said. just a point behind the Hoops, Clattenburg, the remaining Select gation under FA rules to report Southampton and Norwich on league or stadium to have goal- “The fans want us to win but will look to end a two-match Group referees, Chelsea chairman the allegation. Wednesday, the first time he has line technology because it is when we cannot win, you see the losing run when they travel to Bruce Buck, PGMOL general “There was recognition by all taken charge of a match since the very expensive.” AGENCIES other side of them, the ugly side. McDiarmid Park to take on St manager Mike Riley and Premier parties that the impartiality and allegations surfaced. AFP “But this is football. I believe Johnstone. AFP Wednesday 28 November 2012 14 Muharram 1434 Volume 17 Number 5532 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Squash gets Gutsy Samaraweera helps ready for IOC inspection in Hong Kong HONG KONG: Frustrated by Sri Lanka avoid follow-on two failed bids to get squash into the Olympics, world number one Nicol David and her fellow play- Injured batsman keeps New Zealand bowlers at bay in Colombo Test ers have embarked on a cam- paign to raise the sport’s global profile in an attempt to win over COLOMBO:Thilan Resuming at 43 for three, IOC chiefs in Hong Kong this Samaraweera defied the dis- Scoreboard overnight batsmen Tharanga week. comfort of an injured hand and Paranavitana (40) and Angelo One sport will be added to the New Zealand (I innings): ...... 412 the threat of the New Zealand Mathews (47) took their part- programme for the 2020 Games Sri Lanka (I innings): attack to ensure Sri Lanka nership to 90 and the total to with squash up against karate, T Paranavitana c van Wyk b Southee ...... 40 retained a foothold in the sec- 102 before Paranavitana, who the Chinese martial art of T Dilshan b Southee ...... 5 ond Test yesterday. had resisted for more than three wushu, baseball, softball, roller K Sangakkara c Boult b Southee ...... 0 Samaraweera, who had three hours, edged Southee to Kruger sports, wakeboarding and sport M Jayawardene c Williamson b Boult ...... 4 stitches inserted into the web- van Wyk behind the stumps. climbing. A Mathews c Guptill b Southee ...... 47 bing on his right hand on Monday That was after Paranavitana The International Olympic Sri Lankan T Samaraweera (batting) ...... 76 after dropping a catch, made an was dropped by Taylor at first Committee (IOC) will make its cricketer P Jayawardene c Williamson b Patel ...... 12 unbeaten 76 to help steer the slip off the luckless Trent Boult decision on a host for the 2020 Thilan S Randiv (batting) ...... 34 home side very slowly to 225 for (one for 34) when the batsman Games, as well as which sport to Samaraweera Extras (LB-3, NB-3, W-1) ...... 7 six by the close of play on the had scored 32. add, at its session in Argentina in (left) runs Total (for 6 wkts) ...... 225 third day. There was no such reprieve for September 2013. between the Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-7, 3-12, 4-102, It meant Sri Lanka still Mathews, who became Southee’s IOC observers are inspecting 5-103, 6-128. wickets as trailed by 187 runs following New fourth wicket when Martin the Hong Kong Open as part Bowling: Southee 19-3-51-4 (nb1), Boult New Zealand Zealand’s first innings total of 412, Guptill produced a superb diving of their squash evaluation and 17-5-34-1 (nb2, w1), Patel 22-3-47-1, Astle bowler Trent but it was a vast improvement on one-handed catch to his right at David said the tournament was 13-2-41-0, Bracewell 13-1-44-0, Williamson Boult looks their position midway through second slip. the ideal setting to show the 2.2-1-5-0. on during the the afternoon session when they The other wicket to fall yester- sport deserved a place at the third day of had slipped to 128 for six. day was wicketkeeper Prasanna Games. the second Samaraweera, a veteran of 77 Samaraweera and Randiv’s part- Jayawardene, playing in his 50th “Hong Kong is the perfect place and final Test Tests stretching back to 2001, was nership was a record for the sev- Test, who was dismissed in iden- for the IOC’s inspection,” the match against his usual calm and assured self enth wicket at the venue - which tical fashion to the first Test in South China Morning Post quoted New Zealand despite his injury and by the close has staged 17 Tests including Sri Galle. the Malaysian as saying. at the P Sara of play which came 25.4 overs Lanka’s first against England in He top-edged a sweep off spin- “They have always put on a Oval Cricket early because of bad light, he had 1982 - eclipsing the previous mark ner Jeetan Patel to be held at deep good show and the players love Stadium in batted for 209 minutes, facing 156 of 85 set by Pakistan’s Inzamam- backward square-leg by Kane coming here. I have no doubt that Colombo, balls and hitting five fours. ul-Haq and Wasim Akram in Williamson. we can impress the IOC.” yesterday The unbeaten innings took his 1994. That was New Zealand’s last Determined to avoid rejec- tally at the venue to 597 runs at The Sri Lanka duo defied eve- success of a truncated day as tion for a third time, squash an average of 99.50, including two rything that New Zealand could Samaraweera and Randiv resisted examined how to make the game hundreds. throw at them with Taylor using for 37 overs. more fan-friendly and appealing Samaraweera found a willing six bowlers in an attempt to break Play during the shortened final to television. ally in off-spinner Suraj Randiv the stand. session was held up briefly as a cat Players have also been trying as the pair added an unbroken The visiting side’s most suc- made its way across the ground. to raise its profile by staging flash 97 runs for the seventh wicket cessful bowler was Tim Southee The first Test of the series in mob dances in Malaysia and New to frustrate the efforts of Ross (four for 51), who followed up his Galle was won by Sri Lanka by 10 Yo rk . Taylor’s side to force a victory that opening burst of two for 16 on wickets inside three days. “Yes, we have done everything, would level the two-match series. Monday with two more victims. REUTERS the players even dancing on the streets of Brooklyn and Kuala Lumpur this year to raise the sport’s profile,” said the 29-year- old David. “We have become more fan- Flintoff insists fight debut is no gimmick friendly. In the past squash was MANCHESTER, United rounds against Dawson, who has Through the fight and docu- the Manchester Arena, the venue regarded as a bit too sterile where Kingdom: Former England won both his previous fights. mentary, I want to show what will look a lot emptier than it was you couldn’t cheer. cricket hero Andrew Flintoff But he has received criticism sacrifices boxers go through and last weekend, when 20,000 people But now if there is a great (pictured) has found himself that he is not taking boxing seri- things that your casual sports watched former world champion shot and the fans cheer, the on the back foot even before ously and that Friday will be all fan might not necessarily realise Ricky Hatton make an unsuc- rally will continue. The play- he throws his first punch for about TV, not sport, with British about boxing. cessful comeback. Ticket sales ers won’t stop playing, we have money in the boxing ring on promoter Frank Maloney hitting “There’s no talk of disrespect- have been slow for Flintoff’s to move with the times and we Friday night. out at boxing authorities over ing boxing but of celebrating box- professional boxing bow, but he have adapted. Freddie, as he is fondly known the decision to grant Flintoff a ing, and I hope I manage to do hopes those who do turn up or “This is partly due to the fact in Britain, is being filmed as part licence. Flintoff, who stands an that. I’m a boxing fan and sport watch on television take him that the game is now being taken of a documentary series on Sky imposing 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 has been very good to me over seriously. to the fans. We are playing in television, “Flintoff: From Lord’s metres) tall, insists his new the years. “I didn’t do this as a gimmick, shopping malls and in outdoor To The Ring”, which culmi- career as a heavyweight boxer is “The fight came before the TV he said. courts in exotic locations like the nates in his professional boxing for real and he is not motivated show -- the TV show is a result “There’s too much at stake. Hong Kong harbour or Grand debut against American Richard by the intention to make a docu- of getting the fight, but you saw When you get in that ring and Central Station in New York, Dawson. mentary series about it. on the TV show... that I’ve put there’s someone coming at you, where there is outside noise For the past five months “I understand people are the hours in.” Flintoff retired you’ve got to do it for real. anyway. the 34-year-old Flintoff has protective of the sport, but I’m from cricket two years ago after “Hopefully at the end of it peo- “You can’t stop that noise so been trained by former world going in the ring on Friday and a colourful career including two ple can say, ‘You know what? He’s how can you stop a fan from featherweight champion Barry that’s what all my energy is going Ashes victories over Australia in had a go and done well there’, but cheering?” added David, who is McGuigan and his son, Shane, as into,” Flintoff said.“They need to 2005 and 2009. that’s not my motivation behind looking for her eighth consecutive he gears up for four two-minute watch me and give me a chance. When he steps into the ring at it.” AFP title in Hong Kong. REUTERS Scolari touted for Brazil return: Report SAO PAULO: Brazil are set Although one CBF director, speculation that 64-year-old quoted Marin as saying. On host) in 2013 and (the World Cup) to delve back into their glori- Andres Sanches, has spoken Scolari, who recently parted Menezes and Sanches’ support in 2014 but I don’t think bringing ous past by re-appointing 2002 out against the decision to fire company with Palmeiras and who for the man who failed to live up in foreigner would solve the prob- World Cup-winning coach Menezes, whom he insisted was says he will not speak on the issue to the CBF’s demanding require- lems,” he was quoted as saying. Felipe Scolari (pictured) to leading the squad along the right before the domestic league ends ments, Marin said the organisa- Five-times world champions deliver further success on home track, pressure was mounting for next weekend, will be given a sec- tion had to move on swiftly. Brazil are eager that the new man soil in 2014, the country’s media fresh impetus -- but only from a ond crack of the whip. “The past is the past -- we must should use the Confederations reported yesterday. home-grown manager. Asked about potential choices now think of the future,” he said. Cup to blood new stars as they The Brazilian Football That would rule out the likes and having previously said he A Folha said that means bring- prepare for the tournament that Confederation (CBF) sacked of former Barcelona coach Pep would wait until January before ing back “Big Phil”: the Lance matters most to the auriverde -- Mano Menezes last week after Guardiola -- currently on sab- deciding on his man, Marin said: sports daily added that CFB a first World Cup in the country just two years in the job, with batical in New York -- with CBF “I have faith in our Brazilian vice-chairman Marco Polo Del since 1950. the Selecao having lost in the chairman Jose Maria Marin on coaches. Nero had also come round to In his first stint, Scolari was quarter-finals of last year’s Copa record as saying that a Brazilian “We won five (world) titles with that view. forgiven for a pale Confederations America and then going down to ought to be found who knows them. That’s why it would be very “We do have other Brazilian Cup showing in 2001 after he led Mexico in the Olympic final in exactly what the job entails. difficult to call in a foreigner,” A coaches to take the helm (for the the Selecao to World Cup glory in London. His comments have fuelled Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper Confederations Cup which Brazil Japan the following year. AFP