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Monday 10 December 2012 26 Muharram 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5544 Price: QR2

Opec to England win decide third Test in output target Kolkata

Business | 17 Sport | 28

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Arab panel renews call for Assad to resign Arab states decide to give Palestinians $100m per month as part of financial safety net

DOHA: The Arab Ministerial heads of the committee’s mem- “The mechanism is that the Committee on Syria renewed its ber states delegations in addition chair of the committee (Qatar) call for Syrian President Bashar to the Foreign Ministers of UAE, and the secretary-general will Al Assad to step down to facili- Oman and Kuwait. contact each country with the tate the process of initiating a Meanwhile, Arab states exact amount they have to transfer of power and stop the agreed to provide the Palestinian pay,” Al Arabi said after the bloodshed and destruction. Authority with a $100m monthly meeting. The Committee, in a statement “financial safety net” to help “I said I want an answer in 15 released in Doha yesterday after President Mahmoud Abbas’s gov- days,” he added. its meeting chaired by the Prime ernment cope with an economic Israel and the United States Minister and Foreign Minister crisis after the United Nations opposed the UN General H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem granted de facto statehood to Assembly’s upgrade of the bin Jabor Al Thani, said that the Palestine. Palestinians’ status to “non-mem- continuing deterioration of the Israel has responded to the ber state”, saying Abbas should situation could have the gravest November 29 UN vote by order- instead resume peace talks that consequences and serious reper- ing 3,000 Jewish settler homes collapsed in 2010 over Israeli cussions on the future of Syria, its be built in the occupied West settlement-building. people and its territorial integ- Bank and announced it would The World Bank and the rity as well as on the security hold back payments of customs International Monetary Fund and stability of the region, QNA duties it collects on behalf of the (IMF) said in September that a reported. Palestinians to pay an outstanding gathering crisis in the Palestinian The Committee affirmed its electricity bill. economy would worsen unless full support for the joint UN/ In a statement yesterday after foreign funding increased and Arab League envoy Lakhdar a meeting in Doha, Arab foreign Israel eased long-standing curbs Brahimi in his mission to reach a ministers called for the immedi- on development. formula that can ensure consen- ate implementation of a resolu- In a separate report, the World sus among the Security Council tion passed at an Arab summit in Bank also forecast a $1.5bn members to adopt a resolution to Baghdad in March, which called Palestinian budget deficit for 2012. transfer power and form a tran- for the provision of a $100m Last Thursday, the Palestinian sitional government with full The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani with Palestinian President monthly safety net. cabinet said at a meeting in the responsibility to rule the coun- Mahmoud Abbas (left) and Arab League Secretary General Nabil Al Arabi (second right) in Doha yesterday. The statement did not give West Bank city of Ramallah that try and achieve the aspirations details of how the money would $240m were needed every month of the Syrian people in attaining be paid or who would pay, but to meet demands arising from freedom and change, as well as in the UN security Council to expe- membership, Qatar News Agency Palestinian President Mahmoud Arab League Secretary-General the Israeli decision to stop cus- establishing a democratic regime. dite the decision on Palestine’s (QNA) reported. Abbas, Arab League Secretary Nabil Al Arabi said a mechanism toms revenues transfers. The Committee also called on request for getting full UN The meeting was attended by General Nabil Al Arabi and the has been agreed. AGENCIES

Tighter security Egypt opposition for National Day New law has jail term, fine for celebrations rejects referendum those accepting illegal deposits

DOHA: More than 200 secu- CAIRO: Egypt’s main opposi- Islamists. “We are against this DOHA: A law passed last week rity personnel will be deployed tion coalition rejected yesterday process from start to finish,” specifies stringent punishment across the Corniche, with the Islamist President Mohammed Hussein Abdel Ghani, spokesman for people and entities found QCB given more teeth Ministry of Interior beefing Mursi’s plan for a constitutional of the National Salvation Front, soliciting deposits from the pub- up security arrangements for referendum this week, saying told a news conference, calling for lic without a valid licence from DOHA: A law (Number 13 of entities registered with the National Day celebrations, a it risked dragging the country more street protests tomorrow. the banking regulator. 2012) passed recently arms Qatar Financial Center (QFC) senior official has said. into “violent confrontation”. The Front’s main leaders — Stiff punitive measures have the banking regulator, Qatar and Qatar Exchange. The Corniche will be closed for Mursi’s decision on Saturday to Nobel peace laureate Mohamed also been specified for those who Central Bank (QCB), with “The legislation is part of the vehicular traffic in the morning retract a decree awarding him- ElBaradei, former Foreign refuse to accept local currency more powers and authorises country’s efforts to upgrade the for the National Day parade on self wide powers failed to placate Minister Amr Moussa and left- bills and for issuing and circulat- it to work as a supervisory financial and banking institu- December 18 and the police will opponents who accused him of ist Hamdeen Sabahy — did not ing forged Qatari currency. authority for various sectors. tions and support the role of keep a strict vigil on all vehicles plunging Egypt deeper into cri- attend the event. Anyone found accepting depos- These sectors include — regulators in this essential sec- entering the area in the evening sis by refusing to postpone the Thousands of protesters milled its from people or entities illegally aside from banking and finan- tor of the economy,” Qatar News to ensure that they abide by the vote on a constitution shaped by around Mursi’s palace, despite is to face a jail term of up to five cial services companies and Agency (QNA) reported yester- new safety guidelines. tanks, barbed wire and other years or pay up a fine of QR5m or exchange houses — insurance day citing a QCB release. The authorities have banned barriers installed last week after both, according to a law (Number providers, financial consul- THE PENINSULA covering vehicles with flags, stick- clashes between Islamists and 13 of 2012) that regulates the tancy firms, as well as financial Continued on page 4 ers and banners in a way that their rivals killed seven people. Qatar Central Bank (QCB) and prevents visibility and endangers “Holding a referendum now in Financial Services Institutions. Exchange) as well as Qatar institutions for manipulating the lives of motorists as well as the absence of security reflects Similarly, the maximum prison Financial Centre-registered accounts. Issuing forged Qatari pedestrians. Restrictions have haste and an absence of a sense term is three years and fine up to financial entities under the over- currency attracts deterring puni- also been imposed on tinting the of responsibility on the part of QR5m, or both, for those found all supervision of the QCB. tive action such as 10 years’ jail glasses. the regime, which risks pushing guilty of refusing to accept the The law, which was passed by and QR10m fine or both. Those engaging in daredevilry the country towards violent con- Qatari currency (legal tender), the Emir, H H Sheikh Hamad bin More significantly, experts on on the roads during the National frontation,” a statement from the says the law. The same punish- Khalifa Al Thani, last week, also the payroll of insurance firms Day celebrations will also face Front said. ment is specified for those found covers financial services consul- who are deployed for inspection action, a local Arabic daily The Muslim Brotherhood, using notes that are not in cur- tancies and has 10 chapters and and estimation of damages in reported yesterday, quoting Brig which propelled Mursi from rency anymore. 228 articles. A prison term of up claims cases must be licensed by Ali Salman Al Mohannadi, head obscurity to power, urged the The legislation places, aside to three years or fine not over the QCB. An unlicenced expert of the Security Committee for the opposition to accept the referen- from banks and financial services QR200,000 (or both) has been or middleman is to be fined National Day. An anti-Mursi protester talks to dum’s verdict. institutions — including exchange specified for officials and audi- QR100,000, says the law. All the vehicles coming from soldiers near the presidential palace REUTERS houses — insurance companies tors of QCB-licensed entities such THE PENINSULA neighbouring countries to join the in Cairo yesterday. See also page 10 and the Qatari bourse (Qatar as banks and financial services Continued on page 4 celebrations are also required to comply with the new regulations. The Traffic Department has noti- fied the Customs Department to ensure that the rules are strictly followed. THE PENINSULA Qatar to start building first stadium for 2022 World Cup soon Islamists seize DOHA: Qatar will soon start work on its Qatar Foundation (Education City). Centre. He said Ministry of Municipality museum is expected to be completed by 2015. Syrian military base first new football stadium for the 2022 In their bid file, Qatar pledged to and Urban Planning will give more details Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts, FIFA World Cup, a top official said in an build five new stadiums including an in due course of time. will be bidding for the 2024 summer DAMASCUS: Radical Islamist interview. 80,000-seater Lusail Iconic Stadium. Sheikh Saoud said schools in Qatar will Olympics, despite having failed to make rebels yesterday seized large Qatar won the rights to stage foot- Sheikh Saoud, who is the secretary get new sports facilities as part of efforts the cut in the race to host the 2016 swathes of a Syrian military ball’s showpiece event in 2022 after beat- general of the Qatar Olympic Committee to help students take to sport at an early and 2020 Games, the QOC official told base west of Aleppo, as they ing bids from the US, Japan, England, (QOC), said Qatar will upgrade existing age. Al Sharq newspaper. consolidated their control over South Korea and Australia more than two football and sports facilities in the coming In another sports first for the region, The 2006 Asian Games and 2011 AFC territory in the north near the years ago. years. He said four new football clubs will Qatar will inaugurate an Anti-Doping Asian Cup hosts failed to make the short- Turkish border, a journalist said. According to Sheikh Saoud bin be added to the Qatar Stars League’s (QSL) Laboratory today. list for the 2020 Games, leaving Madrid, Sheikh Suleiman base sprawls Abdulrehman Al Thani, the work on the roster that has 12 teams currently. Qatar also has plans to house sports arti- Tokyo and Istanbul in the running as the over nearly 200 hectares (500 new stadium is expected to be completed in A new aquatic facility is expected to be facts and archive memorabilia at what will leading candidates. acres). See also page 10 2015. The new stadium will be built inside built besides upgrading the Hamad Aquatic be a ‘unique’ sports museum. The sports THE PENINSULA MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Arab peace committee meets Emir, Heir Apparent Youth not for send condolences to Saudi King DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al mass wedding Thani and the Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani have sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy ceremonies Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia on the death of Prince Idea is humiliating, say citizens Faisal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Prime Minister and DOHA: Qatar being a wealthy interfere with the privacy of the Foreign Minister H E Sheikh country, its young citizens of grooms,” said Al Malki. Marriage Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor marriageable age, even though loans granted by the state to Al Thani has also sent a simi- they are from limited-income citizens are not enough to help lar cable of condolences to the families, find the idea of mass reduce the burden of marriage Saudi King. marriages humiliating. expenses on the youth, therefore The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani addressing the min- “The concept of mass mar- most of them do not ask for it, isterial meeting of the Arab Peace Initiative Committee in Doha yesterday. Also seen are (from left) Palestinian riages is not acceptable to the said Al Maliki. peace negotiator Saeb Erekat, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Arab League Secretary General Nabil Emir condoles with Qatari community because it is She urged the authorities con- Al Arabi and Arab League’s Deputy Secretary General, Ahmed Bin Hilli. against their traditions and cus- cerned to set up a marriage fund toms and it downgrades their to help Qatari men of marriage- Kuwaiti Emir social status,” a Qatari psycholo- able age to get married. DOHA: The Emir H H gist told local Arabic daily Al Every family has its own tra- Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Arab. ditions, so if the mass marriage Thani and the Heir Apparent “We could instead have a mar- is organised for one extended QNCC celebrates first anniversary H H Sheikh Tamim bin riage fund to help a Qatari man family it is okay. But brides and Hamad Al Thani have sent get married since Qatari wed- grooms come from different fami- DOHA: The Qatar National a cable of condolences to the dings are an expensive affair,” lies at mass weddings, therefore Convention Centre (QNCC) Emir of Kuwait H H Sheikh said Dr Moza Al Malki. it is not acceptable to the Qatari recently marked its first anni- Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber She said that since most Qatari community, said a citizen, Abu versary in the presence of sen- Al Sabah on the death of youth depend on salaries they go Mohammad Al Tamimi. ior government officials and Sheikh Ali Sabah Al Naser for bank loans to get married. The authorities concerned delegates attending the United Al Mubarak Al Sabah. And Qatari citizens cannot go should think of other ways to Nations Conference on Climate The Prime Minister and to charity organisations seeking facilitate youngsters to get mar- Change (COP18/CMP8). Foreign Minister H E Sheikh help for their marriage or cannot ried rather than have mass mar- The facility hosted some of Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor agree to mass marriage ceremo- riages, said Mohammad Al Bariki. the most prominent events from Al Thani has also sent a simi- nies because they think that it Building up cheaper marriage across the world and the region lar cable of condolences to the downgrades their social status. halls like Rimas project launched in the last year. It has hosted 212 Kuwaiti Emir. “I am personally against mass by the Social Development Center events and welcomed 155,561 del- marriages because it does not suit is a good idea, he said. egates and visitors to date. The our traditions and customs and THE PENINSULA economic impact generated from overseas delegates stands at an President of Gabon impressive QR283,560,000, a press release said yesterday. arrives in Doha “The centre officially opened last The iconic Qatar National Convention Centre. DOHA: The President of Advisory Council Speaker takes part in GCC meet year on this day when it hosted the Gabon Ali Ben Bongo arrived 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha yesterday for a state DOHA: The Speaker of the Advisory Council H E Mohammad - the largest oil and gas gather- said. In the past one year, QNCC East” by MICE Report Awards visit that will last for several bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi took part in the 6th regular meeting ing in the world, and today, one also received the “Middle East’s 2012. Within its first year of days. of Chairmen of the GCC Shura, Representatives, National and year later, we are playing host to Leading Exhibition & Convention operations, the QNCC also added He was welcomed on arrival Ummah Councils, which concluded in Manama on Saturday. the largest conference ever staged Centre” by the World Travel a golden feather to its culinary at the Doha International The two-day meeting tackled several key issues including the report in Qatar,” Saad Al Muhanadi, Awards 2012, “Best Congress hat at the 2012 Salon Culinaire Airport by the Minister of of the visit paid by a delegation of the GCC legislative councils, headed Chairman of AMLAK, the holding and Convention Centre, Middle on 16-18 October. The Centre took State H E Sheikh Hamad bin by Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council, to the European Parliament, company that oversees the strat- East” by Business Destinations home four medals including gold in Nasser bin Jassim Al Thani. from September 19 to 20, as well as the annual report of the GCC egy and operation of QNCC on Travel Awards 2012, and “Best the Arabic Mezza category. QNA General Secretariat on the GCC joint action. QNA behalf of Qatar Foundation (QF), Convention Centre in Middle THE PENINSULA MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Ecuador showcases rich Heir Apparent meets Greek Defence Minister biodiversity at Katara Twin photo exhibition open at Cultural Village

BY RAYNALD C RIVERA

DOHA: The Ecuadorian Embassy and Katara yesterday opened a twin photo exhibition showcasing the rich biodiversity and culture of Ecuador cap- tured on lens by two renowned Ecuadorian photographers. Fifty-one black-and-white photos of breathtaking land- scapes and the abundant flora and fauna of Galapagos Islands are featured at the “Galapagos The Heir Apparent and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Qatari Armed Forces, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Surreal Exhibition” by New-York Al Thani, with the Minister of Defence of Greece, Panos Panagiotopoulos, at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. based Ecuadorian photographer Fernando Espinosa Chauvín. Iguanas, penguins, albatrosses, sea lions, turtles, flamingos and blue-footed boobies found on Over 22,000 visit WISE photo exhibition the islands famed for their vast number of endemic species, which The Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Mubarak DOHA: The HOPE Exhibition, were studied by Charles Darwin bin Nasser Al Khalifa, and Ecuadorian Ambassador Kabalan Abisaab tour which was recently opened to during the voyage of the Beagle, the exhibition at Katara yesterday. SHAIVAL DALAL great acclaim in Doha and will were among those in the photos soon be coming to an end, has which are contained in a book by attracted over 22,000 people. Chauvin. “Ecuador is a diverse country values. Katara has continued to Launched in November by “Animals in Galapagos Islands with 27 ethnic groups including 13 support and develop local talents Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, are not afraid of people, the indigenous people. This diversity by providing them with a plat- Chairman of the World Innovation islands are just magical and that’s is the source of socio-economic form to showcase their artistic Summit for Education (WISE), what I tried to capture; that’s why and political wealth necessary abilities and enhance creative and Reza, renowned world pho- the photos are in black and white. for the development of the coun- engagement,” said Abdulrahman tographer, the exhibition has I tried to remove the distraction try,” said Ecuadorian Ambassador Al Khulaifi, President of Katara. attracted 22,000 people thus far of colours and focus on the com- Kabalan Abisaab, adding all the Dr Khalid Al Sulaiti, General to the Corniche on the Sheraton position and appreciate the whole ethnic groups live in harmony Manager of Katara said: “The Park. The exhibition, showcas- thing not just the little details,” despite diversity. exhibitions promote artistic ing 80 of Reza’s photographs Chauvín told The Peninsula. The exhibition, the Ambassador and cultural values of Ecuador from around the world, has been Renowned photographer Reza explaining his works at the Sheraton Park It took him 12 visits which said, is the start of strengthening and their aim of protecting the extended until December 18. where the WISE photo exhibition was opened on November 7. lasted more than two years to Ecuador’s relations with Qatar environment and habitat of the Hosted by WISE, the exhibition take all the photos and record the as well as other Gulf countries in people. aims to reach audiences through natural sounds which are being various sectors. “The exhibitions further dem- art and its accompanying edu- today from 7pm and 9pm, Reza exhibition by Reza and an unveil- played at the expo creating a real- “We have chosen to start with onstrate Katara’s commitment to cational programme. Featuring will be at the QPS near Arabia ing of the book ‘Algeria,’ a collabo- istic feel of the Islands and their a cultural event because culture showcase different cultures while Reza, the programme was cre- Sport Club to review the port- rative work by Algerian author inhabitants. is the basis of national identity,” embracing the emerging global ated by the photojournalist and folios of amateur and student and distinguished photographer, The other expo, ‘Sons of the said the Ambassador, adding they culture.” academic and professional insti- photographers. Yasmina Khadra. sacred waterfalls’ by Nicolas want to bolster bilateral relations The expo was opened by tutions here in Doha. The focus of the workshop will In addition the Virginia Kingman, was a result of more in other spheres such as agricul- Mubarak bin Nasser Al Khalifa, This week, Reza will be host- be on the photographer’s respon- Commonwealth University in than three years of labour by the ture, tourism and investment. Secretary General of Ministry of ing additional activities to con- sibility in facing his subject and Qatar will be presenting tomor- photographer and has awaken “We are delighted to present Culture, Arts and Heritage. tinue the educational programme shooting methodology. Also on row the ‘Power of Images,’ a lec- great interest, particularly about these stunning exhibitions which It will run until January 5 at accompanying the exhibition. December 10, in coordination with ture and debate with Reza, which Shuar, an indigenous people of allow art fans to experience the Katara Galleries 1 and 2, Building In partnership with the Qatar the Institute Français, there will is open to the public. Ecuador. Ecuadorian nature and cultural 13. THE PENINSULA Photographic Society (QPS), be a guided tour of the HOPE THE PENINSULA MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME MoI to host National Day quiz contest Contest among expat schoolchildren

DOHA: The Qatar National and modern Qatar. The first three Day Celebrations Organising prize winners of the 'Cultural Committee in association with Performance Competition' will get the Ministry of Interior (MoI) QR10,000, QR5,000 and QR3,000 will be hosting a mega quiz and and the winners of the Quiz com- cultural performance competi- petition, which is open for all who tion for the students of expatri- attend the programme will get ate schools operating in Qatar valuable prizes. on December 14 from 3.30pm to In addition, the organisers will 9.30pm at Ahmed bin Hanbal support the schools financially School, beside Crowne Plaza for making preparations for the Some of the Qatari employees of the Hamad Medical Corporation who are taking part in the leadership development course. hotel, which a release issued by performance and all participating the MoI said yesterday. schools will get trophies. The organisers of the event aim In the closing ceremony, the to educate the students includ- officials from the organising com- ing the expatriate community mittee will announce the winners HMC’s Qatari staff get their leadership skills sharpened about Qatar’s history, customs and will watch the performance and traditions. of first, second and third prize DOHA: Twenty-one Qatari translating organisational strat- progressive hospital managers they would improve these situa- The programme will be winners. employees of the Hamad egy into effective performance. to lead their organisations,” said tions,” Stanberry said. themed on 'Cultural Performance The public are invited to watch Medical Corporation (HMC) Participants include mid-level Benedict Stanberry, one of the “The workshop is part of our Competition for School Students', and performance competition and are attending a training pro- managers from HMC’s reha- experts conducting the training Human Resources Strategy for 'Qatar's past, present and future', to attend the quiz which will pro- gramme aimed at developing bilitation, pharmacy, radiology, programme. qualifying and developing the cal- 'Quiz Competition for School vide a deep insight into the his- their leadership skills. social services, laboratory and “What is important about this iber of Qatari staff at the middle Students and General Public' tory of Qatar and the organising The Level 7 Diploma in admitting departments. course is that it is not merely management level. The course on the founder of Qatar and its committee has allocated about 50 Strategic Management and “The Level 7 qualification academic but is taking real-life builds on the high level of clini- past and general knowledge on valuable prizes for the winners Leadership training programme will help the participants to hospital performance manage- cal or administrative skills that Qatar and 'Security and Safety in the quiz and another 50 prizes is developed for senior manag- follow all of the best practices ment situations and getting the the participants already pos- Awareness Film Show'. for the general public who will ers who are responsible for that are used by world-class, students to actually look at how sess,” said Hessa Al-Mannai, The cultural performance com- be selected through a draw. The Assistant Executive Director for petition will be focussed on the seating capacity is for 1,500 per- Human Resources Training and lifestyle of Qataris in the olden sons and the seats will be served Development at HMC. days such as fishing, diving for on the basis of first come first THE PENINSULA pearls, pearl trading and old Qatar serve. THE PENINSULA

More measures to protect customers

Continued from page 1 providers applying for a license the creditworthiness of a poten- Also, no insurance provider to operate in Qatar will be liable tial borrower. The QCB has also based overseas will be permitted to pay a security deposit. been mandated by the new legis- to underwrite any kind of risk The law bans a bank or finan- lation to set up a committee or against properties in Qatar. In cial services company from dis- committees comprising appellate such cases, the insurance provider closing to anyone account, credit court judges as heads and mem- must be based locally. or transaction details of a cus- bers, to hear grievances against It has been made mandatory tomer unless there is a court it (the QCB) or settle disputes for all insurance providers who order or there is suspicion of among the QCB-licensed entities. offer policies like life cover and money laundering. The board of directors of the investment-linked schemes to The law authorises the QCB to QCB has been armed with tre- make their annual profit and loss frame rules and regulations for mendous powers. It is to be accounts public. licensing companies that would headed by the Governor, who is As for Islamic banks and finan- like to operate credit information to be appointed by the Emir. Its cial services institutions, they services in the country. It is pres- vice-chairman is to be the Deputy must have an Islamic Shariah ently illegal for any individual or Governor. (law) board with a minimum of entity to carry out such opera- The board with a four-year three qualified members approved tions. The QCB has been man- tenure (renewable) is to have by the annual general meeting of dated to set up a central credit five members — a member each their shareholders, and neither database under the direct super- from the Ministry of Economy they nor their relatives — even vision of its Governor, who is of and Finance and the Ministry of distance ones — must be employed the rank of a Cabinet Minister. Business and Trade. in that institution or hold the The proposed database is to The law confers the status of an shares of that entity. collect and store information independent entity on the QCB Foreign banks, financial serv- regarding credits dispensed to any and places it directly under the ices institutions or insurance individual or company by any of Emir. Its capital has been raised the entities licensed to QR50bn ($14.28bn) and its by the QCB. financial year is from January 1 The database to December 31. would help banks The legislation asks the QCB and financial serv- to set up a ‘fund’ to protect cus- ices institutions tomer deposits on its own or in to manage risks collaboration with the banks involved in dispens- licensed by it. The idea is to help ing loans as they put in place systems and proce- would have detailed dures to protect customers. information about THE PENINSULA QCB to set up a high-profile committee to study risks

Continued from page 1 QCB will also set, supervise and implement all the poli- cies relevant to the organisation, regulation and supervi- sion of all financial services and activities conducted at or by the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) while respecting the original objectives of its foundation, QNA said. The legislation mandates the QCB to set up a high- profile ‘Financial Stability and Risk Monitoring’ com- mittee that would be tasked with studying existing and future risks related to all banking, financial, insurance and stock market activities. The committee is to be headed by the governor of the QCB. His deputy would be the vice-chairman, while the panel would have members from the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (that regulates Qatar Exchange), Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority and experts and officials from the QCB itself and from different banks and financial services entities as well as insur- ance companies. The panel is to coordinate closely with the QCB and frame general policies for the Ministry of Economy and Finance for implementation with a view to helping maintain financial and economic stability in the country. The law of the QCB and financial services institutions (Number 13 of 2012) was passed last Tuesday. The new law also asks the QCB to frame sound rules for mergers and acquisitions. The law aims at creating an environment conducive enough to help attract more non-Qatari investment and help advance Qatar’s ranking on international indicators, QNA added citing the QCB release. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 CCQ-Qapco deal to fulfil need for professionals New Ras Laffan site will need 17,000 experts: Official

BY FAZEENA SALEEM

DOHA: Making a new part- nership between academy and industry the Community College of Qatar (CCQ) and Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco), yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding. The three-year agreement will allow improving the learning environment for the students of the CCQ and employees of Qapco, as the need for qualified profes- sionals in the oil and gas industry is increasing. Dr Ibrahim Al Naimi, Acting President of the CCQ and Dr Mohamed Al Mulla, Vice Chairman and CEO of Qapco signed the agreement at an event held at CCQ’s C Ring road campus. “This is a new step in academy and industry. We will have a new Nasser Al Hajri, head of human resources at Qapco, Dr Mohamed Al Mulla, site in Ras-Laffan, which will Vice Chairman and CEO, Qapco, Dr Ibrahim Al Naimi, Acting President of need 17,000 engineers and tech- Community College of Qatar and Dr Abdul Nasser Al Thamimi, Associate nicians. This kind of partnerships Dean for Workforce Education and Community Development, Community would help to get such qualified College of Qatar, at the event to sign the MoU yesterday. KAMMUTTY VP professionals,” said Dr Al Mulla. “Through the MoU we will work on a number of initiatives including an opportunity for the Al Naimi. As a part of the MoU, Administration of Qatar Customs students to learn from Qatari Qapco will sponsor the newslet- under the title of ‘Associate employees at Qapco,” he added. ter to be published by the CCQ Diploma in Applied Science / Dr Al Mulla also stressed the and provide library books. It will Majoring in Customs Sciences’ to need for vocational training in also support the CCQ recruitment boost the scientific competence Qatar. fair, academic field trips, Qatar of the staff and to provide excep- Presently only one Qapco National Day activities and sports tional Customs Services to the employee is studying at the CCQ day activities. pool of clients. and the numbers are likely to The CCQ is also planning to CCQ’s Custom’s programme is increase soon. enter into partnership with sev- in fact, the college’s first Associate “The MoU will enable both par- eral other private companies in of Applied Science Degree and ties to work more closely to create the near future. will encompass 30 hours of gen- awareness about the oil and gas Earlier the General eral education courses, followed industry among the students. It Administration of Qatar by courses specifically modified to will also allow Qapco employees Customs and the CCQ, signed a teach students the fundamental to join the student community Memorandum of Understanding essentials of customs manage- here and enrol in different asso- to set up a teaching programme ment and border control. ciate degrees we offer,” said Dr for Customs staff of the General THE PENINSULA MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Green building industry seizes COP18 opportunity QGBC connects with regional and international industry leaders; shares local insight on green buildings

DOHA: The UN Climate and the Catalan Government’s network of World Green Building Change Conference here Secretary for the Environment Council members, attended by (COP18/CMP8) has proven on a panel to discuss how exist- QGBC’s Vice Chairman and a valuable opportunity for ing and future cities can be local members. The event, held Qatar’s green building move- made more liveable and resource at the Qatar Society of Engineers ment to connect with industry efficient. headquarters located in Katara beyond Qatar’s borders and “The connection people have cultural village, brought together rally support for a new kind of to the outdoors in this region is green building industry leaders real estate in the Arab world. becoming increasingly distant; from seven countries around the Through a variety of activi- our town hall session explored region. ties related to COP18, the Qatar how we can better support “QGBC plays an active role in Green Building Council (QGBC) reconnecting citizens with the mentoring new councils joining has mobilised its 160-member outdoors. I believe landscape the WGBC MENA network and network, composed of Qatar’s key architecture and green infra- we were pleased to host the 2012 green building figures, to raise structure are essential in chang- MENA Network Meeting and awareness of the green initiatives ing this attitude to benefit the share our experience about cre- in the country, share local insight habitat, health and wellbeing ating a green building movement on green building, and build rela- of those in Qatar. This was a in Qatar. The event was a valu- tionships with the regional and great opportunity to share les- able opportunity to network and international industry. sons learned with the interna- explore common regional issues On December 2, QGBC joined tional community from the many and opportunities for collabora- hands with the World Climate regional sustainable projects in tive developments in sustainable Summit – the largest business, which I have been involved,” said building,” added Eng Meshal. finance and government confer- Lee Allen. The highlight of the net- ence during COP18 – as an indus- Eng Meshal Al Shamari, working event was a workshop try partner to help facilitate an Director of Qatar Green Building on stakeholder participation in exchange of knowledge between Council said: “QGBC has already green building councils, led by local industry professionals and made significant progress work- World Green Building Council Qatar Green Building Council members at the Qatar Sustainability Expo. international industry figures. ing with partners across a variety CEO, Jane Henley. Lee Allen, Chairman of of industries in Qatar, and we are The event also featured discus- QGBC’s Green Infrastructure keen to share local insights cap- sions about the MENA Green The visit highlighted the Msheireb Properties and a pres- members, covering topics such Interest Group, offered a local tured with international experts. Building Council Network’s plans Msheireb Downtown project in entation of new survey findings as waste water management in perspective on green infrastruc- The World Climate Summit was for 2013. Doha, a city which now boasts on world green building trends by Doha’s natural lagoon in Doha ture development at a town hall an important opportunity to In another special event the fifth greatest number of McGraw-Hill Construction. West and the impact of landscap- session titled “Smart Buildings & connect our valued local mem- during COP18, the US Green LEED-registered and certified Meanwhile, at the Qatar ing on building practices. Cities,” that concluded a discus- bers with international business, Building Council joined QGBC buildings outside the United Sustainability Expo, which com- For more information on sion on resource efficiency. finance and policy leaders to to discuss the growth of green States. Stakeholders took part plemented the UNFCCC COP18/ QGBC’s activities, please visit He joined top-level repre- further the debate on innovative building design and construc- in a guided tour of the MEC, CMP8, QGBC spent two weeks their Facebook page www.face- sentatives from the ICC and the green and sustainable practices.” tion throughout the world on followed by remarks from the raising awareness amongst the book.com/pages/Qatar-Green- EU Committee of the Regions Earlier that day, QGBC December 3 at the Msheireb Qatar Green Building Council, local community through rele- Building-Council/105289276259 Environment Commission, hosted a meeting for the MENA Enrichment Centre (MEC). US Green Building Council, vant presentations led by QGBC THE PENINSULA

ISA holds first Mideast Automation Conference

DOHA: Under the patron- inauguration ceremony were top This year’s ISA Automation age of the Minister of Energy ISA officials, including Patrick Conference has attracted the and Industry and Chairman & Gouhi, Executive Director and participation of over 300 del- Managing Director of Qatar CEO, Leo Staples, ISA President egates from within Qatar and Petroleum (QP), H E Dr 2011 and Jean Pierre Hauet, Vice other parts of the world, includ- Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, President. ing France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, the International Society of In his keynote address, Al Ireland, UK, the US, Saudi Automation (ISA) opened yes- Sulaiti said: “I am proud that Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and the terday the ISA Automation the State of Qatar has been United Arab Emirates. Conference 2012 in Doha, mark- selected to host this year’s ISA The local delegates represent ing the first time that the event Automation Conference. In view a wide range of major companies, is held in the Middle Eastern of Qatar’s fast-growing economy including QP, RasGas, Qatargas, region. and the ongoing major develop- Qatar Fertiliser Company The two-day conference was ments in the use of automation (Qafco), Qatar Fuel Additives inaugurated at the Radisson Blu systems in oil & gas, petrochemi- Company (Qafac), Qatar Hotel by Ahmad Saif Ahmad Al cal and energy industries, it is Chemical Company (Q-Chem), Sulaiti, Operations Manager of certainly fitting that this regional Oryx GTL, Qatar Petrochemical Dukhan Fields, on behalf of Said event for automation profession- Company (Qapco), Qatar Vinyl Mubarak Said Al Mohannadi, als in Europe, Africa and the Company (QVC), Dolphin Energy Ahmad Saif Ahmad Al Sulaiti, Operations Manager of Dukhan Fields, during his keynote address at the ISA Director Operations of QP. Middle East is being held for the and Qatar Aluminium (Qatalum). Automation Conference at Radisson Blu Hotel in Doha yesterday. ABDUL BASIT Also present during the first time here in Doha.” THE PENINSULA

Qtel cuts MoneyGram transfer SFS-Q Admissions Open House today fees during December DOHA: Georgetown University “We’re now ready to host School of Foreign Service in those students and their families DOHA: Qtel is offering bet- of Mobile Money, Qtel is con- Qatar (SFS-Q) will host its on campus. The Open House is ter value for Qtel Mobile fident that even more people annual Admissions Open House organised to give those potential Money customers who will use the service this month. today at SFS-Q. students interested in studying at transfer money home, as Qtel expects many custom- With demand for places at SFS-Q a unique insight into what MoneyGram and Qtel Mobile ers to benefit from this pro- SFS-Q rising year over year, the that experience is like in a trans- Money have now reduced motion, as they will be able event will open the doors of the parent and interactive manner. transfer fees to selected to send more money home to university for one night, and pro- It’s an opportunity to hear from countries through the end of help pay for things such as vides potential students and par- our staff, faculty and students on this year. school tuition, rent and general ents the opportunity to come to studying, socialising and being From December 6 to 31, Qtel purchases. campus and engage with SFS-Q part of the SFS-Q community.” has reduced the transfer fee to In order for the greatest staff, faculty, students and alumni A fair will then be held in the only QR1 for each transaction number of customers to take to experience first-hand what the atrium in which guests will be to the Philippines, India, Nepal, advantage of the special offer, university has to offer in a wel- able to visit booths set up and run Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – Qtel is deploying a specially- coming and informal atmosphere. by various departments in SFS- an incredible savings of up to modified ‘Shop on Wheels’ to The open house will be held Q, to have the opportunity to ask QR19 when sending money to industrial areas, to help more between 5pm and 7pm. questions and engage personally their friends and family. Since people learn about the service. Joseph Hernandez, interim with the SFS-Q community. the launch of the MoneyGram Customers can easily sub- director of admissions said: Tours of the campus will also be service for Mobile Money scribe to Mobile Money by “During various school visits offered during which visitors can earlier this year, these five dialling *140# on their mobile throughout Qatar and the region see the state-of-the-art facilities; countries have been the most phone, then following the this fall, it was clear that more including classrooms; stunning popular for remittances, and instructions to enter their students were interested in our library recognised as the best in with the incredible security, Qatari ID information. programme than ever before, and the country; and top recreational convenience and accessibility THE PENINSULA this is something we’re proud of. facilities. THE PENINSULA

Barwa Bank launches ‘Transfer Your Liability’ promo

DOHA: Barwa Bank has launched enables customers to earn Barwa Bank a special promotion “Transfer Your Loyalty points that can be converted Liability” for retail banking customers, into a substantial number of Qmiles, enabling them to earn up to 100,000 when they transfer their liability to loyalty points that can be converted to us. Importantly, it is also 100 percent Qatar Airways Privilege Club Qmiles, Shariah compliant.” when they transfer their liability to the The bank continues to invest heavily bank, a statement said yesterday. in increasing its retail product offering Hussain Al Abdullah, Head of Retail to satisfy its customers’ diverse finan- at Barwa Bank said: “We’re extremely cial needs, while remaining true to its proud to launch this promotion, which Shariah principles. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Hamas, Fatah in calls for Palestinian unity Israeli politicians trade barbs over Meshaal’s historic Gaza visit

GAZA/RAMALLAH: stressed talks with Israel. With a snap election looming Leaders of the feuding “If we put aside the negotiat- next month, the Israeli govern- Palestinian factions, the ing table, the alternative would ment and opposition traded barbs Islamist group Hamas in Gaza be war,” Abbas told envoys at a yesterday over Hamas politburo and the secular Fatah govern- meeting in Doha. “Are we ready chief Khaled Meshaal’s landmark ment in the West Bank, urged for war? I say no.” weekend visit to Gaza. reconciliation between the two Their fundamental differences The Hamas leader-in-exile’s former foes yesterday despite aside, top Fatah leader Azzam Al first-ever visit to the territory, diverging policies on Israel. Ahmed praised Meshaal’s recon- during which he gave a speech Fatah and Hamas have been at ciliation push as “positive,” but pledging the movement would loggerheads since the latter pulled cautioned his remarks contained not cede “an inch” of historic off a surprise win in 2006 parlia- nothing new. Meshaal and other Palestine, prompted anger in mentary polls. A brief, bloody top Hamas leaders have earlier Israel and political recriminations. civil war a year later saw Hamas mooted a long-term truce with Government and opposition eject Fatah from Gaza, leaving Israel based on the 1967 lines, but politicians alike said the visit Palestinian President Mahmoud say this does not mean they are made the case for their candidates Abbas, the leader of Fatah, to ready to recognise Israel’s right to in the January 22 general elec- consolidate his power base in the exist in the rest of the territory. tion. Education Minister Gideon West Bank. Israel says it will only accept Saar, a member of Prime Minister The two groups are hoping to a demilitarised Palestinian state, Benjamin Netanyahu’s rightwing boost ties on the heels of an eight- and says Hamas’s history of sui- Likud party, recalled that the day war with Israel last month, cide bombings and rocket attacks party had opposed Israel’s 2005 which buoyed Hamas, and a on Israeli towns makes it a ter- withdrawal from Gaza. Fatah-led initiative at the United Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal kisses the head of Kadejah, the sister of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, in rorist group - a stance the United “All those parties that promise Nations General Assembly, that Gaza City yesterday. RIGHT: Khaled Meshaal greets Gaza’s Greek Orthodox Archbishop Alexios. States and European Union new withdrawals from Judaea and recognised a de facto Palestinian endorse. Samaria (the West Bank) want state. But Hamas chief Khaled Israel criticised Abbas for not to elevate Hamas to power,” he Meshaal, visiting the Gaza Strip “Responsibility for Palestine is make-up of Palestinian security 1948 borders, telling Fatah that condemning Meshaal’s com- charged.“Only a strong gov- for the first time, struck a hard bigger than one faction alone ... forces. “resistance” was the way forward. ments and for seeking unity ernment headed by Benjamin line against recognising Israel Hamas cannot do without Fatah In the days before Meshaal’s Abbas yesterday told Arab with the Islamist group. “What Netanyahu can face Iran and its or negotiating with it for a state and Fatah cannot do without homecoming, Hamas eased curbs League diplomats that the two is interesting is that (Abbas), of emissary Hamas,” he told army on the lines pre-dating the 1967 Hamas,” he added. on Fatah partisans in Gaza. groups wanted to overcome their all people, did not condemn the radio. Ultra-nationalist Naftali Arab-Israeli war, just as Fatah’s Hamas and Fatah have sought However, the Hamas leader differences. “The reconciliation is (Hamas) words calling for Israel’s Bennet, who heads the Jewish Abbas pledged himself to diplo- unity before, but a succession of made no concrete proposals dear to us and to the unity of our destruction, just as previously Home party, told public radio his macy and non-violence. Arab-brokered plans have repeat- for reconciliation and stuck to people, especially in the present he did not condemn the rock- faction had pressured the govern- “Let bygones be bygones,” edly run aground over issues the party line on Israel, saying time, when we are talking about ets fired at Israel (from Gaza),” ment to prevent Meshaal from Meshaal told an audience at such as the holding of new elec- he would never recognise the a Palestinian state and about get- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin visiting Gaza. Gaza’s Islamic University. tions, releasing prisoners and the Jewish State even in its original ting something new,” he said, but Netanyahu said. REUTERS/AFP

South Sudan army shoots dead Sudan police tear gas protesters after student deaths

10 protesters: UN KHARTOUM: Police in Sudan Students from Sudan’s war- Party broke up the protest. used tear gas and batons to torn western region of Darfur Sudan’s justice ministry JUBA: South Sudan’s army repel rock-throwing students had staged the sit-in at a uni- decided to form a committee to shot dead 10 people protesting yesterday as tension simmered versity there to demand they be investigate the deaths at Gezira against the relocation of a local over the deaths of four students exempted from tuition fees, as University, state news agency council headquarters in the following a protest against tui- a presidential decree allowed, Suna reported yesterday. Police country’s northwest over the tion fees. according to a member of a in Gezira state said late on Friday weekend, the United Nations The police moved in as more Darfur student association. that two students had been found said yesterday. Human rights than 400 students marched from He said some students had dead in a canal and a third was groups regularly accuse South the University of Khartoum disappeared after supporters of missing. They said there were no Sudan’s army, a collection of through the centre of the capital Sudan’s ruling National Congress signs of violence. REUTERS poorly trained former guer- shouting “The people want rilla fighters and militiamen, of to overthrow the regime” human rights abuses. and “Killing a student is The violence began after killing a nation”, a witness the army was deployed around said. The students pelted Wau, the capital of the country’s police cars with rocks for Western Bahr el Ghazal state, to more than an hour. Heavy dismantle road blocks set up by traffic made it harder civilians protesting against the for the security forces relocation of the municipal coun- to break up the demon- cil headquarters, Liam McDowall, stration but calm had spokesman for the U.N. mission returned to the streets by in South Sudan (UNMISS), said. mid-afternoon. The army opened fire when a Sudan has avoided large group of women and activ- the mass protests that ists attempted to march to the unseated rulers in Tunisia, governor’s office to present a peti- Egypt and Libya last year, tion on Sunday, he said. It was not but rising food prices immediately clear what their spe- and other grievances cific grievance was. have inspired smaller “Reports we have are that the demonstrations. (army) fired at the crowd to dis- On Saturday, activists perse them and four people were blamed authorities for killed,” McDowall said, adding the the deaths of four stu- UN also had reports on Saturday dents whose bodies were the army had killed six other peo- discovered in a canal in a ple. The army and police declined farming region south of comment. Students demonstrate outside the Ministry of Justice in Khartoum yesterday Khartoum after a protest REUTERS over the deaths of four students from the war-torn western region of Darfur. earlier in the week.

Iran launches own ‘YouTube’ TEHRAN: Iran has launched its own video- sharing website to com- pete against Google’s popular YouTube whose content is deemed inap- propriate by the Islamic regime, the state televi- sion reported yesterday. The website (http:// www.mehr.ir) called ‘Mehr’, meaning affection in Farsi, aims to attract Persian-speaking users and also promote Iranian culture, according to its About Us page. “From now on, people can upload their short films on the website and access (IRIB) produced material,” said IRIB deputy chief Lotfollah Siahkali. A Facebook page dedicated to Mehr is pro- viding links to some of its content, including music clips produced in Iran. Iran has consistently censored YouTube since mid-2009, in the wake of the disputed elections. AFP MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Editorial ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED Media ethics E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD The death of a nurse after she became a E-MAIL: [email protected] victim of a media prank in Britain has EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. again raised the issue of media ethics. E-MAIL: [email protected] EDIA ethics is a vexed issue. The freedom of the press has freedom and the ethics, or the lack of it, in a world where sensational ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 been one of the most talked about topics in history. Right journalism is not always frowned upon. CLASSIFIED: E-MAIL: Mfrom the late twentieth century, when the ideas of liberal Jacintha Saldanha was the nurse on duty at the hospital where 44557857 [email protected] democracy and personal liberty were on the ascendant and the pres- Catherine Middleton, wife of Prince William, was being treated for SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY sure on dictatorial regimes started increasing, freedom of the media morning sickness just days after it was found that she is expecting. came more into the spotlight. In democratic western societies, the press Two intrepid radio hosts from Australia tried to get the news out. TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 is seen as a liberator which can reveal the truth and keep the authori- They called the hospital with one of them putting up a British accent E-MAIL: [email protected] tarian streaks in governments under check. Right from Watergate to and saying that she was the Queen and wanted to know how Catherine SUBSCRIPTION RATES the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the media has blazed a trail of fierce was keeping. The unsuspecting nurse put her through an aide who told ANNUAL independence tearing into any wrongdoing by government when their her everything about Catherine’s health. QR 675 representatives try to abuse power and do what is not only unneces- A few days after the incident, the nurse was found dead in her 6 MONTHS QR 340 sary for governance but that which is also detrimental to the interests house, with rumours swirling that she might have committed suicide. of the state. Coming just after the exhaustive Justice Leveson inquiry report, the The Leveson inquiry instituted into the phone hacking scandal incident is an important eye opener for the media fraternity across in Great Britain opened a can of worms. Not only did it shock the the world. No one has the right to breach someone else’s privacy just journalistic fraternity across the world but also sent ripples across to get the news out. the entire government-bureaucratic-media complex. Justice Leveson It is true that it is the duty of the press to dig out the truth, but it said in his report that the media “wreaked havoc with the lives of has to be done in a way so as not to violate others rights and privacy. PUBLICATION innocent people”. Taking up a sting operation for the purpose of a story that talks The recent death of a hospital nurse in Britain after she was cheated about the ordeals of the common man or delves deep into the causes into believing that she had received the call of the British queen enquir- of corruption in developing society is one thing, and doing a sting just ing after Catherine Middleton, has again raked up the issue of media for the sake of entertainment value is different.

The doctor recommended that I undergo surgery The other side yesterday (Friday) at the latest, or this weekend. But I did not agree and Quote of came back home A free press for Britain Hugo Chavez the day Venezuelan President ritain’s diverse and highly competitive newspapers are gener- ally more freewheeling, uninhibited and populist than their U.S. Bcounterparts. They also tend to cross more lines. Last year one of them was caught hacking into the cellphones of celebrities and other news subjects, including a missing girl who was later found dead. Though the paper, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., was later shut down, the government launched a wide-ranging investigation, led by a senior judge, into the industry’s practices. The perhaps inevitable result is a lengthy report and a series of dangerously overreaching proposals. Lord Justice Brian Leveson’s report recommends, among other things, that Parliament pass a law setting up an independent body to regulate the press that would be empowered to impose fines of up to $1.6 million and mandate the publication of corrections or retractions by newspapers. Though the members of the panel would not be politi- cians, a state agency that currently regulates radio and television would be charged with assessing its work. If Leveson had his way, newspapers could also face restrictions on protection of sources and access to infor- mation, and even a limit on the circulation any one paper could have. These ideas are, to begin with, deeply impractical: Leveson all but ignored communication on the Internet, which in Britain, as in the United States, is rapidly eclipsing newspapers as a news source. Under his scheme, the same rules that applied to populist tabloids seeking dirt on celebrities would also govern more serious practitioners, inhibit- ing the investigative journalism that is vital to a democracy. Foreign Secretary William Hague reportedly warned the government that the legislation would hurt Britain’s reputation for freedom and would be used by autocrats like Russia’s Vladimir Putin to justify their own repression of free speech. Fortunately, Prime Minister David Cameron opposed the law’s enact- ment, saying that doing so would “cross the Rubicon” toward state regulation of the press. But the prime minister is under pressure from the Social Democratic Party, which is part of his coalition, as well as the opposition Labor Party, which both favor the regulation plan. British newspapers are meanwhile scrambling to replace a self- monitoring council with a stronger organization like the one Leveson recommends but without statutory backing. That ought to suffice. Journalists who commit crimes — such as hacking into cellphones — should be held accountable by the courts. THE WASHINGTON POST Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate How the truth about air raids is buried in Afghanistan

BY ANNA HUSARSKA his sister’s wedding. This was nationalities; some were Afghan Assistance Force (Isaf) and children who came out of the at the time.) Yet the Isaf report in Faryab province, considered and “some not,” he said, but they the Afghan National Security building, it says, were followed on this incident says that “the his is a story of an Afghan to be among the more peaceful were “heavy with equipment.” Forces. Afghans call these by a man with an AK-47 who combined security force was wedding gone badly areas in Afghanistan. While the Then two explosions ripped dreaded counterinsurgency opened fire from behind the engaged by multiple insurgents Twrong. Or perhaps of war has raged in the south and through the house. Abdulrashid operations, conducted by sur- civilians. Two other insurgents with small arms fire. The secu- “an operation in search of an the east, Faryab has escaped can’t say what caused them — prise and under the cover of fired as well, one from inside the rity force returned fire, killing insurgent leader,” as the official relatively unharmed. bombs fired from a drone (prev- darkness, “night raids.” In April, building and the other from a the attacking insurgents.” report later said. It is hard to In Afghan tradition, the alent in the area at the time) or one month after this incident, nearby tent. “The security force Again, it is difficult to deter- tell which. Probably both. wedding guests were dressed an aircraft, or grenades tossed the United States agreed to returned fire, killing the three mine the truth. Meet Abdulrashid, a man with in their best and dining on an from the ground — but he is hand control over these raids to armed aggressors.” There are so many incident no last name, no profession, no expansive buffet. At about 8pm, clear that “they destroyed two Afghan forces. The Isaf account goes on to reports in the Isaf files; I wonder: literacy skills and no exact date Abdulrashid’s wife stepped away rooms” and wounded his young- The Isaf, a UN-mandated state the only facts that coin- How would those same events of birth. He might be in his 30s. to a quiet spot near the window est sister as well as the bride. international force under Nato cide with Abdulrashid’s version be described by the Afghans I first encounter him as I am to breast-feed their 2 1/2-year- The explosions, he says, were control, was created in 2001. of events: Jamila’s injuries and involved? Later in March, interviewing internally displaced old son. followed by shots fired from the Part of its broad mission is to her evacuation to a hospital. No according to Abdulrashid’s rel- people in Afghanistan to high- And the idyll was suddenly outside, through the window. help the Afghan government word of a child in her arms, nor atives and other Afghans, the light their fate, lest the world shattered. Abdulrashid’s wife, Jamila, “reduce the capability and will of the uncle. Abdulrashid says he Taliban staged two successive forget about them after foreign Helicopters were heard over- was hit. The child at her breast, of the insurgency.” is certain that no “insurgents” attacks on that same village. troops withdraw in 2014. Other head, and then a voice shouted Naquibullah, was struck in the After hearing Abdulrashid’s were killed; the only ones who Abdulrashid thinks they were refugees point him out, ask me in Dari that everyone should neck and the abdomen and killed story, I search the Isaf’s website perished that day were his son looking for relatives of one man to listen to his story: “Tell the come outside, walking backward. instantly. Jamila had a wound in for its version of the events. The and his uncle, “over 60” years old. because they believed he was world, please.” But before the guests could get her arm that gushed blood, and post-operation report makes no Establishing the truth in collaborating with the inter- Abdulrashid starts by describ- out the door — I learn now to she was taken on a helicopter to mention of a wedding party. Afghanistan is a daunting task. national forces; possibly they ing to me an idyllic scene from my utter surprise that the bride a medical facility. Today, Jamila It says that “an operation in Ten days later, on March 26, blamed him for the two ISAF this past March: As the last was 12 years old and the groom, cannot use her arm. search of an insurgent leader” another night raid was con- raids. In the first attack, they snows were melting in his village the brother of Abdulrashid’s Abdulrashid says his uncle, who “plans and conducts attacks ducted in the same vicinity and, shot his son, Qari, 18. The next in northern Afghanistan, friends wife, was 14 — the house was Baba Nazar, was also killed against coalition troops through- Abdulrashid’s neighbours told day, they killed a woman named and family gathered in his full of soldiers, women and men. in this joint operation of out northern Afghanistan” was him, nobody was killed. (He Bibi and shot her husband. three-room house to celebrate Abdulrashid could not tell their the International Security conducted. The women and was with Jamila in the hospital WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 The unremitting ascent of Susan Rice

BY FLAVIA KRAUSE- Objections among Senate The controversy over what original documents, according to JACKSON AND INDIRA Republicans to making her sec- happened in Benghazi would fol- two Rhodes Scholars who studied AR LAKSHMANAN retary of state have spread from low Rice to the State Department with her. the trio of Arizona’s John McCain, or the White House, where she Rice worked for McKinsey & hen Susan Rice South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham also would inherit a lot of unfin- Co. in Toronto as a management (pictured) was and New Hampshire’s Kelly ished business. Near the top of consultant from 1990 to 1993. The seven, her school- Ayotte to more moderate sena- Obama’s second-term agenda will next year, not yet 30, she joined Wmates’ parents tors such as Maine’s Susan Collins be preventing Iran from getting President Clinton’s National pegged her to become the first and Tennessee’s Bob Corker. That a nuclear weapon and managing Security Council staff. In 1997, African-American president of may force Obama to spend more the US response to the politi- she became the youngest assist- the United States. political capital on a confirmation cal changes in the Middle East ant secretary of state for African She went on to punch the fight at a time when his first pri- known as the Arab Spring. affairs. tickets of a striver — as valedic- ority is seeking a tax and budget Rice’s greatest strength may Rice was on the National torian, student-council presi- deal with Congress. be her long-term vision, said Security Council staff when dent and varsity tennis player If the president instead picks one administration official who US failed to prevent the 1994 at Washington’s elite National her to become his new national works with her frequently. While Rwandan genocide that killed Cathedral School, Phi Beta Kappa security adviser, Rice’s rela- she doesn’t publicly challenge 800,000. Alison des Forges, an at Stanford, then as a Rhodes tionship with and proximity to the popular notion of American authority on Rwanda who died in Scholar at Oxford. Obama, coupled with White exceptionalism, colleagues say she a 2009 plane crash, criticized her Her professional rise has House control of major defence understands that the US needs to in a 2003 interview on Frontline. followed a similar trajectory. and foreign policy decisions, adapt to technological, economic, “It was a meeting where I President Obama made her would position her to dominate demographic and environmental recall more the role played by US Ambassador to the United Senator John Kerry, Democrat- changes sweeping the globe. Susan Rice than anyone else,” Nations, and today, Rice, 48, is a Massachussetts, who’s 20 years Rice has embraced the Twitter des Forges said. “My sense was front-runner to replace Hillary her senior, or any other secretary social-media service, and has of a person determined to be Clinton as Secretary of State or of state, said two administration 229,000 followers, more than absolutely crisp and firm and serve as national security adviser. officials who’ve been part of the twice as many as any other hard-nosed about the situation, That ascent may be derailed second-term personnel planning. Cabinet member. as if, as a young woman in the by critics who say she gave mis- In that role, Rice might follow In February, after Russia and company of middle-aged males, leading information about the in the footsteps of predecessors China delivered the first of three she had something to prove; and September 11 attack on the US such as Henry Kissinger under vetoes to block intervention in what she was going to prove was consulate in Benghazi, Libya, and former President Richard Nixon Syria, Rice went further than the that she could deal with this in failed to assuage their concerns and Zbigniew Brzezinski who White House’s criticism, saying in as hard-nosed a manner as any- in later face-to-face meetings. served Jimmy Carter, the two a Twitter message that she was one else.” And, with a style that can occa- officials said, speaking on condi- has done a “great job” at the UN. mocked then-Republican presi- “disgusted.” Albright, UN ambassador at sionally be confrontational and tion of anonymity ahead of any “When she has a strong view, dential nominee McCain for At Stanford, Clayborne Carson the time, and Clarke, who was off-putting, Rice sometimes wins presidential announcement. it doesn’t matter if every single “strolling around the market in a was one of Rice’s advisers on her Rice’s boss and then her colleague at a cost, fellow diplomats at the Rice was an early Obama sup- person in the room has a differ- flak jacket” in Baghdad, saying he thesis on the divestment cam- on the NSC, said blaming her for UN say. porter. They met in 2004 when ent opinion,” including the presi- “demonstrated a surprising lack paign in white minority-ruled Rwanda is unjust. “Abrasive, blunt, aggressive. If she was an adviser on Kerry’s dent, said Tony Blinken, national of understanding of critical issues South Africa. “All of us, starting with she were a man, these same quali- campaign and a senior fellow security adviser to Vice President on Iraq.” Rice focused on what would President Clinton and on down, ties would be seen as positive or at the Brookings Institution, a Joe Biden. Rice speaks her mind Four years later, McCain, the work most effectively to change including myself, have said that they wouldn’t need to be discussed; Washington public policy group. “forcefully and, more often than top Republican on the Senate apartheid policy, such as urg- it weighs very heavy on our soul,” they would be taken as a given,” She helped mould Obama’s for- not, persuasively,” said Blinken, Armed Services Committee, ing Stanford donors to insist Albright said. said Andrea Worden, Rice’s best eign policy during his first presi- who’s known Rice for more than kicked off Republican opposi- that their contributions not be Rice has expressed regret friend since age four. “How else dential bid. 20 years. tion to her potential nomination invested in companies active and said that history influenced would someone get to be in that The largely partisan attacks “If she thinks something can as secretary of state, calling her there, Carson said. her advocacy for intervention high-level government position on Rice present what friends and be changed, she tries to change it, account of the Benghazi attack “You knew she was going to in Libya. Visiting Rwanda with if you weren’t tough, aggressive, administration colleagues say is a even when other people say ‘that’s “not very bright.” make her mark,” said Carson, her family, she said, “Many of us didn’t have ambition? You can’t be caricature of her as a blind Obama in the too-hard category,’ “ said On Sunday interview shows on director of Stanford’s Martin heard strong echoes of 1994 when effective if you’re demure.” loyalist. In reality, they say, she Richard Clarke, former national September 16, she described the Luther King Research and Moammar Gadhafi promised that Still, even in her earliest foray advocates her positions even if she counterterrorism chief and Rice’s assault as a spontaneous protest Education Institute. he would root out the people of into government as student-coun- disagrees with her bosses, display- colleague on the National Security against an anti-Muslim video As a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, Benghazi.” cil president, Rice “led by exam- ing the intellect and integrity she’s Council under President Bill that was “hijacked” by extrem- Rice wrote her doctoral disserta- As she finished delivering a ple, didn’t grab power and didn’t shown since childhood. Clinton. ists, based on unclassified talking tion on the end of white minority speech on the 15th anniversary of try to get ahead at the expense of Obama said on Tuesday on Rice’s sharp tongue has been points supplied by the US intel- rule in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, the Rwandan genocide, she cried. others,” Worden said. Bloomberg Television that Rice evident for years. In 2008, she ligence community. ferreting out primary sources and WP-BLOOMBERG Is Israel’s missile shield sign of siege mentality?

BY SCOTT WILSON their country, rather than work- the national government here ing to resolve its security prob- required hardened safe rooms to akov Stern was born lems through decisive military be included in all new homes and nearly 60 years ago action or lasting peace treaties, is apartments. in the young state of acquiescing to a siege mentality. Here in the crosshairs cities YIsrael, and in one way “What does the image of a sys- of southern Israel, reinforcing or another, he has been fighting tem which does not confront the residential rooftops, bedrooms, for its survival ever since. enemy head-on say about Israel’s schools and other public build- A schoolteacher in this thriving narrative?” Ariel Harkham, co- ings against missiles from Gaza coastal city, Stern lost his left eye founder of the Jewish National has been a big business for years. in battle as a tank commander Initiative, recently wrote in the Then a decade ago, Israel began during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. Jerusalem Post. “The Iron Dome building a 420-mile barrier in the Now his generation of soldiers has does not paint a pretty picture for West Bank, hoping to reduce the given way to the next. a country that needs to thrive, not horrific suicide bombings carried One of Stern’s sons deployed just survive.” out by the armed Islamist move- last month to the edge of Gaza in But Iron Dome has also revived, ment Hamas, which now governs preparation for an invasion of the after years of inconclusive wars the fenced-off Gaza Strip. strip, which lies an agonizingly and grinding military occupa- Rather than go through the close 10 miles from the open-air tions, a distinctive Israeli pride barriers, Hamas began going over stadium, synagogues and schools in its technological supremacy. them in Gaza, first with crude at the heart of this city. Israel deployed the first drone rockets made from sawed-off But he did not have to enter aircraft in combat during its 1982 roadside light posts and wrought- A worker in Ashkelon, Israel, looks out at the city as repairs get under way on the roof of a Mekif Bet School that Gaza, in part because of Stern’s invasion of southern Lebanon, iron launching stands, and now was damaged by a rocket fired by Hamas. older son, an engineer who helped and it has since been at the lead- with more powerful and longer- develop Iron Dome, the missile ing edge of military innovation, range threats. Stern’s school is one of three shipping containers, lined up on She and her 15-year-old son, defence system that knocked emerging as a potent competitor Israel’s wars in 2006 and 2008 that share a single compound one side of the school playground. Ben, rushed into the safe room down hundreds of Gaza-fired to the United States in the inter- were defined by rocket fire, and at the centre of Ashkelon. On a Others waited in fear for the that doubles as his bedroom. On rockets. national arms market. in both, the government deployed typical school day, 3,500 children bang of a rocket strike or the its thick, lead-lined door hang In the calm of the ceasefire, If only Israel’s diplomacy could ground forces to stop it. But the study and play on its grounds. boom of an Iron Dome intercept. photos of girls in Ben’s high school Iron Dome has emerged in Israel’s be as inventive, many Israelis mixed results of those wars, in About 8pm a week into the Stern knows the system saved class and of his basketball team. reckoning as a symbol of all that is say, perhaps a solution to the southern Lebanon and Gaza, left conflict, a Gaza-fired missile lives and probably prevented a The room shook, and she knew right with the Jewish state. But it Palestinian conflict could have Israelis wondering whether their slammed into an eighth-grade ground assault that would have that after days of success, Iron has also become an emblem of the been found by now. Peace negotia- defences were adequate. classroom across from Stern’s driven up casualties on both sides. Dome had failed. unmet challenges that sit at the tions are moribund, buried even Then Iron Dome premiered tiny office, tearing off the roof and But, he said, “If one rocket falls in Through her living room’s slid- centre of the Israeli-Palestinian deeper by the Gaza conflict and in the recent conflict. It sharply leaving a chasm through the floor. a bad way that kills many, we will ing glass doors, Makhon looks due conflict. by the United Nations’ effective reduced Israeli casualties and, in Work crews recently completed have to go in.” south to Gaza, just beyond a stand For a nation that longs for nor- recognition of a Palestinian state Segev’s words, “revived Israel’s repairs at the site, marked off by At the Afridor apartment com- of distant cypress trees and roll- malcy and acceptance, one ques- late last month over angry Israeli image as a super man.” a series of Israeli flags. plex across the street, another ing dunes. She said she has lit- tion being debated here is whether objections. “But there is the question In the basement of the school rocket smashed into the fifth- tle faith that peace will ever be Iron Dome will motivate Israel’s In lieu of peace, Israeli leaders here of whether it has changed are deeply dug bomb shelters, floor apartment of the Vachnin achieved with the Palestinians, leaders to pursue peace with the say, measures such as Iron Dome, the Israeli history and image as designed, Stern said, with “big family at dinnertime a few days even though she hopes for it. Palestinians and the wider Arab which was funded in part by the a nation on the offensive,” Segev wars” against Egypt and Syria in into the conflict. Iron Dome has brought her a world or insulate them from hav- US government, are vital. Some said. “Many Israelis are tired of mind. But Israel’s challenge has No one was hurt — the family small measure of relief, not only ing to do so. of the system’s advocates say that being on the offensive, and maybe changed. had packed into their safe room from the rockets aimed at her city “It is an amazing new toy,” said by preventing the kind of mass a more defensive position feels The rockets from Gaza, rather — but the missile caused exten- but also from potential dangers Tom Segev, an Israeli historian civilian killings that often force like the right one at this time.” than the once-threatened air sive damage as it speared through faced by her son. whose work often challenges military reprisals here, the dome For all its jaw-dropping suc- raids from farther away, allow the floor and into the apartment Ben is three years from man- Israel’s official account of the will afford Israeli leaders more cesses, which played like a loop significantly less time to file 1,000 below. datory military service, and like state’s founding. “I say toy because political latitude to make deci- on many television news channels students into basement bunkers. The rocket contained no explo- many boys his age, he is eager to it has turned the horrors of war sions about war and negotiations. here, Iron Dome had some holes. Ashkelon residents know they sive payload, the army officers serve. Like many mothers across into a video game. Watching it in The dome is the latest and This city of wide, palm-lined have 30 seconds to get their fami- who cleared it away told the fam- this country, Makhon thinks action, you forget what this is all most high-tech stage of Israel’s avenues and parks bears dam- lies into a safe room. ily, but the fear of sudden violent of little else but his safety as a about — a deep, historical conflict, decades-long national effort to age from the rockets that slipped When the sirens rang, which death remains. soldier. and life and death.” fortify itself from outside threats. through the gaps, and many of its they did more than a dozen times A neighbour, Ayala Makhon, “Our sons may never have to Israelis of various political lean- After the 1991 Persian Gulf 120,000 residents, while feeling a day during the conflict, some heard the siren minutes after she go into Gaza again,” Makhon said, ings see worrying evidence in the War, when Saddam Hussein’s safer, know that the new shield students packed into a row of yel- had returned home from her job glancing at Ben. system’s defensive nature that Scud missiles slammed into Israel, has limits. low concrete blocks, the size of as a real estate developer. WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Islamist rebels seize part of Aleppo base US, Russia still back Syria settlement: UN envoy DAMASCUS: Radical Islamist With rebels now fighting on the ruled Syria for 42 years. “We are rebels yesterday seized large doorsteps of Damascus, Assad’s not holding any talks on the fate swathes of a Syrian military forces kept up their now daily of Assad,” Foreign Minister Sergei base west of Aleppo, as they artillery strikes and air raids on Lavrov was quoted as saying by consolidated their control over eastern suburbs as well as some Itar-Tass news agency in Moscow. territory in the north near the rebel-held districts on the capi- “All attempts to present the situa- Turkish border, a journalist said. tal’s outskirts. tion rather differently are shady.” Sheikh Suleiman base sprawls UN special envoy Lakhdar Several countries are believed over nearly 200 hectares (500 Brahimi met the US and Russian to be supplying both sides in the acres) of rocky hills about 25km deputy foreign ministers in conflict, with Iran bankrolling from Aleppo city, an area now Geneva for the second session Assad’s war efforts while its almost completely under rebel of tripartite talks in less than a regional rivals Saudi Arabia and control. Fighters hoisted a trade- week, apparently in response to Qatar arm the rebels. mark black jihadist flag over one rising violence that now threat- Brahimi said the talks aimed of the buildings they captured ens to engulf Damascus. “All three to find a solution based on last in the morning as firefights per- parties reaffirmed their common June’s Geneva Declaration, which sisted with light weapons as they assessment that the situation in called for a transitional govern- tried to take the rest of the base. Syria was bad and getting worse,” ment. This proposal originally Many of the fighters are non- a statement from Brahimi said. foundered over different inter- Syrian and one of their leaders, “They stressed that a political pretations of that transition; who identified himself as Abu process to end the crisis in Syria Washington said Assad could not Talha, said he is from Uzbekistan. was necessary and still possible.” play a role but Russia insisted that “Here we are all Muslims,” Abu Notwithstanding his com- his fate should not be decided out- Talha said of the militants. ments, commitment to a political side Syria. Syria’s 20-month-old One fighter added: “We are process could be at risk. Western uprising, which began as peaceful all mujahedeens and muhajer- officials were among those who protests but has descended into The entrance to the Sheikh Suleiman base, some 25km northwest of the city of Aleppo yesterday. eens (companions of the Prophet helped rebels to create a unified civil war, has become increasingly Mohammed).”The militants chain of command at the week- bloody with over 40,000 people refused to say which group they monitored the battle through bin- of Regiment 111 and three other Rami Abdel Rahman said. end, and Washington is expected killed. belong to, and Abu Talha barred oculars. “The Islamists caught us company posts inside the base Meanwhile, a United Nations to recognise the opposition as the The rebels have gained momen- combatants from other factions unawares by launching an attack after fierce overnight clashes. envoy said yesterday US and sole representative of the Syrian tum in recent weeks, capturing from entering the combat zone. on their own against the base “Two rebels and one soldier Russian officials have given their people next week. a series of military sites across Fighters from the main rebel on Saturday night,” said an FSA were killed, while five soldiers commitment to a political solu- Russia, Syria’s main arms the country often with the help of Free Syrian Army did not take fighter. “They were quicker than were captured. The prisoners said tion for the deepening Syrian supplier, insisted its position on radical Islamists. However, some part in the battle for Sheikh us.” Earlier, the Britain-based that 140 of their men had fled to conflict, but Moscow dismissed Assad had not softened and it was activists believe the opposition Suleiman, and that only a small Syrian Observatory for Human the scientific research centre on speculation it was preparing for not negotiating on the future of is still far from toppling Assad FSA group in nearby villages Rights said the rebels took control the base,” Observatory director President Bashar Al Assad’s exit. the president, whose family has REUTERS

President’s Egypt’s opposition party threatens calls new protests to quit Tunisian coalition govt CAIRO: Egypt’s opposition has against our legitimate demands,” called for fresh mass protests it said in a statement at a news TUNIS: The party of Tunisian tomorrow rejecting a December conference by its spokesman, President Moncef Marzouki 15 referendum on a draft con- Sameh Ashour. could pull out from the coalition stitution they said was being “We do not recognise the draft government amid tensions with rammed through by President constitution because it does not the ruling Islamist Ennahda Mohammed Mursi and his represent the Egyptian peo- party, the secretary general Islamist allies. ple,” the statement said, adding of the CPR warned yesterday. The announcement yesterday that the referendum “will cer- “The Congress for the Republic deepened Egypt’s weeks-long tainly lead to more division and will quit the government if its political crisis and carried the sedition.” proposals and those of President risk of further bloody clashes The opposition sees the consti- Moncef Marzouki are not taken should Mursi supporters turn out tution, which was largely written into account,” the party’s secre- to challenge the demonstrations. up by Islamists, as a tool weaken- tary general Mohamed Abbou On Wednesday, vicious clashes ing human rights, and the rights told reporters. Marzouki, a vet- between pro- and anti-Mursi sup- of women, religious minorities, eran human rights activist with porters hurling petrol bombs and and the judiciary’s independence. Tunisia’s centre-left CPR party, wielding bars and batons in front It dismissed arguments by last month said the Islamist-led of the presidential palace left Mursi aides that the referen- coalition government was not seven people dead and hundreds dum could not legally be delayed meeting the expectations of its injured. under constitutional rules requir- people and called for a cabinet Egypt’s powerful army, which is ing a plebiscite two weeks after Muslim Brotherhood members and supporters of Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi shout slogans during a reshuffle. The president warned trying to remain neutral, warned it is formally presented to the demonstration outside a mosque in Cairo yesterday. that Tunisia was at a crossroads on Saturday it “will not allow” a president. between “the road to ruin and worsening of the crisis and said “The two-week deadline is just sides to stop demonstrating, and prolonged instability.” Late yes- that the mood in the country was the road to recovery” as unrest both sides must hold dialogue. a date for organising the refer- to vote in Saturday’s referendum, terday, several hundred protest- also turning towards a general and strikes gripped the coun- Mursi has made a key con- endum, and you can postpone it the official news agency Mena ers gathered in front of Mursi’s strike. Amid the protests and try, two years after the revolu- cession to the opposition on the without any problems,” a Front said. Analysts said still-strong Palace and in Tahrir Square - the tensions, the army was watch- tion that ousted dictator Zine El weekend by rescinding a decree leader, Munir Fakhri said. support for Mursi and the proven focus of the 2011 revolution that ing nervously. Tanks and troops Abidine Ben Ali. giving himself wide-ranging pow- Mursi’s camp, though, argues ability of his Muslim Brotherhood toppled former president Hosni have been deployed outside the ers free from judicial challenge. that it is up to the people to accept to mobilise Egypt’s voters at the Mubarak. In recent days, the pro- presidential palace but they have But his determination to see or reject the draft constitution. grassroots level would likely help testers have hardened their slo- made no move to confront the Iran seizes 11 through the disputed referen- If it is rejected in the referen- the draft constitution be adopted. gans, going beyond criticism of demonstrators. dum infuriated the opposition dum, Mursi has promised to have “The Muslim Brotherhood the decree and the referendum Yesterday, air force F-16 war- tonnes of drugs National Salvation Front, which a new one drawn up by officials believes that it has majority sup- to demand Mursi’s ouster. planes flew low over the city has said no talks are possible if it chosen by the public, rather than port so it can win the constitu- The opposition Front, how- centre. The official Mena news TEHRAN: Iran’s border patrol goes ahead. the Islamist-dominated parlia- tional referendum,” said Eric ever, said it still considers Mursi agency described the unusually police said it had seized more “The Front calls for demon- ment as was the case for the cur- Trager, analyst at the Washington Egypt’s president, even if it low flyover as an exercise against than 11 tonnes of drugs, kill- strations in the capital and in the rent text. Institute for Near East Policy. strongly believed he was tram- “hostile air attacks and to secure ing one smuggler, in the “big- regions tomorrow as a rejection of Prime Minister Hisham Qandil If that happens, he warned, pling on democratic principles. important state installations.” gest” bust since the 1979 Islamic the president’s decision that goes earlier urged protesters from both it would “set up the country for On Saturday, the bloc suggested AFP revolution, media reported yesterday. “The biggest drug load busted since the revolu- tion, weighing 11 tonnes, has been seized in Jakigour area in Sistan-Baluchestan,” bor- Bahrain oppn hails call for talks dering Pakistan, border police Kuwait opposition vows to chief Brigadier General Hossein MANAMA: Bahrain opposition is based as a bulwark against Iran, Zolfaqari said. The general, groups welcomed a government accuses Tehran of encouraging the quoted in the media, said “one appeal for dialogue to break a dead- unrest. Iran, which is led by Shia cler- of the drug traffickers was camp outside parliament lock in the restive Gulf Arab state, ics, has denied meddling in Bahrain’s killed and a number of others but said “excessive” state violence affairs. wounded but managed to escape KUWAIT CITY: Kuwaiti the name given by activists known if the interior ministry must end. In his speech on Friday, Crown to the other side of the border,” activists have called for pro- to the square opposite the would authorise the new pro- The ruling Al Khalifa family put Prince Salman urged all political fig- without elaborating. testers to camp outside par- parliament building, which test but organisers said they down a revolt last year using martial ures to condemn street violence but liament next Saturday on the has been the site for scores have alternative plans. law and help from its regional allies. also said the government needed to eve of its opening session as of opposition rallies over the Thousands of opposition The violence, pitting Bahrain’s Sunni- push harder to reduce inequality. Pakistani beheaded they step up pressure to dis- past two years. supporters demonstrated on Muslim leadership against part of the King Hamad last year called for solve the newly elected house. The new parliament, almost Saturday, demanding fresh Shia majority, flared again in recent talks “without preconditions”, but in Saudi for murder “In continuation of our entirely dominated by pro- elections on the basis of the weeks. that initiative quickly stalled when peaceful movement, we call on government MPs, was elected previous law followed by dia- Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Wefaq pulled out, saying its views RIYADH: Saudi authorities the people of Kuwait to take on December 1 amid a mas- logue with the government on Issa Al Khalifah told a conference on were not being taken seriously. beheaded a Pakistani in the holy part in a sleep-in (protest) at sive boycott by the opposition reforms. Middle East security in Manama on The authorities have banned pro- city of Makkah for stabbing to Erada Square on Saturday, in protest at the government’s And youth activists taking Friday that real progress can only tests, saying they often lead to con- death a compatriot, the interior December 15,” in a notice amendment of Kuwait’s elec- part in protests clashed with come through face-to-face negotia- frontations that block the streets, and ministry said. Altaf Hussein posted overnight on the activ- toral law. police for five consecutive tions. Leading opposition groups said revoked the nationality of 31 activists. Hati was found guilty of stab- ists’ Twitter account. Following the election, the nights last week. they were willing to take part. Opposition groups say brutality and bing a man in the throat and It said the action would be Islamist, nationalist and lib- The oil-rich Gulf state has “This will give the dialogue the repression used to put down last year’s leaving him to bleed to death, kept up overnight until Sunday eral opposition has called for been rocked by a series of polit- popular and democratic momentum revolt, which embarrassed Bahrain’s the ministry said in a statement. when Emir H H Sheikh Sabah the new parliament to be abol- ical crises since mid-2006, with it needs to succeed,” opposition groups western allies, continues. His beheading brings to 74 the Al Ahmad Al Sabah is due to ished, describing it as “illegiti- the cabinet having resigned 10 including the main Shia party Wefaq “We demand that the authorities number of people executed so inaugurate the first session of mate” because it was elected times and parliament having and leftist party Waad said in a state- stop using excessive and systematic far this year in the kingdom, parliament. on the basis of the amendment. been dissolved on six occasions. ment in English on Wefaq’s website. force against citizens,” the opposition where 79 were put to death in Erada (‘Will’ in Arabic), is It was not immediately AFP Bahrain, where the US Fifth Fleet statement said. REUTERS 2011. AGENCIES MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Nobel winners Monti to quit vow Europe will emerge stronger after budget from crisis OSLO: The three European Union leaders in Norway to collect the Nobel peace prize moved yesterday to defuse criti- cism of the 2012 award, vowing approval the crisis-hit bloc would emerge strong and remain on a course of peace. “Europe is going through a Move turns tables on Berlusconi difficult period,” EU president Herman Van Rompuy told a ROME: Italian Prime Minister with Napolitano, he warned that packed news conference on the Mario Monti announced that not approving the budget “would eve of the awards ceremony. he would resign once the 2013 render more serious the govern- “We are working hard, jointly budget is approved, potentially ment crisis, also at a European as a union and in all individual bringing forward an election level,” and said that after it is countries, to overcome these due early next year and fuelling approved, his resignation would problems,” he added. speculation that he might run. be “irrevocable”. “I’m sure we will succeed. The surprise announcement Leaders of both Berlusconi’s We will come out of this time came two days after Silvio centre-right People of Freedom of uncertainty and recession Berlusconi’s party withdrew par- (PDL) party and the centre-left stronger than we were before.” liamentary support for the tech- Democratic Party (PD), which is Van Rompuy was speaking in nocrat government and hours leading in the opinion polls, said eurosceptic Norway, a country after Berlusconi said he would run they were willing to accelerate the stubbornly opposed to joining to become premier for a fifth time passage of the budget. the bloc. on a platform that attacks Monti’s “Faced with the irresponsibil- A man casts his ballot at a polling station in Rosia Montana, 428km northwest of Bucharest, yesterday. As protests and job cuts trau- stewardship of the economy. ity of the right that betrayed a matise Europe after three years Parliament is already poised commitment it made a year ago of dire economic crisis, the Nobel to pass the budget by Christmas, before the whole country... Monti Committee has come under attack and so Monti’s resignation prob- responded with an act of dignity Romania centre-left coalition for its decision to commend the ably brings the expected vote for- that we profoundly respect,” said EU for turning a continent at war ward by no more than a month PD leader Pier Luigi Bersani. into a continent at peace. to February. Elections must fol- “We are ready to approve the poised for election win But the Nobel Committee low no more than 70 days after budget in the fastest possible chairman, the ardently pro- President Giorgio Napolitano dis- manner,” he said in a statement. European Thorbjoern Jagland, solves parliament. Italians will vote in the middle BUCHAREST: Romania’s cen- support of between 16 and 23 per- and amateurism in this country,” justified the choice by the Monti’s move turns the tables of a severe economic crisis, with tre-left ruling coalition looked cent. “Today Romania will close a said Florentin Kovacs, a 45-year- absence of conflict on a scale on Berlusconi, who seemed to a recession that began mid-way poised to win a substantial vic- chapter of its history and open a old engineer who braved heavy seen in the two world wars of have once again seized a political through last year showing no tory in yesterday’s parliamen- new one that will be better,” Ponta snowfall in Timisoara to vote. the 20th century. opportunity to keep his party in signs of abating, a massive public t a r y ele c tion s , but a n a ly s t s w a r n said after voting in his Targu Jiu At the Gemeni market in cen- “The disputes and dramas have the political game just a year after debt and unemployment at 11.1 the party’s continued cohabita- southern constituency. tral Bucharest, apple-seller Costel never led to war. On the contrary being forced to resign amid a sex percent, a record high. tion with its centre-right rival, “I have voted for Romania Bivol said he would vote ARD. they have led to compromises,” scandal and a debt crisis. With the support of a cross- President Traian Basescu, could to pursue its path towards the “We cannot blame them for the But highlighting the strain Berlusconi could now be forced party alliance including both the trigger new political turmoil. West,” said Basescu, who accuses austerity measures. Romania was building as the EU weathers its into an election earlier than he PD and the PDL, Monti imposed Despite bad weather, with heavy the USL leaders of driving the in a deep economic crisis and they worst crisis in 60 years, half a expected with his badly divided tax hikes and spending cuts to snow blocking dozens of roads, ini- country away from the European had to do something,” he said. dozen leaders, including Britain’s party trailing in opinion polls bring borrowing costs under tial turnout was up slightly from Union, which it joined in 2007. But even if it wins by a wide premier David Cameron, will snub behind the centre-left and the anti- control and undertook a series of four years ago, standing at 20.56 This is Romania’s first national margin, the centre-left coalition Monday’s ceremony. establishment 5-Star Movement of reforms to improve the competi- percent at 1200 GMT. vote since a failed attempt by will be forced to share power with “We want Europe to become the comic Beppe Grillo. tiveness of the economy. Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s the USL this summer to unseat Basescu, whose term runs until again a symbol of hope,” Van Monti’s announcement will also But Berlusconi said on Social-Liberal Union (USL), in Basescu—a move that drew sharp 2014. Rompuy added. increase speculation that he could Wednesday that the former power since May, was on course rebukes from the European Union Analysts warn this could bring He flew into snowbound Oslo be eyeing a run as a candidate in economics professor’s auster- to win between 48 to 61 percent and the United States. about more instability. Basescu with European Commission the election himself although he has ity policies had left Italy facing of the ballot, opinion polls show. “I voted for the USL because repeatedly hinted he could refuse to chief Jose Manuel Barroso and yet to make any clear statement. a “recessive spiral without end”. This could give the USL a two- Romania needs a change. The previ- re-appoint Ponta, whom he called a European parliament head At a conference in France ear- The PDL withdrew parlia- thirds majority in the 470-mem- ous centre-right governments were “mythomaniac”, as prime minister. Martin Schulz. Together, they lier, Monti, a former European mentary support for Monti on ber parliament, allowing it to pass too dishonest”, said Mihai, a 31-year- The move, seen as an “abuse of will pick up the prize on behalf commissioner who is widely Thursday, driving up the differ- constitutional changes. old military police officer as he left a power” by many analysts, could of the EU. credited with restoring Italy’s ence between German and Italian The USL is surfing a wave of Bucharest polling station. earn him a new suspension, the But the crisis is undermining international credibility after benchmark bonds by about 30 discontent over the centre-right’s Despite holding power since May, USL warned. solidarity and generosity inside the scandal-plagued Berlusconi basis points. four years in power, marked by many voters see USL as the party “While the USL looks set for a the EU. era, appeared to take aim at “On Monday morning the mar- a bitter austerity package and of change because it has promised clear victory, there are two risks that Only last month, efforts to Berlusconi, warning against kets will judge this latest outburst 25-percent cuts in public sector to roll back austerity cuts. could cause investor confidence to agree a new multi-year budget “populism”. by Berlusconi and they certainly wages. “It’s time to change the political sour,” a report by Capital Economics collapsed month in an ugly show- He said Italy should not go back will not judge it positively,” PD The Right Romania Alliance class. Those who were in power said, citing a resurfacing of tensions down between the rich nations of to where it was when he took over vice president Enrico Letta (ARD), which gathers parties until recently have disappointed between the USL and Basescu and northern Europe and the strug- for Berlusconi a year ago. commented. close to Basescu’s camp, trails far me, that is why with my whole disagreements over fiscal policies. gling economies of the south. Following a two-hour meeting REUTERS behind the USL, with polls showing family we will vote to end theft AFP AFP SPD names former finance minister as Launch of Russian Merkel challenger HANOVER: Germany’s satellite goes awry opposition Social Democrats (SPD) formally nominated MOSCOW: Russia failed to put may need three days to correct its former finance minister Peer a communications satellite into orbit. Steinbrueck yesterday as their designated orbit yesterday, in The Yamal-402 satellite candidate to run for chancellor the latest setback for the once- was made for Gazprom Space against Angela Merkel in next pioneering space industry, offi- Systems, a space and telecom- September’s election. cials said. munication arm of natural gas Steinbrueck promised a more The latest mishap is believed giant Gazrpom, to provide com- just society and called for a united to be linked to a malfunction in munications for Russia, Western fight against Merkel’s centre- the Proton-M rocket’s Briz-M and Central Europe, the Middle right coalition in a speech aimed booster stage that earlier this East and North Africa. at winning over the hearts of the year apparently led President Russia’s space programme has oft-divided centre-left SPD at a Vladimir Putin to fire the chief been beset by a litany of technical special party congress. of a key aerospace bureau. problems which have resulted in the “The financial crisis showed “On December 9, during the loss of a half-dozen satellites and that things have got out of bal- placing of Yamal-402 satellite vehicles over the past year, includ- ance in Germany, in Europe and vehicle into designated orbit, the ing a Progress cargo vessel bound in our society,” said Steinbrueck, separation of the satellite vehicle for the International Space Station. who wants higher taxes on the occurred four minutes ahead of Space experts linked the past wealthy and a minimum wage that schedule,” Russia’s Roskosmos failures to put satellites into Merkel’s Christian Democrats state space agency said in a orbit to persisting problems with (CDU) firmly oppose. statement. the Proton-M rocket’s Briz-M Political analysts say Steinbrueck The space agency added it had booster stage. “The interconnec- faces an uphill battle to defeat the taken control of the satellite and tion has been recognised even by popular Merkel and win the chan- was looking to fix the problem. Roskosmos management because cellorship the SDP last held under It said later yesterday that all the general director of this organi- Gerhard Schroeder from 1998 to the systems of the satellite were sation, Vladimir Popovkin, ordered 2005. The SPD does have a strong “functioning in a regular mode” to conduct additional checks into chance of forming part of a new and the next attempt to put the and even temporarily suspend the “grand coalition” including the Yamal-402 into orbit would be work of these booster stages,” space CDU, analysts say. made later Sunday. analyst Yury Karash said on Ekho “Germany needs more ‘We’ and The satellite had been launched of Moscow radio. less ‘I’,” said Steinbrueck, a tower- by a Proton-M carrier rocket The latest space mishap comes ing man with a booming voice who from the Baikonur cosmodrome after two satellites were lost served as Merkel’s finance minis- in Kazakhstan at 1313 GMT on after the unsuccessful launch of ter from 2005 to 2009 in a former Saturday. a Proton-M rocket on August 6, “grand coalition.” “The gap is grow- “The situation is unpleasant which missed the correct orbit. ing between rich and poor because but not catastrophic,” a source The telecommunications satel- of a growing number of under-pay- in the space industry told the lites — the Russian Express-MD2 ing jobs and because of our poorly Interfax news agency, adding the and the Indonesian Telkom-3 — financed towns and cities.” satellite could still reach the des- never made contact. His 100-minute long speech ignated orbit with the help of its A commission later found a was interrupted at the start by own engines. problem with Briz-M, the upper- Greenpeace hecklers who managed However that operation would stage used with the Proton-M to outwit the SPD’s careful cho- shorten the satellite’s life cycle in rocket, and ordered inspections on reography and security guards to space, the source was quoted as the entire Briz-M production line, unfurl a banner behind the podium. saying. putting future launches on hold. REUTERS Interfax added that the satellite AFP MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Chavez suffers cancer again, names heir Vice President Maduro tapped as possible successor as Venezuelan leader returns to Cuba for surgery

CARACAS: Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez returns to Cuba yesterday for more sur- gery after a recurrence of can- cer led him to name a successor for the first time in case the disease ends his 14-year domi- nance of the Opec nation. Supporters gathered in squares across the South American coun- try, shocked and saddened by the news from the 58-year-old socialist leader, who made the announcement in a late-night broadcast on Saturday from the presidential palace. In his first public acknowl- edgement that cancer may cut his tumultuous years in power, Chavez said Vice President Nicolas Maduro would take over if he is incapacitated, and urged supporters to vote for him if an election is held. “It is absolutely necessary, absolutely essential, that I undergo a new surgical intervention,” the president said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks next to Vice President Nicolas Maduro during a national broadcast at Miraflores Palace in Caracas yesterday. RIGHT: Followers of Chavez gather in his speech, flanked by ashen- to express their support to him and pray for his health. faced ministers. “With God’s will, like on the previous occasions, we will come out victorious.” transition from Chavez’s highly Speculation about Chavez’s the surgery sooner, on Friday or He has never said what type of been unwell after winning: “We His departure from office, centralised rule could also raise health had grown during a three- this weekend, telling them he cancer he has, though when ini- have the right to demand to be either before or after the sched- the specter of political instabil- week absence from public view needed to fly back to Venezuela tially diagnosed in mid-2011 the told the truth.” uled January 10 start of his new ity in Venezuela, which holds the that culminated in his latest trip to seek that permission. government said Chavez’s prob- The shock on the faces term, would trigger an election world’s largest crude oil reserves. for medical tests in Cuba - where “I decided to come, making an lem was in the pelvic area. of Cabinet ministers during within 30 days. It would mark Allies lack his famous charisma he has undergone three cancer additional effort, in truth, because Opposition leaders wished Saturday’s late-night broadcast the end of an era for the Latin and may struggle to control his operations and had two tumors the pain is not insignificant,” Chavez well, but criticised him for signaled uncertainty over who will American left, depriving them of unwieldy coalition of military and removed since June 2011. Chavez said in a televised address excessive secrecy and not using hold the reins absent Chavez, even one of their most acerbic voices leftist leaders. He returned to Venezuela on also shown live in Cuba. local healthcare. “A president in the top echelons of power. and Washington’s main irritant Among them, though, Maduro Friday after those tests, and is The president’s return to Cuba should be treated in his country. Chavez has been receiving in the region. - a 50-year-old, mustachioed due to have the operation in Cuba may mark the start of another We have the best equipment and treatment at Havana’s Cimeq A clutch of Latin American former bus driver and union in the next few days. Venezuela’s lengthy period of silence from doctors here. But we respect the hospital as a guest of his close and Caribbean neighbours, from leader - is widely viewed as the National Assembly was to hold government officials, combined fact he will be in Cuba,” one leader, friend and political mentor, Cuba and Nicaragua to Bolivia most popular among Venezuelans a special session to formally with furious rumors over what Julio Borges, told local media. He former Cuban leader Fidel Castro. and Ecuador, depend on Chavez’s thanks to his affable manner, approve his trip. political changes might be in store criticised Chavez for declaring He is guaranteed tight security oil-fuelled generosity to bolster humble background and close Chavez said he had rejected the and what Chavez’s actual condi- himself cured prior to the election and privacy on the communist-led their fragile economies. An unruly relationship with Chavez. advice of his medical team to have tion is. campaign then admitting he had Caribbean island. REUTERS Peru’s capital Rocky road ahead for Obama Astronomer Patrick Moore dead highly vulnerable LONDON: Astronomer Patrick Moore (pictured), renowned for his work map- to major quake ping the Moon’s surface and for having to implement healthcare law popularised his subject with the British LIMA: The earthquake all but public, died yesterday at the age of 89, flattened colonial Lima, the CHICAGO: President Barack repeal the measure widely dubbed These exchanges are meant to friends and colleagues announced. shaking so violent that people Obama may have defeated oppo- “Obamacare.” help those who will be required Moore, whose lunar research was used by tossed to the ground couldn’t nents of his landmark health care Republicans say the reforms, to purchase health insurance to both the US and Soviets space programmes, get back up. Minutes later, a law in the courts and at the bal- signed into law in March 2010, choose between available plans died peacefully at 12:25pm (1225 GMT) at 15 metre wall of Pacific Ocean lot box, but the sweeping reforms will increase costs, cause insur- and obtain information about his home in Selsey on the southern English crashed into the adjacent port still face a rocky road ahead. ance premiums to rise and hurt subsidies. coast. He had succumbed to an infection, of Callao, killing all but 200 of Advocates are concerned that the quality of health care. If run properly, the exchanges colleagues said in a statement. its 5,000 inhabitants. Bodies the funding needed to help expand They have especially taken can help lower costs for every- “After a short spell in hospital last week, washed ashore for weeks. coverage to 30 million uninsured issue with a key underpinning of one by spreading the insurance it was determined that no further treatment would benefit him, and Plenty of earthquakes have Americans could take a hit in the overhaul, an “individual man- risk and reducing the number of it was his wish to spend his last days in his own home,” they said. shaken Peru’s capital in the 266 budget negotiations as Obama date” requiring almost every US uninsured who end up racking up Besides his skill at explaining the universe, his monocle, wit, raised years since that fateful night of battles his Republican rivals over citizen to take out health insur- unpaid bills at hospital emergency eyebrow and idiosyncratic style of speech endeared him to an army of October 28, 1746, though none the so-called fiscal cliff tax and ance or be subject to a fine begin- rooms. They also help insurance space fans. Moore fronted the monthly BBC programme “The Sky At with anything near the violence. austerity crisis. ning January 1, 2014. companies recover the cost of Night” from its launch in 1957 and still running today, making him the The relatively long “seismic silence” The implementation process States have until December 14 new rules - also set to kick in on world’s longest-running presenter of the same television show. His last means that Lima, set astride one is also expected to get messy as to decide whether they want to January 1, 2014 - that will prevent programme was broadcast on Monday. Moore only ever missed one of the most volatile ruptures in the responsibility passes to the gov- set up health care exchanges that them from denying coverage for episode, in 2004, laid low by a contaminated egg. In 1959, the Soviets Earth’s crust, is increasingly at risk ernors and health departments form one of the backbones of the pre-existing conditions, increas- used his charts to correlate the first Lunik 3 pictures of the far side of being hammered by a one-two, of the nation’s 50 states, many Affordable Care Act - or if they ing rates due to gender or health of the Moon. Moscow ensured he was the first Westerner to see the quake-tsunami punch as calami- of which are led by Republicans want the federal government to status, or placing annual caps on results, which he received mid-broadcast. His early shows went out tous as what devastated Japan last who have stridently sought to handle the matter. coverage. AFP live, with Moore once swallowing a fly on air. AFP year and traumatized Santiago, Chile, and its nearby coast a year earlier, seismologists say. Yet this city of 9 million people is sorely unprepared. Its acute vul- Nurse death unforeseeable, very regrettable: Radio station nerability, from densely clustered, unstable housing to a dearth of SYDNEY/LONDON/ daughter, aged 14 and 16. first-responders, is unmatched BANGALORE: The owners Reports said the family had regionally. Peru’s National Civil of an Australian radio station moved from India around a dec- Defense Institute forecasts up to at the centre of the British ade ago. In a message posted 50,000 dead, 686,000 injured and royal prank call scandal yester- on his Facebook page, Barboza 200,000 homes destroyed if Lima day said the tragic death of a reportedly wrote: “I am devas- is hit by a magnitude-8.0 quake. nurse was “unforeseeable” and tated with the tragic loss of my “In South America, it is the vowed to review its broadcast- beloved wife Jacintha in tragic most at risk,” said architect Jose ing processes. circumstances, She will be laid Sato, director of the Center for Executives at Southern to rest in Shirva, India.” Disaster Study and Prevention, Cross Austereo, owners of 2Day Saldanha’s sister-in-law Irene or PREDES, a non-governmen- FM, held an emergency meet- D’Souza said by telephone from tal group financed by the charity ing to consider a letter from the town of Shirva, 400km from Oxfam that is working on reducing Lord Simon Glenarthur, chair- the southern Indian city of Lima’s quake vulnerability. Lima is man of London’s King Edward Bangalore, that she was due to home to a third of Peru’s popula- VII’s Hospital, protesting the visit them at Christmas. tion, 70 percent of its industry, 85 “appalling” hoax. In his letter, “It is hard to believe Jacintha percent of its financial sector, its Glenarthur urged the company could commit suicide as she was entire central government and the to ensure that such calls never not the type of woman to do it,” bulk of international commerce. “A happen again. D’Souza said. Australian news- quake similar to what happened in “It is too early to know the full Family photograph of Jacintha Saldanha, the Indian-origin nurse who died after being hoaxed by an Australian papers said Greig and Christian Santiago would break the country details leading to this tragic event radio show trying to reach Prince William’s wife in London. RIGHT: A bunch of flowers is left by colleagues outside face questioning by police after a economically,” said Gabriel Prado, and we are anxious to review the the nurses accommodation block near the King Edward VII hospital in central London yesterday. request from Scotland Yard. Lima’s top official for quake pre- results of any investigation that “But I have to stress it hasn’t paredness. That quake had a mag- may be made available to us or been indicated to us that an nitude of 8.8. made public,” Southern Cross Britain has reacted with hor- father Prince Charles. who have been taken off air and offence has occurred,” New South Quakes are frequent in Peru, Austereo’s reply said. ror to the death of mother-of- There was no reception- are in hiding, while reports said Wales state deputy commissioner with about 170 felt by people “We can assure you that we two Jacintha Saldanha, 46, who ist on duty and Saldanha put advertisers have suspended their Nick Kaldas said. annually, said Hernando Tavera, will be fully cooperative with all is believed to have taken her them through to a colleague accounts with the broadcaster. “They have not asked for any- director of seismology at the investigations,” it added, accord- own life after being duped by who divulged details of Kate’s Flowers were placed on thing yet. They simply touched country’s Geophysical Institute. ing to Australian Associated Press. two 2Day FM presenters seeking recovery from severe morning Saturday outside the nurses’ base and let us know of their More than two in five Lima resi- “As we have said in our own news on the pregnancy of Prince sickness. accommodation block where interest and they will get back dents live either in rickety struc- statements on the matter, the William’s wife Kate. The prank call was pre- Saldanha’s body was discovered. to us if they want anything done.” tures on unstable, sandy soil and outcome was unforeseeable and She was found dead on Friday, recorded and vetted by lawyers At the family home in Bristol, The British press condemned wetlands that amplify a quake’s very regrettable. I can assure you days after she answered a call at before being broadcast to listen- southwest England, relatives and the hoax, while Australian media destructive power or in hillside we are taking immediate action the hospital from hosts Mel Greig ers in Sydney. The nurse’s death friends gathered round to com- said it was not the time for “hys- settlements that sprang up over a and reviewing the broadcast and and Michael Christian, posing as unleashed a torrent of online fort Saldanha’s husband Benedict terical finger-pointing”. generation as people fled conflict processes involved.” Queen Elizabeth II and William’s anger directed at the presenters Barboza and the couple’s son and AFP and poverty in Peru’s interior. AP MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Opposition seeks Clashes leave C’wealth probe of Lanka judge’s two dead in impeachment COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s main opposition party asked the Commonwealth yesterday to investigate the impeachment of the country’s chief justice in Bangladesh what it called a breach of the bloc’s democratic values. Opposition spokesman and former foreign minister Mangala Protesters demand early elections Samaraweera urged the group’s secretary general Kamelesh DHAKA: At least two people police, which has prevented move- Sharma to order his discipli- were killed and dozens hurt ment of vehicles and forced resi- nary body, the Commonwealth across Bangladesh yesterday dents from the streets,” a police Ministerial Action Group, to when police and ruling party officer said. probe Sri Lanka. activists clashed with protest- The BNP staged the rallies to Samaraweera released a ers blocking roads to demand demand early elections under a copy of his letter to Sharma a early polls under a caretaker neutral caretaker government. day after President Mahinda government. The caretaker system was laid Rajapaksa’s lawmakers found the Police fired rubber bullets and down in a constitutional clause nation’s first woman chief justice, tear gas to break up rallies in a that has been scrapped by the Shirani Bandaranayake, guilty dozen places in the capital Dhaka. incumbent administration led by of three charges of professional Demonstrators threw scores of the Awami League party. misconduct. small hand-made bombs, burnt “A young tailor was chopped by The charges have raised interna- tyres and torched cars and buses. unidentified attackers during the tional concerns that the government Police said one person died in clashes (in Dhaka) between BNP is trying to control the judiciary a knife attack as protesters from protesters and Chhatra League Activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party shout slogans as they set fire to tyres during a nationwide blockade after crushing Tamil rebels in 2009 the main opposition Bangladesh activists,” said local police chief in Dhaka yesterday. and consolidating its hold on power. Nationalist Party (BNP) and sup- Nazrul Islam, referring to the rul- “It was becoming increasingly clear porters of the ruling party clashed ing party’s student wing. open in the country but officials 65-year-old man dead, local police blocking a road, officials said. that the Rajapakse regime was mov- in the old part of Dhaka. BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed said traffic on many roads ground chief Humayun Kabir said. The past four general elections ing away from Commonwealth val- They said a second man was said the person was one of his to a halt. A senior BNP official who in Bangladesh were held under ues and principles,” Samaraweera killed in the northwestern town party activists. He said three “We allowed peaceful protests. is also a former lawmaker was the caretaker government system. said in the letter. of Enayetpur. other opposition workers were But once they started attack- hit by live ammunition during This took over for three months The “impeachment process — Police and witnesses said sup- also killed in attacks by police and ing cars and buses and throwing clashes in Dhaka and was under- at the end of an elected govern- more akin to a witch trial of the porters of the BNP, led by former ruling party supporters. cocktail bombs, we used non-lethal going an operation, a hospital ment’s tenure, and oversaw the dark ages — unleashed against the prime minister Begum Khaleda Police in the capital arrested weapons such as rubber bullets and official said. next round of national polls. chief justice has now exposed the Zia, and its allies set ablaze about about 50 people for using violence, tear gas to disperse them,” deputy Police also clashed with pro- The BNP and its 17 smaller true agenda of the regime at its 30 buses, trucks and cars in the said Dhaka police spokesman police commissioner Imtiaz Ahmed testers in the cities of Khulna, allies including Islamic parties worst,” it said. The Commonwealth capital Dhaka and other parts of Masudur Rahman, adding 11 buses said in Dhaka. Rajshahi, Barisal and Sylhet. In have said they will not take part is an association of 54 countries, the country. or cars were torched in the city. At Enayetpur, clashes between the northern town of Palashbari in any future elections unless the mainly former British colonies, and “We are trying to contain the Some 10,000 police were hundreds of ruling party and security forces fired non-lethal system is restored. includes Sri Lanka. battles between activists and deployed to try to keep highways opposition supporters left a shots at hundreds of protesters AGENCIES Bandaranayake, 54, walked out of the hearing on Thursday, saying she was not getting a fair trial. The opposition MPs in the impeachment panel joined her in Vietnam breaks the walkout, but the ruling party North Korea may delay controversial rocket launch went ahead to declare her guilty on Saturday. up anti-China The charges on which she was SEOUL: North Korea said it Korea’s Yonhap news agency, cit- and ex-ruler Kim Jong-Il on reason is either technical issues found guilty include failing to rallies, arrests may delay a much-criticised ing a government official in Seoul, December 17. or weather conditions,” said Jang declare nine bank accounts and rocket launch originally sched- said the North had stopped all The impoverished but nuclear- Yong-Seok from the Institute for interfering in a case involving a uled for as early as today, as preparations at the launch site armed nation insists the long- Peace and Unification Studies at company from which her sister protesters analysts say its efforts to mark in the country’s northwest. range rocket launch — its second Seoul National University. had bought an apartment. a key anniversary were ham- Analysts said technical prob- this year after a much-hyped but A US think-tank, the US-Korea The panel cleared her, however, HANOI: Vietnam broke up pered by technical troubles. lems or snow, rather than over- botched mission in April — is for Institute at Johns Hopkins of stashing away $250,000 in an anti-China rallies in its two Scientists were “now seriously seas political pressure, are likely peaceful scientific purposes. University, said on Friday that undeclared bank account. The main cities and arrested around examining the issue of readjusting to be behind the delay in what But the United States, and preparations may have been chief justice has said there is “not 20 people yesterday, activ- the launching time of the satel- the North calls a satellite launch, allies South Korea and Japan, say delayed by heavy snow. one iota of truth” to the charges. ists said, in the latest protests lite for some reasons”, the Korean originally scheduled for between Pyongyang plans a disguised bal- There had been “abnormal Under parliamentary procedure, against Beijing as tensions flare Committee of Space Technology December 10 and 22. listic missile test that violates UN signs” indicating technical prob- if the chief justice is found guilty over the South China Sea. said in a statement carried by Some said the North’s new resolutions triggered by its two lems in launch preparations since of even one charge and a major- Around 200 protesters, some state media yesterday. leader, Kim Jong-Un, may have nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009. Saturday afternoon, said Yonhap, ity of the 225-member house votes waving banners and chanting The committee gave no further been rushing the blast-off in a “Sunday’s announcement was citing an unidentified senior Seoul for her removal, the president can “Down with China’s aggression!”, details. bid to mark the first anniver- only made by scientific authori- official. dismiss her within a month. were intercepted by security In a report late yeserday, South sary of the death of his father ties, meaning the most likely AFP AFP forces as they tried to approach the Chinese embassy in the capital. Activists at the scene said Typhoon victims beg for food that the 20 demonstrators were rounded up into a bus after the half-hour rally, the fifth such NEW BATAAN, Philippines: in. In the Mindanao mountain Another farmer’s wife, Emma display of public discontent in Desperate families begged for town of New Bataan, which Toledo, 59, complained that the Hanoi this year against Beijing’s food yesterday, days after a took the brunt of the typhoon, relief supplies from the national perceived aggression in the sea. typhoon brought death and families lined the roads holding government had yet to arrive. The protestors were taken to destruction to parts of a south- signs begging for food. “We have not been given any- Loc Ha detention centre on the ern Philippine island, as the “Have mercy on us, please thing yet. Only the local gov- outskirts of Hanoi, one activist storm returned to the north of donate,” read one sign held by ernment and the village officials said on condition of anonym- the country. a group of ragged children. gave us something, just some ity. “I’m detained. And they’ve Northern areas escaped “We need food,” read another rice, noodles and dried fish,” jammed my mobile phone,” the with heavy rain after the sign displayed by a group said the mother of three. activist said via text message. storm weakened. But scenes of standing amid ruined banana Drivers of private vehicles They could not be reached for hardship were everywhere in plantations. also handed out donations but further questions. southern areas that last week Farmer’s wife Madeline the lack of coordination led to Security forces also broke up felt the full fury of the strong- Blanco, 36, said her family was more confusion. a similar anti-China protest also est typhoon to hit the country trying to make do while shel- When a truck from a local attended by hundreds of people in this year. tering in a tent on a basketball power company arrived to dis- the southern economic hub of Ho Officials said 548 people court. tribute relief supplies, it was Chi Minh City, eyewitnesses said, are confirmed dead, most of “We were given rations but it mobbed by hungry villagers after Hanoi and Beijing traded them in the southern island of was not enough. Just rice, bread and many children were almost barbs over the neighbours’ con- Mindanao. and noodles. It is not enough trampled in the chaos. flicting territorial claims. Civil defence chief Benito for me and my four children,” “I’ve been here for a long Ramos said the number of she said. time. I am hungry and my China arrests missing had shot up to 827 from “All we can do is wait for children need food,” one angry previous figures of 500 unac- donations. There are cars pass- woman yelled as she pushed her two for inciting counted for, after reports of ing by and sometimes drivers way to the front. more missing fishermen came give us something,” she said. Regional civil defence opera- self-immolations tions officer Antonio Cloma said many relief agencies, both gov- BEIJING: A monk and his ernment and non-government, nephew were detained for incit- were entering the area with ing eight Tibetan people to set supplies for typhoon victims. themselves on fire in a restive “The government is doing Chinese region that has become its best to support the require- a flashpoint for protests against ments for these victims,” he Beijing’s rule, state media said insisted. yesterday. The local head of the UN Police in southwest China’s Office for the Coordination of Sichuan Province, which has a Humanitarian Affairs, David large ethnic Tibetan population, Carden said there was a press- detained a 40-year-old monk ing need for food, shelter and named as Lorang Konchok for other basic items, but also for “goading” the protests, which generators. “People are scared resulted in three deaths, Xinhua at night and whenever it rains,” said. in the darkness, he said. He was held at Kirti Monastery However, he conceded that in Aba County, which has been there were “huge logistical the focal point of a crackdown on challenges” in bringing in the separatism since anti-Chinese aid. “Bridges have fallen, roads riots rocked the Tibetan plateau have been blocked by fallen in 2008. Filipino typhoon victims beg for food on a street in Montevista, trees,” he said. AGENCIES Compostela Valley, southern Philippines, yesterday. AFP MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN

US drone strike Islamabad hits back over Karzai’s spy chief attack claims kills senior Qaeda ISLAMABAD: Islamabad has President Karzai did not they might have with regard to Karzai said the attacker, who that claim. Relations between hit back after Afghan President directly blame Pakistan for the the cowardly attack,” the for- came in the name of a guest to the neighbours are often tense leader in Pakistan Hamid Karzai claimed an attack attack but said the Taliban would eign ministry said in a statement meet Khalid, came from Pakistan, and Kabul has accused Pakistan DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A on the Afghan intelligence chief not have been able to carry out issued late Saturday. adding the “attack was plotted... of supporting the Taliban, accu- US drone attack killed a sen- was planned in Pakistan, asking the bombing and that “bigger The ministry said Kabul would from the (southwestern) city of sations Islamabad has always ior Al Qaeda commander in him to share evidence instead of hands were involved”. “also do well by ordering an inves- Quetta in Pakistan. I will raise rejected, insisting it is committed Pakistan’s northwest yester- levelling allegations. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry tigation into any lapses in the this issue with Pakistan.” to fighting the insurgents. day, military intelligence offi- The assassination attempt on rejected the claim and said it was security arrangements around Kabul last year blamed In a statement claiming respon- cials said, the second militant National Directorate of Security ready to help investigate what it the NDS chief”. Pakistan for the assassination of sibility for Thursday’s bombing, leader to be killed in strikes by (NDS) chief Asadullah Khalid called “this criminal act”. Khalid was being treated at the head of Afghanistan’s High several hours after it took place the unmanned aircraft in three was carried out Thursday by “Before levelling charges the a US-run military hospital at Peace Council, Burhanuddin at a spy agency guesthouse, the days. an attacker who claimed to be Afghan government would do Bagram airbase outside Kabul, Rabbani, who also killed by a Taliban named the attacker as The attack killed Mohammad a Taliban peace envoy but had a well if they shared information where he is in a stable condition, bomber posing as a Taliban “hero mujahid Hafiz Mohammad”. Ahmed Almansoor and three bomb hidden in his underwear. or evidence with Pakistan that security sources said. peace envoy. Islamabad rejected AFP others in a village close to Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan, near the Zardari meets Malala Yousafzai Afghan border. The drone fired missiles at a house with Almansoor inside, destroying two rooms and a car. Four drones were seen flying over Kidnapped US the area during the attack, resi- dents and government officials said. A similar attack on Thursday in North Waziristan killed another doctor rescued senior Al Qaeda commander, Abu Zaid, who replaced Abu Yahya Al Libi as one of the militant Islamist group’s most powerful in Afghanistan figures, intelligence sources said. A US drone attack also killed Libi in June. Unmanned aerial attacks have crushed Al Qaeda’s US troops kill 7 Taliban insurgents network along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan but have drawn KABUL: US soldiers killed multiple intelligence sources indi- trenchant criticism in the two seven Taliban insurgents in cated that he was in immediate countries. a successful pre-dawn raid to danger. “We felt we had to act Al Qaeda has been weak- rescue a kidnapped American now,” he said. ened steadily in Afghanistan doctor in eastern Afghanistan Seven of the doctor’s captors and Pakistan since the killing of yesterday, the Nato force in the were killed in the operation, Osama bin Laden in a raid by US war-torn country said. which involved combined US and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and his daugther Asifa Zardari talking with Malala Yousafzai (centre) dur- special forces on a Pakistani gar- The mission was launched Afghan forces, he said. ing their visit to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, Britain, yesterday. Malala was shot on a schoolbus rison town in May 2011. when intelligence showed that He gave no further details of in Pakistan on October 9 as a punishment for her campaign for girls’ education in the Swat Valley, where the REUTERS Dr Dilip Joseph was in “imminent where the doctor had been held Taliban had banned girls from attending school when it controlled the area in 2008-2009. danger of injury or death”, Nato’s or on the rescue operation itself, International Security Assistance saying they could be announced Force said in a statement. later in the day. Joseph was abducted on Surobi outside Kabul had been Pakistani girl wins December 5 by Taliban insurgents under the control of French in the Surobi district of Kabul troops until April this year, Islamabad plans to impose honour at New York province. when responsibility for security “Today’s mission exemplifies was handed to Afghan forces as TV cooking show our unwavering commitment part of France’s accelerated with- to defeating the Taliban,” said drawal from the country. fines in new anti-litter drive KARACHI: Here’s a story General John Allen, the com- France ended its combat mis- about a 23-year-old girl from mander of US and ISAF forces sion in Afghanistan last month, ISLAMABAD: The Capital second phase of the anti-litter be made available for the purpose. Pakistan, who followed a pas- in Afghanistan. two years before allied nations Development Authority (CDA) drive” the official said. CDA spokesperson Ramzan sion that was born in her grand- “I’m proud of the American contributing to the 100,000-strong has decided to launch an anti- “In the third and fourth phase, Sajid said the all efforts would be mother’s kitchen. She travelled and Afghan forces that planned, US-led Nato force are due to litter drive in the capital awareness material would be dis- made to keep the city clean and to the Big Apple to fulfil her life- rehearsed and successfully con- depart. Islamabad from December 14 tributed in schools, markets and green on priority. long dream, only to realise that ducted this operation. Thanks Surobi, about 50km east of to discourage residents who among passengers of vans and Sajid said that the aim of she could make it all happen. to them, Dr Joseph will soon be Kabul and along a key highway dispose of garbage and junk in other commuters. Meanwhile, imposing fines on violators was After her A-Level, Fatima rejoining his family and loved linking the capital to neighbour- an ill-planned manner, and to lime would be applied on differ- to highlight the importance Ali landed directly into the New ones.” ing Pakistan, experiences sporadic raise awareness among the peo- ent points to help eradicate the of hygiene, as “it is our social York-based Culinary Institute of Joseph was now “undergoing Taliban-linked terrorism. ple to keep the city clean, it was breeding of mosquitoes. He said responsibility to protect our America. Her big break came, how- evaluations”, the statement said, General Emam Nazar, the learnt yesterday. that during the month of October, environment”. He said that the ever, when she appeared on popu- without giving further details. former commander of the 3rd A CDA official said that the the sanitation directorate had residents of capital should join lar American TV show “Chopped”. A security source said that Brigade of the Afghan army, said authority had finalised the issued notices to 963 persons hands with the CDA to make it It was in the third episode of sea- the doctor had been involved in in April that 80 to 100 insurgents arrangements for the anti-lit- and challaned another 232 peo- an exemplary city in terms of son 12 that she was crowned the building clinics in Afghanistan were based in Surobi. ter campaign in the capital and ple for violating the municipality cleanliness. winner. Ali initially worked at the but details of his capture were “Sometimes our enemies imposing fine on those disposing bylaws,” the official said. Meanwhile, the residents of At-Vermilion Restaurant in New not immediately available. appear on the highway, but they of garbage at unspecified areas, He said that in the fifth phase, Chakra and surrounding areas York, where she cooked fusion Hazrat Mohammad Haqbeen, can’t resist us. Our forces smash in order to help boost the efforts the CDA with the help of district in the Rawalpindi Cantonment Indian-American food, blend- the district governor of Surobi them. It happened several times to keep the city clean. administration and police officials Board staged a protest demon- ing it with more spice and giv- said that the man was kidnapped but they never got out of it alive,” The official said that according would extend the activities of the stration against dumping of gar- ing it a modern touch. Currently, along with an Afghan colleague he added. to the strategy finalised for the task force deputed for imposing bage at unspecified places, saying she works at Café Centro in who was released in return for a When French troops were sta- anti-litter drive, the campaign fines across the capital to high- that the sites were spreading dis- Manhattan, an eatery famous for ransom earlier in the week. tioned there, two French journal- had been divided into five phases. light the importance of clean eases in the area. its classic French food. And “today the American ists were abducted in December He said that over 800 work- environment. Pir Abdul Shakoor Naqshbandi “I think my cooking is differ- national was freed in an opera- 2009 and held for more than 500 ers of the sanitation directorate Besides, field supervisors would led the protest demonstration. ent because I use a variation of tion. We don’t know the details days before being released in would clean the residential areas, submit their reports during the The demonstrators were carry- techniques,” said Ali. “I do a bit of of the operation,” Haqbeen said. a secret deal which reportedly markets and trade centres and regular weekly meeting of the ing placards and banners hav- both, I make traditional food with He said the men were kid- involved ransom. lift the junk and garbage on a authority. ing slogans against the Cantt a modern twist, there is a fusion napped in Surobi but were held in Westerners are a prize target daily basis. Furthermore, the sanitation Board administration. The traf- of sorts,” she adds. a village in the Qarghayi district for the Taliban Islamists, who “The authority has decided directorate would be equipped fic was also blocked due to the At Centro, Ali said she loves to of the neighbouring province of have waged an 11-year insurgency that Rs150 to Rs400 fine would with necessary sanitation demonstration. cook Lamb Tagine, a Moroccan Laghman. The governor said the since being toppled from power in be imposed on those throwing machinery - road mechanical Addressing the protesters, dish with a lot of spices. She said, US citizen was visiting a clinic a US-led invasion in 2001. Regular litter. A vast publicity campaign sweeper, garbage compacting and speakers said that the dumping “Making this dish brings me close when captured. gangsters not linked to the rebels through banners, pamphlets and escape lifting - to clean the city as of garbage of the entire city in to home. It is delicious, a tradi- An ISAF spokesman said the are also involved in the kidnap- messages on LED lights would be per international standards. He the area was spreading diseases tional Moroccan dish that people rescue had been launched when pings. AFP carried out during the first and said that additional staff would in the locality. INTERNEWS love and enjoy.” INTERNEWS

Pakistan plans to conduct robotic Afghans attack Iran consulate over alleged killings surgery in state hospitals soon

HERAT, Afghanistan: or illegally -- or that they had ISLAMABAD: Robotic arms performing surgery will no Hundreds of angry demonstra- died in Iran. longer be science fiction for public hospitals in Pakistan. tors tried to storm the Iranian “Several months ago we deliv- Prof Dr Asif Zafar Malik, president of Society of Surgeons consulate in the western ered visas, at the request of the Pakistan, Rawalpindi and Islamabad chapter, said on Sunday that Afghan city of Herat yesterday Afghan foreign ministry, to three robotic surgery will soon be introduced in public hospitals to per- in protest at the alleged kill- or four individuals who wanted form advanced operations. ing of Afghan immigrants by to enter Iran to clarify the situ- He was talking to local media After the inaugural ceremony of Iranian security forces. ation,” the official said. a two-day annual International Surgical Conference “SURGICON The 200-strong crowd threw “They came and upon their 2012”, organised by the society of surgeons. rocks and broke consulate win- return provided no proof to back The conference provides a platform to local and foreign surgeons dows before security forces drove their accusations,” he added. for sharing the latest advances and novel procedures introduced them back by firing warning About 2.4 million Afghans -- in surgery. shots into the air. refugees and illegal immigrants Dr Malik, head of the department of surgery at Rawalpindi The crowd claimed 13 Afghans -- live in Iran, many of whom Medical College and its allied hospitals, one of the organisers, who had crossed the border into moved after the 1979 Soviet said the robotic surgeries will be considerably less invasive than Iran were seized and later shot invasion. Afghans continue to standard operations, because the instruments can be inserted in dead by Iranian security forces migrate to Iran and Pakistan in the body through much smaller incisions. about three months ago. search of work and for political The surgeon attaches surgical instruments to a robot and per- “Over the past several months reasons. forms surgery by controlling it from a computer, explained. A we have been demanding the Crossing the border with the robotic arm is easier for the surgeon to use in surgeries such as Iranians return the bodies of our Afghan men shout anti-Iran slogans as they display pictures of their family help of local human traffickers, endoscopy, he explained. Robotic instruments can access hard- relatives but they are not return- members who were allegedly killed by Iranian forces, in Herat yesterday. migrants sometimes end up being to-reach places in a patient’s body through minor surgical cuts as ing them,” one protester said. jailed by Iranian border guards. compared to traditional open and laparoscopic surgery. Moreover, Protesters shouted slogans Relations between Tehran and the surgeon can perform surgery from anywhere through telemedi- against Iran and its President crowd as it tried to storm the A consulate official, quoted Kabul are apparently normal but cine, he added. A minimally invasive surgery laboratory has been Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and said Iranian consulate. The mob later by Iran’s ISNA news agency, ordinary Afghans accuse Iran of established at Holy Family Hospital where surgeons are taught they would “support the United gathered around the governor’s said Tehran had “no proof” that committing atrocities against about the latest laparoscopic techniques, which has broadened States if it invades Iran”. house and continued shouting these immigrants had entered Afghan refugees and executing their vision, he added. INTERNEWS Dozens of police blocked the anti-Iran slogans, he added. the country -- whether legally Afghan prisoners. AFP MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Bihar liquor tragedy Yeddyurappa toll rises to 26 PATNA: The death toll in a hooch tragedy in Bihar has risen to 26 with eight more peo- dares Shettar to ple losing their lives, police said yesterday. “Eight more people have died since Saturday after consuming spurious liquor,” a police official said. dissolve House The tragedy occurred Thursday night in Anitha village in Bhojpur district, some 60km from here, where villagers complained of Former BJP leader launches new party stomach pain and threw up after consuming locally made liquor. HAVERI, KARNATAKA: attending breakfast meeting with Nine people, including four Former Karnataka chief min- the former chief minister would be woman, died Thursday, three ister B S Yeddyurappa yester- considered as an anti-party activ- Friday and six Saturday, police day dared incumbent Jagadish ity. “Shettar should know that he is said. Bhojpur Superintendent of Shettar to resign and dissolve in the chief minister’s seat because Police M R Nayak said over two the legislative assembly to pave of my loyalists and that the BJP dozen people had been arrested way for an early election, which is government is surviving with the in this connection. “More arrests otherwise due in April/May 2013. support of my loyalists. About are likely,” he said. “I challenge Shettar to prove 50-60 legislators are ready to quit District Magistrate Pratima S majority in the assembly without and join my new party. Verma said a six-member com- the support of my loyalist minis- “But I told them not to do so mittee had been set up to probe ters and legislators. Let him take and precipitate political crisis in the incident. The deaths sparked action against them if he has guts. the state as assembly election is widespread protests in Bhojpur. Otherwise, he should resign and due in the next four-five months,” Hundreds of students blocked dissolve the assembly for hold- Yeddyurappa asserted. roads Sunday while BJP legisla- ing elections early,” thundered Ignoring Eshwarappa’s diktat, tor Amrendra Pratap blamed the Yeddyurappa at a mammoth public six cabinet ministers and over a state government for the incident. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh waves to the crowd before addressing a rally of the Congress Party at Vansada rally held to launch the Karnataka dozen party legislators drove to Janata Party (KJP) here, about Haveri from Belgaum in north town, some 350km from Ahmedabad, yesterday. Gujarat state goes to polls in two phases on December 13 and 17. 350km from Bangalore. Karnataka for a breakfast meet- JD-U MP resigns from Taking over as president of ing with Yeddyurappa at his the new regional party in the friend’s house and stayed back to Upper House, party run-up to the assembly election, participate in the rally post-noon. Gujarat’s ‘development’ PATNA: Upendra Kushwaha, a Yeddyurappa warned the ruling The ministers were C Udasi member of parliament of Bihar’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) (public works), Basavaraj Bommai ruling Janata Dal-United (JD- against taking disciplinary action (water resources), Murugesh U), yesterday announced his against 14-18 of its lawmakers, Nirani (major industries), M P touches select few: PM resignation from the Rajya including half-a-dozen cabinet Renukacharya (excise), Revu Sabha and the party, terming ministers who participated in the Naik Belamagi (animal hus- Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a rally and were present on the dais bandry) and Shobha Karandlaje VA NSA DA, GUJA R AT: “Gujarat’s development is only health mission, rural employ- “dictator”. “Finally, I announce in a show of strength for him. (power). The BJP has 118 mem- Faulting the BJP government for a few people, large sections are ment guarantee scheme and oth- my resignation as JD-U Rajya “I just got information that bers, including Speaker K G in Gujarat for failing to sus- untouched by it. The state govern- ers have brought development Sabha member and from the action will be taken against the Bopaiah in the 225-member leg- tain balanced growth, Prime ment has failed to balance develop- in Congress-ruled states,” the primary membership of the 14-18 legislators present on the islative assembly and 44 in the Minister Manmohan Singh said ment,” he said. The prime minister prime minister said. Appealing to party,” he said at a function of dais. In that case, I tell Shettar 75-member legislative council. yesterday that the state’s devel- said that on the human develop- people to vote for the Congress, his outfit Bihar Nav Nirman that you do not have a major- The Shettar cabinet is 34-strong, opment had benefited only a few. ment index, Gujarat was ranked Manmohan Singh said: “The Morcha here. ity and hence quit immediately,” including him. The open defi- Addressing an election rally, 18th of the 20 main states in India. benefits of central government Accusing Nitish Kumar of Yeddyurappa said in a raised ance by the ministers and leg- Manmohan Singh said: “The “It is sad that 41 percent of schemes are not reaching the becoming a dictator and control- voice, which was cheered by the islators came a day after state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) women in Gujarat are malnour- people of Gujarat. ling both the party as well as the crowds. BJP state unit president Infrastructure Minister Sunil government has proved to be ished and 55 percent in 15-50 “We will ensure overall devel- government, Kushwaha said there K S Eshwarappa had on Saturday Valyapure resigned from the incompetent. The fruits of devel- years of age group are anaemic. opment of the state and imple- was no inner democracy. He also warned the loyalists, including Shettar cabinet hours after the opment have not trickled down.” A big chunk of children don’t mentation of central government hinted at forming a new political 10 cabinet ministers and over a BJP sacked Cooperation Minister He said Gujarat could only complete primary and upper pri- schemes if the Congress is voted party soon. Kushwaha, a leader score of party legislators of strict B J Puttaswamy and suspended claim to be a developed state mary education in rural Gujarat,” to power.” Gujarat goes to the polls from Koeri community, had action if they participated in its Tumkur Lok Sabha member today because of the industri- he said. He said Congress-ruled on December 13 and 17. Results closely worked with Nitish Kumar Yeddyurappa’s Haveri rally and G S Basavaraj from the party for alisation policy of the Congress states were doing much better. will be declared on December 20. to oust Lalu Prasad’s Rashtriya shared the dais with him. Even backing Yeddyurappa. IANS government in the 1970s. “Central schemes like rural IANS Janata Dal from power in Bihar in 2005. But later he developed differences with Nitish Kumar and declared open war against Missing Kashmiris the chief minister. Pakistani troops open Assam situation under fire at posts in Kashmir control, says Gogoi KOLKATA: Claiming the situ- ation in riot-hit areas of Assam JAMMU: Pakistani troops aimed at preventing infiltration was “under control”, Chief opened heavy gun fire at 10 and silence Pakistani firing,” an Minister Tarun Gogoi yesterday Indian posts along the Line of official said. The army said the said those who had fled to West Control (LoC) in Jammu and motive of the firing was to give Bengal were now returning. Kashmir in a bid to push in ter- cover to a group of around 16 ter- “There is no influx of people (to rorists into the state, army offi- rorists trying to cross the LoC to West Bengal)... All are returning cials said yesterday. get into Jammu and Kashmir. (to Assam),” Gogoi told the media The Pakistani firing began late Though the army said it was an on the sidelines of Pan IIT global on Saturday in Krishna Ghati sec- unsuccessful bid, an officer said meet here. On reports that some tor in the mountainous district of they were searching the area to people from Assam were resid- Poonch, about 250 km from here, find if any infiltrator sneaked in. ing in northern Bengal follow- and lasted till Sunday morning. In another incident, a soldier ing violence in his state, Gogoi “They used small arms, light on patrol near the Salotri post in said: “I don’t know if anybody is machineguns and rockets. The Krishna Ghati sector was injured staying in north Bengal. They firing was heavy up to 11 p.m. in a landmine blast Saturday are coming back now.” Thereafter, it became inter- evening. Three Bodoland districts - mittent and was going on till The army blamed it on a stray Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri 7 a.m.,” an official said. Indian landmine but people in Mendhar - earlier this year witnessed vio- troops retaliated “to silence the town said that these landmines lence between ethnic Bodos and Pakistani guns”, he said. The were planted by “Pakistani Muslims, leaving over 100 people Ali Mohammad, father of a missing Kashmiri man, rests in front of a banner with pictures of missing persons exchange of fire has stopped. agents” to inflict casualties on the dead and over 400,000 homeless. during a sit-in protest organised by the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, a day ahead of “Ours was a measured response Indian Army. IANS IANS International Human Rights Day, in Srinagar yesterday. Why NRI Gujaratis won’t come home to vote

n just about a week’s time, the (GSNGF), there are nearly six decision-making process. Sarcasm rising interest rates or both is not themselves are so apathetic about assembly elections early this year. prosperous western state of million Gujaratis spread across apart, not just the political leaders the point here. What’s important voting, why we should expect the Last year, NRIs from the states Gujarat goes to the polls with 120 countries. Other estimates of Gujarat, but those at the helm of is that at every opportunity, over- NRIs to be keen?” one politician of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Ithe effervescent BJP leader, put the number much higher at affairs in the country need seriously seas Gujaratis have looked towards from Gujarat was quoted as saying. Assam and Pondicherry were the Narendra Modi being informally around seven million. The Gujarat to take a second look at this apparent home. Overseas Gujaratis have also To some extent an apathetic first to avail of the right to adult projected as the Chief Minister- Chief Election Officer (CEO) was apathy among overseas Indians. been active investors in the state’s attitude is definitely palpable. For franchise under the new rules. on-way-to-Prime Minister. recently quoted by PTI as saying Are the NRIs cut off from their economy – be it real estate, manu- one, there is an overriding sense of While a plane-load of Malayalee A total of 1,666 candidates are that “Just five overseas electors facturing or hospitality. Gujaratis indifference about Indian politics expatriates was reported to have in the fray to fill the 182-mem- are registered with us so far, one have created immensely wealth and politicians among NRIs who descended upon Kozhikode for the ber Gujarat Legislative Assembly. from Kutch and four from Navsari THE NR EYE regardless of their location, but feel “everyone is corrupt.” Other express purpose exercising their The number of contestants has district. They can vote on produc- more so abroad. Major Indian than that, there is sizeable chunk right of franchise, the state elec- increased by nearly 400 over the ing passport.” To facilitate partic- Moiz Mannan political parties and leaders – par- which feels that the Gujarat election tions of West Bengal saw just a last assembly elections in 2007. ipation in the polls, the Election ticularly the BJP and the Congress result is a foregone conclusion and solitary NRI turn up all the way The ruling BJP has fielded can- Commission of India ( ECI) had roots? Have they lost all involve- – and their leaders have perpetu- their voting one way or the other is from Muscat. Although, the new didates on all the 182 Assembly introduced the concept of overseas ment with home? Well, if we look ally been at pains to develop a clout not going to change anything. The law enables them to register as vot- constituencies and is bidding electors, where every Indian citizen at the case of Gujarat itself, we find among non-resident Gujaratis for issue of communal harmony, which ers in their home constituencies, it for extending its 17-year rule in staying in a foreign country, hold- that NRI deposits with banks in this reason. Even in this instance, is closely linked to politics, has also demands for them to be physically Gujarat. The opposition Congress ing an Indian passport, can register Gujarat has increased by over 10.5 many political bigwigs, including put off many overseas Gujaratis. present in India to cast their ballot. has fielded candidates on 181 for voting by filing Form 6A. per cent to Rs 25,400 crores as on Narendra Modi did not fail to reach Having said all that about Gujarat, NRI organisations across the Assembly seats in alliance with After enrolment, the person can March 2012 against Rs 22,976 crore out to the overseas Gujarati in per- let’s take a look at what happened world had demanded alternative the Nationalist Congress Party cast vote in election in the constitu- as on March 31, 2011. The growth in son or through election messages. elsewhere with regard to NRIs’ par- methods to enable them to vote in (NCP). The number of non-resi- ency, if he is present in the polling sta- NRI deposits during the year is the And yet, the election commis- ticipation in elections since the time their host country. While some were dent Indian (NRI) voters to have tion along with his original passport highest in past four years. These are sion’s figures are appalling. What’s they were ‘bestowed’ with the much- in favour of on-line voting, others registered theri names for polling on the day of poll. Sounds pretty sim- figures from the Gujarat state level happened? In answer to that, trumpeted right to vote. thought it best to allow postal ballots is five. According to estimates by ple and straightforward; just fly down bankers’ committee (SLBC). Indian politicians are still engag- Punjab had over 70 NRIs regis- or polling at respective diplomatic the centre of Gujarat State Non- to your village from wherever you are Whether this spurt was trig- ing themselves in rather simplis- tered on the electoral rolls, which missions. Resident Gujarati Foundation across the globe and be a part of the gered by the falling rupee or the tic thinking. “If resident Indians were updated just before the THE PENINSULA MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Feelings News in Numbers WINDOW ON ECONOMIC STATISTICS don’t matter, IMPORTS Fajr (Dawn) 4:47 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:08 gift does, Zuhr (Noon) 11:26 Asr (Afternoon) 2:25 says study Maghrib (Sunset) 4:45 Isha (Night) 6:15 LONDON: While the organ- ised among us will already have purchased, wrapped and tagged our Christmas gifts, for those WEATHER beginning to panic at the shop- ping task ahead, there is helpful scientific advice: don’t agonise Today Tuesday Wednesday Weather Conditions: over picking the perfect present. The value of goods imported in 2011 was Clear Clear Clear Psychologists have decided that Hazy to misty at the old belief that “it’s the thought first, becomes that counts” is simply not true. fine with some It’s the gift. So you might as well High: 28° High: 30° High: 27° ask the recipient what he or she Low: 20° Low: 21° Low: 18° clouds. wants. QR81,275million According to Nick Epley, a lecturer in behavioural science at the University of Chicago, “The common wisdom is that Imports by SITC, Quarterly Series, 2011 DOHA - SUN & SEA the receiver values the amount Value (C.I.F): (MillionQR) SUN TIDE SEA of time you spent thinking about the gift, trying to get it right. WIND SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW This is a mistaken assumption 06:08 16:45 05:45 & 13:00 08:30 & 20:00 03-12 KT according to our experiments.” In a paper published in the Journal (0) Food and Live Animals THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW of Experimental Psychology in November, Epley contends that HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER gift receivers do not care about (1) Beverages and Tobacco how much thought and effort MUSCAT 28/21 Mostly sunny 28/22 Mostly sunny went into buying a gift; they pri- MAKKAH 34/24 Clear 34/23 Clear (2) Crude Materials, Inedible, marily care whether they like Except Fuels KUWAIT 23/18 Mostly sunny 27/21 Mostly sunny it or not. BAHRAIN 25/20 Clear 26/18 Mostly sunny “Our definition of thoughtful- (3) Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and SANAA 25/06 Clear 25/08 Mostly sunny ness, is the amount of thought you Related Materials RIYADH 30/19 Mostly sunny 31/14 Mostly sunny expend to get a gift for someone (4) Animals and Vegetable Oils, DUBAI 28/21 Clear 27/21 Clear that they will really like. In our Fats and Waxes BAGHDAD 21/13 Mostly sunny 20/10 Chance of storms experiments we contrast that with simply getting the gift that (5) Chemicals and Related THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW someone puts at the top of their Products n.e.s. wish list. That’s thoughtless because it didn’t require much (6) Manufactured Goods Classified HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER thought,” he said. Chiefly by Material ATHENS 12/08 Clear 17/10 Mostly sunny “If you give me a gift, I don’t (7) Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and WASHINGTON 20/09 Thunderstorms 11/13 Mostly sunny necessarily think about the amount of time you spent getting related Materials SYDNEY 22/17 Mostly sunny 23/17 Chance of storms the gift. I think about the gift. Do (8) Miscellaneous Manufactured LONDON 03/-1 Mostly sunny 03/-2 Mostly sunny I like the gift? That is the first Articles PARIS 07/01 Chance of rain 03/-1 Mostly sunny thing I think of. If I like it, I like (9) Commodities and Transactions ISTANBUL 12/04 Rain 12/06 Mostly sunny it equally whether it was chosen not Classify Elsewhere in SITC MANILA 33/24 Mostly sunny 32/24 Mostly sunny randomly or thoughfully, accord- DHAKA 26/16 Clear 26/18 Mostly sunny ing to our data. DELHI 25/13 Clear 24/11 Mostly sunny GUARDIAN NEWS ISLAMABAD 22/07 Partly sunny 21/05 Mostly sunny Source : http://www.qsa.gov.qa/ YouTube video workshop to lend wings to creators LOS ANGELES: It was the hangar now producing and polishing videos for When it formally opens next month it watch-time and quality,” said Liam Learning Town, with professional equip- which incubated Howard Hughes’s YouTube creators who previously worked will give free access to dozens of selected Collins, 40, head of the complex. Google ment, green screen stages and screen- aviation dreams, each aircraft model out of bedrooms and garages. creators each quarter, with YouTube, opened similar but much smaller “Spaces” ing facilities, said Evey. “When we more fanciful than the last, and half “I think it’s a turning point for peo- which is owned by Google, picking up the at offices in New York and London earlier walked in for the first time it was like a a century later it is the launchpad ple to be able to make real shows on reported $25m annual tab. this year. One in Asia is due next year. wonderland.” for another striking ambition: a new YouTube,” said Felicia Day, producer and YouTube receives around 4bn hits per The goal was to improve quality, said Instead of the usual “frenetic” rhythm generation of slicker, better YouTube co-creator of the the Geek & Sundry month, a staggering amount, but viral Collins, be it webcam monologues in of guerrilla-style filmmaking they could videos. YouTube channel, who has become one hits such as kittens climbing walls draw badly lit bedrooms to sophisticated shows focus and polish, said Day. “This gives us The video-sharing website has con- of the first to use the complex. “I think viewers for just a few seconds or minutes, which already had big followings. “We the means for higher production values. verted the 3800 square metre Los Angeles the next Spielberg or Hitchcock will be which is not much time for advertising like to think that they’ll come here with Before it was who could we beg to use complex into a state-of-the-art digital discovered somewhere like this. It’s an and not, in the long run, a sustainable 70 percent of what they need to be suc- their backyard, or borrow baby toys.” production hub to catapult selected crea- amazing platform.” commercial model. cessful, and we’ll supply the 30 percent. Dozens have applied for the first places tors into another league of quality video The complex YouTube calls Space is The company hopes improved pro- We want people to be more ambitious, to which open in January, followed three making. tucked on a quiet street between Los duction values and storytelling skills realise their potential.” months later by another batch. Each Where engineers once made helicop- Angeles international airport and a will hook viewers for longer, underlining YouTube has given early access to a few applicant must already have a YouTube ters and the Spruce Goose airplane for wildlife reserve. A small red helicopter, Silicon Valley’s increasingly bold push creators in recent weeks, including Day channel, certain resources (such as time), its reclusive tycoon owner, camera crews, a Hughes 269A, marks the entrance, into the entertainment industry. and her co-producer Kim Evey. It was and a predisposition to collaborate with lighting technicians and editors are a homage to the site’s previous owner. “There is a correlation between thrilling to film their new web musical, other creators. GUARDIAN NEWS

Katy Perry in Dubai ‘Showrooming’ worries shop owners BY JONATHAN O’CONNELL the technician arrives at their house dressed in a dorky outfit and driving WASHINGTON: For a storefront a Volkswagen Beetle to match. There to survive, just selling things isn’t were fewer than a dozen Geek Squad going to cut it anymore. agents when Pine and Gilmore first Sure, people still buy stuff, but published their book. There were many of them do so online. Internet 24,000 when they updated it 12 years sales on Black Friday, for example, later. topped $1bn for the first time and are “Geek Squad was originally stand- expected to rise 17 percent this holi- alone, and you can still imagine the day season. So if consumers are going Geek Squad stand-alone if Best Buy to shop in person, they want the goes away,” Pine said. experience to be a memorable one. Bookstores were among the first They want to do something unique types of shops to run into trouble while shopping — something with a with showrooming. But some local story they can tell later. Something run,” says Jodie W McLean, presi- a decade later, Borders, Circuit City, outfits have found a way to sell books they can share on Twitter. dent of Edens, the developer of Union KB Toys, Linens ‘n Things and Ritz without depending on them to pay Retailers know this, so they are Market, a new foodie getaway in Camera have filed for bankruptcy or the rent. Kramerbooks & Afterwords selling experiences in addition to Washington. liquidated. Cafe and Busboys and Poets, for goods. Cooking classes at Sur La Now that the experience economy “I would say the experience econ- example, offer book sections that Table, rock-climbing walls at REI is here to stay, retailers are compet- omy was emerging back then,” Pine serve in part as decor and ambience and golf-swing simulators at Dick’s ing not just through their goods but told me recently. “Now it’s here.” The for restaurant and event businesses. Sporting Goods are all part of this through the shopping experiences question now is: Where is it going? People can sip their drinks among experience economy — gimmicks to they offer. If customers are willing For a guide, Pine raised one of the the books and maybe stumble upon get consumers into stores. And even to pay for an experience, then there’s most-discussed examples when it a few that would make good gifts — if shoppers go home empty-handed an opportunity to turn every service comes to the future of retail: Best even if they aren’t going to buy any and buy online, more stores are into something worth paying extra Buy, which remains the country’s until they get home. charging for their special attrac- for, whether it’s buying a doorknob, dominant electronics store but whose Showrooming threatens other tions in an attempt to make up for having your pants hemmed or getting stock has lost two-thirds of its value kinds of stores as well. Eight in 10 the fact that serving bowls and sta- your hair blow-dried. in three years. Best Buy is considered retailers are concerned about how tionery aren’t flying off the shelves. Joseph Pine and James Gilmore to be on life support in part because the trend will affect their sales this It’s something of an unofficial tax were among the first to identify of showrooming. holiday season, according to a recent on “showrooming,” the tendency of this phenomenon in their 1999 book, Pine thinks the most valuable part survey, with respondents saying sales customers to browse in stores but “The Experience Economy: Work Is of Best Buy is not its hundreds of of electronics, appliances, sporting American singer Katy Perry performs during her concert buy online. Theatre & Every Business a Stage,” stores but the Geek Squad service it goods, home goods, furniture and in Dubai late on Saturday night. “The people who are just filling in which they warned that big-name acquired — because people are willing apparel are all at risk. boxes are in big trouble in the long stores could be in trouble. More than to pay extra for computer repairs if WP-BLOOMBERG Monday 10 December 2012 26 Muharram 1434 Volume 17 Number 5544 Price: QR2

Qatari bourse GCC retail index slips by sector to reach 5.65 points $270bn by 2016

Business | 18 Business | 19

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22,926 8.12 239,092 26.15 62,228 152.10156,753 15.13 11,334 75.50 68,281 27.75 126,895 21.66 28,212 72.70 10,218 52.20

Opec to decide output target Qtel mandates six banks New secretary-general likely at Wednesday meeting

LONDON: Opec gathers in meeting,” noted Jason Schenker of likely in view of the high prices,” for possible bond issue Vienna this week for a ministe- Prestige Economics research group. said Commerzbank commodities rial meeting to decide on the car- “Nevertheless, there is likely to be analyst Carsten Fritsch. DUBAI: Qatar Telecom (Qtel) Iraqi telco Asiacell and Kuwaiti a heavily-oversubscribed sale. tel’s oil production ceiling, as a a heated debate over who will be Benchmark Brent crude oil has mandated six banks for affiliate Wataniya this year. Yields on its existing bonds predicted drop in demand risks Opec’s next secretary-general.” futures have traded around $110 a a possible benchmark-sized Benchmark-sized is typically have fallen significantly, reduc- weighing on high crude prices At its last meeting in June, barrel over the past six weeks, above dollar-denominated bond, lead at least $500m, and the sale will ing Qtel’s borrowing costs. despite Middle East unrest. Opec opted to keep its oil output the $100-level deemed acceptable by arrangers said on Thursday, be open to qualified institutional Its $1bn 4.75 percent bond The Organisation of Petroleum ceiling at 30 million barrels per Opec kingpin Saudi Arabia. in what would be the majority investors in the United States as maturing 2021 was bid at 112 Exporting Countries, which day (mbpd) — after agreeing on The Centre for Global Energy state-owned operator’s first it will be 144a-compliant. The pro- cents on the dollar on Thursday, pumps out 35 percent of the the level a year ago — and vowed Studies (CGES) warned that bond sale since 2010. posed bond will be issued by Qtel to yield 3.08 percent, according world’s oil, may also finally decide to eliminate over-production. member countries would however Qtel picked Barclays Plc, International Finance, a fully- to Thomson Reuters data. on a new head after a vote to But the International Energy “need to be vigilant in the com- HSBC Holdings, Mitsubishi UFJ owned subsidiary of Qtel, which The $1bn 3.375 percent bond, appoint a successor to Opec Agency watchdog said Opec has ing months and to act swiftly in Securities, Mizuho Securities, will guarantee the new issue. maturing 2016 , was yielding Secretary-General Abdullah El failed to rein in excess supplies, response to a weakening market, Morgan Stanley Inc and QNB Roadshows kick off on just 2.2 percent. The remaining Badri was postponed in June. estimating that it had pumped if they wish to prevent oil prices Capital as lead arrangers and December 9 in the United Arab $750m portion, issued at five The 12-nation cartel, which 31.16 mbpd in October despite from falling much below their bookrunners for the deal. Emirates before meetings in percent and due 2025 was yield- includes the world’s biggest oil a sharp drop in output by Iran, unofficial $100 per barrel target.” Qtel has been raising stakes London, Hong Kong, New York, ing 3.9 percent. Qtel reported a exporter Saudi Arabia and Iran which has been under a Western “The important thing is the in its subsidiaries, taking advan- Singapore and Boston, conclud- 74-percent rise in third quarter — currently under an oil embargo ban of its oil exports since July outlook... and most analysts tage of the gas-rich Gulf state’s ing on December 11. profit in October after complet- — was to hold a regular output over the Islamic Republic’s dis- expect OPEC to cut its produc- healthy financial position at a Qtel, rated A by Standard & ing a sale and leaseback of tow- meeting at Opec’s headquarters in puted nuclear programme. tion” next year because of weak time when other large telecom Poor’s, last tapped global debt ers in Indonesia and on the back the Austrian capital on Wednesday. Despite the over-production demand growth, CGES analyst firms are shying away from markets in the fourth quarter of higher domestic revenues. “Opec’s official production target caused largely by Saudi Arabia, Manouchehr Takin said. deals. It increased its stake in of 2010 to raise $2.75bn from REUTERS is unlikely to change at the December “no change to production policy is AFP MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatari bourse General Motors to close plant in Germany index slips by 5.65 points Egypt rebounds as Mursi backtracks

DOHA: Qatar Exchange index cancelled or delayed or not go was down 5.65 points or 0.07 through because the judges will yesterday to reach 8,354.65 probably refuse to oversee the points from the previous closing vote.” of 8,360.30 points. Cairo’s benchmark index The volume of shares traded jumped 4.4 percent in its big- up to 1,764,893 from 1,746,943 on gest one-day surge since July 2. Thursday, and the value of shares Sunday’s gain trim losses to 7.1 decreased to QR80,016,706.59 from percent since Mursi awarded QR108,510,133.77 on Thursday. himself extraordinary powers in Among the top losers were a decree on November 22. Commercial Bank whose share Many stocks were suspended dropped 0.41 percent to QR72.70, temporarily in early-trade after Qatar Navigation lost 0.62 per- they gained their maximum cent to QR63.80, Doha Bank allowed daily limit. fell 0.39 percent to QR50.80 and All except two stocks rose. Barwa Real Estate was down 0.36 Palm Hills Development Co percent to QR7.85. climbed 4.1 percent, El Saeed The banking and financial sec- Contracting rose 3.7 percent and tor dropped 4.04 points while the Citadel Capital jumped 6 percent. insurance sector lost 0.74 points. Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia’s The industrial sector down 0.22 bourse gave back intraday gains Snow-covered new Opel cars just off the production line, parked at the Opel Works in Bochum, northwest Germany, before daybreak yesterday. In points and the services sector fell after hitting a three-week peak response to losses in its European business, General Motors is to close the plant at the end of production of the Zafira Tourer in 2016, which will 38.57 points. as short-term traders booked result in 3,200 job losses. Meanwhile, Egypt’s bourse profits. The index ticked up 0.08 made its biggest one-day gain percent. in five months yesterday after In the United Arab Emirates, President Mohammed Mursi property stocks helped lift Abu Dubai announces scrapped a decree that triggered Dhabi’s market to a three-week a political crisis. high. Aldar Properties and Business leaders present private first residential In Cairo, foreign investors are Sorouh Real Estate each gained net buyers against Arab regional 1.6 percent. Investor interest has project in MBR City and Egyptian sellers. Elsewhere, picked up in recent sessions as the sector trade priorities at WTO most Gulf markets closed higher. developers’ government-backed DUBAI: Dubai developer Emaar Mursi revoked a decree that merger talks advance. Properties and an arm of Dubai gave him extra powers, but irate The talks were started against DOHA/GENEVA: Business Economiesuisse Executive Board ongoing if we are to ensure the Holding launched the first project opponents said on Sunday he had the backdrop of continuing over- leaders presented to World Member; Barbara Meynert, WTO and the global trading sys- in a planned multi-billion dollar deepened the conflict by pressing supply and declining house prices. Trade Organization (WTO) Senior Advisor, Li & Fung Group; tem remains vibrant.” flagship development yesterday on with a vote on a constitution Prices in Abu Dhabi were expected permanent ambassadors and Stuart Harbinson, Former WTO The ICC World Trade Agenda — a complex of luxury residences shaped by Islamists. to fall five percent this year, accord- representatives, at WTO head- Ambassador, Switzerland and initiative will continue to gather and a golf course. The president held talks on ing to a May Reuters poll. quarters in Geneva yesterday, Gabriela Wurcel, Director of the input of small, medium and Dubai Hills will be part of the Saturday at his presidential pal- Abu Dhabi’s benchmark climbed their initial recommendations International Trade, Phillip large enterprises that produce Mohammed Bin Rashid (MBR) ace. Billed as a “national dia- 0.6 percent. Dubai’s index edges for driving international trade Morris International. the goods and services traded City, the mega tourism and retail logue”, the meeting was boycotted up in thin trade as investors await negotiations out of an 11-year “We are here to press for the daily throughout the world so as development project announced by his main rivals and had little fresh catalysts to provide direction. deadlock and boosting the glo- inclusion of global business views to shape recommendations that by the emirate in November, credibility among protesters in The index added 0.2 percent, trad- bal economy, a release said in WTO deliberations and to reflect trading realities. Emaar and Dubai Holding said the most populous Arab nation. ing within a tight range. yesterday. introduce fresh approaches to “Business is uniquely placed to in a joint statement. “We have to reach a common “Markets are moving sideways Executives from the boosting economic growth and identify bottlenecks in the global The project’s villas, each to be ground by December 15 — that’s a due to a lack of news and inter- International Chamber of employment through open trade trading system,” Rowhani said. built on plots of 20,000 to 30,000 very important date,” said Osama est from investors,” said Mohab Commerce (ICC) and Qatar and investment,” said Jean-Guy “We are moved to take action, square feet, would be designed Mourad, chief executive of Arab Maher, senior manager of institu- Chamber updated WTO repre- Carrier. because without a stronger mul- around a new 18-hole champion- Finance Brokerage in Cairo. tional sales at MENA Corp. sentatives on progress from the The current economic crisis tilateral trading system, business ship course to be developed by “The referendum will either be AGENCIES ICC World Trade Agenda. This has only intensified the urgency around the world will face an even world golf course experts, it said. initiative was established in 2011 to redefine trade rules and har- tougher environment for trade The statement provided no with the aim of defining a prac- ness the potential of new multi- and investment.” information on the number of vil- tical and forward-looking trade lateral agreements to provide a ICC and Qatar Chamber las, the value or the time frame policy agenda that will contribute debt-free stimulus to the global answered calls from WTO and for completion of the project. to economic growth and job cre- economy. G20 leaders for new approaches MBR city is also expected to ation, moving WTO trade talks For example, according by launching the WTA initiative include 100 hotels and the world’s • Bullion - Mumbai “Beyond Doha”. to the Peterson Institute for in March 2012 at the WTO head- biggest shopping mall. Dubai has Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 30700.00 ICC and Qatar Chamber are International Economics, a WTO quarters in Geneva. recently begun to announce big Silver (1 kg) Rs. 61550.00 gathering input from businesses agreement on trade facilitation The ICC World Trade Agenda projects and revive some earlier globally in order to compile a is expected to deliver gains of at initial recommendations, which plans that had been shelved fol- • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.79 final set of recommendations least $130bn per year worldwide were launched at the World lowing the collapse of its property • Sensex that will be presented at the ICC and millions of new jobs, which Business Leaders Conference in markets. 1 BSE 19424 10 World Trade Agenda Summit to will particularly benefit develop- Beijing on September 28, 2012, Dubai Holding’s real estate arm, NSE 5907.40 be held here on April 22, 2013, ing economies. include a call on governments Dubai Properties, had previously • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – with a view to presenting them This business initiative, in to: Conclude a stand-alone planned to develop Tiger Woods which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN to governments in the lead up partnership with governments, trade facilitation agreement; Dubai, a residential and golf course Card/Demat Account not required. to the 9th WTO Ministerial aims to define a new world trade “Multilateralize” trade liber- project, in conjunction with the • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return Conference in Bali, Indonesia in agenda to overcome the deadlock alisation; Liberalize trade in former world number one golfer, December 2013. in WTO negotiations and reach a services; Lower barriers to but shelved the project in January p.a. (in dollar) Among those taking part in dis- “Doha victory”. trade in information technol- 2011. The average apartment price • Housing loan from HDFC LTD cussions in Geneva were: Pascal “This is a serious effort aimed ogy products and services and in Dubai rose by 13 percent this • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, Lamy, WTO Director-General; at fostering better dialogue Work towards a multilateral year and is expected to grow at the Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. Jean-Guy Carrier, ICC Secretary between business and trade framework on international same rate next year as speculative Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] General; Remy Rowhani, Qatar policymakers,” Lamy added. “It investment. buyers prop up demand. Chamber CEO; Jan Atteslander, is essential that this dialogue is THE PENINSULA REUTERS China inflation rises to 2pc

BEIJING: China’s inflation rate territory, is sparking fears about another increased to 2.0 percent in November, inflationary shock next year,” Ren said. official figures showed yesterday, in “We believe inflation rates will pick another sign of a continued rebound up in 2013, but not dramatically. The in the world’s second biggest economy price rebound going forward will be best following a marked slowdown. described as a gradual end of disinflation, It is the first increase in the consumer rather than acceleration in inflation.” price index since August and a signifi- Inflation became a number one issue cant leap from October, when inflation for Beijing over the course of 2012 after stood at a 33-month low of 1.7 percent. it peaked last year. But the November figure signals that China’s Communist Party leaders inflation for the whole of 2012 will be far reacted to drive down high consumer lower than the government’s target of 4.0 prices, which is seen as a threat to its percent, and will remain stable through- key goal of maintaining social stability. out 2013 as China’s economy continues But the most recent National Bureau to expand, analysts say. of Statistics figures suggest tackling “The Chinese economy is in the sweet inflation is now becoming less of an issue, spot now with rebounding GDP growth, analysts say. “Bottom line is that infla- rebounding earning growth and low tion won’t be the number one concern inflation,” said Lu Ting, China econo- next year,” said Ren. mist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. A research note from ANZ Bank said Lu also said he expected inflation it expected China’s inflation figure will to increase to around 2.2 percent in be about 2.7 percent across the whole of December and forecasted a rate of 3.0 this year — well below the government’s percent throughout 2013. target. The November figure compares Ren Xianfang, senior China econo- with a median 2.1 percent forecast for mist with IHS Global Insight, said the November in a survey of 12 economists November figure does not suggest China by Dow Jones Newswires. is heading to a return to high inflation, Food prices, which account for nearly which peaked at 6.5 percent in July 2011. one-third of China’s CPI, rose 3.0 percent “The reacceleration in consumer price in November year-on-year, the NBS said. inflation, now back to the two percent AFP MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

GCC retail sector QP sponsors Maintcon 2012 to reach $270bn by 2016: Report Purchasing power drives growth

DOHA: The grow at a CAGR of retail sector in 7.7 percent to reach the GCC has dis- $270.3bn by the end played strong of the forecast period. resilience in the Food retail sales face of global eco- are anticipated to nomic downturn expand at a CAGR and is expected of 8.8 percent dur- to reach $270bn ing this period while by the end of 2016 non-food retail sales with a CAGR of 7.7 are likely to grow at percent, a latest an annual average report on retail growth rate of 6.6 industry published percent. Food sales by Alpen Capital growth will out- said recently. perform non-food The report provides a perspec- sales growth during the forecast tive of the overall retail industry, period as high-value and healthier major market characteristics, food products could find greater and future trends. By examin- demand. ing fundamental growth drivers, Based on a moderate growth significant challenges and recent scenario calculated at 80 per- developments, it presents an out- cent occupancy over the next look for the GCC’s retail industry five years for the supply-side based on demand-side and supply- estimates, occupied gross leas- side approaches. able area (GLA) in the GCC is “Retail industry, which is one projected to reach 15.8msqm in of the fastest growing sectors in 2016 compared to 11.4msqm in the GCC, has thrived over the 2011 growing at a CAGR of 6.8 Khalid Yousuf Al Sahlawi, Manager for Integrated Facilities of QP’s Dukhan Operations, handing over a gift to Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al last several years due to increas- percent during the same period. Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Finance, during the inauguration of Maintcon 2012 in Manama. Qatar Petroleum participated as the silver sponsor of ing purchasing power, growing Retailers are expected to continue the 2nd Middle East Maintenance Conference & Exhibition held in Manama. expatriate population, changing their focus on improving efficien- lifestyle and an expanding tour- cies and making optimum utiliza- ism and hospitality industry. tion of retail space. Retailers have benefited from Among the growth drivers, the government initiatives and there are several factors con- Greece plans reopening debt buyback invitations progressive policy agenda and tributing to the growth of the have a healthy period of growth GCC retail sector. A consistently ahead of them”, said Sameena expanding population base, young ATHENS: Greece may ask for on Saturday that Athens had offer up to 100 percent of lenders’ However, they have to make Ahmad (pictured), Managing population and growing urbaniza- additional offers from bond- received offers of about that sum. bondholdings. sure it succeeds because they Director at Alpen Capital tion make demographics of the holders in a debt buyback plan The officials’ comments con- The buyback accounts for about depend on the bailout funds that “The region’s retail sector has GCC highly attractive for retail- that forms part of its interna- firm a report earlier yesterday half of a ¤40bn EU/IMF debt Athens stands to receive if the displayed strong resilience in the ers of both essential and discre- tional bailout, Greek officials by television station Mega, which relief package for Athens agreed buyback succeeds and its bailout face of global economic down- tionary products. The region’s said yesterday. said that Athens was very close to in November. Its success will to continue smoothly. turn and is expected to continue population growth rate has accel- The invitation might be hitting the ¤30bn mark and that ensure that the IMF, which con- Almost ¤24bn from the ¤34.4bn to grow at a steady pace given erated over the last three years, renewed today to top up the offers it might renew the invitation for tributes about a third of Greece’s Greece stands to receive from its attractiveness to tourists and and is expected to sustain the already received, three officials a short period to collect additional bailout loans, will stay on board its lenders later this month will residents in terms of geographic pace going forward. close to the proceedings said. bids from Greek banks on standby of the rescue. be used to refloat Greek banks, location, developed logistics and A growing GDP, substantial “It’s possible,” a senior govern- to provide them. Greece and its international whose capital has been largely availability of diverse and qual- government spending on infra- ment official said on condition of By Friday Greece received lenders have shied from setting depleted by the country’s debt ity shopping options. While the structure and healthcare, low anonymity. offers for at least ¤15-16bn from a binding target for the plan, crisis. Another source said that sector presents attractive oppor- fuel prices and low or no tax Another government official foreign investors and about ¤10- apart from saying that Athens Greece might have secured addi- tunities, it is highly competitive incidence, free up a substantial and a banker confirmed the move 11bn from Greek banks, Mega should spend at most ¤10bn on tional financing from its lenders and retailers need to continue to portion of individuals’ income for was under consideration. said. it. Officials said the aim was to for the plan and could be re-open- innovate, so that they can achieve consumption of food and non-food Athens plans to buy back bonds Greek banks, which hold about purchase about ¤30bn of debt, ing it to attract additional inter- sustainable growth and profit- items and fuelled the growth of with a face value of about 30 bil- ¤17bn of bonds, said on Friday thus reducing Greece’s debt load est from foreign bondholders. ability”, says Mahboob Murshed, the retail industry. GDP per cap- lion euros at deeply discounted they would participate in the deal by a net ¤20bn. “In the knowledge that the buy- Managing Director, Alpen Capital ita (PPP) of all the GCC econo- prices to lower its debt load. A but did not reveal how many of Greek bankers had been reluc- back will succeed, investors might As per the demand side esti- mies is high and is expected to see deadline for bondholders to sub- their bonds they were willing to tant to take part in the scheme, be willing to increase their offers,” mates, between 2011 and 2016, the a healthy growth. mit offers expired on Friday. A exchange. Their boards author- for fear of foregoing future profits he said. GCC’s retail sales are expected to THE PENINSULA Greek government official said ised management on Friday to on their Greek bonds. REUTERS Azerbaijan bank plans $150m Islamic loan

MANAMA: International Bank of Ministry of Finance, holds a 40 percent Gurbanzada said. Plans to have an Islamic Azerbaijan (IBA), the country’s biggest share of banking assets in Azerbaijan. It banking subsidiary in Qatar by the end of lender, plans to raise $150m through an offers Shariah-compliant products through this year await regulatory approval. Islamic syndicated loan early next year an Islamic window, which follow religious Growth would be driven by new products and double its Islamic banking assets principles such as a ban on interest and on including small business lending, vehicle by the end of 2013, according to a senior pure monetary speculation. and real estate financing and financing of executive. IBA plans to increase its Islamic banking export-related activities. Behnam Gurbanzada, IBA’s director of assets to $120m by the end of 2013 from Managing private clients’ assets through Islamic banking, said the bank planned to $60m currently, Gurbanzada said. wakala, or agency agreements, could grow to sign a mandate in January and close the “We are planning to increase Islamic $30 million in 2013, Gurbanzada said. deal in April. banking activity with the help of our sub- “We are also working on the retail market The one-year private syndication would sidiaries and reach $500m in assets in 2015.” and inviting private clients to participate in be the first of its kind in Azerbaijan and This would help the bank launch prod- wakala deposit pools. At present we have would help IBA cater to the estimated 93 ucts domestically and prepare it for future received a bid for $3.5 million.” percent of its 9 million population who are expansion across neighbouring and other IBA is also working to attract a $15m Muslim. countries, where it sees opportunities for wakala deposit from the Islamic Corporation The bank is in talks with a number of Islamic finance. for the Development of the Private Sector, a Gulf-based lenders to manage the syndi- “IBA would like to create a strong plat- Jeddah-based multilateral financial institu- cation. Gurbanzada did not disclose their form for Islamic banking in Azerbaijan tion, in order to finance small- and medium- names. and use it for implementation with its sub- sized businesses. IBA, 50.2 percent-owned by Azerbaijan’s sidiaries in Russia, Georgia and in Qatar,” REUTERS

August cyber attack targeted all Saudi Dhaka invites firms to explore gas Arabia: Aramco DHAKA: Bangladesh yesterday invited bids territorial dispute between Bangladesh and from international companies to explore off- Myanmar in the gas-rich Bay of Bengal. DHAHRAN: Oil giant Saudi shore oil and gas reserves, an official said, as In 2009, Dhaka’s bidding for offshore energy Aramco said yesterday that an the fast-growing economy seeks to meet its search got a tepid response as only US giant August cyber attack on its com- soaring energy demands. ConocoPhillips signed deals for two blocks of the puter network targeted not just State energy group Petrobangla Director 28 blocks on offer which included some to which the company but the kingdom’s Muhammad Imaduddin said that nine shallow- Myanmar and India had territorial claims. economy as a whole. water and three deep-water blocks in the Bay of “This time we are optimistic about attracting The interior ministry, which Bengal were open for production-sharing con- more companies in the bidding. All 12 blocks joined Aramco’s investigation into tracts with companies. are in the undisputed Bangladeshi waters,” the attack, said it was carried out “We are going to post details of the inter- Imaduddin said. Bangladesh hopes to resolve by organised hackers from several national tenders on our website by tomorrow maritime border dispute with India in 2014. different foreign countries. “The (Monday),” Imaduddin said adding that the Bangladesh is urgently trying to locate new attack targeted the whole economy blocks would be awarded to eligible firms by the sources of energy as the government has said of the country, not just Aramco as end of next June, with submission deadline in the nation’s current gas reserves, at 16.3 tril- an entity,” said Abdullah Al Saadan, mid-March. lion cubic feet, may run out within a decade at who headed the company’s inquiry The Offshore Bidding Round 2012 will be the present consumption rates. team. “The aim was to stop pump- sixth in the history of impoverished Bangladesh, The country’s economy has been growing at ing oil and gas to domestic and which has extensive gas reserves, but is facing a more than six percent annually over the last dec- international markets,” he told shortfall due to soaring consumption. ade with industrial growth hovering around 10 reporters. Authorities offered the blocks after a UN tri- percent in several years. AFP bunal in March this year ended a long-standing AFP MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

London fights for its Spaniards head to America coveted financial crown HE City of London, already campaigning hard against EU as crisis turns tide proposals for regulating banks, is now hitting back at a Tthreat to its dominance of the vast market for trading in euros. OR years it was a source of scarcer and many have fallen into poverty. Germany. The Madrid branch of the Goethe The latest perceived attack on the supremacy of the “City” came labour: Latin America, from Spain had 50,000 more emigrants than Institut, a German cultural organisation, this week from the governor of the Bank of France, Christian where Spain’s poor colonial cous- immigrants in 2011, surging to nearly says enrollments for its language classes Noyer. ins flocked to work on its boom- 138,000 this year up to September, accord- have surged 50 percent in two years. He objected to the fact that Britain, a member of the European ing building sites. A decade on, ing to the National Statistics Institute. Over “Since February 2011 we have noted a new Union but not of the eurozone, should have captured by far the Fthe trend has gone into reverse. 2011 and 2012 so far, 117,000 Spaniards have and substantial group of students,” says the biggest share of trading in the euro. Immigrants were among the first to left the country. institute’s academic director in Madrid, London handles about 40 percent of world trade in euros, more lose their jobs when the boom was busted, In Las Palmas on the Canary Islands, Manfred Ewel, in a statement. than all of the 17 eurozone members combined. and many headed home. Now qualified Catherine Hernandez, 37, is preparing to “Approximately 25 percent of our students Noyer said in a reference to London and its place outside the Spaniards are joining them. leave her family for Venezuela — an emerg- are engineers, doctors or computer special- eurozone: “It is clear there is no rationale for having the biggest With Spain’s jobless rate above 25 percent, ing economy whose left-wing leader Hugo ists who are looking for a professional future financial centre active in our currency or providing services in and 52 percent among the under-24s, they Chavez is often treated with suspicion by in Germany.” our economic union being an offshore centre.” are looking not only north within Europe, Spanish newspapers. Others are taking a gamble in less pros- Noyer, who also sits on the policy-setting governing council of but south to countries such as booming A dual Spanish and Venezuelan national, perous corners of Europe. the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, said: “The American Brazil or Venezuela to find work and start Hernandez was born there to Canarian par- Keen to work but also to learn English authorities are not against the US dollar being traded in London, companies. ents but returned to Spain 12 years ago and to improve his job prospects, Jaime Mora, but they are very keen on not having the essential business being Mercedes Martin, 29, is preparing to used her qualification in communications to 21, a draftsman from Madrid, jumped on a done outside the US. We are the same.” leave at the end of the year for Brazil, where work in local radio. plane to Liverpool, northwestern England, His remarks provoked a mixture of suspicion, given that anti- she hopes to expand her web design and Now the Canaries have one of the highest because “the name sounded attractive”. EU sentiment is running high in Britain over perceived inter- marketing business instead of scratching unemployment rates among Spain’s regions “I chose it on a whim. I bought the ticket ference by EU authorities, and of scorn given the dominance of around for clients back in Spain. — more than 33 percent — while Venezuela, on a Tuesday and left the following Monday,” London, alongside New York, in global finance. “I find it difficult here because companies she believes, is booming. he says. “The week after I bought the ticket, But there was also some anxiety that London cannot drop its are not investing. They are too afraid and “Here I have no work and Venezuela is I felt cool. Then when I arrived and found guard if it is to keep the City’s crown in place. are cutting costs. In Brazil I think there are flourishing. There are lots of opportuni- myself all alone, it was harder.” The City is the so-called square mile at the heart of London more opportunities,” says Mercedes, who ties to do lots of things,” she said, citing a Still, within a few weeks he had found a where financial and supporting activities such as law firms are scouted around there last year. trip she made there a few years ago during flat, a training school offering free English concentrated. “There is much more demand for qualified which she found employment. lessons and a job washing dishes in an old The flamboyant but influential Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, people there than here,” especially with the During Spain’s boom last decade, “the people’s home to pay the rent. said of the remarks by Noyer: “This is a desperate French attack football World Cup coming up in 2014 and Latin Americans were very badly regarded,” In his English class, he says, 90 percent of in an effort to make something out of the eurozone crisis. It’s the Olympic Games in 2016, she adds. she adds. the students are Spanish, including a psy- nothing more than a naked attempt to steal London’s financial When Spain’s building boom surged in “People had the idea that immigrants were chologist, a biologist and engineers. crown. It shows utter contempt for the principles of the single the 2000s, so did its population: national coming to steal jobs from the Spanish. Now “The hardest thing is missing the people market (in the EU), and it will not succeed.” statistics show that it rose by five million those people who were denigrating them you love, your family and friends,” he says For the government, Business Secretary Vincent Cable, said between 2002 and 2009 when the world are finding themselves that they need to of his departure. “But it’s a lesson in life. while on a visit to France: “It rather contradicts what I’ve heard financial crisis started to tell. migrate. It is totally ironic, but I think it At 21, I’m living away from home searching from serious French bankers,” he said. “They take the view that As a recession caused by the crisis gripped is positive.” for a living. It’s making me grow in leaps a strong British finance centre is good for Europe.” Spain, the tide of arrivals turned, and this In Europe meanwhile, many Spaniards and bounds.” Cable argued that all of Europe benefited from London having year it has speeded up as jobs have got are eyeing the well-trodden path to AFP established itself as the world’s leading financial hub, pointing out that hundreds of thousands of French workers had moved there because of the career opportunities. “We want to be part of the European single market in financial services and we see the City (of London) as part of it,” he said As the date for the creation of the euro in electronic form in 1999 approached, there was much debate about whether Frankfurt, the home of the ECB and the main financial centre in Germany, or London, would dominate finance across Europe. But from the outset is was evident that the business was going mainly to London, drawn by the long-established concentration of financial expertise and supporting services, by the English language, by business-friendly labour and tax laws, and by the buzz of London living if not by the living costs. At US bank BNY Mellon, economist Simon Derrick commented: “Unfortunately, history is rather against Mr Noyer on this matter.” Fourteen and a half years after the launch of the euro, “London’s position as the key centre for the region looks stronger than ever,” Derrick said. “London has been a trading hub from almost the point it was founded by the Romans in AD 43,” he said. “London’s position looks strong for the moment at least.” But the British government and the financial sector are increas- ingly concerned that they in particular will suffer from new bank- ing union regulations being pushed by the European Commission. A central concern is that the ECB, which is to become the overall supervisor of banks in the eurozone will in fact gain pow- ers of oversight throughout the European Union and so vitiate the function of the European Banking Authority which is based in London. And Noyer made his thrust at a time when Britain is becom- ing concerned about the decline of London as a financial centre on the changing global stage, relative to such cities as Hong Kong and Singapore where the constraints of regulation are less restrictive. The economics consultancy CEBR published a report recently suggesting that London would lose its top place in terms of the number of people employed in finance to New York this year and in 2015 would come third behind Hong Kong. But the City of London has just published a report which found that nearly half of all jobs created in the whole of London this year were linked in some way to financial services, despite the downturn in the economy. AFP Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Fiscal cliff deal hopes support market sentiments

FTER five days without achieving any concrete performance. service producing the H2 recovery to feel the pres- Eurostat, the Euro zone’s gross of making higher results as to the fiscal cliff nego- After regis- and goods produc- sure to pull a policy lever. domestic product shrank 0.1 per- lows and highs, the tiation. However, hopes remain tering a low ing jobs. Service On the other hand, the ECB cent in the third quarter of 2012 Euro outperform- in markets especially after US of $1685, the producing sectors staff survey was more aggressive and remained unchanged from ance ended after the President Obama said that a metal closed are beyond the with their new forecasts. However, the previous quarter. Year-on- Weekly Money Market Review AEuropean Central Bank press fiscal cliff deal was possible ‘in the week at ones tracked and in reducing the 2013 GDP growth year, euro zone GDP fell 0.6 per- conference on Thursday. The about a week’ if Republicans $1704. created 114,000 forecast from +0.5 percent to -0.3 cent compared to a year earlier, ECB’s weakened growth forecasts compromised on raising tax on The latest development in the payroll jobs for November. Goods percent, the ECB staff have gone also in line with expectations. for the eurozone, emphasising the wealthiest. Middle East political tension has only gained 4,000 private sec- well below other official sector The German factory orders how difficult the global growth After starting the week on a not affected oil prices as we had tor jobs. As expected, hurricane institutions and below all recent were stronger than market expec- picture is still looking, even if positive note, the post ECB press expected. After falling to a three Sandy cost 86,000 estimated job consensuses in the market. The tations in October, rising 3.9% some of the immediate concerns conference on Thursday opened weeks low of $85.68 after the losses according to the report. staff inflation forecasts for inflation m-o-m versus 1% consensus. over bailouts and sovereign risks the door to a rate cut in Q1 next ECB mentioned the bank pro- On a different note, the lat- were at 1.6 percent in 2013 and 1.4 According to the German econ- default have subsided in recent year. Consequently, after trading jected the economy to contract 0.5 est Non-Manufacturing Report percent in 2014 much lower than omy ministry, a rise in demand months. at a high of 1.3127 on Thursday, percent this year worse than the Composite Index came at 54.7 what economists had projected from foreigner trading partners, Post ECB meeting, there was the euro broke lower to 1.2877 as September forecast of a drop of percent, signaling slightly faster close to two percent. in particular from those outside massive unwinding of euro trades the pressure started and demand 0.4 percent, Oil rose on Friday on growth than last month’s 54.2 European bond spreads con- of the Euro zone, was behind the and the market focused on the was weak that even positive speculation that China’s produc- percent. Economists has a con- tinued to widen by the end of surprise. This was the first major Italian political tensions as a fac- reports on the Greek buyback was tion rose at the fastest pace since sensus of 53.5 percent week and markets shifted their real data release this month and tor as they have been burning in unable to provide any bounce at March 2012. The first month attention to Italy, as the gov- continued to show a gap between the background for several days. all. The Euro closed the week at delivery closed the week at $85.93. Europe & UK ernment overcame a confidence survey (eg PMI) data which has The underperformance of Italian 1.2927 ADP reported that only 118,000 During the ECB press con- motion, when ex Prime Minister been weaker and real data which government bonds was nothing The pound continued range jobs were added in November and ference on Thursday, President Berlusconi’s threatening to with- has been stronger. extraordinary and was more trading during the week following October’s reading was revised Mario Draghi seemed more hesi- draw his support and bring down The UK trade balance was technical in nature rather than a the positive news out of Europe’s slightly lower to 157,000 from tant on a deposit rate cut. His the government weaker than market expectations material change on investors eco- Greek deal and the negative head- 158,000. Expectations were for comment about ensuring ECB The euro zone’s economy con- in October, with the visible trade nomic or policy outlooks in Italy. lines from the UK office of the 129,000 jobs to be created in liquidity “reaches the real econ- tracted in the third quarter of 2012 balance recording a deficit of GBP Back in the US, developments Budget responsibility. After start- November and this miss marks omy” was perhaps a hint that if in line with economists’ expecta- -9.5bn versus consensus -8.6bn were primarily in the political ing the week at 1.6054 the pound the fourth month of decline the Council loses confidence in tions and confirming a continuing and higher than September’s landscapes rather any than eco- ended the week at 1.6039 for ADP job creation. One of the H2 2013 recovery, further, recession in Europe as a technical -8.4bn which was also revised nomic developments. Democrats In the commodities world, the more interesting aspects of ‘credit easing’ type policy could be recession is defined as two straight higher. The overall deficit was and Republicans continued the gold showed a pulse by the end the ADP report is the break- an option. According to him, the quarters of contraction. -3.6bn versus -3bn consensus. political drama in Washington of the week after a faltering late down of the private sector by ECB needed to lose confidence in In a report published by THE PENINSULA MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,354.65 5.65 WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 11,306.85 7.66 QE All Share Index 2,010.64 1.56 RATE INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 1,967.59 4.04 GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 2,585.37 0.22 All Ordinaries 4515.731 -12.308 -0.27 4602.5 4033.4 QR198.5823 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,339.79 5.19 Cac 40 Index/D 3596.14 5.64 0.16 3607.1 2922.26 QE All Share Real Estate 1,594.78 1.32 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.8045 QR 5.8748 QE All Share Insurance 1,934.19 0.74 Dj Indu Average 0 0 0 13661.87 11735.19 QR 3.8483 Euro ...... QR 4.6643 QR 4.7516 QE All Share Telecoms 1,056.34 0.49 CA$ ...... QR 3.6542 QR 3.7246 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,678.51 38.57 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8583 QR 3.9325 Hang Seng Inde/D 22249.81 -21.1 -0.09 22274.04 18056.4 Yen ...... QR 0.0438 QR 0.0446 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7767 QR 3.8725 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 3323.43 23.44 0.71 3382.77 2882.71 CRUDE OIL Ind Re ...... QR 0.0661 QR 0.0676 09-12-2012 06-11-2012 Index 8,354.65 8,360.30 Karachi 100 In/D 16824.55 148.85 0.89 16699.54 10771.13 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0373 QR 0.0380 Change 5.65 23.93 Nikkei 225 Index 9545.16 76.32 0.81 10255.15 8238.96 Peso ...... QR 0.0881 QR 0.0901 % 0.07 0.29 $ 109.05 SL Re ...... QR 0.0280 QR 0.0286 YTD% 4.83 4.77 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1474.51 1202.37 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0445 QR 0.0454 Volume 1,764,893 1,746,943 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0419 QR 0.0427 Value (QAR) 80,016,706.59 108,510,133.77 Straits Times/D 3078.2 2.28 0.07 3110.86 2657.77 $ 106.08 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4126 QR 0.4223 Trades 1,556 1,738 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 17 | Down 18 | Unchanged 03

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 09-12-2012

Commodities lose momentum as fiscal cliff and stronger dollar bite

HE first week of December economic data from China, the measures being announced at weekly rise since the 9/11 terror- saw commodity markets world’s largest consumer. This Weekly Commodity Update this meeting on December xxx. ist attack. Further selling was Tlose some of the positive now leaves the energy sector as Market talk at the moment points triggered by the ECB’s subdued momentum witnessed in late the worst performing sector and towards the expiring Operation outlook for growth in Europe, BY OLE HANSEN November, not least due to on- it has primarily made an impact Twist, by which the Fed sold which pushed a return to growth (Head of Commodity Strategy, going concerns about the US fis- on the performance of the S&P short-term bonds to buy longer further into the future. Saxo Bank) cal cliff as the January 1 deadline GSC, with its almost 70 percent maturities, possibly being replaced Saudi Arabia’s petroleum min- approaches. If left unresolved, exposure to this sector. Precious fully or partly by a conventional ister once again expressed sat- the pressing budget issue it will metals are neck and neck with New York. The move lower has below 1700 USD/oz. but found sup- bond-buying programme. Such an isfaction about current prices lead to dramatic spending cuts agriculture, with the latter driven benefitted US motorists with the port as comments from the ECB action would effectively increase ahead of the next OPEC meet- and tax rises which could send almost solely by strong perform- price of retail gasoline falling to President raised the likelihood of the money-printing programme ing in Vienna on December 12. the US and potentially the glo- ances of key crops, such as wheat, the lowest level in five months. a Eurozone rate cut early in the already seen from the third round OPEC will undoubtedly have to bal economy back into reces- corn and soybeans. Once again, this shows how this New Year. The feeling, however, is of quantitative easing (QE3), significantly reduce its produc- sion. Europe, which has already Soybeans recover from paradigm shift in global energy that many traders, both through which was launched back in tion which has been running at entered into recession, is strug- November sell-off supplies due to the increased futures and especially Exchange September. If an announcement elevated levels for months amid gling to see much light at the Turning to the performances output from advanced produc- Traded Funds may be tempted to to this effect occurs it could bring signs that global supply is now end of the tunnel following the of individual commodities only tion methods in the US is having refrain from adding to existing back a much needed bid to gold beginning to outstrip demand, European Central Bank’s down- a handful saw a positive return, a profound impact on the com- positions or even reduce exposure and silver and should lend further not least due to the continued grade of its Eurozone growth especially soybeans as the price petitiveness between regions and as the year closes - thus creat- support to the belief that gold sharp increase in US production forecast for 2013 to -0.3 percent. continues to recover from the countries - with US industry and ing some headwind for gold and still has good upside potential. which is now back up to levels not This downgrade raised the pos- November sell-off, during which consumers benefitting the most silver, which could last until late Increased uncertainty and lower seen for almost 20 years. Though sibility of further near-term rate period the net-long participation from low crude and gas. December. liquidity will make the next cou- unlikely to occur at this meeting cuts from the ECB and helped from money managers more than Precious metals led lower by FOMC may add support ple of weeks very tricky from a it is highly probable that such an send the EURUSD lower, thereby halved. Recently, the fundamental silver Precious metals ran into some trading perspective. announcement will come during removing support for commodi- picture has shifted back towards The precious metal sector additional weakness Friday fol- Crude oil lower on ample early part 2013.This is causing a ties priced in dollars. being supportive on the pros- continues to experience some lowing the US jobs report for supplies and strong dollar paradigm shift in oil markets with Energy sector the worst pect of a smaller crop in South trading fatigue with gold and sil- November which turned out to Both crude oils (Brent and traditional producers risking the performer America due to adverse weather. ver trading on the weak side all be stronger than expected with WTI) moved lower during the gradual loss of their influence. The two major commodity indi- Gasoline – worst energy week, while palladium continues the jobless rate continuing to week although the improved Brent crude oil moved back ces both posted negative returns performer its month-long rally on the back drop. This report is the last this US jobs report helped cushion below 108.50 during the week during the week resulting in The bottom four performers all of expectations of an emerg- year and as such the last indica- the fall. Overall the stronger and could now settle into a lower their year-to-date performance relate to the energy sector with ing structural deficit. Silver has tor before the final US Federal dollar removed support while range centred around 107 USD/ continuing to hover around zero. gasoline being the worst, follow- been underperforming with the Reserve meeting for 2012 on additional selling pressure came barrel with the risk of end-of- Industrial metals have seen a ing weekly inventory data which price of 1 oz. of gold rising to December 12. Due to this factor, from another weekly build in US year long liquidation from specu- strong recovery in recent weeks saw inventories jump by the most 51.8 oz. of silver compared with expectations have increased for energy inventories, especially lative traders once again weighing primarily helped by improved since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in a recent low 50.6 oz. Gold traded additional quantitative easing gasoline which saw the strongest on prices. THE PENINSULA

MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Schwartzel cruises to win The 2011 US Masters champion ends 20-month wait for a trophy

CHONBURI, Thailand: Lee Westwood and smashed the Charl Schwartzel decimated a Englishman’s tournament record star field at the Thailand Golf score by three shots with a total Championship yesterday, cruis- of 263. ing to an 11-shot victory and US Masters champion Bubba ending a miserable 20-month Watson finished strongly with Bubba eyes spell without a title. 14-under overall, putting him tied Five-shots ahead overnight, the second with 20-year-old Thai sen- South African more than doubled sation Thitiphun Chuayprakong, major title his winning margin with a blis- while Ryder Cup star Sergio tering final round 65, leaving him Garcia was two shots back in seven under par for the day and fourth. next season 25-under overall. He dropped only It was Schwartzel’s first win a single shot all week. since claiming the 2011 US CHONBURI, Thailand: In a display of precision putting, Masters, with the South African Masters champion Bubba he hit eight final round birdies as enduring a frustrating time since Watson (pictured) said yes- he avenged last year’s defeat to then due to injuries and poor terday he is desperate to win form. another major, with a defence “It’s been a good week. I’ve of his Augusta crown in front of Thailand Golf come close a few times but win- his newly-adopted son topping ning is not as easy as everyone the wish-list. Championship Final makes it out to be,” a beaming Speaking after coming joint- Round Scores Schwartzel said of his ninth pro- second at the Thailand Golf fessional title. Championships to South African CHONBURI, Thailand: “It’s been a difficult year espe- Charl Schwartzel -- the man who Scores after the final round of cially in the middle, it’s nice to put handed him his green jacket at the Asian Tour Thailand Golf things in place and get the win Augusta in April -- Watson vowed Championship at the par-72 I’ve been looking for for a while. to challenge in the big events next Amata Spring Country Club “Making one bogey all week year. yesterday: pretty much sums up how I The Masters was the first 263 Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 65-65-68-65 played. I played pretty flawless major of his career, an event he Charl Schwartzel of South Africa poses with the trophy after winning the final round of Thailand Golf Championship 274 Bubba Watson (USA) 68-70-71-65, golf. That’s my personal best.” won in spectacular fashion in a Thitiphun Chuayprakong (THA) 66- Schwartzel made a high-class at Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi province, Thailand, yesterday. Schwartzel scored 25 under par to playoff victory over South Africa’s 67-71-70 field look ordinary as he breezed finish with the total of 263 in the four-day tournament to win the trophy. Louis Oosthuizen. 276 Sergio Garcia (ESP) 69-69-68-70 to the title, his 11-under the It was an occasion soaked in third-biggest winning margin emotion for Watson -- he and his 277 Hyun-bin Park (KOR) 68-74-67-68 ever recorded on the Asian Tour. After seven dropped shots in the day hitting three birdies and affable Thitiphun said, after wife Angela had just adopted a 278 Simon Dyson (ENG) 72-71-67-68, A birdie at the first banished a horror front nine, Chopra fin- delighting the crowd with a stun- claiming his near $85,000 prize baby son Caleb. Daniel Chopra (SWE) 67-67-69-75, any thoughts of a final day wobble. ished at 10-under, joining a clutch ning eagle out off the bunker on for coming joint second. “Any Major is good,” he said of Scott Hend (AUS) 70-68-69-71, It was his nearest rival, Sweden’s of players including Simon Dyson the eleventh. “The way he (Schwartzel) han- his targets in 2013. “Just ask any Prom Meesawat (THA) 69-72-70-67, Daniel Chopra, who quickly felt of England. “I’m so proud of how I played dled himself was fantastic. This is golfer and they will say the same. Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 68-71- the nerves, bogeying the first as Home favourite Thitiphun led because I played with one of the something I’m working on... we “I’m looking forward to return- 72-67 he wilted in the Chonburi heat. the chasing pack for much of best players in the world,” the are getting there.” AFP ing to Augusta. My son will be there. We got him a week before I won the Masters so it will be his first time back. “He won’t know what the Senior masters weather Masters would mean but it would be great to have him with us.” Straight after his Masters win, Watson eschewed the usual to clinch Aussie Open title rounds of celebrations, media demands and talkshows and instead returned home to Florida SYDNEY: Peter Senior drew of his four European Tour titles but three-putted at the third for be with his wife and son. on all his experience from 34 two decades ago. the first of two dropped shots on Watson ended a gruelling sea- years as a professional golfer to “I really thought these days the front nine. son on 14-under in Thailand yes- master galeforce winds and win were over but golf is a funny The Englishman went bogey- terday after a scorching seven the Australian Open by a single game. The key to today’s round birdie-bogey-birdie just after the under final round, but still well shot yesterday, 23 years after he was that I never put any pressure turn and looked to be building short of Schwartzel who cruised first held aloft the Stonehaven on myself. up for a charging finish but two to an 11-shot win. AFP Cup. “If the conditions had been bet- bogeys in the last three holes put Gusting winds of up to 80 kilo- ter, the better players would have paid to his chances. metres an hour whipped across won. But these are conditions I Overnight leader Senden suf- Australian Open Final The Lakes Golf Club all day, thrive in, where I just battle it fered a meltdown in the trying knocking over a TV tower on the out.” conditions, losing his overnight Round Scores 18th green and forcing the sus- On a day when the conditions lead with a double bogey. SYDNEY: Scores after the pension of play for three hours. meant only six players would World number seven Adam final round of the OneAsia co- The 53-year-old ground out a finish under par, Senior started Scott started the day five shots sanctioned Australian Open at final round of par 72 in fading three shots off the pace and off the pace but never looked like the par-72 The Lakes course light to finish four-under for the dropped two shots on the front making a charge and a chip-in for yesterday (Australia unless tournament and become the old- nine. an eagle at the 17th was too little, stated): est man to win the title in the The Singapore-born Australian too late and he finished with a 76 284 Peter Senior 75-68-69-72 event’s 108-year history. won them back, however, with for a share of 14th. Brendan Jones finished sec- two birdies in three shots after Eight-times major champion 285 Brendan Jones 68-71-75-71 ond after a 71, while his fellow the turn, curling a 20-foot putt Tom Watson continued his Jekyll 286 Cameron Percy 72-69-72-73 Australian Cameron Percy was into the hole at the 12th to move and Hyde week, turning in three 287 Kim Felton 68-75-72-72, Kieran Pratt third, a shot further back on two two shots clear of the field. birdies in a flawless round in the 71-71-70-75, Justin Rose (ENG) 68- under, after carding a 73. It was a lead he would never relative calm of the morning to 73-70-76 Britain’s world number four relinquish and, with his son and end up with a card reading 78-68- 288 Michael Hendry (NZL) 72-71-74-71, Justin Rose dropped a shot at the caddie Mitch watching on, he 78-69 in joint 28th. Scott Gardiner 76-71-68-73, Stuart last to finish with a 76 for a share drained a three-foot putt at the Senior is 10 years younger and Appleby 70-73-70-75 of fourth. 18th before waiting for the final has enjoyed nowhere near as “It was probably one of the group of Rose and John Senden much success as the American, 289 Brett Rumford 73-69-75-72, Nick Peter Senior of Australia kisses his trophy after winning the Australian toughest days I’ve ever seen on a to finish. but he was just as popular with O’Hern 71-73-73-72, Rodney Open golf tournament in Sydney, yesterday. golf course,” Senior, who first won Rose had started the day in those who braved the weather to Pampling 74-69-73-73, Matthew the title in 1989 and won the last second, two shots off the pace, populate the galleries. REUTERS Jones 71-72-69-77 Al Kaabi triumphs at Qatargas Golf Open Neave, Msweli win QGL event

DOHA: Saleh Al Kaabi was declared the overall winner with 42 points at the Qatargas annual Golf Open tournament that was held at Doha Golf Club. The event attracted over 352 entries, underlining the popular- ity of the tournament, which was contested over two days over the weekend. Chris Crane secured the first position among Qatargas employ- ees while Susie Dagless won the ladies tournament. Bill Townsend won the ‘hole in one’ prize on hole 17. In addition to players of the Qatar national team and the Qatar Golf Association, employ- ees of Qatargas, its stakehold- ers, companies based in Ras Laffan Industrial City, banks and embassies, participated in the tournament. The participants of the annual 14th Qatargas Golf Open tournament pose for a picture at Doha Golf Club. Overall A special ceremony was later winner Saleh Al Kaabi (centre) is also seen. PICTURE BY: ABDUL BASIT held after the tournament to cel- The participants of the Qatar Golf Lovers (QGL) event pose for a picture ebrate the successful conclusion at Doha Golf Club. Adam Neave and Richard Msweli won Flight A and of the event and award the prizes - Administration, who presented tournament. Qatargas Open Golf, He added: “Congratulations to B respectively. David Fowler won the second prize in Flight A while to the winners. the prizes to the winners, said: which is now in its 14th year, is the winners and thank you all for Dhanraj Kunhiveetil was runner-up in Flight B of the competition which Ghanim Al Kuwari, Qatargas “We are very pleased to host one of the most popular events in the wonderful participation.” was participated by 60 golfers. Chief Operating Officer and organise such a successful Doha’s golfing calendar.” THE PENINSULA MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Willstrop has it easy in Doha PSA World Championship: Straight-games win for the Englishman; Darwish wins

DOHA: Top-seed James Willstrop of England breezed PSA World PSA World past Shawn Delierre of Canada to move into the pre-quar- Championship Championship ter-finals of the PSA World Today’s schedule Today’s results Championship. (1) James Willstrop (Eng) vs Shawn Delierre Yesterday at the Khalifa Chris Simpson (Eng) vs [9] Laurens Jan (Can) 11-2, 11-0, 11-7 (3-0) International Tennis and Squash Anjema (Ned), 12 noon Complex, the world No.1 took [10] Omar Mosaad (Egy) vs Max Lee (Hkg), Saurav Ghosal (Ind) bt Karim Abdel Gawad just 25 minutes to blow away the 1.00pm (Egy) 11-4, 11-8, 6-1 rtd (3-0) world No. 43 by registering a 11-2, [3] Gregory Gaultier (Fra) vs Miguel Angel [15] Borja Golan (Esp) bt Alan Clyne (Sco) 11-0, 11-7 straight games win. Rodriguez (Col), 2.00pm 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 (3-0) Willstrop found the nicks, Adrian Grant (Eng) vs [5] Ramy Ashour [6] Peter Barker (Eng) bt Mathieu Castagnet the accuracy, the width and the (Egy), 3.00pm (Fra) 2-11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-4 (3-1) angles to trouble Delierre who [7] Amr Shabana (Egy) vs [Q] Joe Lee [8] Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy) bt Gregoire was left clueless. The Canadian (Eng), 5.30pm Marche (Fra) 11-3, 11-9, 12-10 could take just two points from [Q] Shaun Le Roux (Rsa) vs [12] Alister [16] Cameron Pilley (Aus) bt Nafiizwan the first game and it was worse Walker (Bot), 6.30pm Adnan (Mas) 11-3, 11-8, 11-5 (3-0) in the second, where he drew a Zac Alexander (Aus) vs [2] Nick Matthew [4] Karim Darwish (Egy) bt Simon Rosner blank. (Eng), 7.30pm (Ger), 11-5, 11-5, 11 -4 The Englishman finally wrapped it up in the third game [13] Tarek Momen (Egy) vs Ryan Cuskelly [11] Daryl Selby (Eng) bt [Q] Omar Abdel winning it at 11-7. (Aus), 8.30pm Meguid (Egy), 11-8, 11-9, 11-3 Also making it to the next round was the English duo of Peter Barker and Daryl Selby. Fourth seed Karim Darwish of Egypt, bidding to win the World Championship for the first time, also made it to the pre-quarter- finals and so did compatriot Mohamed El Shorbagy. World No. 1 James Willstrop (right) of England returns the ball during his match against Shawn Delierre of Canada Others who made it to the at the PSA World Championship at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. Willstrop round of 32 were India’s Saurav won 11-2, 11-0, 11-7. PICTURES BY: SYED OMAR Ghosal and Spain’s Borja Golan. Leeds-based Ghosal will take on the PSA World Tour, could not 11-4 in a match which lasted for clash. Former world No.1 Darwish his training partner Willstrop in work his magic against the Indian exactly an hour. The Englishman was in top form during his clash the pre-quarter finals tomorrow. yesterday. dropped the first game but won with Simon Rosner of Germany Yesterday Ghosal ended the The 21-year-old from Cairo the next three games. while winning in straight games dream run of Karim Abdel kept fighting back but an old In the other matches, El 11-5, 11-5, 11 -4. Gawad. The Egyptian retired hurt injury dashed his hopes. Shorbagy defeated Gregoire The Egyptian will take on Selby in the third game with the Indian Spaniard Golan defeated Alan Marche of France 11-3, 11-9, 12-10 who ended the dream run of qual- having taken the first two games Clyne of Scoland 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 and will clash with Cameron Pilley ifier Omar Abdel Meguid of Egypt and was leading 6-1 in the third. in a match which went on for 47 of Australia. The world No.16 by scripting an easy 11-9, 11-8, Gawad, who recorded the upset minutes. ended the challenge of the lone 11-3 victory. Eight pre-quarter- in the Qatar Championship when Golan takes on sixth seeded surviving Malaysian Nafiizwan final matches will take place today he despatched England’s 14th seed Barker who rallied from behind Adnan by winning 11-3, 11-8, and the remaining ones will take Tom Richards in the first round against Mathieu Castagnet of 11-5. The Australian will take place tomorrow. World No.4 Karim Darwish of Egypt in action during his match against of the premier championship on France to win 2-11, 11-6, 13-11, on El Shorbagy in the next round THE PENINSULA Simon Rosner of Germany. Darwish won 11-5, 11-5, 11 -4.

Dhoni blames QMMF can play key role in raising road batsmen for Eden defeat safety awareness, says FIA President KOLKATA: Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni yesterday blamed DOHA: Qatar can play a batsmen for India’s humiliating key role in raising awareness seven-wicket loss to England at about road safety in the region, the Eden Gardens. FIA President Jean Todt said The skipper said though his yesterday. bowlers did well, their task was More than 1.3 million people made difficult by the batsmen’s die in road accidents and around failure to score runs. 50 million suffer injuries every “Our bowlers bowled well but year, Todt said while addressing if you don’t score runs it becomes press conference at the Qatar difficult. Spinners have done a Motor and Motorcycle Federation really good job. A bit more con- (QMMF). tribution from the pacers would “A country like Qatar can take really help,” Dhoni told the media. the message of road safety to the The Indian batsmen put up a region and the rest of the world,” dismal show in the game. The Todt, who is a keynote speaker hosts even lost six second innings at this week’s Doha Goals Forum, wickets in the post lunch session. said. Describing the pitch as ‘good “Qatar has been running road one to bat’, Dhoni called for more safety campaigns. It has the responsibility from batsmen. enforcement forces to keep peo- “I think our batting will have to ple safe on the roads. It has the take the responsibility. We need required infrastructure to cre- to score more runs. The wicket ate awareness programmes that was a very good one to bat on. will deliver the message to these “We need to score par or par- young kids and other people in plus score to give our bowler the country,” he added. something to defend. Otherwise it “FIA wants a world with zero is very difficult if you don’t score fatality. That’s our objective. So more runs than your opponents I say let’s do it,” Todt said along in the first innings.” side Michelle Yeoh, the FIA With the ‘legends’ of Indian Ambassador on Road Safety. Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah (fourth right), President of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Jean Todt FIA President (sixth right), pose cricket like Rahul Dravid and “I am convinced that Qatar with school students during a FIA Action for Road Safety campaign at QMMF headquarters in Doha, yesterday. Michelle Yeoh (fifth right) Ambassador VVS Laxman hanging up their can be the shining example in FIA Action for Road Safety, and Hamad Nasser Al Naimi (third left) of Qatar Automobile and Touring Club were also present. BOTTOM: Todt interacts boots, Dhoni said it would take this regard,” the 66-year-old with school students. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT time before youngsters started Frenchman said. performing. “Qatar has an active motor message forward. We respect the this regard,” Al Attiyah said. “We “It is a difficult task (replacing sport body and my friend Nasser confidence shown by Mr Todt will do everything to educate legends). The new guys will always bin Khalifa Al Attiyah is doing a in our abilities to promote the the young and old on the perils feel the extra pressure because great job as the president. Then road safety programmes. We are of rash driving or riding,” the the legends are not there,” he said. Qatar has a champion rally driver already thinking about Qatar as QMMF president said while “They want to perform because in Nasser (Saleh Al Attiyah) who a place with zero fatality on the addressing a group of students. they want to cement their place is famous the world over. roads,” Al Attiyah said. “We need the help of the media in the side. It is a situation where “So I know Qatar is well placed “We want to create healthy - a tool that will take our message everyone will feel a bit of pressure to take this message to the rest of society where our young genera- to all the residents of the country but it is essential that they get rid the world,” he said. tion is free from such mishaps. I and the region. So, Mr Todt has of this. Self belief is important.” “I see the amazing develop- mean we want a positive attitude our promise on this matter,” he Dhoni also backed pace spear- ments Qatar has made over the from all those on the road,” the added. head Zaheer Khan, who is not years. The progress the country QMMF president said. Yeoh, a Hollywood actress of having a great series. has made in various segments “Yes, we can be the shining considerable fame for her roles in “He is not unfit. He has been of the society is amazing,” Todt example in this regard. I pledge Tomorrow Never Dies, Sunshine training hard. Why he is not explained. that QMMF and FIA will work and Babylon AD, said: “The most effective is a question to ponder. “I will be delivering a speech on together in our bid to eradicate important thing is that I am sure May be the batsmen are play- the same topic at the Doha Goals road fatalities. you kids are looking to be a driver ing him well though he seems to Forum this week,” he said. “We are reaching the families at some stage. So you have to be bowl well. Bowlers do have a phase Al Attiyah, the QMMF presi- of the schoolkids so our message is aware. You have to be alert not when they don’t get wickets. dent, pledged to follow the FIA heard loud and clear,” Al Attiyah just on the road but otherwise you already know the (road understand the rules are there. Maybe he is going through that,” guidelines in taking the message promised. also.” safety) message. You know you Always remember that your life added Dhoni. India now trail 1-2 on road safety to the youth of the “We want to go fast on this The 49-year-old added: “You buckle up and put on a safety is precious. It is precious for you in the four match series and must country. project. We want a stop to road president has given you a mes- belt and you are okay. You know and for others.” win the final Test at Nagpur to “I am sure we can take this accidents. We will do our best in sage and it looks easy. You feel the speed limits. You have to THE PENINSULA draw level. IANS MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Rahim hails Monterrey to face Chelsea Bangladesh series win Egypt’s Al Ahly beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima, to meet Corinthians in semis over Windies TOYOTA, Japan: European less than 24 hours before kick-off champions Chelsea will face with the news that star striker DHAKA: Bangladesh captain Monterrey in the semi-finals of Humberto Suazo would not be fit Mushfiqur Rahim yesterday- the Club World Cup after the for the match, but the absence of hailed his team’s hard-fought Mexican side defeated South the Chilean was quickly forgotten series win over the West Indies Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai 3-1 in as the Mexicans started brightly. as the country’s “biggest” ever Japan yesterday. Corona opened the scoring given the absence of talismanic In the intercontinental tour- after just nine minutes with the all-rounder Shakil Al Hasan. nament’s other quarter-final, easiest of tap-ins at the back Bangladesh held their nerves to Al Ahly of Egypt beat J-League post following an inch-perfect clinch the deciding fifth and final winners Sanfrecce Hiroshima to pass across goal by striker Aldo one-day in Dhaka on Saturday by set up a dream last-four tie with de Nigris. two wickets for a 3-2 series win, Brazilian giants Corinthians. Monterrey continued to press their second over the West Indies CONCACAF champions forward and De Nigris missed in three years. Monterrey went through thanks a golden opportunity just two “We were missing a big per- to two goals from forward Cesar minutes later when he headed former in this series,” said Rahim Delgado and one from midfielder straight at Ulsan goalkeeper Kim of Shakib’s absence, Bangladesh’s Jesus Corona, in a match that Young-Kwang from close range. best performer in recent seasons saw the camera-based goal-line Midway through the first half who had been laid low by a shin technology Hawk-Eye used for it was Ulsan centre-forward Kim injury. the first time. Shin-Wook who missed when it “So it became a huge challenge The victory at a largely empty looked easier to score, the number for us. I would say that this is the 36,000-capacity Toyota Stadium nine failing to get enough on a biggest win for us,” Rahim added. avenged Monterrey’s defeat in header from the edge of the six- Bangladesh won the first match the same round last year when yard box following an in-swinging by seven wickets and the sec- they crashed out on penalties to free kick. ond by their biggest margin of Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol. Monterrey also looked the 160 runs -- both in Khulna. The “The experience of last year was brighter of the two sides at the West Indies staged a comeback by really helpful to us,” Monterrey start of the second half. winning the next two matches in coach Victor Vucetich said. De Nigris again went close with Dhaka to level the series at 2-2. “This time we were better pre- a header, then moments later the Rahim said the manner in pared. We knew Ulsan had a lot men in orange had a goal rightly which they had played dur- of tall players so we tried to pass disallowed for offside. English Premier League football team Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata (centre) looks on while team-mate Frank ing their 2-0 Test series defeat (along the ground) and break The second goal finally Lampard (right) signs autographs for Japanese fans upon their arrival at Narita International Airport in Narita, had suggested the team was their style (of play). came on the 77-minute mark. suburban Tokyo, yesterday. improving. “Chelsea are a well-known Following neat interplay between “We deserved to win this one- team in the world but we are Monterrey’s forwards the ball day series, judging by our per- confident and we are not going kindly broke to Delgado who side- formance since the Tests and our to lose any hope. We will be play- footed it into the back of the net “We analysed our opponents and when Elsayed Hamdi scored from Sato missed the best chance cricket skills. We would have at ing to win.” without difficulty. prepared for the match but we inside the box. to equalise when he pulled a shot least drawn that first Test had we Monterrey were dealt a blow Shortly afterwards the AFC were simply just not able to play Hiroshima levelled on 32 wide while clean through with not made some mistakes. Champions League winners were in our own style. minutes when top scorer in the nine minutes to go. “We didn’t bat and field well further behind. “Our opponents had really J-League last season Hisato Sato Al Ahly, seven-time African in the third and fourth one-days, Club World Cup Delgado collected the ball on great organisational and indi- fired a shot underneath goal- champions, will take on Copa though we bowled very well. In the edge of the box on 84 min- vidual skill, and we were not keeper Sherif Ekramy as the Libertadores winners Corinthians the final match our only plan was Results utes and expertly took it round an able to make the match ours or Egyptians were down to ten men in Toyota on Wednesday. to get it right in all three depart- TOYOTA, Japan: Results Ulsan defender before placing it fully leverage our capabilities,” he with Hossam Ghaly receiving Monterrey will play Chelsea at ments and that we did,” said from the Club World Cup in the corner, leaving goalkeeper added, saying his charges lacked treatment off the pitch. Yokohama International Stadium Rahim. AFP quarter-finals yesterday at Kim with no chance. experience of playing in “such a The Japanese champions the next day. Toyota Stadium in Japan: A strike from long range big game”. spurned two opportunities before Neither of yesterday’s games by Asian player of the year Al Ahly, wearing black arm- the half-time whistle blew -- appeared to have a contentious Pakistan happy Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) 1 (Lee Keun-Ho 88) Lee Keun-Ho, which deceived bands in memory of the 72 fans chances they would rue 12 min- goal-line incident for Hawk- Monterrey (MEX) 3 (Corona 9, Delgado 77, Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan who died in the Port Said Stadium utes into the second half when Eye, which uses seven cameras 84) with India tour Orozco, proved to be nothing disaster in February, started at substitute Mohamed Aboutrika, to determine the trajectory and Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) 1 (Sato 32) Al more than a consolation. a frenetic pace and got their on for Ghaly, pounced to score position of the ball, to judge. Ahly (EGY) 2 (Hamdi 15, Aboutrika 57) arrangements Ulsan coach Kim Ho-Gon said: reward after only 15 minutes after a defensive slip-up. AFP

KARACHI: Pakistani cricket chiefs said yesterday they were happy with arrangements for Ozil rallies Real to win their side’s tour of India later this month -- the arch-rivals’ MADRID: Mesut Ozil grabbed had equalised with an easy finish. first series for five years. two goals as Real Madrid twice La Liga Results German winger Patrick A four-member Pakistan came from behind to defeat Ebert again whipped in a Cricket Board (PCB) delegation Valladolid 3-2 late on Saturday Results on Saturday vicious inswinger that was met returned home after inspect- to go eight points behind Real Sociedad 1 Getafe 1 by Manucho’s head without a ing the five venues where the Barcelona at the top of La Liga. challenge. hotly-anticipated one-day and The German international’s Malaga 4 Granada 0 Ozil, who had been quiet until Twenty20 clashes will rekindle brace included an exquisitely- Valladolid 2 Real Madrid 3 that moment, headed towards the one of the greatest rivalries in curled, left-footed winner from a area on a mazy run the German world sport. free-kick on 71 minutes to keep Osasuna 0 Valencia 1 stabbed past Hernandez for the “India is eagerly waiting to host Madrid on the tails of Barca and leveller. the Pakistan team,” PCB spokes- second placed Atletico Madrid. in the home goal. But on seven The home side also contributed man Nadeem Sarwar said on his Former Manchester United minutes Valladolid went ahead to what was an open and competi- return. “We are satisfied with the striker Manucho twice gave through Manucho in their first tive game throughout. arrangements put in place and Valladolid first-half leads that real attack. An Oscar Gonzalez shot that hope that it will be a fantastic Karim Benzema and Ozil levelled. When Pepe cleared a danger- forced Iker Casillas into a stop series.” Real boss Jose Mourinho ous cross into the area, the result- was the closest they came to win- The delegation was headed by handed Nacho Fernandez his first ing corner was not dealt with by ning it. Ehsan Sadiq, PCB’s director of Hollywood actor Tom Cruise (centre) is seen on the pitch before the start in the league. the Madrid defence and the big However, Ozil’s class was again security and vigilance and also English Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester Madrid began well with Angolan striker was the quick- the difference and his perfectly included Usman Wahla, man- United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England, yes- Cristiano Ronaldo hitting a dip- est to react to hit his first of the hit winner ensured the points ager of international cricket and terday. Manchester United won 3-2. MATCH REPORT ON PAGE 28 ping drive just over the bar before evening. went back to the Mourinho’s Sohail Khan, a senior officer with Callejon tested Dani Hernandez Within five minutes Benzema Madrid. AFP the Punjab Police. AFP Hesson’s advice NBA: Mavs edge past Rockets Djokovic receives award ‘laughable’, says ex-captain Taylor HOUSTON, Texas: OJ Mayo and more thrust in our offense, scored 16 of his game-high 40 NBA Results especially down the stretch,” points in the fourth quarter LA Clippers 117 Phoenix 99 McHale said. “We have to play WELLINGTON: Disgruntled yesterday to help Dallas rally Golden State 101 Washington 97 with more pace in the fourth former captain Ross Taylor has for a 116-109 NBA victory over quarter.” slammed New Zealand’s team San Antonio 132 Charlotte 102 the Houston Rockets. Mayo drained six three- management, dismissing head The Rockets welcomed head Boston 92 Philadelphia 79 pointers and pulled down eight coach Mike Hesson’s advice as coach Kevin McHale back to the Miami 106 New Orleans 90 rebounds, while Chris Kaman “laughable” and claiming he sideline for the first time since Detroit 104 Cleveland 97 added 20 points and seven was not given enough support he took a leave of absence on Chicago 93 NY Knicks 85 rebounds for Dallas. in his 18-month stint as skipper. November 10. Atlanta 93 Memphis 83 “I was just focused on time Taylor was stripped of the McHale’s 23-year-old daugh- and scoring,” Mayo said. “Trying Twenty20 and one-day captaincy Dallas 116 Houston 109 ter Alexandra “Sasha” McHale, to get to .500 was very important last week on Hesson’s recom- who had battled Lupus, died on Sacramento 99 Portland 80 for us and we got there and we mendation, and rejected an offer November 24. have keep continuing to build off to stay on as Test skipper in the Before the game, McHale met “It’s been, needless to say, a ter- of that.” wake of New Zealand’s drawn briefly with Mavericks coach Rick rible month. But it just felt like Darren Collison and Vince Test series away to Sri Lanka. Carlisle, once his team-mate in the time to come back and go to Carter contributed 12 points “I knew it’d be tough from the Boston and still a friend. work and be around the guys,” he each in the victory, which saw the outset (with Hesson),” Taylor “I can’t imagine the emotions said. Mavs improve to 10-10. said in comments published on he’s gone through in the last The Rockets, trying hard to The Mavericks were again the New Zealand Herald’s website month,” Carlisle said. “All of us give McHale a victory in his first without Dirk Nowitzki, who is (www.nzherald.co.nz) yesterday. that know him have been think- game back, had 39 points from still battling to get his right knee Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic with the ‘Centrepoint Premier “I gave him as much support as ing about him and his family and James Harden and 18 points back in playing condition. Award’ for contribution to the Lives of Youth Across the World in rec- I could but it wasn’t reciprocated. praying for them a lot over the and 10 rebounds from Chandler Nowitzki said this week he was ognition of his Novak Djokavic Foundation at the Winter Whites Gala in “We liaised during the last several weeks. Parsons. not sure when he would return as aid of the homeless charity Centrepoint at the Royal Hall in London late Champions League,” he added. “This represents him stepping But the Rockets could not he worked to regain the strength on Saturday. The world number one will aim to defend his Australian “He wrote down a few things back into the fray here, and it’s hang onto a fourth-quarter lead in his quadriceps muscle that he for me to improve on, which Open title, when the first Grand Slam event of 2013 begins on January an important deal.” and lost for the third time in five lost when swelling in the knee were laughable, frankly,” added 14. The Serb also won the World Tour Finals in London in November. McHale said he felt ready to games. prevented him from training. Taylor who played with the Delhi return. “We’ve got to get more emotion AFP Daredevils in October. REUTERS MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Pistorius ready for ‘unique’ race Top South African athlete to run against an Arabian horse in Doha on December 12

DOHA: Sasol, the globally inte- campaign and hope that through Sasol’s Definitely Able grated energy and chemical this initiative, we are successful Campaign, in synergy with the company, will further its com- in changing lives for the better,” mission, will continue its jour- mitment to corporate social Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman ney that “being disabled means responsibility and community Al Thani, Secretary General, Definitely Able” by showcasing development in the country Qatar Olympic Committee the abilities of the disable with with another initiative of the (QOC), said yesterday. the ‘Run like the Wind’ event. Definitely Able campaign, the “If you believe, as we do, that Speaking on behalf of Doha ‘run like the wind’ race fea- sport has the power to effect real Goals, Ms Cecilia Attias explained turing Oscar Pistorius racing change in people’s lives, Oscar the purpose of Doha Goals and against an Arabian horse at the Pistorius is a wonderful exam- how it coincides with Sasol defi- Aspire Zone outdoor circuit on ple of how that change can be nitely able campaign, seeing run December 12. achieved,” Sheikh Saoud added. the wind race as a true inspiring Organised in collaboration with Dr Hassan Al Ansari, Secretary message, and Pistorius as a role the Doha Goals Forum, the ‘run General, Qatar Paralympic model who incarnates all what we like the wind’ race is aimed at Committee, thanked Sasol for at Doha Goals believe in. raising awareness and highlight- their role in making the pro- On the occasion, Pistorius said: ing the positive contribution of gramme possible. “I’m very excited to be here in people with disabilities in build- Marjo Louw, Sasol’s Qatar Qatar and to take part in the ‘Run ing the local community. Country President, said: “The Like the Wind’ challenge that will The ‘run like the wind’ chal- Definitely Able campaign is a allow me to push myself to the lenge will feature Pistorius, an Sasol initiative established in limits and put my abilities to the Olympic semi-finalist, Paralympic collaboration with the Qatar test. I support and believe in the gold medallist, and world record Olympic Committee and the message of the Definitely Able FROM LEFT: Oscar Pistorius, 2012 Paralympic champion, Marjo Louw, President of Sasol Qatar, Sheikh Saoud holder who has been a role model Qatar Paralympic Committee. campaign as I am a true believer bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Dr Hassan Al Ansari, to fans and millions of sports fans The campaign draws on Sasol’s you are not disabled by the dis- Secretary General of Qatar Paralympic Committee, and Cecilia Attias of Doha Goals Forum during a press people around the world. commitment to focus on the use abilities you have but rather you conference at the QOC headquarters yesterday. PIC: SHAIVAL DALAL “We are proud to partner with of one’s abilities and overcoming are able by the abilities you have.” Sasol for the Definitely Able the roadblock of disabilities.” THE PENINSULA ‘Superman’ Oscar to run for five more years

BY RIZWAN REHMAT taught me a lot about myself,” he added. DOHA: Popular South African Excerpts from a chat with athlete Oscar Pistorius will run Oscar Pistorius who will run South African athlete for five more years and then against an Arabian horse in Doha Oscar Pistorius addresses change tack to help raise aware- on December 12 to raise the pro- ness about landmine victims file of disabled athletes: the media during a press across the world, the double leg Question: Can you give us conference at the Qatar amputee said in an interview a feedback on sports in your Olympic Committee yesterday. country and what do you think (QOC) headquarters in Pistorious, who became the about Qatar’s involvement in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: first double leg amputee to par- promoting sports? Pistorius leaves the ticipate in the Olympics when Oscar Pistorius: Sports is starting blocks in the he entered the men’s 400 metres something really important for men’s 400m heats during race, has been running at the our youth. We have amazing com- the London 2012 Olympic top level since the 2004 Athens petitions in South Africa. That Games in London in this Paralympic Games. really forms the basis for many August 2012 file photo. “I am enjoying athletics at children to play sport and be the moment. I will probably be active. I think sports is not only running for another five years,” about being active but it also Pistorius said. teaches you hard work. It teaches “But once I quit, I will be you go to towards something you involved in landmine victims like. I think the level of kids here be pretty special. There’s nobody as hard as possible. I just want to life that don’t allow me to reach of pressure and I enjoyed every relief work in Africa. I would like is amazing and they are reap- who’s had the chance to do this. see that I have trained hard and my goals, but there are millions of minute on from the track. I was to work like this in the coming ing the benefits of fine organiza- To be there and watch it is going done well. For me that’s all very reasons that keep me going. able to make the semi-finals of years (after retirement),” the tion that we see here from the to be exciting. important. Question: Can you recap your the 400m individual race. I made 26-year-old Sandton-born added. Qatar Olympic and Paralymic Question: What are you Question: Have you ever journey at the London Games? the final of 4x400m relay. Then I Pistorius won a gold medal on Committees. Kids form their own chances against the horse? thought of life without running? Pistorius: We had a very tough got two golds with world records. September 5 during the London committees of fun when they play Pistorius: (Laughs). I am not Pistorius: Yeah, I am looking qualifying process in South Africa That was the best performance Paralympic Games, running the sport. It is good to be part of an sure. We will have a good race. forward to another part of my to reach the London Games. that I could give. There were ath- anchor leg as part of the South initiative like this. I am extremely I am going to do great deal of life (after retirement). But I am When I was selected for the letes from around the world that African 4x100m relay team. proud to be here. I think great stretching (laughs). I will make enjoying athletics at the moment. Games, I was really overwhelmed. saw all this. Nobody now views The team set a world record things can come from this region sure I have enough proteins in my I enjoy what I am doing now. It was a dream of mine to be at disabled athletes like they used time of 41.78secs. He was unsuc- (in sports). system. We’ll see what happens. Question: What message the London Games. I was dream- to. The perceptions have changed cessful in defending his Beijing Question: Do you feel that Question: How do you like to do you want to give to young ing of being there for five years. dramatically over the last four Olympics 100m title when he running against a horse is the be remembered when you quit people? We had a great team behind us. years after Beijing (Olympic came fourth with a season’s best easiest thing you’ve done in as an athlete? Pistorius: For anyone, able or My family, my medical staff, my Games). Hopefully I will be able time of 11.17secs. life? Pistorius: I mean, for me it disabled, I just want to tell them team-mates all of them put in a to continue doing this. However, on September 8, Pistorius: Definitely the most is not about what I have accom- to believe in themselves. If you real great effort (for me to get Question: How do you look the last full day of competition, exciting (laughs). I have never plished but the way I did it. For want to do something then just to London). The one moment back at your career? Pistorius won gold in the T44 even thought of doing some- me it is important that people do it. Perceptions have changed I remember was that when I Pistorius: The training of the 400m with a time of 46.68secs, thing like this. This concept was look back at my career and see in the last couple of years. People walked up to the track (at the last four years have been much breaking the Paralympic record. brought up six months ago. The that I have given my best ...that I see that people with disability London Olympic Stadium) there harder. You know I am really “The training of the last four idea (of running against a horse) have never let my talent go waste. have achieved a lot. They may were 80,000 fans. There I saw my glad I am doing something that years has been much harder,” was brought up then. And you I have always have been like this. I have limitations but they are very family on the home stretch and it I believed in. I wouldn’t have it Pistorious said. know the Arabian horses is an always work extremely hard. For capable people is what I think. I was just overwhelming for me. I any other way. My career has “You know I am really glad I am iconic thing of the region. It is me that’s the most important believe that’s the beauty of life was so fortunate that I was able definitely taught me a lot about doing something that I believed just a very special kind of thing thing (working hard). Whatever that everybody can cross barriers to represent my country and be myself. I have had great support. in. I wouldn’t have it any other to do. I think it is going to be an I do but at the end of the day I or hurdles in their lives. I know able to do all that. It was a fan- I am very blessed. way. My career has definitely amazing spectacle. It is going to want to see that I have worked I have got things in my everyday tastic experience. There was a lot THE PENINSULA Aussies win Champions

Trophy for the fifth time Australia’s hockey players pose with the MELBOURNE: Australia “After London the whole team Earlier Pakistan won their first Champions went some way to erasing the was disappointed and we started Champions Trophy medal since Trophy after pain of their London Olympics having a few doubts go through 2004 when they defeated India 3-2 flop by winning a record fifth our heads both as a team and in the bronze medal match. beating the consecutive Champions Trophy individually. So to come back out Pakistani champion Shakeel Netherlands in in a 2-1 extra-time victory over and play like we did this week, it Abbasi said that for his team the the gold medal the Netherlands yesterday. was very good,” Dwyer said. win was as good as winning gold. match at the An early Dutch goal was can- Australian assistant coach “For us this is a gold medal men’s Hockey celled out by Russell Ford four Graham Reid felt the result was because after such a long time Champions minutes before half-time, with deserved. between winning medals, but also Trophy the final going into golden point “I thought it was a dominant winning against India, so for me tournament extra time. performance. The first half we and my team and for Pakistan, in Melbourne Kieran Govers clinched victory started really well and then we this is a gold medal,” he said. yesterday. with a brilliant field goal from let them back in,” Reid said. Indian midfielder Yuvraj Australia won the top of the circle five min- Netherlands coach Paul van Walmiki said despite losing, his the match 2-1 utes into extra time to give the Ass conceded the Kookaburras team would take a lot away from in extra time. Kookaburras victory. deserved the win. the tournament. Five-times world Player of the “Australia played very good “Coming out from the Olympics Year Jamie Dwyer said it was and it was their quality that we we finished 12th and now at the the perfect response to the dis- couldn’t play the game that we Champions Trophy, after the appointment of finishing with wanted to play. We were maybe Olympics and World Cup it is one the bronze medal at this year’s lucky to get into the extra time. of the top tournaments so finish- Olympics, after going in as strong It was a well-deserved victory,” ing fourth is a good achievement,” gold medal favourites. he said. he said. REUTERS Monday 10 December 2012 26 Muharram 1434 Volume 17 Number 5544 Sport Price: QR2 LATEST NEWS UPDATES IN TAMIL FILIPINO LANGUAGE DAILY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED FROM QATAR! Schwartzel Pistorius ready TAMIL TIMES WEEKLY NEWSPAPER Middle East Edition AVAILABLE cruises to win for ‘unique’ AT ALL LEADING BOOK STORES / SUPERMARKETS in Thailand race in Doha Available every Wednesdays in all leading IN QATAR supermarkets and shops in Qatar & Bahrain Tel. : +974 44557622 / 44557623 FOR ADVERTISEMENTS CONTACT: Fax. : +974 44557759 DAR AL SHARQ TEL: 4455 7623 EMAIL: [email protected] Sport | 24 Sport | 27 email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Dominant England win third Test in Kolkata Visitors take 2-1 lead; Yuvraj, Khan dropped for decider

KOLKATA: England defeated visitors having only seven on the India by seven wickets after board. initial hiccups on the final day Ashwin then got Kevin of the third Test match here Pietersen to edge to keeper yesterday to take an unassail- Dhoni to leave England in a spot able 2-1 lead in the four-match of bother at 8/3. series. But that was the end of the Manchester United’s English striker Wayne Rooney (second right) Chasing a meagre 41 for vic- Indian success story as Bell hit celebrates scoring the opening goal with English midfielder Ashley tory at Eden Gardens, England some exquisite strokes to propel Young left) and Dutch striker Robin Van Persie (right) during the English lost three quick wickets before England to their second win on Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium Ian Bell (28 not out) and Nick the trot. England in Manchester, north-west England, yesterday. Compton (9 not out) saw their England won the second Test batsman team through. at Mumbai after going down in Ian Bell Bell flicked R Ashwin for a sin- the series opener at Ahmedabad. celebrates gle to take England to 41/3 as the The hosts resumed at 239/9 after hitting Barmy Army rejoiced in the gal- overnight but managed to add the winning leries and the players went into a only eight runs to their total Van Persie stuns runs against tight huddle in the dressing room before Ojha was castled by James India in balcony. Anderson. the third The Indians looked crestfallen. Ashwin missed out on a deserv- Test match They must win the final Test at ing second Test century, while the at Eden Nagpur to level the series. duo added 50 runs for the last Manchester City This was England’s second ever wicket to set England a victory Gardens in win on the iconic ground, the first target of 41. Kolkata. having come 35 years ago when a Ashwin was the top scorer for Tony Greig-led side coasted to a India followed by Virender Sehwag in derby thriller 10-wicket victory in 1977. (49) and Gautam Gambhir (40). It was India’s first defeat at the For the visitors, Anderson Eden Gardens since they lost to was the pick of the bowlers tak- LONDON: Robin van Persie title again,” he added yesterday. Pakistan in 1999. ing 3/38 while fellow pacer Steve scored a stoppage-time winner United only had three attempts In the morning, the Indian sec- Finn returned figures of 3/45. as Manchester United clinched on target in the entire match, but ond innings ended at 247 in the The spinner duo of Graeme a dramatic 3-2 away victory they made them all count, start- very second over. Swann (2/70) and Monty Panesar over Manchester City to extend ing in the 16th minute. Ashwin, who enabled India to (1/70) also chipped in with their lead at the top of the Young picked out Rooney and save innings defeat Saturday after wickets. Premier League to six points the United striker scuffed a low the more reputed batsmen per- Meanwhile, the India team Scoreboard yesterday. shot past wrong-footed City goal- ished without a fight, remained selectors dropped senior players United looked to have squan- keeper Joe Hart into the corner not out on 91. Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh and India (I innings): ...... 316 Fall of wickets: 1-86, 2-98, 3-103, 4-107, dered a chance to claim the of the net. There was drama in the very Harbhajan Singh in the wake England (I innings): ...... 523 5-122, 6-122, 7-155, 8-159, 9-197, 10-247. Manchester derby bragging rights City were rocked by that set- first over by Ashwin in England’s of home side’s seven-wicket loss India (II innings): Bowling: J M Anderson 15.4-4-38-3; S T Finn when Pablo Zabaleta’s equaliser back and Rooney netted again in second essay when skipper to England. Parwinder Awana, G Gambhir c Prior b Finn ...... 40 18-6-45-3; M S Panesar 22-1-75-1; G P with four minutes remaining the 29th minute, this time meet- Alastair Cook got stumped try- Piyush Chawla and Ravindra V Sehwag b Swann ...... 49 Swann 28-9-70-2; S R Patel 1-0-9-0. completed a brave comeback from ing Rafael da Silva’s cross with ing to hit a turning delivery. Jadeja were named their replace- C A Pujara (run out-Bell) ...... 8 England (II innings): City, who had been given a lifeline a fine, first-time finish that gave Cook, who scored a masterly ments for the fourth and final S R Tendulkar c Trott b Swann ...... 5 A N Cook st Dhoni b Ashwin ...... 1 by Yaya Toure’s Hart no chance. 190 in the first innings, was out Test beginning December 13. V Kohli c Prior b Finn ...... 20 N Compton (not out) ...... 9 second half goal English Premier That made for just one. Squad: MS Dhoni (captain), Yuvraj Singh b Anderson ...... 11 ITrott lbw Ojha ...... 3 after trailing to Rooney the With skipper MS Dhoni Virender Sehwag, Gautam M S Dhoni c Cook b Anderson...... 0 K P Pietersen c Dhoni b Ashwin ...... 0 a first half brace League Results youngest player employing a double spin attack, Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, R Ashwin (not out) ...... 91 I R Bell (not out) ...... 28 from Wayne to reach 150 Pragyan Ojha bowled from the Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Z Khan lbw Finn ...... 0 Total (for 3 wkts) ...... 41 Rooney. Everton 2 Tottenham 1 Premier League other end. Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran I Sharma b Panesar ...... 10 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-7, 3-8. But Alex Man City 2 Man Utd 3 goals at 27 years The Orissa left arm spinner Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Ishant Ferguson’s side and 46 days. P P Ojha b Anderson ...... 3 Bowling: R Ashwin 6.1-1-31-2; P P Ojha 6-3- West Ham 2 Liverpool 3 tasted success in his second over Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Ajinkya Extras (B-8, LB-2) ...... 10 10-1. underlined their Young then as he trapped Jonathan Trott (3) Rahane, Ashok Dinda, Murali Total (all out) ...... 247 Player-of-the-Match: A N Cook (England) determination had his goal in front of the wicket with the Vijay, Parvinder Awana. IANS to wrestle the title back from harshly ruled out for offside in the City with a sensational response second half when he fired home through van Persie, whose after van Persie’s shot hit the bar. deflected free-kick handed the Then Ivorian midfielder Toure champions their first Premier slotted home from Carlos Tevez’s League defeat of the season and pass in the 60th minute and City their first home league loss since thought they had escaped when Marquez overpowers Pacquiao Everton won at Eastlands in Argentine defender Zabaleta December 2010. smashed in a low shot after LAS VEGAS: Juan Manuel until the stunning knockout. “Today (yesterday) was a spe- United failed to clear a corner. Marquez sensationally knocked “He’s not an easy opponent,” cial one simply because they But there was a sting in the out Manny Pacquiao in the sixth Pacquiao said after slipping to haven’t lost at home for two years, tale as United won a free-kick round of their non-title welter- 54-5-2 with 38 knockouts. both of us are contending at the deep into stoppage-time and weight bout yesterday, getting “I did my best. I know that I got top of the league,” said Ferguson, van Persie curled in a shot that his first win over the Filipino in him in the last couple of rounds who was angry that Ashley Young deflected off Samir Nasri and four attempts. but I started to be over-confident had a goal ruled out before City flashed past Hart. The 39-year-old Mexican, who and I got hit by a solid punch. I did pulled one back. The remarkable finale was Juan Manuel had lost twice and drawn once not expect that punch.” “I thought we should have fin- marred however when United Marquez in their three previous meet- Asked if he would like to fight ished the game off. It should have defender Rio Ferdinand was hit celebrates ings, sent Pacquiao crashing to Marquez for a fifth time, Pacquiao been 3-0, the goal was perfectly by a coin thrown from the crowd after defeat- the canvas with a stinging right replied: “Yes, why not? It’s a good onside, then they go up and score. as he celebrated the winner. ing Manny hand with one second left in the fight.” “Football can kick you in the Elsewhere, Nikica Jelavic and Pacquiao by round at the MGM Grand Garden Watched by a sell-out crowd teeth that way. They came back, Steven Pienaar grabbed late goals a sixth round Arena. of 16,000 that included former were fighting like hell. But up to to complete a remarkable fight- knockout in The Filipino southpaw fell face heavyweight champion Mike that point I thought we were far back as Everton beat Tottenham their welter- first and remained motionless for Tyson and basketball great Magic better than them. 2-1 at Goodison Park to go fourth weight bout several minutes before finally get- Johnson, the two fighters made “I think we can be proud of the in the table. ting up, smiling at Marquez and an energetic start with Pacquiao fact that, opposed to last year Clint Dempsey struck for at the MGM then shaking his opponent’s hand establishing a slight advantage when we gave them far too much Tottenham in the 76th minute Grand Garden in middle of the ring. through his lightning left jabs. respect, the players were deter- with the help of a deflection off Arena in Las “We knew it was going to be a The Filipino caught the mined to win it.” Everton defender Sylvain Distin. Vegas, Nevada, very difficult fight but we knew Mexican on the chin with a City manager Roberto Mancini But David Moyes’ men snatched yesterday. it was possible to win,” a beam- crunching left in the second round added: “We didn’t deserve to lose a deserved victory thanks to an ing Marquez said ringside after and dominated early in the third this game. We played very well. equaliser from South Africa mid- improving his record to 55-6-1 with his nimble footwork before “For 20 minutes they didn’t fielder Pienaar in the 90th minute with 40 knockouts. he was stunningly sent to the can- touch the ball and the first chance and Croatia striker Jelavic’s Pacquiao, who had been vas by a Marquez right hook. they got they scored a goal. winner in the second minute of knocked down in the third round It was the first time Pacquiao “We recovered very well and stoppage-time. in the bout, sent Marquez to the had been knocked down by we dominated the second half. In the day’s late game, Liverpool floor in the fifth and looked to Marquez in 39 rounds contested We have showed we are a really came from behind to win 3-2 be getting the better of the fight by the fighters. REUTERS strong team and we can win this against West Ham. AFP