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Sunday 24 February 2013 14 Rabial II 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5620 Price: QR2

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Business | 17 Sport | 28

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Qatar-Bahrain talks Iran finds Stricter rules new uranium reserves DUBAI: Days before resuming talks over its disputed atomic soon for programme, Iran said yester- day it had found significant new deposits of raw uranium and identified sites for 16 more nuclear power stations. meat import State news agency IRNA quoted a report by the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) SCH acts after horsemeat scandal which said the reserves were dis- covered in northern and southern DOHA: With the horsemeat meat but the horsemeat scan- coastal areas and had trebled the scandal triggering global con- dal has underlined the need for amount outlined in previous esti- cerns, Qatar plans to apply making the rules even stricter,” mates. There was no independent stricter rules for import of meat he added. confirmation. With few uranium and meat products from all over In keeping with the current mines of its own, Western experts the world. requirements, all consignments had previously thought that Iran The Joint Food Monitoring of imported meat should come might be close to exhausting its Committee at the Supreme with a “Halal” certificate and a supply of raw uranium. “We have Council of Health (SCH) is lab test report. discovered new sources of uranium studying a proposal to make a “The new proposal is to make in the country and we will put quality certificate mandatory for an internationally approved qual- them to use in the near future,” imported meat, a senior official ity certificate mandatory for all Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, head of of the Ministry of Environment imports. Several Western coun- the AEOI, was quoted as saying said yesterday. tries and some Gulf and Arab at Iran’s annual nuclear industry Once the rule comes into force, countries have already imple- conference. The West says Iran’s importers of meat and meat mented this rule,” added Al enrichment of uranium shows products will have to produce a Kuwari. All types of fresh and its intent to develop nuclear certificate from an authorised frozen meat and processed meat The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani and Bahrain’s weapons. REUTERS laboratory in the country of origin will be brought under the new Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa in Doha last evening. The session was See also page 7 to prove that every consignment rule, once it is approved, he added. also attended by businessmen from Qatar and Bahrain. is disease-free and that there is no The official said that stricter adulteration and contamination. rules had become necessary in the The rule will apply to meat context of repeated incidents and imported from all countries, and reports related to heath hazards not only Europe, where the scan- posed by meat and meat products dal is said to have originated. all over the world. The commit- “The Joint Food Monitoring tee that discussed the horsemeat House rents on the rise, say banks Committee at its meeting last scandal also decided to seek infor- week decided to study the pro- mation from the World Health DOHA: Giving credence to over the whole year, there was a has forecast Qatar’s inflation is set coupled with massive launch of posal. Once the study is complete, Organisation (WHO) on the market speculation, two leading return to growth in rents in the to pick up in 2013 and 2014 and housing units in the market, saw it will be sent to higher authori- health implications of the issue. banks — the QNB Group and second half. reach 3.4 percent and 4 percent the rents in Doha falling by 20 ties for approval. We expect it There is no decision to impose the National Bank of Kuwait The increase was largely due to respectively. The rise in inflation to 25 percent. The rents have to be implemented very soon,” a ban on the import of meat from (NBK) — have said that house fresh inflows of expatriate work- will be largely due to a turnaround started picking up. You need to Dr Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari, Europe at the moment, since the rents are on the rise in Qatar. ers to implement the country’s in the rental component of the pay QR6000 to get a mid-seg- deputy chairman of the commit- issue is about mixing horsemeat An analysis of QNB Group said major infrastructure projects,” consumer price index, which has, ment two-bedroom apartment in tee and director of the Laboratory with beef, which is not sure to that after four years of deflation, the report said, adding that this since the middle of 2012, posted Doha today, which was available and Standardisation Department pose any health hazard, it has housing costs were up by 2.8 per- year will see the house rents continuous monthly increases. for around QR4500 until a few at the Ministry of Environment been learnt. Qatar had banned cent in 2012 compared to the further going up, with a modest According to market sources, months ago”, according to a local told this newspaper yesterday. the import of beef from Europe previous year. “Although housing inflation of about 3.7 percent.. sensing market trends, some real estate broker. “There are already rules in following the mad cow outbreak, costs did decline substantially in In an exclusive report on Qatari property owners have resumed There is a huge pressure on place in Qatar to ensure the but the ban was lifted later. the first half of 2012, contribut- economy, released yesterday, the demanding an increase in rents. mid-segment commercial space safety and quality of imported THE PENINSULA ing to an average 3.3 percent fall National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) “The 2008 financial crisis, too in Doha. THE PENINSULA

Mursi’s mock trial Citizens invited for Egypt brings forward parliament polls 3-day trial run of CAIRO: Egypt brought forward the start of parliamentary elec- tions to April 22 yesterday to defuse a row with the Christian new Doha airport minority, who said the original schedule would conflict with their Easter celebrations. This should satisfy Coptic Christians, who make up 10 percent of DOHA: The Qatar Civil the population. But the rift between Egypt’s ruling Islamists and the Aviation Authority (QCAA) opposition remained as deep as ever, with one leading liberal politician, and Qatar Airways would con- Mohamed ElBaradei, saying he would boycott the polls. The decision duct a three-day trial run at the by Islamist President Mohammed Mursi to start the four-stage vote Hamad International Airport five days earlier than scheduled was announced by his spokesman on (HIA) ahead of its April launch. Facebook. QCAA sources said the trial Full report on page 7 runs would be held tomorrow, on February 27 and on March 4 UK varsity cancels UAE Arab Spring meet between 7am and 2pm. The QCAA invited Qataris to DUBAI: A top British university has cancelled a conference on the take part in preparing the coun- Arab Spring in the United Arab Emirates, citing curbs imposed by try’s new airport for the official the state, which has placed limits on foreign research groups in the launch. The trial run is being past two years. The UAE has not seen the unrest that has ousted undertaken to make sure that Arab rulers elsewhere, but analysts and diplomats say the US ally is the $15.5bn facility is ready for anxious to prevent instability spreading to its turf. In a statement the April opening. There would be e-mailed to Reuters, the London School of Economics (LSE) said it a mock check-in and ‘passengers’ cancelled its gathering today “in response to restrictions imposed would undergo all the normal pro- on the intellectual content of the event that threatened academic cedures they are expected to go freedom”. through before boarding a plane. Egyptian protesters with masks depicting President Mohammed Mursi (left), head of the Muslim Brotherhood, Full report on page 7 “We want to make sure that eve- Mohamed Badi (centre) and prime minister Hisham Kandel conduct a mock trial during an anti-government rything is in place and the airport demonstration in the canal city of Port Said. See also page 7 Syria opposition demands world action is ready for the April launch. This is an excellent opportunity for cit- DAMASCUS: Syria’s main opposition group said yesterday that it izens to get a feel of the new air- was pulling out of international talks and demanded world action to port ”, sources told The Peninsula. stop the slaughter of Syrians, after missiles slammed into the city Qataris who want to take part of Aleppo killing dozens. in the trial run can send e-mails Birthday Oscar for French actress today? The Syrian National Coalition’s decided to boycott talks with world to: airport-trials@qatarairways. power after announcing plans to form a government to run “liberated com.qa. At least 11 airline compa- HOLLYWOOD: Veteran could also become only the sixth candidate. Riva, who burst onto areas” of Syria, in what analysts said was a bid to boost its credibility nies are expected to operate from French star Emmanuelle Riva actor to win an Oscar for a per- the big screen more than 50 years and win more support from the international community. HIA on the day of the launch. A turns 86 today — and could end formance in a language other than ago in “Hiroshima, Mon Amour,” Coalition chief Ahmed Moaz Al Khatib said the group’s withdrawal number of architectural elements up celebrating her birthday by English. The clear frontrunners got a pre-Oscars boost on Friday from meetings abroad was “a message of protest to all governments have been designed to make the becoming the oldest ever best this year are Jennifer Lawrence in when she took best actress in a of the world, Arab and non-Arab, that can see how the Syrian people airport look futuristic. The pas- actress Oscar winner. romcom “Silver Linings Playbook” clean sweep for “Amour” at the are being killed, while they merely look on.” His was speaking as the senger terminal can handle 30m Riva, already the oldest nominee and Jessica Chastain in “Zero Cesars, France’s equivalent of the conflict, which has cost the lives of more than 70,000 people according passengers per year. in the category for her perform- Dark Thirty,” but Riva could still Academy Awards. AFP to the UN, is set to enter its third year, with no end in sight. THE PENINSULA ance in Cannes-winning “Amour,” come through as a dark horse See also page 16 Full report on page 10 SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QP launches tyre safety initiative

DOHA: I n l i ne w it h t he l au nch of members, representing a signifi- basic tyre maintenance such as the Qatar National Road Safety cant percentage of road users in regular tyre pressure checks and Strategy, the Qatar National the country, a press release issued the interpretation of the ‘DOT’ Vision 2030 and National by QP said yesterday. code, which specifies the manu- Research Strategy 2012, the Representatives from facture date of the tyre. newly established Research Ministry of Interior, Ministry In order to ensure alignment and Technology Department of Environment and the Public with other road and traffic safety of Qatar Petroleum (QP) has Works Authority will form part initiatives under way in Qatar, partnered with Texas A&M of the project team. QP’s Research & Technology University at Qatar (Tamuq), The project will evaluate the Department will involve the Qatar Williams Advanced Engineering existing situation and use accessi- National Traffic Safety Committee and Shell for a project to look ble research data to determine the to act in an advisory capacity. into the role of vehicle tyres on impact vehicle tyres have on road “Loss of life due to a motor road accidents in Qatar and to accidents and how tyre interac- vehicle accident cannot be cal- educate motorists on the impor- tion with road surfaces contrib- culated in monetary value. If tance of proper tyre safety. ute towards accidents. External we save only one life due to our QP has a significant social contributing factors such as high efforts of this project, it will prove responsibility as one of the major temperatures, humidity and the worth the research effort,” said employers in Qatar. In the energy frequent sandstorms experienced Dr Nasser Saqer Al Mohannadi, and industry sector alone, it is in Qatar will also be evaluated. Manager of QP’s Research & estimated that there are more Part of the project will be cam- Technology Department. than 120,000 staff excluding family paigns to educate vehicle users on THKE PENINSULA

SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Qatar and ictQatar forum France in joint military discusses cyber exercise DOHA: Qatari and French armed forces are partici- security trends pating in the Gulf Falcon 13 Exercise which started recently in Qatar. The military exercise is New security guidelines soon being held within the frame- work of the strategic partner- DOHA: The Supreme Council of work on providing solutions devel- ship between the two nations. Information and Communication oped locally and build small and A bilateral operational com- Technology (ictQatar), through medium-sized enterprises to invest in mand post was deployed at its Qatar Computer Emergency research findings and promote them The Mouawad Masterpiece Suites to be showcased at the exhibition. Al Saliyat camp to plan and Response Team (Q-Ccert), organ- through modern marketing channels. conduct the combined joint ised Secure Energy 2013, a confer- Omar Sherin, Critical Information exercise. ence that highlighted the latest Infrastructure Protection Section Mouawad to display unique gems, Some 2,000 soldiers are information security trends, chal- Manager at Q-Ccert, spoke about training hand in hand in the lenges and risks to help organisa- information security risk manage- first phase, consisting of a tions better manage information ment in ICS and said that ictQatar, command post exercise and security in the critical energy will launch an online application for diamonds at jewellery exhibition a field training exercise from sector. energy organisations to measure Al Qalayel camp to Doha Navy “Qatar’s progress in cyber secu- their compliance with the new ICS DOHA: Some of the most the exhibition. Jewellery, Blue Saloon, Al Muftah and Air bases. rity in the energy sector, a vital sec- Security Guideline (SCADA) once magnificent diamonds and The exhibition is being held Jewellery, Amiri Gems, Fifty One The training will continue tor for Qatar’s national economy, is it’s released in Qatar. The new ICS precious gems in the world under the patronage of Prime East, Al Jaber watches, Pari until March 7 and covers being recognised the world over. The Security Guideline has been devel- will be on display for the Minister and Foreign Minister Gallery, Marzooq Al Shamlan & operational and tactical fields balanced anti-cyber threat mecha- oped following Q-Ccert’s extensive first time at the 10th annual H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Sons, Al Majed Pearls / Dar Al aimed at performing a com- nisms based on a modern regulatory consultations with energy corpora- Doha Jewellery and Watch bin Jabor Al Thani at the Majid Jewellery, Royal Jewellery plete integration of air, land framework and the adoption of an tions countrywide to make it local- Exhibition, which will open Doha International Exhibition (Al Malakia), Bulgari Jewellery, and naval forces as well as anticipatory monitoring and assess- ised and keeping abreast with latest tomorrow. Centre. Al Makki Jewellery & Watches, Special Forces from the two ment approach together with aware- technologies, he said. The Mouawad which has The exhibition will be host- Al Mawali Jewellery, Matis countries. ness programmes have positioned The one-day conference, held on penetrated continents across ing 26 exhibitors represent- Jewellery, Versailles Jewellery, The previous exercise was Qatar as a leading country in cyber Thursday at Crown Plaza Hotel, the world will be unveiling the ing 500 best known jewellery Wazni Jewellery, Doha Marketing held in 2008 with the suc- security,” said Khalid Al Hashimi, featured several other discussions ‘Mouawad Masterpiece Suites’. and watche labels. It will also Services Co ( Domasco ) and cessful Gulf Shield 1. Gulf Executive Director, CSS/Q-Ccert, at and case studies in the ICS threat It will be showcasing some of its have new participants like Safana Jewellery. Falcon 13 was scheduled the opening of the conference. landscape, challenges in securing gems and diamonds for the first Christie’s from London and The seven-day international within a four-year cycle Q-Ccert aims to enhance the ICS operation and other key areas time at the exhibition accord- Matis Jewellery, who are aim- exhibition will open doors of cooperation. The Qatar robustness of the cyber-security of relevance to information security ing to its Facebook page. ing to establish their business for the public on Tuesday, General Headquarters and in Qatar through a host of policies in the sector. It has also published pic- in Qatar. The exhibition will see Wednesday and Thursday from the French Joint Force and and technical solutions that have Speakers included Peter Panholzer tures of some fine jewellery as a 15 percent increase in partici- 12 noon to 10pm. Training Headquarters (État- been locally drafted and modified. from Limes security and co-author remarkable testaments to the pation of international brands. On Friday, it will be open major interarmées de force et Moreover, Q-Ccert plans to engage of +SECURE; Ibrahim Hamad from mastery of Mouawad’s artisans. Qatari exhibitors will include between 4pm and 10 pm and d’entrainement) started plan- more with established research insti- Dolphin Energy; Jonathan Pollet, Qatar Tourism Authority well-known names like Al Fardan on Saturday and Sunday, public ning it as early as October tutes, universities and other organi- Founder of Red Tiger Security; Jim (QTA) earlier announced that Jewellery Company, Ghadah can visit the exhibition from 12 2011. sations to conduct research that Gilsinn, Co-Chair of ISA99/IEC Mouawad will unveil one of the Jewellery / Al Manara Trading, noon to 10pm. THE PENINSULA would help improve Qatar’s defence 62443; and Mounir Kamal Incident world’s biggest diamonds at Ali Bin Ali group, Al Majed THE PENINSULA systems and to address risks the handling and Forensics Section country faces. Manager at Q-Cert. Qatari and Arab professionals will THE PENINSULA Q.media acquires Gulf Film, Grand Cinemas DOHA: Qatar Media Services (q.media), Yousif R. Al Khater, Group Chief the q.media name has resonated through- has completed the acquisition of Gulf Executive at q.media, commented on the out the region and the world, having set Film and Grand Cinemas, the largest film acquisition,“Gulf Film is certainly a great a new standard in media delivery with distributor and cinema operator in the addition to q.media’s growing media and integrity and excellence. Middle East. entertainment service portfolio and we will “For Gulf Film and Grand Cinemas, Gulf Film distributes the lion’s share – surely utilize its unwavering market domi- this acquisition further solidifies our an unequivocal 50 percent market share nance to our benefit.” leadership in the entertainment arena – of the Middle East’s movie releases; “This is a great moment for q.media,” and bolsters our combined vision for an among its sources for the Gulf territo- added Jaber Al Ansari, Chief Enterprise era of unprecedented growth throughout ries are Hollywood majors Paramount Management Officer at q.media. “Gulf the Middle East.” and Universal. Gulf Film also holds lead- Film is considered to be one of the big- Gulf Film has promising expansion ing exhibitor status through its Grand gest film distribution firms in the region plans expected in the MENA region, Cinemas movie theatres, the region’s and with its vast numbers of theaters it including Qatar, where q.media is largest cinema chain with more than 136 is a complete entertainment package.” the dominant outdoor media service screens and 60 percent of the UAE’s film Selim El Azar, Chief Executive Officer provider. exhibition market. of Gulf Film, said, “Over the past years, THE PENINSULA 100,000 sign up for Qtel’s Mobile Money

DOHA: Qtel has reached Customers can use the service partnership with Qatar National the on-screen instructions, or by a major milestone with its to send money to almost every Bank (QNB) to ensure safe and visiting any Qtel Shop. Mobile Money service, as the country in the world with their secure customer deposits. It is Once registered, customers number of registered users mobile phone. Qtel launched especially useful for customers simply deposit money into their now exceeds 100,000. Mobile Money in 2011, in who do not have bank accounts or account using any of the 200 Qtel who have limited access Self-Service Machines available all to financial services. over Qatar. Deposits can also be Mobile Money’s done through Qtel Shops or direct recent partnership transfer from QNB accounts using with MoneyGram ena- the QNB EasyPay service. bles customers to send Mobile Money also enables money to over 293,000 instant local transfers to fellow MoneyGram agents in Mobile Money accounts, QNB 196 countries. EasyPay mobile numbers or Any Qtel customer QNB bank accounts, cash with- with a Qatar ID can drawl at QNB ATMs or Qtel sign up for Mobile Shops, and instant Hala top-ups Money by simply dial- and Shahry bill payments. ling *140# and following THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Call for street lights in Old Airport area Solution by June, says CMC member

BY FAZEENA SALEEM “We have been living here for more than three years. There are DOHA: Dysfunctional street no street lights. We have to walk lights at many places in Old in the dark to get into the car or Airport area along with open to throw garbage,” said a mother trenches dug up for replacing of three children. old sewage pipes, are creating “There is a risk of falling down inconvenience for residents and or knocking against something, motorists, especially during the especially children,” she added. nights. People who walk along the Either there are no poles for streets too face difficulties streetlights or if there are poles, because of the darkness. street lights are not functioning “We see the road only when at some connecting roads of the a vehicle passes by or with the Old Airport area. lights from nearby buildings,” said The road parallel to the D Ring a pedestrian. road and Old Airport Commercial However, street lights would be Street is under darkness during fixed by June and work to replace nights. It gets some light only sewage pipes will be completed when vehicles pass by or from soon, said Sheikha Al Jufairi, nearby houses and buildings. CMC member representing the A cyclist trying to cross a dark road in the Old Airport area. (KAMMUTTY VP) There are a number of open area when contacted by this trenches on these roads which newspaper. and fix permanent ones by June number of businesses and three times bigger than the old sewage pipes in the area are very are sometimes not seen due to “I have discussed this problem at different places,” she said. retailers catering to residents ones. old, they have to be replaced. non-functional street lights. with the Ashghal. They informed “Old Airport area will be given of the area. Many roads in the “It is (Old Airport area) a very These replacements will be com- Residents in the area experience me that Kahramaa has signed a priority because it’s a very impor- Old Airport area have been vital area and there are also many pleted soon,” said Sheikha Al difficulties due to road diversions contract with a specialised com- tant place,” she said. dug to replace 30-year-old commercial establishments along Jufairi. and darkness. pany to change old street lights The area is home for a large pipelines. New pipes would be with residential units. Water and THE PENINSULA

Oil and gas workers face high risk of work site accidents

DOHA: Oil and gas workers industry is governed by interna- Grand Hyatt in Qatar on between issues facing the oil and gas indus- Other speakers include, Lynda in Qatar could be up to seven tional HSE standards, these sta- September 30 and October 2. try today and in the future. Armstrong, Chair of the British times more likely to be fatally tistics could equally apply to the The three-day conference “HSE should be an integral Safety Council; Ali Al Rahbi, VP injured, than workers in other region’s oil and gas workers. and exhibition being held under part of any organisation’s core QHSE and Security at Dolphin industry sectors, according to a To help support initiatives the patronage of the Minister value system, it should be in their Energy, Mahesh Patel, HSE six-year fatal occupational inju- to reduce workplace fatalities, of Energy and Industry and DNA, driven internally and cor- Liaison and Acting Manager, HSE ries census which was carried maintain employee wellbeing and Chairman and Managing Director porately governed,” said Kathy Business Strategies and HSE out by the US Bureau of Labour ensure sustainable environmental of Qatar Petroleum H E Dr Seabrook (pictured), President Regulations and Enforcement Statistics, said a statement protection, Fleming Gulf will be Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, will of the American Society of Safety at Qatar Petroleum and Brian industry association for environ- yesterday. organising its ninth Annual HSE bring together local, regional and Engineers (ASSE), which is endors- Sullivan, Executive Director of mental and social issues. Given that fact that the Forum in Energy, at the Doha international experts to discuss ing the HSE Forum in Energy. IPIECA, the global oil and gas THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Peninsula Shield exercises

Qatari ground forces are participating in the Peninsula Shield Exercise 9 being held in Kuwait. The exercise is held within the framework of a plan to defend the country in cooperation with the armies of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Peninsula Shield forces. Meet discusses water recycling, conservation Expert presents new desalination system

DOHA: Innovative solutions for of litres of clean water can be water conservation, recycling produced. and re-use in Qatar were dis- A discussion on the risks and cussed at a recent gathering of costs associated with desalination experts, academics and profes- was held by Ron Daniel, General sionals specialising in environ- Manager of Composium Group. The winners of the Second Police Rifle and Pistol Shooting Championship with their trophies. mental sustainability. He presented his own cost- Qatar’s limited access to fresh- efficient and environmentally water reserves, a region-wide harmless desalination system, Lekhwiya wins police shooting championship issue, coupled with rates of water Incrediwell, which could reduce consumption that far outstrip ecological concerns in the Middle those of other developed countries East for the future. DOHA: The Second Police and referees. International ref- Abdul Qadir Al Khori (125 points, Al Ajami (119 points, Coasts and like the US and UK, has created “My system, compared to con- Rifle and Pistol Shooting erees from Qatar Shooting & Logistics Dept). Borders Security Dept). an urgent need for sustainable ventional desalination systems, Championship concluded on Archery Association Ahmed In pistol shooting for other In rifle shooting for other ranks: water management practices – is cheaper. Another aspect of the Thursday at Internal Security Abdul Rahman Al Jaidah, Riyadh ranks: First place: Abdul Rahman First place: Abdul Rahman Saleh an issue championed by the Qatar invention is that it can cool a foot- Force (Lekhwiya) shooting Abdul Raheem Al Berdini, Al Jadia (163 points, Lekhwiya), Al Aran (190 points, Lekhwiya), Green Building Council through ball stadium or a hotel and effec- ground in Silia area. It was Gennady Solodonikov and Husain second: Salem Jouhar (141 points, second: Fahad Rashid Khuwaitir its Water Interest Group. tively reduce the need for cooling organised by Qatari Police Mohammed Umar were honoured. Lekhwiya), third: Mohammed (186 points, Lekhwiya), third: The event, held at the by two thirds,” explained Daniel. Sports Federation (QPSF). The following are the winners Hassan Al Tamimi (107 points, Jabran Ali Mohsin (162 points, Wyndham Grand Regency Hotel Guilhem Joly, HSE Manager at Some 48 contestants, including of the championship. Criminal Investigation Dept). Lekhwiya). Lekhwiya won the in Doha, is the group’s most Degremont Marubeni JV, detailed officers and other ranks from In the pistol shooting for offic- In rifle shooting for officers: team championship. recent effort to improve regional the little-known existence of a different security departments ers: First place : Lieutenatn First place: Captain Abdullah Brigadier Khaled bin Hamad perceptions and behaviours natural lagoon near the Doha of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) Khaled Mubarak Al Khulaifi Dafir Al Dousiri (167 points, Penal Al Atiyyah appreciated Qatar regarding water usage. West Sewage Treatment Plant. took part in the championship. (167 points, Lekhwiya), second: and Correctional Institutions Shooting and Archery Association The participants debated It has become a haven for birds The President of Qatar and Brigadier Mohammed Khalfan Ali Dept), second: Lieutenant Hamza for cooperation. He thanked Qatar’s future urban ecology and and local flora that thrive on the Arab Police Sports Federations Al Kuwari (144 points, General Mohammed Sultan Al Kuwari (152 Lekhwiya for hosting the cham- how best to utilise the country’s constant flow of water produced Brigadier Khaled bin Hamad Al Directorate of Public Security), points, Information Systems Dept), pionship in their ground. water resources to increase ani- by the facility. Atiyya honoured the winners third: Brigadier Mohammed third: Lieutenant Talal Hassan THE PENINSULA mal and plant life in urban areas. Dr Renee Richer, professor in Introduction of foreign plant and biology at Weill Cornell Medical animal species into the nation’s College in Qatar, took a strong environment, effects of desertifi- stance on the preservation of cation, and environmental costs of native species, in opposition desalination were discussed. to other panellists in favour of Qatar Charity “We have to look at managing introducing new, exotic species Aster to open sixth clinic in Doha our water better within the envi- to Qatar. training for ronment we have been given. It’s “I am not saying we can’t have about using water more sustain- a lush green city, but we can do Syrian medics ably, rather than throwing it back that while we promote local bio- down the drain. We are a force diversity and local species. This DOHA: Qatar Charity and for change and we definitely can is all a part of sustainable devel- Federation of Islamic Medical improve the ways we use water,” opment,” said Richer, highlight- Associations concluded yes- said Adam Smith, Business ing a number of native species terday an intensive training Development Manager of Polypipe that produce colourful blooms or programme in first aid for 100 Gulf, one of the speakers. edible fruit, including the com- Syrian medics, in order to help One such example he outlined mon caper plant (known locally as them serve Syrians who need was to capture free water from shafallah) and the country’s iconic medical attention. air conditioning units. By storing sidra tree. A statement released yester- leftover condensation, hundreds THE PENINSULA day said that the training course was one of Qatar Charity’s efforts in trying to bridge the gap in a number of areas including trained Syrian medics in Syria. It added Smart learning systems that the training was crucial in saving the lives of Syrians caught catching up in GCC schools in the violence. Qatar Charity contributed some QR13m to the Syrian people DOHA: Classroom instruction in Qatar and across GCC schools in the health field alone. will increasingly utilise mobile devices as smart learning solu- Meanwhile, Qatari Red tions gain traction in the education sector throughout the region. Crescent (QRC) said yesterday According to the latest education industry estimates, the number that Aleppo is in urgent need of potential e-learning users in Qatar could reach nearly 200,000 by Dr Sameer Moopen (left), CEO, DM Healthcare, Qatar, and Dr Nazar Moopen, Medical Director and Chief of Medical Staff of $1.5m to execute a six-month 2015 as student population in the primary and secondary education at a press conference to announce the opening of the sixth branch of Aster in Doha yesterday. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) plan to remove garbage from the sector grows. city. The anticipated rise in adoption of smart learning tools in the DOHA: Aster Medical Centre services under one roof. orthopaedics, gynaecology, paedi- A QRC team had just returned classroom presents massive opportunities for smart learning solu- will open its sixth and largest The opening ceremony will be atrics, ophthalmology, dentistry to Doha from a field visit to Aleppo tions and technology providers who can leverage the growing stu- clinic in Qatar on the C-Ring attended by Dr Azad Moopen, and physiotherapy. and the Northern region in Syria, dent population in the GCC. road tomorrow. Chairman, DM Healthcare; The clinic will function from with aim to identify where aid Saudi Arabia remains the biggest market with 6.6 million poten- Aster is a division of the DM Dr Sameer Moopen, CEO, DM 7am to 10pm throughout the and assistance are needed, as well tial users, followed by the UAE with nearly a million students. Oman Healthcare, a leading private Healthcare – Qatar, Dr Nazar week. Specialist doctors will be as to learn about the latest devel- will see its student population increase to 600,000 in two years, healthcare provider in India and Moopen, Medical Director and available between 7.30am to 1pm opments in the city. The spike in Kuwait to 545,000, and Bahrain to 200,000. the Middle East. Chief of Medical Staff, DM and 3.30pm to l0pm. violence, according to the team, Education stakeholders will have a preview of the latest smart The launch of the new centre Healthcare - Qatar, and other With the launch of the new has led to a halt in all of the city’s learning tools from world leading providers as well as the latest marks the completion of Aster’s senior officials of DM Healthcare. facility, DM Healthcare now oper- services, including garbage col- advances and best practices on mobile learning at the forthcoming 10 years of service in Qatar, offi- “The core of our endeavour ates six medical centres, six phar- lecting and recycling. GESS 2013, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed cials said yesterday. The clinic is will always be to provide qual- macies and two diagnostic centres QRC’s plan involves finding a bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the located on the C Ring Road, near ity healthcare for all at afford- in various parts of the country. comprehensive scheme to get rid UAE and Ruler of Dubai. the Ministry of Labour adjacent able cost,” said Sameer Moppan, The Aster medical centres of the garbage in the city. The sec- The event will take place from March 5 to March 7 at the to GridCo 3 building. addressing a press conference and pharmacies are located ond part of the plan is to provide Dubai World Trade Centre, under the theme ‘Smart Learning and The centre has an attached yesterday. at Musherib, C Ring road, AI finance for providing diesel, which Technological Advances in Education.’ pharmacy and full-fledged The new facility will Hilal, AI Rayyan, AI Khor and is used in operating machinery THE PENINSULA diagnostic centre offering provide services includ- Industrial area. used in garbage services. a comprehensive range of ing general medicine, ENT, THE PENINSULA QNA SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Iran identifies Opponents vote to send Mursi sites for 16 into outer space CAIRO: Opponents of Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi are voting to send him where no Islamist leader has gone before: Outer more N-plants space. Mursi was yesterday leading the field in Egypt in an online contest sponsored by deodorant makers Axe to send a lucky few New raw uranium deposits found on a shuttle operated by space tourism com- pany Space Expedition Corp. DUBAI: Days before resuming taking into account discoveries Egypt’s opposition movement April 6 talks over its disputed atomic over the past 18 months, IRNA entered Mursi into the competition. “With programme, Iran said yester- quoted the report as saying. God’s help, and under His care, Mursi will day that it had found significant In another sign that Iran is soon be launched to the moon,” the group said new deposits of raw uranium intent on pushing forward with its on its Facebook page, along with a picture of and identified sites for 16 more nuclear ambitions, the report also the president in a spacesuit. nuclear power stations. said 16 sites had been identified The presidency has not responded to the State news agency IRNA for the construction of nuclear campaign. But his opponents have enthusiasti- quoted a report by the Atomic power stations. It did not specify cally embraced the possibility. “I just voted for Energy Organisation of Iran the exact locations but said they Mursi to go to space. Proudest moment in voting (AEOI) which said the reserves included coastal areas of the Gulf, history,” one of them wrote on Twitter. were discovered in northern and Sea of Oman, Khuzestan province Trailing far behind Mursi’s almost 22,000 southern coastal areas and had and the Caspian Sea. votes, Egyptian mountain climber Omar Samra trebled the amount outlined in Iranian authorities have long said he selected Mursi even though he himself previous estimates. There was announced their desire to build dreamed of going into space. no independent confirmation. more nuclear power plants for Twenty-two winners from around the world “We have discovered new electricity production. Only one A Facebook page portraying Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi in an astronaut suit as part of will be trained for the trip at a camp in Florida, sources of uranium in the country currently exists, in the south- an ongoing campaign for Mursi to win a trip to space in a competition sponsored by a deodorant United States, before they board the shuttle to and we will put them to use in the ern city of Bushehr, and that has manufacturer, in Cairo yesterday. take them 103km above the Earth. AFP near future,” Fereydoun Abbasi- suffered several shutdowns in Davani, head of the AEOI, was recent months. The announce- quoted as saying at Iran’s annual ments could further complicate nuclear industry conference. the search for a breakthrough in The timing of the announce- Kazakhstan, after three unsuc- Egypt advances election date to April 22 ment suggested Iran, by talking cessful rounds of talks between up its reserves and nuclear ambi- the two sides in 2012. CAIRO: Egypt brought forward elections on Thursday, aiming to regional and international media. street violence last year. Islamists tions, may hope to strengthen “We are meeting all of our the start of parliamentary elec- conclude Egypt’s turbulent tran- Voting would be monitored by have used well-organised cam- its negotiating hand at talks in obligations under the nuclear tions to April 22 yesterday to sition to democracy. Egyptian and foreign civil society paign operations to win every Kazakhstan on Tuesday with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and defuse a row with the Christian However, ElBaradei, a former and human rights organisations, election since the revolution, United States, Russia, China, we should be able to benefit from minority, who said the original UN nuclear agency chief, drew he said on his Facebook page, while the liberal and leftist oppo- Britain, France and Germany. our rights. We don’t accept more schedule would conflict with comparisons with the last par- adding that he expected wide sition has been beset by divisions. Diplomats say the six powers, responsibilities and less rights,” their Easter celebrations. liamentary polls to be held under participation. Previous opposition boycott known as the P5+1, are set to Saeed Jalili, Iran’s chief nuclear This should satisfy Coptic Mubarak in 2010, a vote which was Egyptian elections have been threats have failed to materialise. offer Iran some relief from inter- negotiator, was quoted as telling Christians, who make up 10 per- widely seen as rigged. He noted supervised by judges since the The National Salvation Front national sanctions if it agrees to yesterday’s conference. cent of the population. But the rift that he had called for a boycott in revolution. The relatively small (NSF), which groups a number curb its production of higher- In what Washington has called between Egypt’s ruling Islamists 2010 “to expose sham democracy”. numbers of judges have required of parties opposed to the Islamists grade enriched uranium. a provocative move, Iran is also and the opposition remained “Today I repeat my call, (I) will the drawn-out process, allowing including ElBaradei’s, is due The West says Iran’s enrich- installing new-generation cen- as deep as ever, with one lead- not be part of an act of deception,” them to oversee voting in differ- to decide in the coming week ment of uranium to a fissile purity trifuges, capable of producing ing liberal politician, Mohamed he said on his Twitter account. ent regions on different days. whether to join a boycott. of 20 percent demonstrates its enriched uranium much faster, ElBaradei, saying he would boy- ElBaradei boycotted the presiden- Under the new schedule, vot- “This is Dr ElBaradei’s own intent to develop a nuclear weap- at a site in Natanz in the centre cott the polls. The decision by tial election that brought Mursi ing will be completed on June 24, position and own opinion,” said ons capability, an allegation the of the country. Islamist President Mohammed to power last June. with the new lower house due to NSF spokesman Khaled Dawood, Islamic republic denies. Western diplomats say the P5+1 Mursi to start the four-stage vote The Muslim Brotherhood, meet on July 2. It aims to avoid but he added that other NSF The enriched uranium required will reiterate demands for the five days earlier than scheduled which backs Mursi, rejected making Copts vote during the leaders were sympathetic to the for use in nuclear reactors or suspension of uranium enrich- was announced by his spokesman any call to boycott the voting most important festival of the idea of a boycott. weapons is produced in centri- ment to a purity of 20 percent, the on Facebook. which has been scheduled in four Christian calendar. “This is yet another individual fuges that spin uranium hexaflu- closure of Iran’s Fordow enrich- Islamists, who have won every stages from April 27 to June. The opposition says Mursi move by the Muslim Brotherhood oride gas (UF6) at high speeds. ment plant, increased access for election since the 2011 overthrow Essam Erian, a senior member should not have called the elec- and President Mursi, establishing The UF6 is derived from yellow International Atomic Energy of Hosni Mubarak, dismissed any of the Brotherhood’s Freedom tions until a number of dis- facts on the ground and then ask- cake, a concentrate from uranium Agency inspectors and agreement suggestion that the parliamentary and Justice Party, said the polls putes had been settled, chiefly ing you to basically go with the ore discovered in mines. to address concerns on existing polls would lack credibility and would be carried out under “com- a new constitution produced by rules of the game they’ve set on Iran’s reserves of raw uranium uranium stockpiles. predicted a strong turnout. plete judicial supervision” as well an Islamist-dominated assem- their own,” he said. now stood at around 4,400 tonnes, REUTERS Mursi called the lower house as being followed by Egyptian, bly which contributed to serious REUTERS

British university cancels Arab Spring forum in UAE Over 30-tonne drug haul off Libya coast TRIPOLI: Libya’s coastguard has He said the authorities found DUBAI: A top British university has can- the event, called The Middle East: Transition leading universities, confirmed the confer- seized more than 30,000kg of drugs 30,500kg of drugs on the boat, with- celled a conference on the Arab Spring in in the Arab World. ence had been cancelled. It added: “The from a boat off the coast of Tripoli, out specifying what kind, and arrested the United Arab Emirates, citing curbs Ulrichsen told Reuters that he had been decision made by LSE cited restrictions on a naval source said yesterday. “A five people on board: two Moroccans, imposed by the state, which has placed scheduled to speak at the forum, which the the intellectual content of the event that Libyan-flagged boat was boarded a Libyan, an Egyptian and a Tunisian. limits on foreign research groups in the LSE was due to co-host with the American threatened academic freedom as the rea- on Thursday 60km to the northeast “The boat named Bab Bahr was led to past two years. University of Sharjah (AUS), on the topic son for the cancellation. AUS is unaware of of Bouri oil field,” navy spokesman Tripoli’s naval base, where it arrived The UAE has not seen the unrest that has of the international implications of protests any other information relating to the last Ayub Gacem said. at 10am on Friday,” Gacem said. AFP ousted Arab rulers elsewhere, but analysts in Bahrain. Ulrichsen, who has written minute cancellation.” and diplomats say the US ally is anxious critically about the Bahraini government’s Over the past year the UAE has shown to prevent instability spreading to its turf. response to mass protests that erupted in little tolerance of home-grown dissent. In a statement e-mailed to Reuters, the early 2011, told Reuters UAE authorities had In March 2012, the UAE closed down the London School of Economics (LSE) said it instructed conference organisers to cut any offices of two Western pro-democracy cancelled its gathering today “in response to discussion of Bahrain from the programme. groups, the US-funded National Democratic restrictions imposed on the intellectual con- “They made it very clear,” he said. The Institute and Germany’s Konrad-Adenauer- tent of the event that threatened academic LSE said without elaborating it was aware Stiftung, citing licensing irregularities. The freedom”. The UAE also barred entry to a of Ulrichsen’s situation. No UAE official was Abu Dhabi Gallup Center, a branch of the visiting university lecturer, Kristian Coates available for comment. US polling and research firm, also closed Ulrichsen, on his arrival to participate in A statement by the AUS, one of the state’s down in 2012. REUTERS Health of Iraq president improving KIRKUK: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is now able to talk, his doctor said, adding he was hope- ful the Kurdish states- man would soon be fit to return to Iraq from Germany, where he has been receiving medical treatment for a stroke. A peace-maker who often mediated among Iraq’s Shia, Sunni and Kurdish factions, the 79-year-old Talabani was flown abroad in December in critical condition. “I am in continuous contact with the German team treating President Talabani,” said Najmaldin Karim, who is also governor of the city of Kirkuk. “He can talk now with the people around him and started to think in a good way. I and the German team are optimis- tic that he will get much better and can return back to Iraq soon.” REUTERS SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Turmoil in Egypt Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

THE GOVERNMENT of Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi has announced that parliamentary elections will be held in April. The announcement Obama administration repeats Tshould have been welcomed, and seen as a solid step towards installing democracy in the country after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. But unfortunately, what is happening is exactly not the same. The country is going down past errors with Egypt a slope and nothing seems to be helping to arrest this slide. Even ideas are in short supply. BY ROBERT KAGAN and The office of Mursi announced that the four-stage elections MICHELE DUNNE about the flawed process by which the It’s time for a new approach. Both the would start on April 22, five days earlier than scheduled. The constitution was drafted and passed, administration and Congress need to change was made to appease the Coptic Christian community, Mursi is moving ahead to legislative elec- fully review military and economic assist- which makes up ten percent of the population, who had RESIDENT Barack Obama tions based on an electoral law to which ance to Egypt. What does the Egyptian and Secretary of State John the opposition objects. Meanwhile, his army need to bring security to the Sinai? said the previous schedule would clash with their Easter Kerry need to pay attention to government has cracked down on jour- Probably not F-16s. What conditions celebrations. But even this conciliatory gesture will not help Egypt — now. The most popu- nalists, brought spurious charges against should Congress place on aid? Previous matters to be run smoothly. The liberal opposition figure lous Arab country, poster child opposition leaders and limited the right packages have appropriately been con- Pof the Arab Spring, faces a looming eco- to public protests. It is considering legis- ditioned on progress toward democracy, Mohammed ElBaradei has called for a boycott of elections. He said through his Twitter account that “boycotting this election nomic crisis and a widespread breakdown lation that would constrain the activities but the administration has insisted on a in law and order, including increasingly of non-governmental organisations even national security waiver and has exer- is the fastest way to expose fake democracy and confirm prevalent crime and rape. Either will more than Hosni Mubarak did. cised it to provide the aid regardless of our credibility.” Other opposition leaders too are expected to cripple Egypt’s faltering effort to become The increasingly desperate secu- Egypt’s behaviour. Perhaps Congress announce their decision in the coming days. But boycott seems a stable democracy. lar opposition parties have formed a should not permit such a waiver in the to be their most preferred word. At the same time, the ruling The Obama administration has treated “National Salvation Front,” but under the next aid bill. Brotherhood is unconcerned. It has won every election held Egypt primarily as an economic prob- surface they are divided between those As for Mursi’s planned trip to after the overthrow of Mubarak lem and has urged Cairo to move quickly who want to force Mursi to compromise Washington, it would be better to hold to satisfy International Monetary Fund and those who want to force him from that invitation until he demonstrates a and hopes to win the coming one (IMF) demands to qualify for financing. power. Even though most favour the eco- sincere commitment to working with all too, and has dismissed accusations But there is no separating Egypt’s eco- nomic reforms necessary to get an IMF of Egyptian society and allowing genu- What the that the elections will not be free nomic crisis from its political crisis — or loan, many feel they must mobilise street ine freedom to all citizens. That means country needs and fair. from the failures of its current govern- protests against any Mursi action. supporting a law that meets interna- In the current scenario, what ment. Egypt’s economy is struggling and The result is that, with Egypt at the tional standards on regulating civil soci- Egypt needs is not election, but disorder is rampant primarily because edge of bankruptcy — it has enough ety, allowing watchdog organisations to now is peace the country’s leaders the past two years — reserves to pay for only three more operate freely and finally resolving the and stability. stability, peace and consensus. An first the Supreme Council of the Armed months of food and fuel imports — the controversial status of foreign and for- election that divides people will Forces, now President Mohamed Mursi — government and the opposition are eign-funded NGOs. It means ending the Elections can not produce the results expected have failed to build an inclusive political locked in a game of chicken. The economy persecution of journalists and opposition of it. The country is more divided process. Until they do, no amount of IMF is sinking, political conflict is rising and figures, committing to reform the police follow. than ever between Islamist and funding will make a difference. the security situation is deteriorating. and hold them accountable, and building Although Mursi won a narrow victory Washington’s response to this cri- a consensus on such critical matters as less religious and liberal parties, last summer, he has yet to learn what it sis has largely been business as usual. the constitution and electoral law. and there are no signs of a thaw in means to lead in a democratic society. His Just as the United States once clung to The United States made a strategic their strained relations. In fact, the relations are set to worsen Muslim Brotherhood is Egypt’s strongest Mubarak, the Obama administration has error for years by coddling Mubarak, if both sides, especially the government of Mursi, refuse to political force, but it does not command a hewed closely to Mursi, offering a visit and his refusal to carry out reforms pro- make concessions for the sake of peace. majority of public support. It cannot sim- to Washington and continuing to deliver duced the revolution of Tahrir Square. The economy too has suffered seriously and will soon ply force its will on the nation, especially the annual $1.3bn in military assistance We repeat the error by coddling Mursi at one still aroused by the spirit of revolu- — including a recent shipment of F-16 this critical moment. The United States have to be in the intensive care. The currency has lost eight tion. Mursi can hardly take on urgent aircraft. The administration’s response needs to use all its options — military aid, percent of its value against the dollar in the last two months. tasks, such as the cutting of wasteful fuel to Mursi’s majoritarian bullying has been economic aid and US influence with the Youth unemployment is rampant, which is fuelling protests subsidies and the reformation of a cor- muted. Egypt’s opposition and nonparti- IMF and other international lenders — on the streets, and everything is in decay. Tourism, foreign rupt interior ministry and police force, san human rights groups believe, under- to persuade Mursi to compromise with investment and reserves are down sharply and are expected to when much of the country is against him standably, that Washington has resumed secular politicians and civil-society lead- fall further. and ready to take to the streets at the ignoring undemocratic practices so long ers on political and human rights issues least provocation. as the Egyptian government protects US to rebuild security and get the economy Even more disturbing, there has been a sharp increase Under Mursi’s rule, Egyptian society strategic interests. Outside of opening on track. in cases of police brutality and rape directed at opposition has become polarised between Islamists new contacts with the ruling Muslim WP-BLOOMBERG protesters, which has stoked public anger and invited and non- Islamists. Enraging the political Brotherhood, there has been no funda- (Robert Kagan is a senior fellow at the comparisons with the Mubarak regime. opposition late last year, he railroaded mental reassessment of US policy toward Brookings Institution and a monthly col- President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood will be through a new constitution that contains Egypt since Mubarak’s removal in 2011. umnist for The Post. Michele Dunne is inadequate protections for the rights of Our military and economic aid packages director of the Rafik Hariri Center for the blowing their first chance at power if they don’t make serious women and non-Muslims and leaves open remain the same — except that nearly all Middle East at the Atlantic Council. They efforts to solve the current crisis. The ruling party must make the possibility of Islamic clerical over- democracy and civil-society assistance are co-chairs of the bipartisan Working concessions to placate the opposition. Time is precious. • sight of legislation. Ignoring protests has been cut off. Group on Egypt.) The other side Quote of The realities of medical care the day LL over the world, people specialisation, which invites people to from the defendant, but they will also the other passengers. A few months place their trust in medical have confidence in them. This is that take a large chunk — not infrequently later, the hero received a writ from the professionals. Be they each and every person involved is around 60 percent — of the damages woman’s lawyers, on the grounds that Adoctors, dentists, opticians, human, and human beings make mis- that are awarded to their clients. Yet he had operated without her consent It is also your paramedics, pharmacists or nurses, takes. It is not what ordinary people there are perverse consequences to and left her with a disfiguring scar on we assume that when we turn to them want to believe of their doctors, but the willingness of judges and juries to her neck. This in itself was bad enough, Europe, and more for help and guidance, we will receive there is no such thing as the infallible make substantial awards in clinical neg- but the case went to trial and a jury the correct advice and care. medical professional. ligence cases. found for the woman and awarded sub- Europe cannot This is particularly true when people Yet the fiction that doctors should The barely credible story is told of an stantial damages. The greatest damage are hit by serious conditions, such as get it right every time, persists in many American woman on a US flight who however was that when the news of the mean a Europe cancer or heart disease. The assump- societies, most obviously in the United was choking on a piece of food. The judgment spread among the US medi- without you tion is that the clinician will make a cor- States. There, the legal profession pilot asked if there was a doctor on cal profession, many doctors decided rect diagnosis and prescribe a course makes a very good living indeed from board and a surgeon hurried to where that, whatever the emergency, if they (Britain). Only with of treatment that will control or get rid medical negligence suits, fought on a the woman was close to asphyxiating. were on a plane and medical help was of the problem. no-win, no-fee basis. The lure for the Using airline cutlery, he performed a called for, they would stay in their seats you can we tackle Yet there is a reality to the medical lawyers is that if they do triumph, they tracheotomy, saved the woman’s life and carry on reading their books. the future. Joachim Gauck profession, as there is to any other will not only pick up their fees and costs and received the congratulations of all ARAB NEWS Germany’s President SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 How Obama can change Cameron’s aid to peacekeeping the game with Japan operations is right

BY RICHARD NORTON- with one hand and provided the The president should TAYLOR population with water with the other). go for something big hatever his motives, Then Whitehall sent tens of David Cameron’s thousands of British troops to that would be good for plan to switch Helmand province in southern Wmoney assigned to Afghanistan completely unpre- the foreign aid budget to defence pared for what should have been both economies while peacekeeping operations must be a mission to stabilise a country applauded. battered by years of civil war. Ever since the bloody fiasco of Stovepipe-thinking manda- also reinforcing the the invasion of Iraq, ministers, rins did not learn, or showed no Whitehall officials and defence signs of learning, while ministers, geopolitical ties. chiefs have been saying there is caught in the headlights, seemed no military solution to modern to be incapable of lateral think- BY CLYDE PRESTOWITZ conflict. The foreign secretary, ing, and military commanders William Hague, was at it again kept quiet through gritted teeth. apanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week. “There is rarely, if ever, Ministers and MPs belatedly arrives in Washington this week with a purely military solution to ter- began to pay lip service to the idea a long shopping list. First, he’ll want rorism,” he said. that there should be much more to be assured of solid US backing, He was speaking against the integration between the mili- including willingness to go to war on backdrop of the French military tary aspects of conflict-solving, JJapan’s behalf if necessary, in Tokyo’s face- intervention in Mali, supported ie guns, and the need for expe- off with China over control of the Senkaku by Britain whose troops will be rienced experts building up civil islands. Next, he’ll want US agreement to his engaged – not in any combat role, infrastructure. policy of devaluing the yen to promote exports the government insists, but in Hague recognised this in his and growth of the Japanese economy. Finally, training local forces. speech last week, referring to he’ll want to politely refrain from joining the Aid agencies and charities have the need to combine “intelli- US-sponsored negotiations for a Trans Pacific US President Barack Obama (irght) shakes hands with Japan’s new conservative Prime Minister responded critically to Cameron’s gence, diplomacy, development Partnership free trade agreement (TPP). Shinzo Abe following their bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. suggestion. “We think the British and partnership” with countries Here’s what the White House should give public expect [the aid budget] with vast ungoverned spaces him. to be spent on hospitals and and whose populations are vul- Although in the light of history, China’s Japanese exports. In his personal meeting with about it with regard to Japan. Tokyo is unlikely not helicopter gunships,” Max nerable to seductive extremist claims to the Senkakus are arguably as good Abe, President Obama should make it clear to join because of the opposition of its farmers Lawson, Oxfam’s head of policy, ideologies that may speak the as Japan’s, there is no way that Abe can accede that Brainard had gone rogue and was not and other domestic groups and also because was reported as saying. There language of terrorists but also to Chinese pressure to cede sovereignty over voicing White House policy. Indeed, he should at this stage of the negotiations (scheduled should be enough money for both promise a way out of poverty and the islands in the face of Beijing’s military emphasise that the opposite is the case — the to end in October) Japan would be unlikely aid and peacekeeping forces, he corruption. threats. Because the United States has rec- United States strongly opposes Japan’s efforts to be able to obtain many concessions. More said. However, if cash was limited, Poverty and corruption are the ognised Japan’s administrative authority over to manipulate the value of the yen and may importantly, bringing Japan into the partner- people expected money put aside causes of Mali’s problems, British the islands and guarantees Japan’s security be forced to take countervailing action if such ship would increase the US trade deficit and to help the world’s poorest to be officials say with an air of frustra- under the terms of a security treaty with efforts continue. Some will argue that Japan is by reducing tariffs in key industries such as spent on “schools, not soldiers”. tion rather than conviction. The Japan, Washington is obligated to back Japan doing nothing more than imitating the Federal autos without gaining reciprocal reduction of The chairman of the Commons present chief of defence staff, in resisting any threats of force regarding the Reserve’s easy money, quantitative easing poli- non-tariff barriers in Japan that effectively international development com- General Sir David Richards, com- islands. At the same time, the United States cies. But this is not entirely the case. The Fed keep many Japanese markets closed despite mittee, Malcolm Bruce, said: “You mander of the mission to save the desperately wants to avoid war with China and doesn’t talk the dollar down or call for greater the absence of tariffs. can’t use the aid budget to make Sierra Leone government from would like to get some negotiation or global US exports as a main driver of rising GDP Instead of a futile and probably counter- up for defence cuts.” rebels in 2000, should know all inquiry going. The problem is that to their own growth. But Abe does all of this (and the Bank productive effort to get Japan into the Trans You shouldn’t, but it is not as about the need for what interna- publics both China and Japan would appear of Japan is acquiescing) in his drive to stimu- Pacific Partnership, the president should go simple as that. And cash is always tional institutions, including Nato to be backing down if one of them proposed late the Japanese economy. for something big that would be good for both limited. and the UN, refer to as a “com- submitting the dispute to the World Court. What Japan desperately needs, and what Abe economies while also reinforcing the geopo- As aid charities also say, you prehensive” approach to settling One way around this would be for Washington assiduously avoids mentioning, is to undertake litical ties. He should propose that Japan join can’t have effective aid pro- conflicts – the need for military to publicly voice support for Japan, but at the far-reaching structural reforms of its econ- the North American Free Trade Agreement grammes without adequate secu- presence to be backed up by civil same time to persuade the World Court to omy. Japan has been pursuing easy money and (NAFTA) and that NAFTA be developed into rity. Spending money the way aid. invite Japan and China to submit their dispute high stimulus policies for twenty years with- a true economic union with a common trade Cameron appears to be proposing But Whitehall departments to it. In this way, neither side would lose face out much to show for it. Yen devaluation will policy, currency coordination arrangements would be wise, whether it is clas- remain stubbornly jealous, not by accepting the invitation. not provide a long-term fix but it will disrupt that prevent currency manipulation, and a sified in Whitehall as “defence” only of their budgets but of their On the economy and the yen, the White US markets and reduce US employment at a common anti-trust and competition policy, or “aid”. empires as well. While there has House, unfortunately, has already pretty much moment when Washington very badly needs to as well as a high level of regulatory coordina- Ministers and Whitehall been much talk of cooperation spoken. Undersecretary of the Treasury Lael create jobs and make America more competi- tion. Eventually, a common currency — the ignored the lessons of Iraq where between the Ministry of Defence, Brainard voiced US support for Japan’s poli- tive. The president should make this crystal yelarso — might be adopted along with a single the failure of the occupying pow- the Foreign and Commonwealth cies to stimulate its economy at the recent clear to Abe while emphasising that he can’t financial system. ers to provide any coherent plan Office and the Department for G-20 Finance Ministers Meeting. This, in expect enthusiastic US geopolitical support If the president truly wants to change the of economic or civil assistance International Development, in effect, constituted a White House blessing while indirectly subsidising exports. game, and do something for the history books, contributed to the violent insur- practice their petty rivalries on Abe’s efforts to drive the yen lower as a As far as the Trans Pacific Partnership is this is it. gency (and British troops in Basra persist. way of creating jobs by reducing the price of concerned, the White House should forget WP-BLOOMBERG fought off insurgents and looters THE GUARDIAN Power struggle, not nuclear, priority for Iranian elite

Ahmadinejad has long been a for International Peace. leading to post-election chaos. Analysts say that is asking too Iran’s clerical leadership has proponent of engaging with the But much hinges on Iran’s Such a messy outcome could much of the Almaty talks, though United States and has been joined forthcoming election, which sap the authority of Khamenei the six powers’ concession may recently offered signs of interest by other political heavyweights could scuttle any chances of rapid and, by extension, the legitimacy already have been matched. including Speaker of Parliament progress in the near future. of the Islamic Revolution. Just days before US officials Ali Larijani, who has said there With sanctions imposed over “Khamenei doesn’t seem to be offered respite from sanctions on in closer engagement with was “no red line” to direct talks. Iran’s refusal to negotiate limits able to stop them from washing gold trade, Iran said it was con- Consent came even from the on its nuclear push and open up their laundry directly in public. verting some of its higher-grade Western governments. head of Iran’s Basij militia, a to UN inspectors, putting Iran What does that say about his grip enriched uranium into reactor fuel. hardline enforcer of Islamist under sustained economic pres- on power?” asked a source close That, say analysts, is one way BY MARCUS GEORGE governments some reason for orthodoxy that was instrumen- sure, Iran is focused on manag- to the nuclear talks. “He needs for Iran to slow the growth in its optimism. Iran’s clerical leader- tal in stamping out post-election ing its finances and its turbulent the authority to present a nuclear reserve of material that Western reoccupied with an inten- ship has recently offered signs unrest in 2009. internal politics.Ahmadinejad deal as a victory.” governments fear is a major step sifying domestic power of interest in closer engage- “If the United States reforms owes his political life to Khamenei towards a nuclear weapons capa- struggle, Iran is unlikely ment with them, helping lay the its behavior, negotiations are pos- after withstanding mass protests UPDATED OFFER bility, although Tehran insists it Pto agree with world pow- groundwork for Tehran’s presence sible,” General Mohammad Reza following his contested re-election The six world powers’ latest is seeking only civilian nuclear ers next week on ways out of a in the former Kazakh capital. Naqdi said in December. in 2009, but his renewed drive for offer to Iran will comprise previ- energy. But some see it as a ploy nuclear dispute: Surviving a tur- Iran’s intelligence ministry Within days Khamenei shot power and popularity has since ous demands for the suspension of to prolong negotiations. bulent period of pre-electoral published a report on its website down such messages, saying that placed the two at loggerheads. uranium enrichment to the purity Diplomats say it shows Iran infighting will be the priority for last November touting the mer- the Islamic Republic would not Khamenei loyalists fear that of 20 percent, closure of Iran’s wants to avoid military confron- its faction-ridden elite. its of diplomatic engagement to negotiate “with a gun held to it”, Ahmadinejad, as the Islamic underground Fordow enrich- tation, but the measure is not a Despite suggestions among parry the threat of military action but analysts say Tehran has kept Republic’s first non-clerical presi- ment plant, wider access for U.N. “game-changer” because the reac- Iranian policymakers that a more by enemies. itself some wiggle room. dent since 1981, is maneuvering to nuclear inspectors and a reduc- tor fuel conversions do not, at imaginative approach is needed “It is clear that the outbreak “The Supreme Leader left break the ayatollahs’ supremacy tion in the country’s enriched present, affect the bulk of Iran’s to engagement with its Western of war and resorting to force is the door open. Once you break and weaken the influence of the uranium stockpile. refined uranium. Such conver- adversaries, Iran’s electoral calen- so serious and dreadful that the down his comments, they show Supreme Leader. In return, the latest interna- sions can be reversed, although dar may pre-ordain several more slightest neglect of it is an unfor- that Iran wants something done “The issue of Khamenei’s tional embargoes on gold and this is technically complex. months of stasis in the nuclear givable sin,” said the report by the on sanctions and that unless a domestic authority supersedes metals trading with Iran would Moreover, while trade embar- negotiations set to resume in ministry, which is controlled by serious move on that is made, the nuclear talks. The supreme be lifted. Iran has criticised the goes have intensified, Tehran Almaty, Kazakhstan on Tuesday. Heydar Moslehi, a close ally of he won’t or can’t trust the US,” leader has to fight a battle to put offer as insufficient, calling for may not be feeling enough pain With a presidential election Iran’s ultimate political author- said Scott Lucas, founder of EA Ahmadinejad in his place. The its right to enrich uranium to be to make serious concessions now. looming in June, the latest round ity, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Worldview, a news website that question is whether he is in con- recognised and respected. “The regime’s position oscil- of negotiations, at which world “To prevent war different monitors Iranian media. trol of the situation,” said Lucas “The (powers) aren’t ready to lates between wanting genuine powers will offer relief from some options exist. One of those is the Washington is also sending of EA Worldview. move forward on a comprehen- negotiations and wanting to stall sanctions if Iran curbs activities of adoption of diplomatic and politi- out arguably its most encourag- Amid mutual backbiting and sive package and instead offers a for time,” Dina Esfandiary of potential use in yielding a nuclear cal policies and the potential of ing message to Iran since the 1979 damaging, mutual accusations of piecemeal approach,” said Seyed London’s International Institute weapon, may amount to little more international forums, which is a creation of the Islamic Republic, corruption between the president Hossein Mousavian, an Iranian for Strategic Studies said. than “holding talks” to at least necessary way forward.” which led to the severing of and his critics, the back-story nuclear negotiator from 2003 to “Although sanctions are hurt- keep the diplomatic door open. The idea of direct talks between US-Iranian relations. revolves around the fight for the 2005 under reformist president ing.... they’re not having enough “Iran is in listening mode. Iran and the United States - “Obama has assembled the most presidential office. Mohammad Khatami. of an effect to change the leader- They’ll go back to Tehran and look resurfacing after comments by pro-Iran-engagement national Khamenei and his coterie of “I’m confident Iran is prepared ship’s mind on the nuclear issue. at the offer,” said a Western diplo- Vice President Joe Biden this security cabinet in recent US his- advisers are scrambling to unite to make a grand deal that takes They’re not hurting enough to be mat based in Tehran. “But they’re month - has nested in the minds tory and he’s less encumbered by hardline Islamist conservatives in all their demands if the powers worth the humiliation of giving in unlikely to discuss issues in depth of Iranian power brokers with domestic political consideration against the more nationalist recognise Iran’s nuclear rights and to pressure after years of building until the insecurity in the domestic surprisingly few ruling out such in his second term,” said Karim Ahmadinejad and around a sin- lifts sanctions. If that happens, the nuclear programme up as a power struggle has been clarified.” a possibility. Sadjadpour of the Washington- gle candidate to minimise chances they can discuss how to move for- national feat.” REUTERS A closer look may give Western President Mahmoud based Carnegie Endowment of virulent political divisions ward on a step-by step approach.” SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Oppn slams world inaction on Syria slaughter SNC boycotts talks with world powers

DAMASCUS: Syria’s main “accompanied by action” and said opposition group said yesterday the world had a duty to protect that it was pulling out of inter- Syrians from the regime of the national talks and demanded “butcher” Assad. world action to stop the slaugh- “If you are our real friends, help ter of Syrians, after missiles us to stop the massacres that are slammed into the city of Aleppo being committed against our own killing dozens. people,” Bunni said, challenging The Syrian National Coalition’s the United States to honour what decided to boycott talks with he said were promises of support world power after announcing for democracy in Syria. plans to form a government to The opposition has repeatedly run “liberated areas” of Syria, in asked the international com- what analysts said was a bid to munity to arm the rebels but boost its credibility and win more Bunni fell short of repeating the support from the international demand, which Western powers community. have balked at, fearing the grow- Coalition chief Ahmed Moaz ing influence of radical Islamists. Al Khatib said the group’s with- On Friday, Bunni announced drawal from meetings abroad plans for a government for “liber- was “a message of protest to all ated areas” that he said he hoped governments of the world, Arab would be based inside northern and non-Arab, that can see how Syria. A cabinet lineup and a pre- the Syrian people are being killed, mier would be chosen at a meet- while they merely look on.” ing on March 2 in Istanbul. His was speaking as the con- Analyst say an opposition-run flict, which has cost the lives of government would fill a void in more than 70,000 people accord- areas of Syria where the influence ing to the UN, is set to enter its of Islamist rebels is growing. third year, with no end in sight. Meanwhile, peace envoy Condemning the “international Lakhdar Brahimi said a devas- silence” on the bloodshed in Syria, tating attack on Thursday near which it charged “amounts to par- the ruling Baath party’s main ticipating in two years of killings,” offices in central Damascus had the opposition said Friday that it left about 100 people dead and would not attend meetings in Italy, another 250 wounded, described it Russia and the United States. as a “war crime.” Both the regime A revolutionary girl named Nasma chants with members of the Free Syrian Army in Aleppo, yesterday. It singled out Damascus ally and opposition have blamed the Russia for blame, saying its lead- attack on “terrorists.” Protesters block ers were “ethically and politically In Aleppo, at least 37 people responsible because they continue were killed and 150 wounded in Syria Kurd women set up battalion Lebanon-Syria road to support the (Syrian) regime missile strikes on the Tariq Al with weapons.” The group had Bab district on Friday, said the BEIRUT: Around 150 Kurdish “Women are now playing a Kurdish women’s battalion comes MASNAA: Hundreds of been due to attend a Friends Syrian Observatory for Human women in the war-wracked north- major role in the fighting in Syria,” a month after pro-regime forces Sunni protesters in Lebanon of Syria meeting in Rome on Rights. Shelling of the city’s ern Syrian province of Aleppo Abdel Rahman said. The women’s set up the National Defence launched a sit-in yesterday on Thursday, while Khatib had also Maadi district killing at least 14 have set up a fighting battalion, a battalion was announced in Ifrin, Forces, a paramilitary unit in the main road linking Beirut to been invited to Moscow, and to civilians, among them 11 children, monitoring group said yesterday. the scene in late 2012 of violence which women of all ages have Damascus, blocking the passage the United States. said the Britain-based watchdog, “The Kurdish popular com- pitting Kurdish fighters against been asked to volunteer. of fuel tankers to Syria. “We cannot visit any country which gave a toll of at least 64 mittees have set up the first Arab rebels fighting the regime of Anti-regime activists have also The protest, organised by the until there is a clear decision on people killed in fighting across women’s battalion, comprising President Bashar Al Assad. distributed images of women Association of Muslim Scholars, this savage, aggressive regime,” Syria yesterday. some 150 women fighters. The Assad’s troops pulled out from fighters joining rebel ranks. was staged in the eastern Bekaa Khatib said of the government of A military source said the army battalion is named the Martyr majority Kurdish areas in 2012, “Women are fighting on all the Valley to stem fuel supplies Syrian President Bashar Al Assad. had sent reinforcements to Aleppo Rokan Battalion,” said the Syrian and while Kurds have been split fronts now, though it’s possibly intended for forces loyal to Syrian Britain urged the opposition to international airport, where fight- Observatory for Human Rights. over the anti-regime revolt in the Islamist rebel ranks that have President Bashar Al Assad. “We reconsider its decision to pull out ing has raged between regime “While women are now fighting Syria, most have chosen to remain the fewest women taking part in are here to obstruct the passage of of the Rome, Washington and forces and rebels. The rebels began alongside the rebels, pro-regime neutral in the conflict. them,” the Observatory’s Abdel fuel tankers, which we believe are Moscow meetings, insisting “now an assault on several military and forces and Kurdish militia, this An agreement in Ras Al Rahman said. transporting fuel to propel the kill- is not the time to give up” on talks. civilian airports in Aleppo province is the first women’s battalion as Ain on the Turkish border last A female activist in the coastal ing machines in Syria,” said Sheikh A Foreign Office spokeswoman last week, in a bid to stop war- such,” said Observatory director week brought an end to fight- province of Latakia said via the Yehia Al Baridi, one of the protest said London was “preparing planes from taking off. Rami Abdel Rahman. ing between Kurds and Islamist Internet that women often trans- organisers. About 15 trucks were a further offer of support” for Elsewhere, a Lebanese man The Observatory circulated an rebels, though some activists have port weapons and supplies for forced to turn back to the Lebanese the National Coalition at the was killed by gunfire near a river amateur photograph of the battal- described the agreement brokered rebels as they are less likely to capital by the estimated crowd of meeting in Rome. But opposi- that runs along Lebanon’s north- ion, showing scores of members in by a prominent Christian dissi- be searched at army and security about 300 people, around 20 of tion spokesman Walid Al Bunni ern border with Syria, a security military fatigues, standing in rows dent as fragile. checkpoints. whom were Sunni Muslim sheikhs insisted that statements should be source said. AFP before their female leadership. The announcement of the AFP or clergymen. AFP

Tunisia protest UAE should charge Palestinian prisoner dies or release Egyptian as hunger strike expands detainees: HRW JERUSALEM: A Palestinian prisoner died in an Israeli jail yes- DUBAI: Human Rights Watch terday, officials said, as the number of inmates on hunger strike yesterday urged authorities in climbed to 11, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club. Arafat the United Arab Emirates either Jaradat was “arrested a few days ago. He was killed during the to charge a group of Egyptians investigation,” the Palestinian minister in charge of prisoner affairs held over suspected links with Issa Qaraqaa said. “We demand the creation of an international Egyptian President Mohammed commission of inquiry to probe the circumstances of his death,” Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood or Qaraqaa said. Israel Prisons Service spokeswoman Sivan Weizman release them. said Jaradat, a 30-year-old from the West Bank city of Hebron, “If the UAE government can died suddenly at Meggido detention centre in northern Israel. “It show the Egyptian detainees have was probably a cardiac arrest. I don’t have additional details at engaged in criminal behavior, the moment,” Weizman said. Israel’s Shin Bet internal intelligence why hasn’t it charged them with service said Jaradat had been taken ill just before his death. The a crime,” asked Nadim Houry, Islamist Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip said Jaradat had died HRW’s deputy Middle East direc- because of “the inhuman conditions in Israeli jails.” The death could tor. “Authorities should stop this exacerbate tensions in Israel and the Palestinian territories which shameful practice of arresting have been rocked this month by protests of solidarity with four people only to hold them without other prisoners detained by Israel who are on hunger strike. The charge for months on end,” he said. Ramallah-based Prisoners’ Club announced that another seven Tunisians chant slogans and hold pictures of assassinated leftist politician Chokri Belaid during a demonstra- Citing relatives of seven of prisoners have joined the protest action. tion against the Islamist Ennahda movement in Tunis, yesterday. Thousands protested against Ali Larayedh, them, HRW added that the the new prime minister-designate. Larayedh is controversial because opposition secularists accuse the Interior “authorities have not granted Yemen security chief escapes bid on life Ministry which he headed of failing to curb Islamist violence. access to lawyers or in-person visits with family members.” ADEN: A Yemeni security chief survived an assassination Last month, local media attempt yesterday in the south of the country, where three peo- reported that UAE authorities had ple were killed in clashes between his forces and separatists. The arrested 11 Egyptians residing in Defence Ministry said Abdulwahab Al Wali, head of the cen- Merkel backs new EU talks for Turkey the country on suspicions of links tral security forces, escaped the attack by unknown gunmen in to the Brotherhood. The HRW the town of Mukalla, but two of his bodyguards were wounded. BERLIN: German Chancellor a day before she sets off on a two- launched in 2005, all but ground statement spoke of 13, and it was Wali survived a previous assassination attempt last year, one Angela Merkel said yester- day visit to Turkey. Her defence to a halt over an intractable not immediately clear why there of a string of attacks on military, political and militia leaders day that she favoured new minister visited German patriot dispute over the divided island is a discrepancy in the numbers. and officials. Many have been blamed on the Islamists, but the talks to revive Turkey’s stalled missile batteries in Turkey, a fel- of Cyprus, an EU member, and The group were arrested authorities did not say whether any group was suspected of yes- European Union membership low Nato member, yesterday. opposition from Paris and Berlin. between November 2012 and terday’s shooting. In other developments, medical and security bid, following warnings by the Socialist French President Turkey has completed only January 2013, HRW said, and held sources said three people were killed and 14 wounded in clashes Turkish prime minister its half- Francois Hollande said last week one of 35 policy “chapters” every incommunicado until February 7 between Yemeni security forces and separatists in the south. century wait was “unforgivable”. he was ready to unblock talks accession candidate must con- when they were allowed to call Yet Merkel, who favours a “privi- on the “chapter” or policy area clude. All but 13 are blocked by relatives inside the Gulf country. Arab militia kill over 50 in Sudan’s Darfur leged partnership” for Turkey in dealing with help for EU regions. France, Cyprus and the European Among them are doctors, engi- place of full EU membership, His conservative predecessor, Commission, which says Ankara neers and university professors KHARTOUM: An Arab militia firing heavy machine guns killed stressed the outcome of Ankara’s Nicolas Sarkozy, strongly opposed does not meet standards on human who have been living and working more than 50 people in Sudan’s Darfur region yesterday, residents talks with Brussels should be open, Turkey’s EU aspirations. rights and freedom of speech. in the UAE for many years. said, continuing unrest that has caused the largest displacement and she remained sceptical about “I think a long negotiating path “Since Merkel came to office, she They are suspected of leading of people in years. “They came on Land Cruisers, used Dushkas whether Turkey should join. lies ahead of us. Although I am has repeatedly used the expression an expatriate Brotherhood cell and they burned 30 houses killing 53 people,” said one resident of Turkey has complained bitterly sceptical, I agreed with the contin- ‘privileged partnership’ about our that collected sensitive informa- El Sireaf town, to which most of the 100,000 people displaced or over Berlin’s lack of support for uation of membership discussions. European Union process. Yet when tion and had links to Emiratis in severely affected by the earlier tribal fighting had fled. Another its EU hopes, and has accused the We are engaging in these with an Germany had the rotating presi- custody on suspicion of plotting resident, who said he was wounded, also gave a figure of 53 dead. EU of double-standards in con- open result,” Merkel said. “In recent dency, we were still able to secure against national security. The The two said the attackers wore uniforms and belonged to a militia ducting negotiations without full times, negotiations stalled somewhat the opening of certain chapters,” 94 Islamists, accused of plotting of the Rezeigat tribe, which has been fighting rival Arabs from the membership in mind. and I am in favour of opening a new Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip against the state, will appear Beni Hussein group since early January in the Jebel Amir gold min- Merkel made her comments in chapter in order to move forward.” Erdogan said in Istanbul. before the Federal Supreme Court ing area of North Darfur state. AGENCIES her regular weekly video message, Turkey’s EU accession bid, REUTERS on March 4. AFP SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Italy ministry Spanish king’s says no horse DNA in Nestle’s son-in-law in minced beef

ROME/ZURICH: Italy’s Health Ministry said yester- dock for graft day that tests had found no trace of horse DNA in minced beef meals by Swiss food giant Nestle that were removed from Accused charged with tax fraud sale on Monday. Nestle removed the ready- PALMA DE MALLORCA, a democracy but it isn’t”. made beef ravioli and tortellini SPAIN: The Spanish king’s In Spain’s legal system, lengthy sold under its Buitoni brand from son-in-law appeared before a pre-trial investigations are car- shelves in Italy and Spain and judge on the island of Mallorca ried out by an examining mag- halted production of the meals yesterday to respond to charges istrate, or judge. Urdangarin after its own tests had found more of tax fraud in a ¤6m embezzle- is charged with fraud, forgery, than 1 percent horse DNA in the ment case that has eroded pub- embezzlement and corruption. If products. lic support for the once-popular convicted, he could face a prison Italian authorities seized 26 royal family. sentence and fines. tonnes of affected beef products The scandal and other corrup- The king’s son-in-law was first on Thursday after Nestle with- tion cases in which politicians are charged and called in for ques- drew the meals — the latest accused of taking millions of euros tioning in 2011, but a trial could company to become embroiled in in bribes have enraged Spaniards still be months or years away as the scandal that has highlighted at a time when unemployment the judge continues his probe and the complexities of Europe’s has soared to 26 percent in a deep adds or dismisses charges. food chain. recession. Urdangarin is fighting an order No trace of horse DNA has Inaki Urdangarin, a former that he and a former business been found in Nestle cooked and Olympics handball player who is partner in the Noos Foundation frozen minced beef,” the ministry married to the king’s daughter, post bail of ¤8.2m. His assets said in a statement. Infanta Cristina, is accused of could be seized if he does not meet It was not immediately clear using his powerful connections bail. what the outcome was of the tests to win public contracts to put The judge was also to ques- Ballots being readied in a polling station in Rome, yesterday. of the food seized in Spain. on events on the Mediterranean tion yesterday Carlos Garcia The Italian tests were carried island of Mallorca and elsewhere Revenga, former treasurer for the out on beef products that had in Spain. Noos Foundation and the private been stored at the Safim plant His Noos Foundation is sus- secretary to Urdangarin’s wife, Govt prods citizens to vote near Turin, the ministry said. pected of overcharging for Cristina, 47. Meanwhile, Italy also ordered organising conferences about the Infanta Cristina is the only the seizure yesterday of about business of sports and hiding the one of five directors of the Noos 6 tonnes of frozen beef lasagne proceeds abroad. Foundation who has not been as Italy holds elections made by Italian group PRIMIA In a statement before the charged with a crime. after tests showed the presence of judge’s questioning, Urdangarin, Judge Castro is trying to find horse meat, an official with Italy’s 45, distanced the royal house from out how much she knew about ROME: Italy pressed citizens could have the chance to cast Bersani is now thought to be NAS, a police unit that monitors the foundation’s business. the business of the foundation. A to get out and vote in one of the their ballot. “Elections are a fun- just a few points ahead of centre- health and safety standards, told “The royal house had no opin- criminal indictment of the king’s most closely watched elections damental moment for a democ- right leader Silvio Berlusconi, the Reuters. ion, didn’t advise on, authorise daughter would be an unprece- in years today and tomorrow, racy and we want all our citizens former prime minister who has A Nestle spokesman welcomed or back any activities for which dented accusation against a royal with financial markets on edge to experience them in the best way promised tax refunds and staged the ministry’s decision to release I was responsible at the Noos in Spain. at the prospect of a political possible,” Interior Minister Anna a media blitz. its products. Foundation,” he said, according The royal family has tried to stalemate that could reignite Maria Cancellieri said in a video The success of Grillo’s “Tsunami “We are happy the minis- to sources in the courtroom. distance itself from Urdangarin, the euro zone debt crisis. posted on the ministry’s website. Tour” has added to the uncer- try’s tests came back negative,” “On the contrary, when the whose official title is Duke of A campaigning ban kicked in A survey released on Tuesday tainty. Huge crowds have turned spokesman Chris Hogg said in accusations arose, the royal house Palma. Photos of him have been at midnight on Friday after lead- said about 28 percent of Italians out to hear him rail against cor- an email to Reuters. “Our focus recommended I cease any activity wiped off the royal website. He ers held final rallies. Comedian- had yet to decide who to vote for, ruption and austerity, underlining now though is on restarting pro- not considered appropriate for my has also been banned from royal turned-politician Beppe Grillo or were considering not voting at the extent of popular rage against duction of these products today institutional status, which I did.” family events for more than stole the spotlight in Rome by all. It showed about 5 million peo- traditional parties and the capac- and tomorrow with a new sup- Dozens of police officials a year. attracting an estimated half a ple were likely to make up their ity for his 5-Star Movement to plier, using beef we have tested to guarded the courthouse in Palma In Spain’s severe economic million people to hear his tirades mind in the final days. shake up the elections. ensure it contains no horse DNA.” for the closed-door hearing where downturn, more companies against corrupt politicians and Final polls published two weeks “Grillo is saying the things that The Swiss company had sus- Urdangarin was being questioned announce lay-offs each week. Tens bankers. ago showed centre-left leader Pier all ordinary Italians are think- pended production of the affected by Examining Magistrate Jose of thousands of homeowners have The Interior Ministry urged Luigi Bersani with a five-point ing, he is giving us hope,” said goods at its Moretta factory, in Castro. defaulted on their mortgages and some 47 million eligible voters lead, but analysts disagree about 41-year-old Luca Pennisi, who Piedmont, on Monday, the spokes- Near the courthouse, a few been evicted from their homes. to head to the polls and said it whether he will be able to form makes pastries for a cafe in the man said. Nestle had also sus- hundred protesters chanted and The government has cut public had made preparations for bad a stable majority that can push capital where several customers pended deliveries of all products held up signs reading “Down with salaries and spending on health weather, including snow in some through the economic reforms were still unsure who to vote for. using beef from German subcon- the monarchy” and “They call this and education. REUTERS regions, to ensure that everyone Italy needs to exit recession. REUTERS tractor H J Schypke. REUTERS

Bull run for Hollande? Vatican peeved by reports of Leaking N-waste tanks intrigue ahead pose no threat: Officials of Pope election SEATTLE: Six underground that six of the aging, single-walled storage tanks at the Hanford tanks were leaking radioactive VATICAN CITY: The Vatican Nuclear Reservation along the waste. “There is no immediate yesterday condemned Italian Columbia River in Washington or near-term health risk associ- media reports of intrigue, cor- state were recently found to be ated with these newly discovered ruption and blackmail among leaking radioactive waste, but leaks, which are more than 5 senior prelates, saying these there is no immediate risk to miles (8 km) from the Columbia were meant to pressure cardi- human health, state and federal River,” Inslee said in a statement nals ahead of their vote to elect officials have said. released by his office. “But none- Pope Benedict XVI’s successor. The seeping waste adds to theless this is disturbing news for Vatican spokesman Federico decades of soil contamina- all Washingtonians.” Lombardi dismissed as “gossip, tion caused by leaking storage The governor said Chu told disinformation and sometimes tanks at Hanford in the past him that his department initially calumny” the reports, which are and threatens to further taint missed the other five leaking linked to an investigation by a groundwater below the site but tanks because staff there did not committee of cardinals last year poses no near-term danger of adequately analyse data. “This over a series of damaging leaks polluting the Columbia River, certainly raises serious questions of confidential papal documents. officials said. about the integrity of all 149 sin- In a statement on Vatican The newly discovered leaks gle-shell tanks with radioactive radio’s website, Lombardi also were revealed by Governor liquid and sludge at Hanford,” referred to the upcoming conclave Jay Inslee a week after the US he said. saying there was “unacceptable Energy Department disclosed The Energy Department issued pressure to condition the vote of that radioactive waste was found a brief statement acknowledging one or other member of the college to be escaping from one tank that six waste tanks were found of cardinals, who might be disliked at Hanford. Inslee said he was to be leaking and adding that for one reason or another”. informed on Friday by outgoing there was “no immediate public “There are people who are French President Francois Hollande (second right) speaks to a breeder who presents his bull during a visit to US Energy Secretary Steven Chu health risk.” REUTERS trying to take advantage of this the 50th International Agriculture Fair of Paris at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, yesterday. moment of surprise and disorien- tation of weak souls to sow confu- sion and discredit the Church and its government,” Lombardi said. “People who think in terms of Fresh fighting in northern Model’s mom bitter after Pistorius bail money, sex and power and see dif- ferent realities through this prism PRETORIA: South Africa’s Pistorius’s family sent flow- The 26-year-old sprinter is cannot see the Church any differ- Mali involving Tuaregs Olympic “Blade Runner” and ers and a card to the Steenkamp accused of the premeditated ently,” he said. murder suspect Oscar Pistorius family, but “what does that murder of 29-year-old Reeva “The result is a profoundly BAMAKO: Fresh fighting “seemed to be Arab fighters” near spent his first day out on bail mean?” she asked, before adding: Steenkamp, a model with a law unjust description of the Church erupted yesterday in northern the northern town of Tessalit. The with his family yesterday as the “Nothing.” degree. Yesterday, the Pistorius and many of its people,” he added. Mali between ethnic Tuaregs Movement for Oneness and Jihad mother of Reeva Steenkamp, Pistorius was freed on a record family distanced itself from a tweet “We want this to be a time of and an unidentified armed in West Africa (MUJAO), yes- the model girlfriend he is one million rand ($112,770) bail on purportedly thanking all the people sincere reflection as tradition and group, security sources told terday claimed responsibility for accused of murdering, cut a bit- Friday after over a week in cus- that prayed for the two families. the laws of the Church indicate.” AFP, the latest violence in the the bombings in In-Khalil near ter figure. tody and an emotionally charged “It is most unfortunate that The Pope last year appointed wake of a French-led campaign Tessalit, saying they were specifi- “I just want to finish mourn- four-day bail hearing. during this sensitive time, some- three retired cardinals to conduct that drove radical Islamist cally targeting the MNLA, which ing my daughter. I will have to His family expressed “immense” one would choose to hack into a wide-ranging investigation into fighters from major cities. has been cooperating with French get used to life without her,” June relief at his release.. “We are Oscar Pistorius’s older brother the Roman Curia, in parallel with Tuaregs of the Azawad National forces to flush out Islamists from Steenkamp told the Afrikaans- extremely thankful that Oscar Carl Pistorius’s Twitter han- a police inquiry into a scandal Liberation Movement (MNLA) northern Mali. language daily Beeld, adding that is now home,” his uncle Arnold dle,” said family spokeswoman known as “Vatileaks”. AFP were fighting what one source said AFP she had “cried out all my tears”. Pistorius said in a statement. Janine Hills. AFP SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Obama, Abe firm on N Korea and China Alliance between Japan and the US is back: Japan PM

WASHINGTON: US President Abe, who first rose to political wanted to cooperate with China’s Barack Obama on Friday prominence as an advocate for a incoming leader Xi Jinping, Abe pledged with Japan’s new leader tough line on North Korea, said insisted that the islands belonged to take a firm line on a defiant he agreed with Obama’s posi- to Japan. North Korea but the two sides tion of not offering “rewards” “We simply cannot tolerate also tried to calm rising ten- to Pyongyang and on the need any challenge now and in the sions between Tokyo and China. for a new UN Security Council future. No nation should make Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resolution. any miscalculation about the carefully avoided disagreements But the White House appeared firmness of our resolve,” Abe said with Obama after previous to want to lower the tempera- at the Centre for Strategic and Japanese governments’ rifts and ture between Japan and China, International Studies. declared: “The alliance between which has increasingly sent ves- The exchange marked a dif- Japan and the United States is sels near Japanese-controlled ferent tone than one month ago, back now. It’s completely back.” islands known as the Senkaku in when then secretary of state Obama promised to work Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese. Hillary Clinton warned China not closely with the conservative Obama did not mention the to challenge Japan’s control of the leader, whose Liberal Democratic issue but Secretary of State John islands, triggering a rebuke from Party swept back into power in Kerry, in a separate meeting with Beijing. December on a platform that Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Obama put a strong emphasis includes boosting defence spend- Kishida, said he wanted to “com- on Asia in his first term but has ing and aggressively stimulating pliment Japan on the restraint it faced chronic political turbulence a long-flaccid economy. has shown.” in Japan. Abe is the fifth Japanese “You can rest assured that you The meetings came hours after prime minister since Obama was will have a strong partner in the Beijing lashed out at Abe over a elected president. United States throughout your newspaper interview in which he Abe, who was also prime min- tenure,” Obama told Abe in the charged that China would eventu- ister from 2006 to 2007, is known Oval Office, calling the alliance ally hurt its investment climate for his outspoken views on secu- with Japan “the central founda- through assertive actions in the rity and on World War II his- Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a media conference at a Washington hotel last Friday. tion” for US policy in Asia. region. tory -- a persistent sore point in Obama said the two leaders Abe said the US-Japan alliance relations with South Korea and discussed “our concerns about was “a stabilizing factor” and -- China. Abe also said that Japan would pact that is a cornerstone of US Abe, who said he would decide the provocative actions that have in remarks he nudged his trans- He has been more circumspect sign the Hague treaty on paren- strategy in the region. soon whether to join the talks, been taken by North Korea and lator to read out -- added: “We in his comments since return- tal abductions, a key concern for The Liberal Democratic Party expressed assurance that the our determination to take strong have always been dealing with the ing to office. Abe said Friday US lawmakers due to Japanese had said during the election that final negotiated trade pact could actions in response.” Senkaku issue in a calm manner he sought a “good relationship” courts’ refusal to grant custody Japan would only enter talks if include exemptions. North Korea carried out its and we will continue to do so.” with South Korea despite fric- to foreigners. certain sectors are off the table. Japan’s powerful farmer lobby third nuclear test on February The Japanese leader later spoke tion with the fellow US ally over But the Obama administration But the two governments issued opposes the deal, fearing a flood 12, ignoring warnings even from in stronger terms in an address a separate set of barely inhabited held firm on the Trans-Pacific a statement saying that no sector of foreign competition. its ally China. at a think tank. While saying he islands. Partnership, a proposed free trade would have a prior exemption. AFP

Japan coastguard says China ship in N Korean leader inspects military as tensions run high disputed waters SEOUL: North Korean leader Agency (KCNA) said. was quoted as saying by Korean which is believed to be an anti- United States led calls for tougher TOKYO: Japan said a Chinese Kim Jong Un has overseen “He called on the KPA service central News Agency. air missile unit. sanctions. government ship briefly entered a military drill, state media personnel to put spurs to making The state news agency did not North Korea on February 12 But Pyongyang has threat- its territorial waters off dis- said yesterday, his third such preparations for going into action, to give the date of the visit but it carried out its third nuclear test ened still stronger action, defy- puted islands yesterday, as inspection in as many days as keeping themselves at maximum was believed Kim’s latest trip was in seven years in what it says ing warnings of United Nations the Japanese premier vowed tensions run high following alert at all times. on Friday. was a riposte to the US hostility measures. he would not tolerate Beijing’s Pyongyang’s third nuclear test. “Once the enemies make a KCNA said Friday Kim had shown in the widening of existing North Korea is already under incursions into the area. Accompanied by top military provocation, you should give full also inspected a tactical attack UN sanctions following its satel- international sanctions for con- The fisheries patrol boat commanders, Kim watched a play to the inexhaustible combat exercise combined with live shell lite launch in December last year. ducting two nuclear tests in 2006 entered the waters in the East flight exercise and a paratroop- capability to deal deadly blows firing. World powers on the UN and 2009, which both came after China Sea at 4:48pm and was ing drill by the Korean People’s at them ... and blow up their On Thursday, KCNA reported Security Council united to con- long-range rocket launches. sailing some 19kms northwest Army, the Korean Central News strongholds of aggression,” he he had visited KPA Unit 323, demn the nuclear test, and the AFP of Uotsuri, one of the Senkaku islands, Japan’s coastguard said in a statement. Chingay parade But the Chinese ship moved out of the zone after about an hour, watched by a Japanese coastguard Two killed in Bangladesh vessel, it said. Beijing claims the Japanese-controlled islands, which it calls the Diaoyus. over war crimes trials The incident was the latest in a series, with Japan claiming in DHAKA: Bangladesh police secretary, said that police shot one case that Chinese vessels had fired live rounds yesterday in dead unarmed protesters, while locked weapons-targeting radar fresh clashes with supporters denying that its own activists had onto a ship and a helicopter. of the country’s largest Islamic attacked them. Beijing denied the charge. party whose leaders are stand- The party has mounted a string Yesterday’s incident came as ing trial for war crimes, killing of nationwide strikes since last Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, now two people. month, protesting trials of 10 of on his first visit to the United The clashes came a day after its leaders, including its head and States since he took office late the Muslim-majority nation was deputy head, for war crimes alleg- December, vowed that he would hit by deadly violence between edly committed in the 1971 inde- not tolerate any challenge to con- police and Islamists demanding pendence war against Pakistan. trol over the contested islands. the execution of bloggers they At least 16 people have been “We simply cannot tolerate any accuse of blasphemy, which left killed during protests over the challenge now and in the future. four people dead and about 200 war crimes trials, including sev- No nation should make any mis- injured. eral who were shot dead by police. calculation or underestimate the In yesterday’s clashes, police The clashes have intensified firmness of our resolve,” Abe said said they fired live rounds after since a Jamaat leader was sen- Friday in Washington. up to 5,000 Islamists attacked tenced to life imprisonment for Speaking after talks with them with stones and firearms mass murder during the war in President Obama at the White just outside northern Pabna town, which the country’s secular gov- House, however, Abe cautioned killing two people and injuring ernment says three million people that “I have absolutely no intention about 30. were killed. to climb up the escalation ladder”. “We fired in self defence,” The government of prime min- The dispute between Asia’s two Pabna’s deputy police chief ister Sheikh Hasina rejects the largest economies intensified in Mollick Ruhul Amin said. accusations, saying the trials are September when Tokyo national- “One of our officers was also needed to heal the wounds of the ised three islands in the chain, in hit by (a) bullet and at least 10 war. It accuses Jamaat leaders of what it said was a mere adminis- to 12 policemen were injured,” he being part of pro-Pakistani mili- trative change of ownership. added. tias blamed for much of the 1971 AFP Abu Taleb, district Jamaat carnage. AFP Performers dance on the streets during the Chingay Parade in Singapore last Friday, as part of the Chinese New Year festivities. Taiwanese ex-president’s Beijing’s refusal to face arbitration favourable to Manila MANILA: The refusal of of the South China Sea before an On Tuesday, China rejected the arbitration process. “China’s prison tenure extended China to participate in the arbi- arbitral tribunal of the United conduct of international proceed- action will not interfere with the tration process on the West Nations. ings on the dispute and insisted process of arbitration initiated Philippine Sea (South China China claims almost the entire that the row be settled through by the Philippines on January 22, TAIPEI: Taiwan’s former pres- The high court ruled Friday Sea) dispute is favourable to the West Philippine Sea and the East bilateral talks. 2013. The Arbitration will proceed ident Chen Shui-bian, jailed for that Chen should serve the extra Philippines, Defence Secretary Sea. The area, delineated by a so- Chinese Foreign Ministry under Annex VII of UNCLOS corruption in 2009, has had time for taking bribes from busi- Voltaire Gazmin said yesterday. called nine-dash line, covers more spokesman Hong Lei said the and the 5-member arbitration his prison term extended by 18 nessmen in a high-profile financial Gazmin said China’s refusal than 100 islets, atolls and reefs. notice of arbitration forwarded panel will be formed with or months to 20 years due to a fur- merger case. He was convicted of would raise questions. The Philippines hopes the by the Philippines has “serious without China,” the Department ther bribery conviction. the offences in December. “It would be favourable for us if international tribunal will define mistakes both in fact and law.” of Foreign Affairs said in a A 62-year-old Chen, was Chen’s wife Wu Shu-chen also they do not participate,” he said. the country’s maritime entitle- China reiterated that it has statement. already serving an 18 1/2-year saw her jail term extended to “The natural reaction is to won- ments under the United Nations “indisputable sovereignty” over “The Philippines remains com- term for corruption and money- 20 years, although she has been der why they don’t want to face Convention on the Law of the Sea the entire West Philippine Sea, mitted to arbitration which is a laundering convictions relat- spared from serving her sentence the tribunal.” Gazmin noted the (UNCLOS). a claim that the Philippines has friendly, peaceful and durable ing to his 2000-2008 presidency due to poor health. The couple arbitration process would con- The Philippines has also asked described as “excessive.” form of dispute settlement that — charges he says stem from a were also ordered to pay a total tinue even if China rejected it. China to desist from unlawful The Philippines, however, said should be welcomed by all,” it vendetta by the current Beijing- fine of Tw$450m (US$15m), the Last month, the Philippines activities that violate its sovereign the refusal of China to join the added. friendly government. court said in a statement. AFP challenged China’s claim to most rights and jurisdiction. proceedings will not derail the THE PHILIPPINE STAR SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Shias demand trial of militant leader BRIEFLY Militant group, linked to both Al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban, claimed deadly attacks

QUETTA: Pakistani Shias Ishaq, who has been arrested Pakistan prepares to hold elec- yesterday demanded that the before, was released by a court on tions by mid-May. head of a banned Sunni mili- bail in July 2011, even though he The February 16 bomb attack tant group be put on trial, a day has been implicated in dozens of in Quetta killed 89 people, while after he was arrested following murders. 92 people were killed in an attack deadly sectarian attacks in the He was detained briefly in 2012 at a Hazara snooker hall on city of Quetta. for inciting sectarian hatred and January 10. Three killed in Malik Ishaq, the leader of has also been accused of mas- Protesters poured onto the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ), was terminding the 2009 attack on streets following the latest police-militant clash held on Friday after two recent the Sri Lankan cricket team bombing and shut down parts of in Peshawar bombings in the southwestern city in Lahore, which wounded sev- Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, targeting the Shia Hazara minor- eral players and killed eight demanding better protection for PESHAWAR: Militants ity killed more than 180 people, Pakistanis. Shias and lashing out at the gov- attacked a police van in sparking nationwide protests. His latest arrest — which came ernment for failing to catch the Pakistan’s northwest yester- The outlawed militant group, a day after the Pakistani army perpetrators. day, killing a police official linked to both Al Qaeda and denied any links to LJ — should Officials said earlier this week and wounding two others, the Pakistani Taliban, claimed not be an “eyewash”, said Sajid that security forces had killed authorities said. responsibility for both attacks. Naqvi, another Shia party leader. four men and detained more than A gunbattle erupted after “We have always been demand- “We demand his trial and the 170 alleged suspects. the assault in which two ing arrest of all those involved in authorities should provide protec- LJ emerged as a spin-off militants were also killed, any act of sectarian violence, irre- tion to witnesses who would like from mujahideen groups which local police chief Mohammad spective of their party affiliation,” to appear in the court,” he said. were funded by the US Central Hussain said. said Abdul Khaliq Hazara, leader Shias, who make up around Intelligence Agency and backed The incident took place of the Shia Hazara Democratic 20 percent of the mostly Sunni by the Pakistani intelligence serv- in the town of Rashakai, 40 Party. Muslim population of 180 mil- ices during the 1980s war against Leader of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Malik Ishaq, speaks during an interview kilometres east of Peshawar, “Ishaq must be brought to jus- lion, are facing record numbers of Soviet troops in neighbouring at his home in Rahim Yar Khan in southern Punjab province in this October the main city in the Khyber tice and punished for involvement attacks, raising serious questions Afghanistan. 9, 2012 photo. Pakhtunkhwa province border- in violence,” he added. about security as nuclear-armed AFP ing Afghanistan. The area is close to the semi-autonomous tribal region where the Pakistani military has launched a series of oper- ations against Taliban and Al Plans for peace building Qaeda linked militants. Balochistan governor to quit, The assailants were on two motorbikes, Hussain said. body in Peshawar hit snag “They first lobbed a grenade and then opened fire on a race for replacement begins ISLAMABAD: A proposal cause of the delay. He said that police van parked near the for the establishment of the the plan had been approved by the road.” ISLAMABAD: The race for Several leaders, irrespective of met the president earlier this Institute of Peace and Conflict provincial cabinet in May 2012 “Police retaliated, killing two governorship of Pakistan’s trou- their political affiliation, are float- week, said, when contacted, “We Management (IPCOM) in and is still on the cards. However, militants while others managed bled southwestern Balochistan ing names of several hopefuls for will like to give our input on the Peshawar did not materialise he admitted that it would take to flee,” he said. province seems to have kicked the slot. selection of new governorship if due to bureaucratic hurdles and more time for the implementation off after the incumbent gover- Sources in the president’s office the PPP requests it.” lack of will on part of the pro- of the scheme due to the proce- French president nor informed the president he said Senate Deputy Chairman Observer Muhammad Talpur vincial government. dural intricacies. had lost the ‘moral authority’ Sabir Baloch, Gul Jogezai, Ghaus said, “The change in governorship The scheme was taken up by The proposal was aimed at to visit Pakistan to continue in office, political Barozai, member of National in Balochistan is pointless as it is the provincial government, which establishing a new educational ISLAMABAD: French sources confirmed yesterday. Assembly Usman Mengal, nothing more than a change of had termed it an ‘excellent idea’, and research organisation to President Francois Hollande Governor Zulfiqar Magsi, in Balochistan minister Shahnawaz face. The real authority as always in July 2009 to deal with issues overcome unrest in the province will soon visit Pakistan a meeting with President Asif Marri, Major (retd) Ashraf Nasir will remain with the army. Unless of peace and conflict in Khyber- and adjoining tribal belt. accompanied by a business Zardari, said on Friday he was and Lt Gen (retd) Javed Qazi are the nationalists who are fighting Pakhtunkhwa. But, the scheme is “The idea was to educate uni- delegation. no longer interested in ruling the being considered as potential agree to make peace there will be yet to be implemented despite the versity level students, in Khyber- Hollande indicated this to province. “After this wake-up call, candidates. no peace.” passage of over three years. Pakhtunkhwa and Fata and to Pakistan’s new ambassador President Zardari made up his The new governor will likely Sources also said that the The Centre for Public Policy counter the increasing trend of to France, Ghalib Iqbal, at mind to appoint a new governor hail from the Pashtun belt of the government had decided to end Research, a partner of USAID and terrorism and violence with peace- his office when the ambas- in Balochistan,” said a senior offi- province, said PML-Q leader Jan governor’s rule in Balochistan by UNDP, has been facilitating the ful methods and without force,” an sador visited him to present cial of the president’s office. Jamali. appointing a new chief minister provincial government in design- official familiar with the plan said. his credentials. It was one of Next week is crucial, he added, Magsi had offered his resigna- in the provincial assembly. Last ing the institute as a centre for The provincial cabinet, while the rare occasions that the as three stakeholders — Pakistan tion in previous meetings with month, the federal government higher learning and research on approving the proposal, decided French president has received Peoples Party of President Zardari, President Zardari and Prime imposed governor’s rule to meet peace building and conflict resolu- that the IPCOM should be intro- an envoy at the Elysee Palace. Pakistan Muslim League-Q of Minister Pervaiz Ashraf due to a demand of the Shia Hazaras fol- tion in the region. duced either as an optional sub- Ambassador Ghalib Iqbal Shujaat Hussain and Jamiat Ulema the deteriorating law and order lowing a deadly attack on their A senior official of the pro- ject in the Peshawar University conveyed the goodwill message Islam of Fazlur Rehman — are set situation in the province, but was community in Quetta that left vincial government refuted the or in any other university as a of his leadership to the French to hold a meeting to select the asked to continue in his job. over 100 people dead. notion that lack of will on the part separate subject. president and had discussion right man for the job. JUI leader Ghafoor Haidri, who INTERNEWS of the government was the key INTERNEWS with him on subjects of mutual interest. Diplomatic sources said Bus mishap that Ambassador Ghalib Iqbal briefed President Hollande about Afghanistan and Despite failures, World Bank Pakistan’s ties with India. The war on terrorism also figured offers another loan to Pakistan in the talks. ISLAMABAD: A team of town to tell how Pakistan can Islamabad victim of World Bank ‘consultants’ has upgrade customs and border arrived in Pakistan to con- management in Pakistan and climate change vince decision makers to avail a how it can strengthen its human ISLAMABAD: Environ- $300m loan for a second phase resources base. mentalists in Pakistan say of tax reforms. These two areas formed major the country is one of the The group was also involved components of the failed TARP-I worst victims of adverse in the first phase of the same initiative, which continued for effects of climate change and project, which the World Bank almost seven years without rightly deserves its share itself admitted was a ‘failed’ one. achieving anything significant. from the Fund being gov- After the abortive $149m Tax Due to its disappointing out- erned by the Green Climate Administration Reforms Project, comes, the World Bank, in dip- Board comprising 24 mem- known as TARP-I, the World lomatic language, had admitted bers countries. Bank has sent more or less the that the programme was ‘mod- Pakistan needs concerted same team to devise a roadmap erately unsatisfactory’, and the efforts to benefit from the for TARP-II. borrower’s performance was Global Green Climate Fund, Sources say the project objec- ‘unsatisfactory’. which can help identify cli- tives will be more or less the Against the initial promise of mate-friendly technologies, same: enhancing tax revenues $149m, the World Bank’s actual facilitate their deployment, and introducing reforms in the disbursement was reduced to build national and regional tax machinery. only $47.6m. Despite coming technology management Michel Zarnowiecki, an expert away empty-handed, the country capacity besides supporting in customs affairs, and William is nonetheless paying a 3.5 percent the research, development Mayville, an adviser on human mark-up on the borrowed amount. and demonstration of new resources training, are again in INTERNEWS Pakistanis gather around a bus carrying wedding guests which plunged into a canal in Charsadda on Friday. climate friendly technologies. At least 13 people were killed and several others wounded. AGENCIES Pakistan names first Media, Supreme Court get nod from public: Survey woman ombudsperson ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani the performance of the govern- voted negative regarding the ‘law and large cities (approximately media, Supreme Court and pro- ment and its allies, which would observing civil executive; respect 2,800). Many of them were illiter- LAHORE: Dr Mira the Punjab government. vincial autonomy have earned be a separate exercise. Instead, for human rights and protection ate or little educated (50 percent), Phailbus, a respected educa- She currently serves on the general public applause in the focus of the survey was on the of national sovereignty.’ while others had middle or high tionist, has been appointed boards of several prominent ‘Public Verdict on Democracy performance of democracy. Strangely, the effectiveness of school education and some were ombudsperson of Pakistan’s educational institutions in the 2008-2013’ — a recent PILDAT- It delineated 10 indicators the cabinet, democratic checks college and university educated. populous Punjab province, country. Gallup survey conducted this which dealt with the process of on military and effectiveness of They hailed from the Punjab, making her the first woman Dr Phailbus is recog- month. democracy, either directly or parliament have been appreciated Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ombudsperson in the coun- nised internationally for her However, the general public, indirectly. The 10 indicators start by the public in its verdict. The (KP) and Balochistan. try’s history. immense contribution to the after having five years of democ- with the mother of democratic poll is based on a nationally repre- The sample provides a nation- Phailbus served as the prin- education sector in Pakistan. racy, does not see credible pros- governance in Pakistan parlia- sentative survey of over 9,500 men ally representative cross-section of cipal of Kinnaird College in According to instructions pects of fair elections. More than ment. The public verdict was (approximately 5,000) and women various ages, education, linguistic Lahore, the provincial capital of the Punjab government, the half of the population thinks the sought on parliament’s effective- (approximately 4,500) who served and socioeconomic segments of the of Punjab, for over four dec- ombudsperson will start her quality of democratic governance ness in performing its constitu- as the jury for this judgment. citizens of Pakistan. They were ades. She also has also served work at the office of Provincial has deteriorated during the cur- tional role. The jury comprised a cross-sec- interviewed in person in their as the minister for educa- Ombudsman next Monday. rent government’s five years in Besides playing down the pros- tion of Pakistanis, most of them homes across the country during tion and minority affairs in INTERNEWS power since 2008. pects of fair elections, the Public from the villages (approximately January and February 2013. The survey did not touch upn Verdict on Democracy has also 6,700), others from towns, cities INTERNEWS SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

83 percent polling Huge turnout in West Bengal by-elections KOLKATA: A high aver- age voter turnout of about 83 in Meghalaya, percent was witnessed in the by-elections in three assembly constituencies in West Bengal yesterday, poll officials said. Nagaland polls The by-polls at Nalhati in Birbhum district, Rejinagar in Murshidabad district and English Bazar in Malda dis- Electors reject shutdown call trict were “absolutely peaceful’, the state Election Commission SHILLONG/KOHIMA: manner with no report of major said. India’s democratic system tri- poll-related incidents,” he said. “At Nalhati, voter turnout was umphed as Meghalaya electors Activist Agnes Kharshiing 86 percent, while about 85 per- rejected a shutdown call by an said at least six people had used cent votes were cast at Reginajar. outlawed outfit to cast votes in Rule 49-0 under The Conduct of And at English Bazar, the turn- large numbers while Nagaland Elections Rules, 1961, to record out was 82 percent,” an Election too saw brisk balloting in peace- the desire not to vote saying they Commission official said. ful assembly elections yester- were not satisfied with the con- The by-elections were necessi- day. Over 80 percent polling testing candidates. tated after sitting Congress legis- was recorded in both states. The Border Security Force lators from Rejinagar and English Assembly by-polls were also (BSF) had stepped up patrol- Bazar left the party and joined the held in three constituencies in ling along the India-Bangladesh Trinamool Congress. West Bengal, and one each in border “to prevent possible infil- The assembly seat at Nalhati Punjab and Mizoram. tration of HNLC rebels into fell vacant after Congress legis- The votes will be counted Meghalaya to disrupt the elec- Voters queue up to cast their ballots at a polling station at Byrnihat, in the Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya, yesterday. lator Abhijit Mukherjee won the February 28. tions,” BSF spokesman Ravi election at Jangipur parliamen- In Meghalaya, as polling began Gandhi said. said. The United Democratic population of 19,80,602. some minor political clashes, tary seat, vacated by his father 7am, people defied a shutdown The HNLC, which conducts Party (UDP) was equally confi- Polling was held for 59 out of but no major incident has been Pranab Mukherjee, who was call by the banned Hynniewtrep hit-and-run operations from its dent of victory. total 60 seats, with election to reported from anywhere in the elected president of India. National Liberation Council hideout in Bangladesh, has been “I’m confident that the UDP Tuensang Sadar I constituency state so far.” The Left Front, ruling (HNLC) to turn out at the polling demanding a sovereign Khasi will gain more seats and we are adjourned after Congress candidate Nagaland Chief Minister Trinamool Congress and Congress booths in huge numbers to elect a homeland in eastern Meghalaya. confident of ousting the Congress P Chuba Chang died on Friday. Neiphiu Rio voted at his native fielded their candidates in all the new 60-member assembly. Meghalaya, with a population party from power,” UDP chief and “Voters were seen coming out village Touphema in Northern seats. “Who are they (HNLC) to deny of nearly three million as per former chief minister Donkupar enthusiastically to polling sta- Angami constituency. Nalhati seat, with 176,536 eligi- my democratic rights. People have 2011 census, has a total elector- Roy said. tions. We have registered over Election officials used 2,600 ble to vote, had eight contestants come out in large numbers to ate of 15,03,907, including 7,59,608 The Congress has fielded candi- 83 percent polling till 4pm,” EVMs to conduct the polls in in the fray. exercise their franchise without women dominating in many con- dates in all constituencies followed Nagaland Joint Chief Electoral 2,023 polling stations. A total There are 10 contestants at any fear,” said Kitbok Wanniang stituencies of the matrilineal state. by the UDP in 50 and the Purno Officer N Moa Aier said. of 188 candidates, including two Rejinagar, which has 189,100 vot- at Nongkwar polling booth. A total of 345 candidates, Sangma-led Nationalist People’s The hilly border state had women, are in fray. ers. The English Bazar seat has six Eighty-one percent turnout including 25 women and 122 inde- Party in 32 constituencies. recorded 85 percent polling in The ruling Naga People’s Front contestants, and a 208,204-strong was recorded till 4pm when poll- pendents, were in the fray. The In Nagaland, over 83 percent 2008. (NPF) has fielded candidates in electorate. ing officially ended. state had 2,485 polling booths, of the 1,193,438-strong electorate “Polling has ended but we are all 60 seats while the main oppo- The elections could prove a lit- “An estimated 81 percent vot- out of which 842 were termed voted till 4pm, but polling was still still collecting reports from the sition party Congress put up 57 mus test for both Chief Minister ers have cast their ballots till 4pm hyper-sensitive. on in some remote areas beyond polling stations located in remote nominees. The Bharatiya Janata Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool We are expecting that the voting Chief Minister Mukul Sangma 6pm. areas of the state. So, the final Party fielded 11 candidates Congress and the Congress. The percentage would increase to 85 and his wife Dikanchi D Shira cast Nagaland, which shares its bor- polling percentage is likely to Over 26,000 security person- alliance of the two parties ended percent or more,” Chief Electoral their votes in Chengkompara poll- ders with Assam to the west and increase further,” Aier said. nel, including 225 companies of last September. Officer Prashant Naik said. ing booth in Ampati constituency. north, Arunachal Pradesh to the Calling it one of the most central paramilitary forces and The vote count will be held “The election has been con- “I’m sure there will be a swing in north, Myanmar to the east and peaceful elections in the state, police, have been deployed. February 28. ducted in a free, fair and peaceful favour of the Congress,” Sangma Manipur to the south, has a total he said: “There are reports of IANS IANS

SC may hear plea on pricing of Progress in Hyderabad blast probe: Andhra home minister natural gas HYDERABAD: Police have guilty are punished as early as times. Unfortunately there were has approved this plan, which will Sources said the prime minis- made progress in the investi- possible. The home minister said more casualties in Lumbini Park cost Rs4.5bn. ter will visit the hospital where NEW DELHI: The Supreme gations into Thursday’s twin Hyderabad and Cyberabad police and this time in Dilsukhnagar.” The government also plans to the injured were being treated Court is likely to hear tomorrow bomb blasts at Dilsukhnagar, commissioners had formed 15 Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar amend building regulations to and would be briefed about the a petition seeking the quashing which claimed 16 lives and teams, each comprising 10 to 15 Reddy, who reviewed the law make it compulsory for new build- situation by Kiran Kumar Reddy. of a government pricing policy injured over 100 others, Andhra officers, to investigate the terror and order situation with home ings to install CCTV cameras. Meanwhile, Hyderabad police which allegedly gives cheaper Pradesh Home Minister Sabita attacks. minister and top police officials, The home minister said 15 out yesterday announced Rs1m natural gas to industry as com- Indra Reddy said yesterday. The Crime Investigation directed them to take all steps to of 16 bodies of the victims were reward for anybody providing pared to domestic consumers Many clues were found during Department (CID) is also con- prevent more terrorist attacks. handed over to their families. The information about the people who use it for cooking. last 24 hours, the minister told ducting a probe while National As part of the steps to injured are undergoing treatment involved in the twin blasts. Petitioner Manohar Lal Sharma reporters and exuded confidence Investigating Agency (NIA) and strengthen the security in in six hospitals and the condition Addressing a news conference, has presented his own calculation that the case would be cracked other central agencies are also the state capital, 3,500 CCTV of six of them is critical. Police Commissioner Anurag to claim that the present rate of soon and the culprits would be assisting the state. cameras would be installed in Prime Minister Manmohan Sharma said the identity of the supply of natural gas to industry arrested. Sabita said terrorists had been Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police Singh is to visit Hyderabad today person giving the information was Rs0.0075 per litre. She said the government would trying to carry out attacks since Commissionerate limits over next in the wake of the blasts in the would be kept a secret. He sought the quashing of the take all steps to ensure that the 1995. “They tried at least 20 six months. The chief minister city, informed sources. IANS pricing policy under which natu- ral gas was allegedly being sold to industries at Rs0.0075 per litre while the same gas and its by- Statue made of blood product propane (liquefied petro- leum gas) was being sold at more Nasheed leaves Indian than Rs71 per litre to domestic consumers. Sharma also sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) mission in Maldives probe into the alleged irregularity. The petition sought direction to MALE/NEW DELHI: Former on charges of illegally detain- the central government to supply Maldives president Mohamed ing Chief Criminal Court Judge natural gas and propane to people Nasheed left the Indian High Abdulla Mohamed during his final at the price at which it was being Commission in Male yesterday, days in office. supplied to industry and others. 11 days after he sought refuge “I’ve come out with the under- He claimed the natural gas rate following an arrest warrant standing that I will be able to con- for the industry came into force against him in a court case. duct peaceful political activity and in May 2010 and it was much less Nasheed, who left the Indian my social life,” he said. before that. High Commission at 4.15pm “I believe that even on issues Sharma said “while distribut- Indian time, thanked the staff that we disagree on, we can reach ing natural resources, the state is of the Indian High Commission, a compromise with the Maldivian bound to act in consonance with including High Commissioner D government” he told the press. the principles of equality and pub- M Mulay, for “the kindness and Nasheed also said that he was lic trust and ensure that no action hospitality afforded to me during hopeful that all candidates for the is taken which may be detrimental my stay”. September 7 presidential elec- to public interest” The government A large number of his support- tions would be free to contest has compelled the general public to ers gathered outside the Indian the polls. pay more “providing extra benefit chancery to greet Nasheed as he He thanked the interna- to the oil companies. It is a serious Sculptor Hussaini uses his fingers to wipe a sculpture of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, made from left the premises. tional community for supporting fraud with the general public”. 11 litres of frozen blood, in Chennai, yesterday. The sculpture, made from 6.5 litres of Hussaini’s own blood “It is hoped that with the the cause of democracy in the IANS siphoned every three months for the past eight years, as well as 4.5 litres of donated blood, was created to development today former presi- Maldives and that the presiden- celebrate Jayalalithaa’s 65th birthday, today. dent Nasheed will again resume tial elections must be free, fair his social and political life,” the and inclusive of all candidates. Indian external affairs ministry A four-member Indian del- said. egation led by Harsh Vardhan “Former president of Maldives Shringla, Joint Secretary of the Govt unsympathetic to Lankan Tamils: Karunanidhi Nasheed had entered India’s Indian External Affairs Ministry, Mission in Male on February 13 had landed in Male on Wednesday on his own volition and decided to hold talks with several sen- CHENNAI: DMK President M and did not echo the pain of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Hindu temples, encroaching of to leave on his own,” the ministry ior government representatives, Karunanidhi yesterday said the Tamilians. government in the centre. Tamil lands and properties by added. leaders of all major political par- central government does not “We are making progress in According to Karunanidhi, Sinhalese continue to happen. Speaking to the press at the ties and heads of independent seem to understand the con- our engagement with Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan President Mahinda At a time when the world is Dharubaaruge convention centre, institutions. tinued suffering of Sri Lankan including in our efforts to reset- Rajapaksa uses the assistance gearing up to condemn and pun- Nasheed expressed hope that he In a statement yesterday, the Tamils who have lost their live- tle and rehabilitate the internally provided by India for the welfare ish Rajapaksa as a war crimi- will be able to continue with his External Affairs Ministry said lihood and their rights. displaced persons there and to of Sinhalese while securing them nal it is not understood why political activities and social life. that India has been working Referring to President Pranab ensure a life of peace, dignity and by showing himself as a person the central government con- “I do not believe that delay- closely with the government and Mukherjee’s address to parlia- equality for the Tamil people,” who cares for Lankan Tamils. tinues to say the relationship ing my trial until after elections other relevant stakeholders in the ment on February 21 on the Sri Mukherjee said in parliament. Karunanidhi added that the with Sri Lanka is progressing, would infringe on the rights of Maldives to strengthen the coun- Lankan issue Karunanidhi said Incidentally, the DMK is one changing of Tamil village names Karunanidhi said. any citizen,” said Nasheed, refer- try’s democratic framework. they are just a string of words of the major constituents in the to Sinhalese, razing down of IANS ring to the court case against him IANS

SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME No 1, Democracy News in Numbers GROWTH RATE OF Street: French GDPCHART: 1 2 Fajr (Dawn) 4:45 actor’s address Shorook (Sunrise) 6:02 Zuhr (Noon) 11:47 in Russia Asr (Afternoon) 3:05 SARANSK, RUSSIA: French Maghrib (Sunset) 5:34 actor and newly-minted Russian Isha (Night) 7:04 citizen Gerard Depardieu yes- terday formally registered as resident of the little-known Russian region of Mordovia, WEATHER giving his residence as No 1, Democracy Street. Weather GDP in Qatar grew massively in recent Today Monday Tuesday In a grand ceremony in Conditions: Mordovia’s main city of Saransk years with an increase of Clear Clear Partly cloudy that bore little relation to the Misty at first average Russian’s experience of and partly local bureaucracy, Depardieu High: 28° High: 25° High: 25° cloudy to signed a form and had his pass- Low: 18° Low: 18° Low: 17° cloudy at times port stamped to formally become with chance of a resident. from 2009 to 2010 rain at places The procedure was greeted 29pc with dusty later. by wild applause by the crowds crammed into the city’s theatre and DOHA - SUN & SEA to witness the procedure as the burly French megastar grinned SUN TIDE SEA broadly. “Glory to Saransk, Glory from 2010 to 2011. SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND to Mordovia, Glory to Russia!” he 36pc bellowed in celebration, in heav- 06:02 17:32 04:30 16:00 11:15 21:45 05-14 KT ily-accented Russian. Depardieu then proudly pro- GDP growth rate per total person employed from 2001 to 2011 THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW duced the Russian passport, com- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER plete with the new registration stamp, to show off to the cameras,  MUSCAT 27/20 Partly cloudy 27/18 Partly cloudy an AFP correspondent said. MAKKAH 33/22 Partly cloudy 35/21 Partly cloudy His address was announced as KUWAIT 26/16 Clear 24/15 Clear an apartment on No 1, Democracy 40 BAHRAIN 24/18 Partly cloudy 23/18 Partly cloudy Street in an upscale area of 35 36.3% Saransk which belongs to rela- SANAA 28/09 Rain 26/06 Clear 30 RIYADH 27/11 Partly cloudy 24/10 Partly cloudy tives of his friend, the head of 29.3% DUBAI 30/19 Partly cloudy 25/18 Clear Russia’s State Film Fund Nikolai 25 Borodachev. BAGHDAD 21/11 Clear 23/11 Clear 20 All Russian citizens are obliged to be formally registered 15  THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW 15.2% as living in a certain city, town 10 HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER or village with a correspond- ing stamp in their passport to 5 2.5% 2001 to 2006  2009 to 2010 2010 to 2011 ATHENS 17/14 Clear 17/13 Clear 2007 to 2008 prove it. Sources0 : http://www.qtel.qa/   WASHINGTON 10/01 Partly cloudy 08/02 Chance of rain Depardieu was granted a -16.0% -21.5% SYDNEY 30/21 Thunderstorm 28/22 Chance of storm Russian passport by President -5 LONDON 03/00 Chance of rain 05/02 Cloudy Vladimir Putin in January after -10 PARIS 06/02 Chance of snow 05/03 Chance of rain complaining of high tax rates in 2006 to 2007 -15 ISTANBUL 13/09 Partly cloudy 14/08 Clear France. 2008 to 2009 MANILA 33/25 Chance of rain 33/24 Chance of storm This trip is his second to Russia -20 as a Russian citizen and he is DHAKA 33/20 Clear 34/19 Clear 25 DELHI 22/13 Partly cloudy 24/13 Clear expected to stay in Saransk for several days. Source : http://www.qsa.gov.qa/ ISLAMABAD 22/11 Clear 22/11 Mostly cloudy AFP Fast-paced show promised at Oscars

LOS ANGELES: Bigger stars, more music and edgier comedy are on the menu for today’s Oscar ceremony, Oracle CEO’s daughter when the most coveted awards in the movie industry are handed out during a glittering Academy Awards show. Producers of the three-hour Oscar behind Zero Dark Thirty telecast at Hollywood’s Dolby Theater are promising a faster-paced show and LOS ANGELES: Seven more face time with first-time host years ago Megan Ellison took Seth MacFarlane, while honouring the a leave from the University best films not just of 2012 but also of of Southern California to decades past. climb the mountains of Nepal. “We have more performances on that Today, the 27-year-old daugh- stage than we can ever remember there ter of billionaire Oracle CEO being in the past. And we are not trotting Larry Ellison hopes to climb people out just to sing and dance. Every the Dolby Theater stage in single thing you see on that stage will be Hollywood to accept the Best related to movies,” said Craig Zadan, who Picture Oscar for “Zero Dark is producing the Oscar telecast for the Thirty.” first time with Neil Meron. It could be a tough ascent “We have devised ways that we are for Ellison, who spent $43m hoping will make the pacing faster ... to produce the film, which is That doesn’t mean we are not going to nominated for five Academy give as much weight to honouring the Workers apply finishing touches to the red carpet during preparations for the 85th Academy Awards. Director Kathryn winners, but there has been a lot of dead Awards in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, yesterday. Bigelow’s drama about the mis- space in the show (in the past),” Zadan sion to kill Osama bin Laden told Reuters. with 11, French Revolutionary musical Best Picture, the top prize, in a tight was passed over for a Golden Steven Spielberg’s presidential movie “Les Miserables” and romantic comedy race that has narrowed in recent weeks Globe, often a predictor of the “Lincoln” heads into today’s ceremony “Silver Linings Playbook” with eight to “Lincoln” or “Argo” and will be the last Oscars, and also missed out on with a leading 12 nominations, followed apiece, and Iran hostage drama “Argo” to be announced today night. the Screen Actors Guild’s top by Ang Lee’s shipwreck tale “Life of Pi” with seven. All five are competing for Before then, Zadan and Meron have film prize. “Argo” took both. assembled an array of performers and Still, the younger Ellison has presenters that almost outshine the scaled Hollywood’s rungs of actors, actresses, directors and screen- influence and power with star- writers who have been waiting since early tling rapidity despite scarcely a Megan Ellison, producer of the film “Zero Dark January to see if they will go home with dozen films to her credit. Thirty”, on the set of the film. a golden Oscar. They include A-listers She already has Oscar experi- Barbra Streisand, Jack Nicholson, Jane ence, helping to finance the 2010 Fonda, John Travolta and Jennifer Jeff Bridges film “True Grit,” nominated Officer Stephen Schwarzman, produced Aniston, along with younger stars Daniel for 10 Oscars. This year, she produced this year’s Mark Walhberg film “Broken Radcliffe, Kristen Stewart and Joseph director Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The City.” John Powers Middleton, the Gordon-Levitt. Master,” about a charismatic sect leader 29-year-old son of Philadelphia Phillies But don’t count on seeing all six surviv- played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, which part-owner John S Middleton, is pro- ing James Bond actors on stage for the earned him and co-stars Joaquin Phoenix ducing nine films and the planned TV planned special 50th anniversary tribute and Amy Adams Oscar nominations. series “Bates Motel,” according to film to the British secret agent’s illustrious “She is bringing great projects to the information website IMDB.com. movie career. screen and doing good things for this Megan Ellison’s 30-year-old sib- “We have a tribute to James Bond business,” said Bill Gerber, who pro- ling, David, raised $350m in debt and which is really exciting and thrill- duced the Clint Eastwood film “Gran equity in 2010 and produces big-budget ing, but it never included the concept Torino” and has not met Ellison. “She is action films with Viacom’s Paramount of six guys coming out and standing like the legendary producer Hal Wallis Pictures, such as this year’s “Star Trek there awkwardly on the stage,” Zadan (“Casablanca”), who bet on filmmakers into Darkness.” His sister largely keeps said, quashing speculation that Daniel and let them realise their dreams.” to herself in a town where glad-handing, Craig, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Deep pockets help. Larry Ellison’s fancy parties and showy appearances is Roger Moore, Sean Connery and George only daughter has a hefty trust fund to currency. She doesn’t give interviews. Lazenby would unite today. draw on, and is one of a growing number She took a power lunch with “Master” The nominations for “Les Miserables,” of wealthy business scions who employ director Paul Thomas Anderson at a where Anne Hathaway is tipped to win their family coffers to bankroll movies. neighborhood eatery called Jerry’s Deli Best Supporting Actress, has opened the Teddy Schwarzman, the 33-year-old and has gone to meetings on a Harley People photograph Oscar statues brought to be placed in front of the Dolby Theatre in door to a celebration of the last decade son of Blackstone Group Chief Executive Davidson motorcycle. REUTERS Hollywood, yesterday. of musicals. REUTERS Sunday 24 February 2013 14 Rabial II 1434 Volume 17 Number 5620 Price: QR2

GCC inflation at moderate 3pc in 2012

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Doha to host 7th Moody’s strips Britain of triple-A rating GCC Regulators’ Summit on Monday

Major blow to Osborne; Labour says rating cut ‘humiliating’ for government DOHA: The Seventh GCC Regulators’ Summit is set to be LONDON/NEW YORK: Britain Nonetheless, Osborne insisted Kathy Lien, managing direc- program, which we now assume surprised markets earlier this held in Doha on February 25-26 suffered its first ever sovereign now was not the time to change tor at BK Asset Management in will extend well into the next par- week after it revealed that at the St. Regis Hotel here. The ratings downgrade from a major course. His annual budget due on New York. “We didn’t see a huge liament,” Moody’s analyst Sarah Governor Mervyn King and two summit will be attended by over agency on Friday when Moody’s March 20 is expected to show a reaction in the pound because it’s Carlson said in an interview. But other policymakers favoured 400 pre-qualified senior delegates stripped the country of its cov- further deterioration in the coun- late in the New York session. But Ed Balls, the Labour Party’s main restarting bond purchases to from the banking sector and eted top-notch triple-A rating, try’s fiscal outlook. you’ll see some more aggressive spokesman on finance issues, said boost the economy. financial institutions, in addition dealing a major blow to finance “Tonight we have a stark selling when the markets open (in the Moody’s decision should be a They remained in the minor- to regional GCC regulators. minister George Osborne. reminder of the debt problems Asia) on Sunday.” wake-up call for Osborne ahead ity among their fellow policymak- The is the region’s landmark Moody’s said weak prospects facing our country and the clear- Moody’s said the outlook on its of his annual budget statement ers but economists increasingly forum for the financial compli- for British economic growth, est possible warning to anyone rating on Britain was now stable, as Chancellor of the Exchequer. expect more stimulus eventually ance community. In a statement, which have thrown the govern- who thinks we can run away from meaning any further change is “This credit rating downgrade by the central bank. This — and Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al ment’s deficit reduction strategy dealing with those problems,” he unlikely for the next year or so. is a humiliating blow to a Prime the central bank’s tolerance of khaliji) announced its platinum off course, lay behind its decision said in a statement. “Far from Britain joins the United States Minister and Chancellor who said above-target inflation — have sponsorship for the event which is to cut the rating by one notch to weakening our resolve to deliver and France in having lost its keeping our AAA rating was the combined to put pressure on ster- organised by Thomson Reuters in Aa1 from Aaa. our economic recovery plan, this triple-A rating from at least one test of their economic and politi- ling while leaving British govern- association with the Qatar Central Austerity has been the watch- decision redoubles it.” major agency, after holding a top- cal credibility.” ment debt relatively shielded. Bank, Qatar Financial Centre word for Osborne’s fiscal policy However, the downgrade may notch rating from Moody’s and “The issue is no longer whether Charles Diebel, a fixed income Regulatory Authority, and Qatar since his Conservative-led coali- fuel unease amongst members Standard & Poor’s since 1978, and this Chancellor can admit his strategist at British bank Lloyds, Financial Markets Authority. tion came to power in 2010 after of his own party and his Liberal from Fitch Ratings since 1994. mistakes but whether the Prime was sanguine about the impact of “We are pleased to be platinum an election in which he vowed to Democrat coalition partners that Moody’s said that despite con- Minister can now see that, with the downgrade on gilts, as U.S. sponsor of the GCC Regulators’ defend Britain’s triple-A rating, Osborne’s gamble that he could siderable economic strengths, UK economic policy so badly and French debt was not badly Summit,” said Robin McCall, which can help keep down bor- slash the deficit and ensure a Britain’s growth was likely to be downgraded in every sense, things affected when these countries lost Group Chief Executive Officer at rowing costs. return to growth by the May 2015 sluggish due to a mix of weaker have got to change.” their triple-A ratings. al khaliji. “For al khaliji, our sup- But a very slow recovery from election is failing to pay off. global economic activity - espe- Howard Archer, chief UK econo- “This has been speculated as port to the summit is a sign of our the financial crisis has pushed Sterling fell by almost a cent to cially in the euro zone - and a mist at IHS Global Insight, said a inevitable and is most likely largely unwavering commitment in pro- back by at least two years the around $1.5160 after the down- drag “from the ongoing domestic new approach from Osborne was in the market. I would expect only moting the role of compliance and government’s goal of largely elimi- grade, and analysts expected it to public and private-sector de-lev- improbable. “The strong likelihood very limited damage to the gilt governance across the financial nating the budget deficit by 2015’s weaken further on Monday, even eraging process.” is though that it will not materially curve and to sterling. Historically, sector. Our participation in the election. The opposition Labour if many had seen a downgrade “This period of sluggish growth lead to a change in his plans.” losing your AAA is actually a bond summit is in line with the bank’s Party blames the deficit on too coming sooner or later. poses challenges to the gov- Changes are more likely from bullish event,” he said. corporate governance strategy much austerity. “It’s a pretty big deal,” said ernment’s fiscal consolidation the Bank of England, which REUTERS and our strong belief in achieving long-term sustainability, both for Qatari society and for the bank.” The summit will see speakers IIF event concludes sharing knowledge, experience and best practices on the crucial Income tax exemption issues facing the financial services industry. Given the rapid pace of global regulatory reform, the Summit is an important event for a boost to soon-to-be the region’s financial service pro- fessionals. This is also an oppor- tune platform for al khaliji to launched ETF on QE share its own experiences in com- pliance and corporate governance. DOHA: The Cabinet decision decision was aimed at encourag- Topics such as FATCA com- to approve a draft law that ing the foreign capital to invest in pliance, risk management, anti- exempting non-Qatari investors the Qatari market. The amend- money laundering, international from the income tax would be ment of the existing tax law will sanctions, data security, new a fillip to the Qatar Exchange’s exclude the share of the non- international core principles, GCC soon-to-be launched equity- Qatari investors from the net securities activities and trends, and traded funds (ETF). profit of the company before many more will be deliberated dur- One major element of decision assessing the income tax as well ing the summit. QNA is the securities listed on Qatar as exempt their profits share real- Exchange would be exempted ized from the trading of all secu- from the income tax. This means rities including investment funds IQ ensures extra that new products lined up by the listed on stock exchange. QE, including the ETF, would be According to the existing law, 10 10pc shares exempted. “Once you have more percent of the net profit is being clarity on the decision, foreign taxed largely from the foreign DOHA: Industries Qatar (IQ) investors will feel more comforta- partnership companies. Different has confirmed that the QR550m ble and confident in Qatar’s finan- rates are being levied from Quasi equity restructuring proposed cial market”, top market sources government companies. by the Board of Directors will told The Peninsula. “Government decision is an result in the company’s share- Tax regime is a very important excellent move in the direc- FROM LEFT: The Minister of Economy and Finance H E Yousuf Hussein Kamal, National Bank of Kuwait Chief holders receiving an additional consideration for foreign inves- tion of attracting more foreign Executive Officer Ibrahim Dabdoub and Qatar Central Bank Governor H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud Al Thani 10 percent of shares. In a Qatar tors, both within the region and investment. The decision would at the annual meeting of Middle Eastern and North African bank chief executive officers that concluded in Exchange filing, IQ noted the across the borders, when invest- lead to make Qatari capital mar- proposal is subject to approval Doha yesterday. Organised by the Institute of International Finance (IIF) and hosted by Qatar National Bank, ing in the stock market, he said. ket more vibrant,” said Gopal by the general assembly. the event was attended by around 100 top executives of the region’s banks and other financial services’ Qatar is expected to launch Balasubraminiam, Partner, THE PENINSULA ETF by the second half of this KPMG Qatar. firms, as well as senior representatives of global firms active in the Mena region. year and is working with a poten- In fact, foreign investors in tial issuer for of a Shariah com- companies formed with the par- pliant ETF. It is also on track to ticipation of government or Quasi introduce new investment instru- governments are largely enjoying ments, Central Counterparty the tax benefits. The decision Clearing House (CCP), and even- to further cover private sector British firm drills for Ethiopia’s first oil tually a derivatives market in the would definitely bolster the Qatari near future. financial market, he said. LONDON: Tullow Oil, the British explorer Licenses won by Tullow and Africa Oil in with the potential to open up a new basin.” The Cabinet’s Wednesday THE PENINSULA that found Kenya’s first crude a year ago, Kenya and Ethiopia cover an area almost as The government has a right to 10 percent of is about to find out whether the resources large as the North Sea. Only 11 wells have the South Omo Block should the companies extend into neighbouring Ethiopia, a nation been drilled there so far, compared with more discover oil, Gallagher said. The Sabisa well dependent on agriculture that’s yet to dis- than 2,400 wells in the sea. While gas has been is targeting about 140 million barrels of oil cover any petroleum. found in eastern Ethiopia, the partners are resources, he said, citing Tullow estimates. Tullow, Africa Oil Corp and Marathon Oil focusing on the western Omo region in the Africa Oil’s Phillips, who served as chief US forecasts rise in petrol prices Corp plan to complete their Sabisa well in west- hope it will prove the extension of the petro- operating officer until September 9, declined ern Ethiopia’s South Omo Block this quarter. leum system from Kenya. to comment on the progress of the well. WASHINGTON: US drivers should expect to see a “modest fur- “The first discovery would be big news,” said “The structure is almost identical to what The Omo region is a “strange” area, he said. ther increase” in petrol prices at the pump as refinery outages cut Martin Mbogo, Tullow’s manager for Kenya, we see at Ngamia,” Africa Oil Vice President “A place like Omo is frankly the end of the supply and plants begin making more expensive summer-grade where its Ngamia well struck oil in March. of Business Development James Phillips said Earth. It hasn’t had any attention from oil fuels, a government report said. “That would be historical for Ethiopia.” in an interview in Addis Ababa. “This is a huge and gas exploration ever.” Retail petrol, already at a record level for this time of year, hasn’t Tullow, a London-based explorer, is target- well for Ethiopia. This is really a key well.” The project partners are in talks with yet caught up with a steep rise in wholesale prices in 2013, the Energy ing East Africa’s Tertiary Rift, a geological The country needs energy to support eco- Kenya and Ethiopia to allow their contractor, Information Administration, the Energy Department’s statistical arm, fault that’s yielded oil in Uganda as well as nomic growth. The East African nation still China’s BGP Inc., to conduct seismic studies said on its website. Petrol at the pump has climbed 45 cents a gallon Kenya. For the company, an Ethiopian find ranks 211th in terms of gross domestic prod- in the border area covering the Omo River since the beginning of the year, the agency said. may prove a new oil province. For the country, uct per capita, behind Mozambique and ahead wetlands. The border is currently closed and “Despite the significant rise in retail petrol prices since the start of the evidence of crude could help the government of Togo, according to Central Intelligence it takes days to transport equipment on dirt year, a part of the even steeper rise in wholesale prices has not been fully curb energy imports and diversify an economy Agency data. roads to cross at the nearest checkpoint. reflected in pump prices,” the agency said in its This Week in Petroleum that relied on coffee for about a quarter of “A hit at the well would effectively bookend “It could be one of most prospective, inter- report. Retail prices jumped 3.8 percent this week to $3.747 a gallon, export earnings in 2011. the string- of-pearls play from Ngamia to esting areas,” Phillips said. “It’s going to be a according to EIA data. Scheduled and unplanned refinery shutdowns “We are importing every drop of oil and Sabisa,” Brian Gallagher, a London-based tricky area to work,” which is similar to the across the country, coupled with the seasonal switch in fuel specifications, gas,” Ethiopian Mines Minister Sinknesh Ejigu analyst at Investec Bank, wrote in a report Mississippi River delta in Louisiana. triggered a surge in wholesale prices. WP-BLOOMBERG said. “We want to change this game.” this month. “Sabisa represents a trigger well WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

KPMG named GCC inflation at moderate 3pc in 2012 best Islamic Qatar, Bahrain and UAE saw deflation in housing costs last year: QNB Group analysis finance adviser

DOHA: The GCC region wit- nessed a moderate 3 percent by Euromoney inflation in consumer prices during 2012, down from 3.7 DOHA: KPMG has been named percent in 2011, according to ‘Best Islamic Assurance and QNB Group analysis. This is Advisory Services Provider’ relatively low when compared in the 2012 to the global average inflation of Euromoney 4 percent and the Mena region’s Islamic finance 10.4 percent, according to IMF awards. This estimates. It was the fourth marks the sixth consecutive year that the GCC consecutive prices rose at only a moder- year KPMG ate rate, following a period of has taken the higher inflation that peaked at top prize, which 11.2 percent in 2008. is unequalled in The three most heavily the assurance weighted price categories in the and advisory category. consumer price indices (CPIs) Now in their eleventh year, across the region are housing the awards are widely regarded costs, food & beverages and trans- as the benchmark awards for the port & communications. These global Islamic finance industry. categories represent two-thirds Euromoney again highlighted of the CPI basket in the GCC and KPMG’s active role in promoting rose by 3 percent, 4.5 percent and and supporting the development 1.5 percent, respectively, in 2012. of the Islamic finance industry Prices of other goods and services around the world. rose on average by 2.7 percent. inflation would be to weight the the CPI, such as transport & com- Jeremy Anderson, global head Whereas, devaluing currencies inflation rates according to popula- munications, inflation was broadly of KPMG’s financial services are an important driver of infla- tion, to express the inflation expe- similar across the region. practice, said: “I am absolutely tion in many Mena countries, the rienced by an average resident in In Qatar, a significant devel- delighted KPMG has received this pegged exchange rate system in the GCC. This would give a slightly opment in recent months has award for a sixth year in a row. the GCC contributes to price sta- higher figure of 3.5 percent, as it been a return to housing infla- Global market conditions remain bility. Subsidies, particularly on (Qatar, Bahrain and UAE) actu- spike during the summer of 2012. would be skewed towards the Saudi tion after four years of deflation. immensely challenging and the fuel, also shelter the GCC from ally saw deflation in housing costs This may be due in part to efforts rate on account of its larger popu- The UAE hasn’t seen a similar fact that our firms have been able a significant driver of inflation in in 2012, for at least the third year since 2008 to diversify GCC food lation relative to the smaller GCC uptick yet, but housing costs do to work so closely with our clients some other Mena countries. in a row. Total regional housing supplies, driven by food security countries. seem to be close to bottoming and regulators around the world The spike in GCC inflation in costs have only continued to rise concerns. Although these efforts Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman all out and could also turn positive is testament to the quality and 2008 was largely driven by bot- because of high housing inflation are at an early stage they may had inflation that was close to the in 2013. On a regional basis, these breadth of our Islamic finance tlenecks in supply, particularly of in Saudi Arabia, up 8.1 percent have gone some way to securing regional average. The UAE and trends should be offset by an eas- service offering.” housing, during a period of high in 2012, where there is a housing a more stable food supply. Qatar had lower inflation, of 0.7 ing in Saudi housing inflation, as Omar Mahmood (pictured), inflows of expatriate workers shortage. QNB Group’s calculation of percent and 1.9 percent respec- a major national house building Partner and Head of Financial and economic growth, as well as Food remains one of the lead- regional inflation utilises the full tively, which offset the higher programme begins to address the Services, Middle East and South high global food prices. However, ing drivers of inflation in most year inflation data, which has 4.5 percent inflation in Saudi supply constraints. Overall, QNB Asia, said: “Islamic banking and over the last four years growth of the GCC countries. However, recently become available for all six Arabia. These three countries group expects GCC inflation to finance continues to draw atten- in rents has been much lower as food inflation has been consider- GCC countries, weighted by esti- deviated from the regional aver- remain steady at around 3.3 per- tion from industry practitioners most GCC housing markets have ably more moderate than in 2008, mated GDP. An alternative meth- age mainly due to falling housing cent in 2013. and regulators alike. The global corrected. Indeed, three countries despite another global food price odology for calculating regional costs. Across other categories of THE PENINSULA financial services industry is entering a new era which will present unique challenges and opportunities to Islamic financial institutions.” Mahmood added: “KPMG in Qatar has supported the devel- Tasdeer to showcase Qatar’s opment of the industry, working with leading Islamic banking and financial institutions and regula- tors, helping them respond to these capabilities at Gulfood 2013 challenges and opportunities.” KPMG member firms now have DOHA: Tasdeer, the export a well established global Islamic development agency of Qatar finance and investment group, Development Bank, is poised to with a network of professionals in showcase Qatar’s food and bev- 37 countries. THE PENINSULA erage capabilities at the world’s biggest and most impressive annual food and hospitality Kingdom Holding show, Gulfood, to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre to pay $146.75m in from February 25-28, 2013. Eight leading food products’ dividends this year exporters from Doha will join Tasdeer in the aim to ink key KHOBAR: Kingdom Holding A woman works on the assembly line of a shoe factory in Tan Lap village, deals or pursue significant busi- Hassan Khalifa Al Mansouri Mansour bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud Co, the international invest- outside Hanoi. ness opportunities with over ment firm of Saudi billionaire 4,200 participating exhibitors establish the ‘Made in Qatar’ brand Gulfood, which we believe to be Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, will from across the globe. These at the exhibition. one of the largest and most influ- pay dividends worth SR550.3m Vietnam to boost reforms exporters are: Qatar Flour Mills, Mansour bin Ibrahim Al ential happenings in the GCC.” ($146.75m) this year, in quar- National Food Company, Dandy Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer Hassan Khalifa Al Mansouri, terly installments, the company Company Ltd, Colosseum Doha, of QDB, said: “As an organisation Executive Director of Tasdeer, said yesterday. in banks and state firms Qatar Tunisian Food Company, that is mandated with develop- said: “Gulfood is one of the world’s Kingdom Holding will “distrib- Nafco, Qatar Food Factory and ing the private sector in Qatar. largest and most influential ute quarterly cash dividends from HANOI: Vietnam has approved Vietnam to its lowest rating ever Chocolate Graphics We, at QDB, continuously look for annual trade shows for the food retained earnings of 1.25 percent a broad plan to boost its economy in September last year, citing Tasdeer has organised a Qatar platforms and avenues to bring and beverage industry. It provides (5 percent for the full year) of to 2020, focusing on restructur- a weak banking sector likely in pavilion and booked prime adver- industry players closer to their our exporters with superb net- the shares’ nominal value, by dis- ing public investment, banks need of “extraordinary support”, tising space at the exhibition hall to target markets and audiences. To working and business opportuni- tributing 12.5 Halalas per share and state-owned enterprises dealing another blow to a country ensure significant footfall. Tasdeer that effect, we have established ties. We do hope that every Qatari quarterly (the total for the year while controlling inflation and once tipped as Southeast Asia’s has also provided the Qatari Tasdeer to be a credible and reli- exporter present at Gulfood will is 0.50 riyals per share) for a total maintaining growth. next emerging market star. exporters with a list of potential able reference and source for capitalise on this opportunity.” of SR137.6m as quarterly cash The Southeast Asian nation’s The directive said banks will importers for their products in the potential opportunities, market Gulfood Exhibition, known dividends totaling to SR550.3m economic growth fell to a 13-year focus on dealing with the sector’s region. Furthermore, Tasdeer will intelligence and beneficial guid- as Gulfood, ranks as the big- for the year”, Kingdom said in a low of 5.03 percent last year as overall bad debts as well as those be distributing booklets contain- ance and counsel to the Qatari gest food and beverage indus- statement. reduced consumer demand piled of individual lenders, expand ing profiles of all the Qatari food non-oil exporters. In line with try related trade events in the The firm made a net profit of up inventory at many firms, forc- their core businesses, improve product exporting companies. The this mandate, Tasdeer pinpoints world. The show boasts of par- SR209.6m ($55.9m) in the fourth ing many into bankruptcy, fur- payment systems, avoid cross- agency plans to provide all the sup- local, regional and international ticipants representing as many quarter, compared with SR187.8m ther adding to banks’ bad debt ownership and increase trans- port that is required by the Qatari platforms for these exporters to as 88 different countries. in the same period a year earlier. problems. parency as part of measures to companies in order to strongly take part in exhibitions, such as THE PENINSULA REUTERS The master plan aims for a pru- reform the sector by 2015. dent monetary policy to tame infla- Vietnam’s banking system is tion while ensuring “reasonable grappling with one of the region’s growth”, Prime Minister Nguyen highest bad debt ratios, which Tan Dung said in a 29-page direc- rose to 8.82 percent of loans in tive signed on February 19. The September 2012 from 3.07 percent plan takes effect immediately. at the end of 2011, central bank Italian companies innovate to fight recession Vietnam plans to restructure data showed. financial markets and consolidate Analysts said the downgrade of MILAN: Bioplastics group Mossi & Ghisolfi innovation and exports. Italy’s next govern- has seen its sales grow in recent years as it state-owned businesses and invest- Vietnam and eight of its banks has hired 50 people a year for the last five ment must nurture such firms in a shrink- uses its technological know-how to branch out ment but critics worry that, given - including two controlled by years — not bad when Italy’s unemployment ing economy where domestic consumption into new sectors. “Moving forward we intend entrenched interests and opaque the state - did not signal a full- has risen steadily to a 13-year high above 11 is depressed by tax hikes and spending cuts to use our innovative DNA to pay more atten- decision-making, getting concrete blown banking crisis and that the percent. Now a world leader in its field, the aimed at reducing the budget deficit. tion to non-pharmaceutical business such as results may prove difficult. slowing economy should return Piedmont-based firm is so specialised that, Caught in its longest recession for two dec- food,” CEO and Chairman Alberto Vacchi said. The central bank reaffirmed to form if the government takes to meet booming demand, it is even wooing ades, Italy’s industrial production is around 25 Some companies are scouting the world for that it would keep the dollar/dong action. home talented emigrants ready to take jobs percent below 2008 levels. According to chamber innovation. Biomedical group Sorin, a world exchange rate stable. Vietnam will Still, the cut compounded con- at much lower pay than they could earn in of commerce association Unioncamere, around leader in cardiovascular disease that makes conduct tight fiscal policy, pro- cerns about bad debts and the Germany or the United States. 1,000 Italian firms a day closed in 2012. Some cutting-edge technology for open-heart sur- mote exports and strictly control pace of so-called “doi moi” reforms “Our business is all about technology and fear that a weak government after this week- gery, is combing world markets for start-ups imports while boosting domestic begun in 1986 to build a socialist- research. Italy is trying to compete with end’s elections will shy away from the difficult that will complement its product portfolio. production of consumer goods, the oriented market economy. Vietnam on costs. That won’t work. But Italy reforms needed to make Italy competitive. “We are snapping up ideas and technologies directive said. The government directive said is the Vietnam of research. Our researchers But if the headline data makes dismal read- worldwide by buying into start-ups,” Sorin Financial experts have pro- bad debt should be cut to below 3 are cheap, and that’s the way forward,” says ing it doesn’t tell the whole story. Clusters of chairman Rosario Bifulco said. posed that the central bank percent of loans by 2015, stricter group CEO Guido Ghisolfi. medium-sized firms in engineering, packaging, Fiamm, Italy’s biggest battery maker with devalue the dong currency by up than a previous statement by The $3bn-sales multinational, which boasts fashion, food and ceramics are a reminder that factories across the world, is reopening its his- to 4 percent to support exports, the prime minister that the bad among its customers Coca-Cola, Danone, Italy is still Europe’s second-largest manu- torical site in north Italy and hiring more work- but the central bank said it was debt ratio be cut to 3-4 percent of Nestle and Cadbury Schweppes, is an exam- facturer. Bologna-based IMA, world leader in ers after developing a new sodium nickel battery not considering any such plans loans by the end of 2015. ple of one of Italy’s hidden strengths — com- machines that package pharmaceuticals and which it said opened up a new client base. at present. Moody’s downgraded REUTERS panies that thrive by focusing on technology, make tea-bags for companies like Twinings, REUTERS SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Commodity prices drop on economic strains Brent North Sea crude for delivery in April slides to $114.19 a barrel; gold, silver and platinum fall

LONDON: Oil and metals highs above $119 a barrel two Intercontinental Exchange, Brent a week earlier. Silver dropped of the raw material used to make cents a pound from 140.50 cents. prices retreated this week on weeks previously on healthy eco- North Sea crude for delivery in to $28.79 an ounce from $30.18. chocolate. “Dealers continued to SUGAR: Sugar futures recov- worries for the global economy nomic data in the United States April slid to $114.19 a barrel from On the London Platinum and cite ample supplies and unexciting ered from recent 2.5-year low owing to signs that the United and China — the world’s two $117.69 a week earlier. On the New Palladium Market, platinum fell consumer demand” for the move points in New York caused by States could end its cash stim- biggest economies. But, the US York Mercantile Exchange, West to $1,611 an ounce from $1,676. downward, said the Public Ledger ample supplies. By Friday on ulus programme and amid a Labour Department said initial Texas Intermediate (WTI) or light Palladium slipped to $732 an commodities publication. LIFFE, the price of a tonne of worsening outlook for the euro- jobless claims rose to 362,000 in sweet crude for delivery in April ounce from $754. By Friday on LIFFE, London’s white sugar for delivery in May zone, analysts said. the week ending February 16000. stood at $93.02 a barrel compared BASE METALS: Base met- futures exchange, cocoa for deliv- increased to $501.90 from $491.30 OIL: Prices fell on worries of Lebow said the oil market was with $96.77 for the March contract als prices retreated as renewed ery in May rose to £1,434 a tonne a week earlier. On NYBOT-ICE, an end to the US stimulus pro- also watching the Federal Reserve the previous week. Chinese buying failed to offset from £1,425 a week earlier. the price of unrefined sugar for gramme amid global economic for any potential shift in policy. PRECIOUS METALS: The high stockpiles. “The return of On New York’s NYBOT-ICE May gained to 18.05 US cents a strains and week demand for Minutes released on Wednesday price of gold hit a seven-month Chinese traders to the market exchange, cocoa for May dipped pound from 17.85 cents. oil in top consumer nation the by the Fed’s Open Market low point at $1,555.55 an ounce on after their week’s (Lunar) holi- $2,147 a tonne from $2,149. GRAINS AND SOYA: Soya United States, traders said. Committee showed a vigorous Thursday, while sister metal sil- day has not been able to give COFFEE: Coffee prices prices gained on tight supply Oil contracts had tumbled more debate on whether to continue ver reached a six-month nadir at any impetus to base metals,” rebounded on supply concerns as worries, traders said, while maize than $2 on Thursday as trad- a bond-buying programme that $28.29 an ounce. Platinum prices Commerzbank analysts said. a tree fungus in Central America and wheat futures fell. By Friday ers absorbed poor US jobs data, many analysts believe has sup- were volatile amid fresh violence By late Friday on the London ravaged crops. Leaf rust has on the Chicago Board of Trade, signs of weaker-than-expected ported higher oil prices. at a South African mine. Metal Exchange, copper for deliv- caused coffee trees to produce March-dated soyabean meal — US crude demand and a fall in Concerns over the eurozone Workers at Siphumelele mine- ery in three months slid to $7,808 fewer and lower-quality beans. used in animal feed — increased eurozone business activity. economy also resurfaced late in shaft near Rustenburg went on a tonne from $8,214 a week ear- “Bulls (traders forecasting to $14.95 a bushel from $14.24 a It was the second day in a row the week. A leading growth indi- strike on Tuesday after 15 of their lier. Three-month aluminium high prices) keep talking about week earlier. Maize for delivery in in which crude prices fell sharply. cator on Thursday showed that colleagues were injured when a dropped to $2,049 a tonne from the losses from rust in Central March dropped to $6.93 a bushel Analysts said there was a general private business activity across 1,000 strong mob besieged a rival $2,162. Three-month lead fell to America and the bears keep from $6.98. Wheat for March sense that the oil market had the bloc hit a two-month low in union’s office prompting guards $2,316 a tonne from $2,412. Three- noting that there is more than retreated to $7.25 a bushel from become too buoyant given the February, signalling a steepening to open fire. Anglo American month tin slipped to $23,190 a enough coffee being produced in $7.42. brittle state of the economy. of the economic downturn. Platinum — the world’s number tonne from $24,825. Three-month other countries to cover the losses RUBBER: Prices posted fur- “The market had some vertigo And on Friday, the European one platinum producer — has nickel slumped to $16,734 a tonne seen,” said Jack Scoville, analyst ther declines on sluggish glo- at these high levels, and the mar- Commission said the eurozone been crippled by rolling strikes from $18,342. Three-month zinc at broker Prices Futures Group. bal demand, traders said. The ket is now correcting,” said Andy faced another full year of reces- over wages that have hit South retreated to $2,088 a tonne from By Friday on LIFFE, Robusta Malaysian Rubber Board’s bench- Lebow, senior vice president for sion in 2013, as millions more Africa’s mining sector. $2,175. for May delivery rose to $2,090 mark SMR20 dropped to 292.40 energy futures at Jefferies Bache people living across the region By late Friday on the London COCOA: Cocoa futures stead- a tonne from $2,055 a week ear- US cents a kilo from 305.75 cents financial group. become unemployed. Bullion Market, gold slid to ied after hitting fresh multi- lier. On NYBOT-ICE, Arabica for the previous week. Brent crude had hit nine-month By Friday on London’s $1,576.50 an ounce from $1,612.25 month lows amid large supplies delivery in May grew to 143.15 US AFP

Sharp to suspend HK doubles stamp tie-up talks with duty on properties Hon Hai: Report TOKYO: Struggling Japanese HONG KONG: Hong Kong dou- of industrial buildings, starting at electronics maker Sharp plans bled the sales tax on properties 15 percent if the property is sold to suspend tie-up negotiations costing more HK$2m ($258,000) within a year. with Taiwan’s Hon Hai and and targeted commercial real Under the new rules, Hong search for new capital partners, estate for the first time as the Kong property deals below local media reported yesterday. risk of a bubble spreads from HK$2m will incur stamp duty of Cash-strapped Sharp had been apartments to parking spaces, 1.5 percent of the purchase price, trying to seal a capital-injection shops and hotels. from HK$100. The tax for those deal with Hon Hai Precision, also The stamp duty will increase to over HK$2m will be raised to as known as Foxconn, by a March 26 8.5 percent of the purchase price much as 8.5 percent from 4.25 deadline. But Sharp said it would for all properties, Hong Kong percent, Tsang said. Local per- be “difficult to conclude the deal Financial Secretary John Tsang manent residents who don’t own by the deadline due to various said on Friday. The Hong Kong homes will be exempted. factors, including different opin- Monetary Authority also tightened Buyers of non-residential ions on cooperation in the field of mortgage terms for commercial properties will be required to small- and mid-sized LCDs”, the properties and parking spaces. pay stamp duties when they sign Mainichi Shimbun said. The government widened its the purchase agreement, he said. The recent decline in Sharp’s property curbs to cover commer- Prices of offices rose 23 per- share value was another factor cial transactions after earlier this cent, while those of retail spaces behind the suspension, the daily week hundreds of people turned advanced 39 percent in 2012, added. It was not known if the sus- up to buy hotel rooms being Tsang said today. pension was permanent but Sharp sold by Li Ka-shing’s Cheung Hong Kong has the world’s would now shift its focus to other Kong (Holdings) Ltd in the city, highest shop rents and is the companies, the newspaper said. prompting a warning from the world’s second-most expensive Kyodo News added that the government. place to rent office space, property two firms would maintain their Home prices have doubled in brokers, including CBRE Group existing cooperation arrangement the past four years on near-record Inc. and Cushman & Wakefield at Sharp’s LCD factory in Sakai, low mortgage rates, an influx of Inc, have said. western Japan. Last year, Sharp mainland Chinese buyers and a “The property market bubble reached an $800m capital injec- lack of new supply. risks have only increased and tion deal with Hon Hai, which “This again shows the govern- not decreased,” Tsang said. “If makes Apple gadgets in China, ment’s determination to curb we allow the risk to continue to but the deal stalled as Sharp’s prices,” said Thomas Lam, head expand, ultimately it will affect share price nosedived. of research for Greater China at the macroeconomic and financial In December, the company said Knight Frank. “It will affect the system’s stability. The destructive it had struck a separate $112m luxury residential sector and also power on society will be consider- deal with chipmaker Qualcomm investors of buildings and com- ably large. The price of non-resi- that would see the pair develop mercial properties. This will add dential property has also soared.” energy-efficient LCD panels for a lot to their purchasing cost.” Concerns that housing is smartphones using the Japanese The value of retail shop trans- becoming unaffordable has forced firm’s technology. The maker of actions rose 78 percent from a Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying Aquos-brand electronics, has been year earlier to HK$85bn in 2012, to introduce a raft of measures hammered by credit rating down- as curbs on home prices prompted since taking over in July as the grades and record losses, which investors to seek other properties, city’s leader. Leung’s government saw the century-old firm warn according to Centaline Property in October imposed an extra 15 An aerial view of highways and high-rise buildings in Hong Kong. about its own survival last year. Agency Ltd, the city’s biggest percent tax on all home purchases Sharp said earlier in the month closely held realtor. That’s the by companies and non-permanent package to rein in prices, includ- Colliers International, said in a most expensive housing market that it had lost $4.5bn for the highest since at least 1996, when residents, adding to earlier steps ing accelerating new home sale phone interview today before the in an annual affordability survey nine-month period. Sharp has the realtor began collecting data. including accelerating new home approval and giving preference to measures were announced. by Belleville, Illinois-based con- embarked on a painful restruc- Hong Kong’s curbs come after sale approvals and tightening local buyers. Hong Kong is the world’s most sulting company Demographia turing including thousands of job Singapore introduced new meas- banks’ mortgage lending. “The government probably expensive place to buy an apart- released last month. The sur- cuts and slashed wages from the ures last month that included an Leung said in September he senses that property prices are ment, according to London-based vey examined housing prices in factory floor to the boardroom. increase in the stamp duty for will restrict home buyers of two still going up even after the property broker Savills. Hong Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, It also said it would put up real home buyers by between 5 per- building sites the government last round of curbs,” in October, Kong homes cost 13.5 times the Ireland, New Zealand, Britain and estate as collateral for desperately centage points and 7 percentage plans to sell to local residents, a Simon Lo, Hong Kong-based head gross median household income, the United States. needed bank loans, including its points and a stamp duty for sellers week after announcing a 10-point of research and consultancy at up from 12.6 times a year ago, the WP-BLOOMBERG Osaka headquarters. AFP No further austerity steps this year: Hollande • Bullion - Mumbai PARIS: France will not introduce any reduce the deficit had until now consisted of the state budget, local budgets and the social Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 29220 further austerity measures this year but more tax increases than spending cuts, that security budget, Hollande said, reiterating instead focus on spending cuts in 2014 to trend would be reversed in 2014. that the government maintained its longer- Silver (1 kg) Rs. 54735 bring its deficit down to three percent of Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said on term goal of a zero deficit in 2017. Holland • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.79 GDP that year, French President Francois Friday that France would ask its EU partners said France would continue to try and boost • Sensex Hollande said yesterday. and the European Commission for an extra growth through public investment, notably BSE 19317.07 The Europe-wide economic slowdown has year to cut its public deficit below a targeted 3 with funds gathered through tax-free savings NSE 5850.30 forced France to delay its target of cutting the percent of GDP, and would outline new savings books and by state investment companies. • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – state deficit to three percent of GDP this year measures soon. Hollande said his government But he was downbeat about jobs, saying that which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN and the government has said it does not want had brought down the deficit from 5.2 percent if economic growth in 2013 was not better Card/Demat Account not required. to impose too much austerity on an economy of GDP at the end of 2011 to 4.5 percent in than the 0.1 percent the European Commission near recession. “It would be wrong to take 2012. The European Commission expects a expects, unemployment would rise further. • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return measures that put another brake on consump- French 2013 deficit of 3.7 percent of GDP. He said his cabinet would focus on jobs for p.a. (in dollar) tion and investment,” Hollande said at the “I admit it is not the three percent, but the young people. “When youth unemployment • Housing loan from HDFC LTD annual Paris farm show. “There is no need to movement is going in the right direction, as rates in some countries are above 50 percent, • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, add more austerity in 2013. A lot has already both the France national audit office and the 25 percent in France, there is a risk of explo- Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. been asked of the taxpayer.” European Commission recognise,” he said. sion, and I do not want to jeopardise national Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] He added that while government efforts to Spending cuts in 2014 would be made in cohesion” he said. REUTERS SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com GECM & TENDERS

GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS MAP (GECM) Every Sunday

UK doubles exports to BRICS since crisis S.Korea’s foreigni debtsddebt toptto $400b$$4000b LONDON: British companies have on demand for bonds US stocks fall for second day on more than doubled their exports to SEOUL: South Korea’s foreign debts the fastest growing emerging nations topped $400 billion for the first time as weak global economic data, fear Spain’s crisis expected to subside that Fed will slow bond buys since before the crisis in a bid to foreign investors snapped up long- cash in on the rapid expansion in MADRID: Spain’s economic crisis is term bonds amid enhanced economic WASHINGTON: US stocks continued the developing world. The official expected to start subsiding at the end of fundamentals.External debts rose 14.7 a two-day slide Thursday on weak figures confound fears that the UK is the year - but after it is over, the country billion dollars from a year earlier to 413.4 economic data and concern about falling behind in the global trade race may never be the same again.The crisis billion dollars as of the end of 2012. the Federal Reserve’s resolve to keep and come as the TUC warned that is fuelling structural changes that are juicing the economy. Signalling that government policy is “dragging down” modernising the economy and making the US labour market remains in slow the economy, with Britain suffering it more competitive, economist Rafael recovery mode, the government said the second lowest export growth of Pampillon from IE Business School told more people applied for unemployment the leading seven economies in the dpa. China’s FDI for January falls 7.3pc to benefits last week. past two years, after Japan. US$9.3bn BEIJING: CHINA’s foreign direct investment inflows fell at their fastest India’s GDP estimated at 5 percent in rate in more than three years last month, FY’13, lowest since FY’04: Govt highlighting the challenges it faces UNIDO: Nigeria, others show strong NEW DELHI: India’s GDP is estimated to competing for funds with cheaper rivals manufacturing growth grow at 5 per cent in 2012-13, lowest in a sluggish global growth environment. Commerce Ministry data yesterday LAGOS: A United Nations Industrial during since 2003-04, on account of slower showed the world’s second-biggest Development Organisation (UNIDO) growth in industry, agriculture and services Brazil’s job creation slows sharply as economy drew in US$9.3bn of foreign report has disclosed that Nigeria sector, Parliament was informed. “As per economy struggles direct investment (FDI) in January, down and other developing and emerging the Advance Estimates released by the BRASILIA: Job creation in Brazil posted its 7.3 per cent from a year ago. economies enjoyed significant growth Central Statistics Office, the growth rate of worst January result since the global financial in the manufacturing sector in 2012, GDP (at factor cost at constant 2004-05) is crisis in 2009, suggesting lackluster economic with prospects for more growth in 2013. estimated to be 5 per cent in 2012-13. growth has weighed on the country’s robust The 2013 edition of the International labour market. Brazil’s economy added a net Yearbook of Industrial Statistics released 28,900 payroll jobs in January, a 76 percent by UNIDO noted that developing and drop from the same month last year, the emerging industrial economies in general Australian dollar at risk on Italian election, US growth fears labour ministry said on Friday. The median of maintained a strong rate of Manufacturing SYDNEY: The Australian Dollar mounted a spirited recovery last week, analysts’ forecasts called for a gain of 46,000 Value Added (MVA) growth in 2012, posting the largest 5-day advance in nearly two months after RBA jobs. The result was the worst since January despite some deceleration in industrial Governor Glenn Stevens talked down interest rate cut expectations 2009 when the economy shed 101,748 jobs, production due to a decrease in demand in testimony to the House Economics Committee. The domestic according to the ministry data. for exports. calendar is quiet in the week ahead while AUDUSD continues to show a significant correlation to our in-house risk-reward gauge, suggesting sentiment trends stand poised to take control of price action.

TENDERS

NO COMPANY TENDER NO. SUBJECT TENDER TENDER CLOSING NO COMPANY TENDER NO. SUBJECT TENDER TENDER CLOSING BOND FEES DATE BOND FEES DATE 1 Qatar QF/2013/ Supply & installation of research lab QR 67,800 QR 500 6/3/2013 foundation B054/14415 equipment 21 ST11MT0326 Supply, install and commission jet QR 16,000 QR 100 04/03/2013 fuel thermal oxidation tester including (12:00hrs) 2 AF/C/ASP5187/12 Design, supply and installing of a new QR 200,000 QR 1,500 3/3/2013 training environmental chamber or shifting the existing environmental chamber 22 ST12MT0247 Supply, install & commission lube QR 14.000 QR 100 18/03/2013 at Aspetar oil units (12:00hrs)

3 78 2012-2013 Proposed construction of additional QR 25,000 QR 250 Monday 23 AF/C/ASP5216/13 Supply, delivery, install, testing QR 25,000 QR 300 11/3/2013 floor at police post in Jemaliya 11/03/2013 and commissioning of GPS Sports System-SPI Pro X with 30 units at Qatar 4 QMA-AC-2013-1 Leasing and operating restaurant QR 60,000 QR 300 11/3/2013 Aspetar Museums QMA tower for 3 years Authority 24 AF/C/ASP5215/13 Provision of natural stone façade QR 25,000 QR 300 11/3/2013 5 ST12MT0359 Sale and removal of spares for QR 2,000 free 11/03/2013 restoration for Aspetar at Aspire Zone vehicles & accessories (12:00hrs) 25 AF/C/AA5207/13 Supply, delivery and installation QR 10,000 QR 200 10/3/2013 6 ST12MT0371 Sale & removal of scrool compressor, QR 2,000 Free 11/03/2013 of Mobile Shelving system to linen split AC, motor/spares for vehicles (12:00hrs) storage at Aspire Academy and accessories/spares for hoisting and lfiting equipment/ 12KG LPG 26 AF/D/AL0111/12 Consultancy services for design of QR 10,000 QR 200 10/3/2013 cylinder bottling spares movable skate park at Aspire Zone

7 GT13101500 Epic of standby diesel generators QR 150,000 QR 500 3/3/2013 27 AF/C/AL5213/13 Supply and delivery of machanical QR 5,000 QR 100 7/3/2013 for sewerage pumping stations in spares (sanitary fittings)for Aspire Dukhan fields Logistics

8 ST12MT0074 Sale & removal of cable ladder, QR 2,000 free 11/03/2013 28 Al Jazeera Media GTC 008/2013 Renting guesthouse- 3 years contract QR 90,000 QR 300 07/03/2013 injection pump, toxic and flammable (12:00hrs) Network (13:00hrs) gas dector & moisture analyser 29 GTC/529/2012 Consultancy for material QR 100,000 QR 800 07/03/2013 9 ST12MNT0353 Sale & removal of equipment diesel QR 2,000 free 11/03/2013 specifications & standards of (before noon) spare, gaskets materials & Air (12:00hrs) electricity distribution system compressor spares 30 GTC/513/2012 Call-off contract for electricity QR QR 3,000 14/03/2013 10 GT13102300 Feed for coastal erosion & shore QR 140,000 QR 500 31/03/2013 distribution network works 3,200,000 Before 12 protection at Halul Islands noon

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Blackhawks Bryant lifts Lakers set record for best over Trail Blazers start to NHL NBA: Jack powers Warriors past Spurs season NEW YORK: The Chicago LOS ANGELES: Kobe Bryant State Warriors rallied past the Blackhawks set a National scored 29 of his 40 points in the NBA Results road-weary San Antonio Spurs Hockey League record for the second half yesterday as the Los Toronto 100 NY Knicks 98 for a 107-101 overtime victory best start to a season when they Angeles Lakers capped an emo- yesterday. scored a point in a 17th consecu- Washington 119 Denver 113 tional week with a much-needed The win snapped Golden State’s tive game by defeating the San 111-107 NBA victory over the Chicago 105 Charlotte 75 16-game losing streak to San Jose Sharks 2-1 yesterday. Portland Trail Blazers. Indiana 114 Detroit 82 Antonio. The Warriors last beat Rookie Brandon Saad’s short- Bryant added seven rebounds Houston 106 Brooklyn 96 the Spurs in 2008. handed third-period goal deliv- and two steals for the Lakers, Atlanta 122 Sacramento 108 Jack came up big in the fourth ered the game-winner as the who have won seven of their last Memphis 88 Orlando 82 quarter and overtime, scoring 17 Blackhawks (14-0-3) remained 10 games and stand 3 1/2 games of his 30 points. He finished the undefeated in regulation play this Dallas 104 New Orleans 100 behind the Houston Rockets game with 10 assists. season. Oklahoma City 127 Minnesota 111 for the eighth and final playoff David Lee broke loose for 25 “I just took him (Sharks spot in the Western Conference Boston 113 Phoenix 88 points and 22 rebounds for the defenseman Brent Burns) wide standings. LA Lakers 111 Portland 107 Warriors, who trailed by 13 points and tried to get a shot off and In an interview with Sports Golden State 107 San Antonio 101 midway the fourth quarter. luckily I beat him (goalie Antti Illustrated published this week, Stephen Curry added 19 points. Niemi) to the glove side,” Saad Bryant said he was certain the “We’re playing for something The come-from-behind victory told reporters. Lakers would make the playoffs. bigger than ourselves, bigger than ended a five-game winning streak “It’s nice to make history.” “It’s not a question of if we a single season. We are playing by the league-leading Spurs, who The Anaheim Ducks set the make the playoffs. We will,” for a great man, Dr. Jerry Buss,” have not played a home game previous record of 16 straight Bryant insisted. he said. since February 2. games with a point to open the The team, which has had more Playing hours after Buss was Tim Duncan had 19 points and 2006-07 season. Chicago tied that than its share of dysfunctional buried yesterday, the Lakers 13 rebounds for San Antonio with mark in a win on Tuesday. All moments this season, has been remained mindful of his legacy, Danny Green finishing with 20 three Chicago losses have come through an emotional five days Bryant said. and Tony Parker 18. in shootouts. since the death on Monday of “I think we understand what’s It took a layup by San Antonio’s “It’s kind of crazy to think 80-year-old owner Jerry Buss. at stake and what this franchise Manu Ginobili on a pass from you’re not going to lose a game in Buss was remembered at the stands for,” Bryant said. Duncan with four seconds left in regulation for the first 17 games,” first Lakers game following his “That gives you an extra gear.” regulation to force overtime. said Viktor Stalberg, who scored death, a 113-99 win over Boston Dwight Howard added 19 points Then, after Tiago Splitter’s the Blackhawks’ first goal. on Wednesday. and 16 rebounds for the Lakers, inside shot had given San Antonio “It’s a cool thing to be a part of.” At a memorial service on and Antawn Jamison chipped in its last lead with two minutes Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by LaMarcus The Blackhawks have not lost Thursday Bryant challenged his 16 points. remaining in the extra session, Aldridge #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half at Staples a regular season game in regula- team-mates to live up to Buss’s Jarrett Jack came off the bench Golden State scored in streaks. Center in Los Angeles, California, yesterday. The Lakers defeated the tion since March 25, 2012, a run standards of excellence. to score 30 points as the Golden AGENCIES Trail Blazers 111-107. of 23 games. Saad rifled a shot past Niemi on the glove side 2:24 into the third as league-leading Chicago won its fourth game in a row. The shot was the Blackhawks’ Peterson retains light-welterweight title first short-handed goal of the season. Stalberg’s goal game in the sec- WASHINGTON: Lamont I knew I had him.” Peterson, 29, Unbeaten American Danny pinning him against the ropes ond period to tie the contest as Peterson, showing no rust after ended a 14-month layoff follow- Garcia, 25-0 with 16 knockouts, with his body at one stage but he banked a shot from behind the a 14-month layoff, stopped ing a positive doping test for syn- will defend the WBA and World gaining little relief from hammer- goal line off Niemi’s left pad and Kendall Holt in the eighth thetic testosterone that scrapped Boxing Council crowns in April ing punches to the head and body. it dribbled into the net. round yesterday to retain the a planned fight with England’s against US southpaw Zab Judah “When he did hit me with Netminder Ray Emery made 26 International Boxing Federation Amir Khan last May. Holt, 31, (42-7 with 29 knockouts), who one of his punches and it was saves in an impressive perform- light-welterweight crown. ended an 11-month layoff after rejected a Peterson fight for the right on the button and I felt ance as the Blackhawks stopped Peterson, once a homeless child right shoulder surgery. bigger Garcia payday. nothing, I knew I had him,” all four San Jose power play on the streets of the US capi- Peterson, who blamed his posi- “Danny Garcia holds that belt. Peterson said. attempts.“It’s a team effort,” said tal where he defended his title, tive test on treatments for low I still think I’m the WBA cham- In the sixth, Peterson kept Emery, who has started the last improved to 31-1-1 with his 16th testosterone, was stripped of the pion,” Peterson said. “I would like Holt to the ropes and landed four games for the injured Corey stoppage inside the distance when World Boxing Association title, to see that fight.” more than a dozen rapid-fire Crawford. referee Tony Weeks stopped the one of two he took from Khan After a cautious start, Holt punches to only one in response “It’s been that way since the fight after 1:42 of the eighth. in a controversial victory at pressed the attack to start the from Holt, who kept his arms start of the year. The record Holt fell to 28-6 with his fourth Washington in December of 2011. fourth round, keeping Peterson raised as cover and took a knee, came, but more importantly we’ve loss in seven fights when Peterson But the IBF, after hiring its on the defensive, but the cham- rising to finish the round but been able to focus and refocus stunned him with a right to the own medical expert and con- pion deflected the worst of Holt’s clearly in trouble. after big wins and tight games.” head and finished him off against ducting more tests that found blows and answered with a hard Holt hugged, evaded and jabbed REUTERS the ropes with a flurry of unan- no performance advantage, kept right that sent Holt to the canvas. to keep Peterson at bay in the sev- Newly crowned WBA super light- swered punches that prompted Peterson as champion, giving him The challenger crumpled and enth but in the eighth, Peterson weight and IBF Junior welterweight Weeks to jump between the the chance to defend his title and fell forward onto his knees, but stunned Holt with a solid right to NHL Results champion Lamont Peterson reacts fighters. reputation. rose and answered the count the head and launched a series of after defeating Britain’s Amir Khan “That last time I caught him The bout brought only $37,500 moments before the end of the punches with Holt on the ropes Pittsburgh 3 Florida 1 in their title fight in Washington, against the ropes, I just let my for Peterson and $12,500 for Holt, fourth. until Weeks stepped between the Vancouver 1 Nashville 0 DC, in this December 12, 2012 file hands go,” Peterson said. but could offer Peterson a possible Peterson punished Holt for fighters to end the punishment. picture. “I let him have everything and big-money unification showdown. most of the fifth, a weary Holt AFP Chicago 2 San Jose 1

India drop Bhupathi and Nishikori upsets Cilic to Bopanna for reach Memphis semis Davis Cup tie MEMPHIS, Tennessee: Istoman.Lopez defeated US wild- ATP-WTA US Indoor Fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori of card Jack Sock 6-4, 6-3, and NEW DELHI: India’s ten- Japan cruised past top-seeded Istoman was a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) win- nis selectors yesterday ignored Championships Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-2 yester- ner over Michael Russell of the rebels Mahesh Bhupathi and day to reach the semi-finals of United States. Rohan Bopanna for the Asia- Results the US National Indoor Tennis In women’s action, big-hitting Oceania group one Davis Cup tie Championships. Sabine Lisicki of Germany set up Men Quarter-finals: Kei Nishikori (JPN x5) against Indonesia. Croatia’s Cilic had saved three a title showdown with Marina bt Marin Cilic (CRO x1) 6-4, 6-2; Marinko The doubles specialists were match points in his previous Erakovic. Matosevic (AUS) bt Alexandr Dolgopolov among 11 players who declined to match against Igor Sijsling, but Lisicki, the third seed, fell (UKR x7) 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 6-4; Feliciano Lopez play against South Korea earlier could not find the answer against behind in each set but dug deep (ESP) bt Jack Sock (USA) 6-4, 6-3; Denis this month, but made themselves Nishikori, who had just four aces for a 7-5, 7-5 semi-final win Istomin (UZB) bt Michael Russell (USA) 6-4, available only for the Indonesia tie compared to a dozen for Cilic but over seventh-seeded Magdalena 7-6 (7/5). following a conditional truce with won 69 percent of points on his Rybarikova. She will be vying for the tennis federation. India, forced Women Semi-finals: Sabine Lisicki (GER serve. a fourth career WTA title. to name three debutants against x3) bt Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK x7) 7-5, “I was dominating with my New Zealand’s Erakovic South Korea, were thrashed 4-1 7-5; Marina Erakovic (NZL) bt Stefanie serve,” said the 23-year-old defeated Stefanie Voegele of and must now defeat Indonesia Voegele (SUI) 6-2, 6-4. Nishikori, who also reached the Switzerland 6-2, 6-4 to earn a in Bangalore from April 5 to 7 to semi-finals in Brisbane in January shot at a first WTA title. She has avoid being relegated to group two. but retired from that match two runner-up finishes on her Singles players Somdev ATP Marseille Open against Andy Murray with a knee resume, including in Memphis Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri, injury. last year. who also refused to play against Results Since then, he has reached the Meanwhile, world number South Korea, returned to the MARSEILLE: Results from fourth round of the Australian eight Jo-Wilfried Tsonga saved squad, according to an All India the fifth day of the $520,000 Open. He next faces Australian five match points in a breathtak- Tennis Association (AITA) state- ATP Marseille Open on Friday Marinko Matosevic, a 6-7 (6/8), ing third set tie-break to edge ment. Veteran Leander Paes will (x denotes seeding): 6-2, 6-4 winner over seventh- Australian Bernard Tomic and partner Sanam Singh in the dou- Quarter-finals: Tomas Berdych (CZE x1) seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of qualify for the Marseille Open bles. An agreement worked out bt Jerzy Janowicz (POL x7) 6-3, 6-7 (0/7), Ukraine. semi-finals yesterday. after the South Korea tie saw 6-3; Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) bt Gilles Muller Nishikori won their only prior The third-seeded Frenchman, the rebels announce they will be (LUX) 7-6 (9/7), 1-6, 7-5; Jo-Wilfried Tsonga meeting at Brisbane earlier this who lost the first set, eventually available against Indonesia.This (FRA x3) bt Bernard Tomic (AUS) 4-6, 6-3, year. The other men’s semi-final grabbed the tie-break 12-10 to followed an AITA letter to the Kei Nishikori of Japan hits a return shot to Marin Cilic of Croatia during in this combined ATP and WTA seal a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 victory after their quarter-finals match in the US National Indoor Tennis Championships 7-6 (12/10); Gilles Simon (FRA x6) bt Juan players accepting some demands. Martin Del Potro (ARG x2) 6-4, 6-3. event will pit Spain’s Feliciano two hours five minutes. AFP at the Racquet Club of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, yesterday. Lopez against Uzbekistan’s Denis AGENCIES SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Charles, Bravo lead Windies to Abbott destroys Pakistan Zimbabwe rout ST GEORGE’S, GRENADA: Johnson Charles blazed a second Debutant takes seven wickets as the visitors crash to 156 all out consecutive century and Darren Bravo made a maiden limited overs ton as the West Indies PRETORIA: Debutant pace- Scoreboard routed Zimbabwe by 156 runs to man Kyle Abbott left Pakistan win the first one-day interna- in tatters with seven first South Africa (I innings): Sarfraz Ahmed c Smith b Abbott...... 17 tional on Friday. innings wickets as South Africa G Smith c Younis Khan b Ehsan Adil ...... 5 Saeed Ajmal c Smith b Abbott ...... 0 Man of the match Charles bowled out the tourists for 156 A Petersen lbw Rahat Ali ...... 10 Ehsan Adil c Du Plessis b Abbott ...... 9 hammered 130 and Bravo fin- on the second day of the third H Amla c Sarfraz Ahmed b Rahat Ali ...... 92 Mohd Irfan c Elgar b Abbott ...... 0 ished on an even, unbeaten 100 Test at Centurion yesterday. F du Plessis c Sarfraz Ahmed b Ehsan Adil ..29 Rahat Ali (not out) ...... 0 to lead the home side to an impos- Abbott took seven for 29, the A de Villiers c Asad Shafiq b Rahat Ali ...... 121 Extras (LB-17, NB-2, W-8) ...... 27 ing 337 for four after being put best-ever Test bowling figures at D Elgar lbw Rahat Ali ...... 7 Total (all out) ...... 156 in by Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Centurion, to force Pakistan to R Peterson (run out-Mohd Irfan) ...... 28 Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-56, 3-56, 4-75, 5-95, Taylor. South African follow-on after South Africa had V Philander c Mohd Hafeez b Younis Khan .. 74 6-132, 7-132, 8-149, 9-149, 10-156. While there was nothing like pace bowler amassed 409 in their first innings. K Abbott b Rahat Ali ...... 13 Bowling: Steyn 12-5-25-1 (1w); Philander the capacity crowd that would Kyle Abbott Pakistan’s fortunes failed to R Kleinveldt c S Ajmal b Rahat Ali ...... 0 10-2-30-2 (1w); Kleinveldt 12-1-49-0 (1nb; have been hoped for on a day celebrates improve in the second innings as D Steyn (not out) ...... 5 1w); Abbott 11.4-4-29-7 (1nb; 1w); Peterson declared a national holiday by the one of they limped to 14 for one at the Extras (B-1, LB-6, NB-12, W-6) ...... 25 1-0-6-0. newly-elected government of the his seven close of play. Mohammad Hafeez Total (all out) ...... 409 Pakistan (II innings): island, the fans who turned up on wickets on (0) played the very first ball of the Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-38, 3-107, 4-186, Mohammad Hafeez b Steyn ...... 0 a sunny Caribbean day stayed in day two of innings on to his stumps from a 5-196, 6-248, 7-377, 8-394, 9-402, 10-409. Azhar Ali (batting) ...... 5 a celebratory mood throughout. the third Dale Steyn delivery. Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 21.5-3-80-0 (3nb); Younis Khan (batting) ...... 8 The visitors were limited to just and final But the real damage was done Rahat Ali 27.2-1-127-6 (6nb, 6w); Ehsan Adil Extras (LB-1) ...... 1 181 for nine in reply, home spinner Test against in Pakistan’s first turn at bat. 12.1-2-54-2 (3nb); Saeed Ajmal 29-6-76-0; Total (for 1 wkt) ...... 14 Sunil Narine leading the bowling Imran Farhat (30) had already effort with three for 28. Pakistan at Younis Khan 6-0-28-1; Mohammad Hafeez Fall of wicket: 1-0. survived an lbw dismissal from Just the sixth West Indian to Centurion 5-0-24-0; Azhar Ali 2-0-13-0. Bowling: Steyn 4-1-9-1; Philander 3-2-2-0; Rory Kleinveldt that was over- compile consecutive one-day cen- yesterday. Pakistan (I innings): Abbott 1-1-0-0; Kleinveldt 1-0-2-0. turned on review when he was Mohad Hafeez c Elgar b Abbott ...... 18 To bat: Imran Farhat, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad turies, Charles, who closed off the Abbott is trapped in front by Vernon Imran Farhat lbw b Philander ...... 30 Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Moham- series in Australia less than two playing his Philander.Hafeez (18) then Azhar Ali b Philander ...... 6 mad Irfan, Rahat Ali, Ehsan Adil. weeks ago with a maiden hun- first Test. became the first Test victim for Younis Khan lbw Abbott ...... 33 Match situation: Pakistan trail by 239 runs dred, picked up from where he Abbott as he was caught at gully Misbah-ul-Haq c Petersen b Abbott ...... 10 with nine wickets remaining in the second in- left off, his innings occupying 113 by Dean Elgar in the paceman’s Asad Shafiq lbw b Steyn ...... 6 nings. deliveries and decorated with 12 first over. fours and four sixes. With the next ball Philander before the latter edged Abbott Africa past the 400-mark before He gave the home side the ideal removed Azhar Ali (six) after his to Alviro Petersen at second slip they were all out just before start in an opening partnership off-stump was knocked back by a and he pulled off an excellent low lunch.De Villiers (121) reached his of 168 with Kieran Powell, who ball that kept low and took the catch to his left. century off 186 balls, needing just contributed 79 before falling to edge of the bat. Earlier, a century from AB de two runs on the second morning medium-fast bowler Chris Mpofu Younus and Misbah-ul-Haq Villiers (121) and a career-best to complete the milestone. in the 29th over. (10) advanced the score to 75 74 from Philander helped South REUTERS “I like to play my strokes, but my role is to give the team a good start,” said Charles. Pakistan’s “I must also acknowledge Powell’s role in helping us to hit Tendulkar and Kohli dig in for our targets at the start and set- Afridi vows ting it up for the others to follow,” he said after the match. The second and third game in to decide the series take place at the same India on dusty Chennai pitch venue today and on Tuesday. fate himself REUTERS CHENNAI: Half-centuries India took tea at 84 for two after LAHORE: Pakistan’s under- from Sachin Tendulkar and a dreadful start. Scoreboard scrutiny all-rounder Shahid India’s Virat Kohli took India to Pujara, who hit six fours Afridi yesterday vowed to play safety at stumps after triple in his 74-ball innings, became Sachin WEST INDIES on his own terms and quit on his Tendulkar strikes from fast bowler James Pattinson’s third victim and was own terms after being given a Pattinson had reduced them to clean bowled by a delivery that J Charles b Mpofu ...... 130 cuts the possible last chance to improve 105 for three on the second day kept low and hit the middle- K Powell c Ervine b Mpofu ...... 79 ball on day his performance in one-day of the first cricket Test at the M stump. Pattinson, however, was Darren Bravo (not out) ...... 100 matches. two of the A Chidambaram Stadium here given just six overs despite being A Russell c Chakabva b Mushangwe ...... 4 Afridi, who quit Test cricket in first Test of yesterday. the most effective bowler. Dwayne Bravo c Chakabva b Jarvis ...... 9 2010, was recalled for Pakistan’s the Border- Tendulkar was batting on 71 Tendulkar and Kohli then R Sarwan (not out) ...... 7 five-match one-day series against Gavaskar and Kohli 50 as India ended the scored rapidly as India added 98 Extras (B-2, LB-2, W-3, NB-1) ...... 8 South Africa, with the country’s Series in day at 182 for three in the first runs in the last session. Kohli Total (for 4 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 337 chief selector Iqbal Qasim warn- Chennai innings but still trail by 198 runs. hit seven fours in his 84-ball Did not bat: D Ramdin, N Deonarine, S Nar- ing it could be the last chance for yesterday. Australia, who resumed the unbeaten knock. ine, K Roach, T Best. some players, including Afridi. Tendulkar day at 316 for seven, lasted just Tendular enroute to his 67th Fall of wickets: 1-168, 2-248, 3-266, But Afridi pledged to walk away was the first session before they were half-century also went past 7000 4-302. Bowling: Jarvis 10-1-65-1 (1nb); Utseya from the game on his own terms. unbeaten bowled out for 380 runs. Test runs at home. Only Ricky 10-0-60-0 (1w); Mpofu 10-0-83-2 (1w); “I will never give anyone a on 71 at Skipper Michael Clarke top Ponting, who has 7578 runs, is Chibhabha 3-0-19-0; Mushangwe 10-2-56- chance to speak,” Afridi told the close scored with 130 while India off- now ahead of Tendulkar. reporters. “I will play cricket on spinner Ravichandran Ashwin In the morning session, Clarke’s 1 (1w); Masakadza 5-0-35-0; Waller 2-0-15- of play 0. my own terms and leave on my yesterday. returned with his career best valiant 130 took Australia to a own.” seven for 103. competitive total when lunch ZIMBABWE Afridi has been under pres- Chasing Australia’s 380, was called. Ashwin finished with V Sibanda lbw Roach ...... 12 sure to perform after being openers Murali Vijay (10) and career-best figures of 7-103 while C Chibhabha c Powell b Narine ...... 6 dropped from the one-day team Virender Sehwag (2) departed by left arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja H Masakadza c Roach b Narine ...... 4 for the India tour in December Scoreboard the middle of the sixth over, both finished with 2-71. B Taylor c Deonarine b Best ...... 8 last year. He was then selected being cleaned bowled by Pattinson Resuming the day at 316/7, C Ervine c Charles b Russell ...... 41 for Twenty20s only. The dash- (3/25). India were soon left strug- overnight batsmen Clarke and M Waller c (sub-Permaul) b Dwayne Bravo51 Australia (I innings): Bowling: B Kumar 13-1-52-0; I Sharma 17-3- R Chakabva c Roach b Narine ...... 4 ing batsman, who holds a world Ed Cowan st Dhoni b Ashwin ...... 29 59-0; H Singh 25-2-87-1; R Ashwin 42-12- gling at 12 for two Peter Siddle (19) added 45-runs record for smashing a 37-ball cen- Tendulkar, who has been strug- in the first hour as Australia went P Utseya (not out) ...... 18 David Warner lbw Ashwin ...... 59 103-7; R Jadeja 36-10-71-2. K Jarvis b Russell ...... 1 tury in a one-day match against Phillip Hughes b Ashwin ...... 6 India (I innings): gling with form, then joined forces past the 350-run mark. Sri Lanka in 1996, failed to hit a with Cheteshwar Pujara (44) and The partnership was going N M’Shangwe b Dwayne Bravo ...... 14 Shane Watson lbw Ashwin ...... 28 Murali Vijay b Pattinson ...... 10 C Mpofu (not out) ...... 0 50 in his last 12 one-day matches Michael Clarke c Kumar b Jadeja ...... 130 Virender Sehwag b Pattinson ...... 2 Kohli to bail out the Indian team strong but Clarke in his attempt and captured only seven wickets. with two crucial partnerships. to go for the big shots tried to Extras (B-4, LB-5, W-10, NB-3) ...... 22 Matthew Wade lbw Ashwin ...... 12 Cheteshwar Pujara b Pattinson ...... 33 Total (for 9 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 181 “If fans want to see me play, I Moises Henriques lbw Ashwin...... 68 Sachin Tendulkar (batting) ...... 71 Tendulkar added 93-run with hit out Jadeja, didn’t get to the will play, and if they don’t want Pujara that brought back the pitch of the ball and holed out to Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-22, 3-31, 4-34, Mitchell Starc b Jadeja ...... 3 Virat Kohli (batting) ...... 50 5-92, 6-115, 7-156, 8-161, 9-181. me to play then I will leave,” said Peter Siddle c Sehwag b Harbhajan Singh .. 19 Extras (LB-3, W-2) ...... 5 innings on track and was then Bhuvneshwar Kumar stationed at Afridi, who has a huge following involved with Kohli in an unfin- long-off. Bowling: Roach 8-1-15-1; Best 10-1-38-1 James Pattinson (not out) ...... 15 Total (for 3 wkts) ...... 182 (2nb, 3w); Narine 10-4-28-3; Deonarine 7-1- in Pakistan and other countries. Nathan Lyon c Kohli b Ashwin ...... 3 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-12, 3-105. ished 77-run partnership. Siddle was back in the pavilion Pakistan will play five one- Tendulkar showed his class in the next over as Harbahajan 37-0 (1w); Dwayne Bravo 8-0-30-2 (4w); Extras (B-1, LB-7) ...... 8 Bowling: Mitchell Starc 14-2-37-0; James Russell 7-0-24-2 (1nb, 1w). day internationals against South Total (all out) ...... 380 Pattinson 6-1-25-3; Peter Siddle 8-1-31-0; during the 128-ball stay hitting Singh finally got a wicket in his Africa, the first starting in six fours. Tendulkar and Pujara 100th Test with Virender Sehwag Result: West Indies won by 156 runs. Fall of wickets: 1-64, 2-72, 3-126, 4-131, Nathan Lyon 14-0-55-0; Moises Henriques 2nd ODI: Grenada, Feb 24. Bloemfontein on March 10. 5-153, 6-304, 7-307, 8-361, 9-364. 8-2-17-0; Michael Clarke 2-0-14-0. attacked the Australian bowlers taking a easy catch in the slips. REUTERS and didn’t allow them to settle as IANS 3rd ODI: Grenada, Feb 26. England thrash New Zealand, win ODI series Scoreboard AUCKLAND: Devastating bowling from Steven Finn and NEW ZEALAND ENGLAND a solid top-order batting display B Watling c Swann b Finn ...... 1 A Cook c Watling b Southee ...... 46 gave England a five-wicket win H Rutherford c Buttler b Finn ...... 2 I Bell c Rutherford b Ellis ...... 24 over New Zealand in the decid- K Williamson c Buttler b Anderson ...... 7 J Trott c Watling b Southee ...... 38 ing one-day international at The England R Taylor c Buttler b Broad ...... 28 J Root (not out) ...... 28 Eden Park yesterday to claim team players G Elliott (run out-Finn/Buttler ...... 24 E Morgan c Mills b Ellis ...... 39 the series 2-1. celebrate B McCullum c Anderson b Swann ...... 79 J Buttler c Watling b Southee ...... 3 After New Zealand were dis- after their J Franklin c&b Swann ...... 13 C Woakes (not out) ...... 3 missed for an unchallenging 185 one-day N McCullum c Cook b Finn ...... 4 Extras (LB-1, W-4) ...... 5 in an innings that ended 37 balls international A Ellis c Woakes b Broad ...... 9 Total (for 5 wkts in 37.3 overs) ...... 186 short of their 50 overs, England against New K Mills lbw Woakes ...... 2 Did not bat: S Broad, G Swann, S Finn, J An- overhauled the target in a rapid Zealand at 37.3 overs. T Southee (not out) ...... 5 derson. Eden Park, The victory gives England a Extras (LB-3, W-8) ...... 11 Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-109, 3-112, 4-168, Auckland, psychological boost going into the Total (all out in 43.5 overs) ...... 185 5-171. yesterday. Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-11, 3-11, 4-64, 5-67, Bowling: Mills 7.3-0-34-0 (1w); Southee 10- first Test on March 6 after earlier 6-99, 7-109, 8-146, 9-150, 10-185. 1-48-3 (3w); Ellis 8-0-35-2; N McCullum 7-0- winning the Twenty20 series 2-1. Bowling: Anderson 8-1-34-1 (3w), Finn 9-3- 39-0; Williamson 1-0-9-0; Franklin 4-0-20-0. England will play a four-day 27-3 (2w), Woakes 9-0-34-1 (2w), Broad 9-0- Result: England win by five wickets. match against a New Zealand XI 38-2, Swann 8.5-0-49-2 (1w). Series: England win 2-1. in Queenstown before the first Test. REUTERS SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

US joins Armstrong More upsets at Match lawsuit seeking Play Championship ‘tens of millions ’ WASHINGTON: Seeking “tens of millions” paid to Lance Armstrong (pictured) for “years of broken promises”, the US government joined a lawsuit yesterday alleging the doping cyclist Luke Donald, Louis Oosthuizen also exit on day two defrauded former sponsor US Postal Service. The government filed paperwork in federal court to join a lawsuit by Floyd Landis -- a former Armstrong teammate stripped of the MARANA, ARIZONA: Luke 2006 Tour de France crown for doping -- after talks with Armstrong Donald and Louis Oosthuizen over damages issues broke down. followed Rory McIlroy and “Lance Armstrong and his cycling team took more than $30m Tiger Woods out of the World from the US Postal Service based on their contractual promise to Golf Championships Match Play play fair and abide by the rules -- including the rules against dop- Championship yesterday with ing,” said Ronald Machen, US Attorney for the District of Columbia. Ian Poulter of second-round defeats. “This lawsuit is designed to help the Postal Service recoup the England hits his One day after the fickle nature tens of millions of dollars it paid out to (Armstrong’s) cycling team of the match play format was tee shot on the based on years of broken promises.” amply demonstrated by the first- 11th hole during US Postal, which did not sponsor the last of Armstrong’s seven round upsets of world number one the second round stripped triumphs, paid $31m in sponsorship fees from 2001-2004. McIlroy and number two Woods, of the World Golf “In today’s economic climate, the US Postal Service is simply not in seeds continued to tumble. Championships a position to allow Lance Armstrong or any of the other defendants American Scott Piercy - Accenture to walk away with the tens of millions of dollars they illegitimately thumped England’s world number Match Play at procured,” Machen said. three Donald 7 and 6, taking the the Golf Club at Landis claims Armstrong and manager Johan Bruyneel defrauded lead at the first hole where Donald Dove Mountain in taxpayers and the government by having Armstrong and other rid- opened with a double bogey. Marana, Arizona, ers use performance-enhancing drugs as Armstrong won a record Piercy won the next two holes yesterday. seven Tour de France titles from 1999-2005. with a birdie followed by another Armstrong, 41, was stripped of those titles last year after the US bogey from Donald, and went Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) uncovered overwhelming evidence, 4-up at the fifth when he holed with testimony from 26 witnesses, that he was at the heart of a out from more than 200 yards major doping conspiracy. away for an eagle. Armstrong admitted to being a dope cheat in a television interview He sealed the match with one with Oprah Winfrey last month. last birdie, sinking a four-footer “The Postal Service has now seen its sponsorship unfairly asso- to close it out at 12. His victory 3 and 2 by American Robert Ireland’s Shane Lowry showed a day behind schedule after a ciated with what has over the 2011 winner of this World Garrigus. no letdown after his triumph desert snowstorm cut short play been described as ‘the Golf Championships event was England’s Justin Rose, the over- over McIlroy, advancing with a on Wednesday. most sophisticated, the most lopsided result of the all fifth seed, was also on his way convincing 6 and 5 victory over Organizers planned to get professionalised, and week so far. home, falling 4 and 2 to Belgian Sweden’s Carl Petterson. back on track with third-round successful doping pro- “I played well, and he was off a Nicolas Colsaerts. It marked the He’s the first 64th seed to reach matches today morning followed gramme that sport has little bit,” Piercy said. third time in the last five years the third round in the 15-year by quarter-finals in the afternoon. ever seen,’” Machen “That’s why it looked so that the top four seeds failed to history of the event. US Open champion Webb said. one-sided.” make it past the second round. Lowry booked a third-round Simpson moved on with a 1-up Financial hardships, Donald, who characterised his By the end of the day, reigning match against another old friend win over Sweden’s Peter Hanson. caused in part by a game as “just very average,” was Masters champion Bubba Watson from Northern Ireland, Graeme Simpson next faces Spain’s federal requirement the top seed in his quarter and was the only one of the tourna- McDowell -- who finally put away Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who to pre-fund employee third seed overall in the 64-man ment’s top 10 seeds remaining Sweden’s Alexander Noren at the cruised to a 6 and 5 victory over pensions, have the US field behind world number one -- and only after battling to a vic- 20th hole. American Charles Howell a day Postal Service plan- McIlroy and number two Woods, tory over Jim Furyk at the 22nd “I struggled to get to sleep last after Howell outdueled Woods. ning to cut Saturday who both fell in the snow-delayed hole. night,” Lowry admitted. Defending champion Hunter delivery of mail in first round on Thursday. “This game... it’s a toss-up,” “I played solid all day. I made a Mahan defeated South African August. Fourth overall seed Oosthuizen, Watson said. “You can’t really few birdies and didn’t do anything Richard Sterne 4 and 3 and Landis, who himself a former Masters champion from judge who’s going to win, or bet wrong, which is key in match former champion Ian Poulter of admitted to doping, South Africa, joined the exodus of who’s going to win. It really means play.” England downed American Bo filed his lawsuit under bracket leaders as he was beaten nothing.” Yesterday’s second round was Van Pelt 3 and 1. REUTERS the False Claims Act, which allows citizens to sue for alleged fraud against the govern- ment and receive as Red-hot Ariya much as a third of any money recovered. The law allows for the recovery of treble damages or, in Armstrong’s case, triple the sum of the US Postal sponsorship. storms into lead The US Justice Department move came two days after Armstrong told USADA he would not testify under oath about the details of PATTAYA, THAILAND: Teen golf- her within striking distance of Ariya. the doping scheme, but he might have to provide such testimony if ing sensation Ariya Jutanugarn tore “I would love to be in the first spot but the lawsuit leads to a court trial. into a three-shot lead on home soil at definitely we can reach (Ariya). So I’m That could help USADA’s ongoing look into Bruyneel and other the Honda LPGA Thailand yesterday, pretty confident for tomorrow and in a details about how Armstrong got away with such a major doping as overnight leader Stacy Lewis wob- good position.” conspiracy for so long without being stopped by the International bled in a see-sawing third round. The Thai goes into the final day on Cycling Union (UCI). Trailing world number three Lewis the back of two blistering rounds of golf The US government, which will file its formal complaint within by three shots at the start of play, the which have belied her callow years and 60 days, is only joining the case against Armstrong, Bruyneel and 17-year-old Thai delighted the crowd heaped pressure on her more experi- the Tailwind team entity run by Armstrong, and not against several with seven birdies, including five in a enced rivals. other defendants named in the suit. row, to finish at a two-under 70 for the She put Lewis on the back foot with “Today’s action demonstrates the Department of Justice’s steadfast day, and 205 for the tournament with a birdie at the par five first and the commitment to safeguarding federal funds and making sure that one day to go. American then went on to drop two contractors live up to their promises,” deputy assistant attorney The chasing pack -- at eight-under shots as her confidence appeared to ebb general Stuart Delery said. after three days -- comprises Lewis, away. But Lewis’s three-shot lead was Armstrong had tried to settle the matter with US lawyers who posted an error-strewn four-over restored by the end of the front nine but failed because his attorneys claim US Postal benefitted from 76, Beatriz Recari of Spain who made with a birdie boosted by a nightmare increased publicity as a sponsor associated with Armstrong during par and Se Ri Pak, who leads the double-bogey for the Thai youngster on his days of glory. Korean contingent and recorded a solid the ninth. “Lance and his representatives worked constructively over these one-under. Undeterred, Ariya bounced into the last weeks with federal lawyers to resolve this case fairly, but those Her compatriot Inbee Park sits at back nine, notching a remarkable run talks failed because we disagree about whether the Postal Service was seven-under, with American Lizette of five birdies to the delight of the par- damaged,” Armstrong attorney Robert Luskin said in a statement. Salas and Korean So-Yeon Ryu tied a tisan crowd at the Siam Country Club Armstrong’s camp also made public studies from 2002-2005 that shot further back -- the latter providing in Pattaya. valued the publicity benefits of the sponsorship deal at more than one of the day’s highlights with a delight- Lewis cut an increasingly frustrated 300 percent of the money invested every year. ful chip in from the bunker. figure as she bogeyed the last three holes “The Postal’s Services own studies show that the Service benefited It was a tough day to make low scores, -- a scuffed shot to the final green sum- tremendously from its sponsorship -- benefits totaling more than with most cards peppered with bogeys ming up a day littered with mistakes. $100 million,” Luskin said. -- something Recari attributed to the It was another fairly uninspiring day But there was no look at how links to the doping revelations of Michelle Wie of the US plays a shot during the third round windy conditions. for world number one Tseng Yani of the past year might harm the US Postal Service’s reputation. of the Honda LPGA Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya “On the front nine there were some Taiwan, who made par for the day but In addition to the Landis lawsuit, Armstrong was sued on February yesterday. Teen golfing sensation Ariya Jutanugarn tore tricky pins. The other nine it seemed sits well out of contention at one-under, 7 by a Texas insurance firm seeking $12m for bonus money paid into a three-shot lead on home soil yesterday. like the greens were much faster,” the having failed to recover from a shocking to the cyclist for Tour de France triumphs that no longer exist. Spaniard said after her round, which left first round. REUTERS REUTERS

Owners and officials gather around winning horses on day three of the 22nd Qatar International Arabian Horse Show at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) yesterday. RIGHT: QREC General Manager, Sami Jassim Al Boenain is seen during a prize distribution ceremony. PICS: JUHAIM SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Semi-finals sweep for dominant China Injury forces Zhang out of Qatar Open

BY DENZIL PINTO

DOHA: China underlined its dominance once again when the Asian country secured all the semi-final places in the Men’s Adham Sharara (centre), President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), is seen along with Khaleel and Women’s Singles catego- Al Mohannadi, president of Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA), and Ahmad Al Mohannadi (right), a Qatari ries at the Qatar Open 2013 player that took part in the Qatar Open 2013 Table Tennis Championships. PICTURE BY: IBRAHIM KUTTY Table Tennis Championships yesterday. In the Men’s category, Xin Xu, Ma Long, Wang Ho and Yan An No immediate threat to Chinese advanced to the last four, while the women’s world top three play- ers Ning Ding, Shiwen Liu and Xiaoxia Li joined Zhu Yuling in dominance, says ITTF chief today’s semi-finals. Defending champion and world DOHA: The International promoted. I have just hired this how to attract spectators to the number one Xin Xu posted a 4-0 Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) month a promotion manager. His sporting events. I can see in foot- win over China Taipese’s Yuan- President Adham Sharara has job is to tell the world and the ball the number of spectators is Chih Chuang. World number two Shiwen Liu of China in acton during her quarter-final predicted it will take rivals at international partners like the not so large. Maybe the popula- The two-time champion fought match against Austria’s Amelie Solja at the Qatar Open 2013 Table Tennis least another five or six years to IOC, Sport Accord and all the big tion is not so used to going out off the challenge from the 31-year- Championships at the Qatar Women’s Sports Committee Hall at Aspire break the Chinese domination international sports federations to watch events live, and watch old to win 11-9, 11-9, 11-4, 12-10. Zone yesterday. in the sport. to tell what the ITTF is doing. events through TV. I’m not too Xu will now meet compatriot Sharara, who is currently This championship con- sure about the football (World and third seed Long in today’s in Doha to attend the Annual sisted of 15 Qatari players. Aya Cup in 2022) or the handball semi-final, who defeated sixth quarter-finals. Yuling, who beat The world number one posted Executive Meeting and the Qatar Majdi said to The Peninsula on (2015 World Championships) seed Dimitrij Ovtcharov of compatriot Xiaodan Li in the last- an 11-3, 11-7, 11-2, 11-7 victory, Open 2013 Championships said: Thursday that the competition what will happen. But we find Germany 4-1. 16 stage, took a three game-lead. and will clash with third seed and “I don’t think it will take that will ‘make a big difference to in table tennis this is our weak After losing the first three However, after Tianwei won world number three Li Xiaoxia. long, may be five or six years. You her’. How do you feel when point. From hospitality, organi- games, the German, who won two consecutive games, Yuling After registering a 4-0 victory can see from the junior level, the you see Qataris playing in this sational point of view, the Qatar bronze at the London Olympics, had enough quality to claim a in the last- 16 stage, Li overcame French and Japanese are beat- championship? experience now has reached top claimed the fourth but was unable 4-2 victory (11-4, 13-11, 11-5, 7-11, Korea’s Hyow Seo in six games. ing the Chinese, so they will grow If you go back 10 to 15 years level. We can see here, everything to build on the momentum which 5-11, 11-4). The Olympic champion won 11-2, together. In five to six years you ago, there would be no activity here is running like clockwork. allowed Long to walk away with a Yuling will now face world 9-11, 11-13, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5 in a will find much bigger and harder in Qatar whatsoever. If we look The hall looks fantastic and all 11-5, 11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7 victory. number two Liu, who ended highly entertaining encounter. competition in the sport.” now, Qatar are organising on an the services that are provided are In the third quarter-final, the remarkable run of Austria’s After claiming the first game, Having been the President for annual basis this Championships, excellent. The hospitality for the world number four Wang cruised Amelie Solja. Li was 4-0 up in the second game, more than a decade, Sharara has as well as other regional and jun- players and officials are at the past another German, Patrick Liu cruised past the Austrian before Seo reduced the deficit to made many changes to make the ior championships. It gives the highest level, we cannot complain Baum in straight games. in four straight games (11-9, 11-6, 5-6. sport more attractive and enter- opportunity for Qatari players about anything. The only thing Wang, 29, was convincing and 11-1, 11-6). With the second game level taining to spectators. themselves to see the top level we need is more spectators. I only conceded 21 points in his Earlier in the day, Solja had at 9-9, Seo took advantage and He said if he is re-elected in so that they can improve but also think it’s a problem for all sports 11-8, 11-7, 11-1, 11-5 victory. defeated 28th seed Zhendqi clinched the game 11-9. May, it would be his final term. participate in this event. What not just in table tennis. Wang will now clash against Barthel of Germany 4-0 (11-4, In a closely-contested third The Canadian also praised I’m pleased about this particular You had said in a previous Yan An after second seed and 11-9, 11-5, 11-6) in the last-16 game, Seo who saved two game Qatar’s organisational skills of event is that more Arab coun- interview that it will be some Olympic champion Jike Zhang stage. points, took the lead at 2-1. the $212,000 event and said it’s tries are participating. I remem- before the Chinese domination retired injured in the semi-finals. However, the 26th seed Li remained composed and lev- good that Qatari players are ber five or six years ago, there can be broken. When is the Zhang was trailing 0-2 but was Austrian could not cope with Liu’s elled the score at two games all. being given the opportunity to would be no Arab countries at all earliest do you think this could unable to continue his quarter- fast speed in the quarter-finals. Li then took the fifth game and improve. and when I asked them why they happen? final match at the Qatar Women’s In the other semi-finals, Ding, later won the match clinching the “It gives the opportunity to are not participating they replied Just a few weeks ago, the Committee Sports Hall. who enjoyed an easy 4-0 victory last game 11-5. Qatari players themselves to see ‘it’s too strong for us. We come defending and world champion Meanwhile, in the Women’s over 15th seed Han Ying (11-8, As well as the semi-finals, the the top level so that they can and we lose.’ So I told them ‘if you Xiu Xu lost in the quarter-finals category, fifth seed Yuling bat- 11-2, 11-3, 11-4) in the last-16 stage final of the Men’s and Women’s improve but also participate in don’t come you will always lose. in Austria. So this means it’s tled past world number six and earlier, made it a double success Singles will also take place today. this event. What I’m pleased You have to come and lose, and possible. China are very con- fourth seed Feng Tianwei in the against Korea’s Hauen Yang. THE PENINSULA about this particular event is that then you come and win.’ sistent and strong, and prepare more Arab countries are partici- Will the Middle East coun- well for the main events like the pating,” said the 59-year-old. tries have a greater influence Olympics or world events. But in Qatar Open 2013 Excerpts from a detailed chat on table tennis in the future? other events it’s possible because Sharara had with The Peninsula It is difficult to tell. It will take everyone is not on top form. If Table Tennis at the Qatar Women’s Sports time. China are strong and always players beat them in these events, Committee Hall. are strong. Egyptian players are they will gain confidence and can Championships Question: You have been in doing very well now internation- beat them in the main events. It’s charge of ITTF for more than ally. But in the Middle East, the almost like the European players Today’s Schedule 10 years. Are you planning to gap between those top ranks are want to avoid the Chinese. If they Women’s Singles Semi-Finals introduce any more changes in quite far. They need to do a lot know the Chinese are playing an Ning Ding (CHN) vs Xiaoxia Li (CHN) the sport? more work, have more participa- event then they will compete in 11.00am Not really. What I’d like to tion in international events and a different event to avoid them. Yuling Zhu (CHN) vs Shiwen Liu (CHN) do in the last four years, if I’m more training opportunities with I don’t think it will take that 11.45am elected is to consolidate the top coaches and top players. All long, may be 5 or 6 years. You Men’s Singles Semi-Finals structure of the ITTF, give more this takes a lot of time. can see from the junior level, the Xu Xin (CHN) vs Long Ma (CHN), 12.30pm importance to the continental What do you make of Aspire French and Japanese are beat- federation. It will allow the con- facilities? ing the Chinese. So they will Yan An (CHN) vs Wang Hao (CHN), 1.15pm tinental federation and help the I think it’s tremendous. I wish grow together can I say 5 or 6 Women’s Doubles Final ITTF develop the sport every- we had something like this in my years you will find a much big- Zhenqi Barthel (GER)/Xiaona Chan (GER) vs where in the world. This for me country. Only my wish is that ger and better competition for Ning Ding (CHN)/Li Xiaoxia, 3.30pm is very important. Secondly, we it can be used to its maximum the Chinese. Men’s Doubles Final feel the ITTF does a lot of work effect. That means more athletes Will the Chinese lift the titles Long Ma (CHN)/Jike Zhang (CHN) vs Hao that is unseen. That means we competing, more training ses- on Sunday (today)? Wang (CHN)/ An Yan (CHN), 4.00pm do a lot of development work, sions, and maybe more exchanges If I have to bet, then yes. Women’s Singles Final, 4.30pm we provide a lot of assistance to with other countries. (laughs). But I would’ve lost developing countries. We’re also Can Qatar hold more world the bet in Austria (referring to China’s Yan An in action during his quarter-final match against Olympic Men’s Singles Final, 5.15pm champion Jike Zhang. Zhang retired from the match after suffering a back making a lot of changes in our events? Xiu Xin’s quarter-final exit in Venue: Qatar Women’s Sports Committee presentation but this is not really Yes. The main problem is Austria). THE PENINSULA injury. An will face Wang Hao in today’s semi-final. PICTURES BY: KAMMUTY VP Hall, Aspire Zone Al Rayyan drop points; Al Khor stun Al Gharafa

DOHA: Title chasing Al The former French interna- Rayyan yesterday dropped QSL Results tional has also managed the Qatar Al Rayyan’s points when they were held to Olympic squad last year. players Nilmar Al Rayyan 2 Al Kharaitiyat 2 a 2-2 draw by Al Kharaitiyat at Perrin took over as manager of Da Silva Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium. Al Khor 2 Al Gharafa 0 Olympique Lyonnais in 2007. (right), Hamid The round 18 clash in the Qatar Today’s Fixture In his first season, he led the Ismail Hamid Stars League (QSL) didn’t go as Al Wakra vs Al Sadd at Al Wakra Stadium, club to a seventh consecutive (centre) and planned for Al Rayyan who were 6:30pm Ligue 1 championship title. Rodrigo Tabata hoping for a win to close gap He also managed to retain the celebrate on the points leaders Al Sadd, The match was to be played French Cup which he had won after scoring Lekhwiya and Eljaish. yesterday but was postponed fol- with Sochaux the previous year. their second For Al Kharaitiyat, Alain Dioko lowing the death of Al Wakra offi- He left the club in June 2008. goal against Kaluyituka scored both the goals cial Ahmed Al Khamis. He was rumoured to take over Al Kharaitiyat in the 55th and 74th minutes. The match will be played at Al the position of French national during their For Al Rayyan, the goals were Wakra Stadium with kick-off set manager, but Raymond Domenech QSL clash scored by Brazilian striker Nilmar for 6:30pm. was picked instead. at Rayyan who found the net in the 38th and Al Sadd will be looking to con- In November 2008, he Stadium 64th minute. solidate their lead at the top. became the new manager of In another match yesterday, Al Meanwhile, Al Gharafa Saint-Etienne. yesterday. Khor beat Al Gharafa 2-0. coach Alain Perrin has quit, a In 2010, Perrin moved to Al Nilmar scored Abdu Qadir opened the scoring news report on Qatar Football Khor before getting the reigns both the goals in the 31st minute and then Julio Association website said. of the Qatar Olympic side a year for Al Rayyan. Cesar (70) doubled the lead for Al Perrin, the former Al Khor later. PICTURE BY: Khor in the second half. coach, has been replaced by Habib Last year, he took over at Al SHAIVAL DALAL In today’s action, Al Sadd visit Sadiq for the remainder of the Gharafa. Al Wakra for their round 18 clash. season, the report added. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Qatar Al-Anabi prepares for Phoenix eliminations

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Five days ago, the Qatar Al-Anabi Racing Top Fuel team, the two- time NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel World Champions owned by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, basked in the glow of a season-opening win in California. Now, in Phoenix, Arizona for the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, the team is back at work trying to improve on last weekend’s impressive performance. After two rounds of qualify- ing, the team has more work to Young kids with their fathers and Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah (left and right), President, QMMF, during a riding session inside Losail International Circuit yesterday. CENTRE: A rider takes do to prepare for tomorrow’s a bend during the same training session yesterday. PICTURES: FEISAL AHMED eliminations. Qualifying resumes today with eliminations set for tomorrow. Second-year Top Fuel driver Khalid alBalooshi, the former NHRA Pro Mod champion from Dubai, got down the track in both QMMF academy welcomes of his qualifying attempts and is currently the No. 10 qualifier. “Our Al-Anabi team worked very hard to get the car ready for qualifying, but we did not run as well as well hoped,” alBalooshi young riders at Losail Circuit said. “This race track is very dif- ferent from the one we ran in California last week, but I We are doing this to help kids understand the sport: QMMF President know Jason(crew chief Jason McCulloch) is doing his best and DOHA: Young kids as old as to ride so that they improve their that we he will have our team seven-year-olds took part in rid- skills.” Al Attiyah added: “We are ready for race day. ing sessions held at the QMMF very happy to see that this project “If Sheikh Khalid was with us Children’s Academy inside is growing and we hope that more this weekend, he would be very Losail International Circuit schoolchildren approach us for proud of how hard everyone on yesterday. riding lessons. This is a world- our team is working. I am looking Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, class facility that can help kids forward to race day.” President, QMMF, was present learn about the sport at a young In a sport where teams battle during the riding sessions along age. I want to thank all parents to make the most power, the sil- with parents of the participating who were here today with their ver Al-Anabi car is simply making children. children. too much power for the Phoenix During yesterday’s session - He explained: “I am happy race track. which was held from 11am to 3pm to announce that from now on Silver Al-Anabi driver Shawn - scores of children wore custom- the Children’s Academy will be Langdon made two qualifying ised helmets before riding bikes open every time that there is a attempts, but each time, the designed for kids falling between Track Day at Losail International Al-Anabi car overpowered the the 8 to 11 age bracket. Circuit.” race track and spun the tires. Before they got the first contact Children yesterday got to ride Langdon is currently the No. 16 with the bike, all children were two different kind of bikes to test qualifier with two rounds of quali- fully equipped with riding suits their riding abilities in the 125cc fying remaining, but the winner and safety equipment and were and 50cc category bikes. of the season’s opening race is not briefed by the instructor Mark “After the session, all the chil- at all concerned about race day. Schulz. dren were very happy to take part “When your car makes too Al Attiyah, who is also the in this session at the academy and much power for the race track, Vice President of FIM, said: “The had a lot of fun during the safety that’s a pretty good problem to Qatar Motor and Motorcycle lessons,” a QMMF official said. have,” Langdon said. Federation keeps on running “At the end of the event, all Al-Anabi Racing operates out educational and safety aware- children took home a photo frame of multiple locations in both the ness programmes to help young with their pictures in the Riding Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, President, QMMF, and young children pose with their bikes at Losail International United States and Qatar. children understand the sport. Academy,” the official added. Circuit yesterday. In the United States, the We want to help them learn how THE PENINSULA Brownsburg, Ind.-based operation is a two-car NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series team that is managed by Alan Johnson Racing. Sheikh Khalid’s initiative has created increased international awareness of the nation of Qatar while highlighting the nation’s international sports outreach. Alan Johnson is a 14-time NHRA champion in various capacities including crew chief, team owner and team manager. LEFT and RIGHT: Young riders are seen with their family For additional information on members and Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, President, QMMF, the Al-Anabi Racing Team or during their riding sessions that took place inside Losail their drivers fans can visit www. International Circuit yesterday. alanabiracing.com. THE PENINSULA Sailing: India’s Saravanan reigns supreme in Qatar

DOHA: Vishnu Saravanan of India won the Optimist Class at Sail the Gulf, the international regatta of Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation. Torstein Erlendsoenn Tenstad of Norway finished second while Mahesh Balachander came third in the four-day event which ended here yesterday. There was more success for the Indians with Ganapathy K Chengappa Varun and Ashok Thakkar, and the all- female pair of Varsha Gautham and Aishwarya Nedunchezhiyan finishing first and second in 29er. Elsewhere, Ruben Heard of Saudi Arabia set aside stiff com- petition from Jacob Price of Great Britain to win in the Laser 4.7 class, while Ahmed Ragab of Egypt and Oman’s Hussain Said Al Jabri reigned supreme in the Laser Radial and Laser Standard categories respectively. Bahrian’s Chaabane Khemaies Mahdi and Abdulaziz Almahmeed clinched the top place in Hobie-16 in Qatar, while in 470, Darren Choy and Nathan Tang of Singapore finished The podium winners at Sail the Gulf, the international regatta of Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF) pose for a picture with officials of QSRF at Doha Sailing Club yesterday. RIGHT: on the top. THE PENINSULA The Qatari pair of Abdelrahman Al Jinah and Yousef Al Baker, who finished third in the 420 Class. Sunday 24 February 2013 14 Rabial II Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5620 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Tuilagi’s lucky try keeps EPL: Man United race to England on course for Slam

LONDON: Manu Tuilagi scored a fortunate try as 15-point lead; Arsenal win England remained on course for a Six Nations Grand Slam with a 23-13 win over France at Twickenham yesterday. Rafael and Giggs on target against QPR; Wigan trounce Reading 3-0 Owen Farrell kicked 12 points and replacement fly-half Toby Flood landed two late penal- LONDON: A thunderbolt from wing and cut the ball back for his ties as England inflicted a third Rafael da Silva set Manchester English Premier Spanish countryman Cazorla to straight defeat of the tourna- United on the way to a 2-0 win guide a low shot past Brad Guzan. ment on bottom-of-the-table at bottom club Queens Park League Results The result took Arsenal to France -- ‘Les Bleus’ worst start Rangers yesterday that sent Arsenal 2 (Cazorla 6, 85) Aston Villa 1 within a point of fourth-placed to a Championship since they lost Alex Ferguson’s side 15 points (Weimann 68) Tottenham Hotspur, who visit their opening three games in the clear in the Premier League. West Ham United tomorrow. 1982 Five Nations. Fulham 1 (Berbatov 45) Stoke 0 The Brazilian right-back struck Cazorla’s winner also sent Villa “We were a little bit slow com- in the 23rd minute, arrowing a Norwich 2 (Kamara 84, Holt 90+4) Everton into the drop zone and allowed ing out of the blocks today, they crisp, first-time drive right into 1 (Osman 39) Wigan Athletic to haul them- scored a brilliant individual try the top-left corner from outside QPR 0 Manchester Utd 2 (Rafael 23, Giggs selves out of the bottom three and caused all kinds of prob- the box after Julio Cesar had 80) after a potentially crucial 3-0 win lems,” said England captain Chris pushed away a shot from Robin Reading 0 Wigan 3 (Kone 44, 45, Figueroa at relegation rivals Reading. Robshaw. van Persie. 48) A quick-fire brace from Ivorian “But credit to the guys, we The goal came at a cost for West Brom 2 (Lukaku 35-pen, 75) striker Arouna Kone put Wigan stuck at it and when we got United, however, with top scorer Sunderland 1 (Sessegnon 79) 2-0 up shortly before half-time attack going we found space. It’s van Persie tumbling into the pho- Playing today (both 1330GMT) and Maynor Figueroa added a a great win, it’s an exciting time.” tographers’ pit behind Cesar’s third early in the second period Much-improved France turned Manchester City vs Chelsea, Newcastle vs goal and sustaining a hip injury after a slick one-two with Franco round 10-9 in front after Wesley Southampton that forced him off four minutes Di Santo. Fofana’s superb solo score pro- before half-time. Playing tomorrow (2000GMT) Reading’s misery was complete vided the only try of the first half. The evergreen Ryan Giggs West Ham vs Tottenham in the 55th minute when striker The game was still in the bal- sealed victory in the 80th minute, an amazing man.”Meanwhile, Pavel Pogrebnyak was sent off for ance, with England leading 12-10, ghosting onto Nani’s through ball Arsenal put their recent woes an ugly lunge on Figueroa. when recalled centre Tuilagi and whipping a low shot past the behind them as Santi Cazorla Defeat saw Reading slip scored a try that might have been exposed Cesar. completed a brace with an 85th- below Wigan to second-bottom, disallowed for a ruck offence in Victory gives United a massive minute goal that condemned rel- although Brian McDermott’s side the build-up. lead at the league summit, ahead egation-threatened Aston Villa are just a point from safety. It was a sign of England’s of nearest rivals Manchester to a 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Everton lost ground in the race strength that coach Stuart City’s home game with third- Stadium. for Champions League football Lancaster made three changes place Chelsea today. Knocked out of the FA Cup by after Norwich City came from to a winning side, with the pow- United manager Ferguson second-tier Blackburn Rovers and behind to win 2-1 at Carrow Road. erful Tuilagi replacing Billy sought to play down concerns soundly beaten by Bayern Munich Leon Osman headed the visitors Twelvetrees in midfield and Dylan about van Persie’s early exit. in the Champions League, Arsenal in front from Leighton Baines’ Hartley taking over from Tom “It’s a hip injury, so it might be were desperate for a reaction and cross in the 39th minute, but Kei Youngs at hooker. AFP tender and sore for a few days, but took a sixth-minute lead when Kamara levelled six minutes from hopefully he’ll be all right, partic- Cazorla drilled home. full-time before Grant Holt lashed ularly for the Real Madrid game Arsene Wenger’s men failed in a 94th-minute winner. Wales keep (in the Champions League),” he to build on their lead, however, On-loan Chelsea striker said. and in the 68th minute, Andreas Romelu Lukaku scored in each title bid on Ferguson also saluted Giggs for Weimann equalised with a half -- the first a penalty -- as helping United to close the game 25-yard shot that squirmed West Bromwich Albion won 2-1 at out. beneath Arsenal goalkeeper home to Sunderland, who replied track with win “You have to get that second Wojciech Szczesny. through Stephane Sessegnon. goal and Ryan Giggs has a great Yet more unpleasant headlines Earlier, a marvellous goal from ROME: Second-half tries record of scoring here,” said the beckoned, but with five minutes Dimitar Berbatov gave Fulham Ryan Giggs (left) and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrate a goal by Jonathan Davis and Alex Scot. to play, January signing Nacho a 1-0 win at home to Stoke City. during the English Premier League match against Queens Park Rangers Cuthbert helped seal a 26-9 “He’s delivered again -- he’s Monreal scampered down the left AFP at the Loftus Road Stadium, in London, yesterday. win over Italy and keep Wales’ Six Nations title defence on track in difficult conditions at the Olympic Stadium here yesterday. Wales went in at half-time 9-6 to the good after Leigh Halfpenny Kvitova beats Errani to capture Dubai title kicked three penalties to the two coverted for the hosts by Kris DUBAI: Former Wimbledon be aggressive.” It was also nota- service game, which she also Burton. champion Petra Kvitova scored ble that Kvitova’s resilience was dropped, and began making many However neither team would her biggest success in 15 months achieved without the services of more errors, both forced and boast of dominating the other in a when a 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 victory over her coach David Kotyza whom, unforced. dire opening half beset by periodic Sara Errani earned her the she said, was on holiday. Remarkably Errani chiselled spells of heavy rain. Dubai Open title yesterday. “I hope he is happy,” she and harried her way to six games Wales, looking for their sec- There were moments in the commented. in a row, instilling uncertainty ond win of the tournament hav- first and third sets when Kvitova “It was something special. I into her opponent, and almost ing beaten France in Paris after looked as though she could am here alone. Sometimes it is breaking serve in the first game an opening defeat to Ireland, become a Grand Slam challenger, difficult to go on court and think of the final set. finally found their stride after but in between she was thankful about the game by myself.” By then though Kvitova had the interval. that she could discover enough The hard-hitting Czech looked taken a comfort break between “It was a good performance, mental strength to recover from as though she was going to swamp sets and appeared to have got her especially up front,” said Davies. a rocky mid-match spell. the French Open finalist when head together. “The boys were fantastic and It means that the fierce-hitting she trampled her way through the She also regained her timing, worked really hard. As a backline 22-year-old Czech has now won first four games in 15 minutes and and after recovering from love- we had to keep our errors down eight of her 10 career titles at took the first set in little more 40 to reach 2-1 and saving two and put them in the right places. Premier or Grand Slam level, a than half an hour. game points in the next game she “To be fair, the pack were on statistic which says something During that time Errani, the regained some momentum. fire today.” about her capacity for delivering loser of all six previous sets Kvitova finished the match Italy, however, were unlucky when it matters most. against Kvitova, managed just a again looking like the player who not to be rewarded in the first Italian Errani, who was voted single winner, and looked almost had beaten three top 12 women minute of the second half when the tour’s most improved player certain to lose two more. previously this week, and had the Welsh defence were guilty of last year, played with surprising But Errani adapted her tac- sequences of points when she handling errors. Only Tomasso courage to abandon her patient tics well in the second set, taking looked a potential Grand Slam Benvenuti’s failure to collect the rallying in favour of flatter hitting time away from Kvitova’s brilliant challenger again. ball and carry it over the tryline and net attacks. ball-striking. Asked if it had been an up-and- from two metres out stopped the Although this did not turn the Then in the fourth game she down match, Kvitova commented: hosts from earning a potential match completely around it did produced a brilliant lob-approach- “Oh, yeah, I mean, that’s women’s game-changing try. prevent it becoming a rout. stop volley sequence which roused tennis.” In near desperation min- “It was up and down, but I the crowd for the first time and And of the time out she took utes later Burton tried to make can say I was focussed and calm, for a while changed the mood of before the final set, she said: “I amends but, for the second time which was important after the the match. was quite down. I mean, I was in in the game, missed a drop goal Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic kisses the winner’s trophy after her second set,” said Kvitova. Kvitova conceded that game the locker room and I was think- from 30 metres out. Italy were women’s singles final match against Sara Errani of Italy during the WTA “It was important to stay in the with a double fault, delivered ing that, really, that I must stay without captain Sergio Parisse, Dubai Tennis Championships, yesterday. game and to do my best and to another double fault in her next positive - and just play.” AFP who was banned for 30 days. AFP