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Monday 24 December 2012 11 Safar 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5558 Price: QR2

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Emir gets message from Sudan President GCC ministers Health officials discuss economy ahead of summit MANAMA: Foreign minis- call for strict ters of the six Gulf Cooperation Council states met here yester- day to discuss economic integra- tion on the eve of the annual GCC summit, a diplomatic source said. HIV screening The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will head to Manama today to partici- pate in the 33rd GCC Supreme Visitors to Thailand under watch Council Summit. The Heir Apparent will be accompanied DOHA: As seven fresh cases that global trends over the past by a high-level official delegation. of AIDS were detected in decade showed a decline in the The foreign ministers meeting Qatar last year that included spread of the deadly disease. was held behind closed doors and a Qatari, health officials have Notwithstanding the small per- focused on “the complementary recommended that younger centage of HIV patients in Qatar nature of the six members”, whose people who frequently visit and a near-absent threat, the overall GDP in 2011 amounted to countries like Thailand should seminar underscored the need to $1.371 trillion, the source said. be checked for early detection set up a national committee to In 2003, the GCC states of the HIV virus. fight the killer disease and curb launched a symbolic customs A seminar held on the deadly its spread. union which has been beset with disease by the Supreme Council It was suggested that anti- problems, failing to meet its tar- of Health (SCH) yesterday also HIV awareness must start from get date of 2005, with the tran- came up with the recommenda- school by making it part of sition period extended. And a tion that a national committee be the school curricula, and focus monetary union announced in set up to create public awareness should simultaneously be put on 2009 with the aim of creating a about AIDS. youth clubs. The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani received a written message from Sudanese President Omar common currency has also failed The panel, it was suggested, The panel would also be tasked Hassan Al Bashir pertaining to bilateral cooperation and ways to boost them. The message was handed to materialise, with just Bahrain, should encourage early mar- with taking care of the HIV over to the Emir by Director-General of Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Lt Gen. Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia riage among the youth so they infected and make sure that they signing up to it. QNA/AFP Mohamed Atta Al Mawla Abbas at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. do not get involved in immoral remain part of social mainstream relationships and fall prey to because if they are neglected they the deadly virus. could turn revengeful and spread It was additionally recom- the deadly virus. mended that those who apply to An expert, Mamoon Mabeed, renew health cards should also be from the Social Rehabilitation made to undergo tests for HIV. Centre, told the symposium that Rents may drive inflation in 2013 Health officials said the seven Arab countries were falling prey new AIDS cases discovered last to the killer HIV virus in a big DOHA: Planning officials yes- and the upward curve is to con- swing factor in forecasts of con- percent to a year. Considering year take the total number of way as the disease had been terday warned that house rents tinue, the General Secretariat of sumer price inflation for 2013, the 12-month moving average, HIV-infected persons presently in spreading alarmingly. could soar in 2013 due to rising Development Planning (GSDP) the agency said, and added that the population is once again on a Qatar to 98. From 1985 till date He said an incredible half-a- expatriate population and push said yesterday. due to the surging rents inflation rising trajectory, according to the some 261 AIDS cases have been million people in the Arab world the cost of living up. It added that for nearly four is now put at 3.5 percent for the planning agency. detected. were inflicted by AIDS and that An idea of the rapid popula- years, since 2009, rents were low, year, marginally higher than the The rise was so much that by HIV positive persons account only 13 percent of them had tion increase can be had from the having climbed down from the projections made in June. November of this year the popula- for a meager 0.02 percent of the access to treatment. fact that in the latter half of this shockingly peak levels that were A larger population and the tion had risen to 1.85 million. country’s population, which is a Another expert, Dr Allauddin year alone some 130,000 newly- witnessed during 2006 and 2008. demand it places on rental accom- To meet the demands created by negligible percentage and does Alwan, director of the World recruited workers have arrived in “That phase has ended this year,” modation and other non-tradable an expanding population, service not pose any serious threat to Health Organisation (WHO), the country and the trend is likely the GSDP said. services are likely to add to con- activity expanded in the first half, Qatar, a senior Hamad Medical Middle East, said that the prob- to remain upward. An upward curve is in witness sumer price inflation in 2013, but with most sub-sectors growing at Corporation (HMC) official, Dr lem was that people don’t come It is not surprising, then, that now. As a solace, however, the risks of a rapid acceleration are seven to nine percent, the GSDP Abdul Latif Al Khaal, said. forward for medical check-ups so rents have already surged 2.2 planning agency pointed out that low, reiterated the GSDP. said in ‘Qatar Economic Outlook The seminar was organised those with HIV virus cannot be percent during the period (in risks of a repeat of the sharp rent The country’s population was 2012-2013’ released yesterday. to mark the International AIDS treated. just a few months from May increases of 2006-08 were remote. 1.72 million by the middle of THE PENINSULA Day. Al Khaal, however, added THE PENINSULA and June to October this year) Rents are likely to be a major this year recording a rise of six See also page 18

Egyptians back Qatar launches ‘Muntajat’ new constitution Qatari makes waves DOHA: Qatar has announced the launch of a single corporate entity which would hold exclusive rights to purchase, market, in referendum distribute and sell it’s chemical and petrochemical products to the global market. The launch of “Muntajat” or Qatar Chemical CAIRO: An Islamist-backed with debut novel and Petrochemical Marketing and Distribution Company QJSC Egyptian constitution won yesterday marks an important milestone in diversifying Qatar’s approval in a referendum, rival BY MOHAMMED IQBAL control of the British empire. exports portfolio, which is set to take its chemical and petro- camps said yesterday, after a vote “But I have a taken a lot of chemical products to 120 countries through 36 global outlets, the opposition said would sow freedom in developing the plot, including seven regional hubs. Full report on page 17 deep social divisions in the Arab DOHA: Three editions of the intertwining it with the life and world’s most populous nation. first novel in a year — this is customs of the Arabian tribes Hotel cancels controversial show The Islamist Muslim a real feat for a debutant nov- in that era,” said Al Mahmoud. Brotherhood, which propelled elist, especially in a region The name of the novel is DOHA: A luxury hotel that was to hold a show on Christmas President Mohammed Mursi to where fiction writing is still in related to the central character Day of two controversial Ukrainian women disc jockeys (DJs), power in a June election, said an its infancy. Erhama bin Jabir, a controversial called Duo Diamonds, has announced the cancellation of the unofficial tally showed 64 percent Abdul Aziz Al Mahmoud, a tribal hero, known for his bravery show and is now looking for “substitute” DJs. The decision comes of voters backed the charter after Qatari writer with a passion for and war skills. An adventurous after a report in The Peninsula on Sunday. In a brief email to this two rounds of voting that ended history and journalism, is happy seafarer, Erhama owned a small newspaper, the hotel’s public relations department said that the with a final ballot on Saturday. that his first novel in Arabic, Al fleet of war boats and engaged in hotel “has cancelled the event, and will be finding a replacement An opposition official said their Qursan (The Pirate) has evoked relentless battles with warring shortly.” This newspaper had reported that Duo Diamonds are unofficial count showed the result an encouraging response among tribes. “The British called him known for semi-nude photo shoots for some of erotic men’s maga- was a “yes” vote, while party readers across the Gulf region “The Pirate” and painted him in zines published from the West. spokesmen said there had been a and even in other Arab coun- bad colours. However, they were series of abuses during the voting. tries like Egypt and Jordan. not consistent in their view. At least 174 killed across Syria The main opposition coalition, the The 350-page novel based on They realised the importance of National Salvation Front, responded the history of the Gulf region in Abdul Aziz Al Mahmoud Erhama and was forced to engage DAMASCUS: More than 60 people were killed in a regime air strike to the defeat by saying it was mov- the early 19th century was first with him to achieve their goals,” on a bakery in a rebel-held town yesterday, monitors said, as peace ing towards forming a single political published by Bloomsbury Qatar said Al Mahmoud. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi launched a new bid to resolve Syria’s brutal party to challenge the Islamists who Foundation about a year ago. of the Gulf region are live in the “Erhama was very famous 21-month conflict. In one of the deadliest incidents of the conflict, the have dominated the ballot box since The Arabic version has now memories of the people and in oral among the Arabian tribes. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strike hit a bakery in strongman Hosni Mubarak was entered its third edition and narratives. But no serious attempts According to some narratives, Halfaya in the central province of Hama, killing more than 60 people overthrown two years ago. Bloomsbury has just released have been made to properly docu- he was born in Kuwait, spent and wounding at least 50. Many of the wounded were in critical con- Members of the opposition, taking an English translation under ment them. In my novel, I am part of his life in north of Qatar, dition, it said. The footage showed a bombed one-storey block and a heart from a low turnout of about 30 the title The Corsair (Pirate). trying to tell how people in the in a place called Khor Al Hassan crater in the road. International envoy Brahimi, meanwhile, travelled percent of voters, pledged to keep up Al Mahmoud says he turned region in the early 19th century and owned a fort in Oman. I have to Damascus overland from neighbouring Lebanon on a previously pressure on Mursi through peace- to fiction writing as a way to lived their harsh lives and fought heard about this historical char- unannounced visit, officials said. Including those killed in Halfaya, at ful protests and other democratic explore and rediscover the life among each other,” Al Mahmoud acter and found in him a medium least 174 people -- 108 of them civilians — were killed yesterday across means. “The referendum is not and traditions of the Gulf region told The Peninsula yesterday. to depict the life of the period and Syria, said the Observatory. At least 44,000 people have been killed in the end of the road,” said Khaled in an era about which very little Al Qursan is basically a historic the ruthless nature of power and violence across Syria since the outbreak of the anti-regime revolt in Dawoud, a spokesman for the has been written. novel, set in a period when most politics,” added Al Mahmoud. March 2011, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory. National Salvation Front. “The history and traditions of the Gulf region was under the Continued on page 5 See also page 7 See also page 6 THE PENINSULA/AFP MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME ROTA trains volunteers to understand special needs people

DOHA: Reach Out To Asia special needs, ROTA Volunteer capacity of volunteers who wish number of registered volunteers (ROTA) recently hosted a work- Programme Specialist Hazem to contribute to their communi- to serve the needs of the com- shop to train volunteers on how Idriss said: “Having consulted ties with the skills they need to munity,” said National Programs to work better with adults and with our Community Based part- communicate with people with Director, Mohammed Abdulla children with special needs. ners, ROTA identified the need to special needs,” he added. Saleh. Twenty-five volunteers recently increase the number of volunteers The ‘Understanding People “Following the ‘Understanding attended ROTA’s ‘Understanding who have the specific knowledge with Special Needs’ gave volun- People with Special Needs’ work- People with Special Needs’ work- required to effectively support teers a general overview of how shop, volunteers will have the shop which was part of ROTA’s adults and children with special to approach and react in the pres- opportunity to regularly vol- Volunteer Training Programme. needs.” ence of people with special needs. unteer at Community Based Explaining ROTA’s approach “Our Volunteer Training After completing ROTA’s Organisations’ to assist with dif- to supporting people with Programme is building the ‘Understanding People with ferent tasks.” Special Needs’ workshop, Inspired by the Heir Apparent trained volunteers will H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad be eligible to take part in Al Thani’s call for strong and a local community based active organisations to develop program to weekly insti- a just and caring Qatari society, tutes to various institutes ROTA’s Volunteer Programme has that work with adults and grown from strength to strength children with special needs. in recent years, recruited over 800 “The ROTA Volunteer volunteers who continue to sign Programme aims to train up via the www.reachouttoasia.org Some of the ROTA volunteers with special needs children. and develop a substantial website. THE PENINSULA Emir receives phone call from president Abbas DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday received a telephone call from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The leaders discussed the latest developments of the Palestinian issue during the call. Heir Apparent to visit Bahrain for GCC summit DOHA: The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will head to Manama today to participate in the 33rd GCC Supreme Council Summit. The Heir Apparent will be accompanied by a high- level official delegation. QNA MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Entry requirements eased for some Italian passport holders

DOHA: The Emir H H approving a draft MoU on the estab- The Emir also issued an instru- Sheikh Hamad bin lishment of a mechanism for consul- ment of ratification approving a draft Khalifa Al Thani yes- tation on issues of common interest agreement between Qatar and the terday issued an instru- between Qatar’s Foreign Ministry Cayman Islands on the exchange of ment of ratification and the United Mexican States’ information on tax matters, signed approving an Agreement Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed in George Town on October 26. on Encouragement and in Doha on October 8. QNA Reciprocal Protection of Investments between Qatar and Tajikistan, signed in Dushanbe on August 25, 2011. The Emir also issued an instrument of rati- fication approving an agreement for cultural coop- eration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for health cooperation and an agreement on hiring Thai workers in Qatar, signed between Qatar and Thailand in Doha on May 15. The Emir issued an instrument of ratification approving an agreement exempting holders of dip- lomatic passports, service passports and the pri- vate passports from entry requirements between Qatar and Italy, signed in Rome on April 16. The Emir also issued an instrument of ratification approving a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement between Qatar and Bulgaria, signed in Sofia on May 17. The Emir issued an instrument of ratifica- tion approving an agree- ment for economic, trade and technical coopera- tion and an Agreement on Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments between Qatar and East Timor, signed in Doha on January 21. The Emir also issued an instrument of ratification MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QNB launches loyalty programme

DOHA: Qatar National Bank (QNB) launched a total rela- tionship Loyalty Programme, ‘QNB Life Rewards’. The programme rewards its customers with points on the basis of all their accumulated relationships with the Bank, not only from the traditionally popu- lar card spending, senior officials of QNB announced in a press meeting yesterday. QNB, the largest financial institution in Qatar and the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region has developed an exciting, easy-to-understand and simple-to-use process to ‘earn and redeem’ points, with the program to commence from yesterday QNB officials announcing the new loyalty programme yesterday. (December 23). Customers will be able to earn into other loyalty programmes. been designed to maximise cus- ‘Life Rewards Points’ by using What differentiates QNB’s Life tomer satisfaction and cater to various retail banking products Rewards Programme from other all personal and banking needs. and channels. loyalty programmes is the multi- Supplementary card owners For instance, customers will tude of ways that customers can will also get the chance to ‘earn receive ‘Life Rewards Points’ by manage their points beyond the and redeem’ Life Rewards Points, The winning entry of Abdallah El Binni titled: ‘Celebrating Al Ad3am’ using their newly issued QNB Life instant redemption at partners’ which will then be accounted for credit or debit card, or by main- outlets. on the primary card holder’s taining a monthly balance for cur- Redeeming points to pay for rewards account. rent or savings accounts, as well credit card outstanding bal- QNB customers will be noti- as payments of personal, vehicle ance or utility bills can simply fied each time they redeem Life or mortgage loans etc. be done from any QNB ATMs. Rewards Points via a text mes- DFI announces winners The points can be redeemed in The customer can also manage sage, if they are registered for various ways. Customers will be loyalty points such as exchang- SMS or by viewing their monthly able to pay their credit card out- ing them into other partner’s transactions through QNB Online standing balance, pay their util- loyalty programme points from Banking service. ity bills as well as being able to QNB Internet Banking in just a The programme caters to a of photo competition exchange the accumulated points few clicks. wide variety of customers all with instantly at QNB’s participating All QNB customers with at unique banking needs and due to partners’ outlets, fully or partially. least one QNB Life Rewards the simplicity of the system QNB Over 120 participants submit 400 images For a complete list of ways to credit or debit card will be auto- anticipates that its customers will redeem Life Rewards Points visit matically enrolled in the Life be motivated to actively partici- DOHA: Photos of the Qatari Yasser Mustafa. The competition’s more pictures are taken by smart www.qnb.com.qa. Additionally, Rewards Programme. The pro- pate in the programme for their flag flying high and the National top prize – SonyNEX-7 24.3 Mega cameras. I noticed also that most they can convert their points gramme is free for life, and has personal gain. THE PENINSULA Day Army parade bested over Pixel Camera with SEL18-55 lens - pictures focused on the human 400 images from over 120 was awarded to Abdallah El Binni element as the core of National entrants to win the ‘My National for his photograph ‘Celebrating Day celebrations and joy.” Day’ photography competition Al Ad3am, while the second prize “On behalf of 51 East the recently organised by Doha - a Sony NEX-5ND - 16.1 Mega premium luxury retail chain in QU joins Film Institute (DFI) and sup- Pixel Camera with SEL18-55 and Qatar, and Sony, the leading con- ported by Sony Alpha. SEL16F28 Lens - went to Ayilliath sumer electronics and entertain- The diverse selection of the Kuttiyeri Bijuraj for his photo- ment brand, it has always been a top global images, which provided a unique graph ‘Spirit of Reflection’. great opportunity to partner with and authentic look into celebrat- “It is important to have photo- DFI. It was our pride to be asso- ing living in Qatar, has been graphic and cinematic competi- ciated with the Qatar National law forum uploaded to DFI’s official website tions of this sort more often. It Day Celebrations through this (www.dohafilminstitute.com), pro- improves the visions of photogra- photography competition, which DOHA: Qatar University viding a retrospective look back phers whether they’re amateurs is also in line with our com- (QU) recently became on the December 18 celebrations. or professionals. I hope there will mitment to inspire and sup- a founding intellectual The competition was judged be more competitions of this sort,” port photographers through the partner of the new World by a panel of established Qatari said Ahmed Al Khulaifi. power of imaging,” said Sameer Bank Global Forum photographers including Ahmed Khalifa Al Obaidly said: “It’s a Kazi- Division Manager - Sony for Law, Justice and Al Khulaifi, President of Qatar strong competition with a variety representing Darwish holding in Development (GFLJD). Photographic Society, and photog- of participants both amateurs and Qatar. QU President Prof raphers Khalifa Al Obaidly and professionals, and we noticed that THE PENINSULA Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad formally signed the Joint Declaration and Statement of Commitment Qtel opens branch at Al Khor Mall during the GFLJD legal week held at the Bank’s HQ in Washington recently, placing the uni- versity as the first Arab academic institution to join the forum. The forum comprises 111 partners worldwide and serves as a platform for financial and academic institutions and interna- tional organisations to exchange information, examine current trends in legal and justice reform, and support developing countries in their efforts to build the rule of law. QU College of Law asso- ciate professor Dr Yaser Khalaileh will act as QU The Chief Sales and Service Officer at Qtel, Mohammed Salah Al Marri, and other executive directors during representative to the the opening ceremony at Al Khor Mall. Meeting the needs of Qtel customers in Al Khor and the nearby Ras Global Forum. Laffan Industrial City, this retail shop also complements the popular Qtel retail shop in downtown Al Khor. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Special weekend vegetable fair Philippine mission to move DOHA: In an initiative to promote local farm products the Ministry of Environment has announced opening of a special fair on Thursday. ‘Al Mozrough Yard’ will open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Shamal Road, Al Mozrouah Flyover, next to Umm Salal Sport Club. Relocation to better serve the growing population: Embassy official The fair will sell pure locally farmed fresh crops brought directly from the farms in the country. THE PENINSULA BY RAYNALD C RIVERA “The current embassy was said Consul Segarra of the Administration under one roof leased 17 years ago when the new embassy. In the present so it would be a one-stop shop, DOHA: After 17 years in its population of Filipinos in Qatar embassy, processing and encod- he said there had been plans but Indian embassy closed tomorrow current location the Philippine was around 40,000 to 45,000,” ing sections are located in one had not so far materialised due embassy is moving to a new Consul Gilbert L Segarra, office. to budgetary constraints. DOHA: The embassy of India will remain closed tomorrow on the occa- chancery come January 2, the Charge d’Affaires, told The In addition, there would also “It depends on the decision of sion of Christmas, a press release issued by the mission here said yester- Philippine mission announced Peninsula yesterday, adding be a hall allocated as waiting the Philippine government, and day. THE PENINSULA recently. the population of Filipinos has area for the releasing section, hopefully this would come true In a circular issued ear- now reached to approximately a space for civil registry and a in the future,” he said. lier this month, Ambassador 200,000. multi-purpose hall on the top Due to the process of trans- Crescente R Relacion cited the Both the current and the floor of the building. fer to the new location there increasing number of Filipinos future embassies have an area Asked if more staff would would be a halt on transac- as the main reason for the shift of 1,200 sq m but the usable area be hired, he said the Embassy tions at the present Embassy’s to a new chancery which would of the new chancery is far big- already had additional four staff location in West Bay this com- be located on Street No. 860, ger which is set to accommo- this year due to the closure of 10 ing Wednesday and Thursday, Zone 68, Jelaiah Area. date more people availing of the Philippine embassies and consu- however it is open to the public “The transfer of the chancery embassy’s services. lates around the world. today though it is supposed to to its new location is to accom- “There would be sepa- On plans to integrate the be a Philippine public holiday. modate the increasing number rate areas for processing and Philippine Embassy, Philippine The new chancery will offi- of Filipinos in Qatar,” says the encoding which would both Overseas Labour Office and cially start service to the public circular. have big halls as waiting areas,” Overseas Workers Welfare on January 2. THE PENINSULA

HBKU, Bloomsbury to host translation meet Al Mahmoud to pen second novel DOHA: The Translation and translations and agents (including translation and others from less Interpreting Institute (TII) of authors and translators), Media, language-specific perspectives. Continued from page 1 Hamad bin Khalifa University including print, electronic, online, Questions that will be raised The novel has won criti- (HBKU) and Bloomsbury Qatar and social media Languages, during the conference include the cal acclaim with reviews Foundation Publishing is set to national boundaries, and global following: What factors determine appearing in several lead- host an annual translation con- systems the position of a particular lan- ing Arabic dailies in Qatar, ference in April. Scholars interested in submit- guage in the hierarchy of transla- Kuwait, Jordan and the ‘Texts in Context: New Cultural ting papers (in Arabic or English) tion on the international scene? UK and popular websites Constellations in Translation are invited to do so by email- How can one explain the fact that including Al Jazeera Net. Studies,’ an annual translation ing a single PDF attachment to languages with large number of Buoyed by the suc- conference will be held between [email protected] by February 7. speakers and rich cultural histo- cess of the first novel, Al April 14 and 16, at Education City. Workshops will be led by expe- ries occupy a peripheral position Mahmoud is now planning The conference is currently rienced professionals and edu- within the international system his second novel, which he accepting papers from those cators, and will offer groups of of translation? What new shifts says will go deeper into the interested in attending on sev- translators and those interested and transformations can we trace history of the Gulf region. eral topics including Medieval and in pursuing a career in translation within current translation sys- “I can not say exactly what other Arabic translation schools, an opportunity to understand and tems, and in what ways do they I am going to write since movements and translators, New experience various aspects of the promise to expand or modify the theme has not yet fully directions in translation studies craft – some in relation to Arabic/ translation practice and theory? developed in my mind,” he and translation theory, Literary English and English/Arabic THE PENINSULA said. The author had served in several leading posi- tions in media including as the editor-in-chief of The Peninsula and Al Sharq and QScience publishes first open access e-book chief editor of Aljazeera Net. THE PENINSULA DOHA: QScience has published working with depressed clients. publish open access books with its first open access ebook, ‘An QScience.com is expanding its the same high standards they are Islamic Modification of the open access programme by offer- used to at QScience.com journals. Person-Centered Counselling ing fully open access books, which The copyright for the entire Approach’ by Aisha Salman Al will extend QScience’s established open access book, including every Thani of Qatar University. journal portfolio. chapter, remains with the author. This book explores the possibil- The books are freely available QScience.com books are published ity of applying a modified person- in PDF, ePub and Kindle formats under the Creative Commons centered counselling approach for reading on screen, print- Attribution (CC-BY) license. (PCA) as a nondirective way of ing out, or to be read on mobile This facilitates the open distri- helping and supporting Muslim devices, such as phones and iPads. bution and re-use and sharing of clients in Qatar, and focuses on The new book programme gives the work for any purpose, as long the similarities between Islamic authors and editors in all areas as the original work is properly counselling and the PCA in of research the opportunity to cited. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Egyptian opposition to form united party Constitution backed by 64 percent overall, say Islamists as opposition decides to appeal

CAIRO: Egypt’s opposition coalition said yesterday it was moving towards forming a sin- Draft constitution gle political party to challenge Here are some details of an Islamist-backed Egyptian constitu- Islamists, whose more disci- tion which rival camps said had been approved in a referendum at plined ranks have dominated the weekend. the ballot box since last year’s revolution. * OVERVIEW - The draft provides for basic protections against Members of the opposition arbitrary detention and torture and for some economic rights. But National Salvation Front, whose New York-based Human Rights Watch says it fails to end military differences have split the non- trials of civilians or to protect freedom of expression and religion Islamist vote, pledged to keep and rights of women and minorities. up the pressure on President Mohammed Mursi, including * POWERS - The constitution limits the president to two four- through peaceful protests. year terms. The president must secure parliament’s approval for Liberals, socialists and other his choice of prime minister. The head of state can declare war with factions that united under the parliament’s approval, but must consult a newly defined national banner of the Front campaigned defence council, in which generals outnumber civilians. unsuccessfully for a “no” vote in a referendum on a new constitution * RELIGION - The principles of Shariah, or Islamic law, remain which, according to an unofficial the main source of legislation. Al Azhar, Sunni Islam’s top seat for tally by Mursi’s Islamist back- Islamic learning, is to be consulted on “matters related to Shariah” ers yesterday, secured 64 percent which activists say gives way for Islamic institutes to influence state’s approval on turnout of about a politics. In personal affairs, Christians and Jews will follow their third of the 51 million eligible From left: Opposition members of National Salvation Front Hamdeen Sabahi, Amr Hamzawy, Abdel Gelil Mostafa, religious codes. But an article defining the principles of Shariah voters. Osama Ghazaly Harb, George Ishak and Hussen Abdel Ghaney at a joint press conference in Cairo, yesterday. was vague and led the Christian representatives to withdraw from “The Front is very cohesive and the drafting process over worries that the article could be used to the Front is in agreement that inside the Front,” he said. support has slipped, but Mursi’s Peace Prize winner Mohamed impose Islamic rules on Christians and non-Muslims. Other religions it will lead all battles together,” A statement from the Front Muslim Brotherhood is a potent ElBaradei, who leads the are not mentioned. Mohamed Abul Ghar, head of said it had learnt “useful lessons” political force with a grassroots Constitution Party, and leftist the Egyptian Social Democratic during the referendum. But it will network - built up over decades, Hamdeen Sabahy, founder of the * WOMEN’S RIGHTS - The draft drops an earlier article linking Party and a leading member of have little time to organise, as a even when it was repressed - that Popular Current movement. women’s rights to Shariah. But it does not mention women in an the Front, told a news conference parliamentary election is due to liberals cannot yet match. Both groups have been promi- article prohibiting discrimination, saying only: “Citizens are equal after the referendum. be held in about two months. The opposition says the con- nent in demonstrations against before the law and equal in rights and obligations without discrimi- “Not only that, but the par- Votes since the overthrow of stitution, passed after weeks of Mursi’s rule and his drive to fast- nation.” REUTERS ties inside the Front have taken autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak protests and violence, favours track the constitution through advanced steps to form a big party in February 2011 suggest Islamist Islamists and ignores the rights an Islamist-dominated drafting of Christians, who make up about assembly, which opponents quit irregularities before announcing Egypt.” Egyptian state media 10 percent of the population, and in protest. official results,” a Front member, and President Mohammed women. They say it will split the Sabahy said the referendum Amr Hamzawy, told a Cairo news Mursi’s supporters in the Muslim Charter to help Egyptians’ goals: Iran country and lead to more unrest. showed “this constitution has no conference. “The referendum is Brotherhood said the constitution TEHRAN: Iran, whose diplomatic ties with Cairo were cut “The majority is not big and national consensus.” Islamists dis- not the end of the road. It is only was passed with the support of three decades ago, yesterday welcomed the new Islamist-backed the minority is not small,” liberal missed such criticism, saying the one battle,” said another mem- nearly two-thirds of voters, based constitution of Egypt, saying it would advance the goals of all politician Amr Hamzawy said, result was a clear majority and ber, Abdel Ghaffar Shokr, read- on unofficial tallies. Egyptians. adding that the Front would use the constitution was a fair and ing from a Front statement. “We A member of the national elec- “This popular participation is a tremendous support for the “all peaceful, democratic means” essential step to advance Egypt’s will continue the fight for the toral commission, Mohamed el- Egyptian government in taking future strides to achieve the to challenge the constitution and democratic transition. Egyptian people.” Tanobly, said that “no official date Egyptian people’s progressive, Islamic and revolutionary goals,” make their voices heard. Opposition said it will appeal Germany immediately backed has been fixed” for the publication said foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast, quoted George Ishak, another Front a referendum seen as voting in a the call for a transparent inves- of the final referendum results. by Isna news agency. Tehran and Cairo severed diplomatic ties in figure, said: “The revolution con- new constitution backed by ruling tigation into the results. Foreign The state news agency Mena had the wake of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran. tinues and we will resist with all Islamists, and vowed to keep up a Minister Guido Westerwelle reported they would be released Egypt’s Mursi attended the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) sum- peaceful means to bring down struggle that has spawned weeks said: “The new constitution can today. mit in Tehran in late August, the first time an Egyptian head of this unjust constitution.” Other of protests and instability. only meet with acceptance if the Opposition to the charter have state had set foot in Iran since the cut in ties. members said discussions about Polling “fraud and violations” process of its adoption is beyond fuelled demonstrations for the Iran and Egypt have since maintained interests sections in their fighting the parliamentary poll as skewed the results of the two- reproach.” past month, some of them violent, respective capitals. Shia-majority Iran has sought to normalise a single unit were continuing and stage referendum, the final leg of But Westerwelle said it was such as clashes that wounded 62 relations with Sunni Arab Egypt since the overthrow of president it was too early to talk of details which was held on Saturday, the “not the power of the street people in Egypt’s second city of Hosni Mubarak in 2011. But Mursi has so far reacted with caution such as how candidates would be National Salvation Front charged. but rather the spirit of compro- Alexandria on Friday, the day to Tehran’s overtures. AFP fielded in different constituencies. “We are asking the (electoral) mise and tolerance that should before the final round of voting. Front members include Nobel commission to investigate the determine the way forward for AFP/REUTERS

Christmas tree Turkey lifts Oman local polls veto on Nato turnout tops 50pc ties with Israel ISTANBUL: Nato member Turkey has agreed to lift its MUSCAT: Voter turnout The 60 or so municipal councils veto on non-military coopera- topped 50 percent in Oman’s will all have appointed chairmen tion between the alliance and first ever local elections for and deputy chairmen alongside Israel which it imposed over a 192 councillors with advisory their elected members. Previously deadly raid on a Turkish aid powers, the sultanate’s deputy only the capital Muscat had a city ship to Gaza in 2010, a diplomat interior minister announced council and its members were all said yesterday. Ankara took the yesterday. appointed. retaliatory measure after the Turnout reached “50.3 percent The councils will have no Israeli army stormed the ship of the electronically registered executive powers, according to a carrying humanitarian aid to the voters,” Khaled Albusaidi said, decree issued by Sultan Qaboos blockaded Gaza Strip while it was quoted by the official ONA. last year, in which he said that in international waters in the Turnout among the regis- they will “present recommenda- Mediterranean Sea, leaving nine tered 447,551 voters was “satisfy- tions regarding improving munic- Turks dead. ing,” said Albusaidi, adding that ipal services”. The decision to renew Nato the polls which took place on Oman’s elected Majlis al-Shura, links came at a December 4 meet- Saturday “were successful at all created in 1991, has the authority ing in Brussels of the 28-mem- levels.” to question ministers and advise ber alliance on a proposal by its Among the 1,475 hopefuls, all of the government on socio-eco- Secretary General Anders Fogh whom were standing as independ- nomic issues but also has no leg- Rasmussen, the diplomat said. ents in a country where political islative power or role in defence, In return, several Nato allies parties remain banned, four out internal security or foreign policy. of Israel agreed to drop a veto of 46 female candidates won seats. The sultanate has an all- against cooperating with Turkey- The normally sleepy sultanate appointed Council of State, a Lebanese people gather around a Christmas tree decorated at Martyrs’ Square near the Mohammed Al Amin friendly countries notably in the was caught up in the 2011 pro- 57-seat upper chamber which Arab world. Turkey will agree mosque, in downtown Beirut, yesterday. tests which swept the Arab world, together with the Majlis makes to Israeli involvement in certain with demonstrators taking to the up the Council of Oman. Nato activities but will maintain streets to demand improved living After last year’s protests, the its ban on joint military manoeu- conditions and reforms. sultan decreed changes to the vres, and Ankara reserves the In the northern city of Sohar, basic law giving the Council of right to bar activities with Israel two demonstrators were shot Oman some legislative and over- Kuwait liberals blast calls to on its own soil. The agreement dead in clashes between police sight powers. AFP comes after Nato agreed early this and protesters. month to deploy Patriot anti-air- craft missiles along the Turkish ban Christmas celebration border with Syria. Turkey’s rela- tions with its former ally Israel KUWAIT CITY: Several the publication of such calls,” a emirate, but social parties on deteriorated sharply after the Five Palestinians injured in Israeli shooting Kuwaiti liberal civil societies statement signed by nine liberal any occasion must abide by strict Gaza ship raid. have condemned calls from groups said, adding that such calls regulations. Kuwait has about a HEBRON: Israeli soldiers opened fire and injured five young some organisations and individ- were an act of hatred criminalised dozen churches which all freely Bombs kill four in Iraq Palestinian men north of Hebron in the southern West Bank as uals forbidding the celebration under the international law. mark Christmas especially in the clashes erupted when soldiers attacked a funeral procession, of Christmas in the oil-rich Gulf The statement did not say who main church complex in the heart BAGHDAD: Three separate reported Maan news agency. state, a report said yesterday. issued the calls, but usually some of the capital Kuwait City. bomb attacks killed a member Muhammad Ayyad Awad, a spokesman of a local popular committee The civil societies said in a radical religious individuals and There are some 200 Christians of the Kurdish peshmerga secu- against the wall and settlements, said hundreds of residents took part statement published by Al Jarida small groups issue fatwas (reli- - mainly of Iraqi or Palestinian rity forces and three construc- in a funeral procession of Ahmad Ibrahim Salim Adi in Beit Ummar. newspaper that every year at gious edict) forbidding Christmas origin- among the 1.2 million tion workers in Iraq yesterday, The deceased, aged 44, was found dead on Friday in an ancient well this time certain groups declare celebrations. native population of Kuwait. officers and doctors said. about two months after he disappeared. He was reported missing in celebrating Christmas and New However, the mainstream But the emirate is home to A bomb blast in an under- October. Year as forbidden from an Islamic Islamic organisations do not issue 642,000 foreign Christians, or 17 construction house in the town An Israeli army spokesman said some 300 Palestinians hurled rocks point of view. such calls. There are no govern- percent of Kuwait’s population of of Mishahada, north of Baghdad, and firebombs at Israeli forces who responded with riot-dispersal “Because such actions repre- ment restrictions on religious or 3.8 million, mostly from India, the killed the workers and wounded means. The spokesman confirmed that a soldier was also injured. sent an insult to Christianity and social celebrations of Christmas Philippines, Egypt, Lebanon and another, a police captain and a QNA Christians ... we strongly reject or New Year in the conservative the West. AFP doctor said. AFP MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Air strike on bakery kills 60 in Syrian town Rebels say capture military base, seize weapons

BEIRUT: More than 60 people a string of advances across the were killed in a regime air strike OIC slams rebel country, including around the on a bakery in a rebel-held town capital. In defiant remarks, yesterday, monitors said, as peace threats against Syrian Information Minister envoy Lakhdar Brahimi launched Umran Ahid Al Za’bi said rebels a new bid to resolve Syria’s brutal and their foreign allies should 21-month conflict. Christians “forget” trying to topple Assad. In one of the deadliest inci- JEDDAH: The world’s larg- He appeared to move away dents of the conflict, the Syrian est Muslim body yesterday from the conciliatory tone of Observatory for Human Rights condemned threats made by the Syrian vice president, who said the strike hit a bakery in rebels in Syria against two said neither side could win the Halfaya in the central province Christian towns, warning of war and called for a national of Hama, where a crowd was fresh confessional strife in unity government.“These mili- queuing for bread, killing more the war-torn country. tary efforts to try to topple the than 60 people and wounding at Such threats “are contrary government, of getting rid of the least 50. to the precepts of Islam which president, of occupying the capital University students demonstrate in support of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, some of whom are observing Syrian rebels have seized a mil- calls for tolerance, brotherhood ... Forget about this,” Al Za’bi told a hunger strike, in Gaza City, yesterday. itary base in the country’s north, and peace,” said the 57-mem- a news conference in Damascus. capturing weapons they hope ber Organisation of Islamic Brahimi, who replaced Kofi will repel air raids by President Cooperation (OIC)based in Annan after the former UN chief Bashar Al Assad’s forces, rebels the Saudi city of Jeddah. failed to get Assad and world Netanyahu confident ahead of polls said yesterday. Under cover of It warned against the risks of powers to agree on a way to end rain and fog, Col Anas Ibrahim “a slide into confessional” con- the conflict, was expected to meet JERUSALEM: A month Netanyahu is how many seats his just three seats in the Knesset, Abu Zeid led 200 fighters in a flict. Rebels, in a video message the president on Monday. before Israelis go to the polls in faction can win. winning at least 12 seats. four-hour operation to take over posted on Saturday, warned Witness Hamawi said more a snap election, Prime Minister “Netanyahu had a dream If the polls are right, they the 135 Infantry Brigade base Mharda and Sqilbiya in Syria’s than 1,000 people had been queu- Benjamin Netanyahu has plenty recently, ahead of his second would become the third strong- in the village of Hawa, a mostly central province of Hama that ing at the bakery. Shortages of to be confident about, with his consecutive term: he wanted to est party in the Knesset, behind Kurdish area in northern Aleppo they will be attacked if they do fuel and flour have made bread only real challenges coming be Ariel Sharon,” Yossi Verter only the Likud-Beitenu list and province, on Saturday, they not evict regime forces. production erratic across the from within his own rightwing of the Haaretz newspaper wrote the opposition Labour party. said, as they showed the base to Some 1.8 million Christians country, and people often wait camp. recently, referring to the former The former head of Netanyahu’s journalists. live in Syria. AFP hours to buy loaves. Polls put the joint list of his Israeli prime minister. office, Bennett’s political ideology The rebels found about 150 sol- “We hadn’t received flour in Likud party and the Yisrael “He dreamed of winning the and history mirrors that of the diers at the base, though it can around three days so everyone Beitenu faction far ahead of the same total of 38 Knesset seats prime minister. hold up to 3,000 troops, Abu Zeid people have been killed in the 21 was going to the bakery today, opposition, and the question is not that Likud won when it was He backs the settlement policy said. Between 10-15 soldiers were months since protests erupted and lots of them were women whether Netanyahu will lead the headed by Sharon in 2003; in so favoured by the prime minister taken prisoner, he said. They against President Bashar Al and children,” Hamawi said. “I next parliament, but how many doing, he would establish a gov- and hails from the same elite would not say what happened Assad, inspired by the Arab still don’t know yet if my rela- seats his joint list will ultimately ernment whose operation would Sayeret Maktal army unit in to the other troops, although a Spring revolutions in Tunisia, tives are among the dead.” win. not be contingent upon any sin- which Netanyahu served. Reuters journalist saw at least Egypt and elsewhere. Amid the New York-based Human Rights Even the resignation of Yisrael gle coalition partner and he would A former high-tech entre- one corpse. The rebels said they latest carnage, United Nations- Watch condemned army air Beitenu chief Avigdor Lieberman be unencumbered by blackmail or preneur, the 40-year-old also lost six of their men. backed crisis mediator Lakhdar strikes on bakeries earlier this from his post as foreign minister, threats.” shares Netanyahu’s excellent The weapons were hidden in Brahimi arrived for more talks year, arguing that in some inci- after his indictment on corrup- The main obstacle to that command of English, thanks to secret locations in Aleppo’s coun- in Syria. He had to drive from dents the Syrian military was not tion charges, has failed to dent dream will be Naftali Bennett, a his American-born parents, and tryside, where the majority of the neighbouring Lebanon because using enough precision to target the list’s lead, with surveys pro- former Netanyahu protege who is is similarly known as a savvy rebels fighting in this part of the fighting around Damascus rebel sites, and in other instances jecting it will take 37 of the 120 now expected to lead the hardline communicator. country are from. At a warehouse International Airport has effec- it may have intentionally hit civil- seats in the Knesset. national religious party Jewish Bennett has been careful to in a residential area down a nar- tively shut it down. ians. In video from the attack site, In all, the rightwing nationalist Home to one of their best elec- appeal to the party’s traditional row street, rebels showed off two The prising has grown into civil women and children cried and bloc of parties led by the Likud- toral results ever. national-religious base, but .57mm field guns and three 14-1/2 war, with death tolls regularly top- screamed as men rushed with Beitenu list is expected to win 69 The latest poll published by has also courted young, secular mm anti-aircraft guns. ping 100 people a day as the army motorbikes and vans to carry seats, far ahead of the opposition. the Maariv newspaper on Friday Israelis. Activists say more than 44,000 hits back at rebels who have made away victims. REUTERS /AFP The only unknown for showed the party, which now has AFP MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Editorial

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED Monti’s moment E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD Mario Monti’s intention to return E-MAIL: [email protected] as prime minister will help EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. enliven Italian election debates. E-MAIL: [email protected] ARIO Monti, whose technocratic government in Italy was party coming in third. Monti has lambasted the centrists, saying they ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 brought down this month by the disgraced former prime min- were politicians since they were children and people can’t tolerate Mister Silvio Berlusconi, has said he would consider return- professional politicians anymore. CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] ing as prime minister after elections in February. His statement sets Though Monti is widely respected for restoring Italy’s reputation SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY the stage for a fierce contest in the forthcoming elections and should after the scandal-plagued Berlusconi era, people are said to be wary please those Italians who have been seeking a second term for him. of repeated tax hikes and spending cuts. And re-electing the centre- TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 Italy is among the European countries where financial crisis has right People of Freedom (PDL) of Berlusconi is unlikely to be a sensible E-MAIL: [email protected] triggered a surge in unemployment, where many ordinary people option now given Berlusconi’s battered image, under whom both the had their lives upended due to the austerity measures imposed by the economy and the credibility of the country suffered. PDL has been in SUBSCRIPTION RATES government. Monti, a former European commissioner, was appointed disarray ever since Berlusconi resigned, with defections of top party ANNUAL QR 675 to lead an unelected government to save the country from financial leaders and chaos over whether the billionaire media mogul will run 6 MONTHS QR 340 crisis a year ago. himself. The party has also been discredited by a series of party fund- Monti refused to name parties he would ally with, and merely said ing scandals that have seen dozens of local politicians placed under he would consider politicians who sign up to a programme of reforms. probe for allegedly misusing public funds for personal use. He said if one or more political forces who adhere to the programme The new prime minister will have a tough job of fighting the eco- propose him as a candidate for prime minster, he would consider it. But nomic crisis and will be forced to take unpopular decisions. But the he will have to work hard to reoccupy the seat he has just left. Reports economic situation has improved vastly since Monti took charge. say he is unlikely to win the polls, which is dominated by traditional Italy’s borrowing rates have come down significantly, thanks also to PUBLICATION parties. The centre-left Democratic party, which has asked Monti not the European Central Bank’s bond-buying programme. to stand, is leading the polls, with the upstart populist movement of Monti’s entry will definitely enliven the election debates and Italians comic Bepe Grillo coming in second and Berlusconi’s People of Freedom will be able to make an informed decision.

I have decided to retire from the one-day format of the The other side game. I am eternally grateful to all my well-wishers for their unconditional support Quote of and love over the years. Inertia on Guantanamo the day Sachin Tendulkar HE Obama administration has been wrongly constrained by Indian Cricketer Congress from winding down the military prison at Guantanamo TBay, Cuba. But the rebuke it recently received from the International Committee of the Red Cross was entirely its own fault. Despite promising to set up a new system of reviews for foreign detain- ees still held at the facility, the administration had yet to hold a single proceeding. That means there is less due process at Guantanamo now than there was during the last years of the George W. Bush administration. The previous administration, vilified for using Guantanamo to hold terrorism suspects captured abroad, eventually began holding annual reviews to determine if detainees still posed a threat. After conducting its own review of the prisoners, President Barack Obama, who took office vowing to close Guantanamo within a year, signed an execu- tive order in March 2011 establishing a new Periodic Review Board to review cases. There is a genuine need for such reviews: Of the 166 prisoners still at Guantanamo, somewhere between 40 and 60 will prob- ably never be tried by a military commission. While some may never be judged as non-threatening, others are closer calls who deserve a thorough and impartial review. Why has the board not begun work 21 months after Obama’s executive order? The main reason appears to be slow-rolling by the Pentagon bureaucracy. With some reason, offi- cials have feared touching Guantanamo issues: Witness how Congress manhandled Eric Holder’s Justice Department after it proposed staging civilian trials for some detainees in New York — or the departure from office of White House counsel Greg Craig after he pushed for quick action to move prisoners out of Guantanamo. Pentagon officials now say that the review board will start work early next year. But that still leaves Obama with a considerable Guantanamo hangover for his second term. Though it is necessary to hold some of the prisoners, 86 remain in the prison despite having been cleared for transfer to their home countries. Last week congressional conferees approved language in the annual defense authorization act that will continue a ban on moving prisoners to the United States during 2013 and maintain onerous restrictions on transfers to other nations. If Obama is serious about closing Guantanamo, he will veto the bill, as the administration has threatened that he will do. But as we have previously said, closing Guantanamo would be a largely symbolic act; more important is providing justice, or at least due process, to the prisoners who remain. THE WASHINGTON POST Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Scotland should thank the English settlers

BY KEVIN MCKENNA of its misery. What was I doing Colonists are char- Anti- to detect even a hint of it you Featherstone has been a splendid drinking and empathising with acterised by their Englishness in would require the services of the chief of this body during her six- HAD prepared myself to expe- other duffel-coated dilettantes refusal to engage Scotland depresses Jodrell Bank telescope. year tenure, in which she has been rience some discomfort before when I ought to have been saving fully with Scotland, me. Whenever it Indeed, there is very little in it responsible for staging work that II read “Settlers and Colonists”, Glasgow from the tide of greed, accompanied by occurs, I feel that that could even be construed as has resonated globally. Yet her the essay by Alasdair Gray that corruption and lust that Gray had a demonstrable Alasdair our country is criticism of English “colonists” in post makes her a high-profile fig- appears to have loosened the cor- prophesied in Lanark? No other aversion to pro- Gray has diminished by it the arts, the sector of which Gray ure and she is simply being naive setry of Scotland’s delicate arts book has unnerved me as much moting indigenous and is made to look has most experience. if, as she revealed in an interview and media establishment. Gray’s as this one nor conveyed such a Scottish art; set- been unfairly as though it is inse- Instead, he reserves most of his last week, she felt “embattled and work is included in an anthology powerful sense of time and place. tlers by their long- accused cure and too eager disgust for those Scottish local defensive” at previously aired published by Word Power Books It haunts me still and, despite sev- term commitment to blame others for politicians and municipal chief criticism of her perceived lack of nine days ago entitled Unstated: eral re-readings, I expect I will go to Scotland and an of anti- our misfortunes. I executives who have deemed no enthusiasm for Scottish work. She Writers on Scottish Independence. to my grave never having unrav- eagerness to stimu- love English cul- Scots to be capable of adminis- is an admirable and gifted woman Such has been the apoplexy it has elled all the threads of its dark late growth among Englishness, ture and English tering our most significant arts who will get over it. engendered among the nation’s magic. Scottish artists. but his points sport and, virtu- institutions. If WB Yeats and Gray is not suggesting that cultural Sanhedrin I imagined he The settlers and colonists For venturing ally without excep- Lady Gregory had displayed all of Scotland’s top administra- must have called for some sort referred to in the title of Gray’s such an opinion, are valid. tion, I have found such a high-handed dismissal of tive posts must be filled by Scots. of anti-English Kristallnacht, or essay are some English senior Gray has been the English people native talent when they estab- Indeed, a senior appointee who worse: demanded the lowering of administrators who have flour- branded a “dis- I have encoun- lished Dublin’s Abbey theatre in has not emerged from the tur- the Union flag on all Scottish gov- ished in Scottish public life, prin- grace” and stands tered to be gener- 1904, argues Gray, it is doubtful bid waters of Scotland’s cultural ernment buildings, save on David cipally in the arts, and whom accused of being “anti-English” ous, humorous and affectionate, if Irish art and culture would be expanse will thus arrive bear- Beckham’s birthday. he holds responsible for a fail- and fomenting racism. Yet how can qualities I rate higher than most anywhere near as vibrant as it is ing no malice nor be compro- Here I must declare that ure to “help creativity shine at he be branded “anti-English” for others. They do not take life too today. mised by tribal loyalties. He is Alasdair Gray and I have a bit of home and abroad”, an epithet declaring his desire to see more of seriously. If Scotland is to become Perhaps the fiercest criticism of simply asking why so few Scots form between us. The shadow of contained in the lofty mission them, not less? “English settlers,” independent, it is my sincere wish Gray has arisen from his decision have occupied the plum positions his majestic 1981 novel Lanark: A statement of Creative Scotland. he states, “are as much a part of that many more will choose to live to cite Vicky Featherstone, the and expressing a preference for Life in Four Books hung over my Gray constructs a thesis that Scotland as Asian restaurateurs and work here. Often, they save outgoing director of the National English candidates who want to utterly feckless university career draws important distinctions and shopkeepers or the Italians us from ourselves. Gray’s essay is Theatre of Scotland, as a salient stay for the long haul. and probably helped put it out between “colonists” and “settlers”. who brought us fish and chips.” not in the slightest anti-English; example of an English “colonist”. THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Monti leaves options open for race

Economists are divided over the quality of Monti’s attempts to free up Italy’s economy but he has remained the darling of financial markets and he undoubtedly began to address deep-rooted problems that festered unattended for years.

BY GAVIN JONES “I’m not running, but maybe I am ... Monti has learned from the utgoing Italian Prime most false Christian Democrats Minister Mario Monti of the first Republic,” he said, has many unquestioned referring to the party that ruled Oqualities but it is start- Italy for 60 years after World War ing to seem that bold political Two and was famed for its opaque decision-making may not be one political intrigues. of them. The picture is now somewhat After keeping his support- clearer and can be summed up ers waiting for weeks to know as follows: Monti will present a whether he would lead them in list of policy priorities and wait Italy’s upcoming election, Monti to see if a credible centrist alli- held an eagerly awaited news ance emerges that adopts the plan conference yesterday - and as its own and has a chance of announced that they would have doing well in the election. If this to wait a little longer. happens, he will agree to stand For most of his 13 months in at the election as the alliances’s Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, who handed his resignation on Friday, during the Conference of the Ambassadors ‘Italian diplomacy for the growth of office Monti repeated that he candidate for prime minister. the country ‘ at the Foreign Ministry in Rome. would withdraw from politics While this strategy may seem a when his term ended. cautious one, the risk for Monti In September he changed tack is that by promoting a centrist yesterday from potential foes at began to be taken seriously in festered unattended for years. strained public finances. and said he would be willing to alliance he has sacrificed his the election. Berlusconi said a European decision-making. He said this week that the He had kept his position a serve a second term but only if aura as a non-partisan techno- new Monti government would be In a heady first few months structural reforms needed to closely guarded secret for weeks, the election produced no clear crat. After being put on a pedes- a “nightmare”. that saw him named European make Italy competitive had only and in recent days had appeared winner, and then in the last few tal for most of his premiership, Another risk for Monti is that of the year in the French parlia- just begun. Investors will be to be have strong doubts about weeks he let it be known that he he will now be fiercely attacked what follows may partly over- ment and feted by the interna- pleased to see that there is still whether to continue in front-line was considering actually running in the election campaign by left shadow the notable achievements tional media he acted decisively to a chance that after February’s politics. He made clear that if he in the election. and right alike. of what has gone before. convince investors that Italy could election Monti till still be in ran, it would probably be at the Monti’s indecision over whether It may also all be for nothing, The 69-year-old former eco- bring its finances under control. charge to tackle them. The head of a centrist grouping. to stand or not dominated Italian as polls show the centrist parties nomics professor replaced the Capitalising on record approval former European commissioner, Monti held back from commit- media coverage in just the same that back Monti currently com- scandal-plagued Berlusconi last ratings he rushed through ¤20bn appointed to lead an unelected ting himself fully to the race, and way that similar changes of posi- mand no more than about 10 per- year as sky rocketing borrowing ($25.86bn) of deficit cuts including government of experts to save said he was aware any decision tion by his predecessor Silvio cent of the vote. costs threatened to plunge Italy a widely praised pension reform Italy from financial crisis a year to stay in politics carried “many Berlusconi had done a couple of Monti said he hoped new forces into a Greek-style debt crisis. to raise the retirement age. ago, resigned on Friday but has risks and a high probability of months earlier. from “civil society” emerge to join When Berlusconi pulled his He lost some of that shine, at faced growing calls to seek a sec- failure”. The issue dominated the two- forces with them and create a backing for Monti’s technocrat least domestically, as the months ond term at a parliamentary elec- “I am not in any party. I am hour news conference but by the major bloc, yet he admitted this government on December 6, the went on and the recession deep- tion on February 24-25. ready to give my appreciation end of it, journalists were still was a gamble with “many risks gap between Italy’s benchmark ened, aggravated by a raft of At stake is the leadership of the and encouragement, to be leader scratching their heads over what and a high probability of failure”. bonds and safer German Bunds tax hikes. Subsequent reforms world’s eighth largest economy, and to take on any responsibility the former European commis- stood below 3.2 percentage points, to deregulate services and the where recession and public debt I may be given by parliament,” he sioner had actually decided. “NIGHTMARE” little more than half the level labour markets got bogged down of more than 2 trillion ($2.63bn) said. “I have to say that I still don’t If the snowball effect does not when Monti took over. and diluted by parliamentary and have aggravated investor con- As a senator for life, Monti understand anything,” Lucia materialise, it can be assumed With his economist’s train- union opposition. cerns about growth and stability has no need to run for election to Annunziata, one of Italy’s most that Monti will simply decline to ing and measured, sober manner Economists are divided over in the euro zone. parliament but he said he would experienced journalists told offer his name to any party, and Monti was the perfect antidote to the quality of Monti’s attempts “If a credible political force publish a detailed agenda of rec- Monti in a television interview will be no more than an onlooker the discredited Berlusconi. to free up Italy’s economy but asked me to be candidate as ommendations for a future gov- later in the day. Roberto Maroni, at the election. His rapport with German he has remained the darling prime minister for them, I would ernment and would potentially the leader of the pro-devolution A taste of what he is in for in Chancellor Angela Merkel has of financial markets and he consider it,” said Monti, who has be willing to lead a party that Northern League party, tweeted his new role as politician rather been particularly crucial as for undoubtedly began to address imposed repeated tax hikes and adopted it as its own. his derision. than technocrat was already clear the first time in years Italy’s view deep-rooted problems that spending cuts to shore up Italy’s REUTERS Eight ways China’s military is catching up to the US

BY JOHN REED the J-31 will be used as a complement to which first flew in January 2011 (roughly UAVs, which for now strongly resemble and aircraft. (This is in addition to the the J-20 — similar to the role that F-16 the same time the J-20 took its maiden U.S. drones. Simply look at Shenyang’s older Type 052C class equipped with sim- lthough the Pentagon has Vipers play for F-15 Eagles or F-35s play flight). While there’s been plenty of spec- Pterodactyl, a recently introduced armed ilar systems.) The Chinese navy is also routinely dismissed some of for the F-22s. Others point to the twin ulation about the mission of the US Air drone that appears to be a blatant copy fielding a new generation of nuclear mis- China’s very publicly touted wheels on the J-31’s nose landing gear Force’s super secret X-37B robot space of General Atomics’s MQ-9 Reaper — the sile-carrying submarines, the Type 094, Amilitary advances as being as sign that it is being developed as a shuttle, the United States isn’t alone US Air Force’s premier armed drone. designed to fire the JL-21 nuclear-tipped decades behind the United States, they carrier-based fighter. in having a reusable spaceplane. What According to Chinese press accounts, ballistic missile. Beijing’s navy is also are still significant. Just because some- interests some China watchers most Beijing is testing up to 10 different UAVs, beefing up its amphibious assault capa- one gets a new piece of tech later than AIRCRAFT CARRIERS about the Divine Dragon is the fact that including high-altitude drones that may bilities with the ZDB05 fighting vehicle. you doesn’t mean that you will always be Speaking of aircraft carriers . . . after China flew such a craft less than a year have a strategic reconnaissance mis- The ZDB05 — think of it as a swimming better at using it than they are. So, we decades of buying old British and Russian after the United States did. (Granted, the sion similar to the United States’s RQ-4 armored personnel carrier with guns — is thought we’d bring you a list of the eight Cold War-era aircraft carriers and United States could have done so much Global Hawk. Then there’s China’s fleet capable of hitting 16 knots in the water most noteworthy military enhancements turning them into museums and theme earlier, given its decades of experience of small, stealthy-shaped models and and then using its 30mm cannon, 7.62mm that China is making by buying, stealing hotels, China converted the hull of the with the Space Shuttle, which could eas- miniature UAVs, which appear to be machine gun, and antitank missiles to and innovating: incomplete 1980s vintage Soviet aircraft ily have been flown as a large, unmanned the precursors to full-size jet-powered protect the five to seven infantrymen it carrier Varyag into its first operational spaceplane.) Speculation surrounds both stealth drones. (Remember, models of can deliver to the beach. Could be useful STEALTH JETS carrier: the Liaoning. Chinese investors the US and Chinese spaceplane programs, the design that eventually became the if China wanted to stake a claim on some First up are China’s J-20 and J-31 purchased the ex-Varyag from Ukraine with observers suggesting the vehicles J-31 emerged years before we saw the islands in the South China Sea. stealthy-looking fighters. We call them in 1998, claiming they would turn it into could be used for everything from spy- production aircraft.) “stealthy looking” because until more a casino. That obviously didn’t hap- ing on and destroying enemy satellities CYBER information is made public, we won’t pen, and China spent much of the last to simply repairing their own nation’s CARRIER KILLERS No conversation about China’s rap- know how well the jets mask their heat decade completely modernizing the old satellites. Remember the DF-21 China used to idly expanding military would be com- signatures, noise and electronic emissions hulk, installing new engines, electronic shoot down its satellite? Well, the ballistic plete without mentioning the Chinese — all critical elements of modern stealth warfare gear, radars, defensive weapons, ANTI-SATELLITE WEAPONS missile has other uses as well. The mis- military’s focus on using an enemy’s own that go beyond radar-evading shapes and and modernized interior spaces (right Of course, China doesn’t need fancy siles are designed to zoom into space and computer networks against it. Click here radar-absorbent coatings. Nevertheless, down to the galleys). She took to sea for robot spaceplanes to destroy enemy satel- then rain down on US bases or moving to read the US China Economic and China has developed two jets that appear the first time in August 2011 and was lites. In 2007, China became only the sec- ships, such as aircraft carriers, as far as Security Review Commission’s report on stealthy. Chengdu Aircraft Industry commissioned into Chinese naval serv- ond nation (after the United States) to 900 miles from their launch sites — hence the country’s use of cyber to gain mili- Group’s large J-20 made its first flight ice in September 2012. The first carrier shoot down a satellite when it destroyed the nickname “carrier killer” and the tary advantage. While you’re at it, read in early 2011 and is thought to be either landings and takeoffs by Chinese fighters one of its own weather satellites using a reason that the United States is sending the House Permanent Select Committee a high-speed interceptor, designed to occurred in late November. modified version of the DF-21 ballistic many of its ballistic missile defense ships on Intelligence’s claim that Chinese tel- fly out and shoot down incoming enemy Interestingly, China’s first carrier missile. Needless to say, the United States to the Pacific. China has been building ecommunications companies Huawei and bombers (similar to the famous MiG-25 fighter, the J-15, is a knockoff of another and several other nations condemned the a fleet of the missiles that is thought to ZTE, both of which have a large presence Foxbat), or a stealthy bomber along the Soviet/Russian design, the Sukhoi Su-33. test, saying the debris created by the shot have become operational in 2009 or 2010. in the United States, may be doing the lines of the US F-111 Aardvark or the China may have purchased a partially posed a serious risk to other nations’ And it is fielding the DF-21D in con- work of China’s military and intelligence more recent F-15E Strike Eagle, meant completed Su-33 from Ukraine in 2001, satellites, spacecraft, and space stations. junction with a host of advanced radars, agencies. China has numerous military to penetrate enemy defences and bomb after Russia refused to sell it the aircraft The incident also alarmed U.S. defense surveillance drones, spy satellites and so- units dedicated to corrupting the data bases and ships. One has to notice the because China was reverse-engineering the officials, who saw this development as called triple-digit surface-to-air missiles in enemy computer networks or taking similarities between the cockpit and nose very similar Sukhoi Su-27s that Russia was evidence that Chinese military planners designed by Russia that are capable of those networks out entirely. section of the J-20 and the US Air Force’s selling to China. (Got that?) While many are preparing to knock out a major U.S. shooting down most U.S. aircraft. All of As the Economic and Security Review F-22 Raptor. are quick to point out that China is con- advantage in the event of war: its net- these systems are part of China’s “area Commission report notes: “PLA leaders Less than two years after the J-20 ducting its first carrier ops more than a work of spy, communications, and naviga- denial” strategy, aimed at keeping enemy have embraced the idea that successful appeared, Shenyang Aviation Corporation century after Eugene Ely landed on the tion satellites. This worried some in the ships and aircraft far from its shores. warfighting is predicated on the abil- unveiled China’s second stealthy fighter, deck of the USS Pennsylvania, it’s worth U.S. military so much that the Pentagon ity to exert control over an adversary’s the J-31. This jet is smaller than the noting that China plans to have at least has begun working on terrestrial and air- AEGIS DESTROYERS information and information systems, J-20, and its fuselage bears a striking three carriers by the middle of this decade. borne backups to its space systems, and The Chinese navy has been invest- often preemptively. This goal has effec- resemblance to the US’s F-22 and F-35 Still, the learning curve is extremely steep the Air Force has even begun practicing ing in everything from a new fleet of tively created a new strategic and tactical Joint Strike Fighter. (It has been widely for carrier ops. operations without relying on satellites hovercraft that will land troops ashore high ground, occupying which has become reported that the computers of numerous under the theme “a day without space.” during amphibious assaults to the new just as important for controlling the bat- defense contractors working on the F-35 SPACEPLANES Type 052D class guided-missile destroy- tlespace as its geographic equivalent in program were hacked and information on Next up is China’s very own space- UAVS ers, equipped with Aegis-style phased- the physical domain.” the jet was stolen.) Some speculate that plane, the Shenlong or “Divine Dragon,” Next up is China’s growing fleet of array radars designed to track missiles WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Police rescue hostages held by Somali pirates for 33 months BOSASSO, Somalia: A ship shipping in the region, accord- of 24, but two had died since the Farah said. Farah did not dis- hostages taken off Somalia are ship ferrying cement to and its crew of 22 sailors held ing to the president’s office of roll-on roll-off cargo vessel was close whether any ransom had still being held captive, the Somali capital Mogadishu, was by Somali pirates for almost the northern Somali enclave in seized on March 29, 2010, some been paid for the crew and the number of hijackings of ships impounded by the Puntland three years have been freed a statement 10 miles from Aden, pirates said. ship, owned by Azal Shipping dropped to seven in the first 11 authorities and fined last month after a two-week-long siege by Maritime police laid siege to One of the pirate leaders said in Dubai with a deadweight of months of this year compared to by Puntland authorities who maritime police, the govern- the vessel on December 10 near they only released the ship after 4,500 tonnes. 24 in the whole of 2011. accused it of ditching its cargo ment of the breakaway region the coastal village of Gara’ad in negotiation with Puntland offi- Pirates rarely release ships Separately, Puntland said a off Somalia’s coast. of Puntland said yesterday . the region of Mudug. cials and local elders. without ransom, and usually group of eight Puntland soldiers The soldiers had taken the The sailors aboard Panama- “After 2 years and 9 months “They kindly requested the raise their demands the longer responsible for briefly trying to vessel on December 18. flagged MV Iceberg 1, from in captivity, the hostages have release of the ship we held for they hold a vessel, because they sail away with a North Korea- “Puntland Government man- the Philippines, India, Yemen, suffered signs of physical torture three years. Puntland forces had charge for their expenses. flagged vessel, MV Daesan and aged to return the vessel back to Sudan, Ghana and Pakistan, and illness. The hostages are now attacked us and tried to release International navies have had its 33-member crew were jailed the port within 24 hours; the sol- were held for longer than any receiving nutrition and medical the ship by force but they failed. some recent success containing by a Puntland military court on diers were arrested and will be other hostages in the power care,” said the statement. We fought back and defeated piracy in the Indian Ocean. December 22. brought to justice,” the authori- of the pirates, who prey on The ship originally had a crew them,” the pirate known as Although more than 100 MV Daesan, a North Korean ties said. REUTERS

Kenyan police Italy’s Monti may seek second term arrest 61 Outgoing PM hailed for restoring Italy’s reputation after the scandal-plagued Berlusconi era suspects over

ROME: Outgoing Italian enthusiasm for a renewed term tycoon’s frequent changes of Prime Minister Mario Monti among voters weary of repeated position. tribal attack announced yesterday he would tax hikes and spending cuts. In an interview published in the consider seeking a second An economics professor backed La Repubblica daily, he expressed NAIROBI: Kenyan police yes- term if he is asked by a politi- strongly by Italy’s business estab- incredulity that Italians could terday said they have arrested cal force that backs his reform lishment, he has been urged to elect Berlusconi for a fifth term 61 suspects over a brutal attack agenda and launched a sharp consider another term by centrist as prime minister “after seeing on a remote village in the south- attack on his predecessor Silvio groups ranging from disaffected the damage he did to the Italian east involving two rival commu- Berlusconi. former Berlusconi allies to the economy and the credibility of the nities that left 45 people dead The former European commis- small UDC party, which is close country”. including women and children. sioner, appointed to lead an une- to the Catholic church. At his news conference, he said Villagers were hacked to death lected government to save Italy However he did not explicitly his government had taken over and their homes torched in from financial crisis a year ago, endorse the centrists, who also from the warring Berlusconi gov- Friday’s attack on Kipao village resigned on Friday but had faced include a new formation led by ernment at a time of profound in the Tana River delta region, an growing calls to seek a second Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero crisis and turned Italy’s interna- area where deadly tribal violence term at the election on February di Montezemolo, saying that a tional image around. killed another 100 people earlier 24-25. true civic movement for reform “Everyone in Europe knows this year. He had kept his position a “had to be much more broad”. that Italy counts much more in Police said on Saturday they closely guarded secret for weeks “I am not in any party. I am Europe now than a year ago,” he had arrested 56 people, includ- and in recent days had appeared ready to give my appreciation said. ing a policeman, in the wake of to be have strong doubts about and encouragement, to be leader Monti has very wide backing the onslaught, which they feared whether to continue in front-line and to take on any responsibility among European leaders includ- could further inflame tensions politics. I may be given by parliament,” he ing German Chancellor Angela between the rival Orma and Monti, who remains in office said. Merkel or European Commission Pokomo communities in the area. as caretaker prime minister, said Both Berlusconi’s centre-right President Jose Manuel Barroso Another five were arrested in he would be prepared to consider People of Freedom (PDL) party but entering the election battle a late-night “security operation,” approaches to serve again from and the centre-left Democratic would draw him into what is likely a police officer said on condition reform-minded centrist groups Party (PD), which is leading in to be a bitter campaign. of anonymity yesterday. although he held back from com- the opinion polls, have urged him “Monti’s attitude today rules Police attributed the killings to mitting himself fully to the race. not to stand in the election. out any possibility of cooperation,” a disarmament operation in the As a Senator for Life, Monti He said he hoped the next PDL secretary Angelino Alfano area but the violence could also be has no need to run for election to government would have a strong told SkyTG24 television. linked to the election being held parliament but he said he would majority to pursue a programme PD leader Pier Luigi Bersani, next March, the first since Kenya publish a detailed agenda of rec- that would extend the reforms his whose party has backed Monti in was gripped by deadly inter- ommendations for a future gov- government had begun in areas parliament, said he would look at ethnic killings after a December ernment and would potentially ranging from the labour market Monti’s reform proposals closely Italian outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti speaks during a year-ender 2007 vote. Police said the dead in be willing to lead a party that to justice and cutting the bloated but that it would be up to voters news conference in Rome yesterday. Kipao included 16 children, five adopted it as its own. cost of the political system. to decide. women and 10 men, along with “If a credible political force But a survey last week showed Outlining a broad policy plat- the election campaign but his economy, and Monti himself said 14 assailants. asked me to be candidate as prime 61 percent did not think he should form to complete the reform approach has settled on attacking that Italy was “only at the begin- The United States said on minister for them, I would con- stand, with a potential centrist agenda his technocrat adminis- his “Germano-centric” technocrat ning of the structural reforms” Saturday it condemned “in the sider it,” he told an end of year alliance under his leadership tration began when it took office government. required. strongest terms” the renewed vio- news conference, adding that he likely to gain around 15 percent more than a year ago, Monti said During his 13 months in office Italy, the euro zone’s third-larg- lence between the communities was aware the decision carried support. the next government must not pushed through reforms of the est economy, has been in reces- in the Tana area, where conflicts “many risks and a high probabil- Monti will face strong opposi- make easy election promises or pension system, labour market sion since the middle of last year, have flared intermittently over ity of failure”. tion from Berlusconi, whom he backtrack on reforms. and parts of the service sector. consumer spending is falling at access to land and water points. Monti is widely respected for criticised repeatedly during a Berlusconi has shifted between However, many analysts said its fastest rate since World War “This latest incident repre- restoring Italy’s reputation after two-hour news conference, say- fierce criticism of Monti and his reform efforts were too timid Two and unemployment has risen sents a disturbing escalation of the scandal-plagued Berlusconi ing he had been “bewildered” by offers to stand aside if he agreed to significantly improve the out- to a record high above 11 percent. the tragic violence witnessed by era but there is little sign of the 76-year-old billionaire media to lead the centre-right in look of a chronically sluggish REUTERS these communities in August and September,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a Driving cautiously statement. South African govt tight-lipped The White House also called on the Kenyan government, police and Orma and Pokomo leaders about Mandela’s condition to “bring an end to this deadly cycle of conflict, intensify efforts PRETORIA: The South African government remained tight- to establish a durable peace in the lipped yesterday about Nelson Mandela’s health, sparking spec- Tana delta and hold to account ulation that the anti-apartheid icon is likely to spend Christmas the perpetrators of these heinous in hospital. acts”. Kenya votes on March 4 in Mandela, 94, was admitted to hospital on December 8, and is its first election since the disputed receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection and has also 2007 vote, which led to the worst had a procedure to remove gallstones. inter-ethnic violence since inde- “At this stage there is no update on his condition and his doctors pendence with more than 1,100 have given no indication about when Madiba will be discharged,” people killed and hundreds of presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said, using Mandela’s clan thousands displaced. name. Two of the candidates running Only President Jacob Zuma’s office is tasked with issuing updates for the presidency are Prime about the revered statesman’s health. Minister Raila Odinga, who lost Official information about his treatment has not revealed much his bid in the 2007 vote, and about the seriousness of his condition or details about the sort of Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru treatment he is undergoing. Kenyatta, who has been indicted Zuma visited Mandela on Saturday at the Pretoria hospital where by the International Criminal he is being treated and said he was “responding to treatment”. Court for his alleged role in the Media reported that Nobel Peace Prize laureate was also visited violence which shattered Kenya’s by family members, including his wife Graca Machel. Last week image as a beacon of regional sta- Cars drive cautiously under heavy snowfall in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. Temperatures around the freezing Zuma said Mandela’s condition was serious when he was admitted bility. AFP point led to icy conditions in northern and eastern parts of Germany. to hospital two weeks ago, calling him a fighter. AFP Swiss train derails due to avalanche Islamists destroying more Timbuktu mausoleums BERNE: A train derailed in by unusually warm tempera- Switzerland rose sharply over- BAMAKO: Islamists occupy- the other militant group occupy- resident said. Ansar Dine, which the Swiss Alps early yesterday tures, did not hit the train but night, with meteorologists ing Timbuktu in northern Mali ing the fabled city since a March considers the city’s cultural treas- when it rammed into mounds blocked the track near the sce- describing “exceptionally warm were using pickaxes yesterday coup plunged the west African ures blasphemous, first began its of snow from an avalanche nic Goppenstein entrance to the temperatures” in Valais and pre- to destroy any remaining mau- state into chaos. campaign of destruction in July blocking the tracks, the BLS Loetschberg tunnel in the south- dicting the mercury there could soleums in the ancient city, an Anything that doesn’t fall under after UN cultural organisation rail company said, adding that ern canton of Valais. reach 15 degrees Celsius (59 Islamist leader said. Islam “is not good. Man should UNESCO put Timbuktu on its no one had been injured in the “No one was injured,” Hofer degrees Fahrenheit) by today. “Not a single mausoleum will only worship Allah”, said the list of endangered world heritage accident. said, explaining that the train “It is very dangerous when it remain in Timbuktu, Allah doesn’t AQIM resident Mohamed Alfoul. sites. Only two passengers and two had struck the snow and jumped is too warm,” Hofer said, adding: like it. We are in the process of “The Islamists are currently in The International Criminal crew members were on the train its track. The people onboard had “We think there will be more smashing all the hidden mausole- the process of destroying all the Court warned that their campaign when the accident occurred been evacuated but the train has avalanches.” ums in the area,” an Ansar Dine mausoleums in the area with pick- of destruction was a war crime around 6:00 am (0500 GMT), BLS not been moved due to the high The rail connection between leader, Abou Dardar said. The axes,” one witness confirmed. but the Islamists followed up with spokeswoman Stephanie Hofer risk of more avalanches in the Goppenstein and Hohtenn would claims were confirmed by wit- “I saw Islamists get out of a more damage in October, when told AFP. area, she said. remain closed for the time being, nesses, and backed by a resident car near the historic mosque of they smashed several Muslim The avalanche, which The accident happened as and passengers would be trans- who said he belongs to Al Qaeda Timbuktu. They smashed a mau- saints’ tombs, prompting another appeared to have been unleashed temperatures across much of ported by bus, BLS said. AFP in the Islamic Magreb (AQIM), soleum behind a house,” another international outcry. AFP MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Travel misery I was stitched as floods hit up, says ousted parts of UK LONDON: Heavy flooding across parts of Britain caused widespread road and rail dis- UK minister ruption yesterday, wreaking havoc on Christmas travel plans while rescuers worked to evacu- ate people from the hardest-hit Scotland Yard promises full probe communities. Torrential rains lashed parts of LONDON: The British cabi- broadsheet that he had been Britain last week, causing prob- net minister forced to quit over through the Downing Street front lems especially in south Wales, accusations he called Downing gates several times that week in southwest England and near Street police officers “plebs” September. On this occasion how- Aberdeen in Scotland. claimed yesterday that he had ever, the officer on duty told him The Environment Agency said been “stitched up” in his first to get off his bike and leave by rescuers helped residents of 25 full account of the furore. the pedestrian exit. The officer flooded homes evacuate after The head of Scotland Yard was unmoved when he told him the River Exe burst its banks in Bernard Hogan-Howe meanwhile he worked there as the govern- Stoke Canon in the southwestern announced he had appointed a ment’s chief whip. So he did as English county of Devon. Homes The River Wye floods onto surrounding lowlands near Ross-on-Wye yesterday. Flooding and heavy rains are senior officer to handle the inves- he was told. were also flooded in Stonehaven, continuing to cause disruption across the UK, with severe weather warnings and flood warnings set to remain in tigation and promised a “ruthless “As I did so, I muttered — near Aberdeen. place across the festive season. search for the truth.” though not directly at him — ‘I In Umberleigh, near Barnstaple Former minister Andrew thought you guys were supposed in Devon, rescue workers in a husband and son, who had been more precipitation was expected the next week.” The bad weather Mitchell said abusive phrases to ******* help us.’ “To which lifeboat saved a woman who was in the car with her. in the southwest. “We certainly disrupted rail services across attributed to him had been “hung the policeman responded: ‘If you clinging to a tree by a flooded In the county of Cornwall, next haven’t heard the last of the flood- Britain, with trains in Devon round my neck in a concerted swear at me I will arrest you.’ river. to Devon, local authorities said at ing stories,” said Tony Conlan, a and Cornwall especially affected. effort to toxify the Conservative Whereupon I cycled off. As I left, She had been swept away while least 170 homes had been affected forecaster with Meteogroup. Flooding on roads caused addi- Party and destroy my political I think I said that I would pursue trying to climb onto the roof of by floods. Although the rains “There is no sign of settled tional headaches for Christmas career”. the matter further the next day.” her car. Passers-by rescued her slowed a little during the day, weather on the way for at least commuters. AFP Mitchell who resigned in The alleged police log of the October as the government chief incident, leaked to newspapers, whip — charged with enforcing recorded Mitchell as saying: “Best discipline among Prime Minister you learn your ******* place. You David Cameron’s Conservatives — don’t run this ******* government. said he was hit with a “tsunami You’re ******* plebs.” The email US lobby issues point-blank ‘no’ on gun control of vitriol” following the incident. seemingly backing up the police Mitchell laid bare his account record “gave every appearance of the September 19 dispute and of being designed to stand up the WASHINGTON: The NRA, the local man, 20-year-old Adam Feinstein has pledged to table “I don’t think it will (work). its aftermath in The Sunday Times police log”, Mitchell wrote. most powerful gun lobby in the Lanza, killed his mother in their a bill on January 3 that would I keep saying it, and you just newspaper, as he intensified efforts “It was completely untrue. I was United States, ruled out any sup- Newtown, Connecticut home ban at least 100 military- won’t accept it: it’s not going to to clear his name and pave the way devastated. This was a stitch-up.” port yesterday for greater regu- before embarking on a hor- style semi-automatic assault work, it hasn’t worked. Dianne for a return to government. He wrote too of the growing pres- lation of firearms or ammunition rific spree at a local elementary weapons, and would curb the Feinstein had her (previous) Last week, police opened an sure on him in the three weeks magazines after the Sandy Hook school. He burst into Sandy Hook transfer, importation and the ban and Columbine occurred,” investigation into a possible con- that led up to his resignation. elementary school massacre. elementary and shot dead 20 six- possession of such arms. LaPierre said. spiracy against the former inter- “A tsunami of vitriol was Wayne LaPierre, the executive and seven-year old children and “I think that is a phony piece America has suffered an epi- national development secretary poured on my head as my repu- vice president of the National six adults with a military-style of legislation, and I do not believe demic of gun violence over the last after it emerged an email from tation was assailed from all sides Rifle Association, said planned assault rifle before taking his it will pass for this reason,” three decades including 62 mass a civilian witness backing up the and my character assassinated. legislation to outlaw military- own life with a handgun as police LaPierre told NBC’s “Meet the shooting incidents since 1982. The claims had in fact been written by Scotland Yard police chief style assault weapons and large- closed in. Press.” “It is all built on lies that vast majority of weapons used another officer. Hogan-Howe has broken off from capacity magazines was “phony” The bloodshed reopened a have been found out.” “We don’t have been semi-automatic weap- Newly released CCTV footage his holiday to be briefed on devel- and would not work. national debate on gun laws. think it works and we’re not going ons obtained legally by the killers. also raises questions about the opments. To show how serious He repeated the NRA’s call to President Barack Obama said to support it,” he said. There were an estimated 310 accuracy of the police log from he was, he had appointed deputy place an armed guard in every he would support a new bill to The NRA points to the fact that million non-military firearms in that night, which was leaked to assistant commissioner Patricia school and argued that prosecut- ban assault rifles and put Vice the 1999 shooting at Columbine the United States in 2009, roughly the press. “Suddenly I realised I Gallan to lead the 30 officers on ing criminals and fixing the men- President Joe Biden in charge of High School, when 12 kids and a one per citizen, and people in was being stitched up”, he told the case. Gallan’s brief covers pro- tal health system, rather than a panel looking at a wide range teacher were gunned down by two America are 20 times more likely The Sunday Times. fessional standards in the force. gun control, were the solutions to of other measures, from school senior students, occurred despite to be killed by a gun than someone Mitchell wrote in the AFP America’s mass shooting epidemic. security to mental health. similar legislation being in force in another developed country. On December 14, a disturbed Democratic Senator Diane at the time. AFP

Infant dies in Canadian plane crash Obama starts Hawaiian vacation KAILUA, HAWAII: Taking what promised on his schedule. On Saturday, Democratic MONTREAL: An infant was killed to be a very brief Christmas break from the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he and several adults were injured on ongoing struggle to avoid the “fiscal cliff” of had urged Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie, Saturday after a plane en route from tax hikes and spending cuts, US President a Democrat, to name Inouye’s successor “with Winnipeg to Nunavut in northern Barack Obama relaxed with his family on due haste.” Canada crashed, Canadian police said Saturday at a beach retreat in Hawaii. “It is critically important to ensure that the in a statement. Congress was to return to Washington next people of Hawaii are fully represented in the The Perimeter Aviation plane car- Thursday and Obama has pledged to work with pivotal decisions the Senate will be making rying seven passengers and two crew lawmakers to strike a deal to avoid the eco- before the end of the year,” Reid, of Nevada, crashed close to the end of the runway nomic shock from tax and spending measures said in a statement. south of the airport in Sanikiluaq, the set to take effect on January 1 if a deal can’t be Obama’s idyll was not expected to last more town in Nunavut where the plane was reached, which many economists say could push than four days, and he will likely retrace the originally headed, the Royal Canadian the US economy back into recession. more than 4,800-mile trip from the Aloha Mounted Police said. The president is expected to indulge in State to Washington after Christmas in a bid The infant was six months old. None some of his favourite pastimes on the island to cut a deal with Republicans, who failed of the other injuries were life-threat- where he was born and raised: golf, an expe- on Thursday to agree on competing tax and ening, it said, adding an investigation dition for the local treat “shave ice,” and an spending bills of their own. was underway. The co-pilot was flown evening out with family and friends. He hit Before leaving Washington on Friday to Winnipeg for treatment while others the links at the nearby Marine Corps base evening, Obama urged Congress to come were treated on the scene, the Canadian under sunny skies on Saturday afternoon. up with a stopgap measure to spare the US Broadcasting company reported. He is expected to attend funeral services economy the jolt of $600bn in tax increases Sanikiluaq is an Inuit community of for Senator Daniel Inouye, the long-serving and spending cuts economists say would likely 850 residents on the Belcher Islands in Democrat from Hawaii who died on Monday, derail the economy. southeastern Hudson Bay. AFP but the president has no other public events REUTERS MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Hong Kong $244m more for activist arrested 6 months after rehabilitation of Hu protest

HONG KONG: A member of a radical Hong Kong politi- storm victims cal opposition party yester- day said he had been arrested six months after throwing a t-shirt at Chinese President Hu Rescue efforts to continue in Mindanao Jintao’s motorcade. League of Social Democrats MANILA: The government is Mindanao. He said rescue teams – vice-chairman Avery Ng said he ready to spend at least 8bn to which include Navy, Coast Guard had been arrested on Saturday on 10bn pesos ($244m) more for and police personnel and employees a charge of public nuisance, after relief and rehabilitation efforts of fishing firms – do not mind work- throwing the t-shirt bearing a in storm-ravaged areas in ing even during the holidays. drawing of the late Chinese dis- Mindanao, as search and rescue “Many of them are soldiers and sident Li Wangyang on June 29. operations are set to continue they are used to it. Everyone is ready Hu was visiting the former even during Christmas and to perform their duty,” he said. British colony to mark the 15th New Year’s Day. When asked when the rescue anniversary of the territory’s Budget Secretary Florencio teams would halt the operations, handover and to preside over the Abad said the cost for the relief Ramos said they would take their city’s leadership change on July 1. and rehabilitation efforts could go cue from Armed Forces Eastern “We were just exercising our over 10bn pesos, given the extent Mindanao Command chief basic human right to protest ... of damage left by typhoon “Pablo.” Lieutenant General Jorge Segovia and that was already being vio- The National Disaster Risk and other officials in the field. lated by the police,” Ng said, Reduction and Management “The number of fatalities may adding that he threw his t-shirt Council (NDRRMC) had esti- still increase but we do not assume because police confiscated dem- mated the damage to agriculture immediately that the missing per- onstrators’ banners shortly before and infrastructure at 34.3bn pesos. sons have died,” he said. the motorcade’s arrival. Abad said the calamity is an As of yesterday, the death toll Well-wishers wave Japanese national flags while celebrating Emperor Akihito’s 79th birthday during his public Police said they had arrested a opportunity for the government from Pablo stood at 1,067 while appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo yesterday. 35-year-old local man surnamed to spend more through relief and 834 remained missing. Ng on Saturday for a count of rehabilitation operations. He said Armed Forces chief General “nuisance crimes committed in a the administration has so far Jessie Dellosa flew to Davao City Japan Emperor Akihito turns 79 public place”. spent at least 4bn pesos, and that yesterday to visit the troops Ng was released on bail and will reconstruction would take more undertaking relief and humani- appear in court today. time because the priority at this tarian operations in the area. TOKYO: Japanese Emperor 2003 for prostate cancer. tsunami that hit northern Japan He said he believed the gov- time is rescue and relief. Dellosa went to the headquar- Akihito turned 79 yesterday, The Japanese throne is held in March 2011. ernment was attempting to hush The 8bn to 10bn pesos would ters of the 67th Battalion to assess reassuring thousands of well- in deep respect by much of the “I plan to spend my time pray- opposition ahead of a mass anti- be taken from the government’s the rescue and relief operations. wishers he has regained his public, despite being stripped ing for the happiness of all of government protest planned for calamity and quick response He was also scheduled to visit the health since heart by-pass sur- of much of its mystique and its the Japanese public, particularly New Year’s Day. funds. “The 8bn to 10bn pesos 66th Battalion based in Banganga, gery, and remembering those quasi-divine status in the after- those who were affected by the Protesters from various oppo- is what is available and is origi- Compostela Valley. affected by the quake-tsunami math of the Second World War. disaster,” Akihito said, describing sition groups plan to take to the nally the projected requirement, The military has so far raised disaster. “He represents the people, and the year as a “difficult” one. streets on January 1 to air con- but you know the numbers can 19m pesos in contributions, dona- The softly-spoken monarch it was nice to see him in such The disaster crippled the cerns over freedom of expres- change as we go along,” he said. tions, and savings generated from gave his birthday address from good shape,” said retiree Takeo Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, sion, which they fear is in decline The budget chief said there has the cancellation of Christmas a glass-covered balcony at the Nagahashi, who was among more which went through meltdowns due to increasing Chinese influ- been various fund requests from parties and the toned down AFP Imperial Palace overlooking the than 10,000 people who came to and explosions, forcing tens of ence on the city, among other affected regions, particularly for anniversary celebration. East Garden, as crowds braved the palace to see the emperor’s thousands of residents to aban- issues. the replanting of various crops “More than the cash donations, a the bitter cold, waving small address. don their homes, farmland, fish- “The whole thing is politi- including corn, which can mature simple gesture of physical support will Japanese flags. “I was worried and seeing his ing boats and livestock. cally motivated, there’s no ques- in 45 to 90 days. encourage and inspire the typhoon “In February, I had heart sur- healthy face made me happy. I Before his birthday, Akihito tion about it,” Ng said, saying NDRRMC executive director victims to slowly stand up and look gery and worried many people. hope he will live for a long time.” told a ceremonial press confer- that his arrest would not stop Benito Ramos said the govern- forward to a brighter tomorrow,” Please remain assured that I am Another retiree Yuichiro Sato ence that his health has recovered him from attending any future ment has not set a deadline for Dellosa said in a statement. now living normally like before,” said: “It was a beautiful speech to the point where he can play demonstrations. the search and rescue operations, Meanwhile, an official of the he said in a brief speech. that reassured me. He seems tennis. Police used pepper spray to dis- so security forces would continue Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Surgeons successfully carried healthy.” He said he wanted to continue perse hundreds of protesters as efforts to find more survivors. the Philippines (CBCP) appealed out the four-hour operation on During his birthday address, carrying out his public duties at they chanted anti-Beijing slogans Ramos said they are still optimis- yesterday for more assistance, February 18 after tests showed a Akihito said his thoughts were the same level, despite calls from on loudspeakers outside the five tic to find more survivors, although particularly housing materials narrowing of two of his coronary with those who have be unable his family and court officials to star hotel Hu was staying in on it has been three weeks since Pablo and food, for the typhoon victims. arteries. It was the emperor’s first to return to their homes since reduce his workload. June 30. battered the southern part of THE PHILIPPINE STAR operation since he was treated in the devastating earthquake and AFP AFP

Manila releases $197m for Anti-nuclear votes melt away in Japanese elections TOKYO: Eight million peo- group. “It would have been ideal in Fukushima operator Tokyo and faces, as represented by the power with varying degrees of classrooms ple signed an Internet petition if the parties had came together Electric Power (TECPO) surg- LDP. policy emphasis. As a result, the demanding an end to nuclear under a simple, broad goal of end- ing around 50 percent in two days Even in nuclear-scarred anti-nuclear votes were divided,” MANILA: Department of power and hundreds of thou- ing nuclear power. But parties had after the win. Fukushima prefecture, the party the newspaper said. Budget and Management sands joined public protests. Yet to differentiate themselves from The problem, said the left-lean- won four out of five districts. Activists say the speed with (DBM) Secretary Florencio Japan handed an election land- others for the election. Maybe it ing Asahi Shimbun newspaper, In fact, says the Asahi, the which the election rapidly Abad reported yesterday that slide to the most pro-atomic was inevitable,” he said. was that other issues trumped anti-nuclear vote was almost appeared to be a fait accompli 8.8bn pesos ($197m) had been option on offer. The Liberal Democratic Party nuclear; voters were frustrated completely neutralised because of caused them problems. released for the construction of Anti-nuclear activists have bagged 294 of the 480 seats in the with Japan’s economic malaise, the fragmentation caused by this “Voters were bombarded by a classrooms for public schools in been left licking their wounds lower house, crushing their oppo- huge public debts, fragile employ- mushrooming of parties. series of opinion polls calling the 14 regions nationwide. after the first national poll since nents, the biggest of which won ment and diplomatic friction with Some 78 percent of people who LDP the winner long before the Abad said this is in line with the tsunami-sparked disaster only 57 seats. China. voted said they wanted nuclear election,” said Greenpeace cam- the promise of President Benigno at Fukushima saw an apparent Where smaller parties offered The public were looking for power to end now or to be phased paigner Kazue Suzuki, adding Aquino to close the nationwide melting away of public anger as an end to nuclear power — a way to punish the ruling out, the Asahi said. that a record low voter turnout classroom gap by 2013 and beef the country welcomed back the immediately, over ten years, or Democratic Party of Japan for its Many of their votes were of 59.32 percent did not help their up the local economy and develop- establishment. within three decades — the LDP policy failures. divided among four parties other cause. ment through flagship public-pri- “A problem was that political pledged only to “decide” on reac- But as the DPJ teetered on the than the LDP, according to the Japanese politics special- vate partnership (PPP) projects. divisions emerged over when and tor restarts within three years. electoral edge, a barrage of new Asahi, which added that the LDP ist Koichi Nakano of Sophia In a statement, he said the how to stop nuclear power,” said Commentators say the pro- political parties sprang up. also received votes from people University said single issue candi- amount was released to the Hideyuki Ban, co-director of the business party is likely to give Analysts say this crowded elec- who wanted an end to nuclear. dates would always find it difficult Department of Education Citizens’ Nuclear Information the green light to power compa- toral field confused voters, who in “All major parties, except for to get to parliament. (DepEd) for the implementa- Center, an anti-nuclear advocacy nies. Markets agree, with shares the end opted for familiar names the LDP, pledged to end nuclear AFP tion of Phase II of the Public- Private Partnership for the School Infrastructure Project (PSIP II). The PSIP II involves the design Metro Manila Film Festival and construction of 10,680 class- rooms, including school furniture 1.4 million hired abroad and comfort rooms. “The release will help the DepEd stay right on track towards its goal of closing the this year, says POEA classroom gap by end-2013, as directed by President Aquino,” MANILA: Overseas Filipino He said Middle East countries Abad said. workers (OFWs) have remained recruited the most number of “Engaging the private sector is popular among foreign OFWs, with Saudi Arabia as the key in achieving this, as it will allow employers. top destination followed by United the administration to optimize the Data from the Philippine Arab Emirates. Singapore came resources and capacities of the pri- Overseas Employment in third. vate sector, all the while delivering Administration (POEA) showed a Other favorites destinations critical goods and services to the continuing growth in the number for OFWs are Hong Kong, Qatar, Filipino public,” Abad explained. of Filipinos hired this year despite Kuwait, Taiwan, Italy, Bahrain He also noted that the DepEd is the economic slump in several and Malaysia. now authorized to implement the host countries. Last year, POEA reported a PSIP II through national govern- POEA chief Hans Cacdac said total deployment of 1.28 million ment financing under a turnkey a total of 1,460,097 OFWs were from January to October 2010, or build-transfer (BT) contract, hired from January to October which climbed to 1.35 million dur- besides the option of going through this year. ing the same period in 2011. PPP financing under a build-lease- Of the total deployment, Cacdac Labor officials said the eco- transfer (BLT) contract. said 79 percent or 1.16 million nomic slump in European coun- “We’re favouring the turnkey were land-based workers while tries, and the problems on peace mode of procurement for this the remaining were sea-based. and order in several host coun- PPP project because it’s much Cacdac said re-hires comprised tries in the Middle East have not more cost-efficient than the BLT Filipino fans wave to celebrities of the Philippine movies atop a float during the annual parade of the Metro the majority, or a total of 776,844, adversely affected the hiring of process,” Abad said. Manila Film Festival on Roxas Boulevard, in Manila, yesterday. of the overseas deployment for OFWs. THE PHILIPPINE STAR the year. THE PHILIPPINE STAR MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Fire sweeps through Kabul Afghan peace market, shops destroyed top priority KABUL: A huge fire swept through a market in downtown Kabul yesterday, destroying hundreds of shops and forc- ing the city’s nearby money exchange to evacuate, police for Kayani and witnesses said. There were no reports of any casualties in the early morning Army chief backs talks with Taliban blaze which destroyed most of the cloth market’s 500 shops, Kabul WANA/ISLAMABAD: — to help achieve a top US foreign fire department officials said. Pakistan’s powerful army chief policy goal. A fire department official has made reconciling warring Afghan officials, who have long speaking on condition of ano- factions in Afghanistan a top suspected Pakistan of funding nymity said an electrical short priority, military officials and and arming the Taliban, ques- circuit was the most likely cause Western diplomats say, the tion whether Kayani genuinely of the fire, which was so severe newest and clearest sign yet supports dialogue or is merely that Nato and Afghan army fire that Islamabad means business making token moves to deflect squads were called in to help. in promoting peace with the Western criticism of Pakistan’s “We are all working together to Taliban. record in Afghanistan. get this under control,” the offi- General Ashfaq Kayani is back- Pakistan backed the Taliban’s cial said. A photographer at the ing dialogue partly due to fears rise to power in Afghanistan in scene said the fire had reduced that the end of the US combat the mid-1990s and is seen as a hundreds of shops to charcoal. mission in Afghanistan in 2014 crucial gatekeeper in attempts by A Kabul police official who also could energise a resilient insur- the US and Afghan governments spoke under condition of ano- gency straddling the shared fron- to reach out to insurgent leaders nymity said separately that the tier, according to commanders who fled to Pakistan after their nearby currency exchange mar- deployed in the region. 2001 ouster. ket, the war-torn country’s larg- “There was a time when we Relations between Taliban President of the Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan (fourth left) places flowers in front of the coffin of est, had to be evacuated as the fire used to think we were the masters commanders and Pakistan’s secu- Bashir Bilour during the funeral ceremony in Peshawar yesterday. approached its outer walls. of Afghanistan. Now we just want rity establishment have increas- “Police helped the money mar- them to be masters of themselves ingly been poisoned by mistrust, ket evacuate and remove their so we can concentrate on our own however, raising questions over money from the market to safe problems,” said a senior Pakistani whether Kayani’s spymasters Provincial minister buried places,” he said. military officer stationed in South wield enough influence to nudge Waziristan, part of the tribal belt them towards the table. PESHAWAR: Prominent poli- Party (ANP), which governs the includes the secular ANP. Four-fold increase that hugs the Afghan border. Nevertheless, diplomats in ticians were among mourn- province, at a sports stadium for Amir Muqam, a senior figure “Pakistan has the power Islamabad argue that Pakistan ers yesterday paying their last a funeral prayer. in opposition party the Pakistan in poll expenses to create the environment in has begun to show markedly respects amid tight security Security gates were set up Muslim League-N, said: “Bilour which a grand reconciliation greater enthusiasm for Western- to a Pakistani provincial min- at the entrance of the stadium was a courageous politician—the proposed by ECP in Afghanistan can take place,” backed attempts to engage with ister killed in a suicide attack in Peshawar and people were ANP has suffered a big loss in he said, speaking in the gritty Taliban leaders. Western diplo- claimed by the Taliban. subjected to body searches. Peshawar.” ISLAMABAD: The Election town of Wana, about 30km from mats, who for years were scepti- Bashir Bilour, senior min- Authorities had installed jam- Prime Minister Raja Pervez Commission of Pakistan Afghanistan. “We have to rise to cal about Pakistani promises, say ister of northwestern Khyber ming equipment to block mobile Ashraf declared a day of national (ECP) has proposed a four-fold the challenge. And we are doing Islamabad is serious about pro- Pakhtunkhwa province, was phone signals, which can be used mourning in Bilour’s honour on increase in election expendi- it, at the highest level possible.” moting stability in Afghanistan. killed along with eight other to trigger bombs. Sunday and flags flew at half- ture to Rs6m for a National On December 7, Kayani ham- “They seem to genuinely want people when the suicide bomber Draped in a Pakistani flag, mast. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa pro- Assembly seat and Rs4m for mered home his determination to to move towards a political solu- struck at a political meeting in Bilour’s coffin was brought vincial government announced that of a provincial assembly. support a negotiated end to the tion,” said an official from an EU the provincial capital Peshawar from his brother’s residence in three days of mourning. The current ceiling of Rs1.5m war in Afghanistan at a meeting country. “We’ve seen a real shift on Saturday. an ambulance which later drove Bilour, the number two to the and Rs1m for a national and pro- of top commanders at the army in their game-plan at every level. The killing of the 69-year- to the city’s graveyard where he chief minister of the province, had vincial assembly seat respectively headquarters in Rawalpindi. Everyone involved seems to want old, an outspoken critic of the was buried near his mother’s been in politics for 40 years. was fixed over a decade ago. “He (Kayani) said Afghan rec- to get something going.” Pakistani Taliban, happened in a grave. In Saturday’s attack, around The proposal is part of a com- onciliation is our top priority,” The army has ruled Pakistan city on the frontline of the coun- “Bilour was a sober, seasoned 100 people including the provin- prehensive draft and that is a said a Pakistani intelligence offi- for more than half its history and try’s fight against homegrown and brave politician. His death cial leadership of the ANP had combination of amendments pro- cial, who was briefed about the critics say generals have jealously militancy which is frequently hit has created a vacuum in provin- gathered at the meeting when the posed by the ECP’s legal frame- meeting. guarded the right to dictate policy by gun and bomb attacks. cial politics,” Anwar Saifullah, of bomber struck. work committee and the National Major progress with Kayani’s on Afghanistan, seeing friendly With helicopters hovering the Pakistan People’s Party, told The Tehreek-e-Taliban Assembly’s standing commit- help could enable US President guerrilla groups as “assets” to overhead, Interior Minister AFP after attending the funeral. Pakistan (TTP) said they targeted tee on law and justice and its Barack Obama to say his adminis- blunt the influence of arch-rival Rehman Malik and local political The Pakistan People’s Party Bilour in revenge for the death of sub-committee. tration managed to sway Pakistan India. leaders joined hundreds of mem- leads a national coalition gov- one of their elders. A joint meeting of the ECP and — often seen as an unreliable ally REUTERS bers of Bilour’s Awami National ernment in Islamabad, which AFP the Senate’s standing committee on election issues is to discuss the proposed law on December 31. The draft law proposes that a party would not be eligible to receive an election symbol if it does Rural areas in Pakistan face alarming poverty not fulfil three conditions: if it had not secured at least one seat with its election symbol in any of the ISLAMABAD: Ameer Ahmed, Development practitioners say per day, the figure rises to 85 per- findings, human development “No girl goes to school from this past three parliamentary polls, or a 35-year-old resident of Hayat it will be seen in the next gen- cent of the population. indicators depict a general dis- village,” he said. Further, the villag- had failed to obtain five per cent of Jat village of district Thatta, eral elections whether the people The severity of poverty in the satisfaction with health and ers were happy that they were able total votes cast in the constituen- is among 79 percent of the vote again for known feudal lords locality can be gauged by the sanitation facilities. On the posi- to get the solar lighting scheme cies in which its candidates took population of this area that or vote them out of the political fact that during a visit to Kaiti tive side, a majority of household but health facilities were critical part during the three previous lives in poverty and without arena. Bunder, a fisherman was spotted heads (82 percent) perceived that for them as a Basic Health Unit elections or has not established basic necessities such as health According to a baseline survey in his wife’s clothes. “We are poor they could vote freely. (BHU) was located 30km away at a ‘functional central office’, with care, clean drinking water and of the coastal areas of Badin and and cannot afford to buy clothes They also said that most house- Gharhu village. a central committee and district education. Thatta, 79 percent households in for ourselves,” he said. holds (56 percent) allow women to Top policy makers have thus far offices, in at least 10 administrative Developmental experts working the coastal areas of Badin and Project director, Muhammad seek wage labour. Alarmingly, the failed to come up with solutions districts and offices in at least 50 in these two districts believe that Thatta fall below the poverty line Umar Memon said, “In the face proportion of working children is to bring people out of poverty on tehsils and talukas. in the past five years, the poverty when it is defined as those surviv- of such a severe level of pov- 29 percent. a sustainable basis. The draft law seeks to widen stricken people of the coastal ing on a dollar per day. erty, ADB provided $40m for the This was reinforced by Ameer The PPP-led government, the definition of corrupt practices areas of Sindh have started The survey was conducted by SCCDP for a period of six years.” Ahmed, resident of village Hayat which won the election with the as well to include capturing poll- demanding the basics from poli- the Asian Development Bank He said that an independent pov- Jat located in district Thatta, when slogan of roti, kapara and makan ing stations and tampering with ticians and bureaucrats. (ADB) in collaboration with erty assessment would be carried he informed a media team from for the people of Pakistan, did not ballot papers which previously People have got CNICs from the Sindh Coastal Community out next month to measure the Islamabad that of 35 children in bother to resolve the controversy was confined to bribery, imper- Nadra and have registered to Development Project (SCCDP). project’s success. the village only two to three went over exact estimates of poverty. sonation and undue influence. vote. Assuming the poverty line is $1.25 According to the survey to school due to inaccessibility. INTERNEWS INTERNEWS MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Protesters stand atop an overturned government vehicle as they shout Policemen use water cannons and batons to disperse demonstrators during a protest in front of India Gate in New Delhi, yesterday. slogans during the protest in New Delhi. Dozens hurt; anti-rape protests turn violent New Delhi rocked by deadly protests for third straight day Cut VIP security, boost NEW DELHI: Mass protests urged all protesters to head home Sonia Gandhi told a group of men up the government,” said Rakesh for the third straight day yes- as security forces cleared street and women - her second meeting Kumar, a businessman in south terday against the gang-rape of after street once darkness set in. with protesters - that the rapists Delhi who was at the site with public safety: Dikshit a young woman turned violent “The movement has been taken would be tried quickly and also his wife and two young daughters. here, leaving dozens injured and over by hooligans,” he said. “We charged with attempt to murder. Pallavi, a 25-year-old working NEW DELHI: Appealing to people agitated over a gang-rape turning the India Gate area into want people to go home so that we Delhi Chief Minister Sheila for a multinational, said: “The here to maintain peace, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit yes- a virtual war zone. can isolate the hooligans.” Dikshit appealed for calm. government is sleeping... The law terday said providing security to public should take precedence Police and paramilitary per- Although a large number dis- Earlier in the day, thousands of against rape must be stronger and over VIP security which needed pruning. “I want to empha- sonnel liberally used batons and persed from the area, which young men and women engulfed should be implemented properly.” sise, even if there is need to cut VIP security, it should be done,” tear gas to chase away thousands includes the stately Hyderabad the India Gate area shouting “We To prevent a repeat of Dikshit told reporters after a meeting with union Home Minister after the emotionally charged pro- House which Russian President want justice!” and demanding Saturday’s events when people Sushilkumar Shinde. The Delhi government has sought a “ration- tests during the day descended into Vladimir Putin would visit today, death to the five men and a boy tried to march to Rashtrapati alisation of police deployment including VIP security deployment”. chaos by evening. Mobs uprooted a few hundred remained rooted who raped the 23-year-old in a Bhavan, police barricaded all “You find very often the excuse is that there are so many VIPs so wooden poles erected for the near India Gate, a World War I moving bus on December 16 night. the roads leading to the place we can not look after ordinary citizens,” she said. January 26 Republic Day event and monument flanked by lush green A week later, the woman and government offices close by Dikshit appeared critical of police, who are controlled by the set them on fire, upturned vehicles lawns. Several protesters- the remains in critical condition. including the Prime Minister’s central government, over the December 16 gang-rape in a moving and hurled stones and water bot- number estimated at 50 - were Bouts of violence took place Office. Prohibitory orders ban- bus, saying taht suspending some constables was not enough. tles on policemen in response to injured in the earlier police action. during the day too, but the mass ning the assembly of five or more “People should be sensitised and police should also be sensitised. tear gas and baton attacks. A police constable was reportedly of demonstrators remained people were clamped. Police should be more sensitive and accountable,” she said. Ambulances with wailing sirens seriously injured in stoning. The peaceful - but angry. Many Yesterday’s protests also drew The chief minister met Shinde after chairing a special meeting took away the injured to hospitals. political class appeared shaken by waved Indian flags, and some gave political activists. But most of her cabinet on the incident and the situation arising out of it, By night, roads in the area the mass and largely spontaneous fiery speeches.Unlike Saturday’s appeared to be people with no including protests near India Gate over the brutal incident. were littered with sandals, shoes, protests. equally massive protests, many particular affiliation. Amid all The Delhi cabinet, in a statement, said that the confidence in the books, hand-held banners, bags Bharatiya Janata Party leader middle-aged also poured in yes- this, yoga guru Ramdev reached law and order machinery had been shaken by the incident and steps and water bottles, left behind by Sushma Swaraj urged the gov- terday, urging the government the Jantar Mantar protest site needed to be taken for its restoration. those who fled the protest site ernment to call a meeting of all to amend laws so that rapists get also in the city centre standing Reflecting the feeling, Dikshit said: “It is very sad, you announced... in panic. Special Commissioner political parties to discuss the heavier punishment. atop a bus. IANS you suspend few cops, but as long as senior officers don’t take respon- of Police Dharmendra Kumar Dec 16 rape. Congress president “We hope these protests wake sibility police cannot gain people’s confidence.” The Delhi cabinet sought “immediate and strict action against officials responsible”. Dikshit also said that her government had advocated death sentence for culprits in the December 16 gang-rape Victim back on ventilator, case.“We don’t say across the board death sentence should be given to rapists. It should invoke death sentence or life imprisonment if the cases are like this,” she said. “We decided this and went to home platelet count dips minister...he said he would look into it and also set a judicial inquiry on how such incident happened,” she said. The chief minister also NEW DELHI: The 23-year-old of platelets,” said P K Verma, ICU asked the home minister to instruct Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor victim of a brutal gangrape was in-charge at Safdarjung hospital. Tejinder Khanna and his ministry to have prevent lapses in main- yesterday put back on the venti- Verma said while there is no taining security. As the law and order in Delhi is under the central lator and her condition remains bleeding, the risk of infection con- home ministry, the Khanna is responsible for it. The chief minister critical, though she is conscious tinues as the patient’s platelet count urged people to maintain peace. and communicating, doctors said. is fluctuating. “And because she was The young woman underwent in distress, she is back on ventilation Police chief justifies action against protesters a minor surgical procedure where support,” the expert added. her abdomen was given a “wash” The patient had shown signs NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over the police crackdown and the fluid that had collected of “breathing distress” Saturday against protesters at India Gate here yesterday, Delhi Police was drained, a team of doctors night due to which she was put Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said the incident was unfortunate said in a bulletin on the patient’s through an ultrasound and a CT but the situation warranted the action. “It was unfortunate that health condition. The woman’s scan, which showed collection of we had to use force against protesters,” Neeraj Kumar told televi- platelet condition has dipped fur- fluid in her abdomen. “The ultra sion channel CNN-IBN. “India Gate is a tourist place. It is not a ther, from 41,000 in the morning sound and CT scan showed fluid site for protests. They are welcome at Jantar Mantar and Ramlila to 19,000 in the evening - an indi- collection and we decided to do Maidan as they are sites for protesting,” he said. He added that a cation of infection in her blood. a thorough wash with antibiotics constable injured in stone pelting by protesters is in hospital and his “She has now a platelet count of and put a drain, to check infection condition is critical. As many as 143 people, including 78 police per- 19,000... her platelet count is fluc- and to drain out whatever fluid is People shout slogans as police use water cannon to disperse them during sonnel, were injured in the police cane-charge at India Gate. IANS tuating, and we gave her two units collecting,” said a doctor. IANS a protest in front of the India Gate in New Delhi, yesterday. Court narrows eyes on NRI dependents quota

he vexed issue of admis- undesirable practices challenged. formula regarding the admis- instance, the court itself had rede- his parents do not have economic merit basis. The Kerala court, in sion quotas for non-res- The fact remains, though, that sions to the NRI quota in the self- fined the term ‘dependent of NRI’, means to provide for his fees and its directive, has observed that ident Indians (NRIs) middle and low level income NRIs financed colleges in the state before and made it clear that it would not other expenditure, the wGujarat the NRI quota was permitted by Thas raised its head once working in the Gulf countries to the next academic year.” be enough if a student produces High Court division bench had the Supreme Court on the basis again with a southern state court eke out a living are unfortunately The court has further asked willingness of the sponsor to pay fee observed. of understanding the peculiar in India asking the government clubbed in the same class as the the Kerala government to clarify for the course. The student would The high court was deciding position of the NRIs and also the to frame proper rules to prevent wealthy NRIs in the West. what is meant by ‘dependents’ of have to show how he has been an application by a female stu- need for funds from the NRIs to any misuse of the special facility. Another angle to the compli- NRIs under Section 2(o) of the dependent on the NRI for educa- dent, who was denied admission augment the income of the self- Each year thousands of young cations are the admissions that professional colleges Act. Holding tion throughout his or her career. in NRI quota in a medical college financing institutions. boys and girls, mostly those whose are made under the category of that the State had the power to on technical grounds. The court Earlier, in June this year, the Indian parents live and work in ‘dependents of NRIs.’ In this case, admit students to the NRI quota, observed that she had never taken Odisha high court put a stay on 15 the Gulf, face the problem of NRIs were allowed to sponsor the the court directed the govern- THE NR EYE help of her NRI sponsor in the per cent reservation in NRI quota getting themselves admitted to admissions of ‘poor and deserving’ ment to ensure that the entire past, nor did she claim that her in engineering seats. Recently, the higher and professional education relatives (dependents) back home. process relating to the sponsor- Moiz Mannan parents cannot afford her educa- All India Council for Technical courses of their choice. While the Here again there have been many ship by an NRI be completed with tion expenses. Thus, she did not Education (AICTE) had reduced seats are limited in government- allegations of misuse of the quota supporting documents before the The court also directed the qualify for getting advantage of the NRI quota from 15 percent to run colleges, those run by private by private (self-financed) profes- cut-off date for admission. government to consider stu- the NRI quota, ruled the court five per cent. The Odisha Private entities and societies are only sional colleges. In September 2012, delivering dents for NRI quota as per the and observed that if such rich Engineering College Association too happy to offer admissions to It is against this back ground an important order concerning clarification made in this order. students are given admission (OPECA) had challenged the overseas Indians in the hope of that a recent directive by the NRI quota in professional courses, It would be necessary for the can- only because some NRI spon- decision in the high court. big bucks. Kerala High Court assumes signifi- the Gujarat High Court had ruled didate to show in what manner sor agrees to pay their fees, this In March, the Supreme Court This fact has not been lost cance. Considering a petition chal- that the student seeking admission he is dependent on the NRI. He would directly affect the merit. of India delivered a ruling that either on the different state gov- lenging the anomalies in selecting under the quota will have to estab- would have to establish that in The court also held that the unfilled seats meant for NRI can- ernments who regulate the col- NRI candidates in self-financing lish that his parents cannot afford the past also he depended on the NRI quota seats, which remain didates are free to be occupied by leges, but also on the courts of colleges , the court directed the his education and also prove how he NRI sponsor for education and vacant for non-availability of general category students. law which have often seen the state to “evolve an appropriate is dependent on NRI quota. In that other related requirements, and students, have to be filled up on THE PENINSULA MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Indian doctors Putin arrives in in Britain fail key exams Delhi today for LONDON: Hundreds of for- eign doctors, including those from India and Pakistan, are routinely failing key medical exams in Britain, The Mail on bilateral summit Sunday said. Success rates are so poor that medical associa- tions want doctors to be allowed Defence deals worth $7bn on agenda six attempts at passing the tests rather than the current four. NEW DELHI: Russian front, the two sides are expected The revelation raises fears President Vladimir Putin to reiterate the target for scal- the trainee medics, mainly from arrives here early today for an ing up bilateral trade to $20bn. India, Pakistan and Nigeria, are over 15-hour visit for the annual With differences festering over not suitably qualified to treat India-Russia bilateral summit application of India’s civil nuclear patients despite spending three that will see both sides ink multi- liability law to units III and IV of years working for the NHS before billion dollar defence pacts. the Kudankulam nuclear power taking the exam. Until they pass Putin, who touches down past plant (KNPP), the proposed the exams, which qualify them to midnight, will hold delegation power plants to be built by Russia, practise independently as hospital level talks with Prime Minister a pact on these units is unlikely to physicians, trainees continue to Manmohan Singh at 11.30 am at be signed after the summit talks. Relatives of a journalist who was killed by police fire in a protest mourn in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, yesterday. see patients - under supervision Hyderabad House, after which the “I don’t think the agreement - in placements at hospitals and two sides will ink the agreements. on units III and IV will be signed GP surgeries. Figures show that The Russian president is to call because we are still negotiating it foreign doctors are substantially on President Pranab Mukherjee but there will be more than a dozen Journalist killed as curfew more likely to fail than UK gradu- at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the documents which would be con- ates, with communication cited as afternoon. Congress president cluded covering the entire gamut one of the problems, according to Sonia Gandhi and Leader of of relations, including military the newspaper. Opposition in the Lok Sabha cooperation,” Russian ambassador reimposed in Imphal While just nine percent of Sushma Swaraj are to call on to India Alexander Kadakin told British doctors fail to pass the Putin at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. reporters here on Friday. IMPHAL: Curfew was re- the state to calm the fragile law The Manipur Film Forum knowledge and practical exams, Putin will leave for home at However, in the one-one-one imposed yesterday in the and order situation,” State Chief (MFF) had called for an indefi- more than 63 percent of foreign 4.30 pm. Putin, who entered the talks between Manmohan Singh Manipur capital and around Secretary D SPoonia said. nite general strike - the sec- doctors do not reach the standard Kremlin as president in May, last and Putin, there may be an infor- after a journalist was killed He said the government has ond day Sunday - demanding to pass. Of the Indian doctors taking visited India as prime minister mal understanding on the revised in police firing on protestors taken all steps to maintain law the arrest of Livingstone Anal, the test, 63 percent failed at the first in 2010. Ahead of the visit, the price of these reactors that could demanding the arrest of a and order and to prevent the an NSCN-IM rebel leader for attempt. For those from Pakistan, Kremlin said Putin will discuss pave the way for the signing of the member of National Socialist prevailing situation from spilling molesting a Manipuri film actress there was a 62 percent failure “concrete steps to further develop deal later, said reliable sources. Council of Nagalim-Isak- over to other districts of the state. in a public function at Chandel rate, while 68 percent of Nigerian strategic partnership” in trade, With Russian President arriv- Muivah (NSCN-IM) for sexu- On Saturday, curfew was district, bordering Myanmar on doctors failed at the first try. The investment, military and energy ing here for a day-long visit, the ally assaulting a film actress. imposed in Imphal East and December 18. British Association of Physicians policy. civic agencies are planning to Thangjam Nanao Singh of Imphal East districts from 7pm to The Naga rebel also opened fire of Indian Origin (BAPIO) said Defence deals worth $7bn clean up the area around India Prime Time, a Guwahati-based 6am following violence in Imphal. at two artists who tried to rescue it had not ruled out taking legal could prove to be the show- Gate - the site of a mass protest satellite channel, was killed As the news of the journal- the film actress but the bullets action against the British medical stealer. The highlight will be a and violence against a gang-rape. Thangmeiband area in the after- ist being killed in a police fir- missed them. colleges which set the exams. contract, worth around $4bn, President Putin is likely to visit noon when police opened fire ing spread, protestors went on “The Manipur police and Assam But their claims have been to buy additional Sukhoi 30 India Gate Monday, a source said. to disperse supporters of the a rampage, torching a govern- Rifles are on a manhunt to arrest refuted by leading UK specialists MKI fighters equipped with “We will clear away the stones Manipur Film Forum who had ment office at Laiphamkhunou in the Naga rebel. We have also who say a recent study showed the Brahmos cruise missiles, an and glass and paper lying on the allegedly torched a police vehicle, Imphal west and four vehicles at requested the union home min- “no substantial effects of gen- Indo-Russian joint venture. roads early Monday morning,” a police official said. Andro parking area, Langol and istry to speak to the NSCN-IM der or ethnicity on examiner/ India has already signed a pact New Delhi Municipal Corporation Police said the journalist suc- Khurai area. to handover Livingstone Anal to candidate interactions”, and that for delivery of 80 Mi-17 V5 heli- (NDMC) spokesperson Amit cumbed to his bullet wounds at All Manipur Working the Manipur police,” Poonia said. passing the exams is dependent copters, of which 42 had already Prasad said. The work will be the Regional Institute of Medical Journalists Union president Mobi Manipur Home Minister G on having the appropriate skills. been inducted since February this done along with workers of the Science and Hospital here. Singh, meanwhile, asked police Gaikhangam, who visited the About 3,000 doctors a year take year. Despite India diversifying its Central Public Works Department “We have re-imposed cur- to return the camera used by hospital and condoled the death their final professional GP exams, imports, Russia still accounts for (CPWD) as the area around Amar few from 2 pm this afternoon the killed journalist in which he of Singh, appealed to the people set by the Royal College of GPs, over 60 percent of the country’s Jawan Jyoti falls under CPWD, he to 6 am tomorrow (Monday) in had captured the entire incident of the state to remain calm. The Mail on Sunday said. military hardware. On the trade said. IANS Imphal East and West districts of before he was hit by the bullets. IANS IANS MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

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120,034 8.56 373,530 25.90 192,944 154.60339,766 15.31 31,966 76.30 112,875 27.80 96,977 23.10 27,365 71.00 13,320 51.70 Single firm launched to market petrochemicals Muntajat to have 36 outlets in 120 countries

BY SATISH KANADY plants with several new facilities Dr Al Sada said the marketing planned to be operational in the arms of Qatar Fertiliser Company DOHA: Qatar has announced next few years. (Qafco) and Qatar Petrochemical the launch of a single corporate “Qatar will be investing around Company (Qapco) would be inte- entity which would hold exclu- $25bn up until 2020 in its chemicals grated with Muntajat in due course. sive rights to purchase, market, and petrochemicals fields. With the However, Qatar International distribute and sell its chemical production expecting to double by Petroleum Marketing Company and petrochemical products to this period, we have to prepare our- Ltd (Tasweeq), which is involved the global market. The launch of selves for the market expansion. in marketing the Qatar’s “regu- “Muntajat” or Qatar Chemical We need a modern company man- lated products” and crude oil and and Petrochemical Marketing aged by a world class governance to GTL entitlements, will continue its and Distribution Company QJSC effectively market our existing 43 operation and retain its identity. yesterday marks an important different products and more future “Muntajat is set to become the milestone in diversifying Qatar’s products”, Minister of Energy & face of Qatar in the international exports portfolio, which is set Industry and the Chairman of the chemicals and petrochemicals to take its chemical and petro- Board of Directors of Muntajat market. The new company will chemical products to 120 coun- H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al consolidate chemical and petro- tries through 36 global outlets, Sada, said. chemical marketing and distri- including seven regional hubs. Currently, Qatar produces bution efforts into a single entity Mandated by an Emiri Decree, 10 million tonnes per annum of to provide adroitness in doing the establishment of Muntajat chemicals, polymers and fertilis- business and better serve global The Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman of the Muntajat H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada (centre) comes in parallel to Qatar’s chem- ers, supporting the growth of a demands. at a press briefing in Doha yesterday. Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Shaibi (left), Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors ical and petrochemical industry wide number of industries around Continued on next page and Chairman of the Technical Committee, Muntajat, and Abdulrahman Ali Al Abdulla, CEO, Muntajat, are also inaugurating new state-of-the-art the world. THE PENINSULA seen. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Majid Al Futtaim Economic outlook lifts ’13 growth forecast eyes Egypt’s supermarket chain Qatar’s real GDP expected to hit 4.8 next year: GSDP; inflationary pressure mild DUBAI: Dubai’s Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), is in talks with DOHA: Qatar has raised its Among the underlying com- expected to continue rising in robust, with the fiscal surplus for ship its oil and gas cargos, this Egypt’s Mansour Group, owned forecast for economic growth ponents of GDP, the main con- 2013, to 19.8 percent, from a pro- 2013 revised up to 5.4 percent of would economically harmful. by billionaire Mohammed and inflation for 2013 saying its tributory factor in the upgrade jected 18.9 percent in 2012. GDP from June’s estimate of 4.8 On the 2012 economic perform- Mansour, to buy its supermar- growth will help push real gross is a smaller predicted decline in Construction is also seen per- percent. Upward revisions to esti- ance, the update indicated that ket business in a deal valued at domestic product (GDP) to 4.8 hydrocarbon output-0.2 percent forming strongly in 2013- about 10 mated prices for gas underlie the Qatar’s economy expanded by 6.4 $200m to $300m, three sources percent, from this June’s 4.5 versus 1.2 percent. percent growth- reflecting faster brighter fiscal outlook. percent in real terms during the aware of the discussions said. percent forecast. The non-hydrocarbon sector is roll-out of Qatar’s infrastructure The principal reason for this first half of 2012, measured y-o-y Mansour Group, also the larg- With an expected rising pop- expected to grow by 9.6 percent in pipeline and catch-up on earlier upgrade is a significant upward against the same period in 2011. est distributor of General Motors ulation and consequent higher 2013, a 0.1 percent upward revision project delays. revision in the gas price fore- Although this half-year outcome is cars in Egypt, is aiming to sell residential rents, consumer price on the June 2012 forecast. The The forecast for nominal GDP cast for 2013. Japan’s decision close to the full-year forecast of 6.2 supermarket chain Metro and inflation is projected to rise to 3.5 service activity is expected to con- growth for 2013 has also been revised to reduce its reliance on nuclear percent made by the GSDP’s June discount grocery store Kheir percent in 2013, Qatar General tribute more than 60 percent of the up, to 5.3 percent as in June. energy has created heavy extra forecast, second quarter output Zaman, the sources said, speak- Secretariat for Development total growth in Qatar’s economy, The update shows that infla- demand for gas that has already growth slowed sharply: real GDP ing on condition of anonymity as Planning (GSDP) said in its and its share in total real GDP will tionary pressure remained mild in caused prices to escalate in 2012 grew by 5.1 percent in that quarter, the matter is not public. updated Qatar Economic Outlook have risen to 32.5 percent, from 2012 but cautions that , with a ris- by a t least 30 percent. down from 7.9 percent in the first. The ongoing discussions signal 2012-13 released here yesterday. an expected 31.1 percent in 2012. ing population and demand, resi- The revised economic out- The non-oil and gas sector per- increased appetite by Gulf-based “A sharp fall in oil and gas Further expansion is anticipated in dential rents are now rising and looks reaffirms that the risks formed strongly in the first half firms to expand their presence in prices and adverse geopolitical financial services, telecommunica- could push inflation up in 2013. faced by Qatar’s economy are of 2012, rising by 9.5 percent from the most populous Arab state at a developments remain potential tions and transportation, another Consumer price inflation in 2013 still mainly external. Problems the same period in 2011. But its time when valuations are low due game changers, but the baseline service segments. is tipped to be about 3.5 percent. in the eurozone continue to pose y-o-y growth in the second quar- to the political strife in the North forecast assumes that these risks The share of industry-man- The updated forecasts note a wider threat, and if geopo- ter slipped to 8.5 percent from African country. do not materialize”, the GSDP’s ufacturing, construction and fiscal and current account sur- litical developments interfered 10.6 percent in the first. Gulf banks have bought assets revised document noted. utilities- in total output is also pluses are expected to remain with Qatar’s ability to freely THE PENINSULA from their European counter- parts in Egypt but the interest in Mansour Group’s supermarket business shows the focus may now GECF marks fourth anniversary be spreading to other sectors such as retail where growth prospects Qatar Exchange index are seen promising in the longer term. MAF is the sole franchisee of French hypermarket chain loses 19.62 points Carrefour in the Middle East. Due diligence on the deal is DOHA: Qatar Exchange index vote was conducted without currently under way and a deci- lost 19.62 points or 0.23 yester- severe violence, and saw it as a sion could be taken as early as day to hit 8,422.89 points from step towards normalcy and par- January, one of the sources said. the previous closing of 8,442.51 liamentary elections that could MAF Group declined to com- points. eventually produce a stable ment on the report. Mansour The volume of shares government. Group was not available for traded fell to 3,477,133 from After plunging in late immediate comment. 4,630,506 on Thursday, and November when the crisis over Metro is Egypt’s largest super- the value of shares decreased the constitution began, the stock market chain with more than 40 to QR123,622,150.86 from market quickly began recovering outlets in 10 cities. Kheir Zaman, QR198,930,682.19 Thursday. and is now roughly back at pre- a discount grocery store, has over Among the top losers were Qatar crisis levels. 2,000 employees and 30 stores Insurance whose share dropped 1.19 Cairo’s benchmark index rose throughout the country. percent to QR66.60, Qatar Telecom in early trade yesterday, hitting a Unlisted MAF, the franchisee lost 1.06 percent to QR102.80, high of 5,505 points, before pulling for Carrefour hypermarkets in 19 National Leasing fell 1.07 percent back to close 1.5 percent lower at countries and operator of nearly to QR46.35 and Qatar Navigation 5,362 points in heavy trade. a dozen malls across the Middle down 1.09 percent to QR63.30. One factor encouraging profit- East and North Africa, is keen The banking and financial sec- taking was talk, fuelled by a state on expanding in Egypt through tor dropped 6.76 points while the television report on Saturday acquisitions, according to one insurance sector lost 12.57 points. night, that central bank governor Dubai-based banking source who The industrial sector was down Farouk El Okdah might resign. Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada and General Secretary of Gas Exporting is aware of the discussions. 1.33 points while the services sec- El Okdah denied the report but Countries Forum (GECF) Leonid Bokhanovskiy cutting a cake to mark the 4th anniversary celebrations of REUTERS tor added 4.49 points. there has been persistent media GECF at the Diplomatic Club yesterday. (KAMMUTTY VP) Meanwhile, Egypt’s bourse speculation that he might go, and dropped in volatile trade yester- with the Egyptian pound near day, pulled down by profit-taking eight-year lows against the US and concern that the central dollar, some investors fear his bank governor might resign, after departure could signal a policy Muntajat to support local production industry stocks rose early on in response change in which the central bank to voters’ approval of a new con- stopped resisting depreciation. stitution for the country. “Some investors were speculat- Continued from page 17 Supporters and opponents of ing the constitution will fly, while It will support the growth of the local pro- President Mohammed Mursi said others were worrying the mar- duction industry and contribute to a diversi- IQ to merge marketing activities with Muntajat their unofficial counts showed the ket’s positive performance over fied, knowledge-based economy that further DOHA: Industries Qatar (“IQ” ), one of the region’s industrial giants with interests in constitution had been approved after the last two weeks will not last,” expands and reinforces Qatar’s best utilisation the production, distribution and sale of a wide range of petrochemical, fertiliser and steel two rounds of voting that ended with said Osama Mourad, chief execu- of its hydrocarbon resources.” products, informed the Qatar Exchange that IQ’s activities related to the marketing, dis- a final ballot on Saturday. tive of Arab Finance Brokerage. “In addition to bringing added value to tribution and selling of all of the group’s products, with the exception of the group’s steel The vote does not remove and “The news of the governor Qatar’s chemical and petrochemical industry, products, will be progressively migrated to Muntajat. may inflame political tensions in weighed more on the market - it Muntajat will create job opportunities for local In a note to the Qatar Exchange, Minister of Energy and Industry, Chairman and Managing Egypt; many in the opposition increased uncertainty about the talent, Al Sada added. Director of Industries Qatar H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, stated: “Industries Qatar feel Mursi’s action in pushing situation of the Egyptian pound By consolidating the distribution and mar- fully supports this important initiative of the State of Qatar. IQ firmly believes that unifying through the constitution violated and the fiscal policy of the country.” keting channels of the country’s chemical and the marketing efforts of all of the group companies and creating a national champion is in the country’s new democracy, Nevertheless, stock exchange petrochemical products, Muntajat would soon the best, long-term interests of the company, its shareholders and the State.” and that the document favours data on Sunday once again showed emerge as one of the largest entities in the glo- On the likely financial effect of the change, Abdulrahman Ahmad Al Shaibi, Chief Islamists while ignoring the rights that while local retail investors bal chemicals and petrochemicals marketing Coordinator, Industries Qatar, commented: “We do not expect the change to have an impact of Christians and women. So the were net sellers, foreign investors industry, said Abdulrahman Ahmad Al Shaibi, on the group’s 2012 financial results. In 2013, the changes will bring additional value to the vote could be a recipe for further and non-resident Arab investors Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and group – the full impact of which will be disclosed in the group’s 2013 to 2017 business plan unrest in the long term. were net buyers - a sign of longer- Chairman of the Technical Committee of which is due to be released in early 2013 and presented to the next annual general assembly This could complicate the term confidence in the country. Muntajat. meeting.” government’s efforts to win the Another sign of confidence was “Our strategy focuses on the provision of Further details will be disclosed to the Qatar Exchange in due course. domestic consensus on budget news that Dubai’s Majid Al Futtaim value added services to ensure efficient mar- THE PENINSULA cuts and economic policies that was in talks with Egypt’s Mansour keting and distribution channels extending to it needs to secure a $4.8bn loan Group to buy its supermarket busi- more than 120 countries around the world, and from the International Monetary ness in a deal valued at $200m to serving as a one-stop shop supplying Qatar’s experience in the marketing and distribu- multi-faceted approach with regional storage Fund, some analysts believe. $300m, according to three sources high quality chemical, polymer and fertiliser tion of Qatar’s chemicals and petrochemi- facilities ensuring continuous supply. Nevertheless, investors and aware of the discussions. exports at competitive prices. cals products, Muntajat management’s Abdulrahman Ali Al Abdulla, Chief Executive traders were relieved that the AGENCIES Capitalizing on more than 20 years’ vision is to position itself closer to its glo- Officer of Muntajat said: “Muntajat will work bal customers by establishing towards achieving its vision of becoming the a large spread network in key world leader in the marketing and distribution geographic locations around the of chemicals, polymers and fertilizers by meet- world.” added Al Shaibi. ing customer needs in a reliable and efficient To meet the international manner. Our mission is to promote the Qatar’s demand of chemical and petro- chemical and petrochemical industries, and cap- chemical products, Muntajat will italize on the opportunities available to return operate an advanced supply chain value to our stakeholders and contribute to the programme to reduce product growth of our country.” delivery lead times by combining a THE PENINSULA

• Bullion - Mumbai Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 30595 Silver (1 kg) Rs. 59595 • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.97 • Sensex BSE 19242.00 NSE 5487.70 • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN Card/Demat Account not required. • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return p.a. (in dollar) • Housing loan from HDFC LTD • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Mexico catches up as Brazil boom falters Weakening Chinese demand hits Brazil economy; Mexico growth projected between 3.5-4 percent

MONTEVIDEO: 2012 has America, is suddenly eying a posi- on internal demand, particularly Mexico, which has built on less than Brazil,” Gutierrez said. more protectionist and to sub- been a study in contrasts as far tion among the world’s 10 largest domestic consumption and not NAFTA since 1994 and now does Brazil has recorded a worry- sidize companies,” said Claudio as Latin America’s two biggest economies with projected growth so much on investment,” he said. more than 90 percent of its for- ing fall in productive investment, Loser, the former director of the economies, Brazil and Mexico, of between 3.5 and four percent. “Mexico on the other hand is eign dealings under free trade down 4.5 percent, and a sharp Western Hemisphere Department are concerned. Mexico took a massive hit from more dependent on the US indus- agreements, continues to lower 2.7 percent contraction in its at the IMF who now heads the Brazil, which overtook Britain the 2007-2008 financial crisis, trial sector.” its production costs to compete, industrial output, according to Latin American branch of the last year to become the world’s thanks in large part to its prox- Juan Jensen, head of macro- including with China. the National Confederation of Centennial Group think tank. sixth largest economy, has been imity to the United States, and its economics at Brazilian consulting “Mexico continues to offer Industry. “I think Mexico has an economy hit by weakening Chinese demand economy contracted a whopping firm Tendencias, attributed the cheap labor, has an infrastruc- Meanwhile, Mexico is reaping which overall is much more efficient for commodities, while rival six percent in 2009. slowdown in Brazil’s $2.5 trillion ture for some ‘durable goods’ such the benefit of a slow but steady and better integrated with the world Mexico, the new darling of foreign But a huge reduction in economy to a major loss of com- as automobiles, computers and pickup in demand for its products than that of Brazil, which rested a investors, is posting increasingly Mexico’s “country cost” — the petitiveness reflected in salaries home appliances,” said Octavio in the United States. Its indus- bit on its laurels,” he added. strong growth. cost of doing business there — that far outpaced inflation. Gutierrez, chief economist at try grew 4.2 percent between Jensen agreed. “Mexico has The figures speak for sparked an impressive turnaround “Brazil lost because of its BBVA bank in Mexico City. January and September this year opened its borders, signing free trade themselves. that attracted investment in its higher production costs,” Jensen This enables it to quickly compared with the same period agreements, including with China. In Brazil, for a decade Latin industrial sector, created jobs and said, adding that the Brazilian expand production for exports to in 2011. so doing it imports cheap goods, adds America’s unchallenged behe- added value to its exports. government’s tolerance of higher the all-important US market and Economists see the difference value and re-exports these goods to moth, is expected to grow a mere Sebastian Briozzo, head of inflation and opaque fiscal policy explains the relocation of indus- in foreign trade focus as the key the United States,” he said. one percent this year, down from sovereign ratings at Standard & had been problematic. trial plants to Mexico as “one of factor that explains the contrast- “Brazil does the opposite: It 2.7 percent in 2011 and a sizzling Poor’s for Latin America, said the “This surely scared off (for- the pillars” of the country’s devel- ing performances of the Latin closes itself, tries to produce 7.5 percent in 2010, according to two countries have very different eign) investors ... who find other opment, he added. American rivals. locally and ends up producing official figures. growth patterns. countries, including Mexico, with “The difference with Brazil “Brazil is almost return- more expensive goods which it has By contrast, Mexico, the per- “Brazil is a closed economy, in better prospects for good returns has to do with costs. Mexico has ing to its model of the 1960s, a hard time re-exporting.” ennial underachiever in Latin which production grows based on their investment,” he said. increased unit labor costs much which was to look inward, to be AFP

QP renews membership in INJAZ board of directors

DOHA: Qatar Petroleum in the global economy,” said Al (QP) has renewed its member- Obaidly. ship in the Board of Directors “QP has been a member of the of INJAZ Qatar by handing INJAZ Board since 2010, and our over a cheque representing its corporate contribution for the corporate contribution in the fiscal year 2012-2013 reflects our organization’s annual operat- strong commitment in helping ing budget. The decision comes achieve the organization’s objec- in line with QP’s strong com- tives and in making a positive mitment to the development difference in the lives and future and empowerment of young careers of young people in Qatar,” people in the country. he added. QP’s support to INJAZ Qatar Established in 2007, INJAZ was under the directives of Qatar works with the business Minister of Energy and Industry community, corporate volunteers and Chairman & Managing and educators in the training the Director of Qatar Petroleum youth to be ready for the reali- HE Dr Mohammed bin Saleh ties and challenges of the global Al Sada. economy. The cheque was delivered yes- The organisation’s programs terday by Abdulrahman Abdulla and activities focus primarily on M Al-Obaidly, Public Relations entrepreneurship, work readi- and Communications Manager ness and financial literacy, thus of QP, to Raymond Obeid, empowering young people with Operations Manager of INJAZ the confidence, skills and ambi- Qatar. tion to succeed. “QP is proud to support the Since its inception six years full range of programs of INJAZ ago, INJAZ Qatar has already Qatar as it continues its mis- reached out to over 8,000 stu- sion of inspiring and prepar- dents from over 20 schools and ing young people for them to universities throughout the be fully equipped with the right country. skills and be highly successful THE PENINSULA Officials from Qatar Petroleum and INJAZ Qatar during a ceremony to hand over QP’s contribution to INJAZ. War nostalgia no cure for Vietnam economy woes

HANOI: Posters of US bombers crashing demonstrations there are signs of rising pub- near bankruptcy. From exorbitant healthcare in flames festoon Hanoi to mark another lic dissatisfaction — from a growing chorus of costs and substandard education to traffic anniversary in a long-finished war. But online criticism to daily, if small-scale, protests congestion, experts say the deep flaws in behind the usual propaganda Vietnam’s over corruption and land disputes in Hanoi. Hanoi’s version of state-mandated capitalism rulers face a modern-day threat — anger “The government should spend less time are surfacing in all areas of daily life. over the economy. and money on celebrating historic events “The formal political system doesn’t For years the leaders of the one-party state and pay more attention to improving peo- work.... You can’t run a country like this. have leant on war-era nostalgia to shore up ple’s lives,” retired state official and ex-sol- It is sclerotic,” said Adam Fforde, a pro- authority anchored in battlefield victories. dier Tran Van Duong, 65, said. fessorial fellow at the Centre for Strategic With the state-dominated economy flounder- “Everyone seemed to earn less this year, Economic Studies at Victoria University in ing, experts say touting decades-old military everyone is complaining. People are not Melbourne. successes is no longer enough to shield the happy with the government’s performance,” “People have lost confidence in the idea regime from growing public frustration. he said, as the city marks the 40th anni- that there is somebody there who can pull “The communist party is skating on thin versary of the 1972 “Christmas Bombings”. levers and make things happen,” he said. ice,” said David Koh, a Vietnam analyst from The aerial bombardment saw American Over the past 20 years, Vietnam has used the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in B-52s and other aircraft drop 20,000 tonnes a Chinese-style mix of free markets and Singapore. “They must expect newer genera- of bombs on or near Hanoi after peace talks authoritarian governance to achieve rapid tions to look beyond these great moments of with North Vietnam broke down. growth, but experts say deeper economic as the past in deciding whether their political Once touted as the next “Asian Tiger”, well as political reforms are needed. system is worth supporting.” A key way to Vietnam’s economy has run aground — its The current economic sluggishness is inten- strengthen the party’s legitimacy would be banking system drowning in toxic debts, for- sifying pressure on the leadership. Around through serious economic reforms, Koh said. eign direct investment down sharply and doz- a million young people enter the workforce Despite tight controls over the media and ens of major state-owned companies hovering each year and economists warn job creation and skills training are not keeping pace. “The state apparatus is in a bit of a stupor,” said Jonathan London, an assistant professor in the Department of Asian and International Studies at City University of Hong Kong. Despite being a one-party state, Vietnam has an “extremely fragmented power struc- ture” within its vast communist apparatus, which means tough decisions are often not taken when needed, he said. From the World Bank to party econo- mists, there is widespread recognition of what needs to be done to lift competitive- ness and boost GDP growth that was this year the weakest since 1999. Reform the state sector, recapitalise banks and tackle corruption or “the dream of the economic miracle in Vietnam, which seemed like such a sure and palpable thing 10 years ago, will continue to dissipate,” London said. Vietnam needs leaders who can stop powerful interest groups — from the military to the major state-owned enter- prises down to provincial officials — running amok, in order to get the economy back on track, London said. “It is not clear who is Motorcyclists ride past a large poster marking the 40th anniversary of the US Christmas bombing capable of doing such a thing,” he added. campaign over Hanoi at an intersection in downtown Hanoi. AFP MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Fed’s century of power began Markets hail Draghi year, with one fateful meeting BY ROGER LOWENSTEIN hope for best in 2013 N DECEMBER 26, 1912, Carter Glass visited New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson at his home in Princeton, New OJersey. The snows were piled high, and Wilson, the presi- INANCIAL markets began to back within their budget limits, but the risk investment plans for three quarters. The dent-elect, was in bed with a cold. rebound in 2012 with help from that represented on financial markets has machine has to be restarted,” said Mirela Although he had cancelled other appointments, Wilson insisted central banks, and now head essentially disappeared,” Mourier said. Agache-Durand at Oddo Securities. on seeing Glass — who, he knew, was bringing a legislative pro- into 2013 with hopes of economic The scenario of Greece being forced to Several unknowns exist in Europe as well. posal for a new system of coordinating bank reserves. Then as growth in China and the United pull out of the 17-nation eurozone has also “Where do things stand with a Spanish now, the United States had recently experienced a financial panic, FStates while keeping a wary eye on the situ- faded into the background, while moves bailout request, a new write-down of Greek and many argued that the monetary system was largely to blame. ation in the eurozone. towards a common eurozone banking super- debt, or French reforms,” wondered Olivier Unlike every nation in Europe, the US lacked a central bank, “In 2012, there will clearly be a ‘before’ visor and structural reforms in Italy and Raingeard, head economist at the Neuflize a legacy of the country’s fierce mistrust of large financial institu- and an ‘after’ Draghi,” said Aurel BGC Spain have bolstered investor confidence OBC bank. tions. Only a week earlier, America’s most prominent banker, J broker Jean-Louis Mourier in reference to as well. “Elections in Germany and Italy will also P Morgan, had been hauled before a congressional committee — European Central Bank (ECB) chief Mario Major European stock markets have put some pressure on markets,” he noted. much like the Dimons and Blankfeins in our time — and grilled Draghi. taken note and as of December 20, Paris What seems like the biggest brake how- over his supposed control of the financial system. Suspicion of big Early in the year, tension on financial showed a gain of 16 percent from the begin- ever is a chronic lack of economic growth banks was especially prevalent in the rural South and West, as it markets had spiked owing in part to the ning of the year, while London was up by 7.0 in the eurozone. had been since the time of President Andrew Jackson. deterioration of the Spanish economy and percent and Frankfurt by 30 percent. “Leaders are going to have to come to Glass, who represented a Virginia farm district, was heir to that the government’s financial position. In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial agreement to ease budget constraints mistrust. Reared during Reconstruction, Glass had a sectional aver- But in late July, Draghi said that the Average showed a gain of 8.5 percent, and that are holding countries back to give sion to Wall Street and embraced the Democratic Party view that ECB was “ready to do whatever it takes the MSCI emerging markets index was up their economies some breathing space,” banking was too concentrated and too powerful. Wall Street, beg- to preserve the euro,” and turned the tide by 12 percent. Raingeard said. ging to differ, favoured the creation of a body that would further against speculators who were betting on a On secondary markets for public debt, He forecast that would happen once it concentrate the nation’s credit and make it available during a crisis. full-blown eurozone crisis. high tension that persisted earlier this year became clear that France would not reach Each side had a point. Although the Gilded Age had witnessed fero- In September, the central bank unveiled has eased, even though the interest rates on its target of cutting the public deficit to 3.0 cious development of railroads and manufacturing, American banking one of its most effective tools to date, a Italian and Spanish debt remain at elevated percent of gross domestic product (GDP) was still primitive, better suited to the era of the Pony Express. Put bond-buying programme dubbed Outright levels. next year. simply, the US had thousands of banks but no banking system. Rural Monetary Transactions or OMTs to under- Looking ahead to 2013, investors are reas- Meanwhile, the US economy and those banks placed their surplus cash with city banks, and city banks stored pin the debt of countries that have sought sured, but remain prudent nonetheless. of key emerging markets, look set for solid their cash in vaults in New York. The New York banks, lacking a good help from European rescue funds. Looming ahead is the threat of a so-called expansions in 2013. alternative, loaned their money on call to the stock market. The programme has not been used to fiscal cliff in the United States, a combina- In the US, business activity should “ben- The result was predictable. At the first sign of trouble, the date, mainly because its very announce- tion of automatic tax increases and spending efit from a rebound in real-estate” and a entire chain buckled. When farmers needed cash, telegraph wires ment reassured investors and the fact cuts set to take effect in January barring a “sharp decrease in energy prices,” Agache- vibrated with news of rural distress, and city banks called their that Spain has done its best to avoid compromise before then by Republican and Durand forecast. loans. Even a whiff of such disquiet in the hinterland was enough seeking a bailout similar to those which Democratic lawmakers. In China, “the perspectives are encour- to incite panic in the stock market, whose own credit was perched were granted to Greece, Ireland and Economists warn that the combination aging” as well, analysts at the Swiss bank on the most precarious link in the chain. In the Panic of 1907, the Portugal. of increases and cuts worth around $600 Pictet said in a research note, owing to banks had gone to Morgan for a rescue, but the economy was “No matter. The ECB has now built a very billion could push the US economy into anticipated increases in construction and growing beyond the powers of an individual private banker. effective firewall. The public debt crisis is recession. other investments. Glass was accompanied by H Parker Willis, a journalist moon- not over, countries will need years to get “US companies have held back on AFP lighting as his legislative aide. The two travelled by carriage from the station to a little house on Cleveland Lane, where an aged but- ler answered their knock and escorted them past a blazing fire to Wilson’s chamber. The gaunt, square-jawed Wilson — not the most robust of men even when in good health — was propped on pillows. Wilson had been governor for only two years, previous to which he had been an eminent scholar and the president of Princeton University. He was anything but a financial expert, and on the campaign trail he had echoed his party’s anti-banking chorus, declaring, “The money trust is no myth; it is no imaginary thing.” Like other Americans, Wilson was upset by the rush of big compa- nies to merge into giant trusts. Financial conglomerates were the most complex, and thus the most frightening, of all. Although he and Glass were barely acquainted, Wilson was a fellow Virginian, and Glass had reason to expect a receptive hearing. The plan that Glass and Willis presented to Wilson was a model of decentralisation. It envisioned local reserve banks spread about the country — perhaps 20 or more. These would each be entrusted with the cash reserves of the banks in their territory, and would be expected to lend to them in times of distress. The reserve banks would report to the US Comptroller of the Currency, but they would essentially be independent organs — owned by private banks and managed by private bankers. When Wilson’s visitors were done, the president-elect was silent for a moment. Then he spoke. “It needs a capstone,” Wilson said — an “altruistic” body that would sit above the reserve banks, supervise their activities, and direct policy. Wilson hadn’t worked out the details, but he sensed that Glass’ collection of independent banks was inconsistent with the constitutional premise of checks and bal- ances. No single official could manage such a vast banking network. That Glass was unhappy with Wilson’s suggestion may be deduced from the letter he wrote days later to Willis, in which he voiced his suspicion that Wilson had been lobbied by bankers pushing a “dan- gerous centralization.” Glass was correct; Wall Street had lobbied Wilson. Judging that Wilson might yet bend, Glass wrote, “We shall have to keep quiet on this point for the present.” A century after that fateful meeting, the power of Glass’s regional banks has atrophied, while Wilson’s capstone, thanks to its cen- tral structure and authority, has sufficient command of reserves to backstop the financial system. Its leadership, over time, has been variously competent or flawed, but at least until the arrival of the next J P Morgan, it is the necessary lender of last resort. WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate In tax fight, small business has many meanings

BY T W FARNAM AND whether tax rates should increase individual rather than corporate businesses wouldn’t see their Danner, chief executive of the of higher top-end rates, the asso- TOM HAMBURGER for top-end taxpayers, as Obama tax rates. Some large and publicly income taxes go up at all under NFIB. “We generally don’t think ciation is pushing lawmakers to has long urged. Most small busi- held firms — partnerships, “S” cor- his plan. But that figure, which recession or close to recession is reform the tax code and make it MALL businesses, nesses pay taxes according to porations and other “pass-through” comes from the same report by a good time to be raising taxes simpler. “When we do our surveys like the family-owned individual rates, not corporate entities that collect and distribute the Joint Committee on Taxation, on anyone.” of the small business community, diner and the Main rates, so some firms would see income and losses to their owners relies on one of the broadest pos- The NFIB is by far the largest they don’t want to pay more taxes, Street hardware store, their taxes increase if upper-end — also pay taxes at individual rates sible definitions of a “business,” trade group for small business. but an even higher rank for them is are iconic images of rates are raised. and would benefit if the top-end including workers who are paid But with only 350,000 members, the complexity and burden of filling SAmerica’s entrepreneurial spirit. “Raising tax rates will hurt tax rates remain low. as consultants or make small it accounts for only a very small their taxes,” said Todd McCracken, Now, as President Barack Obama small businesses at a time when Examples are the private amounts of money from a hobby. fraction of such firms, which president of the association. and lawmakers seek to negotiate a we’re expecting small bus-inesses equity firms Carlyle Group and A separate study by the number at least 4 million and per- Another of Obama’s most vocal deal on taxes and federal spending to be the engine of job creation KKR, the giant accounting firm Treasury Department uses a haps many more, depending on critics on higher tax rates is the to avert a year-end budget crisis, in America,” House Speaker PricewaterhouseCoopers and the narrower definition of small what’s defined as a small business. Tax Relief Coalition. The group, both political parties and a range John Boehner, said at a Capitol newspaper publisher Tribune business — outfits that record no The NFIB has aligned itself which includes more than 1,000 of outside advocates are claiming Hill news conference last week. Corp. more than $10m a year in profits tightly with the Republican Party companies and trade associations, they best represent the interests Boehner, who has resisted Obama has countered that and deductions — and reaches a and the conservative movement. is warning that small businesses of small business. Obama’s demand for higher small businesses would be bet- conclusion between the Boehner The group spent $4.7m helping would be harmed if top-end tax But politicians and interest taxes on the wealthy, warned that ter off under his plan to extend and Obama extremes. That study Republican candidates in the breaks are not extended. groups have twisted the definition increasing the rates on income lower tax rates for the middle found that raising tax rates for past election cycle, more than “Small businesses are already of “small business” as they seek over $250,000 would mean higher class while allowing rates to rise the top two income brackets, as 99 percent of its political spend- burdened with high taxes, which an advantage in the debate over taxes on business owners repre- on income over $250,000 a year. Obama has urged, would affect 10 ing, according to the nonpartisan will go even higher with the effect of whose taxes to raise. Those who senting more than half the coun- “I sat down with some small percent of small businesses own- Center for Responsive Politics. In Obamacare,” said Dirk Van Dongen, claim to speak for small business try’s small-business income. business owners who stressed ers that have employees. These 2010, the NFIB accepted $3.7m co-chairman of the coalition. often represent only a narrow But the figure he cites comes this point,” Obama said at the represent 38 percent of income from one of the largest conserva- While small businesses are rep- slice of that broad sector, if they from a report by Congress’ Joint White House late last month. for such small businesses. tive interest groups, Crossroads resented in the coalition, so are big represent it at all. And groups Committee on Taxation, which If Congress adopted his plan, he The main trade group rep- GPS, which was co-founded by partnerships and other pass-through that are truly composed of small counts many businesses that said, “families and small busi- resenting small business, Karl Rove, a senior adviser to companies that pay taxes according firms often are allied with advo- aren’t actually that small, includ- nesses would, therefore, be able to the National Federation of President George W Bush. to individual rates. Van Dongen is cates on the political right or left ing big law firms, large companies, enjoy some peace of mind heading Independent Business, has been By contrast, the National Small president of the National Association whose interests bear little resem- hedge funds and private equity into Christmas and heading into one of the strongest opponents of Business Association, with about of Wholesaler-Distributors, and that blance to those of mom-and-pop firms. the New Year.” higher taxes on the rich. 65,000 members, steers clear of group provides staff for the Tax stores. That’s because small businesses The president has repeatedly “In the small-business sector political activity. Instead of focus- Relief Coalition. At the heart of the debate is aren’t the only firms subject to said that 97 percent of all small it’s still not boom times,” said Dan ing its concern on Obama’s goal WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,422.89 19.62 WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 11,399.21 26.55 QE All Share Index 2,025.38 4.72 RATE INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 1,975.98 6.76 GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 2,625.12 1.33 All Ordinaries 4646.627 13.38 0.29 4646.627 4033.4 QR195.3000 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,357.41 1.53 Cac 40 Index/D 3667.7 3.11 0.08 3670.2 2922.26 QE All Share Real Estate 1,616.57 9.97 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.8537 QR 5.9246 QE All Share Insurance 1,899.4 12.57 Dj Indu Average 13251.97 -98.99 -0.74 13661.87 11768.83 QR 3.7122 Euro ...... QR 4.7607 QR 4.8498 QE All Share Telecoms 1,058.71 12.63 CA$ ...... QR 3.6333 QR 3.7032 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,683.49 4.49 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9336 QR 4.0093 Hang Seng Inde/D 22659.78 36.41 0.16 22683.72 18056.4 Yen ...... QR 0.0426 QR 0.0437 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7462 QR 3.8412 Iseq Overall/D 3394.13 6.52 0.19 3387.61 2882.71 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0651 QR 0.0666 23-12-2012 20-12-2012 Karachi 100 In/D 16908.02 38.19 0.23 16913.84 10771.13 Index 8,422.89 8,442.51 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0371 QR 0.0377 Change 19.62 35.41 Nikkei 225 Index 10039.33 -121.07 -1.19 10255.15 8238.96 Peso ...... QR 0.0871 QR 0.0898 % 0.23 0.42 $ 108.97 SL Re ...... QR 0.0282 QR 0.0294 YTD% 4.06 3.83 S&P 500 Index/D 1435.81 -10.98 -0.76 1474.51 1205.72 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0445 QR 0.0451 Volume 3,477,133 4,630,506 Straits Times/D 3175.52 16.95 0.54 3177.1 2657.77 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0413 QR 0.0419 Value (QAR) 123,622,150.86 198,930,682.19 $ 104.62 Trades 2,370 2,781 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4239 QR 0.4323 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 18 | Down 18 | Unchanged 05

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 23-12-2012

The ‘fiscal cliff’ continues to weigh on risk sentiments

HE US Dollar dropped suit as it gained against the green- spending cuts in exchange for country’s budget and taxes. US housing market. Starts fell 3 strong determination of European against most of its major back mid-week to reach a high of $1.2 trillion from higher tax rev- GDP Revised Upwards percent to an 861,000 annual rate Economic and Monetary Union Tcounterparts at mid-week 1.6307 after opening the week at enue, including increased rates to reach 3.1 percent from a revised 888,000 annual member states to preserve Greek as news of negotiations between 1.6174. The Pound lost its gains to on those earning more than The US economy grew at a pace in October. membership in the Euro zone,” President Obama and Republican breach the 1.6175 level amid news $400,000 a year, above his previous 3.1 percent annual rate in the Manufacturing in S&P said. leader John Bhoener signaled that that consumers are more pessi- threshold of $250,000. Whereas, third quarter, more than previ- Philadelphia Expands German Ifo Business an agreement might be reached mistic than expected. Finally, the Republican leader John Boehner’s ously reported, reflecting the first Manufacturing in the Climate before Christmas, fuelling risk currency reached a low of 1.6152 latest proposal gain in state and Philadelphia region unexpectedly German business confidence appetite in the market. However, and closed the week at 1.6172. calls for $1 tril- local government expanded in December to an eight increased for a second month in the risk rally was limited as the The Japanese Yen fell to a lion in new tax spending in three month high reflecting pickups in December, signaling Europe’s larg- republican leaders cancelled a 20-month low against the dol- revenue, which years, more con- sales and orders that indicate that est economy may support a Euro- vote on House Speaker John lar and stocks rose to an eight- would come from sumer purchases the industry is starting to stabi- area recovery next year. The Ifo Boehner’s effort and as bi-partisan month high on expectations that raising rates and Weekly Money Market Review and a smaller lize. The Philly Fed Manufacturing institute’s business climate index, negotiations has stalled, adding to Japan’s newly elected prime min- limiting deduc- trade gap. The Index rose to 8.1 from minus 10.1 in based on a survey of 7,000 execu- expectations that no deal would be ister will expand monetary and tions that the wealthiest can take. revised gross domestic product November, whereas a reading above tives, climbed to 102.4 from 101.4 reached before the holidays. The fiscal stimulus in a bid to defeat Late Thursday evening, reading exceeded expectations and 0 indicates expansion in the area. in November. That’s the second Dollar Index dropped to a low deflation. The USDJPY reached a Boehner said that his so-called the previously estimated 2.7 per- Europe straight increase after sentiment of 79.00 after opening the week high of 84.62 but quickly dropped “Plan B” tax proposal lacked cent gain. This puts growth in the S&P Upgrades Greek dropped to a 2 1/2 year low in at 79.58. The Index continued to as concerns over the US fiscal cliff enough support to pass. The can- US in tandem with positive labour Debt by Six Notches October. The figure also exceeded trade sideways to close the week intensified. The currency closed celled vote has once again high- market and housing figures in Q3 Rating agency Standard & economists’ expectations of a gain at 79.61. the week at 84.24, despite state- lighted the risk that Washington but adds pressure on the economy Poor’s raised Greece’s sovereign to 102.0. The Euro opened the week at ments from a senior LDP mem- will not be able to reach a deal by to maintain that growth rate give credit rating to B-minus with United Kingdom 1.3163 and gained dramatically ber that they want the USDJPY year-end to avert the imminent its current situation. a stable outlook from selective Consumer Confidence against the greenback mid-week to trade between 85.00 and 90.00. “fiscal cliff”. The Housing Sector con- default, citing Europe’s efforts Deteriorates to reach a high of 1.3308 as the Fiscal Cliff Negotiations Unemployment Claims tinues to Stabilise to keep the country part of the UK Consumer Confidence fell credit rating agency Standard Update The number of Americans fil- Existing home sales beat EU and the completion of its dis- in December from an 18-month & Poor’s raised Greece’s sover- On Tuesday, hopes that policy- ing for jobless claims rose for the expectations in November. Sales tressed debt buyback last week. high as optimism about the out- eign credit rating by six notches makers in Washington will reach first time in 5-weeks, a sign that advanced by 5.9 percent from After the news, prices on the look for the economy plunged. The combined with positive news on a deal to avert a sharp fiscal further improvement in the labor October to an annualised 5.09 country’s government bonds ral- Gfk confidence index fell to minus the US fiscal cliff negotiations. contraction surged as President market depends on faster eco- million units, 14.5 percent above lied to their highest level since a 29 from minus 22 in November, However, the currency followed Barack Obama and congressional nomic growth. Claims increased the previous year. In parallel, debt restructuring back in March. which was the strongest reading sentiments and dropped as US Republicans showed signs of com- by 17,000 to 361,000 last week. The Builders in November capped the Furthermore, the European since May 2011. Retail sales figures bipartisan talks deteriorated to promise. In a major counteroffer numbers also signal that the econ- strongest three months for resi- Central Bank decided to re-accept showed that shoppers are holding reach 1.3144. The single currency that moves the two parties closer omy needs to grow at a faster pace dential construction in four years Greek government bonds at its back holiday shopping while the finally closed the week at 1.3188. to resolving their standoff, Obama to encourage companies to step up and permits climbed as record- monetary-policy operations. “The recovery struggles to gain momen- The Sterling Pound followed offered to accept $1.22 trillion in hiring while politicians debate the low borrowing costs buoyed the upgrade reflects our view of the tum. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT A season to remember for MLB Cain, Humber and Hernandez put their names in the record books in 2012

NEW YORK: The never-say- die San Francisco Giants’ rous- ing drive to the World Series title capped a year of surprises, sensational individual achieve- Detroit Tigers’ third ments and big-name doping baseman Miguel controversies in Major League Cabrera (left) and Baseball (MLB). centre fielder Austin Miguel Cabrera of the pennant- Jackson bump fists winning Detroit Tigers claimed during batting practice the first Triple Crown sweep during their MLB of the American League’s (AL) American League major offensive categories in 45 game against the years by slugging 44 home runs Kansas City Royals with 139 runs batted in, while bat- in Kansas City, ting .330. Missouri in this 2012 San Francisco’s Matt Cain, file photo. Cabrera Phillip Humber of the Chicago won the American White Sox and Felix Hernandez League Most Valuable of the Seattle Mariners put their Player award for 2012. names in the record books with RIGHT: San Francisco perfect games, a remarkable tri- ple considering the total of 23 Giants’ players perfectos since Lee Richmond celebrate after the threw MLB’s first recorded one Giants won 4-3 in 10 in 1880 for Worcester. innings, sweeping the Los Angeles Angels outfielder Detroit Tigers 4-0 in Mike Trout had one of the best the series to win the rookie seasons ever, hitting 30 World Series in this home runs, 83 RBIs, batting .326 2012 file photo. and leading MLB with 49 sto- len bases to finish runner-up to Cabrera in the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) voting at age 21. Those feats marked 2012 as a special year, with the Giants’ rise a four-game sweep. Venezuela’s addition to the perfect game by loss of outfielder Melky Cabrera, knocked out Texas in this season’s the first time. Bonds, a seven-time to the top providing the crown- Sandoval, saluted by Venezuelan fellow-Venezuelan “King Felix” who was hit with a 50-game sus- debut of a wildcard play-off game. NL MVP and the all-time career ing touch. president Hugo Chavez via Hernandez, countryman Johan pension in August for testing The Washington Nationals and single season home run king, San Francisco fought off Twitter, joined Babe Ruth, Reggie Santana of the Mets threw the positive for testosterone while reached the play-offs for the first and seven-time Cy Young winning elimination six times during Jackson and Albert Pujols as the first no-hitter by a Mets pitcher leading the majors with a .346 time in their eighth season in the pitcher Clemens would ordinar- the play-offs, overcoming a 2-0 only players with three homers in in their half-century of existence. batting average. US capital and posted the best ily be first-ballot shoo-ins, but a deficit with three straight road a World Series game. The Tigers had reached the A week later starting pitcher record in the majors with 98 wins. cloud of doping suspicion hovers wins in the best-of-five Division Giants catcher Buster Posey, World Series by sweeping the Bartolo Colon (10-9) of the Even before the season started, over both of them and turns the Series against the Cincinnati 25, returned from a home plate New York Yankees, who had some Oakland Athletics, across the bay doping was a prominent talking vote into a referendum on the Reds, and battling back from 3-1 collision that aborted his 2011 sea- serious concerns going forward. from San Francisco, also received point as NL MVP Ryan Braun of taint of the Steroids Era. down against the 2011 champion son to win National League (NL0 Yankees captain Derek Jeter a 50-game ban for testosterone. the Milwaukee Brewers was found The year closed with some St. Louis Cardinals to reach the MVP honors. fractured his ankle diving for The loss of Colon did not to have tested positive for a per- tantalising prospects for the new World Series. It was also a banner year for a ball at shortstop in the series impede the Athletics either, as formance enhancing drug. season. In the Fall Classic against the Venezuelan players. against Detroit, and slugging they rode a rotation that featured However, Braun won an appeal The big-spending Los Angeles Tigers, the Giants served imme- Sandoval won the World Series third baseman Alex Rodriguez, four rookie pitchers all the way against an automatic suspension Dodgers added top free agent diate notice they would no longer MVP award, following compa- who suffered through an abysmal to AL West title over two-time by proving that his urine test had pitcher Zack Greinke t, the play from behind. triot Marco Scutaro, who was postseason, was found after the champion Texas Rangers. been mishandled. Toronto Blue Jays opened their Stocky third baseman Pablo MVP of the National League season to need hip surgery that The Baltimore Orioles gave the Doping news also grabbed wallets to take on high-priced Sandoval, nicknamed Kung Fu Championship Series for San will sideline him for half the 2013 AL a second Cinderella team, as attention after the season when talent from Miami Marlins, and Panda, powered home runs in his Francisco. season. they reached the postseason for Hall of Fame ballots went out the Los Angeles Angels signed first three at-bats to kick-start Cabrera claimed the American Making the Giants’ climb to the the first time in 15 years, revers- with Barry Bonds and Roger premier slugger Josh Hamilton San Francisco on their way to League MVP award and in top even more unlikely was the ing a 69-93 2011 record, and Clemens listed as candidates for to fortify their lineup. REUTERS Gatlin driven Ryan dazzles as Falcons win to by dream of beating Bolt clinch first-round play-off bye DETROIT, Michigan: NEW YORK: The lure of beat- Atlanta’s Matt Ryan threw ing undisputed sprint cham- four touchdown passes as the pion Usain Bolt has become the Falcons clinched a first-round driving force behind American National Football League play- Justin Gatlin’s training during off bye with a 31-18 victory over the tough winter months. the Detroit Lions yesterday. The 30-year-old former Detroit’s Calvin Johnson broke Olympic champion is valiantly the NFL record for most receiv- attempting to rebuild a career ing yards in a season in a losing tainted by a four-year doping cause with one game to play, earn- ban, and is using the quest to ing a standing ovation from home defeat the outstanding Bolt as his supporters who saw the Lions, motivation. 4-11, suffer their seventh defeat He made the podium at the in a row. Kobe Bryant (24) of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team-mates London Olympics this year, fin- “It’s a huge accomplishment,” Steve Nash (10) and Darius Morris (1) in the final seconds of extra-time after ishing third behind champion Johnson said. “Never thought it they secured their victory over the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena Bolt and Yohan Blake in the 100 would be this special. It’s a tough in Oakland, California, yesterday. metres. season but you can’t take that “I want to beat Bolt. He’s a stel- moment away.” lar athlete but I think I can step Johnson’s feat was over- Detroit Lions’ defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (left) celebrates after up to the plate,” a hopeful Gatlin shadowed by the Falcons, who sacking Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan during the first half of said. improved to an NFL-best 13-2 to their NFL football game in Detroit, Michigan, yesterday. James stars as Heat “He’s the incentive to train secure a home-field edge through- even more for this season, him out the National Conference play- and the year I had last year when offs. They are one of only two week when the Lions close their crossing pattern catch into a I only got beat one or two times. teams unbeaten at home this season at home against Chicago. 49-yard pass play early in the breeze past Jazz I’ve got world champion blood in season. “It has become very realis- first quarter to set a team mark me. It’s not about times but about The Falcons, in the play-off for tic,” Johnson said of 2,000 yards. for yardage in a season and then MIAMI: LeBron James running to the line, being the first the fourth time in five seasons, “But we have a tough opponent took aim at bigger record books. jammed home 30 points as the NBA Results across it.” are also at an NFL-best 33-6 next week. We have to do our Atlanta opened the scoring on NBA champion Miami Heat Detroit 96 Washington 87 Another showdown with at home since 2008 and playing homework.” Ryan’s 44-yard touchdown pass silenced the Utah Jazz 105-89 Atlanta 92 Chicago 75 the Jamaican pair of Bolt and inside their domed home gives Rice, who had hoped to crack to Roddy White, added a 39-yard yesterday to move past the New Miami 105 Utah 89 Blake looms at the World them a big edge in the fight to 2,000 yards 17 years ago, said he touchdown pass to White in the York Knicks atop the Eastern Indiana 81 New Orleans 75 Championships in Moscow next reach the Super Bowl in February thinks Johnson will do it. second quarter and a 16-yard Conference. August. at New Orleans. “This guy is really amazing,” touchdown toss to Julio Jones to Miami turned a four-point lead Houston 121 Memphis 96 His 2012 season finished tamely “It’s huge,” Ryan said. “It’s what Rice said. “He is a true talent.” give the Falcons a 21-3 lead. at intermission into a double-digit Cleveland 94 Milwaukee 82 as he fought off illness and he is we aimed to do since the begin- Johnson broke the record on Jason Hanson kicked his sec- cushion by scoring the first eight Denver 110 Charlotte 88 ready to take aim at Bolt again. ning of the season and to accom- his 10th catch of the night, cut- ond field goal two seconds before points of the third quarter helped Portland 96 Phoenix 93 “I’ve got the Gatlin guns to plish that was perfect.” ting left across the middle of the half-time to pull the Lions within by a pair of three-pointers by LA Lakers 118 Golden State 115 throw at the Lightning Bolt and Ryan, who completed 25 of field and taking the throw from 15 points. Shane Battier. the Beast (Blake), and Tyson 32 passes for 279 yards, found Matthew Stafford before turning Detroit’s Mikel Leshoure scored The lead was stretched to 20 James shared the team lead Gay,” Gatlin stressed. Johnson after the game to con- upfield to complete a 26-yard play on a 1-yard run and Hanson con- points but Utah battled back to with nine rebounds and seven Gatlin said he is as motivated gratulate him on breaking the old with 2:57 remaining. nected on a 20-yard field goal to close the gap, getting as close assists, while Wade scored 21 as ever to return to the pinnacle NFL one-season reception yard- As the crowd chanted his trim Atlanta’s lead to 21-16 with as eight in the fourth quarter, points. of athletics, despite the residual age mark of 1,848 yards, set by name, Johnson quickly ran to the 13:26 to play. though the Heat were never seri- Miami shot a blistering 52 criticism stemming from the Jerry Rice of the San Francisco sidelines and gave the ball to his But Ryan responded by march- ously threatened. percent from the floor, including scandal. 49ers in 1995. father, Calvin Snr, as they shared ing the Falcons 78 yards in 11 The Heat won every quarter, 11-for-24 from three-point range “For me, running is an outer- “I’m a fan,” Ryan said. “He is an a hug. plays over 6:14 for a touchdown on building their lead behind the all- in improving to 13-2 on their body experience. It’s like this unbelievable player.” On the play, Johnson also set his 1-yard pass to Michael Palmer, round brilliance of James and an home court. crazy rush of blood and you zap Johnson made 11 catches for an NFL record with his fourth putting the Falcons ahead 28-16 equally well-rounded effort by his The Jazz, who were paced by back into your body at the end of 225 yards, giving him an NFL consecutive game with at least 10 with 7:12 to play. running mate Dwyane Wade to Marvin Williams with 16 points, it,” he explained. “I want to com- record 1,892 reception yards for receptions. It was Ryan’s 31st touchdown lift Miami’s record to 18-6, and continued their road struggles, pete until I can compete no more,” the season. He hopes to push the Johnson, nicknamed pass of the season, matching a push past the fast-starting New falling to 5-12 away from home he said. IANS record beyond 2,000 yards next “Megatron”, turned a short team record. AFP York Knicks (19-7). this season. REUTERS MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 India trounce Oman 11-0; Nobbs backs India to give tough fight

DOHA: India which lost to a pressure cooker situation for Pakistan in the Champions players and the performance is Malaysia hold Pakistan Trophy bronze medal match is always under the miscroscope in determined to give their arch- such matches. rivals a tough time in today’s “Pressure game! This match crucial Asian Champions is important for both teams. Arch-rivals India and Pakistan clash today at 7.00pm Trophy match. Expectations are high. If you The Green Shirts enjoy a don’t perform against any other world No.5 ranking and go into team people won’t mind, but, a DOHA: Defending champions three matches. With the top two the match with a new found loss against India is unacceptable. India trounced minnows Oman teams of the round-robin quali- confidence after their success in It is the same for India as well. 11-0 to maintain their all-win fying for the final, today’s India- Australia. The crowd gets behind you and record at the Asian Champions Pakistan match will be crucial, as The two clashed Down Under, there will be so much happening Trophy Hockey, while top- to which of the teams qualify for two weeks back, where Pakistan around. It is test for everyone,” ranked Pakistan and Malaysia the December 27 final. defeated India 3-2, to win the said Butt. played out a thrilling three-all In the last match of the day, Champions Trophy medal after His counterpart in the goal draw in round-three matches. a goal two minutes from end a gap of eight years. echoed the same lines. Yesterday, at the Al Rayyan helped Malaysia hold formidable Indian coach Michael Nobbs “Sometimes you do everything Stadium, India aided by two goals Pakistan 3-3. once again reiterated that right and still end up on the apiece from Dharamvir Singh, Malaysia, coached by Paul Pakistan is the favouritie while receiving end. Experience plays V Raghunath and Rupinder Pal Revington, took the lead in the on the other hand his young side an important role in pressure Singh picked up their third suc- 20th minute through a own goal is determined to give the best. matches like India and Pakistan cessive win in the six-nation to stun the Champions League “A thriller is on the cards, but ultimately it boils down to tournament. bronze medal winners. The four- no doubt about it. We hope the waht you do on that day under Leading 4-0 at the end of half time World Cup winners took just stadium will be packed. I repeat the bar,” said India’s goalkeeper time play, India scored seven more a minute to restore parity with Pakistan is the favourities. They PT Rao. in the second half to complete the Muhammad Rizwan Sr sounding have three players (Abassi, Imran Two of Pakistan’s experienced rout of the only GCC country tak- the board with a clean strike to and Waseem) who have played players - Shakeel Abassi and ing part in the tournament. make it one-all. 600 matches between them. But, Waseem Ahmed said all matches SV Sunil, Guruvinder S Chandi, Malaysia again went into the we are not here to make up for between two countries were Akashdeep Singh, Harbir Singh lead with a goal from Faizal Saari the numbers. We will try to go for tough. and Danish Mujtaba scored one 43 minutes into the match. a win. Ours is a young team with “These matches (India- goal each for the eight-time In an evenly contested match, only Sardar Singh having played Pakistan) are always pressure Olympic champions. Pakistan bounced back to score more than 170 matches, overnight matches and young players get India had defeated China 4-0 two goals in the 55th and 57th you cannot have experience. The nurtured quickly because they and Japan 3-1 in their opening minute from Muhammad Waqas young players are shaping well to get use to handling high pres- two matches. to take the lead. But a late the international exposure. Our sures situations. Today’s hockey India now leads the points strike from Jalil Abdul shattered plan is to build a team for the is all about soaking the pressure tally with nine points, followed Pakistan’s hopes of collecting full future and have a pool of 30 play- and players who manage to sur- by Pakistan and Malaysia, who points from the match. ers,” said Nobbs. vive the pressure will definitely both have seven points from In the first match of the day, “Defenders will be play a cru- come up as a very good player,” China defeated Japan 4-2 to cial role for both the teams,” said said Shakeel. register the first win of the the Australian. Ahmed and Abassi have played Asian Champions tournament. Indian captain Sardar Singh a combined 370 matches between Yi Song was in unstoppable said the youngsters are all ready them and are the two most capped Trophy results form for the 2006 Asian Games for the key encounter and hoped players in the Pakistan side. India 11 Oman 0 silver medal winners. Song scored the packed stadium will motivate Pakistan team Manager and three of the four goals his team the teams to give their best ex-Olympian Akhtar Rasool said Pakistan 3 Malaysia 3 scored, two from penalty conver- “There is no pressure on us. We there is plenty of tension in the air China 4 Japan 2 sion and one field. will try to take it easy and enjoy when India and Pakistan teams Today’s fixtures Yang Dong opened the scor- the game. India and Pakistan both play in any sport and hockey is Japan vs Oman, 3.00pm ing in the third minute for the play attacking hockey and every- not an exception. China vs Malaysia, 5.00pm winners through a field goal, one enjoys it,” said Sardar. “I think whoever handles the Pakistan’s Shakeel Abassi is challenged by a Malaysian player during their India vs Pakistan, 7.00pm while Kei Kawakami and Koji For Pakistan goalkeeper pressure well will win. It is a Asian Champions Trophy hockey match at the Al Rayyan Stadium, yes- At Al Rayyan Stadium Kayukawa scored for Japan. Imran Butt matches involving tough test for the players,” said THE PENINSULA terday. The match ended in a three-all draw. PICTURE BY: ABDUL BASIT the sub-continent teams is like Rasool. THE PENINSULA Stage set for sixth edition of QOC Winter Camp

DOHA: The sixth edition of some new terms were placed for ‘@QOC_camp’. Last season, the the Qatar Olympic Committee participation in the champion- QOC also organised Heritage (QOC) Winter Camp will ship, where the camp must has Games Championship for Firjan begin this week with the foot- a licence, as well as a QR 3,000 (Areas) at its annual winter camp ball and volleyball, officials said payment should be paid as insur- at Sealine Resort. yesterday. ance for the participation. The Games brought together The January 11 to March 15 Furthermore, the participation six teams from different areas sports gala will be held every is exclusive for Qataris and Doha- (Firjan) across the country, Friday with events like basketball, Born expatriates. including Dakhira, Old Airport, volleyball and football contested According to Al Ghanem, each Northern Khalifa City, Duhail, 50 days to by participants who camp near team will consist of 5 players and Eastern Nuaijah and Al Wakrah. Sealine Beach Resort. 3 reserves (football) and 6 players Ishaq Al Hashimi, Head of The QOC has also announced and 2 reserves (volleyball). Services and Events Support go until 2013 prize money, fixing a handsome Car races, table tennis events Unit at QOC, said at the time figure of QR 20,000 for the win- and futsal championship are also that the Games helped locals to ners in each discipline. part of the winter camp, the offi- revive their cultural heritage and National The teams that finish in second cial added. traditions which are integral part spot will get a QR 15,000 while the “There are tons of activities for of their history. Sport Day third-placed side collects a prize the kids,” the official revealed. QOC, as a governing sport of QR 10,000. “QOC has also made arrange- body, organises the camp annu- The rules and regulations of the ments for family entertainment. ally in attempt to encourage the DOHA: With just 50 days to events have been given to the reg- This has been done to ensure fam- engagement of local community go, Qatar Olympic Committee istered sides, a QOC official said. ilies have a quality time during in various life activities includ- (QOC) gears up for the sec- Abdulaziz Al Ghanem, chief the winter camp,” the official said. ing religious, cultural and sport ond edition of the National A file picture taken in 2011 shows beach soccer players in action during co-ordinator of the football and Sports fans can also follow the programmes. Sport Day. The National Sport the Winter Camp. volleyball competitions, said that action on their Twitter account THE PENINSULA day is celebrated every second Tuesday of February an initia- tive adopted by Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Cricket: Pakistan Expatriates XI win T20 Cup Team Power Horse Energy Al Thani. Across the country, ministries, government departments, public Drink maintain top spot and private sector organisations and sports clubs will be organis- DOHA: Team Power Horse all-out domination on the board ing sporting activities for all on Energy Drink registered and power slashes, allowed them February 12, 2013. The event aims another convincing victory over to create so many chances in the to create awareness about sports Manila Express Cargo-One midcourt from the 15 footline. and its health benefits. Family, 79-72, and remain on However such efforts remained Qatar’s ‘National Sport Day’ top of the standing with 4-1 in futile to close the gap. is also a further example of the the Class A Division of Subaru In other games in the Division country’s commitment to sport, in Cup 2012 of Pinoy Basketball B, Alberto Andalion of Ali Café addition to the ‘Schools Olympic Qatar (PIBAQ) at the Al was slapped with technical foul Programme’, which encourages Gharafa Stadium, recently. and was thrown out of the play- schoolchildren to practise sport as The winning squad had domi- ing area of the hardcourt after an integral part of their daily life. nated throughout the game and he threw invectives at the bench. QOC will open all sports clubs maintained a double-digit lead Ali Café however still survived and facilities to everyone to prac- that came to as high as 16-point another victory over Gilas 3, tise and enjoy sporting activities. edge even as One Family’s Richard 85-77, which the latter was even- Events at the Corniche, Aspire, Raagas who led his team with 18 tually eliminated this season. Al Rafaa Street, Barzan and the points tried to inch closer in the A no show by Qatar Knights, Olympic Park will demonstrate trading of baskets. awarded an advantage for Division the importance of sport in daily It was however the magic duo B league leaders Natsco Garage life, in order to maintain a healthy of Power Horse’s Chris Guerero who now holds a 6-0 record in this lifestyle. and Michael Paderes who were in season’s competition. Additionally, a Sport Zone perfect condition to be unstoppa- In other results, IMCO will be set up by QOC near the ble with their rally in converting Engineering beat Juan Pinoy, Corniche, featuring all day sport the baskets and delivering the ball 75-70; CEG International beat- and recreational activities open Members of the Pakistan Expatriates XI team along with Qatar Cricket Association Secretary General, Manzoor inside and outside from the 10-15 Familia Bisdak, 94-55, KBAS for all, from February 12 till 16. Ahmed (top row, third right) pose for a picture. Pakistan Expatriates XI beat Qatar XI by 60 runs in the Twenty20 footline. Contracting edged Dukhan People can visit www.sportday. Cup competition held on Qatar National Day. Seven matches including the final took place at the new cricket The counterpart of Mark Ballers, 65-55 and Flamin’Go beat qa to find out more information Stadium in Doha. Anthony Isip and Michael Olino of Mercury Engineering, 62-50. about the event. One Family who unleashed their THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT A batsman with tons of records There’s not a single shot he cannot play, says former Test great Sunil Gavaskar

NEW DELHI: Former Australia cap- someone can stay in the game for 20 he first saw him bat in the nets more than often that “I never play for records” or before becoming more selective in his tain Ricky Ponting once said that he years is pretty remarkable as well.” two decades ago. that “individual delight fades before a shot-making following injuries to his would probably be batting in a wheel- Feared and respected by opponents, “It is hard to imagine any player in the team’s celebration”. elbow, back and ankle. chair if he survived in world cricket as Tendulkar changed the definition of history of the game who combines clas- “The way he conducts himself and Such was his stature that his failures long as Sachin Tendulkar. Indian batting, shrewdly combining sical technique with raw aggression like handles fame and everything that goes were as hotly debated as his successes Tendulkar spent 23 years at the crease orthodox and unorthodox shots to domi- the little champion does. There is not a with being Sachin is a great example for and when he missed a match due to an in the one-day game before retiring from nate any attack on any surface at home single shot he cannot play,” he said. all sportsmen,” Australian leg-spin great injury his medical bulletins became a 50 over cricket yesterday with a record or abroad. Tendulkar shattered batting records, Shane Warne wrote in his book “Shane national obsession. unlikely to be matched. He brought not only flair and flam- earned millions of dollars and was revered Warne’s century”. “On the field, he has Australia’s Don Bradman, widely con- The 39-year-old amassed a record boyance, but also aggression to Indian as a demi-god by his fans, but humility never put himself before the team.” sidered the greatest Test batsman of all 18,426 runs in 463 one-dayers with 49 batting, doing away with the days of the remained his prime virtue. If there was Technically sound, temperamentally time, once said Tendulkar’s style of bat- centuries. South African Jacques Kallis defensive approach with his attractive any arrogance, it was only in his batting unflappable, quick to adapt to different ting reminded him of his own, which was is his nearest active contemporary with stroke-making against both pace and because he loved to dominate bowling conditions and a shrewd judge of line and based on dominating and demoralising 11,498 runs and 17 hundreds. spin. with exciting and aggressive strokeplay, length, Tendulkar came very close to bat- the opposition. That Tendulkar will still “I think he is an amazing player,” Legendary India opener Sunil always putting the team’s interests first ting perfection. be available for India in Test cricket will Ponting once said. Gavaskar, the first batsman to complete in a glorious career. Tendulkar earned the sobriquet of come as a relief for team-mates and fans “You look at his records, and they 10,000 Test runs, said he was convinced As he helped India rise steadily in both “Master Blaster” for the audacious bat- alike despite his lean streak in recent are quite incredible. And to think that Tendulkar would achieve greatness when Test and one-day cricket, his refrain was ting in the first decade of his career months. REUTERS We will miss Tributes pour A file photo dated March 16, 2012, shows Indian cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar on his way to Sachin, says Interesting completing his 100th international century in a one- in for India’s day match against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup at facts the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Pakistan Tendulkar announced his retirement from one-day master bat ◆ Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for international cricket yesterday. Tendulkar, 39, has MUMBAI: Tributes have cricket team playing most consecutive ODI matches played 463 one-day internationals since his debut started pouring in for mas- for a team; 185 matches for India from in 1989. He is one of the most prolific run-getters in ter blaster Sachin Tendulkar, BANGALORE: The visit- 25 Apr 1990 to 24 Apr 1998 the format with 18,000 runs. He became the first to who called time yesterday on ing Pakistan team was caught score 100 centuries in international cricket with his his staggering one-day cricket ◆ off guard yesterday by the In India’ ODI cricket history, Sachin 114 against Bangladesh in March 2012. career. dramatic announcement of Tendulkar is the youngest players to Tendulkar, who holds the Indian batting maestro Sachin make an ODI debut for India (16y 238d). record for the maximum number Tendulkar to retire from One- of appearances and being the Day Internationals (ODIs). ◆ Sachin Tendulkar won the most Man- highest run-getter and century- “We will miss Sachin sadly of-the-Match awards in ODI history (62 maker in both forms of the game, though we have been looking for- awards) and also the most Player-of-the- decided to retire just ahead of ward to play against him in this Series awards (15). the home series against Pakistan series,” Pakistan T20 and ODI beginning December 25. captain Mohammed Hafeez told ◆ In his ODI career, Sachin Tendulkar hit “I felt that he would play the reporters here after a three-hour 2016 boundaries and 195 sixes series against Pakistan. But it is practice session ahead of their his decision and I think it is the first T20 tie December 25 at the ◆ On debut, Sachin Tendulkar was out right one,” said his contemporary Chinnaswamy stadium in the city for a duck. Waqar Younis got his wicket. and former India captain Sourav centre. Ganguly. The Pakistan team landed in ◆ Sachin Tendulkar held 140 catches “There was a doubt on whether this tech hub late on Saturday in field in his ODIs career, the 4th most he would play ODI cricket or not. to play two T20s and three ODIs after Jayawardene (194), Ponting (160), But I am not surprised by his over the next two weeks five years Azharuddin (156). decision. He has done what he after their last visit to India. thought was right. “As a nation and players, we ◆ Sachin Tendulkar reached 18 times into “I don’t think there was any feel sad that Sachin has retired nineties - the most than any other in ODIs pressure of selectors on him. It is from ODIs ahead of this series, as his own decision. No one can drop he had his debut in international ◆ Played the most consecutive ODIs for him,” Ganguly added. cricket on Pakistan soil (1989). India - 185 (from April 25, 1990 to April Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh The world will miss his artistry 24, 1998) wrote on Twitter: “Sachin on the field as he has been a great Tendulkar. A great batsman. entertainer of the game,” Hafeez ◆ Most hundreds against one team - 9 A great human being. A great reiterated. vs Australia friend. A great man to look up Echoing Hafeez, Pakistan pacer to. The real son of India. I salute Sohail Tanvir said it was an hon- ◆ Joint record holder of most World Cup and love you.” our and privilege to bowl against appearances - 6 (1992 to 2011) Javed Reflecting on Tendulkar’s such a great batsman and a won- Miandad 6 (1975 to 1996) career statistics, Harbhajan derful human being. added: “463 matches, 23 years, “I enjoyed bowling to him ◆ Most runs in World Cup history - 2,278 18426 runs !!!! No one else will because the margin of error was be able to come close to these so less that he could dispatch ◆ Most centuries in a calendar year - 9 numbers.” even good deliveries to the fence. (1998) Cancer survivor Yuvraj Singh Words are not enough to describe wrote: “It is an emotional time! his achievements for India. He Letting Sachin go from one day- deserves the highest respect from ers! 18 thousand plus runs. Your the cricketing world,” Tanvir said. jaw drops when you see those Clarifying that absence of records, master you will always Sachin would not make much of live in my heart and fellow a difference for the team, Hafeez Indians! The pride of our country, said though India had other great I salute to you for your contribu- players, Sachin was Sachin and in tion to Indian cricket.” that sense, none could equal him Former India opener in many respects. Krishnamachari Srikkanth said “We admire the man for his he was surprised by Tendulkar’s sheer domineering character who decision. rattled all types of bowlers around “I am surprised by his move the world. We all can praise his but he is leaving ODI cricket on efforts to excel in international a high. I am sure he would want cricket. to leave on a high in Test cricket “There is no doubt that he is a too. He will be looking forward genius. We wish him good luck for to a good Test series against the future,” Hafeez said. Australia,” said Srikkanth. “It is Tanvir also wished best of luck easy for us to say that he could for Sachin and hoped he would have retired after the 2011 World hit many more centuries for India Cup. He has got his 100th century in Tests though he was out of in the Asia Cup. His records can- form in the recent games against not be surpassed,” he added. England in the home series. Dilip Vengsarkar said if Paying glowing tributes to Tendulkar was carrying on with Sachin, Pakistan speedstar Umar Tests, he should have continued Gul said it was a challenge to bowl playing in the 50-over format. against Sachin and a delight to “If he is continuing with inter- pick his wicket every time as he national cricket then he should had an excellent reading of the Tendulkar’s decision is not a Tendulkar’s top five one-day centuries have continued with ODIs also. ball. India play around 25 ODIs in a “India should be proud of hav- shocker, says Indian board ■ 110 vs Australia in Colombo, September 9, 1994 season. It is very important to ing a great cricketer like Sachin, Tendulkar took 79 matches and more than four years to score his maiden one-day hundred -- 110 keep playing at the highest level,” whose presence in the team over MUMBAI: The Indian cricket board said yesterday that Sachin against Australia -- but it was just the beginning of bigger deeds to come from his punishing blade. said the right-hand batsman. the last two decades had inspired Tendulkar’s decision to retire from ODI cricket was no surprise. “In ODIs, he opens the innings ■ a generation of players and con- Ratnakar Shetty, chief administrative officer of the Board of Control 143 vs Australia in Sharjah, April 22, 1998 against bowling of highest quality. tributed in nurturing young for Cricket in India (BCCI), said the board respects Tendulkar’s Steve Waugh’s Australians were blown away by a “desert storm” called Tendulkar, who smashed five It keeps him in the groove. I am cricketers like Virat Kohli and decision. sixes and nine fours in his 131-ball 143 to help India qualify for the final of a one-day event in Sharjah. surprised he opted out of ODIs. Suresh Raina. “Tendulkar’s decision is not a shocker for BCCI. He was waiting “As long as he is playing Tests ■ 140 not out vs Kenya at Bristol, May 23, 1999 “I am sure many more like for the right time,” Shetty told reporters at the Cricket Centre here. or international cricket, he should them have learnt a lot from him,” Tendulkar took the decision minutes before the selectors announced Tendulkar’s explosive 101-ball 140 not out against a hapless Kenya was a century with a difference have continued playing in ODIs,” Gul recalled. the team for the limited overs series against Pakistan starting December in that he played the World Cup match a few days after attending his father’s funeral in Mumbai. Vengsarkar said. Pakistan’s young batsman 25. But he will keep playing Test cricket. ■ 200 not out vs South Africa at Gwalior, February 24, 2010 “End of an era as Sachin retires Umar Amin, who has been in Tendulkar spoke to Board president N Srinivasan and conveyed from one-dayers. Hats off to 23 and out of team, admitted that he his decision. That age could not wither Tendulkar was proved when he cracked an unbeaten 200 against South years of cricketing genius!” said would have loved to play against “I have decided to retire from One Day format. I feel blessed to have Africa, the first double-century in this format. Formula One driver Narain Sachin in this series if he had not fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team,” ■ 114 vs Bangladesh at Dhaka, March 16, 2012 Karthikeyan. Bollywood actor retired and continued to play in said Tendulkar in a statement. “The preparatory process to defend Shahid Kapoor wrote: “He prob- Tendulkar became the first man in international cricket to complete a century of international hundreds the shorter version of the game. the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest. I would ably will be the greatest sports- with a robust 114 against Bangladesh in an Asia Cup match at Dhaka. REUTERS like to wish the team all the very best for the future.” IANS man India ever produced.” IANS MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Nadal does Real boss Mourinho under not expect to be fully fit fire after 3-2 loss to Malaga until March MADRID: Rafa Nadal does not expect to be back to full fit- ness and close to his competitive The Spanish media criticise the manager’s decision to drop Casillas best until the Masters tennis event at Indian Wells in March, the Spanish world number four MADRID: Jose Mourinho’s stock of himself,” opined Madrid was quoted as saying yesterday. future as Real Madrid coach sports daily Marca while display- Nadal will return to action looked virtually untenable yes- ing on its front page a photo of at the Mubadala World Tennis terday as press and players Casillas with his head bowed dur- Championship in Abu Dhabi in alike took aim at him espe- ing the match. five days’ time after six months cially over his dropping of iconic “Another act of defiance by the out with a knee injury. goalkeeper and captain Iker coach, this time against the saint “I need to see how it improves Casillas. of saints of the club.” and how it reacts to the intensity The self-anointed ‘Special One’, Another sports daily As, who and demands of playing with ten- winner of the Champions League like Marca slated Casillas’s nis players of such a high level,” twice with Porto and Inter Milan, replacement Antonio Adan for Nadal said in an interview with had already been under pressure Malaga’s third goal, was even less Spanish daily ABC. after a poor first half to the title forgiving. After a shock defeat to Czech race which had seen their bitter “Mourinho has become an Lukas Rosol in the second round rivals Barcelona take a firm grip unsupportable problem,” it at Wimbledon in June, Nadal was on the championship. blasted. diagnosed with a partial tear of His position was under even Another of the club’s discon- the patella tendon and inflam- more scrutiny yesterday after tented stars, Sergio Ramos - like mation in his left knee and was his dropping of Casillas, the first Casillas part of the Spain side unable to defend his Olympic title time the Spain captain had been that has collected two European at the London Games. dropped in 10 years, backfired Championships and the World Nadal said the knee was “still spectacularly as they lost 3-2 Cup in the past four years - not 100 percent” and he was plan- to Malaga to fall an astonishing weighed in on Canal Plus Spain. ning to ease back in slowly. 16 points behind Barcelona and, “We were all taken aback “I am not thinking long term, I almost worse for some, seven by the dropping of Casillas, I am just focused on the knee, see- points adrift of city rivals Atletico. mean he is the captain,” said the ing how it responds and then we’ll While Mourinho was unapolo- defender, who himself fell foul of see later on. getic and insisted after the defeat Mourinho earlier in the season “I want to be sure that it’s he was not going anywhere, the and was dropped and trained on completely ready to start compet- press, never on good terms with his own. ing in anger again, without any the Portuguese coach, bayed for “It is him who plays and he will doubts. blood. continue to play because he is a Real Madrid’s coach Jose Mourinho (right) gestures during his Spanish First Division match against Malaga at “If I feel good in Abu Dhabi “Mou’ is making a laughing truly great goalkeeper.” La Rosaleda Stadium in Malaga, southern Spain, late on Saturday. we’ll continue but if not I’ll take Mourinho, who is used to win- it calmly.” ning his internal battles and only The Australian Open starts on La Liga Results coming off second best when he of his backroom staff as a spy to captain, but also the ringleader contract last May to 2016 after January 14. Real Betis 1 Real Mallorca 2 took on Chelsea owner Roman report back to him what the play- of the malcontents in the dress- adding the Liga crown to the The 26-year-old Nadal, who Valladolid 1 Barcelona 3 Abramovich, has, according to ers were saying. ing room.” Spanish Cup. won a record seventh French Osasuna 1 Grenade 2 some, overreached himself this While the Barcelona daily While Mourinho has received “If Florentino sacks Mou now, Open crown in May on his time. Mundo Deportivo agreed that the support of club president he will have to pay him compen- favoured clay, said winning Malaga 3 Real Madrid 2 Despite succeeding in having Casillas’s poor form this season Florentino Perez, although he sation of 20m euros and only 5m matches was not his priority over Athletic Bilbao 0 Real Zaragoza 2 long-time Real sporting director had been a cause for concern, didn’t appreciate Mourinho euros if he does it next June,” the coming weeks and he was Played on Friday Jorge Valdano sacked, his combat- it added Mourinho’s decision admitting defeat in the title race revealed Mundo Deportivo. totally focused on making sure Valencia 4 Getafe 2 ive nature since he took over in was not solely based on sporting even before the Malaga match, However, in a poll conducted by the knee had healed properly. Atletico Madrid 1 Celta Vigo 0 May 2010 has rarely targeted the reasons. Spanish news daily El Mundo said the Marca website of Real fans, “My goal is not this week, nor Played on Thursday players until this season. “He (Mourinho) was right, but Perez was considering all options it was crystal clear what they even Doha or Australia,” he said. Rayo Vallecano 3 Levante 0 However, since January he has it is also a political decision. with regard to the coach. wanted the outcome to be with “My goal is to be in shape, get been at war with both Ramos and “Mou was not just relegating However, the club may find 80% of the 80,000 respondents back to feeling completely fine Espanyol 2 D La Coruna 0 Casillas and he had to deny last to the bench one of the best goal- the financial compensation pro- saying yes to the question ‘Should and feeling completely prepared,” Real Sociedad 2 Sevilla 1 week that he was deploying one keepers in the world or the team hibitive as Mourinho extended his Real sack Mourinho?’. AFP he added. REUTERS Pietersen Australia not to rested for Guptill the hero as Kiwis New Zealand risk half-fit Clarke one-day tour edge hosts South Africa EAST LONDON, South for Boxing Day Test Africa: Martin Guptill hit a LONDON: Kevin Pietersen thrilling century to clinch a SYDNEY: Australia will not too far in front of myself at the has been rested for England’s last-ball, eight-wicket victory risk playing captain Michael moment. I know Michael will be one-day and Twenty20 squads for New Zealand in the second Clarke in next week’s sec- doing everything he can to get announced yesterday for Twenty20 international against ond Test against Sri Lanka if right for this Test match.” Febr uar y’s tour of New Zealand. South Africa at Buffalo Park he is not fully fit, chairman of Australia have been forced James Anderson, Jonathan yesterday. selectors John Inverarity said to reshuffle their pace attack Trott and Graeme Swann have Guptill finished with 101 not out yesterday. due to injuries and fatigue in returned to the 14-man one-day off 69 balls, hitting the last ball of Clarke is doubtful for the recent matches and are set for squad while Stuart Broad is back the match from Rory Kleinveldt Melbourne Test starting on another line-up change with Ben from a heel injury to captain the over cover for four to enable New Wednesday after a hamstring Hilfenhaus ruled out of the sec- 14-man T20 squad. Zealand to reach a target of 169 New Zealand’s problem forced him to retire ond Test. National selector Geoff Miller in a match reduced to 19 overs a batsman Martin hurt while batting on the fourth Left-armers Mitchell Starc said: “There are a number of play- side because of a floodlight failure. Guptill looks on as he day of Australia’s 137-run win in and Mitchell Johnston, and the ers who we have decided not to The result enabled New hits his shot during the opening match of the series uncapped Jackson Bird are vying select for parts of the competitive Zealand to level the three-match the second T20 in Hobart. to join Peter Siddle in a three- programme this winter as we look series. match against South The 31-year-old batsman, who pronged pace attack at the MCG, to manage their workloads effec- He became the second Africa, in East London is the leading scorer in tests in with selectors likely to retain off- tively while ensuring we remain New Zealander -- after cap- at Buffalo Park, 2012 with 1,489 runs, has repeat- spinner Nathan Lyon. competitive across all formats. tain Brendon McCullum -- to yesterday. edly said he was confident of Inverarity confirmed that the “We feel this is the best way of hit a century in a Twenty20 returning to fitness in time for selectors would continue with keeping players as physically and international. the second test at the MCG but their rotation policy to preserve mentally fresh as possible during He had some good fortune in a Inverarity was not sure it was the fitness of the remaining bowl- a demanding 2013 and beyond. frantic finish in yesterday’s play worth taking the risk. ers and Starc was next in line. “Kevin Pietersen will miss the in South Afirca. “He’s a very precious asset and “It’s about bowling loads,” he limited overs tour of New Zealand He was caught off Ryan I would go low risk,” Inverarity said. “The science behind it is with Graeme Swann missing the McLaren when he was on 87 but told reporters after watching yes- that they’ve got to build up their T20 leg of the tour. gained a reprieve when the deliv- terday’s training session at the bowling loads so the oscillations “This approach also provides ery was no-balled because it was MCG, in which Clarke underwent are not very significant. an opportunity for talented young too high. light duties. “If they do become reasonably players to gain more international Two runs later he hit a ball “He’s always upbeat, he des- significant, as they have done for experience which will be impor- from Morne Morkel high in the perately wants to play. But we Mitchell (Starc), then you enter a tant for their development and air towards point but Robin certainly don’t want to push him danger period, a high-risk period.” the development of England sides Peterson put down the chance. Scoreboard especially hard in a Test and for Meanwhile, Sri Lankan veteran in the future.” South Africa scored 165 for five him to break down.” Kumar Sangakkara is poised to England T20 squad: Stuart after a floodlight failure caused a South Africa New Zealand If Clarke fails to prove his fit- join the exclusive 10,000-run club Broad (captain), Jonny Bairstow, 50-minute delay. R Levi c N McCullum b Hira ...... 5 M Guptill (not out) ...... 101 ness over the next couple of days, in the Boxing Day Test a land- Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Henry Davids hit 55 and cap- H Davids c Neesham b McClenaghan ...... 55 R Nicol c Miller b Peterson ...... 25 his place in the batting order mark he plans to build on. Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven tain Faf du Plessis made 63 for F du Plessis c Anderson b Bracewell ...... 63 B McCullum c Miller b McLaren ...... 17 could got to Usman Khawaja, The prolific batsman needs just Finn, Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, South Africa. D Miller c Hira b Bracewell ...... 33 C Munro (not out) ...... 8 while all-rounder Shane Watson 40 more runs in his 115th Test to Stuart Meaker, Eoin Morgan, Du Plessis, who made his runs F Behardien (not out) ...... 5 Extras (LB9, NB1, W8) ...... 18 will take over as captain. join the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Samit Patel, James Tredwell, off 43 balls, shared partnerships R Peterson c Neesham b Bracewell ...... 0 Total (2 wkts, 19 overs) ...... 169 Watson said he could fully Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid and Luke Wright of 68 for the second wicket with Q de Kock (not out) ...... 0 Fall of wicket: 1-76, 2-149 understand why Clarke was so Jacques Kallis to complete the England ODI squad: Davids and 79 for the third wicket Extras (LB2, NB1, W1) ...... 4 Bowling: Peterson 3-0-28-1 (1w), Morkel 4-0- keen to lead Australia in the milestone. Alastair Cook (captain), James with David Miller, who hit 33 off Total (5 wkts, 19 overs) ...... 165 29-0 (1w), Kleinveldt 4-0-35-0, McLaren 4-0- Boxing Day Test at the MCG. “I think 10,000 Test runs is that Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian 18 deliveries. Bowling: McClenaghan 4-0-32-1 (1nb), 26-1 (1nb, 1w), Phangiso 4-0-42-0 (1w) “It’s just about as big as it separation between a batsman Did not bat: J Franklin, C Anderson, N McCul- Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Davids made a maiden fifty Bracewell 3-0-33-0 (1w), Hira 4-0-37-1, An- gets for an Australian cricketer,” who will probably be remembered lum, J Neesham, D Bracewell, R Hira, M Mc- Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Craig before falling to a sensational derson 2-0-21-0, N McCullum 4-0-23-0, Fran- Watson said. a bit more than the rest,” the left- Clenaghan Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit catch by Jimmy Neesham, run- klin 1-0-10-0, Nicol 1-0-7-0 “... It’s an amazing opportunity hander told reporters yesterday. Patel, Graeme Swann, James ning back and diving full length Result: New Zealand won by eight wickets to think that something like that “It’s pretty good to be almost Did not bat: R McLaren, R Kleinveldt, M Morkel, (Duckworth/Lewis method) Tredwell, Jonathan Trott. to hold a lofted drive just inside A Phangiso has come along in your life. there. And then hopefully beyond AFP the long-off boundary. AFP Man-of-the-match: Martin Guptill (NZL) “But I’m trying not to get 10,000 as well.” REUTERS Monday 24 December 2012 11 Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5558 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 India drop Tendulkar retires from ODIs Zaheer Khan The ‘Little Master’ feels ‘blessed’ to have won the 2011 World Cup for Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Indian bat- Bangladesh to record his 100th But I am not surprised by his series ting legend Sachin Tendulkar international century and then decision. He has done what he MUMBAI: India have left yesterday announced his scored 52 against Pakistan. thought was right.” veteran left-arm seamer retirement from international He played in six World Cups India off-spinner Harbhajan Zaheer Khan out of their one-day cricket after scoring a since 1992 and finally found Singh also paid tribute to the forthcoming Twenty20 and record-breaking 49 centuries in success in his last appearance record-breaking batsman. one-day international series the 50-over format. in the tournament when India “Master. 463 matches, 23 yrs, against Pakistan. The 39-year-old is the world’s defeated Sri Lanka in the final in 18426 runs !!!! These numbers Sachin Tendulkar has retired top run-getter in one-day cricket, Tendulkar’s home city of Mumbai no body else will be able to come from the 50-over format, with 18,426 runs from 463 on April 2, 2011. close to. salute salute salute to but fellow batsman Virender matches at an average of 44.83. He was carried off the pitch at sachin,” he tweeted. Sehwag retains his ODI place. “I have decided to retire from the end of the game on the shoul- England batsman Kevin The Twenty20 squad is the one-day format of the game,” ders of his team-mates. Pietersen also tweeted after largely unchanged from the he said in a statement. Tendulkar was two months hearing the news. recent series against England. “I feel blessed to have fulfilled away from his 37th birthday Statistics NEVER lie! They The first bilateral series the dream of being part of a when he smashed the first-ever tell a very true story.. Well done between the two countries World Cup winning Indian team double century in the history of Sachin! What an incredible ODI since 2007, comprising two (in 2011). one-day internationals, making career.. £thebest,” tweeted the T20 matches and three ODIs, “I am eternally grateful to all an unbeaten 200 against South batsman, who played a key role begins with a T20 game on my well-wishers for their uncon- Africa in Gwalior in February, in England’s 2-1 win against India Christmas Day, ditional support and love over the 2010. recently. Zaheer was dropped midway years.” It was unclear if he will con- The win was also the first time through the Test series against Tendulkar, who is also the tinue to play Test cricket, where India won on Indian soil in 27 England, while Sehwag’s place highest scorer in Tests, said he has scored a record 15,645 runs years. had also been under threat that he was quitting to allow the in 194 matches at an average of His England team-mate Ravi after he only averaged 23.66 Indian selectors to build a team 54.32 with 51 centuries. Bopara also tweeted. from nine ODIs in 2012. for the 2015 World Cup which is Former India skipper “Well done to Sachin on his All-rounder Bhuvneshwar being held in Australia and New Krishnamachari Srikkanth said amazing ODI career. Inspiration Kumar, seamer Shami Ahmed, Zealand. Tendulkar’s records can never be to millions if not billions. We will and batsman Ambati Rayudu “The preparatory process to matched. never see another Sachin in our are uncapped in any interna- defend the World Cup in 2015 “I am surprised by his move lifetime.” tional format. should begin early... I would like but he is leaving ODI cricket on South African Hashim Amla India Twenty20 squad: to wish the team all the very best a high. I am sure he will want to also paid tribute to Tendulkar. Mahendra Dhoni (cap- for the future,” he said. leave on a high in Test cricket “Conclusion of a sterling ODI tain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Tendulkar, who has been also. He will be looking forward career from a wonderful batsman. Parvinder Awana, Piyush dubbed the “Little Master”, made to a good Test series against Congrats Sachin Tendulkar,” the Chawla, Ashok Dinda, Gautam his one-day debut aged 16 in Australia,” he said. South African batsman tweeted Gambhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Gujranwala on a tour of Pakistan “His records cannot be yesterday. Tendulkar was part Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar in 1989. He lasted just two deliv- surpassed.” of a famed Indian middle order Kumar, Ajinkya Rahane, eries before being dismissed by Former captain Sourav which included Ganguly, Rahul Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Waqar Younis without scoring. Ganguly said: “I felt that he might Dravid and Venkatsai Laxman Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, But in what turned out to be have played on, but it is his deci- -- all of whom have now retired Yuvraj Singh. his last two one-day innings, sion and I think it is right. from all levels of the game. India ODI squad: Mahendra during the Asia Cup in Dhaka “There was a doubt on whether His announcement yesterday Dhoni (captain), Ravichandran in March, he made 114 against he would play ODI cricket or not. comes only weeks after Ricky Ashwin, Ashok Dinda, Gautam Ponting, second only to Tendulkar Gambhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Sachin Tendulkar's ODI career in the list of highest run scorers Virak Kohli, Bhuvneshwar in Test cricket, played his last In this photograph taken on April 2, 2011, Indian cricketer Sachin Kumar, Amit Mishra, Ajinkya Period ODIs Runs Average Strike rate 100s/ 50s match for Australia. Tendulkar (second left) celebrates with team-mates as he holds the Rahane, Suresh Raina, Before 1994 65 1,679 31.09 74.32 0/ 12 Tendulkar is also the star bats- trophy after beating Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final Virender Sehwag, Shami 1994 to Dec 2000 198 8,220 45.66 88.96 27/ 38 man for the Mumbai Indians in at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Indian batting legend Tendulkar Ahmed, Ishant Sharma, the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh. Jan 2001 to 2012 200 8,527 48.17 86.41 22/ 46 yesterday announced his retirement from one-day cricket after scoring a domestic Twenty20 tourna- AGENCIES a record-breaking 49 centuries in the 50-over format. Career 463 18,426 44.83 86.23 49/ 96 ment. AFP Chelsea hit Villa for eight; United held

LONDON: Chelsea, playing Yesterday’s victory matched with a swagger missing for much Chelsea’s 8-0 demolition of Wigan of the season, routed Aston Athletic at home in 2010. The Villa 8-0 yesterday as Premier record Premier League winning League leaders Manchester margin is Manchester United’s United wasted the chance to 9-0 defeat of Ipswich Town in move six points clear after a 1-1 1995. Chelsea’s Fernando draw at Swansea City. United led at Swansea through Torres (right) Chelsea striker Fernando Patrice Evra after 16 minutes but celebrates his goal Bolt makes Torres began the goal glut after the league’s top scorer Michu net- against Aston Villa three minutes at Stamford Bridge ted his 13th goal of the campaign with team-mate Forbes list and David Luiz and Branislav for the hosts, moving the Spaniard Victor Moses during Ivanovic made it 3-0 at the break. one ahead of Robin Van Persie, to their English Premier Frank Lampard marked his level just before the half-hour. League match at NEW YORK: Jamaican Usain 500th Premier League game and United, who hit the woodwork Stamford Bridge in Bolt’s astonishing repeat suc- first league start since October twice in the second half through cess at London Olympics, cou- with a rasping fourth before Van Persie and Michael Carrick, London, yesterday. pled with his $9m per-year deal Ramires (two), Oscar and Eden hold a four-point advantage with Puma, has catapulted him Hazard joined the fun as Chelsea over Manchester City, who beat onto Forbes Magazine’s 2012 secured a first home league win Reading 1-0 on Saturday, heading prestigious 30, under-30 sports under interim manager Rafael into a busy holiday programme. list. Benitez. The leaders have 43 points Each year, the magazine It took Chelsea’s goal tally to 13 from 18 games, followed by City chooses 30 personalities all aged in two games after they thrashed on 39. Chelsea moved back up to under 30, from 12 different fields, Championship (second division) third place with 32. Ferguson was incensed when be banned by the FA. Robin could United have scored 10 goals who it describes as “young dis- side Leeds United 5-1 to reach United manager Alex Ferguson a prone Van Persie was struck in have had a broken neck,” said a from corners in the Premier ruptors, innovators and entrepre- the League Cup semi-finals in was hardly in festive mood after the head from point-blank range seething Ferguson. League this season, more than neurs … impatient to change the midweek. his side’s trip to Wales, rueing by a clearance from Williams with Swansea welcomed back Michel any other side. world”. two points that got away, claim- the whistle having been blown for Vorm after the goalkeeper missed Their lead lasted 13 minutes Bolt (pictured) became the ing Van Persie “could have been a foul on the Dutchman. 10 games with a groin injury and with United’s defence, welcom- first athlete to repeat as double English Premier killed” by Swansea captain Ashley The Scot said it was a “deliber- the Dutchman was soon called ing back Serbian Nemanja Vidic sprint champion at an Olympics Williams and criticising referee ate act” and called for Williams, into action to beat away a Wayne for his first start since September, when he won the 100 and 200 League Results Michael Oliver. booked along with Van Persie, Rooney drive before he quickly unable to stop Michu pouncing metres in London Chelsea 8 (Torres 3, Luiz 29, Ivanovic 34, “We absolutely battered who escaped injury, in the melee followed up to deny Ashley Young. from close range. His Puma deal, coupled with Lampard 58, Ramires 75, 90+1, Oscar 79- them and we are very unlucky,” that followed, to receive a long However, from the resulting United had the better of the a plethora of other deals with pen, Hazard 83) Aston Villa 0 Ferguson told Sky Sports. “It ban. corner Evra met Van Persie’s second-half but could not find Nissan, Visa and Gatorade also should have been a six-point gap “Robin van Persie is lucky to be delivery with a glancing header the cutting edge as Van Persie and Swansea 1 (Michu 29) Manchester Utd 1 makes him the highest paid track (over City) today (yesterday) and alive. It was a disgraceful act from that eluded Leon Britton who was Young missed chances in Wales. (Evra 16) and field athlete in history.IANS that is the disappointment.” their player today and he should stationed on the goal-line. REUTERS