ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER

Wednesday 27 March 2013 15 Jumada I 1434 - Volume 18 Number 5651 Price: QR2

QNCC plans Heartbreak for to boost Qatar as Korea production win qualifier

Business | 17 Sport | 28

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Price lists of $1bn Jerusalem fund set up private clinics on SCH website

Qatar contributes $250m; Arab Summit concludes in Doha DOHA: People can now access the price lists of private hospi- DOHA: The Arab Summit that immediate need to set up a fund tals and clinics in the country concluded a day ahead of sched- to help save the character of the on the website of the Supreme ule yesterday set up at Qatar’s holy city. Council of Health (SCH). behest a $1bn fund to help save The Emir, talking of the siege The price lists are available in the Arab character of Jerusalem of Gaza Strip, called on fellow Arabic and English. with Doha chipping in a quarter Arab nations to cooperate and “We have posted on our website ($250m) of the corpus. help their brethren in the region all the available price lists, espe- The Emir, H H Sheikh Hamad to overcome their sufferings and cially those of dental clinics, so that bin Khalifa Al Thani, while open- ensure that the decisions taken people can check and compare the ing the Summit after taking over earlier to reconstruct the Strip prices. No facility is permitted to its presidency from Iraq, made a are enforced. The Palestinian charge more than what is officially call for setting up the above fund cause is the core Arab issue and announced and they are required to and announced Qatar’s contribu- the key to peace, security and sta- display the prices at their premises tion of $250m. bility in the Middle East. in a prominent way,” Dr Jamal The Emir said the fund should “There cannot be peace without Rashid Al Khanji, director of the be set up immediately after the a just, permanent and compre- Quality Management Department end of the summit, with fellow hensive settlement that addresses at SCH told this daily yesterday. Arab leaders responding enthu- the full legitimate rights of the The Department had asked siastically to his call. Palestinian people, foremost all private healthcare facili- The Emir also called on fel- among these is the establishment ties to submit their detailed low Arab countries to convene a of an independent state with East price lists, as a precondition for mini-Arab summit in Egypt and Jerusalem as its capital,” reiter- renewal of their licences. All invite Fatah and Hamas leaders ated the Emir. these facilities are also required and convince them to bury their The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani speaking at the Arab Summit in Doha yesterday. “Israel has to realise that force to take permission from the SCH differences and forge a Palestinian does not bring security, and that before announcing any hike in national reconciliation. The call conference to launch rebuilding and Islamic rights in Jerusalem connection”. peace alone would help achieve their prices. “These measures was heeded, too. efforts in the violence-ravaged cannot be compromised, and Lamenting that the Sirte security for all, and that its ille- are intended to keep the prices Later, a transitional govern- country. Israel has to be aware of this fact. resolutions of the Arab sum- gal practices of or violation of under control, until the national ment can be installed in Palestine Talking about Jerusalem, the Also, Arab countries embark on mit on Jerusalem have not been the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque, insurance scheme is implemented. comprising ‘independent figures’ Emir said: “The Palestinian, Arab a quick and serious effort in this implemented, he stressed the judaising East Jerusalem, contin- Complaints about the high fees that would oversee legislative and uing with settlements and detain- charged by private clinics and presidential elections, the Emir ing Palestinians in its (Israeli) hospitals will become irrelevant suggested at the Arab Summit. prisons would only create tension once all the citizens and expatri- In his opening remarks, the World powers urged to recognise Syria rebels in the region,” the Emir said. ates are covered by health insur- Emir called on the United In the context of the Arab ance,” said Al Khanji. Nations Security Council to DOHA: The Arab League has declaration that the member- The declaration was read by the Spring, the Emir said the He said, the private healthcare issue a resolution for immediate urged the international com- states of the Arab League had the Assistant Secretary-General of regimes must realise that there sector is becoming more competi- cessation of bloodshed in Syria munity to provide recognition right to provide military support the Arab League, Ahmed bin is no alternative to reform and no tive with new clinics coming up. and book those responsible for to Syria’s opposition National to Syrians fighting the regime. Halli. room for oppression, repression, “Competition among private crimes against people as per the Coalition and back the Syrian The two-day summit that began The declaration said that tyranny and corruption. “When healthcare facilities will ulti- international law. rebels in their fight against the yesterday ended a day ahead of by allotting Syria’s seat to the I say reform, I mean thoughtful mately benefit the customers but Reiterating that Qatar repressive regime. schedule, with the leaders calling National Coalition, the League reform based on a vision, thought we should make sure that they staunchly supports peaceful The leaders of the Arab for convening a UN-sponsored had made the Coalition opera- and will, rather than the slogans are not compromising on the transfer of power in Syria, the world at the close of a summit international conference to sup- tional. THE PENINSULA of reform and hollow promises.” quality of the services,” he added. Emir said the UN can subse- here yesterday said in a joint port rebuilding effort in Syria. Continued on page 6 THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA quently convene an international See also page 6 Continued on page 6

WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 HMC marks World Glaucoma Day Free eye check-ups offered at Outpatient lobby

A visitor having his eyes checked at the booth.

DOHA: Prevention and early “Glaucoma is known as the history of glaucoma, people above diagnosis of glaucoma, a com- ‘silent blindness’ or ‘sight thief’ 30, those having myopia (a defect mon eye complaint, was the focus as the early stages of glaucoma do in vision where distant objects of recent events held by Hamad not cause pain or any symptoms,” appear blurred because their Medical Corporation (HMC). said Dr Al Ansari. images are focused in front of The events marking World “One of the main signs is the the retina rather than on it) and Glaucoma Day, highlighted the increase of intraocular pressure people who have eye trauma. importance of early diagnosis and (high eye pressure) which can be “The best way to fight glau- treatment of glaucoma to prevent detected only through a medical coma is through prevention. That vision loss as it is the second lead- examination.” is why we are actively involved in ing cause of blindness in adults High eye pressure causes dam- this event every year. It is very worldwide, age to the optic nerve, the part of important to know that the dam- As part of a campaign, a booth the eye that carries visual infor- aged part of the optic nerve is was set up at Hamad General mation from the retina to the completely incurable and that is Hospital’s Outpatient Department brain. why early diagnosis and treat- lobby, where ophthalmologists If the pressure is not control- ment are required to prevent loss provided information about the led, it will cause complete damage of vision. disease and members of the public of the optic nerve which will lead “We are promoting the impor- lined up for free check-ups. to loss of vision. tance of glaucoma patient support The campaign aims at preven- Dr Al Ansari said there are groups in taking our message of tion and early detection of glau- several types of glaucoma, and it early detection and lifelong treat- coma, according to Dr Zakia can be hereditary. Some people ment to the communities where Mohamed Al Ansari, Specialist are more susceptible than oth- it is desperately needed,” he said. at HMC’s Ophthalmology Section. ers, such as people with a family THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar Academy lifts Botball Robotics Cup 225 students participate in competition

DOHA: Middle and high school The competition was held at students at the ninth Regional Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar Botball Robotics Challenge were over the weekend. challenged to imagine they are As the first place winner, a Qatar part of Nasa’s Mars Science Academy team will travel to Norman, Laboratory and develop a robot Oklahoma, in July to attend the 2013 like the Curiosity Rover, which Global Conference on Educational must land on Mars and scoop up Robotics where it will meet mid- rock samples to be analysed back dle and high school students, robot on Earth. enthusiasts and professionals from Enthusiastic crowds of friends around the world. In Oklahoma, and family cheered on the 225 par- the team will compete in the 2013 ticipants and a team from Qatar International Botball Tournament. Academy named overall champions. Team member Abdullah Al Qatar’s Lycee Bonaparte fin- Shakarchi said: “Botball is a great ished second overall, while Al Khor competition and has taught me to The winners of the Botball Robotics Challenge with their trophies. International School finished third. be fast and efficient. I really enjoy learning through game about artificial intel- Botball Regional Finals twice before she regional finals focus on a particular theme. ligence and product development. Our strat- was motivated to study computer science With the Curiosity Rover reaching the Red egy to win was to keep it simple and get it to achieve her dream of becoming a gam- Planet last August, students this year had to 100 percent right.” ing programmer. This year, as a freshman use robots to “collect” rocks and “send” the The Botball programme introduces sec- in computer science, Antariksa joined in samples back to Earth using ‘C’. The goal was ondary school students to the world of robot- Botball again, but as a volunteer to mentor to show students how robotics technologies, ics, equipping them with necessary skills other students through the competition. physics and mathematical concepts are used and experience to independently design, “Participating in Botball last year was fun, to perform tasks like space exploration. build and program autonomous robots using hectic and a great experience. It developed Students competing have the opportunity ‘C’ — the most widely used programming my interest in programming and led me to to interact with faculty and students and language in industry and academia. apply to do computer science at Carnegie are judged in part by industry experts. Cania Antariksa participated in the Mellon,” Antariksa said. Each year, the THE PENINSULA

British Council launches The Selector on QBS

DOHA: The British Council has launched two countries, which aims to celebrate and The Selector brings to listeners here two The Selector, a popular international exchange art, culture, education, sport and hours of weekly programming covering all Radio Show broadcasting via QBS Radio science-based experiences. styles of contemporary music which includes every Sunday on 97.5FM from 4pm to The Selector airs latest music from the eclectic music from Jazz, Rock, Rhythm and 6pm. UK and has a four-million strong audience Blues, indie, dubstep, folk, soul, hip hop and The show is part of Qatar UK 2013, a in 37 countries, including Egypt, Jordan, more. yearlong creative collaboration between the Oman and Syria. The show features interviews, guest DJ mixes and exclusive live ses- sions from some of the UK’s most exciting artists. It avoids many main- stream acts in favour of emerging talent and under- ground styles reflecting the brilliance and diversity of music, promoting the mod- ern musical culture to an international audience. Naser Ahmed Bilal — Controller of Foreign Programmes of QBS, said: “We are pleased to be part of this effort to bring two cultures together through music. “QBS has been unwaver- ingly committed to Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and aligning with the goals listed under its social pil- lar,” he said. “Those goals specifically aim to develop society to a level where all people in Qatar are capable of interacting positively with other communities thereby playing an important role in global partnership for development.” THE PENINSULA Advisory panel reviews street congestion DOHA: A joint panel comprising the interior and external affairs com- mittee and the services and public utilities at the Advisory Council, contin- ued discussion of the floor request concerning the street congestion in Doha City, submitted by a num- ber of Council members. The meeting was attended by Chairman of Public Works Authority (Ashghal) Engineer Nasser Ali Al Mawlawi and oth- ers. Mawlawi and his team briefed the joint committee on Ashghal’s vision con- cerning the floor request and replied questions from panel members. The panel decided to call the assistant under- secretary for planning affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning to attend the next meeting. QNA WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Greetings sent to Expo to unveil Bangla president DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has sent a cable of greetings to the Acting President of Bangladesh 2,700 years on the occasion of his country’s National Day. The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad of Olympics bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani also sent greeting cables to Al Riwaq showcases Greek artefacts Bangladesh. BY RAYNALD C RIVERA Attiyah meets Running until the end of June, the expo takes visitors on a jour- ambassadors DOHA: Rare artefacts from ney through Olympics’ 2,700 years Greece dating back more than history from the ancient Olympia DOHA: The Chairman of 2,000 years are featured at the to the modern Olympic Games. Qatar’s Administrative Control ‘Olympics-Past & Present’ exhi- Speaking at a press confer- and Transparency Authority H E bition opening to the public ence yesterday, Kostas Tzavaras, Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah tomorrow at the Al Riwaq Doha Alternate Minister of Education, met the outgoing Pakistani space on the Museum of Islamic Religious Affairs, Culture and Ambassador Mohamed Sarfraz Art grounds. Sports of Greece, said the exhi- Ahmed Khanzada yester- The Discus Thrower and the bition was a product of combined day. Al Attiyah also met sepa- Charioteer of Delphi are only efforts of various countries show- rately Georgian Ambassador some of the famous statues that ing how sport can unite different Kostas Tzavaras (second right) speaking at the press conference at Al Riwaq Doha yesterday. Also present were Ekaterine Mikadze. can be seen at the 4,000sqm exhi- cultures, adding it also serves as a Dr Christian Wacker and Alistair Routledge. (QASSIM RAHMATULLAH) bition space which showcases bridge between Greece and Qatar April 30 last date over 1,200 objects from various since the two countries signed an in Greece which have not been All the torches, posters, mas- “Partnering with the Qatar countries, most of which came agreement on cultural exchange exhibited even in Greece. A high- cots, medals, programmes and Olympic & Sports Museum to for CCTV cameras from Greece, the cradle of the early this year. light of the section is a replica of tickets from the last 48 Winter organise the “Olympics — Past Olympics. The ancient section of the exhi- the Temple of Zeus where activi- and Summer Olympic Games are & Present” exhibition in Doha DOHA: The grace period Organised by QMA’s Qatar bition provides visitors a glimpse ties will be held throughout the displayed in the modern section of provides a great opportunity to allowed to private sector enti- Olympic & Sports Museum of the sanctuary of Olympia duration of the expo. the exhibition. emphasise both tradition and ties to install CCTV cameras (QOSM), the exhibition show- with original statues, vases, and A timeline takes visitors to The values and rituals of the sports — two critical values in their premises lapses by cases nearly 600 original artefacts bronzes depicting athletes, ath- the various periods from the Olympics promoting peace and shared by the State of Qatar April-end. from Greece, around 400 objects letic activities and other objects rediscovery of Antiquity during personal achievements, as well and ExxonMobil,” said Alistair A law that makes it manda- from the QOSM and QMA’s per- which carry the Olympic motif. the Renaissance leading to the as the broader context of this Routledge, Vice President of tory for companies to have CCTV manent collection and hundreds Some of the objects in this sec- reestablishment of the Olympic mega event and its interrelation- ExxonMobil Qatar, sponsors of cameras in their premises, comes more from other countries includ- tion, Tzavaras said, have been Games in the 19th century and ship with politics, environment, the expo. into effect from May 1. ing France, Germany and Italy. a product of latest excavations their development to the present. economics, social issues and dop- For the next three months, The law makes it mandatory ing are also highlighted in the the expo will offer gallery lec- for a number of private entities, exhibition. tures, a theatre performance, a including hotels, residential com- The exhibition showcases 40 film festival and a family fun day. plexes, banks, exchange houses, original films and images from The gallery lectures will cover jewellery shops, sport clubs, cul- all the Olympic Games and high- topics on ancient and modern tural centres, shopping centres, lights the participation of Qatari Olympic Games. Next month, entertainment places, hospitals, athletes in these Games through a Qatari athletes Nada Wafa clinics, warehouses and stores to series of interviews with previous Arkaji and Ibrahim Ismail will set up surveillance cameras at its and current Qatari Olympians speak about their experience as premises. and Paralympians. Olympic athletes. The classical The owners of these installa- “For the first time, an exhibi- Greek play “Medea” by Euripides tions are required to ensure that tion showcases the cultural his- will be performed from April 11 these cameras are working round tory of the ancient and modern to 13 at the exhibition venue. In the clock and regularly main- Olympics on such a scale, not addition there will be a family tained. Erring entities will get to mention a special section on day on April 19 set to offer fun severe punishments, up to three Qatar’s participation in the world- activities and competitions for years in jail and fine maximum class event,” said Dr. Christian all ages. QR50,000 or one of them. Wacker, Director of QOSM. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA/QNA WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with other Arab leaders at the opening of the Arab League Summit in Doha yesterday. Opposition not targeting minorities: Alkhatib Around 100,000 people killed since uprising began, says chief of National Coalition of Syria BY MOHAMED OSMAN amidst thunderous applause. likelihood of these landing in the National Coalition chairman reluctance to support the Syrian the Syrian people had not been Lauding the Arab League, the hands of extremists, said said that he had begun contacting people. fulfilled. DOHA: An estimated 100,000 he described its move to offer Alkhatib. different factions and groups in “Also, I want that the Coalition Bahrain’s foreign minister, people, among them innocent Syria’s vacant seat to the National “Let me assure the interna- the liberated areas as his govern- be expanded and give represen- Khalid Al Khalifa, meanwhile, women, children and old men, Coalition as brave. It was a big tional community that the future ment prepared to work in those tation to all Syrian factions and told The Peninsula the allotment have been killed in Syria since achievement in the fight of the of these weapons would be decided areas. groupings.” of Syria’s vacant seat at the Arab violence erupted there two years Syrian people for freedom from by the people of Syria through a He urged fellow Arab nations Asked why he chose to ten- League to the National Coalition ago, the Arab Summit, which the fetters of a repressive regime, national conciliation, so there is to provide financial support to der his resignation on the eve of was a great achievement for the concluded here a day ahead of he said. no chance for the extremists to the Syrian people and said cur- the Arab Summit, he said it was Syrian opposition and would schedule yesterday, was told by Alkhatib said there were some get hold of the weapons.” rently they were routing their an important event and many immensely help their cause. Syria’s top opposition leader. misgivings about the Syrian oppo- As for the question of terrorists aid through the UN. The UN is promises that had been made to THE PENINSULA Moaz Alkhatib, head of Syria’s sition overseas and there was and the presence of foreign ter- distributing aid mostly in regime- opposition National Coalition, propaganda that the minorities rorists in Syria, Alkhatib said it controlled areas. told the Arab Summit, which was were being targeted and isolated was tragic that the international According to Alkhatib, while Opposition calls for more support originally slated to end today, that by them. community was ignoring the fact Nato is expected to play a role to the death toll in state-sponsored “This is not true. The Syrian that foreign forces such as Russia, protect innocent civilians from DOHA: Excited about being allotted Syria’s vacant seat at the violence in his country had soared regime is trying to divide the peo- Iran and Hezbollah were backing the repression of the regime, it is Arab League, Syria’s opposition National Coalition has said it to 100,000. ple and creating a wedge among the Syrian regime. not desirable at all that its forces should be provided legal recognition and support to open up dip- In a veiled criticism of the the Syrian people. The regime “What are these foreigners fight. “We only want Nato forces lomatic missions so they could provide consular services to fel- US-led West, Alkhatib said itself is killing members of the doing on the Syrian soil? They to protect civilians.” low citizens overseas. despite the high death toll some minorities. All the people of Syria, must leave the country” Alkhatib urged the interna- “Having Syria’s seat at the Arab League is a welcome step, but countries were still undecided irrespective of their ethnic or reli- He said the National Coalition tional community to help release in order that we play our part more effectively, we must be given about what to do to stop the vio- gious background, are united in was in favour of a peaceful politi- the $2bn of Syrian assets that further support,” a spokesman for the Syrian delegation at the Arab lence in his country. their fight against the oppressive cal solution, emphatically insist- remain frozen overseas and said Summit, told reporters yesterday. Alkhatib was, in an his- regime.” ing, though, that President the Syrian Free Army must be Enabling the National Coalition to have diplomatic missions toric move, earlier invited by Another propaganda being Bashar Al Assad and his security armed. overseas is necessary since Syrians based overseas can be provided the Emir, H H Sheikh Hamad spread was that once the chemi- and military commanders be kept In reply to a question from The different types of services, said Khalid Al Saleh. Addressing a news bin Khalifa Al Thani, who cal weapons in Syria’s possession out of that process. Peninsula about why he had quit conference on the sidelines of the Arab Summit, he said the next took over the Summit’s presi- were transferred to the opposi- About Ghassan Hitto, who has as head of the National Coalition, step for the Arab League would be to set up a task force to support dency from Iraq, to occupy tion after it took over the coun- been elected prime minister of the Alkhatib said it was in protest at the National Coalition. THE PENINSULA Syria’s chair at the conclave try’s reins, there was a strong provisional government in Syria, the international community’s

Poor planning MoI seminar focuses blamed for on firms’ security clinic closures Continued from page 1 DOHA: Representatives of a proper way and proper usage of When pointed out that sev- financial institutions and safe lockers. eral new clinics are struggling shopping complexes attend- He advised the companies on to attract patients, he said, ing a seminar organised by the proper training of security guards, this is because of their poor Ministry of Interior yesterday stressing the need for detecting management. were told to take precautions to suspicious activities and provid- “Several clinics were prevent theft and robbery. ing information about this to the closed down in the recent The seminar, titled “Together security authorities. He also said past mainly due to their poor against crime”, was organised that proper documents and cop- planning and poor manage- by the Criminal Investigation ies of ID cards should be kept in ment. With the growing Department (CID) of the case of people buying used items population in the country, ministry. such as mobile phones, computers there is demand for more In his welcome address, assist- and laptops. private clinics and hospitals, ant head of the criminal investi- First Lieutenant Ali Al Suwaidi especially in the specialised gation section at Rayyan Security from the Security Systems areas. However, the suc- Department, Captain Ali Hassan Department gave a presentation cess of a facility depends on Al Kuwari, said the seminar was on security cameras and CCTVs, many factors including the part of efforts to create a part- stressing that these systems location and how it is man- nership with owners and manage- should meet general and tech- aged,” said Al Khanji. ments of different companies with nical specifications stipulated the aim of protecting the com- for them in each industry and No new licence The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani and Arab League munity from crimes. certain conditions should be fol- Secretary-General Nabil Al Arabi during a press conference yesterday. First Lieutenant Abdullah lowed in using them. He added Dhamn Al Muhannadi, officer that security cameras should not issued for of crime investigation at Rayyan be installed in prohibited areas Coalition is legitimate representative Security Department, gave a lec- such as areas reserved for ladies, hospitals: SCH ture on precautionary measures to wash rooms and other such loca- be taken by financial institutions tions. The CCTV recordings have The Supreme Council of Continued from page 1 pave the way for elections in leaving the Palestinian and Arab and money exchanges to prevent to be kept for 120 days and should Health (SCH) has not issued The Arab leaders said the coali- their country to elect and install territories and decided to set up a incidents of theft and robbery. not be transferred to any other any new licences to open pri- tion is the legitimate representa- a government. Qatar-sponsored $1bn fund to save The lecture focused on secur- party without the permission of vate hospitals in the country tive of the Syrian people and had The declaration also talked the Arab character of Jerusalem. ing gates and windows, keeping the Department. and nobody is permitted to the right to hold meetings and in no uncertain terms of Israel THE PENINSULA cash and important documents in THE PENINSULA establish hospitals based on approvals given years ago, a senior SCH official has said. “Some approvals to open hospitals were given during 2006 and 2007. But those who 42 stalls to offer wide range of cuisines at food festival have got such approvals must submit new project propos- als, with all the required DOHA: The fourth Qatar the best food from Doha’s best five line-up of music and entertain- and the Ritz-Carlton. Those who offer country-themed food courts details. International Food Festival star restaurants. ment are other highlights of this wish to have more of a VIP experi- covering European, Arabic, “We have received propos- (QIFF), which opens tomor- New this year will be an year’s festival. ence can purchase a ticket to the American and Asian cuisine. als from several companies row, will feature 42 food stalls expanded range of zones for kids To celebrate Qatar UK Year of VIP Zone, which entitles guests to For family entertainment, but none of them have been offering a wide range of cuisines and families, including the Snack Culture 2013, the Qatar UK Zone a three-course meal. there is the Family Zone with given the final approval until from around the world. Zone and International Zone, will feature British food, as well At the Healthy Zone, diners playgrounds, kid’s entertainment now,” Dr Jamal Rashid Al Organised by Qatar Tourism each having 16 food stalls, and as traditional Qatari tents offer- can enjoy salads, smoothies and areas and snack kiosks. Khanji, director of the Quality Authority (QTA) and Qatar the Qatar UK Zone and Healthy ing Qatari food and hospitality. delicious low-fat treats. Perrier Entry to the event is free. Management Department at Airways, the four-day festi- Zone, with five stalls each. Visitors can indulge in Arabic will also have a tent for those who Vouchers for food and drinks will SCH said yesterday. val taking place at Museum of New restaurants from Doha’s sweets and high tea courtesy of wish to quench their thirst. be sold on site at the event. THE PENINSULA Islamic Art (MIA) Park will offer recently opened hotels and a great Hilton Hotel, St Regis Hotel Doha The International Zone will THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Ezdan to sponsor Civil Defence programmes Chairman Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Thani donates QR1m BY FAZEENA SALEEM community is part of our respon- will go to schools and public sibility, therefore we support all places and educate people about DOHA: A group of volunteers institutions which serve the com- how to be safe and react during will be trained by Civil Defence munity,” said Dr Khalid. emergency situations. Lectures, to create safety awareness He also toured the Civil workshops and competitions will among the public, particularly Defence headquarters and was be organised among students and among school students. briefed by Brigadier Al Suwaidi the public. Volunteers will be trained as on the equipment and services More training will be given to part of a comprehensive aware- provided by the department. Civil Defence staff to enhance ness programme Civil Defence The awareness campaign will their skills in handling crisis is planning to implement in the be held to ensure the safety and situations. year 2013- 2014 with the support security of all establishments The Civil Defence exhibition of Ezdan Holding Group. across the country. and conference will focus on how Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Brigadier Al Suwaidi, stressing to improve their services. bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman the importance of partnership A specially designed vehi- of Ezdan Holding Group, yester- between the private and public cle will tour schools and public day handed over a cheque for sectors, said: places, while art and theatre QR1m to Brigadier Abdullah “Ezdan has helped many ini- activities will be held across the Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director tiatives, and is now supporting country as part of the awareness General, General Directorate the awareness campaign of Civil campaign. of Civil Defence, at an event Defence, expressing its social A monthly Arabic magazine will held at the Civil Defence responsibility.” be published in English and Urudu Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman of Ezdan Holding Group, touring the headquarters of headquarters. A team of male and female vol- as well to reach more readers. Civil Defence with Brig Abdullah Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, General Directorate of Civil Defence, “We believe that helping the unteers trained by Civil Defence THE PENINSULA and other officials. ABDUL BASIT

Rota honours volunteers Team QSpark wins Qatar Imagine Cup DOHA: Reach Out To Asia (Rota) recently honoured vol- DOHA: Microsoft yesterday Institute. The competition was submitted by the five teams. category with a special prize. older, empowering them to use unteers and partners for their announced the winners of the hosted by Khalid Aboujassoum, “It has been very impressive Imagine Cup 2013 comprised their creative and technical abil- outstanding contribution to Qatar Imagine Cup, one of the winner of Qatar Foundations’ to see the scope and the innova- three competition tiers which ities to make a positive impact Wheels ‘n’ Heels Family Fun world’s premier student tech- Stars of Science 2012. tion displayed by all the teams included games, innovation and on society. Day — Qatar’s biggest commu- nology competitions. This year, teams in Qatar this year, their ideas are won- world citizenship. The Imagine Cup competition nity event of the year. Out of some 470 registra- developed original technolo- derful and have made the jobs Last year, the national team of spans one year, beginning with Dr Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh tions received this year, Team gies to help disabled citizens, of the judges very hard,” Dr Al four Qatari young women par- local contests and then going bin Nasser Al Thani, Rota Board QSpark won the competition manage airport queues, and Mulla said. ticipated in the worldwide finals on to online contests in over 100 Member, officials and dignitar- with its ‘Artouch’ project, reduce food waste, among As sponsor for the Innovation against 98 countries and made it countries/regions. ies attended the event, which which provides ways to vir- other projects. Category of the Imagine Cup to the top 20. The finalists qualify to honoured more than 130 vol- tually interact with exhibits “Qatar’s talented students in Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Microsoft’s Imagine Cup, attend the Worldwide Finals unteers, sponsors and partners’ in museums using Microsoft’s have a strong track record at Kuwait, and Oman, the which is the world’s largest stu- held in a different country representatives. Kinect sensor. Imagine Cup and will continue Emirates Group will award dent competition, is open to stu- every year. “I want to thank H E Sheikha The winner will repre- to make Qatar proud in St the winning students in this dents who are 16 years of age or THE PENINSULA Mayassa for her support in inspir- sent Qatar in the Worldwide Petersburg this year. We believe ing everyone living in Qatar to Finals to be held in July in in the ability of technology to embrace the event’s key message: St Petersburg, Russia with make a difference in our world, Live a healthy lifestyle through an opportunity to win over and combined with the inno- regular exercise, healthy food and $300,000 in prizes. vation and creativity of young a safe environment,” said Sheikha Imagine Cup Qatar, which people around the globe, it is a Aisha. She thanked Flagship concluded yesterday at the powerful force for change that Sponsor Maersk Oil, Leadership Hilton in Doha, showcased the we see every year at this compe- Sponsor Commercialbank and innovative ideas of five coun- tition,” Naim Yazbeck, Country Wheels ‘n’ Heels partners Qatar trywide final teams from local Manager at Microsoft Qatar, Cycling Federation, Aspire, universities. said. Child Cultural Centre, Al Sadd The competition gave stu- “The finals will give students Sports Club, Qatar Olympic dents in Qatar an opportunity a chance to share their ideas in Committee, Ooredoo, Qatar to bring their technology ideas a global forum among the best Cancer Association, Dhreima, to life with Microsoft resources young programmers, technolo- Kids on the Go and Civil Defence. and support. gists and designers in the world,” “I want to praise the contribu- The teams presented their Yazbeck said. tion of the volunteers whose hard ideas to a panel of judges which Dr Mohamed Al Mulla, work ensures Wheels ‘n’ Heels is included experts from Microsoft, Qapco VC and CEO, said he a success year after year, and to Qapco, Emirates Group, ictQatar, was very impressed with the extend my sincere appreciation and Qatar Computing Research high quality of the proposals to all the volunteers who partici- pated and demonstrated tireless commitment in contributing to the suc- cessful coordination of the Alfardan Group’s National Sports Day for Children with Special Needs,” she added. “On behalf of Rota, I want to express our sin- cere thanks for the out- standing efforts of all partners, donors, support- ers and volunteers,” said Director Essa Al Mannai. THE PENINSULA

Air India Express flights to operate from new airport DOHA: All Air India Express flights will be operating from the new Hamad International Airport beginning April 1, the company said yesterday. The airline’s summer schedule will be effective from March 31. The sched- ule will include direct daily flights to Kozhikode, daily flights to Kochi via Kozhikode, direct flights to/from Mumbai three times a week and direct flights to/from Mangalore. The daily flights to Kozhikode and Kochi will depart at 8.30pm. Flights to Mumbai on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday will depart at 5.55pm. The Friday flight to Mangalore will depart at 10.30am. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KHALID AL SAYED [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

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

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

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

A fruitful summit Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE Arab League summit which concluded in Doha yesterday was able to make some headway on a key issue on its agenda: The support for Syrian opposition. Obama’s drone killing slowly TSyria overshadowed other issues on the agenda and discussions and determination of leaders who attended the summit to bring the Syrian crisis to an early end resulted in some resolutions which can be termed a success. emerges from secret shadows The most remarkable achievement was the participation of opposition leader Ahmed Moaz Alkhatib as the representative BY CHRIS ANDERS of Syria. That should send a clear message to Bashar Al Assad and analysing foreign intelligence. as a matter of domestic law, military cov- about the future that awaits him. Assad’s regime has already That said, the CIA will not be gone from ert operations are rarer than CIA ones, been expelled from Arab capitals, and what remains is the HOULD we be happy or worried the killing programme. In the parlance and limited to times of war or when the capture of power by rebels, which is likely to happen soon. The that the CIA may, someday soon, of modern warfare, the goal of combat War Powers Resolution notification has Sno longer be able to order a drone is to “find, fix, and finish” the enemy. A been made. But the broad goal of the CIA Doha summit has acted to make this an immediate reality. pilot to shoot a Hellfire missile in some top congressional staffer told me that the killing programme of denying sponsor- Alkhatib was welcomed with huge applause at the summit faraway land? CIA will still “find and fix”, which means ship of strikes may be coming to an end. and Damascus, as expected, reacted furiously. According to several news reports, the the CIA will locate targets and keep Several members of Congress and key The summit affirmed the “right of every state to offer Obama administration may be moving them within American crosshairs. The staff believe a bigger real-world conse- all forms of self-defence, including military, to support the full control over its targeted killing pro- military alone, however, will have author- quence of military control will be fewer gramme to the Department of Defence, ity to order and carry out the “finish”, strikes. According to them, there are resistance of the Syrian people and the Free Syrian Army,” a provoking reactions among human rights which seems most often to mean kill the three reasons, owing a lot to the nature resolution said. Western nations have been baulking at helping advocates ranging from handwringing to target, but can mean capture or arrest. and traditions of the military. Syrian opposition militarily and the Arab decision to supply cautious praise. In some respects, this could be similar to The impact of Defence Department arms can help change the reality on the ground. Over the past five years, the CIA and what occurred after Obama ordered the authority over all killing decisions has Another significant achievement of the summit has been Pentagon have split who has author- CIA’s secret prisons closed and the torture also sparked its own debate on whether the setting up of a $1bn fund for ity over particular strikes. It may not and abuse of detainees to stop. The CIA there will be more or less oversight by have mattered to the about 4,700 peo- can still identify people for questioning Congress. The Senate confirmation hear- Jerusalem which was proposed by The setting up of ple left dead across several countries, and advise on the questions, but it can no ings for Brennan for CIA director made the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin but jockeying for longer be the prison warden, inquisitor, embarrassingly clear to everyone that $1bn Jerusalem Khalifa Al Thani in his opening control between or torturer. While it may still retain an Congress had not exercised much over- fund and offer of speech. The Emir announced the Pentagon important role in the killing programme, sight over the killing programme. Until Qatar’s contribution of $250m to and the CIA over taking away the CIA’s authority to order the hearings, the Senate intelligence crucial help for the fund and the summit adopted How much who has author- the trigger pulled is a big shift. committee had seen only two of an esti- ity over specific Although shifting all authority to the mated 11 legal opinions on the killing pro- Syrian opposition the his proposal. The Islamic difference does strikes and spe- military to “finish” a target won’t make gramme, and lacked even the most basic Development Bank, based in are some of the it make for a cific countries has the programme lawful or wise, it will have information, such as in what countries Jeddah, has been authorised to Pentagon finger been a background some real-world effects. The question is drones had been fired and what were the achievements of manage the fund. theme of the what could this shift mean for applicable level of civilian casualties. The fund is crucial for to fire a Hellfire Obama adminis- domestic legal authority, where and how It is hard to see how oversight could Arab Summit in tration’s killing often strikes will be carried out, congres- get worse if the Pentagon gets full control. countering the Judaisation of missile, rather than programme. sional oversight, and transparency? This is certainly an unanswered question, Doha. Jerusalem, which Israel has been the CIA’s? Some, Newly con- The cause of angst in the intelligence but several key congressional staffers have carrying out brazenly in the face but not enough. firmed CIA community is that the CIA losing author- pointed out that the CIA has only three of international opposition. The summit “called for setting up Director John ity to order strikes could mean the end Senate-confirmed officials compared to a fund to support Jerusalem to the value of $1bn to finance Brennan, who was of the armed drone programme as a cov- the Defence Department having dozens projects and programmes that would maintain the Arab and the architect of the programme while ert operation. This is a big deal. Under of officials, and all top officers, requiring serving as the White House counterter- American law, a covert operation is one Senate confirmation. The Pentagon also Islamic character of the city and reinforce the steadfastness of rorism adviser, was long reported to have that is designed and executed not only has a much more pervasive tradition of its people,” the draft resolution said. sought to switch all authority over the to be secret in its operations, but more being responsive to the Senate and House As the host of the summit, Qatar played a key role in killing programme away from the CIA importantly, to be set up so that its spon- armed services committees. As important negotiations and pushed for a unified stance on key issues. and to the Pentagon. News reports this sorship by the US can and will be denied. as congressional oversight is, transpar- Qatar has been in the forefront of support for Syrian week say that the White House is now The goal of a covert operation is to ency to the public is a necessary check opposition and the summit provided the country’s leaders considering a proposal to do just that, skirt many of the checks that should on the killing programme. The leak of the although maybe on an extended timeta- otherwise apply to the use of force in a “white paper” summary of a government another opportunity to work towards its goals. ble, and maybe with the CIA retaining foreign country. The objective is to try legal opinion authorising the killing of an Qatar has also been vigorously trying for reforms of the control for an even longer period over to duck being subjected to the laws of American citizen, combined with a spot- Arab League to help it meet aspirations of Arab people. But the drone campaign in Pakistan. war, to the domestic laws of the affected light on the programme in the wake of that is a tough task, and much remains to be done. Our hope is that just as President countries that prohibit killing, and to the the Brennan nomination, has woken up As the Emir noted at the closing session, the 24th summit Obama ordered the CIA out of the tor- worldwide opprobrium that should fol- Americans and the world to an enormous ture and prison business, he will order low death raining down from the sky in killing programme. was held in crucial circumstances. He praised the participation the CIA out of the killing business. The places where the US is not at war. THE GUARDIAN of Arab leaders and their contribution to the success of the CIA should go back to — if it ever truly While the president can authorize the gathering • was there — its core function of collecting military to carry out a covert operation The other side Quote of Myanmar’s road to democracy will not be without challenges the day

HE joy of long fought-for central city between the political capi- generals want to use the risk of vio- - 1st of its kind with a Western coun- democratic reform is so often tal Naypyidaw and commercial centre lence as justification for retaining their try,’’ as Gillard tweeted - but a fair bit marred by harsh reality. Without Mandalay. central role in government. Since 2011 of symbolism. Tchecks and balances, the Scores have been killed, thousands the former army general Thein Sein has Economic development is the best I resign in shift away from dictatorship towards are homeless and mosques lie in ashes. begun his nation’s slow walk out of hope for Myanmar. Poor economic contention with freedom can embolden the majority Last year hundreds were killed pariah status. He has hosted Barack management and corruption have to wield their new power against the when Buddhists and minority ethnic Obama and Hillary Clinton and secured left it without the skills base to take the decision to minority. Days after the 67-year-old Rohingyas, largely Sunni Muslims, hosting duties for the Association of full advantage of its potential. Hence President Thein Sein was warmly clashed in Rakhine state to the west. South-East Asian Nations conference Thein Sein’s request for Australia’s send the marines welcomed by Julia Gillard in the first With a long history of human rights next year. In Canberra Thein Sein and help in developing his country’s mining visit of a Myanmar leader to Australia abuses, critics of military elements in Gillard made a series of pledges by industry. But Myanmar’s dismal human back to India. in 39 years, more evidence emerged of the quasi-civilian government accuse Australia to help ease Myanmar back to rights record is not easily forgotten or The misgivings the challenges he faces. them of allowing unrest to fester. Some full membership of the family of nations. forgiven. Its treatment of Aung San On Friday the President declared a reports suggested police did little to There seems to be genuine sub- Suu Kyi, daughter of an independ- I expressed had state of emergency in Meiktila two days stop the Meiktila riots and even alleged stance behind the visit - ‘’Myanmar ence hero, is only the most visible of no effect on the after clashes began between majority backing for the agitators. signed a landmark agreement on its transgressions. Giulio Terzi Buddhists and minority Muslims in the The accusation is that the former development co-operation with Aus The Sydney Morning Herald decision taken. Italian Foreign Minister WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Clinton strongest-ever Time to think about nuke war prospect

BY TIM WEINER demand, through a Security frontrunner, if she runs Council vote, that all members of tart thinking the unthink- the nuclear club demonstrate their able. We as a nation have safety locks to the International The presidential bug to start talking about the Atomic Energy Agency and to Sprospects for nuclear war. the Security Council. Those that President Barack Obama says refuse would forfeit their seats hasn’t left her and Iran might have a bomb in a year. and their voting rights at the To hold back the day, the US and UN. This alone would reduce the Israel have conducted cyberwar, chances of war through accident she passionately and Israel has apparently assas- or misadventure. sinated Iranian scientists. But Paul Bracken, the US’s best wants to see a even if Israel attacks to stop Iran’s civilian expert on the command bomb making, the day will dawn. and control of nuclear weapons, woman president. What will we do if Israel threat- proposes a bold idea in his new ens Tehran with nuclear oblitera- book, “The Second Nuclear Age.” tion? What if North Korea aims The president, he writes, should BY ALBERT HUNT a warhead at Seoul? And what declare: “The US will not be the if the missiles start flying? Two first to use nuclear weapons under ast week, when Hillary Clinton dozen North Korean nuclear any circumstances.” In the same released a video announcing her weapons fired at Seoul and Toyko breath, he should add that it will support for gay marriage, Twitter could kill more people than all the use them if any other country goes went wild. Allied bombings of Germany and first. This would be a warning to It was totally expected — her Japan in the Second World War. A every nation: If you go first, you Lhusband and daughter took the same posi- nuclear battle in the Middle East, risk becoming a smoking, radiat- tion months earlier — and didn’t have as much one-sided or not, would be the most ing ruin in no time flat. Bracken political import as Ohio Republican Senator destabilising military event since knows whereof he speaks. He, too, Rob Portman’s announcement this month that Pearl Harbor. has stared into the abyss. he now favours same-sex marriage. Few American military and In June 1983, at the National The rules are different for Hillary Clinton. political leaders have thought War College on the banks of No non-incumbent in the history of contem- seriously about nuclear strategy the Potomac River, the first porary presidential politics ever looked so for- since the end of the Cold War. No truly realistic nuclear war game midable three years before an election. president has had a serious talk took place. Tensions between Ask almost any Democrat and the automatic with the nation about the world’s Washington and Moscow were assumption is that Clinton will be the party’s nuclear arsenal since Ronald high that summer, higher even 2016 nominee; a top West Virginia Democrat Reagan took a long hard look into than anyone realised at the time. predicts she would carry that state, which the abyss 30 years ago. The war game was code-named President Barack Obama lost 62 percent to 35 Our military commanders know Proud Prophet, and there were percent in 2012. Ask most Republicans who a thousand ways in which a war no stand- ins: Reagan’s secretary has the best shot to be the 45th President, and could start between Israel and Iran, of defence, his chairman of the they’ll acknowledge it is Clinton. on the Korean peninsula or in the Joint Chiefs of Staff and hundreds Hillary Clinton In conversations last week with more than Indian subcontinent. No one has of senior military officers played a half dozen Clinton associates — people who ever fought a nuclear war, however. themselves, holding in their hands know her very well politically or personally Over the past 60 years, only once, in 1988, focusing on global and domestic issues of No one knows how to end one. the actual war plans of the US — there was a consensus: She’s more likely has an incumbent party been given more prime concern and get some rest. We don’t need magical think- Proud Prophet began with to run than not. The presidential bug hasn’t than eight consecutive years in the White One of the reasons Democrats are so eager ing about abolishing the bomb. political crises from the left her and she passionately wants to see a House. for Clinton to run is that they have a weak We need to control the nuclear Mediterranean to the Pacific. It woman president. Still, her candidacy isn’t a Finally, what did she learn from the 2008 bench. Vice-President Joe Biden, popular arsenals of allies and enemies ended in Armageddon — “a catas- foregone conclusion; those who say they know, primary run? It was a disaster. She sought to within the party and a loyal and important alike. The US and the UN need trophe that made all the wars of don’t; and there are several pressing questions inherit the nomination rather than capture Obama lieutenant, would be almost 74 on to start working on a modern the past five hundred years pale outstanding. it. She ran as tough, hawkish, establishment Election Day 2016. That’s four years older than nuclear-arms control regime. in comparison,” Bracken writes. First is her health. She just went through candidate when most Democrats wanted an Reagan was in 1980, when he was the oldest A year is plenty of time to talk “A half billion human beings were a fairly serious illness in December that side- antiwar, anti-establishment nominee. Her man ever elected president. about the strategy, if we start killed in the initial exchanges and lined her for a month. She developed a blood campaign dissolved into chaos as she stub- New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s incurs talking sensibly. The US, Russia, at least that many more would clot, an ailment she had suffered at least bornly refused to change. Ultimately, she animosity with more than a few national China, Britain and France — the have died from radiation and star- once before. Doctors who stress they have no dumped her campaign manager and the Democrats and his controlling, secretive ways permanent members of the UN vation. Nato was gone. So was a knowledge of her particular condition say a chief strategist of the flawed effort, but it would be a challenge in a national campaign. Security Council — have placed good part of Europe, the US, and pattern of clots is worrisome. was too late. Would she pick better people Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, attrac- strong controls on their own the Soviet Union. Major parts of She’ll turn 69 a week before the 2016 elec- next time and master the profound changes tive and articulate, doesn’t seem ready for nuclear weapons, including safety the northern hemisphere would tion — younger than Ronald Reagan in 1980 in political elections? She might start with prime time. Democrats have a long tradition locks that prevent unauthorised be uninhabitable for decades.” or John McCain in 2008, and questions about Sasha Issenberg’s book, The Victory Lab, which of upending frontrunners by picking nominees or accidental launching. President The US military leaders were her age reflect sexism. But questions about describes the analytical revolution in US poli- such as George McGovern, Jimmy Carter and John F Kennedy was the first to not crazy or suicidal. They were whether she can still bring her extraordinary tics. In 1991, there was a so-called “Carville Obama. Hierarchical Republicans usually go announce that US and North faithfully executing plans and vibrancy to any political task don’t. primary,” as Democratic contenders vied for with the establishment candidate. Atlantic Treaty Organisation strategies that a tight little cir- Then there’s the health of the country the services of the hottest political consultant, Thus the cliche that Republicans like to forces would lock down nuclear cle of experts had been polishing in a few years. If the economy continues to James Carville. fall in line and Democrats like to fall in love. weapons deployed in Europe. and perfecting for a quarter of a improve and the world is relatively stable, her The equivalent this time might be the Teddy With Clinton — who has rebounded from After the Cuban missile crisis, century. The outcome shocked credentials to succeed and expand on Obama’s Goff primary, to earn the assistance of the a defeat better than any recent presiden- the Soviet Union secretly agreed them. After Proud Prophet, the record, to build a more prosperous middle digital wunderkind who directed social media tial aspirant, including Reagan post-1976 — to follow suit by imposing these US stopped rattling sabers and class and enhance America’s global standing, for the Obama campaign. Democrats want to fall in line. Republicans locks, known as permissive action started talking sense about the will be potent. Then, unlike in 2008, Clinton would have to are desperate to find a candidate to love. links, or PALs. prospects of nuclear war. In his If the world economy deteriorates and US adopt a strategy that fits the times. There is There are more than 1,000 days before any India, Pakistan, Israel, Iran and next State of the Union speech, unemployment hits double digits again or if no need for her to rush. She’s selectively stay- votes are cast. Another cliche is more telling: North Korea need to show the Reagan said: “A nuclear war can- there’s a conflict in the Middle East or on the ing in touch with key players, is expected to That’s an eternity in politics. world that they have their own not be won and must never be Korean Peninsula, all bets are off. write a book, settle into a role in a nonprofit WP-BLOOMBERG PALs in place. The UN should fought.” WP-BLOOMBERG Venezuelan challenger faces Chavez’s long shadow BY PETER WILSON was the closest-fought campaign Chávez’s death, to give himself just suspended talks to improve economy and soaring crime are the a position in the future, when of the late president’s 14-year more time to fortify his position. relations between Washington issues that resonate most with vot- things get tough for Maduro, to enezuelan presidential tenure. His stump speech hammers the and Caracas following US ers. Since the devaluation, prices offer Venezuelans a different path, candidate Henrique “The election is going to be a acting president, claiming that Undersecretary of State for Latin have soared. Although the official a different message.” Capriles Radonski is referendum on what kind of man, Maduro’s first 100 days in office America Roberta Jacobson’s call exchange rate is 6.3 bolivars to the So far, however, Maduro is Vhoping to complete a what kind of president Hugo have been a disaster, highlighted for Venezuela to stage free and dollar, it was trading at 26 on the sticking with a simple message: trifecta of victories against the Chávez was,” said Ray Walzer, a by the decision to devalue the transparent elections. black market in the days after I am the heir to Chávez; stick country’s vice presidents in next fellow at the Washington-based country’s currency by 32 percent. Capriles makes no secret of his Chávez’s death before falling back with me. Maduro’s campaign month’s election to choose a Heritage Foundation. “The prob- “Nicolás has been campaigning disdain for Maduro, constantly to 23.50. Basic foodstuffs such as literature prominently features successor to fallen leader Hugo lem for Capriles is that Venezuela ever since President Hugo Chávez calling him by his first name and coffee, sugar, cooking oil, corn meal, a picture of Chávez’s above the Chávez. is in a post-Chávez hangover now.” went for his treatment,” Capriles refusing to refer to him as presi- and meat — the prices of which are words “Maduro from the heart.” Back in 2008, Capriles upset Polls matching Capriles said in a meeting on March 12 dent, noting that he was never set by the government — remain Occasionally, the imitation verges Chávez’s right hand man and and Maduro and taken before with journalists. “We’re already elected to the position. He accuses scarce. on self-parody. Maduro has former Vice-President Diosdado Chávez´s death showed the lat- 100 days into Nicolas’ govern- Maduro of hiding behind Chávez’s “I may be a Chavista,” said started singing at public appear- Cabello — now head of the national ter with a strong double-digit ment and look where our country image to avoid taking blame for Nora Alvarez, a 28-year-old ances, just as Chávez did and has assembly — and was elected gov- lead, ranging from 10 to 15 per- is going. He is a bad imitation of bad decisions. housewife waiting in line outside started tweeting. ernor of the populous state of centage points. However, Capriles the president.” Maduro counters by accusing a supermarket in Caracas. “But But Maduro may have lost per- Miranda. Last December, he has come out swinging this time, There is little love lost between Capriles of dishonouring Chávez’s this is ridiculous. I am wasting haps the key prop in his election bested another former vice-pres- in marked contrast to his race the two men. During last year’s memory and of being disrespect- four hours just to buy 4 kilograms bid. It may be too late to embalm ident, Elías Jaua — now Foreign last year when some advisors felt campaign, Maduro insinuated ful to the president’s family. (He of corn meal. We never went Chávez’s body to have it placed on Minister — to win reelection. he was too deferential to the ail- that Capriles, who is single, was was neither invited nor allowed through this before.” permanent display, Maduro said Both of these were impres- ing president and didn’t attack gay. Other Maduro backers have to attend the funeral.) Maduro Crime is also surging. Maduro last weekend. The government sive victories — the government Chávez’s policies enough. They whispered that Capriles is Jewish, has also been careful to identify said last week that he would had planned to place the former spent heavily in hopes of oust- also faulted him for not respond- which he isn’t. himself as “a son of Chávez,” and seek to talk to the leaders of president’s remains in a glass case ing him — but the third victory ing to Chávez’s personal insults. Maduro stepped up the accusa- constantly sprinkles his speeches Venezuela’s crime gangs to con- so he could inspire future genera- will undoubtedly be the toughest. “Candidate Capriles is going to tions in early March, internation- with references to the fallen vince them put down their arms. tions and influence elections. Capriles, who is regarded as the be much more forceful this time, alizing the dispute, when he said leader. He often speaks in pub- Failing that, he said he would send “There are difficulties and opposition’s best, and perhaps more direct and questioning,” said that Capriles had gone to the US lic with a picture of Chávez in in the police, national guard, and those difficulties may make it only, hope to retake the coun- an advisor to the challenger, who to conspire to overthrow the gov- the background, looking over his army to hunt them down. Capriles impossible to do what they did try’s presidency, is facing acting spoke on condition of anonym- ernment with the collusion of US shoulder, much like his old boss and members of the opposition to Lenin, Ho Chi Minh, or Mao,” President Nicolás Maduro, whom ity. “Last time he was too polite, intelligence agents. Capriles said did with Simon Bolivar. ridiculed Maduro’s entreaty, say- Maduro said. Chávez chose as his vice-president which was viewed as a weakness. the trip (he visited Miami and New “Maduro isn’t Chávez but ing it was unrealistic to hope the But Maduro’s backers may in October. In addition to access This time, the gloves are off.” York the week prior to Chávez’s then he doesn’t need to be,” said gangs would voluntarily give up not need the former president’s to the substantial resources of Capriles has wasted no time on death) was to visit family members, David Smilde, a senior fellow at their life of crime. corpse to win. They are spending the state, Maduro is riding high going on the attack since accept- and tweeted photos of himself with the Washington Office for Latin “This election is an important freely to get their message out, on a wave of public sympathy for ing the nomination from the his nephews. America. “He is still basking in one for Capriles and the opposi- plastering Chávez’s image in their Chávez, who died March 5 after opposition coalition front to con- Now, and somewhat bizarrely, the glow of Chávez.” tion to get their ideas out there, campaign signs and advertise- a two-year bout with cancer. It’s test the April 14 election. He has Maduro has accused Washington Smilde noted that Capriles needs to get a message to the country ments. El Comandante may not also Capriles’s second presidential repeatedly charged that Maduro, of plotting the assassination of to stop mentioning Chávez as the that they have alternative poli- be there in person but his shadow race in less than a year: Chávez 50, lied to the Venezuelans about Capriles. The government has root of all ills, and start sharing his cies, and ideas for the country,” and memory still looms large. beat him last October, though it the date and circumstances of already expelled US officials and plans for the future. Venezuela’s said Smilde. “Then he will be in WP-BLOOMBERG WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST No Patriot missiles to Syria: US BRIEFLY Opposition appeals for Nato support

WASHINGTON/DOHA: people,” Ventrell told reporters. The White House said yester- “But in terms of recognition as a day that Nato would not pro- government, we’re not there yet,” vide Patriot missile batteries he stressed. to protect rebel strongholds in Moaz AlAlkhatib, who on Syria, following a request from Sunday announced his resig- opposition chief Ahmed Moaz nation as leader of the Syrian Kidnapped Israel, AlAlkhatib. opposition coalition, took to the Alkhatib asked for an exten- podium in the Qatari capital to Norway tourists sion of the umbrella provided by blame Assad for the continuing Patriot positions on the Turkish bloodshed in a “struggle between freed in Sinai border designed to intercept any freedom and slavery, justice and missiles fired from the Syrian tyranny” and reveal that he was CAIRO: An Israeli man and a side, as he took his seat at the awaiting an answer from the US Norwegian woman kidnapped Arab League summit in Doha. about his call to use Patriot mis- by armed Bedouin tribesmen “We are aware of the request,” siles in Turkey to protect civilians in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula four White House spoksman Jay from the regime’s air power. days ago were set free yester- Carney said. “We are still waiting for a deci- day, Egyptian and Norwegian “At this time, Nato does not sion from Nato to protect people’s officials said. The pair, who intend to intervene militarily in lives, not to fight but to protect had been abducted on Friday, Syria,” Carney said. lives,” Alkhatib said. were released thanks to the “I think that a Patriot mis- Opposition officials also said “efforts” of Bedouin tribes- sile battery would follow the they expected Britain and France men, said an Egyptian secu- definition of military assistance,” to make good on pledges to sup- rity official cited by Mena state Carney said, adding that Patriot ply weapons to the Free Syrian news agency.They were in good anti-missile batteries in Turkey Army — the main opposition health, and were freed in the were for self-defense only. fighting formation — if other EU early hours of the morning by Carney added, however, that member states insisted on main- tribal leaders, said the agency, the White House was constantly taining their arms embargo. The Ahmed Moaz AlAlkhatib, head of the Syrian opposition delegation, attending the opening of the Arab League without giving further details reviewing its policies in Syria, coalition would also be seeking Summit in Doha, yesterday. about the conditions for their which have seen Washington give to take over the Syrian seat at release. hundreds of millions of dollars in the UN, despite certain opposi- to withdraw his resignation in Western governments will be In Damascus, the government humanitarian aid but stop short tion from Russia and China, the exchange for widening the coali- relieved that Alkhatib appears lambasted as “shameful” the Arab of providing “lethal” military help. officials said. tion to include more women, more to have turned a leadership cri- League’s move to allow the oppo- Gunman wounds AlAlkhatib said in Doha that he Alkhatib, a respected former members of Assad’s Alawite com- sis into an opportunity for change sition to take the Syrian seat. The had asked US Secretary of State imam of the Umayyad mosque in munity and other minorities, and but remain concerned at the league had “exchanged its Arab foreign Red Cross John Kerry to extend the Patriot Damascus, made no mention of his more people inside Syria, which ability of the opposition to over- identity for a Zionist-American missile protection into northern resignation in his statesmanlike and would weaken the power of the come divisions and factionalism. one”, complained an editorial in worker in Yemen Syria, and that Kerry had “prom- widely praised summit speech that Muslim Brotherhood relative to Another issue is the often fraught the state-run Al-Thawra news- ised to look into the matter.” focused on the right of the Syrian other groups. relationship between exiled politi- paper. Recognising the opposition SANA’A: An aid worker for “We are still awaiting a deci- people to determine their own future Alkhatib expressed full con- cal leaders and armed fighters on “legitimises terrorist acts that are the International Committee sion from Nato on this matter,” free of external meddling. fidence in Ghassan Hitto, a the ground. committed overtly and blatantly of the Red Cross from AlAlkhatib said. “I convey to you the greet- US-based IT executive who was Alkhatib defended the presence against the Syrians”, it said. Kazakhstan was shot and A top State Department offi- ings of the orphans, widows, the chosen as prime minister of a of foreign fighters in the upris- Syria will be concerned at the wounded by unidentified gun- cial was also cool to AlAlkhatib’s wounded, the detained and the Syrian transitional government ing but urged those needed by obvious parallel - the league’s rec- men in the Yemeni capital yes- demand for the Syrian opposi- homeless,” he told the gathering and was widely seen as the can- their families to go home. a small ognition of the Libyan opposition terday, a security official said. tion coalition, which he heads, to at a glittering conference centre didate of Qatar and the Muslim concession to western concerns to Muammar Gaddafi months The victim was in an ICRC car take up Syria’s seat at the United in Doha. Syrians, the only people Brotherhood. Opposition officials about the rise and proliferation before he was overthrown by when she was shot in a street Nations, saying that would be up in the world whose bakeries were said they hoped Hitto would con- of jihadi-type groups such as Nato-backed rebels. Syrian state in Sanaa, the official said. He to the UN. bombed by fighter jets, had paid solidate a governing presence on Jabhat Al Nusra. But he also said TV did not cover the summit said she was in critical con- “We recognise the Syrian “a bloody price” in their struggle the ground in liberated areas of advisers from Iran, Russia and meeting, broadcasting a pro- dition but an ICRC spokes- Opposition Coalition as the legiti- for freedom. Syria while Alkhatib would lead Lebanon’s Hezbollah all Assad gramme on makeup for women woman in Geneva said the aid mate representative of the Syrian Aides said Alkhatib was likely the wider diplomatic campaign. allies should leave. instead. AGENCIES worker was not seriously hurt. Her nationality was initially given as Russian but Yemeni officials and the Russian Foreign Ministry said later she New sectarian Busted spy cell directly linked to Iran: Saudi was a citizen of Kazakhstan. kidnapping Palestinians need RIYADH: Saudi Arabia important sites”. The investiga- Riyadh has also accused an community and expressed doubt said yesterday that people it tion is ongoing, he added. unnamed foreign power, which over the veracity of the spying $1.4bn foreign aid in Lebanon arrested on suspicion of spying Riyadh announced a week ago officials have privately named charges. this month had direct links to it had arrested 16 Saudis, an as Iran, of stirring unrest The 16 Saudis arrested included to meet budget BAALBEK, LEBANON: the intelligence services of Iran, Iranian and a Lebanese on suspi- among its own Shia minority, a paediatric doctor, a univer- Gunmen from a Shia clan kid- its main rival for influence in cion of spying. something Tehran has denied. sity professor and a banker as RAMALLAH: The napped a man from a Sunni the Gulf. Iran denied on Sunday that Saudi Arabia also points to an well as two well-known clerics. Palestinian Authority was town in Lebanon yesterday in “Preliminary investigations, it was linked to spying in Saudi alleged Iranian plot, announced Relatives and friends of some of debating a draft budget the latest incident of sectarian physical evidence which has been Arabia. by United States police in 2011, to those arrested said they did not amounting to $3.9bn, of which kidnaps related to the conflict collected and statements from The allegation marks an assassinate the kingdom’s ambas- believe the men had strong politi- it said $1.4bn would have to in Syria, a security official said. the accused in this case have escalation in friction between sador in Washington. Iran denied cal views. come from foreign financing. “Gunmen from the Jaafar clan shown a direct link between the two major oil producers, that too. In a statement issued by 37 Prime minister Salam Fayyad kidnapped a man from the town members of this cell and Iran’s which face each other across Iran said last week a drunk Saudi Shia leaders last week, lamented a lack of payment of Arsal,” in northern Lebanon, intelligence apparatus,” said the Gulf. Saudi diplomat had killed an including religious leader of foreign aid as he pre- the official said. a security spokesman for the Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia Iranian national in a car accident. Ayatollah Hassan Al Saffar, they sented the 2013 draft budget The wave of sectarian kidnap- Interior Ministry quoted by the and Shia Iran have backed oppos- Riyadh has denied the diplomat accused the government of using to politicians and economists pings began on Sunday when official news agency. ing sides in armed conflicts and was drunk. the spying charges to escalate sec- in Ramallah, the seat of the Hussein Kamel Jaafar, 37, was He said Iranian intelligence had political struggles across the Members of Saudi Arabia’s tarian tension to detract public Palestinian Authority. kidnapped by unidentified assail- paid the suspects “in exchange for Middle East, particularly in Syria Shi’ite Muslim minority said the attention from other issues. AGENCIES ants, and reportedly taken into information and documents about and in Bahrain. arrested men were from their REUTERS Syria. In revenge, armed men from the clan have kidnapped 12 resi- dents of Arsal, two of whom have Waiting for water been released. Yesterday, the army deployed in the Sharawni district of Egypt activist released Lebanon’s Baalbek, where many members of the Jaafar clan live, searching homes for captives. CAIRO: A prominent Egyptian Douma, Karim Al Shaer, Hazem found to be involved. Residents say there were political activist accused Abdel Azeem and Ahmed Al The opposition accuses the attempts to negotiate a settle- of inciting violence against Sahafi still face arrest orders but public prosecutor of being biased ment between residents of Arsal President Mohammed Mursi’s refused to show up at the prose- toward the Muslim Brotherhood. and the Jaafar clan, but the bid Muslim Brotherhood was cutor general’s office, their lawyer, “They will keep searching for fell through before the kidnap. released without bail yester- Tamer Gomaa said. people until they find them and The majority of Arsal’s inhab- day after he turned himself in In a statement, the prosecutor arrest them. They have no option itants support the revolt in for questioning, the prosecutor general’s spokesman said Abd El but to do this. It is a political neighbouring Syria, while most general’s office said. Fattah had come in for question- case and that is why people do of the population of Hermel and Alaa Abd El Fattah, a blog- ing but did not mention the four not want to go,” said Khaled Baalbek, where the Jaafar clan is ger who became a symbol of the others. Dawoud, spokesman for the based, are Shias who back Syrian uprising that overthrew Husni The activists were accused National Salvation Front, an President Bashar Al Assad’s Mubarak in 2011, was among five of inciting aggression, destruc- alliance of liberal and leftist regime. activists the prosecutor general tion of property and disturb- opposition parties. The conflict in Syria has exac- ordered on Monday be arrested ing civil peace in street clashes Mursi’s opponents accuse him erbated tensions in Lebanon. — a step the opposition decried as near the Muslim Brotherhood’s and the Brotherhood of seeking The Sunni-led March 14 political a reversal for democracy. headquarters on Friday, when to dominate the post-Mubarak movement supports the rebels, Abd El Fattah said on his at least 130 people were era. The Brotherhood has in while the powerful Shia move- Twitter feed after questioning: hospitalised. turn accused the opposition of ment Hezbollah and its allies back “In general, I refused to answer Two of the country’s top oppo- failing to respect democratic Assad, an Alawite whose faith is all the questions because the sition papers on Tuesday criti- rules. an offshoot of Shia. prosecutor general is not neutral.” cised the arrest orders. Daily Al The Brotherhood on Monday The latest incidents come seven “There are no witnesses, no Dostour in an editorial accused filed a formal legal complaint months after dozens of foreigners, investigations, no facts, nothing,” the president and the Muslim against 169 people, including lead- mostly Syrians, were abducted by he said. Brotherhood of a “criminal plan” ers of political parties, it accused another Shia clan, Al Muqdad. The arrest orders seemed and “implementing exceptional of inciting or carrying out Friday’s Once dominated politically and certain to deepen mistrust in laws” as well as “blockading violence. militarily by Damascus, Lebanon an already polarized political politicians.” “The Brotherhood decided to is sharply divided over the war in landscape, further complicating The arrest warrants follow a follow all those who called for and Syria — which the United Nations Mursi’s efforts to build bridges threat on Sunday by Mursi to incited these protests or partici- says has killed at least 70,000 peo- Palestinian boys and girls hold plastic containers as they wait to fillup with his opponents before parlia- take steps to protect the nation pated in them by all legal means,” ple since March 2011 — and has their cans with fresh water from the desalination station in Deir Al Balah mentary polls which they threat- following Friday’s clashes. Mursi Brotherhood leader Mohamed seen frequent violence linked to refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, yesterday. ened to boycott. said “necessary measures” would Badie said yesterday. the conflict. AFP The other four activists Ahmed be taken against any politicians REUTERS WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

White Easter Italy court likely as cold hits Europe, US orders retrial WARSAW: Freak blizzards and freezing weather over the first few days of spring have hit Europe and parts of the United States, causing fatal cases of hypothermia, power outages in Knox case and transport chaos. In Poland, five people have died from exposure since spring News painful, says US woman arrived on March 21 as overnight temperatures plunged to a bone- chilling minus 24 dgerees Celsius. ROME: In an astonishing more than one killer had been This pushed the total death toll legal about-turn, Italy’s highest involved. Knox returned to the this month to 25. appeal court yesterday quashed United States immediately after Bad weather has also claimed the acquittal of US student her release in 2011 and will likely at least two lives on the British Amanda Knox over the sexual be tried in absentia. If she is con- mainland where media have assault and brutal murder of victed definitively, Italy may seek dubbed the unseasonably icy her British housemate in 2007 her extradition but the United month “Miserable March.” and ordered a retrial. States does not normally hand The military was called into Knox and her Italian former over its citizens for legal action. action yesterday to airdrop fod- boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito — Sollecito, who turned 29 yes- der to farms cut off by freak snow originally sentenced to 26 and terday, continued to protest his as thousands of homes remained 25 years in prison for killing innocence, saying he would “carry without power for a fifth Meredith Kercher — were acquit- on with my head held high”. straight day. A Royal Air Force ted on appeal in 2011 after four Prosecutors called on the court (RAF) helicopter was deployed years behind bars. Monday to “make sure the final in Northern Ireland in a bid to Both now face a retrial in a curtain does not drop on this reach remote farms where up to Florence court after judges upheld shocking and dire crime,” saying 10,000 animals are believed to a prosecution appeal against their the acquittal contained “omis- have been buried beneath snow- acquittals, although no date has sions and many mistakes”. drifts six metres high. British yet been set. Prosecutor general Luigi bookmakers used to offering bets Knox, 25, said the news was Riello had described it as “a rare Farmer Donald O’Reilly searches for sheep trapped in a snow drift near weakened animals that had just been on a White Christmas now say “painful” and insisted “the prose- mix of violation of the law and rescued, in the Aughafatten area of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, yesterday. At least 140,000 homes and a White Easter this weekend is cution’s theory of my involvement illogicality.” businesses in Northern Ireland were left without power over the weekend following heavy snowfall, causing more likely than not. in Meredith’s murder has been The third accused, Ivory Coast- snowdrifts of up to 5 metres. AFP repeatedly revealed to be com- born drifter Rudy Guede, who pletely unfounded and unfair”. has also denied the murder, is “No matter what happens, my the only person still in prison for family and I will face this con- the crime. Kercher family law- tinuing legal battle as we always yer Francesco Maresca punched have, confident in the truth and the air in victory at the court with our heads held high in the decision. Dog search requires warrant: US top court face of wrongful accusations and “This decision serves to review unreasonable adversity,” she said the definitive and final truth of WASHINGTON: The US “But introducing a trained decision for all citizens, because it kilogrammes) of marijuana were in a statement. Meredith’s murder. Guede was Supreme Court yesterday lim- police dog to explore the area helps ensure their right of privacy found inside, leading to Jardines’ Knox’s lawyer Carlo Dalla not alone, the judges will tell us ited the ability of police to use around the home in hopes of dis- in the places where they live,” he arrest. Blumberg said Jardines is Vedova told journalists outside who was there with him,” he said. a trained dog to sniff around covering incriminating evidence is said in a phone interview. now in a Florida state prison on the Rome courthouse that the Kercher’s older sister Stephanie the outside of a home for illegal something else,” he added. “There Gregory Garre, a former US unrelated charges, but that yes- Seattle student was upset but said her family welcomed the drugs that might be inside. is no customary invitation to solicitor general who argued terday’s decision ends the case “willing to fight”. Kercher, 21, was ruling. There are “still questions By a 5-4 vote, the court said do that.” Florida’s appeal, did not imme- stemming from the dog’s search. found half-naked with her throat that are unanswered and we are the use by law enforcement For purposes of the Fourth diately respond to a request for The decision is the court’s sec- slashed in a pool of blood in her all looking to find out the truth,” authorities of trained police dogs Amendment, Scalia said, “the comment. ond this term addressing whether bedroom in the house in the uni- she told Sky News. to investigate a home and its home is first among equals.” Franky’s handler, Detective law enforcement authorities com- versity town of Perugia that she The key to the appeal was immediate surroundings was a The decision upheld a 2011 rul- Douglas Bartelt, had let the dog plied with the Fourth Amendment shared with Knox in November an independent analysis of two “search” within the meaning of ing by the Florida Supreme Court smell near the base of the front in obtaining drug evidence based 2007. Prosecutors alleged that she pieces of evidence that had helped the Fourth Amendment of the suppressing evidence uncovered door of the home near Miami on a sniffer dog’s “alert.” was killed in a drug-fuelled sex convict Knox and Sollecito — a US Constitution, and required at Joelis Jardines’ home with after receiving an anonymous tip On February 19, the court had attack, claiming Knox delivered kitchen knife and Kercher’s bra a warrant. the help of Franky, a chocolate about marijuana growing inside. unanimously allowed the search the final blows while Sollecito and clasp. An appeals judge quashed “A police officer not armed with Labrador retriever with a strong Only after the dog sat down, of a pickup truck, saying the han- a third defendant held the victim the 2009 convictions after experts a warrant may approach a home record of sniffing out drug stashes. signalling an “alert” that some- dler of a dog that had signalled down. Investigators insist that and video evidence pointed to and knock, precisely because that Howard Blumberg, a public thing was amiss, did the police the presence of drug ingredients 47 knife wounds on Kercher and sloppy practice among the police is no more than any private citi- defender who argued Jardines’ obtain a warrant to search inside. inside could reasonably believe the apparent use of two different at the crime scene and possible zen might do,” Justice Antonin appeal, said he was pleased by The tip proved accurate and that the dog was reliable. knives in the attack meant that contamination of evidence. AFP Scalia wrote for the majority. the ruling. “It’s a very important more than 25 pounds (11.3 REUTERS

Russian tycoon Strumming Boris hanged himself: SpaceX capsule Croatia gets nod to leaves ISS after Post-mortem join European Union three-week stay LONDON: A post-mortem WASHINGTON: An examination on the body BRUSSELS: Brussels deemed EU targets in the field of anti- unmanned, privately-owned US of exiled Russian oligarch Croatia ready to become the trust and merger measures and space capsule which delivered and Kremlin critic Boris 28th European Union member judicial reforms. supplies to the International Berezovsky has found the in July in a final report issued But it noted that more progress Space Station undocked from cause of death to be “consist- yesterday stating that it com- was needed in fighting corruption the orbiting outpost yester- ent with hanging”, British plied with EU rules, though and organised crime. day and started heading home, police said. more work was needed to fight “The level of sentences in NASA said. The findings of a pathologist crime and corruption. organised crime cases remains SpaceX’s Dragon capsule was said there was no sign of a vio- The report from the EU low. Also in the area of corrup- de-linked from the ISS by crew lent struggle. executive said Croatia had suc- tion court sentences are low; very using a robotic arm, ending a mis- Detectives are focusing on cessfully completed a string of often suspended sentences are sion of just over three weeks. At 67-year-old tycoon’s state of EU-requested reforms in 10 areas pronounced,” it said, noting too the point of disengagement, the mind in the final days of his ranging from restructuring its that the amounts of assets that capsule was 344 kilometers over life. His friends have said he shipbuilding industry to recruit- were seized and confiscated in southern Australia. had been deeply depressed ing more border police. such cases “remains limited”. Dragon delivered 544 kilos of in recent weeks and was left “The (European) Commission In Zagreb, EU Enlargement food, scientific material and other distraught by his defeat last concludes that Croatia will be Commissioner Stefan Fuele pre- equipment during SpaceX’s sec- year in a multi-million-pound ready to join the European Union sented the report to Croatian ond resupply mission to the space court battle with Roman on July 1, 2013,” the report said. government. “Today’s report is a station, which currently has a Abramovich, another Britain- It “has shown the will and ability clean bill of health, but to remain crew of two Americans, three based Russian oligarch who to fullfil all outstanding commit- healthy, you cannot fall asleep on Russians and a Canadian. owns English Premier League ments in good time before acces- the laurels,” Fuele told report- Once it was far enough away football club Chelsea. sion”. Aspiring EU entrants are ers in English, urging Croatian from the ISS, Dragon was to fire Berezovsky’s body was found required to upgrade legislation in authorities to focus specifically up its orbital engines for about in his locked bathroom at his line with the 27-nation bloc’s val- on the fight against corruption. 10 minutes. mansion in Ascot, an upmarket ues, rules and regulations during Croatian Prime Minister Zoran The capsule is returning to town to the west of London, on the accession process. Milanovic said his cabinet would Earth much heavier than on its Saturday. AFP Brussels’ 15-page final report not stop there but would work to outbound journey, as it will be gave Croatia good marks for pri- bring the country into the visa- carrying more than 2,600 pounds London Mayor Boris Johnson (left) poses with singer-songwriter vatising and restructuring its free Schengen zone by the end of equipment from experiments Misha B at a photocall to launch “Gigs 2013”, an annual busking music shipyards as well as for meeting of 2015. AFP conducted on the ISS. AFP Teen girl dies after competition in London Bridge Station, yesterday. mauling by dogs LONDON: A 14-year-old girl was found dead in Britain yes- Germany uneasy after Russia security forces raid NGOs terday after apparently being mauled by five “out of control” dogs, police said. Police were BERLIN: Germany yester- the ambassador to Berlin, had In diplomatic terms, the invita- raids last week. It said security can lead to a strain in our (dip- called to a house in Atherton, day expressed its “concern” been “invited” for a conversation tion marked a clear form of pro- forces confiscated computers, lomatic) relations with Russia.” near Manchester in northwest to the number two envoy of at the request of Foreign Minister test but stopped short of a formal citing checks for proper software In Brussels, EU foreign policy England, where they found the the Russian embassy in Berlin Guido Westerwelle. summons to the ministry. licensing. chief Catherine Ashton said the body and “were confronted by over fresh raids against pro- “The concern of the German The move came as the Konrad “This morning’s intrusion is raids, along with other measures, a number of dogs that were democracy NGOs as part of government in light of the con- Adenauer Foundation (KAS), a alarming and in no way accept- pointed to a trend in Russia that aggressive and out of control”, a what activists have called a certed action against several political think-tank with close able,” KAS president Hans-Gert was “deeply troubling”. statement said. Four of the dogs crackdown. non-governmental organisa- ties to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Poettering, a former speaker of Westerwelle had condemned were put down humanely by A foreign ministry source tions including political founda- Christian Democratic Union, said the European Parliament, said in the initial raids Friday, saying he armed response officers. said the Russian diplomat Oleg tions was conveyed to him,” the its St Petersburg offices were the a statement. was “very concerned” by develop- AFP Krasnitzki, second in rank behind source said. target of a second search after “This interference in our work ments. AFP WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Japan pledges N Korea threatens US mainland poll study TOKYO: The government promised yesterday to exam- Pyongyang’s army to place artillery troops and strategic rocket units in combat readiness ine the voting system after courts ruled that some gen- SEOUL: North Korea’s mili- troop movement,” a South Korean eral election results were tary put its “strategic” rocket defence ministry spokesman said. unconstitutional. Judges said units on a war footing yes- Addressing a ceremony for the the disparity in the number terday, with a fresh threat to 46 sailors who died in the 2010 of voters in some constituen- strike targets on the US main- Cheonan incident, South Korean cies meant the value of each land, Hawaii and Guam, as well President Park Geun-Hye warned vote varied greatly to be fair. as South Korea. Pyongyang that its only “path to Despite the ruling, which The move came as South Korea survival” lay in abandoning its affects three seats, results marked the third anniversary of nuclear and missile programmes. from last December’s general the sinking of its naval vessel The North has always denied election which swept Shinzo “Cheonan” by what Seoul insists sinking the Cheonan, but a Abe to power will not be was a North Korean submarine. few months later it launched overturned. “All artillery troops includ- an artillery attack on a South ing strategic rocket units and Korean border island, killing BBC suspends long-range artillery units are to four people. be placed under class-A combat Military tensions on the Lanka services readiness,” the Korean People’s Korean peninsula have been at Army (KPA) supreme command an elevated level for months, fol- LONDON: The BBC said said in a statement. lowing December’s rocket launch yesterday it was suspend- The units should be prepared and the North’s third nuclear ing World Service FM radio to attack “all US military bases test which it carried out last broadcasts in Sri Lanka in the Asia-Pacific region, includ- month. Both triggered UN sanc- due to “continued interrup- ing the US mainland, Hawaii and tions that infuriated the North, tion and interference” in its Guam” and South Korea, said the which has spent the past month Tamil programming. English statement carried by the Korean issuing increasingly threatening and Tamil services broadcast Central News Agency. statements about unleashing an via Sri Lankan Broadcasting Despite a successful long-range “all-out war” backed by nuclear Corporation will be stopped rocket launch in December, most weapons. with immediate effect, it said. experts believe North Korea is It was particularly incensed years from developing a genuine that nuclear-capable US B-52 Pangolins seized inter-continental ballistic missile bombers flying out of Andersen that could strike the mainland Air base on Guam took part in by Thai navy United States. recent joint South Korea-US mili- Hawaii and Guam would tary exercises. BANGKOK: The Thai also be outside the range of its The latest threat came days navy yesterday said it had medium-range missiles, which after the South Korean and intercepted wildlife traffick- would be capable, however, of US militaries signed a new South Korean conservative activists burn the effigies of North Korea's late president Kim Il-Sung and his late son ers attempting to smuggle striking US bases in South Korea pact, envisaging a joint military Kim Jong-Il during a rally in Seoul yesterday to mark the third anniversary of the 2010 sinking of the naval vessel 104 endangered pangolins to Cheonan and Japan. response to even low-level provo- . China on the Mekong River. North Korean leader Kim cation by North Korea. The creatures, prized for Jong-Un has spent the past few While existing agreements allows Seoul to request any addi- He also reiterated that South they were the victims of a coor- their skin, scales and meat weeks touring frontline military provide for US engagement in tional US military force it deems Korea’s response to any provo- dinated cyber attack. and hunted in Southeast units, monitoring live fire artil- the event of a full-scale conflict, necessary. cation would not only target the Free North Korea Radio, Daily Asia, are believed to have lery drills and making inflamma- the new protocol addresses the In an open letter to troops origin of the attack, “but also NK and North Korea Intellectuals originated in Malaysia or tory speeches about wiping out response to a limited provoca- published to mark the Cheonan its supporting and commanding Solidarity, all operated by defec- southern Thailand. The pan- the enemy. tion such as an isolated incident anniversary, South Korea’s, Kim forces.” tors, said their servers crashed golins were on their way to “We are closely monitoring of cross-border shelling. Kwan-Jin, said there was a “high Specialist anti-North Korean simultaneously on Tuesday Laos and then finally China. the situation. So far there has It guarantees US support for possibility” the North’s threats websites and organisations run afternoon. Two suspects were arrested. been no particular North Korean any South Korean retaliation and might be translated into action. by defectors in South Korea said AGENCIES Taiwan to hold major army drill TAIPEI: Taiwan yesterday Temple wins bid unveiled plans for its big- China defends action Manila-Milf peace gest live fire military exer- on ‘embassy’ cise since 2008 to review its defence capability against a TOKYO: A Buddhist tem- simulated Chinese invasion. against Vietnam boat ple yesterday won an auction talks to continue The operation will take place for North Korea’s de facto on April 17 on the Penghu BEIJING: China said yes- has entered China’s waters for embassy in Japan, after it MANILA: The Sabah issue maintained. islands in the middle of the terday it was “legitimate and illegal activity. “According to veri- was seized by authorities for will not get in the way of gov- The annexes are in the frame- strait that separates Taiwan necessary” for it to take action fication with the relevant party, unpaid debts. ernment efforts to forge a peace work agreement signed in October from the Chinese mainland. against Vietnamese vessels that no damage was caused to the The Saifukuji temple in deal with the Moro Islamic last year. entered its waters illegally, after fishing boat from Vietnam at the southwestern Kagoshima Liberation Front, President Last week, presidential spokes- Cameras for Hanoi accused it of attacking a time.” Hong declined to confirm topped the bidding, making an Aquino said. man Edwin Lacierda disclosed fishing boat. whether the Chinese vessel had offer of 4.52bn yen ($48m), a “The Sabah issue should not that only two of the annexes tigers census A Vietnamese boat was fishing shot at the Vietnamese boat when temple secretary said. There affect the ongoing talks with the remained to be discussed in the near the contested Paracel Islands asked about the incident. had been speculation that any Milf,” he added, confirming that framework before a comprehen- DHAKA: Bangladesh is to last week when it was “chased and Vietnam and its giant neigh- new owner could turf out the negotiations will push through sive agreement could be signed. launch next month a census shot at by a Chinese vessel” setting bour have long-standing terri- North Koreans, but temple as scheduled. Malaysia is a third “The only thing that’s left in of tigers living in the world’s the cabin on fire, Hanoi’s foreign torial disputes over the Spratly chief, priest Ekan Ikeguchi, party intermediary in the peace the discussion of the framework largest mangrove forest ministry said last Monday. and Paracel Islands, which both said the function of the build- negotiations. agreement, on the annexes is, I to determine the extent of It “strongly” protested over the countries claim, and often trade ing would not change. “We will Aquino stressed that his think, the power-sharing and the the threat to their survival. incident it called a “serious viola- diplomatic barbs over oil explora- keep the building this way, and administration has always been normalisation. So these are the Yunus Ali, head of the forestry tion” of its sovereignty. tion and fishing rights. make it a place to promote “very transparent” in its deal- only two annexes remaining in department, said conserva- But, using the islands’ Chinese Beijing claims virtually all harmony among ethnic groups, ings with the Muslim rebels in the discussion,” he told reporters tionists would fan out across name, Beijing’s foreign ministry of the South China Sea, which including North Korea,” he Mindanao. in a briefing. the Bangladeshi side of the spokesman Hong Lei told report- includes both island groups and said. The property, a 2,390sqm “We want to finish all of the The annex details the road Sundarbans to fix cameras on ers at a regular briefing: “The is believed could sit atop huge plot and a 10-storey building in annexes. But we also have to be map toward the creation of a trees to obtain accurate esti- Xisha islands are China’s inherent oil and gas reserves as well as central Tokyo has been used as able to come to an understand- Bangsamoro region to replace the mates of tiger numbers since territory, China has indisputable being home to important fish- the headquarters of Chongryon, ing on these annexes, so that the Autonomous Region in Muslim the last census in 2004. sovereignty over the Xisha islands. ing grounds. Hanoi says hundreds the organisation that repre- crafting of the new organic act Mindanao, based on agreement “It is necessary and legitimate of fishing boat crews have been sents North Korean interests will be something that all stake- between the government and the Inquest into US for China to take action against arrested by Chinese authorities in in Japan. AGENCIES holders can agree to and rally Milf. a Vietnamese shipping boat that recent years. AFP behind to,” President Aquino THE PHILIPPINE STAR scientist set SINGAPORE: A coroner’s inquiry into the death of a US scientist found hanged in the city-state starts on May 13, Manila’s plea to prosecutors said yesterday. US alert as Myanmar riots spread The case involves Shane Todd, agencies whose parents believe he may YANGON: Communal riots in to Myanmar’s government as it have been murdered because Myanmar have spread closer to tries to reform the country after of his work for a Singapore over Sabah the main city Yangon, police said decades of iron-fisted military institute with alleged links to MANILA: The Foreign yesterday as the United States rule ended two years ago. a Chinese firm seen by the US Affairs Department yesterday warned against travelling to In a televised statement late as a security threat. He was urged all government agencies parts of the country in the wake Monday, Myanmar’s government found dead in his apartment not to refer to Sabah as part of of unrest that has left 40 dead. called for an end to “religious last June. Malaysia due to the Philippines’ Fresh clashes broke out late extremism” that it warned could claim over the resource-rich Monday in villages in the Bago derail the Buddhist-majority Paralytic gets territory now controlled by region north of Yangon, police country’s reform process. Malaysia. said, as the Buddhist-Muslim The quasi-civilian government $2m payout Foreign Affairs Spokesman violence that has gripped areas has faced strong international Raul Hernandez said the further north rippled out towards pressure over the unrest, which TOKYO: A Japanese man Memorandum Circular 162 the country’s commercial hub. according to the United Nations who became quadriplegic issued by former president Gloria “Police and soldiers had to con- Office for the Coordination of after the front wheel of his Arroyo in 2008 is an “existing trol the clashes almost the whole Humanitarian Affairs has dis- Italian Bianchi-brand bicycle regulation” and must be complied night,” a police officer who did not placed more than 12,000 people. came off has been awarded with by “all government depart- want to be named said of the vio- The mood has also grown nerv- $2m, reports said. The Tokyo ments and agencies”. lence in Bago, where two mosques ous in parts of Yangon, according District Court ordered the He said the presidential and dozens of homes were to residents, where the regional Japanese importer of Bianchi directive discourages govern- reported to have been destroyed. government ordered restaurants bicycles to pay 189mn yen to ment agencies “from refer- “Security forces are still watch- Residents walking past burning houses in riot-hit Meiktila, Myanmar. The or shops selling alcohol to close by him in damages, in addition ring to Sabah, home to 800,000 ing the area closely as Muslim death toll from communal violence has risen to 40. 9:00pm in a move aimed at stop- to 38m yen to reimburse his Filipinos, as being part of a communities are staying in that ping the spread of rumours. insurer. Hiroshi Nakajima, larger national or federal terri- region,” he said, adding that there feelings on many sides.” Police in the main city of Yangon According to the New Light, a 63, filed the suit against tory” and for them not “to make were no reports of casualties in It “strongly advised” citizens to have been instructed to be extra group of unnamed persons “who importer Cycleurope Japan any act or statement expressing the latest incident. avoid travel to the Mandalay region vigilant, a second police officer said. are unwilling to see peace and sta- after he fell and injured his or implying any recognition of a In a statement on its website, as well as to the Mingalar Market/ The clashes are a stark bility in the country are trying to spine in August 2008. foreign state’s sovereignty over the US Embassy in Yangon said Yuzana Plaza area of Yangon reminder of the challenge that destabilise peace and tranquillity AGENCIES Sabah.” THE PHILIPPINE STAR the rioting “has resulted in strong because of the risk of violence. Muslim-Buddhist tensions pose of Yangon.” AFP WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Businesswomen Kerry, Karzai strike upbeat note backed by Kerry KABUL: US Secretary of State John Kerry met ‘US supports a united Afghanistan’ Afghan businesswomen run- ning companies involved in KABUL: US Secretary of State sovereignty and we will not let Al everything from trucking to John Kerry held a second round Qaeda or the Taliban shake this computer software who fear of talks with Afghan President commitment.” losing their rights, security Hamid Karzai in Kabul yester- Earlier this month, Karzai and customers when foreign day after they put on a public accused the US of working in forces leave next year. Kerry show of unity to repair dam- concert with the Taliban and spent close to an hour at the aged ties. his spokesman described the US embassy in Kabul with Kerry visited Afghanistan as Nato war effort as “aimless and the entrepreneurs to show the US ceded to a long-standing unwise”, triggering fury from US commitment to wom- demand of Karzai by delivering Afghanistan’s backers. en’s rights — at one point full control of Bagram prison, Kerry said he was confident heading a soccer ball with a where Taliban and Al Qaeda sus- that Karzai “does not believe that 22-year-old female player. pects are held, to Afghan forces. the US has any interest except to He voiced amazement at Karzai had turned the fate of see the Taliban come to the table accomplishments of women. Bagram and its detainees into a to make peace”. “Everybody’s a tycoon,” he rallying cry for his push to take Karzai said: “I was interpreted exclaimed. Businesswomen back sovereignty as the bulk of as saying the US and Taliban are voiced concern that the with- US-led combat troops prepare colluding, but I did not use this drawal of most foreign troops to leave by the end of 2014 after word.” from Afghanistan in 2014, more than a decade of war. Afghan forces are gradually and the election of a new After fiery anti-US outbursts taking on responsibility for bat- president the same year will from Karzai in recent weeks, he tling the Taliban as most of the undercut security and inhibit and Kerry were keen to make a 100,000 foreign troops prepare to their ability to run their public display of friendship and exit. Karzai is due to step down businesses. stress that relations were back next year, 13 years after he came on track. “Bagram prison was to power with US backing when Afghan President Hamid Karzai (right) in a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Kabul, Afghanistan, Ashraf gears up handed over to the Afghan gov- the Taliban regime was ousted in on Monday. ernment... Finally after many the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks to lead campaign years of effort we have reached a of 2001. deal,” Karzai said at a joint press Kerry emphasised the impor- before he left Kabul. province of Wardak and banned Taliban and Al Qaeda detainees ISLAMABAD: Former conference. tance of a credible poll in 2014, Karzai’s outbursts led many international troops from univer- to return to the battlefield. prime minister Raja Pervez Kerry said: “The US is com- and paid tribute to Afghan law- US commentators to call for sity campuses due to unproven But a final agreement was Ashraf is gearing up to lead mitted to an enduring partner- makers, rights activists and elec- Washington to take a tougher harassment claims. sealed on Saturday and a hando- the Pakistan People’s Party ship... The US supports a strong tion officials. “You’re engaged in a stance towards Kabul. Karzai in The US was concerned that the ver ceremony was held at the jail Parliamentarians (PPPP) and united Afghanistan. We remarkable effort and the whole past weeks also demanded US handover of Bagram to Afghan shortly before Kerry landed in poll campaign and is in con- are committed to Afghanistan’s world is watching,” he told them special forces leave the flashpoint forces would allow suspected Afghanistan. AGENCIES sultation with senior leaders of the party at his private residence in Islamabad where he shifted after relinquish- ing the office. Yesterday, Ashraf, also PPPP Secretary General, held talks with German hostage Bombers attack police base President Asif Ali Zardari on the political situation and JALALABAD: A group of election. No major corrup- seven suicide bombers attacked tion scandal occurred during freed by rebels a police base in the eastern his nine-month tenure as the Afghan city of Jalalabad yester- prime minister. KUNDUZ: A German working for an international aid agency has day, killing five officers, police been freed after he was taken hostage in northeastern Afghanistan, said. EU mission to officials said yesterday. One bomber set off a large The man was kidnapped by suspected Taliban militants in the moun- explosion at the entrance of the oversee polls tainous district of Argos in Badakhshan province on Saturday while quick reaction police headquar- out jogging with his dog, local police officers said. ters before two bombers blew ISLAMABAD: European His employer, the German government-owned aid body GIZ, released themselves up inside the facility Union has decided to send a a statement confirming that he had been found unharmed within 24 and four others died in a gun fight strong election observation hours of going missing. with police. mission (EOM) to Pakistan “Our intensive efforts to resolve this situation without delay were “The first one detonated a car to monitor the next general rewarded with the help of the local population,” it said. bomb; two others entered the base elections. European Union Badakhshan police chief Imamuddin Motmaen said that a gang of and detonated themselves and the High Representative and Vice 15 men were involved in the kidnap. remaining four were shot dead,” President of the European “The police conducted a raid on the kidnappers’ hideout and, after Hazrat Hussain Mashriqiwal, Commission, Catherine some hours of gunfire, the kidnappers abandoned the hostages and ran the Nangarhar province police Ashton, on Tuesday author- away,” he said. “Five kidnappers were later arrested in separate opera- spokesman said. ised the EOM. A member of Nato and Afghan troops arrive at the site of the attack in Jalalabad, yesterday. tions.” The kidnapping of Westerners has been a regular occurrence in The Taliban militants imme- the European Parliament Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, with victims diately claimed responsibility for will lead the observation often taken hostage by criminals and sold on to militants. the attack, claiming that it had repeated suicide attacks in recent at Jalalabad city airport in early mission as its Chief Observer. Last June Nato special forces rescued one British and one Nigerian targeted “foreigners and Israeli years. December, killing five people and The EOM will include up to woman held hostage in a cave in Badakhshan. teachers” training Afghan police The last attack was on wounding several foreign troops. 110 members, including a core The women, who worked for Swiss-based charity Medair, and two at the base in Jalalabad, the capi- February 24 when a bomber All the attackers in that team of eleven experts, elec- Afghan colleagues had been held for about a week before they were tal of Nangarhar. rammed an explosives-laden car assault were also killed, some tion analyst, political ana- freed unharmed. “There are heavy police casual- into the gates of the walled com- blowing themselves up in lyst, legal analyst, human Badakhshan, which borders China, Pakistan and Tajiakistan, is a ties,” the group said. pound of the National Directorate two vehicles at the perimeter rights analyst, media analyst generally peaceful province but there have been pockets of Taliban- Jalalabad is situated on the key of Security spy agency and deto- gate and others shot as they and others. On the basis of led violence against the Western-backed government of President route from the Pakistan border nated his bombs, killing two intel- attempted to storm the base. It special agreements with the Hamid Karzai. In August 2010 the Taliban claimed responsibility for regions, where many militants ligence workers. was the third attack on Jalalabad EU, observers will be from killing eight medical aid workers in the province, claiming they were are based, to the capital Kabul, Nine Taliban suicide attack- airport in 2012. Norway, Switzerland, Canada “Christian missionaries”. AFP and the city has been targeted by ers also targeted the Nato base AFP and other member states. Australia to pull out most troops Peshawar Girls’ SYDNEY: Australia Rallies on the rise to woo voters announced its intention to school teacher withdraw most of its 1,550 troops from Afghanistan at ISLAMABAD: Pakistan placards being turned into the end of this year and shut gunned down has finally set an election makeshift umbrellas, and sup- down a major base for Nato- PESHAWAR: A Pakistani date — May 11. And the porters wrapping themselves led forces, handing security girls’ school teacher was killed political parties are not in their green and red PTI to Afghan soldiers and police. in a drive-by shooting yesterday wasting any time. flags to keep the rain off. Australian Defence Minister in the country’s volatile tribal This Saturday Imran Khan The nearby Ravi Road Stephen Smith said Western belt on the Afghan border, offi- held a rally to demonstrate came to a standstill as peo- and Afghan commanders cials said. that he can still summon ple swarmed out among cars, had agreed that the major There was no immediate claim the numbers. His Pakistan seeking cover. multinational coalition base of responsibility for the attack, Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party The mood was one of hope. at Tarin Kowt and its Nato but Islamist militants are par- emerged as a serious con- The desire for change is real airbase in Uruzgan province ticularly opposed to girls’ educa- tender after a huge rally in and desperate, and people would close at the end of tion in the northwest, where they Lahore in 2011, but the hype want to do something about it. 2013. “We’ve been there for have bombed hundreds of schools has since died down. Several people have regis- over a decade, and that’s far in recent years. The rally took place at tered to vote for the first time too long,” Smith said, add- Shahnaz Nazli, 41, was shot the same spot, the Minar- — for Khan. ing the war was “the easiest dead in Shahkas, near the town of e-Pakistan monument in The important thing is that thing in the world to get in, Jamrud in Khyber tribal district, Lahore, the capital of Punjab, he represents a change, even if hardest thing in the world to between the northwestern city of Pakistan’s most populous his policies are somewhat thin get out”. Peshawar and the Afghan border. state. The mood was jubi- at the moment. She was on her way to the gov- lant; people sang and danced “It can’t be worse than what Seven killed in ernment girls’ primary school in as they waited for Khan to we’ve got,” one woman told me. Shahkas when gunmen fired at appear. The enthusiasm may be road mishap her about 200 metres (yards) As always as Khan’s rallies, there, but it seems unlikely from the school and fled, local the crowd was predominantly that this will translate into the ISLAMABAD: Seven peo- government official Asmatullah made up of young people. seats required to make Khan ple were killed and 15 injured Wazir said. Despite the rain that pelted An election poster rolls off a printing machine as Pakistan gears up for general elections, prime minister. Amongst when a bus collided with a Local education officer the city, at least 100,000 peo- in Peshawar, yesterday. large swathes of the popula- trailer near Bhalwal Tehsil Mohammad Jadoon Khan con- ple crammed into the park tion, apathy about the politi- of Sargodha in Eastern firmed the shooting and death of surrounding the monument cal process remains. Pakistan, Dunya News said. the teacher. to hear Khan. first-time voters, disillusioned and Although critics point out that Currently leading in the polls The bus carrying 45 passen- Violence has increased in His main support is from the desperate for change in a country these pledges are somewhat is the Pakistan Muslim League gers was heading towards northwest Pakistan ahead of elec- middle classes, but despite his wracked by an increasing terror- vague, the crowd lapped it up. Nawaz (PML-N), headed up Bhera from Rajanpur when it tions, which are due on May 11 power to the people message, ist threat, crippling energy short- Khan said that the PTI mani- by Nawaz Sharif, whose party collided with the trailer near and which will mark the first time many elites have also taken up ages, and a flailing economy. festo would be released soon. ramped up infrastructure projects Ajnala station. The injured an elected civilian government Khan’s cause. What if he actu- Khan reiterated his promises As the downpour intensified, in Lahore after Khan’s initial were taken to hospital in completes a full term in office. ally empowers the masses? to end corruption and tyranny, the excited crowd was eventu- showing of support in 2011. Sargodha. AGENCIES AFP Most of his supporters are and to always remain truthful. ally forced to run for cover, with INTERNEWS WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Italian foreign minister BRIEFLY quits over marines row

Giulio Terzi expresses solidarity with marines, families Marathi writer

ROME/NEW DELHI: Italian that it was reneging on its com- charged with rape Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi mitment. As the diplomatic crisis (pictured), said yesterday he escalated, Indian authorities for- of three women was resigning from his post in bade the ambassador from leaving protest over the return of two the country and airports were put MUMBAI: A manhunt has Italian marines to India to face on alert. been launched to trace lead- murder charges. Rome’s unexpected decision ing Marathi writer Laxman “I resign in contention with to return Latorre and Girone Mane, who has been booked the decision to send the marines sparked anger in Italy, particu- for raping three Dalit women back to India. The misgivings I larly because the men and their working at a school he runs, expressed had no effect on the families had been previously told police said here yesterday. decision taken,” he told parlia- they would not be sent back. Mane’s family meanwhile ment. “I am resigning because for “I have always acted for the dismissed the charges. 40 years I have maintained, and good of the marines and Italy. If I “He is still absconding and still maintain, that the reputation haven’t managed that, I ask for- police teams are investigating of the country, the armed forces giveness from everyone, and first the matter,” an official from and Italian diplomacy, should be of all from both of them,” Defence Satara police control said. safeguarded,” he said. Kochi last year, claim they mis- Minister Giampaolo Di Paola told A former Maharashtra leg- “I am also standing down in took the fishermen for pirates. parliament. “It was me who told islative council member, the solidarity with our two marines Following a lengthy dispute them about the decision to return 63-year old Mane has been and their families,” Terzi added. over the case, India’s Supreme them to India, I looked them in charged with raping three Massimiliano Latorre and Court granted the two men bail to the eyes and told them,” he said. women who were working as Salvatore Girone, accused of fly home to vote in Italy’s general Di Paolo said he was not resign- temporary cooks at a residen- shooting dead two fishermen off election last month — on condi- ing because he had promised the tial tribal school he runs at the coast of the southwestern tion they were sent back to New marines he would not abandon Jakatwadi in Satara, around Indian state of Kerala in February Delhi within a month. them. The two marines were 250km to the south-east of last year, were sent back to New Italy agreed and its ambassador already granted special permis- Mumbai. Delhi on Friday. to India signed an affidavit taking sion once before to go home to According to police, the The pair, who were serving personal responsibility to return Italy to celebrate Christmas with Italian marine Salvatore Girone’s wife Vania cries to Deputies of Chamber to complaints were lodged on as security guards on an Italian them, which led to fury when their families, before returning to ‘bring back’ her husband, following the resignation of the Foreign Minister Monday night by the trio — oil tanker off the Indian port of Rome announced on March 11 India as planned. AFP Giulio Terzi, in Rome, yesterday. married and aged between 30-35 — alleging Mane raped them under the lure of making them permanent employees of the school. The victims — all aged between 30 and 35 - have Govt allows AirAsia to start airline with Tata claimed that he raped them between 2003 and 2010 in the school premises, at his home NEW DELHI: The government in Satara and at a guest house yesterday approved Malaysian in Pune. After registering budget carrier AirAsia’s pro- offences under Indian Penal posal to set up a new airline in Indian aviation faces big hurdles: IATA Code Sec. 376 (rape), police the Indian civil aviation sector teams have visited Mane’s with partners Tata Group and NEW DELHI: India’s fiercely fade in the face of aggressive them. But India’s biggest airline, suggesting the Indian carrier home and other known places Arun Bhatia-promoted Telestra competitive aviation sector fare rivalry, a slowing economy, no-frills IndiGo, is profitable. could sell up to a 24 percent frequented by him, but so far Tradeplace. must overcome “huge” infra- over-expansion, rundown infra- Smaller rival SpiceJet and Jet holding for $300m. The Foreign he remains untraceable, the “Approved to set up a joint ven- structure and other obsta- structure, high airport charges Airways, India’s second-largest Investment Promotion Board has official said. ture company to undertake the cles to achieve sound financial and expensive fuel. carrier, returned to the black in cleared a plan by no-frills Kuala business of operation of scheduled health, the industry’s global “Globally, fuel averages a third the most recent financial quar- Lumpur-based airline AirAsia to passenger airlines,” the Finance chief warned yesterday. of an airline’s cost. In India it ter and state-run Air India may own a 49 percent stake in a joint Junior doctors on Ministry said in a statement. India’s combined passenger accounts for 45 percent,” Tyler post its first operating profit in venture airline with the Tata The initial investment approved numbers shrank by 2.1 percent told industry executives in New years, Tyler noted. Importantly, group and a private investor. flash strike in UP for the airline stands at `809.8m, last year compared with global Delhi, adding that, “operating in the government “deserves con- The venture still needs avia- the ministry said. growth of four percent, according India presents bigger challenges gratulations” for opening up the tion ministry approval and LUCKNOW: Junior doc- The approval allows the budget to industry figures. The country than most other markets”. airline sector to infuse vital for- Aviation Minister Ajit Singh told tors of all medical colleges in carrier to roll out the seventh of 1.2 billion people, of whom only But Tyler said some progress eign investment, allowing over- reporters separately he had not Uttar Pradesh went on a flash scheduled domestic carrier in the a fraction fly, “is a great potential was being seen in the industry seas carriers to buy up to 49 received any application, adding strike yesterday after doc- Indian skies. On March 6, the market”, said International Air after airlines lost almost a com- percent stakes in their Indian there were still some unidentified tors from the King George’s Foreign Investment Promotion Transport Association (IATA) bined $2bn in the previous finan- peers, Tyler added. “procedural issues”. Medical College here were Board (FIPB) recommended to director-general Tony Tyler. cial year. Reports have abounded about If the sector can fly through forced to end their indefi- the government that it approve “But to realise that potential, Kingfisher Airlines, control- possible alliances between local the turbulence, industry studies nite hunger strike on Monday the AirAsia proposal. some huge issues must be over- led by liquor baron Vijay Mallya carriers and international air- suggest India could be the world’s night. While resident and Currently, there are six sched- come,” he said, referring to a host and once the second-biggest car- lines since India eased the invest- third-largest aviation market by junior doctors struck work by uled domestic airlines in the of troubles afflicting the market. rier, remains grounded by a cash ment rules last September. 2020, up from ninth currently, last evening junior doctors in country — Air India, Jet Airways, The sector, once vaunted as crunch. Authorities yesterday Jet has said it is in discussion handling 336 million domestic Kanpur, Meerut and Allahabad Jet Lite, SpiceJet, IndiGo and a symbol of India’s economic deregistered 15 Kingfisher planes with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad and 75 million international pas- medical colleges also joined the GoAir. The operating licence vibrancy, has seen its fortunes to allow leasing firms to reclaim Airways, with media reports sengers. AFP statewide strike. The doc- of Kingfisher Airlines was sus- tors went on strike seeking pended last year. the cancellation of the Uttar In its proposal, AirAsia said it Air India. In the mid-1990s, the cities with a small fleet initially. exclusively for existing domestic on how fast they provide us the Pradesh post graduate medi- intended to hold 49 percent stake Tatas tried to start an airline It plans to start operations by the airlines or for start-ups too. information regarding safety, air- cal examination. in the JV. It intends to invest with Singapore International end of this year. The approval Meanwhile, Civil Aviation craft, pilots and airworthiness of After several attempts by anywhere between $30m to $60m Airlines, but did not succeed. from the government also rests Minister Ajit Singh said the JV aircraft,” Singh told reporters the administration to have in the venture while Tata Sons The other JV partner, Arun doubts cast by the civil aviation had not yet submitted any formal here. “Any (operations) clear- the indefinite fast end failed, will hold a 30 percent stake and Bhatia, runs aviation parts man- ministry seeking clarification application to his ministry which ance will depend on how fast they Lucknow District Magistrate Telestra Tradeplace 21 percent. ufacturing company Hindustan from FIPB on the new foreign will look at safety and other give all this information which Anuraag Yadav ordered police Incidentally, India’s first car- Aerosystems in New Delhi. direct investment (FDI) policy aspects of the company before it will be required by the DGCA to forcibly break up the agi- rier was Tata Airlines, which The low-cost carrier will oper- in the domestic airline sector. is allowed to start an airline. (Directorate General of Civil tation. Angered at the use took flight in 1932. In 1953, it ate from Chennai and focus on The ministry wanted to know “They have not submitted any Aviation).” of force by police, junior and was nationalised and renamed providing connectivity to smaller whether the new rules were application as yet. All will depend IANS resident doctors of all medi- cal colleges went on strike and were joined by the doctors of the trauma centre in Lucknow. Durban meeting Doctors have also decided not to celebrate Holi Wednesday. Woman shot dead by husband The district administration has since announced the the examinations would be now outside Delhi Metro station held April 21. NEW DELHI: A 25-year-old woman was killed yesterday and her father critically injured when her estranged husband allegedly shot at them outside a metro station, security officials said. Six Kashmir cops “The incident took place around 12.10pm outside the Karkardooma Metro station in east Delhi. The woman, Deepti, and her father, injured in blast 55-year-old Bishan Das, were shot from behind,” a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) official said. Deepti was taken to the Deepak SRINAGAR: Six policemen Memorial Hospital where doctors declared her brought dead. were injured, two of them Bishan Das, who received two bullet injuries in his shoulder and critically, in a powerful blast stomach, was initially taken to Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan Hospital in a police station here yes- from where he was shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital where he is terday that occurred while under treatment but stated to be out of danger. they were inspecting seized The official added that the accused, identified as Pawan Kumar, 30, explosives. a resident of east Delhi’s New Usmanpur area, is on the run. He fled Those injured in the blast the spot after the shooting, leaving his weapon and car outside the include the station house Metro station. “Five empty cartridges and a double-barrel rifle have officer (SHO) of Parimpora on been recovered from the spot,” the CISF official said. the outskirts of the city. Das, a resident of Chirag Dilli in south Delhi, told police that there A senior police officer said was discord between Deepti and her husband and a case was going on the explosion occurred while in court. He was returning along with his daughter from Karkardooma the police personnel were court after attending a hearing when they were attacked. inspecting the seized ammu- Meanwhile, a Delhi Metro official said the incident had not affected nition and explosives. passenger services. This was not the first shooting incident near any “The injured policemen have metro station, said a CISF official. been taken to Soura medical South African Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan (right), with his Indian counterpart P Chidambaram at the In February 2012, 42-year-old Shibu, a part-time driver, was shot at institute for treatment,” the end of the BRICKS Finance Ministers meeting in Durban, South Africa, yesterday. The BRICKS — Brazil, by an unidentified person near Gate no.2 of east Delhi’s Mayur Vihar officer said. Senior police offic- Russia, India, China and South Africa — represent almost three billion people and much of the world’s newly Phase-I Metro station.In August 2011, a CISF trooper shot dead a ers later visited the police sta- female colleague at platform no.2 of east Delhi’s Yamuna Bank metro tion. IANS industrialised economic muscle. station before killing himself. IANS WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 France regrets killing Third anti-submarine warfare launched of two Indians in Africa PM voices distress over French troops’ behaviour

DURBAN/NEW DELHI: Indian nationals was extremely Republic, mainly in and around France has expressed regret distressing. Bangui,” the statement added. over the killing of two Indians “He (Antony) asked that the The Indian ambassador to the by its troops in the Central French forces in the Central Democratic Republic of Congo, African Republic, where a rebel African Republic should ensure concurrently accredited to the leader seized power during the the proper treatment of the injured Central African Republic, “is weekend, and has ordered an Indian nationals and also requested making necessary arrangements inquiry. that necessary measures be taken for the return of the mortal French President Francois to ensure the safety of the other remains of the Indian nationals Hollande first wrote to Prime Indian nationals,” the release said. in accordance with the desires of Minister Manmohan Singh to Le Drian assured Antony that their next of kin”. express regret over the incident, the French side was conduct- Officials said the French have in which six other Indians were ing a high-level enquiry into the termed the incident a result of injured. He then called him per- incident and the Indian govern- mistaken identity. The French sonally last morning. ment would be informed about its defence ministry said the Indians The prime minister is in outcome. The incident took place were killed when troops shot at Durban for the 5th BRICS at the airport in capital Bangui. three vehicles approaching the Summit. “The prime minister The French, who have some 250 airport in the capital Bangui who expressed his deep distress at soldiers stationed at the Central had ignored warning shots. the loss of innocent lives,” said African Republic Airport, were Its troops were trying to defend the foreign ministry statement. guarding the airport, Indian offi- the airport and French nationals “He has directed that all efforts cials here said. in the city. There are some 1,200 be made to ensure the safety “While conveying his con- French people in the country, of approximately 100 Indian dolences, President Hollande most of them in the capital. nationals in the Central African assured the prime minister of his The Central African Republic is Republic,” it added. firm determination to investigate a landlocked country with Chad French Defence Minister the tragic event and assured that in the north, Sudan in north- Jean-Yves Le Drian telephoned the injured were under the care of east, South Sudan in the east, Defence Minister A K Antony in French medical teams,” a state- Democratic Republic of the Congo New Delhi to convey his regret ment by India’s foreign office said. and Republic of the Congo in and sent out his condolences to “The prime minister expressed south, and Cameroon in the west. the families of the two Indian his deep distress at the loss of Its President Francois Bozize nationals. innocent lives. fled to Cameroon after rebels According to an official release, “He has directed that all efforts overran the capital of the impov- The Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette starts its journey after the launch ceremony at the yard in Kolkata, Antony told the French minister be made to ensure the safety erished nation of some 4.5 million yesterday. The third Anti-Submarine Warfare launched by Chitra Joshi, wife of Admiral D K Joshi, Chief of the that the news of the incident of approximately 100 Indian long wracked by rebellions. Naval Staff, will strengthen war power and security of the coastal areas by the Indian Navy. and, in particular, the killing of nationals in the Central African IANS/AFP

Malayalam actress Sukumari dead

CHENNAI: (pictured) Wealthy BSP politician shot dead Sukumari , one of the most colourful personalities in the Malayalam film industry for nearly six dec- NEW DELHI: Attackers shot and started talking to Bharadwaj brother Hardeep died in a shoot- ades — and who was lovingly called Amma dead a multi-millionaire busi- before shooting him twice,” police out at their farmhouse on Delhi’s — passed away at a Chennai hospital last nessman and populist politician commissioner Neeraj Kumar said. outskirts when a family property evening. at his luxury farmhouse yester- Bharadwaj, who was an unsuc- feud turned fatal. Director Priyadarshan said the funeral would day on the outskirts of the capi- cessful candidate in the 2009 The BSP, led by firebrand poli- take place in Chennai. tal, police said. national elections, had real estate, tician Mayawati who champions Sukumari, 74, suffered burn injuries last Deepak Bharadwaj (pictured), hotel and other interests. those at the bottom of India’s month while lighting the traditional lamp at a a 62-year-old leader of the low- He was one of the wealthiest complex Hindu caste heirarchy, function in Chennai. While being treated, she caste Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidates to contest the general supports the Congress-led coali- had a heart attack yesterday afternoon and who had declared wealth of `6bn elections which returned the tion government from outside. breathed her last, her family said. ($108m), was gunned down by Congress party to power. The BJP yesterday condemned Born in Nagercoil in Travancore in 1938, she three men early yesterday, police Police said a property dispute the killing of Bahujan Samaj Party was a cousin of the legendary Travancore sisters Lalitha, Padmini and said. could have been behind the killing. (BSP) leader Deepak Bhardwaj Ragini (their mothers were sisters) and it was their influence that “They entered the place saying Last November power- and said the incident showed the helped Sukumari into the tinsel world and in 1951 in the film Orarivu. they came to book the place for a ful Indian liquor baron Ponty Delhi and central governments Sukumari’s husband passed away when she was quite young. She is marriage, because such functions Chadha, dubbed the “Baron of have “failed”. survived by her doctor son Suresh Bhimsingh. AGENCIES take place there. They went inside Booze” by the media, and his AFP/IANS Stars call for dry Holi amid drought

MUMBAI: Bollywood stars have joined calls for Mumbai to temper celebrations and reduce water wastage during a riotous Hindu festival this week, as millions of Indians face their worst drought in decades. The Holi festival takes place today at a time when central parts of Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, are reeling under a severe water shortage with no rain due until the monsoon in June. Revellers enjoying the “festi- val of colours” have been urged to cut down on water usage during the festival, which is normally celebrated with wild “rain dances” and the throwing of buckets of water, water-filled balloons and paint. “Water shortage in Maharashtra... and it’s only March. What will happen in Summer? Save water! Play a dry Holi!!” wrote cinema vet- Vendors sell coloured powder known as ‘Gulal’ prior to today’s Holi festival in Siliguri, yesterday. Holi, the eran Amitabh Bachchan to his Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed at the end of the winter on the last full moon hordes of followers on Twitter. day of the lunar month. Holi, a public holiday, marks the arrival of spring and is especially popular in north- tasteless.” University students supply extra water. A simi- ern India and other parts of in Mumbai have taken to the lar problem was faced during the world with large Hindu streets to campaign for a water- 2010’s Holi festival when a weak President greets communities. free festival, although calls for a monsoon the previous year left Bollywood is known to throw dry Holi were deemed “absurd” Mumbai with a chronic lack of people on Holi lavish Holi parties, but celebra- and a lip-service measure by water. Authorities attribute this tions are expected to be toned food and trade policy analyst year’s crisis to two successive NEW DELHI: President down this year. Television show Devinder Sharma. poor monsoons, although crit- Pranab Mukherjee, Vice producers say they have cut “If people are so concerned ics blame official ineptitude and President Hamid Ansari back their depictions of the about drought, ban washing of corruption for exacerbating the and Lok Sabha Speaker festival to avoid water wastage. cars in the cities,” he said on natural water shortage. Meira Kumar yesterday Actor Riteish Deshmukh Twitter. In Nepal, also celebrating greeted people across the tweeted that the “need of the Municipal authorities are not Holi, police said they arrested country on the occasion of hour is to save water”, while planning to cut water supplies more than one hundred peo- Holi and hoped the festi- popular TV host Mini Mathur on the day of Holi despite calls ple for various offences during val will further strengthen wrote: “The mere thought for them to do so, but they are festivities which have already unity and harmony. IANS of rain dances in the wake of urging moderation and report- begun there. the water crisis is creepy and edly not allowing tankers to AFP

Wednesday 27 March 2013 15 Jumada I 1434 Volume 18 Number 5651 Price: QR2

Dreamliner to fly out of turbulence

Business | 19

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QNCC plans to boost production Domestic sector capable of meeting Qatar’s huge demand in the run-up to 2022 World Cup, says official

DOHA: Qatar National Cement an increase in the price. The price the idle capacity to achieve better Company (QNCC) will scale up will be stable. QNCC has already returns.” He noted the company’s its production capacity to meet developed a 10-year business strat- production in both categories of the country’s hugely projected egy for it sales and production cement, OPC and SRC, increased demand. with the help of a reputed advisory to 3.6m tonnes during 2012 com- Talking to The Peninsula on the firm to boost cement production pared to 3.5m tonnes during the sidelines of QNCC’s annual general over the next few years. previous year. assembly meeting yesterday, the Earlier, addressing the annual The production of washed sand company Chairman and Managing general assembly, Al Naimi said also increased to 4.1m tonnes dur- Director Salem bin Butti Al Naimi the company intends to construct ing 2012 compared to 3.6m tonnes said the domestic cement market the cement line No.5. “The consul- during the previous year. Lime is capable of meeting Qatar’s huge tancy work has been placed with production in both categories, demand in the run up to the 2022 TPF, Basse Sambre of Belgium for Calcined and Hydrated, had been World Cup. a design capacity of 5,000TDP or stopped compared to 14.4 thou- The company is confident of 7,500TDP clinker. The global ten- sand tonnes during the previous meeting Qatar’s future demand. der for the project will be floated year as Qatar Steel stopped their The QNCC is in the process of soon.” purchase. boosting its production capacity. On the future plans, he said the He said sales of all types of Qatar National Cement Company Chairman and Managing Director, Salem bin Butti Al Naimi (centre), addressing The consultancy work has already company would explore the pos- cement decreased to 3.3m tonnes the company’s annual ordinary general assembly yesterday. IBRAHIM R O been placed for a design capacity sibility of increasing the produc- during 2012 against 3.5m tonnes of 5,000TDP or 7,500TDP clinker, tion capacity of cement plants to during the previous year. The sales he said. match demands expected from the of washed sand increased to 4.8m production in 2012. The market price for all products, and thereby during 2012 compared to QR456m With Qatar lining up multi-bil- government’s huge funding to the tonnes during 2012 compared to demand for all types of cement providing a strong support to the during the previous year. The lion-dollar development projects, infrastructure sector. 3.9m tonnes during the previous and washed sand was successfully construction development in the shareholders’ equity increased to we understand that there will be “The company would explore year. met from the company’s own pro- country, he said. QR2.4bn at the end of 2012, com- a great demand for cement. But all opportunities to increase sales The company saw signifi- duction, maintaining high qual- The company achieved a net pared to QR2.3bn in 2011, up 5 that doesn’t mean there will be volume of washed sand and utilise cant achievements in terms of ity standards, keeping the same profit amounting to QR425m percent. THE PENINSULA

Qatar, Peru to avoid double taxation Qatar ‘must QP takes part in be wary’ of construction Beijing IPTC 2013 inflation DOHA/BEIJING: Qatar Petroleum (QP), along with some DOHA: Qatar’s construction of its joint ventures and subsidi- inflation could reach a high 18 aries as well as its Industrial percent per annum over the Cities Directorate, is taking next decade unless an effective part in the 6th International action is taken, cautioned a built Petroleum Technology asset consultancy firm. Conference (IPTC), which for- EC Harris, the global built asset mally opened yesterday at the consultancy said Qatar’s construc- Beijing International Convention tion sector is poised to expand by Center in China, said a press an average of 12 percent a year. statement said. While this is a remarkable oppor- QP will be the host organisation tunity to propel Qatar forward, of the next edition of the event the ability of the supply chain to (7th IPTC) scheduled to be held The Manager for Public Relations absorb fluctuations in workload is next year in Doha from January and Communications at QP, limited. The potential consequence 20-22 at the Qatar National Abdulrahman Al Obaidly (right), of this is that the risk of price fluc- Convention Center. receiving an official at the QP stand tuations in response to workload This year’s event is hosted by increases — and with this comes The Director of Public Revenue and Tax Department of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Moftah Jassim the China National Petroleum at the Beijing expo. a heightened threat of inflation. Al Moftah (third left), with the Peruvian Chief of Tax Ruling, Enrique Pintado (left), and other officials in Doha Corporation, with ExxonMobil The report sets out a series of yesterday. The two sides held talks on signing an agreement to avoid double taxation. Corporation serving as the the event are senior QP offi- potential construction inflation co-host. cials including Mubarak Awaida scenarios linked to Qatar’s con- The three-day conference and Al Hajri, Operations Manager, struction programme up until exhibition is being held with the Offshore Fields. 2023. Construction inflation is set theme “Challenging Technology QP is one of the major partici- to peak during the World Cup UK construction, consultancy and Economic Limits to Meet the pants in the IPTC 2013 exhibi- construction boom between 2016 Global Energy Demand,” and it tion, which covers a total area of and 2019 which could potentially has attracted the participation of over 2,500 sq m. The QP stand add billions to the cost of Qatar’s over 5,000 delegates from all over prominently showcases the cor- development, causing the market firms eye Qatar expansion plans the world. poration’s operations includ- to overheat. The delegation from Qatar is ing those of its Industrial Cities The EC Harris report rec- DOHA: British construction $25bn-$30bn a year in 2013 and entity as opposed to an individual. led by Abdulrahman Al Obaidly, Directorate, and it also highlights ommends a number of steps to and consultancy firms are plan- 2014, British companies are This model affords the high- Manager for Public Relations and the activities of RasGas, Qatargas, mitigate the risk: Including to ning to advance their Qatar acutely aware of the importance est levels of transparency and Communications. Also attending and Qapco. THE PENINSULA boost the capacity and capability expansion plans in 2013 as the of structuring their foreign pres- stakeholder protection, in accord- of the existing supply chain — by Gulf country gets ready to ence correctly to take advantage ance with the Qatar Commercial encouraging local companies and award a tranche of infrastruc- of these lucrative opportunities. Companies Law, while ensuring international contractors to com- ture projects, according to The “All the delegates I met know the foreign firm retains opera- bine their skills. It also prescribed Links Group, award-winning that Qatar offers one of the most tional control of their business. Doha banks report biggest to increase the ease with which company formation specialists buoyant projects markets in the “UK firms bring to Qatar materials and labour can be trans- in the Middle East. world, but have in the past been exceptional project management contraction in interest spreads ported — by developing a Qatar- In partnership with premier deterred from setting up a foreign expertise, engineering prowess, wide solution for the location and UK business forum Middle East entity here because of concerns legal expertise and education DOHA: Qatar-based banks reported the biggest contraction in quality of labour accommodation, Association, The Links Group over local partner ownership and leadership. We are hopeful The interest spreads, down 12bps, in the region during 4Q12. The building these facilities in advance yesterday hosted a delegation investor protection. However, Links Group will be able to help contraction is due to competitive pricing pressure among the to mitigate additional contractor of British companies in Doha. the incorporation model offered UK firms to expand to Qatar in Banks in Qatar. costs. Members of the delegation indi- by The Links Group has helped order to take advantage of the Loan book growth remained strong across the markets, with Terry Tommason, EC Harris’ cated establishing a commercial to address some of these risks vast opportunities in the country,” Qatar witnessing the highest increase at 26.5 percent YoY, followed Head of Property and Social presence in Qatar is now among and by the end of today’s session added Merrick. by Kuwait (up 19.2 percent) and Saudi Arabia (up 15 percent). Infrastructure Middle East, said: their top business development most delegates said they were “I am delighted to be assist- The growth in loan book for Qatar-based banks was due to a sig- “Qatar has seen a remarkable priorities. bullish about expanding to Qatar ing delegates to develop their nificant increase in public sector spending. The Global Investment transformation in less than a gen- As hosts of the FIFA 2022 this year,” said Wayne Merrick, business here, building on the House research note said the net earnings of GCC banks, which eration... However, this unprec- World Cup, Qatar is under General Manager – Qatar, The strong relations between the two are under their coverage, increased 14.9 percent YoY in 4Q12, ben- edented growth brings challenge increasing pressure to ramp up Links Group. countries and the high regard efiting from higher revenue and lower provisioning expense. Profit as well as opportunity. By taking its development plans to deliver The Links Group provides a in which British products and across GCC markets rose, with UAE-based banks witnessing the action now, there is every reason the $60bn worth of infrastructure unique approach to onshore com- expertise are held,” said Middle strongest growth, up 43.1 percent YoY, followed by Kuwait, up 25.4 to believe that construction infla- projects committed to in its bid. pany formation in which the 51 East Association Director General percent. Profitability of banks in Saudi Arabia and Qatar increased tion can be avoided.” With major contracts percent local ownership require- Matthew Smith, who is leading 7.5 percent and 2.1 percent YoY, respectively. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA anticipated to reach between ment is fulfilled by a corporate the delegation. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Egypt plans to apply gains Protests pull Egyptian tax in QNB bid for NSGB bourse to 15-week low CAIRO: Shareholders and investment funds that make Qatar’s banking and financial sector falls 0.09 points capital gains from Qatar National Bank’s (QNB) bid DUBAI/DOHA: Ongoing sell- 11. The market is down 6.1 per- YESTERDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS for Cairo-based National ing pressure from foreign inves- cent in 2013, the worst regional QATAR: The index eased 0.08 per- Societe Generale Bank tors on Egypt’s gloomy political performance. cent to 8,573 points. (NSGB) will face a 10 per- and economic outlook dragged “The index could not clearly SAUDI ARABIA: The index gained cent tax, Egypt’s tax author- the bourse down to a 15-week surpass 5,240 (on Monday), which 0.2 percent to 7,177 points. ity said yesterday. low, while other regional mar- is considered as the first minor BAHRAIN: The index fell 0.2 per- Egypt’s regulator approved kets were mixed. resistance,” Pharos Holding says the QNB offer in February Qatar Exchange yesterday was in a research note. “The fail- cent to 1,087 points. after insisting that the Qatari down 6.90 points or 0.08 percent ure to close above 5,240 may DUBAI: The index retreated 1.8 lender buy 100 percent of to 8,573.11 points from the previ- have bearish implications on the percent to 1,866 points. Egypt’s second-largest private ous closing of 8,580.01. short-term as a breakout below ABU DHABI: The index climbed sector bank by market value The volume of shares traded 5,130 will be probable, which will 0.5 percent to 3,015 points. rather than the originally fell to 5,128,003 from 5,280,587 on increase the confusion amongst KUWAIT: The index rose 1.3 per- planned 77 percent stake. Monday, and the value of shares market participants.” cent to 6,777 points. QNB had said in December increased to QR331,969,603.58 Non-Arab foreigners are net OMAN: The index ticked up 0.08 it planned to buy the 77 from QR325,502,542.44 on sellers, according to bourse date. percent to 6,174 points. percent of NSGB held by Monday. Only two firms on the 30-stock EGYPT: The index dropped 2 per- its French parent Societe Among the top losers were index escaped selling pressure. cent to 5,129 points. The President of Samsung Gulf Electronics, Y S Kim, and Chairman of Generale. The Egyptian Commercial Bank whose share Shares in National Societe Techno Blue, Nabil A R Abu Issa, during the opening ceremony. tax authority said Societe dropped 0.76 percent to QR65.40, Generale Bank (NSGB) tumbled Generale would be exempted International Islamic Bank lost 10 percent but trading was muted. approach the March 31 deadline from taxes for the transac- 0.77 percent to QR51.70, Doha Qatar National Bank’s manda- to post fourth-quarter earnings. tion under an agreement to Insurance fell 2.70 percent to tory tender offer to acquire 100 Firms that miss the deadline Techno Blue opens hi-tech avoid double taxation between QR25.20 and Qatar Navigation percent of NSGB at 38.65 ($5.68) will be suspended from trading, Egypt and France. down 0.90 percent to QR65.80. Egyptian pounds per share a common occurrence on the But individual shareholders Qatar’s banking and finan- expired on Monday. The govern- Kuwaiti bourse. showroom in Al Khor and investment funds holding cial sector fell 0.09 points while ment said it would levy a 10 per- Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia’s minority stakes in NSGB will the Insurance sector added 0.68 cent tax on investors that made bourse rose 0.2 percent to AL KHOR: Techno Blue, the appliances, mobile phones, tablet have to pay a 10 percent tax points. The Qatar industrial sec- capital gains from the mandatory 10-month high in choppy trade. official distributor of Samsung PCs, cameras, laptop computers, on their gains, the tax author- tor was up 0.57 points and the bid, which came after the Qatari Petrochemical and real estate appliances opened their latest kitchen appliances, commercial ity wrote in a letter to the Services sector lost 0.85 points. bank bought a 77 percent stake stocks helped the market close state-of-the-art digital show- air conditioners etc. stock exchange, which was In Egypt, non-Arab foreign in the Egyptian lender from its above a short-term resistance room, here, the energy hub of The display is conceptual- published yesterday. investors have been reducing their French parent Societe Generale. level around 7,176, mid-January’s the country. ised with the aim of realistically QNB has offered 38.65 exposure since deadly clashes Heavyweight Orascom four-month peak. Saudi Basic The showroom was opened enhancing consumer experi- Egyptian pounds ($5.68) at political protests in north- Construction Industries fell 3.1 Industries Corp, the world’s larg- by President of Samsung Gulf ence by “touch and feel” of the per NSGB share, compared ern Egypt resulted in a curfew, percent. Its ongoing tax dis- est chemicals firm, gained 1 per- Electronics Y S Kim and products. with Monday’s close of 38.49 enforced by the army. The cur- pute with the government, on cent. Real estate companies Taiba Chairman of Techno Blue Nabil Customers can have a hands-on pounds. few was reminiscent of the early the alleged evasion of 14 billion and Jabal Omar Development A R Abu Issa. experience of the product before QNB is 50 percent owned days of the 2011 revolution, which pounds in taxes, is an overhang climbed 7.6 and 4 percent respec- Situated on the main road they make the purchase decision. by the Qatar Investment toppled former autocratic ruler on the stock. tively, on what analysts say is towards Al Khor Housing, (oppo- Ever willing to help the custom- Authority, a sovereign wealth Hosni Mubarak. In Kuwait, the benchmark rose speculation firms will soon benefit site to Commercial Bank), this ers, are a team of trained sales fund that has led the bulk Last week, Moody’s cut the 1.3 percent, taking 2013 gains to from the new mortgage law. showroom is easily accessible consultants who are multi-lingual of the gas-rich Gulf state’s country’s credit-rating citing 14.2 percent as bargain hunters In the UAE, Dubai’s measure with plenty of parking spaces. and multi-national. international acquisitions unsettled political conditions helped it recover most of the fell 1.8 percent to a near-seven- The proximity of this showroom Another value addition in this in recent years, including and public finances, which it said losses from the previous session. week low. Budget carrier Air to areas like Al Shamal makes it showroom is the latest smart stakes in Barclays, carmaker raised the chance of a default The market fell 2.1 percent on Arabia lost 10 percent to its low- convenient for consumers living kiosk which allows the custom- Volkswagen and luxury store within five years to nearly 40 Monday as investors took the est level since Dec 27 after reach- in the north of Qatar. ers to update firmware of their Harrods. REUTERS percent. Cairo’s index lost 2 per- opportunity to book gains from ing ex-dividend date. The showroom showcases Samsung phones and tablets free cent to its lowest close since Dec. an early-year surge as companies REUTERS/QNA the latest in televisions, home of charge. THE PENINSULA Cyprus impact on commodities

HE Eurozone debt cri- sis came back to the Weekly Commodity Update fore this week with the Tcrisis in Cyprus sending waves of uncertainty across global BY OLE HANSEN markets, including commodities. (Senior Commodity Strategist, Adding to the negative outlook for Saxo Bank) Europe we saw weaker PMI data from the whole area and from France in particular. delayed shipments of what is a has so far found the $1,620 level This shows how the former record crop. This has led some too difficult to crack. growth divide between north buyers, China being one, to seek It nevertheless managed to and south has now become a supplies from US instead thereby record a third consecutive week divide between the core nations supporting the price. of gains, the longest weekly rally of France and Germany. Staying Softs had a bad week, led by in six months. In the process with PMI, a pick-up was seen in cotton, coffee and sugar. Despite it outperformed both silver and both China and the US which the drop in cotton it is still one platinum with the latter now once partially helped stock markets of the best performing commodi- again trading at a discount to gold to shrug of the Cyprus news, ties in 2013 and the long overdue while silver trade at its cheapest also given the nation’s tiny over- correction was triggered by news level relatively since August. all contribution to the Eurozone that US farmers may be tempted A cause for concern were the economy. by the 17 percent rally this year to continued reduction in hold- Copper failed to bounce on the plant more cotton than previous ings through Exchange Traded uptick in PMI readings from the expected. Products, an important invest- world’s two largest consumers of At the same time China, which ment barometer, where another the metal as pressure was added has been accumulating 10 million week of reduction, the sixth in by worries over Cyprus as well as tonnes into state owned reserves a row, occurred despite support continued weak economic data in over the past two years, has now from rising prices and the conta- Europe. signalled its intent to sell up to gion risk from Cyprus. Looking During the week, it touched a three million tonnes back into ahead, the focus remains on seven-month low corresponding the domestic market over com- Cyprus and the near-term risk to a ten percent drop since the ing months. is one of price correction if the February peak. The near-term situation does not escalate fur- outlook for copper remains neu- PRICE OF ARABICA HIGH ther. A break either side of the tral to bearish with high inven- QUALITY COFFEE FALLS 1600 to 1620 range could signal tory levels and a pick-up in supply the next 30 dollar move with the keeping a near-term lid on any The price of Arabica high qual- next key level of resistance being upside attempt. ity coffee prices trades at the low- 1650 followed by 1665 while sup- Wheat prices in both Chicago est level in almost three years as port is located at 1567. and Paris rebounded as tight Brazil — the world’s top producer Brent crude recorded a sixth supplies in Europe and relative and exporter — is expected to week of losses and has now cheapness to corn in the US have produce a record-sized crop dur- returned to the lower end of the triggered a pick-up in export and ing the 2013/14 off-year season. $105 to $115/barrel range which feed demand. Brazil’s coffee production alter- has prevailed most of the time The coming planting season nates between off-year and peak since last August. Lower demand could see the biggest US corn year production and with demand due to refinery maintenance, acreage since 1936 according to concerns in Europe together Cyprus uncertainty, increase a Bloomberg survey. The World with continued ample supplies supplies from the North Sea and Grain Council expects this will from last year’s peak production Sudan combined with a continued lead to a nine percent rise in the price has been under some reduction in speculative longs by production to a record 927 mil- pressure. hedge funds, have all played their lion tonnes which should go a The price could eventually part in bringing about the current long way to replenishing depleted begin to find support to the relief weakness. inventories. of producers on a combination of Divergence in performance The dramatic rise in produc- a price which increasingly looks between WTI and Brent crude tion is already reflected in for- oversold and discounting a worst is also a continuing feature as ward prices with the price of this case scenario together with the the spread between the two has summer’s crop trading at a 22 premium over Robusta coffee contracted to its lowest since last percent discount to current (old having fallen to the lowest level July. Near-term some additional crop) prices, up from 19 percent since 2008. weakness cannot be ruled out, but one month ago. Precious metals received what with the current range looking Soybeans supplies are also suf- so far has been a muted safe- like $107 to $109.5 support should ficient but current bottleneck haven boost. Gold managed to not be far away. issues at Brazilian ports have climb back above $1,600/oz but THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Britain eases rules for new banks Customers to have more choices

LONDON: Start-up banks in Andrew Tyrie, who heads a Britain will not need as much committee of lawmakers examin- capital as their established ing standards within the industry, rivals starting from April, said the FSA’s plans appeared to Britain’s Financial Services be a step in the right direction. Authority (FSA) said, in a move “The lack of competition in to boost competition. banking has been reinforced by a Under pressure from lawmak- regulatory regime favouring large ers to increase choice in a sec- incumbents. Customers have lost tor dominated by five banks, the out as a result,” he said. FSA unveiled sweeping changes to The Parliamentary Commission authorise new entrants within six on Banking Standards will publish months, a process that currently its own proposals for stimulating takes a year or more. competition in its final report due Capital requirements will be in May. A LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner with a redesigned lithium-ion battery touches down after a test flight at Paine Field in Evertt, Washington. lighter for the first three to five New entrants have already years as long as a new bank can begun to surface in the wake of show deposits are insured and the 2008 financial crisis, looking that it can be wound up easily to fill the gap as the big banks without destabilising markets. focus on shrinking their balance Dreamliner turbulence may end soon Additional requirements that sheets and building up capital were previously applied to cover reserves to meet new regulations. WASHINGTON: Boeing has It is the first time that light- but the National Transport Safety consultant RW Mann, said it was uncertainties in start-up firms Metro Bank became the first completed the first successful weight lithium-ion batteries have Board (NTSB), which has con- a positive step that Boeing was will be scrapped. new high street lender to emerge tests of its troubled Dreamliner been used so extensively on a large cluded in an interim report that testing the 787 but added: “Until A new bank will need a core for over 100 years when it was 787 since the jet was grounded passenger jet. short circuits across its eight cells there is a conclusive root-cause capital buffer equivalent to only granted a banking licence in 2010. following battery fires. “During the functional check may have triggered the fire. The analysis a lot of folks will be cir- 4.5 percent of its risk-weighted Other new challengers such as The company said the tests flight, crews cycled the landing NTSB has, however, not yet iden- cumspect about the Dreamliner. assets, a level that will be Aldermore and Shawbrook have went “according to plan”, and gear and operated all the backup tified a root cause for the fire. “At this point, it is not clear increased as the bank expands. also opened for business but have Boeing is now planning a second systems, in addition to performing On January 16, in Japan, the to anyone except Boeing exactly This is well below the 7 to 9.5 opted not to open branches. test to gather data for the Federal electrical system checks from the battery on a second 787 triggered what they are testing. We don’t percent that applies to Britain’s Metro Bank’s co-founder and Aviation Administration (FAA), flight profile,” Boeing spokesman a smoke alarm while in flight know what the cause of the inci- “big five” lenders with 83 per- chairman, Vernon Hill, welcomed which has to give its approval Marc Birtel said in a statement. leading to an emergency landing. dents were. I assume that they cent of retail accounts — HSBC, the FSA’s plans and said the move before the 787 is allowed to fly The two-hour flight on Monday Japanese investigators have yet are testing the enclosure of the Barclays, Lloyds, RBS and towards making a quicker deci- commercially again. carried six crew members: two to identify the cause of that fire. battery bit if it subsequently turns Santander UK. sion on a banking licence was the Boeing had delivered just 50 of Boeing pilots, two instrumenta- The NTSB will hold a meeting out that that was not where the There will also be reduced most significant proposal. the jets when lithium-ion batter- tion engineers, a systems operator on lithium-ion batteries in April, issuer started, we haven’t learnt liquidity requirements, the FSA “The biggest problem with the ies on two of the planes caught and a flight analyst, Boeing said. where the controversial technol- anything.” said yesterday. approval process is you had to get fire. The two incidents, one in Boeing is believed to be testing ogy will be discussed by airline Boeing is losing an estimated “We believe the changes will the entire bank up and running the US another in Japan, trig- a new casing for the battery and a and freight executives as well $50m a week while the 787 is make a significant difference to including the IT system before gered a global grounding for the venting system that would dispel as safety experts and scientists. grounded and has told custom- the ease with which new firms they gave you approval, so we Dreamliner. potentially flammable gases. Lithium-ion batteries have caused ers it expects to have the plane can enter the UK banking sys- had to invest a very substantial Investigators in Japan and the On January 7 one of the 787s fires in smaller planes, cars, com- back in the air this spring. Rival tem and, as a result, enable an amount of money pretty much out US are now looking into what batteries burst into flames while puters and mobile devices in the Airbus has dropped lithium-ion increased competitive challenge of my pocket while we were all at went wrong and have so far con- the plane was parked at Boston’s past. Freighting the technology by battery technology from its A350 to existing banks,” FSA Chairman risk,” he said in an interview. centrated on the planes’ battery Logan airport. That battery is plane is also carefully regulated. passenger jet. Adair Turner said in a statement. REUTERS systems. now the subject of investigation Robert Mann, founder of airline GUARDIAN NEWS

New French airline Microsoft faces new challenge BRICS seeks deal from open to set up new source group

MADRID: development bank A Spanish associa- tion representing open-source software users has filed a com- DURBAN, South Africa: unemployment. “BRICS provides plaint against Microsoft Corp BRICS emerging powers yes- an opportunity for South Africa to the European Commission, in terday sought a deal on setting to promote its competitiveness” a new challenge to the Windows up a development bank that Zuma said in a speech on the eve developer following a hefty fine would rival Western-backed of the summit. earlier this month. institutions, trying to iron out “It is an opportunity to move The 8,000 member-strong significant differences ahead of further in our drive to promote Hispalinux, which represents a leaders’ summit in Durban. economic growth and confront users and developers of the Linux The grouping of Brazil, Russia, the challenge of poverty, ine- operating system in Spain, said India, China and hosts South quality and unemployment that Microsoft had made it difficult Africa are racing to flesh out afflicts our country.” for users of computers sold with proposals for an infrastructure- A failure to take concrete its Windows 8 platform to switch focused lender that would chal- steps would raise questions about to Linux and other operating lenge seven decades of dominance whether the BRICS grouping can systems. by the World Bank. survive. Lawyer and Hispalinux head Just hours before leaders kick “Ironically it may be the cleav- Jose Maria Lancho said he deliv- off the summit at 17:30 GMT, ages within the BRICS grouping ered the complaint to the Madrid finance ministers were still work- that more accurately hint at the office of the European Commission Pilots and crew members stand in front of a plane as they attend the launch of a new French regional airline ing to agree key elements of the future of the global order: ten- at 0900 GMT yesterday. unit called ‘Hop!’ at Orly Airport, near Paris, yesterday. Franco-Dutch group Air France-KLM formed the unit to plan. sions between China and Brazil In its 14-page complaint, respond to competition from low-cost rivals. Hop! will operate 530 daily flights to 136 destinations in Europe Disputes remain over what the on trade, India on security, and Hispalinux said Windows 8 con- from Sunday with one-way fares from €55. bank will do, with each side trying Russia on status highlight the dif- tained an “obstruction mecha- to mould the institution to their ficulty Beijing will have in staking nism” called UEFI Secure Boot foreign or domestic policy goals its claim to global leadership,” said that controls the start-up of the and with each looking for assur- Daniel Twining of the German computer and means users must ances of an equitable return on Marshall Fund. seek keys from Microsoft to Next Media’s plan to sell Taiwan their initial investment of around But if the leaders succeed it install another operating system. $10bn. Failure to secure a deal would be the first time since the The group said it was “a de would be a major embarrassment inaugural BRICS summit four facto technological jail for com- for many of the participants and years ago that the group matches puter booting systems ... making printing operations in doubt would play into the hands of those rhetorical demands for a more Microsoft’s Windows platform who argue the BRICS have little equitable global order with con- less neutral than ever”. TAIPEI: Hong Kong media However, he said a separate founder of Want Want China to bind them together. crete steps. “This is absolutely anti-com- tycoon Jimmy Lai’s Next Media deal to sell the company’s Taiwan Holdings, who has substantial Xi Jinping, who has under- That would send a loud mes- petitive,” Lancho told Reuters. yesterday said that contro- television operations for Tw$1.5bn business interests in China. scored the growing importance sage to the United States and “It’s really bad for the user and for versial plans to sell its Taiwan was “still alive”. But he reportedly back off amid of the group by making Durban European nations that the cur- the European software industry.” print operations are likely to The planned sale of the publi- the growing criticism. He was not his first summit as China’s presi- rent global balance of power is The European Commission has fall through after buyers let cations has sparked protests in immediately available for com- dent, earlier expressed hopes for unworkable. Together the BRICS fined Microsoft, the global leader an agreement lapse ahead of Taiwan over concerns the deals ment. The influence of Beijing is “positive headway” in establishing accounts for 25 percent of global in PC operating systems, ¤2.2bn deadline. could create a pro-China media a sensitive subject in Taiwan more the bank. GDP and 40 percent of the world’s ($2.83bn) over the past decade, In November the company monopoly. than six decades after it split In a keynote speech in Tanzania population. making it the world’s biggest announced it had signed deals The main buyers have been from China following a civil war. on Monday Xi vowed Beijing’s But members say institu- offender of European Union busi- worth Tw$16bn ($540m) to sell identified as Tsai Eng-meng, Beijing views the island as part “sincere friendship” with the tions like the World Bank, the ness rules. its Taiwan print media, includ- chairman of the China Times of its territory awaiting reunifica- continent, and a relationship International Monetary Fund The Commission found in 2004 ing the popular Apple Daily to five media group, Chinatrust Charity tion, although ties have improved that respects Africa’s “dignity and and the United Nations Security that Microsoft had abused its local businesses. Foundation head Jeffrey Koo Jr in recent years. independence.” Council are not changing fast market leader position by tying But Mark Simon, a commercial and Formosa Plastics Group pres- The deal requires the approval Meanwhile, host President enough reflect their new-found Windows Media Player to the director at Next Media, said the ident Wang Wen-yuan. of Taiwanese regulators as well as Jacob Zuma has lauded the clout. Diplomats say it could start Windows software package and buyers had told the company they Concerns have been raised, shareholders of the Hong Kong- summit as a means of address- with $10bn seed money from each relations have remained tense. would not meet the deadline set particularly over the perceived listed Next Media, controlled by ing his country’s chronic eco- country, but the exact role of the REUTERS for yesterday for the deal. pro-Beijing views of Tsai, also vocal China critic Lai. AFP nomic problems including high bank is up for debate. AFP WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Cyprus banks remain shuttered BRIEFLY Nicosia could be in deep recession caused by shrinkage of the banking sector, says expert

NICOSIA: Cyprus reversed a Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, decision to reopen some banks suggested that the deal could yesterday after world markets form the basis for future bailouts took fright at the implications in the zone. Dubai Airport of the multi-billion-euro bailout “Taking away the risk from the deal it has struck with interna- financial sector and taking it on handled 5 million tional creditors. to the public shoulders is not the All Cyprus banks are to remain right approach,” he said. passengers in Feb shut until tomorrow, the Central “If we want to have a healthy, Bank announced in a shock state- sound financial sector, the only DUBAI: Passenger traffic ment issued late Monday. way is to say: ‘Look, there where at Dubai’s main airport sur- Finance Minister Michael you take the risks, you must deal passed 5 million people in Sarris had made the decision with them, and if you can’t deal February, rising 11.4 percent on the recommendation of the with them you shouldn’t have from a year earlier, airport Central Bank Governor Panicos taken them on and the conse- authorities said yesterday. Demetriades to “ensure the quence might be that it is end of The airport, one of the smooth functioning of the entire story.” world’s busiest, handled 5.1 banking system” the statement After European markets closed, million passengers in February. said. his office clarified “Cyprus is a Year-to-date traffic was up Just hours earlier, the Central specific case with exceptional 13.0 percent to 10.6 million Bank had said all Cyprus banks challenges.” passengers. except for its two biggest lenders, But by then, the damage to “We continue to stay ahead those worst-hit by the financial stock markets and the euro had of the curve in terms of our crisis, would reopen yesterday been done. US stocks also tum- traffic forecast of 65.4 million after a 10-day lockdown for fear bled on Monday. passengers in 2013,” Dubai of a run on deposits. Hours later, the Cypriot finance Airports chief executive Paul In the earlier statement, it ministry decided to postpone the Griffiths said in the statement. said Laiki Bank and the Bank of reopening of all banks. They have An increase in travel- Cyprus would remain shut until already been closed for 10 days to lers from eastern Europe, tomorrow due to their restructur- avoid a run on accounts. Asia, Russia and the Gulf in ing and merger under the terms Earlier on Monday, Cypriot students shout slogans during an anti-bailout protest outside the presidential palace in Nicosia yesterday. February offset a 1.6 percent of the bailout, but that all other Anastasiades said there had year-on-year drop in travellers banks would operate normally. been “no easy solutions” in the from elsewhere in the Middle That earlier decision to reo- marathon talks with interna- are Russian. It will also effectively Their merger is likely to lead to with less than ¤100,000 ($130,000) East because of turmoil in pen most banks had come tional creditors that ended early shut down Laiki, its second-larg- major job losses in a sector that in the island’s banks, a key con- countries such as Syria. after Cypriot President Nicos Monday. The agreement he est lender. had been one of the few growth dition missing from a previous Cargo volumes in February Anastasiades clinched a deal with struck averts a chaotic eurozone Laiki is to be wound up, with areas in the island’s economy. agreement the Cypriot parlia- totalled 182,580 tonnes, an the International Monetary Fund exit for the island. But it comes what is saved being merged with Credit to consumers and small ment rejected last week. increase of 15.9 percent. Year- (IMF) and European Union (EU) at the expense of job losses in the Bank of Cyprus whose larger businesses is also set to dry up. But Cyprus could now be in for to-date cargo volumes were up that threw the debt-stricken key financial sector and a massive depositors will face a “haircut” of But wealthy eurozone gov- a “deep recession caused by the 12.1 percent to 370,099 tonnes. Eurozone member a ¤10bn drying up of credit that threatens 30 percent, government spokes- ernments such as France and shrinkage of the banking sector lifeline. a protracted recession. man Christos Stylianides said. Germany had refused to bail out and severe de-leveraging,” or pay- Under its terms, deposi- The deal with the European The European Central Bank Cyprus unless it agreed to put an ing down of debt, UBS economist Saudi Electric in tors in the two biggest banks Union and the International announced that in light of the end to what they regarded as a Reinhard Cluse said. Economists will pay huge levies on deposits Monetary Fund deals a major deal it would continue its emer- “casino” financial sector depend- have forecast the Cyprus economy $2bn sukuk sale over ¤100,000. But stock mar- hit to investors and depositors gency funding of the two banks ent on hot money from countries could now contract by at least 10 kets reeled after the head of in the island’s biggest bank, the which it had threatened to cut off like Russia. percent this year and by 8.0 per- DUBAI: Saudi Electricity Co the Eurogroup, Dutch Finance Bank of Cyprus, many of whom from Monday. The deal spares all depositors cent in 2014. AFP (SEC), the Gulf’s largest util- ity, has launched an offer of a $2bn dual-tranche Islamic bond, or sukuk, with pricing Britons seek euro transfer due later, a document from lead managers said. LONDON: Financial advisory firm deVere Group yesterday The offer is split between reported a “surge” in the number of British expats seeking advice a $1bn 10-year tranche and about moving funds out of some of the eurozone’s most troubled UK spot gas prices stay a $1bn 30-year portion, with economies following the Cyprus bailout deal. price guidance set at 155 basis According to deVere Group CEO Nigel Green, “more and more points and 190 bps over bench- expats in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece are now not unreasonably mark US Treasuries. worried for their deposits in these countries. Over the last week, high on cold weather Orders worth $13bn have since the messy deal to bailout Cypriot banks began, our financial been pledged by investors for advisers have reported a significant surge in enquiries from expats the deal, which should price in who are looking to safeguard their funds.” AFP LONDON: British wholesale the morning New York time, gas prices remained high yes- the document added. terday as cold weather kept Deutsche Bank and HSBC demand at around 37 percent Holdings are arranging the QATARI MARKET above the seasonal norm and gas sukuk sale. Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P storage levels were extremely Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 104.56 0.66 % Aa2 AA low. Gas prices for delivery within Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.94 1.52 % Aa2 AA NBAD to repay the day as well as for today deliv- Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 124.25 2.23 % Aa2 AA eries were both above 100 pence $817m support Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 117.13 2.50 % Aa2 AA per therm at 0830 GMT, at about Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 112.00 2.94 % Aa2 AA the same levels as late on Monday. DUBAI: National Bank Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 169.75 4.07 % Aa2 AA That compares with a near record of Abu Dhabi has regula- Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 129.25 4.51 % Aa2 AA on Friday of about 150 pence. tory approval to repay the Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 119.50 4.53 % Aa2 AA The high prices were a result remaining Dh3bn ($817m) of unseasonably low temperatures of support it received from Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.13 1.25 % Aa2 AA across Britain for much of March. UAE authorities in 2008, Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 114.50 2.79 % Aa2 AA UK gas demand was expected A man uses a shovel to clear snow from his car in Llangollen, north Wales, the bank said in a statement Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 105.75 1.42 % A1 A- to be 370 million cubic metres yesterday as thousands in Scotland and Northern Ireland were without yesterday. Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.63 2.17 % A1 A- (mcm) yesterday. power after snow and high winds brought down electricity lines in some The largest bank by market QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.50 2.02 % NR NR The high demand has depleted value in the UAE will repay of the worst March weather for half a century. QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.63 1.71 % Aa3 A+ gas storage sites by around 90 the sum in equal instalments QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.63 2.13 % Aa3 A+ percent. With just over 500 mcm in the first and second quar- left in tanks, the reserves are of gas storage by around April 8 would usually go to Asian buyers, ters of this year, the statement Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.63 2.27 % A2 A- enough to cover 1.36 days worth or 9. where prices are normally higher said, adding that the bank Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.63 1.73 % A2 A of current demand. Some relief to Britain’s gas than in Britain,” one gas trader had already repaid Dh2.6bn Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 131.00 2.46 % A2 A Britain’s MetOffice said that infrastructure was seen to come said. in 2012. Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 111.88 3.04 % A2 A the cold weather would last until from overseas cargoes of liquefied “This will bring a bit of relief to Banks in the UAE received Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 110.63 3.92 % A2 A at least the end of the week, with natural gas (LNG). the system here, but the situation financial support from the Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 106.63 1.03 % Aa3 A conditions remaining “cold or With gas inflows seen at 391.7 remains incredibly tense, because government in 2008 to shore Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 108.13 3.36 % Aa3 A very cold, with moderate to severe mcm, the system was expected just one unplanned pipeline out- up their balance sheets, and Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 111.38 3.56 % Aa3 A frosts overnight”. to be oversupplied by around 21.7 age would seriously threaten sup- converted this into seven-year The average daily depletion rate mcm, according to data from plies,” he added. bonds in late 2009. SOVEREIGNS since the beginning of the month, National Grid, providing the Two tankers with a combined They are now expected to Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P when the cold spell started, has opportunity for some small gas capacity of around 527,000 cubic prioritise repaying the money Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 105.13 0.46 % Aa2 AA been 0.44 percent, down from 0.55 storage injections. Traders said metres have delivered their LNG as the value of the capital Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 125.88 2.15 % Aa2 AA percent late last week, according the additional supplies were com- to Britain this week, and another instruments has diminished to Reuters calculations. ing from LNG tankers. 350,000 cubic metres are expected and access to finance has Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 110.38 2.44 % NR NR Projecting current depletion “The high spot prices have to come in from two ships by become cheaper. REUTERS Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.25 3.01 % NR NR levels ahead, Britain could run out attracted some LNG tankers that April 3. REUTERS Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 124.13 4.00 % NR NR Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 117.13 4.17 % NR NR Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.63 0.87 % Aa2 AA Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 115.38 3.27 % NR BBB Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 109.75 3.90 % NR BBB Aramco says committed Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 89.00 7.80 % Caa1 B- Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 106.13 3.56 % NR BBB- to China refinery project *Periodic Distribution Amount • Bullion - Mumbai IMPORTANT NOTE: Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 29680 Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which BEIJING: Saudi Aramco, the world’s biggest oil producer, is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services Silver (1 kg) Rs. 55020 remains “committed” to plans to build a 200,000 barrels-per-day Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.77 (bpd) refinery in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan, data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising • Sensex the company’s chief executive, Khalid Al Falih, said yesterday. out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds BSE 18681.42 Aramco’s subsidiary, Aramco Overseas, signed a pact in March can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant NSE 5633.85 2011 with top Chinese oil firm PetroChina on building the refinery, liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not saying it planned to supply up to 200,000 bpd to the project through • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and a long-term contract. “We are committed to the Yunnan project consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. p.a. (in dollar) and we will pursue it,” Al Falih said on the sidelines of a conference • Housing loan from HDFC LTD in Beijing. Asked if that meant supplying crude oil or investing in • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, the construction of the refinery itself, Al-Falih said “both”. Aramco Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. hopes to play a role in China’s efforts to solve its energy needs, as Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] the country’s oil demand is set to double by 2030. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Index 8,573.11 0.08 % QE Total Return Index 12,103.99 0.08 % RATE QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,549.57 0.37 % QE All Share Index 2,155.57 0.04 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,044.01 0.09 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 4964.68 -36.829 -0.74 5174.4 4664.6 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 5,135.44 0.85 % QR187.6147 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 3755.79 27.81 0.75 3871.58 3600.81 UK ...... QR 5.4876 QR 5.5645 QE All Share Industrials 2,959.79 0.57 % SILVER QE All Share Insurance 1,944.42 0.68 % Dj Indu Average 14447.75 -64.28 -0.44 14563.8 12035.1 QR 3.3801 Euro ...... QR 4.6560 QR 4.7211 QE All Share Real Estate 1,495.52 0.94 % CA$ ...... QR 3.5371 QR 3.6078 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Telecoms 1,184.18 0.28 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8137 QR 3.8668 QE All Share Transportation 1,461.94 0.46 % Hang Seng Inde/D 22311.08 59.93 0.27 23944.74 21975.9 Yen ...... QR 0.0383 QR 0.0390 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7808 QR 3.8559 Iseq Overall/D 3924.08 -8.03 -0.2 3993.49 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0663 QR 0.0677 26-03-2013 25-03-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 17872.15 -89.76 -0.5 18312.65 16036.31 Index 8,573.11 8,580.01 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0367 QR 0.0375 Change 6.90 1.27 Nikkei 225 Index 12471.62 -74.84 -0.6 12650.26 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0880 QR 0.0897 % 0.08 0.01 $109.30 SL Re ...... QR 0.0285 QR 0.0292 YTD% 2.56 2.64 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1564.91 1266.74 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0461 QR 0.0470 Volume 5,128,003 5,280,587 Straits Times/D 3288.53 21.05 0.64 3319.19 3160.83 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0415 QR 0.0423 Value (QAR) 331,969,603.58 325,502,542.44 $107.78 Trades 3,203 2,789 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3890 QR 0.3967 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 11 | Down 22 | Unchanged 05

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 26-03-2013

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

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

A C C-A/D 1157.4 1.25 17393 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1333.45 18.45 35279 Hindalco-A/D 88 0 731643 Lloydsfin.-B/D 0.77 -0.04 4400 Til Ltd.-B/D 143.75 1.7 2628 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 47.315 -0.5 58400061 Aarti Drugs-B/D 150.75 -16.7 13361 Colgate-A/D 1239.6 -41.6 19443 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 822.65 17.45 112247 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 14.15 -0.7 19835 Timexgroup-B/D 13.2 0.4 64225 Marks & Sp./D 394.73 2.3 579730 Aban Offs-B/D 259.95 2.65 31144 Container Cor-/D 1026.45 4.45 292206 I F C I-A/D 25.15 -1.35 2481558 Lupin-A/D 622.05 -7.1 41903 Tinplate-B/D 39.35 -0.2 4401 Next/D 4367 47 123001 Aegis Logis-B/D 122.9 1.2 3811 Dhampur Sugar-/D 41.1 -0.1 11812 Idbi-A/D 79.8 -1.35 351768 Lyka Labs-B/D 8.82 0.07 9969 Ub Engineer-T/D 22.55 1.05 18591 Pearson/D 1178 -7 584724 Alembic-B/D 15.75 -0.25 9803 Dr. Reddy-A/D 1754.45 -12.2 4979 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 80 2.55 17324 Mangalam Cem-B/D 130 -0.8 3595 Ub Engineer-T/D 22.55 1.05 18591 Prudential/D 1105.8 32 969895 Alok Indus-B/D 7.8 -0.17 762551 E I H-B/D 55.65 -0.05 19791 India Cement-B/D 83.85 1.95 124754 Maral Overs-B/D 10 -0.36 2936 Ucal Fuel-B/D 49.05 -0.65 1830 Rank Group/D 174 -2 12400 Andhra Paper-B/D 188.85 1.05 15962 E.I.D Parry-B/D 149.15 -2.15 11041 India Glycol-B/D 125.8 1.4 5146 Max India L-A/D 222.5 -5.9 4857 Ucal Fuel-B/D 49.05 -0.65 1830 Rentokil Initi/D 98.9 -0.5 914020 Apollo Tyre-A/D 80.95 -1.65 87266 Electrosteel-B/D 15.8 0 78569 Indian Hotel-A/D 54.05 0.3 28231 Mrpl-A/D 49.35 -0.05 38757 Ultramarine-B/D 61.2 1.9 50759 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1093.64 -15 940460 Asahi I Glass-/D 48.45 0.15 753562 Emco-B/D 17.4 -0.5 11480 Indo-Bcount-B/D 10.94 0.09 5432 Nahar Spg.-B/D 70 -2.85 5409 Unitech P -A/D 22.1 -0.85 3076637 Rsa Insrance G/D 116.126 -0.5 1499153 Ashok Leyland-/D 22.1 -0.4 196942 Escorts Fin-B/D 2.88 -0.15 6500 Indusind-A/D 399.9 8.05 180635 Nath Seeds-B/D 3.65 -0.19 2550 Sainsbury(J)/D 374.357 -0.6 911633 Ballarpur In-B/D 16.95 -0.2 25233 Escorts-B/D 49.5 -0.7 70149 J.B.Chemical-B/D 71.55 -0.95 20315 Nation Alum -A/D 34.2 -1.25 155448 LONDON Schroders/D 2131 41 297275 Bata India-A/D 709.6 -9.9 18173 Essar Oil-A/D 76 -1.05 580545 Jagson Phar-B/D 9.67 -0.28 1830 Navneet Pub.-B/D 58 0.05 10037 Severn Trent/D 1668 -1 80466 Bayer Crop-A/D 1170.65 25.7 5323 Eveready Indu-/D 16.6 0.05 43954 Jbf Indu-B/D 100 1.25 6668 Nepc India-B/D 1.83 -0.06 180961 3I Group/D 315.1 1 298446 Smith&Nephew/D 752 3.5 275337 Beml Ltd-B/D 140.5 -2.2 35559 F D C-B/D 91.9 1.85 43107 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.4 0.01 21001 O N G C-A/D 302.7 -1.9 178295 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1856 -17 151460 Smiths Group/D 1279 2 157727 Bhansali Eng-B/D 15.39 1.38 12852 Federal Bank-A/D 488.25 5.25 40684 Jct Ltd-B/D 0.75 -0.03 144099 Oil Country-B/D 40.9 -0.15 2665 B Sky B/D 890.5 -5.5 420757 Standrd Chart /D 1696.5 -12 1249140 Bhel-A/D 176.3 -3.15 312372 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.01 -0.1 9437 Jik Indust-B/D 0.99 0.03 9675 Onward Tech-T/D 39.75 -1.25 3436 Barclays/D 286.2 4.1 21094164 Tate & Lyle/D 833.5 0.5 359725 Bom.Burmah-B/D 109.25 1.6 13170 Finolex-B/D 94.65 0.95 38693 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 94.2 -1.15 9377 Orchid Chem-B/D 61.85 -0.3 202939 Bg Group/D 1142.5 3 1133569 Tesco/D 369.35 -1.9 5217139 Bombay Dyeing-/D 84 0.05 38392 Forbes-B/D 627.3 -7.2 46575 Kabra Extr-B/D 27.25 -0.95 1914 Oudh Sugar-B/D 16.9 0.4 5313 Bp/D 461.45 1.5 5241891 Tomkins/D 0 0 0 Cable Corp.-B/D 18.9 0.65 6550 Gail-A/D 303.9 -10.05 91588 Kajaria Cer-B/D 188.6 3.9 27288 Radico Khait-B/D 128.15 3.8 41236 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3496.5 -12.5 551447 Unilever/D 2760 -3 502798 Canfin Homes-B/D 137.55 -1.75 3921 Gammon India-B/D 22.95 0.8 33917 Kalpat Power-B/D 74.75 -2.55 13567 Rallis India-B/D 113.7 -0.95 32271 British Airway/D 276.4574 0 0 United Util Gr/D 704.85 1 498362 Caprihans-B/D 38.6 3.35 3544 Goodricke-B/D 130 1.8 1983 Kalyani Stel-B/D 34.7 1.35 18160 Rallis India-B/D 113.7 -0.95 32271 Bt Group/D 277.633 -3.2 5459898 Vodafone Group/D 187.181 -0.05 17445407 Castrol Ind-A/D 304.15 7.05 13551 Hcl Infosys-B/D 38 0.25 138472 Kg Denim-B/D 14.24 1.08 11880 Reliance Indus/D 308.25 -3.9 40609 Centrica/D 363.445 1.4 2317003 Whitbread/D 2504 -28 129733 Century Enka-B/D 98.45 -0.85 5490 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 8.07 0.39 492529 Kilburnengg-B/D 12.17 0.26 5395 Ruchi Soya-B/D 63.15 -0.85 10323 Gkn/D 266 0.8 928644 Century Text-A/D 281.9 0.7 59226 Himat Seide-B/D 30 -0.25 6479 Klg Systel-B/D 10.44 -0.44 6364 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 408.15 -13.35 3015 Hsbc Holdings/D 700.7 5.7 7636249 Chambal Fert-B/D 49.7 -1.3 262580 Hind Motors-B/D 8.73 -0.13 103237 Kopran-B/D 13.08 0.68 24966 Saur.Cem-B/D 19.55 -1.4 5457 Imperial Tobac/D 2271.36 -10 611883 Chola Invest-B/D 273.2 2.75 2941 Hind Org Chem-/D 10.07 0.02 13321 Lgb Broth-B/D 190 -4.45 4382 Tanfac Indust-/D 13.38 0.87 1653 Kingfisher/D 287 3.7 4093645 Cipla-A/D 379.7 -0.8 107841 Hind Unilever-/D 472.45 9.95 740669 Lloyd Metal-B/D 11.91 -0.26 2263 Tanfac Indust-/D 13.38 0.87 1653 Land Secs Grou/D 817 -1 417226 City Union Bk-/D 52.4 -0.75 25297 Hind.Petrol-A/D 280.95 -1.1 67246 Lloyd Steel-B/D 9.79 0.36 58884 Thirumalai-B/D 89.65 -0.95 2796 Legal & Genera/D 170 2.3 3091139 WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT NHL: Kings Heat streak reaches 27 edge past NBA champions inch closer to Lakers’ record of consecutive 33 wins Blackhawks CHICAGO: Anze Kopitar scored, then Jarrett Stoll got a ORLANDO, Florida: For NBA Results were being offered for $1,125 just short-handed goal. There was Chris Bosh, the entire NBA sea- hours before tipoff on ticket re- another score in the final second son has felt like one big play-off Washington 107 Memphis 94 sale sites. There were plenty of of the second period. game and there was no easing Miami 108 Orlando 94 seats for Friday’s contest against Once the Los Angeles Kings got up yesterday as the Miami Heat Indiana 100 Atlanta 94 the Washington Wizards available going, the Chicago Blackhawks dumped the Orlando Magic New Orleans 110 Denver 86 for $10-$12. just couldn’t stop them.Brown 108-94 to extend their winning Utah 107 Philadelphia 91 After back-to-back games converted his own rebound with streak to 27 games. Golden State 109 LA Lakers 103 against the NBA’s two bottom 1:27 remaining and the Kings As the reigning NBA champi- feeders, the Charlotte Bobcats scored all their goals in the final ons, the Heat are used to seeing The job of stopping the streak- and Orlando, the Heat’s road to two periods of a 5-4 victory over the best from the opposition but ing Heat on Monday was a lot the record could get a little bump- the Blackhawks yesterday. the target has grown a little big- tougher for the under-manned ier with the Chicago Bulls, New “It was just a team effort,” ger as they close in on the Los Magic who were without their Orleans Hornets and Western Kopitar said. “Going into the Angeles Lakers’ record of 33 con- top two scorers, Arron Afflalo and conference-leading San Antonio game we knew we had to get 20 secutive wins. Nikola Vucevic. Spurs on deck to close out March. guys on board with a team effort “It’s kind of like 82 play-off The Heat were also missing one “We’ll take this and move on was the intention we had. We just games especially now since this of their ‘Big Three’, with Dwyane to the next game of our busi- stuck with it.” streak happened,” said Bosh, who Wade sitting out for a second ness trip,” said Heat coach Erik It was Los Angeles’ highest- contributed 12 points and nine straight game with a sore right Spoelstra. “Each game is not scoring game since a 5-2 victory rebounds yesterday. knee. going to be perfect, you have to over San Jose on March 16 and “We know that guys bring their The All-Star guard was not figure games out and we were able came on the heels of consecu- best against us, that’s the world missed, however, as LeBron James to do that.” tive shutout losses to Dallas and we live in. once again put his stamp on the While James, Bosh and Wade Vancouver. The scoreless stretch “When you get used to that and contest, sparking a 20-2 run that came together at Miami to win reached 150 minutes, 35 seconds you’re challenged, you don’t have spanned the third and fourth titles, it was always understood before Kopitar picked up his 10th room for error every night and quarters and put the contest out they might make a little history goal of the season at 4:21 in the you get better. of reach. along the way. second. “It’s our normal.” Playing the second of back-to- Their winning streak is now “We got good games out of Certainly, the Heat had more back contests, James had a quiet the second-longest among all our third and fourth lines, and than many might have expected opening half with six points and North American major profes- Brownie scored a big goal at the from the lowly Magic. one assist but delivered when the sional sports and is now just six end,” Kings coach Darryl Sutter While Orlando own the second game was on the line, finishing away from the Lakers’ mark set said. “They’re probably not happy worst record in the NBA with just one rebound shy of a triple-double in 1971-72. with the way they played, and if 18 wins and are a staggering 38.5 with 24 points, 11 assists and nine “We envisioned challenging we’d have lost, we wouldn’t have games back of their state rivals, boards. history but you never know what been happy with the way we the Florida Derby has not been “It’s another day to play basket- kind of way,” said Bosh. “We just played.” AGENCIES as lop-sided as the records would ball, we’re living our dream, just wanted to win. I know I wanted suggest. having fun with these guys,” said to win and that’s all that is really NHL Results Earlier in March, the Heat Bosh. “It’s another day at the job important to us. Boston 3 Toronto 2 almost saw their run halted at but we enjoy doing it. “You do want to win champion- Ottawa 3 New Jersey 2 15 games until James hit a lay-up “We know that when we go out ships, that is our main goal, that’s Los Angeles 5 Chicago 4 with just three seconds to play, there we do our job and we do it the reason we came together but securing Miami a 97-96 win. On well.” I guess you can challenge things Nashville 3 Edmonton 2 New Year’s Eve the Magic took As the Heat’s streak has picked along the way and you never know Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors is closely guarded by Minnesota 7 Dallas 4 Miami to overtime before falling up steam, so has interest. what is going to come up.” Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Detroit 3 Phoenix 2 112-110. Seats for yesterday’s game AFP California, yesterday. San Jose 5 Anaheim 3 Woods recaptures No. 1 spot Golf Rankings: ORLANDO, Florida: Tiger the world. His woes began in 2009 tune-up event for next month’s 1. Tiger Woods (USA) 11.87 Woods reclaimed the world when a US tabloid aired claims he Masters. Woods and playing part- number one spot yesterday for had had an affair with a nightclub ner Fowler began on the third 2. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 11.29 the first time since his career manageress. Two days later, amid hole yeserday and Woods quickly 3. Justin Rose (ENG) 7.11 was derailed by a sex scandal speculation about his marriage, set the tone with birdies on a pair 4. Luke Donald (ENG) 6.86 and a string of injuries. he was slightly injured when he of par-fives. 5. Brandt Snedeker (USA) 6.39 Woods’ victory at the Arnold crashed his car near his home. He finished on 18 with a bogey 6. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 6.05 Palmer Invitational saw the In December of that year, but it was enough to reach 7. Adam Scott (AUS) 5.82 37-year-old replace Rory McIlroy Woods issued two statements 13-under 275, giving him the win 8. Steve Stricker (USA) 5.74 atop the rankings in the latest admitting to serial marital infidel- and propelling him the Number milestone of his comeback from ity and announced he would take One spot for the first time since 9. Matt Kuchar (USA) 5.38 a spectacular fall from personal a break from golf. He later said October 2010. 10. Keegan Bradley (USA) 5.25 and professional grace. that he had undergone therapy “I am getting back to winning “I play well here,” said Woods, to help him change his behavior. golf tournaments,” Woods said. “I Arnold Palmer who secured his eighth victory He returned to golf at the 2010 won some golf tournaments the at Bay Hill with after a closing Masters in April, but his marriage last couple years so consequently Invitational round of two-under 70. was over and his divorce with I moved up.” Final-round scores yesterday from the “That is about as simple as it former model Elin Nordegren Runner-up Justin Rose fired a $6.2m Arnold Palmer Invitational (USA gets. It is a by-product of hard was granted in August. His game two-under 70 to finish at 11-under work and patience.” had clearly suffered during the while Fowler stumbled down the unless noted, par-72): It took an extra day, but Woods turmoil and his return to the top stretch, closing with a one-over 275 Tiger Woods 69-70-66-70 out-dueled fellow American took three years. 73 as he plummeted to a four-way 277 Justin Rose (ENG) 65-70-72-70 Rickie Fowler down the stretch, “The first step in the process tie for third at eight-under 280. 280 Mark Wilson 71-68-70-71, Keegan winning the $6.2m event by two was getting healthy. Once I got Fowler finished alongside Mark Bradley 74-69-66-71, Gonzalo strokes. there, then my game turned,” Wilson (71), Gonzalo Fernandez- Fdez-Castano (ESP) 69-71-68-72, Woods, who pocketed $1.08m Woods said. “I’ve won six times Castano (72) and Keegan Bradley Rickie Fowler 73-67-67-73 for yesterday’s win, has won 14 on the tour the last couple years. (71). 281 Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN) 69-73-66-73 majors in his career and had pre- That’s not bad.” “I was swinging it well, I made 282 William McGirt 74-70-70-68, Henrik viously spent a record 623 weeks Last week, Woods announced a few putts, and trying to put a Stenson (SWE) 71-71-69-71, Bill Haas on top of the world. that he was dating US ski racer little pressure on him, let him 69-66-73-74, Jimmy Walker 69-69- But he has not led the rank- Lindsey Vonn. know I was there,” Fowler said. ings for nearly three years, after “Number 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!” Vonn Woods, who has won six times 70-74, Ken Duke 70-68-70-74 Tiger Woods (left) and Arnold Palmer smile during the ceremony following injuries and an infamous scandal tweeted after Woods’ victory. in his last 20 tournaments, 283 Scott Brown 74-71-69-69 saw him stumble. Woods fell to Woods also claimed his 77th attributes his recent success to the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at the Bay Hill 284 Bubba Watson 74-71-72-67, Ben his lowest rank on November 11, PGA Tour victory - his 99th learning how to juggle his family Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida, yesterday. Kohles 69-73-70-72 2011 when he dropped to 58th in professional victory - in his final life with golf. AFP Volleyball: Qatar Sports Club win Under-15 title Chinese amateur star dreams big HONG KONG: Two-time China on the map as a force in Olympic champion Zou the sport. Shiming says that he is aiming “It’s always been a dream of for the top, ahead of his pro- mine to become a professional fessional debut next month, as boxer, now that I have this he bids to become China’s first opportunity, I want to see if I can boxer to make it big on the become a world champion, that is world stage. the goal that I hope to achieve,” The nimble Zou, light flyweight he said. Zou has signed with Bob gold medallist at the 2008 and Arum’s Las Vegas-based Top 2012 Olympic Games, begins his Rank promotions and been train- quest for world domination in ing under the celebrated Freddie Macau on April 6 against the Roach. Roach has drawn compar- little-known Mexican Eleazar isons between Zou and another Valenzuela. brilliant Asian, the Filipino Zou, a three-time amateur Manny Pacquiao. world champion, is well known in “Freddie has been incredible, his homeland, where boxing was he has made the transition from Players and officials of Qatar Sports Club, winners of the under-15 League title of Qatar Volleyball Association, pose for a group picture along with banned under Mao Zedong. Now amateur to professional very easy players of Al Sadd and Al Gharafa at Qatar Volleyball Association headquarters on Monday. Al Sadd finished second, while Al Gharafa came third. he hopes to extend his reputa- and I love working with him,” Zou tion to a global audience and put said. AFP WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 French name same quartet Murray, Serena advance for Davis Cup Sharapova powers on in search of elusive Miami Masters title PARIS: French Davis Cup skip- per Arnaud Clement yesterday MIAMI: Reigning US Open WTA and ATP of France, cruised past Finland’s revealed he would stick with the champs Andy Murray and Jarkko Nieminen 6-3, 6-3 as squad which beat Israel in the Serena Williams stepped up Masters Canada’s Milos Raonic withdrew first round, leaving Jo-Wilfried their bids for another title while MIAMI: Results yesterday from the seventh from the tournament with strep Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, Julien China’s Li Na halted the giant- day of the $8.5m WTA and ATP Masters throat just moments before his Benneteau and Michael Llodra killing run of a Spanish teen to Miami hardcourt tournament (x denotes match against Sam Querrey. to take on Argentina in their advance at the Miami Masters seeding): In the women’s draw, China’s April 5 to 7 quarter-final. yesterday. Men’s Third round Li set up a quarter-final against Gilles Simon is on stand-by as a Second seed Murray blasted world number one Williams with replacement, coming in for previ- Andreas Seppi (ITA x16) bt Thomaz Belluci nine aces en route to a 7-6 (7/3), an error-strewn 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 win ous stand-in Jeremy Chardy. (BRA) 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 6-3 victory over disgruntled over teen Garbine Muguruza. Gasquet and Tsonga take the Grigor Dimitrov to reach the Andy Murray (GBR x2) bt Grigor Dimitrov The 31-year-old Li is playing in singles berths and Benneteau will fourth round of the hardcourt (BUL x29) 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 her first tournament since suffer- partner Llodra in the doubles for tournament. Nicolas Almagro (ESP x10) bt David Goffin ing an ankle injury in January’s the French, who lifted their ninth Murray, who won this event (BEL) 6-3, 6-4 Australian Open final. title in 2001. four years ago, needed one hour Richard Gasquet (FRA x8) bt Mikhail Williams also struggled having Argentina have played in four and 54 minutes to oust the 29th- Youzhny (RUS x28) 6-3, 6-4 to come from a set down to win Davis Cup finals but have never seeded Bulgarian Dimitrov. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x6) bt Jarkko 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 against Slovakia’s lifted the salad bowl trophy. Murray said he started slowly Nieminen (FIN) 6-3, 6-3 13th seed Dominika Cibulkova. Moreover, their record against but soon figured out how to cause Sam Querrey (USA x17) bt Milos Raonic Williams, who is bidding for a France is poor - five losses in five problems for his opponent. (CAN x14) walkover record sixth Miami title, admit- duels. “I was leaving the ball a bit Marin Cilic (CRO x9) bt John Isner (USA x20) ted she had not been at her best Only once have the nations met short. Once I started to improve 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) and at 4-1 down to Cibulkova in in Argentina - the French win- my depth a bit I made it tough Tomas Berdych (CZE x4) bt Alejandro Falla the second set and staring defeat ning 3-2 in 1982. for him and he started to make (COL) 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 in the face she had had to pull France thrashed their rivals mother mistakes after that,” Women’s 4th round herself together. 5-0 in Lyon in the semi-finals Murray said. Li - the 2011 French Open three seasons ago. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x4) bt Sloane Dimitrov, last year’s runner-up champion and two-time This time, the South Americans Stephens (USA x16) 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 to Novak Djokovic, would have Australian Open finalist - made will be without their number one Serena Williams (USA x1) bt Dominika faced a tougher task had not the 39 unforced errors, including four Juan Martin del Potro, who is Cibulkova (SVK x13) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 21-year-old lost his composure double faults, and allowed her unavailable - but Clement says when serving for the first set Kirsten Flipkens (BEL x30) bt Ajla 19-year-old opponent to battle he remains wary of them. at 5-3. Dimitrov double-faulted Tomljanovic (CRO) 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-3 back to 5-5 in the first set having “It is 50-50. Historically, play- three times to allow Murray to Li Na (CHN x5) bt Garbine Muguruza (ESP) led 5-1. ing over there is not easy. I break back and the Scot duly pre- 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 Even at 6-1 in the tiebreaker think Argentina will play strong vailed in the tie-break. Roberta Vinci (ITA x15) bt Alize Cornet (FRA Li faltered as Muguruza fought matches and be up for it. They It is the second time in as many x32) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 back to 6-6. Li pulled herself have won 18 of their last 20 home tournaments that Dimitrov has Jelena Jankovic (SRB x22) bt Sorana Cirstea together to take the next two matches,” said Clement. cracked when serving for a set (ROM x28) 6-0, 6-4 points and the set, before wrap- He noted that world number against a top-ranked player, serv- Sara Errani (ITA x8) bt Ana Ivanovic (SRB ping up victory in the second set. 15 Juan Monaco will be a threat ing up four double faults when he x12) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 In the night match, third seed and that David Nalbandian led world number one Djokovic Maria Sharapova (RUS x3) bt Klara Maria Sharapova routed Czech remains a match for top players 5-3 in the third round at Indian Zakopalova (21) 6-2, 6-2 Klara Zakopalova in straight sets on his day. Wells. 6-2, 6-2. Sharapova, who is one of Carlos Berlocq and Horacio “He probably got a little bit 4-6, 6-2. Meanwhile, eighth- the favourites, has never won in Zeballos make up the remain- nervous, and that helped me,” seeded Frenchman Richard Miami. “It would be special to win der of the home squad and Murray said. Gasquet rolled over 28th-seeded this and add it to my collection,” Clement noted that “Zeballos Murray, who committed 22 Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-4 she said. Sharapova advances to has already beaten (Rafael) unforced errors to Dimitrov’s 38, and 10th-seeded Spaniard Nicolas the quarter-finals where she will Nadal on clay. will face Italian Andrea Seppi Almagro beat Belgian David face eighth-seeded Sara Errani Even if he (Nadal) was just in the fourth round, the 16th Goffin 6-3, 6-4. Gasquet faces who rallied to beat former world Andy Murray of Great Britain shows his frustration against Grigor Dimitrov coming back (from seven months seed having beaten experienced Almagro in the fourth round. No. 1 Ana Ivanovic 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. of Bulgaria during their third round match at the Sony Open at Crandon out with injury) not everybody Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci 7-5, Sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, AFP Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Florida, yesterday. can manage that.” AFP Tokyo 2020 bid boosted Fred’s late equaliser spares Brazilian blushes LONDON: Fred spared Brazil’s when he tapped home Marcelo’s centre-back’s low shot skidded Scolari’s side to click into action Shirkov fouled Oscar. And that blushes with a last-gasp equal- cross from close range in the last across the turf, but QPR’s Cesar and even then Neymar shot was to be the Blues star’s last by record iser to rescue a 1-1 draw against minute. was equal to his effort. That high and wide of Russia keeper contribution as he was replaced Russia in Monday night’s For Scolari the fixture marked wasn’t Brazil’s only early scare. Vladimir Gabulov’s goal after by Hulk as Scolari went for the friendly at Stamford Bridge. a return to Chelsea, where he Ten minutes later Cesar’s goal surging into the box. win. Brazil had dominated for the support Luiz Felipe Scolari is still wait- spent seven months before being was again threatened as the ball Five minutes before the break, majority of the second half with- ing for the first win of his second sacked by Roman Abramovich was pumped into the box and Fayzulin cut in off the left touch- out causing any damage. TOKYO: Organisers of Tokyo’s spell as Brazil manager following in 2009, but he failed to take the Roman Shirokov and Aleksandr line, beat Barcelona’s Daniel Alves Russia always looked efficient bid for the 2020 Olympics said this lacklustre display on a freez- opportunity to prove a point to Kerzhakov both saw shots blocked. before lashing into the side net- in possession and it was third yesterday public support for ing evening in west London, but the Blues’ Russian owner. Cesar then had Real Madrid ting as Russia regrouped. time lucky as Capello’s men their campaign had risen to 77 it would have been even more The Selecao, continuing on midfielder Kaka to thank for Neymar again wasted another finally broke the deadlock 18 percent as IOC inspectors con- embarrassing for the former their global tour in the build up some last-ditch defending as chance, and for all their trickery minutes from time. Brazil failed tinued a fact-finding tour of Chelsea boss without Fred’s late to staging the 2014 World Cup, the playmaker got another block and intricate passing, Brazil just to clear as Russia bided their three candidate cities. intervention. clearly have plenty of room for on a shot from Kershakov and couldn’t find a way past Russia’s time before Fayzulin picked his The support rate was up four Russia took a deserved lead improvement. Shirokov’s follow up. resolute defence in the opening 45 spot and stroked the ball home points from January, the Tokyo when Zenit St Petersburg winger Russia’s Sergey Ignashevich Brazil, five-time world cham- minutes. Brazil’s Chelsea defender from 15 yards. Two minutes later bid committee said, citing its Victor Fayzulin scored his third called Brazil goalkeeper Julio pions, saw their goal continually David Luiz looked eager for a goal Marcelo missed the target as he own telephone surveys. The rate goal for Fabio Capello’s side in the Cesar into action after just two peppered as defensive midfielder on his home club ground, only for ran onto Hulk’s pullback before started at 58 percent in July last 73rd minute. minutes when he unleashed a Shirokov then tried his luck from Russia’s wall to deny him when Fred finally restored a measure year. But Fluminense forward Fred powerful 30-yard drive. range in the 15th minute. he stepped up to strike a 25-yard of Brazilian pride with his 90th A team from the International snatched a dramatic equaliser The CSKA Moscow It took nearly 30 minutes for free-kick on the hour mark after minute strike. AFP Olympic Committee (IOC) evalu- ation commission visited Tokyo from March 4-7 to scrutinise the bid and inspect existing and Aisha, Rashid win 10m Air Rifle at Emir Shooting Championship planned facilities for the Games. The team was due to end its four-day visit to Istanbul on Wednesday after a similar trip to Madrid last week. The IOC inspection tour “enhanced public understanding of our bid activities and led to a rise in the support rate”, a state- ment said. According to recent surveys by the IOC itself, public sup- port was 70 percent for Tokyo, 76 percent for Madrid and 83 percent for Istanbul. Tepid pub- lic support was seen as a reason for Tokyo’s failure to secure the the 2016 summer Games won by Rio de Janeiro. The 100-plus IOC members will vote to choose the 2020 host city in Buenos Aires on September 7 after studying a technical report by the commis- sion on the three bids. In another publicity blitz timed to coincide with the IOC team’s visit to Istanbul, the Tokyo bid committee said US sprint and long jump legend Carl Lewis has endorsed the Japanese city’s bid. “It’s always wonderful to be back in Japan and I wish them the best of luck because I think they will put on a tremendous Aisha Yousef Al Suwaidi (centre), winner in the 10m Air Rifle at the Emir Shooting Championship poses for a picture along with silver medal winner Bahya Mansur Al Hamad, and third Games,” the nine-time Olympic place winner Moriam Hassan Mohammed (right) and officials of Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation at the Losail Shooting Complex, yesterday. RIGHT: Rashid Ali Al Muhannadi (centre), and eight-time world gold medal- winner of the 10m Air Rifle event in the men’s section shows his gold medal. Vitaliy Dovgun (left) finished second while Sabri Mohammed Ali finished third. list said yesterday. AFP WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Motor Racing: Red Bull Watson’s place ‘uncertain’ have a clear Cricket Australia chief says every aspect of India tour to be discussed number one, says Hamilton MELBOURNE: Despite his lead in the absence of Clarke, who elevation as the Australian Test skipped the fourth Test due to a Watson admits LONDON: Lewis Hamilton has captain, Shane Watson’s place chronic back injury. turned his fire on Formula One Australian in the side - both as vice-cap- “I won’t go into details there form a concern rivals Red Bull for suggesting national tain and batsman - will be hotly but it was all carefully consid- after a controversial Malaysian debated due to his poor form ered. There were a couple of MELBOURNE: Australian cricket Grand Prix that he has joined during the disastrous tour of other options and that was the batsman Shane Watson that he team coach Mercedes as their clear number India. preferred option. He was tour risks being dropped unless he Mickey one. John Inverarity, Cricket vice-captain and he was the one can find a way to start scoring Arthur holds The race at Sepang was domi- Australia (CA) national selection who had captaincy experience at big runs again for the national a media nated by controversial team panel chairman, said Watson’s international level, and from all side. conference orders issued by champions Red position in the team is not guar- quarters that was the preferred Watson, who was the acting at a local Bull and Mercedes but Red Bull anteed -- either as Michael option,” he said captain in the final Test in Delhi, oval after consultant Helmut Marko said Clarke’s deputy or as a specialist Asked whether Watson could be managed only 99 runs at 16.50 returning afterwards that his team had a batsman. chosen for the Ashes, Inverarity during the Indian tour that ended from India, different approach to Hamilton’s. “Things will always be dis- said the selection committee was last week. The right-hander has in Perth “The team will have a word cussed. Every aspect of the team concerned about his perform- not scored a Test century in the yesterday. because we have to control the will be discussed, players and ances in India. last two years. Arthur drivers,” the Austrian told Sky leadership roles, that is abso- “We’re concerned about his “There is no doubt that I need insisted his Sports television after world lutely normal and it will be done performances. In those ODI to score runs,” Watson said at the contentious champion Sebastian Vettel had so again,” Inverarity was quoted matches back in Australia his end of the Indian tour. won by ignoring instructions to punishment as saying by The Australian. form looked to be outstanding, “As a batsman who’s batting in remain behind team-mate Mark of four Inverarity was the selector on and in the first couple of Test the top four at the moment, I need Webber. duty for the first two Tests in matches when I was there he was to score runs. Unfortunately, dur- players “It’s not like at Mercedes India and flew back home before playing well until the ball of his ing this series I’ve scored nowhere for not where it’s a clear number one four cricketers, including Watson, dismissal. But his performances, near the (amount of) runs that completing and number two. Basically we were dropped from the third Test we need him, he is one of those I’ve wanted to be able to contrib- a feedback treat the drivers the same,” added for disciplinary reasons. senior players, and talented play- ute to the team’s performance. review had Marko. The chief selector backed coach ers and experienced players, and “There’s no doubt cricket’s a galvanised Speaking to British report- Mickey Aurthur’s decision to drop we need him performing,” he said. performance-based game. If I’m the team ers, Hamilton said that was non- Watson, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Inverarity said the selection not scoring runs or taking wick- on their sense and he and Germany’s Nico Johnson and James Pattinson over panel will have discussions later ets, then you can’t expect to be disastrous Rosberg had equal status. breach of discipline. this week and through April about picked. There are no secrets about tour to India. “They (Red Bull) have a clear Inverarity also said that the the performances of the players it. You can’t hide behind anything, one and two, they always have,” he selectors did consider alterna- who were part of the India tour. apart from your performance.” said. “And that is why they have tives before asking Watson to IANS AGENCIES always had the problems they have had. “We don’t have a one and England two here (at Mercedes). I have always said, from the moment I Clarke to miss IPL; saved for Ashes was speaking to the team, that I accept NZ wanted equality. SYDNEY: Cricket Australia said yester- “Michael Clarke had complicate Clarke’s return to cricket. “Michael “I am not a driver that comes day skipper Michael Clarke (pictured) will scans that confirmed is having intensive rehabilitation for both his and requests that (favoured sta- take moral miss the IPL but should be fit in time for his current lower back back and hamstring but is still 7-10 weeks tus) like a lot of other drivers do. the Ashes as he endures a lengthy lay-off injury is an exacerba- away from returning to training and playing,” You have to be able to look your- series win for treatment of his chronic back and ham- tion of previous issues he said. self in the mirror (and say) you string problems. he has had with his “We are confident that it will not affect his won fair and square.” AUCKLAND: England cap- CA said after a medical assessment that spine,” CA medical Ashes preparation but will know more over Hamilton finished third at tain Alastair Cook installed Clarke was several weeks away from returning chief Justin Paoloni the coming weeks.” Sepang, the 2008 world cham- New Zealand as moral winners to training as he works to resolve the persist- said in a statement. CA said Clarke’s rehabilitation programme pion’s first podium for the team in their drawn series yesterday, ent injury issues. “As always, we need would be overseen by the organisation’s medi- since his move from McLaren saying the David and Goliath Clarke has had scans since returning home to manage this care- cal team and back specialists. at the end of last season, while battle had definitely gone last weekend from the India tour, but CA fully as there are Clarke was the only batsman to perform Rosberg was fourth after being David’s way. said it was confident the batsman would lead potentially serious con- consistently in the Test series in India, which told to stay behind. England started the series Australia in the Ashes Test series in England sequences with further Australia lost 4-0, scoring 286 runs at an aver- The team, whose title sponsor is ranked second in the world to starting in July. He was due to take up the aggravation. age of 47.66. Malaysian oil company Petronas, New Zealand’s eighth placing, and captaincy of Pune Warriors for the lucrative “He still has pain with basic activities and The first Ashes Test begins at Nottingham’s explained that was because fuel despite none of the three Tests Indian Premier League in April-May, but will is not back to full function as yet.” Trent Bridge ground on July 10. levels were low and they had to producing a result, New Zealand instead recover at home. Paoloni said hamstring problems would also REUTERS manage the pace. were the dominant side in two of The German did as he was the three matches. told but Hamilton said on the “They had the best of the first The Rankings podium after that race that he match, we had the best of the sec- The following is the ICC Test felt Rosberg should have been up ond Test match and they’ve out- Championship table (as on Misbah admits Pakistan there instead of him. played us here, but at no stage did March 26 after India-Australia “In Malaysia I don’t feel like I we under-estimate them,” Cook and England-New Zealand won my spot fair and square,” said said after the dramatic end to the series): Hamilton. “Although I did drive a third Test. 1. South Africa 128 decent race, I don’t feel spectacu- The first two drawn Tests were 2. England 114 game in ‘alarming’ state lar about it.” both abbreviated by rain, but with 3. India 112 LAHORE: fine weather throughout the five 4. Australia 110 Skipper Misbah-ul Steyn and Vernon Philander. shots and we need to address our days in Auckland the deciding Haq yesterday admitted They lost the first Test by 211 batting problems.” Misbah dis- Crutchlow 5. Pakistan 104 match went down to the wire. Pakistan cricket was in an runs, the second by four wickets missed reports in the Pakistani 6. Sri Lanka 92 In a desperate final session, “alarming” condition after the and the third by an innings and media of a rift between him and outshines Rossi England were down to their last 7. West Indies 92 team suffered several heavy 18 runs. Twenty20 captain Mohammad pair for 19 balls as century-maker 8. New Zealand 83 defeats on a disappointing tour In between the Tests and one- Hafeez. and Lorenzo Matt Prior and Monty Panesar 9. Bangladesh 01 of South Africa. days, Pakistan managed to win a “We didn’t lose because of any held on for the draw. A miserable Pakistan were two-match Twenty20 series 1-0 rift, we must admit that South JEREZ, SPAIN: British rider Panesar narrowly missed play- thrashed 3-0 in Tests and lost after the first match was aban- Africa were the better team in Cal Crutchlow stole the show at ing-on with the first ball he faced South Africa 3-2 in the one-day series, despite doned due to rain. both the formats,” said Misbah, the end of three rain-affected and later almost ran himself out fighting hard, losses which Misbah Misbah, who was the team’s who turns 39 shortly. days of MotoGP testing ses- when he dived well short of his get $450,000 attributed to poor batting. leading batsman with 227 in the He refused to analyse player sions here on Monday, posting ground on a quick single to get “Those were disappointing one-day international series, performances after former greats the fastest time on his Yamaha off strike. for finishing series,” Misbah told reporters admitted it was the batting that called for a clean out to prepare Tech3. But what mattered for England on the team’s arrival back home let the side down. for the 2015 World Cup. Crutchlow, seventh in the world was that he survived. early yesterday. “I think our batting struggled “It is up to the cricket board championship last year, timed a “There’s a huge amount of top in ICC Test “We were better in the one- throughout the tour, whether and the selectors to gauge the best of 1min 39.511sec, faster than relief,” Cook said when stumps dayers but couldn’t do much in it were the Tests or one-days performance of the players. I can’t the two official Yamaha bikes were drawn. rankings the Tests and it’s an alarming but the pitches were such that do that, everyone has seen who ridden by defending champion “We’ve had to fight over these situation where we need improve- even a top quality batsman like has performed,” he said. Jorge Lorenzo and Italian great five days. New Zealand have out- DUBAI: The battle for sec- ment in a lot of things.” Hashim Amla (of South Africa) Pakistan will now compete Valentino Rossi. played us in this game but I can ond place in the International Pakistan’s batting flopped also struggled (in a few matches),” in the eight-team Champions Crutchlow was 14 thousandths be very proud of the English guys Cricket Council (ICC) Test against a high quality South said Misbah. Trophy in England in June. of a second faster than Rossi, who led by Matty Prior and Ian Bell rankings at the 1 April cut-off African pace attack led by Dale “We also played irresponsible REUTERS is returning to Yamaha after a were fantastic. date resulted in a photo-finish disappointing spell with Ducati, “The never-say-die attitude between England and India and 29thousandths quicker than and that fight you need in Test yesterday. Indian cricket Lorenzo. cricket, we showed a lot of that In the end, the draw at star Yuvraj Crutchlow was delighted with in this series.” Auckland in the third and final Singh (second his series of testing which is the The fighting spirit was no bet- Test against New Zealand handed right) watches last before the first MotoGP of ter expressed than by the record England the No.2 rank while a fashion the season in Qatar on April 7. effort of Stuart Broad as England India finished third. “I feel good,” said the 27-year- show to batted for survival in their second South Africa had already sealed old. “It is a shame that I couldn’t promote ‘Save innings. their position as the No.1 ranked do 70 laps on a dry course over He went 102 minutes without Test side, meaning they not only the Tiger’ three days but to ride at this scoring, one minute more than retained the Test mace but are campaign rhythm is good news,” added the previous scoreless record set also assured of $450,000. on the final Crutchlow, whose bike is powered by New Zealand’s Geoff Allott England will receive $350,000 day of Lakme by French stable Tech3. against South Africa 14 years ago. for finishing second while India Fashion Week Honda lead rider Dani Pedrosa Cook said the one consolation will get $250,000 for third. in Mumbai opted not to risk training on for England was despite being England needed to win or draw yesterday. Monday. outplayed they proved they were the Auckland Test to secure the Yuvraj, who “We (Pedrosa and Honda) a difficult side to beat. second position while India not has played reckoned that in these conditions, “If we’re being honest we didn’t only needed to win the Delhi Test 40 Tests and and even if the track began to dry, play as well as we’d have liked but but also had to hope for a New 282 ODIs for we have nothing more to test for,” that should not detract from how Zealand victory. India, was the said Pedrosa, who has yet to win well New Zealand played,” he said. Had New Zealand won the Man of the a MotoGP world title having fin- “They put us under a huge series 1-0, India could have fin- Tournament of ished runner-up three times. amount of pressure but I’m proud ished in the second position. the 2011 ICC “Apart from that I had a pain- to say we stood up to it and just Zimbabwe are currently ful back and I preferred to have World Cup. about fought through.” unranked as they have played some rest,” added the 27-year-old REUTERS insufficient matches. IANS Spaniard. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Top Brazilian gymnast begins 2013 worlds quest in Doha One of my goals for this year is to win the world championships in Belgium: Zanneti

DOHA: Top Brazilian gym- nast Arthur Nabarette Zanetti is hoping his debut perform- ance at this week’s 6th FIG World Challenge Cup will help him prepare for the World Championships later this year. The 22-year-old - who won the gold medal on rings at the 2012 Olympics Games in London - will compete at the three-day event commencing at Aspire Academy today. “One of my goals for this year is to win the title at the World Championships in Belgium and my season starts here in Doha. This will be my first event of the year,” Zanetti said yesterday. “This event will help me pre- pare for other events (this year),” the Brazilian added. “I hope I do my routine well here,” he said. “The floor here is very, very good. One of the best I have seen.” Brazil’s Arthur Zanneti (sixth left) and Larisa Andreea (second right) of Romania pose for a picture along with Romanian coach Octavian Bellu (right) and Mohamed Al Jaber (second left), Zanetti said he is aiming to Secretary General of Qatar Gymnastics Federation and members of the Qatar team at Aspire Academy yesterday. PICTURES BY: SALIM MATRAMKOT take part at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro to be held in 2016. qualified for the 2012 Summer “It is one of my dreams to com- Olympics. He was also the first pete at the Olympic Games in Rio. Brazilian to win a medal on Romanian coaching legend urges And I want to win the gold again,” rings in a World Gymnastics he added. Championships. “I know it will be difficult but At the 2011 Pan American Qatar to host more events I will train well to achieve this Games, Zanetti won the silver goal,” he said. medal on rings. He also won “Home pressure is always tough the team title, the first male DOHA: Romanian coach give to FIG (world body in gym- Top Dutch gymnast Yuri van to handle,” Zanetti said. team gold medal of Brazil in Octavian Bellu yesterday urged nastics) to show what you want,” Gelder will join a host of top gym- When asked about his gold Panamerican Games.At the 2012 Qatar to host more events, say- he said. nasts including London Olympic medal winning performance in Artistic Gymnastics Olympic ing Doha could even host the “Qatar can give the gymnas- Games star Krisztian Berki of London last year, Zanetti said: “I Test Event, on January 12, 2012, world championships if given a tics explosion in a positive way,” Hungary, Brazil’s Arthur Zanneti was not surprised to win the gold. Zanetti won the gold medal on chance. he added. and Larisa Andreea of Romania at I prepared really well because I rings. He achieved good results Bellu, who was inducted into “That way you can introduce the three-day event to be hosted won medals at events held in in Artistic Gymnastics World International Gymnastics Hall the sport to young fans. by Qatar Gymnastics Federation Slovenia and Belgium before the Cup challenges that year. of Fame in 2009, said: “This is “Hosting an edition of the (QGF) from March 27 to 29. Games.” Zanetti appeared at the 2012 my third time in Doha with the World Championships is different More than 150 gymnasts from He added: “Yes, it was an amaz- Summer Olympics in London and Romanian delegation. This is to staging an event like this one 37 countries will take part in the ing event. One of the best times qualified in 4th place to the rings what I was discussing with Qatar (6th FIG World Challenge Cup). event, Ali Al Hitmi, President, of my career.” final, with a score of 15,616. Gymnastics Federation (QGF). At the World Championships you QGF, said earlier last week. Zanetti took part in the 2009 However, on August 6, 2012, he You need to have more than one see top gymnasts from China, “The Doha leg of the World World Artistic Gymnastics won the gold medal in this event, Arthur Zanneti of Brazil World Challenge Cup edition. You Romania, Russia and the rest of Challenge Cup has become a pres- Championships in London. He with a score of 15,900. need to (probably) host the world the globe present at one venue. tigious event for the gymnasts,” qualified in 8th for Rings Final His gold medal was Brazil’s championships.” “Even members of the interna- Al Hitmi said yesterday. and placed 4th during Event first medal and also from Latin The 62-year-old - credited for tional media will be greater than “The points accumulated by the Finals, scoring 15,325. This was America in any gymnastics rou- helping Romania win dozens of what we see at regular events. gymnasts at World Challenge Cup his best result that year. tine at the Olympic Games. medals in gymnastics - said Qatar I think bidding for the World series make the difference at the However, the Brazilian won Despite being from football-lov- has everything to bring the World Championships in Doha is upto end of the year when only a select the gold medal on Rings at the ing Brazili, Zanetti is not much of Championships to the Middle Qatar,” Bellu added. few make the cut for the World 2011 Summer Universiade, in a fan of the world’s most popular East. Mohamed Al Jaber, Secretary Championships. Shenzhen, China, with a score of sport. “Qatar has the money besides General, QGF, said: “We are “Similarly, those who do well in 15,600. “I am very bad in football a team that can organise top delighted to be in a position to the World Championships even- It was the first medal for (laughs). At the beginning of my events. Other aspects like good stage the FIG World Challenge tually make it to the Olympic Brazil’s male artistic gymnastics career, I started off with football hotels and top-clash venues are Cup. We have been doing this for Games,” Al Hitmi said. in this competition. and gymnastics but I saw that I also not an issue,” Bellu said. the past five years and now we The QGF president said Qatar In Tokyo, Japan, he won the was really bad at football. Then I “Qatar hosted the gymnastics are comfortable handling such a will be represented by four male silver medal on rings at the thought I rather take up gymnas- at the Asian Games in 2006 at big event.” athletes - Mahmoud Saadi, Nasser 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics tics,” he said. this very venue. This facility was He added: “We hope to help our Al Hamad, Malik Al Yahri and Championships. His score was “I don’t like football because used then. It was also used dur- gymnasts improve their perform- Ahmed Dayyani and two female 15,600, finishing behind the cham- everyone in Brazil likes it. I feel I ing the Arab Games (in December ances by getting them to compete gymnasts - Shaden Wohdan and pion, Chen Yibing. am different,” he added. 2011). with the best in the world. God Al Jazi Al Habshi - at the event. With this result, Zanetti THE PENINSULA Shaden Wohdan of Qatar “You have enough reasons to Willing we will look into this.” THE PENINSULA CHI Al Shaqab begins today Qatar SC, DOHA: The first edition of CHI GCC. The first day will feature among the starters. “It is with Al Gharafa Al Shaqab 2013 is set to kick three showjumping competi- great pride that I can announce off here today at Al Shaqab’s tions including the first round of the launch of CHI Al Shaqab. state-of-the-art facilities at the Jumping CSI 5* Grand Prix, Hundreds of hours have gone clinch wins Qatar Foundation for Education which will serve as a qualifier for into preparations for this event Science and Community the FEI World Equestrian Games and I am proud of my team at the Development. to be held in Normandy, France CHI Local Organising Committee DOHA: Chauncey Leslie Thousands of spectators are in 2014. for realizing the first step in our poured in 21 of his game-high Al Gharafa’s expected to flock to Al Shaqab Top riders, Steve Guerdat from ambitions for Al Shaqab,” said 36 markers in the first half to Thomas over the four days, including Sweden and Gerco Schroder of CHI Al Shaqab Event Director help Qatar Sports Club carve a Victor Hakim special attendance by members the Netherlands, individual Omar Al Mannai. convincing 85-75 victory over (right) and Al of Qatar’s Royal Family and other gold and silver medallists at the The event ends on March 30. Al Wakra in the Emir Cup royal guests of honour from the London 2012 Olympics, will be THE PENINSULA Basketball League at the Al Arabi’s Omar Gharafa Indoor Arena. Hamam vie Qatar SC got off to a strong for the ball start, racing to an early 11-1 lead possession in the opening minutes of the during their game and went on to bury their match of the counterparts at 26-8 at the end of Emir Cup the first period. basketball at Meanwhile, Victor Hakim Al Gharafa Thomas dished out a double-dou- Indoor Arena ble performance, scoring 21 and yesterday. hauling down 10 rebounds while Calvin Earl Cage contributed 19 points and 7 assists to help Al Gharafa pull off an 80-64 rout of Al Arabi earlier in the tourna- ment opener. THE PENINSULA Emir Cup Basketball FROM LEFT: Fahad Abdulla Al Hajri, Media and Broadcast Manager for CHI Al Shaqab, Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, Today’s matches Al Shaqab Director and President of CHI Al Shaqab, Omar Khalid Al Mannai, CHI Al Shaqab 2013 Director and 5:00 Al Sadd vs Al Shamal Paul Weier, a delegate from International Equestrian Federation during the press conference at Al Shaqab 7:00 Eljaish vs Al Ahli yesterday. PICTURE BY: SHAIVAL DALAL at Al Gharafa Indoor Arena Wednesday 27 March 2013 15 Jumada I 1434 Volume 18 Number 5651 Sport Price: QR2

SRI LANKA’S WEEKLY LARGEST SELLING NEPALI WEEKLY NEWS UPDATES NBA: Heat Watson’s NEWSPAPER IN QATAR PUBLISHED EVERY streak reaches place in team WEDNESDAY BY RAJDHANI INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY LANKADEEPA MIDDLE EAST WEEKLY LANKADEEPA WEEKLY DAR AL SHARQ 27 ‘uncertain’ AVAILABLE AT ALL LEADING BOOK STORES / SUPERMARKETS IN QATAR PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY DAR AL SHARQ FOR ADVERTISEMENTS CONTACT: TEL: 4455 7623 EMAIL: [email protected] Sport | 24 Sport | 26 !"#$%&'()#*#+,'-*,)#

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Heartbreak for Qatar as Korea win qualifier Substitute Son scores stoppage-time winner in Seoul

SEOUL: Substitute Son The three points moved South blame for the early stalemate with Sung-ryong, left unemployed for Heung-min prodded home a Korea on to 10 points from five Korean coach Choi turning to his most the match, will feel he could 96th minute winner to give matches in Group A, one behind bench early in the second period have done better with the play- South Korea a precious 2-1 win leaders Uzbekistan who beat bot- and the introduction of Lee Dong- maker’s effort having got a hand over Qatar in Seoul yesterday tom side Lebanon 1-0 in Tashkent. gook changed the game. to the low strike. and put them in sight of another With just two teams from The more direct approach fol- With the Qataris holding firm World Cup finals appearance. each of the two Asian groups lowing the arrival of the 33-year- despite the huge waves of Korean The 20-year-old striker was guaranteed a place in Brazil, old forward led to the opening goal pressure, coach Choi turned to his in the right place at the right Qatar’s heartbreaking loss leaves with a floated ball into the penalty bench again to introduce Son for time to complete the easiest of them facing an outside chance of area expertly flicked home by Lee the final minutes, much to the finishes after a looped shot from reaching a first finals as they sit Keun-ho on the hour mark. pleasure of the home fans, and fellow replacement Lee Dong- on seven points from six games, The Asian Player-of-the-Year, the poster boy came up with the gook hit the crossbar and fell level with Iran but having played currently completing his military goods in a dramatic finale. away from Qatari goalkeeper a game more. service at home, was afforded They next face an away clash Qasem Burhan. The third place finishers can some rare space to loop his header against Lebanon in June, while “I was amazed that Son Heung- also book a berth if they win over the despairing dive of Qatari Qatar play their penultimate pool min showed his great ability as a through two playoff rounds goalkeeper Qasem Burhan. qualifier at home to Iran. soccer player in only 15 minutes against another Asian side and a The celebrations that followed “Tonight, we showed that my and I expect a lot from him for South America team. perhaps went on too long, though, team is good enough to advance to England’s Matt Prior celebrates saving the Test match against New the remaining games and he will But the Koreans are unlikely to as Qatar made a rare foray for- the World Cup in 2014,” an emo- Zealand on day five of their final Test at Eden Park in Auckland, yester- grow stronger,” Korea coach Choi require that route after a rousing ward into the Koreans half tional Qatari coach Fahad Thani day. The match and series ended in a draw. Kang-hee told reporters. finale in Seoul on Tuesday which three minutes later and Khalfan said. “It was such a dramatic vic- followed a drab first half where Ibrahim was afforded too much “I am dissatisfied the way ref- tory. Korean players did not give the Qataris affectively strangled room on the edge of the area to erees ruled today. They gave one up till the very end and were the life out of the contest. toe poke a cheeky effort in at the more minute than we were sup- strong willed. For that I am very Poor composure by the home near post. posed to and it worked in Korea’s Prior shines as grateful.” side in the final third was also to Korean goalkeeper Jung favour.” REUTERS It was a Asian zone World Cup qualifying England snatch SINGAPORE: Results yesterday from the final determined round of Asian qualifying for the 2014 World Cup: Group A effort, says Uzbekistan 1 (Server Djeparov 63) Lebanon 0 unlikely draw South Korea 2 (Lee Keun-Ho 59, Son Heung- Qatar coach Min 90+4) Qatar 1 (Khalfan Ibrahim 62) AUCKLAND: A defiant, the best players in the world at Group B unbeaten century by Matt Prior the moment and they were hell saw England snatch an unlikely bent that they weren’t going to Jordan 2 (Khalil Bani Ateyah 45+1, Ahmad SEOUL, KOREA: Coach draw in a dramatic end to the lose the Test match. We gave it Ibrahim 59) Japan 1 (Shinji Kagawa 69) Fahad Thani yesterday termed third Test yesterday and deny everything but we came up just Qatar’s narrow 2-1 loss to Korea Australia 2 (Tim Cahill 52, Brett Holman a fired-up New Zealand an short,” he said. as a ‘determined effort’, saying 85) Oman 2 (Abdulaziz Al-Miqbali 6, Mile historic series victory by one England skipper Alastair Cook he was proud of his players. Jedinak 49 OG) wicket. conceded his side were morally Korea scored the winner in the Standings England were holding on by beaten. dying seconds of the match played a thread at the close as Prior “There’s a huge amount of Group tables for the final round of Asian quali- at Seoul World Cup Stadium. sought to shield last man Monty relief, we’ve had to fight over fying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after “We played a great game. It was yesterday’s games (played, won, drawn, lost, Panesar from the bowling for the these five days,” he said. a spirited effort,” Fahad said. goals for, goals against, points): last three overs in a cliffhanger “New Zealand have outplayed “We had to defend really well Group A finish to the Test and the series. us in this game, but I can be very and personally, I am very proud At the close, Prior was unbeaten proud of the English guys led Uzbekistan 6 3 2 1 6 4 11 of my players,” he added. on 110, his seventh Test century, by Matt Prior and Ian Bell. The “We had been preparing for South Korea 5 3 1 1 11 5 10 and England were 315 for nine. never-say-die attitude and that this game for a long time,” he said Iran 5 2 1 2 2 2 7 A despondent New Zealand fight you need in Test cricket, we at a press conference. Qatar 6 2 1 3 4 7 7 were left ruing two regulation showed a lot of that.” “The players were committed. Lebanon 6 1 1 4 2 7 4 catches that were dropped in the All three Tests ended in draws, They were up against a much Group B final over before lunch, as well denying New Zealand the chance superior side which is very pro- Japan 6 4 1 1 14 4 13 as an incident when the ball hit of a rare series win over England. fessional in their approach,” he South Korea’s Son Heung-min (left) celebrates with his team-mate Ki Sung- Prior’s stumps but failed to dis- They have only won three of 32

added. Yueng after scoring a goal against Qatar during their 2014 FIFA World Cup Jordan 6 2 1 3 6 12 7 lodge the bails. series against the English and the “Sometimes football remains qualifying match in Seoul, yesterday. Korea won 2-1. Australia 5 1 3 1 6 6 6 New Zealand captain Brendon last was in England in 1999. unfair,” Fahad said in reference Oman 6 1 3 2 6 9 6 McCullum admitted to “mixed New Zealand, with innings of to the goal scored at the end by Iraq 5 1 2 2 4 5 5 emotions”. 443 and 241 for six declared, bat- Korea. “We came up against some of ted England out of the Test and When asked about the deci- Jordan stun Japan; The top two teams in each group qualify the tourists were never serious sions of the referee, he said: “The for the World Cup. The third-placed Scoreboard about chasing their 481-run sec- referee was unfair in his decisions, teams face each other over two legs in ond innings target. especially in the calculation of the September for the right to contest an New Zealand (I innings): ...... 443 Instead they faced a bat- mistakes of the Korean team.” Oman hold Australia intercontinental play-off. England (I innings): ...... 204 tle for survival and when they He added: “He had added five New Zealand (II innings): ...... 241-6 decl resumed the final day at 90 for minutes of extra time and yet we SINGAPORE: Jordan stunned Australia third in Group B, one from bottom to second in Group England (II innings): four, the odds were heavily in New kept on playing for some seven Japan yesterday to deny the point from second spot and one B, and delay Japan’s progress to A Cook c Brownlie b Williamson ...... 43 Zealand’s favour. extra minutes. That helped the Asian champions an early World point from bottom, among a their fifth successive World Cup. N Compton c Watling b Southee ...... 2 At lunch, the Test still belonged Korean side more as they scored.” Cup berth and Australia stum- tightly bunched pool of four teams In Sydney, Oman took a shock J Trott c Watling b Wagner ...... 37 to New Zealand with England at Fahad said not all was lost bled to a potentially disastrous behind runaway leaders Japan, early lead through Abdulaziz I Bell c Southee b Wagner ...... 75 158 for five and Joe Root gone for for Qatar.“We still have chance 2-2 home draw with Oman. who remain six points clear. Al-Miqbali, and the visitors were S Finn c Southee b Williamson ...... 0 29. But there were signs of luck to qualify. We have two matches Goalkeeper Amer Sabbah was The top two teams in two pinching themselves at 2-0 up J Root lbw Boult ...... 29 going England’s way with Bell and two wins can make a lot of Jordan’s hero as he pulled off a groups of five earn tickets to after Australia’s Mile Jedinak J Bairstow c Taylor b Southee ...... 6 and Jonny Bairstow both surviv- difference in the end,” Fahad said. late penalty stop to ensure the Brazil, with the two third-placed turned the ball into his own net M Prior (not out) ...... 110 ing catch opportunities when New “God willing, we will win,” he 2-1 upset of Japan, previously sides going into a play-off series. on 49 minutes. Three minutes S Broad c Taylor b Williamson ...... 6 Zealand took the second new ball added. “We must deal with situa- unbeaten at the top of Group At King Abdullah International later, the talismanic Tim Cahill J Anderson c Taylor b Williamson ...... 0 just before lunch. tions realistically,” he said. B and needing only a draw to Stadium in Amman, a headed goal dragged Australia back into it M Panesar (not out) ...... 2 Bairstow was gone for six soon “In order to achieve greater become the first team to join hosts on the stroke of half-time and a when he leaped to nod home a Extras (LB-4, NB-1) ...... 5 after play resumed but Bell made success, we have to build a strong Brazil at the 2014 tournament. breakaway effort put Jordan 2-0 Luke Wilkshire corner, and the Total (for 9 wkts) ...... 315 the most of his luck as he and team in the future,” he said. In Sydney, Australia ensured ahead but Japan got one back veteran forced a flying save from Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-60, 3-90, 4-90, Prior put on 78, before he was “We promise our fans that we a nervous and difficult last three through Manchester United’s Oman ‘keeper Ali Al-Habsi with a 5-150, 6-159, 7-237, 8-304, 9-304. removed in the last over before will fight in the last two matches,” games when they could manage Shinji Kagawa, and then earned bullet header with 16 minutes left. Bowling: Boult 29-13-55-1; Southee 30-6- tea to leave England on 237 for he said. only a dire home draw to Oman -- a penalty just a minute later. However, it was Holman who 77-2; Martin 39-18-74-0; Wagner 25-8-61- seven. Qatar play their next two and needed Brett Holman’s long- However, goalkeeper Sabbah rescued the desperate Australians 2; Williamson 20-8-44-4. Wicketkeeper-batsman Prior matches in June this year against range strike five minutes from flung himself at Yasuhito Endo’s when his fierce drive from outside Result: Match drawn. fought on despite two appeals Iran and Uzbekistan. time to avoid a humiliating defeat. well-taken spot-kick to earn the area beat Al-Habsi in the 85th Series: All three Tests were drawn. for caught behind that went to THE PENINSULA The night’s results left Jordan the points that take them minute. AFP review. AFP