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Thursday 10 January 2013 28 Safar 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5575 Price: QR2

Smart power Oryx Cup to grids in decide H1 Qatar soon championships

Business | 17 Sport | 24

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Average monthly Heir Apparent meets UK official OPINION The coming income of Qatari Iran-Iraq war S defe- Unce sec- retary Leon Panetta household soars signed a doc- ument at the end of 2011 ending the UN development goals achieved Khalid Al Sayed war in Iraq. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF However, DOHA: The average monthly the richer one-fifth (of the popu- there was income of Qatari households has lation) which was more than six no jubilation in Iraq after jumped many times over in the times, to 25 percent. The Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with British National Security the departure of the last US past several years, thanks to The report, talking of the huge Adviser Kim Darroch at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Darroch handed to the Heir Apparent a written message tank. One reason could be massive gas-fuelled wealth gen- expatriate population, said that for the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani from British Prime Minister David Cameron. that after the US invasion eration in the country. given the nature of the popula- and Saddam Hussein’s ouster, A vast majority of Qatari tion composition of the country Iraq came under the control families (66 percent) had an and the presence of large num- of Iran. What Washington did average income of QR30,000 bers of foreign workers, the dif- was actually hand over the ($8,219) a month in 2007. That ferences in the distribution of keys of Iraq to Iran on a gold worked out to close to a $100,000 income was primarily affected by Nothing new in Assad’s speech: PM plate, and another chapter of a year. Given the current value the limited income of most cat- Iranian domination over Iraq of money the figure would be egories of unskilled non-Qatari DOHA: The Prime Minister and In an interview with Al Jazeera some politicians looked for another started, and became complete higher in today’s terms. workers. Foreign Minister H E Sheikh aired last evening, the Prime party to blame when they failed with the ascension to power And, the average monthly The welfare dependency ratio Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Minister said Assad had not come to solve an issue, and added that of Nouri Al Maliki as prime income of the head of the fam- in the state that amounted to Thani has urged Syrian President up with anything new in his speech blaming Qatar for such issues had minister. ily in more than a quarter (27 17.4 percent in 2011, was one of Bashar Al Assad to take a bold last Sunday to resolve the crisis. become easier. “What interests In two years of Arab percent) Qatari homes was an the lowest in the world, said the decision in the interest of his coun- Assad’s address fell into a familiar Qatar in fuelling issues in Iraq?” Spring, the pace of political incredible QR50,000 ($13,698), report. try and stop the bloodshed there, pattern of procrastination, he added. he asked, stressing that Qatar’s developments in the region or $165,000 a year. Talking of nutrition, the report stressing that all parties are now On developments in Iraq and interest lay in Iraq’s stability and in has been dizzying. As for the entire Qatari popu- said that in 2007, an average ready for any solution that will accusations against Qatar in this consensus among all Iraqi parties.” Continued on page 6 lation (99 percent), the average Qatari household spent QR4, 583 quickly stop the violence. regard, the Prime Minister said QNA monthly earnings of households ($1,255) on food a month alone, were more than QR10,000 which was 11 percent of their ($2,740), or roughly $33,000 annu- total monthly expenditure. Mercury to plunge ally, (in 2007). Interestingly, a family on aver- An idea of how the community’s age consumed 36kg of fresh meat, in Qatar next week fortunes have turned in the past 36.6kg of poultry, 23kg of fresh Subscribe to 11 years can be had from the fact fish, 25 litres of fresh milk, 150 DOHA: The temperature could that in 2001, the average monthly eggs, 84.3kg of fresh fruits and dip to less than 10 degrees income of over 21 percent Qatari 60kg of fresh green vegetables, in Celsius next week, with the Mozaic TV for homes was between QR5,000 and a month. Compared to 2001, the country expected to come under QR10,000. intake of fish and milk by these a severe cold spell over the The above details were released families had increased. next few days, according to the yesterday as part of Qatar’s The report, however, didn’t say Meteorology Department. The 1 year and get Millennium Development Goals an average Qatari household con- sudden change in weather con- report for 2012. sisted of how many members. ditions has been attributed to 2 months Disparities in income distribu- “This kind of expenditure (on strong northwesterly winds that tion nevertheless remain in the food) ensures a complete and would lash the country beginning Qatari community. The share of nutritious diet for Qatari house- this afternoon. The Department the poorest one-fifth of the pop- holds and meets their needs for has forecast scattered rains in for free! ulation is about four percent in calories,” said the report. the northern parts of the country national consumption. THE PENINSULA today. THE PENINSULA Contrast this to the share of See also page 6 See also page 6

Qatar helps broker Doha Zoo to get bigger, to be biggest prisoner converted into safari park swap in Syria DOHA: The Doha Zoo is to be redeveloped in the model of a safari park and three times bigger than its existing size, where visitors DOHA: Diplomacy by Qatar can watch the animals from a close distance in a natural environ- had succeeded in bringing about ment, a senior official of the Ministry of Environment has said. The the biggest prisoner exchange project is currently under design and will take three to five years to in Syria’s 21-month old con- complete, according to Dr Qassim Nasser Al Qahtani, head of the flict, which saw 2,139 detain- Animal Resources Department. Full report on page 5 ees being freed by the regime in Damascus, while Syrian NDIA will be Hamad International Airport rebels freed 48 Iranian nation- als detained by them for five DOHA: The New Doha International Airport will be renamed as Watch The Dark Knight Rises on OSN. TM & © 2012 Warner bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC Comics. months, an official source at Hamad International Airport. This was disclosed by Abdul Aziz Al MEN IN BLACK 3 - © 2012 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. and Hemisphere - Culver Picture Partners I, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said Noaimi, Chairman of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, during KUNG FU PANDA 2 ™ & © 2011 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved. yesterday. the launch of the first Qatar Airways aircraft fuelled by GTL Jet The official told Qatar News Fuel at the Doha International Airport yesterday. Welcome to a world of entertainment offering you over 200 channels with programmes for everyone in the family to enjoy, Agency (QNA) that Iran had including sports, news, kids’ shows, movies and lifestyle. Subscribe now for 1 year and you’ll only pay QR 250 per month for all requested Qatar to mediate for Qatar Airways makes history with GTL fuel 3 services: landline, home broadband and TV. You will also get the first 2 months FREE and a FREE Wi-Fi router. Visit any Qtel shop the release of Iranian nationals or authorised dealer to know more about this exciting service. If you already have home broadband, simply call 111 to upgrade to the Mozaic TV service for as little as QR 17 extra/month. Mozaic TV – where entertainment lives. detained in Syria. During three DOHA: Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Airways and Shell yesterday cel- months of negotiations, Qatari ebrated the first commercial introduction of a new aviation jet fuel Qtel MOZAIC TV diplomacy faced many hurdles — the first to be approved globally in over two decades. The inno- that almost wrecked the efforts, vative GTL jet fuel from Pearl GTL is now flowing into aeroplane the official said, adding Qatari tanks at Doha International Airport. An Airbus A340-600, Flight diplomacy overcame the hurdles to QR001, will make history by being the first to fly outbound from achieve the humanitarian objective. Doha airport, en route to London Heathrow using GTL jet fuel. Continued on page 6 Full report on page 17

THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Cabinet nod for tenders panel PM meets UK official at Ministry of Municipality Qatar Scouts to come under Ministry of Culture

DOHA: The Prime Minister organisation of some adminis- Committee at the Ministry of and Foreign Minister, H E trative units of the Ministry of Economy and Finance; and the Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Culture, Arts and Heritage and Court of Accounts. Jabor Al Thani, presided over set their terms of reference. The Cabinet approved a pro- the Cabinet’s ordinary meeting. Under this amendment, the posal by the Public Works Following the meeting, the Legal Affairs Department will Authority to exempt it from the Deputy Prime Minister and be transferred from the admin- scope of the Tenders and Auctions Minister of State for Cabinet istrative units headed by the Law No. 26 of 2005 and prepare Affairs, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah Assistant Undersecretary for a draft list for tenders and auc- Al Mahmoud, stated the following: Joint Services to the administra- tions for the committee in order The Cabinet considered the tive units directed by the Minister to smoothen the implementation topics on the agenda as follows: of Culture, Arts and Heritage. of public projects. It took the necessary measures It approved a Cabinet’s draft It also endorsed a draft deci- to issue a draft law amending resolution to set up a Tenders sion amending some provisions The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani yesterday met the some provisions of the Law No. & Auctions Committee at the of the Resolution No. 10 of 2007 UK National Security Adviser Kim Darroch. They discussed bilateral relations and issues of common concern. 18 of 1997 on Qatari Scouts and Ministry of Municipality and for the establishment of the Guides Association after review- Urban Planning. The draft National Civil Aviation Security ing the recommendation of the resolution stipulates the estab- Committee. Advisory Council. lishment of a committee at the Under this amendment, the Under this amendment, the ministry, which shall assume the monthly bonus of the committee’s TAMUQ study highlights fine details association will be transferred powers of the Central and Local chairman, vice-chairman and under the Ministry of Culture, Tenders Committees defined by members will be increased given Arts and Heritage. The associa- the Tenders and Auctions Law its responsibilities for ensuring tion’s Board of Directors will be No.26 of 2005 for the Ministry’s coordination between the min- about Qatar’s coastal wind, waves formed upon a decision of the tenders and auctions. istries, government agencies and Minister of Culture, Arts and The committee will be com- other entities involved in the DOHA: For the first time, fine the relationship between the “The US navy is studying this, Heritage. posed of representatives from implementation of the national details about wind and wave wind and waves,” said Dr Reza as are oil companies, but the data The session took necessary the Ministry of Municipality and programme for civil aviation conditions around the coast of Sadr, Assistant Professor in available is not of high quality,” he measures to issue a Cabinet’s Urban Planning; the Ministry security; and supporting policies Qatar has been recorded in a the Mechanical Engineering said. “One thing that we know so draft decision amending the of Justice; the Central Tenders and strategies of civil aviation study funded by Qatar National Department at TAMUQ. far, however, is that the patterns security. Research Fund (QNRF). “Why do we need to understand around the world are different. The session approved a In order to collect the data, the relationship between wind The North Sea is different to the draft agreement on mutual a research team at Texas A&M and waves? Because there are Atlantic Ocean, which is differ- exemption of visa require- University at Qatar (TAMUQ) very poor models to track wind ent to the Gulf of Mexico. Even ments for the holders of positioned the most sophisticated current and predict ocean waves, within the Atlantic Ocean there diplomatic and private equipment available on the edge of and this information affects, are differences, from, say, Cuba passports between the a 500-metre pier extending into among other things, marine life, and then up towards New York Government of the State of the Gulf. Their findings highlight the offshore oil and gas industry, City and Boston. Knowing this, Qatar and the Government the need for a permanent moni- and renewable energy initiatives.” we understand how critical it is of the State of Eritrea. toring station in Qatar with the Dr Sadr said that existing meth- to characterise the conditions for Then the Cabinet potential to offer vital insights ods for measuring patterns of wind each place, specifically”. reviewed the following top- into many industry sectors. and waves need to be fortified with The study was supported by ics and took the appropri- “The actual research started more sophisticated data and analy- a grant under QNRF’s National ate decision: with trying to understand sis for each region of the globe. Priorities Research Programme A. A proposal by the (NPRP), and was the first of its Secretary-General of Qatar kind to be conducted anywhere 2022 Supreme Committee in the region. to grant allowances and The researchers collected data bonuses to the committee’s continuously from June through staff. November in Qatar. They used B. The agreement signed devices that rely on sonic waves between the State of Qatar to measure atmospheric wind at and the United Nations high frequency and in several Framework Convention on dimensions, allowing them to Climate Change (UNFCCC) study fluctuations in wind move- Secretariat about the 18th ment in the midst of high temper- session of the Conference atures and humidity. Previously, of the Parties (COP 18) to weather information in Qatar the UNFCCC and the 8th has largely come from satellites, Session of the Meeting of which provide basic information the Parties to the Kyoto but lack the details captured by Protocol (MOP8) deeper studies such as this one. QNA The device which TAMUQ used to study wind and waves. THE PENINSULA

German hotel Bond package a hit with Qataris

BY RAYNALD C RIVERA something special they haven’t experienced most stunning locations around the city before and this package works very well,” and the Bavarian mountains. At the end, DOHA: Adventurous vacationers from said Heller. he is given a copy of the film which he can Qatar and the Middle East have marked For ¤60,000, the hotel’s client could live proudly show to his friends when he goes Munich as one of their top destinations the life of the famous British secret agent, back home. for an unusual action-packed package experiencing all the adventures and luxury With regard to tourist arrivals, Heller courtesy of The Charles Hotel Munich. including a stay in the hotel’s presidential said the Middle East, specifically Qatar, has “We have created just last year the suite. been on top of their list. James Bond 007 Package wherein a visi- With a film team following him, he would “Around 40 percent of our business is tor could be James Bond for a day,” Frank go to accomplish his mission riding a heli- coming from the Middle East and more Heller, General Manager, The Charles Hotel copter, bungee jumping or performing other than 20 percent of this is only from Qatar,” Munich, told The Peninsula yesterday. James Bond acts according to his choice said Heller who is in Doha to thank their “Qataris always want some adventure, and physical ability and set at some of the customers. The peak season is usu- ally during summer and Ramadan but now it has somehow changed, he noted. “We have now Qataris staying in our hotel through- out the year and their stay ranges from a week to three months,” he said. Last year alone, the hotel witnessed 40,000 visitors from Qatar and a double- digit growth, he noted, cit- ing Qatar Airways’ twice daily flights to Munich as one of the drivers of the increase in tourist arrivals in Munich. Medical tourism has also become popular from visi- tors here so the hotel has recently put up a medical concierge to assist clients from Qatar to make the right appointments. The hotel also has an Arabic chef, local food and many Arabic speaking staff to make every visitor from here has a ‘home away from home’ feeling, he added. Rocco Forte Hotels, he said, is eyeing expansion in Qatar with plans to put up some of their famous brands here. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Doha Zoo to be converted into safari park Ministry will set up research centre to preserve animal pedigree and support selective breeding: Official

DOHA: The Doha Zoo is to be built about 30 years ago and is a market in the neighbourhood,” number of livestock in the coun- Food Security Programme and centres for bird flu. No single case redeveloped in the model of a no more fit to accommodate the Al Qahtani told the Qatar News try stood at 600,721, including Mawashi. Qatar currently pro- of H5N1 was detected in the coun- safari park. The new zoo will huge number of visitors. Experts Agency. 10,649 cows, 525,466 sheep and duces 10 to 15 percent of its poul- try until now, said Al Qahtani. be three times bigger than its from the Public Works Authority He said the Ministry is plan- goat and 64,606 camels. try supply and 20 to 25 percent of The Department has numbered existing size, where visitors can (Ashghal) had visited the zoo and ning to set up a research centre There are 7,147 licensed cattle eggs, he added. a total of 595,062 animals and watch the animals from a close prepared a report in which they to preserve the animal pedigree owners. The Department last year issued 13,554 licences for owner- distance in a natural environ- stated that the buildings are and support selective breeding The veterinary clinics treated caught a total of 6,171 stray cats ship of animals. ment, a senior official of the too old and pose danger to the of animals. A new veterinary a total of 561,037 animals and and dogs. It runs 20 inspection THE PENINSULA Ministry of Environment said. visitors. clinic will be opened in Jumailiya provided immunisation to The project is currently under “The new zoo will be like a near Shahaniya, which will be 250,753 animals against design and will take three to five safari park, providing suitable the ninth such facility, including infectious diseases. years to complete, according to environment for each animal. It the mobile clinic in the Central There are several Dr Qassim Nasser Al Qahtani, will be three times bigger than Market in Doha. There is also a projects in the pipeline to head of the Animal Resources the existing zoo and provide plan to open a permanent clinic produce poultry in col- Department. entertainment areas for visitors. at the Central Market. laboration with Hassad He said the current zoo was The premises will be connected to As of December 2012, the Food, the Qatar National

Qatar International Falconry Festival begins

Falconry enthusiasts attending the festival. RIGHT: A contestant with his bird.

DOHA: The fourth Qatar International Falconry Festival perform well this year and catch the prey in the given time,” said a kicked off yesterday at Sabkhat Marm, Sealine. The first com- participant, Mohammad Mubarak Al petition of the festival, Al Tala, which started yesterday, will con- Khayarain. Another participant, Said tinue until tomorrow. Busharbak, whose falcon missed the Three out of 47 participants qualified in the first competition. target in the first competition, said They are Ali Mohammad bin Ayash Al Mansuri, Saleh Ubayd Al the original prey was better than the Mehran Al Marri and Ali Al Sharqi Al Marri. dummy one. “Falcons are not familiar The competition started in the afternoon and ended by 4.30pm, with dummy prey so they might avoid said a statement issued by the organising committee of the festival. hunting it,” said Busharbak. “Signboards have been placed in Arabic and English on the way THE PENINSULA to the competition ground at Sealine to help the visitors and participants reach there easily,” said Ali bin Khatam Al Muhshadi, head of the organising committee. “The three participants who qualified today will be included in the list of top 10 finalists based on the perform- ance of their falcons in hunt- ing the targeted prey in the given time,” said Al Muhshadi. “The weather is very pleas- ant for the competition this year and the distance of elec- tronic Al Habari (dummy prey) is about 900 metres, which is nice, and it is not creating any problem for the participants,” said the head of the Al Tala competition, Fahad Mohammad Al Asiri. “I hope my falcon will THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar achieves most of Hassad signs MoU with Sudan ministry development goals: QSA Women empowerment shows substantial improvement

BY FAZEENA SALEEM

DOHA: Qatar has achieved most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets ahead of the 2015 dead- line with an increase in women empowerment and gender equality which remained as a challenge in the past, according a report released by the Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) yesterday. Women empowerment had remained as the only area which showed drawbacks in previous report. The fourth report released yesterday indicates that women Hassad Food Company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sudan’s Ministry of Water empowerment too has shown a Resources and Electricity for providing electricity to Hassad project in the area of Abu Hamad in the River development along with the other Nile State in Sudan. The MoU was signed for Hassad Food Company by Chairman’s Adviser Dr Hamad Saad goals. Al Saad and for the Sudanese side by Ambassador Yasser Khadr. The signing ceremony was attended by The MDGs which were set by Sudanese Minister of Water Resources and Electricity Osama Abdullah Al Hassan and Member of Hassad the UN member states in 2000, Board of Directors Ali Al Kubaisi. include fighting poverty, hunger and illiteracy, HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases, reducing child and maternal mortality, achiev- 0 ing environmental sustainability, Temperature to dip below 10 Celsius gender equality, and global part- nership for development. “This is the fourth report DOHA: Temperature could would lash the country beginning the maximum and less than 10 released on the MDGs. dip to less than 10 degrees this afternoon. degrees at the minimum in some Development goals required Celsius next week as the coun- A statement issued by the areas, it added. particular steps by the govern- try is expected to come under Department yesterday warned of The department has also ment and had been met two a severe cold spell over the strong wind, poor visibility and forecast scattered rains in the years before time,” said Hamad next few days, according to the high sea. northern parts of the country bin Jabor bin Jassim Al Thani, Meteorology Department. “Beginning Thursday after- today. President, QSA, at a press con- “We are expecting a signifi- noon, the country is expected to Temperature could be slightly ference held to release the report. cant fall in temperature begin- come under the impact of strong higher today compared to yes- Qatari women represented 37 ning Friday, probably dipping to northwesterly winds, associated terday, but expected to fall from percent which is more than one- less than 10 degrees Celsius in with dust and a fall in tempera- tomorrow. third of Qatari employees in the the following days,” a forecaster ture during the coming days,” said It would hover between 19 to private sector in 2011. The rep- at the Department said last the statement. 27 degrees Celsius today, prob- resentation was only 20 percent evening. The wind will blow at speeds ably dipping to 18/20 degrees on in 2010. The sudden change in weather ranging from 20/30 knots to 40 Friday. A further fall is expected Qatari women have entered conditions has been attributed to knots causing the temperature on the following days. the financial investment sector sector declined from 29 percent percent among males and females strong northwesterly winds that to fall to 18 to 20 degrees at THE PENINSULA and represent 50 percent of the in 2001 to 12 percent in 2011. in 2009 and students who enroll total shareholders in the Qatar Also there were only 3.4 percent in grade one complete school Exchange-listed companies. They women representatives among education. The mortality rate own at least 3,500 companies in the Central Municipal Council among children under the age of specialised fields such as banking, members in 2011, which was the five declined from 17 per 1,000 live tourism and trade. same as in 2003. births in 1990 to nine per 1,000 live Three top educationists to speak at Going Global The literacy level of Qatari The report was prepared by births in 2011. And every child is women exceeded the proportion the QSA and the Diplomatic immunised against measles. DOHA: Three of Qatar’s top community. This year’s confer- Dr Ibrahim Al Naimi of the of literate males in the age group Institute. The repot showed Maternal mortality was 16 education professionals have ence will feature a substantial Supreme Education Council will of 15-24 years between 1986 and Qatar’s achievements in reaching deaths per 100,000 live births in been confirmed as speakers at Qatari presence. explore Mena-specific issues in a 2011. At least 75 percent women other areas mentioned in MDGs. 2005 and averaged 12.9 deaths in Going Global 2013, which is set to Dr Mohammad Fathy Saoud, discussion on supporting knowl- are literate in 2011. In poverty and hunger eradica- 2010 per 100,000 live births. bring together the world’s edu- President of Qatar Foundation, edge workers in the region. Qatari women’s participation tion targets, it said the high living HIV/Aids cases were very rare cation leaders and academics. will be delivering the opening Dr Todd Kent, Assistant Dean in the labour force has increased standards in the country rule out in the period between 1990 and The conference will offer a plenary address. He will also be at University of Qatar, will give from 30 percent in 2001 to 35 per- the possibility of finding persons 2011, and no one was infected with platform for policy makers and providing his thoughts on the his views in ‘Branch Campuses cent in 2008. with ‘one-dollar income or suffer- the disease in 2010 between the practitioners from around the co-creation of knowledge in ‘My – what is the real impact on However, participation of ing from hunger.’ age of 15 and 24. world to discuss issues fac- knowledge, your knowledge – our students?’ women in the non-agricultural Qatar’s literacy rates touched 99 THE PENINSULA ing the international education knowledge?’ THE PENINSULA

Divorced woman runs from pillar to post to see children CMC urges survey of old buildings DOHA: A Qatari woman says She said she had a court order to Mesaimir Police, she said. separated from my children.” “He also told me when he grows she has been running from pil- see her children and the order was The woman said she had The woman said she moved the up he would kill his father,” said DOHA: lar to post to see her five chil- addressed to Mesaimir Police. “But become like a football being court to get an order so she could the woman. “I went back to the The Central dren, who are staying with her when I went to Mesiamir Police kicked from one place to another see her children. “I had to attend a FCC to convince them to visit my Municipal ex-husband, an expatriate, but they told me they didn’t have the with no end to her woes in sight. dozen court sessions to be able to ex-husband’s home and monitor Council (CMC), in vain despite being armed section that specialised in execut- “I got married to an expatriate obtain the order and when I got one, the psychological condition of has urged the with a court order. ing court orders. They instead and had five children, the eldest is which was addressed to Mesaimir my children, especially, the son Ministry of “Neither the police nor the asked me to go to the Family a daughter aged seven, while the Police, they refused to execute it.” because he has been threatening Municipality Family Consultancy Centre is Consultancy Centre (FCC).” youngest child is three”. She said that her ex-husband’s to end his life and kill his father.” and Urban helping me see my children,” the According to the woman, “I suffered a lot in this mar- phones were always shut off and “I need help and I am sure Planning to conduct a survey woman who gave her name as when she approached the FCC, riage and finally got a divorce in landlines are also disconnected. higher-ups are listening to me of old and dilapidated buildings Widdad, told yesterday’s popular they turned her back saying she 2011,” she said. “However, last “However, I once happened to talk and would come to my rescue,” across the country, suggesting call-in radio programme Good should approach the court. The July I got remarried and that’s to my son and he said he would said the woman. that many of them are located Morning, My Beloved Country Qatar. court in turn asked her to go to when my problems began as I was commit suicide.” THE PENINSULA in prime localities, and some of them are feared to be housing runaway workers and criminals. The CMC has told the ministry that the owners of these buildings Emir gets telephone be contacted and if they are not keen to redevelop their properties, Arabs must prevent Zionist plan to destabilise region call from Hillary the government could buy them out and either redevelop them or Continued from page 1 areas like Samarra, Ramadi, Thus, Iran is trying with all its may repeat itself and make us DOHA: The Emir, H H Sheikh use space for greenery or parks. Several regimes crumbled. But Tikrit and Mosul. The protest- strength to maintain the Alawite witness another Iraq-Iran war Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, CMC Chairman Saud Al despite the overthrow of Hosni ers are seeking the overthrow regime in Syria and Shia rule in with the same bitter results. received a telephone call from Hanzab (pictured) told The Mubarak, Ben Ali, of the sectarian government in Iraq. This time the war will be in a the US Secretary of State Peninsula after the regular CMC Muammar Gaddafi and Baghdad and an end to Sunnis’ Others see a different strat- new form – a Sunni-Shia war in Hillary Clinton yesterday. They meet yesterday that most such Ali Abdullah Saleh, Syrian marginalisation. egy by Iran. Tehran’s support which Iran is expected to sup- discussed bilateral relations and buildings are located in places President Bashar Al Assad It seems that the outbreak of is worsening and complicating port Shias in Iraq and the GCC the situation in the region. like Najma, Madinat Khalifa, Old has been able to cling to power Iraq Spring is linked to the Syrian the situation in Iraq and it is the Sunnis in Iraq, in the same Ghanem and Al Murra. despite a continuing revolution. Spring, because, if the Syrian rev- using sectarianism to further its way as they supported Saddam He said that from safety view- The reason for this is Iranian olution succeeds, the Iraqi Sunni interests. By using the weapon Hussein. 76 women among point also it is important to have support, which has helped the Spring will be successful too. And of sectarianism, it’s trying to The coming days will reveal a database of such buildings regime to resist a revolution of the reason behind this link is the ease international pressure on what we do not know. The cur- freed prisoners and check their status and take close to two years. Iranian control over the situa- the government of Assad, and rent developments show that the Continued from page 1 steps to either redevelop them or All these developments are tions in both countries – Tehran’s there are fears that the unrest situation is moving towards a The prisoners freed by the regime demolish them to make prudent pointing to the increasing influ- support to Al Assad in Syria and could spill into Lebanon in the sectarian war in the region, and included 76 women. The detainees use of space for public purpose. ence of Iran in the region. Add Al Maliki in Iraq. coming months and cause chaos more specifically between Arabs who had been held by President Such buildings pose severe haz- to this the latest developments Iran is well aware of the there. and Persians, who may use Iraq Bashar Al Assad’s regime, most of ards too since they are old and in Iraq (which is being called importance of the survival Another interpretation of these as a battlefield. whom were Syrians, included a few dilapidated and can cave in any Iraq Spring), where Sunnis are of both regimes for its stra- events is that the US withdrawal But Arabs (Sunnis and Shias) foreigners such as Turks. moment, threatening lives. rising in protest against dis- tegic interests and wants to from Iraq and its handover to Iran should not get dragged into the The source said the prisoner He said that many such buildings crimination by the Maliki-led consolidate the Shia Crescent could be a trap by Washington, to policy of Faqih and Murshed swap was coordinated by Qatari do not have power and water sup- government. in the Middle East, and also keep Iran stuck in Iraq and thus ideology and must prevent the authorities and Turkish aid plies yet people are living there has The Sunni protests started in wants to continue to export keep it away from the Gulf states realization of Zionist plans to group, the Humanitarian Relief and taking supplies from neigh- Fallujah in Anbar province and the ideology of Faqih (Jurist) and oil resources. destabilise the Arab world. Foundation. bourhoods in violation of laws. then quickly spread to other governance. It’s also possible that history THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA/QNA THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Qatar Motor Show to premiere top cars Arab world’s first luxury car among highlights

Roger Abi Haider (left) and Ammar Al Saadi at a press conference on the Qatar Motor Show, yesterday. (SALIM MATRAMKOT)

DOHA: The Qatar Motor Show, this year of international car very same effect that a car speed- under the theme ‘Stand Out brands — some of which will be ing through the night would have. from the Crowd’, will open its world premieres — alongside “Practically every car brand doors to the public on January interesting side events taking will unveil their latest models, 29 and will run for five days at place concurrently with the motor some for the first time in the the Doha Exhibition Centre. show”, he told a press conference region, and others for the first The event is hosted by the Qatar yesterday. time in the world. The Arab Tourism Authority (QTA), Roger Abi Haidar, q.media world’s first locally-designed and q.media Events and GL Events. Events General Manager, unveiled manufactured luxury hyper car This year’s show promises to the logo of the 2013 Qatar Motor will be showcased for the first have many world and regional Show and spoke about what can time. Furthermore, we are very premieres of top cars. It will also be expected at the event. proud to host Bertone, a pil- showcase for the first time Arab “We believe that this concept is lar in the exclusive prestigious world’s first locally-designed and fitting for the Qatar Motor Show, automobile industry; a brand manufactured luxury hyper car. a concept that bridges our herit- synonymous with innovation “Each year the Qatar Motor age with the future,” said Haidar. and luxury since 1912. As well Show has put the country firmly “Two important elements were as perfectly preserved vehicles on the global automobile indus- merged into one: The falcon, the from previous generations will try map by showcasing the new- symbol of our great State of Qatar, be paraded together in the Class est models and the latest industry and a sports car, an obvious rep- Car Show. Outdoors, visitors can developments, many for the first resentation of the Qatar Motor enjoy watching experts drift their time ever, in Qatar,” said Acting Show itself. The merger com- powerful cars, obstacle courses, Head of Exhibitions Organising of bines tradition, power, and speed and other sporting activities,” said QTA Ammar Al Saadi. all into one, with the bright and Abi Haidar. “We have a sensational line-up glowing colours representing the THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Editorial

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED Change in Venezuela E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD E-MAIL: [email protected] Chavez’s health has caused huge concerns EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 and it’s time to put an end to uncertainty. FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. E-MAIL: [email protected]

ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 ERHAPS, Venezuelans are bracing for a change of leader. indefinite waiting is not good for the country and can affect the A government statement on Thursday said that President economic growth and create problems. Otherwise, the president can 44557857 [email protected] CLASSIFIED: E-MAIL: PHugo Chavez, who has undergone surgery at a Cuban hospi- choose to retire and order new elections. When he recovers fully, SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY tal, was facing “complications” from “a severe lung infection.” The there is the option of coming back to power and Venezuelans will be announcement comes at a critical moment. He is due to be sworn only happy to welcome him. TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 in for another six-year term in office after winning reelection in But whoever succeeds Chavez will face a difficult economic situ- E-MAIL: [email protected] October. At the time of campaigning, he reassured his people that ation. To win reelection, Chavez has spent hugely, increasing the he was fully cured, and healthy enough to lead them with another budget deficit to 20 percent of gross domestic product. His successor SUBSCRIPTION RATES term in office. But the president disappeared from the public stage will be forced to order a sharp and painful devaluation of the curreny. ANNUAL QR 675 and at his last appearance before departing for Cuba, he appointed That will only worsen already high inflation and shortages of foods. 6 MONTHS QR 340 foreign minister Nicolas Maduro as his vice president and political Venezuelans will have to support the new leader’s reforms, but the successor. If Chavez is too ill to attend his inauguration, which is situation is not beyond control. likely, they the swearing-in is likely to be delayed. If an election is held again, the opposition leader Henrique Chavez has been ruling Venezuela for 13 years and his latest ree- Capriles, who lost the October presidential ballot, will try to gain lection, despite health concerns, shows his popularity among his control. Capriles is very popular and if he contents an election in people. But a strong country needs a strong leader. Even if Chavez which Chavez is not there, there are chances the public might give returns, health issues will continue to haunt him and are likely to him a chance. PUBLICATION sap his enthusiasm. It’s time for him to decide about his future. He Chavez is one of the most powerful leaders in the Americas and will be justified if he chooses to wait, to see if he can recover fully. his absence will lead a void which is difficult to fill. But history has a But there is a need to put a deadline on the period he can wait. An habit of throwing up great leaders and filling the vacuum.

She fell but Pakistan stood The other side up. And the whole world -- north, south, east and west Quote of — supported her. Ending Syrian crisis the day Ziauddin Yousafzai HAT Syrian President Bashar Assad’s peace initiative was Father of Pakistani girl Malala given a cold shoulder by some members of the world com- Tmunity indicates the difficulty in finding a political solution to the crisis in the Middle East country. On Sunday, Assad delivered his first televised speech since June, offering a three-phase solution to solve the ongoing crisis. It includes a cease-fire, a comprehensive dialogue on a “national charter”, and the establishing of a broad-based government and parliament. It was believed the speech was aimed to boost the morale of those who still support him and to show his government’s enthusiasm for solving the country’s crisis through political resolutions. Given that his speech was issued at a time when a new round of political mediation, led by UN-Arab League peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, is under way, the Syrian leader may also have wanted to send a signal to the outside world that he is willing to cooperate with international mediation efforts. Nonetheless, Syria’s main opposition and Western countries initially rejected his proposal. The United States regarded it as “detached from the reality” and reiterated its call for the ousting of Assad. Apparently, as Assad’s plan does not mention his future, those who have been insisting he step down are not satisfied. In a new development that has betrayed the real intentions of the West in maneuvering toward military intervention against Syria, NATO set out to deploy Patriot missiles on the Turkey-Syria border this week, with the US, the Netherlands and Germany sending troops or missile batteries and missile systems to Turkey. The international community should remain committed to seeking a political solution to end the violence that is acceptable to all parties in Syria, as a forced regime change in a second Middle East country will have severe consequences for regional peace and stability. The belligerent parties in Syria should give top priority to the fundamental and long-term interests of the Syrian people and put an end to their fighting as soon as possible. Efforts still need to be made to push both sides to work pragmatically, follow the objectives and principles set forth in the Action Group Geneva Communique and establish an inclusive transitional governing body to realize political transition in the country. CHINA DAILY

Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate The London Underground: Still the people’s railway

BY ANDREW MARTIN condemned to grapple with. I illiterate Londoners would rec- lure private finance by putting is suggested by the shouts of be used on the deep-level lines; began to wonder why all rail- ognise their home stations. the railway into the hands of “Mind the doors”, or “Move there are no reservations, so you NE morning a few ways couldn’t be like the London In the interwar period, Frank accountants. But essentially down inside the cars” ... And can’t be sitting in someone else’s months ago, I was stand- underground, and in this week Pick, number two in the under- the penny has dropped that: (a) by and large we do move down, seat. Oing on a Central line marking the 150th anniversary ground chain of command, the underground is not going to and we do “Stand on the right”, There can be “leaves on the platform at Bond Street tube of the system, I wonder still. applied a design philosophy make a profit; and (b) life would in return for which the public line”, I admit, and frozen points. station. As a train came in, a Whereas Britain’s above- stemming from the Arts and be impossible without it. address calls us “Ladies and 55% of the underground is over- man dashed up holding the ground railways were built Crafts movement – which mar- So there have been no line clo- Gentlemen”. ground, as people like me love to hand of a young boy. “Just in by men who wanted to make ried functionality and aesthetics sures, apart from a bit of trim- The underground is embed- point out; and given the slightest time, dad!” exclaimed the son, money, the underground was – for the benefit of the travel- ming at the edges. Whereas our ded in the folklore of London. encouragement we will go into who seemed touchingly unaware conceived by an altruist: the ling millions. So Londoners were national railway lost the battle When I wrote a weekly column the full repertoire of the “amaz- that there is a train every two lawyer and social reformer spoilt rotten with the elegant with the road lobby between the about it, a man sent me a letter ing facts” the underground so minutes on the Central in peak Charles Pearson, who envis- Johnston typeface, the geomet- 60s and 80s, the underground describing the “notches on the effortlessly generates. (Did you hours. aged a railway that would allow ric suburban stations of Charles saw it off, largely thanks to Travelcard” denoting the true know that one million gallons When I was a boy visit- the working classes inhabiting Holden, the brilliant conceptu- Ken Livingstone, who also Londoner. To qualify, he or she of water are pumped away from ing London from Yorkshire, it the rookeries of Farringdon and alisation of Harry Beck’s under- introduced the network zoning must have left an umbrella on beneath Victoria underground was the train frequency that Clerkenwell to live in the pretty ground map – all commissioned that led to the automatic ticket the tube, drunkenly run up the station every day?) impressed me. Where did they villages west of Paddington. by Pick. barriers, leading in turn to the down escalator, missed the last To some of my fellow rail fans all come from? The underground The line – the Metropolitan – That ethos continues (against Oyster card. (Pre-Livingstone, train, fallen asleep on the last the underground is a special, was like a magician, producing was built when Pearson teamed all the odds, you feel elated in the fares were as dismayingly train and woken up at the ter- remedial case, mere plumbing a constant succession of rabbits up with men who wanted to the new tube ticket hall of King’s numerous as on our privatised minus, and so on. for London. But think of London from a hat. make money, but the under- Cross St Pancras), and this is national railway.) The tube user is spared and you think of the tube map; Above-ground railways ground has always been “the possibly because the under- Whereas on much of the “big” many of the irritations of mod- the underground is the one seemed so niggardly by com- people’s” railway. Consider ground has been publicly owned railway, human warmth has ern train travel. It’s unlikely common denominator, cause parison, and the gateway to Leslie Green, architect of many since 1933. Yes, there was the been replaced by the stare of that your neighbour will start and perpetuator of the great them was the timetable, which of the Edwardian tube sta- farcical interlude of the Blairite the CCTV camera, every under- watching a DVD of The Bourne expansion of the city, the Iron reminded me of the logarithm tions. He gave each a different, private public partnership, ground station is manned, and Identity through leaky ear- Horse run rampant. tables which I was at the time and beautiful, tiling scheme so when an attempt was made to a costermonger-ish bonhomie phones. Mobile phones can’t THE GUARDIAN THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 The birth of an independent Kurdish state

diplomacy — the latest, dangerous stand- The great losers off has made one thing clear: the “Kurdish question” has now reached another criti- in the break-up cal stage, and it is intimately bound up with the region-wide cataclysm that is the Arab Spring. of the Ottoman It was ever thus for the Kurds, their destiny as a people shaped less by their empire could be the own struggles than by the vagaries of regional and international politics, particularly the great Middle Eastern winners in the wake upheavals they periodically produce. These began, in modern times, with of Syria’s civil war the first world war and the fall of the Ottoman empire. In the 1916 Sykes-Picot agreement Britain and France prom- and the Arab Spring. ised them a state of their own, but then BY DAVID HIRST reneged, and they ended up as minorities, more or less severely repressed, in the four countries — Iran, Iraq, Turkey and was surprised to read an article Syria — among which their vast domains in the Baghdad newspaper Al were divided. Sabah, by its editor Abd Al Jabbar They repeatedly rebelled against this Shabbout, suggesting it was time new order, especially in Iraq. But their to settle the “age-old problem” landlocked location and the wider geopo- Ibetween Iraq’s Arabs and Kurds by litical environment were always against establishing a “Kurdish state”. I had them. Their rebellions were always never heard a formerly so heretical view crushed — the last one, under Saddam, expressed in any Arab quarter so pub- with the genocidal use of gas. licly. And this was no ordinary quarter: Al Sabah is the mouthpiece of the Prime Breakthrough Minister, Nouri Al Maliki. Shabbout also But they never ceased to dream of suggested a negotiated “ending of the independent statehood. And the first Arab-Kurdish partnership in a peace- of two great breakthroughs in the road ful way”. towards an independent Kurdish state He called his proposal plan B, plan A grew out of the megalomaniac folly of being what was already in train: that is, Saddam, with his invasion of Kuwait in a continuous dialogue between central 1990, and one of its entirely unforeseeable Kurdish PKK fighters patrolling an area in the Iraqi part of Qandil Mountains near their headquarters on the Iraqi-Iranian-Turkish borders. government and the Kurdish regional consequences, the establishment of the government conducted within the frame- internationally protected “safe haven” in work of the “new Iraq” which emerged northern Iraq. their newborn state, it would have the set great store on Iraq remaining united. could be a source of abundant and reli- after the fall of Saddam Hussein. The second breakthrough grew out of ability to stand on its own feet. But since 2008, in a complete reversal able oil supplies, a stable ally and buffer But plan A, he said, was getting the new constitutional order ushered in So are the Iraqi Kurds now on the of earlier policy, which had once been to against a hostile Iraq and Iran, and even, nowhere. Differences — over power and by the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. brink of their third, perhaps final, break- boycott Kurdistan altogether, the gov- in a policy option as extraordinary as authority, oil and natural resources, ter- Under it, the Kurds consolidated their through, and the great losers of Sykes- ernment of Recep Tayyip Erdogan has Turkey’s own, a collaborator in containing ritory and borders — were so deep that autonomy with broad new legislative pow- Picot about to become, 90 years on, the been pursuing “full economic integration” or combating fellow Kurds in the shape the dialogue had repeatedly failed. And ers, control of their own armed forces, great winners of the Arab Spring? with it. Meanwhile its relations with the of the PKK — who, having established a in recent weeks it almost came to war and some authority over that mainstay It seems that they await one last thing Iraqi government have been deteriorat- presence in “liberated” Syrian Kurdistan, instead. For a while the Iraqi army and of the Iraqi economy: oil. — another of those game-changing events, ing, with the two now on opposite sides are seeking to turn it into a platform for Kurdish peshmerga faced each other But from the outset they had made it such as the break-up of Syria — that can in the great Middle Eastern power strug- a reviving insurgency in Turkey. across the frontiers between Kurdistan clear that they would only remain com- transform the whole geopolitical environ- gle that pits Shia Iran, Al Maliki’s Iraq, It is even said that Erdogan has gone and the rest of Iraq in an atmosphere mitted to the “new Iraq” if it treated ment in the Kurds’ favour. But the quar- Bashar Al Assad’s Syria and Hezbollah so far as to promise Massoud Barazani, so tense, said Shabbout, that hostilities them as an equal partner. It wasn’t ter in which they are actively looking to against the Syrian revolutionaries, most the Iraqi Kurd president, that Turkey could have broken out at any moment. long before this ethno-sectarian, power- bring it about is Turkey. That they should Sunni Arab states and Turkey. Ankara’s would protect his would-be state in the And it wasn’t only Shabbout but Al Maliki sharing democracy began to malfunc- even think of this is, historically speak- courtship with Iraqi Kurds has moved so event of an Iraqi military onslaught — who warned that if war did break out, it tion, intensifying the Kurds’ yearning for ing, extraordinary. Turkey probably has far, the Kurds believe, that Turkey might though presumably that would never wouldn’t be just a war between Kurdish independence. Openly or surreptitiously, most to lose from independence-seeking soon break with Al Maliki’s essentially come to pass if, adopting plan B, the Al rebels and a dictatorial regime in Baghdad, they began accumulating constitutional, Kurdish nationalism, and has been brutal Shia regime and deal separately with the Maliki regime really is contemplating as it used to be under Saddam, but an political, territorial, economic and secu- as any in its repression of it. Ever afraid other main components of a fragmenting the seismic step of letting the Kurds go “ethnic war between Arabs and Kurds”. rity “facts on the ground”, designed to of Kurdish gains in another country as a Iraqi state, its Arab Sunnis and its Kurds. of their own free will. Be it plan A or plan B — war or ensure that, if and when they proclaimed progenitor of them in Turkey, it has long In return, an independent Kurdistan THE GUARDIAN A ‘zero option’ for Afghanistan Can China’s scribes win

long-term US interests in the not fixed, the substantial imbal- hundreds of US operatives and their censorship war? For Americans, region, but do so with the abso- ance between US spending and billions of covert dollars invested lute leanest outlay of dollars and revenue. A perpetual flow of bil- in preventing further terrorist BY MADELINE EARP acrostic reading “Keep it up, the Afghanistan troops. lions of aid dollars to Afghanistan attacks on the US. Given its vital Southern Weekly!”. When offi- Karzai comes to this week’s after 2014 — for US troops or for importance, this undertaking will edia officials in cials ordered editors nationwide discussions convinced that the Afghans — will be a much tougher endure — regardless of the size of China frequently to reprint an article condemn- war is entering US desperately needs long-term sell two years from now than it is the residual US military presence. demote outspoken ing the protest on Monday, many military bases in Afghanistan. He today. And it is very tough today. US President Barack Obama Mjournalists for flout- added the disclaimer that it did its final phase. sees an America without other will have to weigh the substantial ing censorship. Now staff at the not represent their opinion. Even viable options to maintain its War weariness risks inherent in a “zero option” freewheeling Guangdong-based state-run newspapers struck con- regional influence, cajole Pakistan, By 2014, the US will have been for Afghanistan. Absent the sta- Southern Weekly news magazine — ciliatory notes. Obama’s legacy threaten Iran or launch raids at war in Afghanistan for over 12 bilising influence of some numbers also known as Southern Weekend The third boost to the protest is against nearby terrorists. Because years. The connection between of US troops, Afghanistan could — have published open letters the Internet, which has facilitated as President will of this, Karzai thinks that he Afghanistan and the 9/11 attacks slip back into chaos, experiencing demanding the ousting of provin- public debate on sensitive topics holds all the cards in the upcom- has frayed deeply since Osama a new version of the devastating cial propaganda chief Tuo Zhen — such as government handling ing negotiations. He is absolutely bin Laden’s death at the hands civil war that rent the country for his heavy-handed information of disasters — in spite of censor- inevitably be convinced that the US has no of US forces in 2011. With over in the 1990s. The ability to see control — with hundreds gather- ship. Search engines that have workable strategic choice but to 2,000 Americans killed and and strike terrorist groups that ing at their office to demonstrate blocked keyword searches for shaped by its station substantial US troops in 17,000 wounded in over a decade aim to attack the US or its allies support, according to the AP. If Southern Weekend pose no obsta- Afghanistan after 2014. of inconclusive fighting, most from within the region would be they succeed, they could galva- cle to China’s most engaged web outcome. But Karzai has it wrong. There Americans are looking for an exit degraded. Al Qaeda could surge nise the media to challenge press users, who deploy puns, images is strong sentiment in the US to from a seemingly interminable into growing ungoverned spaces restrictions across the country. So and homonyms to denote banned look at all the options. Here are war. Maintaining congressional and perhaps re-establish a more what are their chances? content. The debate has also flour- BY DAVID W. BARNO five reasons why: and popular support to end the prominent foothold. US influence The journalists have three ished on homegrown social media deployment of thousands of US on a nuclear-armed Pakistan things going for them. The first is platforms, such as Sina Weibo. fghan President Hamid Iraq troops after 12 years at war will would undoubtedly lessen if US timing. Their protest was sparked “This Weekend, don’t rest,” was Karzai’s visit this The outcome of America’s war be supremely difficult, even more troops were no longer stationed when censors rewrote the pub- the phrase Beijing-based Caijing week to Washington in Iraq sets a strong precedent for so if casualties continue. next door. And the potential for lication’s new year editorial on newspaper used to reference Amarks one of the final a similar “zero” US military pos- the US to put pressure on Iran political reform as a paean to the the protest on its official Weibo big decision points in America’s ture in Central Asia. Iraq has not Stand-off capabilities from US forces posted near its Communist party. But that was account this week, according to the 11-year Afghanistan war. This become an Iranian puppet state The US has powerful remote eastern border would vanish. By just the latest example of journal- China Digital Times website. Others week’s meetings are likely to nor descended into chaos since intelligence, surveillance and any measure, it is a suboptimal ists pushed to the limit by leaders were more direct. “I don’t play determine the final US footprint the US withdrew all its military strike capabilities that could only posture for the US in the region, orchestrating the power handoff word games; I support the friends in Afghanistan after 2014, when forces at the end of 2011. The US be dreamed of in the 1990s. These but not necessarily an untenable from Hu Jintao to Xi Jinping. at Southern Weekend,” the actor all international combat opera- maintains a robust diplomatic capabilities increasingly can be one. At the Committee to Protect Chen Kui told 27 million follow- tions are slated to end. And that presence there — and presum- employed from “stand-off” dis- Obama must consider all these Journalists, we have documented ers, according to Tea Leaf Nation. residual number of US forces ably conducts intelligence activi- tances, with a few flying from as risks as he sits down with Karzai at least two additional cases This level of support may sug- could well be zero. ties — to protect its interests. far as the US. Some of these capa- to hammer out this last chapter of where outspoken news outlets saw gest that victory is within reach. Recent reports suggest that Iraqi political decisions are often bilities require regional basing, the war. Karzai would be wise to their staff overhauled to neuter But defying censorship is not the the White House is looking at at odds with US preferences; but Afghanistan is not the only avoid overplaying his hand. Even critical reporting in 2012. Other same as dismantling it. So far, troop options ranging from 3,000 few think that a US troop pres- country that can provide low-vis- though the Zero Option is not the journalists quit in frustration at censors are continuing to delete to as many as 15,000 stay-behind ence would change that reality. ibility basing options. Drones have best choice to protect American escalating censorship. Weibo messages and accounts troops. Many think that the final Iraq’s failure to grant remaining changed the face of warfare, and long-term regional interests, it As party chief Xi Jinping pre- belonging to the most active sup- figure will be well under 10,000. US soldiers legal immunity from used in concert with US intelli- certainly remains on the table. pares to become president in porters, according to interna- These numbers are much dimin- Iraqi law doomed any possibility gence into remote areas, they are Overreach on Karzai’s part could March, Chinese journalists have a tional media reports. And as much ished from proposals seriously of a residual force there; the same increasingly lethal to terrorists. easily sour prospects for any sort unique opportunity to send a clear as the party is touting transpar- considered even 12 to 24 months could happen in Afghanistan, and of enduring US military presence. message to the incoming leader- ency and anti-corruption — both ago of a long-term presence in the withdrawal could be seen as an US intelligence networks For Americans, the war is ship — and test its response. inherently compatible with a free range of 20,000 to 35,000 troops. equally viable outcome. Eleven years of extensive quiet entering its final phase. Obama The media’s second advantage press — there is no sign yet of a The realities of shrinking budg- intelligence efforts partnered with knows that it will end on his is their colleagues. Journalists change in media policy. ets and crumpled public support Budgetary pressure Afghans (and Pakistanis) have watch. His legacy as President have publicly defended their Xi Jinping and his new col- for the war have dramatically With a debt crisis and crum- created a deep web of friendly will inevitably be shaped by its rights even in the restrictive leagues in power have to prove trimmed those expectations. In bling infrastructure at home, contacts that will be maintained outcome. Whether US troops stay media environment, and other themselves faithful to Hu Jintao’s recent weeks, vigorous debate enthusiasm on Capitol Hill for long after 2014. In some ways, or leave Afghanistan after 2014 outlets are defying propaganda legacy to ensure a smooth transi- has been under way inside the spending taxpayer dollars on for- the post-2014 environment in may now come down to just one orders to signal their support of tion. Strict information manage- administration in advance of eign adventures is at an all-time the Afghanistan-Pakistan bor- week of tough bargaining. Each demands for freedom. ment is likely to continue for the Karzai’s visit to sort out a mini- low. The recent action to avert der area could evolve into a pro- nation has a great deal at stake. Headlines aggregated by the foreseeable future. malist approach that will protect the fiscal cliff has delayed, but longed “intelligence war,” with WP-BLOOMBERG Sina News website formed an THE GUARDIAN THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Kuwait court Meshaal meets Mursi keeps pro-oppn Saudi beheads Sri Lankan TV off the air maid defying calls for stay

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia lower court rejected a peti- beheaded a young Sri Lankan tion by pro-opposition private housemaid yesterday after television channel Al Youm on rejecting appeals by her home yesterday against its closure by country against her death the government last month, the sentence for the killing of an channel’s lawyer said. infant left in her care in 2005, “We have not seen the reasons Saudi and Sri Lankan author- for the court’s ruling. We plan to ities said. The Saudi Interior file an appeal against the verdict Ministry said in a statement in the coming few days,” Nawaf run by the official SPA news Sari said. agency that Rizana Nafeek The information ministry was executed in the town of The parents of Rizana Nafeek ordered the station taken off the Dawadmy, near the capital had repeatedly appealed to King air on December 20 citing admin- Riyadh. Abdullah to pardon her. istrative irregularities. It also Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry withdrew the station’s licence. said Nafeek was sentenced to The ministry later explained death in 2007 after her Saudi infant’s death. Saudi households that the station had failed to meet employer accused her of killing are highly dependent on house- a two-month deadline to appoint his infant daughter while she maids from African and South a full-time Kuwaiti manager. Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Cairo, yesterday. Meshaal also was bottle-feeding. The Saudi Asian countries. There have been Sari described the ministry’s held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on a stalled reconciliation deal. Interior Ministry statement reported cases of domestic abuse decision as “politically motivated” said the infant was strangled in which families mistreat their and the pretext as baseless. after a dispute between the maids, who have then attacked “Al Youm is the only television maid and the baby’s mother. the children of their employ- station that promotes opinions Colombo appealed against ers. Human Rights Watch con- opposed to the government ... and the death penalty but the demned the execution. the ministry found the opportu- Assad’s plan sectarian, Saudi Supreme Court upheld “Saudi Arabia is one of just nity to shut down the station by it in 2010. “President Mahinda three countries that executes citing untrue administrative vio- Rajapaksa made a personal people for crimes they com- lations,” he said. appeal on two occasions imme- mitted as children,” said Nisha The station has broadcast one-sided, says Brahimi diately after the confirmation Varia, senior women’s rights programmes sympathetic to the of the death sentence, and a researcher for Human Rights opposition and interviewed many few days ago to stop the exe- Watch. “In executing Rizana of its leaders in the run-up to a cution and grant a pardon to Nafeek, Saudi authorities dem- December 1 parliamentary elec- ‘Syrians believe 40 years of family rule is too long’ Miss Rizana Nafeek,” the Sri onstrated callous disregard for tion it boycotted. Islamist, nation- Lankan Foreign Ministry said basic humanity as well as Saudi alist and liberal opposition groups, BEIRUT: President Bashar solution” in Syria was swiftly could take the lead in responding in a statement. “President and Arabia’s international legal angry over an amended electoral Al Assad’s plan for Syria is rejected by the opposition and to the aspirations of his people, the government of Sri Lanka obligations.” law they said was designed to pro- “perhaps even more sectarian, snubbed by Western nations as rather than resisting it.” deplore the execution of Miss Saudi Arabia, a US ally, is an duce a rubber-stamp assembly, more one-sided” than previous being detached from reality and Syria’s main opposition group Rizana Nafeek despite all efforts absolute monarchy that follows have since been holding almost such initiatives by the embat- essentially empty. Brahimi last vis- the Syrian National Coalition at the highest level of the gov- the strict Wahhabi school of nightly protests demanding the tled regime, international peace ited Damascus in December, and welcomed comments by Lakhdar ernment and the outcry of the Islam and applies sharia(Islamic dissolution of the new parliament. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi told the met both Assad and opposition Brahimi criticising President people locally and internation- law). Judges base decisions on BBC yesterday. groups tolerated by the regime. Bashar Al Assad. “The statement ally over the death sentence of their own interpretation of The UN and Arab League “I told Assad to be certain that of Lakhdar Brahimi has been a juvenile housemaid,” it said. sharia rather than on a writ- Turkey agrees on envoy was giving his first public an initiative should be different long-awaited. He hasn’t criticised Sri Lanka’s lawmakers ten legal code or on precedent. reaction to a three-step plan to from what has been done in the Bashar before,” the coalition’s observed a minute’s silence dur- Amnesty International, in a peace plan with end the crisis, announced in a past and has not worked,” said representative to Britain Walid ing yesterday’s sessions as par- statement before the execution, rare speech on Sunday by Assad. Brahimi. “I’m afraid that what Saffour said. liament was told the execution said that it appeared Nafeek PKK: Reports “What has been said this time has come out is very much a “But now after he despaired went ahead even as Colombo had no access to lawyers either is not really different and it is repeat of previous initiatives that after Assad’s Sunday speech, he tried to send a delegation during her pre-trial interroga- ANKARA: The Turkish gov- perhaps even more sectarian, obviously did not work.” had no other alternative than to to Saudi Arabia to plead for tion or at her trial in 2007. ernment and jailed Kurdish more one-sided,” Brahimi said. “Now people want to have a say the say to the world that this rule mercy. “It appears that she was rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan “What you need is reaching in how they are governed. They is a family rule, and more than 40 Amnesty International said herself a child at the time and have agreed on a roadmap to out and recognising that there want to take hold of their own years is enough.” the passport Nafeek used to there are real concerns about end a three-decade-old insur- is a problem, a very, very serious future. “In Syria in particular, Assad’s father Hafez ruled enter Saudi Arabia in May the fairness of her trial,” Philip gency that has claimed tens problems between Syrians, and what people are saying is that one Syria with an iron first for three 2005 stated she was born in Luther, Amnesty International’s of thousands of lives, media that Syrians have got to talk to family ruling for 40 years is a little decades. He was succeeded by February 1982, but her birth Middle East and North Africa reported yesterday. The deal one another to solve it,” he said. bit too long. So the change has to Bashar in 2000. certificate states she was born Programme Director, said the was reached during a new Assad’s plan for a “political be real. “I think President Assad AFP six year later, which would have day before the execution. round of talks between Ankara made her 17 at the time of the REUTERS and Ocalan and aims to have the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) lay down arms in March, private news network NTV and Radikal newspaper reported. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip UAE militants had links to Al Qaeda: Dubai police chief Erdogan’s government recently revealed that Turkish intel- DUBAI: A suspected Islamist newspaper. “Some of the (cell) could make an attractive target about possible links between the He said the menace from Iran ligence services had for weeks militant cell detained in the members are affiliated with Al for militants. UAE cell and Al Qaeda. and the Brotherhood - which have been talking to Ocalan, who has United Arab Emirates had Qaeda in Yemen,” he said, refer- AQAP, formed in 2009 by a “We know that Al Qaeda gets significant ideological differences been held on the island prison of links to Al Qaeda, including its ring to al Qaeda in the Arabian merger of Al Qaeda’s Yemeni and financial support from some - was similar. “They both want Imrali south of Istanbul since his prominent Yemen-based wing, Peninsula (AQAP). The group had Saudi branches, remains a threat, individuals in the region and to export the revolution,” he said. capture in 1999. During a visit to Dubai’s police chief said in an planned bomb attacks on targets although its attempts to pull off that members of the outfit come “What the Muslim Brothers are Niger yesterday, Erdogan warned interview published yesterday. in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and a spectacular attack abroad have from some neighbouring coun- aiming for at the moment is to the government would uphold its Dahi Khalfan also said the other states in the region, rather so far been thwarted. tries to fight alongside the group shred and denigrate the reputa- tough line on the PKK: “I repeat Sunni Muslim Brotherhood and than setting out to assassinate In 2010, it claimed responsibil- in Yemen,” said the official, who tion of the Gulf rulers.” again, our fight with the terrorist Shia Iran were among the main individuals, Khalfan added. ity for two sophisticated parcel asked not to be named. In July, Khalfan warned of an organisation will continue.” security threats to Gulf Arab The Dubai police chief said bombs sent to the United States. Washington has backed a international plot to overthrow “Terrorist organisation ranks states because they wanted to he was concerned that AQAP The bombs were intercepted in political transition in Yemen and Gulf Arab governments, saying need to lay down weapons and export revolution to the region. members were making their way Britain and Dubai before they stepped up drone strikes on sus- the region needed to be pre- withdraw from Turkey,” before The United Arab Emirates, to the Gulf, but said Saudi anti- could explode. pected militants there to try to pared to counter any threat from further steps can be discussed, a major oil producer that has terrorism efforts had reduced Al In August, Saudi authorities curb AQAP’s influence and pre- Muslim Brotherhood sympathis- he said. Under the reported peace supported Western counter- Qaeda’s threat to the region. arrested a group of suspected Al vent a spillover of violence into ers as well as from Syria and Iran. roadmap, the government would terrorism efforts in the region, The UAE has so far escaped Qaeda-linked militants, mostly US ally Saudi Arabia, the world’s The UAE has escaped the be expected to reward a cease- announced the arrest of the UAE attack by Al Qaeda or other Yemeni nationals, in the capital top oil exporter. upheaval that has shaken the fire by granting wider rights to cell on December 26 in a joint insurgent groups, but some of the Riyadh, suggesting the group Khalfan said Al Qaeda was not Arab world but moved swiftly to Turkey’s Kurdish minority, whose operation with Saudi Arabia. seven emirates in the federation remained highly active. the UAE’s only security threat, stem any sign of political dissent population is estimated at up to 15 “They are adherents of have seen a rise in Islamist sen- A Yemeni official said AQAP citing dangers from Iran and the by detaining more than 60 local million in the 75-million nation, Al Qaeda and its misguided timent in recent years. Security had individual sponsors in the Muslim Brotherhood, swept to Islamists last year over alleged according to unofficial figures. doctrine,” Khalfan told the analysts say Dubai, a cosmopoli- Gulf, adding that UAE authorities power in Egypt after the fall of threats to state security and links AGENCIES Saudi-owned Asharq Al Awsat tan business and tourism hub, had not officially contacted Sana’a Hosni Mubarak in 2011. to a foreign group. REUTERS Snow-rain toll nine in region RAMALLAH: Abnormal and the polar air mass moving caused more than 700 traffic storms which for four days have down from Russia sent tempera- accidents in 48 hours. blasted the Middle East with tures plummeting as far south In northern Jordan, conditions rain, snow and hail have left as Cairo. Raging winds and flash for Syrian refugees in the Zaatari at least nine people dead and floods caused widespread dam- camp near the border were miser- brought misery to Syrian refu- age to infrastructure across the able as they battled a sea of mud gees huddled in camps. Palestinian territories. and plummeting temperatures. Officials reported that two “The Palestinian infrastruc- “My tent has been destroyed. I women were found dead in the ture is deeply flawed and unable tried to fix it but it did not work. West Bank yesterday after their to handle weather like this,” said We don’t know what to do,” said car was swept away in floods, Ghassan Hamdan, head of medi- Mohammad Hamed, 30, who fled while a 30-year-old man froze to cal relief in the northern city the conflict in Syria a month ago. death in Taalabaya, in Lebanon’s of Nablus. Torrential rain since “We need help. Urgent help. If Bekaa province, after he fell Sunday in a region unaccustomed this situation continues, our chil- asleep drunk in his car. to such deluges has sparked wide- dren will die.” Conditions were lit- Snow carpeted Syria’s war- spread flooding that has also led tle better for Syrian refugees in torn cities but sparked no let-up to transport chaos and helicopter neighbouring Lebanon, where the in the fighting, instead heaping evacuations. UN refugee agency began moving fresh misery on a civilian popula- Met offices warned that the those living under canvas. tion already enduring a chronic below-normal temperatures “With this very harsh weather, shortage of heating fuel and daily threatened to turn accumulated shelters have been threatened power cuts. water to black ice and in Jordan and now that snow is hitting the In Jerusalem, schools closed at police warned against all but Bekaa people are really in need midday and driving wind, hail and essential travel as traffic acci- of assistance,” UNHCR external rain battered the city as tempera- dents multiplied. They said haz- relations officer Cecile Fradot tures hovered just above freezing ardous driving conditions had said. AFP A Jordanian man walks past a vehicle as snow falls over Amman, yesterday. THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Over 52.6 million domestic workers worldwide 83pc are women; ILO report does not include nearly 7.4m children under the age of 15 labouring in homes

GENEVA: The number of domestic workers, 83 percent number for Latin America and real number of domestic work- report showed. At the same time, only 40 percent of national aver- domestic workers worldwide of whom are women, are “often the Caribbean is one in four. ers in the world could be closer nearly 30 percent are completely age salaries and only just over half has surged by 60 percent since exploited beyond what would South and Central America to 100 million, since such work excluded from such legal protec- are entitled to a minimum wage 1995 to more than 52 million, be tolerated for other workers”. are the regions that have seen the often goes unreported. “And the tions, as is the case for instance equivalent to that of other work- but despite their growing num- They are forced to work longer steepest hike in the number of demand for domestic care work- for basically all domestic workers ers, the report showed. bers most are still deprived of hours and frequently are not domestic workers over the 15-year ers will only grow in the future as in the Middle East. “Combined with the lack of basic rights, the UN’s labour allowed days off. period, jumping from 10.4 million in societies age,” Polaski said. In Asia-Pacific, where nearly rights, the extreme dependency agency said yesterday. Their numbers surged from 1995 to 19.6 million in 2010. The report follows the adop- half of the world’s domestic on an employer and the isolated “From caring for children, to 33.2 million in 1995 to 52.6 mil- The report said the surge was tion in June 2011 of a landmark workers live, 61 percent are and unprotected nature of domes- caring for elderly and persons lion in 2010, according to the ILO in large part linked to the rising domestic workers treaty aimed excluded from national labour law tic work can render them vulner- with disabilities, to performing report, which is based on official number of women entering the at ensuring decent working protections. able to exploitation and abuse,” a wide range of household tasks, statistics from 117 countries. workforce in a region often lack- conditions and pay for such More than half of domestic Polaski pointed out. domestic workers are an indis- That amounts to 3.6 percent ing other options for child and employees worldwide. There is workers worldwide, meanwhile, And while women domestic pensable part of the social fabric,” of all wage earners globally, and elderly care. still a way to go, however, with live in countries that set no limi- workers often allow others to Sandra Polaski, deputy director- 7.5 percent of all working women, The UN agency stressed that domestic workers’ rights espe- tation for how many hours they balance their work and fam- general of the International the report showed, stressing that its tally probably underestimated cially lagging in the Middle East can work each week, while 45 per- ily lives, they themselves often Labour Organisation (ILO) told the percentages were far higher the real numbers, and pointed out and Asia-Pacific regions. cent have no rights to weekly or struggle to do the same: One in reporters as she unveiled the in some regions. that it did not include some 7.4 Only 10 percent of all domestic annual paid rest periods. three have no right to maternity agency’s first report on the often In the Middle East, for instance, million child domestic workers workers are covered by general Although they often work long leave or benefits, according to invisible workforce. a full third of all working women under the age of 15. labour legislation to the same hours with little or no holiday, the report. Polaski said the majority of are domestic workers, while the It acknowledged that the extent as other workers, the domestic workers typically earn AFP Venezuela’s top court endorses Obama to nominate Chavez inauguration delay London Underground turns 150 Jack Lew for CARACAS: Venezuela’s top court endorsed the postponement of LONDON: The London Treasury: Report Hugo Chavez’s inauguration this week and ruled yesterday that Underground, the world’s old- the cancer-stricken president remained the South American est metro system, celebrates its WASHINGTON: US President nation’s leader. The 58-year-old socialist has not been seen in 150th anniversary today, still Barack Obama plans to nomi- public nor heard from in almost a month following surgery in rumbling along and carrying nate his chief of staff Jack Lew Cuba. The government says he is in a delicate condition and four million passengers a day as his next Treasury secretary, cannot attend today’s scheduled swearing-in for a new six-year across the British capital. replacing Timothy Geithner, US term.“Right now we cannot say when, how or where the presi- On January 10, 1863, after media reported yesterday. dent will be sworn in,” Supreme Court Chief Judge Luisa Morales three years of privately-funded Lew, 57, is a veteran said. “As president re-elect there is no interruption of perform- construction work, London’s first Washington insider who pre- ance of duties ... The inauguration can be carried out at a later underground railway line opened viously served as Director of date before the Supreme Court.” Both Chavez and his heir appar- to the public. Long queues formed the Office of Management and ent, Vice President Nicolas Maduro, would remain in the roles at each of the seven stations for Budget. His nomination — which after January 10, she added in a judgement quashing opposition the chance to ride the line, in car- must be confirmed by the Senate appeals for a caretaker president to be named. riages lit by gas lamps and pulled — is likely to be announced this by a steam locomotive. week, CNN reported. German Catholic bishops sack Passengers could travel in Passengers wait to board a train at Paddington Underground Station. The White House would nei- first, second or third class, and ther confirm or deny the reports. sex abuse study head from 1874 onwards, in smoking experienced no disagreeable of the city. The Metropolitan One official said a final decision or non-smoking carriages. “For odour, beyond the smell common Railway ran for 5km and had had not yet been made. PARIS: Germany’s Roman Catholic bishops sacked a crimi- the first time in the history of to tunnels. The carriages... are so seven stops. A century-and-a-half Geithner, a key player in nologist studying sexual abuse of minors by their priests yes- the world men can ride in pleas- lofty that a six footer may stand later, the Tube runs for 402km, Obama’s effort to revive the US terday, prompting him to accuse them of trying to censor what ant carriages, and with consid- erect with his hat on.” linking 270 stations and carries economy since the worst reces- was to be a major report on the scandals. The independent erable comfort, lower down than That first line, designed to passengers on 1.1 billion journeys sion in decades, has made it study, examining church files sometimes dating back to 1945, gas pipes and water pipes... lower relieve congestion in what was per year. “It became the life- known that he does not want to was meant to shed light on undiscovered cases of abuse after than the graveyards,” enthused then the world’s biggest city, blood of London,” David Waboso, serve a second term at Treasury. about 600 people filed claims against molesting priests in 2010 the Daily News at the time. linked three of London’s railway Transport for London’s capital He is expected to leave by following a wave of revelations there. The German scandals William Hardman, one of terminuses (Paddington, Euston programmes director, said. month’s end. were part of a series of abuse scandals that also shook the the first passengers, said: “We and King’s Cross) with the heart AFP AFP Catholic Church in Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands and forced Pope Benedict to issue a public apology. Bishop Stephan Ackermann, spokesman on abuse issues for the German Bishops Conference, said the hierarchy had lost confidence in the researcher, criminologist Christian Pfeiffer, and would UK flag raised in Belfast look for another specialist to take up the study. Russian dies in ‘zorbing’ accident for first time since riots

MOSCOW: Russia yesterday investigated the death of a 27-year- BELFAST: The British flag arson attacks at the start of old man in a giant “zorb” ball that tumbled down a mountainside was hoisted over Belfast’s City December which gave way to in a horrific accident that was caught on video. Denis Burakov, Hall yesterday for the first largely peaceful protests, but 27, died of his injuries after he and a friend, Vladimir Shcherbov, time since the decision not the violence has flared again 33, paid to roll together in the zorb down an unfenced snow slope to fly it permanently sparked since the start of the new year. at a ski resort in the Karachayevo-Cherkessia region of the riots in Northern Ireland. Tensions are running high North Caucasus. “We have launched a criminal case into causing On a sixth consecutive night in the province, which endured death through providing unsafe services,” said Sergei Shuvayev, of violence in the British prov- three decades of sectarian vio- spokesman for the regional investigative committee. The charge ince, protesters pelted police lence until peace accords in 1998 carries a maximum prison sentence of six years. Investigators in the capital Belfast with led to a power-sharing govern- detained a 25-year-old local man, Ravil Chekunov, who was one petrol bombs, fireworks, bot- ment between Protestants and of the ride’s organisers, Shuvayev said. Zorbing is an extreme tles and stones. Pro-British Catholics. The protesters, who adventure sport invented in New Zealand in the 1990s in which protesters have taken to the are mainly Protestant, see the participants roll down slopes strapped inside large transparent streets almost every night flag’s removal as an attack on plastic balls.Deaths from zorbing accidents are very rare. since December 3, when the their British identity and a city council announced it would compromise too far with repub- Clinton coy over ‘retirement’ no longer fly the Union Jack all licans, who are mostly Catholic year round at the City Hall. and favour a united Ireland. WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said It will now only be hoisted British Prime Minister yesterday that she was looking forward to stepping off “the very for a maximum of 18 days a David Cameron said yester- fast track” for a while, but wouldn’t necessarily call it retirement. year, including on the birth- day that Northern Ireland Appearing at her first public engagement before the cameras after days of British royals — the needed to break down “bar- being taken ill more than a month ago, Clinton said she was “thrilled first of which fell yester- riers of segregation that have to be back”. “I have to say, I really missed you all. I wouldn’t say that day as Prince William’s wife been in place for many, many under normal circumstances,” she said. She was taking part in a Catherine turned 31. years”. “We need to build a retirement ceremony for US ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney, The flag’s reappearance shared future in Northern on only her third day back at work in the State Department since above the elegant central Ireland,” he said as he faced she caught a stomach virus, which then led to a concussion and Belfast building raised fears his weekly session of questions blood clot. But when it came to her own plans as she prepares to of more violence as pro- in parliament. I think that is step down in several weeks and hand over the baton, most likely to testers vowed to continue part of the challenge to take Senator John Kerry, Clinton was a little more coy when asked if she their campaign until it is away some of the tensions that was heading towards retirement. “I don’t know if that is a word I replaced permanently. The we’ve seen in recent days.” would use, but (I’m) certainly stepping off the very fast track for a flag ruling sparked riots and AFP little while,” she said. AGENCIES Lincoln leads BAFTA nominations LONDON: Steven Spielberg’s political which took nine nominations including best leading actress category are Cooper’s co- drama Lincoln, the film version of hit supporting actress for Anne Hathaway and star Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain stage musical Les Miserables and Ang best British film. for Zero Dark Thirty, Marion Cotillard for Lee’s Life of Pi lead the nominations for Life of Pi also has nine nominations, Rust and Bone, Helen Mirren for Hitchcock the BAFTAs announced here yesterday. including best director for Ang Lee, who and Emmanuelle Riva for Amour. All three are in the running for best is up against Bigelow, Ben Affleck for Argo, Alongside Bardem and Lee Jones in the film in the British awards, viewed as one Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained supporting actor category are Alan Arkin of the indicators of Oscars glory, alongside and Michael Haneke for French-language for Argo, Philip Seymour Hoffman for The Kathryn Bigelow’s Osama bin Laden man- film Amour. Javier Bardem is up for best Master and Christoph Waltz for Django hunt movie Zero Dark Thirty and Iran hos- supporting actor for his role as the villain in Unchained. tage drama Argo. the latest and most successful Bond movie, Dench, Field and Hathaway are in the “Lincoln” received 10 nominations in total, Skyfall, among eight nominations which running for best supporting actress along- including for best actor for Daniel Day- also include best supporting actress for Judi side Amy Adams for The Master, and Helen Lewis, best supporting actor for Tommy Lee Dench and best British film. Hunt for The Sessions. Jones and best supporting actress for Sally Affleck was nominated in the leading actor The BAFTA awards ceremony will take Field, although Spielberg was overlooked for category alongside Day-Lewis, Jackman, place on February 10 at the Royal Opera best director. Hugh Jackman is up against Bradley Cooper for Silver Linings Playbook House in London. Day-Lewis for his role in Les Miserables, and Joaquin Phoenix for The Master. In the AFP THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES BRIEFLY Malaysian oppn Annual procession to hold rally for

Japan plans extra election reforms $2.1bn in military Ruling coalition faces stiffest test spending KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s late June, but speculation of early TOKYO: Japan plans to opposition yesterday received polls is rife. Najib’s ethnic Malay- spend an extra $2.1bn on rare permission to hold a week- dominated ruling bloc faces an missiles, fighter jets and end political rally in a historic alliance comprising opposition helicopters, an official said stadium, ahead of hotly antici- leader Anwar Ibrahim’s multi- yesterday, as it tries to pated elections due within ethnic party, the Pan-Malaysian strengthen defence capa- months. Islamic Party and a third party bilities with concerns grow- Opposition organisers say the dominated by ethnic Chinese. ing over a rising China. The gathering on Saturday at the Muslim Malays make up more cash injection over the next 30,000-seater Stadium Merdeka 60 percent of Malaysia’s 28 mil- few months comes on top of (Independence Stadium), in the lion people. regular military spending for capital Kuala Lumpur, will focus The trust that owns the sta- 2012-13. It is separate from on continued widespread criti- dium, where independence a request for a rise in the cism of a voting system seen as was declared 56 years ago, said military budget for the next skewed in favour of the ruling in a statement it would allow A sea of Catholic believers jostle for position as they try to touch the life-size statue of the Black Nazarene fiscal year which policymak- Barisan Nasional coalition. Saturday’s rally but that crowds during the annual procession in Manila, yesterday. ers called for on Tuesday. Senior opposition politician, must not exceed the venue’s Japan is involved in a territo- Hatta Ramli, from the Pan- capacity. rial tussle with China over a Malaysian Islamic Party said: The opposition often complains group of uninhabited islands. “Not giving access to the stadium of hurdles in gaining permis- Nerves have also been rattled would have looked very bad for sion for rallies, blaming ruling- Aquino rejects gun ban calls by an unpredictable North the government... They are doing party meddling, and had said Korea, which sent a rocket the right thing and now we have in recent days that the stadium over Japan’s southern islands a proper venue for the gathering. trust appeared to be snubbing its MANILA: Philippine President bullet wounds amid gunfire from were soldiers. Aquino launched last month. “We will request We want to make people aware request, before approval came Benigno Aquino insisted yester- revellers who were welcoming in an investigation on Tuesday into 180.5bn yen to be allocated of our demands for free and fair through. day that civilians had the right the New Year by firing weapons, the killings amid allegations they to military spending from a elections.” Activists and the opposition to carry guns for self-defence, a traditional form of celebration were part of a turf war over illegal stimulus package,” a defence A rally for clean elections in say Malaysia’s electoral roll is after a series of deadly shoot- in the Philippines. gambling involving corrupt secu- ministry spokesman said. April drew tens of thousands to marred with irregularities, and ings prompted calls for a total A few days later a drugs-crazed rity forces. the streets but degenerated into complain that election officials firearms ban. gunman shot dead seven people The violence has highlighted clashes between demonstrators and mainstream media are “’Total gun ban’ would be a nice during a 30-minute rampage in concerns in the Philippines over China becomes and police, who were criticised biased in favour of the ruling headline, but a knee-jerk reaction. a slum neighbourhood on the the ease with which people can for a response widely seen as coalition. It’s not in my nature to humour outskirts of Manila, before police acquire weapons. No.2 movie market heavy-handed. The government set up a par- people. We should look for means killed him. There were 1.2 million regis- BEIJING: Moviegoers The ruling coalition has con- liamentary panel to examine the to really solve the issue,” Aquino Security forces shot another 13 tered guns in civilian hands last in China spent 17bn yuan trolled Malaysia since inde- complaints but critics said not told reporters. people dead on Sunday in a case year, plus another 600,000 unli- ($2.7bn) on tickets last year, pendence in 1957 but political enough concrete action has been Some politicians, media groups that has embarrassed the gov- censed firearms in circulation, turning the country into the observers say it faces its stiff- taken. and influential Catholic church ernment and highlighted major according to police data. second-largest film market est test yet in the coming polls The last elections in 2008 saw leaders have led calls for stricter corruption problems in the police Aquino said Wednesday the in the world, the state news against a formidable opposition Barisan Nasional’s worst show- gun laws, or an outright ban on and military. solution to ending the gun vio- agency Xinhua said yesterday. and amid rising voter impatience ing ever, losing its traditional two- civilians owning them, after a Police initially said those killed lence was to get rid of the unli- Sales rose 30 percent from with its rule. thirds parliamentary majority to series of shootings starting on were gang members but later censed weapons while allowing 2011, it said, citing the State Prime Minister Najib Razak the opposition. New Year’s Eve left 23 people admitted three of the dead were law-abiding people to carry a Administration of Radio, must face elections no later than AFP dead. Two children died from fellow policemen and another two weapon in self-defence. AFP Film and Television, under- scoring the rapid growth that has long attracted Hollywood despite China’s tight restric- tions on foreign films. After years of pressure, China in 2012 agreed to increase the Censored China paper to publish as normal number of films allowed in annually from the United States-which is the world’s GUANGZHOU, CHINA: A leaves and twigs at them and would not be punished and direct resignation of the publisher of an article on its website enti- largest movie market-from Chinese weekly newspaper at played patriotic songs. pre-publication interference by the Beijing News, part-owned by tled “Southern Porridge”, which 20 to 34, whereas 893 domes- the centre of rare public pro- Public challenges to the author- propaganda authorities would the Southern Weekly’s owner, over sounds like “Southern Weekly” in tic films were produced last tests against government cen- ities on issues of press freedom stop, Dow Jones said. a directive to reprint a dismissive Mandarin. “A bubbling hot bowl of year. Nonetheless foreign sorship will publish as usual are rare in China and the affair It was a “small victory” in a editorial on the issue. porridge from southern soil seems films generated 51 percent of today, a senior reporter said, is seen as a test for the new party long-running struggle between The commentary, originally in to have a brave heart,” it said. the revenue, beating domes- following reports of a deal to leadership under Xi Jinping. journalists and censors in China, the state-run Global Times, said All Chinese media organisa- tic film ticket sales for the end the row. “It was a case of internal poli- said David Bandurski, a Chinese that an “absolutely free media” tions receive instructions from first time in nine years, and “The newspaper will publish tics,” the reporter said. “I am media researcher at Hong Kong was unlikely in the country, add- government propaganda depart- Hollywood’s share in China as normal on Thursday,” the writing an article as we speak, it’s University. ing: “Media reform should be in ments, which act to suppress rose from 18 to 25 percent. Southern Weekly staff member, about Alexis de Tocqueville’s ‘The “It’s a victory in the most con- line with China’s politics.” news seen as “negative” by the who declined to be named, said Old Regime and the Revolution’,” crete terms, it’s a turn back to Media and online posts said ruling party. But the censorship after reports said journalists had referring to the French thinker’s a normalcy of censorship that Beijing News publisher Dai Zigeng of Southern Weekly was seen as Indonesian police reached an agreement with the analysis of the events of 1789. journalists have become accus- told a propaganda official he was unusually direct. authorities. The row at the pop- The South China Morning Post tomed to,” he said, adding that quitting after being threatened The paper won a reputation for discover bomb stash ular liberal paper, which had an said Guangdong province’s com- the high-profile stand-off could with the paper’s closure if it did investigations, but has also suf- JAKARTA: Police discov- article urging greater rights pro- munist chief Hu Chunhua, a ris- persuade officials not to further not print the article, leaving fered periodic purges. Its editor ered a stash of more than tection replaced by one praising ing star in the party, had stepped tighten controls. newsroom staff in tears. was demoted in 2009 after the 20 homemade bombs in the ruling Communist Party, has in to mediate in the row. Protestors numbered in the But a Beijing Propaganda White House gave it an exclusive central Indonesia yester- seen demonstrators mass outside “There’s a verbal agreement in hundreds on Monday and the Bureau official said: “Mr Dai interview with Barack Obama, day after uncovering plots its headquarters in the southern place. Basically it’s back to nor- campaign quickly won support is still at work as usual,” and a while its news director was to attack tourist destinations city of Guangzhou. mal, but we’ll see how the two online, including from celebri- member of the company staff ordered to resign in 2011. in the region, a spokesman Protesters gathered for a third sides react to each other in the ties with millions of followers on denied he had resigned. China came 174th in a press said. Anti-terror police found day yesterday holding a large ban- future,” Dow Jones Newswires China’s Twitter-like Weibo. Extracts of the commentary freedom ranking of 179 countries bombs, explosive materials, ner reading “Democratic China” quoted a Southern Weekly editor Beijing’s propaganda depart- appeared on page 20 in yester- issued by the advocacy group detonators, nails and books on and scuffled with a group of pro- as saying. Under the deal, jour- ment denied reports that the day’s edition, attributed to the Reporters Without Borders last jihad (holy war) on the island government rivals, who threw nalists involved in the protests row was spreading with the Global Times. But it also published year, falling three places. AFP of Sulawesi, where police have reported increased militant activity in recent months. “A total of 20 pipe-bombs and Teachers’ protest in Dhaka a 16kg bomb housed in three Tupperware containers stuck Tokyo to clamp down on together were found,” said national police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar, adding the raids Fukushima clean-up firms took place in the southern dis- trict of Enrekang. TOKYO: Japan’s government at least two cases in which dirty will clamp down on contractors water was allowed to escape cleaning up radioactive material directly into the environment dur- Vietnam jails 13 for around the ruined Fukushima ing decontamination work. Water nuclear plant, officials said yes- used to hose down buildings is sup- ‘anti-state crimes’ terday, following disclosures of posed to be collected and sent for HANOI: Thirteen political sloppy decontamination work. purification before it is released, activists were found guilty of The Environment Ministry while soil and leaves should be col- anti-state crimes in Vietnam hired the nation’s leading contrac- lected for storage. The government yesterday and sentenced to tors to cleanse towns and villages has drawn up guidelines for work- prison, a ruling condemned near the tsunami-hit Fukushima ers, but the Asahi report quoted by rights activists who saw Daiichi power plant, starting with some as saying the decontamina- it as part of a crackdown on four relatively uncontaminated tion project is so vast and pains- dissidents in the communist areas. But the Asahi Shimbun daily taking that they would not finish country. They were sen- reported last week that dirty soil, in time if they followed the rules. tenced to terms ranging from leaves and water have been dumped “The ministry ordered the three to 13 years. The court directly into rivers. The paper cited contractors to investigate the in Vinh, 300km south of workers as saying they were told to situation and submit a report by Hanoi, found them guilty of sweep only around radiation moni- Friday,” said a ministry official, “carrying out activities aimed toring sites. adding the government will draw at overthrowing the people’s Senior Vice Environment up measures to deal with the administration”, a charge Minister Shinji Inoue visited problem over the following week. under Article 79 of the penal Teachers kick on the burnt effigies of Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith and Education Fukushima yesterday and apolo- The decontamination work is code that can carry the death Minister Nurul Islam Nahid during a protest in Dhaka, yesterday. Police obstructed teachers as they attempt gised to local residents. The head largely being carried out by four penalty. ed to march on the education directorate building to demand their inclusion in the Monthly Payment Order of the ministry’s special office in companies on contracts worth AGENCIES which will increase their wages. Fukushima admitted on Monday millions of dollars each. that the authority had confirmed AFP THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Plea for tanks Recovered ammunitions raises Nato’s concerns Kabul also wants spy planes, drones

KABUL: A senior international Afghan army and police as they alliance officer in Afghanistan prepare to stand alone against the questioned yesterday why the Taliban. local army, which is due to take Afghan officials were quoted responsibility for security next last week as also requesting year, has demanded tanks to sophisticated surveillance bal- fight insurgents. loons, unmanned drones and US led Nato combat troops aircraft to strengthen their devel- will withdraw by the end of 2014, oping military capability. leaving Afghan forces to battle “We are aware of the shortfalls Taliban militants who use road- in the air force, we are trying to side bombs, suicide attacks and rectify them but that will go past other guerrilla tactics to oppose the end of the ISAF mission,” the Kabul government. Findlay said. “We are making a counter- After 2014, the US may keep insurgency force and we have a “residual force” of US soldiers our Afghan partners asking for in Afghanistan to ensure that Al things we would call ‘high-end Qaeda cannot make a comeback war fighting’ — tanks and what and again use the country as a A huge cache of arms and explosives, buried at Eastern Bypass in Quetta, was recovered by police during a search operation. you have,” Australian Brigadier safe haven. Adam Findlay told reporters. But officials in Washington Findlay, deputy chief of have also suggested that US operations at the International troops may withdraw completely Stage set for 6.8m Security Assistance Force from Kabul. Islamabad seeks UN probe into India killings (ISAF) headquarters in Kabul, This heightens the concern said army officers were influ- that Afghanistan could descend ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yes- “Pakistan is prepared to hold stability,” she said in an interview voters verification enced by the experience of Soviet into turmoil with its many war- terday denied Indian allegations investigations through the United in Islamabad. occupation of Afghanistan in the ring factions taking up arms in that its troops killed two Indian Nations Military Observer Group Indian army sources sug- across Karachi 1980s. different parts of the country. soldiers in a second cross-bor- for India and Pakistan on the gested Tuesday’s attack could be “We think (the demand Findlay said that militants der ceasefire violation in days recent ceasefire violations on the a retaliation for Sunday, when ISLAMABAD: The stage is for tanks) is because of them killed or wounded more than and called on UN observers to Line of Control,” said the foreign Islamabad said an unprovoked set in Pakistan’s largest city for defaulting to a previous Soviet 3,500 Afghan civilians last year investigate. ministry in Islamabad. Indian attack on a border post door-to-door verification of 6.8 model and what they experi- — with 2,500 of the casualties India summoned Pakistan’s A ceasefire has been in place killed one Pakistani soldier and million voters across Karachi enced particularly as young caused by guerrilla-style bomb high commissioner to New Delhi since 2003 along the Line of wounded another. starting today and it is expected men,” he said. attacks. to protest against Tuesday’s kill- Control in Kashmir that has Khar said the Pakistani sol- to be completed within 30 days, “What we have to have is a He added that the Afghan ings, in which India’s chief mili- divided the countries, but it is dier had been “brutally murdered as the army and other law- discussion about ‘Why are you national security forces (ANSF) tary spokesman said one of the periodically violated by both sides. because of Indian firing” but enforcement agencies personnel defaulting to those kinds of items had received nearly $10bn of soldiers had been beheaded by Pakistan Foreign Minister denied that Pakistan operated a have moved in to safeguard the when we, as Western countries, equipment since a US-led coali- Pakistani troops who carried Hina Rabbani Khar told Indian policy of “tit for tat”. officials of Election Commission don’t see them as central equip- tion ousted the Taliban regime away his head. channel CNN-IBN that Islamabad “We are a responsible country, of Pakistan (ECP). ment for a counter-insurgency in 2001. Pakistan rejected what it called was “a bit appalled at some state- a mature country, we must not As per the understanding fight?’” “What is the Taliban strategy?” “baseless and unfounded allega- ments” from India and that she all go back to having a go at each reached between the ECP and Findlay’s comments came as he asked. tions” but echoed calls of caution was “saddened”. other,” she said. military, Commander Five Corps President Hamid Karzai began a “The war isn’t going well for from India’s foreign minister by “I represent a government that She said allegations of cease- would command the Army, the visit to the US. them, every time they have an saying both sides need to work has invested four years to build fire violations had to be dealt Frontier Corps and Rangers Karzai will be in US where he encounter with the ISAF or hard to maintain a recent rap- normalcy... an environment of with responsibly and offered to personnel being deployed in the will lobby for further increases ANSF they come off second-best.” prochement following peace talks trust to move forward to achieve ask the UN military observers to mega city’s five districts, a senior in cash and equipment for the AFP which were revived in 2011. regional peace and internal investigate. AFP ECP official said here yesterday. In line with the understanding, the deployment was to commence from Saturday. “The ECP had to approach the security agencies for cooperation in view of the peculiar security ISAF truckers on strike over new customs rule situation in the mega city, which unfortunately faces violence on KARACHI: Pakistani trans- against a new government- and end pilferage and theft but a daily basis,” the ECP official porters who carry Nato supplies imposed system that will require the transporters want a free-for- contended. to land-locked Afghanistan truckers to go through author- all. That is not possible,” Burney Chief Election Commissioner have gone on strike, disrupting ised companies to carry Nato sup- added. Fakhruddin Ebrahim had a meet- the flow of goods to Western plies instead of making individual Many supplies for US and other ing with the Army Chief, General forces in a protest against a deals. The system is designed to forces in Afghanistan are shipped Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, while the new customs regime aimed at cut down on theft. into the Pakistani port of Karachi ECP Secretary, Ishtiak Ahmad cutting theft. Transporters say that will and trucked along two routes into Khan, held talks with the director A spokesman for Afghanistan’s hurt their business and they have Afghanistan. general operations at the general Nato-led International Security announced that operations would Pakistan previously banned headquarters in connection with Assistance Force declined to remain suspended until the sys- trucks from carrying Nato-force the deployment of the army in comment on how the strike might tem is scrapped. supplies into Afghanistan in Karachi and related matters. affect supplies. “We will continue striking as 2011 in protest against a cross- He explained that the army When Pakistan previously long as our demands aren’t met,” border Nato air strike that inad- and other law-enforcement blocked supplies it cost $100m transporter Abdul Ghafaaz Niazi vertently killed 24 Pakistani agencies would cooperate with extra a month to send supplies said yesterday. soldiers. the ECP officials involved in the on longer, alternate routes, US “Custom collectorate officials The seven-month ban forced electoral rolls verification (ERVs) officials said at the time. are corrupt. We won’t listen to the US to rely on longer, more drive. The All Pakistan Goods them. If they want to lose billions expensive northern routes “The ECP personnel will go Transportation Association of rupees every day, they can.” through Russia and Central Asia. from door-to-door to verify the has been unofficially blockad- Syed Shams Ahmed Burney, The blockade was lifted after electoral rolls, check for the ing 4,000 vehicles carrying sup- chairman of the All Pakistan US Secretary of State Hillary authenticity of voters and cor- plies to and from coalition forces Custom Bonded Carriers Clinton apologised for the losses Transporters, who deliver supplies to Nato forces in Afghanistan, listen to rections in a secure environment in Afghanistan for the past six Association, said the transport- suffered by the Pakistani military a speech during a rally organised by the All Pakistan Goods Transportation to be provided by the military and days. ers’ demands were impractical. in the Nato attack. Association in Karachi, yesterday. law-enforcement agencies,” the The truckers are protesting “This system exists to minimise REUTERS official said. INTERNEWS Taekwondo moves Life stories of global female icons focus of key summit

KARACHI: With the partici- their growth while maintaining Keynote speakers during the pation of women leaders from at work-life balance. include Nasra Hassan from least four countries, the second The summit will be organ- Austria, who has worked for 25 International Women Leaders ised by New World Concepts — a years with the United Nations Summit is going to take place corporate promotions company in peacekeeping, refugee and in Pakistan on January 29 to — and PSTD, a non-profit organi- humanitarian affairs, social popularise life stories of glo- sation committed to professional development, public information bal female icons and connect human resource development and communications; Gulsun professional women across cul- through organising training pro- Bilgehen, who is a senior mem- tures and geographical bounda- grammes and conferences. ber of Turkish parliament; and ries, said Pakistan Society for Learning and networking former fashion supermodel Bibi Training and Development opportunities provided by this Russell from Bangladesh. (PSTD) President Aamir Niazi. summit will help professionals Russel played a key role in Being held as part of the fifth achieve excellence, said Niazi. reviving the Bangladeshi crafts Women in Business Conference He also gave a detailed pres- industry through pioneering ethi- for professional women, the theme entation on the history and role cal fashion in the world. of the summit is to make women of PSTD, which is managed by Melanne Verveer, the US Afghan girls practise taekwondo moves during a martial arts class in Herat, yesterday. The Taliban regime that draw inspiration from global and an honorary board of governors, ambassador for global women was forced from power 11 years ago did not allow women and girls to engage in sport as part of measures Pakistani business leaders, which comprising leading executives issues, will participate via a video that kept them uneducated and out of the public domain. can help them overcome the ster- from the country’s corporate address. eotypical barriers that restrict sector. INTERNEWS THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Three rape accused to plead ‘not guilty’ Defence counsel criticises investigation by Delhi police Journalists urge

NEW DELHI: Three of the Why were cops not judges to let them men accused of raping and murdering an Indian student in cover rape trial a case that has provoked wide- suspended?: Court spread anger with the govern- ment and police will plead ‘not NEW DELHI: The Delhi curtains not removed after the NEW DELHI: After a city guilty’, their lawyer said yes- High Court yesterday pulled Supreme Court order? Why no court ordered in-camera hear- terday, citing lapses in police up police and asked the rea- further action was taken,” said ings and curbed media from investigation. son for not suspending the Justice Jain. attending and reporting pro- The 23-year-old physiother- commissioner of police (CP) The court would pass its ceedings of the December 16 apy student died two weeks after and deputy commissioner of order in the matter today. gang-rape case, journalists being beaten and gang-raped on police (DCP) in connection Police filed the report in a urged the Delhi High Court to a moving bus in New Delhi, then with the December 16 gang sealed cover to the bench, and allow them to cover the case. thrown bleeding onto the street. rape case. informed it that the chargesheet Pleading before a division bench Protests followed, along with a The court’s remarks came was filed on January 3. of Chief Justice D Murugesan fierce public debate over the fail- after counsel appearing for To this, the court said when and Justice V K Jain, advocate ure of authorities to stem violence police submitted a status the chargesheet had been filed Meenakshi Lekhi told the court against women. report of the case where it and the case stated, it did not that journalists should be allowed Five men are facing various failed to provide names of offi- want to monitor the case. to report the case for the “fair charges including murder, rape cials deployed in police control “We did not want to monitor and transparent trial”. and abduction. A sixth suspect is room (PCR) vans during the the whole case but we wanted Lekhi, representing legal being investigated separately to incident and told the court that proper standard investigation journalists, said that freedom of determine if he is below the age the assistant commissioner of to be done by police. Now the speech and expression is a fun- of 18, as he says he is. police (ACP) of the area con- chargesheet has been filed, we damental right and it should not Lawyer Manohar Lal Sharma, cerned had been suspended. do not want to monitor the be violated. “It’s their (journalists) who is representing the bus A division bench of Chief matter further,” said bench. duty to report the case, as now, driver, who is the main accused, Justice D Murugesan and However, during the hearing, it’s not the gang-rape case. It’s a his brother and another man, said Justice V K Jain said: “We the court questioned police why case of murder.” he was keen for the case to go to directed you (police) to give it was not giving names of the She said that the media has trial so that the evidence police A vendor sells vegetables inside the Ladies’ Special train in Mumbai. Two the names of officials posted officials in the three PCR vans been reporting the case “respon- had presented could be tested trains are reserved for women every day except Sunday in the megalopolis. on the three PCR vans in the despite repeated orders. sibly” from day one and has not in court. areas. Today also we are not “Do not try to save the offi- revealed the name of the victim. “We will plead not guilty. convinced, because names of cial. Till today, you (police) are The trial court on Monday 7 We want this to go to trial,” “When you have not even New Delhi court for the first time officers responsible have not not giving the names; you are had ordered in-camera trial of Sharma said. established the age of this person, on Monday. come in.” not following the court’s order. the case following unruly scenes “We are only hearing what how can you go to court bringing The case has shone a light on After police counsel Dayan Now, we do not want names that prevented the accused from police are saying. This is manipu- the charges against the others, a widespread problem of violence Krishnan said the ACP of the thereafter and will pass order being led into court. It also told lated evidence. It’s all on the basis and say your investigations are against women but also the fail- PCR command had been sus- tomorrow,” said the court the media not to report any news of hearsay and presumption.” complete,” Sharma said. ure of the criminal justice system pended, the court said: “Is he refusing to give a day’s time to related to the case without its It is not known if the other “We all know how police inves- to bring the guilty to justice in a (ACP) only responsible? Why police to provide the names. permission. two of the five accused men have tigations are carried out in India.” country where official statistics not DCP and CP suspended?” “When the last time we Lekhi said that it was a sen- a lawyer. For days after their arrest, soon show a rape is reported every 20 A 23-year-old trainee physi- passed the order, you did not sitive and crucial case and peo- Charges against the sixth mem- after the assault on the woman minutes. otherapist was brutally gang- give the names. We expressed ple have right to know about it ber of the group have not been and a male companion, none The trial will be conducted in a raped in a moving bus with our unhappiness that you did through the media. “Passing a brought while police complete an of the men had a lawyer. Most special fast-track process, set up tinted glasses and curtains not give names and gave you gag order will come in the way inquiry to confirm his age. members of the judiciary refused after the attack, but some legal in the city and later died at a more time. But still, you did of a fair trial and people who are If he is found to be below 18 he to represent them because of the experts have warned that previ- Singapore hospital. not mention the names,” court connected to the case would not will be tried in a juvenile court outrage over the attack. ous attempts to fast-track justice The court also pulled up said. know what is going on behind the and if convicted will go to a cor- Police conducted extensive in India had, in some cases, led to Delhi Police for not following Police also faced the wrath doors,” Lekhi said. rectional home, not a prison, to interrogations of the men in the imperfect convictions that were the Supreme Court’s order on of the judges after counsel said A division bench of Chief serve a maximum term of three absence of any lawyer and they say later challenged. removing tinted glasses from there were only two PCR vans. Justice D Murugesan and Justice years. they have recorded confessions. Yesterday, the court where pre- vehicles. “There were three PCR vans. V K Jain refused to pass any Sharma said police had rushed Legal experts had said a lack trial hearings are taking place When the court was told that Why are you saying two. You order. However, it said an applica- through the investigation against of representation for the sus- rejected an appeal against a court the ACP of the traffic wing was are reducing one,” said the tion can be filed in this regard and the five men even when they were pects could give grounds for decision to try the men in camera. also suspended, the court said: court. the court would hear the matter not ready with the key detail of appeal if they were found guilty. Namita Aggarwal, the presiding “Why the joint commissioner of Meanwhile, a group of then. “This is a matter of public the age of the sixth member of the Convictions in similar cases have magistrate, said on Monday that traffic not suspended?” women advocates urged the interest. The girl has died. It is group, who lured the woman and often been overturned years later. the trial would be held behind “Who are the officials court for an open trial in the now a case of murder-cum-gang a male friend into the bus and, Sharma and another lawyer, closed doors because of the sen- responsible for these lapses? gang-rape case. rape. In a murder case, open trial according to leaked accounts, was V K Anand, offered to defend the sitivity of the case. Why were dark glasses and IANS is allowed,” Lekhi told the court the most brutal in the attack. five men when they appeared in a REUTERS during the hearing. IANS

Which is the way? President’s Bengal governor raps rule likely in Jharkhand goondaism in state KOLKATA: West Bengal against those who are respon- Governor M K Narayanan sible. There is clear evidence after CM quits yesterday virtually rapped the against the guilty. Police and Mamata Banerjee-led govern- the administration have to be RANCHI: A day after Chief ment over the clashes between impartial,” the governor said Minister Arjun Munda quit, CPI-M and Trinamool when reporters sought his reac- Jharkhand seems to be heading Congress workers, saying tion on the issue. towards President’s rule — for it was akin to “some sort of Trouble flared up in Bhangar the third time in 12 years. goondaism” which was “not in South 24 Parganas district Governor Syed Ahmad on acceptable”. late last week after one party Tuesday night sent his report to He asked police and the office each of the Communist the central home ministry, and administration to function Party of India-Marxist (CPI- Home Minister Sushilkumar impartially in arresting the M) and Trinamool Congress Sinde confirmed in New Delhi guilty. were damaged and set afire that he had received it. “This is not a good politi- respectively. According to informed sources, cal culture. I think some When CPI-M legislator President’s rule would be imposed sort of goondaism is going on Abdur Rezzak Mollah went in the state, and a decision to dis- here,” Narayanan told media- to the area, he was attacked solve the 82-member assembly persons on the sidelines of a by allegedly Trinamool work- would be taken later. programme here. ers, led by former lawmaker Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) “The last two-three days have Arabul Islam. Munda resigned as chief minister been very disturbing and dis- Mollah has been admitted to on Tuesday after the Jharkhand tressing. This violence should a hospital. Mukti Morcha (JMM) for- not have taken place. We should Then on Tuesday, many peo- mally pulled out of the coalition not tolerate the violence that is ple were injured in firing and ministry. taking place. This is not accept- stone pelting in clashes between The JMM decided to end its able,” Narayanan said. Trinamool Congress and CPI-M alliance with the BJP after the A motorcyclist helps foreign Hindu devotees (centre left) find their way around in the city of Allahabad, ahead of “It is the duty of the adminis- workers in Bamanghata in latter refused to share the chief the Kumbh Mela yesterday. The religious gathering , scheduled to take place in the city over January and February, tration and police to take action Bhangar. IANS minister’s post with it although is the world’s largest. both parties had an equal number of legislators. Jharkhand has witnessed President’s Rule twice since it was carved out of Bihar in 2000. On Diaspora a valuable contributor to growth: President both occasions, JMM chief Shibu Soren was the chief minister. Yesterday, Congress Ranchi MP KOCHI: President Pranab give additional impetus to India’s basis of purchasing power parity “For accelerated growth, “Initially, we permitted QFIs Subodh Kant Sahay met the gov- Mukherjee yesterday said India growth story,” Mukherjee said and the second fastest growing investment level has to increase. to invest in Indian mutual funds ernor and requested him to ignore sees its vast diaspora as a valu- at the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya economy after China. You all can help in the process by and on January 1, 2012, in a far- the outgoing cabinet’s suggestion able contributor to its growth Divas here. “In six out of nine years, our investing in Indian companies and reaching decision, we opened the to dissolve the house. and is keen to expand the bonds “I also wish to see the Indian country managed to grow at a establishing new ventures. The doors for them to directly invest But Jharkhand Vikas Morcha further in building an inclusive diaspora as a stronger partner, rate above eight percent. Due to yield of Indian equity markets is in Indian equities. (JVM-P) president and former and knowledge society. not only in India’s economic the slowdown in the global econ- amongst the highest in the world “Soon, the corporate bond chief Minister Babulal Marandi The president said the record growth, but also in building omy and other factors, the growth and many of the most famous market was opened to QFIs. You told the governor to order elec- remittance of $67bn from over- India’s knowledge society, while rates have declined — from 8.4 companies have established may, therefore, also like to look tions after dissolving the assem- seas Indians was a testimony to continuing to engage culturally percent in 2010-11 to 6.5 percent business here or seeking to do at the opportunity that India bly. The BJP reiterated the both the emotional attachment and emotionally, and serving as in 2011-12, and further to 5.4 per- so,” he said. offers in this regard and take demand. RJD president Lalu and the fulfilment in investing in the effective ambassadors that cent in the first half of 2012-13,” Mukherjee said that during advantage of the high yield that Yadav in Patna said the assem- India’s strong economy. they have been for this country,” he said. his tenure as finance minister, he you are likely to get by investing bly should be kept in suspended “We should explore ways and the president said. He said the diaspora could opened up the Indian capital mar- in the Indian capital markets,” animation and President’s Rule means to encourage further He said India was the world’s become partners in India’s ket for qualified foreign investors he said. should be imposed. IANS participation by the diaspora to third-largest economy on the progress. (QFIs). IANS THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Pakistanis ‘took away soldier’s head’ New Delhi reprimands the high commissioner for the killing and mutilation of the bodies of troops

NEW DELHI: The Indian government delivered a dressing-down yesterday to Islamabad’s envoy to Delhi as it accused Pakistan’s army of beheading one of two soldiers killed in Kashmir, but both sides warned against inflam- ing tensions. While Pakistan insisted no such inci- dent had taken place and suggested a UN inquiry be held, India denounced the “inhuman” treatment of the pair who were killed two days after a Pakistani sol- dier was also slain in the Kashmir region. As the government mulled over its response, Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid struck a note of caution and warned against exacerbating the situation. Khurshid said Pakistan’s Ambassador Salman Bashir had been “spoken to in very strong terms” after he was sum- moned for an angry rebuke over the killings. But in a subsequent press conference, Khurshid said that “whatever has hap- pened, should not be escalated”. “We cannot and must not allow for an escalation of a very unwholesome event that has taken place,” he added. The two Indian soldiers died after a firefight erupted in disputed Kashmir on Tuesday. The Indian army said a patrol moving in fog discovered Pakistani troops about 500 metres inside Indian territory. “We can confirm that one of the Indian soldiers was beheaded by the Pakistani Salman Bashir, Pakistan’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, leaves after meeting Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai in New Delhi yesterday. RIGHT: Military personnel pay their army,” spokesman Jagdeep Dahiya said. respects in front of the caskets containing the bodies of Lance Naik (Corporal) Sudhakar Singh and Lance Naik Hemraj, near Jammu, yesterday. “It was a dastardly act as they have taken away the head.” Senior military officers who visited the while newspaper headlines stoked the observe ceasefire on LoC,” she added in suggested the attack was designed to place in Mendhar sector, 173km west of site of the attack said an attempt had tensions, with the Mail Today denounc- reference to a de facto border in Kashmir “derail” an already fragile peace process the city of Jammu, the winter capital of also been made to remove the head of the ing “Pak Army Butchers”. known as the Line of Control. between the nuclear-armed neighbours the Jammu and Kashmir State. Army second soldier. But amid the chorus of condemna- Khar said Pakistan tempered its lan- which have previously fought three wars. sources said there had been further “There was a slash on the neck of the tion, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina guage after the death of one of its soldiers Relations between political leaders of exchanges along the de facto border on second body,” one officer said in New Rabbani Khar appeared on Indian televi- on Sunday in a border skirmish and India both countries had been slowly improv- Tuesday night which caused no damage Delhi on the condition he is not identi- sion to issue a firm denial and criticise should have followed suit. ing following a rupture after the 2008 and the border was calm yesterday. fied by rank or name. the statements by authorities in Delhi. “We believe that these issues must attacks on Mumbai, which India blamed A ceasefire has been in place since 2003 In a sign of a desire for revenge among “Let me just say that we are a bit be dealt with in a responsible manner,” on Pakistan-based militants. along the LoC, but it is periodically vio- troops on the ground, the officer said it appalled at some statements that are she said. “We can ask a third party to Steps such as opening up trade and lated by both sides. was “now a matter of prestige, the bat- coming in from India because the govern- do investigation on this, you know that offering more lenient visa regimes have Muslim-majority Kashmir is a talion has to regain its honour”. ment of Pakistan has absolutely rejected UN military observers exist, we can call been a feature of recent high-level talks. Himalayan region that India and Pakistan Defence Minister A K Antony said the that any such incident took place,” she them. “It is not Pakistan’s policy to do Observers said a freeze on high-level both claim in full but rule in part. It was Pakistan army was guilty of “inhuman” told India’s CNN-IBN network. tit-for-tat... We must not all go back to dialogue would be among the options for the cause of two of their three wars since behaviour in the treatment of the bodies “It is not Pakistan’s policy to not having a go at each other.” Khurshid has the Indian government. The clash took independence from Britain in 1947. AFP Train fares hiked for all classes from Jan 21; opposition protests

NEW DELHI: Indian train moderate fare hike immediately.” rolled back the hike announced in fares were yesterday hiked The fare hike ranged from two the 2012 budget in general pas- across the board for the first paise per kilometre on second senger categories by his party col- time in 10 years, with Railway class suburban trains, six paise league Dinesh Trivedi. Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal per kilometre on sleeper class to “The railway fare hike is anti- saying this was needed to keep three, six and 10 paise per kilome- poor people. It is anti-common the world’s second-largest rail tre on air-conditioned III, II and people,” Roy said. network going. I classes respectively. “From Thursday 5pm, But the opposition termed Bansal said the hike was needed Trinamool will start protests all the move as “unacceptable” and to maintain and improve safety over the country,” he said. “atrocious”. measures as well as cleanliness of But defending the hike, The new fares take effect from trains, and to better the condition Congress spokesperson Rashid the midnight of January 21. of railway stations. Alvi said: “Sometimes, it is inevi- Bansal said he would focus on But opposition parties con- table to take tough decisions.” improving services and safety demned the hike. The railway ministry came to from the Rs6bn expected to be “The government goes on the Congress after 17 years when earned from the fare hike. increasing the price but it does Bansal took charge in October But he added that fares would not increase amenities and safety after Trinamool left the ruling not be touched during the annual of railways. It is absolutely unac- United Progressive Alliance. railway budget to be tabled in ceptable and atrocious,” said BJP Bansal said besides a slowdown February. spokesperson Prakash Javadekar. in the economy, a likely reduction “There has been no revision of Fares for first class and all in the railway’s plan size to Rs51bn basic fares for 10 years, and this air-conditioned classes were last from the estimated Rs60bn, and has had a telling effect on railway revised in March last year. lower freight targets by 13 million finances,” Bansal told reporters. But the then railway minister tonnes forced the fare hike. “It is imperative to go for a Mukul Roy of Trinamool Congress IANS

Awards run-up Owaisi gets 14 days judicial custody

HYDERABAD: MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi was yester- day sent to jail for 14 days for delivering a hate speech and accused of sedition and wag- ing war against the nation even as the the Andhra Pradesh High Court reprimanded the legislator. After questioning Owaisi through the night, police pre- sented him early yesterday before a magistrate in Nirmal town in Adilabad district, around 200km from here. The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader was then shifted to the district jail in Adilabad town, 90km from Nirmal. A court in Nirmal yes- terday dismissed Owaisi’s plea to shift him to the Chanchalguda Jail in Hyderabad on health grounds. The court adjourned until Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attends a press conference for the today a police petition seeking forthcoming 58th Idea Filmfare Awards in Mumbai, yesterday. his seven-day custody for further questioning. IANS THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 BREAK 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

PRAYER TIME WEATHER

Today Friday Saturday Weather Conditions: Partly sunny Mostly sunny Fajr (Dawn) 5:00 Mostly sunny Misty at first to Shorook (Sunrise) 6:21 partly cloudy and chance Zuhr (Noon) 11:41 High: 26° High: 20° High: 20° Low: 16° Low: 15° Low: 15° of rain to the Asr (Afternoon) 2:41 North, with Maghrib (Sunset) 5:02 blowing dust by afternoon. Isha (Night) 6:32 DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA

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Send your BlackBerry pincode to 21A8A4A8 to get the latest news on your BlackBerry mobile Thursday 10 January 2013 28 Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5575 Price: QR2

Qatar’s $2.5bn lifeline lifts Egypt bourse

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QA makes history with first commercial flight on GTL fuel DOHA: Qatar Petroleum (QP), at the airport. An Airbus A340- historic moment for Qatar that the Qatar Airways and Shell yes- 600, flight QR001 will make history first aviation fuel to be approved terday celebrated the first com- by being the first to fly outbound globally in the last 20 years origi- mercial introduction of a new from Doha International Airport, nates in Qatar,” Dr Al Sada said. aviation jet fuel – the first to be en route to London Heathrow Qatar Airways Chief Executive approved globally in over two using GTL jet fuel. Officer Akbar Al Baker said: decades. This is a significant milestone “Qatar Airways has long had the The innovative GTL jet fuel for the giant onshore Pearl GTL foresight to be a leader in the field blended with Synthetic Parafinic complex, which is jointly devel- of environmental stewardship in Kerosene from the world’s largest oped by QP and Shell and is the the aviation sector. This historic Gas to Liquids plant — Pearl GTL largest energy project in Qatar. Gas-To-Liquids operated flight in Qatar — is now flowing into aer- Fully approved for use as an avia- paves the way for Qatar Airways to oplane tanks at Doha International tion fuel, GTL jet fuel is a blend of contribute to environmental effec- Airport. up to 50 percent GTL Synthetic tiveness when it comes to the day- The Minister of Energy and Parafinic Kerosene (SPK) meet- to-day operations of our business.” Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin ing the stringent requirements of This product launch also marks Saleh Al Sada, the Chairman of ASTM-D-7566 and conventional the attainment of the highest stage Qatar Civil Aviation Authority crude oil-derived standard jet fuel of the so-called Fuel Readiness Abdul Aziz Al Noaimi, the Chief (Jet A-1). Level scale in the rigorous cer- Executive Officer of Qatar Airways “The production of GTL Jet tification and qualification proc- Akbar Al Baker and Managing Fuel is a great achievement for ess of Fischer-Tropsch Synthetic Director and Chairman of Qatar Pearl GTL and the State of Qatar. Parafinic Kerosene blends with Shell Wael Sawan and the Chief GTL Jet Fuel will be supplied into conventional Jet A-1 and creates Executive Officer of Tasweeq Saad the wider jet fuel pool at Doha a true ‘Drop In’ alternative fuel Al Kuwari, yesterday attended International Airport enabling the meeting the latest DEF STAN The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada and Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker the inaugural fuelling of a Qatar State of Qatar to enjoy the ben- and ASTM international aviation with other VIPs at the history-making send off of flight QR001 at the Doha International Airport, yesterday. Airways aircraft with GTL jet fuel efits of this product. It is indeed an standards. THE PENINSULA

Listed firms to $4bn sukuk deal figures in global Smart power grids in Qatar soon grow by 27pc DOHA: Qatar’s listed market award list companies are expected to Kahramaa to produce 200MW of electricity from renewable resources grow by 27 percent year- DOHA: Qatar’s $4bn dual on-year basis. The aggre- tranche sukuk has been recog- BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB gate profits of the countr y’s nised as the best Islamic finance seven listed companies are deal of the country in 2012. DOHA: Qatar hopes to pro- to reach $78.9bn, analysts The results of the popular duce 200 mega watts (MW) estimated. “Islamic Finance News Deals of of electricity from renewable According to an analysts’ the Year 2012 awards” announced resources by 2020. consensus estimates released its 2012 results yesterday, with Qatar General Water yesterday by the investment Saudi Arabia emerging as a major and Electricity Corporation bank SICO, UAE and Qatari Sukuk market, rivalling Malaysia (Kahramaa), in its effort to con- companies are expected to in issuance volume. serve electricity and environment drive Q4 earnings growth, Saudi Arabia’s General is going to launch a pilot project in with their profits expected Authority of Civil Aviation’s Duhail to introduce “smart grid” to grow by 64 percent and SR14bn sukuk has been adjudged system in the country. 27 percent YoY respectively. as the best Saudi Arabian Deal “We are going to start a pilot The report SICO-GCC of the Year. Jebel Ali Free Zone project soon to introduce a smart Equities — 4Q12 Profit Dh4.4bn Syndicated Financing power grid system in Qatar. The Consensus Estimates — Facility and a $650m sukuk project, to be built in Duhail, will January 2013 provides Q4 has been announced as the best be implemented in cooperation 2012 analyst consensus profit Syndicated Deal. Abu Dhabi with Iberdrola, a Spanish pri- estimates for GCC’s listed Islamic Bank’s $1bn Perpetual vate multinational electric utility companies. Tier 1 Trust Certificates has been company based in Bilbao, Basque According to the report, recognised as the UAE Deal of the Country,” Saleh Hamad Al Marri Delegates at the closing session of the 4th General Conference of Arab Union of Electricity and Exhibition at the the GCC companies’ Q4 Year. This year, over 3,000 nomi- told The Peninsula on the sidelines Doha Sheraton Hotel, yesterday. PICTURES BY ABDUL BASIT 2012 quarterly profits are nations in over 25 categories were of the 4th General Conference of expected to grow by 20 per- received, resulting in the most Arab Union of Electricity and cent on a YoY basis. competitive Deal of the Year, the Exhibition that concluded here consumption coupled with high gas and other types. The power Analysts’ estimates were Islamic Finance News (IFN) said yesterday. Al Marri, who heads carbon footprint in the world, is stations communicate with each available for 92 companies — yesterday. Kahramaa’s Renewable Energy working aggressively to conserve other through a smart grid with- compared to 122 companies Last year was most prolific Technology and Technical the scarce resources. out human interference to decide in 3Q 2012 — representing 67 for the Sukuk market. It saw Affairs Department, added: “We “On the demand side man- automatically which power sta- percent of the total market steady activities in markets like also have the cooperation of agement, we have created in tion should be started depending capitalisation. the UAE and Indonesia, as well Qatar Environment and Energy Kahramaa a new department for on the demand (load) and the GCC listed companies’ as the expansion of Islamic capi- Research Institute (QEERI) and energy conservation and energy supplying capacity of a particular aggregate profits, for 562 tal markets to new markets like Qatar Science and Technology efficiency. We are also audit- power station. companies, increased 5.9 Turkey. Syndications offered Park (QSTP) for the pilot project.” ing a lot of other measures to For instance during day time percent YoY to $13.7bn in 3Q solutions to sticky deals requir- The project will be implemented Saleh Hamad Al Marri and (right) put in place aiming to conserve when the sun light is more 2012, from 3Q 2011 profits of ing restructuring and facilitated in two phases. The first phase Yousef Janahi water and electricity resources intense, the wind or other power $12.9bn. key business needs. Advances in will have an installed capacity to in Qatar,” said Yousef Janahi, stations may remain silent. Analysts’ estimates sug- Pakistan, new opportunities in produce three to five mega watts Manager, Corporate Planning While explaining advantages of gest a continuation of the Africa and Sri Lanka, and, con- (MW) of electricity and about 500 the near future, he said: “After and Business Development at smart grids, Mohan Kumar, a sen- upward trend on a YoY basis, sistency of Malaysia and the GCC cubic metres of water. the pilot project we will select Kahramaa. He added: “Under ior electrical engineer, said: “When while forecasting a marginal were additional factors leading The smart power grid will use (some grids) which are useful for ‘Tarsheed’ we have a target to people are getting ready to go to 4 percent decline from last to the unprecedented number of information about the behav- Kahramaa for the national grid.” conserve about 35 percent of elec- office, the load is more in residen- quarter’s profits. nominations. Last year’s volumes iours of suppliers and consumers Commenting about the advan- tricity and water in the next five tial areas as consumers switch on The consensus estimates showed the resilience of domes- automatically to improve the effi- tages of smart power grids, he years by reducing demand. And geysers, electric irons and other suggest strong YoY earn- tic and regional Islamic markets ciency, reliability, economics, and said that these grids will reduce on the supply side, we are intro- household appliances, so the peak ings growth for ENBD, despite trying in Europe, North sustainability of the production operational costs. “Such grids ducing efficient and environment load is more, while the industry Arab National Bank, Burgan America, China and Japan. The and distribution of electricity by will not only be cost-effective, friendly technology to produce can be idle at that time. Similarly Bank, Fawaz Al Hokair, most coveted title, the Deal of the using information and communi- they will also enable us to have about 200MW of electricity by once the people reach to their work Qtel, and IQCD in 4Q 2012. Year, will be announced during an cation technology (ICT). effective control and remote using renewable resources.” places, load from the residential Among the Saudi companies awards ceremony scheduled to Asked, if Kahramaa had plans monitoring.” A smart grid is an integration areas will be less and surplus power that have already announced be held in Dubai on February 25, to upgrade the existing grids or Qatar, with one of the highest of different types of power sta- can be diverted to the industries.” 4Q12 results, Jarir and Dar 2012. THE PENINSULA install new smart power grids in per capita water and electricity tions such as thermal, solar, wind, THE PENINSULA Al Arkan missed estimates, while APPC and BSFR beat forecasts. The analysts prefer large cap stocks with strong fundamentals and their Real estate transaction value declines in the first week of New Year top picks from Qatar are Industries Qatar and QNB. DOHA: The first week of the number of transactions at a remarkable decline in the value Al Rayyan Municipality stood Municipality’s transaction value Other preferred regional New Year saw a decline in the ratio of 4.6 percent.. of the transactions. second in terms of transactions stood QR72mn, while Al Wakra’s companies include STC, real estate transaction value. Ezdan’s weekly report said Doha Municipality ranked value. The value of transactions value stood QR54.2m. FGB, Yansab, SABB, Compared to the last week of that the absence of exceptional first in terms of trading value, in Al Rayyan Municipality was The report noted that the big- SAMBA, Emaar, Etisalat, December 2012, the first week grand transactions has got a reaching QR298.1m compared to QR75.3m acquiring 12.9percent of gest deal of the week was the SIPCHEM, Aramex and of January 2013 saw a decline negative impact on the total size QR502.5m in the previous week, the total transactions of the week. sale of a plot in Al Merqab area Sorouh. of 22 percent in terms of total of this week’s transactions espe- with a decline of about 40.6 The price of the top deal in Al of Doha Municipality with a value THE PENINSULA value, despite growth in the cially in Doha, which witnessed a percent. Rayyan was QR25m. Umm Salal of QR130m. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatar’s $2.5bn lifeline lifts Egyptian bourse

Most Gulf markets continue to rally on the back of strong fourth-quarter earnings expectations YESTERDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS EGYPT: The index climbed 1.1 per- DUBAI: Egypt’s bourse hit a deal is still not closed and there’s ultimately led to the exit of former since March 6. “Given the speed Properties and Sorouh Real cent to 5,867 points. fresh 10-week high yesterday no clarity on the direction of the President Hosni Mubarak. of the rally, you may see some Estate, which slipped 3.1 and 3.8 SAUDI ARABIA: The index rose 1 after a $2.5bn financial lifeline new government.” Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia’s index profit-taking but it is justified — percent respectively, after the percent to 7,127 points. from Qatar spurred Cairo inves- A senior International rose 1 percent to its highest close we’ve seen credit rally and real two developers rallied on Tuesday DUBAI: The index rose 1 percent tors to buy equities, as most Gulf Monetary Fund official met since September 17 as banks estate recover,” said Anastasios after sources said they’d reached to 1,745 points. markets continued their rise on Egypt’s government on Monday supported. Dalgiannakis, institutional trad- an initial merger agreement. ABU DHABI: The index slipped 0.2 the back of strong fourth-quar- to discuss a vital, long-delayed Heavyweight Al Rajhi Bank and ing manager at Mubasher. “The Aldar said in a bourse state- percent to 2,717 points. ter earnings expectations. $4.8bn loan. Investors have been Samba Financial Group gained only asset class lagging was equi- ment yesterday it is in advanced QATAR: The index advanced 0.4 Qatar lent the country another betting on the loan for the past 3.3 and 3.4 percent respectively. ties and people are finally putting merger talks with Sorouh. percent to 8,694 points. $2bn and gave it another $500m few months and delays are making Alinma Bank climbed 3.4 percent. their money there.” Elsewhere, Qatar’s index gained KUWAIT: The index gained 0.4 per- outright to help control a cur- some nervous. Investor sentiment for the Dubai’s property market is 0.4 percent to its highest close cent to 6,066 points. rency crisis. Cairo’s gainers outnum- financial sector was buoyed by gradually recovering as demand since April 30. OMAN: The index advanced 0.4 Political strife has set off a bered losers 15 to 12, while six Banque Saudi Fransi reporting returns, following three years of Gainers outnumbered losers 13 percent to 5,801 points. rush to convert Egyptian pounds stocks ended flat. Commercial a 22.2 percent jump in quarterly slump. House prices in Dubai had to six on the 20-stock index. Qatar BAHRAIN: The index eased 0.05 to dollars over the past several International Bank rose 3.5 per- net profit on Monday. The lender’s plunged by over 50 percent from Electricity and Water gained 1.5 percent to 1,065 points. weeks, sending the currency to a cent and Telecom Egypt gained shares rose 0.7 percent yesterday. a 2008 peak. percent and Qatar Telecom rose record low against the US dollar 1.8 percent. In the UAE, Dubai’s bourse Shares in National Central 1.4 percent. in 2012, following three years of and draining foreign reserves to a The market is trading near climbed to a fresh 10-month high Cooling surged 14.7 percent to a “Qatar will continue to focus gains. critical level. resistance levels and the rally is and daily traded volumes also hit nine-month high, accounting for on fourth-quarter results and any It was among the worst per- “There is some momentum from likely to falter, the trader added. their highest in the same time a more than a fifth of all shares change in the dividend announce- forming markets in the region the Qatari aid — people are betting Cairo’s benchmark index period as an economic recovery traded on the market. ments — if there is any positive as investors were disappointed on valuations and results — but, climbed 1.1 percent to 5,867 points, boosts investor sentiment. Traders say the move seems surprise — I would expect it to with dividends and with the generally, it’s not a good environ- its highest finish since October The emirate’s index rose 1 per- exaggerated and lacks reasoning. make up the lag it had,” said slow progress over infrastruc- ment (for investing in equities),” 29. It peaked at 5,969 points on cent to its highest finish since Abu Dhabi’s benchmark slipped Marwan Shurrab, vice-president ture development projects as the said a trader at a regional invest- September 26. That was its high- March 5, taking 2013 gains to 7.6 0.2 percent, easing from an and chief trader at Gulfmena country prepares to host the FIFA ment bank. “Foreign reserves are est level since January 2011, when percent. Volumes — at 505 mil- 18-month high. Investments. World Cup 2022. at dangerous levels, the IMF loan a political crisis started that lion — were the highest in one day Investors booked gains in Aldar Doha’s market fell 4.8 percent REUTERS

McDonald’s in €350m bid to lure Orange Business Services launches joint venture in Qatar Italy’s pizza lovers to burgers DOHA: Orange Business directors, and will focus on target Services, the business services business sectors including oil and MILAN: US fastfood giant arm of France Telecom-Orange, gas, government sector projects, McDonald’s believes reces- has announced the launch of a telecom company systems inte- sion-hit Italy will be one of its joint venture company in Qatar, grators, new cities and large infra- higher-growth areas in the through the establishment of structure projects. coming decade and is opening EGN LLC, which will trade Commenting on the new Qatar more than 100 new restaurants in Qatar as Orange Business joint venture, Sheikh Fahad said: to convert pizza-lovers to its Services. “This new joint venture company burgers. The new local Qatari company is a very significant step that will In a country where foreign has been established in partnership support the development of world investment has fallen by almost with Sheikh Fahad bin Ghanim Al class ICT infrastructure in Qatar, 30 percent since 2007, McDonald’s Abdul Rahman Al Thani, as the and the broader economy, as a Italian arm plans to spend ¤350m majority shareholder. Through the partner for the long term, bring- ($457m) and hire a further 3,000 new company, Orange Business ing new technology and complex people by 2015 to boost its market Services will address the signifi- integration capability.” share. cant ICT market opportunities in The official launch of Orange “We believe in Italy, and we Qatar. Business Services in Qatar took have convinced our sharehold- EGN LLC is the most recent place at the Hilton Doha, on ers in the United States that the local company established by Tuesday at a reception hosted by Italian market has a potential we Orange Business Services in the Sheikh Fahad bin Ghanim Al Abdul Rahman Al Thani and CEO of Orange Sheikh Fahad and Vivek Badrinath, can exploit,” McDonald’s Italia Middle East and Africa Region Business Services Vivek Badrinath during the official launch. CEO of Orange Business Services, Chief Executive Roberto Masi and is the first of its kind dedi- attended by Qatari VIPs and senior said. In a country that has been cated to large systems integra- Antoine Farah as General Manager The new team will comprise representatives of Orange Business stuck in recession since the end of tion programmes and operations. of the company, along with a team programme directors, senior Services and the extended business 2011 and where unemployment is Orange Business Services has also of senior professionals to qualify, architects, project managers, sub- community. at a record high, McDonald’s has announced the appointment of design and build targeted projects. ject matter experts and operations THE PENINSULA trumpeted its pledge to raise its local workforce by 15 percent to around 20,000 over three years. The US group, which first set foot in Italy 27 years ago and was initially met with suspicion in QNB to open office in China Iraq approves oil exploration the land of pizza and pasta, has launched a full-blown advertis- DOHA: QNB Group, the largest financial institution ing offensive playing to Italians’ in Qatar and the Mena region has announced that deal with Kuwaiti energy group patriotism. the Group has obtained the required approvals from “Italy is a democratic republic authorities to open a representative office in Shanghai, BAGHDAD: Iraq has approved an and land rights. Turkey and Iraq have founded on work,” reads the ad China. oil exploration deal with a Kuwait also accused each other of inciting sec- printed in Italy’s biggest newspa- This step comes within QNB’s strategy to expand its Energy-led group, a senior oil official tarian tensions and have summoned pers since the start of the year presence abroad in selected countries. By entering the said yesterday, to take the place of each others’ ambassadors in tit-for-tat A McDonald’s logo is pictured in and citing the first article of Chinese market, the number of countries where the QNB Turkey’s state-owned TPAO, which manoeuvres. Rome, yesterday. Italy’s constitution. Group operates will increase to 25 in Asia, Europe, and the cabinet decided to expel. The contract provides the consortium REUTERS Africa. QNA Facing souring diplomatic ties with rights to explore and develop oil block Turkey, Iraq asked Kuwait Energy last 9, which is located in Iraq’s southern year to acquire TPAO’s shares in explo- Basra province. ration block 9. At the time, the Kuwaiti Opec member Iraq is expected to be company held a 30 percent stake. the world’s biggest source of new oil sup- “Kuwait Energy has acquired the plies over the next few years. It plans stake of the Turkish company TPAO, to open up more rounds for oil and gas and now it’s holding 70 percent of the blocks for auction. contract, and Dragon Oil PLC will hold A handful of international compa- 30 percent,” Abdul Mahdy Al Ameedi, nies won bids last May at Iraq’s fourth director of the ministry’s contracts energy auction, which had a poor show- directorate, said in an interview. ing because of tough contract terms Iraq’s oil ministry plans to sign the drawn up by Baghdad. final deal on January 27, Al Ameedi said. Iraq has offered foreign companies Baghdad has been angered by less attractive service agreements, in Ankara’s moves to forge closer ties with which they receive a fee rather than the the Kurdistan Regional Government in Kurdistan’s production-sharing deals, northern Iraq, which is in a dispute which allow them to profit jointly from with the federal government over oil the output. REUTERS

France, UAE still talking on Rafale jets

PARIS: Negotiations between has a chance of succeeding and it is France and the UAE over the poten- also linked with other Rafale export t i a l s a le of 6 0 R a fa le fi g ht er j e t s t o t he deals to other countries,” the source Gulf country are ongoing and have a said. chance of succeeding, a French dip- Dassault declined to comment. lomatic source said yesterday. While the negotiations were The on-off negotiations have been reported to have taken off again ahead under way for several years and were of the French elections in May, the oil given high-profile support by former producing nation has appeared less French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who hurried to close a deal as it gauges mounted a diplomatic campaign to win the diplomatic engagement of new the first firm export order for the jet. President Francois Hollande. Talks hit an obstacle in November Hollande will travel to Abu Dhabi 2010 when Abu Dhabi publicly criti- on Monday and Tuesday, where Paris cised Dassault Aviation, the maker of has its only military base in the Middle the Rafale, over the price of the multi- East, to discuss bilateral relations role combat jet and sought informa- and rising tensions with Iran over its tion on the competing Eurofighter nuclear programme. Typhoon. “If the question is: Will the contract It has also contacted US company be signed during the president’s visit, Boeing over the F-18 warplane. then the answer is no’,” the source “The matter is still on the table and said. REUTERS THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 UK must stay in HSBC’s multi-billion dollar deal in danger of collapse HONG KONG: A multi-billion dollar deal in which banking giant HSBC was set to sell its EU market, say stake in China’s second largest life insurer Ping An to a Thai firm is in danger of collapse, reports said yesterday. Chinese regulators were ready business heads to reject the $9.4bn bid from Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group over concerns about fund- ing for the bid, according to Hong PM pledges to renegotiate position Kong’s the South China Morning Post. LONDON: Prime Minister protected from competition by EU State-owned China David Cameron will damage regulations. Trailing in the polls Development Bank, which had Britain’s fragile economy if he before an election due in 2015, agreed to provide loans to help CP demands major changes that Cameron is under pressure from Group buy HSBC’s 15.57 percent could threaten the country’s within his ruling Conservative stake in Ping An, was reconsid- relationship with the European Party to reclaim powers from ering its decision, the newspaper Union, business leaders said Brussels or promise a public vote said. yesterday. on Britain’s EU membership. The China Insurance In an open letter, the heads of Britain joined the EU’s pred- Regulatory Commission (CIRC) some of Britain’s biggest compa- ecessor in 1973, but has stayed out was therefore worried about nies said Britain can’t afford to of Europe’s single currency zone. where the money would come quit a market of 500 million peo- The business leaders said leav- from and whether the Thai firm ple that buys half of its exports. ing the EU after 40 often turbu- would be the real buyer of the Other countries in the lent years would damage exports stake, the Post reported, citing 27-nation bloc would probably of financial, legal and accounting sources close to the regulator. reject Cameron’s attempts to claw services. Financial services and In Shanghai yesterday, Ping An back powers from Brussels, isolat- insurance make up about 10 per- Insurance closed down 0.86 per- A man walks past an advertisement by HSBC in Hong Kong, yesterday. ing the country from its biggest cent of Britain’s economy, as does cent at 45.07 yuan. On Tuesday, trading partner, they said. manufacturing. it lost 3.73 percent. HSBC and the China HSBC is also setting aside hun- by a Thai firm. Ping An had hit “We must be very careful not Leaving would raise the cost In Hong Kong, Ping An gained Development Bank both declined dreds of millions of dollars as the headlines after the New York to call for a wholesale renego- of exporting and exclude Britain 0.88 percent to HK$68.75 after to comment, while the CIRC could provision for fines related to Times said in reports in October tiation of our EU membership, from shaping EU rules, they falling 4.0 percent the previous not be reached. possible criminal charges over and November that Chinese which would almost certainly be said, urging Cameron to push day. HSBC lost 0.12 percent to The collapse of the deal would money-laundering allegations in Premier Wen Jiabao’s relatives rejected,” they wrote in a letter to instead for EU budget reforms HK$82.65. be a big blow to Britain-based the United States. benefited ahead of its 2004 Hong the Financial Times. and changes to employment law “This transaction is undergoing HSBC, which has been selling When the deal was announced Kong listing by buying stock at a “To call for such a move in and to rules governing energy, tel- the normal approval process. We its non-core assets as part of a December 5, HSBC said it would discount. these circumstances would be to ecoms and digital services. have no further need to disclose broad restructuring plan designed sell its 15.57 percent holding in The insurer has denied those put our membership of the EU at Among the signatories were information,” Ping An said in a to boost profitability. Ping An at HK$59 a share, mak- claims and threatened legal action risk and create damaging uncer- Chris Gibson-Smith, chairman statement. London and Hong Kong-listed ing it the biggest foreign purchase against the newspaper. AFP tainty for British business.” of the London Stock Exchange; But asked in parliament about Roger Carr, president of the Britain’s EU role, Cameron Confederation of British Industry repeated his pledge to renegoti- lobby group; Jan du Plessis, chair- QATARI MARKET ate its position. man of Rio Tinto Plc; and Martin Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P “There are changes we would Sorrell, chairman of BT Group Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 105.50 0.67 % Aa2 AA like in our relationship that would Plc. Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.75 1.64 % Aa2 AA be good for Britain and good for The letter said trading with the Europe,” Cameron said. He is due EU from outside the bloc — like Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 126.13 2.07 % Aa2 AA to give a long-delayed speech set- Switzerland and Norway — would Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 120.00 2.17 % Aa2 AA ting out his European policy in penalise UK companies and mean Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 115.25 2.59 % Aa2 AA mid-January, his spokesman has Britain could miss out on the ben- Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 181.75 3.46 % Aa2 AA told reporters. efits of a possible future EU free Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 139.50 4.00 % Aa2 AA The rising popularity of the trade deal with the United States. Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 129.50 4.02 % Aa2 AA anti-EU UK Independence Party Around £25bn ($40bn) of Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.25 1.38 % Aa2 AA has fuelled talk of a British exit. Britain’s annual tax revenues UKIP leader Nigel Farage said could be lost because they come Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 117.00 2.51 % Aa2 AA the open letter was a “desperate from activity that could easily be Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 106.00 1.68 % A1 A- attempt” by business leaders “to moved out of Britain, they said. Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.50 2.26 % A1 A- keep their privileged positions”, REUTERS QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 105.13 1.93 % NR NR QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.50 1.86 % Aa3 A+ QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.75 2.16 % Aa3 A+ Second hand Peugeot cars are parked at a dealership in Nice, southern Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.25 2.42 % A2 A- France, yesterday. Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.63 1.82 % A2 A World’s top banks told Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 131.00 2.60 % A2 A Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 113.50 2.87 % A2 A Peugeot’s worldwide sales Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 113.50 3.67 % A2 A to centralise risk data Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 107.13 1.28 % Aa3 A Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 109.50 3.11 % Aa3 A LONDON: The world’s top 2016. Such banks operate globally fall by 16.5pc last year Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 112.50 3.44 % Aa3 A banks have three years to build with many branches and subsidi- up a single picture of all their aries, making it harder and cost- PARIS: French top carmaker explained its poor results. SOVEREIGNS risks to help make the wider lier to have a single snapshot of PSA Peugeot Citroen said yes- “Southern Europe, where PSA Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P financial system safer, global risks. terday that global sales plunged Peugeot Citroen has a particularly Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 106.00 0.61 % Aa2 AA regulators said yesterday. The Basel Committee, which by 16.5 percent in 2012 owing large presence, was hit hardest, Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 129.38 1.76 % Aa2 AA “The financial crisis that began groups regulators and central to contracting demand in debt- with the market down 13.3 per- Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 111.25 2.43 % NR NR in 2007 revealed that many banks, bankers from 27 financial cen- crippled southern Europe and cent in France, 14.9 percent in including globally systemically tres, set out principles these the suspension of its activities Spain and 20.9 percent in Italy,” Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 108.25 2.85 % NR NR important banks (G-SIBs), were banks must implement in full by in Iran. it said. Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 127.88 3.59 % NR NR unable to aggregate risk expo- January 2016 to strengthen their “PSA Peugeot Citroen recorded Its decision to pull out of Iran Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 118.50 4.05 % NR NR sures and identify concentrations aggregation of data on risks. worldwide unit sales of 2,820,000 early last year also affected group Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.50 1.25 % Aa2 AA fully, quickly and accurately,” the “These principles are a sig- assembled vehicles, down 8.8 per- results. “The decision to suspend Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 115.63 3.32 % NR BBB Basel Committee on Banking nificant step towards improving cent. Together, sales of assembled sales of CKD units in Iran as Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 109.25 4.01 % NR BBB Supervision said in a statement. banks’ risk management capabili- vehicles and CKD (completely from February in compliance with Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 101.25 5.54 % B2 B- G-SIBs refers to the world’s ties and they will also contribute knocked down) units totalled international regulations, which Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 104.50 3.82 % NR BBB- top 28 banks like Goldman to G-SIBs’ resolvability, hence 2,965,000, down 16.5 percent,” the made it impossible to finance *Periodic Distribution Amount Sachs, HSBC, Deutsche Bank reducing the potential recourse group said. Iran-bound sales due to tighter IMPORTANT NOTE: and Morgan Stanley which are to taxpayers,” Basel Committee Peugeot Citroen, Europe’s international sanctions, also Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which required to undergo closer scru- chairman Stefan Ingves said. second-biggest carmaker, said impacted Group sales in 2012,” is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services tiny and hold extra capital from REUTERS the economic crisis in Europe PSA said. AFP Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and Relaxing liquidity rules may boost euro lending consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions.

PARIS: The loosening of liquid- government and corporate bonds banks.” It said the changes to the IMF and OECD that showed the ity rules due to come into effect to meet the so-called Liquidity liquidity rule, alongside other impact of the liquidity rule on on banks raises hopes among Coverage Ratio. measures, “...supports our thesis economic growth was likely to be some analysts to a recovery of Not only would this tie up that the most pernicious phase of just 0.1 to 0.2 percent of GDP and lending the eurozone. funds, being forced to hold large deleveraging is behind us...” that main negative effect on lend- The Basel Committee on amounts of these low-yielding The bank noted that most ing costs was from the increase in Banking Supervision announced assets would likely prompt banks banks have already met the capital requirements for banks. over the weekend that it would to make up for lost income by original liquidity rules accord- Increasing the amount of capi- give banks more time to meet glo- charging higher interest on loans ing to data from the Bank of tal banks hold in order to be able bal liquidity rules, phasing them to companies. International Settlements (BIS) to withstand losses is the other • Bullion - Mumbai into force from 2015. “It was already having an and that “this could help reduce main Basel reform undertaken Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 30495 The world’s top banking regu- impact on lending and the busi- the drag from low yielding following the global financial Silver (1 kg) Rs. 58300 latory body also widened what ness model of banks,” said Thomas reserves and put some to work.” crisis. • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.95 banks could hold to meet the Rocafull, director of financial Morgan Stanley said it doesn’t Eurozone banks have largely • Sensex requirement of having 30 days services at Sia Partners consult- expect the change to the liquid- shed assets — or deleveraged — worth of liquid assets in case of ing firm in Paris. ity rule to translate quickly into in order to improve their capi- BSE 19666.59 a crisis. However, allowing banks to use a strong credit impulse in the tal ratios and reduced lending to NSE 5971.50 The rules are aimed at improv- some stocks and lower-rated cor- eurozone given the weak economy companies. • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – ing the banking sector’s ability to porate debt in the calculation of and continued uncertainty about Lending to non-financial com- which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN survive future financial crises, but the Liquidity Coverage Ratio, as sovereign finances, but that it is panies fell in the eurozone in Card/Demat Account not required. since they were first proposed in well as relaxed assumptions about nevertheless a step in the right November for a seventh straight • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return 2010 banks have argued they were how much funds would flow out direction. month, according to European p.a. (in dollar) too tight and there were concerns of banks during a crisis, should But London-based Capital Central Bank data. • Housing loan from HDFC LTD they would dampen lending and provide banks with considerable Economics said it believed the But banks blame the lending economic growth. flexibility to meet the rules. changes to the liquidity rules slowdown on weak demand by • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, Originally banks would have US investment bank Morgan would not have any major eco- firms rather than their tighten- Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. had to hold essentially cash, cen- Stanley called the changes “con- nomic impact. ing loan conditions. Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] tral bank deposits and high-rated structive, particularly for EU It noted studies by the BIS, AFP THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Record car sales extending Foreign investors look beyond shortages in palladium

BY JOE RICHTER Egypt crises, buy stocks

EMAND for palladium, last quarter’s best-performing pre- BY ANDREW TORCHIA Cairo’s foreign reserves. An IMF decision on to accept that volatility is part of the mar- cious metal, is exceeding supply for a second consecutive the loan was postponed indefinitely because ket,” Bekkali said. year as mine production stagnates while sales by carmak- CURRENCY crisis, politi- of the political turmoil. In one way, Mursi’s aggressive move on Ders, the biggest buyers, reach record highs. Consumption cal turmoil and an economic The precarious reserve position prompted the constitution looked positive to some will beat production by 511,000 ounces in 2013, or about what the policy-making vacuum are Egypt’s central bank to abandon efforts investors: It cleared the way for parliamen- car industry uses every seven weeks, Barclays estimates. Morgan not usually favourable con- to keep the Egyptian pound steady. It tary elections in a few months’ time. The Stanley expects deficits to persist until at least 2017 and predicts ditions for a stock market launched a new system of foreign currency elections, however messy, are a key part of a record annual price average in 2014. Palladium will average at bull run but one is under auctions that has allowed the pound to the political transition. least $770 an ounce in the fourth quarter, or 14 percent more than Away in Egypt nonetheless. The Egyptian depreciate over 4 percent since December Meanwhile, the economics of currency now, according to the three most-accurate forecasters tracked by market has soared over the last few weeks 30, to a record low of 6.48 against the dollar. depreciation are not totally negative. Foreign Bloomberg Rankings over the past two years. even though the immediate political and More depreciation is likely. Capital investors seem to be using the lower pound to The commodity is one of three supply shortages left among the economic outlook for the country has dark- Economics, a London-based consultancy, buy stocks at cheaper prices, while inflation 10 base and precious metals tracked by Barclays, along with tin ened. Sustained buying by foreign funds has thinks 7.5 would be fair value for the pound. caused by currency weakness may erode the and platinum. Palladium is still 40 percent below the record $1,125 helped to push up stocks. A weak currency threatens to trigger capital real returns of bank deposits, forcing local reached in 2001. The slump spurred a 45 percent surge in buying The rally illustrates how many investors flight from Egypt, saddle foreign investors investors into stocks over time, Salem said. by carmakers in the past five years and Morgan Stanley expects in countries hit by the Arab Spring upris- with exchange losses and fuel inflation that Shares in exporters such as Ezz Steel, record auto-catalyst demand in the next five. Hedge funds are ings are looking beyond the current turmoil would worsen the country’s political problems. which could sell more abroad with a lower now the most bullish on prices in at least three years. to a point, perhaps a year or two from now, But such considerations have not hurt the pound, and property developer Palm Hills “Palladium looks very good,” said John Stephenson, who when politics may be more stable and econo- stock market. The main index is up about 25 Developments, which could benefit if a helps manage about C$2.7bn ($2.74bn) of assets at First Asset mies are again growing solidly. percent from a low hit in late November. It cheap pound encourages wealthy Gulf inves- Investment Management in Toronto. “Investor demand is pretty Foreign investors are not ignoring Egypt’s is still 18 percent below its level at the end of tors to buy Egyptian real estate, have out- strong for palladium. It also has its auto-demand kicker.” troubles but they think the problems can be 2010, just before the revolution which toppled performed the market in the last few weeks. The 10 percent gain in palladium the past quarter compared managed over time, so they are focusing on Hosni Mubarak, but up 64 percent from the The big danger for stocks is an uncon- with retreats for platinum, silver, gold and the LMEX gauge of the country’s potential, said Sherif Salem, post-revolution low of December 2011. trolled collapse of the pound which, because base metals from aluminum to zinc. The Standard & Poor’s GSCI portfolio manager at Abu Dhabi’s Invest AD. Non-Arab foreign investors, who account Egypt imports much of its food, could push gauge of 24 raw materials declined 2.9 percent and the MSCI All- “Investors realise more and more with for around 15 percent of trading in the inflation to politically explosive levels. Country World Index gained 2.5 percent. Treasuries lost less than time that the political and economic issues market, have been net buyers of stocks But investors believe a collapse is unlikely, 0.1 percent, a Bank of America Corp index shows. will follow a very volatile trajectory, given on almost every day in the past six weeks, as they think Egypt will eventually obtain Global car sales exceeded 80 million for the first time ever in 2012 the experience we have all been through exchange data show. Zin Bekkali, founder the IMF loan . Egyptian stocks have thrived and will advance 2.4 percent to 82.7 million this year, says LMC over the past two years,” he said. “But with and chief executive of Silk Invest, an emerg- alongside a weak currency in the past: In Automotive Ltd, a research company in Oxford, England. Americans the long term in focus, investors are look- ing markets investment manager, said for- 2003, when Cairo launched an earlier policy will buy more for a fourth year, matching the longest run of gains ing beyond the short- and medium terms.” eign funds were gradually building back of controlled depreciation, the pound fell since the 1940s. An average auto-catalyst contains about 4 grammes The last several weeks have given inves- normal weightings in Egypt after essentially about 25 percent but the stock index shot up of palladium, platinum or rhodium, according to London-based tors plenty to worry about. President pulling out during the chaos of 2011. 135 percent as export-related shares soared. Johnson Matthey Plc, which has made one in three of them. Mohammed Mursi’s decision to fast-track The uproar over the constitution has Bekkali, whose company has about $25m Supply from mines and stockpiles will rise 0.3 percent this year passage of an Islamist-tinged constitution sparked some violent street protests. But invested in the Egyptian stock market, said after contracting almost 11 percent in 2012, according to Barclays. outraged the opposition and may complicate many fund managers can accept a fairly stocks were trading at around 10 times com- Pay protests spread across South African mines after starting in efforts to reach a cross-party consensus on high level of social unrest, as long as it does panies’ estimated earnings for 2013, with the platinum pits in August. The issues that sparked the disputes economic reforms. not seem to doom Egypt’s slow transition to earnings expected to grow about 20 percent persist and more disruptions are likely this year, Tim Murray, a These reforms are needed to persuade the more stable politics. “You have to fight not in the coming year. “That would imply about general manager for Johnson Matthey, said in New York. International Monetary Fund to provide a to get preoccupied by the politics — don’t 40 percent upside for the market from its Sales from Russian government stockpiles will drop to 200,000 $4.8bn loan to Egypt, to arrest a slide in fall into that trap. It’s difficult, but you have current level,” he said. REUTERS ounces this year, from 1 million ounces as recently as 2010, accord- ing to Barclays. The reserves, a state secret, are probably close to being depleted, Johnson Matthey estimates. Hedge funds and other large speculators almost tripled wagers on higher prices since the start of November, US Commodity Futures Trading Commission data show. The palladium futures market is valued at about $2bn, New York Mercantile Exchange data show. The funds have never been more bullish in the data going back to December 2009. That contrasts with seven consecutive monthly declines in metal held through exchange-traded products, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Holdings stand at 57.6 tonnes valued at $1.27bn, still 12 percent more than a year ago. Investment demand prob- ably will total 100,000 ounces (3.1 tonnes) this year, down from 430,000 ounces in 2012, Barclays estimates. Some investors are concerned that global economic growth will slow after Japan and the 17-nation euro area tumbled back into recessions and US policy makers failed to resolve all the budget issues after settling a dispute over $600bn of automatic tax rises and spending cuts this month. China, the biggest car market, is only now quickening again after slowing for seven quarters. The anticipated surge in prices poses a risk because it threatens to crimp demand. Carmakers cut consumption 48 percent between 1999 and 2002 as palladium reached a record because of disrup- tions to Russian exports. The amount they used in 1999 wasn’t reached again until 2011, Johnson Matthey data show. Carmakers also may be more reluctant to commit to future demand as prices climb. Ford, the second-largest US carmaker, used futures and options to lock in palladium costs during the surge to the record in January 2001. That culminated in a $1bn loss for the company as prices tumbled as much 72 percent in the following 11 months. The most accurate analysts tracked by Bloomberg don’t antici- pate a repeat of that this year. Eugen Weinberg, the head of commodity research at Commerzbank in Frankfurt, expects a fourth-quarter average of $950, while Michael Widmer at Bank of America in London projects $800. Tom Kendall, the head of pre- cious-metals research at Credit Suisse Group in London, forecasts $770. Palladium for delivery in March traded at $675.75 an ounce. WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

Dubai dealers brave pressures to continue Iran rial trade

BY MARCUS GEORGE banking channels, they turned to “Dubai is the crucial point The dealer in Deira co-owns has been reduced sharply by the state-set rates. At the same time the dealers. Iranian savers moving through which most financial another dealership in Tehran, sanctions. it unleashed security forces against N A drab, neon-lit office their wealth out of the country transactions regarding Iran are though the two are not formally Goods exported through the the free market, arresting 50 cur- deep inside Dubai’s old area were another source of business. facilitated,” said Iranian-born linked. The set-up allows him to UAE to Iran totalled $3.6bn in the rency dealers in Iran and freezing of Deira, a middle-aged “Trading went crazy after economist Mehrdad Emadi of the take in payments in Dubai while first half of 2012, down 32 percent their bank accounts, on charges IIranian barks into one of six those sanctions,” the dealer in the British-based Betamatrix consul- paying out in Tehran. from a year earlier, according to they were manipulating the rial. telephones on his desk and taps Deira office said. On one day, he tancy. “Informal dealers are the “It’s a small trade,” the dealer Reuters calculations based on “The government wanted to numbers into a calculator. recalled, he handled about Dh1bn only means of providing currency said of a Dh700,000 deal he was data from UAE authorities. Iran’s intimidate the market because it In the space of a few minutes, ($270m). for ordinary Iranian businessmen concluding on a recent day. The cli- imports from all sources in that was no longer in their control,” he juggles multiple conversations But last October, as the rial to import commodities.” ent faxed over details of an Iranian period totalled $26bn, according said Emadi. He estimated the free with callers wanting to buy, sell plunged in value, the govern- bank account where he wanted to official Iranian data. market rate, now around 32,500, and transfer Iranian rials. It’s a ment in Tehran clamped down HAWALA SYSTEM rials deposited; the dealer faxed Last September, the Dubai cur- would have dropped as far as tense, unpredictable job, espe- on the supply of hard currency. The introduction of financial the details to the Tehran office, rency trade was threatened not around 45,000 without govern- cially given the political turbu- That hit the Dubai dealers hard — sanctions, imposed over Tehran’s which made the transfer via Iran’s by Western governments but by ment interference. lence surrounding Iran. both by restricting the amount of disputed nuclear programme, nationwide electronic system. Iranian authorities. As the sanc- The crackdown has forced many The informal currency deal- funds they handled and making it threatened Dubai’s status as a top The hawala trade does not tions hurt Iran’s economy, ordi- of the Dubai dealers’ counterpar- ers of Dubai have emerged as an harder to gauge prices acceptable centre handling trade and invest- appear to violate any regulations nary Iranians scrambled to sell ties in Tehran to stop trading. important link between Iran’s to both them and their customers. ment for Iran. in the UAE. The dealer owns his their rials for dollars and gold Negotiating deals has become economy and the rest of the world, “Now it’s different. The govern- Most international banks Dubai currency dealing business, to protect themselves against harder without a reliable refer- maintaining flows of money into ment is fixing rates. Everything is halted business with Iran because which is licensed by UAE authori- a depreciating currency. This ence rate. Iranian authorities offer and out of the country even as grinding to a halt,” said the Deira of concern that their US interests ties, along with a silent partner, a caused the rial to lose a third of dollars to registered importers of foreign governments and Tehran dealer. On some days, the dealer could suffer. In March 2012, the UAE citizen. His office also feeds its value within 10 days, hitting priority goods at a rate of around itself act to constrict them. said, he doesn’t trade at all. On global SWIFT interbank network small traders across Iran with an all-time low of around 37,500 25,000 rials, but private traders After the United States and others, he handles around Dh10m said it was cutting links with dirhams, which are welcomed as to the dollar in the free market. distrust that because it is state-set. Europe tightened financial sanc- to Dh15m worth of businesss — Iran’s main financial institutions. hard currency by Iranians as the Almost all of Iran’s hard cur- Despite the difficulties, demand tions against Iran in late 2011, and only with trusted clients. Dubai’s dealers were quick to dirham is pegged to the US dollar. rency earnings come from its oil for the Dubai currency dealers essentially freezing the country Nevertheless, Dubai’s currency fill the void through hawala, an Comprehensive figures for the exports, which are run by the gov- looks set to persist. Some Iranian out of the international banking dealers are keeping their trading informal trading system based number of rial dealers in Dubai ernment. Aiming to preserve its businessmen are reluctant to deal system, the Dubai dealers’ busi- ties with Iran alive, providing an on trust and personal ties. It was and the size of their business are foreign exchange reserves, Tehran with the government’s foreign ness boomed. important conduit for Iranians to first used in the Gulf and the not available. But the business is slashed the amount of hard cur- exchange centre as they believe Since businessmen trading do business with the rest of the Indian subcontinent centuries believed to play a major role in rency it provided to the free mar- authorities will use it to track their with Iran could no longer trans- world outside channels controlled ago, but has successfully been sustaining merchandise trade ket and began rationing dollar business and hit them with taxes. fer their money through normal by their government. adapted to the modern age. between the UAE and Iran, which supplies to licensed importers at REUTERS THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,693.89 0.44 WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,561.67 0.27 QE Total Return Index 11,765.98 0.44 RATE QE All Share Index 2,086.09 0.23 INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,023.12 0.19 GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 4730.067 17.751 0.38 4770.2 4664.6 QE All Share Industrials 2,736.6 0.16 QR195.3231 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,384.52 0.93 Cac 40 Index/D 3712.15 6.27 0.17 3733.93 3692.9 UK ...... QR 5.8126 QR 5.8940 QE All Share Real Estate 1,625.76 0.29 SILVER Euro ...... QR 4.7313 QR 4.7982 QE All Share Insurance 1,907.96 3.40 Dj Indu Average 13328.85 -55.44 -0.41 13661.87 12035.09 QR 3.5761 QE All Share Telecoms 1,119.18 1.27 CA$ ...... QR 3.6553 QR 3.7277 QE All Share Consumer Goods & Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 4,864.56 1.08 Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9131 QR 3.9684 Services Hang Seng Inde/D 23218.47 107.28 0.46 23402.45 22860.25 Yen ...... QR 0.0413 QR 0.0421 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7912 QR 3.8662 Iseq Overall/D 3495.38 -18.95 -0.54 3524.33 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0658 QR 0.0671 09-01-2013 08-01-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 16734.95 89.19 0.54 16935.52 16379.47 Index 8,693.89 8,656.11 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0371 QR 0.0378 Change 37.78 12.91 Nikkei 225 Index 10578.57 70.51 0.67 10743.69 10463.43 Peso ...... QR 0.0885 QR 0.0903 % 0.44 0.15 $ 111.79 SL Re ...... QR 0.0286 QR 0.0292 YTD% 4.01 3.56 S&P 500 Index/D 1457.15 -4.74 -0.32 1474.51 1266.74 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0450 QR 0.0462 Volume 4,584,363 2,604,304 Straits Times/D 3220.41 14.89 0.46 3237.78 3186.28 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0415 QR 0.0423 Value (QAR) 214,276,150.25 135,258,853.08 $ 109.92 Trades 3,361 2,416 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4199 QR 0.4283 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 22 | Down 17 | Unchanged 02

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 09-01-2013

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 1397.7 -17.35 18384 Cipla-A/D 427.2 -1.65 358796 Hind.Petrol-A/D 337.25 14.4 221590 Lloyd Metal-B/D 16.7 -0.8 4581 Rallis India-B/D 148.9 0.05 45354 Imperial Tobac/D 2451.6 -21 328917 Aarti Drugs-T/D 226.2 0.5 9106 City Union Bk-/D 58.3 -0.65 74433 Hindalco-A/D 132 -1.05 763982 Lloyd Steel-B/D 13.75 -0.23 88245 Reliance Indus/D 481.35 -5 201344 Kingfisher/D 283.38 -1.7 649990 Aban Offs-B/D 393.3 -5.55 111051 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1283.35 3.5 4740 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 830.9 -8.75 109493 Lloydsfin.-B/D 1.39 0.12 75477 Ruchi Soya-B/D 73.3 0.65 65637 Land Secs Grou/D 832 1 114234 Ador Welding-B/D 143.7 -2.1 3474 Colgate-A/D 1539.45 -5.2 10171 I F C I-A/D 37.85 -1.3 4800731 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 25.1 1.15 60060 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 476.1 -5 15978 Legal & Genera/D 151.165 0.2 2036034 Aegis Logis-B/D 193.1 2.4 44348 Dai-Bichi Kar-/D 44.2 -0.05 4854 Idbi-A/D 116.45 0.25 379723 Lupin-A/D 592.9 -4.7 73916 Saur.Cem-B/D 26.75 0.25 3218 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 52.9055 2.06 78350654 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 144.15 1.6 4501 Dhampur Sugar-/D 51.8 -1.15 24432 Ifb Agro-B/D 203.3 22.35 120615 Lyka Labs-B/D 12.36 0.18 54905 Sterling Tool-/D 95.35 -0.4 1659 Marks & Sp./D 366.9 -2.7 1654189 Alembic-B/D 17.8 0.25 46461 Dr. Reddy-A/D 1908.2 0.5 32260 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 109.4 3 115818 Mafatlal Ind-T/D 130.05 2.6 4326 Tanfac Indust-/D 16.8 -0.6 3262 Next/D 3900 -24 66739 Alok Indus-B/D 12.13 -0.01 2088230 E I H-B/D 71.5 -0.65 18640 India Cement-B/D 89.45 -2.45 97986 Maha Scooter-B/D 524 1.35 7707 Tanfac Indust-/D 16.8 -0.6 3262 Pearson/D 1196.9 -10 669975 Andhra Paper-B/D 295.7 8.25 116485 E.I.D Parry-B/D 200.05 -4.5 8099 India Glycol-B/D 169.15 -2.45 12989 Mangalam Cem-B/D 178.35 -2.45 10985 Thirumalai-B/D 123.45 0.4 16718 Prudential/D 905.5 -1.5 451540 Apollo Tyre-A/D 89.1 -0.25 462328 Eicher Motor-A/D 2766.75 -21.65 2207 Indian Hotel-A/D 66.15 -0.65 146642 Maral Overs-B/D 15.6 -0.09 3220 Timexgroup-B/D 25.1 -0.05 101133 Rank Group/D 145.7 0 2798 Asahi I Glass-/D 51.8 -0.65 134613 Electrosteel-B/D 27.65 0.1 657147 Indo-Tcount-T/D 15.25 0.48 7260 Mastek-B/D 146.9 0.4 33728 Tinplate-B/D 52.4 -0.3 16516 Rentokil Initi/D 94.2 -0.65 550981 Ashok Leyland-/D 26.75 0.05 545731 Emco-B/D 30.95 -0.55 48599 Indusind-A/D 434.2 -0.6 383442 Max India L-A/D 260.15 6.55 54017 Ub Engineer-B/D 36.85 0 20931 Rolls Royce Pl/D 903.35 1.5 342571 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1012.85 -3.05 3808 Escorts-B/D 75.25 0.4 440876 J.B.Chemical-B/D 89.95 -1.45 29821 Mrpl-A/D 66.5 -0.35 104898 Ub Engineer-B/D 36.85 0 20931 Rsa Insrance G/D 125.988 0.1 1312281 Ballarpur In-B/D 23.25 -0.05 119818 Essar Oil-A/D 71.65 -0.7 433272 Jagatjit Ind-B/D 69.85 1.05 2265 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 18.5 0.2 3249 Ucal Fuel-B/D 70 -0.65 2796 Sainsbury(J)/D 327.7625 -11.3 5315584 Banaras Bead-T/D 47.45 2.2 5158 Eveready Indu-/D 23.9 -0.15 310906 Jagson Phar-B/D 14.18 -0.41 12115 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 18.5 0.2 3249 Ucal Fuel-B/D 70 -0.65 2796 Schroders/D 1765 3 34884 Bata India-A/D 875.3 -9.15 20974 F D C-B/D 94.65 -0.6 156519 Jbf Indu-B/D 125.2 -1.9 23877 Nahar Spg.-B/D 79.7 0.5 28331 Ultramarine-B/D 52.1 0.25 4852 Severn Trent/D 1593 -3 78526 Beml Ltd-B/D 282.1 -2.35 25736 Federal Bank-A/D 524.05 3.45 60684 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.71 0.06 87482 Nath Seeds-B/D 7.06 0.26 2728 Unitech P -A/D 37.4 -0.5 8948615 Smith&Nephew/D 692.5 0.5 219891 Bh Electronic-/D 1325 4.35 76926 Ferro Alloys-B/D 6.98 -0.01 94041 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.5 -0.02 88093 Nation Alum -A/D 49.75 -0.65 94290 Smiths Group/D 1201 -2 86767 Bhartiya Int-T/D 175 0.75 2187 Finolex-B/D 61.7 -0.2 51011 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 3.95 -0.08 26056 Navneet Pub.-B/D 65.9 -1.1 78356 LONDON Standrd Chart /D 1643 36.5 1124247 Bhel-A/D 237 -6.55 425709 Gail-A/D 370.35 5.9 64578 Jik Indust-B/D 2.4 0.11 381782 Nepc India-B/D 2.92 0.26 62382 Tate & Lyle/D 778 -4.5 112708 Bhuwalka Stl-B/D 16.65 0.2 5706 Galada Power-B/D 4.29 0.07 3265 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 124.15 -1.45 9488 Neuland Lab-B/D 127.7 -2 2873 3I Group/D 231.13 0.9 556215 Tesco/D 348.472 -2.95 5001620 Bom.Burmah-B/D 130.65 7.25 145994 Gammon India-B/D 42.05 0.15 48014 Jmc Projects-B/D 117.15 -1.65 3360 Nrb Bearings-B/D 36.3 -0.1 13304 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1547.5 -2 155046 Tomkins/D 0 0 0 Bombay Dyeing-/D 131.25 -4.15 158090 Gangotri Tex-B/D 3.45 -0.15 13957 Kajaria Cer-B/D 235.5 1.05 4326 O N G C-A/D 291.95 1.85 279353 B Sky B/D 779.5 -13 1613417 Unilever/D 2406 -5 567703 Cable Corp.-B/D 22.5 -0.8 2874 Garden P -B/D 62.6 0.15 7079 Kalpat Power-B/D 102.35 3.25 175845 Ocl India-B/D 152.3 1.1 3724 Barclays/D 293.228 6.1 13950450 United Util Gr/D 679.7727 5 1335319 Canfin Homes-T/D 181.65 3.25 27032 Goodricke-B/D 158.8 0.35 6883 Kalyani Stel-B/D 59.8 -2.5 98824 Oil Country-B/D 55.1 0.85 30693 Bg Group/D 1033.875 1 1505083 Vodafone Group/D 164.9999 2.55 28501888 Castrol Ind-A/D 312.5 1.15 31710 Goodyear I -B/D 338.75 -2.25 2134 Kanoria Chem-B/D 39.35 -0.15 8538 Orchid Chem-B/D 101.7 -1 96934 Bp/D 455.05 6.1 8502857 Whitbread/D 2464.6493 2 60657 Century Enka-B/D 134.95 0.4 14417 Hcl Infosys-B/D 39.45 -0.5 76042 Kg Denim-T/D 15.39 0.73 48268 Orient Hotel-B/D 23.3 -0.15 2676 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3186 0.5 686348 Century Text-A/D 434.35 -8.6 78458 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 10.31 -0.17 292713 Kilburnengg-B/D 19.95 0 3497 Orient.Carb.-B/D 127.95 2.7 6183 British Airway/D 276.4574 0 0 Chambal Fert-B/D 70.95 0.5 262815 Himat Seide-B/D 40.7 0.2 19987 Kin.Motor-B/D 12.1 0.1 32896 Orient.Carb.-B/D 127.95 2.7 6183 Bt Group/D 246.5 1.4 4356639 Chola Invest-B/D 284.6 6.9 38076 Hind Motors-B/D 12.34 -0.3 843032 Klg Systel-T/D 19.15 -0.3 3078 Punjab Chem.-B/D 55 1.25 1708 Centrica/D 334.1 -1.8 1662011 Chowgule St-B/D 19.45 0.45 7650 Hind Org Chem-/D 19.65 0 64953 Kopran-B/D 21.1 -0.25 32542 Radico Khait-B/D 143.1 3.65 617294 Gkn/D 232.8 1.5 1696436 Cimmco-B/D 44.9 -1.45 53428 Hind Unilever-/D 520.35 -4.8 64998 Lakshmi Mach-B/D 2304.6 24.45 2076 Rallis India-B/D 148.9 0.05 45354 Hsbc Holdings/D 666.6 7.4 4191378 THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

FISA’s Oswald to speak at Oryx Cup to decide outcome Securing Sport conference

DOHA: The International of H1 championships in Doha Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) has announced yes- terday that Denis Oswald (President of the Association of David, Villwock and Shane go head-to-head on the Corniche today Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and DOHA: This weekend’s Oryx Cup in Tri-Cities to storm into the International Rowing Cup UIM World Championship third place in the National High Federation (FISA) will speak at race on Doha Bay will decide Points standings. Securing Sport 2013, the leading the outcome of the H1 He trails Villwock by just 172 international sport security and Unlimited National High Points points and could well be the span- integrity conference. Championship and great rivals ner in the works for the leading With over 30 years experi- Steve David, David Villwock two in a Qatar race that has seen ence, including 20 years as a and Jimmy Shane will go head- three different winners since its member of the International to-head to decide the 2012 Air inception in 2009. Olympic Committee (IOC), National Guard H1 Teams’ and Defending Oryx Cup cham- Denis is one of the leading Drivers’ titles. pion Scott Liddycoat will not be administrators in the world QMSF-backed Villwock began in Qatar this weekend. His team of sport having held a number the season with back-to-back is repairing damage to U-88 of positions at the forefront wins and looked set to take the Degree Man and has turned to of national and international series by storm in U-1 Spirit of driver Brian Perkins to carry sporting organisations. Qatar, but Florida’s Steve David the number 88 and score points Author of numerous publica- hit back in the latter part of the in Qatar at the helm of U-88 tions in sports law, Denis has paid year and arrives in Qatar with Snoqualmie Casino. particular interest to the areas a 652-point lead in the National J Michael Kelly won the inau- of doping and sports associa- High Points standings at the helm gural Oryx Cup in 2009 and he tions during his career and has of U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto. will be aiming to finish a mixed recently held senior positions Both drivers took two race wins season on a high in U-37 Miss on the Executive Board of IOC, apiece in 2012, but David’s wins in Beacon Plumbing. Other driv- Court of Arbitration for Sport Seattle and San Diego have given ers keen to impress in Doha (CAS) and International Centre him a commanding cushion to Bay - where inclement weather for Sport Studies (CIES). take to the Doha Bay heats and conditions have been forecast Denis also has consider- Oryx Cup race being staged by the for the weekend - include Jon able major event experience as Qatar Marine Sports Federation Zimmerman in U-9 Jones Racing President of FISA and recently this weekend under the presi- and veterans Kip Brown and chaired the Co-ordination dency of Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Mark Evans in U-17 Miss Red Commission for the 2004 Athens Al Thani. Dot and U-57 Formulaboats.com. and 2012 London Olympic “All of us on team Oberto are Brown has now recovered from a Games. looking forward to this week- broken leg sustained in the middle As part of the ICSS’s mis- end and regaining U-1 and win- of a disappointing season by his sion to share knowledge and ning the Oryx Cup UIM World standards, while Evans makes his The Doha Bay will host the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship. The three-day championship begins today. best practice in safety, security Championship,” said David. first trip to Doha after becoming and integrity in sport, Oswald “We are fully aware that our co-owner of the U-57 boat with will speak on the panel entitled rivals have the same goal as well. brother Mitch. Weather forces 2012 Oryx Cup Schedule “The Role of Sport – Advancing I’m thinking that this may be the Ryan Mallow will drive the change in schedule Today Tomorrow the International Community to most competitive event of the U-100 Fox Plumbing boat and 7:00AM 7:30 AM Driver’s Pre-Water 9:00 AM 11:00 AM Unlimited Testing Safeguard the Future” and will entire season. On the table we have rookie Tom Thompson will take to DOHA: H1 officials have Meeting 11:00 AM 1:00 PM Lunch break discuss the integrity of sport and the team National Championship, the water in U-11 Miss Peters & decided to modify the racing 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Unlimited Testing the importance of using sport the Driver Championship and the May – the boat that featured in a timetable at the 11th hour 10:30 AM 11:45 AM Unlimited Qualifying 1:15 PM Heat 3A within international policy. Mr. World Championship!” successful European speed record to compensate for expected 11:00 AM 2:00 PM Lunch Provided Onsite 1:45 PM Heat 3B Oswald will be joined on the panel With 400 points available to on Coniston Water in England’s adverse weather conditions, 12:00 PM Driver’s Meeting, Draw for Heats by Hein Verbruggen (President of 2:15 PM Podium Event for Winners 3A and the winner in each of the three Lake District in November 2012. which are expected to hit 1A and 1B SportAccord) and other leading 3B, Draw for 4A and 4B heats that precede Saturday “We are very excited to be Doha Bay tomorrow and on 1:30 PM Heat 1A experts from the world of sport afternoon’s Oryx Cup UIM World here in Qatar for the fourth Saturday. 2:00 PM Heat 1B 3:40 PM 5:00 PM Pit Area Open to Public and beyond. + VIP Tours Championship race, Villwock is annual Oryx Cup,” enthused H1 The QMSF and H1 Unlimited 2:30 PM Podium Event for Winners 1A and In addition to Oswald, the aware that he needs to make a good Unlimited chairman Sam Cole. officials are now working 1B, Draws for Heat 2A and 2B 4:30 PM 6:00 PM Dinner break ICSS has also announced yester- start in the first of the heats today. “Then we will stay in Doha to together to stage qualifying 3:15 PM Heat 2A January 12th day that Gérard Houllier OBE The Washington State driver start the 2013 season in February heats today. (Head of Global Soccer, Red Bull), 3:45 PM Heat 2B 9:00 AM 10:30 AM Unlimited Testing knows that he has to shave a few and crown the 2013 UIM World That will give race officials 11:00 AM 2:00 PM Lunch break John Amaechi OBE (Managing hundred points off David’s advan- Champion next month.” two days to run Heats 3A, 3B, 4:15 PM Podium Event for Top Three 1:15 PM Heat 4A Director, Amaechi Performance Qualifiers and Heat 2A and 2B, tage before the meat of the racing The QMSF has installed a 4A, 4B and the Oryx Cup UIM 1:45 PM Heat 4B Systems) and Bill Bock (General Draw for Heats 3A and 3B takes place on Saturday. grandstand at the side of the World Championship race if 3:00 PM Oryx Cup World Championship Counsel, USADA) will speak at Jimmy Shane also enjoyed course that can seat around 300 the weather conditions dete- 4:45 PM 6:00 PM Pit Area Open to Public 3:30 PM Podium Awards Presentation Securing Sport 2013. a terrific 2012 season in U-5 spectators, according to event co- riorate further. The conference will take place 8:00 PM Gala Dinner and Awards Graham Trucking and achieved ordinator Mona Nasser. THE PENINSULA 5:00 PM 7:00 PM Dinner break on March 18 and 19 in Doha. a stunning win at the Colombia THE PENINSULA Presentation THE PENINSULA Timberwolves clip Hawks Al Arabi edge past

NEW YORK: The Minnesota Timberwolves coped with the absence of head coach Rick Eljaish; Al Sadd win Adelman and All Star forward Kevin Love to beat Atlanta 108- BY DANOTZKI SANTOS 103 yesterday, ending a near seven-year winless run against DOHA: Al Arabi edged past Eljaish the Hawks. 81-70 in the second leg match of the Timberwolves coach Adelman Qatar Basketball League at the Al missed the game for personal rea- Gharafa Indoor Arena yesterday. sons, while Love is out indefinitely The win placed Arabi in a tie with after reinjuring his right hand Army in the team standings with 9 last week, but the home team wins and 3 losses. still had enough beat the Hawks Al Arabi came out with guns blaz- for the first time since April 2006. ing at the start of the match to take Nikola Pekovic scored 25 points a 11-3 advantage early on through the and had 18 rebounds, Andrei combined efforts of William Byrd and Kirilenko added 21 for Minnesota Abdulai Jalloh and went to shackle (16-15), who had lost 11 straight to their foes for the remainder of the the Hawks before Tuesday’s game. first period to take a commanding “We were really motivated,” 20-9 lead. Pekovic told reporters. “I think The Heir Apparent Cup winners everyone wants to step up and stepped up the game in the next show more.” quarter with a 9-4 early run to pull Minnesota led 100-89 with four away, 28-13. minutes remaining but Atlanta Back-up point guard Marwan managed to cut the deficit to one Salah would however spearhead a in the final minute. Minnesota’s 10-3 assault to trim the deficit to Dante Cunningham made a cru- 31-23, and lead Eljaish back to a close cial jump shot with 15 seconds left 37-35 fight before the half time break. and the Timberwolves added free Alvin Mofunanya lorded it over the throws to put the game away. paint on both ends to help Arabi rise Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio to a commanding 49-38 midway into returned from a four-game the third stage of the game. absence with back spasms and Eljaish threatened to come back had eight assists in just 19 min- with a string of baskets but ace guard utes of action. Mansour Elhadary took control and Josh Smith and Louis Williams kept his team afloat at 62-48 before each scored 21 for the Hawks (20- the final quarter. 13), who have lost three straight. Jalloh led all scorers with 30 points. REUTERS Mansour contributed 23. Earlier, Al Sadd put on a strong NBA Results finish this time around to tame a Brooklyn 109 Philadelphia 89 stubborn Al Gharafa, 64-59 to get Indiana 87 Miami 77 back from a sorry loss in the hands Milwaukee 108 Phoenix 99 of Al Wakra in their last outing and cement their hold of second place in Houston 125 LA Lakers 112 Action from the Qatar Basketball League at Al Gharafa Stadium the team standings at 9-2. Minnesota 108 Atlanta 103 yesterday. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 South Africa aiming for rare series win at home The Proteas to face New Zealand at St George’s Park tomorrow

PORT ELIZABETH, South first-innings tormentor Vernon the best team (in the world). Africa: South Africa will be Philander after the seamer was They can call on blokes who will looking to secure just their sec- ruled out of the match with a do the job. We are looking at all Armstrong ond home Test series win in over hamstring strain and they showed their bowlers equally in getting four years when they take on some fight in their second innings ready for this next match,” said to discuss New Zealand in the second Test with 275, so South Africa are Williamson. at St George’s Park tomorrow. expecting a battle. “They are all different bowlers The Proteas have risen to the “New Zealand put up a bit of and they complement each other doping top of the International Cricket a fight in the second innings and well. Philander is probably one Council’s (ICC) Test team rank- that’s the nature of the Kiwis. For of the best bowlers in the world ings thanks to their wonder- what they might have lacked in at the moment (but his absence) South Africa’s scandal on ful away form which has seen the player pool, they make up for is certainly not a release in any Morne Morkel them win back-to-back series with determination and guts,” said way because there is Morkel and (right) celebrates in Australia and England and left-arm spinner Robin Peterson. Steyn there that are also some next to BJ Watling Oprah show remain unbeaten on their travels “The conditions at St. George’s of the best bowlers in the world after taking the LOS ANGELES: Disgraced since 2006. probably mean the game will go as well.” wicket of New cyclist Lance Armstrong However, South Africa have the distance instead of what hap- Pacemen Dale Steyn and Zealand’s Dean (pictured) will discuss the won just one Test series at home pened at Newlands. I’m expecting Morne Morkel are ranked first Brownlie during doping scandal that dramati- since their 2-0 victory over the Kiwis to be a bit more at home and eighth respectively in the the third day of cally brought down his stellar Bangladesh in November 2008, here than anywhere else in the world Test bowling standings. career during an interview their first cricket a 2-1 victory over Sri Lanka in country,” added Peterson. Williamson added that the with Oprah Winfrey next Test match in early 2012. The pitch in Port Elizabeth Black Caps would be far better week. The Proteas will be confident is expected to be a low and slow prepared for the challenge of Cape Town in this The famed talk show host of winning the second and final track making it more like the playing South Africa after their January 4, 2012 said a 90-minute special epi- Test against New Zealand after pitches the New Zealanders are comprehensive defeat in the first file photo. sode would address “years of demolishing the Black Caps by an used to at home. Test. accusations of cheating, and innings and 27 runs inside three Philander, who has taken an “The last Test was certainly a charges of lying about the use days in the first Test in Cape incredible 74 wickets in 13 Tests learning curve, especially for the of performance-enhancing Town. matches, will be replaced by fast blokes who hadn’t played against drugs” throughout Armstrong’s The visitors were shot out for bowler Rory Kleinveldt though the South Africans, the best team “storied cycling career.” just 45 runs on the first morning batsman New Zealander Kane in the world. That has certainly The interview will be of the Test, a period of play that Williamson does not expect the gone into our training to hold us Armstrong’s first since being New Zealand coach Mike Hesson hosts’s attack to be any weaker. in better stead for the next game,” stripped of his seven Tour described as a “horror session”. “They have a lot of depth and he said ahead of the second Test de France titles last year They will not face their that is probably why they are tomorrow. REUTERS and will air on the Oprah Winfrey Network. It will also be streamed live on her website, a publicity statement said. Last week The New India can regain top spot in ICC ODI rankings York Times reported that Armstrong, 41, was considering DUBAI: World champions India three matches against New Zealand. The tussle for the top spot on the ICC Championship Table, the five-match series publicly admitting that he used can regain their No. 1 spot in the England will be aiming to carry their Test ODI Championship Table is also a build-up will provide both sides an opportunity to banned performance-enhanc- International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI form into the ODIs and win their first for the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled size each other up. ing drugs, in an apparent bid Championship table if they can white- series in India in 28 years and cement their to be held from June 6 to 23 in England Sides in Group B of the ICC Champions to return to competitive sport wash England in the five-match One-day status as the No. 1 side. and Wales. Trophy are 1998 winner South Africa, 2004 in marathons and triathlons. International (ODI) series tomorrow in England currently lead second-ranked Group A includes defending champion champion West Indies, 2002 winner India, “Looking forward to this Rajkot. South Africa by a fraction of a point, but Australia, 2000 winner New Zealand and and Pakistan. conversation with @lancearm- While India play England in the five- will take an outright lead on the champion- 2002 champion Sri Lanka, along with host The tournament opener will feature the strong,” Winfrey posted on match series, South Africa will play New ship table if they win the series, irrespec- England, which reached the final when two former winners when South Africa her Twitter site yesterday. Zealand in a three-match series starting tive of the results of the South Africa-New they last staged the event in 2004. takes on 2002 champion India in Cardiff, Armstrong re-tweeted the on January 19, in Paarl. Zealand and Australia-Sri Lanka series Australia and Sri Lanka face-off on June June 6. The next day, the West Indies will comment 15 minutes later. But India, who are ranked world No. (starting tomorrow in Melbourne). 17 at The Oval in a day-night match during face Pakistan at The Oval. In the interview, to be 3, will be keeping a close watch on South However, England’s failure to win the what will be the final edition of the ICC The semi-finals will be staged at The shown in a primetime slot next Africa’s series against New Zealand. series will give both India and South Africa Champions Trophy. Oval (June 19) and in Cardiff (June 20), Thursday, January 17, Winfrey Second-ranked South Africa will jump opportunities to reclaim the top spot of the While Australia and Sri Lanka may not while Edgbaston will host the final slated will speak with Armstrong at to the top position if they win all their ICC ODI rankings. be in the race for the No. 1 position on the for June 23. IANS his home in Austin, Texas. Before the ban, Armstrong was competing in triathlons, and his Twitter feed is full of Batsman Chanderpaul posts about his continued bik- Pietersen signs new England deal ing, swimming and runs. His tweets also make clear LONDON: Kevin Pietersen future in the Test arena, shortly he is following the media storm (pictured) rubber-stamped his before he was axed from the side to join Derbyshire surrounding his fall from grace return to the England set-up in August over a controversial -- and that he has not always yesterday by signing a full cen- exchange of text messages with LONDON: West Indies bats- “I was impressed with (head been pleased with how the case tral contract with the England the touring South Africa team. man Shivnarine Chanderpaul, coach) Karl Krikken’s vision for has been portrayed. and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). He missed the World Twenty20 (pictured) currently rated the the team and am looking forward “It took a ‘photographer’ to Pietersen was frozen out of the in Sri Lanka in September, which world’s number to linking up with ‘write’ the most balanced piece international picture in August was won by West Indies and was two Test bats- them at the start of we’ve seen yet,” Armstrong last year when he was dropped not given one of 10 central con- man, has joined the season.” wrote on January 2, linking to for the final Test against South tracts distributed in September English county Krikken said: an essay by cycling photogra- Africa over claims he sent text last year. side Derbyshire “Shivnarine’s statis- pher Graham Watson. messages to rival players criticis- However, after holding talks on a two-year con- tics in all forms of the Watson wrote, in part, ing then-England captain Andrew with the ECB he returned to the tract, the club have game speak for them- “Outright angels do not win a Strauss. England squad in October and announced. selves and he has been Tour de France.” The South Africa-born bats- subsequently agreed to return in Chanderpaul has one of the stand-out “Lance did what he had to man subsequently returned to the all formats of the game. scored over 10,500 players on the world do to win, and he clearly did squad towards the end of 2012, Pietersen, who made his inter- has previously stage for a long time. it very well. If he cheated, he but was only tied to a short-term national debut in 2004 and has played for Durham, “He knows what it cheated the other cheats of contract that was due to expire team-mates. The current set of a test average of 49.42 from 92 Lancashire and takes to be success- that era, even if by doing so he at the end of the month. central contracts is due to expire matches, is now eligible for all Warwickshire. ful and, as well as his outstand- also cheated an adoring public.” However, limited-overs coach at the end of September. three international formats. As part of the deal, Derbyshire ing ability with the bat, there is Armstrong has vehemently Ashley Giles confirmed yester- Pietersen endured a turbulent Pietersen is part of the England will have first option to keep the no doubt Shivnarine will have a denied doping and it is not day that the 32-year-old has now 2012, which saw him announce his squad that will take part in a ODI 38-year-old for a third season. hugely positive effect on our tal- known if he will admit to dop- signed a full central contract retirement from both 50-over and series against world cup champi- “I’m excited to be joining an ented young squad as we embark ing on Winfrey’s show. with the ECB that puts him on a Twenty20 internationals. ons India that begins tomorrow ambitious club with a talented on the challenge of Division One The show used words like par with the rest of his England He even cast doubt over his in Rajkot. AGENCIES young side,” Chanderpaul said. cricket,” he said yesterday. AFP “no-holds-barred interview” but also “alleged doping scan- dal,” “accusations of cheating” and “charges of lying” in its publicity statement. The announcement came on Dakar Rally should come home, the same day that “60 Minutes” said US Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart told them in an interview to be says singer Youssou N’Dour aired yesterday that Armstrong attempted to donate around DAKAR: Singer and current Senegalese the kudos of the Dakar name and yet not come $250,000 to the agency. Minister of Tourism, Youssou N’Dour, said yes- (back) to Africa,” said Faye. Tygart said he was bowled terday he believes it is time for the Dakar Rally, “They (the organisers) are free to go where they over by the “totally inappropri- held in South America over the past five years, to want but they shouldn’t keep the Dakar name (as ate” donation offer from one of come home to Senegal. that entails) using backing (from advertisers) which Armstrong’s representatives The past five editions of the race, currently under earn money” for them, Faye indicated, claiming that in 2004, which he immediately way in Peru, have been held outside Senegal owing Dakar is “considerably” losing out in terms of tour- refused. to security fears but N’Dour says it should “resume ism since the event moved continents. “I was stunned,” Tygart said its route” back in Africa or else change its name, a The decision to move the race came in 2007 follow- in the interview. “It was a clear source close to him said. ing the murder of four French tourists in Mauritania conflict of interest for USADA. “For Youssou N’Dour, there is no question of by a pro-Al Qaeda group in the Maghreb as well as We had no hesitation in reject- Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah and co-pilot Spain’s Lucas Cruz in action the rally continuing to retain the Dakar name and the killings of three Mauritanian soldiers. ing that offer.” during the 4th stage of the Dakar Rally 2013 from Nazca to Arequipa yet not run in Africa. Either the race resumes in The killings shortly before the race was due to Tygart declined to comment on Tuesday. Al Attiyah won the 4th stage, his second straight win at Africa - or it drops the Dakar name,” Charles Faye, begin saw the participants stay in Lisbon rather on Armstrong’s decision to go the Rally. N’Dour’s communications officer, said. than head for Africa and the race was consequently on the Winfrey show. AFP “Youssou N’Dour cannot accept the rally retaining cancelled. AFP THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Gulf Cup 2013: Iraq reach semi-finals; Saudi Arabia beat Yemen F1: Perez overawed by early days at McLaren

LONDON: Mexican driver Sergio Perez admitted that he will need time to adapt to life at McLaren after addressing the British team’s workforce for the first time yesterday. The 22-year-old, brought in to replace the Mercedes-bound Lewis Hamilton, visited the team’s headquarters in the south- ern English town of Woking and spoke to the 550 members of staff working there. Perez had previously visited the McLaren Technology Centre to get his seat fitted and work Iraq’s Humam Tareq Faraj and Kuwait’s Fahed Al Ebrahim (blue) fight for the ball during their Gulf Cup match at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town, yesterday. Iraq won 1-0 to advance to the with a simulator, but he admit- semi-finals. RIGHT: Saudi Arabia’s Sultan Al Bishi (right) fights for the ball with Yemen’s Akram Al-Warfi during their Gulf Cup match at the same venue. Saudi Arabia won 2-0 to keep their ted he was still pinching himself semi-final hopes alive. about joining the team. “It is going to take some getting used to,” Perez, who is paired up with Jenson Button, said. “It’s certainly not hit me yet, to realise I am driving for the best team in the world, that you are part of the best team. It might Bradford stun Aston Villa take me some time. “But I’m obviously very excited to start my new job with The fourth-tier club beats Paul Lambert’s side 3-1 in the first leg semi McLaren. It is incredible to finally wear the kit, to be with the team. BRADFORD, United “You know what’s coming with “Today (yesterday) I met the Kingdom: Fourth-tier Bradford the set pieces. We never defended entire race team, so it has been City continued their extraor- them well and that’s what hurt us. a very special day. It made me dinary League Cup journey It wasn’t good enough.” feel very proud to speak to them, by upsetting Premier League Villa made four changes to the proud to be part of such a great Aston Villa 3-1 in the first leg team that beat Ipswich Town family, such a close family. of their semi-final on Tuesday 2-1 in the FA Cup on Saturday, “Everybody loves working for night. with Christian Benteke recalled this team and for me it’s very spe- Nahki Wells, Rory McArdle in place of Darren Bent, and the cial to be part of it.” and Carl McHugh scored for the visitors were soon on the front Despite having decided not to hosts at a raucous Valley Parade, foot. leave Switzerland, where he cur- with Andreas Weimann replying Charles N’Zogbia twice tested rently lives, Perez accepts he will for Villa, as the Yorkshire club home goalkeeper Matt Duke in need to make regular trips to closed on a first major final since the opening 12 minutes, while Britain and may have to cut back their FA Cup success in 1911. Benteke headed off-target from on the amount of time he spends Bradford have already corners on two occasions. in his native Mexico. accounted for Wigan Athletic and Duke was called into action to “I won’t move to the UK at the Arsenal in this season’s competi- save from Benteke after Fabian moment. I will stay in Switzerland tion and are bidding to become Delph threaded a pass down as I like it there, but I will be here the first team from the English the inside-left channel, before often with the team, close to the fourth division to reach the Bradford took the lead from their team,” he said. League Cup final since Rochdale first real sight of goal. “Of course my main respon- in 1962. Zavon Hines’ volley from a sibility, my main goal is to win “They came with a really Bradford corner flicked off a Villa races, to be 100 percent fit for attacking line-up, but they left defender before landing in the every single race. space and we passed the ball so path of Wells, and with defend- “So it’s extremely important well. They had chances, but so ers vainly appealing for offside, to reduce the travelling as much did we,” Bradford manager Phil the 22-year-old Bermudan kept as possible, to be focused on the Parkinson told Sky Sports. his cool to beat Shay Given. team, to give my very best to the “We don’t want to get car- Villa stirred, Duke pushing team. That is the target. ried away with our celebrations aside a 30-yarder from Benteke, “Other than that, you need a because we still have to go to but Bradford refused to retreat. Bradford City’s Rory McArdle celebrates after scoring against Aston Villa during their English League Cup semi- very good balance in your per- Villa Park for the second leg, but Hines had a shot saved by Given final match in Bradford, northern England, on Tuesday night. sonal life to be able to give every- the lads can enjoy themselves after jinking into the box from the thing, so whenever I do have some tonight.” right, while James Hanson saw to myself, I will choose whether Ahead of the return leg at a header cleared off the line by Duke thwarted Benteke and low shot into the air, but with the only for his header to hit the bar. to go back (to Mexico) or I stay Villa Park on January 22, Paul Delph and then headed wide at Agbonlahor again early in the sec- goal gaping, Bent mistimed his It looked set to be a telling let-off, at home. Lambert’s Villa face the prospect the near post. ond half, before Lambert turned leap and headed over. as Weimann bravely beat Duke “My priority right now is to of yet another disappointment Shortly before half-time, Duke to his bench and threw Bent into McArdle made it 2-0 with in the 82nd minute to give Villa give my maximum for the rest of in a sorry season that has seen boxed away a powerful shot the fray. a powerful header from Gary hope, only for McHugh’s 88th- the year,” he said. AFP them sink to within a point of the from Gabriel Agbonlahor after The England striker was pre- Jones’ left-wing corner in the minute bullet header to restore Premier League relegation zone. a sinuous surge down the right sented with a gilt-edged chance to 77th minute and Hanson came Bradford’s two-goal lead and leave “We’re very disappointed we by N’Zogbia, but the first half equalise in the 67th minute when within inches of putting Bradford their fans dreaming of a trip to Twelvetrees lost the game,” said Lambert. belonged to Bradford. Duke could only scoop N’Zogbia’s three goals up moments later, Wembley. AFP and Clark get Match-fixing No Qatar deal La Liga-dominated FIFPro life bans for 41 England Six made for Nations call World Eleven raises eyebrows South Koreans Beckham, say LONDON: England head coach LONDON: With Spanish clubs PARIS: Forty-one players representatives Stuart Lancaster yesterday having supplied all 11 members from South Korea’s K-League included uncapped pair Calum of the FIFPro World Eleven for have had their lifetime bans LONDON: David Beckham’s Clark and Billy Twelvetrees 2012, La Liga’s claim to be con- extended worldwide following a representatives yesterday in his 33-man squad for the sidered the world’s best league match-fixing scandal, although said that have not received Six Nations, which starts on appears stronger than ever. 21 of them have been offered a a reported offer of a two- February 2. Barcelona and Real Madrid reprieve, FIFA said yesterday. year deal from Qatari offi- Northampton forward Clark may have missed out in last sea- The 41 had already been cials, and said the English returns to the England fold after son’s Champions League, losing banned for life by the Korea midfielder will make a deci- serving a 32-week ban for break- to Chelsea and Bayern Munich Football Association following sion on his future next week ing an opponent’s elbow last year. respectively, but they still supplied the scandal which erupted in 2011 after receiving 12 offers from Joe Launchbury, Tom Youngs, 10 of the players voted into FIFA’s and involved matches played the around the world. Mako Vunipola and Freddie all-star team by over 55,000 pro- previous year. The scandal led Beckham has been made Burns have also been promoted to fessional footballers around the the South Korean government to offers from Europe, South the senior squad after making an world. threaten to wind up the K-League America, North America, impact in England’s end-of-year Atletico Madrid’s Colombian if action was not taken. South Africa, Russia, China internationals. striker Radamel Falcao com- Ten other players involved in and the Middle East, though it Lancaster, who also announced pleted the line-up, meaning that match-fixing were given world- is understood not from Qatar, a 32-man squad for the second- for the first time in the eight- FROM LEFT: Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, Atletico wide bans by FIFA in June while after The Sun reported that the string Saxons team, said: “The year history of the selection, all Madrid’s Colombian forward Radamel Falcao, Barcelona’s Argentinian in March, South Korea’s volleyball former England captain was fact that we have spent signifi- 11 players were drawn from teams forward Lionel Messi, Barcelona’s Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta, association banned 11 players for offered a deal to play in the cant time deliberating over quite playing in the same country. Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez, Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid’s life in a bid to curb corruption in Qatar Stars League. a few players shows how tough the In recent years, coinciding with Marcello receive the FIFA/FIFPro World Eleven award during the FIFA domestic sport. It is expected that Beckham, competition is to get into this 65 Spain’s dominance of both club Ballon d’Or awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on Monday. FIFA said that a reprieve had will speak with his advisors and the strength in depth that is and international football, the been offered to 21 players who next week and go through the emerging. make-up of the FIFPro World turned themselves in during the offers in detail. “We have made some changes Eleven has crystallised around a two changes to the 11 voted into for the German Bundesliga and voluntary reporting period and The 37-year-old is viewing to both squads and we feel that small coterie of players. the FIFPro World XI in 2011. France’s Ligue 1, while the leading expressed “grave regret” about his next move as potentially his reflects the players’ form during Serial Ballon d’Or-winner Manchester United pair Wayne lights from Italy’s Serie A have their involvement in match-fixing. last as a player and those close the first half of the season. Lionel Messi has been a main- Rooney and Nemanja Vidic were been ignored since 2010. The players would have to to Beckham say he is attracted “There will undoubtedly be stay of the side since 2007, Iker the men to make way, for Falcao Germany captain Lothar undergo a probation period of by the prospect of playing at movement between the two Casillas and Xavi since 2008, and and Madrid’s Brazilian left-back Matthaus, present at the Ballon between two and five years. a high level or in an environ- squads as we go through the Andres Iniesta and Cristiano Marcelo, as the English Premier d’Or ceremony in Zurich, claims “The probation is voluntary, ment where his presence would RBS 6 Nations and that was evi- Ronaldo have been included in League had its grip on the team “people were shaking their heads” which means that the respective have a similar impact as when dent in the QBE Internationals, the team for the past four years. prised away finger by finger. when the line-up was announced, player has to inform the K-League he first moved from Spanish with players in form pushing In fact, so enduring is the England has at least mustered while Chelsea left-back Ashley that he wishes to return to foot- giants Real Madrid to the through such as Freddie Burns, appeal of the players at Spain’s representation in recent years, Cole jokingly tweeted: “#iwant- ball,” said FIFA in a statement Galaxy in 2007. AGENCIES Joe Launchbury, Tom Youngs and top two clubs that there were only which is more than can be said spanishpassport. AFP yesterday. REUTERS Mako Vunipola.” AFP THURSDAY 10 JANUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Amazing Johnson wins Grace faces stiff competition

Kapalua event JOHANNESBURG: Rising South African star and winner of five European Tour events Branden Grace faces stiff com- American wins PGA Tour’s season-opener petition when he defends the Volvo Golf Champions title as MAUI, HAWAII: America’s PGA Tour Tournament of Bubba Watson (71) and Keegan the 2013 European Tour tees off Dustin Johnson captured the Champions scores Bradley (70) tied for fourth at today. PGA Tour’s season-opener nine-under. There are seven Major win- Cores yesterday in the weather-delayed PGA yesterday, firing a five-under Johnson, who has now won the ners in the elite 36-strong field, Tour Tournament of Champions (USA unless 68 to win the weather-short- last three 54-hole events on the including South Africans Ernie noted, tournament shortened to 54 holes, ened Hyundai Tournament of PGA Tour, had to hold off chal- Els, Retief Goosen and Louis par-73): Champions. lenges from both Stricker and Oosthuizen, Irishmen Darren The big-hitting 28-year-old 203 Dustin Johnson 69-66-68 Snedeker. Clarke and Padraig Harrington, swept the 54-hole event by four 207 Steve Stricker 71-67-69 Snedeker started quickly, going Scot Paul Lawrie and Spaniard strokes, finishing at 16-under 203 209 Brandt Snedeker 70-70-69 birdie, birdie, eagle, birdie from Jose Maria Olazabal. for his seventh PGA Tour title. 210 Bubba Watson 70-69-71, Keegan holes number three to six to pull Italians Matteo Manassero and “It gives me a lot of confidence Bradley 71-69-70 within a stroke of Johnson. Francesco Molinari, Swedes Peter going into this year,” Johnson said. 211 Rickie Fowler 70-74-67, Tommy But his charge didn’t last, Hanson and Henrik Stenson and “I played really good golf the last Gainey 72-69-70 shooting three straight bogeys to Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts add to two days. I stayed aggressive and 212 Carl Pettersson (SWE) 70-72-70 close out his front nine. the international flavour for the hit a couple of bad drives but Johnson birdied the seventh tournament at Durban Country 214 Ian Poulter (ENG) 71-74-69, Matt other than that I played really hole to extend his lead to five Club. The sponsors have also Kuchar 74-71-69 good.” shots, but it shrunk when he added spice to the champion- The tournament was originally 215 Mark Wilson 69-76-70, Webb missed the fairway on the ninth ship, won by Grace after a play- supposed to conclude Monday, Simpson 72-72-71 and was forced to settle for a off against Els and Goosen at but high winds prevented any 216 J.J. Henry 71-74-71, Johnson bogey. Fancourt last year, by offering a rounds from being completed Wagner 72-72-72, Scott Stallings He had a double bogey on No. truck and an excavator as well from Friday through Sunday on 72-74-70, Scott Piercy 72-71-73, 13 which allowed Stricker to pull as the traditional car for holes the par-73 Plantation Course at Nick Watney 69-73-74 to within one stroke. in one. Kapalua. 218 Jonas Blixt (SWE) 72-74-72, Ben But Johnson then chipped in Another competitor is Paul Extreme conditions then forced Curtis 70-76-72, John Huh 73-71- for an eagle on the par-four 14, Casey of England, who preceded organisers to shorten the tourna- 74, Zach Johnson 74-72-72, Jason and his lead was back to three Grace as winner of a tournament ment to 54 holes, with 36 holes Dufner 72-77-69 when Stricker’s birdie putt came open only to winners during the taking place on an extended 221 Charlie Beljan 71-75-75, Bill Haas to rest on the lip of the hole. previous European Tour season Monday. 71-75-75, Marc Leishman (AUS) “The chip on 14 was definitely or winners of more than 10 career Johnson headed into the final 75-75-71 the biggest shot,” Johnson said. titles on the circuit. round with a three-shot lead 223 Hunter Mahan 72-77-74, Ted Potter “The drive set it up. I hit a great Seemingly ageless Miguel over defending champion Steve 75-75-73 drive right at the flag which came Angel Jimenez from Spain was Stricker. He maintained his lead up just short. I was fortunate to also scheduled to take part, but 225 Ryan Moore 72-77-76, George during the first Tuesday finish on hit a great pitch and it went right a close-season broken leg after McNeill 79-73-73 the Tour in six years. in the middle.” a skiing accident in his home- Stricker had to battle through 230 Kyle Stanley 78-80-72 Johnson went on to make land put paid to the plans of the a nerve problem in his upper birdie on number 15 and 18 while Dustin Johnson poses with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions Cup pony-tailed crowd favourite. Late thigh, but shot a 69 and finished Brandt Snedeker (69) placed Stricker managed a single birdie after winning in the final round at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii, entrant Harrington says he can- alone in second place at 12-under. third at 10-under. on the route in. AFP yesterday. not imagine a better venue. AFP Ferrer, Kohlschreiber scrape into Auckland quarters

AUCKLAND: Top seeds advantage and Auckland ATP Results (7/4), 4-6, 6-3 win break over Falla as his ground David Ferrer and Philipp take the first set Results from day three of the Auckland ATP over Colombian shots finally found their range. Kohlschreiber both survived 6-4. tournament yesterday (x denotes seed): Alejandro Falla. “It was very tough, Alejandro scares to reach the quarter- But the 2nd Round The German played very good points and it was finals of the ATP men’s tourna- Spaniard’s serve managed an very difficult for me to hang in David Ferrer (ESP x1) bt ment in Auckland today. misfired in the Lu Yen-Hsun (TPE) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 early break and there,” he said. “In the end, I was Defending champion and second and Lu, appeared to be very happy with my performance.” Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER x2) bt number one seed Ferrer suffered ranked 60 in the cruising as he Kohlschreiber, the 2008 Alejandro Falla (COL) 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-3 a mid-match slump as he came world, helped raced to a 5-2 lead Auckland champion, will face Sam Querrey (USA x4) bt under pressure from Lu Yen- himself to a dou- in the first set Belgian veteran Xavier Malisse Olivier Rochus (BEL) 7-5, 6-3 Hsun of Taiwan in the warm-up ble break, claim- before Falla broke in the quarters. Xavier Malisse (BEL) bt event for next week’s Australian ing the set 6-2 to back to force a There were no form problems Santiago Giraldo (COL) 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 Open, eventually grinding out a force a decider. tie-break, which for former world number seven Lukas Lacko (SVK) bt 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 victory. Ferrer the German com- Gael Monfils, who never looked Thomaz Bellucci (BRA x8) 6-3 7-5 “The court was very fast and regrouped and fortably won 7-4. threatened as he disposed of Jesse Levine (CAN) bt sometimes I couldn’t defend, won the set 6-3 to But Falla, a Australian qualifier Greg Jones Brian Baker (USA) 7-5, 6-4 but anyway, I won the match,” a set up a quarter- quarter-finalist 6-4, 6-2. Gael Monfils (FRA) bt relieved Ferrer said. final on Thursday here last year, The Frenchman, whose rank- Greg Jones (AUS) 6-4, 6-2 Chasing a record-equalling with Slovak continued to press ing plummeted to 77 while he Tommy Haas (GER x3) bt fourth Auckland title, the Spanish Lukas Lacko, who Kohlschreiber was sidelined with a knee injury, Igor Sijsling (NED) 6-3, 6-4 world number five made a perfect defeated eighth in the second, was back to his acrobatic best, start by breaking Lu in the second seed Thomaz breaking the showing no sign of discomfort game, aided by three double faults Bellucci of Brazil 6-3, 7-5. world number 19’s serve in the as he threw himself around the from his opponent. Kohlschreiber, the second seed, 10th game to claim the set 6-4. court. The dogged Lu broke back was also unconvincing and com- Kohlschreiber finally took con- “Obviously I was moving great, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France (right) listens to coach Roger Rasheed during seven games later, only for mitted 52 unforced errors and trol to win the third set 6-3, with so I’m happy and pleased with my a training session at Melbourne Park, yesterday. Top players are arriving in Ferrer immediately to regain his four double faults in a rusty 7-6 the German opening up a double performance,” he said. AFP Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open which runs from January 14 to 27.

Suerland rides Poyle Judy to victory in Umm Al Houl Cup at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club

The officials of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) pose for a picture with the winners of Umm Al Houl Cup at QREC, yesterday. Jockey Marvin Suerland drove Poyle Judy to victory in the Umm Al Houl Cup at QREC, yesterday. RIGHT: Jockey Suerland receiving his prize from an official. PICTURES BY: JUHAIM Thursday 10 January 2013 28 Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5575 Sport Price: QR2 LATEST NEWS UPDATES IN TAMIL FILIPINO LANGUAGE DAILY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED FROM QATAR! Oryx Cup to Golf: Johnson TAMIL TIMES WEEKLY NEWSPAPER Middle East Edition AVAILABLE decide H1 wins Kapalua AT ALL LEADING BOOK STORES / SUPERMARKETS championships event Available every Wednesdays in all leading IN QATAR supermarkets and shops in Qatar & Bahrain Tel. : +974 44557622 / 44557623 FOR ADVERTISEMENTS CONTACT: Fax. : +974 44557759 DAR AL SHARQ TEL: 4455 7623 EMAIL: [email protected] Sport | 24 Sport | 27 email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Radwanska, Li in Sydney semis Cibulkova upsets Errani; top seeds Isner, Simon crash out of men’s event

SYDNEY: Poland’s Agnieszka Cibulkova, who eliminated Meanwhile, big guns John Isner Sydney ATP/WTA Radwanska clinched a sev- 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra and Gilles Simon tumbled out of enth straight victory to reach Kvitova in the opening round, the Sydney International yester- the semi-finals of the Sydney will face German second seed day as Jarkko Nieminen stayed on International International yesterday, as she Angelique Kerber in the other course to defend his title. Results from the Sydney ATP/ builds towards next week’s semi. Towering number one seed WTA International tournament Australian Open. Kerber overcame former US Isner crashed out 6-4, 6-4 to fel- yesterday (x denotes seeding): The world number four and and French Open champion low American Ryan Harrison Women tournament top seed overcame Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 7-5 in in the second round and raised Italian world number 16 Roberta the last night match. doubts about whether he will play Quarter-finals: Agnieszka Radwanska (POL Vinci, 6-4, 7-5 in just over an hour While the men’s tournament in next week’s Australian Open x1) bt Roberta Vinci (ITA) 6-4, 7-5; Dominika and a half to move into the last has been strewn with injury with- with a bruised right knee. Cibulkova (SVK) bt Sara Errani (ITA x3) 6-2, four. drawals ahead of next week’s French second seed Simon 6-1; Li Na (CHN x4) bt Madison Keys (USA) Radwanska, coming off a vic- year-opening Grand Slam, bowed out of the tournament 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2; Angelique Kerber (GER x2) tory in Auckland last week where Radwanska said she was relishing without hitting a ball, succumb- bt Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 6-3, 7-5. she beat Yanina Wickmayer in her run of matches leading into ing to a recurring neck injury and Men the final, will now face 2011 win- the Australian Open. giving an opportunity to lucky Second Round: Julien Benneteau (FRA) bt Radek ner Li Na of China. Runner-up to Serena Williams loser Ivo Klec to face Nieminen. Stepanek (CZE x6) 0-0 retired (back); Denis Li took two hours and 19 min- at Wimbledon last year, Finland’s Nieminen polished off Istomin (UZB) bt Fernando Verdasco (ESP x4) utes to down teenage American Radwanska found it tough going the Slovakian world ranked 416th 6-3, 6-3; Marcel Granollers (ESP x8) bt Fabio qualifier Madison Keys, 4-6, 7-6 in the wind against Vinci, whose player 6-3, 6-1 in just 46 minutes Fognini (ITA) 6-2, 7-6 (7/4); Kevin Anderson (7/2), 6-2 in a night match. backhand slice troubled the top to set up a Thursday quarter- (RSA) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 6-3, 6-4; Jarkko In the bottom half of the seed. final showdown with in-form Nieminen (FIN) bt Ivo Klec (SVK) 6-3, 6-1; Ryan women’s draw, Slovakian world Cibulkova was on top of her Australian Bernard Tomic. Angelique Kerber of Germany in action during her women’s singles Harrison (USA) bt John Isner (USA x1) 6-4, 6-4; number 15 Dominika Cibulkova game, converting five of her six Big-serving Isner said he had a match against Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia at the Sydney International Bernard Tomic (AUS) bt Florian Mayer (GER x5) upset French Open finalist and break points and winning 75 per- decision to make about playing in tennis tournament at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre, in Sydney, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2; Andreas Seppi (ITA x3) bt John tournament third seed Sara cent of her first serves against the year-opening Grand Slam in Australia, yesterday. Millman (AUS) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Errani of Italy, 6-2, 6-1. Errani. Melbourne. AGENCIES Run for a healthier tomorrow

Qatar national team players taking part in the Gulf Cup in Bahrain train ahead of their match tomorrow against hosts Bahrain. The Paulo Autuori coached side have three points from two matches, while Bahrain have just one point from a draw against Oman. UAE lead the group with six points and have already qualified for the semi-finals. Oman have just one point from two matches. Rangers slam Scottish restructuring plan

LONDON: Rangers have pulled and stretched by selected consultation.”Regan added: “The launched a stinging attack on members of the SPL and SFL in next stage is to take a worked-up plans to radically alter the for- a desperate attempt to make it plan to clubs and we hope to do mat of Scottish football that more presentable,” read a state- that by the end of January.” were approved in principle by ment from the club. Regan, who was joined at the the country’s league bodies on “It’s ridiculous, especially when meeting by SPL chief executive Tuesday. you remember the two 12s will Neil Doncaster and SFL coun- The proposals were rubber- fragment into three eights.” terpart David Longmuir, revealed stamped in a meeting of the The statement added: “This that under the proposals, the top Scottish Premier League (SPL), club, the biggest one in the coun- two divisions would split into the Scottish Football League try, were not invited to take part three groups of eight after 22 (SFL) and the Scottish Football in talks which will shape the matches. Association (SFA), although game’s future. Longmuir also struck an opti- Scottish clubs are yet to vote on “We are then entitled to con- mistic note, despite the SFL’s 30 the plans. clude that this club are not impor- clubs having initially pushed for As part of the proposals, the tant, which is strange indeed a 16-10-16 allocation of teams in SPL and SFL will merge, while when so many fans of other the three divisions. the league system will be reor- clubs continue to be obsessed by “I can’t stress how important ganised into three divisions, with Rangers, who are simply getting those two breakthroughs are,” he 12 teams in the top two tiers and on with their own affairs, asking said. Join Qtel’s Marathon on January 26th, 2013, get involved in sports and raise money for worthy causes. Push beyond what you 18 in the third division. no favour from anyone.” “If it was to go to two 12s and thought you could do and be part of our movement for a healthier tomorrow. Register in any of the 3 categories: 21 km, In a provocative statement Earlier, SFA chief executive an 18, those bottom 18 clubs will 10 km and 1 km fun run for kids. The funds collected from the participation fee (QR 50 per participant) will penned by new director of com- Stewart Regan had heralded be equally part of the financial be fully donated to a range of charities in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. munications James Traynor, Tuesday’s development as a sig- distribution model as the top To find out more, please visit our website www.qtel.qa Rangers - who presently are the nificant breakthrough. club. runaway leaders in the fourth tier “I’m delighted to say that we “Not only will they be equally Third Divison - savaged the plans have agreed a set of principles to part in sharing the wealth, they and accused the country’s football restructure Scottish football,” he will have a voice in terms of the authorities of leaving them out of said. way the game is governed. That the consultancy process. “That will include a sin- was the other breakthrough that “This abomination will now be gle league body, subject to club is crucially important.” AFP