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Sunday 20 January 2013 8 Rabial I 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5585 Price: QR2

Qatari bank Hosts India asset quality take ODI set to improve series lead

Business | 17 Sport | 28

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Firms seek manpower from Europe Growth boosts salaries in Asia BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB several years. These two Asian countries are among the fastest DOHA: The booming economies growing economies in the region. of Asia are heralding a change in So people are getting good salaries the job sector in Qatar and the and other benefits in their home Gulf, with employers here fac- countries and are reluctant to ing difficulties in hiring qualified take overseas jobs,” he added. hands from these countries due The Gulf region is attractive for to the high salaries and increas- the Europeans because they are ing job opportunities there. able to save more thanks to tax-free As a solution, employers are incomes in the GCC countries. “It now looking for people from is not only about money, the expe- European countries that are fac- rience of dealing with Arabian and ing high rates of unemployment Asian guests is an added advantage due to economic recession. for them,” said Vetry. Hostages are seen with their hands in the air at the In Amenas gas facility in this still image received yesterday. A senior official from the hos- Due to difficulty in getting skilled pitality industry in Qatar said the workers from countries like India, industry was gradually replacing many employers and manpower Asian workers with Europeans agencies often end up recruiting Bloody end to Algeria hostage crisis due to the difficulty in getting unskilled or semi-skilled workers qualified hands from the tradi- from some other Asian countries. IN AMENAS, ALGERIA: taking hundreds of workers hos- not surprised by the Algerian about 10 of his country’s nation- tionally human resource-rich “There is a shortage of Indian A dramatic four-day hostage tage when they overran the In army’s ruthless final assault. “It als who were still missing. Asian countries. Big hotels and visas here, and if at all we have the crisis at an Algerian gas plant Amenas complex. Belmokhtar’s was predictable that it would On Friday the gunmen, cited tourist facilities are now exploring visa, it is not easy to find qualified ended in a bloodbath yesterday “Signatories in Blood” group had end like that,” he said. Most of by Mauritania’s ANI news agency, new sources of manpower, such people because they are demand- when Islamists executed all been demanding an end to French the hostages had been freed on said they were still holding “seven as Spain, Greece and Portugal, ing very high salaries. The reason seven of their remaining foreign military intervention against Thursday when Algerian forces foreign hostages” — three Belgians, said Hoss Vetry, Cluster General is that they are already getting captives as troops stormed the jihadists in neighbouring Mali. launched a rescue operation, two Americans, one Japanese and Manager of The Ritz-Carlton good salaries back home. So we desert complex. In yesterday’s assault, “the which was widely condemned as a Briton. However, Brussels said it Doha and Sharq Village and Spa. are forced to bring semi-qualified Twenty-one hostages, including Algerian army took out 11 terror- hasty. had no indication any of its nation- Speaking of the challenges facing workers from other Asian coun- an unknown number of foreigners, ists, and the terrorist group killed But French President Francois als were being held. the industry, Vetry said: “As source tries like Nepal,” said a senior offi- died during the siege that began seven foreign hostages,” state Hollande and US Defence Algeria was strongly criticised country economies, from where cial in a manpower agency. when the Al Qaeda-linked gun- television said, without giving a Secretary Leon Panetta refused for launching the initial assault, we used to recruit people, such as He said all sectors, including men attacked the facility deep in breakdown of their nationalities. to lay the blame on Algeria. The which the kidnappers said had Indonesia, India, the Philippines construction, were hit by the man- the Sahara at dawn on Wednesday, As experts began to clear the Algiers government’s response left dead 34 of the hostages and 15 and Sri Lanka, are growing fast, power shortage. The rapid economic the interior ministry said. Thirty- complex of bombs planted by the was “the most appropriate” given of their own fighters. Belmokhtar it is becoming a little bit harder growth in some Asian countries is two kidnappers were also killed, Islamists, residents of In Amenas it was dealing with “coldly deter- also wanted to exchange American to bring quality people. So we are also attracting skilled and semi- and special forces were able to breathed a collective sigh of relief. mined terrorists ready to kill hostages for the blind Egyptian exploring new sources in European skilled workers from neighbouring free “685 Algerian workers and “We went from a peaceful situ- their hostages,” said Hollande. sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman and countries. And I just delivered an Asian countries. “Many Asians now 107 foreigners,” the ministry said. ation to a terror situation,” said Foreign Secretary William Pakistani Aafia Siddiqui, jailed in orientation lecture to 20 students prefer such destinations due to their The kidnappers led by Algerian one resident who gave his name Hague said five British nationals the United States on charges of ter- hired from European schools.” proximity and because they find Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a former as Fouad. “The plant could have and a British resident are dead or rorist links. At least one American “Countries such as Indonesia them more culturally friendly,” said Al Qaeda commander in North exploded and taken out the town,” unaccounted for. Prime Minister had already been confirmed dead and India have been witnessing another recruiting agent. Africa, killed two people on a bus, said another. Shinzo Abe of Japan said he had before yesterday’s assault. AFP tremendous growth over the past THE PENINSULA a Briton and an Algerian, before Brahim Zaghdaoui said he was received “severe information” See also page 7

Qatar to spend Gadgets driving Qatari $27.5bn on youth away from majlis DOHA: The relevance of the ‘majlis’ gatherings. road upgrade ‘majlis’, the traditional hall in Many families have upgraded homes where family members sitting arrangements in the tra- DOHA: Qatar’s road sector will and friends sit together, is ditional family halls by install- witness a sharp increase in con- gradually diminishing as the ing television sets and indoor tract awards this year as the issues and challenges faced by games in them. government initiates a major young Qataris are not taken “The youth today prefer to infrastructure upgrade of the up in them, say young Qatari go to the kind of ‘majlis’ that is country’s road network. men. equipped with modern technol- Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia, This is also in part because ogy. You will even find people has one of the GCC’s busiest road youngsters prefer to spend time from different neighbourhoods markets to date, with contracts with gadgets such as smart- visiting them,” Rashid said. valued $1.8bn awarded so far. phones and tablets rather than Abdullah Mohammad, one of According to MEED Projects, with their family members in a the community elders, said the spending on future projects will ‘majlis’, some elders complain. issues discussed at ‘majlis’ gath- significantly increase this year as “No intelligent man can deny erings had changed. more than 30 highway projects, the importance of the ‘majlis’ Earlier, a ‘majlis’ gather- valued at $27.5bn, are awarded. Snowmen in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris yesterday. because it keeps families and ing, for both men and women, Full report on page 17 the social fabric of a country served as a platform where together,” Tariq Rashid, a young families discussed the history Doha to host 2nd Gulf Europe hit by blizzards, air traffic havoc Qatari, was quoted as saying by of tribes and nations, economic an Arabic newspaper yesterday. issues as well as stories of hunt- Economic Forum LONDON: Extreme winter on the floors of Heathrow Airport ordered a 40 percent cut in take- Rashid, however, noted that ing. Youngsters, in turn, learned weather swept across western overnight as hundreds of flights to offs and landings at Paris’ Charles most elders did not consider the about their traditions and cus- DOHA: Under the patron- Europe yesterday, leaving thou- and from the British capital were De Gaulle and Orly airports. The opinions of young men at ‘majlis’ toms by being in the company of age of the Prime Minister and sands of passengers stranded at cancelled. “There are lots of bodies snow and ice covering large parts gatherings. He said the ‘majlis’, their elders. The focus of these Foreign Minister H E Sheikh London’s main international air- lying around in the airport. If feels of France led to several fatal car which is by convention seen as gatherings nowadays seems to Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al port and claiming several lives in like there’s been a natural disas- crashes, one of which killed three a source of learning, needed to be national and international Thani, the Federation of GCC Spain, Portugal and France. ter,” Jerry Meng from Los Angeles, French soldiers. offer more in order to capture news. Chambers of Commerce and The frigid temperatures also whose flight to New York was can- In total, six people were killed the attention of youngsters. “Children used to enjoy being Industry (FGCC Chambers) caused delays and cancellations celled, told British broadcaster on French roads yesterday, and “Our elders need to realise in a ‘majlis’ earlier, but now they and Suly Company will organ- on major railway lines including BBC. London’s other main airports, the nation’s weather services have that the concerns of the new want to use their smartphones ise tomorrow (January 21) the the Eurostar train service, and Gatwick and Stansted, managed to forecast more snow across the generation are completely dif- and tablets. It appears no one 2nd Gulf Economic Forum here. transport authorities warned of operate normally yesterday. northern and southeastern parts ferent from theirs,” Rashid said, wants to discuss the traditions Up to 250 participants will take further traffic disruptions with For today, the snow is expected of the country over the weekend. adding that the elders needed to of the community anymore,” part in the forum which will more blizzards forecast today. to cause a 20-percent traf- In southern Europe, the fierce take into account issues of inter- said Mohammad. explore investment opportuni- In London, thousands of pas- fic reduction at Heathrow, and weather claimed several lives, est to the younger generation at THE PENINSULA ties in Qatar. QNA sengers were forced to camp out French air traffic authorities have killing two men in Spain. AFP SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Emir congratulates UAE President on Gulf Cup victory Qatar University, Oxy Qatar sign

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday telephoned UAE President H H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to MoU for Supply Chain Chair congratulate him on the UAE national team’s winning of the 21st Gulf Cup. The two leaders also reviewed brotherly relations between the two countries and means of enhancing them. Oxy Qatar to provide Qatar University $250,000 every year for three years The UAE defeated former Asian champions Iraq 2-1 in extra-time to claim their second Gulf Cup title in a thrilling final. Ismail Al Hammadi scored the DOHA: Qatar University (QU) and winner in the 107th minute as thousands of UAE fans, flown in by chartered Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Ltd. (Oxy flights specially for the title showdown, roared in celebration. Qatar) have signed a Memorandum of AGENCIES Understanding (MoU) to create a Chair to teach Supply Chain as part of its engi- neering programme. The three-year agreement, signed at the university on 17th January, provides for Oxy Qatar to make a contribution to QU of $250,000 each year, which will go toward covering the salary and associated costs of the Chair position, which QU aims to fill by next month. Oxy Qatar will also be involved in selecting the new candidate and help draft the functions and duties of the Chair. Additionally, they will advise on research and consulting topics and monitor the success of the programme alongside their QU counterparts. The MoU was signed at the university’s library auditorium by QU President Prof. Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad and Oxy Qatar Ltd’s President and General Manager Stephen Kelly. It brings to ten the number agreements QU’s College of Engineering holds with external organisations. “This generous contribution from OXY fur- Stephen Kelly and Professor Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad exchanging documents. ther develops our network of partnerships. The Chair position will be an invaluable resource related services and benefits and liaising with opportunities, we believe it will benefit our in expanding our students’ education and a Oxy Qatar on the progress of the programme. industry as a whole, through the learning welcome addition to our portfolio of research “Oxy takes great pride in supporting and sharing of best practices. All of us at Oxy projects at QU,” Professor Al Misnad said. the new Faculty Chair and Supply Chain look forward to the outcomes of this exciting The university has committed to supporting Management Programme at QU. In addi- endeavor,” Stephen Kelly said in his speech. the position for three years, providing staff and tion to expanding academic and professional THE PENINSULA

WCMCQ hosts lecture on psychosomatic symptoms

DOHA: Weill Cornell Medical College in in a lecture entitled ‘Brain, Mind and Body Dr Abdel Moniem said: “This is a fas- Qatar (WCMCQ) discussed the psycho- Connections’ - the latest installment of Weill cinating area of medicine because it dem- logical causes of physical ailments in a Cornell Medical College in Qatar’s monthly onstrates the significance of psychological lecture recently. Medicine and U community health forum. factors when understanding general health. Symptoms of psychosomatic disorders range Because they have no clear underlying The way in which each individual conceptu- greatly in severity and type, from mild com- physical pathology, conventional treatments alises the world, cultural norms and stress plaints such as slight fatigue, weakness and for these symptoms typically have little can all affect our health, causing debilitating insomnia to serious symptoms like mutism, or no effect. Physicians such as Dr Abdel physical symptoms. Developing new ways to chronic fatigue, paralysis, abnormal move- Moniem, therefore, attempt to understand treat this type of psychosomatic disorder ments, blindness and deafness, said Dr Abdel the causes of disorders in terms of the inter- promises to deliver real benefits to people Moniem Abdel Hakam, Senior Consultant in action between the psychology of patients suffering with these conditions.” Psychiatry at Hamad Medical Corporation, with environmental and societal triggers. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

QR12.4m car Shopping at Souq Waqif to premiere at motor show Arab world’s first super luxury sports car

DOHA: The Arab world’s first high performance luxury sports car will be unveiled at the third edition of Qatar Motor Show, which will begin on January 29. Only seven The car, which is units of the ultra luxurious a result of six LykanHypersport 2013 have been produced. years of work, The price of the car is has diamond QR12.4m, positioning it as the encrusted LED most exclusive sports car in the lights and gold- world. The Lykan has a 750 horsepower engine delivering stitched interior 1000NM of torque which take the leather seats. vehicle from 0 to 100km in 2.8 sec- onds to reach a maximum speed of 390km per hour. This speed is over 100km/hour faster than the manufacturing consultants), RUF take off speed of the world’s larg- Automobile (technical consultants est commercial jet, the Airbus 380. and suppliers), Studiotorino (mod- The car, which is a result of elling consultants), Viotti (proto- six years of work, has diamond type and model manufacturing), encrusted LED lights and gold- ID4MOTION (technology integra- stitched interior leather seats. tion developers). Other high-level specifications “We worked only with the best include a reverse door opening in the field, and not by coinci- A man looks at traditional hand-made items on sale at a shop in Souq Waqif yesterday. (SHAIVAL DALAL) system and a state-of-the-art 3D dence, a majority of these compa- Virtual Holographic Display with nies are based in Italy, a country Tactile Interaction. with a proud tradition of produc- “When we initially set up the ing some of the most iconic sports company in Beirut earlier this cars in history,” added Debbas. Returns from minors’ investments at QR20m year, our launch event attracted “Through this partnership, not thousands of people from the only did we produce a one-of-a- automotive industry, media, poli kind car, but also, with great pride, DOHA: Total returns from endowment shares were esti- The Mosque Management 14 countries during the 2011- 2012 ticians, and VIPs,” said Ralph the first exclusively Arab brand of investments that belong to the mated to be worth QR44m. Department at the Ministry academic year and 90 students Debbas, W Motors’ Chairman and hypercars, an icon about to mark Qatari minors were to the tune A total of 15,247 families bene- of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs from 20 countries in the current Chief Executive Officer. the industry forever,” he added. of QR20m last year, according fited from nine charitable projects completed designs for 18 new academic year. “Not only did we herald the forma- The first deliveries of to a report released by the State implemented by the Zakat Fund mosques, with a total capacity of A total of 1,950 expatriates tion of an exclusive automotive indus- LykanHypersport 2013 by Cabinet. during the year. The fund with 125,000 worshippers. from 51 nationalities embraced try in the region, but I do believe that W Motors are scheduled for A total of 1,530 people benefited 33 branches across the country Currently, there are 164 Islam during the year. our first model, the LykanHypersport September. from various services provided by opened five branches at Al Meera Qatari Imams and 135 preachers Islam Web, a Qatari Islamic 2013, raises the bar for hypercars The show will be open to the the General Authority for Minors facilities. employed in mosques across the website issued 150,000 religious worldwide,” he added. public on January 29, and run Affairs during the year. The fund sponsored 3,562 stu- country. Of the 135 preachers, 117 edicts (fatwas) and answered The partners that worked on the for five days the Doha Exhibition The number of waqf (endow- dents in 2012 and distributed are working as Imams as well. 95,000 questions from visitors development of the Lykan include Centre. ment) properties stood at 224 2,399 uniforms and school bags The Religious Institute in during 2012. Magna Steyr Italia (engineering and THE PENINSULA during the year and returns from to needy children. Doha enrolled 65 students from THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Paralympian named NSD Ambassador Vodafone supports Dolphin Dash

DOHA: London 2012 Paralympian Abdulrahman Abdulqader Abdulrahman (pic- tured) was announced the first official Ambassador for the National Sports Day (NSD), to be held on February 12. Abdulrahman, who repre- sented Qatar in shot put, discus throw and javelin throw at the Paralympic Games last sum- mer, is among a group of elite athletes who pledged their sup- port for NSD. As the leading Paralympian in the country, Abdulrahman’s presence is cen- tral to the main concept of the event – Sport is for All, offer- newsletter with training and nutri- ing an opportunity for personal tion tips and will hold an internal development. competition for employees, with its “In Athletics, you compete not fastest employee to be awarded a People watch a dhow being introduced into the waters yesterday. only against your opponents but prize on the day of the dash. against your own personal records The event will include a 5km as well,” said Abdulrahman, who and 3km timed race, plus a ladies’ Private Engineering Office launches four dhows finished sixth out of 20 athletes walk and the Vodafone sponsored in the discus throw in London. 1km Mini Doha Dash. “Personal development is a key Entry into the 1km mini dash DOHA: The Private several officials and senior citizens. “We plan to build some bigger two shifts, morning and evening. part of sport and can help eve- is free for children and schools, Engineering Office (PEO) The boats were built in six dhows in the future and the type A separate marine museum ryone improve in every aspect in clubs and individuals in Doha launched four traditional dhows months under the supervision of and size of them will be announced including marine history of life. I hope the National Sports can register their children for yesterday in a bid to keep alive Qatari experts, said Ali Saed Al later. This will encourage citizens Qatar and traditional diving Day leads to many people embrac- the event. the marine heritage of the coun- Kuwari, a senior officer at PEO in to own traditional dhows in a gears should be set up to show- ing sports for life.” “Vodafone is very supportive try and to provide additional a press release yesterday. bid to follow the tradition of the case the rich marine heritage Inviting all the population of of Heir Apparent H H Sheikh boats to ferry the guests of the Several senior citizens have country,” said Al Kuwari. of Qatar, proposed Mohammad Qatar to take part in the NSD, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s hotels at Suq Al Waqif been invited to introduce the With the launch of the boats, the Jasem Al Khulaifi, Advisor at the London 2012 Paralympian initiative to promote sports and The inaugural ceremony was dhows into water in a traditional number of boats serving the guests Qatar Museum Authority who highlighted the way sport helped fitness in Qatar,” said Richard held at dhows unit located at way to follow the foot paths of of hotels at Suq Al Waqif reached was present at the ceremony. him overcome the obstacles he Daly, CEO of the company. Sharq Area, which was attended by their forefathers. seven. They are taking sea trips in THE PENINSULA faced in life. “We look forward to engaging “My disability does not the public and our own employees prevent me from practising in the planned activities that will sports and achieve high per- help to improve their health and formance levels, represent my fitness.” country and raise the Qatar All runners will receive an offi- Qatari designer flag in international events. cial race t-shirt and medal. Furthermore, it encourages On the day, alongside title spon- introduces me to challenge the best ath- sors Dolphin Energy, Vodafone letes in the world and prove will be present in the Festival abaya that even a disabled person Village, situated in the pit garages can achieve better results at the circuit, and will be hosting than non-disabled people.” a number of fun activities. collection The Ambassadors’ skill, spirit Event organisers, Professional and commitment to sport embody Sports Group, are encouraging DOHA: Qatari fashion designer the values of the NSD. participants to bring their friends Fatima Al Khuzaei introduced a Meanwhile, Vodafone Qatar has and family to watch. number of new collections named signed up as a Platinum Sponsor Jamie Cunningham, CEO Of Oh La La Abaya Designs at Made of the Dolphin Energy Doha Dash, Professional Sports Group, said: in Qatar, which was organised by set to take place on February 12. “We are absolutely delighted to Qatar Chamber. The designer The Losail International welcome Vodafone Qatar on board referred to the importance of Circuit will play host to the event as a Platinum Sponsor of the supporting young Qatari entre- in celebration of Qatar National very first Dolphin Energy Doha preneurs to help them prove Sports Day (NSD). Dash. “The event was designed their talents and abilities. Vodafone is funding the partici- to provide leading companies in Fatima said: “The name Oh pation of over 300 staff members. Qatar with a turnkey solution for La La Designs was inspired by To help its employees prepare for National Sport Day. a French expression used as an the run Vodafone will issue a weekly THE PENINSULA exclamation of pleasurable sur- prise. It was selected for its broad popularity locally and globally, pleasant meaning, and connection Some of the Oh La La Abaya Designs collection. with Paris which is often dubbed the fashion capital the Qatari and Gulf traditions, and lifestyle, Fatima launched her a symbol of the Eastern woman’s of the world.” which are reflected in some of the first Abaya collection titled Velvet prestige and elegance. Hence, “These designs cater to new designs with contemporary Pearl in 2012. the designer’s message focused a range of lifestyles and touches in line with the latest The new collection for win- on staying true to heritage and age groups. Every line fashion trends,” she added. ter 2013 featured a number of tradition and introducing ultra- has modern and clas- Fatima is also the editor of the eye-catching designs that were chic and luxurious design to the sic features. As a Qatari fashion page in Al Sharq. In her showed in Dress to Impress at latest fashion trends. designer, I am proud of debut into the world of fashion The Gate recently. The Abaya is THE PENINSULA

Police Training Institute holds training for officers

DOHA: The 12th leadership training importance of top course for high ranking officials con- leadership, func- cluded at the Police Training Institute tions and opera- (PTI). The course was conducted between tions of knowledge January 6 and 17 in collaboration with management in British International Police College. security work, Twenty five officers of lieutenant, colonel concepts of opera- and major ranks from different depart- tions research ments attended the course. and its impor- The training was aimed at introducing tance in security leadership, concepts of crea- tive leader- ship, skills of strategic security planning and time Officers attending the training. manage- ment in security field. their abilities to meet the interim and The sessions also aimed at raising future challenges and spread the spirit of the efficiency of the top leadership to cooperation and responsibility. be able to take appropriate decisions The assistant director of the PTI awarded at the appropriate time, developing certificates to the participants. personal skills, as well as developing THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Expert sees boom in hospitality industry Growth not to affect existing hotels: Ritz-Carlton GM

DOHA: The rapid growth of the said to be getting stiffer. hospitality industry is not going According to the latest figures to have any adverse impact available, the average occupancy on the business of the exist- rate in Qatar’s hotels was 70 ing hotels, says a senior official percent. Last year, some hotels from the industry. offered discounts of up to 50 per- There are more than 20,000 cent on room rents during sum- hotel rooms of all categories in mer, when vacationers spend Qatar. As part of preparations their holidays outside the country. for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Reiterating his confidence in number is expected to double or the market despite the growing triple by 2022, which is a major competition, Veteran said: “I am cause of concern for the industry. not worried; I sleep very well at As a result of Qatar hosting night. Every hotel has its own an increasing number of inter- niche market and strategy. They national conferences and other are also nice hotels; I have noth- events, the lean-business periods ing negative to say about them. for hotels are shrinking every We compete with ourselves.” year, according to the official. He added: “The hospitality “Earlier, summer and the industry is growing positively. Christmas period used to have Everybody’s fear that new hotels slow business, but as the country will bring businesses down is not has become very active in terms true. The country is growing. Baraem TV presenters cutting a cake to mark the anniversary. of hosting mega events, it is creat- It is involved with almost every ing a lot of pressure in the mar- that big events such as the World nation in the world. In addition, ket, shrinking that period”, said Petroleum Congress, Arab Games with the inauguration of New Hoss Veteran (pictured), Cluster and COP18 were “amazing”. Doha International Airport, cou- Baraem celebrates 4th anniversary General Manager of The Ritz- “We are maintaining our eve- pled with the ever-growing Qatar Carlton Doha and Sharq Village ryday customers, and when- Airways, Doha is expected to and Spa. ever there is a city-wide event, become a transit hub, which will DOHA: Baraem TV, a chil- and bigger plans for our audience, mother who had come to the show Veteran said this year’s events we benefit from that. And I am give a major boost to the sector. dren’s channel from Al Jazeera including a new line-up of shows with her two children, said: “I took are spread out, with two mega 100 percent sure about a major “If you see our growth figures network, yesterday celebrated that will feature in-house and inter- MBC 3 off my dish. My kids are events in the fourth quarter of the announcement in the last quar- for the last two years, we had the its fourth anniversary with an national productions,” said Saad Al getting the right education from year. “As of now, we have a couple ter” he added. biggest index change of 1.29 (an entertainment show at the Qatar Hudaifi, Acting Channels Director. Baraem TV. I feel safe leaving of big events in the coming months, With the opening of St average growth rate of 12 per- National Convention Centre. Some of the new shows are them watching TV alone, knowing although not like last year.” Regis Doha and re-branding cent) among all the players, which The event featured renowned scheduled to start this month, they are in good hands. This chan- In terms of business, 2008 was of Ramada Hotel as Radisson is tremendous.” presenters Marwa and Iman, and including Handy Manny, Little nel gives the education my kids are the best year so far, he said, adding Blu last year, competition is THE PENINSULA iconic puppets Nashit, Noun, Teela Einstein, and Jojo’s Circus. in need of. I also watch TV with and Toola. Fafa made an appear- Hayabin Khalifa Al Nassr, them and I have become addicted ance at the end, which pleased the Acting Executive General Manager to watching this channel, which children very much. The children of the channel, said: “Trust of view- brings us happiness and laughs.” Fencing lessons got to meet the characters in per- ers is a key factor in our strategy. Nabil Benaferi, a father, said, son and have their photographs Their support gives us the push “This is the second year I am taken with them. to engage our audience through bringing my kids to the show. I Baraem is the first Arabic tel- programmes with the guarantee am impressed by the shows and evision channel for pre-school to parents that there will always the education my kids are receiv- children offering a wide range of be monitoring of content”. ing from this channel. We never programmes specifically tailored The crowd included families get bored of it”. for them. from across the Arab world, The evening ended on a high “This anniversary marks the including Kuwait, Tunisia, Saudi note with 30 performers, joined by start of a new journey, with some Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt. children, singing a Baraem song. surprises lined up for the future Huda Bardawel, a working THE PENINSULA

Chaiblaine Zinedine, a five-year-old, gets his first lessons in fencing at Aspire Academy on Friday. Zinedine was part of a group of youngsters who attended a coaching clinic conducted by Qatar Fencing Club on the sidelines of the Qatar 2013 Fencing Grand Prix and World Cup. (KAMMUTTY VP) Culture Minister hails role of Youth Centres

DOHA: The Minister of At a meeting with members Department at the Ministry Culture, Arts and Heritage of the Board of Directors of Al Abdul Razak Al Kuwari thanked H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Wakrah Youth Centre, he said the Minister for forming of the Al Kuwari has lauded the sig- that the Ministry has been keen board and for attending the nificant role of the Ministry’s on setting up more Youth Centres meeting which underscores the Youth Centres in refining young in pursuit of Qatar National Minister’s keenness on supporting talents and filling leisure time Vision 2030. youth movement in Qatar. with meaningful activities. Director of Youth Centres THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

A combo made yesterday of a handout picture from Aljazeera news channel (top-left) and image grabs from a video uploaded on YouTube shows Aljazeera correspondent Mohammed Hourani reporting during clashes between rebel fighters and Syrian government forces, holding the satellite channel’s microphone (top-centre), running to cross a street (top-right), the moment he is shot by a sniper positioned nearby (bottom-left), injured on the ground (bottom- centre) and being helped by a rebel fighter (bottom-right). Hourani was killed in Basra Al Harir, south Syria, on Friday, the television network said, in the second such shooting of a journalist in two days in the conflict-swept country. Second bid for Rights body pushes for war crimes probe

DAMASCUS: UN rights chief the nearby air base of Taftanaz, crossed into the Turkish border government forces attacked a Navi Pillay piled pressure on dealing a significant blow to province of Hatay. The wounded group a rebels as they met in the the Security Council to probe President Bashar Al Assad’s included women and children, the town of Boukamal near the Iraqi transitional war crimes in the 22-month forces, which have relied on its agency said. border, killing some of them. conflict as Syrian troops fought airpower in its fight against the Rami Abdul-Rahman, who The UN children’s agency, intense battles yesterday against opposition. heads the Observatory, said the Unicef, condemned the violence rebels who are trying to capture The rebels also have been try- government was sending rein- that killed civilians, including two military bases in the north- ing to capture other air bases in forcements to the central city of children, this week in the cen- govt in Syria west and step up their attacks the northern province of Aleppo, Homs where rebels have control- tral village of Haswiyeh, the on army compounds elsewhere and according to activists, were led some neighbourhoods for more northern city of Aleppo and near in the nation torn by civil war, attacking the air base of Mannagh than a year. Residents of Homs, Damascus. activists said. near the Turkish border. Syria’s third largest city, were Around 200 civilians were Coalition leaders meeting in Turkey The Britain-based Syrian In Turkey, state-run Anadolu one of the first to rise up against killed this week in government- Observatory for Human Rights news agency said Syria’s air force Assad and many refer to it as “the controlled areas. Most of them ISTANBUL: Syria’s opposi- has made international powers and the Local Coordination targeted a mosque and a school capital of the revolution.” died in a strike on a univer- tion leaders yesterday launched hold back from supporting the Committees said the rebels building that apparently was shel- “It seems they are preparing sity in Aleppo and in a mass their second bid to form a tran- increasingly radicalised, mostly destroyed at least one tank near tering displaced Syrians in the for a big attack on Homs,” Abdul- killing in the central town of sitional government, with their Sunni rebels. the town of Khan Sheikhoun in town of Salqin, some six kilome- Rahman said by telephone. Haswiyeh. credibility at stake as the coun- Assad’s forces massacred over Idlib province. The rebels, who tres from the border with Turkey The Observatory and the LCC Opposition activists say a try slides deeper into civil war. 100 Sunni men, women and chil- have been battling for weeks to in Idlib province. Dozens of people said troops attacked several sub- pro-government militia torched Agreement among the National dren when they overran an oppo- take control of bases in Wadi Deif were killed and wounded. urbs of the capital, Damascus, houses and killed more than 100 Coalition, an umbrella group for sition-held district in the central and Hamdiyeh, are working to At least 30 people wounded in as well as Homs and the south- people in Haswiyeh. the Syrian opposition, could help city of Homs on Tuesday, accord- cut off supply routes to the com- the attack were taken across the ern rebel-held town of Busra “Unicef condemns these latest address international concern ing to opposition campaigners. pounds, the Observatory said. border to Turkey for treatment, Al Harir. The shelling and air incidents in the strongest terms, about the risk of Syria disinte- The killing occurred around Attacks on government bases and two of them died in Turkish raids targeted the Damascus and once again calls on all parties grating along ethnic and sec- the same time a disputed attack are a recent focus of fighting in hospitals, the news agency said. suburbs of Douma, Daraya and to ensure civilians — and children tarian lines if President Bashar killed and wounded dozens of peo- Syria’s conflict, which according The displaced Syrians were eat- Moadamiyeh where regime forces especially — are spared the effects Al Assad falls. ple at Aleppo University, a hotbed to the UN has killed more than ing when the school was attacked, have been on the offensive for of the conflict,” the organisation Failure at the talks, being held of peaceful demonstrations at the 60,000 people since March 2011. according to Anadolu, who weeks, they said. said in a statement. in an Istanbul hotel, would high- start of the revolt. Last week, rebels captured interviewed witnesses who has Syrian state-run TV said AGENCIES light divisions in the coalition With diminishing prospects which was formed two months for a deal to remove Assad, any Egypt sends back ago, and undermine that support. prime minister named by the coa- Leading opposition campaigner lition would have to be acceptable two Syrians seeking Kamal Al Labwani, a member to rebels who have been making of the coalition, said the group incremental gains on the ground refuge from strife needed at least to name a prime despite massive air and artillery minister to maintain credibility as bombardment. BEIRUT: Egypt government a democratic alternative to four Naming a transitional govern- unlawfully expelled two Syrian decades of family rule by Assad ment was part of the original refugees back to the war-rav- and his late father, President agreement under which the coa- aged country last week, and two Hafez Al Assad. lition was formed last year. Palestinians from Syria now “The coalition is a legislature But some in the opposition have risk being deported, the watch- and we need an executive. There grown wary since, fearing that dog Human Rights Watch said have been lots of mistakes and the Western powers were influenc- yesterday. people we are supposed to rep- ing the process to come up with A Palestinian man and his son resent inside feel marginalised,” a government that would nego- currently being held at Cairo said Labwani, one of a minority tiate with Assad and keep the airport were apparently refused of liberal figures in the Islamist- minority-ruled police state intact, entry to Egypt and would face dominated coalition. according to various opposition “indiscriminate violence and pos- The United Nations says 60,000 sources. sible persecution if returned to people have been killed in Syria’s The powerful Muslim Syria,” the New York-based group 22-month conflict. A collapse of Brotherhood, the only organised said. the country could draw in rival political force in the opposition, is “Egypt may have a right to powers in a region where the largely against forming a govern- detain people temporarily or Sunni-Shia faultline has been ment at present, although Arab investigate them on grounds of deepening since the Arab Spring and Western-backed members false documentation, but it may revolts began in Tunisia two years of the coalition want one, the not under any circumstance ago, toppling dictators in four sources said. return them to Syria,” said Bill Arab countries and ushering in The 70-member coalition was Frelick, Refugee Programme Islamist political ascendancy. formed with Western and Gulf director at HRW. The rise of jihadist rebels in the backing in Qatar at the begin- “Egypt is obligated under last few months as a dominant ning of December. Power strug- international law not to return force in the armed opposition, gles swiftly emerged among its anyone, regardless of status, and the possibility of a massive members, contributing to failed to a place where they would be backlash by the Sunni majority efforts to agree on a transitional Residents stand near buildings damaged by what activists said were missiles fired by a Syrian Air Force fighter persecuted.” against Assad’s Alawite minority, government. REUTERS jet loyal to President Bashar Al Assad, in Daraya. AFP Palestinians hope Netanyahu will soften stand after elections RAMALLAH: The Palestinians have secret that the Palestinians hope that peacefully next to Israel. The interna- that won’t be possible if settlement build- the one-state solution, because they no long complained that Israel’s right- Netanyahu will either be ousted or at tional community considers settlement ing continues and Israel could end up longer see the two-state solution viable,” wing government is killing peace pros- least soften his position in a new term. construction illegal or illegitimate. And with a Jewish minority ruling over an Ishtayeh said. pects by settling the West Bank with He has shown no sign of doing so, and the Palestinians have refused to negoti- Arab majority. Abbas’s office said the Palestinian pres- Jews, but now there is something new. opinion polls showing hard-line, pro-set- ate with Netanyahu while he continues He warned Israel could end up with ident spoke with multiple leaders in 2012 The Palestinian president is warning tlement parties well ahead days before to allow settlements to be built, saying it “an apartheid style state, similar to the from Israel’s centrist opposition, includ- that Benjamin Netanyahu’s expected the vote have led to a sense of despair is a sign of bad faith. one of former South Africa.” ing lawmakers from the Labor, Kadima victory in next week’s election could among the Palestinians. Israeli backers of creation of a “In the long run it will be against and Meretz parties, along with mayors, lead to an Arab-majority country in During Netanyahu’s current term, Palestinian state say relinquishing con- the Israeli interests because ... we university professors and social activists. the Holy Land that will eventually the Israeli leader has pressed forward trol of the Palestinian territories and Palestinians will be the majority and He said a mayor from Netanyahu’s Likud replace what is now Israel — unless he with construction of Jewish settlements its residents is the only way to ensure will struggle for equality,” he said, adding Party was among them. pursues a more moderate path of a two in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, Israel’s future as a democracy with a that Abbas had repeated this message in Labour parliamentarian Daniel state solution to the conflict. which along with the Gaza Strip were Jewish majority. meetings with several Israeli leaders in Ben-Simon said he met with Abbas Palestinian President Mahmoud captured by Israel in the 1967 war from Mohammed Ishtayeh, a top aide to the past year. in Ramallah recently and was warned Abbas has been careful not to intervene Jordan. Abbas says he wants to set up a Abbas, told The Associated Press on Abbas “told them frankly there are that time is running out for a two-state in Tuesday’s Israeli election, but it is no state in the territories that would exist Friday that his boss has been warning Palestinians who are now calling for solution. AP SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 France defends Algeria response One of the largest hostage crises ends in bloodbath; local residents relieved after siege

TULLE, FRANCE: French President gave his name as Fouad. “The plant could Francois Hollande yesterday came out have exploded and taken out the town,” in support of Algeria’s deadly military said another. strike against Islamist hostage-takers Brahim Zaghdaoui said he was not sur- at a desert gas plant, saying the action prised by the Algerian army’s ruthless was appropriate in the face of “coldly final assault. determined terrorists”. “It was predictable that it would end Other nations have criticised the hasty like that,” he said. military backlash that left several expa- Most of the hostages had been freed on triate workers dead, with Britain, Japan Thursday when Algerian forces launched and Norway insisting they should have a rescue operation, which was widely con- been forewarned of an army raid on demned as hasty. Thursday. Even US Defence Secretary Leon France has refrained from criticising Panetta refused to lay the blame on the military action that claimed one of Algeria. its countrymen among the fallen in the Panetta added: “They are in the region, former French colony. they understand the threat from terror- “When there is a hostage-taking with ism... I think it’s important that we con- so many people involved and such coldly tinue to work with (Algiers) to develop determined terrorists, ready to kill their a regional approach.” hostages — which they did — a country British Defence Secretary Philip such as Algeria has had... the most appro- Hammond said the crisis had been priate responses because there could be “brought to an end by a further assault no negotiations,” Hollande told reporters by Algerian forces, which has resulted in in Tulle, south-central France. further loss of life”. The captors, calling themselves “We’re pressing the Algerians for “Signatories in Blood”, killed the last details on the exact situation,” he said. seven of their foreign hostages yesterday The deaths were “appalling and unac- before being gunned down at the remote ceptable and we must be clear that it is gas plant, state media said, ending one the terrorists who bear sole responsibility of the bloodiest international hostage for it,” he told a news conference with crises in years. Panetta. Most of the hostages, including 573 The hostage-taking was the largest Algerians and about 100 foreigners, had since the 2008 Mumbai attack, and the been freed when Algerian forces launched biggest by jihadists since hundreds were a rescue operation on Thursday, but some killed in a Moscow theatre in 2002 and 30 remained unaccounted for. at a school in the Russian town of Beslan A preliminary government toll yes- in 2004, according to monitoring group terday said 23 captives and 32 kid- IntelCenter. nappers were killed in the four-day Foreign Secretary William Hague said hostage drama. five British nationals and a British resi- Some analysts say France’s non-criti- dent are dead or unaccounted for. cal stance to the Algerian events reflects Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan A freed Algerian hostage hugs a relative at Algiers airport after he was released by Islamist captors from a gas plant in In Amenas. the fraught nature of ties with its former said he had received “severe information” colony, and the fact that the French air about 10 of his country’s nationals who force requires access to Algerian airspace a visit to Tulle, his political fiefdom, to The kidnappers led by Algerian A security official who spoke to AFP were still missing. for its bombing campaign in neighbour- meet a delegation from an infantry regi- Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a former Al Qaeda as army helicopters overflew the plant On Friday the gunmen, cited by ing Mali. ment which is deploying troops to Mali. commander in North Africa, killed two gave the same death tolls, adding it was Mauritania’s ANI news agency, said they Hollande said the Algerian events jus- He added that French troops would people on a bus, a Briton and an Algerian, believed the foreigners were executed “in were still holding “seven foreign hos- tified France’s military intervention in stay in the west African state, also a before taking hundreds of workers hos- retaliation”. tages” — three Belgians, two Americans, Mali, which the hostage-takers had cited former colony, “as long as is necessary tage when they overran the In Amenas As experts began to clear the complex one Japanese and a Briton. However, as the reason for their action. so that terrorism can be defeated in that complex. of bombs planted by the Islamists, resi- Brussels said it had no indication any “If there had been a need to justify the part of Africa.” Belmokhtar’s “Signatories in Blood” dents of In Amenas breathed a collective of its nationals were being held. Algeria action that we took against terrorism, Hollande will today meet the families group had been demanding an end to sigh of relief. was strongly criticised for launching the we now have an additional argument in of seven French hostages being held in French military intervention against “We went from a peaceful situation to initial assault. favour,” the French president said on the Sahel region. jihadists in neighbouring Mali. a terror situation,” said one resident who AFP

End war with Kurdish militants, Chomsky tells Turkish government

ISTANBUL: The American left- Kurdish zone could break away if Syria’s course, it can heal its internal sores, and practice of jailing journalists, especially acquittals. Turkey, the United States and wing philosopher and activist Noam civil war worsens meant Turkey must none is more malignant than the peren- those from Kurdish media. the European Union consider the PKK a Chomsky urged Turkey on Friday to confront its own Kurdish problem fast. nial Kurdish issue,” Chomsky said in a Reporters Without Borders calls terrorist organisation. end its “malignant” war with Kurdish Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip talk at Bosphorus University. Turkey the world’s biggest prison for Chomsky, professor of linguistics and rebels, saying recent peace efforts Erdogan is backing talks with Abdullah “There do appear to be some real pros- journalists, with 72 jailed as of December. philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute offered a real chance of a settlement. Ocalan, head of the outlawed Kurdistan pects with recent negotiations despite Chomsky’s publisher was accused of of Technology (MIT), was speaking at Chomsky, whose writings have in the Workers’ Party (PKK), and says he is sin- criminal efforts to disrupt them,” the violating anti-terrorism laws and “insult- a lecture in honour of journalist Hrant past caused trouble for his Turkish pub- cere about trying to end a war with the academic said, referring to the assassi- ing Turkishness” for printing criticism Dink, who published an Armenian- lisher, said the growing independence PKK that has claimed more than 40,000 nation of three Kurdish activists in Paris by Chomsky of Turkey’s handling of the Turkish newspaper until his murder on of the Kurdistan Regional Government lives since 1984. last week. fight against the PKK. The cases, stem- January 19, 2007. in Iraq and the possibility that Syria’s “Turkey must find its place if, of Chomsky also criticised Turkey’s ming from 2002 and 2006, resulted in REUTERS Oil pipeline Progress in nuclear talks: Iran blown up DUBAI: Iran said it had an investigation into Iran’s sus- “There was agreement with made some progress in pected nuclear arms research, the agency about some issues, resolving its disputes with the UN organisation’s officials but no document has been in Yemen the UN atomic watchdog, said on Friday. signed yet ... In terms of get- state media reported, even Iran’s ambassador to the ting views closer together and ADEN: Gunmen in southeast though the two sides’ latest body, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, resolving some disputes the Yemen have blown up an oil talks failed to seal a deal on later said some progress had negotiations with the agency pipeline that transports some letting inspectors visit a mili- been made in the talks, Press were successful,” he told state 8,000 barrels per day to export tary site. TV reported. “We had two days news agency IRNA. terminals on the Gulf of Aden, The Islamic state and the of intensive talks and we were Soltanieh, however, stuck to suspending operations, a local International Atomic Energy able to in fact bridge the gap Iran’s stance that it would not official said yesterday. Agency (IAEA) met this week, to some extent,” Soltanieh was stop uranium enrichment “for The unidentified assailants but did not manage to revive quoted as saying late on Friday. a second”. REUTERS “planted an explosive device under the pipeline” overnight in the village of Rudum in Shabwa province, some25km from the Lending an ear Nushaymah export terminal, the official said. The blast brought oil pumping to a halt, he added. The pipeline is operated by the Korea National Oil Co (KNOC), and transfers crude from oil- fields in the Iyadh region, also in Shabwa. It has been repeatedly attacked, as have other oil and gas installations in the impover- ished Arabian Peninsula nation which relies on its modest energy exports as a main source of revenue. The attacks, blamed on Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) or tribesmen seeking to barter with the author- ities, have become more frequent in the wake of a 2011 uprising that Iraqi Deputy Interior Minister Adnan Al Assadi (right) attends a meeting headed by Sunni and Shia forced out veteran president Ali clan leaders in Baghdad to listen to the demands of protesters in an attempt to halt the escalation of Abdullah Saleh. demonstrations in Sunni areas, yesterday. AFP SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Algeria siege Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE ALGERIAN hostage crisis ended yesterday with the death of seven remaining hostages. A total of 23 hostages and 32 militants were killed after an attack The success of eastern EU Ton In Amenas gas plant in the Algerian desert by Islamist militants and 107 foreign hostages and 685 Algerian hostages had been released. It’s been called one of the most expansion debunks fears tragic and deadly hostage crises in the decade, and attracted revulsion and condemnation from world leaders. BY JOHN O’BRENNAN The militant assault on In Amenas gas plant underlines and about 4.1 percent of that of Bulgaria. Spain. Indeed, by the end of 2011 nation- the chilling reality that Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Where did these migrants go? The als from those member states made up (AQIM) is still active and poses a direct threat to the region S THE EU continues to grap- picture here is rather diverse. In the about 2.2 percent of the population of and the world. The group is active not just in Algeria and ple with a variety of existential decade between 2002 and 2012 the UK Spain (up from 0.6 percent in 2003) and neighbouring Libya — where it is believed to have played a role challenges, it is easy to forget and Ireland proved amongst the most 1.8% of that of Italy (compared to 0.3 per- that the European project has favoured destinations for new member cent in 2003). Thus in relative terms both in the killing of US official in Benghazi in September — but A some genuinely significant achievements state nationals, not just because of the Italy and Spain now have significantly also in Mali, where militants have taken over some territory to its name. By far the most important attractive employment prospects they larger proportions of their populations and threatened to capture the rest of the country. Militants of these is the successful eastern enlarge- offered, but because English is now originating from central and eastern have said their action was to retaliate against French attack ment of 2004 and 2007, which brought unquestionably the dominant language Europe than the UK. on Mali Islamists, but reports say that is only a ruse. eight former communist countries into in a world of technologically driven There are also important differences the European “club”, and extended the globalisation. between and among the new member The huge death toll in the hostage crisis shows how ill- European zone of peace and relative pros- In the Irish case Polish migrants were states in respect of the propensity to emi- prepared Algeria is to tackle a situation of horrendous perity to the Baltic region in the north hardly visible in 2002. The 2006 census, grate. While young, well-educated Poles proportions. The government of President Abdelaziz and the Black Sea in the south. however, revealed that there were 63,276 have grasped the new opportunities to Bouteflika took a unilateral decision to attack kidnappers at Yet when the eastern enlargement is Poles living in Ireland. By 2011, that figure live and work outside their homeland in the natural gas plant and shunned outside help. It imposed a mentioned these days, few people tend had risen dramatically to 122,585, mak- large numbers, significantly fewer Czechs virtual information blackout and to talk about peace and fewer still of ing the Polish minority the largest single and Hungarians are willing to move. prosperity. In the public mind, eastern national group in the Republic. Slovenes also seem reluctant to move The hostage disregarded international pleas enlargement is viewed almost exclusively The figures for the UK reveal that by in search of work; in fact they do not for caution. If the government through the prism of increased immigra- the end of 2011 about 1.1 million people move very much within their own coun- crisis in had cooperated with the Western tion, from east to west and from new to had moved there from the new member try, let alone beyond its borders. Within governments and sought their older member states. So how much of this states in the wake of enlargement. While the Baltic region Lithuanians have also Algeria shows assistance and expertise in tackling is true? this constitutes a sizable number, it is demonstrated much more willingness to the crisis, the death toll could have Eastern enlargement undoubtedly about equal to the level of migration from relocate than their Estonian neighbours. the region helped to shape the European labour the new member states to Germany in The commission’s analysis also empha- has a long been reduced. It is no wonder that market in dramatic and unanticipated the same period. sises the strong contribution to economic the botching up of the operation ways. When the new member states If we measure these migrant flows growth that these migration flows made. battle ahead has strained relations between acceded to the EU in 2004, only Ireland, in relative terms, nationals from the They clearly helped to alleviate labour Algiers and the West. Algeria’s Sweden and the UK lifted all restric- new member states now make up about market shortages and did so without with Islamist action might have to do with its tions on workers from the new member 1.5% of the total population of the UK. impacting negatively on either the wage states. Other countries, such as France In Ireland, by contrast, they constitute levels or employment conditions of work- militants. policy of eradication, which relies and Germany, were much more hesitant about 4% of the population, and this fig- ers in Dublin and London. The new arriv- on eliminating terrorists rather about opening up their labour markets ure has decreased from about 4.8% in als complemented rather than competed than negotiating. and only proceeded to do so on a sec- 2008 (as a result of some return migra- with the existing EU15 labour force and Also, the Libyan uprising has emboldened the militants. tor-by-sector basis. Thereafter the pat- tion caused by deep-seated economic in the process improved the general One disastrous consequence of the Libyan conflict was arms terns of inward migration within the EU retrenchment). Therefore we can state efficiency and functioning of European flowing across regional borders – into the arms of tribes diverged considerably. clearly that eastern enlargement has had labour markets. The European commission has pro- a much more significant impact on the The new mobility of Bulgarian and and terrorists. These arms are posing a threat to states and vided extensive analysis of intra-EU Irish labour market than on the British Romanian labour is unlikely to change what compounds the woes is the fact that it’s impossible to population movements after the 2004 and one even allowing for differentials in eco- any of these fundamentals. For one thing, confiscate them. 2007 accessions. These studies demon- nomic performance since 2008. most of the individuals and groups one Algeria is known as the birthplace of Al Qaeda’s affiliate strate emphatically that the overall level From 2014, curbs on Romanians and might expect to take advantage of the in North Africa, known as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, of migration from new to older member Bulgarians coming to live and work in new rules have already moved. Madrid, or AQIM. Most of the group’s leaders and allies are Algerian, states has been very modest. By the end Britain will come to an end. When ques- Rome and Nicosia will continue to prove of 2007, the 27 member states of the EU tioned about the expected volume of more attractive to new migrants than including the suspected ringleader of the hostage plot, a one- were home to about 29 million foreign cit- immigration from those two countries Galway or Glasgow. Thus the more hys- eyed desert bandit named Mokhtar Belmokhtar. Once the izens between them, of which 10.6 million by the BBC on Sunday, the communities terical pronouncements about a new current crisis subsides, the country will be left to continue its were intra-EU migrants. Of this figure secretary, Eric Pickles, said: “I don’t think “tidal wave from the east” are easily battle with Al Qaeda. This is a battle which the country has only about 40% were from the new mem- anybody knows.” But analysis of previ- debunked: European migration patterns to win, because a failure would destabilise the entire region. ber states. About 1.6 million Romanians ous emigration patterns might give us a will continue to evolve in response to both moved abroad, 1.3 million Poles and about clue: whereas Polish nationals tended to “push” and “pull” factors. And Europe There is also a need for cooperation in the fight against 300,000 Bulgarians. These figures rep- choose either the UK or Ireland as their will continue to struggle with the mul- extremists between Algeria and the neighbouring countries. resented about 7.2% of the Romanian favoured terminus, Bulgarians and even tiple vectors of economic and political • population, 3.4% of the Polish population more so Romanians opted for Italy and crisis. THE GUARDIAN The Other Side Quote of Intervention in Mali the day RENCH military intervention in Malian government to put down the to African countries like Mali, so that been the result of long-time social tur- Mali entered its seventh day rebels and believed to have the back- they can embark on the road of bulence and weak state power. on Thursday. Given the stark ing of the United Nations too. poverty alleviation and economic Apparently, military intervention “Money has no Fcontrast between the military Despite warning of the remote development at an early date. Mali is is just the means to throttle extrem- prowess of the French forces and possibility that France might become just a miniature of French-speaking ists and terrorists in Mali. Countries utility to me beyond the disorderly extremists, the world mired in Mali, Hollande, as the first countries on the continent. For years, like Mali still have a long way to go should not wait too long before Paris Socialist head of state in France since tribal conflicts, religious rifts, abject before they can shake off the shack- a certain point. Its declares victory in the West African 1995, has put himself and his country poverty have mired these countries in les of poverty and put their shattered utility is entirely country. in the spotlight, and won himself more instability and kept them on the list of social fabrics together. French President Francois clout on the diplomatic front, which the world’s least developed countries. In the long run, the international in building an Hollande has vowed to destroy the will bolster French influence on the Right now, at least three extrem- community should step up efforts to organisation and “terrorists” in Mali, and he is not alone, world arena. ist groups - al-Qaida in the Islamic support the integration process in as a number of Western and African True, stability in Mali is important, Maghreb, the Movement for Oneness Africa, improve its overall develop- getting the resources countries have thrown their weight as the country sits on the doorstep of and Jihad in West Africa and Ansar ment level and create a desirable out to the poorest in behind him. That there was a proper Europe, and fighting terrorists is a just Dine (Defenders of the Faith) - are security environment for the devel- excuse for the intervention is beyond cause. Nonetheless, it is more impor- fighting in Mali. These groups have opment of the continent. the world.” Bill Gates question, as he was invited by the tant to provide sustainable assistance not emerged overnight. Their rise has CHINA DAILY Microsofts Founder SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 NRA wants to turn America into Afghanistan

of American society. Our police The NRA’s and courts are not perfect, but we understand that collective efforts maximalist to ensure the peace will, in the long run, always be more effective than one man with a gun. position on guns It is a mark of all we have accomplished in our two-and-a- is theoretically half-century history that we do not settle our disagreements with weapons, nor do we avoid voic- about freedom, ing those disagreements for fear of getting shot. Calls for more but following citizens to regularly carry guns should be viewed with great scep- ticisms by both NRA members its lead would and gun-control advocates alike. We need to remember that we are result in less not a state on the brink of failure. The overwhelming majority of us freedom, not are not in mortal danger and we do not need to be packing heat to protect our honour. A greater more. public role for private guns would not add to our freedom; it would BY JASON DEMPSEY detract from it. There are steps we can and have been in a handful of should take to limit the potential drunken altercations in for future events like Newtown, my life. Thankfully, I’ve but we should scorn the paranoia lived to regret them all. that sees solutions in even more That did not have to be weapons in more public spaces. Ithe case, nor was my safe emer- America armed would not be gence from youthful stupidity a a place of genteel men in cow- foregone conclusion. Maybe my boy hats keeping everyone calm, luck had something to do with but a nation even more on edge. growing up listening to Johnny Encouraging an armed populace Cash. Standing against the tide Flanked by schoolchildren, US President Barack Obama signs executive orders to control gun violence in the South Court Auditorium last Wednesday cedes the ideas of justice and delib- of a culture glorifying violence, eration that we have worked so in Washington, DC. The president also called on Congress to pass legislation to curb gun violence, one month after a school massacre in Newtown, Cash followed stories of impul- hard to build to a brittle strength Connecticut, that killed 20 students and six adults. sive violence to their inglorious — one that sees mortal insult in a conclusions. In “Don’t Take Your traffic slight and where arguments Guns to Town,” an insecure young at once. And for years, American for safety, and the instability of do with justice as we commonly been in building the kind of cred- are more often than not met with man drinking while armed meets Rifleman, the NRA’s flagship such countries should serve as understand it, but are part of a ible local and national institutions physical challenges. a tragic end. I’d like to think that publication, could be found lying an object lesson of what happens necessary dance among armed that can offer an alternative to We can respect the right of having that song in the back of around the house. Like a great when our mutual trust and our factions, each seeking stability in brute force as the way to resolve Americans to own weapons my mind kept me out of mortal many gun owners, however, my willingness to engage in conversa- a desperate environment. Honour disputes. That some Americans while agreeing that they should trouble, but of course most of my father and I parted ways with the tion, unarmed, is driven away by and vengeance represent both have so little faith in our own be left largely out of public life. luck stemmed from growing up NRA over their shrill insistence fear of both our government and sides of the coin of insecurity, and institutions that they would will- I don’t agree with banning guns, in a society where, for the most on guns for everyone, everywhere. our fellow citizens. Such places Pashtunwali is most easily under- ingly retreat to the brutality of but I categorically reject calls to part, we’ve all agreed to leave our The NRA’s maximalist posi- are invariably not more polite, stood not as a cultural code but this kind of frontier justice is a embrace them more openly as a guns at home. tion on guns is theoretically as NRA leaders would have it, as realpolitik for places where the travesty. way to avoid violence. The young That agreement has been chal- about freedom, but following its but much more explosive. Just threat of violence is ever-present Yet in the view of men like the Taliban in the news may appear lenged consistently by the leaders lead would result in less freedom, look at Afghanistan, where I and and people cannot rely on their NRA’s Wayne LaPierre, threats tough but are in fact men in per- of the National Rifle Association. not more, and mark a step back- thousands of other Americans government to provide stability. to freedom abound, and the only petual insecurity, living only a Their call for more guns in more ward for the civil society that we have confronted the realities of In such an environment, there answer is the threat of violence. fantasy of purity and strength. public spaces in the aftermath Americans have laboured so hard a population armed and on edge. is little room for individual free- They believe that every agree- Their embrace of armed conflict of Newtown may have come to build. The NRA fantasy that Pashtunwali, the tribal code dom and justice. There is only the ment to mitigate violence is a and intimidation is a sign of the as a surprise to some, but is in true safety only derives from an of the Pashtuns, which empha- survival of the family and tribe. direct threat to independence, weakness of their ideas and their keeping with the organisation’s openly armed population is not sises vengeance and honour, can Everyone is armed. Everyone is and one that ultimately leads to inability to constructively engage outlook over the last 30 years. I only indulgent, it ignores both be confusing for Westerners, and defensive. And society is congealed subjugation. Such a view suggests their fellow Afghans. There is a know, because I grew up around human nature and history. It is a its outcomes can seem downright into those elements that can best that we are incapable of creating reason we left that model behind, guns and NRA publications. I philosophy that offers false com- incoherent. An attempted mur- ensure stability. Eventually loy- a secure society that also allows and I am looking forward to leav- own a pistol, and would likely fort to frightened individuals and der can be reconciled with the alty trumps justice, and survival for individual freedom and lim- ing it behind myself. I am eager own several more guns if I did would do nothing for our collec- sacrifice of a goat while a couple trumps all. its the powers of a central gov- to return to America and to the not have access to my father’s tive safety. that elopes may be sentenced to Therefore our greatest chal- ernment. Not only is this view freedom that comes with leaving sizable arsenal — there are only The world is full of societies years in prison, or simply killed. lenge in getting Afghanistan to both paranoid and self-limiting, my guns at home. so many weapons a man can use where individuals arm themselves These outcomes have nothing to move beyond its violent past has it also ignores the core strength WP-BLOOMBERG India’s disturbing apathy towards state-fuelled rape

what happened in Gujarat in February corporations, from India and overseas, The lack of national 2002, a few months after Modi assumed turn a blind eye to Modi’s role in allowing office. the bloodshed, and praise his economic outrage against Organised bands of well-armed Hindus stewardship. His business backers have — some from groups tied to Modi’s party already managed to get the British gov- — fanned across the state seeking revenge ernment to reverse its long-standing ban the mass rapes against Muslims for allegedly burning a on him and to give him a visa. Now they train full of Hindu pilgrims a few weeks are trying to persuade the US govern- perpetrated under earlier. The Hindu rioters systematically ment to follow suit. sought out and destroyed Muslim homes What accounts for the wide gulf in and businesses, killing more than 1,000 the Indian public response to the single Narendra Modi people. crime in New Delhi and the mass crimes Muslim women were singled out. in Gujarat? reduces their true According to many Indian and foreign On a positive side, attitudes toward sources, including a Human Rights Watch women have evolved considerably since account and a report by an interna- the Gujarat atrocity 11 years ago. Indian cruelty. tional research team called “Threatened women’s aspirations and opportunities Existence: A Feminist Analysis of the have increased, especially in big cities, BY SHIKHA DALMIA Genocide in Gujarat,” women were and they are demanding that the gov- stripped, gang-raped, often publicly, and erning classes keep pace and create an ne of the most obscene moments in almost all cases then burned or hacked environment in which they are free to after the death of the gang- to death. move around safely. rape victim in New Delhi was The reason the violence reached such After the New Delhi attack, any poli- Oa tweet by Narendra Modi, extremes was that the state police stood tician or even religious guru — no mat- the chief minister of the Indian state of back and didn’t intervene to stop the ter how revered — who suggested that Gujarat, offering regret and condolences Hindu attacks and even told victims women need to circumscribe their lives to the dead woman’s family. that it couldn’t protect them. As if the and choices for their own protection was Modi, who has quelled restive minori- bloodletting wasn’t horrific enough, Modi condemned and lampooned, something Demonstrators move towards India Gate in New Delhi during a protest calling for better ties by allowing attackers to subject subsequently dismantled the shelters scarcely imaginable when I was growing safety for women in India. women to unspeakable horrors, has done constructed by private organisations up in New Delhi (in a Hindu household) more than any man to numb his prudish for dispossessed Muslims, calling them in the 1970s. country to sexual violence. Yet he was “child-breeding centres.” But the darker reality is that the young of the dangers associated with overly Tolerating sexual violence for any pur- elected to a third term last month and Compared with the New Delhi rape, woman’s rape and murder outraged the muscular government. Indians complain pose erodes the overall stigma against it, is the presumptive front-runner of the which has triggered a protest movement country’s Hindu urban middle class constantly about government dysfunction opening a moral space where hoodlums Bharatiya Janata Party, the main Hindu in India calling for the castration and because it was a random and senseless and corruption. Yet they have little com- can run amok. The lack of national out- opposition party, for prime minister in execution of the suspects, the Gujarat act that could have just as easily victim- punction about giving draconian powers rage against the mass rapes perpetrated next year’s national elections. rapes and pogrom elicited barely a whim- ised their daughters. Not so with attacks to their rulers in the name of security. under Modi reduces their true cruelty, So long as Indians keep rewarding per. Many Hindus either deny that the on the Muslim women in Gujarat. The The upshot, tragically, is that Indians care breaking down the psychological walls politicos such as Modi, the country’s col- horror even occurred or, if they accept it, premeditated and programmatic violence less about state-fuelled rape than when that would at least prevent non-socio- lective outrage after the New Delhi case claim it wasn’t as grisly as news accounts against them meant that the broader perpetrated by individuals. paths from going on a rampage. Hindus won’t change the culture that makes such suggest. And if they believe the accounts, Hindu majority was insulated from it. If The scale of the sexual violence in who turn a blind eye to the rape of atrocities common in India. they say Muslims had it coming. Fewer the New Delhi woman’s fate made every Gujarat was unprecedented in India. But Muslim women can’t ultimately protect The attack on the 23-year-old physi- than 100 out of the thousands accused — Indian feel more vulnerable, the attack smaller episodes are a matter of routine. their own. otherapy student was depraved. Five among them only one state minister and on the Muslim women made Hindus feel The Indian army has been accused of How India can restore moral bounda- men and a teenager in a private bus are one Bharatiya Janata Party leader — were more secure. using rape as a weapon to crush seces- ries is a difficult issue, but it certainly accused of kidnapping, beating, raping convicted, and that was a decade later. There are other reasons for India’s sionist movements in Kashmir and won’t be solved by electing Modi to higher and violating her with an iron rod — and Modi himself was exonerated. apathy toward Modi’s misdeeds. India is Manipur. After one particularly heinous office — even if he were Adam Smith then dumping her and her semi-conscious Whatever public disgust there was a democracy and has its share of human- case eight years ago, Manipuri women himself. Protesters shouldn’t just seek boyfriend on a highway, where they also against him has dissipated, given the stel- rights activists and watchdog groups keep- stripped naked and stormed the army justice against the six accused in New allegedly tried to run her over. But as lar economic growth that Gujarat has ing an eye on government brutality. Yet headquarters with placards plaintively Delhi. Modi, too, has much to atone for. monstrous as this crime was, consider seen on his watch. Business leaders and the public at large has little appreciation protesting: “Indian Army Rapes Us.” WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL France seeks support for Africa’s Mali force Questions over mission’s planning, financing and supplies

ABIDJAN/NIONO, MALI: accelerate their own planned mis- world will be safe if the Sahel France yesterday called on sion to Mali, which was originally goes over to the wrong side,” said other world powers to commit not expected before September. Ivory Coast President Alassane money and logistical support French Foreign Minister Ouattara. for African armies readying Laurent Fabius said French Nigeria and Togo have already their troops to join French sol- troops were in no way intended started their deployments, with diers already battling Al Qaeda- to replace the African operation. Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad linked militants in Mali. “We must, as quickly as possible, expected soon. But a Western dip- The appeal came as African furnish the logistical and financial lomat following the process said leaders met in Ivory Coast where means required by the Malian plans for the mission were “fluid”. they are expected to agree details army and (the African mission),” “The troops are meant to go of a regional mission that is due he said, calling on donors to make with 10-day self-sufficiency. But to take over from French forces commitments at a January 29 con- there’s nothing in place to say but is short on financing, planning ference in Ethiopia. what happens after,” the diplomat and even ammunition. Mali’s north has been occupied said. “Who’s going to pay for this, France has deployed ground by a mix of gunmen since rebels and what mechanisms are going troops and its war planes have bolstered with weapons seized to pay for it? The money is a big bombed a rebel column, halting an from Libya after the 2011 fall of question.” French President Francois Hollande with soldiers of the 126 RI (Infantry Regiment) who are due to leave for Mali, Islamist advance. The interven- Muammar Gaddafi took up arms Underscoring the scale of during a meeting in Tulle, central France, yesterday. tion aims to stop militants from last year. Separatist rebels who the challenge, two other diplo- tightening their grip on Mali’s launched the fighting were soon mats said Senegal’s deployment deployment of French ground abandoned by the insurgents media reports over recent days of northern desert zone and using sidelined by the Islamist alliance was being held up by the lack of troops have helped Mali’s disor- on Friday following a number hand-to-hand fighting there. it as a springboard for attacks in of Al Qaeda’s North African wing ammunition for their artillery. ganised army fight back. of French air strikes. “French Le Drian said France had 2,000 Africa and on the West. AQIM and home-grown Malian “They are waiting for it to be The town of Konna was seized and Malian forces are clearing troops on the ground in Mali as The stakes rose dramatically groups Ansar Dine and MUJWA. delivered,” said one. back from the insurgents earlier the town, house by house, as the of yesterday, and the total might this week when Islamist gun- Heads of state are expected to The bombing of a rebel column this week, but there were conflict- Islamists had sheltered in houses,” eventually exceed 2,500. President men cited the French interven- formally confirm pledges to dis- by French war planes and heli- ing reports about the situation in one of the officers said. Francois Hollande said France’s tion as a pretext to attack a patch some 5,000 African soldiers copters has halted an advance another town, Diabaly. However, French Defence military intervention would last desert gas plant in Algeria and to join French forces in Mali. “We towards the central Malian Malian military sources said Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said as long as it takes to “vanquish seize hostages. The Sahara cri- must intervene because no eco- towns of Mopti and Sevare. French and Malian forces had there were no Malian or French terrorism” in the region. sis has forced African nations to nomic revival, no region in the Dozens of air raids and the entered Diabaly after it was soldiers in Diabaly, and dismissed REUTERS

UN clinches global deal on cutting mercury emissions Tymoshenko

GENEVA: More than 140 coun- of often intense but ultimately from industrial discharges of mer- and it was one of the most dif- Resources Defense Council. accused of tries have agreed on the first successful negotiations and cury — needs ratification from 50 ficult aspects,” said Lugris. NGO IPEN, which aims to global treaty to cut mercury opened a new chapter towards a countries and is expected to be Japan, Norway and Switzerland reduce the health risk of chemi- contract killing pollution through a blacklist of sustainable future,” said Fernando formalised later this year. have made initial pledges total- cals, described the language of the household items and new con- Lugris, chair of the negotiations. The treaty requires govern- ling $3 million in financing and treaty as “soft” and “somewhat KIEV: Prosecutors on Friday trols on power plants and small- The deal also includes meas- ments to draw up national rules an interim financial arrangement voluntary in nature” and said it accused Ukraine’s jailed scale mines, the United Nations ures to reduce mercury use to comply and could take between will be discussed in April by the was unlikely to result in a global former prime minister Yulia said yesterday. in small-scale gold mining, three to five years to take effect. Global Environment Facility, said reduction of mercury releases. Tymoshenko of organising the The legally-binding agreement although stopped short of an all- As mercury, also known as Tim Kasten, head of the chemi- “Countries that do not want 1996 murder of a powerful law- aims to phase out many products out ban. Gold prices near $1,700 quicksilver, is released to the air cals branch of UNEP. Countries to do this can escape quite eas- maker and warned that a guilty that use the toxic liquid metal a tonne have spurred the use of or washed into rivers and oceans, failed to agree on including vac- ily,” said IPEN’s Joe DiGangi. In verdict could put her behind such as batteries, thermometers mercury as a catalyst to separate it spreads worldwide, and builds cines where mercury is some- one notable climbdown, countries bars for life. and some fluorescent lamps, gold from its ore. up in humans mostly through times used as a preservative. abandoned their goal of setting Prosecutor General Viktor through banning global import Emissions of mercury from consumption of fish. The brains While negotiators celebrated concrete targets for pollution lev- Pshonka said the fiery 52-year- and exports by 2020. artisanal and small-scale gold of foetuses and infants are par- the deal reached after all-night els from coal-fired power plants old has been informed by prosecu- The treaty will require coun- mines, which are usually unofficial ticularly vulnerable to damage talks in the fifth and final round and cement factories, but negotia- tors that she and another former tries with coal-fired power plants and often illegal, more than dou- from mercury. of talks, the response from some tors said they would defer these prime minister detained in the such as India and China to install bled to 727 tonnes in 2010 from Officials said the financing non-governmental organisations discussions to a later meeting. United States are formal suspects filters and scrubbers on new 2005 levels, overtaking coal-fired required to bring in cleaner (NGO) was more muted. For mining, the treaty requires in the murder of deputy Yevgen plants and to commit to reduc- power plants as the main source technology for industry and help “The treaty will not bring action from governments to Shcherban. ing emissions from existing oper- of pollution from the metal. developing countries come up immediate reductions of mer- reduce mercury use where arti- “We have collected evidence ations to prevent mercury from The Minamata Convention with local solutions was one of the cury emissions. It will need to sanal and small-scale gold mining from the pre-trial investigation coal reaching the atmosphere. on Mercury — named after the major sticking points of the six- be improved and strengthened, is “more than insignificant” but indicating that Tymoshenko “We have closed a chapter on a Japanese city where people were day negotiations. “Financing was to make all fish safe to eat,” said has no list of countries. really did order this murder journey that has taken four years poisoned in the mid-20th century agreed very early this morning David Lennett from the Natural REUTERS together with (former prime minister Pavlo) Lazarenko,” Pshonka told reporters. “Today, an investigative team from the prosecutor general’s office visited Merkel’s CDU rides popularity wave Tymoshenko in order to hand her (her documents on) suspicion of having committed a crime.” BERLIN: The leader of German Chancellor McAllister has played up his Scottish roots in his He said the charismatic but Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats in “I’m a Mac” campaign - complete with bagpipes divisive opposition leader has Lower Saxony yesterday predicted victory in and the jingle “Our chieftain is a Scot/We’re a been named as a suspect under an a close-run regional election that will gauge tough clan” The SPD dubbed it “a Cuban-style article of the criminal code that Merkel’s chances of winning a third term. personality cult”. meant she could spend the rest A win today for State Premier David The CDU’s campaign has also made use of of her life in jail. Tymoshenko’s McAllister would end two years of poor results Merkel’s personal popularity in Germany due to defence once again denied her for the Christian Democrats (CDU) in state elec- her handling of the euro zone debt crisis, as well involvement and called the tions and galvanize Merkel’s re-election cam- as focussing on issues such as education. charges political. paign ahead of a federal vote due in the autumn. McAllister, carrying out last-minute cam- “This is not a legal case — it is “It was a difficult campaign, a passionate cam- paigning on snowy streets, said momentum would a political one,” defence attorney paign, and to the end it has been a neck-and-neck carry him to another term. His coalition part- Sergiy Vlasenko said. race, but I’m very sure we will win tomorrow,” ners in the FDP should secure enough support to Tymoshenko was controver- said McAllister, the 42-year-old son of a British meet the 5 percent threshold needed for assembly sially sentenced to a seven-year soldier and a German mother. seats, keeping his centre-right government in jail term in 2011 amid Western A survey this week by pollster GMS put the power, he said. outrage at her treatment by the CDU and their Free Democrat (FDP) allies in The vote in Lower Saxony, Germany’s second- government of President Viktor a dead-heat with Social Democrat (SPD) and largest state by area, is considered a must win for Yanukovych — her recent bitter Green rivals in the northern region. Some 42 the SPD if they are to have any hope of unseating foe. She is being treated for back percent of voters were still undecided. Merkel and recovering from a disastrous start to pain in a hospital outside her The CDU, on 41 percent, led the SPD on 33 their national election campaign by gaffe-prone prison in the eastern Ukrainian percent in the GMS poll, after Merkel’s conserva- chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrueck. city of Kharkiv. tives lagged their rivals in the middle of last year. REUTERS AFP

Australian rescue under way for French yachtsman SYDNEY: An Antarctic cruise ship VHF radio he had not reported any injuries. focus of the operation is to maintain com- was yesterday racing to rescue a French “Obviously he got into some trouble on munications with the sailor,” AMSA said yachtsman who had abandoned his boat Friday. An associate of his in France made in a statement. and was drifting in a life raft hundreds contact with us.” She declined to name the It is understood Delord had all necessary of nautical miles off Australia’s southern man but said he had been at sea for a number safety equipment, including an Emergency island of Tasmania. of months as he attempted a round-the-world Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Australian authorities are coordinating voyage on his yacht Tchouk Tchouk Nougat. satellite phone, VHF radio and a survival the rescue of the round-the-world sailor, The yacht is skippered by accomplished suit, when he hit the rough weather. who was forced to leave his yacht after it sailor Alain Delord and supporters left The Orion has already started making its lost its mast and sustained damage to the messages on his Facebook page Saturday way towards the yacht’s position, diverting hull in rough conditions on Friday. wishing him “bon courage”. Three aircraft from its course towards Macquarie Island The expedition cruise vessel, Orion, is not attended the scene Saturday and dropped as it returns from a trip to the polar region. expected to reach the Frenchman until late communications equipment, food, water and However, it was some 380 nautical miles today and a spokesman for the company a survival suit. AMSA said it believed the from the area when it got the call and was said the ship could be in for rough seas on sailor had recovered most of the equipment. not expected to reach the area until 6pm arrival, with seven-metre waves. A French interpreter was onboard one today (0700 GMT). “He is a very experienced sailor,” a spokes- of the aircraft and it was hoped they would The vessel could be in for some rough seas woman for the Australian Maritime Safety gain further information on Delord’s condi- on reaching the Frenchman, including 30 Authority said, adding that when officials tion. “Up to three aircraft will attend the knot winds and seven-metre waves. had been in contact with him yesterday via area throughout the night. At this stage, the AFP SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Obama to take oath for 2nd term today First black president of the US braces for third and fourth swearing-in; prepares notes for speech tomorrow

WASHINGTON: US President was founded should still guide the first one spelling out a vision and Barack Obama will take the country in the 21st century and the second one specific policy oath of office for the third, encourage Americans to make proposals. fourth and final time this week- their voices heard to influence “The president, I think, is very end during an inauguration lawmakers’ actions, according to appreciative of the fact that the celebration that kicks off his an administration official. American people have given him second term in a more muted He will also touch on the goals this opportunity to deliver a sec- tone than his historic swearing- he hopes to address in his sec- ond inaugural address,” White in four years ago. ond term, while leaving detailed House spokesman Jay Carney told High unemployment and par- policy blueprints for his State of reporters this week. tisan fights over fiscal policies the Union address next month, “He believes that we have work have drained some of the hope the official said. Deficit reduction, to do, and he believes that both that marked Obama’s first swear- gun control, immigration reform, the agenda he has put forward so ing-in after he swept to victory and energy policy are likely to be far and the agenda he will put for- on a mantle of change in 2008 top priorities in his second term. ward in the future will help this to become America’s first black country move forward in a variety president. SPEECHES, PARADES, of ways,” Carney said. This time around, there is a BALLS After lambasting Republican less festive inauguration. Obama has been crafting his opponent Mitt Romney during Today, following a wreath- inaugural address for weeks, the presidential campaign for laying ceremony at Arlington scrawling out drafts on yellow remarks that dismissed nearly National Cemetery, Obama will legal pads. This weekend, he half of the US electorate, Obama be sworn in officially at the White faces the task of juggling speech is likely to offer some words of House at 11.55am EST (1655 preparations and his presiden- humility and resolve to represent GMT), meeting the constitu- tial duties, including briefings on even those who did not vote for tional requirement that he do so the fate of Americans and oth- him last year. on January 20. That portion will ers caught up in a still-unfolding After the speech, Obama and be private — except for a media hostage crisis at a desert gas plant his wife, Michelle, will join Vice presence — with a small audience in Algeria. President Joe Biden and his wife, of mostly family members. While second inauguration Jill, at a luncheon at the capitol. Obama repeats the procedure speeches rarely go down in his- Later the two couples will take tomorrow during a public cer- tory, tomorrow’s address is a part in the inaugural parade, emony at the US Capitol. rare opportunity to face millions returning to the White House in Both times he will be sworn of television viewers and seek a motorcade and likely getting out in by Supreme Court Justice support for upcoming fights with to walk part of the way, waving John Roberts who, in 2009 after Presidential touch-up: US President Barack Obama paints shelves at Burrville Elementary School on a Day of the men and women who work in at the crowd and surrounded by flubbing the oath the first time, Service, hoping to encourage Americans to follow suit with volunteering projects nationwide, in Washington, the Capitol building behind the Secret Service members. administered it to Obama again yesterday. podium where he will speak. For weeks, workers have been in the White House the day after “This time it’s scaled down, building viewing stands along the his inauguration. The president’s from a record 1.8 million in 2009. King’s birthday. The president, In his inaugural speech, Obama but it’s still historic for all of parade route for visitors. two recitations this year will be With workers rushing to com- first lady Michelle Obama and is expected to talk about the need America,” said Courtney Prater, After seeing the rest of the the third and fourth time he has plete preparations for tomorrow, their two daughters went to a for political compromise where a construction worker visiting parade from a spot in front of taken the oath. Obama started his inauguration local elementary school to help possible — a nod to the divisive from Detroit, after a tour of the the White House, the Obamas It will be only the second time weekend by joining in a nation- carry out renovations as part fights with the Republican-led White House. will attend two official inaugural he has made an inaugural address, wide day of community service of a National Day of Service, a House of Representatives over The White House views the balls, dancing for the cameras however, and millions worldwide projects honouring slain civil volunteer programme launched the “fiscal cliff” and raising the two speeches — he delivers his and, in the first lady’s case, don- will be watching. Some 800,000 rights leader Martin Luther King when he took office four years ago US debt ceiling. State of the Union address before ning a gown that will be scru- people are expected to flock to Jr. The public swearing-in will fall as a way to pay tribute to King’s He will emphasise that the val- Congress on February 12 — as tinised closely for its style and Washington for the event, down on the national holiday marking legacy. ues on which the United States two parts of a package, with the fashion sense. REUTERS

Cameron’s speech on EU likely to keep many Tories dissatisfied

LONDON: David Cameron will week — possibly tomorrow — if a resolu- Advanced briefing of his speech, EU among UK voters which needs to be for foreign affairs) that he would have no deliver a “red-meat announcement” tion has been found to the Algerian hos- which he had been scheduled to give in addressed if this country is not to slide guarantee of bringing home the goods. on Britain’s future in the EU, which tage crisis. Amsterdam on Friday but had to post- towards the EU exit door. It is understood that he foresees a he believes will satisfy all but a hard “He wants to go ahead as soon as pos- pone because of events in Algeria, made But insiders say he will spell out in two-stage approach to renegotiation. In core of Conservative (Tory) MPs, when sible. There will be something in it which clear that he would demand repatriation greater detail his approach — including the short term he is expected to hold out he makes his much-delayed keynote will pacify all but the hard core,” said the of some powers from Brussels to the UK’s one significant announcement — while the prospect of limited progress on issues speech on Europe in the next few days. source. “But he could deliver the same parliament if he wins a majority at the refusing to give a “shopping list” of pow- that do not require reopening EU trea- Amid uncertainty over the exact tim- kind of speech that Margaret Thatcher next election. The new deal would then be ers he wants to repatriate. The shopping ties. These would include opting out of ing of the jinxed address, senior govern- gave in Bruges in 1988 and around 25 put to the British people in a referendum. list idea was rejected after warnings from elements of police and justice co-opera- ment sources have said that the prime MPs would not be happy. It is not possible Journalists were told that he would other EU leaders, government officials tion, while remaining involved in others. minister intends to make the speech this to please everyone.” speak of “growing frustration” with the and the Foreign Office (the UK’s ministry GUARDIAN NEWS

Airport blues Falkland Islands’ referendum on March 10 and 11

LONDON: Falkland Islanders will be asked specifically whether they want the archi- pelago to retain its status as a British overseas territory in a referendum on March 10 and 11, its government announced. Confirming the date and the final wording of the question, the referendum is intended at sending Argentina an unambiguous ver- dict from the 3,000-odd islanders, amid tension between London and Buenos Aires over sovereignty. Britain has held the South Atlantic Ocean islands since 1833 but Buenos Aires claims they are occupied Argentinian territory. “The result will demonstrate in a clear, democratic and incon- testable way how the people of the Falkland Islands wish to live their lives,” the islands’ govern- ment said in a statement. Travellers doze off while waiting to board a cancelled flight at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 in London, AFP yesterday. Thousands of passengers were forced to sleep at the airport as over 400 flights were can- celled or delayed due to severe snow storms. Minister hails Chavez decree as opposition frets

CARACAS: Venezuela’s newly appointed The decree has been heavily criticised by whether the signature on the decree was foreign minister said yesterday the decree Venezuela’s opposition, who have cited its genuine and demanding the government that installed him in office is proof that publication in Venezuela’s official govern- release the original document. ailing President Hugo Chavez is still in ment gazette as further reason to demand “It is not possible that the president has control of the oil-rich country. that the absent president clarify how sick signed the decree... in Caracas, because eve- Elias Jaua was named in a decree signed he is and what he can and cannot do. ryone knows he is in Havana,” Berrizbeitia by Chavez, who remains gravely ill in a The decree — number 9,351 — was told local media. Meanwhile, Vice President Havana hospital some five weeks after com- marked “Caracas” and carries the signature Nicolas Maduro — handpicked by Chavez plications arose during his fourth round of of Chavez, who underwent surgery in Cuba as his political heir — urged the opposition cancer surgery. on December 11 and has not been seen in to make a public apology for talking about “If I am the foreign minister, it is because public for more than a month. the signature’s “falsehood.” The Venezuelan President Chavez is governing and mak- Opposition lawmaker Carlos Berrizbeitia government has been releasing only minimal ing decisions,” Jaua told a Colombian weighed in on the dispute on Thursday, information on the condition of Chavez. radio station. stating there was “reasonable doubt” about AFP SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Clinton stands by Japan on China row Japan foreign minister visits US

WASHINGTON: US Secretary change the existing order by coer- of State Hillary Clinton issued cion or intimidation,” he said. a veiled warning yesterday to Abe has been known through- China not to challenge Japan’s out his career as a hawk on control of disputed islands as national security. But Kishida Tokyo’s new government vowed took a measured tone on China not to aggravate tensions. while in Washington, describing Foreign Minister Fumio the relationship with Beijing as Kishida met with Clinton on the “one of the most important” for first trip by a top Japanese offi- Japan. cial since Japan’s conservatives “While Japan will not concede returned to power last month. and will uphold our fundamen- Clinton announced that Prime tal positions that the Senkaku Minister Shinzo Abe would visit islands are an inherent territory in February. of Japan, we intend to respond Amid signs that China is test- calmly so as not to provoke ing control over virtually unin- China,” Kishida said. habited islands in the East China Kishida welcomed Clinton’s Sea, Clinton said the area was support, saying that the state- under Japan’s control and hence ment on the security treaty “will protected under a US security go against any unilateral action treaty with Tokyo. that would infringe upon the “We oppose any unilateral administration rights of Japan.” actions that would seek to under- US officials and pundits have mine Japanese administration,” largely welcomed the return of the Clinton told a joint news confer- Liberal Democratic Party, believ- ence with Kishida. ing that Abe’s firm positions and Clinton did not mention Beijing pledges to boost military spending directly in the warning, but said: will deter confrontational moves “We want to see China and Japan by Beijing. resolve this matter peacefully However, Abe in the past has Student activists (right) scuffle with policemen during a protest in front of the US embassy in Manila yesterday, condemning a US Navy ship that ran through dialogue.” made controversial statements aground on a coral reef in a protected Philippine marine reserve. “We do not want to see any on Japan’s wartime history, lead- action taken by anyone that could ing to fears that a loose com- raise tensions or result in mis- ment could set off new tensions All crew leave US ship stuck in Philippines calculation that would undermine at a time that new leaders are the peace, security and economic also taking charge in China and growth in this region,” she said. South Korea. MANILA: All 79 officers and a military support vessel and a according to an initial visual almost $7,000 after its flagship The US insists it is neutral on Clinton said US officials crew of a US Navy minesweeper naval survey ship. The navy said inspection, the 68-meter-long, struck a reef in the same area. the ultimate sovereignty of the “applaud the early steps” taken stuck on a coral reef in the cen- in a statement hours later that all 1,300-ton Guardian damaged at Songco said that park rang- islands — known as the Senkaku by Abe and hoped that new lead- tral Philippines have left the 79 crew members, including the least 10 meters of the reef. Aerial ers were not allowed to board in Japanese and the Diaoyu in ers in Japan and China would “get ship two days after efforts to commanding and the executive photographs provided by the the ship for inspection and were Chinese — but that they are off to a good start.” free the vessel failed, the Navy officers, had left the stricken ship. Philippine military showed the told to contact the US embassy under the de facto administra- Separately, Clinton said the said yesterday. The statement quoted 7th ship’s bow sitting atop corals in in Manila. tion of Japan. United States and Japan wanted The ship ran aground on Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral shallow turquoise waters. The Philippine military spokesman China has repeatedly criticised “strong action” at the UN Thursday while in transit through Scott Swift as saying other ships stern was floating in the deep blue Major Oliver Banaria said the US the US position. Chinese sur- Security Council on North Korea, the Tubbataha National Marine “remain on scene and essential waters. The navy said the cause of Navy did not request assistance veillance ships and state-owned which put a satellite into orbit last Park, a coral sanctuary in the Guardian sailors will continue the grounding, which took place from the Philippines. planes have increasingly neared month in a launch the two allies Sulu Sea, 640km southwest of conducting survey operations about 2am on Thursday, was US Navy ships have stepped up the area, in what some see as fear could bolster Pyongyang’s Manila. There were no injuries or onboard the ship as needed until under investigation. visits to Philippine ports for refu- a bid by Beijing to contest the missile capabilities. oil leaks and Philippine authori- she is recovered.” Angelique Songco, head of the elling, rest and recreation, plus notion that Japan holds effective Diplomats at the United ties were trying to evaluate dam- He said several support vessels government’s Protected Area joint military exercises as a result control. Nations said the United States age to the protected coral reef, have arrived at the area and “all Management Board, said it was of a redeployment of US forces in “The frequency and scale of and China, North Korea’s main designated by Unesco as a World steps are being taken to mini- unclear how much of the reef the Asia-Pacific region. their provocations have drasti- ally, had reached a compromise Heritage Site. mize environmental effects while was damaged. She said the gov- The Philippines, a US defence cally increased,” Japanese foreign under which the Security Council The US Navy’s 7th Fleet ear- ensuring the crew’s continued ernment imposes a fine of about treaty ally, has been entangled in ministry spokesman Masaru Sato would expand existing sanctions lier on Friday said 72 of the safety.” $300 per square of damaged coral. a territorial dispute with China told reporters in Washington. against Pyongyang. crew of the USS Guardian were The World Wide Fund for In 2005, the environmental in the South China Sea. “The Chinese are trying to AFP transferred for safety reasons to Nature Philippines said that group Greenpeace was fined THE PHILIPPINE STAR Kachin rebels Workers recount Algeria hostage drama sceptical over MANILA: Foreign workers abducted by local television in the Philippines how he had Myanmar Islamist militants in Algeria were garlanded escaped the militants. with explosives and put into trucks rigged with Balmaceda and three other Filipino work- bombs, the wife of one of the Philippine cap- ers were taken at gunpoint as they arrived for ceasefire tives recounted yesterday. work, tied up and thrown into a truck along with Ruben Andrada was just days into his job at Japanese and Malaysian hostages, the GMA net- NAYPYIDAW: Kachin rebels a gas plant in the north African desert when he work reported. cast doubt yesterday over a was seized by gunmen avenging what they said Balmaceda escaped when the truck was hit by Myanmar government pledge was Algiers’ support for French military action an explosion but sustained a gunshot wound to his to end a military offensive after in neighbouring Mali, his wife said. head that affected his hearing, the station added. weeks of intense fighting that “According to him ... they draped a bomb on “After that I ran away, fearing that the vehi- sparked international concern him, like a necklace,” Edelyn Andrada said in an cle would explode. Then I lost consciousness amid reports of fresh shelling. interview aired by Manila radio station DZMM, and when I woke up I was already in hospital,” The government move on which said the incident took place during a rescue Balmaceda said in a brief telephone interview. Friday came after the country’s bid by Algerian forces. GMA said it interviewed Balmaceda shortly fledgling parliament called for a “Luckily, the bomb planted in his vehicle failed before he was flown to London. halt to the fighting, which has left to explode. The bombs in the other vehicles went Philippine foreign department spokesman Raul dozens reported dead in northern off and so people died,” she added. Hernandez did not address queries on Andrada Kachin state and marred opti- She said her husband, whom DZMM said and Balmaceda specifically, and Philippine mism about the country’s politi- worked as a surveyor for a Japanese company, embassy officials in London were unavailable for cal reforms. communicated to her by text message as he comment. Hernandez said 34 Filipino workers The conflict between govern- recovered at an unspecified hospital where he had been evacuated from the Algerian gas field ment troops and the Kachin was being treated for gunshot wounds and cuts. and were on their way home to the Philippines, Independence Army (KIA) has As reports began to emerge of the terrify- adding that a team had been sent from the escalated in recent weeks with the ing ordeal faced by hostages in Algeria, Jojo Philippines’ embassy in Tripoli to Algeria. use of air strikes by the military, Balmaceda, employed by British oil giant BP, told AFP prompting the United States and the United Nations to speak out. The halt to the offensive was due to take effect from 6am yes- terday but the political wing of the KIA said it was sceptical. Reforms will help the poor: Myanmar “The Burmese... never keep promises,” Thailand-based NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar’s leader vowed will also need to help people have better access to spokesman James Lum Dau said, yesterday to put the nation’s impoverished education, healthcare, social welfare, electricity adding “several minutes of shell- people at the heart of reforms in a speech woo- and telecommunications,” he said. ing” had taken place on Saturday ing international donors whose help is badly- Myanmar will fulfil those aspirations “more near Laiza, the rebel base since needed to rebuild the battered economy. effectively and successfully if we... receive assistance the resumption of fighting in 2011. After decades of kleptocratic junta rule from the international community”, he added. The A witness said that an uneasy Myanmar’s people remain among the world’s country has asked the IMF for help in 2013, accord- peace prevailed in the city itself. poorest, prompting President Thein Sein’s pledge ing to a report released this week by the body. A KIA official, requesting ano- to raise living standards, boost jobs and support The study says the country’s economy bounced nymity, said the military had farmers and small businesses. along in the 2011-12 financial year, posting a 5.5 gained “the upper hand” by sur- The government “must be people-centred” and percent growth rate that is expected to hit 6.25 rounding Laiza and was there- respond to their “needs, expectations and wishes”, percent this year. fore able to declare an end to Thein Sein told donors — including officials from Speaking at the donor forum, Kan Zaw, Minister the offensive from a position of the United States, European Union, Japan, World for National Planning and Economic Development, strength. But he cautioned that Bank and IMF — in Naypyidaw, according to an said the government was crafting a 20-year eco- the rebels would “wait and see” if English transcript of his comments. nomic plan and welcomed “ideas, knowledge, sys- military operations ceased. “While focusing on improvements in produc- tems and technology” as well as cash assistance. AFP tivity, job creation and income opportunities we AFP SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Don’t shrink Afghan forces: US Senators Slashing numbers will hinder fight against Al Qaeda

WASHINGTON: Two Senate Carl Levin of Michigan, head Qaeda and its affiliated organisa- Democrats have urged the of the Senate Armed Services tions, to reconsider plans to reduce White House to reconsider Committee, and committee mem- the size of the (Afghan forces).” plans to shrink Afghan national ber Jack Reed of Rhode Island Ryan Crocker, a former US security forces by a third after said Obama, a fellow Democrat, envoy to Afghanistan, has esti- 2015, saying a robust Afghan should use the US troop level mated that the United States fighting force will be needed to announcement — expected in the would end up paying about $2.5bn fight Al Qaeda and its allies. coming months — as an opportu- a year for Afghan security forces The appeal comes as President nity to revisit plans to slash the totalling 230,000. Barack Obama weighs how large Afghan forces from 352,000 to Levin and Reed said the addi- of an American force to leave 230,000 after 2015. tional expense for keeping a larger behind in Afghanistan after Nato “We support the establish- Afghan force would be affordable, declares the costly, unpopular war ment of a small number for the given the projected drop in fund- over at the end of 2014 and most post-2014 (American) force,” they ing for wartime operations. foreign forces return home. wrote to Tom Donilon, Obama’s “We recommend that when the Officials say the White House national security adviser. president announces his decision is considering keeping between “At the same time, we are con- on the post-2014 force, that he 3,000 and 9,000 troops in the vinced that it will be necessary also announce he is reviewing the country, a lower range than ini- for the success of the mission to question of the size of the ANSF A US Army soldier stands guard outside a compound during a joint mission with the Afghan National Army in tially recommended by the top prevent Afghanistan from once after 2015,” they wrote. Kandahar province yesterday. commander in Afghanistan. again becoming a safe haven for Al REUTERS

Top poll official Nato stops using local jails after reports of torture welcomes reforms KABUL: Nato forces in prompted Britain’s defence min- It highlighted a counter-ter- the country had problematic Afghanistan) ministry of interior Afghanistan have stopped send- ister to drop plans to transfer rorism jail run by the intelligence treatment of prisoners, so it was investigate instances where tor- deal between ing prisoners to some Afghan prisoners to Afghan jails. services in Kabul as one major not clear if they were the same ture by the ALP has been alleged,” jails after reports of torture and The report’s broad findings problem, “with a large number jails identified in the 2011 report. Graybeal said. The Afghan gov- cleric, government have asked Kabul to investigate were detailed in an official email of serious recent allegations sur- Then, nearly half of prison- ernment “has committed to ISLAMABAD: Chief allegations of abuse by members released last year by the Ministry facing”, and named a man who ers interviewed by Afghanistan’s uphold its human right obliga- Election Commissioner (CEC) of a US-backed paramilitary of Defence as part of a court case subsequently became head of the intelligence agency said they had tions”, and was co-operating with Fakhruddin G Ebrahim has police force. challenging the UK moratorium Afghan spy service, Asadullah been tortured, while a third of efforts to end torture, he added. welcomed the electoral reforms The ban on transfers revives on handovers. The report has Khaled, as a “principle (sic) cul- those arrested by Afghan police But Afghan officials said the agenda agreed to between the concerns about human rights in been repeatedly delayed since last prit” for the torture of Taliban reported abuse, although the claims of mistreatment were Pakistani government and cleric Afghan prisons, first raised in summer, when it was originally prisoners. report said the ill-treatment was unfounded, and there had been no Muhammad Tahirul Qadri, and 2011 by a United Nations report. expected to be released. The Nato-led International not “institutional or government official notice that handovers had on Thursday assured that the The report detailed widespread “The report would conclude Security Assistance Force (Isaf) policy”. been halted by the US or Nato. commission would work out abuse, including the ripping out of that torture was continuing to confirmed a ban on transfers to Nato has also raised torture “We reject this, we have an effective plan to stop fake detainees’ toenails and the twist- take place at NDS (National some jails, but did not confirm if it concerns about a controversial received no evidence from the degree holders and others from ing of their genitals, and prompted Directorate of Security) and ANP was a reaction to the UN report. US-backed programme to bolster Americans that there is tor- contesting the polls. Nato-led troops to halt prisoner (Afghan national police) facilities “Based on concerns over security forces through militia- ture in our jails,” said National “We have to do massive cleans- transfers for several months. across Afghanistan, whilst rec- detainee treatment at certain like groupings of men armed and Directorate of Security spokes- ing,” Fakhru Bhai said while Handovers resumed after ognising that there had been a Afghan detention facilities, Isaf paid to defend their home villages man Shafiqullah Tahiri. “The adding that the commission was inspections and training but decline in the prevalence of abuse suspended the transfer of detain- or districts, known as the Afghan human rights commission and already working on a mechanism a new report by the same UN at some facilities,” said the email, ees to these facilities,” spokesman Local Police (ALP). defence commissions visit the to make the scrutiny effective office is expected to confirm there which detailed a meeting between James Graybeal said in a written “Isaf has formally requested prisons and interview prisoners. and meaningful in checking the are still serious problems, a few UK embassy diplomats and UN response to questions. He declined that the GIRoA (Government They are not being tortured.” credentials and standing of the months after torture concerns officials working on the report. to say which prisons or areas of of the Islamic Republic of THE GUARDIAN contesting candidates in line with constitutional parameters. He disclosed that he had Arrested Taliban already sought details about 55 fake degree holders who had made their way into legislative assem- Job creation plan to blies. He said that details on tax evaders and defaulters on utility bills would also be sought. Fakhru Bhai said that the pro- fight poverty in posal for a month-long scrutiny period for nomination papers was welcome and would help the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa commission minutely examine the aspirants before clearing them to contest the next parliamentary PESHAWAR: Institutional public-private partnership as a and provincial elections. shortcomings, fiscal constraints pragmatic solution to make train- He disclosed that the nomina- and defective training are ing programmes more meaningful tion papers were being revised responsible for an ineffective and effective. as per the new demands and technical and vocational edu- In this respect, it points out challenges. cation and training system in that since most of the population The accord signed between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, result- in the country lives in remote Qadri and the government on ing in a growing unskilled areas, therefore, it would be cost Thursday night agreed to dissolve workforce in the province. effective to establish technical/ the National Assembly before The Skills Development Plan vocational training centres at March 16, 2013 so that elections (SDP), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, these places. However, it sug- may take place within 90 days, describes competing social and gests that due to small catch- and the Election Commission of economic demands, underu- ments areas, the needs of these Pakistan could be given one month tilisation of existing facilities, localities would not be enough for scrutiny of nomination papers inflexibility/lack of autonomy, to warrant establishment of for the purpose of pre-clearance problems with training content, institutions. of candidates under articles 62 linkage of institutional training “The best way is, therefore, to and 63 of the Constitution. programmes with employment introduce the concept of com- The Constitution bars a person market, informal sector train- munity based training,” contains from contesting polls if he or she ing, apprenticeship training and the SDP, recommending that CBT has obtained a loan of Rs2m or public sector allocations, and the should be sufficiently flexible and more from any bank. effect of globalisation as con- technically adequate to train the Two men in handcuffs, who the police said belong to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, are shown after their INTERNEWS straints facing the technical and population of the local areas in arrest during a news conference at the Crime Investigation Department in Karachi yesterday. vocational education and training the appropriate skills. (TVET) system in the province. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has To create a road map for the developed SDP to plan the actions province to reduce its unem- needed to improve the skills and ployment rate and overcome employability of its people to cre- Ratings race endangers media persons’ lives the skilled labour shortage faced ate jobs and attain sustainable by the public and private sec- economic development. tor by improving vocation and “The plan targets the specific ISLAMABAD: The hollow- fateha for the departed soul. As a explosion hit the Alamdar road heinous crimes, journalists live technical training in the prov- skills development requirements cheeked father of the slain father, he doted on them. area on January 10. through a deep sense of insecu- ince, the plan was put in place in which will allow the province to television cameraman, Imran “It pains me when they speak TV channels reported his rity. Many media organisations, October 2012 with the assistance develop its economy and society,” Sheikh, burst into tears while of their father,” Kamran Sheikh, death, which was followed by the whether print or electronic, don’t of GIZ, a German development says the document, which is based narrating the ordeal of his the girls’ uncle, said. news of Saifur Rehman’s killing. train cameramen or reporters to organisation, and other develop- on National Skills Strategy (NSS) family. Living in a mud-and-brick Rehman worked as reporter for report from a safe distance. ment partners of the provincial developed through a national con- Imran Sheikh was killed in the house with two rooms, the family the same channel. More than 26 journalists were government. sultative process in 2009. line of duty during the recent has lost its sole breadwinner. Saif was initially missing, and injured during different sui- It was prepared for the pro- The increase in its popula- bombings in Pakistan’s south- Imran had been working in the authorities confirmed his cide attacks, bomb explosions vincial ministry for technical tion is duly reflected in Khyber western city of Quetta, along with Samaa TV since the beginning of death four hours after the explo- and firing because they had not education, where, according to Pakhtunkhwa’s civilian labour Saifur Rehman of Samaa TV and 2008. He was considered one of sion. The intensity of the blast been instructed to avoid stand- a relevant source, it remains force that, according to the SDP Iqbal Hussain, a photographer for the most talented cameramen in had damaged their bodies and ing on the crime scene after its unattended, accumulating dust document, increased from 6.23 NNI. the city. faces and they could not be easily clearance by law-enforcement because of official negligence. million in 2007-08 to 6.53 million He said he was very happy “Ironically, Imran used to recognised. personnel. SDP asks for involving employ- in 2008-09 as per Labour Force when Imran got a job as camera- advise us to avoid going to dan- Over 24 journalists have fallen Two cameramen, Ejaz Raisani ers in designing training pack- Survey of 2008-09. man at Samaa TV, and added that gerous spots,” Shehzad Anwar, a prey to bullets and bomb blasts in and Arif Malik, were killed in the age, terming it vital to achieve Unemployment rate for the he never thought his son was in a DawnNews cameraman, said. different parts of violence-plagued same incidents. the objective of quality control, province at 8.5 percent is signifi- dangerous profession. “Please cover explosions from Balochistan over the past six The rating race between the relevance, and standardisation cantly higher than the national Imran’s two orphaned daugh- a distance and zoom in the visu- years. The murderers are still at channels puts lives of reporters, and making training programme average of 5.5 per cent, according ters, two-year-old Amna and als, he used to tell us,” Shehzad large and the authorities appear cameramen and DSNG staff in cost effective. Similarly, it empha- to the plan. one-year-old Hafza, were playing remarked. helpless. peril. sises the need for practicing INTERNEWS with dolls when we were offering Imran died when the second While reporting on such INTERNEWS SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Rahul Gandhi Taking a break is Congress vice president Rahul to be party’s face in 2014 polls

JAIPUR: Rahul Gandhi was “Any election or campaign- yesterday named the Congress related decision will be taken at vice president, making him a later stage,” he added. Rahul officially the number two in Gandhi’s role in the coming elec- the party after his mother and tions will be decided by the party Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. later, he added. Congress spokesperson As soon as the announcement Janardan Dwivedi told report- was made, supporters cheered ers that the decision to elevate and danced to drum beats, waving Rahul Gandhi was taken by the posters of Rahul Gandhi. The city Congress Working Committee, sky scape was lit up with spar- the party’s highest decision mak- kling pyrotechnic fireworks. ing body, at the ‘Chintan Shivir’ at Congress leaders, especially the Birla auditorium here. Rahul Gandhi’s young brigade, “With his appointment as vice wholeheartedly welcomed the president of the Congress party move. “He will try and live up to today, Rahul Gandhi has been ele- the expectations of a new India,” Soldiers dance as they take a break during a rehearsal for the Republic Day parade on a cold winter morning in New Delhi yesterday. vated to number two position in said Minister of State for Human the party,” Dwivedi told reporters, Resource Development Jitin amid scenes of wild jubilation by Prasada. Congress workers and supporters. Terming Rahul Gandhi’s new The supporters also demanded post as a “game changer” for the Gang rape accused moves Supreme Schools in Goa that Rahul Gandhi be named Congress, Minister of State for the Congress’ prime ministe- Home R P N Singh said he has could soon rial candidate for the 2014 Lok “brought about new thinking in Sabha elections. Rahul Gandhi the party” and his appointment Court to shift trial out of Delhi heads the coordination panel for reflects the demographics of a have CCTVs, the elections. “This decision will young India. NEW DELHI: Mukesh, one of the root of each home in Delhi 3 accusing them of murder and greatly strengthen the party and Asked whether Rahul Gandhi the six accused in the December by which even the judicial officers gang rape, among other charges. phone jammers the hands of the Congress presi- would be pitted against Gujarat 16, 2012 gang rape here, has and state are not spared and in Accused Ram Singh, Mukesh, dent,” Dwivedi said. Chief Minister Narendra Modi moved the Supreme Court for these circumstances, he cannot Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma PANAJI: All educational insti- Rahul Gandhi’s name was pro- in 2014, Singh said the Bharatiya shifting the case outside Delhi get justice in Delhi at all.” and Akshay Thakur were tutions in Goa could soon have posed by Defence Minister A K Janata Party had not as yet decided for “free and fair trial”. The plea said due to media charged with gang raping and mobile phone jammers and Antony and seconded by Dwivedi. on its prime ministerial candidate. Moving the apex court, Mukesh reports there were regular public brutally assaulting the woman CCTV cameras to keep an eye Congress president Sonia Gandhi Modi is being touted as the BJP’s pleaded that free and fair hearing agitations in Delhi. in a moving bus. The victim on miscreants hanging out on nodded in assent. “The whole frontrunner for the top post. was not possible because of strong “Political pressures are mount- died in a Singapore hospital on campuses. working committee appreciated However, he added that Rahul public sentiment against him in ing to hang the arrested persons... December 29. The case of the At a meeting of top police offi- the proposal with clapping on the Gandhi would “definitely be the the city. A fast track court in Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and sixth accused, who claimed to cials and school managements, tables and after their support the face of the Congress” in 2014 Saket in south Delhi would start her party leader Sonia Gandhi are be juvenile, was being heard by CCTV cameras were identified as Congress president gave a nod and the party would choose its hearing the case on January 21. taking personal interest to get the juvenile justice board. one of the key ways of deterring and Rahul Gandhi accepted the prime minister after coming to In view of regular agitations, punished the petitioner and his Rape cases in New Delhi incidents like the brutal rape of post,” said Dwivedi. power. “When he is the face of the police and judicial officials were co-accused,” the petition said. jumped 23 percent in 2012 from a seven-year-old girl in a school Prime Minister Manmohan Congress party, when we come under pressure to pass an order The plea added that “due to a year earlier, according to official in the port town of Vasco, 35km Singh was the first to offer Rahul back to power in UPA-III we will according to the demand of the agi- media trial and day-to-day agita- figures. For 2012, some 706 rape from here. Gandhi a bouquet. Thereafter, a support him (as PM).” tators and fair hearing was not pos- tion, the subject matter has gone cases were registered — a 23.43 “We have said that they host of leaders lined up to offer Party spokesperson Sandeep sible, said Mukesh, lodged in Tihar into the root of each house in percent leap from the previous (school management) have to him boquets and garland him. “The Dikshit said Rahul Gandhi will jail along with four other accused. Delhi. Petitioner’s counsel is also year, police said. Some 45 cases of install CCTV cameras. Physical party has reposed its confidence be the “chief campaigner” for Mukesh’s lawyer M L Sharma, under serious threat and even rape and 75 cases of sexual moles- security is good, but using in its most effective and accepted the elections, but the “high com- while filing the petition for in the court room he has been tation were reported to police in technology to deter anti-social young leader, reflecting the strong mand” will take a final decision on shifting the case from Delhi to declined to be heard properly”. the two weeks after the brutal elements is extremely neces- feelings of the millions of Congress his prime ministerial candidature. Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, said: Police filed the charge-sheet gang rape attack on the physi- sary,” said a police official who workers,” Dwivedi said. IANS “The sentiment has gone into against five accused on January otherapy student. IANS attended the meeting said. A total of 34 heads/repre- sentatives of the schools and colleges in Panaji, attended the meeting which was addressed by Superintendent of Police Vishram US honour for Borkar. No plans for third front yet, says CPM chief “We have also suggested to the space scientist school to install jammers is pos- KOLKATA: The CPI-M yes- with the views of Rashtriya Janata The CPI-M will take out four accusing it of allowing business sible inside campuses as a security terday said it was not cur- Dal chief Lalu Prasad who on jathas (processions) from across houses to accumulate profits at measure,” the official said, adding U R Rao rently concerned about forming Friday described the third front “a the country from February 25 the cost of the common people. that beat patrolling would also a third front, and is instead group of wannabe prime ministers” to propagate its stand on issues “Under the UPA regime, the be increased near school areas to BANGALORE: Distinguished working on strengthening Left that will never come into existence. affecting the people and alterna- country faced multiple problems. ensure that students are safe. space scientist and former and democratic forces opposed “Lalu Prasad and his party have tive leftist policies. “Food secu- In fact, the UPA has taken the The rape of a seven-year-old ISRO chairman U R Rao will to the Congress and the BJP for already decided to align with the rity and price rise, land and house attack to the common people by girl and the inability of police to be inducted into the ‘Satellite the 2014 general elections. Congress. That is why he is saying sites, employment, education burdening them with its policies arrest the accused had caused Hall of Fame’ in Washington on “We are not envisaging the crea- such things. We do not share his and health and fight against cor- but is shamelessly allowing cor- several protests in the state, March 19 in recognition of his tion of a third front at the moment. views,” said Karat. ruption will be the focus of the porate and foreign capital to reap known for its reputation as a contribution to space technology. We are working on strengthening He also said the party was work- jathas,” Karat said. huge profits,” said Karat. beach party destination. “The Society of Satellite all the Left and democratic forces. ing towards stirring up a nation- The four jathas will begin from He also lambasted the govern- Three days after the school- Professionals International (SSPI) We are working on forging alli- wide movement against the faulty Kanyakumari, Kolkata, Mumbai ment for its decision to deregulate girl’s rape, the police were found will induct Rao as a member of the ance of non-Congress and non-BJP economic policies of the govern- and Amritsar and head to Delhi. diesel prices and increase railways dealing with another sex crime prestigious ‘Satellite Hall of Fame’ forces,” Communist Party of India- ment and determined to effect The jathas will be headed by fare and initiating cash transfer after a 19-year-old girl was in Washington for his invaluable Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary not only the fall of the Congress party leaders R C Pillai, Karat, scheme. He also said the CPI-M found raped and stripped, with contribution in space technol- Prakash Karat said after the con- led United Progressive Alliance Sitaram Yechury and Brinda was against dilution of govern- her head smashed beyond recog- ogy,” the state-run Indian Space clusion of the party’s three-day government but also prevent the Karat respectively. ment’s role in the proposed Land nition in the forests of Assagao, Research Organisation said. central committee meeting here. “communal” Bharatiya Janata Karat was critical of the United Acquisition bill. 20km from here. Since 1987, the SSPI Hall of Karat however, did not concur Party from coming to power. Progressive Alliance government IANS IANS Fame has been recognising the immense contribution of vision- aries transforming life on planet earth for the better through sat- Drying scarf ellite technology. The 80-year-old Rao, who hails No rollback in diesel from Bangalore, is currently chair- man of the governing council of the space agency’s Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad. As price hike: Minister ISRO chairman for a decade from 1984-94, Rao accelerated JAIPUR: Petroleum and government in 2012-13. The the development of rocket tech- Natural Gas Minister M decision is expected to cut the nology, resulting in the launch of Veerappa Moily yesterday subsidy bill by Rs12,900 crore augmented satellite launch vehicle ruled out the possibility of gov- as a result of the hike in price and the operational polar satellite ernment rolling back the deci- of diesel sold to bulk consum- launch vehicle that put two-tonne sion allowing Oil marketing ers like the Railways and state class of satellites into polar orbit. Companies (OMCs) to revise transport undertakings. He also initiated the develop- diesel prices from time to time. The oil companies have been ment of the geostationary launch “India is the only country permitted to raise diesel prices vehicle and the development of where we have the regulation of by a small quantum periodically cryogenic technology in the early the diesel prices. We have to pay till such time that they are able 1990s. Under Rao’s supervision, dollars and billions of crore are to cover Rs9.60 per litre loss they beginning with the first Indian paid. If we go on paying in dol- incur on the fuel. satellite ‘Aryabhata’ in 1975, lars ultimately the country will The minister said continuing around 18 satellites were designed become bankrupt,” Moily said, the heavy fuel subsidies will only and launched for providing com- when asked if government was burden the economy. munication, remote sensing and contemplating rolling back the “What will happen if the meteorological services. partial deregulation of diesel fiscal deficit rises? Our rat- Rao has published over 350 sci- prices as demanded by the entire ings and investment will come entific and technical papers cov- opposition and parties supporting down. Nobody will come and ering cosmic rays, interplanetary the government. invest and when it comes down physics, high energy astronomy, Diesel accounts for 59 per- then we become a junk state,” space applications and satellite A girl dries her scarf on a beach in Mumbai. cent of the estimated Rs160,000 Moily said. and rocket technology. IANS crore fuel subsidy bill of the IANS

SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Acid attack on News in Numbers WINDOW ON ECONOMIC ballet director ACTIVITY 2 Fajr (Dawn) 5:01 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:21 likely driven Zuhr (Noon) 11:45 by jealousy Asr (Afternoon) 2:48

Maghrib (Sunset) 5:10 MOSCOW: The artistic direc- Isha (Night) 6:40 tor of Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet will undergo surgery next week Exports, Imports and to try to save his eyesight after an attacker threw acid in his WEATHER face, the theatre’s chief said Merchandise Trade Balance yesterday. Third Quarter of 2012 (QRm) Weather Today Monday Tuesday Sergei Filin, 42, spoke to Conditions: investigators in a Moscow hos- Clear Clear Mostly sunny pital, Bolshoi director Anatoly Misty to Iksanov said, adding that they foggy at first, also questioned his colleagues, High: 23° High: 25° High: 23° becoming who said the attack was likely Low: 14° Low: 16° Low: 16° slightly dusty triggered by envy, rivalry or com- with some petition for roles in Russia’s most clouds. prestigious theatre. “Investigators are questioning those who worked in the thea- DOHA - SUN & SEA tre, artists,” said Iksanov on the snowy grounds outside the hos- SUN TIDE SEA pital, where Filin was receiving SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND visitors. A masked assailant threw acid 06:21 17:10 00:45 & 09:45 05:00 & 17:45 SE - SW 5-15 KT in Filin’s face late on Thursday night outside his house as he THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW returned home from the theatre. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Colleagues said Filin believes the attacker had been following him MUSCAT 25/18 Mostly sunny 26/17 Mostly sunny and called him by name before Second and Third Quarter of 2012 (QRm) MAKKAH 32/20 Clear 31/20 Clear striking. 140,000 KUWAIT 21/14 Mostly sunny 21/12 Mostly sunny An icon of Russian culture, the Bolshoi Theatre is a magnet BAHRAIN 21/15 Mostly sunny 21/14 Clear 120,000 SANAA 24/05 Mostly sunny 23/06 Clear for tourists and has seen power struggles among dancers and RIYADH 28/12 Clear 26/09 Mostly sunny directors throughout more than DUBAI 23/17 Mostly sunny 24/18 Mostly sunny 100,000 200 years of history. BAGHDAD 18/07 Clear 18/06 Clear Since the collapse of the Soviet 80,000 Union in 1991, many of those con- THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW flicts, whether driven by egos or HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER artistic conviction, have been 60,000 played out in public. ATHENS 17/10 Mostly sunny 17/08 Clear Iksanov said he and Filin 40,000 WASHINGTON 07/-1 Mostly sunny 07/-5 Chance of snow discussed the theatre’s future SYDNEY 26/20 Chance of storms 29/21 Partly sunny during his absence and that a LONDON 0/-9 Snow 0/-1 Partly sunny temporary replacement had 20,000 PARIS 03/-2 Snow 04/-1 Chance of rain been chosen. ISTANBUL 13/08 Mostly sunny 12/07 Mostly sunny “It was Sergei’s choice,” he told 0 MANILA 29/22 Mostly sunny 29/23 Mostly sunny Russia 24 television, without nam- Q2 2012 Q3 2012 ing the candidate. DHAKA 28/17 Mostly sunny 28/11 Clear Imports DELHI 18/06 Clear 18/06 Mostly sunny Iksanov said medics feared for Exports Trade balance his eyesight. ISLAMABAD 17/03 Clear 18/05 Mostly sunny The chief physician at the hos- Source : http://www.qsa.gov.qa/ pital was quoted by Itar Tass as saying Filin was in bandages fol- lowing surgery on Friday but was ‘Two Mothers’ premiere able to walk and eat. “The doctors’ biggest fear is the trauma (on) Sergei’s eyes and in the course of two weeks, it will be understood what kind of pro- cedures, what has to be done,” he said. “The next operation has been decided, it will happen on Tuesday or Wednesday.” Bolshoi Theatre spokeswoman Katerina Novikova said previ- ously Filin would be transferred to a burn centre in Belgium, but government spokesman Alexei Levchenko, speaking to From left: Australian actors James Frecheville, Naomi Watts and Xavier Interfax, dismissed those plans, Samuel arrive for the premiere of the movie ‘Two Mothers’ at the 2013 saying he would stay in Russia Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, USA. as he was getting the necessary treatment. REUTERS Digest this: Allergies may be a disability! WASHINGTON: Allergic to gluten? What about peanuts? Federal disabilities law may be able to help. The US Justice Department said in a recent settlement with a Massachusetts college that severe food allergies can be considered a dis- ability under the law. That gives those who suffer from such allergies a new avenue in seeking menus that fit their diet. But some say it goes too far. The decision leaves schools, restaurants and other places that serve food more exposed to legal chal- lenges if they fail to honour requests for accommoda- tions by people with food allergies. Colleges and universities are especially vulnerable because they know their students and often require them to eat on campus, Eve Hill of the Justice Department’s civil rights division says. But a restaurant also could be liable if it blatantly ignored a customer’s request for certain foods. AP Sunday 20 January 2013 8 Rabial I 1434 Volume 17 Number 5585 Price: QR2

Qantas cancels one Dreamliner

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatari bank asset quality set to improve Competition and undiversified funding portfolios pose challenges to growth of local banks, says Fitch Ratings BY SATISH KANADY to a large extent public sector, but deposits. Competition may also interest rate caps will also make growth in the future. Liquidity banks in the Gulf region are set loans/deposits ratios are gradu- increase following the decision of retail lending less attractive to is currently reasonable, reflect- to see a gradual improvement in DOHA: Balance-sheet con- ally creeping up. the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) the banks. As loans loss cover- ing large holdings of liquid assets profitability on rising fee income straints, intense competition A further downside to rapid to separate conventional and age is very high and NPLs (Non including Qatari government and lower impairment charges and undiversified funding port- growth is the concentration of Islamic banking operations. Performing Loans) have prob- securities, but could come under this year.. The ratings agency folios are posing challenges to risk that may increase sharply- While this may prove an ably peaked, pressures on earn- strain due to lengthening loan said the outlook for most banks the growth of Qatari banks. although risk is mitigated by gov- attractive opportunity for exist- ings from impairment charges maturities. in the GCC/Middle East region With government funding ernment backing for the largest ing Islamic banks, there is lit- is likely to be low,” the ratings However, in light of past liquid- was stable, largely driven by the flowing freely to real estate and corporates and the major infra- tle sign to date of any negative agency noted. ity support for the banks, sup- probability of sovereign support. construction sector, the banks’ structure projects in Qatar. impact on the conventional Some funding pressure is port from the authorities is likely Fitch said it expects loan asset quality should also con- Although all the major banks banks. likely for banks, apart from to remains strong. Banks which growth to increase in 2013, as con- tinue to improve, Fitch Ratings have diverse revenue sources, “Asset quality (of Qatari banks) Qatar National Bank (QNB), have issued in the international fidence improves and infrastruc- noted in its 2013 GCC/Middle margin pressure could arise should continue to improve, that already have loans/customer debt markets have been able to ture projects come on stream, East Banks Outlook. from higher funding costs linked with government spending flow- deposits ratios have 100 percent. do so at relatively modest pric- stimulating the local economies. Qatar’s rapid loan growth has to increasing reliance on inter- ing freely, mainly into the real Government spending should ing. Capital ratios remain sound, But the agency also warned that been well above the average in national borrowing, even though estate and construction sectors. feed through into increased cus- but could be eroded as loan books much also depends on the global the region. It has been more or the banks currently remain Asset quality ratios are perhaps tomer deposits, but rapid loan expand. economy and regional unrest. less matched by deposit growth, essentially funded by customer flattered by rapid loan while growth could exceed deposit According to the Fitch Outlook, THE PENINSULA

US oil and gas reserves Qatar aid pushes Egypt’s foreign reserves to $15.5bn

CAIRO: Egypt’s foreign Egypt to issue sovereign Islamic reserves have risen to $15.5bn, bonds, known as sukuk. The helped by a deposit by Qatar draft law was passed by cabinet to support the economy, its this week but needs the backing finance minister said, although of the Islamist-led upper house they are still close to critical of parliament. levels after being run down to The minister said in December defend Egypt’s currency. that Qatar had deposited $500m, The central bank put reserves although the reserve figure for at $15.015bn at the end of that month was still around December. It has implemented a $15bn, the same as at the end of new regime for buying and selling November. foreign currency and currency The central bank has said controls to try to stem a fall in reserves have reached a critical reserves, which have tumbled level. At $15bn, reserves cover from $36bn before the uprising roughly three months of imports. that toppled Hosni Mubarak in Egypt has spent about $21bn early 2011. of its reserves since the start of Finance Minister Al Mursi 2011 when the uprising against Al Sayed Hegazy told report- Mubarak erupted, plus several ers about the new reserve figure billion dollars in additional aid yesterday without giving fur- and support from Qatar and ther details about the deposit other donors to defend the by Qatar, a generous donor to Egyptian pound. Egypt. Cairo is negotiating a $4.8bn Qatar said earlier this month loan from the International it had lent Egypt $2bn and given Monetary Fund. After the it $500m outright. It has pledged deal was agreed in principle in to stand by Egypt to help sup- November, it was delayed after port the nation, which has been Egypt postponed some unpopu- battered by political turmoil and lar tax rises viewed as needed to violence that has scared away secure the IMF funds. investors. An IMF team is expected to Hegazy said reserves should return to Egypt in the coming rise further in future after weeks for fresh discussions. Workers change drilling pipes on the rotary table of a natural gas drilling rig near Towanda, Pennsylvania. Even though US natural gas prices have approval of a draft law allowing REUTERS bounced away from the decade lows as of April last year, the country’s Securities and Exchange Commission requires companies to calculate and report year-end oil and gas reserves using 12-month average prices. Business minister meets Moroccan Qatar to witness $27.5bn road upgrade Kuwait’s 8-month economy minister budget surplus DOHA: Qatar’s road sector will Qatar Projects 2013 conference Sullivan, Chairman, MEED transparency on tenders and jumps to KD14.7bn DOHA: Qatari and Moroccan witness a sharp increase in con- - the biggest gathering of stake- Events, organisers of Qatar project bids, as well as driving ministers have discussed tract awards this year as the holders, owners, contractors in Projects 2013. costs down for materials, work- KUWAIT: K u w a i t ’s b u d g e t s u r - investment opportunities government initiates a major Qatar’s project sector that is The high profile conference force and project resources. plus for the first eight months between the two countries in infrastructure upgrade of the being held under the patronage features a keynote address from Transport projects throughout (April 2012 to November 2012) Riyadh yesterday. country’s road network. of the Minister of Energy and H E Abdulla bin Saoud Al Thani, the GCC will also be thoroughly of fiscal year 2012/2013 reached The Minister of Business Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia, Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Governor of the Central Bank, discussed, as the region under- KD14.7bn ($52bn), exceeding and Trade H E Sheikh Jassim has one of the GCC’s busiest road Saleh Al Sada. who will share insights on how takes a massive road building the KD11.6bn surplus recorded bin Abdulaziz Al Thani and markets to date, with contracts Supported by Qatar’s Ministry government initiatives will drive and upgrade, with $4.9bn worth of at the end of the same period the Moroccan Minister of valued $1.8bn awarded so far. of Trade and Business, Qatar project developments in the coun- construction contracts in the road of FY 2011/2012, an economic Economic and Financial The country’s road market Chamber and Public Works try and broader long-term eco- sector already awarded last year, report showed yesterday. Affairs Nizar Baraka, met on in 2012 has been propped by Authority (Ashghal), the con- nomic aspirations. up 22 percent compared to 2011. The report, by Kuwait Finance the sidelines of a joint meeting two major awards, the $640m ference will take place at the Other noted speak- Qatar Projects 2013 will provide House Research, was based on between ministers participat- deal awarded to UAE’s Al Grand Hyatt Hotel in Doha from ers will include Dr Khaled not just insights and information data from the central bank. ing in the preparatory meeting Jaber Group for package 13 on February 17 to 20. Alderbesti, Director, Economic about the projects industry in It added that the state rev- for the third Arab Economic the Doha Expressway and the The year 2013 onwards and Commercial Promotion Qatar, but important networking enues stood at KD21.6bn at end and Social Developmental $961m deal awarded to South presents bigger opportunities to Department of the Ministry opportunities for all participants. of November 2012, far exceeding Summit Saudi Arabia. Korea’s Hyundai Engineering do business in Qatar as the coun- of Business and Trade; Remy In addition to Qatar Petroleum, the budgeted amount of KD9.3bn. A ministry release said & Construction for the Lusail try enters the next critical phase Rowhani, Director General of Ministry of Business and Trade, Oil revenue continues to make that the two ministers had Expressway. of its preparations to host FIFA Qatar Chamber; and Eng Nasser and Public Works Authority, up almost all of the government’s also discussed the possibil- According to MEED Projects, World Cup in 2022. Contractors, Ghaith Al Kuwari, Manager Qatar Projects 2013 is being sup- income, accounting for nearly 95 ity of boosting bilateral trade spending on future projects will consultants and other stakehold- Drainage Projects Department, ported by United Development percent of the total revenue. cooperation. significantly increase this year as ers would not want to miss the Public Works Authority Company as Strategic Partner; Kuwait traditionally under- The ministers had agreed more than 30 highway projects, massive surge of contracts that (Ashghal). the International Bank of Qatar estimates oil prices and set it on the importance of increas- valued at $27.5bn, are awarded. will be awarded in the next few Among the critical topics that (IBQ) as Platinum sponsor; Qatar at just $65 per barrel in the FY ing bilateral trade volume and Tracking the growth and devel- years, with details and leads to will be discussed at the confer- Islamic Bank as Gold Sponsor; 2012/2013 budget plan, resulting facilitating trade and invest- opment of Qatar’s transport sec- be announced in various pres- ence include tendering and bid Mashreq as Silver Sponsor; as well in a low revenue projection. ment opportunities in both tor, including details of potential entations and panel discussions preparation insights from major as Qatar Insurance Company and Brent oil prices averaged at countries. QNA contract awards, will be discussed throughout the duration of the and mid-sized contractors, Brookfield Multiplex as Bronze $111.9 per barrel last year. significantly at the forthcoming conference,” said Edmund O’ achieving project efficiencies and Sponsors. THE PENINSULA QNA SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Qantas cancels Yemen parliament Tunisia in loan talks with IMF okays $12.9bn one Dreamliner, spending plan 14 still on order Islamist-led govt to revive economy in face of a decline in trade with EU SANA’A: Yemen’s parliament approved the transitional gov- SYDNEY: Australian air- WASHINGTON: The domestic political disputes over we’ve done provides a very good reflecting supply and demand,” he ernment’s YR2.77tn ($12.9bn) line Qantas late on Friday International Monetary Fund the future of the North African basis now for us to finalise our said. Ahmed said 2013 was likely 2013 spending plan yesterday, announced it was cutting its has begun negotiations with Arab state. discussions.” to be another “difficult year” for four weeks after it was passed order for Dreamliner air- Tunisia on a loan programme In Egypt, the government is Ahmed said the IMF needed to the Middle East and North Africa by the cabinet, after the former craft by one, but said it had and hopes to return to Egypt keen to move forward to finalize be satisfied that Egypt would be given a recession in Europe and president’s party withdrew planned the move before the for talks on a $4.8bn funding its IMF loan deal, Ahmed said, able to implement the program ongoing political transitions and objections to some spending. Boeing jets were grounded deal, but only after the govern- after an agreement was post- before it gave a final approval. conflict in the region. Elections Yemen, the poorest Arab state, worldwide and still had 14 ment updates its budget meas- poned in November due to politi- IMF demands for spending cuts in Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia this is grappling with the aftermath of on order. ures, a top IMF official said late cal unrest triggered by President and the removal of price subsidies year also pose risks. political tumult in 2011 that top- Qantas had initially said on Friday. Mohamed Mursi’s drive to fast- will be a hard sell to an already Ahmed said the pace of growth pled Ali Abdullah Saleh and two it would not be changing its Masood Ahmed, IMF director track a new constitution. fractious population ahead of par- in the Middle East was likely to domestic insurgencies that have order for 15 of the fuel-effi- for the Middle East and North Confront by street protests, liament elections later this year. increase but not enough to make a caused a humanitarian crisis. cient aircraft after a Japanese Africa, told reporters he hoped to Mursi postponed planned tax Meanwhile, the Egyptian pound reduce high unemployment levels. Restoring stability is seen jet was forced into an emer- report progress in the talks with increases seen as part of a pack- hit a new record low against the “Balancing the rising expec- as key by Washington and Gulf gency landing on Wednesday, Tunisia by early February. age of austerity measures needed US dollar this week after the tations and growing impatience countries because of Yemen’s triggering the halting of Tunisia, whose uprising two to secure the IMF loan. authorities introduced a new of populations who want to see location on the important Red flights. But in a statement years ago sparked political Ahmed said the government system of foreign currency auc- results at a time when growth Sea oil shipment route and the on Friday on an update to changes across North Africa, told the IMF during a visit in tions to curb a decline in foreign rates are likely to remain low presence there of an Al Qaeda its fleet, the company said it said in November it was seeking a early January it was ready to reserves. will be a big challenge for many wing that vows to topple Saudi had cancelled a single Boeing $2.5bn loan from the IMF. Ahmed move forward. An IMF mission Ahmed said the IMF supported countries,” Ahmed said. Arabia’s ruling family and strike 787-8 Dreamliner on order for said current discussions are try- will visit Cairo after the govern- the government’s goal of pre- Ahmed said rising fiscal and international targets. low-cost carrier Jetstar. ing to establish the government’s ment updates economic measures serving and strengthening inter- balance of payment pressures, The cabinet said in December The remaining 14 B787-8s funding needs. to reflect changes in the economy national reserves and to have a especially in countries forced to its budget plan for this year pro- will be delivered to Jetstar as Tunisia’s newly elected since November, he said. well-functioning market for for- boost spending to deal with a jected spending of YR2.77bn and planned, with the first aircraft Islamist-led government has “Part of it is to make sure eign exchange. wave of political revolts, will make a deficit of YR682bn. to arrive in mid-2013, it said. sought to revive the economy that the measures ... will deliver “It is part of that process that for tough choices by governments A source in parliament told Qantas chief executive in the face of a decline in trade the outcomes and are politically they’ve put in place these auc- over the next 12 months. Reuters the breakthrough came Alan Joyce said the airline with the crisis-hit eurozone and feasible,” he said. “The work tions and in a way the prices are REUTERS after a meeting on Wednesday was firmly committed to the between interim President Abd- Dreamliners for both Qantas Rabbu Mansour Hadi and mem- International and Jetstar, and bers of parliament. it retained options and pur- Chinese economy grows Saleh’s party, the General chase rights for 50 B787s of People’s Congress, holds a major- either -8 or -9 variants avail- Almarai Q4 net ity in parliament, giving it powers able for delivery from 2016. of veto over important laws such “... we are using the flex- as budgets. ibility in our agreement with profit up 29pc It had objected to the amount Boeing to cancel a firm order of “general spending” in the knowing that we can replace JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian dairy and budget plan. it with one of our 50 options food producer Almarai Co posted a Last year the country did not for this aircraft down the 29.2 percent rise in its fourth-quarter pass its budget plan until April. track, and with a full view of net profit, beating analyst forecasts, The economy of Yemen shrank what market conditions are the firm said in a bourse statement 10.5 percent in 2011, further like at the time,” he said. yesterday. destabilising the country and The airline, which is strug- Almarai made a net profit of SR369m worsening poverty in a country gling with an underperform- ($98.4m) in the three months ending where two in five people live on ing international business, Decmeber 31, compared with SR286m less than $2 a day. REUTERS said the decision to amend in the same period a year earlier. the B787 order was reached Six analysts polled by Reuters expected at the end of 2012 and the the firm to post on average SR320m in agreement with Boeing had the fourth-quarter. now been finalised. “The reason for higher sales and profit Qantas said production of growth for the fourth quarter compared IMF to assess Iran its first B787 aircraft had just to the corresponding period of the previ- begun and it was confident ous year is due to strong performance economy in the current technical issues would from all products, especially poultry and be resolved by Boeing before bakery,” it said in the statement. next six months it took delivery in mid-2013. In a separate statement Almarai said A Boeing spokesman said it plans to issue a dividend of 1.25 riyals WASHINGTON: The Qantas’ decision was a busi- per share for the full-year period. International Monetary Fund ness one, adding that over- Operating profit rose 27.4 percent to will visit Iran in the first half all customers were standing SR437m in the fourth-quarter. Almarai of the year to assess the state behind the Dreamliner. has been keen to expand its footprint out- of its economy and the impact Qantas last year can- side its core presence in the Gulf region. of Western sanctions, a senior celled an order for 35 of the In December it acquired Fondomonte IMF official said on Friday. Dreamliner jets to cut costs. SA, which owns and operates firms in The IMF forecast in October AFP Argentina, to secure feed for its dairy that Iran’s economy was likely herd and poultry business. REUTERS to contract in 2012 and infla- tion would likely increase to 25 percent. Masood Ahmed, IMF director for the Middle East and North Africa, said those projections were made before the sharp deprecia- tion of Iran’s currency, the rial, at the end of last year. “We expect that when we A labourer works at a residential construction site in Shanghai, yesterday. China’s economy regained revisit these numbers with the speed in the final quarter of last year, pulling out of a post-global financial crisis downturn that pro- more recent data it will show a duced the slowest year of economic growth since 1999. Evidence of a burgeoning recovery in exports, greater impact than what was stronger than expected industrial output and retail sales, together with robust fixed asset investment, estimated at that time,” Ahmed all signalled that Beijing’s pro-growth policy mix has gained sufficient traction to underpin a revival added. REUTERS without yet igniting inflationary risks. QNB Group: Global interest in GTL expected to grow DOHA: Doha hosted the envisaged, as well as a 33,000 b/d per barrel. Refined oil prices are Petrobras, for example, is World Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) project by Chevron and Sasol in currently well above this level, considering this technology Congress at a time of height- Nigeria, due to be commissioned providing strong profit margins. to utilise the associated gas in ened interest in the industry, this year. The US shale gas revolution Brazil’s offshore oilfields. Waste according to QNB Group. However, some other GTL there has driven down local biomass can also be used as a Recent landmark develop- projects, envisaged during the gas prices at a time of high oil feedstock for small-scale GTL. ments include the commission- second wave were subsequently prices, thereby boosting the QNB Group concludes that ing of the second train of Pearl cancelled. This happened largely appeal of GTL. the future of GTL will depend GTL in Qatar, moves by Qatar because the LNG market looked The US government’s Energy on whether capital costs can be Airways to utilise GTL as jet like it offered a better rate of Information Agency (EIA) fore- kept under control and on long- fuel and plans for new GTL return on capital. Qatar backed casts that the ratio of domestic term expectations for the price plants in the US and elsewhere. Oryx and Pearl GTL, alongside oil to gas prices will be twice as premium of oil over gas/LNG. Sasol, a South African firm, its even larger LNG projects, in high in the period until 2030 If the major GTL plants under brought the technology to order to diversify its options for than it was in the previous discussion go ahead, then global Qatar to build the 34,000 bar- monetising gas. two decades. This is why Sasol production capacity could more rels per day (b/d) Oryx GTL It is too early to judge which announced plans last month than double by the end of the plant in partnership with Qatar technology—GTL or LNG—will for a 96,000 b/d GTL plant in decade to nearly 0.5m b/d. Petroleum (QP). offer better returns on invest- Louisiana, to start operations The new capacity would not At its launch in 2006 it was ment in the long-term. This will in 2018. significantly compete with exist- the world’s largest GTL plant, depend on the average premium Although Sasol and Shell ing GTL because it would still be but has since been surpassed of liquid fuels over LNG prices hold most of the expertise and well under one percent of glo- by Pearl GTL, a joint-venture over the lifetime of the projects, patents for large-scale GTL bal oil consumption. Small scale of Shell and QP. Its first train compared to the difference in plants, new firms are entering GTL is a new development that was commissioned in 2011 and capital and operational costs. the sector. Oxford Catalysts, a has yet to be commercialised, the second last summer. The Currently, GTL capital costs spinoff from the university sci- but its prospects look promising. entire plant is currently oper- are about $100k-$200k per b/d, ence department, is developing An optimistic case envis- ating at around 85 percent of its about 2-4 times those of LNG, smaller-scale modular GTL ages that it has the potential nameplate capacity of 140,000 affected by several factors such technology, suitable for produc- to produce perhaps 3m b/d of b/d of GTL. plant size and the potentially tion ranging from a few hun- GTL from currently flared gas, Interest in GTL has come in volatile prices of construction dred to a few thousand b/d. This although the installation of this three waves, according to QNB materials. could help capture “stranded” capacity could take decades. Group. The first was in the The GTL conversion proc- associated gas from oilfields Coal and biomass based GTL early 1990s, when the South ess also consumes some of the which would otherwise be flared capacity is also likely to grow, African and Malaysian plants gas feedstock. Depending on because the volume and/or loca- driven by energy security and were launched. The second wave the particular plant and local tion means that it is not eco- sustainability considerations, was in the early 2000s, when the cost of gas, GTL is considered nomical to market by pipeline respectively. current plants in Qatar were to break even at about $40-$80 or LNG. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 IMF estimates Top QFIB executives to speak at financial meets DOHA: Qatar First Investment In the second session, Ihab Bank (QFIB), has part- will join other leading financial nered with Gulf Financial experts to highlight the chal- Conferences as the gold spon- lenges Qatar’s private sector and €9.5bn Greek sor for two key conferences non-government companies face “Finance & Investment Qatar’ to raise capital. The session will and ‘M&A, Corporate Finance explore sources of financing avail- & Advisory MENA’, both to be able to family and private sector funding gap held on January 21 and 22, at companies including sukuk as the Al Sharq Village and Spa. an option, the ability of banks to QFIB is the country’s first inde- meets demands of private sec- pendent Shariah compliant bank tor clients as well as the assess- Brazil opposes loan tranche to Athens authorised by the Qatar Financial ment for growth of private sector Centre regulatory authority, business. WASHINGTON: The “What is key is that the The Finance & Investment Concurrently, Shadi Zubeidi, International Monetary Fund Europeans know there is a gap Qatar conference will see Ihab Managing Director, Head of (IMF) estimated on Friday that and whatever the gap is, they will Asali, Head of Private Equity at Corporate Finance, QFIB will Greece faced a financing gap have to fill it.” QFIB joining two sessions. The spearhead a panel at the ‘M&A, of between ¤5.5bn and ¤9.5bn The IMF board agreed on first session entitled “Investment Corporate Finance & Advisory Shadi Zubeidi and (right) Ihab Asali for 2015 and 2016 and said it Wednesday to pay the next aid opportunities within Qatar from MENA’ conference that will cross had assurances from Europe it tranche of ¤3.24bn to Greece a global perspective” will exam- check mid-market deals that con- would deliver the aid in the final under the ¤240bn international ine how Qatar is perceived by tinue to drive intra-regional and investment opportunities includ- actively encourage dialogue and years of the bailout. bailout involving a troika of lend- foreign investors and the invest- inter-regional M&A activity. ing those in the Levant and North help to build constructive discus- It was the first time the IMF ers including the IMF, European ment opportunities available. The The panellists will also discuss Africa as well as explore the asso- sions on the opportunities and had estimated a range of possi- Union and European Central session will highlight the required deal-flow and structuring, financ- ciated risks for Gulf investors. challenges facing the financial ble financing needs for Greece’s Bank. measures to upgrade Qatar to ing options for family businesses QFIB is an active participant sector both in Qatar and globally. international bailout programme Brazil, which has long expressed Emerging Market status. and private equity-driven M&As, in such leading platforms that THE PENINSULA beyond 2014. The European concern over the IMF’s large Commission said in December financial exposure to Greece, the money needed for Greece over opposed the decision, arguing that the two-year period encompass- the prospect of Greece regaining Bank of America issues 4Q12 results ing 2015 and 2016 would amount market access in the medium ThyssenKrupp to ¤5.6bn term was “highly doubtful.” Greece, the epicenter of the “It is unclear whether the European debt crisis, has received current programme provides supervisory board tens of billions of euros in emer- reasonably strong prospects of gency loans from its euro zone success,” Paulo Nogueira Batista, takes pay cut partners and the IMF since mid- IMF executive director for Brazil 2010 to stave off bankruptcy. Its and 10 other countries in Latin FRANKFURT: German economy is likely to shrink for the America and Asia, said in a state- heavy industry and steel giant, sixth consecutive year in 2013. ment to the board. ThyssenKrupp’s supervisory Tensions between the IMF and IMF staff also questioned in board has agreed to take a Europe flared in November over documents released on Friday 50-percent pay cut in view of how to reduce Greece’s large debt whether Greece would be able disastrous losses last year, its load, which threatened to delay to repay the IMF if its program chief said on Friday. the next aid tranche to Greece “went irretrievably off track” and The supervisory board’s 20 in a year where the program had Europe halted support for Athens. members have agreed “to forego already suffered setbacks from Eurozone governments agreed half their pay for 2012,” board elections and lack of reform. last year on a debt buyback pro- chief Gerhard Cromme told Questions also arose over gram for Greece among a series of ThyssenKrupp shareholders at whether Europe would continue steps to cover the debt-strapped their annual general meeting in to support Greece financially country’s financing needs. Bochum, northwest Germany. without further reforms, prompt- Thomsen said Europe had not “This gesture is intended as a ing concerns that Athens would said exactly how it would provide sign of our dismay and our soli- need to exit the euro zone. additional debt relief, but options darity with you, our shareholders,” IMF mission chief for Greece included reducing interest rates he said. The move is related to Poul Thomsen told reporters that on Greek loans. huge losses the company incurred Europe had promised it would “The key is that Europe has at new steel mills in Brazil and continue to support Greece. recognized for the first time that the United States. ThyssenKrupp Funding estimates were “subject debt is not sustainable without has been forced to write down the to a lot of uncertainty” and would direct transfers in one form or value of those plants, running up be reassessed regularly, he added. another from Europe to Greece an overall year-end loss of ¤4.7bn Under IMF rules, loan pro- and that there is a commitment ($6.3bn) for the business year grams need to be fully financed to do that,” he added. ended September 30. for a 12-month period or the IMF Thomsen said confidence was Given the magnitude of that withholds loan disbursements. returning to Greece and there loss, the group announced it would Thomsen said the Greek pro- was renewed interest from inves- not pay a dividend for the first gram was fully financed “well into tors in the country, although he time since the merger of Thyssen 2014,” although it was too early to cautioned that the country still and Krupp nearly 14 years ago. say whether the additional fund- faced immense challenges. The steel mills have since been ing for Athens would be needed at “There is clearly an improve- put up for sale, but negotiations the start of 2015 or towards the ment in confidence compared to are still ongoing. end of 2014. where we were in the middle of The annual meeting was an “The undertaking of the last year,” he said. uncharacteristically stormy one, European partners to fill the gap, He said the new Greek govern- not only with shareholders calling whatever that gap will be in 2015- ment was determined to crack for Cromme to step down in the 2016, is entirely in line with our down on tax evaders and to boost wake of the debacle concerning policy even if they are not con- tax revenues, although there had the steel mills, but also anger at crete about it,” Thomsen told a been no significant impact on tax A woman walks past as a customer uses an ATM at a Bank of America (BAC) banking centre in New York’s a recent string of scandals at the conference call with reporters. collections so far. REUTERS financial district yesterday. A BAC report stated fourth quarter 2012 (4Q12) net income of $732m; however, a company. AFP number of items, including debt valuation adjustments and other settlements, had an impact on results. UK oil rig jobs lost as contracts go to Korea Mozambique suspicious over

LONDON: Up to 10,000 engi- jobs.” But Clark complained that Rio Tinto coal write-down neering jobs could have been there was no policy requiring tax MAPUTO: Mozambique cast doubt on Friday on why global min- created if the government had benefits to be reinvested in the ing giant Rio Tinto has made a $3bn (£2.2bn) write-down on its supported British companies UK. “The UK is the only oil and Mozambican assets, which cost chief executive Tom Albanese his bidding to win contracts to build gas province without a positive job. North Sea oil rigs for energy policy favouring local content,” The Anglo-Australian diversified miner said on Thursday that prob- giants, it has been claimed. Clark said in the letter. “Norway lems of transporting coal from its mines in Tete, 600km to the sea had The contracts went to South has operated such a policy with lowered the value of the concession. Korea, with the result that the great success for 30 years and But Mozambique’s minerals ministry was not satisfied with the industry has shed tens of thou- it has filled its own fabrication explanation. “I think something inside Rio Tinto motivated this,” said sands of jobs, something that capacity.” spokesman Custodio Nguetana. has major implications for the He said he had taken the mat- “We are sure the reason will not only be infrastructure,” Nguetana UK’s ability to build the next ter up with several ministers said. “It is a general problem and we are trying to find solutions generation of carbon-friendly including the chancellor of the together — government and companies.” energy infrastructure, such as exchequer (finance minister) Albanese and Doug Ritchie, who led the acquisition of the windfarms. George Osborne, and the business Mozambique assets, stood down on Thursday. AFP The claims comes from OGN, secretary, Vince Cable. a British oil rig-maker, in a let- “Everyone is interested but ter to British MPs. The row has nobody will take decisive action,” echoes of the furore that greeted Clark said. “The government says the news in 2011 that train man- that it cannot intervene. We do ufacturer Bombardier, based in not believe this to be the case and England’s East Midlands, had An oil rig on the North Sea. we appear to have the only gov- lost out to German manufac- ernment that adopts this stance.” • Bullion - Mumbai turer Siemens in the battle to A number of MPs in the north Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 30550 win the £1.4bn Thameslink trains estimated that more than 10,000 requires oil companies to use local east have tabled questions in the Silver (1 kg) Rs. 59265 contract. jobs would have been created in suppliers for its offshore oil and House of Commons (the UK’s • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.66 In the letter OGN warns that this country had those contracts gas projects. But the government elected lower house) to ask what • Sensex British manufacturers will go out been placed in the UK.” claims European Union rules for- the government is doing to pro- of business if ministers do not The privately owned company, bid it from taking such action. tect the UK’s oil rig construc- BSE 20039.04 require North Sea oil operators one of only four oil rig manufac- Sajid Javid, economic secretary tors. British Labour party MP, NSE 6064.40 to buy components from them. turers left in Britain, employs to the Treasury, recently signalled Nick Brown, said he was seeking • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – Dennis Clark, OGN’s chairman, about 4,000 workers, down from the British government’s com- clarification from the government which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN claims that in the past two years a peak workforce of 30,000. It is mitment to the offshore oil and as to why other countries could Card/Demat Account not required. only seven percent of new plat- furious that the Treasury granted gas industry. “The North Sea is ensure contracts went to their • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return forms ordered for the North Sea Norwegian oil giant Statoil a vital national asset, with oil companies. “It is reasonable for p.a. (in dollar) were made in Britain. tax concessions to develop the and gas production supporting a us to expect the North Sea to sup- • Housing loan from HDFC LTD “Over the past two years, fab- Mariner and Bressay fields in third of a million jobs,” Javid said. port a strong domestic industry,” rication contracts for North Sea the North Sea but did nothing to “That is why this government has Brown said. “I’m in favour of free • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, development worth in excess of compel it to use British expertise. announced a range of tax meas- trade, but what is sauce for the Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. GBP10 billion have been placed Clark complains that Norway, ures expected to generate billions goose should be sauce for the gan- Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] overseas,” Clark writes. “It is like many other countries, of new investment and create der.” GUARDIAN NEWS SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Aviation industry needs Japan hopes new PM Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner

s Boeing showed off its multibillion-dollar baby on the Dreamliner’s promotional world tour in 2011, one quirky can boost economy feature was regularly pointed out: a sleekly designed but Aredundant ashtray, a compliance with regulations laid n his first major speech of the year, and quake-proofing schools and hospitals. on-message and promised not to be diverted down in a different age. In the darkest torments of Boeing execu- Japan’s new prime minister, Shinzo This month, his cabinet agreed on a stim- by other issues,” he says. “But it could turn tives during the 787’s past incident-packed weeks, it may have Abe, called for a “rocket-like start ulus package that includes ¥10.3tn (£70bn) out to be the same old story, with money finally appeared of use: somewhere to enjoy the cigarette of the towards economic recovery”. Next in central government funds. The aim is going to familiar vested interests, particu- condemned, a quiet smoke to mask the smell of burning battery. month sees the start of the year of the to add about two percentage points to the larly in the countryside. It’s important to A little over a week ago, the US government and air authori- Isnake, which is, he said “a symbol of business country’s real growth rate, and create more keep an eye on where the cash goes.” ties stood shoulder to shoulder with their top exporter, Boeing, to prosperity”. than 600,000 jobs. Robert Dujarric, director of the Institute assure the world that the plane was safe after a string of incidents The stock and currency markets Business leaders welcomed the stimulus of Contemporary Asian Studies at Temple from fuel leaks, windscreen cracks and battery fires. They still responded better than perhaps even Abe package. “It was well-timed, as wide-ranging University in Tokyo, believes Abe’s plan to say it — only, right now, that no one should fly in it. could have hoped. The Nikkei average has measures were taken with a sense of speed,” pull Japan out of two decades of stagnation By Wednesday, a diagnosis of teething problems was no longer risen dramatically, while the yen is finally said Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of the and deflation “could work up to a point”. enough. The burning battery was back, and Japanese authorities ceding ground to the US dollar, bringing Japanese Business Federation. “Abe comes from a wing of the LDP that said the latest incident was “highly serious”. Corrosive fluid had relief to Japan’s embattled exporters. On Abe has made it clear that he expects really hasn’t paid any attention to these leaked down through the state-of-the-art electronics below the Friday, the dollar rose to its highest level government action to be complemented by issues. On top of that, his social conserv- cockpit. Hideyo Kosugi, a Japanese safety investigator surveying against the yen for two-and-a-half years. a more aggressive monetary policy on the atism is obvious: he has little interest in the All Nippon Airways’ 787 that had made an emergency land- Voters in last month’s general election part of the Bank of Japan, including raising modernising policies towards women and ing at Takamatsu airport, said the stuff had gone right through were receptive to Abe’s focus on growth in the country’s inflation target to two percent families,” he says. the floor. the world’s third-largest economy, even if from one percent. The government and the Polls show that consumers are scepti- After the Japanese airlines operating almost half of the it meant setting aside measures to tackle central bank are expected to issue a joint cal about Abe’s ability to turn the economy Dreamliners worldwide decided they could risk it no longer, the public debt, now more than 230 percent statement early this week that will largely around. A weaker yen will help exporters, US Federal Aviation Administration grounded all 787s in its juris- of its GDP, according to the International incorporate Abe’s demands. He will use his but the price of imports on which Japan is diction. From India to Qatar, Poland to Chile and finally Ethiopia, Monetary Fund. power of appointment to ensure that the heavily reliant, especially in food and energy, the global fleet was taken out of action, an ignominious fate for a While “Abenomics” marks a departure next Bank of Japan chief, who replaces the will hit households if incomes fail to keep up plane that had been so eagerly anticipated for so very long. from the previous government’s priorities current governor, Masaaki Shirakawa, in with inflation. While doubts remain over job In an industry where different models are normally denoted of debt reduction and tax increases to fund April, shares his views on easing. security and wages continue to stagnate — by numbers alone, naming the 787 the Dreamliner was to invite welfare spending, Abe’s approach has a “We will choose someone who appreciates they have failed to rise for nine of the past 12 attention: a bold statement that this was to be something fun- familiar ring. It marks a return to old-style my basic policies to beat deflation,” he said. months — consumers are unlikely to embark damentally different. This craft does not simply carry the com- spending on public works, a time-honoured There is a real prospect that the stimu- on a spending spree. mercial aspirations of Boeing; it has become symbolic of aviation’s Liberal Democratic party (LDP) policy pillo- lus package announced last week - the big- Other advanced economies will be closely promises for a greener, quieter future. ried in the past for funding the construction gest Japan has approved since the Lehman following the Abe administration’s fortunes. For passengers, there was the thrill of bigger windows, funky of cavernous community centres in rural Brothers shock — will have an immediate Like Japan, they are struggling with mount- lighting and increased cabin pressure, said to reduce the ill-effects villages and infamous “roads to nowhere”. impact. That could earn the LDP enough ing public debt, and face rising welfare costs of flying. Thomson, the first UK customer, has built an ad cam- Abe has promised to put an end to such support to secure victory in key upper-house because of their ageing populations. In many paign around it. But for airlines, the critical selling point was fuel waste, and instead wants to focus invest- elections due in July, according to Koichi ways, Japan is a test case for the rest of efficiency, where the airline executives’ and the environmentalists’ ment on three things: the region ravaged Nakano, a political science professor at the developed world. In this, the year of the interests briefly coincide. by the March 2011 tsunami; making repairs Sophia University in Tokyo. snake, Japan can only hope that it quickly While rivals mutter that the aspirations have yet to be matched to ageing infrastructure, highlighted by last “It’s striking how focused they have been sheds the skin of recession and stagnation. in operations, the lighter plane promised a 20 percent cut in the month’s fatal tunnel collapse near Tokyo; on the economy - they’ve been remarkably GUARDIAN NEWS soaring fuel bills that have wiped out profits for many airlines. The Dreamliner also promised a range unique for an aircraft of its size, potentially making direct flights to long-haul destinations viable with fewer passengers, not least, the secondary cities in the emerging Bric economies — Brazil, Russia, India and China — to which business people here apparently clamour to fly. Improvements in those spheres are by no means unique to the Dreamliner. But perhaps more than any other plane, it has come to represent the technological innovation that the aviation industry claims will allow it to meet its wider obligations to the world: that we can fly and not fry, even with ever more flights. A carbon dioxide “roadmap” produced by Sustainable Aviation, an industry group addressing environmental issues, sees the fuel efficiencies delivered by the 787 and its successors as a way to cut about a third of all projected carbon emissions, a major part of a plan that would let traffic double by 2050 and still meet the emissions targets aviation signed up to in the wake of the Kyoto climate negotiations. For airports in Britain’s crowded south-east, the Dreamliner is also a name to conjure with. Briefly in operation in Britain since Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight just before Christmas, it claims a “noise footprint” some 60 percent smaller than other planes its size. Around London’s Heathrow, such contours spell votes: Mayor or London Boris Johnson has spoken of 750,000 Londoners having their lives blighted by aircraft noise So Boeing’s problems are aviation’s problems too. Little wonder that few airlines, beyond the annoyance of those already operat- ing the now-grounded 787, have offered anything but unqualified support and confidence. With 799 aircraft outstanding, the order book dwarfs the 50 in service. The ambitions of the fleet planners everywhere for new routes and for lower overheads hang on the 787s rolling out of the Seattle factory. Boeing has said it will do all it can to restore confidence. Chief executive Jim McNerney pledged to “work around the clock” with investigators, adding: “We will make available the entire resources of the Boeing company to assist.” For a corporation the size of Boeing, worth around £50bn even with its shares sliding, the current problems should amount to little more than a spot of turbulence. Airbus quickly recovered confidence and orders despite cracks in the wings of its pioneer- ing A380 in 2011. From the ashes of its burning battery, the Dreamliner will surely make a phoenix-like return. GUARDIAN NEWS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Ailing UK economy faces threat of lost decade here could be few bet- chronic weakness of consumer A new report from left-leaning improve the supply side of the to the cornered chancellor - is inflation should be less of a con- ter symbols of the fragile demand in Britain’s flatlining think-tank Compass, “Plan B+1”, economy.” That might mean, for Britain’s monetary policy regime, cern than the corrosive impact on state of Britain’s reces- economy has also been a key published 12 months after it first example, improving the country’s the role of the Bank of England the economy of a long period of Tsion-scarred economy factor in driving so many well- set out a blueprint for economic infrastructure. in guiding the economy. Mark stagnation. than the news that with music known names to the wall. If none revival, calls for radical meas- Peter Spencer, of forecasting Carney, the hotshot Canadian Aiming at a nominal GDP tar- and video chains HMV and of the 1,400 stores is reoccupied, ures including increasing jobless group the Ernst and Young Item hired by Osborne to take over get could, they claim, force the Blockbuster joining the dismal an extraordinary 19 percent of benefits to boost the spending club, which publishes its quarterly from Sir Mervyn King this sum- Bank to shrug off its concerns roll call of retailers forced into Britain’s shop premises will stand power of the poorest in society health check of the economy today, mer, sparked a flurry of excite- about inflation and go all out to administration, an extraordinary empty. (who are more likely to spend agrees: “If they go for infrastruc- ment in policy circles before kick-start growth. And during the 1,400 shops on high streets up and These latest very visible scars what they receive); investing in ture — let’s say £15bn, financed by Christmas when he mused that it boom years, when inflation was low down Britain are now at risk of on the fabric of economic life have green technologies; and review- borrowing — it certainly wouldn’t might be time to ditch the infla- but growth strong, it might have closure within less than a month. appeared as the UK’s coalition ing every pound of government cost them their AAA rating; and tion-targeting regime that has forced policymakers to push up Research by the Local Data government faces rising pressure spending to assess its effective- over time they would get it back evolved since the 1990s. interest rates and prevent a bub- Company, which provides the to get a grip on a slump that has ness in “promoting wellbeing, in tax and reduced unemployment Carney suggested that when, as ble inflating. Spencer at the Item UK with retail location data and now lasted five years: what ratings environmental sustainability and benefits.” now, interest rates are near zero club backs a change of regime: “It’s insights, suggests that the com- agency Moody’s last week called reducing inequality”. David Kern, The chancellor singles out and growth is weak, it might be the sum of inflation and growth, bined impact on the high street of a “lost half-decade”, echoing the chief economist at the British Britain’s cherished AAA bond right for central banks to take and it would put them both on a these two latest victims, together name given to Japan’s long period Chambers of Commerce, which credit rating as the measure of more radical action. They could, par. It’s obvious that in the present with the recent collapse of elec- of stagnation from the early 1990s. represents many smaller firms, policy success, but all three of for example, copy the Federal circumstances it would give the trical retailer Comet, shoe shop Despite interest rates that have says he backs the chancellor’s the big credit ratings agencies Reserve’s approach of “forward Bank latitude to allow a temporary Stead and Simpson, and cam- hovered around zero since the broad aim of tackling the deficit, have warned the Treasury that guidance,” announcing that it inflation overshoot.” era specialist Jessops, has been mid-1990s, and repeated rounds but believes spending in some key the UK could be downgraded if plans to keep interest rates low However, even within its cur- even heavier than during 2009, of quantitative easing, Japan has areas could be increased without growth continues to disappoint. for a long time, at least until rent job description of keeping when the much-loved high street never achieved a sustained recov- him losing credibility. City experts believe a negative mid-2015. inflation close to two percent, the retailer Woolworths closed the ery. If, as many UK financial ana- He says: “Our view has always GDP reading for the fourth quar- If that should fail, he added, the Bank has “aimed off” its target doors of its 807 stores for the last lysts expect, official figures will been that what we need is a two- ter of 2012, potentially signalling inflation target could be ditched during the crisis, allowing infla- time. reveal next Friday that the UK pronged strategy: not abandoning the onset of a triple-dip recession, in favour of using a measure of tion to remain high, because, Like Comet and Jessops, HMV economy slipped into reverse in the overall fiscal plan, but adjust- could be the trigger. nominal GDP — the total output as King has repeatedly argued, and Blockbuster had both faced a the final quarter of 2012, chan- ing it; continuing to do things that With little hope that Osborne from the economy, measured in bringing it back to two percent formidable challenge to reinvent cellor George Osborne will face may be unpopular, like welfare will relax his grip on the finances, pounds, without adjusting for more rapidly would have entailed themselves as the relentless rise fresh questions about whether the reform, but taking action in all one area some economists have inflation. Proponents of a nominal an even deeper recession and of online retailing rocked their UK is heading for its own “lost those various areas where, rather seized on as ripe for a rethink - GDP target argue that at times higher unemployment. respective industries. But the decade”. than just increasing demand, you and one which appears to appeal when growth is very low, a bit of GUARDIAN NEWS SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 GECM & TENDERS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS MAP (GECM) Every Sunday German economy shrank in China trade rebounds in sign of Italian machine tool sales rose Q4 in face of euro crisis economic recovery 3.5pc in 2012 FRANKFURT: Germany’s BEIJING: China’s trade growth rebounded economy has fallen victim to US STOCKS: Wall Street little MILAN: Italy’s manufacturing strongly in December in a positive Japan warns on impact of economic problems hitting the sign for the gradual and still uncertain changed; Intel drags, Morgan technology producers made it rest of the eurozone and shrank weaker yen recovery of the world’s second-largest Stanley up through 2012 with an overall positive in the fourth quarter of 2012, TOKYO: Japan’s economy result, but the trade association economy. Export growth more than NEW YORK: US stocks opened little preliminary government figures minister surprised financial that represents them registered quadrupled from the previous month changed on Friday, a day after the show. According to government markets on Tuesday by warning concern that the manufacturing to 14.1 percent while imports — which S&P 500 rose to its highest level in figures released Tuesday, the of the potential ill effects of a sector recovery that followed the failed to grow at all in November — five years, as a weak outlook from German economy grew by a sharply weaker yen in a rare 2009 global financial crisis has modest 0.7 percent in 2012 - rose 6 percent in a sign of increasing Intel offset a fourth-quarter profit at rhetorical departure from years lost its momentum. UCIMU-Sistemi well below the 3 percent growth domestic demand, data showed Thursday. Morgan Stanley. Shares of Intel Corp of attempts by Tokyo to talk per Produrre, representing Italy’s seen in 2011 and suggests the slumped 6.1 percent to $21.30 after the currency down. “If the yen machine tool, robot and automation economy contracted in the last the tech company forecast quarterly becomes too weak, import system manufacturing industry, three months of the year. revenue that was below analysts’ costs will jump and there released preliminary output data estimates and hiked capital spending would be a negative impact on showing its members’ orders totaled plans for the year. people’s lives,” Akira Amari told €4.93bn (est. $6.55bn), an increase of India to be among three largest 3.5pc over the 2011 total. reporters. “I hope it will stabilise economies by 2050: PwC at a level that is best for the NEW DELHI: Emerging economies are set to public good.” grow faster than the developed economies SA miner in world’s top 10: over the next four decades and India is Survey likely to become one of the three largest Australian jobless rate hits 5.4pc economies by 2050, says a PwC report. JOHANNESBURG: Johannesburg SYDNEY: Australia’s unemployment rate According to the report ‘World in 2050 The -South Africa-based diversified jumped to 5.4 percent in December, data BRICs and Beyond: Prospects, challenges Brazil’s real opens stronger resources group Exxaro Resources showed Thursday, with a net 5,500 jobs ahead of central bank meeting has been named one of the top 10 and opportunities’, the global financial crisis lost as the mining-powered economy SAO PAULO: The Brazilian central mining companies worldwide to has accelerated the shift of the economic slows and manufacturing struggles. The bank likely will hold interest rates at have delivered the highest total centre of gravity and China is expected to Australian Bureau of Statistics said the the current record low of 7.25pc at its shareholder returns over the 10-year surpass the United States to become the seasonally-adjusted jobless rate increased policy meeting after markets close period spanning 2001 to 2011. largest economy in the world by 2050. 0.1 percentage points from an upwardly- Wednesday. But some economists revised 5.3 percent in November. Analysts said that with Brazil’s economy said the scale of the losses was worse than remaining sluggish, the bank may forecast. “Generally the message is that the indicate its willingness to restart the labour market, whilst it is okay, is softening rate-cutting cycle later this year. and therefore unemployment is starting to go up,” said Alan Oster, chief economist at the National Australia Bank.

TENDERS

TENDER TENDER CLOSING TENDER TENDER CLOSING No. COMPANY TENDER NO. SUBJECT No. COMPANY TENDER NO. SUBJECT BOND FEES DATE BOND FEES DATE Supply and delivery of gym equipment for 21 AF/C/AA5188/12 QR 20,000 QR 400 7/2/2013 04/02/2013 Aspire Academy Ministry of TAC/CW/ Construction of boundary wall 1 QR 55,000 QR 2,000 Before 12 Supply of equipment on rental basis (call- Defence G/31/2012-2013 (F-523-01) 22 AF/C/AL5201/13 QR 100,000 QR 700 14/02/2013 noon off) for Aspire Logistics Active directory and exchange migration to 23 AF/C/AF5204/13 QR 50,000 QR 400 17/02/2013 Aspire Zone Foundation Construction Exhibition stand for QP 2LT13100700 QR 90,000 QR 200 10/2/2012 Consultancy for material specifications & 07/03/2013 Environment and Career Fair 24 Kahramaa GTC/529/2012 QR 100,000 QR 800 standards of electricity distribution system (before noon) Supply, delivery and installation of MAC 04/02/2013 25 AF/C/AF5203/13 Pro with design tools for AZF management QR 5,000 QR 300 6/2/2013 TAC/CW/ Renovation of eight (8) nos. hangars 3 QR 580,00 QR 6,000 Before 12 section G/30/2012-2013 (E-204-01) Ministry of noon Supply, delivery of Mobile safety barrier defence 26 AF/C/AA5172/12 system folding accordion style panels in QR 5,000 QR 300 27/01/2013 04/02/2013 Aspire sports hall at Aspire Zone TAC/CW/ Construction of four (4) nos. electric 4 QR 20,000 QR 2,000 Before 12 Supply, delivery of polyethylene bags for L/32/2012-2013 sub-stations (F-530-01) AF/C/ noon 27 the collection & transportation of soiled QR 5,000 QR 300 27/01/2013 ASP5149-R1/12 linen for Aspetar on Call-off basis Maintenance of telemecanique variables AF/M/ 28 frequency drives (VFD) at Aspire Logistics QR 10,000 QR 300 27/01/2013 Supply, delivery and installation of sealed AL3043/12 AF/C/AL5198/13 QR 15,000 QR 300 7/2/2013 at Aspire Zone lead acid batteries for Aspire Logistics Supply, delivery, testing and AF/C/ commissioning & execution of civil & 29 QR 15,000 QR 300 10/2/2013 ASP5192/13 electrical refurbishment works of the CEO office at Aspetar Design, manufacture, supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning & Supply & delivery of reprographic 17/02/2013 6GT12MT0083 training of racking equipment for Erhama QR 65,000 QR 1,000 30 AF/C/AF5193/13 consumables on call-off basis for QR 5,000 QR 300 7/2/2013 (12:00hrs) bin Jaber Al Jalahma ship yard project Aspire Zone phase 4A, point of Ras Laffan Furnish design plans, supervise and provide allied services for the modification Acoustic emission survey for storage tanks of main entrances, lobbies and VIP areas 7LT13100500 QR 22,000 QR 200 3/2/2012 31 AF/D/AA0110/12 QR 60,000 QR 500 27/01/2013 at Mesaieed Facilities, Gas Operations of Aspire Sports Hall and for student’s cafeteria and Aspire Sports Academy at Aspire Zone Supply & commissioning of Telescopic 25/02/2013 8LT12MT0011 QR 92,500 QR 500 AF/C/ Supply, delivery and installation of renovate folding boom wire line Mast. (12:00hrs) 32 QR 10,000 QR 300 10/2/2013 ASP5200/13 furniture to the CEO office at Aspetar On-call supply of quality pavement repair Fabrication and supply of complete flare 27/01/2013 PWA/ 9GT11MT0077 QR 150,000 QR 1,000 33 (QPR) materials for road works AA-R/11- QR 25,000 QR 400 4/2/2013 tips (4 Nos.) (12:00hrs) STC/047/12-13 12/093/S Supply of electrical hoist, power tools and Provision of 17025 accreditation auditing PWA/ 10 ST12108700 QR 10,000 N/A 11/2/2013 34 other electrical materials AA-DOM/12- QR 8,000 QR 400 4/2/2013 services STC/050/12-13 13/M/1242-2.05/S 28/01/2013 Feed SOS for elimination of stray voltages Ministry of TAC/CW/ 11 LT13100300 QR 100,000 QR 200 3/2/2013 35 Renovation of car parking sheds (F-525-01) QR 28,000 QR 2,000 before 12 in RG plant Cabli defence L/33/2012-2013 noon Reconstruction & upgrading of Old Sale & removal of analysers, laborator, 21/01/2013 12 ST12MT0139 QR 2,000 Free S a l w a R P S w i t h u n d e r g r o u n d r e s e r v o i r s kitchen equip. & work stations (12:00hrs) Designs, supply and construction of a 30MIG rectangular RC underground Provision of industrial cleaners for Dukhan 13 GT13100600 QR 400,000 QR 500 10/2/2013 reservoir, pumphouse to accommodate 8 field nos. pumps + 4 slots for future VFD 335 Ips 21/02.2013 @45 meters headpumps, control building. QR 36 GTC/518/2012 QR 20,000 Time before Sale and removal of casing and casing 21/01/2013 In addition, office building of 1350m2/Floor, 2,000,000 14 ST11MT0112 QR 2,000 Free 12:00 noon nipple (12:00hrs) and 2 office buildings of 500 m2/floor, water operation & maintenance building Inplant piping survey of RG plant, FNGLCS 960 m2/floor, all comprise of basement, 15 LT13100200 QR 100,000 QR 200 3/2/2013 and FHSP in Dukhan fields ground and 3 floors, lagoon, chlorination building, guard houses and switch gear building. Instrument support services at offshore 16 GT13100700 QR 150,000 QR 500 17/02/2013 location Construction of Kahramaa Customer Contact & AMI Center The proposed customer contact and AMI center is located 14/02/2013 Trailers for transporting breathing 25/02/2013 GTC at Al Thumana south of Doha. The building QR 17 ST12MT0377 QR 10,000 QR 100 37 QR 20,000 (before 12:00 apparatus cylinders (10 Nos.) (12:00hrs) 516/2012 comprises basement, ground and two 3,000,000 noon) floors and a service area with total built up Mobile security forward command vehicle 17/02/2013 18 LT12MT0136 QR 100,000 QR 500 area of 18,092 m2, in addtion to external diesel engine driven (1 No.) (12:00hrs) landscape Fabricate, supply and installation of port Water leak inspection for underground fire, PWA/ cabin for guard house and toilet at out of 38 QR 20,000 QR 400 4/2/2013 19 AF/C/AL5197/13 domestic irrigation and chilled water piping QR 100,000 QR 700 17/02/2013 STC/052/12-13 Doha city road in five locations at Truck at Aspire zone parking yard AA/R/12-13/OM/403/S PWA/ Price agreement for supply and installation 39 QR 105,000 QR 750 3/2/2013 ITC/045/12-13 of printers ISD/12-13/SY/09/I AF/M/ Comprehensive maintenance of motorized Consultancy services for Enterprise CAD 20 QR 30,000 QR 400 7/2/2013 PWA/ AA3044/12 curtains at Aspire Sports Hall 40 solution implementation QR 150,000 QR 750 17/02/2013 ITC/043/12-13 EBSD/11-12/N/004/I SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Rose takes control in Abu Dhabi The world number five leads by two shots; Donaldson, Olesen share second place

ABU DHABI: World golf distractions and that makes it number five Justin Rose Abu Dhabi Scores more difficult.” Rose felt his over- Hahn, Castro showed his title rivals a clean Scores from the European Tour all game was exactly where he pair of heels in the Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Championship at the wanted it to be yesterday. maintain lead Championship third round yes- par-72 course yesterday in Abu “I played really well today,” he terday, surging two strokes Dhabi said. “Every time I had the club clear after cramming seven in my hand I felt like I was going 204 Justin Rose (Britain) 67 69 68 at Humana birdies into a four-under 68. to hit a good shot and that’s not After top-ranked Rory McIlroy 206 Jamie Donaldson (Britain) 67 70 always the case. and world number two Tiger 69; Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark) 68 69 69 “Some days you have to work LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA: Woods missed the cut on Friday, 207 Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) 70 71 harder than others and some days Rookie James Hahn and Rose had centre stage pretty 66 are a bit of a grind. Today it felt Roberto Castro maintained much to himself at the European 208 Richie Ramsay (Britain) 73 68 pretty smooth.” their lead by shooting five- Tour event and again showed he 67; David Howell (Britain) 69 71 68; Gonzalo The best third-round perform- under 67s in the second round of revels in the spotlight. Fernandez-Castano (Spain) 70 67 71 ances came from India’s Shiv the PGA Tour’s $5.6m Humana Fellow Briton Jamie Donaldson 209 Andrew Dodt (Australia) 74 70 65; Chowrasia (65) and Australian Challenge yesterday. (69) and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen Ricardo Santos (Portugal) 71 72 66; Michael Andrew Dodt (65) as they carded Hahn and Castro are both (69) were tied for second on Campbell (New Zealand) 69 71 69 the lowest scores of the week. chasing a first PGA Tour victory 10-under 206, one ahead of 210 Jbe Kruger (South Africa) 72 69 69; “I got married two weeks ago. I and are at 14-under par. Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (66). Martin Kaymer (Germany) 71 69 70 don’t know if that’s got something “Same situation as yesterday, Rose, who led by one stroke to do with it,” said Dodt after fin- my playing partner was making a overnight, dropped a shot by of credibility. You can say you’ve ishing on 209 thanks to a birdie bunch of birdies too and we both three-putting the par-four first beaten the best players and that’s hat-trick on each nine. kind of got going and had the mojo before launching a dynamic exactly what you need to do. You “It’s all going well at the going the right way, so it was a charge with five birdies in six need to do that in majors and you moment - as it probably should good day,” Castro said. holes to the turn. need to do that most weeks on be.” “I played well all day. Some nice The 32-year-old made more tour,” he added yesterday after Married life was also a topic of up-and-downs on the par-fives inroads on par at the 12th and lighter winds led to lower scoring conversation for Chowrasia after for birdies, a couple slipped away 18th and would have stretched his on the difficult Abu Dhabi Golf his wife decided to have a lie-in there at the end. lead further but for bogeys at the Club layout. yesterday. “Yesterday I made a 50-footer 13th and 17th, the latter coming Rose said the absence of The twice former European on the last on a good putt. Today after another three-putt. McIlroy and Woods made it easier Tour winner teed off at 0738 local I felt like I hit a good putt and The 6-foot-2 (1.89-metre) for the rest of the players. time and quickly catapulted his three-putted. So that stuff is Englishman, still waiting to “If Tiger and Rory are the two way up the leaderboard to chalk going to even out over 72 holes.” achieve that elusive first major guys right behind you there is a up a 211 total. Hahn had an eagle and a nice triumph despite racking up 10 lot of hullabaloo about the day and “My wife Simantini has been birdie stretch in the second half victories around the world, said I guess it would be more intense with me all week but it was too of his round. a win here would hold special out there just based upon people’s early a start for her today,” said “I started off slow,” Hahn said. significance. interest,” he said. Chowrasia. “But I hit some good shots and “Anyone who wins, they have “I think what does influence “She walked around the course had a stretch of a birdie, eagle, beaten the number one and you when you go up against Rory with me on the first two days but Justin Rose of England acknowledges spectators after the end of the third birdie, and that was pretty much number two in the world,” Rose and Tiger is the crowd. There are then she said, ‘No more, it’s too round of the 2013 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf my round.” told reporters. “It gives this tour- a lot more people milling around, early for me’,” he said yesterday, Club in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, yesterday. Just one stroke back were nament absolutely huge amounts there are more cameras, more REUTERS Darron Stiles, Scott Stallings and Richard H. Lee who each shot 65 and moved into a tie. Jason Kokrak had shared the McIlroy needs time to bed in new clubs, says manager lead with Castro and Hahn. REUTERS ABU DHABI: World number tracks straight away, it’s just not one Rory McIlroy always knew normal.” it would take time to adjust to Ridge said McIlroy simply did Humana Challenge his new Nike equipment and not play well in his first competi- will not be perturbed at miss- tive outing with his new clubs. US PGA Scores ing the cut in the Abu Dhabi “He even said himself at the Championship, according to his start of the week that it was LA QUINTA, California: manager. going to be an unknown going into Rory McIlroy of Leading second-round scores McIlroy, who signed a multi- tournament play versus what he Northern Ireland leaves yesterday in the $5.6m US PGA year contract with the US was doing on the practice range,” the 18th green at the Tour Humana Challenge on sportswear firm on Monday that Ridge said. end of his match during the Palmer Course, Nicklaus according to media reports is “I think if he had 14 Titleist the second round of Course and La Quinta Country Club course (USA unless worth around $250m, carded his clubs in his bag...it would have the Abu Dhabi Golf noted, all courses par-72): second successive three-over 75 been exactly the same.” Championship at the yesterday and failed to qualify for McIlroy’s appearance at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club on 130 Roberto Castro 63-67, James Hahn the final two rounds here. European Tour event in Abu 63-67 Friday. “It’s going to take time,” man- Dhabi was his first outing since he 131 Darron Stiles 66-65, Scott Stallings ager Conor Ridge told reporters. won the end-of-season DP World 66-65, Richard H. Lee 66-65 “He’s got to work the clubs in Tour Championship in Dubai in 132 Lee Williams 67-65, Jason Kokrak gradually. November. 63-69, Zach Johnson 66-66, David “It was always going to be that The 23-year-old Northern Lingmerth (SWE) 68-64, Kevin Stadler way, he knew that from the start. Irishman will now take another 66-66, Charles Howell 67-65, Charley Some things will not be quite long break before return- Hoffman 65-67, Greg Chalmers (AUS) right at first and some things will ing in four weeks’ time at the 64-68, Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 64-68 be perfect. WGC-Accenture Match Play “A couple of things will take Championship in Arizona. a tournament and then have The key for US PGA cham- game is in good shape heading 133 Daniel Summerhays 65-68, Stewart a few weeks to get used to. He “The reason he played here is another four weeks to work on it pion McIlroy is to be ready for into Augusta that’s all I’m wor- Cink 66-67, Ricky Barnes 65-68, won’t be concerned by this, trust because he knew he could take again,” said Ridge. the first major of the season, the ried about,” he said after the first Robert Garrigus 66-67, Russell Henley me. You can’t make a change like a couple of weeks of testing, a “I actually think it’s going to US Masters in April. round in Abu Dhabi on Friday. 64-69, Brian Gay 67-66, Bud Cauley that and just seamlessly hit the couple of weeks of practice, play work out well that way.” “As long as I feel like my REUTERS 70-63

QCA to coach Al Emaam Al Shafi School pupils Kings extend Durant scores 52 as contracts for coach, top execs Thunder edge Mavs

LOS ANGELES: The Los DALLAS: Kevin Durant to grab the victory after Mike Angeles Kings, the 2012 Stanley scored a career-high 52 points James failed with a late three- Cup champions, have handed as the NBA-leading Oklahoma point attempt. out new deals to their coach- City Thunder prevailed 117-114 “They’ve got the heart of a ing and management staff, the in an overtime thriller against champion,” Durant said of Dallas. National Hockey League club the Dallas Mavericks yesterday. “Everybody is going to bring said yesterday. Durant landed a perfect 21 their best against us. Dallas is a Head coach Darryl Sutter, from 21 at the free-throw line, championship level team, no mat- president/general manager Dean with Russell Westbrook adding ter what their record is. Lombardi and the president of 31 points for the visitors as the “I’m glad we gutted this one business operations Luc Robitaille Thunder (32-8) won their sixth out.” agreed to multi-year contract straight to continue their domi- Vince Carter scored 29 from extensions, the Kings said in a nance in the league. the bench to lead Dallas, who statement. “I knew (about closing in on had their four game win streak “We are ecstatic that we have a career-high haul) but I was snapped, while Dirk Nowitzki kept our leadership team in place just trying to focus on the game and Mayo contributed 18 each. both on the hockey side with and get us this win,” Durant told REUTERS Dean and Darryl and on the busi- reporters. ness side with Luc and remain in “Going into that fourth quarter a position to continue compet- I had missed like eight shots in NBA Results ing for the Stanley Cup for many a row and my team mates kept more years,” said team governor telling me to be aggressive and Chicago 100 Boston 99 Tim Leiweke. they were giving me confidence Philadelphia 108 Toronto 101 Sutter, who was hired in every time.” Charlotte 106 Orlando 100 December 2011, helped lead the Durant’s fourth quarter misses Kings to the franchise’s first allowed Dallas (17-24) to make Indiana 105 Houston 95 Al Emaam Al Shafi School pupils, teachers and Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) officials pose for a picture. Stanley Cup championship as the up a nine point deficit and force Brooklyn 94 Atlanta 89 QCA has announced they will offer coaching classes for the pupils, after visiting Al Emaam Al Shafi School. team went 16-4 in the postseason overtime when OJ Majo nailed a Memphis 85 Sacramento 69 Malik Nazar Mohammed, senior coach and technical adviser, QCA coach Trishanen and coach Abdul Salaam, and, prior to that, 25-13-11 in the three-pointer with 2.3 seconds met with the school’s principal Hamad Mohammad Al Hinzab and also the school’s sports teacher Ahmed regular season. left. San Antonio 95 Golden State 88 Kamel. Prior to the selection of the boy’s team, a four–week training period was organised in the school The Kings start their title But Durant found his form Washington 112 Denver 108 premises which was attended by 30 students. defence today when they host the again, landing nine of the Oklahoma City 117 Dallas 114 Chicago Blackhawks. REUTERS Thunder’s 12 points in overtime SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

A general view of Gilles Simon of France serving to compatriot Gael Monfils during their men’s singles match at the Australian Open in Melbourne, yesterday. CENTRE: Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka serves during her women’s singles match against Jamie Hampton of the US. RIGHT: Former Australian international cricketer Shane Warne (left) and British actress Elizabeth Hurley look on as Switzerland’s Roger Federer takes part in his men’s singles match against Australia’s Bernard Tomic.

Today’s Order of Play

MELBOURNE: Order of Federer ends Tomic’s run play on the main showcourts at the Australian Open today (play starts at 0000 GMT Chardy stuns Del Potro in Melbourne; Serena, Murray win in straight sets on all courts, prefix denotes seeding): ROD LAVER ARENA MELBOURNE: Roger Federer 5-Angelique Kerber (Germany) vs was in no mood to let a trend 19-Ekaterina Makarova (Russia) develop after the first real 4-David Ferrer (Spain) vs 16-Kei Nishikori upsets of the week at the (Japan) Australian Open tennis yes- terday and slapped down local Kirsten Flipkens (Belgium) vs 2-Maria upstart Bernard Tomic with Sharapova (Russia) authority to reach the fourth From 0800 round. 13-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) vs 4-Agnieszka Juan Martin del Potro stunned Radwanska (Poland) Federer to win the US Open in 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs 15-Stanislas 2009 but the Argentine sixth seed Wawrinka (Switzerland) was on the receiving end of the HISENSE ARENA shock yesterday when an inspired From 0130 Jeremy Chardy led a four-strong French charge into the last 16. 10-Nicolas Almagro (Spain) vs 8-Janko Serena Williams and Andy Tipsarevic (Serbia) Murray never looked like losing 6-Li Na (China) vs 18-Julia Goerges sometimes challenging contests (Germany) earlier in the day but defending MARGARET COURT ARENA champion and world number one From 0400 Victoria Azarenka had a closer Kevin Anderson (South Africa) vs 5-Tomas call and was forced to dig deep Berdych (Czech Republic) for her victory. All eyes were on the evening match in Rod Laver Arena, how- ever, where Tomic had been talk- Federer says ing up his chances of translating his good early-season form into a victory over a player rated by Armstrong’s many as the best to ever pick up a racket. Tomic gave his best and came Jeremy Chardy of France serves during his third round match against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, cheating hurt within two points of winning a yesterday. RIGHT: Switzerland’s Roger Federer (left) shakes hands after his victory in his men’s singles match against Australia’s Bernard Tomic. thrilling second-set tiebreak but all sports the 17-times Grand-Slam cham- pion simply upped the gears, number 36. “It’s a big win for me, like: ‘Can I have a back problem? but eventually broke down his down before he charged back to pulled out a couple of extraordi- maybe the best of my career,” he I’m feeling great but I’m missing Lithuanian practice partner beat Croatian Ivan Dodig 4-6, 6-3, MELBOURNE: Tennis great nary winners, and raced away to said after the match. every shot’.” Ricardas Berankis 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 7-6, 6-0. Roger Federer said he was a 6-4, 7-6, 6-1 victory. After five days without any Williams, seeking a sixth title after a tricky 132 minutes in the His seventh-seeded compatriot saddened by American cyclist “I had to be able to bring the upsets of note at the year’s first at Melbourne Park, also wobbled Melbourne sun. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had an easier Lance Armstrong’s admis- whole repertoire to the court Grand Slam, two came along a bit at 3-0 down in the second set “Sometimes when you are day, hammering Blaz Kavcic 6-2 sion that he cheated his way to today, defence and offence, which within minutes. against world number 72 Ayumi struggling, you get very frus- 6-1 6-4 as the Slovenian paid the seven Tour de France wins and I enjoy,” said the second seed, who As Chardy was packing up Morita after losing her serve for trated,” said the British third price for the nearly five hours he believed it would have a nega- next faces Milos Raonic, before his rackets on Hisense Arena, the first time in the tournament. seed. “I need to strike the ball bet- spent in the sweltering heat on tive impact on all sport. offering some advice to Tomic. Italian Andreas Seppi was secur- The third seed showed no dis- ter. My timing was off and I was Thursday in his second-round tie. Armstrong confessed in a tel- “I think it’s important to ing his place as the Frenchman’s comfort from the ankle strain she leaving a lot of balls very short “We have a lot of good players,” evised interview with chat show be confident but obviously you next opponent by wrapping up sustained in the opening round, and allowing him to dictate some said Chardy. host Oprah Winfrey this week respect the game and you respect a 6-7, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over however, and stormed back to win of the points.” “I think everybody starts to to using banned performance- the other players. I think he has Croatian 12th seed Marin Cilic, a the next six games and dismiss Murray was able to put his feet play well this year. I don’t know enhancing substances to estab- a lot of respect for me.” semi-finalist in 2010. the Japanese 6-1, 6-3. up and watch his next opponent what is the thing. We just play lish himself as one of the biggest Del Potro battled back from Azarenka had to come back “I feel good,” the 31-year-old Gilles Simon beat compatriot Gael good,” he added. names in sport. two sets down to level his third- from a break down in the deciding American said. “I feel today was Monfils 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6, 8-6 in a Japan has also had a good “What a sad story,” 17-times round contest but the mercu- set to avoid the same fate against actually a really good match for four-hour, 43-minute marathon tournament but Kimiko Date- Grand-Slam winner Federer said rial Chardy grabbed a break in injury-hampered American Jamie me. I was involved in a lot of that ensured four Frenchman Krumm’s fairytale run came to after reaching the fourth round the decider and held his nerve to Hampton and her relief at her longer points, something I defi- would be in the fourth round for an end with a 6-2, 7-6 defeat to of the Australian Open yesterday. serve out for a 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win was clear. nitely wanted.” the first time since 1998. Serbian Bojana Jovanovski, who “I don’t know what to say. It 6-3 win. “She took a medical timeout US Open champion Murray Ninth seed Richard Gasquet’s was born two years after her just really saddens me to see that “I had nothing to lose today so but she rips winners all over the berated himself for playing progress was by no means smooth opponent made her debut at someone did this for such a long it was easy to play,” said the world place,” said Azarenka. “I was “nonsense” tennis at times and he was a set and a break Melbourne Park. REUTERS time. “Obviously he’s hurt his sport in Yesterday’s Results a big way, even though he helped Murray backs anti-doping passports it in the beginning. But now the Women’s Results burden they live under, all other Bojana Jovanovski (Serbia) bt Kimiko Date-Krumm (Japan) 6-2, sports maybe as well. MELBOURNE: 7-6(3) Andy Murray Biological passports are used in “I’m an active athlete right now yesterday backed a tougher some sports including cycling to and it’s not fun times really to be 29-Sloane Stephens (US) bt Laura Robson (Britain) 7-5, 6-3 anti-doping regime for tennis, provide a running record of each in sports to a degree. I guess all 10-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) bt Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) including biological passports athlete’s test results, to detect I needed to see was the first few 6-4, 6-3 and more blood tests, to keep unusual variations. minutes of the interview and then 3-Serena Williams (US) bt Ayumi Morita (Japan) 6-1, 6-3 the sport drug-free after the After Djokovic said Armstrong I knew what was the deal, and the Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) bt Carla Suarez Navarro (Spain) Lance Armstrong scandal. should “suffer for his lies” follow- rest I don’t really care. 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 As Serena Williams called ing his long-awaited doping con- “It’s just very saddening this 1-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) bt Jamie Hampton (US) 6-4, 4-6, the Armstrong saga “sad” and fession, Azarenka also had harsh story, to be honest,” he said yes- 6-2 women’s number one Victoria words for the seven-time Tour de terday. REUTERS 14-Maria Kirilenko (Russia) bt 20-Yanina Wickmayer (Belgium) Azarenka said the disgraced France champion. 7-6(4), 6-3 cyclist “deserves everything he “I think he deserves everything Men’s Results gets”, Murray said he would sup- he gets. You know, you cannot go port tighter controls for tennis. through the stuff and be a hero 14-Gilles Simon (France) bt Gael Monfils (France) 6-4, 6-4, 4-6 “I think it’s something that all in the end of the day. You cannot 1-6, 8-6 sports are now trying to improve lie. You cannot cheat,” said the 2-Roger Federer (Switzerland) bt Bernard Tomic (Australia) 6-4, their doping controls and make it Belarusian. 7-6(5), 6-1 better, you know, make sure that Williams said that the 13-Milos Raonic (Canada) bt 17-Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) every sport’s as clean as possible,” Armstrong case would now 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-4 the British major-winner said at bring many top athletes under 3-Andy Murray (Britain) bt Ricardas Berankis (Lithuania) 6-3, the Australian Open. suspicion. 6-4, 7-5 “If that’s more blood testing Andy Murray of Britain signs “I think as an athlete, as some- 21-Andreas Seppi (Italy) bt 12-Marin Cilic (Croatia) 6-7(2), 6-3, or the biological passports, that’s autographs for fans after one that works really, really hard 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 something we need to do and defeating Ricardas Berankis of since I was four or three, you improve in tennis, as well.” know, I think it’s a sad day for Jeremy Chardy (France) bt 6-Juan Martin Del Potro (Argentina) Lithuania in their men’s singles Drug cases are rare in tennis all athletes in general,” she said. 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(3), 3-6, 6-3 match, yesterday. but its anti-doping system has Williams added: “Unfortunately, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 7-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) bt Blaz Kavcic (Slovenia) 6-2, 6-1, been criticised as outdated. I think a lot of people now look 6-4 celebrates after defeating Blaz Men’s number one Novak months, although Murray said his and are like, OK, if somebody that Kavcic of Slovenia in their men’s 9-Richard Gasquet (France) bt Ivan Dodig (Croatia) 4-6, 6-3 Djokovic Friday said he had not blood was examined between four great, what about everyone else in singles match, yesterday. 7-6(2), 6-0. been blood-tested for six or seven and six times a year. every other sport?” AFP SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Armstrong still keen to compete The American describes lifetime ban as the ‘death penalty’, told his kids not to defend him

NEW YORK: Lance harsher than the sanctions dished Armstrong says he received the out to other self-confessed cheats, Today’s riders “death penalty” for using per- who were given lesser sentences formance-enhancing drugs and for testifying against him. lying about it for over a decade, “I am not saying that’s unfair, paying price but the disgraced cyclist still I’m saying it is different,” he said harbors a strong desire to com- in a comment sure to infuriate for doping, pete and hopes his lifetime ban his critics. will one day be lifted. “I deserve to be punished but I In contrast to the impassive am not sure I deserve the death says Schleck confessions to doping Armstrong penalty.” gave in the first part of his inter- The 41-year-old said he had Cyclist Lance Armstrong ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA: view with US talk show host no ambitions to return to profes- is interviewed by Oprah Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck Oprah Winfrey on Thursday, sional cycling but just wanted to Winfrey in Austin, Texas, said yesterday that today’s rid- Armstrong struggled with his be able to compete in sanctioned in this January 14, 2013 ers would pay the price for the emotions as he discussed the events, though he conceded his handout photo courtesy systematic doping undertaken impact his fall had had on his chances were slim. of Harpo Studios. by disgraced seven-time Tour family. “With this penalty, this punish- de France champion Lance Eyes welling up and pausing to ment, I made my bed,” he said. Armstrong. gather his composure, Armstrong “Would I love to run the Chicago “When this all started I was 14, recalled the moment he told his marathon when I am 50? I would 15 years old so I came into a dif- children the accusations against love to do that but I can’t. ferent era,” the 27-year-old said. him were true and said the fall- “Realistically, I don’t think that “I think it’s a bit sad that we now out from the affair had left his will happen and I’ve got to live have to pay the price for what mother “a wreck”. with that.” happened 15 years ago.” The most humbling moment Armstrong, who had always He said Armstrong’s televised had come when he had to stand denied using banned substances, confession to Oprah Winfrey this aside from Livestrong, the cancer again refuted some of the accusa- week had not revealed anything foundation he established, he said. tions against him in a 1,000-page new. “It’s not really a surprise... “The ultimate crime is the USADA report that led to his life- on his personal torment rather ... if anyone says anything to you he had to quit the Livestrong because we knew the evidence betrayal of these people who sup- time ban and the voiding of all than his sins. do not defend, just say, hey my foundation. beforehand,” Schleck said. port me and believed in me and his race wins. He admitted he was ashamed of dad said he was sorry.’” “That was most humbling “I think it’s good for him, maybe they got lied to,” he said. He denied claims he continued what he had done and was closest Armstrong said the scandal moment,” said Armstrong, who it gets some weight off his shoul- Critics said Armstrong had using drugs when he made his to tears recalling the moment he had taken a toll on his mother, survived testicular cancer before ders but I believe the sad thing shown little sign of contrition on comeback in 2009 and said there told his children that the accusa- saying “she’s a wreck”, and had going on to win the Tour de about it is that cycling is going Thursday, but in the second part was no truth to suggestions a rep- tions against him were true. hit him financially. France seven times. to pay the price now, and it’s sad of the interview aired yesterday resentative of his tried to pay off “I saw my son (Luke) defend- He said he lost about $75m Armstrong said he had no idea if we have to pay the price for it there appeared to be genuine USADA to drop their investiga- ing me and saying, ‘That’s not when his sponsors deserted him what the future held but said he when we weren’t even profession- remorse. tion into him. true’ ... that’s when I knew I had last year after USADA released hoped he could rebuild his life. als 15 years ago.” The Texan conceded he “That is not true,” he snapped. to tell him. He never asked me, its damning report on him. “I’ve been to a dark place that Belgium’s Philippe Gilbert said deserved to be punished for years “I think they (USADA) said it was ‘Dad is this true?’ He trusts me,” “All gone. Probably never com- was not of my doing where I didn’t the riders on the professional cir- of doping that helped him win a $250,000, it was broad number Armstrong said. ing back,” he said. “I’ve lost all know if I would live,” he said. cuit were sick of talking about record seven Tour de France and that’s a lot of money. I would “I said, ‘Listen, there’s been a future income.” “You can’t compare this to an Armstrong. titles. know about that.” lot questions about your dad, did The cancer survivor is already advanced diagnosis. That sets the “It is part of the story of cycling However, he said the penalty he With his reputation already I dope and did not dope? ... I want facing a string of challenges that bar. It is close but I’m an opti- of course, but it is the past and we was given by the US Anti-Doping seemingly beyond repair, the sec- you to know that it is true’. “I told could cost him millions more but mist and I like to look forward.” just want to see something differ- Agency (USADA) was much ond part of the interview focused Luke, ‘Don’t defend me anymore said the lowest point was when REUTERS ent now,” he said. AFP

Gignac’s late goal gives Beach Soccer: Barca, Milan to clash in Doha Marseille win DOHA: Beach Soccer teams Barcelona and AC Milan will clash in an exhibition match at PARIS: A last-gasp goal by Katara Beach on January 26. Andre-Pierre Gignac gave The match will be played at Olympique Marseille a thrilling 7:00pm just before the final of the 3-2 comeback home win against AFC qualifiers of the FIFA Beach champions Montpellier in Ligue Soccer World Cup 2013. 1, yesterday. Nasser Al Khater, Vice Striker Gignac found the back Chairman of the Local Organising of the net one minute into stop- Committee, is eager to welcome page time to lift OM up to sec- the European giants to Qatar. He ond place with 41 points from 21 said: “We look forward to having games, one point adrift of leaders two of Europe’s best beach soccer Olympique Lyon. teams square off at Katara during Andre Ayew put the Provence the Asian qualifying rounds. We side ahead when he headed home are positive this will be an excit- in the 14th minute. ing match-up. Best of luck to both Andre Ayew came close 10 clubs.” minutes before the interval with FC Barcelona and AC Milan a shot from just outside the box will arrive in Doha on January 24, that shaved Geoffrey Jourdren’s and will train at Katara during AC Milan’s Beach Soccer team poses for a picture ahead of a match. RIGHT: Barcelona’s Beach Soccer team are seen before a match. Both clubs will left post. the morning of January 25. play a match against each other at Katara Beach on January 26. Montpellier upped the tempo Training sessions will be open and Utaka controlled Cabella’s to media, and a mixed zone will be cross into the box and fired past open after the training sessions. Amarelle, one of the best beach who was voted best goalkeeper Clubes, a club beach soccer tour- Dejan Stankovic and Stephan Mandanda to make it 2-1 for the As with the matches of the soccer players in the history of in the world during the FIFA nament held in Brazil. Meiser will be supported by the visitors. AFC qualifiers of the FIFA Beach the sport. Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 in Meanwhile, Italy’s AC Milan backbone of the Italian Beach In the 80th minute, Jordan Soccer World Cup, entry to the The Spanish giants have three Ravenna, Italy. have two key players from the Soccer National Team – Paolo Ayew scored before Gignac, ben- Barcelona vs AC Milan beach soc- world champions among their FC Barcelona have twice Swiss National team, who are the Palmacci, Stefano Spada and efited from a bad clearance to cer friendly will be free of charge. ranks: Egor Eremeeey, Dimitry reached the quarterfinals in 2011 current European Beach Soccer Simone Feudi. score. REUTERS Barcelona is led by Ramiro Shishin and Andriy Buklhitskiy, and 2012 at the Mundialito de League champions. THE PENINSULA Drag Race: Al Sarraf, Al Lanjawi record wins

DOHA: Kuwait’s Salem Al final, the UAE’s Ali Al Lanjawi Sarraf won the first Runabout edged Kuwait’s Yousef Al Stock race after beating Qatar’s Abdulrazzaq to clinch first place. Abdullah Naim Al Baker in the Al Lanjawi had beaten Qatar’s final of the first aqua bike Drag Muhsin Saeed Al Hajri in the Race of the new season. semi-final and cruised through Hosted by the Qatar Marine his first heat in yesterday’s ses- Sports Federation (QMSF), the sion in Doha. event was held at the Katara Al Abdulrazzaq had beaten cultural village yesterday, which Bahrain’s Bader Hassan Ali in his attracted the Gulf’s (from semi-final after pipping Kuwait’s Bahrain, UAE and Kuwait, as well Mohammed Jassim Al Baz in his as Qatar) top aqua bike riders in first heat. each of the categories. The format for yesterday’s Approximately 45 riders took racing consisted of a first set of part in the first round in Doha, heats for the Runabout Stock, yesterday. Runabout Super Stock and Open The Runabout Stock race classes. category winner Al Sarraf had The second series of heats took already beaten fellow countryman place after the lunch break. Mohammed Ibrahim Burbaie in Finals in each category brought the semi-final and won his open- proceedings to a close before the ing heat. podium awards’ ceremony. Al Baker had got the better of The next round of the QMSF Qatar’s Khamis Al Housani in his aqua bike Drag Race competi- The podium winners along with officials pose for a picture after the Qatar Marine Sports Federation’s aqua bike Drag Race competition at Katara beach, semi-final and Kuwait’s Yousef Al tion will be held next Saturday yesterday. RIGHT: A participant in action during the first round of the competition. The second round of the competition takes place on January 26. Abdulrazzaq in his first race. on January 26. In the Runabout Super Stock THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Yazeed returns Franklin steers Kiwis to MERC for full to unexpected victory season of rallying DOHA: Saudi Arabia’s motor myself and gain more experience sport ambassador and leading and professionalism because, if Visitors script one-wicket win against SA in first ODI rally driver Yazeed Al Rajhi is you want to compete with the to make a return to a full pro- fast drivers, you have to par- gramme of FIA Middle East ticipate in external champion- PAARL: A superb rear-guard Scoreboard New Zealand’s reply got off to Rally Championship (MERC) ships and practice more,” said knock of 47 not out from James a poor start as opener Martin events this season, starting with the Saudi. Franklin helped New Zealand SOUTH AFRICA NEW ZEALAND Guptill was run out without a full assault at next weekend’s “In addition to that, the pull off an improbable one- H Amla lbw Mills ...... 13 R J Nicol c Smith b Tsotsobe ...... 4 facing a ball and fellow opener Qatar International Rally. Middle East Championship wicket victory against South G Smith lbw McClenaghan ...... 7 M J Guptill (run out-de Villiers) ...... 0 Rob Nicol (4) fell soon after to Al Rajhi finished third over- doesn’t give the driver the same Africa in the first one-day inter- C Ingram c N McCullum b Williamson ...... 29 B J Watling b McLaren ...... 45 Lonwabo Tsotsobe. all at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta level of experience as the World national yesterday. A B de Villiers lbw McClenaghan ...... 7 K S Williamson c du Plessis b Tsotsobe ...... 5 When Williamson became S2000 in last autumn’s Jordan Championship. New Zealand, who elected to F du Plessis c Nicol b Williamson ...... 57 B B McCullum lbw Kleinveldt ...... 26 Tsotsobe’s second victim in the Rally with his regular Ulster “My participation in the field first, bowled out South Africa Q de Kock c N McCullum b Franklin ...... 18 G D Elliott c Smith b Kleinveldt ...... 1 eighth over, New Zealand were co-driver Michael Orr, but a full Middle East will not prevent me for 208 on a slow pitch after debu- R McLaren c B McCullum b Williamson ...... 33 J E C Franklin (not out) ...... 47 in trouble at 21 for three. attack at the MERC is a wel- from taking part n the World tant Mitchell McClenaghan and R Peterson lbw b McClenaghan ...... 0 J D S Neesham lbw McLaren ...... 0 Captain Brendon McCullum come return for the Saudi star Championship with the S2000 off-spinner Kane Williamson sti- R Kleinveldt c Mills b Williamson ...... 26 N L McCullum lbw McLaren ...... 24 (26) joined Watling and the pair after another impressive outing car, which will have a new name fled the hosts by taking four wick- D Steyn b McClenaghan ...... 0 K D Mills b McLaren ...... 26 began to steady the innings. in Cyprus last November. this year – WRC2. We now have ets apiece. Faf Du Plessis (57) was L Tsotsobe (not out) ...... 0 M J McClenaghan (not out) ...... 0 However, their 52-run partner- Al Rajhi decided to gradu- a new system of freedom where the only South African to reach Extras (B-4, LB-3, NB-1, W-10) ...... 18 Extras (LB-13, W-15, NB-3) ...... 31 ship ended amid farcical scenes ate to the FIA World Rally drivers can choose which rallies the half-century mark. Total (all out in 46 2 overs) ...... 208 Total (for 9 wkts in 45.4 overs) ...... 209 as a power failure at Boland Park Championship during the WRC to participate in.” South African-born BJ Watling Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-27, 3-37, 4-83, Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-4, 3-21, 4-73, 5-81, denied the skipper a review when round in Jordan Rally a few years The Qatar International Rally (45) kept New Zealand above the 5-119, 6-178, 7-179, 8-182, 9-183, 10-208 6-105, 7-105, 8-140, 9-187. he was adjudged lbw in the 18th ago and he has become a regular in being organised by the Qatar required rate but the visitors lost Bowling: Mills 8-1-55-1 (nb-1, w-2); Mc- Bowling: D W Steyn 10-3-33-0 (2w); L L Tsot- over off Rory Kleinveldt. face on the international scene Motor and Motorcycle Federation their way and stumbled to 140 for Clenaghan 10-2-20-4 (w-2); N McCullum 6-0- sobe 8-2-43-2; R K Kleinveldt 9-0-37-2 (1nb, Wickets continued to tumble outside the Middle East over (QMMF) and takes place on new eight in the 33rd over. 34-0; Franklin 10-1-44-1 (w-3); Williamson 7 9w); R McLaren 8.4-0-46-4 (2nb, 3w); R J Pe- during the black-out and when the last two years, in addition to stages to the north of Doha, with However, Franklin and lower- 2-0-22-4; Neesham 4-0-22-0 (w-3); Elliott terson 10-0-37-0. the power was finally restored, taking part in several European a new service park and a revised order batsman Kyle Mills (26), 1-0-4-0. Player-of-the-Match: Franklin (New Zealand). Zealand still required a further rallies. route. Action will take place on produced some dogged batting to 69 runs for victory. He and Orr will use an January 25 and January 26. guide New Zealand to an unlikely Colin Ingram (29) and debu- with a boundary to fine leg off But Franklin, who had survived M-Sport-prepared Ford Fiesta The FIA Middle East Rally one-wicket victory. The result tant Quinton de Kock (18) offered Kyle Mills in the 39th over, and an umpire review for a catch in RRC this season, the car in which Championship officially began in handed New Zealand a 1-0 lead du Plessis some support, but by that stage South Africa were the 32nd over, and Mills frus- the Riyadh driver finished his 1984 and only two Saudi drivers in the three-match series. both were well caught by Nathan 171 for five. trated the home side. first full season in the FIA SWRC have managed to win the title in The Proteas came into the McCullum to end useful partner- McLaren fell soon after, begin- Mills was bowled by McLaren Championship in third position that time. Mamdouh Khayat won game on top of the ICC ODI rank- ships and leave the home side 119 ning a procession of wickets, in the 44th over with 22 runs still last year. the series in 1992 and Abdullah ings but had not played 50-over for five in the 30th over. including that of Du Plessis, which needed, but Franklin continued to The break from regional ral- Bakhashab was triumphant three cricket since September and the Du Plessis remained steadfast, were shared between Williamson keep the South Africans at bay lying has made Al Rajhi a more years later. top order struggled to cope with and, with the help of a quick-fire and McClenaghan. and a cover-drive for four guided accomplished driver and that was Al Rajhi has already won the difficult pitch. 33 from 39 balls by all-rounder Rory Kleinveldt (26) struck his team over the line with 26 clearly demonstrated by his stage three MERC rallies and several Hashim Amla (13), Graeme Ryan McLaren, was able to give three big sixes to get the score balls to spare. times on the recent MERC rallies other FIA events and will be Smith (7) and AB De Villiers (7) the innings some much-needed past the 200 mark in the 46th The second game of the three- in Jordan and Cyprus. determined to start his 2013 title were all trapped in front of their momentum. over, and was the last to be dis- match series takes place in “I stopped my career in the challenge with a win in Qatar stumps to reduce the home side The right-handed Du Plessis missed with 22 deliveries still Kimberley on Tuesday. Middle East Championship and this weekend. to 37 for three in the 12th over. brought up his fifth ODI fifty remaining in the innings. REUTERS went to the WRC to develop THE PENINSULA

Hungary’s Gabor Boczko defeats Russia’s Anton Avdeev to win 2013 Qatar Grand Prix at Gate Mall

Gabor Gyula Boczko of Hungary (second left) winner of the 2013 Qatar Fencing Grand Prix poses for a picture along with runner-up Anton Avdeev (left) of Russia, Nikolai Novosjolov ( second right) of Estonia and Alexandre Blaszyck of France, who took bronze at the Gate Mall in Doha yesterday. Boczko won $10,000 for his effort. Today, the final of the women’s semi-finals and final will be held at the Gate Mall from 6.00pm. The Preliminary rounds will be held in the morning at Aspire Academy. On Monday, the championship will conclude with the women’s team event. The Championship in epee is contested by 240 players from 45 countries. This year, the final rounds of the event is being held at the Gate Mall in a new move to attract fans. RIGHT: Boczko (left) and Avdeev in action during their final match. PICTURES BY: KAMMUTTY VP

Chaiblaine Zinedine, a five-year-old, gets his first lessons in fencing at Aspire Academy yesterday. Zinedine was part of a group of youngsters who attended a coaching clinic conducted by Qatar Fencing Club on the sidelines of the Qatar 2013 Fencing Grand Prix and World Cup. RIGHT: Participants of the United Nations (UN) Youth Leadership Camp in Doha who took part in the fencing coaching clinic pose for a picture along with officials of Qatar Fencing Club at Aspire Academy yesterday. Sunday 20 January 2013 8 Rabial I Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5585 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Hosts India take ODI series lead England lose third ODI by seven wickets in five-match series; Kohli top scores

RANCHI: An overall team Scoreboard effort enabled India clinch the third One-Day International ENGLAND Bowling: Bhuvneshwar Kumar 10-2-40-1; (ODI) against England by seven A Cook lbw S Ahmed ...... 17 Shami Ahmed 8-0-23-1; Ishant Sharma 7-0- wickets and go 2-1 up in the I Bell c Dhoni b Kumar ...... 25 29-2; Ravindra Jadeja 6.2-0-19-3; Ravichan- five-match series at the JSCA K Pietersen c Dhoni b Sharma ...... 17 dran Ashwin 10-0-37-2; Suresh Raina 1-0-1-1. International Stadium here J Root c Dhoni b Sharma ...... 39 INDIA yesterday. E Morgan c Y Singh b Ashwin ...... 10 G Gambhir c Root b Tredwell ...... 33 Put in, England were bowled out C Kieswetter b Jadeja ...... 0 A Rahane b Finn ...... 0 for a measly 155, and India chased S Patel lbw Jadeja ...... 0 V Kohli (not out) ...... 77 down the target in 28.1 overs in T Bresnan b Ashwin ...... 25 Y Singh b Tredwell ...... 30 the first international game at the J Tredwell (not out) ...... 4 M S Dhoni (not out) ...... 10 newly-built 39,000-capacity beau- S Finn c Y Singh b Raina ...... 3 Extras (B-1, LB-1, W-5) ...... 7 tiful stadium. J Dernbach b Jadeja ...... 0 Total (for 3 wkts in 28.1 overs) ...... 157 Virat Kohli, currently World Extras (LB-6, W-9) ...... 15 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-78, 3-144. No.3 in the ICC rankings for Total (all out in 42.2 overs) ...... 155 Bowling: Steve Finn 9.1-0-50-1; Jade Dern- ODIs, anchored the innings to Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-68, 3-68, 4-97, 5-98, bach 5-0-45-0; Tim Bresnan 7-2-31-0; James return unbeaten 77. His splendid 6-98, 7-145, 8-145, 9-155, 10-155. Tredwell 7-1-29-2. knock included nine boundaries and the two sixes of the match. In the process, Kohli also Mahendra Singh Dhoni came and caught Samit Patel plumb in became the fastest to get to 4000 out to bat on Yuvraj’s dismissal to front of the stumps. Incidentally, runs in ODIs in 96 matches, the oblige his hometown crowd which all three batsmen were out for a same as West Indies legend Viv kept chanting “Dhoni... Dhoni!” duck. Richards. He is the second young- right through the match and to Offspinner Ravichandran est to go past 4000 runs after bat- their delight he struck the win- Ashwin provided good support, ting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. ning four. taking two wickets for 37 runs Tendulkar was 22 years and India got into driver’s seat from his quota of 10 overs. 359 days, while Kohli is 24 years thanks to a brilliant bowling per- Pacer Shami Ahmed provided 75 days. formance by their bowlers. They the breakthrough when he took Kohli got ample support justified their captain’s faith by the prize wicket of England skip- from opener and Delhi team- dismissing the visitors in 42.2 per Alastair Cook for 17 to start mate Gautam Gambhir (33) overs. the slide. and Yuvraj Singh (30) after the Man-of-the-Match in the Ishant Sharma got the wick- home team suffered an early second ODI at Kochi, Ravindra ets of Kevin Pietersen (17) and blow when Mumbai batsman Jadeja was again the star of the Joe Root, who top scored with 39, Ajinkya Rajane was bowled by show as he collected three wickets both caught behind. pacer Steven Finn for a duck in in 6.2 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the third over. Jadeja bowled both Craig Suresh Raina also chipped in with India’s Virat Kohli plays a pull shot against England in the third One-Day International (ODI) at the JSCA International India skipper and local boy Kieswetter and Jade Dernbach a wicket each. IANS Stadium in Ranchi yesterday. India won by seven wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Silva trims Man United’s lead Barcelona suffer

LONDON: Manchester City cut to last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Manchester United’s Premier United in emphatic fashion by League lead to four points by thrashing Norwich City 5-0 at beating Fulham 2-0 yesterday Anfield to close to within three first Liga defeat thanks to a brace of goals from points of the European places. Spanish midfielder David Silva. At the bottom of the table, United are not in action until Adam Le Fondre scored twice in they visit Tottenham Hotspur on six minutes as Reading dragged Sunday and defending champions themselves out of the relegation of the season City took advantage to breathe zone by coming from behind once fresh impetus into their title again to win 2-1 at Newcastle MADRID: An injury-time Valencia, a huge 18 points off the defence. United. strike from substitute Imanol pace. Barca once again began with Silva broke the deadlock after Yohan Cabaye’s picture-perfect Agirretxe condemned 10-man Andres Iniesta in attack along- just 96 seconds at the Etihad free-kick put Newcastle in front Barcelona to a 3-2 defeat at Real side Messi and Pedro Rodriguez Stadium, slamming home from 10 minutes prior to the interval Sociedad yesterday, their first with Alexis Sanchez struggling six yards after Fulham goalkeeper but Le Fondre equalised 65 sec- of a record-breaking La Liga for form and David Villa injured. Mark Schwarzer parried a long- onds after coming on as a 70th- season. Real Sociedad played the more range shot from Edin Dzeko. minute substitute and then curled Lionel Messi scored in a 10th defensive Markel Bergara in mid- Steve Sidwell hit the post for in a 77th-minute winner. consecutive game for a landmark field rather than Ruben Pardo but the visitors in the 31st minute and It was Reading’s second second time, putting Barca ahead even so they were under threat City lost Pablo Zabaleta to injury improbable comeback in two after six minutes with Pedro right from the start with a ball before Silva added a second with games following their dramatic Rodriguez doubling lead. over their backline from Iniesta 21 minutes left, gathering a Carlos 3-2 success over West Bromwich But Chory Castro pulled a goal saw Messi scamper clear on goal. Tevez flick and beating Schwarzer Albion last weekend and it meant back before the break and then On this occasion, he slotted the with a dinked finish. that Newcastle remain two points got his second after 63 minutes. ball the wrong side of the post but Meanwhile, Liverpool reacted above the bottom three. With Gerard Pique off the he was not so forgiving minutes Joe Cole scored the first goal field after receiving a red card, later as he fired Barca ahead. English Premier of his second spell at West Ham Agirretxe got the winner in the Iniesta was once again involved United. 91st minute.There appears to be as he slipped the ball to Messi New signing Loic Remy marked no record out of reach for Messi on the edge of the area and he League Results his QPR debut with a coolly-taken who scored in 10 straight matches picked his spot in the corner Liverpool 5 (Henderson 26, Suarez 36, 14th-minute goal but Cole gave in the 2011-12 season, notching up past the desperate dive of keeper Sturridge 59, Gerrard 66, Bennett 74-og) West Ham a share of the spoils 18 goals in the process. Claudio Bravo. A weakened Barca Norwich 0 when he converted from close It equalled the mark set by had drawn 2-2 with Malaga at Manchester City 2 (Silva 2, 69) Fulham 0 range in the 68th minute. Ronaldo, who scored 12 in 10 Camp Nou in the first leg of the Newcastle 1 (Cabaye 35) Reading 2 (Le Sunderland continued their games during the 1996-97 sea- Spanish Cup quarter-final after Fondre 71, 77) recent revival by coming back son, and Mariano Martin who put they dropped their level after the Swansea 3 (Davies 49, De Guzman 59, 80) from a goal down to win 3-2 at away 18 in 10 matches between break but they came out all guns Stoke 1 (Owen 90) Wigan Athletic, who slipped into 1942 and 1943. blazing in San Sebastian. the drop zone. Messi has now hit 15 goals in 10 Still Real have a dangerous West Brom 2 (Brunt 49, Odemwingie 83) Swansea City warmed up for games and 29 overall in the league forward line of their own and Aston Villa 2 (Benteke 12, Agbonlahor 31) the second leg of their League this season, but it counted for lit- they went close to equalising West Ham 1 (J Cole 68) QPR 1 (Remy 14) Cup semi-final with Chelsea by tle on the night. after 10 minutes when Carlos Wigan 2 (Vaughan 4-og, Henriquez 79) beating Stoke City 3-1 at the Barca went into the game hav- Vela knocked a free-kick to Sunderland 3 (Gardner 17-pen, Fletcher 20, Liberty Stadium. ing set a new record for a La Liga Xabi Prieto, who had been left 42) In the late match, Peter start with 18 wins -- and just one unmarked in the box, but he hit Playing today Odemwingie’s late strike saw draw against Real Madrid -- for the side netting. AFP Chelsea vs Arsenal (1330GMT), Tottenham vs West Bromwich Albion fight 55 points from a possible 57. Manchester Utd (1600GMT) back from two goals down to draw Despite the loss, they are still 11 Manchester City’s David Silva celebrates scoring against Fulham during La liga results Playing Monday 2-2 at home to Aston Villa in an points ahead of Atletico Madrid, their English Premier League match in Manchester, northern England, Granada CF 2 Rayo Vallecano 0 Southampton vs Everton (2000GMT) entertaining Midlands derby. who play Levante on Sunday, and yesterday. AGENCIES Real Madrid in third, who face Real Sociedad 3 Barcelona 2