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Thursday 14 March 2013 2 Jumada I 1434 - Volume 18 Number 5638 Price: QR2

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Prince Charles, Camilla in Doha OPINION Rethink plan Why is Iraq supplying oil to shift shops, to Egypt? he Iraqi Tgovern- ment of Nouri urges CMC Al Maliki agreed last week to pro- vide Egypt Ministry not renewing licences with about four million Khalid Al Sayed DOHA: The Central Municipal unprecedented rise in shop rents. barrels of oil. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Council (CMC) has urged the Already, there is a severe short- The develop- Ministry of Business and Trade age of shops in commercial areas,” ment comes to review its decision of not CMC’s vice-chairman, Jassim after the visit of Egyptian PM renewing commercial licences Al Malki, told The Peninsula Hesham Gendel to Iraq, which of neighbourhood stores (gro- yesterday. was the first by a top Egyptian ceries operating in residential The government hasn’t so far official in thirty years. The areas). specified per square metre rent Iraq-Jordan pipeline, that The ministry, it is learnt, is not of commercial space locality-wise, ends at Al Aqaba port, will be renewing the licences of neigh- leaving scope for shop and prop- used to supply the crude oil. bourhood stores which are being erty owners to exploit the demand Egypt has been in the throes asked for several years to shift to and supply situation and shortages of a financial crisis since the commercial areas. to their advantage, said Al Malki. Britain’s Prince Charles (centre) and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (right), arrive with Sheikh Abdul overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. The trade ministry is renewing “We have urged the ministry Rahman bin Saud Al Thani, member of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums Authority, to visit the Museum The deal will help fill the gap commercial licences of only eight to postpone its decision until the of Islamic Art in Doha, yesterday. in Egypt’s diesel production, businesses operating in residential plans to shift the neighbourhood which is 22,000 tonnes per day localities, which include schools stores into service centres in each whereas the daily consump- and educational centres like locality materialise,” he said. “It tion is 35,000 tonnes. coaching classes, beauty salons, would take time.” Al Maliki also decided to flower and gift shops, nurseries, The CMC has in the mean time release 33 Egyptian prisoners photo studios, medical centres urged the government to identify Man gets death for drug smuggling in his country and both sides and pathological laboratories. places where the proposed serv- have agreed to look at ending The ministerial decision means ice centres can be built, accord- Egyptian debts, recruiting that all other businesses operat- ing to Al Malki. The plan is to DOHA: A criminal court here when the Border and Coastal was wheat flour that they had Egyptians for work in Iraq. ing in residential areas such as the build a huge service centre com- has sentenced a man to death Security Guards tried to inter- to bring. Obviously, Al Maliki is eager neighbourhood stores, laundries, plex in every residential locality and fined him QR500,000 for cept them. When they reached the island, for reconciliation with the barber shops, engineering, audit and allot shops to neighbourhood smuggling a huge consignment The authorities were tipped the main convict asked his accom- Muslim Brotherhood govern- and legal consultancy offices and stores, laundries and barber shops of drugs into the country and off that two people were try- plice to load seven sacks full of ment since the relations faced others must shift to commercial on a priority basis since they are pulling out a gun on a public ing to smuggle 150kg of hashish drugs on a boat. The accomplice problems during the era of locations. The CMC, a public rep- basic services needed by the peo- security official. from an island. A patrol team of told the court that when he real- President Jamal Abdul Naser, resentative body, had told the trade ple on a daily basis. The govern- An accomplice of the con- the Border and Coastal Security ised that it was drug he refused Al Sadat and Hosni Mubarak, ministry that the neighbourhood ment, the CMC vice-chairman vict who said he was forced Guards was set up in close col- to touch the consignment. “When and due to the Iraqi invasion of stores must be allowed to continue said, should learn a lesson from by the latter to aid him in the laboration with the Anti-Drug I refused he (the prime convict) Kuwait and the assassination until alternative space is provided, its earlier decision of shifting all crime at gunpoint was sen- Enforcement Department and it forced me at gunpoint,” said the of Egyptian ambassador Eyhab as removing them from residential auto garages to the Industrial tenced to life imprisonment and swung into action to nab the cul- second convict. When the duo Al Sharif in Baghdad in 2005. areas would put people to extreme Area. “Now, even for a minor fined QR300,000. The Public prits. The main convict took his reached the coast around mid- Maliki is seeking to gain the inconvenience since these stores repair to our car we have to rush Prosecution charged the duo with accomplice to bring sacks of drugs night they were shocked to see trust of Muslim Brotherhood provide home delivery service and to the Industrial Area in traffic smuggling and possessing hash- that were buried in the seawater the public security personnel and win its support for his keep open at odd hours. jams and wait in long queues. We ish and opium in large quantities near an island. According to the patrolling the area. The main con- stance on Arab Spring, espe- “Also, removing these facili- hope the trade ministry heeds our for trafficking. They were also accomplice (the second convict), vict immediately dumped some of cially on Syria. ties from residential locali- request,” said Al Malki. accused of possessing weapons he agreed to help the main con- the consignment in the sea, and Continued on page 4 ties would lead to a sudden and THE PENINSULA and showing armed resistance vict because he was told that it was nabbed. THE PENINSULA

Champions League clash Argentinian Ooredoo defends is new Pope new brand name VATICA N CITY: BY AZMAT HAROON team which looked into market Jorge Mario research, focus groups and exist- Bergoglio DOHA: Ooredoo said yesterday ing benchmarks before finally (pictured) it had to change its brand iden- coming up with a new brand of Argentina tity because it was becoming name and colour. was elected increasingly difficult to operate “Some people compared our in a surprise 17 brands in as many countries. choice of colour with Vodafone. choice to be The objective behind rebrand- That is ridiculous. Vodaphone the new leader ing was to bring together 93 does not operate in the sixteen of the trou- million customers — not just its countries where we do. We are bled Roman two million subscribers in Qatar, only together in Qatar,” Al Catholic according to a senior Ooredoo Sayed said. Many customers were Church yesterday, and said he official. initially divided on the new brand would take the name Francis I. “We had to expand because of identity of Qtel but that phase Pope Francis, 76, appeared on the limitation of the local mar- had passed, he said, adding that the central balcony of St Peter’s ket. It’s very difficult to manage 17 the Qatari identity was not com- Basilica just over an hour after brands in 17 different countries,” promised with the new name. white smoke poured from a chim- Waleed Al Sayed, Chief Operating “At the beginning, a majority of ney on the roof of the Sistine Officer of Ooredoo said. Al Sayed people were against the new brand Chapel to signal he had been cho- was addressing a press confer- name, which was primarily on the sen to lead the world’s 1.2 billion ence held at Ooredoo Tower on social networking sites. Today Roman Catholics. Bayern Munich’s Luiz Gustavo (right) is challenged by Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla during the Champions League the sidelines of the company’s the situation has flipped. A large The choice of Bergoglio was round of 16 second leg match in Munich, yesterday. Lacklustre Bayern Munich advanced to the Champions re-branding. majority of people understand announced by French cardinal League quarter-finals despite losing 2-0 to Arsenal to book their ticket on the away goals rule. See also page 26 The variety of brand names the objective behind unifying the Jean-Louis Tauran with the Latin made it difficult for Qtel to com- brands,” Al Sayed said, adding words “Annuntio vobis gaudium pete with international telecom that the brand alone doesn’t mean magnum. Habemus Papam” (“I companies. In order to be rated anything and it was the invest- announce to you a great joy. We among the top telecom companies ment in services that mattered. have a Pope” Maid hits student with bottle inside school in the world, a brand is evaluated “Today if you say AT&T, you know Francis becomes the 266th on basis of market capitalisation, it is from US. Similarly, Vodafone pontiff in the Church’s 2,000-year DOHA: A young student of a to hospital, where he was given against the school, since it was number of customers and prof- is from the UK, Orange from history at a time of great crisis private school suffered serious several stitches on the head. responsible for the safety of itability. That can only happen France, TMobile from Germany and difficulty. Although a con- head injuries after he was hit The Supreme Education students. effectively if there is a unified and Google and so on. You don’t servative he is seen as a reformer with a bottle by a housemaid, a Council (SEC) is investigating the Several housemaids can be seen brand, Al Sayed explained. need to say Qatar telecom in and was not among the small local Arabic daily reported yes- incident,, the daily said. waiting in the school everyday. While defending the choice of order for people understand group of frontrunners identified terday. The incident happened The SEC had called the father They come to drop off and pick the new brand identity, the offi- this company is from Qatar.” before the election. REUTERS in the school on Tuesday. Faisal of the child and assured him up children, said the daily. cial also said that Ooredoo had THE PENINSULA Full report on page 10 Nasser Al Madeed was taken that it will take necessary action THE PENINSULA collaborated with a high-level See also page 4 THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Salwa Road underpasses to open partially from tomorrow Preparation to begin work on main, service roads

DOHA: All the newly con- underpasses to ensure smooth the existing road. The main line structed underpasses on the traffic. will feature eight lanes, four lanes Salwa Road will be partially Diverting traffic to the under- in each direction separated by a operational from tomorrow, pass comes in preparation for median with continuous service the Public Works Authority starting works on the main road roads, as well as four two-level (Ashghal) said yesterday. and service roads along the side interchanges. The underpasses from the Al of the underpass, without affect- Providing a strategic cor- Asiri flyover to the Industrial ing traffic, Ashghal said in a ridor between Doha and the Area direction will be open for statement. Saudi Arabian border, the Salwa traffic from tomorrow, while in “The partial opening of all Road project is an integral the opposite direction, two out of underpasses on Salwa Road is a part of Ashghal’s Expressway four lanes will be functional from testament to the steady progress Programme. March 29. being made on one of the most The programme will deliver This will allow vehicles trav- strategic projects in Qatar, that more than 30 major road projects elling to and from Industrial will allow shorter routes, better across Qatar, including new and Area and Faleh Bin Nasser connectivity and, most impor- upgraded freeways, expressways interchanges to bypass all traffic tantly, more convenience to com- and arterial roads, a new orbital signals. muters,” said the statement. highway and truck route as well The two lanes will match the The project will deliver about as substantial upgrades to exist- number of operational lanes at seven kilometres of dual car- ing roads. the beginning and the end of the riageway along the alignment of THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

HMC to mark Depict social World Kidney Day with slew problems on of events

DOHA: The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) will mark screen: Artist World Kidney Day with a series of events across Doha to raise awareness about kidney injuries and diseases. Creative Writing Workshop at DFI The events will begin today and continue until Saturday. BY RAYNALD C RIVERA In collaboration with Ooredoo, booths have been set up in DOHA: For a real film industry the lobbies of Hamad General to grow in Qatar, it is important Hospital (HGH) and the out- to honestly take to the screen patient clinics, offering kidney challenges faced by society, health information. according to a prominent Qatari. HMC clinicians will visit schools “Once we have the ability to across Doha to educate students talk about social problems, what- on how to avoid kidney injuries ever problems we have in the by maintaining a healthy diet and community in our films, then we undertaking regular exercise. will have a good film industry,” Tomorrow, World Kidney Ghanem Al Sulaiti (pictured), Day events will move to Katara prominent Qatari actor, play- Cultural Village. From 4pm, wright, director and producer told there will be a performance by The Peninsula yesterday. the Qatar Armed Forces Musical Coming from a conservative Crew members with one of the new hi-tech ambulances. Band, followed by performances society, Al Sulaiti said he had to by students of Qatari, Indian and face challenges when he decided directing to writing and produc- Filipino schools. Visitors will be to embark on a career on stage ing, he prefers acting because “it is able to take free diabetes, blood and films. the final product that people see.” HMC adds 17 hi-tech vehicles pressure and weight check-ups “Definitely, I faced many chal- He is mentoring over 30 par- performed by HMC staff. lenges because we are in a con- ticipants in a five-day ‘Qoul Qasa: “Since 2006 World Kidney Day servative country, so years back Creative Writing Workshop’ at to Ambulance Service has been celebrated on the sec- I had to fight even my family, Doha Film Institute (DFI). ond Thursday in March,” said because I used to write mostly “This workshop is very sig- Dr Hassan Al Malki, Head of about social and political issues, nificant not only in Qatar but DOHA: The Hamad Medical teams deliver advanced levels of 12-lead ECG capture and trans- the Nephrology Department at criticising whatever was happen- anywhere for anyone who is inter- Corporation (HMC) has care, helping improve patient out- mission, temperature, EtCO2, HMC. “Its aim is to raise aware- ing that time. I became not only ested in being part of the film- expanded its Ambulance comes in Qatar,,” said Dr Robert carbon monoxide, SpO2, meth- ness of the importance of kidneys a writer but fighter,” he recalls. making industry. For them to be Service by adding 17 new vehi- Campbell Owen, Chief Executive emoglobin and the only multi- to the overall health and reduce “But if you want to become a part of the industry, they have to cles this month. Officer of the Ambulance Service. parameter defibrillator available the frequency and impact of kid- real artist you have to be a fighter,” start with the ‘golden keys’, the The ambulances have been LUCAS is an external mechani- with the capability to deliver ney diseases and associated health he said, adding he never thought stages to be a filmmaker later deployed across the country. cal device that provides chest shocks up to 360-joules. problems worldwide.” of money when he ventured into on and creative writing is one of Over 12 months HMC is compressions during cardiop- LIFENET System is a compre- The events this year are production but his passion, which them,” he explained. deploying 100 new Mercedes ulmonary resuscitation (CPR) hensive cloud-based data network themed ‘Kidneys for Life: Stop for him was so important. Launched by DFI’s film Sprint ambulances equipped in accordance with the 2010 that helps Ambulance Service Acute Kidney Injury’. The prolific artist graduated from financing arm, the Gulf Film with a full suite of physio-con- American Heart Association/ and hospital teams work more “Anybody may have a kidney the Higher Institute for Dramatic Development (GFD), the work- trol emergency medical response European Resuscitation Council efficiently by sharing critical attack or an acute kidney injury. Arts in Cairo, specialising in play- shop aimed to help nurture solutions, including the LUCAS Guidelines. LUCAS frees up res- chest pain patient data to reduce Elderly people and those with writing. He has written over 15 skills of aspiring writers for Chest Compression System, cuers to perform other critical time-to-treatment, enabling chronic diseases such diabetes, plays on social and political issues, future screenplay writing and LIFEPAK 15 monitor/defibrillator, tasks and improves Ambulance device software and configura- hypertension or heart disease some of which he directed, and some film projects, covering important LIFENET System data network Service staff safety, and unlike tion fleet-wide are particularly at risk of devel- 300 hours of material for dramedy aspects of writing from identify- and LIFEPAK 1000 automated humans performing CPR, never LIFEPAK 1000 AED is an oping this severe renal complica- genre. ing powerful themes to critical external defibrillator (AED). gets tired. easy-to-use automatic external tion. Nearly 10 per cent of the Although he calls himself ‘a evaluation of films crucial for “Combined, these technologies LIFEPAK 15 monitor/defibrilla- defibrillator designed for rugged Nephrology Department’s inpa- man of the theatre’ for perform- dramatic cinematic writing. are helping the HMC Ambulance tor offers advanced non-invasive environments. tients have acute kidney injuries.” ing many roles from acting and THE PENINSULA Service and hospital-based care monitoring parameters, including THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Cabinet slams attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque Session reviews national registry proposal

DOHA: The Cabinet condemned Centre Regulatory Authority was recurring Israeli attacks and vio- also taken up. The meeting consid- lations on Al Aqsa Mosque, the ered approval for the application Muslim worshippers inside it and of the provisions of the Law No. 24 the students in addition to the des- of 2002 concerning retirement and ecration of the Holy Quran, which pensions of the Qataris working with is a flagrant defiance of the inter- Qatar’s National Cancer Society. national law and the international The Cabinet approved Doha’s legitimacy-related resolutions and hosting of the 18th meeting of the a clear cut negligence of the possi- Secretaries General of the Shoura ble grave repercussions on security and national councils in the GCC and stability of the region. states which will open in April, 2014. The Cabinet, at its weekly meet- A proposal of the Ministry of ing under the chairmanship of the Justice on forming a joint team work Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to consider aspects of legal and judi- H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin cial cooperation within the context of Jabor Al Thani, called upon the world the joint Arab plan between the GCC community to firmly and urgently and each of Jordan and Morocco was FROM LEFT: Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer, Waleed Al Sayed; Chief Operating Officer, and Fatima Al Kuwari, Director, intervene to halt the Israeli attacks, discussed. The meeting considered a Public Relations at Ooredoo at a Media Roundtable at Ooredoo Tower yesterday. (KAMMUTTY VP) violations and disrespect of the draft agreement on cooperation in Islamic sanctities, the rights of the measurement fields between Qatar’s Palestinian people and Israel’s illegal Ministry of Environment and the and illegitimate practices and policies Saudi Specifications, Measurements Ooredoo to distribute iPhones in Qatar to Judaise the holy city of Al Quds and Quality Authority. and obscuring its Islamic features and The meeting approved a draft DOHA: Ooredoo has tied up with Apple are equally divided between Blackberry, the future,” Al Sayed said. landmarks and its Arab character. agreement on avoidance of double tax- to distribute iPhones in Qatar, a senior Samsung, Apple, Nokia and other mobile Ooredoo will also launch the ultrafast 4G The Deputy Prime Minister ation and prevention of financial eva- Ooredoo official said. companies, according to Al Sayed. Long-Term-Evolution (LTE) mobile broad- and Minister of State for Cabinet sion as related to income tax between “The agreement will help us sell iPhones Speaking on the issue of price war, he band network in April. Affairs H E Ahmad bin Abdullah Qatar and Hong Kong’s Special at better prices,” Sheikh Soud bin Nasser Al noted that it is not up to Ooredoo to decide The 4G LTE network will deliver speeds Al Mahmoud said that the Cabinet Administrative Region (SAR) of China Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo, prices. that are three-to-six times faster than the considered following: It reviewed a and a draft agreement on air transport said at a press conference yesterday. “If I want to reduce prices of any of the current 3G network and will offer the best draft law on control of tobacco and between Qatar and Australia. He announced that the first order of new products, I am subject to approval from the penetration in the Arabian Gulf. Customers its derivatives, a draft law amending The Cabinet endorsed an agreement handsets has already been placed. regulator (ictQatar),” Al Sayed said, adding will be able to easily stream high-bandwidth some provisions of the Law No.8 of on setting up a joint committee for coop- “The contract with Apple is to give a that the ‘competitor’ is not bound by the content like HD video on their mobile 1990 concerning control of foodstuffs eration between Qatar and Ethiopia, complete experience to customers on both regulator as per the existing telecom law, phones, and to transfer large files through fit for human consumption. a memorandum of understanding on service and product end,” Waleed Al Sayed, hinting at Vodafone. 4G USB modems and MiFi devices. The Cabinet considered a letter of bilateral consultations between the for- Chief Operating Officer of Ooredoo said, To address the issue a Regulatory Ooredoo will launch the 4G LTE net- the Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) eign ministries of Qatar and Ethiopia. adding that packages related to the new Accounting System (RAS) is being built work starting in Doha, where it has already concerning a proposal for establish- It is worth mentioning that there product will be announced soon. and Ooredoo is collaborating with ictQatar installed 100 antennas, including at popular ing the state’s national registry. A are two Chinese SARs, the Hong Ooredoo has also signed an agreement to revamp prices. destinations such as The Pearl, Katara, West memo of the Ministry of Economy Kong SAR and the Macau SAR, with Samsung to launch the upcoming “We are working with the telecom reg- Bay, the Corniche and Sealine Beach Resort, and Finance concerning the audited former British and Portuguese Samsung Galaxy 4 in the country. ulator to better understand the issue of according to a release by the company. accounts of the Civil and Commercial dependencies, and which returned Qatar has now close to one million cus- prices. Ooredoo has involved professionals The phase two of Fiber to the home (ftth) Court and the Regulatory Court of to China in 1997 and 1999 pursuant tomers on the mobile network and the with consultation of ictQatar to build the has also begun and it is expected to be com- Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) for the to the Sino-British Joint Declaration country has one of the highest numbers of Regulatory Accounting System so that the pleted by 2014, officials said. fiscal year ended on 31-12-2011 and a of 1984 and the Sino-Portuguese Joint smartphone users in the region. These users approval of our prices will be smoother in THE PENINSULA report on the Civil and Commercial Declaration of 1987 respectively. Court and the Qatar Financial QNA Rising rents, food prices push inflation rate up to 3.2pc

DOHA: Year-on-year inflation rose to 3.2 percent in February with house rent showing a dis- turbing upward trajectory, ris- ing 4.8 percent since February 2012, official data released yes- terday show. Rents, clubbed with fuel and energy, have a share of 32 per- cent in consumer expenses, though, show no increase Trial passengers check in at Hamad International Airport. month-on-month. Food costs, too, show no respite and grew 2.6 percent in a year. Food is clubbed with tobacco 1,000 ‘pass’ through Hamad Airport and beverages in the consumer price index (CPI) basket and have a weight of 13.2 percent, CPI fig- DOHA: In preparation for aircraft boarding and arrivals. Airways, the main user of the ures released by Qatar Statistics the soft opening of Hamad Over the next few weeks, facility, will switch its entire Authority (QSA) for February International Airport (HIA) a further 2,500 people will operations from DIA to HIA 2013 reflect. on April 1, a series of advanced go through trials to ensure a by the end of the year. Entertainment (recreation and passenger trials have been smooth and successful tran- Hamad International is a culture) made the largest dent in taking place at the new facil- sition of operations of flights modern, state-of-the-art air- household and individual’s budg- ity, and 2,500 more people will from the current Doha port, which will be Qatar’s new ets as they became 7.6 percent go thorough trials over the International Airport (DIA) to gateway to the world. Flights more expensive in a year since next couple of weeks, a press Hamad International Airport. from the 10 airlines will operate February 2012. statement said yesterday. The advanced trials are a key out of concourse B, and utilise Medical care, another basic More than 1,000 men, women milestone for HIA as it pre- the eastern runway, which is need, became expensive too with and children have gone through pares for the historic opening. the largest of the two runways its costs soaring 2.2 percent year- the trials to test the operations Ten airlines will begin operat- at HIA at just under 5,000 of passenger facilities from ing from Hamad International metres. on-year. Home appliances, textile check-in and immigration to Airport on April 1, while Qatar THE PENINSULA and furniture became 4.7 percent costlier. Transport and communica- tions costs rose a marginal 0.9 percent, while the only category in the CPI whose prices declined Maliki seeks to win over Brotherhood consisted of miscellaneous goods and services. Continued from page 1 to get a loan from the International Monetary Garment and footwear prices, He wants to build Arab support for his initia- Fund (IMF). At the same time, Al Maliki is keen on the other hand, remained tive which aims at bringing Bashar Al Assad and on winning Egyptian support to solve the Syrian unchanged. his opponents to the negotiating table. problem to protect the interests of Iran and the The Qatar Statistics Authority The Government of Al Maliki has been resist- Assad regime. data show that the price rise ing the overthrow of Syrian regime and, with Egypt has the right to decide its priorities. was minimal at 0.1 percent in support from Iran, opened its border to Shia Therefore, it’s not surprising to see it leaning February when compared to the extremist groups to fight alongside the Syrian towards Iraq on some Arab issues, including previous month. regime forces. Also, it has allowed Iranian air- Syria. An idea of how strongly the craft to use its airspace to fly to Syria, said news But we should not rush to conclusions. Let rents impact price rise can be agencies. us see how the relations will evolve, and what had from the fact that when they Both Iraq and Egypt stand to benefit from positions they will take in the forthcoming Arab (along with fuel and energy) are the oil deal. The government of Brotherhood is summit in Doha, especially on the issue of grant- excluded from the CPI, the rate of struggling to overcome the financial crisis, where ing membership to the Syrian National Council inflation comes down to 2.5 per- they are exploring the possibility of using the in Arab League. cent from 3.2. Iran-Syria closeness to exert pressure on the US THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Bahrain, Mauritania Mena youth invited to Arab League meeting MANAMA/NOUAK– CHOTT: H M King Hamad tops world’s bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain yesterday received a written message from the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al unemployed Thani, inviting him to the Arab League council’s 24th summit in Doha this month. Qatar’s Ambassador to Bahrain Silatech, CGAP hold workshop in Rabat Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamir Al Thani handed over the message DOHA: Qatar-based Silatech financial institutions, they gain to Bahraini Foreign Minister and the Consultative Group to access to resources and services Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Assist the Poor (CGAP) con- such as savings accounts, small Mohammed Al Khalifa. cluded a two-day workshop in loans to start new businesses, Meanwhile, Mauritanian Rabat yesterday aimed to help or other types of products that President Mohamed Ould young people in the region gain help them build their capital and Abdulaziz also received a written access to financial services. expand opportunities available to message from the Emir, inviting Young people in the Middle them. him to the meeting. East and North Africa (Mena) “At the moment, young people Qatar’s acting Charge have the lowest levels of access in the Arab world do their best d’Affaires in Nouakchott Fahad to financial services and the high- to get access to these resources Rashid Limrykhi handed over est rates of youth unemployment, through informal channels such the message to the president in the world. as family and friends. yesterday. According to the World Bank, “We hope workshops like this only 13 percent of young people will help open the region’s finan- Ridha Al Khdour, Infection Control Practitioner at HMC, giving a presentation on ‘Personal Protective Equipment’ (age 15-24) in the Mena region cial resources to young people and at a workshop for focal points on surveillance and control of outbreaks of communicable diseases, organised by ‘Caravan of Love’ have accounts at a formal finan- help make financial institutions the Supreme Council of Health at the Grand Heritage Hotel in Doha, yesterday. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) cial institution compared to a aware of the huge, and largely to visit Syrian worldwide average of 37 percent, untapped, youth market that is and 17 percent in the next clos- available to them.” refugees est region, sub-Saharan Africa. “In most countries in the Mena Youth unemployment in the Mena region, the so-called ‘youth bulge’ No more suspected Corona DOHA: A popular Qatari con- region is the world’s highest, at presents an exciting opportunity voy is set to head today to Al 25 percent. for financial institutions to engage Zaatari camp for Syrian refu- The ‘Youth Financial Inclusion an entire generation,” said Mayada virus cases in Qatar: Official gees in Jordan in a show of sym- in the Mena Region’ event drew El Zoghbi, Senior Microfinance pathy and solidarity with the over 80 representatives from Specialist with CGAP. DOHA: Some 70 suspected for representatives from private immediately report any sus- Syrian people. microfinance institutions, gov- A recent CGAP research shows cases of the deadly corona virus companies, at Grand Regency pected cases to the sections Ayedh Al Qahtani, General ernment agencies, think-tanks, that “through savings banks may had been found in Qatar since hotel yesterday. concerned. Manager of Sheikh Thani bin global organisations and civil be able to achieve deeper, longer the disease was first detected Al Hajiri said that all precau- Representatives from the heath Abdullah’s Foundation for society to share insights into why lasting relationships with the last year but all the new cases tions have been taken to prevent sections of private companies and Humanitarian Services (RAF), levels of youth financial access in next generation of people need- were tested negative, a senior a possible spread of new diseases government and semi-govern- which organises the convoy, said the region are low, and what can ing access to safe, secure and con- official of the Supreme Council and other communicable diseases ment establishments attended the initiative aims to convey be done to improve the situation. venient savings, alongside other of Health (SCH) said yesterday. in the country. the workshop. a message to the Syrian refu- Participants shared results of financial services. There were two confirmed The workshop aimed to Dr Al Hajri said special forms gees and the Syrian people that recent research, explored oppor- “And that next generation cases of the Sars-like virus in increase awareness among com- have been distributed to all pri- Qatar’s financial and moral sup- tunities for new programme could grow up better equipped to Qatar but no fresh cases have panies with high number of expa- vate clinics and hospitals to report port will continue in their difficult interventions and discussed gov- use a variety of tools to plan for been detected since then, accord- triate workers about preventive any suspected cases of infectious circumstances. ernmental policy alternatives the future, achieve savings dis- ing to Dr Mohammed Al Hajri, measures against all types of diseases to the departments con- Speaking with participants in to help increase youth financial cipline and manage their finan- Director of the Health Promotion infectious diseases. cerned at the SCH. the Caravan of Love, Al Qahtani access throughout the region. cial lives — interfacing with the and Communicable Disease Participants were told about He said another workshop said that besides its solidarity and Dr Nader Kabbani, Director of financial sector in a safe, savvy Control Department at SCH. tests on suspected cases being will be held next month in col- sympathy goal, the convoy will Research and Policy at Silatech, way that is productive for clients, He was speaking on the side- conducted at laboratories of the laboration with World Health offer financial support for fami- said: “When young people are banks and society.” lines of a workshop on preven- Hamad Medical Corporation. Organisation. lies in the camp. ‘banked,’ or participate in formal THE PENINSULA tion of communicable diseases They were also asked to THE PENINSULA QNA SDC Gala Dinner raised QR23,950,000 DOHA: The recent gala din- Chairperson of Qatar Foundation The gala night also featured a ner organised by the Social for Education, Science and series of short films and exciting Development Center (SDC) Community Development. musical and artistic perform- has raised QR23,950,000 which Held in partnership with ances, including a freestyle foot- would benefit the center’s entre- ExxonMobil in Qatar, the dinner ball performance by Brazilian and preneurial programmes. highlighted an auction of exclusive Qatari entertainers, Brazilian The Brazilian-themed 8th SDC items which raised QR7.8m. band Tropicalia, The Qatar Gala Dinner at Qatar National Among the items auctioned Philharmonic Orchestra and D1 Convention Centre was attended were the Emir’s spectacles, a jersey Autre Monde, who demonstrated by the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad signed by retired Brazilian football the ancient Brazilian martial art, bin Khalifa Al Thani and H legend Pelé and an authentic let- Capoeira. H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, ter written by Mahatma Gandhi. THE PENINSULA

South Korea plans series of academic initiatives in Qatar, says ambassador

BY AZMAT HAROON Werewolf Boy. The event was a huge hit with local audiences with DOHA: As Qatar and South over 500 people attending. Korea mark 40 years of diplo- To keep the momentum going, matic ties next year, the East a fusion dance troupe will visit Asian country is aiming to Qatar. diversify business cooperation “We want to invite more from large corporations to small Korean musical and dance groups and medium enterprises. here,” Chung said. A series of cultural and aca- The envoy said that apart from demic programmes will also be Korean mobile and electronic launched to celebrate the part- products by Samsung and LG, nership, according to the South Hyundai and KIA automobile Korean ambassador. companies were also doing well “We not only have large cor- “There is a need to strengthen in the Qatari market. porations such as Samsung and cultural cooperation,” Chung, who The trade volume between Hyundai, we have strong and began his diplomatic mission in Qatar and South Korea reached trustworthy small and medium- Qatar last year, said, adding that $27bn in 2012. sized companies as well,” Keejon he aims to increase cultural initia- Qatar’s earliest landmark, Chung (pictured) told The tives during his term. the Sheraton Doha, was built by Peninsula. A series of academic initiatives Hyundai. A South Korean company will be launched next year, which On the issue of upgrading the recently signed an agreement with will see an increase in student hotel, the ambassador said that the Sheikh Faisal Group on the exchange programmes as well. In South Korean companies were sidelines of LED lighting and secu- 2012, six students from Qatar com- waiting for Qatar to make the rity cooperation. A proposal was pleted graduation in South Korea. final call. also put forth to export a special The mission is also planning “I heard about the renovation kind of Korean fabric to Qatar. to set up a South Korean studies plans of Sheraton. That project is About 2,000 South Koreans live programme at Qatar University on the table,” Chung said, without in Qatar, of whom 800 are women. (QU). giving details. The cost of reno- A majority of them are working “We will send a South Korean vation is estimated at between on some 15 South Korean con- professor to Qatar University next QR500m and QR700m. struction projects here. year and launch a programme Among other projects, the These include the Losail accordingly,” Chung said. Ministry of Health and Welfare of Highway, Dukhan Internet line South Korea is also offering Korea is negotiating with Hamad and the $434m worth project of postgraduate-level scholarships Medical Corporation on several Qatar National Museum being to Qatari students for the first initiatives that combine medical built by Hyundai Engineering & time this year. treatment with latest Korean Construction. As part of the embassy’s cul- technology. There are negotia- The envoy, however, said that tural events planned this year, tions on procedures related to business and energy cooperation South Korean actor Joong-Ki kidney transplant, plastic surgery may not be enough for long-term Song came to Qatar last week and dentistry. ties. for the screening of his film A THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME / MIDDLE EAST 14,500 posts up for grabs at Career Fair 145 exhibitors to offer job opportunities

DOHA: Qatar Career Fair the education, health and sports (QCF) yesterday announced sectors, over 340 in the business new data on education, employ- and finance sector, over 275 in the ment, training and development government sector and over 205 opportunities across major eco- in the energy and industry sector. nomic sectors that will be avail- Education opportunities pro- able for Qataris during the fair vided by participating companies from April 1 to 6. will enable Qataris to pursue According to the data, over their higher studies in specialised 4,800 opportunities will be avail- fields at world-class institutions able in the education, health and universities while work- and sports sectors, followed by ing. Providing the right oppor- over 4,200 in the business and tunities for Qataris and helping finance sector, over 3,600 in the them align their education focus government sector and 1,871 in with their broader career goals is the energy and industry sector one of the key objectives of QCF. respectively. In total, QCF 2013 It is a vital part of empowering is expected to have over 14,500 Qatari youth to take charge of opportunities to help Qatari their future youth establish a career path. A total of 6,252 employment The findings were compiled from opportunities will also be avail- United Nations of Comedy artists with organisers at Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel yesterday. (KAMMUTTY VP) data submitted by over 145 exhibi- able during the fair, with the busi- tors who will be participating in ness and finance sector estimated QCF 2013. “As Qatar progresses to have over 2,600 opportunities, United Nations of Comedy to wow Doha today towards a knowledge-based nation, followed by over 1,800 in the gov- a more competitive and diversi- ernment sector, over 1,100 in the fied economic landscape is rapidly education, health and sports sec- DOHA: A two-day United and everywhere in between, a “A show of this nature is exclu- Kamal said: “I have been the emerging. The data provided by tor, and over 660 in the energy Nations of Comedy will kick press release said yesterday. The sive to Qatar and we can prom- first Qatari comedian for three QCF 2013 exhibitors substantiates and industry sector. off today at Qatar National stand-up comedians include Maz ise that it will deliver a superior years. I started in Star pro- this progression and demonstrates According to the data, fresh Convention Centre (QNCC). Jobrani, Aron Kader, Nemr Abou entertainment experience on ductions and my mission is to the commitment of Qatar’s leading graduates with outstanding high The show will be hosted by Nassar, Mike Batayeh and local every level. Bringing together empower local talents and show organisations to uphold the human school and university qualifi- Qatar’s well-known media per- comedian Mohammad Kamal. A-list comedians from around all people foreign who live in development pillar of our country’s cations or those with dynamic sonality Khalifa Al Haroon, Hamzeh Zahr, Head of the world is a first-of-its-kind Qatar that we can entertain.” national vision,” said Abdullah Al resumes will be eligible to apply said Studio.ADabisc, organisers Entertainment Production concept for Qatar and ADabisc Main sponsors for the show Mansoori, Executive Director, QCF. for these opportunities. The find- of the event. at ADabisc said: “The United was totally up to the challenge,” include Nandos, Samsung, Grand In terms of education oppor- ings also revealed that over 2,850 The show has brought four Nations of Comedy is a family- Zahr said. Hyatt Doha, Star Productions, tunities, over 2,100 programmes training opportunities will be major international comedy stars orientated seriously funny com- “It is my fourth time here and Time Out Doha and IloveQatar will be showcased by partici- made available for Qatari gradu- to wow audiences in Doha with edy, with a unique experience I’m proud to be here. I would are partnering ADabisc with OSN pating companies and govern- ates during the fair. their uproarious views on the based on workings of the actual like everyone to come watch the joining in as official TV partner. ment bodies, with over 1,300 in QNA funniest things in the East, West United Nations forum. show,” Nassar said. THE PENINSULA Islamist-led Tunisian coalition wins approval for governance TUNIS: Tunisia’s lawmak- 139 votes, or 30 more than needed, Ben Ali. Larayedh’s success was Khadri as shouting: “This is a has multiplied since young street were the key factors that brought ers approved yesterday a new in a parliamentary session broad- overshadowed by the death of young man who sells cigarettes vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set down Ben Ali’s regime and two government formed to pull the cast on television. Adel Khadri, 27, who torched because of unemployment,” before himself on fire on December 17, years since he fled to Saudi Arabia, country out of a deep politi- Another 45 MPs voted against, himself a day earlier and who setting himself on fire in Tunis. 2010, in a drastic act of protest unemployment and poverty still cal and economic crisis, as an 13 abstained and 20 were absent medics said had died early yes- Officials said Khadri, from a against police harassment. His plague the North African country. impoverished vendor died after from the session, which ended terday as a result of severe burns. very poor family in the north- self-immolation in the town of The economy was badly affected by setting himself alight. with the singing of the national Just before the vote, Larayedh western locality of Jendoubam, Sidi Bouzid ignited a mass upris- the revolution, which paralysed the Premier-designate Ali Larayedh’s anthem and shouts of “loyal to commented on Khadri’s death, had arrived in the capital a few ing that ousted Ben Ali the fol- strategic tourism sector, although broadly based coalition of his own the blood of the martyrs” of the calling it a “sad incident” and months ago to look for work. lowing month and touched off the the country is out of recession and Islamist party Ennahda, two secular January 2011 revolution that saying “I hope we understood The number of people com- Arab Spring uprisings. posted 3.6 percent growth in 2012. parties and independents received ousted dictator Zine El Abidine the message.” Witnesses quoted mitting suicide or attempting to Economic and social difficulties AFP

Saudi executes Israeli troops kill Hamas seven in public member in West Bank by firing squad

HEBRON: Israeli troops RIYADH: A Saudi firing squad shot dead a Hamas activ- yesterday executed in public ist and wounded two other seven men convicted of armed Palestinians with live fire robbery despite last-minute during a clash with stone- appeals by rights groups that throwers near the southern their lives be spared, the inte- West Bank city of Hebron, rior ministry and a witness said. Palestinian security officials The condemned men were con- said. victed of “forming a gang that They named the dead man carried out several armed rob- as Mahmoud Al Titi, 23, and beries and thefts with the help of said he was a member of the other people,” the ministry said militant Islamic group. in a statement published by the The Israeli military said official SPA news agency. that soldiers entered the Al They were executed “as a pun- Fawwar refugee camp, close ishment to them and to deter to the Jewish settlement of others” from carrying out simi- Beit Haggai, after Palestinians lar crimes, said SPA, adding that hurled rocks and petrol bombs their fellow-robbers had been sen- at passing Israeli vehicles. tenced to various jail terms and The area is frequently the lashes. scene of clashes between A witness said by telephone Palestinians on one side and that “the execution was “imple- Israeli soldiers and settlers mented a while ago at a public on the other. “A violent riot square in Abha,” adding that the erupted when they entered defendants were “shot dead” and Al Fawwar and Palestinians not beheaded as is customary hurled rocks at them,” an army Relatives mourn the death of Mahmoud Al Titi, a Hamas activist who in the kingdom. The announce- spokeswoman said. was killed by Israeli soldiers in clashes, during his funeral procession ment came soon after Amnesty “When they considered their in the Al Fawwar refugee camp in the West Bank town of Hebron, International released a state- lives to be in imminent danger yesterday. ment renewing calls on the Saudi they fired toward the rioters, authorities to halt the execu- identifying hits,” she said, with- this year. A seventh was killed in confrontations with Israeli tions. They “look set to be shot out saying how many. “Those on the Gaza-Israel border on forces. on Wednesday morning,” said that were in need of medical January 11. Arafat Jaradat died in an Amnesty, which described the attention were evacuated to a Palestinian medics said Israeli prison, with Palestinian executions as “sheer brutality.” (Palestinian) hospital where that one man was moderately officials accusing Israeli inter- The seven men — Sarhan Al one of the suspects died.” wounded and one lightly hurt rogators of torturing him to Mashaikh, Saeed Al Zahrani, Ali She said that the military in Tuesday night’s clash in the death. Israel says the cause of Al Shahri, Nasser Al Qahtani, was conducting an inquiry into camp, south of Hebron. death has yet to be determined. Saeed Al Shahrani, Abdulaziz Al the incident. The death of another Jaradat, a 30-year-old father Amri and Ali Al Qahtani — were According to Palestinian Hebron-area militant in Israeli of two, was a member of the Al charged with organising a crimi- officials, Titi was the sixth custody last month sparked Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the nal group, armed robbery and Palestinian killed by Israeli fire angry demonstrations across armed wing of Palestinian pres- raiding and breaking into jewel- in clashes in the occupied West the West Bank in which doz- ident Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah lery stores in 2005, and sentenced Bank since the beginning of ens of Palestinians were injured movement. AFP to death in 2009. AFP THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Labourers return to work at Oman airport Arming Syrian rebels MUSCAT: Thousands of South Asian labourers working on the expansion of Muscat airport resumed work yesterday after authorities agreed to improve safety conditions at the site, illegal, says Russia workers said. A company offi- cial and workers said thousands of labourers had downed tools Brotherhood calls for revolt to mark the anniversary on Tuesday demanding better safety conditions after a col- LONDON/DAMASCUS: stepped up non-military support a significant role in the opposi- league was killed in an acci- Russian Foreign Minister for Syria’s rebels, even as Russia tion today. In its statement, the dent. But the company said the Sergei Lavrov warned yester- has continued to arm its ally Brotherhood also called on “peo- workers were given the day off day that arming Syrian rebels Assad. Britain is currently giv- ple in Arab and Islamic countries, to mourn for the deceased col- would breach international law, ing “non-lethal” support to the and on free people everwhere in league. “We are assured by the after Western powers dropped rebels but Hague and Hammond the world... to consider March 15 company that an investigation growing hints about giving mil- refused to rule out the possibility to 22 a week of global support to is being conducted and safety itary aid. Speaking in London of arming them. the Syrian people... with marches, issues will be improved at the after talks with his British coun- Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood demonstrations and sit-ins”. airport,” Mohan Raman, a BEB terpart William Hague, Lavrov called yesterday for a week of The organisation also renewed worker said. “That is the reason also reiterated that it was for action both in the strife-torn its criticism of the international we are back to work today.” Syrians to decide the future of country and elsewhere to mark community’s paralysis over the President Bashar Al Assad. the two years since the revolt Syrian crisis. Lavrov’s comments came a broke out against President “The Syrian people, men, Bahrain detains six day after Prime Minister David Bashar Al Assad. women, old and young, carry Cameron said Britain would con- “We in the Muslim Brotherhood out wonderful acts of bravery over anti-govt tweets sider ignoring a European Union in Syria declare the week follow- and make sacrifices, holding MANAMA: The public pros- arms ban and supplying weapons ing March 15 a national week of out despite the regime’s mas- ecutor’s office in Bahrain says to Syrian rebels if necessary. solidarity with the Syrian people sacres and its crimes against six people have been detained “Arming the opposition is in and their blessed revolution,” the defenceless civilians,” said the for allegedly defaming the breach of international law,” exiled opposition group said. Brotherhood. country’s ruler on Twitter. Lavrov said at a joint press confer- “We call on the heroic Syrian But “the international commu- The six, who were not identi- ence with Hague, British Defence people to bring back to life all nity has watched and listened on, fied, join a growing list of anti- Minister Philip Hammond and aspects of the uprising... inspired failing the Syrian people, and fail- government activists caught Russian Defence Minister Sergei by the spirit of real national ing to fulfil its legal and humani- Valerie Amos (right), Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief up in an Internet crackdown Shoigu. “International law does unity, speaking in one voice,” a tarian responsibilities,” it added. Coordinator of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian by authorities in the Sunni- not allow, does not permit sup- statement added. Protesters in Syria’s uprising morphed into Affairs, with a Syrian refugee girl at Oncupinar refugee camp in Kilis, Turkey, ruled Gulf nation. Bahrain has plies of arms to non-governmen- towns and cities across Syria an insurgency after the regime yesterday. seen nearly two years of unrest tal actors and in our point of view have taken to the streets every unleashed a brutal crackdown on over demands by the country’s it is a violation of international Friday since March 15, 2011 to call dissent. The conflict has left some The Syrian Observatory for rebel enclaves around the ancient majority Shias for a greater law.” Lavrov rejected any chance for the fall of Assad. The banned 70,000 people dead, the UN says. Human Rights also said two city of Palmyra. political voice. The six were of Russia urging Assad to step Muslim Brotherhood was forced Syria’s air force raided the children were killed and 30 peo- “A warplane carried out a new detained over the past couple of aside. out of Syria by Assad’s father strife-torn district of Baba Amr ple were wounded by mortar raid targeting the district of Baba days and the prosecutor’s state- “I believe the destiny of Bashar and predecessor Hafez after the in the central city of Homs yes- fire in Damascus. Clashes also Amr,” said the Britain-based ment yesterday said they will be Al Assad should be decided by the brutal repression of an Islamist- terday, four days after rebels infil- raged near the sensitive border Observatory, which relies on a charged with misusing Twitter Syrians themselves,” he said. led anti-regime movement in the trated the neighbourhood that has with Lebanon, it said, while the network of activists, doctors and and insulting King Hamad bin With the conflict in Syria early 1980s. seen some of the two-year revolt’s regime’s intelligence forces used lawyers for its information. Isa Al Khalifa. worsening, Western powers have Dissidents say the group plays fiercest battles, a watchdog said. heavy machinegun fire to target AGENCIES Ex-Algeria police chief sentenced to death ALGIERS: An Algeria court sentenced a former police com- Egypt government appeals vote cancellation missioner to death yesterday for murdering a woman colleague and concealing the evidence of CAIRO: A legal body repre- April 22 parliamentary elections decision. Yesterday’s appeal inten- Islamists and the opposition The NSF has accused the his crime, media reports said. senting Islamist President because Mursi had ratified a new sifies the ongoing political battle has been growing wider since Brotherhood of wanting to Abdelkrim Boutrik, formerly Mohammed Mursi yesterday electoral law without sending it to that pits the president and his November when Mursi issued “dominate all the state organs” police chief in Adrar more than filed an appeal against a court the top court, as required by the Islamist allies against a widerang- a decree expanding his powers. and reiterated its demand for 1,500km from Algiers, cut the ruling cancelling Egypt’s con- constitution. ing opposition that believes Mursi The decree was repealed after the formation of a government of throat of 32-year-old police troversial parliamentary polls, The ESLA argued Mursi was has failed to address Egypt’s dire intense street pressure, but only national salvation. officer Cherifa Hadj Brahim in judicial sources said. acting within his sovereign pow- political and economic problems after a controversial Islamist- The opposition, less organised a remote desert area in July The Egyptian State Lawsuit ers when he ratified the law, argu- since coming to power in June. drafted constitution was rushed than the Brotherhood, insists 2010 and hid the evidence. The Authority (ESLA) filed the suit ing that it was beyond the lower Egypt’s main opposition bloc, through. that the president appoint a APS news agency said that after on behalf of the president and the court’s jurisdiction to cancel the the National Salvation Front, The Brotherhood and its new government before the first denying any involvement Supreme Administrative Court elections. had already announced it would Islamist allies won an overwhelm- elections. in the killing, Boutrik was con- will examine the case on Sunday, Mursi and his Muslim boycott the polls — expressing ing majority in legislative polls in The presidency says the new fronted by witness testimony one source said. Brotherhood had both issued doubts over its transparency — the winter of 2011-2012 before parliament should have the right and scientific evidence includ- On March 6, a lower court statements insisting they and demanded a new electoral that parliament was dissolved for to appoint a cabinet. ing on “his relations” with the ordered the cancellation of the would not challenge the court’s law. The gulf between the ruling irregularities. AFP victim. El Watan daily said in its online edition that Boutrik was also implicated in a vast net- Prince Charles with refugees work of alcohol trafficking, and that the murdered policewoman had “irrefutable evidence” of his involvement. Kurd rebels free Turkish prisoners CIZRE, TURKEY: Kurdish rebels yesterday freed eight Turkish prisoners in response to a new peace push by Ankara to end a 29-year-old insur- gency in southeast Turkey. Speaking during an official visit to Sweden, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said it was “joyful” news that the eight were finally returning home from captivity in northern Iraq. “If violence, weapons are abandoned, we can easily move on from secu- rity policies to reforms,” he was Britain’s Prince Charles talks to Syrian refugees during his visit to the King Abdullah Park for refugees quoted by Anatolia news agency in Ramtha city, north of Amman, yesterday. as telling reporters. AGENCIES

Obama names new ambassador to Libya

WASHINGTON: President assault, with Republicans accus- warned that the security situ- Barack Obama yesterday nom- ing the Obama administration ation “remains unpredictable.” inated a veteran US Middle of withholding information and In an updated travel warn- East diplomat as ambassador the White House defending its ing, the State Department said, to Libya, filling a post that has handling of the matter. “the US embassy in Tunis is no been vacant since Ambassador Jones’ nomination was longer on ordered departure Christopher Stevens was announced as Libyan Prime status but continues to oper- killed in an attack in Benghazi Minister Ali Zeidan, part of a ate with limited staffing due to in September. government in power after dic- security concerns.” Deborah Jones, a career dip- tator Muammar Gaddafi was Washington pulled most staff lomat, is a former ambassador ousted in a 2011 revolt backed by out of its mission in Tunis on to Kuwait and has served at a NATO bombing campaign, vis- September 14 in the wake of a embassies and consulates in ited Washington for meetings with series of violent protests and Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Secretary of State John Kerry and assaults on its outposts in the Emirates and Ethiopia. senior White House officials. Middle East and North Africa Deborah Jones Her appointment to take marking the anniversary of the over as Washington’s envoy TUNIS STAFF RETURN 9/11 attacks. The protests in to Libya comes six months consulate in Benghazi. Political The United States yesterday Tunis caused “extensive dam- after Stevens and three other controversy has lingered in allowed non-emergency staff to age” to the US embassy and a Americans were killed in a Washington over the initial return to its embassy in Tunisia nearby American school was September 11 attack on the US US response to the Benghazi after a six-month ban, but also set ablaze. AGENCIES THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Trouble in Tunisia Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

N TUNISIA, another jobless man has set fire to himself on Tuesday. The first act of suicide happened in December 2010. Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor, immolated EU sweats over how to Ihimself in protest against the confiscation of his wares and harassment by municipal officials. It set off a revolution which has since been called the Arab revolution. The public fury and the uprising that followed the suicide forced the bring Hungary into line then-President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee after 23 years in power. The success of Tunisian protests inspired protests in BY LUKE BAKER several other countries which are still continuing. Hungary may have violated EU law. reversed,” said Corina Stratulat, an If the first suicide triggered a revolution, the second one is Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the expert in the politics of central and unlikely to do so. But both are equal in importance. Joblessness UNGARY’S decision to change Liberals in the European Parliament, eastern Europe at the European Policy was the reason which made the men take their lives, and if its constitution and limit the said time was running out for Orban. Centre, a think tank. Hpower of its top court is a “Orban has been warned many times “There is an awareness that some- the first suicide set off a revolution for economic and political forthright challenge to the European that the values of the union he joined thing has to change in terms of enhanc- justice, the second lays bare the failure of that revolution to Union, and the uncomfortable truth in are not to be abused or ignored,” he said. ing the tools that the EU has at its achieve its objectives. Not an abject failure, but a performance Brussels is that little can be done to rein “It is time to see the Orban regime for disposal to influence situations like far below expectations. Adil Kedhri set himself ablaze outside Budapest in quickly. what it is, a government set on imposing we’ve seen in recent years.” the municipal theatre in the capital’s Habib Bourguiba Avenue, The Hungarian parliament, domi- the will of a majority over a minority.” nated by supporters of Prime Minister German Foreign Minister Guido Beyond political pressure, the the focus of protests that toppled Ben Ali two years ago. It Viktor Orban, has voted overwhelm- Westerwelle, who had what officials Commission can launch what is known happened while Prime Minister-designate Ali Larayedh sought ingly for a set of constitutional amend- described as a stormy meeting with as an “infringement proceeding” against a confidence vote for his new Islamist-led government from ments that opponents, including the EU, Hungary’s president in Berlin on a country. But that relies on having hard the National Constituent Assembly. the US government and human rights Tuesday, said he could not hide his con- evidence that EU law has been breached Several Tunisians have immolated themselves in the past groups, fear will undermine the coun- cern at the way Orban and his govern- and pursuing the case through tortuous two years in protests emulating that try’s 24-year-old democracy. ment were operating. legal channels. The concern is that the enlarge- “It is important that every country in Even under a best-case scenario, of Bouazizi. The deaths show the ment of the EU since 2004 has brought the EU understands that we belong to a infringement proceedings can take up Self- desperation of Tunisians and a lack of into the bloc community of values,” he told a group of to a year. While the Commission may hope. central and east reporters on the sidelines of a meeting already have evidence to move against immolations The economic and social problems European coun- in Brussels on Monday. Hungary in the latest incident, it is not are on the rise. that fuelled Tunisia’s uprising have Hungary’s decision tries that do “I do not have to deny that I am con- going to deliver any change in Budapest yet to be solved. But unfortunately, not fully share cerned about these latest developments anytime soon. Hope is in short to change its the same norms in Hungary. I express my concern.” “To prove that they’ve breached the post-Ben Ali government hasn’t of democracy, But for all the frustration and denun- a law is very difficult,” said an EU supply. been able to make significant progress constitution and human rights and ciation, there is little the European official familiar with the process. and win the confidence of the people. limit the power of the rule of law as Union can do with any alacrity or imme- “Infringements can and do work, but it The country is now deeply polarised its top court is a Germany, France, diacy that might make the mercurial is not a quick-reaction tool.” between Islamists and their opponents whose positions are Britain or other Orban sit up and listen. One article of the treaty that binds forthright challenge powers. The way the EU operates is based EU member states together does allow hardening, reducing chances for compromises in the interest to the European If left largely on consensus among the 27 for the near-immediate sanctioning of a of the country. A new constitution is yet to become a reality unchecked, that member states. If a country is deemed member country, but it requires unani- and the economy is continuing to worsen. Union. could undermine to have fallen out of line there are legal mous backing of all other member states None of these problems are insurmountable. All that the the values that and other steps that can be taken, but and is considered a “nuclear option”. country needs is a powerful and determined government. have bound the EU together since its it takes time to build support for them In a letter last week, Westerwelle said Parties must bury their differences and agree on a common founding, officials warn. and make them bite. the EU needed a way of taking more Orban and senior Hungarian offi- In the case of Hungary, and similar immediate action against countries that minimum programme to take the country forward. cials have lined up to offer reassurances stand-offs with Romania and Bulgaria do not respect EU “norms”, without The new Islamist-led government led by Prime Minister about Monday’s constitutional shake-up, in recent years, the first response from referring to any country. Ali Larayedh won a confidence vote yesterday, winning the denying there is any threat to democ- fellow member states and the European Barroso made a similar call in a backing of 139 of the National Constituent Assembly’s 217 racy or judicial independence. Commission, the EU’s executive, tends speech last year, saying threats to the members. It will serve until an election later this year. But it is not the first time Orban has to be political pressure or moral persua- “democratic fabric” in some EU states At the same time, unlike in neighbouring Egypt where rattled the EU’s cage and there is alarm sion to try to make the government in meant an alternative was needed in Brussels at the latest move, which fol- question alter its behaviour. between the soft power of political pres- political unrest has put economic reforms on hold, the lows changes last year to other sensitive While that can have an impact, as sure and the “nuclear option” of article government in Tunis has been bold enough to carry out some media and banking laws. was the case in Romania last year when 7 of the treaty. badly needed reforms. It’s implementing tax rises and subsidy European Commission President Jose the prime minister sought to oust the But any move along those lines is a cuts to reduce the budget deficit. Manuel Barroso issued a statement president , in tricky cases of law backed long way off. For now, the EU needs to These measures have met with public opposition, but in immediately after the Hungarian vote by democratically elected parliaments, find a way to bring pressure to bear on saying the amendments “raise concerns as in Hungary, it is much more difficult. Hungary, possibly by working with the times of crises, options become limited. The new government with respect to the principle of the rule “There’s a shortage of what the International Monetary Fund to with- needs to focus its energy on repairing the economy and healing of law”, and EU legal experts have begun EU can do to ensure that democratic hold financial assistance, and make it the political rifts. Tunisia has the potential to become an examining the changes to see where practices, or democracy itself, is not shift course. REUTERS example for other Arab Spring states • The other side Quote of The post-Karzai era the day HE Obama administration’s This is hardly the first time that Karzai a candidate in the presidential election the only leader Afghanistan has known relations with Afghan President has been at odds with his allies and, he has scheduled for April 5, 2014. If since the Taliban regime was over- Hamid Karzai have entered as in past instances, his claims are that election is competitive and free, the thrown, also has the potential to go dis- Tanother rough patch, only a not as inexplicable as they sound to Obama administration could find itself astrously wrong. Some analysts believe You always have few weeks after President Obama Americans. The Obama administra- with a new partner with a democratic the president will attempt to promote a to be careful with appeared to have a successful meeting tion, after all, has negotiated with the mandate as it completes the with- relative or a crony as his successor, or with the Afghan leader in Washington. Taliban without Karzai’s involvement, drawal of US combat forces and looks that local officials will resort to the ballot war analogies A sensitive bilateral agreement on though officials say that has not hap- forward to the “strategic partnership” box-stuffing that tainted the last presi- turning over a prison filled with Taliban pened recently. Still, if the latest dust- it has pledged with Afghanistan in the dential election in 2009. A bad election ... there’s a big detainees to full Afghan control appears up is to serve some useful purpose, decade after 2014. would weaken the Afghan government in danger of unraveling. On Sunday, it should be to remind Afghanistan’s There’s a reasonable shot at holding at a critical juncture and increase the difference between Karzai embarrassed visiting Defence allies that Karzai’s time in office is such an election. A number of poten- chances that the U.S. departure would them engaging in Secretary Chuck Hagel by declaring winding down — and how and by tially strong candidates to succeed trigger a new civil war. that Taliban attacks during his visit whom he is replaced is critical to both Karzai are emerging, such as former That’s why the United States, the cyber espionage or had been carried out “to serve the his nation’s future and to its relations Interior Minister Hanif Atmarand and United Nations and NATO ought to cyber attacks and, United States” and “pave the way for with the United States. To his credit, former candidate Abdullah Abdullah. begun focusing now on the upcoming Barack Obama foreigners not to leave but to stay.” Karzai has pledged that he will not be But the political transition from Karzai, election. THE WASHINGTON POST obviously, a hot war. US President THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 QATAR PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Career Fair has proved a failure

he choice of April 1 as the starting date MOHAMMED AL KUBAISI of Qatar Career Fair 2013 sums up my view of the fair, in only to Qatari workers. Some from the course charted for it by Tgeneral, being an event about the government officials – supported the ruler of Qatar. It has turned thing most hated by God, namely by their advisers - have even into an event where officials brag lying. applied these laws in the wrong during its inauguration in front It is well known that Qatar is manner. of the Emir of Qatar and the a major producer of natural gas As the Qatarisation project media of creating openings for and oil relative to its size and was brought to a halt, some Qatari youth in all sectors. In population. This gives Qatar Qatari nationals were sent into order to make my point clear, I financial surpluses that help it retirement while they were still mention some statistics from the play the role of saviour for sev- in their prime. Government offi- Career Fair of 2011 below: eral countries that suffer natu- cials have even obstructed the • Out of a total of 34,402 appli- ral or economic hardships, either recruitment of nationals while cations submitted by job seek- through direct financial assist- strongly supporting the recruit- ers during the fair, only 2,123 ance or through investments in ment of foreigners. were accepted by 90 government these countries. To counter this, the govern- agencies. This wealth has also enabled ment launched the Career Fair, • Out of 8,516 applications Qatar to modernise its infra- to encourage the government, for educational opportunities structure and make ambitious private and joint sectors to and scholarships, only 434 were development plans. These plans compete to hire Qataris. These accepted. needed labour to be realised, sectors have raced against each The noteworthy thing was that but because local labour was not other not to hire Qatari workers, official statements about the fair available in sufficient numbers, but to please the ruler of Qatar, mentioned only “applications”, Qatar had to get labour from who has devoted his whole life not “employment”. This raises other countries. to serving the people of this the question: Have all applicants The presence of this labour, country. been given jobs? however, has stifled enthusiasm The Career Fair, as goes the I met some higher-ups in for hiring Qataris. Opening its vision of the ruler of Qatar, my bid to get an answer to this eyes to the perils entailed in this, aims to provide jobs and train- question. They all said they had the government created a com- ing opportunities to Qataris. It collected the applications they mittee in the 1970s and gave it aims to offer Qataris the chance had received during all career the administrative structure of This figure does not include Although there are so many the responsibility of giving avail- to hone their professional skills fairs and put these applications these agencies and most of these people who had lost hope of find jobs and so few Qataris, we have able jobs to Qataris. and receive career guidance, in paper boxes. They said the demands were usually approved. a job and might have given up proved a failure in giving some of But this committee is nipped apart from opening the way for applications were totally safe in Here, it is important for us to attempting to find one. It also these jobs to unemployed nation- in the bud whenever it is formed integrating Qatari university the boxes. take a look at the unemployment does not include those forced als. Government and other agen- anew. This is done in ways that graduates into the job market in When I asked them about figures in this country. into retirement. cies have failed to translate the give the impression that some- order to put their energies and the reason for doing this, they • In 2007, there were 2,050 We need to keep in mind that Emir’s and the Heir Apparent’s body is moving things from skills to use in taking forward said the agency responsible for unemployed Qataris. Most of foreign workers come to this love for their people into action. behind the curtains in order to the development of this country. approving recruitment of work- these persons had high school country in their thousands every As for the poor citizens who derail the committee and pre- In this context, the Heir ers had not responded to them. or university certificates. I had year and find jobs and training are searching for jobs in this vent it from fulfilling the objec- Apparent, H H Sheikh Tamim I asked the General Secretariat hoped that the Career Fair opportunities here. country or Qatari workers who tives set out for it by the state. bin Hamad Al Thani, has said of the Cabinet why it did not would contribute to reducing the While these foreign work- were forced into retirement, I Together with unrelenting that countries that have made approve demands for workers by number of jobless people here, ers should be ready for the job quote from the holy Quran: “For efforts to strangle the commit- big strides towards development government agencies. One official but I was stunned to discover market, 29,000 of them – out of indeed, with hardship (will be) tee, retirement, pension and have done so by depending on from the Secretariat told me that that the number had increased a total of 41,000 – had received ease. Indeed, with hardship (will human resources laws were their human capital. demands of government agen- in the following years. training at government and be) ease.” passed. These laws were not The sorry thing, however, is cies in this regard were usually • In 2011, the number of unem- semi-government agencies in (Surat Ash-Shar – verse no. 6). applied to foreign workers, but that the Career Fair has strayed considered within the context of ployed locals had reached 3,037. 2011. KHALED AL JABER Syria and the futility of international forums

The Brazilian experience n the Vienna declaration, gaps between nations and races or in cold blood in Syria. Despite this, which emerged from the MARYAM AL KHATIR helped overcome divisions created the competing interests of super- 5th Forum of UN Alliance by complex political discussions at powers have made everyone ignore Iof Civilisations (UNAOC), the UN Security Council? the killing of innocent Syrians, held in the Austrian capital map of Syria in order to serve the Has the Council managed to go whose history is being destroyed, Vienna last weekend under the interests of some countries. beyond theorizing and churning out too. Historical sites and mosques title “Promoting Responsible The senior UN representative to papers and statements that usually are being destroyed in Damascus Leadership in Diversity and the Alliance of Civilizations forum end up on the website of the United and Aleppo, which hosted the first Dialogue”, the participants con- said last week: “We will work hard Nations Alliance of Civilizations in European consulate in the Arab firmed the commitment of gov- to use the means at our disposal New York where the UN General world in 1230 AD and was once ernments and international amid these difficult conditions Assembly is located? the second most important town organisations to bolstering inter- across the world”. He expected The UN General Assembly had after Istanbul, the centre of the cultural dialogue and called for this attitude to contribute to mak- ratified the formation of the United Ottoman Empire. achieving peace and dialogue ing the alliance more effective in Nations Alliance of Civilizations The attitudes of the allied between nations, with a special easing tensions among races and Forum in 2005 with the aim of nations during international con- focus on the crises in Syria and religions. promoting intercultural dialogue ferences is making us reconsider Mali and peacemaking between The forum has been held in dif- between civilizations. Is sponsor- these alliances because we only Palestinians and Israelis. ferent places, including Madrid, ship of the dialogue by the UN believe in work for the sake of On the second day of the forum, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, Doha and, behind its ineffectiveness? human beings, work in the best the friends of Syria group met in lastly, Vienna. A large number of This causes deep pain. The dia- interests of humanity, effective cul- Rome to discuss support for the shocking and painful events have logue was launched by humans for tural dialogue and human heritage. opposition battling the regime of occurred across the world in gen- humans – who are the builders of A small country can lead an effec- Syrian President Bashar Al Assad. eral and in the Middle East in civilisations. Human beings have tive effort in this regard away from The ways of support suggested by particular. While we have trust been falling, their rights destroyed the conferences and the ineffective major international players were in the objectives of such alliances, by totalitarian regimes and inter- discussions of the United Nations. not only varied, but most of them things happening around us make national conspiracies. While Such international organisations he other cities had presented mere sketches, were marred by fears of Islamists us skeptical about the effectiveness Unesco has shown care for tangi- have the power to turn practical but we presented a heart and a soul,” said fighting in Syria. These fears of such dialogue, just as we doubted ble heritage, it has not been able to effort into mere talk that destroys the former president of Brazil, Lula da Silva diverted the international effort the usefulness of the United challenge political powers that do ties among people because they are “T(2003-2010), while commenting on his coun- away from the aim of protecting Nations earlier. Is this a real dia- not care about people, civilisations simply the weakest link in a series try’s successful bid to host the football World Cup in 2014. the human rights of the Syrian logue or a dialogue of the deaf? or cultures. of superpowers who seek to destroy Lula said this as tears rolled down his cheeks after Brazil people and their right to determine Were there any achievements I mention here another painful civilisations in order to serve their had won two bids, to host the World Cup 2014 and the their own destiny, to redrawing the from this dialogue that narrowed example: humans are being killed own interests. Olympic Games in 2016, overcoming strong competition from the United States, backed by President Barack Obama himself, and Spain, respectively. Thus, Brazil is going to be the first Latin American state to host the world’s most important sports events, namely the football World Cup and the Olympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro. Rio will be the first South American city to host the Olympics. When will officials focus on the essence? Until the 1980s, Brazil was unable to repay its external debts or control inflation. At the end of last year, Brazil had Strict supervision must be officially become the world’s sixth largest economy, followed ow long will we be applied. Clear rules for com- by Britain. Overpopulation, corruption, tyranny, totalitari- focused only on exter- JASSIM IBRAHIM FAKHROO pletion of transactions must be anism, misery, poverty and crime used to afflict Brazil in nal appearances, implemented. Punishments and the past. Now, however, it has turned into a safe haven H totally forgetting con- rewards must be enforced. for foreign direct investment. From a military dictator- tent? Our government officials in the field of construction? Do and residents will reciprocate Our great Islamic religion ship the country has managed to turn into a parliamentary have talked for long about an we believe that progress is only with productivity. teaches us that it is demeaning democracy. institutional state, but all this about travelling around the world Despite this, things continue of man to want anything from In his first address to the nation, Lula spoke frankly and talk has been to no avail. They in transport we know nothing to go from bad to worse here. another man. The same religion transparently. He said austerity was the solution (not the believe their fantasies and live in about except how to board? Nepotism and favouritism always teaches us that man’s need for slogans used by the Muslim Brotherhood, the Salafis, nation- their own world. The answer is “no”, of course. come to one’s mind when deal- God’s help is constant. Even alists, liberals or the remnants of the former regime in the Citizens and residents alike Civilisation is first and foremost ing with the government. Is this with this, we keep imploring Arab Spring countries) to economic problems. Austerity suffer due to favouritism and about attitude, order and morals. what our government officials civil servants to give us answers. is the best cure for an ailing economy and for reducing bureaucracy whenever they Did the state fall short of pro- mean by the state of institutions? What else can the state do? The budget deficits. Lula, who belongs to the working class, left need government services. When viding the necessary infrastruc- Why is favouritism always our state has already done its duty. school in the fifth grade due to his family’s poverty. When citizens need to get any official ture for itself, its citizens and its first option, not the last? The This makes it necessary for our he became president, he asked everybody – rich and poor paperwork done, the first ques- residents? The fact is that the answer can be that we have no government officials and civil – to help him. He made progress thanks to his popularity tion that comes to their mind is: state did not. On the contrary, it order here. Things are far from servants to be more sincere and and successive successes. “Do we know anybody who can gives citizens and residents the being organised. Government honest in doing their work. If Lula’s economic reform programmes succeeded in lifting complete the long bureaucratic most luxurious offices, elegant officials have many interests. they do this, things will get back many people from poverty. He managed to push a million procedures for us? Who do I buildings and comfortable envi- Some of these interests are to the right track. Brazilian families from penury to the middle class. know there, a brother, a cousin ronments. It provides them with important. The vast majority of The Arab Spring countries should learn a lesson from or a friend or relative?” convenient work hours, vaca- them, however, are unimportant. Brazil. They should forget about their ideologies, extrem- Is there any point in complicat- tions, holidays and everything Few of these officials care about The views expressed in the articles on this ism and absolute certainties. Brazil was able to work real ing things and wasting people’s they could hope for in addition public interest. page do not reflect the viewpoint of the miracles. time? Do we really believe that to lucrative salaries. As it does Our officials and civil servants newspaper. progress can be achieved only all this, the state hopes citizens must reconsider their attitudes. THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Argentina cardinal is new Pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be called Pope Francis I; result after five rounds of voting; Pontiff faces challenges

VATICAN CITY: Argentina’s Jorge Benedict’s eight-year papacy was Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope riven by scandals and the new Pope will Francis I yesterday, becoming the face immediate challenges — stamp his church’s first Latin American pontiff authority on the Vatican machinery after a conclave to elect a leader of the and try to bring back a Catholic flock world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. that is deserting churches across the The 76-year-old conservative emerged West. from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to Benedict’s style was often seen as too the cry of “Habemus Papam!” (“We Have academic and he was never as popular a Pope!”), as tens of thousands of pilgrims as his predecessor. Many of the cardi- clambered over barriers and broke down nals have called for the new Pope to be a in tears, overcome with emotion after better communicator, able to reach out suspenseful prayer vigils worldwide. particularly to young people. White smoke earlier billowed from the Conclaves are usually only held after Sistine Chapel and the bells of St Peter’s a Pope dies and are sometimes decades Basilica rang out, signalling the election apart — the last one was in 2005, the had taken place after five rounds of vot- one before that in 1978. A popular Italian ing in the Vatican — one more than when expression for things that happen very Benedict XVI was elected in 2005. rarely is “at every death of a pope”. Bergoglio is the first Jesuit to become The 85-year-old Benedict broke with Pope and is believed to have been the tradition, becoming the first pontiff to runner-up in 2005. resign since the Middle Ages. He has said The first wisps of smoke in the evening he will retire to a former nunnery inside sky prompted cries of “Long live the the Vatican — an unprecedented and deli- Pope!” from pilgrims clutching rosaries cate situation for the Church. and waving flags in the square, where In one of his last acts as Pope, he issued the image of the tiny copper chimney was a decree allowing cardinals to bring for- projected onto four giant screens. ward the date of a conclave in cases of Bergoglio, who is the 266th Pope in papal resignation — a move seen by many the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year his- as potentially setting a precedent for tory, retired to a chamber known as future ageing pontiffs. the “Room of Tears” immediately after The scandal of hushed-up abuses of the nomination to don his papal vest- children by paedophile priests going back ments and then prayed in the Pauline decades has also cast its shadow over the Chapel. conclave. Bells pealed in churches across Italy The US group SNAP (Survivors to celebrate the announcement and resi- Network of those Abused by Priests) dents of Rome could be seen racing to called for over a dozen cardinals to be the floodlit 17th-century Vatican plaza, excluded from the conclave either for running out of their homes and cafes to covering up abuses or for making tact- reach the square in time. less remarks about the scandals. Cardinals have been locked up Argentina’s Jorge Bergoglio, elected Pope Francis I (centre) appears at the window of St Peter’s Basilica after being elected the 266th Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi behind the Vatican walls and cut off Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, yesterday at the Vatican. yesterday defended the cardinals and from the outside world since Tuesday, accused SNAP and other activists of meeting in a sublime Renaissance abrupt resignation last month was being “I didn’t think I would cry but I guess a nun from Botswana. “I’m so emotional showing “negative prejudices”. chapel swept for recording devices and followed around the world on live televi- the adrenalin’s taking over!” said Rebecca I can hardly speak!” A breathless Ruud, “None of us are surprised that they installed with scramblers to prevent any sion as as well as through social media Hine, a student from Canada who had a 31-year-old Dutch tourist, said: “We have tried to take advantage of these days communication. and smartphone apps — this is the first waited two days in the rain. were having dinner nearby and heard a to repeat their accusations and give them The historic election after Benedict’s ever tweeted conclave. “I’m overjoyed!” said a tearful Veronica, roar, and raced here to see for ourselves.” greater resonance,” he said. AFP

Zimbabwe cops crack Germany bans Europe limps out of freeze three Islamic as some services resume down on rights groups organisations HARRE, ZIMBABWE: crackdown saying their targets BERLIN: German authorities PARIS: Icy roads were disrupt- Zimbabwe rights activists say were civic organisations they banned three ultraconserva- ing transport as northwestern they are suffering under a tagged “a serious security threat.” tive Islamic groups yesterday, Europe remained in the grip of police crackdown designed to be But Zimbabwe-watchers say including one whose Internet unseasonable weather yesterday an ominous warning ahead of a that with the arrest of top rights propaganda videos helped but many services were resum- constitutional referendum this activist Jestina Mukoko, Mugabe’s inspire the extremist who ing after a severe late-winter week and elections later in the ZANU-PF intended to send a killed two American airmen at snowstorm. year. clear message. Frankfurt airport in 2011, the The snowstorm on Monday Since late last year, President Last week she was charged country’s domestic intelligence and Tuesday, only a few days Robert Mugabe’s police force has with a litany of offences. “It is not chief said. before the official start of spring detained staff from prominent by coincidence that Jestina has Police launched early morn- on March 20, caused widespread civil groups and raided offices been targetted, everyone knows ing raids on 21 apartments and travel chaos with the cancellation of election and human rights what happened to her when she one meeting room belonging to of hundreds of flights and the sus- monitors. was abducted and tortured,” said DawaFFM, Islamic Audios and pension of train services including Violence has not hit the lev- Lewanika. Al Nussrah — all of which adhere cross-Channel Eurostar trains. els seen during the bloody 2008 “The police are acting as an to Salafism. The Eurostar link between election, which saw as many as extension of ZANU-PF.” The groups were largely London and Paris, the Thalys line 200 people killed and many more Mukoko was previously involved in recruitment, fund- between Paris and Brussels and disappeared, arrested or tortured. arrested in 2008 and detained raising and propaganda, including other high-speed connections in Nor has it reached the at an undisclosed location before videos and other postings urg- northern France resumed run- levels of 2005’s “Operation being taken to the notorious ing people to fight against those ning early yesterday, though there Murambatsvina” or “drive out the Chikurubi prison, a maximum- who did not believe in their ver- were warnings of delays. A worker shovels snow in front of a restaurant on a sunny day on top of trash,” which left an estimated security centre outside Harare. sion of Islam, said Hans-Georg After being forced to close Feldberg mountain, 20km from Frankfurt, yesterday. 700,000 people homeless. Her lawyers claimed state Maassen, the head of Germany’s briefly, Frankfurt Airport, But rights groups believe they agents severely tortured her and domestic intelligence service, the Europe’s third-busiest, said it services running, though buses The icy conditions were caus- could be seeing a precursor of forced her to confess to banditry Office for the Protection of the expected services to progressively were cancelled because of icy road ing road closures and slowdowns, worse to come. and treason. Constitution. return to normal after 812 flights conditions. in particular in the north of “Their intention is to intimi- She was charged in 2009 with “These organisations are ori- were cancelled on Tuesday. The sun was shining in Paris, France, but highways were gradu- date civic society,” Mcdonald plotting to overthrow Mugabe, but ented against the basic right to France was the worst affected where buildings were covered in ally opening as snowdrifts were Lewanika, executive director of the charges were later dismissed. freedom of religion — against by the snowstorm but Belgium, a picturesque blanket of snow and cleared and vehicles stranded Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition told What has shocked rights Christians and other faiths Britain, Germany and the a lone cross-country skier was during the snowstorm were AFP. groups about the latest crack- including Shias,” Maassen said. Netherlands also reported major seen on the Champ de Mars near recovered. “This is a clear calculated move down is that it has come under For example, he said, in one disruptions. the Eiffel Tower. The tempera- Prime Minister Jean-Marc to target certain civic society a government in which Mugabe DawaFFM YouTube posting, an Services were returning to ture was at -5 degrees Celsius (23 Ayrault warned that disrup- organisations to intimidate rights shares power with pro-democ- Arabic speaker told Shia Muslims: normal in France, with the degrees Fahrenheit), well below tions could continue for another activists.” racy leader, now Prime Minister “If the Prophet Muhammad Paris Metro and suburban train seasonal averages. 48 hours. AFP Police have justified the Morgan Tsvangirai. AFP (PBUH) heard your words he’d hack off your hands and feet and banish you from the earth.” AP Nigeria president Greenland set to get pardons ex-governor first woman PM Putin urges Soviet-era fitness programme LAGOS: Nigeria’s President NUUK: An Inuit woman MOSCOW: President Vladimir use in our country,” he said. The perceived order of the Soviet era. “Kids, remain calm, it’s a great Goodluck Jonathan has par- brought up to skin seals looked Putin reached back to Soviet GTO mass physical training pro- Soviet-era marches played at honour to take pictures with doned a former state governor set to become Greenland’s first dictator Josef Stalin’s era for gramme was introduced in the the Sambo-70 school as students the president of Russia,” the convicted in 2007 of stealing female prime minister after a a plan to improve Russians’ 1930s under Stalin. dressed in the white, red and blue announcer said. public funds and money laun- backlash against foreign min- physical fitness yesterday, and “The revival of this system — of Russia’s flag waited for Putin at Putin and Seagal watched dering, the presidency said ers and fears over environmen- appeared with film actor Steven in a new, modern format — could a ceremony to open a new build- youngsters practise martial arts yesterday. tal damage carried her party to Seagal at an event aimed at pro- bring major benefits,” Putin told ing at the school. but did not join them on the gym Anti-corruption campaign- election victory. moting healthy lifestyles among government officials, schoolteach- An announcer added to the floor, and Putin wore a jacket and ers say sentences handed down Aleqa Hammond’s Siumut young people. ers and coaches. martial atmosphere by urging button-down shirt. to powerful politicians who steal party won 42 percent of votes and In a meeting at a martial arts He told the education and “full alertness”. Putin, 60, has cast himself as a tens of millions of dollars are too around 14 seats in the 31-seat par- school on Moscow’s outskirts, sports ministers to study the issue Seagal’s action films are popu- clean-living man of action over 13 soft, and often compare favour- liament, meaning she will need to Putin called for physical educa- and said students’ performance lar in Russia and he has met the years in power, using judo bouts ably with those handed to petty form a coalition to run the nation tion rooted in a Soviet-era system. under the system should be taken president several times. In what and outdoor stunts to burnish his thieves and robbers. of 57,000 people. “I think it would be quite into account when universities seemed to be a choreographed image and set an example. He has Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, ex- Prime Minister Kuupik Kleist appropriate to recall the posi- consider applications. incident, Seagal rushed into a a black belt in judo and is pro- governor of Nigeria’s oil producing won some 34 percent of votes, tive experience of past decades Putin, who began a six-year crowd of children trying to pose ficient in Sambo, a martial art Bayelsa state, was sentenced to according to official results when the so-called GTO, Ready term in May, has frequently with Putin and pulled him out, as developed in the Soviet army. two years jail in 2007 on charges yesterday. REUTERS for Labour and Defence, was in appealed to nostalgia for the if acting as his bodyguard. REUTERS of corruption. REUTERS THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 US to let spy agencies scour Americans’ finances Treasury Department proposal likely to trigger intense criticism from privacy advocates

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON: The the Central Intelligence Agency and the Treasury planning document. requirements are dictated by a combi- with Treasury. The Director of National Obama administration is drawing up National Security Agency, currently have A Treasury spokesperson said US law nation of the Bank Secrecy Act and the Intelligence declined to comment. plans to give all US spy agencies full to make case-by-case requests for infor- permits FinCEN to share information USA PATRIOT Act, which offer some More than 25,000 financial firms access to a massive database that con- mation to FinCEN. with intelligence agencies to help detect privacy safeguards. National security — including banks, securities dealers, tains financial data on American citi- The Treasury plan would give spy and thwart threats to national security, experts also maintain that a robust sys- casinos, and money and wire trans- zens and others who bank in the country, agencies the ability to analyse more raw provided they adhere to safeguards out- tem for sharing criminal, financial and fer agencies — routinely file “suspi- according to a Treasury Department financial data than they have ever had lined in the Bank Secrecy Act. “Law intelligence data among agencies will cious activity reports” to FinCEN. The document seen by Reuters. before, helping them look for patterns enforcement and intelligence community improve their ability to identify those requirements for filing are so strict that The proposed plan represents a major that could reveal attack plots or criminal members with access to this informa- who plan attacks on the United States. banks often over-report, so they cannot step by US intelligence agencies to spot schemes. The planning document, dated tion are bound by these safeguards,” the “It’s a war on money, war on corrup- be accused of failing to disclose activity and track down terrorist networks and March 4, shows that the proposal is still spokesperson said in a statement. tion, on politically exposed persons, anti- that later proves questionable. This over- crime syndicates by bringing together in its early stages of development, and Some privacy watchdogs expressed money laundering, organised crime,” said reporting raises the possibility that the financial databanks, criminal records it is not known when implementation concern about the plan when Reuters out- Amit Kumar, who advised the United financial details of ordinary citizens could and military intelligence. The plan, which might begin. lined it to them. A move like the FinCEN Nations on Taliban sanctions and is a fel- wind up in the hands of spy agencies. legal experts say is permissible under Financial institutions file more than proposal “raises concerns as to whether low at the Democratic think tank Center Stephen Vladeck, a professor at US law, is nonetheless likely to trigger 15 million “suspicious activity reports” people could find their information in a for National Policy. American University’s Washington intense criticism from privacy advocates. every year, according to Treasury. Banks, file as a potential terrorist suspect with- The Treasury document outlines a pro- College of Law, said privacy advocates Financial institutions that operate in for instance, are required to report all out having the appropriate predicate posal to link the FinCEN database with have already been pushing back against the United States are required by law personal cash transactions exceeding for that and find themselves potentially a computer network used by US defence the increased data-sharing activities to file reports of “suspicious customer $10,000, as well as suspected incidents of falsely accused,” said Sharon Bradford and law enforcement agencies to share between government agencies that fol- activity,” such as large money transfers money laundering, loan fraud, computer Franklin, senior counsel for the Rule classified information called the Joint lowed the September 11 attacks. “One of or unusually structured bank accounts, to hacking or counterfeiting. of Law Programme at the Constitution Worldwide Intelligence Communications the real pushes from the civil liberties Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement “For these reports to be of value in Project, a non-profit watchdog group. System. community has been to move away from Network (FinCEN). detecting money laundering, they must be Despite these concerns, legal experts The plan calls for the Office of the collection restrictions on the front end The Federal Bureau of Investigation accessible to law enforcement, counter- emphasize that this sharing of data is Director of National Intelligence — set up and put more limits on what the govern- already has full access to the database. terrorism agencies, financial regulators, permissible under US law. Specifically, after 9/11 to foster greater collaboration ment can do once it has the informa- However, intelligence agencies, such as and the intelligence community,” said the banks’ suspicious activity reporting among intelligence agencies — to work tion,” he said. REUTERS

Fake fingers to Argentine leader fool the boss at Brazil hospital refuses to bow SAO PAULO: This gives new meaning to punching in at work: Doctors at a Brazilian hospital covered for absentee over Falklands colleagues by using fake silicone fingers with their prints to fool BUENOS AIRES: Argentine “That said, we obviously rec- biometric machines. President Cristina Kirchner, ognise that there are competing Globo television showed foot- her approval rating plummet- claims.” Argentina failed to seize age of a doctor touching her fin- ing, has refused to recognise the islands back from Britain in ger to the device, then using two the results of a referendum in the brief 1982 war. The announce- fake digits to do the same for which the people of the dis- ment of the result overnight colleagues, and taking delivery of puted Falkland Islands voted to Monday sparked jubilation in the slips of paper indicating they had remain British. islands’ tiny capital Stanley, and in fact clocked in to work. The vote in the sparsely popu- Cameron said he was “over the That way it looked like there lated South Atlantic archipelago moon” at the outcome. were doctors on duty when there that triggered a war between the “The Falkland Islanders was just one. It had happened two nations in 1982 was a “par- couldn’t have spoken more at Ferraz de Vasconcelos, in ody,” she said. Even the United clearly. They want to remain Greater Sao Paulo. The woman States, Britain’s firmest ally, British and that view should be told police six other doctors were acknowledged Argentina’s claim. respected by everybody, including in on the scam. “She says she was British Prime Minister David by Argentina,” he said. innocent because it is a condition Cameron had earlier urged the Cameron, who later telephoned they imposed on her to keep her Latin American country to the chairman of the islands’ leg- job,” her lawyer, Celestino Gomes respect the wishes of 99.8 per- islative assembly to congratulate Antunes. cent of the islanders who voted him on the result, also warned Another television network “yes” to staying a self-governing against any military action by said it was the head of the emer- British territory, according to Argentina. “People should know gency room that ran the scam official results. we will always be there to defend and that his daughter had not The islanders organised the them,” he said. worked a day in three years but vote in response to increasingly Barry Elsby, a member of the got paid all the time. So far five bellicose sovereignty rhetoric by legislative assembly, told AFP doctors have been suspended as Kirchner, and only three of the from Stanley as the numbers part of the investigation. The 1,517 valid ballots — on 92 percent came in that the result “sends mayor of Ferraz de Vasconcelos, turnout — were cast against the a message around the world.” Acir Fillo, said there might be islands staying under British rule. “There are hundreds of people as many as 300 hospital employ- Kirchner’s government had outside the cathedral, celebrating, ees who do not exist, except for dismissed the referendum as singing and waving flags.” fake fingers with their prints, meaningless and said it would not International observers from but who get paid anyway. AFP affect its claims on the Falklands Canada, Chile, Mexico, New which it calls “Las Malvinas”. She Zealand, Paraguay, the United Chilean President Sebastian Pinera (left) and General Director ESO, Tim De Zeeuw, take part in the inauguration reiterated her displeasure at an States and Uruguay monitored of the ALMA Observatory in the San Pedro de Atacama, some 1,500km north of Santiago, yesterday. Four killed in event at the presidential mansion. the referendum on Sunday “What is important today is and Monday and declared it the United States’ position about “free and fair.” However, Alicia NY shootings this kind of parody of a referen- Castro, Argentina’s ambassador World’s largest space observatory opens dum,” Kirchner said. “The State to London, said the referendum NEW YORK: Four people were Department spokeswoman said was a “ploy” to detract from the LLANO CHAJNANTOR: The facility’s director Thijs de Graauw, Located at an altitude of some killed and two others wounded that they continue to recognize “weakness” of Britain’s claims. world’s largest ground-based as the huge observatory was 15,000 feet and with almost no yesterday when a gunman that there is a sovereignty dispute “It’s a very predictable result, observatory opened for busi- declared officially opened. Gianni humidity or vegetation to block opened fire at two locations in between Argentina and Britain.” because the current inhabitants ness yesterday in the desert of Marconi, an astronomer at the its view of the heavens, ALMA is the US state of New York, local The United States earlier said of the Malvinas are British. But northern Chile, wielding unprec- massive ground array of tele- outfitted with 66 antennas ranging media reported, citing police. it took “note” of the islanders’ the territory in which they live edented power to peer into the scopes, recently proclaimed that in diameter from 23 feet to 39 feet. Four people were shot at a hair vote, but refused once again to is not,” she said. The referendum remotest regions of the universe. ALMA is “the largest observatory “What is so very special about salon in the town of Mohawk, two take sides in the dispute. had sparked huge enthusiasm The ALMA space observa- that has ever been built.” this place is that right here above of whom were killed, and two oth- “The residents have clearly among the Falkland Islands’ 2,563 tory was inaugurated here at a ALMA — short for the Atacama our heads, there is virtually no ers were shot dead at a car wash expressed their preference for permanent residents, four-fifths ceremony attended by Chilean Large Millimeter-submillimeter water vapour. There is just so lit- in nearby Herkimer, according a continued relationship with of whom live in Stanley, with its President Sebastian Pinera and Array, an acronym which means tle that whatever light is emitted to the local NBC affiliate WKTV the United Kingdom,” State typically British pubs and red tel- other dignitaries. “soul” in Spanish — is a joint from a heavenly body, galaxy or and the Herkimer Telegram. Department spokeswoman ephone boxes. “ALMA is a huge telescope effort among North American, star, it gets here with no interfer- The two towns are about 360km Victoria Nuland said. AFP 16km in diameter,” said the European and Asian agencies. ence” Marconi said. AFP north of New York City. Police were searching for a suspect identified as 64-year-old Kurt Myers, who has gray hair and a beard, Herkimer police chief Joseph Malone told WKTV. Police believe Myers set fire to Britain’s giant pandas get in the mood at Edinburgh Zoo his apartment, located near the hair salon, before embarking on LONDON: He is performing hand- The lights in their separate enclosures Valentine said. For her part, Tian Tian has half of August if Tian Tian is pregnant, and the shooting spree, according to stands and eating constantly, and she is have been timed to simulate natural light been scent marking around her enclosure then they will only have three weeks before the Telegram. Firefighters needed spraying her home with alluring scents levels outside, and Tian Tian’s hormone to let her beau know that she is ready to a tiny, blind, bald baby panda is born. And 90 minutes to douse the blaze. — all the signs point to mating season for levels have been closely monitored since mate, and the normally quiet pair have that would not necessarily spell success. About a half-dozen firearms Britain’s giant pandas. January 1. And since last month, the pan- been calling out to each other. Two pandas in a zoo in Tokyo had a baby were found in the building, the Experts at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, das have been given time in each others’ “This year we’ve been taking the male and last year, the first giant panda cub there for report said. Area schools and which acquired the pair from China in enclosures which allows them to pick up putting him into the female enclosure where 24 years, but it died of pneumonia a week a university in Herkimer were December 2011, believe the mating window scent marks, a crucial part of the courtship. he’s picking up her chemical cues. And that later. The Tokyo pandas, female Shin Shin placed on heightened alert. of just a few days each year will take place Yang Guang is filling up on bamboo in gets him all pumped up,” Valentine said. The and her companion Ri Ri, mated again this Residents were warned to stay in the next three weeks. anticipation of the big event, building up his pandas look on course to mate around the week, although Ueno Zoo in Tokyo did not indoors and call the authorities Female panda Tian Tian, whose name muscle reserves and performing handstands same time as last year, at the end of March afford their pandas quite the same privacy if they saw anything unusual. means Sweetie, failed to mate with Yang to mark trees, walls and rocks with his scent. or the beginning of April. as Edinburgh did — it posted a 30-second The latest shooting comes Guang (Sunshine) last April, but the zoo has The higher the scent, the stronger the panda, The cameras that monitor their move- video of the panda hanky panky on its web- amid a national debate over lax made some changes which it hopes will up and the more likely a potential rival would be ments for eager fans will be switched off to site, www.tokyo-zoo.net. gun laws in the United States, their chances this year. “We’re doing every- deterred. And at nine years old, Yang Guang give them some privacy, but nothing is left Pandas have a notoriously low reproduc- following the massacre of 26 peo- thing we can to get a pregnant panda,” Iain is in peak physical condition. to chance. “We’re going for a natural mat- tive rate and are under pressure from fac- ple, including 20 children, at an Valentine, director of giant pandas for the “He needs good muscle tone because in ing, and we’ll be repeating the process with tors such as habitat loss. China has about elementary school in Newtown, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said. the wild, he would be competing and mov- artificial insemination,” Valentine said. 1,600 pandas living in the wild. Connecticut in December. “I’ve got high hopes of this year.” ing across large areas of land, and fighting,” The zoo will not know until the second AFP AFP THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

China city looks for Manila detains fleeing ‘militants’ modern Marco Polo BEIJING: A Chinese city is searching for a foreign trav- eller to become a “modern Rebels believed to be remnants of 300 followers of self-proclaimed Filipino sultan: Army Marco Polo”, with a 40,000 euro ($52,000) salary on offer MANILA: The Philippines lasted more than two weeks, to the winner, a tourism offi- Navy said it had detained 35 Malaysian security forces cial said yesterday. Hangzhou suspected Filipino militants launched a major operation in eastern China, renowned yesterday as they sought to sail against the gunmen. for its canals and bridges, home from a military offensive Malaysian authorities have was described as the “most against them in the Malaysian reported that 64 people have beautiful and elegant city in state of Sabah. been killed, mostly militants, and the world” by the Venetian They are believed to be rem- 97 followers of the sultan have traveller, whose The Travels of nants of a band of up to 300 been arrested in Sabah. Security Marco Polo composed in 1298 followers of a self-proclaimed operations are continuing. was one of the first detailed Filipino sultan who entered Sabah The 35 people seized yesterday accounts of China written a month ago to stake a territorial were on two small boats that were by a European. Now the city claim to the area, regional mili- intercepted by two navy patrol is “calling people around tary chief Rey Ardo said. vessels on the Philippine side of the world to follow Marco “They were coming back the sea border with Malaysia, Polo’s steps,” said Chen Li, (home)... they are armed,” navy spokesman Lieutenant- of Hangzhou’s tourism com- Lieutenant-General Ardo said, Colonel Gregory Fabic said. mission. The Marco Polo will confirming less detailed reports of They were sailing to a be recruited via Facebook, their arrest by the Philippine Navy. Philippine island about 60km (35 banned in China, and will The self-proclaimed Sultan of miles) from the area of Sabah at undergo training before being Sulu, whose ancestors ruled over the heart of the security offensive, flown to the city for a 15-day parts of the what is now the south- according to Ardo, the regional trip. Duties include making a ern Philippines and Sabah centu- military commander. short video about Hangzhou ries ago, vowed his men would not Fabic and Ardo said there were and promoting the city leave until Malaysia recognised 34 men and one woman aboard online. Both men and women their territorial claims. the boats, both of which carried Filipino evacuees fleeing Sabah arrive on a Philippine Navy boat at Tawi-tawi, yesterday. are eligible. However after a standoff that guns. AFP Thailand denies shooting Rohingya BANGKOK: Thailand yes- terday denied accusations its Islamic activists attack sailors shot Rohingya boat Pyongyang takes a swipe at Park people fleeing sectarian strife in Myanmar, after a rights SEOUL: North Korea took North and South Korea is oper- not necessarily more dangerous group urged a probe into the temples, homes in Dhaka its first official swipe at South ating, a South official said after than others in its long history of alleged deaths of at least two Korea’s new president yester- Pyongyang cut the Red Cross hot- belligerence. migrants. Survivors of the DHAKA: Islamic activists have Bangladesh since independence, day, employing a phrase to paint line, in protest against the launch Obama said it was “promising” alleged incident on February attacked dozens of Hindu tem- with 85 people so far killed in the Park Geun-Hye as overbearing of a South Korea-US military that China, which had historically 22 told Human Rights ples and hundreds of homes unrest. and manipulative. exercise. “The military commu- tolerated “misbehaviour” by the Watch that sailors opened across Bangladesh since an Kazal Debnath, a vice-presi- A statement attributed to a nication is working normally and North Koreans because it was fire on around 20 Rohingya Islamist leader was sentenced to dent of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon spokesman of the Armed Forces we will seek to convey any mes- worried about regime collapse, migrants, killing two of them, death for war crimes last month, Parishad, blamed the attacks on Ministry said South Korean offi- sage to the North via the channel was changing its thinking. as they jumped overboard to Hindu group said yesterday. Hindu temples and homes on cials were engaging in a round when necessary,” the official said. “You’re starting to see them escape custody after drifting Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Jamaat-e-Islami and its student of “warmongering” orchestrated Meanwhile, a report said North recalculate and say, ‘You know into Thai waters. But the inci- Parishad, a group which looks wing Islami Chhatra Shibir. by the “poisonous swish” of the Korean jet fighters had flown an what? This is starting to get out dent near a pier in Kuraburi after Hindu temples, said 47 tem- “It was the work of the Jamaat president’s skirt. “unprecedented” number of sor- of hand’,” he said, although he did district, southern Phang ples and at least 700 Hindu houses and Shibir, but we also accuse the The statement did not use ties in recent days in apparent not give examples of a modified Nga province, was strenu- had either been torched or van- government, the police and the Park’s name or title, referring to response to the drill. attitude from Beijing. ously denied by Thai officials. dalised since the verdict against local government representatives her only as the current “owner” Obama said North Korea’s lat- “The Thai navy commander Delwar Hossain Sayedee. including (our) MPs for failing to of the presidential Blue House in CHINA ‘RECALCULATING’ est behaviour was not “necessar- responsible for that area has Sayedee, vice-president of the protect the temples and our com- Seoul. In Washington, President ily” an alarming evolution in its rejected the report,” said country’s largest Islamic party munity,” said. “Swish of the skirt” (or “chima Barack Obama said there were behaviour from its previous prov- foreign ministry spokesman Jamaat-e-Islami, was sentenced Jamaat has denied any role in baram”) is a common Korean signs that China was recalculating ocations towards the US its Asian Manasvi Srisodapol, adding to hang on February 28 for crimes the attacks, blaming supporters of term used to criticise women seen its policy towards North Korea allies. “They’ve all been serious. there is “no reason to shoot including rape and murder com- the ruling Awami League party for as overly bossy or domineering. out of frustration at leader Kim Because when you’re talking or hurt” Rohingya. mitted during the 1971 independ- the violence. But Foreign Minister It also slammed Park’s com- Jong-Un’s nuclear brinkmanship. about a regime that is oppressive ence conflict. Dipu Moni told diplomats last ments that the North’s obsession In an interview with ABC towards its people, is belliger- Tsunami town on The sentencing of Sayedee and week that Jamaat and Shibir with nuclear weapons would bring News aired yestereday, Obama ent, has shown itself to some- other Jamaat-e-Islami leaders attacked Hindu temples and about its own collapse as “utter said that the latest alarming times miscalculate and do things watch for shark deal has triggered the worst violence houses in a “pre-planned manner”. ignorance”. threats from Pyongyang follow- that are very dangerous — that’s KESENNUMA: An inter- in impoverished Muslim-majority AFP A military hotline between ing its third nuclear test were also always a problem.” AFP national agreement to pro- tect sharks could spell trouble for one tsunami-wrecked Cambodia protest port in Japan as it struggles back to its feet two years after being swept away, locals Chinese-backed mine will say. Shinichi Sato said his shark processing business in Kesennuma has only just re- benefit Myanmar: Suu Kyi started, but he fears a global vote to regulate trade in sev- eral species of the predator MONYWA: Myanmar opposi- economy,” she added. “We have could put paid to its recovery. tion leader Aung San Suu Kyi to get along with the neighbour- “We don’t just take fins and urged protesters yesterday to ing country whether we like it dump the fish in the way now accept a controversial Chinese- or not.” criticised by the world,” Sato backed mine that was the scene Speaking to about 500 people said as he laid out the boo- of a violent crackdown last year, at a second village, Suu Kyi urged merang-shape fins to dry in or risk hurting the economy. those unhappy with her to “pro- the sun. Kesennuma has been The Nobel laureate dismayed test at my house”. Japan’s sharkfin hub since the some villagers living near the The issue has left Suu Kyi with 19th century, and once dealt copper mine in Monywa, north- the awkward balancing act of with 90 percent of all shark ern Myanmar, with her warning reaching out to downtrodden local landed in the country. As well that nearby communities and people while fulfilling her new role as the fins, which are used to the wider economy would suf- as a parliamentarian. make sharkfin soup or stew, fer if the controversial project is She failed to appease the vil- a highly prized delicacy in abandoned. lagers and many spoke disparag- China and Japan, other parts “If we stop this project, it will ingly about her lack of support are used in the production not benefit local people or the for their action, in particular of supplements such as liver country,” Suu Kyi said during a after November’s brutal crack- oil, while the skin is used as visit to the area. down, which carried echoes of leather. “The other country (China) the former junta’s response to might think that our coun- dissent. Japan duo jailed for A resident of the Boeung Kak Lake community clashes with police during a protest in Phnom Penh, yesterday. try cannot be trusted on the AFP People have been embroiled in a long-running land dispute with a real estate development firm in the capital, killing Nepalese and appealed for the release of a resident, Yorm Bopha, from prison. TOKYO: A court jailed a 22-year-old Japanese man for killing a Nepalese res- taurateur in an unprovoked 8,000 US, Filipino troops street attack in which the Tokyo eyes strong Asean ties victim was repeatedly kicked as he lay unconscious on the TOKYO: Japan has called for “On top of the growing matu- expectations from Japan “in deal- ground, reports said. The to join in Balikatan drill stronger security ties with rity of our economic cooperation, ing with various security issues court in the western city Southeast Asia as Tokyo looks Japan and Asean need to further of the Asia-Pacific region,” the of Osaka found tattoo art- MANILA: About 8,000 Filipino military in capability development to boost alliances at a time of strengthen ties in the field of defence ministry said in a state- ist Hiroki Shiraishi and his and American soldiers will take in the conduct of both traditional growing territorial tensions security and defence,” Eto said. ment. Japan, along with several female acquaintance Miyoko part in this year’s Balikatan military training and civil mili- with China. The meeting is the first high- members of Asean have locked Shiraishi, 23, guilty of caus- exercise from April 5 to 17. tary projects focusing on reach- Vice-minister level repre- ranking defence dialogue of its horns with China over separate ing the death of 42-year-old The 29th Balikatan involving ing out towards communities that sentatives from Japan and kind since hawkish Japanese Prime territorial disputes. immigrant Bishnu Prasad other allies in the region will be need priority,” he said. the 10-member Association Minister Shinzo Abe took office Relations between Beijing and Dhamala last year. Shiraishi held in Camp O’Donnell and Crow “The end goal of these exer- of Southeast Asian Nations late December following a landslide Tokyo have deteriorated badly was jailed for 19 years, and Valley in Tarlac, Subic Bay, and cises is to further promote (Asean) began a two-day gather- victory in general elections. over the last year as the two sides Shiraishi for nine. It was not Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. and foster the existing friend- ing at a Tokyo hotel, with several “Our country changed govern- argued about the sovereignty of known if they were related. Armed Forces of the Philippines ship between the people of the participating nations embroiled ments late last year,” Eto said. Tokyo-controlled islands in the The duo were drunk before spokesman Col Arnulfo Burgos Jr Philippines and the United in sovereignty rows with Beijing. “Under the new regime, we want East China Sea. they began what the court said Balikatan 2013 will focus on States and advance the security “The Asia-Pacific region has to reinforce cooperation in secu- Last Tuesday, three Chinese said was a random assault humanitarian assistance and dis- and stability of the region in the various issues concerning security rity and defence with Asean coun- government ships spent sev- on the street. During the aster response to enable the gov- near future.” and defence, including territorial tries and contribute to peace in eral hours in the 12-nautical- trial, security camera footage ernment to develop emergency One of the highlights is the conflicts in the South China Sea,” the region,” he added. mile territorial zone off one of showed the Nepalese collapse management mechanisms. multinational maritime tabletop Vice Defence Minister Akinori Ahead of the meeting, the the Senkaku islands, claimed by to the ground after being hit. “The exercise is designed to exercise in Camp Aguinaldo. Eto told the opening session of Asean participants met Abe late Beijing under the name Diaoyus. AGENCIES enhance the forces and the US THE PHILIPPINE STAR the closed-door meeting. Tuesday and voiced their high Taiwan also claims them. AFP THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Pakistan army Afghan police graduation offers support for elections Troops to ensure security at booths

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan be needed for security, he said. Army will extend all possi- The ISPR chief said that the ble support for the conduct of army, in coordination with police upcoming general election in a and law enforcement agencies, peaceful and orderly manner. would prepare the overall secu- “We have assured the Election rity plan for the polls. Commission of Pakistan (ECP) The military will be called in that we will provide all possible aid of civil power as per the con- support for security,” said the stitution, Bajwa said adding that Inter-Services Public Relations it would be a challenging task (ISPR) chief, Major General Asim in some areas of the country Saleem Bajwa. in view of the present security He said the ECP had held a environment. meeting with concerned army Apart from what the ISPR chief officials while another session said, it is generally believed that would be arranged shortly. “They extra security measures would will come back after unfolding of be required to be put in place in the election schedule.” some parts of Balochistan, Khyber Bajwa said the ECP would let Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the Punjab Afghan police officers attend a graduation ceremony at the National Police Centre in Jalalabad, yesterday. the army know which polling and Karachi. booths were sensitive or highly Maintaining law and order and sensitive requiring special secu- providing a peaceful atmosphere rity precautions so that the elec- to voters in these pockets would Parliament performed poorly: Survey Child bombers torate could exercise their right be of main concern of the enforce- in a peaceful manner. ment agencies. held in Quetta It would then be decided about As it appears there is a lot of KARACHI: As many as 65 while 19 percent were not sure. during the last five years in par- the deployment of troops all over mayhem in certain portions of percent of Pakistanis polled As many as 69 percent of people liament, 50 percent people said QUETTA: Pakistan police Pakistan, he said. “After that, it Balochistan, where holding of said that the performance of said that the role of the National the PPP had the worst perform- have arrested around a dozen will be easy for the army to chalk elections itself would be a great the outgoing National Assembly Assembly in solving people’s basic ance, followed by the MQM (16 children, some as young as out a security plan.” task for the ECP as well as during the last five years was problems was unsuccessful, while percent). However, 12 percent 10, suspected of being used He said that if desired by the enforcement agencies. A similar poor. 15 percent termed it successful. said the performance of the to plant bombs for separa- ECP, army personnel would be situation exists in some areas of However, 59 percent gave credit However, 16 percent were not sure. PML-N was the worst, 10 per- tist militants, officers said detailed to provide security for the tribal pockets and the KP. to politicians for completing the Among the parties represented cent said that it was the PML-Q yesterday. transportation of ballots to dif- As far as the Karachi city is tenure of the legislature for the in the National Assembly, 47 per- and 3 percent said that it was The arrests were made in ferent areas. concerned, there have always been first time without any interfer- cent people said the performance the JUI-F. raids over the past 24 hours, Bajwa said it was premature widespread complaints about bal- ence from ambitious military gen- of the PML-N was the best, while It is for the first time in its his- local police chief Mir Zubair to make an estimate about the lot stuffing and forcing voters at erals. This was revealed in a Geo 19 percent said the ruling PPP’s tory that the National Assembly Mahmood said while present- number of troops to be finally gunpoint. Given this scenario, the Poll powered by Gallup Pakistan, performance was the best. has completed its five-year term. ing the children at a news allocated for security duty. The responsibility of the enforcement released yesterday. However, 10 percent voted in Fifty nine percent people said the conference in Quetta, the capi- picture will become clearer only agencies would tremendously The survey showed that 65 favour of the MQM, 5 percent in credit for this goes to politicians, tal of the restive province of after a requisition was received increase. It would be a different per cent of people believed that support of the PML-Q, while 2 while 34 percent gave credit to Baluchistan. from the ECP. story whether or not they would the performance of the National percent supported the JUI-F for the army. One percent each gave A Baluch militant organi- However, the army would make be able to check the manipulation. Assembly in the last five years was its performance. credit to the judiciary and the sation had lured the children, available as many troops as would INTERNEWS bad, 16 per cent said it was good, About the worst performance public. INTERNEWS who came from poor families, to leave packages containing home-made bombs in markets, dustbins and on routes used by police and security forces, Mahmood said. Pakistanis make He said the militants knew Soldier stoned to death over love affair that police would not suspect six Guinness small children or garbage col- DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A checkpost near her home. The said the jirga had ruled the often take justice into their own lectors. “Some children said records in one day Pakistani soldier was publicly two embarked on a romantic woman must be shot to death. hands, presiding over “jirgas” they did not know what the stoned to death on the order of relationship, tribal sources said, It was not immediately clear if or “panchayats”, gatherings of packets contained and what LAHORE: Pakistanis set a tribal court in the country’s and he tried to elope with her this had already taken place. elders that hand down punish- they were doing,” he said. six records and made it to northwestern Kurram region when he was later posted to the The army was not immediately ments including rape, killing and the Guinness World Records for having an affair with a local disputed Kashmir region. available for comment. the bartering of women to settle Overseas Pakistanis yesterday. woman, government officials It was not immediately clear Kurram, the only part of scores and restore honour. According to a Punjab Sports and tribesmen said yesterday. what evidence there was, if any, Pakistan’s largely lawless border In such tribal justice, women remit $9.23bn Board press release, Guinness Such tribal justice is a stark of a romance. region that has a significant Shia often fair far worse than men. KARACHI: The State Bank Adjudicator Carlos Martinez reminder of the difficulty in “The girl left her home on population, is racked by sectar- Hussain said that the jirga of Pakistan reported that flew to Lahore to adjudicate nine establishing a credible civil- Monday and met Din when vil- ian violence between Sunni and had also requested that another overseas Pakistanis remit- attempts on the first day of the ian administration in Pakistan’s lagers saw them,” said Munir Shia tribes. Pakistani soldier, Saif Ullah, ted $9.23bn during July- Punjab Youth Festival in the east- semi-autonomous region border- Hussain, the head of the local Anti-Shia ideology from the be handed over for helping the February, up 7.5 percent or ern city of Lahore. ing Afghanistan, despite a series jirga, or tribal court, that sen- Taliban and Al Qaeda has meant couple meet and coordinate the $641m from the same period But due to shortage of time, of military operations in the area tenced Din to death. years of bloody fighting. planned elopement. last year — almost half the participants could attempt six and Western nations pouring in “We took the girl into custody Bibi is Shia while Din was “The army is here for our growth witnessed in the last and entered the book. millions of dollars to help build and took the boy to the local Sunni, Hussain added. security but if they engage in fiscal year. “I congratulate the Punjab infrastructure. graveyard where he was stoned to The Federally Administered such activities we will not let The remittances for the Youth Festival organisers on Punjab native Anwar Din, death and buried,” Hussain added. Tribal Areas have never been them stay here,” Hussain said. first eight months were setting a field for new records,” 27, was posted last year to the Din was killed on Monday, he fully integrated into Pakistan’s “This is an insult to tribal higher than last year but Martinez said. Parachinar area of Kurram said. administrative, economic or judi- customs. We will revolt against those for February was less The first event was hockey agency where he met Intizar A government official, speak- cial system. this.” than February last year. The where an 11-member team set a Bibi, 19, while manning a ing on condition of anonymity, Instead, families and tribes REUTERS monthly average for July- record of making 43 passes in one February 2013 comes to $1.15bn minute. The team set the record compared with $1.07bn during in their third attempt. Illegal weapons the corresponding period last The same team set another year. About $1.03bn was remit- record in hockey of farthest drib- ted in February as against bling of the ball. The team drib- Apex court orders police to $1.16bn in the same month bled the ball to 979.2 metres in last year. In January this year three minutes. remittances totalled $1.09m. Muhammad Rashid of Karachi explain blasphemy rampage made it to the Guinness by open- Anti-measles ing 40 bottle caps with his head ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s by the provincial government, in one minute. In one of the most Supreme Court yesterday saying: “Nothing has been pro- drive hits snag fascinating attempts, he broke the ordered police and provin- duced to establish causes of the ISLAMABAD: Pakistan previous record of 24 openings, cial officials to explain why incident in Joseph Colony... We government’s initiative to set by Germany’s Ahmed Tafzi. they failed to prevent a riot in need a specific reply. launch a programme to con- In the largest sequins mosaic a Christian area of Lahore in “Similarly, no specific reply trol the outbreak of measles category, Muhammad Salim Amin which more than 100 homes has been submitted in the report in flood-prone areas received set a record by making a picture were torched. about conduct of police officers, a severe blow after interna- of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif A mob of more than 3,000 including the inspector general of tional donors failed to pledge measuring 6.2 square metres Muslims rampaged through the Punjab, city police chief and the funds at a meeting at the using 325,000 sequins, beating the Joseph Colony area of Lahore, local in-charge of police in the Ministry of Inter-Provincial previous record of a two-by-three- Pakistan’s second largest city, area,” Chaudhry said. Coordination. Sources said metre mosaic of 300,000 sequins on Saturday, looting property Police and locals said the the amount required by the set by Hungarian students. and burning buildings after blasphemy allegations stemmed government to successfully In the category of most bad- a Christian was accused of from a drunken argument last launch its Supplementary minton shuttlecocks shuttled in blasphemy. Wednesday between a Christian Immunisation Activity adds a minute, Muhammad Wajid and Three days went by between sanitary worker and his Muslim up to $6m. Atique set a record by exchanging the blasphemy claims, which often friend, who accused the Christian The campaign will cover the shuttle 123 times. provoke a violent public response of making derogatory remarks around 62 million children And in the last event, Rashid in Pakistan, and the carnage in about the Prophet Mohammed aged nine months to 10 years. created his second and the day’s the colony. (Peace Be Upon Him). Of the bulk, $35m is being paid sixth record by kicking 50 coco- Chief Justice Iftikhar Punjab was the scene of one by Alliance for Vaccines and nuts down the heads of people Muhammad Chaudhry said the of the worst outbreaks of anti- Immunisation, while the fed- standing in a round. violence could have been avoided. Christian violence in recent years eral government has to gener- Today, attempts will be made “We would like to have a clear when a mob burned 77 houses ate the remaining $30m. to create records for fastest time stance of (Punjab) provincial and killed at least seven people Confiscated weapons are displayed during a media briefing at the The programme will be car- to dress a male mannequin, most government on failure to provide in the town of Gojra in 2009 after Rangers Headquarters in Karachi, yesterday. Pakistan Rangers appre- ried out in two phases — in martial arts kicks in one hour and protection to people,” Chaudhry rumours that a copy of the holy hended more than 460 suspects and recovered hundreds of weapons June and the fourth quarter. largest paint swatch. said during a hearing. Quran had been desecrated. over the past three months. AGENCIES INTERNEWS He rejected a report submitted AFP THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Petition in court PM warns Italy of ‘consequences’ questions curbs on Haj subsidy Italian govt seeks international solution, says marines facing trial in a court in Rome NEW DELHI: A petition was NEW DELHI: Relations “Italy has stated its readiness filed yesterday in the Delhi High between India and Italy remained to start negotiations on such Court against the government tense after New Delhi yesterday basis. Since there has been no decision to restrict to one time warned Rome of “consequences” reaction from India in this regard the facility to avail official sub- in bilateral ties over its refusal we have come to the conclusion sidy to perform Haj pilgrimage. to send back two marines facing that it is appropriate to solve the The petition by Pahchan trial for killing two Indian fish- legal dispute according to the Welfare Society, a registered soci- ermen, an action which Prime international law. ety, questioned the new condition Minister Manmohan Singh “The Note Verbale sent by that said “all the faithfuls under- described as “unacceptable”. the Embassy to the external taking the pilgrimage will have to The Italian government said it affairs ministry on March 11 was submit an affidavit with the appli- was prepared to resolve the legal intended to give the opportunity cation that they are going for the dispute according to international to settle the dispute through the first time for the pilgrimage”. law as the marines were facing consensual means offered to the A division bench of Chief Justice trial in a court in Rome. parties by the international law D Murugesan and Justice V K Jain The prime minister, taking a with the aim of defining a legally said a similar issue was pending tough stand in parliament over sound solution to the case. before the Supreme Court and it the diplomatic fracas with a lead- “This is consistent with Italy’s would come up for hearing March ing European power, said if Italy position since we have continu- 19. The high court bench would does not keep its word “there will ously advocated a settlement of next hear the matter March 20. In be consequences”. He said Italy’s the case according to the rules of its January 18 order, the external actions are “unacceptable” and international law on jurisdiction affairs ministry directed the Haj “violate every rule of diplomatic of the flag State and on functional Committee of India to amend the discourse and call into question immunity of State organs. guidelines for Haj pilgrims. solemn commitments given by “Italy did everything we could The new guidelines said that men accredited representatives of to find an acceptable solution to who accompany women pilgrims to a sovereign government to our such case, within the framework perform Haj also could not avail Supreme Court”. of our strong and friendly rela- the government subsidy. The gov- This was after Arun Jaitely, Left party activists shout slogans during a protest near the Italian embassy in New Delhi, yesterday. tions with India, and Italy will ernment told the bench that the the Leader of Opposition in continue to do so. Legal proceed- “decision has been taken to give the Rajya Sabha, described are facing trial for killing two an undertaking by the ambassa- The request “is under examina- ings against the two marines are opportunities to those pilgrims who the Italian response as “enemy fishermen off the Kerala coast dor that the marines will return tion” by India. still under way before the Court have never performed Haj before”. action” and urged the govern- last year, mistaking them for in four weeks to face legal pro- Responding to India’s stand on of Rome,” it said. The petitioner said “the ment to “forget diplomacy” and pirates. ceedings in India. the standoff, Italian diplomatic The issue has raised much impugned restrictions and instruc- respond strongly. India had summoned the Italy claims the incident officials in a statement said that political heat in India. Oommen tions and guidelines in the Haj “This is an outright fraud Italian envoy, Daniele Mancini, on occurred in international waters Rome was ready to negotiate the Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala application form are in contraven- against the government of India Tuesday and conveyed to him “in and has been trying to get Latorre case based on international law. to which state the two killed tion of the fundamental rights and and Supreme Court by a sover- the strongest terms” that Rome and Girone tried in Italian courts, “The judgement by the Supreme fishermen belong, met Prime also Directive Principles of State eign nation. This is a case of state- was “obliged” to ensure the return while India contends the shooting Court of India on January 18 has Minister Manmohan Singh to policy of the constitution”. On the sponsored abduction,” Jaitley said. of the two marines. occurred in its own territory. denied Italian jurisdiction on the discuss the return of two Italian government’s direction, the Haj The Indian reactions came The Supreme Court on In a note on March 6, the Italian case and invited both countries marines. “The prime minister’s committee imposed new norms of after Italy informed India that February 22 allowed the two government had requested India to engage in a common effort statement is very strong and we once-in-a-lifetime use of subsidy the two marines, Massimiliano marines to fly to Italy to vote in to set up a meeting at diplomatic based upon Article 100 of the hope Italy will obey the Indian for pilgrimage, as against the ear- Latorre and Salvatore Girone, the February 24-25 national elec- level in order to reach an ami- UN Convention on the Law of the law,” Chandy told reporters. lier policy of availing Haj subsidy would not return to India. They tions. The apex court was given cable solution of the controversy. Sea,” the statement said. IANS once in five years. IANS

Gas leakage at Bhilai steel plant Govt to give $532m to states RAIPUR: A gas leakage yesterday the plant which is a flagship unit of afternoon at Bhilai Steel Plant’s the public sector giant, Steel Authority hit by drought blast furnace number 5 triggered of India Ltd, issued a press statement panic among dozens of employees and admitted “there was a minor gas and floods who developed breathing prob- leakage at blast furnace-5...” lems, an official said. Three people “Leakage of gas is a normal pos- NEW DELHI: The gov- fainted after inhaling the gas. sibility after the start of the furnace. ernment yesterday offered “A large contingent of staff who In view of this all safety precautions millions of dollars to states were at work at blast furnace no-5 are taken and affected people are hit by drought or floods, had all of sudden developed breath- provided with immediate medical marking half the funds ing problems and three of them col- treatment,” the statement added. for a western zone were lapsed, it was a panic all around,” a “Three people were affected by the millions face their worst senior company official said. gas leakage and were rushed to a... water shortage since 1972. The company management immedi- hospital, where their condition was Agriculture Minister ately swung into action and announced stated to be normal.” Sharad Pawar said a federal to have sorted out the problem. Later, IANS ministerial panel which he headed agreed to dole out nearly Rs29bn ($532m) to seven states which last year CBI officials walk out of a building while carrying a bag of documents after conducting a raid as part of probes faced drought, flooding or into the AgustaWestland bribery case in New Delhi, yesterday. other natural disasters. “We have approved the relief package, which is the high- CBI files FIR against ex-IAF chief est in recent years,” Pawar said and added the panel agreed to hand out Rs12bn NEW DELHI: The CBI yes- Italy-based Finmeccanica, defence major Finmeccanica; to Maharashtra. terday registered a case against Britain-based AgustaWestland, Bruno Spagnolini, former CEO of He also promised addi- former chief of the Indian Air Mohali-based IDS Infotech AgustaWestland (a Britain-based tional help to the parched Force (IAF) S P Tyagi and 12 Ltd (India), Chandigarh-based subsidiary of Finmeccanica), region, where suicide by others for criminal conspiracy Aeromatrix India, Mauritius- and alleged middlemen Guido farmers is also rampant. and fraud in the $750m deal for based Infotech Design System and Ralph Haschke, Karlo Valentino Millions in 10,000 parched 12 VVIP helicopters. Tunisia-based IDS, sources said. Ferdinando Gerosa and Christian villages in the western state The Central Bureau of Sources said two new names, Michel. were affected by the 2012 Investigation (CBI) carried out which were not part of the agen- Sources said Section 120-B drought, officials reports say. raids at Air Chief Marshal (retd) cy’s preliminary inquiry, have also (criminal conspiracy), Section Gujarat and Kerala states S P Tyagi’s residence and several been included in the FIR. They are 420 (cheating) of the Indian would also get drought other places in Delhi, NCR and Satish Bagrodia, brother of former Penal Code and “some relevant relief, PTI said and added Chandigarh in connection with union minister Santosh Bagrodia sections” under Prevention of cash would be doled out the case, sources said. and Pratap Aggarwal, managing Corruption Act have been slapped also to Andhra Pradesh, Tyagi is the first former chief director of IDS Infotech. Those in the FIR by the agency. They Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim of the IAF to be named by the named in the FIR also include S P said raids took place at 14 loca- and Uttarkhand to tackle CBI in a criminal case related Tyagi’s brothers Julie, Docsa and tions including the residences of disruptions from floods, to corruption. Apart from 13 Sandeep. the Tyagi’s brothers and offices landslides or excessive rains. people, an FIR was also reg- The FIR also names Giuseppe of IDS Infotech and Aeromatrix. IANS istered against six companies: Orsi, former CEO of Italian IANS

0001 registration plate goes for Rs525,000 MOHALI: Here’s proof that the ‘money transport company, stayed ahead of the pack Mohali district registration and licensing makes the mare go’ adage is taking firm all the way to the end. authority. This is not the first time that root in small towns. Had it happened in However, this is not the first time the the 0001 number has been sold at a whop- Chandigarh it would scarcely have been Jhajj family has bought a fancy number. ping price in Mohali. It went for Rs950,000 noticed but when an agriculturist-trans- “My father, who is an agriculturist, also in the PB-65-Q series, for Rs470,000 in the porter forked out Rs525,000 for a 0001 has a liking for 0001. His vehicle also has the PB-65-R series and for Rs400,000 in the registration plate for his Mercedes Benz same number. Gradually I also developed PB-65-S series. in this neighbouring town, it certainly the same fascination and even my mobile “In Punjab only a car’s make does not raised quite a few eyebrows — never mind number also ends with 0001,” Jhajj said. matter, but its VIP registration number has that it had happened before. The other numbers picked up during the also become the style quotient. I also wanted “I was always attracted towards 0001 as auction included 0097 (Rs150,000) and 0009 to grab a 0001 number and participated in my car’s registration number. If I can spend and 9999 (both for Rs145,000). the bidding process till the Rs400,000 mark lakhs of rupees on buying a car then what “This trend of spending money to buy and then withdrew myself. But I have man- is the harm in spending on a VIP number? VIP numbers has picked up only in the aged to get 0011,” said Mohinder Sandhu, I see it as a matter of pride while I drive last one year; otherwise earlier there were an agriculturist and a resident of Mohali. around on city roads in my newly bought car not many bidders. However, now we have Punjab’s Mohali town is some 10km from with a VIP number,” 35-year-old Ramesh nearly a dozen bidders for all registration the state capital Chandigarh, where the Jhajj told IANS of his PB-65-U-0001 reg- numbers in Mohali. This is a voice bid- 0001 number fetches some Rs700,000 to istration plate. ding process and it is conducted in an open Rs1,000,000 at auctions. The bidding started at Rs.50,000 and Jhajj, room in front of various officials to ensure Mohali has a population of 150,000 against an agriculturist who also runs a flourishing transparency,” said a senior official of Chandigarh’s 1,000,000. IANS THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

GoM agrees to bring down age of consent to 16

NEW DELHI: A group of ministers (GoM) yesterday reached a consensus on the anti-rape bill with an agree- ment on replacing the word ‘sexual assault’ with ‘rape’ and reducing the age of consent from 18 to 16, sources said. Stalking and voyeurism had Paramilitary soldiers carry one of their wounded colleagues after the been made non-bailable and encounter in Bemina, near Srinagar, yesterday there will be no penalty on false complaints. The union cabinet is expected to take up the draft Five killed in attack on today. The cabinet had deferred a decision on the anti-rape bill Tuesday due to lack of unanim- Kashmir police camp ity. The GoM was set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to resolve the differences. SRINAGAR: Two militants approached the camp by mingling The GoM agreed on replacing hiding automatic rifles and with children playing cricket in a the word ‘sexual assault’ with grenades in cricket kit opened nearby field, hiding their weapons ‘rape’ and on reducing the age fire on a paramilitary camp in cricket kit they were carrying. of consent from 18 to 16, sources near here yesterday, killing five Once at the camp, they shot a said. Home Minister Sushilkumar Indian personnel and wounding sentry dead and then fired indis- Shinde had on Tuesday expressed five, police said. criminately into the base. confidence that that differences The militants were killed in a Abdul Gani Mir, Inspector would be resolved and the gov- gunfight at the Central Reserve General of Police, told Reuters ernment will be able to secure Police Force (CRPF) base TV: “We have lost five of our parliamentary approval for the just outside the restive city of CRPF personnel who gunned legislation by March 22. Srinagar, which has been under down the two militants.” One The bill is expected to be in curfew for much of the last few police official said earlier the gun- parliament only next week as weeks following protests and men were dressed as cricketers. Parliamentary Affairs Minister clashes with police. Police said a group of youths Kamal Nath has called an all- Local media reports said that hurled stones at a vehicle taking party meet to evolve consensus Hizbul Mujahideen, the bitterly those who were injured in the over the issue March 18. disputed region’s largest militant paramilitary camp attack to hos- He has spoken to the Bharatiya group, had claimed responsibil- pital, and one of them was injured Janata Party, Samajwadi Party ity for the attack, in which three when CRPF officials opened fire. and Bahujan Samaj Party leaders civilians were also wounded. A hospital official said the youth on the legislation, sources said. Police said the gunmen subsequently died. REUTERS IANS

Govt says 73,388 taxpayers defaulted in 2012-13

NEW DELHI: The government “Filing a return without paying The Income Tax Act requires yesterday said that 73,388 tax- the admitted amount of tax that is that the tax payable on the payers have defaulted on pay- payable will render such taxpayer returned income, after taking into ments aggregating to Rs3,859 an assessee in default under the account prepaid taxes, should be crore in the current financial provisions of the Income Tax Act. paid before furnishing the return. year and steps would be taken to Such taxpayers who default in pay- An analysis of returns filed elec- penalise them. Taxpayers have ment of self-assessment tax may tronically in 2012-13 reveals that defaulted on payments after fil- invite penal consequences,” the 73,388 taxpayers have defaulted ing self-assessment returns. finance ministry said. on such payments. IANS THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Warming

Fajr (Dawn) 4:29 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:45 Zuhr (Noon) 11:43 Asr (Afternoon) 3:08 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:43 Isha (Night) 7:13

WEATHER

Today Friday Saturday Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy. High of 29C. High: 31° High:30° High: 28° Breezy. Low: 17° Low: 20° Low: 22°

DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND Three suricats sit in the warming sun in their snow-covered enclosure of the Opel Zoo in Kronberg, Germany, yesterday. Winter has returned to 05:45 17:43 06:15&19:00 00:15&12:30 Winds from the North at 15 to Germany with snow and ice. 20 km/h. THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER MUSCAT 32/22 Clear 34/22 Clear Iran to sue Hollywood over films MAKKAH 34/25 Partly cloudy 36/25 Clear KUWAIT 30/22 Clear 30/21 Clear TEHRAN: Iran has hired a con- a life sentence for the killings in not been screened in public in Iran large group of Iranians believe BAHRAIN 25/10 Partly cloudy 26/10 Partly cloudy troversial French lawyer to file a 1975 of two French policemen and but was shown twice privately for a that the film stereotypes Iranians SANAA 26/09 Partly cloudy 26/10 Partly cloudy lawsuit against Hollywood over a suspected informant. Coutant- selected audience recently, includ- in a negative way without draw- RIYADH 30/17 Partly cloudy 31/17 Partly cloudy a series of films, including Ben Peyre and Ramirez married in a ing on Monday night. Pirate DVDs ing a distinction between ordinary DUBAI 29/20 Clear 29/22 Clear Affleck’s Oscar-winning Argo, ceremony held in jail in 2001 after of the film, however, are available citizens and the revolutionaries BAGHDAD 31/17 Partly cloudy 31/19 Partly cloudy that have allegedly portrayed the she converted to Islam. on the black market across Iran for behind the hostage crisis. Islamic republic in a distorted “I’ll be defending Iran against as little as 50p. Other Hollywood films that THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW and unrealistic manner. films that have been made by Based on the 1979 US hostage have infuriated Iranians include Isabelle Coutant-Peyre, Hollywood to distort the country’s crisis but flavoured with imagi- 300, which depicts King Leonidas HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER described by the Iranian media image, such as Argo,” she said, nary events, Affleck’s thriller and a force of 300 men fighting ATHENS 18/12 Partly cloudy 16/09 Clear as an “anti-Zionist” lawyer, has according to quotes carried by touches upon one of the darkest the Persians at Thermopylae travelled to Tehran to meet the the semi-official Isna news agency. episodes in Tehran-Washington in 480BC — it was described WASHINGTON 08/-1 Partly cloudy 13/03 Partly cloudy authorities in order to lodge a Coutant-Peyre was speaking relations. It tells the story of a by Iran’s President Mahmoud SYDNEY 26/19 Rain 24/15 Chance of rain case in an international court in Tehran’s Palestine cinema at a CIA rescue mission to bring home Ahmadinejad, as “insulting to LONDON 06/00 Partly cloudy 08/03 Fog against Hollywood directors and “Hoax of Hollywood” conference, six stranded US diplomats who Iran” — Brian Gilbert’s 1991 PARIS 04/-2 Chance of rain 06/03 Partly cloudy producers who officials say have held following Argo’s win at the managed to escape the embassy film Not Without My Daughter, ISTANBUL 20/13 Partly cloudy 18/05 Chance of rain promoted “Iranophobia”. Academy Awards. compound before its full seizure and The Wrestler. Mohammad MANILA 32/24 Chance of rain 32/24 Clear Coutant-Peyre is the wife of The conference was attended by by young revolutionaries. Lesani, of the Hoax of Hollywood DHAKA 34/20 Clear 36/21 Partly cloudy Venezuelan-born Ilich Ramirez senior Iranian officials, including Since its release Argo has conference, said the conference DELHI 32/16 Partly cloudy 30/16 Clear Sanchez, known as Carlos the the minister for culture and Islamic prompted mixed reactions among was meant to “unify all cultural ISLAMABAD 21/12 Chance of rain 24/12 Rain Jackal, whom she also represents. guidance, Seyed Mohammad the Islamic republic’s sympathis- communities in Iran against the Ramirez, a self-styled interna- Hosseini. Argo, which won best pic- ers, its opponents and even among attacks of the west, particularly tional revolutionary, is serving ture at the Oscars last month, has former American hostages. A Hollywood”. GUARDIAN NEWS Thursday 14 March 2013 2 Jumada I 1434 Volume 18 Number 5638 Price: QR2

For Bahrain inflation not a concern

Business | 19

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar has region’s best non-oil sector growth High government spending on multi-year projects continues to stimulate non-hydrocarbon sector: Fitch report

BY SATISH KANADY Saudi Arabia (6.5 percent each). to maintain its last year’s growth High oil production and prices regional producers at close to exchange rate pegs to the US Qatar’s current account bal- rate of 9 percent. will continue to be the key driver capacity the oil sector will be a dollar will remain in place over DOHA: Qatar’s high govern- ance for 2013 is forecast to grow In Fitch’s view, Qatar’s infla- of the region’s robust non-oil drag on overall economic growth the medium term. Dollar pegs ment capital spending on huge 32.9 percent of its GDP, next to tionary pressures are broaden- growth. across GCC sovereigns this year. and open capital accounts com- multi-year projects will con- Kuwait’s 38.4 percent. ing, with rapid growth in the Oil market trends remain sup- High oil revenue will allow pel GCC countries to set interest tinue to stimulate the country’s Qatar’s GDP is set to grow 4.5 expatriate population. portive for the region, though GCC governments to impart fur- rates closely in line with US rate. non-hydrocarbon sector, said percent this year, the ratings January 2013 saw 8.2 percent less so than in 2012. As a result ther stimulus. The GCC’s monetary policy the ratings agency Fitch in its agency noted. year-on-year growth in the coun- of tight fundamentals and gener- Budgets for some member flexibility is increasing modestly latest “GCC Sovereign Credit On Monday, the Minister try’s population rate, reviving the ally improving sentiment about countries this year are expan- owing to greater use of deeper Review”. of Economy and Finance H E rentals. the global economy, Fitch has sionary and buoyant spending domestic debt markets. With a projected 7.6 percent, Yousuf Hussein Kamal said Though Qatar has developed a raised its Brent oil price forecast will be bolstered by high levels The member-countries’ fiscal Qatar has been forecast to have Qatar’s non-hydrocarbon sec- domestic debt market, the fund- to $105 per barrel for this year. of business and consumer con- policy remains dominant and the highest growth rate in the tor’s contribution to GDP has ing of substantial infrastructure However, Saudi Arabia has fidence and healthy growth in monetary transmission mecha- real non-oil growth in the region. been steadily rising over the past spending is driving up its exter- sharply cut back oil production bank lending. nism is weak, the ratings agency Qatar is followed by Oman and several quarters and is expected nal debt, it noted. so far this year and with other The region’s long-standing noted. THE PENINSULA

Qatargas highlights challenges facing LNG at Flame conference

DOHA: Qatargas’ Chief European gas markets as Operation Officer – being susceptible to supply dis- Commercial and Shipping ruptions when local produc- Alaa Abujbara addressed tion or imports are reduced. challenges surround- Aggressive procurement by tra- ing energy supply in the ditional buyers and emerging European markets at the LNG players in order to fulfil annual Flame conference held their current and future energy in Amsterdam recently. needs for their growing econo- The presentation, titled mies may lead to a decrease “A Case for LNG in Europe” in the availability of LNG for highlighted the challenges fac- Europe. ing Europe as it evaluates its Alaa Abu Jbara, Chief energy choices and determines Operations Officer of its future energy needs. Commercial and Shipping for The presentation focused on Qatargas Operating Company three key issues: Public opin- Limited, said: Asia and other ion surrounding nuclear power, emerging markets are pulling environmental impacts facing on Qatargas’ flexible portfolio coal, and the cost as well as land and thus our available LNG usage of renewable energies. volumes are becoming limited. For Qatargas, natural gas I believe that Europe needs to and more specifically LNG is a determine their desire for LNG clear energy choice for Europe and plan a path forward for when compared to its alterna- the future. The clock is ticking, tives, such as nuclear, coal and don’t wait until the last LNG renewables, Abujbara said. ship has sailed away.” Qatargas also sees the THE PENINSULA

Asia’s Mideast oil market may pick up as demand recovers

SINGAPORE: Asia’s Middle Agency said in February, indicat- Visitors at the seventh International Conference on Air Cargo, yesterday. The conference, organised by IATA and hosted by Qatar Airways, brought East crude market may ing demand for electricity may be together over 1,000 specialists in the air cargo field to Doha. strengthen when trading in higher than usual there from June May barrels begins this week, to August. supported by refineries in Asia Heavier grades such as Upper returning from maintenance Zakum may fare better than and fuel oil demand from power lighter grades, due to a rise in fuel generators during the northern oil cracks in the past few weeks Smooth transition to e-freight ‘critical’ hemisphere summer. and lower official selling prices About a million barrels per (OSPs), traders said. BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB (HIA) will be the second in the forward to increase productivity day of refinery capacity that Stronger buying from China GCC, after Dubai, to introduce in the system. was offline for maintenance will could also underpin May trading. DOHA: Transition to e-freight this user as well as environment “We are implementing a new IT return in May, according to Data shows that commercial is “critical”; Qatar Airways friendly system. As per the lat- system called ‘Cable’ which will Reuters data. crude inventories in the world’s “needs to put a lot of efforts” est statistics available (December allow us to go e-freight. We totally “The peak turnarounds are second largest oil consumer have to ensure a smooth transition 2011), e-freight was live in 42 believe in the electronic flow of over and margins are looking dropped month-on-month for from a manual cargo system locations and 109 airports. information as this speeds up the good now, so the fundamentals the four straight months through to e-freight, as most of the big Experts suggest that air cargo process entirely. may support some demand,” said January, adding to expectations airports of the world have faced stakeholders, waiting for each “Every year in every confer- a trader at a refiner. “I see the that Chinese refiners could sur- problems in the past, say experts other to implement the e-freight ence the importance of e-freight market rebounding.” face to replenish stocks. from the air cargo industry. system first is the biggest hurdle is being restated again and again Consultants JBC Energy esti- The spot differentials for April “I am a bit the pessimistic in in its growth. but we are still moving in a snail’s mated in a report that refinery cargoes traded last month weak- this regard, because I have not “Waiting for the other party space,” he added. maintenance in Asia would peak ened on poor demand from refin- seen a major airport establish- (stakeholder) to move first is the IATA has been striving to at just over 2 million bpd in April, ers, while the cash market was ing a warehouse without prob- biggest blockade in the growth of implement a paper-free cargo sys- fall to 1.4 million bpd in May and pressured lower by heavy sell- lems. There was a problem in the e-freight system,” said Remo. tem globally. But there are many drop further to 620,000 bpd in ing in Dubai partials by trader Hong Kong; there was a prob- About 10 percent of global countries where, due to govern- June. That analysis suggests Arcadia Petroleum. lem in London. I would wish freight is done electronically, and ment restrictions, officials and demand is set to gradually pick Crudes from Qatar and Abu that Qatar Airways put a lot of globally is also the part of initia- IATA has set a goal to achieve 20 local customs authorities do not up from May onwards, as refin- Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) efforts into making sure that tives facilitated by International percent in 2013. approve or permit the deliveries ers buy crude for refining units traded at lower premiums or transition, which is critical, is Air Transport Association (IATA) Asked why the air cargo stake- without papers. coming back on line the following deeper discounts than in trading done in a smooth way,” said Remo that aims to take paper out of air holders are reluctant to introduce “For example in Qatar, although month. Warmer weather in the for March cargoes, reflecting the Eigenmann (pictured), Global cargo supply chain operations and the system, he said: “Everybody the country is in the process of northern hemisphere may also absence of big buyers. Head of Airfreight at DAMCO. replace it with electronic messag- understands that we have to go changing, and we do accept boost demand for electricity for In the cash market last month, He added that Qatar Airways ing. E-freight, in addition to being that way, but airlines, forward- e-cargo system, but when it comes air-conditioning, which translates Arcadia Petroleum sold 244, or introducing an e-freight system more accurate, reliable, and less ers, handling agents and customs to custom clearance, sometimes into more demand for crude to be 85.9 percent, of the 284 April par- will offer new opportunities for time consuming and less expen- authorities, are all waiting on the we do face challenges. Local gov- processed into fuel oil for oil-fired tials traded in February, deliver- all. “I have personally seen the sive, has been estimated that other party to do the first move ernmental bodies ask for the old generators. ing 11 of the 12 Oman cargoes that new warehouse and handling the system will save over $5bn which is blocking the whole devel- format of BLs (Bill of Lading) Japan will see mostly normal to were declared, data collated from facilities. This is fantastic and a annually. opment of e-freight system.” being issued,” said another expert hotter-than-average weather this traders and Platts showed. good development.” The new cargo terminal at E-cargo or e-freight, according who did not wish to be named. summer, the Japan Meteorological REUTERS Introducing an e-freight system Hamad International Airport to Remo, is a very important way THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Japanese carmakers to Mixed trading across region’s bourses give workers Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi indexes gain as sliding bluechips end Egypt’s five-session rally DUBAI: Dubai’s Arabtec this year or in 2014. The revised up for a very long time and they Palm Hill Development CO and YESTERDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS rebounded yesterday after the plans eased investor concerns look overbought on the techni- Orascom Telecom fell 2.7 and 1.8 QATAR: The index rose 0.3 percent bonus boost builder changed some of the that it would issue convertible cal charts from a short, medium percent respectively. to 8,533 points. terms of a proposed capital hike bonds, which would have further and long term perspective,” said In Saudi Arabia, National SAUDI ARABIA: The index climbed TOKYO: Japan’s top carmakers that had sent its shares tum- diluted shareholders. Musa Haddad, head of investment Medical Care Co soared on are set to give tens of thousands bling, while Egypt’s index ended “The announcement had a posi- advisory services for asset man- its bourse debut, underlining 0.6 percent to 7,025 points. of employees an annual bonus a five-session rally as bluechips tive impact on the shares,” says agement at National Bank of Abu strong investor interest in mid- BAHRAIN: The index rose 0.5 per- bump as a weaker yen helped slid. Mohammed Yasin, managing Dhabi. cap stocks exposed to domestic cent to 1,115 points. their bottom line while Tokyo Arabtec climbed 2.4 percent, director at NBAD Securities. Buyers will return as first- demand. DUBAI: The index dropped 0.9 per- presses firms to hike staff pay trimming its losses to 28 percent “Investors are relieved by the quarter results near, with com- The company’s shares, which cent to 1,922 points. to lift the economy. since it announced plans for a news and it has taken some pres- panies expected to start reporting were sold in their initial public ABU DHABI: The index climbed Toyota, Japan’s biggest car firm, $1.8bn capital increase that would sure off the Arabtec shares.” from mid-April, he added. offering at 27 riyals, ended at 122 0.1 percent to 3,008 points. said yesterday it would accept be dilutive to shareholders. Dubai’s index fell for a first Elsewhere, Egypt’s benchmark riyals in heavy trade. KUWAIT: The index rose 0.3 per- union demands for a richer bonus On Tuesday, the builder session in five, dropping 0.9 per- dropped 1.6 percent to erase most The company offered 13.5 mil- with the Camry-maker agreeing received regulatory approval to cent to trim its 2013 gains to 18.5 of the gains from a five-session lion shares or 30.1 percent of its cent to 6,736 points. to inflate the annual payment by issue shares in two equal tranches percent. rally. share capital. Half were allocated OMAN: The index advanced 0.3 about 10 percent to an average — one this year and another in Heavyweight Emaar Properties, “Technical indicators still con- to institutional investors and half percent to 6,077 points. ¥2.05m ($21,000). 2014 if needed. which has led Dubai’s early-year firm the short-term trend of the to retail investors. The institu- EGYPT: The index fell 1.6 percent The bonus, which is in addi- Arabtec also aims to issue non- rally, fell 1.4 percent. market is down,” said a note from tional tranche was more than five to 5,318 points. tion to workers’ regular salaries, convertible bonds at the end of “The markets have been going Pharos Research. times subscribed. REUTERS would be made to both factory employees and while-collar staff, said Toyota, which is also the world’s largest vehicle producer. Fuel crisis in Egypt It would reportedly be Toyota’s BRIEFLY biggest bonus in five years. Japan’s number-two carmaker Nissan will bump its bonus by about 2.3 percent to ¥2.04m, reports said, while number-three producer Honda also said it would offer a bonus boost, without dis- closing details. In January, the country’s top three carmakers posted record sales for 2012 as the trio put Dubai Islamic Bank Japan’s damaging quake-tsunami disaster in their rear-view mirror. launches $1bn The unit, which hit a record hybrid sukuk high around 75 on the dollar in late 2011, hurt Japan’s auto indus- DUBAI: Dubai Islamic try by making their vehicles less Bank, the largest Shariah- competitive overseas and shrink- compliant lender in the UAE ing foreign-earned income con- by assets, launched a $1bn verted back to yen. hybrid sukuk yesterday, The unit’s decline in recent arranging banks said. months — it traded above 95 on The perpetual sukuk, which the dollar yesterday — has come is aimed at shoring up its core on the back of a new government or Tier 1 capital, launched at in Japan vowing to fix the world’s a profit rate of 6.25 percent, third-largest economy with a mix in line with final guidance of big spending and aggressive released earlier in the day. monetary easing. The final guidance was sub- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stantially tighter than initial has also asked Japanese firms to price talk of 7 percent, after lift their employee pay as a way arranging banks said order to boost disposable income and books totalled $14bn, indicating reverse years of deflation, which massive demand for the deal. has crimped private spending and HSBC Holdings, Standard business investment. Chartered, National Bank of Other major firms, includ- Abu Dhabi, Emirates NBD and ing Hitachi and Fuji Heavy DIB itself are mandated lead Industries, have decided to offer Vehicles in a queue at a petrol station in Cairo. Egypt’s Oil Minister Osama Kamal has dismissed the head of state-owned Misr Petroleum and another arrangers for the deal. employees a pay rise, Japanese top official due to a crisis in distributing fuel used by buses and trucks, state news agency MENA said. DIB is the second Gulf media reported. AFP bank to issue a hybrid per- petual sukuk, after Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank sold $1bn in a QATARI MARKET similar structure in November, Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Cathay Pacific’s profit dips by 83pc attracting $15bn in orders. Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 104.69 0.70% Aa2 AA HONG KONG: Cathay Pacific The airline said that “sustained to boost its fuel-efficient fleet. Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.94 1.53% Aa2 AA yesterday said that 2012 net high levels” of jet fuel prices, “Economic uncertainty, particu- Taqa sees Shuweihat Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 124.25 2.25% Aa2 AA profit plunged more than 83 which accounts for more than 40 larly in the eurozone countries, Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 117.25 2.49% Aa2 AA percent, as the Hong Kong flag percent of total operation costs, and an increasingly competitive project bond in Q2 Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 112.25 2.92% Aa2 AA carrier was buffeted by persist- dragged down its performance. environment added to the difficul- DUBAI: Abu Dhabi National Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 171.00 4.01% Aa2 AA ently high fuel prices and the “The high cost of fuel made it ties,” Pratt said. Energy Co, the state-owned Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 130.75 4.43% Aa2 AA eurozone financial crisis. more difficult to operate profit- “We believe we have taken energy and utility firm, Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 120.63 4.47% Aa2 AA The airline said profit stood at ably, particularly on long-haul the right measures to deal with expects to launch an $800m HK$916m ($118m), down from routes operated by older, less current challenges and will take project finance bond related Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.25 1.22% Aa2 AA the HK$5.5bn it recorded in fuel-efficient, Boeing 747-400 and whatever further measures are to the Shuweihat S2 power Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 114.75 2.77% Aa2 AA 2011. Revenue rose 1.0 percent to Airbus A340-300 aircraft,” said necessary should the business and water plant in the sec- Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 105.63 1.57% A1 A- HK$99.4bn from HK$98.4bn in Pratt. environment not improve,” he ond quarter, a senior execu- Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.75 2.15% A1 A- 2011. Even though Cathay has accel- added. tive said on Wednesday. QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.63 1.99% NR NR Cathay said it carried a total of erated its plans to retire fuel-guz- The weak global economy con- “It’ll be sometime in the QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.63 1.72% Aa3 A+ 29.0 million passengers in 2012, a zling aircraft, the chairman said tinued to take a toll on Cathay’s second quarter,” TAQA Chief QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.63 2.14% Aa3 A+ 5.0-percent rise year-on-year, but fuel costs will remain its “biggest air cargo business, with revenue Financial Officer Stephen its premium class sales were hit challenge” this year, as the long- falling 5.5 percent to HK$24.6bn Kersley said on a conference Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.63 2.28% A2 A- as companies cut back on travel haul routes account for a huge in 2012, while demand for ship- call to discuss the firm’s annual Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.75 1.71% A2 A for executives. chunk of its business. ments in key markets Hong Kong results. Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 130.75 2.51% A2 A “It was a challenging year for Cathay ordered three Boeing and mainland China “was well “We have our indicative rat- Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 111.75 3.07% A2 A the aviation industry generally,” 747-8 Freighter cargo aircraft below expectations”. ing in place, we have the pro- Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 110.63 3.92% A2 A chairman Christopher Pratt said earlier this month in a deal worth Cathay’s shares closed down forma of a refinancing deal in Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 106.75 1.05% Aa3 A in a statement to the Hong Kong $1bn at list prices, with an option 0.42 percent at HK$14.20. place, we have our documenta- Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 108.13 3.37% Aa3 A stock exchange. to buy five 777 Freighters in a bid AFP tion in place, we’re ready to go. Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 111.38 3.56% Aa3 A We just have to get through the final pieces of the negotiation SOVEREIGNS with the lender group which Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P we’re hopeful we will in the Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 105.13 0.62% Aa2 AA next few weeks and then you Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 126.13 2.13% Aa2 AA Commerzbank shares drop after capital hike can expect to see us in the market.” Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 110.63 2.38% NR NR FRANKFURT: Commerzbank to approve at the annual general enhancing Commerzbank’s abil- Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.50 2.95% NR NR shares plunged yesterday after meeting of Commerzbank, origi- ity to pay a dividend in future,” Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 125.13 3.88% NR NR Germany’s second-largest nally set for May 22 but now Engels said. Nigeria starts work Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 118.00 4.07% NR NR bank said it would carry out a being brought forward to April “With the resulting reduc- Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.75 0.84% Aa2 AA ¤2.5bn ($3.3bn) capital hike to 19. SoFFin will participate in the tion of debt servicing costs and on vital oil bill Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 115.63 3.24% NR BBB pay back state bailouts received increase, but instead of invest- the removal of the obligation to ABUJA: Nigeria’s legisla- Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 110.25 3.82% NR BBB during the 2008-2009 financial ing new capital, it will contribute repay the silent participations tive committee on its oil bill crisis. some ¤625m worth of shares. of SoFFin and Allianz, dividend officially opened yesterday, Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 92.50 7.11% B2 B- “Commerzbank is planning an That means that once the payments may be possible at an bringing Africa’s top energy Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 105.88 3.59% NR BBB- early repayment in full” of about operation has been completed, earlier date in the future,” he producer a step closer to end- *Periodic Distribution Amount IMPORTANT NOTE: ¤1.6bn in so-called “silent par- SoFFin’s shareholding in explained. ing uncertainty holding up Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which ticipations” from the German Commerzbank would decrease The last time Commerzbank billions of dollars of invest- is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services bank bailout fund SoFFin and a from 25 percent plus one share to paid a dividend was in 2007. ment by foreign oil majors. Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary further ¤750m from insurance below 20 percent, the bank said. In 2008 and 2009, the state Lawmakers on the panel data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising giant Allianz, the bank said in a The move is expected to invested around 16.4 billion euros must thrash out proposed out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds statement. beef up Commerzbank’s capital in Commerzbank as it strug- amendments to the Petroleum can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant Silent participations are a form resources, with the key Core Tier gled to integrate the distressed Industry Bill, a leviathan piece liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not of debt under which creditors 1 ratio — a measure of a bank’s Dresdner Bank. of legislation aiming to reform a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and agree to forego voting rights in financial strength — rising to 8.6 Commerzbank has already everything from fiscal terms to consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. the company. percent from 7.6 percent. repaid most of the money and the state oil firm. In order to raise the “The improvement of our capi- “with the announced repayment It has been years in the mak- funds needed for repayment, tal resources has the highest pri- of the remaining 1.6 billion euros, ing and previous versions failed Commerzbank had decided to ority for us,” said chief financial the silent participations of the to pass through parliament. undertake a capital increase, officer Stephan Engels. Federal Republic will be repaid AGENCIES which it would ask shareholders “At the same time we are in full,” the bank said. AFP THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 French property show Bahrain expects 4pc economic growth this year Inflation not a concern: Central Bank

MANAMA: Bahrain’s central strategy on becoming a regional bank expects economic growth financial hub, as it lacks the pet- of around 4 percent in 2013, rodollar wealth of its Gulf Arab little changed from last year, neighbours. while inflationary pressures The financial industry makes are currently not a concern, its up around 17 percent of the $29bn Governor Rasheed Al Maraj economy. said yesterday. But two years of social unrest “As for GDP, the recent figure have weighed on the bank- that we had from the department ing sector, with annual lending in charge was around 4 percent, growth slowing to 7.8 percent in which is in line with what we have November, the lowest level since achieved last year,” Maraj told August 2011. reporters at a meeting of central Al Maraj said, however, the bank chiefs from Gulf Arab oil economic situation was improv- Bahrain’s Central Bank Governor Rasheed Al Maraj speaks during the GCC exporters. ing: “Judging from what most Governors meeting in Manama yesterday. He did not explain why his banks released in their results for forecast was lower than that last year, I am very satisfied with of the government’s Economic the health of the banking system rate has always been moderate in any inflationary pressure on the Development Board, which last in Bahrain.” Bahrain and even recently the fig- economy,” he said. month predicted gross domestic “It is picking up in terms of ure has been on the low side.” Bahrain, which pegs its dinar product would expand 6.2 percent earnings momentum, the same In January, inflation was at a to the US dollar, has kept its key in 2013 after an estimated 3.9 per- for the business,” he said. four-month high of 3.6 percent; rates, the repo and one-week cent in 2012. Bahrain is expected to get $1bn analysts in January predicted deposit, unchanged at 2.25 per- “This is what we feel, judging in aid a year from its fellow Gulf average inflation of 2.4 percent cent and 0.50 percent, respec- from all the input we have,” he Cooperation Council (GCC) mem- in 2013, down from 2.8 percent tively since September 2009. said. bers — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, in 2012. Maraj said last week that he That is still more optimis- Kuwait and Qatar — over the next “So far there has not been any saw no change in the policy set- tic than a poll in January in 10 years to finance development noticeable increase in (external) tings for now. which analysts trimmed their and social projects. prices that would transmit into He also said the central bank 2013 growth forecast to 3.2 per- The country is the only GCC the local pricing system. I do not has not yet thought about diver- People look at a scale model of the French ‘La Defense Seine Arche’ cent from 3.5 percent seen in member facing a fiscal deficit this want to say we are not watching sifying its foreign currency business district yesterday at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, south- September, partly due to contin- year. the situation,” Maraj said. reserves to include the Chinese eastern France, during the MIPIM, an international real estate show for ued political turmoil in the island Maraj also said he expected “Inflation has always been a yuan. Its net foreign assets stood professionals. The show brings together the most influential players kingdom. inflation to average around 1.5 concern for all central banks but at BD1.8bn ($4.8bn) at the end from all international property sectors offering unrivalled access to The kingdom of 1.3 million percent this year as has been the we are satisfied with the level of of November, latest central bank the greatest number of development projects and sources of capital people has based its economic case in the past: “The inflationary inflation right now. We do not see data show. REUTERS worldwide. The show will wind up tomorrow. Dhaman encourages investments in Arab states UAE to implement curbs on risk MANAMA: The UAE central set three weeks earlier. Last year KUWAIT: The Arab Al Ibrahim said yesterday in a goods from all over the world. investment climate in the Arab bank must act this year to push it announced rules limiting banks’ Investment and Export statement carried by Kuwait’s “The corporation instills world though research, stud- forward previously issued rules exposure to state-linked borrowers, Credit Guarantee Corporation state news agency KUNA. and develops the Arab security ies, reports, journals and work- and policies, a senior central bank and rules requiring them to hold a (Dhaman) is encouraging He added that the corpora- system, raises awareness of its sheets as well as organizing and official said yesterday. certain ratio of their assets in the investments in Arab countries tion also offers its services on advantages, provides techni- participating in many of the Three times over the past year, form of liquid instruments; both ini- and development of exports to commercial risks such as default cal support and assistance, in relevant activities, Al Ibrahim the central bank has imposed regu- tiatives were suspended in December world markets, said Dhaman of buyers, insolvency or bank- addition to organizing forums noted. lations to limit risk at UAE commer- after discussions with banks. Chairman Fahad Al Ibrahim. ruptcy as well as providing com- on funding mechanisms, exports Dhaman is an autonomous cial banks, but then backed off from But Saeed Abdulla Al Hamiz, On the occasion of the corpo- prehensive insurance coverage guarantee, investment and net- Arab regional organization enforcing them after complaints assistant central bank governor for ration’s AA credit rating con- for lease and funding operations work-building to broaden the established in 1974 under a from the banks. In January, it said banking supervision, said yester- firmed by Standard and Poor’s for Arab companies around the base of beneficiaries of the secu- multilateral agreement between it would not enforce curbs on resi- day that the central bank needed (S&P), Dhaman is offering world. rity services,” KUNA quoted Arab countries, based in Kuwait dential mortgage loans as a propor- to move ahead with its regulation. insurance cover for Arab and The corporation secures let- him as saying. since mid-1975 and includes tion of property values that it had REUTERS non-Arab investments for its ters of credit issued by Arab In addition, Dhaman plays 21 Arab member states and a member states to protect them and non-Arab banks and Arab a significant role in raising number of Arab and interna- against non-commercial risks, imports of capital and strategic awareness and promotion of tional bodies. QNA

Zara strategy pays off Libya may increase Opec quota to boost economy TRIPOLI: Libya plans to companies and experts during invite bids from foreign the revolution, but it has since firms for oil concessions by almost recovered to its pre- the end of 2013, Oil Minister war level of 1.6 million bpd. Abdelbari Al Arussi said Hydrocarbons account for yesterday, adding that more than 80 percent of Libya’s Tripoli wants to increase its GNP and up to 97 percent of Opec output quota. its exports. “Our priorities are, “We need some time to firstly, to maintain the current study the details, but we will production level through regu- probably announce the call lar maintenance and develop- for oil exploration offers in ing oilfields, and then security,” the fourth quarter of 2012,” the minister said. “There have he said in an interview. been certain incidents but this Arussi reported “strong happens all around the world. demand” from oil majors Overall, Libya is a secure coun- seeking to work in Libya, “a try,” he said. promising country with large Since Gaddafi’s fall, unrest surfaces which have not yet and violent protests have dis- A woman returns a bag to a shelf at a Zara store in Madrid yesterday. been explored, both on land rupted production at several Zara owner Inditex, the world’s largest clothing retailer, posted a and at sea.” hydrocarbon plants, including sharp rise in full-year sales and profit as its drive to expand outside Libya’s last energy conces- a suspension in gas supplies austerity-hit Europe continued to pay off. sions, the fourth in the coun- to Italy last week because of try’s history, were granted in clashes between armed groups 2007 for natural gas explora- near a site in western Libya. tion. The minister also said Arussi said Libya also plans that Tripoli plans to request to increase its oil refining a hike in its Opec production capacity and to develop pet- quota, from the current level rochemical industries that of 1.5 million barrels per day generate jobs. “Libya imports • Bullion - Mumbai (bpd) to 1.7 million bpd. 70 percent of its fuel needs, Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 29315 “We will ask for an addi- something which is not normal tional quota at the next Opec for a country which has been Silver (1 kg) Rs. 55150 meetings... Our aim is to reach producing oil for decades,” he • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.79 1.7 million bpd,” he said, add- said, announcing the creation • Sensex ing that initial talks with the of public company to be based BSE 19564.92 cartel have already started. in the eastern city of Benghazi. NSE 5914.10 Arussi said Libya needed Arussi said it would be in • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return the extra funds to finance charge of refinery projects, the p.a. (in dollar) post-war reconstruction fol- development of petrochemical lowing the 2011 revolution industries and the modernisa- • Housing loan from HDFC LTD which toppled Muammar tion of the Zawiyah refinery in • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, Gaddafi. Libya’s oil output western Libya and expansion Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. was reduced to almost zero of those in Tobruk and Sarrir, Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] with the departure of foreign to the east. AFP THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,533.32 0.25 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 11,918.27 0.25 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,555.7 0.42 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,124.81 0.18 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,039.47 0.48 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5104.404 -24.149 -0.47 5174.4 4664.6 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,973.92 0.18 % QR187.3600 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 3819.91 -20.06 -0.52 3855.07 3600.81 UK ...... QR 5.4173 QR 5.4940 QE All Share Industrials 2,855.78 0.61 % SILVER QE All Share Insurance 1,955.94 1.44 % Dj Indu Average 14450.06 2.77 0.02 14478.8 12035.1 QR 3.4223 Euro ...... QR 4.7096 QR 4.7750 QE All Share Real Estate 1,531.2 0.39 % CA$ ...... QR 3.5134 QR 3.5829 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Telecoms 1,147.71 1.33 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8266 QR 3.8807 QE All Share Transportation 1,444.7 0.68 % Hang Seng Inde/D 22556.65 -333.95 -1.46 23944.74 22445.34 Yen ...... QR 0.0377 QR 0.0384 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7223 QR 3.7952 Iseq Overall/D 3852.53 -13.16 -0.34 3885.68 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0664 QR 0.0678 13-03-2013 12-03-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 17760.44 -112.41 -0.63 18312.65 16036.31 Index 8,533.32 8,512.18 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0369 QR 0.0376 Change 21.14 32.23 Nikkei 225 Index 12239.66 -75.15 -0.61 12461.97 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0890 QR 0.0908 % 0.25 0.38 $109.37 SL Re ...... QR 0.0285 QR 0.0291 YTD% 2.09 1.83 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1556.77 1266.74 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0459 QR 0.0468 Volume 5,953,127 11,660,760 Straits Times/D 3288.52 -14.5 -0.44 3319.19 3160.83 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0418 QR 0.0426 Value (QAR) 278,695,929.48 503,441,883.34 $108.14 Trades 2,612 4,307 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3915 QR 0.3993 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 15 | Down 17 | Unchanged 06

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 13-03-2013

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A B G Infra-B/D 64.9 -6.2 2798 Cimmco-B/D 33.95 2.9 1556 Hind Unilever-/D 446.7 2.6 162910 Kin.Motor-B/D 8.74 -0.01 3424 Oudh Sugar-B/D 22.8 0 2508 Land Secs Grou/D 816 -7.5 538663 A C C-A/D 1252 -33.4 22068 Cipla-A/D 383.5 -4.15 54743 Hind.Petrol-A/D 300.75 -4.45 67125 Kopran-B/D 15.73 -0.1 5646 Patspin India-/D 5.65 -0.15 10852 Legal & Genera/D 168.2 -0.3 3785342 Aarti Drugs-B/D 190.35 -2.65 2969 City Union Bk-/D 55.65 0.1 27617 Hindalco-A/D 95.85 -3.65 1949025 Lakshmi Mach-B/D 2009.05 -9.3 7344 Radico Khait-B/D 136.25 0.7 1338 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 50.258 -0.33 40984071 Aban Offs-B/D 283.35 -8.75 39240 Colgate-A/D 1309.85 -3.9 5888 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 808.75 -14.6 47070 Lloyd Metal-B/D 13.78 0.21 1691 Rallis India-B/D 124.35 -2.35 34992 Marks & Sp./D 355.8 -4.4 1190146 Ador Welding-B/D 119.6 -1.95 2520 Dai-Bichi Kar-/D 42.5 -0.3 3000 I F C I-A/D 27.7 -0.65 1806873 Lloyd Steel-B/D 11.79 -0.21 26329 Rallis India-B/D 124.35 -2.35 34992 Next/D 4059 -56 220360 Aegis Logis-B/D 150.4 -5.7 58183 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41287 F D C-B/D 92.2 -0.6 12719 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.43 0 24340 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 19.1 -1.8 2050 3I Group/D 316.6 1.3 497212 Standrd Chart /D 1704 -84.5 2301862 Bhartiya Int-B/D 215.8 1.55 3952 Federal Bank-A/D 484.65 -8.35 27425 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.11 -0.04 30847 Nahar Spg.-B/D 79.6 -1.7 5303 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1868 -5 137200 B Sky Tate & Lyle/D 821.5 0.5 598874 Bhel-A/D 197.05 -4 478875 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.99 -0.25 2890 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 3.19 -0.39 8064 Nath Seeds-B/D 4.57 -0.24 1174 B/D 862.087 -4.5 261140 Tesco/D 375.862 -4.55 4185744 Bom.Burmah-B/D 116.55 -4.8 8372 Finolex-B/D 100.15 1 133055 Jik Indust-B/D 1.28 -0.06 14283 Nation Alum -A/D 46.3 1.05 334489 Barclays/D 309.2 -3.95 10586620 Tomkins/D 0 0 0 Bombay Dyeing-/D 98.05 -2.2 82203 Forbes-B/D 631.25 -24.75 16466 Jindal Drill-B/D 214.05 -3.65 2518 Navneet Pub.-B/D 61.15 -0.55 25769 Bg Group/D 1173.062 -4 882444 Unilever/D 2732.64 -16 787980 Cable Corp.-B/D 18.05 0.25 3156 Gail-A/D 339.85 -5.8 28292 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 105.15 0.4 4429 Neuland Lab-B/D 94.1 -1.9 3525 Bp/D 445.888 -6.25 5879466 United Util Gr/D 715.5 1.5 509193 Camph.& All-B/D 172.35 0.15 3701 Galada Power-B/D 3.98 0.17 2209 Jmc Projects-B/D 85.05 -3 5558 O N G C-A/D 316.7 -8.2 197077 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3490.08 -123 1356947 Vodafone Group/D 182.95 -2.05 29294557 Canfin Homes-B/D 160.05 -0.9 13792 Gammon India-B/D 26.8 -0.1 12645 Kabra Extr-B/D 28.95 -0.05 1568 Ocl India-B/D 150 -1.15 11119 British Airway/D 276.4574 0 0 Whitbread/D 2593 -18 63684 Caprihans-B/D 45.95 -0.4 1663 Goodricke-B/D 133.9 -2.1 2753 Kajaria Cer-B/D 195.1 -2.75 1250 Oil Country-B/D 41.15 -1.05 1300 Bt Group/D 264.4 -5.1 4921850 Castrol Ind-A/D 329.3 -0.25 5790 Hcl Infosys-B/D 39.95 0.6 202501 Kalpat Power-B/D 80.4 -2.9 15496 Onward Tech-T/D 43 0.7 1291 Centrica/D 354.8694 1.8 2835080 Century Enka-B/D 111.6 -1.65 1919 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 8.82 -0.31 405408 Kalyani Stel-B/D 43.2 -0.55 15049 Orchid Chem-B/D 85.65 -1.55 1536679 Gkn/D 274.9 -3.6 1004809 Century Text-A/D 319 -8.95 97970 Himat Seide-B/D 34.85 1.65 561015 Kanoria Chem-B/D 33 -2.85 3281 Orient Hotel-B/D 18.8 -0.55 1500 Hsbc Holdings/D 719.2 -10.2 5617785 Chambal Fert-B/D 55.35 -1 50998 Hind Motors-B/D 9.64 -0.22 64836 Kg Denim-B/D 15.01 -0.54 2000 Orient.Carb.-B/D 97.85 -1.15 1523 Imperial Tobac/D 2393.3671 14 723035 Chowgule St-B/D 12.64 -0.65 13858 Hind Org Chem-/D 13.02 -0.37 17788 Kilburnengg-B/D 12.39 0.04 2620 Orient.Carb.-B/D 97.85 -1.15 1523 Kingfisher/D 289.3 -4.1 1154995 THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

NHL Results Buffalo 3 NY Rangers 1 Carolina 4 Washington 0 Red-hot Heat crush Hawks, Vancouver 2 Columbus 1 Pittsburgh 3 Boston 2 Tampa Bay 3 Florida 2 Winnipeg 5 Toronto 2 St Louis 4 San Jose 2 Anaheim 2 Minnesota 1 Nashville 4 Dallas 0 extend win streak to 19 Edmonton 4 Colorado 0 Phoenix 5 Los Angeles 2 The NBA champions match two records; Bobcats thrash Boston 100-74 49ers send MIAMI: Dwyane Wade scored “Leading with our defence has 23 points while LeBron James been the key for us,” Wade said. Smith to added 15 to spark the defending “We come out defensive minded NBA champion Miami Heat to from the beginning of the game.” their 19th consecutive victory The Heat, 48-14, have not Chiefs, bring in a 99-81 rout of the Atlanta dropped a home game since los- Hawks yesterday. ing to Chicago on January 4. The Heat matched the fourth- But Miami will embark upon in Boldin longest single-season win streak a five-game road trip that starts SAN FRANCISCO: The San in league history, trailing only the today at Philadelphia and includes Francisco 49ers sent quarter- 20 in a row by Milwaukee in 1970- stops in Milwaukee, Toronto, Dwyane Wade (3) of back Alex Smith to the Kansas 71, Houston’s 22 in a row in 2007- Boston and Cleveland. the Miami Heat drives City Chiefs and acquired wide 08 and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Wade said the Miami bench is against Kyle Korver receiver Anquan Boldin from record run of 33 from 1971-72. a major factor in sustaining the (26) of the Atlanta the Baltimore Ravens in trades Miami also matched the record win streak. Hawks at American announced yesterday pending for the longest win streak by a “The key is our depth,” Wade Airlines Arena in physical examinations. defending NBA champion, a said. “We come in waves. Our In exchange for Smith, the Miami, Florida, 19-game run by Boston in the bench has definitely got to come 49ers get an undisclosed 2013 yesterday. 2008-09 campaign. to play.” draft choice, and a conditional Wade contributed six assists The Heat scored 27 points off a pick in the 2014 NFL Draft from and five steals while James added season-high 24 Atlanta turnovers Kansas City, the team said. seven assists and seven rebounds and never trailed in producing the Smith, the number one over- on a night when he made only 14th double-digit victory margin all pick of the 2005 draft by San 3-of-11 shots as the Heat won a in the team’s record run. Francisco, had been the long-time 15th home game in a row. Miami, the only NBA team to starter for the Niners before los- clinch a play-off spot and also the ing his job to Colin Kaepernick, only team to have beaten every who shined after filling in when NBA Results other NBA team this season, Smith suffered a concussion mid- Charlotte 100 Boston 74 led the Hawks by as many as 22 way through last season. LA Lakers 106 Orlando 97 points. REUTERS Cleveland 95 Washington 90 Josh Smith led Atlanta with 15 attempts, as the Charlotte since February 19. Jeff Green and and had only five points from star points but the Hawks, 34-29, have Bobcats snapped a 10-game losing Jordan Crawford each netted 14 big man Kevin Garnett, have lost Brooklyn 108 New Orleans 98 dropped eight consecutive meet- streak by beating Boston 100-74. points. two of three meetings with the Gonzalez puts Miami 98 Atlanta 81 ings with the Heat. Ben Gordon added 17 points Brandon Bass and Avery Bobcats this season. Dallas 115 Milwaukee 108 Meanwhile, Gerald Henderson and Josh McRoberts contrib- Bradley each added 10 points. The Bobcats, have the worst off retirement, Minnesota 107 San Antonio 83 scored a career-high 35 points, uted 13 points and 10 rebounds The Celtics, who rested play- record in the NBA this season, Memphis 102 Portland 97 going 12-of-12 in free throw for Charlotte, which had not won maker Paul Pierce for the night at 14-50. AFP rejoins Falcons

NBA: Most ATLANTA, Georgia: Atlanta Miami cannot hide they are loving it Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez Victories in a Row has changed his mind about MIAMI: The Miami Heat the streak,” he said. Spoelstra said sitting here and saying this is flies or see it in the madcap retirement, saying yesterday he are one win away from becom- that even if he reflected on the not something special - this is ‘Harlem Shake’ video the team Longest winning streaks for will rejoin the NFL club after ing just the fourth team in the run of form privately, it would an unbelievable streak, we are posted online. regular season games in the falling one game short of reach- history of the NBA to enjoy 20 only be to compare it with the playing great basketball, we are “Winning makes it more fun,” National Basketball Association ing last month’s Super Bowl. straight victories in a single feeling of the franchise’s worst winning in different phases of the said Spoelstra. “What comes first after the Miami Heat won their Gonzalez confirmed in a season and try as they might, season back in 2007/08. game and we are playing different though, the winning or the cama- 19th game in a row yesterday: Twitter message that he will they just can’t quite hide the “I don’t think about it much but styles,” he said. raderie? I don’t see a lot of cama- return to Falcons. 33 Los Angeles Lakers fact that it really is great fun if I were to think about it, I would “I’m not going to say it’s not raderie on losing teams and we (1971-72) “I’m happy to say that after beating all comers. think about the 15 win season and special but we just can’t get have been part of both,” he said. speaking with my family, I’m com- For coach Erik Spoelstra, the how awful it can be,” he said. caught up in it too much and not In the locker-room there is an 22 Houston Rockets (2007-08) ing back,” Gonzalez wrote. “The winning streak is a topic he avoids The players try their best to seize the moment that we are in acknowledgement that the bonds 20 Milwaukee Bucks (1970-71) lure of being on such a great in his team-talks as he focuses on keep with Spoelstra’s mantra but each and every night,” he said. they are building. team and organisation, along with drilling good habits into the team after the Atlanta game LeBron The moment is one that the “This is a special group of guys 19 Los Angeles Lakers unbelievable fan support was too before the games that really mat- James eventually conceded, it Heat players are certainly enjoy- and it has been a blast this season, (1999-00) good to pass up. We have a great ter - the play-offs. was something unique worth ing - on and off the court. we have been working hard but 19 Boston Celtics (2008-09) shot to get to the Super Bowl, “I’m not going to bring it up. acknowledging. One can sense it in the Heat having fun at the same time,” said RISE UP ATLANTA!” I haven’t brought it up once yet, “Let’s be honest guys, we aren’t locker-room where the banter center Chris Bosh. REUTERS 19* Miami Heat (2012-13) REUTERS

Gilchrist set to make We’ve got to Confident think positive, Wales ready debut against France says Bastareaud for decider LONDON: Wales, EDINBURGH: Edinburgh head coach Scott Johnson in a MARCOUSSIS, FRANCE: trailing by 20 points lock Grant Gilchrist will col- statement. France have got to stop ask- midway through lect his first cap for Scotland “I’ve been impressed with Gilco. ing questions of themselves the opening match in Saturday’s final Six Nations I’ve spoken of form and future and start thinking positively, of their Six Nations clash with France in Paris. and he fits the bill in the latter according to centre Mathieu championship defence Scottish Rugby said on category but he’s also keen as Bastareaud. on February 2, have Wednesday that the towering mustard and we want to look at The 24-year-old was surpris- rebounded to such 22-year-old would replace the him in the company of a very good ingly dropped from the starting effect that they are injured Richie Gray in the start- French side. line-up for last Saturday’s 13-13 now convinced the title ing line-up. “We looked at every position in draw with Ireland as he had made is within their grasp. The only other change is detail after last weekend and we more of an impact than most After winning three Alasdair Strokosch in for Rob reckoned that Strokosch’s experi- of the backs in their three Six away matches in suc- Harley at blindside flanker. ence gave him the nod in the back Nations defeats. cession the 2012 Grand “We have made some progress row,” added the coach. However, whether he is in the Slam champions can in this championship and it would Scotland are third in the table starting XV or not for the final retain the title if they be ideal to cement that by a win- after beating Italy and Ireland game with Scotland at the Stade beat England by eight ning performance in Paris. But but losing to England and Wales. de France this Saturday, he is points on Saturday. the needle is stuck in the same France are bottom without a win hoping the whole squad can leave Seven points would groove as far as my view on so far but Johnson warned against the tournament with one good suffice if England do not Saturday’s Test,” said interim any complacency. REUTERS performance under their belts. outscore the hosts by at “If we all have the will to put on least three tries. a great performance against the Their captain Sam Scots, then we can do something Warburton was then special,” said Bastareaud, whose injured for the win over constant battle with his weight France and relegated to has been a worry for France the bench for the next coach Philippe Saint-Andre. match against Italy. “The talent and the quality Restored to open- is there. We have stopped this side flanker for series of defeats. Now it is for us last Saturday’s win to moved in an upward spiral. Warburton had an “It will be good to end with outstanding match in a victory but it will not be easy. attack and defence and We are not going to say we are his return to form has going to score 40 points against softened the loss of the Scots in order to give pleasure Ryan Jones. to everybody. It isn’t as simple as Jones captained Wales that.” in the last two matches Bastareaud, said that it was in place of Warburton. time for him and his team-mates His likely replacement France’s rugby union national team captain Thierry Dusautoir (right) to stop thinking about what would is Justin Tipuric, who works out a scrummaging during a training session on Tuesday in happen if they lost. combined effectively Marcoussis, south of Paris, as part of the preparation for the Six Nations “The objective is to win, and if with Warburton after rugby union tournament. France will play Scotland in their 2013 Six possible in style,” said the Toulon coming on as a replace- nations rugby match in Paris on Saturday. powerhouse, yesterday. ment for Jones. AFP AFP THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Webber not keen to step down Team principal Horner backs Webber to continue at Red Bull beyond 2013

MELBOURNE: Michael Webber’s age was brought into Schumacher’s retirement has sharp focus on Wednesday as Ecclestone thrust Mark Webber into the he strained to remember early role of Formula One’s elder impressions of his career in an statesman, but the hard-bitten interactive session with a group sees new Australian believes he still has of five and six-year-old school- the tricks to keep the “vultures” children sitting obediently on a away from his Red Bull driver’s mat before him. opportunity seat. Quizzed about his most stress- Webber will line up at the sea- ful race and the number of for F1 IPO son-opening Australian Grand crashes in his career, Webber, clad Prix as the oldest driver, clinging in a pair of jeans and a team shirt, to another one-year contract with candidly told the wide-eyed group LONDON: Formula One’s Red Bull and batting away sug- that his racing enthusiasm was postponed flotation could gestions his 12th season in F1 and still fired by “adrenalin”. be re-launched later this seventh with the British-based He later told reporters he was year, the sport’s commercial team will be his swansong. “absolutely, completely capable” of supremo Bernie Ecclestone said “I never ever expected that it pushing for Australia’s first cham- yesterday. would be such an interesting topic pionship since Alan Jones’s sole “Last year I thought that the that I would be the oldest on the triumph in 1980 with Williams. markets were not ready, but now grid,” Webber, who will turn 37 in Webber will enjoy the company it is getting more likely that there August, told reporters yesterday. of another Australian on the grid is an opportunity,” the 82-year- “I didn’t even see it coming in Daniel Ricciardo, who will race old British billionaire told the until the last few weeks. a second season with the Red official formula1.com website “I don’t feel the oldest on the Bull-owned Toro Rosso and along ahead of Sunday’s Australian grid. You feel you’re the oldest with French team mate Jean- season-opener. on the grid if you’re back on the Eric Vergne, might be expected “In the next three months or grid getting blown away, but that’s to graduate to the senior outfit. so somebody will have to decide my job to make sure it doesn’t Like Webber, Ricciardo has yes or no,” he added when asked happen.” set a goal of becoming Australia’s about a possible float towards the Webber claimed two victories third world champion after Jones end of the year. at Monaco and Silverstone last and Jack Brabham, who put the Red Bull’s Formula One driver Mark Webber of Australia answers questions from schoolchildren before a news Ecclestone said last November year, but finished a disappointing country on the F1 map with his conference in Melbourne yesterday, ahead of the Australian F1 Grand Prix. The Australian Formula One Grand that any initial public offering sixth in the drivers champion- titles in 1959-60 and 1966. Prix is the first of the season and will be held on March 17. (IPO) was unlikely before 2014. ship after suffering back-to-back Having two Australians on the The owners of Formula One retirements late in the season. grid was an achievement in itself, had been preparing a $3bn IPO in He was again put in the Webber said. Singapore last June but decided to shade by his younger team mate “Daniel’s been doing his stuff Perez of McLaren ‘desperate’ hold off as global markets tumbled Sebastian Vettel, who collected well. I think that coming from and investor mood soured after five race wins on the way to a Australia it’s very difficult. The Facebook’s plunge in value follow- third consecutive title. strike rate of young drivers get- ing its flotation. Despite media speculation link- ting to Europe is very, very low,” for first win in Formula One Meanwhile, Ecclestone sug- ing a number of willing candidates he added. gested Europe could see fewer for a coveted place in an outfit “It is hard to leave these shores LONDON: McLaren expect desperate for winning. I haven’t A Ferrari academy driver, he races in future with other coun- that has won the past three con- and go and race over there, get- their new Formula One sign- won a race yet in my (F1) career had been linked with the Italian tries, such as Thailand and structors championships, team ting through those junior catego- ing Sergio Perez to win races so I am desperate to get a win,” team as a possible replacement Mexico, seeking slots. principal Christian Horner has ries, which he did well.” this season and the 23-year-old he added. for Felipe Massa before McLaren “The fact is that we are a world backed Webber to continue at Red Underlining the generation Mexican is ‘desperate’ to do so. “But when I ... start the sea- - winners of seven races last year championship, not a European Bull beyond 2013 if he continues gap between the two drivers, After two years with Sauber, son I will just drive normally, - snapped him up in the wake championship, so maybe we are to deliver. Ricciardo literally bent over back- Perez has moved up to one I will not be driving desper- of Hamilton’s shock decision to going to lose a couple of European Webber conceded that specula- wards in the cause of his career of the sport’s most success- ately to get my win. I need to leave. races because we are going to tion over his contract had proved yesterday, as he contorted him- ful teams as replacement be consistent, I need to score Even if his last race win dates other parts of the world,” he said. a distraction before he re-signed self into unnatural poses with a for 2008 world champion points and I know the win will back to the GP2 support series “There are lots of countries in 2012, but said he had become touring hip-hop dance act next to Lewis Hamilton following the come at some point.” at the end of 2010 and his new knocking at our door and it is a used to it. Melbourne’s Yarra river. Briton’s departure for a new Perez has not scored a point team mate is Britain’s 2009 case of finding the right places for “I think it was Kimi Ricciardo said the possibility of challenge with Mercedes. since he was announced as world champion Jenson Button, Formula One.” (Raikkonen) who was supposed stepping out of Webber’s shadow “As a Formula One driver, you McLaren’s new signing, a run McLaren do not see Perez as an Russia is due to make its debut to replace me in 2009,” he noted and into his driver’s seat was an dream to win your first race. It’s of six races since he was 10th in apprentice. next year with a race in Winter dryly. “It comes with the terri- idea to relish, rather than treat something you have dreamed of Singapore last September. “Sergio knows that we expect Olympics venue Sochi. This year’s tory when you’re in a top team with apprehension. all your life,” Perez told British Before that he had chalked him to race hard and not come Formula One championship will and you’re at the back end of your “I wouldn’t say anything’s too reporters ahead of his McLaren up three podiums, including two and be content to park the car have 19 races, one less than last career. scary,” Ricciardo said. “In terms debut in Sunday’s Melbourne second places, for a solid mid- two grid places behind Jenson. year due to the postponement “The vultures have been on the of hopping into a seat like that, it season-opener. table Swiss team who make the It’s not what we hired him for,” of a planned Grand Prix in New branches for the last three of four would be exciting. It always gets “I have no idea what it feels most of their limited resources said McLaren managing director Jersey and the disappearance years, that’s just the way it is. But talked about, particularly early on like. I have to be honest, I am but rarely challenge for victories. Jonathan Neale. REUTERS of the European Grand Prix in there will be a day where I stop.” in the season. REUTERS Valencia, Spain. REUTERS

Indian Wells ATP Masters Djokovic, Murray into and WTA Results last 16 at Indian Wells INDIAN WELLS, California: Results INDIAN WELLS, California: flat-footed sometimes, and he cer- Australian Open champion tainly did that a lot in the first yesterday from the Novak Djokovic recovered set. I knew it was going to be a seventh day of the ATP from a poor start while third tough encounter, so it was good Masters and WTA seed Andy Murray displayed to win in straight sets.” BNP Paribas Open (x much sharper form as they US Open champion Murray denotes seeded player): both advanced to the fourth will next face Carlos Berlocq of Men’s Third Round: Milos Raonic round of the BNP Paribas Open Argentina, who eased past Japan’s (CAN x17) bt Marin Cilic (CRO x12) yesterday. Kei Nishikori 6-2 6-2. Top seed Djokovic beat In other matches, Canadian 3-6, 6-4, 6-3; Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov 7-6, Milos Raonic fired down 16 aces (FRA x8) bt Mardy Fish (USA x32) 6-1 in an error-strewn match on as he battled past Croatia’s Marin 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/0); Sam Querrey the Stadium Court in hot after- Cilic 3-6 6-4 6-3 while Germany’s (USA x23) bt Marinko Matosevic noon conditions at Indian Wells Tommy Haas won a cliff-hanger (AUS) 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (7/9), 7-5; before Scotsman Murray over- against Spaniard Nicolas Almagro Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Grigor came Taiwan’s Lu Yen-Hsun 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6. Dimitrov (BUL x31) 7-6 (7/4), 6-1; 6-2 in an evening encounter. Maria Sharapova stepped it up Tommy Haas (GER x19) bt Nicolas Seventh seed Juan Martin Del when she had to yesterday to set Almagro (ESP x11) 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), Potro of Argentina brushed aside up an Indian Wells quarter-final 7-6 (7/2); Juan Martin del Potro Germany’s Bjoern Phau 6-2, 7-5 clash with Sara Errani, a rematch (ARG x7) bt Bjorn Phau (GER) 6-2, while eighth-seeded Frenchman Andy Murray of Britain celebrates of last year’s French Open final. 7-5; Carlos Berlocq (ARG) bt Kei Jo-Wilfried Tsonga withstood a after defeating Lu Yen-Hsun of Russia’s Sharapova defeated Nishikori (JPN x16) 6-2, 6-2; Andy fast start by Mardy Fish to over- Taiwan at the BNP Paribas Open in Errani in straight sets in the Murray (GBR x3) bt Lu Yen-Hsun come the American 7-6, 7-6. Indian Wells, California, yesterday. championship match at Roland (TPE) 6-3, 6-2. Djokovic came from 2-5 down Garros to complete a career to win his opening set 7-4 on the scraped past Australian Marinko Grand Slam. Women’s Fourth Round: tiebreak, then broke his oppo- Matosevic 7-6, 6-7, 7-5 earlier in The Russian star, who won Petra Kvitova (CZE x5) bt Klara nent’s serve in the second and the day. Indian Wells in 2006 and finished Zakopalova (CZE x19) 6-2, 6-3; sixth games of the second set to World number three Murray runner-up last year to Victoria Sara Errani (ITA x6) bt Marion seal victory in just over an hour. was delighted to gain revenge Azarenka, started slowly against Bartoli (FRA x9) 6-3, 6-2; Maria Dimitrov, who at 21 was the against Lu, who beat the Scot in Spain’s Lara Arruabarrena- Sharapova (RUS x2) bt Lara youngest player left in the draw, their only previous meeting, in Vecino but turned up the heat to Arruabarrena-Vecino (ESP) 7-5, made four double faults when the first round of the 2008 Beijing win 7-5, 6-0. 6-0; Victoria Azarenka (BLR x1) serving for the first set at 5-3 and Olympics. Sharapova dropped her first bt Urszula Radwanska (POL) 6-3, his challenge then quickly folded. “It was a tough match,” Murray service game to hand the Spaniard 6-1; Maria Kirilenko (RUS x13) bt Serb Djokovic extended his said after breaking his opponent’s a 2-0 lead. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x3) winning streak to 20 matches, serve twice in each set while also She then broke Arruabarrena- 6-1, 4-6, 7-5; Samantha Stosur his last defeat coming in October having to battle hard to hold his Vecino twice, but was broken (AUS x7) bt Mona Barthel (GER) to big-serving American Sam own serve early on. again before winning the last 4-6, 6-2, 6-3; Angelique Kerber Querrey in the second round of “He started off well. I didn’t three games of the opening set. (GER x4) bt Garbine Muguruza the ATP Masters 1000 event in serve particularly well to get From there she never looked (ESP) 6-4, 7-5; Caroline Paris. myself into those situations, and back. Wozniacki (DEN x8) bt Nadia Intriguingly the pair will then I served well to get myself Errani advanced with a 6-3, 6-2 meet again in the last 16 at out of some tough situations. victory over ninth-seeded Marion Petrova (RUS x10) 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. Indian Wells, Querrey having “He can kind of leave you Bartoli of France. AGENCIES THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Samuels in Cisse stars in Al Gharafa’s form as West Indies reach 144 for 5 emphatic win over Sepahan BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: A boundary blitz from the West Indies went some way towards salvaging their innings after the home side stumbled to 144 for Former French international scores twice in 3-1 win; Al Rayyan lose five at lunch on day two of the first test against Zimbabwe at the Kensington Oval yesterday. DOHA: Former French inter- Three wickets in the morning national striker Djibril Cisse AFC Champions session kept Zimbabwe in the scored twice as Al Gharafa came hunt for what is shaping up to be back from being a goal behind to League Results an intriguing test in Bridgetown. hand Sepahan a 3-1 defeat in The West Indies trail by 67 runs Group C of the AFC Champions BEIJING: Results from on the first innings after bowling League here yesterday. the AFC Champions League Zimbabwe out for 211 on Tuesday. Defender Mohammad Ali yesterday: The Zimbabwe bowlers lacked Ahmadi gave Sepahan the lead Group G control of line and length and after just 13 minutes but a close- were punished by the eager home range strike four minutes later Beijing Guoan (CHN) 2 (Lang Zheng 21, Piao batsman who looked positive from and a second half header from Cheng 79) Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) 1 the start after resuming on their Cisse put Al Gharafa in front (Naoki Ishihara 75) overnight 18 for two. before Majdi Siddiq sowed up all Bunyodkor (UZB) 2 (Oleksandr Pyshur 15, West Indies scored 126 runs in three points with a late finish. Kamoliddin Murzoev 90+4) Pohang Steelers under 30 overs, but the visitors The Qatari side lost their open- (KOR) 2 (Lee Myung-Joo 60, Lee Gwang- did make some headway with ing game of the 2013 campaign Hun 67) the wickets of Darren Bravo (11), against last season’s runners-up opener Chris Gayle (40), and cru- Al Ahli from Saudi Arabia but Group H cially Marlon Samuels (51). the win ensures Habib Sadek’s Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) 3 (Leandro Domingues Samuels’ excellent recent team keep pace with the rest of 21, 89, Kenta Kano 67) Central Coast form continued as he passed the group. Mariners (AUS) 1 (Patrick Zwaanswijk 8) 50 for the 10th time in his last It could have been otherwise, 15 test innings, but was out though, had Sepahan capitalised Suwon Bluewings (KOR) 0 Guizhou Renhe the ball before lunch and will more on their impressive start, (CHN) 0 be disappointed not to have with Moharram Navidkia going Group C pushed on. close in the fourth minute. He tried an expansive drive Al Gharafa (QAT) 3 (Djibril Cisse 16, 58 Less than a minute later Amin against the medium pace of Siddiq 92) Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan (IRI) Jahanalian should have scored Hamilton Masakadza and edged 1 (Ahmadi 13) after being presented with the Djibril Cisse (centre) of Qatar’s Al Gharafa scores past goalkeeper Shahab Gordan of Iran’s Foolad Sepahan behind to wicket-keeper Regis ball inside the penalty area fol- Al Ahli (KSA) 2 (Amad Al Hosni 17, 37) Al during their AFC Champions League match at the Al Gharafa Stadium in Doha, yesterday. Cisse scored a brace Chakabva, ending a stand of 63 for lowing a mistake by goalkeeper Nasr (UAE) 1 (Takayuki Morimoto 13) in Al Gharafa’s 3-1 win over Sepahan. the fifth wicket with Shivnarine Qasem Burhan, but the midfielder Chanderpaul (25 not out). Group D curled his shot wide of the post. giants Al Hilal kick-started their Earlier in the morning, Bravo Sepahan only had to wait until Esteghlal (IRI) 2 (Jlloyd Samuel 64, Farhad Group D campaign with a 3-1 win became Kyle Jarvis’ third victim the 13th minute to finally put Majidi ‘73) Al Ain (UAE) 0 over Qatari side Al Rayyan. of the innings when he edged to themselves on the score sheet The hosts dominated the con- Chakabva playing forward to a Al Hilal (KSA) 3 Al Rayyan (QAT) 1 as Ahmadi ghosted in at the far test at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd full delivery. REUTERS post to meet Navidkia’s dipping Stadium but they struggled to corner and the defender steered from the left punched to safety make a breakthrough until Al Scoreboard the ball home. The Iranian side’s by Shahab Gordon. Four minutes Qahtani headed in the opening lead only last four minutes, how- later, though, Al Gharafa and goal just before the hour mark. Zimbabwe (I Innings) ...... 211 ever, when Cisse managed to stay Cisse struck again, the former He then added his second of Djibril Cisse of West Indies (I Innings) onside before sliding the ball over Marseille man connecting with the match in the 73rd minute Qatar’s Al Gharafa the line from six yards out. Nene’s cross to direct a downward and although Hamid Ismaeil celebrates after C Gayle c Taylor b Chatara ...... 40 Despite the equaliser, Sepahan header into the turf and beyond pulled a goal back for the visitors scoring a goal K Powell lbw Jarvis ...... 5 continued to dominate, with Gordon via the underside of the with five minutes left, a quick- against Iran’s Foolad K Roach lbw Jarvis ...... 0 Xhevahir Sukaj pulling his shot crossbar. fire response by Mohammed Al Sepahan, in Doha D Bravo c wkpr Chakabva b Jarvis ...... 11 wide in the 29th minute while Al Gharafa looked to be well Shalhoub secured the three points yesterday. M Samuels c wkpr Chakabva b Masakadza 51 Burhan pushed Omid Ebrahimi’s on the way to securing all three for the home side. Al Hilal had S Chanderpaul (batting) ...... 25 spectacular long-range free kick points as time ran down, and been beaten 3-1 by Al Ain in Extras (B-8, LB-2, W-1, NB-1) ...... 12 Total (for 5 wkts) ...... 144 over the bar. substitute Siddiq put the result their Group D opener two weeks Fall of wickets: Chastened by their first half beyond all doubt when he slotted ago but the win over Al Rayyan 1-8, 2-8, 3-43, 4-81, 5-144 To bat: performance, Al Gharafa looked home from close range after good moved them level on three points D Ramdin, D Sammy, S, Shillingford, T more threatening in the second work down the left by Alex left with the UAE champions in sec- Best, S Gabriel Bowling: period and, nine minutes after him with an easy finish. ond place in the section, one point Jarvis 11-3-27-3 (1w, 1nb), Ch- the restart, Brazilian winger Nene In Riyadh, Yasser Al Qahtani behind leaders Esteghlal of Iran. atara 12-4-40-1, Cremer 8-0-41-0, Masa- kadza 5.4-1-14-1, Price 4-0-12-0 saw his well-struck free kick netted a second-half brace as Saudi THE PENINSULA Basketball: Al Rayyan, Eljaish to clash in Heir Apparent Cup final

BY DANOTZKI SANTOS

DOHA: Al Rayyan outplayed Al Gharafa, 79-71, in Game 5 of their semi-final duel yesterday and earned the right to meet Eljaish in the final of the Heir Apparent Cup final on Friday at the Al Gharafa Indoor Arena. A fierce contest amongst two of the best teams in the kingdom, the game was close from open- ing buzzer but the former Qatar Basketball League champions pulled it off when it mattered the most. Coach Brian Rowsom and his wards did it through defense. Rowsom fielded Mohammed Al Rayyan’s Davidson Hassan Mohammed midway in Jeremeo (right) and the first period and limited Earl Al Gharafa’s Amoke Calvin Cage, Al Gharafa’s scor- Omondi Robin Earl in ing machine, to two field goals in action during the Heir the early periods while Jerome Apparent Cup match at Davidson and Erfan Saeed did the Al Gharafa Indoor their job against Awako Emanuel Stadium, yesterday. and Hakim Thomas in the shaded PICTURE BY: ABDUL BASIT area. Al Rayyan thus took the first quarter, 25-19, and hung on to the lead, 42-37 at halftime. Mousa and Ngombo conspired in a 7-0 assault at the start of the third quarter to pull away from the surprised Al Gharafa, 49-37. In the last quarter, Rayyan held possession going into the last two minutes, had three missed chances at the basket but kept the ball on better rebounding. Mousa was fouled and sank both from the stripe before Watson scored unchallenged going to the basket for a 79-71 final score. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Barcelona deliver masterclass, plucky Galatasaray go through Champions League: AC Milan fail to score; Turkish giants edge past Schalke

PARIS: Barcelona completed see his shot rebound to safety off But the Turks turned the tie on a remarkable comeback against the far post. its head before the interval, with AC Milan to reach the quarter- But, moments later, Messi Hamit Altintop striking from finals of the Champions League smashed home his second through long range against his former club on Tuesday, while Galatasaray the legs of Philippe Mexes to level before Burak Yilmaz pounced on eliminated Schalke. the tie on aggregate and take his poor defending to net another five Trailing 2-0 from the first overall tally in the Champions minutes later. leg, Barcelona levelled the tie on League to 58. Remarkably, Yilmaz has aggregate thanks to two brilliant Villa clinically converted the now scored eight goals in eight Lionel Messi strikes in the first third goal 10 minutes into the Champions League games this half, before David Villa put them second half, but the home side season, making him the compe- ahead in the tie early in the sec- endured some nervy moments tition’s leading scorer alongside ond period. towards the end before the inde- Cristiano Ronaldo. Jordi Alba then made sure of fatigable Alba broke through to Schalke now needed two with- the Catalans’ place in the quar- secure the win in stoppage time. out reply to go through, and they ter-finals for the sixth season It is the third time in eight sea- got one just after the hour when running when he secured a 4-0 sons that Barcelona have knocked Michel Bastos netted after a win on the night. out Milan in the knockout stages Marco Hoeger shot had hit the Meanwhile, Turkish giants of the competition. bar, causing chaos in the visitors’ Galatasaray beat Schalke 3-2 in “We believed from the first defence. Gelsenkirchen to advance 4-3 on moment, from the moment But the Galatasaray defence aggregate and reach the quarter- the first leg finished,” Villa told held firm, before substitute Umut finals for the first time since 2001. Spanish television TVE after the Bulut made sure of their progress No team had overturned a game. at the death, sparking wild cel- two-goal first-leg deficit in the “We were switched on right ebrations among the huge visiting Champions League without hav- from the start. The early goal support. ing the benefit of an away goal, helped us, but we went looking “We played very well in the first so Barcelona’s task against Milan for it straight from kick-off.” half this evening,” said Altintop was an ominous one. Milan coach Massimiliano yesterday. But the Catalans chose the Allegri admitted: “The pressure “In the second half Schalke perfect moment to produce their that Barcelona put us under in the tried to put pressure on us and best performance in a long time, first half-hour was devastating.” created a few important chances even if they had to survive a nervy He added: “We created chances to score, but that is normal. ending. but couldn’t finish them. Barca Eventually, we got what we They had the momentum from remain the best team in the needed. I hope we get a good draw the moment Messi opened the world, with great players ... play- on Friday.” scoring five minutes in, control- ers like Messi and Iniesta who can Barcelona and Galatasaray ling and then instantly finishing dribble past any defenders easily.” join Real Madrid, Borussia brilliantly into the top corner Schalke’s 1-1 draw in the Dortmund, Juventus and Paris from the edge of the area despite first leg in Istanbul meant the Saint-Germain in tomorrow’s being surrounded by five Milan Bundesliga side had a slight last-eight draw. defenders. advantage going into the return in The final two names in the hat The near-95,000 crowd then Germany and they took the lead will be decided when German had their hearts in their mouths on the night 17 minutes in when giants Bayern Munich face when M’Baye Niang broke Roman Neustaedter netted from Arsenal and Malaga host Porto. through at the other end only to close range. REUTERS Sir Bobby tips Bayern to win Messi’s double dispels Champs League Barcelona doubts BERLIN: England’s World Cup MADRID: Two goals from Lionel Messi led a stunning Barcelona winner Sir Bobby Charlton has fightback as they overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit against AC Milan tipped German giants Bayern with a 4-0 demolition of the Italians at the Camp Nou on Tuesday Munich to win this season’s night. Champions League title. Indeed it was a night so perfect for the Blaugrana, it was almost as “If I had to say one team, I if they had planned it all along. would pick Bayern Munich to After defeat in the San Siro three weeks ago, Xavi pointed out that win the Champions League,” the the only thing this generation of Barca players were lacking after three 75-year-old football legend told league, two Champions Leagues and two Copa del Rey titles over the German broadcaster Sport 1, past four seasons was historic European comeback. ahead of Bayern’s last 16, second A comeback that in the end was achieved by almost single-handedly leg clash with Arsenal in Munich picking off the doubts that had lingered over an unconvincing past Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates yesterday. couple of weeks. after scoring his second goal against AC The former Manchester United The murmurings over Messi’s record against Italian sides, the lack star, who won the World Cup in of support for the Argentine when it comes to goalscoring and their Milan during their Champions League 1966, said Bayern’s Bundesliga inability to keep a clean sheet were all answered in emphatic style in round of 16, second leg, match at Camp rivals Borussia Dortmund are a night that will live long in the memory of those who savoured it at Nou Stadium in Barcelona on Tuesday also contenders to reach the the Camp Nou. Champions League final at Messi, as is customary, got the party started with a sumptuous curl- night. Barcelona won 4-0 and qualified Wembley stadium on May 25. ing shot into the top corner after just five minutes to get the atmos- for the quarters on 4-2 aggregate. “They belong among the phere rocking and break his duck from open play against Italian sides favourites,” said Charlton, who at the 10th time of asking. was knighted in 1994. AFP The crucial period of the match then truly began as Barca swarmed forward towards Christian Abbiati’s goal sensing their prize was there for the taking. The Italian keeper halted their momentum with two Australia’s outstanding saves from Andres Iniesta drives, but despite the posses- sion stats that weighed heavily in the hosts favour all night, it wasn’t Cahill returns Who said what after all one way traffic. Barca’s insistence to play on the front foot consistently left gaps for World Cup to be exploited in behind their marauding full-backs Dani Alves and Jordi Alba. qualifier Messi’s brilliant show Stephan El Shaarawy, Kevin-Prince Boateng and M’Baye Niang however weren’t as deadly on the counter-attack as they had been in BARCELONA: Following same age next year as Maradona They did not let themselves get the first-leg and the tie was swung decisively in Barca’s favour by a SYDNEY: Attacking midfielder is a selection of reactions to was in 1986. I sense his moment derailed after their setback in two-minute passage of play just before half-time. Tim Cahill was recalled to the Barcelona’s 4-0 Champions will come.” Milan and are back in the last At one end Niang sprinted clear through on goal, set himself ahead Australia squad for this month’s League victory against AC *Marco Materazzi, former eight - thank Messi.” of the on-rushing Victor Valdes and rolled the ball past the keeper only World Cup qualifier against Milan on Tuesday. Inter Milan and Italy defender, *French sports daily to see it agonisingly bounce to safety off the foot of the post. Oman yesterday having missed World Player of the Year Lionel on Twitter: “Habemus Messi! L’Equipe: “No, Barca are not Moments later Messi weaved another opening onto his deadly left- his country’s previous friendly Messi scored twice as Barca Where did they create this alien? dead. They are more alive than foot and uncorked a rasping low drive that left Abbiati helpless to equal match. became the first team to overturn He’s not human.” ever. The team that were written the score on aggregate. Cahill, who plays his club foot- a two-goal first-leg deficit with- *Madrid-based sports daily off after losing 2-0 at Milan three Thereafter there seemed only one winner, especially once a trade- ball in the United States with the out the benefit of an away goal to Marca: “Leo, hero again. Messi weeks ago are back to their best.” mark Xavi pass had cut the Milan defence wide open 10 minutes after New York Red Bulls, won his 60th advance to the last eight 4-2 on responded to those who doubted *Britain’s Daily Mirror: the break and David Villa provided the clinical finish that has been cap for the Socceroos in their 2-1 aggregate: him with a brilliant performance. “Monster Messi just two good.” lacking from any Barca player bar Messi all season. win over Iraq in a qualifier in *Gary Lineker, former The most important game of the *Britain’s Daily Telegraph: With their rustiness in front of goal well and truly mended it was Doha last October. England and Barcelona for- season came around and Leo “Messi stages greatest of left to a defence that, before Saturday’s 2-0 win over Deportivo la Australia are second in Group ward turned soccer pundit, Messi did not fail. He had a bad European escapes. Of all the Coruna, had conceded in 13 straight games to hold firm for the next B of Asia qualifying, eight points on Twitter: “Delighted Barca night at the San Siro ... like the statements of their footballing 35 minutes, which they did valiantly despite the odd scare. behind Japan and equal on five got through. It was a victory rest of his team mates, but last greatness, and that of the unreal And in true Barca style they sealed it with a touch of carefree points with Iraq and Oman with against all odds and a triumph night, with the whole team fired Lionel Messi, perhaps this was elegance as with the clock just having ticked into stoppage time and four matches remaining in their for football. up, Messi was decisive.” Barcelona’s most emphatic in the just needing to hold out to qualify, their left-back Alba galloped the campaign. “Lionel Messi is so utterly bril- *German weekly magazine modern era.” full length of the pitch to clip home Alexis Sanchez’s cross. The top two from the group liant it is beyond belief. I saw a lot Der Spiegel: “Gala perform- *Britain’s Daily Mail: “The Within 90 minutes the Catalans had gone from the supposed end of qualify for the 2014 World Cup of (Diego) Maradona and played ance. Barcelona magic sees them word of the night was ‘remon- era back to Champions League favourites. And having been resuscitated finals in Brazil. against him. Wonderful though he through to the quarter-finals. tada’. It means comeback. And it would take a brave punter to bet against them returning to Wembley The 33-year-old Cahill’s expe- was, Messi is better and so much With its 4-0 triumph Barcelona this was the madre of all remon- to win the competition for a third time in the English capital come May. rience will be welcome for the more consistent. gave an impressive response to tadas. In Lionel Messi, Barcelona Results: At Gelsenkirchen, Germany: match at Sydney’s Olympic “Lionel not only has the genius critics.” have a player as great as any to Schalke 04 (GER) 2 (Neustaedter 17, Bastos 63) Galatasaray (TUR) Stadium on March 26 in the of Diego but is also as prolific a *German sports daily have walked the earth. Up there 3 (Hamit Altintop 37, B. Yilmaz 42, Bulut 90+5) Galatasaray win 4-3 enforced absence of regular skip- goalscorer as we have ever seen. Kicker: “Messi turns Milan ice with Pele, with Diego Maradona, on aggregate per Lucas Neill, who is suspended. “Only genuine argument is cold. Barcelona remain among with Johan Cruyff or Zinedine At Barcelona, Spain: Barcelona (ESP) 4 (Messi 5, 39, Villa 55, Alba REUTERS the World Cup. Messi will be the the Champions League favourites. Zidane.” REUTERS 90+2) AC Milan (ITA) 0 Barcelona win 4-2 on aggregate REUTERS THURSDAY 14 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

ICC offers helping hand to We have confidence: Cook nations DUBAI: The West Indies Positive vibe as England get ready for New Zealand in Wellington Cricket Board and Zimbabwe Cricket have both been given financial support by the WELLINGTON: Alastair Cook you’re not quite on it, even if it’s International Cricket Council did not quite agree his side may just the first two batters playing (ICC) in an effort to help develop have the momentum from the a soft shot, that can transfer on England’s their ailing national sides. drawn first Test against New to the rest of the team. cricket WICB will receive $3m over Zealand as they head into the “We just did not bat well, it’s as team three years as part of the Targeted second today though his asser- simple as that, but the character players Assistance and Performance tion they were growing in confi- we showed to fight back has been pose for Programme (TAPP) agreement, dence sent an ominous warning good.” with Zimbabwe’s board receiving a team to Brendon McCullum’s team. Cook agreed their performance half that amount over the same photograph New Zealand dominated the in Dunedin exhibited the delicate period. first innings’ play at University balancing act between giving play- before a ICC chief executive David Oval, dismissing Cook’s team for ers time off to recuperate from training Richardson said in Dubai: “It is 167 and then posting 460 for nine year round cricket in between session at very important to the long term declared. tours and giving them enough the Basin prosperity of international cricket England, however, then dem- playing time before test series. Reserve in that we have competitive teams onstrated why they were the sec- The visitors played just one Wellington at the highest level and both the ond best test team in the world as four-day match before the first yesterday. West Indies and Zimbabwe have they knuckled down in their sec- test, a loss to a New Zealand XI England been very clear in identifying the ond innings with Cook and Nick in Queenstown. will play factors that will support improved Compton combining for a 231-run “That is the challenge when you New performance.” opening partnership. do have the rotation policy and Zealand in He added: “The TAPP agree- The hosts’ bowlers then toiled the balance between the amount the second ments provide an opportunity for on a pitch that became increas- of cricket you play,” he said. Test both members to increase their ing benign on the final day as “As players when you get into starting investment in high performance nightwatchman Steven Finn that rhythm with the bat and ball today. and we look forward to witnessing scored a career-best 56 while the and hit form you want to keep on the impact of these programmes.” rest of the batsmen occupied the playing but physically, especially While the Windies surpris- crease “putting miles in the (New for the bowlers, that is very hard ingly triumphed at the ICC Zealand) bowlers legs” as Cook to do that. World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka said as he looked ahead to the “So that is the balancing act “They’ve had a couple of hits pace and bounce than Dunedin, “Certainly, in a three-Test last year, their Test team has been match at the Basin Reserve. and the reason why the policy is on tour and they improved dra- the toss could be important for series in a second one after the in decline for a number of years “I think we have some confi- looked at very hard. matically in that second innings both teams. first has been a draw, both sides and is above only New Zealand dence after that fightback,” Cook “I actually thought our prep- (in Dunedin),” McCullum told McCullum has already said will want to stamp their mark on and Bangladesh in the official told reporters yesterday at a sun- aration was pretty good, it was reporters yesterday. he would bowl first to capital- the game,” he said. ICC rankings, with Zimbabwe drenched Basin Reserve of their more a mental blip for the side “So I guess their batters have ise on any life in the pitch that “As it proved in Dunedin, if you currently unranked as they have Dunedin second innings 421 for really.” a bit more confidence and are a may exist, though Cook was more put your noses ahead then you played insufficient matches. six. That ‘mental blip’ and the bit more used to their conditions.” circumspect believing “the pitch give yourselves a great chance to The agreements with both “For the first couple of days we application in their second innings With the second Test due to can change a huge amount in win the game. nations follows similar targeted were put under pressure and to in Dunedin, however, amply dem- start in sunshine today, with 12 hours”, though he felt who- “If you go behind then it’s performance support for Ireland, respond with the bat like we did onstrated they were getting used showers not forecast until the ever seized the advantage in very hard to win the game so it’s Holland and Scotland, while was excellent from the team. to local conditions, something not fourth day’s play on Sunday and Wellington could ride it into the important we start well.” details of New Zealand’s project “It certainly shows that if lost on the hosts. a pitch expected to offer more final game at Eden Park. REUTERS are being finalised. AGENCIES New World New Zealand look to Cup chairman appointed contain ‘genius’ Cook English spinner Monty SYDNEY: Cricket Australia WELLINGTON: New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum yester- Panesar fools around and New Zealand Cricket yes- day praised the “genius” Alastair Cook, saying that England’s free- with a water bottle terday appointed Ralph Waters scoring captain was second only to Australian legend Don Bradman during a team training as chairman of the organising on current form. session at the Basin committee for the 2015 World Ahead of the second Test in Wellington, McCullum said the Black Reserve in Wellington Cup after the death last week of Caps were keen to maintain momentum after the drawn first match yesterday. Panesar has James Strong. in Dunedin. The English tourists escaped with a draw after more than appeared for England in Waters, a prominent New a day’s play was lost to rain. 45 Test matches since Zealand businessman, was pre- The pitch for the Wellington Test starting today is expected to offer viously deputy chairman and more early bounce than the lifeless Dunedin wicket, and McCullum his debut in late 2006. replaces Strong, who died in said he would probably make England bat first if he won the toss at Sydney aged 68 from complica- the Basin Reserve. tions following surgery. “I think if there’s any advantage it’s normally on day one... you’re “Like myself, James had lived trying to look to gain some ascendancy early in the Test match and and worked in Australia and New hence that’s why we’re looking at bowling first,” he told reporters. Zealand and was determined to McCullum said Cook, who scored a second-innings century in put on a truly world class tourna- Dunedin to help England deny New Zealand a victory, was a daunting ment in 2015,” said Waters. obstacle at the top of the batting order. “I share his vision and will “I thought we bowled reasonably well to Cookie the other day, obvi- work closely with the ICC ously he’s a genius batsman,” he said. (International Cricket Council), “His record is testament to that, where he’s at in his career at the Dhawan set for Test Cricket Australia and New moment is as good as anyone who has played the game probably, bar- Zealand Cricket to deliver a suc- ring Bradman.” cessful tournament for cricket Cook has scored 24 centuries in 88 Tests at an average of 49.6, fans around the world.” including four hundreds in the five Tests since becoming permanent The World Cup takes place in captain late last year, and McCullum said he appeared to be revelling debut against Aussies Australia and New Zealand in in leading from the front. February-March 2015. Bradman, acknowledged as the greatest batsman in Test history, NEW DELHI: Shikhar 2-0 in the four-Test series Fletcher) told us, we have to start REUTERS averaged 99.94 in 52 Tests between 1928 and 1948. REUTERS Dhawan looks set to open the after heavy defeats in the open- afresh,” he told reporters. batting for India in place of ing two matches, the second by “We had a break after the Virender Sehwag in the third an innings and 135 runs, and second Test, so we want to go Test against Australia, reports they will be looking to salvage a with the same attitude and same England captain Alastair have suggested. draw with some much-improved energy on the field as we did Cook (centre) inspects The tourists’ preparations for performances. before the start of the series. the pitch with team- the match in Mohali are in disar- In comparison, India come into “I was very happy to hear the mates Matt Prior (left) and ray both on and off the pitch. the Test on the back of two out- news (of my selection). I just want James Anderson during The decision to drop Shane standing performances and with to grab this opportunity. a team training session Watson, James Pattinson, Usman the luxury of being able to name “Of course I was waiting for in Wellington yesterday. Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson for a debutant in their line-up. this day, but I don’t have any pres- Cook sparkled with a disciplinary reasons means coach Dhawan looks set to open the sure right now. I am happy that Mickey Arthur has only 12 play- batting in place of the experi- whatever I dreamt of achieving, I hundred as England drew ers to choose from. enced Sehwag, who has been have done that.” the first Test against In addition, wicket-keeper dropped after a dip in form, and Dhawan was reluctant to hosts New Zealand last Matthew Wade has an ankle the 27-year-old is looking to grasp discuss Australia’s well-docu- week in Dunedin. injury with Brad Haddin called the opportunity with both hands. mented problems, but believes up as replacement if needed. “The confidence of the team is they can cope with the absence On the pitch, Australia trail high but as our coach (Duncan of Pattinson. AGENCIES U nchanged New Zealand seek consistency

WELLINGTON: New Zealand will Basin Reserve wicket likely to offer a bit bowled 114 of New Zealand’s 170 overs in first innings then applying themselves on a stick with the same team that drew the more bounce than they experienced in the England’s second innings of 421 for six in pitch that got progressively better to score first test against England and are likely drawn first Test in University Oval. Dunedin. None had a particularly heavy 460 for nine. to ask the tourists to bat in the second By bowling first he would take the ball workload at training over the past three While the visitors batted themselves into Test if they win the toss, captain Brendon out of the hands of James Anderson and days, McCullum said, though he doubted a position of safety by the final session of McCullum said yesterday. Steven Finn in favourable conditions. they would need much motivation should day five, McCullum was ruing the loss of “I don’t think New Zealand pitches Both were particularly impressive in the they be required first thing on Thursday. the entire first day and the final session of break up a great deal and if there is any limited overs series last month when they “It was a little bit of a concern, know- the third day due to rain. advantage it’s on day one,” McCullum told bowled back of a length and restricted New ing the volume of overs they were getting “I think we were close the other day. reporters on a sun-drenched Wellington Zealand’s attacking shots. through in that last day,” he said. Obviously we got 16 and we lost that day day. “I think that’s probably a trend with “The thing about the Basin is that you “When you’re bowling for a Test win you at the start of the Test match as well,” New Zealand pitches at the moment. can go a whole session where you keep pull out all stops and those guys, I couldn’t McCullum said. “We’ve seen some huge runs scored beating the bat and don’t pick up a wicket get the ball out of their hands to be honest. “If we’d seen that extra day, we may have domestically, even on wickets that are four, and then very quickly you can pick up five “I was concerned about them on that been able to pick up those few extra wickets five, or even six matches old. or six in a session. You try to gain some last day, how they’d pull up, but the last in the morning and given ourselves a red- “I wouldn’t expect this one to break up a ascendancy early in the Test match, hence three days they’ve rested up and all three hot crack at it with the bat later in the day. great deal. Then again if you cop a decent why I’m looking at bowling first.” are champing at the bit for another crack “The challenge for us now is how we back England’s Kevin Pietersen is swinging day, then you can knock the top Should McCullum win the toss against with the ball.” that up and how we do it consistently. Not seen during a training session off reasonably quickly.” Alastair Cook today and choose to bowl, the New Zealand did surprise England in just this Test match but the ones to follow yesterday. McCullum’s reasoning is based on the onus will fall on his young pace trio who Dunedin, bowling them out for 167 in the as well.” REUTERS Thursday 14 March 2013 2 Jumada I 1434 Volume 18 Number 5638 Sport Price: QR2 %-%!%&.-"&/0"/,#"%-1&,23!"!,*!04-%35,# *.$")"*6 LATEST NEWS UPDATES IN TAMIL Barca deliver We have TAMIL TIMES WEEKLY NEWSPAPER Middle East Edition masterclass; confidence,

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German Formula One driver Sebastian F1: Vettel begins quest Vettel (centre) of Red Bull Racing celebrates with his team members after winning his third consecutive for fourth world title Formula One World Championship title after the Formula One Grand Prix Rivals seek to break the German’s dominance of Brazil at the Autodromo Jose MELBOURNE: Sebastian Carlos Pace in Sao Vettel’s rivals, perhaps more in Paulo, Brazil, in this hope than expectation, are look- 2012 file photo. ing to this weekend’s Australian Vettel will be aiming Grand Prix to usher in a season to win his fourth where the German and his Red Formula One title Bull team have their three-year when the season monopoly of Formula One titles begins in Melbourne broken. on Sunday. Only There was similar talk of the three drivers have gap to the dominant team nar- won four or more rowing last year but after the titles since the chaos of the early season with FROM LEFT: McLaren’s Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain, Ferrari’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso championship its seven different winners in the and Renault’s Kimi Raikkonen of Finland. Button has won the Australian Grand Prix three times - with all of started in 1950. first seven races, Vettel and Red those victories occuring in the last four years. The other four World Champions on the 2013 grid - Alonso, Bull emerged to claim their title Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel each have a single victory apiece in Melbourne since 2006. hat-tricks. On Sunday in Melbourne therefore, Vettel begins his quest Vettel and team-mate Mark that would mark them out as champion on the grid is Kimi to match Juan-Manuel Fangio Webber have admitted that test- potentially dominant, however. Raikkonen, who eased seamlessly Ecclestone gives and Michael Schumacher as the ing was not as good as they would Twice former champion Fernando back into Formula One to finish only drivers to have won four suc- have liked, although there remains Alonso, though, declared Ferrari third in the championship race cessive drivers’ titles in the first the possibility that the Red Bull to be in a “200 percent” better with Lotus last year after two of the season’s 19 races. team did not show their car’s full position than at the same stage years out of the sport. race pass to Pre-season testing is not always potential - or “sandbagged” in the last year when it took one of his The often taciturn Finn has a nailed-on guide to early season paddock vernacular. best battling drives just to get his been upbeat in pre-season about form but there was enough in Red None of the other leading teams car into fifth place. the Lotus car, which he will again Bull’s under-par display in Spain - Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes “I don’t think we will see one share this year with Frenchman Hamilton’s bulldog to offer more than a glimmer of and Lotus - put in the sort of per- team dominate, but also I don’t Romain Grosjean. hope to the other teams. formances in Jerez and Barcelona expect seven winners in the first “We had good speed last year, MELBOURNE: A dog’s life get it. I am a huge fan of bull- races, like last year,” said Alonso, but not enough to win the cham- in Formula One, if your owner dogs,” Ecclestone, 82, told the Melbourne Stats who finished second in the cham- pionship,” Raikkonen said. is Lewis Hamilton (pictured), official formula1.com website pionship last year. It will be very “If we can get just a little more means a VIP pass to the races yesterday. Track: Albert Park, Melbourne. Temporary circuit. close and from our point of view, from the car and keep our con- and being pam- “I have told him Laps: 58 a good result this weekend would sistency, with some better results pered by the sport’s that I would also be Track length: 3.3 miles remove some of the stress.” at the beginning of the year, then supremo Bernie happy giving the dog DRS Zones: Two (Pit Straight and between Turns Two and Three) Last year, Jenson Button won we should have a much better Ecclestone. a pass for the grid. Driver steward: Danny Sullivan his third race in Melbourne to chance.” Hamilton, the And I will be happy kick off the chaotic start to the Only 11 teams and 22 cars will 2008 champion who to look after the dog Fastest lap: Michael Schumacher - 1:24.125 (Ferrari; 2004) season and the 2009 world cham- line up this year after the demise moved from McLaren while he is racing.” 2012 pole: Lewis Hamilton - 1:24.922 (McLaren) pion and his new team mate of Spanish outfit HRT. to Mercedes at the Animals are usu- Last five winners: 2012: Jenson Button (McLaren) Sergio Perez will both again be In the last year of the V8 end of last year, has ally banned from 2011: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) looking to add to McLaren’s 11 engines, the technical changes acquired a bulldog racetracks, for safety 2010: Jenson Button (McLaren) wins in Australia. which often make the early part called Roscoe which reasons more than “I don’t think any team really of the season more interesting accompanied him for their own wel- 2009: Jenson Button (Brawn) knows or understands the com- have been kept to a minimum. to the last pre-season test in fare, with stray dogs causing 2008: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) petitive order,” said the 33-year- There have been changes to the Barcelona. problems in the past at some Nine: The number of roads that form part of the Albert Park old Briton. tyres, which will require some The Briton told reporters venues such as India. circuit used by normal street-registered cars for the nine months “It’s hard to accurately predict getting used to, and the Albert before this weekend’s Australian In the United States, the of the year they are not needed for racing who’ll arrive in Australia with the Park street circuit will be as good season-opener in Melbourne Target Chip Ganassi IndyCar 50,000: The number of corporate meals consumed during the best-sorted car. But that’s part of an early test. “I love the circuit,” that he had asked Ecclestone team have a bull-terrier mas- race weekend the game.” said Hamilton. “It’s a street track for a paddock pass for his “new cot ‘Bullseye’ that has made 0: Australian drivers who have won the Australian Grand Prix at Mexican Perez got his chance at with a really bumpy surface so best buddy” and had sent him a appearances at race weekends Albert Park McLaren after Lewis Hamilton’s you try and put as much down- photograph of the puppy wear- including the Indy 500 winner’s Four: Litres of sweat produced, on average, by each F1 driver departure for Mercedes who has force on the car as possible and ing a set of headphones. news conference with Dario during the Australian Grand Prix teamed up with Nico Rosberg. it really puts the drivers to the “He has - and, yes, he will Franchitti in 2012. REUTERS The fifth former world test.” REUTERS ‘Attitude’ problem reason Irked Warne urges less formal for sackings: Team coach SYDNEY: Australia coach we’ve made the absolute right approach for positive results Mickey Arthur yesterday decision,” he said on the Cricket said a team culture including Australia website. unacceptable “back-chat” and “This is a line in the sand LONDON: Australia’s selec- it all informal,” former leg-spin- been a combination of me stand- believes they have been choosing “attitude” forced him to contro- moment -- a point we’ll look tors need to adopt a less formal ning great Warne told Britain’s ing up at the back of the class and the wrong players for the last year versially axe four players for the back on in a couple of years’ time approach to bring the best out Talksport Radio. annoying the teacher.” and a half. next Test in India. when we’re back to number one of the players even if it means “With everyone just having a Warne believes there is more to “In the side I would pick, there The move to suspend vice- in the world and say was a defin- allowing one or two to sort out chat, it always leads the ‘homework’ issue would be five or six changes and captain Shane Watson, James ing moment.” their differences behind closed to something. The than meets the eye. I’d use players that aren’t even in Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Trailing 2-0 in the Indian Test doors, according to Shane more formal you “I think there is the squad now,” said the 43-year- Mitchell Johnson has polarised series, all the players had been Warne (pictured). make things, it makes something more to it old, who retired from interna- opinion in Australia, with com- told to prepare feedback on how Team management have been people not want to than has been given tional cricket in 2007. mentators calling it one of the they could improve and were criticised for disciplining Shane express themselves. to the public,” he said. “If you look at some guys who most sensational decisions in given five days to deliver it, but Watson, Mitchell Johnson, James “If two guys have “Whether it’s the aren’t in the squad - for exam- decades. four failed to meet the deadline Pattinson and Usman Khawaja for got an issue they can players being late for ple Nathan Coulter-Nile, Josh Arthur said it was the cul- and paid a heavy price. failing to carry out a ‘homework’ punch one another in buses or perhaps not Hazlewood, Shaun Marsh, James mination of “lots of small In justifying the shock axings, task set by coach Mickey Arthur a corner if they have being punctual and it Faulkner, Callum Ferguson - they minor indiscretions that have skipper Michael Clarke on on the tour of India. to but you sort it all sounds like this was a are quality players. Australia have built up to now” and would be Tuesday said the players had Australia were crushed in the out, wake up the next line in the sand. got the talent but they’re just not looked back on in years to come shown a lack of respect for first two matches and Watson, day, all walk across “For me it’s all getting the opportunities. as a “defining moment” for Arthur, with a general slide in Johnson, Pattinson and Khawaja the line together and away you about a group of guys getting Warne, the scourge of England’s Australian cricket. attitudes on the Indian tour. have now been suspended for the go.” together to try and beat up on the batsmen in his day, tipped the old “When we sat down as a With the retirements of third Test. Warne said he would probably opposition and having a bit of fun enemy to beat visiting Australia leadership group and made Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey, “If you wind back the clock to have been banned as well if he had on the way. When there are issues in the Ashes series. these tough decisions I knew it Australia took a relatively young the old days it was about going been asked to do ‘homework’. in a team environment... it’s about “England are 100 percent the would polarise public opinion, and inexperienced team to India. to a pub or locking yourselves “I think I would have been in making the players feel at ease.” favourites at this stage, no ques- but internally I certainly know AFP in a room with a few beers in a detention for a long time,” he Warne is not happy with the tion about it,” he said during the relaxed environment and making laughed. “It probably would have whole Australian system and interview. REUTERS