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Sunday 8 September 2013 2 Dhul-qa’da 1434 - Volume 18 Number 5816 Price: QR2

Greek PM Al Rayyan promises lift Sheikh recovery Jassim Cup

Business | 19 Sport | 26

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Steep fall in consumption of electricity Kahramaa campaign successful

DOHA: In a welcome develop- reduction in the consumption ment, Qatar’s drive to ration- of electricity is the fact that the alise the consumption of green building concept is becom- electricity which, along with ing quite popular now. water, is free for citizens, has Also, the authorities are finally started showing results. encouraging the use of energy- Power consumption in the efficient electrical appliances like country was down 10.5 percent fluorescent bulbs and tubes and per capita in the first six months air-conditioners and washing of this year as compared to the machines. same period of 2012, utility dis- Kahramaa, in its statement, tributor Kahramaa said yesterday however, said that the demand for in a statement. water and electricity had, how- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (third right) celebrates with Tokyo 2020 delegation members after the Japanese capital won the bid to host the The decrease in per capita con- ever, gone up considerably during 2020 Summer Olympic Games yesterday. sumption was even more impres- the second quarter of this year. sive, at 16 percent, between the The peak load had soared as first quarter of this year and the much as 34 percent to 5,605 mega second. watts in the second quarter com- Kahramaa was, however, silent pared to 3,685 MW in the previ- Tokyo to host 2020 Olympic Games on the issue of water consump- ous quarter of January to March tion as rationalizing its use is also (But that is the time when the part of its awareness drive titled weather is pleasant and use of air- BUENOS AIRES: Tokyo Madrid, which had pitched a earlier flown in to the Argentine 18,000 people — had dogged the ‘Tarsheed’ (guidance). conditioners is quite low). was awarded the 2020 sum- safe, affordable, “sensible” bid capital from the G20 summit in bid in the final days but Abe suc- The corporation aims, through But the corporation said that mer Games yesterday, beat- had been earlier eliminated first St Petersburg, Russia, to reas- cessfully allayed IOC members’ the rationalization drive, to despite high load and a heavier ing Istanbul in a head-to-head in a secret vote by International sure nervous members about the fears. reduce power consumption by 20 increase in it, it succeeded in vote after Prime Minister Olympic Committee members on safety of the nuclear plant some The final result was 60 votes percent over the next five years maintaining a higher surplus. Shinzo Abe had addressed a head to head with Istanbul after 220km from the city and fears for Tokyo against 36 for Istanbul, and that of water, 35 percent. The corporation said water the International Olympic the two cities were tied in second about the leaking of contami- said the IOC. The drop in per capita elec- demand had risen in the second Committee in person to place after the initial vote. Their nated water. Tokyo — third in the vote for tricity consumption this year quarter and added that the distri- allay fears over the crippled attempt to host 2020 had been a He told delegates that the situ- the 2016 Games won by Rio de has been despite the fact that bution is perfect as leakages are Fukushima nuclear plant. third consecutive bid. ation was “under control”, adding: Janeiro — had been the frontrun- demand for electricity has risen nil. According to the corporation, The Japanese capital won The next summer Olympics “It has never done or will do any ners originally, as they promised a in the period. its call centres are working per- the right to stage the sporting will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro damage to Tokyo.” safe and financially secure Games From 284,306 electricity con- fectly and efficiently respond to extravaganza for the second time, in 2016. Fukushima operator the Tokyo in what they termed “uncertain sumers in the first three months consumer complaints. having hosted in 1964 when the Crowds gathered in Tokyo Electric Power Co also played times”. The decision means it will of this year, the number rose by Some 96 percent complaints are Games first went to Asia, after broke into wild cheers, despite down fears of a possible spread of be the fourth time that Japan more than 1,350 to 285,659 in the attended to with immediate effect two years of intense lobbying and the result coming in the early radiation in a separate message. plays host to the Olympics, hav- second quarter, that is, between and standby teams are rushed to tens of millions of dollars spent. hours of the morning nearly a Concerns over Fukushima — ing also organised hosted winter April and June 2013. the spot to restore services. The For Istanbul it was a fifth dozen time zones away, television seriously damaged in the dev- Games in Nagano (1998) and According to observers, what average time taken is a few hours. unsuccessful bid to host a sum- pictures showed. astating 2011 earthquake and Sapporo (1972). AGENCIES might be contributing to the THE PENINSULA mer Olympics. Japan’s Prime Minister had tsunami that killed more than See also pages 27 & 28

Abbott elected US and France say support Australian PM growing for Syria strikes

SYDNEY: Tony Abbott is PARIS: The US and France yesterday said that international back- Australia’s 28th prime min- ing was growing for military strikes to punish the Syrian regime ister after a decisive swing for an alleged chemical attack, after European Union nations called to his Liberal National party for a “strong” response. Coalition — while Kevin Rudd US Secretary of State John Kerry said the number of countries ready has stood aside as Labour to take military action was now in the “double digits”, after earlier leader, taking solace in a party attending a meeting where EU foreign ministers united to call for defeat that was not the rout action against Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s regime. The EU did widely predicted. not explicitly back military action, but Kerry said he was “encouraged” Tony Abbott claimed victory by the “very powerful statement” made by the bloc. in front of ecstatic supporters at He said there was “a number of countries, in the double digits, who the Sydney Four Seasons hotel, are prepared to take military action. We have more countries prepared declaring: “Australia is under to take military action than we actually could use in the kind of mili- new management and Australia tary action being contemplated.” The US accuses the Assad regime of is once again open for business.” gassing more than 1,400 people to death in an August 21 attack. AFP He promised his government See also pages 6 & 10 would “be competent and trust- worthy”, would “purposefully and steadfastly and methodically … set about delivering on our com- Egypt launches air, ground mitments” and would govern for everyone. Rudd had emerged a lit- Members of the Qatari delegation parade yesterday in Nice, southeastern France, during the opening ceremony assault on Sinai militants tle earlier to concede defeat to of the VIIth Francophone Games. The sports and cultural event lasts until September 15. the Labour crowd at the Gabba CAIRO: At least 10 were killed as Egypt’s army launched an air and cricket ground in Brisbane – so ground assault on Sinai militants yesterday while foiling a railway buoyed by the audience’s cheer- bombing near the canal city of Suez, officials said. ing after a better-than-expected Qatar takes part in Francophone Games A prosecutor levelled new accusations, meanwhile, against Mohamed result that his first words were: Mursi, already facing trial on other charges, alleging the Islamist leader “Jeez, I thought we’d lost …” insulted the judiciary when he was president, state media said. He told them he would be NICE: The Francophone namely athletics, table tennis, Al Sulaiti, the head of Qatar Egypt has seen an uptick in bombings and shootings, mostly aimed stepping down as Labour leader. Games opened in its VIIth ver- wrestling and judo. Twenty-four Taekwondo and Judo Federation. at the security forces, since August 14 when hundreds were killed in “I gave it my all but it was not sion in the French city of Nice players, both male and female, will The Francophone Games com- clashes when police broke up two pro-Mursi protest camps in Cairo. The enough for us to win. … my yesterday with Qatar partici- represent Qatar at the games. petitions include seven sports — military has been facing an insurgency in north Sinai, a haven for Al responsibility has been to retain pating for the first time after its Zamel Sayyaf Al Shahrani, athletics, wrestling, basketball, Qaeda-inspired militants. The army carried out air strikes on suspected Labor as a fighting force for the accession into the International the president of Qatari and table tennis, football, judo and militant hideouts yesterday while armoured vehicles were deployed in future so we can unite behind the Organisation of la Francophonie Arab Associations for Wrestling athletics on wheelchairs for peo- the area and along the Rafah border with the Gaza Strip, officers said. next leader of our party. in October 2012. will lead Qatar’s delegation to ple with special needs, as well as Air attacks launched by Apache helicopters and ground operations THE GUARDIAN Qatar will participate in the the Games. The delegation also an exhibition sport (cycling on the killed at least “10 Islamist fighters”, while 20 others were wounded and See also page 10 tournament at four disciplines comprises Mohammed Ahmed road). QNA 15 arrested, security officials said. AFP SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Environment Ministry extends ban on bird-call whistles Aspetar gets GCC recognition DOHA: The Ministry of Environment has extended the ban on bird-call whistles that can be used to attract some of the protected species of birds Hospital selected as reference collaborator by Health Ministers Council for illegal trade. The ban was extended from September 1 this year to May 2014, since the protected birds are found here in this period, Al Sharq reported yesterday. Many of the seized whistles were meant to mimic the calls of crown birds. Using such a whistle one can attract the birds in large numbers and catch them for illegal trade. THE PENINSULA

Members of a GCC delegation during their visit to Aspetar.

DOHA: Aspetar, Qatar Orthopaedic and our mutual vision.” Aspetar has been con- utilising of state-of-the-art equipment, Sports Medicine Hospital, has been rec- firmed as a Gulf Reference Centre after allows us to offer athletes the very best ognised as a reference collaborator by the fulfilling all the conditions set by the Gulf medical care.” Office of Health Ministers Council for the Cooperation Council with regards to scientific The GCC Executive Board of Health Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). and technical standards, locally and regionally, Ministers Council acknowledged the supe- As the first Sports Medicine Hospital to and its enhancement of health programmes in rior capabilities offered by Aspetar following be adopted by the Gulf Reference Centre, Qatar and the other GCC countries. the extensive modernisation that it recently Aspetar will be expected to provide scien- Acting Chief Medical Officer and Executive underwent, with the addition of state-of- tific support, technical advice and guidance Director of the National Sports Medicine the-art equipment and highly trained tech- on research and training to the Executive Programme (NSMP) at Aspetar, Dr Hakim nicians in order to conduct detailed research Board of the Health Ministers Council. Chalabi said, “Aspetar is a world-class facility and training, and provide advice while rais- This agreement was reached during a that accesses the latest investigative technol- ing the bar in the fields of medicine and meeting of the Council of Health Ministers ogy to ensure that our sports medicine care science across the Gulf region. of the GCC, which was held recently in is truly multidisciplinary, and we are very The Health Ministers Council of the Geneva on the sidelines of the General pleased that the GCC Executive Board has Arab Countries in the Gulf is represented Assembly of the World Health Organisation. recognised the great strides we have made by seven countries: The United Arab Chief Executive Officer at Aspetar, Dr in advancing sports medicine in the region.” Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Khalifa Al Kuwari, said: “We share many of “Our team are international experts in Qatar, Kuwait and Yemen. The Council aims the same objectives for the region and are the fields of sports medicine, surgery, reha- at unifying the efforts of its members in looking forward to working together along bilitation, nutrition, psychology, physiology, developing health services in various fields with the other five centres and the Health podiatry and biomechanics,” he continued. for the citizens of the Council members. Ministers Council in integrating and realising “This broad skills set, combined with our THE PENINSULA CILE discusses ethics at international meet

DOHA: The Research Centre for where French is the main lan- ethics and morality, govern- Islamic Legislation and Ethics guage or at least one of the offi- ance and power, and peace and (CILE), member of Qatar Faculty cial languages. And despite there security. of Islamic Studies, in an interna- being differences in daily routines, Several high profile person- tional conference has discussed they are facing similar religious, alities took part during the four about “Ethics, Governance and social, political, economic and cul- days of the conference and despite Peace: contributions from Islamic tural challenges. intensive exchanges, the open ses- Thought” in Dakar (Senegal) There are a limited number sions fostered rich and productive The conference in Senegal is of opportunities for them to debates. one of a number of international exchange with other Muslims, During the first day, the discus- conferences which CILE par- and when they do, they are geo- sion focused on the issues about ticipates in. There is particular graphically limited. ethics between the text and “con- interest in Francophone countries Many Muslims living in text”, the relation between faith in Africa as this area remains Francophone countries from and behaviour, applied ethics and critical now and in the future. around the world attended the morality in Islam, and ethical Over 200 million Muslim international conference to dis- involvement. women and men live in countries cuss three main topics: Applied THE PENINSULA Two men sent to jail for stealing cash DOHA: A criminal court has sentenced two Asians to three years in jail for stealing huge cash from a car after smashing out its window glasses. The con- victs have been ordered to be deported after serv- ing the jail term. The victim exchanged some GCC currency into QR200,000 from an exchange house and left for home. He kept the money in the dashboard of his car. On the way to home, he parked his car in front of a restaurant located in down- town Doha to buy food. The convicts who were following him from the exchange house broke a window glass of the car and ran away with the cash. When the victim came out of the restaurant he found that a window glass was smashed and the cash was missing. The theft took place at 6pm. During investigation, a convict confessed to have committed the crime with an accomplish. He said he saw a person coming out of the exchange house with a packet full of cash. They also said they chased the victim and stole the cash, Al Sharq reported. THE PENINSULA

SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Indian import Boat ride curbs hit TV sales in Qatar Higher duties fail to deter gold buyers

BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB Imposing higher duties on gold has also raised scepticism among DOHA: India’s decision to some non-resident Indians with impose import duty on flat televi- regards to carrying gold jewellery. sion panels (LCD/LED) has led to Higher gold prices in India and a sharp decline in the number of declining value of rupee prompted Indians carrying TV sets home. many Indians to purchase gold “We have noticed a steep fall jewellery to take home. in the number of Indians trav- According to reports, male elling home with flat screen passengers are allowed to bring TVs, due to the recent customs in duty free gold worth Rs50,000 levy on TV imports, said Anil (about QR2,778) into India, while Srinivasan, Country Manager- for women, the limit is Rs100,000 Qatar, Jet Airways. “The number (about QR5,556). If anyone carry- has declined to nearly one fourth ing gold above these limits, they (by 75 percent) after India placed will be subject to duties. a ban on their duty-free imports.” Asked about Indian families India, with yawning current owning gold jewellery worth account deficit and weakest ever more than Rs100,000, but want A family enjoying a boat ride off the Doha Corniche. (Kammutty VP) currency, has been discouraging to take it home, Deputy Head of people from importing goods, Mission at Indian Embassy, P S especially gold and TV sets, to Sasi Kumar, said: “We have not control capital outflows. received any information in writ- LuLu Regional Manager-Qatar, ing about the latest regulations. Ooredoo to take youth delegation to global summit Shaijan M O, claiming to have about However, according to available 25 percent market share of TV sales information, such families are in the country, said: “Sales have gone advised to consult custom officials DOHA: Ooredoo and a delega- aspirations of the next generation whom were sponsored by Ooredoo The first mobile service of down by 20 to 25 percent. Some, who to get endorsed the details of the tion of young people from the at the international event. through university and are now its kind in the region, “Najja7ni bought the products earlier, even jewellery in their passports and Middle East and North Africa In total, the delegation gath- working in the company. They will Employment” provides career came to return them after learn- bring it back while returning.” (Mena) and Southeast Asia ers 27 inspirational young people be joined by eight talented young guidance, financial literacy, career ing about the recently announced According to local traders, the will attend the Global Youth from Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Qatari nationals hosted by ictQatar. search strategies, links to local 35 percent custom duties.” raised import duties in India did not Summit: BYND 2015 in Costa Indonesia, Algeria, Tunisia as well According to the ITU report, training opportunities and tips on According official estimates, have much impact on the demand Rica from September 9 to 11. as Yemen and Palestine. “Measuring the Information how to start a business. It uses an more than one million televi- for the yellow metal, as this is a A founding partner of the “Ooredoo is a founding part- Society 2012”, mobile broadband innovative and engaging method sion sets were imported to India marriage season back home. Global Youth Summit, Ooredoo is ner of the Global Youth Summit, subscriptions have experienced for customers to learn these top- last year, with UAE, Thailand, “Those who have to buy they are bringing its experience of empow- because we believe that supporting average annual growth of 41 per- ics, including quizzes, SMS alerts, Singapore, Qatar and other Gulf still buying… Historically, import ering young people and support- the needs and aspirations of the cent since 2007, with the vast coaching and psychometric tests, states as the primary source des- restrictions on gold did not have ing youth employment to the next generation is an essential duty majority of new subscriptions delivered via their mobile phone. tinations. It has been affecting much impact in the actual volume of Summit. Led by the Chairman, for communications companies. coming from the developing world The strong response – with more the businesses of local suppliers. imports; it may only bring back the Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed The ideas and recommendations and from young people. With such than 300,000 customers signing up Estimates suggest that the TV mar- dormant smugglers into action,” said bin Saud Al Thani, Ooredoo will of the event will make a major dynamic growth, communica- for the service in the first month – ket in India was as big as 3.7 mil- Azim Abbas, Managing Director of bring a young delegation from contribution to human growth and tion companies need to strive to is indicative of the urgent demand lion units in 2012, and is forecast to Al Sulaiman Jewellery & Watches. across its global footprint to development in the coming years,” ensure that everybody can enjoy for mobile services in this area. grow to over five million this year. THE PENINSULA represent the achievements and Sheikh Saud Al Thani said. the benefits of being connected. The Summit will be attended by The Youth Delegation includes One of the most prominent 500 young delegates from around the young developers, innovators examples of Ooredoo empowering world, along with a number of “sum- and engineers, as well as aspir- youth has been in Tunisia, which mit elders”. Discussion of the event ing leaders from a diverse range has a youth unemployment rate of will develop into a global conversa- of communities. It also includes 30 percent. In response, Tunisiana, tion via a vast social media network. people who have made an impact part of Ooredoo, launched in April In a few weeks, Ooredoo will on their community and who have 2013 the “Najja7ni Employment’ announce key findings from a ideas about how to change their mobile service in partnership major research project on how world for the better using ICTs. with Silatech, a social initiative youth use technology across the The youth delegation from that works to expand employment Middle East and Asia, with a view Qatar will include Qatari nation- and entrepreneurship opportuni- to understanding the needs and als Hassan Ali Al Mulla and ties for young people throughout aspirations of the next generation. Asma Jaber Al Haram, both of the Arab world. THE PENINSULA Al Nasser gives lecture on alliance of civilisations at Helsinki meeting DOHA: The UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser, has expressed gratitude for the invitation he received from the Finnish foreign ministry and Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation to give a lecture at Helsinki University titled: “Dialogue Between Cultures and Nordic Societies – How the Alliance of Civilisations Could Enrich Nordic Involvement.” In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on his arrival in Doha late last night, Al Nasser praised the role Finland has played in maintaining interna- tional peace and security through mediation, which makes it a natural ally of UNAOC, which is a mecha- nism of preventive diplomacy or soft power for build- ing peace in the hearts and minds of the coming generations. The Qatari diplomat said UNAOC aimed to improve understanding and cooperation among nations and peoples across cultures and to reduce polarisation at the local and global levels. It helps develop more inclusive societies, in which diversity is experienced as an asset. He said that the lecture was attended by a large number of Finnish government ministers, senior offi- cials, diplomats, academics and media representatives. During his visit, which wrapped up on Thursday, Al Nasser held a number of meetings with Finnish officials, including President Sauli Niinisto, Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, the speaker of the parlia- ment and a number of ministers and high-ranking officials in the Finnish government. Al Nasser also held brainstorming sessions with Nordic partners aiming at strengthening areas of cooperation between the Alliance and members of the UNAOC Group of Friends and other stakeholders. They also discussed means of advancing inter-religious and intercultural approaches to conflict prevention, rec- onciliation and the inter-connectedness between culture and the post-2015 development agenda. He also met representatives of major media outlets in Finland, members of the Allianssi (the National Youth Council of Finland) and representatives of educational institutions and businesses. QNA SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

QPost headquarters gets a face-lift Brazil president greeted on All Doha Zoo National Day DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday a cable of greet- buildings to ings to the President of Brazil on the occasion of his coun- try’s National Day. The Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin be demolished Khalifa Al Thani also sent a cable to the President of Brazil Animals to be shifted to new facility on the same occasion. Ministry bans DOHA: All the old buildings in the premises of the Doha Zoo import of several will soon be demolished as part of massive renovations taking wild animals place at the facility. The 30-year old zoo com- DOHA: Crocodiles, venomous prises a cluster of old structures The new zoo is snakes and tigers are among a that accommodate the animals said to be three number of wild animals whose and birds. The other buildings entry into the country has are used as offices and staff times bigger than been banned by the Ministry of accommodations. its existing size and Environment (MoE). All these facilities will go to The animal protection depart- give away to a new look and once the renovation Qatar Postal Services (QPost) is renovating its headquarters near the Corniche. The facility will see a major face- ment said that the Ministry has more spacious zoo. However, is completed, lift since its construction in the 90s. Facilities provided at the general post office will also be expanded and there put a ban on several wild animals the parks and other green visitors will be able are plans to increase the parking capacity. due to the ‘threat’ they pose to areas inside the premises will the local population that kept be retained. watch the animals them as pets. A team of officials The Public Works Authority from a close will also stay on guard at Qatari (Ashghal) has invited tenders for distance in a natural borders 24-hours to monitor the demolition of the existing build- HMC warns against use of movement of wild animals into ings and prepare ground for a environment. the country. Other animals in the new facility. All the animals list include scorpions, cheetahs, Experts from Ashghal had will be shifted hyenas and wild spiders. visited the zoo a few months ago expired medications The Ministry has said that it and prepared a report in which to a temporary is compulsory for animal-lovers they stated that the buildings facility before their DOHA: Hamad Medical drug expiration dates specify the syrups are valid for seven to 10 to keep up-to-date health certifi- are too old and pose danger to Corporation (HMC) has time-frame the manufacturer days after opening the container, cates and other relevant docu- the visitors. enclosures are warned the public not to use guarantees the full potency and while a bottle of insulin is valid ments of their pets at all times. The Ministry of Environment flattened. expired medications and to safety of the drug. “This is the for 28 days from the date of first Officials also said that blood had earlier disclosed plans to strictly follow instructions pro- period when the medication is use.” samples of all animals are first redevelop the zoo in the model of vided by physicians or writ- fully effective and safe,” he said. Patients are also advised to tested before they are cleared for a Safari park. ten on the label of medication “In most cases the validity ranges take extra steps when storing shipment into the country. The new zoo is said to be another place during the renova- containers. between 12 to 60 months from the medications, as the effectiveness three times bigger than its tion. The zoo remains closed for Senior Consultant Emergency date of manufacture.” may be impacted. Ashghal completes existing size and once the reno- more than a year as part of the Medicine at HMC, Dr Saad Abdul Occupational Safety In-charge Recommended storage guide- vation is completed, visitors will fac-elift. Fattah Al Nuaimi, said the use of at Hamad General Hospital lines include, keep medicines in five school buildings be able watch the animals from The park in the neighbour- expired medications is potentially Pharmacy, Dr Omran Khudair, a cool, dry, secure place out of a close distance in a natural hood of the zoo will also be closed dangerous. “People should be also indicated that the validity of a child’s reach and ideally in a DOHA: Qatar’s Public Works environment. later this year. The renovation is especially careful of using expired some medications may be reduced locked cabinet or box. Ensure Authority (Ashghal) has com- The shifting will start in expected to be completed in three antibiotics, particularly those pre- once the product is opened. “Eye containers are tightly closed, pleted the construction of five November and is expected to be to five years. scribed for children, insulin used drops, for example, are effective keep medication stored in the new schools and handed them completed by April next year. The authorities had also dis- to control diabetes, allergy medi- and safe for use for 14 days after kitchen away from the stove, over to the Supreme Education The demolition will be com- closed plans to set up a new mar- cation and nitroglycerin used in opening,” he said. “The use of eye sink and any hot appliances and Council (SEC). The new schools pleted by the end of May next ket in the neighbourhood of the the management of some heart drops beyond the expiry date may store medications in their origi- are located at the Al Laqta, year. zoo. conditions,” he said. cause inflammation or bacterial nal container. Salata Jadeeda, Al Markhiya, The staff will be relocated to THE PENINSULA According to Dr Al Nuaimi, infection to the eye. Antibiotic THE PENINSULA Al Shahaniya and Al Shamal area. These projects are part of 69 schools and kindergartens that Ashghal is working on, an Arabic daily reported yesterday. DFI to host first edition of Qumra Doha Film festival in March Currently, Ashghal is working on 20 schools in different parts of the country and many of them DOHA: The Doha Film them to bring their projects to Film Institute, Abdulaziz Al to the growth of regional film Caribbean regions; and Cary are expected to be handed over Institute (DFI) will host the fruition. Khater said: “DFI is dedicated to culture.” Rajinder Sawhney, for the Indian to HEC starting from January inaugural edition of the Qumra The eight-day film festival to supporting emerging creative tal- The Institute has appointed subcontinent. next year. Doha Film Festival in March be held between March 19 and ent from around the world, and three programme advisors who THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA/QNA next year, with a focus on March 26 will host interna- the Qumra Doha Film Festival will support DFI’s program- emerging directors and include tional competitions for first and will serve as a cinematic hub for ming team to curate films competition for films from second-time filmmakers are at up-and-coming directors. We for the first edition of the around the world. the heart of the event, comple- look forward to welcoming glo- Festival. The team includes Qumra Doha Film Festival is mented by out-of-competition bal talent to Qatar, where they Paolo Bertolin for the Asia committed to exploring the imag- sections and industry-focused will have a unique opportunity Pacific region; Violeta Bava, ination and visions of upcoming programming. to engage with their peers from for the Central American, international filmmakers, helping Chief Executive Officer, Doha the Middle East and contribute South American, and PEC students fare well in HSSC examinations

Some of the toppers.

DOHA: The students of Pakistan Education Centre (PEC) achieved impressive results in the HSSC-I Annual Examination 2013 that were conducted by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) based in Islamabad. Maryam Habib Ahmad stood first by scoring 453 marks in the pre-medical group while Maryam Noor stood second with 451 marks in the school. Nadia Khan and Ahmad Amir shared first position among the science general group with 439 marks each. Among the outstanding students who passed the examination with A1 and A grade are Iqra Nasir (414), Ahmad Yaqoob Qamar (412), Zahra (410), Abdullah Muhammad (402), Sidra Mateen (401), Shazil Ali (399), Talal Ali (399), Naveen Tariq (397), Khalid Nasir (395), Luqman (393), Arsalan Ahmad (392), Omer (389), Zirwa Siddique (386) and Waleed Ajaz (385). PEC Principal Nargis Raza Otho and PakistanAmbassador Syed Hasan Raza congratulated the students and parents on their brilliant success and commended the efforts of the faculty staff. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Assad and gas attack link still elusive for US No direct link to Assad or his inner circle established so far; Russia says US has no convincing proof

WASHINGTON: With the After wrongly claiming that war for its survival. “Decision- shells with chemical munitions Assad is responsible was initially intelligence findings concludes United States threatening to Iraq possessed weapons of mass making at high levels within in general. US and European based on reports from witnesses, that Syrian government officials attack Syria, US and allied intel- destruction before the 2003 US foreign governments is always security sources say this unit was non-governmental groups and were “witting and directed” the ligence services are still trying to invasion, the US intelligence com- a difficult intelligence target. likely involved in mixing chemi- hours of YouTube videos. gas attack. But the evidence of work out who ordered the poison munity, along with the Obama Typically small numbers of peo- cals for the August 21 attack US officials have not presented who ordered it was not water- gas attack on rebel-held neigh- administration, are trying to build ple are involved, operational and also may have played a more any evidence to the public of sci- tight, the analysis said. bourhoods near Damascus. as solid a case as they can about security is high, and penetration extensive role in preparing for it entific samples or intelligence The findings were partly based No direct link to President what it says was a sarin nerve gas — through either human or tech- and carrying it out. information proving that sarin on intercepted communications Bashar Al Assad or his inner attack that killed over 1,400 people. nical means — is hard,” said Paul Bruce Riedel, a former sen- gas was used or that the Syrian “involving a senior official inti- circle has been publicly demon- The Syrian government, backed Pillar, a former CIA expert on the ior US intelligence expert on the government used it. mately familiar with the offen- strated, and some US sources by Russia, blames Sunni rebels Middle East. region and sometime advisor to The United States has also not sive” which “confirmed that say intelligence experts are not for the gas attack. Russia says One possible link between the the Obama White House, said named any Syrian commanders it chemical weapons were used by sure whether the Syrian leader Washington has not provided con- gas attack and Assad’s inner cir- that intelligence about the SSRC’s thinks gave the green light to fire the regime,” it said. knew of the attack before it was vincing proof that Assad’s troops cle is the Syrian government body alleged role is the most telling proof gas-laden rockets into Ghouta. As more information has been launched or was only informed carried out the attack and called that is responsible for producing the United States has at hand. But US and allied security collected and analysed, early theo- about it afterward. it a “provocation” by rebel forces chemical weapons, US and allied “The best evidence linking the sources say they believe that ries about the attack have largely While US officials say Assad hoping to encourage a military security sources say. regime to the attack at a high Syrian military units responsible been dismissed, US and allied is responsible for the chemical response by the United States. Personnel associated with level is the involvement of SSRC, for the areas that were attacked security sources said. weapons strike even if he did Identifying Syrian command- the Syrian Scientific Studies the science centre that created were under heavy pressure from Reports that Assad’s brother, not directly order it, they have ers or leaders as those who gave and Research Council (SSRC), the (chemical weapons) pro- top commanders to wipe out a Maher, a general who commands not been able to fully describe a an order to fire rockets into the which has direct ties to Assad’s gramme and manages it. SSRC stubborn rebel presence there so an elite Republican Guard unit chain of command for the August Sunni Muslim areas could help entourage, were likely involved in works for the President’s office government troops could redeploy and a crack Syrian army armoured 21 attack in the Ghouta area east Obama convince a war-weary preparing munitions in the days and reports to him,” Riedel said. to other trouble spots, including division, gave the order to use of the Syrian capital. American public and skeptical before the attack, they say. US officials say Amr Armanazi, the city of Aleppo. chemicals have not been substan- It is one of the biggest gaps in members of Congress to back lim- A declassified French intelli- a Syrian official identified as SSRC An analysis by the tiated, US sources said. Some US US understanding of the inci- ited strikes against Assad. gence report describes a unit of director in a State Department Congressional Research Service, a sources now believe Maher Assad dent, even as Congress debates But penetrating the secretive the SSRC, known by the code sanctions order a year ago, was branch of the Library of Congress, did not order the attack and was whether to launch limited strikes Syrian government is tough, espe- name “Branch 450”, which it says not directly involved. reported that a declassified US not directly involved. on Assad’s forces in retaliation. cially as it fights a chaotic civil is in charge of filling rockets or Much of the US claim that government paper summarising REUTERS Syrian Christians CNN airs videos of gas victims heed Pope’s call WASHINGTON: CNN aired man holding the apparently life- personally make his case to the graphic videos of victims yes- less body of a little boy. The sena- American people. to pray for peace terday that it said were shown tors were told by the intelligence The White House announced to select US lawmakers as part community that the videos had yesterday that President Barack DAMASCUS: Hundreds of of a push to shore up support for been verified, according to CNN. Obama would tape interviews on Syrian Christians gathered a strike on Syria. However, the broadcaster said Monday with three network news here yesterday to pray for peace The broadcaster said the 13 it could not independently verify anchors, as well as with PBS, and protest against possible US videos were shown Thursday to the authenticity of the material CNN and Fox. The interviews, military intervention, respond- members of the Senate Intelligence and stressed that the videos do to air that night, will precede an ing to a call by Pope Francis for Committee who were told they not show who is responsible for address by Obama on Tuesday. a day of prayer and fasting. depict victims of an August 21 the attack. But it said it was able The White House’s chief of During a six-hour service at chemical weapons attack in the to verify that the US administra- staff, Denis McDonough, will hit the Al Zeitouna Church, Syrian- war-torn country. Excerpts depict tion is showing the videos to mem- the morning television talk shows born Melkite Catholic Patriarch convulsing children and men bers of Congress as part of their today. In Congress, Secretary of Gregoire III Laham appealed to sprawled on the floor apparently effort to convince lawmakers of the State John Kerry, Pentagon chief Christians to stay in Syria despite vomiting and foaming at the need for a limited military strike Chuck Hagel and others senior the war. mouth. on the Syria. administration officials will hold Pope Francis, who two days ago Another shows what appear The videos — many of which a briefing for all members of the called a military solution in Syria to be dead bodies of dozens of CNN said were previously posted House of Representatives tomor- “a futile pursuit”, led the world’s 1.2 Syrians, including children, lying online — surfaced as President row, a White House official said. billion Roman Catholics in a global side by side. Yet another shows a Barack Obama prepares to AFP day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world yesterday. Syrian state television broad- cast the ceremonies, billing them as a call for a “return to security and peace in Syria and to oppose any foreign military intervention”. REUTERS Rebels claim killing Hama governor

DUBAI: The Islamist mili- tant group the Nusra Front has claimed responsibility for the assassination of the gover- nor of Syria’s Hama province last month, according to the US-based SITE intelligence monitoring group. Syrian state television last month reported that “terrorists” had assassinated Dr Anas Abdul Razak, the governor of Hama, with a car bomb. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Ten-year-old Issa assembles a locally handmade mortar shell in a weapons the finger was pointed at Nusra factory of the Free Syrian Army in Aleppo yesterday. Issa works with his which is active in the area. father in the factory for 10 hours every day except on Fridays. REUTERS Rafsanjani denies remarks TEHRAN: Former Iranian of chemical weapons,” Rafsanjani which supplied Iraq with such president Akbar Hashemi said. weapons, and gave the green light Rafsanjani yesterday rejected Tehran provides Damascus for their use,” he charged. remarks attributed to him in with material and intelligence Rafsanjani was responding to which he allegedly criticised support but denies accusations a report by the unofficial ILNA Tehran’s chief regional ally, of arming the Assad regime to news agency which had quoted Syria, for using chemical weap- fight the uprising-turned-civil him as saying: “The Syrian people ons against civilians. war since 2011 that has claimed who were the target of a chemi- The rejection appeared on more than 110,000 lives. cal attack by the authorities must Rafsanjani’s personal web- It has backed claims in now face the threat of foreign site after ultra-conservatives Damascus that rebels, not the intervention.” demanded the 79-year-old former Assad regime, may have carried The agency quickly deleted two-time president clarify his out the chemical attacks. from the quote the words “by the stance on Syria. “Recent quotes The Iranian establishment and authorities,” and the foreign min- (attributed) to me regarding the government of new moder- istry later denied Rafsanjani had Syria... are absolutely not true,” ate President Hassan Rowhani, made such remarks. Rafsanjani was quoted as telling in particular Foreign Minister But some conservative websites a crowd of war veteran families. Mohammad Javad Zarif, have took the opportunity to attack He echoed Tehran’s official voiced opposition to any military Rafsanjani, publishing online a opposition to moves by the United action against Syria. video of a public meeting at which States to launch military strikes The issue of chemical weap- Rafsanjani is alleged to have made against President Bashar Al ons is highly sensitive in Iran, the comment. Even though it was Assad’s government in response which was the target of deadly not possible to identify that the to its suspected chemical attacks gas attacks during its 1980-1988 speaker on the video, shot from near Damascus that are said to war with Iraq. some distance using what appeared have killed hundreds of civilians Rafsanjani also “strongly con- to be a low-tech cellphone, the on August 21. demned” US threats to attack voice sounded like Rafsanjani’s. “Unfortunately the people of Syria, according to his website. “We are waiting for a denial Syria — who have been for about “The use of weapons of mass from Rafsanjani in person and the two years struggling with civil destruction, including chemical, taking of a clear position,” conserv- war as well as different kinds of by any individual, group, govern- ative lawmaker Alireza Zakani was pain and have been unprecedent- ment in all religions and schools, quoted on Thursday as saying and edly displaced — are now the tar- particularly in Islam, is rejected demanding an investigation by the get of a foreign threat under the and condemned. intelligence ministry. excuse of not yet confirmed use “It was Western governments AFP SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 EU funding ban proposal angers Israel Kerry wants move postponed

VILNIUS: US Secretary of Asked her response to Kerry, State John Kerry urged the EU foreign policy chief Catherine European Union yesterday to Ashton told reporters the guide- postpone a planned ban on EU lines were simply “putting down financial assistance to Israeli on paper what is currently the EU organisations in the occupied position”. Palestinian territories, a US Ashton announced, however, official said. that the EU would send a team, Kerry made the request at a headed by a senior EU diplomat, meeting with EU foreign min- to Israel tomorrow to make sure isters at which he also called the implementation of the new on them to support Israeli- guidelines was done sensitively. Palestinian peace negotiations, “We of course want to continue which resumed on July 29 after a having a strong relationship with nearly three-year hiatus. Israel,” she said. The EU imposed restrictions The EU team would talk to in July, citing its frustration the Israelis about implementa- An armed man stands guard at the scene of two explosions in Mogadishu yesterday. over the continued expansion of tion of the new guidelines but Jewish settlements in territory not about renegotiating them, an captured by Israeli forces in the EU source said. 1967 Middle East War. A senior US State Department Twin blasts kill 18 in Somali capital A senior US State Department official, briefing reporters before official told reporters in the the Vilnius talks, said Kerry MOGADISHU: At least 18 claimed to have killed “key offi- Mohamud told a press conference. re-opened in 2012 after two dec- Lithuanian capital that Kerry would give a clear message to EU people were killed in the Somali cials”, but witnesses said the cas- Police and witnesses said the ades. Just weeks later, Shebab called on the Europeans to con- ministers on the funding issue. capital Mogadishu yesterday ualties they had seen looked like first blast was a car laden with insurgents struck, with a sui- sider postponing the implemen- He would tell them that “it’s when two blasts rocked a pop- ordinary civilians. explosives that was parked out- cide bomber blowing herself up tation of EU guidelines on aid. important for those parties who ular restaurant, police said, The attacks — a car bomb fol- side the Village, a restaurant close and killing two of the country’s “There was strong support for his have an interest in a successful in attacks quickly claimed by lowed by a suicide bomber who to the theatre that was targeted top sporting officials who were efforts and an openness to consid- outcome (to Israeli-Palestinian Shebab Islamists. detonated his vest — drew con- by suicide bombers in September attending an event there. ering his requests,” he said. negotiations) that they be sup- “There were two heavy explo- demnation from the UN and the 2012. Somalia’s embattled govern- The guidelines render Israeli portive of this effort and that sions at a parking lot near the Somali president. “Minutes after the bomb went ment, selected in November in a entities operating in the occu- they find a way to embrace the National Theatre,” police officer “I am appalled by this act of off, I saw severed flesh flying UN-backed process, was hailed pied territories ineligible for EU negotiators and encourage them Mohamed Adan said. “At least savagery and condemn it in the past,” said Idris Yusuf, who was at the time by the international grants, prizes or loans, begin- to move forward, rather than, as 18 people were killed,” said strongest terms. I offer my sin- in the restaurant at the time of community as offering the best ning next year. They angered it were metaphorically, bang them Mohamed Dahir, another police cere condolences to the families the attack and who sustained chance for peace in Somalia since Israel’s rightist government, over the head,” the official said. officer. Witnesses saw 12 bodies at and friends of those killed and slight leg injuries. Nearby build- the collapse of the central govern- which accused the Europeans Jewish settler leaders say the the scene of the attack, a popular wish a speedy recovery to the ings were destroyed, the witness ment in 1991. of harming Israeli-Palestinian aid they receive from Europe restaurant called the Village. injured,” said the UN secretary- said, and passers-by came run- A 17,700-strong African Union peace efforts and responded by is minimal. But many in Israel “Successful operations carried general’s special envoy to Somalia, ning over to help the victims. force fighting alongside the announcing curbs on EU aid worry about possible knock-on out in Hamarweyne,” the Shebab Nicholas Kay. The second blast, minutes later, national army has forced Shebab projects for thousands of West effects the EU steps may have on said on their Somali-language “The terrorist elements used was a “suicide bomber who blew fighters from several towns in the Bank Palestinians. individuals or companies based Twitter feed, referring to the to claim they target Somali gov- himself up in the crowd of civil- past two years. Palestinians praised the guide- in Israel that might be involved Mogadishu district where the ernment (officials) but such an ians who rushed to the scene of Shebab fighters, who have lines as a concrete step against in business in the settlements, attacks occurred. The group’s attack is proof they have no sym- the first blast,” Ahmed Weli Said, claimed responsibility for a string settlement construction, which deemed illegal by the interna- English-language account has pathy for anyone, they kill inno- a Somali government security of recent attacks aimed at over- they fear will deny them a viable tional community. been suspended. cent civilians at restaurants,” official said. throwing the government, remain state. REUTERS The Al Qaeda-linked Islamists Somali President Hassan Sheikh The National Theatre a potent force, however. AFP

Tunisia unrest Iraq orders Mursi faces new accusations Iran exiles to CAIRO: An Egyptian prosecutor Mursi, who is already being held by levelled new accusations against the military at an unknown location, leave camp Mohammed Mursi, already facing refused to cooperate with prosecu- trial on other charges, alleging the tors, the official Mena news agency ‘without delay’ Islamist had insulted the country’s reported. “The investigative prosecu- judiciary when he was president, tors accused Mohammed Mursi of BAGHDAD: Iraq has state media reported yesterday. insulting the judiciary by accusing 22 ordered Iranian exiles to The prosecutor issued a new judges of forging parliamentary elec- move from a camp where detention order for Mursi over his tions in 2005,” the agency reported, 52 of their members were comments that judges had rigged a without providing details. killed a week ago “with- 2005 parliamentary election. AFP out delay”, a government official and UN said. Baghdad opened a probe into the events surrounding the deaths of the members of the People’s Mujahedeen Organisation of Iran, which occurred on Sunday at Camp Ashraf in Diyala province, but accounts of the unrest still differ markedly. The UN and Western gov- Mubarka Brahmi, the widow of the late opposition politician Mohamed Al Brahmi, and her daughter applaud ernments have condemned after unveiling a street plaque with an avenue titled with Brahmi’s name yesterday at el-Jellaz cemetery in the bloodshed, but have been Tunis’ suburb, 40 days after Brahmi’s assassination. Opposition figure and MP Mohamed Al Brahmi was shot careful not to assign blame. dead by unknown gunmen outside his home near the Tunisian capital on July 25. “The state has the right to order them to leave,” Ali Mussawi, spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, said. “There is an World powers to lay off Iran at IAEA order for them to leave.” The UN’s mission to VIENNA: World powers are anything more concrete.” Numerous diplomatic initia- Baghdad said in a statement ex pected to give Iran a rare break The quarterly meetings of the tives over the past decade, includ- that it believed the Iraqi at a UN atomic agency meeting IAEA’s board usually see Iran ing the last meeting between Iran government “will move to starting tomorrow, in order not taken to task over its nuclear pro- and the six permanent members enforce this order without to jeopardise diplomatic efforts gramme, which many countries, of the UN Security Council and delay”. That would require with Tehran’s conciliatory- not only in the West, suspect is Germany (the P5+1 or E3+3) in the 42 remaining residents sounding new government. aimed at getting atomic weapons, Kazakhstan in April, have failed. of Camp Ashraf to be moved But diplomats said that if there despite Iranian denials. The election in June of Hassan to Camp Liberty, a former was no real progress by the next The agency’s latest regular Rowhani, a former nuclear nego- US military base on the quarterly gathering in November report on Iran last month showed, tiator, as Iran’s new president outskirts of Baghdad, while of the International Atomic yet again, that Tehran is defiantly to replace the more hardline PMOI members await relo- Energy Agency’s 35-nation board expanding its activities despite a Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has how- cation outside of Iraq. of governors, Iran would again feel string of UN Security Council and ever created some hope. Iraqi officials and the the heat. IAEA board resolutions demand- At his first press conference in PMOI have offered con- “Things have changed on the ing a suspension. August, Rowhani urged “serious” flicting narratives of how ground in Iran. We have a new Several rounds of UN sanc- talks, and has handed responsibil- the 52 died. The authorities government, a new president and tions, supported not only by the ity for nuclear talks to the foreign blame infighting within the there has been a change in tone West but also by Russia and China ministry under the US-educated PMOI for the deaths, and from the Iranian government, and others, have been imposed moderate Mohammad Javad Zarif. insist no soldiers entered which we recognise and welcome,” on Iran. Additional EU and US Zarif said on Friday after a Ashraf. Those accounts one senior Western envoy said. restrictions last year began tar- phone call with EU foreign pol- are sharply contested by “By November there will have geting its oil sector and banks. icy chief Catherine Ashton, the the PMOI, which charges been another round of negotia- The United States and Israel, P5+1 lead negotiator, that Tehran that Iraqi forces entered tions with the IAEA, we may well the Middle East’s sole if unde- wanted to “remove any ambiguity” the camp, killed 52 of its have another round of E3+3 talks, clared country with nuclear about its nuclear work. The two members and set fire to the and so we will see whether these weapons, have refused to rule out will meet during the UN General group’s property and goods. words have been translated into bombing the Persian Gulf country. Assembly later this month. AFP AFP SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Hacking trust Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE US is facing intense heat over its vast, global electronic surveillance programmes. The latest revelation from NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden Tthat has caused a global shock wave is that the US Where it all went wrong for and British intelligence agencies have successfully cracked much of the online encryption relied upon by hundreds of millions of people to protect the privacy of their personal data, Kevin Rudd and Labour party online transactions and emails. According to newly disclosed documents, the agencies have successfully cracked much of the encryption that guards global commerce, banking systems, BY JEFF SPARROW from environmental action dealt his ostentatiously abandoned all the policies trade secrets and medical records and much more. These personal popularity its first real blow. to which conservatives had been most disclosures caused a global fury as companies and individuals EVIN Rudd’s victory in Yes, he gave good symbol but his fre- hostile; when Rudd unseated Gillard, are still trying to fathom the extent of the damage. Some are 2007 seemed, not so long netic enthusiasms suddenly felt rather he did exactly the same – an Alice in calling the latest revelation frightening. “These revelations ago, sufficiently defini- underwhelming: all sizzle and no sau- Wonderland scenario of two rival PMs, demonstrate a fundamental attack on the way the Internet tive to re-establish the sage, as it were. each more rightwing than the other. works,” the Centre on Democracy and Technology. “The NSA Australian Labour party, Rudd had initially floated serenely Nowhere has this been more appar- Kafter a prolonged exile in the politi- above his party’s poisonous internal ent than on asylum-seeker policy. To seems to be operating on the fantastically naïve assumption cal wilderness, as the country’s default culture in a bubble of personal popu- assuage a burgeoning anti-refugee that any vulnerabilities it builds into core Internet technologies party of government. The energetic new larity. But when Australia’s mining campaign, Gillard embraced ever more can only be exploited by itself and its global partners,” it added. prime minster signed the Kyoto pro- industry mobilised against a resource punitive measures, eventually excising Washington will be forced to do a lot of explaining, and much tocol, delivered a long-awaited apology tax, Labour’s power-brokers – who, as the entirety of the Australian mainland of that explanation will be unconvincing as nothing can explain to the Stolen Generations (Indigenous strategists, could (per David Mamet) from its migration zone (yes, apparently such wanton disregard for privacy and hacking into global data. people forcibly separated from their reliably fuck up a baked potato – that’s possible). The reborn Rudd went parents) and summoned the nation’s decided to reboot the government by further, condemning all boat arrivals And the official statements are often disproven by subsequent adoring intelligentsia to a razzle-dazzle dumping Rudd for his talented deputy, to be henceforth interned in a camp in revelations and the credibility of the NSA has suffered serious “2020 summit”. Julia Gillard. nearby Papua New Guinea. damage. The left’s jubi- Gillard inherited an impossible task: Predictably, rather than reclaiming The latest Glenn Greenwald, the journalist who lation only grew defending a government in which she’d ground from the right, Labour’s evo- teamed up with Snowden to expose when, in late been a key figure as she explained how lution only normalised Liberal rheto- Snowden 2009, the right- its erstwhile leader was a dysfunc- ric, even as the entire debate became the NSA spying, says in an article in revelation that wing Liberal tional narcissist. After an initial spike, increasingly unhinged. Abbott, for his The Guardian that he is working on Party party dumped the Labour’s polling headed south and, in part, now promises indefinite work-for- the NSA has several new NSA stories which will urbane Malcolm the 2010 election, it barely squeaked the-dole obligations for everyone with be published soon, as well as another infighting and Turnbull for home. As the nation’s first female prime the temerity to successfully apply for cracked online consequential story about NSA spying Tony Abbott, a minister, Gillard faced an extraordinary refugee status. in Brazil. President Obama is already socially conserva- torrent of sexism, especially when the A similar process has been at work encryption the battles tive culture war- Murdoch press turned against her and across the policy spectrum. Notoriously, struggling to contain the damage protection is rior widely seen the new minority government she led. Abbott once declared climate change caused by the previous revelations, with with Julia as sufficiently Climate change, an issue that helped science “crap”. But rather than cam- frightening. some leaders in his region implacable. reactionary as to propel Labour to power, became a par- paigning for the environment (as he Anger is high in Brazil and Mexico Gillard played keep the Liberals ticular albatross around Gillard’s neck, did in 2007), Rudd went to the election about the very personal and specific surveillance targeting out of power for with her carbon tax a rallying point for boasting about scrapping Gillard’s tax Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff and then-leading-candidate right into a generation. But a new Tea party-style conservatism. on carbon. how long ago that Most of all, Gillard could not escape The effective Liberal scare campaign (now Mexican president) Enrique Peña Nieto. the hands of all seems! If the Rudd, whose popularity climbed steadily on debt and deficits built on Labour The Obama administration has been repeatedly assuring polls are correct, even as hers flatlined. Between 2010 and rhetoric about the necessity of budget people that massive NSA surveillance is overwhelmingly the Liberals, tomorrow’s elec- 2013, Labour events resembled Borgia surpluses, while Abbott’s opposition to devoted to stopping terrorism threats. That defence has been tion will install family dinners, with Team Gillard and same-sex marriage cost him little, since rejected in America, where polls have shown that Americans setting up Abbott as prime Team Rudd fighting out a vicious war Gillard and (until very recently) Rudd minister, leave in person and by proxy. echoed his social conservatism. are concerned about state intrusions into their privacy and Tony Abbott Labour a shat- In June 2013, Rudd finally vanquished Even now, surveys show little enthu- now consider it a bigger threat than terrorism. tered rump and his rival, convincing colleagues that only siasm for Abbott, whose disapproval The global fury against NSA spying and the diplomatic end the careers he offered hope in the looming election. rating continues to exceed his personal kerfuffle it has caused should make the US rethink its spying for a victory. of its most prom- His extraordinary resurrection brought support. Yet, after six years of Labour programme. Obama has promised reforms, but promise alone inent figures – an immediate poll bounce, but over the government, Rudd’s promise of reinven- will not do. It’s difficult to regain the trust Washington has including Rudd next weeks, it, too, slowly dribbled away, tion (official slogan: A New Way) seems himself. leaving Labour once more adrift in the akin to rephrasing a burp. With Labour lost, and the moral high ground it occupies on several issues How did we get from there to here? popularity doldrums. unable to provide its base with any com- now stands wounded. One positive fallout of the revelations The global financial crisis waylaid The Rudd-Gillard shenanigans pro- pelling reason to vote, Australia goes to has been that US technology companies have faced scrutiny even the most determined reformists. vided an obvious gift to Abbott. But the polls today in a mood of generalised over their cozy relationship with the US government. But because Rudd identified climate it’s also important to understand the cynicism – and Abbott’s likely to slouch They are already trying to distance themselves from the as “the greatest moral, economic and political logic underpinning the Liberal towards Canberra as a result. government, though unsuccessfully • social challenge of our time”, his retreat revival. When Gillard toppled Rudd, she THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Will there be peace in Karachi? the day INALLY, THE government of and some concerns among leading who will supervise the planned action. positive is that for once the political forces Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif traders and industrialists, though many The paramilitary Rangers have been in seem united in tackling the issue once and has moved to tackle the issues of are unwilling to go public about it. Karachi since 1996, assigned to control for all. There are bound to be differences Fthe violence-plagued commercial Among the major concerns is crime and maintain peace, but to no avail. going forward, especially when criminals capital of Karachi. A special meeting whether such an action is possible However, security officials blame lack of under the cover of the political parties will From today I of the cabinet identified extortion, under the current governor and chief political support and willingness for the be taken to task, but one can only hope target killing, kidnapping for ransom minister of the province, who have been failure of the paramilitary force. The police, that the maturity shown by the politicians declare that and terrorism as the “four heinous holding these positions for many years on the other hand, are a force probably right now extends then as well. After all, crimes” that need to be taken care of and so share the blame for the deterio- no one can trust. There is evidence of as the interior minister aptly put it: “Karachi Australia is under immediately and, as expected, refused rating law and order situation — more the collision of senior policemen with the and its people do not deserve this.” And to bring in the army for the so-called than 2,000 people have been killed so criminals they are supposed to target, also, the realisation seems to be there that new management “targeted action”, assigning the task to far this year in different acts of violence, and while Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar with the contribution that Karachi makes to and Australia is the paramilitary Rangers with support including sectarian, ethnic and political Ali has said that such elements in uniform the economy of Pakistan, it will be tough once more open for from the police. And while almost all killings as well as terrorism. Kidnappings will be targeted, the mere fact that they for the South Asian nation to get out of its Tony Abbott political parties have supported the for ransoms and extortion threats have have not been targeted for years raises economic troubles without first ensuring business. government’s planned action, there are also peaked, and all this has happened doubts if that will happen again. peace in its commercial capital. Australian Prime concerns among independent observers under the leadership of the very people But while there is lot to worry, the KHALEEJ TIMES Minister-elect SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 How Congress limits Obama’s war in Syria Congress in one clause circumscribes the president’s authority and, in the next, grants him the discretion to do what circumstances demand.

BY STEPHEN L. CARTER authorisation to use naval forces to stop the Barbary States from holding cap- he White House draft of a tured US merchant ships for ransom and measure granting President enslaving their crews. Congress responded Barack Obama the author- with alacrity, adopting legislation that ity to attack Syria, sent to permitted the president to take meas- Congress last week, was far ures “as may be judged requisite . . . for Ttoo broad. Now some critics are say- protecting effectually the commerce and ing that the Senate’s rewritten resolu- seamen thereof on the Atlantic ocean, the tion, approved by the Foreign Relations Mediterranean and adjoining seas.” Committee this week, is too narrow. But the resolution didn’t stop there. Consider me skeptical. The lesson of Congress also authorised Jefferson to history is clear: Whatever limiting lan- take Barbary ships and other goods in guage Congress adopts, a determined retaliation, and “to cause to be done all chief executive will read it to justify such other acts of precaution or hostility pretty much whatever he wants it to as the state of war will justify, and may, justify. in his opinion, require.” Presidents, when they choose, have This last clause is in effect an unfet- always found ways to broaden the author- tered grant of discretion, all but revoking ity granted them by Congress, especially the seeming limits created by the previ- President Barack Obama meets US Senators John McCain of Arizona (left) and Lindsey Graham (right) of South Carolina in the Oval in matters of war and peace — where, as ous clause. The bifurcated resolution has Office to discuss Syria. National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice is at left. the political scientist Kenneth R Mayer become a model in the transfer of war details in his book With the Stroke of a powers from Congress to the president. terrorist groups or other state or non- targets outside of Syria? Very easily, I’m done, however, the most effective tool for Pen: Executive Orders and Presidential One finds similar language, for exam- state actors within Syria of any weapons afraid. The president might say, for curtailing presidential discretion is the Power, limiting language rarely limits. ple, in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution of of mass destruction.” example, that Congress could not possibly appropriations power. Shortly before the United States 1964 (“all necessary measures to repel Sounds narrow, right? Wrong. have intended that Syria be able to pro- According to the Congressional entered World War II, for example, any armed attack against the forces of Consider a simple hypothetical. A tect its chemical weapons stocks simply Research Service, Congress has used President Franklin Roosevelt issued the United States and to prevent further repressive foreign leader — call him Bad by moving them over the border — say, this power successfully several times: an executive order creating an exten- aggression”) and the 2002 joint resolu- Guy — is concerned that his population to Lebanon or, the way things are now, to prohibit the introduction of ground sive system of classification for defence tion authorising the use of force in Iraq might rebel. Impressed by Syria’s use of even Iraq. Surely (the president could forces in Cambodia during the Vietnam information. He cited as his authority a (“necessary actions against international sarin gas to kill hundreds or thousands of assert) Congress wanted those weapons War, as well as to end direct US partici- statute granting him narrow discretion terrorists and terrorist organisations”). people, Bad Guy decides to try to obtain destroyed wherever they might wind up. pation in the war itself; to prevent the to protect the details of the locations of The drafters of the Senate’s Syria some of that regime’s chemical weapons. And if you think the president would reintroduction of US forces into Somalia military bases. resolution seem determined to avoid so Could the president order a strike against never attempt so far-fetched a justifi- after 1993’s “Black Hawk down” incident In 1945, Congress passed a law pro- broad a grant of authority. The question Bad Guy? cation, I recommend that you go back in Mogadishu, Somalia; and to keep hibiting the use of appropriated funds is whether they have succeeded. Let’s You might think that the resolution and study the resolution that authorised the Clinton administration from using for agencies created without legislative look at the Senate’s language: is written to avoid this, but you would the use of military force passed after the “ground elements” in the Balkans in 1999 approval. The very next year, President “The President is authorised . . . to use be mistaken. The president could rea- September 11 attacks, relied on by the (except to rescue downed airmen). Harry Truman used an executive order to the Armed Forces of the United States as son that Bad Guy would never have Obama administration as legal justifica- The ability to agree on an appropria- establish the Central Intelligence Group, he determines to be necessary and appro- attempted to obtain any of Syria’s WMD tion for its wider drone war. tions rider isn’t some relic of a bygone avoiding the word “agency” to get around priate in a limited and specified man- stocks but for its regime’s use of nerve Search for any hint of authority for age of bipartisan cooperation. The many the statute. ner against legitimate military targets gas. Attacking Bad Guy, the president drone attacks against persons or groups provisions prohibiting the use of appro- When concern turns to the actual in Syria, only to: says, is therefore part of responding “to not thought to be involved in September priated funds to transfer prisoners from use of military force, there is a grand (1) respond to the use of weapons of the use of weapons of mass destruction 11. Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the US have American tradition of what we might call mass destruction by the government of by the Syrian government in the conflict This is not to say that the current been adopted regularly since 2009, when bifurcated grants of war power, in which Syria in the conflict in Syria; (2) deter in Syria.” administration stretches the law any fur- the Democrats controlled both houses of the Congress in one clause circumscribes Syria’s use of such weapons in order to You might object that the resolution ther than did its predecessors. My point, Congress. the president’s authority and, in the next, protect the national security interests of refers explicitly to “legitimate military rather, is that an authorising resolution is In short, even in these fractured times, grants him the discretion to do what cir- the United States and to protect United targets in Syria.” And the restriction on the wrong place to try to limit the presi- the House and the Senate know how to cumstances demand. States allies and partners against the transfers explicitly refers to terrorists dent’s discretion. stop the president, even in matters of The bifurcated war resolution has a long use of such weapons; (3) degrade Syria’s and other actors “within Syria.” I am not necessarily a fan of tying the national security, when they really want history. In 1802, for example, President capacity to use such weapons in the How on earth could this language be hands of the commander in chief as US to. They just don’t seem to want to. Thomas Jefferson asked Congress for future; and (4) prevent the transfer to considered a grant of authority to attack forces go into battle. If it’s going to be WP-BLOOMBERG

Miliband’s tormentors ignore his constraints Good news: Obamacare

won three elections and has a big following Miliband has secured in parts of the media; an elder brother who, reconstruction today on the first day of a new job in the US, wrote an outcome so far an article for a British newspaper expressing BY STEPHEN STROMBERG support vaguely for military intervention; a Conservative onslaught supported by powerful full picture of Obamacare’s restructuring of the healthcare that chimes with newspapers aimed at portraying him as weak industry won’t be available for a long time. But at least one and useless. major criticism — that the law will require people with- his personal doubts I can hear the more ardent admirers of A out employer-sponsored insurance to buy very expensive Tony Blair exclaim that their political hero coverage — looks increasingly weak. was never like that. He took decisions, meant A new analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation offers the about this military what he said and said what he meant, always clearest picture yet of how much Americans will have to pay for their offering “strong leadership”. This is nonsense. coverage in the “healthcare exchanges” the government is setting intervention while As leader of the opposition Blair behaved in up for individual insurance customers. a very similar fashion in terms of contortions Bottom line costs will vary, as they do now, depending on loca- and wobbles. He briefed pro-Europeans that tion, income, age and other factors. But “while premiums will vary keeping his party he wanted to join the euro while telling the significantly across the country,” the report concludes, “they are Sun newspaper that he “loved the pound”. At generally lower than expected.” together. one point in opposition, Blair wanted to rule “For example, we estimate that the latest projections from the out increasing the tax burden under a Labour Congressional Budget Office imply that the premium for a 40-year- BY STEVE RICHARDS government — a wobble of extreme timidity. old in the second-lowest-cost silver plan would average $320 per A youthful Ed Balls courageously and rightly month nationally. Fifteen of the eighteen rating areas we examined he relentless onslaught against Ed pointed out to him that such a pledge would have premiums below this level, suggesting that the cost of coverage Miliband in recent days shows at block his main aim at the time, which was for consumers and the federal budgetary cost for tax credits will be least that those who support hasty to improve public services. He sought a UN lower than anticipated.” British Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband Twars intervene without hesitation resolution partly in order to keep his party Supporters of the law have argued that competition among private when they fail to get their way. They are united, and yet planned to take part in the insurance companies for the new customers the law will draw into angry, blame the Labour leader and make a interview with Neil Kinnock in the late 1980s, war if he failed to secure one. the exchanges will keep premiums under control. wider, more deadly assertion, claiming the when he was battling to scrap Labour’s com- What Miliband has done in relation to Syria They may have a point. In a few small states, such as Maine sequence shows Miliband is unfit to be prime mitment to unilateral nuclear disarmament. is not an act of elegant beauty. Acts of beauty and Vermont, only a couple of insurers are participating in their minister. What should have been a major crisis In a situation of Shakespearean complexity, are not available to leaders. He has followed the exchanges. But most others in the Kaiser report have four or more for a suddenly powerless prime minister has Kinnock was struggling with his own deeply advice of another currently underestimated competing for customers. become instead another trauma for the leader held convictions as well as those of his party. leader. David Cameron does not want another This, as Slate’s Matthew Yglesias noted, is “good news for of the opposition. What he meant was that as leader he had vote in the Commons over Syria because he Americans who are currently uninsured, who currently buy insur- The attacks from within Miliband’s restive wider responsibilities: to maintain party unity, fears that a majority of Conservative MPs ance on the individual marketplace, or who think it’s possible that party and outside take many noisy forms. to frame a message with the widest possible would vote against. His reluctance has noth- at some point over the course of their life they might have to or Miliband is giving succor to Bashar Al Assad. electoral appeal, and to attempt to achieve ing to do with Miliband. He, too, is a leader want to switch jobs.” The Labour leader stands for nothing. He these objectives while staying as close as pos- who must make calculations before follow- And, “Since the level of subsidies available to families of modest betrays David Cameron in the same way he sible to personal convictions. ing his personal instincts. At least Miliband means is keyed in part to the price of insurance premiums, this is let down his brother. He turns his back on Miliband faced a situation of multi-layered has secured an outcome so far that chimes also good news for anyone who pays taxes or uses non-healthcare internationalism. complexity in relation to Syria, not as an indi- with his personal doubts about this particular public services.” So, a lot of people. In expressing their anger, they show a vidual but as a leader of a divided party and as military intervention while keeping his party There are caveats: Although Kaiser’s is the most comprehensive deliberate or inadvertent misunderstanding someone who seeks to be prime minister. On together. analysis so far, its information is incomplete, using data from just of what it is to be a leader of the opposition. the basis of his previous position in relation It is not pretty, and Miliband lacks the 17 states and the District of Columbia. And the report’s conclu- Miliband’s tormentors frame their critiques to Iraq, I assume that he personally, and with political artistry to make his moral expedi- sions don’t mean that people won’t have to pay a good chunk of as if he were one of them, an individual free good cause, was wary of military intervention. ency seem like strong leadership, as Blair or their income for health insurance, even after they factor in federal to express his view with unambiguous clarity. But as leader of a party, unlike former leaders, Margaret Thatcher would have done. But assistance. “A 40-year-old with an income of 250 percent of the “We don’t know whether he is for or against backbench MPs and columnists, his personal before condemning a leader critics should federal poverty level (roughly $29,000 per year) would pay about intervention,” some of his critics proclaim view was only one of a thousand considera- look at the context in which he leads. Rightly, eight percent of his or her income or $193 per month to enrol in loftily, offended by the leader’s evasive lack tions. The other considerations he had to take Miliband gives diplomacy more time, while the second-lowest-cost silver plan, regardless of the rating area,” of purity compared with the neat precision of into account included the dangerous internal those in his party, like Ben Bradshaw on the report finds. their arguments. divisions in his troubled party, with some sen- these pages on Thursday, who support mili- Yet Kaiser’s report indicates that people would have good health But leaders of the opposition are rarely free ior shadow cabinet members favouring mili- tary intervention cite their leader to make the coverage options, regardless of their medical histories, at prices to express their personal views on any topic. tary intervention and others opposed; a former case. In a saga as complex as Syria, this is as that won’t break the bank — or put an unanticipated burden on A key text for understanding the constraints leader breathing down his neck, who led the pure as it gets. the federal Treasury. of leadership out of power comes from an country into calamitous war but who also THE GUARDIAN WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Obama urges US to back Syrian strikes President not for costly, long conflict

WASHINGTON: US President still undecided. The US Senate is Barack Obama appealed yester- expected to take action this week; day to a dubious American pub- the House of Representatives will lic to back his bid to use military vote later. force in Syria while supporters House Democratic leader scrambled to persuade lawmak- Nancy Pelosi yesterday sent her ers to authorise the move. fifth letter to Democratic law- Fresh from a European trip makers urging them to back in which he failed to forge a con- Obama, noting that Congress had sensus among global leaders on voted overwhelmingly to condemn the need for a military strike on Syria’s acquisition of weapons of Syria, Obama told his war-weary mass destruction a decade ago. country that America needs to The influential pro-Israel group use force to deter future chemi- AIPAC said it planned a major Australian Prime Minister-elect, Tony Abbott, his wife Margie (second left) and daughters Frances (left), Louise (second right) and Bridget celebrate his cal weapons attacks there. lobbying effort this week to try victory in the 2013 Australian Election in Sydney, yesterday. But the president, clearly still to round up support for military the reluctant warrior who rose to action, with about 250 activists in political prominence on his oppo- Washington to meet senators and sition to the Iraq war, said he did representatives. not want another costly and pro- In his radio address, Obama Abbott sweeps into power in Australia vote tracted conflict. said failing to respond to the “This would not be another Iraq attack would threaten US national SYDNEY/CANBERRA: country and you will punish any- government since World War planned spending cuts as dan- or Afghanistan,” Obama declared security by increasing the chance Australia’s conservative leader one who takes you for granted,” Two. Labour had relied upon gerous European-style austerity in his weekly radio address, pre- of future chemical attacks from Tony Abbott swept into office said Abbott. Rudd was given a independent and Greens support and said his government was best viewing arguments he will make the Syrian government, terror- in national elections yesterday rousing welcome from dejected for the past three years. placed to manage an economy in a nationally televised address ist groups, or other nations. The as voters punished the outgo- Labour party supporters in his “This was an election that was that is slowing but remains the on Tuesday. US said more than 1,400 people ing Labour government for six hometown of Brisbane, conceding lost by the government more than envy of much of the developed “I know that the American peo- were killed, including hundreds of years of turbulent rule and for defeat and announcing he would one that was won by the opposi- world. ple are weary after a decade of children. failing to maximise the benefits step down as party leader. tion,” former Labor prime min- A record 1,717 candidates con- war, even as the war in Iraq has “We are the United States of of a now fading mining boom. “I know that Labour hearts are ister Bob Hawke told Sky News. tested the election, including col- ended, and the war in Afghanistan America. We cannot turn a blind Abbott, a former boxer, Rhodes heavy across the nation tonight. The election was been pitched ourful mining entrepreneur Clive is winding down. That’s why we’re eye to images like the ones we’ve scholar and trainee priest, prom- I gave it my all. But it was not as a choice on who is best to lead Palmer, and Wikileaks founder not putting our troops in the seen out of Syria,” he said. ised to restore political stability, enough to win,” Rudd said, sup- the A$1.5 trillion ($1.4 trillion) Julian Assange, who is holed up middle of somebody else’s war,” But it was unclear whether the cut taxes and crack down on asy- ported by his wife and family. economy as it adjusts to an end in the Ecuadorean embassy in Obama said. wheedling was working. lum seekers arriving by boat. Labour’s overall vote was its to a prolonged mining invest- London. Palmer’s start-up Palmer Lawmakers returning to Senator Mark Pryor, a mem- “From today I declare that worst since 2004, when then ment boom, fuelled by China’s United Party was a big winner Washington after a summer break ber of the president’s Democratic Australia is under new manage- conservative prime minister John demand for its abundant natural from the election. Palmer was say many of their constituents Party who is running for re-elec- ment and Australia is once more Howard won his fourth and final resources. in strong contention to win his have told them they do not think tion next year, said on Saturday open for business,” Abbott told term, but was not as bad as the Abbott, 55, built up a strong Queensland seat and his party the US should respond militarily that he would not support action jubilant supporters in Sydney. party had feared. opinion poll lead on the back of might also win a seat in the upper to the August 21 chemical weapons against Syria at this time. It was frustration with Labour held on to all of its close promises to rein in government house Senate. attack that Washington blames Pryor said that before US mili- Labour’s leadership turmoil that seats in Rudd’s home state of spending, scrap an unpopular tax With Abbott’s convincing vic- on Syrian President Bashar Al tary action is taken, the adminis- cost the government dearly at the Queensland, and held onto several on carbon emissions, and stop the tory, much of the interest remains Assad’s government. tration must prove a compelling polls. marginal seats in western Sydney. flow of refugee boats arriving in on the Senate, where the Greens, A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week national security interest, define Labour dumped Prime Election officials said with about Australia’s northwest. independents and fringe parties said 56 percent of Americans the mission and build a “true” Minister Kevin Rudd in 2010, 80 percent of the vote counted, His campaign had support from might still hold the balance of believed the US should not inter- coalition of participating allies - for Australia’s first female prime Abbott’s Liberal-National Party media magnate Rupert Murdoch power and frustrate Abbott’s vene in Syria; only 19 percent sup- criteria he said had not been met. minister Julia Gillard, only to coalition had won around 52.6 and his Australian newspapers, legislative agenda. ported action. Outside the White House, about reinstate Rudd as leader in June percent of the national vote, and which have urged voters to reject Final results in the Senate Obama said last week he would 200 opponents of US action in 2013 in a desperate bid to stay projected it would win at least 88 Rudd’s Labour government. could take more than a week to seek congressional approval for a Syria gathered yesterday, chant- in power. seats in the 150-seat parliament. Australia’s other major newspa- determine, due to the complicated strike, but early vote counts in do ing “Hands Off Syria” and waving “It is the people of Australia Abbott could end up with a per group Fairfax also called for system of preferential voting and not look encouraging for the pres- signs that read: “Tell Congress: no to determine the government majority of around 30 seats, end- a change of government. proportional representation. ident, with scores of lawmakers war on Syria.” REUTERS and the prime minister of this ing the country’s first minority Rudd had painted Abbott’s REUTERS

Security review German police probe blackmail after man arrested attempt on Merkel’s challenger in Buckingham BERLIN: German police said “What I and my family have Palace state room they were investigating an lived through in this cam- apparent attempt to blackmail paign goes far beyond what is LONDON: A full-scale secu- Peer Steinbrueck, the Social acceptable. I never would have rity review has been launched Democrats’ (SPD) challenger to expected blackmail would also be at Buckingham Palace after Angela Merkel in this month’s attempted,” Peer Steinbrueck told a man was arrested in a state federal election, over a cleaner German reporters yesterday. room after scaling a fence and employed by his wife 14 years “There is only one way to deal breaking in. ago. with these things, go out in the Police said the unnamed Police gave no further details open and turn to the police. It will 37-year-old was found “in an yesterday, but newspaper Bild play no part in my election fight,” area currently open to the pub- quoted Peer’s wife Gertrud as he added. lic during the day” at 10.30pm on saying she had been told in an Gertrud Steinbrueck said she Monday. anonymous letter to persuade had used a Filipino cleaner in He was arrested for burglary, Peer to withdraw his candidacy by Bonn who had social security trespass and criminal damage. September 10 or face revelations insurance through her husband. A second man, 38, was arrested about their cleaner, whom the When he later lost his job and res- outside the palace for conspiracy blackmailer alleged was employed idency in Germany, Steinbrueck to commit burglary. illegally. offered the cleaner a contract, The two men have been bailed A spokesman for Bonn police which she declined. while the police investigation said they and local prosecutors Steinbrueck told her she continues. were investigating the letter and could not employ her illegally. It is believed that the intruder A family walks past mounted police officers blockading an area near the Esplanada de los Ministerios in Brasilia the blackmail attempt. REUTERS entered one of the 19 state rooms yesterday. after scaling a 12ft fence and kicking down a poorly secured external door. Power outages, landslides after The break-in will embar- Protests against corruption in Brazil rass police whose focus on royal strong Guatemala earthquake security was said to have been BRASILIA: Police used tear- the demonstrators, who did not in recent clashes in Sao Paulo increased following the birth of gas to contain protests against interrupt the parade. and Rio de Janeiro, where hooded GUATEMALA CITY: Guatemala at a depth of 67.7km Prince George last month. political corruption yesterday in “It was frightening. There was youths have become the main pro- Guatemala braced for more at 0013 GMT yesterday. The palace’s state rooms - several Brazilian cities, where a wave of masked demonstrators tagonists of recent protests. aftershocks yesterday, a day Southeastern Mexico was also those designed for monarchs to demonstrators failed to dis- dressed in black,” said Rosangela Police arrested groups of youths after a strong 6.5 magnitude jolted by at least three after- “receive, reward and entertain rupt Independence Day military Silva, who took a niece to watch found with hoods, stones and sling- earthquake struck the south of shocks, including one with a their subjects and visiting digni- parades. the parade. In Brasilia, police used shots in their backpacks in the the country, leading to power magnitude of 6.1 felt near Ciudad taries” - have been open to the The protests were much smaller pepper spray to hold back a peace- cities of Curitiba and Fortaleza, outages and landslides. Hidalgo, in the state of Chiapas, paying public during August and than the massive demonstrations ful crowd of more than 1,000 dem- where parades went ahead with- Officials said there were some close to the Guatemalan border. September for the last 10 years. that shook Brazil in June, when onstrators who marched to Brazil’s out incidents. two dozen aftershocks overnight, After the initial quake, resi- The ease with which the man hundreds of thousands took to Congress to demand the ouster of Demonstrators later moved as they placed the nation on dents had already evacuated gained access will concern offi- the streets in a sudden outburst corrupt politicians. toward Brasilia’s brand-new orange alert, one below the high- their homes in several towns in cials, although no member of the of anger against the country’s Protesters were only allowed to $600m soccer stadium where the est level red. the southern Mexican state while royal family was in residence at political class for mismanaging march along the wide esplanade Brazilian national team was to The temblor caused cuts in power was lost temporarily in the time of the break-in. public funds and failing to provide of Brazil’s capital after the annual play against Australia later on power, interruptions in phone Ciudad Hidalgo. Yesterday, a Scotland Yard adequate public services. Independence Day military parade Saturday in a practice game for service and landslides, and was The Environmental spokesman said: “Police arrested In downtown Rio de Janeiro, led by President Dilma Rousseff next year’s World Cup, which felt as far away as neighbouring El Observatory in San Salvador said two men following an incident some 500 protesters invaded had ended. Organisers said many Brazil will host. Salvador and in southern Mexico. the quake was centered on the in the vicinity of Buckingham stands in the parade area, send- people who had intended to join Riot police used police dogs and But there were no casual- coast of Guatemala and Mexico, Palace at approximately 22.20hrs ing frightened families with chil- the demonstrations did not come fired barrages of teargas to stop ties reported from the quake, measuring its strength slightly on Monday, 2 September. dren rushing for safety. Police used due to the heavy police presence the demonstrators from reaching which according to US seismolo- lower at 6.3 on the Richter scale. GUARDIAN NEWS teargas and stun guns to disperse and the prospect of violence seen the stadium. REUTERS gists struck 6km from Pajapita, AFP SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 ASIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Ex-president Nasheed Boat race leads in Maldives poll Run-off scheduled for September 28

MALE: Partial presidential former minister of housing and candidates are suitable,” she election results in the Maldives environment, said his party was said. “However, I cast a valid vote showed Mohamed Nasheed “preparing for a second round”. for one of them. Let’s see if this leading yesterday, nearly 20 “We didn’t get what we wanted brings any change for the better.” months after his removal from from Male,” he said. The capital Election commissioner Fuad power ignited months of some- is one of Nasheed’s strongholds. Thowfeek said there had been “no times violent unrest. “Voting today is significant serious issues” apart from delays But he was likely to fall short because we are going to estab- caused by long queues at some of a majority, officials in his party lish a legitimate government,” polling stations and campaigning said, suggesting a run-off vote was Nasheed said early in the day during the polling. on the cards. outside the polling centre where Before the polling ended, Nasheed, the Maldives’ first he cast his ballot. Transparency Maldives, which democratically-elected presi- He was running against three deployed 400 observers for poll Bangladeshi men row during a traditional boat race in the Buriganga river in Dhaka yesterday. Rivers form an dent, was forced from office in rivals, including Waheed, who monitoring, said the conduct of integral part of Bangladesh’s traditions and sports, and boat races are an important element of folk culture. February 2012 in what his sup- succeeded him as president. the election was satisfactory. porters say was a coup. The tur- Yameen is a half-brother of Nasheed said earlier he had moil tarnished the Indian Ocean Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who support in the ranks of the mili- archipelago’s image as a tropical ruled for 30 years and was con- tary and police and expressed holiday paradise. sidered a dictator by opponents confidence he would secure 50 Critical challenges ahead for and rights groups. “I hope to get percent of the vote to win in the Cambodians rally for poll probe the next president include a rise through in the first round itself,” first round. in Islamist ideology, human rights Yameen told reporters before he He was forced to resign in PHNOM PEHN: Thousands of foul play and Hun Sen has said he exile to bolster the opposition’s abuses and lack of investor confi- cast his vote. 2012 after mutinying police and supporters of Cambodia’s defi- will ignore the opposition chal- election campaign. “The forests dence after President Mohamed Also on the ballot was Gasim military forces armed opposition ant opposition rallied yester- lenge and forge ahead with form- are gone, the farmland is gone, Waheed Hassan Manik’s govern- Ibrahim, a resort tycoon, media demonstrators and gave him an day to demand an independent ing a government. there’s no jobs, our youth has no ment cancelled the country’s big- business owner and an ex-finance ultimatum. probe into July elections they The CPP won the election with future. We must work together gest foreign investment project minister under Gayoom. Gasim His removal sparked unruly say were rigged to prolong the a reduced majority, signalling dis- to rescue the nation.” with India’s GMR Infrastructure. and Wahid had 24 and 5 percent protests by his supporters and a rule of a prime minister now satisfaction with his government, The CNRP has urged support- Nasheed was leading at 1800 respectively of votes counted. heavy-handed police crackdown, facing his biggest political chal- despite rapid economic growth ers not to march in the city, fear- GMT yesterday with 45 percent Officials at the Election pushing the country into crisis. lenge in two decades. and success in reducing poverty. ing violence could easily erupt. with 453 ballot boxes counted out Commission said turnout could A Commonwealth-backed com- The Cambodia National Rescue “We’re here today ...to seek Hun Sen’s CPP has said it won of a total of 470, followed by his be around 80 percent, compared mission of inquiry later concluded Party (CNRP), the amalgamation justice for voters who demand an 68 of the 123 parliamentary seats main rival Abdulla Yameen with with 85 percent in the 2008 vote. that his removal did not consti- of what was once an impotent independent committee to investi- in the election, compared to the 25 percent, state-run Television “I’ve been waiting 19 months tute a coup. opposition to Hun Sen’s iron- gate election irregularities,” CNRP CNRP’s 55 seats, a hefty loss of Maldives said. for this day. So I got here as early The Maldives, a sultanate for fisted rule, claims it actually won leader Sam Rainsy told a crowd 22 seats for the ruling party. Television Maldives tweeted as I could. It’s my way of standing almost nine centuries before the election and has vowed to of about 20,000 people at Phnom But CNRP maintains it won 63 that it could “predict a run-off up against the coup,” said voter becoming a British protectorate, hold protests until their demand Penh’s Freedom Park, the only seats to the CPP’s 60 and Rainsy round of elections based on cur- Ismail Shiyaz, 39, a supporter of held its first fully democratic vote was met and urged the interna- venue where demonstrations are has accused the CPP of collud- rent election results”. Nasheed. in 2008 with Nasheed defeating tional community to disregard allowed. ing with the National Election Mohamed Aslam, a senior Others, like Rooya Hussain, Gayoom, an autocrat who was the result of the national poll. “We must end violence and Committee to steal 2.3 million member of Nasheed’s Maldivian were less certain. then Asia’s longest-serving leader. The long-dominant Cambodian impunity,” said Rainsy, who votes from his party. Democratic Party (MDP) and a “I don’t think any of these REUTERS People’s Party (CPP) has denied returned from self-imposed REUTERS

Malaysian push Rodman returns from N Korea without prisoner for English KUALA LUMPUR: Malay BEIJING: Former NBA star but quickly became angry, throw- and his wife with a gift. The pair He also appealed for Bae’s quoted Rodman as saying in rights group Perkasa has Dennis Rodman returned to ing insults before heading to the also watched a basketball game release on Twitter, posting: “I’m Pyongyang: “I am sorry about urged the Education Ministry China from Pyongyang yester- car park. together. calling on the Supreme Leader the fact that he (Bae) is in cus- to hire English speaking day after a five-day trip when “It’s not my job to bring him There had been speculation of North Korea or as I call him tody and his condition... but I ain’t teachers and provide English he met North Korean leader back,” he said when asked about that Rodman would try to use ‘Kim’, to do me a solid and cut come only for that.” reading material at all pub- Kim Jong-Un, but without jailed Bae. his budding relationship with Kenneth Bae loose.” Rodman’s entourage for the lic schools by next year. American Kenneth Bae. Earlier yesterday the North’s Kim to help free Bae, 45, who was North Korea, which bans reli- trip -- which was sponsored by an The request was driven by The flamboyant ex-Chicago official Korean Central News arrested in November 2012 as he gious proselytising, says that online gambling firm -- included Malaysian government’s Bulls player arrived at Beijing air- Agency quoted Kim as saying entered the hardline communist Bae was a Christian evangelist Michael Spavor, a Canadian who decision to make English a port on a flight from North Korea. that Rodman “might visit the state’s northeastern port city of who brought in “inflammatory” runs an education exchange compulsory passing subject. He showed a waiting crowd of DPRK (North Korea) any time Rason. material. scheme called the Pyongyang “To ensure Bumiputera stu- reporters dozens of pictures, some and spend pleasant days”. “I’ll be back over there. I’m He was sentenced to 15 years’ Project, and Joseph Terwilliger, dents in rural areas are not of them of him with Kim, the Rodman was reported to have going to try to get the guy out,” hard labour earlier this year on an associate professor of neuro- left behind, the Education roughly 30-year-old leader of the thanked his host for his “expres- the heavily tattooed Rodman told charges of trying to topple the science at Columbia University in Ministry must make sure rogue nuclear-armed state who sion of good faith towards the celebrity news website TMZ in North Korean regime. New York. every rural school has suf- Rodman describes as his “friend”, Americans” and presented Kim May. Japan’s Kyodo news agency AFP ficient trained teachers in English, English books and reading materials to help the Demolition students. All needs must be met starting 2014 even though Cinema chain it is compulsory only from Indonesia relocates year 2016,” Perkasa president drops film on Datuk Ibrahim Ali said. sinking of S Miss World final to Bali Steady demand for pricey cars Korean warship JAKARTA: Indonesia said yes- non-existent and which is used to terday the final of Miss World hordes of foreign tourists sunbath- SINGAPORE: Motor firms SEOUL: A South Korean cin- later this month would take ing in skimpy swimwear. say demand for premium ema chain under pressure from place on the Hindu-majority Hardline influence is strong in cars is holding steady even conservatives yesterday with- holiday island of Bali instead of areas of the main island Java not as Certificate of Entitlement drew a documentary film chal- near the capital, after days of far from the capital. (COE) prices head north. lenging government findings protests by hardline Muslims. “All the events will now be held They say many luxury model that a warship sunk in 2010 was Thousands took to the streets at venues in Bali — it will all be dealers have been trying to torpedoed by the North. this week to denounce the decision concentrated in Bali, until the secure their certificates early It was the first time in South to hold the beauty pageant in the closing,” coordinating minister for to hedge against changes to the Korea that the screening of a film world’s most populous Muslim- people’s welfare, Agung Laksono, system yet to be announced by had been cancelled under politi- majority nation, with protesters told reporters in Jakarta. authorities. The changes are cal pressure, Yonhap news agency burning the organisers in effigy He said the government had expected to further differenti- said. and branding them “infidels”. “listened to what the people ate premium cars from lower- Megabox, a leading chain of The contest opens in Bali today wanted”. The decision was taken end makes. multiplex cinemas, said it had and later rounds were due to take in a meeting between Laksono, Hefty down payments, decided to stop screening Project place in and around Jakarta, with Vice President Boediono, and additional taxes and high Cheonan, a 75-minute documen- the winner originally set to be police and tourism ministry Certificate of Entitlement tary exploring possible causes of crowned at a venue outside the representatives. prices are what potential car the sinking that run counter to capital on September 28. Protests flared again on buyers have to face when pur- the government conclusion that But the government said yes- Saturday, with hundreds taking chasing a luxury car. the corvette was torpedoed by terday they had decided all events to the streets on Yogyakarta and North Korea. would now be held on Bali, where Surabaya on Java. China confirms Pyongyang flatly denied The Worker’s Cultural Palace is demolished by explosives in Kunming, hardline influence is almost AFP responsibility for the sinking in China’s Yunnan province, yesterday. incursion which claimed the lives of 46 sail- ors. But South Korea responded TOKYO: Four Chinese by cutting off almost all ties with coastguard ships entered Pyongyang. disputed waters near East “We’ve decided to withdraw the Lanka arrests navy officer over human smuggling China Sea islands at the film out of concern for the safety centre of a bitter row with of customers” a Megabox official COLOMBO: Sri Lankan police women and 93 children. The Sri most senior officer to be arrested smugglers. Australia has said it Tokyo, China’s state news said. She said groups of conserva- have arrested a navy officer Lankan officer was taken into in connection with people smug- will transfer all asylum seekers to agency said yesterday — con- tive activists had threatened to suspected of involvement in custody Friday following the gling, police said. impoverished Papua New Guinea firming an earlier report. stage rallies outside Megabox cin- smuggling people in fishing discovery of 73 would-be illegal A navy official, who declined to and Nauru. Even if their asylum Quoting the State Oceanic emas that screen the movie. boats to Australia, officials said immigrants in a trawler off the be named, confirmed the officer’s claims succeed, they will not be Administration, Xinhua The film explores alternative yesterday. island’s southern coast six weeks arrest, and said internal investi- settled in Australia. said that “on Friday the explanations about possible causes Australia announced tough ago, a police officer said. gations were underway. But Sri Lankan officials said ships patrolled the territo- of the sinking, including a sugges- new measures in mid-July to dis- Four navy sailors were taken The latest arrest of a navy the announcement did not appear rial waters surrounding the tion that the vessel might have courage illegal boatpeople. Since into custody last month following officer is an embarrassment for to be a deterrent for many Sri Diaoyu Islands”, which Japan run aground on a reef and collided then, local police have appre- the trawler’s interception. Colombo which has maintained Lankans hoping to start a new claims as the Senkakus. with an unidentified submarine. hended three boats and detained But Lieutenant Commander that there is no senior level life in Australia. AGENCIES AFP 300 Sri Lankans, including 56 Sanjeewa Annatugoda is the official collusion with people AFP SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PHILIPPINES MNLF, govt discuss group’s domain issues Muslim officials sign manifesto to reaffirm continuing recognition of the 1996 peace accord with Manila

COTABATO CITY: Leaders of session on Thursday with ARMM solutions to misunderstandings on Lucman, an erstwhile ARMM Alamia said the ARMM gov- year. The C2C project will help the Moro National Liberation Governor Mujiv Hataman in the implementation of the peace regional information director, also ernment was keen on push- transform these once conflict- Front (MNLF) and officials Cotabato City, where they dis- agreement, through its ongoing stated in their manifesto their con- ing socio-economic growth stricken areas into peaceful and of the Autonomous Region in cussed strategies on how to tripartite review involving offi- tinuing support to the tripartite forward in MNLF enclaves in productive communities, Alamia Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) improve living conditions in cials from Malacañang, ARMM, review of the peace agreement. the autonomous region through said. are now cooperating on how former rebel enclaves, now pro- and the Organisation of Islamic Hataman, who was elected OPAPP’s Payapa at Masaganang The adverse impacts of 30 to address nagging concerns tected by the 17-year accord. Cooperation. ARMM governor last May 13, Pamayanan (PAMANA) pro- years of bloody conflict between related to the former rebel ARMM’s executive secretary, The three-way evaluation proc- after serving as caretaker of gramme, which has social welfare, the MNLF and the government, group’s domains in Mindanao, Laisa Alamia, said the meeting ess started in 2007 and has, so far, the autonomous region from health and livelihood components. which started in the early 1970s, officials said yesterday. was an offshoot of last week’s resulted in the acknowledgement December 22, 2011 until his elec- Alamia said they wanted to fuse are blamed for much of the socio- The joint ARMM-MNLF Senior MNLF Leaders’ Forum of “42 consensus points” on how tion as the area’s duly-mandated together the efforts of all agencies economic problems causing pov- peace and development efforts in Zamboanga City, which was to improve the truce, based on five chief executive, said he would task and support offices involved in erty in many parts of ARMM. are supported by the Office of jointly organised by OPAPP and parameters — education, regional local government units to help projects meant to address under- “These are what the regional the Presidential Adviser on the Hataman’s office. security, political representation in implementation of socio-eco- development in many MNLF government and Malacañang are Peace Process (OPAPP), accord- The forum led to the signing by of the Moro communities, natural nomic projects for former MNLF communities. now trying to address through ing to Marlon Dedumo, super- participating MNLF officials of a resources, and the Shariah sys- combatants. The ARMM government has bilateral interventions,” Alamia vising chief of the Office’s press manifesto reaffirming their con- tem of justice. “The doors to the seat of the been helping OPAPP imple- said. The national government, bureau for Mindanao. tinuing recognition of their 1996 Senior MNLF officials who ARMM’s executive department ment the PAMANA’s Camp to Alamia said, had earmarked Senior officials of MNLF, which peace accord with government. attended last week’s forum in in Cotabato City are wide open Communities, or “C2C”, project, P1.4bn to P2.6bn, for PAMANA signed a final peace pact with The signatories also stated in Zamboanga City, among them Abu to all members of the MNLF,” whose funding for 2014 has been projects for fiscal years 2013 and the government on September 2, the document their desire for a Amri Taddik, former Sulu gover- Hataman said via text message integrated into the autonomous 2014. 1996, held an initial brainstorming peaceful exhaustion of all possible nor Yusoph Jikiri, and Abebakrin yesterday. region’s budget for the same fiscal THE PHILIPPINE STAR Living treasure 53 leftist rebels Police prepare charges surrender MANILA: A total of 53 against Taiwan fisherman communist rebels have sur- rendered in Western Visayas since January, the Philippine MANILA: Philippine police said yesterday there was strong evi- Army said on Friday. dence to charge a Taiwanese fisherman detained after he strayed Majoe Ray Tiongson, spokes- into the archipelago’s waters — an incident that is threatening man of the Army’s 3rd division, reviving relations between the neighbours. said 37 of the rebel returnees Government prosecutors are preparing poaching charges against had surrendered in Negros, an Tsai Po, who was held on Tuesday near the Philippines’ Batan Islands, area where the insurgents have close to the maritime border with Taiwan, police officer Victor de a strong presence. The rest Sagon said. had yielded to security forces Police allege that Tsai, 54, intentionally entered Philippine waters in Panay. and then tried to flee when a maritime fishing patrol approached him. He said the rebels had “Our evidence is quite strong. He was collecting lobster, ornamental also turned over three high- fish and sharks,” De Sagon said. powered firearms, 10 low- “It is obvious he was fleeing with the great speed. He did not drift powered firearms two hand here.” Tsai has made frequent visits to the area to poach for fish, De grenades and a rifle grenade Sagon said, adding that was how officials knew where to catch him. to authorities. Tsai, who is being held at Batan provincial police station, has said he “More rebels continue to does not know why he was detained and that he had been in Taiwanese realise the futility of armed vio- waters when the incident happened. lence,” said Brigadier General He also claims he was treated roughly by the Philippine maritime Aurelio Baladad, chief of the patrol, an allegation De Sagon denies. Army’s 3rd division. Tsai has had his catch, vessel and fishing equipment seized. If he is convicted of poaching he faces a $100,000 fine and his seized items Suspected T’boli woman Lang Dulay from South Cotabato creates an intricate pattern from intensely dyed abaca fibre. will not be returned. AFP Lang Dulay, a National Living Treasure Awardee in T’nalak, started weaving at age 12. On Friday, she showed her skills during an exhibition organised by the Department of Tourism in Pasay City. rebels captured ZAMBOANGA CITY: Marines on Friday captured two suspected Abu Sayyaf Group members in Patikul, Customs tightens watch on free ports to curb smuggling Sulu, a military official said yesterday. LINGAYEN: Customs management was the transship- The BOC’s reform programme have sustained a steady growth and it had put in place the e2m or The captured suspects were Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said ment of goods between ports of would benefit traders at the Port in our volume of imports and electronic-to-mobile system. identified as Salih Madjam yesterday the Bureau of Customs discharge and free port zones, of San Fernando, La Union where exports,” he said. The system, designed to facili- alias Undag Dami and his (BOC) had implemented many which resulted in the loss of over port operations were expanded to He said that while the country tate faceless, paperless and cash- brother Kinang alias Tinnam reforms over the last two years. 2,000 containers in 2010. beef up economic activity in the enjoys a significant growth in the less transactions at the bureau, Dami. Speaking at the 1st North Biazon said they had tightened Ilocos region and the Cordillera volume of trade in the global mar- has minimised, if not eliminated, Authorities believe that Philippines Economic Summit their watch on the various free Administrative Region. ket and even as it remains bull- human intervention in the process- the two siblings belong to the held at the Sison Auditorium ports and economic zones in the Records of the National ish in its economic outlook, the ing of entries in the BOC, he said. group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader here, sponsored by the provin- country to avoid their being used Statistics Office for the past five Philippines still needed to catch “Human intervention and Juhurim Hussein. cial government of Pangasinan, for smuggling. years showed that the country’s up with the rest of the world abuse of discretion by some cus- Colonel Jose Joriel Cenabre, Biazon said transshipment proce- “We are strictly enforcing our imports posted an average growth economies, particularly among toms misfits in the processing of commander of Joint Task dures in the BOC had been tight- customs laws in the free port of 3.7 percent while the average Association of Southeast Asian customs entries have been found Force Sulu and 2nd Marine ened to prevent containers going zones, even as we try to help make growth rate of exports reached Nations (Asean) members. among the causes of corruption Brigade, said Hussein’s group missing. He said that among the it easier to do business for free 2.2 percent, Biazon said. Biazon said the BOC was in in the BOC,” Biazon said. was responsible for series of weak spots in the bureau’s cargo port zone locators,” he added. “On a year-to-year basis, we its final stage of computerisation THE PHILIPPINE STAR kidnappings in Sulu. Cenabre said elements of the 11th Special Operations Platoon led by 2Lt Michael Loon under the Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 Court defers arraignment Revival of oversight committee sought caught the suspects at around 6.30am in the vicinity of MANILA: The independent 268 seeking to revive the panel process by which Congress takes Barangay Pansul. of businesswoman Napoles bloc of lawmakers in the House that was in existence from the an active role in understanding, “The suspects were sur- of Representatives called on 12th to the 14th Congress. monitoring and evaluating the prised as the troops manoeu- MANILA: The Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) yesterday the revival of the Congressional The panel, whose main func- performance of state bodies and vred and cornered them,” deferred the arraignment of Janet Lim-Napoles, allowing the court Oversight Committee in the tion was to evaluate the perform- instrumentalities and applies this Cenabre said. more time to deliberate on the earlier motions filed by her lawyers. 16th Congress to further ensure ance of all government agencies, knowledge to its three other func- Makati RTC Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda ordered the postpone- transparency and accountabil- was abolished during the 15th tions, namely, making laws and Measles cases ment of the arraignment of Napoles to September 23. ity in government. Congress for being redundant, public policy, setting budgets, and Napoles, facing charges of illegal detention, was originally scheduled Leyte Representative Martin according to the present House raising revenues,” the resolution increase for arraignment tomorrow, but her lawyers argued the court should Romualdez, head of the independ- leadership. said. deliberate first on the pending motions for a bill of particulars and to ent bloc, filed House Resolution “Legislative oversight is the THE PHILIPPINE STAR BAGUIO CITY: Cases of suspend the proceedings. measles in Cordillera have Her brother Reynald Lim, who is also facing the same charges but been rising with government remains at large, is represented by lawyer Raul Vasquez. Anti-war protest health monitoring officials Napoles, through her lawyer Lorna Kapunan, filed an 18-page motion recording a 224-percent hike. to defer the arraignment, pointing out the pending motion before The health department’s the court asking for a bill of particulars and a motion to suspend monthly January to August 31 proceedings. surveillance report revealed Kapunan explained the bill of particulars is a legal move asking the measles tops the list of illnesses court to make a clear and detailed charge against the accused. with the biggest increase. She said the charges filed against Napoles were not clear, particu- Measles was followed by larly on the alleged conspiracy to kidnap former employee-turned meningitis, with an 81 percent whistleblower Benhur Luy. hike, acute encephalitis syn- “We are asking for a bill of particulars because the criminal informa- drome (67 percent), and non– tion was not clear. It was not clear in the information that there was neonatal tetanus (57 percent). conspiracy in the kidnapping of Benhur Luy. We also have the motion In 2012, there were only 49 to suspend proceedings because of our pending petition for certiorari suspected cases of measles in before the Court of Appeals (CA),” Kapunan said. the highlands, and this year Kapunan added she was leaving it to the court to decide the venue there have been 159. of the hearing. “Some are suggesting that the hearings should be held According to govern- at Fort Sto Domingo. We are leaving it to the decision of the court as ment physician Erin Baclig to the arrangements for Mrs Napoles,” she said. of the Centre for Health Lim’s lawyer Vasquez, meanwhile, repeated his argument in court Development – Licensing and yesterday that the hearing of his client’s case should be suspended Regulations Support Division, pending the resolution of their motion for reconsideration filed at measles, a viral disease, is the Department of Justice, and a petition for certiorari with the CA, highly contagious. which questions the Makati court’s decision to issue arrest warrants AGENCIES against Napoles and Lim. Anti-war protesters display placards during a demonstration by about 100 activists against possible US strikes THE PHILIPPINE STAR against Syria, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, yesterday. SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Taliban release Pakistan frees seven Taliban prisoners abducted Afghan Karzai had urged Islamabad to help arrange peace talks between Kabul and extremists female MP KABUL: The Taliban said yes- ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yes- week to meet new Prime Minister increased violence in his country. Afghan prisoners, Dadullah is about infighting among the rebels. terday they had released an terday announced the release Nawaz Sharif. Afghan government peace a senior militant commander Dadullah was one of five Afghan female MP held hostage of seven senior Afghan Taliban Infuriated by the opening in negotiators accompanying Karzai who was captured by Pakistani Taliban who were freed in May since August 10 in exchange for figures to help the peace proc- June of a Taliban office in Qatar, earlier called for the release of security forces in February 2008 2007 in exchange for a kid- six prisoners who were relatives ess in war-torn neighbour considered a precursor to talks the most senior Taliban figure in southwestern Baluchistan napped Italian journalist, Daniele of their fighters. Afghanistan, the foreign minis- with US officials, Karzai wants detained in Pakistan, former dep- province with at least five other Mastrogiacomo. An Afghan provincial governor try said. Pakistan to help open dialogue uty leader Abdul Ghani Baradar. rebels. Elements of the Pakistani state later confirmed the release but “In order to further facili- with the insurgents. Afghan officials believe former Dadullah had been in charge are widely accused of funding, added no further details. tate the Afghan reconciliation But analysts doubt whether detainees may talk to the Kabul of operations against Nato and controlling and sheltering the Fariba Ahmadi Kakar, one of process, Pakistan is releasing Pakistan has the influence to government, although observers US-led troops in the southern Taliban. Islamabad says publicly the 69 female Afghan MPs in the seven Taliban detainees, namely force the Taliban to the negoti- say there is little evidence those Afghan province of Helmand. it will do anything to stop the 249-seat of the lower house of Mansoor Dadullah, Said Wali, ating table — and the insurgents hopes have been realised. Dadullah had succeeded his fighting in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s parliament, and her Abdul Manan, Karim Agha, have publicly refused all contact Yesterday, a senior member of elder brother — the Taliban’s Afghan Foreign Minister three children were taken at gun- Sher Afzal, Gul Muhammad and with Karzai’s government, brand- Afghanistan’s High Peace Council, overall military commander Zalmai Rassoul said on Thursday point last month by insurgents in Muhammad Zai,” it said in a ing it a US puppet. Mohammad Ismail Qasimyar, Mullah Dadullah — who was killed that fears of a resurgent Taliban the central province of Ghazni on statement. Karzai said Afghanistan welcomed news of the Taliban in a joint Afghan-Nato operation when the bulk of Western forces the main highway from Kabul to “These releases are in addition expected Pakistan to provide figures’ release. in southern Afghanistan in May withdraw from Afghanistan next Kandahar city. to 26 Taliban detainees released “opportunities or a platform for “This is a goodwill and trust 2007. year were overblown. The children were later during the last year,” it added. talks between the Afghan High building move by Pakistan and we The Taliban said in late Around 87,000 US-led Nato released. Afghan local officials Afghan President Hamid Peace Council” — Kabul’s official hope the release of these Taliban December that they had sacked troops are to leave Afghanistan claimed they were freed as the Karzai urged Pakistan to help negotiators — and the Taliban. prisoners could change the Mansoor Dadullah because he dis- next year, putting the country’s result of a rescue operation, while arrange peace talks between In the past, the Afghan leader national reconciliation process obeyed orders. But a spokesman police and troops in charge of some local elders said that ran- his government and the Taliban has identified Taliban havens in in Afghanistan,” Qasimyar said. for the commander denied that he security nationwide. som money had been paid. during a visit to Islamabad last Pakistan as the main cause of Among the latest releases of was fired, leading to speculation AFP Yesterday, Taliban insurgents said Kakar herself was released in exchange for four women and Literacy Day two children who were being held by the government because they were wives and children of One killed in Afghan Taliban fighters. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan handed over with dignity the female member of protest at Iran consulate parliament to her relatives in Ghazni province in the form of HERAT: At least one person protesting because the Iranian a prisoner exchange after four was killed and four wounded consulate would not extend their wronged women and their chil- yesterday when angry dem- Iranian visas nor return their dren were released by the Kabul onstrators tried to storm the cash deposit. government,” the militant group Iranian consulate in western He said Afghans who applied said in a statement. Afghanistan during a protest for an Iranian visa had to deposit Ghazni governor Musa Khan over visas, officials said. at least $400 with the consulate. Akbarzada confirmed the release. Around 200 protestors took Thousands of Afghans cross “I can confirm she has been to the streets of Herat city and illegally into Iran every year to released, Taliban should never tried to attack the consulate with seek work as Afghanistan's econ- kidnap a woman again,” he said. rocks and sticks, deputy provin- omy struggles to grow amid an Kakar was elected in 2005 as an cial police chief Abdul Hamid Islamist insurgency that erupted independent member of the lower Hamidi said. after the 2001 fall of the Taliban. house after previously working as "The police tried to stop them, In May, Iranian guards shot a teacher. but they attacked the police. dead 10 Afghan migrants ille- AFP One person was killed and sev- gally trying to cross the border eral wounded in the clash," he from the western province of said, adding that police were Herat. investigating. About 2.4 million Afghans - Law to protect An official at Herat central refugees and illegal immigrants - hospital said that four wounded live in Iran, many of whom moved Pakistan brands people had been admitted. there after the 1979 Soviet inva- Abdul Rashid, a wounded dem- sion of Afghanistan. KARACHI: A law is on onstrator, said that they were AFP Pakistani boys attend school on the eve of International Literacy Day in Peshawar yesterday. International Literacy the anvil to protect famous Day is celebrated today annually and the theme this year is ‘Literacies for the 21st century’. Pakistani brands from coun- terfeiting in the international market. The move has been designed to challenge counterfeiting of Pakistani brands by Indian Zardari won’t seek to be PM New president to trim traders in the Gulf market who sell these products with ISLAMABAD: Outgoing Zardari, who defied expectations between Pakistan and Dubai as he Indian names after removing Pakistan President Asif Ali by holding on to power for a bids to revive the PPP’s fortunes, pomp and protocol the original packing. Zardari said in comments aired record five years, said in excerpts along with his son Bilawal, who The Trademark office of yesterday he will not seek to of an interview shown on Geo TV. turns 25 this month, meaning he the Intellectual Property become prime minister and “In my view running the party can run for parliament. ISLAMABAD: President-elect introduced with reference to his Organisation plans to issue will instead focus on leading his is more important than becoming Zardari’s spokesman, Mamnoon Hussain will change cast and creed but as a Pakistani Geographical Indication trade- party after stepping down. prime minister,” he added. Farhatullah Babar, said the presi- the entire look of the presidency Muslim who is a proud Karachiite. marks to prevent faking of Zardari, co-chairman of the Zardari, a controversial figure dent will relocate to Lahore “to after assuming the prestigious He believes in staying within his famous products originating Pakistan’s Peoples Party (PPP), who was once sentenced to 11 start yet another chapter in politi- post tomorrow. limits defined in the book. from a particular area. vacates the presidency today and years in prison for alleged corrup- cal struggle” with analysts sug- Simplicity and austerity will The president will be avail- will be replaced the following day tion, said that as the presidency gesting he will try to revive the be the order of the day in the able to the government for Power firms’ by Mamnoon Hussain, a busi- was the highest office in Pakistan party dominated by the Bhutto- President House. advice whenever sought, but he nessman and close ally of Prime it would not be appropriate for Zardari family. Sources close to the upcom- isn’t interventionist, the sources unpaid bills up Minister Nawaz Sharif. him to become prime minister. Many observers see Bilawal as ing president said yesterday that pointed out. Hussain checked The PPP ran a rudderless gen- The widower of former prime a reluctant heir to the legacy of Hussain doesn’t believe in pomp undue expenditure in Governor’s LAHORE: The unpaid bills of eral election campaign earlier this minister Benazir Bhutto leaves his assassinated mother Bhutto. and show. House in Karachi when he was both private and public power year and was defeated by Sharif’s office with the country gripped by Hussain’s low-key persona and He is interested in converting Sindh Governor in the late 90s, companies have soared to a Pakistan Muslim League-N. an energy crisis, a flagging econ- lack of a personal power base puts President House into an informal and he plans to curtail the budget staggering Rs156bn ($1.515bn) “I will not try to become the omy and a Taliban insurgency. him in stark contrast to Zardari. place where visitors feel at home. for the President’s House. less than 10 weeks after the prime minister of Pakistan,” He is expected to split his time AFP Hussain doesn’t want to be INTERNEWS government paid their bills for the pre-June period. The sum includes the unpaid bills of private power producers amounting to Rs54bn. The government paid Corporate portfolio of Rs380bn to private power pro- ducers to clear their bills just before the end of last fiscal year SECP past 62,000 mark while bills exceeding Rs135bn of the public sector companies were “adjusted” in July. ISLAMABAD: The Securities with 31, information technology and Exchange Commission of with 23, construction with 20, LICFF to screen Pakistan (SECP) registered 275 corporate agricultural farming new limited liability companies and tourism with 14 each and over 100 films in August, bringing the total textile with 10 companies. corporate portfolio to 62,258 Foreign investment, how- LAHORE: The Lahore companies, according to a press ever, was witnessed in 15 new International Children’s release. In the corresponding companies. Film Festival (LICFF) is month of last year, the number These companies have foreign gearing up for its fifth edi- of companies registered by the investors from China, the United tion with the provincial SECP was 274. States, South Africa, Germany, government’s support to In addition to the companies Canada, Iraq, Afghanistan, entertain, inspire and edu- A man who was injured in a shooting incident receives treatment at a hospital in Peshawar yesterday. registered, the SECP issued Turkey, Japan and Mauritius, cate children in the city. licences to three non-profit and belong to a range of sec- The festival is scheduled to associations. tors including trading, oil and begin on September 21. Over Around 88 per cent companies gas marketing, engineering, 100 films will be screened over Death toll in Peshawar attack rises to eight were registered as private limited construction, auto and allied, six days at Alhamra Hall. companies, while around 9 per- education, tourism, mining and For the first time, the gov- ISLAMABAD: The death toll of Peshawar on Friday night. gunmen killed seven peo- cent companies were registered quarrying and agricultural farm- ernment is supporting the in the Peshawar firing incident Police said the unknown attack- ple and injured four others. as single-member companies. ing sectors. LICFF. “The government has has increased to eight after ers targeted the car near Gulzar Police officer Amir Shaheen Around 1 percent of the compa- In August, the most number of shown interest in youth devel- two more injured succumbed Chowk in Matni area around said that the incident took place nies had been registered as public companies, 90, were registered at opment. When it came to chil- to their injuries yesterday, midnight. in Jasooki village when three limited companies and as associa- the company registration office dren, major initiatives focused Pakistan’s Geo News reported. Police rushed to the crime gunmen on a motorbike sprayed tions during the month. (CRO) of Islamabad. It was fol- only on improving enrolment According to initial reports, scene before the attackers could five people with bullets at the res- The trading sector took the lowed by the CROs in Lahore at schools,” Shoaib Iqbal, the six people were killed and some flee and engaged them in a gun idence of a local religious scholar lead in new registrations with and Karachi, registering 75 and festival director, says. injured after gunmen opened battle. Phal Shah after Friday prayers. incorporation of 36 companies 62 companies respectively. AGENCIES fire on a car in Matni area Also on Friday, unknown AGENCIES this month, followed by services INTERNEWS SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA ‘Hard decisions’ to curb price rise: Minister Curbs on inessential imports soon

NEW DELHI: Finance the inflation the government will Minister P Chidambaram yes- now focus on supply side and dis- terday said the government tribution system of food articles. will take some “hard decisions” Talking about the factors that in the next few days to curb contributed to inflation in the imports of inessential goods and country, he said increase in farm contain inflation. prices and wages was one of the “We have to contain demand key factors. “It will have impact and practice austerity measures. on the inflation of the country. Wasteful expenditure should But it is a good policy to increase be cut. We have to ensure that farm wages and prices in a coun- import of all inessential items try where almost 60 percent of are curbed,” he said, replying to the people depend on agriculture.” a debate on the appropriation bill Regarding suggestions to cut and price rise in the Rajya Sabha. taxes on petroleum products, The finance minister cited the Chidambaram said the matter import of high-end television sets could be considered provided state and said it cannot be imported governments also agree to reduce under personal baggage any further. the incidence of tax on oil goods. Zubin Mehta (centre) addresses the audience during the ‘Ehaas-Kashmir’ concert with the Bavarian State Orchestra at the historic Shalimar Gardens “We are going through a stress- “We can cut taxes. This ‘we’ is in Srinagar, yesterday. ful period. We have to take some both the state government and the hard decisions. Many of these central government. In 2011-12 measures are being taken and the central government collected Mehta conducts concert despite objections many measures will be announced Rs95,349 crore as taxes on crude in next few days and weeks. Some oil and petroleum products. All measures to curb import inessen- state governments put together SRINAGAR: Celebrated con- “I have waited and dreamt The concert — named “Ehsaas- attack a security camp but offi- tial items will also be announced.” collected Rs105,384 crore. In ductor Zubin Mehta led the of this moment,” Mehta, 77, a e-Kashmir” or “Feelings for cials would not comment on the On hiking oil prices in view of ris- 2012-13 the central government Bavarian State Orchestra in a former director of the Berlin Kashmir” — was televised around reports. Residents described the ing crude prices in the international collected Rs98,592 crore, all state classical music concert yester- Philharmonic Orchestra, told the the world. men as civilians who were shot market and rupee depreciation, governments put together col- day in Kashmir despite strong audience in the bright late after- It went ahead despite demands by troops as they rode past the Chidambaram said, “No one in the lected Rs119,314 crore.” objections from separatist noon sunshine before taking up by separatists for its cancellation security camp on a motorcycle. government will be happy increas- “If taxes have to cut the cen- leaders. his baton. on grounds it would legitimise Kashmir chief minister Omar ing petroleum and diesel prices”. tral government must cut taxes The heavily guarded event was Some 1,500 guests, includ- alleged “state repression” in the Abdullah told the concert audi- He said no decision had been along with the state governments. staged in the sprawling Mughal- ing government ministers and insurgency-hit region. ence that Kashmir was a “trou- taken and “no decision will be Let us cut some tax. But all of us era Shalimar Gardens on the diplomats, listened raptly to The concert was staged against bled” land “yearning for peace”. taken in haste”. should sit down together.” banks of picturesque Dal Lake in strains of Beethoven, Haydn and the backdrop of a rise in bloodshed “But for a few hours let us allow Petroleum Minister M Veerappa He added the government will conflict-scarred Kashmir’s main Tchaikovsky at the concert by in the territory where there has the music to lift our spirits and Moily has said he would announce take more measures to increase city of Srinagar. organised by Indian Kashmir’s been a wave of clashes between dream of a peaceful tomorrow,” measures to curb fuel use this flow of capital to contain volatil- “Everybody on the subconti- state tourism department and the militants and security forces in Abdullah said. month. The finance minister said he ity in forex market. The appro- nent will agree with me that this German embassy in New Delhi. recent weeks. Hardline separatist leader Syed was concerned about the continu- priation bill is intended to give is where it (the concert) should While the Shalimar Gardens Police said four men were shot Ali Geelani called a strike yester- ing high inflation. “I am concerned authority to government to incur be,” the Mumbai-born Mehta said, event was an invitation-only dead earlier yesterday in Shopian day to protest the concert. Shops, about inflation. It is an unequal tax expenditure from and out of the referring to the beautiful setting affair, Mehta said he hoped to town by troops. businesses and colleges closed in on all sections of people,” he said. consolidated fund of India. with the Himalayan mountains in return to Kashmir and give a con- Indian media said the men several Kashmir cities. Chidambaram said to address IANS the background. cert where “everybody can come”. were suspected of attempting to AFP Mamata govt seeks to bring Sushmita’s remains back

KOLKATA: Describing abducted by suspected Taliban Sushmita Banerjee defied her the killing of Indian author gunmen from her residence in family to marry Afghan busi- Sushmita Banerjee in Sharan on Wednesday night. nessman Jaanbaz Khan, with Afghanistan as “condemna- Her body, riddled with bullets whom she fell in love in Kolkata. ble” and “unfortunate”, West and some of the hair ripped from She stayed for years with him in Bengal Chief Minister Mamata her head, was found Thursday Afghanistan, before coming back Banerjee yesterday said her morning. to India. government has asked the cen- Gopal Banerjee and his wife In 1998, she wrote the bestsell- tral government to bring her Debolina met Banerjee’s princi- ing memoir “Kabuliwalar Bangali body back to Kolkata. pal secretary Gautam Sanyal at Bou” (A Kabuliwala’s Bengali “I am shocked at her death. The the secretariat Saturday request- Wife) offering a vivid description incident is condemnable, unfor- ing that the state government of the suffering of women under tunate. We have given a letter request the centre to bring her the Taliban. to the external affairs ministry mortal remains back.. “I could She also described her daring requesting the body be brought not meet Mamata as she was not escape from the clutches of mili- to Kolkata,” Banerjee told media there then.” tants in the book, which made her persons at the state secretariat, “Sanyal told me that the chief a household name in Bengal. Writers’ Buildings, here. minister has already taken the She again returned to However, the author’s younger initiative to bring back her mortal Afghanistan in January to be with brother Gopal Banerjee, quoting remains. She has started talking her husband and also document her in-laws, said that she was to the centre. I was also informed the lives of the Afghan women. buried Thursday in Sharan city that Chief Secretary Sanjay She had come for a brief visit to of Afghanistan’s Paktika province Mitra, wo was now in Delhi, has the Kolkata in July and stayed at as per Islamic tradition. also taken up the matter with her brother’s house before return- The 49-year-old Sushmita the central government officers,” ing to Afghanistan Banerjee was beaten up and Gopal Banerjee said. IANS

Welcoming Mahabali

Dancers perform as they take part in festivities marking the start of the annual harvest festival of “Onam” in Kochi, Kerala, yesterday. The 10-day-long festival is celebrated annually to commemorate the return of King Mahabali to his beloved subjects. SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Modi targets March in support of Syria PM, Rahul in Chhattisgarh Leader speaks from Red Fort-like dais

AMBIKAPUR, Chhattisgarh: have lost ‘connect’ with people Gujarat Chief Minister and their problems. Narendra Modi yesterday criti- “The Congress is running a cised Congress Vice-President highly insensitive government Rahul Gandhi and blamed Prime at the centre, some of its lead- Minister Manmohan Singh for ers say that even Rs.5 is enough the slowing economy in a speech for getting stomach-full food in delivered here from a Red Fort- a day while one leader made the shaped dais, a symbolism that biggest joke of people’s plight and was not lost on anyone. termed poverty a state of mind,” “The failure of Manmohan Modi said. Singh has led the economic situa- Rahul Gandhi had said in tion to such a level that the rupee Allahabad in August that “poverty has landed in hospital where it is is just a state of mind. It does not battling for life and death,” Modi mean the scarcity of food, money said at the rally in Chhattisgarh’s or material things. If one pos- tribal heartland Ambikapur sesses self-confidence, then one Demonstrators hold placards, banners and Syria’s national flag during a protest against possible US military action against Syria, outside the US town, headquarters of sprawling can overcome poverty”. embassy in New Delhi, yesterday. Surguja region, some 250km from Without naming Rahul Gandhi, state capital Raipur. Modi went on: “He poured acid on He was unsparing while attack- poor people’s plight and misery by ing the Congress. saying poverty is ‘a state of mind’, 31 infant “The Congress culture of arro- his grandmother must have been Bill against manual scavenging passed gance is at the peak now. India’s pained who wanted to alleviate over 1.25 billion people are fight- poverty.” deaths in four ing with acute poverty and infla- He also targeted the Planning NEW DELHI: Lawmakers dignity,” Social Justice Minister employing a manual scavenger. It tion while its leaders are busy Commission, headed by the prime have passed a long-awaited bill Kumari Selja said after passage also requires authorities to moni- days in West with giving new definitions of minister, for its poverty estimates to ban manual scavenging — the of the bill. tor implementation of the law poverty.” that anyone spending over Rs.32 a clearing of human waste from The measure, passed by the and contains tough sanctions for Modi, 62, was made this year day in urban areas was not poor. toilets — by workers seen as the decision-making lower house municipalities employing sewer Bengal hospital the BJP’s Lok Sabha campaign BJP president Rajnath Singh “ultimate untouchables” under of parliament, aims to outlaw cleaners without protective gear. chief, fuelling speculation that and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister the country’s ancient Hindu employment of manual scaven- Workers stripped down to their KOLKATA: At least 31 infants he is in the race for the prime Raman Singh also addressed the caste-hierarchy. gers and provide retraining and underpants and equipped with died in the state-run B C Roy minister’s post, though he stated rally held to mark the conclusion Already illegal under a largely help for their families, Selja said. just a hoe and a wooden bar can Post-Graduate Institute of earlier this week that he would of the latter’s over 6,000 km long ineffective 1993 law, the Congress- “We want to remove the stigma still routinely be seen clambering Paediatric Sciences here over continue to be Gujarat chief min- Vikas Yatra in the state where led government promised to have and blot on the society,” the min- into the stinky depths of septic the past four days, officials said ister till 2017. assembly elections are scheduled another go at stamping out the ister said. tanks and sewers. yesterday. It was a tactic seen as putting for December. practice with the new legislation Selja called for a “change of Manual scavenging points to Health department officials pressure on the party leadership Modi praised his Chhattisgarh which was cleared late on Friday. mindset” to end discrimina- a lack of sufficient investment said terminally ill infants were to nominate him as the BJP’s counterpart Raman Singh of the The new legislation modifies tion against scavengers, who are in modern sewerage systems by referred from the other districts prime ministerial candidate. BJP and asked people to vote for the 1993 law which criminalised treated as pariahs even by oth- a government which struggles of the state, private hospitals Addressing thousands of peo- him in the coming polls. the scavengers who clean out ers at the bottom of Hinduism’s to provide basic services, social and nursing homes to the hospi- ple, he made a not so veiled attack “Raman Singh has nurtured the primitive toilets by hand, collect hereditary caste hierarchy. activists say. tal, and were already in a serious on Rahul Gandhi in his about state for the past 10 years now... the faecal matter in baskets and The measure prohibits con- A 2011 survey by the Central condition when they arrived. 25-minute long speech. vote for him as the next five years take it away in handcarts to dump struction of non-flushing toilets Pollution Control Board showed “They came with serious com- “People are battling acute are crucial for growth,” said Modi. elsewhere. that must be emptied by hand, that just 160 out of nearly 8,000 plications in the kidney, lungs, poverty and inflation while the Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh “This dehumanising practice and sets out a one-year jail towns had sewerage systems and heart or liver,” a doctor said. Congress leaders are making a are scheduled for December. (of manual scavenging) is incon- term or a fine of up to Rs50,000 sewage treatment plants. Angry parents of the victims, joke of the people’s plight as they IANS sistent with the right to live with ($770) — or both — for anyone AFP however, alleged that their wards died because of negligence and mis- management at the hospital, which is regarded as a premier health Rowing into sunshine facility for children in the state. The state government has Valve problem hits formed a three-member panel to look into the matter. Crib deaths have been a recur- rent feature in West Bengal over Kudankulam project the years, with the BCRPGIPS — formerly the BC Roy Memorial CHENNAI: Problems with said: “The performance of some Hospital for Children — getting valves in the first unit at the parts can be checked only when into the headlines time and again Kudankulam Nuclear Power the power generation is increased for the wrong reasons. At least 50 Project (KNPP) has delayed the to certain levels.” “While we have children died at this hospital over synchronisation of the unit with issued clearance for the first unit ten days in June 2011. Eighteen of the grid, officials said. to generate 50 percent power tests the deaths occurred in two days, The Nuclear Power Corporation have to be done simultaneously and from different causes. of India Ltd (NPCIL), India’s corrective action are taken.” Four months later, between Oct atomic power plant opera- He said the systems will be 25-28, 16 babies died at the hospi- tor, is setting up two 1,000MW checked while increasing the tal, triggering angry demonstra- Russian reactors at Kudankulam power levels.“Till the unit gets tions by parents and prompting the in Tirunelveli district, around stabilised at a certain level, power government of West Bengal Chief 650km from here. After several generation will be increased and Minister Mamata Banerjee to set years of delay, the first 1,000 MW decreased,” he said. “Two valves up a Special Task Force for Health. Russian-made reactor at KNPP inside the condenser in the first Task force chairman Tridib and India’s 21st reactor began its unit seems to have got stuck and Banerjee denied the allegations nuclear fission process on July 13. they were later set right. of negligence. “Many patients are The 1,000MW first unit is “NPCIL officials had to go to the admitted at B C Roy in critical con- expected to be synchronised with root cause of the problem so that it dition. Doctors try their best, but the grid in 15-days time, they said. does not occur again which in turn still, at times, the condition of the A senior official of the Atomic has taken time,” a source said. patients is so bad, they die,” he said. Men are silhouetted as they row in the waters of Sukhana Lake in Chandigarh as the sun rises yesterday. Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) IANS IANS NRI deposit rates to get boost after central bank move

HE rupee defence However, the expected hike in liberalisation. points below the foreign fund inflows is likely to or convertible debentures of an move of liberalising deposit rates by banks did not Following up THE NR EYE market rate. fetch around $10bn. Indian company through open bank deposit rates for happen. A weakening rupee on this, the The move will Following the announcement, offers/delisting/exit offers.” non-resident Indians increases the hedging cost on such apex bank on Moiz Mannan encourage the the rupee, which had touched an Earlier in the week, the apex by the Reserve Bank deposits, discouraging banks from Wednesday banks to raise all-time intra-day low of 68.85 to bank simplified rules governing Tof India (RBI) is expected to come promoting them on a big scale. announced that such deposits as a dollar on August 28, immedi- investments by NRIs’ portfolio to fruition with the apex bank In the present situation, banks it will open a swap window to their cost of funds will decrease ately strengthened by hefty 138 investments like equities and debt. now offering banks a concessional are not going all out to raise non- attract foreign currency non- by at least 2.5 percent. In addition, paise to trade at 65.69 against the Under the porfolio investment window to swap dollar funds. resident deposits because to use resident (FCNR (B)) dollar funds. recently RBI has provided a dis- dollar at the Interbank Foreign schemes (PIS) for NRIs, banks It is nearly a month now that them locally, they have to swap RBI has also allowed banks to pensation to banks that they will Exchange market. were given unique code for each in its attempts to shore up the them into rupees. A swap ena- borrow overseas an additional 50 not have to maintain cash reserve Similarly, the RBI also eased branches, making it cumbersome plummeting rupee, the RBI had bles a bank to get back the same percent of their net worth and ratio and statutory liquidity ratio foreign direct investment (FDI) for them to administer the scheme. liberalised the interest rate on quantity of dollars to repay when swap that with RBI at 100bps for incremental FCNR (B) depos- norms and allowed banks to pro- RBI has now dispensed with FCNR deposits (for three- to five- the deposit matures even if the lower than the ongoing swap rate its. The swap facility is available vide guarantees on behalf of NRIs the unique code for branches and year maturity) to LIBOR/swap rupee has depreciated since then. prevailing in the market. to the banks till November 30. to acquire shares and debentures said banks shall be “free to permit plus 400 basis points (bps) from Typically forex swaps cost around The swap window for fresh dol- The RBI measure is aimed at in Indian companies. its branches to administer the PIS LIBOR/swap + 300bps. Under seven percent, which increases lar deposits mobilised from NRIs, providing forex cover to banks at In a notification on Thursday, scheme for NRI. the FCNR scheme, non-resident the cost of a dollar deposit equiva- which will be available to banks a reasonable cost so that they can RBI said “In order to provide The designated branch of the Indians (NRIs) are allowed to lent to 12.73 percent. up to November 30, 2013. The collect dollar deposits in normal operational flexibility and ease the bank will grant one time per- hold deposits in foreign currency, According to RBI, banks had central bank will offer the swap course and convert them into procedures, it has been decided to mission to the NRI applicant for thus avoiding exchange rate risks. requested it to consider a special for dollar funds mobilised for rupees using this forex cover. permit banks to issue bank guar- purchase and sale of shares or con- For NRIs, this was a huge concessional window for swap- three years and above at a fixed Experts say that the RBI move, antee, without prior approval of vertible debentures of an Indian opportunity to make the most ping FCNR deposits that will rate of 3.5 percent per annum at announced by new Governor the Reserve Bank, on behalf of company, RBI said in a notification. of their money earned abroad. be mobilised after interest rate a concessional rate of 100 basis Raghuram Rajan, for boosting a non-resident acquiring shares THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Alaska’s cat ICT Penetration ‘mayor’ on mend News in Numbers and UsageCHART: 1 10 Fajr (Dawn) 3:59 after dog attack Shorook (Sunrise) 5:17 Measures Taken for Children’s Online Safety by ANCHORAGE: The honor- Zuhr (Noon) 11:32 ary feline “mayor” of a small Mainstream Internet Users with Children Asr (Afternoon) 3:00 Alaska town is recovering after a vicious assault from a bitter Maghrib (Sunset) 5:47 rival — a local dog. Isha (Night) 7:17 Stubbs, a 16-year-old ginger cat, was mauled by the dog over the Labour Day holiday weekend and has been hospitalised at a veteri- WEATHER nary clinic. Stubbs appears to be bouncing Weather back from his wounds, accord- Today Monday Tuesday Conditions: ing to Lauri Stec, Stubbs’ owner Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Clear and manager of the local general Hot and slight dust store, Nagley’s. He could be home with some clouds by tomorrow. Stubbs has long been a celeb- High: 40° becoming relatively High: 38° High: 38° rity in the town of 900, a one-time Low: 32° Low: 30° Low: 32° humid by night. mining centre that is now best known as the base site for expedi- tions on nearby Mount McKinley, Around 70 percent of all mainstream parents are taking where he entertains tourists at DOHA - SUN & SEA Nagley’s. Years ago he was unof- action to protect their children online, with half relying ficially dubbed Talkeetna’s honor- SUN TIDE SEA ary mayor. on physical monitoring like overseeing computer use in SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND “I can’t tell you how many peo- ple have been here every single day a common household area, and lesser numbers taking 05:17 17:47 06:30 & 18:30 00:30 & 12:15 05-15 KT who want to see him, take pictures of him, pet him,” Stec said of the THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW measures such as tracking online activity with screening cat known for his habit of drinking HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER catnip-laced water from a wine glass. “He’s pretty patient.” tools, using blocking software, or discussing Internet safety. MUSCAT 31/27 Partly cloudy 30/26 Partly cloudy These days, Stubbs commu- nicates with out-of-town fans KUWAIT 44/31 Clear 42/30 Clear Children’s Computer is in a Common Room in the House through a Facebook page, where on BAHRAIN 43/25 Clear 40/25 Clear Friday he posted an upbeat assess- 45% SANAA 29/16 Partly cloudy 27/15 Chance of storm ment of his medical condition Track Children’s Activity on the Computer RIYADH 42/29 Partly cloudy 43/27 Clear “I had the tube from my lung 36% DUBAI 41/32 Partly cloudy 41/32 Partly cloudy taken out today, and have even Block/Filter Selected Websites BAGHDAD 40/25 Clear 40/26 Clear had a bit of an appetite (though 29% no mouse hunts are in my imme- No Measures THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW diate future),” the Stubbs Mayor 29% HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Cat posted early Friday. Prevent Clicks on Malicious Sites Technically, there is no mayor 25% or city government in Talkeetna, ATHENS 30/22 Clear 29/22 Clear Discuss Internet Safety with Your Children WASHINGTON 29/17 Chance of storm 26/22 Partly cloudy a two hours’ drive north from Anchorage. The unincorporated 20% SYDNEY 25/14 Chance of rain 31/16 Partly cloudy Turn Safe Search On LONDON 19/11 Partly cloudy 21/12 Partly cloudy community — reputed to be the inspiration for fictional Cicely in PARIS 23/13 Chance of rain 20/13 Chance of rain 16% the television series “Northern ISTANBUL 25/16 Partly cloudy 23/16 Partly cloudy Random Check of Your Children’s Email Exposure” — is part of the regional MANILA 32/24 Mostly cloudy 33/24 Mostly cloudy 9% Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and DHAKA 31/25 Chance of storm 31/25 Chance of storm local governing duties fall to the DELHI 35/27 Partly cloudy 35/26 Clear borough mayor, assembly, school ISLAMABAD 32/23 Chance of storm 32/22 Chance of storm board and other borough bodies. Source : Supreme Council of Information & Communication Technology REUTERS

Chinese left confused by bizarre missive Damascus cinema struggles to stay open on Xi’s ring DAMASCUS: The Fardos cin- the projection room to see how the have more than 40 people a night. ema used to attract poor cus- film reels worked,” he adds with a Nowadays it’s four at the most,” he BEIJING: Chinese tomers from the outskirts of big smile. He sees himself when he laments. Internet users have Damascus, but war has driven looks at the little boy who today “Sometimes no one comes at all been left scratching its clientele away and forced it to stands outside the cinema, selling after 5pm because people are afraid their heads after state show the same films for two years. small chocolates and other sweets to go out after night falls. Before media issued a bizarre At one time, Fardos — Arabic for to customers outside. the war we used to stay open until report yesterday Paradise — drew in customers eager One of Damascus’ few modern midnight.” denying a story about to enjoy a movie in the centre of the multiplex movie theatres, Cinema An air of sadness hangs over President Xi Jinping Syrian capital. City, closed its doors in April as the the 800-seat theatre, where just a wearing a wedding But the conflict has dried up the country’s conflict worsened. handful of viewers watch a subtitled ring during the G20 cinema’s supply of movies, and its It was a rare place where Western movie, one of them in the summit in Russia. clientele have mostly fled, or no Damascenes could see the latest process of nodding off. The official Xinhua longer venture into town for such movies, and its entrance in the The seats are faded green, some news agency put out a indulgences. centre of the city is still bricked up. broken altogether, and bits of rub- one-line report stating: The beating heart of the cinema “Their chic customers left the bish are visible on the floor, adding “Talk on the Internet is manager Jamal Al Sassa, who capital; no one goes to the cinema to a sense that the place has been about Xi Jinping wear- sits in a stuffy, run-down office, its anymore,” Sassa says. forgotten by time. ing a wedding ring walls covered with yellowing movie The closure has had a disastrous “Sometimes I come and see the at the G20 summit is posters that give off a faintly musty knock-on effect for “second-hand” same film. I feel good here, I can fake information.” It smell. cinemas like Fardos, which used to A man enters Fardos Cinema, in the Syrian capital of Damascus. even smoke,” Fardos customer provided no further Sassa, in his 50s, has an enthu- buy movies from Cinema City after Samer says. explanation. siasm for the movies worthy of their run. four films a month,” he adds with in crisis because of the Internet and “Some people spend the whole The denial comes as Giuseppe Tornatore’s Oscar- Now the latest films available at an air of resignation. satellite television,” Sassa says. day in the darkened room,” Sassa China embarks on yet winning “Cinema Paradiso”, about Fardos include 2009’s Bride Wars, “And when I get through all 30 “But with the war, the poorer laughs. His smile is brief — it pains another crackdown on a filmmaker with a passion for the starring Anne Hathaway and Kate films, I’ll start all over again.” people who used to come to us from him deeply to see the theatre empty, what it terms “online medium. Hudson, and Friends with Benefits, Not only does the cinema suffer Damascus province are not around the seats untouched and the films rumours”, as the con- “I fell in love with the cinema from 2011, with Justin Timberlake from a shrinking pool of movies, but anymore.” unwatched. trol-obsessed govern- when I was just a little boy,” says and Mila Kunis. a dwindling customer base as well. Battles between rebels and “I’ve become sick. For me, the ment tries once again Sassa, who has run the cinema for “The last lot of films we bought By the end of the afternoon on regime forces have raged on the most beautiful thing in the job is to to rein in social media. about 15 years. was in 2011,” when the Syrian con- a regular day in Damascus, fewer outskirts of the capital, where the be behind my desk and watch peo- Xinhua’s report “I started here when I was 12, flict began, Sassa says. than 10 people had bought tickets. opposition fighters have sought to ple’s reactions to a film,” he says. appeared to stem from selling sweets, but I used to go to “Since then, I’ve been showing “Cinemas in Syria were already establish rear bases. “We used to AFP a lingering shot carried on state television ear- lier in the week of Xi’s right hand, complete with the ring, which had been discussed on social media sites as Dallas Zoo to raise cheetah cubs with a Labrador puppy an image of China’s president wearing DALLAS: The Dallas Zoo naturally comfortable in public his wedding ring had will raise a pair of chee- settings, Amani will provide a apparently never been tah cubs with a Labrador calming influence for the cubs, shown before. retriever puppy, believing the as well as another playmate as Chinese do not dog will be a calming influ- they grow to adulthood,” the commonly wear wed- ence on the big cats as they statement said. ding rings, though the grow to adulthood. Cheetahs are endangered practice is catching The 8-week-old male chee- with an estimated 10,000 in on among the middle tahs Winspear and Kamau have existence, the zoo said. classes. REUTERS arrived in Dallas, the zoo said, In the wild, adult cheetahs after a team of experts spent are the world’s fastest land ani- two weeks with them at their mals reaching speeds of 60 miles birthplace, the Smithsonian per hour (97 kmph), according Conservation Biology Institute to National Geographic. in Front Royal. Now weighing about 8 and 6 They will be raised alongside pounds (3.6 kg and 2.7 kg), the an 8-week-old black Labrador cheetahs are expected to grow retriever puppy named Amani, to about 3 feet (1m) tall at the the zoo said. shoulder and weigh up to 140 “Zoological experts have pounds (63 kg), the zoo said. Amani, the eight-week-old black Labrador retriever puppy and (right) eight-week-old male cheetahs Winspear and Kamau. found that because dogs are REUTERS Sunday 8 September 2013 2 Dhul-qa’da 1434 Volume 18 Number 5816 Price: QR2

Fall in QE index to continue

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Mackeen Holding Company Consumer Electronics fair posts QR96.5m revenue in H1 Firm records 141pc growth in operating income in first half of 2013

DOHA: Mackeen Holding Company recorded previous years due to the strength of this of its commercial and administrative real estate 141 percent growth in operating income at financial performance. Mackeen Holding has units at Al Khor and Commercial Salwa road the end of the first half of 2013 compared to been consistent distributors of dividend, since — the profits for which will be reflected in the the same period of last year. Total revenue inception, to its shareholders and has distrib- financial results at the end of this year. also increased from QR 73.9m at the end of uted annual profits exceeding 10 percent. Al Hashmi also revealed that Mackeen the second quarter of last year to QR96.5m The value of its assets increased from Development Company has begun construction for the same period of the current year. QR100m in 2007 to QR1.1bn as at the end of work for Doha Nile project which is considered The financial performance of the company first half of 2013 while the total assets under one of the iconic projects in Al Khartoum. This in the second quarter of the year 2013 reflects management of the projects managed today project includes more than 2000 housing units, the success of the company’s strategy of diver- by the company exceeds QR8bn. commercial complex, five-star hotels, busi- sification in its local investments and inter- With regards to the subsidiary compa- ness centre and a shopping mall. Mackeen has national investments in countries that are nies, Al Hashmi stressed the performance of started selling units from Doha Nile project. witnessing growth and economic stability, said Mackeen Technology Company achieving an In the medical field, Al Hashmi noted, Ali Abdul Rahman Al Hashmi, Group CEO. important position in the local IT market in the plans were approved from the Supreme The sales of the company increased by 148 a short period. This company is looking for- Council of Health for the Medical Project in percent compared to previous year, as the net ward to entering new industry verticals. It Al Markhiya area. This project will include operating income achieved an increase of 40 has been successful in winning new tenders the largest medical clinics complex in Qatar. percent more than financially planned. It also for the development of electronic surveillance Mackeen Holding’s presence in the indus- boosted its profits after the sale of some devel- system in projects such as Al Fardan Jewellery, trial sector is through its subsidiary company oped land in the health sector, he said. International Islamic and a group comprising Mackeen Industrial. This company’s activities The total expenses were lower by 7.3 percent. the most famous seven five- stars hotels in have expanded in the first half of 2013, through The company part prepaid its loan causing a 27.7 Doha. As a result of the above performance, the launch of a factory manufacturing Gypsum percent decline in its total debt. Subsequent to Mackeen Technology achieved a substantial boards. The manufactured Gypsum Board will the early prepayment, the debts to asset ratio increase in its sales by 195.2 percent. meet the needs of the local construction market. Visitors look at ultra flat bent TV screens in the halls at the declining from 31.2 percent in the end of the Mackeen Holding, has been successful in cre- Leveraging on this success, Mackeen Industrial second half of last year to 28.5 percent as in the ating a branch in London through a presence is working on expanding its production facilities Berlin Radio Show IFA in Berlin yesterday. The IFA, a leading end of first half of the current year. that offers real estate services for its clients through the establishment of a new Factory as international trade fair of Consumer Electronics and Home The profits for the complete year are who are interested in real estate investment. Al a part of its investments in the industrial sector Appliances, is open to the public until September 11. expected to be more than the profits of the Hashmi said the company has initiated rental inside Qatar. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Emerging market crisis may derail recovery: QNB Group

DOHA: The emerging mar- data. This announcement marked shaken EM consumer and inves- economies. Unlike in the 1990s, ket (EM) crisis currently under an end to three waves of QE that tor confidence, which will inevita- advanced economies are today way in Asia and Latin America have flooded US financial mar- bly lead to lower economic growth more than ever dependent on EM may derail the incipient global kets since 2009 with an estimated going forward. EM Central banks for their own growth. China, the economic recovery, according to $2.9 trillion (19.3 percent of US have added to the capital flight by US, Germany and Japan were the QNB Group. The financial tur- GDP), according to the economic trying to lean against the wind. world’s largest exporters in 2012 moil unleashed by the Federal research of the Federal Reserve They have used their interna- and an increasing share of their Reserve announcement that Bank of St. Louis. tional reserves and raised policy exports have flown to emerging it will start tapering its asset- The opportunities, however, rates to defend their currencies. markets in recent years. purchasing programme soon — to invest these resources have Most prominent in this defence A significant decline in EM the so-called quantitative easing been limited in advanced econ- has been the Reserve Bank of India, growth would inevitably have (QE) — has led to large capital omies given near-zero interest which has witnessed a decline in a knock-on effect on their own flight from most EM, a large rates in Europe, Japan, and the the rupee of 14 percent since June exports and therefore on their weakening of their currencies, US. Global financial institutions 19. In response, the RBI has used growth momentum. This comes at and higher long-term interest therefore used a significant por- its international reserves to defend a critical time in the global recov- rates globally. tion of this liquidity to invest the rupee and tightened liquidity. ery, where the United States is still If the Fed starts QE tapering in EM, which offered higher Restrictions on gold imports and showing relatively weak economic in its forthcoming meeting on returns. This led to higher EM capital account outflows have also growth and Europe is slowly com- September 17-18 as announced, exchange rates, lower interest been tightened in order to stem the ing out of a two-year long reces- this is likely to unleash further rates, and to some extent higher outflow without success. sion. A significant slowdown in EM EM capital flight, thus under- growth momentum. At the same time, there are economic growth could therefore mining their economic growth Unfortunately, the QE party for early signs that the Indian econ- put in jeopardy the recovery in and reducing global export EM came to an end on June 19.As omy is slowing down rapidly, with advanced economies as well. demand. This will inevitably has been the case in previous EM the HSBC Purchasing Managers’ Overall, all indicators show have a knock-on effect on the crises, it pays to be the first one Index indicating the manufactur- that QE tapering may, at this relatively weak growth in the out of the door, because exchange ing sector contracted in August for stage, have negative implica- US and the incipient recovery in rates are still high and it is easier the first time since the global eco- tions for both EM and advanced Europe. Ultimately, QE tapering to liquidate large financial invest- nomic crisis of 2009. There is even economies. During the Jackson- may well be self-defeating as it ments when foreign exchange talk of a possible IMF credit line Hole meeting in late August, Fed could in fact lead to lower growth liquidity is still plentiful. to help India weather the storm. officials have ruled out taking a both in the US and the rest of the Accordingly, global financial Similar narratives are occurring global perspective into account world, thus derailing the global institutions have rushed to liqui- in other EM, like Brazil, Indonesia in formulating their QE tapering. economic recovery according to date their EM investments since and, to a lesser extent, Malaysia According to the QNB Group, if QNB Group. the Fed announcement in order and Thailand. Overall, the EM cri- the Fed does taper now, this will On June 19, Fed Chairman Ben to cash in their capital gains and The result has been a panic bonds globally, thus leading to sis resembles in many aspects the worsen the EM crisis and may Bernanke announced a tapering avoid being faced with policy selling of EM exchange rates. higher long-term interest rates Asia crisis of the late 1990s. derail the global economic recov- of its QE policies contingent upon measures that could restrict their The Fed announcement has also in EM and, to a lesser extent, in Today’s EM crisis has serious ery, including in the US. continued positive US economic capital movement. lowered demand for government advanced economies. This has implications also for advanced THE PENINSULA Fall in QE index to continue BY BASHIR YUSUF KAHLOUT only two companies, which are Dlala (DBIS) and Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC), OR the second week in a row, Qatar while cinema’s share price remained unchanged. Exchange (QE) continued to perform in The share price of Gulf International (GISS) wit- line with the rest of the markets in the nessed the highest drop by 7.92 percent, followed Fregion amid reports of a possible US strike by Qatar German Co Med (QMD) by 7.09 percent. on Bashar Al Assad regime in Syria. Though the QE Al Meera fell by 7.07 percent and Ooredoo dropped traded in green zone in early sessions of the week, 6.55 percent. While UDC lost 6.45 percent, Qatar the market later slipped into the red. Meat and Livestock share price fell by 6.07 percent. There was no news about the listed companies In contrast, Dlala (DBIS) share price rose by during the week, except two deals — the first was significant 5.66 percent, and Qatar Industrial announcement of an acquisition by the National Manufacturing increased by 1.87 percent. Leasing Company (NLCS) of Al Nassir driving In terms of liquidity, the total trading value was school. The second was about a contract signed by reduced to QR1.4703bn and daily trading average Qafac with Gulf Warehousing Company whereby the decreased by 37.5 percent to QR294.1m, compared latter would provide storage services with QR470.3m the previous week. for a period of three years for $6m. The total trading value of top six com- As a result of the political devel- panies amounted to about QR700.5m, opments, the benchmark index has which was 47.6 percent of the total. dropped in the entire week’s sessions The trading value of Industries Qatar by a total of 414 points below that topped with QR228.4m, followed by of the previous week. The all-share QNB valued at QR173.6m. UDC’s index and all-sector and indexes were trading value amounted to QR 85.5m, down, and the total capitalisation loss and Al- Rayyan with QR83.3m. Al was QR21bn falling to QR505.4bn. Khalij (KCBK) trading value reached QR64.85m and In detailing the developments during the week, I Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQK) at QR64.84m. could point out that the benchmark index dropped The market capitalisation fell by QR21.bn to close Officials pose for a group picture in Doha recently by 414.1 points, which is 4.31 percent, to reach 9204.9 at the end of the week at QR505.4bn. Qatar portfolios points. The all-share index also dropped by 97.9 have bought a net worth QR96.6m, and non-Qatari points, or 4.04 percent, to 2326.5 points. individuals bought a net of QR2.5m. On other hand, The drop of the benchmark index and all-share the net selling by foreign portfolio wasworth QR59.5m. Qafac, Gulf Warehousing index were based on the fall of stock prices in all sec- To conclude, QE stock index continued to decline tors, where telecommunications sector decreased by due to the strong impact of the late political develop- 6.02 percent, followed by the consumer goods and serv- ments, and dropped by 4.5 percent. The push down ices (4.71 percent), and the industrial index by 4.12 per- on the benchmark is associated with fall in all major cent. The transportation sector index dropped to 3.86 groups including the total trading value, which fell to Company sign agreement percent, the banking sector index by 3.81 percent, and QR1.45bn in the week. It is likely that the financial the real estate sector index dropped by 3.73 percent. markets will remain in turmoil due to the political DOHA: Qatar Fuel Additives management services and pro- chain solutions”, said Abdulaziz Al The decrease was a result of decline in the share uncertainties in Syria. Company Ltd (Qafac) has signed vide end-to-end document Taleb, Managing Director, Board prices of 39 companies, and rising stock prices of THE PENINSULA an agreement for records man- management services in an FM member and Acting Group CEO agement services offsite stor- 200 Gas-based fire protection of GWC. age and material storage: Spare system, retrieval and re-filing Under the agreement, Qafac’s parts, equipment and hazardous of documents with monitored offsite storage will be managed at materials wit Gulf Warehousing IP-based cameras in addition to GWC’s new warehousing facilities Company (GWC), Nasser Jeham 24x7 manned security and elec- at Mesaieed, which were concep- Al Kuwari General Manger of tronics security measures. tualised and developed to service Qafac, has announced. In addition to this, Qafac has Mesaieed Industrial City (MIC) Under the agreement, GWC also entered into agreement with companies. will index, catalogue and archive GWC appointing them as their “Our new facilities at MIC all essential documents of Qafac freight forwarder for import have been equipped with the lat- at their state-of-the-art facility and export of all material via est in-rack sprinkler systems, as in Industrial Area. GWC will also sea freight. well as wireless coverage within provide storage facility approved “We are delighted to have been the warehouses for full Radio- by Civil Defence compliant to awarded this contract after our frequency (paperless) opera- international standards for chem- competitive bid. GWC has been tions. These warehouses are also ical storage, pressurised contain- providing Qafac with several logis- equipped with specialized camera- ers and spare parts with on line tics services and the addition of mounted forklifts for maximum visibility through their warehouse warehousing will strengthen the safety, and a team which is fully management system software. partnership of the two companies. trained in HSE and dangerous GWC is accredited with GWC constantly strives to add goods operations”, said Nader PRISM membership for its value to our customers by providing Hakim, COO of GWC. qualitative approach in records efficient and cost-effective supply THE PENINSULA

Yuan joins world’s most traded currencies HONG KONG: China’s yuan has joined the ranks $4.7 trillion daily. The BIS, which is an international of the most traded currencies for the first time, organization of central banks, said the yuan along underlining the growing might of the country’s with the Mexican peso, which rose to No. 8, “saw the economy, the world’s second-largest. most significant rise in market share among major The yuan became one of the top 10 traded cur- emerging market currencies.” rencies in 2013, rising to No. 9 on the list due to a The yuan is not yet fully convertible but Beijing “significant expansion” in offshore trading, the Bank has been gradually loosening controls. It has started for International Settlements said in a report. It’s allowing companies to settle international trans- a sharp jump from the bank’s last survey in 2010, actions in yuan, signed currency swap deals with when the yuan was No. 17 on the list. Pakistan, Thailand South Korea and others and has Turnover in trades involving yuan surged to worked with financial centres such as London and $120bn a day on average in April 2013, three and half Hong Kong to develop international hubs for off- times more than the $34bn in 2010. Still, that figure shore trading of the currency. is dwarfed by the dollar, which accounted for about AP SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 China buys into Kazakh oilfield in $5bn deal Countries agree pacts worth $30bn

ASTANA: Chinese President five times the size of France but Xi Jinping struck a deal with has a population of just 17 million. Kazakhstan yesterday giv- Last week, Xi visited Kazakhstan’s ing China a stake in its giant neighbour Turkmenistan, which Kashagan oil project, a high- holds the world’s fourth-largest light of his tour of Central Asia natural gas reserves, and oversaw to secure hydrocarbons for the deals aiming to boost gas supplies world’s largest energy consumer. and build a pipeline to China. The $5bn deal further increases China’s rising clout in post-Soviet INDIA’S HOPES DASHED Central Asia, once Russia’s impe- The Kazakh deal comes after rial backyard, and blocks an Astana decided in July to use its attempt by global rival India to get pre-emptive right to buy an 8.4 a stake in the oilfield, the world’s percent stake in Kashagan that largest oil discovery in five decades. US oil major ConocoPhillips was “The two countries have agreed selling for $5bn. on China’s share-holding in the Houston-based ConocoPhillips, development of the Kashagan whittling down its worldwide deposit,” Xi told a news briefing portfolio of assets, announced last after talks with Kazakh President year it had agreed to sell the stake Nursultan Nazarbayev. “The two to ONGC, the overseas arm of the governments hail and support this Indian state-run company. agreement.” The sale to CNPC blocks Oil and gas deals, including India’s plan to enter Kashagan. on building an oil refinery in Kazakhstan, home to 3 percent of A Greek man walks past an effigy depicting a public school guard with a banner reading “This is not a suicide, it is a murder” placed by municipal workers Kazakhstan, are among 22 agree- the world’s recoverable oil reserves, outside the town hall in Thessaloniki as they protest against austerity measures and the layoff of public workers, yesterday. ments worth some $30bn reached has moved in recent years to exert during Xi’s visit, Nazarbayev said. greater management control and Under the Kashagan deal, secure bigger revenues from for- Kazakhstan will sell 8.33 percent of eign-owned oil and gas projects. Greek PM promises recovery from 2014 the offshore oilfield in the Caspian KazMunaiGas entered the Sea to China for about $5 billion. Kashagan consortium as a share- ATHENS: Greece’s economy ¤11bn ($14.43bn) directly, and more traditional role of opposi- adjustment (cutting the budget The sale and purchase agree- holder in 2005 and has since then will start to recover next year ¤30bn ($39.35bn) indirectly, into tion leader by officially visiting deficit) in the world,” he said, refer- ment was signed by the heads of doubled its stake to 16.81 percent. and by 2020 will reach pre-cri- the economy.” the trade fair. ring to the efforts of the socialist Kazakh state oil and gas company Kashagan and neighbouring sis, and probably higher, levels Despite the upbeat speech, Samaras criticised the opposi- government, from 2009 to 2011, and KazMunaiGas and China National fields in the North Caspian hold of prosperity after six years of there were still signs that a sense tion Friday, accusing it of rejoic- two coalition governments hence. Petroleum Corp (CNPC) in the estimated reserves of 35 billion deep recession, the prime min- of normalcy is far from being ing in the country’s problems and “In 2009, we were paying ¤13bn presence of the two presidents. barrels of oil, with between 9 bil- ister said yesterday. restored. Authorities restricted of rejecting any “reasonable” way a year to service the debt and ... “We suppose that the trans- lion and 13 billion barrels recover- Antonis Samaras said most of access to the trade fair grounds out of the crisis. He hit out at at that, pace, we would be paying action will be closed by late able. A multinational consortium the efforts to get the country out to keep protesters a kilometre both SYRIZA and the far right ¤29bn in 2013. Instead, we will September or late October,” a developing the field has invested of the crisis have been completed away from there and another Golden Dawn party, saying the be paying just ¤6.5bn this year. Kazakh official said. CNPC will some $50bn in about 13 years, and that revenue will exceed site where Samaras visited local two extremes were voting the Because we also achieved the also pay up to $3bn to cover half making it the costliest oil project spending in 2013, excluding debt businesspeople. Most of the city same way, against his coalition biggest debt haircut ever, ¤145bn of Kazakhstan’s financing of the in the world. repayment. center has been cut off to traf- government, so that “they can euros, in 2012,” Samaras said, second phase of Kashagan’s devel- Trial runs at the giant reser- “Greece has turned the corner fic since Friday and nearly 4,500 fight it over Greece’s ruins.” referring to the agreement that opment, KazMunaiGas head Sauat voir off western Kazakhstan are ... After the end of the year, we police officers patrolled the area. On the other hand, Samaras allowed Greece to be forgiven that Mynbayev said. This phase is set to begin on Monday, and it will achieve a new lightening of Samaras himself stayed in the thanked his socialist coalition sum from private creditors. expected to start after 2020. may take between three weeks the debt burden, which our credi- city less than five hours, forgoing, partner, and even the Democratic “All this, without defaulting or Another draft agreement would and a month before commericial tors have committed to,” Samaras for the second straight year, the Left party, which left the coalition leaving the euro ... Staying in the guarantee loans from The China production starts, Mynbayev said. said in a speech opening up the traditional long news conference a couple of months ago, for help- euro, has allowed Greece to be Development Bank and The During Kashagan’s develop- annual international trade fair in that every premier used to give on ing pass austerity measures that made an island of stability in the Export-Import Bank of China — ment, production will be gradu- Thessaloniki, Greece’s No. 2 city. the day following the inauguration. staved off bankruptcy. wider region,” he said, referring to worth respectively $3bn and $5bn ally increased to 370,000 barrels Samaras said his optimism Opposition leader Alexis Samaras took an indirect swipe the situation in the Middle East — to Kazakhstan’s state holding per day in the second stage from was fueled by data that showed Tsipras, leader of the Radical at his predecessor as conservative and northern Africa. He added firm Baiterek, which promotes 180,000 b/d in the first stage in the economy shrank less than Left Coalition (SYRIZA) party leader, Costas Karamanlis, whose that Greece could enhance its innovation and industrial projects. 2013-14, according to North expected in the first half of 2013 will march with the biggest pro- government has been blamed for international status by becoming, China is already involved in a Caspian Operating Company and by what he termed a “record” test rally, called by the country’s policies from 2004 to 2009 that together with Cyprus and Israel, number of oil projects in its vast which is developing the field. rise in the number of tourists, two largest unions for Saturday helped derail the economy. “We an “axis of stability in the region.” resource-rich neighbour, which is REUTERS which could add “more than afternoon. He will also fulfill his have achieved the biggest fiscal AP

Sesame seeds harvest Dhaman to host Arab investment conference DOHA: The Arab Investment & Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman), in collaboration with Arab Planning Institute (API) and Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, will host “Arab Investment Meeting: Investment Attractiveness Gap” on December 11–12, 2013 at The Arab Organisation Building, in Kuwait. The meeting will be attended by many leaders from the region, and officials involved in foreign investment and development planning in A Palestinian farmer (right) sorts freshly harvested sesame seeds in his field in the West Bank village of Arab countries from private Sanour, near Jenin, yesterday. and public sectors, as well as specialists and experts in the field of foreign investments. The two-day meeting, convening under the theme Apple to ship iPhones to China Mobile “Investment Attractiveness Gap”, will address the practi- NEW YORK CITY: China’s version. The Journal cited uni- in Tokyo earlier that Apple cal ways to face the existing biggest mobile carrier looks set dentified people with knowl- has agreed a deal with Japan’s challenges and make use of to sell Apple’s iPhone, hugely edge of the deal as saying that biggest mobile carrier, NTT the investment opportunities increasing the California- Apple had asked manufacturing Docomo, to sell its iPhone. through partnership projects based company’s distribution partner Foxconn to add China NTT Docomo is in the final supporting development. in the world’s largest smart- Mobile to its list of carriers to stages of negotiations with Apple The forum aims to open phone market, the Wall Street receive a low-cost iPhone. after losing millions of custom- the door for dialogue on a Journal reported on Friday. If confirmed it would finally ers to its domestic rivals, which number of issues, includ- Apple is preparing to ship give Apple access to one of the are way ahead in carrying the ing Exchange of information iPhones to China Mobile, in a world’s biggest major wireless handset in Japan, the leading and experiences between the successful conclusion to years carriers which does not offer the Nikkei business daily reported. foreign investors in the Arab of negotiations with the Chinese company’s smartphones. It comes The carrier could start selling countries and the planning wireless giant which has some as Apple’s sales in China slipped the gadget as early as September authorities in these coun- 700 million subscribers, the 14 percent from a year ago in the 20, the Asahi newspaper said. tries; assess the inter-Arab Journal reported on its website. third quarter to $4.6bn. The Japanese carrier is looking and foreign investment situ- The report comes as Apple Apple has scheduled an to reverse years of lost business ation and in the Arab world prepares an event at its head- announcement in Beijing on as the iPhone soars in popularity, and reforms to be brought in quarters next week where it Wednesday, a day after its supplying a big boost for domes- to attract investments to the is expected to unveil two new planned event in California. The tic rivals KDDI and SoftBank. region. iPhones, including a cheaper development followed reports AFP THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Commodity prices rally over Syria fears Brent North Sea crude climbs; gold falls to $1,387 an ounce; cocoa futures hit one-year highs

LONDON: Oil prices won sup- Department reported, fewer than initial expression of support from for September grew to $110.16 a to $7,135 a tonne from $7,111.75 Robusta for November increased port this week from fears of a the 177,000 expected by analysts. Congress for a US-led attack had barrel, from $108.02. a week earlier. Three-month to $1,773 a tonne from $1,757. US-led military strike against The unemployment rate ticked increased the likelihood of mili- PRECIOUS METALS: The aluminium fell to $1,817 a tonne SUGAR: Futures rallied on Syria, while commodity mar- down a tenth of a point to 7.3 tary action. This has raised con- price of gold fell slightly over from $1,820. Three-month lead the prospect of supplies being less ket traders reacted also to percent, the lowest rate since cerns “that the unrest may spread the week despite winning sup- dropped to $2,145.25 a tonne from abundant than thought. uncertainty over the timing of December 2008. in the Middle East region, which port from tensions over Syria. $2,162. Three-month tin gained “The surplus in sugar is noth- the Federal Reserve’s stimulus Many analysts said the weak accounts for a third of the world’s By late Friday on the London to $22,675 a tonne from $21,150. ing like as large as it is assumed tapering. August jobs report would not dis- crude, and disrupts oil supplies”, Bullion Market, the price of Three-month nickel increased to be,” broker Czarnikow said in a US President Barack Obama courage the Fed from tapering its she said. gold fell to $1,387 an ounce from to $13,933 a tonne from $13,864. note to clients. “In fact, what we and Russian counterpart Vladimir $85bn a month asset-purchase New York crude had struck $1,394.75 a week earlier. Silver Three-month zinc slipped to believe has happened is that the Putin failed on Friday to end their programme, known as quantitative $112.24 a barrel the previous slipped to $23.05 an ounce from $1,887.75 a tonne from $1,905.25. (recent) fall in price and increase bitter dispute over US plans for easing, as soon as its September week, which was the highest level $23.64. On the London Platinum COCOA: Futures hit one-year in affordability have been enough military action in Syria, as half 17-18 monetary policy meeting. since early May 2011. At the same and Palladium Market, platinum highs as tight supply worries to encourage a sharp rise in... of the G20 called for a “strong” But some hinted that Friday’s time, Brent oil soared to $117.34 a dipped to $1,498 an ounce from returned to the market. By Friday demand,” it added. response to a chemical weapons jobs data could delay the process. barrel, last seen in late February. $1,527. Palladium dropped to $699 on LIFFE, London’s futures By Friday on NYBOT-ICE, the attack blamed on the regime. “Weaker than expected US Although Syria is not a major an ounce from $741. exchange, cocoa for delivery in price of unrefined sugar for deliv- The United States signalled labour market data casts doubt on oil producer, traders are nervous BASE METALS: Base or March stood at £1,675 a tonne ery in October climbed to 16.77 that it had given up on securing (the) timing of taper,” said Katie about a broader conflict in the industrial metals were mixed compared with £1,639 for the US cents a pound from 16.36 cents Moscow’s support at the UN on Evans, economist at the Centre crude-rich Middle East region, amid Syria and US data. Price December contract a week earlier. a week earlier. the crisis, as Putin reiterated a for Economics and Business including neighbouring Iraq, which falls among certain metals are On New York’s NYBOT-ICE On LIFFE, the price of a tonne warning that it would be “out- Research in London. is becoming a major exporter. “due primarily to the generally exchange, cocoa for December of white sugar for October jumped side the law” to attack without OIL: Crude futures built on By Friday on London’s higher risk aversion among mar- climbed to $2,561 a tonne from to $492.30 from $474.50. the UN’s blessing. the previous week’s strong gains Intercontinental Exchange, Brent ket players, the Syrian conflict in $2,468 a week earlier. RUBBER: Prices rose in key Also occupying traders’ minds as traders continued to plough North Sea crude for delivery in particular continuing to weigh COFFEE: Prices climbed as a market Malaysia. The Malaysian was news of disappointing US jobs money into crude on the back of October climbed to $116.00 a bar- on sentiment”, noted analysts at weaker dollar lifted demand. By Rubber Board’s benchmark growth in August, according to escalating tensions over Syria. rel from $114.74 a week earlier. Commerzbank. Friday on NYBOT-ICE, Arabica SMR20 climbed to 245.70 US government data Friday. Teoh Say Hwa, head of On the New York Mercantile By Friday on the London for delivery in December grew to cents a kilo from 241.85 cents the The economy added 169,000 investment at Phillip Futures Exchange, West Texas Metal Exchange, copper for 117.80 US cents a pound from 117.45 previous week. jobs in August, the Labour in Singapore, said the Intermediate or light sweet crude delivery in three months rose cents a week earlier. On LIFFE, AFP

Offshore wind power farm Sawiris still keen on Ford chief to Telecom Italia stake stay through MILAN: Egyptian telecoms have also rejected this year a next year tycoon Naguib Sawiris said merger offer from Hong Kong- yesterday that he was still based Hutchison Whampoa, NEW YORK: Ford Motor Co. interested in taking a stake in mainly due to differences over Chief Executive Officer Alan Telecom Italia but might be dis- valuation. Mulally said on Friday that he couraged if the Italian govern- The company is struggling intends to stay as head of the ment was opposed. under a ¤29bn debt and shrinking second-biggest US carmaker In an emailed statement to margins in its core market Italy through next year, following Reuters, Sawiris said he was con- but owns valuable assets in Brazil reports that Microsoft Corp sidering a “potential investment in and Argentina. may seek to recruit him. Telecom Italia” but might not sub- “I plan to continue to serve mit a proposal “in view of (Italy’s)... OPEN TO OPTIONS as Ford’s president and CEO alleged preference for Telefonica “There is a commitment by until at least the end of 2014,” reported in the Italian press.” the (Telecom Italia) chairman to remain “absolutely laser Telecom Italia is seen as (Franco Bernabe) to present a focused” on earnings growth, an early takeover target in a plan and options by Sept. 19,” Mulally wrote in an email to shake-up of the sector expected Enrico Cucchiani, CEO of Telecom Bloomberg News. “I love serv- to be triggered by Verizon Italia investor IntesaSanpaolo ing Ford and will continue Communications’ $130bn buyout told Reuters in a TV interview. serving Ford,” Mulally said in of British operator Vodafone from “We are open to all options that an interview from Berlin with their US wireless business. make strategic sense for the com- Anna Edwards on Bloomberg The struggling Italian firm’s pany” Regarding Intesa’s Telecom Television’s Countdown. board meets on September 19 Italia, stake, he added. Mulally, 68, has been talked to discuss how to push the com- Italian insurer Generali, about as a possible interim CEO pany forward, including a pos- another core investor in Telecom at Microsoft, technology-news sible change of the shareholder Italia, said it was willing to sell its website AllThingsD reported on structure. stake to focus on the insurance September 2. Microsoft CEO Italy’s largest fixed-line opera- business but would decide on the Steve Ballmer, 57, said on August tor telecoms firm by clients is timing on any potential sale after 23 that he plans to step down in controlled by a group of investors the board meeting. the next 12 months, kicking off that own 22.4 percent through “When we move out will depend a debate about his possible suc- corporate holding Telco, with very much on what we hear from cessor at the US software maker. Spanish peer Telefonica the big- the board on September 19 in terms Speculation on Ballmer’s poten- gest shareholder. of strategy” and ways to improve tial replacement has focused on In an unsourced report, an valuation, Generali Chairman Nokia CEO Stephen Elop following Italian newspaper said on Friday Gabriele Galateri told Reuters. the Finnish manufacturer’s $7.2bn that Rome would prefer a merger Telco shareholders have up until agreement this month to sell its between Telecom Italia and Sept. 28 to decide whether they mobile-phone unit to Microsoft. Telefonica rather than a buy-in want to exit a shareholder pact. Elop is a former executive at by Sawiris. Investment bank Mediobanca has Microsoft, based in the Seattle Telecom Italia declined to com- said it is prepared to sell after suburb of Redmond, Washington, ment on Sawiris’ statement. The writing down its stake to around and will return to the US company Egyptian said last year he was current market value. following the deal. ready to inject ¤3bn into Telecom Telefonica, Generali and Mark Martin, a spokesman Italia, a proposal that was rejected IntesaSanpaolo risk a negative for Microsoft, declined to com- by the company’s board. impact if they sell their stakes at ment. Mulally, who previously He said yesterday that he had market price as they have booked ran Boeing’s commercial- aircraft not submitted a new offer. the investment at twice the cur- unit, joined Ford in September Telecom Italia shareholders rent share value. REUTERS The Royal Danish Yacht sails past Denmark’s biggest offshore wind power farm near the island of Anholt. 2006 and led the carmaker through the global credit crunch following the Lehman Brothers collapse without tapping govern- ment money. He’s in Berlin at the IFA technology show to present the S-Max sport-utility vehicle Oil firm cuts stake in Egypt as private investment dwindles prototype that features new con- nectivity technologies including CAIRO: Since sinking its first oil interests in the region. Facing a “It is going to take a bit more holdings in Egypt actually rose Since Mubarak’s fall from voice-control smartphone appli- well in Egypt’s Western Desert collapse of new foreign invest- work.” The Apache sale does not over the past two years, from power, Egyptian judges have cations and a heart-rate monitor- in 1994, Houston’s Apache Corp. ment, growing debt and a multi- necessarily augur an exodus of $14bn to more than $17bn. But the invalidated prior sales of some ing seat. has locked up exploration rights tude of economic constraints, the other US firms from Egypt. increase was more than accounted state owned assets going back as Ford has a partnership with for nearly 10 million acres and decisions made by companies like Chevron did recently announce for by the locally generated earn- far as 15 years on the grounds Microsoft to develop the auto become the largest US inves- Apache in coming months could the sale of its network of gasoline ings from existing investments, that they were sold too cheaply in manufacturer’s Sync system that tor in the country — a corporate prove critical to whether the and fuel stations in the country. and concentrated in the oil and deals that proved the corruption integrates mobile devices into the symbol of America’s stake in existing military government or But Fahmy said that other large gas sector. of the prior regime. The govern- car and connects the vehicle to the Egypt’s success. any successor is able to improve US investors — firms like General Elsewhere in the Egyptian ment is supposed to again take Internet. Mulally has been shar- Last week, amid what company conditions, generate jobs — and Motors, Proctor & Gamble and economy — in the manufacturing, over those companies. While the ing advice with Ballmer on busi- executives said was uncertainty succeed where ousted president Microsoft — said in recent meet- chemical, technology and other investors are supposed to get their ness transformation, AllThingsD about the country and a share- Mohammed Mursi failed. ings that despite the country’s industries the country is hoping money back, the rulings have been reported on July 9. holder call to “validate” its presence Business officials acknowledge troubles they had no plans to desperately to expand to gener- a blow to any image of Egypt as a Mulally is the driving force there, Apache announced it would it will be difficult to undo the scale back. ate jobs and growth — money has predictable place to do business. behind the One Ford strat- sell a third of its Egyptian opera- damage of the past year’s turmoil, U.S. government statistics indi- been trickling away. Major inter- There is a strong nationalis- egy to use a limited number tion to China’s Sinopec and invest and revive the country’s ability cate an economic relationship in national banks and investment tic streak in Egyptian economic of vehicle platforms globally to the $3.1bn payment elsewhere. to grow on its own. According to limbo. According to Bureau of firms, have been quizzing local debate, stemming from the epoch save costs. He has also balanced The sale, Apache said, was part the latest World Bank data, for- Economic Analysis data, US com- executives about whether the when military leader Gamal Ford’s vehicle lineup with more of a broader shuffling of its busi- eign firms globally were invest- panies have continued through country is a safe place to invest, Abdel Nasser nationalised much small cars and a growing array ness, not solely a decision to divest ing about $11bn a year into Egypt two years of political and eco- or one where security conditions of the economy. Apache Corp of hybrid models to go along with from Egypt, where it will continue as of 2007. But in 2011, they took nomic turbulence — from the and economic policies will remain executives did not explicitly raise big F-Series pick-ups, the top- to manage the joint venture with $500 million out of the country. popular uprising that led longtime erratic. that risk in announcing the sale. selling vehicle line in the US for Sinopec and maintain a 9,000 per- “Anybody looking at Egypt now president Hosni Mubarak to leave Hard currency has become so But in a recent call with analysts 36 years. His term has included son workforce. is saying wait and let’s see what office through Mursi’s ouster — scarce the Egyptian central bank chief executive G Steven Farris eliminating jobs, reducing labor But it’s also a sign of the dif- happens and that is completely to keep local earnings there, auctioned dollars and other major acknowledged the pressure from costs and selling the European ficulties ahead as Egypt tries to understandable,” said Hisham whether to reinvest or because currencies this week so import stockholders to justify a continued luxury brands Jaguar, Land heal its deeply divided society, a Fahmy, head of the American of US or Egyptian tax laws. firms could pay for staple goods stake in Egypt. Rover, Aston Martin and Volvo. process considered critical to US Chamber of Commerce in Egypt. The total value of private US like milk and wheat. WP-BLOOMBERG WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 India, Rajan and the Great Why mortgage rates are weird Man misconception BY JAMES SAFT in the rupee, responded by tightening con- quite happily with a deep current account BY FELIX SALMON ditions to attract flows, thereby risking a deficit for which there was, seemingly, so long nthusiasm for new Indian central credit famine and recession. as global liquidity was deep, little penalty. his time last year, Peter Eavis came out with a pair of bank head Raghuram Rajan is Rajan also indicated that banks should Those times are apparently about to end. columns asking the question: why were mortgage rates so understandable, but blind faith gradually be allowed to cut their now man- Indian growth figures released last week high? Back then, the typical 30-year mortgage cost 3.55 in him is misplaced. datory holdings of government paper, some- showed second-quarter GDP expanded at a Tpercent — more than 140bp above prevailing mortgage- While Rajan, the former IMF thing which will make more funds available 4.4 percent annual clip, down from 4.8 per- bond rates. Given that banks normally lend out at only about 75bp Echief economist who took over as Governor for loans to the productive private sector cent the quarter before and less than half above mortgage-bond rates, said Eavis, mortgage rates should by of the Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday, while imposing a measure of discipline on the boom-time run rate. Manufacturing is right have been much lower. made promising first steps, he simply doesn’t government borrowing decisions. shrinking, and recent steps to tighten con- Eavis was pessimistic that market competition would drive have the tools or levers to do what is needed. The RBI also reversed an earlier decision ditions will have caused credit to contract, rates down: “mortgage rates may not decline substantially from Almost more to the point, the euphoria which further limited overseas borrowing by likely indicating that the third quarter will here,” he said, adding that “the 2.8 percent mortgage may never around Rajan is evidence of the Great Man Indian companies, which had been a tighten- look even worse. India’s real problem is that materialise”. Little did he know that he was writing at the very fallacy of central banking, an always foolish ing of capital controls. it took a pass on deep reform during its low point for mortgage rates — they have spiked over the course belief that complex events can be bent to the All of this is great, and it’s easy to see why pre-financial-crisis boom and is now faced of the past year, and today, reports Nick Timiraos, they’re at will of one magical civil servant. India enjoyed such a strong relief rally. That with what, in the absence of a wider tax base, 4.73 percent. Indian markets were jubilant, and media said, faith in Rajan raises some thorny issues, feels like a structural government deficit. Using Eavis’s benchmark, we’re still pretty much in the same portrayed him as James Bond, after Rajan in and of itself. One problem, of which Rajan And India is heading into elections, never a place as we were a year ago: that 4.73 percent rate is about 130bp unveiled a host of measures designed to sup- is surely aware, is that the more the market time for painful reform. more than the yield on Fannie Mae’s current-coupon mortgage port the rupee. Bank shares soared by nine respects him, the more international capital This is the huge problem with the Great bonds. It could be lower, it should be lower, but at least the spread percent, the main Bombay Stock Exchange gives credit to his efforts, the easier it is for Man fallacy of central banking. It is used, isn’t continuing to widen. Sensex rose 2.2 percent and, best of all, the those in India with the real responsibility by those who ought to know better, as an But in one way, today’s rate is even crazier than the 3.55 per- rupee rose by as much as 2.3 percent. for change to avoid making it. excuse to avoid doing painful things. Fed by cent rate a year ago. As Timiraos says, this marks the first time Rajan’s measures were both clever and Central banks can, by keeping inflation credit and asset inflation under Greenspan, ever that the typical 30-year mortgage rate, which comes with far-sighted. Of most immediate impact was stable and regulating finance appropriately, the US failed to reckon with the hollowing the blessing of a government guarantee, is higher than the typi- a plan to attract investment from Indians create some of the preconditions for eco- out of its middle class, creating instead an cal rate on unguaranteed “jumbo” loans. Even in a world of crazy living overseas by allowing banks access nomic growth, but no matter how much they economy too dependent on real estate jobs spreads, this is pretty bonkers: to preferential swap rates at the central support asset prices, they do not actually for those with fewer skills, and financial Before the housing bubble burst six years ago, jumbo mort- bank. India thereby gets some of the money create any wealth. intermediation jobs for those with more. gages over the past two decades typically had rates at least 0.25 it needs to attract, banks make a nifty profit Thus Rajan can buy India some time, but Similarly, Bernanke’s creative work during percentage point above conforming loans, but that widened and the central bank avoids taking assets the real task lies elsewhere. the crisis has allowed the US to more pain- sharply after 2007, reaching a peak of 1.8 percentage points in onto its own balance sheet. The immediate cause of India’s distress lessly avoid reforming its financial system. 2008, according to HSH.com, a financial publisher. The rate dif- By creating an essentially off-balance- comes from outside, in the form of the Rajan has been a perceptive and prescient ference between the two stood at 0.5 percentage point as recently sheet way for the central bank to subsidise expected tapering of bond purchases by the critic of central bankers before him. It would as last November. but not completely underwrite capital flows, US Federal Reserve. But really that is only be a terrible irony if he played a similar role Timiraos tries to explain this rationally: if banks hold jumbo Rajan intelligently worked around his main tightening conditions which had been left in India. I am betting he won’t, which may be loans on their balance sheets, he says, that means the price of the problem. His predecessors, faced with what unnaturally loose for much of the world’s reason to steer clear of the rupee. loan isn’t “set by bond markets”. could be a ruinous and self-sustaining fall economy. That allowed India to limp along REUTERS To which I say, pull the other one. Of course the price is set by bond markets. Or, says Timiraos, maybe this whole thing can be explained by looking at the cross-selling opportunities represented by jumbo borrowers: if they come for the mortgage, they’ll stay for the investment advice! Or something. Again, this is highly unpersuasive, especially since there’s no indication that cross-selling abilities have sud- denly blossomed in the past year or so. The real story here, I think, is not about banks at all; rather, it’s about the government, which is desperately trying to extri- cate itself from its current position as the ultimate source of just about all mortgage finance. In the absence of a formal plan of how to do this, it’s trying a market-based approach: make mortgages expensive, and maybe the banks will take the hint and start offer- ing private-label mortgages at lower, more competitive rates. As Timiraos says, part of the reason mortgage rates are so high is the fees that Fannie and Freddie are slapping on to every loan they buy from lenders. In a way, that’s what we’re seeing in the jumbo market — when you don’t have to deal with Frannie, rates are lower than when you do. But if the government hopes that expensive mortgages will cause the private sector to stop dealing with Frannie, it should prepare itself for disappointment. As I said in March, whatever Frannie pays for mortgages will simply become the market price for mortgages. The government is just too big not to be the mar- ginal price setter: it speaks volumes that mortgage rates are lower than the government is paying only in the one area where the government isn’t competing. All of which is to say that if the government wants to shrink Frannie, it’s going to have to do more than tack on a bunch of fees and leave the rest to the market. Five years after the crisis, we’re still waiting for a plan, however, and there’s no indication that we’re going to get one any time soon. Which means that the government is going to remain the dominant monopoly in housing finance for the foreseeable future. I’ve now managed to pull the chart: this is the 30-year mort- gage rate, minus the yield on the 30-year current-coupon bond from Fannie Mae. As you can see, it has actually tightened in back towards its historical level over the past year: the excess profits that Eavis was complaining about a year ago seem to have largely disappeared. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate The quantitative easing is now past its due date

BY HEIDI MOORE there were not enough new jobs, achieve is to spur some soul- looked reasonably robust at the Hurricane Katrina. Still, there’s moderate or severe housing costs it was also the third bad month searching about the only major time and were greeted with much no reason to believe that enlight- ... And renters took the brunt of s the Federal Reserve’s in a row: the summer of no jobs. stimulus in the economy for the cheering, have just been revised enment is on the way. this stress in the later period; by stimulus working to help the The first is that the claims past three years. sharply downward on a second Talk of tapering tends to 2011, an incredible 50 percent of economy, or is it hurting? of a real economic recovery are The Fed’s QE stimulus policy analysis. In July, when we thought inspire panic, in the stock mar- all renters were burdened by high I At most, it may be pos- still highly questionable, and the has prevailed so long that, even 162,000 people landed new jobs, it ket at least. That’s not surprising. housing costs.” sible to make an argument that widespread delusion this year that if it was a boon at first, its magic was only 104,000 people. Similarly, QE has had the effect of boosting So QE is not good for housing the stimulus known as quantita- things are broadly getting better has worn off. It has proven itself in June, when we thought it was stocks. When the Fed starts pull- any more, and it has increased tive easing is helping Wall Street keeps getting slammed with evi- ineffective in achieving the one 188,000 people newly employed, it ing away, the stock market will income inequality. It’s not doing stock prices, but after three dence to the contrary. goal crucial to the economy: get- was only 172,000 who had new jobs, have to fend for itself. That will anything particularly great for years of money-pumping, QE is It’s not just jobs: housing, which ting more Americans on payrolls. according to the BLS numbers. cause either a fast, hard crash or jobs, either. evidently doing nothing to bring looked positive earlier, has hit the Here’s the evidence. In August, From Capitol Hill, there’s been a slow, depressing one. And even on Wall Street, big the country to full employment, shoals of rising interest rates and the jobs picture was dismal: only only resounding silence except Quantitative easing is a drug investors who buy bonds are run- which is one of the two tasks the Fannie Mae’s national housing 169,000 people found new jobs. for the president’s brief, largely that seems to be long past its ning out of ideas about how to Fed exists to perform. survey, to be released next week, That’s not enough. When 12 pro-forma tour for middle-class due date. After three years, the make money while the Fed keeps After another discouraging “is expected to show a levelling million people are unemployed, jobs. Mind-bogglingly, the presi- returns are in: there are likely no interest rates down. Stocks are jobs report, TF Markets founder off of positive sentiment among 169,000 jobs won’t change the dent’s economic team appears to more benefits coming to the econ- doing relatively well — which cre- and analyst Peter Tchir wrote: consumers regarding housing” picture. be convinced that the economy is omy from holding down interest ates a “wealth effect” that fattens “If this policy is such a success according to Fannie Mae chief How about the drop in the in great shape and that they’re rates and buying up mortgage our 401ks and sends people out to why is the jobs picture not better? economist Doug Duncan. unemployment rate? Though it going to have excellent reviews, bonds. There’s even some evidence, the streets to do more spending Why are people dropping out of Many economists have accepted may look like when the unemploy- which has allowed the president in the eyes of analysts at Bank of — but there’s something infinitely the labour market? Why is there that the economy has slowed in ment rate drops to 7.3 percent, and Congress to avoid creating America Merrill Lynch, that quan- sad about spending money based no inflation?” 2013. Last May, 41 economists sur- that’s mainly smoke and mirrors. any job-creating legislation or titative easing may have caused a on false confidence. Tchir’s questions are eminently veyed by the Philadelphia branch The rate dropped because only 63 even addressing the unemploy- housing recovery that dispropor- The Fed likely knows all of understandable. Another sad of the Federal Reserve expected percent of Americans are partici- ment crisis. The fact that the tionately hurt low-income people. this. And that is probably why it employment report came from the economy to grow by two per- pating in the workforce, the low- White House economic team David Dayen, writing at Naked is right to start ending the grand the bureau of labour statistics, cent this year; they conceded in est participation rate since Jimmy thinks highly of itself right now Capitalism, summed it up: experiment in extended stimu- which snaps a picture of jobs in August that it would likely be Carter was president in 1978. is on the level of George W Bush’s “The analysts note that, even lus, taper off quantitative easing, the US every month. more like 1.5 percent – barely In addition, the declamations “Brownie, you’re doing a heck of a with mortgage rates plummet- and force the economy, the mar- What was revealed in this enough to be called real growth. of great job growth this summer job” compliment to former Fema ing from seven percent to four kets and Congress to think for report was that not only was Just as importantly, the sec- were largely delusional. Both the chief Michael Brown as he came percent from 2001 to 2011, 42 themselves. August a dismal month in which ond thing the jobs report should June and July jobs numbers, which under criticism for his response to million households experienced THE GUARDIAN SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com GECM & TENDERS

GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS MAP (GECM) Every Sunday Local debts not to drag China into a German exports post surprise fall financial crisis in July SHENYANG: As Chinese economy shows signs US economy expands at UK economy suffers a bump BERLIN: German exports and industrial stronger rate in second quarter, of picking up, analysts say shadow banking LONDON: Britain’s run of positive economic output tumbled in July while imports rose, and local government debt, two major financial figures show underscoring that the domestic economy is key news faltered today with poorer than worries during the past few months, are less for growth in Europe’s largest economy this WASHINGTON: The US economy expected data showing production output likely now to bring down the world’s second- expanded at a stronger rate in the year as weakness elsewhere makes it hard to Japan makes record $995bn fell 1.6pc between July 2012 and July 2013 sell goods abroad. Industrial output fell more largest economy. China’s manufacturing second quarter than previously while manufacturing fell 0.7pc and trade activity rebounded into mild expansion after budget request estimated, according to figures than expected by 1.7 percent on the month in weakened. Industrial output was flat in July, the deepest drop since April 2012, but three months of weakness. Major Chinese TOKYO: Japan’s government released on Thursday. After a boost July from the month before, failing to hit on a two-month comparison they were still up industrial firms saw their combined profits rise ministries have requested an to figures for exports and business expectations of a 0.1pc uptick building on 0.5 percent. June had been particularly strong 11.6 percent year on year in July, quickening unprecedented $995 billion to investments, the Commerce June’s growth of 1.3pc. because workers took time off in May when from the 6.3-percent rate seen in June. meet budget needs in the next Department revised its measure of there was a high number of public holidays. the nation’s gross domestic product fiscal year to clean up Fukushima, (GDP), the broadest measure of balance the country’s record high goods and services produced in the debt, and provide for an aging economy, to an annual rate of 2.5pc population. in the second quarter, up from an initial estimate of 1.7pc reported last South Africa mine bosses to cut month. thousands of jobs India rupee hits near JOHANNESBURG: South African two-week high workers are continuing their struggles MUMBAI: The Indian rupee rallied for Brazil’s August annual inflation against the bosses. Strikes are a second consecutive session to its rate lowest in nine months spreading from the mines, automobile strongest against the dollar in nearly plants and air transport technology BRASÍLIA: Brazil’s consumer prices two weeks on growing expectations the stations to construction sites. rose at the slowest annual pace in nine currency has been badly oversold, even On Sept. 3, thousands of members of Australian economy grows 0.6pc months, as the central bank signals it as few traders expect a meaningful the National Union of Metalworkers in April-June will extend the world’s biggest cycle of recovery. After hitting a record low of of South Africa are scheduled to interest-rate increases. 68.85 to the dollar last week, a Reuters SYDNEY: Australia’s economy expanded march through Pretoria to the Prices as measured by the benchmark poll suggests the rupee will stabilise at a steady 0.6 percent in April-June from National Association of Automobile the previous quarter, data the ruling IPCA index rose 0.24 percent last month, 66 to the dollar by the end of September, Manufacturers of South Africa Labor Party seized upon Wednesday the national statistics agency said, in while technical charts also point to a headquarters. as proof of its credentials just days line with the median forecast of 0.25 period of relative calm. percent from 40 analysts surveyed by ahead of elections. Australia’s economy Bloomberg. That helped cut the annual expanded a steady 0.6 percent in rate to 6.09 percent, the slowest since April-June from the previous quarter, December. data the ruling Labor Party seized upon Wednesday as proof of its credentials just days ahead of elections.

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Servicing and refurbis hment of gas lift 20 S13104800 QR 21,000 QR 200 30/09/2013 LTC Ult VMWare, storage, windows & security valves at Dukhan fields 40 QR 50,000 QR 500 22/09/2013 717/2013 consultancy services SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Bolt ready to chill after another golden season

BRUSSELS: Usain Bolt is ready to chill out on holiday after bagging another three world gold medals in a season during which he suffered only Boris Becker (in white), Virginia Wade (middle row, right), British actress Michelle Dockery (front row, second left) and US actor John Lithgow (front one defeat, and that was by one- row, right) watch the women’s singles semi-final match between Serena Williams of United States of America and Li of China at the US Open at USTA hundredth of a second. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on Friday. Becker is a six-time Grand Slam champion, winning the US Open in 1989. Wade The Jamaican’s 100m victory is a three-time Slam winner, winning in New York in 1968. RIGHT: Chairman and CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association Stacey Allaster (left) and in 9.80sec at the season-ending two-time US Open winner (1979, 1981) Tracey Austin watch the women’s singles semi-final match between Serena and Li Na. Diamond League meet on Friday crowned another amazing season which was marred early on by a dearth of doping cases. Positive tests for teammate and former world record holder Asafa Powell and top American sprinter Serena books US Open Tyson Gay, and injury to his main rival from Jamaica, Yohan Blake, had stripped the track circuit of three of their main performers. And again it was Bolt who Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates steered the world of track and after winning the men’s 100m rematch with Azarenka field out of those doldrums. race at the Diamond League The 27-year-old went to last athletics meeting in Brussels on month’s world championships in Friday. The top two seeds to clash for the title in New York Moscow with nagging question marks over his form, as there had been at the London Olympics and now, I’ll have some fun and put NEW YORK: Defending the 2011 Daegu worlds. my feet up,” said Bolt, whose champion Serena Williams Bolt promptly dispelled any sole defeat of the season came slugged her way to a US Open concerns by claiming treble gold, over 100m at the Rome Diamond title rematch against Victoria winning the individual 100 and League meet at the hands of Azarenka as the top two seeds 200m crowns and then anchor- American Justin Gatlin. scored straight-sets knockouts ing home the Jamaican 4x100m “I’m looking forward to going in their semi-finals on Friday. relay team to give a rosy tint to home, to see my friends and LEFT: Victoria Azarenka World number one Williams the world of athletics. extended family, and just to chill celebrates after thrashed a rattled Li Na 6-0, 6-3, It means that apart from his out.” overcoming some staunch resist- winning her semi-final false-start blip in the Daegu Bolt admitted that age was ance at the end, while Azarenka match against Flavia 100m, Bolt has won every global working against him, and that returned to the Flushing Pennetta of Italy at the sprint title on offer since the 2008 every precaution would be taken Meadows final with a 6-4, 6-2 USTA Billie Jean King Beijing Olympics, an astonishing to avoid injury next season. win over unseeded Italian Flavia National Tennis Center feat he aims to carry through “It’s getting harder. The older Pennetta. in New York, yesterday. until the 2016 Games in Rio. you get, the harder it is to come “Just to be able to defend a BELOW: Serena With no global champion- back from injury,” he said. title for once would be really awe- Williams of the US ships planned for 2014, Bolt has The Jamaican added: “The key some,” said French Open winner celebrates her win over made several hints that he might thing next season is to stay injury Williams, who will get her chance Li Na of China. target a debut appearance at free, stay in great shape and run today after failing to go back-to- the Commonwealth Games in fast times. back following her 1999, 2002 and Glasgow. “Hopefully everything will 2008 titles in New York. But first up is a well-earned go smoothly next year and I’ll Although overpowered in the holiday back in Jamaica, albeit attempt the 200m record. opening set, Li battled valiantly interspersed with at least two “Who knows, maybe I’ll go to in the second, saving six match return trips to Europe to fulfil the Commonwealth Games and points to hold serve before the sponsor commitments. go for a medal to add to my tally. top seed finally closed the deal “It’s the end of the season, I’ve “I’ll see with my coach at the on a seventh with an unreturned Belarusian Azarenka trails 12-3 got no worries, I’m totally relaxed start of the season.” AFP serve. head-to-head against Williams, “It was a good match. It was but has won two of their last Diamond League winners tough at the end,” Williams said. three matches, hardcourt finals BRUSSELS: Winners of the 32 individual event disciplines in “I got a little nervous but I was in Doha and Cincinnati. the Diamond League, which finished on Friday. able to close it out.” “When you play against Serena, Points are scored throughout the 14-meet series, with winners of each Former French Open champion you have to play your best,” said Diamond race receiving a diamond trophy, a cash prize of $40,000, Li, China’s first semi-finalist at Azarenka. “She makes me play and a wild card for the IAAF World Athletics Championships (under certain conditions). the US Open, admitted that she my best.” Men’s experienced a bout of nerves Williams is bidding for a fifth 100M: Justin Gatlin (USA) when she hit the Arthur Ashe US Open title and her 17th in 200M: Warren Weir (JAM) Stadium court. Grand Slams. 400M: LaShawn Merritt (USA) “I should not be, like, nervous At 31, she would become 800M: Mohammed Aman (ETH) because (it was) not (the) first the oldest women’s winner at 1,500M: Ayanleh Souleiman (DJI) time to play semis,” said Li, twice Flushing Meadows since tennis 5,000M: Yenew Alamirew (ETH) an Australian Open finalist. “But turned professional in 1968, sup- 3,000m steeplechase: Conseslus Kipruto (KEN) when I walked to the court I was planting Australia’s Margaret 110M hurdles: David Oliver (USA) feeling the court (was) so big. I Court who won in 1973. 400M hurdles: Javier Culson (PUR) mean, even my side, it was feeling Australian Open champion High jump: Bohdan Bondarenko (UKR) like a football court. Azarenka booked her return Pole vault: Renaud Lavillenie (FRA) “In the end, finally, I can play to the championship match by Long jump: Aleksandr Menkov (RUS) tennis,” she added with a smile. finally finding a way to hold serve Triple jump: Christian Taylor (USA) Williams, hot off a quarter- in a contest littered with 13 serv- Shot: Ryan Whiting (USA) final win against Carla Suarez ice breaks. Discus: Gerd Kanter (EST) Navarro, had won 24 consecutive In the end, Azarenka’s power Javelin: Vitezslav Vesely (CZE) games before Li held serve in the was too much for the battling Women’s second game of the second set. Pennetta, who returned from a 100M: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) serious wrist injury to reach her 200M: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) Paths to the final first Grand Slam semi-final. 400M: Amantle Montsho (BOT) There were five service breaks 800M: Eunice Sum (KEN) NEW YORK: Paths to today’s in a row before Azarenka held 1,500M: Abeba Aregawi (SWE) US Open women’s singles final to win the first set after her 5,000M: Meseret Defar (ETH) (x denotes seeding): unseeded 31-year-old opponent 3,000M steeplchase: Milcah Chemos (KEN) Serena Williams (USA x1) vs saved five set points. Victoria relishes chance to 100M hurdles: Dawn Harper-Nelson (USA) Victoria Azarenka (BLR x2) The second set followed a sim- 400M hurdles: Zuzana Hejnova (CZE) Williams ilar pattern, with three broken High jump: Svetlana Shkolina (RUS) serves before Azarenka turned Pole vault: Silke Spiegelburg (GER) First Round: bt Francesca face the American again up the power. Long jump: Shara Proctor (GBR) Schiavone (ITA) 6-0, 6-1 After holding serve to lead 3-1, NEW YORK: A confident Victoria Azarenka will get a chance to Triple jump: Caterine Ibarguen (COL) Second Round: bt Galina Azarenka broke Pennetta yet avenge last year’s US Open final defeat to Serena Williams after the Shot: Valerie Adams (NZL) Voskoboeva (KAZ) 6-3, 6-0 again and squealed with delight pair came through their semi-finals on Friday to set up a rematch. Discus: Sandra Perkovic (CRO) Third Round: bt Yaroslava after closing out the 94-minute Second-seed Azarenka beat Italy’s Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 6-2 and will Javelin: Christina Obergfoell (GER) Shvedova (KAZ) 6-3, 6-1 match with a well-placed now face an opponent she has beaten just three times in 15 meetings Fourth Round: bt Sloane forehand. so far. Stephens (USA x15) 6-4, 6-1 “It’s an amazing opportunity, Two of those wins have come this year, on hard courts in Doha and something that every tennis Cincinnati, but Azarenka isn’t reading too much into those results. Quarter-Final: bt Carla Suarez player dreams of, to be in the final “Its not that I don’t care what happened in the past, but I don’t think Navarro (ESP x18) 6-0, 6-0 of the US Open and play against there is a need to pay so much attention to what happened,” said the Semi-Final: bt Li Na (CHN x5) the best player in the world,” said Belarussian. “It’s always a new story. 6-0, 6-3 the second seed, a former US “I don’t even think that it’s going to be close to the same as it was Pennetta Open junior champion and mixed last year. First Round: bt Nicole Gibbs doubles winner. “We know each other pretty well. I know her strengths; she knows (USA) 6-0, 6-2 “I can’t wait to go out and play.” my strengths.” Earlier, Belarusian veteran Last year’s final went to three sets with Williams edging the final Second Round: bt Sara Errani Max Mirnyi captured his third set 7-5 but Azarenka believes her game has improved in the past 12 (ITA x4) 6-3, 6-1 US Open mixed doubles title months. Third Round: bt Svetlana when he teamed up with Andrea “It hasn’t changed tremendously but there are aspects that got bet- Kuznetsova (RUS x27) 7-5, 6-1 Hlavackova to beat American ter physically,” said Azarenka, who will be trying to add the US Open Fourth Round: bt Simona Halep Abigail Spears and Mexican crown to her two Australian Open Grand Slam titles. (ROM x21) 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) Santiago Gonzalez 7-6 (5), 6-3. She added: “Mentally I felt like (this year) was a great turning point Hlavackova returned with for me on some level for my career. I feel like I’m a better player. I’m Quarter-Final: bt Roberta Lucie Hradecka and beat Serena a more complete player.” Vinci (ITA x10) 6-4, 6-1 The overall winners pose with their trophies during the IAAF Diamond and Venus Williams 6-4, 6-2 in Azarenka didn’t sparkle against Pennetta, grinding out a win in a League athletics meeting, also known as Memorial Van Damme, in Semi-Final: bt Flavia Pennetta their women’s doubles semi-final. match which saw her serve broken five times and she conceded that Brussels on Friday. (ITA) 6-4, 6-2 REUTERS she struggled to find momentum. REUTERS SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Australia hope for sun, not Pakistan sweep to victory more table Spinners Rehman and Ajmal help visitors trounce Zimbabwe in Harare tennis LEEDS, United Kingdom: HARARE: Pakistan took nine to complete an early victory in Australia vice-captain George wickets in an extended morning Scoreboard a match in which Zimbabwe had Bailey is praying the Manchester session to beat Zimbabwe by 221 the better of the first three day’s Pakistan’s bowler Saeed weather will not stop his side Pakistan (I innings): ...... 249 runs on the fifth day of the first play. Ajmal celebrates taking from giving England a tough Zimbabwe (I innings): ...... 327 Test at the Harare Sports Club An unbeaten double century a wicket on the fifth day time at Old Trafford today. Pakistan (II innings): ...... 419/9 decl yesterday. by veteran Younis Khan gave of the first Test match Rain washed out the open- Zimbabwe (II innings): Zimbabwe, set an unlikely 342 Pakistan the edge though, and against Zimbabwe at ing one-day international at T Mawoyo lbw S Ajmal ...... 2 to win, were bowled out for 120. he was later named man of the the Harare Sports Club, Headingley in Leeds on Friday, V Sibanda lbw J Khan...... 6 Left-arm fast bowler Junaid match. yesterday. leaving the tourists kicking their H Masakadza c A Ali b J Khan ...... 1 Khan made the initial break- “Zimbabwe won the game for heels in frustration. Sikandar Raza c A Ali b A Rehman ...... 24 through, taking two wickets in his three-and-a-half days,” admitted Having picked themselves up M Waller c R Ali b A Rehman ...... 17 first eight balls of the day after Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq. from losing the Ashes to come E Chigumbura c Hafeez b A Rehman ...... 28 Zimbabwe resumed at 13 for one. “Younis played a match-winning away with a 1-1 draw in the R Mutumbami (not out) ...... 16 Then spinners Abdur Rehman innings that changed the game.” Twenty20 series, Michael Clarke’s P Utseya b S Ajmal ...... 0 and Saeed Ajmal took over, finish- Zimbabwe had led by 78 runs men now want to ensure the long S Masakadza lbw S Ajmal ...... 0 ing with four wickets apiece. on the first innings and were still trip home will be a happier voy- T Panyangara lbw A Rehman ...... 6 Left-armer Rehman, who fol- on top deep into the Pakistan age. And Bailey says he and his T Chatara lbw S Ajmal ...... 13 lowed up Junaid’s opening burst second innings before Younis’ team-mates are desperate to take Extras (B-1, LB-5, NB-1) ...... 7 by taking the next three wick- unbeaten 200 allowed the tourists out their Ashes disappointment in Total (all out) ...... 120 ets, took four for 36, while Ajmal to declare on 419 for nine, leaving the shorter game. Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-14, 3-19, 4-49, wrapped up the tail to take four Zimbabwe with what proved an “Leeds was very frustrat- 5-58, 6-89, 7-90, 8-90, 9-101. for 23. impossible task. ing. There’s nothing worse than Bowling: Junaid Khan 10-3-20-2; Rahat Ali Off-spinner Ajmal finished Misbah acknowledged that sitting in your hotel room and 7-1-35-0; Saeed Ajmal 16.4-5-23-4; Abdur with match figures of 11 for 118, Zimbabwe had played well for watching the rain fall when you Rehman 13-5-36-4. the fourth time he had taken 10 much of the match but said his really want to get out there,” he Result: Pakistan won by 221 runs. or more wickets in a match. team need to improve in the sec- said. Man-of-the-Match: Younis Khan (PAK). Zimbabwe were in trouble from ond Test, which starts at the same “There was some serious table Series: Pakistan lead the two-match series the sixth ball of the day when cap- venue on Tuesday. “We need to tennis being played by the boys, 1-0. tain Hamilton Masakadza gloved be on the money right from the but that’s not what we are here a short delivery from Junaid to start,” he said. for. We want to play cricket and gully. Raza was dropped by wicket- Hamilton Masakadza, who took win games. Overnight batsman Vusi keeper Adnan Akmal off Rahat over the captaincy when Brendan “It’s fingers crossed for Sibanda was out lbw in Junaid’s when he was on 17 but made only Taylor withdrew on the morning Manchester, but we also have next over to reduce the home side seven more runs before he was of the match after the birth of a game in Birmingham (on to 19 for three. caught at short leg off Rehman. his first child, said Zimbabwe had Wednesday), where a few of the Sikandar Raza and Malcolm Elton Chigumbura took advan- fought hard and played well for guys say they have played but Waller, who shared a century tage of ultra-attacking fields to much of the match. never completed a day without it partnership in the first innings, strike 28 off 35 balls, with five “The main thing is to focus on raining! provided some resistance with a fours, before he became Rehman’s the positives,” said Masakadza. “Losing the Ashes the way we fourth wicket stand of 30 before third victim, caught at slip. “We did compete and we were did left a sour taste in the mouth. Waller swept left-arm spinner Wickets tumbled and play was ahead for three-and-a-half days. You just want to get back out Rehman to backward square leg extended when Zimbabwe were The bowlers bowled really well there and put things right. where the tall Rahat Ali stretched eight down at the scheduled and the batsmen applied them- “Winning the ODI series would skywards to hold a catch. lunch break, enabling Pakistan selves in the first innings.” AFP at least give all the boys a lift, so we are desperate for some sun- shine in Manchester after the rain in Leeds. “We are also planning and Ahmed unmoved by logo row: Bailey building towards the next World Cup. So it’s important not to miss LONDON: Australia’s Fawad ex-Wallaby rugby union wing a maiden international appear- cricketer, he is as entitled as any- out on any competitive 50-over Ahmed (pictured) is uncon- David Campese. ance against England, Australia’s one to represent his country. action between now and then. cerned by the furore his move in Walters was quoted as say- arch-rivals. “He was made a citizen in July, “We have some fresh new not wearing a beer sponsor’s logo ing: “I think if he doesn’t want “I think he’s probably had to he has a passport, he has chosen faces from the team which lost on his shirt has sparked, accord- to wear the team gear, he should deal with a lot more important Australia as his home for very the Ashes. Those guys want to ing to one-day international not be part of the team. Maybe if things than what’s on the front good reasons. The Australian impress and throw down their vice-captain George Bailey. he doesn’t want to be paid, that’s of his shirt. cricket community has welcomed hats to stay in the side.” Pakistan-born leg-spin- OK.” “Fawad (has) a great sense him and we’re very proud to have Acting England skipper Eoin ner Ahmed, who became an Campese tweeted in response: of humour,” added Bailey before him.” Morgan is keen to use the one-day Australian citizen in July after “Doug Walters tells Pakistan- explaining how Ahmed had forged Sutherland added the criti- internationals as a springboard to his application was fast-tracked, born Fawad Ahmed: if you don’t a strong bond with Australia cisms of Ahmed’s shirt stance, get involved in the return Ashes did not have the VB beer logo on like the VB uniform, don’t play coach Darren Lehmann. which is akin to that of South series in Australia later this year. his shirt during his international for Australia. Well said Doug. Tell “He and the coach have a pretty Africa’s Hashim Amla, who does Irish-born Morgan, who scored debut in last week’s T20 matches him to go home.” funny relationship. They like to not wear the logo of Castle Lager, a century against the land of his against England. Their comments were con- get stuck into each other, which the Proteas’ main sponsor, were birth in a warm-up game ahead of It emerged on Tuesday he had demned as “bigoted” by CA chief always provides a lot of light- “opportunism on some people’s the current series, said: “I would “expressed discomfort with the executive James Sutherland. hearted stuff around the group. parts to reflect bigoted views”. love to get back into the Test conflict this created for him” as a Bailey said former asylum- “I know now he’s had a taste of This is not the first time team and go to Australia. Muslim, with the religion’s sacred seeker Ahmed, who added an playing for Australia he wants to Campese has found himself at “If that opportunity arose at text, the Koran, banning adher- ODI cap against Scotland in do it a lot - but he wants to do it the centre of a Twitter storm the end of the summer, I would ents from drinking alcohol. Edinburgh on Wednesday, had in all three formats,” said Bailey after questioning whether women be a very happy man.” Cricket Australia (CA) agreed dealt with worrying issues in his ahead of the second match of five should be writing about rugby After the match at Edgbaston he could wear an unbranded life. at Manchester’s Old Trafford in November when Georgina on Wednesday, the sides recon- shirt, but this led to criticism, “I don’t think it’d particularly today. Robinson was assigned by the vene in Cardiff on September 14 notably from two of Australia’s worry Fawad,” Bailey said yester- Prior to Bailey’s remarks, Sydney Morning Herald to cover before the fifth and final one- best-known sportsmen in former day after Friday’s washout in the Sutherland defended Ahmed by the Wallabies’ tour of Europe. day match in Southampton on Test batsman Doug Walters and first ODI in Leeds denied Ahmed saying: “Fawad is an Australian AFP September 16. AFP

Springboks All Blacks see Bustamante of the Philippines begins campaign on a winning note down Wallabies off Argentina

BRISBANE, Australia: South HAMILTON, New Zealand: Africa won their first match The All Blacks produced an in Australia in four years and error-strewn performance and kept the Wallabies win-less in lost captain Richie McCaw in the Rugby Championship with a the process as they downed record 38-12 victory yesterday. Argentina 28-13 in their Rugby The Springboks won for Championship clash yesterday. the first time in nine visits to McCaw was left writhing in Brisbane in 42 years with a four agony with a knee injury and tries-to-nil thrashing to remain coach Steve Hansen said he could unbeaten in the southern hemi- be out for at least four weeks. sphere series along with the All McCaw had been one of the Blacks, who they face in Auckland few All Blacks to impress as they next weekend. took control midway through It was the biggest win by the the first half, when piling on 12 Springboks in Australia and they unanswered points in a 10-minute totted up more points than their spell, after Argentina were pun- last 32-25 win over the Wallabies ished with a yellow card for a pro- in Australia in 2009. fessional foul. South Africa led 16-6 at halft- But it was not the performance ime but broke the game wide open the All Blacks wanted for their in the second half with three tries 382nd victory, which put them in eight minutes to keep Ewen level with France as the most McKenzie without a win in three successful Test-playing nations. Tests as coach of the Wallabies. The three-tries-to-one win Forward Coenie Oosthuizen, was also not the warm-up they skipper Jean de Villiers, full- wanted before the expected back Zane Kirchner and winger tougher challenge next week from Francisco Bustamante of Philippines in action against Mario Morra of Canada during the Stage 2 of the World 9-Ball Pool Championship at Al Arabi Willie Le Roux scored tries with the Springboks. Indoor Hall in Doha yesterday. Bustamante won 9-5. RIGHT: Ali Al Obaidly of Qatar lines up a shot during his match against Manuel Gama of Portugal. Morne Steyn kicking three con- In a game that lacked rhythm Gama won 9-3. The Qatari players who feature in Stage 2 are Bashar Hussain, Mohammedd Al bin Ali, Abdulatif Al Fawal, Khamis Al Obaidly, Ali Al versions and four penalties. The in the constant drizzle that fell Obaidly, Mohd Al Buainain, Mohanna Al Obaidly, Waleed Majed, Israel Rota and Antonio Gabica. The Stage 2 has 128 players competing for the top Wallaby defence disintegrated in throughout, the All Blacks went prize and have been divided into 16 groups of 8. Players play a double elimination format, race to 9, alternate break. The top four players in each the second half in the face of a three from three in their quest to group, two from the winner’s side, and two from the loser’s side, will advance to the round of 64. The winner of the 2013 World 9-ball Championship disciplined South African assault retain the Rugby Championship will receive $36,000. The runner-up will take home $18,000. The total prize money is $250,000. The event is sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard and dominant scrum and the title after having previously swept Association (WPA) and the Asian Pocket Billiard Union (APBU) and is contested by players from 43 countries. The Qatar Billiards and Snooker home side finished without a try past Australia 47-29 and 27-16. Federation has signed an agreement with WPA by virtue of which Qatar have the right to host the championship till 2017. in another deeply disappointing They lifted their try tally to 11 display by the Australians. AFP from the three matches. AFP PICTURES BY: KAMMUTTY VP SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Vettel heads Webber for Italian GP pole Red Bull team sweeps the front row in Monza qualifying

MONZA, Italy: Sebastian was a bit of a mixed up session Vettel ended Lewis Hamilton’s Italian Grand Prix grid and it’s usually difficult at Monza.” run of four straight pole posi- MONZA, Italy: Grid for today’s Italian Grand Prix following German Nico Huelkenberg tions yesterday when he secured qualifying yesterday: delivered a stunning late lap to the prime starting spot for snatch third place for Sauber 1st row today’s Italian Grand Prix. ahead of the Ferraris of Brazilian Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull-Renault); Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull-Renault) Vettel’s Red Bull team swept Felipe Massa and Spaniard the front row in qualifying, with 2nd row Fernando Alonso, who were a the 26-year-old German in awe- Nico Huelkenberg (GER/Sauber-Ferrari); Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari) disappointing fourth and fifth in some form and team-mate Mark 3rd row front of watching Ferrari presi- Webber just behind in second. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari); Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) dent Luca di Montezemolo. Hamilton slid off the circuit 4th row Hulkenberg’s Sauber team’s during Q2 and failed to make previous best was his ninth on Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro Rosso-Ferrari); Sergio Perez (MEX/McLaren-Mercedes) the cut to the top 10 shoot-out, the grid in Canada in June and, eventually qualifying in 12th. It 5th row asked where his phenomenal lap was Vettel’s fourth pole this year Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes); Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA/Toro Rosso-Ferrari) came from, he said: “I don’t know and the 40th of his career, setting 6th row either! A really nice surprise, I him up to extend his 46-point lead Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus-Renault); Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) didn’t expect it especially after ahead of Fernando Alonso in the 7th row a very difficult Friday. The guys drivers championship. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Lotus-Renault); Adrian Sutil (GER/Force India-Mercedes) have done a fantastic job to turn German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel (left) of Red Bull Racing Seeking his third win at the the car around.” 8th row and compatriot Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber F1 Team celebrate after the Autodromo Nazionale, the series German Nico Rosberg was qualifying session at the Italian Formula One circuit in Monza, yester- leader and defending triple world Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams-Renault); Paul di Resta (GBR/Force India-Mercedes) sixth for Mercedes while his day. Vettel took pole position while Australian Mark Webber of Red Bull champion Vettel clocked a best 9th row teammate Hamilton qualified only Racing, second and Hulkenberg, third. The Grand Prix of Italy will take lap time of one minute and 23.755 Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Sauber-Ferrari); Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams-Renault) 12th after running off the circuit place today. seconds ahead of Webber, who 10th row during Q2. recorded a best of 1:23.968. Giedo van der Garde (NED/Caterham-Renault); Charles Pic (FRA/Caterham-Renault) Daniel Ricciardo, the young They were the only two drivers Australian who will succeed 1:24.227 to go top before Vettel wreck his bid for a fifth straight 11th row to go below 1:24. compatriot Webber at Red Bull responded with 1:23.977 in a busy pole, and though he recovered, he Vettel, who secured his maiden Jules Bianchi (FRA/Marussia-Cosworth); Max Chilton (GBR/Marussia-Cosworth) next season, was seventh ahead session that saw Hamilton run could not improve on 12th after victory in a rain-swept race at of the two McLarens of Mexican off the track at the Parabolica finding himself trapped behind Monza for Toro Rosso in 2008, This weekend, the car was fan- where we’ve had bad years.” Sergio Perez and Briton Jenson and miss the cut for the top 10 Adrian Sutil’s Force India car. said: “This is a special track for tastic. We had a really strong Webber said: “I said to the boys Button, with Frenchman Jean- shootout. It was the first time in 67 me and it is always nice to come pace yesterday and we were able I was looking for a qualifying PB Eric Vergne completing the top He ran wide at the corner races, excluding penalties, that back here. My memories of 2008 to take that into qualifying today. -- it’s a nice step towards a good 10 for Toro Rosso. and bounced through the gravel Hamilton had failed to make the are great. “In the end, it’s a bit of a sur- race tomorrow. I got there in the In balmy conditions, Alonso at high speed, but managed to cut to Q3. “I had another win in 2011, but prise to have both cars on the end when it mattered. showed he and Ferrari were in retain control and avoid hitting “I just drove like an idiot,” said your first win is always special. front row at a place, historically “Seb did a really good lap. It shape in Q2 when he clocked the barriers. It was enough to Hamilton. AFP Giants’ Petit just shy of Squash chief optimistic perfection on entry for 2020 Games SAN FRANCISCO, California: San Francisco’s BUENOS AIRES: Squash “You are here to represent your Yusmeiro Petit came within one may have the odds stacked sport to the IOC members and to out of pitching a perfect game against it in the race to become let them see how it is now com- yesterday, Eric Chavez’s two-out an Olympic sport at the 2020 pared to years ago. single in the ninth inning spoil- Summer Olympics but their “We have turned our sport ing his bid for the rare feat. irrepressible federation presi- upside down. The way it is played, Petit, who had never pitched dent Narayana Ramachandran in the way it is scored, and how it a complete game in the major (pictured) said in Buenos Aires is broadcast. leagues, retired the first 26 he remains an eternal optimist. “Look we just have 64 athletes Arizona batters he faced before Squash has been trying to (men and women) for an Olympic pinch-hitter Chavez came to the become an Olympic sport for Games competition and all we plate. 10 years and wae desperately need is two glass courts, which are Chavez worked a full count, the unlucky in 2005 in Singapore low cost and easy to integrate.” belted a fastball into right field where they topped the sports Ramachandran said all three that dropped in front of Hunter list to be put on the 2012 Games potential hosts for the 2020 Pence. programme only to lack the two Olympics, who will learn their Petit shook off his disappoint- thirds majority - now it is by fate today, would see the squash ment, and induced AJ Pollock Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Koji Uehara (19) and first baseman Mike majority vote. competition performed in spec- to ground out to third to end Napoli celebrate after they beat the New York Yankees in their MLB Having again failed in 2009 - tacular locations. the Giants’ 3-0 victory over the American League game at Yankee Stadium in New York, yesterday. shortly after Ramachandran took Lalovic have placed them in a very “We could set the courts up on Diamondbacks. over - they have put on an effec- strong position to regain their the Bosphorous (Istanbul), Ginza “I was never thinking of what tive campaign under their Indian place when the 103 International (an upmarket district of Tokyo) was happening in the game,” Petit president’s aegis this time round. Olympic Committee (IOC) mem- or in a bull ring (Madrid),” he said of his chance of pitching just However, the great barrier or bers vote today. said. the 24th perfect game in major Baseball hope for seemingly so to their accession to Despite this the extrovert Ramachandran said that the league history. the Games for the first time is Ramachandran - whose only sport reflected the principles of He acknowledged he could be wrestling - the third one in the sporting activity was playing the IOC. heading for history after he got mix baseball/softball isn’t seen as squash till he gave up at the age of “The IOC stands for universal- the last two outs of the sixth Olympic home run a realistic contender. 60 - remains focussed on the goal ity. We have had world champions inning. From there, he said, “I The uproar that greeted wres- of giving the Olympic Movement from all five continents. Therefore just wanted to keep throwing good BUENOS AIRES: The secret vote, held in 2005. Although tling’s dropping from the pro- a sport that is truly a new one for there would be athletes from pitches. I’m just happy that I’m up Biogenesis doping scandal the International Olympic gramme in February allied to the Games. countries that normally have low here and hope I can stay.” that has rocked Major League Committee (IOC) did not specify the sweeping reforms introduced “Irrespective of the odds I’m an chances of winning medals getting The 28-year-old Venezuelan Baseball could have a posi- exactly why the sports were given by their new president Nenad eternal optimist,” he said. onto the podium.” AFP was looking to join Matt Cain as tive effect on the sport’s bid to the boot, several IOC members the only other Giant to throw a be reinstated to the Olympics, have cited the sport’s refusal to perfect game. Cain’s came on June according to officials leading the comply with all the World Anti- 13 of last year against Houston. push. Doping Agency rules among the Ratto wins 14th stage of Tour of Spain Petit threw only 95 pitches, 69 Although the sport’s reputa- reasons. of them for strikes, and struck tion was badly tarnished when Baseball and softball have out seven. more than a dozen top players struck out twice in their joint “It was a beautiful game and a were suspended for their links to attempts to get back on the tremendous display of pitching,” the Biogenesis clinic accused of Olympic programme and are said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. supplying performance-enhanc- back at the plate for another shot, AFP ing drugs, the World Baseball short-listed along with wrestling Italian rider Softball Confederation believes and squash for readmission in Daniele Ratto Baseball Results it could turn out to be a blessing 2020. The IOC will vote today of Cannondale in disguise. WBSC co-President to decide which sport gets back celebrates as Chicago Cubs 8 Milwaukee 5 Don Porter said the stiff penalties in and Porter believes the stiff he crosses the Baltimore 4 Chicago White Sox 0 handed out by MLB, which had action taken by the MLB could finish line to win Cleveland 8 NY Mets 1 been accused in the past of turn- swing things towards baseball and the 14th stage of Boston 12 NY Yankees 8 ing a blind eye to doping, were softball. the 2013 Vuelta Philadelphia 2 Atlanta 1 proof that the sport was cleaning “They’re doing a lot of things: a Espana cycling up its act. their testing programme, sanc- Cincinnati 3 LA Dodgers 2 tour, 155,7 kms “Doping is not exclusive to tions,” Porter said. between Baga Miami 7 Washington 0 baseball,” Porter told a news con- “They’re working at it. They’re Detroit 16 Kansas City 2 ference yesterday. really doing something to try to and Collada Toronto 6 Minnesota 5 “I think many sports have that eradicate the problem.” de la Gallina, St Louis 12 Pittsburgh 8 problem and we have to compli- Porter said the WBSC bidding Andorra, yesterday. LA Angels 6 Texas 5 ment the MLB because they’re team, which includes the son of working very hard.” former Cuban president Fidel Oakland 7 Houston 5 Baseball and softball were on Castro, were also optimistic that Seattle 6 Tampa Bay 4 the Olympic program from 1992 MLB would find a way to release San Diego 4 Colorado 3 to 2008 but were kicked out for some of its players to compete at San Francisco 3 Arizona 0 last year’s London Games after a the Olympics. REUTERS SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Al Rayyan lift Sheikh Jassim Cup Diego Aguirre’s side clinches second straight trophy after beating Al Kharaitiyat 2-0

DOHA: Second-half goals helped Al Rayyan clinch their second consecutive Sheikh Jassim Cup title after beating a spirited Al Kharaitiyat side 2-0 in the final at Doha Stadium yesterday. Moussa Haroon (75) and Rodrigo Tabata (84) were the scorers for Al Rayyan, in what proved to be a tough match for the reigning Emir Cup champions. Al Rayyan players and From the first minute, Al officials celebrate with the Kharaitiyat, coached by Bertrand Sheikh Jassim Cup trophy Marchand started the match after beating Al Kharaitiyat brightly, putting Al Rayyan under 2-0 in the final yesterday at pressure. Doha Stadium. However, Al Rayyan, coached by Diego Aguirre found their PICTURE BY: ABDUL BASIT rhythm and started to create chances. In the 27th minute, Tabata saw his shot go high above the bar in what was one of many chances created by Al Rayyan in the first half. Al Kharaitiyat, who stunned Eljaish 2-1 in the semi-finals, nearly took the lead through Jessy John. John rose high above his oppo- nent to connect a well-placed pass from Mahmoud Abdul Halim, but After the break, both teams The striker failed to hit the whistle when Haroon’s headed The Brazilian linked up well create chances but failed to find his header was well saved by Al continued at the same pace hop- target with only the goalkeeper goal gave Al Rayyan the lead fol- with Nilmar, and following some the net when the final whistle was Rayyan goalkeeper. ing to break the deadlock. to beat. The miss was met with lowing a short corner. clever work from the latter, blown. Minutes later, Al Kharaitiyat Former Villarreal and Brazilian frustration by players and officials Tabata then doubled the lead Tabata was left with an easy fin- It was the second straight tro- goalkeeper Ndiaye Khalifa made striker Nilmar missed a glorious on the Al Rayyan bench. in the 84th minute, when the ish inside the six-yard box to put phy for Al Rayyan, following their two tremendous saves to keep the opportunity to put his side ahead The first goal of the match attacking midfielder scored the his side in control. Emir Cup win in May. scores level at half-time. in the second half. came 15 minutes from the final second goal of the match. Al Kharaitiyat continued to THE PENINSULA Mexico fire coach World Cup Ronaldo rescues Portugal; European after World Cup loss Qualifying Results Group A MEXICO CITY: Mexico coach Jose Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre Macedonia 2 Wales 1 Spain and Germany win Scotland 0 Belgium 2 was fired yesterday, a day after a painful loss to Honduras which dented their hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup. Serbia 1 Croatia 1 LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo Justino Compean, president of the Mexican Football Federation, fired Group B rescued Portugal with a speedy de la Torre and replaced him with Luis Fernando Tena, who coached Czech Republic 1 Armenia 2 hat-trick to avoid a slip-up the gold medal winning Mexico team at the London Olympics, accord- Malta 1 Denmark 2 in Northern Ireland, while ing to a statement on the federation’s website. Italy 1 Bulgaria 0 Portugal’s Netherlands dropped their first Mexico suffered only their second ever World Cup qualifying defeat Group C points as Spain and Germany Cristiano in the Azteca Stadium with a 2-1 loss to Honduras on Friday which took easier steps towards World Ronaldo left them in fourth place in North and Central America and Caribbean Kazakhstan 2 Faroe Islands 1 Germany 3 Austria 0 Cup qualification. (right) (CONCACAF) region standings, outside the automatic qualification Ireland 1 Sweden 2 England moved level on points celebrates slots and only a point ahead of Panama. at the top of Group H with scoring ‘El Tri’ face old rivals the United States in Columbus, Ohio on Group D Montenegro after marching to a his second Tuesday and then have a home game against Panama in October before Turkey 5 Andorra 0 4-0 home win over Moldova that goal against finishing away to current CONCACAF leaders Costa Rica. Estonia 2 Netherlands 2 came as their rivals were held 1-1 Northern The fourth placed team in the six-nation final qualifying tournament Romania 3 Hungary 0 in Poland. Ireland for the CONCACAF region will face a two-legged play-off against New Group E Italy and Belgium were among during Zealand in November. Slovenia 1 Albania 0 the group pacesetters to take full the 2014 Mexico’s only other qualifying defeat at the intimidating Azteca Switzerland 4 Iceland 4 points, while Group E leaders World Cup Stadium came in 2001 against Costa Rica but their home form had Norway 2 Cyprus 0 Switzerland could only draw 4-4 been strangely lacklustre with three goalless draws before Friday’s European Group F with Iceland and Group G table- stunning loss. zone Group toppers Bosnia surprisingly lost De la Torre has been under fire since Mexico lost two of its three Russia 4 Luxembourg 1 F qualifying 1-0 at home to Slovakia. games in the Confederations Cup in June for an early exit. Northern Ireland 2 Portugal 4 In Belfast, Portugal were in match at Mexico then failed to defend the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the Group G serious danger of being knocked Windsor United States in July. Liechtenstein 0 Greece 1 off the top of Group F, after sec- Park in Mexico had won the last two cup tournaments but were upset by Bosnia 0 Slovakia 1 ond-placed Russia had earlier Belfast, Panama. Latvia 2 Lithuania 1 thumped Luxembourg 4-1, as they Northern But it was the risk of missing out on the World Cup finals for the Group H found themselves trailing 2-1 to Ireland, on first time since 1990 that forced Compean to act. England 4 Moldova 0 Friday. Northern Ireland. Mexico was banned from the 1990 World Cup after using over-age Poland 1 Montenegro 1 Their hosts had previous form players in the World Youth Championship. Ukraine 9 San Marino 0 for upsets having stunned Russia The last time they failed to make it through the CONCACAF quali- Group I 1-0 last month and it looked like fying process was in 1982. REUTERS they were heading for another Georgia 0 France 0 when Portugal’s Helder Postiga Finland 0 Spain 2 was shown a straight red card for to turn the match around and put from seven matches, five ahead Ethiopia, Nigeria England striker a headbutt on Gareth McAuley Portugal on 17 points from eight of Sweden who beat Ireland 2-1. South American just before halftime. games with Russia on 15 having Austria dropped to third on 11, progress; South Sturridge ruled Northern Ireland, already out played one game fewer. level with the Irish. World Cup Results of qualifying contention, made There were more individual “We did our homework, we Africa fail to out of Ukraine At Barranquilla, Colombia the man advantage count early plaudits in Germany’s 3-0 win defended well, we played with the Colombia 1 Ecuador 0 in the second half when Jamie over Austria in Group C as for- right aggression and intensity,” At Asuncion Ward scored after a corner but ward Miroslav Klose opened the Germany coach Joachim Loew qualify match Paraguay 4 Bolivia 0 Portugal’s fortunes turned when scoring in the 34th minute to told ZDF television. At Santiago Kevin Brunt was shown a second equal Gerd Mueller’s record of The same could not be said of JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng: LONDON, England: England Chile 3 Venezuela 0 yellow to make it 10 against 10. 68 goals for the country. Group E leaders Switzerland, who Minnows Ethiopia eliminated striker Daniel Sturridge has At Lima Then followed 15 minutes of The clean sheet banished con- let slip a 4-1 lead to draw 4-4 with South Africa from the World been ruled out of his side’s cru- Peru 1 Uruguay 2 trademark Ronaldo brilliance cerns over recent German defen- Iceland, allowing second-placed Cup Africa zone qualifying com- cial World Cup qualifier against as he headed in two goals and sive frailties as they stayed in Norway to close the gap on them petition yesterday by fighting Ukraine on Tuesday, the CONCACAF scored another from a free kick control of the group on 19 points to four points after they beat back to defeat Central African Football Association (FA) said At Mexico City Cyprus 2-0. Republic 2-1 in Congo. yesterday. Mexico 1 Honduras 2 Netherlands also had defensive The ‘Walias Antelopes’ topped Sturridge was sidelined for At San Jose questions to answer after they Group A with 13 points, two more Friday’s 4-0 win over Moldova Costa Rica 3 USA 1 saw a first-minute lead secured than 2010 World Cup hosts South at Wembley after aggravating a by Arjen Robben evaporate in Africa, whose 4-1 home win over thigh injury in Liverpool’s victory At Panama City Panama 0 Jamaica 0 Tallinn where they stood sec- Botswana in Durban proved futile. against Manchester United last onds away from an embarrass- Ethiopia join Algeria, Egypt, weekend. ing 2-1 defeat after a Konstantin Ghana and Ivory Coast in the The 24-year-old returned to Vassiljev double for the hosts. two-leg play-offs. Liverpool for treatment after The Dutch, who until this Nigeria overcame Malawi 2-0 initially joining up with England game had a perfect record of six in Calabar to win Group F with and it had been hoped he would wins from six matches, snatched the match settled early in the sec- recover sufficiently to meet Roy a point in the third minute of ond half when Victor Moses con- Hodgson’s squad in time for the stoppage time when Raio Piiroja verted a penalty and Malawian trip to Kiev. was sent off and a penalty was Limbikani Mzava was red carded. However, the FA confirmed awarded which Robin van Persie Cameroon host Libya today and that Sturridge, who has scored converted. a win for either country would five goals in four appearances for Spirits were much higher at take them through to the final Liverpool this season, will defi- Wembley where England out- round with the draw scheduled nitely miss the Group H clash. classed Moldova after two goals for September 16 in Cairo. “The FA can confirm that A laser is reflected on France’s from Danny Welbeck and one “Not qualifying for the final Daniel Sturridge will not return Franck Ribéry during the FIFA Germany’s Miroslav Klose celebrates his goal against Austria during each from captain Steven Gerrard round is a huge personal dis- to the England squad ahead of the World Cup 2014 qualifying match their 2014 World Cup qualifying match in Munich. Klose scored in the and Rickie Lambert propelled appointment,” admitted South World Cup qualifier with Ukraine against Georgia at the Boris 34th minute to equal Gerd Mueller’s record of 68 goals for the country. them to the top of Group H on Africa coach Gordon Igesund said on Tuesday,” said the FA in a Paichadze Stadium in Tbilisi. goal difference. REUTERS yesterday. AFP statement. AFP SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

LEFT Tokyo named as hosts of 2020 Olympic Games

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan (bottom right) celebrates with members of the Tokyo bid committee as Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Tokyo as the city to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games during a ceremony in Buenos Aires, yesterday. RIGHT: Picture taken during the final presentation of the Tokyo 2020 bid.

LEFT: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (right) congratulates Abe. CENTRE: Japanese swimmers, Ai Shibata (front third left) and Junichi Miyashita (front, second right), Japanese weight lifter Hiromi Miyake (front, left ), Japanese wrestler Saori Yoshidda (front, third left) and other participants celebrate. RIGHT: Tokyo 2020 delegation members hug each other after the announcement was made.

People celebrate after hearing that Tokyo had been chosen to host the Games during a public viewing event in Tokyo. RIGHT: Tokyo 2020 ambassador Christel Takigawa gestures during the bid presentation. BELOW: Japanese fencer Yuki Ota cries following the announcement.

Abe (right) greets IOC President Jacques Rogge after the announcement was made. BELOW: Members of Tokyo’s 2020 bid celebrate.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter (right) speaks with Spain’s Prince Felipe before the start of the IOC session. Sunday 8 September 2013 2 Dhul-qa’da 1434 Volume 18 Number 5816 Sport Price: QR2

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NEW YORK: World number one Novak Djokovic withstood a determined challenge yester- day to reach his fifth US Open final, outlasting Swiss ninth seed Stanislas Wawrinka 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The 26-year-old Serbian, a six- time major winner and 2011 US Open champion, will play for the title tomorrow against the win- ner of the match between 12-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal of Spain and France’s Richard Gasquet. Djokovic booked his 12th Grand Slam trophy match, and fourth US Open final in a row, after four hours and nine minutes on his ninth ace, the sellout crowd at wind-swept Arthur Ashe Stadium giving both men a stand- ing ovation. “It was obvious Stan played more aggressive. He played better tennis,” said Djokovic. “I was try- ing to hang in there, to adjust. It was tough on both of us. I had to run a lot. I had to find my rhythm. “I was just so fortunate to play International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge shows the name of the city of Tokyo elected to host the 2020 Summer Olympics during a session of the IOC in Buenos my best tennis when I needed to.” Aires, yesterday. RIGHT: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) is congratulated by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan An epic third game of the fifth set lasted 21 minutes, Wawrinka fighting off five break points to hold for a 2-1 lead after 30 points, reaching deuce 12 times. The Swiss denied Djokovic break points with forehand, back- hand and service winners as well Tokyo to host 2020 Games as two netted backhands by the Serb before closing out the game on a service winner.  Japanese city wins right to stage Olympic Games for the second time “I was thinking, ‘Whoever wins this game is going to win this match,’” said Djokovic. “After he  won that game I was thinking, ‘I Istanbul loses head-to-head vote; Madrid experiences more heartbreak have to fight against those odds.’” But Djokovic finally capitalized BUENOS AIRES, Ciudad Summer Olympic Olympics, as the South Korean Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games factfile on his eighth break point of the Autonoma de Buenos Aires: resort of Pyeongchang is hosting last set when Wawrinka swatted BUENOS AIRES, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires: Factfile on Tokyo after the International Olympic Tokyo yesterday won the right the 2018 winter edition. a backhand beyond the baseline Games host cities Committee awarded it the right to host the 2020 Olympics yesterday: to host the Olympic Games for Madrid had looked to be the to give him a 3-2 lead. List of host cities for the modern summer Tokyo the second time, overcoming Olympics after Tokyo was awarded the 2020 city with the momentum com- The reigning Australian Open fears about radiation from the Games yesterday. ing into the final week after an Status: capital and Japan’s biggest city champion had converted only stricken Fukushima nuclear outstanding presentation to IOC Population: 13,282,271 (estimate as of August 1, 2013). Greater Tokyo, a megalopolis that 3-of-18 break points up to that 1896 Athens plant to land the 2020 edition members in Lausanne in July -- includes the city of Yokohama, as well as other urban areas, is home to around 35 million people. moment, but took the critical 1900 Paris of the world’s biggest sporting and were hoping that like Rio de Surface area: 2,188.67 square kilometres (845 square miles) break and held the rest of the way event. 1904 St Louis Janeiro for the 2016 race, they Geographical situation: Tokyo is located on the Pacific coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu, to advance, dropping Wawrinka to Members of the International 1908 London could go on to win. in the Kanto region. The weather in summer is generally humid and hot. 0-13 against world number ones. Olympic Committee (IOC) meet- But it was not enough, even “These matches are what we 1912 Stockholm History: Tokyo, a former fishing village, was the seat of the Tokugawa clan’s military “Shogunate”, ing in Buenos Aires chose the with 28 of the 35 venues built live for,” Djokovic said. “I want 1924 Paris which ruled over Japan for more than 270 years from a city then called “Edo”. The military govern- Japanese capital, which previ- and all the infrastructure in place to congratulate my opponent for 1928 Amsterdam ment was replaced in 1868 when the emperor’s authority was restored. It became the nation’s ously hosted the Games in 1964, plus a positive assessment by the capital with the emperor moving his palace from Kyoto. Renamed Tokyo (Eastern Capital), it has fighting hard until the end. It was 1932 Los Angeles over Istanbul, after Madrid was IOC Evaluation Commission -- grown into the world’s largest megalopolis, despite devastation in World War II. a great match.” dramatically eliminated following 1936 Berlin the only IOC members allowed Wawrinka, in his first Grand a first-round tie with the Turkish 1948 London to visit the bid cities - over their Olympics already hosted in Tokyo: One, in 1964 Slam semi-final, fired plenty of city. 1952 Helsinki relatively low budget. Number of Olympic bids : Five (for 1940, 1960, 1964, 2016 and 2020) winners early but struggled to Crowds gathered in Tokyo Doubts about Spain’s recession- connect on even half his first 1956 Melbourne Note -- They were awarded the 1940 Games but were then stripped of the right to host them. broke into wild cheers, despite hit economy persisted to the end Helsinki replaced them but in the event because of World War II the Games were cancelled. serves while Djokovic, undone by 1960 Rome the result coming in the early and not even some more upbeat Olympics already hosted in the country: One in summer (Tokyo, 1964), two in winter unforced errors most of the first hours of the morning nearly a 1964 Tokyo news on the issue recently and (Sapporo, 1972; Nagano, 1998) two sets, found his form and bat- dozen time zones away, television 1968 Mexico City Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s Projected budget for 2020: The total budget is set at $8.5bn with $3.8bn earmarked for con- tled back. pictures showed. 1972 Munich pledges that financing would not struction of venues and other Olympic-related facilities. “It was a great tournament for Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo pose problems convinced enough me,” Wawrinka said after his first 1976 Montreal Composition of Buenos Aires delegation: A 100-plus delegation led by Tokyo 2020 presi- Abe had earlier flown in to the members that they could deliver. Grand Slam semi-final, a run that 1980 Moscow dent Tsunekazu Takeda, who is also president of the Japanese Olympic Committee. Other Argentine capital from the G20 Istanbul had been hoping included his quarter-final ouster 1984 Los Angeles key members included Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose, Tokyo 2020 CEO and JOC vice president summit in St Petersburg, Russia, Turkey would become the first Masato Mizuno. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe were in attendance. of defending champion Andy to reassure nervous members 1988 Seoul predominantly Muslim country Murray. Slogan: “Discover Tomorrow” about the safety of the nuclear 1992 Barcelona to host the quadrennial sporting “Tough match to have lost. I The 2020 candidature file: Tokyo claims to be the “safe pair of hands” that can be trusted plant some 220 kilometres (140 extravaganza. gave everything. I fight until the 1996 Atlanta in uncertain times. It also offers unmatched personal safety and financial security as well miles) from the city and fears But despite a passionate and end. I tried. It was an amazing 2000 Sydney as world-class infrastructure for a compact Games, with 85 percent of the Olympic venues about the leaking of contaminated dynamic campaign trading on experience.” located within eight kilometres (five miles) of the athletes’ village. Organisers say strict anti- water. 2004 Athens bridging two continents and two The victory ensured Djokovic 2008 Beijing quake measures mean the city is safe and insists there is no danger from radiation from the He told delegates that the situ- cultures as well as an evoca- crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. will stay atop the rankings after ation was “under control”, adding: 2012 London tive “wake up in Asia compete the US Open no matter how he State of progress: Of the 35 venues and Olympic-related facilities, 20 will be newly built, with “It has never done or will do any in Europe” slogan, their bid was fares in the final. Nadal leads 2016 Rio de Janeiro nine of them for temporary use. An 80,000-seat National Stadium, with a retractable roof will damage to Tokyo.” 2020 Tokyo hampered in June. be built, regardless of the bid outcome, at a cost of $1.3bn. their personal rivalry 21-15 while Fukushima operator the Tokyo Several IOC members were Djokovic owns an 8-1 career edge Electric Power Co also played Tokyo -- third in the vote for unimpressed by the heavy-handed time at a young age. “I was at “I met with one boy in the over Gasquet. down fears of a possible spread of the 2016 Games won by Rio de way that the Ankara government the opening ceremony in Tokyo affected area, he was holding a Djokovic improved to 13-2 radiation in a separate message. Janeiro -- had been the frontrun- handled anti-government protests in 1964 and saw several thousand cherished football, given to him with his 11th victory in a row Concerns over Fukushima -- ners originally, as they promised a that escalated from opposition to doves all released into the clear by a footballer from overseas over Wawrinka, who also pushed seriously damaged in the dev- safe and financially secure Games the redevelopment of an Istanbul blue sky and coming together to who had visited the area,” said him to 12-10 in the fifth set in astating 2011 earthquake and in what they termed “uncertain park. make the Olympic rings,” he said. Abe. a fourth-round matchup at the tsunami that killed more than times”. There was also nervousness “It was all amazing to me at 10 “That ball was not just a foot- Australian Open. Djokovic won 18,000 people -- had dogged the The decision means it will be surrounding the fallout from the years old. ball to him, it represented his three of the last four points in bid in the final days but Abe suc- the fourth time that Japan plays bloody civil war in neighbouring He also cited his experience hope for the future. the key second-set tie-breaker to cessfully allayed IOC members’ host to the Olympics, having also Syria. meeting one of the children on “Today under the blue sky of level the match, but he was bro- fears. organised hosted winter Games Prime Miniser Abe said in his a trip to visit survivors of the Fukushima there are young boys ken at love in the eighth game of The final result was 60 votes in Nagano (1998) and Sapporo presentation that the Olympics earthquake and tsunami and said playing football and looking into the third set, netting a forehand for Tokyo against 36 for Istanbul, (1972). were part of his DNA, having sport had a key role in society to the future and not the past.” to hand Wawrinka the momen- said the IOC. Asia will also see successive experienced them for the first aid recovery. AFP tum and a 5-3 lead. AFP