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Thursday 22 November 2012 8 Muharram 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5526 Price: QR2

Qatar to remain Chelsea sack fastest growing manager GCC economy Di Matteo

Business | 21 Sport | 32

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Emir opens Crowne Plaza Doha Hotel OPINION Doha in green Ten reasons why Israel drive ahead of attacked Gaza

ast Lweek, a new wave of climate meet attacks was launched against Gaza Organisers launch information booths by Israel claiming DOHA: With preparations for is not possible. They have been more than Khalid Al Sayed the forthcoming UN Climate told where they can take waste a hundred EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Change Conference — COP for recycling and how to organ- innocent 18/CMP8 — in full swing, the ise a collective recycling pro- lives. The renewed tensions organisers have introduced gramme for businesses and other came after Israel launched innovative “information pods” organisations. a series of missile attacks to educate the public on envi- The pallets and tyres of the targeted at militants in Gaza ronmental issues and answer information pods reflect a larger which killed Hamas military queries about the biggest-ever commitment on the part of commander Ahmed Al Jabari. conference in Qatar. COP18/CMP8 to employ recycled Israel said the killing of Jabari The conference is expected to and reused materials. was a response to Palestinian bring together more than 17,000 Volunteers at the conference attacks from Gaza. Over the participants from 194 countries, are equipped with water bot- years, Israel has been aiming including 7,000 members of civil tles made out of a substance at Jabari for his key role in society groups and about 1,500 derived from corn starch, iPad the Hamas military decision- local, regional and international cases, pens, and memory sticks making process after the journalists. derived from bamboo, and they Operation Cast Lead in 2008. The information pods are the give away sunglasses made of Soon after Israeli attacks, latest of a number of green ini- recycled wood to visitors. Hamas retaliated by firing tiatives launched by the organis- A fleet of “green” buses will four Grad rockets which ing committee in the lead up to be running throughout COP18/ The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani cutting a ribbon to open the Crowne Plaza Doha Hotel caused no casualties and only the conference. In the next two CMP8 to ensure that the event yesterday. H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad Al Thani is also seen. The Emir toured the hotel and a number some damage to infrastruc- weeks, thirteen such structures minimises the impact on the of its suites and rooms. Story on page 4 ture in the southern city of - with archways of rubber tyres, environment. A total of 100 buses Beersheba. As the clashes walls of water bottles, and roofs of will run on gas-to-liquids fuel, a continue and civilian death reused shipping pallets - will crop cleaner form of fuel. toll mounts, foreign countries up around Doha, catching the eye Throughout the Conference, are condemning the attacks. of residents and visitors. which runs from November 26 to Yesterday, a truce was agreed Each pod is staffed by a supervi- December 27, two buses that run to end the bloodshed. sor and a team of up to three vol- on compressed natural gas and Six Asians jailed for murder Even as both sides work unteers, who are trained to provide six hybrid buses will operate on a out the details of the truce, information on everything from “green route” between the QNCC DOHA: A lower criminal were procuring hooch or factory- and victim was also young. one question is waiting to be logistical questions such as, “will and Doha Exhibition Centre. court here has sentenced six made liquor from some other According to details of the case, answered. Why did Israel there be a lot of traffic?” (Answer: The buses have been supplied Asian construction workers to sources on the sly for sale. five of the convicts were involved launch the attacks now? Listed Buses will be provided to transport by Mowasalat which is currently a year in jail after they were The convicts confessed in in the murder and the sixth one below are ten reasons why all participants), to general advice undertaking a study with Qatar found guilty of killing a friend court they bought knives from was not present at the time of Israel reignited the Gaza war. about how to live a more environ- Petroleum and WOQOD, the following a dispute over liquor the market with the intention of the crime. 1. An election tool. The mentally friendly lifestyle. state fuel distribution company, sale. killing their friend who wanted He was, however, charged by attack on Gaza is timed with “The biggest question has been, to look at updating its fleet with The convicts worked as build- to deprive them of the ill-gotten the prosecution for being part Israel’s general election on ‘Where can I recycle in Doha?’ compressed natural gas buses. ing industry painters and con- profits from their trade. of the conspiracy as he had January 22. Though opinion said Alex Bryant, the supervi- With its environmentally friendly spired to kill the victim as he The medical report suggested agreed with others to the plan polls predict an easy win for sor of the City Centre informa- design and solar-powered energy rebelled and decided to sell liq- the victim suffered multiple to kill him and did not inform Prime Minister Benjamin tion pod, said. Many expatriate system the QNCC is the ideal uor on his own. stab injuries caused by sharp the police. Netanyahu, he still needed to workers living in Qatar come to venue to host COP18/CMP8 Doha. It is not clear if the convicts weapons and died. The court, therefore, sentenced address domestic problems to the booth under the impression Continued on page 5 and the victim were involved in The convicts are in the the six to a year in prison. ensure a stable government that recycling in the country See also page 5 brewing hooch illegally or they age group of 22 to 28 years THE PENINSULA next year. Continued on page 6 Arithmetic book creates ripples Cabinet okays Israel, Hamas reach truce CAIRO/GAZA: Israel and along the border”. If it holds, DOHA: An arithmetic book of a draft law the Islamist Hamas move- within 24 hours, Israel would be foreign private school that cites ment agreed yesterday to an required to start implementing wine bottles in an illustration of on nurseries Egyptian-sponsored cease- procedures to open Gaza’s border an exercise has created ripples fire to halt an eight-day con- crossings and allow the movement locally, reports Al Sharq. DOHA: The State Cabinet yes- flict around the Gaza Strip of people and goods. The book is, apparently, part of terday approved a draft law that has killed more than 140 Clinton thanked Egypt’s new the mathematics curriculum of a to regulate the kindergartens Palestinians and five Israelis. Islamist President Mohammed lower grade of the school but the and nurseries and forwarded it A flurry of explosions shook the Mursi for his peace efforts, say- very fact that it mentions wine bot- to the Advisory Council for its city of Gaza as the truce deadline ing his government was assum- tles in an illustration has infuriated recommendations. approached and several rockets ing “responsibility, leadership” in parents of some students. The draft lays stress on the landed in the southern Israeli city the region. Israeli Prime Minister The exercise is about how num- safety and security of children and of Beersheba. Benjamin Netanyahu told US bers can be divided and the illus- hygiene as well as academic quali- Foreign Minister Mohammed President Barack Obama he was tration says: “Ten people share a fications of the staff of a nursery. Kamel Amr of Egypt, which bro- ready to give the ceasefire a chance, prize of 3,000 bottles of wine. How It will be compulsory for a nurs- kered the ceasefire in days of but that “more forceful action” many bottles does each get when ery to seek clearance from the Civil marathon talks, announced the might be needed if it failed, accord- it is shared equally?” Defence to be eligible to be licensed cessation of hostilities at a joint ing to a statement from his office. According to the daily, the teaching division exercises to the check their curricula. and it must be located on the ground news conference in Cairo with US The ceasefire was forged school has ignored the fact class,” the daily quoted an angry Foreign schools shouldn’t be floor of a building and away from a Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. despite a bus bomb explosion that Qatar is an Islamic society parent as saying. permitted to violate SEC guide- main and busy road. It is expected The accord calls on Israel to that wounded 15 Israelis in and the illustration is against The parent has called on the lines, they said. “The SEC must that the law would see the light of “stop all hostilities... in the land, Tel Aviv earlier in the day and Islamic teachings and the Qatari education sector regulator, the monitor the curricula of such day sooner rather than later after sea and air including incursions despite more Israeli air strikes tradition. Supreme Education Council schools,” the parent was quoted the draft having been approved by and targeting of individuals” and that killed 10 Gazans. “The book should have cited (SEC), to strictly monitor foreign as saying. the State Cabinet. urges the Palestinian factions to AGENCIES some other example while private schools in the country and THE PENINSULA Continued on page 6 end “rocket attacks and all attacks See also pages 6 & 10

THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qtel and Torch Doha reach Emir opens Crowne Plaza Doha partnership agreement Latest addition to Qatar’s booming hospitality and events market DOHA: Qtel and The Torch Doha have signed a partnership agree- DOHA: The Emir H H Mohammed bin Hamad bin Establishment, Crowne Plaza– Mediterranean all-day dining ment that will allow Qtel’s custom- Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Abdullah Al Thani, owner of The Business Park was signed restaurant; Savor, an elegant ers to purchase special vouchers Al Thani yesterday officially the hotel, said: “Since it was in 2008, began construction in lounge; Liquidity, the lively for accommodation and access to a opened the Crowne Plaza signed in 2008, we have eagerly mid-2009 and it features 378 pool-side lounge; as well as full range of facilities. Doha–The Business Park, at anticipated the opening of this rooms. the refined Crowne Plaza Club With the special gift vouchers a ribbon cutting ceremony, hotel. General Manager, Savino Lounge. from the Qtel Self Service Machines accompanied by H E Sheikh “We started out with a Leone said: “Four years Guests can also enjoy a (SSM), customers can enjoy a wide Mohammed bin Hamad bin vision to develop a hotel that ago IHG Trans Orient rooftop swimming pool, fitness variety of services, including fine din- Abdullah Al Thani. would offer unparalleled meet- Establishment and AEB centre and spa. The hotel’s ing options and overnight stays in the A number of Their ing and conference facilities started working on this mag- meeting venue, The Event lap of luxury at The Torch Doha. The Excellencies Sheikhs and and exciting new restaurants nificent corporate hotel. This Centre, is situated in the mid- gift vouchers are designed as a great ministers, along with busi- for the booming Doha market. hotel is designed for guests dle of the park complex and gift for family, friends and visitors nessmen, and representatives This hotel does exactly that who are travelling for success contains two state-of-the-art who want to experience state-of-the- from InterContinental Hotels and under IHG’s manage- and seeking seamless service. ballrooms. art sporting, leisure and rehabilita- Qtel and The Torch Doha senior Group (IHG), also participated ment we’re certain it will be We are very excited to be offi- IHG has 395 Crowne Plaza tion facilities. executives exchange the agreement. in the event. a success”. cially opening the hotel today hotels across the globe with 22 The Torch Doha offers signature After the ribbon-cutting The hotel is the first Crowne and we look forward to many in the Middle East and Africa. lounges, including Kufic, Almas and mall. Vouchers for The Torch Doha ceremony, the Emir and other Plaza in the country and it is successful years ahead”. The company has another 96 the Torch Cafe, and restaurants, such will soon be available at any of Qtel’s guests were taken on a tour located in the heart of Doha’s The hotel offers six Crowne Plaza hotels in the as the Flying Carpet and the revolv- over 200 SSMs around Qatar, which of the hotel and treated to a banking district, just 2km food and beverage out- pipeline due to open over the ing restaurant Three Sixty. are conveniently located in super- private lunch. from the Doha International lets: Rodizio, Brazilian next three to five years, five of In addition, The Torch presents its markets, malls, airports and petrol Commenting at the Airport. Churrascaria; Misturado, the which will open in the region. visitors with a four-level health club stations. This partnership between grand opening H E Sheikh Owned by the Trans Orient Brazilian lounge; Aramede, a THE PENINSULA with a cantilevered swimming pool Qtel and the Torch Doha is part of that is 80m above ground, fitness facil- Qtel’s strategy to expand the range of ities with state-of-the-art equipment, services available from the SSMs, to a business centre and walkway access provide the widest range of choice and to Villagio, Doha’s largest shopping value. THE PENINSULA Ministry fires worker undergoing treatment

DOHA: An expatriate work- to change his sponsorship to warning issued from the bank, the concerned authorities but ing with the Ministry of another company so that he if he failed to repay the bank they did not consider my plea Environment (MoE) was may repay a bank loan worth loan, he will be sent to jail. and sacked me.” recently sacked by his office QR130,000. “The concerned authorities The man is suffering from a while he was being treated “I requested my office to have also refused to issue the mental disease after a road acci- for a mental disease, Al Sharq issue a no-objection letter for exit permit for me, which bars dent and is being treated at the reported yesterday. transferring my sponsorship so me from visiting my family back Hamad Medical Corporation While his plea to change that I may work with another home,” he said. (HMC). sponsorship was rejected by company and repay my loan but He had submitted sick-leave “Now I am sitting idle at the ministry, he was also denied my request was rejected,” the justifying his absence to the home. I appeal to the authori- exit permit because of financial ill-fated employee was quoted MoE and despite providing ties to get me back to work or liabilities, according to the daily. as saying. relevant documents authenti- issue the no-objection letter so The employee, whose name or After getting the termination cating his treatment, he was that I may transfer sponsor- nationality was not mentioned letter from his office, the man sacked. ship to another company,” the in the report, is said to be in a approached officials at the MoE “I submitted the sick-leave former MoE employee said. miserable state and struggling and told them that as per the and all medical documents to THE PENINSULA

Relatives suspect foul play in drowning of two Indians in villa pool

DOHA: The bodies of the two Indians who died in a swimming pool in their villa compound here early on November 14 were to be flown home late last night, with a lawyer saying their relatives’ plea for further probe into the tragedy was a futile exercise. The police have already cleared the bodies to be carried home based on the medical report, so the file should be considered closed, said prominent lawyer, Jamal Al Nema. When told that the relatives of the duo whose bodies were fished out of a swimming pool of their villa had told the Indian embassy here that they suspected foul play, Al Nema replied: “The investigations are over and can- not be reopened.” The embassy, meanwhile, confirmed it had received a written request from the relatives of the deceased in India for further investigations since they believed the two couldn’t have simply drowned while swim- ming in a pool. “Their request has been forwarded to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry and they would refer it to the authorities con- cerned,” an embassy source told this newspaper. Al Nema said if the police had suspected foul play, they would themselves have launched a further probe and not allowed the bodies to be taken to India. The medical report, it is learned, says the duo drowned. According to Al Nema, no airline would agree to fly a body unless there is government clearance and the Indian authorities would also not permit the corpses to be taken out of the aircraft without Qatari government documents that show how the duo died. Noufal (28) and Ashraf (33) were related to each other and staying in a villa in the Old Airport area with three other relatives. Both were married and their families are in India. THE PENINSULA

Traffic Department launches survey on road safety

DOHA: The Traffic Department has launched a new survey to assess public satisfaction about its services and get people’s opinion about traffic safety. The survey being carried out by the strategic plan- ning division of the Department will cover three main segments involved in traffic safety - vehicles, drivers and the pedestrians, said a senior official. “The survey comes as part of the National Strategic Plan that aims to reduce the number of accidents from 3,000 to 2,500 for each one million people in one year and reduce the number of mortalities from 13.5 to 10 for each 100,000 people,” the official was quoted as saying by a local Arabic daily. The survey aims to involve the com- munities to find the best ways for securing traffic safety, raise awareness and promote good attitudes as well as understand the reasons behind road accidents. It is being carried out in collaboration with the National Committee for Traffic Safety and the Qatar Statistics Authority. The questionnaires are available in three lan- guages - Arabic, English and Urdu. The survey has been conducted through personal inter- views and by sending the questionnaire electronically. The questionnaire is also available on the website of the Ministry of Interior for those who want to join the survey voluntarily. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Qatar Airways launches flights to Serbian capital DOHA: Qatar Airways has renowned across Europe for launched scheduled flights to its buzzing nightlife and unique Serbia, its latest entry into cultural attractions. With Eastern Europe and the air- world-class entertainment and line’s 11th new route of the year. hospitality on offer, we are very The airline inaugurated the proud to provide both our business first of three weekly services and leisure travellers worldwide to the country’s capital city of with new seamless connections to Belgrade, gateway to Serbia’s one of Europe’s most exciting and historic and cultural attractions. vibrant cities,” said Al Baker. Qatar Airways Chief Executive “Similarly, with our new serv- Chefs at the Qatar National Convention Centre busy preparing meals. Officer Akbar Al Baker was ice, we also offer business and joined on the inaugural flight by leisure travellers from Belgrade Mihailo Brkic, Ambassador of with greater connections via the Embassy of the Republic of our Doha hub to diverse cities Serbia to Kuwait and responsible such as Johannesburg, Maputo, QNCC kitchen gears up for COP18 for Qatar, together with members Kilimanjaro, Beijing, Singapore, of the international media. Hong Kong, Bangkok, Melbourne, Flight QR462 touched down Perth and Dubai,” he added. in Belgrade and was received Qatar Airways is flying its Summit to discuss ‘mitigation’ as global emission rates reach new highs by an airport arrival ceremony, Airbus A320 on the Belgrade where guests were treated to a route, featuring 144 seats in a DOHA: Qatar National record highs in 2011, the COP18/ progress, and efforts to build these factors in depth, and the traditional Serbian folklore dance two-class configuration of 12 Convention Centre’s (QNCC)’s CMP8 scheduled to open in Doha capacity in developing countries choices faced by the US, China performance. Business Class seats and 132 in battalion of chefs, kitchen and on November 26, has dedicated to measure emissions and track and India. The ceremony was attended Economy. service staff will prepare and the largest number of sessions, performance towards low-carbon Voluntary commitments are by more than 50 local dignitar- Belgrade – Doha schedule serve 200,000 cups of coffee and spanning 12 days, on ‘mitigation development. On the ‘combined driving innovations in low carbon ies, VIPs and media, including (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays) five tonnes of Arabic mezzes and related issues’. mobility’, there will be discussions transport with $175bn pledged for Qatar’s Ambassador to Romania Depart Belgrade on QR463 at 1505 hrs, arrive during the 12 days of COP18/ The World Meteorological on how the integration of sustain- sustainable transport at Rio+20. Saad Mohamed Al Kobaisi; in Doha at 2345 hrs CMP8. Organisation’s (WMO) annual able modes -rail, metro, bus, non- A side event will discuss the Serbian State Secretary for Doha - Belgrade schedule During the course of the United Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, released motorised- enables a low-carbon potential impacts of, and con- Tourism, Goran Petkovi and (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays) Nations Conference on Climate Tuesday, reports that carbon mobility system. tradictions between, expand- Chief Executive Officer of Airport Depart Doha on QR462 at 0830hrs, arrive in Change (COP18/CMP8), the dioxide rose to 390.9 parts per The event will give practical ing markets in biomass-based Nikola Tesla, Velimir Radosavljevi. Belgrade at 1350hrs QNCC’s team of chefs and wait- million (ppm). examples of combined mobility products and services within the “Serbia’s capital Belgrade is THE PENINSULA ers will serve meals, coffees and The WMO Global Atmosphere systems worldwide, and their cli- framework of the “bioeconomy”. snacks to an average of 15,000 Watch (GAW) Programme shows mate mitigation potential. It will particularly look at the delegates, VIPs, media, visitors, that the globally averaged mole “End of the coal age’ is another possible impacts on women and

contractors and staff each day. fractions of carbon dioxide (CO2), key issue to be debated. A fun- Indigenous Peoples. “Overcoming

The event which will run between methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide damental shift away from coal is barriers to start pro-poor carbon

November 26 and December 7, (N2O) reached new highs in 2011. gathering pace in the US, while projects in Africa” will discuss will employ a team of 128 chefs, According to the data, the hard constraints have emerged how the carbon market can work 100 stewarding staff and 650 serv- annual greenhouse gas index that will limit the continual rise for the sustainable development ice staff on rotation and kitchens shows that from 1990 to 2011, of coal consumption in China of poor communities. and serveries will be operating radiative forcing by long-lived and India. Greenpeace examines THE PENINSULA almost non-stop. greenhouse gases increased by 30

A total of 39 food outlets will percent , with CO2 accounting for operate at QNCC serving deli- about 80 percent of this increase. LED lighting adds to ambience cious, fresh grab-and-go food Qatar will lead the discussion such as Arabic mixed grill, on carbon capture and storage Continued from page 1 chicken Biryani, Cantonese noo- and opportunities in the GCC Besides its solar panels that provide 12.5 percent of the building’s dles, Cuban Panini and Spaghetti region. International experts energy needs, and water conservation systems including recycling Bolognaise. and local decision makers would water for irrigation, the QNCC uses LED lighting that is not only “This is the single biggest discuss the role of technological eco-friendly, but adds to the spectacular ambience of the main hall. food and beverage undertaking challenges. The food courts will be as environmentally friendly as possible. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker (centre), is pictured so far at QNCC,” said Jeremy Experts from the US will They will use 37,500 bowls made from sugar cane residue; 20,200 at the Nikola Tesla Airport with (from left) Qatar’s Ambassador to Romania, Hagenbach, Director of F&B at present updated analysis on salad bowls and 30,000 cold drink cups produced from natural starch; Saad Mohamed Al Kobaisi, Chief Executive Officer of Nikola Tesla Airport, QNCC. potential GHG reductions in the 120,000 pieces of cutlery and 150,000 coffee cups made from natural Velimir Radosavljevi, Serbian State Secretary for Tourism, Goran Petkovi, Meanwhile, as the concentra- US, the Open Climate Network, cellulose. In addition, 6,500 recyclable pens will be given to partici- and the Ambassador of the Serbia to Kuwait and responsible for Qatar, tions of greenhouse gases (GHG) will be measuring and tracking pants. THE PENINSULA Mihailo Brkic. in the earth’s atmosphere reached reports on countries’ mitigation THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Sheikha Moza urges action to educate kids Doha ready to host next EFA meet

PARIS: H H Sheikha Moza bint unless we ensure that children get ‘Educate A Child’, launched by Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar the quality education that equips Sheikha Moza on 14 November. Foundation for Education, them to play their part in the “Over the last few months we Science and Community modern world,” she said. have discovered a new energy. Science (QF) Board and the Highlighting current situations Today, I call on you to make use Unesco Special Envoy for Basic in Gaza and Syria, Sheikha Moza of this energy. I count on you and Higher Education yester- stated that the challenges facing to increase your efforts to meet day called on global education education are immense. our commitments. I urge you to leaders to step up their action “Events happening right now in use the discussion over the com- to provide access to quality edu- my region clearly show that the ing days to focus on accelerated cation for the world’s hardest- right to education is still endan- actions that will enable us to meet to-reach children. gered. Just look at the situation our goals.” Sheikha Moza was the keynote of students in the Gaza Strip, in In order to build on this speaker at the Global Education Syria and in similar conflict areas. momentum, Sheikha Moza pro- For All (EFA) meeting at the Education is not being protected posed to host the next EFA meet- Unesco headquarters in Paris. from the wider issues affecting a ing in Doha in April 2013: “I invite This ministerial-level meeting country or a society,” she said. you to share progress, to come seeks to drive forward progress Sheikha Moza urged leaders to with specific plans and to show towards reaching the EFA goals build on the momentum gener- the outcomes of today’s important of providing universal access to ated by recent initiatives includ- meeting. I invite you to demon- education. ing Education First, launched strate that we are living up to our H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with Unesco Director General, Irina Bokova, at the first Global Education For All “Humanity will not overcome by UN Secretary-General Ban promise in concrete and practical meeting held at Unesco headquarters in Paris, yesterday. PIC: MAHER ATTAR the immense challenges we face Ki-moon in September, and ways.” QNA

WISE photo expo Cabinet urges ROTA hosts photography workshop

Security Council to DOHA: Qatar’s leading educa- involved a professional photogra- tional not-for-profit organisa- pher working with a group of 30 protect Gazans tion Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) ROTA volunteers to learn the skills continued its Volunteer Training and techniques needed to take bet- Continued from page 1 Programme by hosting a four- ter photographs. The Prime Minister and Foreign hour photography workshop at Trained volunteers will then Minister, H E Sheikh Hamad bin their own premises. have the opportunity to assist the Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani chaired The ROTA Volunteer Training ROTA Volunteer Programme to the regular cabinet meeting held at Programme, organised by the capture top quality photographic the Emiri Diwan yesterday. ROTA Volunteer Programme in images from local projects in The Cabinet condemned the collaboration with Community Qatar and during international continuing Israeli aggression on Based Organisations (CBOs) and volunteer trips across Asia. For the Gaza Strip and the killing volunteers, is a series of monthly the latest Reach Out To Asia news of innocents and for bloodshed, workshops for volunteers to and events, including details of intimidation of the Gazans, and learn new skills that will improve the ROTA Volunteer Programme, the destruction of homes and public their ability to develop their visit www.reachouttoasia.org or the A passer by uses his mobile phone to capture images from the WISE Photo Exhibition at the Sheaton Park at and private properties in flagrant communities. ROTA Facebook page at www.face- Doha Corniche on Tuesday. QASSIM RAHMATULLAH violation of international law, inter- This volunteer training work- book.com/reachouttoasia national resolutions, and humanity shop in basics of photography THE PENINSULA charters, norms and values, in addi- tion to the serious threat it poses to regional security and stability. The cabinet stressed that the UN Security Council is fully responsi- ble, and it is required now more than ever before to take an urgent, clear and decisive stance to stop the aggression, ensure it does not recur, provide the necessary pro- tection for the Palestinian people, and force Israel to lift the unjust siege on the Gaza Strip and cre- ate the appropriate atmosphere for the resumption of the peace process towards bringing about a just, last- ing and comprehensive peace. Some of the volunteers who took part in the photography training workshop. THE PENINSULA

Attacks on Gaza a message to Qatar

Continued from page 1 Khartoum and Tel Aviv. Israel about $300m to fund the defence In 2011, Netanyahu’s popular- believes Iranian weapons were system. The Dome has been an ity plummeted due to social justice transported via Sudan to Gaza. asset to the Israeli military which protests which had a significant 5. Purging Hamas leadership. continuously attacks Gaza Strip. impact on his government, but he After the assassination of Hamas 8. Syria and Israeli security. immediately recovered with his leader Jabari, the Israeli Defence Israel’s offensive has provided speech on the Palestinian cam- Force warned other Hamas leaders them a glimpse into what will paign to gain full membership that they too were among targets happen when the Syrian regime in the UN. The current attacks in its move to wipe out terrorist falls. As Assad’s rule nears its end, have helped divert public’s atten- groups. Mediator Gershon Baskin Israel is preparing its border secu- tion. With only a few weeks left, said last Thursday that Jabari had rity and military to counter the Netanyahu’s re-election bid will received the draft of a ‘permanent effects of the collapse. Syria is an mainly focus on Israel’s national truce agreement with Israel’ hours urgent issue for Israel and fears security. before he died. However, Prime that the violence might spill over 2. A call to US government. Minister Netanyahu said Israel is into Golan Heights. Moreover, the The conflict is meant to influ- ‘not prepared to reconcile itself to peril is that Syria’s stockpiles of ence Obama’s foreign policy. such situation’, referring to Hamas WMD might fall into the hands Netanyahu, who vigorously backed escalation of attacks on Israeli of jihadis. Mitt Romney, is moving forward citizens. 9. An evaluation of Arab reac- with his agenda regardless of 6. Influencing UN vote. tion after Arab Spring. The Gaza the outcome of US elections. On Palestinian envoy at UN accused attack created less furor in the Sunday, Obama showed support Israel of ‘deliberately timing the Arab world than it did in the for Israel saying it has the right attack’ to torpedo Palestine’s UN West due to the reform move- to self-defence while urging the non-member state bid. Palestine ments in Middle East. However, Israeli government to find ways to President Mahmoud Abbas reit- Egypt condemned the attack and halt attacks. Netanyahu expressed erated that he would continue withdrew its ambassador from Tel his appreciation about US invest- the statehood bid despite US Aviv. President Mursi also called ment in Iron Dome system. and Israel opposition. The UN for an emergency meeting of the 3. A challenge to Egyptian gov- General Assembly can grant the Security Council. Jordan warned ernment. President Mohammed bid with a majority vote which that it would cause further insta- Mursi from the Brotherhood party the Palestinians have already bility in the region. The Turkish is under increasing pressure as secured. If granted statehood, the government distanced itself from escalation of crisis threatens its Palestinian state can sue Israel at its former ally Israel. peace treaty with Israel. Mursi the international criminal court 10. A message to Qatar. Prior to vowed to maintain Egypt’s pact for war crimes. Israel has threat- the attack, Qatar had increased its with Israel. However, Egyptians ened to annul all peace accords investment in Gaza from $254m to sympathise with Palestinians and and oust Mahmoud Abbas if he $400m to rebuild the infrastruc- condemned Israel’s advance. Egypt pursues his plan. ture. Israel criticised Qatar’s move led the ceasefire efforts. 7. A test of Iron Dome. The and described it as ‘not good’. 4. A blow to Hamas power. Gaza crisis served as an oppor- Qatar’s Emir H H Sheikh Hamad Israel responded to Hamas tunity to test Israel’s Iron Dome bin Khalifa Al Thani voiced his rocket attacks by demolishing which was first tried in 2011. stance on the peace process and its power centres with a barrage Over the weekend, the shield had how to address the conflict in of airstrikes. On October 24, an intercepted more than 200 rockets Gaza. The attack is an indirect call attack on an ammunition factory from Gaza, marking a success rate to Qatar to break its promises to in Sudan raised tensions between of 90 percent. The US has allotted Palestine. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Competition heats up for DTFF’s ‘Made in Qatar’ Budding filmmakers show off their talents

BY RAYNALD C RIVERA pro-democracy revolutions swept Pacle, who manages his own through the region to express production company, RenderFarm DOHA: Young promising film- their aspirations. and whose short film was screened makers in Qatar are keen on “I knew many things about at DTFF last year, said returning nurturing a filmmaking culture the region but the music of these to the festival has boosted his con- in the country by making more artists provided me more infor- fidence as it “proves my skills are movies that communicate to a mation on what they were doing moving forward.” wider audience diverse issues and why they were doing it,” said Originally Angel in June, he that both inform and entertain. Farhoud of the experience of cre- said, was planned to be made The directors of one of the fea- ating the film which took them into a short film about Angel, who ture films in Made in Qatar sec- to various countries across the despite suffering from leukaemia tion, Shannon Farhoud, Ashlene Arab world. The all-female direc- busied herself with impromptu Ramadan, Melanie Fridgant and tors took the risk of travelling to acts of charity and kindness. “But Rana Khaled Al Khatib said that other countries to interview hip when we heard her story, I knew their production company plans hop artistes on their personal it had to be in a bigger format.” From left: Filmmakers Jan Xavier Pacle, Ahmed Ibrahim Al Baker, Ali Al Ansari, Ashlene Ramadan, Shannon to focus on ‘soft news’ stories views and motivations in pursuing He added that the film was Farhoud, Melanie Fridgant, Rana Al Khatib during a photocall at Al Mirqab Hotel yesterday. SHAIVAL DALAL from the Arab world that will music in relation to their coun- made mostly by volunteers who engage all sections of audiences, tries and recent developments in did not have knowledge on film- especially the youth. the region. making but who believed in has already been working on sev- hadn’t attempted before. On an myth and folklore which should be “Our film Lyrics Revolt is a per- Filipino director Jan Xavier the story and were moved by it eral film projects and said they Arab filmmaker’s comment that preserved. Lyrics Revolt, Angel in fect start to tell these stories to Pacle, whose film Angel in June, and the production costs which will continue to focus on creat- young directors must not attempt June and Lockdown are the three young people,” said Al Khatib, was entirely shot in Qatar and reached QR100,000 were covered ing various films such as drama, thrillers, they said no one must feature films competing along adding, making the film was was based on a real life story, through contributions from the thriller and documentary from a tell others what to film or not to with 16 short films for the Made a memorable experience that said he has commenced work on Filipino community in Qatar, who global perspective. film, adding that it is the film- in Qatar section of DTFF whose made a big impact in her life as a short film and is also working on gave full support to the film. The duo said the choice of a makers’ prerogative. winner will receive $10,000 and a director. a more ambitious “intercultural Qatari directors Mohamed Al zombie tale as the theme of their On comments saying the theme will be revealed at the awards cer- Lyrics Revolt captures the love story separated by time,” to Ibrahim and Ahmed Al Baker of film was not to fall into clichés of zombies does not conform to emony tonight along with major story of Arab artistes who draw be shot in Qatar, touching on the Lockdown: Red Moon Escape, the and give a global perspective their culture, they said such awardees. on the sharp edges of hip hop as Arab Spring in Libya. first the zombie thriller in Qatar, by exploring a genre that they concepts are part of the region’s THE PENINSULA Indian cinema’s transformation discussed at Doha Talks BY FAZEENA SALEEM necessarily want to make song dramatic transformations over Bollywood and Indian cinema and dance should do that, but the past decade. The progress in general. The panellists tried DOHA: The Indian cinema’s others who want to make differ- of technology and new models to address questions as why has dramatic transformations ent genre films, make it. of film production, distribution Bollywood so far been unable to and its journey into the global One section wants local audi- and exhibition have given rise to appeal to a broad global audience arena were discussed at the ence, others want to go global,” a variety of innovative business while smaller, independent Indian Doha Tribeca Film Festival’s said Ashutosh Gowariker DTFF’s models – and a growing audience films continue to find interna- (DTFF’s) Doha Talks, yester- Jury Member and renowned base. tional acclaim? How can com- day, as the festival paid a spe- director of films such as Lagaan This panel with Rajeev Masand, mercial Hindi cinema reach the cial tribute to late director and Jodha Akbar. a film critic as the moderator, next level of audience saturation? Yash Chopra. “Indian cinema should make Yash Raj Films vice president And just as importantly, does it ‘Going Global: Can Bollywood English films, with universal Avtar Panesar and actor Anupam even need to? Films really Cross Over?’ dis- themes. Indian cinema has to Kher, discussed the journey of “Our films are made for our cussed if there is a real need jump out of the well,” he said. commercial Hindi films into the people, do we need to reach glo- for the Indian cinema to cross Indian cinema, especially the global arena, and tried to address bal audiences?” questioned Kher. From left: Avtar Panesar, Anupam Kher, Ashutosh Gowariker and film critic boundaries. Bollywood, has witnessed some some key issues, specifically in THE PENINSULA “Indian cinema is not only Rajeev Masand during the panel session yesterday. SHAIVAL DALAL Bollywood or Hindi cinema. Who

BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour coming to Qatar on December 11 DOHA: The BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour is coming to Qatar on December 11, providing mobile developers with the opportunity to learn more about the unique capabilities of BlackBerry 10 and become one of the first to develop for the new platform. Developing for BlackBerry 10 has never been easier, with support for different program- ming languages and the ability to leverage APIs that can integrate with core BlackBerry apps such as contacts, calendar, BlackBerry Messenger, BlackBerry Hub and more. The event will be held at the St Regis Hotel, Doha. Developers inter- ested in attending the event are invited to reg- ister in advance at http:// blackberry-10-jam-me.com/ overview.html Ahmad Olaywan, Country Manager, Qatar at BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) said: “We are committed to bringing the latest tools, training and resources to help the Qatari developer community to produce fantastic, locally- and globally-relevant apps and mobile content. We have successfully hosted more than 35 BlackBerry 10 Jam events around the world, and we’re excited to meet with Qatari developers.” App developers are invited to take part in the BlackBerry 10k app com- mitment, and can learn more at: https://developer. blackberry.com/builtfor- blackberry/documentation/ overview/10kcommitment. html THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Editorial ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED Talking peace with Farc E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD E-MAIL: [email protected] Farc’s unilateral ceasefire during peace EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 talks points to a significant climbdown FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. E-MAIL: [email protected] ITH peace talks between the Revolutionary Armed Forces that virtually ruled the forests of the country. of Colombia (FARC) and government representatives under Betancourt’s kidnapping was the most famous one, drawing the gaze ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 Wway, one is reminded of French-Colombian politician Ingrid of the world consistently through her ordeal for six years. She was kid- CLASSIFIED: E-MAIL: Betancourt who was kidnapped in 2002 and released six years later napped along with some other high-profile people, all of whom were freed 44557857 [email protected] after surviving debilitating captivity in the dense jungles of the South in 2008 after a military raid that came after Betancourt’s captivity got SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY American country. Since its birth in 1964, FARC — the most prominent widespread coverage in the international press and calls to release her and radical Left-wing armed group in Latin America — has waged grew stronger by the day. After being freed, the politician narrated her TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 an incessant battle against the Colombian government, often inviting plight during captivity by saying that she saw of herself as “less than an E-MAIL: [email protected] allegations of being aided by leftist governments in the region. Talks animal” during the years she spent with the rebel group. At one point of SUBSCRIPTION RATES opened a few days ago between the two warring sides in the Cuban time, she was chained by the neck to a tree during a tropical storm and ANNUAL capital Havana. The eyes of the world, especially governments in the had to relieve herself in her clothes when her prayer to the commander QR 675 Americas, are on the negotiations going on between the left-wing ultras to unshackle her went unheeded. That is history. 6 MONTHS QR 340 and officials of President Juan Manuel Santos’ government. The question is if the two sides can break the rear view mirror and The world media also has its eyes fixated on women rebels in the continue the peace talks in an amiable atmosphere. group. Photographs of two women guerrillas of Dutch origin were Notwithstanding Santos’ decision of not reciprocating the ceasefire splashed across major newspapers. The rebels declared a two-month- call of Farc, both sides will have to forget the past and make a new begin- long unilateral ceasefire as peace negotiations began in Havana just a ning for the good of the nation which has seen Leftist guerrilla groups day after talks were launched in Norway. including Farc rely on drug trafficking and kidnap for ransom to prop The peace initiative signals an important shift in the thinking of the what they call their movement. Though the kick-off of negotiations in PUBLICATION rebel group which had rested its policy on kidnappings and killings. It Norway saw divergence between the Farc leadership and Colombian was only in February this year that the group, founded in 1964 with the representatives, it is hoped that the interests of the state and the Leftist aim of installing a Marxist regime, decided to give up kidnapping. That guerrillas will converge, at least, to an extent, signaling better days for was the turning point which led to a softening of stand by the rebel group the land of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Shakira.

We are satisfied and proud The other side of this agreement and at the steadfastness of our people Quote of and their resistance. Upgrading cooperation Ismail Haniyeh the day Hamas’s chief uring their meeting on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit held in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh on Tuesday, Premier DWen Jiabao and US President Barack Obama reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to promoting bilateral cooperation. Given that this is their first meeting after China’s leadership tran- sition and Obama’s re-election this month, the significance of their remarks go beyond the bilateral level, as they have positive implica- tions for the world economy and the two countries’ cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Business, trade and finance are where the two countries’ interests already converge to a large extent. Bilateral trade is likely to top $500 billion this year. Ironing out the road for greater bilateral cooperation in these fields will obviously benefit both economies. And given the size and clout of their economies, taking concrete steps in this regard and promoting trade ties in a cordial atmosphere, rather than miring them in disputes, would inject much needed confidence in a global economic recovery. The same principle should apply to their cooperation in the Asia- Pacific, where China hopes the US will be constructive so the two countries can jointly contribute to regional peace and development. While some on the other side of the Pacific want to see China bogged down in conflicts with neighboring countries, this would do no good to the US’ strategic interests in the long term. Recently, emboldened by the US rebalancing policy in the Asia- Pacific, some countries have created waves over their maritime ter- ritorial disputes with China, disregarding the region’s common desire for stability and development. But as Wen made clear in his speech to the 15th China-ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh on Monday, China seeks friendly relations with countries in the region, and hopes they can address each other’s concerns with sensitivity and handle the disputes between them appro- priately among themselves. As a global power eying a bigger role in Asia, the US should make sure its involvement mitigates the tensions over maritime territorial disputes and not the opposite. Power politics or the world’s only superpower dictating affairs in the Asia-Pacific would inevitably lead to confrontation and crisis. Cooperation is the only option if the two countries want to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region. Something that benefits all. CHINA DAILY Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Pampered but restless, many young Kuwaitis want more

BY SYLVIA WESTALL of speech. Do not think you can the top and Kuwait right near the kind of severe unrest that top- Salaries are also good by can be a bureaucratic headache, give us money and we will sit at bottom — maybe in place 100. We pled three veteran Arab lead- the standards of most coun- full of complicated paperwork and hey enjoy scholarships, home and shut our mouths.” know we are richer than other ers in 2011. It boasts the most tries. Under government plans red tape. Family and social con- secure jobs and generous Thousands of Kuwaitis have countries in the region, so why open political system in the Gulf announced in March, customs nections are often used to fast- Tsalaries at a time when so taken to the streets in the Gulf is this?” and allows a greater measure of inspectors get a starting salary track the system. many young people around the state since late October ahead Like many protesters, she dissent. of KD1,200 ($4,310) a month tax- Jassim, 28, said getting a busi- world have dim prospects and of a parliamentary election set voiced a fear about the future of Last year, to mark three major free, while a junior law clerk gets ness licence through normal are underemployed. So why are for December 1. the country, which while fiscally anniversaries, Kuwait’s 83-year- around KD840. channels can take up to seven thousands of young Kuwaitis so Although the rallies have been sound for now, depends on oil for old Emir H H Sheikh Sabah All this may sound like a dream months. “And look at the lack of dissatisfied? about new voting rules, young more than 90 percent of its rev- Al Ahmad Al Sabah granted come true to young people in the development in the past ten years. The answer, for Abdullah people have joined in to protest enues and has struggled to diver- KD1,000 ($3,500) to each of the West who these days can expect We contribute to the development Ashkanani, who like more than about wider issues, such as cor- sify its economy for years. country’s 1.2 million citizens and to face long periods of joblessness of hospitals in other countries but half of Kuwaitis is under 25, is ruption, the accountability of A long-running row between as well as free food rations for 13 or underemployment on gradu- we do not build new ones here,” he about fairness and the freedom government ministers and elected the government and parliament months. ating. A global downturn has led said, asking to be identified only to speak out. officials as well as a lack of infra- has stalled implementation of Young people, who can vote to some of the highest unemploy- by his first name. Despite the many benefits that structure development due to a major parts of a KD30bn ($107bn) from 21, are offered generous ment figures in the euro zone Some young Kuwaitis say they accrue to all Kuwaitis, the author- legislative deadlock. development plan announced in scholarships to study abroad since the formation of the single are also frustrated by restrictions ities do not seem to distribute “Some people here have the 2010, including projects to build and many choose universities in currency in 1999. US unemploy- on behaviour in their country, the country’s wealth and power best life, but others do not,” said a refinery, a new airport and the United States, Canada and ment has eased but the economy which has strong social and politi- fairly, said Ashkanani, a student, 34-year-old law researcher Abrar hospitals. Britain, allowing them to also is still about 4.5 million jobs cal ties to Saudi Arabia, its more and this is something he wants to Al Mugahwi. “It is about what is “I know that oil will end one perfect their English and gain short of where it stood when the conservative neighbour. change for the next generation. relative.” day, but for now we only eat and exposure to foreign cultures. 2007-09 recession started. Men and women sit segre- “One day we will get married She said she is fed up with peo- drink and live without action. But Once they graduate, most can But those who are looking for gated in Kuwaiti universities and and have children and we want ple using their family connections what will happen afterwards?” go into a stable government job or something a bit less prescribed — relationships before marriage them to have a fair, equal life,” the to jump waiting lists for benefits Mugahwi said. wait for one and get state support who have entrepreneurial ambi- are generally taboo, with court- 24-year-old said at a protest in such as housing and says educa- Tensions between the govern- in the meantime. If they choose to tions, for example — say Kuwait ing either done in the presence the capital this month. tion is substandard. ment and opposition groups have work for the private sector, the is far from a paradise. of family members or in secret “It is not about money. It is “When I look at league tables intensified, triggering protests, state often supplements their A bloated public sector with a for those from more traditional also about freedom and freedom for schools, Qatar is always near but Kuwait has been spared the salary. strict hierarchy means Kuwait backgrounds. REUTERS THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Uneasy calm for US troops in Helmand

at the height of Obama’s surge. No one frightening competitiveness, or occasion- In their few spare seems to know why the main outpost for ally savour a cigar brought from home, Helmand’s Garmsir district was named one of the few indulgences available on hours, soldiers play after the Indian capital, with which it a dry base. shares hot summers and overcrowding They can also go online or call their (even after the thinning out of numbers), families from the wooden shack where poker and UNO with but little else. a contractor provides “MWR” – morale, To a visiting civilian, even one used to welfare and recreation services. On almost frightening Kabul’s modest comforts, it is a spartan the door is a copy of the Declaration of place, where life revolves in an entirely Independence, with the heading This utilitarian way around the multiple bris- Is Why We Are The United States Of competitiveness. tling antenna of intelligence equipment, America. Inside, beside the phone and convoys of MRAPs (mine-resistant, computers, is the disconcerting sight of BY EMMA GRAHAM-HARRISON ambush-protected vehicles), the arrival men with real assault rifles slung beside and departure of helicopters and the them, shooting away at enemies in video ideo feed from the surveillance security operations of the Afghan police games. balloon that watches silently and army. The threat has shifted, not vanished, over US marines at Forward The smell of burning plastic drifts over however. Marines have been pulled VOperating Base Delhi shows the base when the wind blows in from back from the battlefield to advise the the ghost of a swimming pool lying just the “burn pit”, where all rubbish ends Afghan police and army as they take a outside the first perimetre of razor up, and which smoulders permanently. larger role fighting insurgents, a tactic wire and vast blast barriers — a discon- Desert dust is everywhere, thrown up by that has reduced marine casualties from certing reminder of another dream of helicopter blades and heavy convoys, that Taliban guns and bombs. But they now Afghanistan. works its way into clothes and sticks to have to watch the people they came to The pool was part of an agricultural face and hair. help, as a rising number of Afghan forces college built by a more optimistic gen- Food comes from far away in giant, turn their guns on Nato allies, driven by eration of Americans in the 1960s. Now precooked packs; the chefs admit they do Taliban sympathies or bitter personal there is not even running water in the little more than heat it up and the menu grudges. In August a teenager work- crumbling buildings that have been con- doesn’t change much. Lunch is often just ing for the district police chief gunned verted into military headquarters by men a stodgy ration pack; they last for years down three marines as they exercised in who could be grandsons of the original unopened. a shared gym at FOB Delhi, days before teachers (there were no women on base And the only time most of the men they were due to return home. when I visited). on base can close a door and be on their Working as mentors for the corrupt The only feature that might be famil- own is inside the base’s portable toilets and often badly organised Afghan secu- iar, incongruous today in the middle of – which the desert heat turns into foul- rity forces can be frustrating for men a desert military base, is a full-service smelling plastic saunas by day. “There is groomed as aggressive fighters (one laundry. Marines hand in combat trou- no privacy or freedom,” says one marine. sticker in FOB Delhi says “Marines sers smeared with mud or worse from Instead, there is the camaraderie, cli- Fear Only God. No Others”), particu- patrols through canals that double as ched but true, of men forced together and has spent much of the past four years military equipment, there is an uneasy larly newer recruits who missed the most open sewers, or gym clothes soaked with for months at a time, facing stress and on Helmand’s deadly frontlines. sense of calm on the base. The Taliban brutal years of fighting in Afghanistan. sweat from their endless weights ses- danger. “Misery loves company,” he adds “If we could trade, we would be in a rockets and gunfire that hit in the eve- “They trained for years, they signed up sions. They are returned within hours with a grin. But like many others, he hole getting shot at,” says first sergeant nings half a decade ago, when Prince for war, they went off to war and they are fragrant and neatly folded. seems almost uncomfortable about life JP Saul. “Every marine worth his salt Harry was stationed there, dried up after leaving with the same rounds they got The laundry is a hangover from when on Delhi, which is tough for a civilian would much rather be in a mud hole for US surge forces beat the Taliban back here with,” says Captain Devin Blowse, the base housed perhaps five times as but unexpectedly soft for a fighting force a fight.” across Helmand. In their few spare hours the company commander responsible for many men, as a battalion headquarters that prides itself on its aggressiveness Belying the intimidating array of soldiers play poker and UNO with almost Garmsir district. THE GUARDIAN

UK rejection of Eu court China courts friends in region, ruling on prisoners’ votes for others a show of strength would be devastating

claims, dividing the group and infuriating US their crops made exports unprofitable. BY AMY RUTH WILLIAMS will plays its part in explaining China has been ally the Philippines. If diplomatic efforts stall, China’s options why, at the end of 2011, there were The 45-year-old Asean group has been built to back its claims with force if needed are his Friday is the dead- some 1,337 cases raising distinct throwing its weight on a foundation of unanimity and unity, but steadily growing with a military budget that line for the govern- issues pending before the commit- that has unravelled as it struggles to cope outstrips the combined spending of Southeast ment to comply with tee of ministers, the body respon- with its biggest security challenge. In July, a Asia. Tthe European court of sible for overseeing the execution around and buying meeting of the region’s foreign ministers broke As China ushered in a new generation of human rights (ECHR) judgments of ECHR judgments. down in unprecedented acrimony and failed to leaders this month, outgoing President Hu on prisoner votes. It is being Indeed, parliaments across the loyalties of some agree a communique for the first time. Jintao made a pointed reference to strength- reported that a draft bill on the Europe are putting up resist- This week’s Asean meetings again deterio- ening China’s naval forces, protecting mari- enfranchisement of prisoners will ance to resolving the defects rated into bad-tempered sniping and came time interests, and the need to “win local war.” be outlined today. But instead of found by the court. In Bosnia and Asian states. close to a breakdown when Hun Sen adopted a “We should make active planning for the use supporting a minimal change to Herzegovina, for example, elected draft statement saying there was a consensus of military forces in peacetime, expand and the law, the government is hiding representatives can’t agree on an BY STUART GRUDGINGS AND not to “internationalise” the South China Sea intensify military preparedness, and enhance behind a parliament it knows very amendment to the constitution to TERRIL YUE JONES dispute beyond Asean and China. the capability to accomplish a wide range of well is hostile to the idea of giving allow Roma and Jewish people to The Philippines, which sees its alliance with military tasks, the most important of which any additional prisoners the vote. stand for election. hen US President Barack the United States as a crucial check on China’s is to win local war in an information age,” The consequences of doing this In Ukraine, the failure to legis- Obama and more than a claims at a time when Washington is shifting Hu said. extend far beyond Westminster. late to provide for compensation dozen leaders arrived in its military focus back to Asia, made a formal Besides the South China Sea, China is Prisoner enfranchisement in cases where the implementa- Cambodia for a regional protest to Cambodia and succeeded in having embroiled in a dispute with Japan, also a close can be made conditional on the tion of court decisions is delayed summit meeting this week, that clause removed from the final statement. US ally, over islands in the East China Sea. nature or gravity of the offence, has come at a price. When the Wonly one of them was feted with banners China then poked fun at Manila’s assertion China’s stance is that it is not trying to the ECHR has said; it is for the ECHR deadline to resolve the strung from the venue gates. that there had been no consensus. Eight out of become an offensive naval power, but wants national authorities to decide. problem expired in February, it “Welcome Prime Minister Wen Jiabao!” one 10 leaders had agreed not to internationalise to secure its energy imports and boost devel- Despite this apparent display “unfroze” around 1,000 similar proclaimed. “Long live the People’s Republic the dispute, meaning there was a consensus, opment of maritime natural resources, which of deference, and the consider- applications paving the way for of China!” read another. said Qin Gang, a Chinese foreign ministry are expected to represent 10 percent of its able lengths to which the former more damages claims. It may do As the leaders left, the green-and-white spokesman. economy by 2015. ECHR president and UK judge likewise with the 2,500 complaints banners were still festooned outside Phnom “I suggest that people when attending the But it is also wary of being encircled as the Nicolas Bratza has gone to ensure already made by disenfranchised Penh’s Peace Palace, a fitting reminder of EAS (East Asia Summit) meetings have to be United States refocuses its military clout on the court does not adopt a “micro prisoners against the UK, in the China’s powerful and growing clout as Beijing very good at mathematics,” he said. Asia in what Obama has called a “pivot” back management” approach, this gov- likely event of deadlock in par- uses its influence - and money - to win friends “That’s 10 minus two, so which is bigger?” to the region as wars in the Middle East wind ernment says it is not for turning. liament. This could mean a bill and frustrate those uneasy about its sweeping down. The justice secretary, Chris of €3.75m (£3m), possibly rising territorial claims and rising military strength. NAVAL BUILD-UP “It is absolutely (a buildup),” said Ruan Grayling, told Andrew Marr last to £120m if all 100,000 prisoners “Some states are easily swayed by money. Beijing claims a vast U-shaped line around Zongze, deputy director of the China Institute month, “There are precedents affected make a claim. If they see cash, they easily throw away their the South China Sea that brushes up against of International Studies, the think-tank of the from other European countries But it is our government that principles,” said one Asian diplomat at the the coasts of the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei Chinese Foreign Ministry. of them saying no, we don’t agree ratified the European convention East Asia Summit, which included heads of and Malaysia. The area is thought to hold vast, “No matter what kind of narrative you use, with you to the European court on human rights, not parliament. state from 10 Southeast Asia countries and untapped reserves of oil and natural gas, and the reality is that America in the past three of human rights …” In fact, there And it is our government that is counterparts from the United States, China, naval flashpoints between Chinese vessels years has been putting greater emphasis or is only one precedent of a coun- directly responsible for ensuring Japan and other Asia-Pacific nations. and the Philippine and Vietnamese navy have focus on the west Pacific. That raises a lot of try temporarily doing this, over compliance with this interna- “China has been throwing its weight around become increasingly common. questions for China.” the hugely controversial issue of tional law. and buying the loyalties of some Asian states.” Hopes for a diplomatic resolution within China launched its first aircraft carrier in compensation for the seizure of Crucially, until now at least, A prime example is Cambodia, whose prime the ASEAN-China framework look bleak in September, increasing its ability to project property by Turkish troops in governments in Bosnia and minister, Hun Sen, helped China to notch up a the next two years as tiny Brunei and then forces deeper into “blue-water” maritime Northern Cyprus. Herzegovina, the Slovak Republic succession of diplomatic victories at the sum- Myanmar take up the chairmanship of the territory. It is true that there are many and Ukraine have fought shy of mit. China stalled debate on a resolution of group. Bought from Ukraine ostensibly to use as a ECHR judgments that have not outright rejection of ECHR judg- maritime disputes in the South China Sea, Cambodia, like fellow “Mekong” countries floating casino, the Chinese navy spent years yet been fully executed – from ments, in spite of associated polit- rebutted attempts by Southeast Asian nations Laos and Myanmar, has been rapidly pulled refurbishing the carrier, which is undergo- dealing with the segregation of ical difficulties. Here in the UK, to start formal talks on the issue and avoided into China’s economic orbit through rocketing ing sea trials. It also test-flew two types of Roma children in schools for threats by a previous Conservative any rebuke from Obama over territorial ambi- trade and investment ties. stealth fighters this year, the second one last pupils with learning difficulties government to ignore a contro- tions. Commentators declared China a clear It has become customary for Chinese offi- month - a smaller, more maneuverable model in the Czech Republic to poor versial judgment on the killing of summit winner. cials to arrive in Cambodia bearing “gifts”, believed to be designed to be deployed on an detention conditions in pris- three IRA terrorists in Gibraltar A closing statement by Hun Sen, this such as the $100m investment that Wen aircraft carrier. ons in Bulgaria. But in none of did not materialise. year’s chair of the 10-member Association of announced on his arrival this week to build “China has ambitions to become the pre- these instances are the respective What will be decided this Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), made no the emerging country’s biggest cement plant. mier military power among its regional peers, governments telling the human week in the UK is being watched mention of the South China Sea, another vic- China has moved nimbly to set up free trade and a serious threat to US maritime primacy rights court to butt out, even if from Ukraine to Bosnia and tory for China’s attempts to prevent multilat- deals with Southeast Asia nations and has in the Asia Pacific,” said Sam Roggeveen, an doing so would prove hugely popu- Herzegovina and beyond. Will our eral talks on the dispute. played a dominant role in financing and Asian defence analyst with the Lowy Institute lar to the electorate. government hide behind parlia- China has poured investments and loans building big infrastructure projects in Laos, in Sydney. Delays in execution can be ment and take the unprecedented into Cambodia in recent years, becoming its Cambodia, and Myanmar. Roggeveen added that if China were to attributed to a number of factors: step of rejecting the legitimacy of biggest trade partner and bilateral creditor. After the summit, Wen visited Thailand deploy more than one carrier and equip them the sheer scale of the structural a system its predecessors were Cambodia’s debt to China now totals at least where he signed an understanding to buy rice, with high-performance stealth fighters, “it problem (as with Italy’s judicial instrumental in setting up? If so, $4.7bn, about a third of its economy. which should strongly lift Beijing’s standing would become the pre-eminent regional mari- delay cases), the complexity of it risks much more than votes for The price of that largesse has become clear with a government that is a close ally of the time power, with the ability to coerce neigh- remedial action (as is arguably prisoners in the UK. It’s what the this year, say analysts, as Cambodia has used United States. Bangkok has built up record bours in disputes in which the US prefers not the case with the removal of inno- government doesn’t do this week its powers as Asean chair to restrict debate stockpiles of 14m tonnes of milled rice after a to get involved”. cent people’s DNA from the UK’s that will go down in history. over the vexed issue of China’s maritime populist programme to pay farmers more for REUTERS DNA database). And yes, political THE GUARDIAN THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST 18 killed in Gaza before truce; toll 162 17 injured as bus bomb attack rocks Tel Aviv; Celebrations in Gaza Strip after ceasefire GAZA CITY: Seven Palestinians were killed in new Israeli raids on central and southern Gaza yes- terday, raising the day’s toll to 18 just as Egypt announced a cease- fire deal. “A child, Nader Abu Maghseeb, was martyred and an elderly person was injured in a new raid east of Deir Al Balah,” the Hamas health ministry said. The death was announced shortly after Egypt said a ceasefire would take effect at 1900 GMT yesterday, in a bid to stem eight days of violence in and around Gaza. Earlier, the health ministry said six Palestinians had been killed in two air strikes, including two peo- ple on a motorbike in the southern town of Rafah, and four people in US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and a house in Nusseirat in the central Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr Gaza Strip. Those killed yesterday also announcing the truce at a joint press conference in Cairo, included a child who died when the yesterday. tower housing AFP’s office was struck for the second time within 24 hours. The victim, two-year-old Abdul Ceasefire agreement Rahman Majdi Naeem, was in the neighbouring block when an Israeli CAIRO: Following is the English text of the missile slammed into the seventh ceasefire agreement between Israel and the floor of the Naama building in Gaza Palestinians in Gaza that was reached yesterday City, health ministry spokesman with Egyptian mediation. The text was distrib- Ashraf Al Qudra said. uted by the Egyptian presidency. Correspondents who arrived at the Palestinians celebrate the beginning of the truce with Israel in Gaza City, yesterday. scene shortly after the strike said AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING FOR A there appeared to be little damage CEASEFIRE IN THE GAZA STRIP to the rest of the building, which is The Israeli military had no imme- Six people were killed in other commercial capital, injuring 17 peo- located in Gaza City’s upscale Rimal diate comment on the strike, the sec- strikes on Gaza City, one person in ple and sparking panic. The blast 1: (NO TITLE GIVEN FOR THIS SECTION) neighbourhood. ond to hit the building in 24 hours. a raid on the Jabalia refugee camp occurred very close to the Israeli A photographer saw relatives car- Shortly afterwards, another air and an 80-year-old man and his teen- defence ministry and was quickly A. Israel should stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip rying the barefoot toddler out of the strike on Nusseirat refugee camp in ager granddaughter in a raid on the denounced by Netanyahu’s spokes- land, sea and air including incursions and targeting building directly behind and he was central Gaza killed a four-year-old southern city of Khan Yunis. man, who tweeted: “This was a ter- of individuals. taken by ambulance to Shifa hospital, girl and wounded her mother, the Yesterday’s bloodshed raised to rorist attack”. B. All Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities where a doctor pronounced him dead. emergency services said. 162 the total number of Palestinians The windows of the bus were from the Gaza Strip against Israel including rocket killed in a week of relentless Israeli blown out and its seats contorted attacks and all attacks along the border. air strikes which began at 1400 GMT from the force of the explosion, in C. Opening the crossings and facilitating the move- on Wednesday, November 14, the scenes reminiscent of the second ments of people and transfer of goods and refrain- health ministry said, indicating that Palestinian intifada. ing from restricting residents’ free movements and more than 1,100 people have also been The blast struck as US Secretary targeting residents in border areas and procedures injured. Five Israelis were also killed of State Hillary Clinton was holding of implementation shall be dealt with after 24 hours in the conflict. talks with Netanyahu in Jerusalem from the start of the ceasefire. The agreement came after a day over ways to end a deadly spike in D. Other matters as may be requested shall be of shuttle diplomacy - led by Clinton bloodshed in and around Gaza during addressed. and UN Secretary General Ban the past week. Ki-moon - which was marred by A spokesman for Israel’s Magen 2: IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS: more deadly cross-border violence David Adom emergency services said between Israel and militants in Gaza. that of the 17 injured, one person was A. Setting up the zero hour for the ceasefire under- Hopes for a truce appeared to have in moderate to serious condition standing to enter into effect. been faint just hours earlier as a blast while three others were in moderate B. Egypt shall receive assurances from each party tore through a bus in Tel Aviv and condition. that the party commits to what was agreed upon. Israel hit back with deadly air raids Condemnation poured in, with C. Each party shall commit itself not to perform on Gaza City and elsewhere in the Washington branding it “outrageous,” any acts that would breach this understanding. In coastal Palestinian territory. Moscow denouncing it as a “crimi- case of any observations Egypt as the sponsor of this The conflict had threatened to nal,” and France and Germany call- understanding shall be informed to follow up. take a new turn when the bomb ing for an urgent and lasting ceasefire REUTERS struck the commuter bus in Israel’s in Gaza. AGENCIES Meshaal thanks Obama thanks Mursi, praises Mursi and Iran, Netanyahu for role in truce says Israel failed in its goals WASHINGTON: US targeted killing of a Hamas “The president said that he President Barack Obama military chief. was committed to seeking addi- CAIRO: Hamas chief Khaled thanked his Egyptian coun- Obama also praised Israeli tional funding for Iron Dome Meshaal said yesterday that terpart Mohammed Mursi Prime Minister Benjamin and other US-Israel missile Israel had “failed in all its goals” yesterday for his role is negoti- Netanyahu for agreeing to defence programmes,” it added, after a Gaza truce deal came into ating a planned truce between support an Egyptian plan for referring to an Israeli anti-mis- effect, while thanking Egypt’s Israel and Palestinian fight- a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, sile shield that has intercepted President Mursi for his support. ers in Gaza. the White House said. some incoming Palestinian “After eight days, God stayed “The president thanked “The president commended rockets. their hand from the people of President Mursi for his efforts the prime minister for agreeing Gaza, and they were compelled to achieve a sustainable cease- to the Egyptian ceasefire pro- EU WELCOMES GAZA to submit to the conditions of fire and for his personal leader- posal, which the president rec- CEASEFIRE the resistance,” Meshaal said. ship in negotiating a ceasefire ommended the prime minister European Union leaders, Jose “Israel has failed in all its goals,” proposal,” the White House do, while reiterating that Israel Manuel Barroso and Herman he told reporters in a Cairo hotel. said in a statement. maintains the right to defend Van Rompuy, yesterday wel- Meshaal also thanked ceasefire Obama also reaffirmed the itself,” it said. comed the ceasefire proclaimed mediator Egypt, as well as Iran, “close partnership” between The White House state- in Gaza, saying it was “now which he said “had a role in arm- Washington and Cairo, the ment said Obama had spoken crucial” to make sure it was ing” his Islamist movement. White House said, adding that with Netanyahu by telephone implemented. “I would like to thank our dear the two leaders “agreed on the and assured him “that no In a joint statement, Barroso, Egypt, aided by the brave elected importance of working towards country can be expected to who heads the European President Mohamed Morsi... a more durable solution to the tolerate rocket attacks against Commission, and Van Rompuy, Egypt acted responsibly and situation in Gaza.” civilians.” president of the EU Council, understood the demands of the The ceasefire bid, agreed to Obama also welcomed said “we welcome wholeheart- resistance and the Palestinian by Israel and Hamas, would Netanyahu’s willingness to edly the cease-fire that has just people,” he said. Meshaal also end a week of violence in and cooperate with Egypt’s bid to been proclaimed in Gaza”. praised Iran, despite “disagree- around the Gaza strip that has arrange a truce in a conflict “It is now crucial to ensure ments on the situation in Syria”. left more than 150 people dead. in which Palestinian militants its implementation and to pre- The truce accord calls on Israel It came after a day of shuttle have fired rockets into Israel vent the restart of violence,” to “stop all hostilities... in the land, diplomacy - led by US Secretary and Israeli jets, ships and they said. sea and air including incursions of State Hillary Clinton and artillery have struck targets in The statement added that and targeting of individuals”. UN Secretary General Ban Gaza. the events of the last days It also urges the Palestinian Ki-moon - that was marred by “The president expressed his “stress the urgent need to move factions to end “rocket attacks more deadly cross-border vio- appreciation for the prime min- towards a two-state solution and all attacks along the border”. lence between Israel and mili- ister’s efforts to work with the allowing both sides to live side- Meshaal said his movement tants in Gaza. new Egyptian government to by-side in peace and security”. had “rejected Israel’s conditions” The conflict had threatened achieve a sustainable ceasefire “The European Union for the ceasefire “except for stop- to take a new turn yesterday and a more durable solution to remains determined to con- ping operations”. And the Hamas when a bomb ripped through this problem,” the statement tinue working to assist in leader warned Israel against violat- a commuter bus in Israel’s said. achieving this goal.” ing the agreement. “If you commit, commercial capital, injuring “The president said that Gazans took to the streets to we will commit. If you do not com- 17 people and sparking panic. the United States would use celebrate the start of a truce mit, the rifles are in our hands,” he It prompted Israel to hit back the opportunity offered by a deal with Israel, firing into said, adding “we will continue to with deadly air raids on Gaza ceasefire to intensify efforts to the air, honking car horns and arm ourselves.” He said an attack City and elsewhere in the help Israel address its security chanting victory slogans shortly on a Tel Aviv bus that injured 17 Palestinian territory. needs, especially the issue of after the 1900 GMT deadline people “was assisted by God at the Israel launched its offen- the smuggling of weapons and for the ceasefire to start. right moment to send a message”. sive on November 14 with the explosives into Gaza. AFP AFP THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Jets blast rebels Al Jazeera Cairo studio attacked

CAIRO: An office of Arab sat- ellite broadcaster Al Jazeera in Damascus in the Egyptian capital was firebombed yesterday, a secu- rity official said, as protesters $60bn needed after regime fall: SNC clashed near the downtown Tahrir Square. AMMAN/BEIRUT: Syrian crisis our country is facing.” “Unknown assailants” lobbed warplanes bombed a Damascus Funding is needed to “resolve Molotov cocktails at the office suburb yesterday in a push to the most sensitive and outstand- which overlooks Tahrir, causing dislodge rebels from a strong- ing issues,” starting with “securing a big fire, the official said. hold that threatens President housing for people after 2.5 mil- The arson attack gutted the Bashar Al Assad’s hold on the lion homes have been destroyed” office, with a window overlook- capital, opposition activists said. in the conflict, said Sabra, head ing the iconic square smashed in Heavy fighting also raged in of the Syrian National Council. and cameras and lighting charred. other outskirts of the city in the After months of slow progress, Security officials said that no most serious challenge to Assad’s the rebels have in the last few one had been injured, but the seat of power in months. weeks captured several army Qatari-owned television network In Brussels, Nato envoys were positions on the outskirts of said later in a statement that considering a request by Turkey Damascus and outlying regions, one of its staff members suffered to deploy Patriot missiles its ter- including a special forces base injuries. ritory to defend itself against any near Aleppo, Syria’s commercial The attack, the channel said, Syrian attacks. hub, and an air defence position had come after a campaign of Even though the measure is near Damascus’s southern gate. “incitment targeting Al Jazeera aimed at preventing a spill-over Assad’s opponents are also network in Egypt over the past of the 20-month-old conflict into gaining support internationally days”. Syria’s neighbours, it signalled a with a new coalition of opposition The statement said that the creeping internationalisation of and rebel groups seeking recogni- campaign had been “surprising, the conflict. tion as the legitimate voice of the mainly as Al Jazeera in Egypt and The Syrian opposition will need Syrian people. abroad has never taken sides in $60bn in Marshall Plan-style aid Shashank Joshi of the Royal any political conflict”. to prevent the country’s collapse United Services Institute (RUSI) It said there were calls on within six months of a fall of the in London said the developments Egyptian television channels regime, prominent leader George of the last few weeks were shift- to shut down the offices of Al Sabra told reporters yesterday. ing the balance in favour of the Jazeera. He urged a “Partnership to rebels. “The use of the world The attack came after the Invest in Future Syria” meet- ‘stalemate’ to describe the conflict arrest of 118 people since clashes ing held in Dubai to immediately may no longer be appropriate,” he broke out on Monday during a launch a Marshall Plan for the said by phone. “The rebels have protest to mark the first anni- People watch a blaze after a man threw a petrol bomb at at the Al Jazeera studio in Tahrir Square, Cairo, yesterday. Arab country, along the lines moved up the ladder of warfare.” versary of deadly street battles of the huge post-World War II Yesterday, MiG fighter jets that piled pressure on Egypt’s recovery programme for Europe. launched a second day of raids then ruling military to quit critical condition, the group said At least 45 protesters died in The military, which responded Sabra said the money must on the opposition-held suburb of power. on Tuesday. the five days of street battles that by vowing to hand over power by come in the form of aid from “our Daraya, set in farmland near the Medics said that at least 60 On Monday, clashes erupted began on November 19 last year June 2012, transferred control Arab brothers and the interna- main southern highway, where people had been injured in the as protesters tried to destroy a to put pressure on the military, to Islamist President Mohamed tional community on whom we rebels have been battling elite three days of confrontations. concrete barrier which security which took power after a popu- Morsi after his election that count to fulfill their responsibili- Republican Guard units. One protester, a member of forces put up to end last year’s lar uprising overthrew president month. ties towards the humanitarian AGENCEIS the April 6 movement, was in fighting with activists. Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. AFP

Iran House calls off plan to grill Kuwait ruler urges citizens to vote, not wail in protest KUWAIT: Kuwaitis should use assembly may be more govern- inviolable” in the constitution, Ahmadinejad the ballot box to express their ment-friendly and help ease the said he changed voting rules to fix demands in a parliamentary passing of laws. But it could lack problems with the system, citing DUBAI: Iran’s parliament election on December 1 and not legitimacy if the election turn- his “civic duty and constitutional called off plans to grill President take to the streets “scream- out is low, and may not be seen right,” according to Kuna. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yes- ing and wailing” in protest, the as independent - an outcome “I see this as serving the inter- terday after Supreme Leader Gulf Arab country’s ruling emir likely to raise political tensions. ests of the country and to enhance Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said said yesterday. The opposition - whose demands its security and stability within they must not act in the inter- Thousands of people have generally entail an elected cabinet the framework of the constitution ests of Iran’s enemies. staged regular demonstrations including prime minister with at and law.” Ahmadinejad’s opponents in since late October against H least some posts held by people In Kuwait, home to 1.2 million the 290-seat assembly dominated H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al other than relatives of the emir - Kuwaitis and 2.5 million foreign- by conservatives wanted to ques- Sabah’s emergency decree reduc- held some 35 seats in the 50-seat ers, the emir can dissolve par- tion him about an economic crisis ing the number of votes allowed parliament elected in February liament - last done on October that they blame as much on his per citizen from four to one for 2012. 7, and can issue urgent decrees mismanagement as on Western the sake of Kuwait’s “security and The power struggle between when parliament is not in session. sanctions over Iran’s nuclear stability”. the government and parliament Elections in February 2012 programme. The opposition movement, has held up investment and eco- ushered in a parliament with an Economic woes have forced up which includes former members Kuwaitis listen to an opposition spokesman on a screen during a peaceful nomic reforms in Kuwait, one of opposition majority, made up of prices of goods, diminished the of parliament and youth groups, opposition-led rally against new voting rules, in Kuwait City, yesterday. the world’s richest countries per Islamist, tribal and liberal MPs, value of the Iranian currency has called a boycott of the elec- capita. Next month’s parliamen- which raised pressure on the and exacerbated divisions within tion in the major oil producer and tary ballot would be the fifth since government. That opposition Iran’s factionalised political sys- strategically located US ally situ- in comments published by state Rallies outside parliament 2006. The 83-year-old emir, who bloc is boycotting the elections. tem. “Up to this point, the plan ated across the Gulf from Iran. news agency Kuna. have been held regularly and is referred to as “immune and REUTERS to question the president has been Protests are planned on the eve “It is a great tragedy to have peacefully for years, but positive because of the sense of of the vote in Kuwait, which has calls to take to the street,” the three big marches since responsibility of parliament and the most open political system in emir said. “Why the chaos and mid-October were broken the readiness of government offi- the Gulf, with parliament able riots? Why the screaming and up by police using tear cials,” said Khamenei, who holds to pass legislation and question wailing and disrupting the busi- gas. Protesters say they ultimate power. ministers. But the emir has the ness of the state and harming the seek reform, not an Arab final say in state matters and can interests of the people?” the emir Spring-style revolution 23 Bahrain medics get veto laws. “This tension and stress said. “We have a duty to protect like those that have ousted and anxiety, which hangs over our our country from the dangers four Arab autocratic rul- 3-month jail terms country and our society, hurts you surrounding us, the earthquakes ers since early last year. as it hurts me,” Sheikh Sabah said that are shaking the Arab world.” Analysts say the next DUBAI: A Bahrain court yesterday sentenced 23 medics to three months in jail each for tak- ing part in anti-regime protests last year and acquitted five others, the prosecution said. Manama’s lower crim- inal court sentenced 23 defendants to three months in jail or payment of BD200 ($530) each to have the prison terms suspended, prosecutor Abdulrahman al-Sayyed said, quoted by the official news agency BNA. The defendants, and other medics who were tried earlier, “commit- ted crimes and violations, breaching the law and the (medical) norms,” he said, while BNA said they had been charged with “tak- ing part in unauthorised demonstrations.” They have the right to appeal. They were among a group of 47 medics rounded up in the wake of a brutal crackdown on Shia-led protests in mid- March 2011. Many medics charge they were tortured in custody. AGENCIES THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Rebels vow to ‘liberate’ all of Congo Rebels now in control of strategic town of Sake near Goma, move on to Kinshasa

SAKE/GOMA: Rebel forces in civilian clothing lay in under- Goma, the cessation of any fur- in eastern Congo vowed yester- growth among the houses. ther advances by the M23 and day to “liberate” all of the vast The government in Kinshasa that its members immediately central African country as they issued a statement yesterday and permanently disband and lay began seizing towns near the admitting it had lost the bat- down their arms”. Rwandan border and spoke of a tle but pledging to win the war: The Council expressed “deep 1,000-mile march to the capital “Victory will be ours. That is what concern at reports indicating Kinshasa. the Congolese want.” that external support contin- The M23 rebels, widely believed The rebels accuse President ues to be provided to the M23, to be backed by Rwanda, cap- Joseph Kabila of failing to grant including through troop rein- tured the eastern city of Goma them posts in the army in line forcement, tactical advice and on Tuesday, a provincial capital with a peace deal that ended a the supply of equipment, caus- home to a million people; United previous revolt in 2009. The cur- ing a significant increase of the Nations peacekeepers simply rent rebellion also reflects local military abilities of the M23”. It looked on, after Congolese troops ethnic tensions, intertwined with “demands that any and all out- had quit the town. Rwanda’s desire for influence side support to the M23 cease “The journey to liberate over a neighbouring region rich immediately”. Congo has started now,” Vianney in minerals. The French government also Kazarama, spokesman for the Rwanda previously backed the expressed frustration with the rebel group, told a crowd of insurgency that swept Kabila’s UN peacekeepers, from India, more than 1,000 at a stadium in father, Laurent, to power in 1996 South Africa and Uruguay, who Goma. “We’re going to move on after a march across Congo to gave up defending the city after to Bukavu, and then to Kinshasa. oust Mobutu, veteran dictator of Congo’s army retreated. Paris Are you ready to join us? a country then known as Zaire. called it “absurd” that the U.N. Hours later, a rebel unit took The new fighting has aggra- force did not protect Goma. control of Sake, a strategic town vated tensions between the While conflict has simmered near Goma on the road run- Democratic Republic of Congo almost constantly in Congo’s east ning the length of Lake Kivu to and Rwanda, which the Congolese in recent years, this is the first Bukavu, 100km away at the lake’s government says is orchestrat- time Goma has fallen to rebels southern end. In the 1990s, the ing the insurgency as a means of since foreign occupying armies current president’s father burst grabbing resources, which include People gather around a tank abandoned by fleeing Congolese army in Ndosho near Goma yesterday. officially pulled out under peace out of the same area at the head diamonds, gold and coltan, an ore deals at the end of the most of a rebel force to overthrow of rare metals used in electronics with Ugandan President Yoweri in protest at the Congolese gov- ARC,” he added, using an acro- recent 1998-2003 war. Mobutu Sese Seko. and high-tech materials. Museveni late on Tuesday. The ernment’s failure to defend Goma. nym used by the M23’s combat Aid agencies have estimated Witnesses in Sake saw rebels UN experts have backed Ugandan government said foreign Goma itself was quiet but at force. that 5 million people have died in control of the town and no Congo’s accusations - implicat- ministers from the Great Lakes the rebel rally in the stadium, While regional mediator from fighting and conflict-related sign of fighting. On the outskirts ing Rwanda’s defence minister. region had urged the African dozens of members of the secu- Uganda brokered talks between disease since that war began. of Goma, he saw buildings which The government in Kigali denies Union to deploy troops to halt rity forces who had not fled the Congo and Rwanda, whose armies Tens of thousands of people had been shelled on Tuesday in the charges and says Kinshasa the rebels. city appeared to have joined the have repeatedly clashed during have already fled days of fight- heavy fighting as the troops of the and world powers have failed to But there are signs of trouble insurgents. “Its a problem of gov- nearly two decades of on-off con- ing between the rebels and the Kinshasa government’s FARDC address the root causes of years for Kabila already spreading in ernance; there no food, there’s no flict around the Great Lakes, the UN-backed Congolese soldiers. army withdrew from the town, of conflict in the region. the resource-rich country the money,” Rashidi Benshulungu, a UN Security Council condemned New York-based Human Rights under fire from M23. Kabila and Rwandan President size of western Europe. Witnesses captain in military intelligence the rebels. Watch said at least 11 civilians The bodies of four soldiers lay Paul Kagame met yesterday in saw hundreds of young men with who had changed sides, said. “I’m It approved a French resolu- had been killed in the latest fight- in the road there, near an aban- the Ugandan capital Kampala sticks sack the headquarters of not a politician, that’s a problem tion that “demands the immedi- ing for Goma. doned tank, and another body after holding three-way talks Kabila’s PPRD party in Bukavu, for Kabila. But we’re following the ate withdrawal of the M23 from REUTERS Fresh turmoil for French right

PARIS: France’s right-wing Jean-Francois Cope in Sunday’s of suspicions that are now hang- UMP opposition was thrown into vote, said the count did not ing over this vote,” Fillon said. fresh turmoil yesterday after ex- include ballots cast in some of He said he was “saddened” by the prime minister Francois Fillon France’s overseas territories party’s crisis, but insisted he was announced he was contesting the which would have handed him “simply demanding the truth”. result of a bitterly disputed lead- victory. Cope, a fiery and famously ership race. Fillon’s supporters said if the ambitious right-winger known The move will further dent votes of New Caledonia, Mayotte for flirting with the far-right, the image of ex-president Nicolas and Wallis and Futuna were rejected any talk of overturn- Sarkozy’s UMP — still reeling from counted, he would have won a ing the results and called for the its loss of the presidency and par- total of 88,004 votes against 87,978 party to unite under his banner. liament this year — and raises the for Cope. Fillon said he conceded “There were results, we must spectre of a split on the right that the race to Cope on Monday in now rally and work together,” would benefit the ruling Socialists. the spirit of party unity, but was Cope told journalists, adding The venomous race for the now contesting the results and that if the results are contested UMP leadership and accusations asking party heavyweight Alain his camp was ready to raise con- of voter fraud have hurt the par- Juppe, Sarkozy’s ex-foreign min- cerns about alleged voter fraud in ty’s image at a time it could be ister, to take over as interim head Fillon’s favour. taking advantage of President of the UMP. “I am calling once again for Francois Hollande’s falling pop- “Everybody can see that our Francois Fillon and all of those ularity over his handling of the party is at an impasse. Its cred- around him to take the hand I have economy. ibility and unity are under threat. extended to them. The time has Fillon, who lost by just 98 I do not want our movement to come to build together,” Cope said. votes to Sarkozy’s close ally tear itself apart under the weight AFP

Frenchman European Space Agency kidnapped in sets €10bn budget western Mali PARIS: Europe yesterday set “Europe has taken a new A massive plume of ash billows up into the sky as Mount Tongariro erupts at Tongariro National Park, 300km north BAMAKO: France warned citi- its sights on a new rocket and leap in space,” French Science of Wellington, yesterday. zens yesterday against travelling a deeper involvement in the Minister Genevieve Fioraso said to Mali after a Portuguese-born International Space Station as she hailed the deal. Frenchman was kidnapped by (ISS) despite intense con- The Naples talks had been armed men in the restive coun- straints on budgets. overshadowed by discord over a Volcano erupts in New Zealand try’s west, as the international In a hard-fought strategy replacement for the ageing but community takes steps to reclaim meeting in this southern Italian reliable Ariane 5, and many coun- WELLINGTON: A New eruption was minor by compari- Taupo some 80km away, but they the Islamist-occupied north. city, science ministers from the tries cast a worried eye at the Zealand volcano used as a back- son, they still closed a number of have proved deadly in the past. “We will do everything we 20 nations of the European Space emergence of US rivals, notably drop to “The Lord of the Rings” roads for a time and warned air- A eruption at Mount Ruapehu in can to find our citizen,” French Agency (ESA) agreed to keep the fledgling corporation SpaceX, films erupted yesterday, spew- craft to stay away from the area 1953 caused New Zealand’s worst President Francois Hollande said. spending levels stable, at a total in the satellite launch market. ing a column of ash 3km above as a precaution. rail disaster when it trigged a mas- Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius of just over ¤10bn ($12.7bn) for The goal for the new rocket is the North Island, scientists said. About 50 people, including sive mudslide that washed away a urged French citizens to avoid the the next three years. to provide more flexible launch Vulcanologists said Mount schoolchildren, were hiking in the bridge, causing a passenger train to western Mali “where they will put “It’s a big success in spite of options and reduce, the ¤120m Tongariro rumbled to life at 1:25 Tongariro National Park when plunge into the Whangaehu River their lives and safety in danger”. the economic situation,” ESA ($152m) the Ariane 5 needs from pm (0025 GMT), in a five-minute the eruption occurred but police with the loss of 151 lives. The Frenchman, identified Director General Jean-Jacques ESA’s budget each year. burst that briefly closed roads, put said they were not in danger and New Zealand lies on the so- earlier as 61-year-old Jules Berto Dordain said after the two-day France had been pushing for a aviation authorities on high alert there were no injuries. called “Pacific Ring of Fire”, where Rodriguez Leal by a Malian meeting, the first top-level talks smaller, sleeker Ariane 6, able to and sent nearby hikers scram- Park guide Stuart Barclay said the Earth’s tectonic plates collide, security source, was abducted on at the agency in four years. deal with one or multiple payloads bling for safety. “It was completely there was a sense of “not quite making it a hotspot for volcanic Tuesday evening in the town of The budget includes funding up to about six tonnes, to meet an unexpected, there were no warn- panic, but getting there” among and earthquake activity. Local Diema in the Kayes region after for a new launcher, called Ariane expected trend towards smaller ing signs beforehand,” a spokes- students as they heard a loud resident Clint Green said the latest entering the country by car from 5 ME, which would start to fly satellites. It would require invest- woman for official monitoring bang and saw a billowing ash eruption was “pretty spectacular”. neighbouring Mauritania. in 2017, and work towards a suc- ment of about ¤4bn ($6.45bn). service GNS Science said. cloud rise before them. “We got “All of a sudden a towering The Mauritanian Information cessor, Ariane 6, whose maiden Industrialists feared the “We were watching (neighbour- them out of there quick-smart,” black plume just began erupting Agency said Leal had crossed into flight would be in 2021 or 2022. scheme was too vague and ambi- ing volcano) Ruapehu waiting for he told national radio. very quickly, skyrocketing up,” he Mali via a border post at Gogui, It also finances ESA’s continuing tious. They preferred a German- an eruption and instead this came The national park, which was told Radio New Zealand. “At first and a security source said that participation in the International backed option, an Ariane 5 ME out of nowhere.” The mountain used to depict the desolate waste- I didn’t believe what I was seeing.” there were seven kidnappers. Space Station to 2020. (for “Midlife Evolution”), able to in the centre of the North Island land of Mordor in Peter Jackson’s Airline services suffered only About four years ago, an Italian- Ending weeks of uncertainty, carry two large satellites each was dormant for more than a cen- hugely successful “The Lord of the minor disruptions and all roads Burkinabe couple was kidnapped France and Germany bridged weighing five to six tonnes, and tury until August this year, when Rings” movies, attracts 800,000 were open again. But officials said in the same region by the north their differences over rocket pref- using a new engine, the Vinci, a massive blast ripped a new vent visitors a year to its ski-fields and the park around the volcano would African branch of Al Qaeda, Al erence with a compromise that that can reignite in order to drop in its side and hurled boulders the hiking tracks. Its three volcanoes remain closed for at least five days Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb will include an assessment in 2014 off payloads in different orbits. It size of cars more than 2km. do not directly threaten popula- in case of further eruptions. (AQIM), then freed months later of the fast-changing market for would be ready by 2017 at a puta- While officials said the latest tion centres, with the nearest town AFP in exchange for a ransom. AFP satellite launches. tive cost of ¤2bn. AFP THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 ‘Lone wolf’ scenario a concern for Obama’s inauguration Sister defends socialite at WASHINGTON: When thou- don’t have on our radar. It’s the top officials, has been working for federal capital will have sharp- small number of people. sands of Americans pack the Timothy McVeighs of the world,” some time with the FBI, military shooters on roofs along the “We don’t investigate people for the heart of National Mall for US President Clancy stressed, referring to the and Homeland Security. parade route, while weapons of belonging to different groups or Barack Obama’s January 21 inau- American whose attack on an “Our goal is to develop and mass destruction-detection units clubs, we don’t investigate peo- guration, sophisticated security Oklahoma City federal building implement, with the numerous will fan out across downtown ple for speech,” Clancy stressed, Petraeus scandal will be in place, but it can’t protect killed 168. participating agencies, a seam- Washington. promising that security officials WASHINGTON: The sister against an unknown threat. As happens every four years, less security plan,” Secret Service Ahead of Obama’s second inau- will protect free speech along of the Florida socialite who Two months ahead of this mas- the president will take his oath of spokesman Brian Leary said. guration, the evaluation of poten- with the president’s life. inadvertently triggered the sive challenge, US authorities office on the steps of the Capitol Just as in 2009, the command tial security threats is already “It might be a militia group that FBI probe that brought down acknowledge their concern with building, home to Congress, with center for inaugural security will gathering pace, Clancy says. thinks ‘Oh my God, this president is CIA chief David Petraeus on the “lone wolf” scenario — an iso- former presidents, lawmakers and be set up at FBI headquarters “We’re very vigilant along with going to take our guns,’ it might be Tuesday defended both her twin lated person who could be in the members of the Supreme Court in Washington. On the big day, Secret Service in reporting those another group who thinks ‘Oh my and the former general. crowd without having been identi- looking on. agents will monitor a collage of threat streams and addressing God we have an African-American In her first public appearance fied earlier as a risk. In January 2009, 1.8 million massive flat screens and cutting- them very aggressively, which we in the White House; what’s coming since the story broke, flanked by “The bigger threat, the thing Americans poured in for the edge surveillance, while staying in will do approaching the inaugura- to our world?’,” he said. her newly hired high-powered that keeps you awake at night, are swearing in of their first African contact with teams on the ground. tion,” he said. “It’s a challenge for “Another one might think: the lawyer, 37-year-old Nathalie the lone offenders, regardless of American president, braving bit- There were tens of thousands of us to separate those talkers from president is such a big believer Khawam thanked Petraeus for their affiliation,” Michael Clancy, ter cold on the national Mall, a police and military staff deployed the actors.” in international community and having supported her in a child deputy assistant director of the vast grassy esplanade stretching four years ago near the Capitol and “Thankfully, the number of all of a sudden we’ll be spend- custody battle with her former FBI’s counter-terrorism division before the Capitol. on the Mall. While authorities will actors that we have, the number ing euros here or we’re going to husband. told AFP in an interview. For this 57th US presidential not release figures in advance, the of people that are willing actu- look like the United Nations,” he The names of Khawam and “Those are the ones that inauguration, the Secret Service, numbers will be similar. ally to do something towards the explained. her sister Jill Kelley erupted into scare me the most, folks that we which is in charge of protecting Under quiet siege, the US president, for example, is a very AFP the public domain earlier this month after Petraeus confessed to an affair with his 40-year-old biographer Paula Broadwell and resigned from the CIA. FBI agents uncovered the rela- tionship by chance after Kelley, United found not a friend of Petraeus who organ- ized parties with military officers based at US Central Command in Tampa, complained of having liable for 9/11 received threatening emails. Investigators traced the mails to an anonymous account run by Broadwell, and found sexually- explicit messages from her lover, security lapse Petraeus, a married man. The crisis in the security estab- lishment soon became tabloid Judge dismisses negligence claims fodder, and pictures of both the photogenic sisters—Kelley and NEW YORK: United Airlines the destruction of Tower 7. Khawam—appeared in the press, bears no responsibility for the “It was not within United’s alongside reports and speculation collapse of a third World Trade range of apprehension that ter- about their family lives. Center building on September rorists would slip through the Khawam has now taken on 11, 2001, stemming from sus- security screening checkpoint, high-profile women’s rights law- pected airport security lapses fly to Logan, proceed through yer Gloria Allred, who helped that allowed hijackers to crash another air carrier’s security her stage a news conference in an American Airlines plane screening and board that air Washington, at which few ques- into the complex, a federal judge carrier’s flight, hijack the flight tions were answered but she laid ruled yesterday. and crash it into 1 World Trade Rowan Williams, the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, speaks with (from left) Caroline Spencer, Reverend Celia out a strong defense of her sister. US District Judge Alvin Center, let alone that 1 World Thomson and Reverend Clare Edwards during a break in a meeting of the General Synod of the Church of England, Hellerstein granted a request Trade Center would therefore at Church House in central London, yesterday. MISCONCEPTIONS by United and its parent, United collapse and cause Tower 7 to col- Allred said the aim was the Continental Holdings Inc, to dis- lapse,” Hellerstein wrote. explain “who Natalie Khawam miss negligence claims by Larry In 2009, Hellerstein had dis- really is, correct some misconcep- Silverstein, the leaseholder of the missed claims against other Church of England’s reputation tions ... and to discuss why former World Trade Center property, airlines for damages caused by CIA director David Petraeus and over the destruction of 7 World United Flight 175, which also his wife provided an affidavit in Trade Center. crashed into the Twin Towers. in tatters, says clergywoman her custody battle.” Tower 7 collapsed several hours Hellerstein has presided over “Both have known Natalie and after being pierced by debris almost all US litigation over the her son personally for many years from the crash of AMR Corp’s September 11 attacks. LONDON: The clergywoman Tuesday’s vote gone differently. bishops will now have to wait at and had many opportunities to American Airlines Flight 11 into Bud Perrone, a spokesman for who was widely expected to But the mother-of-three, who least four years before the issue observe them together ... they both the nearby 1 World Trade Center, Silverstein Properties, said the become the Church of England’s is also the vicar of two churches can return to the agenda. spoke up to the judge in support to one of the Twin Towers. firm was disappointed with yes- first female bishop has blasted in impoverished areas of east “You know, I went to Turkey Natalie and what a loving support- Two of the Flight 11 hijackers, terday’s ruling, but said it contin- its vote against the move, say- London, insists she had harboured recently and you can see the ruins ive mom she was,” she said. Mohammed Atta and Abdul Aziz al ues to pursue a similar negligence ing yesterday it had left the no personal ambition to take the of Christendom there. The church Petraeus in September wrote Omari, had begun their trip to New case over United’s Flight 175. church’s reputation “in tatters”. job. “I’ve never had great ambi- moves on and thrives elsewhere.” a letter in support or Khawam’s York at the Portland International “We are determined and look Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, tions. This is not a career, it is a In any case, she said, the unsuccessful bid to win custody of Jetport, in Maine. There, they forward to presenting the facts the Jamaican-born chaplain vocation,” said the vicar, whose rejected proposals were far from her son following the breakdown boarded a flight by US Airways before a jury, which will decide to Queen Elizabeth II and the voice still has a gentle Jamaican perfect — they would have allowed in her marriage, US media ear- carrier Colgan Air to Boston’s whether the defendants’ insur- British parliament, said she was lilt nearly three decades after she parishes to reject the authority lier reported. “Natalie feels both Logan International Airport, from ance companies should finally be deeply disappointed by Tuesday’s moved to Britain. “I personally of a woman bishop and force the General Petraeus and his wife which they connected onto the forced to pay up in order to finish narrow vote against women bish- won’t be sitting around waiting to appointment of a stand-in male. Holly have made so many sacri- American Airlines plane. the rebuilding of the World Trade ops by the state church’s govern- be made a bishop — I don’t think “It would not have been ideal,” fices and contributed so much to Silverstein said that because Center,” he said. ing General Synod. any woman will be doing that.” she said. “There were a lot of sac- our country, she will be forever United was among the carriers A United spokeswoman, Mary “We have deprived the church She added that if she was one rifices being made. And at the end grateful to them for not abandon- that ran Portland’s only security Ryan, declined to comment. The of all those gifts that women day asked to take on the role, “I of the day, you’ve got to say, is it ing her when she needed them the checkpoint, it was legally respon- September 11 attacks killed more could bring to its leadership,” the would need to examine whether worth the sacrifice?” most,” Allred said. sible for the screening of all pas- than 3,000 people in New York, at 51-year-old said. “The church’s that is what God requires of me.” Hudson-Wilkin became a chap- The judge in the case wrote sengers and had missed a “clear the Pentagon outside Washington, reputation is in tatters. We can- Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, lain to Queen Elizabeth — the that Khawam was dishonest and chance” to prevent the hijacking. DC, and in Pennsylvania. not have have a society where Hudson-Wilkin came to Britain Church of England’s supreme gov- mentally unstable, but Allred said Hellerstein, a judge in US Silverstein is building three women make up more than 50 in 1985. She had always wanted ernor — in 2007, and chaplain to lawyers were seeking ways to reo- District Court for the Southern office towers at the 16-acre percent of the population but can- to become a priest, but had to the speaker of parliament in 2010. pen the ruling. Khawam refused District of New York, in World Trade Center site, which not lead in the church.” wait until 1994 for the Church of The congregation at her par- to answer questions, but read an Manhattan, concluded that is owned by the Port Authority Charismatic, with closely- England to allow it. “You wait, in ish in east London — which she emotional statement praising her United did not owe “a duty of of New York and New Jersey, cropped hair and a beaming smile, the church,” she said. “Christian describes as “a challenging place” sister, who took her in following care” to Silverstein. He said though redevelopment has been Hudson-Wilkin had been widely history is full of waiting.” — are, like her, disappointed by the break-up and “has loved and that United, which is currently hobbled by political battles and named as one of the strongest con- She believes that she and other the outcome of Tuesday’s vote. supported me through the years the largest US carrier, could not cost overruns. tenders to become the Church of Anglicans who argue passionately “They’re ashamed of the church,” and I plan to love and support her have foreseen events that led to REUTERS England’s first female bishop had for the introduction of women she said. AFP unconditionally.” AFP

Sandy displaced UK’s Cameron World won’t end next vows to defend EU rebate month, say Maya experts MEXICO CITY: Relax doom- not prophesied by the Mayas. LONDON: British Prime sayers, the Maya people did “The Mayas had a cycli- Minister David Cameron said not really mark their calen- cal idea of time. They were not yesterday that he will fight dar for the end of the world on preoccupied with the end of the efforts to cut the country’s December 21, 2012. As tourists world,” Mexican archeologist Jose rebate at contentious European book hotels rooms in Mexico’s Romero said. The stone, known Union budget talks in Brussels Maya Riviera and Guatemalan as Monument 6, was located in this week. resorts ahead of next month’s El Tortuguero, an archeological Britain’s then prime minister fateful date, experts are busy site that was discovered in 1915. Margaret Thatcher obtained a debunking the doomsday myth. Broken in six pieces, the differ- budget rebate in the 1980s on the The apocalyptic prophecy that ent fragments are exhibited in US grounds that London was paying has inspired authors and film- and Mexican museums, including too much towards the bloc. The makers never appears in the tall Tabasco’s Carlos Pellicer Camara rebate was worth ¤3.6bn ($4.6bn) T-shaped stone calendar that was Anthropology Museum and New last year. carved by the Maya around the York’s Metropolitan Museum. Asked by a lawmaker if he year 669 in southeastern Mexico. The first study on the stone was would defend Britain’s rebate In reality, the stone recounts the published by a German researcher during the talks, Cameron told life and battles of a ruler from that in 1978. Since then, various arche- parliament: “I can certainly give era, experts say. Plus, the last date ologists have examined its signifi- my honourable friend that assur- on the calendar is actually December cance and agree that it refers to ance. “The rebate negotiated by 23, 2012, not the 21st, and it merely the December 23 date. “The last US Army soldiers distribute goods to needy and displaced residents in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. Margaret Thatcher is an incred- marks the end of a cycle. So no need inscription refers to December More than three weeks after superstorm Sandy hit the New York area, residents continue their restoration ible part of Britain’s position in to build giant arks, because the 23, 2012, but the central theme efforts in many affected areas on Long Island. Europe and of making sure we terrible floods, earthquakes and of Monument 6 is not the date, get a fair deal.” volcanic eruptions depicted in the it’s not the prophecies or the end AFP Hollywood blockbuster “2012” were of the world.” AFP THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Singapore defends Manila to host four-way maritime talks death penalty for drug trafficking Multilateral talks one of viable options to solve sea row, says Del Rosario SINGAPORE: Singapore yes- terday hit back at critics of its MANILA: The Philippines own disputes be solved bilaterally Philippines last year, in contrast accusing China of increasingly continue to speak out on the issue. limited easing of the death pen- is to hold four-way talks next between Beijing and individual to China’s preferred bilateral aggressive diplomatic tactics to Asked what the Manila meet- alty for drug trafficking, saying month with fellow Southeast claimants. approach. stake its claims. ing hoped to achieve, Del Rosario some rights campaigners give Asian nations with rival claims “This is one of viable options to “We respect what (China) is Del Rosario’s announcement said yesterday: “If we can dis- more importance to prisoners to South China Sea territories, move the issue forward in terms suggesting, but we do not accept came just a day after he returned cuss limitation solutions to areas than their victims. Foreign Secretary Albert del of (arriving at) a peaceful solu- this,” Del Rosario said. home from an regional summit in where we have disputes with each “Unfortunately, there has been Rosario said yesterday. tion,” Del Rosario said. “We view the situation in the Cambodia that was overshadowed other, that certainly would be a little emphasis on the fact that The deputy foreign ministers of “We need to pay attention to South China Sea as a threat to by the dispute. good result to the initiative.” thousands of lives are destroyed Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines the fact that there are many the stability and security in the Host Cambodia had said Asean Manila’s claims include the as a result of the drug problem,” and Vietnam are to meet in claimants and it has to be settled region.” leaders had agreed not to “inter- Scarborough Shoal, a rich fish- the Ministry of Law said in a Manila on December 12 as part of in a multilateral approach.” Rival claimants Brunei, nationalise” the disputes and con- ing ground west of its main island statement. Philippine efforts at pushing for a Taiwan, like China, claims most Malaysia, the Philippines and fine the talks to those between the of Luzon. “Singaporeans value the right multilateral solution to their dis- of the sea, which includes some of Vietnam are all members of bloc and China. Chinese and Filipino ships were to live in a safe, secure and drug- putes, he told a news conference. the world’s most important ship- the 10-nation Association of But Philippine President locked in a tense standoff at the free environment. The system we The talks exclude China, which ping lanes and is believed to be Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Benigno Aquino publicly rebuked shoal earlier this year after the have chosen is a careful calibra- claims most of the sea including rich in fossil fuels. Tensions have increased stead- Cambodian leader Hun Sen, Philippine navy accosted Chinese tion of the risks that society faces waters close to the shores of its Del Rosario said the four-way ily over the past two years, with saying no such consensus had fishermen there. and the punishment that can be neighbours and has insisted its meeting was first proposed by the the Philippines and Vietnam been reached and that he would AFP imposed.” Parliament last week passed legal reforms abolishing manda- tory death sentences in some drug trafficking and murder cases, giving fresh hope to 34 inmates Japan opposition vows awaiting hanging -- the only form of execution. They can now be re-sentenced to life imprisonment under cer- national security boost tain conditions. Judges will have discretion to TOKYO: Japan’s main opposi- from coalition partners to form a impose life imprisonment on a tion Liberal Democratic Party government. person convicted of murder if the said yesterday it would look at The document said the party individual did not intend to kill. establishing a permanent pres- “will clarify the rights of self- They can also impose a life ence on uninhabited Tokyo- defence, including collective self- term on a drug courier who controlled islands at the centre defence, and then will legislate cooperated with authorities in a of a dispute with China. basic law on national security”. “substantive way” or is suffering The main opposition party also Collective self-defence refers to from an abnormality that “sub- promised a review of the self- the right to take aggressive action stantially impaired his mental imposed ban on defending allies, when an ally is attacked, a right responsibility for committing the offering the possibility of Japanese Japan already has, but has thus offence”. troops returning fire if US forces far refrained from using. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia come under attack. The country’s pacifist stance director for Human Rights Promises to “examine” the enjoys widespread public support, Watch, welcomed the reforms issues were part of a series of despite its having been foisted on last week but raised questions policy pledges ahead of December a defeated Japan by US occupiers about the requirement for the 16 polls. after World War II. public prosecutor to certify that The document, presented by The LDP, which ruled Japan for a drugs courier cooperated with LDP leader Shinzo Abe, offered an almost unbroken half century police. “It’s not clear at all what a number of “reviews” and “stud- before it was ousted in 2009 by the constitutes substantive coopera- ies”, but stopped short of prom- Democratic Party of Japan, said tion,” he said. ises of action with binding goals. it would “study the stationing of Robertson also said that “this is Opinion polls suggest the public servants to protect” unin- just the first step in a long jour- LDP could be the largest party habited, Tokyo-controlled islands Japan’s main opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Shinzo Abe shows a leaflet from the party’s ney and there needs to be a lot after the election, putting Abe at the centre of a territorial row campaign platform for the December 16 lower house election during a news conference at the LDP headquarters more done before Singapore can in line for a return to the pre- with China. in Tokyo yesterday. say that it is a rights-respecting miership, but will need support AFP government”. AFP

Vietnam court China appoints new propaganda minister Chinese police detain two upholds dissident blogger’s jail term BEIJING: China appointed Yunshan. The two are not related microblog Sina Weibo to send for ‘inciting unrest’ online yesterday a loyal ally of despite sharing a surname. messages. HANOI: A Vietnamese court President Hu Jintao to become According to an official biogra- But he has taken a hardline BEIJING: Chinese police have No protest took place and the yesterday upheld a dissident propaganda minister and pro- phy, he comes from a poor back- approach to tackling a surge of detained two people accused of licence fee has yet to be approved. blogger’s six-year jail term, moted one of its most senior ground and rose to the upper self-immolations and protests in inciting unrest in online post- In the second case, police in his lawyer said, the latest in a female leaders to Communist echelons of the party through restive ethnic Tibetan parts of the ings, state media and a rights Beijing took away Zhai Xiaobing string of tough sentences for Party chief of the northern port Hu’s powerbase of the Communist province, and has locked up some group said yesterday in a sign on November 7 after he posted anti-government activists in the city of Tianjin. Youth League. dissidents. of official concern over potential a joke about the collapse of the authoritarian nation. The new propaganda minister, As propaganda minister, Liu In a separate announcement, social instability. Great Hall of the People, where After a two-hour hearing, the Liu Qibao, formerly the party will have to instil confidence in Xinhua said that Sun Chunlan, Police in south China’s the Communist Party held a once- appeals court in central Dak boss of southwestern Sichuan the party and its policies and 62, will move to Tianjin, which the Guangdong province detained a-decade leadership transition Nong province rejected an appeal province, replaces Liu Yunshan, ensure a monopoly on the flow government is trying to turn into a car owner for posting mes- this month, the Chinese Human by Dinh Dang Dinh, a 49-year- who was last week raised to the of information, something which a global financial centre, from the sages online trying to organise a Rights Defenders said. old former teacher, against his Standing Committee following a is becoming harder in modern, southeastern coastal province of bumper sticker campaign against Zhai wrote on Twitter that August conviction for spreading once-every-five-year party con- wired China, with web sites and Fujian, where she had been party rising vehicle licencing fees, the the collapse would happen in anti-state propaganda. gress that unveiled a generational several feisty new publications boss since 2009. Global Times reported. an upcoming film in the “Final “My client did not admit the leadership change. straining at the leash to uncover Sun is one of only two women The owner, publicly identified Destination” horror franchise charges. But the court still main- While media-savvy, Liu is corruption and abuse of power. on the Politburo, a 25-member only by an online name, hoped starting on November 8, the same tained that the verdict issued unlikely to loosen media con- Liu will be in charge of dis- body that is a mix of military and for 100 cars to parade around day the party meeting started, the by the first instance court was trols as China’s leaders, nervous seminating official policy and civilian leaders which reports to Yangjiang city to protest a pro- group said. correct,” Dinh’s defence lawyer about stability and the need to viewpoints as well as trying to the party’s elite decision-making posed new 400 yuan ($65) annual Twitter is blocked inside China Nguyen Thanh Luong said by ensure one-party rule, are likely combat rumours spread by the core, the seven-man Standing vehicle licencing fee, the report and only web users who know how telephone after the hearing. to keep domestic media on a short growing lack of public trust in Committee. She replaces Zhang said. to circumvent the censors’ “Great Dinh, who is also a former army leash and clamp down on China’s mainstream state-run media’s Gaoli, who was also raised to the The driver printed bumper Firewall of China” can access it. official, was charged with writing increasingly unruly Internet, often mundane and occasionally Standing Committee. stickers depicting a clenched Zhai’s disappearance has led and posting anti-state documents which has over 500m users. dubious reporting. Sun worked her way up fist and reading: “To hell with several hundred people, including on the Internet between late 2007 The brief Xinhua announce- Unusually for a senior Chinese through various factory jobs in the annual fee” and “Say no to dissident artist Ai Weiwei, to sign and his arrest last year. ment confirmed a Reuters official, he has engaged with ordi- China’s northeastern industrial corruption!”, state-owned paper an online petition for his release, He expressed opposition to the report in October that said Liu nary people via online questions heartland. said, and was detained by the the group said. Communist Party leadership and Qibao was tipped to replace Liu and used the popular Twitter-like REUTERS authorities. AFP called for democracy and plural- ism in Vietnam, while also pro- testing against a controversial bauxite project in the Central Reception for Jiabao in Bangkok Highlands, state media has said. “Dinh is like another toppling S Korean liberal candidates domino in Vietnam’s systematic campaign to silence its inter- nal critics by locking them away face off in televised debate behind bars for long prison terms,” said Phil Robertson, Asia deputy SEOUL: South Korea’s two between the Moon and Ahn director of Human Rights Watch. liberal presidential candidates camps that the final candidate “These kinds of prosecutions will face off in a TV debate yes- will be chosen by a series of opin- raise fundamental concerns about terday as they struggle to con- ion polls to be conducted over the Vietnam’s intentions towards free clude an agreement on merging next few days. expression over the Internet, their campaigns ahead of the The debate will last nearly two and this is worrisome for human December 19 ballot. hours, with the two candidates rights activists and foreign inves- The debate is aimed at helping questioning each other on a range tors alike,” he said. decide which of the two -- Moon of issues in the presence of a mod- Charges of spreading anti-state Jae-In from the main opposi- erator whose sole role will be that propaganda and attempting to tion Democratic United Party of timekeeper. overthrow the regime are rou- and independent Ahn Cheol-Soo If the two men fail to reach tinely laid against dissidents in -- should drop out of the race in agreement on a merger and end a country where the Communist favour of the other. up running separately, they will Party forbids political debate. They have until a November split the liberal vote and effec- According to Human Rights 26 registration deadline to agree tively hand the presidency to Watch, Vietnam has jailed at least on a unity candidate who will Park. 10 peaceful activists this year challenge the front-runner, Park While polls suggest Park would while at least seven other bloggers Geun-Hye of the ruling conserva- easily win in the event of a three- and activists are awaiting trial for tive New Frontier Party. horse race, they put her neck- Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (left) and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao review the guard the same charge. The TV debate is seen as cru- and-neck in a face-off with either of honour during the welcoming ceremony for Jiabao at Government House in Bangkok yesterday. AFP cial given an emerging consensus Moon or Ahn. AFP THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Pakistan hosts Muslim leaders in rare summit Developing Eight (D8) summit in Islamabad likely to be overshadowed by the Gaza conflict

ISLAMABAD: Muslim lead- yesterday and Indonesian Thousands of extra police and five Israelis have been killed in would discuss Gaza, the war in Retired general turned politi- ers will meet today as Pakistan President Susilo Bambang paramilitaries will deploy and eight days. Syria and tensions in Iraq during cal analyst Talat Masood said it hosts a rare summit designed to Yudhoyono is also due to attend. construction work has been sus- US Secretary of State Hillary meetings on the summit sidelines. was a chance for it to emerge as increase trade and investment Bangladesh and Malaysia will be pended around the diplomatic Clinton has flown to the Middle Iran’s Ahmadinejad will likely “one of the leading players in the but likely to be overshadowed by represented at adviser- and min- enclave to provide “God willing, East to help secure a truce. Egypt, use the meeting to ease his Islamic world,” but warned that the Gaza conflict as diplomats isterial-level respectively. foolproof security”, Islamabad Iran and Turkey have been angry country’s isolation due to sanc- events in the Middle East could scramble to arrange a ceasefire. The summit will mark the first police chief Bani Amin told critics of Israel as it bombards the tions over its contested nuclear dominate. Iranian President Mahmoud visit by an Egyptian president to reporters. Gaza Strip to try to end Hamas programme. Many in the West “The present crisis between Ahmadinejad, Egyptian leader Pakistan in four decades and by Pakistan wants the summit rocket launches from the enclave. suspect the programme masks a Hamas and Israel and Iran’s rela- Mohammed Mursi and Turkish the first by a Nigerian leader for to boost trade and investment, A blast on a bus in Tel Aviv that covert attempt to develop nuclear tions with the US and important Prime Minister Recep Tayyip 28 years. strengthen its international injured 17 people in what Israel weapons, something vehemently developments on this front will Erdogan, key players in the Its ambitious goal is to increase standing and help “remove mis- called a “terrorist” attack has denied by Iran. be a matter of serious discussion,” Middle East, are scheduled to trade between member countries conceptions (about Pakistan) cre- further complicated international Pakistan will also likely press Masood said. be among those attending the from $130bn to $507bn by 2018. ated in a section of international efforts to end the violence. Iran over a multi-billion dollar The group was formed in 1997 Developing Eight (D8) summit. Islamabad rarely hosts major media”, a government statement Egypt, which crucially main- deal to import Iranian gas despite to advance development coopera- The D8 groups Bangladesh, international gatherings due to said. tains relations with both Hamas US pressure to abandon the tion among the member nations. Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, the Taliban and al Qaeda linked The D8 is also due to adopt a and Israel, has been a key player project because of the sanctions. They are mainly Muslim states Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey, violence that has plagued the charter at what will be its eighth in trying to negotiate a ceasefire. Analysts say the summit is an with the exception of Nigeria, with an estimated total popula- country since the 9/11 attacks. summit. But commentators Morsi is to address a joint ses- opportunity for Pakistan to make which population is roughly tion of one billion. The summit also coincides with believe proceedings could be over- sion of the Pakistani parliament diplomatic headway and overcome divided between Muslims and Nigerian leader Goodluck the holy month of Muharram, a shadowed by events in the Middle on Friday. its reputation as a hub of global Christians. Jonathan arrived in Islamabad magnet for sectarian attacks. East, where 136 Palestinians and Erdogan told reporters he terrorism. AFP

Anti-Israel protest Taliban warn of Bomb hits military revenge if Kabul vehicle, kills five executes militants KABUL: The Taliban warned QUETTA: A bomb tore through I saw an army vehicle in flames. yesterday of reprisals if the a Pakistan army vehicle escort- Shards of glass were littered on Afghan government executes ing children home from school the road. There was panic, people any of its militants in an yesterday, killing four soldiers were screaming, others were flee- expected series of hangings. and a woman in the southwest- ing the area.” Kabul hanged eight criminals ern city of Quetta, police said. Fruit vendor Abdul Karim, 30, on Tuesday and officials said more The attack also wounded more said the army vehicle took the executions were expected after than 20 people, one day before same route every day after school. President Hamid Karzai signed Pakistan welcomes Muslim “After some time police and death warrants for a total of 16 leaders at the Developing Eight FC (Frontier Corps paramili- prisoners. summit in the capital, where tary) troops arrived. They fired The Taliban, who are waging an international conferences are in the air to scare people away. insurgency against Karzai’s gov- rare due to Taliban and al Qaeda Soon shops were closed and peo- ernment and 100,000 Nato troops, linked violence. ple emptied the area.” said they had “credible reports” “The target was an army vehi- Quetta is more than 400 miles that some Taliban members on cle which was escorting a school (640 kilometres) southwest of death row were scheduled for bus carrying children of local Islamabad, where Pakistan has execution. army officers from different stepped up security significantly If the “prisoners of war” were schools,” Quetta city police chief for the summit. The event coin- executed there would be “heavy Hamid Shakeel said. cides with the holy month of repercussions for lawmakers, He said four soldiers and a Muharram, a magnet for sectar- courts and other related circles woman were killed when the ian attacks. of the Kabul administration”, the bomb, planted on a motorcyle, Iranian President Mahmoud Islamists said in a statement on was detonated by remote control. Ahmadinejad, Egyptian leader their website. “Twenty-one people were Mohamed Morsi and Turkish It urged the United Nations, Supporters of local NGO Khubaib Foundation shout slogans during an anti-Israel demonstration in Islamabad wounded in the blast, including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip the Organisation of the Islamic three soldiers. Eighteen are civil- Erdogan are due to be among yesterday. Conference, the Red Cross and ians. Six or seven of them are in those attending the meet- international rights groups to a serious condition,” Shakeel said. ing. Nigerian leader Goodluck prevent the executions. Witnesses said the motorbike Jonathan has already arrived. Surge in number of heart diseases predicted The Taliban, ousted from power appeared to have been parked It will mark the first visit by an by a US-led invasion in 2001, were near shops to avoid any suspi- Egyptian president to Pakistan in ISLAMABAD: A noted Mahmood Kayani said while giv- over 30 years of clinical experi- notorious for executing people cion in the Shahbaz Town neigh- four decades and by the first by a Pakistani cardiologist has ing a lecture at the ‘Meet the ence shared the results of data in public for “crimes” including bourhood near some of the most Nigerian leader in 28 years. stressed on the commonly Scientist’ programme of the analysis that his team carried adultery. The executions were prestigious private schools in There was no immediate claim known phrase ‘prevention is Science Society of the National out to assess the impact of CVD often carried out at half-time Quetta. of responsibility for yesterday’s better than cure’ and change University of Science and in the country’s population and during games in the main football “I was returning to my shop attack but Quetta and its prov- in lifestyle to combat heart Technology (NUST) here on the presented a range of statistics to stadium in Kabul. after saying prayers in a nearby ince Baluchistan are frequently diseases. other day. the audience. The European Union and mosque,” said shopkeeper hit by bomb attacks. The oil- and “Over 23 million people (in Dr Kayani discussed the high Gen Kayani is currently the international rights groups Mohammad Talib, 45. gas-rich area borders Iran and Pakistan) are feared to develop risk factors and easy changes in Executive Director of Rawalpindi on Wednesday condemned “Soon after, I heard a huge Afghanistan, and suffers from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) lifestyle to combat the disease. Institute of Cardiology. Afghanistan’s execution of the first blast. There was dust and smoke. sectarian violence. AFP by 2013,” Maj General Dr Azhar The noted cardiologist with INTERNEWS eight prisoners and urged Kabul to drop plans to hang any more. “The Afghan government should end its sudden surge of executions and institute a mora- torium on further executions,” Human Rights Watch said. Kasab’s hanging stirs hostility in home village “The weakness of the Afghan legal system and the routine fail- FARIDKOT: Farmers in the Kasab’s hanging in India. But in Faridkot people denied implicated Pakistan to get it media as denying Pakistan had ure of courts to meet interna- village of the Pakistani gunman “We don’t like anyone being Kasab was one of theirs, becom- declared a terrorist state,” said rebuffed a letter from India tional fair trial standards make executed yesterday for the 2008 given capital punishment. It is ing hostile when asked to talk landlord Muhammad Zaman, 50. informing Islamabad about the Afghanistan’s use of the death Mumbai massacre lashed out at better to pardon,” farmer Ghulam about the gunman and prevent- Ghulab Khan, 70 and unem- execution. penalty especially troubling,” it India and hounded out journal- Mustafa Wattoo, 50, said. ing photographers from taking ployed, suggested Pakistan should Pakistan’s failure to convict said. ists who asked about their noto- Kasab — a school dropout who pictures. respond tit-for-tat. “Pakistan anyone over the Mumbai carnage Amnesty International said rious son. became a member of Pakistan’s Villagers surrounded media should also hang an Indian incar- continues to bedevil efforts for a “the sheer number of people who The impoverished village of Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group, teams, accusing them of defam- cerated in a Pakistani jail,” he lasting peace agreement between could be killed by the state is a Faridkot, the former home of blamed for the massacre that ing the village and forcing them said. the nuclear-armed rivals, who particularly shocking use of what 25-year-old Mohammed Kasab, killed 166 people — was executed to leave after trying to snatch In Islamabad, the government have fought three wars since is the ultimate cruel and inhuman lies in the farming belt of Punjab and buried at the Yerwada prison cameras, an AFP reporter said. was also tight-lipped. independence from Britain in form of punishment”. province, 370km southeast of the in the city of Pune. In 2010, they angrily denounced The foreign ministry issued a 1947. The EU mission in Afghanistan Pakistani capital Islamabad. The former labourer and the conviction of Kasab, the only statement condemning terror- New Delhi accused elements called on the government to com- Residents are labourers and small-time criminal was one of gunman to survive the November ism and offering to “work closely of the Pakistani state — notably mute all death sentences and to farmers. 10 heavily-armed Islamist gun- 2008 bloodbath, and yesterday with all countries of the region” the ISI intelligence agency — of reintroduce a moratorium on Few are literate and those out men responsible for the siege again lashed out at India. to eliminate the scourge. abetting the attacks. Islamabad executions as a first step towards in the cornfields were largely that began on November 26, “This is a conspiracy against Ministry spokesman Moazzam denied any involvement. abolishing capital punishment. unresponsive when asked about 2008. Pakistan. India deliberately Ali Khan was quoted by state AFP AFP Suicide bomb attack kills two in Kabul

KABUL: A suicide bomber blew bomber was involved. the capital’s diplomatic district, with light and heavy weapons himself up near a Nato base in “Two members of the defence prompting the US embassy to attacked an important office of Kabul’s heavily-fortified diplo- ministry who were inside their sound its “duck and cover” alarm. the CIA in the centre of Kabul matic district yesterday, killing car parked at the site of the An AFP photographer saw and the fighting is continuing”. two Afghan security guards and attack have also been wounded.” three bodies, including that of the The Islamists regularly exag- wounding two government offi- Salangi said the bomber, who bomber, near Camp Eggers, a major gerate claims in their insur- cials, police said. was wearing a security guard’s Nato military base in the zone. gency against the government of The Taliban, leading an insur- uniform and was carrying an The target remained unclear President Hamid Karzai, which gency against US-led troops and automatic rifle and grenades, but the police chief said the is backed by more than 100,000 the Afghan government, claimed came under fire but managed to bomber was trying to enter a Nato troops. responsibility and said the target detonate his explosives. tall building under construction. The attack came amid was a CIA office. Shrapnel hit a passing vehicle Insurgents have used similar sites increased security in Kabul before “One suicide attacker and two of Nato’s International Security in the past from which to launch the Shiite holy day of Ashura on security guards were killed in the Assistance Force but no personnel grenade and machinegun fire on Saturday. Last year a suicide attack and one security guard were injured, a spokesman said. nearby targets. attacker killed 80 people attend- Soldiers of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) inspect the was injured,” Kabul police chief “All ISAF bases in the green zone The Taliban said in a text ing Ashura day ceremonies at a scene of a suicide bombing that targeted a US military base in Kabul, Mohammad Ayoub Salangi said, are secure,” he added. message that “a large number of shrine in the capital. Afghanistan, yesterday. dismissing reports that a second The blast was heard across fedayeen (suicide bombers) armed AFP THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Last surviving Mumbai gunman executed Pakistan national Ajmal Kasab’s hanging takes place secretly at 7.30am in Pune’s Yerawada jail

MUMBAI: India secretly “There is no doubt that it’s very hanged the lone survivor of shocking news and a big loss that the Pakistan-based militant a Muslim has been hanged on squad responsible for a rampage Indian soil,” Taliban spokesman through Mumbai that killed 166 Ihsanullah Ihsan said. people, sparking celebrations Kasab was buried inside the days before the fourth anniver- prison where he was hanged, sary of the assault on the finan- officials said. He was quiet and cial capital. seemed nervous before the exe- Pakistan national Mohammad cution, a prison guard told the Ajmal Kasab was the enduring NDTV network. He prayed and image of the bloody assault, which asked if his family had been traumatised India and raised informed, which they had. fears of copycat attacks on foreign India said it would hand over cities. Pictures of the baby-faced the body to Pakistan if asked. gunman wearing a black T-shirt Talking from his home village of and toting an AK-47 rifle as he Faridkot, Kasab’s aunt said she strode through Mumbai’s train was proud of him and wanted his station were published around body back. A school mate remem- the world. bered a boisterous child who loved Kasab was executed yester- karate “but never harmed any- day morning at 7.30 amid great one”. Villagers threw stones and secrecy, underscoring the politi- slapped around journalists who cal sensitivity of the November went to the village in the prov- 26, 2008, massacre, which still ince of Punjab. casts a pall over relations between This year, Saudi Arabia extra- nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan Mohammad Ajmal Kasab in police dited an Indian-born militant and India. custody. accused of being one of the mas- “All the police officers and per- terminds of the Mumbai attacks. sonnel who lost their life in the Kasab’s execution today, I remem- Police say Sayeed Zabiuddin battle against the terrorists have bered those horrifying moments Ansari, also known as Abu Jindal, today been served justice,” Home of the attack,” Zende said. “My helped coordinate the attack from Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party activists hold a placard as they celebrate the execution of Pakistan-born Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde eyes were filled with tears.” a “control room” in the Pakistani Mohammed Kasab in Mumbai, yesterday. said after Kasab was hanged in a An effigy of Kasab was hung by city of Karachi and also helped to jail in Pune, southeast of Mumbai. the neck from the entrance gate train the gunmen. government should move faster prosecuted for their role. relations have gradually improved It was the first time a capi- of the station by a right-wing In August, India’s Supreme to execute Afzal Guru, convicted “Kasab was a foot soldier, the since the attacks, with progress tal sentence had been carried local party. A crowd of about 30 Court upheld Kasab’s 2010 of a 2001 attack on parliament. generals are in Islamabad, in made on trade and economic ties. out in India since 2004. There shouted “Pakistan murdabad” death sentence over the attacks. Ten militants arrived on the Pakistan, and full justice will Possibly because of the planned was celebration on the streets of (death to Pakistan) as they beat President Pranab Mukherjee Mumbai shoreline in a dinghy on be done when they are brought execution, India on Tuesday asked Mumbai and other cities as news the effigy, which had shoes hung rejected his plea for clemency on November 26, 2008, before split- to justice,” Gopalapuram Pakistan to postpone a visit of the execution spread, but mili- around its shoulders. November 5, although this was ting into four groups and embark- Parthasarathy, a former ambas- this week by Interior Minister tant groups in Pakistan reacted In Pakistan, a senior com- not made public until Tuesday ing on a killing spree. They held sador to Pakistan, said. Rehman Malik, saying the dates angrily. People set of fireworks mander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba night. The timing of the execu- off elite commandos for up to 60 Improving relations with were “not suitable for us”. Malik and handed out sweets in Indian (LeT) militant group, which India tion, shortly before a series of hours in two luxury hotels and a Pakistan is a keystone of Prime was due to put the final seal on cities. Some held up photos of blames for the assault on Mumbai, state elections, may be beneficial Jewish centre in the city. Minister Manmohan Singh’s for- a deal to ease visa restriction for Kasab with a rope noose super- called Kasab a hero and said he for the government, which opposi- India says Islamabad is failing eign policy. Singh, who was born travellers. Kasab’s execution hap- imposed over his head. would inspire more attacks. tion leaders accuse of being soft to act against those behind the in present-day Pakistan when pened very quickly for India’s usu- Attack survivor Vishnu Zende, “To die like Kasab is the dream on national security. raids, including LeT founder Hafiz it was still part of British India, ally glacial justice system. Three who was working at Mumbai’s of every fighter,” the commander Narendra Modi, the Hindu Saeed, who has a $10m US bounty has repeatedly postponed visit- people convicted of the assassi- train station where nearly 60 peo- said by telephone from an undis- nationalist chief minister of on his head. Pakistan admits the ing the country because of lack nation of former Prime Minister ple were killed, said the execution closed location. Gujarat state, which goes to the attacks were planned on its soil, of progress on convicting the Rajiv Gandhi are still on death brought it all back. The Pakistan Taliban said they polls in December and borders but denies official involvement. Mumbai suspects. row, 21 years after he was killed “When I heard the news of were shocked by the hanging. Pakistan, said on Twitter the It says seven suspects are being However, India and Pakistan’s by a suicide bomb. REUTERS PM, cabinet learnt of Kasab hanging through TV 14 mercy pleas pending NEW DELHI: As many as 14 mercy petitions from 18 convicts are pending before President Pranab Mukherjee, following the rejection NEW DELHI: No one from days. He returned and “saw the of a similar plea from Mumbai terror attacks convict Ajmal Kasab. the union cabinet or even UPA President decided on Kasab plea in 12 days top secret file which said that Among the pleas pending is one from Mohammed Afzal Guru, a chairperson Sonia Gandhi were the president had refused the death row convict in the December 2001 terror attack on parliament. kept in the loop about Ajmal NEW DELHI: It took barely a fortnight for President Pranab request for mercy petition”. This is probably the first mercy plea on which Mukherjee has taken Kasab’s scheduled hanging last Mukherjee to decide on the mercy petition of 26/11 convict He also denied that the entire a decision. morning. Only President Pranab Ajmal Amir Kasab. hush-hush operation was known As per information available from the home ministry, in response to Mukherjee and the home minis- “The president had rejected the mercy petition on November as “Operation X”. “I don’t call it an RTI query from activist Subhash Chandra Agrawal, there were 15 try knew of the decision, accord- 5,” Venu Rajamony, the president’s press secretary, said. Operation X,” he said. mercy petitions from 19 condemned prisoners under Article 72 of the ing to Home Minister Sushil After the Maharashtra government rejected Kasab’s mercy He told the news channel that Constitution till November 5, when Mukherjee rejected the petition Kumar Shinde. plea on October 16 and the union home ministry followed suit on the high level of secrecy was from Kasab. One of the mercy pleas submitted in March this year from Shinde told NDTV that the October 23, the file moved to President Mukherjee. required so that petitions in Balwant Singh Rajoana, killer of Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, United Progressive Alliance Mukherjee took his decision in about 12 days, rejecting Kasab’s courts and human rights activ- is also part of the list. chairperson “was not part of plea on November 5 - thus paving the way for his execution. ists could be “avoided”. To a ques- Among the states, Karnataka has the highest number of petitions the decision” and his cabinet By November 8, the file had moved back to the Maharashtra tion on the impact of the hanging pending: four from seven convicts on death row. colleagues learnt of the event government for further action, and Kasab was hanged yesterday, in Pakistan, Shinde said that he Haryana and Uttar Pradesh come second, each with two petitions through television. five days before the fourth anniversary of the carnage. IANS was in touch with the Pakistan from three condemned prisoners. Terming the decision to hang government and his counterpart. Delhi has two petitions, including one from Afzal Guru. Uttarakhand, 26/11 terrorist Kasab “a routine” “He has promised he will coop- Chandigarh (Rajoana), and Madhya Pradesh have one petition each. job for him, Shinde said “only the Shinde said: “No, no... it appeared signed the file on Kasab, and sent erate... Pakistan is also suffering Since 1981, Indian presidents have considered and disposed of 98 home ministry and the president through television”. it to the president with the note from terrorism and infiltration... mercy petitions, the latest being that of Kasab. of India knew of it... it has noth- “It is my routine work, my that mercy should not be consid- and it is time that both of us con- Mukerjee’s predecessor Pratibha Patil had decided on 39 mercy peti- ing to do with the cabinet”. nature is to keep secrecy in such ered. The president signed the sult each other,” Shinde said. tions, of which 35 were for death sentence commutation, during her Asked if his cabinet colleagues, things, I am trained in police,” file on November 5 and returned Asked if his ministry had taken tenure. These included those charged with serious and barbaric crimes including Prime Minister added the minister, who took it the same day. a decision on parliament attack like mass killings, kidnappings and rapes of as many as 22 women and Manmohan Singh, were aware over his job in August. However, Shinde was away convict Afzal Guru, Shinde said children. Patil created a record of sorts as far as disposal of clemency that the hanging was being held Relating the events leading to in Rome attending an Interpol he would deal with the file when pleas is concerned. She rejected the pleas of five convicts that included at 7.30am in Pune’s Yerawada jail, the hanging, Shinde said that he meeting and returned after two it comes to him. IANS killers of former premier Rajiv Gandhi and then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. IANS

Camel fair Two former Congress lawmakers join Mamata ministry in Bengal

KOLKATA: Months ahead efforts to weaken her former alli- railways Adhir Chowdhury runs of the panchayat polls in West ance partner in its strongholds in in Murshidabad. Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata the state. Chowdhury, who was Kabir’s inclusion is considered Banerjee yesterday carried out made cabinet minister for tour- a big blow to Adhir Chowdhury, a major ministerial reshuf- ism -- a key department consid- as the new minister has for long fle, inducting eight new min- ering the government’s ambitious been his protegee. Governor M K isters, including two who quit plans in the sector -- had won Narayanan administered the oath the Congress recently, besides last year’s assembly election from of office and secrecy to 13 minis- changing some key portfolios. Englishbazar in Malda district. ters, including two new cabinet One minister - Shyamal Kabir, sworn-in as a min- ministers Krishnendu and Rajib Mandal, in charge of the ister of state for animal hus- Banerjee, one new minister of Sundarbans Affairs department bandry, represented Rezinagar state (independent charge) and - was dropped. in Murshidabad district. Malda five fresh ministers of state. Most of the new joinees hail and Murshidabad are considered Four ministers of state were from rural areas, which are slated the strongest forts of Congress promoted to the cabinet rank, and to go to the polls by the middle in the state where the party has another to the minister of state of next year to elect over 50,000 been steadily losing space to the (independent charge) status. The members to the crucial three- Trinamool over the years. strength of the ministry has now tier panchayat administration in Malda was once a pocket- gone up to 44. The reshuffle also the state. Krishnendu Narayan borough of late railway minister took care of the empty ministerial Chowdhury and Humayun Barkat Ghani Khan Chowdhury, slots since six Congress ministers Kabir, both of whom resigned as and the strong Congress organi- resigned Sep 22, after Trinamool A man leads his flock of camels down a dusty hill on the outskirts of Pushkar in Rajasthan for a camel fair Congress legislators on Tuesday, sation there is now control- Congress withdrew support yesterday. The annual five-day camel and livestock fair, held in the town of Pushkar is one of the world’s larg- were inducted into the 18-month led by his family members. The from the Congress-led United est camel fairs, and apart from buying and selling of livestock it has become an important tourist attraction. old Trinamool Congress ministry, writ of Banerjee’s bete noire Progressive Alliance (UPA) gov- in what is being seen as Banerjee’s and union minister of state for ernment. IANS THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17

PM to meet BJP Court to check leaders today NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet top BJP leaders over dinner today safety steps for in a bid to narrow down differ- ences with principal opposition party over contentious issues including FDI in multi-brand retail during the winter session nuclear plants of parliament. Manmohan Singh has invited BJP Parliamentary Party chief L K Advani, Lok Sabha opposition 7 safety measures implanted: Govt leader Sushma Swaraj and Rajya Sabha opposition leader Arun NEW DELHI: The Supreme seeking to restrain the govern- Jaitley to the dinner. Court yesterday said it will ment from going ahead with the The dinner meeting, rescheduled examine what steps the central operationalising the Kudankulam from last Saturday due to the death government had taken for set- Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, ting up an independent atomic unless it implemented 17 addi- will come in the wake of an all- energy regulatory body in pur- tional security measures as sug- party meet called by Lok Sabha suance to its being a signatory gested by the task force that was Speaker Meira Kumar result- to the International Convention set up in the wake of Fukushima ing in a logjam over the opposi- on Nuclear Safety. nuclear accident in Japan. Bhushan tion’s stringency on foreign direct The apex court bench of Justice appeared for Sunderrajan. investment (FDI) in multi-brand K S Radhakrishnan and Justice As the Solicitor General retail. Dipak Misra said this as counsel Rohinton Nariman sought to per- Prashant Bhushan told the court suade the court that every step that the International Convention was being taken to implement Court reserves order on Nuclear Safety, which India the 17 safety measures. The court on Sangma’s plea has ratified, mandates that all asked him to put on a paper that the signatories to the conven- the steps government had already President of main opposition Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Nitin Gadkari (centre), waves to supporters with senior against Pranab tion would set up an independent taken to implement the 17 safety party leaders Rajnath Singh (left) and Vijay Goel, during a protest against government’s recent decision to open atomic energy regulatory body. measures as an abundant cau- retail sector to foreign direct investment, in New Delhi, yesterday. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Bhushan told the court that tion at KKNPP. “What steps you Court will on December 5 the International Convention on have taken to implement the 17 pronounce its order on P A Nuclear Safety mandates that safety measures,” the court asked Ready to face any probe: Gadkari Sangma’s petition challenging “each contracting party shall Nariman as he told the court that Pranab Mukherjee’s election take appropriate steps to ensure 17 steps were “precaution over as the president of India. an effective separation between precaution and over precaution”. NEW DELHI: Facing demands Gadkari accused the Congress Rajnath Singh accused the gov- The apex court constitutional the functions of the regulatory The solicitor general said seven from a section of his party for of misusing the Central Bureau of ernment of playing into foreign bench of Chief Justice Altamas body and those of any other body of the 17 steps have already been his resignation over financial Investigation (CBI) to gain politi- hands and said it has violated its Kabir, Justice P Sathasivam, or organisation concerned with implanted and 10 are remaining. dealings of a company linked cal leverage with regional parties solemn assurance to parliament Justice S S Nijjar, Justice J the promotion or utilisation of At this court inquired about to him, BJP president Nitin for survival of the Congress-led by going ahead with the decision Chelameswar and Justice Ranjan nuclear energy”. “the time frame in meeting the Gadkari yesterday said he was United Progressive Alliance gov- to allow foreign direct investment Gogoi yesterday said that it would In India, Bhushan said the remaining 10 safety measures.” ready to face any probe. ernment here. in multi-brand retail. pronounce its order on Sangama’s “nuclear regulator has been sub- Responding to court’s earlier Addressing a BJP protest rally Referring to Kasab’s hanging, He said that while a few lakh plea on December 5, after it ordinate to and under control of query, Nariman said that 97 per- at Jantar Mantar here ahead Gadkari said it had been delayed. jobs may be created FDI in retail reserved its order upon the con- those whose stated purpose is the cent of the spent fuel was reproc- of the winter session of parlia- He accused the Congress of vote- will affect the livelihood of crores clusion of the arguments in the promotion of the use of nuclear essed and reused for producing ment, Gadkari said there was an bank politics and asked why par- of people. preliminary hearing that lasted energy”. the nuclear power. attempt to defame the party lead- liament attack convict Afzal Guru Many party leaders later for two days. “We can’t ask them to legislate On a query by the court as to ers as they were trying to expose has not been hanged so far. marched towards Prime Minister Sangma has contended that but we can ask them to implement how many times the spent fuel corruption. BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Manmohan Singh’s house and while filing his nomination papers the international convention and could be reprocessed and reused, “There is an attempt to defame Naqvi said it was important to courted arrest. The BJP-led President Mukharjee held an set up independent regulator”, the NPCIL’s Executive Director us. We are clean. There is no need destroy the “terror factories” in National Democratic Alliance office of profit as the chairman Justice Radhakishnan said. (Fuel Cycle Management & to fear and we are ready to face Pakistan. He said the country was (NDA) has decided to demand a of the Indian Statistical Institute The court said this in the course Safeguards) Ashok Chauhan told any probe. I want to assure you moving from the “path of liberali- discussion on FDI issue in par- and remained leader of the house of the hearing of a petition by an the court that it could be reused that we have not done anything sation to economic dependence”. liament under rules which entail in the Lok Sabha. IT professional G Sunderrajan 10 times. IANS wrong,” he said. Former party president voting. IANS IANS

Anti-Israel protest Court questions CBI court summons Yeddyurappa, operations of private security sons in mining corruption case

BANGALORE: A CBI special member from Shimoga, about 260 government land near Bangalore agencies court has issued summons to km from here, and the home town for Rs4m by violating various laws. NEW DELHI: Taking suo former Karnataka chief minis- of Yeddyurappa. “The said land was de-notified motu cognizance of the kill- ter B S Yeddyurappa, his kin and “All the accused have to be (freed from government control) ings of Ponty Chadha and his others in a graft case related to a present in the special court Dec 10 by Yeddyurappa by allegedly abus- brother Hardeep Singh Chadha mining scam case during his ten- for cross-examination and further ing his official position in violation in a shoot out, the Supreme ure from 2008 to 2011, a senior interrogation,” the official said on of various government rules,” the Court yesterday issued a notice official said yesterday. conditions of anonymity. official said, citing the criminal to the union home ministry Central Bureau of Investigation The summons was issued on the case the CBI registered on the May on the regulatory framework (CBI) judge Venkata Sundarshan, basis of the chargesheet the fed- 11 directive of the Supreme Court. under which private security who issued the summons eral investigation agency filed in its Later, the same land was sold agencies were operating. on November 16, directed special court on October 16 against at an exorbitant rate of Rs200m Referring to the media reports, Yeddyurappa, his sons B Y the accused for cross-examination to JSW Steels and South West the apex court bench of Justice Raghavendra and B Y Vijayendra, under the Prevention of Corruption Mining even though the guidance D K Jain and Justice J S Khehar son-in-law R N Sohan Kumar, Act, 1988, the Karnataka Land value of the land was Rs15m. while issuing the notice to the former minister Krishnaiah Shetty (Restriction on Transfer) Act and Yeddyurappa resigned July 31, home ministry said: “We take and eight others, including chief various sections of the Indian Penal 2011, after former Lokayuktha suo motu cognizance of the said executive and vice-president of a Code, including 120B for conspir- (ombudsman) Justice N Santosh reports, relating, inter alia, to the steel company in Bellary to appear acy and 420 for cheating. Hegde held him guilty of bribery licensing and working of private in court on December 10. The CBI charged Yeddyurappa during a probe into the mining security agencies.” Raghavendra is a Bharatiya and his kin with allegedly hatch- scam. Activists from the International Anti-Imperialist Coordination Committee The court said the “recent fir- Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha ing a conspiracy to purchase a IANS protest against Israel’s military action in Gaza, in a rally in Kolkata, ing incident, widely reported in yesterday. the press, resulting in the death of two people, allegedly on account of use of firearms by some private security personnel is a matter of grave concern”. Cap removal on loans may boost property investments Framing four question for the home ministry to address, the apex court bench said that here is nothing new at this stage could be profitable. this sector not just in the metros have reported a significant rise in significant new development in “the questions are of great pub- about non-resident Then, there is the advantage of but also in the Tier 2 and 3 cities. NRIs’ demand at places like Navi this context is the lifting of the lic importance and need to be Indians (NRIs), partic- easier and lower priced home loans. The Government of India has Mumbai, Badlapur, Titwala, Virar ceiling on loans against non-resi- urgently addressed....” Tularly those in the Gulf Last, but by no way the least, is already spoken of plans to provide and Bhoisar. dent deposits in bansk. There was The court asked as to “what is region, wanting to invest funds a recent government decision to incentives and rope in private sec- NRIs can make the most of the cap of Rs10m for foreign currency the legal regulatory framework in real estate. However, a recent completely do away with the cap tor investments in its desperation favourable coming together of mul- and rupee loans taken against under which the private security survey has thrown up some inter- on loans to against non-resident to bridge the gap between supply tiple factors such as the exchange NRE and FCNR(B) fixed depos- agencies operate” and “what are esting finds and trends in this deposits in banks. This really and demand for housing. It has rate differential, easier norms and its. The Reserve Bank of India, in the parameters/norms that are regard. is the icing on the cake for the been estimated that the current comparatively lower housing loans a notification issued last month, considered for issue of firearm/ Some media reports quoted a NRI who manages his portfolio shortfall of housing in the country rates. Most importantly, since the has lifted this cap. weapon licences to private secu- survey conducted on NRIs in the astutely. is more than 25 million. A report real estate market in India is now According to bankers, there was rity personnel”. United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Coming back to the survey, of the Asian Development Bank on the verge of a take off after the no cap on such loans before 2000, The court also sought infor- say that nearly ninety per cent of well, it was conducted by a real suggests that by the year 2030, global slowdown, developers are in which year the Reserve Bank mation on the guidelines, if any, them wanted to buy property of estate expo firm and there would this figure will be around 10 mil- still offering up to 15 percent dis- of India (RBI) introduced a cap “governing the use of such fire- Rs10m or more back home. What be skepticism about the authen- lion a year. counts on down payments. of Rs2m. This was increased to arms/weapons by private security is really interesting is that one ticity of the findings. Let’s not get Industry reports have noted a Overseas Indians also stand to Rs10m in 2009. Now, the RBI has personnel”; and if not, “whether in every four of those surveyed entangled in figures, therefore. significant rise in the demand for gain from the eased repatriation lifted the cap again and allowed it is necessary to frame definite planned to acquire real estate not Suffice it to say that most NRIs norms now. They are allowed to either the account holder or a parameters on the subject”. to occupy later but as an addi- in the Gulf are not at all averse repatriate the amount paid for third party to extend the balance The court asked the ministry tional investment. According to to the idea of owning real estate THE NR EYE the acquisition of property in in account. to inform it about “the rights and the reported findings of the sur- purely for investment purposes. foreign exchange after a lock- These loans are availed of by duties of private security agencies vey, this figure rose by a good six Not very long back, in this very Moiz Mannan in period of three years. The NRIs when they want to make under the law, particularly, vis-a- per cent over last year. column, we had put forth some facility is restricted to not more investments in India but do not vis the criminal law of the land”. While overpowering reasons logical arguments as to why Gulf mid-segment housing in the sub- than two such properties. The want to break their deposits, as The apex court asked the min- such as the leverage afforded by NRIs should want to enlarge the urbs of Delhi, the national capital balance amount can be credited it would attract penalty for pre- istry to file an affidavit explaining a low-priced rupee and the unpre- size of Indian property invest- region, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, to a NRO account. They are also mature withdrawal. The purpose its stand on the “broad questions” dictability of stocks are prompt- ments in their portfolios. The Belgaluru, Kolkata, Chandigarh permitted to remit an amount could be for investment in real posed by it and gave it two weeks ing this thinking some strong massive shortfall in India’s middle and Ahmedabad. Besides, there of up to $ 1m in a given financial estate or commodities like gold. time to respond. The court said supplementing factors too exist. income housing sector is growing are opportunities in booming year out of the balance held in a There is no restriction on the end the affidavit should be filed by a For example, the current real virtually by the day. Huge oppor- towns like Pune, Thane, Powai NRO account. use of such loans. senior ministry official. IANS estate prices are sluggish and entry tunities for investments exist in and Wadala. Real estate developers As mentioned earlier, the most THE PENINSULA

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56,097 8.60 465,574 26.10 104,926 150.10125,689 15.06 16,134 76.20 375,071 27.80 142,213 23.40 62,881 72.70 71,913 52.10 Qatar to remain fastest growing GCC economy GCC growth to slow down next year, says Fitch in GCC Sovereign Credit Overview

BY SATISH KANADY commentary on Qatar, the Fitch after the hikes over 2011 and 2012. external. The US fiscal cliff poses noted gas output hitting capac- Breakdown of Qatar’s economic growth Fitch does not view the higher the largest short-term risk. A DOHA: Qatar will remain ity has caused headline economic government spending that helped slowdown in China and an inten- the fastest growing of all GCC growth to slow to mid-single dig- growth bounce in H1, 12 in sification of the eurozone crisis sovereigns in 2013, driven by its. Qatar’s high government capi- Bahrain is sustainable and instead would also hurt the region. In the government’s huge capital tal spending on major multi-year political uncertainty will continue addition, the GCC remains vul- investment programme. The projects continues to stimulate to cloud the outlook. A worsen- nerable to swings in oil prices. growth is set to boost as the fis- the non-hydrocarbon sector. ing political climate could hit Given the fiscal policy space in cal stimulus would be triggered “Qatar is playing increasingly economic performance in Kuwait. most of the GCC, Fitch antici- by a combination of healthy prominent global role through Although there is little fiscal pates that these risks should be rates of bank lending and buoy- Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) impulse in the UAE, the non-oil manageable in 2013. The principal ant consumer and business con- investments and foreign policy. economy will pick-up owing to a political risks are the possibility fidence, Fitch Ratings forecast The country’s domestic debt mar- renewed influx of businesses and of conflict between Israel and Iran yesterday. ket is being developed, but fund- residents. and an escalation of the unrest In its first quarterly “GCC ing of substantial infrastructure For all GCC sovereigns apart in Syria. Sovereign Credit Overview”, spend is driving up external debts from Bahrain, fiscal and current In Fitch’s view the key chal- however, the ratings agency noted …. Inflationary pressures outside account surpluses are anticipated, lenges facing the region are economic growth in the GCC will the real estate sector is building further strengthening sovereign economic diversification, ris- slow in 2013 due to a moderation up...”, balance sheets and external posi- ing breakeven oil prices, unem- in oil production growth, but high GCC economies will remain tions. Fitch expects the benign ployment and accountability. oil prices will provide a support- heavily influenced by global oil global inflationary environment Although some steps are being ive backdrop for another year of markets. With conditions tight, to be sufficient to offset most taken to tackle these issues, it solid non-oil growth. Many gov- low global spare capacity and lit- domestically-driven price pres- will take some years for any suc- ernments in the region will con- tle new output coming on-stream, sures and keep inflation in the cesses of a magnitude necessary tinue to use high oil revenues to Fitch expects Brent crude to region relatively subdued. to impact positively on the ratings stimulate their economies average around $100 per barrel for demand. As most GCC export- operating at close to capacity, The main economic risks to to occur. In the non-rating action in 2013 despite the weak outlook ers aside from Saudi Arabia are there is little scope to raise output the outlook for the region are THE PENINSULA

Al Sada attends Gas Exporting Countries Forum Widening budget Kuwait bank expects deficit casts Islamic financing boom fresh gloom on British economy KUWAIT: Islamic banking likes of us and others,” Majed said. is growing at more than dou- “Right now we are busy because the LONDON: Britain borrowed ble the pace of conventional slice of Islamic pie in Kuwait is big.” much more than expected in banking in Kuwait and strong However, in 2014 the bank will October, thwarting finance demand is expected throughout set out a new five-year strategy, minister George Osborne in his the Arab region, the chairman which will include the possibility efforts to reduce the deficit and of Boubyan Bank said yesterday. of an international presence. shunt the economy away from Credit volumes at Islamic banks This year’s Arab Spring upris- stagnation. in Kuwait reached KD11.1bn ings are expected to boost Sharia- The figures published yesterday ($39.3bn) in the first nine months compliant banking in the Middle show weaker businesses — mostly of 2012, up 13.2 percent on last East and North Africa because in the oil and gas sector — paying year, Boubyan Chairman and of the new Islamic governments less tax than expected and may Managing Director Adel Abdul it created, Majed said. undermine government efforts Wahab Al Majed told the Reuters During the financial crisis of to shore up public support for its Middle East Investment Summit. 2009 Boubyan reported a net policies of spending cuts and tax That compares with 5.6 percent annual loss of KD51.7m. This rises. credit growth to KD18.6bn at con- background has made the bank The numbers are the last fig- ventional banks, Majed said. cautious about expansion. ures to be released before Osborne The hunger for Shariah- “I think the mistake is that it presents his twice-yearly fiscal compliant banking in Kuwait means started venturing outside before update on December 5. After a that Boubyan is not interested in it had a stable, profitable base in positive surprise in September, overseas expansion quite yet, in Kuwait,” Majed said. they revert to the borrowing contrast to more-established rival Since 2009, earnings have overshoots seen for most of the Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman and Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum (QP) H E Dr Kuwait Finance House (KFH). grown and the bank reported an tax year. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada participated in the 14th meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, in “Innovation or presence outside, KD8m net profit in 2011. Separately, minutes of the lat- Malabo, Equatorial Guinea yesterday. The members of the Forum, whose Secretariat permanent headquarters it is only a matter of time (for) the REUTERS est Bank of England meeting is hosted in Doha, welcomed Iraq’ accession as an observer member in the Forum. showed little appetite for more stimulus, cutting off for now that alternative avenue of support, at a time when BoE Governor Mervyn King anticipates weak growth and Greece’s lenders fail again to clinch emergency aid deal rising inflation. The Office for National Statistics said the government’s BERLIN/ATHENS: a deal would be reached when Schaeuble earlier told conserv- The Europeans, led by Germany, euro aid tranche to keep servic- preferred measure, public sector International lenders failed they meet again on Nov. 26. ative lawmakers at a closed-door are refusing to write off any loans. ing its debt and avoid bankruptcy. net borrowing excluding financial for the second week to reach a German Finance Minister briefing that the lenders were Both options would make it easier Its next major repayment is in sector intervention, came in at deal to release emergency aid Wolfgang Schaeuble said he was split over how to define debt sus- for Greece to meet the targets in mid-December. £8.6bn ($13.7bn) in October, up for Greece and will try again confident the funding gap could tainability and fill a hole in Greek the bailout programme. Athens says it has carried out from £5.9bn in October 2011. next Monday, but Germany sig- be filled by a mixture of letting finances. Merkel told the lawmakers the the tough reforms required in This was well above econo- nalled that significant divisions Greece buy back its own debt at a “He sees the extension of the gap could be plugged by lowering the bailout programme but needs mists’ average forecast of £6bn, remain. discount, tapping ECB profits on debt sustainability goal as one interest rates on loans to Greece, more time to reach fiscal targets and higher even than the most Euro zone finance ministers, Greek bond purchases, and lower- of the main bones of contention. extending their maturity to 30 agreed with lenders because its pessimistic estimate in a Reuters the International Monetary Fund ing interest rates on government The other is how to cover the years from 15, and increasing economy keeps shrinking. poll of 19 analysts. and the European Central Bank loans to Athens, but not below the Greek financing gap of 14 billion guarantees provided to the euro French Finance Minister A large part of the increased were unable to agree in 12 hours cost to lenders. euros through 2014,” said one law- zone’s temporary EFSF bailout Pierre Moscovici said agreement deficit is due to a 10 percent of overnight talks in Brussels on “Additional measures are maker who attended the meet- fund, in which Germany would was close, echoing overnight com- drop in corporation tax receipts, how to make the country’s debt needed and we have spoken ing of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s take its share, a participant said. ments from Eurogroup chairman driven by lower profits from sustainable. They want a solu- about this intensively with the centre-right Christian Democrats “I believe there are chances, one Jean-Claude Juncker, who said energy companies after a 20 per- tion before paying the next loan International Monetary Fund. We in parliament. doesn’t know for sure, but there talks were stuck on technicalities. cent annual fall in oil and gas tranche which is urgently needed agree essentially that the gap can European governments want to are chances to get a solution on “We are a whisker away from a extraction in the 12 months to to keep Greece afloat. and will be filled, that a buyback give Greece an extra two years, Monday,” she told the Bundestag deal. I am very confident we will September due to extra main- Several European officials programme of Greek debt on the until 2022, to cut its debt to a lower house of parliament during get there on Monday,” Moscovici tenance and long-term decline played down the delay, saying the market will be carried out,” he sustainable level of 120 percent of a debate. told Europe 1 radio. in North Sea reserves. disagreements were technical and told reporters. GDP but the IMF does not agree. Greece needs the next 31 billion REUTERS REUTERS THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Production of aluminium to grow by 10pc ARABAL 2012 opens

BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB it will be for the aluminium indus- try”, he added. DOHA: Despite economic Notably, since the beginning downturn in major aluminium of the economic crisis the pri- consuming countries the pro- mary production of aluminium in duction of the metal will con- Europe has decreased by about tinue to grow at a rate of eight 25 percent due to low demand to 10 percent, Chairman of the and higher energy prices push- Qatar Aluminum Company ing many European smelters to (Qatalum) said yesterday. shutdown. “We believe that aluminium will However, experts say the be the best alternative metal that demand for the light and strong would find its use in many more metal will witness growth in 2013, industries globally. And keeping and automotive and packaging in view the trends of aluminium industries will be the big drivers production that we have seen for this growth. between 2010 and 2011, which ARABAL 2012, which formally Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Shaibi, Qatalum Chairman, addressing the Arab International Aluminium Conference in Doha yesterday. (ABDUL BASIT) was between 8 and 10 percent, we opened yesterday is discussing expect that the same trend will regional issues, power genera- President and CEO. of restructuring. Economic leaders. Middle-Eastern manu- ARABAL Organising Committee continue” Abdulrahman Ahmed tion and technology. After a pre- “We do not expect low prices downslide in Europe coupled facturers are now increasingly added: “Today, as we celebrate the Al Shaibi told The Peninsula on conference day which included a to last; unlike many other metals, with escalating power tariffs, lack emerging as serious contenders sixteenth version of ARABAL 2012 the sidelines of an ongoing Arab workshop on the London Metal growth in aluminum demand is of local resources, taxation and in the global aluminum market”. here, the region has seven smelters Aluminum Conference, ARABAL Exchange, the morning began positive and we expect it to con- tightening of ecological regula- Svein Richard of Hydro of primary aluminium with pro- 2012. with opening addresses to the tinue”. Al Shaibi expects prices to tions have already resulted in the Aluminum – whose joint venture duction capacity of up to 15 percent Asked about the source indus- plenary session by Mohammad follow bullish forecasts in demand. shutdown number of European with Qatar Petroleum spawned of global production along with the try of demand, he said: “This is a Ali Al Naqi, ARABAL Chairman; Dr Al Sada, through Al aluminium production facilities. Qatalum – gave a comprehensive other supporting projects such as very complex question as we see Minister of Energy and Industry Shaibi, praised ARABAL as an “We are seeing a spate of evolu- presentation, outlining Qatalum’s calcined coal and projects that depression in most of the consum- H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al “extraordinary opportunity for tion and consolidation within the strategic position in the global sup- depend on smelters’ products such ing nations but we still expect Sada, – presented on his behalf gauging the pulse of the indus- industry. The focus of the alu- ply chain, and spoke of ‘infinite alu- as aluminium extrusion, cables and that aluminium will affect many by Al Shaibi – who also spoke as try and its developments across minium sector is steadily shift- minum’ through strong increase in car wheels factories which supply industries around the globe. If Qatalum Chairman, and Svein the globe”. Worldwide, he argued, ing, often away from those who demand and recycling innovations. global automotive companies. there is any growth opportunity Richard, Hydro Aluminium aluminium industry is in a state were considered the traditional Al Naqi, Chairman of the THE PENINSULA

Qatar Exchange joins Middle East Investor Relations Society QFC to host seminar of tax DOHA: The Qatar Chapter of the platforms, regular training ses- active participant in the Society’s Adel Mutawa, Board member the Exchange for their previous Middle East Investor Relations sions and IR focused conferences. activities in Qatar since its incep- of the ME-IR Society and Qatar contributions andnow they have experts today Society announced yesterday The Qatar Chapter was the first tion and it is a natural progres- Chapter Chairman said: “The officially joined as founding mem- that the Qatar Exchange (QE) Chapter officially launched by the sion for us to formally commit to active support of QE has been bers, we look to collectively con- DOHA: The International Fiscal has officially joined the estab- ME-IR Society in early 2012 and its aims as board member. We a key element in the success of tinue setting the example for IR Association (IFA), a body of lead- lished Qatar working group as a original founding members of the have been a strong supporter of developing of Investor Relations progress in the Middle East.” ing tax experts, and the Qatar board member. Qatar chapter include: Amwal, the Society given their aims are for the listed companies of Qatar. In alignment with the society, Financial Centre (QFC) would The ME-IR Society Qatar The Bank of New York Mellon, very much in line with our own The annual IR conferences held in the Qatar chapter is an inde- hold a meeting of the GCC Chapter is chaired by Adel Al Al Khalij Commercial Bank, Qtel, objectives of promoting transpar- partnership by QE and the ME-IR pendent, not for profit organiza- branch of the IFA here today. Mutawa, Executive Director at Thomson Reuters, Vodafone Qatar ency amongst listed companies Society each May have promoted tion with membership open to all The meeting will be attended by Qtel, and supports the develop- and Commercial Bank of Qatar. and assisting where possible in the profession and set an exam- Investor Relations, financial com- members of the recently formed ment and practice of IR among Abdul Aziz Al Emadi, Director achieving this goal through edu- ple for the listed companies of munications and capital market GCC branch of the IFA and interna- Qatari companies through the of Listings at the Qatar Exchange, cation and awareness of best mar- Qatar. On behalf of the founding professionals in Qatar. tional tax experts. Dr Robert Peake, establishment of solid networking said: “Qatar Exchange has been an ket practice.” members I express gratitude to THE PENINSULA Branch Chairman, will introduce the work of the IFA in the GCC. Jeffrey Owens, Senior Tax Policy Advisor QATARI MARKET to VP, Ernst & Young, and formerly Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P No serious dent on economy from Director of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, Organisation Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 106.06 0.69 % Aa2 AA for Economic Cooperation and Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 106.06 1.61 % Aa2 AA Development, will give an over- Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 126.25 2.13 % Aa2 AA sanctions: Iran central bank chief view of current tax issues. PwC Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 120.00 2.21 % Aa2 AA will discuss “Tax Treaty issues in Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 115.06 2.64 % Aa2 AA ISLAMABAD: Iran has He was speaking on the side- current holdings 12 times larger GCC and Beyond”. James Bullock, Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 182.00 3.47 % Aa2 AA avoided a “serious dent” to its lines of a summit of developing than five years ago, Bahmani Partner, Pinsent Masons will talk economy from Western sanc- nations in Islamabad. said. He declined to give a spe- on “Resolving tax disputes and Tax Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 140.00 3.98 % Aa2 AA tions thanks to large gold Despite the economic impact cific amount since the govern- Arbitration”. Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 129.88 4.00 % Aa2 AA reserves, high oil prices and from the sanctions, Iran has not ment does not disclose such Dr Robert Peake, Chairman Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.25 1.48 % Aa2 AA reduced foreign imports, its backed down from its nuclear information. “We believe that of the GCC chapter of the IFA, Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 117.25 2.51 % Aa2 AA central bank governor said programme and there were signs these reserves are enough for us said: “Having received permission Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 106.38 1.70 % A1 A- yesterday. Tehran could be building up its for the next 15 years, even if we this year to establish a GCC-wide Gold reserves were enough to capacity even further. That has don’t import foreign gold,” he said chapter of the IFA, we are pleased Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.44 2.31 % A1 A- last 15 years, Mahmoud Bahmani sparked growing concerns in through a translator. to have this very first meeting in QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.75 2.14 % NR NR said. Israel, which has threatened to The country’s official reserves, Qatar. We are hugely grateful to QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.75 1.83 % Aa3 A+ He added that inflation was bomb Iranian installations. which include foreign currencies the Qatar Financial Centre for QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.88 2.17 % Aa3 A+ running at 20 percent but that Officials from six world pow- and gold, totalled $106 billion at hosting this event, and in particu- Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 103.94 2.53 % A2 A- there was no need to raise inter- ers — Britain, China, France, the end of last year, according to lar would like to further extend our Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 104.75 2.10 % A2 A est rates. Germany, Russia and the United the International Monetary Fund. thanks to the QFC tax department Western nations have imposed States—were meeting in Brussels Some analysts believe the offi- for their continued support and Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 130.25 2.79 % A2 A their toughest sanctions to date on Wednesday to plan for a pos- cial reserves may have shrunk by participation within IFA.” Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 112.63 3.01 % A2 A against Iran in an attempt to halt sible new round of talks with several tens of billions of dollars Ian Anderson, CFO and Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 114.00 3.63 % A2 A its disputed nuclear programme, Iran, the latest effort to resolve this year because of sanctions. Director of Tax, QFC, said: “With Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 108.38 0.90 % Aa3 A causing the rial to plummet, infla- a decade-long standoff. In October, Iran prohibited a reformed state tax regime and Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 110.75 2.86 % Aa3 A tion to jump and hundreds of Iran denies international accu- gold exports without central a relatively new QFC tax regime Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 113.38 3.35 % Aa3 A thousands of Iranians to lose jobs. sations it is seeking nuclear weap- bank approval, in an effort by this is an ideal time for Qatar to “We can’t say that sanctions ons and has so far refused to meet the government to restrict out- host one of the IFA’s meetings. It SOVEREIGNS did not damage us. They did, but demands to scale back its atomic flows of wealth. The government is a privilege to accommodate the Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P we thrashed out plans to control activity, insisting on immediate also banned the export of about first IFA gathering in Doha and to Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 107.06 0.31 % Aa2 AA the damage and were able to avoid relief from sanctions. 50 basic goods, including wheat, help the IFA widen its GCC net- a serious dent to our economy,” To help protect its economy, flour, sugar and red meats, as well work by introducing members to Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 128.13 2.03 % Aa2 AA the central bank chief said in a Iran has built up its gold reserves as aluminium and steel ingots. fellow professionals in Qatar.” Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 110.75 2.78 % NR NR rare interview. over the last few years with its REUTERS THE PENINSULA Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 106.13 3.40 % NR NR Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 122.13 4.39 % NR NR Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 112.00 4.85 % NR NR Renault to create 1,300 jobs in Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 106.06 1.13 % Aa2 AA Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 112.25 3.96 % NR BBB Spain, says prime minister Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 106.63 4.43 % NR BBB • Bullion - Mumbai PALENCIA: French car maker Renault plans to create 1,300 jobs Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 103.00 5.26 % B2 B Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 31695.00 at its factories in recession-hit Spain, Spanish Prime Minister Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 99.75 4.54 % NR BBB- Silver (1 kg) Rs. 61760.00 Mariano Rajoy said yesterday. *Periodic Distribution Amount The announcement was a rare glimmer of good news for Spain, which • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.95 IMPORTANT NOTE: is deep in recession with more than one in four workers unemployed. • Sensex Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which Renault has an industrial plan to develop its Spanish plants which is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services BSE 18329.92 will involve “the creation of 1,300 new jobs”, Rajoy said in a speech at Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary NSE 5571.55 data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising a Renault plant in Palencia, near Vallodolid in northern Spain. out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – It will involve “the manufacture of four new car models in Palencia take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN and an increase of 30 percent in the production of engines in Valladolid can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant Card/Demat Account not required. and gearboxes in Sevilla,” in the south, he added. liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return “At a time when Spain and the Spanish need good economic news, a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and the allocation of the Renault group’s industrial plan to plants in our consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. p.a. (in dollar) country is without doubt cause for us all to be glad,” Rajoy said. • Housing loan from HDFC LTD The French giant, which employs 10,000 people at four sites in Spain, • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, signed a deal on working conditions with Spanish labour unions last Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. week but is still negotiating terms with workers in France as it seeks Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] to be more competitive. AFP THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Gulf private sector boom still vulnerable Experts warn of oil price slump

ABU DHABI: Four years after well,” said Fabio Scacciavillani, a collapse of oil prices savaged chief economist at Oman Gulf Arab economies, private Investment Fund. business activity in most of the For Gulf governments, develop- region is thriving again. Yet ing the private sector has been problems with financing and a top policy goal since the 2008 regulation could cut short the crash as they seek to diversify boom. their economies away from oil to Corporate executives and econ- reduce the risk of a similar set- omists at the Reuters Middle back in future. East Investment Summit this Fostering small private compa- week said the private sector’s nies has become even more impor- gains were vulnerable, warning tant since last year’s Arab Spring growth could quickly slow if oil uprisings, because such firms tend prices retreat or governments to create most jobs. Although Gulf slow spending in order to con- governments largely escaped the serve their financial reserves. unrest, they are keen to cut unem- “The current good growth we ployment to remove a potential are seeing is cyclical and has its political threat. roots in government spending, but Trends over the last year sug- there are structural impediments gest they are having some success. to longer term private sector Bank lending growth to the pri- growth,” said Liz Martins, senior vate sector in Saudi Arabia, Qatar regional economist at HSBC. and Oman has climbed into dou- The oil market slide of 2008, in ble digits and the annual rate hit People walk past Turkey’s Central Bank headquarters in Ankara yesterday. Turkey’s long-awaited restoration to investment grade has the potential to which prices slumped by as much 14.8 percent in Saudi Arabia dur- turn into a policy headache for authorities. as three-quarters in the space of ing September, the fastest pace six months, revealed the vulner- since March 2009. ability of the Gulf countries and The Saudi Ministry of Labour their big state-owned oil sectors; said in September that 380,000 Turkey faces enviable currency headache Saudi Arabia only barely escaped jobs had been created in the past recession in 2009. 10 months. Oman says it added Now high oil prices have ignited 155,000 new private sector jobs in LONDON: Be careful what you But there is a downside. Billions bonds this month, driving two- among the highest in emerging a consumer spending spree that is January-September. wish for. Turkey’s long-awaited of dollars of additional investment year yields down nearly a per- markets. buoying private firms across the The private sector boom is typi- restoration to investment grade flows and a stronger lira could centage point to record lows. “The lira is one of the curren- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). fied by companies such as Saudi has the potential to turn into render Turkish exports less com- Even before Fitch’s November cies you want to have longs on in Middle East oil exporters Arabia’s Jarir Marketing Co, a a policy headache for authori- petitive in a slowing world econ- 5 upgrade, foreign funds encour- a sustained manner,” says Jeremy will enjoy a near-record surplus retailer of books, office supplies and ties trying to prevent foreign omy where demand is scarce and aged by central bank successes Brewin, a fund manager at Aviva in trade of goods and services electronics, which plans to boost the capital from inflating the lira’s competition fierce. this year in taming inflation and Investors who is overweight worth about $400bn this year, number of its stores by at least 70 exchange rate. “This is a nice headache to have the balance of payments gap had Turkish bonds and lira. the International Monetary percent in the next five years and The sovereign was upgraded by but it is a very big headache too,” pumped $13.6 billion into local But some disappointment may Fund estimates. Governments in expand into other GCC countries. Fitch Ratings earlier this month says Murat Toprak, a currency bonds, according to central bank lie ahead. The central bank has the Gulf are channelling much of “We are growing in Saudi and in after being classed as a specula- strategist at HSBC. data. swung firmly away from its lira- those oil earnings into social wel- the Gulf, and we want to see that we tive buy for 18 years. If Moody’s “The way the central bank looks Equities too had drawn in supportive stance of early this fare and infrastructure projects. populate the GCC,” Jarir Chairman also elevates the country to the at it is: investment-grade may almost $5 billion by end-October, year and is now focusing on weak- This is helping private compa- Muhammad Al Agil, who co-founded lower-risk ratings category as lead to lower borrowing costs, but making the Istanbul index one of ening the currency by reducing its nies in two ways: directly, through the chain with his family in 1979, told expected, its debt will be eligible the first stage is capital inflows the best performers of 2012 with appeal to foreigners. contracts awarded by Gulf gov- the Summit, taking place at Reuters for inclusion in mainstream global and currency appreciation, and dollar-based returns of almost 50 On Tuesday, it slashed over- ernments, and indirectly, by fat- offices in the region. bond indices - setting the stage that will cause problems.” percent. night lending rates, used to sup- tening the wallets of consumers In the United Arab Emirates, one for big-money investment funds Moody’s said on Tuesday it had The central bank will be less ply cash to the market, for the who work for the government or of the most diversified economies to take a slice. kept Turkey’s rating at Ba1, one pleased with a JP Morgan client third month running, even though receive welfare benefits. in the Gulf with the non-oil sector New financial market inflows, notch below investment grade, after survey that found fund manag- inflation is well above target. It “Stable growth we have seen accounting for 62 percent of out- estimated in the billions of dollars, an annual review, but reaffirmed its ers have boosted their overweight also warned it would cut the main across the GCC over the last six put, bank lending growth has been will provide valuable financing for positive outlook on the country. positions on the lira to record policy rate and the borrowing rate to eight quarters comes ... from slower as the country grapples with Turkey’s huge balance of payments JP Morgan estimates foreign- highs. That reflects an implied if needed - a powerful signal to the public sector boost, which has the aftermath of a real estate crash. deficit and help cut borrowing costs ers have already bought almost yield of almost 5 percent on the any lira bulls. stimulated the private sector as REUTERS for companies and government. $1 billion worth of Turkish lira currency over the next year, REUTERS

Exxon warning Qatar Exchange index up 0.14pc; Egypt bourse rebounds adds to Nigeria DOHA: Qatar Exchange pur- 0.64 percent to QR63.20 and Gulf markets were mixed as prolonged asked not to be identified because “Markets will remain cautious sued its upswing trend yester- International up by 0.51 percent violence in Gaza kept investors he was not authorised to speak to for the time being,” said Shahid oil output day, adding 11.48 points or 0.14 to QR29.45. cautious. the media. Hameed, Global Investment percent to advance to 8,407.53 The banking and financial sec- Egypt said on Tuesday that the Cairo’s benchmark rose 1.3 House head of asset management problems points from 8,396.05 on Tuesday. tor index up 2.88 points while $4.8bn deal included an agree- percent, snapping a four-session for the Gulf region. “It’s gener- The volume of the shares traded consumer goods and services ment to rein in its state budget losing streak. In Saudi Arabia, ally a good season with earnings fell to 2,560,632 from 3,305,854 on sector index added 9.16 points. deficit with measures including the main benchmark slipped 0.8 and dividends underpinning the ABUJA/GENEVA: Tuesday and the value of shares The industrial sector gained 0.48 tax changes targeting the wealthy percent to a four-month low in its season, but geopolitical risk and ExxonMobil yesterday became decreased to QR102,401,839.77 points while insurance sector rose and more careful spending on 10th straight decline. negative global macro headwinds the fourth oil major in a month from QR142,074,540.67 on 1.88 points. subsidies intended to help the Most sectors fell with petro- are not conducive for markets.” to warn customers over delays Tuesday. Meanwhile, Egypt’s bourse poor. chemical and banks the main Elsewhere in the Gulf, Abu to Nigerian oil and gas exports, Among the top gainers were rebounded from a 12-week low “The market is up for the time drags. Saudi Basic Industries Dhabi’s benchmark fell 0.7 per- adding to a raft of problems Doha Bank which was up 0.97 yesterday after the country being because of the preliminary Corp (Sabic) dipped 0.6 percent, cent to a five-week low, while for Africa’s biggest energy pro- percent to QR52.00, National reached an initial agreement agreement signed with the IMF Saudi Arabian Fertilizers fell 1.5 Dubai rose for a second day and ducer caused by oil spills, theft Leasing rose 0.66 percent to with the International Monetary but I think it will be short-lived,” percent and Al Rajhi Bank shed Qatar was near-flat. and flooding. QR45.70, Qatar Navigation gained Fund for a loan, while Gulf Arab said a Cairo-based trader who 0.4 percent. AGENCIES Royal Dutch Shell lifted yester- day its force majeure on Nigeria’s benchmark Bonny Light crude oil exports, easing some of the supply Hong Kong property market concerns. But three of Nigeria main oil Portugal pays higher grades; Qua Iboe, Brass River and Forcados are still under force majeure. These oil streams together account for around rate for financing 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) or around a third of total Nigerian LISBON: Portugal had to pay percent on October 17. exports. increased interest rates to bor- Demand for the 18-month France’s Total and Italian oil row ¤2bn ($2.6bn) yesterday bonds amounted to 1.9 times the firm Eni have also declared force but raised the amount it needed amount on offer, 4.5 times the majeure, on gas and oil supplies, to complete its financing for amount of six-month bonds and respectively. this year. 5.1 times the three-month bonds. Nigeria is among the world’s “Portugal has succeeded in The agency had wanted to raise top 10 crude oil exporters and placing all of the maximum ¤1.75-2bn with the issues which usually ships around 2 million intended amount, which is always marked the end of the govern- bpd, but a major fire caused by good news,” analysts Filipe Silva ment’s financing programme for oil theft, Exxon’s spill and flooding of Carregosa bank said. 2012. have severely hit output. “The rise of the rates is not a The issue occurred after audi- Oil traders said that loading surprise to the extent that the tors from the European Union, delays are worsening and are now rates on the secondary market the European Central Bank and up to two weeks for some cargoes. (for existing debt) have risen in the International Monetary Fund Exxon’s Nigerian unit declared recent weeks,” he said. had expressed satisfaction with force majeure on Qua Iboe crude The treasury said that it had action by the government to cor- oil exports on Wednesday due to placed 18-month bonds to raise rect public finances. outages caused by a pipeline oil ¤1.2bn at a rate of 2.990 percent Portugal is enacting dras- spill on November 9, which wit- from 2.967 percent on September tic spending cuts, tax rises and nesses said had spread 20 miles 19. reforms of its economy in return down the coastline. “There are Cranes operate at the construction site of a residential building complex in Hong Kong, yesterday. Hong It raised ¤500m for six months for receiving rescue funding of issues with two areas in a pipeline Kong in October introduced a 14 percent stamp duty for non-resident and corporate buyers and the exten- at 2.169 percent from 1.839 per- ¤78bn ($100bn) from the EU and resulting in hydrocarbon release sion of a special duty on quick resales in an attempt to cool off the real estate market. cent, and ¤300m for three months IMF in May 2011. offshore,” an oil trader said. at 1.936 percent from 1.366 AFP REUTERS THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Misconstruing Germany China banks turn blind eye will prove death of euro BY MEGAN GREENE as corporate debt piles up hen I go from one European capital to another, talking to officials and senior politicians about the BY KELVIN SOH AND GABRIEL most indebted companies - most of them China’s central bank says the country’s future of the euro, Germany feels less like another WILDAU from sectors already reeling with overca- lenders have a non-performing loan (NPL) Wcountry than a different planet. pacity such as wind-turbine maker Xinjiang ratio of just 0.9 percent. In Madrid and Dublin, a euro-area banking union — the pre- he problems at China’s Yingli Goldwind Science & Technology Co Ltd and But that figure is the subject of heavy requisite for bailing out banks directly — is discussed as if it were Green Energy Holding Co Ltd, COSCO Shipping Co Ltd - showed debt lev- scepticism. a foregone conclusion. Both Spain and Ireland are hoping their the world’s No 3 solar-panel els rising as profits decline across industries Goldman Sachs & Co estimates in a governments ultimately won’t have to finance the rescue of their maker, are going from bad to that Beijing has said it wants to promote. research note that the NPL ratio is more banks alone. worse as the company struggles On average, operating profit at these than six times the official rate. That’s Top officials in Germany work on the assumption that a mean- Twith mounting losses, collapsing product companies dropped 15 percent in 2011 as already less pessimistic than most inves- ingful banking union will never happen. prices and a stock in free-fall. their debt piles grew by the same percent- tors, who expect NPL levels of at least 10 I recently spoke, for example, on a panel about the proposed And yet, despite a government directive age, according to company and Thomson percent, according to the bank. banking union at a conference in London that was hosted and to rein in loans, Chinese banks keep extend- Reuters data. Much of the pressure to lend to unprof- attended by senior German businessmen, politicians and Finance ing credit to the New York-listed firm, and China’s big banks deny they are extending itable firms comes from the government’s Ministry staff. After my introduction, one senior official explained at below-market rates. Outstanding short- fresh loans to struggling companies, with desire to prevent a total collapse in indus- the German position on a banking union in just five words: “We term borrowing has almost tripled to 8.2bn officials saying risks are under control. The tries struggling in an economy that has do not want it.” I looked around to see a sea of heads nodding in yuan ($1.3bn) since 2009, according to country’s banking regulator also dismissed slowed for the seventh consecutive quarter. agreement. Yingli’s 2011 annual report. such concerns, saying asset quality was “If you run a bank’s operations in a cer- This cognitive dissonance within the euro area is potentially “You sometimes have to wonder why a cer- sound. tain province and the governor tells you to fatal, leading to misinterpretation of the intentions of the cur- tain loan was made,” said Stanley Li, head “Right now, bank profitability is relatively roll over a loan, you are going to do it even rency bloc’s indispensable nation: Germany. of China bank research at Mirae Asset strong,” said Shang Fulin, chairman of the if it doesn’t make commercial sense,” said Take the last European Union summit, in October. EU summits Management. “One problem with many China Banking Regulatory Commission. Arthur Kwong, head of Asia Pacific equities are ritualised events at which member states’ national leaders Chinese banks is that we do not have much “They have the ability to raise their provi- at BNP Paribas Investment Partners. sign joint statements and then rush off to their assigned rooms insight into their lending practices.” sions for loan losses and write off some bad Beijing wants banks to continue lending in the building to hold separate news conferences. There, they Yingli is one of many companies in China loans to prevent future risks.” out of fear that companies may be forced try to define what the deal really means. German Chancellor receiving life support from the country’s Earnings announcements in late October to start dumping inventory at below cost if Angela Merkel signed the October summit’s conclusions, which banks. That support - at a time when by Chinese lenders suggest otherwise, with credit is cut off, pushing commodity prices committed to start building parts of a banking union, and then China’s economy and financial system are signs increasing that bad debts are on the down further and threatening the solvency started to distance herself from it before she had left the building. also under pressure - is raising fears that a rise and profit growth easing. The country’s of strong players. This raised a few eyebrows, but it should have raised the alarm. spike in bad loans will push Chinese lenders biggest lenders are all expected to post their “If lenders stopped rolling over debt, eve- Most commentators assumed that any backtracking was just into default. weakest earnings growth since their IPOs. ryone would have trouble. Then, there would about election schedules. Merkel was keen to push off poten- “Banks like lending to us,” said Yingli’s Overall corporate debt levels will increase be a chain reaction and there will be a sys- tially contentious issues until after Germany’s 2013 elections, Chief Financial Officer Bryan Li in an to 122 percent of gross domestic product temic risk,” said Zhang Zhiming, head of they argued. interview. “They feel that we are a poten- by the year-end from 108 percent at end- China research at HSBC. That assumption was probably false. Germany isn’t interested tial winner if there is any consolidation in 2011, according to Beijing-based consultancy At Xinjiang Goldwind, China’s No 2 wind- in taking the steps required to establish an effective banking the industry.” GaveKal-Draganomics. That’s higher than turbine maker, its operating income plunged union, not now and not ever. Without a banking union — and, by That feeling may come back to haunt the most other large developing economies such 62 percent last year from 2010. At the same extension, some degree of fiscal union — the euro project stands banks. as Brazil and India, and surpasses the 90 time, new bank loans more than tripled to little chance of survival. A Reuters News analysis on 40 of China’s percent that the OECD considers risky. over 11bn yuan. REUTERS To explain why, you have to go back to the start of the crisis. By 2007, euro-area bank balance sheets ballooned so much that the total assets of the banking system reached more than 300 percent of gross domestic product, compared with less than 100 percent of GDP for banks in the US Given the interconnectedness of Europe’s financial institutions, it was feared that the failure of one lender might bring down the entire system. So a decision was made to avoid the insolvency of any major bank in the euro area at all costs. As banks were recapitalised by their governments, a negative- feedback loop developed between lenders and their sovereigns. In some countries, states stepped in to prop up their ailing banks, while in others the banks stepped in to prop up their ailing sovereigns. This was most obvious in Ireland and Greece. The bottomless pit that was the Irish banking system sank the state, as bank debt was foisted onto the Irish sovereign’s balance sheet. In Greece, banks were hit hard, first by deposit flight as savers worried that the country might leave the euro, and then by a hefty “haircut” — or writedown in value — imposed on privately owned Greek gov- ernment bonds, with which Greek banks were stuffed to the gills. The main objective of a banking union is to break this negative- feedback loop by allowing banks to fail and to be liquidated or recapitalised without contagion to other lenders or to sovereigns. In order to work, the union has two minimum requirements. The first is a single supervisory mechanism to oversee all banks in the euro area. The second is a bank-resolution plan, which would put processes in place for recapitalising systemically impor- tant banks that get into difficulty, and for liquidating their non- systemically important counterparts. Some progress has been made on establishing a supervisory mechanism. At the EU summit in October, euro-area policy mak- ers agreed to legislate one by the end of 2012, and to implement it in 2013. Once this has been done, policy makers agreed that the EU bailout fund, the European Stability Mechanism, will be able to recapitalise banks directly. Germany only wants the mechanism to supervise systemi- cally important banks. It’s no secret that this is because Merkel doesn’t want euro-area supervisors poking around Germany’s sick Landesbanks and highlighting that Germany’s banking sys- tem hasn’t been immune to the crisis. This hurdle is probably surmountable. WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Black market surge presages Venezuela devaluation

BY EYANIR CHINEA AND no dollars available. Those who trump economics, most assume or above. The lower rate accounts A devaluation would ease fiscal possibly by a tax reform, leading ANDREW CAWTHORNE have them are hanging on to Chavez will delay the next cur- for about 40 percent of imports, pressure by providing more boli- to a strengthening of Venezuela’s them to protect themselves from rency adjustment until after and Sitme a third, the govern- vars for its oil revenue dollars and fiscal position and lessening its ettuces. Green ones. the devaluation,” the Venezuelan mid-December state governorship ment says. lowering the value of local debt. need for external issuance in Benjamins. added, asking not to be named to elections. Chavez could also carry out State oil company PDVSA would 2013,” it said in a report. Called by a host of protect his business. Some speculate he could also what some call a “stealth” devalu- benefit in particular because it Venezuela and state oil firm Lnicknames to evade A fifth devaluation of the boli- wait until after another local vote ation by simply moving some of is heavily indebted to providers PDVSA issued around $17.5bn Venezuela’s strict currency con- var since Chavez introduced cur- for mayors in April, to avoid any the categories allowed dollars at and is also under pressure to in dollar-denominated debt last trols, US dollars are in such hot rency controls four years into his voter cost. 4.3 into the higher bracket. finance Chavez’s flagship welfare year, but there has only been one demand that the black market rule in 2003 would help him tidy Balancing that, though, he has “It is difficult to gauge what programmes. issue this year: a private place- price has soared to nearly four the government’s books but also political capital in the bag after is ultimately a political decision, On the negative side for the ment to the central bank and times the local bolivar money’s risk stoking supporters’ ire by re-election with 55 percent of the though authorities cannot ignore government, importers in a some other state-run financial official fixed rate. pushing up food and other prices. vote in October. what are becoming acute macro nation exaggeratedly dependent institutions. Added to existing fiscal pres- Past devaluations have sent As with previous pre-devalu- imbalances,” said New York ana- on outside goods would face big- Chinese loans have been the sures for President Hugo Chavez’s people rushing into shops to bulk- ation environments in Venezuela lyst Siobhan Morgan. ger bills. That would feed into government’s financial lifeline. socialist government, the new ille- buy before businesses pass on the and elsewhere, officials deny it or She noted the declining supply inflation that is already the high- A PDVSA source said the com- gal exchange rate for dollars is cost, though the impact on infla- are simply enigmatic. of dollars via the Sitme system est in the Americas and has long pany was seeking the Finance making a devaluation look inevi- tion - in the high 20s the last few “Not even the Queen of - where daily trading of up to been the scourge of Venezuelan Ministry’s approval for another table, probably around year end years - has not been as dramatic England talks about this subject,” $80m earlier in the year is about governments from well before dollar-denominated issue before or in early 2013, economists and as some feared, partly due to price Finance Minister Jorge Giordani a quarter of that now - and the Chavez. the end of 2012. It would be businessmen say. controls. said recently. pre-election surge in monetary The spending splurge before another placement with the “Things look pretty bad,” said With the last devaluation only Chavez has various mecha- stimulus as Chavez spent big on the presidential vote is clearly Central Bank to supply the Sitme one young importer. at the end of 2010, fiscal pressure nisms at his disposal. social projects. over, with a 34 percent fall in currency mechanism. Unable to access dollars at the for a new one increased during He could simply adjust upwards The opposition says it has real terms in the month after the On the street, the hunt for dol- official rate, he also struggles to a state spending binge this year the two official rates: 4.3 bolivars state documents showing OPEC October 7 poll, Bank of America lars in middle and upper-class find them on the black market for ahead of Chavez’s successful bid to the dollar for preferential items member Venezuela heading for a said, joining the chorus of predic- sectors is frantic. “Supply has a small business bringing mobile for re-election. The black mar- like medicines and essential foods, worryingly high fiscal deficit of tions of a devaluation from Wall dropped to virtually nothing,” said phones, computers and iPads ket rate has leapt 45 percent since and 5.3 at the Central Bank’s near 19 percent of GDP this year Street. a Venezuelan who runs a web site into Venezuela and - like plenty before the vote. Sitme exchange. despite the high price of oil and “This is one of several indi- giving a daily black market price of others - is looking at a barren Economists estimate the main healthy economic growth of prob- cators that a fiscal adjustment for “green lettuces”. Christmas period. ASK THE QUEEN OF 4.3 peg could go to anything ably 5 percent or more. has begun. We see a downward “Never, ever before had we seen “I don’t know how import- ENGLAND? between 6.5 and 7.5 bolivars, with adjustment in spending accompa- a drought like this.” ers will cope because there are In a nation where politics often the Sitme mechanism nearing 8 FISCAL BREATHING SPACE nied by a strong devaluation, and REUTERS THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,407.53 11.48 WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 11,378.43 15.55 QE All Share Index 2,026.15 2.67 RATE INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 1,994.13 2.88 GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 2,584.87 0.48 All Ordinaries 4390.723 -16.737 -0.38 4602.5 4033.4 QR202.7464 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,340.81 8.09 Cac 40 Index/D 3457.09 -4.97 -0.14 3600.48 2922.26 QE All Share Real Estate 1,611.12 1.38 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.7580 QR 5.8386 QE All Share Insurance 1,895.3 1.88 Dj Indu Average 12788.51 -7.45 -0.06 13661.87 11231.56 QR 3.8847 Euro ...... QR 4.6278 QR 4.6925 QE All Share Telecoms 1,069.74 2.61 CA$ ...... QR 3.6198 QR 3.6922 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,757.07 9.16 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8404 QR 3.8951 Hang Seng Inde/D 21524.36 296.08 1.39 22149.7 18056.4 Yen ...... QR 0.0439 QR 0.0447 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7403 QR 3.8147 Iseq Overall/D 3237.34 -1.43 -0.04 3382.77 2882.71 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0655 QR 0.0667 21-11-2012 20-11-2012 Karachi 100 In/D 16256.97 5.18 0.03 16339.16 10771.13 Index 8,407.53 8,396.05 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0376 QR 0.0384 Change 11.48 15.13 Nikkei 225 Index 9222.52 79.88 0.87 10255.15 8238.96 Peso ...... QR 0.0878 QR 0.0896 % 0.14 0.18 $ 110.40 SL Re ...... QR 0.0277 QR 0.0283 YTD% 4.23 4.36 S&P 500 Index/D 1387.81 0.92 0.07 1474.51 1158.66 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0445 QR 0.0454 Volume 2,560,632 3,305,854 Straits Times/D 2960.3 1.48 0.05 3110.86 2657.77 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0412 QR 0.0420 Value (QAR) 102,401,839.77 142,074,540.67 $ 108.30 Trades 1,700 2,060 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4054 QR 0.4135 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 20 | Down 13 | Unchanged 07

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 21-11-2012

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

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

A C C-A/D 1383.7 7.45 15611 Colgate-A/D 1341.1 6.65 35030 Hindalco-A/D 107.1 1.3 510857 Lupin-A/D 563.15 -4.35 57143 Ub Engineer-B/D 37.45 -0.05 32685 Next/D 3583 -15 104653 Aarti Drugs-B/D 215.5 3.85 8808 Dhampur Sugar-/D 60.55 1.6 21337 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 777.3 -3.3 97073 Mafatlal Ind-T/D 126.2 3.3 12976 Ub Engineer-B/D 37.45 -0.05 32685 Pearson/D 1180 -16 456891 Aban Offs-B/D 373.15 -1.25 67255 Dr. Reddy-A/D 1735.55 -1.1 10336 I F C I-A/D 28.25 0.3 1347013 Mangalam Cem-B/D 176.65 1.65 5847 Unitech P -A/D 26.25 0.7 3709598 Prudential/D 886 -3 800060 Rank Aegis Logis-B/D 173.9 2.15 21873 E I H-B/D 70.1 0.2 9248 Idbi-A/D 101.25 1.45 309546 Maral Overs-B/D 12 0.16 5801 Univcable-B/D 45.15 1.15 6527 Group/D 148 0.1 564 Rentokil Alembic-B/D 15.75 -0.05 11759 E.I.D Parry-B/D 226.4 -1.45 7996 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 100 1.15 6562 Max India L-A/D 241.9 0 25948 Initi/D 86.1 0.1 328417 Alok Indus-B/D 11.39 0.09 980850 Electrosteel-B/D 24.4 0.15 38148 India Cement-B/D 83.75 1.35 120436 Mrpl-A/D 62.25 0.15 78662 LONDON Rolls Royce Pl/D 872.25 -2 567511 Andhra Paper-B/D 280.5 -5.2 12493 Emco-B/D 29.2 0.65 38599 India Glycol-B/D 178.35 -1.85 22512 Nation Alum -A/D 44.35 -0.1 41682 Rsa Insrance G/D 111.5 0.3 1446035 Apollo Tyre-A/D 80.85 2 549515 Escorts-B/D 60.6 0 125054 Indian Hotel-A/D 59.7 -0.2 81382 Navneet Pub.-B/D 55.7 -1.3 16204 3I Group/D 210 -0.2 337166 Sainsbury(J)/D 328.032 -4.7 597137 Ashok Leyland-/D 25.35 -0.4 1401667 Essar Oil-A/D 64.35 1.1 351908 Indusind-A/D 368.45 -0.1 228891 Nepc India-T/D 2.45 -0.05 9761 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1446 0 122142 B Sky Schroders/D 1556 -2 23202 Severn Bajaj Hold-A/D 836.75 -7.3 4789 Eveready Indu-/D 21.95 -0.1 96832 J.B.Chemical-B/D 80.25 0.25 53930 Neuland Lab-T/D 148.25 -3.15 7604 B/D 746.88 -2.5 645596 Trent/D 1564.75 17 Ballarpur In-B/D 21.4 -0.2 21141 F D C-B/D 86 -1.1 17656 Jbf Indu-B/D 126.9 0.9 33959 Nrb Bearings-B/D 35.75 0.05 6581 Barclays/D 248.4 1.9 10377631 205276 Smith&Nephew/D 642.5 -1.5 Bata India-A/D 871.05 -2.45 41045 Federal Bank-A/D 463.3 4.7 6403 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.6 -0.03 12635 O N G C-A/D 252.3 0.45 122728 Bg Group/D 1034.5 3.5 2701445 293313 Smiths Group/D 1045 -5 67909 Beml Ltd-B/D 271.9 -0.2 7710 Ferro Alloys-B/D 6.95 -0.14 53836 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.29 -0.01 157637 Orchid Chem-B/D 98.5 -0.9 97193 Bp/D 431.65 -0.6 3066974 Standrd Chart /D 1443 -8.5 608875 Bh Electronic-/D 1197.95 5 31274 Finolex-B/D 59.3 -0.35 24806 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 3.63 0.06 5727 Orient.Carb.-B/D 136.85 1.25 4586 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3196.5 -3.5 382906 Tate & Lyle/D 765 -2.5 110122 Bhartiya Int-B/D 139.6 3.1 42758 Gail-A/D 347.55 3.45 38947 Jik Indust-B/D 2.81 -0.61 53415 Orient.Carb.-B/D 136.85 1.25 4586 British Airway/D 276.4574 0 0 Tesco/D 316.9 -0.35 2362473 Bhel-A/D 222 -6.15 421302 Gammon India-B/D 37.45 -0.45 32365 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 113.05 0.35 13239 Patspin India-/D 8.7 0.44 5277 Bt Group/D 224.1 0.3 1330593 Tomkins/D 0 0 0 Bom.Burmah-B/D 124.2 5.25 57950 Garden P -B/D 57.5 0.45 6335 Kabra Extr-B/D 33.45 -0.1 4707 Radico Khait-B/D 134.7 0.05 14670 Centrica/D 318.164 1.1 1219754 Unilever/D 2331 -17 359714 Bombay Dyeing-/D 111 0.05 87980 Goodricke-B/D 157.45 3.4 27026 Kajaria Cer-B/D 243.65 1.9 9408 Rallis India-B/D 152.65 -0.65 46833 Gkn/D 210.6 0.6 478614 United Util Gr/D 672.5 13.5 2465007 Canfin Homes-B/D 131.4 -3.5 10318 Hcl Infosys-B/D 36.85 -0.15 92204 Kalpat Power-B/D 82.95 -2 14642 Rallis India-B/D 152.65 -0.65 46833 Hsbc Holdings/D 615.4 0.9 2975211 Vodafone Group/D 159.8 -2.5 22805568 Castrol Ind-A/D 298.3 3 23233 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 10.22 0.06 338804 Kalyani Stel-B/D 52.1 -0.15 7826 Reliance Indus/D 392.8 2.5 31881 Imperial Tobac/D 2443 15 350639 Whitbread/D 2371 -16 38369 Century Enka-B/D 132.8 -2.25 20294 Himat Seide-B/D 37.75 -0.35 16643 Kanoria Chem-B/D 37 -0.05 7548 Ruchi Soya-B/D 61.1 0.75 20078 Kingfisher/D 273.9 -4 1024626 Century Text-A/D 382.35 4.65 92902 Hind Motors-B/D 9.5 0.04 32649 Kg Denim-B/D 14.8 -0.44 37652 Salora Inter-B/D 21.25 0 10101 Land Secs Grou/D 785 8 496773 Chambal Fert-B/D 65 -0.4 83514 Hind Org Chem-/D 19.15 -0.1 45306 Kopran-B/D 21.6 -0.25 17918 Thirumalai-B/D 108.4 0.7 11646 Legal & Genera/D 142.9 0.2 2230491 Cipla-A/D 389.7 9.9 1139473 Hind Unilever-/D 523.95 4.05 72553 Lloyd Steel-B/D 12.02 -0.58 89876 Timexgroup-B/D 17.1 -0.35 48208 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 45.644 0.36 39107749 City Union Bk-/D 61.25 0.25 327580 Hind.Petrol-A/D 285.35 0.85 17484 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 14.38 -0.12 10757 Tinplate-B/D 54.7 -0.1 252224 Marks & Sp./D 376.2 0.9 896290 THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 28 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Cash-strapped Greece to Top-ranked McIlroy looks miss European championships

ATHENS: Greece will not compete in the European short- to end season with victory course swimming championships starting this week for the first time in 16 years due to financial problems, Hellenic Swimming $8m DP World Tour Championship: World’s best set for clash in Dubai Federation (KOE) president Dimitris Diathesopoulos said yesterday. DUBAI: The European Tour’s Peter Hanson, did not even go is still riding high on the Ryder Diathesopoulos said Greece finest have converged on the the extra yard of entering the Cup euphoria and said: “I am in would miss the championships Greg Norman-designed Earth tournaments in the last couple of some pretty good form, so feeling starting in Chartres, France, Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates weeks and try to close the gap on like we can end the year on a very today and would concentrate in Dubai this week aiming to McIlroy down the stretch. high note. instead on the world champion- prevent a Rory McIlroy sweep Hanson, winner of the BMW “I think my golf’s been an ships in Istanbul next month. at the season-ending $8m DP Masters at Lake Malaren in extension of the Ryder Cup. It’s “We had decided in the sum- World Tour Championship. China last month where he beat the kind of golf I would have mer that we would not attend the There are two trophies up for McIlroy, said: “To be honest, I expected to play straight after European event this year, mainly grabs, and McIlroy has already never had a chance. Rory was the Ryder Cup. It was an amazing due to financial reasons,” the written his name on one of them. almost €900,000 ahead of me week and a week that I am obvi- Diathesopoulos said. The 23-year-old Ulsterman and the way he was playing, ously going to keep with me for “We programmed this accord- secured the Race to Dubai there really was no way I could a long time. It just showed what ing to our budget constraints and crown (European Tour’s Money have overtaken him, or even kind of golf can be played when I the fact that the world champion- List) and the top prize in the made him sweat. “I did discuss focus my mind.” ships are so close. bonus pool when he finished it with Justin (Rose, who is No.3 Even though the 60 top players “Of course we are disappointed third in Singapore two weeks in the race to Dubai) and a few in the 2012 season qualify for the that we will miss out for the first ago. That gave him an unassail- others, and none of us felt we tournament, only 57 are playing time since 1996 after so many able lead coming into this week’s could have challenged him even this week. successive appearances, but these season-finale. by adding the last two events to Thomas Bjorn, Ross Fisher and days a lot of things are happening The focus now shifts to the our schedules. Retief Goosen have all withdrawn. for the first time in Greece’s his- tournament, with McIlroy hav- “Sometimes, you just have to The field includes all 12 members tory.” REUTERS ing thrown the gauntlet to the take your hat off and congratu- of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup field saying his motivation now late him.” Ian Poulter of England speaking to journalists on the eve of the season- team and five of the top-seven was to win a fifth title in a sea- But McIlroy, who missed the ending $8m DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, yesterday. ranked players in the world. NFL: Reed wins son where he has won the USPGA cut last week in Hong Kong where However, defending cham- Championship and three regular he was the defending champion, who won last week in Japan, in Singapore, and the 19-year- pion Alvaro Quiros of Spain will appeal against tournaments on the PGA Tour. will have to bring his A game this Europe’s Ryder Cup talisman Ian old Matteo Manassero, who won be absent as he failed to qualify He has also won the Money List week if he wants to take home Poulter (winner at WGC-HSBC in Singapore and was fourth in for the tournament. Quiros, who one-game ban in the United States and is ranked both the trophies. Champions and runner-up last Hong Kong. made an unforgettable eagle on No.1 in the world. Chief among those who can week in Australian Masters), Poulter, who finished fourth, the last hole to win in 2011, fin- Such has been his dominance give McIlroy a run for his money Louis Oosthuizen, who was sixth first and second in his last three ished outside the top-60 in the NEW YORK: Baltimore that his nearest rival, Sweden’s are the world No.2 Luke Donald, in WGC-HSBC and runner-up tournaments after the Ryder Cup, Race to Dubai. AFP Ravens safety Ed Reed won an appeal yesterday against a one- game suspension for a dangerous hit on a defenseless opponent. After initially being slapped South Africa with a one game ban and the loss of a week’s pay, about $400,000, D’Antoni wins his Lakers debut Reed won a submission clearing unchanged him to play. LOS ANGELES: Lakers coach The NFL appeals board over- for England Mike D’Antoni took charge NBA Results turned the original penalty and from the sideline for the first Philadelphia 106 Toronto 98 instead fined Reed $50,000, time yesterday as Los Angeles despite an NFL pledge to crack- LONDON: South Africa coach leaned heavily on their defence New York 102 New Orleans 80 down on player safety breaches. Heyneke Meyer named yes- to earn a gritty 95-90 win over LA Lakers 95 Brooklyn 90 “I have determined that your terday an unchanged starting the Brooklyn Nets. actions were egregious and war- line-up for the Springboks’ Test D’Antoni was hired by the “Really happy to get a win, rant significant discipline,” hear- against England at Twickenham Lakers last week but had only obviously,” D’Antoni told report- ing officer Ted Cottrell wrote to on Saturday. been able to take the team ers. “We didn’t play well overall Reed. He retained the team that through practices due to knee but to outplay a team that won “However, I do not believe that defeated Scotland, 21-10, last surgery. five in a row, that means some- your actions were so egregious as weekend with JP Pietersen and His offense-oriented style thing. (Physically), I feel good. to subject you to a one-game sus- Gurthro Steenkamp passed fit helped the Lakers to their high- Adrenaline is a good thing.” pension without pay. after niggling injuries. est scores of the season in their Deron Williams misfired on “Player safety is the league’s The only changes were on the last two games but on Tuesday a potential game-tying three- primary concern in the formation bench, where Pat Cilliers comes in it was their defense that secured pointer with four seconds left. of playing rules and all players are for the injured CJ van der Linde the win. He finished with 22 points and expected to adhere to those rules and Elton Jantjies replaces Morne Kobe Bryant scored the Lakers’ 10 assists while team mate Brook or face disciplinary action. Steyn. final eight points, finishing with Lopez added 23 in the loss. “I hope in the future you will South Africa captain Jean 25, and Los Angeles (6-5) held the “We were right there and we focus on ensuring that your play de Villiers will become the fifth visiting Nets scoreless during a battled the whole game,” Williams conforms to the rules,” he said most-capped Springbok of all near three-minute stretch late said. “We just didn’t make enough yesterday. time and most-capped member in the fourth quarter to pull out plays down the stretch.” Reed was penalised for of the 2012 squad when he plays their third straight victory. The Nets have been on a tear unnecessary roughness in the in his 84th Test. Brooklyn (6-3) had a six-point this season since moving from third quarter of Sunday’s game De Villiers will pass Bryan lead midway through the fourth, New Jersey to Brooklyn, and a against the Pittsburgh Steelers Habana on 83 caps to move into Mike D’Antoni makes his debut as the Los Angeles Lakers head coach in but went cold in the closing win would have matched their when he hit defenseless receiver fifth place behind John Smit NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center in Los Angeles, moments and saw their five-game best start to a campaign since the Emmanuel Sanders around the (111), Victor Matfield (110), Percy yesterday. The Lakers defeated the Nets 95-90. winning streak snapped. 2002-03 season. AFP head and neck area. REUTERS Montgomery (102) and Joost van der Westhuizen (89). “I’m very chuffed for Jean,” said Meyer. “He took over the captaincy in a challenging year and has been a rock in our team. “The fact that Jean has played Murray’s coach Lendl giving nothing away in every Test this season, and fin- ished all of them, is testimony to HONG KONG: Ivan Lendl only way to answer that is to take his amazing resilience and work threw up his own Iron Curtain Andy Murray one match at a time, one tour- ethic. yesterday when reporters nament at a time and see what “Jean has been the glue that has probed about the state of Andy Factfile happens.” kept our team together and for Murray’s mind and his game as Residence: London, UK Lendl, in Hong Kong to pro- that I salute him,” Meyer added. Britain’s newly minted Grand Born: May 15, 1987 (age 25) Glasgow, mote a global ‘BNP Paribas Turning to Saturday’s match, Slam champion switches his Scotland Tennis Showdown’ event next former Leicester coach Meyer focus to the Australian Open. March in which he will play old Height: 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) said: “It’s great to be able to field “I never get into the details of nemesis John McEnroe, said it Weight: 84 kg (190 lb; 13.2 st) an unchanged team. We’ve been his game with anyone because it was impossible to compare eras. able to show some consistency in not necessary for anyone other Turned pro: 2005 “I think there are many eras selection on this tour and that is Spanish tennis than Andy to know,” the Czech- Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) in the game and there have been a good thing,” said Meyer, whose player Rafael born Lendl said in familiar taci- Career prize money many good players at the same side started their European Nadal during turn style. $23,841,241 (7th all-time leader in earnings) time,” he said. autumn series with a 16-12 win his first training The former world number Career record: 376–120 (75.5%) “You can look at the early over Ireland in Dublin earlier this one - now a US citizen - steered 80s with (Jimmy) Connors and session in Career titles: 24 month.” Murray to the US Open crown in McEnroe, (Bjorn) Bjorg and Manacor, Current ranking: No.3 (15 October 2012) He added: “The players have Balearic September, ending Britain’s wait myself, you can go back in to the Grand Slam Singles results worked extremely hard on the Islands, Spain, for a men’s Grand Slam singles 60s and 70s and there are many Australian Open: F (2010, 2011) training field and it wasn’t easy to after spending champion which had stretched good players there. select the match 23 for each of the back to 1936. “I don’t think we should be several months French Open: SF (2011) three Tests, but I’m happy that we Like Murray, Lendl lost the comparing one era to another off the tennis Wimbledon: F (2012) managed to stick to combinations. first four Grand Slam finals he US Open: W (2012) because you just can’t compare “The plan was always to give courts due to a contested but then went on to win them.” Other tournaments Elton a run on the tour. He’s injury. eight, failing only at Wimbledon. One comparison he did make, shown earlier in the season that Now Britain’s barren spell is Olympics: Gold Medal (2012) though, and the unflattering con- he can play Test rugby. broken, many expect Murray to clusion he reached was that he “It’s also good for his devel- emulate his coach and win sev- all very good at the moment so it would not be able to live with opment as a player to experi- eral more, but Lendl cautioned it is going to be difficult to succeed. Murray were the two to play now. ence the conditions here and to would be far from easy. “Yes he does have a chance but “Andy would kill me,” he said. play in front of a big crowd like “Well obviously that is the goal,” I can’t make any predictions.” “All you have to do is look at the Twickenham,” Meyer added. he said when asked if Murray A question on whether Murray sports against time - swimming, England, beaten 20-14 by could win in Melbourne. “But ten- could now dominate the sport was athletics etc - and compare the Australia last weekend, are due nis is very difficult at the moment rifled straight back like a Lendl times from today compared to to name their side today. with (Novak) Djokovic, (Roger) service return of old. “I am not 30 years ago and you will get the REUTERS Federer, (Rafa) Nadal and Andy going to go there,” he said. “The answer.” REUTERS THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 29

Petronas ARRC Round 6 Schedule TODAY New tyre rules for last 3.00pm - 5.00pm Technical & Sporting Checks 3.30pm - 4.00pm FIM ARRC & Asia Dream Cup Riders Briefing 5.30pm - 6.10pm Underbone 115CC Free Practice one (40 min) 6.25pm - 7.05pm Supersport 600CC Free Practice one (40 min) 7.20pm - 8.00pm Asia Dream Cup Free Practice one (40 min) 8.15pm - 8.55pm Underbone 115CC Free Practice one (40 min) round of ARRC at Losail 9.10pm - 9.50pm ARRC Supersport 600CC Free Practice one (40 min) TOMORROW 3.30pm - 4.10pm Underbone 115CC Free Practice three (40 min) Qatar’s Nasser Al Malki to compete in 600cc category 4.20pm - 5.00pm Supersport 600CC Free Practice three (40 min) 5.10pm - 5.50pm Asia Dream Cup Free Practice two (40 min) 6.00pm - 6.30pm Pillion Ride DOHA: The SuperSports 600cc evolved over the years and is 7.10pm - 7.50pm Underbone 115CC Qualifying Practice (40 min) class will race under new tyre now contested in three categories: 8.00pm - 8.40pm Supersport 600CC Qualifying Practice (40 min) rulings in the sixth and final SuperSports 600cc, Underbone 8.50pm - 9.30pm round of the 2012 Petronas Asia 115cc and Asia Dream Cup. Asia Dream Cup Qualifying Practice (40 min) Road Racing Championship The previous five rounds have SATURDAY (ARRC) to be held at the Losail been held in Malaysia, Indonesia, 1.30pm - 1.45pm Asia Dream Cup Warm-Up (15 min) International Circuit from today China, Japan and Taiwan. 1.55pm - 2.10pm Underbone 115CC Warm-Up (15 min) to November 24. Losail Circuit - the venue of 2.20pm - 2.35 Supersport 600CC Warm-Up (15 min) The one-make tyre ruling the only MotoGP race held under which allows each rider a maxi- lights every year - will host the mum of six sets of the Dunlop ARRC leg for the third time, the 2.45pm - 2.50pm Pit lane open/close Asia Dream Cup Race 1 Sportmax GP Unbeaten tyres per Qatar Motor and Motorcycling 2.50pm - 3.00pm Grid weekend will still be in force. Federation (QMMF) said. 3.05pm Asia Dream Cup Race 1 (7 laps) However, riders and teams will Meanwhile, Qatar’s Nasser Al now have the option of choosing Malki has got a wild card in the Qatar’s Nasser Al Malki is seen in action during last year’s Petronas Asia 3.45pm - 3.50pm Pit lane open/close Underbone 115CC Race 1 between two different soft and Supersport 600 category. Road Racing Championship (ARRC) leg at Losail Circuit. Al Malki has 3.50pm - 4.00pm Grid hard compounds for their front Al Malki arrived from Spain got a wild card for this year’s edition and will be seen in the Supersport 16.05pm Underbone 115CC Race 1 (7 laps) tyres. This is a departure from earlier this week after com- 600 class. the normal practice in the Asian pleting his participation in the series to date in which a stand- 2012 Spanish Championship in 4.45pm - 4.50pm Pit lane open/close Supersport 600CC Race 1 ardized set compound determined Valencia. Al Malki was also a wild Nasser bin 4.50pm - 5.00pm Grid by the circuit layout and tempera- card entry during last year’s leg Khalifa Al 5.05pm Supersport 600CC Race 1 (15 laps) ture is permitted, says a report on of ARRC. Attiyah, Asia Road Racing website. QMMF President said the President 5.50pm - 6.20pm Pillion Ride This new ruling will have an series for young riders helps them of QMMF, immediate impact on team strat- learn many things at this stage of is seen 6.30pm - 6.35 Pit lane open/close Asia Dream Cup Race 2 egy and rider performance. The their careers. at a prize 6.35pm - 6.45pm Grid Free Practice session today now “The championship provides a distribution becomes of vital importance as stepping stone for young riders to for riders 6.50pm Asia Dream Cup Race 2 (7 laps) teams and riders work harder to get experience and acquire skills of 600cc find a setting and tyre combina- on way to becoming MotoGP rid- class in this 7.30pm - 7.35pm Pit lane open/close Asia Dream Cup Race 2 tion that is most suitable to the ers,” Al Attiyah said. 7.35pm - 7.45pm Grid capabilities of their machines and Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and file photo their riding style. Yamaha are the four manufactur- taken last 7.50pm Underbone 115CC Race 2 (7 laps) The ARRC championship ers in the field in the six-leg cham- year. - which began in 1996 - has pionship. THE PENINSULA 8.30pm - 8.35pm Pit lane open/close Supersport 600CC Race 2 8.35pm - 8.45pm Grid Qatar set to host 8.50pm Supersport 600CC Race 2 (15 laps) Porsche GT3 Cup Nasser bin Challenge in 2013 Khalifa Al Attiyah, President of DOHA: The Qatar leg of the Qatar Motor and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Motorcycling Middle East will be held at Federation Qatar’s Losail Circuit next year (QMMF), is in March, it emerged yesterday. seen with An agreement to this effect Walter Lechner, was signed between Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, President of Manager of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Porsche GT3 Cup Federation (QMMF), and Walter Challenge Middle Lechner, Manager of the Porsche East, in Doha GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, yesterday. yesterday. The Qatar leg will be held - under lights - from March 7 to 9, A December 2011 picture of a rider competing in the Petronas Asia a QMMF official said yesterday. THE PENINSULA Road Racing Championship (ARRC) leg at Losail Circuit. Auoabed rides Sharid to Dukhan Cup win at Al Rayyan race track

DOHA: Mishal bin Ali Al Attiya-owned track tomorrow and on Saturday, a post on 1, Al Mizan 2, Al Ra’deed Al Naif 3, Al Sharid won the Dukhan Cup at the Al www.qrec.gov.qa said. Rayyan 4. Won by: 5, 7, 7. Time: 2:04.94. Rayyan race track yesterday. The winner The activities will be held between 3:30pm Trained by: Hassan Al Matwi. Owned by: is trained by Jassim Al Ghazali and was and 8:30pm tomorrow whereas the pro- Hassan Ali Hassan Al Matwi ridden to victory by jockey Yanis Auoabed. gramme on Saturday will be held in two 4th race: Al Nashat (Pier Convertino) Qadir, owned by Z Mohsen, finished in shifts - between 9:00am and 12:30 pm and 1, Arkan Al Shahania 2, Won by: Nk, 1 ¼, second place in the QR 80,000 feature race 3:30pm – 8:30pm. 4. Time: 1:13.74. Trained by: Mohammed held on dirt track. More details can be obtained at the fol- Khalid. Owned by: Mrs Subaiya Awad Iradah, ridden by Darren Williams, sealed lowing numbers: Tel: 44197626 fax: 44812385. Ibrahim the third place. Sharid claimed the top prize Results: 1st race: Aleef (Pier Convertino) 5th race: Itsher (Darren Williams) 1, One of QR 45,600 while Qadir secured QR 17,600. 1, Barwa 2, 3. Daiyala 3, Al Pacinoo 4. Won Cool Bex 2, Scotchman 3, Sydney Harbour Shaird sealed the 1700m race in a time by: 7, 5, 4. Time: 2:02.62. Trained by: Alban 4. Won by: ¾, ¾, 1. Time: 1:05.14. Trained of 1:52:22. de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn by: Majid Safedeen. Owned by: Mubarak Meanwhile, the Racing and Equestrian 2nd race: End Of Dreams (Darren Saeed Al Naimi Club (REC) will organise 15th Qatar Williams) 1, Cidra 2, Albaasha 3, Darat 6th race: Sharid (Yanis Auoabed) 1, National Purebred Arabian Horse Show Al Aiyam 4. Won by: 5, 7, 1. Time: 1:50.82. Qadir 2, Iradah 3, Al Eklil 4. Won by: 4, this weekend. Purebred Arabian horse fans Trained by: Majid Safedeen. Owned by: Ali 7, ½. Time: 1:52.22. Trained by: Jassim Al can assemble at the Indoor Arena of Qatar bin Saeed Al Nuaimi Ghazali. Owned by: Mishal bin Ali Al Attiya Equestrian Federation, Al Rayyan race 3rd race: Selhab Al Naif (Mark Lawson) THE PENINSULA

Director of Department of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Faleh Al Ajlan Al Hajri (centre), and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) chairman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh (right) present the Dukhan Cup to Mishal bin Ali Al Attiya after Sharid won the feature event at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. PICTURE BY: JUHAIM THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 30 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Champions League Collated Results PARIS: Champions League Benfica edge past Celtic collated results on Tuesday. Group E Juventus 3 Chelsea 0 At the Juventus Stadium, Turkish giants Galatasaray stun Manchester United 1-0 in Istanbul Turin Scorers: Fabio Quagliarella 38, Arturo Vidal 61, Sebastian LISBON: Celtic missed out on Giovinco 90+1 a chance to progress to the last Racism is a devil, says Nordsjaelland 2 Shakhtar 16 of the Champions League on Donetsk 5 Tuesday night with a game to At the Parken stadium spare after suffering a 2-1 defeat FIFA President Blatter at Benfica. Scorers: Nordsjaelland: Ola John gave the Portuguese LONDON: FIFA President Sepp Blatter has described racism in Morten Nordstrand 24, Kasper side an early lead before Giorgos football as “a devil” a year after sparking outrage with controversial Lorentzen 29 Samaras equalised for Celtic, but remarks that appeared to play down the problem. Shakhtar Donetsk: Luiz Adriano Atletico Madrid’s Ezequiel Garay’s 71st-minute The Swiss was widely criticised in Britain last November when in 26, 53, 81, Willian 44, 50 Colombian striker winner left Celtic third in Group an interview with CNN he denied there was racism in the sport and Group F Radamel Falcao G and needing them to better said any incidents could be settled by a handshake. Valencia 1 Bayern Munich 1 Benfica’s result in a fortnight if during his team’s Blatter issued a statement clarifying his remarks shortly afterwards At the Mestalla they are to advance to the knock- training session at following criticism from the likes of former England captain David out stage. Vicente Calderon Beckham and defender Rio Ferdinand. Scorers: Valencia: Sofiane “I’m disappointed with the two Stadium in Madrid, In an interview with the London Evening Standard, he again under- Feghouli 77 goals we conceded. There was a Spain, yesterday. lined his stance on racism, saying a simple handshake was not enough. Bayern Munich: Thomas lack of composure, a nervousness Atletico Madrid will “What you can do by a handshake is try to make peace,” Blatter Mueller 82 about us at times on the ball. It is face Hapoel Tel Aviv was quoted as saying. You cannot eradicate racism by a handshake. BATE Borisov 0 Lille 2 a young team and this is a difficult in their UEFA Europa To eradicate this devil is an educational problem. At the Dinamo stadium, place to come and play football,” League match today. “The problem is, if the school is not educating, if the family is no Minsk manager Neil Lennon told Sky longer educating, sport must educate. But sport cannot do everything.” Scorers: Djibril Sidibe 14, Gianni Sports. Racism has been under the spotlight in Britain in the past year with Bruno 31 With Barcelona already Liverpool’s Uruguay forward Luis Suarez having served an eight-match Group G through as group winners cour- FA ban for racially abusing Manchester United’s France defender tesy of a 3-0 win at Spartak Patrice Evra. Chelsea captain John Terry was given a four-match ban Benfica 2 Celtic 1 Moscow earlier on Tuesday, a by the FA for racially insulting Queen Park Rangers defender Anton At the Luz stadium, Lisbon score draw for Celtic would have Ferdinand although he was cleared of racism in the lawcourts in July Benfica: Ola John 7, Ezequiel secured them a berth in the after the saga had dragged on for a year. Blatter said the whole proc- Garay 71 next round, but Lennon’s side ess had taken too long. Celtic: Giorgos Samaras 32 must now get a result at home “The John Terry affair should have been handled much quicker,” Spartak Moscow 0 Barcelona 3 to already-eliminated Spartak to champions ahead in the 53rd “Beating Manchester United Blatter said. “Such matters should be dealt with as soon as possible.” keep their European hopes alive. minute, heading into the top left is important,” said Galatasaray At the Luzhniki stadium “We have one more crack at corner above the head of Rafael coach Fatih Terim. “We played Scorers: Daniel Alves 16, Lionel it against Spartak and we live after Felipe Melo had gone close brilliantly and unselfishly. My Henry could return for third Messi 27, 39 to fight another day,” added the seconds earlier and won a corner. players played football in a way Group H Northern Irishman. Hamit Altintop just failed to we have been expecting for a long Arsenal spell, says Wenger Galatasaray 1 Manchester Meanwhile in Istanbul, double Galatasaray’s lead in the time. We are very hopeful for sec- United 0 Galatasaray earned a 1-0 victory 78th minute with a powerful shot ond place,” he added. “There is no LONDON: Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry could be on At Ali Sami Yen Spor in a hard-fought battle with a which flew off the crossbar. guarantee in football but we will his way back to the north London club for another spell on loan Kompleksi, Istanbul young Manchester United side on United, knowing qualification play well at Braga who no longer from New York Red Bulls in January, according to manager Arsene Tuesday night, snatching the win was already assured, rested a have any chance.” Wenger. Scorer: Burak Yilmaz 53 through a Burak Yilmaz header in number of senior players includ- United manager Alex Ferguson “He has been practising with us,” Wenger said on the club’s website CFR Cluj 3 Braga 1 their Group H Champions League ing Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, said: “Parts of the game were (www.arsenal.com) yesterday. “Will I sign him again in January? I At the Dr. Constantin game. Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David good but in the area which we don’t know. I don’t rule it out. He is sharp.” Radulescu stadium, The victory boosted De Gea and Robin van Persie. were worried about - set pieces Arsenal’s 228-goal record scorer, now 35, returned to the club last Cluj-Napoca: Galatasaray’s hopes of reach- In their final match on - we suffered. Other than that I January, netting against Leeds United in the FA Cup and grabbing a CFR Cluj: Rui Pedro 7, 15, 33 ing the knockout stage, putting December 5, Galatasaray, who was satisfied. We had some good late winner at Sunderland in the Premier League. Braga: Alan 17 them in second place in the group, are ahead of CFR Cluj on goal attacking play in the first half and “You know what he gives you. He gives you hope, especially when behind United who had already difference, will play Braga. The at that point the only trouble they he comes on. That is the most important thing,” Wenger said. “He is Europa League qualified after four wins in their Portuguese side, who lost 3-1 to gave us was from outside the box. a communicator. An extrovert. Very intelligent. He can only give good first four matches. Cluj, are already out of the com- It was a very competitive, good advice to players because he was in their position when he arrived Fixtures Burak put the Turkish petition on three points. game.” REUTERS here.” AGENCIES PARIS: Europa League fix- tures today (1800 GMT unless Chelsea managers under stated): Group G Basel (SUI) vs Sporting Lisbon Roman Abramovich Beckham seeks new (POR) LONDON: A list of the eight coaches to have managed Chelsea Videoton (HUN) vs Genk (BEL) during the tenure of Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, Group H after Roberto Di Matteo was dismissed on Wednesday. ground for curtain call Neftci PFK (AZE) vs Partizan CLAUDIO RANIERI (September 2000-May 2004) Belgrade (SER) (1700) The incumbent coach when Abramovich bought the club in 2003, Rubin Kazan (Rus) vs Inter the Italian oversaw the development of future captain John Terry Milan (ITA) (1700) LOS ANGELES: Former England captain David and also brought Chelsea stalwarts including Petr Cech and Frank Group I Lampard to the club. Guided Chelsea to a second-place finish in the Beckham believes he still has a lot left in the tank and that wherever he ends up playing next sea- Hapoel Kiryat Shmona (ISR) vs Premier League and to the semi-finals of the Champions League in Athletic Bilbao (ESP) his final season in charge, but was still sacked. son it will be at a “high level”. “I still feel I have one more challenge in me as a Sparta Prague (CZE) vs Lyon JOSE MOURINHO (June 2004-September 2007) player,” Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Beckham (FRA) The man who defined the modern Chelsea, the outspoken Portuguese said. “Even at 37 years old I can still play at a high Group J coach swept into Stamford Bridge after guiding Porto to success in level. Where that will be I haven’t decided.” Lazio (ITA) vs Tottenham the Champions League and won the Premier League title in his first Beckham yesterday also dismissed talk of (ENG) retirement saying he has some “exciting options two seasons in charge. Also won the FA Cup and two League Cups, Panathinaikos (GRE) vs but European success eluded him and he was shown the exit after on the table” as he gets set to wrap up his six-year Maribor (SLO) falling out with Abramovich at the dawn of his fourth season. California adventure. Group K AVRAM GRANT (September 2007-May 2008) “People talk about my retirement but I still feel I have something left in the game to give,” said Beckham, Metalist Kharkov (UKR) vs The little-known Israeli initially joined Chelsea as a director of speaking after the Galaxy’s practice at the Home Depot Bayer Leverkusen (GER) football but stepped into the managerial hot seat after Mourinho’s Center. Beckham said he doesn’t know what his future Rosenborg (NOR) vs Rapid departure. Confounding expectations, he guided Chelsea to the plans are except that he hopes to go out with a bang when Vienna (AUT) Champions League final in Moscow but saw them beaten on penal- the Galaxy host Houston in the Major League Soccer Cup Group L ties by Manchester United and was promptly relieved of his duties. final on December 1. He said he won’t be playing in the MLS next Hannover (GER) vs Twente LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI (July 2008-February 2009) season but his family enjoys living in southern California and they (NED) plan to remain in the area in a limited capacity. A World Cup-winning coach with Brazil, ‘Big Phil’ Scolari made a Helsingborgs (SWE) vs Levante “I haven’t decided where we might go next,” Beckham said. fine start to his Stamford Bridge tenure but lasted just seven months (ESP) “My playing career with the Galaxy ends next Saturday. I have in the job after a disappointing spell of results. Later claimed he had (All 2005 GMT unless stated) been undermined by senior figures in the changing room. some exciting options on the table. I don’t feel if I am ready to retire right now.” Group A GUUS HIDDINK (February 2009-May 2009) The veteran of three World Cups said he hopes to return Anzhi Makhachkala (RUS) vs Installed on an interim basis, Hiddink was a resounding success to North America as an owner of a team. Beckham said he Udinese (ITA) (1700) despite having to combine the role with his full-time position as should be ready to make an announcement about where his Liverpool (ENG) vs Young Boys Russia coach. The Dutchman led Chelsea to victory over Everton next stop will be around Christmas time. (SUI) in the FA Cup final and lost just one of his 22 games in charge but “Right now my focus is on the final and once that is out Group B could not be persuaded to stay on. of the way we have a tour to do. And then it is Christmas Academica Coimbra (POR) vs which we always spend in London and I will be there and I will make CARLO ANCELOTTI (June 2009-May 2011) Viktoria Plzen (CZE) my decision then.” The charismatic Italian, a two-time Champions League-winner with There have been reports out of Australia that their professional league Atletico Madrid (ESP) vs AC Milan, was an instant hit at Chelsea and took the club to a league was trying to woo him to make a move Down Under and there was an Hapoel Tel-Aviv (ISR) and FA Cup double in his first season. However, Chelsea fell in the immediate statement of intent from Melbourne Heat with chief executive Group C Champions League quarter-finals the following season and he was Scott Munn saying the club would make an offer. Marseille (FRA) vs Fenerbahce reportedly sacked in a stairwell at Goodison Park after a 1-0 loss at There has also been some interest from European clubs with Qatari-backed (TUR) Everton. Paris Saint Germain having come close to signing Beckham earlier this year Moenchengladbach (GER) vs ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS (June 2011-March 2012) and he spent two short loan spells at AC Milan in 2009 and 2010. AEL Limassol (CYP) Beckham said he knew several weeks ago that he was going to play his last game Villas-Boas was Mourinho’s protege at Porto and arrived with a bur- Group D with the Galaxy this year but wanted to wait for the right moment to announce it. geoning reputation after guiding the Portuguese club to glory in the The midfielder has spent the past six seasons with the Galaxy, leading Los Angeles Club Brugge (BEL) vs Bordeaux Portuguese Liga, Portuguese Cup and Europa League. Just 33 when to an MLS Cup title last season when they defeated the Houston Dynamo 1-0. (FRA) he took up the job, he pledged to revolutionise Chelsea’s approach Beckham has had a huge impact on the game since his arrival in Los Angeles in Newcastle (ENG) vs Maritimo but paid the price after Chelsea lost 3-1 at Napoli in the Champions 2007. Average attendance has shot up and the league has added seven teams in that (POR) League and fell off the pace in the league. time. Galaxy games are now televised globally. Group E ROBERTO DI MATTEO (March 2012-November 2012) Beckham’s original five-year $32.5m contract made him worth more than the entire Molde (NOR) vs FC Copenhagen Di Matteo took over on an interim basis but guided the club to vic- roster of the Galaxy. But before the team’s owners, Anschutz Entertainment Group, could (DEN) tory in the FA Cup before a penalty shootout success over Bayern sign him they had to convince the league to break its salary cap. So the MLS created a Steaua Bucharest (ROM) vs VfB Munich in the Champions League final. Given the job full-time in designated player rule which also became known as the Beckham Rule. David Beckham of Stuttgart (GER) “When I first came here people expected me to score 10 goals and that was never LA Galaxy is seen June, his first full season began in fine style but the popular Italian Group F was axed after a poor run of form left the champions on the brink going to happen,” he said. during a press AIK Solna (SWE) vs Napoli of elimination in the Champions League. “Wherever I played there has always been expectations. Whether I reach them, that conference in Los is for other people to decide just what my impact was,” Beckham said with a smile. (ITA) Note: Ray Wilkins worked as caretaker coach for one game during Angeles yesterday. REUTERS PSV Eindhoven (NED) vs the 2008-09 season Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (UKR) THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 31 South Africa turn to spin for Adelaide Test Australian captain Clarke denies rift with Watson

ADELAIDE, Australia: impact after being left out of the few Test matches and his role is FACTBOX Skipper Graeme Smith has series opener on an unresponsive important,” he said. Factbox on the second Test backed legspinner Imran Tahir Gabba wicket. “Imran is the frontline spinner between Australia and South to trouble Australia’s left- Pakistan-born Tahir, 33, has and we’ve backed him.” Africa, which begins tomorrow: handers as South Africa seek to captured 26 wickets in 10 Tests Meanwhile, Australian skipper establish control of the three- since his debut against Australia Michael Clarke yesterday denied WHERE? match series in today’s Adelaide in Cape Town last year and Smith any rift with vice-captain Shane Adelaide Oval. Capacity: 36,000 Test. is confident he will do his bit in Watson as the all-rounder was WHEN? The Proteas have made two Adelaide. ruled out of the second Test. changes for the second Test, “Hopefully there’s a lot of rough Watson has been troubled by a Nov. 22-26. Play starts at 1030 local time bringing in Tahir and debutant (bowlers’ foot marks), not for calf injury and tried this week to Australian players Michael Clarke and Shane Watson look on during a team (0000 GMT) Faf Du Plessis, following a draw me, but for the Australian left- prove his fitness after missing the training in the nets ahead of the second Test match against South Africa AUSTRALIA (World ranking: third) in the first Test in Brisbane. handers and he’s certainly used drawn series-opener in Brisbane at the Adelaide Oval, yesterday. (From) Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, Tahir takes over from pace- the rough well in the times he’s earlier this month. Ed Cowan, Rob Quiney, Ricky Ponting, Mike man Rory Kleinveldt, who was played for us,” Smith said. But Clarke said doubts about Hussey, Matthew Wade, Peter Siddle, James wicketless and ineffective on his “He created a lot of stress Watson’s injury prompted “Once we got here, our intent eye-to-eye, but added that both Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Ben Hilfenhaus, Test debut in Brisbane, while Du for Andrew Strauss and the Australia to go with an unchanged was to give Watto every chance, senior players had a good personal Mitchell Starc (12th man). Plessis comes in for the injured left-handers in England so the team for the second Test in as a very important player and and professional relationship. Coach: Mickey Arthur JP Duminy. wrong’un turning away from the Adelaide. vice-captain of the team but “I know there’s been talk of Adelaide traditionally takes bat is not a bad option. He’s got “He has improved a lot over the unfortunately we’ve run out of that being a little bit different,” SOUTH AFRICA (World ranking: first) spin late in the match and Smith enough to really contribute in this last few days... but is probably a time,” Clarke said. Clarke said. (Likely) Graeme Smith (captain), Alviro is banking on wrist-spinner Tahir game.” few days short of being 100 per- The captain dismissed specula- “(But) not at all. We have a Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB to make a valuable contribution Smith added that Tahir must cent,” Clarke said. tion of a rift with Watson, stress- great relationship. de Villiers, Jacques Rudolph, Faf du Plessis, with his wrong’un turning away have faith in himself to stick at it He added that his vice-captain ing there was no communication “Watto and I, our friendship Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, from the left-handers. over the five days of a Test match. would have time to get himself breakdown with his deputy ahead and our professional relationship Imran Tahir. Australia’s team is stacked with “Naturally, he’ll be anxious to right for the third Test, which of the Adelaide Test. when it comes to captain and Coach: Gary Kirsten five left-handers among its top always do well, that’s Imran’s starts in Perth four days after Clarke said he was aware vice-captain, is as close as I can WHAT THEY SAY seven batsmen and the Proteas personality, but he’s contributed the scheduled end of the Adelaide of rumours suggesting he and certainly ask for.” are banking on Tahir to make an in key ways for us over the last showdown. Watson were failing to see AGENCIES “I’m not a massive one for momentum and what you take out of the game because come Adelaide, it’s a fresh start. It’s a different ground, it’s a different wicket, it’s a different preparation and whoever starts well there will take that momentum.” Latif goes to court to demand PCB reform Australia coach Mickey Arthur. KARACHI: Pakistan’s former It said the PCB constitution member countries to free them- and violation of the constitution “We have played against quality opposition captain Rashid Latif (pic- must be overhauled to allow it to selves of government interference as they smack of non-transparent and this is just another challenge for us. tured) went to court yesterday, operate “in a fair and transpar- by June 2013 and to ensure that and discriminatory approach,” There is a lot of talk about our bowling attack demanding sweeping reforms ent manner” and provide for the presidents of cricket boards are said the statement. being number one and hopefully we can to the national cricket govern- election of officials including the elected. “The blatant and admit- produce that.” ing body including the election chairman. Pakistan opposed the rul- ted failure of government of South African paceman Morne Morkel. rather than appointment of The chairmanship is currently ing, saying it needs government Pakistan to amend or pass a officials. a political appointment in the gift support to develop the game new constitution in accordance WHAT THE BOOKMAKERS SAY* He filed a petition against the of President Asif Ali Zardari. and ensure security as it tries with the directives of the ICC is Australia win: 15-8 South Africa win: 15-8 Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in The process has been strongly to revive international cricket a clear cut and flagrant viola- Draw: 6-4 the southern province of Sindh. criticised by experts and former which was suspended after the tion,” it added. MATCH OFFICIALS “Latif filed a petition against players alike, including the World Sri Lankan team was attacked Latif, who played 37 Tests and the PCB for the betterment of Cup-winning captain Imran in 2009. 166 one-day internationals for Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (England), cricket,” said a statement from Khan. “Latif is convinced that the Pakistan, is widely respected for Billy Bowden (New Zealand) the Rashid Latif academy, which The International Cricket powers assigned to the patron of blowing the whistle on match- TV umpire: Asad Rauf (Pakistan) coaches young players. Council (ICC) last year directed PCB are in complete disregard fixing in 1995. AFP Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka) THIS SERIES First Test Gabba, Brisbane Match drawn Sri Lanka name five pacemen for Australia tour Third Test WACA, Perth November 30-December 4 (0230) COLOMBO: Sri Lanka selec- Welegedera and Nuwan Pradeep. will get any spin-oriented tracks.” “Karunaratne impressed every- Tests in Australia, with the sec- HISTORY tors have packed their Test “At the rate our fast bowl- Sri Lanka only named two slow one with his positive style of bat- ond Test starting on Boxing Day squad full of pace bowlers ers are getting injured, we have bowlers with left-armer Rangana ting which is what is required to in Melbourne. Previous Australia vs South Africa Tests at Adelaide Oval: as they expect to encounter picked five of them to be on the Herath, who took 11 wickets in win Test matches,” De Mel added. Sri Lanka squad: Mahela seamer-friendly conditions safe side,” chairman of selectors the Galle victory, and off-spinner “We have named three open- Jayawardene (captain), Angelo 2001 Australia won by 246 runs when they travel to Australia Ashantha De Mel told reporters Suraj Randiv making the trip to ers so that the team management Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, 1998 Match drawn for a three-match series start- yesterday. Australia. can have the option of choosing Kumar Sangakkara, Tharanga 1994 Australia won by 191 runs ing next month. “Our fast bowlers have a recent Left-handed opener Dimuth either Karunaratne or Tharanga Paranavitana, Thilan Samaraweera, Nuwan Kulasekara and history of breaking down and not Karunaratne is also included Paranavitana as a partner to Prasanna Jayawardene, Rangana 1964 South Africa won by 10 wickets Shaminda Eranga, who helped being able to play back-to-back after impressing on debut at (Tillakaratne) Dilshan.” Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara, 1953 Match drawn bowl Sri Lanka to victory in the Tests,” he added after naming a Galle, where he scored a maiden A separate squad will be Shaminda Eranga, Suraj Randiv, 1932 Australia won by 10 wickets first Test against New Zealand at 16-man squad. unbeaten half-century as Sri named at a later date for the Dinesh Chandimal, Chanaka Galle on Monday, form a five-man “On Australian surfaces, we Lanka eased to a crushing five-match limited overs series Welagedera, Nuwan Pradeep, 1911 South Africa won by 38 runs pace attack that also includes will need to play at least three 10-wicket victory inside three and two Twenty20 internationals. Dhammika Prasad, Dimuth * Odds courtesy of www.skybet.com Dhammika Preasad, Chanaka fast bowlers. It is very unlikely we days. Sri Lanka are due to play three Karunaratne. AFP Basketball: Al Arabi trounce Al Wakra Leeds announce BY DANOTZKI SANTOS took charge and ran berserk on the offensive end to keep Arabi DOHA: Al Arabi shook off a in the driver’s seat, 68-50. Bahrain takeover sloppy first quarter, went to The high-flying Jalloh kept the work in the next two periods surge in the final period rolling LONDON: Bahrain-based support than the present own- and nursed their huge points out an 18-8 attack that sealed the investment bank GFH Capital ers have been able to give and advantage in the fourth to wrap fate of Wakra. will complete a 100 percent we look forward to a smooth up a laidback victory yesterday In the first match, Al Sadd takeover of Leeds United on transition. over Al Wakra at the Qatar had an easy time winning against December 21, the club’s cur- “I can say although the negotia- Men’s Basketball League. Qatar Sports Club at 72-48 to join Action from the Qatar rent owner, Ken Bates, said tions have taken a very long time, Al Arabi won, 97-68, for their Al Rayyan on top of the heap with Men’s Basketball yesterday. the benefit of that is that, unlike fifth win in six outings for solo a clean slate of 5-0. League at Al Gharafa The 80-year-old Bates, who some overseas owners, who have second place in the team rankings. It was a walk in the park for Indoor Hall yesterday. took charge of fallen English gone in blind like a bull in a china Al Wakra got off to a hot start the Emir Cup champions as they Al Arabi defeated Al giants Leeds nearly eight years shop and made a complete mess capitalising on Al Arabi’s back-to- took all stages of the game lead- Wakra 97-68, while ago, said the first part of the of the club after taking over, this back turnovers to take command ing 20-12 at the start, 42-23 at in another match, Al takeover had been completed and six-month courtship if you like, lead early in the game at 12-4. halftime and 57-37 in the third. he will stay on as chairman until for want of a better phrase, has Sadd registered an The southerners kept their Al Sadd had all its starters the end of the season to help the given them (GFH) enough oppor- emphatic 72-48 win aggressiveness on both ends of finishing in double figures with new owners during a transitional tunities to see how Leeds United the floor to peg a 20-11 advan- Daoud Mousa, Khaled Sulaiman over Qatar Sports period. works. tage before wily guard Mansour and Chris de la Rosa contributing Club. In tomorrow’s “We have now completed all “What the advantages and Elhadary came in to ignite a 7-0 15 points each, Michael Benjamin matches, Al Arabi the negotiations and investiga- disadvantages are, the strengths attack that put Arabi closer 18-20 Southall chipped in with 12 and take on Eljaish at tions with GFH and we’ve now and weaknesses, what needs to at the end of the first period. Saad Abdulrahman scored 11. 4:00 pm and defend- completed the first part of be done and what needs to be Arabi applied the pressure Games continue at the Al ing champions Al the purchase,” former Chelsea supported,” Bates said of a deal forcing Wakra into a string of Gharafa Indoor Hall tomorrow Rayyan clash with Al chairman Bates told Yorkshire worth a reported £52m ($83m). miscues on the offensive end to (Friday), with Al Arabi (5-1) Gharafa at 8:00 pm. Radio. And Bates insisted this hando- grab the lead and pull away, 35-26, and Eljaish (4-2) squaring-off to “Meanwhile there’s a transi- ver would prevent the kind of midway into the second period. improve their ranking at 4:00 pm tional period in which they get to uncertainty, and in some cases At this stage Wakra could not and the defending champions Al know more about the club.” downright chaos, that had accom- match up to the Heir Apparent Rayyan (5-0) testing Al Gharafa He added: “Quite simply they panied a change of ownership at champions’ running offensive and (3-2) at 8:00 pm. (GFH) will be providing addi- rival English clubs. swarming defense as the latter At 6:00 pm there will be a tus- tional working capital for the club “You can look for a more eventually pulled away, 50-35, at sle between two of the top teams and they are also providing funds Manchester United-type transi- half time. in the current Pinoy Basketball to strengthen the team. tion than we’ve seen at Blackburn, Both squads fought it out in the Qatar League (PBAQ). “Neil Warnock will continue Portsmouth and other less fortu- third canto but Jalloh Abdullah THE PENINSULA as manager, obviously with more nate clubs.” AFP Thursday 22 November 2012 8 Muharram 1434 Volume 17 Number 5526 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Chelsea sack manager Di Matteo Owner Abramovich fires the Italian six months after winning the Champions League

LONDON: Chelsea manager draw between Juventus and Shakhtar as the bookmakers’ favourite to suc- leaders Manchester City in third place. Roberto Di Matteo has been sacked Donetsk in the other Group D game ceed Di Matteo on a permanent basis. The loss to United was surrounded after the European champions were would take both sides into the last 16. Speaking during a coaching seminar in by controversy, after Chelsea’s claim left facing elimination at the group Di Matteo was only appointed on a Abu Dhabi, he confirmed his interest that referee Mark Clattenburg racially stage of the Champions League, the permanent basis in June, having led in the position, but did not say whether abused midfielder John Obi Mikel club said yesterday. Chelsea to their first ever Champions or not he had been approached by prompted a Football Association inves- A file picture “Chelsea Football Club has parted League title after replacing his sacked Chelsea. tigation that is yet to conclude. company this morning with Manager predecessor Andre Villas-Boas in “What I will say is that I am looking A former Chelsea player, who scored of Chelsea’s Roberto Di Matteo,” a statement said, March. for a club that can challenge for tro- in two FA Cup final successes, Di Interim man- following Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat by Chelsea beat Bayern Munich on phies, so Chelsea is one of these clubs,” Matteo had been trying to revolution- ager Roberto Juventus. penalties in the Champions League he told newspaper The National. ise the club’s playing style by introduc- Di Matteo Chelsea said the team’s “recent per- final in May, two weeks after defeat- Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona ing a more attacking approach. gestur- formances and results have not been ing Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup final. coach, and ex-Tottenham Hotspur Chelsea spent over £80m ($127m, ing during good enough”. “The owner and the Board would manager Harry Redknapp were also 100m euros) on new players in the close a training “The club faces a difficult task ahead like to thank Roberto for all he has rumoured to be in the running. season, notably bringing in Belgian session at in qualifying for the knockout stages of done for the club since taking over Chelsea had made a superb start winger Eden Hazard from Lille and Football the UEFA Champions League as well in March,” Chelsea added, saying the to the season, but since losing 2-1 at Brazilian attacking midfielder Oscar Arena in as maintaining a strong challenge for Italian “will always be welcome at Shakhtar on September 23, their cam- from Internacional. Munich, the top of the Premier League while Stamford Bridge”. paign has come off the rails. Although the quality of their football Germany. competing in three other cup competi- The statement continued: “The They won seven and drew one of drew praise from pundits in the sea- Chelsea tions,” they added. club will be making an announcement their opening eight league games to son’s early months, that initial momen- sacked Tuesday’s loss in Turin means shortly regarding a new first team move four points clear at the Premier tum appears to have disappeared. Di Matteo Chelsea are poised to become the first manager.” League summit but a 3-2 loss at home Di Matteo, who was born in yesterday. ever Champions League winners to be Di Matteo, 42, is the seventh coach to Manchester United last month Switzerland but represented Italy at knocked out in the group phase the to have been sacked by owner Roman marked the start of a run of four games international level, was in only his following season. Abramovich since the Russian billion- without a win. third senior managerial position. He Even victory at home to Danish aire bought the club in 2003. Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at West started his coaching career with third- side FC Nordsjaelland in their final Former Liverpool manager Rafael Bromwich Albion, Di Matteo’s former tier MK Dons in 2008 before joining group match may not be enough, as a Benitez was immediately installed club, left Chelsea four points behind West Brom a year later. AFP Hasan lifts Bangladesh with hundred on debut

KHULNA, Bangladesh: Bangladesh’s Abul Hasan became only the second man in 135 years of Test cricket to hit a debut hundred while batting at number ten, on the first day of the second Test against the West Indies yesterday. At stumps the 20-year-old left- hander was unbeaten on 100. He Bangladesh had added an invaluable 172 with cricketer Abul Mohammad Mahmudullah (72) Hasan (left) hugs after the home team were in trou- his team-mate ble on 193-8. Mohammad The unlikely hero turned spin- ner Sunil Narine for two to reach Mahmudullah after his century and match the feat scoring a century of Australian Reggie Duff, who during the first scored 104 against England at day of the second Melbourne in 1902 while batting Test match against at ten. West Indies at the Hasan, whose previous highest Sheikh Abu Naser first-class score was 61, played Stadium in Khulna, with complete authority. He hit yesterday. 13 boundaries and three towering sixes off just 108 balls to nullify a destructive 5-81 by paceman Fidel Edwards. Edwards had pushed Bangladesh to the brink five min- utes after the tea interval when he dismissed captain Mushfiqur Rahim (38) and Sohag Gazi (nought) in one over. Hasan and Mahmudullah set set by South African pair Mark but Mahmudullah told me to bat a new record for tenth wicket Boucher and Pat Symcox against like a batsman, which I did, and in in all Bangladesh Tests, beating Pakistan at Johannesburg in 1998. the end I am very happy to score the 77 by Mashrafe Mortaza and An unassuming Hasan said a century,” he said. Shahadat Hossain against India he just wanted to back up The West Indies were sloppy in at Chittagong in 2007. Mahmudullah. the field. Kieran Powell dropped The pair are just 24 short of “When I went to bat, I just Hasan on 42 and Mahmudullah beating the world record for tenth wanted to support my partner. I was put down by Darren Bravo wicket in all Test cricket -- 195 did not know about any record when on 37 -- both off a luckless left-arm spinner Veerasammy Scoreboard Permaul. Hasan made the most of his Bangladesh (I innings): Total (for 8 wkts) ...... 365 escape, hitting a four and six off Tamin Iqbal b Sammy ...... 32 To bat: Rubel Hossain. Darren Sammy to complete his Nazimuddin c Powell b Edwards ...... 4 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-64, 3-77, 4-93, 5-98, half-century off just 55 balls. He Shahriar Nafees c Ramdin b Sammy ...... 26 6-185, 7-193, 8-193. continued in the same vein in the Naeem Islam b Edwards ...... 16 Bowling: Edwards 16-2-81-5 (1nb); Best 10- last hour. Mahmudullah, a recog- Shakib Al Hasan c Ramdin b Edwards...... 17 3-31-0; Sammy 20-4-61-2; Narine 19-0-91- nised batsman overshadowed by Mushfiqur Rahim c Ramdin b Edwards ...... 38 0; Permaul 19-2-79-1; Samuels 2-0-15-0. the newcomer, has hit nine fours Nasir Hossain c Edwards b Permaul ...... 52 West Indies: C.Gayle, K.Powell, D.Bravo, S. in his 89-ball knock. Bangladesh, Mahmudullah (batting ...... 72 Chanderpaul, M.Samuels, D.Ramdin, D.Sammy who trail 0-1 in the series after Sohag Gazi lbw b Edwards ...... 0 (captain), V.Permaul, S.Narine, T.Best, F.Ed- losing the first Test by 77 runs, Abul Hasan (batting) ...... 100 wards. won the toss but lost opener Extras (B-4, LB-3, NB-1) ...... 8 Bangaldesh won the toss and elected to bat. Nazimuddin in the third over of the innings for just four. AFP