SUBSCRIPTION SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013 RAJAB 15, 1434 AH No: 15819 Hard choices Syria opposition Palmer takes for Palestine, seeks to unify control with a Israel: Kerry7 as talks loom9 6245 at Colonial Obama seeks end to US ‘war on terror’ Max 42º 150 Fils Cautious welcome to drones speech Min 29º WASHINGTON: Twelve years after the “war on terror” began, President Barack Obama wants to pull the United States back from some of the most controversial aspects of its global fight against Islamist militants. In a major policy speech on Thursday, Obama nar- rowed the scope of the targeted-killing drone campaign against Al- Qaeda and its allies and took steps toward closing the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba. He acknowledged the past use of “torture” in US interrogations; expressed remorse over civilian casualties from drone strikes; and said that the Guantanamo detention facility “has become a symbol around the world for an America that flouts the rule of law.” Though aimed first at a domestic audience, Obama’s speech at Washington’s National Defense University was also the latest mile- stone in his campaign to reshape the global image of the United States - particularly in the Islamic world.But he faces obstacles from opponents in Congress who will try to block the closure of Guantanamo prison and reject his call to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force passed right after the Sept 11, 2001, attacks. The law is the legal basis for much of the “war on terror.” President Obama’s speech on the use of drones and the fate of Guantanamo prisoners was largely welcomed yesterday in two key countries affected by the policies- Pakistan and Yemen. But Pakistani officials criticized the president for not ending drone strikes in the country altogether, as they have long demanded. Obama cast drone strikes against Islamic militants as crucial to US counterterrorism efforts but acknowledged in his landmark speech Thursday that they are not a “cure-all.” The president also said he is deeply troubled by civilians unintentionally killed in the strikes and announced more restrictive rules governing the attacks - measures LONDON: Police and rescue service vehicles yesterday at Stansted Airport, Essex, England, after Pakistan International that his advisers said would effectively limit drone use in the future. Airlines flight PK709 bound for Manchester from Lahore, was diverted to Stansted following an incident on board. — AP Obama implored Congress to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba, and tried to jumpstart the process by announcing a UK-bound Pakistan plane diverted fresh push to transfer approved detainees to their home countries and lifting a ban on transfers to Yemen. The end of Yemeni restric- tions is key, given that 30 of the 56 prisoners eligible for transfer are Two men arrested, Britain still in shock Yemeni. — Agencies (See Page14) LONDON: Britain scrambled fighter jets dent involving a civilian aircraft but WHO to help yesterday to intercept a commercial air- gave no further details. liner carrying more than 300 people Passenger Nauman Rizvi told Saudi probe new from Pakistan, diverting it to an isolated Pakistan’s GEO TV that two men who runway at an airport on the outskirts of had tried to move toward the cockpit virus before Hajj London and arresting two British pas- during the flight were handcuffed and GENEVA: The World Health Organization sengers on suspicion of endangering arrested once the plane landed. Rizvi (WHO) said yesterday that it would help Saudi the aircraft. A British security official said that after the men were taken Arabia dig deeper into deadly outbreaks of a said the situation involving the Pakistan away, the flight crew told passengers new SARS-like virus to draw up advice ahead of International Airlines flight did not there had been a terrorist threat and the annual haj pilgrimage, which attracts mil- appear terror-related, though police that the pilot had raised an alarm. lions of Muslims. The UN agency, which is not were still investigating, but the incident Essex Police said they were notified currently recommending any restrictions on further rattled the UK just days after a at 1:20 pm local time (12:20 GMT, 8:20 travel to the kingdom or screening of passen- soldier was killed on a London street in a.m. EDT) that a threat had been made gers at airports or entry points, will sent a sec- a suspected terror attack. to an aircraft. The force said that after ond team of experts in the coming weeks, The security official requested the Boeing 777 landed at 2:15 p.m., WHO director-general Margaret Chan said. anonymity because he was not author- armed officers entered it and arrested ized to discuss the investigation. Flight two British nationals, aged 30 and 41. In an image made from video, actress Amanda Bynes (cen- The virus, which can cause coughing, fever P709 was traveling from Lahore, The suspects were taken to a police sta- ter and inset) wearing sweats and a blonde wig, shields her and pneumonia, emerged in Saudi Arabia last Pakistan, to Manchester Airport when it tion where they face questioning, the face as she is escorted after a Manhattan criminal court year and has been found in 33 people there, was diverted by the fighter jets to police said in a statement. The plane appearance yesterday in New York. Bynes was arrested killing 17. They are among 44 cases and 22 Stansted Airport. The UK Ministry of will be examined by forensic specialists Thursday evening and charged with reckless endanger- deaths worldwide, according to the WHO, Defense confirmed that Typhoon jets but no suspicious items have been ment after police say she heaved a marijuana bong out of which has called it the Middle East Respiratory were launched to investigate an inci- recovered so far, police added. — AP her Manhattan apartment building. —AP Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). — Reuters LOCAL SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013 Kuwaiti researcher Laila Bastaki wins WHO prize GENEVA: Kuwaiti researcher Dr Laila Bastaki won the World Health Organization (WHO) prize, granted by the United Arab Emirates Health Foundation 2013, which constitutes a significant source of pride to Kuwait, stressed Kuwait’s Minister of Health, Dr Mohammad Al- Haifi here yesterday. In a statement to KUNA, the minister praised Dr Bastaki’s efforts and her leading role in scientific researching in genetic diseases that have a great impact on several aspects, espe- cially the social sphere. Bastaki’s achievement reflects the State of Kuwait’s interest in KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad seen greeting a youth before the start of pearl diving trip. scientific researching that is fos- (Right) A youth taking part in the competition. tered by the constitution as it is significant in all natural and human sciences, said Dr. Al-Haifi. Kuwaiti youths prepare for “Dr. Bastaki’s choice stems from her belief in con- tributing to the genetic research and disorders as well as expanding the provision of such services in Kuwait,” said annual pearl diving trip Mahmoud Fekri, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Policies at the Health Ministry, in a speech during the award ceremony Thursday evening. He pointed out the KUWAIT: Chairman of the Kuwaiti Marine Sports Club Lt. the marine life and the linkage of the current generation multi-achievements of Dr. Bastaki, which include reestab- General Fahad Al-Fahad said that His Highness the Amir with this heritage. The club has organized the 7th trip in lishing newborn screening program to detect genetic Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad has sponsored the revival of the 1995 with the participation of all Gulf States and the 21st disorders, establishing registration units for metabolic, 25th annual pearls diving trip which is organized by trip which was organized to visit Bahrain pearl fishing genetic and neurological muscle disorders in Kuwait, in Marine Heritage Committee during the period 15th - 22nd areas and was documented by UNESCO in 2009. addition to the discovery of three new genes. August, with the participation of pearl diving ships which Al-Fahad said that all previous trips were made in such He explained, before the Director-General of WHO, was given as a gift from the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al- a way to focus and achieve the national goals and this Margaret Chan, that Bastaki’s choices were not only limit- Ahmad. year’s trip shall be a special one with the participation of a ed to that achievement, but her cooperation with genet- Al-Fahad expressed honour to the club and apprecia- number of young divers, especially that heritage commit- ic research centers in the US and Europe has a major role tion for the kindness and care of His Highness the Amir. tee has started its preparations early through a training in the development of these programs in Kuwait.—KUNA Pointing that this sponsor is an honor to the club and its camp to qualify them for this trip. divers and the pearl diving trip has become an attraction which represent the national activities in reviving marine heritage at the local and GCC level. June 6 official day off This event was given special care from His Highness the Late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad and now being cared by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad in addition to the KUWAIT: The Civil services Commission (CSC) recently issued a directive pertaining considering Thursday, June 6 special care given by Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- a day off in various governmental establishments and Ahmad to emphasize the importance of reviving this her- organizations on the occasion of celebrating the Isra’ and itage in addition that it concentrates on the fore fathers in Me’raj anniversary.