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Saturday 22 December 2018 | 15 Rabia II 1440 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 23 | Number 7748 | 2 Riyals
2019
Boost in cruise tourism Souq Waqif Spring Festival begins RAYNALD C RIVERA as many ships dock at THE PENINSULA Just three days after the whole country burst into a massive Doha Port since October National Day celebration, visitors to Qatar’s most popular Souq continues to IRFAN BUKHARI This season, which immerse into a festive mood THE PENINSULA will continue until May with the kick off of Souq Waqif 2019, is set to be the Spring Festival yesterday. With Qatar’s push to cement a Like its previous editions, position as a preferred tourist desti- busiest one since the this year’s festival blends nation, the cruise tourism sector is development of the games and rides with concerts witnessing a strong growth with cruise tourism sector and shows making it a much- thousands of tourists visited the in Qatar as more than anticipated event in Souq country aboard 14 cruise ships Waqif’s calendar for its high which docked at Doha Port since the 140,000 visitors in entertainment value. start of the season on October 2. 43 cruise ships are Dressed in their national This season, which will continue expected to dock at costumes, groups of cultural until May 2019, is set to be the performers from several busiest one since the development Doha Port during this countries in the region such as of the cruise tourism sector in Qatar season. Oman and Jordan left visitors as more than 140,000 visitors in 43 in high spirits yesterday as cruise ships are expected to dock at December 13, carrying a total of they danced and sang to the Doha Port during this season, 3,442 passengers and 1,307 crew accompaniment of native according to Qatar Tourism members. musical instruments. Artistes perform at Souq Waqif yesterday. PIC: BAHER AMIN /THE PENINSULA Authority (QTA). The German mega ship AID- Passers-by and customers On Thursday cruise ship MSC APrima called on December 12 at in restaurants captured in magicians and other artistes Aspire Zone, has also a Wakrah, another must-visit Lirica docked at Doha Port on its Doha Port, on its maiden voyage to their mobile phones the coming from other countries presence in the festival pro- tourist destination in the third visit during the ongoing Qatar, with 3,286 passengers and unique and lively perform- showcasing their skills in viding children a taste of what country. 2018-19 cruise season with 1,853 956 crew aboard. Qatar welcomed ances of the bands as they their performances, in to expect when it opens in the Meanwhile, food carts at passengers and 734 crew aboard. for the second time two mega cruise roamed around the main addition to entertaining first quarter of next year. Real- the festival venue witnessed QTA and the Mowasalat recently ships simultaneously on December alleys of the Souq. animal acts. Tickets to the life fun activities are being many customers who chose signed an MoU to develop tourism 5. The two ships MSC Lirica and Several stages have been shows which are staged twice provided free of charge to from a wide array of scrump- transport and enhance transport and Mein Schiff 4 brought more than erected in Al Ahmed Square in the evening are QR30, children at the KidZania tent tious snacks such as Turkish ice communication services to cope 6,000 visitors. and the Western parking area QR50 and QR70. throughout the festival. cream, burgers, crepes, waffles with the rapid growth in the cruise On December 4, Celebrity Con- where shows were played. Children as well as adults The festival runs parallel and corn as well as beverages tourism sector and to support QTA’s stellation sailed into Doha Port on More than 20 local and can play carnival skill games with the ongoing third edition including juice, karak and efforts to develop the tourism sector its second visit, carrying a total of regional singers are set to to win memorabilia and gifts of Shop Qatar which features coffee, among others. in general. 1,754 passengers and 957 crew perform in the coming days at the 15 colourful stalls lined big promotions and raffle The long line of restaurants On December 19, cruise ship members. at the concerts being pre- up at Al Ahmed Square, in draw prizes alongside fashion at the Souq also saw brisk AIDAPrima arrived at Doha Port on The cruise ship ‘Seabourn sented by Sout Al Rayyan. addition to several rides for forward events and concerts business yesterday with huge its second voyage, carrying 3,358 Ovation’ with 562 tourists and 424 Throughout the 15-day children. Both games and rides featuring international crowds who preferred to dine passengers and 955 crew members. crew onboard called into Doha Port festival, a circus show is are priced QR10. artistes. As in recent years, a at the outside sitting areas to Qatar welcomed the cruise ship MSC on its maiden call to Qatar on expected to wow the visitors The soon-to-open Kid- Spring Festival is also being enjoy the cool weather. Splendida on its first trip on December 3. `P2 with acrobats, jugglers, Zania, which is located in organised at Souq Waqif Al
Exit of Mattis stirs 37 licences for livestock production projects issued this year worries from
SIDI MOHAMED blockade when the major succeeded due to cooperation percent, whereas in the past it countries but “we succeeded to Brussels to Beijing THE PENINSULA dependence was on imports between government and private was only 50 percent and the treat them finally and this year we from the siege countries,” said sector. To increase the production daily consumption of frozen have treated about 240,000 BLOOMBERG/WASHINGTON The Ministry of Municipality and Farhoud Hadi Al Hajri, Director was a challenge for us but we suc- chicken is about 60 tonnes, of animals from different diseases”. Environment has accomplished of Animal Resources Department ceeded finally and in less than one which the state was currently Also, he said, that the department The abrupt resignation of US many achievements in the field Ministry of Municipality and year we started to achieve 100 producing 59 percent. had provided prevention and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis of self-sufficiency this year and Environment. percent self-sufficiency in some As for eggs and others, Al immunization to about 534,000 has governments from Seoul about 37 licences for livestock Farhoud Hadi Al Hajri, was products,” he noted. Hajri said before the siege, Qatar this year and seek to develop to Brussels on edge, as the production projects were issued speaking to a local channel about Regarding the number of live- was producing only 14 percent therapeutic services for animals. reliability of American alli- to contribute to ensure food the Ministry’s achievement this stock in the country, he said the of self-sufficiency and now the He also said that an ances and the direction of security. year. He added that the average number stood about 1.6 million country is producing 23 percent. agreement was signed two days policy under an erratic leader “The percentage of self-suf- daily consumption of milk and heads of livestock and the number Al Hajri also noted that the before the National Day between come under question. The ficiency of milk and dairy dairy products is about 600 of breeders is 17,000. animals’ medical treatment was Qatar and Hong Kong in the field former Marine general was products is about 100 percent, tonnes in Qatar and country is On frozen chicken, he said a challenge for the department of transportation horses and widely seen as a moderating while it was only 28percent producing 616 tonnes. “All these that the percentage of self-suf- due to big number which were serve horse breeders, especially force against President before the imposition of projects and initiatives ficiency reached was about 98 repatriated from the siege with regard to sports activities. Donald Trump’s hostility toward traditional American alliances and overseas troop commitments, Besides the immediate moves to pull Decline in ATV accidents seen forces from Afghanistan and Syria, Mattis’s departure could have ramifications for this winter camping season US standing around the world, from North Korea to Europe. `P11 FAZEENA SALEEM in the dunes, said Brendon experience in Qatar, protect the THE PENINSULA Morris, Executive Director, HMC, environment, and ensure public Fresh protests Ambulance Service. safety. A project recently launched to “It is encouraging to see that As part of it Sealine beach break out in Sudan enhance the winter camping we have started seeing a decline area is staffed with security per- season has started making a in traumatic injuries due to acci- sonnel, lifeguards, technicians, AFP/KHARTOUM positive impact on number of dents in the Sealine area,” he told and other support staff. Beyond accidents in the Sealine and The Peninsula. “Since we are at the beach, visitors can rent Protests over the rising cost Inland sea areas. the beginning of the camping quad-bikes and ATVs in a of bread broke out in Al Enna Project launched by season it is difficult to say about 300,000 square meter space Khartoum and its twin city National Tourism Council (NTC) the numbers. But proportionately designed to provide safe and Omdurman yesterday, as Qatar's Fares wins gold and its partners including the we are able to see some impact,” integrated experiences for biking Sudanese troops deployed Qatari weightlifter Fares Ibrahim Hassouna celebrates after winning the Hamad Medical Corporation’s he added. fans. The area features eight after two days of deadly gold medal in the men’s 96kg, at the 5th edition of Qatar International (HMC) Ambulance service has Al Enna is a tourism devel- biking tracks catering to riders clashes between riot police Cup 2018 at the InterContinental Doha yesterday. PIC: SYED OMAR contributed to the decline of all opment project that aims to of different abilities and require- and demonstrators left eight terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents enhance the winter camping ments. `P2 protesters dead. `P4 02 HOME SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018
Decline in ATV Artists turn dhows into canvasses of ancient Qatari life accidents seen THE PENINSULA express art on an untraditional Ambassador to Qatar, Dr. Willy this winter DOHA canvas, the dhow. Led by curator Kempel, director of the Sheikh Khalifa Al Obaidly, Director of Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani camping season The journey of Red Bull Curates: Doha Fire Station, these artists Museum, Kees Wieringa, and FROM PAGE 1 Dhow Art has come to an end were chosen to turn their inspi- Qatar’s leading media and with the unveiling of the 6 dhows rational designs into a reality. opinion leaders. on December 14. Art and creativity enthusiasts Sheikha Alanood welcomed HMC’s Ambulance The dhows were casted into gathered to witness the 6 real everyone and congratulated the Service, providing campers the spotlight at an exhibition at life-sized dhows as they were artists who worked hard to bring with round the clock access the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al finally revealed, portraying the these dhows into life. “We are to a team of paramedics and Thani Museum in celebration of artists’ inspiring imagery. In cel- very excited about such an ini- well-equipped ambulance creativity and heritage. This ini- ebration of culture and arts, the tiative by Red Bull that falls in vehicles. tiative came to life in partnership presentation also featured line with the Sheikh Faisal bin “We have 12 vehicles cov- with Vodafone Qatar, Sheikh several local and international Qassim Al Thani Museum’s vision ering the camping season. It Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani performances throughout the of creating a community for increases during the Museum and Doha Fire station. evening. artists,” Sheikha Stated. weekend as more people The project welcomed a The exhibition was attended Ambassador Willy Kempel come for camping. We go far TOP: Curator Khalifa Al Obaidly, Director of Doha Fire Station, hands selection of Qatar’s promising as by Sheikha Alanood bint Faisal expressed his support for the ini- inside Inland sea and around over a token of appreciation to artist Jamila Al Ansari at the expo. well as established talents to bin Qassim Al Thani, Austrian tiative and the art scene in Qatar, Sealine area. We have four saying: “Red Bull Curates Dhow LEFT: Art lovers enjoy a work at the expo. helipads for the life flight dis- Art is a wonderful project.” He tributed in the area,” said Ali also announced the wall art together perfectly”. Through the meanwhile Jamila Al Ansari cast Darwish, Assistant Executive project at Sheikh Faisal bin six dhows, Mubarak Al Malik a colourful take on Qatar’s past Director of the Ambulance Qassim Al Thani Museum and depicted the dramatic farewell and its present. Service. “The challenge we taking part in it as a curator. of a sailor and his family, while “I knew we we’re going to have in the camping areas is Commenting on his appre- Muna Al Bader’s captured the surprise the entire scene. There’s how to reach the patients, ciation of the project, Director of joyful scenery of traditional a lot in store for everybody, not once we reach them the the museum, Kees Wieringa Qatari weddings. Fatima Al just art enthusiasts. This has been service is the same as at any stated, “When the idea initially Naimi told the tale of a dhow’s a new experience, taking the place. That’s why we have came through from Red Bull, I suspenseful journey as Fahad Al application of art to new heights. special arrangements during heard of art, culture and heritage Maadheed brought together the Turning the dhow into a canvas, the season. The new project separately. But looking at the symbolic horse and camel. Noor that’s something nobody could and its approach in the area dhows now, I see contemporary Abuissa illustrated Qatar’s old have imagined!”, explained is helping the patients,” he art that speaks of heritage dis- traditions of pearl diving through Dhow Art’s curator, Khalifa Al added. played at the museum. It all fits her contemporary brush strokes, Obaidly. HMC also runs a Sealine Medical Clinic. This is the ninth consecutive year HMC has operated. The clinic operates during the Boost in cruise tourism as many ships dock at Doha Port since October weekends and will remain open until mid-April. FROM PAGE 1 received cruise ship Celebrity The docking of two mega- Schiff 4 on its 2nd visit during docked at Doha Port. Doha Port According to reports, At Constellation on its first trip to ships simultaneously will happen the 2018-19 season, carrying received on November 5 cruise least half of the cases seen at Earlier in the last month, Qatar bringing more than 2,800 five times during the season, 2471 passengers and 988 crew. ship Azamara Quest on its the annual Sealine Medical MSC Lirica arrived at Doha Port, visitors. And by welcoming two proving the Port’s ability to Qatar welcomed cruise ship maiden call to Qatar. On October Center operated are due to marking its maiden call to Qatar ships, the 2018-’19 cruise season accommodate the cruise tourism Seabourn Encore with 559 pas- 2, cruise ship MS Boudicca trauma. It ranges from minor with more than 3,500 visitors saw first time Doha Port sector’s rapid growth. sengers and 424 crew onboard arrived and it marked the com- to major. Some come with aboard on November 28. receiving two mega cruise ships On November 21, Doha Port on November 10. On November mencement of the 2018-19 cruise severe injures due to SUV and On the same day Doha Port simultaneously. received the cruise ship Mein 8, cruise ship Mein Schiff 4 season with 491 passengers. ATV accidents in the dunes. PPBS now in Qatar to train Winter period challenging badminton enthusiasts for asthma patients: Expert THE PENINSULA DOHA THE PENINSULA Qatar to learn and perfect the DOHA game. The Ambassador then cut a ceremonial ribbon and Winter can be a challenging time The Ambassador of India to played the first game to for- for those with chronic allergies Qatar, P Kumaran, recently mally inaugurate the PPBS and asthma. inaugurated the first foreign branch. The winter months bring the branch of India’s prestigious The ceremony was also Zainul Abidheen, Director & General Manager, Safari Group of annual flu season and cooler and Prakash Padukone Badminton graced by Indian Sports Cen- Companies, with staff during the launch of the Cake Festival drier weather, both of which can Schools (PPBS) at the Absolute tre’s General-Secretary, Habib at Safari Mall, Abu Hamour. exacerbate asthma symptoms, Sports Academy (ASA) facility Nabi; Qatar Indian Association said Dr Salma Ahmed Taha (pic- in Abu Hamour. President, E P Abdulrahman; Safari Hypermarket Group launches Cake Festival tured), Associate Consultant, flu and asthma can be a deadly The PPBS is the brainchild City Exchange CEO, Sharaf P Pulmonary, Allergy, and Immu- mix, placing an individual with of Indian badminton legend Hameed and Qatar Indian THE PENINSULA They include decorated X-Mas nology Department, Hamad asthma at an increased risk for and former world number one Association General-Secretary DOHA cakes, Butter Cream Cake, Icing Medical Corporation. complications and exposing Prakash Padukone, who began Safeer Rahman. Cake, Fresh Cream Cake, “Many people do not think their lungs to severe and even his first academy in Bengaluru ASA has brought two Indian Safari Hypermarket Group has Millennium Cake, Choco Oreo of the autumn and winter as permanent damage. in 1994. After gaining fame in coaches to Qatar for the proper launched Cake Festival at all its Cake, Cappuccino Cake, being a season for allergies and “While having asthma does its home country, the PPBS implementation of the PPBS outlets in Qatar. It was inaugu- Caramel Cake, Butter Scotch asthma, but depending on an not increase a person’s risk of curriculum will now be taught curriculum. Sudheer Kumar is rated by Zainul Abidheen, Cake, Red Velvet Cake, individual’s allergy and asthma getting the flu, the consequences in Qatar as well in a joint a Badminton World Feder- Director & General Manager, Tiramisu Cake, Rich Plum Cake, triggers, the winter months can of it are far greater. The seasonal venture between Absolute ation-certified coach with Safari Group of Companies, in Premium Plum Cake, Surprise be one of the most challenging flu causes respiratory inflam- Sports Academy and India on several years of playing and the presence of its management Plum Cake, Marble Cake, Tea times of the year. Dry air can be mation that not only triggers the Track. coaching experience in India. personals at Safari Mall, Abu Cake, Almond Cake, X-mas Log a respiratory irritant and this can symptoms of asthma but can Ambassador Kumaran con- ASA is now looking forward Hamour. There are more than Cakes, Green Cake, Ginger contribute to the worsening of also make them worse. Getting veyed his best wishes for the to welcoming ambitious young 40 varieties of cakes available House, X-Mas Tree Cake, Yule allergy and asthma symptoms,” the flu vaccination is recom- PPBS, describing it as a great kids to learn the game in the for X-mas & New Year event. Log, X-Mas sweets etc. said Dr. Taha. mended for asthma patients,” opportunity for youngsters in Prakash Padukone way. Dr Taha explained that the said Dr Taha. Diplomatic Institute’s magazine highlights Qatar’s Asian ties
QNA The magazine included an interview with was Qatar’s Ambassador to second dealt with the Association ties, while the sixth addressed the DOHA outlined steps taken Director of the Department of Malaysia until the middle of this of Southeast Asian Nations Belt and Road initiative and its Asian Affairs at the Ministry of year, on Qatar’s relations with (Asean) and its economic, importance and the role of the The Diplomatic Institute of the by the State of Foreign Affairs Khalid bin South Asia and its role in the sta- security, social and cultural sig- State of Qatar in it. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Qatar to strengthen Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al bility and economic development nificance and the relations of the In the magazine’s personality released issue No. 40 of its quar- its relations with Hamar on the visit of Amir H H of its countries along Qatar’s rela- State of Qatar with it; the third section, it chose Anwar Ibrahim, terly AL- Diplomacy Magazine. several capitals of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al tions with these countries. The focused on Shanghai Five group who was appointed by Malaysian The magazine outlined steps Thani to the People’s Republic third interview, which was with and its development and trans- Prime Minister Mahathir taken by the State of Qatar to Asian countries, an of China and its importance in HE Ambassador of the State of formation into an international Mohamad as his deputy, and strengthen its relations with indication of Doha’s transferring relations between Qatar to the People’s Republic of security, economic and political highlighted how he shifted from several capitals of Asian coun- entry into the “heart the two countries to the level of China Dr Sultan bin Salmeen Al organization as well as its objec- prison to power. tries, an indication of Doha’s comprehensive strategic part- Mansouri, focused on the Qatari- tives and challenges and Qatar’s The AL-Diplomacy Magazine entry into the “heart of Asia” and of Asia” and within a nership, and paving the way to Chinese relations, and reviewed quest to join it. selected “Asean Miracle: A Cat- within a firm national vision on firm national vision join the Belt and Road initiative a number of figures and statistics The fourth file reviewed the alyst for Peace” book by Kishore relations with international on relations with and the Asian Infrastructure reflecting the magnitude of coop- experience of Singapore and its Mahbubani and Jeffery Sng, in actors, especially as Asian international actors. Investment Bank to promote eration and trade and investment transformation from Third World which they talked about the great markets are very important to investments and trade exchanges exchange between the two to First despite its small size, diversity of Southeast Asia and Qatar’s gas exports and work- between the two countries, to friendly countries. nature and diversity through the role of ASEAN in shaping the force recruitment, and as Doha sidelines of the UN General strengthen cooperation within The magazine dealt with investing in people, focusing on world order. is also the chair of the 2019 Asian Assembly in New York, which the framework of energy and to numerous files. The first of which science and integrating societal All topics in the magazine are Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). declared Doha’s commitment to sign an agreement on mutual was the Asian Cooperation Dia- values and economic translated into English, especially The issue reviewed Deputy work towards Asian integration visa exemption for nationals of logue, which represents a bridge performance. as they are distributed to the Prime Minister and Minister of through expanding cooperation both countries. between East and West Asia, and The fifth file dealt with the embassies of the Qatar abroad. Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh in all fields and forging partner- The issue included another its development, values, objec- relationship between the State The magazine is also published Mohammed bin Abdulrahman ships with regional and interna- interview with Director of tives, and member states, the of Qatar and the ASEAN and its on their websites and distributed Al Thani’s speech at the ACD tional organizations. American Affairs Department Issa challenges it faces and its impor- role in breaking the siege and the to embassies of foreign countries Ministerial Meeting on the The AL Diplomacy Magazine bin Mohammed Al Mannai, who tance for the State of Qatar; the growth of trade and economic accredited to Doha. SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018 HOME 03
LEFT: The Ambassador of Qatar to the Federative Republic of Brazil, Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al Abdullah, with other officials during eth reception in Brasilia as part of Qatar National Day celebrations. CENTRE: Officials during the Qatar National Day celebrations organised by the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Tunisia, Saad bin Nasser Al Humaidi, in Tunisia. RIGHT: Qatar’s Ambassador to the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, Dr Rashid bin Shafea Al Marri, with others during the QND reception in Colombo. Qatar’s achievements highlighted at embassies abroad
THE PENINSULA Ambassador of happened during these years of of the State of Qatar, Dr Khamis foreign diplomatic missions Deputy Minister of Foreign DOHA Qatar to Brazil, high-level visits and the signing bin Rashid Al Kaabi, held a accredited to Argentina, and Affairs, senior government offi- of several agreements covering reception on the occasion of the community figures. cials and community figures. As part of Qatar’s National Day Ahmed bin Ibrahim all areas of bilateral National Day. The reception In his speech, the Ambas- The Ambassador said in a celebrations, the Ambassador Al Abdullah, outlined cooperation. was attended by senior officials, sador appreciated the efforts of speech that the celebration of the State of Qatar to the the achievements of For her part, Director of the a number of diplomatic corps the wise leadership of the State reflects the cohesion of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Qatar at various levels, Middle East Department of Bra- accredited to Houston, Qatari of Qatar in consolidating rela- people and the wise political Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al Abdullah, zilian Foreign Ministry praised nationals in Houston, a number tions between the State of Qatar leadership, and recalls the epic held a reception in Brasilia on especially economic the bilateral relations between of members of the Arab com- and the Argentine Republic. tournaments led by the founder the occasion of Qatar National and sports, and the two countries and the munity, and community figures. In Colombo, Qatar’s ambas- of the late Sheikh Jassim bin Day. highlighted the unjust achievements of the Qatari In Tunis, Ambassador of the sador to the Socialist Demo- Mohammed bin Thani and the The event was attended by siege imposed on people and the progress State of Qatar to the Republic cratic Republic of Sri Lanka, Dr Qatari people. Minister of Justice of Brazil, achieved by them in prosperity, of Tunisia, Saad bin Nasser Al Rashid bin Shafea Al Marri, held He reviewed the role of Torquato Jardim; Chairman of Qatar by neighbouring dynamism and openness to the Humaidi, held a reception on a reception on the occasion of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin the Senate Committee of countries. world. She pointed to the the occasion of Qatar National Qatar National Day. Hamad Al Thani, and Father Foreign Affairs and National strength of the Qatari economy, Day. The ceremony was The ceremony was attended Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Defence and former Brazil pres- which has shown remarkable attended by the Minister of by Rauff Hakeem, represent- Khalifa Al Thani, in developing ident Senator Fernando Collor; countries and their unilateral resilience in the face of chal- Vocational Training and ative of the Government of Sri the State of Qatar in all aspects Senator Helio Jose; Member of and coercive measures that fla- lenges arising from interna- Employment, Saida Lounisi, and Lanka, Speaker of the Par- of urban, economic, scientific, the Senate Foreign Relations grantly violate international tional and regional contexts, Hatem Ferjani, Secretary of liament Karu Jayasuriya, a social and sports. Committee; and Director of the treaties and conventions. stressing Qatar’s ability to State for Economic Diplomacy number of ministers and gov- He said that the State of Middle East Department of Bra- He stressed that the position defend its national interests in to the Ministry of Foreign ernment officials, members of Qatar had been subjected to a zilian Foreign Ministry, Ligia of the State of Qatar vis-a-vis international forums and its Affairs of the Republic of parliament, heads of Arab and conspiracy, with the unjust Scherer; in addition to heads this crisis is the unconditional effective role in these forums. Tunisia, in addition to a number foreign diplomatic missions siege imposed by the block- and a number of members of dialogue in order to end it and In Panama, the Embassy of of community figures. accredited to Sri Lanka and ading countries to pressure it the diplomatic corps accredited its resulting procedures. the State of Qatar held a In Buenos Aires, Ambas- community figures. to renounce its sovereignty and to Brazil. He reviewed bilateral rela- reception on the occasion of sador of the State of Qatar to In Havana, Ambassador of national decision. He added: In his speech, the Ambas- tions between the two friendly Qatar National Day. The cer- the Argentine Republic, Fahad the State of Qatar to the “The crisis caused by these uni- sador outlined the achieve- countries, saying that Qatar emony was attended by a large bin Ibrahim Al Hamad Al Mana, Republic of Cuba, Rashid Mirza lateral policies against the State ments of the State of Qatar at looks forward to celebrating the number of government officials, held a reception on the occasion Al Mulla, held a reception on the of Qatar constitutes a flagrant various levels, especially eco- 45th anniversary of the estab- senior state officials, members of Qatar National Day. The occasion of the National Day of violation of human rights, nomic and sports, and high- lishment of diplomatic relations of the Arab community, and event was attended by senior the State. although this policy was con- lighted the unjust siege imposed between the State of Qatar and community figures. government officials, senators The ceremony was attended trary to what was expected by on Qatar by neighbouring Brazil next year and what In Houston, Consul General and deputies, heads of Arab and by Minister of Public Health, the blockading countries.” National Day festivities at Darb Al Saai a huge success
THE PENINSULA DOHA
The Qatar National Day (QND) festivities at Darb Al Saai concluded on Thursday night in which around 50 government and non-government entities participated and a new Guinness World Record was also made. This year, national day cel- ebrations were marked under the motto ‘As long as it was proven by our deeds... Qatar remains free’. The motto blends a verse taken from one of the poems by the Founder Sheikh A parade during the event at Darb Al Saai. Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani with a phrase taken from the national anthem. courage and insight on account for the National Day celebra- In the presence of crowd of of which they were chosen to tions allocated this year many citizens and residents on play such a sensitive role in parking spaces for visitors, Wednesday, the wooden pieces those difficult times. including those with special of mosaic titled ‘See You in Darb Al Saai welcomed the needs. Nine gates have been 2022’ that symbolises the 2022 visitors in the morning on allocated for the entry to Darb FIFA World Cup Qatar installed December 13 to December 20. Al Saai. The signs were also pro- at the Police College pavilion in About 50 entities from gov- vided to guide the public. Twelve Darb Al Saai. The final number ernment and non-government signs were distributed at various of participants in this work sector participated in Darb Al locations in Darb Al Saai to reached 10,371 participants in Saai festivities and getting larger provide all the comforts to the colouring and installation of space this year, such as the Min- visitors. 33,600 wooden pieces of mosaic istry of Interior, the Police The Doha pavilion provided to enter the Guinness Book of College, and Kahramaa. Also the an opportunity for all institu- Records in the name of the State space of The Doha Pavilion tent tions representing all sectors to of Qatar. was increased, in addition to participate and show their cul- The celebrations achieve the Mawater’s Classic cars. tural activities to visitors. There National Day vision by strength- Among the important was also a participation from ening loyalty, unity, and pride entities participating in Darb Al Regulatory Authority for Char- in Qatar’s national identity. They Saai festivities were the Ministry itable Activities, a non-govern- are also meant to commemorate of Interior which has eight mental humanitarian and devel- the anniversary of the estab- departments participating in the opment organization, where the lishment of the State of Qatar by event, the Ministry of Justice, the priority was to assist children the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Ministry of Defense, Police who were victims of crises and Mohamed bin Thani. Darb Al College, Ministry of Education disasters. Also there was Al Saai means the ‘Route of the and Higher Education, Ministry Liwan Women’s Tent, and this Messenger’ used by the dele- of Municipality and Envi- activity derives from Liwan, a gates whom the country’s ronment, which its pavilion name of the old Qatari dialect, founder would entrust to deliver offered safe shopping, activities still used, meaning ‘the central his instructions and directives. of the agricultural sector, effec- area between the rooms in the These men were known for their tiveness of hygiene, activities of house’. Hundreds of people rep- outstanding characteristic traits the environmental sector etc. resenting 40 countries partici- such as loyalty, obedience, The Organising Committee pated in the event. 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018 Eight dead in Sudan amid protests over rising prices
BLOOMBERG A state of emergency was declared in KHARTOUM Gadaref state, which borders Ethiopia, At least eight people have been after about six people died and many killed across Sudan, officials others injured. In Nile River state in central said, as demonstrations against soaring prices and shortages Sudan, two protesters were killed. The rock the capital and other cities, demonstrations started after increases in with protesters burning tires and bread prices, with people already queuing demanding President Omar Hassan Al Bashir step down. for hours for bread and motor fuel. State of emergency was declared in Gadaref state, which borders Ethiopia, after about six most sanctions it imposed on the internet outage since Thursday people died and many others country in the late 1990s. has curbed social-media use in were injured, local commis- Dissent has been “brewing the country. sioner Altybe Alamin said. for a while, but it was possible “These killings must stop,” In Nile River state in central for President Bashir to blame it Amnesty International said in a Sudan, two protesters were on external forces, especially the statement. The government A press member shows his broken camera after Israeli forces’ intervention during a protest within the killed and others wounded, US sanctions for the difficult “must address the root cause of “Great March of Return” demonstrations near Israel-Gaza border, in east of Shuja’iyya neighbourhood according to regional domestic economic situation,” the rapidly deteriorating eco- spokesman Ibrahim Mukhtar. said Abdullahi Boru Halakhe, a nomic conditions in the country of Gaza City, yesterday. Neither gave details on the cir- US-based specialist on the Horn instead of trying to prevent cumstances. Sudania 24, a tele- of Africa. “Now that the sanc- people from fully exercising vision station, said Khartoum tions have been lifted, there is their right to protest.” state schools will be suspended no place to hide.” Protests by tens of thou- Israeli army shoots dead from Sunday, when the working Authorities this week also sands of people have taken week starts. declared a state of emergency place in at least 13 towns with In Khartoum, residents have in the central city of Atbara nine people shot dead over the Palestinian teen in Gaza blocked some streets and are after protesters set fire to the past two days by security forces, burning tires, chanting against ruling party’s main office and Amnesty said. AFP and launching towards soldiers have been killed since the pro- the government and calling for the city government’s head- The Umma Party, Sudan’s GAZA CITY an incendiary device, which did tests began, mostly by Israeli fire Al Bashir’s exit, said Husameldin, quarters. Al Bashir has led the largest official opposition group, not reach the troops. Israel’s during border clashes but also a local resident who asked that country since ousting former in a statement urged its A 16-year-old Palestinian was military said it had opened fire by air and tank strikes. his surname not be used because Prime Minister Sadiq Al Mahdi members to take to the streets killed yesterday by Israeli fire “according to operational pro- Two Israeli soldiers have of concerns about government in a coup in 1989. to help bring down the gov- during border protests and cedures” in place, without been killed over the same reprisals. The demonstrations The government said in a ernment. Al Mahdi, its leader, clashes east of Gaza City, the elaborating. period, one by a Palestinian come after increases in bread statement yesterday that it returned to the country this health ministry in the Hamas- Forty six Palestinians — sniper and another during an prices, with people already allows the freedom to demon- week after months abroad. run enclave said. including two journalists and aborted special forces operation queuing for hours for bread and strate, but alleged “the protests “How the administration Mohammed Al Jahjuh was four first aid responders — were inside Gaza. motor fuel. have deviated from their track handles this will be critical,” said “hit in the neck by a bullet (fired) wounded, Al Qodra said. Protesters are calling for Sudan has been roiled by and some saboteurs have tar- Halakhe. “If instead of listening by Israeli soldiers”, ministry Palestinians in the Gaza Palestinian refugees to be sporadic protests in 2018 as cur- geted public property including and changing, they begin spokesman Ashraf Al Qodra said. Strip have held protests backed allowed to return to their former rency devaluations and cuts in government buildings and clamping down, that could exac- The Israeli army said around by its Islamist rulers Hamas homes now inside Israel. subsidies have sent living costs police stations.” It didn’t erbate the already precarious 8,000 Palestinians had gathered since March 30. Israel has fought three wars rocketing. The US last year lifted comment on any casualties. An situation.” along the border, burning tyres At least 236 Palestinians with Hamas since 2008.
Yemen says Turkey to take over fight against IS after US pullout: Erdogan rebels breached REUTERS Party (PKK), fighting for Kurdish against the US-backed SDF of America’s decision to he was resigning after meeting truce in port city ISTANBUL/BEIRUT autonomy across the border on militia, employing car bombs withdraw from Syria.” with the president. Turkish soil. and dozens of militants. The Turkish president said, In a candid letter to Trump, AP Turkey will take over the fight In a speech in Istanbul, “We will be working on our however, that this was not an the retired Marine general SANA’A against Islamic State (IS) mili- Erdogan said Turkey would operational plans to eliminate “open-ended waiting period”. emphasised the importance of tants in Syria as the United States mobilise to fight remaining ISIS elements, which are said to Turkey has repeatedly “showing respect” to allies that Yemen’s internationally rec- withdraws its troops, President Islamic State forces in Syria and remain intact in Syria, in line voiced frustration over what it have voiced surprise and ognised government says Shia Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday, temporarily delay plans to attack with our conversation with Pres- says is the slow implementation concern about the president’s rebels have violated a UN-bro- in the latest upheaval wrought Kurdish fighters in the northeast ident Trump,” Erdogan said, of a deal with Washington to pull decision. kered cease-fire in the Red Sea by Washington’s abrupt policy of the country - shifts both pre- referring to Islamic State. YPG fighters out of Manbij, a Russia said yesterday it did port city of Hodeida with a shift. cipitated by the American The Turkish president had town in mainly Arab territory not understand what the United barrage of artillery and rockets. The surprise announcement decision to withdraw. announced plans last week to west of the Euphrates in States’ next steps in Syria would The pro-government by US President Donald Trump The news was less welcome start an operation east of the northern Syria. be, adding that chaotic and Sabaa news agency quoted a this week that he would for other US allies. Both France Euphrates River in northern The United States will unpredictable decision-making military official as saying four withdraw roughly 2,000 troops and Germany warned that the Syria to oust the YPG from the probably end its air campaign in Washington was creating members of an elite force were has felled a pillar of American US change of course risked dam- area that it largely controls. This against IS in Syria when it pulls discomfort in international killed and 16 others were policy in the Middle East. Critics aging the campaign against week, he said the campaign out troops, US officials have said, affairs. wounded in Saturday’s shelling say Trump’s decision will make Islamic State, the jihadists who could come at any moment. But as Trump has been forced to Several of Trump’s fellow by the rebels, known as it harder to find a diplomatic seized big swathes of Iraq and on Friday, he cited the talk with defend the planned withdrawal Republicans in Congress, joined Houthis. The shelling is the solution to Syria’s seven-year- Syria in 2014-15 but have now Trump as a reason to wait. against criticism from allies by opposition Democrats, urged latest in a number of cease- old conflict. been beaten back to a sliver of “Our phone call with Pres- abroad and at home. the president to reverse course, fire breaches in Hodeida since For Turkey, the step removes Syrian territory. ident Trump, along with contacts Trump maintained that IS saying the withdrawal would the truce came into force on a source of friction with the Likewise, the US-backed between our diplomats and had been wiped out, a view not strengthen the hand of Russia Tuesday. United States. Erdogan has long militia spearheaded by the YPG security officials and statements shared by key allies, that Wash- and Iran in Syria and enable a The truce was negotiated castigated his Nato ally over its said a Turkish attack would force by the United States, have led us ington had been doing the work resurgence of Islamic State. in UN-sponsored peace talks support for Syrian Kurdish YPG it to divert fighters from the to wait a little longer,” he said. of other countries and it was Trump has given no sign of held in Sweden last week. fighters against Islamic State. battle against Islamic State to “We have postponed our “time for others to finally fight”. changing his mind. He promised It’s the latest attempt to Turkey considers the YPG a ter- protect its territory. military operation against the His defence secretary, Jim to remove forces from Syria end Yemen’s four-year-old rorist group and an offshoot of Islamic State launched an east of the Euphrates river until Mattis, opposed the decision and during his 2016 election war civil war in which the the armed Kurdistan Workers’ attack in Syria’s southeast we see on the ground the result abruptly announced on Thursday campaign. Iran-aligned rebels are fighting government-allied troops along with a Saudi-led coalition. The rebels control Sanaa, the capital, and much Rajoelina leads in of northern Yemen. Gunmen slay 25 Madagascar polls in Nigeria village
AFP Both camps have claimed AFP ANTANANARIVO victory and alleged fraud, KANO raising fears of a disputed result Former president Andry and the risk of a new political At least 25 people were killed Rajoelina yesterday took a crisis in the Indian Ocean island when armed men raided two clear lead in Madagascar’s which has a history of coups villages in a northern Nigerian election, according to partial and unrest. state wracked by cattle official results, as his rival But EU election observers rustling and kidnapping for Marc Ravalomanana claimed said yesterday they had not ransom, witnesses and the to be the victim of “massive seen evidence of police said yesterday. fraud”. malpractice. Gunmen on motorcycles With more than two million “The Madagascans voted on Wednesday invaded the of about five million ballots in a peaceful atmosphere in a villages of Gidan Halilu and counted, Rajoelina had 54.68 transparent and well-organised Gidan Kaka in Birnin Magaji percent of the vote and Raval- poll,” mission head Cristian district of Zamfara state, they omanana was on 45.32 percent Preda told reporters. Oil pipeline explosion said. “We lost 25 people in after Wednesday’s head-to- “Even before the first the attacks, which were head election. round, the candidates talked Charred vehicles are seen following a fire caused by an oil pipeline explosion in Lagos, Nigeria, carried out by cattle thieves As the count progressed, about massive fraud. We did yesterday. Dozens of houses,shops and vehicles were burnt and several families rendered homeless who have been terrorising us turnout was put at 48 percent not see it in the field... I hope after an explosion from a pipeline vandalised by thieves trying to siphon oil from the broken oil for years,” Usman Wadatau, -- lower than the 54 percent in that calm will come once the pipeline in Lagos. a community leader in Gidan the first-round ballot. results are very clear.” Halilu, said. SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018 ASIA 05 India, China identify 10 areas of cooperation
IANS that improving people-to-people Swaraj’s positive comments NEW DELHI ties will help in boosting bilateral about the meeting. relations,” Sushma Swaraj said. “Today’s meeting was a full In keeping with the Wuhan spirit Stating that yesterday’s two- success,” he said. “Our leaders in the wake of the informal hour-long meeting was unique have great expectations from summit between Prime Minister and different from all the earlier cultural exchanges and people- Narendra Modi and Chinese meetings she had with Wang in to-people ties.” Wang said that President Xi Jinping in April this the last four years, she said that mutual visits between the people year, India and China yesterday it focussed solely on bilateral cul- of the two countries will be identified 10 areas for boosting tural exchanges and people-to- increased in the times to come people-to-people cooperation. people cooperation. as the current number is too Addressing the inaugural “Today, we identified 10 small. session of the third edition of the areas of people-to-people coop- “Better people-to-people ties India-China High-Level Media eration: cultural exchanges, films will be beneficial not only for Forum here after co-chairing the and television co-production, China and India but also for the first-ever meeting of the India- media, sports, youth affairs, world,” he said “We will leverage China High-Level Mechanism on tourism, exchanges between our respective strengths in People-to-People Exchanges states and cities, traditional med- various sectors.” Stating that the with Chinese State Councillor icine, yoga and academics,” first High-Level Mechanism and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Sushma Swaraj said. meeting has been a good External Affairs Minister Sushma “Both countries had very beginning, Wang said that it will Swaraj said that Modi and Xi set fruitful discussions and I am very benefit the 2.7 billion people of the tone at the Wuhan informal satisfied,” she said, adding that the two countries. summit for deepening cultural she was inspired by the positive “China has just celebrated exchanges and people-to-people approach from the Chinese side. the 40th anniversary of reforms China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) and Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj after the inaugural cooperation. Stating that joint forums and opening up,” he said. session of the India-China media forum, in New Delhi yesterday. Xi hosted the Wuhan summit across different fields are “India, our most important to improve bilateral ties after the designed to build trust among the neighbour, is also opening up armies of the two countries were two countries, the External and opening up the economy,” Chinese side for taking a number together on a number of regional and is developing fast.” Earlier, in a face-to-face situation for 73 Affairs Minister said that the she said. “India will become a of positive steps after the Wuhan as well as international issues,” Modi in a message ahead of the days at Doklam in the India- media has a significant role to $5-trillion economy by 2025 and summit, Sushma Swaraj said that she said. “We are ending the year meeting, said that as ancient civ- Bhutan-China international tri- play in this. we will both benefit by cooper- both Indian and Chinese armies with a great sense of satis- ilisations and neighbours, India junction last year. “In the last 40 years, China ating with each other.” are cooperating with each other faction.” On his part, Wang said and China have been having “Both our leaders believe developed fast through reforms Expressing gratitude to the now. “Today, we are working that he fully agreed with Sushma deep cultural ties for ages.
Falling boulders leave 7 road Sohrabuddin case: All 22 accused acquitted IANS encounters’ of Sohrabuddin and The much-awaited the purported involvement of Superintendents of Police M.N. workers dead MUMBAI his associate Prajapati, besides verdict in the case several top political bigwigs, IPS Dinesh and R.K. Pandian, among AP the abuse-and-murder of officers and other officials. many others. LUCKNOW Twelve years after the sensa- Sohrabuddin’s wife, Kausar Bi. came more than 12 The prosecution contended Interestingly, after appeals tional killing of Sohrabuddin The 22 accused, including 21 years after the alleged that Sohrabuddin had connec- from various quarters, the polit- Boulders crashed down on Shaikh, his associate Tulsiram lower police officials of Gujarat- ‘fake encounters’ of tions with the Lashkar-e-Taiba ically-sensitive trial was shifted Indian workers who were Prajapati and abuse-cum- Rajasthan police, who have been and other terror groups and was from Gujarat to Mumbai by the widening a mountainous road murder of Kausar Bi, a Special acquitted are: M L Parmar, Sohrabuddin and his conspiring to assassinate “an Supreme Court in September leading to a Hindu temple in CBI Court here yesterday Raman Singh, Narayansing associate Prajapati, important political leader” pre- 2012. When the Special CBI Court the Himalayas, killing seven acquitted all 22 accused in the Dhabi, Shyam Singh, Abdur besides the abuse- sumably the then Gujarat Chief recorded the statements of the of them, a government official politically sensitive case, saying Rehman, Himanshu Singh and-murder of Minister Narendra Modi, who is remaining 22 accused during the said. “witnesses and proofs were not Rajawat, Balkrishna Choubey, now the Prime Minister. trial, all claimed “innocence” and Dsitrict Magistrate satisfactory”. Rajubhai Jeerawala, Ajay Sohrabuddin’s wife, A total of 37 accused were said they were nabbed owing to Mangesh Gildiyal said another “Witnesses and proofs the Parmar, Shantram Sharma, Yud- Kausar Bi. named in the case of whom 16 rivalry among the Gujarat top three workers were injured prosecution put forward were hveer Singh, Kartar Singh, — mostly politicians and IPS police brass and related factors yesterday and 12 rescued not satisfactory to suggest or Narayan Singh Jat, Vijaykumar 2005, in an alleged staged killing. officers — were subsequently stemming from the then political from the site near Rudrap- establish the alleged conspiracy Rathod, C.P. Srinivasa Rao, Jethu Prajapati was also killed in a discharged by the Special CBI situation prevalent in that state. rayag in Uttarakhand state. and murder in the 2005 Solanki, Kiran Singh Chauhan, similar fashion on December 28, Court in Mumbai and another by Of the 210 witnesses The area is nearly 380km encounter killing,” said Special Vinod Limbachia, Kanjibhai 2006, while Kausar Bi, who had the Bombay High Court. examined during the trial, 92 (235 miles) northeast of New CBI Judge S J Sharma, who also Kutchi, Karan Singh Sishodia, witnessed the abduction of her Among those discharged ini- turned hostile, seriously under- Delhi. observed that “the documentary Ashish Pandya, and Naresh husband (Sohrabuddin) was later tially were BJP President Amit mining the CBI case, prompting Gildiyal said the road and circumstantial evidence was Chauhan. raped and murdered. Shah, who was the Gujarat Home the CBI counsel B P Raju to admit clearing operation was con- not substantial”. According to the prosecution, These killings kicked off a Minister at the relevant time, the to ‘lacunae’ in the probe as the tinuing as one worker was The much-awaited verdict the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad major political controversy in the then Rajasthan Home Minister encounter took place in 2005, feared to be buried in the in the case came more than 12 (ATS) had gunned down Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled G.C. Kataria, high-profile ATS Prajapati in 2006, but CBI came debris. years after the alleged ‘fake Sohrabuddin on November 26, Gujarat then, with allegations of chief and DIG D.G. Vanzara, into the picture only in 2010. Badrinath temple is a revered Hindu religious site where tens of thousands of devotees visit each year. Badrinath also is a gateway LJP to contest six Lok Sabha seats in Bihar HC division bench quashes to several mountaineering expeditions in the area. IANS for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls believed to have agreed to give Uttarakhand state is a NEW DELHI with the BJP and the Janata Dal- a Rajya Sabha seat from its order permitting popular summer holiday des- United contesting an equal quota to the party. The tination for tourists seeking After some hard bargaining by number of 17 seats each leaving arrangement is likely to be made BJP’s Rath Yatra rallies to escape the torrid heat of the Lok Janshakti Party, the the rest of the six seats to the public today in the presence of the plains. It is also a religious National Democratic Alliance party headed by Ram Vilas BJP chief Amit Shah, Bihar Chief pilgrimage site, with four (NDA) in Bihar is understood to Paswan. In a bid to retain the Minister Nitish Kumar and LJP IANS opening the sealed cover in temple towns. have sealed a seat-sharing deal LJP in its fold, the BJP is also supremo Ram Vilas Paswan. KOLKATA which the inputs were given. Dutta said the intelligence The BJP’s plans to take out Rath inputs had apprehended com- yatra rallies christened ‘Save munal disturbances if the BJP’s democracy rallies’ in West proposed programme was Police bust fake call centre duping Americans Bengal again hit a roadblock, given the green light. with a Calcutta High Court In an interesting devel- division bench yesterday opment, senior Congress leader AFP quashing the order of a single Abhishek Manu Singhvi pleaded NEW DELHI bench that gave conditional as a counsel of the Director go-ahead to the programme. General of Police and the addi- Indian police arrested yesterday The division bench com- tional director general (law and 126 people working for a prising Chief Justice Debasish order) and argued that the rally allegedly fake call centre making Kargupta and Justice Shampa and the reception part of the up to $50,000 a day by duping Sarkar sent the case back to the programme would lead to huge US citizens, officials said. single bench with a directive traffic bottlenecks, inconven- India became the global call that the latter consider the iencing commuters. centre capital in the early 2000s intelligence inputs provided by Sanghvi said with the BJP as foreign firms, drawn by an the state agencies. submitting that 1,500 people educated and cheaper English- The Mamata Banerjee gov- would take part in each of the speaking workforce, farmed out ernment had moved an appeal three Rath Yatra rallies in the jobs answering customer phone at the division bench against state, there would be a kilo- enquiries. Thursday’s single bench order metre long bus convoy in each The suspects arrested in and sought urgent hearing. case, jeopardising vehicular Noida outside Delhi would tell While setting aside the movement. He said the police Americans there were problems single bench’s order, the have no objection to the holding with their social security division bench directed it to of meetings, and pointed out Indian police personnel wait outside the office of a fake call centre, some 25km east from New Delhi, numbers and solicit money to study afresh the 36 intelligence that nearly 2,100 such political yesterday. fix it, police said. Another scam inputs from 31 police stations meetings called by the saffron was telling people they had com- and five police commission- outfit in the last two years have mitted tax offences and that they in a recording made. In Indian- the call and fell for their trap,” Around 300 computers were erates submitted by the state got the nod in the state. On had to pay to settle, Noida police accented English, he says that Sharma said. The local author- seized. government before it. Thursday, acting on a petition official Ajay Pal Sharma said. the man can either fight the US ities have also contacted the US Mumbai police in October The ruling came after state filed by the BJP against the gov- “Your warrant is on my desk Inland Revenue Service (IRS) in Federal Bureau of Investigation 2016 detained more than 770 advocate general Kishore Dutta ernment refusing permission and if this issue is not resolved court and face a $75,000 fine as and shared the details of the people suspected of defrauding argued that the single bench for the rallies, the bench of we will have to freeze your a “tax defrauder” or pay imme- case. Americans by impersonating IRS had not considered the intelli- Justice Tapobrata Chakraborty account and put you behind the diately an “out-of-court set- The call centre had been in agents and demanding gence inputs and returned to had given conditional per- bars,” one caller is heard to say tlement”. “Many responded to operation for three years. payments. the government without mission to the programme. 06 ASIA SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018 US to pull out about 7,000 troops from Afghanistan
AFP The move stunned and they realised the truth. We are KABUL dismayed diplomats expecting more good news.” It is not clear if US peace US President Donald Trump has and officials in Kabul envoy Zalmay Khalilzad or the decided to pull about 7,000 who are intensifying Afghan government had been troops from Afghanistan, a US a push to end the warned of Trump’s plans in official said yesterday, but the 17-year conflict with advance. A spokesman for Afghan presidency brushed off Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, concerns the drawdown would the Taliban, which Haroon Chakhansuri, down- affect security. already controls vast played the news, saying: It “will Speaking on condition of amounts of territory not have a security impact anonymity, the US official said and is causing because in the last four and half that “roughly half” of the 14,000 years the Afghans have been in US forces in Afghanistan would “unsustainable” full control.” But Afghans across leave “within the next several Afghan troop the country expressed fears that months.” The move stunned and casualties. a US troop withdrawal could dismayed diplomats and officials derail peace efforts, return the in Kabul who are intensifying a Taliban to power, and dissolve US troops keep watch during an official visit in Farah province, Afghanistan. push to end the 17-year conflict withdrawn half their troops?” the country into civil war. with the Taliban, which already Taliban spokesman Zabiullah “We are terrified that history controls vast amounts of territory Mujahid would not comment will be repeated,” Fazli Ahmad, came on Tuesday as Khalilsad media in Kabul on Thursday. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and is causing “unsustainable” about the troop withdrawal. But a car washer in the southern city met with the Taliban in Abu A Nato spokesman would not resigned on Thursday, saying his Afghan troop casualties. a senior Taliban commander of Kandahar, said. Dhabi, part of efforts to bring the comment on Trump’s decision, views were no longer recon- “If you’re the Taliban, welcomed the decision. Shaima Dabeer, a 50-year- militants to the negotiating table referring reporters to US author- cilable with Trump’s. Christmas has come early,” a “Frankly speaking we old housewife in the northern with Kabul. They discussed ities, but stressed the alliance’s Critics suggest the president’s senior foreign official in the weren’t expecting that imme- city of Mazar-i-Sharif, said she issues ranging from the group’s continued commitment to its twin foreign policy decisions on Afghan capital said on condition diate US response,” the official feared for the future of her longstanding demand for a support mission in Afghanistan. Syria and Afghanistan could of anonymity. “Would you be said from an unknown location children. “Afghanistan will go pullout of foreign troops, the Tuesday was also the day Trump unspool a series of cascading and thinking of a ceasefire if your in northwest Pakistan. back to the Taliban era,” she said. release of prisoners and a told the Pentagon he wanted to unpredictable events across the main opponent has just “We are more than happy, Trump’s decision apparently ceasefire, Khalilzad told Afghan pull all US forces out of Syria. Middle East and in Afghanistan. US Congressional Pakistan Caucus Foundation launched Islamabad to get $3bn loan INTERNEWS The co-chair of the Pakistan community by developing should not be closed on US- information to address critical ISLAMABAD Caucus, Congresswoman Sheila leaders, informing policy, and Pakistan relations. issues affecting Pakistani com- from UAE Jackson, present at the event educating the public. The newly introduced CPCF munities in the United States and More than 35 members of the US maintained that she was disap- Commenting on the current would be a non-partisan organ- abroad; as well as developing REUTERS Congress have expressed their pointed by the remarks and state of relations between the isation that would conduct strategic research and historical ISLAMABAD intention to join the newly actions against Pakistan made two countries, Congresswoman research to promote pro- resources for the public, aca- launched Congressional Pakistan by the Trump administration, Lee said that “even though funds Pakistan/United States policies demics, educators and The United Arab Emirates Caucus Foundation that will help which she said, do not charac- (to Pakistan) were cut in the and to increase the pool of Paki- students. plans to deposit $3bn in Paki- foster friendship, understanding terize the totality of the rela- Appropriations, amendments stani leaders in public service Congressman Henry Cuellar stan’s central bank “in the and cooperation between the tionship between the two that came to the floor to try to careers and public policy posi- termed the US Pakistan ties as next few days”, a report said United States and Pakistan. countries. make it worse did not pass. tions through providing fellow- significant. He said, “Sometimes yesterday, while a Pakistani The Pakistan embassy facil- “I would like to see con- People listen to us when we ships, internships, and among friends we might have official said Islamabad also itated the formal introduction of tinued dialogue and make individual calls to cabinet scholarships. some disagreements but what’s hopes it will allow deferred Congressional Pakistan Caucus engagement,” Congresswoman officers.” She believes that as The mission statement important is that we understand payments for oil supplies. Foundation (CPCF) linking the said introducing the CPCF aims. long as the door was open, citing shared with the media highlights why we might disagree and Pakistan is battling to Pakistan Caucus already She said that the Foundation will that the new prime minister in that the CPCF would facilitate where we develop our bonds bring under control a gaping working in the House. advance the global Pakistani Pakistan was a new door; it the exchange of ideas and stronger.” current account deficit that’s wobbled its economy and lowered growth. Islamabad is engaged in bailout talks with the International Mon- Britain says Reuters journalists Sri Lanka averts $1.5bn foreign debt default etary Fund (IMF) but has also sought financial help from jailed in Myanmar are innocent AFP Minister Mangala Samaraweera approved four months of gov- allies China and Saudi Arabia. COLOMBO said he was finalising an appro- ernment spending pending a The UAE deposit is aimed REUTERS believe they are innocent, but priation bill for next year when full-fledged budget around Feb- at supporting Pakistan’s mon- LONDON also because this is a year when The Sri Lankan government President Maithripala Sirisena ruary. Sirisena sacked Ranil etary policy, WAM said, citing we have seen a big increase in yesterday secured parlia- sacked the government on Wickremesinghe as prime min- the state-run Abu Dhabi Fund British Foreign Secretary the number of journalists who mentary approval to avert a debt October 26, plunging the ister but he refused to quit and for Development. Jeremy Hunt said yesterday that have been locked up and default of $1.5bn after the annual country into a constitutional parliament and Sri Lanka’s Hours after the two Reuters journalists jailed indeed far worse - murdered,” budget was blocked by a seven- crisis. courts blocked Sirisena’s can- announcement, Pakistani in Myanmar on charges of Hunt said. week political crisis. “We don’t have time to didate Mahinda Rajapakse, a Information Minister Fawad breaking the country’s Official There were 251 journalists During the last day of the present a new budget, but we fervent nationalist former pres- Chaudhry said that Islamabad Secrets Act were innocent and jailed for doing their jobs as of legislature for 2018, MPs voted need to meet our (debt and ident. During the power struggle, was “also hoping to get that Britain had serious Dec. 1, the Committee to Protect 102 to six to approve an interim salary) obligations,” Sama- three international credit rating deferment for oil payments” concerns about due process in Journalists said in an annual budget to pay for urgent gov- raweera told parliament to agencies downgraded Sri Lanka from UAE. Chaudhry declined the case. study earlier this month. ernment expenditure in the first introduce the vote on the making foreign borrowings to disclose the sum of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo At least 53 journalists were four months of 2019. Finance interim budget. Legislators more expensive. assistance sought. were found guilty in September killed around the world after a trial at a Yangon district between January 1 and court in a case that has raised December 14, 2018, according questions about Myanmar’s to the CPJ, a US-based nonprofit PM House to be converted into progress towards democracy that promotes press freedom. and triggered an outcry from Britain’s Hunt said that at a diplomats and human rights time when people were looking Islamabad National University advocates. Myanmar leader forward to spending time with INTERNEWS this government gives pri- Aung San Suu Kyi said in Sep- their families, it was time to ISLAMABAD ority to education. tember that the jailing of the reflect on the fate of the two “When I made Shaukat reporters had nothing to do Reuters journalists. Prime Minister Imran Khan Khanum, people asked me with freedom of expression. She They “are both in prison this yesterday said that the how would the poor be said they were not jailed Christmas because they wanted Prime Minister House will treated for free. I had faith because they were journalists. to report of the Rakhine crisis be converted into that there will be a Centre In a sign of the level of where there has been some Islamabad National of Excellence,” the premier concern among world powers alleged genocide against the University said. He added that the about the case, Britain’s foreign Rohingya people in Burma,” Addressing a ceremony money retrieved from policy chief took the unusual Hunt said. The Reuters at the launch of National dacoits will be spent on step of recording a short video reporters, who pleaded not University in Islamabad, education in the country. to show his support for the guilty, said they were handed Golden harvest Imran said that the reason Imran attends the first aca- jailed Reuters journalists. papers by police shortly before behind making the coun- demic activity at Islamabad “We want the world to they were detained, and a Pakistani labourers harvest marigold flowers in a field on the outskirts try’s most expensive estate National University (INU) remember these two jour- police witness testified that they of Peshawar. into a university is to send formerly called PM House nalists, not just because we had been set up. a message to the nation that Islamabad. EU imposes additional sanctions on Myanmar officials
ANATOLIA statement that it intends to adopt statement said. “The individuals “These sanctions follow the and Shan States. “This brings the equipment that can be used for additional restrictive measures subject to sanctions are part of findings of the independent total number of persons subject internal repression on April 26. BRUSSELS: The European against senior military and the Myanmar army and the international fact-finding to sanctions for serious human The Rohingya, described by Council yesterday added seven border guard police officers in border guard police. They are mission of the UN Human Rights rights violations in Myanmar to the UN as the world’s most per- more Myanmar officials to its Myanmar for human rights listed for serious human rights Council and of other reports 14,” the statement read. secuted people, have faced sanctions list for alleged human abuse. violations committed against the which concluded that gross The Council extended and heightened fears of attack since rights violations. Those sanctions include an Rohingya population, ethnic human rights violations were strengthened the EU embargo on dozens were killed in communal The EU body released a asset freeze and a travel ban, the minority villagers or civilians. committed in Rakhine, Kachin, Myanmar on arms and violence in 2012. SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018 ASIA 07 China calls US ‘arrogant’ after hacking indictment
AP The US Justice Department had announced on BEIJING Thursday the indictment of Chinese nationals China called the US arrogant and Zhu Hua and Zhang Shilong for allegedly selfish yesterday after two carrying out an extensive cyberespionage Chinese citizens were charged campaign against government agencies and with stealing American trade major corporations. secrets and other sensitive infor- mation on behalf of Beijing’s main intelligence agency. two-thirds of trade secrets cases U.S., they could be detained for Foreign Ministry spokes- are connected to the country. possible extradition, as was the woman Hua Chunying said “the “China’s state-sponsored case with Chinese tech executive Chinese government has never actors are the most active per- Meng Wanzhou’s recent arrest participated in or supported petrators of economic espi- in Canada. anyone in stealing trade secrets onage,” FBI Director Chris Wray The indictment says the pair in any way.” said in announcing the case. worked for the Huaying Haitai She accused the US of “While we welcome fair com- Science and Technology Devel- Protest against Australian decision undermining the development petition, we cannot and will not opment Company in Tianjin and Malaysians stage a protest against Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison who announced his of other countries in order to tolerate illegal hacking, stealing acted in association with the government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, in front of Australian High Commission, defend its own hegemony. or cheating.” Chinese Ministry of State Secu- in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. “The US is a world super- Hua, the Foreign Ministry rity’s bureau in the northeastern power, and it’s quite arrogant spokeswoman, said: “They port city. and selfish,” she said during a believe that a lie repeated a A public company registry regular press briefing. thousand times will become the says that Huaying Haitai’s work The US Justice Department truth, but I want to tell them that includes the development of had announced on Thursday the a lie is still a lie even after it has computer software, consulting Japan accuses S Korea of extremely indictment of Chinese nationals been repeated ten thousand and business related to a variety Zhu Hua and Zhang Shilong for times.” of technical equipment. allegedly carrying out an In a written statement issued Among the cyberespionage dangerous radar lock on plane extensive cyberespionage cam- earlier Friday, she said the U.S. maneuvers detailed in the paign against government was “fabricating facts.” indictment is the alleged use of agencies and major The whereabouts of Zhu and a phishing technique which sent REUTERS when greater coordination is as part of the operation but it corporations. Zhang are unclear. China does emails that appeared to be TOKYO/SEOUL called for between the two Asian was not intended to trace any Besides the alleged US infil- not have an extradition treaty coming from legitimate email neighbours to tackle issues Japanese patrol aircraft,” the tration, Zhu and Hua are also with the U.S. addresses but were in fact from Japanese Defence Minister including North Korea’s nuclear ministry said in a statement. accused of breaching computers “There is some cooperation members of “Advanced Per- Takeshi Iwaya “strongly and missile programmes, mar- “We’ve spoken with the Jap- linked to companies in at least under the framework of sistent Threat 10,” the China- protested” to South Korea itime security and natural dis- anese side on this issue but will 11 other countries, including Interpol, but if the Chinese gov- based hacking group to which yesterday after a South Korean asters, he said. “It’s extremely provide further explanations so Japan, the United Kingdom and ernment doesn’t agree with the Zhu and Zhang purportedly destroyer allegedly locked its regrettable that the incident of that there is no misunder- India. U.S. charges, there is no way to belong. James Gong, a cyberse- targeting radar on a Japanese this time happened,” Iwaya said. standing going forward.” More than 90 percent of extradite the accused,” said Li curity senior associate at the surveillance plane. Iwaya, “We will urge South Korea to Fire control radar is used to Justice Department economic Fangping, a Beijing-based Herbert Smith Freehills law firm speaking to reporters at his prevent a recurrence.” pinpoint the location of a target espionage cases over the past criminal lawyer. in Beijing, said the mere ministry, described the action as South Korea’s defence min- for missiles or shells. Directing seven years involve China, said Li said that if Zhu and Zhang announcement of charges is “extremely dangerous that could istry said its destroyer was per- the radar at a target can be con- Deputy Attorney General Rod travel to other countries that likely to affect public perception cause an unexpected situation”. forming routine operations. sidered a step away from actual Rosenstein, and more than have signed treaties with the of China. The incident came at a time “We were operating a radar firing.
Malaysia N Korea insists US act first before it gives up nukes seeks $7.5bn in
AP atmosphere for dialogue. another meeting for early next reparations from SEOUL The comments may also be year. seen as proof of what outside But North Korea for decades Goldman Sachs North Korea said it will never skeptics have long said: that has been pushing a concept of unilaterally give up its nuclear Kim will never voluntarily denuclearization that bears no REUTERS weapons unless the United relinquish an arsenal he sees resemblance to the American KUALA LUMPUR States first removes what as a stronger guarantee of sur- definition, with Pyongyang Pyongyang called a nuclear vival than whatever security vowing to pursue nuclear devel- Malaysia is seeking $7.5bn in threat. The surprisingly blunt assurances the United States opment until the United States reparations from Goldman statement jars with Seoul’s might provide. The statement removes its troops and the Sachs Group Inc over its rosier presentation of the North suggests North Korea will even- nuclear umbrella defending dealings with scandal-linked Korean position and could tually demand the United States South Korea and Japan. In Thurs- state fund 1MDB, the Financial rattle the fragile trilateral withdraw or significantly day’s statement, the North made Times reported yesterday, diplomacy to defuse a nuclear reduce the 28,500 American clear it’s sticking to its traditional citing the country’s finance crisis that last year had many troops stationed in South stance on denuclearization. It minister. fearing war. Korea, a major sticking point in accused Washington of twisting Separately, Bloomberg US special representative on North Korea Stephen Biegun (left The statement carried by the any disarmament deal. what had been agreed on in Sin- reported that Singapore has speaks to reporters as his South Korean counterpart Lee Do-hoon North’s official Korean Central Kim and President Donald gapore and driving post-summit expanded its criminal inves- (centre) looks on after their “working group” meeting handling News Agency comes as the Trump met June 12 in Singapore talks into an impasse. tigation of 1MDB to include North Korean issues, in Seoul yesterday. United States and North Korea where they agreed on a vague “The United States must now Goldman Sachs, in a sign of struggle over the sequencing goal for the “complete denu- recognize the accurate meaning increasing scrutiny of the of the denuclearization that also raises credibility problems leader Kim Jong Un is genu- clearization” of the Korean of the denuclearization of the bank’s role in the suspected Washington wants and the for the liberal South Korean inely interested in negotiating Peninsula without describing Korean Peninsula, and espe- multi-billion-dollar money removal of international sanc- government, which has away his nuclear weapons as when and how it would occur. cially, must study geography,” laundering scheme. tions desired by Pyongyang. It claimed that North Korean Seoul tries to sustain a positive The leaders are trying to arrange the statement said. Malaysian prosecutors this week filed charges against Goldman Sachs in connection with its role as Top judge says underwriter and arranger of Indonesians protest against China’s treatment of Uighurs three bond sales that raised China’s death $6.5bn for 1Malaysia Devel- REUTERS opment Berhad (1MDB), the penalty in ‘decline’ JAKARTA first criminal action against the US bank over the AFP Hundreds of Muslims held a rally outside the scandal. BEIJING Chinese embassy in the Indonesian capital, Goldman Sachs has con- Jakarta, yesterday to protest against the sistently denied wrongdoing The use of capital punishment treatment of members of the mostly Muslim and said certain members of is “declining” in China but ethnic Uighur minority in China’s far western the former Malaysian gov- abolition is still far away Xinjiang region. ernment and 1MDB lied to the because of popular support for A United Nations panel of human rights bank about the proceeds of the death penalty, said a judge experts said in August it had received many the bond sales. from the China’s highest court. credible reports that 1 million ethnic Uighurs In addition to the Beijing carries out more execu- in China were being held in what resembled bonds’ total value, Goldman tions each year than any other a “massive internment camp that is shrouded Sachs should also return country, according to human in secrecy”. The United Nations called for $1bn to cover $600m in rights groups — but the exact the immediate release of those detained on fees paid to the bank and number is a state secret. the “pretext of countering terrorism”. bond coupons that were While China’s legal Opposition groups in Indonesia, has the “higher than the market system has tightened regu- world’s largest Muslim population, have crit- rate”, the FT quoted lation of capital punishment icised President Joko Widodo for not pro- Malaysian Finance Minister in recent years, “the condi- viding enough support for China’s Uighur Lim Guan Eng as saying. tions for abolishing the death community. “The United Nations must speak Indonesian Muslims during a solidarity demonstration for Uyghurs at the Gladak Roundabout Lim also told the FT that penalty in China are not yet out, the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Coop- in Surakarta, Central Java, yesterday. reparations should at least be met,” said Li Xiao, a judge at eration) must speak out, Muslims must take more than $1.8bn, the sum the Supreme People’s Court. a stand against the Chinese government,” have said some citizens guilty of minor foreign ministry said it had summoned the Goldman Sachs has told In 2007 the Supreme People’s said protester Ridwan Abdul Ridho said. offences were being sent to vocational Chinese envoy in Jakarta to “convey concern investors it had set aside to Court recovered the power to China says Xinjiang faces a threat from centres to work. China worries that Uighurs, from various parties in Indonesia on the con- cover potential losses related approve and refuse death Islamist militants and separatists. It rejects who speak a Turkic language, have gone to dition of people of Uighur in China” and to 1MDB legal proceedings. sentences, a right previously all accusations of mistreatment and denies places like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and called on China to respect freedom of “Their figure is $1.8bn. held by provincial courts. mass internment, although Chinese officials Iraq to fight for militants. The Indonesian religion. Ours is $7.5bn,” Lim said. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018 As advisers leave, Trump’s ESTABLISHED IN 1996 guardrails come off CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]
ACTING MANAGING EDITOR JULIE PACE & ZEKE MILLER MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED AP [email protected] ast year, during one particu- larly frenetic stretch in Donald DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Trump’s presidency, a top MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI LRepublican senator said there [email protected] were three men guarding the country from chaos: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, White House chief of staff John Kelly and then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Within weeks, not one will be left in the administration. Mattis will be the last to go, and his EDITORIAL abrupt resignation on Thursday marks the end of the “contain and control” phase of Trump’s administration - one where generals, business leaders and Safety for everyone establishment Republicans struggled to guide the president and curb his or making roads safer for travelers by cutting traffic most disruptive impulses. They were accident deaths to zero, Qatar has taken a number of branded in Washington as the “troika supporters, the exodus leaves the tactics to wait out the president - Gary Finitiatives in recent years from enacting of new laws to of sanity,” the “axis of adults” and the president with a team that is more in Cohn, the former chair of the National strict imposition of road-safety rules and regulations. “committee to save America.” line with his hardline campaign Economic Council, went so far as to Owing to such focused efforts by the concerned author- But as Trump careens toward his promises. They viewed some of his remove documents related to a tariff ities, Qatar today is leading the Gulf region in traffic safety. third year in office, their efforts are in early advisers as obstacles to enacting action from the Resolute Desk in The road accident mortality rate has fallen from 14 deaths tatters and most are out of a job. the unabashed nationalist agenda they hopes of convincing the president to per 100,000 people in 2013 to 5.4 deaths per 100,000 people The early consequences of the new believe Trump had been elected to adjust course - but their exertions in 2017. Under this vision of achieving the goal of zero road- era were already apparent at year’s implement. proved fleeting. accident deaths, the General Directorate of Traffic, repre- end, with Trump on the verge of a Mattis wrote in his resignation Mattis’ decision to resign followed sented by the Traffic Awareness Department, has signed a government shutdown over the advice letter that Trump deserved a Pentagon a clash with the president over with- memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hamad Medical of GOP leaders and ordering the with- chief “whose views are better aligned drawing troops from Syria, where a Corporation’s (HMC) Hamad Trauma Center on scientific drawal of US troops from Syria over with yours.” It was not readily small military force has been fighting partnership and cooperation and the prevention of road traffic Mattis’ objections. A similar pull-back apparent who that might be, as Islamic State extremists. The president injuries. in Afghanistan appeared to be in the Trump’s decision in Syria drew wide- is also said to be seeking to draw down The MoU was signed by Director of Traffic Awareness works. The financial markets, spooked spread bipartisan condemnation this American forces in Afghanistan, Department at the General Directorate of Traffic Lt Col. by uncer- week. another move with which the Pen- Mohammad Radhi Al Hajri and Head of Hamad Trauma tainty from a Soon after Trump entered the tagon disagrees. Trump’s split with Center, Dr Sheikh Hassan Al Thani. The MoU aims to promote nearly White House, aides seeking to restrain Mattis followed a pattern of public communication and cooperation between both sides on yearlong the brash and inexperienced presi- breakdowns with advisers who served awareness about traffic safety in the community and the trade war, dent’s foreign policy decisions recog- as guardrails in the administration. most vulnerable groups in the country. In addition, the MoU The early tanked. nized that those best adept at advising Trump initially hailed Tillerson, aims to extend information on consequences of “We are him were or had recently been in the ExxonMobil chief executive, as out risks to those involved in headed uniform. Trump, who never served of “central casting” when he was awareness programs, the pre- the new era were toward a himself but attended a military tapped as secretary of state, before vention of injuries caused by already apparent series of academy as a youth, granted them out- being unceremoniously discarded by traffic accidents and to spread grave policy sized respect. Mattis was one of three the president earlier this year. Earlier Owing to such at year’s end, up-to-date and accurate traffic with Trump on errors which generals who filled the top ranks of this month, Tillerson described Trump focused efforts safety information in cooperation will endanger Trump’s staff, along with Kelly and H R as “pretty undisciplined, doesn’t like to by the concerned with the media. the verge of our nation, McMaster, who spent a year as national read doesn’t like to read, doesn’t read authorities, Qatar The MoU also aims to exchange a government damage our security adviser. Mattis’ appointment briefing reports, doesn’t like to get into best practices on traffic safety in shutdown over alliances & required a congressional waiver to the details of a lot of things, but rather today is leading Qatar in the fields of monitoring, empower our laws meant to preserve the civilian just kind of says, ‘This is what I the Gulf region databases, prevention, and han- the advice of adversaries,” nature of the Department of Defense. believe.’” in traffic safety. dling injuries caused by traffic acci- GOP leaders and Sen. Marco Mattis and outgoing Chairman of Kelly suffered a similar fate. Hired The road accident dents with various State entities. ordering the Rubio, R-Fla., the Joint Chiefs Joseph Dunford to bring order to the Oval Office, the The cooperation also covers con- withdrawal of tweeted after became almost weekly dinner guests retired Marine ultimately found he, mortality rate ducting research and issuing joint Mattis’ of the president early in his adminis- too, could not control Trump, who has fallen from publications to improve existing US troops from resignation. tration, particularly before first lady subjected Kelly to a series of public 14 deaths per practices with respect to traffic Syria over Mattis’ The Melania Trump moved to Washington humiliations. Kelly is slated to leave in safety in the State, according to the objections. shrinking late last spring. The seemingly two weeks. 100,000 people requirements of the research ethics circle around informal briefings for the president Trump treated Mattis with respect in 2013 to 5.4 rules issued by the Institutional Trump is now were in fact carefully orchestrated in announcing his departure via tweet, deaths per Review Board, medical research increasingly dominated by a small persuasion sessions designed to ease though he cast the move as a 100,000 people centers and HMC. Recently in the cadre of longtime Trump loyalists and the president into abandoning some of retirement rather than a resignation. last week of November, Qatar also family members, ex-Fox News talent his disruptive campaign rhetoric and It was Mattis who made clear in his in 2017. hosted the International Traffic and former GOP lawmakers who were accepting the advice of his senior letter that he was leaving over a Safety Conference in which repre- backbenchers on Capitol Hill before national security advisers. dispute with the president. Still, he sentatives from several countries around the world and a number being elevated by the president. But Mattis’ departure highlights said he would remain on through Feb- of traffic safety experts from governmental entities Attracting top flight talent will only get how those early efforts delayed ruary to allow Trump time to nom- participated. more difficult as more investigations Trump’s disruption, rather than inate and confirm a successor, Addressing the conference, Major General Mohamed Saad envelop the White House once Demo- averted it. expressing concern about high-level al Kharji, Vice-Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Com- crats take over the House in January. On issues from trade to defense, turnover at the Pentagon at a critical mittee had said that the second phase of the implementation To some of Trump’s most ardent Trump aides have tried eye-popping juncture. plan for the National Traffic Safety Strategy (2018-2022), which was launched in 2018, was underway. “This requires exceptional efforts, cooperation from all sides, and adoption of an unprecedented mechanism of implementation to address traffic problems, and the achievement of 2022 goals On climate, trolling - and progress with high efficiency and on time.” The conference tackled a number of different topics such THE WASHINGTON POST inaction. Moreover, the Paris system is This was a major success, as various as traffic safety engineering, driving behaviour, road users supposed to encourage continual nations resisted real transparency, the at risk, legal enforcement, post-accident investigations, ithout the United States, ratcheting up of ambition. absence of which would encourage internal vehicle technology, transport safety and security, does the decades-long If the vision was articulated in cheating. The negotiators punted on intelligent transportation systems, traffic flow, road design, effort to unite the globe Paris, the nuts and bolts were sup- another major issue - how to connect public transport, among other topics. Win fighting climate posed to be worked out in Katowice, countries’ carbon-reduction pro- change fall apart? That was the big Poland. As negotiators labored over grams, which could make the global question heading into a major interna- arcane questions of international effort much cheaper and easier - as tional climate conference in Poland carbon credits and emissions- Brazil insisted on trying to double- QUOTE OF THE DAY that wrapped uplast weekend. It was reporting mechanisms, the United count some of its carbon credits. the first such gathering since President States at first appeared intent on Countries also did not agree on Donald Trump signaled the United playing spoiler. The US delegation held revising their emissions plans to be We will be working States’ intention to pull out of the a side event promoting fossil fuels. more stringent; that will happen next on our operational landmark Paris climate agreement. With Russia and Saudi Arabia, it pre- year, if the system works as intended. plans to eliminate ISIS The result was better than pessimists vented the conference from accepting But the conference largely did what it elements, which are expected - but also underscored how the conclusions of a major scientific set out to do, and the global effort still much will be lost if the United States report warning of dire consequences if has momentum. said to remain intact steps further away from the global governments do not boost their ambi- Does this mean that the United in Syria, in line with agreement. tions soon. The State Department’s States has gone from crucial to irrel- our conversation with The 2015 Paris accord set a goal of final dispatch on the conference evant? Actually, no. Even as some US keeping warming below two degrees stressed the Trump administration’s delegates trolled the conference President Trump. Celsius. To get there, it asked countries balanced - that is, negligent - attendees with presentations on fossil to volunteer commitments to reduce approach to emissions and expressed fuels, professional negotiators teamed Recep Tayyip Erdogan their greenhouse-gas emissions. The none of the urgency the issue requires. up with Chinese delegates to push Turkish President commitments offered were not suffi- Yet, the parties did agree on hard for the transparency measures cient to meet the two-degree target, common and universally applied rules that the conference eventually but they were a big improvement over for reporting emissions reductions. accepted. SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018 OPINION 09 How the world’s resistance to China caught Xi Jinping off guard
i Jinping, heralded in the constitution guaranteeing himself the about slapping tariffs on Chinese West as the most powerful opportunity of serving as China’s goods. As Trump expanded tariffs to Chinese leader since president until he dies. Xi had been include $250 billion in Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong, is called the Chairman of Everything. exports, a chill went through the rest X of China’s economy, which had heading toward failure. That’s the Now he was being called the conclusion one could draw from Xi’s Chairman of Everything for Life. already begun to slow. China’s reforms were Dec. 18 speech commemorating the Propagandists began touting Today, foreign investment and ultimately resuscitated 40th anniversary of China’s far- China’s mixture of merciless authori- retail sales are falling; property sales JOHN POMFRET by Deng Xiaoping reaching economic reforms. tarianism and mercantilist economic are flat. Taiwanese firms, which play himself. But Deng is THE WASHINGTON POST Faced with a weakening polices as a road map - called the a key role in China’s export sector, economy, a trade war with the United China Solution - for the developing are moving some operations to is dead and Xi has States and an emerging united front world. Xi’s signature foreign policy Southeast Asia. And China’s private sidelined all challengers. against China in the West, Xi could program - the Belt and Road Initiative sector, the engine of China’s No wonder Hu was have been expected to offer a bold - looked set to wrap the globe with economy, could actually be shrinking. not optimistic that new commitment to economic Chinese-built railroads, ports and China’s government has begun to reform. Instead, he doubled down on airports. block the release of economic sta- China’s situation would Xi appears to have his neo-Stalinist view that the Com- Xi held two seemingly successful tistics to quash the spread of negative improve. been surprised by munist Party must exert control “over summits with President Trump, in sentiment. the growing Western all tasks.” What’s worse, he failed to Florida and in Beijing. Chinese dip- Xi appears to have been surprised show any recognition of the hard lomats were confident that they could by the growing Western unease with unease with China. choices China faces - supporting play the White House, sidestepping China. For decades, the Communist around China and songs were For decades, the state-owned firms vs. the private the National Security Council as they Party adhered to the catchphrase of released exhorting women to find Communist Party sector, clamping down or opening up. curried favour with American offi- the father of its reform program, a spouse like “Xi Dada.” Today, at adhered to the In his 90-minute address, Xi cials who appeared to be China’s Deng Xiaoping, for China to keep its least among China’s elite, the gloss promised all things to all people, in friends. head down, bide its time and build its is off. catchphrase of the effect promising nothing to no one. Xi parried the Trump administra- national strength. Xi has junked this Criticism of XI is becoming father of its reform What a difference a year or two tion’s attempts to sideline China formula, and this bumptiousness has more pointed. Xi’s attempts to air- program, Deng makes. when it came to North Korea’s engendered blowback. brush the contributions of Deng Xiaoping, for China to In January 2017, Xi took to the nuclear weapons, hosting Kim Jung Spy agencies are now united in Xiaoping to China’s economic podium at the World Economic Un twice. And he seemed to have their belief that Huawei, China’s reforms were noted by none other keep its head down, Forum at Davos to position China as minimized the blowback from the biggest telecommunications manu- than Deng’s son, Deng Pufang, who bide its time and build ready to accept from an inward- United States after he broke his facturer, presents an intelligence was crippled during the Cultural its national strength. looking US the mantle of defender of promises to President Barack Obama threat to Western countries. The Revolution. He is not alone. Xi has junked this the global trading order. Later that not to militarize the seven Chinese- recent arrest in Canada of Huawei’s Fred Hu, a former Goldan year, during the Communist Party’s made islands in the South China Sea chief financial officer (and daughter Sachs executive and protege of formula, and this 19th Party Congress, XI purged the or engage in cyber-espionage. of the firm’s chief executive officer) China’s famed ex-premier Zhu bumptiousness has top ranks of the party of all compet- Xi’s slip-ups started with the Meng Wanzhou on an extradition Rongji, recently compared the engendered blowback. itors. Then in March 2018, he rammed United States. He and his minions request by the United States is clearly current Chinese administration to through changes to China’s didn’t realize that Trump was serious part of a broader Western campaign the revanchist regime that took to reign in Huawei’s heft. power after the Tiananmen Square China’s response to this critical crackdown of 1989. matter has to be coming directly from China’s reforms were ulti- Xi’s office, and it has been ham- mately resuscitated by Deng handed at best. Since Meng was taken Xiaoping himself. But Deng is is into custody, China has arrested three dead and Xi has sidelined all chal- Canadians in an effort to cow Ottawa. lengers. No wonder Hu was not Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative is also optimistic that China’s situation coming under increasing scrutiny. would improve. Marketed initially as a Chinese version of the Marshall Plan, it is now being criticized from Papua New Guinea to Pakistan for creating a debt trap for developing countries des- perate for infrastructure improvements. In the emerging systemic compe- D-RING ROAD tition with the United States, Xi has POST BOX: 3488 overplayed China’s hand. Under his DOHA - QATAR watch, security forces have turned [email protected] Xinjiang province into a police state, with hundreds of thousands of Uighurs locked away in reeducation EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE camps designed to replace their TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 Islamic faith with loyalty to the Com- FAX: +974 4455 7758 munist Party. The regime is also implementing a vast system of MANAGING EDITOR societal control employing all the TEL: 4462 7505 wonders of artificial intelligence. This is George Orwell’s “1984” on steroids. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Students waving flags at Huaibei Normal University in Huaibei in China’s eastern Anhui province as they watch live coverage Just a few years ago, Xi’s face was TEL: 4455 7769 of a speech in Beijing by China’s President Xi Jinping to mark the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening policy. emblazoned on plates and posters LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743
BUSINESS NEWS SECTION aced with spiralling youth vio- transmission, followed by tackling leaders now hurrying to Glasgow to TEL: 4462 7535 lence and knife crime, author- behaviour that fuels the spread, learn from its experiences. ities in London have decided before focusing on changing com- London Mayor Sadiq Khan has SPORT NEWS SECTION to treat the issues as a public munity norms that allowed the epi- launched his own “violence reduction TEL: 4455 7745 F unit”, while the London borough of health problem, deploying similar demic to begin. tactics from the fight against disease This final part can include better Lambeth -- one of the areas most ONLINE SECTION epidemics. job training and employment impacted by youth violence -- is in TEL: 4462 7501 JAMES PHEBY The strategy follows pioneering placement, as well as so-called the early stages of developing its own [email protected] AFP projects credited with bringing down “second chance” schemes for public health approach. offenders. Authorities in Scotland Its plan will be guided by “key PUBLIC RELATIONS adopted the approach in 2005, after it principles” which include a multi- TEL: 4455 7613 agency approach targeting “young was branded the most dangerous [email protected] nation in the developed world in a people already involved in violence, United Nations report that noted 2,000 or at risk of being involved in vio- London tries to treat ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Scots were assaulted each week. lence”, according to its draft strategy. TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 They set up the Scottish Violence Over 70 percent of Londoners FAX: 4455 7870 knife crime surge as Reduction Unit (SVRU) to implement aged eight to 24 are exposed to [email protected] this novel approach, its director Niven “serious violence” at least once a month, according to a survey con- public health epidemic Rennie said. “It started 10 years ago CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT and we reduced the homicide rate by ducted by the Youth Violence TEL: 4455 7857 over 50 percent in that period,” she Commission. [email protected] said. The unit followed its own three- “We do have to understand the murder rates in Chicago and Glasgow, step strategy. It first strengthened the fear young people have in the streets,” SUBSCRIPTION & two cities blighted by violent crime. penalties for carrying a weapon or for said Duncan Bew of King’s College DISTRIBUTION In 2018 so far, the British capital perpetrators of aggression, aiming to Hospital’s Trauma Centre. TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 has recorded 133 murders, around isolate them and limit the spread of “Young people in particular have FAX: 44557819 two-thirds of them stabbings. violence. started carrying weapons because [email protected] “Violence meets “Violence meets the definition of The SVRU then identified those they don’t feel safe.” the definition an epidemic health problem,” Charlie most at risk, to give them “options to He admitted frustration at seeing Ransford, of Cure Violence -- an move away from being involved in the same youngsters showing up at of an epidemic American NGO founded by former gangs, to get a stabilised life,” his hospital, “particularly those All thoughts and views health problem,” World Health Organisation (WHO) according to Rennie. patients who are vulnerable, coming expressed in these columns Charlie Ransford, worker Gary Slutkin which has pio- “We found that people that were to harm when it could have been are those of the writers, of Cure Violence neered the strategy said. “We can involved in knife crime and involved prevented”. address it using the same techniques in violence didn’t actually want to be Despite London authorities’ will- not of the newspaper. -- an American that we use to address other involved in it, wanted a way out,” she ingness to adopt the Scotland model, NGO founded by epidemics.” said. Finally, from 2012 the unit criminologist Simon Harding, of the All correspondence former World Health Modelled on WHO strategies for developed prevention strategies in University of West London, warned it regarding Views and Organisation (WHO) combatting the spread of diseases like schools and hospitals to consolidate would not be easy to apply across the Ebola or HIV/AIDS, it treats violence progress. capital. “To make it work, they have Opinion pages should be worker Gary Slutkin like a similarly contagious phe- While domestic and sexual vio- to involve the communities,” he said, send to editor-in-chief which has pioneered nomenon, trying to turn the tide in lence remains a concern, Scotland has adding previous attempts had “tended office or mailed to the the strategy said. three stages. become a model for successfully to tell the community what we are The immediate priority is limiting tackling the problem -- with London’s going to do to them”. [email protected] 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018 Russia probes BBC as dispute with UK escalates
REUTERS Roskomnadzor, the government agencies had quoted by the Interfax news took issue in particular with its of the Russian investigation yes- MOSCOW media regulator, said repeatedly raised concerns about agency as saying that the BBC’s coverage of the poisoning in terday, Margarita Simonyan, RT’s in a statement that it the BBC’s coverage of Russia and activities in Russia could be Britain of former Russian spy editor-in-chief, said on Twitter Russia’s media regulator said was looking into the of Moscow’s actions in Syria. restricted if it was found to be in Sergei Skripal and his daughter. that Ofcom had hinted that it yesterday that it had launched “Many questions about the breach of Russian law. Britain has accused agents planned to strip her channel of an investigation into the activ- activities of the BBC BBC in terms of its tendentious The BBC said it was in full working for Russia’s military its broadcasting licence in ities of British public broadcaster World News channel coverage of events, its coverage compliance. intelligence agency, the GRU, of Britain. the BBC, a move it described as and BBC Internet sites not in the style of a media actor “As everywhere else in the committing the crime, an alle- “(Welcome to the) brave new a response to pressure being put to see if they complied but in a pre-planned and politi- world, the BBC works in Russia gation Moscow denies. world,” she wrote. “I assume they on a Russian TV channel in cally motivated way, have accu- in full compliance with the coun- British Media Secretary (the Russian regulator) will now Britain. with Russian law. mulated over a long period,” try’s laws and regulations to Jeremy Wright also weighed in look to see if the BBC expresses Roskomnadzor, the regu- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry deliver independent news and on Thursday, saying what he alternative points of view. With lator, said in a statement it was British media regulator Ofcom, Peskov told reporters. information to its audiences,” called RT’s mask as an impartial a microscope.” looking into the activities of the which on Thursday said that Only the country’s media said a spokeswoman. news provider was slipping. Russian officials have previ- BBC World News channel and Russian broadcaster RT had regulator had the authority to Ofcom declined to comment. RT rejected Ofcom’s findings, ously said that Moscow would BBC Internet sites to see if they broken impartiality rules in some examine such allegations, he On Thursday, Ofcom said it saying Ofcom had ignored its “mirror” any action Britain takes complied with Russian law. of its news and current affairs said. was considering imposing some explanations and not paid “due against RT when it came to retal- It added that its checks were programmes. An unnamed source familiar kind of sanction on RT, which is regard” to its rights. iating against British media oper- in response to a decision by The Kremlin said Russian with the investigation was financed by the Russian state. It Commenting on the launch ating in Russia. EU extends naval mission against migrant smugglers
AFP wants more EU countries to dismantling of the networks of BRUSSELS open their ports to migrants smugglers, no arrest from the rescued at sea and to process EU side of the smugglers, no European Union countries have their asylum requests upon authorisation of vessels, no arms agreed to extend for three disembarkation. embargo implementation and months a Mediterranean naval Last month, EU Diplomatic so on and so forth.” mission to fight migrant smug- Chief Federica Mogherini Rome said it should not have gling amid fears it could still warned that time was running to carry the burden of dealing collapse. out when defence ministers with migrants rescued at sea on The deal announced yes- failed to resolve the disembar- its own and it is time other EU terday amounts to a reprieve as kation issue. states took in more. EU governments still disagree “I clearly said to the min- A diplomat said on condition how to share the burden of isters that either they find an of anonymity that “there is a tech- processing migrants rescued by interim solution on the issue of nical extension of three months. Operation Sophia. disembarkation within the next The problem raised by the Italians The governments, grouped couple of weeks or we will need has not been resolved.” in the European Council, said to dismantle the operation and Efforts to adjust Operation they have “extended the the operation will come to an Sophia have beached on the mandate of the EUNAVFOR MED end,” Mogherini said. broader question of how to British Defence Minister Gavin Williamson (second right) with his Ukrainian counterpart Stepan Poltorak Operation Sophia until 31 March “This would mean no reform the EU’s so-called Dublin (third rigth) on board a Ukrainian Navy frigate, Getman Sagaidachny, in Odessa, Ukraine, yesterday. 2019.” The statement did not presence at sea from the asylum rules, which stipulate the give further details. European Union, no training of country of first arrival must UK, Ukraine stress defence partnership Italy’s populist government the Libyan coast guard, no process asylum seekers.
ANATOLIA defense of the international frontline the effects of the con- LONDON rules-based order,” said a flict in the East and this has statement from the Ministry of completely reinforced my Gatwick Airport resumes The UK and Ukraine will Defense. support for Ukraine’s sover- continue to strengthen their “As long as Ukraine faces eignty, independence and ter- flight after drone chaos defense partnership “in the face Russian hostilities, it will find a ritorial integrity.” of intensifying threats and steadfast partner in the United Poltorak said the UK is a REUTERS scheduled for departure and aggression,” British Defense Kingdom,” Williamson said. “By valued partner that has sup- LONDON arrival.” Secretary Gavin Williamson said continuing to work together, ported Ukraine’s Armed Forces “Gatwick continues to yesterday. whether through training pro- for the last four years in the face Britain’s Gatwick Airport advise passengers to check the Williamson’s comments grams or military exercises, we of Russian aggression. reopened yesterday after a status of their flight with their came after a meeting in London help Ukraine to stand up for our “As we fight to defend our rogue drone saboteur wrought airline before travelling to the with his Ukrainian counterpart shared values.” territory, the offer of extended travel chaos for hundreds of airport as departures and Stepan Poltorak and a day after HMS Echo — a Royal Navy support from the UK Armed thousands of holiday travellers arrivals will be subject to delays a British navy ship was deployed ship armed with cutting-edge Forces is vitally important and by playing cat-and-mouse with and cancellations,” it added. in the Black Sea. intelligence technology — has gratefully received,” he added. police snipers and the army. Britain called in the military Belgian PM urged During the meeting, Wil- reportedly docked in Odessa Williamson announced at After the biggest disruption and police snipers to hunt down liamson “announced a range of two days ago. the meeting that HMS Echo at Gatwick, Britain’s second the drone and its operator who to lead caretaker forthcoming deployments and Williamson said: “Those would deploy to the Black Sea busiest, since a volcanic ash flew what is thought to be an exercises that will see the two values of freedom and in 2019 “to demonstrate the UK’s cloud in 2010, Gatwick said “its industrial style drone near the govt until elections countries’ Armed Forces con- democracy cannot be traded. support to ensuring freedom of runway was open and that a airport every time it tried to tinue to work together in “I have witnessed on the navigation in the region.” limited number of aircraft were reopen. REUTERS BRUSSELS
Belgian King Philippe accepted the resignation of Protests erupt as Prime Minister Charles Michel (pictured) yesterday and requested his government Spanish Cabinet stay on in a caretaker capacity for the coming months after his coalition split following an argument over migration. meets in Catalonia After three days of consul- AP Sanchez’s presence in the city. tations with party leaders, the BARCELONA The Catalan regional gov- palace said in a statement that ernment, formed by a coalition the king had established a will- Thousands of pro-independence of pro-secession parties, had ingness to guarantee the protesters angry about Spain’s called on people to protest country was managed until the Cabinet holding a meeting in peacefully despite an agreement next election, due on May 26. Catalonia blocked roads across with central authorities to find a “The king asks political the region yesterday and clashed way out of the political crisis that leaders and the institutions, with anti-riot police in its capital. has festered since Catalonia’s in which he repeats his trust, At least 11 protesters were failed secession attempt last to provide an appropriate arrested, and scores were injured year. response to the economic, during the clashes, the regional After their encounter on budgetary and international Mossos d’Esquadra police said Thursday, the second since both Protesters block the roads near the Llotja de Mar, where the Cabinet meeting held, in Barcelona, yesterday. challenges so as to meet the by the time the meeting in Bar- took power earlier this year, expectations of the popu- celona finished. Sanchez and Catalan President of his priorities. But his minority of the eleven protesters arrested arrested by the German Nazi lation, such as on social and The Spanish government Quim Torra issued a joint government faces fierce oppo- for public order offenses carried secret police in France and environmental issues,” the announced a series of gestures, statement calling for dialogue to sition by more conservative inflammable material. A TV jour- handed over to the regime of dic- Palace said. including steps to reverse a sen- settle the conflict over the future groups urging a stronger hand nalist was also punched to the tator General Francisco Franco. This is far from Belgium’s tence that led to the execution of of Catalonia. on Catalonia or early elections. floor by some protesters, the The Socialist administration first caretaker government. a former Catalan president, and That outcome was beyond Despite Thursday’s apparent Intereconomia channel showed also proposed renaming Bar- After the June 2010 elections, infrastructure works for the the low expectations before the progress, distrust prevailed yes- in online video. celona airport in honour of Josep one was in place for 18 northeastern region, along with talks, when disagreement over terday. Security in the pros- Sanchez had presented the Tarradellas, who headed the months until a ruling coalition the highest increase in the their scope and format kept offi- perous northeastern region, nor- meeting in Barcelona as “a way Catalan government in exile was finally formed. national minimum wage in four cials negotiating until the very mally in the hands of the Catalan of showing affection to during the dictatorship. In its caretaker capacity, decades. last minute. police, was reinforced with hun- Catalonia.” The government also Michel’s administration can But the most radical pro- Sanchez, who inherited the dreds of anti-riot officers sent by Yesterday, his cabinet took announced that the monthly only handle matters con- testers seemed unimpressed, Catalan crisis when he toppled Spain’s national police forces. the first step to nullify a court- minimum wage will be raised sidered urgent. That could confronting police in anti-riot his conservative predecessor in The Mossos police force said martial that led to the execution from 736 to 900 euros ($1,019) and leave it unble to pass a planned gear in the streets of Barcelona, June, made mending relations that 43 people, including 28 in 1940 of Lluis Companys, the civil servants’ salaries will increase reform of unemployment angry at Prime Minister Pedro with the prosperous region one agents, were injured and that one Catalan regional president 2.5% starting on January 1. benefit and a 2019 budget. SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018 EUROPE / AMERICAS 11 Mattis resigns after clash with Trump
REUTERS policy in the region. On WASHINGTON Thursday, an official said the president was planning to US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis withdraw at least 5,000 of the (pictured) abruptly said he was 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan quitting after falling out with — another blow to Mattis, who President Donald Trump over advocated for a strong US mil- his foreign policies, including itary presence to bolster diplo- surprise decisions to yank matic peace efforts. troops from Syria and start Mattis, a retired Marine planning a drawdown in general whose embrace of Nato Afghanistan. and America’s traditional alli- Mattis announced plans to ances often put him at odds with depart in a candid resignation “Because you have a right to Trump had advised against the letter to Trump that laid bare the a Secretary of Defense whose Syria withdrawal. One official growing divide between them, views are better aligned with said it was a contributing factor and implicitly criticized Trump yours on these and other sub- to his resignation. for failing to value America’s jects, I believe it is right for me The news is certain to shock US President Donald Trump announcing he will not answer questions from reporters about an closest allies, who fought to step down from my position,” US military allies, already bewil- impending government shutdown during a bill signing ceremony for the “First Step Act” and the alongside the United States in Mattis said in the letter. US offi- dered by what they see as both conflicts. cials said the resignation had not Trump’s unpredictable, go-it- “Juvenile Justice Reform Act” in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, DC, yesterday. He released the letter after been forced by Trump. alone approach to global a face-to-face meeting with Trump announced on security, and raises questions Trump in which the two men Wednesday that US troops in about whether Mattis’ successor US President threatens a ‘very also aired their differences, a Syria would be withdrawn, a will be as steadfast about tradi- senior White House official said. decision that upended American tional treaty commitments. When Mattis interviewed Jim Mattis announced plans to depart in a with Trump for the job in 2016, long’ government shutdown resignation letter to Trump that laid bare the he split with the president-elect growing divide between them, and criticized on a host of issues, including on Nato and the use of torture. REUTERS would be “proud” to preside and the Agriculture Department, Trump for failing to value America’s closest Trump ultimately deferred to WASHINGTON over a shutdown, sought to was set to expire yesterday mid- allies, who fought alongside the US in both Mattis, who opposed the latter, blame Senate Democrats, whose night. A shutdown would leave conflicts. signaling that he could be per- US President Donald Trump support is needed to reach the a number of federal workers suaded by his advisers. yesterday threatened a “very 60 votes needed for passage. without a paycheck at holiday. long” government shutdown just “If the Dems vote no, there A partial government hours ahead of a midnight will be a shutdown that will last shutdown could begin, with deadline, calling on the Senate for a very long time,” he wrote affected agencies limiting staff Man jailed for to pass spending legislation with on Twitter. to those deemed “essential” to No signed deal with US on his $5bn demand for border wall “Senator Mitch McConnell public safety. Such critical smuggling gun funding and seeking to shift should fight for the Wall and workers, including US border asylum seekers: Mexico blame for a holiday showdown Border Security as hard as he agents, and nonessential parts to Syria to Democrats. fought for anything,” Trump employees would not get paid AFP charge d’affairs Jose Antonio Republican senators were to tweeted. “He will need Dem- until the dispute ends. National AP MEXICO CITY Zabalgoitia said on Thursday meet with Trump at the White ocrat votes, but as shown in the parks also would close unless SANTA ANA his country would “guarantee House to discuss the dilemma. House, good things happen.” the government declares them There is no signed agreement that foreign people who have Senate Majority Leader He also urged McConnell to essential. A California business exec- allowing third-country received their appointment (in Mitch McConnell confirmed he use the “nuclear option” to force Alternatively, lawmakers utive has been sentenced to migrants to stay in Mexico while the United States) fully enjoy would attend the meeting, as did a Senate vote on legislation with could seek a solution that Trump nearly four years in prison for their asylum applications are the rights and freedoms recog- Senator Richard Shelby, a simple majority, rather than finds acceptable, although it was helping smuggle rifle parts processed in the United States, nized by the constitution.” although he said he doubted the the standard “supermajority” of unclear what that would be. and other military equipment Mexico’s new foreign minister But he also urged Wash- issue would be resolved. 60 votes. McConnell has resisted White House spokeswoman to rebels in his native Syria. said yesterday. ington “not to turn migrants The Republican-led Senate doing that, and Republican Sen- Sarah Sanders said Trump was Prosecutors said Rasheed Marcelo Ebrard spoke one into ping-pong balls.” already had approved funds for ators Jeff Flake and Orrin Hatch “not going to back down on this Al Jijakli was sentenced to 46 day after US Homeland Security “The measure applies only the government through Feb- indicated yesterday they would fight” and would stay in Wash- months in federal prison after Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said to people seeking asylum” in ruary 8 without money for the not support it. ington rather than go to his Mar- a judge said he delivered the Donald Trump adminis- the United States, Zabalgoitia wall. But on Thursday, Trump Three-quarters of gov- a-Lago resort in Florida for the “instruments of death” to Syria. tration will send migrants who said. “We will not accept people pushed fellow Republicans in ernment programs are fully holidays as planned. Jijakli pleaded guilty to cross the southern US border deported from the US.” the House of Representatives to funded through the end of the Asked how long any conspiring to export tactical back to Mexico while their cases In Mexico, some critics use the short-term funding bill federal fiscal year next Sep- potential shutdown would last, gear that included dozens of are being heard. thought that meant their new as leverage to force through the tember 30, including those in Sanders said: “Let’s hope that laser-sighting devices and “We have signed no treaty, government had signed an border wall money despite the Defense Department, Labor doesn’t have to happen.” day- and night-vision rifle nor will we do it,” Ebrard said agreement with Washington Democratic objections. Department and Health and Trump’s border wall was a scopes. during the daily press con- formalizing the procedure. In a series of early-morning Human Services. key campaign promise in the Prosecutors said Jijakli ference of President Andres Not so, said Ebrard. tweets yesterday, Trump urged But funding for other 2016 election, when he said it violated the International Manuel Lopez Obrador, who “Mexico would not accept McConnell to take up the agencies, including the would be paid for by Mexico, and Emergency Economic Powers took office on December 1. such a treaty, we have told amended bill from the House. Department of Homeland sees it as a winning issue for his Act and sanctions imposed on Mexico’s Washington them many times,” he said. Trump, who last week said he Security, the Justice Department 2020 re-election campaign. Syria by the United States. The Palmyra Corp. CEO admitted directing co-con- spirators to withdraw $17,000 from the check cashing Der Spiegel apologises business to buy tactical gear for Syrian rebels. over fake news scandal AFP bility again.” Germany rules BERLIN Relotius had written for the magazine for seven years and out terror attack German news weekly Der won numerous awards for his plot at airport Spiegel published a 23-page investigative journalism, special report on how one of its including CNN Journalist of the REUTERS award-winning reporters faked Year in 2014. BERLIN stories for years, dealing a blow The cheating came to light to media credibility. after a colleague who worked German police raided several Claas Relotius, 33, resigned with him on a story along the apartments as part of an after admitting to making up US-Mexican border raised sus- investigation into what they stories and inventing protago- picions about some of the say may have been a recon- nists in more than a dozen details in Relotius’s reporting. naissance operation at articles in the magazine’s print The colleague eventually Stuttgart airport, but said they and online editions. tracked down two alleged had found no evidence of a Other mainstream German sources quoted extensively by terror attack plot. outlets like Die Welt and Die Relotius in the article, which was Two men without luggage Zeit which once used Relotius published in November. Both Police officers secure the area at the site of a shooting in downtown Vienna, Austria, yesterday. were seen observing security as a freelancer, have also begun said they had never met Relotius. checks at the airport on poring through articles that he Spiegel said it was “lucky December 12. A day later, a wrote for them. that one of our employees similar incident was reported One dead in Vienna shooting “Tell it like it is,” wrote managed to uncover this case.” at Charles de Gaulle airport Spiegel on its latest magazine But for others, the damage in Paris, prosecutors said, cover page, in an allusion to the was already done, particularly which had prompted police AFP first district at 1:30pm (1230 Local media reported that publication’s motto by its at a time when disinformation to step up security at Stuttgart VIENNA GMT). several streets had been cor- founder Rudolf Augstein that campaigns are posing a con- and other nearby airports. It said that early indications doned off and that police in bul- also hangs at the entrance of its stant challenge to the credibility The suspects had also One person has died and pointed to a “targeted crime”. letproof vests and helmets had headquarters in Hamburg. of mainstream media. taken a woman to the airport another has been seriously “Following the shooting in the been deployed. In its editorial, the magazine “The losers are all the jour- and were watching her make injured after shots were fired in city centre, there are intensive One witness told the Kurier said the scam, involving subjects nalists in the country who carry her way through the security the historic centre of the search operations going on newspaper that the victims had including Syrian orphans and a out their research in difficult or checks, prosecutors said. Austrian capital Vienna, an throughout the city,” police said been shot at in a passageway. Holocaust survivor, is the “worst dangerous circumstances, as “The searches turned up ambulance service spokesman in a tweet. “There is no danger to “There were two people thing that can happen to an edi- well as members of the editorial no evidence of preparations said. bystanders at this time!.” lying on the ground, and the torial team.” teams, who check through texts for a terrorist attack,” prose- Police said a man fired A police helicopter hovered third guy was saying: ‘Brother, It also apologised for the for quality and accuracy,” said cutors and police said in a several shots in the vicinity of a over the city centre near where brother!’ in a Slavic language,” mistake and promised to “do Sueddeutsche Zeitung in an joint statement. street called Lugeck in the city’s the two casualties were found. the witness said. everything to boost our credi- editorial. 12 AMERICAS / CLASSIFIEDS SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018 Cuba praises doctors who returned from Brazil
REUTERS Cuba has welcomed cited as saying by Communist HAVANA the doctors home Party newspaper Granma. as heroes at a time Bolsonaro, who takes office Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz- when it is bracing on January 1, has positioned Canel said more than 90 percent himself as a fervent anti-com- of the Cuban doctors who had for greater regional munist and plans to align Brazil been providing medical care in hostility from a more closely with the United Brazil have returned home after resurgence of the States. On Tuesday, he said that his government ended a coop- right and turmoil in he would take all action “within eration deal following a diplo- the rule of law and democracy” matic row. some of its allies. to oppose the governments of Cuba’s communist gov- Venezuela and Cuba. ernment pulled out of the Of the 8,471 doctors who had Brazil has failed to replace program last month after far- been working mainly in poor nearly one third of the thousands right President-elect Jair Bol- and remote areas of Brazil of Cuban doctors who exited the sonaro questioned the Cuban where Brazilian doctors do not country after the diplomatic spat, doctors’ qualifications and said want to work, 7,635 had as many new recruits failed to they were being used as “slave returned home, Diaz-Canel said. turn up for work, its Health Min- labor” because their country Cuba has welcomed the istry said on Wednesday. took 75 percent of their doctors home as heroes at a time “Not everyone is willing to salaries. when it is bracing for greater take on this noble office in the Cuba has a respected health regional hostility from a resur- worst conditions,” Cuba’s pres- service which is the country’s gence of the right and turmoil ident said. most important hard currency in some of its allies. Diaz-Canel, 58, who took earner. The service sends more “You are a symbol of the office from Raul Castro in April, than 50,000 health workers to country that formed you and are also noted that Cuba had edu- more than 60 countries. The examples of the kind of men and cated 35,613 doctors from 138 doctors made good money by women we aspire to be in Cuban countries in its free education Cuban standards, even though society, based on justice and system out of a mission of inter- they only got to keep 25 percent. humanism,” Diaz-Canel was nationalist solidarity.
FROM LEFT: Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel; Cuban First Vice-President Salvador Valdes Mesa; and Cuban Vice-President Ramiro Valdez during the second regular session of the IX Legislature of the Cuban National Assembly of the Popular Power at the Convention Palace in Havana, yesterday.
Former Argentina Police raid offices of Bolsonaro leader faces graft trial attacker’s lawyer
AFP AP BUENOS AIRES RIO DE JANEIRO
Former Argentina president Brazil’s federal police are Cristina Kirchner (pictured), raiding the offices of a lawyer who has been accused of representing a man who receiving tens of millions of allegedly stabbed President- dollars in bribes during her elect Jair Bolsonaro. term in office, will go on trial Authorities told Brazilian for corruption, a federal court newspaper O Globo yesterday confirmed. that two warrants are being Kirchner is accused of served at offices tied to lawyer running a criminal network Zanone Manuel de Oliveira Jr related to the infamous “cor- prosecution. In August, the in the Belo Horizonte area in ruption notebooks” scandal — Senate voted to partially lift her Minas Gerais state. revealed through the meticulous immunity so that investigators They also said they are records of millions of dollars in could search her three luxury looking at security camera bribes paid by businessmen to homes — but unless it is entirely footage and electronics for government officials kept by a lifted, she cannot be jailed even details about who is financing ministerial chauffeur. if found guilty. the defense of Adelio Bispo. The court accepted a Soon after learning the Bispo has been held in request by judge Claudio decision, Kirchner hit out police custody since Sep- Bonadio that Kirchner, now a against President Mauricio tember 6 when he was senator, be held in pre-trial Macri’s government. “I say: accused of stabbing Bol- detention, but her partial par- where will the verdicts be sonaro in the torso, piercing liamentary immunity prevents written? All at the request of his intestine. that from happening. and custom-made by Macri,” Police said that Bispo’s She is protected by law- she said, also pointing a finger motivation at the time of the makers’ immunity from impris- at the center-right Cambiemos incident appeared to be onment, but not from and Clarin newspaper. political. Colorado arrests fiance of missing woman
AP his home in the community of mother requested a police check WOODLAND PARK Florissant, Colorado, on her daughter. Couch said he could not Surveillance video showed Authorities said they have provide any information about the 29-year-old entering the arrested the fiance of a Colorado charges. store with what appears to be woman who was last seen on Kelsey Berreth was last seen her 1-year-old daughter in a Thanksgiving. in near her home Woodland Park, baby carrier. Frazee told police Teller County Sheriff’s Greg about 24km from Florissant. he last saw her later that Couch said Patrick Frazee was The investigation opened on afternoon when he picked up arrested yesterday morning at December 2 after Berreth’s the couple’s daughter. SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2018 CLASSIFIEDS 13
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PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 04. 53 AM Library weaves ‘Harry Potter’-style tourist magic SHOROOK 06. 15 AM AFP aged four with his parents, RIO DE JANEIRO and from childhood became ZUHR 11. 32 AM MAGHRIB 04. 51 PM a regular visitor. Now ASR 02. 30 PM ISHA 06. 21 PM From the outside, it looks like another retired from his profession historic edifice in Rio’s rundown city as architect, Moura spends centre. Inside, however, is a multi- his time leafing through the WEATHER TODAY tiered library so spectacular, so ornate, tomes, copying information that stunned visitors feel like they’ve for his own books. walked into a movie fantasy set. “This is the alma mater “In ‘Harry Potter’ we’ve seen of the Portuguese in Brazil libraries like this!” exclaimed Didier — the reading room is that, Margouet, a 57-year-old French tourist, and a lot more,” Moura said, looking around at the shelves of leather sitting at one of the dark bound books climbing the walls under wooden desks. an octagonal skylight of red, white and The library is a valuable blue stained glass. resource, he explained, “Yes, like in the movies,” agreed his because since the 1930s it partner, Laeticia Rau, 50. has become a repository of The Royal Portuguese Reading every book published in Room — the Real Gabinete Portugues Portugal. de Leitura in Portuguese — was built Brazil’s historic con- in the late 19th century under the stew- nection with its former ardship of an association of Portuguese colonial ruler runs deep. In migrants that still cares for the 1808, Portugal’s king and institution. his government made Rio Its Gothic-Renaissance architecture de Janeiro the capital of the and plethora of carvings, tiles and Portuguese Empire. A view of the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. sculptures celebrate the glory of the Later, the king’s son Portuguese discoveries era in the 15th declared independence and 16th centuries. and made himself the emperor of world,” he said. owned by the association that are Holding some 350,000 books, some Brazil. Portuguese remained the coun- Giving a bit of its history, he traced rented out. of them very rare, the library today is try’s principal language, and with it a the library’s roots back to an association Inacio acknowledged that the o o more a tourist attraction and selfie two-way literary culture between the of Portuguese immigrants started in 1837. internet has brought changes, reducing 19 C 25 C backdrop than a reading room, though two countries. Today, the Portuguese “The aim was to help the immi- the need for researchers and book- for a few it remains an indispensable and Brazilian flags both fly on the grants, who in general were little edu- worms to frequent the place except for Minimum Maximum haven for the largest collection of Por- library’s exterior. cated, to improve their knowledge, their consulting rare books that are oth- Scattered clouds with chance of scattered tuguese-language books outside of Orlando Inacio, 67, manages the education,” he said. erwise unavailable. light rain at places at first and slight dust, Portugal. place. He too came from Portugal as a The association continues to fund But his delight in his everyday office relatively cold by night. One such loyal reader is Carlos boy — and has never returned. the library, its members paying a is evident. He is, after all, custodian of
HIGH TIDE 05:00 – 15:30 LOW TIDE 11:45 –22:00 Francisco Moura, an 86-year-old who “It’s a real point of pride to know monthly amount that helps cover part a temple of literature steeped in history, Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department writes about the history of Portugal. that this library created by Portuguese of its overheads. The rest of the connecting Portugal and Brazil in a He arrived in Brazil from Portugal is one of the most beautiful in the income comes from other buildings bond of language.
Siamese fighting fish set for Thai national honour AP to forward its recommendation BANGKOK to the Cabinet for final approval, said Suwapan, who is attached to The Siamese fighting fish, a the Prime Minister’s Office and popular beauty in home vice president of the committee. aquariums and a popular bet Being designated Thailand’s for gamblers for their violent national aquatic animal could territoriality, is set to become boost conservation and breed- Thailand’s national aquatic ing efforts for the fish, as well animal. as bring commercial benefits. The often brightly-hued fish Private sector breeding is also called a betta, but gov- efforts of the fish are flourish- ernment minister Suwapan ing, and promoting the fish could Tanyuvardhana noted the push its popularity higher and species is clearly identifiable as bring it higher prices, he said. Thai by its name: Siam is the old The fish is especially pop- name for Thailand. ular in small office and home Scientific and historical aquariums because of its bright accounts also call it the colours and relative ease of care. Siamese fighting fish and its But they are territorial, espe- native waters are Southeast cially the males, who will attack Art on helmet Asia, including Bangkok’s Chao other males in the same tank. An artwork helmet is being displayed during exhibition, owned by Mehmet Ali Ak and Phraya River. Their aggressive behav- Sezer Ak, at CerModern in Ankara, Turkey. The National Identity Com- iour makes them appealing to mittee, which promotes Thai gamblers, even though most cultural pride, decided Thursday gambling is illegal in Thailand. Fake Beyonce albums Serbia’s cafe culture percolates underground appear on streaming sites AFP stand their work. While the miners have welcomed the AP ad for Beyonce’s perfume and BOR “We wanted to make it possible for eve- outreach, they say the cafe is a world apart NEW YORK for the soundtrack for “The ryone interested, who has never been down from the humidity, dust and darkness they Fighting Temptations,” another Four hundred metres below the small city in the mine, to see and feel what it is like,” grapple with inside the mine shafts. There’s no more juice in film Beyonce appeared in. of Bor, the depth of Serbia’s love for coffee said Gorica Toncev Vasilic, a spokeswoman “Down below is totally different,” Beyonce’s lemonade jar: The “Back Up, Rewind,” fea- is on display as men in hard-hats huddle for the mine. Nemanja Radoicic, who has been working singer did not release new tured 11 tracks including “Keep inside a cafe carved into the walls of their “Above and below this cafe, miners are there for five years, said from the cafe. music though two albums Giving Your Love to Me,” from copper mine. working. The production is always the pri- “It is very dark there, and you are always featuring old Beyonce songs hit the “Bad Boys II” soundtrack, Known as “The Pit”, the cave-like room ority,” she added. dreading some kind of injury because there streaming services. released in 2003, and “What It’s has rough earthen walls and long wooden Although residents of Bor have long is constantly a danger of rocks collapsing Under the name Queen Gonna Be,” a Beyonce bonus tables where miners and visitors sip hot relied on the mine for cranking their due to explosions,” he added. Carter, the albums “Have Your track from 2003. drinks and smoke cigarettes in the centre of economy, most had never seen it firsthand. A sign reading “Good Luck” hangs across Way” and “Back Up, Rewind” The stand-alone song, RTB Bor, the biggest copper mine in Serbia. Since it opened, more than 5,000 people the elevator that brings miners to their work appeared on Spotify and Apple “Control,” also appeared on The cafe was first opened in 2012 to have plunged its depths for a free cup of joe, sites. Music, featuring demos, previ- streaming services. give relatives and tourists a chance to including foreign visitors and a slew of local Those words are also the most common ously released songs and unre- Representatives for connect with the miners and better under- celebrities. greeting between workers, who are always leased tracks by Beyonce. Beyonce, Apple Music and aware of the risks of their job. Hours later, they were Spotify didn’t immediately Apart from the daily dangers below removed. return emails seeking comment. ground, the copper mine and smelting The 10-track “Have Your Beyonce’s last three albums complex has hit hard financial times in recent Way” included songs like “After were released in surprise form: years. All Is Said and Done,” Beyonce’s her self-titled album came out It was a pillar of Serbia’s industrial sector duet with Marc Nelson from the in 2013; “Lemonade” followed before the collapse of communist Yugoslavia “Best Man” soundtrack, in 2016; and “Everything is in the early 1990s. released in 1999; “Hollywood,” Love,” her collaborative album But production has since plummeted as a song with Jay-Z from his 2006 with Jay-Z where the couple is the company has become saddled with debt. album, “Kingdom Come”; and billed as The Carters, was After years of trying to privatise the “Hey Goldmember” from the released earlier this year. troubled mine, Serbia this year sealed a deal soundtrack for 2002’s “Austin R&B singer SZA addressed handing control over to the Chinese firm, Powers in Goldmember,” which an album of her older demos Zijin. starred Beyonce. It also fea- that recently hit streaming Miners are not sure if, or how this will tured “Crazy Feelings,” the services under the name Sister change their daily grind. singer’s collaboration with Solana (her real name is Solana “We call working down there ‘earning Missy Elliott from the rapper’s Rowe). SZA called the project the bread of seven crusts’, because of how sophomore album, 1999’s “Da “random scratches from 2015” Miners taking a coffee break at “The Pit” (Jama in Serbian) cafe, some 420 metres below difficult it is to make a buck,” said Radoicic, Real World”; and “Fever,” a and explained that the songs the surface in Bor, eastern Serbia. using the Serbian equivalent of “hard-earned cover of the ‘50’s hit used in an are “def not new new!” bread”.