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22 December 2012 9 Safar 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5556 Price: QR2 ON SATURDAY

Nine Qatar banks among top 100 in Arab world

DOHA: Nine banks from Qatar rank among the top 100 Arab banks, with their combined assets worth a staggering QR800bn ($220bn), and they are embark- ing on ambitious expansion plans that include setting up branches in a number of western and Arab countries — among them the United States, France, China, Turkey, Egypt, Libya and Sudan. The banks plan to expand their activities locally as well. The nine Qatari banks are led by the country’s largest lender, Qatar National Bank, followed by Commercialbank, Qatar Islamic Bank, Rayan Bank, Doha Bank, IBQ, Alkhaliji, Qatar International Islamic Bank and Ahli Bank. What has emboldened the banks to take giant steps is the fact that a new law promul- gated recently permits the banking regulator, Qatar Central Bank (QCB), to increase its capital 10 times to QR50bn ($13.70bn). It is learned that some of these banks have already applied to the QCB to execute their expansion plans, and are negotiating with banking regulators in other countries to get a foothold in their territory and expand their activities in countries where they already have a presence. Obama picks John Kerry as new secretary of state Waiting WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama yesterday nominated Senator John Kerry as his new secretary of state, as he began to reshape his national security team for his second term. Kerry, 69, a decorated Vietnam War vet- eran, defeated former presidential candidate and foreign policy sage, will succeed Hillary Clinton, who is stepping down after four years as the top US diplomat. “Over these many years, John’s earned the respect and confidence of leaders around the world,” Obama said at the White House as for visitors he announced Kerry’s nomination, his first second-term cabinet pick. “He is not going to need a lot of on the job-training.” “I think it’s fair to say that few individuals THE ISSUE know as many presidents and prime minis- ters or grasp our foreign policies as firmly as John Kerry.” saying that since Qatar’s Ministry of Awqaf “Fellow Qataris mostly prefer cookery and Kerry stepped up following the withdrawal and Islamic Affairs distributes such books astrology books.” Youngsters in the com- of UN ambassador Susan Rice, the early Many exhibitors seem to free of cost, there were hardly any buyers. munity mostly like novels. The men largely favourite for the post, who was caught in the Two Qatari litterateurs, Dr Abdul Malki read social novels while the women prefer political aftermath of the attack on the US be unaware that Qatar has and Saleh Ghareeb, told this newspaper that crime stories, he suggested. consulate in Benghazi, Libya in September. a large English-speaking there were many books on the Arab Spring However, according to Ghareeb, another at the fair. Qatari book enthusiast, young Qatari men population and many in Many exhibitors seem to be unaware hardly have any liking for books as they are Ministry of Municipality gets that Qatar has a large English-speaking “always busy playing with modern gadgets the expatriate community population and many in the expatriate like iphones and computers”. flak for waterlogging have been living here for community have been living here for years. It is Qatari women who are more inter- DOHA: The Ministry of Municipality and “We didn’t focus on books in English, first, ested in books. Ghareeb said: “Reading Urban Planning has come in for severe years. because English-speaking people don’t visit books isn’t a habit with locals in the entire criticism from participants in an online us in large numbers; and secondly, we focus GCC region because the role of the mother survey that local Arabic daily Al Sharq mainly on citizens because in our view only in upbringing children is missing. Maids conducted to find out the public response emale visitors to the Doha they would stock up books and make librar- have taken up that role and, naturally, you to the ministry’s efforts to clear water- International Book Fair, which ies since it is their home country,” said an can’t expect them (the maids) to inculcate logged areas, internal streets and some ends today, far outnumbered men, exhibitor. the habit of reading in a child.” major thoroughfares after the incessant Fand the exhibitors said there were The event has flopped, with exhibitors He also suggested that there were enough rains of December 16. not many Qatari bibliophiles, and the few complaining of a low turnout of visitors and books on the Arab Spring at the exhibition, The findings of the survey are to be pub- in the community who did buy books mostly thin sales. “The timing of the exhibition was adding that most visitors to the book fair lished by the newspaper today. Some 62 preferred volumes on cookery and astrology, not right. There were rains, and then there were schoolchildren who went there in the percent of the respondents have lambasted PAGEbesides children’s books.6 were National Day celebrations,” said Dr morning hours. the ministry and said they were not happy The fair has so far reported poor sales Malik, a book lover and litterateur. THE PENINSULA with the work of the ministry because some of Islamic books, with staff at several stalls He told this newspaper on Thursday: See also page 2 streets and areas were still waterlogged. THE PENINSULA/AFP

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 DECEMBER 22, 2012 ON SATURDAY 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Home Doha book fair disappoints all BY RAYNALD C RIVERA

he Doha International Book Fair has been a dull affair this year, with Tfew visitors and meagre sales, which exhibitors and visi- tors blame on poor organisation and a dearth of books in languages other than Arabic. Considering the long duration of the fair, it is surprising that most of the exhibitors are com- plaining that it failed to meet their expectations in terms of sales, with many of them hardly selling a book in a day. The eleven-day event, which started on December 12 and ends today, has witnessed few book lovers visiting the vast Doha Exhibition Centre, where 419 publishers from 27 countries are offering books mostly in Arabic. While some blame the National Day celebrations for the meagre turnout, others say mediocre planning by the organisers has led to the dismal failure of the event this year. Aside from the fact that it was scheduled in the middle of the month, when people do not have much money to spend, there was obviously inadequate publicity for the fair, which has been running for 23 years now, participants said.

Poor sales “Sales this time are very bad compared to last year,” said a surprised Ahmad Saad of Dar Al Roqui, who said it was hard Some of the deserted stalls at the Doha International Book Fair at the Doha Exhibition Centre. PICTURES: KAMUTTY VP to identify any single reason for the decline in sales compared to last year, when the fair fell on the is only now that sales are pick- same dates. ing up,” he said, adding that their Nurul Haq of Qatar-based Abu revenue was down 30 percent Karbal Bookshop was of the same from last year. view, and said the fair was sched- He said they had been partici- uled at the wrong time to coincide pating in the book fair for the last with preparations and celebration 12 years, and the best edition of of the National Day. the fair so far was in 2009. “Compared to last year, sales “In 2009, the fair started this year were very bad, espe- on December 31 and ended on cially on the first seven days. It January 10, so people had money to buy books, but this year it started in the middle of the month and coincided with the Despite the National Day,” he said. Wael Moussa of Abu Dhabi fair being University Library, United Arab Emirates, cited the same reasons billed as an for disappointing sales. “People could not visit the fair Ahmad Saad Khaled Al Saleh Wael Moussa Fathi Jameel ‘international’ because they were busy with the affair, visitors, National Day, so sales were very the hope that they could increase material for children. books because this fair does not bad. And because it is the mid- their revenue in the last two days She said very few students had attract English-speaking people,’ particularly dle of the month, they don’t have of the fair. visited the book fair, especially in said Ibrahim M Al Qadi, add- money to purchase books,” said the first week, when there were ing that some of the publishers expatriates, Moussa, adding that rains this Lack of publicity days when not even a hundred did not offer English books here week may also have deterred But other exhibitors, especially students turned up. because Qatar had a relatively scouring the people from going out, making regular participants in one of the She suspected lack of promo- small population compared to long line of matters worse for the exhibitors longest fairs in Doha, don’t blame tion could be the reason for the Saudi Arabia, for example, which at the fair. the scheduling for the poor turn- poor turnout. hosts a larger number of expa- stalls found few Ibrahim M Al Qadi, from a out this year, noting that last “Perhaps they did not have triates. English-speaking expatri- Jordan-based publishing com- year’s event also coincided with enough advertisements for the ates, he argued, normally would of them selling pany, said those who had money, National Day celebrations. fair, that’s why many people don’t not prefer to buy books here. especially Qataris, and schoolchil- “We have been wondering why know about this,” she said, adding books in English dren, who are major customers at there has been poor turnout this that on some days she and some No Internet impact or other foreign the fair, were kept away by the year, because I remember that other exhibitors did not sell a sin- The thin sales at the fair not- National Day celebrations. last year’s book fair also coincided gle book. withstanding, most of the pub- languages. “After the celebrations we with the National Day, but sales lishers were upbeat about the noticed more people coming to were good then,” said an exhibitor Not for everyone book publishing industry, confi- the fair,” he said, and expressed from Sharjah selling educational Many of those who did visit the dent that the electronic media book fair felt let down by the pal- would not affect them. Nurul Haq try offerings in languages other They said big demand from than Arabic. Despite the fair educational institutions, and the being billed as an ‘international’ inherent appeal of books to read- affair, visitors, particularly expa- ers, would sustain the industry triates, scouring the long line of despite the increasing popularity stalls found few of them selling and accessibility of the Internet. books in English or other foreign “We cater to colleges and uni- languages. versities, and all our books cannot “There are many books in be accessed through the Internet,” English here, so there’s no need said Wael Moussa, whose firm to bring those books. Besides, this offers books on personality devel- fair was intended to offer Arabic opment and children’s books, books,” said Ahmad Saad of Dar among others. Al Roqui, a Lebanese publishing Books, he said, gave more joy house which has been in the busi- to readers than reading online, ness for more than two decades. which could have a detrimental Saad said his stall had many effect on a person’s health in the books, mostly for children, which long run. had been translated from English “Books are handy and can to Arabic. be taken anywhere, while the Stressing the huge demand Internet is not available every- Ibrahim M Al Qadi for Arabic books in the region, where in the world,” he added. Khaled Al Saleh of Dar Al Kettab Fathi Jameel of Saudi-based that there were few takers for his Tarbawi said English books Dar Touaiq was also of the view mostly religious books, some of were much more expensive than that the Internet did not affect them translated into English, as Arabic ones. the industry. the Ministry of Awqaf offers such Participating in the fair for the Nurul Haq from Qatar said books free of cost here. fourth year, the Saudi company the Internet did not affect them “We offer all types of books, offers mostly educational books because they supplied books especially religious ones, but they and teachers’ manuals, some of mostly to colleges and universities. don’t attract buyers because the which have been translated from “Even those who search the Ministry of Awqaf offers these Arabic to English. Internet frequently still need books for free every year, so no “Because this fair is being held books because not everything is one buys these books.” in an Arab country which is com- provided by the Internet, and col- He also complained that the posed of an Arabic-speaking pop- leges and universities need books, organisers had favoured publish- ulation, it is logical for us to bring and don’t depend on the Internet,” ers selling the Holy Quran, by pro- Arabic books,” said Wael Moussa. said Al Qadi from Jordan. viding them free space at the fair. “There are not many English However, he bemoaned the fact THE PENINSULA Home DECEMBER 22, 2012 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 ON SATURDAY Authorities draw flak over waterlogged areas Many not happy with Ministry of Municipality as some streets continue to be flooded after Dec 16 showers: Survey

DOHA: The Ministry of said the process of clearing logged Municipality and Urban water from the affected areas was Planning has come in for severe not smooth and they were not at criticism from participants of all satisfied. an online survey local Arabic Only few of the participants daily Al Sharq has conducted said they were happy with the to know public response to process, whereas a miniscule the ministry’s efforts to clear minority of the surveyed said waterlogged areas, internal they could not comment on the streets and some major thor- issue. oughfares after the incessant In the survey, people were also rains of December 16. asked about the efforts of the The findings of the survey are ministry to improve infrastruc- to be published by the newspa- ture like roads and storm water per today. Some 62 percent of sewers so as to prevent rain the respondents have criticised water from forming puddles or the ministry and said they were pools during a downpour. not happy with the work of the The response of a majority of ministry because some streets the respondents was also in the and areas were still waterlogged. negative, with some 53 percent Incidentally, the ministry has saying they were unhappy with an entire department devoted to the efforts of the ministry to tackling emergencies like pump- improve infrastructure. ing out logged water during heavy Only 32 percent said they were or continuous rains. It boasts a content with the efforts of the number of tankers fitted with ministry, while the remaining 15 machines that can pump water percent said they were undecided. from low-lying areas with the The daily, then, talked to a help of generators. number of people, both citizens Only 23 percent of those sur- and expatriates, on the issue and veyed said they were satisfied many of them stressed the need with the ministry’s efforts while to have lasting solutions to the the remaining 15 percent said problem of waterlogging during they were undecided. The min- torrential rains. istry actually deployed the tank- “I think we should have storm ers to pump out water from a water sewers to dispose of logged number of areas, including thor- water from roads or low-lying oughfares, the moment the prob- areas during such emergencies,” lem was reported. one of the men contacted for But a majority of those inter- comment was quoted as saying. A car seen wading through a huge puddle on a road in Doha after the incessant rains that lashed the country on December 16. KAMMUTTY VP viewed in the survey (56 percent) THE PENINSULA North Koreans in Qatar mark Kim’s ascension to power DOHA: North Koreans in dear to his people and quite popu- of Jong-un having completed a technological prowess. We have Qatar are a low-profile expa- lar. “He visits homes, factories, year in office as ‘supreme leader’ great scientists among us,” said triate community. They hardly kindergartens, universities and which reads: “The youngest the source. hold any community event or hospitals regularly, and mixes up (world) leader who has attracted The community has good things get-together. They may be in with people and embraces them. the greatest world attention in to say about South Koreans. hundreds presently, but their People love him,” said a commu- the shortest span of time”. “They are our blood brothers. We number is expected to multi- nity source. Jong-un was put on the cover were one nation for 5,000 years,” ply over time since they are Community sources say they of Time magazine in one of its is what one hears from them. One good construction hands and believe the western media are February 2012 issues, said the North Korean, who is here since Qatar is gradually witnessing biased and claim that Aljazeera release, adding that the news 2010, said that he had so far met increasing building activity in English Channel is watched with item (of the young leader suc- 15 to 20 South Koreans in the an excited run-up to the 2022 interest in their country. ceeding his father) appearing street or while shopping and had FIFA event. Education, healthcare and in the international English felt very excited. However, this time around, housing are free in North Korea. press alone totalled a whopping “We can place fellow Koreans some in the community quietly “All we pay is for electricity and 67.4 million in 10 days after his easily. I stop when I see one and marked a year of their country’s water,” said the source. ascension. we talk. We feel very happy and young leader, Kim Jong-un’s Asked if there is widespread About the recent satellite excited,” said the Korean on ascension to power. Jong-un took poverty in their home country, launch back at home, community grounds of anonymity. over reigns after his father, Kim community sources blame the sources said it was indigenously- The nearest North Korean Jong-il, died of a heart attack on western media again and insist: built for agricultural purposes embassy is in Kuwait. Direct December 17 last year. “It’s a malicious propaganda… and to know North Korea’s min- flights to Pyongyang, North Jong-un may be an enigma People are neither rich nor poor. eral wealth and gold deposits Korea’s capital city, is from for many countries and people Ours is a socialist state.” under its soil. “This was the third Kuwait, or (from Doha) one must around the world, but commu- Some in the community issued satellite launch in less than 10 travel via Beijing. Kim Jong-un (Photo courtesy: North Korean community in Qatar) nity sources here swear he is very a press statement on the occasion years and it shows North Korea’s THE PENINSULA

Network to monitor quality of air in Doha

DOHA: Air pollution in Doha will be measured by a network of stations established by the Ministry of Environment. The network, composed of three fixed stations and one mobile station, has been dis- tributed in different areas of the city. These locations include Qatar University, Doha Corniche and Aspire Zone. In addition to the mobile posting which will relocate according to requirements. All the stations, except the one in Aspire Zone, are equipped with devices to meas- ure temperature, humidity, wind direction and speed, as well as air pressure. The information, duration and frequencies of monitoring will be continuous. The data will be saved every four hours by a computer attached to the sta- tion and this information will be transferred to central databases (GSM, PSTN). A young citizen enjoys a clear evening on the Corniche. The Ministry of Environment plans to strike a balance The data systems also include between social and economic development and environment protection of the country. indicators that show the quality of the air in order to facilitate The Ministry aims to balance propose and develop policies volume by about 14 percent in awareness about the impact of between the social and economic and legislations to protect the 2010, despite an increase in its this air on public health. development needs and protect- environment, enhance aware- oil and gas production. Only two weeks after the UN ing the environment, preserve ness and environmental culture This is one of the main con- climate change conference, the and protect the environment, and support and activate the clusions of the country’s first Ministry of Environment con- including air, land, water and national, regional and interna- Sustainable Development tinues striving to achieve sev- biological diversity, while ensur- tional cooperation. Industry (SDI) Report released eral goals, most importantly, ing the quality of environmental On the road to Doha’s climate at the beginning of 2012. However, protecting the environment health and safety change talks, Qatar, which has of the 132 countries covered in through inclusive and sustaina- This department also wants the world’s highest carbon diox- the Environmental Performance ble growth for future generation to improve the institutional ide emission rate per capita, Index (EPI), Qatar ranked 100 to achieve the vision of 2030. effectiveness and performance, managed to cut its gas flaring this year. THE PENINSULA DECEMBER 22, 2012 ON SATURDAY 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Home

Winter solstice in Qatar

www.swiss-belhotel.com Tel Fax

Tel Fax

The sun sets in Al Shamal yesterday, on the shortest day of this year. The duration of the day was 10 hours and 26 minutes, with sunrise at 6.15am and sunset at 4.41pm. Tel SALIM MATRAMKOT Fax Motorists warned of Tollfree Fax morning fog today

DOHA: Weather forecasters have warned that the Tel morning would be foggy today so motorists must take extreme precaution while driving, particularly on Fax express highways and while negotiating long distances. Visibility can be quite low early this morning, the fore- casters said adding that it could worsen to as low as less Tel than 2km at places during the early hours and would later Fax improve to between 5km and 10km. The problem is likely to subside as the Sun starts to shine brighter. The day could be partially cloudy today, according to the forecasters, and as the direction of the wind changes Tel from north-easterly to north-westerly the air could be a Fax bit chilly with speeds raging between three and 12 knots an hour. As for the state of the sea, no warning has been www.doha.hilton.com issued and the forecast for today suggests that waves could rise only a foot or up to three at places. Tel +974 44233333 Day temperatures (maximum) are likely to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees depending Fax +974 44233000 on places. Dukhan and Ruwais would be cooler in the day than other places with maximum temperature forecast being 23 degrees Celsius. Abu Samra would be a bit hotter with the maximum temperature forecast for today being 27 degrees Celsius. In Doha, the maximum temperature that has been forecast is 26 degrees Celsius. In Al Khor, Al Wakra and Mesaeed, the maximum temperature would be 24 degrees Celsius. As for the night, the mercury could dip to as low as 15 degrees Celsius in Abu Samra, but in Doha the minimum temperature forecast is 19 degrees Celsius Tel which means that it wouldn’t be as cold as Abu Samra. Sunrise is at 6.16am today and sunset is at 4.50pm, Fax according to the weather forecast issued by the Meteorology Department. THE PENINSULA

Tel Fax Friday sermons Tel focus on Mayan Fax doomsday tale Tel DOHA: Imams in several mosques across the Fax country focused in their Friday sermons yesterday on the Mayan doomsday predictions for the day that proved to be a hoax as suggested by scientists from all over the world, including a famous Qatari Tel astronomer, Sheikh Salman bin Jabor Al Thani. Sheikh Salman had hinted in remarks to this news- Fax paper that insurance companies in some countries where people were panicking were fanning the fear to make a fast buck. According to him, although Qatar is a Muslim Tel society there were some in the community who did Fax believe that the Mayan predictions could be true. An imam in Ahmed Yusuf Al Jaber mosque in Al Hilal said in his Friday sermon that he was surprised a large number of people were swayed by the Mayan predictions of the doomsday. “Those who came and asked me about these predic- tions included some highly educated people,” he said in his sermon that began at around 11.30am before the Friday prayers. Tel He said that enough signs of the doomsday have Fax been talked about in Islam and unless they are evi- dent, Muslims should not lend ears to such bogus tales as those propagated by the so-called Mayans. The imam said that some signs of the doomsday Tel that have been talked about in Islam are indeed vis- Fax ible such as natural calamities hitting one part or the other on this plant and the earth becoming hotter, but still those signs are hazy and the doomsday is far www.renaissancedoha.com away. The sky would appear red when the doomsday approaches, he said. The imam leading Friday prayers Tel +974 44195000 in Bukhari mosque in the same locality (Hilal East) Fax +974 44195100 also spoke of the doomsday and said it was a hoax. A devout who attended the prayers in the Bukhari mosque later told this newspaper that even he was a little scared and heaved a sigh of relief at the end of the day when it began becoming darker with no indications of the world coming to an end as predicted by the ancient Mayans. THE PENINSULA DECEMBER 22, 2012 Home www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 ON SATURDAY

Darb El Saai: A glimpse into the past Kammutty VP

HE Qatar National Day celebra- tions displayed patriotic fervour Twith the entire nation bustling with much activity from the Corniche to the Darb El Saai traditional camp in Al Sadd. At the Darb El Saai traditional camp, thousands of people witnessed a whole range of heritage activities and sights highlighting ancient Qatari customs and traditions to citizens and expatriates alike. From desert animals and marine life to tradi- tional handicraft, food and hobbies, the camp provided visitors a glimpse into Qatar’s past which the govern- ment tries to preserve for the future. The camp comprised sections such as Al Izbba (where men look after the camels), Al Nasa (shooting gallery), Al Shaqab (an area for horse shows, riding and dressage), Al Doha (expo for government agencies), Al Maqlat (food court), Al Maqtar (desert activi- ties), Al Hafeez (vintage cars expo), Housh Al Yahal (kids’ yard), Souq Waqif (traditional handicraft) and Al Beda (Qatari marine heritage). DECEMBER 22, 2012 ON SATURDAY 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Views

Editorial

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED A true leader E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD E-MAIL: [email protected] Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who is EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 in hospital after suffering a stroke, is a FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. E-MAIL: [email protected] unifying force in the country.

ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 RAQI President Jalal Talabani was flown to Germany on Thursday Iraq’s Arabs and Kurds mainly focused on disputed land and control for treatment after he suffered a stroke. While Iraqis are pray- of the nation’s oil wealth. CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] Iing for the speedy recovery of their revered leader, his absence in Talabani helped prevent the disintegration of the fragile national SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY Baghdad is certain to create a void which can hardly be filled by other unity government, which includes Shia and Sunni Arabs as well as leaders. The reason is that Talabani, the country’s first Kurdish head of Kurds. TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 state, is known as a moderating force among the nation’s rival factions. More importantly, his illness comes at a time of heightened tensions E-MAIL: [email protected] The 79-year-old Talabani was taken to Germany from the Baghdad between Iraq’s Arab-led central government and the semi-autonomous hospital where he was admitted on December 17. He was accompa- Kurdish region in the north. In recent weeks, he has been mediating SUBSCRIPTION RATES nied by German doctors who were summoned to Baghdad to treat in the dispute triggered by the government’s attempt to take greater ANNUAL QR 675 him and doctors from Iran and the UK also arrived in Iraq to check control of security in oil-rich territory around the city of Kirkuk, which 6 MONTHS QR 340 on Talabani. is claimed by both Arabs and Kurds. Talabani had brokered a deal As president, Talabani has a largely ceremonial role, but the in the dispute, which called on both sides to withdraw troops from the actual role he plays in Iraq far outweighs what he was supposed to contested areas, though no deadline was set for doing so. do. Sectarian divisions have been the bane of post-Saddam Iraq and Talabani was chosen as president by parliament in 2005 after Iraq’s long dormant Sunni-Shia tensions have come to the surface, refus- first democratic election in 50 years which followed the US-led invasion ing to recede. Even leaders who were expected to rise above sectarian to oust Saddam Hussein. He began his political career in the 1950s divisions and work for a united Iraq failed in their duty by identifying and founded the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan in 1975. His Peshmerga themselves with one group or the other. Talabani stood out among militia battled Saddam Hussein’s army in the 1970s and 1980s, and PUBLICATION them by trying to unite disparate groups. He has worked to ease the following the 1991 Gulf War, he led a Kurdish uprising against Saddam. conflict between the Shia majority and the Sunni community that It will be hard to find a replacement for Talabani, Let us wish him escalated into violence after the 2003 war and the tensions between a speedy recovery.

In order to reach long-term agreements, you must first The other side agree to what Syria looks like in the future: how all Quote of the rights of all the country’s Benghazi report comes up short ethnic groups are respected. on facts and safety steps the day Vladimir Putin Russian President HE unclassified report from the independent investigation into the attacks on September 11 at the US mission in Benghazi, TLibya, provides a bracing anatomy of a tragedy. It would be a mistake, however, to accept it as a blueprint for reform of security at US facilities overseas. Consider the black-ops elephant in the room: The site where US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and communica- tions officer Sean Smith lost their lives was a special mission, not a consulate, and was yoked to a facility identified in the report as “the Annex,” known to be a Central Intelligence Agency compound with far more personnel. Some of the egregious confusion about who was in charge of security can be attributed to this hybrid structure, which left the special mis- sion a bureaucratic stepchild with inadequate resources — witness the report’s veiled recommendation that “all State Department and other government agencies’ facilities should be collocated when they are in the same metropolitan area.” The secrecy surrounding the CIA site will, for now, prevent a fuller public accounting: Unlike a previous Accountability Review Board report on the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, for example, this one doesn’t provide a list of those interviewed. One also wonders if the classified version, delivered only to Congress, has details that better explain the sudden resignations of three high- ranking State Department officials and, if so, why the information is being kept from the public. Nonetheless, Ambassador Thomas Pickering, one of the most sea- soned American diplomats, and Adm. Michael Mullen, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have shed much- needed light on the events of that night, and knocked down at least one outlandish conspiracy theory — the idea that a rapid response team was prevented from quickly going to the aid of those under attack. And you don’t have to read between the lines of this report to get a good shock. For starters, the report makes clear that the deaths of Stevens, Smith and two other Americans, and the torching of two US com- pounds, were as much an intelligence as a security failure. The report’s last page contains this matter-of-fact stunner: “Board members found that there was little understanding of militias in Benghazi and the threat they posed to US interests.” Just what exactly was this CIA facility doing that it couldn’t find out what was happening in its own backyard? THE WASHINGTON POST Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate South Korea appears cautiously open to talks with North

BY CHICO HARLAN Pyongyang managed to exploit near-impossible diplomatic tar- its weapons. He also talked often lead on inter-Korean relations at lays out her North Korea strategy, both approaches, continuing with get. But in the South, the stakes about the “inevitability” of uni- a time when there is, politically, which she calls “Trustpolitik,” HE election on its weapons program — and con- of division are more personal. fication, hinting that the North no space for pursuing that option Park says she’s open to helping Wednesday of Park ducting its first a nuclear test — Elderly families divided by the was unstable and soon to collapse. in Washington. So in a way it’s the North build up its roadways Geun-hye as South during a long period of South-led Korean War no longer have reun- Lee had hoped his stance would very convenient for the Obama and its electricity infrastructure. Korea’s president sig- engagement, later turning more ions sponsored jointly by the two pressure the North, turning it Administration to let that play She all mentions the possibility of nals a new period of violent, and launching a pair of governments; they can’t even send desperate and compliant. Instead, out.” cooperating in special economic Tcautious — and conditional — rap- fatal attacks on the South, when mail to one another. the North drastically increased Park’s approach is more dovish zones and helping the North prochement with North Korea, that engagement was yanked Park’s mother was assassinated ties with China and continued than Lee’s but still much more attract foreign investment. But the nuclear-armed police state away. 38 years ago in a North Korean- with its nuclear tests and long- stern than the “Sunshine Policy” all this is “pursuant to progress that Park’s predecessors have Park has stressed that she’ll led attack that missed its real range rocket launches, the latest — introduced by Kim Dae-jung in in denuclearization,” the docu- utterly failed to tame. use “robust deterrence” to coun- target, Park’s father — then- coming earlier this month. Lee 1998 and continued by Roh — that ment says. Though North Korea policy ter the North Korean military President Park Chung-hee. maintained close ties during his liberal candidate Moon Jae-in “I think Park is in a bind,” said figured little into the three-week threat. But she says she’s also “National partition is a sorrow tenure with President Barack promised to reinstate. No matter Robert Kelly, professor of politi- campaign period here, with voters open to meeting with 29-year-old that touches all Koreans,” Park Obama, traveling to the United the North’s behavior, Park says cal science at Pusan National concerned foremost about eco- North Korean leader Kim Jong said in a speech before the elec- States seven times. But he exits at she’ll resume political dialogue University, in Busan, South nomic issues, it is with Pyongyang Eun, “if it helps in moving for- tion, “but for me it is brought to a time when Washington is facing and provide some sort of humani- Korea. “You’ve got this public where Park will find her greatest ward North-South relations.” the fore by unimaginable personal growing criticism for its inability tarian aid. She’ll also restore some opinion that thinks Lee Myung- challenge, political analysts said Such inter-Korean political suffering.” to engage with and influence the small-scale economic projects and bak was too hawkish. But within Thursday. meetings, even among lower- Three in five Koreans, accord- North. cultural exchanges, although she her party, and within the national Park has said she’ll try to find level officials, never happened ing to a recent government poll, “That’s why I personally believe has stayed vague about specifics. security bureaucracy, you’ve still a middle ground between the two under Lee, according to statis- believe Lee Myung-bak took too that there probably is space for But for the South to provide got a really strong contingent much-criticised approaches of tics from South Korea’s Ministry hard a line against the North Park to carve out her own initial anything more significant, Park that sees North Korea as this previous presidents — Roh Moo- of Unification. But there were 35 during his soon-to-end five-year interaction” with the North, said says the North must begin to old Communist foe. So she’s got hyun, who showered North Korea such meetings in the five years term. He yanked away almost all Scott Snyder, a senior fellow for dismantle its nuclear weapons to sort of walk through the rain- with unconditional aid, and the under Roh. humanitarian aid and economic Korea studies at the Council on — something the North vows drops. I don’t know if she can do outgoing Lee Myung-bak, whose In Washington, the North projects, saying everything would Foreign Relations. “Really it’s will never happen. In the official it.” treated the North as an adversary. is often described as a be restored if the North gave up about South Korea taking the seven-page document where Park WP-BLOOMBERG DECEMBER 22, 2012 Views www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 ON SATURDAY

What does Abdessalam Japan’s role in US Asia pivot Yassine’s death LDP’s victory mean for Morocco? augurs well for BY MYRIAM FRANCOIS- contentious. An interim successor CERRAH has been appointed in the shape of a reinvigorated Mohamed Abbadi, current head of slamism is often thought to the movement’s guidance council relationship be antithetical to Sufism, but and No 2 in the movement. in Morocco, a Sufi-inspired The burning question for between the IIslamist movement has rep- observers is whether the move- resented the most potent opposi- ment will reconsider a corner- tion to the monarchy since the stone of Yassine’s thinking — the United States 1980s. The death of its leader, rejection of the monarchy’s reli- Sheikh Abdessalam Yassine, last gious and political legitimacy. Thursday has left many asking Such a move, favoured by younger and Japan. what direction Morocco’s infor- members, would allow the move- mal opposition will take. ment to enter the political fray, BY GLEN S FUKUSHIMA Tens of thousands of people but could ultimately undermine converged on Morocco’s capital, its oppositional appeal. roponents of the Rabat, to mourn the passing of As for the monarch, the pass- Obama administra- Yassine, 84, the founder and spir- ing of such an inveterate oppo- tion’s “pivot,” or rebal- itual leader of Morocco’s largest nent will be regarded with muted ance of attention and Islamic opposition movement, glee. For decades, the sheikh rep- resources, toward Asia Justice and Spirituality (Al Adl resented the face of popular dis- Pshould be heartened by the results wal Ihsan), a nonviolent group sidence, refusing to recognise the of Japan’s parliamentary election. committed to the peaceful over- legitimacy of the monarchy and The Liberal Democratic Party’s throw of the monarchy. sending a succession of impudent (LDP) landslide victory in the The sheikh’s age and ill health letters to the successive kings, lower house Sunday augurs well had meant his public appear- accusing them of squandering for a reinvigorated relationship ances had grown increasingly the people’s wealth and calling between the United States and infrequent. Some even speculated on them to return to the path of Japan. Shinzo Abe, Japan’s incoming prime minister and the leader of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), walks past his that he may have died earlier and God. One such letter saw Yassine The reasons are threefold. portrait after attending a meeting at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo yesterday. his death kept a secret from his imprisoned in a psychiatric ward First, the LDP is experienced devoted followers. According because it is alleged former king in US-Japan alliance manage- to Michael Willis, fellow in Hassan II could not conceive ment, much more so than the alliance and has said publicly What Japanese voters want considers himself a pragmatic Moroccan and Mediterranean that any sane man would chal- Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), that his top foreign policy pri- most from their prime minis- realist, and some Japanese politi- studies at Oxford University, lenge his authority so brazenly. which had ousted the LDP from ority is to restore the trust and ter is leadership to revive the cal observers even see in him a Yassine’s death is a pivotal On Mohammed VI’s ascension power in September 2009 after confidence that has character- economy. The postwar economic parallel with Richard Nixon, who, moment in the evolution of the in 1999, Yassine advised him to half a century. Although the DPJ ised Japan’s relationship with the miracle slowed in the early 1990s precisely because of his conserva- movement: “The movement grew use his personal wealth, currently was well-intentioned, its tenure United States since the end of the and has stagnated since the mid- tive credentials, could open the around him, all members read his estimated at $2.5bn (£1.5bn), to the past three years was plagued Second World War. Although he dle of that decade. The desire for way to improving ties with China. key writings, he was at the centre eradicate the national debt. In a with intraparty bickering, friction is often portrayed as a nationalist, economic growth is clearly wide- It is not yet clear which side of of things — but the movement had country with over 40 percent illit- with the professional bureaucracy Abe, who studied in the United spread. The three major issues Abe we are likely to see. Can been preparing for his death for eracy and where more than a fifth and a generally ineffectual and States and speaks English, is a defining the platforms of virtu- the United States influence the the last decade or so — there are of the population live in extreme non-strategic foreign policy. staunch advocate of the US-Japan ally all the political parties run- outcome? structures in place.” poverty, the fact the king’s 12 pal- Second, the LDP will rely more Security Treaty. That treaty was ning on Sunday impinged on the The Obama administration The central ideologue and aces reportedly cost $1m a day to on the expertise, experience and renewed and ratified by the Diet economy: the future of nuclear declared its intention to shift spiritual guide, Yassine’s appeal operate provides some fodder to continuity offered by the pro- in 1960, in the face of mass pro- power, the proposed increase in the United States’ focus to Asia, combined religious and political Yassine’s call for social justice. fessional bureaucrats, who were tests, under the leadership of his the consumption tax and whether which is concurrently the centre leadership, something the move- What’s more, in 2011, Yassine’s cast aside by the DPJ, especially grandfather, then-prime minister Japan should join the negotiations of the world’s economic growth ment will struggle to replace. movement temporarily joined in the cabinets headed by prime Nobusuke Kishi. for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. and a potential source of long- Whether his successor’s legiti- forces with Morocco’s pro-democ- ministers Yukio Hatoyama (2009- But there are caveats. The Abe’s tenure as prime minister term strategic challenges. Japan macy is premised on political racy 20 February movement, 2010) and Naoto Kan (2010-11). LDP victory was more a rebuke is likely to be judged more on is the world’s third-largest econ- or religious credentials could swelling crowds and increasing Perhaps reflecting their short- of the DPJ than a resound- whether he can revive Japan’s omy, a technology leader, a stable affect the nature of the move- pressure on the king to undertake comings as chief executive and ing endorsement of the LDP. economy than on advancing the democracy and “cornerstone ally” ment and its popular appeal. In political reforms at a time when in managing Japan’s relationship Although voters see the LDP national security and patriotic of the United States; the country recent years, Yassine’s daugh- longstanding leaders were being with the United States, Hatoyama as more experienced and disci- agenda he holds dear. is key to the success of the Obama ter Nadia, a media regular and deposed across the region. It was chose not to run in Sunday’s elec- plined than the DPJ, they perceive For the Obama administra- policy. French-educated author, has these protests that saw the enact- tions and Kan lost his seat in the that it has done little to reform tion, the good news is that Abe It is imperative that the admin- grown in public prominence. Like ment of constitutional reforms Diet to a relatively unknown itself since its defeat in 2009. For is staunchly pro-American and istration devote the time, atten- her father, her public defiance of and the bringing forward of leg- LDP candidate. Of the three DPJ instance, all five contenders for wants to strengthen the US-Japan tion and resources necessary to the monarchy, including a 2005 islative elections, in which a rival prime ministers since 2009, only the party presidency in October security relationship. The bad forge an effective partnership statement that Morocco would Islamist party, the Justice and Yoshihiko Noda, who served from (Abe, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Shigeru news is that his revisionist views with the new government of Japan be better off as a republic, saw Development party, won a major- 2011 to 2012 and whom many Ishiba, Nobuteru Ishihara and of history and controversial views to convert the “rebalance” from her prosecuted and kept under ity of seats. The concession of an consider similar in style to pre- Nobutaka Machimura) are the of Asia could lead him to speak vision to reality and to ensure surveillance. However, despite her Islamist government is widely vious LDP prime ministers, won sons of LDP politicians, despite and act in ways that exacerbate that the United States can benefit popular appeal and charisma, it considered to be the regime’s “last reelection. widespread criticism of the LDP’s tensions with neighbouring coun- fully from our renewed engage- is unlikely she will take the helm card” in its efforts to avoid relin- Third, the new prime minister, perpetuation of inbred political tries, especially China and South ment with Asia. in a deeply conservative country, quishing meaningful power. Shinzo Abe, values the Japan-US dynasties. Korea. On the other hand, Abe WP-BLOOMBERG where female leadership remains THE GUARDIAN Allies to lose socialist patron if Venezuela’s Chavez goes

BY ANDREW Ahmadinejad to Belarus’s however, Chavez has not com- a full recovery — one would be CAWTHORNE President Alexander Lukashenko mitted troops to foreign wars or that Chavez takes a Castro-like and Syria’s President Bashar helped train Marxist guerrillas to role, leaving day-to-day affairs to urals adorning a Al Assad would lose a loud and fight right-wing governments in Maduro but opining from behind Caracas slum that highly visible supporter. their home countries. the scenes as an elder statesman. has given militant Chavez has provided some con- He does not have a nuclear Mbacking to President crete help to such allies — skirt- weapons program and he has AID FOR ALLIES Hugo Chavez over the years are a ing Western sanctions to send a continued to sell oil to the United In his Latin American back- virtual pantheon of international few controversial fuel shipments States even when fiercely criticis- yard, where Chavez has led a radicals. to Tehran and Damascus, and ing its policies. resurgence of the left since his From Colombia’s FARC guer- doling out home-building con- In geopolitical terms, he is own rise to power in 1999, there rillas to the Palestine Liberation tracts to Chinese and Belarussian much more a man of rhetoric is far more at stake from a pos- Organisation and Ernesto “Che” companies. than of action. sible end to his rule. Guevara, the images and slogans Yet his international role has The quietening of Chavez’s voice Around the region, smaller on teeming slopes above Chavez’s been mainly symbolic. might be a relief to Washington nations whose governments are presidential palace hail socialist From visiting Iraq’s Saddam and local foes who see him as an politically allied with Chavez — revolutionaries the world over. Hussein in 2000 to cheering embarrassing friend of dictators. from Cuba and the Dominican Beside them are tributes to Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi during But to many, especially round the Republic to Nicaragua, Bolivia Chavez himself - testimony to the his final days in 2011; from calling Third World, he is admired - a bit and Ecuador — have come to rely Venezuelan leader’s bid to place former US leader George W Bush like Castro — for standing up to on Venezuela’s subsidised oil sup- himself at the front of global “the devil” to hailing the veteran US power and daring to say what plies and other economic aid. “anti-imperialism” in his ever- Marxist militant known as Carlos plenty of others thought. Communist-run Cuba, whose controversial 14-year rule. the Jackal, Chavez has never lost Chavez is due to start a new, economy was tied to the Soviet Now, though, as Chavez battles an opportunity to goad and shock six-year term on Jan 10, but he is Union for decades and then, when cancer in a Cuban hospital, his the West, and the United States still fighting to recover from his that nation collapsed, was peril- role as garrulous international in particular. fourth cancer operation in just ously adrift in the 1990s before activist and rich godfather to fel- “Venezuela used to be known 18 months. He has named a pre- Chavez came to power, is particu- low leftists around Latin America only for two things: oil and beauti- ferred successor, Vice President larly dependant. is under threat. ful women. Now, it is famous the and Foreign Minister Nicolas It receives more than 100,000 “All Venezuelan revolutionar- world over for just one: Chavez,” Maduro, to be the ruling party’s barrels per day of crude from Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro cheers in honour of Venezuelan ies, and all people of good faith said a senior Western diplomat candidate in an election should Venezuela on preferential terms, President Hugo Chavez during a ceremony to pay homage to Latin American around the world, are praying for in Caracas. Chavez be forced out. covering 60 percent of its energy hero Simon Bolivar on the 182nd annivarsary of his death, at the National his recovery,” said Greivis Garcia, “He has deliberately courted There is little sign that Maduro needs. Last year, Venezuela Pantheon in Caracas, where his remains are kept. a 26-year-old mechanic at a vigil controversy from day one. It is — a former bus driver, union accounted for $8.3bn of its $20bn for Chavez in the January 23 slum hard to imagine that booming activist and committed social- foreign trade — most of that as full of revolutionary images. voice falling silent.” ist who has faithfully echoed his payment for more than 40,000 the international solidarity. rundown medical ward at home. “We need him so much. And Chavez has influenced some boss’s views around the globe for medical staff and other Cuban Opposition politicians play on So there is little doubt that so does the world. But whatever election campaigns around Latin the last six years — would change workers in Venezuela. that, saying Chavez has scan- should the opposition win a new happens, Chavez will live forever, America in recent years by show- Venezuela’s foreign policies. While a post-Chavez govern- dalously neglected local needs vote triggered by Chavez’s depar- damn it!” ing support for leftist candidates Yet without the flamboyant ment led by an acolyte such as with politically motivated for- ture, the aid would dry up. “We and making clear that their vic- personality of Chavez promoting Maduro would be unlikely to eign patronage. During the cannot afford these giveaways GLOBAL ‘PROVOCATEUR’ tory could bring economic support these policies, the impact would end such generosity, it might be recent presidential election, they while Venezuelans still have Should he die or be forced to from his government be diminished. tempted to roll it back at the edges showed pictures of a gleaming so many problems,” opposition stand down, faraway friends Unlike former Cuban leader Under the many specula- given that many Venezuelans Venezuelan-sponsored hospital in leader Henrique Capriles has said. from Iran’s President Mahmoud Fidel Castro during the Cold War, tive scenarios — from death to are not over-enthusiastic at the Dominican Republic next to a REUTERS DECEMBER 22, 2012 ON SATURDAY 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Middle East Britain could deploy more troops to Gulf: Cameron

MUSCAT: Britain could deploy “This is an exciting possibility could form “close tactical-level more troops to the Gulf in com- for both countries to have a proper relationships” in the region.Days ing years as it reduces its combat strategic defence relationship, a after saying Britain would bring commitment in Afghanistan, defence partnership, and I think home nearly 4,000 troops from the prime minister has said that’s the way the world is going. Afghanistan next year, Cameron before a visit to Oman. People don’t just want to just buy added that the withdrawal could Cameron’s visit to Muscat equipment now, they want to have be speeded up before a 2014 dead- comes weeks after an agree- a proper industrial and defence line for the departure of all com- ment to set up a defence part- partnerships.” Britain has a small bat forces if the Afghan police and nership with the United Arab military presence in Bahrain, army were ready. “I would make Emirates, potentially focused Qatar and the Emirates, Cameron the point that so far things have on the Typhoon jet, made by added. His statement ties in with surprised on the upside in terms BAE Systems. The Emirati gov- a vision laid out last week by of the capabilities of the Afghan ernment expressed interest in Britain’s top military officer for national forces, so it may well be ordering up to 60 of the aircraft, the country’s defence in coming that we may be able to move a Reuters reported. decades, which includes drones little faster,” Cameron said. “What you are seeing spe- and closer alliances in troubled “The 2014 deadline doesn’t cifically with the United Arab areas as cuts shrink armed forces. change, what is obviously move- Emirates is not just a plan to sell General Sir David Richards able is how the transition goes Typhoon aircraft, but a big, signif- signalled a major military pres- ... there is flexibility because all Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said speaks to Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron icant defence co-operation, which ence in the Gulf, saying he the time commanders are see- after his arrival in Muscat yesterday. could lead to more British troops envisaged the army bonding fur- ing how fast Afghan forces can stationed in their country,” he ther with militaries there and take over particular patrol bases, on peace negotiations with the uneasy neighbours Pakistan presidents early in 2013. told journalists at Camp Bastion in Jordan. Two or more of the particular roles.” Cameron said Taliban, but Britain would and Afghanistan together, and (See also Page 14) in southern Afghanistan. army’s seven “adaptable” brigades there had been little progress be focused on bringing the would host a meeting with their GUARDIAN NEWS

Gunmen kidnap Clashes on eve of 3 Westerners in Yemeni capital SANA’A: Gunmen abducted Egypt referendum three Westerners in the centre of the Yemeni capital Sana’a yesterday, a security official said. “People saw a car stop Second round of voting today in Tahrir Square, militants snatching three Westerners ALEXANDRIA: Clashes between with maintaining security during the and speeding away,” the official rival demonstrators erupted yesterday volatile voting. said, adding that police were in Egypt’s second city Alexandria, the The secular-leaning opposition sees searching for the kidnappers. eve of the final round of a referendum the proposed constitution as weaken- No further details were imme- on a divisive new constitution drafted ing human rights and opening the way diately available about the nation- by an Islamist-dominated panel. to creeping strict sharia-style Islamic ality of the kidnapped or the Riot police, with orders to act “deci- legislation under Mursi. It is urging a affiliation of the abductors, but sively,” formed a barrier between sev- “no” vote in today’s second round. al Qaeda militants and tribesmen eral thousand Islamists and hundreds Analysts said it was almost certain have been involved in kidnapping more opposition protesters and used the new constitution would be adopted foreigners in the past. The inci- tear gas to put down the street battles. - but that such an outcome would not dent came just two days after The clashes, in which the health end Egypt’s political crisis. President Abd-Rabbu Mansour ministry said 32 people were hurt, sub- The ongoing instability is hurt- Hadi overhauled the armed forces sided after around 90 minutes. ing Egypt’s economy, which has been in a drive to bring stability and In the first round held in half of limping along since the popular upris- Buses are seen ablaze following clashes between opponents and supporters of President Mohammed weaken political rivals in the Egypt last weekend, Alexandria voted ing that ousted the 30-year autocratic Mursi in the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria, yesterday. impoverished country. in favour of the constitution. It has regime of Hosni Mubarak early last seen clashes break out on several occa- year. atomic energy agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei, in the run-up to the second round of the refer- sions amid nationwide rallies for and The International Monetary Fund warned in an online video that “the country is endum. In Giza, a southwestern Cairo district Arab League chief against Islamist President Mohammed has put on hold a $4.8bn loan Egypt on the verge of bankruptcy”. that will vote today, an opposition campaign Mursi. Early this month in Cairo, the needs to stave off a currency col- He said “a solution is still possible,” as long as volunteer who give his first name as Maher said to visit West Bank confrontations turned deadly outside of lapse, and Germany has indefinitely Morsi was prepared for “sincere dialogue” and he pointed out to people in the street those who BEIT JALA: Arab League Morsi’s palace. Eight people were killed postponed a plan to forgive $316m of allowed a whole new constitution to be drafted remain “committed to the revolution and who chief Nabil Al Arabi and a and hundreds were wounded. Egypt’s debt. through a more inclusive process. betrayed it” - implying that Morsi’s Muslim group of Arab foreign minis- The army has since deployed 120,000 The head of the National Salvation Supporters of both sides have taken to the Brotherhood had let down the country. ters will visit the West Bank on soldiers to bolster 130,000 police tasked Front opposition coalition, former UN streets to sway voters to their side of the debate AFP December 29, Palestinian nego- tiator Saeb Erakat has said. “Nabil Al Arabi and between eight and 10 foreign ministers will be our guests on the 29th,” he said during a late Thursday Palestinian refugees meeting with reporters in the West Bank town of Beit Jala, west of Bethlehem. Erakat also said he expected the first pay- reclaim Syrian camp ment of the fiscal “safety net” of $100m, promised by the League in the event of Israeli DAMASCUS: Palestinian spoke of his joy at the return of financial sanctions following refugees streamed back into Russia won’t try the refugees. the November 29 Palestinian their camp in Damascus yes- “It is a beautiful day. The UN upgrade to observer-state terday after a reported deal to persuade people of Yarmuk know that status, by “December 24.” to keep it out of Syria’s con- the camp is the capital of the flict, following fierce clashes Assad to quit Palestinian refugees. Nobody earlier this week. can destroy it,” he said. “But Algerian colonel killed Streets of the Yarmuk camp MOSCOW: Russia refuses I am also concerned. I do not in the south of the capital were to act as an intermedi- trust the regime. It has set in clash with Islamists empty of gunmen with the rebel ary trying to talk Syrian up checkpoints all around the ALGIERS: An Algerian army forces or from the pro-regime President Bashar Al camp, and they have put sol- colonel has been killed in a Palestinian Front for the Assad into fleeing, Foreign diers and PFLP-GC militiamen gun battle between troops and Liberation of Palestine-General Minister Sergei Lavrov to man them.” Islamists in the Bouira region, Command (PFLP-GC). said in comments released Talks began on Wednesday 125km southeast of Algiers, A correspondent heard spo- yesterday. aimed at removing both rebel local media reported yester- radic shooting early in the day Russia is at loggerheads and pro-government fighters day. The clash broke out on and a main road was blocked with the West and some from Yarmuk as residents took Wednesday evening during a with rocks to keep out cars, Arab states who accuse flight from the fighting in the search operation for a “terror- although a van full of passen- Moscow of shielding Assad, camp in their droves. ist group” in the mountainous gers still entered through a side a long-term buyer of Russian Newspapers in neighbour- region, El Watan said, citing street. arms, in the Syrian conflict ing Lebanon said that an security sources, and employ- “We returned because we that has already claimed agreement had been reached ing the term officials use for have had enough of being more than 40,000 lives since under the auspices of Mokhtar Islamist insurgents. humiliated,” one of them said. it erupted in March 2011. Lamani, the representative of “We lost our land (Palestine) “We are not in the busi- UN-Arab League peace envoy but we don’t want to lose our ness of regime change. Some Lakhdar Brahimi. US report faults Bahrain homes and live in tents like our of the regional players were One quoted Anwar Abdel parents.” suggesting to us ‘Why don’t Hadi, representative of labour crackdown The fighting forced about you tell President Assad to the Palestine Liberation WASHINGTON: Bahrain 100,000 of Yarmuk’s 150,000 to leave? We will arrange for Organisation in Damascus, appears to have violated com- flee the camp, many taking ref- some safe haven for him’,” as saying: “All parties... have mitments it made to the United uge in the parks and squares of Russia’s veteran Foreign agreed to keep the camps out States to protect workers rights Damascus, said UNRWA, the Minister told the state- of the Syrian conflict”. in its response to a March 2011 relief agency for Palestinian ref- owned Russia Today English- Abdel Hadi said the Syrian general strike at the time of the ugees. Residents were called to language TV channel in an government had given assur- Arab Spring, the US Labour attend weekly Muslim prayers interview. ances that it had “no intention Department said in a report yes- at the camp’s Abdel Qader Al REUTERS of entering the camp or bomb- terday. “It is our duty to ensure Husseini mosque, which has ing it, but demanded the depar- that trading partners meet been cleaned up after a regime ture of all armed men”. their commitments to labour air strike last Sunday that inside the camp. The UN’s World Food standards in free trade agree- killed eight people. The exception was the Programme, meanwhile, said it ments,” US Labour Secretary Many of them already bombed out headquarters of was to start providing food to Hilda Solis said in a statement. returned on Thursday evening, the PFLP-GC, still filled with 125,000 “vulnerable Palestinians Bahrain, a small island country singing traditional Palestinian rubble following an air raid. and displaced Syrians” caught in the Gulf off the coast of Saudi songs and sweeping away debris Mahmud Nassar, a up in and around Yarmuk. Arabia, is home to the US Fifth from battle-scarred streets Palestinian activist in Yarmuk, AFP Fleet. AGENCIES DECEMBER 22, 2012 International www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 ON SATURDAY

Italian PM Mario Russia’s Duma seals approval of US adoption ban Monti resigns MOSCOW: Russia’s lower separately. The Kremlin- rhetoric and those who prefer to Russia’s legislation came after the embezzlement scheme. Russia ahead of polls House of parliament gave its final dominated upper house is now cast Moscow as a more reasoned US President Barack Obama has used adoption in the past to approval yesterday to a conten- expected to approve the ban next partner. Several senior govern- last week signed into law the take out its frustration on some ROME: Italian Prime Minister tious bill that retaliates against Wednesday before passing it on ment figures at one stage accused Magnitsky Act -- a measure pay- US policy decisions. Moscow pre- Mario Monti resigned yesterday a new US human rights meas- to President Vladimir Putin for deputies of playing a risky game of ing tribute to a Russian lawyer viously placed moratoriums on with his political plans still in ure by barring Americans from his signature. The Russian leader populist politics that risked fur- who died in custody in Moscow adoptions, and now issues formal doubt, paving the way for early adopting the country’s children. strongly indicated Thursday that ther upsetting relations between in 2009 after blowing the whistle foreign policy statements when- elections next year in a lynch- The State Duma passed the bill he was ready to put his name on Moscow and Washington. Foreign on a $235 million police embezzle- ever adopted Russian children are pin eurozone state still mired in without debate in a quick 420-7 the measure so that it could enter Minister Sergei Lavrov flatly ment scheme. harmed in the United States. recession. vote as protesters picketed the law on January 1. called the ban “a mistake”, in a His family and his employer The numbers of children taken Monti “handed in the resig- building demanding the measure The measure, which under- rare instance of a top diplomat Hermitage Capital - once Russia’s in by US families fell to 956 last nation of his government” at a be voted down. But yesterday’s scores the severity of the recent disagreeing with what appeared largest Western investment fund - year from 1,773 three years earlier. meeting with President Giorgio vote took place in a largely cer- strain in Russia-US ties, would to be the leadership’s position on both believe that he was tortured “We had wonderful families Napolitano, and will stay on in a emonial third and final reading end about 1,000 adoptions a year. the most controversial domestic in prison and died as a result of from the United States. We have caretaker capacity, the presidency of the legislation, and its outcome Caregivers in particular fear issue of the day. his beatings. Russian investiga- absolutely no complaints about said in a statement. was never in doubt. the new rules will hit the most Putin hesitated for nearly a tors have dismissed those charges them,” said Natalia Karanevskaya, Napolitano will hold consulta- “We regret the results of today’s disadvantaged children because week before backing the measure and are still pursuing a fraud case a paediatrician at a Moscow chil- tions on Saturday with parliamen- Duma vote,” US Ambassador foreign adoptive parents are often during his annual press confer- against the late Magnitsky himself. dren’s home. “They took the most tary leaders before dissolving the Michal McFaul tweeted shortly ready to adopt kids rejected by ence on Thursday. They have also refused to follow difficult children that would have two chambers and calling a gen- after the decision. Russian families. “I understand that this was an up allegations from Hermitage never been taken in Russia,” eral election which most observ- “We are extremely concerned The affair has also highlighted emotional response by the State Capital that some of the most Karanevskaya said. “I think that ers expected on February 24. In by this law’s provisions,” he cabinet splits between those Duma, but I think that it was senior security officials -- includ- this law will have its effects.” his last speech as premier, Monti told the Interfax news agency who subscribe to strong anti-US appropriate,” Putin told reporters. ing ministers -- were involved in AFP said that his stormy 13 months in government had been “difficult but fascinating” and voiced hope that his reform agenda will be continued by any new leader. Italy was now “more reliable” Nearly 200 killed on the international stage, he said. World greets The former European commis- in cold snap sioner joked to government col- leagues earlier in the day that the across Russia, fall of his government was “not the fault of the Mayas”, referring eastern Europe ‘doomsday’ with to the end of a Mayan calendar which many believe foretold the MOSCOW: A vicious cold end of the world on Friday. snap across Russia and east- The 69-year-old has won praise ern Europe has claimed nearly at home and abroad for rescuing 200 lives, officials figures pinch of salt Italy from the brink of bank- showed yesterday, as forecast- ruptcy, launching long-delayed ers warned it would last until pension and labour market Christmas Eve. Thousands gather at Mayan ruins of Tikal reforms and joining other euro- In Russia, the cold has killed zone leaders in battling the debt two people in the past 24 hours, SYDNEY: Doomsayers hun- Indeed, some argued online that crisis. Monti announced he would the Ria-Novosti agency reported, kered down to await the com- an impending milestone for the step down earlier this month after citing medical sources, bringing ing apocalypse yesterday, but “Gangnam Style” video of South his flamboyant predecessor Silvio the total number of deaths over most took a lighthearted view Korean rapper Psy - one billion Berlusconi withdrew his party’s the past week to 56. of a Mayan “prophecy” of the views on YouTube - was itself a support for Monti’s government The freeze had also left 371 world’s destruction, laying on harbinger of doom, enlisting a in parliament and announced he people in hospital. stunts and parties to while fake Nostradamus verse in their would run for a fourth term as Thermometers have been stuck away the end. cause. prime minister. below minus 20 degrees Celsius Thousands gathered at the Across Asia, Europe and North (minus 4 Fahrenheit) in Moscow majestic Mayan ruins of Tikal America, many planned to party - and below minus 50 degrees in the jungles of present-day like there’s no tomorrow with Norway top court (minus 58 F) in some parts of Guatemala to await a fiery climax apocalypse-themed dinners and Siberia - for a week. to the ancient civilisation’s “Long pub nights. Hong Kong’s Aqua backs expulsion of Russian weather forecast- Count” calendar, which points to restaurant promised to pick up child asylum seekers ers said temperature in the an era of more than 5,000 years the tab for its HK$2,112.12 ($273) Khabarovsk region in eastern ending. six-course meal if the end is nigh OSLO: Norway’s supreme court Russia had dropped to minus 43 Australia was one of the first - though patrons will have to Journalists surround two people dressed in aluminium foil in the streets of ruled yesterday it was legal to Celsius, while Krasnoyarsk in countries to see the sun rise on stump up if still alive at midnight. Bugarach in southwestern France, yesterday. Residents of this tiny French expel two nine-year-old asylum Siberia reported minus 47. December 21, supposedly the end If the world does end, Chinese hamlet witnessed a rising influx of Doomsday believers claiming that it is seekers, even though they had This “abnormal” frost would of days, and Tourism Australia’s furniture maker Liu Qiyuan has the only place that will survive judgment day. spent most or all of their lives last till Monday because of a per- Facebook page was bombarded his own safe haven, a fibre-glass in the country, in a case lawyers sistent anticyclone, they added. with posts asking if anyone had pod he designed that can carry up costumes and head-dresses staged at the site’s pyramids. US space said could set a precedent for In Russia’s European region, survived Down Under. to 30 people and withstand tow- elaborate dances to a mournful agency NASA has been contacted another 540 children. meanwhile, the mercury is “Yes, we’re alive,” the organisa- ering tsunamis and devastating pan-pipe tune ahead of the apoca- by thousands of worried people The court rejected an appeal expected to fall to minus 31 tion responded to fretting users. earthquakes. lypse supposedly foreseen by the asking what to do. In a web page launched on the children’s behalf degrees Celsius on Christmas Eve Tongue-in-cheek scientists UFO enthusiasts were gath- Mayans, who reached their peak of devoted to debunking the Mayan by a campaign organisation that before rising rapidly afterwards. in Taiwan planted an electronic ering in the southern Chinese power in modern-day Mexico and prophecies, it reassured them that had argued the Bosnian girl and Other European countries hit countdown timer atop a two-sto- province of Hunan to perform a parts of Central America between the world will not end in 2012. the Iranian boy had a right to hard by the extreme tempera- rey replica of a Mayan pyramid, “Mayan ritual” to attract alien the years 250 and 900 AD. “Our planet has been getting remain after their parents’ asy- tures were counting the toll as drawing crowds at the National visitors, the state-run Global Thousands more people were along just fine for more than four lum application was turned down. temperatures gradually started Museum of Natural Science. Times reported. expected to flock to another set billion years, and credible scien- “The 540 children seeking asy- to return to normal. Seven-year-old Wang Si-shien But there has also been a darker of Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza tists worldwide know of no threat lum in Norway have no chance Authorities in Ukraine, which was unimpressed. “I’m not scared side in China, with authorities in Mexico before daybreak Friday associated with 2012,” it said. now, regardless how long they has been battling heavy snow- at all,” she said as she visited the arresting some 1,000 people in - some to hail the start of a new NASA’s words were lost on waited,” Jan Fougner, a defence fall for weeks, said 83 people museum with her school class. a crackdown on a Christian sect Mayan era, others to bid farewell those who headed to a number lawyer for one of the families said. had died of cold, with 57 of the Australian Prime Minister Julia that spread doomsday rumours. to the world. of towns around the world des- victims found on the street. The Gillard set the tone this month Over the centuries, the end Even though Mexican officials ignated safe zones from the homeless are traditionally the with a spoof video address, vowing of the world has been predicted said no special celebrations were impending disaster, and others 2 dead in supermarket hardest-hit by the region’s bitter to keep fighting however the end countless times, from the early planned to mark the turn of the who took refuge in mountains or winters. Another 526 cold victims comes, whether “from flesh-eating Christians to controversial US Mayan calendar, which coincides bunkers, or stockpiled guns and looting in Argentina were reportedly receiving hospital zombies, demonic hell-beasts or pastor Harold Camping last year. with the winter solstice, up to survival kits. BUENOS AIRES: Mobs looted treatment in Ukraine. AFP from the total triumph of K-Pop”. At the Tikal ruins, actors in 20,000 revellers were awaited AFP supermarkets in Argentina’s third largest city early yester- day, leaving two dead and two seriously injured in the latest in a spate of such outbursts. Besides that city of Rosario, loot- ers had also rampaged in other Rough sleepers on London streets rise sharply Argentina cities on Thursday and into the night, officials said. LONDON: Unshaven and stature. Ten times more people hotline earlier this month. “We Matias Drivet, a Rosario city shivering in the Winter cold, sleep on New York’s streets than need to break the habit to help hall official, said one person was Christopher Burn, 42, cut a on London’s, minister Grant people turn their lives around,” he stabbed and another shot to desperate figure as he huddled Shapps told parliament earlier added. London authorities too say death as crowds raided stores, in a rubbish-strewn tunnel in this year. But colourful London they are doing all they can, and most of them owned by Chinese London’s financial district. Mayor Boris Johnson had pledged have set up a “No Second Night immigrants, on the outskirts of Few people stole a glance at to eradicate rough sleeping by Out” scheme to try and root out the northeastern city. Rosario is the bespectacled former prison 2012, while the city’s hosting of and shelter new rough sleepers. a hub for industry as well as for inmate, or were aware that he the Olympics over the Summer But for those too seasoned to farm exports. was living proof of a growing phe- had seen it take further steps the streets to qualify for such pro- nomenon. The number of rough to accommodate its homeless. grammes, Christmas is a particu- sleepers on London’s streets has Now the Conservative-led coali- larly bleak time of year. Dutch MPs vote not to soared 43 percent over the past tion government has introduced “The hostels are all full up year, with Burn but one of many additional cuts to housing benefits because it’s so cold. Sometimes ban illegal downloads victims of Britain’s continuing that some charities say will aggra- people are more generous, but THE HAGUE: Dutch MPs have economic stagnation. vate the situation. it’s an expensive time of year for voted not to ban illegal Internet “If you haven’t got a place [to “The coalition is sweeping away them as well,” said Nick, a softly downloads of copyrighted films, live], you look like a mess and so the safety nets that have tradi- spoken, tattooed man sitting music and software, preferring can’t get a job, and if you haven’t tionally saved people from the cross-legged with his dog opposite to levy a tax on smartphones got a job, you’ve got to disgrace horrors of homelessness,” said the opulent Savoy Hotel. and computers. “The motion yourself on the street doing what Two homeless men lying near Victoria rail station in central London. Leslie Morphy, chief executive of He says he ended up on the calling on the government to I’m doing,” Burn said. the charity Crisis. Amidst com- street eight years ago when he renounce banning illegal down- The financial crisis has tested prehensive cuts in almost every split with his wife and his life loads was passed,” on Thursday the reduced budgets of Britain’s compiled by outreach groups and nearly overdose a few days previ- area of state spending, the gov- unravelled. Single men, who stand evening, lower house spokesman local authorities and charities, local authorities. Of those 6,000, ously. “People just walk past us ernment says it is doing its best at the bottom of the public hous- Leon van Schie said yester- and seen a reversal of much of 62 percent were new to the like we’re not here. I sleep on the to confront the problem. ing pecking order, are particularly day. Instead, copyright holder the progress made over the past streets.Cheryl is one of them. street and they wonder why I’ve “As a government, we are deter- liable to end up on the streets. losses will be compensated for decade. Almost 6,000 people slept Crouched in a storefront near turned to drugs.” mined to engage with this issue, The fear is, however, that those with a “home copy” tax on new rough in London at some point historic Trafalgar Square, she has “Hard isn’t even the word for and ensure the right intervention reduced to sleeping in the freezing electronic products including during 2011/12, up from about slept rough since her father died it,” she said. London still shapes is made as early as possible,” said conditions are merely the most smartphones, computers, hard 3,900 the year before, and 3,000 three months ago and has devel- up well, though, when com- Housing Minister Mark Prisk at visible casualties of Britain’s grave drives and tablets. in 2006/7, according to statistics oped a drug habit that saw her pared to cities of similar size and the launch of a rough-sleeping housing shortage. REUTERS AGENCIES DECEMBER 22, 2012 ON SATURDAY 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Philippines Days of rusty navy ships over: Aquino Philippines speeds up acquisition of new military hardware amid territorial dispute with China

MANILA: President Benigno would be deployed to protect the Under the military modernisa- Aquino III said that the days of country’s maritime domain. tion programme, the Philippine a “rusty” Philippine Navy are The president was apparently Army plans to acquire a land- over, during the Armed Forces referring to four modern war- based defence system which of the Philippines’ (AFP) anni- ships which the Department of includes the acquisition of big versary yesterday. National Defence (DND) is nego- ticket items, including modern Aquino, who took the field tiating to acquire from Italy. tanks and high-impact artillery instead of riding a military jeep Two of these warships are mis- batteries. or “the white carabao” while sile and torpedo firing Maestrale The Philippine Air Force trooping the line during the Class ships, which are expected to (PAF) is also fast-tracking its 77th founding anniversary cel- be delivered to the country next programmed acquisition of a ebration of the AFP, assured the year. squadron of fighter jets and military leadership of his admin- “The days of our troops’ fear radars in order to protect the istration’s support for the mili- of ‘tetanus’ more than other country’s airspace. tary modernisation programme nations claim over our territory “Consider all these as an early while indirectly taking a swipe are over,” the president declared Christmas from the Filipino peo- at China. in his speech. ple for overflowing trust in you,” “Our sailors’ fear of getting The president also said that the President told the troops. infected by tetanus from our rusty it was also about time for aging AFP chief General Jessie ships has ended,” the president Army military vehicles to retire Dellosa, for his part, said that declared in the yearly military for new and faster tanks and Filipino soldiers were ever thank- event. trucks, while pointing to the ful to the president and the Without directly referring to assembled military vehicles, commander-in-chief for his full the territorial row over the South ambulances and armoured per- support to the military’s moderni- China Sea, where China has been sonnel carriers inside the Camp sation programme. putting forward its territorial Aguinaldo parade ground. Dellosa said the government’s claim to almost the entire region He also pointed out that sol- Pabahay Programme had already more aggressively, the president diers should be armed with mod- benefited 9,388 soldiers, and with said that once modern Philippine ern weapons as well as force the recent signing of the New Navy ships are operational, the protection equipment for them AFP Modernisation Act, the AFP Philippines would be at par with to make the Filipino people safe will now be able to procure needed Philippine President Benigno Aquino (left) and former president Fidel Ramos salute during the celebration of the foreign intruders claiming the and away from any dangers ahead, military equipment to upgrade its 77th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila yesterday. country’s maritime domain. as he urged them to also pay their fighting capabilities. He added that the Navy should tribute to the people they served “Slowly but continuously we capabilities so that we will no He added that even before the earmarked P28bn ($666m) to now start preparing its ports because of their unwavering sup- are now procuring military hard- longer rely on outside help (to New AFP Modernisation Act modernise the military. for these modern warships that port to the government. ware to upgrade our fighting defend us),” Dellosa said. was signed, the president had THE PHILIPPINE STAR

Relief team sent to areas Chinese envoy’s largesse Danish national killed in Agusan

for typhoon victims DAVAO CITY: Unidentified hit by typhoon Bopha gunmen shot and killed a MANILA: Chinese two decades, battered parts of Danish national in Agusan on COTABATO CITY: A left Cotabato City on Thursday. different institutions. Magno said Ambassador to the Philippines southern Philippines in early Thursday, police said yesterday. 150-member contingent of Hataman’s chief of staff, Hataman also enlisted the assist- Ma Keqing yesterday handed December. Superintendent Martin Gamba, physicians, nurses and social John Magno, said Hataman and ance of trauma alleviation experts over $200,000 in cash to the The confirmed death toll from spokesman of Caraga region workers from the Autonomous Sinolinding also brought with from the ARMM’s social welfare Department of Foreign Affairs Typhoon Bopha rose to 1,050 police, identified the victim as Region in Muslim Mindanao them medicines, such as pain department. of the Philippines to help peo- as of yesterday, the National Egon Jansoe. Jansoe died while he (ARMM) launched yesterday relievers, antibiotics and anti- Magno said the regional relief ple affected by Typhoon Bopha Disaster Risk Reduction was being rushed to a local hospi- a three-day relief mission in diarrheal drugs, for distribu- contingent brought some five tons (locally known as Pablo). and Management Council tal following the shooting incident the adjoining typhoon-ravaged tion to residents dislocated by of relief supplies procured by dif- Earlier, the Red Cross Society (NDRRMC) said. in San Teodoro village in Agusan provinces of Compostela Valley Typhoon Bopha. ferent line agencies of ARMM of China had also donated $30,000 The number of individuals del Sur province. Jansoe’s Filipine and Davao Oriental. Magno said Sinolinding even and collected from employees of to the Philippine National Red missing slightly declined from 841 partner, Marivic Plaza, was injured. The relief group, led by brought with them doctors from different agencies and support Cross (PNRC). to 838 as the three missing were Police have launched an investiga- ARMM’s acting governor, Mujiv the Integrated Provincial Health offices under the Office of the Typhoon Bopha, believed to found dead in southern province tion to determine the identities and Hataman, and his regional health Office in Lanao del Sur and vol- Regional Governor. be the most devastating typhoon of Compostela Valley. motive of the suspects. secretary, Dr Kadil Sinolinding Jr, unteer medical practitioners from THE PHILIPPINE STAR in the Philippines for more than THE PHILIPPINE STAR Gun violence is common in southern Philippines where left- ist rebels, Muslim insurgents and Asean summit in India criminal gangs possess the bulk of 1.5m unlicensed guns. Two Germans, Australian 2 dead in Southern rescued after boat capsizes road mishaps COTABATO CITY: A driver MANILA: Two German tour- help when the vessel was knocked died of cardiac arrest while ists and an Australian have over by huge waves in the Sibuyan chasing the driver of another been rescued following two Sea on Tuesday, he said. truck that had swept his truck, days in the sea in the central The Germans and Australian while a woman was killed when Philippines after their boat were rescued Thursday by a pass- a passenger van turned turtle capsized while they were island ing freighter which found the men in separate incidents yesterday hopping, the coast guard said clinging to the outrigger of their in Central Mindanao. yesterday. capsized boat and took them to Kidapawan City police said 54-year-old Ralf Harald Auer, the central port of Iloilo, Celis Simeon Antonio, 66, died with his 20-year-old son Thomas Auer said. “They were weakened by his hands pressed on his chest, and Australian family friend, lack of food and having been in following a heart attack after he Joshua Marsh, were taken to the water for two days and two failed to overtake a fleeing vehicle hospital and treated for bruises nights,” the officer said, adding that had hit one side of his truck. and dehydration before being that a notice had been issued for The incident was preceded released, said Chief Petty Officer boats to be on the lookout for the by the death of a teacher, Cecile Venerando Celis. missing Filipino. Maliga, in a highway accident in All three of the men are based The accident occurred as the Koronadal City several hours ear- in Australia, he said. boat attempted a 40km cross- lier. Maliga was one of 10 passen- The Filipino who was piloting ing to Marinduque Island, where gers of a van that turned turtle on the small boat -- the sole crew Ralf Harald Auer’s Philippine wife a remote stretch of the Koronadal- member -- was missing after he comes from, said Celis. Gen Santos City Highway. attempted to swim ashore to seek AFP THE PHILIPPINE STAR Vice-President Jejomar Binay attends the plenary session of the Asean-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi. Southeast Asian nations and India vowed on Thursday to step up cooperation on maritime security. Senate approves resolution on peace deal with rebels

MANILA: The Senate approved coauthors of the resolution. their meaningful participation conflict-affected areas and to acknowledged the work of the Datumanong of Maguindanao and a resolution expressing sup- “The signing of the agreement in the process of enacting the expedite socio-development government and the Milf, which Acmad Tomawis of Ang Laban ng port to the 2012 Bangsamoro has inspired optimism and hope Bangsamoro Islamic Law through in the region will be realised “are both invested in problem Indiginong Filipino partylist. framework agreement forged by that a just framework for peace the creation of the Transition by the empowerment of the solving with the view of establish- Presidential Adviser on the the government with the Moro in the Muslim Mindanao region, Commission.” Bangsamoro through meaning- ing a just and working autonomy Peace Process Teresita Deles Islamic Liberation Front (Milf). through a partnership with the President Aquino signed ful participation in transform- for the Bangsamoro people.” thanked the lawmakers for their The agreement includes the Bangsamoro, has been achieved,” Executive Order 210 last ing and developing their own The Office of the Presidential firm support to the Mindanao creation of a transition commis- Guingona said in his resolution. December 17, creating the communities. Adviser on the Peace Process peace process. sion tasked to draft the proposed The Senate resolution said the Bangsamoro Transition The House of Representatives (OPAPP) welcomed the passage “The peace process is not just a Bangsamoro basic law that will framework calls for the creation Commission. also passed a similar resolution by the Senate and the House of work of those on the peace table, be submitted to Congress for of a new political entity called Under the EO, the President under House Resolution No 971 Representatives of resolutions but a work of a nation unified by enactment. the Bangsamoro, and through will appoint 15 members to the that expressed the chamber’s supporting EO 120 issued by the goal of attaining a just and Senator Teofisto Guingona III, the Bangsamoro Basic Law, will commission from a list drawn up “support of the 2012 framework Aquino creating the Transition lasting peace,” Deles said. who introduced Resolution No replace the Autonomous Region by the government and the Milf. agreement on the Bangsamoro Commission that will draft the “The Transition Commission 922, said the framework agree- of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). All candidates will be from the with the Milf and its implemen- proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. will need a lot of goodwill and sup- ment is crucial to the attainment According to the resolution, the Bangsamoro and other residents tation, including the creation The resolution was intro- port from Congress,” government of lasting peace and economic accord provides for the empow- in the region. of the Bangsamoro Transition duced by Representatives Jesus chief negotiator Miriam Coronel- development in the region. erment of the Bangsamoro peo- Guingona said the administra- Commission.” Sacdalan of North Cotabato, Ferrer said. All senators were later made ple by “creating the space for tion’s objective to reconstruct The House resolution also Tupay Loong of Sulu, Simeon THE PHILIPPINE STAR DECEMBER 22, 2012 Asia www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 ON SATURDAY New Japan PM to send Lankan protest envoy to South Korea Abe’s move an early attempt to mend frayed ties

TOKYO: Japan’s incoming Abe is expected to become an aside clearly aimed at Japan, prime minister will send a spe- prime minister on Wednesday stressed that stability had to be cial envoy to Seoul, he said yes- after a parliamentary vote. based on “a correct historical terday, to meet South Korea’s The news comes amid hopes perception”. president-elect, in an early for a fresh start under almost Abe is likely to visit South attempt to mend frayed ties. simultaneous leadership trans- Korea in February if he is invited Shinzo Abe will dispatch a fers and as North Korea’s suc- to Park’s inauguration ceremony, senior official from his Liberal cessful foray into rocket science the mass circulation Yomiuri Democratic Party to deliver a let- renews concerns over stability in Shimbun daily reported. ter to Park Geun-Hye, just days the region. Victor Cha, director of Asian after the two triumphed in their It also comes as China and studies at Georgetown University, own national elections. Japan continue to slug it out dip- said Park and Abe had similar Relations between their coun- lomatically over disputed islands views on many strategic matters, tries turned icy earlier this year in the East China Sea. but that the comfort women issue Sri Lankan lawyers march during a protest against an attack on United National Party member and Bar when a rumbling row over dis- Ties between Japan and South was a stumbling block. Association President Wijedasa Rajapakshe, in Colombo yesterday. Rajapakshe reported a shooting outside puted islands blistered suddenly. Korea had appeared to be on “I think they could get along his home early in the morning on December 20. It quickly degenerated into a the up earlier this year, with a famously as long as some of these familiar confrontation over atti- currency swap in place and a historical issues don’t raise their tudes to shared history, with near-miss on the signing of an ugly heads,” he said. Seoul accusing Tokyo of not being intelligence-sharing deal. “Frankly, the scenario that contrite enough for its wartime But a sudden visit to the Dokdo worries me is not that Abe is Maldives bars ex-leader from leaving country behaviour. islands, which Japan claims as going to say something that’s The emissary will be former Takeshima, by President Lee provocative but that one of his COLOMBO: Maldives authori- in office to have a judge arrested. a former president cannot be tol- finance minister Fukushiro Myung-Bak in August sent things people... will say something that ties yesterday prevented the If convicted, he could be jailed erated,” Maria Didi, a MDP law- Nukaga, a senior member of the careering out of control. gets blasted around the Internet former president who was or banished to a remote island for maker, said. Japan-South Korea parliamen- Abe’s sweeping parliamentary as being the position of the Abe ousted in February from leav- three years. Nasheed, who won the first free tarians’ league, who has relation- victory on Sunday was greeted government on comfort women,” ing the island nation to visit his Maldives has been rocked by elections in the Maldives in 2008, ships with senior figures in Seoul, with caution in South Korea, he said. ill father in Bangkok, a party violent protests over the past year was forced out after prolonged media reports said. where newspapers pointed to past “With Park Geun-Hye as not lawmaker said. in a standoff between Nasheed’s public demonstrations against Initial reports suggested comments on reviewing Japan’s only the first female president but Mohamed Nasheed, 45, who Maldivian Democratic Party and him and a mutiny by police. Nukaga would leave Friday admissions over sex slavery. the first female head of state in all resigned after what he alleges its opponents, who are now in His trial has been suspended evening, but it was later reported Newly-elected Park promised of Northeast Asia, that would be was a coup, is awaiting trial by power. and his lawyers said he was the visit would be put off until at Thursday to work on building very difficult for her.” a special court on charges of giv- “We believe this is pure harass- granted leave to travel freely until least next week. trust in Northeast Asia but, in AFP ing an illegal order when he was ment and such behaviour towards January 5. AFP

Khmer Rouge court N Korea confirms arrest of US citizen UN denies selling China ‘has no money to SEOUL: North Korea con- “In the process of investiga- city of Rason which lies inside a firmed yesterday that it tion, evidence proving that he special economic zone near North apocalypse ark tickets pay wages’ had arrested a US citizen in committed a crime against the Korea’s border with Russia and PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s November, saying he had admit- DPRK was revealed. He admit- China. UN-backed Khmer Rouge war ted to unspecified charges and ted his crime,” the agency said in Several Americans have been BEIJING: The United Nations yuan ($1.60) — although their face crimes court warned yesterday suggesting he would be formally a short despatch. held in North Korea in recent has denied distributing tickets value is 10bn yuan. that it did not have money to prosecuted. “Legal actions are being taken years. for an ark to save people from They went on sale ahead of a pay hundreds of workers from The man, identified as Pae against Pae in line with the crimi- In 2011, a US delegation led the apocalypse, it said on a Mayan prophecy that the world next month because of a lack of Jun-Ho, entered North Korea nal procedure law”, it added, by Robert King, the US special Chinese social networking site could come to an abrupt end on new donor pledges. on November 3 as a tourist, and without elaborating. envoy for Human Rights and yesterday. December 21. It said the funding crunch “committed a crime” against The arrest was first reported Humanitarian Issues, secured the “The United Nations sincerely One ticket stated that ark would affect 300 Cambodian the country, the official Korean earlier this month by a South release of Eddie Jun Yong-Su, a has not issued any boat tickets,” boarding would take place “at the employees, including drivers, Central News Agency (KCNA) Korean newspaper, Kookmin California-based businessman, said a post on the UN’s verified departure port 15 minutes before prosecutors and judges, unless said. Ilbo, which had identified the who had been detained for appar- account on Sina Weibo — a web- the close”. more funding was found. “He was put into custody by detainee as a 44-year-old Korean- ent missionary activities. site similar to Twitter — above Apocalypse predictions have The problem has “demoralised a relevant institution,” the news American tour operator. In 2010 former US president pictures of passes onto the ark been widely discussed in China, each and every one of the national agency added. The newspaper said he had Jimmy Carter won plaudits which sport the organisation’s thanks in part to the success staff,” the tribunal’s chief admin- The United States has no diplo- been travelling with five other when he negotiated the release of name and logo. of the Hollywood film “2012”, istrator Kranh Tony said in a matic ties with North Korea and tourists and was detained when American national, Aijalon Mahli The novelties, titled “United which depicted a Chinese-built statement. KCNA said consular officials from a computer hard disk was found Gomes, sentenced to eight years Nations 2012 China Tibetan apocalypse ark and set box office The tribunal has been fre- the Swedish embassy, which acts among the group’s belongings. of hard labour for illegally cross- Noah’s Ark tickets”, are widely records in the world’s most popu- quently cash-strapped since it on behalf of the US, had visited KCNA said Pae was arrested as ing into the North from China. available on Chinese auction web- lous country. was set up in 2006 to find justice Pae yesterday. he entered the north-eastern port AFP sites and each retail for around 10 AFP for the deaths of up to two million people under the hardline com- munist Khmer Rouge regime in the late 1970s. It relies on donor aid to pay all Vietnam imposes its salaries. In late 2011 the court Chinese ships in disputed waters, first since Japan poll ran out of funds to pay hundreds funeral wreath limit of Cambodians workers until it TOKYO: China sent its ships the area, the coastguard said. to power, vowing a tough line on of Temple University Japan’s received new funding from Japan into territorial waters around China has sent ships into the Beijing. Institute of Contemporary Asian in austerity drive in March. disputed islands yesterday, in islands’ waters 19 times since In one of his first broadcast Studies. The Cambodian side of the the first incursion since Japan Tokyo nationalised the chain in interviews after the win he said “It shows that Beijing wants HANOI: Vietnam has imposed hybrid court needs $9.5m to oper- elected a new government. September, according to a coast- there was no room for compro- to continue the confrontation. A strict limits on the number of ate in 2013, but has received no The move is a setback to hopes guard tally, with analysts saying mise in the row and put the onus new prime minister always opens wreaths that can be laid at offi- new funding pledges from donors, in Tokyo that Beijing might use Beijing intends to prove it can for improved relations on Beijing. up the possibility of ‘hitting the cials’ funerals and banned civil the court said. the poll as a chance for a fresh come and go as it pleases. “Japan and China need to share restart button’ but clearly Beijing servants from burning ‘ghost “It is a serious concern for start after months of bitter wran- The ante was upped last week the recognition that having good is not interested in improving money’ in a bid to assuage public the court and its staff,” tribunal gling and rhetoric over an issue when a Chinese plane overflew the relations is in the national inter- relations.” anger over government waste. spokesman Neth Pheaktra said. that neither side is prepared to area, in what Japan said was the ests of both countries,” he said. Following the latest incursion, Ghost money — fake ban- The UN side of the court has budge on. first time Beijing had breached its “China lacks this recognition a Chinese foreign ministry spokes- knotes or papier mache replicas enough budget to run through Japan’s coastguard said three airspace since at least 1958. Tokyo little bit. I want them to think woman Hua Chunying said: of highly-prized consumer goods February, he added. surveillance vessels moved inside scrambled fighter jets in response. anew about mutually beneficial “Official Chinese vessels have such as iPads and sports cars — The tribunal has long been the 12-nautical mile band around But the well-equipped coast- strategic relations.” always maintained routine rights are burnt during funerals and to dogged by allegations of political the Tokyo-controlled Senkakus, guard says State Oceanic Yesterday’s return to the pre- protection patrols in the waters of venerate ancestors during public meddling by the Cambodian gov- which Beijing calls the Diaoyus, Administration vessels had election pattern is a sign Beijing the Diaoyu islands.” holidays or on special occasions. ernment and has also been criti- with a fisheries patrol ship logged stayed outside territorial waters “doesn’t want to compromise and Abe has pushed an agenda that The amount burnt often reflects cised for proceeding too slowly. in adjacent waters. since Sunday’s election, in which wants to keep the pressure” up, will upgrade the country’s forces. a person’s wealth or status, while AFP At nightfall they remained in the hawkish Shinzo Abe swept said Robert Dujarric, director AFP senior officials are routinely hon- oured at their funerals with huge piles of ornate, expensive wreaths. Increased security “Funerals must be solemn, civi- lised (and) thrifty, to match the country’s socio-economic situ- Lawmakers press for response to ation,” stated a decree, signed on Monday by Prime Minister Bangladesh garment factory fire Nguyen Tan Dung but made pub- lic on Thursday. WASHINGTON: A dozen US decline,” the lawmakers told the “We must limit and eventu- lawmakers pressed President reporters. ally eliminate customs that are Barack Obama’s administration A Bangladeshi panel investi- backward and extravagant,” the on Thursday to complete a long- gating the November 24 fire at decree added. running review that could lead the Tazreen Fashion Factory that Vietnam’s authoritarian gov- to suspension of trade benefits killed 112 workers concluded it ernment, which has launched for Bangladesh after a deadly was the result of both sabotage an anti-corruption campaign in factory blaze there last month. and negligence. recent months, is struggling to “We are seriously concerned A US trade official said Kirk’s contain growing public discon- about the deterioration of work- office had been concerned about tent over a weak economy and a ing conditions and worker rights the worker-rights situation in string of scandals linking high- in Bangladesh,” the congressional Bangladesh for some time and level officials to graft and wasteful Democrats said in a letter to US had conveyed those concerns to spending. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. the Bangladeshi government on The ban applies to civil serv- “The latest apparel industry numerous occasions. ants, politicians, party officials, fire, with over 100 workers killed, The Tazreen fire had “inten- state-owned enterprise employ- Indonesian police commissioner General Imam Sudjarwo (right) reviews policemen during a security roll call in the Tazreen garment factory sified our concerns,” the official ees and anyone else paid by the ahead of the Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities in Jakarta yesterday. is the latest in a series of events said. state. and practices constituting this REUTERS AFP DECEMBER 22, 2012 ON SATURDAY 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Pakistan / Afghanistan

ISAF soldier missing in southern Afghanistan

Cameron visits troops in Kabul KABUL: An ISAF soldier has gone missing in southern Afghanistan, the coalition said British PM announces $365m in extra funding for equipment during surprise visit yesterday, more than three years after an American army LONDON: Prime Minister force in Afghanistan after the sergeant was taken prisoner by David Cameron yesterday paid United States. the Taliban. a pre-Christmas visit to British Britain has lost 438 troops in The Georgian soldier is believed troops serving in Afghanistan, Afghanistan since the operation to be the first soldier from the insisting that the “high price” began to topple the Taliban in Nato led mission to have gone paid by servicemen had been October 2001 following the 9/11 missing since Bowe Bergdahl, now worthwhile, his office said. attacks. thought to be 26, was taken on Cameron told reporters that Brigadier Bob Bruce, com- June 30, 2009 in the southeastern Afghan security forces were mander of Task Force Helmand, province of Paktika. “doing better than expected” as backed the prime minister’s It is not known if the Georgian he defended plans for the British comments, saying standards had soldier, who went missing on force to be cut to 5,200 next year, “risen markedly” over the last Wednesday, is the victim of a according to his office. year. kidnapping. The premier, who was tour- “The Afghans working with us “We can confirm that an ISAF ing Camp Bastion in Helmand now really are in control,” he told service member from Georgia is Province, said he was confident the BBC. “The insurgency is still missing,” an ISAF spokesman that the draw-down of nearly half there. It’s not gone but it doesn’t said. of the British troops deployed, dictate things.” “He was based in southern announced in parliament on Cameron joined in a carol serv- Afghanistan. We are gather- Wednesday, would not pave the ice and played table-football with ing the information to find out way for an increase in terrorist soldiers during yesterday’s flying what happened. There are active activity. visit. He also announced £230m research operations to find him,” “The fact is they (Afghan secu- ($365m) in extra funding for the spokesman added. rity forces) are doing better than equipment. Georgia has 1,570 troops serv- expected,” he said. This will go toward providing ing in Afghanistan, making the “This is withdrawal. This is additional Improvised Explosive small Caucasus country of 4.5 draw-down based on success, not Device (IED) detectors, more million people the largest non- on failure.” military working dogs and an Nato contributor to the mission He added that the decision was upgrade to armoured vehicles. in Afghanistan, according to the taken “for good military reasons The leader claimed that Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron (centre) eats breakfast with British forces at Camp Bastion in Helmand country’s defence ministry. and it has been done in a proper Afghanistan was now a “far bet- Eighteen Georgian soldiers Province, Afghanistan, yesterday. way. ter place than it was when we have been killed in Afghanistan “We’re confident it can be done came here in 2001”, but admitted over the past three years. while making sure Afghanistan it remained a “deeply challenged it was the right decision,” he but said some would remain to military assistance and aid pro- Despite the stubborn insur- does not return to become a country”. explained. help return equipment to Britain grammes, he added. gency, war-weary international haven of terrorism which is of “We have paid a very heavy He said on Wednesday that and to deal with logistics. The US military currently has forces are seeking to hand control course why we came here in the price but I think the reason for there was no final decision on Britain would also honour its about 66,000 troops on the ground of security to Afghan forces by first place,” stressed the prime coming here in the first place, how many troops would stay in commitment to help set up an as part of a Nato led force of withdrawing their combat troops minister. which was to stop Afghanistan Afghanistan after the end of com- officer training academy for the roughly 100,000. by the end of 2014. Britain has the second largest being a haven for terror... I think bat operations in December 2014 Afghans, as well as contributing AFP AFP

Malala backs reversing Cold Christmas awaits Pakistan’s Christians college name change ISLAMABAD: Christians liv- houses on the edge of Islamabad. his unheated two-room house. Many of Mehrabad’s 400 or ing in the Pakistani neighbour- Christmas traditionally means “If we sit together and talk, all so Christian families fled when hood where a young girl was new clothes, music and celebra- of a sudden the Muslim owner of Rimsha was arrested, fearing for PESHAWAR: Shot teen- accused of blasphemy say they tions, but locals say things have the house will come and ask ‘Why their safety. age Pakistani activist Malala are facing a bleak and joyless become much more difficult since are you here, what are you talking In 2009, in the central town of Yousafzai (pictured) has backed Christmas, crushed by poverty the Rimsha case. about?’” Gojra, Muslims burnt more than reversing a decision to rename a and harassed by Muslims. A patch of waste ground, where Drums and a lectern are piled 70 Christian houses, killing seven, girls college in her honour after Rimsha Masih spent three children play and goats nose up in a corner — rescued from after a rumour that a page from students said the move could weeks on remand in one of through piles of rubbish, should a house that had been used as a the Koran had been desecrated endanger them, an official said Pakistan’s toughest prisons after be home to a Christmas tree by makeshift church until the neigh- during a wedding. yesterday. being arrested on August 16, now. But not anymore. bours complained about the noise But Aslam Masih says Around 150 students boycotted accused of burning papers printed “A day or two ago we were dis- and the landlord intervened. most have since returned to classes and tore up pictures of with verses from the Quran, in cussing how to decorate a tree He built a concrete wall across Mehrabad. Malala in protest last week at the a case that drew worldwide when some young Muslim men the inside of the building dividing “We are back in our houses, renaming of their Government condemnation. came and mocked us, saying it into two homes. though some Christians have been Girls Degree College Saidu Sharif Under the Islamic repub- ‘You are talking about it but you Gold paper crosses and a pic- shifted to (the neighbourhood of) after the 15-year-old, saying the lic’s blasphemy laws, she could will not dare put it up,’” Amjad ture of Jesus, arms outstretched H-9/2 in a graveyard, where they move would make them a target from Birmingham hospital and have been jailed for life, but the Shehzad, a housepainter said. in supplication, still adorn one have some makeshift arrange- for militants. said the provincial government Islamabad High Court threw “Normally at Christmas we put wall. ment living in tents.” Malala was shot on her school should revert to the old name if out the case against her in up stars on our houses, but this “Christmas is coming and we Hammad Malik, the man who bus in northwestern Swat in there are security fears among September. year we will not be able to do this are upset. What will we do on accused Rimsha, still believes he October by Taliban gunmen for the girl students,” Rehman said. Blasphemy is so sensitive in either,” he added. Christmas? Every year we used did the right thing, but claims the “crime” of promoting girls’ “Malala expressed concern Pakistan that even unproven Pakistan is overwhelmingly to celebrate it here but now we he would guarantee the family’s education, but survived the mur- over the dangers faced by the allegations can provoke visceral, Muslim and at around two per- have no church to celebrate in safety should they return. der attempt and is now recover- students after the college was violent reactions. Rimsha and cent of the population, Christians the area,” said Aslam Masih, a “Their house is still waiting for ing in hospital in Britain. renamed, saying she would her family will spend Christmas are among the country’s most 37-year-old gardener and father them... I will give them written The top local government offi- not like anyone’s life to be as they have spent the last four marginalised citizens. Many are of three. assurance that if somebody raises cial in Swat, Kamran Rehman, threatened.” months — in hiding, fearing for impoverished and trapped in His wife Kalsoom Aslam said a finger against them, I will pro- said he had spoken Monday by Rehman said Malala’s father their lives. dirty, menial jobs. money was also a worry. tect them,” he said. phone to Malala, whose story Ziauddin Yousafzai, a former Her home stands empty and “We are scared. We are fright- “The atmosphere is not good “I don’t know whether she did made headlines around the teacher and headmaster who has the festive season promises lit- ened. We cannot sit together, and our church is closed,” she it on purpose or it was just an world and prompted the UN to been appointed a UN adviser on tle cheer in the run-down area we cannot speak loudly, we can- said. accident, but it was my duty to to observe a “global day of action” education, backed her stance in of Mehrabad, a warren of filthy, not celebrate openly. We have “Either we pay the rent save these Koranic pages, I did for her last month. the phone call. unpaved streets winding between threats,” said Ashraf Masih, a or we make preparations for that and I am not ashamed of it.” “Malala Yousafzai called me AFP tiny single-storey breezeblock sweeper and a father of nine, in Christmas.” AFP

Running against corruption Pakistani drone Militant commander among crashes in Wana PESHAWAR: A Pakistani three dead in Pakistan blast reconnaissance drone has crashed in a restive northwest- PESHAWAR: A bomb explo- commander Nek Muhammad, ern tribal region after develop- sion yesterday killed at least who was killed in a US drone ing a technical fault, security three people including a local strike in 2004. officials said yesterday. militant commander in a res- Muhammad and Abbas had The unmanned military air- tive Pakistani tribal region bor- come under sharp criticism in the craft was on a surveillance mission dering Afghanistan, security past for harbouring Uzbek, Tajik when it came down on Thursday officials said. and other Central Asian militants. night in Azam Warsak area, west The blast took place in a veg- Abbas and his fighters left of Wana, the main town of the etable market in the town of South Waziristan after Maulvi South Waziristan tribal region, Wana, in South Waziristan tribal Nazir became commander of mili- a senior security official said on district, which is considered a tants in the region and launched condition of anonymity. base for al Qaeda, the Taliban and a campaign against them for har- Another official confirmed other Islamist militants. bouring the “foreigner”. the crash and said that Taliban “According to our informa- Nazir opposes Uzbek fight- militants surrounded the site tion, a bomb at the office of local ers and has had awkward rela- and later took possession of the Taliban commander Maulvi tions with Pakistan’s umbrella wreckage. Pakistan manufactures Abbas’s brother in the vegetable Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) faction, its own small drones which the market went off, killing Abbas which is dominated by members army, navy and air force use for and two others including his son,” of the rival Mehsud tribe. reconnaissance and do not have a local security official said. However, Abbas returned to the lethal capability of US drones Four people sustained injuries the region last year after reach- which target militant hideouts in in the blast, which has not been ing a deal with Nazir, who was the country’s tribal regions. so far claimed by any group or wounded in a suicide attack in the The US strikes are deeply individual. Another local security main market of Wana last month. unpopular in Pakistan, which official also confirmed the attack Nazir and North Waziristan says they violate its sovereignty and casualties. commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur and fan anti-US sentiment, but Afghan activists run in a five-kilometre race against corruption, organised by the Afghan Anti-Corruption Maulvi Abbas, who had close carry out attacks in Afghanistan, American officials are said to Network, in Jalalabad yesterday. Over 400 young men took part in the race with the slogan “I don’t want cor- links with the Islamic Movement where they oppose the presence of believe they are too important to ruption in this country.” of Uzbekistan (IMU) was a US and Nato troops. give up. AFP close confidant of senior Taliban AFP DECEMBER 22, 2012 India www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 ON SATURDAY Govt seeks life sentences for Delhi bus rapists From streets to Raisina Hill, call for justice grows

NEW DELHI: Government, off the speeding vehicle. Police say “All hooliganism will be swiftly facing swelling protests over the the woman was attacked with an punished,” the home secretary gang-rape of a student on a bus, iron rod after being raped. added. The number of rape cases vowed yesterday to press for life Experts say a combination of in New Delhi has risen 17 per- sentences for her six attackers abusive sexual behaviour, a scant cent from 2011 to 661 this year. and promised stricter policing. fear of the law and India’s creaky The number of rapes is triple the Home Secretary R K Singh also judicial system encourage such number reported in India’s finan- said the government would pay attacks in the bustling city of 19 cial capital Mumbai. the medical bills of the 23-year- million people. Seething with anger, hundreds old victim of the brutal Sunday The Press Trust of India (PTI) of people came out on the roads night attack, who is fighting for reported that all six accused had waving banners, shouting slo- her life after suffering serious now been apprehended after a gans and waving their fists in the injuries to her intestines. search for the last remaining air, demanding justice for the “We will ask for the maximum suspect. 23-year-old physiotherapist, who punishment of life imprisonment City police commissioner is battling for life. and ask the court for the speedy Neeraj Kumar had earlier said at As tempers flew high, women trial of the accused,” Singh said as a joint news conference with the activists and students tried New Delhi and other cities con- home secretary that five people, to enter the high-security tinued to be swept by an unprece- including the bus driver, had been Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential dented wave of demonstrations by detained and charged with rape Palace) on Raisina Hill, but were women demanding better safety. and attempted murder. stopped by the securitymen. But Six drunken men were joyrid- Kumar pledged a series of it didn’t stop the hundreds of pro- Demonstrators hold candles and placards during a candlelight vigil to show solidarity with a rape victim, in ing on a bus when they picked up measures to “make Delhi safe,” testers to repeat it again. Chandigarh, yesterday. the physiotherapy student and promising squads of officers would Shouting “We want justice”, her 28-year-old male compan- patrol the city, crack down on hundreds of women banged at the Hundreds of people kept a after several rounds of surgery. signs of infection in a “mixed ion and took turns raping her. vehicles with darkened windows iron gates of gate number two of vigil outside the hospital where The PTI said she had been taken response”. Afterwards, they threw the pair and zero in on drunken motorists. Rashtrapati Bhavan to gain entry. the woman was being treated off a ventilator but showed early AFP/IANS

Cambodia seeks 2G case: Chargesheet filed $57m Indian loan BJP may block Modi’s

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian run for PM: Papers against Airtel, Vodafone Prime Minister Hun Sen asked for $57m concessional loan NEW DELHI: Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi should be in a from India for two development strong position to run for prime minister in 2014 after winning NEW DELHI: The Central Hutchison Max (now Vodafone India said in its charge sheet. projects and urged India to con- state polls but his own party may act to stop him, newspapers Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Limited) for Mumbai metro area. In the 32-page charge sheet, sider direct flights to Cambodia. said yesterday. Modi, a hardline leader of the right-wing Bharatiya yesterday filed chargesheet The CBI contended that then the CBI said that the telecom The prime minister’s sugges- Janata Party (BJP), on Thursday recorded a thumping victory in against mobile service firms communications minister Pramod companies were charged addi- tion was made during a meeting his home state of Gujarat to remain as chief minister, triggering Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India Mahajan, along with Ghosh, had tional 1 percent of the adjusted with his Indian counterpartMan- renewed speculation about his national ambitions. Ltd and Sterling Cellular allotted addition spectrum to the gross revenue (AGR) for allocat- mohan Singh in New Delhi while “He seeks national role, but party leadership may balk,” read the Limited for alleged irregulari- telecom companies in a hurried ing additional spectrum from 6.2 he attended the 20th anniversary front-page of The Hindu, while The Times of India asked: “Gujarat wants ties in allocation of excess spec- manner and in contravention MHz up to 10 MHz (paired) even of Asean-India dialogue partner- Modi, but does he want only Gujarat?” trum during the NDA regime. with the then telecom policy. as under the then existing norms, ship, Cambodian foreign minister The BJP - which is the main opposition party in parliament - is The CBI has also named former “Investigation has revealed the companies were chargeable Hor Namhong told reporters at scouting around for a vote-winning candidate to take on the ruling telecommunications secretary that Shyamal Ghosh, then chair- additional 2 percent of the AGR. the international airport yester- Congress-led alliance that has been weakened by slowing economic Shyamal Ghosh and the three man of Telecom Commission The CBI told the court that day while returning from India growth and policy paralysis. telecom firms as accused in the and secretary DoT, in conspir- former deputy director general with the prime minister. Modi, whose image remains tarnished by deadly riots in Gujarat in charge sheet for criminal con- acy with late Pramod Mahajan, (VAS) cell of DoT and former direc- He said the two projects are the 2002, inspires loyalty among young Gujaratis, but BJP leaders fear he spiracy and under provisions of then telecom minister and the tor of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd electricity transmission line from is a polarising figure who does not have the broad appeal needed on Prevention of Corruption Act for accused beneficiary companies (BSNL), J R Gupta, named in the Kratie province to Stung Treng the national stage. causing loss of about `8.46bn to i.e Hutchison Max and Sterling FIR as one of the accused, has been province with an estimated cost He strikes a fiercely independent stance in Gujarat, promoting his the national exchequer. Cellular and Bharti Airtel Ltd made as one of the 73 witnesses in of $20m, and the Sva Slab River own pro-business agenda, and has long had strained relations with The agency told the court that through their representatives, the case. No action has been taken irrigation system to cost $37m, the BJP hierarchy. “The BJP, already in unceasing turmoil over the additional spectrum was allotted abused his official position as against Mahajan and no charges Xinhua reported. leadership question, will now have to deal with the formidable claim- on July 17, 2002 to Bharti Cellular public person and showed undue have been found against the pro- He added that Hun Sen also ant from Gujarat, who disdains not just the opponent... but also the Limited (now Bharti Airtel) and favour which caused loss of `8.46bn moters of Airtel and Vodafone, suggested India to consider oper- opposition within,” the Indian Express said. Sterling Cellular Limited (now to the government exchequer and the agency told Special CBI Judge ating direct flights to Cambodia His supporters had no doubt about his future, celebrating his vic- Vodafone Mobile Service Limited) corresponding undue gain to the O P Saini. IANS to promote ties in economics and tory with the chant “Gujarat is only a trailer, Delhi is the real battle”. for the Delhi metro area, and aforesaid telecom companies,” it tourism. IANS AFP

Verdict on Italian Fire at garment shop marines must be respected: Minister

NEW DELHI: As the Kerala High Court on Thursday allowed two Italian marines charged with killing two Indian fishermen to go home for Christmas, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid denied that India has gone soft and said the court judgment must be respected. Asked if the court judgment was an indica- tion of India going soft on the two Italian marines, Khurshid said: “It’s neither being harsh nor soft.” “If the court in its wisdom has relaxed some condi- tions then it is entirely a matter between the court and the peti- tion.. We must respect the court judgment,” Khurshid said on the Firefighters trying to control a fire that broke out at a garment shop at a supermarket in Agartala yes- sidelines of the Asean-INDIA terday. More than 20 shops were engulfed and damaged by the fire in the early morning. commemorative summit. Bollywood star Saif Ex-Olympics chief faces fraud charges charged with assault NEW DELHI: A judge yes- Corruption Act” by January the companies.The firms and MUMBAI: Police have charged terday ordered prosecutors to 10, the PTI reported. Also fac- the six Indian officials accused, Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan for charge India’s former Olympics ing charges are the organising who are all currently on bail, allegedly assaulting and break- chief and five other sports offi- committee’s director-general V have denied wrongdoing. ing the nose of a South African cials with fraud relating to the K Verma, procurement direc- The judge said they would be businessman at a luxury hotel 2010 Commonwealth Games in tor Surjit Lal, sports director formally charged on January 10. earlier this year, a report said New Delhi. Suresh Kalmadi, A S V Prasad and treasurer Kalmadi, a serving mem- yesterday. who headed the Games organ- M Jayachandran. Two Indian ber of parliament, headed the The actor ran into trouble ising committee, his deputy companies and the firm Swiss Indian Olympic Association after Iqbal Sharma registered a Lalit Bhanot and four oth- Timing, which was awarded a (IOA), which was suspended case with the police in February, ers were accused of favouring contract to supply equipment, by the International Olympic complaining that he was pushed a particular company while are also accused in the case, the Committee (IOC) on December and punched in the face by Khan awarding contracts for install- Press Trust of India said. 4 for unethical practices during at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel’s ing a timing system for the Police alleged in 2010 that controversial IOA elections. Wasabi Japanese restaurant in Games. Swiss Timing had supplied Kalmadi did not run in Mumbai. “Colaba police station Judge Talwant Singh ordered equipment “at exorbitant rates the IOA elections earlier this filed the charge sheet against the prosecution to frame of one 1.07 billion rupees ($18 month, but Bhanot was elected Saif in a metropolitan magis- charges of “cheating, forgery, million)... thereby causing huge unopposed as secretary-gen- trate court on Thursday,” Deputy criminal conspiracy and for loss to the government”. It was eral, even though the IOC had Commissioner of Police Ravindra other offences under the pro- unclear whether the judge has declared the entire election Shishwe said. AGENCIES visions of the Prevention of also ordered the prosecution of process illegal. AFP DECEMBER 22, 2012 ON SATURDAY 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Business

Vodafone Rayyan Bank Industries NakilatQatar Islamic Barwa Gulf HoldingComm. Bank Int. Islamic Qatar Bank of Qatar Bank

390,694 8.36 1,384,343 25.90 309,547 155.40310,219 15.24 32,080 76.00 136,873 27.55 301,324 22.90 128,513 71.40 4,809 51.90 BAE wins $4.1bn Oman jet deal BAE Systems to supply 12 Eurofighter Typhoons, eight Hawk trainer jets

LONDON: British defence giant of the aircraft and the agreed and Space Company (EADS). takes the total number of Hawk BAE Systems announced yes- arrangements for in-service “Receiving this contract is an aircraft sold, or on order, to 998 terday a £2.5bn ($4.1bn) deal to support.” honour and is excellent news after a separate order from Saudi supply 12 Eurofighter Typhoon Oman will become the seventh for both BAE Systems and the Arabia in May. fighter aircraft and eight Hawk nation in the world, and the sec- Eurofighter Typhoon consor- Separately, BAE had warned trainer jets to Oman. ond in the Middle East, to operate tium,” said Guy Griffiths, group this week that a lucrative deal to The deal, which will help sus- the Eurofighter Typhoon. managing director for BAE sell fighter jets to Saudi Arabia GE to buy aviation unit tain thousands of jobs in Britain, “BAE Systems welcomes the Systems’ international business. was facing unresolved “issues” is the first major order since BAE decision by the Sultanate of Oman “BAE Systems has a long his- five years after an agreement was Systems failed to merge with to purchase 12 Typhoon and eight tory of working in Oman and we struck between the two sides. European aerospace giant EADS Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer air- are delighted this contract will BAE and Saudi Arabia signed of Avio for $4.3bn earlier this year. craft,” it added. enable us to continue to work a £4.5bn ($7.3bn) deal in 2007 “BAE Systems and the govern- “This contract is further rec- together. to supply 72 Typhoon planes to MILAN: US conglomerate supplier to its jet engine program, ment of the Sultanate of Oman ognition that both Typhoon and “We believe that Oman has now Riyadh. General Electric Co has agreed was intended in part to protect have entered into a contract for Hawk are leading aircraft in their added the most advanced fighter The group said Wednesday that to buy the aviation business new technologies. “They’re try- the supply of Typhoon and Hawk class, providing the best capabili- jet and proven training aircraft, ongoing discussions were centred of Italy’s Avio for $4.3bn, in a ing to get more vertically inte- Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft to ties available. available in the world, to its mili- on acceptable pricing terms. BAE sign of confidence about the grated and have more control the Royal Air Force of Oman,” the “As well as supplying aircraft, tary portfolio.” added that underlying earnings country’s underlying strength over critical aspects of the manu- London-listed company said in a BAE Systems will provide in- He added: “We look forward per share would be hit if an agree- despite its deep recession. facturing process,” he said. statement. service support to the Royal to working in partnership with ment was not reached soon. The deal comes as Europe’s GE is developing composite “The contract, valued at Air Force of Oman’s operational Oman’s Ministry of Defence, and Earlier this year, BAE had fourth-biggest economy labours to ceramics for jet engines, a tech- approximately £2.5bn, provides tasks. Deliveries are expected to the Royal Air Force of Oman, to attempted to merge with EADS become more competitive under nology it also plans to use in other for the delivery of 12 Typhoon commence in 2017.” ensure this is a highly success- but the deal collapsed under the a reform agenda set by techno- products such as electric turbines and 8 Hawk aircraft starting in The Eurofighter project con- ful programme that maximises weight of political wrangling and crat prime minister Mario Monti, and equipment used in oil and gas 2017. sortium comprises Britain’s BAE the potential of both Hawk and unexpectedly strong opposition who is due to step down yesterday production. “Rather than devel- “BAE Systems is the prime Systems, Italy’s Finmeccanica and Typhoon.” from Germany. before general elections seen in oping (composite ceramics) and contractor for both the provision the European Aeronautic Defence The latest order of Hawk jets AFP February. trust someone not to give it away, “We are convinced that Italy you want to keep it in-house,” will exit the crisis,” Nani Beccalli, Heymann said. president and chief executive of The move could be a sign that Bertone Nuccio concept car GE Europe, told reporters on GE in coming years might be Friday. “There are undoubtedly ready to consider larger acquisi- Gazprom to hurdles linked to red tape. But tions outside of the $1bn to $3bn the strategic value of the deal is so range that GE’s CEO, Jeff Immelt, buy Kyrgyz gas big (it would offset other issues)”, has described as the company’s Beccalli said. sweet spot over the past few operator for $1 GE agreed to buy Avio from years. “We’re slowly inching our private equity fund Cinven and way back into larger capital rede- BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan: Italian state-controlled defence ployment,” Heymann said. Russia’s gas giant Gazprom is group Finmeccanica. The move GE shares were down 0.6 per- taking a controlling stake in frustrated the aspirations of cent at $20.92 yesterday morning Kyrgyzstan’s debt-ridden state France’s Safran and Italy’s state- on the New York Stock Exchange. gas company for one dollar, backed Strategic Fund, which GE said the purchase price values Kyrgyzgaz said yesterday. had been trying over the last few the aviation business of Avio, which “The price has been set at one months to take over Avio. also supplies Rolls Royce Holdings, dollar” for 75 percent of the com- GE, whose businesses range from at 8.5 times its expected 2012 core pany, considering its estimated infrastructure technology to finan- earnings before interest, taxes, debt of $38m, said Kyrgyzgaz cial services, said Avio would boost depreciation and amortisation. director Turgunbek Kulmurzayev. its global supply chain capabilities “No nitpicks here. This is Gazprom is eventually planning as its engine production rates rise an excellent deal,” said Brian to buy 100 percent of the company to meet growing customer demand. Langenberg, of independent and invest 20bn roubles ($660m) Avio, which makes components research firm Langenberg & Co. over five years, he said. for the GE Dreamliner engine Debt-laden Finmeccanica, which “The issue of Kyrgyzgaz’s priva- used by Boeing Co, ranks among owned 14 pct of Avio, will use the tisation will be resolved by April Italy’s industrial jewels and is ¤260m it is earning from its stake 1, 2013.” one of the most technologically sale to lower debt. The sale is the Deputy Director Kuralbek advanced companies in its field. first of a number of disposals the Naskeyev said Gazprom intended William Blair & Co analyst company needs to carry out to keep to transport gas from Russia A view of Bertone Nuccio concept car by the Italian design house Bertone during the Exclusive Cars Tramo Nick Heymann said the move, its investment-grade credit rating. through either Kazakhstan or Exhibition taking place in Madrid from December 21 to January 6 at the Trade Fair IFEMA in Madrid, Spain, which amounts to GE buying a REUTERS Uzbekistan, as there is no direct yesterday. link. He added that Kyrgyzgaz also hoped to build a pipeline in the north of the country to transport Myanmar, Japan gas to China. UK third quarter growth revised down to 0.9pc “But the main thing is that to build vast Gazprom will be doing explora- tion in Kyrgyzstan,” Naskeyev LONDON: Britain’s economy to downward revisions to out- Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond revision to the breakdown is that industrial zone told reporters. grew by a worse-than-expected put from production and service Jubilee Many experts believe that real consumer spending is now He said the company was 0.9 percent in the third quar- industries, and to household con- the British economy could experi- estimated to have risen by 0.4 YANGON: Myanmar and recently evaluated by Deloitte ter, downwardly-revised data sumption. Market expectations ence a renewed downturn in the percent rather than 0.6 percent. Japan agreed to start work next accounting firm, which concluded showed yesterday, sparking had been for no change. current fourth quarter. So without the Olympics boost, year on a huge industrial zone that its state-owned stake was fresh speculation over a possi- Despite the news, Britain — a “The UK Q3 national accounts spending may well have fallen.” near Yangon, officials from the worth $38m — the same size as ble “triple dip” recession, ana- member of the European Union confirm that GDP rose strongly Britain sank into the first two countries said yesterday, as its debt. lysts said. but not the eurozone — still pow- in Q3, but we already know that phase of a double dip recession in the impoverished nation hun- Gazprom said in a statement “UK gross domestic product ered out of its longest double-dip activity in the fourth quarter has 2008 as a result of the devastating grily eyes foreign investment. Friday that its chief Alexei Miller (GDP) ... increased by 0.9 percent recession since the 1950s between been much weaker and think that global financial crisis that sparked The 2,400 hectare (6,000 acre) met with Kyrgyzstan President between the second and third July and September. the UK may already be in a triple- a number of vast banking bailouts. Thilawa project will include a Almazbek Atambayev to discuss quarter of 2012, revised from the However, third-quarter growth dip,” said Capital Economics ana- The economy rebounded in late port and industrial park and be the purchase and other forms of previously estimated increase of was boosted by one-off factors, lyst Vicky Redwood. 2009 but struggled to stage a con- up and running in 2015, according energy cooperation. Kyrgyzgaz is 1.0 percent,” the Office for National including the London 2012 Olympic “The quarterly rise in Q3 GDP vincing recovery and fell back into to Japan’s Ministry for Economic, 82.3-percent owned by the state. Statistics said in a statement. Games and rebounding activity was revised down, but only mar- a second downturn in late 2011. Trade and Industries (METI). AFP The slight downgrade was due after an extra public holiday for ginally. Perhaps the most notable AFP “It’s not an easy task but we will make no mistakes. Both of our countries share the common goal to set up the joint venture in 2013 and to launch the commer- cial operation in 2015,” said METI vice minister Nobuhiko Sasaki Regulatory black hole puts banks off deals after signing a memorandum of understanding in Yangon. DUBLIN/LONDON: they are going to,” said Niall plough more money into bank With their loan books still peak for asset sales. Former junta-ruled Myanmar Regulatory uncertainty is Gallagher, manager of the GAM shares, lenders are under huge bloated, European banks are Richard Thompson, European craves investment to spur putting large banks off buying Star Continental Europe Equity pressure to shrink their bloated capping new lending to shore up portfolio advisory group partner growth and boost its dilapidated the assets of smaller rivals, com- fund. loan books — by running them capital. Weak credit growth has at PwC, expects a record ¤60bn infrastructure, while export- plicating the sector’s restruc- “There’s a lot of investor angst down or selling them — to meet already hit the European econ- of loans will be sold next year up reliant Japan is hunting new turing and giving hedge funds out there at the moment, and tougher capital requirements. omy hard, with the IMF warning from an estimated ¤50bn this opportunities in the resource- and private equity a golden unless you have a crystal clear Europe’s banks, includ- earlier this year that deleveraging year and ¤36bn in 2011. rich nation to overset sluggish opportunity to swoop in. view, it is very hard to invest in ing Royal Bank of Scotland, would squeeze credit availability “It’s the opportunity to acquire domestic growth. Banks are facing a regulatory these stocks.” Lloyds, Commerzbank and oth- in the euro area by 1.7 percent customers at a relatively cheap Tokyo has already written off crackdown in the wake of the Despite hundreds of billions ers in Ireland, France, Spain and over the next two years. price. Some banks will emerge as massive debts owed by Myanmar financial crisis, with national of euros’ worth of loans for sale beyond, have shed hundreds of bil- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) buyers when they see assets at and Japanese media last month regulators increasingly opting to in Europe, senior bankers com- lions of euros since 2008 but still has estimated that European relatively competitive prices. But said it would pledge a fresh $615 go it alone with stricter rules, cre- plain that they can’t get some have further to go than their US banks have more than 2.5 trillion a lot of banks are being very cau- million in loans, a significant ating confusion for lenders trying deals past their credit commit- rivals because they grew so much euros of non-core loans, or about tious on capital,” said Thompson. portion for the Thilawa project— to calculate the merits of buying tees because there is uncertainty during the boom. 6 percent of their assets. It has With US banks facing tough although no final figures have a rival’s assets and for fund man- over how much capital they would The IMF has estimated banks estimated about 500 billion euros regulatory hurdles on acquisitions in been released. agers running the slide rule over need to hold after the acquisition. will shrink by $2.8 trillion, but in of those loans will trade in the the aftermath of the financial crisis, Myanmar’s deputy minister of bank stocks. “We are looking at assets. But an extreme scenario that could next decade. Canadian, Japanese and Australian national planning and economic “The regulatory environment is the regulatory uncertainty is reach $4.5 trillion as firms rid Banks are only four years into banks, which emerged largely development, Set Aung, said the such that you are seeing increas- making us wary,” said one senior themselves of unwanted loans what is expected to be a 10-year unscathed from the credit crunch, zone would help his nation “leap- ing capital standards for banks, US banker. and “rightsize” for a lower growth process of cutting assets. Next are the most obvious trade buyers. frog” its richer neighbours. but we don’t know yet where With investors reluctant to environment. year could surpass 2012 as the REUTERS AFP DECEMBER 22, 2012 Business www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 ON SATURDAY Iraq on its path to oil’s top tier Baghdad sweetening terms for contract buyers next year Baghdad’s gold holding LONDON: Iraq is sharpening exports of 2.9 million barrels and Kirkuk crudes has been comment for this story, and BP, a push to sell its swelling crude per day (b/d) next year, up from variable due to the erratic flow Total, Eni and Chevron declined output and sit at oil’s top table 2.62 million b/d in November, as of Kurdistan oil into the Kirkuk to comment on their plans to buy quadruples in 3 months with Saudi Arabia, sweetening investment by foreign oil compa- stream and the start-up of new Iraq oil. terms for contract buyers next nies pushes production towards fields in the south. These con- Just two years into the oil NEW YORK/SINGAPORE: followed by a 2.3-tonne rise in year, its customers say. its highest level ever. cerns persist, deterring some expansion drive, which had been Iraq made its first major move in September to 32.09 tonnes and then Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul- Some clients have com- buyers. held back by decades of wars and years to boost its gold reserves by a cut of 1.02 tonnes in October to Kareem Luaibi held court to plained of high official sell- “I don’t think Iraq has termed sanctions, Iraq has vaulted past in recent months, joining cen- 31.07 tonnes. There was no data for oil executives in Vienna’s Hotel ing prices (OSPs) and variable up all,” a third executive said. Iran to become Opec’s second- tral banks from emerging mar- November. “It was interesting that Imperial last week on the side- quality of the Basra Light and “They know the prices are out largest producer behind Saudi ket economies such as Brazil and Iraq bought gold,” a Sydney-based lines of an Opec meeting. Some Kirkuk grades, raising the pros- of line mostly because the qual- Arabia. That growth has not been Russia in diversifying its foreign trader said yesterday. buyers have said they were con- pect Baghdad could struggle to ity has been too variable for both lost on Riyadh, and a reinvigor- reserves. “Gold bulls will cheer the news cerned by higher prices and vari- shift all the crude in 2013 term Kirkuk and Basra. Until they ated Iraq has led to a new rivalry Central bank purchases have as more central bank buying will able quality. contracts. resolve it, I don’t think many will at the top of Opec, according to been one of the biggest drivers of support gold prices in the future, “The Iraqis have become more Initially, BP and Total wanted up their volume.” officials at last week’s meeting of gold’s rally since 2010 — a year but the market currently is a little active and serious in their mar- to reduce their 2013 volumes Some companies have trimmed the producer group. which saw central banks turning distracted by other things, namely keting effort,” said a Western oil of Basra. However, both are Kirkuk volumes for 2013. ENI “This was bound to happen. net buyers of the precious metal for the US ‘fiscal cliff’ talks.” executive from a firm that buys expected to take similar volumes and Total each plan to take Iraq has to sell more crude and the first time in two decades amid Spot gold prices are set for their from Baghdad. “They’re willing to 2012, about 135,000 bpd each, 10,000 bpd less of Kirkuk in 2013, get a bigger market share,” a growing doubts about the stabil- twelfth straight year of gains in to be very competitive on pric- trade sources said. BP will also industry sources said. Less Basra Western oil company source said. ity of the dollar as the world’s top 2012. Over this period gold gained ing and want to solve existing receive unspecified volumes as will be heading to the United “And they want to understand reserve currency. the most, around 30 percent, in problems.” repayment for its investment in States, where Chevron has cut how to do it in a practical way.” Over the course of three months 2007 and 2010. The world’s fastest growing oil Iraq’s upstream industry. its volumes, a source added. Opportunities for Iraq and between August and October this But right now gold is facing pres- exporter is working to expand “The Iraqis say they will sta- “The issue is simply price. The Saudi Arabia to sell more into year, Iraq’s gold holdings quadrupled sure from end-of-the-year fund market share and is emerging bilise the quality of Basra and OSP is too high, made worse by Asia — particularly China — to 31.07 tonnes, the International liquidation and the uncertainty as a rival to Saudi Arabia in the understand they will need to be the variations in quality and unre- were created after Iran’s exports Monetary Fund’s monthly statistics hanging over US talks to avert the Organisation of the Petroleum competitive on price,” a second liability in Basra deliveries,” said plunged by more than 50 per- report showed on Thursday. “fiscal cliff” of tax hikes and spend- Exporting Countries, as Iran’s Western executive said. “They a fourth executive. “Given there is cent, or over 1 million b/d, due to In the first change in its reserve ing cuts that would kick in early output is reduced by Western have to somehow place their some slack in the market, no one international sanctions aimed at in years, the country added some next year and threatens to tip the sanctions. additional production.” will pay over the odds.” halting its nuclear programme. 23.9 tonnes in August, bringing economy back into recession. Baghdad is targeting crude The quality of Iraq’s Basra An Iraqi oil official declined to REUTERS the total to 29.7 tonnes. That was REUTERS Tiny gold bars latest rage for jittery private investors

ZURICH: Private investors almost 500 percent since 2001 pieces can be easily broken off in Switzerland, Austria and compared to a 12 percent increase by hand into one gram squares Germany are lining up to buy in MSCI’s world equity index. — is that it can be easily trans- gold bars the size of a credit card Sales of gold bars and coins were ported and costs less than buy- that can easily be broken into worth almost $77bn in 2011, up ing 50 one gram bars. one gram pieces and used as pay- from just $3.5bn in 2002, accord- “The produce can also be ment in an emergency. ing to data from the World Gold used as an alternative method Now Swiss refinery Valcambi, a Council. of payment,” he said. unit of US mining giant Newmont, “The rich are buying standard Valcambi is building a sales wants to bring its “CombiBar” to bars or have deposits of phsyical network in India and plans market in the United States and gold. People that have less money to launch the CombiBar on build up its sales presence India are buying up to 100 grams,” said the US market next year. In — the world’s largest consumer of Michael Mesaric, CEO of Valcambi Japan, it wants to focus on gold where the precious metal has “But for many people a pure invest- CombiBars made of platinum long served as a parallel currency. ment product is no longer enough. and palladium. Investors worried that inflation They want to be able to do some- Elsewhere, demand is partic- and financial market turmoil will thing with the precious metal.” ularly strong among Germans, wipe out the value of their cash Mesaric said the advantage of still scarred by post-World have poured money into gold over the “CombiBar” — which has been War One hyperinflation, when the past decade. Prices have gained dubbed a “chocolate bar” because money became all but worthless and it took a wheelbarrow full of notes to buy a loaf of bread. An employee places a gold Combibar into a press machine at a plant of gold refiner and bar manufacturer Valcambi QATARI MARKET REUTERS SA in the southern Swiss town of Balerna yesterday. Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Qatar Govt 5.15% 09/04/2014 USD 105.50 0.88 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 3.125% 20/01/2017 USD 105.63 1.69 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 6.55% 09/04/2019 USD 125.88 2.14 % Aa2 AA Greeks flock to informal Qatar Govt 5.25% 20/01/2020 USD 119.50 2.25 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 4.5% 20/01/2022 USD 115.13 2.62 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 9.75% 15/06/2030 USD 182.00 3.46 % Aa2 AA work as recession bites Qatar Govt 6.4% 20/01/2040 USD 140.00 3.97 % Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 5.75% 20/01/2042 USD 130.63 3.97 % Aa2 AA ATHENS: Greek dietician Reggina knew she had little Qatari Diar 3.5% 21/07/2015 USD 105.13 1.47 % Aa2 AA choice when her boss told her she could keep her job at a Qatari Diar 5% 21/07/2020 USD 117.13 2.51 % Aa2 AA health centre only if she agreed to getting part of her salary Comqat 5% 18/11/2014 USD 106.00 1.79 % A1 A- off the books. Comqat 3.375% 11/04/2017 USD 104.50 2.27 % A1 A- With Greece sinking deeper into recession and no other jobs QIB 3.856% 07/10/2015 USD 104.63 2.14 % NR NR to be found, she meekly agreed last year to monthly pay of QNB 3.125% 16/11/2015 USD 103.63 1.83 % Aa3 A+ ¤160 in cash and ¤700 on the books — allowing her struggling QNB 3.375% 22/02/2017 USD 104.88 2.14 % Aa3 A+ firm to pay lower social security contributions. Doha Bank 3.5% 14/03/2017 USD 104.00 2.50 % A2 A- At 26, Reggina had joined the ranks of a growing number Qtel 3.375% 14/10/2016 USD 105.13 1.97 % A2 A of young Greeks resorting to informal work to get by during Qtel 7.875% 10/06/2019 USD 130.88 2.65 % A2 A an economic crisis that has left Greece with a youth unem- Qtel 4.75% 16/02/2021 USD 113.13 2.93 % A2 A ployment rate of 56 percent — the highest in the euro zone. Qtel 5% 19/10/2025 USD 113.75 3.65 % A2 A “It’s not just psychological war, it’s abuse,” said Reggina, Rasgas 5.5% 30/09/2014 USD 108.00 0.94 % Aa3 A who like others declined to give her full name because of the illegal nature of her work. Rasgas 5.832% 30/09/2016 USD 110.13 2.97 % Aa3 A “I get fewer social security vouchers and I can’t get a loan Rasgas 5.298% 30/09/2020 USD 112.88 3.40 % Aa3 A because my salary on paper is so low. But they tell us if we SOVEREIGNS talk about this, we’ll lose our jobs.” Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Data suggests informal work in Greece — which already Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 08/04/2014 USD 106.50 0.47 % Aa2 AA has one of the largest grey economies in the euro zone — is Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 08/04/2019 USD 128.38 1.94 % Aa2 AA rising quickly, fuelled by both cash-strapped businesses trying Dubai Govt 6.7% 05/10/2015 USD 111.00 2.58 % NR NR to save on contributions to the state and desperation among Dubai Govt 4.9% 02/05/2017 USD 107.63 3.02 % NR NR job-seekers. In the first half of the year informal workers accounted for Dubai Govt 7.75% 05/10/2020 USD 126.88 3.74 % NR NR 35 percent of about 30,000 employees during checks by the Dubai Govt 6.45% 02/05/2022 USD 117.00 4.23 % NR NR SEPE agency that inspects firms, up five percentage points Qatar Govt 4% 20/01/2015 USD 105.50 1.31 % Aa2 AA from 2011. More than half of them were Greeks and 41 percent Bahrain Govt 6.273% 22/11/2018 USD 114.38 3.56 % NR BBB were migrants. Bahrain Govt 5.5% 31/03/2020 USD 107.88 4.23 % NR BBB Most of them were employed in the construction sector or Egypt Govt 5.75% 29/04/2020 USD 99.25 5.88 % B2 B in family businesses like restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. Morocco Govt 4.5% 05/10/2020 EUR 102.25 4.16 % NR BBB- The number of self-employed in Greece - another indica- tor of the rise in informal work - now stands at 31 percent *Periodic Distribution Amount IMPORTANT NOTE: of workers, twice the euro zone average, says Athens-based Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which think-tank IOBE. is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services “When the recession is so deep, labour rights are among the Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary data first to be sacrificed,” said SEPE Director Michalis Kandarakis. and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of “They become less important for employers.” the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into Unionists allege businesses have become so innovative in account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds can and finding ways to cut costs during the crisis that some companies does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not a reliable have even deposited salaries but demanded part of the money indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and consult your back in cash a few days later or paid workers in supermarket financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. coupons. They argue the efforts of Greece’s international lenders to loosen strict labour laws have only made matters worse, allowing employers to use part-time or flexible contracts to pay workers the minimum possible on the books and the rest under the table. REUTERS DECEMBER 22 , 2012 Classifieds www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17 ON SATURDAY

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DOHA: Title contenders India and Pakistan won their respec- tive matches to record their sec- ond successive win in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament. At Al Rayyan Stadium here Pakistan’s Lekhwiya’s Hussain Ali Shibab (in red) dribbles the ball past two Al Sailiyah yesterday, defending champi- Shakeel players during their Qatar Stars League match yesterday. Lekhwiya won 2-1. ons India aided by a brace from Abbasi (second Vokkaliga Raghunath edged past right) and a gritty Japan 3-1 in the first Song Yi of match of the day, while top- China vie for ranked Pakistan survive a few Al Arabi stun Al Sadd; the ball during scary moments in their 5-2 win their Asian over China. Champions In the third match of the day, Trophy match Dia strikes late to give Malaysia defeated Oman 4-1. at Al Rayyan After two rounds of matches Stadium India, Pakistan and Malaysia are yesterday. the three teams with an all win Lekhwiya 2-1 win record in the six-team compe- Pakistan tition. The final will be held on won 5-2. DOHA: Al Arabi recorded an the ball and lashed a shot past Al December 27. PICTURES BY: impressive 4-2 win over points Sadd goalkeepr Mohamed Saqr. In the first match of the day, ABDUL BASIT leaders Al Sadd in round 12 Al Sadd pulled one back Japan set up a lively pace in the of Qatar Stars League (QSL), shortly before half-time when he first quarter of the match. yesterday. tapped in Nadir The Indians slackened the pace Al Arabi’s Belhadji’s cross. of the match much ‘against their second straight QSL Results and In the second style of play’ with the defenders win puts them in half, Al Sadd put holding on to the ball far too long. 11th spot with 11 the home side In fact a tight Japanese defence points, while Al Fixtures under pressure, kept India at bay and their attack- margin of more than five goals. with the first, but made amends locked two-all, with China com- Sadd maintain Yesterday’s Results but Al Arabi ing display in the first quarter of We committed some sloppy errors with the second a minute later, ing back strongly to equalise twice top spot with 31 Al Arabi 4 Al Sadd 2 restored their the match earned them two pen- which were costly. We should have giving India its first goal. in the match. points. Al Sailiyah 1 Lekhwiya 2 two-goal cush- alty corners, both which went a put away five more goals. We fail Raghunath placed his low flick Shakeel Abassi said the players Significantly, Al Kharaitiyat 0 Al Khor 0 ion thanks to begging. to control the ball at critical to the right of sliding goalie Akira are having a few problems with Al Sadd’s lead at Today’s Fixtures Abdelaziz Hatem. Indian coach Michael Nobbs moments, which are unpardon- Morishima. the Astroturf. the top is down Ibrahim Umm Salal vs Eljaish, 4:00pm admitted that the boys took the able mistakes at the international Japan equalised in the 50th “We are facing problems early to six points Khalfan replied at Grand Hamad Stadium Japanese lightly. level. You cannot miss them,” said minute with captain Yashuhiro on because of the turf. It is hard, after Lekhwiya for Al Sadd, cour- The Australian coach said his Nobbs, referring to the chances Nakayama outwitting Indian fast paced and bumpy here and left it late to Al Gharafa vs Al Wakra, 4:00pm tesy of a penalty boys were guilty of some ‘sloppy’ that Indian forwards failed to goalkeeper PR Sreejesh with a there, so makes controlling a bit win 2-1 against at Thani bin Jassim Stadium to set up a fran- display. convert in the match. neat placement to the right of difficult. Al Sailiyah. Qatar SC vs Al Rayyan, 6:30pm tic finish, but “We should have won by a The Indian coach did not find the keeper. “In the first half, it is a bit of Lekhwiya has at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium Al Arabi sealed anything surprising in the Japan’s However, India bounced a a struggle but later on, the field 25 points, while the three points determined display . minute later with Gurwinder opens up and then we are able to Al Sailiyah remains rooted at the when Boulalem Khouskhi lashed Asian Champions “At this level we know all teams Singh Chandi scoring a field goal. execute our plans better. So there bottom with five points. his shot past Saqr. are tough. So we were prepared Drag-flick specialist Raghunath is nothing to worry as you saw we In other QSL action, Al Elsewhere, Sebastian Soria Trophy for that. They are a skillful side,” struck again, the second time in were in total control in the second Kharaitiyat and Al Khor drew scored his ninth goal of the season added Nobbs, who was critical the match in the 59th minute to half,” said Abassi, after the match 0-0. when he brilliantly headed Adel Yesterday’s Results of the lack of consistency on the give India a 3-1 win, converting yesterday. Both sides have 11 points. Ahmed’s cross in the 74th minute. Pakistan 5 China 2 part of the umpires. the penalty corner with aplomb. Pakistan went into the half- Al Arabi started the match Ten minutes later, Al Sailiyah India 3 Japan 1 India had to wait till the 22nd In the second match, Pakistan time break leading 3-2 with confidently creating chances and made it 1-1, when Beli Dagano Malaysia 4 Oman 1 minute to take the lead through aided by two goals apiece from Waqas scoring in the 33rd minute. putting Al Sadd under pressure. converted a penalty late in the Tomorrow’s Fixtures a penalty corner conversion from Muhammad Waqas and Abdul Pakistan had to wait till the Wanderley Junior doubled his game. Raghunath. Haseem Khan and a goal from 53rd minute to add a fourth while side’s lead in the 31st minute, Lekhwiya, pressed for the win- Japan vs China, 3:00pm The drag-flick specialist who Muhammad Waqas trounced Khan scored his second with one after the home team went ahead ner and were rewarded when India vs Oman, 5:00pm scored two goals in Thursday’s China 5-2. minute left. in the 15th minute. Issiar Dia scored late into stop- Pakistan vs Malaysia, 7:00pm match against China, fumbled At one stage the teams were THE PENINSULA The Brazilian forward dribbled page time. THE PENINSULA

India’s Chandi Gurwinder Singh dribbles the ball during his side’s Asian Champions Trophy match against Japan at Al Rayyan Stadium. India won 3-1. DECEMBER 22, 2012 ON SATURDAY 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Sport

South Aussie rider Cudlin African cricket player Chris Morris celebrates his first wicket grabs pole position of New Zealand batsman Colin Munro QIRRC: Prinz, Al Malki and Al Sulaiti impress at Losail during the T20 cricket DOHA: Australia’s Alex Cudlin match hit the ground running yester- between day, securing the season’s first South pole of the Qatar International Africa Road Racing Championship and New (QIRRC) at Losail Circuit. Zealand, Cudlin, the defending cham- at the pion, edged German rider Nina Kingsmead Prinz to the top spot with the Stadium fastest time of 2.03.124 in the in Durban official qualifying for the season’s yesterday. first round today. Cudlin, who has represented Qatar Endurance Racing Team (QERT) in the past, wasted little time in hitting his straps, edging Prinz and other local riders in posting the fastest lap time. Prinz, the only female rider taking part in round one of South Africa QIRRC, clocked 2.03.930. On the grid for the races today will be Qatar rider Nasser Malki who clocked a time of 2.05.445. thrash Kiwis Al Malki was given a hot chase by compatriot Saeed Al Sulaiti Australia’s Alex Cudlin in action yesterday during official qualifying for round one of the Qatar International Road who was fourth fastest with a Racing Championship (QIRRC) at Losail International Circuit. Cudlin won the pole position. The season’s first DURBAN: South Africa Richard Levi and Henry Davids. time of 2.06.848. round of the seven-leg series will be held today. Each round consists of two races. PICTURES: FEISAL AHMED humiliated the touring New Six of New Zealand’s top seven “I am surprised how good the Zealanders with an embarrass- batsmen were dismissed for sin- bike is since I didn’t use it since ingly one-sided eight-wicket gle figure scores as seamer Rory September,” Cudlin said after victory in the first of three Kleinveldt claimed figures of securing the pole position. Twetnty20 Internationals three for 18 and spinner Robin “I thought I would get a slower yesterday. Peterson produced his country’s lap timing but I am really happy Qatari rider Nasser The hosts dismissed their hap- most economical four-over analy- to get the pole for the races here,” Al Malki takes a less opponents for just 86 before sis in the format with figures of Cudlin added at the end of the bend during official captain Faf du Plessis (38 not out) two for eight. qualifying practice. qualifying for and debutant Quinton de Kock The second game is in East Prinz said she was edgy at the round one of the (28 not out) wrapped the game London tomorrow and the third start of the free practice session. Qatar International up with 7.5 overs to spare follow- in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday. “I was a little nervous at the Road Racing ing the early dismissals of openers REUTERS start of the free practice. I had Championship some problems with the gears in (QIRRC) at Losail the free practice and I could only Scoreboard International make two laps,” Prinz said. NEW ZEALAND Plessis 0.2-0-0-0. Circuit. “In the qualifying practice, the R Nicol c de Kock b Kleinveldt ...... 3 SOUTH AFRICA bike was very good. Moreover I P Fulton c Morris b Steyn ...... 9 R E Levi c Fulton b McClenaghan ...... 0 am fitter now as I have trained B McCullum c Steyn b Kleinveldt ...... 6 H Davids b Hira ...... 20 well for the new season,” the J Franklin c de Kock b McLaren...... 0 F du Plessis (not out) ...... 38 German said. C Munro c&b Morris ...... 23 Q de Kock (not out) ...... 28 “I am confident that I will Corey J Anderson c Levi b Morris ...... 5 Extras (W-1) ...... 1 do well in the new season,” she N McCullum b Peterson ...... 1 Total (for 2 wkts in 12.1 overs) ...... 87 added. Nasser bin J Neesham b Peterson ...... 10 Did not bat: F Behardien, D A Miller, R J Peter- Qatar’s Al Malki said: “I am Khalifa Al Attiyah D Bracewell (not out) ...... 21 son, R McLaren, D W Steyn, C H Morris, R K very happy with the result today. (centre), President R Hira c Kleinveldt b Steyn ...... 5 Kleinveldt. My bike is not 100 percent ready of Qatar Motor M McClenaghanc Peterson b Kleinveldt ...... 0 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-45. but with the help of my mechan- and Motorcycle Extras (LB-1, W-2) ...... 3 Bowling: M J McClenaghan 3-1-20-1; D A J ics, I hope to get a good result Federation Total (all out in 18.2 overs) ...... 86 Bracewell 2-0-21-0; R M Hira 3-0-15-1; C J (today).” (QMMF), heads a Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-19, 3-19, 4-27, 5-34, Anderson 1-0-11-0; N L McCullum 2-0-7-0; R Al Sulaiti, who was the fourth jury meeting with 6-36, 7-54, 8-60, 9-81, 10-86. J Nicol 1-0-11-0; J D S Neesham 0.1-0-2-0. fastest rider in qualifying, said: QMMF officials at Bowling: R McLaren 4-0-27-1; D Steyn 3-0- Series: South Africa led the 3-match series “Yes, I enjoyed myself a lot. A new Losail International 13-2 (1w); R Kleinveldt 3.2-1-18-3; C H Morris 1-0. bike and a new team of mechanics Circuit yesterday. 3.4-0-19-2 (1w); RJ Peterson 4-0-8-2; F du Player-of-the-Match: R K Kleinveldt (S Africa). make things a lot more fun!” Sultan Al Murraikhi The Qatari rider added: “There are things that can be improved (fifth left), Board still but that will come with time. Member, QMMF, KKR-Daredevils Pakistan’s Fourth (spot) is an amazing start was also present. for this season and I hope I con- clash in 2013 Ajmal signs for tinue to progress.” He added: “I would like to a BMW S1000RR. Mishal Al Top 10 Grid Positions IPL opener Hampshire thank Lekhwiya and QMMF for Naimi, also of Qatar, was fourth 2012-13 Season Round 1 Alexander Cudlin (AUS) 2:03.124 supporting me.” in the free practice with a time Today’s schedule at Losail Circuit MUMBAI: Defending cham- LONDON: English county Earlier in the first free practice of 2.06.484. Nina Prinz (GER) 2:03.930 09:00 - 09:20 Bikes Warm Up (20 mins) pions Kolkata Knight Riders Hampshire said yesterday that session, on top of a Suzuki GSXR Also yesterday, the organis- Nasser Al Malki (QAT) 2:05.445 will start their 2013 campaign they have secured the serv- 11:00 - 11:05 Pit lane open/close bike, Cudlin was the fastest rider ers Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Saeed Al Sulaiti (QAT) 2:06.848 against Delhi Daredevils in the ices of Pakistan off-spinner 11:05 - 11:20 Grid with a time of 2.04.219. Federation (QMMF) held its jury Abdulrahman Al Mannai (QAT) 2:09.907 inaugural match of the Indian Saeed Ajmal next season as a Prinz, struggling with gear meeting headed by Nasser bin Rayad Al Emadi (QAT) 2:10.361 11:20 Bikes Race 1 (15 Laps) Premier League (IPL) at the two-month replacement for problems, could only complete two Khalifa Al Attiyah, president of Fahid Al Sowaidi (QAT) 2:11.038 14:00 - 14:05 Pit lane open/close Bikes Eden Gardens, Kolkata, April 3. Australia Twenty20 skipper laps but that was enough to get QMMF, at Losail International The sixth edition of the IPL George Bailey. Ahmed Al Muyini (KSA) 2:11.575 Race 2 her second best time of 2.05.110. Circuit. will also witness the debut of The 35-year-old Ajmal, who has 14:05 - 14:20 Grid Qatar’s Al Malki was third fast- Action today starts at 9:00am. Sultan Al Kuwari (QAT) 2:12.168 Sunrisers Hyderabad, previously taken 122 wickets in 23 Tests and est with a time of 2.06.109 riding THE PENINSULA Paul Etherton (IRL) 2:14.437 14:20 Bikes Race 2 (15 Laps) known as Deccan Chargers. was instrumental in Pakistan’s The tournament will be played win over England in the United in the same format as the 2012 Arab Emirates earlier this year, edition. Each of the nine partici- will play in August and September Nina Prinz of pating teams will play the other when Bailey joins Australia’s lim- Germany poses eight twice, at home and away. ited-overs squad. next to her bike The top four teams, at the end Bailey is likely to be involved yesterday. Prinz of the round-robin stage May 19, in Australia’s T20 internationals was the second 2013, will qualify for the play-offs. against visitors England. fastest rider in “I am very pleased to be joining Hampshire to play in the County official qualifying Bangladesh agree Championship,” said Ajmal, for today’s round to tour Pakistan who has previously turned out one of the Qatar for Worcestershire in the 2011 International next month campaign. Road Racing “I have always enjoyed play- Championship KARACHI: Bangladesh have ing in England and look forward (QIRRC). RIGHT: agreed to tour Pakistan next to playing my part in helping Qatar’s Saeed Al month in the first visit by any Hampshire get promoted,” he Sulaiti in action country since armed militants added in a statement on the club’s during yesterday’s attacked the Sri Lanka team website ageasbowl.com official qualifying. bus in Lahore in 2009, Pakistan The southern English county The first race of the Cricket Board (PCB) chairman start next season in the second new season will be Zaka Ashraf said yesterday. division. The arrival of Ajmal held at 11:20am “The Bangladesh board has -- described by Hampshire man- following by the conveyed to us their team’s visit is ager Giles Smith as “one of the second race which confirmed and they have also got best bowlers in the world in all is scheduled to approval from their board mem- forms of the game -- will be vital bers. They have also sent us the if young left-arm spinner Danny start at 2:20pm. time frame for the tour,” Ashraf Briggs is also involved in the told the Geo News Channel. England-Australia ODIs. REUTERS REUTERS DECEMBER 22, 2012 Sport www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 ON SATURDAY

Qatar-owned Women’s World Ferguson relishing return Malaga set Open Results GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands: Results in the semi- to appeal finals of the World Open championships: European ban Nicol David (MASx1) bt Jenny Duncalf of Ronaldo, Real Madrid (ENGx6) 11-7, 11-4, 11-2; Laura Massaro NYON, Switzerland: (ENGx3) bt Raneem El Weleily (EGYx2) 5-11, Spanish side Malaga will 11-9, 12-14, 11-4, 13-11. Northern Ireland defender Evans signs new contract appeal a one-year ban from European competition which was handed down by UEFA Squash: MANCHESTER, United yesterday, angrily claiming Kingdom: Manchester United they had been made “scape- manager Alex Ferguson yes- goats” in a row over financial David storms terday said he was sure that irregularities. Cristiano Ronaldo will receive European football’s govern- an impressive reception when ing body said Qatar-owned to seventh he returns to Old Trafford for Malaga would be barred from the first time with Real Madrid. taking part in either the Europa world final United were on Thursday League or Champions League drawn to play the Spanish cham- when they next qualify and also pions in one of the ties of the last faced the prospect of a second GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman 16 of the Champions League, with year-long exclusion if they failed Islands: Nicol David continued the match given added interest to clear outstanding debts. to make nonsense of the idea because of Ronaldo’s status as a UEFA gave the Liga club a that a bevy of young challeng- former club favourite. deadline of March 31 next year ers might be closing the gap on The 27-year-old Portugal cap- to prove it had “no overdue pay- her as she reached her seventh tain left United for the Santiago ables” to clubs, employees or the World Open final in eight years. Bernabeu in an £80m ($130m, tax authorities. The six-time champion now 98m euro) deal in 2009 after a If they were unable to do so, looks odds on to extend her successful six-year spell that saw the ban would be extended, a record of titles after an increas- United win three Premier League statement on uefa.com said. ingly trampling semi-final win titles and the Champions League. Malaga, who were also fined over Jenny Duncalf yein a repeat Ferguson revealed that Ronaldo 300,000 euros ($396,000, 244,000 of last year’s world final in wanted to leave in 2008 but was pounds), were on Thursday Rotterdam. persuaded to stay on for another drawn to face Portuguese side The Malaysian heroine’s 11-7, 12 months and he believes his Porto in the last 16 of the 11-4, 11-2 score-line against the contribution will be recognised Champions League. But the club sixth-seeded English woman hints by the club’s supporters, who still said they would appeal against at how she increased her control, sing the forward’s name. the decision and claimed they initially by moving to the ball so “The contract with Real says were already proceeding with fast and early that she denied that he can’t play against us. I financial restructuring in line Duncalf time to play her creative think it will be a disgrace if he with UEFA’S fair play rules. game. plays against us anyway. He has Real Madrid’s Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho (centre) and Spanish assistant coach Aitor Karanka (right) “Malaga football club wishes David then found different no loyalty to us,” Ferguson joked watch their players, German midfielder Sami Khedira (left) and Ghanaian Michael Essien (front right) during their to express its total disagree- ways to finish rallies as the match at a news conference before team’s training session at Valdebebas Sports Complex in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. Real Madrid will face Malaga ment with the resolution made went on and as her confidence United’s match against Swansea in the Spanish Primera Division today. today by UEFA, considering and rhythm grew. tomorrow. the measures it intends to It all emphasised just how at “One thing is for sure, he’ll get to go the previous year and he (Mourinho) and I need to put that time on his career in 2011, only to take absolutely disproportion- ease the champion has seemed at a great reception when he comes honoured that and was fantastic right,” he added. return to action in January. ate and unjustified,” said a club the Grand Cayman event -- some- to Old Trafford and quite rightly for us. “The main focus will centre There has also been speculation statement. thing crucial, given that bouts of when he comes on the pitch. After “He went with our blessing. around Cristiano, it will be a about the futures of Ryan Giggs, “An unfair punishment is tension have occasionally troubled that they can boo all they like. My way of looking at it is that fantastic tie and hopefully we 39, and Rio Ferdinand, 34, but being applied to make an exam- her on big occasions. “You’ve got to remember he we were lucky to have him for six can get them back here with a Ferguson said he had heard noth- ple of the club, turning it into a David attributed her good mood came at 17 and really developed years and the United fans would good chance and the place will be ing from Scholes and predicted scapegoat.” partly to similarities between himself here as a great footballer. share that.” buzzing. that Giggs will play for up to two The club “will work energeti- the island environment and her We’re proud of the part we played After missing out on the knock- “We’ve not had a really good years more while Ferdinand’s cally and tirelessly until justice background. in his career. To get six years out out phase of the Champions European game for quite a while form was “terrific”. is done, appealing firmly to all “I was born on an island, of a boy when he comes at 17 and League last season, Ferguson having not qualified last year. This It’s the kind of speculation you the necessary bodies.” AFP Penang,” she said. “I love the played for us for six years we’ve believes the tie is an opportu- is a big opportunity for United expect because we only put older beach and that’s why I am so done well. nity for United, who have won to kick on and step forward in players on one-year contracts,” he relaxed.” “He always had a hankering to the European Cup three times, European football again.” added. Her relaxed well-being showed go to Madrid in his career and we to re-establish themselves as a Ferguson, meanwhile, dis- Northern Ireland international Maradona itself with one between-the-legs helped him on that way. It wasn’t European force. missed reports that Paul Scholes defender Jonny Evans, 24, has volley which took her to 3-2 in the disloyalty because I got another “I’ve not got a great record has decided to retire at the end signed a new contract to keep him faces Eriksson third game and elicited as loud a year out of him when he wanted against (Real coach) Jose of the season. Scholes, 38, called at the club until 2016. AFP roar as last year’s gravity-defying competition for dive at the same venue during the Cayman Islands Open. Football Fixtures (All times in GMT) Emirati firm That outrageous winner accel- Bastia vs AS Nancy (1900) Iraq job: Agent erated a sequence in which David English Premier League La Liga completes took the last eleven points in row Today Today Tomorrow BUENOS AIRES: Diego against a tiring opponent whose Maradona’s chances of becom- training opportunities have been Valenciennes vs Evian Thonon Gaillard FC Leeds takeover Wigan Athletic vs Arsenal (1245) Real Betis vs Real Mallorca (1500) ing Iraq’s coach hung in the bal- limited by niggling injuries this (1300) ance yesterday as the Middle year. Manchester City vs Reading (1500) Real Valladolid vs Barcelona (1700) Toulouse vs Sochaux (1600) LONDON: Dubai-based invest- East country’s football federa- “I am very pleased to feel my Newcastle United vs Queens Park Rangers Malaga vs Real Madrid (1900) ment company GFH Capital tion also studied options to sign game (coming) especially in the (1500) Olympique Marseille vs St Etienne (2000) has completed their protracted Sven-Goran Eriksson instead. second game,” David said. “I was Osasuna vs Granada CF (1900) takeover of English sleeping Eriksson’s name was men- finding my feet in the first. I Southampton vs Sunderland (1500) Scottish Premier Athletic Bilbao vs Real Zaragoza (2100) giants Leeds United, yesterday. tioned as some 30 federation needed to win that and then it Company directors David members met to discuss who carried me through the second Tottenham Hotspur vs Stoke City (1500) League Ligue 1 Haigh and Salem Patel said their would replace departed Zico as and third games better. West Bromwich Albion vs Norwich City Today number one aim was to see the Iraq’s coach, said Hernan Tofoni, “When Jenny has time on the club promoted Premier League. the agent representing Argentine ball she’s deadly, so I needed to (1500) Today Aberdeen vs St. Johnstone (1500) “What we want to do is create great Maradona. push a little extra to deny her West Ham United vs Everton (1500) Lille vs Montpellier HSC (1600) Celtic vs Ross County (1500) a successful but sustainable club “There are about 30 club rep- that, and after that I had my Liverpool vs Fulham (1730) Ajaccio vs Stade Rennes (1900) and I think every fan will be with resentatives who are meeting,” chances.” Inverness Caledonian Thistle vs Dundee us,” said Patel. Tofoni, said. David now has a final with Tomorrow FC Lorient vs Stade de Reims (1900) (1500) “English football is one of the “They’re enthused that Diego Laura Massaro, the third-seeded Tomorrow most successful exports that should coach their national team English woman who saved a Swansea City vs Manchester United Girondins Bordeaux vs England has at the moment. but other (federation) directors match point to survive 5-11, 11-9, (1330) ES Troyes AC (1900) Kilmarnock vs Hibernian (1500) People are watching the world proposed Eriksson so the issue 12-14, 11-4, 13-11 against Raneem Chelsea vs Aston Villa (1600) Olympique Lyon vs Nice (1900) Hearts vs Dundee United (1630) over and being part of that is very could be resolved next week,” El Weleily, the gifted young sec- exciting to us. AFP Tofoni added. REUTERS ond-seeded Egyptian who won three of their last four meetings. El Weleily might have won again had she capitalised on an 8-6 final game lead but her lan- gorously dangerous strokes were Ferrari prefer Vettel to Hamilton Thailand aiming punctuated by moments when she seemed just a bit too relaxed. ROME: Triple Formula One Vettel and Lewis Hamilton were Massaro by contrast was usu- world champion Sebastian clearly a cut above the rest in ally business-like. She was also Vettel (pictured) would be Formula One and he preferred for F1 race in 2015 thrillingly bold in her moment of Ferrari’s first choice should the Red Bull driver to the Briton greatest crisis, risking a low vol- they ever need to replace “because he’s younger and hasn’t LONDON: Thailand expects Race of Champions event with ley under pressure at match point Fernando Alonso, president been around so many teams”. to host a floodlit Formula One Red Bull’s triple world champion down at 11-10 and guiding it for a Luca di Montezemolo has said. Hamilton, will be racing for Grand Prix in Bangkok in 2015 Sebastian Vettel teaming up with full length winner. The Red Bull driver has been Mercedes next year after six after plans were pushed back Michael Schumacher to win the Massaro has beaten David repeatedly linked to Ferrari this years with McLaren - the team a year, the governor of the team title for Germany. twice but not at all this year and season, with talk of a pre-contract who have backed him since he was national sports authority said The paper’s website she said it was “great” to reach for 2014, although the 25-year-old in go-karts. yesterday. quoted Red Bull’s Michael de her first world final. German and his team have tried Vettel is now on his third F1 “An F1 race is likely to take Santiesteban, representative That feeling may not help her to put the speculation to rest. team, having made his debut for place here in early 2015 instead of the energy drink’s Thai co- to pull of an upset. Nor is it shared Speaking at Ferrari’s Maranello BMW-Sauber and then raced for of in 2014 in our initial plan,” owner Chalerm Yoovidhya, as by her famously prolific opponent. factory before the Christmas Toro Rosso before joining sister Kanokphand Chulakasem told saying talks with Formula One “It’s always a challenge prepar- break, Montezemolo left no doubt driver for the future,” he said to team Red Bull. the Bangkok Post newspaper. supremo Bernie Ecclestone were ing for a World Open final,” David about the Italian team’s admira- reporters. In a separate interview with The 2014 season is due to going well. said, when asked if it got easier tion for Vettel. Whether Vettel and Alonso ever Britain’s Sky Sports television, see two new races, at Sochi in “It is likely to be held in with time. “It’s always a different “If for whatever reason pair up at Ferrari remains to be Montezemolo sounded more posi- Russia and at a New Jersey Bangkok. With Thailand on the situation and a different place, Fernando Alonso were to leave seen, however, with Montezemolo tive about Hamilton. street circuit, on a calendar calendar, a current race is likely and a different opponent. one day, maybe because he wants previously saying he did not want “Alonso is in Ferrari. If tomor- which already has a record 20 to be removed,” he said. “I am just feeding off every- to retire in Hawaii with his girl- to have “two roosters in the same row, and I would be very unhappy rounds, but Thailand would be a Chulakasem met Ecclestone thing which comes my way. You friend, then I want Vettel,” the hen house” but rather two drivers with this, he will decide to go to novelty for the year after. and said then that there was an work towards this in all that you Gazzetta dello Sport quoted him “who race for Ferrari and not for live in the moon then for sure Bangkok’s Rajamangala sta- agreement in principle for a race do and then you have to go out as telling German media. themselves.” Hamilton is a driver that I like dium recently hosted the annual in 2014. REUTERS and give it all you’ve got,” she “Sebastian is a potential Ferrari Montezemolo said Alonso, very much,” he said. REUTERS added. AFP DECEMBER 22, 2012 ON SATURDAY 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Sport Pocock Armstrong case sends signs new contract with Australia shockwaves; Britain rules SYDNEY: Australia flanker David Pocock agreed a new three-year contract with the Mixed year for the world cycling body as doping crisis tarnishes the sport Wallabies yesterday which is expected to take him through to the 2015 World Cup. PARIS: The Lance Armstrong The talented 24-year-old open- scandal left a huge gap in side is considered one of the best cycling’s record books and poachers of the ball in world further tainted the sport in rugby and retaining his services a year when Britain experi- for next year’s British and Irish enced Olympic bliss in the wake Lions series and the World Cup is of Bradley Wiggins’ Tour de a big boost to the Wallabies. France title. “David has made an enormous Armstrong was banned for life contribution to rugby as a player and stripped of his record seven and an outstanding individual,” Tour de France titles after the US acting Australia Rugby Union Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) chief executive Matt Carroll told uncovered what it said was the reporters. “most sophisticated” doping pro- “His leadership combined with gramme ever found. his form on the field is a huge It was, however, a vintage asset for Australia. year for British cycling as they “We are very pleased to be able won their maiden Tour through to have David available for the Wiggins and scooped 12 medals Wallabies not only for next year’s at the London Olympics. Lions Tour, but the next Rugby But the feelgood factor for Championship series and quite the sport was shortlived as on possibly the next Rugby World August 23, Armstrong announced Cup in London in 2015.” he would no longer fight doping Twice winners Australia were charges after failing to have the handed a tricky draw for the process blocked by a judge. group stages of the 2015 World His decision prompted the US Cup alongside hosts England and Anti-Doping Agency to announce Wales earlier this month. the Texan would lose his Tour But negotiating a passage to titles from 1999-2005. British cyclist Bradley Wiggins, Tour de France 2012 winner celebrates during the parade at the end of the 120km and last stage of the 2012 Tour the quarter-finals of the show- It was not until mid-Octo- de France cycling race in this file picture of July 22, 2012. RIGHT: A file picture taken on September 22, 2010 shows Lance Armstrong, Founder and piece will be much easier with ber, however, that the extent of former Chairman of Livestrong attending the annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in New York. the services of Zimbabwe-born Armstrong’s fraud was exposed Pocock, who has won 45 caps for when USADA published a 1,000- Australia, captained the side on page report featuring testimonies numerous occasions and has twice from former team mates incrim- trying to come to terms with the efforts that unsettled even- Britain were outfoxed by the Hoy has seven Games medals, been nominated for the prestig- inating the American, a cancer fact he had won the Tour. tual world number one Joaquim Kazakh Alexandre Vinokourov, six of them gold, which put him ious IRB international player of survivor who went on to dominate The kid from the London Rodriguez. who prevailed thanks to a bold ahead of Wiggins on ‘gold differ- the year award. the sport’s greatest race more district of Kilburn had an out- The Spaniard, one of only five attack which saw the victory of ence’ and took him past rower He will play for the ACT than anyone else. standing season, winning the riders with titles in all three grand old school cycling. Steve Redgrave’s previous record Brumbies in the next Super His accusers said that with Paris-Nice, Tour de Romandie Tours (France, Italy, Spain), made Britain bounced back from the British tally of five golds. Rugby season after leaving the Armstrong effectively in charge, and Criterium du Dauphine his move when nobody expected early Games disappointment, It was a year to forget, however, Perth-based Western Force side hotel rooms were transformed week-long races before becoming it and then hung on for the red reasserting their domination in for the Schleck brothers, who earlier this year. REUTERS into blood banks, doctors were the first Briton to win the Tour de jersey to become the third grand Olympic cycling with another were expected to give Wiggins a paid off and riders were warned France as Team Sky’s obsession tour winner of the year after awe-inspiring medal haul on the run for his money on the Tour de about tests in advance. with details paid off. Wiggins and Giro champion track and Wiggins’ terrific victory France. NHL moves Faced with the weight of evi- Wiggins built his success on his Ryder Hesjedal of Canada. in the road time trial. Andy did not even take part dence from Tyler Hamilton, Floyd impressive time-trialing abilities Spain’s Rodriguez finished the The squad took the velodrome after sustaining a hip injury in Landis, Jonathan Vaughters and and benefited from his team’s year as world number one but by storm in a spine-chilling June that ruined most of his sea- closer to more, the governing UCI had lit- support in the mountains, with there was nothing he could do atmosphere with Jason Kenny son while his older brother Frank tle choice but to ratify USADA’s Chris Froome sacrificing his own to prevent Belgium’s Philippe and Chris Hoy leading the charge was withdrawn form the race cancelling decision and leave a blank in the chances for his leader but still fin- Gilbert becoming world cham- with two golds while the pursuit by his Radioshack-Nissan team record books, with president Pat ishing second overall. pion thanks to a brutal attack teams shattered world records after testing positive for a banned entire season McQuaid saying that Armstrong The race was not the most in the final climb in Valkenburg, as Britain equalled their Beijing diuretic. had “no place in cycling”. spectacular in recent Tour his- Netherlands. record of seven titles. Doping was not the only issue TORONTO: The National As a result, Armstrong, who tory but it rewarded a rider and Gilbert succeeded British Britain’s rivals were generally cycling faced in 2012 as investors Hockey League (NHL) moved has always denied any wrongdo- a team who left little to chance. sprinter Mark Cavendish, who left picking up the crumbs. wanting to secure the sport, as closer to calling off the entire ing, was dropped by sponsors such The year 2012 was also special had a rough year, being reduced The team, led by British well as several teams looking for 2012-13 season after can- as Nike and even had his name for Tom Boonen as the Belgian to a domestique role on the Tour Cycling director of performance a larger piece of the pie, opened celling all games through dropped from the cancer founda- won a record-equalling fourth de France to help Wiggins claim David Brailsford, grabbed a total talks to launch the World Series January 14 yesterday due to tion he himself created. Paris-Roubaix title, snatched a the title although he still man- of 12 medals across all disciplines, of Cycling, 10 four-day grands prix a bitter labour dispute with Rabobank, a long-time spon- unique second Roubaix-Tour of aged to win three stages to take eight of them gold, while no other all around the world organised in players. sor of the sport, also left cycling Flanders double and became the his tally to 23. delegation managed more than a possible joint venture with the The widely-expected deci- because of the negative effects of first rider to achieve the Flemish Cavendish left Team Sky to one title. UCI. How it can fit in a very busy sion brought the total number the Armstrong scandal. cobblestones quadruple of E3 join Omega Pharma-Quick Step Australia were spared total calendar with cycling’s historical of lost regular season games With the sport on its knees, the Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem, Tour as the Manxman bids to one day embarrassment when Anna races is an unanswered question. to 625, or 50.8 percent of the UCI set up a commission to look of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. beat Eddy Merckx’s stage-wins Meares beat British media dar- In women’s road cycling, season, the NHL said in a brief into USADA’s decision and into Alberto Contador made his record of 34. ling Victoria Pendleton 2-0 in the Dutchwoman Marianne Vos con- statement. allegations that the governing much-awaited return from a He suffered a further low as individual sprint final on the day firmed she was the female version With no talks scheduled body had failed to do everything it doping ban just before the Tour Britain failed in their bid to take Hoy prevailed in the keirin to of the great Merckx, winning the between the two sides, who could in the fight against doping. of Spain (Vuelta), which he won him to a much-awaited victory become Britain’s most successful world and Olympic titles. have not met face-to-face since By that time, Wiggins was still after one of his trademark solo in the road race at the Olympics. Olympian. REUTERS December 13 when negotiations involving US federal mediators failed to kickstart the process, hopes of salvaging a season were fading quickly. The NHL, which normally Timberwolves end Thunder’s runs an 82-game regular sea- son, has previously said teams would need to play at least 48 games to forge a legitimate 12-game winning streak season. That meant a new deal must be reached by mid-Janu- MINNESOTA: The Minnesota US basketball team that won gold Miami ary to ensure the Stanley Cup Timberwolves, boosted by a NBA Results at the London Olympics. Heat’s play-offs end in June. forward brilliant fourth quarter from Minnesota 99 Oklahoma City 93 “We learned we can fight Key sticking points in the diminutive guard JJ Barea, got a through and beat any team in the LeBron dispute, which began when welcome shot of confidence with Miami 110 Dallas 95 league if we’re playing well. James the NHL locked out players in a 99-93 win over Oklahoma City “Soon as guys really get in (centre) September, revolved around yesterday to snap the Thunder’s Portland 101 Denver 93 shape, get back healthy, and Ricky shoots the length of a new contract, winning streak at 12 games. (Rubio) starts playing the way as Dallas rules governing term limits on The uplifting win for the All Star forward Kevin Love. he’s capable of playing and gets Mavericks’ contracts and the transition T-Wolves, coming off a pair of The loss dropped Oklahoma, last back from that injury, we’re going centre rules to help teams get under losses on a California road trip, year’s losing NBA Finalists, to to be a lot better team.” Bernard the salary cap. snapped their own 12-game los- 21-5 while Minnesota improved Spanish guard Rubio, working James There were also a handful of ing streak against Oklahoma City. to 13-11, seven games behind his way back from a serious knee (right) smaller issues yet to be agreed The NBA-leading Thunder the Thunder in the Western injury, played 18 minutes without upon, most notably the contin- looks on battled back after trailing by 14 Conference’s Northwest Division. scoring for Minnesota but handed ued participation of NHL play- during the to move within a point at 76-75 Love led Minnesota with 28 out three assists and had three ers in the Olympics and rules early in the fourth before Barea points and 11 rebounds, and center rebounds. first half of governing drug testing. took over. Nikola Pekovic of Montenegro The Timberwolves used brisk their NBA The NHL’s latest move came Sinking long three-pointers had 24 points and 10 boards, while ball movement to spring Pekovic basketball as players were casting ballots and scrambling under the hoop, Puerto Rico’s Barea came off the for easy layups and set up Love game in on whether or not to give their Barea scored 10 points in a 12-2 bench to score 18 points. for open looks beyond the three- Dallas, executive board the authority run that restored Minnesota’s Three-time scoring cham- point arc as they went on a 19-6 Texas, to file a disclaimer of interest. double-digit lead at 88-77 and pion Kevin Durant paced the run for a 25-11 lead in the first yesterday. Confronted with yet another then helped the T-Wolves hold Thunder with 33 points, and quarter. showdown between billionaire off the Thunder the rest of the Russell Westbrook added 30, but Oklahoma City closed within owners and millionaire ath- way. Oklahoma City’s reserves contrib- seven points in the second quarter letes, the NHL and its players “The fourth quarter for us has uted just seven points in all. and got within five after inter- are once again testing the loy- kind of been our Achilles heel “This is a big win here against mission but Minnesota responded alty of sponsors, business part- this whole season, but we fought one of the top teams in the each time to restore a cushion, ners and fans suffering from through and JJ Barea was awe- league,” said Love, a team mate with Barea doing the job in the lockout fatigue. REUTERS some tonight,” said Minnesota’s of Durant and Westbrook on the fourth quarter. 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HYPER C RSO S W O RD

12345 6789 101112131415161718 5 Cause of some storms 65 “Charlotte’s Web” setting

19 20 21 22 6 Big bump 68 Pumice source

23 24 25 26 7 Word said with a tear, maybe 69 Be flush with 8 Ride the breeze 70 Pedestal topper 27 28 29 9 Web presence 71 Royalties org. 30 31 32 33 10 Plato’s “tenth Muse” 72 Passes out 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 11 Lost zip 73 Like some complexions 42 43 44 45 12 “Good comeback!” 76 “Bewitched” aunt

46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 13 Chateau ___ Michelle winery 77 ___ nerve 14 Art supply store stock 78 Sci-fi escape vehicles 56 57 58 59 60 15 Inspirations 80 They’re just not done 61 62 63 64 65 66 16 “___ No Woman,” 1973 hit 82 Spanish demonstrative 67 68 69 70 for the Four Tops 83 Small-runway aircraft, briefly 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 17 Computer offering 87 Standard part of a food

79 80 81 82 83 84 18 “___ sow …” pyramid 24 Jam 89 Like Saint-Saëns’s “Urbs 85 86 87 88 89 90 25 Blood fluid: Prefix Roma” Symphony Yesterday’s answer 91 92 93 94 95 96 29 Undercover jobs 90 Norman of TV fame How to play Hyper Sudoku: 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 31 Not to be persuaded 92 Impel A Hyper Sudoku Puzzle is solved by filling the numbers from 1 to 9 into the blank cells. A Hyper 105 106 33 Ooze 94 Say “I lost,” say Sudoku has unlike Sudoku 13 regions (four regions overlap with the nine standard regions). In all 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 34 Philippines’ highest peak: 98 Dr. Seuss title animal regions the numbers from 1 to 9 can appear only once. Otherwise, a Hyper Sudoku is solved like Abbr. 99 Spurs 118 119 120 a normal Sudoku. 35 Blathered 100 “Boy, am I shvitzing!” 121 122 123 124 36 Growling sound 101 Job legislation estab. in 125 126 127 128 1973 How to play Kakuro: 37 [Ignore edit] The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any 38 Blood: Prefix 102 Stray size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells ACROSS 75 Biennial golf competition 39 Airhead 103 Dead Sea Scrolls writer like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, 1 Frozen dessert in France 79 “Parade de Cirque” artist 40 Colleague of Lane and Kent 104 Exuberant cries some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some 6 Vise parts 81 Future seeds 41 No contests 107 Recommended reading for cells will contain two numbers. 10 Personnel IDs 84 Verdi tragedy 42 “___ next?” newbies However, in a crossword the numbers reference 14 Michelle Robinson, now 85 Ill-mannered one 47 Clothier, in Cambridge 108 Thread holder clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! 19 Nearby school, maybe 86 “Platoon” setting, for short 48 Hassock 109 Kiev-born Israeli P.M. They denote the total of the digits in the row or 20 Jai ___ 88 Waiting in line for hooch? 49 Thwart 111 ___ Bator, Mongolia column referenced by the number. 21 “While you’re ___ …” 91 Alan of Hollywood 50 Salad green 112 10 years before the Battle Within each of Hastings 22 First sign 93 Pen name 51 Super Bowl XXXIV champs collection of cells 113 Nobel Prize category: Abbr. 23 Where ETs do knitting and art? 95 Skin ___ 52 Famous movie river - called a run - any 115 A lot of mil. personnel 26 Country singer Chesney 96 Dorm V.I.P.’s 54 Milton works of the numbers 1 116 “Able was ___ …” 27 Old fogy 97 Competition among shrinks? 58 Observatory subj. to 9 may be used 117 Creature in a “King Kong” 28 Bell site 105 Paid attention to, with “of” 60 Kick oneself over but, like sudoku, fight 29 David, for one 106 Santa ___ 62 “In the,” in Italy each number may 119 Guru 30 Give ___ (say O.K.) 107 Long bones 63 Place to stick a comb only be used once. 120 Fall behind 32 Current regulator 110 Halloween purchase

Yesterday’s 34 Thug living next to humorist Will? 114 Fireplace cavity S T R E FA T H ER I NTHEE N D SPANO answer 42 Org. for Venus and Serena Williams 118 Gave heartburn, say E A AREGO ANDRETT I CHA T TER 43 Comical Johnson 119 Visitors’ fair warning? DEFOG BEAUFORT HECTOR 44 Keats’s nightfall 121 Capital city more than 9,000 feet ENA ETE KENNY PEAHEN above sea level SANGR I AS LES REEF SLR 45 Place for grain YAMMERER LESS T I A S P 46 “Get that first down … and don’t 122 Prefix with logical DONNE CAV AT TER SGT Baby Blues By Jerry Scott and Rick Kirkman P L fumble”? 123 Maintain VOW DWAYNE ABU SEETHE IDEAMAN OLDCARS TROT 53 Book contents: Abbr. 124 Start of the French Lord’s Prayer R S CONVEN T I ON J ENN I FER 55 Home of the N.C.A.A. Spartans 125 Temptress ESSE EMU S I R TG I ARCA R I 56 Wine city north of Lisbon 126 Relish DURATION CONTE N TION 57 Pacific atoll in 1943 fighting 127 Round of golf, informally GTOS SAVANNA I TSALOT S T T R A I NER HOP ANDNOT EKE 59 Frozen dessert 128 County of Newark, N.J. I E ULM DETERS MAI K I DDE R 61 Shortish piano piece CLE PRAY CELER I TY 64 Home of the N.C.A.A. Minutemen DOWN KIL PROD PHD TOLUENES S P PITIED EARS ALT IDO 66 Bright lights 1 Five-time U.S. Open champ C L COM I CS HOL LOWED I ON I C 67 Watching over Warsaw’s national 2 Disney title character from Hawaii PL I NKS STEEPENS ORECK L E emblem? 3 Hertz rival L I TTE R TSETSES NESTS 71 Relevant, in law 4 Husband of Pompeia ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 74 Former Yankee pitcher Hideki