ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER

Monday 7 January 2013 25 Safar 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5572 Price: QR2

Meeza signs Mike Hussey pact with ends Test Symantec career

Business | 17 Sport | 28

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Arabic media lap up India rape story Flow of Arab tourists may be hit

BY MOBIN PANDIT agrees to it, Sunday People, said at the end of Pandey’s interview. DOHA: The Arabic media have And that explains why the vic- lapped up the hair-raising story tim’s identity wasn’t disclosed of the Indian gang rape vic- so far. tim in a big way after a British Saudi Arabia’s Al Yaum daily newspaper disclosed yesterday carried Reuters’ Arabic report in her name and published her its online edition yesterday, while father’s interview. the UAE’s famous daily Al Bayan London-based pan-Arab daily took the story in full. Sharq Alawsat said, quoting ana- Kuwait’s alanba.com took the lysts and commentators, that it story directly from Sunday People. was afraid the horrific incident Other websites that published may prove to be the ‘Arab Spring excerpts from the interview of India’ as far as women’s rights included the UAE-based emara- were concerned. talyoum.com and skynews.com, also Independent analysts told this from the UAE. newspaper that the wide cover- As for the rest of the Arab age of the gruesome rape and world, the incident is being high- murder of a young woman might lighted in several key newspapers H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with TAMUQ Dean and CEO Dr Mark H Weichold at a gala to mark the tenth anniversary of the university in the country. affect the flow of health tourists in Egypt, including Al Ahram. (MAHER ATTAR) to Indian from the Arab world. Egyptian news websites youm7. Many in the Arab world send com and moheet.com carried the their young daughters to India for translated version of Sunday higher education, but that may People interview almost in full. change now, said the analyst on The much-famed London- TAMUQ celebrates a decade in Qatar grounds of anonymity. based Al Hayat, quoting Sunday The father of the rape victim, People, also put the story on its DOHA: Texas A & M University event at the Qatar National students of today and tomorrow University in Qatar. This includes Badri Singh Pandey, 53, mean- online edition and so did the in Qatar (TAMUQ) yesterday Convention Centre. to rise to the challenge enshrined the first graduates from the while, told Sunday People, the online editions of Egypt’s Al Wafd marked a decade of its pres- The resolution outlined how in this resolution,” she added. Master’s programme in chemi- Sunday edition of The Mirror, that and Kuwait’s Al Rai dailies, aside ence in the country, in the pres- engineering students at Tamuq TAMUQ celebrated its cal engineering. Texas A&M in he wanted the world to know that from Algerian website djazair- ence of H H Sheikha Moza bint would help develop solutions to 10th anniversary with the Qatar is educating engineers who his daughter’s name was Jyoti news.com. Nasser. problems that prevent children theme ‘Engineering a World of are contributing to Qatar’s devel- Singh Pandey as that will give Sharq Alawsat, the pan-Arab The varsity, which has pro- from getting education, and sup- Difference’ in the presence of H opment and will lead the next courage to other women who have daily published from London, duced 300 engineers, entered into port ‘Educate a Child Initiative,’ E Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, generation of discovery in Qatar’s survived such attacks. like Al Hayat, with an online edi- a partnership by presenting a res- which aims to significantly reduce Minister of Industry and Energy; knowledge-based economy,” said Online editions of several GCC- tion, said yesterday that the hor- olution to Sheikha Moza support- worldwide the number of children Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, Al Sada in his speech. based newspapers as well as sev- rific incident has led many young ing her newly-launched ‘Educate who have no right to education. President of Hamad bin Khalifa “Texas A&M in Qatar should eral independent news websites women in India to get training in a Child Initiative’ launched in “This resolution… sums up the University; Dr Boween Loftin, be proud of its many accomplish- were the first in the Arab world self-defence. November. essence of all that Education City President of TAMUQ, and other ments in its first 10 years, and our to pick up the story after BBC Scared after reading the news, “We have entered into a new is about — equipping our young dignitaries. The campus, which partnership in the decade to come Arabic and Reuters’ Arabic serv- a Doha-based Eritrean, Mohamed level of partnership with this people with the skills and knowl- has been offering engineering will surely bring greater opportu- ice quoted extensively from the Osman, said he was thinking of resolution,” said Sheikha Moza, edge to be global citizens and ena- degree programmes from 2003, nities to strengthen our collabora- interview. sending his young daughter to accepting a copy of the engi- bling them to make the world a has an alumni with a number of tions, our exchange of knowledge Indian laws prohibit naming India for higher education. “Now, neering resolution for ‘Educate better place,” said Sheikha Moza. chemical engineers. “From 2007, and mutual pursuit for greater a rape victim unless she author- I will not.” THE PENINSULA a Child Initiative’ from Dr Mark “Through education, any- more than 300 Aggie engineers good,” he added. ises it or, if she is dead, her family Continued on page 5 Weichold, Dean, Tamuq, at an thing is possible. I look to Aggie have graduated from Texas A&M THE PENINSULA

Abbas orders State of Palestine Adamant Assad blasts rebels Housemaid gets a passports, stamps DAMASCUS: Syrian President Bashar Al Assad in year in jail for theft RAMALLAH: Palestinian a rare speech denounced the president Mahmoud Abbas opposition yesterday as “slaves” DOHA: In an incident that switched off. A complaint was gave orders yesterday for work of the West and called for exposes the risk of hiring lodged with the police accusing to begin on new passports, national dialogue to draft a new domestic helps for temporary the maid of stealing jewellery ID cards, drivers’ licences charter and pave the way for jobs, a criminal court has sen- worth QR19,000. and stamps reading “State of legislative polls. tenced a housemaid to one year During police investigation, the Palestine,” official media said. Outlining a reconciliation in jail for stealing gold jewellery maid confessed to the crime and The decree, carried by the offi- plan aimed at resolving Syria’s from the house of an expatriate admitted to selling the jewellery cial WAFA news agency, came in 21-month conflict which accord- in which she was working as a to a shop for QR4,500, with the the wake of the Palestinians’ suc- ing to the UN has claimed more cleaner. help of two Asians staying in her cessful bid late last year for non- than 60,000 lives, Assad called on The maid committed the crime apartment complex. member observer state status at foreign powers to end their sup- with the help of four Asians. The fourth convict was the hus- the United Nations over intense port for rebels seeking to topple The court has slapped a fine of band of the housemaid who was Israeli and US opposition. his regime. QR1,000 each on the four Asians fined for not informing the police Abbas said the changed lan- “Regional and international for helping the housemaid in sell- about the theft despite having guage on official documents would countries must stop funding the ing the jewellery and ordered the knowledge of the incident. help strengthen the Palestinian armed men to allow those dis- housemaid to be deported after The fifth and last convict was state “on the ground and build its placed to return to their homes,” serving the jail term, Al Sharq the jewellery shop owner who institutions... and its sovereignty Assad said to wild applause from reported yesterday. was fined for purchasing the gold over its land.” crowds packed into the Dar Al The expatriate hired the house- without permission from the Already last week, he ordered Assad Centre for Culture and One of a series of five convoys carrying Patriot missiles makes its way on maid, who was to be paid on an police that is necessary for sell- the Foreign Ministry and embas- Arts in Damascus. a freeway in Sanitz, northern Germany, yesterday. The missiles are to be hourly basis, with the help of a ing jewellery. sies around the world to begin “Right after that our military transported to Turkey as part of a Nato deployment in view of the threat security guard of his residential The shop owner tried to jus- using “State of Palestine” in offi- operations will cease,” he said, perception from the Syrian regime. compound. She worked for only tify his act saying he bought the cial correspondence. Previously, adding without elaborating that four days at his house and the last jewellery after the housemaid official documents issued by a mechanism to monitor such a “We will dialogue with (those national dialogue conference, he day she finished work by 3:30pm pleaded with him and said that Abbas’s government, including truce would be established. who are) the masters (of their insisted. and left for her accommodation. she urgently needed money. passports and other identifica- The government would then decisions) not the slaves (of for- After the referendum, parlia- A few days later, the wife of The housemaid confessed to tion documents, had been labelled step up contacts to convene a eign powers),” Assad said. mentary polls would be held, fol- the expatriate found that her stealing the jewellery and said as issued by the Palestinian national dialogue conference with Any resolution of the conflict lowed by the creation of a new jewellery from a wardrobe in that she committed the crime Authority, which he heads. The regime opponents “from inside must be purely Syrian and rati- government, said Assad. the bedroom was missing. They because she was not paid a Israeli foreign ministry refused and outside” the country, who do fied by referendum, including AFP tried to call the housemaid but month’s salary by the expatriate comment. AFP not take orders from abroad. the charter to be drafted at the See also page 7 found that her mobile phone was who hired her. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

GCC health ministers set for talks

DOHA: Qatar will take part in improve medical practices, combat the 74th Conference of the Council the spread of non-contagious diseases, of Ministers of Health of the Gulf healthcare and patient safety stand- Cooperation Council (GCC) to be ards, better medical facilities and held in Bahrain on Wednesday and awareness programmes and estab- Thursday. lishing specialised centres. They will Minister of Public Health and also focus on alternative medicine, Secretary-General of the Supreme combating malaria, better protection Council of Health H E Abdullah bin for expatriate workers, combating Khalid Al Qahtani will lead Qatar’s smoking, and misuse of steroids and delegation to the event. enhancers at gyms and health clubs. Ministers will explore the need to QNA

Visitors taking part in the Paint Your Healthy Future campaign at a mall. Paint Your Healthy Future with WCMC-Q

DOHA: Qatar residents will have the will be attached together to create a paint- expatriate communities so that they can chance to help create the world’s big- ing that will hopefully be a record-breaker. make informed, healthy lifestyle choices. We gest painting at the Paint Your Healthy The current record stands at 7,166 metres. can then help create a healthy population Future event organised by Weill Cornell In just 10 days after they were installed, able to contribute to Qatar’s knowledge- Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q). the canvases are already being covered with based society in line with the objectives of The college — along with its strategic artworks, with people of all ages keen to pick Qatar National Vision 2030,” he added. partners the Supreme Council of Health, up a paintbrush and get involved. Along with the canvases, doctors and the Supreme Education Council, Qatar In addition to the canvas, brochures about dietitians are on hand to answer questions Petroleum, Occidental Petroleum of Qatar, healthy lifestyles, electronic pedometers and from members of the public. Representatives ExxonMobil and Vodafone Qatar — is hold- Body Mass Index measuring devices are from WCMC-Q provide water-based, envi- ing the event as part of its Sahtak Awalan: being given to participants. ronmentally friendly paints and brushes Your Health First campaign. Dr Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCMC-Q, said needed for the challenge. Paint Your Healthy Future has seen giant Paint Your Healthy Future is an opportunity The canvases have been placed in canvases placed in malls around Doha. Each for people to take part in a world record bid Villaggio, Landmark, City Center and Hyatt canvas has been printed with a stencil and while also learning about the best way to Plaza. Additional canvases will be installed members of the public, particularly children, lead a healthy life. at different places in Qatar, details of which may colour the picture. “The Your Health First campaign will be announced later. At the end of the project, each canvas aims to educate both the Qatari and THE PENINSULA MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Emir to visit Doha Trade Fair Algeria today DOHA: The Emir, H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani will pay an official visit to attracts 120,000 Algeria today during which he will hold talks with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The Emir will be accompanied by the Prime Minister and Foreign shoppers Minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani. Hair accessories a top favourite Advisory Council’s legal panel meets BY RAYNALD C RIVERA adding they have been coming to the fair since 2010 because busi- DOHA: The Legal and DOHA: The Doha Trade Fair ness has been good. “Shabasa is Legislative Affairs Committee is attracting more visitors and a very popular hair accessory for of the Advisory Council held as of yesterday it witnessed over women, especially Arabs, and all a meeting yesterday under 120,000 footfalls and still count- of these are handmade,” she said. its rapporteur Nasser Rashid ing, according to organisers. Not all shops, however, enjoy Seraye Al Kaabi. Despite the presence of traf- the brisk sales such as Ritu’s The committee completed exami- fic enforcers, the street leading Creation from India which sells nation of a draft law on chemical to the Doha Exhibition Centre designer sarees and other tradi- weapons. The meeting was attended bottlenecks the influx of huge tional Indian women’s wear. by Abdullah Muslim Al Dosari, number of vehicles carrying “The fair has a good crowd. Officials of HOPE Qatar and Gokulam Park exchanging documents at a signing ceremony at Gokulam Park Hotel Director of Legislation Department shoppers. Some appreciate our designs Doha. at the Cabinet’s General Secretariat; Every day, motorists are faced while there are many who look Brigadier General Hassan Saleh with lack of parking space even for Arabic concept,” said Dhiraj Al Nisef, Vice-Chairman of the though organisers have allocated of Ritu’s Creation, adding their Mouth and Foot Painting Artists National Committee on Arms a big space beside the exhibition designs which were all hand- Embargo; Engineer Saif Said Al centre. embroidered could not be found Nuaimi, representative of the Most of the products available in the local market. Ministry of Energy and Industry at the fair are fashion and acces- “It’s still early to tell, but if busi- to feature at Message of Hope and Chairman of a working group sories with 274 stalls, followed ness picks up in the next few days, of Chemical Weapons Convention at by household products with 173 maybe I’ll come back next year DOHA: Five differently-abled and a session for the general the globally famous motivational the National Committee on Arms stalls, perfumes and cosmetics 62 with Arabic-inspired designs to artists from the Mouth and Foot public. speaker who does not have either Embargo. and food 45. cater to more customers here,” said Painting Artists association will There will also be an All Qatar hands or legs. Saleem Trading from Pakistan the Lucknow-based shop owner. feature in this year’s edition of Painting competition for stu- Meanwhile, Gokulam Park QR2.3bn facelift sells Denim pants with a uniform Buyers have mixed reactions Message of Hope organised by dents who will create work of Doha has signed an agreement price of QR45, while Dubai-based on the fair but most welcomed HOPE Qatar centre for children arts without using their hands. with HOPE Qatar to be the offi- for Industrial Area perfume shop Yasmeen Al Sham it as the only fair which is held with special needs. As in the past, these pro- cial hotel partner of the current sells perfume spray for QR25 per biannually offering a wide array of They will be involved in a grammes are expected to leave edition of the Message of HOPE DOHA: Industrial Area is get- bottle. “We offer perfumes at a products. “It is nice to shop here series of workshops, live paint- a lasting impression on the audi- events. ting a major facelift, with the very affordable price that’s why because we can find many prod- ing events and art exhibition at ences on the key message that “We are happy to be chosen as QR2.3bn development project in they are in demand,” said the ucts under one roof,” said Maia, the Qatar Foundation Education if given the right opportunities the official hotel partner of HOPE full swing. The project is being shopkeeper of Yasmeen Al Sham. a Lebanese national. City’s HBKU Student Centre at the right time, children with and we are pleased to be able to implemented by the Public With prices ranging from QR5 “Most of the products are for and Virginia Commonwealth special needs can become suc- support HOPE in its endeavour Works Authority (Ashghal) that to QR50 for their products, A&7 women and children, and very few University in Qatar (VCU-Q) cessful in life. as we believe in the impact of signed contracts worth a total of General Merchandise is also a are offering men’s apparel,” said during the first week of February. HOPE Qatar has been organis- HOPE’s Message,” said Gokul K over QR6.6bn in May 2012 for crowd-puller at the fair. Their Adil Mahmoud, who was shopping The artists who do not have ing the Message of HOPE series C, General Manager of Gokulam development and renovation of colourful hair accessories are with his wife. hands or have lost the use of their of events since 2010 with the Park Doha. several roads across the country. sold at QR10 per three pieces and “As with other trade fairs, some hands create world class paintings objective of creating awareness “We understand that the abili- The east part of the Industrial their shabasa (flower hair clip) of the shops offer expensive items, with their mouth or foot. in society about the abilities of ties of children with special needs Area Road is being developed into are very much in demand from while there are also those who sell The programme includes persons with special needs. in society are limited only by lack three lanes on both sides with serv- Qatari ladies. cheap products. It’s just up to the special workshops on February While the 2010 edition of the of opportunities,” he added. ice roads. The F-Ring Road will “We have to make it tempting buyer to choose, but definitely 6 and 7, including sessions for event featured Sujeet Desai, an More information about the be developed into three lanes on for the customers to buy our prod- there is a wide range of prod- students of schools and colleges, internationally acclaimed youth event can be had from info@hope- both sides with service roads and ucts so our prices are low,” said ucts here,” said Mark Rosales, a corporate, business, arts and ambassador for disabilities who qatar.org or www.hope-qatar.org/ a 1.8km flyover will be built on the Rosa De Leon, Creative Director Filipino expatriate. craft-related audiences, special has Down’s syndrome, the 2011 moh.htm Mesaimeer-Central Market. of the Dubai-based company, THE PENINSULA sessions for VCU-Q students edition featured Nick Vujicic, THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA/QNA MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME First Salwa Road underpass to open shortly Highway project work in final stage

DOHA: The first underpass on Aziziya, Central Market and former the Salwa International Highway Decoration roundabout renamed as currently under construction is Al Bustan intersection. expected to open soon, with work The project that forms part of the entering the final phase. Doha Expressway links the Asiri Work on the QR1.6bn highway Intersection on D-Ring Road to the project started in July 2010 and the Industrial Area intersection on the first phase was expected to be com- Salwa-Abu Samra Road. pleted by the end of last year, a local Each of the four intersections Arabic daily reported yesterday. comprises a tunnel and a bridge, Nearly 700 commercial establish- supported with service roads, ments on both sides of the Salwa Road traffic lights and car parking. The award winning students with officials at the honouring ceremony. were badly hit by massive excavations The longest tunnel is at Aziziya and partial road closures going on in intersection (810 metres), with a the area over the past two-and-a-half 128m bridge. years. The intersection at Ain Khaled QU honours winners of Bairaq contest Work on access roads to shopping which is nearing completion com- facilities is now almost over and traf- prises 780-metre-long underpass, DOHA: Qatar University (QU) recently Bairaq programme. This new element There was also a Social Media competition fic lights have become functional at all and 124 metres long bridge, The honoured winners of the Al Bairaq Sc of the programme was launched in Fall with all groups participating in Twitter and the four intersections on the nearly Central Market intersection will ience in Sports module at the Aspire 2012. Facebook on a daily basis, recording the 7km highway, significantly contribut- have a tunnel with a length of 651 Academy theatre. Students from Omar Bin Al Khattab progress of their projects. ing to traffic. meters, and a 123-metre-bridge. The Sheikh Saoud bin Abdul Rahman Al Secondary School for Boys and Qatar Sheikh Saoud said in a statement that he The intersection at Ain Khaled is Al Bustan Intersection comprises 651 Thani and QU’s Vice-President for Research Secondary Independent School for Girls supported QU’s CAM and recognised the expected to be the first to open for metres underpass and a 123metre- Dr Hassan Al Derham, honoured the win- took part in the course, undertaking projects importance of their Science in Sport and traffic, with the finishing touches long bridge. ning teams from secondary schools. based on scientific research related to the other research programmes in inspiring going on in full swing. The project has been carried out The award for Best Presentation went sports sector. Focusing on the use of dif- young people to become Qatar’s research- The Public Works Authority avoiding a complete road closure in to Al Abtal team from Qatar Secondary ferent materials in sports products, they ers of the future. (Ashghal) has hired well-known line with a new policy of Ashghal to School, while the Best Movie award was looked at using materials such as concrete Al Derham praised the students for Tunisian artist eL Seed to do the keep the impact of construction on won by Alnokhba team from Omar bin Al to produce unusual items such as bowling their outstanding research and said that wall decoration at the under- the traffic flow to the minimum levels, Khattab Secondary School. Alestekshaf balls and even boats. the project was part of a wider drive at passes, said the daily. The artwork the daily said. team from Qatar Secondary School bagged The teams had to create 3D models, pres- QU to develop a promising generation of will be a mix of Arabic calligra- The project has triggered tremen- the Best Video award while the winners entations and films. They participated in young people who have the capability to phy and sketches from the Qatari dous interest as well as public criti- of the Electronic Sites Challenge was a Movie Maker competition by creating a supplement the country’s economy with culture. cism for delays in execution due to Almotahedeen team from Omar Bin Al short story using photos they took during knowledge and research expertise. The Salwa International Highway its strategic importance in the future Khattab Secondary School. their research. This week, the students will present their project includes four underpasses traffic plan of the country. The competition, organised by QU’s They gave presentations in front of a panel projects as part of I am Discovering Materials and intersections at Ain Khaled, Al THE PENINSULA Centre for Advanced Materials (CAM), of experts, including representatives from competition to a panel of judges. The finals aims to engage high school students in Al Bairaq partner Unesco, platinum spon- will take place on Wednesday at QU. science and technology as part of Al sor RasGas and sponsor Qatar Petroleum. THE PENINSULA

Chris given No.1 race bib for Qtel Marathon

DOHA: Qtel has presented Doha resident Chris Arthey with the “No 1” race bib for the upcoming Qtel Marathon, as the com- pany strives to encourage everyone to take part and improve their health and fitness. The Qtel Chairman, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, personally made the decision to offer the race bib to Chris. Qtel is keen for people of all ages and experience to take part in the Qtel Marathon, and is hopeful that Chris’ example will encourage others to take part. In 2008, Chris was involved in a road accident that resulted in the amputation of his left leg but has continued to run marathons with a prosthetic leg, providing an inspiration to all. Since moving to Qatar in 2012, he has played an active role in the local sports scene, and is looking forward to taking part in the upcoming Qtel Marathon, which will take place on January 26. “You have to stay active and engaged to get the most out of life, and I’m delighted to be taking part in the upcoming Qtel Marathon. Being presented with the number one bib is an honour, and I hope Chris Arthey contesting in a race. many people will be able to take part in the upcoming event,” said Chris. Qtel has chosen the date of the race as it takes place on the Wearing the No.1 bib, Chris will be in the front line when the coolest week of the year. race begins. Enthusiastic runners are encouraged to sign up early. The company is sponsoring the run as part of its commitment The inspirational efforts of Chris and his wife Denise, who to corporate social responsibility and in support of the wider vision also lost her leg in the bike accident, can be seen on the YouTube to improve health across the community by engaging more people Video, “Do You See a Rainbow?”, at http://www.youtube.com/ in sports. watch?v=8QE0SPX6FpY. Funds raised by entry fees to the Qtel Marathon, which will be Hundreds of runners, Qtel employees and members of the public QR50, will be donated to charities in the Middle East, Africa and are expected to participate in the first edition of the Qtel Marathon. South Asia. Runners can sign up for the race at http://www.pre- It will feature a 10km and a half-marathon (21.1 km), with plans to miermarathons.com/event/Qtel_Marathon_Doha_2013. expand the race to a full marathon next year. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Revealing name will give courage to other victims: Jyoti’s father

Continued from page 1 on a two-and-a-half hour ride to hope no one ever goes through Badri said Awindra was not When Badri first moved to so difficult without her. Without Pandey, meanwhile, told Sunday hell by the driver, his assistant what she had to endure. She cried her boyfriend – just a very brave Delhi in 1983 he earned less than her guidance I don’t know what to People: “I want the world to know and four passengers. a lot, she was in a lot of pain. And friend who tried to save her. $3 of today a month. do or how to go about life again.” my daughter’s name is Jyoti Singh Both were battered with iron as soon as she saw her mother and He said: “There was no ques- But he sold some land to pay Badri and all the family have Pandey”. He said he hoped that bars and Jyoti was repeatedly brothers, she cried again. tion of her marrying because we for his daughter’s studies and been touched by the way the revealing her name will give cour- raped before they were stripped “But after that she was a cou- belong to different castes. saved as much as possible from his nation has supported them. age to other women who have sur- and dumped on a road leading to rageous girl, even trying to con- “She never expressed a desire to Rs5,700 (a little more than $100) He said: “The people of India vived such attacks. Delhi airport – yards from where sole us and give us hope that marry. She was concentrating on a month he now earns. have given us strength to cope “My daughter didn’t do any- Badri was working. everything will be all right.” her studies and wanted a job first.” Badri said: “It’s hard living in up with our loss. I feel she’s not thing wrong, she died while pro- He said: “I immediately called Doctors were forced to remove Badri also revealed that Jyoti Delhi on my wages, very hard. But just my daughter but also India’s tecting herself,” said Pandey. “I my wife and sons and told them Jyoti’s intestines and as her con- often mentioned how much Jyoti always said she would change daughter. am proud of her. Revealing her to come to the hospital. But I ditioned worsened, they flew her Awindra tried to save her. all of that. She wanted to change “I used to read about rape inci- name will give courage to other couldn’t tell them about the rape.” to Singapore for specialist care on “She kept telling her mother our lives once she got a job.” dents in newspapers but never women who have survived these For the first 10 days Jyoti was Boxing Day. he tried his best to help but they Jyoti had only just finished her digested it much. We’re so thank- attacks. They will find strength in and out of consciousness and Badri said: “I told her every- kept beating him with a rod.” four-year course in physiotherapy ful to the people who came out from my daughter.” it was hopeful she would survive. thing would be OK and we’ll soon Badri now cherishes the memo- at a college outside Delhi. She was to protest against the barbarity.” Sunday People said they inter- Badri said: “Doctors did their be back home. She was excited ries of his daughter. He remem- doing an internship when she was Badri now hopes mothers and viewed Badri and his family in his best to save her. She spoke a few when we talked about going home bers her dream of being a doctor. attacked. fathers will teach their sons to ancestral village in Ballia in the times but mostly through ges- and she smiled. He said: “I told her I can’t afford Her brothers, Gaurav Singh, respect women. He said: “The northern Indian state of Uttar tures. She had a feeding pipe in “I put my hand on her forehead, to pay for her to do such subjects 20, and Saurav Singh, 15, were police cannot handle this on their Pradesh. her mouth making it difficult for she asked me if I’d had any dinner but she was determined. She close to their big sister and can- own. But parents need to keep an The brave Indian soldier under her to speak. and then she gestured for me to wanted to be a doctor and earn lots not imagine how they will cope. eye on their children too.” the British rule who was the “But she did write on some go to sleep. I held her hand and of money and go overseas a lot.” Gaurav said: “Life is going to be THE PENINSULA man behind India’s first war of paper that she wanted to live, she kissed it. I told her to take rest independence in 1857, Mangal wanted to survive and stay with and not to worry and she closed Pandey, was from Ballia, and so us. But it was fate that had the her eyes.” was a former prime minister, last say in the end.” As Jyoti battled for life, thou- Chandrashekhar. Jyoti gave police two state- sands took to the streets to Badri and his family have ments, but Badri was too dis- demand the hanging of the six retreated to their village to grieve traught to sit in as he couldn’t accused and a new anti-rape law. away from their Delhi home — a listen to what his daughter had But three days later on December place that will constantly remind been subjected to. 29, she had a fatal heart attack. them of the barbaric sexual attack Five men have been formally Badri said: “I so desperately Jyoti was subjected to when she charged with the murder, kidnap wanted her to survive, even and a male friend were lured on and gang rape of Jyoti though she would have to live with to a bus. “My wife was with her through a memory of that attack and get Badri’s wife, “Asha, 46, was the statements but she cried so through her trauma. too shell-shocked to talk to us,” much after hearing it all,” Badri “We’re so devastated that the newspaper said. Badri said: said. she’s gone. There’s a huge void in “At first I wanted to see the men “She then told me what hap- our lives. She was the centre of responsible face to face but I pened. I don’t have the words to our universe. Our lives revolved don’t want to any more. I just describe the incident. All I can around her. want to hear that the courts have say is they’re not human, not even “Her absence is so pain- punished them and they will be animals. They’re not of this world. ful, a future without her is hanged. “It was just gruesome and I unimaginable.” “Death for all six of them. These men are beasts. They should be made an example so that society will not allow such things to happen.” Recalling the day he found out about his only daughter’s ordeal, Badri said he had just returned home after 10.30pm on December 16 from his shift at Delhi airport where he works as a loader. His wife was worried after Jyoti, a medical school graduate, had not returned home from the cinema. Badri said: “We started calling her mobile and her friend’s mobile but there was no answer. “Then at 11.15pm we got a call from the hospi- tal in Delhi, telling me my daughter had been in an accident.” Badri asked a friend to take him on a motorbike. He said: “When I first saw her, she was in the bed with her eyes closed. “I put my hand on her forehead and called her name. She slowly opened her eyes and started crying and said she was in pain. “I held my tears. I told her not to worry, have strength and everything will be all right.” At the time Badri still didn’t know what had hap- pened. A policeman finally explained. Jyoti and her friend Awindra Pandey, 28, had boarded a bus to get home but had been taken MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST BRIEFLY Mursi reshuffles cabinet; eyes IMF deal Changes strengthen Islamist control

CAIRO: Egypt’s president As Hegazy spoke yesterday, the added fellow Islamists to a pound reached a new low, trad- reshuffled government yester- ing at 6.45 to the dollar. It has Journalists arrested day and the new finance minis- lost more than 4 percent of its ter pledged to finish talks on an value against the dollar since the for failing to cover IMF loan to stave off a currency central bank brought in a new crisis that risks provoking more system of currency auctions on president’s speech popular unrest. December 30 in an effort to pre- JUBA: South Sudan has A senior IMF official is due serve the country’s dwindling for- arrested two state broad- in Cairo today to meet Egyptian eign reserves. cast journalists for failing to leaders over the $4.8bn loan deal, Importers have warned that ensure coverage of a crucial which was postponed last month the weakening currency and speech by President Salva to give Egypt more time to tackle uncertainty about how low it will Kiir, a government official political tensions before introduc- go could lead to sharp rises in the said yesterday, prompting an ing unpopular austerity measures. prices of imports including food. outcry from an international The new finance minister Al Hegazy, who replaces Mumtaaz media watchdog. Journalists Mursi Al Sayed Hegazy is an Al Saeed, a career bureaucrat, often complain of persecution expert on Islamic finance and teaches economics at Alexandria by the security services of the is seen as sympathetic to the University. In 1985, he earned a African republic that seceded aims and thinking of President doctorate from the University of from Sudan in 2011. That Mohammed Mursi, elected Connecticut, according to a biog- year, Juba authorities closed in June, and to his Muslim raphy provided by Alexandria a newspaper after it criticised Brotherhood. A Brotherhood University. It listed two dozen Kiir for allowing his daugh- spokesman denied Hegazy was a papers on Islamic economics ter to marry a foreigner. The member but said three other new which he had written or reviewed. government of South Sudan’s ministers were. Religious strictures on charg- Western Bahr El Ghazal state The new ministers in what is ing interest on loans creates par- Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi meeting with his cabinet in Cairo, yesterday. said it had detained two sen- still largely a government of non- ticular economic conditions for ior staff at its broadcaster for partisan technocrats take office in Muslim businesses. The Muslim at Cairo’s behest because of the Prime Minister Kandil said country’s readily available foreign “administrative issues” after an economic crisis which has seen Brotherhood now controls eight unrest set off by Mursi’s drive to today’s meeting aimed to reassure reserves will cover just over two the station failed to cover Kiir’s the currency lose more than a of some 35 portfolios in Prime fast-track a controversial new the IMF about the government’s months of imports. visit to the town of Wau last tenth of its value since the upris- Minister Hisham Kandil’s cabi- constitution. plans and the economy’s capacity The central bank said the month. “They were arrested ing two years ago which toppled net, including the influential Fearing further public anger for recovery. reserves were at $15.015bn in simply because when the pres- Hosni Mubarak. supply, information and housing at the time, Mursi cancelled tax The Brotherhood is wary of any December - little changed from ident arrived here in Wau on Political unrest over a new ministries. increases believed to be part of government measures that could November’s level. The pound slid December 22, 2012, he gave a Islamist-tinged constitution had “Dr Mursi would like to be a package of austerity measures damage its popularity ahead of a by half a percent yesterday at the very, very important speech,” delayed tax increases believed sure that he has a cabinet which agreed as part of the IMF deal. parliamentary election due to get central bank’s fifth auction of for- state information minister to be key to the IMF deal, but shares his major orientations,” The constitution was approved under way by the end of February. eign currency under the new auc- Derrick Alfred Uya said. in a brief statement, Hegazy said Mustapha Kamel Al Sayyid, in a popular referendum and The IMF deal is seen as vital tion system designed to preserve said he was “completely ready to a professor of political science at signed into law on December 26. for boosting investor confidence the reserves. complete discussions” with the Cairo University. “He wants to The IMF said on Saturday its and staving off a financial crisis. The bank sold all of the $60m Kuwaiti gets 2 years International Monetary Fund. be surrounded by like-minded Middle East director, Masood Having spent more than half it had offered to banks at yes- The political conflict triggered ministers.” Ahmed, would visit Cairo to the country’s foreign exchange terday’s auction. Last week, the for insulting emir lethal street protests last month meet Egyptian officials to dis- reserves defending the pound bank sold $300m at four simi- KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti court that added to pressure on the RESERVES CRITICAL cuss recent economic devel- since Mubarak was toppled, the lar auctions which bankers have sentenced a man to two years Egyptian pound and speculators The IMF signed the loan deal opments and “possible IMF central bank has warned the described as a move towards a in prison for insulting the began exchanging local currency in November but final ratifica- support for Egypt in facing these reserves had fallen to a criti- free float of the currency. country’s ruler on Twitter, for dollars. tion was postponed last month challenges”. cal level. Economists say the REUTERS a lawyer following the case said, as the Gulf Arab state cracks down on criticism of the authorities on social media. According to the ver- dict yesterday, published by Assassination bid on Libyan leader online newspaper Alaan, a Thousands of Libyan gunmen tweet written by Rashid Saleh TRIPOLI: Mohammed Megaryef, president of Libya’s national Al Anzi in October “stabbed assembly, has escaped an attack on his hotel in the southern the rights and powers of oasis of Sabha in an incident his spokesman yesterday called an the Emir” Sheikh Sabah Al sign up for police training assassination attempt. Ahmad Al Sabah. Anzi, who “The hotel he was staying in was attacked for three hours. There has 5,700 Twitter followers, was sniper fire. It seems to have been an assassination attempt,” was expected to appeal, the TRIPOLI: Almost 6,000 gun- nation in a civilized way will turn the assembly chief’s spokesman, Rassmi Beruwien, said of the lawyer, who asked not to be men have begun training to be to the admissions committees. incident that happened on Thursday. named, said. Kuwait, a US ally policemen under a drive to dis- Loyalty is to God and country,” he “Three people from military security were wounded but unfor- and major oil producer, has arm militias hindering Libya’s said. A slew of previous attempts tunately nobody was caught. Attacking where the president is been taking a firmer line on democratic transition although to integrate militiamen into police staying - that is an assassination attempt,” he added. politically sensitive comments many others cling to street pow- forces failed, but Shuail insisted “It happened in the early hours of Thursday morning.” aired on the Internet. In June ers won in toppling Muammar the new plan was more viable Megaryef, who was unhurt, spoke to state television about the 2012, a man was sentenced Gaddafi, the new interior min- because Libyans were fed up with incident in remarks spread on social networking sites. to 10 years in prison after he ister said in an interview. gun rule in the streets. “At around 2am, there were explosions and sniper shots at the was convicted of endangering Ashour Shuail (pictured), a “This time will be differ- hotel where we were staying. The exchange of fire lasted about state security by insulting the soft-spoken former professor of ent because the street is ready. three hours,” he said. Prophet Mohammad and the law, took charge of Libya’s most Libyans are ready for the return The incident underscores the challenge Libya’s new authorities Sunni Muslim rulers of Saudi formidable domestic policy chal- of a nation and for stability. We all face in securing the south, a desert region rife will illegal trafficking Arabia and Bahrain on social lenge - establishing a legitimate, have sons and daughters and per- and full of weapons left over from the 2011 conflict that toppled media. effective national police - late last sonal and international interests, dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Tribal clashes in the oil-rich south year after his appointment by but this only (can be realised) in killed hundreds of people in 2012. new Prime Minister Ali Zeidan. - roughly 10 percent of those in stability and with institutions of AFP Swine flu kills one After Gaddafi’s overthrow the SSC - had signed up to join the nation,” he said. in 2011, transitional authori- the regular police since an admis- Shuail said he was confident in Jordan: Minister ties set up a Supreme Security sions programme was launched at that more and more SSC mem- confrontation”. He conceded that problems,” Shuail said. “Some AMMAN: The H1N1 influ- Committee (SSC) composed of the end of last year. bers would opt to join police many militiamen still view the know that if a nation is eventually enza strain known as swine militiamen who would try to curb He said 37 police training com- because the incentives included police as a discredited pillar of built, they may find themselves flu killed a 26-year-old others defying law enforcement in mittees under the interior minis- steady salaries and paid health Gaddafi’s 42-year dictatorship. facing jail time.” Jordanian man yesterday, the belief it remained under the try’s authority had been set up to care, which would help them buy Some of these militiamen pre- He said various ideas were Health Minister Abdullatif thumb of Gaddafi loyalists. handle the new recruits. homes and start families. fer the power, liberties and broth- being discussed in a special gov- Wreikat said yesterday. “The But the SSC, funded by the Shuail said he was prepared The minister’s spokesman said erhood of an armed brigade, while ernment committee to deal with 26-year-old died in hospital Interior Ministry, wound up bet- to tweak the admission rules, new applications were arriving others are radical Muslims who holdouts. today in Irbid,” in northern ter armed and powerful than the accepting recruits as old as 40 or from militiamen every day, with- see the Tripoli government as “We will communicate with Jordan, Wreikat told state- official police and a number of 45, or those lacking a high school out giving numbers. straying off God’s path, or essen- them and see what their needs run Petra news agency. “He members have been accused of diploma, to expedite the SSC Shuail was coy on the magni- tially members of organised crime are and then try to provide it for was taken to the Princess kidnappings and intimidation, merger with national police and tude of the matter of gunmen who gangs. them. Some of them see us in the Basma (public) Hospital complicating the lawlessness make room for everyone keen to still reject law enforcement, say- “There are some who follow government as their enemies, three days ago suffering from plaguing the oil-producing state. serve. “Those looking for safety, ing only that the solution lay in a personal agenda - be it from but on what basis? We are all the severe pneumonia. Medical In an interview, Shuail said security, legitimacy, employment, brainstorming ideas to overcome inside Libya or outside - and they same people, we follow the same tests showed H1N1 infection, that close to 6,000 militiamen and to participate in building his such recalcitrance “while avoiding have some of their own personal religion.” REUTERS which led to the man’s death.” H1N1 influenza has killed 25 people in Jordan in recent years. In 2009, an H1N1 epi- Shia women protest demic erupted in Mexico and spread into a worldwide pan- Pollution leaves 4,460 dead in Tehran demic that caused at least 17,000 deaths. TEHRAN: Air pollution in increased by 30 percent,” Aqajani amount of carcinogens in petrol Tehran has left 4,460 peo- said. should be less than one percent Gun battle kills ple dead in a year, an Iranian Tehran’s pollution is mainly but the level of our domestically- health official said in reports blamed on bumper-to-bumper produced petrol is between two nine in Somalia yesterday, with another sound- traffic in a city wedged between and three percent,” Rashidi said MOGADISHU: At least nine ing the alarm over high dose two mountains which trap fumes. in remarks reported by Bahar people have died in clashes of carcinogens in domestically- But major Iranian cities also daily. between Al Qaeda-linked made petrol. struggle with pollution on a sea- The level of sulfur in the pet- Islamist rebels and Somali Hassan Aqajani, an adviser to sonal basis. rol is three times higher than the government forces and their the health minister, made the Pollution is also exacerbated by standard, he said. Ethiopian allies, a villager said announcement on state television, increasing reliance on domestic Iran produces around 60 mil- yesterday amid conflicting and said the Tehran residents production of petrol of a lower lion litres of petrol on a daily claims from both sides. Shebab died in a year-long period since grade, and therefore more pol- basis, corresponding roughly to its fighters late on Saturday March 2011. luting, a byproduct of Western national consumption, according ambushed a convoy of several High air pollution is a constant sanctions on Iran’s fuel imports. to figures from the oil ministry. hundred Somali and Ethiopian woe for the eight million residents Youssef Rashidi, director of Officials have promised to troops that was advancing on in Tehran. It forced the city’s clo- Tehran’s air quality monitoring increase the production of higher two towns in the southern sure on Saturday, the second time services, yesterday warned car- grade petrol with Euro 4 and 5 Gedo region still controlled Shia women holding portraits of relatives being held in Bahraini jails in a month. cinogens in Iranian-made pet- standards, used in European by the Shebab - Bardhere and “In recent days, the number of rol is higher than international countries, from nine million litres during a demonstration in solidarity with human rights activists and Burhdubo. AGENCIES patients who have visited Tehran standards. per day to around 25 million by political prisoners in the village of Sanabis, west of Manama, yesterday. hospitals with heart problems has “Based on Euro 4 standard the March 2013. AFP MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Opposition rejects Assad’s ‘peace plan’ Empty promises of reform fool no one: Britain’s Hague

BEIRUT/DAMASCUS: A we maintain our position that fists and chanting: “With blood defiant President Bashar Al Assad has to step aside and allow and soul we sacrifice for you, Oh Assad presented what he for a political transition”. Bashar!” At the end of the speech, described as a new initiative Assad spoke confidently for supporters rushed to the stage, yesterday to end the war in about an hour before a crowd of mobbing him and shouting: “God, Syria but his opponents dis- cheering loyalists, who occasion- Syria and Bashar is enough!” as missed it as a ploy to cling to ally interrupted him to shout and a smiling Assad waved and was power. applaud, at one point raising their escorted from the hall. Appearing before cheering sup- “We are now in a state of war porters who packed the Damascus in every sense of the word,” Assad Opera House, it was his first such said in the speech, broadcast on speech since June and first pub- Some Palestinian Syrian state television. “This war lic appearance of any kind since a targets Syria using a handful of television interview in November. groups treat Syria Syrians and many foreigners. He called for national mobi- Thus, this is a war to defend the lisation in a “war to defend the like ‘hotel’: Assad nation.” nation”, describing rebels fight- DAMASCUS: Syrian Saying that “suffering is over- Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad speaks at the Opera House in Damascus, yesterday. ing him as terrorists and foreign President Bashar Al Assad whelming” the land, he added: agents with whom it was impos- accused Palestinian groups “The nation is for all and we all throughout the country from its rejection by the opposition. with the United States, European sible to negotiate. he did not identify of treat- must protect it.” Independent which its helicopters and jets Among its proposals: rebels would powers, Arab states and Turkey His new initiative, including ing the country like a “hotel”, media are largely barred from can strike rebel-held areas with first be expected to halt their all demanding Assad leave power, a reconciliation conference that in his first public speech in Damascus. impunity, making it impossible for operations before the army would while Russia and Iran refuse to would exclude “those who have seven months. the insurgents to consolidate their cease fire, a certain non-starter. exclude him from talks on a betrayed Syria”, contained no Assad praised every “hon- DEATHS grip on territory they hold. Assad repeatedly described future government. concessions and appeared to recy- ourable Palestinian in Syria The United Nations says 60,000 The rebels are drawn mainly parts of the opposition as agents UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi cle proposals that opponents have who has served the country’s people have been killed in the from the Sunni Muslim major- of foreign powers who could not has been trying to bridge the gap, rejected since the uprising began interests alongside his Syrian civil war in Syria. Fighting has ity, while Assad, a member of the be included in any negotiations: meeting senior US and Russian nearly two years ago. brother and not treated Syria arrived at the edge of the capital Alawite sect related to Shia, is “We will not have dialogue with officials to discuss a peace pro- The opposition National like a hotel, leaving it when cir- in what has become the longest supported by some members of a puppet made by the West,” he posal that does not explicitly Coalition said the speech was cumstances become difficult.” and bloodiest of the conflicts to religious minorities who fear ret- said to an outburst of applause. mention Assad’s fate. an attempt to thwart an inter- His comments appeared to emerge from two years of revolts ribution if he falls. He has backing The opposition has consistently National Coalition spokesman national agreement, backed by be an allusion to Islamist group in Arab states. from Shia Iran while most Arab said it will not cease fire until the Walid Bunni told Reuters that Western and Arab powers, that Hamas which had its head- The past six months have seen and Western powers sympathise army does, and will not negoti- Assad’s speech was timed to try he must stand down. quarters in exile in Damascus rebels advance dramatically. They with the rebels. ate any transitional government and prevent a breakthrough from British Foreign Secretary before quietly moving abroad now control much of the north Assad, a 47-year-old eye doctor, unless Assad is excluded. those talks by taking a position William Hague said “empty and declaring its support for and east of the country, a cres- succeeded his late father, Hafez, in Assad also repeatedly empha- intended to thwart compromise: promises of reform fool no one”. the uprising against Assad. cent of suburbs on the outskirts 2000. The family has ruled Syria sised rebel links to Al Qaeda and “The talk by Brahimi and oth- In a Twitter message, he added: Syrian members of the of the capital and the main border since the elder Assad led a mili- Islamist radicals. Washington, ers that there could be a type of “Death, violence and oppression Muslim Brotherhood move- crossings with Turkey. tary coup 42 years ago. which supports the opposition, political solution being worked out engulfing Syria are of his own ment, from which Hamas But Assad’s forces are still Assad’s speech seemed osten- has also labelled one of the main has prompted him to come out making.” sprung, were among the first to firmly in control of most of the sibly aimed at showing Syrians, rebel groups terrorists and says it and tell the others ‘I won’t accept EU foreign affairs chief participate in the revolt when densely populated southwest, the and perhaps diplomats, that he is linked to the network founded a solution’,” Bunni said, adding Catherine Ashton said Brussels it erupted in March 2011. main north-south highway and is open to change. by Osama bin Laden. that Assad feared any deal would would “look carefully if there is AFP the Mediterranean coast. The But the plan could hardly have Diplomacy has been largely mean his downfall. anything new in the speech, but army also holds military bases been better designed to ensure irrelevant so far in the conflict, REUTERS

Iraqi PM warns of regional Erdogan rules out general polarisation amnesty for Kurdish militants BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki yes- ISTANBUL: Turkish Prime Erdogan said Turkey was tak- question. House confinement for terday warned of “polarisation” Minister Recep Tayyip ing a two-pronged approach, (Ocalan) is also out of the ques- across the region as he led a Erdogan ruled out a general with the state intelligence agency tion,” Erdogan said. low-key ceremony marking the amnesty for Kurdish militants talking to PKK leader Abdullah Talks with the PKK, which is anniversary of the founding of yesterday but said intelligence Ocalan, imprisoned on the island designated a terrorist group by the country’s armed forces. agents would continue to talk of Imrali since his capture in 1999, Turkey, the United States and Maliki said “regional compe- to the rebels’ jailed leader in a and the government talking to the European Union, would have tition” was negatively affect- bid to end a near three-decade Kurdish politicians. been unpalatable to Turkish pub- ing Iraq, an apparent reference insurgency. “Talks with Ocalan is not a new lic opinion only a few years ago. to the violence in Syria where Erdogan’s chief adviser said process ... I have said before that Ocalan, who founded the group mainly Sunni rebels are fight- last week that Turkish officials we will negotiate with (Kurdish) in 1974 to fight for an independent ing President Bashar Al Assad’s had been discussing disarma- politicians and struggle against Kurdish state in Turkey’s south- regime, and two weeks of rallies ment with the Kurdistan Workers terrorism,” Erdogan told report- east, is widely reviled by Turks in Iraq’s western Anbar province, Party (PKK) and on Thursday ers before leaving for an official who hold him responsible for the which is mostly Sunni. two Kurdish lawmakers paid a visit to West Africa. deaths of more than 40,000 peo- “Regional competition and rare visit to the militant group’s He ruled out an amnesty for ple since the PKK took up arms polarisation exists in the region, leader in his island prison. PKK fighters or the possibility of in 1984. and what is surrounding us, sec- Although Turkish authorities Ocalan being released from Imrali Erdogan is under pressure tarian tension, is affecting Iraq have held talks in the past with and placed under house arrest. to stem the violence, which has badly,” Maliki said in a speech to the PKK, the negotiations were Better conditions for Ocalan included bomb attacks in major army officers in Baghdad’s heavily secretive and largely appeared are one of his supporters’ main cities as well as fighting in the Iraqi Sunni protesters hold up a portrait of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki fortified Green Zone. to have run aground. The open demands. southeast, particularly with presi- “Our forces now are not with slogans reading in Arabic, “liar...sectarian, thief, collaborator” during acknowledgment of the latest “General amnesty for those dential elections due in 2014 in fighting terrorist groups or a protest against him near Ramadi, west of Baghdad, yesterday. contact has raised hopes of a who have been involved in ter- which he is expected to stand. isolated criminal groups, they renewed peace effort. rorist activities is out of the REUTERS are fighting groups backed by in Iraq were much more low key figure in Shia sect. dangerous Takfirist (extremist) than in previous years. Officials Many military units have also ideology.” cited the requirement for tens of been deployed close to disputed Maliki’s Shia-led government thousands of soldiers to maintain territory in north Iraq that is has faced two weeks of angry pro- security at Arbaeen commemo- also claimed by the autonomous tests in Sunni-majority provinces, rations, when pilgrims walk to Kurdish region, and to Iraq’s with demonstrators complaining the shrine city of Karbala for a western border with Syria. of their community being tar- mourning ritual for a revered AFP geted by the authorities. Officials also fear the impact of the conflict in neighbouring Syria, and have tried to maintain a delicate balancing act of not calling for Assad’s regime, dominated by the Alawite offshoot of Shia, to go and not explicitly backing it. In his speech mark- ing the 92nd anniversary of the founding of Iraq’s army, Maliki also called for the armed forces to be equipped to be a defensive force, but added that Iraq did not want an “arms race.” “The army today is responsible for protect- ing a great country and it must be up to the task,” Maliki said. “It should be well trained and equipped with modern weapons, and that is what we are seek- ing for it.” Army Day celebrations MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Editorial

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN: SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI Assad’s ploy EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: KHALID AL SAYED E-MAIL: [email protected] ACTING MANAGING EDITOR: HUSSAIN AHMAD Syrian president is not ready for E-MAIL: [email protected] peace talks and concessions. Rebels EDITORIAL: TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR. have to win this war militarily. E-MAIL: [email protected]

ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 id anyone look forward with keen anticipation to Syrian for supporting him in the face of hostility from the US, Britain and President Bashar Al Assad’s speech yesterday? It’s highly France. Assad’s speech sends ominous signals about his intentions 44557857 [email protected] CLASSIFIED: E-MAIL: Dunlikely. Because, after 21 months of an uprising which is still and the future of the uprising. First, despite his army’s loss of control SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY going strong, and which killed more than 60,000 people according to over large swathes of land in the north and east of the country, the UN estimates, he wasn’t expected to make speeches, but cede power mass defections from his team and the unity among Arabs and the TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 to make way for peace. But he did exactly the opposite – which was international community in demanding his ouster, he is sending the E-MAIL: [email protected] to announce that he had no intention of leaving. message that he still believes he can survive the revolt. Secondly, he is He made no hint that he is willing to cede power, and made it cocking a snook at international efforts to mediate a solution, notably SUBSCRIPTION RATES abundantly clear that he was not prepared to negotiate either with the by Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN-Arab peace envoy, who has been at the ANNUAL QR 675 exiled opposition factions or the rebels fighting on the ground, whom forefront of a diplomatic push for a negotiated solution. 6 MONTHS QR 340 he called as Islamic radicals supportive of Al Qaeda and Western The opposition immediately rejected the president’s offer and said countries. his speech was primarily directed at the international community. Assad appeared in public yesterday after several months, and The president must realise that any solution to the crisis must proposed an action plan for peace which not only offered nothing begin with his exit because he cannot be part of any solution. But he new, but served to rub salt into the crisis. The first step for a solution, has made it clear he would not relinquish power under any circum- he said, was for foreign powers to stop their support for the uprising, stances, and nor would he negotiate with the opposition. That leaves after which a national dialogue conference would be convened to draft the opposition with only one option: fight to the finish. PUBLICATION a charter which would then be put to referendum. Though he looked Also, Assad’s temerity and arrogance should serve as a wake-up thin and pale, his resolve was undimmed. He blasted the rebels as call to the international community. There is no point in pursuing a agents of Syria’s enemies. He also thanked Russia, China and Iran negotiated settlement. It’s time for intervention.

We are now in a state of war in every sense of the word. The other side This war targets Syria using a handful of Syrians and many foreigners. Thus, this is a war Quote of of defending the nation. The pivotal role of teachers the day Bashar Al Assad O ONE should pretend that it is easy being a teacher. Whether Syrian President they are working in primary, secondary or higher education, Nthe job is demanding. It is not simply a question of passing on knowledge. There is discipline to be kept, which among boister- ous young people, full of energy, is sometimes no easy task. Then there is the question of motivation. Really good teachers, and we all know from our own childhoods, that not everyone who stands up in a classroom is necessarily outstanding, will inspire his or her class. Teachers need to make young people want to learn, to appreciate the importance of knowledge and understanding. That is not a simple matter. Not every pupil is able to advance at the same rate. Grading classes is only a partial solution. The wise teacher will always be ready to go the extra mile to help students who are having difficulty grasping, something that they are being taught. Patience, encouragement, besides a wide knowledge of their par- ticular subjects, are the makings of outstanding educators. Time and again, people remember with affection, a few of their teachers who, through their skill and forbearance, gave them a “Eureka” moment, when suddenly a seemingly incomprehensible piece of study, suddenly became clear and opened the way to further learning and insights. By the same token, may adults will recall a bad teacher who served to put them off a particular subject. If proof was needed, this dem- onstrates just how precious good educators can be. Thus it may seem hard that teachers in the Kingdom have been asked to shorten their school holidays and go in to work, a full two weeks before their pupils return to their desks. Whatever the legal niceties of the case that state school teachers have currently brought before the courts, it cannot be denied that at the end of every frenetic term, teachers do deserve a decent rest. Nor should it be assumed that our educators will spend their time off sitting around doing nothing. Lessons do not teach themselves. Before every term, there is course preparation to be done. It is very likely that, as it is, the most dedicated teachers are already starting work, scheming out the new term, in that same two week period where it is now being said that they should be going into the school. Lesson planning may, it is true, become easier as a teacher gains experience and can dust off courses that they have used before. This however does not mean that old teaching schedules can simply be recycled. ARAB NEWS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Why Obama must act to keep two-state solution viable

BY JEREMY BEN-AMI Muslims and democracy and sug- about a two-state solution while leaders today say otherwise. this out on their own. We need and Bennett, who say no to com- gests paying Palestinian families Israel settles the land where Construction and planning to stop fixating on “direct talks” promise and peace, and those MERE 24 hours after it to emigrate. Palestinians look to build their are taking place in areas far out- as the only option and move the who — like all six of Israel’s liv- takes office this month, Cabinet members are still state is no longer a viable option. side the “consensus” blocs that focus away from simply getting ing internal security chiefs — are APresident Barack Obama’s likely to include Public Diplomacy Unless Obama acts meaning- President Bill Clinton envisioned the parties “to the table.” willing to lead the way to a two- new national security team will Minister Yuli Edelstein, who fully, the Palestinians’ next move remaining with Israel in 2000. Obama must go to the region state solution. Palestinians will come face to face with a funda- says Israel should move toward is likely to be to either dismantle From construction in Shiloh and early in his second term and, have to decide between leaders mentally different political real- gradual or total annexation of the Palestinian Authority or to Beit El, to accrediting a national backed by the entire interna- such as Abbas and Fayyad, who ity in Israel and the Palestinian the West Bank, and Education pursue relief in an international university in the outlying set- tional community, lay out the believe in nonviolence and diplo- territory than their predecessors Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who legal forum. tlement of Ariel, to planning parameters for resolving the macy, and Hamas, which refuses dealt with. assures his supporters that “two The Obama team’s understand- to develop the E-1 area east of conflict, a credible timeline and a to recognize Israel’s existence. The real story of the Israeli states for two peoples was never ing of the Israeli-Palestinian con- Jerusalem, the government of process for mediated discussions Inaction on the part of the election scheduled for Jan. 22 is part of Likud’s election platform.” flict, and what needs to be done Israel is unrelentingly establish- that assures both sides their con- United States is a recipe for a the meteoric rise of the right- This is the Israeli reality of to solve it, has to catch up with ing that it has no interest in the cerns will be heard. continued spiral toward extrem- wing HaBayit HaYehudi (Jewish 2013, enabled in part by American these new realities. creation of a viable Palestinian He and the world need to exert ism on both sides. Allowing this Home) Party and its new leader, politicians and staunch support- Sadly, many in the nation’s state. meaningful pressure on both conflict to fester will be disas- Naftali Bennett. Likely to head ers in this country who refuse to capital remain convinced that If Obama believes that achiev- sides to decide whether they will trous for the region and U.S. the second- or third-largest party question Israel’s policies as the Israel is simply building on land ing a two-state solution to the accept the well-known terms of a interests. in the next Knesset, Bennett two-state solution slips through that “everyone knows” it will Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a viable two-state solution. And throwing one’s hands up advocates immediate annexation our fingers. ultimately keep. In their view, fundamental American national If the majority of the people in despair or saying there’s noth- of 60 percent of the West Bank. Also awaiting Obama’s new the present settlement-building security interest, he will need on both sides believes the pack- ing to be done until the parties Gone from Israel’s next gov- team will be a clear message frenzy should not be a problem to chart a far different course age offered is reasonable — and themselves solve the conflict is ernment will be any semblance of from the Palestinian leaders for Palestinians. than has been tried before — and polling consistently shows these not a policy. a moderate voice favoring a two- who still believe in two states: Contrary to The Post’s asser- quickly. majorities would support a rea- WP-BLOOMBERG state solution. Instead, the ruling President Mahmoud Abbas and tion in its Jan. 2 editorial, “Rash No, he cannot impose a settle- sonable two-state deal — then the (The writer is president of coalition will feature leaders such Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. rhetoric,” that there is no con- ment. But these parties — with leaders will be pressed by their J Street, a Washington-based as Moshe Feiglin, a firebrand who Without immediate, meaningful certed Israeli campaign to block their lack of trust and wildly own constituencies to say yes. organization that advocates a wants to rebuild a Jewish temple diplomatic action to bring about creation of a Palestinian state, conflicting narratives and inter- Israelis will have to decide diplomatic resolution to the on the Temple Mount, denigrates two states, they will say, talking the words and deeds of Israeli ests — cannot and will not work between leaders such as Feiglin Israeli-Palestinian conflict.) MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Iraq’s Islamists pursue own agenda

but this time round, Maliki is more iso- Both Kurdish lated, analysts say. One Shia lawmaker said Maliki had President Masoud planned to target Esawi for some time and had calculated that it would be eas- ier to strike now and contain the Sunni Barzani and backlash than to do it later when Sunnis might be emboldened by events in Syria. influential Shia “Maliki told me he would go after Esawi and his bodyguards more than a month ago,” said the parliamentarian on cleric Moqtada condition of anonymity. “He preferred to burst the Sunni bubble, rather than wait Al Sadr have voiced for it to blow up in his face”. So far, Maliki’s response has been cautious. support for the This week he said his patience was wearing thin and warned he would not protesters in Anbar tolerate the Sunni rallies indefinitely, but made a small concession by releasing 11 and elsewhere, as women detainees and allowing others to complete their sentences in their home provinces. long as they drop That will not appease all the protesters. The provincial council of the predom- sectarian slogans inantly Sunni Salahuddin governorate on Thursday re-submitted a request to the electoral commission to form their and stop glorifying own region. Other Sunni-majority prov- inces have previously presented similar Saddam’s demands. Under the constitution drawn up after the US-led invasion, each province or Baath party. group of provinces is entitled to create a federal region if it wins enough votes in BY SUADAD AL SALHY a referendum. “This is the moment when we see treet protests in Iraq’s Sunni whether Maliki has emerged as the Muslim heartland pose a new strongman of Iraq,” Stansfield said. challenge to Shia Prime Minister “Either he enforces a centralised govern- SNouri Al Maliki as shock waves ment on Iraq or allows federalism to be from the Sunni-led insurgency in the organising principle of governance nearby Syria strain his country’s fragile A protest by Sunni Muslims in northern Iraq’s Kirkuk province. across the country. political balance. “The question is whether it’s done after Over the past two weeks, tens of thou- fighting or instead of fighting.” sands of Sunnis have staged demonstra- to the frustrations they have endured campaign to create an autonomous Sunni long gone. “Anbar has always had the The central government in Baghdad is tions, and in Anbar province they have since the US-led invasion overthrew fiefdom, by force if need be. power to be very influential in Iraqi already at odds with the Kurdish region. blocked a highway to Syria in a show of Saddam Hussein and empowered major- “Sunnism is our slogan and a region politics,” said Gareth Stansfield, an Iraq Their long-running feud over land and oil anger against Maliki, whom they accuse ity Shias. is our goal,” senior cleric Sheikh Taha expert at Exeter University. “This should rights recently escalated into a military of marginalising their community and Some waving Saddam-era Iraqi flags, Hamed Al Dulaimi told demonstrators be of great concern to Maliki.” build-up in the oil-rich territory along monopolising power. protesters have echoed the chants of Arab in Anbar in a video on his website. “Do their contested internal boundary. The discontent is real, but the protests uprisings that have brought down leaders not scatter your demands.” SUNNI BUBBLE The Kurds and other rivals of Maliki are driven by Sunni Islamist parties bent in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen in the The IIP exerts influence through The protests ignited after Maliki are likely to use the Sunni protests to on carving out an autonomous region past two years. mosques and clerics in Sunni strong- detained the bodyguards of Sunni pile pressure on the Shia leader without akin to the Kurdish one in the north, “We will never relent. Enough of holds such as Anbar province, which was Finance Minister Rafaie Al Esawi last necessarily jumping on board, analysts Kurdish and Sunni sources say. Sunnis living in Iraq like outsiders. This almost completely controlled by Al Qaeda month, just hours after Iraq’s Kurdish and politicians say. They say the Sunni Islamists scent time it’s do or die for us,” said Jamal at the height of Iraq’s insurgency in President Jalal Talabani, seen as a stead- Both Kurdish President Masoud an opportunity to escape what they Adham, a tribal leader from Saddam’s 2005-07 and shares a porous border with ying hand, suffered a stroke and went Barzani and influential Shia cleric see as Shia domination, counting on a former hometown of Tikrit. Syria. abroad for treatment. Moqtada Al Sadr have voiced support for victory by Sunni rebels trying to top- Their demands, fuelled by sectarian Militants linked to Al Qaeda appear to Iraqi authorities said the bodyguards the protesters in Anbar and elsewhere, ple Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, sentiment, range from mending crum- be regrouping in the caves and valleys of had confessed to involvement in assassi- as long as they drop sectarian slogans whose Alawite minority has its roots in bling public services to abolishing anti- Anbar, and some are crossing the border nations carried out in coordination with and stop glorifying Saddam’s Baath party. Shia Islam. terrorism laws they say are used to to join Syrian rebels fighting to topple security men employed by Sunni Vice Sunnis are united against Maliki, but Assad’s eventual demise would weaken persecute Iraq’s once-dominant Sunnis. Assad’s police state. President Tareq Al Hashemi. many are wary of hardliners who they the sway of Shia Iran, Syria’s main “What’s happening is not spontane- The tribes of Anbar were instrumental Hashemi fled into exile a year ago and fear might revive the kind of inter-com- regional ally and an influential player in ous,” said Mohammed Tofiq, spokes- in subduing Al Qaeda in 2007, making was later sentenced to death in absentia munal conflict that previously drove Iraq Iraqi politics. States like Saudi Arabia, man for Kurdish opposition movement common cause with US troops to fight for terrorism. Esawi himself was once to the brink of civil war. Qatar and Turkey have backed the Syrian Gorran. “The forces behind the current fellow Sunnis in what came to be known a leader of an armed Islamist group, Sheikh Hameed Turki Al Shook, a sen- leader’s adversaries. protests are Sunni political parties.” as the “Anbar Awakening”. Hamas Al Iraq, in Anbar. ior Sunni tribesman in Anbar, said: “The Heartened by a possible shift in the Senior Sunni sources say the Iraqi Now, Anbar is awakening again, but The arrests and alleged confessions of demand to create the regions is not ours Sunni-Shia balance of power in the Islamic Party (IIP), part of the Muslim this time the target is Maliki — and bodyguards of the two senior Sunni lead- and those working to spread these ideas Middle East, Iraq’s Sunnis are giving vent Brotherhood, is the prime mover in a US forces who once held the ring are ers followed a strikingly similar pattern, do not represent us.” REUTERS Obama’s ad team used cable TV to outplay Romney

OBAMA’S ADVANTAGE advertising staffing. “It’s the equivalent Republican Cable television political advertising of having a budget the size of a Coca- jumped from $136m in 2006 to $650m in Cola commercial campaign and having consultants and 2012, although broadcast TV still gar- two people managing it, where a Madison nered 80 percent of the campaign adver- Avenue agency might have 50 people,” tising spending last year. said NCC’s Kay. Kincaid and her small advertising experts Even with major broadcast networks staff were overwhelmed, according to and their affiliates, the Obama cam- numerous political vendors who dealt said Romney had paign appeared to out-perform the with them. Romney camp. Jim Margolis, an Obama campaign enough money A campaign spending review shows the senior adviser whose firm GMMB han- Obama camp frequently spent far less dled its advertising, said the campaign than Romney for ads aired by the same also took advantage of information pro- to compete with stations during the same shows. vided by companies like Rentrak Corp, For example, a review of TV station a Portland, Oregon-based company that Obama’s final filings with the Federal Communications monitors the digital boxes attached to Commission showed Romney, on the TVs in households using satellite dishes. Sunday before Election Day, paid $1,100 In the past, political advertisers relied advertising effort. for an ad aired during CBS’s “Face on the major networks rather than cable the Nation” programme on WRAL in TV in a quest to reach the most televi- BY MARCUS STERN AND TIM Raleigh, North Carolina. Obama paid sion viewers. MCLAUGHLIN campaign’s last seven days. Romney had the edge in overall TV $200 for a comparable ad on the same But cable TV’s increasing popularity “We don’t know why. This was a week advertising spending. station during the same programme. has brought dramatic fragmentation to s political experts assess before the election and you’re in the fight Republican consultants and advertis- Part of the reason for the Obama television viewership. In many markets, Republican Mitt Romney’s for your life,” said Timothy Kay, politi- ing experts said Romney had enough campaign’s pricing advantage is that the cable offers a hundred or more channels, failed US presidential bid, an cal director for NCC Media, a cable TV money to compete with Obama’s final president faced no Democratic primary giving advertisers a chance to target spe- Aanalysis of how his campaign industry consortium. advertising effort. Yet Obama cruised to challenge and was able to buy autumn cific demographics. and President Barack Obama’s winning The race had narrowed to key counties a commanding Electoral College victory TV time months in advance when the For instance, the Obama campaign team used cable TV to target ads at spe- in several battleground states, the kind after a final concentration on a small slots — like airline tickets — were dis- identified zip codes surrounding Ohio cific groups of voters may offer some of isolation ideally suited for cable’s geo- group of battleground states. counted. Romney faced a tough battle for tyre-manufacturing plants and purchased valuable tips for the future. graphical targeting and niche-marketing “In market after market, the Obama the Republican nomination. cable ads touting Obama’s efforts to block During the final weeks before the capabilities. campaign ended up putting more ads on The Romney campaign also simply tyre imports from China. November 6 election, with polls showing Republican Party operatives dis- target than the Romney campaign did,” did not have enough bodies to handle Obama ran 600,000 cable ads to the a tight race, Obama’s campaign exploited mayed by Romney’s defeat continue to said Ken Goldstein, president of Kantar the labour-intensive business of planning, Romney’s 300,000 around the nation cable TV’s diverse lineup to target women debate what went wrong in a campaign Media’s Campaign Media Analysis Group, negotiating and placing ads on hundreds during the campaign, said NCC’s Kay. on channels such as Food Network and awash in cash and run by a candidate a nonpartisan consulting firm that of TV stations simultaneously, accord- Obama’s cable TV push started in April. Lifetime and men on networks such as with a business background. The former tracked political ads and worked with ing to several Republican consultants Romney’s began in September. ESPN. Massachusetts governor’s campaign, like both campaigns. and media analysts who asked not to be Obama’s team also mixed and matched The Obama team used the fragmenta- Democrat Obama’s, spent a record-set- Stephanie Kincaid, who managed identified. its messages to sharpen the appeal in key tion of cable TV’s audience to its fullest ting amount of cash; in Romney’s case, Romney’s advertising campaign, declined Obama’s campaign had 30 full-time counties. advantage to target tailored messages to it was $580m in 20 months. to answer questions and referred inquir- media buyers. The Romney campaign “My impression was there was much voters in battleground states. Obama’s campaign outspent Romney’s ies to top Romney campaign officials relied heavily on a single person, Kincaid, more examination and analytics done Meanwhile, Romney’s campaign relied campaign on advertising by as much as Stuart Stevens and Russell Schriefer, with help from one or two others from with the Obama campaign,” Kay said. on a more traditional mass saturation of $200m, according to a Reuters analysis. her bosses at The Stevens and Schriefer time to time, according to sources close “The Romney campaign had the same broadcast TV. The Romney camp was But when spending by pro-Romney and Group, a political consulting firm. They to the campaign. Senior officials with rigid schedule in every state.” entirely dark on cable TV for two of the pro-Obama outside groups is considered, did not respond to phone calls. the campaign declined to discuss its REUTERS MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Don’t be harsh on religious offenders: Kirill Russian Church calls for better laws

MOSCOW: Patriarch Kirill, Political analysts say the the head of Russia’s Orthodox Kremlin has rowed back from church and a long-term ally of its initial position on the law to President Vladimir Putin, yes- take into account the ethnic and terday urged the Kremlin to religious balance between the be moderate in new legislation Christian majority and Muslim seeking stricter punishment for minority, a precondition for politi- religious offences. cal stability. The pro-Kremlin United Russia Rights groups say the legisla- party proposed the law introduc- tion could blur the line between ing prison terms for religious church and state in constitution- offences after a protest against ally secular Russia. Putin’s increasingly close ties with Opponents say the draft law the Church by punk band Pussy is intended as part of broader Riot in Moscow’s main cathedral Kremlin moves to suppress dis- last year. sent and bolster public support Two members of the band were by casting Putin as the protector jailed for the protest. of religious believers. In remarks published on the Critics have also said the defini- eve of the Orthodox Christmas tion of offending religious feelings holiday, Kirill, who has called is so broad and vague in the draft Putin’s long rule a “miracle of law that it risks being ineffective God”, said the legislation should or applied selectively. not limit citizens’ rights. The Russian Orthodox Church “Any regulatory acts regarding has been resurgent since the the protection of religious sym- collapse of the Soviet Union in French actor Gerard Depardieu (left) hugs Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi. RIGHT: A page in Depardieu’s new Russian passport with his bols and the feelings of believers 1991 with about three in four of photograph. should be scrupulously worked Russia’s 143 million calling them- through so that they are not selves followers. The majority used for improvised limitation of were outraged by the Pussy Riot French actor Depardieu gets Russian passport freedom of speech and creative protest last February, although self-expression,” he was quoted far fewer supported the tough as saying by Interfax news agency. sentences, opinion polls showed. MOSCOW: French actor red passport to his Mordovia people live here,” Interfax quoted song in a church last year. However, in his most extensive Kirill, who did not mention Gerard Depardieu, who has hosts in Saransk, the regional the actor as saying. Depardieu was travelling to the comment on the proposed law, he the punk protest, which the band threatened to quit his home- capital of around 300,000 people The French film star also region on the eve of the Orthodox also said that Russia’s religious said was an anti-Kremlin stunt land to avoid higher taxes, has located about 600km southeast of expressed a desire to see a monu- Christmas which Russia cele- laws did need improving. not aimed at offending believers, received a Russian passport Moscow. ment to Yemelyan Pugachev, the brates on January 7 and was also “A fine of several hundred rou- urged peaceful responses to anti- and yesterday an offer of resi- Upon arrival, Depardieu, who leader of one of the most violent taken to a cathedral. bles for blasphemous inscriptions church “incidents”. dence in a central Russia region wore no hat and left his coat peasant rebellions in the 18th Among the gifts the star of on a church, a mosque or a syna- “It is not the first time the known for Stalin-era Gulag unbuttoned, was greeted by century who he reportedly wants “Cyrano de Bergerac” and “Green gogue signals that the society does Church has faced acts aimed at labour camps. young women wearing national to play. Card” received in Mordovia were not fully realise the importance of desecration and sacrilege of its The former Oscar nomi- costumes and served blini, or Mordovia is famous for a pair of felt boots, or valenki, and protecting ... religious feelings of relics and the abuse of its believ- nee travelled to snow-cov- pancakes, before touring a local its harsh climate and a large two kittens for his new Russian believers,” he said. ers’ feelings,” he said. “The key ered Mordovia after he met history museum. number of prison camps, which home, television said. Putin has moved closer to the thing is that resistance to blas- on Saturday with strongman The Interfax news agency appeared in the 1930s as part of On Saturday, Putin granted Church after his election win in phemy should be adequate and President Vladimir Putin at his reported from Saransk that local the Stalin-era GULAG system of Depardieu “a short meeting” December triggered the biggest free from aggression.” sumptuous Black Sea villa in the governor Vladimir Volkov had forced labour camps. Nadezhda but did not personally deliver street protests since he rose to Kirill also offered support resort town of Sochi for friendly made the French actor an offer Tolokonnikova, a member of the passport to the actor, his power nearly 13 years ago, and for Putin’s battle against graft, banter over a meal. to pick an apartment or a place to Pussy Riot punk band, is serving spokesman Dmitry Peskov said after an anti-Pussy Riot cam- declared in a public address Depardieu was seen on Russian build a house in Mordovia. her two-year prison sentence in — although he did not say where paign led to a surge of religious and last month. television being greeted with folk “I am very happy, it’s very beau- Mordovia, after she and her band and when the actor was handed nationalist sentiment. REUTERS songs and showing off his new tiful here, beautiful and soulful mates performed an anti-Putin his passport. AFP

Bulgaria PM asks for ‘no’ in vote Mandela has recovered: Presidency Spain lottery winners on second CAPE TOWN: Nelson Mandela “He had undergone an opera- (pictured) has “recovered” tion to remove gallstones last exult, pay bounty tax nuclear plant from recent surgery and a lung month and was also troubled by infection, a health scare that a recurring lung infection,” said MADRID: The winners of But for the first time, winners had put South Africa on edge as the presidency. Spain’s El Nino lottery broke will have to pay 20 percent tax on SOFIA: Bulgarian Prime the anti-apartheid hero spent “He continues to receive high open champagne and wept out any sum exceeding ¤2,500 under Minister Boyko Borisov said nearly three weeks in hospital, care at his Houghton home and of joy yesterday, savouring their Spain’s unprecedented austerity yesterday he would ask mem- the presidency said yesterday, his daily routine is being gradually luck all the more at a time drive aimed at slashing the public bers and supporters of his right- citing his doctors. re-established.” when the country faces its most deficit. wing GERB party to vote “no” The 94-year-old Mandela “has On Thursday, Mandela’s grand- severe economic crisis in dec- The tax took effect this year, so in a January 27 referendum recovered from his surgical pro- son Mandla Mandela told AFP ades, with unemployment at a the top winners of ¤400,000 each on building a second nuclear cedure and the lung infection, that South Africa’s first black record 25 percent. in the El Gordo lottery, drawn on power plant. his doctors said today,” said a president who steered the coun- “I feel great satisfaction, great December 22, pocketed the full “We would give instructions to statement from President Jacob try into democracy “is healed and joy, especially now when everyone amount. El Gordo paid out a total our party to vote on the refer- Zuma’s office. is stronger than before”. is on such a limited budget. It’s of ¤2.466bn. endum with ‘No’, ‘No’, ‘No’ and “The medical (examination) The former statesman was really a relief,” one of the winners The two lotteries are among ‘No!’,” Borisov told TV7 television said president Mandela has made home since he was discharged flown to a Pretoria hospital on of the highest prize of ¤200,000 the world’s most generous, paying in an interview. steady progress and that clini- from hospital the day after December 8 from his childhood said on TVE public television. out 70 percent of their takings. Instead he said he was in cally, he continues to improve,” Christmas, which was the longest home in Qunu, prompting an out- “I have a son who is unem- The El Nino draw on January favour of building a new reactor it said. he had been hospitalised since his pouring of prayers and wishes for ployed, and I will be able to help 6 — Epiphany or the 12th day of at the country’s existing plant and The revered leader has been release from 27 years of apartheid his health. him with that and (pay for) my Christmas — is a tradition that extending the operational capac- recuperating at his Johannesburg prison in 1990. AFP younger daughter’s studies,” began at the beginning of the 20th ity of the site’s two reactors. another said. century. The referendum was initi- El Nino, dubbed the “little sis- Millions of jobs have been ated by the Socialist opposi- ter” of the much bigger El Gordo destroyed in Spain since a prop- tion after Borisov’s government Coffee for Africa aid Christmas jackpot, paid out erty market crash and a global scrapped last March a deal with ¤840m this year. financial crisis rocked the econ- Russian state-owned company The second prize was ¤100,000. omy in 2008. Atomstroyexport for a new Each ticket cost ¤20. AFP 2,000-megawatt nuclear plant at Belene in the northwest. Atomstroiexport’s decision to sue Sofia for ¤1bn ($1.3bn) at the Paris-based International Court 16 DRC migrants killed in crash of Arbitration prompted the LUANDA: Sixteen migrants “The victims died of injuries government to later hint that it from the Democratic Republic and asphyxiation,” he said, add- might revive the project as a pri- of Congo died and three ing that police needed at least vate investment. were seriously injured when two hours to open the container Borisov had so far refrained the truck they were hiding and managed to save three peo- from taking a clear stance on in flipped over on a road in ple, including a 30-year-old the referendum, which concerns Angola, regional police said woman, who all had serious Belene even if stopping short of yesterday. injuries. mentioning the project by name. All 19 were undocumented Police said the migrants had This led environmentalists and immigrants and had been trav- paid the driver $200 for the ride. the centrist and Socialist opposi- elling from the border post of The driver fled after the acci- tion to accuse him of using the Soyo to the capital Luanda when dent, Massota said. referendum to reverse his previ- the accident occurred in the Angola’s Zaire province, ous decision and revive Belene northern town of N’zeto late on which borders the DR Congo, without losing face. Saturday. has recently seen a surge in Bulgaria currently has only “The truck was transporting undocumented migrants. two 1,000-megawatt reactors at cases of empty beer bottles in a More than 30 migrants, most its ageing Kozloduy plant, also in container where the migrants of whom came from the DR the northwest, after it was forced A Capuchin monk prepares a coffee in a cafe in Krakow, Poland, yesterday. The initiative, ‘Cappuccino for were hiding, and it flipped over,” Congo, have been driven back to shut four smaller units at the Africa’ uses the popular cappuccino-style coffee named after their Roman Catholic order to raise funds for police chief Andre Massota of to the border in the past two same plant to secure European aid projects for Africa. Zaire province said. weeks. AFP Union accession in 2007. AFP MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 White House Venezuelan plans broader Cameron says vice president gun control to moves to fill wants to be Chavez vacuum curb violence CARACAS: Vice President Nicolas Maduro is moving WASHINGTON: The White PM until 2020 quickly to fill the vacuum left by House is weighing a far broader President Hugo Chavez’s pro- approach to curbing US gun longed absence, gaining valua- violence than just reinstat- ble exposure and clout while the ing a ban on assault weapons ‘Britain would fight for the Falklands’ ailing Venezuelan leader battles and high-capacity magazines, cancer in Cuba. the Washington Post reported LONDON: David Cameron yes- happen in the five years after In a week of seesawing uncer- yesterday. terday said he wanted to serve the election, but he refused to be tainty and change, Chavez’s hand- A working group led by Vice as British prime minister until drawn on whether a poll would picked political heir appears to President Joseph Biden is seri- at least 2020 to oversee a range include the question whether have broken through the paralysis ously considering measures that of reforms including a renego- Britain should remain in the bloc. gripping the country since Chavez would require universal back- tiation of Britain’s relationship “People should be in no doubt underwent surgery in Havana ground checks for gun buyers and with Europe. that the Conservatives will be nearly a month ago. track the movement and sale of In a raft of interviews ahead of offering at the next election a Sent off with a handclasp by the weapons through a national data- a midterm review of the progress real choice and a real way giving hospitalised president, Maduro base, the newspaper said. of his coalition government today, consent to that choice,” he said in returned to Caracas on Thursday The measures would also Cameron also defended a largely an interview on BBC TV. and in three frenetic days rallied strengthen mental health checks unpopular decision to remove He stressed it was in Britain’s his party, attacked the opposi- and stiffen penalties for carry- child benefit payments from economic interest to remain a full tion and overrode constitutional ing guns near schools or giving higher earners. member of the EU to enable the qualms about Chavez’ status. them to minors, the Post said. Cameron told the Sunday country to influence the direction And while implicitly making The approach is backed by law Telegraph he intended to lead his of the single market. British Prime Minister David Cameron speaks on the BBC’s Andrew Marr it understood that Chavez is too enforcement leaders, it said. Conservative Party to victory in “If we were outside the EU Show in London yesterday. sick to be sworn in to a new term President Barack Obama the 2015 general election and then all together, we’d still be trading on January 10, the burly, musta- assigned Biden the job of design- serve a full five-year term. with all these EU countries, but chioed Maduro has been all over ing the strategy after the mas- As Cameron rarely speaks we’d have no say over the rules of defend the islands with military a referendum on their political the state-run media in a quasi sacre at a Newtown, Connecticut, about his planned departure date, the market into which we sell,” force. status to be held in March. presidential role. elementary school last month that it has prompted speculation that Cameron said. “I get regular reports on this The islanders are expected to Venezuelans have seen him killed 20 children and six adults. if re-elected he would stand down Cameron also said that Britain entire issue because I want to vote strongly in favour of contin- making speeches to red-shirted To sell such changes, the White halfway through his mandate. was prepared to fight militarily know that our defences are ued union with Britain. followers, watching from the vis- House is developing strategies to But when asked by the news- to keep the Falkland Islands if strong, our resolve is extremely Census data released in itor’s gallery as Chavistas reas- work around the National Rifle paper if he intended to stay on necessary, in the face of renewed strong,” Cameron said. September showed that 95 per- serted their dominance over the Association, the powerful gun as prime minister until 2020, Argentinian rhetoric over their Asked whether Britain would cent of residents considered National Assembly, and talking lobby. Cameron said: “I want to fight future. Cameron said Britain had fight to keep the islands, he themselves to be either Falkland in emotional tones about Chavez’s They include rallying support the next election, win the next “strong defences” in place on the replied: “Of course we would, islanders, British, or from Saint difficult battle with cancer. from Wal-Mart Stores Inc and election and serve — that is what islands and fast jets and troops and we have strong defences in Helena, another British overseas Under the constitution, new other gun retailers for measures I want to do.” were stationed there. place on the Falkland Islands, territory in the South Atlantic. elections must be held within that would benefit their busi- Pressed on what he would say President Cristina Kirchner that is absolutely key, that we Argentina invaded the 30 days if the president dies or nesses, the Post said. in a major speech on Britain’s said this week that Argentina was have fast jets stationed there, Falklands in 1982, prompting is permanently incapacitated The White House has been strained relationship with the forcibly stripped of the Falklands we have troops stationed on the Britain’s then prime minister either before he takes office or in contact with advisers to New European Union that he is due by Britain in “a blatant exercise Falklands.” Margaret Thatcher to send a in the first four years of his six- York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, to give in mid-January, Cameron of 19th-century colonialism” and Cameron said this week naval taskforce to successfully year term. “For the Chavista a gun control advocate who said his party would offer voters a demanded they be handed over to that the 3,000 residents of the reclaim the islands in a war that movement it is fundamental that could emerge as a surrogate for “real choice” at the 2015 election. Argentina. Falklands had a strong desire to claimed the lives of 255 British if Maduro is to be the candidate the administration’s agenda, the He said any vote on Britain’s Cameron insisted he was “abso- remain British and would have a and 649 Argentinian soldiers. in presidential elections because paper said. relationship with the EU would lutely clear” that Britain would chance to express their views in AFP of Chavez’s exit, that he do so The Post cited several people from the position of head of state involved in the administration’s or some advantageous position, talks on gun control for its story. with an aura of power and con- They included Dan Gross, presi- trol over all the institutions,” said dent of the Brady Campaign to Luis Vicente Leon, the head of the Prevent Gun Violence, and Chuck Obama back at polling firm Datanalisis. Wexler, executive director of the That transition is tricky, how- Police Executive Research Forum. White House after ever, because throughout his The White House had no 19-month-long sickness, including immediate comment on the Post Hawaii vacation four rounds of surgery, chemo- story. A White House spokesman therapy and radiation treatment, told the newspaper that Biden’s WASHINGTON: US President Chavez has refused to give up group was in the middle of its Barack Obama and his fam- power, even on a temporary basis. review and had not decided on ily arrived back at the White Maduro, 50, denies he has “per- its final recommendations. House yesterday after spending sonal ambitions” and has been The NRA has successfully lob- their Christmas vacation in his careful to play the role as the bied federal lawmakers to stop native Hawaii. faithful number two, effusively major new gun restrictions since Obama, the first lady and praising Chavez at every turn. a 1994 assault weapons ban, which their daughters touched down at “I think of Chavez as presi- expired in 2004. The ban also pro- Andrews Air Force Base outside dent,” Maduro said on Friday. hibited ammunition magazines Washington aboard Air Force The vice president, a man of holding more than 10 rounds. One shortly after 11am local time humble origins who for a brief When asked if Congress will (1600GMT) before riding a heli- time was a bus driver before entertain new gun regulation, copter back to the White House. becoming a union organiser, owes Senate Minority Leader Mitch Obama, wearing a white shirt his spectacular rise to Chavez. US President Barack Obama returns to the White House after a vacation in Hawaii, in Washington, yesterday. McConnell said on NBC’s “Meet and a blue blazer, placed his arm AFP the Press” that lawmakers needed around eldest daughter Malia as to see Biden’s recommendations. the first family descended from forced to interrupt it on reached that saw taxes rise on McConnell, a Republican, said Marine One helicopter onto the December 26 and fly back only the richest Americans but that for the next three months White House lawn in bright win- to Washington to pressure delayed decisions on spending Washington’s debates would cen- ter sunshine. lawmakers to forge a deal to cuts for a further two months, tre on federal spending and the The president began his vaca- avert the so-called fiscal cliff. Obama returned to Hawaii on rising debt. REUTERS tion on December 21, but was After an 11th hour accord was January 2. AFP Bin Laden film torture is fiction: Former CIA official WASHINGTON: Bloody interrogations like those depicted in Hollywood’s take on the hunt for Osama bin Laden Zero Dark Thirty never really happened, according to the former CIA official who ran such programmes. “The truth is that no one was bloodied or beaten in the enhanced interrogation programme which I supervised from 2002 to 2007,” Jose Rodriguez wrote in a Washington Post article headlined: “Sorry Hollywood. What we did wasn’t torture.” The former CIA official was weighing in on the con- troversy over the depiction of US intelligence prac- tices in Zero Dark Thirty, which hits most US theatres on January 11. Directed by Academy Award-winning Kathryn Bigelow, the movie tells the story of the dec- ade-long search for Bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks, climaxing in the dramatic, deadly raid in May 2011 on his hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Already generating major Oscar buzz, Zero Dark Thirty begins with a scene showing the torture of detainees, who eventually provide critical information for locat- ing Bin Laden. But Rodriguez said the torture scenes were pure fiction. “Nobody was hung from ceilings. The filmmakers stole the dog-collar scenes from the abuses committed by Army personnel at Abu Ghraib in Iraq. No such thing was ever done at CIA ‘black sites,’” he said, highlighting careful monitoring of the interrogations. “To give a detainee a single open-fingered slap across the face, CIA officers had to receive written authorisation from Washington,” Rodriguez said. “Detainees were given the opportunity to cooper- ate. If they resisted and were believed to hold critical information, they might receive -- with Washington approval -- some of the enhanced techniques, such as being grabbed by the collar, deprived of sleep or, in rare cases, waterboarded.” AFP MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Philippine lawmaker seeks classifications on video games MANILA: The vice chairman games. She said the age and con- She warned that violent video standards for access to video game classification standards, culture of violence that has slowly of the House committee on chil- tent ratings being imposed by games are readily available to game CDs sold in stores or those believing that strong public sup- crept into our communities,” she dren’s welfare yesterday urged the international Entertainment minors in their homes and in played in mall fun centres and port may give these proposals a said. local executives to immediately Software Rating Board on video gaming arcades, and are easily Internet shops. good chance of being passed into Herrera-Dy admitted that enforce regulatory classifica- games do not strictly bind compli- accessed from various websites. She said the audience clas- law before the closing of the 15th there is no direct connection tions for video games that are ance in the Philippines because “In fact the New York Times has sification ratings of the Movie Congress in June. between video games and the sold in stores or played in gam- there are no locally produced reported that a website promoting and Television Review and “In the absence of national laws incidence of firearm violence, but ing arcades as many of them video games. a popular video game has tapped Classification Board could be used that would ensure stringent gun “this should not deter local and promote violence or sexual Herrera-Dy issued the call in manufacturers of a high-powered as the same standard of classifica- licensing regulations and vio- national legislative bodies to pass promiscuity. the wake of gun-related violence sniper and assault guns as among tion for video and Internet games lence prevention measures, local laws against video game violence, Bagong Henerasyon party-list in the country with the Caloocan its advertising sponsors,” she said. in the meantime. government units may step in most of which are even more bru- Rep Bernadette Herrera-Dy said City and Cavite shootings result- Herrera-Dy said that under She vowed to file several anti- because they are capable of tak- tal and ruthless than those com- that there is no specific govern- ing in the death of nine persons, her proposal, local government gun control and violence preven- ing quick and determined steps to mitted in real life.” ment agency that classifies video including two children. units must impose classification tion measures such as the video protect their constituents from a THE PHILIPPINE STAR China orphanage vows to stay open after fire Tragedy sparks debate on role of private operators

BEIJING: An unlicensed adoption procedures and would out, killing six children and one Chinese caretaker vowed yes- not have been legally allowed to do 20-year-old and leaving one terday to continue sheltering so because she already had chil- 10-year-old boy in intensive care. orphans and other vulnerable dren of her own, the Global Times The rest have been sent to a children two days after a fire reported. welfare house. killed seven people staying with Yet a local official praised Yuan Yuan, who used to earn a liv- her, state media said. for her work despite its grey legal ing making snacks and now sells The tragedy in central Henan status, admitting that the rela- building supplies, rejected claims province has sparked debate tively poor county of Lankao, with that she had taken anyone in to about the role of private opera- no orphanages, had allowed her to turn a profit. tors like Yuan Lihai — who was fill that role. “Shoot me if you have evidence looking after 18 people — and the “Some of our measures failed that I sold any children,” she said. government’s ability to regulate to meet regulations, and led to de Child trafficking is a problem in them or provide such services facto recognition of her behaviour China where the one-child policy itself. and today’s tragedy,” the deputy and a preference for boys has led “Dozens of children would have county chief Wu Changsheng told to girls being sold or abandoned, died if I had not taken them in,” the Global Times. with some of the victims ending Yuan, 48, told the Xinhua news Yuan told Xinhua that local up in adoption centres. agency. “I have a clear conscience.” officials sometimes brought food Last month a police operation Nepalese activists perform a street drama during a protest near the prime minister’s residence in Kathmandu “Do you think I can see a child and money for the children and netted 355 trafficking suspects, yesterday, demanding justice in rising cases of violence against women. die from cold and hunger out that she applied for government including two government offi- there on the street?... I will cer- stipends of 5,000 yuan ($800) cials, and freed 89 children. tainly give a hand as long as I am every three months to provide The ministry of civil affairs will alive.” for them. carry out an inspection of private Nepalese protesters stage street Yuan, who has taken in more She had left the house last orphanages around the country than 100 children over the past 26 Friday to take some adoptees over the coming month, Xinhua years, never went through formal to school when the fire broke reported yesterday. AFP drama on violence against women

KATHMANDU: Hundreds depicting scenes of abuse. Sita murders and kidnappings, accus- Searching for missile of Nepalese campaigners pro- Rai, an assumed name used by ing the government of failing to tested for a 10th day yesterday the 21-year-old to protect her act in each case. Police have since Political fracas over the alleged rape and rob- identity, says she was robbed made several arrests in Rai’s case bery of a maid by government at Kathmandu’s International and Bhattarai has spoken of his in Thailand after officials and other cases of vio- Airport by officials and then sub- “shame” over the government’s lence against women. sequently raped by a policeman, response to her complaint. soap opera axed Demonstrators who began pick- as she returned to the capital Mass protests in India over eting near the residence of Prime from Saudi Arabia. the gang rape last month of a BANGKOK: A Thai soap opera Minister Baburam Bhattarai in More than 500 “Occupy 23-year-old student who subse- has become the latest victim of the upscale Baluwatar area of Baluwatar” activists, including quently died have shone a light the country’s bitter divisions, Kathmandu on December 28, rights workers, housewives and on an alleged culture of impunity the opposition party said yes- demanding punishment of the journalists, have been holding up over sex attacks in its Himalayan terday, claiming the prime-time accused, staged a street drama photographs of victims of rape, neighbour. AFP show was axed after “political interference”. Nuer Mek 2 (Above the Clouds) was abruptly pulled off air by privately-owned broadcaster 13 killed in Philippine shootout Channel 3 on Friday because of MANILA: Police in the He said the army had also No nuclear power “inappropriate contents”, spark- Philippines killed 13 mem- been told of the operation, and ing a flurry of protest on social bers of a criminal gang in a that some military personnel in Sri Lanka for a media as the government denied shootout yesterday, the third helped man the checkpoint. claims it was behind the decision. violent incident within days “We made sure that all decade: Minister Chavanond Intarakomalyasut amid widespread calls for escape routes are sealed,” de of the opposition Democrat party stricter gun controls. Leon said. COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Power called for an investigation into the The battle erupted after He said that as soon as and Energy Minister has said cancellation, suggesting that the gunmen in two vehicles tried troops and police flagged down that the country will not step programme was “banned because to smash through a police the first vehicle, the gunmen into nuclear power generation of its themes of corruption”. checkpoint near the town of aboard started shooting at for at least the next 10 years, a “There was political interfer- Atimonan, according to the them. newspaper reported yesterday. ence,” he said. Thailand has been national police headquarters’ The initial burst of gun- Champika Ranawaka told this racked with sometimes violent operations centre. fire wounded Superintendent while answering to a question by political divisions since Thaksin A police statement said Hansel Manahan, the police the state-run Sunday Observer Shinawatra was ousted in a 2006 one senior police officer was officer in charge of the opera- newspaper about the visit of a coup. The former premier, who wounded and taken to hospital, tion in the town 173km south- team of Russian nuclear scientists lives abroad to avoid a jail term for and 10 firearms were recov- east of Manila. to Sri Lanka this month. corruption, is widely believed to ered from the gang members, The incident occurred two “According to our long-term retain sweeping influence over the including an M16 assault rifle. days after a drug-crazed generation plan, there is no pro- country’s ruling Puea Thai party. Provincial police chief Senior former village official went on a posal to set up a nuclear plant Government spokesman Superintendent Val de Leon shooting rampage, killing seven in the country within the next Tosaporn Sereerak said there said the road block was put up people and wounding 12, some decade.” The minister told the had been no effort to influence the following a tip-off from a police of whom have life-threatening newspaper that the country must broadcaster, adding that he had informant that the gang was injuries. first study this relatively new not found the content upsetting. to pass through the area on Rolando Bae was killed in technology in the backdrop of the “I watched it a couple of times. the way to Manila “to make a a subsequent shootout with devastating accidents that have It was about black magic as well major hit”. police. Also last week two chil- occurred in history and in the as politics and even though I am “The information we dren aged seven and four were recent past in Fukushima, Japan, A South Korean Navy vessel searches for the debris of a North Korean a politician, I didn’t feel abused by received came from a very reli- killed by stray bullets fired adding that, however, nuclear long-range rocket, which was launched early December last year, in it,” he said. AFP able informer, and this is a big during celebratory gunfire to power as a source of power gen- seas off Changwon, 398km south of Seoul, yesterday. accomplishment,” de Leon said. welcome the New Year. AFP eration is kept as an open option in Sri Lanka. “We are going to intro- duce nuclear science as a new study module in the Moratuwa Suu Kyi says any peace bid with Kachin rebels ‘up to government’ University. If we are serious about nuclear power generation YANGON: Myanmar democ- of air strikes drew international Independence Army broke down. his ability to control the powerful the country formerly known as the country must first produce racy campaigner Aung San Suu concern. Myanmar’s quasi-civilian regime, armed forces. Burma since it won independence the requisite human resources,” Kyi yesterday said she would not The Nobel laureate said she which took power in 2011 at the According to the English lan- from Britain in 1948. he said. step in to help end worsening would need an official invitation end of junta rule, has reached guage state-run New Light of Yup Zaw Hkaung, a local The minister said the arrival conflict between the army and to join peace negotiations aimed at tentative peace deals with other Myanmar newspaper yester- businessman and peace negotia- dates of the Russian team will ethnic Kachin rebels without quelling the raging civil war, which major ethnic rebel groups, but an day, the Myanmar leader has tor in the Kachin state capital be confirmed by the Russian government approval. has overshadowed Myanmar’s agreement with the Kachin has instructed the military not to Myitkyina, on Saturday appealed Ambassador in Colombo shortly. “It is up to the government. widely-praised political reforms. proved elusive. attack unless in “self-defence”. for Suu Kyi’s involvement in end- The visit is a sequel to a request This case is being handled by the Tens of thousands of people President Thein Sein, a former The report said Thein Sein ing the fighting, which has inten- by the Power and Energy Ministry government at the moment,” Suu have been displaced by the conflict general, in December 2011 ordered urged “mutual trust” and “con- sified in recent weeks. and the focus of their visit will Kyi said when asked if she would in the far north since June 2011, an end to military offensives tinued dialogue” to bring about He said the democracy activist be to share their expertise in non get involved in efforts to resolve when a 17-year ceasefire between against the rebels and continued peace. had a “responsibility” to work for destructive technology. the fighting, after the army’s use the government and the Kachin hostilities have led to doubts over Civil war has plagued parts of ethnic peace. AFP AGENCIES MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Afghan inmates BRIEFLY walk free in push for peace ‘Zardari, Sharif party members 485 prisoners to be released still archrivals’

KABUL: With tears stream- government since 2001. General ISLAMABAD: A senior ing down their faces, scores of Gulam Farooq, who took over leader of Pakistan Mulsim suspected Afghan militants running Bagram prison from the League-Nawaz (PML-N), embraced waiting relatives and US last year, declined to say how the main opposition party, walked to freedom — just one many of the men were proven yesterday said that the com- sign of increasing attempts at Taliban fighters but stressed mitment between the gov- reconciliation after 11 years of that all had been carefully vetted ernment and the PML-N war. before release. to foil all the conspiracies About 80 men, all wearing white “After many processes of inves- against democracy should skull caps, were released from jail tigation and evaluation by the not be considered reconcilia- on Friday at a ceremony inside defence ministry and the High Afghanistan security forces inspecting the site of the twin suicide attacks in Kandahar yesterday. tion between the two parties. Pul-e-Charkhi, Afghanistan’s Peace Council (which heads PML-N Deputy General largest prison located on dusty efforts to make peace with the Secretary Ahsan Iqbal while flatlands east of the capital Kabul. Taliban), 485 prisoners will be talking to the media main- Most had been detained by freed from Pul-e-Charkhi,” he tained that the outcome of the US-led foreign troops hunting said. “They have also signed a Two suicide bombers kill five telephonic talk between their down Taliban militants and were pledge not to be involved in any party President Muhammad held at Bagram airfield, where militant activity.” Nawaz Sharif and Prime the international force (ISAF) is Such reassurances have failed Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf based, before being transferred to convince many analysts, who at tribal meeting in Kandahar should not be mistaken as start into Afghan custody. also point out that if the men of reconciliation between the “It has been 20 months I spent are innocent or low-level Taliban KANDAHAR, Afghanistan: pulled from the rubble during the fugitive leaders of the insur- two parties. in jail,” one prisoner in his 30s they will be unable to encourage Two suicide bombers struck a a search operation to check for gency are widely thought to mas- He pointed out that the told reporters, declining to give insurgent leaders to join future meeting of community leaders buried bodies. Taliban spokesman termind many attacks. PML N and the PPP were still his name. “I was taken in (the peace talks. Farooq insisted that in a southern Afghan town near Qari Yousuf Ahmadi claimed the The last major suicide blast archrivals but their rivalry southern city of) Kandahar. I US officials were fully supportive the Pakistan border yesterday, militants were responsible, saying in Afghanistan occurred on should not destabilise the dem- don’t know why I was arrested of Afghanistan taking unilateral killing at least five people and eight people, mostly police, were December 26 at a US mili- ocratic process in the country. but I was taken by foreign troops.” decisions on the releases and wounding 15, officials said. killed, though provincial officials tary base near the eastern city He said he had been treated added that the policy was in line One gunman on foot opened reported no security forces had of Khost, killing at least three well, but another man said he with national law. fire on guards at the entrance died or been injured. Afghans and wounding seven CNG sector likely to had been arrested in the north- But there are fears that the of the council building in Spin Witnesses said two explo- others. ern province of Sari Pol and then government in Kabul is taking Boldak, forced his way inside and sions were heard followed by It came two days after an face full shutdown abused by Afghanistan’s intel- increasingly desperate steps to detonated himself, while a second small arms fire in Spin Boldak, Afghan policewoman shot dead ISLAMABAD: The past ligence agency, the National kick-start peace moves before attacker rammed an explosives- a volatile town 100km south of a US Nato adviser in Kabul week in Pakistan witnessed Directorate of Security (NDS). the Afghan army and police take laden vehicle into the outside Kandahar city. police headquarters, the latest an extraordinary rush of “These prisoners released today on full responsibility for security. walls. “Every Sunday the local shura “insider” attack by a member of vehicles at petrol stations were not criminals at all. I was The High Peace Council said The Kandahar provincial gov- meets at the administrative Afghanistan’s security forces on as there was no compressed accused of being a Taliban man, it was “premature” to assess the ernment said that the dead were building, that is where the attack their foreign allies. natural gas (CNG) supply but I am innocent,” he said. “I impact of the releases and added a child, a health vaccinator, a happened,” said Mohammad Ali, Nato is handing over security and even not enough petrol. spent two and a half years in jail. that it hoped the men would play member of the shura (council), the border police chief. duties to Afghan forces as it pre- The crisis emerged when “We were treated very badly their part in the peace process. a shopkeeper and a person there About 40 residents were pares to withdraw the bulk of its the vehicles running on CNG by the NDS, their behaviour was Among those being allowed to register himself for an identity attending the meeting to lodge 100,000 troops by 2014, but there were left with no other option horrific,” he said as he prepared home this month are prisoners card. complaints with tribal elders or are fears the country will descend but to opt for petrol thanks to to leave the jail after a ceremony who have already been taken back “All the wounded were civilians to petition them for assistance. into civil war when foreign sol- unavailability of the cheap fuel. of speeches and prayers followed to provinces, including Uruzgan, who had come to the meeting to The Taliban have waged a diers leave. But as the motorists reached by a celebration lunch. Khost and Kunar, the heartlands discuss their problems with shura bloody insurgency against foreign President Hamid Karzai will the filling stations to fill their The men were among hun- of Islamist violence. members,” it said in a statement, and Afghan forces since being travel to Washington this week tanks with petrol, the latter dreds of prisoners being freed The fate of Bagram detainees adding that three people were ousted from power in a 2001 inva- for talks with US President had no sufficient stock to meet this month as the government has become a symbol of Afghan being treated for serious injuries sion led by the US. Barack Obama on a bilateral the rising demand. Though the looks to build bridges with oppo- sovereignty for President Karzai, in Kandahar city hospital. Spin Boldak sits on the road security pact, with the issue of petrol shortage was overcome sition groups, including militants who in November castigated the The building partially col- from Kandahar, birthplace of some US troops remaining in within about 24 hours, the who have waged a bloody insur- US for delaying the transfer of all lapsed due to the impact of the the Taliban movement, to the Afghanistan after 2014 high on CNG shutdown appears to be gency against the US-backed prisoners. AFP blasts, with some of the injured Pakistani city of Quetta, where the agenda. AFP a permanent phenomenon. “The gas supply to CNG stations in Punjab is expected to remain suspended during Attack on train January because of the high domestic demand caused by the Drone attack kills 10 suspected low temperature,” said Amjad Latif, a senior official of the Sui Taliban militants in Pakistan Northern Gas Pipelines. DERA ISMAIL KHAN, they said. South Waziristan is Pakistan: A US drone strike controlled by the Pakistani army, Retired judge may be killed at least 10 people sus- which operates under an uneasy pected to be Taliban fighters in truce with militants from the named Punjab CM Pakistan’s northern tribal areas local Wazir tribe. LAHORE: While the yesterday, intelligence sources Yesterday’s strike followed Pakistan Muslim League- said, days after another drone the death of Mullah Nazir, Nawaz and the ruling strike killed a top militant a Waziri militant leader, on Pakistan People’s Party leader in the area. Wednesday. Nazir supported (PPP) have yet to start The attack on three Taliban attacks on American forces in consultative process for an compounds in Babar Pehari, Afghanistan but had signed two interim set-up in Punjab, South Waziristan, killed between peace deals with the Pakistani Governor Makhdoom Ahmed 10 and 12 people, six intelligence army. Thousands of his tribes- Mehmood has hinted at likely sources said. More militants were men protested against his killing appointment of a ‘retired believed to be in the compounds yesterday. judge’ as caretaker chief when they were hit, officials said, Many Pakistanis say drone minister. meaning the death toll could rise. strikes infringe the country’s The governor, from Muslim Three of the intelligence sovereignty, and are angry over League-Functional, is tasked sources and a Taliban commander civilian casualties they cause. with developing a consensus said that Wali Muhammed, also Others say the drones are the between the PML-N and the known as Toofin, was among the only way of targeting militants PPP for smooth transition to dead. He supervised suicide bomb who terrorise the local popula- an interim set-up as he is said squads for the Pakistani Taliban. tion in areas the Pakistani army to have good relations with The Pakistani Taliban has is unwilling to patrol. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. established sanctuaries in the Drone strikes dramatically “Yes, I am mandated to develop mountainous Babar area, 140km increased after US President a consensus between the A Pakistani man looks through a broken window on the Jaffar Express train after an attack at a railway sta- northeast of Wana, the main city Barack Obama took office in 2009. PML-N and the PPP regard- tion in Quetta yesterday. Unidentified gunmen fired at the train in the restive Balochistan province, killing at of the South Waziristan region, REUTERS ing a caretaker set-up and it least five people and seriously injuring 20. will be done shortly,” he said. Vaccination dates US likely to have legislation to honour Malala to be kept a secret PESHAWAR: In a bid to protect health workers ISLAMABAD: A US law- noted that Malala’s “bravery and recovering from her injuries. Malala had become a symbol of against militant attacks in maker, Congresswoman Sheila courage are just an inspiration for Taliban claimed responsibility hope in a country long beset by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Jackson Lee, is introducing all of us”. for the attack in which two other violence and oppression. provincial government has legislation to honour Malala In her letter to other law- girls were also injured. “It is fitting that Malala has decided not to publicise the Yousufzai, the girl who earned makers Jackson Lee noted that “I am pleased to say that Malala become the new face of Pakistan,” schedule of the future polio worldwide admiration for defy- although just 15, Malala “stood survived the attack. The shoot- she added. vaccination campaigns. ing a Taliban ban on women’s against the oppressive policies ing of this young girl has sent The Queen Elizabeth Hospital The decision was made education. imposed upon the citizens of shockwaves through the region in Birmingham, central England, during a meeting chaired by Jackson Lee, Democrat from Pakistan by the Taliban”. and around the world; religious where Malala was treated, said provincial health secretary Texas and chairperson of the Malala’s stand for education leaders and communities are con- although she was discharged, she Mohammad Ishfaq Khan here Pakistan caucus in the US for girls and gender equality demning her shooting, yet the will have to return for recon- after the postponement of a Congress, wrote a letter to her resulted in the Taliban calling Taliban remain unrepentant. structive surgery later this month three-day anti-polio campaign colleagues on Wednesday and for her death and later a Taliban “Malala has displayed true or the next. slated to begin in the day. urged them to support the cause gunman tried to kill her, the law- courage as she continued to fight The Pakistani government ear- Representatives of the for awarding a Congressional gold maker recalled. for justice, even while her life was lier said that Malala will be able Malala Yousufzai leaving the Queen health department and the medal to Malala. Shot in Swat in October, Malala in danger,” the congresswoman to stay in Britain after her father Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, district administrations were At the State Department, was allowed to go home this week observed. had been given a consular post in Britain, on Friday. in attendance. INTERNEWS spokesperson Victoria Nuland from a Birmingham hospital after Lee said because of her courage, Birmingham. INTERNEWS MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Rape victim’s dad wants her named Revealing my daughter’s name will give courage to other women who have survived these attacks, says father

NEW DELHI: The father of an Indian praising his decision to reveal her name. charges. Rajiv Mohan, a prosecutor in the legal cases, chose not to name her while revealed fissures between conservatives student whose brutal rape provoked a Mainstream Indian media did not identify case, said Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth foreign publications do. Citing the same who blame a wave of sex crimes on a loss global outcry said he wanted her name her, however, and she was still being referred Hospital gave the cause of death as “sep- law, Delhi police have started proceedings of traditional values and a growing mid- made public so she could be an inspi- to as “Amanat”, an Urdu word meaning ticaemia from multi-organ failure due to against TV network Zee News after it ran dle class used to women playing a larger ration to victims of sexual assault, a “treasure”, by some TV channels. multiple organ injuries”. an interview with a friend of the victim role in public life. call that was quickly taken up by social A spokesman for Delhi Police declined Mohan said the prosecution had who was with her during the attack. He The head of a Hindu nationalist media users and may pressure authori- to comment when asked if the authorities matched DNA from her blood to blood accused the police of responding slowly organisation linked to the main opposi- ties to allow her identity to be revealed. would take action against social networks found on the accused’s clothes and on and failing to cover the victim and him- tion force, the Bharatiya Janata Party, on The 23-year-old physiotherapy student or publications carrying the student’s hers, which one of the men had allegedly self after they were thrown from the bus Friday stoked debate by saying sex crimes died on December 28 in a Singapore hos- name. tried to burn to destroy evidence. without clothes and bleeding. and gang rapes mainly happened in urban pital, two weeks after a gang rape on a There have been growing calls in India “The blood stain appearing on the “Police is not taking any chances and India — a position not supported by facts. moving bus in New Delhi that ignited to name the victim. Politician Shashi burnt cloth has been tallied with the wants to be in a controlling situation, “You go to villages and forests of the protests across India and neighbouring Tharoor last week questioned the merit blood sample of the victim,” Mohan told scaring everybody off by filing (legal country and there will be no such inci- countries and government promises of of keeping her anonymous, and suggested reporters on Saturday. complaints),” said senior Supreme Court dents of gang rape or sex crimes. They tougher punishments. naming new anti-rape law after her, a The British paper named the father advocate Sanjay Hegde, who predicted are prevalent in some urban belts,” “We want the world to know her real proposal her father supported. and his daughter, saying that the father such complaints were unlikely to lead to said Mohan Bhagwat, the head of the name,” the woman’s father told Britain’s Indian law generally prohibits the iden- had given permission, but added that it prosecution. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Sunday People newspaper. tification of victims of sex crimes. The law would not publish a photo of her at the While per capita rape statistics are “My daughter didn’t do anything is intended to protect victims’ privacy family’s request. PUBLIC PRESSURE lower than in many nations, one case is wrong, she died while protecting her- and keep them from the media glare in Mohan said the police and prosecu- Despite huge public pressure to move reported in India every 20 minutes. self,” he added. “I am proud of her. a country where the social stigma associ- tion still had no intention of revealing quickly, it might take several weeks to A global poll of experts last year by Revealing her name will give courage to ated with rape can be devastating. her identity. The spokesman for Delhi formally begin the trial against the five TrustLaw, a legal news service run by other women who have survived these The father later said he had no objec- police could not immediately be reached men, Mohan said. He said the case could Thomson Reuters Foundation, showed attacks. They will find strength from my tions to the media using his daughter’s for comment. “Even if family members be concluded within four to five months. India to be the worst place among G20 daughter.” name, but did not elaborate. have given their permission to disclose A juvenile also accused of the assault countries for women. The father’s interview sparked wide- the victim’s identity for a greater cause, will be tried separately. Mohan said police Activists say most sex crimes in India spread interest on social networking ACCUSED DUE IN COURT we can’t disclose her identity,” Mohan had recovered items stolen from the vic- go unreported, and official data show that sites. Her name was the top trending topic Five men have been charged with said, citing section 228 A of the Indian tim and her friend. almost all go unpunished. Reported rape among Indian Twitter users with many, gang rape and murder and will appear Penal Code. Legal experts said a situation Protests and fierce public debate that cases rose nearly 17 percent between 2007 including journalists and Bollywood actors, in a New Delhi court today to hear the could arise where Indian media, wary of followed the December 16 rape have and 2011. REUTERS Rape-murder in Noida, JIH suggests public executions four cops suspended of molesters

NOIDA: Four policemen woman, the distraught family con- NEW DELHI: Execution of were suspended and an officer tacted the factory whose workers rapists in full public glare, abo- was shunted out here after a told them they saw her leave at lition of co-education and sober 22-year-old missing woman was 9pm — up till the police post. and dignified dress for girls are founded gang raped and mur- The family got a call on among the 11 suggestions made dered, police said yesterday. Saturday morning that the by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) The victim’s family identified daughter was lying dead along- to Justice J S Verma Committee the main suspect as Udaivir Singh side a road in Sector 63. She was on ensuring safety and security Yadav, a resident of Bahlolpur. half naked. to women. They said he had not been The mother said her daugh- In a statement, JIH said it wel- arrested although he used to tor- ter was gang raped before being comed the government decision to ment the victim for a long time. killed. set up committees to review the The mother of the dead woman, She alleged that Yadav used to present anti-rape law and find out who belonged to a low income torment her daughter but Noida measures to make society safe for family, accused the rapists of police did not pay heed to her the women against the backdrop killing her daughter to do away complaints. of the gang rape of a 23-year-old with evidence that could be used Once Yadav had barged into her girl in Delhi. against them. house. At that time police urged It hoped the committee will The gory incident led to angry her to go for a compromise, sug- reach the root of the “disease” street protests. gesting that otherwise it would and find out the cure. The organi- Two constables at the Model lead to a long-term conflict with sation gave suggestions to the Town police post and two attached the “notorious character”. three-member panel, which has to a Police Control Room van have This time too, callous police been asked by the government to been suspended, a police officer personnel told her brusquely submit its report in a month. said. that her daughter was an adult “There should be provision for R K Rathi, the Model Town and must have fled with a friend. capital punishment for heinous police post in charge, had been They also told her to hunt for her crimes such as rape. These pun- shunted to Police Lines after the daughter on her own. ishments should be given in public A protest march against a gang rape in New Delhi, yesterday. mother alleged that police person- On Saturday, when the crying and there should be opportunity nel misbehaved with her when she woman complained to her neigh- for people to witness the same so be permitted to those who are earliest. “Marriage should be women, should be completely told them that her daughter was bours about her plight, angry that it might act as deterrent to married. made easy and timely marriage banned in the whole country. missing. locals took to the streets, shout- such heinous crimes. “All sex outside marriage, should be encouraged. All forms Criminal laws in this regard It was on Friday that the vic- ing slogans against police. “Co-education should be abol- including live-in-relationship, of dowry should be abolished; should be made more strin- tim left her home at 8.30am for a Some police personnel allegedly ished and proper education facili- should be declared illegal and all unnecessary expenditures be gent; the judicial procedure be 12-hour factory job in Sector 63. wrapped up the body of the victim ties meant exclusively for women punishable,” the statement issued curbed and made punishable,” the simplified and made speedier,” When she did not return home and, after autopsy, even tried to should be available at all level by Nusrat Ali, Secretary General JIH statement said. it said. until 10pm, they conducted a cremate it hurriedly, the grieving of education. Educational insti- of JIH, said. “Electronic and print media, Services of religious insti- search and reached the police sta- mother told the media. tutions should prescribe sober The organisation was of the TV programmes, films and adver- tutions and leaders should be tion where the officer suggested “The autopsy report is expected and dignified dress for girls,” the view that proper transport facili- tisements should avoid exposure sought to reform society, inculcate she might have eloped with her within two or three days,” said statement said. ties for women should be made of women and it should be made moral values and bring aware- boyfriend. Senior Superintendent of Police It available particularly in towns punishable. ness against crimes especially After police did not show any Praveen Kumar. The JIH also suggested that and cities, and police reforms “Alcohol, the root of all evils among the new generation, JIH interest in locating the missing IANS physical intimacy should only should be implemented at the and crimes, particularly against demanded. AGENCIES Protester on hunger strike Raj Thackeray kicks up row hospitalised with ‘Bihari rapists’ remarks

NEW DELHI: One of the two MUMBAI: Maharashtra remarks, Bihar BJP leader and was arrested by Vikhroli police for men on hunger strike demand- Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Animal Husbandry Minister raping a minor girl. Three years ing death for the culprits in the Raj Thackeray kicked up a Giriraj Singh said the MNS leader ago a minor housemaid was gang- Delhi gang rape case here had storm once again when he had lost his “mental balance” and raped by four MNS workers. An to hospitalised yesterday due to said that the perpetrators of sought a ban on his party. MNS leader was arrested for the failing health, his brother said. the recent Delhi gang rape Former union minister and rape of a girl in Amravati in April Rajesh Gangwar, 45, from were from Bihar. Speaking at RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav also 2011. Thackeray is bereft of issues Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, came the Global Konkan Festival in criticised Thackeray’s statements, and is resorting to such statements to Delhi on December 24. His Mumbai on Saturday evening, saying that the MNS chief “has a to divert attention from his par- hunger strike entered its 14th he said the gang rape of the habit of speaking in this manner”. tymen’s actions,” Sawant said in day yesterday, when he was taken 23-year-old woman was sad and Janata Dal-United leader a strongly worded statement last to nearby Ram Manohar Lohia nobody should ever face such a Ali Anwar said Thackeray’s evening. Hospital in the evening. situation. statement was appalling and In the past, Thackeray had “He was feeling very weak and “However, nobody is willing to “he has gone mad”. He chal- said that migrants and Biharis the cold weather was taking its go to the root of the matter and lenged Thackeray to make such were responsible for the growing toll as well. He did not want to go reveal who committed the hei- statements outside Mumbai or criminal activities in Mumbai and and was determined to stay here, nous crime. They were all from Maharashtra and then watch the other parts of the state. but he needed help immediately,” Bihar,” Thackeray said. consequences. Congress spokes- Meanwhile, a rape victim who his brother Rakesh said. The MNS chief said that when- person Rashid Dali condemned was shot at in Haryana more Gangwar was agitating along ever he raised the issue of Bihari the statement in New Delhi, say- than two months ago will undergo with Babu Singh, 40, a farmer criminals, he was abused, but now ing that it was “unfortunate and treatment at the Medanta from Farrukhabad, also in Uttar even Delhi Chief Minister Sheila served to weaken the country and Medicity hospital here, police Pradesh, who is on day nine of his Dikshit has commented on the its democracy”. said yesterday. The girl — a stu- fast. matter. In Maharashtra, the Congress dent at a government college in Singh now holds fort at the his- “She (Dikshit) said in the hit back by terming Thackeray’s Haryana’s Rewari district — was toric Jantar Mantar observatory presence of Prime Minister statements as “irresponsible and raped and shot by the accused in the heart of the capital. Manmohan Singh and Congress deplorable”. State Congress spokes- after she was abducted in a car “I will continue the hunger president Sonia Gandhi that man Sachin Sawant said there while heading home. “The inci- strike until proper punishment migrants in Delhi were respon- have been several instances when dent happened on November 3 is meted out to those involved in sible for the spate of criminal MNS workers and leaders have on the Rewari-Narnaul road (at the crime. I am not giving up that A man walks at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi during a protest against the activities,” Thackeray said. been involved in criminal activi- Naiwali Chowk),” a police official easily,” Singh said. IANS gang rape. Taking umbrage at Thackeray’s ties. “Last month, an MNS leader said. IANS MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Pakistani soldier killed Critically injured in Kashmir border clash New Delhi blames Islamabad for violating ceasefire

ISLAMABAD/NEWDELHI: There were more than 75 borders Pakistan. India offers A Pakistani soldier was killed ceasefire violations along the Line military and economic aid there, and another injured in a gun- of Control in 2012, killing eight but many Pakistanis fear this is fight between Indian and people. Most of the violations an attempt to lessen Pakistan’s Pakistani troops in Kashmir were exchanges of fire between influence. yesterday, a disputed incident the two sides. India and Pakistan Pakistani Information Minister that could heighten tensions have fought three wars since 1947, Qamar Zaman Kaira says between the nuclear neighbours when they became independent improved ties with India have after a period of rapprochement. from Britain. reduced the external threat to The Pakistani Army said Indian Kashmir, and the human rights his country. troops had raided their Sawan abuses committed there by Indian “Yes, we had a very difficult Patra checkpost in Kashmir, a troops, is a politically explo- time with India. We have fought hotly contested area both coun- sive issue in Pakistan. Pakistani three wars,” he said. “Our forces tries claim as their own. The security forces have long trained were determined and they were Indian military denied its soldiers militant groups to attack Indian cautious of the Indian threat. had attacked a Pakistani position. soldiers. The two countries fought That threat is not over. Of course “Troops effectively responded their most recent war in 1999, still it is there. But now the inter- and repulsed the attack,” a when Pakistani troops crossed nal threat has taken over. It is Pakistani army spokesman said the Line of Control and occupied a greater threat of course now. in a statement. Indian territory in Kargil, but Pakistan is the biggest victim of The two sides then exchanged were forced to withdraw. this terrorism or extremism.” Forest workers drag a critically injured elephant calf from marshy land alongside the railway line in the Buxa fire across the Line of Control, an The US has repeatedly urged Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, yesterday. internationally recognised line in TENSION OVERSPILL Pakistan to move against Al Kashmir patrolled by troops from After a period of quiet, rela- Qaeda and militant havens along both countries, he said. tions between the two countries its Afghan border. Indian Army spokesman nosedived again in 2008, when a Pakistan says it does not have Assassins honoured in Golden Temple Colonel Jagadish Dahiya said militant squad rampaged through enough troops because so many Indian troops had not crossed Mumbai, killing 166 people. India of them are patrolling the border the Line of Control. “However, accused Pakistan of sheltering the with India. AMRITSAR: Two assassins of While Satwant Singh and Gurbachan Singh, presented a there was a ceasefire violation by masterminds behind the attacks, Some US officials also believe prime minister Indira Gandhi Beant Singh, who were in the siropa (robe of honour) to Tirlok Pakistan. Our troops retaliated by charges that Pakistan denies. Pakistan is unwilling to move were yesterday honoured by security ring of Indira Gandhi, Singh, father of Satwant Singh, firing,” Dahiya said. The two countries have been against the militants because a senior Sikh clergyman to shot her down from close range at a function. Radical group “None of our troops crossed the slowly repairing relations in some elements in its security mark the 24th anniversary of on October 31, 1984, Kehar Singh Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Line of Control. We have no casu- recent months. In November, forces would prefer to be able their hanging. The head of Akal was linked to the murder conspir- Singh said the Akal Takht chief alties or injuries.” India executed Pakistani Ajmal to use the militants to counter Takht, the highest temporal acy. Beant Singh was shot dead accorded them the status of ‘mar- Another spokesman for the Kasab, the last surviving perpe- Indian influence in Afghanistan seat of Sikh religion, honoured by Gandhi’s security guards on tyrs of faith’. Indian Army said its post at trator of the Mumbai attacks. after most foreign combat troops the kin of the assassins at the the spot. Top leaders of the Shiromani Churuda, 100km northwest of Last month the two countries have pulled out by the end of 2014. Golden Temple complex here. Indira Gandhi was assassinated Gurdwara Parbandhak major city Srinagar, came under signed a deal designed to ease visa Speaking to reporters in Satwant Singh and Kehar for ordering the army into the Committee, which manages “unprovoked” heavy mortar and restrictions for some citizens to Islamabad, US Embassy deputy Singh were hanged 24 years ago Golden Temple complex in June the Golden Temple and other automatic gun fire for about five travel between both countries. chief Richard Hoagland said his for gunning down Gandhi at her 1984 to flush out heavily armed major gurdwaras across Punjab, hours early yesterday. Tension between the two country appreciates Pakistan’s official residence, an event that militants led by Jarnail Singh Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, “We did retaliate,” Colonel countries has also spilled over stepped up anti-terror efforts. led to large-scale anti-Sikh vio- Bhindranwale. were not present. Rajesh Kalia said. into nearby Afghanistan, which AGENCIES lence in parts of India. The Akal Takht head, IANS

Cold wave unabated in UP, 14 more die Karunanidhi seconds son LUCKNOW/SRINAGAR: cold wave. They included five in said. Meanwhile, the minimum in Jammu and Kashmir, with Leh Stalin for top DMK post The cold wave continued una- Bahraich, three each in Faizabad, temperatures remained way town recording minus 18 degrees bated for the fourth day in Amethi and Barabanki, reports below the freezing point yesterday Celsius. CHENNAI: DMK Uttar Pradesh yesterday, with Leh, in Ladakh, was the cold- chief M Karunanidhi the lowest night temperature of est place in the state followed yesterday made it 0.3 degrees Celsius recorded in by Kargil at minus 17.4 degrees clear that he would Muzaffarnagar. Delhi freezes at five-year Celsius, said a weather official. propose his son M K A dense fog enveloped most The night temperature in Stalin as his succes- parts of the sprawling state, spe- Srinagar, the summer capital, sor or for the post of cially the western districts closer low; flights, trains hit was minus 4.6 degrees Celsius general secretary to to Delhi. and in the winter capital Jammu the party’s general Icy winds made things worse as NEW DELHI: There was no let-up in the spine chilling cold 6.9 degrees. council. “DMK is a people preferred to stay indoors. which worsened yesterday as the minimum temperature dipped There was frost in the Kashmir democratic party. For The homeless were left to fend for to a five-year low of 1.9 degrees Celsius. Flights and train serv- Valley and fog in Jammu, disrupt- anybody to contest for themselves on city roads. ices were hit by dense fog in the morning. ing air, road and rail traffic. president or general In many areas, day tempera- The fog delayed 68 flights, according to a statement from Delhi Railway officials said most secretary’s post, his tures went down to 12 degrees International Airport Limited. trains reaching Jammu were name has to be pro- Karunanidhi (left), with his son Stalin. Celsius, which is 5 degrees less Over 70 trains were running behind schedule and 15 were can- delayed due to the fog. Five flights posed at the party’s than normal. celled due to dense fog, said a statement from the Indian Railways. were cancelled. general council by Regional Met Director J P According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Road traffic was affected due majority and others have to abide by it,” Karunanidhi told report- Gupta attributed the cold wave temperature had last plummetted to such a low in 2008. Similar to one-way traffic on the Jammu- ers after a meeting with the party’s district secretaries here. to the icy winds blowing from the conditions are expected today. The maximum temperature also went Srinagar Highway. He said: “If I get such a chance in my personal capacity, then I foothills of the Himalayas and said down nine notches below average at 11.8 degrees. In the valley’s other towns, would propose Stalin’s name, as his name was earlier proposed by the condition would remain more “There is no respite from the cold even now. I have not seen such Gulmarg and Pahalgam, the the party’s general secretary and it will be like I am seconding it.” or less the same in the coming harsh winter season in so many years,” said Pallavi Batra, a house- mercury was minus 9 and minus DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan also said that if he makes days. The icy winds are sweeping wife in south Delhi’s Sarvodaya Enclave. 8 degrees respectively, the mete- a proposal and other members second it, then even the president the state at 10km per hour. The homeless are having a harrowing time coping with the bit- orological department said. The (Karunanidhi) cannot refute it. On whether he would contest for Temperatures were low in ing cold over the past few days. Residents of Lajpat Nagar donated official said the cold would con- the party chief’s post, Karunanidhi said: “I don’t know whether I more than a dozen places includ- woollens and blankets to the poor in the area. tinue until today. will be around till such time.” ing Agra (1.1), Ghazipur (1.5) and Earlier on Sunday, fog enveloped the city in the morning with Parts of the Dal Lake in Referring to the recent media reports that he supports Stalin as Najibabad (1.10), Gupta said. visibility dropping to 400 metres at 8.30am, but it lifted in about Srinagar have frozen, making life his successor in the party, he said: “Can you show me that (how) In Lucknow, Etawah, Allahabad, two hours. “There will be fog this morning but the sky will be clear difficult for fisherman and boat- Stalin would succeed me in the DMK?” Fatehgarh and Moradabad it was during the day. The maximum and minimum temperatures are men. The frost on the valley’s At a party function on Thursday, the DMK chief said that Stalin between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius. likely to be around 14 and 3 degrees Celsius, respectively,” said an roads has made commuting and would be the party’s torchbearer after him to fight for the uplift In the Avadh region, as many IMD official. IANS driving risky. of Dalits. Reacting to the media reports, Karunanidhi’s elder son as 14 people perished to the IANS and union minister M K Alagiri on Friday said the party was not a Hindu hermitage to name a successor to his father. He said the party’s by-laws do not allow announcing Stalin as the RSS chief stokes Eyeing Guinnes Record next leader of the DMK and the laws have to be followed. On Alagiri’s aspiration for the party president’s post, Karunanidhi fresh controversy said that it would be decided at the general council meeting. “DMK is a democratic party and any member can stand against INDORE/NEW DELHI: RSS Stalin,” Karunanidhi said when asked whether he would ask Alagiri chief Mohan Bhagwat stoked a not to prevent Stalin’s accession to the posts. new controversy yesterday with Karunanidhi said the party’s internal elections would be over his comment that marriage before the 2014 general elections. was a contract and a man could Although from the same family, Alagiri and Stalin do not see eye disown his wife if she violates to eye on some major issues concerning the DMK. its terms of looking after his Alagiri has in the past made it clear that he would not accept household. anyone apart from Karunanidhi as the DMK leader and that he Speaking at a rally in Indore, was ready to contest if there was a battle for the party leadership. Bhagwat said a woman is bound Karunanidhi, who has led the DMK since 1969, is now 88 and in by contract to husband to look poor health. The issue of who will lead the party — one of India’s after him. There was a theory of oldest — after him has been raised repeatedly. social contract and a deal is final- Stalin became the treasurer of the DMK in December 2008. He ised between the wife and hus- became deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu six months later when band, said Bhagwat, who created the DMK ruled Tamil Nadu. a stir earlier this week with his claim that rapes hardly take place in rural but occur frequently in Air India Express to have a permanent CEO urban India. “The husband says you take KOCHI: Air India Express, the budget airline of Air India, will care of my house and I will take soon have a permanent CEO, said Minister of State for Civil care of your needs, keep you safe,” Aviation K C Venugopal yesterday. “The notification for it would Bhagwat said and added that they be coming out in the next few days,” Venugopal told reporters stay together until the contract People in traditional attire play drums during an attempt to enter the Guinness World Records, at a field in here, after an interaction with airline staff. He also said that Air works and if the wife violates it, Titabar town in Assam, yesterday. A total of 14,833 Assamese tried to enter the book by playing drums for 15 India Express headquarters would be shifted from Mumbai to he can leave her. minutes non-stop, organisers said. Kochi in a phased manner. IANS IANS MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Biofuels not News in Numbers WINDOW ON ECONOMIC as green as ACTIVITY GDP- 10 Fajr (Dawn) 5:00 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:21 thought: Study

Zuhr (Noon) 11:40 OSLO: Green schemes to fight Asr (Afternoon) 2:39 climate change by producing more biofuels could actually Maghrib (Sunset) 5:00 worsen a little-known type of Isha (Night) 6:30 air pollution and cause almost 1,400 premature deaths a year in Europe by 2020, a study showed yesterday. WEATHER The report said trees grown to produce wood fuel — seen as a Today Tuesday Wednesday Weather cleaner alternative to oil and coal Conditions: — released a chemical into the GDP by Economic Activity Partly sunny Mostly sunny Mostly sunny air that, when mixed with other Hazy at places pollutants, could also reduce ( Governmental Services ) at first with farmers’ crop yields. High: 28° High: 25° High: 24° scattered “Growing biofuels is thought Low: 20° Low: 18° Low: 20° clouds and to be a good thing because it chance of reduces the amount of carbon rain to north dioxide in the atmosphere,” said GVA at Current Prices (QRm) offshore. Nick Hewitt, who worked on the study with colleagues from GVA at Constant 2004 DOHA - SUN & SEA England’s Lancaster University. Prices (QRm) “What we’re saying is ‘yes, SUN TIDE SEA that’s great, but biofuels could Current Prices Y-O-Y Change SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND also have a detrimental effect on air quality’,” he added. 06:21 17:00 01:30 & 11:00 06:45 & 18:30 05-15/20 KT Real Growth Rate The report, in the journal Nature Climate Change, looked THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW into the impact of a European HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Union scheme to slow climate change by producing more MUSCAT 28/18 Mostly sunny 28/18 Mostly sunny biofuels. MAKKAH 28/18 Mostly sunny 28/17 Mostly sunny Hewitt said there would be a Current Prices Y-O-Y Change Real Growth Rate KUWAIT 21/14 Mostly sunny 19/14 Clear similar impact wherever biofuels  BAHRAIN 23/19 Chance of rain 22/18 Mostly sunn were produced in large quanti- ties in areas suffering air pollu- SANAA 24/06 Mostly sunny 25/06 Mostly sunny  RIYADH 26/11 Mostly sunny 23/10 Clear tion, including the United States DUBAI 28/18 Mostly sunny 27/18 Mostly sunny and China. BAGHDAD 17/09 Clear 18/07 Clear Poplar, willow or eucalyptus  trees, all used as fast-growing sources of renewable wood fuel, THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW emit high levels of the chemical  isoprene as they grow, the study HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER said. Isoprene forms toxic ozone when mixed with other air pol- ATHENS 11/03 Clear 07/02 Chance of rain  lutants in sunlight. WASHINGTON 07/01 Clear 08/02 Clear “Large-scale production of SYDNEY 25/20 Mostly sunny 26/19 Mostly sunny biofuels in Europe would have  LONDON 10/06 Chance of rain 11/07 Cloudy small but significant effects PARIS 09/04 Mostly sunny 08/06 Cloudy on human mortality and crop ISTANBUL 04/02 Rain 03/-1 Chance of snow yields,” said Hewitt.  MANILA 31/24 Chance of rain 31/24 Partly sunny “As far as we know, no one       DHAKA 23/12 Clear 23/10 Clear has looked at the air quality of DELHI 11/04 Mostly sunny 14/04 Clear growing biofuel crops before,” he Source : http://www.qsa.gov.qa/ ISLAMABAD 16/02 Clear 16/03 Clear added. REUTERS First Afghan female rapper seeks reason with rhymes

KABUL: Sporting a long leather coat and Western jeans under a headscarf, Soosan Feroz looks like many modern women in Kabul. But she is a surprising new phenomenon in this conservative Islamic country — the nation’s first female rapper. Her lyrics though are not unfa- miliar to many of her fellow coun- trywomen — she raps about rape, abuse and atrocities that Afghan women have endured during dec- ades of war in a country gripped by poverty. “My raps are about the suf- ferings of women in my country, the pains of the war that we have endured and the atrocities of the war,” Feroz said in an interview in the office of a local company that is helping her record her Soosan Feroz practising with Afghan pop musician Farid Rastagar at a first album, in between local per- recording studio in Kabul. formances including at the US embassy in Kabul. Like most fellow Afghans, posted on YouTube and viewed to reach Europe through dan- the 23-year-old says her life is nearly 100,000 times: gerous and illegal routes on land filled with bitterness — memo- What happened to us in the and sea. Those who make it often ries of war, bombing and refugee neighbouring country? spend years in isolated refugee camps in neighbouring Iran and We became ‘the dirty Afghan’. camps. Afghan pop star Farid Pakistan. At their bakeries we were pushed Rastagar has offered to help the She was taken to Pakistan as a at the back of the queue. young artiste release an album, child by her parents and later to The lyrics are borne from per- the first song of which will be Iran, escaping a bloody civil war sonal experience, Feroz said. “As released this month. at home in 1990s. a child when I was going to bring One of the songs is called Two years after the 2001 bread from our neighbourhood Naqis-Ul Aql which can be trans- US-led invasion of her war- bakery, the Iranians would tell lated as “deficient-in-mind” — a scarred nation that toppled me, ‘go back, you dirty Afghan’. common belief about women the Taliban, the then-teenager “I would be the last one in the among Afghan men. returned home with her family. line to get my bread,” she said. “In this rap, she sings about She worked as a carpet weaver Millions of Afghans still live in the miseries of the women in with her other siblings for a liv- Iran and Pakistan, which together Afghanistan, about abuses and ing until she discovered her new hosted about seven million refu- wrong beliefs that still exist about talent. gees after the former Soviet women,” Rastagar said. Told that rap and hip hop had Union invaded Afghanistan in Afghan women have made become a way for many artists 1979. some progress since the fall of around the world to express daily Feroz was too young to remem- the Taliban but many still suffer hardships in their lives, Feroz ber the bloody battles of the 1980s horrific abuse including so-called says: “If rap singing is a way to between the Russian soldiers ‘honour killings” for perceived tell your miseries, Afghans have and freedom fighters known as sexual disobedience. a lot to say. mujahedin but her first song is Feroz, the daughter of a former “That’s why I chose to be a full of war tales, with one line civil servant and an illiterate rapper.” proclaiming: We went to Europe for housewife who remarkably let She recalls her woes at a better life (but) in refugee camps their daughter sing, has already Iranian refugee camps in her we rotted. made scores of enemies not only first recorded piece of music, Thousands of Afghans put among conservatives but within Our neighbours, which has been their lives on the line every year her own family. AFP Monday 7 January 2013 25 Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5572 Price: QR2

Qatari bourse index rises by 0.79 percent

Business | 19

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatari employees can expect Meeza signs pact with Symantec

DOHA: Meeza, Qatar’s IT serv- sized businesses to large enter- ice providing company, signed prises with complex IT infrastruc- 5.2pc pay rise in ’13: Survey a cloud service agreement with ture. With these hosted services Symantec to offer market-lead- there is no hardware or software ing hosted cloud solutions with to purchase and maintain so busi- Saudi to enjoy highest increase of 6pc: Mercer report an aim to take the current IT ness can quickly deploy the serv- environment in Qatar and across ices to achieve immediate benefits DOHA: Qatari employees can up to management and the senior less emphasis on inflation rates the region to the next level, a that are easy to scale with the look forward to an average 5.2 executive level. when budgeting for pay increases, statement said yesterday. businesses need to protect and percent increase in pay for 2013, The Middle East and Africa and factoring such variables as Under this joint offering, Meeza secure their information. the latest Total Remuneration has the largest variation in fore- relative pay competitiveness, is working with a Tier-1 global cli- The managed IT solution that survey that tracked over 50 cast pay increases due to the affordability, labour market con- ent to offer Security-as-a-Service will be deployed within Meeza’s companies operating in Qatar, diverse nature of the region. ditions and confidence in their through Symantec.cloud E-mail M-Vault 3 Data Centre allows cli- has said. Companies in Morocco (4.9per- business outlook. Security on what, they said, is ents to maintain administrative The survey, conducted by cent), Tunisia (5.3 percent) and “In 2012, like in other regions, believed to be one of the largest control over users, data, objects Mercer, noted that Middle East Algeria (6.8 percent) are pre- we saw the introduction of sal- cloud security deployments in the and resources, whilst allowing employees can expect an average dicting high pay increases to ary freezes in a number of Middle region. The initial stage of this Meeza to maintain the required 5.4 percent raise in pay for 2013. employees compared to those in East markets. Our forecast shows project will provide e-mail security levels of security, availability and General salary increase expec- Western Europe, while employ- that an estimated 5 percent of and monitoring services to protect Deputy Chief Executive Officer, scalability across the network. tations in the GCC region range ees in Egypt and South Africa companies will look to freeze sal- more than 6,000 end users at the Meeza, said: “Meeza’s aim is to con- “We are delighted to partner from 5 to 6 percent, UAE (5 per- are anticipated to receive 10 aries in 2013 across the region. customer and is expected to be tinuously enhance our standards with Meeza on this key project to cent), Bahrain (5 percent), Oman percent and 7 percent, respec- The Middle East region showed completed in the immediate future. and services delivery to our cus- offer Symantec.cloud hosted solu- (5.1 percent), Qatar (5.2 percent) tively. Companies in Africa are the lowest and healthiest figures In addition to this, Meeza and tomers. Partnering with Symantec tions in Qatar and through the and Kuwait (5.4 percent), while anticipating average increases across the ME and Africa region Symantec are working together is an additional milestone to wider region to help businesses Saudi Arabia is anticipated to of 8 percent and companies in in terms of salary freezes”. to launch hosted Backup-as-a- achieving this objective. We realise achieve an essential goal – to enjoy the highest increase in pay the Middle East expecting to The figures provided are fig- Service solutions to organizations the responsibility of providing the secure and protect their infor- of 6 percent in 2013. give employees increases of 5.4 ures which Compensation and in Qatar and the entire region latest solutions and technologies to mation,” said Justin Doo, Cloud The study coincides with the percent in 2013. Human Resource Managers – that will be hosted within Meeza’s Qatar and the region. Thus, this and Security Practices Director, Salary Movement Snapshot, Zaid Kamhawi, Middle East those responsible for planning M-Vault 3 Data Centre. new agreement proves our dedi- MENA. “The investment from which tracked pay plans of 570 Business Leader for Information salary increases – are forecasting These solutions will help busi- cation and commitment to fulfill- Meeza in a hosted Backup-as-a- multinational organisations Product Solutions at Mercer, said: in each country. These forecasts, nesses in Qatar better protect their ing this responsibility. Symantec, Service solution through their data operating across 76 countries in “Anticipated pay increases are of course, have to be approved information making their backups together with the expertise Meeza center in Qatar is a strategic step Europe, Middle East and Africa affected by consumer price infla- by company management and more secure within a hosted infra- is known for, will provide excel- in ensuring business in Qatar and (EMEA). The data provides infor- tion, the anticipated pay increase depend on numerous economic structure in the country and provid- lence in design and delivery of the across the region can benefit from mation from multinationals on in 2013 are predicted to be above factors, as well as an individual ing customers with instant access new solution.” a scalable, secure and managed median base pay increases across the forecast inflation generating employee performance, said Zaid and recovery of their information. The new solution will be avail- backup solution without putting all employee groups including real pay growth for employees.” Kamhawi. Commenting on the new agree- able to industries and businesses pressure on their own resources,” ‘blue’ and ‘white collar’ workers Companies however are placing THE PENINSULA ment, Ghada P El Rassi (pictured), of all size, from small and medium he added. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Islamic Insurance holds extra-ordinary meeting

Sheikh Abdulla bin Thani Al Thani, Chairman of Islamic Insurance (sixth left), Abdul Rahman Al Abdulghani (fifth left), Deputy Chairman of Islamic Insurance, and Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani Al Thani (fourth right), Chief Coordinator and Board Member, along with the rest of the executive committee members during the Islamic Insurance extra-ordinary meeting at Millennium Hotel in Doha yesterday. The meeting decided to increase the number of Director Board members from the existing 9 to 11. SHAIVAL DALAL UAE banks to ECB likely to keep interest rates on hold ask central No need to act now as rates are currently at record lows, say experts bank to soften

FRANKFURT: The European indicators have increased once With markets now calmer, the announce any monetary easing at Postbank economist Thilo mortgage rules Central Bank will usher in 2013 again,” he said. On Friday, the ECB has been able to keep its his first press conference of the Heidrich said the likelihood of with steady interest rates at its closely watched Purchasing gunpowder dry, keeping inter- year. “The policy of low interest a rate cut was “wide open”, but ABU DHABI: Commercial first policy meeting this year to Managers Index or PMI for the est rates at their all-time low rates is finally making itself felt in that he was betting on a further banks in the UAE plan to ask keep up the pressure on govern- entire euro area hit a nine-month of 0.75 percent and holding fire the periphery countries, thereby quarter-point reduction in the the central bank to delay and ments to solve the debt crisis, high, offering hope the single cur- on other emergency anti-crisis taking the pressure off the mone- key refi rate to 0.5 percent in soften new rules placing caps analysts predict. rency area could be moving out measures as well, after pump- tary policy actors to come up with the early months of this year and on mortgage loans for residen- With ECB interest rates cur- of its deep double-dip recession. ing vast amounts of liquidity into new stimulus measures,” he said. the ECB would keep it there “for tial housing, banking industry rently at record lows and its lat- Recent data for Germany, the markets at the beginning of “For the time being, there is no some time to come”. sources said yesterday. est anti-crisis weapon ready and Europe’s biggest economy, have last year. immediate need to act,” he said. Loynes at Capital Economics A central bank circular last primed for action, central bank also come in better than expected. Nevertheless, at last month’s In the United States, the US said that “despite the sizeable week said mortgage loans for for- chief Mario Draghi will not pass And German Finance Minister meeting, Draghi appeared to open Federal Reserve hinted last week challenges facing the ECB (in eign individuals should not exceed up the opportunity to insist once Wolfgang Schaeuble even went the door to further rate cuts, cru- that its own huge programme of 2013), it appears unlikely that 50 percent of the property value again that only governments can so far as to say he believed the cially revealing that there had stimulus measures was under it will take any steps towards for a first purchase of a home, and resolve the long-running crisis, embattled eurozone was now past been “wide discussion” of such review and could be brought to meeting them at its meeting in 40 percent for second and subse- economists said. the peak of its three-year-long a move on the decision-making an end sometime this year. January. “No doubt Draghi will quent homes. The caps for UAE “Whilst a (rate) cut cannot be debt crisis. governing council and that the Capital Economics econo- reaffirm that the ECB is ready to citizens were set at 70 percent entirely ruled out, we do not expect Market tensions have indeed decision to keep rates on hold was mist Jonathan Loynes cautioned, implement OMTs... and he may and 60 percent. the governing council to change eased since the ECB unveiled its anything but unanimous. however, that “having prevented even show signs of warming to The rules, on which the central interest rates at its meeting on anti-crisis bazooka in September, Schubert pointed out, however, catastrophe in 2012 by pledging to the idea of a cut in interest rates,” bank has not commented publicly, Thursday,” said Commerzbank the so-called OMT bond-purchase that top board members — such do whatever it takes to save the Loynes said. “Either way, though, appear to be designed to prevent economist Michael Schubert. programme. The scheme is cred- as Yves Mersch, Peter Praet and euro, the ECB will have to follow he is likely to keep the onus on any repeat of a property market “On the one hand, ECB execu- ited with marking a turning point Joerg Asmussen — have all sought words with actions in 2013”. While governments by stressing once bubble which developed in the tive board members have tried in financial market sentiment to play down possible rate cuts Loynes said he was expecting no again that the ECB cannot solve mid-2000s, and then burst with to dampen rate cut specula- towards the crisis-wracked euro recently. Deka Bank chief econo- policy changes to be announced on the region’s debt crisis single- disastrous effects on the economy. tion over recent weeks, and on even though it has not actually mist Ulrich Kater was similarly Thursday, “the pressure for action handedly,” he concluded. But commercial bankers said a the other, important sentiment been used. convinced that Draghi would not may soon be irresistible”. AFP fledgling recovery of the property market, which began in Dubai last year, could be slowed by the rules, about which they were not Hong Kong property consulted. The Emirates Banks Association, an industry body, met yesterday to discuss its Record India deficit response to the circular, industry sources said. “It was agreed that the EBA will write to the central may limit rate cuts bank requesting a 30-day delay for implementation of the circu- lar,” said one source. MUMBAI: India’s record cur- 2013 as an inflation rate exceeding In addition, the EBA will by rent-account deficit threatens to 7 percent cools. Two analysts in the next Sunday prepare a proposal weigh on the rupee and curb the Bloomberg survey predicted a 0.5 that is likely to ask the central magnitude of interest-rate cuts percentage-point cut in January. bank to raise the mortgage caps forecast to begin this month in The rupee weakened 1.1 per- for first-time buyers to 60 percent support of government policies cent, the most in two months, for foreigners and 80 percent for seeking faster growth. to 55.075 per dollar at the 5 p.m. local citizens, the sources said. The shortfall swelled to close in Mumbai. The BSE India Bankers are generally comfort- $22.31bn in the quarter ended Sensitive Index climbed 0.1 per- able with the central bank’s caps September 30, the widest in cent. Five-year interest rate on mortgages for second and sub- Reserve Bank of India data begin- swaps advanced to 7.16 percent, sequent homes, a second source ning 1949. The rupee is down 6.1 the highest in more than a week, said. Foreigners account for about percent against the dollar in the while the one-year rate rose as 80 percent of the UAE’s popula- past three months, fanning price high as 7.6 percent, indicating tion of 8 million and are major gains that will limit Governor investors pared bets on the extent buyers of real estate in designated Duvvuri Subbarao to a 25 basis- of cuts in borrowing costs. Two women speak to each other before the city skyline in Hong Kong yesterday. The International Monetary areas where they are permitted to point rate cut on January 29, The deficit in the current Fund last month warned that Hong Kong could see an abrupt fall in property prices after years of dramatic own property. REUTERS according to eight of 10 analysts account, which tracks goods, increases in one of the world’s most expensive housing markets. in a Bloomberg News survey. services and investment income, India has the biggest deficit reached 5.4 percent of gross among the largest emerging mar- domestic product in July-to- kets, stoked by the worst export September from 3.9 percent in the slump since the 2009 global previous quarter. Exports slid for US, China leave feeble Europe in their wake recession and gold imports that seven months through November. Finance Minister Palaniappan Gold imports accounted for more Chidambaram said are a “huge than two-thirds of the current- LONDON: The economies of the United although the prospect of more wrangling over inflation expectations are seen fairly well drain”. Trade and budget gaps account gap on average in the last States, China and much of the developing the US budget still casts a shadow. The dollar anchored and because the ECB’s own forecasts have increased economic risks, the three years, the central bank said world have decoupled from Europe, leaving has even begun to rise on the distant prospect suggest the euro zone economy will shrink 0.3 Reserve Bank said on December in its Financial Stability report it to wallow in various stages of recession of an exit from years of stimulus. percent this year. “The economic data would 28, even as the government tries last month. India also purchases and fiscal disarray. That is one reason why “From a growth outlook, it is quite hard for support a rate cut,” said Sarah Hewin, head of to lure more foreign investment about 80 percent of its crude oil the key economic event of the coming week Europe to disappoint,” said Michael Metcalfe, Europe research at Standard Chartered Bank. and limit subsidies as Asia’s No. from overseas. will be a European Central Bank meeting responsible for global macro strategy at State The consensus of a Reuters poll in December, 3 economy struggles. The rupee will weaken about almost totally focused on how far policy Street Global Markets. He argues that one however, was for no cut in the first quarter. “The widening current-account 7 percent to 59 per dollar by makers will go to boost growth. of the main risks to the current global eco- ECB Executive Board members Yves Mersch deficit indicates very severe mac- year-end, according to Nomura Although there are some signs that a bot- nomic consensus is that there is too much and Peter Praet have both dampened expecta- roeconomic threats,” said Rupa Holdings. Kotak Mahindra tom may have been reached in the eurozone’s gloom attached to Europe. tions of a cut in the main refi rate. Rege Nitsure, an economist at Bank predicts a drop to as low recent economic decline, the pattern of mod- Most discussion about what the ECB will Joerg Asmussen, another ECB board mem- Bank of Baroda here. “The central as 57 per dollar this quarter. erate US and Asian growth book-ending feeble do at its meeting on Thursday centres on ber, also said late last month he would be “very bank has less room to ease policy Prime Minister Manmohan Europe is firmly in place for the moment. whether it will cut interest rates, something reluctant” about the ECB cutting its deposit meaningfully.” Subbarao has left Singh curbed fuel subsidies in Manufacturing surveys published just a few the bank’s policy makers discussed last month rate - now at zero - any further. Berenberg borrowing costs at 8 percent since September and opened industries days into 2013 laid out the divide starkly. The before opting to hold the refi benchmark at a Bank economist Christian Schulz argues that a 50 basis-point cut in April 2012, including retail to more foreign United States and China both came in above record low 0.75 percent. It is an open question those against cutting rates have an upper hand resisting Chidambaram’s calls in investment, seeking to steady the the 50 index level that designates growth while among economists about how much use a cut at ECB at the moment because ECB President October for a further reduction. currency, revive growth and avert the euro zone languished in recessionary ter- in the refi rate would be. Cutting the deposit Mario Draghi needs support for his new bond- Still, the central bank signalled a credit-rating downgrade that ritory for the 17th month in a row. rate from zero, meanwhile, would effectively purchase programme, a backstop to deter in a statement of the December 18 may disrupt capital inflows. The December US jobs report last Friday mean charging banks for parking their money. investors from selling off debt in countries policy review that it may ease in WP-BLOOMBERG also did nothing to dispel the idea of recovery, Part of this refi rate cut talk is because such as Spain and Italy. REUTERS MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 UAE and Qatar markets hit multi-month highs Qatari bourse index adds 67.31 points

DOHA/DUBAI: Markets in are also announced. Mortgage to trickle in later this week. Qatar and the United Arab lender Tamweel fell 4.2 percent to Banks weighed with Samba Emirates hit multi-month highs Dh1.14, down for a second session. Financial Group declining 0.7 per- yesterday as investors took Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) cent, Banque Saudi Fransi down positions ahead of dividend said on Thursday that its board 0.3 percent and heavyweight Al and fourth-quarter earnings approved plans to fully acquire Rajhi Bank eased 0.4 percent. announcements. the mortgage firm through a Bank shares posted flat growth Doha’s index rose 0.8 percent share swap — each Tamweel in 2012, underperforming the to finish at its highest level since shareholder will be offered 10 main benchmark, which rose 6 May 2012. The Qatar Exchange DIB shares for every 18 Tamweel percent. Lending growth failed to index added 67.31 points (or 0.79 shares. After closing the offer, translate to profit as provisioning percent) to advance to 8,636.44 DIB will apply to the regulator took its toll. points from 8,569.13 on Thursday. to delist Tamweel from the Dubai Analysts are expecting impair- Among the top gainers were Financial Market. DIB shares ments to trail off in the fourth- Qatar National Bank which dipped 1 percent to 2 dirhams. quarter, which should help the was up 1.12 percent to QR136, “For Tamweel shareholders, sector and the overall market’s Industries Qatar rose 2.79 percent (it’s) not so good on the short- performance. to QR165.90, Masraf Al Rayan term as the book value is higher NCB Capital said quarterly gained 0.38 percent to QR26.20 than the market value,” said Nabil net income for stocks under its and Barwa Real Estate was up by Al Rantisi, managing director at coverage are expected to rise 10 0.89 percent to QR28.25. Menacorp, in Abu Dhabi. percent year-on-year. The banking and financial sec- “For Tamweel as a company “The key reason behind the tor index was up 9.77 points, the and the shareholders on the long expected increase is the 12.8 consumer goods and services sec- run, it will be positive as they percent year-on-year increase tor index added 15.47 points, the will have access to cheap fund- expected in the banking sec- industrial sector gained 44.44 ing — DIB is a bank that has lots tor’s earnings to an estimated points while the insurance sector of deposits.” SR6.7bn ... due to strong growth dropped 14.85 points. Dubai’s index rose 0.7 percent in lending and lower provision- In Dubai, Emaar Properties to its highest close since April ing,” it said. was the main support, rising 2.6 2012. It hit an intra-day peak of percent. Builder Arabtec and cou- 1,708 points and remains techni- HIGHLIGHTS rier Aramex climbed 2.1 and 1.5 cally bullish after last week’s break DUBAI: The index rose 0.7 per- percent respectively. above October’s high of 1,656 points, cent to 1,694 points. “If Q4 numbers are solid, expect which is now a support level. ABU DHABI: The index climbed the market to continue doing well Abu Dhabi’s benchmark 0.9 percent to 2,710 points. compared to the rest of the region climbed 0.9 percent to 2,710 points, QATAR: The index advanced - we saw retail investors trigger its highest close since July 2011. 0.8 percent to 8,636 points. the rally and institutional buying Lenders led gains, with National SAUDI ARABIA: The index followed, which is healthy,” said Bank of Abu Dhabi and Abu eased 0.08 percent to 7,005 points. Amer Khan, fund manager, Shuaa Dhabi Commercial Bank climbing EGYPT: The index ended flat Asset Management. 3.4 and 1.9 percent respectively. at 5,734 points. Institutions tend to trade more In Saudi Arabia, the bourse OMAN: The index ended flat on company fundamentals and slipped from Saturday’s 15-month at 5,782 points. typically hold positions for longer high amid slight profit-tak- KUWAIT: The index gained 0.2 than retail investors. ing. The index slipped 0.1 per- percent to 6,014 points. People walk in front of the Egyptian Stock Market in Cairo yesterday. A top International Monetary Fund official UAE companies will begin cent, halting a three-day gain. BAHRAIN: The index climbed will visit Egypt today for talks likely to focus on the $4.8bn loan agreement frozen last month because of political reporting fourth-quarter earn- Investors are waiting for fourth- 0.2 percent to 1,064 points. unrest in the country. ings in February, when dividends quarter earnings, which will begin QNA/REUTERS

Iran still spending to defend Opec role: Minister Top regulatory body eases

DUBAI: Iran has spent almost maintained a brave face as Asian customers to buy less. for energy projects. In the latest liquidity rules for banks $25bn on upstream oil and gas exports have fallen to about half International banking restric- sale, Iran Offshore Oil Company projects since last March but levels seen in 2011, arguing that tions have made it very difficult plans to issue rial denominated BASEL: The world’s top bank- The new LCR’s full details will needs to keep investing to keep selling less crude is good for the for Iranian oil buyers to send bonds today, offering 20 percent ing regulatory body yesterday also be fully implemented only in its influence in Opec, Iran’s oil economy while calling for more funds to an isolated Islamic interest over four years, Shana eased the first global liquidity 2019, instead of 2015 as initially pro- minister said yesterday. investment to boost capacity and Republic seen by many investors reported. rules scheduled to start apply- posed. “Specifically, the LCR will be Iranian oil production fell refine more crude into finished as high risk. Qasemi said foreign Shana said that under this ing to banks in 2015 and aimed introduced as planned on 1 January sharply last year, as Western fuels. investment in Iran’s oil and gas year’s annual budget, several gov- at improving their ability to 2015, but the minimum require- nations tightened sanctions to “We should raise production sector had nevertheless risen to ernment ministries had also been survive financial crises. ment will begin at 60%, rising in starve Tehran of funds for its dis- capacity in the mid-stream sec- $20bn dollars recently, according given permission to issue billions The Basel Committee on equal annual steps of 10 percentage puted nuclear programme, allow- tor and protect our place in Opec to Shana. of dollars worth of bonds to fund Banking Supervision said at a points to reach 100% on 1 January ing Iraq to overtake Iran as the oil with regard to sensitivity of the Iran’s central bank has also oil projects. press conference here that it had 2019,” the Basel group announced. exporting group’s second-largest oil market and at the same time agreed to channel funds it has Even investors who specialise widened the definition of the easy- Mervyn King, Chairman of producer. try to curb selling materials in been holding in foreign banks in high risk debt say the many to-sell assets that banks will have the Basel group’s top oversight The sanctions, aimed at stopping raw form,” oil ministry news web- — largely because of difficulties banking obstacles are likely to to hold to survive periods of stress. body and Governor of the Bank what the West says is a weapons site Shana reported Oil Minister repatriating export earnings — deter any foreign investors in The Basel III standards had been of England, described the agree- programme but which Tehran says Rostam Qasemi as saying at a into oil industry projects in Iran, Iranian bonds. initially proposed in 2010 but banks ment announced yesterday as “a is purely peaceful, have slashed finance conference in Tehran. Qasemi said, without explaining The International Energy and financial institutions have very significant achievement.” tens of billions off Iranian oil Qasemi said as much as $400bn how it could be done. Agency (IEA) estimates that since lobbied intensely to make “For the first time in regulatory revenues over the past year and of energy sector investment was Isolated from international Iranian oil exports have slumped the rules more flexible and result history, we have a truly global min- weakened Opec price hawk Iran’s needed over five years, although credit lines and western technol- from 2.2 million b/d at the end in lower costs for the sector. imum standard for bank liquidity,” influence in a group now effectively Iran already struggles to sell the ogy during a long standoff with of 2011 to just 860,000 b/d in The details of the Liquidity said King. The Basel Committee steered by Saudi Arabia. oil it already produces because of Washington, Iran has resorted to September 2012. Coverage Ratio (LCR), which was brings together representatives Iranian officials have pressure from Washington on big issuing bonds to generate funds REUTERS drafted to avoid a repeat of the regulators from 27 nations. 2008 banking crisis and unani- “Importantly, introducing a mously endorsed by the Basel phased timetable for the introduc- group’s top oversight body, give tion of the LCR, and reaffirming Turkey-Libya oil talks the banks a reprieve. Its provi- that a bank’s stock of liquid assets Toyota to suspend sions include a much broader defi- are usable in times of stress, will nition of the minimum assets every ensure that the new liquidity new plants for bank needs to hold, making it less standard will in no way hinder the costly for them to maintain the ability of the global banking system three years: Report required buffer. to finance a recovery,” King said. “The changes to the definition Stefan Ingves, chairman of the TOKYO: Toyota Motor has of the LCR, developed and agreed Basel Committee and of Sweden’s decided to halt the construction by the Basel Committee over the Sveriges Riksbank, said the glo- of new factories for the next past two years, include an expan- bal regulator could now focus on three years in a shift from its sion in the range of assets eligi- the Net Stable Funding Ration, previous policy of building new ble as HQLA (high quality liquid another pillar of the Basel III plants almost annually, reports assets),” the committee said. reforms. AFP said yesterday. The company, which hopes to regain top spot in the global auto market, will concentrate its capi- tal investment on existing facto- ries, the Nikkei business daily said. The new policy will basically • Bullion - Mumbai shelve through the end of the 2015 Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 30795 fiscal year all plans for building Silver (1 kg) Rs. 59050 new factories other than those • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.95 already announced, the paper said. • Sensex The company will officially announce the decision in a new BSE 19784.08 management plan to be released NSE 6016.15 in coming months, Jiji Press said, • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – adding that Toyota wants to which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN increase efficiency and cut costs. Card/Demat Account not required. Toyota now has around 50 • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return overseas plants and just under 30 p.a. (in dollar) domestic ones. It said in December • Housing loan from HDFC LTD Libya’s Oil and Gas Minister Abdul Bari Laroussi (centre left) with Turkish Energy and Natural Resources that it sold an estimated 9.7 mil- lion vehicles in 2012, which could • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, Minister Taner Yildiz (right), in Tripoli yesterday. Yildiz held talks with the Libyan minister about increasing Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. Turkey’s oil imports. put it ahead of General Motors and Volkswagen as the world’s Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] biggest auto maker. AFP MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Fiscal Fudge provides short Top stock picks of 2013 term relief for commodities Weekly Commodity Update lose out to Honey Boo Boo

BY SUSAN ANTILLA BY OLE HANSEN and trotted out for appearances at inves- In case no one has let you in on the (Head of Commodity Strategy, tor conferences. “The entire conversation secret, it’s old news that money managers Saxo Bank) HAVE the ultimate hot tip if you’re is corrupt,” says Starkman, who sees much rarely beat the stock-market indexes. So obsessing over what to do with your of personal-finance writing as marketing why pay attention when some journalist portfolio in 2013: Ignore all the “How material for the investment industry. under orders to interview those manag- HE dreaded US ‘fiscal cliff’ which suppressed prices during to Invest in 2013” nonsense that you With a smattering of exceptions, even the ers woos you with headlines that promise December was this first week of 2013 replaced by what some see in magazines, blogs and on busi- best of the annual how-to-invest offerings a winning list of investments for the year Tchoose to call The Fiscal Fudge. The US budget was agreed Iness television this time of year. will leave you winning about half the time, ahead? at the 11th hour. But with many of the contentious issues, such as My advice? When you see one of those which of course means losing half the time. Ditto for the usefulness of predictions as finding the necessary funding, not resolved, the market was left how-to articles, retreat to the kitchen for And what’s the point of paying commis- to which way the markets and the economy unimpressed which meant that the relief rally lasted less than 48 what’s left of the holiday eggnog and shut off sions to end up where you started? Smart are headed. Beneath the headline “Little hours. The US president will be facing further fiscal wrangling the computer. If some TV stock jock is inter- Money’s Where to Invest 2012, for example, Enthusiasm for Equities Among Advisers,” with Congress over coming weeks as the debt ceiling will have to viewing a Wall Street star about a best pick picked six winners and four losers. The Guru Investment News, a newsletter that caters to be raised again because the debt level continues to rise. for the year ahead, grab the remote and surf Round Up: Best Investment Ideas for 2012 that investment advisers, said on January 1, 2012, Right on the heels of this, the US Federal Reserve surprised for a rerun of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. At ran in Forbes magazine on January 4, 2012, that only 43 percent of advisers planned to markets by expressing some hawkish views in the minutes from least it won’t be you who is being exploited. had three winners and four losers. increase their clients’ equity holdings, down its December Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) policy There is a good chance that you will lose Even when a best-stocks list manages to from 63 percent in 2011. The S&P 500, of meeting. In this, some members were showing increased unease money if you follow the 2013 top stock rec- keep up with the stock-market averages, course, proceeded to go up 13 percent in about the side effects, such as financial stability and continued ommendations. And the grander the prom- which you can do in an index fund, it doesn’t 2012, the year advisers were more negative. expansion of the central bank’s balance sheet. Some members ise of profits, the more you should worry necessarily help actual investors. My guess It was little changed in 2011, the year they felt it would be appropriate to slow or even stop further asset about getting burned. is that investors in real life don’t have the expected significant gains. purchases well before the end of 2013. This was the first sign that Personal-finance news became a grow- resources to buy more than one or two of And then there was arguably the worst the unease that has been growing outside the Federal Reserve for ing sub-genre of business journalism in the recommendations on any given tout list. market call of the year, made on January 23, months is now also being felt within, and it makes 2013 an even the 1970s, after companies started drop- Buy the wrong one, and it doesn’t matter if 2012, by newsletter writer Joseph Granville. more interesting year as the markets will have to decipher the ping defined-benefit retirement plans and the list’s author is taking a bow for outper- He told Bloomberg Television that day that effects of a transition away from cheap money. the public “was thrown into this system forming the Standard & Poor’s 500. the Dow Jones Industrial Average would As a result of this, the dollar appreciation gathered further pace and forced to make their way” says Dean Along with the year-ahead coverage, be decline 4,000 points by year-end. The Dow and commodities lost support, especially precious metals such as Starkman, who runs a business-journalism wary of the ambitious journalistic efforts that wound up rising 887 points. gold and silver which both had the rug pulled from underneath blog at Columbia Journalism School. The purport to impart brilliant investment ideas Myron Kandel, founding financial edi- as they both have been thriving on the back of negative real resulting coverage to help the public man- for the long term. Fortune magazine’s August tor at CNN, says there is a way to raise yields caused by the low interest rate environment. Supporting age its own money “perpetuates the idea 2000 list of “10 Stocks to Last the Decade” standards. Qualified professionals should the metals is the US budget compromise which will cause a drag that individuals can beat the market,” he included Enron Corp (which failed), Nokia be used as sources, Kandel says, and the on growth during the first couple of quarters. Nevertheless, the says, “and that’s just not true.” Oyj (which fell from $43 to $9.63 during the public should be told how the person’s past coming weeks will now seriously test the resolve of investors in An army of commentators, many with next 10 years), Nortel Networks Corp (which predictions have fared. Otherwise, it’s “like precious metals and as a consequence, we may have to lower our abysmal track records, helps spread the use- filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009) and evaluating a baseball player without men- 2013 average price projections for the two metals which are cur- less predictions. You will see them quoted, Broadcom Corp (which fell from $143 to $36 tioning his batting average,” he says. rently at 1840 and 34 respectively. photographed for magazine cover stories during the decade after the article). WP-BLOOMBERG The monthly US jobless reports are now even more important as every potential improvement in those numbers will help bring forward the markets’ expectations of when quantitative easing will cease. The numbers for December, which were released on January 4, did not have any major impact given the fact non-farm payroll came out in line with expectations while the unemploy- ment rate rose slightly to 7.8 percent. Before moving on, let us take a moment to look back on how the sector performance table for 2012 ended up. Overall, the two major commodity index funds finished pretty much unchanged for the year, a disappointing result for long-only investors compared with other asset classes, especially stocks. A major correction in grains such as corn, wheat and soybeans during December resulted in a much reduced return for the grains sector but it still manage to outweigh the losses witnessed in softs, especially from the one-third drop in coffee, bringing the overall agriculture sector return up into second position. Despite a decent rally across industrial metals during the final quarter, which were driven by an improved outlook for Chinese demand, the sector as a whole finished third ahead of the energy sector which suffered losses primarily from the negative perform- ances of WTI Crude and Natural Gas which, on a (negative) roll adjusted basis, lost 30 percent. At the top spot we find precious metals not because of great individual performances but more due to the fact that all four components showed gains, especially silver and platinum. Nervous trading best described performance during the first shortened week of 2013, not helped by the fact that the dollar was up by more than one percent. Currency traders had overex- tended their long exposure to the euro, and it triggered a sharp reversal which led to a stronger dollar thereby creating some early headwind for commodities with the DJ-UBS index losing almost one percent. The only sector showing a positive return according to these indices was industrial metals, such as copper, which were helped by continued improved economic data out of China. The worst performing sector was agriculture with gains in livestock being offset by continued losses in grains and softs. Precious metals also experienced losses with gold, silver and palladium all in negative territory. The energy sector was also in negative territory, as gains in crude oil and products were offset by another heavy loss on natural gas. THE PENINSULA Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Dominating Jakarta stalls, Unilever doubles growth

BY MATTHEW BOYLE 15m rupiah ($1,554) in daily sales, double the rate of P&G’s — comes Unilever’s sales were stagnant multiple than both P&G and “You want fewer, bigger ideas,” and stores like his helped Unilever courtesy of emerging markets and its shares languished as the Nestle for the first time in more according to Polman, who said he ARI Sumarno runs Indonesia boost sales 17 percent such as Indonesia, which comprise sprawling company shed brands, than six years. won’t even look at a new project a small shop selling last year, nearly triple the growth 55 percent of revenue, up from 20 factories and employees, and Excluding the impact of acqui- unless it can potentially generate tobacco and house- rate of the nation’s gross domestic percent in 1990. That’s a higher jumped from one grand strat- sitions, divestitures and currency at least ¤50m in sales. hold sundries at the product. Competing products are proportion than at peers like P&G, egy to another. The architect of fluctuations, revenue increased 6.6 One success has been Palmerah market in “in the back,” said Sumarno, grin- France’s L’Oreal, Swiss-based Unilever’s return to grace is Paul percent in the first nine months TRESemme, a shampoo acquired HJakarta, the bustling capital of ning as he jerks a thumb towards Nestle, Germany’s Beiersdorf Polman, a Dutchman who once of 2012, better than the previ- when Unilever paid $3.7bn for Indonesia, which has one of the the dusty, unlit shelves behind and Britain’s Reckitt Benckiser fancied being a doctor or a priest. ous year’s 6.5 percent and almost Alberto Culver in 2010. Polman world’s fastest-growing econo- him. “You can’t fight Unilever.” Group. In the third quarter, Since his recruitment in 2009 double 2009’s 3.5 percent. Over quickly rolled the brand out in mies. Palmerah is a hive of more From the markets of Southeast Unilever’s emerging-market sales as Unilever’s first-ever chief the past three quarters, P&G’s Brazil, but not before getting 40 than 100 mom-and-pop stores, Asia to the aisles of American rose 12 percent, a sixth consecu- executive officer from outside the sales growth on the same basis big retailers behind its marketing and shoppers haggle over every- super-centres, that message is tive quarter of double-digit gains. company, the P&G veteran has hasn’t topped three percent. “Our plan, courting fashion bloggers, thing from duck eggs to flip-flops spreading. The Anglo-Dutch Half of Unilever’s ¤50bn brought an emphasis on winning business is not rocket science,” and distributing 10 million free as flies buzz overhead. maker of household staples such ($65bn) in annual sales come market share that was sorely lack- Polman said. samples. Finally, a Unilever online The front of Sumarno’s cramped as Dove soap and Lipton tea has from food and drinks, one third ing in the 170,000-employee com- “There’s nothing intellectual ad blitz lured one million fans to stall is plastered with small pack- accelerated its sales growth, new- are beauty products, and the rest pany. Polman’s lofty rhetoric about about this. It’s about being a lit- TRESemme’s Brazilian Facebook ages of Sunsilk shampoo, Fair & product development and pres- are from household items such as doubling Unilever’s 2009 sales to tle bit better every day.” page in just six months. Lovely skin cream, Bango soy ence in emerging markets over detergents. By focusing its inno- ¤80bn while cutting its carbon Polman has cut more than ¤1bn In less than a year, TRESemme sauce and Rexona deodorant — the past three years while many vation and marketing firepower footprint in half and improving in costs each year and is jettison- went from zero market share to a seemingly random assortment of its rivals in the $7 trillion on fewer, bigger projects with the hygiene habits of more than a ing excess layers of management besting P&G’s Pantene in hyper- with a common denominator: All consumer-goods sector, Procter global appeal, Unilever is able billion people — all by 2020 — was and red tape. The company once markets and drugstores. Sales are Unilever brands. & Gamble Co in particular, are to get products like TRESemme met with scepticism at first. had 20,000 different types of reached ¤150m in its first 12 Unilever, the world’s second- struggling amid the prolonged shampoo and Magnum ice cream But as sales improved even financial reports, which it’s whit- months. Polman aims to repeat largest consumer-products com- economic downturn. into stores in Sao Paulo, Mumbai in recession-wracked Europe, tled down by 90 percent. that launch success in India and pany, provides Sumarno with “It’s Unilever’s moment in the and Jakarta faster than ever which accounts for a quarter of In 2005, Unilever had 5,000 Indonesia. discounted goods in exchange sun,” said Harold Thompson, a before. Once there, it uses local Unilever’s business, and Polman new-product projects in its pipe- Retailers worldwide are fans for the prominent placement, Deutsche Bank analyst who has knowledge gained over decades shed low-growth assets like line and could only bring eight because Unilever’s so-called on- and company sales reps check in spent a decade following the com- operating in developing markets Thursday’s sale of Skippy peanut of them to 10 or more countries shelf availability, a measure of weekly to make sure everything pany, which sells 400 brands in — Unilever has been in Indonesia butter, investors signed on. The within a year of their debut. Last how well it keeps products in is in stock and displayed neatly. 190 countries. since 1933 and India since 1888 shares have soared 68 percent year, it cut the pipeline to 600, stock, has risen eight percentage Unilever brands account for Unilever’s newfound lustre — — to lure shoppers to its brands. during Polman’s tenure and trade with 90 of those rolled out globally points in the past three years. about 30 percent of Sumarno’s sales are growing at more than In the decade prior to 2009, at a higher price-to-earnings inside of 12 months, he said. WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,636.44 0.79 WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,558.24 0.63 QE Total Return Index 11,688.22 0.79 RATE QE All Share Index 2,077.41 0.68 INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,012.61 0.49 GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 4761.417 38.54 0.82 4761.417 4664.6 QE All Share Industrials 2,743.97 1.65 QR197.1716 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 1,371.12 0.72 Cac 40 Index/D 3709.97 -23.96 -0.64 3733.93 3692.9 UK ...... QR 5.8172 QR 5.8876 QE All Share Real Estate 1,639.84 0.70 SILVER QE All Share Insurance 1,963.92 0.75 Dj Indu Average 0 0 0 13661.87 12035.16 QR 3.6254 Euro ...... QR 4.7159 QR 4.8042 QE All Share Telecoms 1,073.89 0.21 CA$ ...... QR 3.6548 QR 3.7252 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,799.12 0.32 Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8998 QR 3.9749 Services Hang Seng Inde/D 23398.6 86.62 0.37 23317.39 22860.25 Yen ...... QR 0.0416 QR 0.0424 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7717 QR 3.8674 Iseq Overall/D 3453.91 -2.29 -0.07 3459.84 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0653 QR 0.0668 06-01-2013 03-01-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 16588.54 98.55 0.6 16935.52 16379.47 Index 8,636.44 8,569.13 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0371 QR 0.0378 Change 67.31 119.87 Nikkei 225 Index 10395.18 72.2 0.7 10376.39 8238.96 Peso ...... QR 0.0876 QR 0.0903 % 0.79 1.42 $ 111.28 SL Re ...... QR 0.0284 QR 0.0290 YTD% 3.32 2.51 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1474.51 1258.86 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0452 QR 0.0458 Volume 5,449,324 5,095,978 Straits Times/D 3224.8 23.06 0.72 3210.02 3186.28 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0416 QR 0.0424 Value (QAR) 270,809,811.07 223,820,040.40 $ 110.37 Trades 3,545 3,485 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4201 QR 0.4286 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 19 | Down 12 | Unchanged 08

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 06-01-2013

Hawkish FOMC meeting minutes could be a game changer

HE year 2013 started on a dollar well supported into year- ADP employment impress the beginning of the year. European Services and factory new orders. Indeed, manufactur- positive note with the US end, rallied further against all the mostly on Hurricane Sandy As Europe was mostly on holi- PMI contracted more than esti- ing PMI came at 51.4 compared to Thouse approving a Senate majors and especially versus the payback days for the past two weeks, we mated in December adding to expectations of 49.1 in December. budget bill, which permanently Japanese yen. ADP employment change reg- discuss our opinion on the cur- signs that the recession in Europe While it was the first time since extends the “Bush” tax cuts for After a strong start of the year, istered a gain of 215,000 jobs in rency for the beginning of 2013. may extend into 2013. The German March 2012 that the PMI showed most taxpayers except for the trading as high of 1.3300, the euro December, far After regaining manufacturing also decreased in expansion in the manufacturing wealthiest Americans. The bipar- slumped to 1.2998 on Friday to exceeding any over 10 big fig- December to 46, from 46.8 points sector, the UK Services PMI fell tisan deal struck at the last minute close the week at 1.3069. recent months’ ures from the in November. According to analysts, into contraction in December was able to avert most of the so- Sterling Pound has a similar gains and beat- low registered the German manufacturing sector against all expectations. According called fiscal cliff and caused global performance on the back of strong ing economists’ Weekly Money Market Review in July 2012, the is finding it increasingly difficult to analysts, the pound should suf- markets to explode higher the first PMI manufacturing data. The estimates by European crisis to maintain output volumes close fer from the absence of eurozone trading day of the year. Pound went as high as 1.6381 on 75,000 jobs. ADP also revised its might flare up again during the to those seen during the peak of tail risk which creates repatria- However, after a very strong the first trading day of the year to November number from 118,000 first quarter of 2013. The slow- the recovery period. The strug- tion flows, policy uncertainty sur- start of the year, investors ended close the week at 1.6069 jobs added to 148,000. Analyst sug- down in growth, the Spanish gle to consolidate the impressive rounding Mark Carney and poor the first trading week of 2013 The highest underperformer of gested that that Hurricane Sandy bailout uncertainty and the gains seen over the past few years basic balance of payments data confused and worried. Indeed, the past couple of weeks remains likely had a significant effect on diminishing market confidence appears to have intensified during along with downgrade risks. the FOMC minutes surprised the to be the yen. Indeed, the nega- the November numbers; however, could push the euro to trade in a the winter of 2012, with December Asia market by suggesting that QE4 tive news on the yen keep coming, the figures remained weaker than volatile manner. PMI data showing further falls in China’s services growth was not as unlimited as many had pushing the currency to levels not a year ago. Over the medium term, we production and new business levels. slowing in December expected i.e. at least to the end of seen since the mid of 2010. The The dollar and Treasury mar- expect the single currency to German unemployment China’s HSBC services PMI the 2013. In relation to this mat- Fed minutes released on Thursday kets reacted as expected, but remain within range due to the slightly higher saw its slowest rate of expan- ter, the FOMC minutes said “In added to the pressure taking the equity markets held well, which decrease in tail risk as the Greek Unemployment in Germany sion in December of 2012. Indeed, determining the size, pace, and yen to close the week at 88.15. suggests investors are more con- situation is out of the picture rose for the ninth month in The HSBC services Purchasing composition of its asset purchases, After an initial boost from the fident of the US recovery than after receiving the latest bailout December but held at 6.9 percent Managers’ Index (PMI) for the committee will, as always, announcement of QE3 couple of they were earlier and without tranche. Similarly, reports showed in December. Indeed, data showed December dropped to 51.7 in take appropriate account of the weeks ago, gold prices went on to help from balance sheet expan- that Spain’s banking sector is in the unemployment figure rose by December from 52.1 in November. likely efficacy and costs of such the defensive for the latter part sion from the Fed. need of approximately ¤40bn 3,000 to 2.942m, much lower than The number does not however purchases.” Yet the minutes sug- of December. The minutes from Europe & UK versus the previous estimates of the expectation for a rise of 10,000. worry analysts who believe that gested several thought purchases the Fed continued pressuring Global markets await the ¤100bn. Political risk however Germany continues to weather most indicators point to a fourth could be halted well before the end the commodity after a relatively ECB decision next week remains at the top of the “fear” the eurozone crisis fairly well and quarter recovery, but the growth of 2013. The reaction was swift, strong start the first day of the In Europe, markets turn their scale, with Germany and Italy remains unaffected by the rise in momentum into next year remains affecting most of asset classes year. Gold closed close to the lows focus over the next ECB Council awaiting elections. unemployment in the peripheral in question. A sub-index measur- from equities, gold and bonds. of the week at $1656. meeting on Thursday. ECB’s European and German PMI European countries. ing new business orders rose also Economic data have been Oil prices had a different start President Mario Draghi com- disappoint UK PMI depict a confusing in December to 52.4, according to stronger in the US as of late, with of the year. Reaching a high of ments last month hinted that a The beginning of the year picture the report, but with only 13 per- ADP employment change stronger $93.87 after the Fiscal cliff deal, rate cut could be considered in European excitement was tem- The UK PMI manufacturing cent of survey respondents report- than expected but mostly on pay- oil prices remained well supported the future if needed, a fact that is pered by some disappointing jumped to a 15-month high helped ing a higher level of new business back from Hurricane Sandy. The to end the week at $93.09. weighting on the currency since December PMI data. Indeed, by the growth in both output and that month. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

2020 Games Spurs beat Sixers at home trio prepare San Antonio stay in contention for top spot with 10th straight home win for IOC file delivery SAN ANTONIO: Tony Parker “We made shots and we took and the San Antonio Spurs them out.” PARIS: The three candidates maintained course with a swag- The Spurs outrebounded the to host the 2020 Olympics ger in their bid for supremacy Sixers 50-41 on the way to their will take a huge step on the in the hotly contested Western 10th straight home victory. road to who will be desig- Conference with a 109-86 rout Bench player Spencer Hawes nated the winner in Buenos of the road-weary Philadelphia led the way with 22 points on Aires on September 7 when 76ers yesterday. 10-of-13 shooting for Philadelphia, they present their candida- Four-time All-Star guard who slipped to 15-20 for the sea- ture files to the International Parker recorded 20 points and son with their third straight Olympic Committee today in five assists while Manu Ginobili defeat. Lausanne. added 19 points and Tim Duncan “This would have been a tall Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo 16 as the Spurs improved their order if we had eight days rest,” will all be sending high pro- record to 27-9 with a command- 76ers coach Doug Collins said file delegations to hand over ing display on home court. after his team’s fourth game in their dossiers which have been Coming off their first loss in five nights. painstakingly put together and eight games, a 100-83 thrashing “This team (the Spurs) is as will be hoping the details meet by the Knicks in New York on good as any team in the NBA.” with the approval of the major- Thursday, San Antonio kept up Duncan was surprised to hear ity of the 100 plus IOC mem- the pressure on the pacesetting that Philadelphia had just ended a bers when they vote in eight Oklahoma City Thunder and Los marathon eight-game run on the months’ time. Angeles Clippers for top spot in road, finishing with a 2-6 record. With IOC members visits the West. “I didn’t know they had been a thing of the past, since the “Our guys played well tonight,” out on the road that long,” he said. reforms brought in following Duncan told reporters after his “That last game of that trip usu- the Salt Lake City bribes for 16-point tally lifted him into 24th ally you try to give it your all, but votes scandal, the dossier will place in the NBA’s all-time scor- you’re usually dead out there. I be carefully studied before ing list, above Adrian Dantley. can understand that.” the all-important visit of the With Danny Green and IOC Evaluation Commission, NBA Results Ginobili each making two early headed by IOC Vice-president three-pointers, the Spurs raced Craig Reedie, to the three cit- Boston 89 Atlanta 81 into a 31-21 lead after the open- ies for four day visits in March. NY Knicks 114 Orlando 10 6 ing quarter. Jarrett Jack (2) of the Golden State Warriors is defended by Lamar Odom (left) and Matt Barnes (22) of the Los The common perception has Angeles Clippers in the first half of their NBA basketball match at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, Indiana 95 Milwaukee 80 San Antonio continued to been that Istanbul has a fan- outshoot Philadelphia and with yesterday. tastic chance to become the Brooklyn 113 Sacramento 93 Duncan, Green and Ginobili all first country with a majority Houston 112 Cleveland 104 reaching double figures, they pad- driving layups as the Spurs forged roller-coaster form this season. as he’s looked in a while,” he said. Muslim population to host the Por tland 102 Minnesota 97 ded their advantage to 54-42 by ahead 81-63 and there was no way He’s had to slowly get back his Six San Antonio players got into Games and has made great New Orleans 99 Dallas 96 halftime. back from there for the Sixers. athleticism. His confidence is double figures on a night when the play on being situated on two Parker exploded in the third, “(Manu) was great to see,” always there because he’s such an home team outshot their oppo- continents. San Antonio 109 Philadelphia 86 scoring 11 points with a dazzling Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said experienced guy. But his body has nents by 48 percent to 42 from “The athletes will have the Denver 110 Utah 91 array of step-back jump shots and of Ginobili, who has produced caught up and he looks as good the field. REUTERS unique experience of sleeping on the European continent and competing on the Asian con- T-Wolves’ tinent,” their chief executive Al Gharafa battle past Al Arabi; Eljaish win Hasan Arat said. Now their emotive and effec- BY DANOTZKI SANTOS Love breaks tive message will have to be backed up by the facts in the DOHA: Al Gharafa outhus- dossier if they are to maintain tled and outscored an out of hand again momentum in what is the most sync Al Arabi, 87-79, in the competitive of the five bids the Qatar Basketball League at MINNEAPOLIS, city has put up. the Al Gharafa Indoor Arena, MINNESOTA: Minnesota Istanbul too is making great yesterday. Timberwolves forward Kevin play out of their relative upbeat Rasheim Wright and his team- Love has broken a bone in his economic situation exemplified mates got off to a hot start and right hand, the same hand that by a record breaking mark on zoomed to an early 8-0 lead. was broken during the NBA their stock exchange just before However, Al Arabi woke up in pre-season. the New Year which edged over time to fight back and get close An MRI exam yesterday the 78,000 points mark. at 22-17 at the end of the first showed a break in the third Turkey’s government is period. metacarpal. aiming to take the country Alvin Mofunanya drew first It was one of the two bones that into the top ten world econo- blood in the second period to he broke during the pre-season mies by GDP in time for the bring Al Arabi closer at 22-19 but in October, when Love said he republic’s 2023 centenary, and the blue shirts beat their coun- was hurt doing push-ups on his in 2012 Turkey’s credit rating terparts in the ensuing plays to knuckles as part of his training was upgraded to ‘Investment pull away 32-24 midway in the regime. Grade’. quarter. The most recent injury to “This news proves that our Coach Koussay Hatem’s wards his shooting hand apparently spectacular Games vision is were relentless on both ends and occurred during the third quarter founded on an economy that shot better from the field to stay of Thursday’s 101-97 victory over offers delivery security and the in command, leading 48-42 at the Nuggets in Denver. capacity to take the Olympic half-time. Minnestoa Timberwolves had Movement forward in partner- William Byrd went to work initially thought Love had just ship with the IOC,” said Arat. early in the third period to push suffered a sprain. Tokyo, who are the only his team to 54- 50. The Timberwolves said Love’s one of the three cities to have Omar Salem and Wright led an injury will be evaluated later this previously hosted the Games 8-2 assault to give Al Gharafa a week by New York hand specialist in 1964, have been seen as the double digit advantage at 62-52, Andy Weiland. main rivals to Istanbul and and then took control to post a Then they’ll know more about importantly received the full 73-57 lead before the start of the how long they’ll be without Love, backing of the newly-elected final quarter. Noubissie Steve ( in white) of Eljaish tries to score against Qatar Sports Club during his side’s Qatar Basketball who leads the team in scoring national government. Al Arabi could not get their League match at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. RIGHT: Noubissie Steve (in white) of Eljaish attempts to score a with 18.3 points per game and in “I was elected in Tokyo, so offense clicking at the onset last point against Qatar Sports Club. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT rebounding with 14 per game. this bid means very much to quarter and got buried deeper, Minnesota Timberwolves were me,” said Hakubun Shimomura, 81-63, as the game reached the their eighth win of the season at The next round of games will be who are coming off an inspiring in action but lost their match the new Minister of Education, homestretch and were unable to the expense of Qatar Sports Club, played tomorrow with Al Rayyan upset win over Al Sadd, take on against Portland Trail Blazers Culture, Sports, Science and overcome the deficit. 69-48, in the first match played pitting wares versus Al Shamal in Al Ahli at 7:15 pm. 102-97 in their NBA basketball Technology, after meeting with Meanwhile, Eljaish picked up yesterday. the first game at 4:15. Al Wakrah, THE PENINSULA match yesterday. REUTERS members of the bid team. “I plan on attending the Candidature File submission press conference in Tokyo Al Attiyah at Dakar Rally 2013 (January 8) to reiterate the Six Nations to consider unequivocal support our newly formed national government will continue to provide the bid.” bonus points: Report Madrid too will travel in a confident frame of mind. LONDON: The northern hemi- not necessary. The report says Despite having had people sphere rugby championship the that foremost among the coun- question their ability to host Six Nations is to consider fall- tries wanting a full debate on the the Games, given the parlous ing into line with other tour- matter are England. state of Spain’s finances, they naments and introduce bonus The present points system sees have a ready answer as their points The Observer newspaper sides get two for a win and one for bid leader Alejandro Blanco reported yesterday. a draw while sides on the same said last year. According to the report a con- number of points are separated “Some host cities were in a sultation report has been drawn by points difference - that latter totally different economic situ- up for the six countries to discuss measure was only brought in after ation when they were awarded whether to bring in the bonus the sport turned professional. the Games to when they actu- points system which sees sides A member of the RFU said the ally delivered them,” he said. earn points for scoring four tries matter was discussed and that “To my mind, it’s not how or losing by a margin of seven sponsors were keen to have the you start that matters so points or less. bonus system introduced. much, but how you end. All the British Isles major “We have resisted the change “And the fact that Madrid club tournaments as well as the for the past 10 years, but there is already has about 80 percent European Cup and Challenge pressure to join the mainstream, of the necessary infrastruc- competitions award bonus points, not least from commercial part- tures in place -- including the but the Six Nations has consist- ners, because it would potentially airport, ring roads and under- Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah competes during Stage 2 of the Dakar Rally 2013 between Pisco and Pisco in Peru, ently refused to do so, declaring increase permutations in the table ground -- is a solid guarantee yesterday. Al Attiyah finished the opening stage on Saturday in fourth place. that the history and success of the at the end of the season,” he said, of stability. AFP tournament meant change was yesterday. AFP MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 India salvage some pride with win Hosts clinch third ODI in thrilling fashion in New Delhi; Pakistan bag series 2-1

NEW DELHI: With pride Scoreboard 145/7 in the 47th over. But a fine at stake, India bounced back 48th over by Ahmed turned the in style to win the inconse- INDIA PAKISTAN tide in favour of India. quential third and final One- G Gambhir c Umar Akmal b Mohd Irfan ...... 15 Nasir Jamshed lbw Ashwin ...... 34 Ahmed picked up Saeed Ajmal Day International (ODI) by 10 A M Rahane c K Akmal b Mohd Irfan ...... 4 Kamran Akmal lbw Kumar ...... 0 with his second delivery while runs in thrilling fashion at the V Kohli c Younis Khan b Junaid Khan ...... 7 Younis Khan b Kumar ...... 6 Junaid Khan was run out after Ferozeshah Kotla here yester- Yuvraj Singh b Mohd Hafeez ...... 23 Misbah-ul-Haq c Rahane b Ashwin ...... 39 a mix-up. day. However, Pakistan won the S K Raina lbw Saeed Ajmal ...... 31 Umar Akmal st Dhoni b Jadeja ...... 25 In the penultimate over, Hafeez series 2-1. M S Dhoni c Umar Akmal b Umar Gul ...... 36 Shoaib Malik lbw Sharma ...... 5 hit two consecutive fours off A stunning performance by the R Ashwin lbw Saeed Ajmal ...... 0 Mohammad Hafeez c Yuvraj Singh b Sharma21 Ishant to bring down the equa- bowlers backed by excellent field- R A Jadeja c U Akmal b Saeed Ajmal ...... 27 Umar Gul c Jadeja b Sharma ...... 11 tion to 12 from eight balls. Pakistan’s ing helped India defend a small B Kumar lbw Saeed Ajmal ...... 2 Saeed Ajmal c Dhoni b Shami Ahmed ...... 1 But Hafeez heaved the fifth Saeed Ajmal total of 167 as Pakistan were I Sharma c&b Saeed Ajmal ...... 5 Junaid Khan (run out-Raina) ...... 0 ball towards mid-wicket only to sets off on a bowled out for 157 with seven balls Shami Ahmed (not out) ...... 0 Mohammad Irfan (not out) ...... 0 find Yuvraj as India pulled off an celebratory to spare in biting cold conditions. Extras (LB-4, W-7, NB- PEN-5) ...... 17 Extras (LB-1, W-13, NB-1) ...... 15 unlikely win. run after tak- Ishant Sharma was the pick of Total (all out in 43.4 overs) ...... 167 Total (all out in 48.5 overs) ...... 157 Earlier, as temperatures ing the wicket the Indian bowlers bagging 3/36 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-29, 3-37, 4-63, Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-14, 3-61, 4-113, dipped to the season’s lowest in of Indian while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and 5-111, 6-111, 7-131, 8-141, 9-160, 10-167. 5-119, 6-125, 7-144, 8-145, 9-145, 10-157. the national capital, Indian bat- batsman spinner Ravichandran Ashwin Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 7-1-28-2; Junaid Bowling: B Kumar 10-2-31-2 (1w); Shami ting crumbled once again and the Suresh Raina. bagged two wickets each. Pacer Khan 9-1-17-1 (2w); Umar Gul 8-1-45-1 (1nb, Ahmed 9-4-23-1; I Sharma 9.5-0-36-3 (1nb, innings folded up in 43.4 overs Shami Ahmed had an impressive 2w); Mohammad Hafeez 10-0-44-1 (2w); 1w); R Ashwin 10-1-47-2 (3w); R A Jadeja 10- after skipper Mahendra Singh debut picking 1/23. Saeed Ajmal 9.4-1-24-5 (1w). 2-19-1. Dhoni opted to bat. Ahmed set the tone with a fine Saeed Ajmal, who finished first spell of 5-3-12-0 while Kumar with his career-best 5/24, suf- picked up the wickets of Kamran and Kolkata, was named Man-of Mohammad Hafeez (21) came focated the middle-order after Akmal (0) and Younis Khan (6) the-Series. out to bat at No.7 due to a fin- a fine opening spell by Pakistani from the other end. Pakistan crumbled in panic ger injury he picked up while pacers Junaid Khan (1/17) and Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul- and kept losing wickets at regu- attempting a return catch from Mohammed Irfan (2/28). For Haq was the top scorer with 39 lar intervals. The only meaning- Dhoni off his own bowling. Hafeez Ajmal it was his second fifer - while opening batsman Nasir ful partnership they had was the held up one end but wickets kept the first (5/43) coming against Jamshed made 34. Jamshed, who 52-run stand between Misbah and falling at the other. England in Abu Dhabi last year. scored two centuries in Chennai Umar Akmal (25). Pakistan were well placed at IANS Garcia, Kaymer to compete at Commercial Bank Qatar Masters DOHA: In-form Ryder Cup the Asian Tour’s mood after “I’m keen to get my 2013 season heroes Sergio Garcia and Iskandar Johor Past Champions winning last off to a good start so I’m excited Martin Kaymer will both return Open in Malaysia 2012 Paul Lawrie month’s lucra- about competing again at the to Doha Golf Club to compete in last month with a 2011 Thomas Bjorn tive Nedbank Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. this month’s $2.5m Commercial closing 61. Golf Challenge I feel like I’ve played better each 2010 Robert Karlsson Bank Qatar Masters, which will “I’ve always on the Sunshine time I’ve competed there,” said be held from January 23 to 26. enjoyed playing 2009 Alvaro Quiros Tour, holding Kaymer, who is looking to add The two golfing giants, who the Commercial 2008 Adam Scott off the likes of to the three of his ten European have each won 10 European Tour Bank Qatar 2007 Retief Goosen South African Tour titles which were won in titles, are strong supporters of Masters, as I 2006 Henrik Stenson Major winners nearby Abu Dhabi. the event, where this year Ryder like the course Charl Schwartzel “I’m playing well again after a 2005 Ernie Els Cup teammate Paul Lawrie will at Doha Golf and Louis slow start to last season and it defend his crown over the 7,374- Club. I’ve played 2004 Joakim Haeggmann Oosthuizen, and was great to finish the year with a yard links-style layout designed well there most 2003 Darren Fichardt former World trophy in South Africa, especially by Peter Harradine. times and it will 2002 Adam Scott Number One Lee after all the excitement of The Garcia tied for fifth last year be nice to com- 2001 Tony Johnstone Westwood. Ryder Cup, which was amazing. I for his fourth top-10 finish in six pete there again It marked the may never experience a moment straight appearances at Doha Golf after a pretty 2000 Rolf Muntz German’s first like that again, making a winning Club, while Kaymer, the 2010 US exciting season,” 1999 Paul Lawrie victory of the putt for your team, and I’m still Sergio Garcia in action at last year’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at PGA Champion and a former said Garcia, who 1998 Andrew Coltart year and fol- proud I was able to come through the Doha Golf Club. World Number One, has com- first played in lowed an amaz- for my teammates, my Captain peted since 2008 and enjoyed a the tournament as a 19-year-old ing 10 European Tour wins in and our fans. That did a lot for are both in good form after vic- and Martin Kaymer, along with best finish of joint ninth last year. in 1999, the year he became The four seasons from 2008, including my confidence.” tories in December. I expect both our defending champion Paul Garcia, who turns 33 on Ryder Cup’s youngest player. four in 2010 that helped him win Hassan Al Nuaimi, President of them to be among the top con- Lawrie,” Stevens said. “We will Wednesday, will be among the “It was special for me to win The Race to Dubai and top the of the Qatar Golf Association, tenders at the 16th Commercial soon announce several more pre-tournament favourites at another title in the US last year Official World Golf Ranking for believes the return of both Garcia Bank Qatar Masters.” world-famous players, whose par- the long-standing European Tour and then win The Ryder Cup eight weeks in early 2011. and Kaymer will help ensure Andrew Stevens, Group Chief ticipation should make for a very event after showing excellent again, especially with José Maria Like Garcia, Kaymer is assured another top-class event for golf Executive Officer of Commercial exciting event.” form in recent months. Olaz>bal as Captain. It was a par- of a warm reception in Doha after fans in Doha. Bank of Qatar, said more top-class Paul Lawrie (1999, 2012) and After claiming his eighth US ticularly emotional event for all of sinking the crucial putt which “It is very exciting that Sergio players would be confirmed ahead Adam Scott (2002, 2008) are the PGA Tour title at the Wyndham us from Spain and I’m so glad José ensured The Ryder Cup was Garcia and Martin Kaymer will of the event, which is positioned only two-time winners of the Championship in August, could lift the trophy. We always retained by Europe, his pres- return to Doha Golf Club after at the heart of The European Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, the livewire Spaniard helped get tremendous support in Qatar sure-packed par putt on the 18th playing such a major role in Tour’s Middle East swing. while other champions include Europe retain The Ryder Cup in and I’m proud we’ll be returning securing a one hole victory over Europe’s outstanding Ryder Cup “We really appreciate the multiple Major winners Ernie Els September by beating Jim Furyk there as Ryder Cup winners.” Steve Stricker in the singles and victory,” Al Nuaimi said. “They are strong support from European (2005) and Retief Goosen (2007). in Sunday’s singles, then won Kaymer, 28, is also in confident sealing the ‘Miracle at Medinah’. two of the world’s top players and Tour stars like Sergio Garcia THE PENINSULA

ExxonMobil continues Matching Donation Programme Arabian Drag Racing League begins on January 9

Exxon Mobil Corporation Senior Vice President, Andrew P Swiger (second left) and ExxonMobil Qatar President Fahad Mohamed Behzad (centre), CEO of Qatar Racing Club, addressing a press conference, ahead of the and General Manager Bart Cahir (fourth right) present a cheque for QR 500,000 to Dr Hassan Mohammad Arabian Drag Racing League, in Doha recently. Also seen is Abdulrahman Al Kharji (right), Head of Media at Al Ansari (third right), General Secretary of the Qatar Paralympic Committee. Qatar Tennis Federation presi- Qatar Racing Club. The first round of the Arabian Drag Racing League begins from January 9 at Qatar Racing dent, Nasser Al Khelaifi was also present. Since 2010, ExxonMobil has donated a total of QR2m to the Qatar Club. The Arabian Drag Racing League features intense competition in 11 diverse classes including Pro Extreme Paralympic Committee as a result of its successful annual matching programme run during the Qatar ExxonMobil Motorcycle, Extreme 10.5, Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme - the quickest and fastest bikes and passenger cars. Open. Contributions support the Qatar Paralympic Committee’s objectives of enabling individuals with dis- The fourth and last round of the four-leg series concluded on February 6. The second and third rounds of the abilities to participate in sporting activities. competition will be held on January 16 and 23. MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Murray battles to Brisbane win Brisbane International: Olympic champion dedicates his victory to ‘a sick friend’

BRISBANE: An emotional and replied: “Just a sick friend.” broke back straight away and won Andy Murray fought back tears Murray’s secrecy mirrored his three games in a row to win the and dedicated his victory to comments after his matches at match. “a sick friend” after defeating Wimbledon and the US Open last “So long as it’s not affecting Grigor Dimitrov in a gripping year when he pointed both index me for long periods or when I go Brisbane International final fingers to the sky after all of his behind and I’m not finding ways yesterday. matches. back into matches, that’s when Defending champion Murray He made the same gesture you get worried. prevailed 7-6, 6-4 after weather- after beating Dimitrov in his final “Sometimes you’re maybe look- ing a storm from his 21-year-old tournament before the Australian ing to play perfect tennis all the Bulgarian opponent in the open- Open, but was earlier in an agi- time. That’s never going to hap- ing set. tated mood when the Bulgarian pen. It’s something you need to Andy Murray The US Open champion played raced to a 5-2 first-set lead. accept.” of Britain holds a flawless tiebreaker to win it 7-0 The 25-year-old Scot said his Dimitrov pushed Murray to the trophy aloft and a clinical second set allowed typically negative body language the limit with an array of blaz- after defeating him to recover a service break was due to unrealistic expecta- ing groundstrokes and looms Grigor Dimitrov of and complete ideal preparations tions of perfection. as a dangerous presence in the Bulgaria in the final for the Australian Open, which “I think it depends how much Australian Open draw. of the Brisbane begins at Melbourne Park on Jan. it affects you in terms of dura- He denied fearing any of the International tennis 14. tion of time,” he said of his top three players in the world: “I’d like to dedicate this victory self-admonishment. Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer tournament to one of my best friends back “I mean, if it’s one point, and or Murray. home,” Murray said in his speech you get annoyed for 15 seconds “Fear?” he said. “Why fear? at the presentation. \“You’re afterwards, and you can get back Why do I have to feel intimi- going to be okay. You’re going to to playing the next point with dated? I want to play them. I want get through.” good intensity, then it’s fine. to play them all. When Murray signed a tel- “When I was younger, it used to “There’s nothing better than evision lens after the match, he last quite a long time and it would to play against these guys and do wrote “For You .....”, the third take me a while to get back into it. the best you can against them. word being indecipherable. “Today, I started the match off Eventually, long-term, if you want He was asked about the dedica- badly and came back into it. I had to be good you’re going to play tion in his post-match conference lost serve in the second set and them almost every week.” AFP Tipsarevic ends Kvitova out, Wozniacki through in Sydney Chennai Open SYDNEY: World number eight Sydney ATP/WTA Meanwhile, Serbian duo Novak title drought Petra Kvitova’s Australian Open Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic suf- preparations were dealt another International results fered another painful dose of blow yesterday when she was Round 1 Hopman Cup heartache when CHENNAI, India: World trounced in straight sets at they were edged out by Spain in number nine Janko Tipsarevic Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) bt Petra Kvitova the Sydney International by the final which finished yesterday. won the ATP Chennai Open (CZE x5) 6-1, 6-1 Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova. Playing together in the mixed with a masterful fightback to Fifth-seed Czech Kvitova, the Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x7) bt Urszula teams tournament for the third defeat young Spaniard Roberto 2011 Wimbledon champion, con- Radwanska (POL) 6-1, 6-2 time, the pair went into the final Bautista Agut in the final tinued her form slump in Sydney, Maria Kirilenko (RUS) bt Olivia Rogowska as the favourites, but the Spanish yesterday. losing 6-1, 6-1 to Cibulkova in lit- (AUS) 7-5, 6-2 duo of Anabel Medina Garrigues The second-seeded Serb came tle more than an hour. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) bt Varvara and Fernando Verdasco claimed back strongly after losing the first It follows her upset second- Lepchenko (USA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 the title by winning the deciding set to beat the 80th-ranked Agut round exit from this month’s mixed doubles. 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 in an hour and 49 Brisbane International, falling Hobart WTA In New Delhi, India’s tennis minutes at the Nungambakkam 6-4, 7-5 to Russia’s Anastasia International results authorities have agreed to accept tennis stadium. Pavlyuchenkova, and her with- most of the demands made by its Tipsarevic conceded just Round 1 drawal from November’s WTA regular Davis Cup players who four games in the last two sets Olga Govortsova (BLR) bt Carla Suarez Championships in Istanbul due had threatened to boycott next to end the giant-killing run by Navarro (ESP x5) 6-2, 6-1 to illness. month’s home tie against South the 24-year-old Spaniard, who Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki Sloane Stephens (USA x8) bt Laura Robson Korea. Eight top players, exclud- defeated top-seed Tomas Berdych had more luck, downing Urszula (GBR) 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) ing Leander Paes, submitted a list in the quarter-finals. Radwanska 6-1, 6-2 in a powerful of requirements to the All India Tipsarevic won the Chennai return to form that saw her take was starting to heat up,” said the Tennis Association (AITA) with a title for the first time after the first set in just 26 minutes. former world number one. veiled threat to snub the regional five unsuccessful attempts, Russia’s Maria Kirilenko “I’m just happy to get the first first round tie in New Delhi from including a loss to big-serving also posted a win, overcom- win of the season under my belt February 1-3 if no action was Canadian Milos Raonic in last ing Australian wild card Olivia and just move on.” taken. year’s final. Rogowska 7-5, 6-2 to progress to Wozniacki said she was hopeful Yesterday AITA agreed to Tipsarevic earned $69,500 and the second round. of regaining top ranking despite their demands for a new coach, a 250 ranking points for the morale- Seventh seed Wozniacki was an inconsistent 2012 in which she higher share of prize money and boosting win ahead of the season’s ousted at Brisbane after an epic exited Wimbledon and the US the players’ involvement in the first Grand Slam, the Australian first-round battle with Kazakh Open in the first round. choice of venues for ties. Open, which begins in Melbourne qualifier Ksenia Pervak, losing “Within myself, I believe I can In a letter addressed to the on January 14. valuable practice time for the get back there,” she said. “But it’s players, which was also made Agut took home $36,650 and Australian Open. a lot of hard work and there are available to the media, AITA said 150 points after making his first- The Dane said she was relieved a lot of great players so you never it has asked the government to ever tour final. to notch a win ahead of the sea- know what’s going to happen,” appoint a qualified doctor and a “I am extremely proud of finally son’s first Grand Slam, which she added. “The most important fulltime physiotherapist for the winning in Chennai,” Tipsarevic begins in Melbourne Monday thing is that you’re healthy and players. The governing body, said. week. I’m going to play as best I can and however, rejected a request to “I just love this place and was Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark returns the ball to Urszula Radwanska “It was quite hot out there, win as many tournaments as I can change the captain and decided to desperate to win. It also gives me of Poland during their first round of the International Sydney Tennis especially towards the end of the and the ranking will come if you retain SP Misra to lead the team. just the start I need for the sea- Tournament in Sydney, Australia, yesterday. second set you could really feel it play well.” AGENCIES son.” AFP Hussey left out of ODI squad Sehwag dropped from SYDNEY: Captain Michael “Michael has been a tremen- the shorter form of the game, Big Bash tournament, was furi- ODIs against England Clarke was rested and senior dous ODI player for Australia over along with Finch. ous that Samuels had pulled back batsman Mike Hussey omit- a long period of time, a match- “Phillip Hughes and Usman David Hussey when the batsman NEW DELHI: India’s cricket Rajkot (Jan 11), Kochi (Jan 15), ted from the Australian squad winner for his country, and his Khawaja are generally considered was turning for a second run. selectors yesterday dropped Ranchi (Jan 19), Mohali (Jan 23) named yesterday for the open- presence in coloured clothing will to be ‘red-ball’ cricketers, but And when it was Samuels’s turn opening batsman Virender and Dharamsala (Jan 27). ing two one-day internationals be sorely missed,” Inverarity said. their recent 50-over figures are to bat later in the game, Warne Sehwag from the 15-member Meanwhile, India struggling against Sri Lanka this month. But there will be at least one most impressive,” Inverarity said. confronted the West Indian with squad for the first three One- to cope with the new changes in Selectors, as expected, decided Hussey in the squad, with younger Cricket Australia said former the words “F... you, Marlon.” Day Internationals (ODI) of rules for One-Day Internationals to give Clarke, David Warner and brother David keeping his place as Test batsman Dean Jones will be In the next over, Warne, in the five-match series against (ODI), International Cricket Matthew Wade a break from the a middle-order batsman. added to the coaching staff for the the field, threw the ball at the England starting on January 11. Council (ICC) chief executive early ODIs after they played The squad have four poten- first two ODIs as batting coach, Jamaican’s chest while Samuels The out-of-form Sehwag was officer (CEO) Dave Richardson in all six Test matches against tial debutants in batsmen Phil with Stuart Law deciding not to reacted by tossing his bat down replaced by Cheteshwar Pujara said it would take at least a year South Africa and Sri Lanka this Hughes, Aaron Finch and Usman pursue the full-time batting coach the pitch towards the Australian. -- who stands to make his debut for the teams to get accustomed Southern Hemisphere summer. Khawaja, and pace bowler Ben role and returning to his job as The two players squared up -- but surprisingly Rohit Sharma to the changes. Injured pair paceman James Cutting. Centre of Excellence high per- and had to be separated by the managed to retain his place in the India has failed to utilise the Pattinson (side strain) and Shane In Clarke’s absence, Australia’s formance coach. umpires. Warne, who was wear- team.Sehwag was also dropped two bouncers per over rule in the Watson (calf) were not considered Twenty20 skipper George Bailey Australia: George Bailey (capt), ing a microphone for on-field from the third and final ODI ongoing series against Pakistan, for selection for the opening two will lead the team, while veteran Ben Cutting, Xavier Doherty, comments to aid TV coverage, against Pakistan here yesterday. who have taken the rule change ODIs in Melbourne on January 11 Brad Haddin returns to take over Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Phil told commentators: “What are Two selectors, Vikram Rathour like fish to water. and Adelaide on January 13. the wicketkeeping duties from Hughes, David Hussey, Mitchell you meant to do when someone and Saba Karim, were seen hav- “It is far too early to pass judge- And there was no place for Wade. Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Glenn throws a bat at you?” ing a chat with Sehwag on the eve ment whether it will be successful 37-year-old Hussey, who has “Michael (Clarke) has been Maxwell, Clint McKay, Steve Samuels was later forced to of the match here on Saturday. or not,” Richardson told reporters announced that the current third battling a hamstring injury for a Smith, Mitchell Starc. retire hurt when he top-edged a The Sandip Patil-led selection here at the Ferozeshah Kotla. Test against Sri Lanka in Sydney few weeks,” Inverarity said. Meanwhile, Australian star Lasith Malinga delivery into his committee met here Sunday and The squad: Mahendra Singh will be his last in a 79-Test career. “Matthew Wade and Brad Shane Warne and West Indian eye. With blood gushing from his announced the team immediately Dhoni (C) (WK), Gautam Chief selector John Inverarity Haddin are considered to be international Marlon Samuels face, he needed hospital treat- after the ODI that India won in a Gambhir, Ajinkya Rahane, said Hussey, who had been plan- the two best keeper-batsmen in were involved in an ugly, foul- ment. The only consolation for thrilling fashion by 10 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, ning to retire from interna- Australia,” he said. mouthed clash yesterday when a Samuels was that his Renegades Pacers Shami Ahmed, who Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, tional cricket at the end of the “Brad remains in consideration Twenty20 match boiled over in team won by nine wickets in made a good debut here finishing Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Australian summer, was omitted and he will play while Matthew front of a record crowd. front of a record Australian with figures 1/23, and the impres- Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, for the whole series because the has a break.” Spin legend Warne, captaining domestic Twenty20 crowd at the sive Bhuvneshwar Kumar also Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, selectors were looking to build Inverarity said Hughes and the Melbourne Stars against city Melbourne Cricket Ground of found a place in the side. The five- Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashok toward the 2015 World Cup. Khawaja had earned a crack at rivals Renegades in the domestic 46,581. AGENCIES match ODI series will be played at Dinda and Shami Ahmed. IANS MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Ronaldo double rescues 10-man Real Mourinho’s side registers fighting win; Leaders Barcelona cruise past Espanyol 4-0

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo volleyed wide of an open goal after scored twice to earn 10-man La Liga Results Benzema’s shot came back off the Real Madrid a 4-3 win over Celta Vigo 3 Real Valladolid 1 post. Real Sociedad after goalkeeper Real Madrid 4 Real Sociedad 3 Sociedad’s lack of ambition let Antonio Adan was sent off in the Barcelona 4 Espanyol 0 Real back into the game after the sixth minute, but they remained break, Benzema winning a ball 16 points adrift of Barcelona in On Saturday in midfield and playing Ronaldo La Liga yesterday. Deportivo Coruna 1 Malaga 0 through to score their third in the The unbeaten leaders crushed Granada CF 1 Valencia 2 68th minute. city rivals Espanyol 4-0 at the The Portugal international Nou Camp, two goals from Pedro Levante 3 Athletic Bilbao 1 thumped a free kick in off the and one apiece by Lionel Messi Sevilla 1 Osasuna 0 underside of the bar two minutes and Xavi securing their 17th vic- later, his 16th goal of the cam- tory in 18 games this season. injured Pepe, Marcelo and Fabio paign. Although Prieto pulled For the second game in a row Coentrao. one back for the visitors with 14 Jose Mourinho courted contro- Real, with Ronaldo wearing minutes remaining, their chal- versy by dropping captain and the captain’s armband, quickly lenge faltered when defender goalkeeper Iker Casillas to the took the lead when Khedira fed Daniel Estrada was also sent off bench, but the Spain interna- Benzema in the area and the near the end. tional was soon in action at the France striker turned to score. Barca welcomed coach Tito Bernabeu after Adan was shown The game had barely settled Vilanova back to the dugout after a straight red card. down when Adan misplaced a a throat operation just over two Casillas was unable to save Xabi pass, raced out to correct his weeks ago, and he watched his Prieto’s ensuing spot-kick which error and brought down Carlos side destroy Espanyol in the open- cancelled out Karim Benzema’s Vela for a penalty. ing half hour at the Nou Camp. second-minute strike. Adan was sent off and Casillas Andres Iniesta crossed low for Although Prieto grabbed two was brought on to chants of “Iker, Xavi to sidefoot home the opener more for the Basque side, Sami Iker” from the home fans. after 10 minutes and Pedro netted Khedira and Real’s leading scorer Spain’s number one was sent his first from a Cesc Fabregas pull Ronaldo secured the points to end the wrong way from the spot by back in the 15th. a run of three games without a Xabi Prieto, however, and in a Pedro scampered away on to a win for Mourinho’s misfiring side. nervous few minutes he almost Sergio Busquets through ball in The champions moved on to 36 gave away a second with a poor the 27th and dinked his shot over points from 18 games, four behind pass out. Khedira put Real ahead Francisco Casilla for the third second-placed Atletico Madrid, in the 35th minute, cleverly and Fabregas went down for a who were play Real Mallorca. backheeling Ricardo Carvalho’s penalty two minutes later. The Bernabeu was buzzing with low shot past Claudio Bravo in World Player of the Year Lionel the news that Adan was in the a crowded area, but Sociedad Messi, who netted 91 goals for starting line up at the expense of levelled again before the break. club and country in 2012, scored fan favourite Casillas, behind a Prieto pounced on a deflected pass from the spot to rack up his 27th Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (centre) shoots during the Spanish League match against patched-up defence shorn of the in the 40th minute and slotted the in the league this season. Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, yesterday. suspended Sergio Ramos and the ball past Casillas, and Khedira REUTERS Heavyweights Gulf Cup: Qatar aim to bounce back

MANAMA: Qatar will be look- ing to win their next two matches kept apart in FA in the Gulf Cup with hopes of exhibiting a far better organised game than they showed in their loss against the UAE, said Qatar Football Association (QFA) chief Cup fourth round heree yesterday. UAE on Saturday beat Qatar LONDON: Manchester United, Fellow Conference National 3-1 in the opening match of the Manchester City, Arsenal and representatives Luton Town will Gulf Cup, the region’s top football holders Chelsea all avoided each definitely face a side from the event. other in yesterday’s FA Cup English top flight, however, hav- The QFA President, Sheikh fourth-round draw at Wembley, ing been drawn to face Norwich Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed but only Chelsea and City City after their upset win over Al Thani said: “We did not play are assured of a future in the Wolverhampton Wanderers. the way we wanted to but there’s competition. The ties will be played on the no need to be despondent about While several of their Premier weekend of January 26-27. the result. We will work on our League rivals floundered in In Paris, holders Lyon, cur- weaknesses and play better in the Saturday’s third-round ties, rently flying high in Ligue 1, were next matches which we can win.” Chelsea thrashed Southampton sensationally knocked out of the The QFA chief noted that the 5-1 and now face a trip to either French Cup yesterday in a pen- UAE played better than Qatar. fourth-tier Southend United or alty shoot-out with third division “Everyone knows that the first third-division Brentford. club Epinal. match is always a tricky propo- City, 3-0 victors over Watford, The round-of-64 match had sition at every event. It was the will face either Premier League ended 3-3 after extra-time, and same with us,” Sheikh Hamad said rivals Stoke City or Championship Epinal went on to spring the big- yesterday. side Crystal Palace. gest upset of the weekend when “Our rivals played better and Qatar’s national team players take part in a training session in Isa Town in Bahrain yesterday. United needed an injury-time they beat the seven-time French won,” he added. “We congratulate Robin van Persie equaliser to earn league champions 4-2 on penal- them on this result,” he said in a next match against Oman would will be playing to win the next a 2-2 draw at West Ham United, ties. Epinal coach Fabien Tissot, interview posted on QFA website. test the character of the Qatari two matches. We will be playing Gulf Cup Results with either Fulham or Blackpool a former French second divi- “We started well and that side. “It will be a tough match, to pick up the points for sure,” awaiting the winners of the replay sion journeyman, said the result showed that we had prepared for sure. Oman is a strong side. Sheikh Hamad said. Group A in round four. showed the “magic” of Cup foot- well. But I guess the pressure got However, I am hopeful that our The QFA chief said regretting Second-tier Brighton and Hove ball at its best. to the players at some stage of the side will come through. We must the absence of senior players due Kuwait 2 (Youssef Al Sulaiman 63, Bader Albion’s reward for eliminating “We pulled off an extraordinary match. win so that we don’t go out of the to injury was uncalled for. “Yes, Al Mutawa 82) Yemen 0 Newcastle United, meanwhile, is performance,” said Tissot. “It’s “Each game in the Gulf Cup event,” he said. sometimes there are injuries to a tie with either Swansea City the best victory in my career be is different and I know we will “If we want to qualify for the key players but we must adapt Group B or Arsenal, who drew 2-2 at the it as a player or coach. perform better in the next two next phase of the event, then with the available bunch of play- Liberty Stadium yesterday. “The lads let nothing go and matches and we will be playing we have to win the next two ers,” he said. “We need to pick Saudi Arabia 0 Iraq 2 (Salam Shakir 18, Liverpool, 2-1 victors against were rewarded for their efforts. for wins,” he said. two matches and pick up six ourselves up and fight again,” he Osama Hawsawi 72-og) non-league Mansfield Town At 2-0 up, I tried to calm every- The QFA president said the points,” the QFA chief said. “We said. QFA on Sunday, will visit third-tier one down but it was difficult.” Oldham Athletic, who reached Lyon coach Remi Garde called the semi-finals in 1994. the result “disappointing”. Fifth-division Macclesfield “It’s always a massive disap- Town, conquerors of pointment when you’re elimi- Messi targets record Championship leaders Cardiff nated by an inferior team. I’m City, could face Premier League disappointed for the players,” opposition in the fourth round Garde said. if Wigan Athletic come through “We knew Epinal were a team their replay against League One that could perform. You must give fourth Ballon d’Or Bournemouth. this team credit.” AGENCIES ZURICH: Record-breaking if Barcelona do not go on to take Marco Van Basten have also won English FA Cup Lionel Messi is poised to become La Liga title off Real or fail to win three accolades. LONDON: English FA Cup fourth round draw made yesterday (Premier League unless stated, the first player to win four suc- the Champions League. Barca coach Tito Vilanova has numerals denote division, ML denotes minor league) cessive Ballon d’Or awards today, “It’s nice to beat records but no doubt that Messi will be a sealing his status as the greatest the win for the team is what is deserving winner. Norwich City vs Luton Town (ML) player of his generation. important. My goals are to win “Leo’s great quality is that he Oldham Athletic (III) vs Liverpool The 25-year-old is the over- titles with the team, the Spanish plays as if he still a child,” said Macclesfield Town (ML) v sWigan Athletic/Bournemouth (III) whelming favourite to see off the league, Spanish Cup or Champions Vilanova. Derby County (II) vs Blackburn Rovers (II) challenge of Barcelona teammate League is more important than “He was always good as a Hull City (II)/Leyton Orient (III) vs Barnsley (II) Andres Iniesta and great Real any personal records.” youngster and you didn’t need to Middlesbrough (II) vs Aldershot Town (IV) Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo He remains just as modest be a coach to say that. It was a joy Millwall (II) vs Aston Villa for the prize. when it comes to today’s awards to see him play as a 15-year-old Leeds United (II)/Birmingham City (II) vs Tottenham Hotspur It will crown another land- in Zurich. and that continues now.” Brighton and Hove Albion (II) vs Swansea City/Arsenal mark year for the Argentine who “If Iniesta wins, it will be well- Portugal captain Ronaldo Crystal Palace (II)/Stoke City vs Manchester City is the top scorer in La Liga this deserved for all that he has done, admits he would love to win but it West Ham United/Manchester United vs Fulham/Blackpool (II) season with 25 goals having also for the way he plays. Again, it will would not be the end of the world Southend United (IV)/Brentford (III) vs Chelsea broken Gerd Mueller’s 40-year also be a prize for the dressing if the prize went elsewhere. record for the most goals in a room.” “If I win, perfect. If I don’t, Reading vs Sheffield United (III) Barcelona’s Lionel Messi cel- calendar year. Messi and former French star, never mind, life goes on. But obvi- Huddersfield Town (II) vs Leicester City (II) ebrates a goal against Espanyol He finished 2012 with an aston- UEFA president Michel Platini, ously I’d love to win. I’m not going Queens Park Rangers/West Bromwich Albion vs Sheffield Wednesday (II)/Milton Keynes Dons (III) during their Spanish First divi- ishing 91 goals in all competitions. are the only players to win three to lie or be hypocritical,” said the Bolton Wanderers (II)/Sunderland vs Cheltenham Town (IV)/Everton sion league match at Camp Nou But Messi has insisted that his straight Ballon d’Or awards while 27-year-old Real Madrid forward. * Fixtures to be played over the weekend of January 26/27 Stadium in Barcelona, yesterday. scoring records will mean nothing Dutch stars Johan Cruyff and AFP Monday 7 January 2013 25 Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5572 Sport Price: QR2

LATEST NEWS UPDATES IN TAMIL FILIPINO LANGUAGE DAILY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED FROM QATAR! Spurs defeat India salvage TAMIL TIMES WEEKLY NEWSPAPER Middle East Edition AVAILABLE Sixers 109-86 some pride AT ALL LEADING BOOK STORES / SUPERMARKETS at home with win Available every Wednesdays in all leading IN QATAR supermarkets and shops in Qatar & Bahrain Tel. : +974 44557622 / 44557623 FOR ADVERTISEMENTS CONTACT: Fax. : +974 44557759 DAR AL SHARQ TEL: 4455 7623 EMAIL: [email protected] Sport | 24 Sport | 25 email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 NHL, players Hussey ends Test career agree deal to end lockout NEW YORK: The National Hockey League and locked out players reached a tenta- tive agreement to end a bit- ter labour dispute yesterday with series whitewash and salvage a season that appeared to be slipping away. The deal was announced Australia beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in Sydney, win series 3-0 jointly by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL SYDNEY: Mike Hussey bowed Jackson Bird was named Man- Players Association (NHLPA) out of Test cricket with a win of the-Match with seven wickets Executive Director Donald when he guided Australia to and skipper Michael Clarke was Fehr after a marathon 16-hour a five-wicket victory over Sri picked as Man-of-the-Series. negotiation session that began Lanka yesterday, giving the “I couldn’t be happier. We won on Saturday at the league’s home side a clean sweep of the the series 3-0 and that was our Australia’s Manhattan headquarters and three-match series. goal against Sri Lanka,” Clarke Mitchell ended in the early hours of yes- Left-hander Hussey, playing said. Johnson terday morning. in his 79th and final Test after “I’ve said for a long time that (left) and NHL owners and the players announcing his international I don’t care who gets the wick- Peter Siddle must now ratify the new deal retirement, got his team over ets and I don’t care who gets the (right) carry but no details were given on a the line after the loss of five wick- runs, so I’m very happy.” team-mate start date to the new season ets on a tense fourth day at the Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Mike Hussey or the number of games to be Sydney Cricket Ground. Jayawardene had his best match on their played. The 37-year-old provided the of the series with scores of 72 and shoulders off “Don Fehr and I are here to steadying hand as Australia made 60 but rued his side’s failure to put the Sydney tell you that we have reached hard work of running down 141 the Australians under pressure. Cricket an agreement on the frame- runs for victory on a turning “We had game plans, we did Ground, at work of a new Collective pitch. take wickets throughout the Bargaining Agreement, the the end of his At the close Hussey was series but we leaked runs while details of which need to be put last cricket unbeaten on 27, while Mitchell we did it. That’s where we failed to paper,” Bettman told report- Johnson hit the winning run to to put them under pressure,” he Test match, ers. “We have to dot a lot of I’s end on one not out. said. yesterday. and cross a lot of T’s. There is “I was telling Mitch (Johnson) The umpires stunned the crowd Australia beat still a lot of work to be done, the over before, if it comes up when they absurdly took tea with Sri Lanka in but the basic framework has that you hit it then I’m more than just five runs left to decide the their third been agreed upon. happy to let us get this over and Test. cricket Test “We have to go through a done with,” Hussey said. The tourists were all out for match. ratification process and the “I was more than happy to be 278 in their second innings earlier Board of Governors has to out there when the winning run in the day as Dinesh Chandimal approve it from the League was hit. A dream come true. The prolonged the resistance, batting side and, obviously, the players important thing was making sure with the tail in a defiant unbeaten have to approve it as well,” he we won the Test match.” knock of 62 off 106 balls with 11 added saying details on the new Left-arm spinner Rangana fours. season could be made available Herath had earlier threatened Chandimal shared in a fight- later yesterday. to bowl the Sri Lankans to their ing 41-run last-wicket stand with out leg before wicket on review to Scoreboard With half of the 2012-13 first-ever Test victory in Australia Nuwan Pradeep off 74 balls to give Herath for 34 off 49 balls. regular season already lost, at the 13th attempt. He finished the tourists some vital extra runs Clarke used his feet and crease Sri Lanka (I innings): ...... 294 (3nb); Johnson 15-3-34-3 (1w); Siddle 17-4- the NHL had set a January 11 with three wickets for 47. and make things uncomfortable well against the wily Sri Lanka Australia (I innings): ...... 432/9 decl 42-1; Lyon 15-1-66-1; Hussey 1-0-6-0. deadline for a new deal and is Young Australian fast bowler for the Australian batsmen on a spinners as Australia’s score crept Sri Lanka (II innings): Australia (II innings): expected to stage a 48-to-50 turning pitch. along. D Karunaratne c Wade b Bird ...... 85 E Cowan lbw Herath ...... 36 game campaign. Herath was bowled by Bird for Herath and Tillakaratne T Dilshan c Hughes b Johnson ...... 5 D Warner c Jayawardene b Lakmal ...... 0 The lockout, began in mid- Highest Australian 10 and Suranga Lakmal swung Dilshan tied down the batsmen, M Jayawardene c Clarke b Siddle ...... 60 P Hughes lbw Herath ...... 34 September when the previous wildly and was cleaned up by although a big lbw shout from L Thirimanne c Bird b Johnson ...... 7 M Clarke c Thirimanne b Dilshan ...... 29 collective bargaining agree- Test batting Johnson for a duck. Herath was turned down on T Samaraweera c Hussey b Lyon ...... 0 M Hussey (not out) ...... 27 ment expired with both sides Johnson finished with three for review when Clarke was on 13. A Mathews (run out-Warner) ...... 16 M Wade b Herath ...... 9 at odds over how to split the averages 34 and Bird captured three for 76. But Dilshan got the skipper’s D Chandimal (not out) ...... 62 M Johnson (not out) ...... 1 NHL’s $3.3bn in revenue. Sri Lanka got an early reward prized wicket when he was caught D Prasad c Wade b Starc ...... 15 Extras (B-4, LB-1) ...... 5 With talks unraveling and Sir Donald Bradman (1928-48) 99.94 when the threatening David off bat and pad for 29, bringing R Herath b Bird ...... 10 Total (for 5 wkts) ...... 141 league on the verge of cance- Greg Chappell (1970-84) 53.86 Warner was out first ball. He was Hussey to the wicket in his final S Lakmal b Johnson...... 0 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-45, 3-104, 4-108, ling the entire season, the 113- Michael Clarke (2004-present) 52.54 caught in the slips by Jayawardene Test innings to a standing ovation. N Pradeep c Wade b Bird...... 9 5-132. day lockout ended with the help Ricky Ponting (1995-2012) 51.85 off paceman Lakmal’s first Ed Cowan was out lbw to Extras (B-1, LB-4, W-1, NB-3) ...... 9 Bowling: Dilshan 18-2-57-1; Lakmal 6-1-18- of a US federal mediator who Jack Ryder (1920-29) 51.62 delivery for a duck, with the Herath with 33 needed for victory. Total (all out) ...... 278 1; Herath 16.5-0-47-3; Pradeep 2-0-14-0. enticed the two parties back to Australians going to lunch on 13 Matthew Wade was bowled for the bargaining table for a final Mike Hussey (2005-12) 51.52 Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-132, 3-155, 4-158, Result: Australia won by 5 wickets. for one. nine, setting up a fairytale finish push to make a deal. Steve Waugh (1985-2004) 51.06 5-178, 6-178, 7-202, 8-235, 9-237, 10-278. Series: Australia won series 3-0. Phil Hughes hit four boundaries for Hussey to be there for the vic- Bowling: Starc 12-1-49-1; Bird 21.2-5-76-3 Man-of-the-Match: Jackson Bird (AUS). “On behalf of the FMCS, I Matthew Hayden (1994-2009) 50.73 but never looked set, and was next tory. AFP want to extend our congratula- tions to both parties for their important accomplishment,” said Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George H Cohen in a state- Liverpool through after controversial Suarez goal ment. “The negotiated agree- ment represents the successful culmination of a long and dif- LONDON: Luis Suarez sparked but the ball rebounded against his ficult road in which the parties a new handball storm by help- English FA Cup right hand and he stroked it into ultimately were able to reach ing Liverpool edge non-league Results an empty net to furious protests mutually acceptable solutions Mansfield Town 2-1 in the FA from the nearby defenders. to a wide variety of contentious Third Round Cup third round yesterday, Green finished on the turn subjects of bargaining. after Arsenal were held to a 2-2 Mansfield 1 Liverpool 2 from 12 yards with 11 minutes “Of course, the agreement draw by Swansea City. Swansea 2 Arsenal 2 to play, but Liverpool held on to will pave the way for the pro- Suarez came off the bench steer clear of a famous upset. fessional players to return to double Liverpool’s lead after minute at Field Mill, running Earlier, Danny Graham to the ice and for the own- Daniel Sturridge had opened the onto Jonjo Shelvey’s pass and poached an 87th-minute equaliser ers to resume their business scoring on his debut, but his goal beating Mansfield goalkeeper to earn Swansea a 2-2 draw with operations. prompted an angry reaction from Alan Marriott. Arsenal at the Liberty Stadium in “But the good news extends the fifth-tier hosts, who later Marriott denied Sturridge a a game that finished amid a rapid beyond the parties directly replied through Matt Green. second goal on two occasions exchange of goals. involved; fans throughout The Uruguay international, in the first half, but the Stags Arsenal fought back from North America will have the who famously used his hand could have drawn level in the behind to lead through a quick- opportunity to return to a to block a goal-bound shot in a 36th minute when Green’s rising fire pair of strikes from Lukas favorite pastime and thousands World Cup quarter-final with drive forced Brad Jones into a fly- Podolski and Kieran Gibbs in the of working men and women Ghana in 2010, appeared to stop ing save. last 10 minutes, only for Graham and small businesses will no the ball with his hand in the proc- Mansfield put Liverpool’s goal to pounce at the death to take the longer be deprived of their ess of scoring, but the officials let under sustained pressure early in tie to a replay. livelihoods.” the goal stand. the second half before the visitors Swansea had led through a With the tentative agree- Swansea City’s Michu celebrates after scoring against Arsenal during Liverpool will now face third- turned to Suarez, who doubled his 58th-minute effort by Michu, but ment in place, players play- their FA Cup third round match at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, tier Oldham Athletic for a place side’s lead in controversial cir- Swansea appeared to be heading ing in European leagues must South Wales, yesterday. The match finished 2-2, after Swansea striker in round five. cumstances in the 59th minute. out until Graham found the roof immediately join their NHL Danny Graham equalised in the 87th minute to earn a replay with Sturridge, a £12m ($19.6m, After squeezing between a pair of the net with three minutes to clubs for an abbreviated train- Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. 14.8m) signing from Chelsea, of challenges, the Uruguayan saw play at the Liberty Stadium in ing camp. REUTERS broke the deadlock in the seventh an initial shot saved by Marriott Swansea. REUTERS