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Monday 17 March 2014 16 Jumadal I 1435 - Volume 19 Number 5606 Price: QR2

Qatar to launch Belmadi $65bn worth named as projects Qatar coach

Business | 17 Sport | 28

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New Doha Zoo Yabrud falls to Thousands of Syrian army BEIRUT: Syrian forces backed by Hezbollah militants took full control of the town of Yabrud yesterday after driving illicit goods out rebels, helping President Bashar Al Assad secure the land route connecting the capi- tal Damascus with Aleppo and the Mediterranean coast. seized in raids The fall of the last rebel bastion near the Lebanese border could sever a vital insurgent supply line Five-day operation Shaheen ends from Lebanon. A military source said about DOHA: In a five-day-long and Operations Officer Aiham 1,400 rebels from the Free Syrian crackdown on fake and counter- Yasmeenia said the ‘Shaheen’ Army, Ahrar Al Sham and other feit products in Qatar, 147 people operation was the first of its kind factions had fled Yabrud in the were referred for investigation in the MENA region to check past two days. Another 1,000 and 51,000 electrical goods and counterfeit and illicit goods and militants from the Al Qaeda- a number of other substandard products. linked Nusra Front had held out products were confiscated. The campaign lasted approxi- on Saturday to fight government The operation, named mately five days and covered forces which had entered eastern “Shaheen”, is said to be the first of shops and warehouses across the districts of Yabroud. its kind in the MENA region and country. Following the raids, 147 See also page 7 was carried out by the Ministry people were referred to investigat- An artist’s impression of New Doha Zoo, which is slated to open to the public at the end of 2017. REUTERS of Interior in collaboration with ing authorities and 51,000 electric See also page 2 Interpol. items, including lights, electric The inspections were ordered welding ribbons and fuses, were by the Director General of Public seized. A large number of coun- Security, H E Staff Major General terfeit audio and video products Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, in and auto parts, expired food items, the wake of the Interpol Regional substandard building material, New facts emerge over missing plane Program to Counter Trafficking several computers, printers and in Illicit Goods and Intellectual mobile phones were also seized. KUALA LUMPUR: The person was also aware that the Aircraft Authorities have not yet dis- and ground staff involved with Property Crimes, held in Doha The confiscated items included in control of missing Malaysian Communications Addressing and closed whether the person who MH370 under a penal code that last week. 20,000 fake auto parts including Airlines flight MH370 issued Reporting System (Acars) had issued the last message to control- includes hijacking, sabotage and The meeting was attended tyres, brakes, balance devices their last communication to air been manually shut down. lers was Captain Zaharie Ahmad terrorism. Police had questioned by delegates from Saudi Arabia, and air filters, and 31,000 expired traffic control after the first set Investigations still do not Shah, 53, or co-pilot Fariq Abdul Zaharie’s friends and family, and Oman, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain food items with their expiry dates of aircraft communications was appear to know who was at the Hamid, 27, or an unknown third dismantled and reassembled at and some other Middle Eastern manipulated. Some 4,000 litres of disabled, Malaysian authorities helm and what their intentions person. It is also unclear if such headquarters a flight simulator countries. The operation was car- sterilization gel used in hospitals, have confirmed, adding further were when the aircraft disap- messages are recorded by air traf- Zaharie kept in his house on the ried out to implement papers pre- which had expired two years ago, weight to suspicion that the peared from civilian radar more fic control and are available for outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. sented in the conference. was also seized. plane was hijacked. than a week ago. expert analysis to determine who Police also searched Fariq’s The Arab and International Falah Al Dosari , a representa- The latest revelation suggests Experts on aircraft mainte- the voice belongs to. home, although it was unclear if Police Communication tive of the Ministry of Interior at that the person who delivered the nance have explained that the Malaysia Airlines could not anything was confiscated. Department, representing the Interpol and the criminal infor- “All right, good night” message to plane’s communications system be reached for comment and According to Malaysia Airlines, Ministry of Interior, the General mation officer at the organisation, Kuala Lumpur air traffic control- can only be disabled manually – Malaysia’s transport ministry the pilot and co-pilot did not ask to Authority of Customs, and the said that the campaign was car- lers just before the Boeing-777 a process that requires switching declined to comment. fly together, reducing the probabil- Consumer Protection Department ried out after meticulous planning. disappeared from their radar a number of cockpit controls in Malaysia’s police chief, Khalid ity of a co-ordinated plan between also took part in the campaign. Continued on page 4 at 1.22am and diverted from its sequence until a computer screen Bakar, has said authorities were the pilots to hijack the aircraft. Interpol MENA coordinator THE PENINSULA scheduled flightpath to Beijing necessitates a keyboard input. investigating all crew, passengers THE GUARDIAN

Woqod stops gas sale at stations

DOHA: Woqod has stopped after a number selling its lightweight Shafaf of cylinders LPG cylinders at its fuel were stolen from stations. their premises The move follows instructions last week. from the Civil Defence directorate An Indian in the wake of the explosion at a expatriate run- restaurant in a petrol station near ning a super- Landmark mall last month. market in the Notices have been put up Industrial Area at some Woqod fuel stations said 19 cylinders announcing the decision. that were for “On the instruction of Civil sale were stolen Defence, Shafaf is no longer sold in a single day. at this station. We apologise for He said some the inconvenience,” read the other super- announcement at a fuel station markets in the A notice at a Woqod fuel station announcing that sale in Doha. neighbouring of Shafaf gas cylinders has been stopped there. Woqod had earlier stopped areas had also refilling LPG cylinders and reported similar tanks at eateries in fuel stations. incidents the same day. about six days ago in the same All eateries at fuel stations have The cylinders were kept in manner. Some of the affected said been asked by the Civil Defence metal racks outside the shops. they had lodged complaints with authorities to replace LPG tanks They were stolen after chains and the police. and cylinders with electric stoves. locks securing them were broken. “We have stopped selling the Meanwhile, some supermar- The manager of a supermarket in cylinders because we have no kets said yesterday they had also Najma area said nine Shafaf cyl- place to keep them safely,” he said. stopped selling Shafaf cylinders, inders were stolen from his shop THE PENINSULA

Crimea votes to join Russia Iraq gets US missiles SIMFEROPOL: Crimeans voted overwhelm- BAGHDAD: The United States delivered nearly ingly Sunday to join former political master 100 Hellfire missiles, M4 rifles and hundreds of Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splin- thousands of rounds of ammunition to Iraq this tered ex-Soviet nation, the epicentre of the worst month, the US embassy in Baghdad said yesterday. East-West crisis since the Cold War. The delivery is part of US efforts to help Iraq Partial results with more than half the ballots combat Sunni militant groups, including the Islamic counted showed 95.5 percent of voters were in favour State of Iraq and the Levant, amid ongoing instabil- of leaving Ukraine. ity in Sunni Arab areas, particularly western Anbar International condemnation began pouring in province where militants have held an entire city from world capitals long before the polls had closed for more than two months. The embassy said the but on the streets of Crimean cities thousands of US had delivered more than 11 million rounds of people were celebrating the outcome. ammunition as well as thousands of machine guns AFP and rifles, along with thousands of flares. See also page 11 AFP MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

SCH department to hold workshop Demolition drive for New Doha Zoo soon on healthcare DOHA: The Accreditation QR118m contracts awarded for preparatory works; animals to stay in Rawdhet Al Faras Department at Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners at DOHA: Demolition of buildings for main construction and ensure Supreme Council of Health is and other facilities within the the protection and maintenance of organising a two-day workshop boundaries of the New Doha Zoo trees and natural environment on on Introducing a Framework site is expected to begin soon. site during excavation work. for CME/CPD, in associa- The animals will be shifted to a The second contract valued at tion with Partners Healthcare temporary facility in Rawdhet Al more than QR73m for the design International, an affiliate of Faras during construction of the and construction of temporary Harvard Medical School. new zoo that will be seven times housing facility for animals in The event from tomorrow tar- the size of the existing one. Rawdhet Al Faras was awarded to gets the top management and The Public Works Authority Medgulf Construction Company. decisionmakers in leading health- (Ashghal) has awarded two con- The one-year contract includes care organisations and academic tracts with a combined value of the design and implementation of institutions in the country. about QR118m for preparatory the temporary facility in Rawdhet It aims at providing orien- works. The New Doha Zoo is Al Faras where animals are housed tation and training at strate- planned to be opened to the public during construction of the new park gic level to stakeholders on the by the end of 2017. until they are able to return to the introduction of the Continuous The “enabling and demolition new zoo. The facility also includes Medical Education/ Continuous works contract” valued at more residences for caretakers and a vet- Professional Development frame- than QR45m was awarded to erinary clinic. work for healthcare professionals. Aswan Trading and Contracting Last November, Ashghal An artist’s impression of the new zoo that will be seven times the size of the existing one. The workshop will also focus Company. launched the final concept master on management processes. Site preparation works com- plan for the New Doha Zoo project plants from around the world in an animals to roam to the adjacent completed by American architects Perspectives of stakeholders were menced earlier this month and which will be a world class destina- environment set to mirror natural Aspire Park, an educational and and specialist zoo design consultants explored in a survey. the contract includes demolition tion, providing a unique zoological habitats of an African savannah, an conservation discovery centre and HHCP+PJA. Ashghal has appointed The workshop is in line with of buildings and facilities within experience for visitors. Asian jungle and a South American multiple entertainment and food KEO International Consultants to National Health Strategy goals the boundaries of the New Doha Spanning over 75 hectares, the rainforest. and beverage outlets work with HHCP+PJA as the design concerned with Framework for Zoo site. Works, estimated to take new zoo will boast a drive-through Facilities will include hotels, The master plan and concept and construction supervision con- CPD/CME programme accredi- 14 months, will prepare the site safari, displaying animals and a unique land bridge to allow the design of the New Doha Zoo were sultant. THE PENINSULA tation. The CME/CPD manda- tory participation policy will be implemented in January 2016. A series of orientation workshops is planned for healthcare prac- titioners to highlight the CME/ 63pc Qatar firms may create up to 10 jobs each in three months CPD framework. DOHA: The Qatar job market is expected will probably or definitely recruit in the Commerce (22 percent), administration claim to have made new recruitments in Indian embassy to to open up considerably in the next three coming three months. (21 percent), computer science (21 per- the past six months, with 43 percent hav- months, with seven out of 10 companies And in the next 12 months, 68 percent cent) and engineering (20 percent) are also ing taken new employees in the past three hold Open House expecting to create up to 10 new posi- of companies in Middle East and North popular. Qatar employers are keen to take months. Seven out of 10 employers in Qatar tions, according to the latest Bayt.com Africa (Mena) and 78 percent of Qatar- candidates with engineering qualifications (68 percent) have hired candidates in the DOHA: The Indian embassy will Middle East and North Africa Job Index based companies are expected to hire. (32 percent). last six months, with 52 percent having hold an Open House on March Survey by Bayt.com, the Middle East’s About 69 percent of firms looking to hire Good communication skills in Arabic and done so in the last three months. 28 to address any urgent con- top job site, and YouGov, a research and will create up to 10 jobs in three 3 months. English are a must for 56 percent of Mena In Mena, 41 percent of job-seekers con- sular and labour problems of consulting organisation. In Qatar, 63 percent of firms will hire up to employers. They are also highly desirable sider their country to be more attractive, Indians, an embassy statement Most will be with large or multinational 10 more people during the same period. The qualifications in Qatar, according to 63 career-wise than other countries. said yesterday. It will be held private companies, presenting opportu- majority of these jobs in Qatar will be for percent of respondents. The ability to be a In the GCC, six in 10 would prefer to from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. nities for new graduates and first-time junior executives (42 percent), coordinators team player is a top appeal for 54 percent stay in their country, while in North Africa Written information on issues/ employees in particular. (32 percent), and executives (26 percent). of Qatar employers. and the Levant, the majority would pre- cases proposed to be discussed may About 59 percent of companies in the A large number of Qatar firms are looking In terms of experience, Qatar employ- fer to look beyond their country to find be given from 5.30pm to 6pm for GCC, North Africa and Levant expect for receptionists (18 percent), secretaries ers are looking for candidates with a employment. meetings with officials from 6pm to hire new candidates, with the highest (15 percent) and engineers (14 percent). background in managerial (35 percent), Qatar residents are keen on local job to 6.30pm. Salient information expectancy in the GCC. Most recruitments The most desirable qualification to computer skills (27 percent), and engineer- prospects, with 66 percent saying the coun- would be sent to the media after will be made by private sector companies. have in Mena is business management, ing (31 percent) work. try is more attractive than other countries. the event. THE PENINSULA In Qatar, 70 percent of firms claim they according to 23 percent of respondents. Six out of 10 companies in the region THE PENINSULA CMUQ team wins computer contest DOHA: The Qatar University won a summer training pro- Twenty-eight teams from (QU) team, Invictus, won second gramme offered by DIC and QU, CMUQ and College of place in the Qatar Collegiate a cash prize provided by the North Atlantic participated and Programming Contest 2014 Student Activities Department addressed 10 programming prob- (QCPC) held last week. at QU. lems related to computer science. NB-Hard team from Carnegie The competition aimed at Over five hours, teams sent Mellon University Qatar (CMUQ) improving students’ knowledge of solutions with a source code using emerged winners, with QU team computer science and program- JAVA, C, or C++ programming CS-Men gaining third place. ming and promoting friendly languages to an automated man- The contest was organised by spirit of competition among them. agement system called PC-square. QU Computing Club for the first In the lead-up to the contest, Judges responded with instant time and held under the supervi- a website (www.qcpc2014.com) feedback to the teams who con- sion of the Computer Science and built by computer science student tinued to submit solutions until Engineering (CSE) Department Karim Fahmi was launched for they were accepted by the judges. in partnership with ictQatar registration, and a day of train- The winning team was the one Digital Incubation Centre (DIC). ing sessions held for participating that solved the most problems in The first three winning teams teams. the shortest time. CSE head Dr Sebti FouFou said: “This first event at QU and the col- lege demonstrated our commitment to raise stu- dents’ interest in computer science and engineering. From students’ enthusi- asm, we are encouraged to think of making it an annual event”. He said there are plans to organise a similar con- test at the regional level in which students from the GCC can participate. The QU junior CS stu- dent and head of QCPC organising committee said: “We made every effort to ensure the contest was a success. With DIC as part- ner, we aimed at enhanc- ing and enriching students’ experience in the comput- ing field.” QU contestant Hosam Abdelwahab said: “This was a unique experience for me. Problems were fair enough and related to my area of study as a compu- ter science student. I gave my best effort and we dealt with problems as required and got a favourable score from the judges.” CMUQ student Maher Hassan Khan also found problems to be fair and said: “Our team was ready and answered many of them correctly. I thank QU for organising the contest. Training sessions on the automated system, guide- lines, and technical arrange- ments were well-prepared.” THE PENINSULA

MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Deal signed to open Ooredoo Halal Hal Qatar festival Cancer Awareness Centre begins on Saturday Venue redesigned with enough space for activities

DOHA: The venue for the third for the traditional market, tra- There will be male and female edition of the Halal Hal Qatar ditional house, traditional neigh- Syrian sheep, Arab sheep and festival is almost ready for bourhood and Qatari house, said goats. Every participant is allowed the opening on Saturday, said Al Khulaifi There is also an area to enter three animals in the con- Mohammad Al Khulaifi, head of for children’s games for families test. Khamis Nasser Al Buhafra, the organising committee. to witness traditional folklore head of judging committee, said To be held from March 22 to 31 which reflects Qatari tradition, there are three committees for in the southern area of Katara, he added. each category of animals. Each the festival aims at reviving the Ahmad bin Nasser Al Kuwari, comprises five members who animal trade as an integral part Chairman of Events, said the are GCC citizens, including one of Qatari culture and heritage. festival comprises three main Qatari. The number of partici- It will bring to life rare insights activities — Al Mazayin, a beauty pants in the festival has increased Ooredoo and Qatar Cancer Society officials at the signing ceremony. into the sheep and goat indus- competition for goats and sheep, compared to last year, he said. try, allowing visitors to interact Al Mazad (public sale) selling Umran Al Kuwari, head of Al DOHA: Ooredoo yesterday population on critical information paying for life-saving treatments with shepherds and journey into livestock through auction, and Izab committee, said there will signed a partnership with Qatar such as how to detect and pre- such as chemo therapy. this essential aspect of Qatari Al Izab, barns each containing a be 30 enclosures with 15 to 20 Cancer Society to build and vent cancer, will aid people going Ooredoo is committed to build- tradition. different kind of livestock. animals each on display. He said support a state-of-the-art can- through treatment, and work as ing, equipping, staffing and main- The panel has made changes In Al Mazayin competition, there were 85 applicants but only cer awareness centre in Doha — a resource for support groups for taining the centre. It will invest in the design of the venue, tak- the top five winners will receive 30 were chosen, with priority The Ooredoo Cancer Awareness patients and their families.” QR10m to build the facility and ing into consideration the size of QR100,000, QR50,000, QR30,000, given to rare breeds of sheep and Centre. Sheikh Khalid said: “We are QR10m to operate it, including the area, and given enough space QR20,000 and QR10,000. goats. THE PENINSULA The agreement was signed by thrilled to be guiding and man- providing latest technology for Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al Thani, aging this project with Ooredoo. interactive education. CEO, Ooredoo, and Sheikh Dr “Cancer is the third main cause The company will provide Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani, Head of death in Qatar and the reason QR2m per year for five years to of the society, at a ceremony at behind about 12 percent of total support initiatives by the centre Ooredoo’s headquarters in West deaths in the country. The centre to help the community. Bay. will be an invaluable educational Ooredoo sponsors and sup- To support the opening of the resource for everyone, and part ports events and programmes to new facility, Ooredoo and the soci- of Qatar’s multi-tier approach to promote healthy living in Qatar, ety will work with the help of the reducing morbidity and mortality including building and operating Ministry of Social Affairs. rates of cancer.” Fahad Bin Jassim Kidney Centre The centre will be Ooredoo’s He outlined the need for the which supports kidney patients. biggest CSR project of 2014, sup- facility and its main goals, includ- Working towards Qatar porting the society not only in its ing educating the public on can- National Vision 2030, Ooredoo’s construction but also funding for cer and preventing, protecting main CSR goals are focused the facility for a further five years. and early detection. The facility on health, education and fit- The overall agreement is worth will include an education room ness, working with the commu- QR30m. for school students and the public, nity to enrich people’s lives and Sheikh Saud said: “We are support networks for diagnosed raise awareness. For details on proud to be able to support such patients and their families, and a Ooredoo’s sponsorship and CSR a vital project for Qatar. The cen- financial help system for Qataris initiatives, visit www.ooredoo.qa The festival venue in the southern area of Katara. tre will educate Qatar’s diverse and expats who have difficulty THE PENINSULA Qatar makes significant progress in social development: Report

DOHA: Qatar has registered significant progress in social development by reduc- ing unemployment, gender inequality, adult education, infant mortality rate and in other areas, according to the Fourth Report of Sustainable Development in Qatar released by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics, and the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It says Qatar achieved concrete progress in social development to reduce unemployment which did not cross one percent, the least worldwide. Qatar also achieved a high level of gender equal- ity and made available the healthcare plan with full coverage, leading to a slump in the under-five mortality rate from 10 per 1,000 in 2006 to seven per 1,000 in 2012, and in maternal mortality rate Interpol officials during one of the raids as part of Shaheen operation. during pregnancy. Life expectancy at birth rose by 5.1 years, an increase from 74.1 years in 2006 to 79.2 in 2012. Shaheen 2 and 3 likely on regional scale Qatar also made tangible progress in adult edu- cation as adult literacy rate rose from 89.5 percent Continued from page 1 touch with Interpol, for all that is new in 2006 to 96.7 in 2012, meaning illiteracy rate did Information on suspicious entities was and useful for the region in general and not exceed 3.3 percent of the adult population. The made available by Consumer Protection Qatar in particular... We may see in the development has been reflected on health and edu- Department and the General Authority of future ‘Shaheen 2’ and ‘Shaheen 3’ on a cation indicators. Qatar has attained an advanced Customs and transferred to the Arab and broader regional scale and in a more com- position in the human development guide. It was International Police Department - Qatar prehensive way through the exchange of ranked 36 among 187 countries in the human devel- (Interpol National Center - Qatar). information with neighbouring countries,” opment report 2013. Qatar has economically achieved “The Ministry of Interior is in constant said the official. THE PENINSULA significant progress. It is the world’s richest country in terms of GDP per capita. Qatar’s investments as per- centage of GDP outperform developed countries’ which are well-informed in the field. The report clarifies that inflation did not exceed 2 per- cent in 2012, after it was more than 11 in 2006 and now it is less than in developed coun- tries. The report also under- lines the strength of external economic situation in Qatar. The current account balance attained a surplus during 2006-2012 and its proportion of GDP passed 32 percent in 2012, leading to a positive impact on the macro-economic perform- ance and foreign exchange reserves. Qatar achieved huge progress towards the knowl- edge economy due to the increase of information tech- nology and communication which are one of the funda- mentals of the knowledge economy. The coverage rate for mobile phones exceeded 190 percent outnumbered developed countries (122 percent). The indicator of Internet use by population rose from almost 28 percent in 2006 to 49 in 2012. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 CMUQ to mark 10th Second Humanitarian Work year of achievements DOHA: Carnegie Mellon embraced Carnegie Mellon’s Partners Forum of RAF opens University Qatar (CMUQ) cel- interdisciplinary collaborative ebrates 10th anniversary of its approach to problem-solving, branch campus in Qatar this and enriched our entire univer- week. sity with new ideas, new ways of Celebrations will highlight key thinking, and an obvious passion achievements during the success- for learning.” ful decade and renew the univer- To date, almost 300 young men sity’s pledge to shape the country’s and women have graduated from future by nurturing the next gen- the university. However, Ilker eration of young leaders during an Baybars, Dean, CMUQ, said suc- official ceremony tomorrow. cess must be measured by more Key leadership from CMUQ than numbers. “We must not and Qatar Foundation (QF) will only educate and graduate stu- gather at the university’s cam- dents, we must also create the pus in Education City, alongside next generation of researchers, alumni, students, faculty and staff, entrepreneurs, leaders and prob- and international guests. CMUQ lem solvers.” The partnership joined Education City in 2004 and between QF and CMUQ continues The Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (six right), Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, (10th right), Vice-Chairman, began teaching 41 students in two to thrive. The university’s goals RAF Foundation, Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani (eighth right), Dr Abdullah Al Mahthur (fifth right), representative of UN Secretary-General for Humanitarian academic programmes. Today, it as a global higher education and Affairs and Consultant at the Emiri Diwan in Kuwait and other officials during the Second Partners of Humanitarian Work forum held by RAF Charity at offers five top programmes to 400 research institution align with the Torch Hotel yesterday. KAMMUTTY V P students from 42 countries in a vision and mission of QF. multi-cultural environment. Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, Subra Suresh, President, President, QF, said, “As the foun- DOHA: The Second Sheikh Khalid bin Thani A total of 150 delegates from 70 Consultant at the Emiri Diwan CMUQ, and other senior lead- dations for CMUQ were being laid Humanitarian Work Partners Al Thani, Vice-Chairman of countries are taking part, includ- in Kuwait, said, “Humanitarian ers from the Pittsburgh campus in Qatar more than a decade ago, Forum, organised by Sheikh the board of directors at RAF ing top officials from charity and work experience regarding the spoke about achievements at a we turned this dream into a real- Thani bin Abdullah for Foundation, said, “The level humanitarian work institutions situation in Syria confirmed press conference yesterday. ity, brick by brick. Through hard Humanitarian Services (RAF), reached in humanitarian activi- who are partners of RAF. with no doubts that humanitar- “This campus has created liv- work, dedication and the vision of began yesterday. ties by Qatar is achieved with Referring to humanitar- ian work cannot be done in iso- ing connections among faculty, H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, The four-day event is being held directives of the leadership. Qatar ian work in Syria, Dr Abdullah lation. Therefore partnership students, and graduates across Chairperson of QF, our partner- under the theme ‘The Excellence will remain in its position to sup- Al Mahthur, representative between humanitarian organisa- Carnegie Mellon’s global network, ship with CMUQ has yielded great of Performance and Sustainability port charity and humanitarian of UN Secretary-General for tions has become a strategy with sharing research projects, classes, results and grown from strength in Giving’ at the Torch Hotel. work.” Humanitarian Affairs and no option.” THE PENINSULA and outreach activities. to strength.” “Students and faculty have THE PENINSULA Etel Adnan’s works on display at Mathaf

DOHA: The largest solo exhibition by Highlighting the importance of the exhibi- environment in which we live. Lebanese-American visual artist, poet, tion, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa Al Thani said; “The 11 dimensions that constitute the body playwright and essayist Etel Adnan opened “Etel Adnan is one of the most important of the exhibition bear witness to the collec- yesterday at Mathaf: Arab Museum of figures of artistic and literary modernity in tion of concepts, materials, times, and rela- Modern Art. the Arab world. The exhibition offers a major tionships,” said Mathaf Director Abdellah ‘Etel Adnan In All Her Dimensions’ was opportunity to learn more on her oeuvre and Karroum. opened by Qatar Museum Authority (QMA) encounter it firsthand for the audience in A fully illustrated bilingual Arabic-English Vice-Chairman Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed Qatar and the world.” catalogue designed by Ala Younis was released Al Thani. Providing an extensive overview, the dis- by Mathaf and Skira publishing. It contains Similar to nature consisting of many dimen- play includes Adnan’s paintings, drawings, interviews by curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, FROM LEFT: Dr Mark Kamlet, Provost & Executive Vice-President, CMUQ, sions, Adnan’s artistic and literary oeuvre leporellos, tapestries, writings and films since writings by the artist, and essays by contribu- Dr Subra Suresh, President, CMUQ, Engineer Jassim Telefat, Group contains many aspects. Through the explora- 1960s and aims to provide the audience with a tors, providing insights into Adnan’s art, writ- Executive Director, QF Capital Projects and Facilities Management, and tion of her multidimensionality, the exhibition deeper understanding of her oeuvre. ings and thinking. Jamal Al Ammari, Talent and Resourcing Manager, Qatar Shell, at the press highlights the diversity in her work, showing “Adnan proposes art as a way to immerse Curated by Obrist, the expo is open for pub- connections in different fields in which she oneself in worlds of colour and imagina- lic viewing from tomorrow until July 6. conference yesterday. is active. tion, world of beauty captured from the THE PENINSULA MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Experts discuss challenges in humanitarian work DOHA: Several factors related children in a situation that they relations,” Al Kuwari added. to humanitarian work were are in humanitarian need.” The seminar discussed chal- discussed by experts yes- The seminar aimed at countries lenges in the humanitarian field, terday during a seminar on in the region and international especially with turbulences in the ‘Humanitarian work — rights, organisations and their commit- Middle East, criteria for identify- QU President Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad (centre), ExxonMobil Qatar President and General Manager Bart duties and responsibilities’ at ment to humanitarian work, a ing a ‘humanitarian crisis’ that Cahir (second left) and other officials at the press conference. Four Seasons Hotel in Doha. basic human right guaranteed requires immediate international The Public Liberties and by international laws to protect intervention, hurdles in the way Human Rights Department of human dignity and save victims . of partnership and cooperation Aljazeera Media Network organ- Dr Mohamad bin Saif Al agreements, intertwining rela- ised the event to coincide with Kuwari from National Committee tionship between humanitarian Firm to provide QR1m Arab Day for Human Rights. of Human Rights Qatar said, and military work, and rules gov- Representatives from several “Much concern about human erning relations between victims international and local organi- rights and freedom has been and humanitarian organisations, sations, including as Doctors raised because of issues and inter- especially in situations where aid Without Borders, International national and local legislations efforts are required for a long for road safety study Committee of the Red Cross, are developed to protect human time. Qatar Charity, Qatar Red rights, because human is the fun- How humanitarian organisa- DOHA: Qatar Road Safety staff and representatives from the at the heart of the welfare and Crescent and the Regional Office damental of any development. tions can maintain their com- Studies Centre at Qatar Traffic Department were present. safety of the people of Qatar”. of High Commission of Human “Human rights have become mitments to parties in a conflict University (QU) will receive Under the two-year partner- Brigadier Al Kharji thanked Rights took part. one issue affecting relations and satisfy victims’ needs by tes- a contribution of QR1m from ship, the centre will conduct QU for providing consultations Khaled Johar, acting Director between countries, people have tifying about serious crimes they ExxonMobil Qatar Inc to sup- research, including in-depth to the Traffic Department, and General Aljazeera Media become more aware about risks witness while performing their port efforts to raise road analysis of vehicle accidents, ExxonMobil for supporting Network, stressed the increasing during internal conflicts or wars, humanitarian duties and what safety and accident prevention safety assessment of school buses, programmes. need for humanitarian work. and at international level rights these organisations do to ensure awareness. pedestrian traffic studies, traffic He stressed the importance “The current situation in the issues have become a significant aid delivery were also discussed. In collaboration with the management and safety of Doha’s of studies and research and said world has left many women and factor governing international THE PENINSULA Ministry of Interior’s Traffic highways. traffic problems are a shared con- Department, ExxonMobil’s sup- Extensive research will also cern and organisations should port will help the centre conduct focus on predicting potentially assist in raising awareness. research and provide a long-term hazardous road conditions “The Traffic Department will vision for road safety in line with through to 2022. Based on the implement recommendations National Road Safety Strategy findings, the centre will run safety coming out of these studies,” he 2013-2022, which is overseen awareness campaigns throughout added. by National Traffic Safety the country to share information “We are pleased to partner with Committee. with the community. Its research- QU and the Traffic Department The announcement was made ers will be supported by senior on this important national ini- at a press conference yesterday students at QU to present find- tiative which aims to better pro- by QU President Prof Sheikha ings to the community. tect residents,” said Bart Cahir. Abdulla Al Misnad, Traffic Prof Al Misnad said: “Road “At ExxonMobil, safety is a core Department Director Brigadier safety is an area of critical value and we have a steadfast Mohammed Saad Al Kharji and importance in a country experi- commitment to ensure a culture ExxonMobil Qatar President and encing such rapid development of continuous safety excellence. General Manager Bart Cahir. as Qatar. It is incumbent on us QU and the Traffic Department QU leaders, the centre’s to collaborate with partners like share this value of ours, and this is FROM LEFT: Dr Mohamad bin Saif Al Kuwari from National Committee of Human Rights Qatar, Khaled Johar, acting Director Dr Khalifa Al Khalifa, ExxonMobil Qatar and the Traffic a great opportunity for us to work Director General, and Sami Al Haj, Manager, Public Liberties and Human Rights Department, at the symposium College of Engineering Dean Dr Department to find long-term together for the benefit of Qatar’s yesterday. ABDUL BASIT Rashid Alammari, faculty and solutions to the issue that stands people”. THE PENINSULA Third Police Rifle and Pistol Shooting Championship ends DOHA: The third Al Kaabi was honoured in the Police Rifle and presence of Ft. Lt. Waleed Ali, Pistol Shooting competitions and teams sec- Championship by tion officer of QPSF, and other Qatar Police Sports officials. Federation concluded Lt. Khalid Mubarak Al at Lekhwiya Shooting Kholaifi (Lekhwiya) with 156 ground recently. points won first place in pis- Ninety shooting tol championship for officers, officers from different Capt. Rashid Hamad Zabin Al departments of the Dousri (Lekhwiya) came sec- Interior Ministry and ond with 129 points and Ft. Lt. Lekhwiya participated. Abdul Rahman Muhammad Al Major Abdul Aziz Al Murri (Lekhwiya) third with Mohannadi, Assistant 129 points. Director of Police In pistol championship Training Institute and for other ranks, Corp. Ali Capt. Abdul Hakim Nabil Abbas Ali Al Emadi Muhammad Abdu, (Lekhwiya) won first place Secretary-General of with 151 points, W.O. Salim QPSF, awarded cups Jouhar Saeed (Lekhwiya) sec- and medals to winners. ond with 143 points and Naib Officers with winners at the event. Lekhwiya ground Muhammad Hassan Ibrahim field officer Lt. Faiz Al Tamimi (CID) third with 92.3 points and Ft. Lt. Zafir championships and other sport Muhammad Abdu and Ft. Lt. 130 points. Naser Al Hajeri third with 92 activities for the ministry’s Walid Ali Raees also expressed In the rifle championship for points. officers and said the third pis- thanks for the events. Ft. Lt. officers, Naib Fahad Rashid Maj. Abdul Aziz Ali Al tol and rifle championship was Walid thanked Qatar Shooting Juma Mubarak Al Khowaitir Mohannadi thanked the chair- an open opportunity to find and Archery Association for came first with 99 points, Capt. man of QPSF and coworkers promising talents in shooting. support. Majid Al Mansoori second with for support in organising the Capt. Abdul Hakim THE PENINSULA Renaissance sponsors ‘Dinner in the Sky’ zone DOHA: Since its open- that will incorporate ele- ing in October 2011, the ments of Qatar Brazil Year Renaissance Doha City of Culture 2014. At the Center Hotel has par- Ipanema tent you can dis- ticipated in the Qatar cover authentic Brazilian International Food food prepared by the Festival. This year, it is Ipanema culinary team. hosting and sponsoring The festival, in its fifth Qatar Tourism Authority’s year, will be co-organised (QTA) signature ‘Dinner by QTA and Qatar Airways in the Sky’ zone at the fes- at Museum of Islamic Art tival on March 20-23. Park over a weekend of ‘Dinner in the Sky’ is a gastronomic alfresco eat- dining experience with an ing, drinking and cook- edge for the thrill seeker. ing, as well as family fun Lifted into the air by cranes and entertainment. Main on a dining set platform, 22 themes running through guests will be seated and the festival are healthy have a breathtaking view food, traditional Qatari of the bay from a height of dishes and the celebration 40 meters as they sit and of Year of Culture 2014 with dine a three-course menu, original blends of Qatar and prepared by the hotel’s Brazilian cuisine. Executive Chef Christian The festival will reflect Jean. Safety harnesses will the five-star fine dining be provided for all and available in Qatar, which the platform will have a is fast gaining reputation central serving station to for some of the best gour- take orders up in the sky. met food and gastronomic Tickets will be available at delights in the region. Fifty the event. stalls of top restaurants will The hotel’s authentic be at the show and QTA Brazilian Churrascaria Awards will be given for (char-grill) restaurant – the Best Stall, Best Meal Ipanema — will participate and Best Food. in the Qatar- Brazil Zone THE PENINSULA MIDDLE EAST MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Syria army recaptures rebel bastion Yabrud Shia militia Hezbollah spearheads the operation

YABRUD, SYRIA: Syria’s and cutting off the roads and area, among them two children. army and Lebanon’s Hezbollah tightening the noose around Syrian state television said the seized full control of rebel bas- the remaining terrorist cells in army was targeting “groups of tion Yabrud yesterday, dealing Damascus province,” the military terrorists” fleeing Yabrud in the the opposition a strategic blow added, using the regime’s term for direction of Arsal. in the Qalamoun region along rebels. Dozens of wounded people also the Lebanese border. While scores of soldiers and streamed into Arsal, including A reporter entered the town fighters wearing different kinds around 20 struck in air strikes after the army declared it had of uniforms were seen in Yabrud, inside Lebanon and 30 brought captured the opposition strong- not one civilian could be spotted over from Syria, a medical source hold north of Damascus, in a anywhere. Graffiti in the colours in the region said. symbolic victory a day after the of the pro-revolt flag still adorned The fall of Yabrud comes after third anniversary of the outbreak the heavily damaged town’s walls, months of Syrian army operations of Syria’s conflict. while fighter jets were heard in the Qalamoun region. Late last Exhausted Syrian soldiers sat overhead. year, the army captured a string in the streets after seizing the The Syrian Observatory for of nearby towns before turning its town in fierce clashes with the Human Rights, a Britain-based sights on Yabrud. support of battle-hardened fight- group relying on a network The town was once home to ers from Lebanon’s Shia militant of contacts inside Syria, said some 30,000 people, including a group Hezbollah and pro-regime Hezbollah had led the operation Christian minority, and had been militiamen. and that fighting was ongoing on a rebel bastion since early in the “It was a very difficult battle, the outskirts of the town. Syrian uprising that began in possibly the most difficult we Five Hezbollah fighters were March 2011. Syria’s Defence Minister General Fahad Jassim Al Freij (centre) visiting Yabrud town, at the Damascus countryside, have faced,” a soldier who identi- killed yesterday in the area, said According to Abu Akram, a yesterday. fied himself as Abu Mohammed the group. Syrian army soldier in Yabrud, said in Yabrud’s central square The Observatory and sources the military now aims to take continuing army operations in Charles Lister, a visiting fellow at and rebel fighters are believed to between puffs from a water-pipe. across the border in Lebanon, over Flita and Rankus, two rebel the surrounding area, will sever the Brookings Doha Center. have rear bases in areas around Earlier, the army announced meanwhile, reported multiple air positions on the road to Lebanon. important supply lines for the The town’s seizure could also the town, which are regularly tar- it had “returned security and raids, including with explosive- Yabrud is a strategic prize rebels as they face army advances pile new pressure on Arsal, geted by Syrian warplanes. Arsal stability” to the town and its packed barrel bombs, on the area because of its proximity to the on different fronts. which is hosting at least 51,000 municipality official Ahmad Fliti surroundings. between Yabrud and the Lebanese highway and the Lebanese border, “It underlines yet again that Syrian refugees, many from the said the Syrian air force was stag- “This new success... is an town of Arsal. across which rebels have smug- the real momentum in the stra- Qalamoun region. ing continuous raids outside the important step towards securing The NGO said at least six peo- gled fighters and weapons. tegic zones of this conflict is Sunni Arsal is largely sympa- town yesterday. the border area with Lebanon, ple were killed in raids on the The capture of the town, and now with the government,” said thetic to the Sunni-led uprising, AFP

Spain deports Madrid train Suicide bomb kills 3 in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley bombing convict to Morocco BEIRUT: At least three members of Hezbollah who Manar television broadcast emergency response workers offshoot of Shia. Hezbollah MADRID: Spain yesterday deported a people were killed and six had approached the vehicle images from the site of the were on the scene. has been subjected to car Moroccan man after he completed a 10-year jail wounded when a suicide in the town of Nabi Osmane, blast showing the twisted Hezbollah is fighting bombings and rocket fire sentence for obtaining the explosives used in the car bomber struck a petrol a bastion of the Shia mili- metal of a burnt-out car. alongside Syrian govern- over the past year in the 2004 Madrid train bombings that killed 191 peo- station in Lebanon’s Bekaa tant group, which has been What appeared to be the ment forces against a Sunni Bekaa Valley and in the ple, the government said. Valley near the border with the target of attacks over its structure of the petrol station Muslim-led insurgency heavily residential areas of Spain’s National Court in 2007 sentenced Rafa Syria, a security source involvement in Syria’s civil and an adjacent building were seeking to topple President south Beirut where it main- Zouhier, 34, to ten years behind bars for collabo- said. war next door. heavily damaged. Bashar Al Assad, whose tains a strong presence and rating with the Islamist cell that carried out the He said two of the dead were Hezbollah-operated Al Civilians, soldiers and minority Alawite sect is an support base. REUTERS country’s deadliest terrorist attack. AFP MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Fall of Yabrud Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE capture of the rebel bastion of Yabrud by the Syrian forces yesterday is certain to change the course of the Syrian uprising. One by one, the Tregime forces have been capturing the rebel-held Egypt’s coup has plunged areas. If the rebels were able to make all their gains in the beginning of the uprising, which at one time was promising that even the capture of Damascus was considered imminent, it’s President Bashar Al Assad who has been laughing for the country into catastrophe many months. The opposition has been stopped in their tracks, and if a miracle doesn’t happen, the Syrian revolution will soon be inscribed as a failure in history books. BY YAHIA HAMED Undeterred, the government is now who supported the military coup are The army, with support from Lebanon’s Hezbollah, has proceeding with the fire sale of Egypt’s now themselves imprisoned, tortured seized full control of Yabrud. Experts called it both a strategic HE military coup in Egypt once largest retail company, Omar and silenced. The latest change in the and symbolic blow for the opposition in the Qalamoun region in July 2013 was predicated Effendi, and thousands of its workers dummy government means there is now along the Lebanese border. And it comes at a crucial time: on three deceptively simple have been protesting, too. The public no one left that has any link to the 25 a day after the third anniversary of the outbreak of Syria’s Targuments: Mohamed Mursi’s healthcare system has been virtually January revolution. year in office was a disaster; the peo- crippled by a doctors’ strike; they have Life support comes from the regional conflict. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a ple demanded his removal; the military now been joined by pharmacists, nurses autocratic dictatorships in Saudi Arabia Britain-based group relying on a network of contacts inside would do better. As a former minister and dentists. The regime’s response was and the UAE. Both were frightened Syria, said Hezbollah had led the operation and that fighting in the Mursi government I will not to announce a “spectacular” discovery that a successful democratic Egypt was ongoing on the outskirts of the town. claim that we made no mistakes. We by one of their generals of a “cure” with democratic Islamist parties would Yabrud’s fall is likely to worsen the problems for worked hard, and I believe our plans for for HIV/Aids, hepatitis C and cancer inspire demands among their own peo- opposition. It is a strategic prize because of its proximity to unshackling Egypt from its autocratic – a bizarre attempt to gain popularity ples. They are using every dirty trick past were sound, but we failed on many and distract attention from their own to support the counter revolution. The the highway and the Lebanese border, across which rebels fronts. Mursi believed he could appeal failures. latest decree by the Saudi regime label- have smuggled fighters and weapons. The capture of the to Egyptians’ patriotism to put the Energy is one area where the Sisi ling the Muslim Brotherhood a banned town, and continuing army operations in the surrounding country’s interests ahead of their own. regime should have done well, given terrorist organisation stems from their area, will sever important supply This didn’t work with vested interest massive support from some Gulf coun- frustration with the military’s failure to lines for the rebels as they face groups, particularly the army, secu- tries. Yet, queues for diesel have been halt the rise of revolutionary forces. The The Syrian army advances on different rity apparatus, growing as the country grapples with same decree is full of unprecedented old regime judici- a deficit in energy resources estimated draconian measures to criminalise and conflict is fronts. The town’s seizure could ary and corrupt at 30percent of the country’s energy punish any sort of dissent within Saudi also pile new pressure on Arsal, businessmen, all needs. Once an exporter of gas, Egypt Arabia – a clear sign of weakness and tilting heavily which is hosting at least 51,000 of who saw that is now seeking to import gas from fear that the revolution will spread to Syrian refugees, many from the There’s no doubt their privileges Israel. their soil. in favour of Qalamoun region. Sunni Arsal is would be eroded Many foreign companies have left the Meanwhile the world turns a blind in a new, demo- country since the coup. Inflation and eye. The EU and the US both took a considered largely sympathetic to Mohamed Mursi’s Bashar Al cratic Egypt. unemployment rates are at the high- clear stand against the now defunct the Sunni-led uprising, and rebel government made However, eight est for decades. Tourism levels have Ukrainian government over the deaths Assad. fighters are believed to have rear months after his dropped precipitously. The budget defi- of 80 protesters. Visa bans were imple- bases in areas around the town, mistakes, but overthrow it is cit is expected to reach 15% of GDP. In mented, assets frozen. But when it which are regularly targeted by now the country evident that all a blatant attempt to curry favour with comes to Egypt, Catherine Ashton Syrian warplanes. three premises Mubarak-era oligarchs, the government spends her holiday in Luxor, a few on which the signed into law an “investment edict” weeks after dozens of peaceful protest- The latest development also points to the seminal role is paying a heavy coup was predi- that precludes any oversight over priva- ers were killed. of Hezbollah in this conflict. That the Lebanese Shia group price for them. cated were false. tisation of public assets or transactions After the revolution, Mursi believed a spearheaded the operation proves their military acumen, Many Egyptians between the government and investors. reformist, gradualist approach was best. sophistication and expertise. Assad’s forces have been able to have been dem- The firesale of the country’s assets has It is now clear that there is a clique in make most of their gains after Hezbollah joined them on the onstrating peace- been protected by law. Egypt that would rather drive the coun- ground. And the feared Shia group is bringing its experience fully for the restoration of legitimate If only the country was maintaining try to catastrophe than allow democ- rule. Government employees have been some sense of social cohesion while it racy to flourish. in defeating the most-modern Israeli army. in open revolt for weeks over the gov- was being hurtled towards economic We paid a heavy price for our mistake. Hezbollah’s role is expected to further widen the existing ernment’s failure to fulfil its promise disaster, perhaps the Sisi regime could We have learned that only a revolution- divisions between the group and its Sunni rebels in Lebanon. for 6 million workers to have the mini- have claimed some victory. Instead, the ary approach – one that unites revolu- Its involvement in Syria has prompted bomb attacks by mum wage. Textile workers have been country is hurtling towards economic tionary forces from across the political extremist groups against areas in Lebanon sympathetic to on strike, and in Cairo, public trans- disaster under the most repressive spectrum – will succeed in rebuilding port came to a complete halt recently regime in the history of modern Egypt. our country. We are now more deter- the movement, killing mostly civilians. Also, the group and when 38,000 bus drivers went on strike. Murder, torture, arbitrary detentions, mined than ever to win Egypt back Lebanese security forces have said many of the car bombs In its disregard for the livelihood of and the confiscation of assets have all from those who would turn our country used in those attacks originated in Yabrud. ordinary Egyptians, Sisi’s regime arbi- become routine. More than 23,000 are into a wasteland, and finally realise the As days pass, the Syrian battleground is becoming a trarily halted the import of “toktoks” now illegally detained including hun- dreams of the 25 January revolution: graveyard for the opposition. Assad could be dreaming of the – the vehicle popular with low-income dreds of children and women; more social justice, dignity and freedom for days when his reign returns Egyptians. Thousands of toktok drivers than 4,000 have been killed while all Egyptians. . protested. peacefully protesting. Many of those THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Air India’s revival has not taken off the day IR India’s need for surgery staff-on-duty travel and number of has to turn profitable by 2018. With The problems with employees is obvious to its owner, landings allowed per pilot as well as more than 30,000 employees and are only one among a string of other the government, its the crew. Any violations should call for accumulated losses totalling more issues that the carrier is struggling to Amanagement, and, to an action, which the Air India manage- than Rs. 30,000 crore, there is no sort out. The world over, an aircraft The search area has extent, its employees. The recent ment has handed out. disputing the fact that the Maharaja makes money in the air and loses it been significantly sacking of 16 air hostesses and a flight Two years ago, the government needs to do some serious soul- when on the tarmac. purser for not following flight duty time announced a Rs. 30,000 crore cash- searching. Air India can survive if it is The unending glitches plaguing the expanded. We limitation (FDTL) norms seems like booster, infused over an eight-year run like an airline, not as a fiefdom. Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the aircraft another move in a game that will play period. This is not the first revival Air India’s employees and its myriad that the ailing national carrier is bet- are now looking out over the next couple of years as plan the airline has come up with and unions must be held to whatever ting big on to turn around its fortunes, the bleeding flag carrier tries to make the metrics for future cash infusions terms they eventually settle on. is giving sleepless nights to the flag at large tracts of itself fit to fly again. should be iron-clad, and, therefore, Nimble private airlines have eroded carrier. It is in everybody’s interest land, crossing 11 FDTL norms are guidelines gov- before the government started sign- the former monopoly’s market share, that a clear revival takes place, even countries, as well erning aspects such as the maxi- ing over shiploads of rupees it rightly which now stands at about 19%, if it is at the cost of some painful Hishammuddin Hussein mum daily flight duty period including asked for some guarantees. down from 50% in 2003 and the airline transition. as deep and remote flying hour limitations, rest period, The condition: The national carrier can ignore this only at its own peril. Hindustan Times Malaysia’s Acting oceans. Transport Minister MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Egyptian militants outwit army in Sinai

that they can make the armed Residents say the military campaign forces lose the support of the peo- ple in Sinai. There are some losses is fanning resentment in a population in the clashes that are caused by extremists.” that already felt neglected by the “BETWEEN TWO FIRES” Residents say the military central government. campaign is fanning resentment in a population that already felt neglected by the central govern- gypt’s army says it on a wide range of charges. The ment. The Bedouin population is crushing Islamist violence has left 300 people dead has long accused the Egyptian militants in the Sinai and hammered Egypt’s economy, authorities of neglecting the Sinai EPeninsula, but in the which has not recovered from the region, failing to provide basic region’s villages and towns a vic- political turmoil that began in services and jobs. tory for the state feels a long way early 2011 when a popular upris- Even residents who are opposed off. ing ousted Hosni Mubarak. to militants say they are scared to In a rare visit to eight villages The army and the government cooperate with the army, which in Northern Sinai last week, a say they are beating the militants. has appealed for tips to find the reporter saw widespread destruc- In an attempt to stop the illegal fighters. tion caused by army operations, flow of arms, Egyptian authori- Sheikh Hassan Khalaf, who but also found evidence that a few ties have destroyed thousands of heads the Sawarka tribe in Sinai, hundred militants are successfully tunnels that ran under the bor- said 35 Sinai residents who gave playing a cat-and-mouse game der between Egypt and the Gaza the army information on militants with the Arab world’s biggest army Strip, which borders North Sinai. had been shot dead in the past and are nowhere near defeat. It is Almost every night, Apache heli- File photo of a burnt-out army bus following a car bomb attack in North Sinai’s provincial capital Al Arish. three months. The army con- increasingly difficult for foreign copters fire rockets at suspected firmed the shooting, but not the correspondents to openly enter Islamist militant hideouts in the smugglers are bringing in weap- a senior militant who would be when military vehicles move numbers involved. conflict zones in the Sinai. houses and farms of the largely ons from Libya. Residents say the identified only by his initials, SA, around. Many people feel trapped Residents say the militants - a lawless peninsula, a 61,000 sq km number of fighters has decreased set out the way the groups’ tactics In an effort to evade the atten- between both sides. mix of Egyptian Islamists, foreign area wedged between the Suez in the past few months, partly have changed. tion of the military, many resi- “We are between two fires. If we fighters and disgruntled youth - Canal to the west and Israel and because many fighters have moved “At the start of the fighting we dents now hang several Egyptian report the terrorists to the army, have seized control of about a third Gaza to the east. towards the Nile Valley. used to hide in mountains but flags on their homes as a gesture the militants will kill us the next of the villages in the region and “We are doing an extremely “The army has entered a war, now we are present in the vil- of loyalty to the state. day,” said Subayha, a Bedouin. “If are now taking their fight closer good job but that does not mean but it is not specialised in this lages among residents, because Ahmed Abu Gerida, who lives we remain silent the army consid- to Cairo. we have completely ended terror- type of war, which requires spe- it is safer there,” he said. “When in Al Bars village, said militants ers us allies of the terrorists and “The army is in control of the ism,” army spokesman Ahmed Ali cial counter-insurgency forces, not we were in the mountains it was sometimes hide in civilians’ can start attacking our villages.” main roads but is unable to enter said. “It is a vicious war because an army,” said Mussab Abu Fajr, a easy for the army to strike us houses to avoid detection. “One The big fear is that the con- many villages. It can only attack the terrorists have light and heavy Bedouin leader in the Sinai’s main with helicopters. But as long as time soldiers entered one of these flict is spreading. Ansar Bayt Al them by helicopter,” said Mustafa weapons. The lives of the people city of Al Arish. we are with the people it is hard homes and found a storage place Maqdis, the best-known Sinai- Abu Salman, who lives near Al in Sinai are of great importance Major-General Samih Bishady, to reach us.” for explosives and blew up the based militant group, has claimed Bars village. for the armed forces and they are the head of security in North Sinai, SA said that he and his fellow house.” responsibility for several high- “Even when the army’s seen as the foundation for national said that the army has “killed fighters use simple home-made Air strikes, launched almost profile attacks in Cairo in recent armoured personnel vehicles enter security in that area.” and arrested many of the wanted bombs such as jam jars stuffed daily since Mursi’s fall, have ham- months. villages they fail to arrest mili- So far, though, local residents in Sinai.” He put the number of with dynamite. The devices are mered villages like Al Lafitaat, An army official in Cairo said tants who have better knowledge say the military is making little active militants remaining there hidden in olive trees or on the side where all 12 single-storey cement the Sinai militants had made a of the place, which the military progress. The army’s blunt tactic at just 80. At the same time, he of road, with desert sand covering houses have been destroyed or strategic move to shift operations completely lacks.” of rocketing suspected hideouts and other officials in Cairo agree detonation cords. heavily damaged over the past to other places in Egypt. If Army Many residents say that the is failing, they say, because the that many Islamist fighters have He said the militants wait few months. The residents have chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah authorities’ military operations militants have mastered the ter- moved to the Nile Delta, bring- on hilltops for military convoys fled, leaving behind a handful of Al Sisi becomes president, the are actually creating new enemies rain. They move around villages ing the conflict much closer to the to pass and then detonate their sheep. attacks are most probably going for the state. using alleyways where it is dif- capital and Egypt’s main popula- bombs by remote control, using Army spokesman Ali said: “We to increase, as in militants’ eyes, Sinai-based militants stepped ficult to spot them from the air, tion centres. cellphone identification cards. try by all ways to avoid having Egypt will be “officially run by a up attacks on police and sol- and mix with civilians or hide in The threat of roadside bombs innocent civilian casualties dur- military regime,” he said. diers last year, soon after Egypt’s olive groves. The effort to stop the CHANGE OF TACTICS has prompted the army to cut ing these clashes with the ter- “This will be the biggest chal- army toppled Islamist President flow of weapons is also a strug- Standing beside two olive trees mobile phone networks and the rorists. The terrorists use these lenge to Sisi’s rule.” Mohamed Mursi and tried him gle, they say, in large part because outside the village of Al Lafitaat, Internet during daylight hours tactics of targeting civilians so REUTERS Colombia peace talks raise new fears Why companies need CSR BY HELEN MURPHY BY DR MOHAMED KIRAT

or farmers like Angel Escue, orporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is now an industry in its own right. In the Colombia’s bid to end half a last few years the practice has proliferated across the globe. Big corporations hire century of war with Marxist consultancy firms to advise them on how to implement CSR and let the public Frebels may come at too high Cknow they are doing it. Most multinational companies also have a senior executive a price. charged with developing and coordinating CSR activities, and produce a CSR report every Stripping leaves from an illegal coca year to disclose their worldwide CSR commitments and support to community and philan- bush at his small plot in the mountains thropic projects related mainly to sports, health, the environment, education, heritage and of central Cauca department, Escue says the arts. In general, CSR is activity undertaken by corporations beyond profit-making, which a peace deal with the Revolutionary includes protecting the environment, caring for employees, stakeholders and shareholders, Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, being ethical in their operations, and contributing to the local community and sustainable could sink him deeper into poverty even development. Some of the main goals are promoting human rights, community involvement, if it ends almost daily firefights in the human resources management, transparency, workers rights, and health and safety. area. “We pray for an end to the violence, Corporate social responsibility is usually based on four pillars: Environment, sustainable but not at any cost,” 61-year-old Escue development, workers’ rights/human rights, and combating bribery and corruption. It is says as he hunches over the bright green widely defined as the way corporations integrate social, environmental and economic issues coca scrub in Toribio, a rebel stronghold and concerns in their values, culture and practices. CSR activities also include fostering that processes the leaves into cocaine. industrial relations, respect for diverse cultures and disadvantaged peoples, corporate phi- “They want us to switch to crops that lanthropy and employee volunteering. CSR is also concerned with customer satisfaction and won’t bring enough money to feed a fam- A local walks in a coca plantation close to Toribio in Colombia’s Cauca department. adherence to principles of fair competition, accountability, transparency and performance ily; we can’t do that.” reporting, and supplier relations for both domestic and international supply chains. Three months before the presidential “We only just make ends meet with Mexico and then to the United States. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan once said: “Our biggest challenge this century election, government envoys and FARC coca,” says Escue’s sister Teresa of the The FARC is believed to control is to take an idea that seems abstract — sustainable development — and turn it into reality commanders are working through the weed, which needs little water and can about 60 percent of cocaine output in for all the world’s peoples.” In other words, current and future generations’ needs cannot third item on a five-point peace agenda earn double what legal crops do for each Colombia, one of the world’s biggest be met without respect for natural systems and international standards that protect the — the illegal drugs industry, and how to of its three annual harvests. producers, netting the rebels as much core values of societies and the environment. CSR is gradually becoming a mainstream rid Colombia of coca. It also has a regular buyer in the as $1bn a year, the government says. activity. It started in the 1950s, and was referred to as social responsibility (SR), basically Negotiations to end the conflict that FARC, which sends rebels to farms such FARC leaders deny involvement in drug because modern corporations had not attained prominence in the business sector yet. In has killed more than 200,000 — mostly as Escue’s to purchase the leaves. trafficking but accept their role in coca 1953, Bowen wrote a book, Social Responsibilities of the Businessman, which is considered the civilians — since the 1960s is a campaign While most Colombians are desperate production. beginning of the modern period of literature on this subject. Since then, many people have battleground ahead of the first round of for peace, many are wary of how much While details of negotiations in defined CSR activities. Today, companies that take up CSR projects are viewed favourably voting on May 25. Santos is willing to offer the rebels for Havana remain secret, the government over those that don’t. In addition, when companies have a vision that goes beyond products President Juan Manuel Santos is them to put down their weapons. That has said it wants total eradication of the and profits, consumers are eager to engage with them as their image would be good. To be favoured to win a second term and con- may play against him in the election. coca crop. successful in the long term, companies need to think beyond what affects them today and tinue the peace talks that began in 2012. Zuluaga and Uribe — a one-time Santos has suggested he would help start focusing on what’s going to happen tomorrow. This isn’t just about addressing changes This is the first election held during Santos ally — are furious that FARC farmers substitute coca for coffee, fruits in technology or the needs of customers, but is also about taking into account changes in a peace process, so convincing farmers leaders could be handed light sentences and pepper and that peace would attract social, environmental and governance issues. like Escue and others that an end to the for their crimes, and perhaps even given fresh private sector investment, mean- Responsible businesses that care about the environment have managed to attract more conflict will also bring jobs is key. seats in Congress. ing new jobs. investors, reduced their risks and addressed stakeholder concerns. A company with CSR The scion of one of Colombia’s most Almost a third of voters still say they “It’s evident that the eradication or projects is seen as committed to it cause. For example, a company that uses sustainable powerful families, Santos says investors will not mark the ballot for any candi- substitution of coca will have a cost equipment for its products or donates financial aid to environmental causes would be show- are awaiting the talks’ outcome before date, pollster Gallup said recently. because the families that are in this ing true commitment to the environment. In this way, CSR helps companies build their pouring cash into the Andean nation. The war-torn region of Cauca remains activity should have an alternative. They image and manage their reputation. Social media are becoming an integral part of CSR. His biggest challenge comes from off limits for most Colombians. Violence can’t be put in a vulnerable position,” When corporations participate in social responsibility projects they appear all over the social right-wing contender Oscar Ivan can flare at any time, forcing villagers Finance Minister Mauricio Cardenas media and this helps create positive branding, and it is an ideal way to communicate with Zuluaga, an ally of conservative former to hide and dodge bullets and the rebels’ said. “But with the same logic we can the audience on a level other than their products or services. When a company engages President Alvaro Uribe who says he homemade cylinder bombs. say that there are resources that today in CSR activities, its relations with the government get strengthened and it has an easier would scrap the FARC talks. Two-thirds of Cauca’s 1.4 million we are using for war that we could redi- experience when dealing with politicians and government regulators. In other words, the Santos is seeking to compensate mil- people live on $3 a day and dirt roads rect to peace.” more positive the public perception when a company takes its social responsibility seriously, lions of people displaced by the war and to market are frequently washed away. In Cauca, military leaders say social the less it is likely that activist groups will launch public campaigns and demand govern- has returned land stolen by the FARC Subsistence farmers depend on growing change is key to lasting peace. ment inquiries against it. and right-wing paramilitaries. The coca to survive. “It’s logical and understandable that Employees are also attracted by CSR because it gives them pride and a sense of belong- measures helped bring the rebels to Many here sympathise with the they don’t believe in the peace proc- ing in the firm. Indeed, when employees feel they are working for a company that has a the negotiating table, although many of FARC, trade with it and have family in ess,” said Colonel German Lopez, com- conscience, they are more inspired and engaged in their jobs. This fosters team spirit, which those he has pledged to help are unlikely its ranks. They have little faith in the mander of the heavily guarded 14th leads to better productivity. All in all, CSR offers a set of values on which companies can to vote for him. government and are deeply sceptical mobile brigade stationed in Caloto. build a more cohesive society that can be a base for a shift to sustainability. Corporations Coca farmers worry they will be about peace talks and the election. “But they have to understand that the have to engage more and more in CSR to fulfil their responsibilities towards sustainable pushed into growing coffee, rubber or As an outlet to the Pacific, Cauca is world is changing and they have to cre- development, globalization, governance, communications, ethics, and the community. Failure cacao, which they say require additional used by the FARC and criminal groups ate a new culture away from coca and to have a company CSR strategy means losing a lot in terms of image and reputation. workers, costly fertilizers and generate as a corridor to smuggle cocaine and conflict.” (Kirat is a professor of public relations and mass communication at the College of Arts and less income. marijuana to Central America and REUTERS Sciences, Qatar University.) MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 MIDDLE EAST 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Egypt pledges decisive action after soldiers’ killing

CAIRO: Egypt’s interim gov- Sisi is expected to resign as ended early yesterday morning, The government has mostly Egypt’s interior minister, it said. poured troops and armour into ernment pledged “decisive” defence minister and army chief the cabinet decided to “deci- blamed Mursi’s Muslim The group has said the attacks the lawless Sinai to combat the action and ordered heightened and announce his candidacy this sively confront whoever attacks Brotherhood, which renounced in Egypt are in retaliation for a growing militancy, often target- security yesterday after gun- week, following the interim presi- citizens and civilian and govern- violence decades ago and has brutal government crackdown ing suspected gunmen with air men killed six soldiers at a dent’s approval of a law to organ- ment installations,” it said in a denied any involvement. on Mursi’s Islamist supporters, strikes. Cairo checkpoint, as the count- ise the poll. statement. The most prominent attacks, which Amnesty International says Analysts say the army cam- down began to presidential elec- His supporters see him as the It emphasised that attacks on including a car bombing at a has claimed some 1,400 lives. paign has led the jihadist mili- tions this spring. best suited leader to restore sta- the army would be dealt with by police headquarters in Cairo and Mursi won Egypt’s first-ever tants in Sinai, some inspired by The shooting on Saturday bility and law and order amid military courts, in accordance the downing of a military helicop- democratic presidential election, Al Qaeda, to adapt by staging less morning came two days after gun- persistent militant attacks with a constitution approved in ter in Sinai, have been claimed by following the 2011 uprising that frequent but more widespread men killed a soldier in Cairo, as and street protests by Mursi’s a referendum in January. Ansar Beit Al Maqdis (Partisans ended Hosni Mubarak’s three- attacks across the country. militants once based in the Sinai supporters. The government also ordered of Jerusalem), a Sinai-based decade rule. With the Brotherhood decapi- Peninsula widen attacks that In Saturday’s attack, masked heightened security measures to jihadist movement. But his year in power bitterly tated by the crackdown, some surged after the army overthrew gunmen opened fire on military counter what has become a low- The group said in a statement polarised Egyptians, and the mili- of its members might also have Islamist president Mohamed policemen as they were finishing level insurgency that has killed Friday that one of its founders, tary ousted him amid mass pro- decided to form militant cells to Mursi last July. their morning Muslim prayers more 200 soldiers and policemen Tawfiq Mohamed Fareej, died last tests demanding his overthrow. target policemen, they say. The government is preparing and then planted two bombs to since Mursi’s overthrow. week when a car accident set off Since his ouster and subse- Mursi, who is still in jail, faces for a presidential election this target first responders, the mili- Most of the attacks since have a bomb he was carrying. quent arrest, his supporters have three separate trials for involve- spring that will likely be con- tary said in a statement. been carried out in the Sinai, but Fareej led a 2011 cross-border staged weekly rallies that often ment in the killing of opposition tested and won by army chief The health ministry said six militants have expanded their attack in Israel that killed eight set off deadly clashes with secu- protesters and collusion with Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, the field soldiers were killed. reach to the Nile Delta and the people and was also involved in rity forces and Mursi opponents. militants to carry out attacks in marshal who overthrew Mursi. In an emergency meeting that capital in recent months. a failed attempt on the life of Meanwhile, the army has Egypt. AFP Egypt leftist tells army to stay out of politics Former candidate Khaled Ali refuses to contest

CAIRO: A leftist leader who take part in this drama,” he told damaged its vital tourism indus- ran in the 2012 presidential reporters. try and scared off investors. election yesterday urged Egypt’s The presidential election is Ali called for Sisi to leave the military to stay out of politics, seen as a milestone in a transi- army for a year so “the media, the criticising an expected leader- tional roadmap outlined by the press and the people can treat you ship bid by the army chief. military-installed authorities for as a human being, (who takes) Field Marshal Abdel Fattah Al a return to democratic rule after right and wrong actions, and can Sisi, who has emerged as the most Mursi’s ouster. criticise you”. popular political figure in Egypt Ali, a renowned labour lawyer His comments came just days after having ousted Islamist who ran against Mursi in 2012, after Ahmed Shafiq, the last president Mohamed Mursi, has also demanded an amendment of premier under toppled president made no secret of his intention a presidential election law which Hosni Mubarak, also criticised to stand in a presidential election makes all decisions by the elec- the military for its open backing scheduled for spring, although he toral committee final and not of Sisi’s candidacy. has yet to announce his candidacy subject to appeal. In January, the Supreme officially. “Today, we listen, obey and Council of the Armed Forces “We call on (army leaders) to salute the military,” he said, crit- announced its support for Sisi to stay away from politics and to icising the lack of opposition to stand for president, saying it was open the door for the democracy the law. the people’s will that “must be which the Egyptian people are Egypt’s interim presidency said heeded” by the army chief. hoping for,” leftist leader Khaled the decision to ban appeals was Leftist leader Hamdeen Ali said. taken, in part, to speed up the Sabbahi, who also ran against “I am not announcing my electoral process amid a rocky Morsi in 2012, is so far the only withdrawal (from the election), transition marred by protests declared candidate for the next I am announcing my refusal to and militant attacks that have presidential election. AFP Former presidential candidate Khaled Ali speaks during a press conference in Cairo yesterday.

Algerian PM Election rally Hamas cracks down visits scene of deadly on pro-Abbas demo GAZA CITY: Thirteen people (0400 GMT)” on Monday, Fathi fighting were arrested yesterday as Gaza al-Sheikh Khalil said. security forces broke up a dem- “We were expecting the deliv- ALGIERS: Algeria’s premier onstration backing Palestinian ery today (Sunday) of 500,000 yesterday visited a town on the president Mahmoud Abbas litres of fuel, but the delivery has edge of the Sahara where three ahead of key talks at the White been delayed, and only 100,000 people were killed in commu- House, organisers said. litres have been delivered,” he nal violence between Arabs and The rally was organised by said. Berbers. Abbas’s Fatah party which is “We should receive 500,000 Prime Minister Youcef Yousfi the dominant faction in the litres tomorrow.” was accompanied by Interior West Bank-based Palestinian A Palestinian official, speak- Minister Tayeb Belaiz on the visit Authority, but a minority in the ing on condition of anonymity, to Ghardaia, some 600km south of Gaza Strip which is ruled by the said: “Problems in transferring Algiers, where they met with local rival Islamist Hamas movement. funds between the Palestinian leaders, according to the national Fatah official Mohammed Authority in Ramallah and the news agency APS. Nahal said police attacked around Hamas government in Gaza are The Unesco world heritage 80 demonstrators as they were to blame” for the delay. site on the edge of the Sahara gathering in the square of the A spokesman for COGAT, the desert has since December Unknown Soldier in Gaza City. Israeli defence ministry unit been rocked by clashes between “The police and Hamas’s inter- responsible for crossings into the Chaamba community of nal security forces attacked them Gaza, confirmed that 100,000 Arab origin and the majority and dispersed the demonstration. litres of fuel were delivered on Mozabites, Berbers belonging They arrested 13 people and beat Sunday via the Kerem Shalom to the Ibadi Muslim sect. Police up others,” he said. crossing for the power station. have launched an investigation Supporters of AK Party wave party flags as Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses an Police spokesman Ayub Abu COGAT had earlier confirmed into the violence, an official said election rally in the Aegean port city of Izmir, yesterday. Turkey will hold municipal elections on March 30. Shaar confirmed the arrests, say- that the fuel deliveries were to yesterday, adding that calm has ing the protesters had no permit. resume yesterday. been restored in the town. “Police broke up a gathering On Thursday, the defence Late on Saturday three people of a group of people who were ministry shut down the Kerem were killed with “blunt objects,” demonstrating... because it was Shalom crossing into southern according to APS, while a local unauthorised,” he said. Gaza after militants there fired source said they were shot. It was US delivers missiles to Iraq Abbas will meet US President scores of rockets over the border, not immediately clear to which Barack Obama today to dis- although no one was injured. community they belonged. cuss the crisis in peace talks Israel hit back with air strikes, “Whatever the nature of BAGHDAD: The United States “It is essential that Iraqi secu- More than 250 people have with Israel ahead of a loom- which also caused no injuries, and the objects that caused death, delivered nearly 100 Hellfire rity forces are equipped with already been killed this month, ing April deadline. Obama met officials ordered the closure of the only an investigation can missiles, M4 rifles and hun- modern and effective weaponry according to a tally, and militants Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin terminal, halting all deliveries. determine the circumstances,” dreds of thousands of rounds of given the serious threat the have held control of Fallujah since Netanyahu earlier this month “Defence Minister Moshe a senior police official said, ammunition to Iraq this month, Islamic State of Iraq and the early January. as part of a Herculean effort to Yaalon... instructed to open the adding that autopsies would be the US embassy in Baghdad Levant now poses to Iraq and the Analysts and diplomats have convince both sides to agree to a Kerem Shalom crossing for the carried out. said Sunday. region,” it said. urged the Shia-led government framework proposal to extend the transition of gas into the Gaza Another 89 people were The delivery is part of US The embassy said the US had to reach out to the Sunni com- talks to the year’s end. Strip,” COGAT said earlier yes- wounded in the clashes, including efforts to help Iraq combat delivered more than 11 million munity, who allege they are mis- Meanwhile, Gaza’s sole power terday. “The amount coordinated 29 members of the security forces, Sunni militant groups, including rounds of ammunition as well as treated by the government and station will not resume opera- for today... is 500,000 litres of die- according to a hospital source. the Islamic State of Iraq and the thousands of machine guns and security forces. tions until today, despite Israel sel and gasoline for the private Two Mozabite doctors said Levant, amid ongoing instability rifles, along with thousands of But with elections looming on reopening a crossing to fuel deliv- sector, 160,000 tonnes of cooking more than 100 people had been in Sunni Arab areas, particularly flares, grenades and other weap- April 30, political leaders have eries, the deputy chief of the Gaza gas, and 200,000 litres of diesel for wounded but that many had western Anbar province where ons since mid-January. been loath to be seen to compro- energy authority said on Sunday. the operation of the power plant not gone to hospital for fear of militants have held an entire city “Additional deliveries are mise, and Prime Minister Nuri Officials had said Israel would in Gaza,” it said. arrest. for more than two months. scheduled in coming weeks,” it Al Maliki has taken a hard line, allow the resumption of diesel The power plant, which sup- Berbers represent around 30 “Earlier this month, the United said in the statement. focusing on security operations deliveries into Gaza yesterday, a plies some 30 percent of Gaza’s percent of the Algerian popula- States delivered nearly 100 Iraq is grappling with its worst and singling out Saudi Arabia day after the Palestinian terri- electricity needs, fell silent tion and have long considered Hellfire missiles together with prolonged period of violence since and Qatar, accusing the two Gulf tory’s power plant stopped work- for 50 days in the latter part themselves marginalised by the hundreds of thousands of rounds it emerged from a bloody sectar- states of backing militant groups ing because of a lack of fuel. of 2013 because of lack of fuel country’s Arab majority. of ammunition and M4 rifles,” the ian war that left tens of thou- and effectively waging war on “The central power station will but resumed operations in late AFP embassy said in a statement. sands dead in 2006-07. Iraq. AFP resume operations at 06:00 am December. AFP MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Crimeans vote on union with Russia Russian troops in Crimea double; Ukraine to recruit 20,000 in National Guard; Tatars stay away from referendum

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine: separatist “ringleaders” wanted downfall after protests in which Crimeans voted in a referen- to destroy Ukrainian independ- over 100 people were killed. “We dum yesterday on whether to ence “under the cover of Russian want to leave Ukraine because break away from Ukraine and troops”. Ukrainians told us that we are join Russia, with Kiev accusing “We will find all of them — if people of a lower kind. How can Moscow of pouring forces into it takes one year, two years — you stay in such a country?” she the peninsula and warning sep- and bring them to justice and try said. aratist leaders “the ground will them in Ukrainian and interna- But ethnic Tatars — Muslims burn under their feet”. tional courts. The ground will who make up 12 percent of Caught in an East-West crisis burn under their feet,” he told a Crimea’s population — said they reminiscent of the Cold War, Kiev cabinet meeting. would boycott the vote despite said Russia’s build-up of forces in Yatseniuk had just returned promises by the regional authori- the Black Sea region was in “crude from a US trip where he won ties to give them financial aid and violation” of an international expressions of moral support proper land rights. treaty, and announced plans to but no offers of weapons. Kiev’s “This is my land. This is the arm and train 20,000 members of pro-European rulers, who took land of my ancestors. Who asked a newly-created National Guard power after last month’s fall me if I want it or not? Who asked to defend the nation. of Moscow-backed President me?” said Shevkaye Assanova, a Western countries say the Viktor Yanukovich to popular Crimean Tatar in her 40s. “For vote, which is likely to favour unrest, have been as powerless the rest of my life I will be cursing union with Russia for a region as Western governments to pre- those who brought these people which has a Russian-speaking vent the referendum or buildup here. I don’t recognise this at all. majority, is illegal and the United of Russian forces on Ukrainian I curse all of them.” States warned Moscow to expect territory. Crimea’s 1.5 million voters sanctions. At a polling booth at a school in have two options: union with But Russian President Vladimir Simferopol, the Crimean regional Russia or giving their region, Putin said the referendum com- capital, dozens of people lined up which is controlled by pro-Krem- plied with international law and outside to cast their ballots early. lin politicians, the broad right respected the will of the Crimean “I have voted for Russia,” said to determine its own path and people, while his foreign minis- Svetlana Vasilyeva, 27, a veteri- choose relations with whom it Motorcyclists have Russian flags attached to their bikes as they arrive on Lenin Square after voting in referendum try said it had agreed with the nary nurse. “This is what we have wants - including Moscow. on Lenin Square in the Crimean capital of Simferopol, yesterday. United States to seek a solution to been waiting for. We are one fam- Polling stations close at 8pm. the crisis through constitutional ily and we want to live with our (1800 GMT), with provisional including at its naval base in the Minister Ihor Tenyukh accused grown to 22,000. This is a crude reform. brothers.” results to be released late yester- port of Sevastopol, under a treaty Moscow of going far beyond an violation of the bilateral agree- In Kiev, Prime Minister Arseny Vasilyeva voiced fears com- day and the final tally expected a signed after Ukraine gained inde- agreed limit on servicemen - ments and is proof that Russia has Yatseniuk threatened dire conse- mon among some of Ukraine’s day or two later. pendence from the wreckage of which he said was 12,500 for 2014. unlawfully brought its troops onto quences for Crimean politicians native Russian-speakers about Russia has the right to keep the Soviet Union in 1991. “Unfortunately, in a very short the territory of Crimea,” he said. who had called the vote, saying the consequences of Yanukovich’s forces on the Black Sea peninsula, But Ukrainian Acting Defence period of time, this 12,500 has REUTERS Maduro gives ultimatum to Serbians go to polling protesters booths in snap polls CARACAS: Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro BELGRADE: Serbians were voting in snap by state of the economy in the country of 7.2 warned protesters in Caracas to polls yesterday, with the ruling centre-right million people. clear a square they have made SNS party tipped to cement its grip on power A fifth of the workforce is unemployed and their stronghold, or face evic- with the promise of economic reforms that the average monthly salary is 350 euros ($480). tion by security forces. would lead the Balkan country into the EU. Many Serbs, like 45-year old textile worker Plaza Altamira, in upscale east With ballooning public debt, a bloated public Jadranka Milosavljevic, moonlight in the so- Caracas, has been a focus of anti- sector and record unemployment, the dire state called grey economy, with no health or social government protests and vio- of the economy has overshadowed the thorny benefits. “Ordinary people will see no change. lence during six weeks of unrest issue of Kosovo as the key voter concern. Look at me, it’s Sunday, and I’m on my way to around Venezuela that has killed The outgoing SNS-dominated cabinet, led by my second job to try to make some money for my 28 people. Socialist Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, won sup- family,” she said. “I’m giving the Chuckys, the port from Brussels to begin membership talks With public debt swelling to more than 60 killers, just a few hours,” Maduro only after a historic accord with long-time foe percent of GDP, the next government will have said, using the name of a murder- Kosovo last year. to reform obsolete labour laws and cut down on ous child-doll in a horror film to The SNS and its leader Aleksandar Vucic — bureaucracy, analysts say. describe anti-government dem- tipped to become the next premier — called early Serbia’s eight-billion-euro ($11bn) budget is onstrators who have made the polls in order to win a new mandate to push ahead struggling to cope with 1.7 million pensioners normally genteel 1940s square a with economic reform. “I want Serbia to pur- and a bloated public sector that employs more base of operations. sue a fierce battle against corruption, develop its than 700,000 people. “If they don’t retreat, I’m going economy, increase the number of jobs and for this The future government will have to push to liberate those spaces with the we need difficult and painful reforms,” said Vucic, through a stringent austerity package, including security forces,” Maduro added. an ultra-nationalist hawk turned pro-European. the privatisation of more than 170 state-owned “They have a few hours to go “It will not be easy at all, thousands of other companies, subsidy cuts and tax increases in a bid home ... Chuckys, get ready, we’re problems must also be solved,” he said after cast- to reduce spending and get people back to work. coming for you.” ing his ballot. But 64-year-old pensioner Borivoje Mikic said Students and other protesters His Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won most he expected no change. “The barn is the same, have been using the square, in the votes in 2012 elections but the post of premier only the animals in it change,” Mikic said. pro-opposition Chacao district of was given to its Socialist coalition partners. Despite the gloomy economy, the SNS is riding Caracas, as a rallying point since a Vucic has spearheaded his party’s popular- high in opinion polls with 44 percent voter sup- wave of protests started to gather ity mostly thanks to a high-profile anti-graft port. Unemployed bank clerk Olga Petrovic, 52, said steam in mid-February. drive that led to the arrest of several tycoons Vucic and his party offered “the first glimmer of Most nights around dusk, a and former ministers. hope”. “I know we will have to survive painful times, hard core of several hundred Long seen as a pariah for its role in the 1990s but at least I see a light at the end of a tunnel.” demonstrators has been fighting Balkan wars, Serbia — the largest country to But 68-year-old retired engineer Bojan Popovic police and army lines there, in an emerge after the break-up of Yugoslavia — hopes said he had voted for the opposition “for a change.” attempt to access a nearby high- to join the 28-member bloc by 2020. “The government has so far been only advertising way and block traffic. Kosovo, once the most sensitive issue in Serbia its moves, the arrests of tycoons, criminals, that’s which still refuses to recognise its 2008 declara- all fine, but we haven’t seen any results.” Curbs on Paris tion of independence, has been overshadowed AFP car drivers to combat smog Cameron seeks limits

PARIS: France will introduce driving restrictions in Paris on EU judicial powers today to tackle dangerous pollu- tion levels, the first such ban for LONDON: British Prime mechanisms in place to prevent mass twenty years as politicians try Minister David Cameron will migrations across the continent”. to get rid of health-threatening seek to prevent mass migration He said that German Chancellor smog days before municipal and European Union interfer- Angela Merkel and Dutch Prime elections. ence in police and judicial mat- Minister Mark Rutte share his Paris is more prone to smog ters, he said yesterday, providing view that the status quo is not than other European capitals the most detail yet on how he working, adding that he wants because of France’s diesel sub- intends to reform the country’s national parliaments to be able to sidies and its high number of relationship with the EU. work together to block unwanted private car drivers. A week-long Under pressure from euro- European legislation. spell of unseasonably warm, sunny sceptics in his Conservative party “No to ever-closer union. No weather has recently exacerbated and the UK Independence Party to a constant flow of power to the problem. (UKIP) ahead of European elec- Brussels. No to unnecessary Under the scheme, drivers may tions in May, Cameron has prom- interference. And no, it goes with- only use their cars on alternate ised to reshape Britain’s ties with out saying, to the euro, to par- days, according to the odd or even the EU before giving Britons a ticipation in euro zone bailouts numbers on their licence plates. vote on whether to leave the or notions such as a European Free public transport, including 28-nation bloc if he wins next Army,” he wrote. cycle and electric car-sharing year’s national election. British police forces and justice schemes, was introduced last Writing in The Sunday systems should also be unencum- week as a visible haze hung over Telegraph newspaper, Cameron, bered by unnecessary interfer- Paris streets. “Our core objective who had previously given little ence from European institutions, is to ensure public safety because information on specific changes including the European Court of we want to end this pollution,” he wanted from the EU, outlined Human Rights, the British Prime Environment Minister Philippe the key concerns at the heart of Minister said. Though Cameron Martin told a news conference his approach to renegotiation. backed the single market and free yesterday, warning that the air Cameron indicated his “support trade, he said he wants to cut red quality was likely to worsen today. for the continued enlargement of the tape for businesses. AGENCIES EU to new members but with new REUTERS MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Malaysia doubles scale of search 25 countries now involved; pilots’ homes searched, flight simulator examined; investigators baffled over motive

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian authorities yesterday examined a flight simulator that was con- If MH370 crashed in southern Indian fiscated from the home of one of the missing jetliner’s pilots and asked governments to divulge Ocean it wouldn’t be seen or heard sensitive radar data, warning that without it locating the plane KUALA LUMPUR: The in what is now a massive search southern Indian Ocean, where area might be impossible. investigators suspect missing As investigators dug through the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 background of all 239 people on may have come down, is one board Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 place where a commercial air- and the ground crew that serviced liner can crash without a ship the plane, a new detail emerged spotting it, a radar plotting it or that strengthened speculation even a satellite picking it up. that one or both of the pilots were The empty expanse of water is involved in the aircraft’s disappear- one of the most remote places in ance more than a week ago. the world and also one of the deep- Officials revealed that the final est, posing potentially enormous words from the cockpit — “All challenges for the international right, good night” — were spoken search effort focusing on the area, to air traffic controllers after the Security guards stand in front of the main gate of the house where captain one of several possible crash sites. plane’s data communication system Zaharie Ahmad Shah lived, in Shah Alam, yesterday. Even Australia, which has had been partially disabled. The island territories in the Indian pilots did not mention any trouble Affendi Buang told reporters: “This yesterday, adding that the number Ocean and sends rescue planes to The southern Indian Ocean is dotted with just a few tiny islands. on board, suggesting they may have will tell you something ... because of countries involved in the opera- pluck stricken yachtsmen from been misleading ground control. this is something not normal that tion had increased from 14 to 25. the cold, mountainous seas in the to suspect the plane had been and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Asked what the significance the pilot would do.” Affendi said Investigators are trying to south from time to time, has no deliberately flown hundreds or about 2,000km north-west of of this was, Air Force Maj Gen he did not know whether it was answer these questions: If the two radar coverage much beyond its possibly thousands of kilometres Perth. The Cocos Islands have a the pilot or co-pilot who spoke to pilots were involved in the dis- Indian Ocean coast. off course. small airport to serve the islands’ air traffic controllers. That uncer- appearance, were they working “In most of Western Australia Searchers still face a daunting combined population of just 3000 India puts on hold tainty also opened the possibility together or alone, or with one or and almost all of the Indian array of possible last locations for people. that someone else spoke those more of the passengers or crew? Ocean, there is almost no radar the plane, including the northern Further south, the only habi- search for now words, though he did not mention Did they fly the plane under duress coverage,” an Australian civil avi- end of the Indian Ocean as well as tation is a handful of research NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: this scenario. or of their own volition? Did one ation authority source said. “If central Asia, although investiga- stations on the scattering of India yesterday put on hold The Boeing 777 went missing or more of the passengers manage anything is more than 100 kilo- tors say it is more likely to have tiny French-run islands includ- its search operation for the less than an hour into a March to break into the cockpit, or use metres offshore, you don’t see it.” flown to the south than through ing Kerguelen — a group of vol- missing Malaysia Airlines 8 flight from Kuala Lumpur to the threat of violence to gain entry The Indian Ocean, the world’s busier airspace to the north where canic outcrops between Africa, flight at the request of Kuala Beijing as it entered Vietnamese and then pilot the plane? And what third largest, has an average it could have been detected. Australia and Antarctica. Lumpur which is reassessing airspace. On Saturday, Malaysia’s possible motive could there be for depth of about 3,600 metres. That With an estimated four hours’ The shipping route from its hunt for the aircraft. government confirmed that the flying off with the plane? is deeper than the Atlantic where fuel left when last spotted by radar Western Australia north to Asia “India has paused the search plane was deliberately diverted Malaysia’s police chief, Khalid it took two years to find wreckage off Malaysia’s north-west coast, and Europe is considered rela- operation temporarily at the and may have flown as far north Abu Bakar said police confiscated from an Air France plane that the plane could have flown a fur- tively quiet in global shipping request of the Malaysian gov- as Central Asia, or south into the the elaborate flight simulator that vanished in 2009 even though ther 3,500km or so, assuming nor- terms, despite the large amount ernment. A high-level coor- vast reaches of the Indian Ocean. one of the pilots, Zaharie Ahmad floating debris quickly pointed mal cruising speed and altitude. of iron ore and other resources dination meeting is on in Given the expanse of land Shah, had built in his home and to the crash site. Officials think the aircraft flew that are shipped from Australia’s Malaysia. We are waiting for and water that might need to be reassembled it in their offices to So far, search operations by south until it ran out of fuel and north-west ports. it to end,” a defence ministry searched, the wreckage of the plane study it for clues. While most avi- ships and aircraft from more crashed into the sea, according Ships track north, staying official said. “We want them might take months — or longer — ation experts believe the plane has than a dozen nations have failed to a source familiar with data close in to the West Australian to tell if they want to change to find, or might never be located. crashed, there is a very small pos- to find even a trace of flight the US government is receiving coastline, and then head north the search area or widen it... Establishing what happened with sibility it may have landed some- MH370, which went missing from the investigation. In the through Indonesian waters into Our ships are there in the any degree of certainty will likely where and be relatively intact. more than a week ago after tak- south, any debris from MH370 the South China Sea or north- Andaman sea and we await need key information, including Zaharie, the pilot, was a sup- ing off from Kuala Lumpur for would have been widely dispersed west towards the Red Sea. directions,” the official added. cockpit voice recordings, from the porter of a Malaysian opposition Beijing and diverting from its by Indian Ocean currents in the Australia’s civil aviation radar The Indian Navy conducted plane’s flight data recorders. political party that is locked in a intended flight path. week since it disappeared. extends a maximum of just 410km the search over a wide area in The search area now includes bitter dispute with the govern- The search effort has focused The southern Indian off the coast, the civil aviation the Andaman Sea and the Bay 11 countries the plane might ment, according to postings on his mainly on the South China Sea Ocean, between Indonesia and authority source said, and was of Bengal. India pressed six have flown over, Malaysia’s Facebook page and a friend, Peter but is switching to the Indian Australia, is broken up only by used only for monitoring sched- ships — three each from the acting transport minister, Chong, who is a party member. Ocean after investigators, hav- the Australian territories of uled aircraft on approach into the navy and the Coast Guard — for Hishammuddin Hussein, said AP ing pieced together radar and Christmas Island, home to asy- country and subsequent landings. the search operation. IANS satellite tracking data, began lum seeker detention facilities, THE GUARDIAN

China police to North Korea fires 25 short-range rockets into sea increase armed SEOUL: North Korea test- spokesman said. Yonhap news the border,” the spokesman said. taken to demonstrate its might nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and in fired 25 rockets into the sea agency reported that 25 short- The North has defended its mis- one after another as long as the February last year. patrols in crime yesterday, South Korea’s range missiles were fired. sile and rocket tests as justifiable US nuclear threat and blackmail Analysts in Seoul said the defence ministry said, the latest South Korean troops have self-defence drills. persist as now”, the commission North is now mulling three crackdown in a series of launches that have increased vigilance follow- South Korea has called the said in a statement. “The US had options — a fourth nuclear test, provoked criticism from Seoul ing a series of rocket or missile launches a “reckless provoca- better roll back its worn-out hos- the firing of a long-range rocket SHANGHAI: Chinese police and Washington. launches since late February. The tion” while Washington urged tile policy towards (North Korea) or the disclosure of progress in will increase armed patrols, espe- The rockets were fired off the activity coincides with annual Pyongyang to halt the tests as soon as possible and shape a its programme to enrich uranium. cially in densely populated areas North’s east coast and flew about South Korea-US military exer- immediately, saying they risked new realistic policy before it is Despite tensions over the drills like urban centres and transport 70km over the Sea of Japan cises that started in February and inflaming regional tensions. too late.” and the North’s missile tests, hubs, in a drive to crack down on (East Sea), a ministry spokes- will run until mid-April. The rocket launch came two North Korea and its main ally cross-border ties are currently violent crime, state news agency man said. The ministry said 10 Pyongyang routinely condemns days after the North’s National China want a resumption of six- enjoying an upswing. Xinhua reported yesterday. rockets were fired at 6:20pm such war games as rehearsals Defence Commission threatened party talks on the North’s nuclear The two Koreas recently held China’s stability obsessed ruling (0920 GMT), and eight more at for an invasion, while Seoul and to demonstrate its nuclear deter- weapons programme. But the the first reunion for more than Communist Party, always jittery 8:03 pm. Another seven followed, Washington say they are purely rence. Analysts said the com- United States and South Korea three years of families divided about any threats to its rule, has the last at 9:30pm. defensive. ments could indicate the regime both insist that Pyongyang first by the Korean War — an event been alarmed by a series of inci- Seoul’s military “has main- “We urge North Korea to stop is preparing to carry out a fourth demonstrates some tangible com- that raised hopes of greater dents in recent months, including tained a close watch for possible provocative activities that will atomic test. mitment to abandoning nuclear cooperation. a knife attack at a train station North Korean provocations”, the heighten military tension across “Additional measures will be weapons. The North carried out AFP in the city of Kunming blamed on militants from the far west- ern region of Xinjiang this month. “The ministry (of public secu- Holi in Metro Manila rity) said that it will carry out armed patrols and take timely New Thai Red Shirts leader measures to handle violent crimi- nals,” Xinhua said. “The ministry urged public security organs at warns of battle ahead all levels to increase work effi- ciency and further improve the BANGKOK: A firebrand hard- for Prime Minister Yingluck emergency command mechanism liner who was a core leader of Shinawatra to step aside in favour in order to fight crime,” it added. Thailand’s Red Shirts in the of an unelected “people’s council” Police should also “enhance country’s massive 2010 pro- to tackle what opponents see as a prevention and control” over tests has been chosen to head culture of money-driven politics. busy areas like stations, airports, the pro-government movement, The backdrop is a longstanding schools, hospitals and tourist saying yesterday that a “big struggle between a royalist estab- attractions, Xinhua said. Chinese fight” lay ahead. lishment, backed by the judiciary police generally do not carry guns Former MP Jatuporn Prompan, and the military, and Yingluck’s and gun crime in rare in a coun- facing terrorism charges in an billionaire family which has try with tight controls on firearms. ongoing trial related to the 2010 strong support in the northern Most violent crime happens with uprising, said that any new Red half of Thailand. knives, or homemade weapons like Shirt tactics would be “peaceful”. Protests accuse Yingluck’s small bombs made of fertilizer or “We have to discuss our strategy,” elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra other easily obtainable chemicals. Jatuporn said. “The next battle — a tycoon-turned-premier who Last week, police shot dead will be big.” was ousted from office by royalist a man who went on a rampage He ruled out violence, saying generals in 2006 -- of running the with a knife in central China, kill- that any new strategy would government from overseas, where ing five, after a dispute between involve “no weapons”. Jatuporn he lives to avoid a jail term for market vendors got out of con- took the helm as chairman from corruption. trol. China’s leadership is highly previous Red Shirt leader Tida Yingluck currently faces sensitive to issues of unrest from Tawornseth at a gathering of charges of negligence from separatist groups in the north- 10,000 supporters in Ayutthaya, Thailand’s anti-corruption body A crowd cheer and dance as they throw coloured powder in the air during Holi festival celebrations at a mall western Xinjiang region to dissi- north of Bangkok, on Saturday. which could lead to her being in Pasay City, Metro Manila, yesterday. dents organising through booming Bangkok has been rocked by removed from office. social media networks. months of mass protests calling AFP REUTERS MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Shrine set on fire in Sindh Ex-Afghan defence Community centre gutted; crowds attack Hindu property over blasphemy minister drops out

ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of angry Pakistanis attacked a of presidential race Hindu temple and set it on fire in southern Pakistan overnight following a rumour that a mem- KABUL: Afghanistan’s former also a former foreign minister. All ber of the Hindu community defence minister became the the candidates are ethnic Pashtun, had desecrated the Holy Quran, second candidate yesterday to Afghanistan’s largest ethnic group, police and community leaders drop out of a presidential election except for Abdullah, who has a said yesterday. race, with his departure possibly Pashtun father and ethnic Tajik The incident took place just helping consolidate support for a mother, and draws support largely before midnight on Saturday candidate favoured by outgoing from the Tajik minority. after locals in Larkana district President Hamid Karzai. Wardak is also Pashtun, as is alleged that Sangeet Kumar, 42, Rahim Wardak was not consid- Karzai, so his support is likely to had torn out pages of Islam’s ered a front runner in the April 5 go to another Pashtun candidate. holy book and tossed them down election and he did not throw his With many Afghan voting on the street from the roof of support behind any other candi- along ethnic lines and with the his home. date. “We can confirm that Rahim Pashtun community an estimated “Our Dharamshala (commu- Wardak resigned from elections 45 percent of the population, it is nity centre) has been gutted and as a presidential candidate and generally believed that a Pashtun the temple has been partially will not run,” his spokesman, candidate will win. damaged. All the statues have Sayed Baqer Kazimi, said. If no candidate gets 50 percent been destroyed by the attackers,” “It was his personal decision. of the vote, a second round will Kalpana Devi, chairperson of the He will not support any other have to be held, as happened in local Hindu committee, said. candidates. If there are any the last presidential election in Hundreds of students from changes we will inform the people 2009 which was marred by accu- local Islamic seminaries attacked of Afghanistan.” Wardak was one sations of vote fraud. the temple holding batons, one of 10 candidates hoping to replace Abdullah, Karzai’s main chal- witness, Javed Shah, said. Police Karzai, who has served two terms lenger in 2009, said in a recent arrived quickly to protect Kumar and can not stand again. interview Karzai had flooded the from the angry crowd. The election is seen as a cru- race with Pashtun candidates, “They acted smartly and took cial step in building stability in some of whom would drop out at him out after making him put Afghanistan in the same year that strategic times, leaving Pashtun on a police uniform to save him most foreign troops are due to support to consolidate around from the wrath of the crowd,” said leave after 13 years of inconclusive his favoured candidate. “Right Shah. war against a stubborn Taliban from the beginning, President “It took nearly 20 minutes to insurgency. Karzai has designed it so he could break down the doors (of the Karzai’s brother, Qayum manoeuvre it, in order to stay rel- temple) before they entered the A security official and members of the Hindu community stand inside a temple that was attacked on Saturday Karzai, announced he was drop- evant to the situation mainly, but compound and set it on fire. They night, in Larkana, southern Pakistan’s Sindh province, yesterday. ping out of the race this month also to influence the future course also set fire to the temple before and threw his support behind of action,” Abdullah said. ransacking it.” book by the locals. The accused the house from a Muslim family to set fire to a temple and some former foreign minister Zalmay Fraud is not the only potential Sindh province, where the is in our custody.” and cleaned it before he moved in. shops owned by Hindus. Police Rassoul. That was widely inter- problem. The Taliban have threat- attack took place, is home to Violence triggered by allega- He may have burned the holy book fired tear gas shot and shot into preted as meaning Rassoul had ened to kill anyone taking part in most of Pakistan’s small Hindu tions of Quran desecration and inadvertently, the policeman said. the air. He said someone from Karzai’s backing, although the the election, which they describe community which numbers about other allegedly blasphemous Crowds also attacked Hindu the crowd fired at the police, and president has not officially given as a “sham” being manipulated by two million among a population of acts is common in Pakistan. property in the nearby towns two civilians and an officer were his backing to any candidate. the United States. about 180 million. A controversial Pakistani law of Usta Mohammad, Dera Allah wounded. Of the nine candidates still At least eight members of vari- Police said they were investi- imposes the death penalty, but Yar and Sohbat Pur, but they The Hindu Panchayat Council, in the race, the three front run- ous campaigns have been killed gating the matter. “The situa- sometimes crowds take the law were dispersed by police, senior a representative body of Hindu ners are generally sees as Rassoul, and there have been five attacks, tion is not satisfactory,” Deputy into their own hands and attack officer Syed Ashfaq Anwar said. minorities, has appealed on outspoken former finance minis- including a kidnapping, since cam- Inspector General of Larkana, the accused. They are in a part of adjoining Hindus to keep a low profile while ter Ashraf Ghani, and Abdullah paigning began, according to the Khadim Rind, said. Anwar Laghari, the area police Baluchistan province where sig- celebrating the ongoing Holi fes- Abdullah, an eye surgeon who National Democratic Institute, “Sanjeet Kumar has been officer, said initial investigation nificant numbers of Hindus live. tival of colours. became the top aide to an anti-Tal- which is monitoring the vote. accused of desecrating the holy revealed that the Hindu rented Anwar said dozens attempted REUTERS/AP iban resistance fighter, and who is REUTERS

Treason trial may involve Musharraf’s co-conspirators

ISLAMABAD: The recent application, filed by former Pakistani military ruler retired General Pervez Musharraf in the special court trying him for treason, points fingers at the alleged co-conspirators behind the November 3, 2007 actions under which he imposed a con- troversial state of emergency in the country. If accepted, this application would implicate a number of high profile civilians and armed per- sonnel in the treason trial. The application Gen Musharraf recently filed in the special court, which has been established to try the former dictator for high treason, demands that the civil- ian leadership and the military authorities that allegedly abetted in the imposition of the November 3, 2007 emergency should also be tried along with him. According to the proclama- tion issued for the November 3 emergency, Musharraf imposed the emergency after consult- ing the then prime minister, the governors of all four provinces and the chairman of joint chiefs of staff committee, the chiefs of Supporters of Pervez Musharraf gather at a protest in Karachi yesterday. A the armed forces, the vice-chief special tribunal hearing a landmark treason case against Musharraf ordered of army staff and the corps com- him to appear in person on March 31 or face arrest. manders of the Pakistan Army. INTERNEWS

UK hands over bases to Afghan forces LONDON: Britain has handed Bastion, which serves as the brigades have made a huge contri- over all but two of its remaining main base for UK personnel, and bution to the campaign which has bases in Afghanistan’s Helmand Observation Post Sterga 2. safeguarded our national secu- Province to local forces as part At the height of the war, Britain rity at home.” Hammond pledged of its planned full withdrawal had 137 bases in the area. Britain’s continued support for by the end of 2014, the Ministry “The handover and closure of the Afghan people even after the of Defence (MoD) announced our bases across Helmand under- planned drawdown. yesterday. lines the progress UK Forces have Brigadier James Woodham, In an operation lasting more made to increase security and Commander Task Force Helmand, than a month, the Lashkar stability across the province but said the handover represented “a Gah and Patrol Base Lashkar also to build up the capability of historic moment in the UK’s mili- Gah Durai have been handed the Afghan forces who will carry tary campaign in Afghanistan.” over to Afghan control. A third that work forward,” said Defence “That we are no longer required base, MOB Price, has also been Secretary Philip Hammond. to operate from these bases is closed, the ministry revealed in “Those service personnel who a sign of the progress made by a statement. have served in Lashkar Gah and Afghan forces delivering security Britain now has only two bases Lashkar Gah Durai and at MOB for their own people,” he added. operational in Helmand: Camp Price as part of successive UK AFP MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Top Lashkar Kejriwal says ready to fight Modi guerrilla held AAP leader to visit Varanasi on March 23 and take final decision in Kashmir SRINAGAR: A top guerrilla BANGALORE: A day after Delhi chief minister said: “It is rising food prices, Kejriwal said with the Congress. Some say Vishwas to defeat Rahul Gandhi of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) the BJP fielded Narendra Modi a very big challenge. It is not a it was important to defeat the top they will get only 100 (Lok Sabha) from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. responsible for the killing of as its candidate from Varanasi, small challenge... I am ready to leaders of the Bharatiya Janata seats this time, some say only 50, Sensing defeat, Congress lead- a police officer and other ter- Aam Aadmi Party leader accept this challenge.” Party and the Congress. “We have some say only 25.” In the same ers are already causing trouble ror attacks has been arrested Arvind Kejriwal yesterday Kejriwal quickly added that to defeat Narendra Modi too.” breath, Kejriwal said the elector- to Vishwas. We are not going to in Jammu and Kashmir’s declared that he was ready to he will visit Varanasi on March But he insisted that Modi must ate also felt betrayed by parties buckle and Vishwas is bold enough Badgam district, an defence contest against the BJP’s prime 23 and take a final decision after fight from only one parliamen- such as the Samajwadi Party, to take on Rahul,” Kejriwal said. spokesman said yesterday. “A ministerial candidate in the finding out if people there wanted tary seat, not two as it is being Bahujan Samaj Party, Indian Challenging Modi’s claims of joint team of the army and the Lok Sabha polls. him to contest from there. rumoured. “We hear he is looking National Lok Dal, Shiv Sena and Gujarat’s economic development, state police apprehended a top However, Kejriwal told a huge “I appeal to people from all over for a safe seat. Why does he want the Nationalist Congress Party. Kejriwal dished out facts and fig- LeT terrorist from Badipora election rally here that though the country to reach Varanasi on a safe seat? We need a bold prime Terming the Congress and the ures to show that this was not area of Badgam district,” said AAP leaders had asked him to March 23,” Kejriwal said in an minister, not one who looks for a BJP as two sides of the same coin true and that Modi had spread the spokesman. “Based on take on Modi, he would do so only appeal that clearly indicated that safe seat.” when it comes to corruption and “white lies”. He said that contrary a specific intelligence input after knowing the response of the the AAP was keen to challenge Kejriwal’s campaign theme was looting the country, Kejriwal said to claims, corruption was ram- regarding presence of a LeT people of the Hindu holy city in the Gujarat chief minister. that people across the country were his party has decided to contest pant in Gujarat and 800 farmers terrorist in village Badipora of Uttar Pradesh on March 23. Varanasi, about 290km from sick and tired of established politi- against important leaders like had committed suicide in Gujarat tehsil Chadoora of Badgam, a “My party has said you should state capital Lucknow, will vote cal parties and desired change. He Rahul Gandhi, Kapil Sibal, M. since Modi took power in 2001. joint operation was launched by take on Modi in this election,” on May 12 in the ninth and last particularly targeted the Congress Veerappa Moily and Sharad Pawar, Modi, he said, stood for “crony the army and the state police Kejriwal told his audience, trig- phase of parliamentary polls. and the BJP as well as Congress who have “cheated the people”. capitalism” and that some 60,000 at approximately 6.30pm on gering a roar of approval. Stating that the political estab- vice president Rahul Gandhi and “We need to defeat both the small scale and medium scale indus- Saturday. “During the opera- Underlining that it was “impor- lishment has become a symbol of BJP’s star leader Modi. Congress and BJP in this historic tries had closed down in Gujarat tion, the joint team success- tant to defeat Modi”, the former corruption, communalism and “People are, of course, angry election. We are fielding Kumar during Modi’s rule. IANS fully apprehended a top LeT terrorist, who was later iden- tified as Abdul Lateef Rather, a resident of village Badipora. Supreme Court moved for NRIs’ An AK-47, two magazines and around 60 rounds of ammuni- tion were also recovered from right to vote from abroad the apprehended terrorist. MP booked for NEW DELHI: A plea has been overseas Indian affairs) resid- V P said: “If the relief sought is moved in the Supreme Court ing abroad as only 11,000 have granted, then a total number of abusing actress seeking direction to the central enrolled themselves as voters in 1,00,37,761 people will be entitled government and the Election the electoral rolls. to cast their votes as against a AMRAVATI: Police have reg- Commission that Non-Resident The plea said it was incum- paltry 11,000 who have registered” istered a complaint against Indians who are registered vot- bent upon the government to at present. Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP ers should be allowed to cast ensure that NRIs too have the The plea filed by counsel Haris Anandrao Adsul and two oth- their ballot even from their for- same rights and freedom as those Beeran said that while parlia- ers for abusing and threaten- eign locations. enjoyed by citizens living in India. ment recognises the legitimate ing NCP candidate and actress The plea moved Saturday said It said any distinction between constitutional right of all NRIs Navneet Kaur-Rana, an official the existing provision under sec- the two resulting in the denial of to join the democratic process in said here yesterday. “We have tion 20A of the Representation the NRIs’ right to vote would be the country, but the same stands lodged offences pertaining to of the People Act (Amendment), violative of article 19(1) as well as stifled by the way this has been threats, using foul language, 2010, that mandates the NRI voter article 21 of the constitution. incorporated in section 20A of abuse in the name of caste and to be physically present in the con- The plea said 114 countries have the Representation of the People character,” said an official of stituency to exercise his vote was adopted external voting and 20 (Amendment) Act, 2010. Gadge Nagar police station. discriminatory and violative of fun- such countries are from Asia. Beeran said section 20A of the When contacted, the 67-year- damental rights under article 14 It said external voting could be Act “is not in consonance with old Adsul denied the charges (equality before law) guaranteed by setting up polling booths at the the objects and reasons behind levelled by Kaur-Rana. “Kaur- under the constitution. diplomatic missions, or by postal, promulgating it”. The intent of Rana, 27, a well-known south- Seeking recognition of the right proxy or electronic voting. parliament was to recognise the ern film actress and model, said to external voting, the Public Seeking the reading down of legitimate constitutional right of she was harassed by Adsul and Interest Litigation said the exist- section 20A of the Representation all NRIs to join the democratic his supporters since the past ing provisions create two distinct of People (Amendment) Act, 2010, process but the same was frus- Young boys hold Congress flags in support of Nandan Nilekani, Chairman two months after it became categories of haves and have-nots that mandates the presence of the trated by enjoining upon the NRI of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and co-founder of evident that she would be con- among the 1,00,37,761 NRIs (as on voter at the polling station to cast voters to come to their constitu- Infosys, during an election campaign in Bangalore yesterday. testing against him in the Lok May 2012 as per the ministry of his vote, the petitioner Shamsheer encies to cast their vote. IANS Sabha elections on a Nationalist Congress Party ticket. Kaur- Rana is the wife of Ravi Rana, Independent legislator from Badnera town (Amravati), said. PM greets nation Congress plea to Kerala partymen PM works too much

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress in Kerala yester- NEW DELHI: Manmohan Manmohan Singh yesterday day asked partymen to exercise caution while making comments Singh, India’s 14th prime wished the nation on the eve of during the poll season. The directive came after a Congress law- minister and the first tech- Holi, saying it symbolises India’s maker reportedly criticised a Christian religious leader in the state nocrat to rule the country, “spirit of unity”. on a social networking website. is winding up his term but is In a message to the nation, the State Congress president V M Sudheeran said at a meeting of the involved in “too much work” prime minister said the festival her- party’s campaign committee here that any wrong or indiscreet remark even as a lame-duck prime alding the onset of spring celebrates could prove to be costly for the party. His remarks came after Congress minister, officials closely “the different hues of the country’s legislator V T Balaram indirectly referred to a Christian bishop as working with him said. “His cultural mosaic and is an occasion to a “despicable” character. The Christian leader had allegedly spoken work has become too much. rejoice in the glory of nature in all its harshly to a Congress candidate who had come to seek his blessings It is an 11-hour day for him,” vibrant colours”. and support. a senior official in the Prime “The festival symbolises the coun- Asked about Balaram’s statement, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Minister’s Office (PMO) said. try’s spirit of unity, harmony and tol- said an explanation would be sought from the Congress legislator. “I “The prime minister begins erance. May the festival bring health, seriously doubt if Balaram did make such a comment and if he has his day at 9.30am, has official A boy sits under a water tap to wash himself after taking part in Holi happiness and prosperity to all,” he done it, then it’s highly improper and an explanation would be asked meetings till lunch and then celebrations in Chennai yesterday. said. Holi will be celebrated today. from him,” Chandy told reporters in Kottayam. again works from 4pm to IANS IANS 7.30pm,” the official said. IANS Medical, engineering admissions a headache for NRIs

EGARDLESS of all the central controlling bodies, the self-financing sector and 15 per Government Medical College and cent of regular (non-financed) talk about the growing state government and frequent THE NR EYE cent for NRIs. Hospital, Chandigarh. courses for first-year students. potential of non-con- directions from the courts have With the government announc- On the other hand, the NRI students will also have to pay Rventional and non-tra- made admissions nothing short Moiz Mannan ing the takeover, it was expected Hyderabad-based Mahindra an additional 10 percent to study ditonal higher and professional of a nightmare. that the admissions this year will École Centrale (MEC) has said at the university. education courses, the rush for Last month, an Indore-based although the government issued be done under government quota. that SAT Subject test results A 10 percent increase in fees engineering and medicine con- RTI activist claimed to have pro- an order renaming the institution Last year, admission to 15 NRI would be considered for NRI/ of examination forms and related tinues unabated. It becomes a cured documents to prove a nexus as Government Medical College, seats had also sparked off a con- PIO/International Passport hold- application forms, to be imple- major challenge for non-resi- between some private medical col- Ernakulam, it was not clear troversy due to alleged attempts ers. The classes for the inaugural mented from March 2014, had dent Indians (NRIs) to seek out leges and officials of medical edu- whether MBBS seats have been to sell seats. The Admission batch are slated for commence- also been proposed. information and prepare their cation department for admitting added to the government quota Supervisory Committee inter- ment on the August 4. The Punjab and Haryana high children for admission to these candidates through unfair means. or not. vened in the issue and held an This College of Engineering court last week upheld the hike in courses in India. Private medical colleges in Commissioner for Entrance entrance test to NRI seats. has been established through a fee for foreign Indian students to Indians residing in the West Madhya Pradesh are now likely Examinations B S Mavoji was At Punjab University, the three-way collaboration involving Baba Farid University of Health have more options in their host to face heat for alleged irregulari- quoted by the media as saying Syndicate is mulling abolition Mahindra Group, École Centrale Sciences, Faridkot. countries, but a vast majority of ties in admissions of students in that “The government so far has of the condition of Scholastic Paris, a 200-year-old leading A division bench passed these those in the Gulf look to get their MBBS course. not issued an order to add MBSS Aptitude Test (SAT) for NRI French University dedicated orders while hearing a bunch of children admitted to institution As per 2009 Supreme Court seats in Ernakulam Government students seeking admission to the to engineering education and petitions against an unrealisti- in their home country. This is not ruling, a private medical college Medical College under the gov- university. The Board of Studies Jawaharlal Nehru Technological cally high fee that has been pro- easy, particularly for those with can fill 15 per cent seats with NRI ernment quota. Therefore, these in Dental Surgery, and later, University Hyderabad. vided for NRI candidates. The modest means. The seats in medi- quota, 43 per cent seats through seats do not fall under any quota Faculty of Medical Sciences had It has announced admissions petitioners had protested a fee cal and engineering course that their own examination procedure in the prospectus. It will be added recommended doing away with for the Integrated Dual Degree for NRI students from $55,000 to are reserved for NRIs often come while the rest 42 per cent seats to some quota after the govern- SAT for NRI students. The fac- Programme for its inaugural $1,25,000 for the full course. at a premium. are to be filled in by state PMT. ment issues an order. The order ulty has recommended that stu- batch set to commence in August Deciding the issue, the bench Besides, there are frequent fee Uncertainty also prevails is expected to be issued before the dents seeking admission under 2014 from its new campus at held, “The petitioners are can- hikes because the college man- in Kerala over admissions to allotment of seats.” NRI category who have taken Bahadurpally near Hyderabad. didates who have taken the NRI agements, especially in the pri- MBBS seats in Cochin Medical Until last year, admission to their qualifying exam (equivalent On the issue of high fees, NRI quota seats, knowing fully well vate sector institutions, see the College (CMC) that has now MBBS seats in this medical col- to 10+2 of the Indian system) in a students wishing to get admitted the fee they are liable to pay. overseas parents as having excess been renamed as Government lege was conducted through self- language other than English will to institutions in Punjab will have When the fee structure was being wealth. Even those who can afford Medical College, Ernakulam, financing mode. The college offers have to take the TOEFL (Test of to shell out more from the next revised, no objections were filed, these high fees and donations, with the takeover proceedings 100 seats for MBBS, of which 50 English as a Foreign Language) session. There will be an increase but now a lot of hue and cry is have to face complex and ever- still going on. per cent is allotted to candidates exam. Merit list will be pre- of 10 per cent in tuition fees of being raised over the issue”. changing rules and criteria. The Reports from Kochi say that in merit quota, 35 per cent for pared on the pattern followed by self-financed courses and 20 per THE PENINSULA

MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Snail venom News in Numbers MIDDLE EAST cuts pain WEALTH REPORTCHART: 1 Fajr (Dawn) 4:25 The extent of Qatar’s economic expansion is apparent even beyond the very strong growth Shorook (Sunrise) 5:41 in early rates shown in Figure. While Qatar has deployed its financial surpluses to make a series Zuhr (Noon) 11:42 of high-profile financial investments that will be described later in this report, it is has also Asr (Afternoon) 3:08 lab trial helped with bailouts in crisis-struck Greece and Italy – the latter being a member of the Group of Eight (the world’s largest economies) and boasting an economy several times the size Maghrib (Sunset) 5:45 WASHINGTON: An experi- of Qatar’s. Just how significant these outflows have become was highlighted in a Barclays Isha (Night) 7:15 mental drug made from snail venom has shown early signs of Capital report which found capital outflows grew six-fold in 2011 compared to the previous promise in numbing pain, rais- year, reaching $62.6bn (€48.8bn). ing hopes in the hunt for new, WEATHER non-addictive medications, researchers said yesterday. The drug, which has not been Today Tuesday Wednesday Weather Conditions: tested yet on humans, was judged Clear Clear Clear to be about 100 times more potent Partly cloudy than morphine or gabapentin, and slight dust. which are currently considered the gold standard for chronic High: 26° High: 27° High: 27° nerve pain. Low: 16° Low: 19° Low: 22° The active ingredient, conoto- xin, comes from carnivorous cone snails, which are common in the GDP growth – Qatar vs the World western Pacific and Indian Ocean. The marine animals can reach European Union Middle East & North Africa Qatar United States World DOHA - SUN & SEA out and stab prey, injecting a

SUN TIDE SEA venom that paralyses fish long 2011 1.5% GDP growth (annual pc) enough for the snail to eat it up. 5.2% WIND 18.8% SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW A tiny protein derived from 1.7% 05:41 17:45 05:15 & 17:45 11:45 & 232:30 10-20/06 KT the snail’s venom has formed the 2.7% 2010 2.2% basis of five new experimental 4.5% THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW 16.6% compounds, said lead researcher 3% HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER David Craik of the University of 4.3%

Queensland in Australia. 2009 -4.3% 1.8% MUSCAT 25/20 Clear 26/21 Partly cloudy A preliminary study using one 12% MAKKAH 36/24 Clear 35/26 Clear -3.5% of these new compounds on lab -2.2% KUWAIT 24/16 Partly cloudy 27/19 Partly cloudy rats “appeared to significantly

2008 0.3% BAHRAIN 25/18 Clear 25/19 Partly cloudy reduce pain,” said a press state- 4.9% 17.7% SANAA 26/10 Partly cloudy 26/12 Partly cloudy ment released ahead of Craik’s -0.4% 1.3% RIYADH 23/13 Clear 27/18 Partly cloudy presentation at an American 2007 3.2% DUBAI 24/19 Partly cloudy 27/20 Clear Chemical Society meeting in 5.1% Dallas, Texas. 18% BAGHDAD 25/14 Partly cloudy 26/15 Mostly cloudy 2.7% “This is an important incre- 4%

mental step that could serve as 2006 3.3% THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW 5.9% the blueprint for the development 18.6% HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER of a whole new class of drugs 2.7% 4% capable of relieving one of the 2005 2.1% ATHENS 21/13 Clear 22/14 Clear most severe forms of chronic pain 5.3% 7.6% WASHINGTON 01/-2 Snow 06/02 Mostly cloudy that is currently very difficult to 3.1% SYDNEY 31/18 Partly cloudy 29/20 Partly cloudy treat,” said Craik. 3.5% Animal venoms are poisons 2004 2.5% LONDON 16/09 Mostly cloudy 14/09 Partly cloudy 6.6% PARIS 18/10 Partly cloudy 19/08 Cloudy that can block certain channels 20.8% in the nervous system, and act 3.5% ISTANBUL 13/08 Chance of rain 13/08 Clear 4% differently than opioid pain- MANILA 33/23 Partly cloudy 33/22 Partly cloudy 2003 1.5% killers such as morphine and 5.1% DHAKA 35/21 Clear 35/22 Clear 3.5% hydrocodone, which carry the 2.6% DELHI 32/17 Partly cloudy 32/15 Partly cloudy risk of addiction and death from 2.7% ISLAMABAD 24/11 Thunderstorm 22/10 Rain overdose. Source : http://www.campdenwealth.com AFP Mustang grabs starring role in Need for Speed Lil Wayne: Tha BRISTOL: The new movie excited about the opportunity. It story,” said Abraham. “It’s V8 engine, heavier compres- Ford also used one as the Carter V will Need For Speed is Aaron Paul’s gave the Mustang an opportunity entertainment.” sion rates on the springs, high- pace car last November dur- vehicle, but it was the Ford to be used well outside the typi- But Waugh felt it was impor- charged Bilstein shocks and ing NASCAR’s championship be last solo LP Mustang that received the star cal product placement, and the tant element of the story. “If you thicker sway bars. The interior weekend at Homestead-Miami treatment. Mustang was cast as a leading wanted a Mustang, you always console was adapted to accom- Speedway, where the manufac- AUSTIN: Lil Wayne said dur- Before he even cast a single character in this film.” wanted the Shelby Mustang modate an iPad for Paul’s charac- turer is the title sponsor. ing an appearance at South actor, director Scott Waugh trav- The movie is based on the because it was an amazing car,” ter to use when communicating “Need For Speed” marks By Southwest that he plans to elled to Detroit to meet with Ford popular EA Entertainment rac- he said. with his crew and the futuristic roughly the 3,000th appearance make Tha Carter V his last solo Motor Co executives about using ing game, and as the main car in Both Ford and the Need For side-view mirrors were turned in a feature film for the Mustang, album and that the first single the Mustang in his movie that the film, the Mustang outshines Speed production team were eager into cameras. but one that Ford is particularly from the still-in-progress LP opened domestically on Friday. six European super cars that are to respect the vision Shelby might Seven different Mustangs were proud of. will be out in the next week. The film begins in a blue-collar also featured. have had for the “hero” Mustang. built, each serving specific pur- “We think that this one is The New Orleans rapper made town and stars Paul as a car- The Mustang in “Need For They didn’t want to make the car poses ranging from beauty shots, truly unique and very special,” the comments during a wide- loving, hard-working street racer. Speed” is based on the 2013 Shelby look too futuristic, and also kept stunts and driving shots to a Abraham said. “Now one of the ranging interview with Elliott The Mustang was the perfect GT500 and billed in the film two of Shelby’s signature design model that could be lifted by and cars is driven by a really, really Wilson as part of the CRWN fit for his lead character. as the final car famed designer elements — the blue stripes and hung from a helicopter. popular actor and it is based on a series during the annual music “He was looking for a car Carroll Shelby was working on at chrome. “We made several, and some game that has over 17 million fol- conference and festival. that was iconic and definitive the time of his 2012 death. Shelby The frame was altered by cel- of them were pretty roughed up,” lowers. So we’ve reached followers “I’m approaching it like it is my of American racing, and when was working on 50th anniversary ebrated Ford designer Melvin said Abraham. “But a few vehi- and customers and we’re breeding last project, and I think that’s why it came to Ford, he was think- edition of the Mustang when he Betancourt and built by Techno cles still remain. We used two last Mustang lovers and sharing why it’s a lot different than everything ing specifically Mustang,” Ford died at the age of 89, but the car Sports in Detroit. Among the week at the premiere, one that Mustang has been such an iconic else,” Wayne said. “That’s why I marketing manager Mary Ellen in the movie is a fictionalised. custom alterations were a wider was being driven and one that was brand.” think the grind is different. I’m Abraham said. “We were really “It’s the mythology of the body, 20-inch alloy wheels, a on the red carpet.” AP working harder. I’m approach- ing it a whole lot different. I’m approaching it as if you don’t have tomorrow.” Tha Carter V is one of the most anticipated albums of the year. NY art sales bring buyers Tha Carter IV sold nearly one million albums the first week of release in 2011. Wayne, 31, said he’s been tak- from around the world ing his time with the album, trying to diversify his subject NEW YORK: Ancient ritual of course we also have material matter after Wilson joked that wine vessels, modern contem- from other parts of Asia as well,” most of his songs centre around porary paintings and master- Howard-Sneyd said. one thing. pieces representing Buddhism, Weihe said in addition to the “What you want me to talk Hinduism, Daoism and aesthetic appeal of the works, about? The world?” he said, draw- Shintoism are among the high- collectors view art as an alterna- ing laughter from the audience. lights of Asian art sales in New tive asset class. “People see it as Wayne said he once wanted to York next week. something beautiful you can live be known as the greatest rap- The Asia Week auctions at with, but it is also going to hold its per in the world, but has sof- Christie’s and Sotheby’s will fea- value over time. And if you look tened his stance with age and ture thousands of items in a series historically the way prices have perspective. Of Kendrick Lamar, of sales that could top $100m. risen, it is a very good proposi- he said, “Ain’t nobody touch that Last spring’s auctions totaled tion,” he explained. dude.” more than $130m in sales. The global art market totaled And he praised the artists on “We’ve got collectors coming $65.9bn last year, an increase of 8 his own Young Money label. He from China, Hong Kong and India percent and the highest level since called Drake “a wonderful person” and Europe, of course,” said Hugo 2007, according to a report by the and said Nicki Minaj is not just Weihe, Christie’s International European Fine Art Foundation. the best female rapper out there, director for Asian art. Although the United States is but the best rapper. Asia has become a dominant the biggest art market with an “I am not going to be jump- player in the global art market, estimated $25bn, sales in China ing out here talking about, ‘I’m particularly in post-war and con- were nearly $16bn, a rise of two the best,’” Wayne said. “I don’t temporary art sales. “I think one of percent from the previous year. It need anybody jumping at my the most wonderful and fascinating accounts for about 24 percent of “Spill”, a stainless steel vessel by Subodh Gupta is seen on display during ‘’The Spring 2-14 Sales of Asian Art neck.” things about Asia Week is that it global art sales, the figures showed. Week” media preview at Christie’s Auction House in New York. Wayne also said his jail journal covers literally the whole of Asia,” Weihe said a Chinese “Min” full of notes he took during his said Henry Howard-Sneyd, vice fanglei, a massive bronze ritual Christie’s March 18-21 sales. falling, flailing bull, which has a various religions and drawings by stay at Riker’s Island in New York chairman of Asian art at Sotheby’s. wine vessel, which sold for $10m Another highlight is Indian pre-sale estimate of up to $3m. the Indian artist Francis Newton on gun charges is being turned “We offer art from predomi- previously and dates to the 12th- artist Tyeb Mehta’s “Untitled Paintings, sculptures, man- Souza will also be featured. into a book. nantly China and from India, but 11th century BC, is the top lot of (Bull),” a 2000 painting of a uscripts representing Asia’s REUTERS AP Monday 17 March 2014 16 Jumadal I 1435 Volume 19 Number 5606 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 16.36 million Qatar to launch $65bn worth projects vehicles on GCC Focus of future development shifts from hydrocarbons to non-oil and gas sector: Al Attiyah roads by 2017 DUBAI: Countries in the DOHA: Qatar is set to launch progressing as per their original Gulf Cooperation Council are development projects worth an schedule. “It needs lot of prepa- becoming increasingly attrac- estimated $65bn soon. Of this, rations and discussions. We need tive markets for the automo- $30bn ventures are high-pro- to bring in experts from differ- bile industry, with vehicle sales file projects, H E Abdullah bin ent sectors around a table. We are expected to reach nearly two Hamad Al Attiyah, President giving maximum encouragement million units within the next of the Administrative Control to all the stakeholders”, he said. few years, according to analysts and Transparency Authority Ali Abdullah Al Abdullah, Frost & Sullivan. announced here yesterday. Assistant Undersecretary for Due to sustained economic Delivering the opening Planning Affairs, Ministry of growth rates and continued address at a seminar on “Qatar Municipality and Urban Planning, government-driven investment Infrastructure Projects” in the said the government institutions on transport and logistics infra- presence of H E Dr Mohammed and private sector establishments structure, vehicle sales are set on bin Saleh Al Sada, the Minister of in Japan play a vital role in the a high growth path. Energy and Industry, Al Attiyah areas of cooperation related to Sales of cars and pickups are said Qatar’s focus of future devel- transportation, energy, water, estimated to record a cumulative opment has been shifted from small and medium enterprises, annual growth rate (CAGR) of hydrocarbon sector to non-oil and health, education, sports and activ- 5.9 percent in the period 2012 to gas sector. ities supporting the development 2017 to reach 1.66 million units. The event was hosted by the for a diversified sustainable econ- Trucks and buses sales are set to Overseas Association of Japan. omy for the state of Qatar. “We are rise at 8.7 per cent annually over The needs and priorities of the H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah delivering the opening address at the seminar yesterday. From Left: Ali Abdullah keen to become more acquainted the same period to reach 155,000 State of Qatar have changed over Al Abdullah, Motoi Sasaki, Shingo Tsuda and Yoshihiro Yamaguchi. ABDUL BASIT with the experience Japan has in units. Saudi Arabia and the UAE the past few years. The expansion various important projects areas are also considered the largest focus is now on the areas outside network, roads, highways, bridges, infrastructure. It is a country countries, face challenges to meet related to roads, bridges, tunnels, markets in the GCC in terms of the oil and gas sectors. The coun- intersections, water and electric- that has hosted the World Cup the needs of future development metro networks”, he said. the number of vehicles on the try is set to launch large number ity, hotels and urban development. in conjunction with South Korea in an efficient and sustainable Motoi Sasaki, the vice-min- road. There will be 16.36 million of mega projects to realise Qatar This development projects will in 2002 and Olympic Games. The way. The Japanese companies, ister for land, infrastructure registered cars and pickups in the National Vision 2030, as well as provide great opportunities for country is now preparing to host which are global names in the and Hokkaido Developments, GCC three years from now, with other infrastructure projects construction and engineering com- the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo fields of green designs and energy Shingo Tsuda, Ambassador of the CAGR estimated to be 6.3 associated with hosting of FIFA panies with world-class expertise. for the second time. “As a host efficient projects, can share their Japan to Qatar and Yoshihiro percent between 2012 and 2017. 2022 event, he said. Al Attiyah noted that Japan has country of the 2022 World Cup, expertise with Qatar. Yamaguchi, Chief Executive The number of trucks and The size and magnitude of the a proven track record and unique Qatar is looking for Japan to Talking to the media, Al Director, Overseas Construction buses is expected to reach 1.42 projects Qatar is set to launch expertise in the development of share their expertise . Attiyah exuded confidence that Association of Japan spoke at the million in 2017, recording a CAGR varies from stadiums, railway sports facilities and the associated Qatar, like many other the FIFA-related projects are function. THE PENINSULA of 6.9 percent. QNA MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS MPHC Sept to CBQ to focus more on local investments BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB to QR300m compared to the third quarter of 2013. The operating DOHA: After the success- income for the is up by 15 per- ful acquisition of a 70.84 cent to QR3.4bn and total assets Dec net profit percent stake in Turkey’s grew by 41 percent to QR113bn. Alternatifbank (ABank) earlier Customer loans and advances are last year, the Commercial Bank up by 38 percent at QR66.9bn. of Qatar (CBQ), one of the coun- Customers’ deposit grew by 53 try’s leading lenders, is planning percent to QR63.4bn. The earn- to focus on local investment ings per share is QR6.48. The hits QR0.6bn opportunities, and has limited bank raised QR2bn Additional appetite for investing overseas Tier 1 capital in 2013. markets, said a senior official of One of the agenda of the meet- Proposal for QR0.4bn cash dividend the bank yesterday. ing was to elect new directors of “We want to focus more in the the Board for the next three yeas. DOHA: Mesaieed Petro- with Qatar Petroleum. And, local as well as well as the UAE The bank’s existing Chairman, chemical Holding Company cash across all group companies markets from where we get our Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, (MPHC), a subsidiary of Qatar increased by QR0.2 bn during maximum profits, and so far we was not present in the meeting, Petroleum partially floated the four-month period to a total have no plans for foreign invest- and he decided not to contest on the Qatar Exchange, has of QR1.5bn.” ments or acquisition of banks for the next term. The name of recorded QR 0.6bn net profit for A breakdown of the segmen- overseas,” said Sheikh Abdullah Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Jabor Al Thani (left) with Hussein Al Fardan. new Board members, including the four-month period ended tal financial results showed the bin Ali Al Jabor Al Thani, Vice- IBRAHIM KUTTY the name of the new chairman is December 31, 2013. combined revenue performance of chairman of CBQ. expected to be announced today. In comments issued to the Qatar Q-Chem and Q-Chem II recording Sheikh Abdullah, who was Central Bank. Asked if the bank distribution of a cash dividend of “Today we must pay tribute Exchange after the group’s first revenue of QR1.2bn for the four- speaking with the media on the is worried about its investments 20 percent of the share’s nomi- to Mr Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Board of Directors meeting for month period ended December 31, sidelines of the bank’s Ordinary in Turkey due to the ongoing nal value to the shareholders Attiyah, and thank him for the 2014, H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh 2013, with polyolefins constituting and Extra Ordinary General political crisis, he said: “We are for 2013, which is equivalent to efforts and commitment he has Al Sada, the Minister of Energy 62 percent of the revenue, alpha Meeting, said: “Given the host of fully confident about the future of QR2 for each share held, and made to execute his role and ful- and Industry and Chairman of olefins almost 26 percent and the investment opportunities coming Turkey as well as our investments bonus shares of 20 percent (one fil his responsibility during the Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding remainder attributable to ethyl- up in the local market we expect in the country. It (investment) bonus share for every five shares time he served as chairman. We Company, said the board proposed ene and other minor products. much better financial results for was a well thought of decision, held). regretfully understand his deci- a cash dividend of QR0.4bn, or QR During the period, 148,000 MT the bank next year.” and we are expecting good growth The bank delivered a full year sion not to run again for the 0.35 per share. of polyolefins and 65,000 MT of He said CBQ has about 31 with the growth of the Turkish net profit of QR1.6bn ended position due to personal rea- As per the directives of the alpha olefins were produced at branches across the country, economy.” December 31, 2013, down from sons,” said Hussein Al Fardan, Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin utilisation rates of 112 percent and it is looking forward to open The AGM approved all rec- QR2.02bn recorded a year ago. Managing Director of the bank Hamad Al Thani, the proposed and 99 percent, respectively, more branches, and it is wait- ommendations of the Board However, profit for the fourth in his address. dividends will be distributed to broadly in line with historical ing for approval from the Qatar of Directors, including the quarter of 2013 was up 7 percent THE PENINSULA the shareholders a day before the averages, the company said. first general assembly meeting On the QVC’s performance, of the company, scheduled to be Al Subaey said the revenue from held on April 9, 2014. This recom- the sale of chlor-alkali products mended dividend is equivalent to for the four-month period was QE index loses 72.1 percent of net profit. QR0.3bn. Net profit recorded Qatar General Insurance to distribute Commenting on the finan- during the period was QR0.04bn, cial results, Khalid Al Subaey, with a net profit margin of 12.3 12.33 points Chief Coordinator, Mesaieed percent, while EBITDA was DOHA: Qatar Exchange ended 20pc bonus shares; increases capital Petrochemical Holding Company, QR0.07bn and EBITDA margin in the red area yesterday to said, “Net profit for the four- 21.6 percent. close at 11,331.05 points, down month period to December 31, “The close of this first financial 12.33 points, or 0.11 percent, DOHA: Qatar General 2013 was QR0.6bn. This period period marks the beginning of a from the previous closing of Insurance and Reinsurance held was marked by relatively sta- new era for MPHC and the state 11,343.38 points on Thursday. its Ordinary and Extraordinary ble market conditions and of Qatar. The Board of Directors The volume of shares fell to General Assembly Meeting yes- operations — utilisation rates and senior management look 17,654,772 from 19,777,992. Among terday in which the assembly remained strong and no major forward to the future with con- the top losers were Qatar Islamic approved the Board’s recom- shut-downs were noted. Profits fidence in the sound competi- Bank whose share were down 1.09 mendation to distribute 20 per- were also aided by the supply tive advantages of the group and percent to QR72.70, Vodafone cent bonus shares equivalent of competitively-priced ethane strong government support”, Dr Qatar lost 0.82 percent to QR12.10 to 1 share for every 5 shares, feedstock and fuel gas under Al Sada said. and International Islamic Bank and to amend Article (6) of the long-term supply agreements THE PENINSULA fell 0.70 percent to QR71. QNA Articles of Association of the Company to increase the capital of the company from QR576m to QR691.8m, divided into 69 million shares, with a nominal value of QR10 per share. “The company managed suc- cessfully to achieve an upgrade for its Financial Strength Rating (FSR) and Issuer Credit Rating (ICR) to ‘A-’ and ‘a-’ respectively with ‘Stable’ outlook from AM Best Rating Agency. This reflects Sheikh Nasser bin Ali bin Saud Al Thani (right) with Deputy Chairman Sheikh the company’s extremely strong Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT capital, solid operating perform- ance, and risk management policy as well as the quality of insurance of the investment portfolio and financing this year through the services provided by the company income resources, and mitigat- restructuring of credit facili- to its individual and corporate cli- ing the associated risks while ties and real estate re-financ- ents,” said Sheikh Nasser bin Ali maintaining sufficient and stable ing arrangements by obtaining bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman and returns,” he added. financing terms and conditions Managing Director, Qatar General The group achieved a net with the most competitive inter- Insurance and Reinsurance. profit of QR2,131m in 2013 com- est rates in the market. “The Group has achieved 12 pared with QR176m for the year The chairman said the group percent growth in Gross Written 2012, representing an increase of has taken large steps towards the Premium in spite of the strong QR1,955m, while the net profit development of the national cad- competition in the Qatari market. of the Group after deducting the res by means of promoting and Also, there has been an immense fair value gains from revalua- encouraging Qatari youth to join gross of 33 percent in the Gross tion of investment properties in insurance industry and provid- Written Premium for the Takaful amounted to QR129m compared ing necessary training both inter- business, which reflects strong with QR136m for the year 2012. nally and externally including performance and constant The gross written premium, university education to empower achievement comprehended by including Takaful business, and develop them in that course . the Group in the Takaful insur- reached QR763m compared with He said work is underway ance market,” he said. “The Group QR653m for the year 2012, repre- to restructure the companies also continued to outperform in senting an increase of 17 percent. within the group to cope with the its investment activities through According to the chairman, the group strategy. in developing the the development of exceptional group had achieved an enormous businesses. real estate projects, diversification saving in cost of borrowing and THE PENINSULA

Kia Motors launches service promotion DOHA: Kia Motors Qatar keeps its focus in strengthening the after sales service with the opening of 2014Service Clinic called ‘Newcomers’ (pictured). The service clinic will offer a comprehensive assessment of engine, transmission, electrical system, airconditioning and cool- ing, body, exterior, etc. The after sales service is a fun- damental part at Kia Qatar and it continues to be their attempt to offer the best services for their customers, the company said in a statement. Kia vehicle owners from 2009 onwards are eligible for the promotion. Customers can benefit from a basic understand- ing of maintenance as the Service Clinic is done by the trained tech- into one of the top five automotive Qatar service capabilities and nicians from Kia Qatar. dealers in Qatar. promote the use of genuine parts. Al-Attiya Motors & Trading Hossam A Shadi, the Director The Service Clinic is scheduled Co is the exclusive dealer of Kia of Automotive at Al Attiya Motors, from March 16 to March 31 at No. Motors since 1986. AMTC has has highlighted the importance 27, Al Wakalat Street, Industrial grown from a very small operation of the clinic to showcase the Kia Area. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

For minimum wage Aldermore, Saudi Arabia’s GDP up Jimmy Choo 3.8pc: Central bank plan stock ‘Yuan good diversifier, but far from reserve currency’ listings LONDON: The private equity RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s gross of GDP. Saudi Arabia has been reserves in the renminbi,” he said owner of new British bank domestic product (GDP) grew using part of its massive oil rev- at an annual news conference in Aldermore has hired Credit by 3.8 percent in 2013, media enue to repay its public debt. the Saudi capital. Suisse and Deutsche Bank to yesterday quoted Saudi Arabian The IMF had advised Riyadh to Mubarak, who does not com- prepare it for a listing that Monetary Authority (cen- gradually raise energy prices to ment on policy outside of annual could value it at £800m-£900m, tral bank) governor Fahad al- cut consumption which has been press briefings, did not say, how- Britain’s Sunday Times news- Mubarak as saying. rising rapidly because of the king- ever, whether the central bank paper reported. The International Monetary dom’s growing population. had considered adding the yuan to The newspaper, without Fund said last May that it Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia its portfolio of net foreign assets. citing sources, said that the expected growth in the largest thinks that the Chinese yuan is a Its reserves, the vast majority of listing by Aldermore’s owner Arab economy to fall to 4.4 per- good option for diversifying for- which are believed to be in US Anacap would take place in the cent in 2013 from 6.8 percent the eign currency reserves but it is dollars, grew to a record $718bn autumn. previous year, blaming an antici- still far from being a reserve cur- in January. A spokesman for Aldermore pated drop in oil production and rency, the central bank governor A gradual easing of restric- declined to comment on government spending. said yesterday. tions on the yuan and increasing the Sunday Times report but Mubarak said the 2013 budget Asked whether it made sense trade with China have led some said Aldermore was reviewing surplus was SR180bn ($48bn), to consider diversifying the cen- of Beijing’s partner countries its capital markets strategy or 6.5 percent of gross domestic tral bank’s reserves to include the include the renminbi in their offi- which could, amongst other product. In 2012, the budget sur- yuan, also known as the renminbi, cial reserves and open currency strategies, include an initial pub- plus was SR386bn ($102.93bn). or explore a currency swap agree- swap agreements. lic offering. He said the current account ment, Mubarak said: “We think it Among the Gulf Arab oil Credit Suisse declined to com- surplus was SR486.7bn ($130bn), is a stronger currency, but it is far exporters, who mostly peg their ment while Deutsche Bank was or 17.4 percent of GDP. Inflation from being a reserve currency at currencies to the US dollar, the not immediately available to rose from 2.9 percent in 2012 to this stage.” United Arab Emirates signed a comment. 3.5 percent last year but “remains ”But indeed it represents a three-year currency swap agree- Aldermore, founded in 2009, under control”, Mubarak said. good option and a good diversi- ment worth $5.5bn with China in has established itself as one of Meanwhile, public debt dropped fier and we have seen that some 2012 to boost two-way trade and the more credible newcomers People rally in support of a $15 minimum wage at Seattle Central to SR75bn ($20bn), or 2.7 percent of the central banks have some investment. REUTERS trying to challenge Britain’s Community College in Seattle, Washington. established banks and poten- tially increase competition. It said it was seeking acquisi- tions to speed up its expansion last year. It raised £40m in new capital Abu Dhabi extends period of $20bn loans to Dubai in December to help it with its growth aspirations. DUBAI: Oil-rich Abu Dhabi The loans, that were due this in Dubai. “It is very positive for on investment”. Dubai sent jitters of its companies high and dry and Separately, the Sunday Times and the UAE central bank year, will have an interest rate of Dubai in terms of meeting its debt through global financial markets with a heavy debt burden. also said that Labelux, the owner agreed yesterday to roll over one percent, WAM said. obligations for 2014, which was in 2009 when it signalled prob- Dubai and its government- of Jimmy Choo, has held meet- $20bn in loans to neighbouring “These agreements are made a heavy year, mainly due to the lems in servicing mountains of related firms piled up some ings with investment bankers in debt-laden Dubai after it was within the context of its par- maturing debt owed to the central debt owed by government-related $113bn in debt. But with the help recent weeks to discuss floating hit by the 2009 global finan- ties’ continued efforts to boost bank and Abu Dhabi,” she said. entities. Dubai World group was of deep-pocketed Abu Dhabi, and a minority stake in the luxury cial crisis. The government of the competitiveness of the UAE Dubai had $36.5bn of debt the first to expose the emirate’s following long talks with lenders, shoe retailer that could value it Abu Dhabi agreed to roll over economy on both regional and maturing this year, including the debt problem, saying it was fac- Dubai managed to restructure at £1bn. a loan of $10bn for a renewable international levels, and to reflect debt just rolled over by Abu Dhabi ing difficulty in repaying debt most of its debt. However, the Sunday Times five years, the state news agency the upturns Dubai’s domestic and the central bank, according to amounting to $26bn. Other GREs The economy of the glitzy cited sources close to Labelux WAM reported. economy has witnessed over the figures published last year. followed suit. emirate, home to the world’s tall- as saying that the plans were at The Abu Dhabi-based central past few years,” WAM said. Malik said the reduction in the The once rapidly booming est tower and large man-made an early stage and could amount bank of the UAE federation at the “This is positive for Dubai, loans’ interest rate to 1 percent, economy of Dubai was hit hard by islands, has since bounced back to nothing. same time renewed subscription but it was largely expected,” said from 4 percent earlier, was “par- the world financial crisis, which strongly, banking on its core sec- Labelex was not immediately to Dubai bonds worth $10bn for Monica Malik, chief economist at ticularly notable”, saying it will be turned off the tap on easily avail- tors of trade, tourism and trans- available to comment. five years, it said. EFG-Hermes investment bank “supportive of Dubai refocusing able foreign finance, leaving many port. AFP REUTERS MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Honda recalls Nikon is under nearly 900,000 Odyssey vans lens for selling DETROIT: Honda Motor Co is recalling nearly 900,000 Odyssey minivans that could catch fire, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a defective units recall notice. In a March 13 filing with NHTSA, Honda said 2005-2010 China TV expose a big challenge Odysseys built in Alabama have a fuel-pump part that could crack SHANGHAI: Japan’s Nikon Twitter-like Weibo. The “3.15” and cause a fuel leak, increasing Corp has moved to allay con- expose often spooks multinational the risk of fire. The company said sumer fears in China after firms and their public relations it has no reports of fires or injuries being criticised on a closely teams into crisis mode, but this related to the problem. Because the watched consumer show that year left other big international recall involves 886,815 Odyssey vans, said the camera maker had firms relatively unscathed, choos- Honda said the proper repair parts sold defective products in China ing to focus on smaller, domestic won’t be available until summer. and denied local consumers fair players. A short segment warned In the meantime, it will provide treatment in aftersales service. consumers about the dangers of “interim” parts to customers, who The firm, which had sales of online payments, coming after will be notified beginning in April. 118bn yen ($1.16bn) in China in China’s central bank halted the Honda said it had investigated 2013, said yesterday it was taking mobile payment processes of IPO- several potential causes, includ- the report “very seriously” and bound Alibaba Group Holdings ing acid from chemicals found in had moved to improve its after- and Tencent Holdings Ltd. car washes and low-PH materials sales network in China, according Last year “3.15”, one of the A Honda Odyssey minivan displayed at Honda’s headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. used in fertiliser and dust control to its official microblog sites. most widely watched shows in agents. REUTERS Criticism in Chinese state media China, singled out Apple for its can have a long-lasting impact, after sales service and German particularly in cases of corruption carmaker Volkswagen AG over and food safety scandals, which gearbox issues. have hit some firms over the last Fast-food outlet McDonald’s year, including French foodmaker Corp, supermaket chain Carrefour Danone SA to British drugmaker SA and home products firm ECB on defensive over rates status quo GlaxoSmithKline Plc. Procter & Gamble Co have also An annual investigative spe- previously come under the show’s FRANKFURT: The European Deflation is a widespread of the situation and we will act Tools that other central banks cial on China Central Television spotlight. But CCTV has come Central Bank appears to be decline in prices which can lead when necessary,” Praet insisted had at their disposal—such as (CCTV) called “3.15”, similar to under fire in China over the last increasingly on the defen- to consumers delaying purchases. at a central banking conference. quantitative easing or the pur- the CBS network’s “60 Minutes” year, with some consumers rush- sive, stepping up efforts this It can trigger a destructive spi- “At present, risks of deflation ... chase of asset backed securities— in the United States, said late on ing to defend its targets. Younger week to counter criticism ral where companies forced to are quite limited,” said ECB chief would be either “very hard (for Saturday that some of Nikon’s generations are also turning away of complacency after it held cut prices also cut wages and lay Mario Draghi. the ECB) to implement, highly D600 cameras had black specks from traditional CCTV shows, interest rates steady again this off workers, leaving consumers But Draghi also insisted controversial and it is far from on the lens, and accused the firm attracted to imported dramas month. with less money to spend and the that the ECB has been prepar- certain whether they would of refusing requests to replace the online. Shoppers, economists A whole range of top ECB entire economy worse off. ing “additional non-standard really work,” Brzeski said. defective products. and even internal CCTV staff officials—from president Mario “Acting just for the sake of act- monetary policy measures” and “All of this leaves the ECB with The show suggested that Nikon criticised a TV report in October Draghi to chief economist Peter ing makes no sense,” said Sabine would take “decisive action” if only one last option and this is consumers in the United States targeting high prices at US coffee Praet and the newest execu- Lautenschlaeger, who joined the needed. a rate cut. But as long as the receive better treatment, echo- chain Starbucks Corp. tive board member Sabine ECB’s executive board in January. Given the ECB’s pro-active macro-scenario predicts a grad- ing the attack in last year’s show Firms have also got wise. Nikon Lautenschlaeger—have felt com- “I reject it if someone says fire-fighting role throughout the ual recovery and low inflation is on smartphone maker Apple itself has launched a “3.15” cam- pelled to defend the decision not we are complacent. There eurozone crisis, central bank mainly driven by energy prices, Inc’s China warranties, which paign, while German carmaker to ease monetary conditions any was no strong reason to act,” watchers said they are convinced there is no reason for the ECB to prompted a rare apology from BMW said on Friday it would further, despite an alarmingly Lautenschlaeger said in her first that Draghi and his team are not act,” Brzeski said. the giant US tech firm. recall an unspecified number of low level of inflation. newspaper interview since taking suddenly being complacent. RBS economist Richard “From today, based around an vehicles proactively in China after The ECB last cut its key “refi” up her position. Rather, with interest rates Barwell also felt that the ECB’s attitude of responsibility towards months of consumer complaints. refinancing rate to 0.25 per- The ECB’s chief economist close to zero, the bank’s options hands were tied. Its apparent our users, Nikon will continue to “We have learned a lot from the cent in November but has not Peter Praet similarly rejected were more limited, analysts said. reluctance to act was because offer our customers in the China last experience,” said a spokes- taken any additional measures suggestions that the central “Conducting monetary policy the ECB’s governing council “has market a high-quality, stand- woman from Volkswagen, which since, despite concerns the sin- bank was “behind the curve” and is simply not as easy as some run out of easy options, not that ardised global service,” Nikon was caught in the spotlight last gle currency area could slip into under-estimating the dangers of analysts think,” said Carsten it is indifferent to low inflation,” said in Chinese on the country’s year. REUTERS deflation. deflation. “We have a clear view Brzeski at ING DiBa. Barwell said. AFP

Vehicle sales in China jump 18pc Recovery is incomplete: Osborne

LONDON: British Finance weaknesses in Britain,” he said. Asked about whether the Minister George Osborne “We don’t export enough; we threshold for the 40 percent warned yesterday that Britain’s don’t invest enough; we don’t income tax band—now swelling economic recovery was on build enough and we don’t make with middle-income earners— course but far from completion enough.” would be raised from the £31,866 as he prepared to deliver his He said Britain needed to link fixed for the 2014-15 financial year, annual budget this week. itself to emerging markets and Osborne refused to divulge details. The chancellor of the excheq- support business investment. “I’m a low-tax Conservative. I uer said Britain was not export- “These aren’t new features of want hard-working people on all ing, investing, building or making the British economy—they’ve of these incomes to keep more of enough to secure the revival. “The been historic weaknesses that the their incomes tax-free,” he said. message I’ll be giving in the budget very big economic recession has “We do have a lot more dif- is that the economic plan is work- exposed,” Osborne said. “We’ve ficult decisions to come because ing but the job is very far from got to go a lot further. We’ve got the truth is this country got done,” he told BBC television. to make sure we’re really getting itself heavily into debt. It racked Osborne will deliver his fifth to the bottom of what it is that up a very big budget deficit,” he annual budget in parliament provides economic security for the warned, on future tight budgets. on Wednesday, and is expected people of this country.” Osborne and London Mayor to uphold the coalition govern- Britons need “the economic Boris Johnson are seen among the ment’s deficit-reducing course security of knowing you’ve got a potential candidates for the next as the British economic recovery job, the country’s earning its way Conservative leader after Prime strengthens. “We need to build in the world, that we can deal Minister David Cameron, but a resilient economy and that with debts and we’ve got public the chancellor played down talk Employees at a Chinese automobile factory in Hefei. Vehicle sales in China jumped 18 percent in February means addressing the long-term finances under control,” he said. of hostility between them. AFP from a year earlier, China’s automobile makers’ association said, marking a strong rebound from January. Mexico telecoms reform could take years to unseat Slim

MEXICO CITY: Tycoon Carlos open up the fixed-line network market position is not likely to around 61 percent by end-2020, Slim (pictured), under fire from and share transmission towers, face any serious decline, despite while Bernstein Research esti- regulators in his home country, ducts and other nonelectronic the regulatory benefit for smaller mated it will be around 60 percent has spent the last two years infrastructure. players, given its well-established by 2016-17. sniffing out deals in Europe to It could have been worse. The operational scale and expertise,” America Movil’s Mexico unit, offset an impending regulatory IFT could have ordered the com- credit ratings agency Fitch said which accounts for just under half shake-up of Mexican telecoms. pany to divest assets, and analysts this week. of group earnings before interest, But though the reforms are forecast that Slim will still hold America Movil has been look- taxes, depreciation and amorti- the furthest-reaching measures 60 percent of the market in a few ing to expand into recovering zation (EBITDA), is tipped to passed against Slim since he years. “We aren’t that worried,” European economies for the last become less profitable. became the dominant force in a top-20 America Movil share- two years to escape the rising tide The company could see its Mexico’s telecoms market more holder said on condition of ano- of regulatory measures in Mexico. Mexico EBITDA profit mar- than two decades ago, they are nymity. “We think the company After a failed takeover bid for gins fall to below 35 percent in likely to take years to erode his has suffered a lot and that the Dutch telecoms group KPN last 2017, from 43.9 percent in 2013, hold on the business. prices and valuation of the shares year, the company is now moving analysts at ItauBBA forecast. Slim’s America Movil, which incorporated a worse scenario toward a deal with the Austrian Bernstein estimates that America Secondary laws to imple- evidence of antitrust practices by controls 70 percent of the Mexican with regards to (IFT).” government that could see Slim Movil’s annual EBITDA in Mexico ment the 2013 telecoms reform, America Movil. And if the com- mobile market and 80 percent of America Movil’s share price fell take control of Telekom Austria. will decline 13 percent between expected to be presented to pany fails to comply with account- its fixed lines, was singled out for to a near four-year low the day One of the top telecoms experts 2013 and 2016, equivalent to a Congress soon, are more than ing separation rules, it may have tougher measures last week by after the government presented in Congress said last year the drop of around $1.2bn. three months behind an original its concessions revoked, the IFT the Federal Telecommunications the reform that created the IFT reform would be a failure if Slim’s Mexico’s telecoms market is December deadline for passing has said. America Movil’s fixed- Institute (IFT), the new mar- in March 2013, and it remains share of Mexico’s mobile market expanding meanwhile. The IFT’s them. Legal battles over the new line subsidiary Telmex must, ket regulator. His Mexico phone well below mid-2012 levels. Since did not drop below 50 percent by production index for the sector, laws could further delay changes. within 180 days of last Friday, units must now present plans last week’s announcement the 2018. Market estimates look more which includes fixed and mobile The IFT’s measures will be allow rivals use of its “last mile” to lower rates for rivals using stock was up 0.85 percent to 13.09 cautious. subscriptions, phone traffic, pay revised every two years, though of phone line connecting the tel- America Movil’s mobile net- pesos at Thursday’s close. Analysts at bank BBVA fore- TV subscriptions and other meas- the regulator can still order asset ephone exchange to customers for work, eliminate roaming charges, “The company’s entrenched cast in January that he will reach ures, grew 8 percent in 2013. divestitures if it finds sufficient a regulated fee. REUTERS MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Impoverished Haiti making Coal or nuclear? South its own Android tablet BY AMELIE BARON Africa must decide now ETTER known for producing third-world poverty and politi- cal mayhem — as well as a world-class rum — the Western BHemisphere’s least developed country has made a surpris- N PAPER, South Africa’s long- by public anger over corruption scandals the government realises it could pay a heavy ing entry into the high-tech world with its own Android tablet. term energy plans look solid, and deficient delivery of public services in price if it does not decide in time on the Sandwiched between textile factories in a Port-au-Prince indus- with coal, nuclear, gas and many poor black townships. next phase of power construction when trial park next to a slum, a Haitian-founded company has begun renewables all viable options. The worst is not over, says Eskom, which Medupi and Kusile are complete. manufacturing the low-cost tablet called Surtab, a name closely But none are likely to prevent provides 95 percent of South Africa’s elec- “We are working around the clock to arrive resembling the Haitian Creole for “on the table.” Opotentially crippling future power crunches tricity and has a total generation capacity of at decisions quickly,” Public Enterprises Unlike the factories next door where low-paid textile work- in Africa’s biggest economy unless a deci- 42,000 MW. This is slightly less than Turkey Minister Malusi Gigaba said. ers churn out cheap undergarments for the US market, Surtab sion is made soon on when and how to add but almost 10 times more than Nigeria, sub- The IRP is revised every two years, the workers are equipped with soldering irons, not sewing machines. capacity to the grid. saharan Africa’s second biggest economy latest revision being last year. Cabinet has Dressed in sterile white work clothes, and a hair net, Sergine South Africa’s failure to invest in new and top oil producer. yet to approve the updated plan which Brice is proud of her job. “I never imagined I could, one day, make power plants nearly two decades ago meant Although South Africa’s infrastructure is proposes a delay in construction of more a tablet by myself,” she said. it paid dearly in 2008 when the grid nearly generally the envy of Africa, at the moment nuclear power plants and a focus instead Unemployed for a year after losing her position in a phone collapsed, leading to power cuts that cost nearly a quarter of its power generation on coal, hydro and gas. company, Brice, 22, was not sure she had the skills when she took the economy billions of rand in lost output capacity is out of action, mainly for mainte- Eskom’s problems are compounded by the job after Surtab opened last year. and dented investor confidence. nance. The first power from Medupi, about increasing maintenance needs at its dec- “When I arrived and realised the job deals with electronic com- State-owned power utility Eskom is 800 MW, is expected in the second half of ades-old plants, and unplanned outages. ponents, I was wondering if I would be able to do it. But when I scrambling to finish new power plants, this year. Eskom admits this will not pre- It also faces challenges relating to the finished my first tablet ... I felt an immense pleasure,” she said. including Medupi and Kusile, massive coal- vent more blackouts should the system quality of coal fed into its power stations. Her family and friends were sceptical. “None of them believed fired outfits with a combined capacity of come under further strain. The recent blackouts were imposed after me,” she said. “Tablets made in Haiti? What are you talking about 9,500 megawatts (MW). Any event leading to a loss of more than torrential rain soaked coal stockpiles and about?” they told her. But they are still several years away from 1,500 MW could have a significant impact the coal could not be fed properly into “Haitians have in our minds the idea that nothing can be done completion, and in the interim Eskom will on the grid, Eskom said. the system. “I don’t think there is nearly in this country. I proved that yes, we Haitians have the capacity be battling to keep the lights on, nursing its Eskom Chief Executive Brian Dames said enough attention being given to the supply to do many things,” she said. “It’s not just Americans or Chinese. fleet of ageing generating units and hoping South Africa was still feeling the repercus- of coal for Eskom. That’s an area govern- We’ve got what they’ve got, so we can do it too.” breakdowns do not reduce reserve margins sions of the ANC government’s decision not ment needs to do more work on,” said Mike With $200,000 in start-up funds from the US Agency for to critical levels. to build new plants when asked by the util- Rossouw, chairman of the Energy Intensive International Development (USAID), and using imported Asian The utility has declared four power ity to do so in 1998. Construction of Medupi Users Group, which represents heavy power components, the factory produces three models all with 7-inch “emergencies” since November and ear- only started in 2007 and has been plagued users such as mines and factories. screens that run on Google Inc’s Android operation system. They lier this month imposed rolling blackouts, by delays related to design flaws and labour Eskom’s coal stockpiles are mostly kept range from a simple wifi tablet with 512 megabytes of RAM for known locally as “load shedding”, for the unrest. “It will take 10 years to fix the 1998 in the open, in part because of the high about $100, to a 3G model with 2-gigabytes of memory for $285. first time in six years. problem,” said Dames, who steps down at cost of storage, and so are prone to damage The small factory with 40 employees is a throwback to the 1970s Although they lasted only a day, the the end of this month. from heavy rain. Storage bunkers are avail- and 1980s when Haiti had a thriving assembly industry, including blackouts came at a bad time for President In its 20-year Integrated Resource Plan able but not enough to protect all the coal computer boards, as well as baseballs for US professional teams. Jacob Zuma and his governing African (IRP), running up to 2030, the government and the problem is compounded by most Political turmoil, and a US economic embargo in the 1990s fol- National Congress two months before a says coal, nuclear, hydro, shale gas and of Eskom’s supply coming from exposed lowing a military coup, put them out of business. national election. The ANC is expected to renewable energy are all options to beef up open-pit mines. “A product such as Surtab shows that Haitians are not just win but its majority is likely to be reduced power supply. And after the 2008 debacle, REUTERS destined for low-wage, low-skilled jobs,” said John Groarke, coun- try director for USAID. “It’s the sort of high-skilled job that the country needs to work its way out of poverty.” Brice, who works an eight-hour shift, would not disclose her salary. Surtab employees receive a bonus for each tablet that successfully passes the quality control and the company says it pays two to three times the Haitian minimum wage of $5 a day. With only a limited selection of expensive imported tablets available in Haiti, Sûrtab is the cheapest device on the market. “It’s easy to use and it takes really good quality photos, like any other tablet,” said one happy customer, Lisbeth Plantin. “And it’s great to see ‘Made in Haiti’ on the back,” she added. At the factory there is no production line, instead workers assemble each device from start to finish. “We could have done like in Asia, one task per employee, which is faster, but we wanted to have a better quality product,” said Diderot Musset, Surtab’s production manager. Depending on the model, it takes an employee between 35 min- utes and an hour to make a tablet. The company produces between 4,000 to 5,000 tablets a month, but plans to double that in April. “We want the parts of the market which are not taken by the big players, especially in developing countries. These people would like to have a tablet but cannot afford an iPad,” he said, referring to the Apple Inc device that costs at least $300 in US stores and is barely available in Haiti. All the factory floor employees are women. “It was not a choice we made but it happens that women have better results. I think women may be more open to learn some- thing completely different from what they were doing before,” Musset said with a smile. The company is running into inevitable scepticism about the quality of a Haitian-made tablet. “Some people only believe in it when they come here and see the girls working,” he said. The company has a retail distribution deal in Haiti with Digicel, a global telecom company that dominates the local cellphone market, as well as sales to Haitian government ministries and local non- governmental organisations. A university in Kenya also ordered 650 Surtab devices. Surtab is hoping to diversify its product line beyond tablets, said Patrick Sagna, director of business development. “We want to establish a presence in the software sector. We are in contact with people from San Francisco who are ready to work with Haitian developers,” he said. Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate REUTERS Keystone would yield few permanent jobs BY ALISTAIR BELL that, there were just four workers For example, a hamburger ven- to harvest crude from Alberta’s construction, such as steel work- build bathrooms in the firehouse overseeing pumping stations near dor working extra hours to serve tar sands oilfields — would dam- ers, Texas refinery workers and as a gesture to the community in N THE heated debate this Great Plains town of about truck drivers who transport age the environment. even Margo Compton, the owner 2010. over whether to build the 60 people. steel pipes for Keystone could be Keystone XL would begin in of a Steele City bar called the But Steele City’s status as a Keystone XL pipeline, the Rippe’s experience reflects regarded as adding to the jobs Alberta and cut across Montana Salty Dog Saloon. pipeline hub has not reversed energy industry and law- what many labour analysts total. and South Dakota to Steele City, At the Salty Dog, stickers from the town’s decades-long decline, makers have predicted that are saying as President Barack A State Department study in in southern Nebraska. There pipeline workers’ unions are plas- as residents have left to find work Ithe project could unleash an eco- Obama’s administration weighs January was the latest report to it would link up with existing tered on a beer refrigerator by the elsewhere. The population fell to nomic bonanza in the Midwest, whether to approve the Keystone throw cold water on Keystone Keystone pipelines that run from bar. 61 in the last US Census in 2010, and provide jobs for up to a half- project: that despite predictions XL’s potential as a driver of Steele City to Texas, carrying Compton’s business boomed down from 137 in 1980. million people. by TransCanada, politicians and employment, forecasting that it 830,000 barrels of crude a day. briefly in 2010, thanks to big- “We have to face it: This is a Kansas pipeline worker Jeremy business groups of a Keystone- would create just 35 permanent There is no dispute that build- spending construction workers dying village,” Scheele said. Rippe knows better. inspired boom, the pipeline would staff jobs for people who would ing the final leg of the Keystone who built an earlier segment of That’s why people here don’t “Short term, there will be jobs result in few permanent jobs in oversee the completed pipeline. network would create temporary the Keystone pipeline nearby. mind lofty estimates about for everyone around here. Then, the United States. “We are having a national American jobs. TransCanada, Today, she jokes that the bar’s Keystone jobs, even if the claims not many at all,” said Rippe, who The optimistic forecasts by debate about the Keystone XL unions and economists agree that regulars, many of whom work in by officials such as U.S. House of helps maintain a gas pipeline on Keystone supporters are rooted pipeline and one of the issues the company would need about agriculture, are poor tippers com- Representatives Speaker John the Nebraska-Kansas border. largely in one report from 2010 being brought up is jobs, but this 9,000 workers in the two-year pared with the pipeline workers. Boehner seem inflated. Rippe saw TransCanada Corp — funded by TransCanada — that project is really in scale similar construction phase. The arguments for Keystone “Let’s work together on build- — the company that hopes to predicted hundreds of thousands to a local project like extending Complaints that such jobs XL are popular in Steele City. ing the Keystone pipeline and build the 1,900km Keystone XL of jobs would be created mainly the (Washington, DC) Metro sub- would be temporary do not make Jobs of almost any sort are wel- the tens of thousands of jobs that segment as part of a network because a flood of crude through way system to Dulles Airport, or the jobs any less valid, said Alex come in a town where the only would be created as a result,” of pipelines that move oil from Keystone XL would help reduce a major highway project,” said Pourbaix, executive vice president other employers are farms, the Boehner said in January, add- Canada to refineries on Texas’ US oil prices, thus boosting the energy economist Ian Goodman, of TransCanada. Salty Dog Saloon and a post office ing that more than 100,000 jobs Gulf Coast — lay another section economy. who worked on a Cornell “I often have to shake my head barely bigger than a hut. One resi- would “come with” a completed of the Keystone line nearby four Pro-Keystone groups also have University study of Keystone. when our opponents make these dent makes money selling guns pipeline. years ago. arrived at big numbers in estimat- Much of the debate over allegations. The entire construc- from his home. Boehner’s estimate appeared He recalls that there was well- ing the project’s potential impact Keystone has cast conservative, tion industry on this continent is “Everyone here agrees that to include what economists call paying union work for scores on employment by counting not pro-business pipeline support- comprised of temporary construc- Keystone has been nothing but “indirect” and “induced” jobs - of local labourers and machine only those who would work on ers who stress jobs and energy tion jobs,” he said. good for us,” said Steele City post- those that would be created in operators for several months. the pipeline, but also jobs that needs against liberal groups such Keystone XL also would put master Bill Scheele. a ripple effect from the pipeline But the jobs dried up as soon as might be created by economic as the Sierra Club that say the money in the pockets of thousands TransCanada donated $10,000 work. the construction was over. After activity related to the project. pipeline — and the methods used of others not directly involved in to help improve the town hall and REUTERS MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 11,331.05 0.11 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 16,687.1 0.11 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,441.64 0.03 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,885.22 0.04 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,752.4 0.30 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5429.061 28.596 0.53 5477.3 5072.7 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,707.91 0.23 % QR160.0660 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4304.01 -2.25 -0.05 4432.5 4080.6 QE All Share Industrials 3,927.01 0.10 % SILVER UK ...... QR 6.0443 QR 6.1285 QE All Share Insurance 2,696.31 0.37 % Dj Indu Average 16340.08 -11.17 -0.07 16588.25 14382.09 Euro ...... QR 5.0510 QR 5.1222 QE All Share Real Estate 2,168.76 0.16 % QR 2.4752 CA$ ...... QR 3.2593 QR 3.3234 QE All Share Telecoms 1,497.53 1.40 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,996.39 0.37 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.1552 QR 4.2150 Hang Seng Inde/D 21756.08 -145.87 -0.67 23469.33 21197.78 Yen ...... QR 0.0352 QR 0.0359 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.2692 QR 3.3333 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 4998.66 -2.62 -0.05 5195.97 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 16-03-2014 13-03-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0590 QR 0.0601 Index 11,331.05 11,343.38 Karachi 100 In/D 27083.12 -32.08 -0.12 27427.04 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0365 QR 0.0372 Change 12.33 5.79 BRENT Nikkei 225 Index 14815.98 -14.41 -0.1 16164.01 13995.86 Peso ...... QR 0.0809 QR 0.0825 % 0.11 0.05 $ 107.71 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0282 YTD% 9.17 9.29 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1883.57 1536.03 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0475 Volume 17,654,772 19,777,992 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0371 QR 0.0378 Value (QAR) 726,151,874.64 829,705,303.87 Straits Times/D 3081.39 -16.04 -0.52 3187.8 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3340 QR 0.3437 Trades 9,287 9,539 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 103.65 Up 16 | Down18 | Unchanged 05

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 16-03-2014

Gold rises on Ukraine but copper and oil fall on China concerns

OMMODITIES suf- Industrial metals, apart from While supply disruptions con- maintaining a bullish stance. fered its first reversal nickel which reached a one-year Weekly Commodity Update tinue to keep oil from the market, Once resistance at $1,355/oz was in six weeks as concerns high, have seen some of the big- production elsewhere has jumped. taken out, gold moved swiftly on Cover Chinese economic gest losses over the past week BY OLE HANSEN Most noticeably in Iraq, which, towards the next area of resist- growth and rising US stock- as worries about China’s ability according to the International ance at $ 1,383/oz, subsequently (Head of Commodity piles of crude oil soured senti- to maintain its role as a driver Energy Agency, saw its February breaching that mark at approxi- Strategy, Saxo Bank) ment across these key sectors. for increased demand has been production rise to the highest mately 1300 GMT Friday. Those The crisis in Ukraine supported put into question. Trade data for level in 30 years. Easing sanc- who have already bought gold are precious metals while creating February, which showed a sharp recent surprise weakening of the $96.50/barrel. The weekly US tions against Iran, meanwhile, not finding any reasons to depart demand for safe-haven currencies drop in imports of key commodi- renminbi and a bond default has inventory report showed a sev- saw its production rise to a one- with their profitable positions at like the Swiss franc and the yen. ties such as copper, iron ore and raised concerns about potential enth consecutive weekly rise in year high. this stage unless we have a change This emerging-risk adversity has crude, has lead to a rout in the losses on these trades and this crude oil inventories, this time by These developments together in sentiment resulting in a move removed the attention from bet- market for industrial metals with is the driver behind the current 6.2 million barrels which was con- with a continued rise in US and back below $1,355/oz. For now ter-than-expected US economic the London Metal Exchange metal weakness as traders ultimately siderably more than the market Canadian production should the uptrend remains intact and data and resulted in rising bonds index down by 6 percent during worry that an unwinding of had been expecting. The rise was ensure a well-supplied global beyond $1,383/oz, the next physi- at the expense of stocks. the week. Copper has been on the some of these deals could unleash driven by reduced demand from market over the coming months ological milestone at $1,400/oz is The agriculture sector recorded slide for the past four weeks but unwanted copper into an already refineries as they exit winter pro- but for now, disruptions else- waiting. its first weekly loss in seven as the sell-off this week has been oversupplied market. duction and begin maintenance where and geopolitical concerns Investors in exchange traded profit-taking hit commodities particularly aggressive with the The near-term outlook for and the turnaround towards gaso- keep the price relatively well products backed by physical gold such as soybeans, corn and sugar. metal reaching a 44-month low WTI crude oil has continued to line production. supported. have increased their holdings for Soybeans ran into some long liq- while on track for its biggest deteriorate since the Ukraine Adding downside pressure While other commodities have a third week in a row while tacti- uidation from traders and hedge weekly loss since last April. spike on March 3. A slump in was surprise news from the US been showing signs of running cal investors in futures, such as funds after China, the world’s Copper inventories at ware- Chinese crude oil imports in energy department that it was out of positive momentum, gold hedge funds, on March 4 were largest global buyer from key houses in China are currently February combined with ris- planning to release a modest continues to steam ahead. The holding bullish bets of almost 12 exporting nations such as the at levels not witnessed since the ing inventory levels has left a five million barrels of crude oil yellow metal is being carried for- million ounces, the highest since US and Brazil cancelled some historical highs in late 2012. An record net-long hedge fund posi- during April from its strategic ward by traders looking for an December 2012. Silver managed shipments due to low domestic undisclosed but significant share tion exposed to a correction. The reserves in order to test the dis- alternative investments during to keep up with the gains in demand. Wheat on the other of Chinese copper has been used technical break back below the tribution system. The timing of this period of raised uncertainty, gold despite the headwind being hand ended up as a top performer as collateral to borrow dollars at 200-day moving average on the the announcement raised a few not least due to the ongoing and created by the worries that a together with coffee on continued, a low rate. The proceeds were front-month futures contract at eyebrows considering the current potentially escalating crisis in Russian/US sanction battle could but until now unfounded worries, then converted into high-yield- $100/barrel, triggered some addi- breakdown in relations between Ukraine and Crimea. The combi- trip up the global economy and that Ukraine and Crimean pro- ing renminbi, lent in the shadow tional weakness which could now Russia, which needs a high oil nation of a weaker dollar and fall- hurt demand for industrial metals duction could suffer this coming banking sector or simply used as lead to the creation of a new sub price, and the US over Crimea ing stocks and lower bond yields including silver. season due to the current crises. collateral to obtain finance. The 100-dollar range with support at and Ukraine. all played into the hands of those THE PENINSULA MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Betancur gives Colombia Federer and Djokovic to first win in Paris-Nice

NICE: Carlos Betancur became the first Colombian cyclist to meet in Indian Wells final win the Paris-Nice race yes- terday following the eighth and final stage. Federer through to fifth final after ending Dolgopolov’s giant-killing run French champion Arthur Vichot won the stage, raced along the celebrated Promenade INDIAN WELLS: Roger keeping that up, taking the right des Anglais, which saw several Federer and Novak Djokovic decisions not to overplay, not to riders, including Portugal’s road set up another mouthwatering underplay, and enjoy yourself. race world champion Rui Costa, final at the BNP Paribas Open Because at the end of the day, it’s lose their chance of victory in at Indian Wells after winning also very important,” he said. the stage in a pile-up 300 metres their semis yesterday. “But having the fire and want- from the finish. Federer ended the giant-kill- ing to win every single match you Costa was able to remount and ing run of Ukrainian Alexandr go out there and in the practice cycle gingerly to the finishing line Dolgopolov when he cruised to trying to improve as much as of the ‘Race to the Sun’ to finish a 6-3, 6-1 victory in a one-sided you can, I think I’ve got the good second overall. Betancur, 24, won semi-final that lasted just a tick balance right now, so it’s very his first stage race at WorldTour over an hour. encouraging.” level, although he finished an Then Djokovic succeeded in Isner upset Djokovic in the impressive fifth in last year’s blunting the booming serve of semi-finals at Indian Wells two Tour of Italy. John Isner to beat the American years ago but the Serbian was “I have received great sup- 7-5, 6-7(2), 6-1 and join Federer better prepared this time. port from my team-mates while in today’s championship match. The key to beating the 6ft 10in I have held the overall lead,” said It will be the 33rd time over- (2.08metre) Isner has always Betancur, who won two stages all and the ninth time in a final revolved around how his oppo- during the week. that the pair have locked horns. nents cope with his devastating However, Betancur made light Federer holds a 17-15 lead in their serve. of him being the first Colombian head-to head matches and they The wind had died down shortly to win a race he described as only are tied 4-4 in finals. after Federer wrapped up his vic- second to the Tour de France in The Swiss master has already tory over Dolgopolov and Djokovic importance in France. won the Indian Wells title four had to save three set points on “This victory is very important times and made it through to a his serve in the 10th game of the for me and my team,” he said. fifth final without dropping a set opening set. “I am a very quiet person. My in the California desert this week. But in the following game, passion is cycling and competing Relaxed and super confident Djokovic made his move, break- in it. “I respect all my rivals but after winning his 78th singles Su-Wei Hsieh of Taipei and Shuai Peng of China pose for photographers after defeating Cara Black of ing Isner’s serve for the first time I am afraid of nobody.” title in Dubai earlier this month, Zimbabwe and Sania Mirza of India in the doubles final of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis then serving out the set. Betancur, who is just one Federer pounced on Dolgopolov Garden in Indian Wells, California, yesterday. Djokovic twice had the chance of several classy riders from from the outset, breaking him to serve out the match in the Colombia such as Nairo Qunitana once to snatch the opening set. second but faltered each time as and Rigoberto Uran who are “I was ready physically, men- Nadal, to reach the semis but was “Alexandr’s had a wonderful Isner forced a tiebreak, which he competing at the moment, said tally,” said Dolgopolov. powerless to stop the 32-year- tournament so it’s really a big won to set off a deafening roar in he had never imagined in his BNP Paribas Open “I wasn’t nervous much, but I old Federer, who fired down win for me today. I was going for the stadium . wildest dreams that he would win wasn’t sharp enough. My concen- seven aces in a brilliant serving it and I served a lot of aces, it was In the deciding third set, it a race as prestigious as this one. Results tration was going away for maybe performance. one of the best serving perform- was all Djokovic as Isner began “Who knows I might win the Men Semi-finals one, two points every game, and “(It was) tough conditions ances of my career.” to struggle with fitness, and the Tour de France one day....it is the Roger Federer (SUI x7) bt Alexandr Dolgopolov you can’t afford to have that in for both of us,” Federer said in Later, at his news conference, Serbian seized his opportunity. biggest result of my career for (UKR x28) 6-3, 6-1 these matches.” a courtside interview. “I think I Federer said he was in a good “He’s definitely the best server sure this win,” said Betancur, who Novak Djokovic (SRB x2) bt John Isner The Ukrainian had beaten really served well when I had to frame of mind, having made his in the world right now so it’s learnt to ride a bike as it was his (USA x12) 7-5, 6-7 (2/7), 6-1 three higher ranked players, and that allowed me to take more third final this year. never easy against John,” said only mode of wheeled transport including world number one Rafa chances. “Now it’s just a matter of Djokovic. REUTERS to get him to school. AFP Noah leads Bulls to 94-87 win over Kings Joakim Noah piled up 23 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and five blocked shots, leading the Chicago Bulls to a tough 94-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Taj Gibson added 19 points and nine rebounds, Mike Dunleavy scored 16 points and D.J. Augustin had 12 for Chicago. The Bulls (37-29) have won 13 of their last 17 games and have 25 victories since Jan. 1. Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov (26) and Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7) chase a Isaiah Thomas led the Kings loose puck in the second period of their NHL game at Staples Center in Los Angeles yesterday. (23-43) with 26 points. Thanks to stellar shooting and aggressive team rebounding, the New York Knicks jumped all over the Milwaukee Bucks for a 115- 94 win. Bruins score eighth The Knicks (27-40) received 28 of their 41 rebounds from their starters as they helped elimi- nate second-chance shots for the Bucks (13-53) and are riding a straight victory season-high six-game winning streak. New York are inching closer BOSTON: Boston backup goal- Philadelphia (34-25-7). Ottawa Senators. to reaching the eighth and final tender Chad Johnson remained The Flyers, holding the final Montreal center David seed in the Eastern Conference perfect at home as the Bruins playoff spot in the Eastern Desharnais tied it 4-4 with 0.3 of playoffs race. picked up their season-high Conference, moved within one a second left in regulation as the The Knicks were led by eighth straight victory, a 5-1 win point of the New York Rangers Canadiens scored three times in Carmelo Anthony’s game-high over the Carolina Hurricanes. for the No. 4 seed. the final 3:22 of the third period 23 points while J R Smith and Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls dunks against the Sacramento Kings Johnson, 8-0 at home with only The Metropolitan Division- to erase a 4-1 deficit. Amar’e Stoudemire contributed in their NBA game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, yesterday. 12 goals allowed, turned aside 29 leading Penguins (44-18-4) were Center Lars Eller scored at 15 points apiece. shots as the Eastern Conference missing two of their top three goal 16:38 to make it 4-2 and right Paul George poured in 30 leading Bruins completed a sweep scorers in Chris Kunitz (31 goals) winger Brian Gionta drew points and the Indiana Pacers and nine rebounds. forward Paul Millsap with 23 of the three-game season series and James Neal (22 goals). Montreal to within one. erased a 25-point deficit to defeat Pacers forward David West, points and 10 rebounds, his 21st with the Hurricanes. Defenseman Francis Bouillon Left winger Daniel Briere also the Detroit Pistons 112-104 in who had 15 points, scored the first double-double of the year. The winning streak is the long- scored his first goal of the season scored for Montreal, which ended overtime. points of overtime on a jump shot Denver (29-37) were led by est for Boston since a 10-game run 1:26 into overtime to complete the a three-game losing streak. Evan Turner supplied 20 points and hit two more to make it 108- Kenneth Faried with 25 points in November 2011 and the Bruins Montreal Canadiens’ stunning 5-4 for Indiana (49-17), who won their 102. Indiana held on from there and seven rebounds. have outscored their opposition come-from-behind win over the Ottawa center Jason Spezza and third straight after a four-game to go 4-0 in overtime games this John Wall scored 33 points and 32-12 during the streak. left winger Clarke MacArthur losing streak. Andrew Bynum, season. forward Drew Gooden added 21 David Krejci had three assists, each had a goal and an assist, and playing in just his second game Josh Smith top scored for as the Washington Wizards ral- Jarome Iginla scored his 22nd NHL Results goaltender Robin Lehner made 43 with the team, added 15 points Detroit (25-41), who have lost 12 lied for a 101-94 victory over the and 23rd goals of the season and saves. of their last 15, with 23 points. Brooklyn Nets. Boston 5 Carolina 1 Milan Lucic scored his 21st of the Right winger Ales Hemsky Pero Antic hit an off-balance Bradley Beal added 15 points Philadelphia 4 Pittsburgh 0 season and had two assists. scored his first Ottawa goal and NBA Results three-pointer from the corner as for the Wizards (34-32), who Matt Read scored twice, goal- Montreal 5 Ottawa 4 center Zack Smith also had a goal the shot clock expired to spark trailed by 10 points early in the Ny Knicks 115 Milwaukee 94 tender Steve Mason made 25 Tampa Bay 3 New Jersey 0 for the Senators. the Atlanta Hawks to a 97-92 win final period, but closed the game saves and the Philadelphia Flyers Ny Islanders 4 Buffalo 1 Center Patrik Berglund scored Washington 101 Brooklyn 94 over the Denver Nuggets. with a 9-0 run. Washington moved blanked the Pittsburgh Penguins St. Louis 4 Nashville 1 the first two goals as St Louis Atlanta 97 Denver 92 Antic finished with 16 points, into fifth place, one game ahead 4-0 in their first meeting in four Columbus 2 Minnesota 1 closed out a five-game season Indiana 112 Detroit 104 one shy of his career best, to help of Brooklyn. Marcus Thornton months. sweep of the Nashville Predators prevent Atlanta from blowing a scored 19 points and guard Joe Phoenix 3 Calgary 2 Memphis 103 Philadelphia 77 Scott Hartnell and Vincent with a 4-1 win. Chicago 94 Sacramento 87 21-point second-half lead. Johnson had 16 for the Nets (33- Lecavalier also had goals for Anaheim 2 Los Angeles 1 REUTERS Atlanta (29-35) were led by 31). REUTERS MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Pacer Johnson ruled out with World T20: Hosts Bangladesh septic toe SYDNEY: Paceman Mitchell Johnson was ruled out of the Twenty20 World Cup by an infected big toe yesterday in thrash Afghanistan in opener a blow to Australia’s hopes of snaring the one major interna- tional trophy they have never won. The 32-year-old, the form Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan grabs three wickets for eight runs bowler in world cricket at the moment, will be replaced by fellow left-arm quick Doug DHAKA: Hosts Bangladesh Brief scores Skipper Mohammad Nabi Bollinger for the March 16-April made an impressive start in admitted Bangladesh’s spin- 6 tournament in Bangladesh. the World Twenty20 with Afghanistan 72 all out in 17.1 overs (Gulbadin ners did not let his side settle Johnson fired Australia to a 5-0 a nine-wicket demolition of Naib 21, Shakib Al Hasan 3-8, Abdur Razzak down after hard-hitting opener Ashes sweep over the New Year Afghanistan in the tournament 2-20) Mohammad Shahzad had been and a 2-1 test series triumph in opener in Dhaka yesterday. Bangladesh 78-1 in 12 overs (Tamim Iqbal dismissed off the first ball of the South Africa over the last few Left-arm spinner Shakib Al 21, Anamul Haque 44 not out) match. weeks but cut the big toe on his Hasan grabbed three wickets for Bangladesh won by nine wickets “We were under pressure in right foot in the third test against eight runs as Afghanistan, sent this opening match,” said Nabi. the Proteas. in to bat, were skittled for 72 in “Shakib and the others bowled The initial prognosis was that 17.1 overs at the Sher-e-Bangla the Super-10 stage from the pre- very well on the spinning pitch. his departure for Bangladesh stadium. liminary group A that also has But I am hopeful we will put would only be delayed but Johnson The meagre total was the debutants Hong Kong and Nepal, up a better performance in the had not made the sort of progress second lowest in the World T20 the defeat left Afghanistan facing remaining matches.” originally envisioned. competitions, barely surpassing an early exit. Six qualifiers — Ireland, “We have given Mitchell as Ireland’s 68 against the West Shakib, who was named man of Afghanistan, Nepal, Hong Kong, long as we can but unfortunately Indies in 2010. the match, said the turning pitch the United Arab Emirates and his infection hasn’t responded to A sell-out home crowd of helped his team make a good start the Netherlands — joined the treatment as quickly as we 25,000 then cheered every run to their campaign. “There was Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in had hoped with swelling remain- as Bangladesh raced home in obviously spin out there,” he said. the preliminary league of two ing in his toe and foot,” Cricket 12 overs, with opener Anamul “We put the ball in the right groups. Australia’s Dr Justin Paoloni said Haque sealing the emphatic areas and that did the trick for The two group winners will in a news release yesterday. win with a six off Samiullah us. This is usually a good track, then contest the Super-10 round “It is difficult to say how quickly Shenwari. but today it was different.” with the top eight Test nations — the infection will take to resolve Haque, who put on 45 for the The Afghans, who had beaten Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, and due to the high risk of infec- first wicket with Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh in the preceding Asia England, New Zealand, India, Sri tion recurrence with a return to was unbeaten on a 33-ball 44 that Cup one-day tournament, fal- Lanka and the West Indies — bowling we feel it is in the best was studded with three sixes and tered badly on Sunday to reduce from March 21. Bangladesh batsman Anamul Haque celebrates team’s victory at interests of Mitchell’s health for four boundaries. a much-anticipated contest to a The final is on April 6 in Dhaka. the ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla him to continue to receive inten- With just one team going into one-sided affair. AFP National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka yesterday. sive treatment in Perth.” Bollinger, 32, has played just two Twenty20s for Australia, against South Africa in 2011, but brings a wealth of experience of the shortest form of the game Nepal rout Hong Kong in the sub-continent courtesy of his time in the Indian Premier League. “Unfortunately Mitchell Johnson has been ruled out of the in clash of debutants ICC World Twenty20,” head selec- tor John Inverarity said. “This is disappointing news CHITTAGONG: Nepal as it was anticipated that Mitch marked their arrival on the would have a significant impact international cricket stage with with his pace and menace. a massive 80-run win over fel- “Doug Bollinger has been called low newcomers Hong Kong in a into the squad to replace Mitchell. preliminary group match at the World Twenty20 yesterday. Nepal hammered 149-8 after Windies can’t rely being sent into bat and then bowled Hong Kong out for just on Gayle for T20 69 in 17 overs in the day-night match at Chittagong’s Zahur success: Sammy Ahmed Chowdhury stadium. The memorable group A win was set DHAKA: West Indies captain up by skipper Paras Khadka and Darren Sammy cannot over- Sangakkara to quit Gyanendra Malla, who put on 80 state the importance of Chris for the third wicket after Nepal Gayle’s towering presence at were reduced to 36-2 in 5.1 overs. the top of the batting order but T20 after world meet Khadka hit a 37-ball 41, while insists others will have to con- Malla made 48 off 41 balls with tribute if they are to defend COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s World Cup prospects are over, four boundaries and a six. their World Twenty20 title in Kumar Sangakkara (pic- you should give the next crop Nepal lost four wickets off the Nepal cricketer Basant Regmi (centre) reacts after the dismissal of Bangladesh. tured) , will retire from of players an opportunity. It’s a last four deliveries of the innings Hong Kong cricketer Nizakat Khan during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup Gayle’s 140-plus strike rate in Twenty20 internationals natural progression.” — two of them run out — which second qualifying cricket match in Chittagong yesterday. Twenty20 internationals is just after the ongoing World T20 Sangakkara, under whom denied them a bigger total. one indication of his ability to in Bangladesh, the veteran Sri Lanka reached the final But even the 150-run target dismantle any bowling attack and left-hander told a newspaper of the 2009 World Twenty20 proved too stiff for Hong Kong “There is good spirit in the the United Arab Emirates and the onus would be on the flam- yesterday. in England, has played 50 T20 after the inspirational Khadka team and the boys are really hun- the Netherlands — who joined boyant southpaw to provide flying The 36-year-old said he internationals, scoring 1,311 runs had opener Irfan Ahmed caught gry to do well,” he said. “We want Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in the starts in Bangladesh. wanted to make way for younger at an average of 32.77 with seven behind with the first ball of the to play good cricket and continue two-group preliminary league. Sammy warned his team mates players in the national team, but half-centuries. innings. Hong Kong suffered a that way in other matches too. The two group winners will that the West Indies cannot made himself available to play He has been in prime form dramatic middle order collapse, “We have to start all over then contest the Super-10 round afford to be a one-man army if the shortest format in franchise- of late, smashing a triple-cen- losing four wickets in eight balls again in our next game against with the top eight Test nations they are to replicate their success based competitions. tury and a hundred in the sec- at the same score of 58. Bangladesh and take the positives AFP of two years ago. “Definitely, without a doubt, ond Test against Bangladesh in The innings was wrecked by from this game.” Hong Kong cap- “Chris to me is the most this is my last World T20,” Chittagong last month. Nepal’s two left-arm spinners, tain Jamie Atkinson said poor bat- Brief scores destructive T20 batsman in the Sangakkara told the Colombo- with Shakti Gauchan claiming ting let his team down. “I think it world,” Sammy told reporters in based Sunday Island newspa- Sri Lanka, the world’s number three wickets for nine runs and was a decent effort to keep them Nepal 149-8 (Paras Khadka 41, Gyanendra Dhaka. per. “I won’t be playing any T20 one T20 side, are drawn with Basant Regmi taking three for 14. down to 149, but the batting was Malla 48, Haseeb Amjad 3-25, Nadeem “It’s a great asset for us hav- internationals after this. South Africa, England, New Babar Hayat top-scored for disappointing,” he said. “We need to Ahmed 2-26) ing him in the side but like in Sri “It’s sad, but that’s the truth. Zealand and a yet-to-be decided Hong Kong with 20, but eight work harder and show we are a bet- Hong Kong 69 all out in 17 overs (Babar Hay- Lanka, when we won the title, It’s not the end of my T20 career qualifier in the Super-10 round batsmen failed to reach dou- ter team than this result indicates.” at 20, Shakti Gauchan 3-9, Basant Regmi it took a total team effort. The though. I would like to play fran- of the World Twenty20. ble figures against the steady Nepal and Hong Kong are 3-14) key players (contributed), differ- chise-based T20s. Once your AFP Nepalese attack. Khadka said the among six qualifiers -- the oth- Nepal won by 80 runs ent guys chipped in in different win augurs well for the future. ers being Ireland, Afghanistan, games. AGENCIES

PGA Valspar Championship Scores Garrigus maintains slim lead at Valspar PALM HARBOR, United States: Scores after the third round of PALM HARBOR, US: Robert in contention. I missed that little I hit it pretty great. Didn’t hit too the $5.7m PGA Tour’s Valspar Garrigus fired a one-under-par one on the last hole, and the one on many bad shots. “The back nine, I Championship (par 71, USA 70 to finish three rounds one 12 or whatever it was, those were felt like I had a few bad swings out unless noted): shot ahead of fellow American two bad strokes. I didn’t start them there, but luckily my short game 205 Robert Garrigus 69-66-70 Kevin Na at the PGA Tour’s where I wanted to. “Those were was right there to keep me in it.” 206 Kevin Na 70-68-68 Valspar Championship yester- the first two bad ones all week. John Senden, who was co-run- 207 John Senden (AUS) 72-71-64 day. Garrigus ended 54 holes at They were my first bad strokes ner up in this event in 2008, fired 208 Justin Rose (ENG) 71-68-69 eight-under-par 205. He will go and that’s probably why I’m in the a seven-under 64 and jumped 209 Retief Goosen (RSA) 72-73-64, Charley for his second PGA Tour title on lead.” into third place at six-under 207. Hoffman 70-72-67, Scott Langley Sunday. Garrigus led by three Na and Garrigus were in the Reigning US Open champ Justin 71-69-69 strokes after the first two rounds final group on Saturday, and were Rose tallied a two-under 69 and is 210 Luke Donald (ENG) 71-72-67, Jason at the $5.7m Copperhead Course both put on the clock Saturday for alone in fourth at five-under 208. Kokrak 74-68-68, Matteo Manassero at Innisbrook. slow play. They each had a single Former winner Retief Goosen, of (ITA) 69-70-71 Na, of Rancho Cucamonga, “bad time.” Another bad time South Africa, made the cut on the California, moved within one shot would have been a one-shot pen- number, then fired a 64 in round 211 Jim Furyk 71-69-71, Freddie Jacobson of the lead following his three- alty. Na chipped in for birdie on three and vaulted into a tie for fifth (SWE) 70-71-70, David Hearn (CAN) under 68. He ended three rounds the 15th to move to seven-under. place at four-under 209. He was 71-70-70, James Driscoll 73-70-68, at seven-under. “This is the posi- He closed with three pars in a row. joined there by Charley Hoffman Will MacKenzie 73-70-68, George Robert Garrigus hits a tee shot on the 3rd hole during the final round McNeill 73-71-67, Ted Potter 7 tion you want,” Garrigus said. “You “Thought I played very well today,” (67) and Scott Langley (69). of the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida yesterday. want to be there, you want to be said Na. “The front nine, I felt like AFP MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 World, Olympic 100m champion Fraser-Pryce for Doha showdown IAAF Diamond League’s fifth series kick off set for May 9

DOHA: Reigning World and okay but I believe there is a lot best clocking. Both Gardner Olympic 100 metres champion more to give, so this season a lot and Anderson were on the silver Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce will will be placed on being better and medal-winning 4x100m Relay kick off her 2014 IAAF Diamond faster at the 200 metres. quartet for the US in Moscow. League campaign at the Doha “Capturing another double Barbara Pierre who recorded the meeting on May 9. would definitely top the year for world’s 4th fastest time in 2013 There’s not a bigger name in me. Let’s see what happens.” with 10.85 and was 4th at the 2012 the world of women’s sprinting Fraser-Pryce won the 200m in World Indoor Championships in at the moment than the 27-year- Doha last year, a victory that set Istanbul, will also be in the field. old Jamaican who dashed to the her on course towards her first There will be lots of speed World Indoor 60m title in Sopot, world title in the longer sprint. on display throughout the pro- Poland one week ago, just seven In 2012 she also sped to Olympic gramme. The men’s 400m will fea- months after winning global silver over the distance. ture the season’s first rematch of titles in the 100m, 200m and This season, making her third last year’s World Championships 4x100m Relay at the 2013 World appearance in Doha, Fraser- medallists. Championships in Moscow. Pryce will contest the 100m LaShawn Merritt of the US Her illustrious performance at against what is already shaping was the picture of dominance in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, cou- into a formidable field. Moscow last summer with his pled with victories in 11 of her 14 Moscow double dash finalist commanding 43.74 victory for his finals over 100 and 200m led to Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria will second global title. Behind him, her selection as the 2013 World lead the assault. Last year the compatriot Tony McQuay edged Athlete of the Year. 25-year-old improved the African Luguelin Santos by just 0.02 sec- “I enjoy running in Doha,” said 100m record to 10.79 to land on the onds in 44.40 to win the battle for Fraser-Pryce, whose long list of doorstep of the event’s all-time silver over the young Dominican. accolades includes back-to-back top-10. Fraser-Pryce’s compatriot In 2012 Santos surprised the Olympic 100m titles from 2008 Kerron Stewart, a 100m finalist world with his silver medal run and 2012. “The stadium is close at the World Championships last at the 2012 Olympic Games when and intimate which makes you season and 2008 Olympic 200m he just 18. feel connected with the fans.” silver medallist, is also confirmed. Joining the trio will be a ris- Her appearance in the opening Leading the charge for the US ing star in the event, Czech Pavel event of the fifth season of the is 21-year-old national cham- Maslak, who followed up his fifth IAAF Diamond League series pion English Gardner, who place finish at last year’s World takes on added meaning as she finished fourth at the World Championships with a powerful sets out to defend her unprec- Championships last year and has run to win the World Indoor title edented 100m and 200m double a 10.85 career best to her credit, last weekend. Maslak, just 23, is Qatar Athletics Federation (QFA) President Dahlan Al Hamad (left) and Secretary-General Mohamed Al Kuwari Diamond Race victory from 2013. and Alexandria Anderson, who also the reigning European cham- (right) announcing the Diamond League campaign. “The 200 metres is the event I last year joined the event’s sub- pion indoors and out. want to get better at. I am doing 11 club with a 10.91 personal Asian Champion and 2013 World Championships finalist Youssef Ahmed Masrahi from of the outdoor season, we will Saudi Arabia leads the Arab ath- bring on dozens of Olympic and letes’ attack. World champions and medallists,” Meanwhile, the men’s 200m said Qatar Athletics Federation field can boast the reigning silver President Dahlan Al Hamad. “We and bronze medallists from the are really looking forward to wel- World Championships. coming the world’s top athletes Jamaican Warren Weir fol- and especially Shelly-Ann Fraser- lowed up his bronze medal per- Pryce, the finest women’s sprinter formance at the 2012 Olympic in the world, back to Doha this Reigning Games with a runner-up finish year. “Her early announcement World and behind Usain Bolt in Moscow already shows that the meeting Olympic last year. Illustrating his grow- will be of a very high calibre with 100 metres ing consistency and confidence, top athletes competing as usual.” champion the 24-year-old twice clocked a Qatar Athletics Federation Shelly Ann personal best 19.79 in 2013. Secretary General Mohamed Al Fraser-Pryce Curtis Mitchell of the US, Kuwari concurs that as always, (centre), will the World bronze medallist who the meeting’s quality will be second be the main improved to 19.97 last season, to none. “As happens every year, attraction. will lead the opposition. The field we will see many great perform- also includes reigning European ances that will set the tone for the champion Churandy Martina of season,” Al Kuwari said. “Fans will the Netherlands, who was fifth at experience a fantastic event with the 2012 Olympics and Jamaicans many surprises.” As with previous Jason Young (19.86 from 2012) and editions, fans and media can follow Nickel Ashmeade (19.85, 2012). the run-up to the meeting via Doha “Although the Doha 2014 meet- 2014’s social media outlets. ing is being held at the beginning THE PENINSULA Nadeem’s hat-trick gives Al Feroz big win

DOHA: Hafiz Nadeem captured five wick- target against Khyber Club by seven wickets. by 21 runs ets, including a hat-trick, after making a Tariq Afridi (69) and Bilal Afridi (58) boosted Garvey Lions CC batting first made 159 for useful 32 in Al Feroz Youngster’s 128-run Khyber Club to 201 for five in 25 overs. Ammar 8 wkts in 25 overs rout of Kerala Eleven in a Division A match anchored the chase with 46 not out. Badar Janaka 46, Pio 20, Sumedha 25 in the on-going Qatar Airways Cricket chipped in 39, Dawer hit 38 and Ayaz made 32, McDonald’s CC bowling – Dian 2 wkts, Tournament. which enabled them to win by seven wickets Arnold 3 wkts, Shazni, Andrew & Murshid The Qatar Cricket Association is hosting in 23 overs. 1 wkt each the Qatar Airways Cricket Tournament in McDonald’s CC batting Second made 138 three divisions – A, B and C – at the West BRIEF SCORES (DIVISION A) all out in 23 overs Bay Complex. 1. Doha Asian CC beat Commercial Bank Andrew 35, Ahamed 31 Batting first, Al Feroz Youngster made CC by 20 runs Garvey Lions CC bowling – Duminda 4 a healthy 269 all out in 42 overs. Qalandar Doha Asian CC batting first made 254 for wkts, Janaka, Sriram, Lahiru & Amila 1 wkt struck 42 and Nadeem hit the second high- 7 wkts in 47 overs each est 32. Mujeeb (29) and Imran Ashraf (22) Rizlan 59, Khurram Shehzad 83, Qamar 2. Gulf Contracting CC beat P. C. A. by 35 were other scorers. Zainuddin was the most Sadiq 58 runs successful bowler of the match, removing six Commercial Bank CC bowling – Sajjad 3 Gulf Contracting CC batting first made 252 players. Nazim got two wickets. wkts, Umer 2 wkts, Abbas & Zaheer 1 wkt for 7 wkts in 25 overs Kerala Eleven, however, could not bat with each) Poojary 35, Raja 53, Prem 53, Dinesh 51 persistence, pluck and purpose and collapsed Commercial Bank CC batting Second made P. C. A. bowling – Athar 3 wkts, Fahad, for just 141 in 30 overs. The wreckers-in- 234 all out in 43 overs Zeshan, Saif & Jassim 1 wkt each chief were Nadeem and Mujeeb, who got four Waleed 26, Habib 53, Kamran 44, Sajjad 23 P. C. A. batting second made 217 all out in wickets. Doha Asian CC Bowling – Awais 3 wkts, 25 overs In another match, Doha Asian Club over- Khalid 2 wkts, Ali Ishtiaq 2 wkts, Khurram Saad 67, Karthik 30, Zeshan 23 Clark White and John came a spirited chase by Commercial Bank Shehzad, Abbas & Qamar 1 wkt each Gulf Contracting CC bowling – Raja 3 wkts, and posted a 20-run victory. Doha Asian Club Khurram Shehzad of Doha Asian CC Man Poojary 3 wkts, Ajith 2 wkts, Ashok & Prem had three players getting half-centuries as of the Match (83 runs + 1wkt) 1 wkt each Campbell win golf event they posted a competitive 254 for seven in 47 2. Al Feroz Youngster beat Kerala XI by Raja of Gulf Contracting CC Man of the overs. Khurram Shehzad was the top run- 128 runs Match (53 runs + 3 wkts) getter with 83. Rizlan hit 59 and Qamar Sadiq Al Feorz Youngster batting first made 269 3. Q-Chem CC beat Khyber CC by 7 wkts DOHA: Clark White and John Peter Reynolds won the ‘long- made 58. Commercial Bank appeared to be all out in 42 overs Khyber CC batting first made 201 for 5 wkts Campbell emerged victorious est putt’, Frederic Andre won the heading for a successful pursuit but Awais Imran Ashraf 22, Qalandar 42, Mujeeb 29, in 25 overs in flight A and flight B respec- ‘closest to pin’, Valerie Dalton (three wickets), Khalid (two wickets) and Hafiz Nadeem 32 Bilal Afridi 58, Tariq Afridi 69, Iqbal tively in the Golf Tournament won the ‘longest drive’, and Ali Ishtiaq (two wickets) dashed their hopes. Kerala XI bowling – Zainuddin 6 wkts, 25Mafaz 39 n.o. organised by Qatar Golf Lovers Laurie Tulk won the ‘closest to Kamran smashed 44 and was followed by Nazim 2 wkts, Faisal & Firoz 1 wkt each Q-Chem CC bowling – Vinod 2 wkts, Omar over the weekend at the Doha rope’ prizes. Andre Josiah won a Waleed (26) and Sajjad (23). Kerala XI batting second made 141 all in & Badar 1 wkt each Golf Club. special prize. Janaka (46) and Duminda (four wickets) set 30 overs Q-Chem CC batting Second made 202 for Dan Forgrave & Pavan Singh Chris Duffy, General Manager up a fine 21-run victory for Garvey Lions Club Abdullah 55, Jinith 22 3 wkts in 23 overs were declared runners up in of Lifestyle Equipment Solutions during a Division B match against McDonald’s Al Feroz Youngster bowling, Hafiz Nadeem 5 Badar 39, Ayaz 32, Ammar 46 n.o., Dawer 38 flight A flight B respectively. 60 hosted a prize distribution brunch Club. Raja impressed with his all-round dis- wkts (hat-trick), Mujeeb 4 wkts, Ashar 1 wkt Khyber CC bowling – Ammar, Tariq & golfers participated in the com- for all golfers later in the morning play (53 runs and three wickets) as he lifted Hafiz Nadeem Al Feroz Youngster Man of Faheem 1 wkt each petition which was played on at the Doha Golf Club and gave Gulf Contracting Club to a 35-run victory the Match (32 runs + 5 wkts) Badar of Q-Chem CC Man of the Match a Stableford format. Lifestyle away prizes to all winners. against PCA. Ammar (46 not out) and Badar BRIEF SCORES (DIVISION B) (39 runs + 1 wkt) Equipment Solutions was the THE PENINSULA (39) inspired Q-Chem to chase a big 202-run 1. Garvey Lions CC beat McDonald’s CC THE PENINSULA sponsor of the event. MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Mercedes’ driver Nico Rosberg of Germany races through a corner past the crowd during the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, yesterday. RIGHT: Rosberg celebrates on the podium after winning the 2014 Formula One Grand Prix of Australia. Australian Grand Prix Results MELBOURNE: Results from the Australian Crushing win for Rosberg Grand Prix yesterday: 1. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) - 302.271 kilometres (187.822 miles) in 1hr 32min 58.710sec (average speed: 195.059 km/h) Mercedes driver tops at season-opener; Hamilton, Vettel both retire 2. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/McLaren Mercedes) at 26.777 MELBOURNE: Nico Rosberg the team radio fans by taking his Williams driver Valtteri Bottas 3. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren Mercedes) drew first blood for Mercedes after crossing maiden podium finished sixth for his best F1 at 30.027 in the new Formula One sea- the line. spot in his first result after an outstanding race 4. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Scuderia Ferrari) at son with a dominant Australian “The car was race with his new from 15th on the grid, having also 35.284 Grand Prix victory yesterday just really, really team and drove overcome a punctured rear tyre 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) at 47.639 after pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton quick today,” the with admirable after brushing a barrier. 6. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Force India) at and world champion Sebastian German later composure after His eight-point haul was more 50.718 Vettel retired with reliability told reporters, being challenged than his team scored in all of last 7. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Scuderia Ferrari) at problems. looking forward by Magnussen season. 57.675 Vettel’s early exit ended the with relish to over the closing His new team-mate Felipe 8. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA/Toro Rosso) at Red Bull driver’s record run of the next race in laps. Massa was unable to add to the 1:00.441 nine successive victories racked Malaysia in two The runner- tally, however, having been taken 9. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) at 1:03.585 up since last August. weeks. up finish was out of the race at the first turn 10. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) at While one German smarted, “A really good a boost for the by Caterham’s Kamui Kobayashi. 1:25.916 another celebrated as 28-year- engine, not Milton Keynes- The Japanese ploughed into the 11. Adrian Sutil (GER/Sauber) at 1 lap old Rosberg capitalised on a bril- much problem based team, who back of Massa’s Williams, enrag- 12. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Sauber) at 1 lap liant start from third on the grid, with fuel con- endured a dismal ing the Brazilian and prompting 13. Max Chilton (GBR/Marussia) at 2 laps snatching the lead before the first sumption. It winter testing an FIA investigation. turn and roaring to a 24.5-sec- just all worked in which neither Kimi Raikkonen’s eighth- Retirements: ond victory ahead of Red Bull’s perfectly.” driver was able to placed finish behind Force India’s Kamui Kobayashi (JPN/Caterham): 1st lap Australian Daniel Ricciardo. The gap- complete a race Nico Hulkenberg capped a frus- Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams): 1st lap On an overcast day at Albert ing margin simulation. trating return to Maranello for Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes): 4th lap Park, Danish rookie Kevin of victory “Two, three the 2007 world champion, who Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull Racing): 5th lap Magnussen shone with a brilliant underscored weeks ago, I started 11th on the grid after a Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Caterham): 28th lap third place finish for McLaren, Mercedes’ would have bet crash during qualifying. Rosberg holds the trophy. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Lotus): 30th lap emulating Hamilton’s first effort superior prepa- pretty much Russian rookie Daniil Kvyat Romain Grosjean (FRA/Lotus): 44th lap for the British team at the same rations for F1’s anything we have finished 10th on his debut for Toro Penalty: Grand Prix in 2007. technical revolution, which saw had suffered a misfiring cylinder. that we would not be standing up Rosso, becoming at 19 years old Daniel Ricciardi (AUS/Red Bull) excluded after The result meant all three men all teams struggle during winter “We will recover from this, it’s here,” the 24-year-old said after the sport’s youngest points scorer. failing post-race scrutineering on the podium had beaten world testing with the new V6 turbo- only a small hiccup. There’s a long becoming the first Australian on Lotus’s insipid race week- champion team mates in a stun- charged hybrid engines. way to go still,” Hamilton told Sky the podium at his home Grand end finished with both Romain Overall standings ning triumph of the underdogs. The glitches continued as only television. Prix since the race has been part Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado Drivers Rosberg, tipped to duel with 14 of the 22 cars finished on a “At the moment I’m not con- of the championship. unable to complete the race due 1. Nico Rosberg (GER) 25.0 pts, 2. Kevin team mate Hamilton for the gusty day at the bumpy street cir- cerned about anything.” “First Aussie on the Aussie to reliability problems. Magnussen (DEN) 18.0, 3. Jenson Button championship, celebrated his cuit which was doused by a brief Twelfth off the grid, Vettel also podium, so really proud.” The race stumbled at the (GBR) 15.0, 4. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 12.0, 5. fourth race victory and first since rain-shower early in the race. struggled at the start and retired Magnussen’s podium was the start, with Marussia driver Max Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 10.0, 6. Nico Hulkenberg last year’s British Grand Prix, Hamilton, who snatched pole only a few laps after Hamilton, first by a Dane in Formula One Chilton stalling on the grid before (GER) 8.0, 7. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) 6.0, 8. when he was also the beneficiary position at the end of a wet quali- complaining of engine perform- and McLaren’s first since 2012, the pre-start installation lap and Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA) 4.0, 9. Daniil Kvyat of technical mishaps to Hamilton fying session on Saturday, notice- ance problems. the 21-year-old outshining 2009 his team mate Jules Bianchi then (RUS) 2.0, 10. Sergio Perez (MEX) 1.0 and Red Bull’s Vettel. ably lacked power on his start and Ricciardo, who replaced com- champion team mate Jenson repeating the mishap. Constructors “Brilliant stuff, what a car was called in by his team to retire patriot Mark Webber at Red Button, who finished fourth in Bianchi, along with both 1. McLaren Mercedes 33.0pts, 2. Mercedes you’ve given me! What a car!” on the third lap. Bull after crossing from sister front of Ferrari’s two-time world Caterhams, was unable to finish. 25.0, 3. Scuderia Ferrari 18.0, 4. Williams the thrilled German said over Mercedes later clarified his car team Toro Rosso, thrilled home champion Fernando Alonso. REUTERS 10.0, 5. Force India 9.0, 6. Toro Rosso 6.0 Retiring O’Driscoll treasures special victory

PARIS: Irish rugby legend Ireland coach Joe Schmidt in the changing room when he Brian O’Driscoll said ending his rounded up his post match press assumed the captaincy, said he stellar international career with conference. was finding it difficult to take off a rare win away against France “Obviously 2000 was amazing the green shirt. and taking the Six Nations title because it had been 28 years since “What is it an hour or more to boot was a moment he would we won in Paris and to do it 14 since the match finished and here treasure for life. years later is incredibly special. I am still wearing it,” said the man The 35-year-old centre -- the “Not many people get to go out known affectionately in Ireland world record caps holder with on their own terms and it is one as BOD and whose biography was 141 -- bowed out in the best pos- I will treasure. titled ‘In BOD we trust’. sible style as Ireland beat France “Also for the fact that I was “I am dragging the arse out of 22-20 in a pulsating encounter at part of such a great team and it a little bit but I just don’t want the Stade de France which also bunch of guys.” to take it off. secured them the championship O’Driscoll, who captained “I know I will have to when I by virtue of a superior points dif- Ireland to the 2009 Six Nations take a shower, which I will have ference to England. Grand Slam, said that his decision to do at some point soon, and it He may not have added to his after a poor Six Nations in 2013 will be hard. 47 Test tries -- including a Five/ to stay on and play for one more “However, while there have Six Nations record haul of 26 -- year had paid off. been some nearlies in my career but he was instrumental in their “It is a feeling of sheer delight to with Ireland when I do take it off third try scored by Jonathan have played on for one more year,” it will be with great happiness Sexton which saw them to only said O’Driscoll, who played in a that it came on a day like today.” their second win in 42 years in record 65 Six Nations matches. O’Driscoll, son of two doctors Paris. “I was hoping for a win over the and who has a daughter with his Suitably it came at the same All Blacks and that didn’t hap- actress wife Amy Huberman, said ground where in 2000 and almost pen (the Irish led until the final that there had been no tears at 14 years to the day (the match was minute in their November test the end of the match. on March 19) a callow 21-year-old before losing to a converted try). “There were no tears flowing O’Driscoll had announced he was “I was also hoping to win the down my face but there was a frog a great talent by scoring a hat- Six Nations and that did happen. in my throat,” he said. Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll and Kearney hold the cup after winning their Six Nations Rugby Union match against trick of tries as Ireland beat the You can’t have it all but you take “Even with the pre-match France in Saint-Denis, near Paris yesterday. French. what you get.” warm-up (there was a film played “There have been lots of O’Driscoll, who despite being so with several of present top play- good memories in between,” erudite confessed to former cap- ers including Ireland captain emotions into my performance. get the better of us because I am there will be a few tears with mul- said O’Driscoll, who had waited tain Keith Wood he felt uncom- Paul O’Connell paying tribute to “I think I played fair today. We a tiny cog in the wheel. tiple beers. But it’s (the victory) a patiently on the stage while fortable giving rousing speeches him) I just tried to channel those as a team couldn’t let the occasion “Later this evening I am sure wonderful way to finish.” AFP MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Italian Serie A Results ROME: Italian Serie A results yesterday: Atalanta 3 (Carmona 36, Bonaventura 42, Liverpool sink sorry United Denis 55) Sampdoria 0 Cagliari 0 Lazio 2 (Lulic 19, Keita 69) Livorno 2 (Benassi 46, Paulinho 52) Bologna 1 (Christodoulopoulos 86) Arsenal down Spurs to boost title bid; Rosicky scores match winner AC Milan 2 (Rami 56, Balotelli 76-pen) Parma 4 (Cassano 9-pen, 51, Amauri 78, Biabiany 90+5) MANCHESTER, United flying into early challenges, but strike clinched a crucial 1-0 Sassuolo 3 (Zaza 56, Missiroli 61, Sansone Kingdom: Steven Gerrard they had not mustered a shot win over north London rivals 89) Catania 1 (Bergessio 30) scored two penalties as worthy of the name by the time Tottenham yesterday. French ligue 1 results Liverpool closed to within four Liverpool went ahead in the 34th Arsene Wenger’s side began PARIS, France: French Ligue 1 results points of Premier League lead- minute. the weekend seven points behind yesterday: ers Chelsea with a 3-0 win at As Suarez looked to dink the Chelsea, but they moved to within Lyon 2 (Briand 32, 78) Monaco 3 (Germain 4, beleaguered rivals Manchester ball past Rafael da Silva on the four points of the leaders -- with Rodriguez 27, Berbatov 51) United yesterday. left-hand side of the area, the a game in hand -- thanks to Montpellier 1 (Hilton 34) Bordeaux 1 Gerrard found the net from Brazilian jutted out a hand and Rosicky’s winner after just 72 sec- (Henrique 24) 12 yards either side of half-time referee Mark Clattenburg imme- onds. The Czech midfielder’s goal, before Luis Suarez added a third diately awarded a penalty. and the gritty defensive display goal in the 84th minute to give Having been booked for clat- that followed it, secured Arsenal’s Parma put Liverpool their first victory at Old tering Gerrard moments ear- first league win at White Hart Trafford in five years. lier, Rafael was fortunate to Lane since 2007 in Wenger’s Gerrard should have had a hat- avoid a second yellow card, but 999th match in charge. the boot trick of spot-kicks, with a third the Liverpool captain showed no The third placed Gunners penalty hitting the post after mercy from the spot to silence the feared their title challenge was United captain Nemanja Vidic catcalls from the Stretford End. fading after a defeat at Stoke, but into 10-man had been shown a second yellow Liverpool’s fans at the oppo- they are firmly back in the race card for felling Daniel Sturridge, site end of the ground celebrated and a titanic encounter against AC Milan but it was to prove anecdotal. deliriously, and although United Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side Liverpool retain a game in briefly rallied, with Wayne Rooney looms at Stamford Bridge next hand on Chelsea, who lost 1-0 stinging Simon Mignolet’s palms, weekend. MILAN: Antonio Cassano at Aston Villa on Saturday, and there was more of the same to “It’s a huge result because we scored a brace as Parma stunned while Brendan Rodgers’s side look come. were under pressure to win before ten-man AC Milan 4-2 to drop more like potential champions Only 25 seconds of the sec- the game,” Wenger said. the Serie A giants to 12th and with each display, United’s season ond half had elapsed when Jones “Tottenham played well and virtually out of contention for continues to unravel. barged into Joe Allen after he had sometimes we were under pres- European football yesterday. This was the defending champi- chested down a lofted pass from sure, so we needed some special After two consecutive defeats ons’ fifth home defeat of the cam- Jordan Henderson and Gerrard’s resilience to get away with it. It’s the pressure was on Milan coach paign and having started the day spot-kick, into the bottom-right three massive points.” Clarence Seedorf, who in mid- 11 points below the Champions corner, was again unerring. Tottenham’s third succes- week was forced to deny he had League places, their hopes of a Rooney then had a penalty claim sive defeat was harsh on Tim had harsh words for misfiring top-four finish have been all but of his own turned down, after a col- Sherwood’s fifth placed team, who striker Mario Balotelli. extinguished. lision with Martin Skrtel on the look to have blown their chances But despite the misfortune of As a result, Wednesday’s edge of the Liverpool box, and when of qualifying for the Champions seeing ‘keeper Christian Abbiati Champions League home game a rare chance fell to Marouane League via a top-four finish. sent off inside 10 minutes for with Olympiakos now takes on Fellaini, he blazed over. After Van “First and foremost, I wanted a foul on Ezequiel Schelotto, crucial significance, but with Persie had headed wide from a the performance. We got that the burden on the 37-year-old United 2-0 down from the first leg Rooney cross, Gerrard was handed but we didn’t get the result,” Dutchman is now likely to weigh of the last 16 tie, there could be an opportunity to complete a first Sherwood said. heavier. more misery around the corner. ever hat-trick against United when “The fans won’t be happy with Milan’s third defeat in suc- United manager David Moyes Vidic sent Sturridge sprawling. that but anyone who has seen that cession, following reverses to had admitted prior to the game This time, however, his aim was performance will know we didn’t Juventus and Udinese, left the that Liverpool’s form “probably” slightly off, with the ball cannon- deserve to lose.” ailing Italian giants 37 points made them favourites, but he will ing against the base of the left- Arsenal had already defeated behind leaders Juventus and now have been alarmed by the ease hand post and away. Liverpool their hated neighbours twice this 11 behind Parma, who occupy the with which the visitors found were not finished though. season and they were quickly back first Europa League spot in fifth. holes in the hosts’ defence. Moments after being thwarted in the ascendancy thanks to a vir- While Juve continue their There were fewer than three by a stunning save from David de tuoso contribution from the man charge towards a third con- minutes on the clock when a Gea, Suarez ghosted in behind the nicknamed ‘the little Mozart’. secutive scudetto -- they hold a Jordan Henderson pass down the hosts’ flatfooted defence to roll Rosicky was only playing 14-point lead on Roma, who have inside-right channel set Sturridge home and make United’s misery because of an injury to the club’s a game in hand, before their free, but he shot wide with his complete. record signing Mesut Ozil, but respective games later -- the bat- Tottenham Hotspurs’ Danny Rose (left) vies for the ball with Arsenal’s weaker right foot. Meanwhile, Tomas Rosicky he took less than two minutes to tle for European places is well and Bacary Sagna during their Premier league match at White Hart Lane There was plenty of commit- fired Arsenal back into the make a more decisive contribu- truly on. in London, Britain, yesterday. ment to United’s play, with Phil Premier League title race as tion than the German has man- Parma now have a one-point Jones and Robin van Persie both the Czech midfielder’s quick-fire aged for months. AGENCIES lead on Fiorentina as well as a game in hand, although Fiorentina can reclaim fifth spot English Premier with a win at home to Chievo. The visitors were well on their Seven up for Barcelona as League Results way to an upset when Abbiati was LONDON: Collated English Premier League shown a straight red card for a results yesterday: blatant foul on Schelotto and former Real Madrid, Milan and Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 (Gerrard Inter striker Cassano stepped up Messi breaks another record 34-pen, 46-pen, Suarez 84) to beat Marco Amelia from the Tottenham 0 Arsenal 1 (Rosicky 2) spot in the ninth minute. MADRID: Lionel Messi Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (left) Seedorf reshuffled and Milan scored a hat-trick to become vies with Osasuna’s French defender Jordan Loties Played on Saturday did well to soak up the pressure Barcelona’s all-time record during the Spanish league football match at the for the remainder of the half. Aston Villa 1 (Delph 82) Chelsea 0 goalscorer as they cut the gap Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, yesterday. But only six minutes after the on La Liga leaders Real Madrid Everton 2 (Deulofeu 59, Coleman 90) Cardiff restart Cassano, unmarked on the to four points ahead of their 1 (Cala 68) edge of the Milan box, controlled meeting next weekend with a Afriyie Acquah’s angled ball to 7-0 thrashing of Osasuna. Fulham 1 (Dejagah 68) Newcastle 0 beat Amelia for Parma’s second. After a slow start, the hosts Seedorf replaced left-back Urby were sparked into life by Messi’s Hull 0 Manchester City 2 (Silva 14, Dzeko 90) Emanuelson with Adil Rami and opening goal as he flicked home Southampton 4 (Schneiderlin 5, Lambert five minutes later the big France at the near post from Alexis 57, Rodriguez 72, Gallagher 90) Norwich 2 defender rose above the Parma Sanchez’s cross. (Elmander 85, Snodgrass 86) defence to head Kaka’s corner Sanchez was next on the past Antonio Mirante. scoresheet as he finished off a Stoke 3 (Odemwingie 33, 79, Arnautovic 69) When Joel Obi was adjudged to similar move involving Andres West Ham 1 (Carroll 5) have fouled Riccardo Montolivo, Iniesta and Jordi Alba before somewhat harshly, with just Sunderland 0 Crystal Palace 0 Iniesta’s wonderful strike from over 15 minutes remaining and 25 yards made it 3-0. Swansea 1 (Lamah 2) West Brom 2 Balotelli scored with a stop-start Messi then broke another (Sessegnon 52, Mulumbu 85) spot-kick, the fightback looked record by registering his 370th on. Barca goal to overtake Paulinho Bundesliga Results But only two minutes later Alcantara as the club’s record BERLIN: Collated German Bundesliga results Milan’s defence was left despond- marksman before rounding off ent after former Inter man here yesterday: his hat-trick in between further Schelotto got the ball across to strikes from Cristian Tello and Hamburg 2 (Calhanoglu 80, Frantz 86-og) Amauri to flick with his heel past Pedro Rodriguez. Nuremberg 1 (Drmic 90+1) Amelia. Barca boss Gerardo Martino Amelia did well to block had left Cesc Fabregas and Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Joselu 59) Freiburg 4 Schelotto’s effort with his legs Neymar on the bench after their (Schuster 34, Guede 54, 90+3, Klaus 70) but the ‘keeper could not keep out exertions in the 2-1 win over Played on Saturday Jonathan Biabiany’s diving header Manchester City in midweek with in the fifth minute of added-on Sanchez and Pedro recalled to the Borussia Dortmund 1 (Jojic 77) Bor. time as the ball ricocheted in the starting line-up. Moenchengladbach 2 (Raffael 31, Kruse 40) area. Amazingly, the Catalans had Elsewhere, Lazio maintained to withstand a bright opening after a lovely one-two between though, as Messi slammed home Werder Bremen 1 (Hunt 79) VfB Stuttgart 1 their hopes of Europa League Spanish from Osasuna as Victor Valdes Alba and Iniesta opened up the Iniesta’s cut-back just after the (Niedermeier 55) football with a 2-0 away win at produced a great save to deny Osasuna defence. hour mark to surpass Alcantara’s Hoffenheim 2 (Polanski 49, Roberto Firmino Cagliari which kept the capital La Liga Results Emiliano Armenteros and Oriol Iniesta then made it 3-0 with 369 goals in 357 games between side five points behind Parma in MADRID: Spanish La Liga results yesterday: 53) Mainz 05 4 (Choupo-Moting 67, Saller Riera was rightly flagged offside just his second goal of the season 1912 and 1927. 73, Okazaki 75, 90+2) seventh. Elche 0 Real Betis 0 as he put the rebound into the 11 minutes before half-time with Substitute Tello got his side’s Relegation-threatened Livorno Barcelona 7 (Messi 19, 62, 88, Sanchez 21, net. a sweetly struck left-footed effort fifth goal with virtually his first Eintracht Braunschweig 1 (Bellarabi 48) VfL had two men sent off but survived Iniesta 34, Tello 78, Pedro 90) Osasuna 0 However, Barca opened the that flew into the top corner. touch as he whipped the ball into Wolfsburg 1 (Luiz Gustavo 36) to beat Bologna 2-1 at home and Playing today scoring 10 minutes later when Fernandez was forced into fine the far corner from just outside move one point clear of the rel- Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao (2100) Sanchez was fed by Xavi and saves from Dani Alves and Xavi the area. Hertha Berlin 0 Hanover 96 3 (Stindl 49, egation zone. On Saturday Messi got across his man to deli- to ensure Barca didn’t go in even Messi fittingly sealed his hat- Schlaudraff 57, Huszti 90+1) In another bottom-of-the-table Levante 0 Celta Vigo 1 (Nolito 19) cately touch home the Chilean’s further ahead at the break. trick as he received Dani Alves’ Bayern Munich 2 (Mandzukic 44, clash Sassuolo beat Catania 3-1 Rayo Vallecano 3 (Bueno 37, Larrivey 57, 76) low cross. Osasuna should have got them- pass before easily side-footing in to send the Sicilians back to the Almeria 1 (Soriano 71) Schweinsteiger 52) Bayer Leverkusen 1 Sanchez should have doubled selves back in the game early in from close range for his 31st goal (Kiessling 90+1) bottom. Malaga 0 Real Madrid 1 (Ronaldo 23) his side’s advantage two minutes the second-half as Riera and of the season. Fiorentina host Chievo and Atletico Madrid 1 (Diego Costa 55) Espanyol 0 later when he chipped over with Roberto Torres failed to hit the And Messi then teed up Pedro Played on Friday Juve travel to Genoa in Sunday’s on Friday just Andres Fernandez to beat, target when presented with clear to make it 7-0 in stoppage time late games while Napoli, in third, Getafe 3 (Marica 6, López 39, Lafita 72) but the former Udinese man made sights of goal. with a neat low finish past FC Augsburg 1 (Werner 5) are away to Torino today, when Grenada 3 (Riki 35, El-Arabi 62, 77) amends when he side-footed home They were soon further behind, Fernandez. AFP Schalke 04 2 (Huntelaar 33, 49) Roma host Udinese. AFP Monday 17 March 2014 16 Jumadal I 1435 Volume 19 Number 5606 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Belmadi named as Qatar coach Fahad to manage Olympic squad

BY RIZWAN REHMAT

DOHA: Algerian Djamel Belmadi, 37, yesterday was Qatar’s team coach handed over the reigns of the Djamel Belmadi reacts Qatar national side, replacing after his team scores Fahad Thani who has been given a goal during the charge of the Olympic squad. WAFF Championship This announcement was in Doha in this made by Qatar Football Association (QFA) President December 2013 file Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa picture. bin Ahmed Al Thani who said Qatar has roped in Belmadi with an eye on reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals. Belmadi, who guided QSL side Lekhwiya to two national league Qatar Football Association (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani shakes hand with titles in 2011 and 2012 , said he the newly appointed Qatar national football team’s Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi at a press conference in had signed the contract after con- Doha yesterday. Qatar Olympic team coach, Fahad Thani (right) was also present. siderable thought. PICTURE BY: SALIM MATRAMKOT “This is a great opportunity for me to take charge of a very talented squad,” Belmadi said. “This is a responsibility that I have taken up after considerable thought. I did not go out look- ing for this job,” the 37-year-old added. “I have been in this country for 10 years. I know how impor- tant this sport is to Qatar and the football fans. We have many targets to achieve,” the former Marseille midfielder said. Sheikh Hamad said QFA is looking at three important events including the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. “I am here to announce that Mr Djamel Belmadi will manage the Qatar national team. Since he is very competent, we feel he can do a good job for the national side,” Sheikh Hamad said. “Our targets are easy to under- QFA chief said. Belmadi said he had formed a ‘National Teams stand. We want to reach the finals was eager to give his best. Committee’ to look into the of the 2018 World Cup to be held “I am ready for this job,” the affairs of the national senior and in Russia,” Sheikh Hamad added. Algerian said. “I thank QFA for junior squads. “We couldn’t reach 2014 FIFA the confidence they have shown “We have strategies that were World Cup to be held in Brazil in me. We have a big mission. I implemented sometime back. Our but we can look forward to the know the expectation is high in goals are pretty much straight next one,” he said. Qatar,” Belmadi said. forward,” Sheikh Hamad said. “I take this opportunity to “I am proud to be in this posi- “Right now we are focusing thank Fahad Thani for his won- tion,” Belmadi said. on the Gulf Cup to be held in derful contribution. He took over Out-going coach Fahad said: “I November this year. That will at a difficult time and did his best would like to express my regret be followed by the 2015 Asian (2012 to 2014). We have important that we could not reach the 2014 Cup (in Australia) and then the events coming up like the Gulf World Cup finals. However, I Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup and the 2015 Asian Cup,” the would like to congratulate QFA Cup qualifying campaigns,” he on reaching the 2015 Asian Cup. said. Qatar coaches since 2000 My new target is to help Qatar Belmadi endorsed Sheikh Pierre Lechantre, France Jan 2002 – May 2003 reach the 2016 Olympic Games Hamad’s sentiments when he said: in Rio de Janiero.” “Our first target is the Gulf Cup. Philippe Troussier, France June 2003 – July 2004 Fahad had replaced Brazilian It is a very important challenge. Paulo Autuori in February 2012 I will adapt to the new challenge Saeed Al-Misnad, Qatar July 2004 – Aug 2004 after Qatar were knocked out of in my own way. We will prepare Džemaludin Mušovic, Bosnia Aug 2004 – the 2012 Gulf Cup in Bahrain. thoroughly.” July 2007 Under Fahad, Qatar failed to Sheikh Hamad said: “Mr Jorge Fossati, Uruguay Aug 2007 – Sept 2008 reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup Belmadi knows about Qatar. He Bruno Metsu, France Sept 2008 – Feb 2011 finals to be held in June this year doesn’t have a long career as a Milovan Rajevac, Serbia Feb 2011 – Aug 2011 in Brazil. national team coach but he did Sebastião Lazaroni, Brazil Aug 2011 – Dec 2011 In January this year, Belmadi great at WAFF Championship. guided Qatar junior side to WAFF He knows the national team Paulo Autuori, Brazil Feb 2012 – Jan 2013 title glory. players. I am sure Belmadi and Fahad Thani, Qatar Jan 2013 – March 2014 He also played in Qatar, appear- Fahad will be up to their new Djamel Belmadi, Algeria March 2014 ing for Al Kharaitiyat. task.” – present Sheikh Hamad said QFA THE PENINSULA

Djamel Belmadi, coach of Qatar reserve team gives instructions to his players during a training session at Aspire Academy in this file picture of December 2013.