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Emir meets Lebanese caretaker PM Three camels Dubai wins bid hit by MERS

DOHA: The deadly MERS virus ( Middle East Respiratory to host 2020 Syndrome) has been detected in three camels linked to a human case in Qatar, the Supreme Council of Health and the Ministry of Environment World Expo announced yesterday. The finding was made in coop- eration with the Netherlands Emir congratulates Dubai ruler Health Ministry’s National Public Health Institute and the Erasmus PARIS: Dubai yesterday beat tree style fireworks extrava- Medical College. off opposition from Brazil, ganza lit the night sky at the The three camels are living in Russia and Turkey to win the Burj Khalifa tower which stands the same farm and the infection right to host the 2020 World 828-metres high. There were was linked to two human cases Expo, sparking celebrations in jubilant crowds at Dubai’s shop- of MERS that had already been the city and a stunning fire- ping malls and other pyrotechnics cured, the SCH said yesterday. works display at the world’s displays. The city kicked off the The finding came as a result tallest building. presentations by pitching itself as The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati at Al of joint efforts by the Supreme The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim a futuristic, glitzy city. Bahr Palace in Doha yesterday. Council of Health, the Ministry bin Hamad Al Thani congratu- The victory for Dubai — home of Environment, the Netherlands’ lated by telephone UAE Vice to the world’s tallest tower, largest Health Ministry’s National Public President, Prime Minister and man-made island and one of the Health Institute and the World Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed world’s busiest airports — means Health Organization (WHO). bin Rashid Al Maktoum on win- the World Expo will be hosted by Cigarette firms pressuring Qatar THE PENINSULA ning the bid, QNA reported. an Arab country for the first time. The city beat Russia’s Dubai’s win confirmed the Ekaterinberg in the final round growing importance of Gulf states QU president of voting in Paris to clinch a pres- for international events. to remove graphic warnings tigious event that is credited with “We renew our promise to clarifies remark delivering a huge boost to tourism astonish the world in 2020,” DOHA: Global cigarette com- of the total smokers (16,000 households, who were selected and business in the host city. Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed panies are pressuring Qatar adults) against 12.9 percent non- randomly from different parts of DOHA: Qatar University (QU) Dubai, the economic and trans- bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said to remove the graphic warn- Qataris (35,000 adults). Among the country. Labour camps were President, Dr Sheikha Abdulla port hub of the United Arab after the win. ing labels on cigarette packets, Qataris, 21.3 percent of the smok- not included in the survey. Al Misnad, has been under Emirates, won 116 votes in the “Dubai Expo2020 will breathe indicating the positive impact ers were men against 0.6 percent The survey also found that attack in the local social media third round, comfortably beating new life into the ancient role of of the country’s efforts to fight women. Among non-Qataris, 19.6 14,000 adults ( 3.4 percent) smoke for comments she made dur- Ekaterinberg with 47. There was the Middle East as a melting pot smoking, a senior official of of the smokers were men against Shisha (4.9 percent women and ing a recent panel discussion at one abstention. for cultures and creativity,” he the Supreme Council of Health 4.6 percent women. 1.6 percent women). Among Dalhousie University in Canada The four candidate cities, said in a statement. He promised (SCH) said yesterday. The number of cigarette smok- Qataris, there were 4,000 adults about efforts to transform the which also included Brazil’s Sao the Dubai expo will “undoubtedly Currently there are about ers in the country has been found smoking Shisha ( 5.3 percent men country’s national university. Paulo and Turkey’s Izmir, had stand out as the best edition in 51,000 smokers in Qatar (20.2 to be 10 percent of the adult popu- and 0.4 percent women) against Her alleged statement that pulled out all the stops during the history of the event in terms percent men, 3.1 percent women) lation while 0.7 percent adults use 10,000 non-Qataris (4.8 percent she began from zero a decade ago 20-minute presentations before of preparation and presentation”. aged 15 years above, who consti- smokeless tobacco products. men, 2.4 percent women). when she took over as QU chief voting by the 168 member states According to UAE officials, 40 tute 12.1 percent of the adult pop- The World Health Organisation Nearly 85 percent of men infuriated many Qataris, but in a of the International Exhibitions percent of the estimated 227,000 ulation in the country, according (WHO) survey was carried out smoked Shisha in a café while press statement issued yesterday, Bureau (BIE), headquartered in new jobs expected to be created to the 2013 Global Adult Tobacco by the SCH in collaboration with about 63 percent of women used Al Misnad has clarified that her Paris, which oversees the organi- as a result of Expo will be in the Survey (GATS) released by the the Ministry of Development it at home. comments have been put out of sation of the events. tourism and travel sectors. AFP SCH yesterday. Planning and Statistics among THE PENINSULA context. THE PENINSULA As the news broke, a Christmas See also page 10 Qataris constitute 10.5 percent 8,571 Qatari and non-Qatari Continued on page 6 See also pages 6 & 8 THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME French film on kids’ struggle for education shown at Katara

DOHA: Education Above All Foundation (EAA), a global initiative of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, presented French writer and director Pascal Plisson’s documentary On the Way to School (Sur le chemin de l’école) at the The Director of Razfa, Ali Al Mehdi (left) and Assistant Director Abdullah Al Mussaifri and (RIGHT) the Director of Al Koora, Amal Al Muftah (left) and Cinematographer Ajyal Youth Film Festival yesterday. Mohammed Nairoz speaking to the media yesterday. SHAIVAL DALAL It tells the story of children, united by the desire for an education, striving against extreme challenges to get to schools in remote locations in India, Kenya, Morocco and Patagonia, Argentina. EAA has partnered with Doha Film Institute (DFI) to foster community awareness about the Vow to build a strong film culture universal right to education and the plight of out-of- school children. As a sponsoring Friend of the Festival, EAA aims at harnessing the power We will make movies as long as we are breathing: Emerging filmmakers from Qatar of film to raise awareness among young people. BY RAYNALD C RIVERA EAA CEO Marcio Barbosa said: “Seeing strug- gles children face to access education shows why Ajyal Youth Film Festival: Today’s schedule we do what we do and what it means to these DOHA: Emerging filmmakers from DOHA: Wajma (An Afghan Love Story), Afghanistan’s official entry to the children. In our hearts and minds the film bridges Qatar are keen to contribute to Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, is among the films to be the gap between our programmes and our ben- building the country’s film culture screened today. The film, which won the Screenwriting Award at Sundance eficiaries and aligns with our vision to support by making more films. 2013, is an unapologetic look at the reality of women caught in situations access to education for all.” “We have very limited production from where there is no escape. DFI CEO Abdulaziz Al Khater said: “We are in the Gulf… Maybe because of lack Directed by Barmak Akram, Wajma stands out for its vivid settings and proud to be partnering with Education Above of support, young filmmakers give up. naturalistic performances. It will be screened at 10.15pm at Katara 12 Theatre B. All to bring this inspiring film to audiences in But we will continue as long as we are Other films to be shown today include On the Way to School at 7.15pm at Katara Qatar. This moving documentary follows the lives breathing; we will produce new films,” 12 Theatre B; A Shout from Within (10pm, Katara Sony Open Air Cinema); The of young heroes who confront and overcome dan- Abdullah Al Mussaifri, Assistant Way Way Back (6.30pm, Katara 12 Theatre A); When I Saw You (8.45pm, Katara gerous obstacles on their way to the classroom Director of the film Razfa, told the 16 Drama Theatre) and Side by Side (7.30pm, Katara Opera House). — a reality faced by millions of youth across the media yesterday. globe. The film is bound to resonate with audi- The short film is one of the seven efforts in the world of sports, said Ali Her film delves into domestic vio- ences and generate interest in this crucial issue.” which emerged from a seven-day Al Mehdi, Director of the film. lence which she considers prevalent The film features four children living in chal- Filmmaking Challenge organised by Al Mehdi, who has directed four around the world. lenging circumstances, who almost instinctively Doha Film Institute (DFI). short films, including Razfa, said other Amal Al Muftah, 18, who directed recognise that their survival depends on knowl- It is a major part of the ‘Made in cultures would be able to appreciate the film Al Koora also expressed keen- edge and education. Qatar’ segment at the Ajyal Youth Film the film which is a combination of ness to continue making films. The Director of Sweet Violence, Dana An Split Seconds From the dangerous savannahs of Kenya to the Festival. “We made the film in the very Qatari tradition and modern themes. Her film won the Natsheh winding trails of the Atlas mountains in Morocco, hot summer and we did it because film- Dana An Natsheh, who is making National and Audience awards at this from the suffocating heat of Southern India to making is something we love,” added Al her directorial debut with the short year’s THIMUN Qatar Northwestern Drama Theatre. Other films to be the vast plateau of Patagonia, they are united by Mussaifri, who has a line-up of short film Sweet Violence, said, “DFI has Festival. Al Koora tells about a young screened include My Hero directed by the same quest. films to shoot next year. provided me with assistance to under- boy and his sister who attempt to Nora Al Subai, One in Five by Jawaher The film interweaves stories of the children Without any formal background stand filmmaking and develop my idea retrieve a lost football in an old Qatari Al Khater, Sonder by Ali Al Thani and forced to confront and overcome countless, often in filmmaking, he honed his craft by into a film. village. Tooth Fairy by Shaikha Ali. dangerous, obstacles – enormous distances over attending DFI workshops in the past “The idea of producing a three- “Time constraint and keeping the Batal Wa Resalah (The Hero and treacherous territory, snakes, elephants and three years. minute movie was really a very old idea enthusiasm of the two main characters, the Message), produced by Al Rayyan bandits – on their journey to the classroom. On Razfa, which is about a teenage in my mind, but it was not very clear, aged seven and nine, in the film were TV production for Qatar National Day the Way to School will have another screening at Qatari boy who attempts to emulate it was ambiguous but as time evolved challenges we faced in making it,” said 2012, will also be screened along with 7.15pm tonight at Katara, Theatre B. his father’s sporting achievements, is and I worked with DFI, I was able to Mohammed Nairoz, Cinematographer. two winners of DFI’s 48-hour online THE PENINSULA a celebration of an important aspect understand better the film industry Made in Qatar films will be shown Family Film Challenge. of Qatari culture and the country’s and filmmaking.” tomorrow at 7.45pm at the Katara THE PENINSULA

THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Emir’s ‘talks in Saudi will boost GCC joint action’ DOHA: The Deputy Prime The Cabinet said decisions of the state. The report high- and Social Development and Minister and Minister of and recommendations adopted lighted the need to develop Arab Authority for Agricultural State for Cabinet Affairs by the summit, stances in the Qatar’s capabilities to cope Investment and Development. H E Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Kuwait Declaration and the with emergency and special It approved the application of Mahmoud presided over the statement on Palestine are a circumstances. Law No. 24 of 2002 on retire- weekly Cabinet meeting at the boost to Afro-Arab cooperation The session also approved the ment and pension for Qatari Emiri Diwan yesterday. and would pave the way for a creation of a technical commit- employees in subsidiaries of Following the Cabinet meet- new phase of strategic partner- tee of specialists from concerned United Development Company ing, Al Mahmoud stated the ship, particularly in the areas authorities to prepare a prac- ‘Qatari shareholding company’ following: At the outset of the of development and investment, tical integrated contingency and Qatar jet fuel company meeting the Cabinet was briefed to serve interests of Arab and plan which will be periodically (Q-Jet). on talks the Emir H H Sheikh African people, and maintain updated. It also approved the third Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani regional and global security, It endorsed a recommenda- draft implementation pro- held with the Custodian of peace and stability. tion of the standing committee gramme of a cooperation agree- the Two Holly Mosques King Then the Cabinet approved on the Convention on the Law of ment in the fields of education Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud its draft decision to establish the Sea with regard to adopting and scientific research between of Saudi Arabia and the Emir of a committee for Qatar Flight marine maps to determine the Qatar and Egypt for the school Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Information Region (Qatar low water line along the Qatari years 2013 to 2016. Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah. FIR). The panel will be set up coast to measure official bor- The Cabinet took meas- The Cabinet affirmed that the at the Ministry of Transport, ders of marine areas under its ures to ratify an agreement meetings served to deepen GCC chaired by a ministry repre- jurisdiction. on diplomatic cooperation fraternal bonds, expand cooper- sentative, with officials from It also endorsed a proposal between Qatar and France. ation in various fields and sup- concerned authorities as mem- of the Finance Ministry to It reviewed a letter by the port joint action for the benefit bers to create Qatar FIR. increase Qatar’s contribu- Minister of Development of the GCC people and Arab and The Cabinet was briefed on tion to the capital of Arab Planning and Statistics on the Islamic causes. the report of a study on uti- Investment and Export Credit Cairo Declaration issued at The session also welcomed lising government school and Guarantee Corporation, Arab the Regional Conference on the outcomes of the recent public facilities as emergency Monetary Fund, Arab Bank Population and Development Third Arab-Africa Summit in shelters in conformity with for Economic Development in in the Arab countries, and took Kuwait, attended by the Emir. the population in each region Africa, Arab Fund for Economic appropriate decision. QNA Qatar grants Palestinian Authority $150m

DOHA: Qatar has granted $150m to the was very accepting of this. We hope it will He said the Emir also promised to ease Palestinian Authority (PA) to help revive be granted at the soonest time possible,” measures governing Palestinian employ- its economy as peace talks with Israel Hamdallah said after talks with the Emir ment in Qatar. have run aground, Palestinian Prime H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The World Bank said last month the Minister Rami Hamdallah said yesterday. “We have a lot of resources in Palestine Palestinian economy in the Israeli-occupied The PA, which relies on foreign aid to but we are facing these economic problems West Bank shrank for the first time in a plug a chronic budget deficit, has long strug- because of the occupation.” decade in the first half of 2013, blaming gled to pay salaries of some 170,000 civil Last month, US Secretary of State John a decline in foreign aid and restrictions servants and finance the costs of running Kerry said in Paris after talks with the imposed by Israel. The bank blamed the 0.1 main services in the occupied West Bank Foreign Minister Dr Khaled bin Mohammed percent economic contraction on a decline and the Gaza Strip. Al Attiyah that Qatar had agreed to provide in foreign budget support to PA, saying it Gaza’s only power plant was forced to $150m in debt relief to PA. exposed the “distorted nature” of the econ- switch off its generators earlier this month Hamdallah had said in September that omy. Israel has pointed repeatedly to strong due to a shortage of fuel which the PA has PA needed to raise $500m by the end of 2013 growth in the West Bank in recent years been unable to pay for. to allow it to continue functioning and pay as vital to restoring relative stability to the “We asked for $150m, and the Emir its employees’ salaries. area. REUTERS PM holds talks with Miqati DOHA: The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati and his delegation yesterday and reviewed relations and latest devel- opments in Lebanon. Premier meets Iran minister DOHA: The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met yesterday the Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Ali Jannati, and his delega- tion. Talks covered rela- tions and issues of mutual concern. PM receives EU representative

DOHA: The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met yesterday the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, Dr Andreas Reinicke, and his del- egation. They reviewed cooperation and latest regional developments. FM’s message to Lithuania VILNIUS: The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Linas Linkeviius, has received a written message from the Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah on means of bolstering relations. The Qatari Non- Resident Ambassador, Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Kholifi, handed over the message. QNA HOME THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 QTA to launch Tour Guide Licence course DOHA: Qatar Tourism high school graduates familiar with feel welcome, want to stay longer or Authority (QTA) is the country’s history and culture and decide to come back to Qatar. Thus, launching its 16-week able to speak English and Arabic. they contribute to the way a tourist Tour Guide Licence How guides perform can deter- destination is perceived. Programme with 24 mine whether visitors in their charge THE PENINSULA trainees on Sunday at Stenden University Qatar. An induction day for the trainees was held last Sunday at Doha Exhibition Centre. The programme aims at providing compre- hensive training to aspir- ing tour guides in history of Qatar, tour-guide essen- tials, knowledge of tourist attractions in Qatar, gen- eral tourism information, and developing their’ com- petencies. The programme is the product of a memo- randum of understanding signed between QTA and Stenden University Qatar last March. “Tour guides are a key touch point on the front- line of a tourist’s first interaction in Qatar. “They act as ambas- sadors of a destination, therefore they need to be well-equipped with train- ing and tools that allow them to represent Qatar well,” said QTA Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi. “While Qatar is making investments to grow the tourism sector through infrastructure improvement to woo more tourists, we are develop- ing human capital as a top priority. “This is part of QTA’s mission as part of the development of a knowl- edge-based economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.” The course is open to Qataris and Qatar-born THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Obesity, smoking Khartiyat plot sold at QR19,091 a sqm key risk behaviours 300 deals last week show spiralling demand for real estate ahead of FIFA 2022

among schoolkids DOHA: A plot of l a nd i n the fa r-flu n g per square metre being an incredible to The Peninsula. According to him, to 550 square metres) were sold in Ain DOHA: Obesity and smoking are two major yet sprawling suburb of Khartiyat QR40,000. there is huge liquidity flow from banks Khalid (Rayyan Municipality) in the health risk behaviours among school students went up for sale this past week at a “There is increasing demand for land to the real estate sector currently. week, Al Muslemani said those were in Qatar, says a senior official at the Primary rate of QR19,091 per square metre. for residential use all over the coun- “Banks are providing real estate meant for residential use. Health Care Corporation (PHCC). This was one of over 300 deals that try,” said real estate expert, Khalifa loans at a lower rate of four per- It is possible a big-time owner or One in 10 children are obese according to sta- took place last week showcasing spiral- Al Muslemani, commenting on past cent and that is triggering massive owners did plotting and sold smaller tistics and smoking is common among students ling demand for real estate as Qatar week’s real estate transactions. demand,” he said. plots to Qataris to build homes. although specific data is not available, said Yosra prepares to host the FIFA World Cup He said these were the land and The stock market has been fluctu- A record 111 above-sized plots went Hammad, Head of Health Promotion. in 2022. properties whose transactions were ating rather sharply in recent weeks, up for sale in Ain Khalid at varying “Obesity is very common among children and it The value of real estate transactions registered with the Real Estate which has led to decreasing investor rates, according to details posted on reflects their life style. Smoking is a big problem registered with the Justice Ministry Registration Department at the confidence, the expert said. the website of the ministry. among schoolchildren, although we don’t have in the week (November 17 and 21) ministry. “This is encouraging a number of Al Muslemani said the value of specific details. It’s an area we need to study,” totalled over QR2.63bn as a result, “Several deals have taken place in investors to switch to real estate, real estate transactions this week is Hammad told The Peninsula yesterday. which was a record this year. West Bay and Lusail that do not need which is a stable and expanding sec- expected to cross past week’s record She explained how a newly launched campaign In Frij bin Mahmoud in Doha, to be registered with the ministry, so tor and profits are large and quick.” total as one deal between Barwa and ‘Health promoting schools’ program’ would help for example, a house of 1,123 square they are not included in the weekly Asked why last week so many plots Qatari Diar was worth QR2bn. students adopt a healthy lifestyle and guide them metres was sold for QR45m — the rate total,” Al Muslemani said in remarks of equal size (from 464 square metres THE PENINSULA to quit habits that risk their health. The three-year campaign aims at promoting healthy living among Independent school stu- dents and is focusing on eight criteria: Health education, physical activity, physical education, proper nutrition, proper school infrastructure, mental and social health, school environment and YouTube clips were doctored: QU President the surrounding community of the school and teachers. “We have discussed about introducing DOHA: Qatar University (QU) discussion she talked her when she began new strategies and standards.” a comprehensive study on smoking to introduce President, Dr Sheikha Abdulla Al about a lack of moti- reforms at QU, said “Since then we have managed to a physical activity programme,” said Hammad. Misnad (pictured), has been under vation and a culture the President. “This, produce graduates who are contribut- In its first phase, the programme will create attack in the local social media in which people gen- however, doesn’t ing to the development of the country awareness among students and identify those for comments she made during a erally tend to take mean that there and we are proud. QU should reflect with health risk factors and help them to over- recent panel discussion at Dalhousie things for granted. were no Qataris who in its development the future vision come the problems. Schools will be evaluated University in Canada about efforts “After talking had the motivation of Qatar.” upon their activities. It also aims at introducing to transform the country’s national about the achieve- to study hard and The reforms at QU were carried out nutritious food habits at school cafeterias, and university. ments of Qatar and excelled in studies.” by individuals. It was rather a national healthy eating habits at schools, with the sup- Her alleged statement that she its universities, I “I feel sorry that initiative in which a large number of port of Supreme Council of Health (SCH) and began from zero a decade ago when talked about the people suspect my people were involved. Supreme Council of Education. she took over as QU chief infuriated main challenges fac- loyalty to my coun- Regarding removing students from “We are also planning to focus on mental many Qataris, but in a press state- ing societies that are try and people and QU, the President said: “I feel sad that health problems of children at schools, as it’s an ment issued yesterday, Al Misnad prosperous, from the think that I mistrust they are saying that I am happy having area which has been neglected. Social workers clarified that her comments had been analytical, economic my own people. The done that. In fact, it was the most dif- and counsellors will be appointed at secondary put out of context. The panel discus- and social point of various projects and ficult decision but was necessary to be and high schools,” she said. The initiative is a sion at Dalhousie University which was view.” initiatives taken to taken for reforms to succeed and for joint international programme by World Health filmed focused on the challenges heads “What I mean by encourage Qatari the development of the country. We Organisation and Unesco. It has been introduced of universities worldwide faced today a culture of entitle- students (at QU) insisted on minimum grade require- at 112 Independent schools and aims at covering in developing higher education in their ment whereby people prove the contrary.” ments that are applicable to other 80 percent of schools by 2018. THE PENINSULA respective countries. take things for granted is that there is This culture of lack of motivation is universities”. “It was a critical analysis,” Al Misnad a general misconception among stu- a natural phenomenon in societies that In fact, many students did improve said, adding that the discussions were dents joining a university is that they are prosperous. “I raised this point at their grades. “When people criticized held in an academic environment and think that the university should be the panel discussion. In such discus- this policy, we sought feedback from called for the participants to be ana- responsible for their success.” sions it is important to be positively the various segments, including stu- lytical and objective. The student takes it for granted that self-critical as every other participant dents, and partially reviewed this Unfortunately, she said, her com- he would graduate forgetting that, that does that.” policy.” ments were taken out of context requires efforts on his part as well, and “In the social media some people QU has churned out tens of thou- and joggled up together and put on that he should have academic potential. mentioned that I started off from zero. sands of graduates and “I feel proud to YouTube in the form of a film. “But when we made the rule that They said this was undermining the be one of them”. Al Misnad said that Al Misnad said the film that has students should fulfil certain mini- efforts and achievements of people who the reforms called for very difficult been put on YouTube has been edited mum requirements (to get a degree) mattered at QU before 2003.” decisions. They called for courage to in a professional way and features clip- and they would be given only three The fact is, said Al Misnad, that be implemented. “After a decade (of pings from here and there. attempts to improve their grades if she said that she began reforms at QU reforms) I can assure you that I did “I can, therefore, understand the they were below the minimum require- from zero. QU became autonomous in my best and with accountability.” She heartburn it has caused and the reac- ment, a lot of people denounced this 2003 from being a government institu- said: “I don’t want to see the reforms tions to it.” move.” tion. And this required a whole body of rolled back, for they don’t concern an Al Misnad said that at the panel This was one of the challenges facing regulations and policies. “This required individual”. THE PENINSULA

85.9pc support more taxes on tobacco products: Survey Continued from page 1 would target countries with low waking up. About 8.6 percent of the passive smoking at work place while Addressing a press conference number of smokers to promote their daily smokers (20 to 34 years old) 16.8 percent were exposed at their at the SCH premises yesterday, Dr business… They are putting pressure started smoking before the age of 15 homes, and 25.9 percent were exposed Mohammed Al Thani, Drector of the on Qatar to remove the graphic warn- years and 45.5 percent started daily in restaurants. Public Health Department at SCH said ing labels on cigarette packets,” said smoking before the age of 18 years. About 96 percent of the surveyed that the survey has indicated a rela- Al Thani. Nearly 49 percent of the surveyed believed smoking can cause seri- tively low prevalence of smoking among He added that the warnings have heard about electronic cigarettes, that ous illnesses and 85.9 percent sup- the Qatari population, especially among a crucial role in fighting smoking, as remain banned in Qatar. Eight percent ported increasing taxes on tobacco women, revealed by the survey. Among the had bought it or seen others buying products. thanks to current smokers, 51.4 percent thought it. Only 2.8 percent had ever used an Al Thani said the new anti-tobacco the inten- about quitting because of a warning electronic cigarette and less than one law which is currently before the sive anti- label on cigarette packs and 23.8 per- percent are currently using them. Cabinet will give more teeth to SCH’s tobacco cent of Shisha smokers said the same. Overall, 66.8 percent of smokers anti-tobacco campaign. Dr Sheikha campaign Over half of the daily cigarette were interested in quitting but only Al Anoud bin Mohammed Al Thani, in the smokers smoke an average 17 ciga- 38.2 percent of tobacco users had tried director of Health Promotion and country. rettes a day and more than two fifths to quit at some time during the past 12 Non Communicable Diseases at SCH “Tobacco of the smokers reported having their months. Overall, 12 percent of adults and other senior officials attended the companies first smoke within half an hour after who worked indoors were exposed to press conference. THE PENINSULA Camel Racing Championship in Al Shahaniya DOHA: Under the patronage of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the 3rd edition of the GCC Camel Racing Championship will start at Al Shahaniyya Camel Race Track. All arrangements for the championship have been completed. Sheikha Hind attends UCQ 4th convocation DOHA: H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Vice Chair of Supreme Education Council Board of Directors, yesterday attended the University of Calgary Qatar’s (UCQ) fourth convoca- tion at Qatar National Convention Centre. Forty- nine students received their Bachelor of Nursing Degree. QNA THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 ‘Justice, human rights’ at core of Israeli-Palestinian conflict

DOHA: Justice and human the socio-economic impact on Second World War that led to the a government website that says rights are the basic issues in Palestinian communities in light emergence of a Jewish state and Jerusalem is to maintain a 79 per Israeli-Palestinian conflict, of the ongoing struggle to estab- set off a demographic race. cent Jewish majority of the city,” while everyone is talking about lish a majority benchmark of “The first priority of the Israeli said Kurz. peace, coexistence and the two- Jewish citizens. government was for Israeli neigh- He concluded that it is imper- state solution, according to Detailing government policies bourhoods to grow as much and as ative the central business dis- Micha Kurz, a former Israeli that have shifted over the decades fast as possible, with new neigh- trict be opened back up to the soldier and co-founder of the in response to persistent failure bourhoods built very quickly, Palestinian people. Grassroots Jerusalem, an online in meeting these demographic mostly on Palestinian farmland,” “This all has to do with poli- platform that connects urban goals, Kurz demonstrated how said Kurz, who was born and tics. While everyone discusses the and human rights activists and the strategy of instituting check- raised in Jerusalem. two-state solution, peace, dialogue organisations in Jerusalem. points, then building a wall, have He recounted childhood memo- and coexistence, what we should Kurz was delivering a lecture effectively cut off the old inner ries of counting building cranes be talking about is human rights on the topic ‘Mobilising commu- city, an economic centre, from on the city’s horizon. and justice.” nities in occupied Jerusalem’ at the suburbs where displaced The partition of Jerusalem into Introducing Kurz to the audi- the Georgetown University Qatar Jerusalemite Palestinians had East and West following the 1949 ence earlier, Dr Mehran Kamrava, (GU-Q), hosted by GU-Q’s Center been relocated. War, the first time in the city’s Director of CIRS, said, “I met for Regional Studies (CIRS) as Combined with Israeli law that long history of peaceful coexist- Kurz while I was doing research part of its monthly lecture series. punishes Jerusalem’s Palestinian ence between Christians, Jews in Jerusalem for a course I’m “When we discuss Jerusalem citizens by revoking their resi- and Muslims, resulted in a major teaching this semester. or Palestine, we don’t often use dency permits if they are gone for displacement of Palestinians from “Within five minutes of speak- terms like employment, dropout more than three years, the impact Jerusalem. From a population of ing to him, I knew that I had to rates, or what the occupation on Palestinians has been massive, 850,000, only 50,000 remained find a way to bring him to one of really means. So I want to focus he explained. after the partition. our Monthly Dialogue lectures. on that so we can understand “Students can’t go to school, “The other government priority I was thrilled and delighted he what we are talking about,” said consumers can’t do business, and was that Palestinian neighbour- agreed to come.” Kurz. over 5,000 Palestinian businesses hoods were to be frozen. Next month’s lecture, which He discussed the current demo- have shut down. Unemployment is “No Palestinian growth or new is open to the public, will feature graphic situation of Jerusalem at its peak — a 75 percent poverty neighbourhoods since 1967. You CIRS Director of Research, Zahra in terms of recent political rate in East Jerusalem alone,” said won’t find that in a black and Babar, who will discuss Arab com- Micha Kurz, a former Israeli soldier and co-founder of the Grassroots events stemming from the crea- Kurz. white law book, but you’ll find munities in Qatar. Jerusalem, delivering the lecture at Georgetown University Qatar. tion of Israel. He then detailed He described the events of the a demographic benchmark on THE PENINSULA Doha Metro project on fast track

DOHA: Work on the first schedule by 2019. Providing phase of Doha Metro Project an overview of Qatar’s current is progressing rapidly. Drilling and future projects, he said all for tunnels and work on 80 projects are in line with Qatar percent of stations have begun, National Vision 2030 which is a senior official of Qatar Rail aimed at the development of a told a conference yesterday. safe, efficient, and integrated “Work to set up metro sta- public transport network as an tions in 20 out of 25 locations alternative and competitor to have started,” said Hamad Al private transport. Bishri, Deputy CEO and Chief “Our projects are in full Programme Officer of Qatar integration to connect Qatar’s Rail. key areas with each other and He said preliminary drilling with their vital extensions. The for tunnels — reaching close to Doha Metro will tie together the five meters in depth in some capital’s inner and outer areas locations — are progressing such as Lusail city, the new with a remarkable pace. He Hamad Al Bishri and John Lesniewski addressing the conference. Hamad International Airport, was speaking during a discus- the Education City, Al Wakrah sion session on the railway sec- Lesniewski, Acting Executive at great speed with the project and the West Bay area.” tor on the sidelines of the Qatar Director commercial, Etihad slated to be officially delivered On the significance of Trans4, International Transport and Rail. The participants gave by 2016-end. “We have finalised he said it has become “a refer- Logistics Industry Exhibition detailed presentations on drilling work for LRT tunnels, ence and a platform” for the (Trans4), which ends today. progress made by the UAE, and have completed over 55 per- local and international transport Ramiz Al Assar, Senior Saudi Arabia and Qatar in cent of drilling for stations.” industry. “Trans4 2013 expo and Transport Specialist at World the integrated GCC rail net- So far Qatar Rail has awarded conference will give us a push Bank, moderated the ses- work, including Doha Metro projects for the construction to a quantum leap in Qatar’s sion which also included Ian and Lusail Light Rail Transit of first phase of the ambitious transport sector, and help us Williams, Transport Senior (LRT). metro project. keep pace with expectations and Manager at Qatar 2022 About LRT, Al Bishri said Al Bishri hoped that the aspirations of the Qatari people.” Supreme Committee, and John construction is moving ahead phase will be completed as per THE PENINSULA

ROTA leadership training for students begins

DOHA: Reach Out To change their communities for “Taking part in this training will hope to become a real leader in Asia’s (ROTA) 4-day the better through Youth Service help me gain the needed skills Qatar’s future”. Youth Service Club Club membership,” says ROTA for my future career. I am here The programme includes work- Leadership (RYSC) pro- National Programme Director to develop my leadership abilities shops, seminars, and practical gramme started at the Mohamed Abdulla Saleh. and my teamwork communica- skills-based sessions. Students Center, Qatar A participating student said: tion. With ROTA’s assistance, I THE PENINSULA Foundation yesterday. Sponsored by Msheireb Properties, about 100 youth took part in various activities. RYSC provides a plat- form for new and exist- ing members to develop abilities and strengthen voice to act as responsible national and global citi- zens. The training is an experiential, reflective and interactive learning pro- gram in Arabic for school and university students aged 16-26 years. Leadership Training is a diverse and multi-faceted programme that prepares youth for the future by enhancing their leadership skills through a progres- sive training agenda which allow participants to put the knowledge into prac- tice, gain project manage- ment and advocacy skills needed to run the club. “RYSC Leadership Training is a difference maker, a creator of oppor- tunities for youth and leaders for communities. At the end of training, RYSC members will pos- sess skills, knowledge and abilities to go forward and THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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A gag order Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

NEW law promulgated by Egypt’s military-appointed interim president regulating demonstrations and protests is another setback to the country’s Ademocratic aspirations and a violation of the promises made by the new rulers. Protests broke out in Israel struggling to win Cairo and elsewhere against the new rule, which the police violently dispersed. Yesterday, the police ordered the arrest of two pro-democracy campaigners renowned for their role friends, influence people in the popular uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak. The arrest orders for Ahmed Maher, head of the April 6 youth BY CRISPIAN BALMER movement, and Alaa Abdel Fattah were issued a day after but we will become diplomatic pariahs,” Netanyahu visited China earlier they joined demonstrations outside parliament in defiance of said Uzi Rabi, head of the Moshe Dayan this year, but needed to bow to tough the law curbing protests. The interim president on Sunday RITICISED for settling occupied Center for Middle Eastern Studies at demands just to get the invitation, banned public gatherings of more than 10 people without prior land and stung by its failure to Tel Aviv University. according to Israeli media, indicating government approval, imposing hefty fines and prison terms Cshape the new world power deal And while Netanyahu might lecture the difficulties that lie ahead if Israel is for violators in a bid to stifle the near-constant protests roiling with Iran, Israel must rethink its strat- the U.N. General Assembly last month serious about widening its reach. egy if it wants to avoid severe diplomatic that Iran’s new, moderate-sounding Despite unanimous backing for the the country. The new law is more restrictive than regulations setbacks in the coming months. president was a “wolf in sheep’s cloth- Iran deal by all five permanent mem- used under the rule of autocrat Hosni Mubarak. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ing”, Israelis could learn something, bers of the UN Security Council, Gold Any restrictions on protests and demonstrations are signs fury about the Iranian nuclear accord Rabi said, from how Tehran used dip- rejected suggestions Israel was isolated of authoritarianism. With the new measure, the Egyptian has exposed Israel’s limited reach on lomatic tact to its benefit. Barely had over the issue, pointing to deep dis- government has shown its true colours. It wants to suppress the international stage and has coin- the ink dried on the Nov. 24 accord with content amongst Gulf states, including popular protests and consolidate its hold on power. Hosni cided with growing frustration abroad Iran, which offered the Islamic Republic Saudi Arabia. Indeed, Israel’s strategic over its flailing peace talks with the limited sanctions relief in return for position in the Middle East has improved Mubarak was thrown out of power through a popular uprising, Palestinians. Traditionally the closest curbs on its nuclear activities, than an this year. Civil war in Syria has hobbled and Brotherhood leader Muhamad Mursi too was forced to of friends, Israel and the United States angry Netanyahu denounced what he one old foe, while the downfall of the leave through similar protests. The new government wants now stare at each other with barely con- termed a “historic mistake”. Islamist Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt to avoid a repletion of those cealed mistrust. His criticism put him at odds with has bolstered its southern flank. mass demonstrations which are Some of Netanyahu’s allies suggest it the United States as well as France, But any chance of a public alliance A new Egyptian is time for Israel Germany, Britain, China and Russia; forming between Israel and Sunni possible because it is beginning to law restricting to build up rela- all approved the deal in the face of Muslim leaders to counter Shi’ite lose the support it enjoyed in the tions in other heavy lobbying from Israel, which fears Muslim Iran is rendered impossible protests is a beginning. Liberals and activists regions, such as Iran will develop an arsenal of nuclear by the unresolved Palestinian conflict, huge obstacle who backed Mursi’s overthrow are Asia, to make weapons. which remains a deeply emotive issue now becoming more vocal against Traditionally sure that all its “We are the ones directly threatened across the Arab world. in the way of the military, which has pursued a diplomatic eggs by this, so we have to be the ones doing US-brokered peace talks between the closest of are not in one, the warning,” Ronen Hoffman, an aca- Israel and the Palestinians resumed tough security crackdown against the country’s friends, Israel American, basket. demic expert on diplomacy, said of Iran’s in July after a three-year hiatus and democratic Islamists, in which hundreds have That might nuclear programme. Israel has repeat- were meant to lead to a deal within been killed and more than 2,000 and the United prove a valid edly hinted that it would strike Iran if nine months. Although both sides have transition. arrested, including Mursi. The long-term plan, diplomacy and sanctions fail to stop its acknowledged a lack of meaningful new law has also angered some States now but it will not nuclear progress. It was always a tough progress, neither wants to walk away Egyptians and drawn fire from help Israel win its prospect to hit distant Iran, but to do for fear of being blamed for the mess. stare at each short-term goal of so now in defiance of the world’s top However, in a rare reprimand, US human rights groups who describe it as a blow to freedom other with barely getting Western powers, looks impossible. Secretary of State John Kerry con- in the most populous Arab country. The United Nations partners to wring Netanyahu and his inner circle feel demned this month a wave of announce- human rights chief, Navi Pillay, has demanded that the law concealed many more con- particularly betrayed by Obama, who ments of Jewish settlement-building on be amended or repealed, saying it puts the lives of peaceful mistrust. cessions from they believe has repeatedly misread the occupied land, indicating Israel may be protesters at risk. And US State Department spokeswoman Iran in the next, Middle East. Foreign Minister Avigdor deemed the guilty party in Washington decisive round of Lieberman has suggested that Israel’s in the event of failure. Jen Psaki also said that the new measure, “does not meet negotiations over historic ties with the United States are “I mean, does Israel want a third international standards and will not move Egypt’s democratic Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. weakening. Dore Gold, a former Israeli Intifada?” Kerry said in an inter- transition forward.” And it will not help Israel dodge ambassador to the United Nations and view, referring to the danger of a new The latest developments in Egypt are a cause of concern. blame, if, as expected peace talks with also once an adviser to Netanyahu, said Palestinian uprising to follow those that There were high hopes about the country embracing the Palestinians collapse in early 2014. he did not see the special relationship erupted in 1987 and 2000. The conflu- democracy after Mubarak’s ouster, but Mursi failed to live up As an initial step to improve the with Washington breaking, but did ence of the Palestinian and Iranian mood music, megaphone diplomacy and think it was time to broaden Israel’s issues is a source of constant frustration to the expectations of people. The public invested their hopes public sniping at U.S. President Barak circle of influence. for Israel, which sees the two questions in the new rulers, but they too are moving away from their Obama’s administration needs to stop, “There are civilisational ties that in a very different light - the first rep- avowed ideals. With the economy in tatters and the public and some Israeli analysts argue. run very deep,” he said of the United resenting a threat to its very essence the international community disappointed with the political “If we do not change the tone of our States. “But it is important for Israel as a Jewish state on biblical lands, the uncertainty prevailing in the country, the new president and discourse, build up the scope of our to develop diversified diplomatic rela- second a grave problem but one it can his army chief must refrain from taking any measures that will activities and confine discussion to tionships with many countries around continue to manage. behind closed doors, then I hate to say it, the world, including in the Asia Pacific.” REUTERS push the country into a new crisis • Letters Quote of Dr Sheikha Al Misnad has got it wrong the day he speech made by Qatar the audience laugh hysterically, but her speech in Arabic. By doing this, Her a whole population. According to Dr University President Dr Sheikha the real irony of what she said is that Highness made it clear that Arabic is in Sheikha, “The entire national population Al Misnad at the Dalhousie Dr Sheikha herself is not even close to no way inferior to any other language. As looks at things as entitlement, not like an TUniversity’s 2013 Presidential being able to master the English lan- an Arab, this made me extremely proud. opportunity, you need to take advantage Installation in Canada has created guage. The students were kicked out for The accusations that Dr Sheikha of and work hard on it”. This statement It is time for a a huge controversy. Coming from a not being able to do something that she made at the Dalhousie event are highly is insulting. person of her stature, the speech was is unable to do. But English language disingenuous to Qatar’s young adults. It is true that we have been afforded settlement which in bad taste and would only help sully skills cannot in itself be used to measure Qatar’s youth are a proud generation. the highest quality of education. The recognises that the image of our country. the eligibility of a student. We are very thankful for all the oppor- country is investing in each and every In her speech, Dr Sheikha expressed One of the most important things that tunities offered to us by an extremely Qatari’s education, starting from ele- free movement pride at how she had kicked out a thou- we have learnt from H H Sheikha Moza supportive government. We have been mentary school to PhD. I don’t think sand students within the first year of bint Nasser is that we need to be proud raised and taught by the leaders of our that such strong support exists in any is a central taking up her position as President of of our language. Last month, at the nation to believe that we can become other part of the world. But such an principle of the Qatar University. These students were opening of the World Innovation Summit future leaders across all sectors of investment would not have been made dismissed because of their poor aca- in Education 2013, Her Highness deliv- society. if our country’s leadership did not trust EU, but it cannot demic performance, especially due ered the most important speech of the A person has the freedom to express us to value the opportunities we’ve been be a completely to their poor English skills. When Dr event to an audience that came from all his/her opinion on any subject, but that given. David Cameron Sheikha made the statement, it made different parts of the world. She gave person has no right to judge and accuse Dalal Al-Naimi, Doha unqualified one. British Prime Minister THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 QATAR PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 9 The cost of traffic congestion ABDULLA ABDULAZIZ AL KHATER

t is said that time is money. about 15 minutes to recover from According to this proverb, we the harassment on the roads. waste QR70bn per year, if we Can we hope someday to see our Iconvert into money the time streets free of traffic lights? There employees and students waste at is no doubt that in the recent past traffic signals on the way to offices the Public Works Authority has and schools. implemented plans for preparing On the daily trip to work and wide alternative roads that are back home, the average number designed to make traffic move- of traffic lights on your way would ment on the streets more stream- be about eight. Taking into consid- lined, in order to show how the eration actions like slowing down, administration is keen to provide stopping and shifting gears, which roads and build them in a way that take four to six minutes, multi- causes minimum nuisance. plied by the number of traffic So far, I do not see that doing lights, you get about 40 minutes away with traffic lights is a part in each direction, which means of the authority’s strategy. It is wasting about an hour and a third expected to build roads, tunnels every day. and bridges that help streamline An hour and a third everyday the movement of vehicles to make means 45 hours monthly, and if we driving more fun and to improve only counted workdays, we would work efficiency. find that we waste about 34 hours However, all this does not monthly, which means about 400 include pedestrian bridges, despite hours annually. Moreover, if we the fact that pedestrians are at multiply 400 hours by the number risk of getting hit by speeding of people — if we take that the vehicles. I have seen with my own number of employers, workers and eyes, on Salwa Road, cars running students is about a million and a over a worker who was daring pedestrian bridges between the that prevent constructing pedes- be adequate, but looking at all the traffic congestion, such as decen- half — we will get an enormous enough to cross the street. When Corniche and Salwa Road to save trian bridges or tunnels, the mini- indicators, a few questions arise. tralisation of government depart- number of hours that we waste the cars were driving back to save pedestrians’ lives. mum the authority should do is to We thought that it was essen- ments and agencies, which means every day. him, they ran over him again, and Most of the areas in Qatar, espe- present to the public its point of tial to have six lanes on the main distributing or opening offices in Our economy loses about do not ask me what I felt when I cially highways and public places, view and reasons for not imple- streets, but instead we got sur- different areas, having different QR70bn every year due to traf- saw that. I wondered why there do not have pedestrian bridges. All menting projects that provide prised that there were only three working hours according to the fic lights, and we have not even were no pedestrian bridges or we can find is traffic lights that safety to commoners. lanes, and there is congestion areas and ministries, improving calculated how traffic con- tunnels. obstruct cars on roads that have What really scares people is already, so what will it be like after the public transport system to gestion impacts the economy. I often wonder if Qatar was four lanes. The whole road some- that all of this work and invest- 17 years? make it more organised, looking Psychologically, it affects your the first to do that. The world has times get choked with traffic for ments is being done reluctantly. The economy and citizens will into the possibility of working mood significantly, as you leave preceded us over the centuries, so one person to cross it. Pedestrian Was this infrastructure outlined suffer through the phase of devel- from a distance, installing traffic your house in a good mood but why cannot we learn from others? bridges can relieve traffic conges- in Qatar National Vision 2030? It opment and improvement, and lights that work in conjunction things start to change after the The whole world is building pedes- tion unlike traffic lights that stop is an integrated system of roads hopefully this suffering will come with each other and laying down fourth traffic light. Then, after trian bridges and foot bridges, and the whole traffic. and we might be surprised that to an end eventually. There are procedures that should be applied reaching your workplace, you need I do not know why there are no If there are any complications we were wrong and the roads will lots of solutions that can help ease in case of accidents.

KHALID AL JABER Investing in and nurturing human resources

The new media arena nvestment in human resources of the experiences of other coun- is the most important invest- AMAL AL BOUININ tries in nurturing talent. Tools Iment. Investing in manpower for identifying and developing rab media has been shaped into one dimension, to adapt and talent can be used as a gauge talented students in Qatar envi- submissively to the attitudes and desires of the dicta- for the progress of nations. to foster talented individuals ronment should be used, and so Atorial authorities controlling power in each country. The human being is the main lack a plan and organised efforts should be curriculums that meet Egypt’s Sawt Al Arab radio (Arabs’ Voice) claimed in 1967 that element in any economic, social, to mobilise the required human the needs of children of varying Arab armies had managed to defeat the enemy, and described educational, cultural or political and financial resources to realise intelligence, and extra-curricular the supposed downing of their jets as flies falling down in activity; therefore, all nations seek effective programmes. activities for outstanding children. droves. The reality on the ground, however, was that Arab to build the capacities of their The basic education stage is Other essential things for this armies were facing the most humiliating defeat. Jerusalem, individuals and society. The level the most important and effective are conducting research based on the rest of Palestine, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, northern Jordan of economic development they Educational stage of education as a prepara- observation of talent and innova- (Ghore and the West Bank), and a key part of Syria (the Golan achieve is in accordance with the institutions in tory stage for children. Therefore, tions in universities and research Heights and its rivers) had already fallen into the hands of the qualifications of their people. Arab countries private and government founda- academies, and preparing and enemy (Israel). It is worth mentioning that the tions should sponsor talented chil- implementing programmes that This defeat was then called a “setback”, before the most Second World War was a turning still do not pay dren to nurture their talent and raise the awareness of parents, important victory followed when Israel came close to assassi- point in all fields, including the much attention to develop their capacities so that teachers and the society on spon- nating the great leader Gamal Abdel-Nasser and overthrowing educational field. It increased the they can face challenges, whether soring and taking care of the his progressive Arab nationalist regime. interest of parents in the process talented individuals. educational, social or financial. talented. All newspapers, magazines, television and other media were of education in schools. Perhaps There is lack of The eight intelligence indica- Finally, I can say, Japan is a managed, whether publicly or secretly, in line with the agendas the most prominent result of coordination and tors should be taken into con- nation of 120 million outstand- and attitudes of each state. No matter could be read or listened this interest was the foundation siderations as well, not just the ing people. By looking at the to unless it was approved and passed through the censorship of of the American Association for integration between intelligence quotient, because Japanese experience in sponsor- the authorities and their agents. Even privately owned media Talented Children in 1947. different educational IQ is just an indicator of intel- ing programmes for the talented, was not exempt from The Russian space foray in systems and ligence. Tests that identify the it is not surprising to see their that — all were under 1957 is considered the spark that type of intelligence, not only its excellence in productivity, creativ- control and not allowed The new media provoked the Americans and higher educational quotient, should be prepared and ity, administration and industry. to go out of the official convinced them that Russia’s institutions and the used. Strategies that rely on using This is because of adopting a clear track. Privately owned has managed technological progress had not high capacities of thinking should strategy that includes developing media turned into a gov- come out of a vacuum. Rather it authorities. also not be overlooked. the abilities and skills of out- ernment tool to evade was the result of the efficiency of As for challenges at the state standing children even before pressure from foreign to counter the their talented people, the effec- level, there is a need for adopting they join school, as the Japanese governments and human tiveness of their education sys- a national strategy and policies on society sees every child as poten- rights organisations by traditional media tem, and the way they nurtured gifted individuals who have been caring for talented and outstand- tially talented or outstanding. claiming that they were talented individuals. Perhaps sponsored and nurtured in their ing children and youth and mak- Of course, there is awareness free and independent and cross all red this and other factors made the areas of interest during the early ing them a part of the educational and cooperation between parents and had no problem dis- Americans expand their educa- years of their school life. policy and education system. This and teachers in developing skills cussing negative issues in lines in ways that tion system to include the best On the other hand educational could be done through exploring that lead to innovation and all their countries. educational programmes to train institutions in Arab countries existing capacities, innovation of these are significant elements This situation still gave a chance to talented people and foster them as still do not pay much attention initiatives, creating an integrated in the process of education exists as the traditional they represented the hope of the to talented individuals. There is database, establishment of special and scientific raising of chil- Arab media establish- virtual space to United States of America. lack of coordination and integra- schools for talented and outstand- dren, according to the Japanese ments and their promi- The scientific excellence of the tion between different educational ing students and paving the way experience. nent figures are still shape the public advanced industrial countries was systems and higher educational for such initiatives with the nec- The question is, when will we linked to the authorities and still is the product of talented institutions and the authorities. essary legislation. be able to say: “Our Qatari experi- and serve as their tools. minds, and the knowledge of Individual efforts and initiatives We should also take advantage ence in sponsoring the talented?” The past three years, space. This, in turn, however, have brought in significant changes has contributed to wherein different rules were laid down and a change that will new reality was imposed on the process of shaping spread everywhere. Off-road stunt driving is not recreation the media. This may lead to a radical revolution e cannot accept the act, using the preventive and which can eradicate everything that is taken for granted or excuse given by youth DR ABDULLAH AL AMADI deterrent legal tools, to ban off- considered immutable or ineradicable on the Arab media stage. Wthat their practice of roading and stunt driving. It is The revolutions that have swept some Arab countries are just “off-roading” or driving cars or not enough to issue warnings and the beginning of a major and deep shift. History will not stop “banshees” on the beautiful sand Worse than the justifications mishaps. The issue comes up in call for more awareness. at a specific point. We have seen the way the new generation dunes of the Sealine area is a kind and excuses given by youth is the the news and then disappears for The Ministry of Environment has used the new media and exploited social networking web- of a release of repressed energy. lack of deterrent or preventive a while, only to reappear after is also responsible, for protecting sites including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to overthrow We cannot accept such jus- measures, whether at the official another tragedy. This happens the environment and the dunes, authoritarian regimes and dictatorial leaders, reveal conspira- tifications or excuses because level, where mechanisms of pre- repeatedly and hits innocent which are as important as gar- cies, and expose corruption and political authoritarianism. there are many ways for youth to vention and deterrence by force families. dens and natural resources. The new media has managed to counter the traditional release their energy. of law exist, or at the social level Allah created the sand dunes This recklessness, spilling of media and cross all red lines in ways that gave a chance to Recreation or entertainment through civil society institutions, so that people could enjoy see- the blood of youth, and pain of virtual space to shape the public space. This, in turn, has helped can never be or never will be had which currently have no role in ing them and the sea and think, families must be prevented. create consciousness and understanding and contributed to by committing self-destruction, this issue, or at the family level, meditate and relieve their hearts change that will spread everywhere. It is only a matter of time, which is what is happening with where the power of families over and minds, and not for practising The views expressed in the articles on this as history teaches us. our youth now during every holi- their sons has become weak. reckless stunt driving or to annoy page do not reflect the viewpoint of the day or camping season, particu- Families are losing their sons in others and hurt families. newspaper. larly in a place like Sealine. road accidents and stunt driving The Ministry of Interior should THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Celebrations in Dubai Saudi authorities Work at Iran N-site to reassessing ban on women continue despite deal drivers: Activists RIYADH: Saudi authorities are reassessing a controversial Stick to what was agreed at the Geneva talks: France ban on the right for women to drive in the ultra-conservative DUBAI: Iran will pursue be used for the core of a nuclear the nuclear agreement with Iran kingdom, activists said yester- construction at the Arak weapon — once it is operational. as an “historical mistake” as it day, citing the interior minister. heavy-water reactor, Foreign Iran says it would produce medi- does not actually dismantle the “Rest assured that the issue is Minister Mohammed Javad cal isotopes only. programme. being discussed, and expect a good Zarif was quoted as saying yes- According to the agreed text, “The ink has not even dried on outcome,” Prince Mohammed bin terday, despite a deal with world Iran said it would not make “any the agreement and already we are Nayef said, according to Aziza Al powers to shelve a project they further advances of its activities” hearing provocative announce- Yusef who met him along with fear could yield plutonium for on the Arak reactor, under con- ments from Iran, like this, whose fellow activist Hala Al Dosari. atomic bombs. struction near a western Iranian coyness and ambiguity could well Yusef said the meeting took France, one of the six powers town with that name. augur a breach of the deal,” Israeli place at the minister’s office, but that negotiated Sunday’s land- “Capacity at the Arak site is Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval through a video conference, in mark initial accord with Iran not going to increase. It means no Steinitz said when asked about compliance with strict rules of to curb its disputed nuclear new nuclear fuel will be produced Zarif’s statement. segregation between men and programme, said in response to and no new installations will be However, nuclear expert Mark women. But the top security chief Zarif’s statement that Tehran installed, but construction will Hibbs of the Carnegie Endowment stressed that the globally unique had to stick to what was agreed continue there,” Zarif told par- think-tank said Zarif’s statement ban on driving for women was in the Geneva talks. liament in translated comments seemed to be an attempt to reas- “a matter to be decided by the The uncompleted research broadcast on Iran’s Press TV. sure anti-Western hardliners in legislative authority,” Yusef said. reactor emerged as one of sev- When asked about this, French Iran that the Arak project will Saudi Arabia has an all- eral big stumbling blocks in the Foreign Ministry spokesman survive diplomacy with the pow- appointed consultative Shura marathon negotiations, in which Romain Nadal said: “In the ers. “It doesn’t matter whether Council, with no elected Iran agreed to restrain its atomic interim accord, the Arak reactor Iran is doing excavation work or parliament. activities for six months in return is specifically targeted and the civil construction work around The council makes recommen- for limited sanctions relief. The end of all work at this reactor. the reactor,” Hibbs said. dations to the government, but agreement is intended to buy time In the agreement and the text, “What matters for now is that the king remains the absolute for talks on a final settlement of which has been approved by the there is no fuel production and legislator. the dispute. Iranian authorities, the Arak testing, that there is no instal- “We expect a royal decree that Western powers fear Arak reactor is clearly targeted.” lation at the reactor. Freezing gives us this right,” Yusef said. could be a source of plutonium — Israel, widely believed to be much more than that might be Three of the recently appointed one of two materials, along with the only nuclear-armed state in seen by hardliners as total sus- 30 female members of the coun- highly enriched uranium, that can the Middle East, has denounced pension of the project and there- cil presented a recommenda- fore unacceptable.” tion last month that women be Other experts have said that an given the right to drive. But the Israeli spy minister meets apparent loophole in the Geneva male-dominated 150-member agreement could allow Iran to assembly rejected the recom- build components off-site to mendation without passing it to British negotiator on Iran install later in the reactor. the government. “The agreement is silent on the Prince Mohammed told the JERUSALEM: Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz met manufacturing of remaining key activists the kingdom was “gov- yesterday with Britain’s negotiator at the Iranian nuclear talks components of the reactor and its erned by Shariah”, Dosari wrote as part of efforts to influence the shape of a final deal, his office continued heavy-water produc- on Twitter, adding that activists said. tion,” former chief UN nuclear insisted women’s “rights do not Israel has decried as a “historic mistake” the breakthrough deal inspector Olli Heinonen wrote in violate shariah, and should not reached by world powers and Iran in Geneva on Sunday. During the an analysis. be measured by the opinions of meeting in Jerusalem, Britain’s chief negotiator Simon Gass and the “Technically, such efforts are extremists”. Israeli officials led by Steinitz “hashed out the existent differences not reasonable if the goal is either In addition to the driving ban, and discussed in great detail” the agreement and the meaning of its to dismantle the reactor or modify women in Saudi Arabia are sub- clauses, a statement read. “An initial discussion on the character of it to a more proliferation-resist- jected to various restrictions, the final agreement also commenced during the meeting,” it said. ant, smaller light-water reactor including needing a male guard- A spokeswoman for Steinitz said he had also met on Tuesday with as one of the alternative paths of Fireworks illuminate the sky around Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s ian’s consent in almost every France’s chief negotiator Jacques Audibert in Jerusalem to discuss producing isotopes for medical tallest tower, yesterday, after the city was chosen to host the World aspect of their lives, and having the interim deal and the final agreement. AFP and industrial purposes,” he said. Expo 2020. The Gulf city state beat Russia’s Ekaterinberg in the final to cover from head to toe when REUTERS in public. AFP round of voting to clinch a prestigious event credited with delivering a huge boost to tourism and business for its host city. Syria says will attend Geneva talks Dubai okays mandatory

DAMASCUS: Syria will send health insurance law delegates to a Geneva peace conference under President DUBAI: Dubai’s ruler has health insurance schemes today. Bashar Al Assad’s orders, but approved a law requiring all Although it is unclear how much his grip over the war-torn coun- employers in the emirate to the required insurance policy will try will not be under discussion, purchase health insurance for cost, Dubai-based Arqaam Capital an official said yesterday. their expatriate staff, a move estimates patient claims in Dubai The announcement was imme- expected to boost healthcare will more than triple by 2016 to diately condemned by Syria’s spending by its 2.2 million resi- Dh4.8bn ($1.3bn) from Dh1.3bn a opposition, which restated its dents considerably. year today. demand that the talks, dubbed The law — the full text of which “We see a medium-term posi- Geneva 2, must lead to a politi- has not been published — will be tive for NMC Health, Al Noor cal transition that excludes any rolled out within three years and Hospitals, and to a lesser degree role for Assad. will make employers responsible insurance underwriters in Dubai,” Despite the dim prospects for for providing at least an “essen- Arqaam Capital said. peace with both sides refusing tial benefits package” for every It said, however, that it was not to compromise, Iran said it and worker. It will be rolled out in changing its ratings for the com- Turkey, which support opposing several phases by 2016, the Dubai panies’ shares, which are “buy” sides in the war, would press for a Health Authority said in a state- for NMC Health and “hold” for ceasefire ahead of the talks. ment yesterday. The government Al Noor Hospitals. The January 22 peace con- will remain responsible for the Dubai’s neighbour Abu Dhabi ference is aimed at ending the coverage of local citizens, who are introduced mandatory health nearly three-year-old civil war, a estimated to make up less than a insurance in 2007, with patient bloody stalemate which has killed fifth of the population. claims quadrupling as a result. an estimated 120,000 people and Insurance companies will need Arqaam Capital said the move driven millions from their homes. to secure a special permit from could also spur growth in hospital “Syria announces the partici- the Health Authority in order to bed capacity. The UAE has 1.9 pation of an official delegation issue policies. According to offi- beds per 1,000 residents while the under the orders of (Assad) and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (right) and his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, in Tehran yesterday. cial estimates, only 40-50 percent global average is 3.0 beds and that the demands of the Syrian people, of Dubai’s residents are cov- for developed countries is 5.5 beds, with the top priority eliminating ered by government and private it said. REUTERS terrorism,” said a foreign minis- The main opposition National Mohammad Javad Zarif said Nikolaos Van Dam, an expert try source quoted by state media. Coalition dismissed the at a news conference with his on Syria, said Geneva 2 could be The source also said the del- announcement as “a pretence Turkish counterpart Ahmet “a first step towards reaching egation was not going to Geneva of cooperation with the interna- Davutoglu. an armistice,” but warned the to hand over power, and that the tional community as a cover to Ceasefires have been prospects for ending the war condition stipulated by Syria’s continue its war on the Syrian announced before, notably would be “bleak” if the regime Iran seizes Saudi fishing vessels opposition and the West that people”. around Muslim holidays, but and rebels kept fighting during Assad must not have a role in The Coalition reiterated its none has ever held up despite the conference. DUBAI: The Iranian coast Shia power Iran and Sunni-led the country’s future was out of demand that Geneva 2 must lead pledges of commitment by both “The opposition wants to guard has seized two Saudi fish- Saudi Arabia, and seizures of ves- the question. to the creation of a “transitional sides. negotiate on condition that they ing vessels after they entered sels accused of straying into one “Our people will not allow any- governing body” with “full execu- Even amid the talk of a peace get an advance commitment that Iran’s territorial waters, a local another’s waters occur a few times one to steal their right to choose tive powers” that excludes Assad conference, neither side seems they achieve the aim they would coast guard official was quoted a year. their future and their leaders, “and those associated with him”. willing to stop fighting. be negotiating for,” Van Dam as saying yesterday. “Sometimes we catch fisher- and what is key about Geneva is While the opposition Coalition said. “Yesterday, the coast guard men crossing the Saudi maritime to assert the Syrians’ rights, and IRAN, TURKEY CALL enjoys Western support, it is But he added Assad was “not deployed in the country’s south- borders and vice versa; it’s only not of those who are spilling the FOR CEASEFIRE unclear how much control it going to negotiate about his own ern waters came to spot two ves- a matter of fishermen,” a senior people’s blood.” has over the hundreds of rebel removal from power, (certainly sels in Iran’s protected waters,” coast guard official from the Saudi The source criticised “the Iran, the Assad regime’s most groups fighting on the ground. not as long as he is the stronger Qalandar Lashkari, commander of side of the Gulf said, adding that French, British and other for- powerful regional backer, said A newly formed rebel alli- party). You cannot expect him the Bushehr province coast guard, he had not heard of any arrests eign ministries as well as their that both it and Turkey, which ance said on Tuesday it wants to sign his own death warrant.” told the Fars news agency. recently. agents in the Arab world who supports the opposition, would to replace Syria’s regime with an On the ground, fighting He said the two vessels were Saudi Arabia has accused Iran have insisted that there can be press for a ceasefire in Syria Islamic state. raged on key fronts, especially fishing illegally in Iranian waters of fomenting unrest among Shias no place for President Assad in ahead of the planned peace talks. In its charter, the Islamic near Damascus, where rebels under Saudi flags. in its oil-rich Eastern Province, the transitional period. “All our efforts should be car- Front also said the only way to launched a major offensive aimed The nine sailors of vari- and Riyadh fears Tehran’s nuclear “The ministry reminds them ried out to finish the conflict and bring about its objective to bring at breaking a year-long, suffo- ous nationalities on board were work is a cover for an atomic that the age of colonialism is over, reach a ceasefire even before down Assad was through “mili- cating army siege on opposition- arrested, he said. weapons programme. Iran denies and they need to wake up.” Geneva 2,” Foreign Minister tary rebellion”. held areas. AFP Relations are tense between both charges. REUTERS THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Israel turning Egypt jails Brotherhood women blind eye to settler violence: NGO

JERUSALEM: Israel is fail- Six male ‘leaders’ get 15-year term ing to penalise Jew ish settlers for attacks on Palestinians CAIRO: Egyptian authori- the prosecution said, according to in the West Bank who enjoy ties yesterday jailed 14 women state news agency MENA. “virtual impunity” from said to be Muslim Brotherhood The report added that 24 prosecution, Ramallah-based members for 11 years, and other protesters who joined the rights group Al Haq said ordered the arrest of two lead- demonstration had been ordered yesterday. ing activists for demonstrating detained for four days. In a 40-page report, Al against a disputed protest law. Judiciary and other sources Haq also called on the inter- A court in the Mediterranean said about 60 protesters were national community to avoid city of Alexandria sentenced the detained, including prominent funding settler groups, a day 14 women who it said were from activist Mona Seif, founder of a after Israel and the European the Brotherhood after convicting campaign against military trials Union reached a compromise them of belonging to a “terror- of civilians. deal over funding for bodies ist organisation,” judicial sources She was held after joining operating in the occupied West said. a protest outside the Shura Bank or east Jerusalem. It also sentenced six men, said Council, where Egypt’s new con- Settlers carrying out to be Brotherhood leaders, to 15 stitution is being drafted. attacks, which involve the years, the sources said, adding the The protest was chiefly against use of “live ammunition” and convicts were immediately trans- the inclusion of an article in the “the destruction and denial of ferred to prison. draft law that allows the military access to property” have been The men were found guilty of to try civilians in certain cases. left unpunished by the Israeli inciting the women to block key Seif and a group of 15 other authorities, Al Haq charged. roads in the city during clashes women and 12 men were later “Settlers involved in the between supporters and oppo- released in the middle of the planning and perpetration nents of ousted Islamist president night on a desert road some 10km of such acts have remained Mohammed Mursi on October 31. south of Cairo. largely immune from the Their sentencing is the latest “The ministry of interior enforcement of the law and, in in an ongoing government crack- alleges that each one of us had some cases, have even benefited down against Mursi’s supporters been dropped at her house, which from official support from state since the army toppled him on means that all of us are living in authorities,” it said. July 3. the desert,” Seif wrote later on More than 1,000 people have Twitter. Egyptian protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against the military trials in Cairo yesterday. been killed in clashes between The interior ministry later South Yemen leader pro- and anti-Mursi groups, while approved a demonstration thousands have been arrested, against the protest law in down- at Cairo University. “It is alien- for International Peace said the police in implementing the pulls out of talks mostly Islamists, in the often town Cairo’s Talat Al Harb ating true young revolutionary Egyptians were increasingly law with full force and determi- deadly crackdown. Square which hundreds of people groups such as Maher’s April 6 “objecting to the ascendancy of nation. It respects the freedom of SANA’A: A south Yemeni Tempers flared yesterday when attended. movement and others who led the the military and the re-emer- expression but as long as it does separatist leader yester- the general prosecutor ordered Analysts say the interim January 2011 revolution.” gence of the secret police. not turn into chaos,” it said. day walked out of national the arrest of Ahmed Maher, authorities were wrong to pass Asked if the latest crackdown “Egyptians won’t be patient Under the law security forces reconciliation talks meant founder of the April 6 movement the law, especially since the signalled the emergence of a police for long with a state that failed must first verbally warn protest- to chart a new constitution that spearheaded the 2011 revolt revised constitution would guar- state, Nafea said this was unlikely to deliver services, abused human ers at prohibited demonstrations for US-allied Yemen, setting against Mubarak, and Alaa Abdel antee freedom of expression. but “there is a lack of cohesion rights, and monopolised economic to disperse before using water back efforts to keep the frag- Fattah, a prominent activist. “By passing such a law the and cooperation... and there benefits.” cannon or tear gas, and should ile country together. “The two are accused of incit- government is creating oppo- is political immaturity among Egypt’s cabinet vowed to press only gradually escalate to the fir- The move could prompt ing protesters to hold demonstra- nents within its own camp,” said the officials”. Michele Dunne on with its enforcement of the ing of birdshot if other means fail. other politicians to quit the tions that broke the protest law,” Hassan Nafea, political professor of the Carnegie Endowment law. “The cabinet will support AFP talks and deepen instabil- ity in a country afflicted by Sunni Islamist militants, Shia Muslim rebels and a southern Blast destroys centuries-old Libya mosque separatists. The Conference of National Reconciliation, Most Palestinians see fresh launched in March as part of a 2011 Gulf-brokered power transfer deal that eased long- peace talks as error: Poll serving President Ali Abdullah Saleh out of office, has been JERUSALEM: Most the best way to achieve such struggling with demands by Palestinians believe the renewal goals would be through “armed southern separatists to restore of peace talks with Israel was resistance,” while 27.1 percent South Yemen, which merged a mistake and over two thirds favoured a strategy of “non-violent with North Yemen in 1990. think the negotiations will fail, resistance.” according to a poll released Some 49.3 percent of those ques- yesterday. tioned said that Palestinian secu- Sectarian killings Just over half the respondents rity coordination with Israel should -- 50.5 percent -- said the decision be stopped, while just over a third rising in Iraq by Palestinian president Mahmud - 36.3 percent - said it should con- BAGHDAD: Police found Abbas to resume US-brokered tinue. Were parliamentary elec- the bodies of 13 people peace talks with Israel in late July tions to be held now, 37.1 percent around Baghdad yesterday, was a mistake, while 33.8 percent said they would vote for Abbas’s the apparent victims of exe- said it was the right decision, Fatah party, while 18.8 percent cution-style shootings that according to the Jerusalem Media would back the rival Hamas move- recalled the height of Iraq’s and Communications Centre ment, which rules Gaza. sectarian slaughter. (JMCC) survey. And only one in The poll questioned 1,200 This year has been Iraq’s five — or 20.8 percent — believed adults in the West Bank and Gaza most violent since the Sunni- the talks would yield an agree- between November 13-17 and has Shi’ite bloodbath of 2006- ment, while 68.7 percent expected an error margin of 3.0 percent. 07, now with a resurgence of them to fail. The JMCC, established in 1988 sectarian killings as well as a The percentage of those who see by a group of Palestinian jour- growing insurgent campaign negotiations as the best way to end nalists, was the first Palestinian of bomb and gun attacks tar- the Israeli occupation and establish organisation to conduct regular geting security forces and a state stood at 32.3 percent, down opinion polls of Palestinian political civilians. Police retrieved the People gather to inspect a destroyed shrine at Murad Agha mosque, which was bombed early yesterday from 36.8 registered in the previ- attitudes, and these surveys have corpses of eight men, blind- morning, in Tripoli’s Tajura neighbourhood. The explosives were placed around the mausoleum of Murad ous survey in March. served as a critical benchmark on folded and handcuffed, in the Agha, the first Ottoman governor of Tripoli, who ruled from 1551-1553. The shrine is attached to a mosque Three in 10 respondents — or the health of the peace process for mainly Sunni Muslim area of of the same name, which did not appear to have been damaged. The mausoleum was one of the oldest in 29.3 percent — said they believed nearly two decades. AGENCIES Arab Jubbor, south of Baghdad, the city, and was famed for its intricate architecture. yesterday. AGENCIES Libyan army and militants Strikes, demos in Tunisia as ruling party office torched SILIANA: Angry protesters El Abidine Ben Ali. They con- resume clashes in Benghazi clashed with police yester- tinue to plague much of Tunisia, day and torched an office of whose sluggish economic recov- BENGHAZI: Libya’s army They began when members Tunisia’s ruling Islamist party, ery has failed to create jobs or clashed with Islamist militants of Ansar Al Sharia threw a gre- as rising discontent and politi- spur regional development. in the eastern city of Benghazi nade at a patrol of special forces, cal deadlock prompted people A number of similar protests early yesterday as part of a a security official said, though to go on strike in three parts have resulted in regional offices crackdown on fighters who have he later retracted this and said of the country. of Ennahda being attacked in controlled parts of the oil-pro- it was not clear who was behind In Siliana, southwest of Tunis, recent months. ducing country since it over- the attack. hundreds of residents gathered Gafsa is strategic because threw ruler Muammar Gaddafi A second security official said outside the governor’s office to of its phosphate mines, but two years ago. one person had been wounded. remember more than 300 people remains among the poorest Western powers, worried about Islamist militants, includ- injured one year ago, when dem- areas in Tunisia despite its nat- Libya’s growing militia anarchy, ing some from Ansar Al Sharia, onstrations exploded into days of ural wealth. It witnessed anti- have promised more aid to the had been seen massing outside running clashes between police government protests in 2008, army to curb former fighters Benghazi, where the army was and protesters. under Ben Ali, that were sav- and militants who fought to oust rushing reinforcements in a con- Violence broke out when doz- agely repressed. Gaddafi but have since challenged voy, residents said. But the mili- ens of them hurled rocks at the Since the revolution, phos- the Opec country’s government. tants later left the area and calm police, who responded by throw- phate production has slumped Protesters set fire to documents and belongings of Tunisia’s ruling Islamist Fighting broke out on Monday returned to the city. ing rocks back and driving into because of disruptions caused by Ennahda party, outside its headquarters, in Gafsa yesterday. between army special forces and Ansar Al Sharia was blamed the crowd to disperse them. strikes and protests, and despite members of militant group Ansar for an attack on the US consu- The protesters then headed thousands of people being hired Al Sharia in Benghazi, killing late in Benghazi in September towards the national guard and police fired tear gas to scat- among the slogans chanted. in the state-run sector as part at least nine people before the 2012 when the US Ambassador headquarters where they con- ter the crowd. Siliana, Gafsa and the eastern of government efforts to defuse Islamists retreated from their and three other Americans were tinued to throw stones, as the The protesters seized files and Gabes region ground to a halt social tensions. main base. killed. The security situation in police tried to keep them away furniture from the office and yesterday in a general strike The catalyst for yesterday’s Fresh gun battles could be Libya’s second biggest city has by firing tear gas. burned them in the road, while called to protest against poverty industrial action in Gafsa and heard in three parts of the port sharply deteriorated in the past In the poor central region preventing firemen from gaining and lack of development. Gabes was a government deci- city in the early hours of yester- few months. Islamists run their of Gafsa, hundreds of people access to the building. Those were driving factors sion not to include them in the day, though the clashes appeared own checkpoints, and assassina- attacked the Ennahda party “The people want the fall of behind the popular uprising list of regions where five new to be much smaller than on tions and bombings happen daily. headquarters after trying to the regime” and “The people of nearly three years ago that top- university-linked hospitals are Monday. REUTERS break into the governor’s office, Gafsa are a free people” were pled former strongman Zine to be built. AFP THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Latvia premier Italian House quits over supermarket expels defiant collapse RIGA: Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis resigned yesterday, taking responsibility for the collapse of a supermar- Berlusconi ket roof that killed 54 people last week and plunging the Baltic state into turmoil weeks Letta calls for ‘non-chaotic situation’ ahead of its entry into the euro zone. ROME: Italy’s parliament yes- said the failure of the motions The departure of the Latvia’s t e r d ay e x p el l e d Si lv i o B e rlu s c on i meant that a proposal “abolish- longest-serving premier brought over a tax fraud conviction in a ing the election of senator Silvio down its centre-right govern- humiliating vote that will not Berlusconi” was considered ment, a measure of the scale of be the last act of the billionaire approved. the political uproar triggered by tycoon’s tumultuous career as Berlusconi is now banned from the tragedy in Riga. he vowed to “fight on”. taking part in a general election President Andris Berzins said The three-time former prime for six years and has lost parlia- in a statement he now planned minister told thousands of sup- mentary immunity, which offers to appoint a new government porters outside his residence in safeguards against arrest. this year. Political analysts said Rome that he would stay on in Rumours are rife in Rome that would stave off the chance politics despite the vote, saying it that an arrest could be imminent of a snap vote earlier than the was “a day of bitterness, a day of although Berlusconi’s lawyers national elections that were mourning for democracy”. have dismissed the prospect as Senate speaker Pietro Grasso (centre, seated) before he declares Silvio Berlusconi was ineligible for a seat in already scheduled for next year. “We are not going to retire to “absurd” given that he has already parliament after the house rejected a series of challenges by Berlusconi’s supporters to a proposal for his expulsion Dombrovskis did not give some convent,” Berlusconi said in had to give up his passport and is at the Senate in Rome yesterday. details on his reasons for quitting, a defiant speech, as fellow sena- not a flight risk. but his economy minister, Daniels tors held rounds of voting that Experts said the expulsion expulsion was “a coup d’etat”. Berlusconi, who has denied per- Deputy Prime Minister Angelino Pavluts, this week partly blamed forced him from parliament for marks another step in Berlusconi’s “I think he is the victim of a sistent press rumours that she Alfano, broke away from his party the collapse on a lack of govern- the first time in his 20-year politi- slow-motion demise, although he prejudice of a part of the political could succeed him, said in a this month to form their own ment oversight of construction cal career. will continue to wield major clout system that has always wanted statement: “This country and this group. projects. Motions put forward by even as an ex-lawmaker. to eliminate him,” said Augusto democracy should be ashamed of Alfano and his supporters Latvia’s government also Berlusconi’s allies in the Senate Opinions were mixed in the Leone, a student. what my father is suffering.” voted against Berlusconi’s expul- abolished a national building in an attempt to block the expul- streets of Rome. Several polls show that the The momentous vote comes at sion but will stay in Letta’s left- inspectorate as part of auster- sion procedure were rejected one “We managed to put an end to 77-year-old’s popularity is an economically crucial time for right coalition. ity measures that helped pave by one in a dramatic session in 20 years of fascism, we can put an undimmed among core support- Italy, which is struggling to end The government will therefore Latvia’s way into the single which dozens of lawmakers took end to 20 years of Berlusconism ers and a centre-right coalition its longest post-war recession, survive even though Berlusconi’s currency. the floor to support him. too. I hope then we will become led by him as figurehead could win and just as parliament debates Forza Italia party has pulled out “I announce I am resigning One loyalist senator even a more grown-up country,” said elections. a budget aimed at slashing high of the coalition after an uneasy from the post of prime minister, compared the scandal-tainted Giulio, a passerby in the trendy Berlusconi left his residence debt and deficit levels. cohabitation with its leftist rivals, taking political responsibility for Berlusconi to South African anti- Trastevere district. shortly after the result of the Centre-left Prime Minister who narrowly won a February ... the tragedy,” Dombrovskis told apartheid icon Nelson Mandela At the pro-Berlusconi rally, vote was announced to be with Enrico Letta has called for a “non- general election. journalists, according to local and two rival senators almost however, supporters including his family at his villa near Milan chaotic situation in Italy” and The coalition now has a nar- news agency BNS. came to blows. his girlfriend Francesca Pascale — the site of some of the raunchy said a division within Berlusconi’s rower Senate majority of around The prime minister’s spokes- Many senators from his party belted his campaign anthem “bunga bunga” parties for which ranks “will help stability”. 10 seats and could be vulnerable man Martins Panke confirmed wore black in mourning. “Thank God Silvio’s Here!” and he has been convicted. A group of dissidents led by to populist attacks. the resignation. Senate speaker Pietro Grasso held up placards saying the His daughter, Marina Berlusconi’s former protege, AFP REUTERS

France upholds headscarf firing Merkel clinches ‘grand coalition’ deal with SPD BERLIN: Chancellor Angela German welfare state but pre- minute detail in a 185-page pol- fell just short of a parliamentary changes after you win the poll of as court mulls Merkel clinched a coalition serves Berlin’s strict approach icy document entitled “Shaping majority. The result forced the pop- your members,” quipped Seehofer. deal with the Social Democrats towards struggling European Germany’s Future”, was struck ular 59-year-old Protestant pastor’s The deal was greeted with a (SPD) yesterday that rolls back partners. two months after Merkel emerged daughter from East Germany into sigh of relief by investors, who burqa ban decade-old reforms of the The agreement, spelled out in victorious from an election but negotiations with the arch-rival pushed the euro currency to SPD, with whom she ruled in an a four-year high against the PARIS: A Paris appeal court awkward “grand coalition” during Japanese yen and a one-month yesterday upheld the right of a her first term from 2005-2009. peak versus the US dollar. nursery to fire a female employee The SPD is still smarting from It was also welcomed by offi- who insisted on wearing an that experience, and its leadership cials in Brussels and other Islamic headscarf at work. has agreed to put the new deal to European capitals. The lengthy The ruling, which came as the a vote of the party’s 474,000 card- talks have delayed movement on European Court of Human Rights carrying members, adding an ele- major European reforms, includ- began deliberations on an unrelated ment of uncertainty to Merkel’s ing progress on “banking union”, challenge to France’s so-called goal of having a new government an ambitious project designed to burqa ban, is the latest round of a in place by Christmas. prevent a recurrence of the euro long-running legal battle which has “We entered negotiations with zone’s crippling debt crisis. pitted France’s secular authorities very different ideas, and that is “It’s positive news,” Italian against sections of the country’s why things took a little time,” Prime Minister Enrico Letta told large Muslim minority. Merkel told a news conference, reporters in Rome. “A lot of time In its ruling, the appeal court sitting between SPD Chairman has passed and there’s a need for overturned a controversial March Sigmar Gabriel and Horst a German government as soon as 2013 verdict that the “Baby-Wolf” Seehofer, leader of the Bavarian possible.” kindergarten in the Paris suburbs Christian Social Union. Merkel stood firm against SPD had been guilty of religious dis- Gabriel said he was sure a demands for tax hikes on the rich, crimination when it dismissed “broad majority” of SPD members but to clinch the deal she agreed Fatima Afif in 2008. would back the deal in the mail-in to introduce a minimum wage of Afif was sacked after telling her vote, the results of which are due 8.50 euros per hour, which some employer that, on her return to to be published on December 14. economists have warned could work following a five-year mater- All three politicians praised push up unemployment, particu- nity break, she wished to wear a the atmosphere in the talks, with larly in eastern Germany. headscarf at work. Gabriel and Seehofer joking with To reduce that risk, the parties The head of the day nursery reporters about whether they agreed to phase it in over a period refused, citing the establishment’s Head of Social Democratic Party Sigmar Gabriel (left) greets German Chancellor and head of Christian Democratic could now address each other of years, with exceptions allowed rules that employees had to be Party Angela Merkel (centre) next to leader of Christian Social Union Horst Seehofer after a press conference on with the informal “du” in place until 2017. neutral in terms of philosophy, their agreement in Berlin yesterday. of the formal “sie”. “Perhaps that REUTERS politics and faith. That led to a stand-off and Afif being made redundant. Yesterday’s verdict supporting the nursery’s action was hailed as a landmark decision by support- Ukraine still wants to reach EU pact Bosnia war survivors turn ers of secular education. But it was denounced by Muslim organisations who see the KIEV: Ukraine said yester- moving our country closer to The crowd included such top their backs on UN court emphasis put on secular princi- day it still wanted to reach a European standards is not stop- opposition leaders as world box- ples as a way of singling out their historic agreement with the ping for a single day,” Azarov said. ing champion Vitali Klitschko community and it is unlikely to be European Union on closer rela- EU officials had hoped to and heads of nationalist parties SARAJEVO: The head of the Hague-based tribunal in seeking the end of the case. tions despite breaking off talks sign the so-called Association whose support is grounded in the United Nations tribunal set up justice for the more than 125,000 Lawyers for Afif, 44, said it was on the pact in a shock move that Agreement with Kiev at a two-day Ukrainian-speaking west of the 20 years ago to try those behind people killed in the 1990s during “very probable” that they would set off mass protests. summit that starts on Thursday former Soviet state. the bloodshed of Yugoslavia’s the collapse of federal Yugoslavia. launch another appeal and she But Prime Minister Mykola in Vilnius. “These authorities have to step break-up faced protests yester- It follows the acquittal this year has said she is prepared to take Azarov’s announcement failed to But the Ukrainian government down,” Klitschko said to loud cries day by survivors angry at what of two former top Serbian security her case all the way to the ECHR. appease protesters who blockaded suddenly halted negotiations cit- of “Shame!” they say is only partial justice. officials and a Serbian general of In a recent interview she said the government building during ing concerns that the deal in its “We want to live according to As Theodor Meron began his involvement in war crimes com- she felt emancipated by her deci- Wednesday’s cabinet talks on the current form would harm the European laws,” said the UDAR keynote speech at a conference in mitted in Bosnia and Croatia. The sion to wear the veil whenever she fourth day of mass demonstra- country’s economy as well as (Punch) party leader. Sarajevo to mark two decades of the verdicts meant no Belgrade official was in public and insisted: “I am tions — the largest since the pro- trade and economic relations with The EU agreement is seen as tribunal’s work, families of victims has been convicted of crimes dur- not the standard bearer for any democracy Orange Revolution in its giant eastern neighbour. Ukraine’s first step toward even- turned their backs and removed ing the 1992-95 Bosnian war, which cause, I’m only seeking justice.” 2004. Kiev blamed EU officials for the tual membership in the 28-nation their translation headphones. was largely fuelled from Serbia. Afif’s lawyer Michel Henry said Azarov told his ministers that talks’ failure by accusing them bloc and would pull it out of A group of activists walked out, “This is our way to say that they yesterday the judge had bowed to Ukraine intended to forge closer of insufficiently compensating Russia’s orbit for the first time. carrying a banner that read “RIP are rewarding criminals and pun- political pressure. “They decided relations with the European Ukraine for the damages it would But Russia wants Ukraine to Justice”. Meron did not react and ishing us yet again,” said Hatidza the verdict they wanted then filled Union as soon as it resolved its suffer from puncturing its tight join a Moscow-led Customs Union continued with his speech, in Mehmedovic, head of the “Mothers in the blanks,” he said. “They have remaining trade differences with economic ties to Russia. that President Vladimir Putin which he said the court rulings of Srebrenica” association who lost invented a legal requirement, the Russia. Azarov’s comments came as sees as a future alternative to were based solely on the law and her husband and two sons in the freedom of conscience for very “I affirm with full author- nearly a thousand protesters ral- the European Union and already the evidence available. 1995 Srebrenica massacre, the small children, for which there is ity that the negotiating process lied outside the government build- includes the ex-Soviet states of The protest reflected deepen- worst mass killing on European no provision in law.” over the Association Agreement ing in the capital demanding the Belarus and Kazakhstan. ing dissatisfaction, particularly in soil since World War Two. AFP is continuing, and the work on deal’s signature in Vilnius. AFP Bosnia, at the effectiveness of the REUTERS THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Britain to curb welfare Turkey’s delight sops for EU migrants Plan aims at stanching flow from Romania, Bulgaria

LONDON: Prime Minister richer countries in time. David Cameron (pictured) That, he said, could involve yesterday promised to make capping the annual number of it harder for migrants from EU migrants or withholding full the European Union to access freedom of movement rights until Britain’s welfare system and a country achieved a certain gross pledged to try to restrict the domestic product per head. freedom of movement of people “Britain, as part of our plan from poorer EU states in time. to reform the EU, will now work His plan, an attempt to address with others to return the concept public fears about an influx of of free movement to a more sen- Romanians and Bulgarians when sible basis,” he wrote. EU restrictions on those two “We must put in place new countries expire next year, drew arrangements that will slow full a rebuke from the European access to each other’s labour mar- Commission which said his inter- kets until we can be sure it will vention was “an unfortunate not cause vast migrations.” overreaction”. The previous Labour govern- US President Barack Obama joins his daughters Sasha (third right) and Malia (right) as they pardon National But Cameron, whose ment waived transitional controls Thanksgiving Turkey ‘Popcorn’, on the 66th anniversary of the ceremony, on the North Portico of the White Conservative party risks seeing for migrants from new EU mem- House in Washington, yesterday. Chairman of the National Turkey Federation John Burkel looks on at left. its vote split at European elec- bers states, something Cameron tions next year and at a national called a “monumental mistake” election in 2015 by the anti-immi- retain their best people and plac- which meant 1 million people gration UK Independence Party, ing pressure on communities.” from central and Eastern Europe is under pressure to act at a time Cameron said he planned to were now living in Britain. Litvinenko papers won’t be released when he is trailing in the polls. change British law so that new Laszlo Andor, the European He has said he will try to rene- EU migrants would have to wait Commissioner for Employment gotiate Britain’s membership of three months before they could and Social Affairs, said the kind LONDON: Evidence held Kremlin has repeatedly denied. established a “prima facie case” the EU to give it more of a say access unemployment benefits, of “unilateral rhetoric” Cameron by the British government Yesterday’s ruling was a blow that Russia was behind his mur- over its own affairs and has prom- saying he shared deep public con- was indulging in on immigration relating to the poisoning of to his family, which has accused der. However, ministers subse- ised to hold an in/out referendum cerns about a possible influx of was unhelpful. former Russian spy Alexander Britain of trying to cover up quently claimed “public interest if reelected in 2015 amid public new migrants. “This is an unfortunate over- Litvinenko with radioactive embarrassing details to protect immunity” (PII) from releasing scepticism about the benefits of Newcomers would not be eligi- reaction. We would need a more polonium should remain secret lucrative business deals with documents to the inquest, arguing belonging to the bloc. ble for housing benefits and would accurate presentation of the real- on grounds of national security, Moscow. Relations hit a post-Cold that to do so would put national “The EU of today is very differ- lose the right to unemployment ity, not under such hysteria which the High Court in London ruled War low after the murder, but are security at risk. ent from the EU of 30 years ago,” benefits after six months unless sometimes happens in the UK,” he yesterday. slowly improving. In May, Robert Owen, the coro- Cameron said in an article in the they could prove they had a real- told BBC radio. Litvinenko, 43, was an outspo- Seven years on, no inquest has ner overseeing the inquest, partly Financial Times. istic chance of finding a job. “Unilateral rhetoric ... is not ken critic of Russian President yet been held because of the legal upheld that claim in relation to “We need to face the fact that He said he also planned to really helpful. It risks present- Vladimir Putin who died in wrangling. Preliminary hearings documents alleging Russian free movement has become a try to renegotiate the way EU ing the UK as a kind of nasty London in 2006 after drinking tea were told that Litvinenko, who state involvement, but rejected trigger for vast population move- freedom of movement rules are country. We have to look into that had been laced with a rare had been granted British citizen- other parts, prompting Foreign ments caused by huge disparities applied to make it harder for the situation collectively and act isotope, polonium-210. From his ship, had worked for Britain’s MI6 Secretary William Hague to seek in income. That is extracting tal- people from poorer countries in proportionately.” deathbed, he accused Putin of intelligence service, and that the a judicial review of that decision. ent out of countries that need to the 28-nation bloc to relocate to REUTERS ordering his murder, a charge the government had evidence which REUTERS

Police interview British PM baulks at Scotland’s independence vision three women LONDON: British Prime aimed to set out how the country less secure on its own. Scotland’s told reporters yesterday. one of its 59 UK parliamentary Minister David Cameron yes- could prosper if voters choose to First Minister Alex Salmond, The opposition Labour Party seats, said Salmond should hold held captive terday dismissed the Scottish end the 306-year union with the leader of the Scottish National described the independence blue- the debate with the leaders of government’s vision of how the rest of the United Kingdom in Party (SNP), which dominates print as a “thick document full of the campaign to maintain the country would look if it votes a referendum due in September the devolved Scottish parliament, false promises”. union inside Scotland. He said in Britain for independence next year, 2014. says it could thrive if it took the “In the absence of any detailed calls for him to be involved were LONDON: British police were accusing nationalists of ducking “We were told it would answer historic step. costings, it wasn’t a blueprint for a distraction. yesterday for the first time the biggest policy questions. every question and yet no answer His plan for an independent independence, but a wishlist,” “When it comes to the econ- interviewing three women Speaking in the UK parlia- on the currency, no answer on Scotland envisages staying in the Anas Sarwar, deputy leader of omy, when it comes to jobs, when allegedly held captive by a ment in London, Cameron said the issue of EU membership, EU and NATO. It also anticipates the Scottish Labour Party, told it comes to Europe, all the argu- Maoist couple in London for 30 the 670-page blueprint for inde- no proper answers on NATO,” sharing the pound with the rest parliament. The SNP accused its ments are for staying together,” years, as fresh details of their pendence lacked credibility and Cameron said. “We were just left of the United Kingdom. However, opponents of scaremongering and Cameron told parliament. secretive commune emerged. failed to give detailed answers (with) a huge set of questions.” the government in London has criticised Cameron for refusing A weekend poll for the Sunday An elderly Indian-born man about an independent Scotland’s Britain’s three main UK-wide said that would be unworkable. to take part in an independence Times newspaper showed 47 per- and his Tanzanian wife — believed future currency or its role in the political parties oppose Scotland’s “Should the people of Scotland debate with Salmond. cent of Scots wanted to keep the to have led a small Marxist splin- European Union and NATO. independence, arguing that vote to become independent, a But Cameron, whose right- union, 38 percent wanted inde- ter group in the 1970s — were The Scottish government doc- the country of 5 million people currency union would be highly leaning party is deeply unpopu- pendence and 15 percent were arrested last week accused of ument, published on Tuesday, would be less prosperous and unlikely,” Cameron’s spokesman lar in Scotland and holds only undecided. REUTERS keeping the women as “slaves” in a south London flat. The women walked out last month saying they had been Argentina clashes trapped there for decades, but Two dead in World US court upholds police revealed that until yester- day they had only been in indirect contact with them because they prison sentence were awaiting approval for full Cup stadium mishap interviews from trauma experts. of hijacker Commander Steve Rodhouse of SAO PAULO: Two workers were killed yesterday when a crane London’s Metropolitan Police said collapsed at a stadium set to host next year’s World Cup opener, yesterday that officers had “not raising fresh doubts about Brazil’s ability to finish work for the NEW YORK: A federal appeals yet been able to formally inter- tournament on schedule. court yesterday upheld the view the victims in this case so we Andres Sanchez, operations director at the Arena Corinthians prison sentence of a man who don’t fully understand the nature site, told a press conference that the workers, aged 44 and 42, were turned himself in to authori- of the allegations. crushed to death as a crane hoisting a 500-tonne metallic piece to ties more than 40 years after “We are moving to a point the top of the roof collapsed. participating in an aeroplane where we will be able to inter- He said the cause of the mishap was not yet known but was under hijacking, but said he is a “wor- view the victims and our plan is investigation. thy candidate” for a pardon. actually to do so today.” He insisted that the overall structure was not affected. Luis Armando Pena Soltren, a He added that the victims The accident came amid a scramble to meet a December 31 dead- US citizen, spent more than 40 were “in the care of specialists line set by football’s governing body FIFA to complete work at the years in Cuba as a fugitive after who have got great experience venue. taking part in the 1968 hijacking of dealing with people who have A third worker was rushed to hospital with injuries after the of a Pan Am flight. He surren- been subject to trauma. We’re accident, which brought a shocked response from FIFA president dered to US authorities in 2009 working to that advice of those Sepp Blatter and condolences from the Brazilian ministry of sport. and eventually pleaded guilty. In experts as to how best to handle “I’m deeply saddened by the tragic death of workers @Corinthians January 2011, Pena Soltren was those victims.” arena today,” Blatter said on Twitter. “Our heartfealt condolences sentenced to 15 years in prison. A police spokesman told AFP are with the families.” Yesterday, the 2nd US Circuit the interviews had begun. The toll could have been worse but luckily most of the workers Court of Appeals in New York The women were “freed” on were away from the site on a lunch break. said that the lower court had October 25 after one of them FIFA later said safety standards for workers were “a top priority.” properly taken all relevant factors contacted a charity that usually It was not clear what impact the accident will have on the work into account when sentencing deals with forced marriage and but civil defence officials said work on 30 percent of the site would Pena Soltren. The judges, how- honour-based violence. be stopped. ever, expressed some measure of Their alleged captors, named by Firefighters, ambulances and a police helicopter were at the scene, sympathy for the defendant. media as 73-year-old Aravindan which was cordoned off. “There seems to be no reason Balakrishnan and his 67-year- Arena Corinthians is one of 12 World Cup venues planned for the to question his genuine remorse old wife Chanda, have been tournament, for which Brazil has been struggling to overhaul its and his otherwise unblemished freed on bail pending further creaking infrastructure. record of service to family and investigations. In addition to the opening of the Cup, the arena will host five community,” the decision said. Police in Kuala Lumpur have A woman is made to board an ambulance after clashes with secu- other games, including the semi-final, while the final will be played “Pena Soltren is eligible for parole identified the first woman as rity forces in the port of Ita Enramada, which is located opposite in Rio’s iconic Maracana stadium next July 13. after five years. He is a worthy 69-year old Malaysian Siti the Argentine city of Clorinda, on the outskirts of Asuncion, yester- The reported $11bn cost of staging the event has aroused public candidate for that relief, or for Aishah Abdul Wahab, who came protests. One site worker, Jose Mario da Silva, 48, told the G1 news a pardon, notwithstanding that day. Protesters clashed with security forces over increased security to Britain as a student in around portal the accident happened as most workers were having a lunch he can find no basis for relief in measures at the Paraguayan border following an announcement by 1968 before joining the radical break. “I had walked underneath this structure to go and have lunch. this court.” The US Attorney’s left and turning her back on her Paraguay’s government to stop smuggling of contraband goods from If it had happened at a different moment, many more people could office in Manhattan, which pros- family. Argentina in the run up to Christmas and New Year. have died — I could have died myself.” AFP ecuted Pena Soltren, declined to AFP comment. REUTERS THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Bangladesh train derailed in protest 12 killed in clashes with police since Monday

DHAKA: Bangladesh opposi- the country as well as a halt to Twelve people have now been tion supporters derailed a train public transport. killed in a series of street battles yesterday by ripping up railway Dozens of passengers were between the opposition and secu- tracks in more deadly protests injured when a train derailed near rity forces since Monday, with five against the timing of an elec- the capital Dhaka after opposi- of them dying yesterday. More tion scheduled for January, as tion supporters tore up sections than a hundred have been injured. officials said the poll could be of the track, as part of the block- Aware that the legitimacy of postponed. ade which has now been extended any polls shunned by the oppo- Less than two days after the until tonight. sition would be fatally compro- election commission fixed January Bangladesh Railway direc- mised, election commissioners 5 for the vote, senior officials indi- tor Saidur Rahman said the said they were prepared to push cated the date could be pushed train tilted after coming off the back the date. back to accommodate demands by tracks at Gazipur, a town north “If there is consensus among opposition parties who are threat- of Dhaka, after several sleepers the parties, the election date ening to boycott it. were removed. Passengers suf- can be delayed to another date The main opposition fered mostly minor injuries. to make sure that all parties A truck driver describes how his vehicle was set on fire by protesters in Dhaka yesterday. Bangladesh Nationalist Party “We have suspended at least 10 can participate in the polls,” Md (BNP) and its allies want Prime train services because of uproot- Shahnawaz, one of the commis- Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign ing of rail tracks at several sioners, said. he told reporters late Tuesday. three times,” he said. been held under non-partisan to make way for a neutral care- places,” Rahman said. The chief commissioner Shahnawaz pointed out that Hasina has rejected calls for interim governments, Hasina taker government ahead of the Protesters also attacked and Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, who the elections had been resched- a caretaker administration and scrapped the arrangement in elections. set fire to a train in the western announced the polling date in uled multiple times in the past to instead formed a multi-party 2011. They organised a nationwide town of Chuadanga. a televised address on Monday bring everyone on board, includ- interim cabinet last week which is Neighbouring India is among blockade of roads, railways and On Tuesday authorities night, also gave a strong hint of a ing last time round in December composed of her allies. She asked those who have looked on with waterways for a second day yes- reported at least 60 attacks on possible postponement. 2008. the BNP to join the cabinet but some alarm at the growing politi- terday, forcing the closure of the rail network, with coaches set “There is scope for everything, “In the last polls, the election it refused. cal violence in Bangladesh. offices and businesses throughout alight and track torn up. if an understanding is reached,” schedule was changed at least While previous elections have AFP

Vietnam to fine China asserts control over air Chinese carrier in S China social media Sea raises tension: Manila propaganda HANOI: Vietnam will zone despite US B-52 flights MANILA: The Philippines said contravened agreements with hand out fines of 100m dong yesterday the imminent arrival China on managing tension in the ($4,740) to anyone criticis- BEIJING: China insisted yes- the will and ability to defend our military monitored the entire of China’s sole aircraft carrier South China Sea. ing the government on social terday it has the capacity to national sovereignty and secu- process, carried out identification in the disputed South China Sea “Its deployment raises tension media, under a new law enforce its controversial newly- rity,” foreign ministry spokesman in a timely manner, and ascer- for the first time for a training and violates the Declaration of announced this week, the declared air zone over islands Qin Gang said at a regular press tained the type of US aircraft.” mission would raise tension. the Code of Conduct in the South latest measure in a widening disputed with Japan, despite briefing. “We also have the abil- The ADIZ requires aircraft to The carrier Liaoning left port China Sea,” he said. “Its deploy- crackdown on dissent by the Beijing’s reluctance to intervene ity to exercise effective control provide their flight plan, declare from the northern city of Qingdao ment must not be violative of country’s communist rulers. after American B-52 bombers over the East Sea Air Defence their nationality and maintain accompanied by two destroyers international law, including the Comments that did not flouted its rules. Identification Zone,” (ADIZ) he two-way radio communication, and two frigates on Tuesday. UN Convention on the Law of the constitute criminal offences The flight of the giant long- said. The area in the East China or face defensive emergency While in the South China Sea, Sea,” Hernandez added. would trigger fines if held to range Stratofortress planes was Sea includes Japan-administered measures. State-run media say it will carry out tests and drills, China and the Philippines have be “propaganda against the a clear warning that Washington islands at the heart of a tense dis- it extends as close to Japan as according to China’s military. accused each other of violating state”, or spreading “reaction- would push back against what it pute between the two neighbours, Tokyo’s zone approaches China. China says the mission is rou- the code of conduct, a non-binding ary ideology,” according to the considers an aggressive stance by known as Senkaku in Tokyo and Japan, the US and several tine. China claims almost the entire confidence-building agreement on law signed by Prime Minister Beijing in the region. Diaoyu in Beijing. other governments condemned oil- and gas-rich South China Sea, maritime conduct signed by China Nguyen Tan Dung. Beijing’s non-confrontational China’s demand that aircraft the zone after it was announced rejecting the rival claims to parts of and ASEAN in 2002. Vietnam has repeatedly response elicited scorn from some submit flight plans when travers- over the weekend, and the it from Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, The dispute over the sea is one drawn fire for the harsh treat- Chinese netizens as weak in the ing it triggered a storm of diplo- State Department reiterated on the Philippines and Vietnam. of the region’s biggest flashpoints ment and lengthy jail terms it face of defiance, but analysts said matic protest and the Pentagon Tuesday that it appeared to be an Philippine Foreign Affairs and underlines the significance of has given to bloggers who criti- it may never have intended to said the B-52s did not comply. attempt to “unilaterally change Department spokesman Raul China’s military build-up and the cised its one-party regime. The impose the zone by force. Chinese defence ministry spokes- the status quo in the East China Hernandez said the carrier’s arrival US strategic “pivot” back to Asia. number of arrests and convic- “The Chinese government has man Geng Yansheng said: “The Sea.” AFP was a worrying development that REUTERS tions has soared in the last four years. Hubei official in graft probe Indonesians protest over Rallies spread outside Bangkok BEIJING: China is inves- tigating a senior provincial BANGKOK: Thailand’s mass capital and also forced the evacu- While the demos have so far official for graft, the ruling Australia war memorial political protests spread outside ation of the Justice Department’s been largely peaceful, there are Communist Party’s corrup- the capital yesterday as oppo- besieged Department of Special fears they could degenerate into tion watchdog said yester- JAKARTA: Hundreds of claims Australian spies targeted sition demonstrators stepped Investigations. another bout of street violence in day, making him the latest Indonesians protested at an the phones of President Susilo up their attempts to over- Outside Bangkok, protesters a country that has seen several target amid a crackdown on Australian war memorial on Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife and throw Prime Minister Yingluck gathered at about 25 provincial episodes of political unrest since corruption. Borneo island yesterday, in ministers in 2009. Shinawatra’s government, halls mainly in the opposition’s Thaksin was toppled in 2006. Guo Youming, the vice gov- the latest show of anger over Dressed in military-style uni- plunging the country deeper southern heartlands -- including The billionaire tycoon-turned- ernor of the central province allegations of spying that have forms, the protesters gathered into crisis. on the tourist island of Phuket. politician is adored by many of the of Hubei, is “suspected of seri- sparked a diplomatic crisis. at an Australian World War II Demonstrators have para- “We will not give up even if the country’s rural and urban working ous discipline violations” and is The continued public fury memorial, calling for a boycott of lysed government ministries in prime minister resigns or dis- class. But he is reviled by many in being investigated, the Central came despite an easing of ten- Australian products and an end to Bangkok to challenge Yingluck solves parliament. We will stop the elite and the middle classes, Commission for Discipline sions between the leaders of bilateral cooperation. Australian and her exiled brother, ousted only when power is in the hands of who accuse him of being corrupt Inspection (CCDI) said in Australia and Indonesia, who troops fought near Balikpapan former premier Thaksin the people,” protest leader Suthep and a threat to the monarchy. a one-line statement on its have pledged to rebuild ties fol- against Japanese forces during Shinawatra, in the biggest street Thaugsuban told supporters. Suthep on Tuesday called for website. lowing the worst breakdown in the war. “We think the Australian protests since mass rallies in 2010 Warning that the political the creation of an unelected It gave no further details but relations for years. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has that turned deadly. turmoil could affect economic administration to run the country, in China the term discipline In Balikpapan on Borneo, been very hypocritical. He thinks Stepping up their action yes- confidence, the central bank in the clearest indication yet that violations is generally used to some 500 demonstrators from it’s OK to spy on Indonesia but do terday, protesters entered a unexpectedly cut its key interest the demonstrators are seeking to denote corruption. the nationalist Red and White business with us,” Z group spokes- major government complex in rate by 25 basis points, to 2.25 suspend the democratic system. Guo is a long-time official in Front expressed outrage at the man Rona Siregar said. AFP the northern outskirts of the percent. AFP Hubei where he served in the water management bureau and as party secretary in Yichang Working mother in Nepal city, near the $59bn Three Gorges Dam project. No desire to harm Malaysia IMF chief to amid spying row: Singapore visit Myanmar WASHINGTON: IMF chief SINGAPORE: Singapore has Singapore’s envoys to Malaysia Christine Lagarde will next assured Malaysia that it will and Indonesia were summoned by month pay her first visit to not do anything to harm rela- their host governments Tuesday Myanmar as the once author- tions as the city-state grapples following an Australian media itarian government pursues with allegations that it was part report that implicated Singapore reforms that have fuelled of a US-led electronic spying and South Korea in a spying ring. growth, the global lender said operation in Asia. Southeast Asia’s biggest tele- Tuesday. “We have no interest in doing com firm SingTel, which had been Lagarde will visit Myanmar’s anything that might harm identified in Monday’s report as a showcase capital Naypyidaw our partners or the friendship key party to the alleged tapping and its largest city Yangon between our two countries,” Ong of undersea telecommunication during the December 6-7 visit, Keng Yong, Singapore’s high com- cables, also declined comment. which will come after stops in missioner to Malaysia, said in SingTel is majority-owned by South Korea and Cambodia. comments carried by the Straits state investment firm Temasek In Myanmar, Lagarde will Times newspaper yesterday. Holdings. meet with government and “We have an excellent bilateral The Sydney Morning Herald economic leaders as well as relationship and cooperate closely said Singapore and South Korea opposition leader Aung San on many matters of common played key supporting roles in a Suu Kyi. A child sleeps on the lap of his mother as she drinks tea while waiting for customers at an open market in interest,” he said without address- “Five Eyes” intelligence network. AGENCIES Kathmandu yesterday. ing the spying issue directly. AFP THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Taliban kill six Gen Raheel Sharif new Pakistan army chief ISLAMABAD: Pakistan named a new army chief yes- terday, promoting a veteran infantry commander to the French staff most powerful position in the troubled nuclear-armed nation battling a homegrown Taliban Rebels step up attacks ahead of poll insurgency. General Raheel Sharif will take MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Taliban ACTED condemned the killings over as head of the 600,000-strong militants gunned down and and clarified the death toll at six. army from General Ashfaq killed six people in Afghanistan The drawdown of international Kayani, who is retiring after six working on a government- troops from Afghanistan is well years at the helm. backed literacy project in the underway after more than 12 The change of command comes northern province of Faryab, years of war since the United with the country facing a daunt- officials said yesterday. States invaded and the Taliban ing array of challenges -- the six- The insurgent group is stepping were ousted from power. year Taliban campaign which has up attacks on state workers ahead Afghan President Hamid claimed thousands of lives, vexed of presidential elections due in Karzai is negotiating a bilateral relations with India and the wind- April 2014, fanning security con- security agreement with the ing-down of the 12-year Nato mis- cerns as foreign troops prepare United States that could help sion in neighbouring Afghanistan. to withdraw from the country by shape a post-war mission in the Sharif, a veteran infantry com- the end of next year. country but has so far held off mander whose elder brother won “They were travelling this on signing the pact. The United Pakistan’s highest military award morning to observe a literacy States is threatening to pull out for valour in the 1971 war with project when the Taliban stopped all its troops unless the deal is India, will formally take command their car and shot them,” said clinched by the end of the year. today. provincial police chief Nabi Jan A US exit could prompt oth- A message from the office of Mullahkhil. ers to follow, and make aid donors Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif The victims worked for a reluctant to provide more funds confirmed Gen Sharif had been French aid group Agency for as corruption is rampant and made chief of the army staff and The newly appointed army chief Gen Raheel Sharif. Technical Cooperation and deteriorating security makes it General Rashid Mehmood had Development (ACTED) that harder to monitor cash flows. been made chairman of the joint had been vacant since the May to meddle overtly in politics. Prime Minister Sharif will be was involved in the project, the Despite the billions invested chiefs of staff committee. general election. When he confirmed his retire- hoping to avoid a repeat of events Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation in rebuilding the war-ravaged The prime minister’s statement Departing commander Kayani ment last month he stressed the last time he named an army and Development said, adding nation, Afghanistan remains also named Khwaja Asif, the min- has served as army chief since that the armed forces “fully sup- chief -- General Pervez Musharraf that just one of the seven work- dependent on foreign aid. ister for water and power, as the 2007 and has been given much port and want to strengthen” overthrew him in a coup in 1999. ers gunned down survived. AGENCIES new defence minister. The post credit for resisting the temptation democracy. AFP Call to set up five more special courts New Delhi, Islamabad urged KARACHI: With 20 special Rangers,” the secretary informed charge-sheets have been submit- have been cancelled so far,” the to remove trade barriers courts already functioning in Justice Baqar. Samajo said that ted to the relevant courts. “None of chief secretary Sajjad Saleem Pakistan’s southern port city the provincial government was these cases, except for three, have Hotiana said in the progress KARACHI: The trade poten- In his key-note address, Dean of Karachi and five in the pipe- facing difficulty in prosecuting so been disposed of so far,” the police report. The process of revalidat- tial between India and Pakistan and Director IBA Dr Ishrat line, the home department has many suspects as the functioning chief informed the home depart- ing the one million existing arms is estimated to be around $20bn Hussain said, “Evidence-based demanded the establishment of courts were already preoccupied ment. He had requested that two licences began with about 100,000 against the current around research was projected to be another five special courts for with a large number of cases. separate courts for the hearing of application forms received so far. $3bn, according to a working important for improving the expeditious trial of the 2,100 “In order to facilitate the trial the cases under the Arms Act 2013 The verification of all these paper published by ICRIER. situation and academic institu- suspects arrested under the in an expeditious manner, it is may be established in the city to licences is expected to be com- However, non-trade barriers tions can play a role in assisting Arms Act, it was learnt. requested that five special courts, ensure conviction of the accused. pleted by the end of this year, (NTBs) and bureaucratic hurdles business community in thrashing The suspects were arrested one in each district of Karachi, A senior government law he added. The interior ministry continue to impede growth in the trade-related issues on the basis for possessing illicit arms during only for the trial of the accused officer said that the provincial has formed a joint working group bilateral trade. of data and policy analysis.” the ongoing targeted operations arrested under the Arms Act government has already made the (JWG) to streamline the mecha- To foster dialogue in this regard, He said that while the in Karachi. Sources said that the 2013 may kindly be established,” arrangements for the courtrooms. nism of issuing mobile phone SIM ‘Normalising India-Pakistan Association of Southeast Asian additional secretary (Judicial) he requested. The home depart- A progress report was submit- cards to ensure delivery to the Trade - 2nd Regional Chambers Nations (Asean) and other trade for the home department, Rasool ment approached the high court ted at the Supreme Court ahead right person through the biomet- of Commerce Roundtable’ was blocs are expanding, Saarc’s per- Bux Samajo, has addressed a following a similar request made of its Karachi law and order hear- ric verification system. Karachi held yesterday. formance remained dismal due to letter to the Sindh High Court by the Karachi Additional IG ing which started yesterday. The will be given priority. The conference was organised the impediments created by the Chief Justice Maqbool Baqar in Shahid Hayat. report said that the deputy com- Since September, the police by the Federation of Pakistan India-Pakistan issue. this regard. The Additional IG, who is also missioners in Karachi have been have arrested 8,246 accused, Chambers of Commerce and Summing up, he said that while “Around 2,120 accused have so the city police chief, had writ- assigned the task to verify and including 76 target killers, 15 Industry (FPCCI) in collabo- the government of Pakistan wants far been held under the Arms Act ten a letter to the home depart- inspect the five-year record of terrorists, 92 extortionists, 49 ration with Indian Council to normalise trade with India and 2013 on account of possessing ille- ment on November 18, saying that arms dealers to ensure they are kidnappers, 160 murderers, 2,001 for Research on International has all major political parties on gal weapons during the targeted 1,386 cases have been registered not selling arms and ammunitions suspects under the Arms Act and Economic Relations (ICRIER) board, the consensus is non-exist- operation being carried out under under the Arms Act 2013 dur- to criminals or others. 1,214 suspects in narcotics cases. and Institute of Business ent in India. the supervision of the Pakistan ing the ongoing operation and the “The licences of 46 arms dealers INTERNEWS Administration (IBA). INTERNEWS

33 militants Nato trucks killed in Kabul

KABUL: At least 33 Taliban militants were killed in joint operations launched by Afghan security forces and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) during the past twenty-four hours in different regions of the coun- try. Afghan forces carried out with ISAF several joint opera- tions in the country killing 33 Taliban militants, wounding two and arresting nine others. Three Taliban leaders freed ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has released three top Taliban leaders in a bid to help start peace talks between the Taliban group and Afghan government, Trucks carrying logistic supplies for the Nato forces in Afghanistan wait for clearance near the Afghan the Afghan Khama Press border in Chaman, Pakistan, yesterday. Protesters on Saturday blocked part of a main Nato supply route reported yesterday. to US forces in Afghanistan, demanding an end to drone strikes. Pakistani government offi- cials confirming the report said the prisoners released were: Mullah Abdul Ahad CIA director faces murder charge Jahangirwal; Mullah Abdul Manan; and Mullah Younus. ISLAMABAD: The politi- with five others, was extremely official admitted his name had China team to cal party of former crick- unusual in that it was mounted been leaked. eter Imran Khan yesterday outside Pakistan’s lawless tribal PTI, which leads the coali- visit Pakistan named the CIA’s director and areas on the Afghan border. tion government in Khyber a man it said was the agency’s The letter signed by PTI Pakhtunkhwa, has long cam- ISLAMABAD: A Chinese chief in Pakistan as murder information secretary Shireen paigned against the CIA’s parliamentary delegation will suspects over a drone strike. Mazari asked Hangu police drone campaign targeting Al start today an official three- Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e- to name CIA director John Qaeda and Taliban militants day visit to Pakistan. Insaaf (PTI) party has writ- Brennan and a man they iden- in Pakistan. The Chinese delegation will ten to police over last week’s tified as the agency’s Islamabad Khan has stepped up his be led by Vice Chairperson of attack on a seminary linked station chief as suspects for rhetoric since a drone attack Standing Committee of the to the feared Haqqani militant murder and “waging war killed the leader of the National People’s Congress network in Hangu district of against Pakistan”. Pakistani Taliban on November Shen Yueyue. The delegation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province It is rare for CIA operatives 1. He accused Washington of will meet with Pakistani gov- in the northwest. to be identified in public. The deliberately sabotaging fledg- ernment officials. The attack, which mili- then-Islamabad station chief ling efforts towards peace talks AGENCIES tant sources said killed the was forced to leave Pakistan with the militants. Haqqanis’ spiritual leader along in late 2010 when a Pakistani AFP THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Royal visit Hung house Lehar to weaken in Delhi, BJP before crossing largest party, says survey

Andhra coast NEW DELHI: The BJP may emerge the single-largest party in Delhi assembly elections which are expected to throw Alert forces evacuation of 26,000 up a hung house, said a survey yesterday. HYDERABAD: Cyclonic at the coast and also the winds According to the ABP News- storm Lehar is heading to cross blowing from central India. Dainik Bhaskar-Nielsen opinion Andhra Pradesh coast today but The official said the wind speed poll, the Bharatiya Janata Party its intensity will come down at of Lehar would be the same as (BJP) is likely to get around 32 the time of the landfall, the India that of Helen, which crossed seats in the 70-member house Meteorological Department Machilipatnam coast tomorrow. with a vote share of 33 percent. (IMD) said yesterday. The cyclone caused minimal The Congress is expected to The ‘very severe’ cyclonic damage in terms of loss of lives. get 25 seats with 26 per cent vote storm in the Bay of Bengal will Six people were killed and crops share and Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam hit the coast near Machilipatnam over four lakh hectares were Aadmi Party (AAP) is likely to in Krishna district todday after- damaged. The officials had ear- get 10 seats with 23 percent vote noon but the wind speed will be lier warned that Lehar’s inten- share, it said. 80-90km per hour gusting to sity could be more than that of BJP’s Harsh Vardhan is the 100kmph against the 200kmph 1996 cyclone that killed hundreds most preferred chief ministerial forecast earlier. of people and caused widespread Princess Astrid of Belgium (right) laughs as Belgium’s Vice-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders candidate, closely followed by However, the authorities in destruction in Konaseema region holds up a bouquet during the inauguration of the exhibition ‘Masterpieces from Antwerp. Exclusive paintings Kejriwal, said the survey. five of the nine coastal districts of East Godavari district. from the 17th Century’ in Mumbai yesterday. However, the survey said 15-20 remained on alert. They have Cyclone Phailin, which crossed seats, where the victory mar- evacuated over 26,000 people from Odisha-Andhra coast last month, gin would be narrow (two per- vulnerable areas in view of the had caused some damage in cent), could impact the final poll cyclone alert issued by the IMD. Srikakulam district. However, the outcome. The cyclone changed the course subsequent heavy rains killed 58 Noting price rise is the key and it will now cross the coast people and damaged crops over 13 Goa police summon Tejpal factor working against the rul- near Machilipatnam instead lakh hectares in 10 districts. ing Congress, the survey said peo- of Kakinada in East Goadavari The IMD has forecast rainfall ple do recognise the work done district. at many places from last evening PANAJI/NEW DELHI: Their against Tejpal. “I strongly reject Mishra said Tejpal had been by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit According to an IMD bulletin and heavy to very heavy falls at case strengthened after the the allegations in the media that told to report by 3pm today. over the past 15 years. Wednesday evening, Lehar is cen- a few places over coastal Andhra victim deposed in a Goa court I am involved in any manner with The BJP, which has accused the As many as 81 percent respond- tered about 520km east-southeast of Pradesh today. Heavy rains were yesterday, police told Tehelka any slander, intimidation or char- Congress of trying to protect Tejpal, ents said soaring vegetable prices Machillipatnam and 470km south- also forecast in Telangana today editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, acter assassination of the com- said a cabinet minister was shield- may prove to be the deciding fac- east of Kakinada. “It would move and tomorrowed. accused of sexual assault, to plainant journalist,” Choudhury ing him. “A union cabinet minister tor in the elections. west-northwestwards, weaken Parthasarathi said over 700 meet the investigating officer said in a brief statement. who is the founder and patron of While the AAP is seen as a gradually and cross Andhra Pradesh habitations in 61 ‘mandals’ of by 3pm today. The victim, who gave her state- Tehelka is shielding Tejpal,” BJP’s party that can bring down cor- coast near Machillipatnam as a Krishna, Guntur, East Godavari The case, which has trig- ment to the police in Mumbai on Sushma Swaraj tweeted. ruption, the BJP is seen as a cyclonic storm around 28 November and West Godavari districts were gered a political war between Tuesday, was flown to Goa on Sibal denied any links with party that can control inflation afternoon,” said the bulletin. identified as vulnerable and offi- the Congress and the Bharatiya Tuesday night quietly. Yesterday, Tejpal and said he had no shares and the Congress as one that can The IMD has forecast wind cials began evacuation of people. Janata Party (BJP), had Chief she appeared along with a lady in the Tehelka magazine. He also maintain law and order, said the speed reaching 80-90kmph gust- The government has requisi- Minister Manohar Parrikar police officer before a judicial denied that Tejpal’s mother was survey. ing to kmph along and off coastal tioned six columns of the army insisting there was no political magistrate. related to him. However, opinion is divided districts of Guntur, Krishna, West for rescue and relief operations. vendetta against Tejpal but he “The victim’s statement was Earlier in the day, respond- over the issue of safety of women. Godavari, East Godavari and Three of them would be did ask whether Tejpal was a recorded under section 164 of ing to allegations by Tejpal about While 47 percent respond- Vishakhapatnam and Yanam dis- deployed in Krishna district. “Congress stooge”. the Criminal Procedure Code,” alleged victimization by the BJP, ents said crime is increasing as trict of Puducherry (geographi- Two helicopters were already In Delhi, the high court Deputy Inspector General O P Parrikar questioned the editor Delhi Police is busy protecting cally a part of Andhra) at the positioned while two others were reserved its order on Tejpal’s Mishra told reporters here. over his supposed Congress links. VIPs, 40 percent said absence of time of landfall. ready at Hakimpet at Hyderabad anticipatory bail plea. The court A statement recorded before “Is Tejpal a Congress stooge? fear of law among people is the C Parthasarathi, commissioner, for rescue and relief operations. also declined to grant any interim a judicial magistrate makes it First Tejpal should clarify that,” reason behind rise in criminal disaster management, told report- As the cyclone changed its course protection to him against arrest admissible in court as evidence Parrikar said. His comment came activities. ers last evening that the cyclone from Kakinada to Machilipatnam, by Goa Police. and is a preferred legal route in after Congress leaders like Jayanti Almost one-third respondents would weaken at the coast due to the officials have also changed the Under attack over the way case of sensitive crimes. Natarajan and Sibal alleged that felt poor policing is the most three reasons. deployment of National Disaster she handled the issue, Tehelka’s This also cleared the ground the editor could be victimized in a important reason behind spurt Quoting meteorologists, he Response Force (NDRF) teams, Managing Editor Shoma for police to issue summons to BJP-ruled state for having carried in crime cases against women. said the wind speed would come sending more teams to Krishna Choudhury denied indulging in Tejpal, who has not made a pub- out investigative stories against The opinion poll was conducted down due to low temperature of and Guntur districts. character assassination of her col- lic appearance since the scandal the party. with 6,340 respondents. the water at the coast, wind shear IANS league who has pressed charges broke out last week. IANS IANS

Goa MP tossed bouquet at Police probe blast function calling near nuclear plant it ‘cheap’ CHENNAI: The Police are five weeks ago, with an initial out- investigating whether anti- put of 160 MW. PANAJI: A Congress MP jus- nuclear activists were behind The plant, which should pro- tified throwing away a bouquet bomb blasts that killed six peo- duce 2 gigawatts, has been dogged given to him during a func- ple near a nuclear power plant for a quarter of a century by oppo- tion on Sunday claiming that which started production in nents, including an anti-nuclear Rs8.5m fund he allotted to the October despite protests by movement which sees it as a hosts merited a bigger floral villagers. threat to the safety of villagers. offering. At least two crude bombs Unable to rely on a coal sector Yesterday, F Sardinha said exploded on Tuesday in a house crippled by supply shortages and that he was right in expressing just a kilometre from the mired in scandal, India is push- disappointment over the size of Russian-built Kudankulam plant ing ahead with the construction the bouquet which he was offered in the district of Tirunelveli, of nuclear reactors despite global by the officials of the municipal Tamil Nadu. unease over safety. corporation of Mormugao, a port Police have filed a formal inves- The main anti-nuclear group in town 35km from Panaji. tigation that names three people Tirunelveli denied any role in the “I gave them Rs8.5m for their in connection with the explosions, explosions. project. The least they could have Sumit Sharan, a senior police offi- “We made it clear immedi- given me was a decent-sized bou- cial in Tirunelveli, said. One of ately that we have nothing to quet. Instead, they gave me this them died and two were wounded do with the bomb blasts,” said small thing,” Sardinha said, mak- in the blasts. S P Udayakumar, founder of ing a face while gesticulating “We are trying to find out if the People’s Movement Against about the size of the floral bunch. they are members of the anti- Nuclear Energy. Sardinha had sanctioned nuclear group,” Sharan said Udayakumar said he believed the grant from his Member yesterday. gangs involved in illegal mining of Parliament Local Area Forensic officials inspect the site of an overnight bomb blast at a village, located near the Kudankulam nuclear The much-delayed Kudankulam were behind the blasts. Development (MPLAD) fund for power plant yesterday. plant started producing electricity REUTERS setting up 14 CCTV cameras as part of a surveillance programme. The objective was to help crime detection, keep check on harass- ment and ease traffic movement in the Mormugao area. The MP said that he had even A decade on, Kerala hotels to become smoke free told the organisers that he would get his own bouquet the next THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: soon. As per the Control of signs and prevent guests and Hotel and restaurant own- aspects of social welfare, will also time. “All they have to do is give Despite smoking being banned Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) employees from smoking in their ers, proprietors, managers and demonstrate our commitment to it back to me,” Sardinha said. in public places a decade ago, — the tobacco control legislation premises. supervisors have to display sign- public health by ensuring tobacco Sardinha’s flinging of the Kerala’s hotel industry is only enacted in 2003 — hotels, restau- G Sudhiesh Kumar, state boards stating “No Smoking smoke free member institutions,” bouquet and calling it “cheap” now aiming to help people lead rants, coffee bars, pubs and bars president of the 20,000-member- Area — Smoking Here is an said D Chandrasenan Nair, a vet- was also criticised by Right to more healthy lives by making fall under the ambit of public strong KHRA, said the hotel Offence” in English or regional eran leader of the hotel industry. Information (RTI) activists here. hotels and restaurants smoke places. industry was concerned about the languages. SKHF president T C Paul said “Flowers and bouquets just rep- free. Representatives of hotel asso- well-being of its patrons, includ- Owners are also required to making hotels and restaurants resents love, affection and respect. In a joint statement issued ciations, including Kerala Hotels ing women and children. ensure no ashtrays, matches, smoke free will be the asso- Expenses on such items or size of here yesterday by the hotels and and Restaurants Association “We will take immediate meas- lighters or other things designed ciations’ contribution to make such items should never be corre- restaurants associations of the (KHRA), South India Hotels ures to make our restaurants to facilitate smoking are provided. Kerala a healthier state. lated to the amount of project or state, the groups agreed to pro- and Restaurants Association and hotels smoke free. I urge our “As a state, we take pride in our “We will make use of our any other thing,” the RTI forum tect employees and guests from (SIHRA) and South Kerala members to implement the pro- coming together to bring about a forums to fight the public health said in its statement issued here. the dangers of passive smoking Hoteliers Forum (SKHF) said visions laid out by the law,” said larger good. The hotel industry, menace of tobacco use,” said Paul. IANS by initiating necessary measures they are committed to put up Kumar. which has taken a lead in many IANS THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17 ISRO to sling Mars craft into orbit on Sunday Orbiter to begin 280-day voyage to the red planet

BANGALORE: India’s maiden of 192,915 km. and behind Earth, Mars is the Mars craft will sling into Sun “All is going well, Orbiter will be second smallest celestial body in orbit early on Sunday for a 280- slung into the heliocentric (Sun) the solar system. Named after day long voyage to reach the red orbit towards Mars for a 680-mil- Roman god of war, it is also known planet on September 24, 2014. lion-long coasting distance,” Rao as red planet due to the presence “The Orbiter entered the final said at the space agency’s telem- of iron oxide in abundance, giving orbit of earth early yesterday for etry, tracking and command net- it a reddish appearance. its trans-injection into the Sun work (Istrac) in the city. Though Earth and Mars have orbit on Sunday at 00.49am for The 1,337kg Orbiter was equal period of revolution around a nine-month journey to Mars launched November 5 from their axis, the red planet takes 24 through the interplanetary space, Sriharikota spaceport off the Bay hours and 37 minutes to complete a senior space agency official said of Bengal, about 80km north east a revolution. Earth takes around here. of Chennai, on board a 350-tonne 365 days to orbit the sun and The craft passed its penulti- rocket with five scientific instru- Mars 687 days. mate perigee (closest to equator) ments to detect Methane in the “The craft will be injected into at 07.10am yesterday to com- Martian atmosphere, measure the outer space in a trajectory mence its four-day final orbit the thermal emission and capture by precisely computing 280 days around earth to leave for Mars images of the red planet from its in advance the position it would in the wee hours of Sunday. orbit at a distance of 500km. achieve near Mars on September “A 440 Newton engine will be “The slingshot for the trans- 14, 2014, which will be 500km above A security personnel stands guard in front of the 32-metre Dish Antennae at the Indian Space Research Organisation fired for nearly 23 minutes to sling injection will be a complex its surface at that time,” Rao said. Deep Space Network station, Telemetry Tracking and Command Network Centre, near Byalalu village on the the craft into the Sun orbit at a combination of navigation and The Mars Orbiter Mission outskirts of Bangalore yesterday. speed of 648 metres per second for propulsion technologies, governed (MOM) complex at Istrac is which 190kg of fuel will be con- by the gravity of Sun and Mars,” also daily conducting checks of picture of the Indian sub-con- mid-August and September 14. metres per second by consuming sumed,” Indian Space Research Rao said at a briefing on the the main bus systems, redun- tinent on November 19 from a “The Orbiter will be inserted on 24 kg fuel,” Rao pointed out. Organisation (ISRO) Scientific Rs450-crore mission’s next phase. dant systems, failure detection, distance of 67,975km with a 3.5 September 24 at 07.14am into the The mission has also built-in Secretary V Koteshwara Rao told The Orbiter’s trajectory will be reconfiguration and its scientific metre resolution. Martian orbit at 372km periapsis mechanism for contingencies reporters here. achieved using the attitude and instruments, including its power- During the helio sun phase, (nearest to surface) and 80,000 and redundancies have been built Orbiter has completed its six- orbit control thrusters during the ful colour camera. travelling at a speed of 32.5km apo-asis (farthest from surface) into the systems and the onboard orbit raising manoeuvres between correction manoeuvres planned The camera, which has been per second mid-course correc- by firing the engine for nearly autonomy to switch over from November 7 and 16 and crossed enroute. activated, has demonstrated its tions will be carried, if required, 29 minutes in the reverse direc- primary to stand by system. an apogee (farthest from equator) As the fourth planet from Sun functioning by taking a clear December 11, mid-April, tion to reduce its speed to 11,009 IANS

Statements of GoM on Telangana begins finalising recommendations 153 witnesses NEW DELHI/ HYDERABAD: the national capital, and held final for Hyderabad but Congress be tabled during the winter ses- and this is going to be done by the The Group of Ministers (GoM) consultations with top officials of general secretary Digvijaya sion of parliament next month. ministry of law and justice,” he recorded in 2G looking into issues related to the various departments. Singh maintained that the con- He told reporters that the draft said. The central ministers from bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh The cabinet is meeting today stitution has the provisions for bill would be sent to the Andhra Seemandhra during their separate spectrum case held its final round of consulta- but it was not clear whether the a common capital for a specific Pradesh assembly as soon as meetings with Digvijaya Singh tions yesterday before finalising GoM would submit its report. period. possible. and also GoM members Jairam its recommendations. Union Ministers from Digvijaya Singh, who is in “The issue of common capital Ramesh and P Chidambaram NEW DELHI: Statements of The GoM, headed by Home Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and charge of party affairs in the can be addressed within frame- insisted that Hyderabad be made 153 people running into 4,400 Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, coastal Andhra) continued to state, hinted that the bill for work of the constitution. An a union territory. pages have been recorded by a met for three-and-half hours in insist on union territory status forming Telangana state would appropriate law can be framed IANS special court in the second gen- eration (2G) spectrum case, as it yesterday concluded the proc- ess of examining prosecution Kanchi seers, 22 others witnesses. The special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)Judge O P Saini will start acquitted in murder case recording the statements of the accused, including former com- PUDUCHERRY: A court of conspiracy. He said this was munications minister A Raja, here yesterday acquitted all not a fit case for appeal by the from January 20. the 24 accused, including the government in the higher court. The cross examination of two Shankaracharyas of Tamil The murder victim’s wife Padma, CBI superintendent and Chief Nadu’s Kanchipuram Mutt, in son Anand Sharma and daugh- Investigating Officer Vivek the 2004 murder of a man found ter Uma Maithreyi also failed to Priyadarshi, testifying as a pros- dead in a temple. identify the accused, he said. ecution witness in the case con- As Hindu groups celebrated Reacting to the acquittals, cluded yesterday. the verdict raising slogans in sup- Anand Sharma expressed his Attorney General G E port of Jayendra Saraswathi and shock and said he found the rul- Vahanvati; former additional Vijayendra Saraswathi, the family ing “unbelievable”. private secretary to Raja, of the murdered man demanded “My father did not commit sui- Aseervatham Achary; Telecom justice. cide. If everyone is let off, then Regulatory Authority of India Puducherry Principal District who killed my father?” he asked. ex-chairman Nripendra Misra; and Sessions Judge C S Murugan He said the family would go former Indian corporate lob- said the witnesses could not sup- through the judgement and decide byist Niira Radia; former port the prosecution case that the the future course of action. Deputy Director General Shankaracharyas were part of Tamil Nadu Police arrested (Access Services), Department the murder conspiracy. The two Jayendra Saraswathi in Andhra of Telecommunication A.K. seers left the court soon after the Pradesh on Diwali day in 2004, Srivastava; former Reserve judgement was delivered. shocking his mass of followers Bank of India (RBI) Govenor Both the Shankaracharyas were spread across India and abroad. D. Subbarao; DMK chief M. the prime accused in the murder He was in jail for two months. Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu of A Sankararaman, a manager He got bail from the apex court Ammal; Reliance Anil Dhirubhai at the Varadarajaperumal temple Jan 10, 2005. Ambani Group Chairman Anil in Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. His junior Vijayendra Saraswathi Ambani and his wife Tina His body was found at his temple was arrested Jan 10, 2005 and was Ambani were among the CBI office on September 3, 2004. let out on bail a month later by witnesses who deposed before According to police, the Madras High Court. One of the the court. Sankararaman was writing let- accused, M Kathiravan, was mur- The court Nov 11, 2011 started ters to the Mutt using a pseudo- dered in March this year. the daily trial after accepting the nym complaining about financial Apart from the Shankaracharyas, CBI plea and framing graft and misappropriation. the 22 accused including the other charges against 17 accused, K M Subramaniam, counsel manager of the Sankara Mutt, including Raja and DMK MP for the two religious leaders, N Sundaresan, and Jayendra Kanimozhi. told the media that the prosecu- Saraswathi’s brother M K Raghu. IANS tion could not prove the charge IANS

Pandemonium in Bengal assembly

KOLKATA: Protests marked for Urban Development Firhad contrary, Narayanan told Left the West Bengal assembly Hakim replied, but the opposition Front MLAs on Tuesday he was after Leader of Opposition was far from satisfied. unaware of it. Surjya Kanta Mishra’s ques- Left Front members held noisy The Left Front members tore tion on naming a township Jyoti protests. papers, displayed posters against Basu Nagar was “arbitrarily Mishra accused Hakim the government move to withdraw changed”. of misleading the house on a legislation naming New Town The trouble started after the the status of the New Town Kolkata as Jyoti Basu Nagar, and day’s proceedings began with the Kolkata Development Authority walked into the well of the house, question hour. Mishra complained (Amendment) Bill, 2011, passed raising slogans. The speaker con- to speaker Biman Banerjee the during the erstwhile Left Front tinued the business of the house, format of the query which he had regime rechristening New Town but nothing could be heard in the submitted earlier had been “arbi- Kolkata as Jyoti Basu Nagar. pandemonium, as Left Front law- trarily changed”. Mishra claimed Hakim had makers refused to heed Banerjee’s The speaker allowed Mishra to spoken a lie by saying Governor repeated requests to return to read the question in the format M K Narayanan returned the bill their seats. he had submitted, and Minister without giving his assent. On the IANS

THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BREAK

PRAYER TIME Police chief in ‘shocking’ move Fajr (Dawn) 4:39 to raise funds Shorook (Sunrise) 6:00 KNIGHTSTOWN: Zuhr (Noon) 11:22 Knightstown police Chief Asr (Afternoon) 2:23 Danny Baker has used golf tournaments to augment his Maghrib (Sunset) 4:44 department’s shrinking budget, Isha (Night) 6:14 but badly in need of $9,000 for a new squad car, he’s reprising his most shocking fundraising approach to date: getting shot WEATHER by a stun gun. The jocular 63-year-old chief and another Knightstown official Today Friday Weather Saturday Conditions: were planning to have a detec- Partly cloudy Clear Partly cloudy tive shoot them with a Taser at a Fine to partly free event last night in the middle cloudy. school gym in their small eastern Indiana town. High: 28° High: 27° High: 27° Spectators — who Baker hopes Low: 18° Low: 20° Low: 19° feel compelled to donate — will get a firsthand look at how 50,000 volts of low-amp electricity affects the human body. DOHA - SUN & SEA “It’s a shame we have to go to the extent of having fundrais- SUN TIDE SEA ers and getting electrified and so SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND forth, but with small-town budg- ets you have to do something 06:00 16:44 02:15 & 12:00 05:45 & 19:30 03-12/15 KT to get by,” said Baker, a lifelong Knightstown resident who has THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW been in law enforcement for 35 HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER years. Many rural communities like MUSCAT 27/21 Partly cloudy 28/20 Partly cloudy Knightstown, a mile-square KUWAIT 24/16 Partly cloudy 26/17 Partly cloudy town of 2,100 about 25 miles east of Indianapolis, are having to BAHRAIN 25/15 Clear 24/15 Partly cloudy become inventive to fund needed SANAA 22/06 Clear 22/07 Clear services, said Brian Depew, exec- RIYADH 29/15 Clear 29/15 Clear utive director of the Center for DUBAI 27/21 Partly cloudy 29/21 Partly cloudy Rural Affairs, an advocacy group BAGHDAD 21/13 Mostly cloudy 22/14 Mostly cloudy based in Lyons, Neb. Depew said federal farm bill THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW funding for rural development HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER has fallen by a third since 2003, leaving less money for police cars ATHENS 14/08 Partly cloudy 14/09 Mostly cloudy and other necessities in an era of WASHINGTON 02/-3 Clear 05/-3 Clear shrinking rural populations and SYDNEY 23/14 Rain 20/14 Chance of rain tax bases. Some communities have taken LONDON 10/07 Mostly cloudy 09/05 Chance of rain to putting ads on cruisers, while PARIS 07/07 Chance of rain 10/07 Cloudy others, like Knightstown, are ISTANBUL 10/07 Chance of rain 11/05 Partly cloudy relying on donations for help. MANILA 32/25 Partly cloudy 31/24 Partly cloudy While Baker concedes that his DHAKA 28/19 Partly cloudy 28/19 Partly cloudy fundraising gambit is extreme, he DELHI 28/13 Clear 27/11 Clear believes it will also educate the ISLAMABAD 25/08 Clear 25/07 Clear crowd, which will also get to see a police dog demonstration. AP Thursday 28 November 2013 24 Moharram 1435 Volume 18 Number 5897 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 GCC to set up integrated logistics firm Company to operate from next year BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB may expand its services and operations. DOHA: The Gulf Cooperation Asked about the current sta- Council (GCC) is gearing up to tus of the company, he said: “It is establish an integrated logistics in the pre-feasibility study stage, Qatar Central Bank Governor H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani (third left) addressing a symposium titled ‘The role of the Middle East in the World company for speedier and has- but all the member states have Economy, Perspective for Growth and Change’, jointly organised by QCB and the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum at the Sharq Village sle-free transportation of goods expressed keen interest, and I and Spa in Doha yesterday. With him are OMFIF Chairman David Marsh (fourth left), Dr Ibrahim Al Ibrahim (right) and other officials. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) across the six Gulf states. The am confident that it will start company is expected to start operating from the third quar- operating from the third quar- ter of next year.” He said that ter of 2014, a senior official of the company will be established Total assets of banks rise to QR879bn the GCC Transport Committee on a PPP model (public-private announced here partnership) DOHA: The total assets of The credit facilities provided Abdullah bin Saud said that par- macroeconomic stability, increased yesterday. with sub-division commercial banks operating by the commercial banks to their ticipants will discuss a wide range economic diversification and accel- Once in oper- offices in all GCC in Qatar grew by 7.7 percent customers during the first nine of topics concerning the Mena erated job creation, he said. ation, the com- states. during the first nine months of months of 2013 grew by 6.8 per- region and its role in the world David Marsh, Chairman, pany is expected “Currently 2013 compared with year-end cent compared to the same period economy. OMFIF, said the Middle East has to facilitate there is no exist- 2012. The combined assets of in 2012, bringing the total domes- The current context of the an increasingly important role in boosting trade ence of such the banks reached QR879bn in tic credit to about QR510bn. He Mena region is of fundamen- the world economy. Given its piv- among the GCC companies in the third quarter this year against said the ratio of non-perform- tal importance for shaping the otal position in energy markets, states as it aims region provid- QR817bn at the end of 2012, said ing loans and credit facilities economic, social and governance further progress is likely in the to make logistics ing all kinds of Qatar Central Bank Governor amounted to approximately 2.9 systems of the future. With the next decade. With developments services more logistics services H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud percent, reflecting the quality of benefit of demographic dividend and innovation in the energy cost effective and for the hassle Al Thani. assets with commercial banks by arising from a young population sector causing major shifts in efficient. free movement Delivering the key note speech the end of September 2013. and vast energy endowments production and performance, “There is a of goods and at the two-day symposium being He pointed out that the Qatar in some of the fastest-growing the region is looking for ways to serious discus- services. The ini- organised by the Official Monetary Central Bank Law No. 13 of economies globally, the region as diversify away from energy. sion going on tiative is being and Financial Institution Forum 2012, brought in to regulate the a whole has the potential to reap Qatar is a good example of suc- among the GCC looked at as a (OMFIF) here yesterday, the country’s financial institutions, significant benefits. cessfully managing change, with members to cre- big step as it is QCB Governor noted that cus- helped effective overseeing all of Growth in the Mena region a clear emphasis on building a ate an integrated logistics com- expected to change the face of tomer deposits with commercial the services and financial markets is expected to pick up 2014 with knowledge-based economy at the pany which will take care of all logistics and the transportation banks in Qatar rose by 19 percent in the state. The law was instru- improved global conditions and same time as it moves towards kinds of logistics and transpor- sector of the region significantly,” during the first nine months of mental in the formation of a com- a recovery in oil production. becoming the world’s largest tation related services,” said Ali Al Misnad said. He said that all this year compared to the end mittee to ensure financial stability However, sustainable and equi- exporter of liquefied natural gas bin Abdulatif Al Misnad (pic- the member countries will have of 2012, bringing the total depos- and risk control. table growth over the medium and clean-burning gas-to-liquid tured), Vice President of the GCC equal share and participation in its to about QR498bn against Emphasising on the importance term depends on an improved fuels, he said. Transport Committee. the commercial entity. QR417bn in the year-end 2012. of the two-day forum, Sheikh geo-political environment and THE PENINSULA Al Misnad, also the Board “Once the company starts its member and Honorary Treasurer operation it will save a lot of time. of Qatar Chamber, was talking Truck drivers, helpers and oth- to The Peninsula on the side- ers involved in road transpiration lines of the Qatar International will not have to worry for cus- Exhibition for Transport and toms clearance and other related Brent falls as US crude stocks rise Iran, US to open Logistics (Trans4) which ends issues. All the paperwork will be today at the Doha Exhibition ready for them, and they will just NEW YORK: Brent oil futures during the session. Brent’s con- since records began in 1982. The joint chamber Centre. need to drive. dipped yesterday as a higher- tinued outperformance of WTI report followed data from the Initially, the company will pro- :The waiting time for truckers than-expected build in US widened the spread between the American Petroleum Institute on vide all kinds of logistics-related with return loads will be reduced crude oil inventories weighed two benchmarks to a new eight- Tuesday that showed stocks rose of commerce, services for road transport such significantly,” said Al Misnad, on prices, although losses were month high of $18.77 yesterday. by 6.9 million barrels last week. as customs clearance, visa issu- who is also the Chairman of capped by unrest in Libya. US Energy Information Brent crude fell 22 cents to says report ance, insurance of vehicles and Doha-based Al Baida Group, the The build in stocks briefly Administration (EIA) data $110.66 a barrel by 1733 GMT, goods. But once the GCC freight organiser of the second edition lifted US crude, or West Texas showed US crude stocks rose by reversing course after earlier hit- TEHRAN: Iran and the United and passenger rail corridor of Trans4. Intermediate (WTI), before it almost 3 million barrels to their ting $111.54. US oil fell $1.64 to States are to establish a joint becomes operational, the company THE PENINSULA resumed its downward trend highest level for this time of year $92.03 a barrel. REUTERS chamber of commerce within a month, with direct flights also planned, an Iranian official said yesterday in a newspaper report. “Iran-US chamber of com- merce will be launched in less than one month,” Abolfazl Hejazi, Commercial Bank gets nod for QR2bn capital boost a member of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and DOHA: The Extraordinary Instruments are perpetual capi- Agriculture, told the English- General Meeting (EGM) of tal instruments and therefore will language Iran Daily. the Commercial Bank of Qatar not have a fixed maturity date. In the wake of a historic accord has approved the Board of The Instruments will be issued between Tehran and major pow- Directors’ proposal to raise up in order to strengthen the Bank’s ers on Iran’s controversial nuclear to QR2bn in Additional Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio as meas- programme, Hejazi also said his Capital to enhance the Bank’s ured under the capital adequacy country was ready to start direct capital adequacy ratios and regime established by the Qatar flights to the United States. to support the future growth Central Bank. According to Hejazi, the project across the Group. The Instruments will carry a which he said had already been The Bank will issue the Tier fixed interest rate and the Bank registered in the United States 1 Capital Instruments directly. will pay the return to the holder would allow the two countries to ”This hybrid instrument, which of the Instruments on specified work towards restoring ties. is treated as an equity instrument agreed dates during the first 6 Hejazi also said the government with a fixed return will qualify years. has authorised the private sector as Additional tier 1 Capital. The After the initial 6 year period, to launch joint activities and that Instrument will not dilute exist- the return Rate will be reset Iran was ready to establish direct ing shareholders or affect their according to a pre-agreed price flights to the United States. shareholding and offer no voting adjustment mechanism, taking Flights would connect Kish rights to the holder”, the Bank into account the prevalent refer- Island in southwest Iran with New Chairman Abdullah bin Khalifa ence rate at that time. York, he said. “This is because Al Attiyah and the Managing The payment obligations of Commercial Bank of Qatar Chairman Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Attiyah (third left); Vice Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Kish Island is a free trade zone Director Hussain Al Fardan said the Bank with respect to the bin Ali bin Jabor Al Thani (second left); Managing Director Hussain Al Fardan (fourth left) and other members of and Iranian passengers who have after the EGM here yesterday. |Instruments will be direct, the board of directors at the Extraordinary General Meeting in Doha yesterday. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) US citizenship will not need to The EGM approved the five- unsecured, conditional and sub- obtain visas to enter it,” he said. point agenda, including the ordinated obligations of the Bank, shares of the Bank for these entities. The Bank intends to use and the Board of Directors has Hejazi said direct flights would amendment of the article con- meaning that claims in respect of Instruments. the proceeds of the Issue for gen- given management the authority “enable us to export domestic cerning non-Qatari investors. the Instruments will rank junior The investors in this Issue will eral corporate purposes. to proceed with the preparation of products to the US and import Hussain Al Fardan said that to all other senior debt, but will be institutional in nature and most Negotiations with regard to the all relevant documentation. high-tech products and raw mate- the Additional Tier 1 Capital rank above claims on ordinary likely, Qatari Government-related Issue process have commenced THE PENINSULA rials from the country”. AFP THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2013 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatar bourse index up by 84.46 points Investors position for dividends

DOHA: Qatar Exchange ended Trading was heaviest in stocks in the green when trading which retail investors believe closed yesterday at 10,353.15 would benefit most if Dubai hosts points (0.82 percent), up 84.46 the Expo. Dubai Investments, points from the previous closing which owns land around the pro- of 10,268.69 on Tuesday. posed expo site, rose 3.1 percent. Among the top gainers were Emaar Properties climbed 1.3 Qatar National Bank whose percent and Union Properties share was up 1.76 percent to added 2.7 percent. QR173, Industries Qatar added The optimism spread to Abu 1.51 percent to QR168.50, Qatar Dhabi, with the index there also Electricity & Water rose 1.65 rising 0.5 percent. Abu Dhabi percent to QR166.40 and Aamal National Building Materials increased by 0.81 percent to jumped 8.9 percent. QR14.97. In Egypt, the benchmark index Investors are positioning them- declined 0.6 percent to its low- selves for annual dividends, which est close since November 3. The will be announced with fourth- market dropped for a fifth con- quarter earnings in early 2014. secutive session from a 34-month Meanwhile, UAE stock markets high. Profit-taking was exacer- rose. Most other Gulf bourses also bated by the government’s appar- climbed, while Egypt extended ent difficulty in the transition losses to a nearly four-week low. back to civilian rule. Arrests of The celebration at N-KOM shipyard. Dubai’s main index advanced 0.5 activists after new regulations on percent to its highest finish since protests have shaken support in November 10, although it gave back some quarters for the military-led N-KOM celebrates completion of 200th project almost half of its intra-day gains. interim government. The measure is 1.8 percent below the multi-year high hit in October. HIGHLIGHTS DOHA: Nakilat-Keppel Offshore recertification process by the our deepest gratitude to Qatar our slogan “Preferred Shipyard, “Trading in the last month has DUBAI: The index gained 0.5 & Marine (N-KOM) celebrated American Petroleum Institute Petroleum and the manage- Delivering Solutions”. been more cautious but people percent to 2,899 points. the completion of its 200th (API) for its ISO 14001 and ISO ment, port staff and employees Khalid Alhammad, Technical are pricing in the Expo 2020 win ABU DHABI: The index climbed project; repairs for VLCC (Very 18001 quality systems. of Ras Laffan Industrial City for Manager at Vela International until right before the results,” said 0.5 percent to 3,837 points. Large Crude Carrier), Janah Star Abdullah Fadhalah Al Sulaiti, their full and continued support, Marine said, “Vela has an excel- Sanyalaksna Manibhandu, sen- EGYPT: The index retreated from Vela International Marine. Chairman of N-KOM and and the same which we have lent relationship with N-KOM, ior analyst at NBAD Securities. 0.6 percent to 6,205 points. The delivery of the vessel coin- Managing Director of Nakilat received from our valued business having repaired five VLCCs and a “Whatever the result, you will see SAUDI ARABIA: The index cided with the shipyard’s third said: “This milestone in the partners.” tanker at the shipyard in the past profit-taking.” Many analysts are ticked up 0.03 percent to 8,301 anniversary, since its opening in company’s history reaffirms our Abu Bakar Mohd Nor, CEO of year. We are very satisfied with predicting a short-term rally fol- points. November 2010. growing presence in the Middle N-KOM said, “We are humbled to their quality of services and are lowed by a sell-off to take profits OMAN: The index slipped 0.4 N-KOM has also clinched East. We would not have been be given this opportunity to play equally impressed with the high if Dubai wins, and a steeper sell- percent to 6,726 points. its second ‘ship repair/ship- able to build up our capabilities a significant role in positioning level of safety upheld at the yard. off in case of a disappointment. KUWAIT: The index advanced yard’ award last week at the so rapidly if not for the immense Qatar’s maritime industry at the The award received has certainly But buyers may then return 0.5 percent to 7,838 points. Seatrade Middle East & Indian support we have received from region’s forefront, in line with been well earned and we look for- before the year-end to re-position BAHRAIN: The index eased Subcontinent Awards 2013 Minister for Energy and Industry Qatar’s Vision 2030. N-KOM ward to a long and fruitful part- for annual dividends and fourth- 0.02 percent to 1,197 points. ceremony. The facility has Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh Al will continue to deliver service nership with N-KOM.” quarter earnings. QNA/REUTERS also successfully undergone a Sada. I would also like to express excellence to our clients, true to THE PENINSULA

Dolphin Energy German deal buoys signs MoU with Nord Stream European stocks ABU DHABI: Dolphin Energy Ltd yesterday signed a LONDON: European stock of gold slid to $1,245 an ounce Memorandum of Understanding markets rose yesterday after from $1,247.50 on Tuesday. (MoU) with Nord Stream AG, a deal was agreed in Germany US stocks moved higher the company that is providing to form a coalition government, despite mixed economic data on a new natural gas supply route while investors drew strength the eve of the Thanksgiving holi- from Russia to Europe. from mostly upbeat company day. The Dow Jones Industrial The MoU was signed in the pres- news and US data. Average advanced 0.20 percent to ence of Dolphin Energy’s General London’s benchmark FTSE 100 16,104.65 points, while the broad- Managers in the UAE and Qatar, index added 0.20 percent to close based S&P 500 added 0.29 per- Ibrahim Ahmed Al Ansaari and at 6,649.47 points, and the CAC cent to 1,807.93 and the tech-rich Adel Ahmed Albuainain as well as 40 in Paris rose 0.36 percent to Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.53 Nord Stream AG Directors Ruurd 4,293.06 points. Frankfurt’s DAX percent to 4093.23. Hoekstra and Henning Kothe. The 30 climbed 0.66 percent to 9,351.13 The gains came despite a disap- MoU, due to last 5 years, will pro- points to set a new record close pointing report on durable goods, vide opportunities for both par- above the 9,300 level. which dipped 2 percent in October ties to exchange operational and The euro rallied to an October due to a big drop in transporta- maintenance knowledge, insights peak of $1.3613, but fell back tion orders and a decline of 0.1 and expertise regarding their to $1.3565, down slightly from percent outside of transportation. high pressure gas networks. $1.3570 late in New York on Meanwhile, first-time claims Officials signing the Memorandum of Understanding. THE PENINSULA Tuesday. for US unemployment benefits The euro also jumped as high fell 10,000 last week to 316,000. as 138.79 yen — the highest level However, analysts cautioned that since June 2009. It later stood at the data are difficult to season- 138.60 yen compared with 137.43 ally adjust for, in light of the late- Libya oil revenues yen on Tuesday. ness of this year’s Thanksgiving The dollar rose to 102.19 yen holiday. plunge by 80pc Turkcell sues MTN for $4.2bn from 101.26 on Tuesday. The Asian markets were mixed in British pound rose to 1.1992 euros quiet trade, with Tokyo slipping JOHANNESBURG: Turkish largest mobile operator of “cor- in loans and dividends from MTN and $1.6268. 0.42 percent, Sydney easing 0.45 TRIPOLI: Lib