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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Mursi tells Syria rebels to unite New safety rules Emir, PM attend OIC summit in Cairo; Assad told to learn from history for construction workers planned DOHA: As Qatar prepares to of the matter, that new safety reg- launch a string of mega develop- ulations for construction workers ment projects to host the 2022 were the need of the hour. “Our FIFA event and expects a larger major concern, though, is that the influx of foreign workers, plans rules are implemented effectively. are afoot to implement a set of Officials concerned should closely new safety regulations for con- follow-up on the enforcement of struction workers. the law. The problem in Qatar is The State Cabinet yesterday that the laws are good but their reviewed a report submitted implementation is weak, the offi- by a technical committee that cial hinted. was formed by the Ministry of Asked how global standards Municipality and Urban Planning could be applied per se to Qatar’s in mid-2009 to frame the draft of construction industry as climatic the above regulations. conditions were so different as The decision to set up the inter- compared to Europe, for instance, ministerial panel was made by the Jolo said local conditions had been civic minister early in 2008 after taken into account. approval from the Cabinet, and in “We have a different work envi- May 2010, a workshop was held ronment due to weather condi- with representatives of the con- tions. For instance, during the struction and contracting indus- peak summer months, working The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with other leaders of member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Cairo, yesterday. try to discuss the initial draft. hours on construction sites are The panel, however, took help restricted and no work is permit- CAIRO: Egyptian President “The Syrian regime must the international community, “to from an international consultancy ted between 11.30am and 3pm,” Mohammed Mursi yesterday draw lessons from history: it is coordinate with this coalition and Qatar slams Tunisian firm and also consulted Qatari said Jolo. Safety conditions also urged Syrian opposition groups the people who remain. Those support their efforts for a unified Engineers’ Association for their vary from one building design to to unify, as he addressed leaders who put their personal interests approach... for democracy.” leader’s killing inputs to prepare the draft of the another. “Safety rules for work- of Islamic states at a summit above the interests of their people The meeting gathers leaders DOHA: Qatar denounced health and safety regulations for ers engaged on an ordinary build- that also focused on the battle will end up leaving,” Mursi told of 26 of the OIC’s 57 states, with yesterday the assassination the building industry. ing site are different from those against militants in Mali. heads of state and representatives Mursi, Egypt’s first Islamist pres- of Tunisian general secretary “We have seen the draft and who are working on a high-rise The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad of the Organisation of Islamic ident, assuming the organisation’s of the Democratic Patriotic given our inputs. I can tell you structure,” he added, citing an bin Khalifa Al Thani participated Cooperation in Cairo. rotating presidency. Party Chokri Belaid, after he that the safety requirements and instance. The report that the in the opening session of the Among them was Mahmoud Though Syria is not repre- was gunned down in front of other aspects regarding protect- Cabinet reviewed at its weekly 12th Islamic Summit in Cairo. Ahmadinejad, in the first visit sented at the conference, much of his home in Tunis. ing construction workers incorpo- meeting yesterday talks of better The Prime Minister and Foreign to Egypt by an Iranian presi- the debate was expected to focus A reliable source at the rated in it are of global standard,” ways to address the issue of work- Minister H E Sheikh Hamad dent since Iran’s 1979 Islamic on the conflict which the UN says Foreign Ministry told Qatar Ahmed Jolo, head of the Qatari ers’ safety at construction sites bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani Revolution. has killed more than 60,000 peo- News Agency (QNA) yester- Engineers’ Association, said. and applying them uniformly to also attended the session with a Iran is the chief regional backer ple in less than two years. day that Qatar condemns all Jolo told this newspaper last the industry. There are an esti- number of officials. of Syrian President Bashar According to a draft resolution acts of violence and terrorism. evening that the purpose of fram- mated 500,000 construction work- Speaking at the Summit, Al Assad, while Egypt and Gulf obtained by AFP, the gathering The source also conveyed the ing new health and safety regula- ers in the country, constituting Egyptian President Mohammed powerhouse Saudi Arabia bitterly will call for “serious dialogue” condolences of the State of tions for construction workers at more than 40 percent of foreign Mursi urged Syrian opposition oppose Assad and support rebels between the Syrian opposi- Qatar to the Tunisian govern- sites was to make sure that they labor force. Tens of thousands of groups to unify, as he addressed seeking his ouster. tion and government officials ment, the victim’s family and were of global standard. more workers are likely to come leaders of Islamic states at a sum- Mursi called on opposition par- “not directly involved in the Tunisian people. A top official from a major con- in as mega infrastructure projects mit that also focussed on the bat- ties not allied to Syria’s National oppression.” QNA struction company said asking not are launched. THE PENINSULA tle against militants in Mali. Coalition, which is recognised by AFP/QNA to be named due to the sensitivity Continued on page 5

Spain wins friendly OPINION Concern over contraceptive pill sale Islamic summit and new challenges DOHA: Diane 35, a popular hesitate to take stern action. It use as a contraceptive. There is acne drug, also widely used as a confirmed the absence of a ban on high demand for the medicine, he57-member contraceptive, is still being sold the sale of the medicine till now. especially from some segments TOrganisation of Islamic in Qatar despite growing inter- “We have written to the man- of expatriates on a daily basis,” Cooperation national concerns over harmful ufacturing company to inform said a pharmacist. (OIC) is meet- side effects. us about the issue and we are “We are not aware of any plans ing in Cairo The UAE Health Ministry on waiting for explanation from to ban the medicine in Qatar, under the Tuesday temporarily suspended more than one manufacturer although a controversy is raging slogan: The the import and sale of the drug and the higher authorities in the over it in the facebook,” he added. Islamic world based on recommendations of the European Union,” a source at the The UAE has suspended the — New chal- French Drugs Agency (ANSM), department told Al Sharq. medicine until the final evaluation lenges and Recent reports from France The medicine has been sold all of the product is done by inter- opportuni- have linked the drug to four over the world for more than 25 national health authorities, local ties. The cur- Khalid Al Sayed deaths and blood clots in 100 years and is registered in more newspapers reported yesterday. rent session EDITOR-IN-CHIEF women leading to its sale being than 100 countries, it added. The European Medicines assumes great suspended in the country. Enquiries with several pharma- Authority is currently examin- significance as it’s being held The Pharmacy and Drug cies yesterday revealed that Diane ing the medicine in its laborato- under tight security and in Control Department at the 35 is available in the local market ries and the Therapeutic Goods the backdrop of protests and Supreme Council of Health (SCH) and is in high demand. Administration in Australia has Spain’s Cesc Fabregas and Uruguay’s Alvaro Gonzalez vie for the violence. said yesterday that it is closely “It is the most popular acne issued a safety alert on the drug. ball during a friendly match at the Khalifa Stadium yesterday. Spain It also comes at a time following the issue and will not pill which many people here also THE PENINSULA won 3-1. See also page 28 when the Arab region is going through profound Picture by SHAIVAL DALAL changes, with some autocrats overthrown from power and people in other countries yearning for democratic freedom. New York-based rights group to raise sponsorship issue It’s also important that the Summit is being held DOHA: New York-based asked if they had sought formal Rights Watch at the news confer- married to foreigners,” rues the An interview was fixed with the in one of the Arab Spring Human Rights Watch, which permission from Qatari authori- ence and will be fielding questions Human Rights Watch report on head of legal affairs department countries. There have been has raised the issue of Qatar’s ties to hold the media briefing, she on the chapter on Qatar. Qatar. of the National Human Rights significant changes on the sponsorship and exit per- said: “I have no idea”. Their report on Qatar talks This newspaper tried to contact Committee on the morning of Palestinian front too, with mit system in its latest World Jan Egeland, Europe director about Qatar’s sponsorship and Qatar’s National Human Rights February 5. Palestine winning recogni- Report, is holding a news brief- and deputy executive director of exit permit rules and says they Committee (NHRC) on February However, when this newspa- tion in the United Nations as ing here this morning on this Human Rights Watch, Nicholas are very restrictive, and raises 4 to seek its reaction to the obser- per’s reporter reached his office an ‘observer state’. But the as well as issued related to for- McGeehan, Middle East concerns over women’s rights, vations of the US-based rights at the appointed time, he was challenges before the group eign workers in the country. researcher, and Tamara Alrifai, talking particularly of Qatari watchdog. turned back by his personal sec- are too many; the Syrian cri- Contacted on the phone late Middle East advocacy director women married to foreigners The committee has also raised retary and asked to email ques- sis continues, and there are last evening, an official of the of Human Rights Watch, will not enjoying the right to obtain the sponsorship system in their tions first. conflicts in Mali, Somalia, rights watchdog said a news be addressing the news citizenship for their husbands and previous report and has asserted The email is to be sent to Afghanistan, and Sudan and conference had been lined up at briefing. children. that it is fighting for the rights the office of the chairman of the situation in Jammu and Radisson Blu Hotel this morning. The officials will be presenting “Such rights are, though, of Qatari women married to the National Human Rights Kashmir is gaining attention. She refused to give her name and the World Report 2013 of Human available to Qatari men foreigners. Committee. THE PENINSULA Continued on page 5 THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Heir Apparent receives new ambassadors Emir, Heir Apparent, Curbs on visas Premier greet Queen Elizabeth DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for Vietnamese sent a cable of greetings to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on the anniversary of her accession to the throne. The Deputy Emir and Heir lifted: Envoy Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Foreign Minister to visit Qatar this year Jabor Al Thani sent similar cables to the Queen. BY FAZEENA SALEEM we are seeking to increase the number of workers in different Greetings sent to DOHA: Qatar has lifted sectors,” Phan said. restrictions on work visas for “We are looking into the con- New Zealand Vietnamese nationals and struction sector and other fields Vietnam now hopes to send such as the services sector, DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh housemaids here, the country’s including hotels, and the aviation Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Ambassador, Le Hong Phan, industry. sent a cable of greetings to said yesterday. “We are also looking at the pos- the Governor General of New Qatar stopped issuing visas to sibility of bringing female domes- The Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received four new ambassadors Zealand on his country’s Vietnamese workers in 2008 due tic helpers,” he added. who presented their credentials yesterday. The Heir Apparent received envoys Tofig Alovsat Oglu Abdullayev National Day. to various reasons. The official hailed his coun- (Azerbaijan), Ekaterine Meiering-Mikadze (Georgia, above), Sheikh Tijan Sey (Senegal) and Roberto Velez The Deputy Emir and Heir And now that the restrictions try’s growing relationship with Vallejo (Colombia). Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin have been removed, Vietnam is Qatar, particularly in the field of Hamad Al Thani and the Prime seeking to increase its workforce trade. During the last few years Minister and Foreign Minister H in Qatar, particularly in sectors many high-ranking delegations E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin such as engineering, construction have exchanged visits. Cabinet welcomes UN fact-finding Jabor Al Thani sent similar greet- and services. The ambassador said that ing cables. “Qatar’s Ministry of Labour bilateral ties received a major recently informed us that it boost during the visit of the Development has resumed recruitments Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin mission report on Israel settlements from Vietnam,” Phan told The Khalifa Al Thani to Vietnam strategy reviewed Peninsula. last year. DOHA: The Deputy Prime It called upon Israel to comply affiliated corporations. “There were restrictions for “Vietnam and Qatar enjoy Minister and Minister of State with the resolutions of the UN The Cabinet approved a draft DOHA: The Deputy Emir and several years. The number of visas friendly relations,” said Phan. for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed mission and dismantle illegal set- memorandum of understand- Heir Apparent H H Sheikh issued for Vietnamese was limited Vietnam Foreign Minister bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud tlements on the Arab land. ing on tourism cooperation with Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani due to various reasons,” he said Pham Binh Minh is scheduled chaired the Cabinet meeting The report also called on the Egypt. It also approved a draft presided over the first meeting without giving details. to visit Qatar as both countries yesterday. UN Security Council to impose agreement on economic and of Qatar’s Supreme Committee However, media reports in complete 20 years of diplomatic The weekly session welcomed sanctions on Israel if it failed to technological cooperation with for Development Planning for Vietnam in 2008 said Qatar relationships this year. the conclusions of a UN fact-find- comply with the resolutions. Hungary and an agreement on 2013. had stopped issuing visas to Bilateral trade turnover ing mission’s report on Israeli set- The Cabinet approved a draft cooperation in legal field with The meeting discussed Vietnamese because many work- reached more than $245m in 2012, tlements which called on Tel Aviv decree to amend the unified GCC Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. achievements in implemen- ers were involved in robbery, an increase of $45m from the pre- to withdraw its settlers immedi- customs tariff. A draft agreement on coopera- tation of the Qatar National fighting, gambling and making vious year. ately from the West Bank and end It endorsed a draft law on using tion in cultural field with Saint Development Strategy 2011-2016 alcohol illegally here. Vietnam exports products like its illegal settlement activities. DNA to combat crime. It states Vincent and the Grenadines was in line with the Qatar National Phan said there were about seafood, cables and wires, wood The Cabinet said that the how authorities can obtain DNA also endorsed. Vision 2030. 500 Vietnamese expatriates in products and woven bamboo report’s inclusion of Israel’s and when to use it. The draft law The session reviewed a report It aims to create ‘Qatar of the Qatar, a majority of them work- products, ceramic materials, con- crimes and illegitimate acts will be referred to the Advisory of a temporary technical com- future’ and lay the foundation for ing in the construction sector struction glass, automobile spare on Palestinian land was a step Council. mittee on setting new safety lasting development through the and Vietnam is looking to diver- parts, vegetables and electronic towards acknowledging the full The session also endorsed procedures to limit accidents roles assigned to state agencies in sify and increase its labour force products to Qatar. rights of the Palestinian peo- implementation of Article No. 5/6 on construction sites and revis- the preparation, implementation in Qatar. It imports mainly liquefied gas ple, starting with the right to of Law No. 24 of 2002 related to ing some of the related laws and and assessment of the strategy’s “Qatar has a vast job market and chemicals from Qatar. an independent state with East retirement and pensions of Qatari took appropriate decision. development. with many opportunities and THE PENINSULA Jerusalem as its capital. employees in Barwa Bank and its QNA QNA Wheels ‘n’ Heels to feature diabetes awareness village at MIA Park

DOHA: Reach Out To Asia’s Head of Social Investment, tests and advice to visitors. (Rota) Wheels ‘n’ Heels Family Maersk Oil Qatar. The Wheels ‘n’ Heels action Fun Day tomorrow at the “Maersk Oil Qatar is very proud starts at 2pm. Museum of Islamic Art Park to support Wheels ‘n’ Heels as a Entertainment activi- will feature a diabetes aware- flagship sponsor. Along with our ties include performances by ness village which will offer partners from Action on Diabetes, Colombian artist Jose Arias, blood glucose tests and provide we will be setting up our diabetes Egyptian singer Hamza Al advice to prevent and manage awareness village to complement Namira, Iraqi singer and Star the disease. the event’s activities. Healthy life- Academy contestant Rahma Maersk Oil Qatar, the flag- styles are a very important factor Riyadh, Kuwaiti singer and Star ship sponsor of Wheels ‘n’ Heels in preventing type 2 diabetes, and Academy runner-up Bashar Al 2013, is supporting the Action we are pleased to join Rota in this Shatti and Bahraini comedi- on Diabetes initiative designed important event.” ans Ali Al Ghrair and Khalil Al to deliver the Emir H H Sheikh Specialists from Supreme Rohaithi. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Health Council, Qatar Diabetes There will be sports and exer- vision of a healthier and prosper- Association, Hamad Medical cise displays by the BMX Bike ous Qatar by 2030. Corporation, Primary Health Show, the Football Free Stylers “Diabetes affects thousands Care Corporation and Novo Show, a stunning Indonesian of people and is a condition that Nordisk, partners with Maersk Saman Dance, interactive has a profound impact on many Oil in the Action on Diabetes Children’s Singalong and Doha families,” said Faisal Al Mudahka project, will be at hand to offer Jazz Band. THE PENINSULA

Prince Hassan visits Silatech

Silatech received Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan at its headquarters. After being introduced to Silatch’s initiatives in the areas of entrepreneurship, employability and engagement for youth in the region, Prince El Hassan and Silatech staff discussed issues, including interfaith tolerance and dialogue, challenges facing the Arab youth, relationship of peace and stability to economic development, and hopes for the future. The prince hoped that the peoples of the region can overcome their ethnic, sectarian and national differences to work together for the common good. THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Women more interested in exercise: Survey 82.9pc practise sports: QSA study

DOHA: Qatari women show more interest in physical exer- cises compared to Qatari men, reveals a new survey con- ducted by the Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) ahead of the Twenty-two National Sports Day. percent of the The survey has found a signifi- cant rise in the number of Qataris participants and non-Qataris practising sport, changed their compared to last year. diet after the The number of respondents first National practising sport reached 89.2 per- cent, against 72 percent last year. Sport Day and Majority of sport practitioners 36 percent made were degree holders. About 77 per- exercises part cent Qataris practising sport have of their daily a bachelor’s or higher degree, while 60.5 percent were women. routine. Women constituted only 23.2 percent of the total 78.3 percent H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani visiting the Coasts and Borders Security Department in Simaisma, yesterday. non-Qataris with a bachelor’s or Fifty percent of the men and 48.2 higher degree practising sport. percent of women who responded There were 45.2 percent married to the survey said they engage in Qatari sport practitioners, of whom physical exercise to stay healthy New centre to strengthen surveillance of coasts women represented 40.4 percent. and maintain their current weight. Women constituted 17 percent of For 29.1 percent of women and DOHA: Monitoring of Qatar’s General Ghanem bin Shaheen Al toured the CBSD and were briefed devices on offshore platforms. the total 56 percent married non- 21.7 percent of men, the purpose coasts and territorial waters Ghanem and other senior officials on capabilities and equipment “The project also includes cre- Qatari sport practitioners. was to maintain agility, while 18.7 will now be made more strin- of the Ministry of Interior and available at the centre, secu- ating a database for this system QSA, which released results percent of men and 16.3 percent gent, with the opening of a Qatari Armed Forces attended rity services offered in the field to minimise efforts required for yesterday, said that 22 percent of of women exercised to pass free new operations centre of the the ceremony. of coastal protection and action classification and identification by the participants changed their diet time and for fun. Coasts and Borders Security Speaking after the inaugura- mechanism of the security sys- military and security units in the after the first National Sport Day The survey also found that 70 Department (CBSD) in tion, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser tem within the National Security area,” Brigadier Al Mannai said. Celebration, 36 percent made exer- percent of Qatari children and 78 Simaisma yesterday. said that the National Security Shield Project. He said that the database cises part of their daily routine, percent of non-Qatari children The Minister of State for Shield Project had accomplished During the opening ceremony, can help in other purposes such and 42 percent became interested were enrolled in sports clubs. Interior Affairs H E Sheikh a lot of achievements in security Project Director Staff Brigadier as search, rescue, safety and in getting their body into shape. Of the surveyed, 35.2 percent Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa service in Qatar at all levels. (Air) Mohammed Abdul Latif Al environment. Walking and jogging remained of the Qataris and 41 percent of Al Thani inaugurated the facility “It is an integrated marine, Mannai explained that the first Director of the CBSD, Brigadier the two favoured sports, practised non-Qataris spent under QR1,000 which will boost surveillance and coastal and land security sys- phase of the project is enhanc- (Navy) Ali Ahmed Saif Al Badeed, by 59 percent of the Qatari and on sports equipment. protection of Qatari coasts as part tem that employs sophisticated ing security capabilities of the said that the new system employs 49.3 percent of the non-Qatari QSA will mark the National of the National Security Shield technological means and it will CBSD. the highest level of technology in respondents. The largest portion Sport Day with activities to edu- Project. contribute to achieving secu- He also displayed automatic the field of surveillance. of the participants (35 percent) cate the public. It will host a die- Director General of Public rity throughout the country and identification network, includ- “By opening of the centre today, were from the 20-29 age group, titian from Aspire to discuss the Security Staff Major General Saad raising the efficiency of security ing the ability to detect, identify we can monitor all our coasts and of whom Qataris made up 36 per- best ways to stay in shape through bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, Assistant work of all authorities,” said the and classify the target surfaces especially territorial waters,” he cent, non-Qataris 34 percent and meals one usually eat. Chief of Staff (Operations) of Minister. of country’s waters, and installa- said. women 44.4 percent. THE PENINSULA Qatari Armed Forces Major The Minister and the delegates tion of automatic identification THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME New ‘regulations won’t hit perfume industry’ First Perfume Exhibition to begin on April 23 BY RAYNALD C RIVERA Qataa, Acting Director of Nancita be printed on them in red colour Media, who are organising the first in English and Arabic prominently. DOHA: Qatar’s new regula- Perfume Exhibition in the country. On the sidelines of a press con- tions for import and sale of Alarmed by reports of wide- ference at the Grand Heritage alcohol-based perfumes will not spread misuse of some cologne Hotel to launch the event, Qataa hit the fragrance industry hard products in Qatar as intoxicant, said Qatar has a huge perfume as most famous brands have the Ministry of Environment market and compared to other alcohol content below the maxi- recently issued new rules for countries people here have high mum acceptable under the new import and sale of such perfumes. purchasing power. guidelines. In addition, the ingredients “The market for the perfume “Majority of perfumes, espe- should include at least one sub- sector here is huge. People have cially the branded ones, do not stance that change the natural relatively good income so they can have alcohol content that high. specifications of alcohol content buy what they want. This event Makers of these famous brands and make the products unfit for will bring a great number of well- around the world are producing drinking. The products can be used known brands from other coun- perfumes considering the health only as sprays and a warning say- tries,” he said. of the end-users,” said Abadi ing “for external use only” should He claimed the exhibition would Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco), Dr Mohammed Yousef Al also be the first of its kind Mulla, (centre) at a press briefing yesterday to announce the launch of Qapco Club on National Sport Day. With in the GCC and that many him are Ahmed Yaseen Al Hammadi (right), Public Relations Manager, and Yousuf Saleh Al Jabir from Qapco Sports exhibitors from GCC will Committee. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) converge in Qatar during the event from April 23 to 26 at the Doha Exhibition Center. Qapco to launch sports club Around 100 to 150 exhib- itors from Qatar and the DOHA: As part of the National decisions remind us — the cor- Several annual competitions GCC are expected to take Sport Day and imminent poration — of the role we play enable employees and the work- part. sports festivities in Qatar, in promoting healthy lifestyles force to practise their favourite An exciting feature of Qatar Petrochemical Company among our employees and sports and games such as football the four-day show is live (Qapco) revealed its ambitious within our community. We want or cricket, a press release from demonstrations of per- plan for the day. to ensure that Qapco employ- Qapco said. fume-making by many Dr Mohammed Yousef Al ees and their families are aware The sports club in Messaieed companies, which is a rare Mulla, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the positive outcomes of will be unveiled on the National spectacle in such events of Qapco, told a press conference sports. It is also important for Sport Day, during an official cer- even in Europe, according yesterday that the Qapco Club us to know they have a chance emony that will be attended by to Qataa. will be launched on February 12. to practise sport regularly and senior officials, VIPs and Qapco “We will also have He praised the initiative of that they have access to sporting employees. another section for cus- the Heir Apparent H H Sheikh infrastructure.” The grand opening will be fol- tomers, where they would Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to For the past 30 years, Qapco lowed by sports programmes for have the chance to meet establish the National Sport Day has always placed emphasis on the day. Over 43 games and com- perfume makers who would for Qatar, as a key reminder of sports. petitions are planned for staff and help them choose the best the importance of regular physi- The company has established their families. Over 4,000 people perfume fit for them,” he cal activity in maintaining one’s an active sport committee in are expected to participate in the added. health. charge of organising regular festivities. THE PENINSULA Dr Al Mulla said: “Such tournaments among employees. THE PENINSULA The Red Shoes to be screened at MIA

DOHA: The restored version of the specifically, Qatari filmmaking talent, to and to have some of our most celebrated British classic The Red Shoes (1948; dir. the UK. This celebration of UK film cul- films shown and appreciated by the peo- Powell & Pressburger) will be screened ture will culminate in a special section of ple of Qatar. This reciprocal initiative will at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) programming at the 2013 Doha Tribeca see films from the Arab world and Qatar Auditorium on February 28 as part of Film Festival. screened in the UK, providing new insights Qatar-UK 2013 celebrations. Academy Award winner for Best Art into regional filmmaking for UK audiences.” The public screening, which marks the Direction and Best Music, The Red Shoes, “Qatar UK 2013 aims to celebrate our two opening of Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) year is the classic tale of a young ballerina torn nations through the shared love of arts and round UK Cinema Showcase, will also wit- between her art and her romance with a culture. The showcase of British filmmaking ness the Qatar premiere of the movie. young composer. Created by Michael Powell at the Museum of Islamic Art is an excellent In partnership with the British Council and Emeric Pressburger, it is the quintes- example of the exiting world-class events and QMA, the monthly screenings celebrate sential backstage drama and dance film and that will take place in Qatar and across the the power of classic and contemporary one of the most glorious technicolor feasts UK during the year,” said Miguel Blanco, films from ever created. The beloved classic has been Director of Strategic Cultural Relations, the British restored for new generations to experience Qatar Museum Authority. canon. the enthralling tribute to the life of the art- There will be three screenings of The Red Certain ist and a milestone work of British cinema. Shoes at the MIA Auditorium. The opening screenings As well as the many nominations and night will take place from 6pm on February within the awards bestowed upon the film, The Red 28 with the screening at 7.30pm. The other showcase will Shoes is rated in the top 100 list of British screenings will take place on March 1 at be attended films by the British Film Institute. 4pm and at 7pm. by British Abdulaziz Al Khater, Chief Executive Tickets are now on sale at www.doha- filmmaking Officer, DFI, said: “The Qatar-UK initiative filminstitute.com and starting Saturday, talent. is an exciting opportunity for us to celebrate February 23, at the MIA DFI Ticket Outlet. Since the breadth and quality of British filmmak- Tickets are priced at QR35 for general pub- Qatar-UK ing with local audiences. There is clearly a lic and QR25 for students. 2013 is a demand for great films that showcase the The DFI UK Cinema Showcase which will reciprocal best in international cinema and enhance run monthly until Fall 2013 will also be fea- initiative, film appreciation here in Doha.” turing Shallow Grave (1994; dir. Danny Boyle), DFI will also Martin Hope, Director of the British Kes (1969; dir. Ken Loach) and The Bridge on take Arab Council, said: “We are delighted to be the River Kwai (1957; dir. David Lean). and more involved in developing the programme THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Exact estimate We want a nation which Vehicle test centres of work site accidents not believes in freedom available lack qualified staff of expression Continued from page 1 Exact estimates of the Continued from page 1 humiliate citizens, and also want Used car buyers complain about inspection reports extent of construction Then there is the issue of address- democratic, legal and judicial sys- site accidents are not ing Islamophobia and defamation of tems, justice which is not influenced BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB “Just see this report, required to conduct at least two available, but industry religions and combating poverty, by politics or power, but learned from ‘BUMBBERS PAINT’. When to three tests until he finds an insiders say the prob- disease and ignorance in the Islamic Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon DOHA: Vehicle inspection cen- I asked them to explain it, one accident-free car or at least a car lem is acute. At least one world and tackling other political, Him). tres along the Salwa Road have staffer said bumpers repainted, with minimum faults. safety official had told economic and social issues. We want a nation which believes latest equipment but lack quali- no original paint’,” added Shahid. Dealers usually do not tell this newspaper earlier, Each time the Islamic summit in freedom of expression and can fied staff to prepare test reports “For a buyer, this is an impor- anything about the history of the talking of the handling is held, we ask the same ques- remove all authoritarian rules to in English, claim motorists. tant information, because vehicles they sell. of building materials by tion: what do we want from this pave way for intellectual tolerance The services of these centres repainted bumpers may tell a Many motorists believe that workers at construction summit, which represents more and social harmony. We want to tol- are availed mainly by those who lot about a vehicle. It might have there can be a tacit understand- sites, that in the absence than a billion Muslims around the erance and equality with all castes, buy used cars. They make pur- met with an accident and that is ing for revenue sharing (fixed of stiff laws, workers world, which is being held in con- communities and non-Muslim chase decisions based on these why the owner got it repainted commission) between test centres handling cement with- ditions of extreme complexity and minorities living amidst us. We want reports. before selling it,” added a friend and agents who deal in used vehi- out gloves tended to have embarrassment? a nation without sectarianism and “The equipment at these cen- of Shahid. cles. They suggest that instead of skin diseases. We need a strong Islamic nation divisions, whether political, ideologi- tres are latest, but the reports they The fee for inspection is not every customer taking the same Late last year, a con- which can connect with each other cal or ethnic, which may lead to civil prepare are not easily understand- uniform. There are many test vehicle for tests repeatedly, deal- struction worker was crit- and integrate in political, economic wars or conflicts. able. First, they are full of technical centres along the Salwa Road, ers can get the tests done and ically injured in Madinat and social arenas, and we expect from Muslims expect their leaders to jargons which require an expert to but all do not charge a uniform keep the report in their record Khalifa (south) after part Islamic leaders more reforms in their find solutions to issues facing them, understand,” said Shahid Khan, an fee. Test fees vary between QR350 to be used by other customers. of a ramshackle building countries for the benefit of their peo- at least the serious and urgent ones. Indian who took about four to five and QR200 per vehicle, depend- This will not only be economical, next to an open ground ple, not only political reforms but also But we know that the Islamic world tests before buying a car. ing on the bargaining skills of the but would also save a lot of time where he was doing some economic including the eradication is too complex, and the problems Although the results of an owner. and legwork. excavation work fell on of corruption. cannot be solved in just a few days inspection are given either in “Initially they asked for QR350 However, agents have their limi- him. He later succumbed We want human rights, not sys- through speeches and discussions. English or Arabic (as per the for one vehicle. But when I told tations. Most say that if inspections to his injuries in the tems to tyrannise, oppress and THE PENINSULA request of buyers), they have a them that we have three vehicles are done in absence of buyers, they hospital. fixed format to make reports to be tested, a senior staff at a test may not rely on them and can go News reports of work- which is only in Arabic. centre, named after a Western for another test. ers falling from higher “The results are ambiguous, European country, agreed to do “If we get tests done in advance, floors of upcoming struc- lack clarity and carry a lot of silly it at QR200 each,” said Abu Nafe, I am sure no body is going to rely tures in the country mistakes. Most staff at these cen- another motorist who could not on reports. Customers will always occasionally trickle in, tres do not understand English. find an accident-free vehicle even have doubts in their minds about reflecting the state of As a result, neither they under- after three technical tests. the authenticity of such tests,” safety conditions at con- stand queries of English-speaking Not all vehicles sold along said Mohammed, who manages a struction sites. customers nor they are able to the Salwa Road are accident- showroom of used cars along the According to the con- explain the results satisfactorily,” free. Therefore, every customer Salwa Road. struction company official he said. coming to buy a used vehicle is THE PENINSULA quoted above, the prob- lem of safety is more with smaller construction and contracting companies as the bigger players pay a lot of attention to health and BlackBerry Over 65,000 Australian sheep arrive safety of their workers. He said at least his com- Z10 available DOHA: M o r e t h a n 6 5 , 0 0 0 A u s t r a l i a n company said in a statement yes- pany stopped providing sheep arrived here, which Mawashi terday. The animals have undergone salt tablets to site work- at Qtel shops said was the largest-ever livestock thorough medical tests before their ers during sizzling heat shipment from that country. The release to the market, it added. as was the norm earlier. DOHA: The new consignment also included hybrid A spokesperson of Mawashi said: “Instead we provide a lot BlackBerry Z10 smart- Australian sheep and a considerable “This is the first of many shipments of water and citrus drinks phone is now available in number of lambs which are known planned for 2013.” to them.” all Qtel Shops, the com- for the tenderness of their meat, the THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA pany said yesterday. The new BlackBerry Z10 is the first smart- phone powered by the re-designed, re-engi- neered and re-invented BlackBerry 10 platform. Qtel was the first com- pany in Qatar to make the new models available in their stores across Qatar. Customers can purchase the BlackBerry Z10 smart- phone at any Qtel Shop for QR2,599. BlackBerry 10 pro- vides seamless multi- tasking, easy access to multiple social networks, and high security. The platform is perfect for customers who want to use it for their work and personal lives, thanks to the BlackBerry Balance technology. Qtel offers Qatar’s large base of BlackBerry smart- phone customers both reli- able network coverage and a wide range of great value BlackBerry subscription packages. Packages start from QR15/week for 250MB of data for BlackBerry Hala customers; and QR60 per month for 1GB of data for Shahry customers. All BlackBerry serv- ices, including BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), are active from when the sub- scriber identification mod- ule card is first used. BlackBerry 10 includes advancements such as Peek and Flow into the BlackBerry Hub-a new mobile computing para- digm where what matters to customers is always only one swipe away and Keyboard, which under- stands and adapts to customers, so they can type faster and more accurately. In addition, the BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) allows customers to share things with the peo- ple that matter to them in an instant, while the BlackBerry Balance tech- nology protects what is important to customers and the businesses they work for. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com QATAR PERSPECTIVE The ‘Arab Spring’ dilemma KHALED AL JABER power even after losing its pop- or exploiting religion to achieve efforts to draft new social con- tribalism and religious divides. ularity and legitimacy, the king their political goals. tracts and tackle the issues of These old fault lines should be said. Restructuring of nations is nationhood and citizenship against bridged by a strong sense of citi- he development index accounts for nearly 10 percent of The worst scenario for the the ultimate objective of revolu- the backdrop of Arab culture. zenship, human rights, rule of law in three countries the GDP of these three countries. Arab world is ideological factions tions. To achieve this end, these A new sociopolitical approach and the participation of all people in the region has The deterioration these coun- adopting the slogan of nationalism countries need to make concerted is needed to end sectarianism, in political life. declined following tries are undergoing is not just the eruption of Arab economic but also political, cul- SpringT revolutions. Even before tural, intellectual and educational. the revolts, the performance of In the process, social values, too, the index was not much better. have taken a blow. The decline was inevitable due to The Arab Spring countries the overthrow of their despotic should learn from success- regimes. ful development experiences in The International Monetary Japan, China, India, and the Asian Fund (IMF) says the economic Tigers. These countries have situation in Egypt, Libya and achieved success drawing on the Tunisia has worsened as poverty values of uniqueness, modernity rates have increased. It has fore- and their customs and traditions. cast that the gross domestic prod- Moreover, they have succeeded uct (GDP) in these three counties in establishing real democracy during 2011-2015 will fall by more by focusing on the sustain- than $225 billion. This figure able development of civil society institutions. Perhaps the most pressing challenge facing the Arab spring countries is the resurgence of The worst scenario tyranny and monopolisation of for the Arab world power. King Abdullah II of Jordan is ideological told the French magazine Le Nouvel Observateur that he was factions adopting not concerned about the Muslim Brotherhood winning parliamen- the slogan of tary elections in his country. He nationalism or added that he was only deeply concerned about the possibility exploiting religion that pluralism and the transition of power would be undermined. to achieve their He expressed fears that a certain political force may win elections political goals. and then change the rules of the game in its own favour. By doing so, the group would remain in

TAHANI AL HAJRI Save our pets! How to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030

n 2005, a number of ani- punish me for not paving DARA MOJAB AL DOSARI mal lovers founded the the way for it,” said caliph Qatar Animal Welfare Umar ibn Al Khattab, whose I Society (QAWS). rule extended over an area atar National Vision The Society is a non-profit comprising ten modern-day (QNV) 2030, which was organisation that provides countries, including Egypt, Qlaunched under the wise shelter, food, medication and Iraq, Libya and Iran, besides leadership of the Emir H H care to pets at the expense of Palestine. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al the volunteers, without any The caliph’s saying makes Thani, is a road map for Qatar’s financial support from the clear to everybody that rulers development. It outlines future government. The founders have a responsibility towards trends, aspirations and objec- and volunteers in the Society every creature. tives of Qatar’s leaders and peo- are Qatari residents who took While much attention and ple. It addresses the economic, it upon themselves to provide money are lavished on cam- social, human and environmen- abandoned animals food and els and falcons, poor cats get tal aspects of a nation’s growth. shelter. run over by speeding cars. All Qatari nationals and resi- However, their mission of Some people say looking dents are required to adopt this providing shelter to hundreds after pets is a Western prac- vision until it becomes a reality. of animals may end soon as tice. Ironically, people in the In order to achieve the goals of the Society is running out West apply the teachings of QNV 2030, I present some sug- of funds. The Society’s land Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gestions that may help: lease is due to expire in May. more than anybody else. • Community members and Some private companies used More than 14 centuries ago, institutions must be exceedingly to donate QR50,000 every the Prophet narrated a par- concerned about achieving the Shariah, the constitution, and • Fully equipped hospitals must learn the importance of month towards the rent. able about a thirsty man in a vision. our customs and traditions. ready to provide healthcare doing this. A similar predicament desert. The man found a well • Strong educational infra- • High-quality education must must be built. • In accordance with Islam, confronted an animal wel- and quenched his thirst. He structure must be built with be provided in a way that satis- • The quality and efficiency of forgiveness, love, compassion, fare society in the United then saw a dog panting and curricula that best serve the fies the needs of Qatari society. Qatar’s health services must be and kindness must have primacy Arab Emirates (UAE). But eating mud due to thirst. He labour market’s needs. The cur- • Competent educational improved. in our life. the UAE government pro- filled his shoe with water so ricula must take into account administrators, devoted and • The public and private sec- • A conducive investment vided the group land, a build- the thirsty dog could drink. sincere teachers, hard-working tors must cooperate and sponsor climate must be created to ing and equipment for free. Allah absolved the man of students and supportive families Qatari businesses to push devel- encourage local and foreign Unfortunately, animals are his sins for this kind act. are needed. opment plans forward. investments. not a priority for Qatar’s The Prophet stressed that • Qatari youth must be inno- •National institutions • People who have been laid off government. God rewards man for help- vative, responsible and be spon- must upgrade their training but can still work must get job While seminars about the ing animals. sored by officials who are keen programmes. opportunities. environment, agriculture and More than 300 pets with on the advancement of the state. • Incentives must be given to • Qatari capacities in all weather are held frequently QAWS are facing an unknown • Scientific institutions must citizens who contribute to nation fields must be mobilised and in Qatar, pets are totally future. Will the Society over- be established to enhance the building. encouraged. neglected. come its problems with the stature of science and moti- • Qatari families and children • A strong media is essential Pets in Qatar need our help of volunteers and the vate young people to take up must be given due attention and to promoting this vision. attention. “If a mule slipped government? Or is it doomed research. care. • Everybody must be imbued in Iraq, I am afraid God will along with its cats and dogs? • National cadres capable of • Everybody must pay atten- with a national spirit in order providing the best medical serv- tion to preserving Qatar’s to achieve our ambitions and ices must exist. Islamic culture. Young people aspirations.

Competent workers should get their just rewards

hen truth fades away, try to impress their seniors, being answer is rather shameful. rights are denied and MUNIRA AL HAJRI suppressed. Those seniors seek There are many types of sup- Whonesty and hard work to hold on to their posts forever, pression. For example, when an are not valued, we despair and such an employee feel secure. forgetting their duty to be role employee gets a good position become frustrated. Working conditions should be models. after many years of work, he or We have been taught that as fair in the division of labour and They never pay attention to she is forced to retire or become a man sows so shall he reap. reward. Certainly, rewards are their intelligent subordinates. a consultant. We believe in this. Ingratitude safeguarded by law. However, the They overlook the fact that they In either case, the employee is can never equal generosity. workers must feel comfortable. are team leaders, heading honest stigmatized as being no longer fit Neglect and marginalization can Work should be based on sincer- employees, who work hard in the for work. In this way, many bright never replace achievement and ity. I do not ask for perfection, best interest of their team. individuals are forced into early innovation. but a little of it can create a good To their disappointment, retirement. But where is job security? environment for work and lead employees are suppressed, mar- In the developed countries, How wonderful to get a job to success. ginalised, rebuffed and denied such individuals are treated as that matches one’s qualifications! Occasionally, we hear of compe- training that would improve their assets since they possess valuable But it would be perfect to make tent employees, who painstakingly skills. Why does this happen? The knowledge and experience. THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 QATAR PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Media campaign to demonise Qatar

ABDULLAH BIN HAMAD AL ATHBAH

vicious media cam- of His Highness, the Emir, as paign has been well,” the Premier explained orchestrated by during a press conference with some of Qatar’s ene- his Greek counterpart, Antonis mies and so-called Samaras, in Doha last week. sisterA countries. Seemingly, From the Premier’s reply one Qatar’s rise as an international can imagine the magnitude of political player is the reason attempts to “demonise Qatar”. behind this malicious media Media campaigns have been propaganda. This political rise slandering Qatari investments has been achieved by the relent- in France as well as financial aid less efforts of H H Sheikh Hamad to Muslim slum dwellers there. bin Khalifa Al Thani and Heir Qatar, an Arab and Muslim Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin nation, does not want to fund Hamad Al Thani, who said that or support the war launched Qatar’s success in winning the bid by French President Francois to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup Hollande on Mali with the aim of was a “victory for all Arabs”. reoccupying the African country, The Prime Minister and which is rich in uranium, oil and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh natural gas, under the pretext of Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al fighting terror. Thani has dismissed allegations Therefore, the media is try- that Qatar is arming Islamist mil- ing to show that Qatar is arming itants in northern Mali, saying: the people of northern Mali, who “We have been accused of sending have been seeking independence arms to Mali. This is completely for decades. groundless. We have been sending Reports by international humanitarian relief through the human rights groups say Mali’s Red Crescent in Mali. We believe army has carried out abuses this situation could be sorted out against Arabs and Tuareg, through dialogue, and that the who make up the majority of government of Mali is the most the Ansar Dine group and the capable of solving this matter.” National Movement for the “We have become quite used Liberation of Azawad. being wiped out, or the French, historic manuscripts”? to make Hollande save Muslims campaign against Iran. It is no to hearing such allegations, parts Asked about these violations, whose aggression has killed The headlines were meant to from Bashar Al Assad. surprise that France Sport has of which might be coming from French Foreign Minister Laurent Muslim women and children? I show that the French conquer- Ironically, an academic from the attacked Qatar’s winning the bid sister countries. We know very Fabius said he had called on strongly believe that Qatar will ors have come to “save Muslims” Arab Gulf, who describes himself to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup well what’s behind them. But the Mali’s government and African never be an accomplice to the from the savage Al Qaeda, which as independent, has tried to por- in a blatant blackmail for not most important thing for us is to countries joining forces against killing of Muslims, as some other torches libraries. They also want tray Qatar as a supporter of ter- joining the aggression in Mali. save the Malian people and bring Islamists in northern Mali to countries are. to show that Paris - the City of rorism, relying on some columns Hollande’s campaign against about peace there. In my estima- warn their troops against “the How is it that a “green” news- Light – is leading a campaign published by an Iranian writer Qatar is no surprise to us as our tion, that could be achieved by targeting of civilians”. paper is carrying headlines such of enlightenment in Mali using on the website Open Democracy. so-called friends refuse to say that the Malians themselves and the Who are the terrorists then? as, “France freeing Timbuktu”, missiles, while the killing of more He is the same writer who had Bashar Al Assad, who has massa- African Union. This is the opinion The Arabs and Tuareg, who are and “Al Qaeda torches library of than 60,000 Syrians is not enough accused Qatar of leading a Sunni cred thousands, should step down. JASSIM IBRAHIM FAKHRO Enjoy the moment to be happy!

o you know the real happiness lies in graduating. problem with life ABDULLAH AL AMADI After graduation, he starts and where it lies? looking for a suitable job to D Do you know the be happy. problem that makes us suffer The next thing that would and feel nervous and furious make him happy would be most of the time? The problem We always look for promotions and bonuses. lies in our constant searching Then he thinks that he is not for happiness, I assume. happy because he did not tie Day after day, we keep happiness, but to no the knot. Marriage could be searching for happiness. happiness! However, we do not find it, avail. As we do not find it, After being married for a and even when we do, it van- while, he sees happiness in ishes. Then, we start looking melancholy takes over us, having kids. Happiness seems for it again, and so on. to lie in raising children The scourge of We always look for hap- demonstrating itself on our through adolescence until piness to no avail. As we do they graduate. As a parent, he not find it, melancholy takes thinks happiness lies in see- divorce over, showing itself on our sad sad faces. ing one’s sons and daughters faces. successful and married. So, his But the truth is that we do pursuit of happiness goes on ivorce is a serious issue in our society as it affects individuals, not want happiness. So, how do not know how to be happy Therefore, we keep search- like this. the most elementary units of society. Whether it is a man come we keep looking for hap- in the first place. We may see ing for happiness all the time Can you realise what’s miss- or woman, human beings build nations and civilisations. piness if we do not want it? happiness in certain things, without ever enjoying it. ing now? The problem lies D Although Qatar is one of the world’s less populous coun- Well, to be more specific, we but when we indulge in these For example, when a man within us as we never enjoy tries, its divorce rate is one of the highest. do not know how to get along things, we start looking for goes to high school and thinks the moment. We will never It is a very dangerous phenomenon for the society if the divorce with this ‘beautiful lass’ called other things. Unfortunately, that happiness lies in going experience happiness if we rate reaches as high as 50 percent of all marriages. Such a high rate happiness. In other words, we we never enjoy happiness. to college, he discovers that keep looking for it. makes one wonder how is ours a conservative Muslim society? The government has set up several institutions to help families and promote social cohesion. Where are those who enthusiastically attend conferences and work- shops on social cohesion? Are they keen only on taking part in these conferences, without trying to uproot the problem? Divorce is legitimate in Islam, but it is the most despised of all Graft threatens Gulf stock markets legitimate things, according to the Holy Quran. In his farewell sermon, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) made it clear that Islam maintains strong family ties. Social workers in the courts know how easy it has become to utter DR RABIA BIN SABAH AL KUWARI the word divorce. Divorce stories abound in this country, and most of us are familiar with them. Unfortunately, divorce is taking place for trivial reasons, and children pay the price as they grow up suffering raft is a critical issue, were safe. The sub-prime crisis was great hardship. having become one of the triggered by corruption, which was The country’s media and various organisations focus on inter- world’s most discussed rampant in stock markets. Stock national issues rather than our children. Compatibility with inter- Gtopics. It goes without markets in the Gulf region are not national law rather than safeguarding the society has become the saying that there is graft wherever completely safe from global cor- government’s priority. there is money. ruption as they have been used by For how long will we keep silent? What is wrong with the courts, Corruption was taking its toll on profiteers. However, most investors the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and the Shura Council? How the international banking system, in the Gulf have stayed away from come they all have failed to address this issue? financial institutions and property bourse trading since the eruption There are many institutions working in this area that are staffed firms even before the global finan- of the sub-prime crisis in 2008. with people who draw salaries, attend conferences and travel. But to cial crisis. Bank loans and other Greed, ultimately, is the cause of no avail. Why? The answer is that they are lacking in their intentions. financial facilities were available to all crises everywhere. Therefore, Facilitating divorce is a key issue that needs to be scrutinised. Who everyone, in both legal and illegal graft-combating agencies and could have imagined that ‘khula’ (a woman divorcing her husband) forms, as individuals sought to buy organisations that promote would one day be easier than helping a maid depart? One-third of real estate. accountability are burdened with Qatari women are divorced. Most divorce cases are the result of lack Soft policies have added fuel the task of recovering stolen assets of reason and faith. to the flames, worsening the eco- or public funds, especially in the An educated woman can fend for herself. But is money the only nomic and financial turmoil result- Arab Spring countries. thing that matters? This is an issue that affects the coming genera- ing from the sub-prime mortgage tions and something that we will have to account for before Allah. crisis. The state, with all its legislative, administrative and technical agen- Unfortunately, repercussions of cies, as well as non-governmental organisations should join forces to the sub-prime crisis have reached put an end to this scourge afflicting our society and religion. the Arab world, particularly the It is not a matter to be addressed by preaching on television. A Gulf region, which has been badly strategy has to be developed and laws strictly enforced to combat hurt. However, countries that the increasing trend of divorce. We have had enough of theorising. invested their funds cautiously, whether locally or internationally, THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Strengthening ties Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

ARACK Obama will soon make his first trip to Israel as US president. The president had faced fierce criticism during his first term for not visiting Israel, a close Before Suu Kyi is crowned, Bally, and his fractious relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a subject of heated debate in both countries. The visit has huge significance for the region, though in the there are battles to be won current political scenario it is unlikely to create any change in the status quo. The biggest beneficiary of the visit will be BY TIMOTHY GARTON Netanyahu, who will get a golden opportunity to soothe the 2011, when she was invited to the presi- As I write, a Chinese-brokered nego- frayed relations with the US leader and push his aggressive dent’s private quarters in the surreal tiation may still not actually stop fierce agenda. Obama can use the occasion to lecture the hawkish Y THE old Shwedagon pagoda, new capital of Nay Piy Taw, and wel- fighting in the resource-rich Kachin Israeli leader on the importance of restarting the peace process, lookin’ lazy at the tourists, there comed especially warmly by his wife. But state. If these issues are not resolved Bstands the tall whitewashed tomb as important is her working relationship before the 2015 elections, with a degree but that is unlikely to have much impact going by the policies of Queen Supayalat, immortalised by with the speaker of the parliament, Shwe of federalism that itself would require of Netanyahu. The weakening of Netanyahu in the elections Rudyard Kipling in his lines about a Mann, another former general with large constitutional change, then voters give some hope, but though there are indications that Tel Aviv beautiful “Burma girl” whose “name political ambitions of his own. might be polarised, late-Yugoslav-style, might be open to the idea of restarting talks with Palestinians, was Supi-Yaw-Lat – jes’ the same as Meanwhile, there has to be a proper along ethno-religious chauvinist lines. there are no indications that Israelis will cede any ground in Theebaw’s Queen”. On one side of “Her election law, electoral register and the In Kachin Baptist churches, I am told, Late Majesty, Chief Queen Suphayalatt” conditions for a fair campaign. Aung San prayers have been heard that “God grant negotiations and make concessions to take the peace process I find a memorial to U Thant, the former Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy us independence”. forward. UN secretary-general; on the other, that (NLD) has to organise, mobilise and win Last, but really first, are the people. During his visit, Obama will reiterate Washington’s to ambassador Khin Kyi, widow of this a landslide victory among the country’s When I travelled here previously, in 2000, unflinching support to Israel and threaten Iran with more country’s independence hero, general ethnic Burman majority. before being blacklisted from the country sanctions. The president will pack enough punch in his speech Aung San, and a formidable figure in her (Bet on that.)They should prepare for 12 years, the place was strewn with to satisfy his listeners and convince own right. One day there will be a mon- themselves well for government. (Don’t the military regime’s Orwellian propa- ument somewhere hereabouts to their be so sure of that.) They also have to ganda posters bearing slogans such as them that he is as Israel-loving as even more formidable daughter, Aung forge alliances with parties from the “People’s Desire”. But the truth is that During his any other US president. San Suu Kyi, who large swaths of this south-east Asian the military and their cronies – “crony” forthcoming Interestingly, Palestinians too are by then will prob- Yugoslavia inhabited by ethnic minori- has itself become a Burmese word – have investing hope in Obama’s planned ably be a former ties. Then, despite a 25% appointed for decades realised their own desires at visit to Israel, visit, with President Mahmoud president, and is military block in parliament, they must the expense of their people’s. Abbas saying he hoped it would mark Burma faces already treated get the more than 75pc parliamentary Their lavish, high-walled villas con- Obama will get like a queen. vote required to remove the current con- trast obscenely with the hovels of the the ‘beginning of a new US policy years of an opportunity to But we need to stitutional bar on someone with close majority of the population who still that will lead to the establishment transition politics, remind ourselves foreign relatives – ie Aung San Suu Kyi struggle to subsist as farmers. Burma assert that he is of an independent Palestinian state.’ peacemaking over that she is not yet – becoming president. Though some has slipped to 149th on the UN Human as Israel-loving But that is height of optimism, and president. Not Burmese observers remain sceptical, I Development Index, with an average of is not supported by facts. ethnic conflicts for her the Czech would place a large bet that, one way or just four years of schooling. To make as any other playwright Václav another, this will happen. But of course things worse, those poor farmers’ export Even as the president prepares and dealing with its Havel’s magi- it involves her (as it involved Havel) price for their rice has fallen, and many president. for the herculean and complicated people’s poverty. cal three-month doing real politics, rather than remain- have plunged further into debt to extor- task of bringing the two sides ascent from per- ing a pure moral heroine or becoming tionate local moneylenders. to the negotiating table, recent secuted dissident a British-style constitutional monarch. Meanwhile, foreign businesses pour in: developments in the US show us how constrained he will be in to the president’s castle. Instead, there She herself makes no bones about this. Carlsberg is the latest, with Best Western playing the role of an impartial peace broker. An editorial in are three years of complex struggle At the unprecedented literary festival hotels to follow. A long-legged Sloane tells ahead before she may, aged 70, become that brought me here, she talked elo- me how she and her husband plan to open the New York Times talks of the belligerence and intolerance head of state. quently about novels and poetry, but said a cool restaurant downtown (“kind of Soho of Israeli supporters in the US, which has made even decent These years of transition, until par- that almost every moment of her life is House look”) where those new investors debates about Israel impossible. The sad truth is that, the liamentary elections in 2015, followed by now spent on politics. will presumably scoff and quaff with the newspaper says, there is more honest discussion about the indirect election of a president, will As important as these high politics, and junta’s old cronies. The good news is that American-Israeli policy in Israel than in the US and too often be decisive for the future of this impover- intertwined with them, are the other two many able and well-intentioned people – in the US, supporting Israel has come to mean meeting narrow ished, traumatised and divided country. Ps. It is vital that this country achieves highly qualified Burmese returning from So much needs to be done in three inter- peace as soon as possible. To do so, long spells abroad, almost superhumanly ideological litmus tests. Chuck Hagel’s nomination as defence locking areas which can be labelled with Burma must be a Yugoslavia-in-reverse. magnanimous former political prisoners, secretary is an example. He was attacked by Republicans not three Ps: politics, peace and the people. Yugoslavia was a multi-ethnic state that NGO activists and foreign donors – are because he is not pro-Israel, but because he was not sufficiently The politics are intricate. Most inter- fell apart in politically orchestrated inter- working with the current government, pro-Israel. The increasing belligerence and unionism of the national coverage has focused on the ethnic violence precisely at the moment as well as with the NLD, to ensure that Jewish lobby in the US is killing the peace process. Netanyahu relationship between president Thein of a very imperfect transition to democ- the essential transparency(especially for Sein, a decent if dull man, genuinely con- racy. Burma, now officially Myanmar, is a extractive industries), accountability, eco- derives his courage from the helplessness and inability of US cerned about the condition of his poor multi-ethnic state in which many ethnic nomic policies and the rule of law are put president and surprisingly, Palestinians and Arabs have done country, and the uncrowned queen. One minority areas have already experienced in place right now. nothing to influence the US media in their favour. is told of a pivotal moment in August decades of armed conflict. THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Impelled to action the day

NDIA has a reputation as a place India’s political system can respond in a a special three-member committee of Police would be required to include where needed government action way unthinkable in Beijing or Moscow. jurists to examine the broader issues. female officers in all interviews of rape comes slowly, if it all. This fault is often The new laws came about not Last month the panel came back with victims. Iblamed on the country’s democracy, because they were priorities of Mr. a searing, 200-page report that lam- The cabinet failed to agree on The Syrian regime which is said to be ineffective compared Singh or the political elite but because basted police and politicians and a some recommended — and needed to the authoritarian regimes of China the violent attack on the woman, who sweeping demand that India “change — measures, such as the criminaliza- must draw lessons or Russia. On Sunday, however, the later died of her injuries, prompted an the way in which women are treated.” tion of marital rape and sexual crimes from history: it is the coalition cabinet of Prime Minister uprising by angry Indians, many of The package ratified by the gov- committed by military personnel. Manmohan Singh ratified a landmark them young women and men of the ernment included a number of legal Parliament, which will take up the pack- people who remain. package of laws dealing with sexual growing urban middle class. When they reforms suggested by the committee, age this month, will have the chance Those who put their violence, just 56 days after the brutal took to the streets in December, they including tough penalties on newly to add those provisions, but legal gang rape of a 23-year-old woman on a were greeted by hostile police and cal- defined offenses such as stalking, changes are just the beginning of what personal interests New Delhi bus. The reforms fall short of lous politicians. But India’s free media voyeurism, acid attacks and traffick- is required. The harder stuff includes a what is needed and must be seen only quickly took up their cause. ing. Bowing to a popular demand, the top-to-bottom reform of corrupt and above the interests of as the beginning of a struggle to protect The pressure prompted the govern- cabinet also instituted the death pen- poorly trained police forces and a shift their people will end women from rape, trafficking and other ment to put the trial of the suspects in alty for rape cases where the woman in entrenched cultural attitudes. Mohammed Mursi abuses. But they also demonstrate why the rape on a fast track and to appoint dies or is left in a vegetative state. THE WASHINGTON POST up leaving. Egyptian President THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

US drone missions Tunisia govt dissolved after critic slain flown from Saudi Prime minister promises early polls base, says report

TUNIS: Tunisia’s ruling on as premier, to take action. WASHINGTON: The high- Islamists dissolved the govern- “After the failure of negotia- profile US drone strike that ment yesterday and promised tions between parties on a cabinet killed American-born radical rapid elections in a bid to calm reshuffle, I have decided to form preacher Anwar Al Awlaki in the biggest street protests since a small technocrat government,” Yemen was partly conducted the revolution two years ago, he said. from a secret air base in sparked by the killing of an “The murder of Belaid is a Saudi Arabia, the Washington opposition leader. political assassination and the Post reported yesterday. The prime minister’s announce- assassination of the Tunisian The base was established ment that an interim cabinet of revolution,” he said earlier. two years ago as part of US technocrats would replace his It was not clear whom he might efforts to intensify the pursuit Islamist-led coalition came at appoint but the move seemed to of Al Qaeda in the Arabian the end of a day which had begun be widely welcomed and streets Peninsula, a grouping of the with the gunning down of Chokri were mostly calm after dark. Yemeni and Saudi offshoots of Belaid, a left-wing lawyer with a A leader in the secular the global terror network, the modest political following but who Republican Party gave Jebali’s newspaper said. spoke for many who fear religious move a cautious welcome. The disclosure of Saudi radicals are stifling freedoms won “The prime minister’s decision Arabia’s role in the drone pro- in the first of the Arab Spring is a response to the opposition’s gram that is run by the CIA uprisings. aspirations,” Mouldi Fahem told and US military’s Joint Special During the day, protesters bat- Reuters. “We welcome it princi- Operations Command is likely tled police in the streets of the ple. We are waiting for details.” to add to debate and increasing capital and other cities, includ- Beji Caid Essebsi, leader of the scrutiny about whether use of ing Sidi Bouzid, the birthplace of secular party Nida Touns, who such strikes is legal. the Jasmine Revolution that top- was premier after the uprising, The September 2011 kill- pled Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali in said: “The decision to form a small ing of Awlaki stoked concern January 2011. cabinet is a belated move but an because he and Samir Khan, a In Tunis, the crowd set fire to important one.” Tunisian protesters clash with riot police during a demonstration after the death of Tunisian opposition leader Pakistani-American who also the headquarters of Ennahda, the The widespread protests follow- Chokri Belaid, outside the interior ministry in Tunis, yesterday. died in the strike, were US moderate Islamist party which ing Belaid’s assassination showed citizens who had never been won the most seats in a legisla- the depth of division between solid organisation that survived The day before his death he post-revolution charter. Ennahda charged with a crime. tive election 16 months ago. Islamists and secular movements repression by the old regime, to was publicly lambasting a “cli- and its fellow ruling parties have The White House on Tuesday Prime Minister Hamdi Jebali fearful that freedoms of expres- win 42 of seats in the assembly mate of systematic violence”. He some 120 seats. defended drone strikes against of Ennahda spoke on television in sion, cultural liberty and women’s elected in October 2011 to draft a had blamed tolerance shown by President Moncef Marzouki Al Qaeda suspects as legal, eth- the evening to declare that weeks rights were under threat just two new constitution. Ennahda and its two, smaller cancelled a visit to Egypt sched- ical and wise and insisted that of talks among the various politi- years after the popular uprising The Islamists have faced criti- secularist allies in the coalition uled for today and cut short a trip they complied with US law and cal parties on reshaping the gov- ended decades of Western-backed cism from secular leaders that government toward hardline to France, where he addressed the constitution, even if they ernment had failed and that he dictatorship. they are trying to entrench reli- Salafists for allowing the spread the European Parliament. targeted Americans. would replace his entire cabinet “This is a black day in the his- gious ideas in the new state. A of groups hostile to modern cul- Ennahda leader Rached The continued focus on with non-partisan technocrats tory of modern Tunisia. Today constitution is still due to be ture and liberal ideas. Ghannouchi denied any involve- drones comes as White House until elections could be held as we say to the Islamists, ‘get out’, agreed before a parliamentary Yesterday, thousands demon- ment by his party in the killing. counter-terrorism chief John soon as possible. enough is enough,” said Souad, a election which had been expected strated in cities including Mahdia, “Is it possible that the ruling party Brennan goes before the It followed weeks of deadlock 40-year-old schoolteacher outside by June. Sousse, Monastir and Sidi Bouzid, could carry out this assassination Senate on Thursday for hear- in the three-party coalition. The the ministry. Belaid, 48, was shot at close the cradle of the revolution, where when it would disrupt investment ings on his nomination to be small, secular Congress for the “Tunisia will sink in the blood range as he left for work by a police fired teargas and warning and tourism?” Ghannouchi said. head of the CIA. Republic, whose leader Moncef if you stay in power.” gunmen who fled on the back of a shots at protesters who set cars He blamed those seeking to Brennan has been a central Marzouki has served as Tunisia’s Calls for a general strike today motorcycle. Within hours, crowds and a police station on fire. derail Tunisia’s democratic tran- player in the US drone cam- president, threatened to with- could bring more trouble though were battling police, hurling rocks While Belaid’s nine-party sition: “Tunisia today is in the paign, which has expanded draw unless Ennahda replaced Belaid’s family said his funeral, amid volleys of teargas. Popular Front bloc has only three biggest political stalemate since sharply under President Barack some of its ministers. another possible flashpoint, might Belaid, who made a name for seats in the constituent assem- the revolution. We should be quiet Obama despite qualms about its Yesterday’s events, in which the not be held until tomorrow. himself by criticising Ben Ali, led bly, the opposition jointly agreed and not fall into a spiral of vio- legality and public outrage in Interior Ministry said one police Ennahda, like its fellow a party with little electoral sup- to pull its 90 or so members out lence. We need unity more than Pakistan over civilian deaths. officer was killed, appeared to Islamists in Egypt’s Muslim port but his vocal opinions had a of the body, which is acting as ever,” he said. Brennan, who once served have moved Jebali, who will stay Brotherhood, benefited from a wide audience. parliament and writing the new REUTERS as the CIA’s station chief in Saudi Arabia, played a key role in negotiations that led to the drone base being established in the kingdom, according to the Post report. Ahmadinejad ally charged, freed Yemen dialogue in March The newspaper said it decided to reveal the location DUBAI: A once-feared pros- cannot run again straight away. members of Iran’s ruling elite SANAA: Yemeni President the talks which were originally of the drone base after learn- ecutor at the centre of a row The timing of the detention has intensified despite repeated Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi yes- planned for mid-November. ing on Tuesday that another between two of Iran’s most pow- suggested it was linked to the calls from Khamenei, the final terday set March 18 as the date The conference was delayed US media outlet was about erful figures was charged and accusations and was a clear indi- arbiter on all matters in Iran, for for a national dialogue to push after factions in the Southern to do so, ending an infor- freed from two days’ detention cation Ahmadinejad has lost the officials to avoid airing their disa- forward the process of political Movement, which has cam- mal arrangement with news yesterday, adding a new twist favour he once enjoyed from Iran’s greements in public ahead of the transition, state media said. paigned for autonomy or seces- organisations not to publish to their feud just months before most powerful authority, Supreme vote in June. Hadi described the conference, sion for the formerly independent such details. the country’s next presidential Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The supreme leader is in direct which aims to set in motion a south, refused to join the talks. A Justice Department election. The Tehran prosecutor said charge of nuclear policy, but ana- process to draft a new constitu- Hadi was elected last February memo published by NBC Neither Monday’s arrest nor Mortazavi was taken to court lysts say greater unity after the tion and an electoral law for elec- as part of a Gulf-brokered exit News on Tuesday argued the release of the former Tehran yesterday for a hearing of charges election may aid talks over a tions in 2014, as a “strategic and deal that eased former presi- that Americans high up in Al prosecutor, Saeed Mortazavi, who against him before being released, programme Western leaders say historic opportunity... to achieve dent Ali Abdullah Saleh out of Qaeda could be lawfully killed, faces unspecified charges, have Mehr news agency reported. The appears to be moving towards a a civic and modern state,” Saba office after 33 years in power, and even without evidence they are been accompanied by any public report did not detail the charges weapons capability and Tehran state news agency said. ended a year of protests against actively plotting an attack. explanation from the authorities. but said investigations were says is purely peaceful. The interim president urged his regime. AFP But Mortazavi was detained continuing. Fars reported on Tuesday that Yemeni political forces to “work AFP a day after his political ally Last afternoon, Mortazavi judiciary chief Sadeq Larijani, the strongly to make the confer- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad resumed work as head of the social parliament speaker’s brother, held ence a success, and to grab publicly accused the family of security office, Fars news agency a meeting with Khamenei after the historic opportunity to Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani reported. His appointment to the Mortazavi was detained. achieve justice, freedom of attempting to use their promi- post last year outraged MPs after Ultimately Mortazavi’s arrest and equality,” Saba added. nence for financial gain. a parliamentary report accused was a key sign of the discord It said the decision was Larijani is a high-profile him of being linked to the deaths in Tehran’s corridors of power announced following a possible candidate to succeed in custody of three protesters in and his release was intended to meeting between the presi- Ahmadinejad, who is nearing 2009 when Tehran prosecutor. restore calm, say analysts. dent and the committee the end of his second term and The squabbling between REUTERS tasked with preparing for

US wants Turkey to extradite Bin Laden’s son-in-law ANKARA: The United States has asked Turkey to extradite Osama bin Laden’s son-in-law Sulaiman Abu Ghaith after his detention in Ankara last week, a Turkish newspaper reported yesterday. Abu Gaith, the former spokesman of the Al Qaeda terror network, was seized last week at a luxury hotel in Ankara after a tip-off from CIA, and is being held there by police, the Hurriyet news- paper said. Ankara police declined to comment on the report while a spokesman for the US embassy in Ankara said it would not comment on terror-related cases. “All I can tell you is that we cooperate with the Turkish authorities on various fields,” spokes- man TJ Grubisha said. AFP THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Bahrain oppn Army blasts wants to know the mechanism rebel targets ahead of talks DUBAI: Bahrain’s opposition said yesterday that an agree- ment on the mechanism of a planned national dialogue should be agreed before the in Damascus start of the talks aimed at ending the kingdom’s political deadlock. Prospects for peace talks dim The Shia-led opposition’s posi- tion could mean that the dialogue DAMASCUS: Syria’s army yes- committed to ousting Assad’s might not start on Sunday if it terday launched a fierce assault regime, rejecting dialogue with sticks to its demands and shuns around Damascus, blasting it, and protecting the revolution. the talks, as it has in the past. rebel strongholds and sealing But Khatib, who last week The opposition groups “stressed the main entrances to the capi- called on Assad to agree to let the need to agree on the mecha- tal, witnesses said, as prospects Vice President Faruq al-Sharaa nism and the rules of the national for peace talks dimmed. open peace talks with his coali- dialogue,” said the six opposition Shattering months of relative tion, appealed for the opposition groups, led by Al Wefaq, in a calm in Damascus, the offensive to “declare our willingness to statement ahead of the dialogue. coincided with two suicide car negotiate” the regime’s depar- “Agreeing on the mechanism bombings that killed almost 20 ture. Addressing an OIC sum- before the dialogue starts would members of the security forces mit in Cairo, Egypt’s President strengthen public trust in the dia- in the ancient city of Palmyra, a Mohammed Morsi called on oppo- logue,” they said. watchdog reported. sition factions “to coordinate with It would also “spare” Bahrain It came as an offer by opposition this coalition and support their from the failure of the talks in the leader Ahmed Moaz Al Khatib for efforts for a unified approach... for first round, a situation that would peace talks with President Bashar democracy.” have unwanted “political and pub- Al Assad’s regime suffered set- Assad’s regime signalled it lic implications,” they added. backs, with Damascus ignoring it believes it can still break the mili- The opposition groups have and a key opposing faction flatly tary stalemate, as its forces relent- decided to again write to the rejecting the initiative. The sur- lessly pounded rebel lines around justice minister today to stress prise gesture by Khatib, head of Damascus. “The army has launched their position, and to renew their the opposition National Coalition, a coordinated all-out offensive on request to meet him to agree over was welcomed by the United all of the areas surrounding the the mechanism of the dialogue, States and the Arab League, and capital,” said a Syrian security offi- the statement said. was expected to receive the back- cial. “All entries to Damascus have The minister, Sheikh Khalid ing of the Organisation of Islamic been sealed,” he told. bin Ali Al Khalifa, announced on Cooperation (OIC). Rami Abdel Rahman of the Monday that the dialogue would Assad himself has yet to com- Syrian Observatory for Human resume on February 10, after an ment on the offer by Khatib, Rights said the bombardment and earlier round failed to the bring who stepped up the pressure to clashes around Damascus were the opposition on board. engage in talks by setting the the heaviest for a long time. “The He said the dialogue would regime a deadline of Sunday for province was bombed very badly in reconvene on Sunday after he the release of all women held in attacks that have not been seen in met representatives of six oppo- Syrian prisons. months. There was also very heavy sition groups and other political “The demand that the women fighting,” said Abdel Rahman. associations. are released means that if there is Residents said “unusually But the opposition groups said one single woman still in prison in intense bombing” was heard on the same day they wanted Syria on Sunday, I consider that across the capital all day. In the clarifications on the mechanisms, the regime has rejected my ini- south-central city of Palmyra, two and asked for an agenda and time tiative,” Khatib told BBC Arabic. suicide car bombings targeting a frame, in addition to the nature of The Syrian National Council, military intelligence headquarters government involvement, insist- the main component of the killed 19 members of the security Smoke billows out from a mosque tower during heavy fighting between the Free Syrian Army and President Bashar ing on its strong representation Coalition, has rejected the pos- forces, the Observatory said. Al Assad’s forces, in the Jobar area of Damascus, yesterday. “to avoid procrastination”. sibility of any talks, saying it is AFP H M King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa called in January for a new round of talks in a move cau- tiously welcomed by the opposi- tion which had shunned earlier invitations, as protests rum- Israel leaders Kuwait parliament to probe two mega projects ble on despite a heavy-handed crackdown on demonstrations in March 2011. should face KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s par- few months ago to South Korean, The contract was awarded capacity of 13,000 MW now The opposition has repeatedly liament yesterday voted to form French and Japanese contractors. to Japan’s Sumitomo Corp, while its consumption, which said it is ready for a meaning- a special panel to probe allega- The first contract, awarded France’s International Power- grows 800-900 MW annually, was ful dialogue, but has stuck to its charges for tions of irregularities in two to South Korea’s Hyundai GDF SUEZ and Abdullah Hamad around 12,000 MW last year. demands for a real constitutional contracts worth $5bn awarded Engineering and Construction Al-Sager and Brothers. Minister “By next year, we will have monarchy with an elected prime ‘war crimes’ to two foreign-led consortia. Co and the local Combined Group of Electricity, Water and Public zero reserve capacity without minister. Twenty-three MPs voted for Contracting Co, calls for building Works Abdulaziz Al Ibraheem the project and we will be forced Al Wefaq, which had pulled JERUSALEM: Israeli political the proposal, which was rejected a 37.5km causeway to link Kuwait warned MPs that the probe panel to adopt programmed cuts,” the out of a similar round of talks in and military leaders should be by the government, against 20 City with Subbiya area in north will send a “wrong message to minister said. July 2011, said in December it was able to face charges in the event members who opposed it. The Kuwait at a cost of $2.6bn. investors” especially to foreign Projects and development ready for new dialogue. of alleged war crimes commit- five-MP panel must conclude its The second is for building a contractors. have been stalled for many years Bahrain has been shaken by ted by soldiers, a commission probe within three months. power and water desalination He said if the power plant in this oil-rich country because unrest since its forces crushed of inquiry recommended in a A number of MPs claimed that plant in Al Zour area, south of project is not implemented on of political bickering between popular Shia-led protests two report submitted yesterday. political bargaining and secret Kuwait City for $2.5bn to produce time, Kuwait will be forced to government and previous par- years ago demanding greater “The law should lay out that deals were involved in the award- 1,500 megawatt of electricity and resort to scheduled power cuts liaments which had a strong rights and an end to what the commanders and their civilian ing of the Subbiya Causeway and over 100 million gallons of drink- next year. opposition presence. opposition said was discrimina- superiors face direct criminal Al-Zour North Power Plant a ing water daily. Kuwait has a production AFP tion by the Sunni royals. AFP responsibility for crimes com- mitted by their subordinates, or if they did not take all reasonable measures to prevent such crimes or bring the perpetrators to jus- tice,” said the report presented to Prime Minister Benjamin ElBaradei sounds alarm Netanyahu. The government set up the commission in July 2010 to over call for his death decide on the legality of an Israeli raid on a Turkish-flagged CAIRO: Egyptian liberal politician on February 2. The National Salvation ship in a flotilla aiming to break Mohamed ElBaradei condemned Egypt’s Front leadership includes ElBaradei and the Jewish state’s Gaza blockade Islamist-led authorities yesterday for not former presidential candidates Amr that left nine Turkish activists arresting a Muslim cleric who said he Moussa and Hamdeen Sabahy. Shaaban dead on May 31, 2010. should be sentenced to death. named both Sabahy and ElBaradei in Commission member Moshe ElBaradei’s response came the same the video. Gottlieb told public radio that a day as an outspoken secular opponent “When the ‘sheikhs’ issue fatwas on vote on “such a law would allow of Tunisia’s Islamist-led government the necessity of killing in the name of Israel to assert... that it has legis- was killed outside his home in what the religion without being arrested, say lation allowing senior political and country’s prime minister condemned as goodbye to the regime and the state. military leaders to be investigated a political assassination. Oh, how many crimes are committed and prosecuted”. “The govern- The “Arab Spring” revolts have against Islam and in its name!” ElBaradei ment will determine its position brought emboldened Islamist parties to responded on Twitter. on the recommendations of the power after decades of repression, but In a separate Tweet in English, he commission,” Netanyahu said. have also exposed divisions between them wrote: “Regime silent as another fatwa The premier added that the and their secular opponents. gives license to kill opposition in the authorities had been “forced to An online video clip of Egypt’s reli- name of Islam. Religion yet again used deal with terrorist organisations gious Al Hafez channel showed hardline and abused.” that crudely violate international Salafi Muslim cleric Mahmoud Shaaban In both Egypt and Tunisia, many who law and commit war crimes.” saying leaders of the main opposition campaigned to bring down autocratic Israeli rights group B’Tselem, coalition, the National Salvation Front, rulers now feel their revolutions have in a statement on its website, would be condemned to death under been hijacked by Islamists. welcomed the commission’s rec- Islamic law, or Shariah. The recently-elected Mursi, a mem- ommendations and called on the The NSF has been calling for regular ber of the Muslim Brotherhood, has government to ensure its “full and protests against President Mohammed seen resentment rise across Egypt over prompt implementation.” Mursi, the Muslim Brotherhood politi- what demonstrators see as his attempts It noted in particular “the cian elected in June. He is accused by the to monopolise power as well as a broader commission’s declaration that Women shout slogans against Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi and members of the Brotherhood opposition of trying to monopolise power. sense of economic and political malaise. the duty to investigate alleged during a march against sexual harassment and violence against women in Cairo, yesterday. The rally Shabaan said the NSF leadership At least 59 people died in Egypt’s most violations of the laws of war is comes in response to recent cases of sexual assault in both Tahrir Square and Cairo’s Mohamed wanted power and were “burning Egypt” recent wave of street violence, ignited by applicable even during combat Mahmoud Street. Some activists suspect that recent attacks — which occurred during political to get it. “It is clear now their sentence the second anniversary of the uprising situations.” in God’s law is death,” he said in the that toppled Hosni Mubarak from power. demonstrations — may have been planned in advance. AFP video, which was posted on YouTube REUTERS THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Health service Scare outside school in a shambles, says report Call to change NHS ‘culture’

LONDON: The deaths of hun- help to get to the bathroom,” said dreds of hospital patients, left Francis. without food or water in filthy He said some patients were left conditions, exposed an urgent in excrement-stained sheets and need to change the culture some who could not eat or drink of Britain’s National Health without help did not receive it. Service (NHS), a report said Medicines were prescribed but yesterday. not given. Between 400 and 1,200 patients “Many will find it difficult to are estimated to have died need- believe that all this could occur in lessly at Stafford Hospital in cen- an NHS hospital,” he said. tral England between January Francis described a culture 2005 and March 2009 in one of of secrecy and defensiveness the worst scandals to hit the NHS in which whistleblowers were since it was founded in 1948. silenced and bereaved relatives “There were patients so des- who asked questions were ignored. perate for water that they were He said hospital managers drinking from dirty flower vases,” were focused on a narrow set of Prime Minister David Cameron bureaucratic targets and on bal- told parliament in a statement on ancing the accounts so that they the report. could obtain the coveted status of Describing events at Stafford “NHS Foundation Trust”, instead Hospital as “a despicable cata- of paying attention to the quality logue of clinical and managerial of care. Francis said the NHS had Police officers and others outside the Ohr Torah school, in Toulouse, France, yesterday, after a woman scared a student with a knife outside the failures”, Cameron apologised undergone one root and branch premises. The student, who fled into the school, was not hurt and the woman turned out to be a well-known local with a history of psychiatric prob- to all the families affected on re-organisation after another lems. The incident occurred near the school where an Islamist gunman, Mohamed Merah, shot dead a rabbi and three children on March 19, 2012. behalf of the government and the over the decades and he did not country. want to recommend yet another The author of the 3,000-page upheaval. He stressed that what report, lawyer Robert Francis, was needed was cultural, not said: “This is a story of appall- organisational change. Boeing 787 probe report in weeks: Official ing and unnecessary suffering of “My recommendations are hundreds of people.” intended above all to support all “They were failed by a system in the service to make patient- WASHINGTON: The results probe so far were short circuits shifts, she said. “This is a priority Unlike earlier aircraft, Boeing which ignored the warning signs centred values and standards of the National Transportation and thermal runaway, a chemical for the NTSB,” she added. sourced many of the parts for the and put corporate self-interest real, but also to bring teeth to the Safety Board’s probe of a battery reaction that produces uncontrol- The NTSB has been looking at 787 from subcontractors around and cost control ahead of patients task of changing behaviour when fire on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lably rising temperatures. lithium-ion batteries for a long the world. and their safety,” Francis said in a required,” he said. are expected in the coming “These factors are not what we time and recommended measures French firm Thales designed televised statement as his report His 290 recommendations weeks, NTSB chair Deborah expected to see in a brand-new to limit their risks, Hersman said. the Dreamliner’s electrical system was published. The NHS, which included that there should be a Hersman said yesterday. battery,” she said. The fire on the 787 in Boston and commissioned Japanese firm provides medical care for free at legal “duty of candour” on doc- “We’re probably weeks away The battery problem on the “shows us there were some risks GS Yuasa to produce the lithium- the point of delivery, is an institu- tors, nurses and all others in the from being able to tell people JAL 787, and another on an All that were not mitigated, were not ion batteries. tion so dear to British hearts that health system to be open with what happened and what needs Nippon Airways 787 on June 16, addressed,” she said. Both companies are participat- it was proudly showcased to the patients about any mistakes and to be changed,” Hersman said at led to a global grounding in mid- Boeing asked US aviation ing in the investigation. world in the opening ceremony of that breaches of this duty should a news conference. January of all 50 Dreamliners in authorities on Monday to allow The auxiliary power unit bat- the Olympic Games in London last be a criminal offence. The NTSB chief said investiga- service until the issue is fixed. the company to carry out 787 tery, manufactured by GS Yuasa, summer. The harrowing details of The report also said contrac- tors were “proceeding with a lot Hersman declined to reveal the Dreamliner test flights. was the original battery delivered what happened at Stafford have tual gagging clauses silencing of care” in probing the cause of latest findings of the JAL investi- Since the global grounding, the with the 787 on December 20, shocked the nation. “Elderly and whistleblowers should be banned. a January 7 lithium-ion battery gation, saying she will update the US aerospace giant has halted 2012, the FTSB said. vulnerable patients were left Cameron said the report’s find- fire on a Japan Airlines (JAL) public at a news conference today deliveries of the 787, introduced “NTSB investigators were unwashed, unfed and without ings of systemic failure in the 787 that occurred as the unoc- at 11.00am (1600 GMT). into service in October 2011 as made aware of reports of prior fluids. They were deprived of dig- NHS meant that “we can’t say cupied plane sat on the tarmac at The NTSB is working with US an energy-efficient aircraft that battery replacements on air- nity and respect. Some patients with confidence that failings of Boston’s Logan airport. and Japanese regulators, Boeing makes extensive use of light- craft in the 787 fleet, early in the had to relieve themselves in their care are limited to one hospital.” Hersman said the most con- and other suppliers on the inves- weight composite materials and investigation,” the agency said beds when they were offered no REUTERS cerning issues uncovered in the tigation and has staffed multiple pioneering electrical systems. last Friday. AFP

Obama in Maryland Colombian Five killed as tsunami militants for decriminalising hits Solomon Islands HONIARA: A major 8.0 mag- reported a 40-centimetre tsunami marijuana crop nitude earthquake jolted the hitting Hachijo Island about 290 Solomon Islands yesterday with km south of Tokyo, while 20-cen- HAVANA: Colombia’s leftist small tsunami waves buffeting timetre waves reached the main Farc guerrillas yesterday called Pacific coasts, leaving at least islands of Kyushu and Shikoku for the decriminalisation of the five people dead and dozens of and smaller waves were recorded cultivation of marijuana, coca homes damaged or destroyed. on Honshu. leaf and poppies in the country. A quake-generated wave of The Pacific Tsunami Warning The rebel group, which alleg- just under one metre (three feet) Center cancelled its regional alert edly finances its operations in reached parts of the Solomons, for Pacific-island nations at 0350 part through drug traffick- and Vanuatu and New Caledonia GMT, about two and a half hours ing, said some cultivation of also reported rising sea levels, after the powerful quake struck these crops should be legalised before a region-wide tsunami at 0112 GMT near the Santa Cruz for “therapeutic or medici- alert was lifted. Islands in the Solomons. nal uses, industrial uses or for Sirens were heard in Fiji, locals Australian and US monitors cultural reasons.” said. “Chaos in the streets of Suva said a tsunami wave measuring In a statement read out in as everyone tries to avoid the 91 centimetres washed into the Havana, where the Farc is tsunami!!” tweeted Ratu Nemani town of Lata, on the main Santa engaged in peace talks with the Tebana from the Fiji capital. Cruz island of Ndende. Colombian government, the group The waves reached as far away The United Nations Office for called for ending drug eradication as Japan, which was hit by a huge the Coordination of Humanitarian programmes in order to “improve tsunami in March 2011 that killed Affairs said the wave appeared to living and working conditions in more than 19,000 people. have travelled 500 metres inland. rural areas.” US President Barack Obama gets off the Marine One at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, yes- Japan’s Meteorological Agency AFP To that end, it proposed “halt- terday. He was to attend the Senate Democratic Issues Conference at a nearby hotel. ing the policy of criminalisation and persecution, suspending aerial spraying and other forms of eradication that are having negative socioenvironmental and US Postal Service to stop delivery Minister denies plagiarising doctoral thesis economic impacts.” The statement was read out of first-class mail on Saturdays BERLIN: Germany’s education on Tuesday to remove Schavan’s in her.” But the university’s deci- by Ivan Marquez, the Farc’s minister said yesterday she will doctorate after a thorough review sion prompted calls from oppo- lead negotiator in the talks with WASHINGTON: The US year as it grapples with mas- not resign after a university of her 1980 thesis undertaken sition politicians for Schavan’s Bogota. The proposal was part of Postal Service plans to drop sive payments for future reti- found she had plagiarised parts after an anonymous blogger resignation, saying that she was in an eight-point position paper on Saturday delivery of first-class ree health benefits and as of her thesis but will instead raised plagiarism allegations. an untenable position because her land use, which the rebels say is mail by August in its latest Americans’ increasing online fight the ruling — a major On an official trip to South Africa, ministry is responsible for educa- at the centre of their almost half- effort to cut costs after losing communications drive down mail embarrassment for the govern- Schavan, who has always denied tion and science. century-old insurgency, the long- nearly $16bn last fiscal year, the volumes. ment in an election year. the allegations, said she would “She needs to step down est in Latin America. cash-strapped mail agency said The Postal Service is advanc- Annette Schavan, 57, is a fight the ruling. “I will not accept because she can no longer be The peace talks, which began yesterday. ing an important new approach close ally of Chancellor Angela the University of Duesseldorf’s regarded as a role model and is in November, are the fourth The plan would save about $2bn to delivery that reflects the Merkel, and the second minister decision and I will take legal harming science,” Andrea Nahles, attempt to settle the conflict a year, the Postal Service said. strong growth of our package in her Cabinet to lose a doctor- action against it,” she told report- the general secretary of the oppo- through negotiations and the first The mail agency will still deliver business and responds to the ate because of plagiarism. Former ers yesterday in Johannesburg, sition Social Democrats, said in a decade. With an estimated packages six days a week and will financial realities resulting from Defence Minister Karl-Theodorzu the dpa news agency reported. according to dpa. Doctorates are 8,000 fighters, the Revolutionary not change post office operating America’s changing mailing hab- Guttenberg resigned in 2011 Merkel’s spokesman, Steffen highly prized in Germany, where Armed Forces of Colombia is hours. its,” Postmaster General Patrick after it emerged he copied large Seibert, said that the chancellor it is not unusual for people to the country’s largest and oldest The Postal Service has been Donahoe said in a statement. parts of his thesis. Duesseldorf’s had been in contact with Schavan insist on being referred to by their rebel group. AFP losing billions of dollars each REUTERS Heinrich Heine University voted and “has the fullest confidence full academic title. AP THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Death of witness Stop mutual in killing case raises alarm annihilation: in Philippines MANILA: A witness in the murder of a prominent Philippine environmentalist has died in prison under mysterious circumstances, police said yes- MNLF leader terday, as his relatives raised fears of foul play. Relatives alerted police yester- Military not to intervene in hostilities day about the death of the wit- ness, Dennis Aranas, who was ZAMBOANGA CITY: AFP hospitals, however, are detained at a jail in Lucena, capi- Muslims versus Muslims — this ready to assist wounded fighters tal of Quezon province, said Chief is mutual annihilation and it on both sides, De Leon said. Inspector Job de Mesa. must stop. “We are ready to treat the Aranas was a key government A senior member of the Moro wounded,” he said. “That is pro- witness to the January 2011 shoot- National Liberation Front vided by international humanitar- ing death of journalist and envi- (MNLF) issued this call yes- ian law.” ronmental activist Gerry Ortega. terday as the group massed for Hashim expressed fears that The state alleges the murder was a bigger assault on Abu Sayyaf prolonged hostilities could lead plotted by a politician who is strongholds in Sulu. to a serious clan war or rido. believed to have fled abroad. The fighting, which erupted on “It’s sad that Muslims are “They (jail officials) told us he Sunday morning, has prompted killing fellow Muslims,” Hashim (Aranas) had committed suicide, hundreds of villagers to flee their lamented, adding: “We also but when we went there to inves- homes in Patikul town, where don’t condone Muslims killing Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Renato Solidum views computers showing earthquake tigate, the body had been taken to Abu Sayyaf bandits are believed Christians.” monitoring data in Quezon City, east of Manila, yesterday the morgue,” said de Mesa, police to be holding Jordanian journalist He said he had talked with sen- chief of Lucena city. Baker Abdulla Atyani. ior MNLF and Islamic religious The prison director and jail The government of the leaders to intervene and stop the Manila lifts tsunami warning issued guards are under investigation Autonomous Region in Muslim hostilities, but was told that they for failing to report the death and Mindanao (ARMM) has dis- would do so only on instructions removing the body, de Mesa added. patched relief and health workers of Misuari. The prisoner who shared the to Patikul, while police and mili- “They said any movement to after earthquake in South Pacific jail cell with the dead man was tary units are moving to prevent interfere might be perceived as also being questioned, he added. the violence from spreading to sabotage,” Hashim said. MANILA: The Philippine the easternmost province of the trying to get information from us Ortega’s family suggested the populated areas. Misuari reportedly ordered the Institute of Volcanology and Solomons and about a 3-hour and the National Disaster Office witness could have been silenced Habib Mujahab Hashim, a sen- offensive after the Abu Sayyaf Seismology (Phivolcs) yester- flight from the capital, Honiara. and are slowly moving up to to weaken the murder case, and ior member of the MNLF’s cen- refused to turn over several of day afternoon lifted the Level 1 Tsunami warnings issued in higher ground,” Tahu said. “But also demanded a police inquiry. tral committee and Chairman of its hostages to the MNLF. tsunami alert it issued following areas around the South Pacific panic? No, no, no, people are not “We are just worried because the group’s Islamic Command On Saturday night the Abu an 8.0-magnitude earthquake in have also been lifted as of noon. panicking.” as witnesses die, the case may Council, said there was a lull Sayyaf released Filipino televi- the South Pacific. The Pacific Tsunami Warning The tsunami warning also weaken in the long run,” it said in the fighting yesterday as the sion crew members Ramel Vela “The tsunami has passed... Centre said a tsunami of .9 metres covered Nauru, Papua New in a statement. guerrillas under Ustadz Habier and Roland Letrero, but not to The tsunami threat has passed,” was measured in Lata wharf, in Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Aranas was the second state Malik regrouped in preparation the MNLF, and refused to hand Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum the Solomon Islands. Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, Wallis and witness to die, the family added. for a bigger offensive. over Atyani to Malik’s group. said in Filipino during a press The statement said the waves Futuna. A tsunami watch is in It likened the deaths to the “If this does not stop, it could The release of the two Filipino conference. He said that the tsu- could be destructive near the epi- effect for American Samoa, murders of several witnesses to lead to mutual annihilation,” hostages, reportedly in exchange nami alert was lifted at 12.15pm. centre and threaten more distant Australia, New Zealand and the 2009 massacre of 58 peo- Hashim said as he called on for ransom, prompted the MNLF The Phivolcs isxued the tsunami coasts. eastern Indonesia. ple in the southern province of MNLF chieftain Nur Misuari to to attack the Abu Sayyaf’s jungle alert over the country’s eastern Reports said that the tsunami An official at the disaster Maguindanao. stop the offensive. “The only way lairs on Sunday. seaboard, covering the prov- damaged several houses. management office in neighbour- The government alleges Joel out is to talk brother to brother.” Sixteen MNLF fighters have inces of Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos In Honiara, the warning ing Vanuatu said there were no Reyes, former governor of the Many MNLF and Abu Sayyaf been reported killed, with several Norte, Isabela, Quezon, Aurora, prompted residents to flee for reports of damage or injuries island province of Palawan, and members are related by blood or of them beheaded, while the group Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, higher ground. there. his brother Mario had plotted the marriage along with members estimates that the Abu Sayyaf has Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, “People are still standing on More than 50 people were killed murder of Ortega, a local critic. of the Moro Islamic Liberation lost 14 men. Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, the hills outside of Honiara just and thousands lost their homes in The environmentalist’s daugh- Front. Misuari is running as an inde- Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao looking out over the water, try- April 2007 when a magnitude 8.1 ter Michaella Ortega said a man The Armed Forces of the pendent for a fresh term as gov- del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao ing to observe if there is a wave quake hit the western Solomon accused of buying the gun used in Philippines (AFP) said yesterday ernor of the ARMM. Oriental and Davao del Sur. coming in,” said George Herming, Islands, sending waves crashing the Ortega shooting died of liver it would not meddle in the hostili- In Davao City yesterday, The agency had said that resi- a spokesman for the prime min- into coastal villages. disease last year. ties, except to ensure the safety President Aquino emphasised dents living along coastal areas in ister. So far, he had received no The Solomons comprise more Aranas had been arrested as of civilians in the affected areas. that the government did not the said provinces should prepare reports that a wave had been than 200 islands with a population an accomplice, but later agreed to “They have their own agenda,” give a green light for the MNLF to evacuate. observed in Honiara. of about 552,000 people. They lie testify that he served as a lookout said Colonel Orlando de Leon, offensive. Solidum said that with the tsu- Atenia Tahu, who works for on the “Ring of Fire” — an arc while a gunman shot Ortega, the Commander of the 2nd Marine “There is no sanction, there is nami alert lifted, the residents the Solomon Islands Broadcasting of earthquake and volcanic zones Ortega family said. Prison officials Brigade. “Preventing the resump- no clearance. They didn’t tell us have been advised that they can Corp in Honiara, said most people that stretches around the Pacific told police Aranas was found dead in tion of hostilities is hard… any that they were going to attack the already relax. were remaining calm. Rim and where about 90 percent his cell Tuesday with a shoulder bag time, it could erupt. What we Abu Sayyaf,” he said. The quake struck at past 9am “People around the coast and of the world’s quakes occur. strap around his neck, de Mesa said. want to prevent is a spillover.” THE PHILIPPINE STAR near Lata in Temotu province, in the capital are ringing in and THE PHILIPPINE STAR AFP New clashes over Bangla war crime verdict

DHAKA: Police fired rubber bullets any international oversight. Jamaat says the people had been injured by rubber bullets. yesterday at hundreds of activists from war crimes charges against Molla and eight The private Independent TV channel said Bangladesh’s largest Islamic party dur- other senior party officials due to face trial — at least 12 people were injured in Khulna ing a second day of rioting sparked by the including its leader and deputy leader — are after police fired rubber bullets. conviction of a top opposition figure for bogus and part of a wider political vendetta. Security has been tightened across the war crimes. The party enforced a nationwide strike country. In Dhaka, the government deployed After four people were killed during vio- on Tuesday and yesterday and threatened border guards as reinforcements to stem lence that flared late into the night on Tuesday, to call indefinite protests if the trials are not spiralling violence while at least 10,000 dozens more Jamaat-e-Islami supporters were halted. It had called a series of protests last policemen were also on patrol. wounded when riot police tried to disperse week that left at least three people dead. Thousands of pro-government protesters fresh protests yesterday near Dhaka and the The government maintains the trials are also staged a night-long candlelit rally at southwestern district of Khulna. needed to heal the wounds of the deadly a key crossing in central Dhaka, demand- The violence erupted after the party’s nine-month war in which it says three ing the death sentence for Molla. Border fourth most senior official, Abdul Quader million people were killed, many by pro- guards were also deployed in Chittagong, the Molla, was jailed for life on Tuesday for Pakistani militia whose members allegedly country’s second largest city, where another committing mass murder during the 1971 included Jamaat officials. person died of bullet wounds in a hospital to war of independence against Pakistan. The local police chief for Narayanganj, the take Tuesday’s death toll to four, the city’s The sentence was handed down by a suburb of Dhaka which saw the worst of the deputy police chief Bonoj Kumar said. domestic war crimes tribunals which lacks violence yesterday morning, said about 15 AFP

Myanmar drafts China concerned after North Korea threat first opposition MP to cabinet BEIJING: China expressed serious concern leaders of the consequences of their actions. yesterday after North Korea stepped up its “If North Korea insists on a third nuclear test YANGON: Myanmar’s presi- bellicose rhetoric and threatened to go beyond despite attempts to dissuade it, it must pay a dent has appointed an opposi- a third nuclear test in response to what it heavy price,” it said in an editorial in both its tion lawmaker to his cabinet, sees as “hostile” sanctions imposed after a Chinese and English-language issues. state media said yesterday, giv- December rocket launch. The newspaper said China should cut its help ing a foothold to a political rival “China is extremely concerned by the way if North Korea went ahead with the nuclear test. in his reformist government for things are going. We oppose any behaviour which In 2009, China reportedly cut fuel supplies to the first time. may exacerbate the situation and any acts which North Korea after a nuclear test, although it was Tin Shwe, an upper house are not beneficial towards the denuclearisation impossible to verify the reports. member of parliament from of the Korean peninsula,” said Foreign Ministry “The assistance it will be able to receive from the National Democratic Force spokeswoman Hua Chunying. China should be reduced. The Chinese govern- (NDF), has been drafted in as “We call on all the relevant sides to remain ment should make this clear beforehand to shat- deputy minister of hotels and calm and exercise restraint and earnestly work ter any illusions Pyongyang may have,” the Global tourism by President Thein Sein, hard to maintain peace and stability in the Times said. state-mouthpiece the New Light Korean peninsula,” she told a daily news briefing. While the stridently nationalist newspaper is not of Myanmar reported. China is the North’s sole remaining major dip- considered an official mouthpiece of the Chinese The decision prompted the NDF, lomatic and economic benefactor but has been government, it is nonetheless an influential publi- a splinter group from Aung San Suu showing sings of exasperation with its isolated cation. North Korea has vowed to conduct more Kyi’s National League for Democracy neighbour. rocket and nuclear tests in response to a UN cen- party, to insist that it would not go One of China’s most widely read newspapers, sure for its launch of a long-range missile launch easy on the government now that its the tabloid Global Times published by Communist in December. On Tuesday, it vowed “stronger” but man is in the cabinet. Party mouthpiece the People’s Daily, said China unspecified actions in addition to the test. AFP should take a tough line and inform North Korean REUTERS THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 US warns Islamabad against Taliban deal The agreement could be used to support Afghan Taliban in spring offensive against Washington-led forces

ISLAMABAD: The US has The deal was motivated by next month to wage jihad against with multiple attacks targeting warned Pakistan against Mullah Omar who wanted to the US-led “infidel” forces. Western embassies, the Nato striking a peace deal with the unite all the Taliban groups in “Convey my message to the headquarters and the parliament Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Waziristan on a single platform Pakistani Taliban that you have building in Kabul. (TTP), sources said yesterday. to reorient the direction of their forgotten the real purpose, which The terrorist attacks in 2012 Washington maintains that battle away from Pakistan and is to fight the US-led invading highlighted the ability of the the TTP’s latest offer of dialogue towards the coalition forces in forces in Afghanistan and liber- Taliban to strike the heavily was motivated by the fugitive Afghanistan. ate it from their occupation, guarded government buildings Ameer of Afghan Taliban Mullah Subsequently, Shura-e- “Forget all your differences and and diplomatic zone even after a Mohammad Omar, primarily to Muraqaba, an anti-US war body give us fighters to boost the battle decade of war in Afghanistan. secure greater cooperation of the consisting of five key Al Qaeda- against America in Afghanistan,” As the spring of 2013 Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan linked Afghan Taliban groups, a reported statement by Mullah approaches fast, a TTP spokes- where the fighting season — the was launched on January 2, 2012. Omar cautioned the TTP leader- man has made another offer of annual spring offensive — is get- The five members of the Shura, ship at that time. dialogue to the government as it ting closer with the end of the included the Afghan Taliban led However, what remained hid- needs time to reorganise. winter spell. by Mullah Mohammad Omar, the den was made public by Haqqani, A similar offer was extended According to diplomatic circles Haqqani Militant Network led the chief operational commander by the TTP Ameer Hakimullah in Islamabad, the Obama admin- by Sirajuddin Haqqani, Tehrik- of the Haqqani network, who con- Mehsud in December 2012, but istration has made it clear to the e-Taliban led by Hakimullah ceded the existence of a peace with the condition that the TTP Pakistani military and political Mehsud and two more groups deal with the Pakistani security would not renounce the armed elite through the highest diplo- of militants led by the South establishment under which the struggle and that the army was matic channels that any peace Waziristan-based Maulvi Nazir Pakistan Taliban, Afghan Taliban, not acceptable as a mediator. deal with the Pakistani Taliban at Mullah Mohammad Omar and the North Waziristan-based Haqqani network, Maulvi Nazir The offer was rejected by the this stage could invite the wrath Hafiz Gul Bahadar. and Hafiz Gul Bahadur groups military and the government, of the US and might result in the TTP spokesman Ehsanullah won’t attack Pakistani troops and considering it a non-serious move suspension of military and eco- conditions, the Taliban slow The Taliban insurgents in Ehsan made public the forma- would focus their attention on the because it failed to meet the gov- nomic assistance. down their military activities and Afghanistan, led by Mullah Omar, tion of the Shura through a allied forces in Afghanistan. ernment’s condition that the TTP The US intelligence community resume the same as the spring are still a strong force and openly press release, saying that all the The revelation came in the first lay down arms and accept the is convinced that the TTP’s dia- approaches and the weather con- mocking the Nato and Isaf troops Mujahideen groups had reposed form of a February 12, 2012 state- supremacy of the Constitution, logue offer to Pakistan was a tac- ditions improve. by saying that they are ‘fleeing’ their confidence in Mullah ment by Haqqani, directing the officials said. tical ploy to ensure a short-term As another spring approaches, their country in ‘disgrace’ and Omar’s leadership and accepted Pakistani Taliban to stop attack- While the military and political truce with the Pakistani estab- another offensive is being planned. ‘humiliation’. him as the consensus leader of ing Pakistani security forces in elite doubt that the TTP was gen- lishment, which would be used But the Taliban believe that The TTP had struck a clandes- Afghanistan. accordance with a peace deal, uinely interested in peace talks to support the Afghan Taliban in unlike in the previous spring tine peace deal with the Pakistani He added that the unity among thus giving credence to media with the establishment, there are their upcoming spring offensive offensives since they were booted establishment in January 2013, the militants came after a call reports that the militants and those in the official circles who against the US-led allied forces out of power from Afghanistan, before the start of the spring by Mullah Omar and told the the military had struck a clandes- argue that the TTP’s dialogue in Afghanistan. they are better placed than offensive under which the Taliban Pakistani Taliban to stop fight- tine ceasefire. Haqqani had issued offer should be accepted to strike A spring offensive is launched before, especially when the had made a commitment that ing at home and to join the battle these directives as the Ameer of a short-term peace agreement to every year by the Afghan Taliban US-led coalition forces are they won’t attack the Pakistani to liberate Afghanistan. the Shura-e-Muraqaba. ensure peaceful upcoming general after the winter season is over. scheduled to withdraw from security forces in the Federally Ehsan said the TTP would send Shortly afterwards, the elections, especially in Khyber Due to harsh weather Afghanistan by 2014. Administrative Tribal Areas. its fighters to Afghanistan after spring offensive was launched Pakhtunkhwa. INTERNEWS

London talks Delay in funds irks Pakistan provinces dismissed by ISLAMABAD: All four The ministry had released and political parties represented that provinces are able to start (wholly or partly) from foreign Afghan Taliban provinces of Pakistan, espe- a tentative schedule for the in parliament. preparing their budgets. aid, the source and type of aid cially Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, announcement of the federal According to official sources, They are also expected to should invariably be indicated KABUL: A Taliban spokes- (KP) has expressed concerns budget 2013-14 and a ‘Green political parties are involved in share their revenue generation in budgetary provisions for the man yesterday dismissed the over non-convening National Book’ and decided that the fed- issues relating to the general elec- efforts to be initiated by them in relevant project/scheme and at outcome of a conference in Finance Commission and eral budget would be presented tions and are not focussing on the their budgets since the seventh the end of the relevant new item London between the leaders NFC Award Implementation to the cabinet and parliament on budget. NFC Award Implementation statement. of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Committee meetings in the past May 31, 2013. However, the provincial gov- Committee meeting had made In case of freign aid grants, Britain which aimed to work nine months. Accordingly, a Letter of ernments having stakes in the it mandatory for the provinces equal amount of recoveries towards a peace deal within six Haji Adeel, the KP member in Indicative Budget Ceilings (pro- federal budget making process to increase their revenue to help should be reflected in the relevant months. National Finance Commission, posed allocations for the current are more conscious of the delay the federal government contain attachment for recoveries with The conference and other has sent a letter to the Ministry of and development budgets) based in NFC meetings. its budget deficit within limits new items statement. “horse trading” were “the real Finance, conveying the concerns on three years’ projections and As per practice, the federal acceptable to international finan- The provision made for foreign obstacles of effective and fruitful of the province and demanding an divisions for current and devel- government consults the prov- cial tnstitutions (IFIs) and lend- exchange expenditure is not avail- negotiations between the factual NFC meeting soon. opment expenditure is to be inces before preparations of the ing institutions for continuation able for rupee expenditure or vice sides”, Zabihullah Mujahid wrote Adeel said the ministry had not sent to the principal accounting federal budget and on the com- of loan programmes. versa and no re-appropriation is on the Islamists’ website. convened the biennial meeting of officers of ministries, with copy pletion of preparations in federal The ministry has also issued permissible between the provision This is apparently a reference the NFC, including the finance of ceilings to financial advisers capital to update them on budget directives to the federal min- for rupee and foreign exchange to the Taliban’s repeated demand ministers of the federal and pro- and deputy financial advisers priorities and possible provincial istries and divisions to finalise expenditure. that any peace negotiations should vincial governments and that it and sector chiefs in the Planning shares in federal revenues in the budget proposals. This should be kept in view be between itself and the US. amounted to the violation of the Commission Finance Division, upcoming federal budget. It has also directed that the while framing estimates for the The Taliban last March sus- constitution. sources said. However, since no meet- foreign exchange component of rupee as well as foreign exchange pended deals with US represent- Similarly, the meeting of the It is also to be released by ings of NFC and NFC Award estimates of development expend- requirements. atives over a potential prisoner NFC Award Implementation tomorrow. Implementation Committee have iture is required to be shown dis- In case of imports of machin- exchange and opening a liaison Committee including the finance The ministry also has plans been held yet, the provinces are tinctly together with the source ery and equipment, the orders for office in Doha. The militia has secretaries from the federal and to finalise the federal budget by concerned. from which it will be met — imports may not be placed unless consistently refused to negotiate provincial governments which March 31 due to general elec- The governments in the KP whether from own resources or adequate budgetary provisions directly with the Western-backed reviews the budgetary allocations tions and this urgency requires and other provinces are anxious from foreign aid. have been made for payment of Kabul government, against whom and federal transfers have also not a proper and well-thought con- to have an update on possible pro- When the foreign exchange duties and taxes. it has been waging an insurgency convened for many months. sultation process with provinces jections for the 2013-14 budget so components are to be financed INTERNEWS for 11 years. He said that Western forces facing military defeat use such Pakistani doctors protest conferences as propaganda to conceal the deadlock in the coun- try and “show that some activity Torrential rains and progress is going on”. Envoy blasts Obama US-led Nato combat forces claim 34, three are due to withdraw from Afghanistan next year, and troops missing efforts to negotiate peace have ISLAMABAD: Torrential for drone strikes gained urgency as they seek to rains have killed 34 people leave with some dignity. in Pakistan, mostly on the ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s they increased public sympathy He said by telephone that the northwestern border with ambassador to the US yesterday for militants. views in the lengthy “article” Afghanistan, officials said blasted the Obama administra- Calling for an end to attacks, posted on the Taliban’s website yesterday. tion for continued drone strikes she said that the drone strategy would be followed soon by an offi- The worst-hit region was in Federally Administrative created more potential terrorists cial Taliban response to the con- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the Tribal Areas, calling violations and militants instead of taking ference. AGENCIES northwest where 25 people were a ‘red line’ that should not be them out. killed and 57 injured from Sunday crossed. “We need to drain the swamp, to Tuesday, the provincial disas- During a meeting with but instead it is radicalising Ashraf to visit UK ter management authority told Christian Science Monitor staff, people.” ISLAMABAD: Pakistani journalists. Sherry Rehman said that drones Rehman said the US had failed Prime Minister Raja Pervez Three soldiers were also strikes were a clear violation to appreciate Pakistan’s terrorism Ashraf will start an official five- reported missing after they were of Pakistan’s sovereignty and problems and counter-terrorism day visit to the UK on Saturday, hit by a snow avalanche in the a violation of international law operations, which have cost nearly According to sources, he will northwestern district of Lower that threatened stable relations 50,000 military and civilian lives meet senior officials to discuss Dir. between both governments. and billions of dollars in expen- ways of enhancing cooperation Eight people were killed in the She rejected media reports that ditures and lost income over the between both countries and central province of Punjab, said Pakistan tacitly approved the past decade. regional and international issues. Shahzad Abbasi, spokesman for strikes while denouncing them She said Pakistan was con- QNA the Punjab disaster management publicly as untrue. “Let me assure cerned that the US troops with- authority. you that since we have been in drawal from Afghanistan would US invested $800m One person died and another government, there has been no leave the kind of “detritus we was injured when they were quiet complicity, no question of were left to deal with after the ISLAMABAD: The US hit by lightning in Pakistani- wink and nod,” she said. US departure from the region in invested $800m in development administered Kashmir, said an The US has launched hundreds the early 1990s”. projects in Pakistan in 2012. The official. of drone strikes, killing dozens of She said that the US and US Embassy said the projects Pakistan has suffered devastat- militants. While Pakistan appre- Pakistan had overcome years of involved the establishment of a ing monsoon floods for the last ciates the elimination of some key chronic distrust and periods of healthcare facility, including a three years, including the worst terrorists, it says that the drones crisis management and Pakistan warehouse to store medicines, in its history in 2010 when cata- Pakistani Young Doctors Association members during a hunger strike also have killed a large number of was now looking for an enduring, building energy efficient tube strophic inundations killed almost at their camp in Lahore, yesterday. They demanded the release of their innocent civilians. sustainable relationship with the wells, a water rehabilitation 1,800 people and affected 21 mil- colleagues arrested during an earlier protest for wage hike. Pakistan warned that civilian US, based on mutual respect and facility and skills enhancement lion. INTERNEWS deaths are counter-productive as cooperation. INTERNEWS schemes. AGENCIES THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA China’s role in Pakistan port a worry: Minister Defence budget tightened, Rafale deal unaffected: Antony

BANGALORE: China’s role in western China, and could be used mostly Soviet-era military hard- operating a strategically impor- by the Chinese Navy, analysts say. ware to keep pace with China’s tant port in Pakistan is a mat- “It will enable (China) to deploy ramping up of defence spending. ter of concern for India, the military capability in the region,” The country was bound to Defence Minister said yester- said Jay Ranade, of the Centre for modernise its armed forces in day, as New Delhi and Beijing Air Power Studies and a former response to China’s own moderni- jostle for influence in the region. additional secretary at the gov- sation, Antony said at an air show Indian policy-makers have long ernment of India. “Having con- here and added that strengthen- been wary of a string of strategi- trol of Gwadar, China is basically ing its north-eastern border with cally located ports being built by getting an entry into the Arabian China was not a confrontation Chinese companies in its neigh- Sea and the Gulf.” with its neighbour. bourhood, as India beefs up its China has also funded ports “It is our duty. If they are doing military clout to compete with in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, and it, we will also do it,” said Antony, its Asian rival. Chittagong in Bangladesh, both adding that the presence of a Management of Gwadar port, India’s neighbours. “Gwadar is a Chinese delegation at the show around 600km from Karachi and more serious development than was a “welcome step”. close to Pakistan’s border with the others,” Ranade said, as the Despite the push to overhaul its Iran, was handed over to state-run Pakistani port gives China base military, the defence budget would Chinese Overseas Port Holdings last facilities. A Pakistani foreign min- not escape a tightening of govern- week after previously being managed istry official told Reuters that the ment spending this year, Antony by Singapore’s PSA International. port was none of India’s business. said. “Our priority areas will not “It is a matter of concern to Chinese Foreign Ministry face budget cuts,” Antony said. us,” Defence Minister A K Antony spokesman Hong Lei said last A long-awaited deal for India told reporters when asked about week that Gwadar was a commer- to buy 126 Rafale fighter jets from Chinese control of the port. When cial project, part of long-standing France’s Dassault Aviation was Defence Minister A K Antony (right) gets into the cockpit of a HAL Rudra helicopter while Chief of Air Staff Air complete, the port, which is close bilateral cooperation. being reviewed by a cost negotia- Chief Marshal N A K Browne (left) looks on, during Aero India 2013 at the Yelahanka Air Force station in Bangalore, to the Strait of Hormuz, a key India, the world’s biggest arms tion committee, Antony said, add- yesterday. The HAL Rudra is an armed version of the Dhruv multirole/utility helicopter manufactured by the oil shipping lane, is seen opening importer in recent years, plans ing that the delay in finalising the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Company. The country opened one of Asia’s biggest aviation trade shows with Western up an energy and trade corridor to spend around $100bn over the deal was not due to budget cuts. suppliers eyeing lucrative deals and a Chinese delegation attending for the first time. from the Gulf, across Pakistan to next 10 years in upgrading its REUTERS

Indian Army to get Comprehensive healthcare scheme for children launched 145 US ultra-light THANE (MAHARASHTRA): of children is directly linked to benefits to over 27 crore chil- present at the launch function. in case there is such need. howitzers this year The government is paying max- the well-being of the mother, dren across India. Sonia Gandhi Under RBSK, the government Birth defects like Down’s imum attention to the health for which the central and state described the RBSK as “a signifi- has assured a package of health Syndrome, congenital cataract, NEW DELHI: The Indian and welfare of women and chil- governments have taken several cant step towards controlling mal- services for all children up to the deafness and heart defect, defi- Army is set to get the first lot dren, especially those in the measures,” Sonia Gandhi said. nutrition” among children. age of 18. The scheme has been ciency conditions like anaemia, of 145 ultra-light howitzers it backward areas of the country, Her remarks came at the She said the Food Security Bill launched in Palghar and is set to malnutrition and goitre, develop- is purchasing from the US for United Progressive Alliance launch of the government’s pet would contribute towards reduc- extend across the country, in dif- mental delays and disabilities like $700m this year chairperson Sonia Gandhi said scheme, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya ing malnutrition among children. ferent phases. Children will, under hearing impairment and vision According to a report in the here yesterday. Karyakram (RBSK), initiated Union Minister for Health and the scheme, be screened for 30 impairment are among the con- current issue of India Strategic “Children are the future of under the National Rural Health Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi common ailments/health condi- ditions for which children will be defence magazine, a team from the this country and their welfare is Mission. The scheme aims to pro- Azad and Maharashtra Chief tions, so that there is the possibil- screened under this scheme. army, including from the Corps our prime concern. The health vide comprehensive health care Minister Prithviraj Chavan were ity of early medical intervention, IANS of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Directorate General of Qualitative Assurance and the defence ministry visited the US in January to establish the param- SC for regulating acid eters of the BAE Systems M-777 gun being in conformity with the requirements. This testing was part of sale to prevent attacks the procedure, described as Maintainability Evaluation (ME), NEW DELHI: The Supreme directive to the union home sec- and now the final step is about Court yesterday directed the retary, it expressed its dissatis- discussions to finalise the price union home secretary to convene faction with the steps taken by along with spares and mainte- a meeting of chief secretaries of him in pursuance of the August nance support. all states and administrators 31, 2012, direction to convene such The US Defence Security of union territories to deliber- a meeting. Cooperation Agency had issued ate enactment for the effective “We are not satisfied,” Justice a notification indicating the pos- regulation of the sale of acid to Lodha said when Additional sible sale of the gun to India on prevent acid attacks. Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran January 22, 2010. The US Army The apex court bench of told the court that in pursuance of sent two guns to India for trials, Justice R M Lodha, Justice J its August 31, 2012, direction the and the Indian Army tested the Chelameswar and Justice Madan home secretary had written a let- 152 mm /39 caliber system in the B Lokur said the meeting would ter to the ministry of chemical and hot and mountainous terrains also formulate policy for treat- fertilizer that it may constitute an (Pokhran and Sikkim) the same ment, after-care and rehabilita- expert group to examine the pos- year, pointing out some shortcom- tion of acid attack victims. sibility of enacting legislation for ings, which have been rectified. The court said the meeting banning the counter sale of acid. Although the M-777 gun is would also evolve policy for com- The home ministry’s communi- made by the multi-national BAE pensation to the victims of acid cation to Parasaran said the mat- Systems in the US, it is being pur- attacks, including creation of a ter was referred to the chemical chased from the US Army under separate corpus for this purpose. and fertilizer ministry as the issue the Foreign Military Sales pro- The court said that the secretary, of regulating the sale of acid came gramme. The M-777 is the first ministry of chemical and ferti- under its preview. artillery gun to be partially made lizer, and concerned secretaries Parasaran told the court that of titanium to reduce its weight from the states would be involved on February 3 the government and give it mobility, and is eas- in the exercise. issued an ordinance amending ily carried under-slung by heavy The court’s direction to the the Indian Penal Code and mak- lift helicopters like the Chinook union home secretary came in the ing acid attack a specific criminal CH 47, 15 of which the Indian Air course of the hearing of a petition offence. The court was told that Force is buying from Boeing. seeking treatment, after-care and the ordinance was given assent by Senior officers of the Army are rehabilitation and compensation to the President. The court gave six confident that the acquisition of the acid attack victims by the gov- weeks for convening of state chief M-777 will not go beyond 2013, ernment and deterrent provision secretaries’ meeting and another and if there is a delay, it would not for the punishment of the accused. two weeks for Parasaran to file be beyond fiscal April 2013-March As the court issued the report before the court. IANS 2014. IANS

‘Funeral pillow’ big hit in Europe

ALAPPUZHA (KERALA): A ‘funeral pillow’, people show their love and respect to the departed made in Kerala from coir and placed under the soul by placing a pillow under their head,” said head of the departed prior to the burial, has sold Gopakumar of Sitco. The pillow, called FUNEX with nine million units in Europe, a company official a size measuring 20x30x2 cm and weighing around said here yesterday. 200gm, has been put up on display at the coir expo. The product, launched in Europe three months Based on German technology, the pillow is made ago, is also useful for the sick for the comfort it of 70 percent coconut fibres and 30 percent natural provides and the fragrance it releases to keep bad latex, 400gm cotton and synthetic jasmine fragrance. odours away from the body The perfume seeps out through a micro-capsule kept “We launched the product in Europe three inside the pillow. months ago. Since then we have sold around three The company has forged a joint venture with a million pieces per month in Europe alone. Each Belgian company, FX-Diffusion for the production and pillow, with a white cover, is priced at ¤35-¤40 marketing of the product, Vijayaraj said. Joel Lemaitre, (Rs2,100-Rs2,800),” said T Vijayaraj of Kollam- director, FX-Diffusion, Belgium, says the pillow, which based Sai International Trading Company (Sitco), is very comfortable, can also be used by the sick. “It which displayed its product range at Coir Kerala is also helpful for bed-ridden people and also removes 2013 here. bad odour from the body,” said Lemaitre. “In the West, before a coffin is put in the ground, IANS THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Budget session Good governance need of the hour: Modi to start from Gujarat Chief Minister meets PM February 21 NEW DELHI: , The first half NEW DELHI: In a speech problems is a disease called lack of the 2013-14 budget session with barely disguised claims of of good governance.” of parliament will begin on his capabilities, Gujarat Chief In Gujarat, he said, “we have February 21 and end on March Minister Narendra Modi yes- given emphasis on good govern- 22 and Finance Minister P terday portrayed himself as ance”. A leader’s job “is to visualise Chidambaram will present the a visionary who wants to see the situation ahead, look for new budget on February 28, an offi- India as a global power. avenues, and bring about changes cial said yesterday. In an hour-long speech at the in the situation”. “We see that in President Pranab Mukherjee Shri Ram College of Commerce the last six decades, we (India) will address a joint sitting of (SRCC) here, Modi underlined have failed to do that. As a result both houses of parliament on that the government’s job was not there is widespread despondency,” February 21. The session, which to run businesses but to provide he said, addressing the more than will go on for around seven good governance — and he was 1,000 students at the college bas- weeks, will have a recess from doing so in Gujarat. As Modi spoke ketball ground in Hindi. March 23 and it will reconvene in Delhi University’s second oldest “But I think differently,” Modi from April 22 till May 10, the college, hundreds of leftwing pro- went on, and said in Gujarat he sources said. During the break, testers screamed slogans against had used the “same constitution, the parliamentary standing com- him for his role in the 2002 com- same laws, same rules and regu- mittees will discuss the demands munal riots in the state. lations, same files, same offices for grants of various ministries. Police used water cannons and (and) same people” to bring about Railway Minister Pawan batons to disperse them after radical changes. Kumar Bansal will present his they pulled down police barri- The 62-year-old then picked up first Railway Budget on February cades outside the college. But the a glass of water, and said: “The 26. The Economic Survey will be protest outside had no impact on optimist will say this is half full, the tabled on February 27. The Cabinet Modi, who got a roaring welcome pessimist will say it is half empty. Committee on Parliamentary in SRCC. He pressed the need I have a third view. This glass is Affairs finalised the duration of to re-brand India, saying India’s full - half with water, half with air.” the budget session last week. young could do it. This was the way, he pointed out Amid repeated applause, the amid applause, he governed — with 350 file nominations Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) optimism and hope. veteran told the hundreds of stu- Modi recalled that when he was for Meghalaya polls dents that Indian leaders should young, the “Made in Japan” brand SHILLONG: Over 350 can- view the country’s youths as “new stood for quality. “Why can’t we didates filed their nomination age power”, not “new age voters”. brand Made in India globally?” Demonstrators shout slogans as they hold placards during a protest against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi papers for the February 23 elec- “If this thinking persists, the sit- The world, he said, was eye- outside a college in New Delhi, yesterday. tions to the Meghalaya assembly. uation can’t change,” he said. “I ing India for its market. “The The filing of the nominations to think differently.” time has come to make the world has today changed, thanks to the Indian youth. He made no ref- the world’s first forensic sci- contest the polls for 60-member Modi made no criticism of any a market for us and dump our our youngsters. “We are a nation erence to Hindutva issues or the ence university in the state. He Meghalaya assembly ended yes- politician but left no one in doubt products there.” of mouse charmers,” he said to growing clamour in the BJP that listed several other successes. terday. Chief Minister Mukul that he was pitching himself as a Modi said the 21st century will laughter, referring to the Indian he be named the prime ministe- “Development is the answer to all Sangma and former chief min- progressive and visionary leader. belong to India. “Our youths have strength in software. rial candidate. our issues. Vote bank politics has isters D D Lapang, Salseng C Marshalling facts and figures to the ability to achieve that... There Modi presented himself as dif- Speaking approvingly of the destroyed India... I see a future Marak and Donkupar Roy filed prove how Gujarat has developed was a time when we were seen ferent from the rest of the politi- Delhi Metro coaches made in (for India)... I am an optimist,” their papers as nominees of the since he became chief minister in as a nation of snake charmers cal class, one who had a long-term Gujarat, Modi said one of his said Modi, who earlier met Prime Congress and United Democratic 2001, he said: “The root of all our and black magic. India’s image vision and one who had faith in achievements was setting up Minister Manmohan Singh. IANS Party respectively. IANS

Heated debate in Kerala Policing system must change: Antony, Dikshit House over Suryanelli NEW DELHI: Leading profes- Stressing that police reforms public and the government to join of approaching the police. This, he sionals yesterday joined Defence ought to be an integral part of heads together to have fruitful said, had to change. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Once that advice is known, the Minister A K Antony and Delhi good governance, Antony said the interaction in this regard”. She Wajahat Habibullah, chairper- The infamous Suryanelli sex government would consider what Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to force must win the trust of the demanded that training should son of the National Commission case was the matter of much course of action to take, he said. press for urgent police reforms people through more and more improve professionalism in police for Minorities, said while minori- contention and heated debate in Chief Minister Oommen in the country. accountability. forces and enhance their opera- ties were treated better in India the Kerala assembly yesterday, Chandy reiterated that all teams “Police reforms are the real In her message, Dikshit said tional efficiency. compared to many other countries, with the government and the probing the case had cleared need of the hour,” Antony said people at large had come to real- Kaarthikeyan warned that there were times when they were Left opposition sticking to their Kurien. “We can only go as per on the occasion of a meeting ise that “police should be more police would never be effective at the receiving end of police. respective stances, and refusing the laws. It is cruel to haunt a on the subject convened here responsible, proactive and sensi- if they lost the confidence of the Former CBI director Ashwani to budge. person who has been cleared by by former Central Bureau of tive in order to ensure a sense of citizens. Former Supreme Court Kumar, now with the OP Jindal Leader of opposition V S the courts,” Chandy said. Investigation (CBI) director D security and confidence”. chief justice R C Lahoti called for Global University, complained that Achuthanandan made a submis- Meanwhile, the case has R Kaarthikeyan. Referring to the December a return to the times when the thousands of cases were pending in sion, saying that in the wake of become the talking point in the “Our policing system must 16 gang-rape of a young woman beat constable was at the heart courts, puncturing police efforts to the latest ordinance signed by the state, and there are people ral- change to be more sensitive and in Delhi who died, she said the of the policing system. Today, he bring the guilty to book. president last week, holding that lying to the support of the vic- responsible to the people,” he said. outrage “has also made both the said, ordinary people were afraid IANS the victim’s statement must get tim. A group of women activists utmost importance, the Suryanelli of the Janadhiyapathiya Mahila victim too must be heeded: The Association, led by top CPI-M woman had claimed that among women leaders, staged a protest those who exploited her was P J outside the assembly demanding Avalanche hits Kinnaur, 7 rescued Kurien, currently deputy chair- Kurien’s arrest. SHIMLA: Following three days of heavy snowfall, an ava- man of the Rajya Sabha. Some protestors tried to barge lanche hit a remote hamlet in the tribal Kinnaur district Achuthanandan said that in the into the assembly, but were yesterday, burying two houses. At least seven people, who wake of the repeated assertions stopped by police, and some of were trapped under the avalanche, were later extricated by from the victim in this regard, the them got roughed up in the melee. rescue teams, an official said. state government should order a The women activists detained by Police and the locals laboured for over eight hours in a res- fresh probe into the crime. police were released later after a cue operation and extricated all seven people, including four “You recently reopened inves- case was registered. children, from the rubble. They were given first aid for injuries, tigations in two cases that were Kerala State Human Rights Deputy Commissioner J M Pathania said. closed in the past (Anchery Commission chairman J B Koshy, The avalanche struck the remote hamlet of Kafnu in Bhaba Baby murder case and K T said: “This is a case that has already Valley, about 70km from district headquarters Rekong Peo, Jayakrishnan murder case). been cleared by the courts, we have around 7am, Pathania said. The hamlet witnessed more than Similarly, in the wake of the lat- no rules to follow in a case like this.” four feet of snow. est change of testimony by a few The case relates to the confine- Officials said six families had vacated their houses sensing people who then had spoken for ment and rape of a 16-year-old threat of the calamity in Kafnu. Kurien, and also considering that girl for a period of 45 days by 42 The higher reaches in the state have been witnessing heavy the victim has stood by her earlier men in 1996. In 2005, the Kerala snowfall for the past three days. statement, a fresh probe should High Court acquitted 35 accused, The government has advised people to stay indoors in Kullu, be ordered,” Achuthanandan said. and convicted one man for crimes Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts, and Pangi and Bharmour State Home Minister related to sex trade. Last month, areas of Chamba district. They have also been asked not to go Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan the Supreme Court ordered a out in avalanche-prone areas. Schools in these areas have been said the state government has retrial of the case in the Kerala closed as a precautionary measure. sought legal advice in this matter. High Court. IANS IANS

Hospital to pay Rs1 lakh for 1989 negligence

NEW DELHI: Twenty-three years after “The facts clearly indicate that the negligence is whether a doctor exercised a being operated on the wrong side for a required reasonable degree of care and cau- reasonable degree of care and caution in hernia in a Chennai hospital, a 29-year- tion was not taken by the hospital’s doctors treating a patient.” old man has been awarded Rs1 lakh by a in the treatment of Javeed and, thus, the The top consumer court dismissed the hos- top consumer court that asked the pri- hospital was guilty of medical negligence, for pital’s defence that the patient’s ailment was vate facility to compensate him for the which he should justifiably be compensated,” such that it required two successive surgeries “unnecessary suffering and agony”. the commission president said. on both the left and right sides and that the Holding out some relief for Javeed, who Javeed said in his complaint that he was doctors informed his family that they would was only six when the ‘wrong’ operation admitted to the hospital with a complaint of first attend to the left portion. took place, the National Consumer Disputes temporary inguinal hernia and was operated “The hospital has not been able to pro- Redressal Commission held C S I Rainy on August 12, 1989, after diagnostic tests. duce any evidence that Javeed’s parents Hospital guilty of medical negligence. It During a follow-up visit, he said, a doctor were informed that he was suffering with said in a recent ruling that the hospital “is at the hospital told him that he would have bilateral herniatomy or that just prior to the directed to pay Javeed Rs1 lakh as com- to go under the knife once again as he had surgery they were informed that the surgery pensation for the unnecessary suffering and been operated for left inguinal hernia and would be conducted on the left side and not agony caused to him and his family”. hernitomy instead of being operated on the on the right side,” the commission said. Commission President Ashok Bhan and right side. The commission ruled: “What The national commission accepted Javeed’s Member Vineeta Rai gave the hospital time constitutes medical negligence is now well appeal against a Tamil Nadu State Consumer untill March 31 to pay the compensation settled through a number of judgements Disputes Redressal Commission decision that to Javeed, a resident of the Tiruvottiyur of this commission as also of the Supreme gave a clean chit to the hospital. area in Chennai. Court...one of the principles to test medical IANS THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Axe-wielding News in Numbers HOTEL MARKET Overview Fajr (Dawn) 4:56 US hitchhiker Shorook (Sunrise) 6:14 becomes an Zuhr (Noon) 11:48 Asr (Afternoon) 2:59 online hit Maghrib (Sunset) 5:23

Isha (Night) 6:53 LOS ANGELES: An axe-wield- ing US hitchhiker has become an online hit after recounting how he stopped an allegedly Kammutty VP racist motorist, who claimed WEATHER he was Jesus, from attacking a Weather black man and other passers-by. Today Friday Saturday Kai, who declined to reveal his Conditions: Number of Hotels by Rating full name, gave a colourful inter- Clear Mostly sunny Clear 90 2 Stars view with a local TV station after 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 1 Star Misty/fog during the incident in the Californian early morning 80 city of Fresno, in which he used becoming High: 24° High: 25° High: 26° his hatchet to stop the Messianic 70 Low: 15° Low: 16° Low: 17° scattered clouds driver. to partly cloudy The homeless hobo had taken a 60 cold by night. ride with the motorist when the 50 driver suddenly smashed the car DOHA - SUN & SEA into the back of a power company 40 SUN TIDE SEA truck, pinning at least one of its black workers under the vehicle. 30 SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND The attacker began raving that 20 06:14 | 17:23 03:00 / 13:30 10:30 / 20:00 03-12 KT he was Jesus, and that black peo- ple should be got rid off, witnesses 10 THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW said. He then grabbed a nearby woman in a bear-hug, Kai said in 0 HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER a video with over 650,000 views 2009 2010 2011 Q1- 2012 on YouTube by yesterday. MUSCAT 25/17 Mostly sunny 26/18 Mostly sunny “Like, a guy that big can snap Hotel Market Indicators MAKKAH 31/22 Chance of rain 31/22 Mostly sunny a woman’s neck like a pencil stick US$ % KUWAIT 22/14 Mostly sunny 22/16 Clear .. So I .. ran up behind him with Room Yield (US$) ARR (US$) BAHRAIN 21/16 Mostly sunny 22/17 Partly cloudy a hatchet ... smash, smash, suh- 350 80 SANAA 23/06 Clear 24/06 Clear mash!” said Kai, demonstrat- Occupancy (%) RIYADH 25/10 Mostly sunny 25/09 Clear ing how he repeatedly hit the 300 70 DUBAI 25/14 Clear 24/17 Clear motorist. BAGHDAD 19/10 Clear 20/10 Clear “I’m like, Bro, if you’re .. Jesus 250 60 Christ, I’ll be the anti-Christ, THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW man,” he added, using repeated 50 expletives. 200 HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Witness Tanya Baker con- 40 firmed the account to local Fox ATHENS 17/13 Chance of rain 15/12 Mostly sunny 150 affiliate KMPH, saying: “The guy WASHINGTON 05/02 Mostly sunny 06/-2 Chance of rain 30 just went crazy, and was trying SYDNEY 27/19 Clear 29/20 Clear 100 to pull the guy from underneath 20 LONDON 07/02 Chance of rain 07/02 Mostly sunny the truck. PARIS 06/01 Chance of rain 06/-1 Mostly sunny 50 “He just kept saying he was 10 ISTANBUL 16/10 Mostly sunny 14/07 Chance of rain Jesus Christ and he was going to MANILA 32/24 Mostly sunny 32/24 Mostly sunny save all of us .. he used the ‘N’ 0 0 DHAKA 33/20 Clear 32/18 Clear word, meaning the black people, 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Q1- 2012 DELHI 21/09 Clear 21/08 Clear he said we need to get them off of the earth,” she added. ISLAMABAD 20/05 Clear 21/06 Clear Source : http://www.dtzqatarproperties.com AFP Which smartphone does the North Korean leader use? SEOUL: A picture of North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un with a smartphone has triggered fevered speculation about which brand is favoured by the leader of one of the world’s most repressive nations. The photo released by the North’s state media showed Kim presiding over a meeting with top national security advisers last week — a meeting believed to have been focused on Pyongyang’s threat to conduct an imminent nuclear test. It also showed a black smart- phone on the table next to Kim’s arm — as well as a lit cigarette in his hand. “It’s believed that the smart- phone belonged to Kim given that the device was placed right next to the documents he was looking at,” a Seoul government official This undated picture released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News told AFP. Agency (KCNA) on January 27, 2013 shows leader Kim Jong-Un (right) The South Korean media gave attending a consultative meeting of officials, with a smartphone to his right. the picture prominent cover- age, opening a debate over the to identify the device but said in desert. Mobile phones were intro- manufacturer, with speculation a statement that the company duced in 2008 through a joint ven- ranging between South Korea’s appreciated the “support of all ture with the Egyptian telecom own Samsung, Taiwan’s HTC and users”. firm Orascom, and a domestic iPhone maker Apple. South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo Intranet was launched in 2002. Samsung, the world’s top newspaper suggested politics was But the one million normal smartphone maker, was adamant behind the brand choice. cellphone subscribers can only that one of its flagship Galaxy “It must have been politically phone each other, not outside models had not turned up across uncomfortable for Kim Jong-Un the country, and the Intranet is the border. to use products made by the US... similarly cut off from the rest of “It’s not a Samsung phone,” a and he can’t publicly endorse the worldwide web. company spokesman told AFP. the fact that the South is more “Kim and his family members The Seoul government official technologically advanced,” the as well as the North’s political said the picture had been analysed daily said. elite appear to use smartphones by the South’s intelligence agency, While North Koreans live in or other mobile phones capable of which concluded that HTC was probably the most isolated and accessing the Internet,” said the the likely manufacturer. censored society on the planet, Seoul official. The Taiwanese firm declined the country is not a complete IT AFP

Baby has car thief change his mind

NEW YORK: A New York car surveillance video posted on NBC around, then climb into the car, thief drove off in an SUV, only television, quickly dumped his hot which had been left running, and to discover there was a wit- ride. The parents of the seven- take off. But he drove only a short ness to the crime: A baby in the month-old baby girl had left her distance before abandoning it and backseat. in the vehicle late on Tuesday its precious cargo. NY1 television Maybe he had a conscience, or while they stopped at a store in quoted a caregiver saying she was just didn’t want to have to change the Bronx. unharmed and being evaluated in diapers, but the thief, captured on Footage showed the thief look hospital. AFP Thursday 7 February 2013 26 Rabial I 1434 Volume 17 Number 5603 Price: QR2

Qatari bourse index rises by 0.25 percent

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Investors richer by QR17bn on QE this year Market cap rises to QR476.87bn

DOHA: Qatari stocks continue net profits to over QR16bn for with the gains they made last 2012, that was slightly below month after having witnessed a investors’ expectations. 4.79 percent slump in 2012 that Overall market capitalisa- was mainly fuelled by mounting tion of QE has soared QR17bn, selling pressure. from QR459.88bn ($126bn) Investors on the local equity at December 2012-end to market have become richer by QR476.87bn ($130.6bn) yesterday. almost QR17bn ($4.65bn) since Liquidity measures have the dawn of the current year. improved since the close of 2012 With bank deposit rates with daily trading value and vol- remaining at disappointingly ume movements now averaging low levels and the stocks show- over QR240m and over seven mil- A Royal Bank of Scotland branch in London, Britain, yesterday. ing some improvement, analysts lion shares daily (based on yester- expect increased liquidity flow day’s figures). into equities until at least the real What is awaited by ordinary estate sector begins re-attracting Qatari investors now is a rejuve- RBS fined $612m to settle Libor probe investments in a big way. nation of Qatar’s IPO (initial pub- Land and property prices con- lic offering) market. According to LONDON: State-rescued $325m by the US Commodity “Those responsible will face the subject to disciplinary action.” tinue to be high and investors are Kuwait-based Global Research, Royal Bank of Scotland will pay Futures Trading Commission, full force of the law,” Osborne told RBS said its derivative traders said to be waiting for a slew of Qatar’s primary market did not fines totalling $612m (¤453m) $150m by the US Department of reporters. The Edinburgh-based sought to influence the bank’s yen mega projects to be launched to witness any activity at all. to US and British regulators to Justice (DoJ) and £87.5m ($137m) lender, which was rescued with and Swiss franc Libor setters over go on a buying spree again, say A Global report on GCC mar- settle allegations of Libor inter- by Britain’s Financial Services taxpayers’ cash at the height of the four-year period. analysts. kets’ performance in 2012 said est rate rigging, it announced Authority. The bank has also the global financial crisis, said “Two RBS traders based in Qatar Exchange’s main during the middle of last year yesterday. entered into a deferred prosecu- that it would recoup about £300m London colluded with other banks 20-share index that gained 4.38 the Qatari bourse revealed that RBS, which is 81-percent tion agreement with the DoJ, in from its staff bonus pool and by and brokers in making and receiv- percent last month, reversing the it was in talks with several com- owned by the government, said it relation to one count of wire fraud clawing back previous pay awards. ing requests for higher and lower” downslide of 2012, surged over 410 panies for IPO launch. “However, has agreed to pay the equivalent relating to Swiss franc Libor and John Hourican, chief execu- rates, it said. The total fines handed points higher to 8, 769.20 at the none materialized by the end of of £391m to regulators, becoming one count for an antitrust viola- tive of the bank’s Markets and down to RBS are more than those close of trading yesterday. the year.” the third bank to admit its part in tion relating to yen Libor. International Banking division, is handed last year to Barclays for A KAMCO analysis of GCC Recently, the Minister of the Libor affair after British rival RBS Securities Japan Limited meanwhile to leave RBS and will attempted Libor rate-rigging, but equities released recently said Economy and Finance has Barclays and Swiss lender UBS. has agreed to enter a plea of guilty forfeit his 2012 bonus and long- less than the amount paid by UBS corporate earnings and positive announced that plans are afoot to The investigations uncovered to one count of wire fraud relating term incentive shares. for similar offences. economic fundamentals helped partly privatize some state-owned “wrongdoing” by 21 employees, to Yen Libor, it added in the state- “This is a sad day for RBS, but Libor, or London Interbank boost investor confidence to companies and launch primary predominantly in relation to the ment. British Finance Minister also an important one in continu- Offered Rate, is a flagship instru- nearly wipe out 2012 losses. issues to ensure the participa- setting of the bank’s yen and Swiss George Osborne condemned the ing to put right the mistakes of ment used all over the world, affect- The heavyweight banking sec- tion of nationals. It is, however, franc Libor submissions between “totally unacceptable” behav- the past,” Royal Bank of Scotland ing what banks, businesses and tor that bolstered trade all of last not known if the IPOs will be October 2006 to November 2010, iour at the bailed-out bank and Chairman Philip Hampton said. individuals pay to borrow money. month seems to be losing a bit of launched this year or later. the bank said. insisted the taxpayer would not “That is why those responsible Euribor is the eurozone equivalent. steam after reporting collective THE PENINSULA RBS added it had been fined pick up the bill. have left the organisation or been AFP

Shale energy unlikely to influence $38bn worth of Ezdan Holding Group’s net commodity market in long term opportunities profit rises to QR408.7m DOHA: Ezdan Holding Group’s audited net profit of QR408.7m BY SATISH KANADY for investors: generally positive mood, this has for the financial year ended December 31, 2012, is an increase not been reflected by the financial by 18.32 percent over the figure of QR345.4m achieved in 2011, a DOHA: The story of ‘US shale markets in the Middle East. In Qatar Rail CEO Qatar Exchange notification said yesterday. The QE-listed com- energy revolution’ sounds little particular, the Saudi equity mar- pany’s earnings per share amounted to QR0.15 for 2012 compared bit exaggerated; and the ques- ket has had two weeks of poor DOHA: Qatar Rail CEO to QR0.13 in 2011. The Group said it has recommended the distri- tion of the resource becoming a performance against a backdrop Saad Al Muhannadi has said bution of 1.3 percent cash dividend, at the rate of 13 dirhams per game-changer in the commod- of disappointing fourth quarter that a report it had com- share, subject to General Assembly’s approval. In the third quarter ity market risking the region’s 2012 corporate results. In aggre- missioned from McKinsey of 2012, Ezdan Real Estate Company changed its legal status by long-term development projects gate, profits were down 10 per- has highlighted $38bn worth converting to a holding company. Established 47 years ago and then is far from reality, a top invest- cent quarter on quarter and 5 of investment opportunities known as Thani Bin Abdullah Housing Group, the group became ment expert has said. percent below the same period of for potential investors in its a limited liability company in 1993. In 2006 the Group’s real estate “The US is basically look- 2011. Indian story is also inspiring rail network over a 20-year investments were transferred to a new entity known as the Iskan ing the shale for pushing its for the energy exporting region period. Real Estate Company. In the same year, its name was changed to environment agenda. The pos- which would have a broader and This covers everything Ezdan Real Estate Company and it became a Qatari shareholding sible environment impact of deeper growth. from the supply of some 8 company and was launched for trading on Qatar Exchange in 2008. the energy production is still “The region’s financial market billion tonnes of steel or a big concern for the countries is complex. It’s not liquid and not providing equipment for the Mazaya Qatar Real Estate Development which have potential reserves. attractive to the international huge amount of excavation Complexities of technology are investors. The Middle East has planned through to contracts net profit rises to QR63m another issue. For instance, the some dollars but not in bulk”. for operating trains and the UK is going very slow on its pro- There are signs of M&A busi- facilities management of sta- DOHA: Mazaya Qatar Real Estate Development’s audited net profit of duction,” Gary Dugan, Managing nesses picking up. But the IPO tions, ConstructionWeekOnline QR63m for the financial year ended December 31, 2012, is an increase Director and Chief Investment market is still weak. There is no reported. by 28.57 percent over the figure of QR49m achieved in 2011, a Qatar Officer Asia & Middle East, Gary Dugan, Managing Director significant growth in the market. Speaking at the Middle East Exchange notification said yesterday. The earnings per share amount Coutts, told The Peninsula in a and Chief Investment Officer, Asia But six months away from here, Rail conference in Dubai yes- increased to QR0.63 for 2012 compared to QR0.49 in 2011. The com- one-on-one Tuesday. & Middle East, Coutts, speaking to we are expecting a more vibrant terday, Al Muhannadi said: pany’s board has recommended the distribution of 6 percent cash divi- Gary, who has got a 30-year The Peninsula. SHAIVAL DALAL market in the region. “Based on the study, there dend or 3.6 dirhams of the share’s par value of 60 dirhams, subject to experience in wealth manage- Gary noted Qatar’s “East are around 200 opportuni- the approval of the company’s annual general meeting to be held at ment, said the Middle East mar- Looking” policy wise in terms of ties — 75 percent of this is QNCC (Hall 1) at 4pm on March 11. In the absence of a quorum, the ket is one of the most consistent demand is growing again. India’s investment. “Qatar’s Asian focus through rail infrastructure meeting will be held again on March 18 at the same time and venue. one and Qatar is one of the five projected demand has also mul- is really sensible. If you look at like construction and opera- core markets of Coutts. “I would tiplied. World’s third largest the Western world, it is growing tion maintenance. QGIRC nets QR175m profit in 2012 not say the Middle East story economy Japan is starting to be just one percent but the East is A workshop spelling out some would be spectacular. But the seen in industrial confidence lev- growing by 5 percent. The much of the investment opportunities DOHA: Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance Company’s growth will be consistent. With els. The latest survey of indus- of South Asia is going to provide will be hosted in Qatar later audited net profit of QR175m for the financial year ended December the US and Eurozone showing trial confidence showed a marked an underlying growth rate for a this month “to provide infor- 31, 2012, is an increase by 2.9 percent over the figure of QR170.1m signs of strong recovery, the long improvement in its future activ- number of companies. The leisure mation for all opportunities and achieved in 2011, a Qatar Exchange notification said. The earnings term outlook for the energy mar- ity indicator, indicating stronger industry and consumer sector to encourage manufacturers to per share amounted to QR3.50 for 2012 compared to QR3.39 in ket is stable”. energy demands. There is a sub- is set for a huge growth in the build small and medium industry 2011. The company’s board has recommended the distribution of Asian growth story will be a stantial increase in the govern- region, where the countries are in Qatar to be associated with 10 percent of the share’s par value as cash dividend as well as the further boost to energy export- ment spending. looking for huge investments.” our project”, he said. distribution of 15 percent bonus shares of the company’s capital at ing countries like Qatar. China Though global markets are in a THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA the rate of 1.5 shares for each 10 held shares. QNA THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Euro not currently Qatari bourse overvalued, says Germany BERLIN: The euro is not cur- rently overvalued and exchange index rises by rates should not be used to try and boost competitiveness, the German government said yes- terday, rejecting French calls for ways to cap the single cur- 0.25 percent rency’s recent rise. “The German government is of the conviction that the euro, historically speaking, is currently Egypt falls on foreign reserve woes not overvalued,” government spokesman Steffen Seibert said. DOHA: Qatar Exchange pur- to leave as his term ended. They “What we’re currently seeing is a sued its upswing trend yester- said the change was not necessar- rise in the value of the euro which day, adding 21.69 points (or 0.25 ily related to Saudi Arabia’s prep- is a counter-reaction to the mas- percent) to advance to 8,769.20 arations to open its stock market sive depreciation in the wake of points from 8,747.51 on Tuesday. more fully to foreign investors, the eurozone crisis,” Seibert said. Among the top gainers were which have been in progress for Earlier in Paris, French Finance Barwa Real Estate Company which years. The government has not Minister Pierre Moscovici had was up 0.91 percent to QR27.75, yet set a date for the opening. said an overvalued euro hurts Qatar Telecom rose 3.11 percent Nevertheless, the appointment economic growth and the issue to QR116, General Insurance is generally being seen as positive, should be discussed among euro- gained 3.30 percent to QR45.45 and given Al Sheikh’s professional zone finance ministers and the United Development Company was background. group of 20 leading economies. up by 0.84 percent to QR18.10. “The new chairman has a legal But Berlin sees no cause for The banking and financial sec- background related to securi- alarm. The latest rise in the euro tor index lost 0.31 points, the con- ties and companies looking to “shows that financial markets’ sumer goods and services sector go public - the market is receiv- confidence in the euro is return- index fell 0.28 points, the indus- ing the decision positively,” said ing. That’s not a bad thing,” trial sector gained 0.30 points Mohammad Omran, a Riyadh- government spokesman Seibert while the insurance sector rose based independent financial ana- continued. 0.54 points. lyst. Al Sheikh could also drive Germany believes that a curren- Meanwhile, Egypt’s bourse a legal structure overhaul in the cy’s exchange rate should reflect its made its largest decline in more capital market, he added. economic fundamentals “and flex- than a week yesterday as continu- In Dubai, the index gained 0.1 ible exchange rates are the best to ing political instability and foreign percent, as company earnings bol- A woman walks in front of a share price board in Tokyo, yesterday. Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index soared way to achieve this,” he said. reserves falling to critical levels ster sentiment. Emaar Properties more than 3 percent as the yen plunged on surprise news that the head of the Bank of Japan would quit early. AFP weighed on investor sentiment, and Drake & Scull added 0.2 while Gulf markets were mixed. and 2.2 percent respectively. Cairo’s benchmark index Emaar’s fourth-quarter profit dropped 1.8 percent, snapping a missed estimates but many ana- Most European stock markets slump five-session winning streak in its lysts remain upbeat about the biggest daily drop since January property developer’s prospects as LONDON: Most major to take chances and are shun- The biggest German bank, big losses in the previous ses- 29. Analysts had expected selling it diversifies into retail and hospi- European stock markets fell ning risky stocks because they Deutsche Bank, has suspended sion, with Tokyo surging as the pressure after figures released tality. It shares are up 27 percent yesterday but London eked out are asking themselves questions five more employees, for a total yen tumbled after Bank of Japan late on Tuesday showed the in 2013. The market rose for a a gain as shares in the Royal about the situation in the euro- of seven, who were suspected governor Masaaki Shirakawa said country’s foreign reserves fell ninth session in the last 10 and hit Bank of Scotland rose despite zone,” said Saxo Banque analyst of having participated in the he would step down early. to $13.6bn in January, below the a 37-month high last week. the bank facing big fines over Andrea Tueni. rate-rigging scheme, Dow Jones Tokyo soared 3.37 percent to $15bn level which the government “Medium to long-term money is the Libor rate-rigging scandal. US stocks were slightly softer Newswires reported, citing 11,463.75 points — the highest close has said would be enough to cover back because investors found a suc- London’s FTSE 100 index of top in midday trading, with the Dow sources close to the matter. since September 2008 soon after three months of imports. cess story in Dubai - a good chunk companies bounced back into the Jones Industrial Average down Deutsche Bank shares were the collapse of US bank Lehman Orascom Telecom and Palm of allocation from foreigners was in black in late trades to close with by a mere 0.05 percent, the S&P 1.50 percent lower at ¤37.20. Brothers and at the height of the Hills Development Co led the Emaar,” said Reda Gomaa, portfo- a slight gain of 0.20 percent to 500 index also dipping 0.05 per- Among industrial stocks, shares global financial crisis. drop, losing 4.3 and 2.8 percent lio manager at Mashreq. 6,295.34 points. cent and the tech-rich Nasdaq in ArcelorMittal gained 1.05 per- Japanese foreign exchange respectively. Abu Dhabi’s benchmark slipped Frankfurt’s DAX dropped 1.09 Composite unchanged. cent to ¤12.56 in Paris deals after traders welcomed Shirakawa’s Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia’s 0.1 percent, down from Tuesday’s percent to 7,581.18 points however, Gold prices edged up to the world’s top steel producer announcement that he would step index slipped 0.1 percent after 34-month high. Shares in Union and in Paris the CAC shed 1.40 $1,674.25 an ounce from $1,673.50 posted mixed earnings news. down on March 19, about three optimism over a new Capital National Bank tumbled 8.5 per- percent to 3,642.90. on the London Bullion Market The company stumbled into weeks before the end of his term. Market Authority (CMA) chair- cent to a nine-day low after the Madrid’s IBEX 35 slipped 0.46 yesterday. the red last year with a net loss It fuelled expectations that man proved short-lived. lender’s fourth-quarter profit fell percent lower in value and Milan’s Shares in Royal Bank of of $3.72bn largely owing to costs Prime Minister Shinzo Abe The King appointed well short of estimates. FTSEMIB index lost 0.66 percent. Scotland jumped by 1.36 percent related to Europe’s economic would likely fill the post with Mohammed bin Abdulmalik Al Elsewhere, Kuwait’s index also In foreign exchange deals, the to 342.1 pence however after the strains, said ArcelorMittal, add- someone who shares his ideas Sheikh as the new chairman for declined, losing 0.7 percent. It European single currency slid lender said it had agreed to pay ing that it envisaged a rebound on aggressive monetary easing the CMA in a royal decree late stalled its early-year surge follow- to $1.3526 from $1.3582 late on $612m to US and British regula- this year. that would see more yen pumped Tuesday. Analysts and traders ing the jailing of three opposition Tuesday in New York. tors to settle allegations of trying Asian stock markets mostly into the economy. said Tuweijri had been expected lawmakers. QNA/REUTERS “Investors are not inclined to rig the key Libor interest rate. closed higher yesterday following AFP

QATARI MARKET Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 104.88 0.92 % Aa2 AA UDC nets QR850m profit for 2012 Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.44 1.70 % Aa2 AA DOHA: United Development climbed to QR19.46bn, mark- Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 124.38 2.29 % Aa2 AA Company (UDC) has recorded ing a healthy increase over the Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 117.38 2.51 % Aa2 AA another strong performance with previous year’s reported assets of Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 113.25 2.82 % Aa2 AA reported revenue of QR2.73bn QR19.056bn. Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 175.00 3.81 % Aa2 AA for the year 2012, compared to UDC Chairman Hussein Al Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 133.75 4.28 % Aa2 AA QR1.91bn in 2011, prompting the Fardan attributed the Company’s Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 123.50 4.32 % Aa2 AA company to propose a dividend continued success to Qatar’s Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.00 1.42 % Aa2 AA payment of QR1 per share. solid economic position and the While net profits increased expanding opportunities made Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 115.25 2.73 % Aa2 AA 32 percent to QR850m for the possible by the stability and Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 105.38 1.92 % A1 A- year ending December 31, 2012, growth seen in the country. “We Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.00 2.36 % A1 A- as compared to 2011, excluding are fortunate to be operating in QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.63 2.06 % NR NR revaluation gain on investment a rapidly developing country, and QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.38 1.87 % Aa3 A+ properties amounting to QR645m, are therefore able to report solid QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.19 2.28 % Aa3 A+ the profit attributable to owners operating results in 2012.” Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 103.75 2.53 % A2 A- of the company stood at QR 730m, Ebrahim Al Sulaiti, the Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.13 1.93 % A2 A with earnings per share reach- Company’s Chief Executive ing QR2.17 at December 31, 2012, Officer, said that the Company’s Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 130.25 2.66 % A2 A compared to QR16.32 in the same focus in 2012 has been twofold: to Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 110.75 3.22 % A2 A period of 2011 due to revaluation attract investors to purchase plots Hussein Al Fardan Ebrahim Al Sulaiti Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 110.25 3.96 % A2 A gain on investment properties. of land available for investment at Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 106.75 1.32 % Aa3 A The company, which targets The Pearl-Qatar and to encourage overwhelming sales and retail right track to diversify our rev- Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 108.88 3.23 % Aa3 A investment and joint venture more retailers to make the Island leasing response we’ve seen in enue stream further in 2013 by Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 112.13 3.48 % Aa3 A opportunities in infrastructure, their primary location. 2012 shows how The Pearl-Qatar launching new precincts in The real estate, urban development, “The Pearl-Qatar represents a has captured investors’ imagina- Pearl-Qatar, attracting new hos- SOVEREIGNS utilities, hospitality, retail and unique investment opportunity tions, and its unique positioning pitality and retail outlets, selling Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P other service oriented businesses for investors and retailers look- makes it an ideal place for local more plots, improving our mar- Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 106.00 0.31 % Aa2 AA also reported a gross profit of ing to maximize their returns and global retailers looking for the gins and, ultimately, increasing Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 127.38 2.01 % Aa2 AA QR1.08bn, compared to QR783m and diversify their investment perfect location for their shops.”. profitability.” Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 110.19 2.71 % NR NR for the same year. Total assets portfolios,” Al-Sulaiti said. “The He added, “We are on the THE PENINSULA Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.25 3.06 % NR NR Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 125.50 3.87 % NR NR Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 118.06 4.08 % NR NR Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.13 1.33 % Aa2 AA Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 115.06 3.39 % NR BBB Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 109.88 3.90 % NR BBB QIMC assets increase by QR1.53bn Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 95.75 6.49 % B2 /*- B- Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 104.25 3.85 % NR BBB- DOHA: *Periodic Distribution Amount The Qatar Industrial shareholders has increased to QR1.30bn as and its future development plans; discus- IMPORTANT NOTE: Manufacturing Company (QIMC) has against.QR1.25bn for 2011, an increase of 4 sion and approval of the Company’s con- Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which recorded a net profit of QR208.2m in percent. The earnings per share (EPS) has solidated Balance Sheet and Profit and is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services 2012, compared to QR206.2m in 2011.The reached QR5.3 compared with QR5.2 for the Loss Account for the financial year end- Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary 2012 full year net profit is up one per- same period of 2011. ing December 31st, 2012; external auditors’ data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not cent compared to the previous year. The The Chairman said the General Assembly appointment for the financial year 2013; take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds QIMC board of directors recommended has been scheduled to be held on March Governance report of the company for the can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant the General Assembly for the distribution 3, 2013. The agenda include absolving of year 2012 and the election of the company liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not of 30 percent of cash dividends. the board members from liability for the Board Members for the next three years. a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and After the Board of Directors meeting, financial year ending December 31, 2012 Sheikh Abdul Rahman said that the com- consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed bin and their remuneration. Other items on the pany will continue to maintain the ability to Jabor Al Thani, Chairman, announced the agenda include presentation of the Board generate increased profits through investment company’s assets has increased to QR1.53bn, of Directors’’ report on the Company’s and the QR172m capital spending proposed for up 7 percent, compared to the previous activities, its financial position for the the fiscal year 2013. year. The total equity of the company’s financial year ending December 31, 2012 THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Sultan Qaboos takes economic policy to people Omani leader revives month-long tours of country, encourages people to establish small businesses

MUSCAT: On a cold, hazy morning in wealth and comfortable jobs in the gov- jobs and more economic opportunity. any output boost could be prohibitively Last month the government asked the desert outside the northern town ernment or state-linked enterprises. The International Monetary Fund expensive. its departments to check that foreign- of Bahla last week, Oman’s ruler told So Sultan Qaboos, who has ruled Oman estimates unemployment among Omani “The SME fund is a smart move as it ers were not being hired illegally, and to a group of local people that he had for over four decades, is taking his eco- citizens may have exceeded 20 percent will lead to self-employment, which in assess which sectors should be the focus ordered the creation of a fund to help nomic strategy directly to the people. in 2010. Government officials say that turn will lessen the burden of creating of efforts to employ Omani nationals. them establish small businesses. He has revived a custom of travelling estimate was far too high and that the jobs,” said Ahmed Saleem, a job consult- The government knows, however, that Flanked by two bodyguards, the on month-long tours around the coun- number of registered unemployed was ant at Capital Manpower Co. “I don’t it needs foreign workers to develop the 72-year old H M Sultan Qaboos bin Said, try, holding “consultation sessions” with reduced by three-quarters to about 17,000 think in the long run the government big industrial and infrastructure projects dressed in simple, traditional robes, sat local people in the desert behind the last year. can afford to pay the salaries of all these required to diversify the economy - for on a wooden bench discussing economic royal camp, which consists of traditional Finance minister Darwish Al Balushi new workers.” example, industrial facilities in the cen- policy with a group of about 300 people nomadic tents - a contrast to his opulent told reporters last month that govern- Oman’s jobs situation is complicated tral town of Duqm, and a national rail- sitting a few metres away from him. palace in Muscat. ment spending had created 36,000 jobs by the reliance of its economy on foreign road that could make Oman a hub for “This fund will help young men and The Sultan conducted such national for Omanis in 2012 and that a further workers, many from south and southeast regional merchandise trade. women with their projects. The ini- tours annually for over two decades but 56,000 would be created this year, of Asia. Around 1.3 million of the population So while he acknowledges the public’s tial capital of the fund has been set at suspended them in 2011. This year’s tour which 20,000 would be in the civil service. of about 3.3 million are foreigners, most concerns, Sultan Qaboos has sought to OR70m ($182m), which will be increased is focusing heavily on the economy. Sultan But room for the government to sup- of them workers brought in to do skilled justify the employment of foreigners. by OR7m each year,” Sultan Qaboos said. Qaboos is using the tour to describe the port ever-bigger jobs programmes is or strenuous jobs in the oil, construction “The ratio we considered was always Oman is approaching an economic government’s efforts to boost employment decreasing. Balushi said that because of and services industries. between 30 to 33 per cent of the popula- crossroads, and the Sultan’s visit to Bahla and encourage people to get involved in spending rises, the oil price which the Sultan Qaboos has faced questions tion. At present, expatriate numbers have was a sign of that. The economy is boom- setting up small and medium-sized enter- government would need to balance its from the public during his tour over increased greatly, but in some aspects ing on the back of high oil prices, but it prises (SMEs). At last week’s meeting budget had risen to $104 per barrel in whether foreigners are taking jobs and they are temporarily justified, such as has struggled to create enough jobs for a in Bahla, he ordered that new owners of 2013 - not far from Brent crude’s current wealth from Omanis. At times he has for some major projects in Duqm and the young and growing population, and the SMEs be given state land for free, so that levels around $115. seemed to sympathise with that concern; upcoming railway project,” he said. state’s oil production may start declining they would start with a “more competi- “The sooner that SMEs are created, last week he said he was worried about When he turns his public consulta- later this decade as Oman’s reserves - not tive edge”. the better for the economy. I don’t think the repatriation of money by expatriates tions to the subject of Omanis setting as lavish as those of neighbouring Saudi “The land will be for long-term utilisa- we can sustain the surplus situation for to their homelands. up their own small businesses, however, Arabia and Abu Dhabi - are used up. tion, and we pray to Allah that our young too long,” said Abdulwahid Al Heraki, an “Billions of rials are transferred each the sultan seems to strike a chord with The solution, government officials say, men and women show interest in various independent economist. year. The government and all segments many people. “It is a good initiative by is to develop a strong non-oil sector of business fields,” he said. And in the long term, Oman will bump of society should carry out their duties to the sultan. I am looking to set up a car the economy based on private companies Boosting employment became more up against the limits of its oil reserves. put an end to this hidden trade,” he said. repair workshop and I need capital to do that will employ Omani job-seekers. But urgent for Oman with the Arab Spring British oil firm BP has estimated the “The hidden trade causes great damage it. The financial grant will make me my an entrepreneurial economy would be uprisings around the region in 2011. reserves will run out in 17 years if the to the Omani economy. It decreases the own boss,” 26-year old mechanic Khalid a major change for Omanis, who have Although Oman escaped major unrest, it country does not raise output from available suitable job opportunities for Al Mukhaini said in Muscat. grown accustomed to relying on oil saw scattered street protests demanding current levels; difficult geology means our sons and daughters.” REUTERS

Time Warner profit rises North Gate project Egypt sells fewer wins International dollars at auction, Property Award DOHA: The North Gate project, currently under construction and represented by local Qatari com- pound inches up pany “Equinox SPC”, has won the “Best Retail Architecture 2012 in Arabia” award. CAIRO: Egypt’s central bank with an injection of $4bn in The award comes as part of sold fewer dollars to banks December, but the conclusion the Arabian & African property yesterday than in a previous of a deal for a further $4.8bn in summit activities held recently auction and the pound gained International Monetary Fund in Dubai, which was attended for the second time in three support has been delayed by by the region’s most prestigious days as authorities battle to the latest round of political property developers and indus- halt a slide of its currency turmoil. try professionals. The Arabian into crisis. The reserves are down from Property Awards are part of the The central bank imposed a $15bn a month ago and some long established International new tighter trading band for the $36bn on the eve of the uprising Property Awards and its award pound on Monday and it also that toppled Hosni Mubarak winners’ logo is recognized as a surprised traders yesterday by from power two years earlier. symbol of excellence throughout announcing an extra auction Introducing the new system of the global industry. today - both possible reasons foreign currency auctions in CEO and owner of Equinox for a rise in the pound on the late December, the central bank The Time Warner Cable office is shown in Carlsbad, California. Time Warner Inc posted higher fourth-quarter expressed his great pleasure on interbank market after the sale. warned that foreign reserves profit that beat Wall Street estimates yesterday, as growth in its cable networks offset declines in the film, TV winning the prestigious award. But among unlicensed for- had already then reached a entertainment and publishing units, sending shares up 5 percent. The award was a testament to eign currency dealers in Cairo, critical level. the level of detail and planning the pound is trading at least The bank started by holding invested in the project and the several piastres weaker than daily auctions before reducing ability of the project to compete the official rate - signalling the frequency to three a week. with the best retail developments that the currency is still under It said earlier this week it would in the region, he noted: pressure. “Interbank trading hold auctions on Monday and Brent rises, US crude dips “We are pleased with the is limited by the auction price. Wednesday - a statement widely award as it reflects our continu- Banks can not exceed it... Also taken to mean that it would cut NEW YORK: Brent crude oil be on whether policymakers are numbers that showed high levels ous vision and goal to deliver an trading between banks is light,” the frequency of auctions to two futures posted a modest rise yes- worried a strong euro could hurt of US crude. exceptional; international stand- one trader, speaking on condi- per week from three. terday on economic optimism, recovery in troubled economies “It is definitely a negative ard mixed use project offering tion of anonymity, said. But yesterday, it said another while US crude prices slipped such as Spain. report and bearish for crude oil a unique point of difference in By 1123 GMT, the pound had auction would be held on after data showed an unexpected Brent settled up 21 cents at as supplies continue to go higher.” Qatar. To have the shopping mall risen on the interbank market to Thursday. That helped support rise in US crude oil inventories. $116.73 a barrel but remained Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest recognised for its excellence in trade at 6.690 to the dollar com- the pound. “Thursday’s action was Brent’s premium over US crude, below the previous day’s session oil exporter, kept crude oil pro- design is fitting recognition for pared to 6.70 just before the result a surprise, a nice one,” another or West Texas Intermediate, high, the highest point since mid- duction steady at 9.05 million the efforts of our designers and was announced. trader said. widened past $20.00 a barrel. Oil September. US crude dropped 2 barrels per day (b/d) in January, will ultimately benefit both our The currency has lost around The central bank did not say prices tracked Wall Street for cents to settle at $96.62. from 9.025m b/d in December, an tenants and customers through 8 percent since the bank changed how much it would offer at the much of the session, as US stocks US crude stocks were up 2.62 industry source said. the experience they will enjoy at its currency regime in December extra sale. This week’s changes drifted lower after a recent push million barrels last week, accord- Economic data released this North Gate”. to avoid an outright currency coincide with the arrival in office to five-year highs. US crude was ing to the Energy Information week suggested the euro zone North Gate is located on a crisis and figures on Tuesday of new central bank governor up in the afternoon before settling Administration’s (EIA) weekly economy had turned a corner, 200,000m2 plot, about 10km north showed Egypt’s reserves of dol- Hisham Ramez. slightly lower. inventory report. Petrol stocks with strong Markit Eurozone of Doha city on the main arterial lars and other hard currency The bank sold $49.6 million in “At the moment, we continue to rose 1.74 million barrels and dis- Composite PMI data, based on Al Shamal North Gate is posi- have fallen to $13.6 billion - what was its 18th sale of dollars follow the financials. The market tillate stocks were off 1.04 million business activity. But worries tioned to benefit from develop- enough to pay for less than three since December on Wednesday. seems very sensitive to the eco- barrels, the EIA said. persisted about political conflict ment in Doha’s strong northern months worth of imports. The cut-off price of 6.7020 nomic factors and they remain “I think what we’ve got here in Italy and Spain. population growth corridor and Inflows of dollars to its econ- Egyptian pounds to the US dollar, the primary driver,” said Gene is a situation once again where Investors will watch for the represents one of the only com- omy have slumped after two compared to 6.6920 at the previ- McGillian, analyst at Tradition crude oil is going to be backed ECB’s meeting today and China’s mercial developments within the years of violence that has scared ous auction on Monday. Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. up, because we’ll be produc- trade numbers tomorrow for area. It offers an area close to off tourists and foreign investors The central bank offered $75 The European Central Bank is ing more than we’re refining,” more clues on the health of the 100,000m2 of leasable space for alike and made it harder for many million at Monday’s auction, expected to keep interest rates at said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price global economy and what it may retail and a further 45,000m2 for businesses to operate. accepting bids for $73.1m. a record low of 0.75 percent when Futures Group in Chicago, after mean for commodities demand. offices. Qatar helped prop Egypt up REUTERS it meets today, but the focus will the release of weekly inventory REUTERS THE PENINSULA

ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller to spearhead Beiersdorf’s PR Qtel’s Asiacell IPO DOHA: Beiersdorf, best of its advertising and market- known as the company behind ing strategy. Jean Manuel fully subscribed • Bullion - Mumbai the world’s No. 1 skincare Canga-Valles, Marketing Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 30400 DOHA: brand Nivea, has announced Director, Beiersdorf Middle Qtel’s subsidiary Asiacell has Silver (1 kg) Rs. 59140 the appointment of ASDA’A East & North Africa, said: announced the successful completion • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.45 Burson-Marsteller to manage “At Beiersdorf we aim to get of its share offer. The offering raised • Sensex its public relations strategy closer to consumers in our key $ 1.27bn, representing 25 percent of and corporate and consumer markets – and this is espe- its share capital. The company also BSE 19639.27 communications in the GCC cially true here in the region, announced the admission of its Shares to NSE 5959.20 and Lebanon. In addition to where our brands have been the Official List of Securities maintained • LIC (International) launches New Gold Investment Plan ‘GOLD PLUS’ – handling the corporate brand, known and loved for genera- by the Iraq Securities Commission and which provides an opportunity to invest in GOLD ETF & GOLD SPOT, PAN the consumer PR brief covers tions. We believe that PR has to trading on the Iraq Stock Exchange Card/Demat Account not required. Nivea Skincare, Nivea Face a significant and growing under the ticker “TASC”. • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return Care, Nivea Men and Nivea role to play within our over- Following the IPO, 25 percent of the p.a. (in dollar) Sun in addition to the Labello, all marketing strategy in the shares will be in free float with Qtel now • Housing loan from HDFC LTD Eucerin and Hansaplast Middle East and are confident consolidating 64.06 percent of Asiacell, brand portfolios. that this new partnership will including an existing stake of 49 percent • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, The appointment is indica- drive our business forward. We held through a wholly owned Iraqi subsidi- Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. tive of Beiersdorf’s increased are delighted to welcome the ary, Qtel said in a Qatar Exchange filing. Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] focus on PR as an integral part ASDA’A B-M team onboard.” THE PENINSULA

THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Index 8,769.20 0.25 % QE Total Return Index 11,944.75 0.25 % RATE QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,566.59 0.57 % QE All Share Index 2,114.89 0.26 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,034.92 0.31 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 4940.517 37.93 0.77 4971.4 4664.6 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 4,812.76 0.42 % QR196.0731 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 3673.41 -21.29 -0.58 3793.26 3654.32 UK ...... QR 5.6711 QR 5.7502 QE All Share Industrials 2,800.72 0.30 % SILVER QE All Share Insurance 1,922.59 0.54 % Dj Indu Average 13979.3 99.22 0.71 14019.8 12035.1 QR 3.7204 Euro ...... QR 4.8957 QR 4.9640 QE All Share Real Estate 1,639.97 1.44 % CA$ ...... QR 3.6169 QR 3.6877 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Telecoms 1,174.32 2.73 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9606 QR 4.0175 QE All Share Transportation 1,405.43 0.28 % Hang Seng Inde/D 23256.93 108.4 0.47 23944.74 22860.25 Yen ...... QR 0.0385 QR 0.0393 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7219 QR 3.7959 Iseq Overall/D 3587.78 57.78 1.64 3615.73 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0679 QR 0.0692 06-02-2013 05-02-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 17408.52 120.45 0.7 17312.15 16036.31 Index 8,769.20 8,747.51 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0369 QR 0.0377 Change 21.69 22.48 Nikkei 225 Index 11463.75 416.83 3.77 11285.49 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0887 QR 0.0905 % 0.25 0.26 $ 116.78 SL Re ...... QR 0.0285 QR 0.0291 YTD% 4.91 4.65 S&P 500 Index/D 1511.29 15.58 1.04 1514.96 1266.74 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0458 QR 0.0470 Volume 7,365,098 6,842,953 Straits Times/D 3276.53 3.87 0.12 3319.19 3160.83 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0426 QR 0.0434 Value (QAR) 241,605,318.15 207,384,274.54 $ 114.36 Trades 3,882 3,015 SA Rand ...... QR 0.4036 QR 0.4137 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 22 | Down 14 | Unchanged 04

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 06-02-2013

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED

A C C-A/D 1330.1 6.8 19191 Chowgule St-B/D 15.75 -0.3 7464 Himat Seide-B/D 37.7 0.3 139119 Kanoria Chem-B/D 39.2 0.2 32961 Orchid Chem-B/D 82.9 -0.15 72589 Hsbc Holdings/D 710 0.6 3257473 Aarti Drugs-T/D 223.75 1.25 2534 Cimmco-B/D 42.65 1.95 1441 Hind Motors-B/D 10.33 0.2 57884 Kg Denim-T/D 13.93 -0.41 28364 Orient Hotel-B/D 20.8 -0.2 1872 Imperial Tobac/D 2372 17 338945 Aban Offs-B/D 336.15 -3.45 58041 Cipla-A/D 404.6 -2.9 396636 Hind Org Chem-/D 16.9 0 21845 Kilburnengg-B/D 17.25 0 1962 Orient.Carb.-B/D 107.25 -0.45 15912 Kingfisher/D 276 1.7 1552094 Ador Welding-B/D 126.5 -1.3 1490 City Union Bk-/D 61.65 -0.6 39266 Hind Unilever-/D 454.9 -7.4 149571 Kin.Motor-B/D 10.21 0.16 23085 Orient.Carb.-B/D 107.25 -0.45 15912 Land Secs Grou/D 811.2333 2.5 282840 Aegis Logis-B/D 157.1 -2.55 5971 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1311.75 -39.8 5789 Hind.Petrol-A/D 330.95 -0.2 132959 Kinetic Eng-T/D 118.6 3.85 3460 Oudh Sugar-B/D 24.5 0.7 2012 Legal & Genera/D 148.8 0.4 2931437 Alembic-B/D 17.6 0.15 15689 Colgate-A/D 1363.85 8.6 15328 Hindalco-A/D 114.5 0.9 632332 Klg Systel-T/D 16.15 -0.3 9517 Pacific Indu-B/D 146.55 -8.2 1988 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 52.07 0.59 51667921 Alok Indus-B/D 10.69 0.03 791364 Dcm Financia-B/D 1.41 -0.07 3156 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 807.8 10 139176 Kopran-B/D 17.95 -0.3 6465 Patspin India-/D 7.99 -0.14 1821 Marks & Sp./D 378 1.8 407108 Andhra Paper-B/D 223.6 2.65 15384 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 45.8 1.55 4045 I F C I-A/D 34.8 -0.25 2602238 Lloyd Metal-B/D 13.75 0 2621 Radico Khait-B/D 146.05 1.4 26880 Next/D 4128 24 75903 Apollo Tyre-A/D 84.85 -0.3 1098055 Dhampur Sugar-/D 45.75 0.25 203981 Idbi-A/D 101.3 -0.55 150632 Lloyd Steel-B/D 14.15 0.05 79979 Rallis India-B/D 127.2 0.1 206454 Pearson/D 1226 29 2005786 Asahi I Glass-/D 51.05 0.8 9822 Dr. Reddy-A/D 1898.25 2.65 3976 Ifb Agro-B/D 196.15 -3.8 1337 Lloydsfin.-T/D 1.03 0.02 33100 Rallis India-B/D 127.2 0.1 206454 Prudential/D 938.5 4 687250 Ashok Leyland-/D 25.1 -0.05 3391570 E I H-B/D 69.15 -0.4 16132 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 99.95 0.8 3547 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 20.35 -0.4 48355 Reliance Indus/D 425.75 1 52999 Rentokil Initi/D 91.15 0.15 355470 Bajaj Hold-A/D 971.1 4.7 5424 E.I.D Parry-B/D 170.1 -1.6 27317 India Cement-B/D 88 2 82065 Lupin-A/D 597.35 2.35 21148 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 462.05 2 12601 Rolls Royce Pl/D 980.08 4.5 811661 Ballarpur In-B/D 22.3 -0.15 114482 Eimco Elecon-T/D 164 -5.4 1949 India Glycol-B/D 158.55 2.45 26186 Lyka Labs-B/D 10.65 0.1 5115 Thirumalai-B/D 121.85 1.5 9394 Rsa Insrance G/D 130.526 1.1 2304617 Bata India-A/D 758 -4.7 46939 Electrosteel-B/D 25 0.05 38235 Indian Hotel-A/D 61.7 0.5 66765 Maha Scooter-B/D 438.75 12.95 3604 Timexgroup-T/D 19 0.2 91799 Sainsbury(J)/D 333 2 1705913 Beml Ltd-B/D 259.45 0.4 6703 Emco-B/D 26.1 0.15 18758 Indusind-A/D 429.85 -4.1 42713 Mangalam Cem-B/D 154.4 1.65 5834 Tinplate-B/D 49 0.15 25516 Schroders/D 2007.1404 67 337348 Bharat Bijle-B/D 521.55 -0.85 1578 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.37 0.37 6254 J.B.Chemical-B/D 87.7 1.1 184870 Maral Overs-B/D 13.35 -0.17 2563 Ub Engineer-B/D 28.2 -0.65 22203 Severn Trent/D 1633.2899 14 80398 Bharatgears-B/D 45.75 -0.05 4749 Escorts-B/D 67.55 -2.4 232547 Jagatjit Ind-B/D 64.85 -1.15 1223 Mastek-B/D 152.5 -1.7 2996 Ub Engineer-B/D 28.2 -0.65 22203 Smith&Nephew/D 713.5 6 441293 Bhartiya Int-T/D 175.8 -1.35 17451 Essar Oil-A/D 92.05 0.8 894918 Jagson Phar-B/D 12.07 -0.21 1907 Max India L-A/D 249.1 5.65 14468 Unitech P -A/D 36.55 1.4 4378680 Smiths Group/D 1220 -1 242822 Bhel-A/D 208.55 -3.65 662983 Eveready Indu-/D 21.25 0.05 90281 Jamnaauto-B/D 84.1 -0.5 1150 Mrpl-A/D 61.75 1.4 90197 Standrd Chart /D 1685.5 13.5 929904 LONDON Bhuwalka Stl-B/D 15.1 0.6 1486 F D C-B/D 92.8 -0.65 525599 Jbf Indu-B/D 120 0.1 5162 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 22.75 0.1 6863 Tate & Lyle/D 807.5 12.5 429710 Bom.Burmah-B/D 124.75 -0.7 21261 Federal Bank-A/D 512.9 4.6 10560 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.59 -0.05 94321 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 22.75 0.1 6863 Tesco/D 363.606 4.45 3658732 Bombay Dyeing-/D 106.6 0.5 336546 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.6 -0.2 69706 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.32 -0.02 41211 Nahar Spg.-B/D 80.95 0.15 19934 3I Group/D 274.4 8.8 1403701 Unilever/D 2559.7424 -37 734073 Cable Corp.-B/D 20.2 -0.25 3265 Fgp Ltd-B/D 2.15 -0.2 1637 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 3.61 0.03 3275 Nath Seeds-B/D 5.9 0.29 4715 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1785 25 292257 United Util Gr/D 738 5 570576 Camph.& All-B/D 160.35 -3.9 6851 Finolex-B/D 79.1 0.25 107266 Jik Indust-B/D 1.8 -0.06 18228 Nation Alum -A/D 48 0.15 43468 B Sky B/D 813.65 5 1918126 Vodafone Group/D 170.85 -0.45 18763069 Canfin Homes-T/D 159.45 -1.1 14215 Gail-A/D 343.5 -0.95 45196 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 114.4 0.75 20013 Navneet Pub.-B/D 64.7 0.45 52306 Barclays/D 295.169 -0.25 8233201 Whitbread/D 2679 31 69083 Caprihans-B/D 48.25 -0.4 3049 Gammon India-B/D 35 0.05 9565 Jmc Projects-B/D 96.5 -3.5 11269 Nepc India-B/D 2.45 0.06 19453 Bg Group/D 1140.6324 -1.5 2936820 Castrol Ind-A/D 312.9 -0.7 24097 Godfrey Phil-B/D 3196.4 -85.05 3100 Kabra Extr-B/D 30.4 -1.05 2975 Neuland Lab-B/D 124.7 -5.4 6308 Bp/D 465.35 -3.35 9898640 Century Enka-B/D 119.8 0 7887 Goodricke-B/D 143.9 0.35 12472 Kajaria Cer-B/D 208.65 -0.95 2558 Nrb Bearings-B/D 34.75 -0.45 1428 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3303.331 14 437360 Century Text-A/D 384.8 1.55 93129 Goodyear I -B/D 314.05 -2.85 2639 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 83.05 2.05 8709 O N G C-A/D 321.85 -3.2 164660 Bt Group/D 274.3512 5.4 5578333 Chambal Fert-B/D 65.45 0.25 57504 Hcl Infosys-B/D 37.1 0.7 96331 Kalpat Power-B/D 92.95 1.5 87932 Ocl India-B/D 151.15 -5 8442 Centrica/D 346 0.9 2047971 Chola Invest-B/D 289.65 5.35 525373 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 9.28 0.02 328621 Kalyani Stel-B/D 52.05 -0.4 24934 Oil Country-B/D 48.05 0.65 5406 Gkn/D 248 1.4 1320657 THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Qatar Open Shotgun Championship: Di Spigno wins Double Trap category Schwartzel favourite to win another Joburg title

JOHANNESBURG: Former US Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa starts as favourite to win a third Joburg Open title in four seasons this week. After victories in 2010 and 2011 at the two-course Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Double Trap category winner Daniele Di Spigno (centre) of Italy, runner-up Emanuele Bernasconi of Italy (second left), third-placed Vasily Mosin of Russia (second right) and Abdullah Golf Club, Schwartzel suffered in Al Mutawa Al Hammadi (right), General Secretary of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association pose for a picture at Losail Shooting Complex yesterday. Qatar’s trio of Hamad Masoud Al dreadful weather conditions last Athba, Ali Hamad Al Marri and Abdulbaset Mohsin clinched positions four, five and six respectively. CENTRE: A participant in action. RIGHT: A female shooter is seen during yesterday’s year and failed to make the cut. round. Around 170 shooters from 25 countries are taking part in the competition, which will end on Febraury 12. PICTURES BY: KAMMUTTY VP/IBRAHIM KUTTY And the weather could play a major role again with traditional South African summer storms drenching the financial hub this week and more predicted, espe- cially during the latter stages of the final round. Pencil slim and dark haired, Lakers battle past Nets 2011 Masters champion Schwartzel grew up playing the west and more challenging east Gasol suffers injury; Rockets match record in victory over Warriors courses where the Joburg Open will be staged, and has had more practice rounds than any rival. NEW YORK: The Los Angeles record with their 23 from beyond “I am feeling really nice and Lakers shrugged off the absence NBA Results the arc, the long-range barrage refreshed after a long break,” of Dwight Howard and Metta lifting them to a fifth win in six says the winner of eight European Indiana 114 Atlanta 103 World Peace but now face the games. Tour events, “and I have been prospect of losing Pau Gasol to LA Lakers 92 Brooklyn 83 Lin finished with 28 points as practising hard to get my game injury after their 92-83 road vic- Phoenix 96 Memphis 90 the Rockets notched their high- as sharp as it was at the end of tory over Brooklyn yesterday. Houston 140 Golden State 109 est-scoring game of the season. last year.” Howard sat out a second Denver 112 Milwaukee 104 Their 14 three-pointers in the Sharp, indeed. The South straight game with an ailing first half also tied an NBA record African had a combined win- shoulder and World Peace served the game well, but I just feel those -- even though their best three- ning margin of 23 shots as he a one-game suspension for strik- two and a half minutes are about point shooter, Carlos Delfino, was finished first in the Thailand ing a Detroit player on Sunday, as bad as I played on both ends of sidelined by a right elbow injury. Championship in Bangkok and but the Lakers survived a tough the floor this season,” Lopez said. James Harden and Chandler the Alfred Dunhill Championship battle for their third straight win Brooklyn last beat Los Angeles Parsons had four three-pointers in Leopards Creek bordering the and sixth in seven. in November 2007 and their latest apiece. Harden finished with a famous Kruger National Park. However, the win was tempered attempt was hampered by their total of 18 points and Parsons “It is enjoyable competing in the by the sight of Gasol limping 34 percent shooting accuracy. scored 16. Joburg Open on courses I played off the court for good with 3:50 Bryant also did not shoot The Rockets tied the record many times as a junior and an remaining after the Spanish big his best, making just 9-of-24 of 23 three-pointers set by the amateur. I have also enjoyed a lot man injured his right foot while attempts, but he did provide Orlando Magic in a 139-107 vic- of success there as a professional. trying to block a shot. the highlight of the game when tory over Sacramento on January “My game feels good and it is Despite the latest setback, he drove the lane in the fourth 13, 2009. also nice to play a European Tour Kobe Bryant scored 21 points, and threw down a monster dunk With the game in hand, event at a golf course where you and Steve Nash added 17 and between Nets defenders Gerald Houston coach Kevin McHale feel so comfortable and in front eight assists to help Los Angeles Wallace and Kris Humphries. sent in his reserves for the final of your home crowd,” added the (23-26) break clear of Brooklyn The play gave the Lakers an minutes. 28-year-old. AFP in the final stages. 82-80 edge. Marcus Morris made three The Nets led 83-82 with two Earl Clark also had a produc- treys off the bench over the course and a half minutes remaining tive night for the Lakers with of the game. Toney Douglas added 49ers coach but the Lakers scored the last 14 points and 12 rebounds while two and James Anderson had two 10 points, with point guard Nash Gasol left the contest after scor- as well. second-guesses assisting on two baskets and add- ing 15 points. Patrick Beverley delivered their ing four straight free throws to Meanwhile, Jeremy Lin drained 22nd three-pointer with 4:20 left his Super Bowl put his stamp on the win. five of Houston’s record-equalling and Donatas Motiejunas added Brook Lopez had 30 points and 23 three-pointers yesterday as the 23rd with 3:41 remaining. Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (centre) dunks past Brooklyn Nets’ 11 rebounds for the Nets (28-20), the Rockets romped to a 140-109 The Rockets had a couple more Gerald Wallace (left) and Kris Humphries (right), as Nets’ Deron Williams play calling who notched their 10th straight NBA victory over the Golden chances to break the record before watches late in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ win over the Nets in SAN FRANCISCO: loss to the Lakers. State Warriors. Golden State began to intention- their NBA match in Brooklyn, New York, yesterday. San “To their credit they closed out The Rockets matched the NBA ally foul them. AGENCIES Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said yester- day he wished he could change his play-calling at the end of Sunday’s 34-31 Super Bowl loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Despite marching down the NHL: Blackhawks field, the 49ers failed to score on the final three plays before the Ravens punter took a safety with four seconds left. The clock ran out on the ensuing kick. rally to defeat Sharks “We came up five yards short. Certainly, knowing how it ended SAN JOSE: Patrick Kane up, how it finished when we didn’t scored twice to cap a four- get the ball in, yeah, we would goal salvo as the Chicago have liked to try a different play Blackhawks overpowered the call,” Harbaugh told a news con- San Jose Sharks 5-3 yester- ference at the 49ers complex day to remain top of the NHL after the team’s return from New standings. Orleans. The visiting Blackhawks “When you do something that refused to panic when San Jose doesn’t work, you would have grabbed a 3-1 lead in the first liked to have done something dif- period, instead responding with ferent - at least tried it. But you four unanswered goals to pre- can’t.” vail in the high-profile Western The 49ers, down by 22 points Conference confrontation. in the third quarter, were on the “We had a good lead, but they verge of the greatest Super Bowl kept scoring, which is what comeback but failed to score good teams do,” Sharks captain despite having a first-and-goal Joe Thornton told reporters. from the seven-yard line in the “They are on top of the confer- final minutes of the title game. ence for a reason.” After a two-yard rushing gain Andrew Shaw and Marcus on first down put the ball on the Kruger each scored to tie the five-yard line, the NFC champi- game at 3-3 during an action- ons tried three times to pass the packed opening period before Patrick Kane (88) of the Chicago Blackhawks is congratulated by team- ball to receiver Michael Crabtree, Kane delivered the win with mate Marcus Kruger (16) after Kane scored a goal against the San Jose who was closely guarded and a go-ahead goal in the second Sharks in the third period at HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The failed to make a reception for the and added another in the clos- Blackhawks won the game 5-3, yesterday. go-ahead score. ing minutes of the third. The final plays came under Chicago improved to an criticism from disappointed San NHL-leading 8-0-2 record, Tommy Wingels. Blackhawks Francisco supporters, who won- three points clear of the Sharks winger Brandon Saad got his dered why the 49ers had not tried (7-2-1), who have now lost three team on the scoreboard with NHL Results to give the ball to running back in a row after opening the sea- his first career goal at 10:08 but New Jersey 3 NY Rangers 1 Frank Gore, who had taken the son with seven straight wins. Michal Handzus restored San Pittsburgh 4 NY Islanders 2 ball to the seven on a 33-yard run “It’s a good start,” Kane said Jose’s advantage seconds later. Toronto 3 Washington 2 to set up the scoring chance. of the Blackhawks, who are four It was an unenviable start Or why they did not look for games into a six-game road for Chicago goaltender Corey Los Angeles 4 Columbus 2 rangy wide receiver Randy Moss, trip. “Hopefully we can con- Crawford, who was under con- Ottawa 4 Buffalo 3 who has long been adept on snar- tinue it. I think we can even stant attack in the early stages Philadelphia 2 Tampa Bay 1 ing touchdown passes in his long, play better, so that’s the excit- of first period, but he settled in Calgary 4 Detroit 1 Or why San Francisco quarter- ing part.” to finish with 30 saves. Winnipeg 3 Florida 2 back Colin Kaepernick did not San Jose got off to a flying Antti Niemi suffered his first try to run an option play, since Nashville 6 St Louis 1 start, grabbing a 2-0 advantage regulation loss of the season. he had earlier scored on a 15-yard on goals from Joe Pavelski and REUTERS Chicago 5 San Jose 3 scamper. REUTERS THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Watson, Faulkner star in Australia’s ODI series win Hosts register 39-run win; take unbeatable 3-0 lead in five-match series

CANBERRA: Shane Watson emphatic victory after wins by month’s four-Test tour to India. hit a century on his return nine wickets and 54 runs in Perth. “I’ve been looking forward to from injury and James Faulkner Watson reached his seventh that for the last four weeks, to Rafael Nadal of Spain and Juan claimed four wickets as Australia ODI century off 102 balls and then get out there on a nice wicket and beat the West Indies by 39 runs set about Kemar Roach, clubbing get a few runs out of the middle,” Monaco of Argentina (not in to claim victory in the One-Day a huge six -- logged at 114 metres Watson said. picture), celebrate their victory International series yesterday. (374 feet) -- into the stands. “It’s one of those days that you over Czechs Frantisek Cermak Watson, opening the innings This was followed by a four as he dream of that everything even and Lukas Dlouhy during the after four weeks out with a threatened to go on for a big ton from the first ball just feels like it’s start of the ATP Vina del Mar calf injury, smashed 122 off 111 on the bat-friendly Manuka Oval coming off the middle of your bat. tennis tournament in Vina del balls. Supported by 86 from Phil pitch. “It was a beautiful wicket out Mar, Chile, yesterday. Nadal, Hughes, he helped Australia But two balls later Watson there, it was very true, so you number five in the world, reach 329 for seven after winning holed out to Kieron Pollard, one knew if you hit through the line returns after a seven-month the toss in the third ODI of the of four catches to the athletic of the ball you had more chance injury lay-off. five-game series. West Indian, top-edging to deep of finding the middle of the bat.” The home side then dismissed backward square leg as he went Hughes, who gave away a the West Indies for 290 off 47.3 after Roach’s second-last ball of chance cutting through slip on overs with left-arm medium pacer his eighth over. six, lost the opportunity to make Tennis: Nadal Faulkner claiming four for 48 -- It was a welcome return to his third ODI century this season all bowled -- to achieve another form for Watson before this when he was caught behind off Darren Sammy for 86. launches Scoreboard He scored his runs off 93 balls with 10 fours and a six. comeback AUSTRALIA D Thomas c Hughes b McKay ...... 19 The West Indies would have S Watson c Pollard b Roach ...... 122 D M Bravo b Faulkner...... 86 had to make history to overhaul A Finch c Thomas b Sammy ...... 38 D J Bravo b Starc ...... 51 the Australian total, with their with doubles P Hughes c Thomas b Sammy ...... 86 C Gayle b Faulkner ...... 2 biggest previous ODI run chase M Clarke c&b Pollard ...... 15 K Pollard (run out-Johnson) ...... 9 324 for eight against India at G Bailey c Pollard b Narine...... 44 A Russell c Wade b McKay ...... 43 Nagpur in 2006-07. win in Chile G Maxwell c Pollard b Narine ...... 4 R Sarwan b Johnson ...... 12 Brothers Darren and Dwayne VINA DEL MAR, Chile: M Wade (not out) ...... 4 D Sammy b Faulkner ...... 8 Bravo gave the tourists early hope J Faulkner b Bravo ...... 2 S Narine b Faulkner ...... 1 with a fighting 114-run partner- Spain’s Rafael Nadal launched M Johnson (not out) ...... 8 K Roach (not out) ...... 1 ship for the third wicket before his return from a seven-month Extras (B-1, W-3, NB-2)...... 6 Extras (LB-4, W-6, NB-1) ...... 11 Mitchell Starc bowled Dwayne injury break by teaming with Total (for 7 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 329 Total (all out in 47.3 overs) ...... 290 Bravo middle stump for 51 off 50 Argentina’s Juan Monaco for Fall of wickets: 1-89, 2-201, 3-242, 4-284, Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-81, 3-195, 4-214, balls.The wickets began to tum- an emphatic doubles victory in 5-299, 6-317, 7-321. 5-215, 6-234, 7-264, 8-281, 9-289, 10-290. ble, with Faulkner claiming two the ATP clay court event here Bowling: Roach 9-1-72-1 (1w); Russell 5-0- Bowling: McKay 10-1-62-2; Starc 7-0-50-1 of them in his sixth over. yesterday. 41-0; Sammy 8-0-49-2 (2nb); DJ Bravo 7-0- (1nb; 1w); Johnson 9-1-59-1 (1w); Faulkner He bowled Chris Gayle for two The return of the world number 39-1; Narine 10-0-55-2 (1w); Gayle 5-0-36-0 8.3-1-48-4; Maxwell 10-0-44-1 (2w); Clarke with the first ball after drinks, five, playing his first tournament (1w); Pollard 6-0-36-1. 3-0-23-0 (2w). and was given a warning by the since he was beaten in the second Did not bat: M Starc, C McKay Result: Australia won by 39 runs. umpire for his over-zealous send- round at Wimbledon by Czech WEST INDIES Series: Australia lead series 3-0. ing off of the batsman, before Shane Watson of Australia bats during the one-day international match journeyman Lukas Rosol in late K Powell c Wade b Maxwell ...... 47 Man-of-the-Match: Shane Watson (AUS). removing the dangerous Darren against the West Indies at Manuka Oval in Canberra, yesterday. June, is the focus of attention at Bravo three balls later. AFP the $410,200 tournament. In a warm-up for his sin- gles match, Nadal teamed with Monaco to post a 6-3, 6-2 victory in just 65 minutes over second seeds Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy in the first round Hamilton spins out on first Mercedes drive of the doubles. As the top seed, the 11-time JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, the footsteps of legends like Juan driver’s crown as the campaign helped show me what it takes to Grand Slam champion enjoyed a Spain: Britain’s former world Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss and begins in Australia and will fea- progress to the highest level. “The first-round singles bye and will champion Lewis Hamilton had Michael Schumacher.” Hamilton ture 19 races until the final Grand past two seasons in GP2 have been open his singles campaign with a minor accident yesterday dur- told the Mercedes website. Prix on November 24 at Sao all about proving that I have what a second-round clash against ing his first day of testing for his “It’s the start of a new chapter Paulo, Brazil. it takes and that I’m ready. Argentine qualifier Federico new team Mercedes in Spain. for me, a new adventure Meanwhile, Russian team “I am also looking forward to Delbonis. The 28-year-old, 2008 cham- Rosberg who has just one vic- Marussia confirmed yesterday the first race in Melbourne and Delbonis beat compatriot Guido pion, was on his 15th lap of timed tory on the circuit in 128 starts that Brazilian Luis Razia will be I’m excited to be racing alongside Pella 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/1). testing when he drove the brand says he is also well prepared for their second driver for the upcom- Max, who I competed against last Nadal, who will be 27 in June, new car straight off the track the new season in his fourth year ing 2013 Formula One season. season. Team boss John Booth is has been careful to play down and piled into a barrier of tyres with the English-based team. The 23-year-old, who was optimistic their new young line- expectations, saying he still has without sustaining any noticeable “I’ve been working really hard runner-up during the 2012 GP2 up have the potential to make an some pain from his trouble- injuries. over the winter on my physical Series, will race alongside British impact. some knees and doesn’t expect The session was immediately preparation, both in the moun- team-mate Max Chilton. “He is a very quick and tena- to immediately rediscover his old brought to a halt, while German tains - climbing to over 2,000 He carried out his first test- cious driver who battled hard winning ways in his first tourna- teammate Nico Rosberg was only metres with ski boots - and also ing session just one hour after to the runner-up spot last year. ment back. able to complete 14 laps before in the Mediterranean, training on Marussia confirmed his drive Together with Max (Chilton), we The Vina del Mar event is a calling it a day on Tuesday, fol- my bike, swimming and running. for the upcoming campaign are fielding a young but incred- starting point for a clay court lowing electrical problems that “The atmosphere in the team is which begins on March 17 in ibly ambitious pairing and we look season that culminates with the caused a minor fire. very positive and the people are Melbourne. forward to seeing what they can French Open in Paris starting in Despite the problems which highly motivated to succeed. And, “It’s fantastic to be back with achieve.” May. are possibly linked to a faulty of course, I have a new team-mate the Marussia F1 Team and with The only remaining seat yet to “My aim is to compete coura- front suspension, Hamilton has with Lewis (Hamilton). pretty much the same group of be unveiled before the Australian geously and hopefully the knee British driver Lewis Hamilton high hopes for the upcoming sea- “It’s his first time in the Silver people I worked with back in 2010 curtain raiser is at Force India, will stand up to it,” Nadal said attends a press conference dur- son that begins on March 17 in Arrow and I look forward to when I was reserve driver,” Razia where Scotland’s talented Paul this week. ing the presentation of the new Melbourne. working together and pushing told the Marussia website. di Resta awaits confirmation Nadal had been due to return to Mercedes AMG Formula One car “There is no company with a each other hard, to make this the “I am very proud to take the of his next teammate, although action at the notoriously physical for the season 2013-2014 at the longer history in Grand Prix rac- best team in Formula One.” step up to a Formula 1 race seat, Frenchman Jules Bianchi is Australian Open in January, but racetrack of Jerez de la Frontera, ing than Mercedes-Benz and it Germany’s Sebastian Vettel will particularly with the team I began rumoured to be in the frame. pulled out due to a viral condition. southern Spain on Monday. is an honour for me to tread in be gunning for a fourth straight this journey with, since they AGENCIES AFP Al Sadd, Al Rayyan take 1-0 lead in semi-final series BY DANOTZKI SANTOS give the redshirts a 12-point cush- Al Rayyan outplayed Army ion at 34-22, with 1:40 before the from the start, easily taking the DOHA: Al Sadd edged past Al halftime break but Mousa Daoud upper hand, 25-16 in the first Arabi to pull off a 74-70 hard- strung up a couple of baskets to period, 45-30 at the halftime earned victory in the first game spearhead a quick 12-3 counter- before settling down to a 60-39 of their best-of-three semi- offensive that lifted Al Sadd back advantage at the end of the third A player of final showdown in the Qatar in the game at 34-37 after two quarter. Eljaish attempts Basketball League at the Al quarters. Eljaish, playing sans ace play- to score a point Gharafa Indoor Arena here Daoud continued to wax hot maker and number one scorer against Al yesterday. in the third quarter and com- Fadi Abilmona, visibly struggled Rayyan dur- In the second match, Al Rayyan bined with Saad Abdulrahman in the early stages of the match ing their match trounced Eljaish 69-62. to get the Emir Cup winner’s in and barely got their game going of the Qatar Yesterday proceedings in the Al the driver’s seat to stay on top at only in the final half. Basketball Arabi-Al Sadd match began with 57-55 going into the final stage of Boney Harold Watson top- League at Al the prolific duo of Abdulai Jalloh the match. scored with 19 points. Ace-gunner Gharafa Indoor and Alvin Mofunanya drawing After five minutes of fierce bat- Targuy Ngombo contributed 16 Arena, yester- first blood to grab the upper hand tle and several lead changes, Al points while Yaseen Mousa and day. Al Rayyan early in the game but Chris dela Sadd’s Chris dela Rosa helped his Suleiman Braimoh each had 11 trounced Eljaish Rosa and Thomas Ibrahim helped team to take a 68-64 lead. points. 69-62. Al Sadd peg a 17-all logjam. In the other match, defending Turki Ali carried the scoring The Heir Apparent champions champions Al Rayyan moved a for Army with 16 points. Steve unleashed a 9-3 spurt for 26-20 game away to clinching a finals Noubisse chipped in 16 points and advantage midway in the second berth as they trounced Eljaish, in hauled down 11 rebounds. period. the first game of their own other The semifinal duels resume Jalloh anchored a 10-4 blast to best-of-three series. tomorrow. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

The Tour of Qatar pack makes its way through a desert during stage four of the six- day race. A total of 139 riders took part in the stage that was eventually won by Mark Cavendish. PICTURES: SYED OMAR

Stage four results at Tour of Qatar 1 Mark Cavendish (Omega Cavendish grabs Qatar lead Pharma-Quick-Step) 3:30:05 2 Barry Markus (Vacansoleil-DCM) 3 Andrea Guardini (Astana) The British cyclist wins stage four, wears leader’s yellow jersey 4 Filippo Fortin (Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox) BY RIZWAN REHMAT this finish that the wind comes 5 Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) from the right so you want to be 6 Jonathan Cantwell (Team DOHA: British cyclist Mark on the left. But the road sweeps Saxo-Tinkoff) Cavendish yesterday produced right and the peloton naturally 7 Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) another slick performance, reel- moves to the right, so I knew the 8 Aidis Kruopis ing off his second successive gap would open on the left,” the (Orica-GreenEdge) stage win to grab the overall lead 27-year-old said. 9 Edvald Boasson Hagen at the six-day Tour of Qatar. “In the end, I was able to do (Team Sky) The Omega Pharma-Quick what I did last year and surf 10 Davide Appollonio (Ag2R Step rider won stage four with a around the peloton with 300-200 La Mondiale) time of 3hrs 30mins and 5secs. It to go and sprint from there.” was the 27-year-old’s sixth stage For the 12th year in a row, the General win in Qatar. Tour of Qatar’s stage four started With finish in sight at Al Khor at the Camel Race Track. A pack Classification Corniche, Cavendish escaped of 139 riders headed out for the 1 Mark Cavendish (Omega a crash against a fellow rider finish exactly 160kms from the Pharma-Quick-Step) 10:20:01 before edging Markus Barry starting point. 2 Brent Bookwalter (BMC (Vacansoleil-DCM) and Andrea After 13 kilometres of racing, Racing) +2 Guardini (Astana team) to the three men managed to break top spot. away: Andriy Grivko (AST), 3 Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) +8 Cavendish’s 10-second time Primin Lang (IAM) and Gatis bonus gave him the race lead- Smukulis (KAT). 4 Adam Blythe (GBMC er’s yellow jersey ahead of Brent Their lead grew rapidly and Racing) +9 Bookwalter, who managed to fin- reached 6’30 at the first inter- 5 Greg Van Avermaet (BMC ish at the back of the 30-man mediate sprint (37kms) won by Racing) +12 bunch sprint after being delayed Grivko ahead of Smukulis and 6 Michael Schär (BMC by the crash near the finish line. Lang. Racing) +12 BMC Racing Team’s Not too concerned by the escap- 7 Bernhard Eisel (Team Sky) Bookwalter is two seconds behind ees, the pack remained 7’15 adrift +13 Cavendish. at the 81-km mark. From then on, 8 Mathew Hayman (Team Bookwalter’s team-mate Taylor the gap dropped gradually. The Sky) +14 Phinney is third (8 seconds). second bonus sprint (km 124.5) 9 Edvald Boasson Hagen Cavendish also won stage three, was again claimed by Grivko in (Team Sky) +16 beating Markus and Lithuania’s front of Lang and Smukulis with 10 Geraint Thomas (Team Addis Kruopis in a sprint finish the peloton 5’15 behind. Sky) +17 on the 143-km stage between Al As several teams took on the Wakra and Mesaieed on Tuesday. chase, the front men’s advantage Cavendish’s wins were his dropped to 3’45 with 25 kms to go second and third for his new and then 1’35 ten kilometres later. Belgium-based team, following a The escapees were finally victory on the opening stage of caught at the 146-km mark. The the Tour of San Luis in Argentina pack remained bunched all the in January. way to the final showdown in Al “I’m really happy, I won here Khor. last year on the same parcours,” With less than one kilometre Cavendish said. to go, a crash occurred, throw- “It’s pretty much the same ing to the ground around 15 rid- wind, not enough to break the ers. That, however, didn’t prevent race, but everyone’s a bit nerv- Cavendish from powering to his ous,” he added. second consecutive stage win. Mark Cavendish of the Omega The Briton said his experience Today’s fifth stage is a 154- Pharma-Quick Step team of racing in Qatar helped him km run from Al Zubara Fort to Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider Mark Cavendish celebrates after celebrates on the podium. tackle the chaotic end yesterday. Madinat Al Shamal. crossing first the finish line of the 4th stage of Tour of Qatar yesterday. “I knew from experience at THE PENINSULA Total Qatar National Junior 2013 youth event ends

DOHA: The closing ceremony for the Total Qatar National Junior 2013 Youth Tournament took place at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday. Qatar Tennis The tournament began on Federation (QTF) February 1, 2013 in partnership officials are seen with Total, a leader in supporting with players tennis and community initiatives who took part in here in Qatar. the Total Qatar The Qatar Tennis Federation National Junior (QTF) took pride in hosting one 2013 Youth of the few youth events in the Tournament country, aiming to enhance Qatar at the Khalifa tennis and put young Qatari play- International ers on the competition track in order to improve their skills and Tennis and potentials. Squash Complex. A total of 55 boys and girls PICTURE: SYED OMAR participated in this five-day long event in different categories including Under 8s, Under 9s, Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s, and Under 18s. Winners: Nasser Al Yazidi (Boys 8); AbdulazizTarek Saad Al Mohannadi, and international ones. We saw Michel added: “This is a great our partnership with the Qatar who will be able to compete in (Boys 9); Ibrahim Al Sulaiti Tournament Director for the some great matches during the opportunity for the Qatari youth Tennis Federation.” both local and international (Boys 10); RayanJufairi (Boys upcoming Qatar Total Open, said: event.” to showcase their talents and Michel explained: “We are also tournaments, continuing Qatar’s 12); HamadMohannadi (Boys “The final match saw the best Stephane Michel, Managing skills during one week of great looking forward to the WTA growth on the international 14); Abdallah Al Jufairi (Boys players in this tournament com- Director of Total E&P Qatar tennis. The future of Qatar tennis Qatar Total Open that will take sporting stage, a QTF official said. 18); AmnaHamud (Girls 10); peting bravely, showing all their said during the prize distribu- was on display during this event place next week with the best Later this week, QTF will stage MubarakaAlnaimi (Girls 14); abilities and potential. They really tion ceremony: “This tournament and the Qatar Tennis Federation players of the world playing in the women’s Qatar Total Open, Ibrahim Sulaiti and Jassem Al added an exciting and competitive was a great success for all players takes pride in growing the game Doha. I am sure that the young an event that has become a big Mahmoud (Boys Doubles 10); element to this tournament.” to participate. Total is proud of and creating the stars of tomor- Qatari players will enjoy such a attraction for the players. HamadMohannadi and Mubarak He added: “Qatar is so proud sponsoring this tournament and row. Presenting the award to the big tournament.” The event will begin next Sulaiti (Boys Doubles 14); and to have such valuable talents who to be more and more involved in champions of the Total Qatar The Qatar Tennis Federation Monday at Khalifa International JassimZeyara and Abdullah can enhance Qatar’s role not only community initiatives by support- National Junior tournament believes that this kind of event Tennis Complex. Shanan (Boys Doubles 18). in local events but also regional ing this event.” is truly one of the highlights of helps produce future tennis stars THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 FIFA launches hotline for Qatar’s World Cup plans reporting corruption

ZURICH: Football’s world gov- ‘astonishing’: Rummenigge erning body FIFA has launched a web page to enable individu- BY RIZWAN REHMAT to go, one in Brazil (2014) and the als to make anonymous reports other in Russia (2018). There are of corruption by officials and DOHA: Qatar’s 2022 FIFA nine years to go before we arrive attempts at match-fixing, it said World Cup plans are nothing in Qatar,” Rummenigge said. yesterday. short of ‘astonishing’, German “I am sure we will know FIFA had promised to set football legend Karl-Heinz about this in the next two or up the hotline before Monday’s Rummenigge said yesterday three years. announcement by European “If we heard anyone say any- “I am sure if the decision is police that about 680 suspicious thing critical about Qatar’s foot- made to switch, then the world matches, including qualifiers for ball plans, we’d tell them to go football family will have time to the World Cup and European there first and see the country. adjust their schedules accord- Championship and the Champions The Qatari plans (for the World ingly,” Rummenigge said. League, had been identified in a Cup) are astonishing, I must When asked about racism in fix inquiry. say,” Rummenigge said in an football, Rummenigge said the “Infringements of the FIFA interview. matter was being dealt with by code of ethics, and violations of “The (football) infrastructure UEFA. FIFA’s regulatory framework they have here is fantastic. They “You would have seen the relating to match manipulation plan to have a stadium that will German football legend and European Club Association (ECA) chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (second left), jerseys worn by players during can be securely reported and seat more than 80,000 specta- speaking during the General Assembly of ECA in Doha, yesterday. Champions League matches. treated with the strictest confi- tors. It is an amazing stadium,” There is a logo with a message dentiality,” FIFA said. Rummenigge said, following a against racism,” he said. “The reporting mechanism will two-day meeting of the European December 2010 was the right is appreciable,” he added. “Our “As of now, the World Cup in “We are against racism in any enable individuals to notify FIFA Club Association (ECA). move. impression is that Qatar are not Qatar is to be held in summer,” form. We support this campaign of potential violations, another The 57-year-old was referring “The general impression we just able to organise the competi- he said. 100 percent in Europe. It is our milestone in FIFA’s effort to to the Losail Iconic Stadium get is that we are very positive tion, but we have the impression When asked about the cooling obligation to root out racism strengthen football governance.” which will host the first match about the World Cup in Qatar,” that the world can expect a really technology that Qatar plans to from the sport,” he said. The portal (https://www.bkms- and the final of the 2022 FIFA Rummenigge said. fantastic World Cup, because of use to bring down high temper- When reminded of the match- system.net/FIFA) assures users World Cup in Qatar. “We have a good feeling about the stadiums, the hotels and the atures in player and fan zones, fixing scandal that rocked Europe that information will be handled “Their presentation was fan- all this,” he added. infrastructure. So, we have a very Rummenigge said: “Well, it is a a few days ago, Rummenigge said in confidence. tastic,” he said. “I played in three World Cups positive impression,” said the unique plan. I must say that they the ‘fight’ was on. “Whether you submit your “I went to the Khalifa Stadium - in 1978, 1982 and 1986. It was Bayern Munich president. have sufficient energy to bring “It is a fight that UEFA and report anonymously or are asked last night. And I must say that I an amazing experience for me as When asked about switching this plan to work. I am told that governments across Europe are to include your name, your infor- have never seen such a fine pitch I played in different countries. I the summer World Cup to winter, they would stage an international taking on. UEFA and FIFA will mation will be handled promptly in my entire life,” the chairman of was so happy playing in World Rummenigge said the decision to match in two years in searing share intel on this matter and and treated with the strictest ECA added. “I have played foot- Cups. open a debate on the matter was heat to show that all of this actu- they are doing everything they confidentiality available under the ball in many countries like Italy, “I am sure players will have a with FIFA and the global football ally works.” can to tackle this problem,” he applicable laws and regulations,” Spain, England and Germany and great time playing here,” he said. family. The former Bayern Munich said. it says. “FIFA is convinced that I must say Qatar’s facilities are “From the moment I landed “We read that UEFA President star said it was too early to Altogether, between 1976 and every individual can contribute unrivaled,” the former German here in Qatar two days ago, Michelle Platini said the world debate the topic of switching 1986, Rummenigge managed 95 to promoting transparency and captain added. everything is moving accord- should open a debate on this mat- the 2022 World Cup to winter caps and scored 45 goals for the integrity through vigilance and Rummenigge said the deci- ing to plan. The responsibility ter. I trust the football fraternity to escape the searing heat in the German national team, including a sense of responsibility. Please sion to award the World Cup to Qatar is showing in their plans would discuss the matter and months of June and July. one in the 1986 FIFA World Cup help us protect our organisation Qatar in a historic FIFA vote in towards the fans and players make a suitable decision. “We still have two World Cups Final. THE PENINSULA against harmful behaviour.” REUTERS Al Kass Cup: PSG, Fluminense Five-star Iran vie for top honours in Qatar crush Lebanon

DOHA: The final of the Al Kass SINGAPORE: Javad Emirates opened their campaign International Cup, which takes Nekounam starred with a hat- with a 2-1 win over battling place today, will be a fascinating Captains of trick as three-time champions Vietnam, and 10-man Hong Kong clash of styles as powerful Paris Paris Saint- Iran kick-started their 2015 held Uzbekistan 0-0 in Tashkent. Saint-Germain (PSG) take on Germain Asian Cup qualifying campaign The UAE got off the mark with the flair of Fluminense. (PSG) with a crushing 5-0 victory over an early penalty, put away by Al Defending champions PSG will France Lebanon yesterday. Ahli forward Ahmed Khalil, but start the game as slight favorites (right) and The ex-Osasuna man, now with Vietnam’s busy efforts to get back due to last year’s experience, but Fluminense Iran’s Esteghlal, slotted penal- into the game paid off on the they will be wary of the Brazilian of Brazil ties either side of half-time and hour-mark when Huynh Quoc team’s pace and ability. pose with added the hosts’ fifth and final Anh made it all square. The French team have the Al Kass goal while Standard Liege striker However, Habib Fardan put the impressed onlookers with their International Reza Ghoochannejhad weighed in visitors back in front only seven well-organised and strong side, Cup on with a brace at Tehran’s Azadi minutes later and it was to prove but they had to rely on a penalty Stadium. decisive as UAE took an early lead the eve of shoot-out in the semi-finals to The rousing win made Iran in Group E and deflated the home the final at overcome Boca Juniors. early favourites to join Japan, fans at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium. In contrast, Fluminense Corniche, host nation Australia and South In the Uzbek capital, Hong brushed aside Inter Milan 3-1 in yesterday. Korea, who finished first, second Kong turned up with an injury- a stunning display of samba style PSG and and third in 2011, at the Asian depleted squad and the outlook play thanks to their attacking Fluminense Cup’s next edition in early 2015. looked even bleaker for Kim Pan- verve. will clash The top two teams from each of Gon’s men when midfielder Lo The game will also see two play- in the final five qualifying groups go through, Kwan Yee was sent off after 58 ers considered the tournament’s today at along with the best third-placed minutes. best playing against each other Aspire team, with Iran already well But the visitors held firm as PSG captain Franck Bambock Academy at placed at the top of Group B. against against the Uzbek attack lines up opposite Flu’s flying for- 4.30pm. Team Melli’s closest group to escape the difficult fixture with ward Robert Kenedy Nunes. rivals on the opening match day a precious point. Bambock has been hailed as a were Kuwait, who made Southeast Stuttgart striker Shinji star of the future thanks to his Asian runners-up Thailand suffer Okazaki scored two goals to lead mature displays in central mid- in front of their own fans with a Asian champions Japan to a 3-0 field as he has lead his team into 2-1 winners. But Fluminense have international football. The game Al Kass Sport Channels and the 3-1 victory in Bangkok. win over Latvia in their season the final by example. improved as the tournament has – to be played at the Aspire Aspire Zone Foundation. Fans An early own goal rocked opener yesterday in a warm-up But Kenedy has caught the eye developed, and many now predict Academy – will kick off at 4.30pm can follow all the action from Thailand, beaten in December’s game ahead of the 2014 World with his confidence on the ball as the final will be a close-run affair and will be broadcast live on the the tournament online at; http:// AFF Suzuki Cup decider by Cup qualifiers. The 26-year-old he has tormented defenders and between the different styles of the Al Kass International Sports alkassinternationalcup.com/ and Singapore, and second-half strikes forward, who missed a header in contributed goals and assists to European and South American Channel. via the tournaments social media by Hussain Fadhel and Hamad the 31st minute, slid down for a his team’s progress. teams. It is free for the public to channels; http://facebook.com/ Aman put them virtually out right-footer on a cross by Schalke The two sides played in the A spectacular closing ceremony attend. alkassintlcup @alkassintlcup. of contention before Chanathip defender Atsuto Uchida, which hit opening group stage of the tour- will follow the final, bringing to The tournament is hosted by The winners will get $75,000. Songkrasin’s late consolation. the left post and landed in the net nament, with PSG running out a close two weeks of outstanding The Qatar Football Association, THE PENINSULA Earlier, the United Arab in the 41st minute. AGENCIES 2015 Asian Cup AFC offers support in major graft probe Qualifying Results SINGAPORE: Results from KUALA LUMPUR: Asian and 50 people arrested so far. policy towards unethical practices Vukasin Poleksic was banned by the club in connection with the qualifying matches for the football’s governing body offered The Asian Football in football, and we are determined UEFA for two years for failing match-fixing investigation,” the 2015 Asian Cup yesterday: its support yesterday to an Confederation, based in neigh- to fight against any kind of irreg- to report approaches from fix- source said. GROUP E investigation by European bouring Malaysia’s capital Kuala ularities that include... match-fix- ers in 2009 but the charge at the The statement titled “A bone Uzbekistan 0 Hong Kong 0 police into a massive world-wide Lumpur, said it was “fully pre- ing, corruption and illegal betting time only specified a tie against already chewed” released on Vietnam 1 UAE 2 match-fixing scandal. pared” to support institutions in the game.” Fiorentina. Debrecen’s website Tuesday said: European police announced on in the fight against corruption, Meanwhile, Hungarian foot- Debrecen confirmed via a “all information relating to the GROUP A Monday that they had uncovered although no organisation has yet ball side Debrecen said yesterday statement Tuesday that Poleksic matter was given in summer Oman 1 Syria 0 a massive global match-rigging made “formal contact” on the that they have had no contact was also approached before the 2010”. Jordan 4 Singapore 0 network that targeted hundreds matter. from Europol in connection with Liverpool game. “Several news outlets have GROUP B of professional games, drawing “We are closely following the match-fixing allegations sur- A club source said yesterday, ran the story by the Danish Iran 5 Lebanon 0 in players, referees and other news reports which have sug- rounding a Champions League however, that the club considered Ekstra Bladet newspaper that on Thailand 1 Kuwait 3 officials. gested that Asia is one of the match in 2009. the case closed as Poleksic refused September 16, 2009, before the GROUP C Police have said a crime syn- continents where the suspi- Reports in Denmark and else- the bribes, was cleared by UEFA Liverpool-Debrecen Champions Iraq 1 Indonesia 0 dicate in Singapore was liaising cious matches took place,” said where saying the match was of matchfixing and had served his League group match, attempts with criminal networks through- Alex Soosay, the body’s general Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Debrecen ban. were made to bribe our goal- GROUP D out Europe, with match-fixing secretary. at Anfield in 2009. “No one from Europol or any keeper Vukasin Poleksic,” the Yemen 0 Bahrain 2 having taken place in 15 countries, “AFC has a zero-tolerance The Debrecen goalkeeper other organisation has contacted statement read. AGENCIES Qatar 2 Malaysia 0 Thursday 7 February 2013 26 Rabial I Safar 1434 Volume 17 Number 5603 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Nigeria trounce Mali to reach Pedro double helps Spain Africa Cup final

DURBAN, South Africa: Nigeria qualified for the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations after trouncing Mali to 3-1 win over Uruguay 4-1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday. The Super Eagles will face the winners of the other semi-final World and Euro champions stretch their unbeaten run to 17 matches between Ghana and Burkina Faso, scheduled for Nelspruit at BY DENZIL PINTO celebrating again minutes later, 1830GMT, this Sunday at Soccer International friendly when Edinson Cavani saw his shot City stadium in Soweto. DOHA: Pedro Rodriguez scored results go agonisingly wide. Nigeria took the lead on 25 a brace as world and European In Belek, Turkey With the score level at 1-1 minutes through a diving header champions Spain beat Uruguay Hungary 1 (Szabics 33) Belarus 1 (Volodko 59) at half-time Del Bosque made inside the box by defender 3-1 in an entertaining friendly at changes with Gerard Pique com- Elderson Echiejile off a low cross In London Khalifa International Stadium ing on for Puyol and David Villa by Victor Moses from the right. yesterday. Croatia 4 (Mandzukic 31, Srna 40, Jelavic replacing Juan Mata. They doubled their advantage Cesc Fabregas had given Spain 57, Petric 86) South Korea 0 His substituations made a dif- Spain’s on the half hour when Brown the lead when he saw his long- InLjubljana ference when he saw his side Cesc Ideye finished off another low range shot fumbled by Uruguayan Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 (Ibisevic 33, Pjanic take a 2-1 lead six minutes into Fabregas’ cross from the right, this time by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera 41, Svraka 80) Slovenia 0 the second half courtesy of Pedro. (left) heads Emmanuel Emenike. Cristian Rodriguez levelled the In Sevilla Pique and Villa, were joined by the ball Emenike netted his fourth score, but Pedro scored twice in Norway 0 Ukraine 2 (Morozyuk 17, Isco, who made his international away from goal of the tournament a minute the second half to ensure the vic- Yarmolenko 42) debut later in the second half. Uruguay’s before the break when his shot tory for Spain that was played in IN Doha Pique disposed Uruguayan Alvaro off an edge-of-box free kick took front of a near capacity crowd. defender Diego Godin who came a deflection beyond goalkeeper Spain 3 (Fabregas 16, Pedro Rodriguez 52, Gonzalez The result preserves Spain’s out of his penalty box, and the Mamadou Samassa. 75) Uruguay 1 (Rodriguez 32) during a unbeaten run which now Barcelona defender delivered Substitute Ahmed Musa slot- friendly stretches to 17 games, and con- a perfectly well-timed pass to ted home the fourth goal for match at demns Uruguay to another defeat, the match, showing glimpses Pedro, who finished clinically with Nigeria on 60 minutes when he with crucial world cup matches of the form that won them the a low-shot across Muslera. Khalifa burst clear. for both sides next month. Copa Amercan title in 2011. The Uruguay, who came into this Stadium Mali pulled a goal back in the Vicente Del Bosque saw his Spanish defence, which included match, winning one of their six yesterday. 75th minute through substitute side enjoy ball possession in the Cesar Azpilicueta , who made his last matches, nearly equalised Spain won Fantamady Diarra, who slotted early parts of the match, playing international debut, had to be on minutes later when Edinson the match the ball past goalkeeper Vincent slick short passes that frustrated guard with Luis Suarez always Cavani, the Serie A top scorer, 3-1. Enyeama as the Nigerian defence Uruguay. being a threat. saw his effort saved by Valdes’ PICTURES suffered a lapse in concentration. Spain were rewarded for Shortly after Carles Puyol saw fingertips. BY: “Mali are a good team with a their ball possession in the 15th his goal ruled out for off-side in Suarez continued to be a con- SHAIVAL top player like Seydou Keita, but minute, when Muslera made what would have been a moment stant threat, being in the link-up DALAL they are not very fast at the back a complete mess of Fabregas’ to remember for the defender of some of Uruauay’s attacking and we took advantage of this to 30-yard effort to give Del who won his 100th cap. play. score our first two goals,” said Bosque’s side the lead. Uruguay players were soon However, Suarez saw his side Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi. In what should have been a celebrating when Rodriguez fin- 3-1 behind in the 74th minute Patrice Carteron, the coach simple catch for Muslera, the ished sweetly past Victor Vales, when Pedro sealed his second of of Mali, said: “I’m still proud of ball slipped through his hands and who was making his 7th cap for the match when he converted this team -- we worked hard even into the back of the net. the national team. Fabregas’ cross. though we did not reach the final.” Uruguay began to get into Uruguay were nearly THE PENINSULA AFP Qatar crush Malaysia for winning start to 2015 Asian Cup campaign

DOHA: Two goals in the sec- ond half propelled Qatar to a 2-0 win over Malaysia in their 2015 Asian Cup qualifying game at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Striker Khalfan Ibrahim (55) and Yasser Ahmed (90) provided the much-needed relief to new coach Fahad Thani who took over the reigns of the national side only a couple of weeks ago. Ibrahim curled in a free-kick Spain’s Jordi Alba (left) and Uruguay’s Luis Suarez vie for ball possession which deflected off a Malaysian during the friendly match. wall in the second half. Ahmed later added one more in the dying minutes of the game. Qatar, who will play against Bahrain and Yemen in Group D, dominated the match periodically though the first half was far from impressive for Thani’s young side. The home team could have eas- ily increased the tally in the sec- ond half but Qatar missed some easy scoring opportunities. Striker Sebastian Soria created a fine goal scoring opportunity for himself in the 65th minute, tor- menting the Malaysian defence before shooting wide while Ibrahim hit the post with regular time having all but run out. Yesterday’s win was a far cry from the performance of the national side that lost two out of three matches at the Gulf Cup in Bahrain.Qatar take on Bahrain in their second match in the 2015 Asian Cup qualifying fixture on Spain’s Carlos Puyol (centre) receives a memento from Sheikh Hamad bin March 22.The next three matches Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani (left), President of Qatar Football Association after March 22 clash will be and Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of Qatar 2022 Supreme played in October this year. Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al Sulaiti (left) fights for the ball with Malaysia’s Mahalli Bin Jasuli during their 2015 AFC Asian Committee. The Spanish defender won his 100th cap yesterday. THE PENINSULA Cup qualifying match at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, yesterday. Qatar won 2-0.