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Sheikha Moza with Maldives First Lady Qatar hails election of Hitto as Syria Fish Market interim govt head DOHA: Qatar has welcomed the election of Ghassan Hitto as head of the Syrian interim to operate government. An official source at the Foreign Ministry, in a statement yesterday, hailed the election of the head of the Syrian Interim in two shifts government as an important step towards preparation for the transition, and legitimate political Evening hours from 6 to 11 participation, especially after the issuance of the decision that gave DOHA: The Central Fish and Urban Planning, Syria’s seat in the Arab League to Market will be open in two Ministry of Environment the Syrian opposition. QNA shifts from tomorrow on a and the Consumer Protection trial basis. Department (CPD) of the The evening shift will begin at Ministry of Business and Trade Saudi Arabia 6pm and last until 11pm. has taken the decision to open The market’s evening sales the market in two shifts on an arrests 18 hours are being introduced on experimental basis. a trial basis for a month, while The committee will closely over spying its morning vending timings, monitor the working of the cen- from 7am until noon, will remain tral market in the evening hours RIYADH: The Saudi authori- unchanged. and arrive at a decision after H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with the First Lady of Maldives, Madam Ilham Hussain, at the Qatar ties have arrested 18 suspected The market’s operations in two a month, Qatar News Agency Foundation headquarters in Doha. They talked about measures to support autistic children in both countries. spies, including an Iranian and shifts a day is apparently aimed at (QNA) reported yesterday. (AISHA AL MUSALLAM) a Lebanese, on charges of espio- helping boost its business since it This is the first time that nage for a foreign country, the has been facing stiff competition the fish market, located in Abu interior ministry said yesterday. from the mushrooming hyper- Hamour, is being opened in two “Sixteen Saudis, an Iranian markets and malls for the past shifts since from its inception it and a Lebanese were arrested several years. has always been open only in the Suspected chemical attack in Syria in coordinated and simultane- Also, since the market’s morn- mornings, QNA added. ous operations in four regions ing hours are from 7am until The news agency said that trial of the kingdom,” including the 12 noon, a lot of people are not auctions of fish stock were held BEIRUT: Syria’s government rebels fired a rocket carry- confirmed a chemical attack capital Riyadh and the holy city able to visit it and they usually in the evening last Sunday and and rebels accused each other ing chemical agents that killed in Syria, but Russia, an ally of of Makkah, the ministry said in prefer to make fish purchases at Monday. of launching a deadly chemical 25 people and wounded doz- Damascus, accused rebels of car- a statement. convenient hours from shopping On Monday, an important attack near the northern city ens. The pro-opposition Syrian rying out such a strike. The suspects, some of whom complexes. development was that more of Aleppo yesterday in what Observatory for Human Rights, Syria’s deputy foreign minister, were arrested in Eastern Province During the trial period of a stocks (21.5 tonnes) were auc- would, if confirmed, be the first which monitors the conflict, said Faisal Meqdad, said his govern- where the kingdom’s Shia minor- month how the evening shift of tioned than in the morning use of such weapons in the two- 16 soldiers were among the dead. ment would send a letter to the ity is concentrated, were working the market benefits consumers, (15 tonnes only). year conflict. The most notorious use of UN Security Council “calling on it for a foreign country which it did vendors, fishermen and trawler Meanwhile, the market has US President Barack Obama, chemical weapons in the Middle to handle its responsibilities and not name, the statement added. owners will be assessed and been undergoing a major facelift who has resisted overt military East in recent history was in clarify a limit to these crimes of Their arrest was made after the based on that, a decision whether and the vending floor is being intervention in Syria, has warned the Iraqi Kurdish city of Halabja terrorism and those that support ministry had “received informa- to make the evening hours a expanded and a new cleaning area President Bashar Al Assad that where an estimated 5,000 peo- it inside Syrian Arab Republic”. tion concerning the involvement permanent feature would be is being built. any use of chemical weapons ple died in a poison gas attack He warned that the violence of Saudis and expats in espionage made. People had long been complain- would be a “red line”. There has, ordered by former Iraqi President that had engulfed Syria was a on behalf of a another country,” An inter-ministerial com- ing that the fish market was in however, been no suggestion of Saddam Hussein 25 years ago. regional threat. said the statement carried by the mittee with members from a mess. rebels possessing such arms. No Western governments REUTERS official SPA news agency. the Ministry of Municipality THE PENINSULA Syria’s state television said or international organisations See also page 10 AFP

Rumpus at match Rains, dusty Ooredoo deal Muslim clerics for weather to help spot likely today accident sites better Vatican ties DOHA: The Ministry of DOHA: The International the world, and to contribute to DOHA: Marking the transition Interior (MoI) has signed an Union of Muslim Scholars security, shelter and relief in dis- from winter to summer, Qatar agreement with Ooredoo to help (IUMS) led by noted Qatar- aster areas where criminals and is likely to experience sudden rescue teams instantly identify based Islamic scholar Dr Yousuf tyrants have been terrorizing the changes in weather from today, accident locations. Al Qaradawi said yesterday that masses,” added the statement. with chances of a dust storm, The agreement was signed with the accession of a new Pope The Union stressed the need rains and a dip in temperature. between the National Control at the Vatican, the Union would for a serious dialogue between This seasonal phenomenon Room at MoI and Ooredoo, an like to reopen channels of com- representatives of different reli- which the locals call “Serraya” HMC official told a session of munication with the supreme gions in “today’s turbulent world.” has been attributed to a low pres- the Central Municipal Council, leader of the world’s Catholics. “This dialogue would contribute sure over the Gulf region. according to Al Sharq. “The Union would like to positively towards the values of “Qatar experiences this con- A major challenge being faced announce that its freezing of com- faith, tolerance, cooperation for dition every year usually from by MoI’s rescue teams was locat- munication with the Pope of the the sake of good, and security and mid-March until the beginning ing the accident sites accurately, Vatican has ended. The Union’s peace on all levels,” said the state- of April. This period is marked by with many incidents taking place earlier decision was due to the ment. “Let us all work together sudden and unexpected changes in in relatively less known areas, previous Pope’s stance on Islam. towards an integrative system of weather conditions. Strong winds the daily said. The Ministry had Now, however, we would like to moral values, and stand together and rains could be expected on previously considered assigning open a new page with the new against injustice, corruption, and some days, and the weather will Qataris in every ambulance to Pope,” said a statement issued by violation of human dignity every- return to normal, with chances of help drivers identify the locations. the Union yesterday. where. Let us stand together with a recurrence of such conditions,” However, many Qataris did not “IUMS would like to congrat- the legitimate rights of the people Abdullah Al Mannai, Director of agree to be a part of the project ulate Pope Francis for this dis- of Palestine, Syria, and elsewhere. Forecast and Analysis Department while others said the offered tinguished post, and wish him Let us reject together atheism, at the Meteorology Department salary was not enough, said the success in carrying out a signifi- immorality, abortion, and degra- told this newspaper last evening. daily. cant role in re-establishing the dation of family values,” it added. According to a statement THE PENINSULA values of tolerance and peace in THE PENINSULA issued by the Department yester- day, thunderstorms are expected today and tomorrow. The Department has warned of poor visibility and high seas Deadline soon for replacing old number plates during this period resulting from strong dust laden winds. DOHA: The Department of department has said. given. Many vehicles are yet to The weather would remain The match referee tries to pull away Al Arabi’s Abdulla Marafee (red), Traffic is expected to soon Actually, the decision for get their number plates replaced, cloudy today with chances of who is grappling with Al Gharafa’s Nene during their Qatar Stars Cup announce a final deadline for all automobiles to have new and while the owners of some of scattered rains. The northwest- semi-final at Qatar Sports Club in Doha yesterday. Both players were replacing old number plates of number plates was announced them might just be procrastinat- erly to northeasterly winds would vehicles with the new ones that in November 2011 and a year’s ing, there are a number of vehi- shown the red card after Nene took a swing at Marafee in the dying sec- blow at speeds ranging from 10 have been made mandatory. time was allowed. The deadline cles whose road permits have not onds of the match which Al Arabi won 2-1 to reach the final of the Qatar to 25 knots. Temperature in After the final deadline has was extended after it lapsed late been renewed since they need to Doha would remain between Stars Cup in a clash that saw a free-for-all at the end of the match. lapsed, it will be treated as a last year and a final date is to be pay heavy fines for traffic rule 20 and 28 degrees Celsius. Full report on page 26 (MOHAMMED AL OBAIDLY) violation of rules if a vehicle’s announced soon, following which breaches. THE PENINSULA number plate is not replaced, the no further grace period will be THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Qatar-Albania talks

A meeting on political consultations opened yesterday between Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Albanian counterpart. Assistant Foreign Minister H E Ali bin Fahad Al Hajeri led the Qatari delegation, while Deputy Foreign Minister Edith Harji headed the Albanian side. They discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern. Qatar International Food Festival from March 28 DOHA: The annual food festi- consider QA a key partner in has become a great annual fam- val organised by Qatar Tourism promoting Qatar as an upscale ily event here in Doha. We are Authority (QTA) will be held tourist destination. This year, the extremely excited by the initia- from March 28 to 31 at the festival showcases excellent qual- tives that we will be featuring in Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) ity food from some of the world’s this years’ festival — we promise Park. best hotel and restaurant brands there will be some thrilling ‘firsts’ Renamed Qatar International that have established outlets in for Doha taking place — I strongly Food Festival (QIFF), the fourth Qatar, confirming its growing encourage everyone to stay tuned edition of the event is being reputation as an international for our upcoming announcements organised in partnership with gourmet capital that appeals to about the Qatar International Qatar Airways. tourists from anywhere in the Food Festival.” QIFF will have two main world.” This year’s festival has a themes — healthy food and a The Healthy Food Zone will number of exciting initiatives healthy lifestyle — and will be dedicated to healthy dishes, which will delight adults and kids focus on the Qatar UK 2013 including raw foods, salads, veg- alike. celebrations, highlighting tra- etables, fruits, steam-cooked sea- The MIA Park, with its beauti- ditional dishes from Britain and food and meats accompanied by ful setting on Doha’s waterfront, is Qatar. fresh juices and teas. a stunning backdrop for the event. Eng. Issa Al Mohannadi, Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Entry to the event is free. Chairman of QTA, said: “We Airways, said: “Qatar Airways is Vouchers for food and drinks at at QTA are honoured to part- very pleased to be partnering with the festival will be sold on site. ner with Qatar Airways as we Qatar Tourism Authority on what THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Halal Qatar to begin on Friday Emir invites UAE president Festival to feature traditional ranches, auctioning of animals to Arab League Summit ABU DHABI: The President of the United Arab Emirates, H H Sheikh DOHA: Katara, the Cultural Village, is Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has received a written message from the Emir set to launch the 10-day Halal Qatar fes- H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, inviting him to the 24th ordinary tival at the Katara Esplanade on Friday. session of the Arab League Council at the summit level, to be held in Doha The second edition of Halal Qatar will later this month. The message was received by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince try to revive Qatari heritage by providing and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Lieutenant a glimpse of the country’s forgotten animal General Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during a meeting with trade, bringing to life one aspect of Qatar’s Qatar’s Ambassador to the UAE, Abdullah bin Mohammad Al Othman. history. QNA The festival comprises three main activi- ties — a showcase of breeding accessories and equipment used to groom animals, tra- ditional ranches and an auction. In addition, the festival will feature a local competition for the best livestock product. Mohammed Al Khulaifi, Festival Director, said: “We are proud to present the second edition of Halal Qatar. The festival honours Qatari culture and traditions which we are truly proud of, allowing us to reflect on our past to ensure a stronger future. “Contributing to Katara’s long-term vision to educate, entertain and demon- strate the importance of cultural exchange, this event provides a platform to promote Ahmad bin Nasser Al Kuwari, Halal Qatar Festival Manager (left) and Mohammed Al Khulaifi, the Qatari history, allowing the youth of Qatar Festival Director, announcing the event. to continue carrying our legacy,” he added. Halal Qatar will allow members of the public to interact with shepherds and learn take place during the entire festival. get to see how the animals are bred. the secrets of their trade. The shepherds The festival will showcase pens and The festival will include an array of activi- will provide in-depth information about the stables where goats and sheep are bred. ties and events, the best of Qatar’s hand- livestock and their various types. Visitors will get to see how Qataris lived made arts and crafts as well as traditional In addition, the festival will provide in earlier times as they walk through food, dairy products, pictures, popular visitors with the opportunity to buy and traditional ranches that showcase local games, old songs and falconry shows. sell animals through auctions that will lifestyles from the past. Guests will also THE PENINSULA

Bards to mark World Poetry Day tomorrow

DOHA: World Poetry Day will events is part of our broader improvisational recitals, which evening we are hosting in honour be marked in Qatar tomorrow strategy to serve different sec- are considered some of the most of World Poetry Day,” he said. with an event open to all poets tors of the community, whatever difficult forms of poetry but are Dialogue poetry involves in the country. their interests or hobbies are, and also very specific to Qatari cul- two or more poets speaking Aspire Zone Foundation especially when these activities ture,” Hindi said. in rhyming, measured verses (AZF) has partnered with the involve preserving our authen- The poetry recitation, which in an improvised recitation, Dialogue Poets Council in Qatar tic Arabian heritage,” Hamad will be in Arabic, will have three which usually involves the to host the event, which will be Bu Hindi, Public Relations and segments: measured poetry, two challenging each other. held at Aspire Park from 8pm Media Manager at AZF, said. prose and dialogue poetry, Traditionally, it was a way for until midnight. Eight poets will take part in Meshaal Al Marri, President of poets from opposing tribes to The event is open to all tomorrow’s event, the youngest the Dialogue Poets Council, said. criticise one another. Recently, poetry-lovers and the general among them being 15. “The Council has organised this form of poetry has seen a public. “This event is much antici- several festivals in the past revival among young poets who “AZF’s commitment to host pated by many passionate fol- through the Ministry of Culture, prefer improvisation and prose. and sponsor various cultural lowers of dialogue poetry and and this is the first poetry THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Educated 450 youth to happier than illiterates, attend Rota’s finds survey

DOHA: A survey conducted by the national statistics agency to Empower 2013 mark the International Day of Happiness today suggests that one’s level of happiness in Qatar Conference from March 28 at QNCC depends largely on how much educated one is. DOHA: Around 450 young Manager at Msheireb Properties. While only 59.9 percent of the people from the GCC countries “As the developer of the first illiterate men who were inter- will participate in Reach Out sustainable regeneration of a viewed said they were happy here, To Asia’s (Rota) fifth Empower downtown area in a city, we are the percentage was much higher Youth Conference (Empower also committed to sharing our (81.7) in the case of those who 13), to be held at Qatar National expertise and knowledge with were educated. Convention Center (QNCC) young people. By doing this, we The same was true of from March 28 to 30. hope they will be inspired to use women, as 69.4 percent of This year’s event is supported this knowledge in whatever future those interviewed who had had by Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s careers they may choose,” she schooling up to the primary leading sustainable developer and added. Mohamed Abdulla Saleh, Rota National Programmes Director (left) and Jawaher Al Khuzaei, Msheireb Properties level said they were happy, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation. On March 29, Bassam Eisa Al Senior Communications Manager, at a press conference. the percentage was 80 as for “At Msheireb we believe that Mannai of Msheireb Properties women with higher educa- young people have the potential will conduct a workshop on National Programmes Director. keynote speeches, lectures, small “The main aims of Empower tional qualifications. to contribute their skills, lead- Msheireb Downtown Doha and Supported by a powerful pro- group workshops, off-site visits, 2013 are to raise awareness and The Qatar Statistics Authority ership and enthusiasm to the water-sensitive urban design. gramme focusing on leadership, and a student public debate to build knowledge and capacity to (QSA) released the findings future growth of their country. “We look forward to meet- service learning and global citi- be held at the start of Empower enable young people to take lead- of the survey on the eve of the By taking an active role in the ing the world’s youth lead- zenship, the organisers will inte- 2013. ership roles in addressing local International Happiness Day community and voicing opinions ers, hearing their opinions and grate sports, environment, skills This year’s theme is Water and international developmental yesterday. on global issues, the young people ideas for tackling the commu- development and the Arabic Cooperation, in view of the United issues of concern to them, espe- The QSA, however, didn’t say of today can inspire change and nity, social and environmental language as key themes of the Nations General Assembly declar- cially in the area of sustainable how many people were surveyed become the leaders and thinkers issues that really matter to the Empower 2013 programme. ing 2013 as the United Nations development and sports,” said and what the ratio was of nation- of tomorrow,” said Jawaher Al young people of the world,” said The three-day event features International Year of Water Saleh. als and expatriates who com- Khuzaei, Senior Communications Mohamed Abdulla Saleh, Rota seminars, panel discussions, Cooperation. THE PENINSULA prised the sample. Qatari families are happier than their non-Qatari counter- parts, the survey reflected giving no percentages. In Qatari families, male mem- Katara Hospitality to bers (90.4 percent) were happier than the females whose per- centage was marginally lower at 88.8. invest in Maldives But, generally speaking, more employed women (79.2 percent) said they were happy with their DOHA: Katara Hospitality is or real estate projects in one of earnings than their male coun- set to develop hospitality and three premium locations, all terparts as their percentage was real estate projects in the island within a 20- to 30-minute speed slightly lower (78.9). state of Maldives following the boat ride of the international air- Overall, more women than men signing of a memorandum of port in the country. — both, citizens and expatriates — understanding (MoU) here “Katara Hospitality is a reputed said they were happy. In Qatari yesterday. investor and we are confident that families, the percentage of women The MoU was signed by Ahmed their presence in the Republic who said they were happy was 85.1 Adeeb Abdul Gafoor, Minister of Maldives will definitely mark as compared with 82.2 percent of of Tourism, Arts and Culture a milestone for the raising the men. of Maldives, and Sheikh Nawaf profile of tourism in the country,” Similar was the case with non- bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, said Gafoor. Qatari families as 83.2 percent Chairman of Katara Hospitality, “The paradise islands of Maldives women said they were happy as at The Ritz-Carlton. have always been a strategic des- against 78.3 percent men. The initiative stems from tination on the map of our global Overall, the level of happiness the agreement between the expansion and we welcome this among younger women (those governments of the two coun- opportunity”, said Sheikh Nawaf. aged between 15 and 24 years) tries to strengthen bilateral The Maldives’ economy has was the highest as a vast majority ties and deepen their economic enjoyed robust growth averaging of those interviewed (90 percent) relationships. close to eight percent per annum said they were highly satisfied The government of Maldives is during the last decade through the with their lives. offering Katara Hospitality the success of its tourism industry. PENINSULA Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor (left) and Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani signing the MoU. opportunity to develop hospitality THE PENINSULA Azerbaijan minister visits Mesaieed

DOHA: Qatar Petroleum’s Industrial Cities Directorate recently hosted Shahin Mustafayev, Minister of Economic Development of Azerbaijan, and his delega- tion at the facilities of QP in Mesaieed. The minister and his team were on an official visit to Qatar to discuss matters of mutual interest and enhance bilateral relations, a press release said yesterday. The Director of the Industrial Cities, Abdulaziz Jassim Al Muftah, welcomed the minis- ter and the delegation. A pres- entation about the facilities at Mesaieed, the industries, the port, and ongoing and future projects was made. The delega- tion toured the city and the port. Shahin spoke about the accom- plishments and growth of the city and the port, declaring that he was pleased and honoured to be introduced to Mesaieed Industrial City’s history, mis- sion, experiences and success. Al Muftah presented a memento to the minister and thanked him and the official delegation for their visit to MIC. THE PENINSULA Abdulaziz Jassim Al Muftah presenting a memento to Shahin Mustafayev. Maldives president meets QC team

DOHA: The President of the Republic of Maldives, Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan, met at his residence at Ritz-Carlton yesterday a Qatar Chamber delega- tion led by Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar, Deputy Chairman of QC. QC board members Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Thani and Mohamed Juhar Al Mohamed and a number of Qatari businessmen were present on the occasion. They discussed investment opportunities in the two countries and how they could be enhanced. Waheed Hassan, who arrived in Doha last Sunday, called on the Qatari business- men to visit Maldives and see for themselves the investment opportunities available there. QNA WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Qatar condemns Israeli actions AHS boosts medical research GENEVA: Qatar has strongly condemned Israel’s lack of cooperation with an international fact-finding mission on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel not allowing the mission to Five-year project to develop national academic health system enter Israel and the occupied territories. Addressing the Human Rights Council’s interactive dialogue with the fact- finding mission on Israeli settlements in Geneva on Monday, the Permanent Representative of Qatar at the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmad bin Saif Al Thani said Israel systematically discriminated against Palestinians on a daily basis and violated international criminal, human rights and humani- tarian laws. Sheikha Alya also expressed Qatar’s strong condemnation of arbitrary detention of Palestinians, especially children, and restrictions placed on the Palestinians’ right to freedom of expression and free movement. She underlined that Israel was undermining the possibility of achieving a two-state solution which would include a viable Palestinian state. She called on the international community to take all measures to force Israel to fulfil its international obligations. QNA

FROM LEFT: Professor Edward Hillhouse, Chief of Scientific, Faculty and Academic Affairs, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC); Dr Steven Wartman, President and CEO, Association of Academic Healthcare Centres; and Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Director, Dputy Chief of Medical Staff at Academic Affairs, HMC, at a press briefing at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel yesterday. (SALIM MATRAMKOT)

DOHA: Researchers focusing on com- and Research Centre and Primary Health skilled and flexible healthcare workforce mon diseases in Qatar, such as diabe- Care Corporation. The partnership is in Qatar. “We are creating a world-class tes, are getting a boost under Academic already seeing real advances in the estab- healthcare workforce and our educational Health Systems (AHS), a new partner- lishment of “virtual” healthcare institutes achievement has already been recognised ship between healthcare providers and for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes by the Accreditation Council for Graduate education and research institutes in the and neuroscience, bringing clinical services Medical Education International, with country. and research together to streamline patient Qatar being only the second country out- Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) pathways and deliver comprehensive care side the US, after Singapore, to achieve together with six partner organisations is for specific conditions. this,” said Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Deputy working on a five-year project to develop “These specialised virtual institutes will Chief of Medical Staff for Academic Affairs a nationwide academic health system in serve as hubs of clinical, education and and Director of Medical Education at HMC. Qatar, a first in the Mena region. research activity which are all designed to “Further, HMC is collaborating with AHS has adopted the “bench to bedside” deliver a seamless package of care for our Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar and approach for the translation of research into patients,” said Professor Hillhouse. other renowned international partners to practical clinical benefits for patients. “This involves clinical and translational transform graduate medical education in “We have worked hard with our part- (bench to bedside) research which will make Qatar.” ners in the creation of AHS to lay the real impacts on the delivery of healthcare Dr Steven A Wartman, President and solid foundations of our future success,” to our patients. The institutes will also look Chief Executive Officer of the Association said Professor Edward Hillhouse, HMC’s at innovative solutions for the healthcare of Academic Healthcare Centres, said the Chief of Scientific, Faculty and Academic challenges facing Qatar.” partnership being created in Qatar was Affairs. “Our primary goal is to ensure The institutes, developed in tandem with truly unique. our patients receive the best care possible, the National Health Strategy, will underpin “Together, Qatar’s AHS partners have informed by the latest research develop- the state-of-the-art Translational Research established a clear vision and strategy for ments and using the latest treatments, Institute, which will open in 2015. success, drawing upon the partnership’s tools and diagnostics.” This research emphasis has also involved synergies as well as additional local and Qatar’s AHS is a partnership between reaching out to world-class international international expertise. Patients, and the Hamad Medical Corporation, Weill Cornell partners focusing on areas including per- delivery of excellent patient care, are at the Medical College in Qatar, Qatar University, sonalised medicine, women’s health, obesity forefront of the partnership’s ambitious the University of Calgary–Qatar, College of and diabetes. vision,” he said. the North Atlantic–Qatar, Sidra Medical AHS also aims at the creation of a highly THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME 20 children to undergo heart surgery at HMC MoU for kids from conflict zones

DOHA: Twenty children with come to Qatar and receive world- serious heart ailments from class treatment from the paedi- conflict zones across region will atric cardiac surgery team at undergo surgery at the Hamad HMC under Sir Madgi Yacoub’s Medical Corporation (HMC) leadership. following a new agreement The children will be identi- between Qatar Foundation, fied through Professor Sir Magdi HMC and the UK-based charity Yacoub’s Chain of Hope inter- Chain of Hope. national charity, whose work is A memorandum of understand- informed by projects being under- ing (MoU) was signed yesterday to taken by Qatar Cardiovascular provide quality medical treatment Research Center. to children with heart diseases. The signing ceremony at Qatar Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Dr Fathy Saoud and Professor Sir Madgi Yacoub during the signing ceremony. The project began more than Foundation headquarters was three years ago and initially attended by Dr Fathy Saoud, Foundation is playing in advanc- have otherwise been deprived of particular to H H Sheikha Moza treatment in host countries. focused on providing the much- President of Qatar Foundation; ing medical care for these chil- the care they deserve. bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Three children have already needed medical help to children Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Managing dren represents the essence of “Hamad Medical Corporation Foundation, whose enthusias- undergone surgeries in Qatar in Iraq. The MoU has expanded Director of HMC, and Professor our mission to secure a better is proud to be working with tic support for this project has under the programme. They the scope of the project to include Sir Magdi Yacoub, President of life not only for the nation, but Qatar Foundation and support- been instrumental in making it are Mustapha Guennouni from conflict zones across the region, the Chain of Hope charity. for the region, and the world. The ing Chain of Hope by enabling a reality.” Morocco, Armish Khan from with humanitarian assistance The three organisations have wider population will undoubtedly children with congenital heart The Chain of Hope charity was Pakistan, and Fatima Saif from being an important element of pledged to collaborate in order to benefit from these new available disease and their families to set up in 1995, with the dual aim of Yemen, who remains under the the combined effort. achieve the best outcome for the resources,” explained Dr Saoud. come to Qatar and benefit from establishing high quality paediat- care of HMC’s dedicated team The agreement will pave the young patients who come from Al Kuwari expressed her our life-saving care.” ric cardiac services in developing of professionals. She will return way for 20 children with life- developing countries and do not appreciation for being able to Sir Yacoub said, “I am countries and of providing chil- home within the next couple of threatening cardiovascular birth have access to such critical care. provide corrective surgery and extremely grateful to our partners dren from disadvantaged back- days. defects and severe conditions to “The role that Qatar treatment to children who would at HMC and Qatar Foundation, in grounds with life-saving specialist THE PENINSULA

Council delegation Nato gets information about region from Qatar: Official leaves for Ecuador BY AZMAT HAROON student from Qatar this year. DOHA: The Deputy Speaker Qatar spent over QR5bn in of the Advisory Council Issa DOHA: Nato receives impor- foreign aid projects, Dr Hassan bin Rabea Al Kuwari and his tant strategic information about Ibrahim Al Mohanadi, Director delegation left Doha yester- this region from Qatar, a Nato of the Diplomatic Institute at the day for Ecuador to take part official said yesterday. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in the 128th Assembly and “Qatar is considered to be a in a lecture at the conference. related meetings of the Inter- very positive partner from this Over QR3.7bn was spent in sup- Parliamentary Union (IPU), due region. It has knowledge about port mission for governments while to be held there from March 22 this region that Nato doesn’t have non-governmental groups received to 27. in Brussels,” Lieutenant General some QR606m from Qatar. Talks during the meetings will Arne Bard Dalhaug, Commandant Speaking about the foreign policy cover key issues, including the of Nato Defence College told The of Qatar, Al Mohannadi said that role of parliament in safeguard- Peninsula yesterday. a large sum of this fund was spent ing civilians’ lives, fair trade and He was leading an 80-member to support poor countries in Africa. innovative financing mechanisms delegation to Qatar for a con- He said some part of the aid was for sustainable development, the ference organised by the Qatar directly provided to governments, use of media to enhance citizen Armed Forces at the Hilton Hotel. while other funds were given in engagement and democracy, elec- The delegation, arrived here consultation with the UNDP. tion of the president and vice- from Rome, will visit Abu Dhabi Answering a question about presidents of the 128th Assembly today, followed by stopovers in Qatar supporting efforts to and the amendments to the Paris, London and Berlin. resolve border disputes between Statutes and Rules of the IPU. General Dalhaug said the Nato some countries, he said Qatar Defence College often trains was ready to provide assistance Farewell party for Qatari students on strategic to countries if they asked for it. issues. “We are an educational “Qatar has negotiating teams, Venezuelan envoy institute, so we provide different which can provide assist- courses on strategic education, ance to states, if they wish,” Al DOHA: The Assistant Foreign which is theoretical. We have Mohannadi said. Minister For International Qatari students who come to our Brigadier Sanad Ali Rashid Al Cooperation, H E Sheikh college quite often,” he said. Naimi, In-charge of the Strategic Ahmed bin Mohamed bin Students receive study mate- Research Centre, spoke about the Jabor Al Thani, hosted a fare- rials and lectures on different transformations in the Mena coun- well ceremony in honour of issues at the college. tries and their impact on interna- Juan Antonio Herandez, the Brigadier Sanad Ali Rashid Al Naimi (inset) speaking during the Qatar Armed Forces Lecture to visiting Nato The General also revealed that tional security in the region. Ambassador of Venezuela. delegation yesterday. (ABDUL BASIT) the Denfence College has one THE PENINSULA QNA

Fire in Old Airport area Qatalum-Hydro sets up Chair at Qatar University DOHA: Qatar University’s (QU) University has always enjoyed collabo- Centre for Advanced Materials ration between academia and industry, (CAM) and Qatalum, a joint ven- which is a cornerstone of our research ture between Qatar Petroleum and capabilities. Strong partnerships ben- Hydro Aluminium of Norway, yes- efit both sectors and foster innovation terday signed an agreement to cre- which benefits not only our students ate a Faculty Chair position. The but the wider society. We are grateful Qatalum-Hydro Faculty Chair in to Qatalum, QP and Hydro Aluminium Aluminium will be a three-year posi- for their support and cooperation.” tion, with the relevant person based Al Derham said: “We are delighted in CAM, developing applied research to cement our close partnership with programmes related to aluminium Qatalum, Qatar Petroleum and Hydro applications and their end use, said a Aluminium’s joint venture through the press release yesterday. establishment of this Chair. They will also be required to establish “It will play an important role in and develop close collaborations with developing our research capabilities universities across the world, which are and knowledge related to aluminium leading the way in the field of materials applications and the work undertaken science. CAM already has strong bilat- through this will be accessible not just eral ties with the Norwegian University to graduate students but also by senior of Science and Technology (NTNU). undergraduates. The research programme will be inte- Aasheim, signing the MoU on behalf grated with QU’s undergraduate senior of Hydro, said: “In my view technol- student projects and graduate theses ogy development is the same as busi- as relevant. CAM Director Dr Mariam ness development. This is why I am so Al Maadeed, Qatalum CEO Tom enthusiastic about signing this MoU and Petter Johansen, Deputy CEO Khalid Chair agreement with QU and Qatalum. Laram and Hydro Vice-President Hilde We will cooperate to create an even Aasheim announced the partnership at stronger competence cluster in Qatar, QU in the presence of QU President and I am very happy that we all are Professor Sheikha Al Misnad and Vice- so willing eager to contribute to more A Civil Defence team contained a fire in a residential building in the Old Airport area yesterday. The squad had to smash the windows President of Research Dr Hassan Al Aluminium related research activities and disconnect electricity supply to the building to carry out rescue operations, which lasted about half an hour. No casualties were Derham. at the Qatar University.” reported. (ABDUL BASIT) Prof Al Misnad said: “Qatar THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 52 killed on the eve of Iraq war anniversary Twenty explosions, multiple shootings leave 170 injured

BAGHDAD: Attacks killed 52 in Middle East. The attacks come worsening the capital’s gridlock, a Iraq yesterday as some ministers amid a spike in violence that has reporter said. Soldiers and police began a boycott of government raised fresh questions about the also established new checkpoints, and officials delayed provincial capabilities of the Iraqi security and unusually, were searching at polls, heightening tensions on the forces, with separate reports by least some government-marked eve of the 10th anniversary of the Britain-based Iraq Body Count vehicles that are typically allowed US-led invasion. and researchers in The Lancet to pass uninspected. At least 20 explosions and putting the overall death toll from In all, at least 15 car bombs multiple shootings also left more the decade of bloodshed at over were set off, including two by sui- than 170 people wounded in the 112,000 civilians. cide attackers, along with multiple country’s bloodiest day in more Most of yesterday’s attacks roadside bombs and gun attacks, than six months, reflecting the struck in Shia neighbourhoods officials said. Yesterday was the brutal unrest and endless politi- in Baghdad during morning deadliest day since September 9, cal crises that were sparked by an rush hour, with security forces when 76 people were killed. invasion that had aimed to build a stepping up searches at check- It could have been much worse, Iraq war veterans, members of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq and Federation of Workers Councils democratic ally in the heart of the points and closing off key roads, however, as security forces in Iraq, protest outside the White House in Washington DC marking the 10th anniversary of the war. The three claimed to have arrested 26 mili- organisations launched the “right to heal” campaign, addressing human rights violations in Iraq. Iraq war deaths: 10 years on tants with dozens of bombs and Number of documented fatalities missiles that they apparently Al Sadr suspended his bloc’s partic- that provincial polls scheduled for of the divisive war quickly shifted Civilians, estimated U.S. and coalition troops 4,000 planned to set off in Baghdad, ipation in sessions of Iraq’s national April 20, Iraq’s first vote in three to solidifying Iraq as a Western state television reported. unity cabinet, a Sadrist official said, years, were delayed in Anbar and ally in an unstable region. 3,500 No group immediately claimed worsening an ongoing political cri- Nineveh provinces, citing secu- Though the war itself was rela- 3,000 responsibility for the violence, sis in Iraq which has pitted Prime rity concerns including threats tively brief — it began on March 2,500 but Sunni militants often target Minister Nouri Al Maliki against to the lives of candidates. Iraqi 20, 2003, Baghdad fell weeks later,

2,000 Shia civilians and government members of his government. The officials have not announced any and then-US president George employees in a bid to destabilise move, which the official said was ceremonies to mark the anni- W Bush infamously declared the 1,500 the country. Violence has spiked in response to Maliki challenging versary today, with events more mission accomplished on May 1 1,000 ahead of the 10th anniversary, parliamentary decisions in court, likely to be held on April 9, the — its aftermath was violent and

500 with 116 people killed in the past means five ministers loyal to the day Baghdad fell. bloody. Britain-based Iraq Body week, according to a tally based Sadrist movement will not partic- Launched with the stated goal Count has said that more than 0 20032004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 on reports from security and ipate in weekly cabinet meetings of wiping out Saddam’s stores 112,000 civilians have been killed

2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 2011 2013 medical officials. until further notice. of weapons of mass destruction, since the 2003 invasion. March 20 May 1 Dec. 13 June 28 Oct. 19 Dec. 15 Dec. 30 Nov. 17 Jan. 1 Dec. 18 Feb. 1 Powerful Shia cleric Muqtada Authorities also announced which were never found, the focus AFP

Iran’s influence waning in LatAm: US World’s largest embassy to be slashed by two-thirds WASHINGTON: Iran is “struggling” to cultivate ties with Latin American countries that are wary of the United States, and BAGHDAD: The US mission port city of Basra, the Kurdish year, we’ll be at 5,500, including array of responsibilities left by Tehran’s influence in the region is on the decline, a top US general in Iraq — the biggest in the regional capital of Arbil and the contractors.” the military. As time has gone on, said yesterday. “The reality on the ground is that Iran is struggling world — will slash its numbers disputed northern city of Kirkuk, “The diplomatic presence is however, the embassy has handed to maintain influence in the region, and that its efforts to cooper- by two-thirds by the end of will drop to around 5,500, includ- down below a thousand.” over multiple sites to the Iraqi ate with a small set of countries with interests that are inimical this year from its peak figure ing contractors, by the end of the The American embassy had government and reduced the to the United States are waning,” General John Kelly, head of US of over 16,000, the American year. swelled in size due to the depar- number of diplomats working in Southern Command, told lawmakers. In Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador ambassador to Baghdad said. “A year ago, we were well above ture from Iraq of US forces in Iraq. All US troops except for a and Argentina, Iran has sought to expand diplomatic and economic Overall staffing levels at the 16,000, now we’re at 10,500,” December 2011, because planners small number under US embassy links to counter international sanctions and to promote anti-US US’s embassy in Baghdad and Ambassador Stephen Beecroft believed the diplomatic mission authority left Iraq at the end of sentiment, but the bid has only been “marginally successful” Kelly its consulates in the southern told reporters. “By the end of this would have to take on a wide 2011. AFP told the Senate Armed Services Committee. AFP WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Sunni Spring, Shia Spring Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

ARLIER, there was only Arab Spring. Now some are talking about Sunni Spring and Shia Spring. While all types of springs are welcome, the blossoming of one at No quick fix for Britain’s Ethe cost of other has grave consequences. Iraq is said to be going through what is being called Sunni Spring, after a prolonged spell of Shia Spring which brought the majority Shias to power after the overthrow of Saddam overloaded infrastructure Hussein. Unfortunately, the country is going through a spasm of violence that threatens to splinter it if confidence-building measures are not undertaken to bring the two communities BY LORRAINE TURNER and Finance minister George Osborne is For most of the period since the together. WILLIAM SCHOMBERG expected to announce only small tweaks 1970s, British government investment The uprising in Syria is also interpreted as an awakening to public spending his annual budget on as a percentage of GDP has lagged of the country’s majority Sunnis against the dictatorial regime VICTORIAN-ERA problem Wednesday. Resisting calls to borrow that of France, the US, Germany and of President Bashar Al Assad, who is from the Alawite sect, that has never been fixed, the more to invest in projects that could Canada according to data from the an offshoot of Shi’ism. The support and opposition to the Acobweb-laced tunnels just metres boost growth, he is likely to say extra Organization for Economic Cooperation from a new underground railway sta- capital expenditure will have to be offset and Development. rebels in the country in the neighbouring countries of Iraq and tion at Blackfriars underscore Britain’s by cuts to day-to-day spending. “We’ve not been heavy investors in Lebanon are dictated by sectarian considerations, with Sunnis infrastructure backlog. The need for a Business groups are resigned to slow infrastructure in this country. But we in Lebanon and Iraq supporting the revolution and Shias new “supersewer” for Europe’s finan- progress on big projects. They are push- are at a point now where our economy rallying behind Assad. The rise of sectarianism is the biggest cial capital was identified as far back ing instead for shorter-term measures needs these investments brought for- bane of Arab Spring and threatens to undo its gains. Most of as 1989 but privatised utility Thames in this week’s budget to boost housing ward quickly,” said Lee Hopley, chief Water lacked government funding and and road repairs as quicker ways to economist at EEF, a group represent- the Arab Spring countries are riven by sectarianism and blood had more pressing priorities, such as inject growth into the economy. ing British manufacturers. is spilled copiously. There is a deplorable and dangerous lack cleaner drinking water. If the new sewer Government officials, who say they David Marshall at John Laing of leadership on either side – among both Sunnis and Shias – project gets the go-ahead from planning are trying to catch up after decades of Infrastructure Fund, which invests in which has given a carte blanche to terrorists to slit each other’s authorities, preliminary work is due to underinvestment, point to a national public-private ventures, said the Dutch throats. The Western world is stunned start in 2015 with the main tunnelling infrastructure plan, listing more than government can sign off on a project at the scale and depth of hatred a year after that. 500 projects worth £310bn between now eight weeks after announcing a pre- Growing The kind of and 2050. They also stress the launch ferred bidder. In Britain, it can take up between the two ideological groups, project that of government guarantees to help get to two years, he said. sectarianism with the media extensively educating Britain’s economy projects going. One area of pressing concern is threatens readers about the differences between desperately needs On Monday, the government accepted energy. After a decade of internal the two so that they have a proper Unblocking as it tries to find proposals by a former deputy prime min- policy wrangling — which has occurred to undo the perspective of the events. ways to grow, the ister, Michael Heseltine, to devolve some elsewhere in Europe — the government But despite the bloodshed and Britain’s proposed £4.1bn investment funding to local authori- hopes to pass a law within a year to gains of Arab ($6.2bn) pipe is ties, a move which he says could boost fix Britain’s future mix of nuclear, fos- revolution. mayhem on the streets, leaders of infrastructure planned to run growth. Details on how much money sil fuel and renewable energy sources, Muslim countries (political and backlog is one 25km to redirect will be diverted away from central gov- as well as guaranteed prices for utilties religious leaders) haven’t woken up of the major sewage overflow ernment will be decided in the summer. that will reassure them about future to the dangers of the new phenomenon that threatens to tear away from the In London, there are signs of activity. profits. Mark Powell, a partner at con- apart the Muslim world. challenges in river when it is Giant equipment is digging deep under sulting firm ATKearney, said Britain finished in 2023. the city — turning up mediaeval skel- could ill afford further delay. Iraq especially is facing a serious crisis. There is nothing an economy For now, workers etons in the process — to build a new “At the moment we’re not really wrong in organising protests against the government of threatened again known as “flush- train line through the capital. building anything,” he said. “We will Nouri Al Maliki, but the Sunni-Shia clashes have crossed all with recession, ers” struggle to Describing itself as Europe’s larg- end up with an energy system that will limits. Ten years since the start of the US-led invasion that keep the flow of est construction project, Crossrail has spend more money keeping the lights overthrew Saddam Hussein, mass bloodletting in the country more than five waste clear from taken decades to come to fruition and on than we otherwise might have had has hit the headlines again. Fifty-two people were killed in years since the used wet-wipes is scheduled to open in 2018. to do.” and congealed The government says annual spend- Businesses complain of a lack of attacks in Iraq yesterday, in the bloodiest day in six months. financial crisis cooking fat. ing on infrastructure has been higher decisiveness in other vital areas of the At least 20 explosions and multiple shootings left more than began. Unblocking since it took office than under the pre- economy. In aviation, a decision by the 170 people wounded. Most of Tuesday’s attacks struck in Shia Britain’s infra- vious Labour one, taking into account former Labour government to expand neighbourhoods in Baghdad during morning rush hour. The structure backlog private as well as public investment. Heathrow Airport was put on ice by government of Maliki must act immediately to prevent the is one of the major But in terms of public spending the Conservative-led coalition. It has country from sliding into permanent chaos. The prime minister challenges in an economy threatened alone, net investment has plunged asked a commission to report back on again with recession, more than five from £48.6bn in the 2009 fiscal year to the issue by mid-2015, after an interim is isolated and unpopular and stands accused of presiding years since the financial crisis began. £28.7bn two years later. report at the end of this year. over a new authoritarianism while taking a more aggressive The government’s austerity push rep- “There’s a can-do ethos about A planned high-speed rail line link- approach against Sunnis, as evidenced by the terrorism cases resents just the latest hurdle to getting investment in those countries and a ing London with cities in the north- brought against Iraq’s vice president, Tariq Al Hashimi. major projects going. Investors have long let’s-try-and-prevent-it-or-make-it- west is due to be completed only in 20 Arab Spring must continue as Arab Spring. Not Sunni and had to contend with a lack of clarity on as-difficult-as-possible ethos here,” said years time although a first section to rules for private investors and the com- Kevin Cammack, an analyst at Cenkos Birmingham will open sooner. Shia Spring • plexities of the country’s planning laws. Securities. REUTERS The other side Quote of Don’t worsen Syria crisis the day WO years on and the crisis to lift an arms embargo so they can Syrian President Bashar Al Assad minister. All these developments are in Syria has evolved into a supply weapons to Syria’s rebels. They quicker. Some in the US are pushing it worrying signs that it will be difficult to huge humanitarian disaster failed to gain the support of the rest of to go even further in aiding the rebels. defuse the crisis peacefully. According Tand brought the country to Europe during the European Union’s Representative Eliot Engel is sched- to UN estimates, the protracted crisis The people of the verge of collapse. The spillovers weekend meeting, but with the backing uled to introduce a bill on Monday that has resulted in the deaths of more than Afghanistan ask from the crisis are drawing increasing of the Untied States the two powers would authorize Washington to provide 70,000 people and pushed another concern from the region and beyond. have hinted they will go ahead anyway. “limited lethal equipment” to carefully million to seek shelter in neighboring Nato to define the On Thursday, the United Nations Earlier this month, Washington vetted members of the Syrian opposi- countries. Security Council underscored its pledged direct aid to the political tion. Meanwhile, the first batch of 300 The Syria issue is now at a critical purpose and aim of grave concern about arms trafficking opposition in Syria for the first time. Syrian rebels taught by US army and juncture. Any maneuvering to create a and repeated weapons fire across This included food and medical sup- intelligence officers in Jordan are return- war by proxy is irresponsible and will the so-called war the Lebanon-Syria border. The world plies and providing an extra $60 million ing to Syria to fight. result in more bloodshed and further on terror... (They) should guard against the big power in nonlethal assistance. In a move that marks a departure imperil regional peace and stability. consider this war as manipulation that is turning the crisis Its European allies have apparently from dialogue with the Syrian govern- The international community should Aimal Faizi into a proxy war. got the message and are eager to beef ment, Syria’s opposition coalition is relentlessly push for a political resolu- aimless and unwise France and Britain have been trying up their support to the rebels in Syria meeting in Istanbul on Monday and tion to the crisis. Spokesman for President to persuade their European partners so that the opposition can depose Tuesday to select their first prime CHINA DAILY to continue. Hamid Karzai WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 US response to Chinese Pope Francis vs Xi: An unequal match?

BY NICK SPENCER within clerical ranks, whereas espionage will backfire Xi, despite having no democratic here was a pleasing sym- mandate, has a certain authority metry in the world’s in that de facto he speaks for a The US administration two highest profile billion of his countrymen. Tappointments last week. Yet, the difference is a real one. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio Xi could ruin your life tomorrow is trying to portray of Buenos Aires became Pope without even disturbing the dust Francis and Xi Jinping, leader on China’s military hardware. of China’s Communist party, Were he to dump the trillion or so China as the primary became the country’s President. dollars of US debt that China owns, Both head institutions of global improbable as that might be, or villain in the rampant reach, each serving as leader for even refuse to buy any more bonds, around 1.2 billion people, give or the knock-on effect for the western take 100 million or so. Although economy would be catastrophic. It theft of America’s nearly 20 years separate the two is no exaggeration to say that Xi is men in age, both trained as chem- the second or even the most power- intellectual property. ists and have a reputation as men ful man in the world. of the people (at least in compari- Pope Francis isn’t. There is BY JEFFREY CARR son with their peers). Bergoglio nothing he could do that could favoured public transport and a directly affect your life and ast week saw a concerted effort by lowly apartment over chauffeured pretty much nothing that would top government officials to call out limousines and archiepiscopal indirectly affect you — or those China as a major threat actor in palaces, while Xi was sent to work thousands who gathered in St cyberspace. On Monday, March 11, in a remote rural village for seven Peter’s Square to see him. With Obama’s national security adviser years, aged 15. no military might (unless you LTom Donilon said in remarks before the Asia Both have the potential to be count the Swiss Guard) and pre- Society in New York City: “Increasingly, US reformers. Bergoglio has criticised cious little financial muscle, he is businesses are speaking out about their serious priests for hypocrisy and eccle- “welcomed” and “respected” by concerns about sophisticated, targeted theft White House National Security Adviser Tom Donilon siastical vanity, and is expected, leaders, but hardly commands of confidential business information and pro- as an outsider to the Curia, to their unquestioned obedience — prietary technologies through cyber intrusions restructure the Vatican’s scle- or that of his own flock, if reports emanating from China on an unprecedented for more information sharing between the their commitment to expand their presence rotic bureaucracy. In the case on Catholic use of contraception scale. The international community cannot public and private sector and the intention to there, which includes operating their R&D of Xi, quite apart from coming are to be trusted. As Stalin pon- tolerate such activity from any country.” collaborate on the development of risk-based labs. More than 1,200 foreign R&D firms oper- from suspect stock (his father dered, how many divisions does The next day, Director of National standards, a good first effort but not sufficient ate inside China, which means that they hire was removed from the vice-pre- the pope have? Intelligence James Clapper delivered his to make a difference in helping US companies’ Chinese engineers; use China Telecom, China miership in 1962 and imprisoned, So, why the fascination? It is Worldwide Threat Assessment to the Senate stem the tide of attacks. Unicom and China Mobile for all of their com- which appears to have delayed Xi’s because the pope’s only weap- Select Committee on Intelligence and said: This cascade of enmity directed against munications (which the state supervises and reception into the party), the new ons — words and example, like “China is supplementing its more advanced China doesn’t stand up under scrutiny. Yes, monitors); use Chinese vendors to clean their president is known to have little Christ’s — speak to that in us that military capabilities by bolstering maritime China does engage in these activities. But offices, shred their documents and provide tolerance for political corruption, is more than “mere animal”. The law enforcement to support its claims in the so do many other nations including Russia, other services, which grant them trusted having tackled several high-pro- capacity to coerce may shape the South and East China Seas. It continues its France and Israel and we still haven’t solved access; and essentially lay bare their intellec- file scandals, and telling party world but it does not exhaust it. military buildup and its aggressive informa- the attribution problem — that is, determined tual property and trade secrets for the taking. members, in his first speech after We are not satisfied with might. tion-stealing campaigns.” who is actually attacking us. Any foreign intel- Business interests generally dictate gov- assuming leadership of the party, We crave “right”: The convic- That same day, General Keith Alexander, ligence service worth its salt would conceal ernment policies, thanks to political fun- that the problems of “corruption, tion that a good is being served, Commander of US Cyber Command and their cybere spionage operations by making it draising and the virtually unlimited bank taking bribes, being out of touch that an action is justified (and, Director of the National Security Agency, look like they came from Chinese IP addresses accounts of lobbyists. The effectiveness of the with the people, undue emphasis therefore, just). Power may drive said in testimony before Congress that since China is everyone’s first guess anyway US Chamber of Commerce stands witness to on formalities and bureaucracy history, but only authority can CYBERCOM is creating 13 offensive teams and since Chinese-based servers are so easy that, and though it’s also been a victim of a must be addressed with great give it meaning. Of course, there “to help defend the nation against major com- to gain access to. China-attributed hacking attack, it continues efforts”. Quite apart from any- are those who will insist that his- puter attacks from abroad” while “twenty- The anti-China rhetoric clashes with the to engage with China. The anti-China senti- thing else, the fact that these tory has no meaning, and is just seven other teams would support commands current practices of many US businesses. For ment on the Hill, in the Pentagon, and at the high-profile appointments were one damn thing after another, but such as the Pacific Command and the Central example, the US government rails against White House clashes with the pro-China busi- located in China and, by associa- they do tend to cluster around Command as they plan offensive cyber capa- Huawei as a security threat, but it has pur- ness policies of major US companies, including tion, South America reminds us, comfortable, well-fed western bilities.” The specific mention of Pacific chased thousands of Huawei-made products those with very active in-house security opera- as if we needed it, that history is cities. Such a view is not a wide- Command was clearly intended as a message under the brand name Huawei-Symantec that tion centres. Beijing surely knows about this leaving Europe and heading east spread human trait. for the Chinese government. are in use today across the federal govern- disconnect — and that makes the US strategy and south. For centuries, the papal author- These are just the latest attempts by the ment, including Department of Defence and look weak or inferior. Of course, there are a few dif- ity was little more than power Obama administration, Congress and the the Department of Justice. If Huawei is such China and Russia have long advocated for ferences. Xi is married to a celeb- with a polish of piety. No more. Defence Department to portray China as a threat, why are we buying their products a treaty that would establish an international rity singer, Peng Liyuan, whereas Pope Francis has no more than the primary villain in the rampant theft of under the Huawei-Symantec brand? They’re code of conduct for information security — Pope Francis isn’t. Xi is an athe- words and example to work with. America’s intellectual property. This mes- still made in China by the same company that something that the US has always opposed. ist whereas one presumes Pope It’s not much compared to the sage, which they have been pushing for the the US government has blocked purchases Now, in light of increased US accusations Francis isn’t. However, surely world’s largest standing army, a last few years, has been supplemented and from. that China is engaging in massive amounts the most significant difference is GDP of around $7 trillion that is fuelled in part by information security firms While Mandiant builds its business on of cyber espionage, China has offered to that one of the men has power, growing at nearly 10 percent per like Mandiant, whose ex-Air Force founders defending companies against Chinese hack- “have constructive dialogue and cooperation whereas the other has authority. year, and a trillion dollars of US have built their business on countering the ers who reportedly work for the People’s on this issue with the international commu- The division isn’t quite as clear as debt. Mind you, look what Jesus APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) — an Air Liberation Army, GE (for whom Mandiant nity including the US to maintain the secu- that, of course. Pope Francis has Christ achieved with words and Force code word for China that Mandiant does data forensics and incident response) rity, openness and peace of the Internet.” If the power to promote and to sack example. THE GUARDIAN adopted as a way to describe who is behind continues to expand its presence in China, accepted by the US, China will have finally the massive theft of US trade secrets and IP. including R&D on the smart grid — an essen- gotten what it has wanted for several years: Mandiant’s credentials have been bolstered tial part of US critical infrastructure. This an international code of conduct that would recently by the New York Times: First, the is one of the most surprising and troubling really be used to control dissent under the paper hired the firm to respond to attacks on examples of this anti-China direction. The guise of attacking illegal activities (like hack- its website that apparently came from China. PLA has contingency plans to attack US criti- ing) in cyberspace. Then, last month, the Times highlighted a cal infrastructure if they believe a military A better approach might be for the federal report from Mandiant that named a People’s strike by the US is imminent. Yet here’s GE government to encourage US firms to take Liberation Army unit as the culprit behind building a key component of our critical infra- steps to harden their networks against low- years of attacks against 141 companies. structure in China, using Chinese engineers level attacks (which will shrink the attack The momentum generated by this singular who have trusted access to GE’s network. Who surface); identify, segregate and monitor their focus on China has been exploited by sena- needs hackers when you work for the target crown jewels (which will make it harder for tors and members of Congress with their own company? any adversary, including China, to steal them); reasons for pushing cyber security legislation. Dell, Intel and HP have made major invest- and engage with China and Russia against a At one point, more than 60 separate bills were ments in China, and have acquired informa- mutual enemy (mercenary hacker crews). This being floated, and all of them used Chinese tion security firms — SecureWorks, McAfee eliminates the rhetoric and focuses on col- cyber attacks as a lever to gain support. None and Fortify, respectively. So they not only see laboration — a requirement, since the US will have passed both houses yet, so the president China as a region to do business in, they also never make good on threats against the single signed his own executive order on cyber secu- have knowledge of the security risks. Yet nei- biggest holder of US debt and a vital market Pope Francis and China’s President Xi Jinping rity back on February 12, 2013, which called ther is leaving China — both have indicated for US multinationals. WP-BLOOMBERG Muslim Brotherhood’s contempt for Egypt’s women

BY AMIRA NOWAIRA explosive issue of women, the democratic and progressive leader decriminalise it and if it hadn’t should not obtain her husband’s under lock and key and protected Brotherhood is risking further who respected women’s rights. been for the vocal opposition of consent before she can travel, against theft? Or as candy bars ast week, Egypt’s Muslim anger at home and alienating the He pledged to appoint a woman women, the legislation might have work or take contraceptives? Or that have to be wrapped up in Brotherhood issued a international powers that have as one of his deputies. It was a passed. When Mursi was asked their shock at the insinuation order to keep away the flies? Or as strongly-worded state- been supporting them. pledge, like many, he never hon- about his views on the subject, that husbands should not have a lower-class citizens who should be Lment unabashedly reject- The Brotherhood probably felt oured. Women have been witness- instead of clearly and unambigu- free hand to beat up or rape their restrained and protected against ing the draft UN declaration impelled to send a not-so-covert ing shocking acts of violence as ously condemning the practice, he wives? their own immoral and destruc- calling for an end to all forms of threat to women. Throughout the state has looked on, pretend- said that it was a decision that To the Brotherhood, I offer this tive instincts? violence against women. It claims the past seven months, Egypt’s ing to see nothing. The system- should be left to the family con- simple logical argument: Abusing As modern history is not the that the declaration contravenes rulers have done their utmost to atic sexual harassment of female cerned. Thus the brutal cutting human beings is wrong. Women Brotherhood’s strongest suit, I Egypt’s “cultural specificity” and take women out of the political protesters and the violence expe- up of a piece of a flesh was treated are human beings. Therefore can only tell them that for more would lead to “the complete dis- equation, as their active partici- rienced by women demonstrators by him with the same kind of cal- abusing women is wrong. Too than 100 years, Egyptian women integration of society” if ratified. pation in protests has become a and ordinary women going about lous indifference as the decision to much to ask for? Or too hard to have fought tooth and nail for the The statement has fuelled the headache for the Mursi regime. their business on the streets have go for a family picnic. understand? right to be regarded as human anger of Egyptians, especially The statement seems to have been become a daily occurrence. In the In reading the Brotherhood’s The argument can only be beings and treated with the dig- women. conceived in response to their face of growing violence, however, statement bashing the attempt valid if we all agree with the nity and respect they deserve. But why has the Brotherhood mounting pressure and the vocal women have remained defiant. to stop violence against women, basic premise that women are Dignity and respect, my dear decided to embark on this con- opposition, and intended to reas- The Brotherhood and its off- one might think that the writ- human — for it is possible that the Brothers, are not culture-specific, frontational course through the sert the dominance and power of spring, the presidency, never con- ers have woken from their slum- Brotherhood would contest this neither is violence, which cannot release of such a statement at the Brotherhood. The subtext is sidered violence against women ber and crashed headlong into fact. As is clear in Brotherhood be condoned under any pretext, such a critical moment? The that the new regime has no inten- an important issue, even when the 21st century. How else can literature and discourse, women be it religious, cultural or social. president, Mohammed Mursi, is tion of respecting the rights of they said otherwise. Their sup- we understand their horror at are often figuratively referred to The Brotherhood’s statement has facing opposition at home and women enshrined in international port of female genital mutila- the idea that marriage should be in demeaning terms. How often exposed it for what it really is: A mounting criticism internation- agreements Egypt has signed. tion is one example. Attempts based on partnership, not guard- have women been described as misogynistic, power-hungry and ally. In speaking openly, almost Before his election, Mursi had were made in the short-lived ianship? Or their utter dismay precious stones that are so valu- hopelessly anachronistic organi- defiantly, about the potentially tried to promote his image as a Islamist-dominated parliament to at the suggestion that a woman able that they need to be kept sation. THE GUARDIAN WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Syrian oppn elects Hitto as interim PM Western and Gulf-backed move may aggravate internal instability in Syria, warns Russia

ISTANBUL: Syrian opposition improve the chances of rebuild- leaders chose Western-educated ing areas not under Syrian gov- technocrat Ghassan Hitto as ernment control. But Russia, the provisional prime minister in major arms supplier to Assad’s what they hope will be the first forces along with Iran, said the step to fill a power vacuum aris- move was counterproductive. ing from a two-year-long revolt “The decision taken in Istanbul against President Bashar Al may only aggravate internal insta- Assad. bility in Syria. It adds to prospects Hours after the appointment of of a breakup of the country,” the Hitto, who has lived for decades Russian Foreign Ministry said in in the West and is little known a statement. Large tracts of Syria in Syria, Syria’s government and have fallen to rebels in the last few rebels accused each other of a weeks but remain subject to dev- deadly chemical attack near the astating artillery and aerial bom- northern city of Aleppo. bardment by government forces as At a meeting of the Syrian well as ballistic missile attacks. So National Coalition in the Turkish Ghassan Hitto Hitto faces a tough task in estab- city of Istanbul that stretched lishing a replacement for crumbled into the early hours yesterday, the basic services to our people central government authority. Hitto received 35 votes of around on the inside,” Hitto told coali- Assad is using his government’s 50 cast by coalition members. tion members in remarks after continued ability to deliver some Hitto was backed by the Muslim he was named. The 50-year-old services, such as fuel, to placate Brotherhood and opposition coali- said the government would oper- several regions through which tion Secretary General Mustafa ate “in liberated areas” and make supply lines run to his forces, Sabbagh, who has strong links restoring law and order a priority, opposition sources said. with Gulf Arab states and has as well as reactivating schools and Syrian authorities said yester- A tank belonging to forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad is set on fire during clashes between emerged as a kingmaker, accord- government departments. day that rebels had fired a chemi- government forces and the Free Syrian Army, in the main south highway near Damascus, yesterday. ing to sources at the meeting. The Western and Gulf-backed cal weapon at the northern village But the domination of Islamists coalition was formed last year as of Khan Al Assal near Aleppo, in the coalition, the West has been an umbrella group of the opposi- killing 26 people. The opposi- and receives more international belongs to the minority Alawite sector in the United States before lukewarm about forming an oppo- tion, but it has little control over tion said it does not possess such support,” said Louay Meqdad, sect, an offshoot of Shia, and his working on securing humanitar- sition government; instead, the the hundreds of rebel brigades weapons and accused Assad of political commander for the rebel father, the late Hafez Al Assad. The ian assistance for the uprising. He main outside push for the idea fighting Assad. targeting the area as a warning Free Syrian Army Command. predominant Islamist element in will have to obtain funding of at has come from Qatar, according German Foreign Minister for the north not to host the pro- At least 70,000 people have the uprising has created a political least $500m a month for an alter- to diplomats and sources in the Guido Westerwelle, whose coun- visional government. “By hitting been killed since a peaceful pro- dilemma for regional and Western native administration to deliver opposition. try is a major force in Western Khan Al Assal, Bashar is sending test movement led by Syria’s powers and deepened the Shia- services, reopen schools and pay “Our main goal is to bring about efforts to increase humani- a message that he will not hesi- Sunni Muslim majority broke out Sunni divide in the Middle East. public employees in regions where the downfall of the Assad regime tarian aid to rebel-held areas, tate to use every means to kill his two years ago against four dec- Hitto has US citizenship and central authority had unravelled, a by all means and while providing said Hitto’s appointment would people if the opposition organises ades of family rule by Assad, who served in the communications coalition official said. REUTERS

UK court rejects Anti-Obama protesters World powers give immunity claim Iran details of by Saudi princes scuffle with police nuclear proposals BRUSSELS: World powers LONDON: A British court RAMALLAH: Palestinian gave Iran fresh details on a ruled yesterday that two Saudi police scuffled yesterday with Obama’s first official proposed deal aimed at end- princes involved in litigation in scores of demonstrators pro- ing international concern over London over a business dispute testing against the visit of US visit to Israel today Tehran’s nuclear programme did not have immunity from President Barack Obama to JERUSALEM: US President during talks in Istanbul, the being sued, a new blow to the the occupied West Bank later Barack Obama arrives today European Union said yesterday. royal pair after they failed in an this week. Dozens of officers for a three-day visit to Israel At the talks on Monday, attempt to have the case heard and plainclothes policemen pre- and the Palestinian terri- experts from the five permanent in secret. vented the crowd from reaching tories, his first since taking UN Security Council members The elderly Prince Mishal the main offices of Palestinian over the White House more —Britain, China, France, Russia bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, one of President Mahmoud Abbas in than four years ago. and the US —plus Germany “had Custodian of the Two Holy the Palestinians’ de facto capital technical discussions with Iran,” Mosques King Abdullah bin Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and the European Union Foreign Ramallah, leading to shoving, said a brief statement from a Abdulaziz’s brothers, and his son Affairs head Catherine Ashton signing the agreement in Brussels, yesterday. but no serious injuries. provide security in the streets of spokesman for EU foreign policy Prince Abdulaziz bin Mishal, had Palestinians are sceptical of Jerusalem, where main roads will chief Catherine Ashton. argued that they had immunity as Obama’s visit, which US officials be blocked off as police helicopters Monday’s technical exchange members of the monarch’s house- EU inks aid deal with have said will not seek an imme- escort the presidential convoy. will be followed by political talks hold. But in a 45-page ruling that diate revival of peace talks with A Palestinian security source in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on April delved into Saudi royal genealogy, Israel. Negotiations broke down said 3,000 Palestinian police- 5 and 6, said Michael Mann, judge Geoffrey Vos said the two in 2010 in a dispute over Israeli men will be deployed in the West the spokesman for Ashton, who princes did not meet the require- Palestinian Premier settlement construction on land Bank, where protests have been heads the talks between the six ments of Britain’s State Immunity the Palestinians want for a state. on the rise in the past few weeks, powers and Iran. In Istanbul, the Act. The princes plan to appeal BRUSSELS: The European economic development, fiscal con- Abbas has said Israel must stop with nine Palestinians killed in experts, led by Stephan Klement, against Vos’s judgment. Union signed an aid deal yester- solidation and “enhancing social settlement building in order for clashes with Israeli forces there “provided further details on the The litigation, which has been day with the Palestinian prime cohesion throughout Palestine.” peace negotiations to start again. since December. Obama on Friday revised confidence building pro- going through British courts since minister to bolster ties and The focus will be on East Israel has called for a resumption will visit Bethlehem’s Church of posal” put forward by the western December 2011, stems from sales promote economic development Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and of talks with no preconditions. Nativity and depart for neigh- powers to Iran in talks in Almaty in 2010 and 2011 of shares in Fi against a backdrop of a stalled Area C, the 60 percent of the “It’s a slap in the face. People bouring Jordan later that day. on February 26 and 27. Call Ltd, a company jointly owned peace process with Israel. West Bank under Israeli control. are angry and disappointed Few Palestinians expect his The six last month offered by Prince Abdulaziz and Jordanian EU foreign affairs head “I am looking forward to work- that this far into his presidency, trip to change their lot and their Iran a softening of non-oil or businessman Faisal Almhairat. The Catherine Ashton told visit- ing constructively with all part- Obama has done nothing, and views have ranged from anger financial sector-related sanc- pair have fallen out and accuse ing Palestinian Prime Minister ners towards a significant change aid to Israel’s occupation con- to bemusement. About a dozen tions in exchange for concessions each other of serious wrongdoing. Salam Fayyad that an action in Area C,” Ashton said. tinues to flow,” demonstrator protesters in Bethlehem drove over Tehran’s sensitive uranium Details of the allegations have so plan approved by EU leaders was Prime minister Fayyad said Huwaida Arraf said. During cars over a banner of Obama on enrichment operations. The offer, far remained secret because the based on a “shared commitment Area C “is of vital importance to his three-day visit Obama will Monday, painting a swastika on reportedly involving easing sanc- prince and his father have argued to deepen our bilateral relations the economic and political viabil- hold separate meetings with his forehead. tions on Iran’s gold and precious that it would be damaging to Saudi and strengthen our privileged ity” of a future Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Palestinian singer Alaa Shaham metals trade and lifting oth- Arabia’s relations with Britain and partnership.” The two leaders signed a Netanyahu in Jerusalem and and fellow artists recorded a satir- ers on some very small banking the United States to air them in The plan provides eventually seven-million-euro EU funding tomorrow will meet with Abbas ical video clip in which an actor operations, in return demands a open court. for a “fully-fledged Association agreement ahead of a meeting of in Ramallah. A heavy security playing Obama is shown stuck at tougher nuclear inspection regime They have also asserted that Agreement” with the EU, Ashton Palestinian donors later Tuesday presence has been building up in an Israeli checkpoint and driving and the interruption of enrich- Prince Abdulaziz would be “at noted. Ashton said the relation- to “address the deepening finan- Jerusalem and Ramallah ahead of through a crowded Palestinian ment operations at the Fordo risk of serious personal injury or ship was based on a commitment cial crisis of the Palestinian Obama’s visit. About 5,000 Israeli refugee camp in a BMW. bunker facility where 20-percent death from reprisals” if details of to a Palestinian state, sustainable Authority.” AFP police and security officers will REUTERS enrichment goes on. AFP one of the disputed transactions were made public. Rafsanjani’s daughter freed Wanted cousin of Gaddafi held in Cairo TEHRAN: The daughter of CAIRO: Egyptian police before arriving at the prosecutor’s Libyan official Ahmed Ibrahim. he had resigned from all official Iran’s former president Akbar arrested yesterday Muammar office. A Libyan embassy official “This is part of a plan by the functions. Hashemi Rafsanjani was Gaddafi’s cousin Ahmed Qaddaf said Qaddaf had surrendered Libyan authorities in coordina- Until then, Qaddaf Al Dam, released yesterday after serv- Al Dam, wanted in Libya for his after the consul met him in his tion with Egyptian authorities who had permanent residence in ing a six-month sentence on role in the regime of the slain apartment and told him “there is to arrest wanted Libyans living Cairo, oversaw Libya’s relations charges of propaganda against Libyan strongman, Egyptian no escape”. His bodyguards were in Egypt,” Abdel Hamid Al Safi with Egypt. the regime, her lawyer told the officials said. Libyan and Palestinian, the offi- said. Residents of Zamalek said they Isna news agency. Qaddaf Al Dam surrendered cial said. It was not immediately clear had heard gunfire overnight. Lawyer Sohrab Soleimani hours after his bodyguards traded A security official and state tel- whether Qaddaf Al Dam, whose Qaddaf’s nephew and aide said said Faezeh Hashemi, who was fire with policemen who tried to evision said Qaddaf Al Dam gave mother was Egyptian, carried that “masked men” had tried to arrested in late September and enter his apartment, an aide said. himself up to police after they Egyptian nationality, which could storm the apartment at 2am. taken to Tehran’s notorious Evin Police then escorted Gaddafi’s besieged his home. The official complicate his transfer to Libya “His bodyguards fired at them prison, was released in the early former special envoy to the public Mena news agency said he would to stand trial. and there was an exchange of hours of Tuesday, Isna reported. prosecutor’s office. be handed over to the Libyan A Libyan embassy official said fire,” he said from the prosecu- Hashemi was among thousands Reached on his mobile tel- authorities, who want to put him he was certain Qaddaf Al Dam tor’s office where Qaddaf was arrested for taking part in pro- ephone, he sought to play down on trial. was not an Egyptian citizen being questioned. The nephew tests that erupted after President the arrest, however, and said he Another official at the Libyan before the 2011 uprising that top- requested anonymity for fear of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was given would file a complaint with the embassy said the authorities had pled Gaddafi. But his nephew said reprisals. Speaking to French sat- Ahmed Qaddaf Al Dam, cousin of a second term in a 2009 election Egyptian public prosecutor and also arrested two other figures, he carried with him an Egyptian ellite channel France 24, Qaddaf ousted Libyan leader Muammar amid claims by the opposition Libyan authorities. former Libyan ambassador Ali national identity card. Al Dam said several people had Gaddafi, smiles as he is escorted that the vote was rigged. “I am on my way now, in the Maria and Mohammed Ibrahim, Shortly after the start of the been injured during the shooting. by Egyptian policemen after being AGENCIES company of lawyers,” he said the brother of senior Gaddafi-era uprising, Qaddaf had announced AFP arrested in Cairo, yesterday. WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Zimbabweans At inauguration, Pope talks of the poor VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis Only time will tell whether things donned the symbols of papal really will now change for the bet- power and vowed to embrace ter,” he said. the “poorest” of humanity yes- At the ceremony, the 265th okay new terday at a grand inaugura- successor to St Peter received tion in the Vatican as leader from his cardinals the papal pal- of a troubled Roman Catholic lium — a lambswool strip of cloth Church. that symbolises the Pope’s role as Some 200,000 pilgrims cheered a shepherd and has red crosses Latin America’s first pontiff to represent the wounds of constitution in St Peter’s Square, waving Jesus Christ. flags from around the world The “Fisherman’s Ring” as Francis promised that his bestowed on him by Angelo New charter guarantees free speech would be a “lowly, concrete and Sodano, dean of the college of faithful” papacy. cardinals, is a personalised sig- HARARE: Almost 95 percent legally be held anytime before His voice raised for emphasis, net ring traditionally worn by of Zimbabweans voted in favour end of October, will end the tense the 76-year-old Francis said a Popes in honour of St Peter — a of a new constitution that power-sharing arrangement set pope must “embrace with tender fisherman. would trim President Robert up by Mugabe and Tsvangirai affection the whole of humanity, “With Pope Francis, the Mugabe’s powers and pave the after chaotic 2008 elections. especially the poorest, the weak- Church will be closer to the peo- way for new elections, results A supreme court last year est, the least important.” ple and to the modern world,” showed yesterday. ordered Mugabe to announce the Francis has faced immediate said Rodrigo Grajales, a 31-year- Tallies of the weekend vote election date before March 31, but calls to reform the intrigue-filled old Colombian priest. released by the Zimbabwe it remains unclear if he will do so. Roman Curia, the administration Some pilgrims wrapped them- Electoral Commission showed He can, however, ask the court of the Church, and take action on selves in the Argentine flag and 3,079,966 voters were in favour of for a postponement. the issue of the abuse of children some Brazilian nuns held up a the new constitution and 179,489 After the referendum results by priests that has been hushed sign reading: “Go Francis! We were against. are announced, it takes some 30 up for decades. Will Be With You Wherever “Since the majority of the votes days of legislative technicalities The Argentine Pope, who You Go!” The son of an Italian were received in favour of the before the draft is signed into law became a voice for the poor dur- immigrant railway worker, adoption of the draft constitution, by Mugabe. ing his homeland’s devastating Francis has won hearts in Rome it is declared to have been adopted A constitution amendment economic crisis, has indicated he with an informal style which con- by the people of Zimbabwe,” said bill has to be tabled, debated and will be a strong advocate for the trasted with yesterday’s pomp. Lovemore Sekeramayi, the official approved. dispossessed in an austerity-hit The Vatican said 132 foreign in charge of the vote tally. But lawmakers said the debate Europe. delegations attended. An estimated six million citi- will be ceremonial as the text has Vatican experts have said he Bergoglio was the surprise zens were eligible to vote. already been given a green light. will also pursue a more inclu- choice at last week’s conclave of Mugabe and his long-time The new constitution protects sive “collegial” style of leadership cardinals to replace 85-year-old rival Prime Minister Morgan everyone from all forms of vio- together with the cardinals and Benedict XVI, who last month Tsvangirai backed the draft con- lence and torture and guarantees bishops. The former archbishop brought a sudden end to a papacy stitution that will usher in fresh freedom of expression. of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario that had often been overshadowed polls to end the pair’s tense unity It is hoped that it will level the Bergoglio, has however been a by scandal, saying he was too old government. electoral playing field after a dec- staunch defender of Catholic to carry on. The text limits presidents to ade-and-a-half of troubled polls. orthodoxy on issues such as abor- He was the first Pope to resign two five-year terms in office, There however are con- tion and “queer” marriage, as well Italian cardinal Angelo Sodano (right) makes Pope Francis wear the since the Middle Ages. boosts parliament’s powers cerns among some observers on as priestly celibacy. Fisherman’s Ring during his inaugural mass in Vatican City, yesterday. Francis has called for a “poor and abolishes the post of prime whether there is enough time Francis toured a sun-drenched Church”, warning the world’s car- minister. to synchronise the existing laws St Peter’s Square in an open- dinals against pursuing worldly While the referendum was with the new constitution in time top car to cries of “Long live 32-year-old working in a homeless would live up to expectations. glories and saying that without hailed by the United States and for elections. the Pope!” shelter in Rome, said he would “We’ve heard a lot about how renewal the Church would crum- regional observers as peaceful and “It is almost certain that elec- But Riccardo Monteverde, a wait and see whether Francis Francis wants to help the poor. ble “like a sand castle”. AFP credible, the run-up to the vote tions will be (held) this year,” said was marred by isolated incidents McDonald Lewanika of Crisis of violence against both leaders’ Coalition. party officials. He added, however, that it was A day after the Saturday vote, unlikely all the constitutional four of Tsvangirai’s staffers were changes would be implemented Blast at US munitions depot kills 7 marines arrested along with a leading by then. rights lawyer who was giving But Jonathan Moyo, a member them legal assistance. of ZANU-PF’s supreme decision LAS VEGAS: An explosion at initial reports from the scene indi- explosion occurred at 10pm PDT Navy during most of World War The four have been charged making body, the politburo, told a US Army munitions depot in cated that a 60 mm mortar round (5am GMT yesterday) during a Two. The facility was transferred with breaching the official secrets AFP it was possible for parlia- western Nevada killed seven exploded in the tube of a mortar Marine training exercise at the to the Army in 1977. code, impersonating the police ment to move quickly. Marines from Camp Lejeune, firing point. The official said three Hawthorne Army Depot, about The names of the dead and and illegal possession of docu- Amending the electoral laws in North Carolina, and injured Marines were killed instantly. 152km southeast of Reno, said injured will be released following ments for criminal use. line with the constitution could seven more during a training Victims were airlifted to facility manager Russ Collier. the notification of their families. Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa faces be finalised even within weeks, exercise, US military officials Renown Regional Medical Center Hawthorne Army Depot is The accident came a week after separate charges. he said. said yesterday. in Reno, Nevada, with injuries that a 147,000-acre site used for the a US military plane assigned to The arrests have raised con- “Its adoption as bill is a formal- Army and Marine officials said included penetration trauma, frac- storage and destruction of demili- a Washington state Naval Air cerns that elections slated from ity...there is no basis for grand- the cause of the Monday night tures and vascular injuries, said tarised ammunition. It was first Station crashed during a rou- July may see a rerun of bloodshed standing or politicking to waste blast was under investigation, Stacy Kendall, a spokeswoman established as a naval staging area tine training flight, killing all that has marred past elections. time. It can be done in a day,” but a military official who spoke for the medical centre. The sta- for bombs, rockets and ammu- three crew members on board. The new vote which could said Moyo. AFP on condition of anonymity said tus of the injured was unclear. The nition, and was used by the US REUTERS

Kate among kids Dispute with 164 missing as boat dentist claims sinks off Nigeria two lives CALABAR, NIGERIA: A transporter in the area. wooden boat carrying 166 peo- Boat accidents are relatively ple from southeastern Nigeria common in Africa, where safety in France capsized about 40 nautical standards are poor. As many as MARSEILLE: A female den- miles off the coast, with only 138 people died when an over- tist in the centre of Marseille two known survivors, emer- loaded boat carrying passengers was shot dead yesterday by a gency services and local trad- and goods capsized in rough 71-year-old patient who was ers said yesterday. water on a river in Democratic himself killed during the subse- The boat left on Friday from Republic of Congo in 2010. quent police intervention. the remote town of Oron, in Some 35 people taking this Marseille deputy prosecutor Cross Rivers state, across the route from Nigeria to Gabon Christophe Barret told reporters Gulf of Guinea and was head- died after their boat sunk off the pensioner had turned up at ing to Gabon, in central Africa, the coast of Cameroon in 2008. the surgery with two handguns, traders said. a pistol and a revolver. David Akate, head of Cross Car bomb death toll at 41 He ordered a patient being Rivers emergency services, con- At least 41 people died in a treated by the dentist out of the firmed the incident but said he suicide car bomb that struck treatment room and immedi- had no death toll yet. a bus station in a Christian ately opened fire on the dentist, He added that the two known neighborhood in Kano, north- a woman in her 50s. survivors were a young boy and ern Nigeria’s busiest commer- The shots resulted in the build- a woman who had clung to a cial centre, in the most deadly ing being evacuated and police gas cylinder and were rescued attack in nine months that is called. The presumed killer of by fishermen. blamed on Islamic extremists, the dentist was shot dead after “They are mostly Igbo traders an official said yesterday. he fired twice at officers, raising from the southeast who headed At least 44 were injured in the fears for the safety of at least two to Oron to board the wooden attack that hit the city of Kano people who were trapped in an Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, speaks to children in the offices of Child Bereavement, in Saunderton, boat because it was cheaper,” on Monday evening. adjacent room. Buckinghamshire, yesterday. said Ikechukwu Egwu, a marine AGENCIES A police source said the man had been in dispute with the prac- tice over an unpaid bill of around ¤100. Although it appeared to be an isolated incident, yesterday’s Malala starts going to school in Birmingham shooting will add to Marseille’s notoriety for gun crime and will further hamper the 2013 LONDON: Pakistani school- Malala was flown to Britain Pictures showed her going to drew worldwide condemnation. European City of Culture’s efforts girl Malala Yousafzai returned after the attack for surgery for her school carrying a pink backpack She has since become a glo- to forge a new image as a vibrant to school yesterday for the first head injuries and underwent sev- and wearing a black headscarf bal symbol of the campaign for tourist destination. time since she was shot in the eral operations as recently as last over a green sweater. She will girls’ right to an education and The dentist’s surgery was head by the Taliban in October month. “I am excited that today I be studying a full curriculum in has been nominated for this year’s located in a tower block close to for campaigning for girls’ have achieved my dream of going preparation for selecting sub- Nobel Peace Prize. the Place Castellane, a popular education. back to school,” she said in a state- jects for GCSEs, the exams that UN education envoy and former central square full of restaurants The 15-year-old said she had ment. “I want all girls in the world English schoolchildren sit when British prime minister Gordon and bars. At least four young men “achieved her dream” and was to have this basic opportunity.” they are aged between 14 and 16. Brown, who has backed Malala’s have been killed this month in looking forward to meeting She added: “I miss my class- Malala was shot at point-blank cause, said it was a “great day.” execution-style shootings linked new friends at the independent mates from Pakistan very much range by a Taliban gunman as “This is a great day for Malala, to rival gangs battling for control Edgbaston High School for Girls but I am looking forward to meet- her school bus travelled through for her family — and for the cause Pakistani schoolgirl Malala of the drugs trade in the southern in Birmingham, central England, ing my teachers and making new northwest Pakistan’s Swat Valley of education worldwide,” Brown Yousafzai on way to school in port’s rundown estates. AFP where she is now living. friends here in Birmingham.” on October 9, in an attack that said in a statement. AFP Birmingham, yesterday. WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Sultanate refuses Military drill to retrieve bodies Malaysia seeks repatriation from Sabah in three days MANILA: The Sultanate of wrote to the Philippine govern- definition of conditions on how Sulu and North Borneo is not ment regarding the repatria- the retrieval is to be done. It is keen to retrieve from Sabah the tion of the bodies in three days, also very alarming on the part bodies of its 28 fighters reported although it did not specify the of the Sultanate of Sulu as with- as killed by Malaysian security dates. out the intercession of a neutral forces since March 5. “We have sent the letters country, Malaysia could order the “In line with the preaching of through our Foreign Ministry. arrest of the retrieval team and Islam, why would we still disturb In fact, today there will be a accuse them of being members of the souls and the spirits of the meeting between the Foreign the Royal Security Force,” he said. deceased? They are now rested Ministry and the Philippine Idjirani said the retrieval of in peace,” said Abraham Idjirani, Embassy. Technically the three- the deceased fighters should be spokesman of the sultanate. day period has not lapsed yet,” covered by media both local and According to the teachings of Taib said. international and be made in the Islam, a person must be buried Idjirani said the offer of the presence of a neutral humanitar- within 24 hours after his or her Malaysian government to have ian organisation such as the Red death. After the 17-day standoff the remains of the dead fighters Crescent or the International which erupted in a firefight on retrieved and sent back to the Committee of the Red Cross. March 1, Sulu urged Malaysia to Philippines is just another “black He also said that Malaysia declare a ceasefire to be able to propaganda.” should also allow an independent bury the dead. He said should the Sultanate group to conduct autopsies on Since March 5, Malaysian secu- of Sulu agree to retrieve their the remains of the dead sultanate rity forces conducted operations dead fighters from Sabah, the fighters to prove that they were to flush out Kiram III’s follow- retrieval team should be guar- indeed killed in combat and were ers. According to Sabah Police anteed immunity from arrest or not tortured to death. Commissioner Hamza Taib, 61 of harassment by a neutral country. He believes the 10 fighters A military drill of the Korean People's Army at an undisclosed location in North Korea. The US yesterday said it the sultan’s followers had been “Now the proposition of earlier reported as captured by was flying training missions of nuclear-capable B-52 bombers over South Korea, in a clear signal to North Korea killed from March 5 to 15. Malaysia is another black prop- Malaysian forces could have been at a time of escalating military tensions. The Malaysian government aganda. First of all, there is no killed. THE PHILIPPINE STAR

Manila court freezes Outage hits Fukushima plant US attacked TOKYO: Engineers at Japan’s 1 having returned to full operation shut off the power supply and in new birth control law crippled Fukushima nuclear at 2:20pm yesterday, TEPCO said cooling system. plant partially succeeded yes- in a statement. “As they are planning to take all MANILA: The Philippines’ highest court suspended yesterday a terday in restarting cool- Kyodo news reported the cool- possible substitute measures for controversial birth control law opposed by the Catholic Church. ing systems after a power cut ing system on the fuel pool at cooling, we do not need to worry at video from Voting 10-5, the Supreme Court issued a four-month freeze on underlined its still-precarious reactor 4 was also working again. all in a sense,” said Chief Cabinet the law, which requires government health centres to hand out state two years after a tsunami The system on the pool at Secretary Yoshihide Suga. free contraceptives and schools to teach sex education, court struck. reactor 3 was to return to full That view was echoed by Akio North Korea spokesman Theodore Te said. “The order stops implementation Equipment in pools used to operation yesterday evening, the Koyama, professor at Kyoto of the reproductive health law for 120 days.” keep used fuel cool — necessary to company said. University’s department of reac- SEOUL: North Korea has pro- prevent any spontaneous nuclear A separate cooling system for tor safety management. “At this duced another video showing American jailed for killing student reactions — lost their power a common pool is expected to be point, I don’t think anything the United States under attack, supply at 7pm (1000 GMT) last back online at 8am today, ending serious will occur immediately,” this time with the White House TOKYO: The Tokyo District Court yesterday jailed a US youth Monday, operator TEPCO said. the current problem, it said. The he said. and the US Capitol literally in for “no less than five years and no more than 10 years” for mur- By late yesterday, two of the common pool contains more than the crosshairs. dering an Irish student in his hotel room, rejecting his defence cooling systems were back up, 6,000 used fuel rods. 20,000 CHERRY TREES The four-minute video titled that the death was the result of consensual sex. The musician, reports said. One other was likely The incident has not so far A project to plant 190km (120 “Firestorms will rain on the who cannot be named because he was a minor under Japanese to be online later in the day, the affected the injection of cool- miles) of the tsunami-hit coast Headquarters of War” (http://y2u. law at the time, denied murdering Nicola Furlong, after meeting company said. ing water to reactors 1, 2 and 3 with cherry trees has begun, be/DyapeCiOl9A) was posted last her at a nightspot in the city last May when he was 19. Even used nuclear fuel becomes themselves, Tanabe said. These with organisers saying they want Monday on the YouTube chan- dangerous if its temperature is suffered core meltdowns soon something to welcome nuclear nel of the North’s official website, Tibetan woman burns self in China allowed to rise uncontrollably to after the start of the March 2011 evacuees in three decades’ time. Uriminzokkiri. the point where a self-sustaining nuclear crisis. Residents, volunteers and those The website distributes news BEIJING: A Tibetan woman burned herself to death, leading critical reaction begins, causing The temperatures of all fuel who fled the atomic disaster are and propaganda from the state authorities in China to detain her husband, rights groups and a meltdown. pools remains well below the set to plant 20,000 cherry tree media. media reports said yesterday, in the latest such protest against “Electricity has been cut to safety limit of 65 degrees Celsius saplings in Fukushima’s coastal The first two minutes used still Beijing’s rule. Around 110 Tibetans have set themselves on fire pools used to cool spent fuel at and had been rising by 0.3-0.4 Hamadori region over the next photos of US fighter jets, B-52 since 2009. Kunchok Wangmo, in her early 30s, set herself on reactors 1, 3 and 4” as well as degrees every hour, TEPCO said. 10 years, Jiji Press said. bombers and aircraft carriers to fire in southwestern Sichuan province’s Aba prefecture, said the to the equipment used to treat It said there had been no major “Everyone may come back to portray the United States as a US-based International Campaign for Tibet and UK-based Free contaminated discharge includ- changes in the level of radioactiv- Fukushima 30 years from now,” bullying nuclear power intent on Tibet. ing radioactive caesium, TEPCO ity at nearby monitoring spots project leader Yumiko Nishimoto, bending Pyongyang to its will. spokesman Kenichi Tanabe said. The meltdown of three of 59, said. “We want to leave local “Second by second, the fuse of a ‘Official’ takes authorities for ride Power was restored to part of Fukushima’s six reactors occurred communities in a state our chil- nuclear war is burning,” a female the equipment, with the cooling after an earthquake and ensuing dren can be proud of.” narrator warned. BEIJING: Authorities in China are hunting a man who posed system for the fuel pool at reactor huge tsunami on March 11, 2011 AFP It then showed a sniper’s cross- as an official and took part in all-expenses-paid junkets for two hairs superimposed over the years. Middle-aged, well-fed and clad in black suits, Zhao Xiyong Guard of honour White House, before switching to posed as an official from the State Council, China’s cabinet, tour- animated footage of the dome of ing factories and local governments, with free banquets thrown the US Capitol building exploding in. Authorities in the southern Yunnan province, where he con- in a fireball. ducted most of his tours, branded him an “imposter” on social “There is no limit to the range media sites, calling for “all government departments to take of our strategic rockets,” the nar- measures to expose Zhao’s fraudulent behaviour”. rator said. Angered by UN sanctions One killed in Bangla violence imposed after its nuclear test last month, North Korea has threat- DHAKA: A student leader of Bangladesh’s ruling party Awami ened the United States with a League was hacked to death in a northern town yesterday as pre-emptive nuclear strike, as clashes marked the second day of strike called by opposition par- military tensions on the Korean ties. He was hacked to death by Bangladesh Nationalist Party peninsula escalated to their high- (BNP) supporters in Gopalpur, police said. “We have arrested 12 est level for years. BNP supporters.” BNP and its 17 allies called the strike to protest Although experts say the North the arrest of over 150 of its leaders and activists in a recent police is years from being able to fire a raid. The arrests follow deadly unrest stemming from the trials nuclear-tipped ballistic mile as far of 10 leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and two from BNP for atrocities as the US mainland, US Defence during the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. Secretary Chuck Hagel responded last Friday with plans to boost Hun denies meddling in Rouge trial West Coast missile defences. AFP PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s Premier Hun Sen yesterday Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko receives a guard of honour on his arrival at Merdeka Palace in denied accusations by rights campaigners that his government Jakarta yesterday. has obstructed progress in a Khmer Rouge war crimes trial. “The power is in the hands of the court. Whether the process is slow or fast is up to the court, not me,” he said. Donors, rights groups, the UN and the US had called to speed up the trial of the remaining two defendants — “Brother Number Two” Nuon Seoul invites scrutiny of reactors’ safety Chea and former head of state Khieu Samphan — after the death of regime co-founder Ieng Sara last week. Hun, a former Khmer SEOUL: South Korea announced yester- Japan. The 10-week inspection will look into In May, five senior engineers from the state- Rouge cadre, defected and became premier in 1985. day plans to open all its 23 nuclear reactors the safety of all 23 reactors currently in opera- run Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) to international inspection in an apparent tion and evaluate maintenance procedures at were charged with trying to cover up a poten- bid to allay growing public concern over eight sample reactors, the ministry said. tially dangerous power failure at the country’s US mission to Myanmar ends nuclear safety. “It will also provide an important chance to oldest Gori-1 reactor. YANGON: The US said yesterday that it had completed a suc- The government will started taking bids improve the safety of the country’s reactors Later in the year, the government shut cessful first mission to Myanmar since 2004 to search for the yesterday from international organisations down the road,” it added. down two reactors at the Yeonggwang nuclear remains of missing American servicepeople. A nine-person or consortia capable of carrying out such a A survey commissioned by the ministry and complex to replace components provided with team, which conducted research and investigations in Taungoo, national survey, with a winner to be announced published in November showed only 35 percent fake quality certificates. Yangon, and Mandalay, “yielded multiple new leads” during the on May 3, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy of South Koreans considered nuclear power And a third reactor was taken offline at three-week visit that ended on Friday, the US embassy said. said. to be safe, sharply down from 71 percent in Yeonggwang when cracks were found on con- Notices were placed in local journals appealing for information The ministry in January had promised January 2010. trol rod tubes during maintenance work. about the possible whereabouts of the people left unaccounted nuclear sector reforms after a series of mal- A series of shutdowns and scandals in 2012 The government has vowed to stick with its for in the Second World War. “One of the first steps is to identify functions, shutdowns and corruption scandals triggered a warning from the International nuclear power programme and plans to build places where remains could be” the US embassy said. AGENCIES further undermined public confidence already Energy Agency in the same month about the an additional 16 reactors by 2030. shaken by the 2011 Fukushima disaster in need to rebuild public trust. AFP WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Anti-graft cleric to boycott polls ‘This is an election of money, might and manipulation’

ISLAMABAD: A populist In January, he led the larg- movement struggle. Sometimes Pakistani cleric who has gener- est political rally in the capital you don’t achieve the result ated mass protests to demand Islamabad in years after return- within a couple of months, or sweeping political reform will ing suddenly from seven years in one year, two years — you have boycott the forthcoming general Canada, sparking panic about a to struggle for a long time,” Qadri elections. rumoured judiciary-military plot said by telephone. The polls, expected by mid-May to derail elections. A former university academic but for which no date has yet been He accuses parties in power of who taught Islamic law and juris- set, will mark the first democratic using millions of dollars of state prudence, Qadri set up Tehreek- transition between two civilian funds to bankroll their campaigns e-Minhaj-ul-Quran, a religious governments in Pakistan, where and says that candidates who and educational network promot- the military remains powerful refuse to pay tax and bills should ing inter-faith harmony and oper- after staging three coups. not contest parliamentary seats. ating in more than 70 countries. “This is an election of money, According to a report from the Qadri called off his January might and manipulation. That is Centre for Investigative Reporting rally after the government said why I decided my party should not in Pakistan, more than 60 percent he would be consulted on the take part,” said Tahir-ul Qadri, a of the outgoing cabinet and two appointment of a caretaker religious moderate who has writ- thirds of its outgoing federal law- prime minister in the run-up to ten a fatwa against terrorism and makers paid no tax in 2011. polls and that there would be a suicide bombings, on Monday. Under the constitution, law- 30-day period for candidates to He founded a small politi- makers should have “a good char- be screened. “The government cal party in the 1980s, but took acter”, be “sagacious, righteous and the election commission until 2002 to get elected to par- and non-profligate, honest”. They have both, one by one gradually, liament under military dictator should also be disqualified if they, backed out from all of those com- Pervez Musharraf, only to resign their spouse or any dependents mitments,” said Qadri. two years later allegedly fed up default on the payment of govern- Politicians are still locked in with the system. He then left for ment dues or utilities. talks trying to agree on a care- Pakistani religious leader Tahir-ul Qadri talks to the media before the start of a protest march in Lahore in January. Canada. “My struggle is a reformist taker premier. AFP

Parties warned Pakistani Taliban defer peace talks offer against adverts ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s coalition government, criticising The TTP’s offer of peace talks financial benefit and to carry out Muttahida Qaumi Movement for ISLAMABAD: The Election Taliban deferred its offer of the democratic system for infla- last month was on the condition orders from the United States, the past five years. Commission of Pakistan yes- peace talks with the govern- tion and unrest in Pakistan. that certain politicians became accusing authorities of allowing “God willing TTP will impose terday wrote to Pakistan ment over its lack of “serious- “Generals and politicians are guarantors in the process. The US drone attacks to make money. Islamic system,” Ehsan said, urg- People’s Party, Pakistan ness”, urging voters to boycott exploiting this country for their government in response urged “TTP sympathetically appeals ing Pakistanis to follow the exam- Muslim League-Nawaz, upcoming elections. own interests, so seeing all these the Taliban to announce a 30-day to the Muslim nation that it ple of Arabs in Libya and Syria Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Parliament made history last conditions, TTP has temporar- ceasefire as a precursor to such should boycott every process in making efforts to end the Pakistan Muslim League-Q week by becoming the first in the ily postponed its offer for talks talks. Taliban attacks and record under this secular and athe- “exploitative system”. and All Pakistan Muslim country’s history to complete a full in the interest of nation and levels of violence directed against ist system. Particularly people He did not specify that mili- League to refrain from issu- term in office and voters are due Islam,” Ehsan said, flanked by two the Shiite Muslim minority in the should stay away from the rallies tants would target political rallies ing adverts in the media to elect new leaders by mid-May. masked gunmen. nuclear-armed nation of 180 mil- of MQM, ANP and PPP,” he said. of the three parties. prior to the issuance of poll But TTP spokesman “On our talks process, the lack lion have raised fears about secu- The Pakistan People’s Party Consultations are still ongoing schedule. A source said that Ehsanullah Ehsan, in a video of seriousness by stakeholders rity for the upcoming polls. of former slain prime minis- on forming a caretaker adminis- under Article 218 (3) of the posted on Facebook, warned peo- has proved... who is pushing this But Ehsan said the powerful ter Benazir Bhutto has ruled tration to take charge until a new Constitution, the commission ple to stay away from the rallies country into fire and blood, who military had imposed the long- with coalition partners Awami government takes power. has to ensure free and fair of the parties that made up the is the real cause of unrest.” running war against militants for National Party (ANP) and the AFP elections without any cor- rupt practices. “Such Adverts prior to the issuance of elec- tion schedule are unjustified and discourage smaller par- ties that can’t afford such promotion,” the source said. Nato’s Afghan war Coalition cargo still in Karachi Pakistan, Egypt ISLAMABAD: It has been was in place, US and European gate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa more than eight months since governments scouted alterna- had been used for transporting sign MoUs ‘aimless, unwise’ Pakistan reopened its ground tive routes for transporting the goods before the Pakistani supply routes to the US-led fighting gear as well as food and blockade went into effect. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and KABUL: Afghanistan’s presi- trying to overthrow Karzai’s allied forces in Afghanistan, other items to their forces in Yet, eight months after the Egypt signed five memoran- dential spokesman yesterday government. but nearly a thousand cargo Afghanistan. supply routes had been reopened, dums of understanding, an described the Nato-led mili- Karzai has been staking out containers are still stranded Those systems seem to have around 879 containers with 1,007 official source said yesterday. tary operation in the country increasingly nationalist ground as at Karachi port, awaiting endured, as nearly half of all vehicles are still awaiting clear- They are in the fields of money as “aimless and unwise”, in the he prepares for his final year in clearance. Nato and 40 percent of the US ance from the port. orders and international latest government broadside office before presidential elections Meanwhile, Nato goods con- cargo is reportedly transported That compares with 5,824 postal services; merchant against the coalition. in April 2014. Next year will also tainers arriving at the Karachi to Afghanistan through the pieces, with 3,852 military vehi- shipping; between the Board Aimal Faizi hit out after Nato see the withdrawal of Nato troops, port city are a tickle of the Northern Distribution Network cles (mostly Humvees), and 1,972 of Investment of Pakistan and chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen leaving poorly-trained and inex- previous traffic for trans- (NDN), as well as the Iranian containers had been stuck in the General Authority of Free rejected President Hamid Karzai’s perienced Afghan security forces port to Afghanistan since last port of Chabahar, by contractors port since November 2011, say Zones and Investment of allegations that the US was work- to take on the insurgents alone. November. who are working for the US and port authorities. Egypt; between Middle East ing in collusion with Taliban mili- Denmark’s Prime Minister Pakistan had blocked all Nato forces. And so critics focus on the loss News Agency and Associated tants. “The people of Afghanistan Helle Thorning-Schmidt, mean- goods supply to foreign forces in Yet, those routes continue to of business activity that was expe- Press of Pakistan; the 3rd ask Nato to define the purpose while, said he will withdraw half Afghanistan since November 2011, cost the US and Nato countries rienced due to the closure of these Executive Programme for and aim of the so-called war on of 650 Danish soldiers in August, after around two dozen soldiers dearly. supply routes, and wonder if such Scientific and Technological terror... (They) consider this war a year earlier than planned. An had been killed in a US air strike The New York Times had claimed an extended period of closure was Cooperation between as aimless and unwise to con- infantry unit had been due to be at the Salala border check post. that using alternative routes necessary. Pakistan and Egypt for 2013- tinue,” Faizi said in a statement. replaced in the Helmand province The routes were reopened in for the seven months, when the According to one estimate, the 2015; and between Small The verbal onslaught on Nato in August but he said an assess- July 2012, after then-US sec- blockade had been in place, had size of the economy generated due and Medium Enterprises is set to worsen relations between ment showed it was not needed. retary of state Hillary Clinton caused the US over $1bn in excess to the transport of cargo to Nato Development Authority of Afghanistan and the coalition “Therefore the only combat unit had offered an apology for the shipping fees. forces in Afghanistan at a whop- Pakistan and Special Fund which has been fighting for 11 will be our tank unit, which will incident. Meanwhile, Chaman in ping $5bn. for Development of Egypt. years against Islamist militants remain,” she said. AFP However, while the blockade Baluchistan, and the Torkham INTERNEWS Premier on a Arms surrendered spending spree ISLAMABAD: The PPP- Alert to Karzai: Trust government, led by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, has been on a development spending spree until the fag Taliban at your peril end of its term. It spent about Rs47bn ($479.59m) under KABUL: Afghan President Kabul, Najibullah was dragged discretionary People’s Works Hamid Karzai could face the behind a truck and hanged in Programme — about 174 per same fate as the last Soviet- Ariana Square. cent of allocated Rs27bn. backed communist ruler by Like Najibullah, Karzai is an trusting the Taliban as he ethnic Pashtun, as are most of the Pearl’s family scrambles to secure a peace deal Taliban, toppled in 2001 after the before Nato troops withdraw, September 11 attacks on the US. hails arrest Afghanistan’s main opposition Karzai has reached out to the leader said yesterday. Taliban, whom he calls brothers, NEW YORK: The family “Karzai is repeating the same trying to lure them to the negoti- of slain US journalist Daniel mistake and thinks that Taliban ating table by offering them a role Pearl welcomed the arrest in will show him mercy because in politics. A presidential election Pakistan of a former leader of his ethnicity. But Taliban is due next year and a parliamen- of a banned militant out- has announced that the way he tary poll the following year. fit allegedly involved in his is going, he will end in Ariana Talks between the US and the 2002 murder. Qari Abdul Square,” Ahmad Zia Massoud, Taliban began clandestinely in Hayee aka Asadullah from leader of the National Front Germany in late 2010, but the Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal opposition alliance, said. insurgents abandoned the proc- neighbourhood, once headed The former president, ess last March, blaming “shaky, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Ruth and Mohammad Najibullah, oversaw erratic and vague” US statements. Judea Pearl, who live in Los the withdrawal of Soviet forces Massoud, an ethnic Tajik and Angeles, hailed the arrest, in a in 1989 before he was overthrown former vice-president, said the statement issued through the Former Taliban militants surrender arms under a US-backed Afghan government amnesty programme, in by the mujahideen opposition Taliban had no intention of brok- New York-based Daniel Pearl Karukh district of Herat Province, yesterday. guerrillas. ering peace and would boost their Foundation. AGENCIES In 1996, when the Taliban took insurgency. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Rs10 lakh reward Lok Sabha approves anti-rape bill for information on Hyderabad blasts

Opposition amendments defeated HYDERABAD: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha however, noted steps should be has announced a reward of yesterday passed the much- taken to prevent misuse of some Rs10 lakh for any informa- awaited anti-rape bill which provisions. tion leading to the arrest of keeps 18 as the age for consen- Samajwadi Party member the accused in the Feb 21 ter- sual sex and makes voyeur- Shailendra Kumar supported the ror attack in Hyderabad. The ism and stalking punishable bill but said the provisions of the NIA, which is probing the offences amid concerns by some bill could lead to change in atti- twin bomb blasts, has prom- members on certain provisions tude of employers in recruiting ised to keep the identity of of the legislation. women. Janata Dal-United leader the informant confidential. The Criminal Law Sharad Yadav said: “People will be The NIA said the information (Amendment) Bill, 2013, was afraid to hire women,” adding that may be provided on telephone tabled in the house by Union the biggest reason for suffering of numbers 040-2776 4488, 040- Home Minister Sushilkumar women was caste discrimination. 4005 8500 or e-mail ID dil- Shinde a day after the cabi- He also warned the bill will sukhnagartwinblasts@gmail. net approved its draft. The lead to “jails being filled” as courts com or through post. The house debated it during the day. were already overburdened with bomb blasts at the crowded However, only around 200 mem- cases. He said the bill was a short- Dilsukhnagar area killed 17 bers were present in the house term solution when there was people and injured 116. when the bill came up for voting. need for long-term measures. Several amendments were moved Samajwadi Party chief Drunk man opens by opposition members but were Mulayam Singh Yadav said, “Will defeated. The bill is now likely to law stop (crimes)?” He added the fire, arrested go to the Rajya Sabha today. bill sought to enhance powers of NEW DELHI: A 45-year-old During the debate, members police, while Rashtriya Janata Dal drunk man was arrested for supported the bill but suggested leader Lalu Prasad also main- firing in the air at the office of tightening definition of stalking tained the law will not help and a Congress legislator here yes- and voyeurism while opinions some provisions could be misused. terday morning, said police. diverged on the proposal to keep On the other hand, Congress’ The firing was reported around the age of consent at 18. Priya Dutt said there was per- Facade of the hotel, where the British tourist jumped from to escape a sexual assault, in Agra. 11.20am from west Delhi’s The age of consent was 16 years haps no law which could not be Pitampura area. The man under the Indian Penal Code but misused. She said there was need life), or with death. It says that who opened fire was identified was raised to 18 in the anti-rape to address issues such as incest those convicted for the offence British tourist jumps from hotel as Ravinder Yadav. “Yadav ordinance promulgated by the in the bill. Supriya Sule of the of gang rape shall be punished arrived at the office of Tri government in February this year. Nationalist Congress Party said with rigorous imprisonment for AGRA: A British tourist was The arrested hotel owner Nagar MLA (member of legis- However, following inter-minis- there was no reason to apprehend a minimum of 20 years extendable injured in her leg after jumping denied the allegation, saying he lative assembly) Anil Bhardwaj terial consultations, the govern- that the bill will be misused by to life imprisonment. from her hotel balcony here yes- had only tried to wake her up. and started using filthy lan- ment again thought of lowering it women, while Harsimrat Kaur It also defines and prescribes terday to escape an attempted Two policemen are providing guage. As some Congress work- to 16 in the bill. At the all-party Badal of the Shiromani Akali punishment for stalking, voyeur- sexual assault. The hotel owner the woman security at her new ers there told him not to use meeting on Monday, several polit- Dal said the definition of stalk- ism and sexual harassment. has been arrested, officials said. hotel. A British consular team is such words, he came out of the ical parties suggested the age of ing should be tightened to prevent The bill says that all hospitals The 25-year-old Briton told in Agra to assist her. office and started firing in the consent should be 18 years since its misuse and demanded stricter shall immediately provide first police that she was staying in the “A consular team has spoken to air from a pistol,” said a police the minimum age of marriage for provisions for acid attack. aid and/or medical treatment first floor of a hotel in Agra’s can- her and is providing her assist- officer. No one was injured. girls was also 18. The bill incorporates suggestions free of cost to the victims of acid tonment area when someone tried ance. She is under police protec- During the debate, mem- of the Justice J S Verma Committee attack or rape. The anti-rape bill to molest her. tion,” a British high commission Businessman shot at bers across the political divide formed to make the anti-rape laws will replace the ordinance prom- She told police she had told the official said in New Delhi. in Rs3 lakh heist expressed their concerns on stronger. It prescribes punishment ulgated by President Pranab hotel staff to wake her up early The incident comes close on the some of the provisions. Congress extending to death sentence for Mukherjee on February 3. The so that she could catch a bus to heels of the gang-rape of a Swiss NEW DELHI: A 55-year-old member Sandeep Dikshit won- offenders for inflicting any injury legislation had to be passed by Jaipur. But she got scared after tourist in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia businessman was shot and dered that if a girl and a boy which causes death of the victim or parliament before April 4, when a hotel employee “offered to give district. The woman, an adven- wounded here while resisting aged between 16 and 18 get into causes them to be in a persistent it would have lapsed. The issue her a massage”. ture tourist, had set up camp near four assailants who robbed physical relations, “would they be vegetative state. has been in focus after the gang- Since he knocked twice and would a forest along with her husband Rs3 lakh from his shop, police called criminals” while Bharatiya The bill seeks to punish repeat rape of a 23-year-old woman in not leave, the frightened woman when she was raped by eight men said. Three of the attackers Janata Party’s Sumitra Mahajan offenders of rape with imprison- Delhi on December 16 last year. jumped from the balcony, injuring who also stole their laptop, cam- have been arrested. Kishori defended the decision to keep ment of life (which shall mean the She died of grievous injuries 13 her leg. She rushed to the nearest era and cash. Lal Sharma was fired at in the age of consent at 18. She, remainder of the person’s natural days later. IANS police booth to file a complaint. IANS central Delhi’s Paharganj area on Monday around 7pm, police said. “The accused fled from Woman files gang-rape complaint against husband, lawyer the spot after robbing Rs3 lakh. While resisting the rob- bery, the businessman was hit NEW DELHI: A 25-year-old Control Room. “The victim made and the call details of the woman going on at Karkardooma court court. She reached Patiala House by a bullet in abdomen,” said married woman involved in a the allegation against her hus- and others to investigate the case. in east Delhi. court and went to lawyer’s cham- a police officer. After the rob- matrimonial discord case com- band, husband’s lawyer, a clerk, The victim told police that she She alleged that her husband’s ber number six where her hus- bers left Sharma’s shop, one of plained that her husband and and her husband’s brother-in-law. was raped inside a lawyer’s cham- lawyer called her at Karkardooma band offered her beverage which the attackers was overpow- three others, including an advo- A case regarding the incident ber at the Patiala House Court court to settle the issue on she refused. After that all the ered by some passersby, police cate, gang-raped her in a law- has been registered after vic- complex on Monday evening. Monday afternoon, where her accused gang-raped her,” police said. Sonu, 25, was caught by yer’s chamber in a court complex tim’s medical report and probe The woman, a resident of husband’s sister and brother-in- said, quoting the victim’s com- people and handed over to here, police said yesterday. is on into the incident,” said S B Pandav Nagar in east Delhi, law were already present. plaint. The accused later threat- police but his associates man- The incident was reported S Tyagi, deputy commissioner of said that after marital discord “After talking at Karkardooma ened her of dire consequences, aged to escape. The robbed around 6pm on Monday after police. Police were checking the with her husband she had filed court for hours, the lawyer asked police said. amount was recovered from the victim telephoned the Police CCTV footage of both the courts a divorce case which was being them to come to Patiala House IANS the spot, the officer said. Woman ends life after rape by ‘witch doctor’ JAIPUR: A man who claimed Delhi to set up IT centre to be a witch doctor was arrested in Rajasthan after a 25-year-old woman accused at Al Azhar University him of raping her and then committed suicide. The inci- NEW DELHI: India and Egypt The Indian National Trust for dent occurred at Pahari vil- yesterday inked seven agree- Art and Cultural Heritage and lage of Jaipur district, 150km ments, including for setting up a Egypt’s ministry for antiquities from here. A senior police centre of excellence in Information affairs inked an MoU for joint officer said: “The victim had Technology at Cairo’s Al Azhar activities, sharing of informa- approached Mamraj Kumar University, after talks between tion and exchange of expertise who claimed to be witch doc- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh through conferences, workshops, tor and capable of treating and visiting Egyptian President joint projects and to prevent illicit infertility.” The victim did not Mohammed Mursi. traffic of antiquities. have a child since her mar- Both sides signed an memoran- Both sides also agreed to riage seven years ago, the dum of understanding (MoU) for upgrade a vocational training officer said. “Mamraj drugged cooperation in Information and centre at Shourba El Kheima, the woman when she came Communication Technology, Cairo, under which the National for treatment and raped including in e-governance and Small Industries Corporation will her. Feeling humiliated, the e-education, IT and electronics provide technological the upgra- woman told the family mem- hardware, sharing of experiences dation required in the area of bers about what had happened in the creation of Technology spinning, weaving, knitting and and later jumped into a well,” Parks and IT clusters. dyeing technology. said the officer. The witch A MoU on cooperation in Both sides also signed a letter doctor was arrested after the cyber security was also inked of intent on solar energy coopera- family members lodged a first for “exchanging information on tion under which 8.8 kilowatt of information report against all aspects of cyber security and power would be provided using him, he added. Rescue officials and bystanders gather around the wreckage of the bus after it fell from the bridge in Khed, some supporting each other in taking solar energy to 40 households in a 350km south of Mumbai, yesterday. appropriate measures in order to village in Siwa located in Martrouh 115kg banned drug prevent cyber security incidents”. in Egypt. Both sides also inked a The centre for excellence in Letter of Intent for launch serv- seized at airport 37 tourists killed in bus accident IT in Al Azhar University will ices of the Egyptian Nano Satellite NEW DELHI: Two people see India provide the human EGYCUBESAT-1 on board India’s from Mizoram were arrested RATNAGIRI (MAHARASH- bus belonging to Mahakali Travels have been removed to Mumbai. resources, as well as the hard- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle by from Delhi airport for carry- TRA): At least 37 people were suddenly went out of control on The driver, who was questioned ware and software to set up a Antrix Corporation Ltd. ing 115kg tablets of contra- killed and 15 others injured, the Bharna bridge over Jagbudi after the treatment, was arrested centre for the training of upto band drug pseudoephedrine including five foreign nation- river and crashed into the river, and slapped with several charges 500 students per year. Egypt will SUEZ CANAL PROJECT worth nearly Rs1.2 crore, als, when a bus plunged into a 190km from Mumbai, said B L related to rash and negligent driv- facilitate the establishment of Earlier, Egypt pushed for India police said. Lianthuama river in Khed area yesterday Shinde, an official from the high- ing resulting in death of the tour- the centre including provision of to join its ambitious Suez Canal Chhakchhuak, 48, a welder, on the Mumbai-Goa highway way department. ists, the official said. Police are space and logistical support. corridor project. Mursi said he and Sawithanga, 53, a car- near here, officials said. The bus “So far, 37 bodies have been investigating if he was drunk at Both sides inked an MoU for welcomed India’s contribution in penter, were arrested and driver was arrested. removed from the site and there the time of the accident. cooperation in the field of micro the Suez Canal corridor project around 57.5kg tablets were Among the victims are at least are some more injured passen- According to preliminary and and small enterprises, to facilitate that is aimed to become a bridge recovered from each of them. five foreign nationals but authori- gers, including five whose condi- eye-witness reports, the acci- sharing of information, meetings connecting Africa with Asia. The The two were arrested on the ties could not confirm whether tion is serious,” Shinde said. dent occurred when the ill-fated between enterprises, technology 190km project once ready would basis of a tip-off that contra- they were killed or injured in the The injured, among them the bus was attempting to overtake transfers and to provide consul- make Egypt a hub for India’s band drug was being traf- accident. bus driver, have been taken to another vehicle, though the exact tation services to enhance the exports to the West and boost ficked aboard a plane. The accident took place around hospitals in Khed and Chiplun cause has yet to be determined. abilities of business enterprises Indian exports to $200bn, he said. IANS 3.50am when the Goa-Mumbai and some of the critical victims IANS of India and Egypt. IANS WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Airtel chief, Essar promoter DMK dumps UPA over Sri Lanka summoned in 2G case Government leaders insist no threat to the ruling coalition NEW DELHI: A Delhi court The agency told the court that yesterday summoned Bharti additional spectrum was allotted CHENNAI/NEW DELHI: Airtel Chairman Sunil Mittal July 17, 2002, to Bharti Cellular The DMK yesterday quit the and Essar Group promoter (now Bharti Airtel) and Sterling UPA voicing regret over India’s Ravi Ruia in a case relating to Cellular (now Vodafone Mobile stand on Sri Lanka at the alleged irregularities in alloca- Service) for the Delhi metro area, UNHRC but government lead- tion of excess spectrum dur- and Hutchison Max (now Vodafone ers insisted there was no threat ing the National Democratic India) for Mumbai metro area. The to the ruling coalition. Alliance (NDA) regime. late Bharatiya Janata Party leader DMK chief M Karunanidhi Also summoned were former Pramod Mahajan was the telecom announced that his party was telecom secretary Shyamal Ghosh minister then. leaving both the multi-party and Asim Ghose, formerly with The judge said Sunil Mittal was coalition and Prime Minister Hutchison Max Telecom, now chairman-cum-managing direc- Manmohan Singh’s government known as Vodafone India. Special tor of Bharti, Asim Ghosh was after New Delhi’s failure to take a Central Bureau of Investigation managing director of Hutchison hard line against Sri Lanka. (CBI) judge O P Saini issued Max and Ruia a director in “Continuing in this govern- summons for April 11 after tak- Sterling Cellular — and they were ment will be an injustice to the ing cognizance of the charge all prima facie in control of affairs Sri Lankan Tamils,” the former sheet filed against mobile firms of the respective companies. Tamil Nadu chief minister said Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and “As such they represent the in Chennai, and charged Colombo Sterling Cellular for the alleged directing mind and will of each with committing atrocities on its irregularities. company and their state of Tamil population. The 88-year- On December 21 last year, mind is the state of mind of the old politician accused both India the CBI named Shyamal Ghosh companies. “They are/were the and the UN of “betraying” the Sri and the three telecom firms as ‘alter-ego’ of their respective com- Lankan Tamils. accused in the 57-page charge panies,” judge Saini said. “In this The DMK has 18 members sheet for criminal conspiracy as fact/situation, the acts of the com- in the Lok Sabha and six in the also under the provisions of the panies are to be attributed and Rajya Sabha. It has five membres Supporters of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) light firecrackers to celebrate after their party pulled out of the Prevention of Corruption Act imputed to them. Consequently, in Manmohan Singh’s council of ruling coalition, outside the party’s headquarters in Chennai, yesterday. for causing a loss of about Rs846 I find enough material on record ministers. The DMK’s departure crore to the exchequer. to proceed against them.” IANS still leaves the Congress-led UPA ministers in the government are by reports of unspeakable atroci- and the government was “abso- with a simple majority in the 545- tipped to resign soon. ties on innocent civilians and lutely stable” and enjoyed major- seat Lok Sabha but makes it more He ruled out extending outside children, specially during the last ity in the Lok Sabha. vulnerable vis-a-vis other allies legislative support to the UPA, in days of the conflict, in 2009. That did not prevent the and an aggressive opposition. which the DMK was the largest “That is why we demand an stock market from taking a hit. But Karunanidhi made it clear constituent after the Congress. independent, credible inquiry into However, Bihar Chief Minister CBI nabs Kerala businessman that if the government accepted his Just before Karunanidhi made the the violation of human rights in Sri Nitish Kumar said he was confi- two demands — charge Sri Lanka announcement, sparking celebra- Lanka,” said Gandhi, who was wid- dent the UPA would last its five- PALAKKAD: The CBI yesterday arrested businessman V M with “genocide” of Tamils and tions by DMK cadres, Congress owed in 1991 when a Tamil Tiger year term — until the 2014 Lok Radhakrishnan for the death of a former company secretary of the demand a credible investigation president Sonia Gandhi used suicide bomber assassinated her Sabha ballot. Soon after the DMK state-owned Malabar Cements and his two kids in Kerala in 2011. into alleged war crimes — he could unusually strong language in New husband and former prime min- announcement, top Congress Radhakrishnan is a contractor linked to the cement company, said reverse his stand. Karunanidhi said Delhi to denounce Sri Lanka. ister Rajiv Gandhi near Chennai. leaders held a crisis meeting. sources in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) who were tasked the UPA government had not only Addressing party MPs, she Even as the DMK pullout raised The US has introduced a by the Kerala High Court to probe the deaths. refused to consider the DMK’s alleged that “unspeakable atroci- questions about the Congress- resolution pulling up Sri Lanka The bodies of company secretary V Saseendran and his two kids were views on the US-sponsored reso- ties” had been committed on led United Progressive Alliance’s over rights abuses and more at found hanging in their home near Palakkad on January 24, 2011. He lution against Sri Lanka at the Tamils in Sri Lanka and that stability, Finance Minister P the 47-member United Nations quit the job a few months before the incident. Saseendran was opposed UNHRC session in Geneva but had their plight was “very close” to Chidambaram brushed them Human Rights Council in Geneva. to the alleged corrupt deals of Radhakrishnan, the investigators said. quietly watered it down. DMK’s Indian hearts. “We are anguished aside. He said there was no crisis IANS IANS

Kashmir unrest Cabinet approves Food Security Bill

NEW DELHI: The union cabinet According to officials, the bill will give entitlement of 35kg grain per month for yesterday approved the National 67 percent of citizens entitlement to 5kg 2.4 crore poorest of the poor families Food Security Bill which aims to give rations per person each month at Rs3 per under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana will the right to food to around 67 percent kg for rice, Rs2 per kg for wheat and Re1 be protected in the bill, said officials. of the country’s 1.2 billion people, offi- per kg for coarse grains. Though 71 amendments have been cial sources said. The bill was introduced in the Lok proposed to the bill after taking into “The cabinet has approved the bill. Sabha in December 2011 and had been account the recommendations of the We will try to bring it in the Lok Sabha sent to a parliamentary standing com- parliamentary standing committee on this week,” Food Minister K V Thomas mittee for further consideration. food, only five to six are major ones, told reporters after the cabinet meeting. In the bill, the government had said officials. According to officials, Recovered weapons and ammunition, which police say were seized following the arrests of The cabinet, headed by Prime Minister proposed 7kg of grain per month per women with more than two children suspects linked to an attack against five paramilitary policemen last week, are displayed to Manmohan Singh, cleared the bill, a person to “priority households” and at will also be entitled to nutritional sup- journalists in Srinagar, yesterday. Police in Kashmir said they arrested four people, including dream project of Congress president least 3kg of foodgrain at half the price port under the bill. one from the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant group, over an attack that left five policemen dead. and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. for “general households”. The current IANS NRIs need to plan for retirement and return

NLY one thing is certain about reversionary bonus on completion of premium working in the Gulf: you’ve got to THE NR EYE payment term. The whole policy term consists return one day. In the last edition of two phases; a premium payment term and a Oof this column, we discussed the cash back period, both selected by the investor plight of Indian workers in the gulf who have Moiz Mannan at the inception of the policy. At the end of to return to India prematurely. the premium payment term, the accumulated Financial insecurity is by far the biggest Some would therefore prefer term depos- compound reversionary bonus shall be pay- issue. Even if your job is as secure as it its which are currently offering returns of able, followed by the payment of Cash Back will last until your retirement, the time to 8 to 9 per cent. It might be a good idea benefit of 5 percent of the sum assured plus return is bound to come. We have seen that for those nearing retirement to rely more the annual cash bonus (if any as declared by assistance from the government or from heavily on such options. However, for those the company), at the end of each policy year, employers to help you resettle can hardly whose retirement is more than 30 years till the end of the policy term. be expected. For most blue and white col- away, it is better to be a little aggressive. The Life Insurance Corporation has Jeevan lar workers, the thought of not being able Real estate too is a good option, but NRIs Akshay, a voluntary pension plan meant for to maintain the present standard of living often find it difficult to maintain properties employees retiring with inadequate pension is scary. Add to that the additional costs of from a distance. In fact, most non-residents benefits or none at all. A monthly pension health care in old age and one realizes the prefer to acquire residential properties to live is paid to the purchaser and on his death, a need to do some serious financial planning. in rather than to sell off later to make a profit. guaranteed insurance sum (GIS) equal to the Traditionally, those who would not avail Experts further advise NRIs to obtain purchase price is paid to the nominee. The of pension benefits after retirement would insurance linked retirement plans. final bonus is also payable in addition to GIS. look at options such as provident fund, sav- Insurance firms offer variety of products Jeevan Dhara provides a regular income from ings certificates and term deposits. However, promising security and returns to suit a selected date with death benefits. It also now that the mutual fund industry in India retirement needs of overseas Indians. participates in profits at the time of vesting has matured a fair bit and also there is an ICICI, LIC, HDFC, and many other insur- of the annuity and then until the death of the increased understanding among the com- ance firms have retirement & pension plan annuitant after the vesting of the annuity. mon people about equity investments, this which can be availed by NRIs. Most of the As for equity-linked investments, one of is a good option. insurance companies also offer comprehen- best bets in the long run are mutual funds First of all, to be able to decide on an option sive health insurance which must be taken through systematic investment plans.(SIPs). or a combination of options, one must set a for retirement purposes. SIP is one effective way to pulling through target. This is done by calculating the monthly You can buy retirement plan with cover or the ups and downs and still emerging with expenses one would need to incur after a par- without cover. You can also have unit linked returns that counter inflation. SIPs smoothen ticular age. The idea is to work towards cre- retirement plan which will give high returns unpredictable market movements by accu- ating a retirement corpus that would factor in but also presents high risk. ULIP, after the mulating more units when the markets fall. inflation and provide regular returns to fund changes made by IRDA, has become more The UTI Retirement Benefit Pension Fund the desired standard of living. For example, attractive and can provide much better provides pension in the form of periodical a person who has a monthly expenditure of returns than typical insurance products. income/cashflow to the unit holders to the Rs10,000 today will need to spend Rs40,000 The State Bank of India (SBI), for extent of redemption value of their holding a month to maintain his lifestyle after thirty example, offers such products. The SBI life after they complete 58 years of age. While pick- years even if the rate of inflation is just 5 Lifelong pension plus is an option for NRIs ing mutual funds, experts generally suggest a per cent. It means, this individual needs to looking for a non - participating plan and mix of mid and large caps. The choice of fund work towards a corpus that will yield at least security of their investments. On the other depends on one’s objective and risk-taking Rs40,000 a month after 30 years. hand, the SBI life smart pension is aimed ability. Each asset offers funds that enable you Investment experts are unanimous here at NRIs who are looking for their invest- to meet specific goals. NRIs looking for fixed that only equity investments have the capac- ment to be divided into parts that assure income may consider switching to hybrid debt ity to beat inflation over the long term. But them guaranteed returns and a part that is options like Monthly Income Plans, which there are many, particularly among non- invested in units can go for this plan. have an exposure of 85 percent to debt and 15 residents, who are wary of investing in the Bajaj Allianz has a CashRish Insurance percent to equity. One can also look at Fixed stock market. The recent roller-coaster Plan a plan that provides cash benefits at Maturity Plans and Quarterly Interval Plans behavior of indices globally have done no three important stages of one’s life cycle. with dividend payouts for steady income. good to the confidence of the risk averse. It also offers an accumulated compound THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Wednesday 20 March 2013 8 Jumada I 1434 Volume 18 Number 5644 Price: QR2

BMW sets ambitious targets

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Nakilat forays into Sheikh Khalid meets top US official DOHA: Francisco J Sanchez, the US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade recently received superyacht market Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, Deputy Chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association Qatari shipbuilder signs deal to make first luxury vessel (QBA), in his office in Washington. DOHA: Qatari shipbuilder The officials discussed issues Nakilat Damen Shipyards related to joint investment in Qatar (NDSQ) has forayed into the private sectors of both the the region’s emerging luxury countries and agreed that a yacht business. NDSQ yester- strong investment environment day announced that it would in both countries is attracting build the country’s first fast many international investors. luxury vessel at the Erama Bin They also discussed the Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in importance of developing bilat- Ras Laffan. eral cooperation between the The Minister of State H E finance and business communi- Sheikh Mohammed bin Fahad ties which could lead to more Al Thani and Chairman of NDSQ robust commercial activities, Muhammad Ghannam, signed the projects as well as the launch of contract to build the vessel. The possible joint business alliances. customized 69m luxury vessel will During the meeting, Sheikh be built at Qatar’s state-of-the-art Khalid bin Thani also stressed shipyard by NDSQ, the shipbuild- the important role of QBA ing joint venture between Qatari in encouraging commercial shipping company Nakilat and projects in the US and Qatar. Dutch shipbuilding group Damen The association supports a Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani (left), Deputy Chairman Shipyards. number of projects that seek to of Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) with Francisco J Sanchez, the Based on the proven axe-bow meet the aspirations of inves- US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, in Washington. hull of Damen’s 67m Sea-Axe tors. THE PENINSULA navy, coastguard and yacht sup- port vessels, the vessel will be equipped with the latest technol- ogy and will reach speeds of up 20 knots. Yesterday’s signing ceremony The Minister of State H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Fahad Al Thani (right) with Saudi labour announced NDSQ’s entry into Chairman of Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar Muhammad Ghannam, after the superyacht new-build mar- signing the agreement at the InterContinental Hotel, yesterday. Qatar, Australia ket, with the company ready to KAMMUTTY VP reforms add accommodate the world’s biggest luxury vessels. very proud of this great achieve- “We are proud of our partner- NDSQ’s facilities at Erhama ment, which represents a key ship with Nakilat and we intend bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard milestone in Qatar National to supply all the necessary sup- agree to boost 600,000 pvt include a 180m long, 70m wide, Vision 2030. Our fully integrated port and know-how for NDSQ to and 50m high hall for the finish- marine industry will play a major become a premier shipbuilder for ing and refit of high-value ves- role in the future development of all vessel types.” sector jobs sels, featuring two separate, fully Qatar and we are delighted to be NDSQ began operations in 2010 climate-controlled bays. placing this order for the first and builds ships in steel, alumin- investments RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s The signing of the fast luxury vessel of this type to be built in ium and fibre reinforced plastic attempts to reform its expatri- vessel expands the list of mile- Qatar, for Qatar.” (FRP), up to 170m in length. DOHA: Australia and Qatar Australian and Qatari trade ate-heavy labour market have stone achievements recently Muhammad Ghannam com- In addition to the hall dedi- are set to increase the level entities a risk minimisation put more than 600,000 locals publicised by NDSQ. In January mented: “We are honoured to be cated to the finishing and refit of mutual investments in strategy to ensure major projects into jobs at private companies, NDSQ inaugurated the 140m given this opportunity to deliver of high-value vessels, NDSQ’s the respective countries fol- are completed in a timely fash- a senior official said yesterday, barge Al Ghatroushah, the larg- this landmark yacht project in facilities include a construction lowing an agreement signed ion, thus protecting and growing a sharp increase over previous est vessel ever to have been con- Qatar. NDSQ continues to prove hall of 270m long, 65m wide, and between Qatar Chamber/ investments in both countries.” rates. structed in Qatar. NDSQ also Qatar’s shipbuilding capabili- a 180m-long assembly hall con- Qatar International Center for Unemployment among men launched six built-in-Qatar moor- ties while Nakilat, Damen and sisting of four bays; a 400m-long Conciliation and Arbitration DOHA BANK OPENS last year dropped to 6.1 percent, ing boats in November 2012 and NDSQ are all fully committed to outfitting pier equipped with a (QICCA) and the Australian AUSTRALIA BRANCH the lowest figure since 2000, dep- is working on a further 13 vessels realising His Highness’ vision for 30-tonne crane; a load-out and Centre for International uty Labour Minister Mofraj Al destined for use at Qatar’s Port of world-class shipbuilding industry recovery barge with a lift capac- Commercial Arbitration To capitalise on the business Haqbani said after a press confer- Mesaieed. in Qatar.” ity of 10,500 tonnes; workshops, (ACICA). opportunities with Australia, ence in Riyadh. Sheikh Mohammed said after Kommer Damen, Chairman of stores and other support facili- The ACICA-Qatar Chamber Doha Bank has opened up an “It is the lowest since 13 years the signing ceremony: “We are Damen Shipyards Group, said: ties. THE PENINSULA partnership has been welcomed office in Sydney. This is the ago... I think next year, God will- by multinationals that operate first time a bank from the GCC ing, we will see better results,” in Qatar at a time when the region has established its pres- he said. The Middle East’s larg- Gulf State is experiencing rapid ence in Australia. est economy grew by 6.8 percent development and expansion in Head of the Doha Bank in last year, but private companies preparation for Qatar 2022. Australia, Hilton Wood, said: have traditionally been reluctant ACICA President and Clayton “We wholeheartedly welcome to employ Saudi workers, who are Gulf banks look beyond the region Utz Head of Major Projects this initiative as part of our paid more than foreigners and and International Arbitration, range of cross-border solutions enjoy more job protection. DOHA: As the bankable pop- attracted much of the activity. banks’ capital adequacy, indicates Professor Doug Jones, said: that will further encourage Employment statistics are also ulation in the Gulf region is An estimated 142 deals were that the average RAC ratio for “The agreement recognises investment.” skewed by the low level of women structurally limited, banks in announced or closed in Turkey Gulf banks stood in the 12.0 per- the demand in the Gulf region The agreement, facilitated in work due to religious restric- the region is looking for Egypt, for a total value of $10.1bn, and cent to 13.0 percent range based to opt for cost effective, legally and supported by the New South tions on gender mixing. Turkey and Asian countries to in Egypt, transaction volume on data on December 31, 2011. binding resolution of disputes Wales Government, comes just The world’s top oil exporter support their long-term growth, reached $9.8bn from 38 deals, he That’s about 5 percent points which may arise in cross border weeks ahead of the 8th World sees low employment among according to Standard & Poor’s. said. higher than the 7.4 percent for transactions.” Congress of Chambers which will nationals as a long-term strate- The ratings agency said yester- Timucin noted that the declin- the 100 largest rated banks based Many of the world’s leading be hosted in Qatar. gic challenge, a view given added day, banks in the Gulf are tempted ing prices for bank stakes in on data on September 30, 2011. international companies from A global community of more impetus after joblessness in by large and young populations of emerging markets are a further Gulf banks also generally oper- industries such as insurance, than 12,000 chambers of com- nearby countries contributed to Egypt, Turkey and in Asian coun- buying incentive for Gulf banks. ate with a healthy size of liquid- building and construction, min- merce will be congregating in the Arab spring uprisings. tries such as Indonesia. Valuations of controlling takes ity pools available to them. The ing, oil and gas, shipping, bank- Doha providing a unique oppor- Central bank figures from 2011 These are also countries with in banks in key emerging markets strong capital position of the ing and financial services are tunity for leaders from over 100 showed around nine in 10 Saudis visibly lower bank penetration, were much richer prior to 2008 Gulf banks provides them with a increasingly referring matters countries. in work were employed by the which signals long term growth crisis levels given the number of large capacity to acquire overseas to arbitration to resolve com- The Australian Ambassador to state, while more than 6 million opportunities. interested parties, and relatively financial institutions. mercial disputes. the UAE and Qatar, Pablo Kang foreign workers held roughly the “The total population of the limited number of assets for sale. The ratings agency expects “Underlying the arbitration said: “This is a timely opportu- same proportion of jobs at private Gulf countries is small at less “Egypt and Turkey were the Gulf banks to continue to seek process is the agreement allow- nity for Australia. As corpora- companies. than 50m. In addition, a large top recipients of investments in growth opportunities in overseas ing parties to negotiate aspects of tions within this region seek The Labour Ministry has portion of the population com- their financial sectors in 2012 by markets in the next few years. the nominated process to resolve increasingly to invest in Asia, aggressively pushed reforms, prises foreign workers who tend Gulf banks. Two acquisitions in “There are more transactions their dispute. Experience tells international companies prefer overhauling an existing system to have limited banking assets,” Turkey came out relatively lower in the pipeline for 2013. QNB has us this flexibility is an attrac- to have their disputes heard in of quotas for Saudi and foreign said Timucin Engln, S&P Credit prices than before 2008.” announced that it will continue tive component for parties who a neutral location.” employment in the private sector Analyst. Mergers and Acquisitions The S&P analyst said Gulf to look for acquisition opportu- operate in the GCC region,” said “Australia, through ACICA and fining companies that employ (M&A) in 2012 in MENA were banks are solid prospective buy- nities in Turkey and elsewhere. Clayton. and its premier hearing facil- more expatriate than local work- the highest since 2008, and buy- ers. These banks generally have Emirates NDB is another Gulf President of the Committee ity, the Australian International ers. The changes have provoked ers favoured the financial sector capitalisation levels that exceed bank that publicly advertised its for Conciliation and Arbitration Disputes Centre, is well placed anger among some Saudi compa- slightly more at 30.5 percent of their international peers’. intention to boost the contribu- and Board Member of the to meet the growing demand for nies, which say they cannot find transactions than telecommuni- For instance, S&P’s risk- tion of revenues from overseas Qatar Chamber, Abdulrahman first rate, cost effective arbitra- Saudis willing to do jobs seen as cations at 26.7 percent. adjusted capital (RAC) frame- over the next few years”. Abduljaleel Abdulghani, said: tion services,” Kang said. menial, such as in the labour-heavy And Egypt and Turkey work, which use to measure THE PENINSULA “The agreement will provide THE PENINSULA construction sector. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Oil prices Most GCC bourses recover lost ground trade mixed YESTERDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS Bluechips drag Doha’s index down from Monday’s three-week high QATAR: The index slipped 0.5 per- cent to 8,570 points. over Cyprus DUBAI: Most Gulf markets firm declined to comment when shift in portfolios unless there is points. “It is an accumulation SAUDI ARABIA: rose yesterday as bargain hunt- approached by Reuters. a surprise catalyst. All eyes are period right now and a breakout The index climbed ers returned following a sell-off “This is outright positive if con- on Q1.” above 8,700 levels would give an 0.3 percent to 7,076 points. uncertainty a day earlier, while Orascom firmed as it would pave the way Petrochemical stocks supported upside momentum to Qatar,” said BAHRAIN: The index fell 0.9 per- Construction Industries (OCI) for the execution of the offer,” gains, with the sector’s index add- Musa Haddad, head of investment cent to 1,116 points. helped lift Egypt’s bourse on Mona el Shazly, analyst at Pharos ing 0.2 percent. advisory services at National DUBAI: The index rose 1 percent LONDON: Global crude oil hopes a tax dispute involv- Holding said in a note. In the UAE, bargain hunters Bank of Abu Dhabi. to 1,912 points. prices traded mixed yesterday, ing the company could soon be OCI climbed 0.3 percent to 232 increased their exposure to blue- “The market is trading above ABU DHABI: The index climbed with investors closely following resolved. pounds. It slumped to a near-four- chips. Dubai bellwether Emaar the 200-day moving average, developments in the eurozone 0.6 percent to 3,038 points. Earlier this month, the pub- month intraday low on Monday. Properties and telecom operator which is bullish in the medium- as Cyprus rethinks a contro- KUWAIT: lic prosecutor barred OCI’s chief Cairo’s benchmark rose 0.9 per- du rose 1.3 and 3.8 percent respec- to long-term. There is limited The index gained 0.5 per- versial bailout deal, analysts executive Nassef Sawiris from cent, rebounding from a 13-week tively. Dubai’s index climbed 1 downside.” cent to 6,820 points. said. travelling abroad as part of an low. percent to takes its 2013 gains Industries Qatar shed 3 per- OMAN: The index declined 0.4 per- Brent North Sea crude for investigation into accusations the In Saudi Arabia, the measure to 17.8 percent. It fell 1.4 percent cent after reaching its ex-divi- cent to 6,131 points. delivery in May dropped 61 cents company evaded about EP14bn gained 0.3 percent, up for a fourth on Monday, with this dip seen dend date. EGYPT: The index rose 0.9 percent to $108.90 a barrel in London in taxes. The tax charges are session in five, but it remains as a much-needed correction to Doha Bank halted a three-ses- to 5,243 points. midday deals, a day after strik- a barrier to an offer by Dutch- stuck in a narrow trading range attract fresh buyers. sion rally, which had been driven ing a three-month low point at subsidiary OCI NV to buy OCI. due to a lack of positive catalysts. Abu Dhabi’s benchmark by expectations the company capital earlier this month through $107.78. OCI has proposed to pay “I don’t expect the market to advanced 0.6 percent, its seventh would postpone plans to further a rights issue and also said the New York’s main contract, between EP5bn ($737.34m) have any sharp movements before gain in eight sessions. raise its capital. Its shares slipped second part of its capital raising, a light sweet crude for April, rose and EP6bn to settle recent tax we see corporate results,” said Elsewhere, bluechips dragged 0.6 percent from Monday’s four- London global depository receipts 16 cents to $93.90 a barrel. claims against it, according to a Hesham Tuffaha, a Riyadh-based Doha’s bourse from a three-week week high. offering, would follow the local “Brent crude oil has been under report in Al Mal newspaper. The fund manager. “There won’t be a high as it fell 0.5 percent to 8,570 The company increased its portion. REUTERS renewed pressure on Tuesday, as the... economic conditions in Cyprus weigh on market senti- ment,” said Myrto Sokou, an ana- lyst at Sucden Financial brokers in London. The US benchmark oil prices BMW ‘cautiously optimistic’ after record year recovered modestly in New York on Monday, with some analysts FRANKFURT: German top- saying the Cypriot economy was of-the-range carmaker BMW not large enough to have a sig- yesterday said it is “cautiously nificant impact on European and optimistic” for business in global economies. 2013 when it expects earnings “The market began to digest to match the record levels the fact that Cyprus is a very reached last year. small part of the European “After achieving a record- economy,” said Gene McGillian, breaking year in 2012, the BMW a broker and analyst at Tradition group’s outlook for the current Energy. 12-month reporting period is Cyprus yesterday dropped a cautiously optimistic, based on controversial levy on bank sav- ambitious targets set amid a ings below 20,000 euros, spark- persisting difficult and volatile ing a warning by the central economic environment,” BMW bank governor that the crucial said in a statement. eurozone bailout deal was now in “We are aiming to achieve a danger of collapse. further rise in unit sales in the Panicos Demetriades’s warning current year and hence a new came as International Monetary sales volume record,” said chief Fund chief Christine Lagarde executive Norbert Reithofer. urged Cyprus to meet its com- However, earnings would mitments under the ¤10bn deal likely remain stable, he said. sealed with eurozone partners at “Due to high levels of expend- Visitors at a showroom of German carmaker BMW next to the company's main factory during the annual results press conference in Munich, yesterday. the weekend. iture for new technologies and “Oil markets are likely to models as well as investment remain volatile for the next few in the production network, we pre-tax profit was up 5.9 per- strong demand for its vehicles, technologies and vehicle con- share compared with ¤2.30 for days (with) investors monitoring expect to report group profit cent at ¤7.819bn. it planned to continue investing cepts will also continue to rise. 2011. BMW shares were lit- for any spillover of the develop- before tax on a similar scale to Deliveries to customers grew in boosting capacity in 2013. 2013 alone will see the launch of tle changed in early afternoon ments in Cyprus to other euro- the year 2012,” Reithofer said. by 10.6 percent to 1.845 million BMW’s target is to sell more eleven new models,” BMW said. trading on the Frankfurt stock zone nations,” said Ker Chung As reported last week, net vehicles, driving revenues 11.7 than two million vehicles per On the back of its 2012 exchange, up fractionally by 0.03 Yang, senior investment analyst profit rose by 4.4 percent to percent higher to ¤76.848bn year from 2016. results, BMW is to pay an percent in a slightly softer mar- at Phillip Futures in Singapore. ¤5.122bn ($6.6bn) in 2012 and BMW said that given the “Development costs for new increased dividend of ¤2.50 per ket. AFP REUTERS

QATARI MARKET Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 104.69 0.65 % Aa2 AA Citigroup to Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.94 1.52 % Aa2 AA India cuts key interest rate Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 124.00 2.28 % Aa2 AA pay $730m MUMBAI: India’s central bank risks, the headroom for further RBI — fell to a near three-year Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 117.00 2.53 % Aa2 AA cut its main interest rate for the monetary easing remains quite low of 3.8 percent. Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 112.00 2.95 % Aa2 AA second time this year yesterday, limited,” RBI governor Duvvuri India’s Finance Minister P Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 169.50 4.09 % Aa2 AA to settle suit lowering it by 25 basis points in Subbarao said in a statement Chidambaram in his budget last Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 128.75 4.54 % Aa2 AA an effort to jumpstart a sharply on the bank’s website after the month pledged to cut a gaping fis- Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 120.00 4.50 % Aa2 AA NEW YORK: US banking slowing economy. meeting. cal deficit in a bid to avert a dam- giant Citigroup said it will pay The Reserve Bank of India Indian shares fell after the aging credit ratings downgrade Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 105.13 1.27 % Aa2 AA $730m to settle a class-action (RBI) announced it would lower announcement, the third day of and help revive sustained growth. Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 114.00 2.87 % Aa2 AA suit by bondholders related to the benchmark repo rate, at which losses in a row, as a regional party Chidambaram said ahead of Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 105.75 1.49 % A1 A- the 2008 financial crisis. it lends to commercial banks, by a pulled out of the ruling coalition the RBI’s decision that the bank Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 104.63 2.18 % A1 A- The suit alleged Citigroup mis- quarter percentage point to 7.50 in New Delhi, raising political should “take comfort” from QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.38 2.08 % NR NR led buyers of its bonds over its percent but said there was lim- uncertainty and concerns about government’s efforts to rein in QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.75 1.68 % Aa3 A+ exposure to subprime mortgages ited “headroom” for further rate future economic reforms. over-spending. QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.63 2.14 % Aa3 A+ and other high-risk securities reductions. The Sensex closed down 1.48 The rate cut was welcomed by ahead of and during the crisis, Business leaders have been call- percent at 19,008.1 points. businesses and industry leaders, Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 104.75 2.25 % A2 A- from May 2006 to November ing for lower borrowing costs to Indranil Pan, chief economist at although some had hoped for a Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.63 1.74 % A2 A 2008. The settlement is the latest help the economy, which is pro- Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the bigger cut. Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 130.88 2.49 % A2 A step by Citi to put the ill-effects of jected to grow at just five percent cut was in line with expectations. “The decision... in response to Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 111.50 3.10 % A2 A the financial crisis behind it. Citi in the current financial year to “This clearly re-establishes the the fiscal consolidation efforts Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 110.38 3.95 % A2 A was harmed more by the crisis March 31, the lowest pace in a concerns in the minds of the RBI made by the government, has Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 106.75 1.02 % Aa3 A compared with some peers, such decade. The bank warned that on the stability of the economy,” sent a strong signal that the RBI Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 108.13 3.37 % Aa3 A as JPMorgan Chase. with headline inflation lower, but he said in a note. While overall and the government would work Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 111.38 3.56 % Aa3 A The plaintiffs had argued that not yet tamed, substantial future annual inflation rose in January, in tandem to bring growth back Citigroup misrepresented its rates cuts could not be guaran- core inflation — which strips out to the economy,” said Adi Godrej, SOVEREIGNS exposure to mortgage-related teed. “Even as the policy stance volatile goods such as food and President of the Confederation of Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P assets, according to Bernstein emphasises addressing the growth fuel and is closely watched by the Indian Industry. AFP Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 105.13 0.57 % Aa2 AA Litowitz Berger & Grossman, the Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 125.75 2.18 % Aa2 AA plaintiffs attorneys. Citi also understated the loss Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 110.38 2.47 % NR NR reserves for its mortgage loans Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.25 3.01 % NR NR and “falsely stated” that assets Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 124.25 3.99 % NR NR held off its balance sheet were Saudi to launch Fannie Mae-style firm Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 117.25 4.16 % NR NR of high value, Bernstein Litowitz Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 105.63 0.90 % Aa2 AA said. “It wasn’t until November RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s cen- draft regulations that could see After over a decade of study, Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 115.31 3.29 % NR BBB 2008, when the bank received sub- tral bank plans to launch a real the creation of a company similar the government last June Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 110.00 3.86 % NR BBB stantial government assistance, estate refinancing company to collapsed US firm Fannie Mae, approved a law allowing home that investors learned the full with SR5bn ($1.3bn) of capital established by the Washington in mortgages to help reduce a hous- Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 92.50 7.11 % B3 /*- B- truth about Citigroup’s financial to help develop the kingdom’s the 1930s to finance the US mort- ing shortage in the world’s top oil Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 106.38 3.53 % NR BBB- condition,” the law firm said. mortgage market, local media gage market. exporter, one of the main drivers *Periodic Distribution Amount IMPORTANT NOTE: In a statement, Citi denied the quoted its governor as saying. “We studied the successful of inflation in recent years. Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which allegations, but said it was set- The company will be launched experience in other countries in The law followed the Custodian is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services tling the case “solely to eliminate through the Saudi government’s terms of mortgage,” Arab News of the Two Holy Mosques King Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary the uncertainties, burden and Public Investment Fund (PIF) yesterday quoted Mubarak as Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s decision data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising expense of further protracted or its subsidiaries, local daily telling an economic forum in the in 2011 to build 500,000 housing out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds litigation.” Iqtissadeya cited Saudi Arabian western port city of Jeddah. units for Saudis over several years can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant Citi called the settlement, Monetary Agency Governor Central bank officials were not as part of a $110bn fiscal package liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not which must be approved by the Fahad Al Mubarak as saying. immediately available to com- aimed at soothing social tensions a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and US district court, “another sig- The PIF was established in 1971 ment. November’s draft said the at home as unrest spread through consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. nificant step toward resolving our to provide financing support to new firm, with a minimum regis- the Arab world. Earlier this exposure to claims arising from important development projects tered capital of SR2bn would have month, Mubarak said he expected the financial crisis.” that cannot be implemented by to stay majority state-owned but a large but gradual growth in “We look forward to putting the private sector alone. real estate financing firms would mortgage finance activity in the this matter behind us,” the bank Last November, the Saudi be allowed to acquire stakes up kingdom, adding it would be based said. AFP central bank said it was studying to a combined total of 30 percent. on studying risks. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Cyprus seeks Russia help Banks, stock exchange shuttered; showdown looms with European Union

NICOSIA: Cyprus turned to ¤100,000. Under the original with the European Union and “There are other options Russia yesterday as President accord, Cyprus agreed to impose International Monetary Fund the minister is going to discuss Nicos Anastasiades battled to a levy of 6.75 percent on bank over the details of the bailout with the Russian government garner support from lawmak- accounts up to ¤100,000 and 9.9 package, Europe’s main stock and investors as our ambitions ers for a controversial eurozone percent for larger deposits. The markets slid for the most part are going beyond the extension bailout deal that the central move was aimed at raising ¤5.8bn yesterday. of the loan. We will see if there bank warned was in danger of for the government. Frankfurt’s DAX 30 shed 0.32 is potential interest for further collapse. The changes prompted a warn- percent while in Paris the CAC investment,” Charalambous added State radio reported that a par- ing by Central Bank governor 40 lost 0.73 percent. London’s without elaborating. liamentary vote yesterday may be Panicos Demetriades that the benchmark FTSE 100 index of top Moscow extended Nicosia a postponed while the presidency bailout deal could collapse as companies managed a 0.11 percent ¤2.5bn loan in 2011 at a rate of announced Anastasiades had it will now no longer “yield the gain in afternoon trading. 4.5 percent. Sarris’s goal was to called an emergency meeting of estimated ¤5.8bn agreed by the And as the island leaders raced lower that rate and extend the party leaders for today to “exam- Eurogroup”. to stave off bankruptcy, Finance loan’s expiration date until 2020 ine alternative plans.” “If we secure ¤5.5bn it will be Minister Michalis Sarris was on from 2016, media reports said. Commentators believe that if considered in breach of the agree- his way to Moscow to seek an However talks were likely to be the measure is put to the vote it ment and perhaps will not be extension to an existing Russian awkward given the levy demanded will not secure enough support accepted,” Demetriades told par- loan. by the EU — Russians have bil- as Anastasiades does not have a liament’s finance committee, as Finance ministry director lions of euros deposited in the clear majority in the 56-seat par- cited by the Cyprus News Agency. Andreas Charalambous told island’s banks. liament. Uncertainty about the Fearing a run on accounts, reporters that securing an exten- Russian President Vladimir vote comes despite changes by Cyprus has shut its banks until sion to the loan was “very impor- Putin slammed the “dangerous” Cyprus to the terms of the ¤10bn at least tomorrow, with the local tant” as it would throw Cyprus an move and turmoil hit stock and ($13bn) deal sealed with eurozone stock exchange closed for the economic lifeline. currency trades on Monday amid partners at the weekend. same period. “The first issue is we have a concerns that a precedent had The revised plan, drafted yes- A Cyprus government spokes- large loan maturing in 2016 and if been set for bigger debt-saddled terday in response to an angry man said Anastasiades would we manage to come to an under- eurozone economies such as Italy backlash at home and jitters have further telephonic discus- standing this will help facilitate and Spain. that roiled global markets, sees sions on the terms of the bailout our debt repayments and debt Estimates vary but the Moody’s a one-time levy being dropped with German Chancellor Angela sustainability,” Charalambous rating firm estimates that Russian on bank savings below ¤20,000 Merkel, after a first round of talks said. “If we manage to extend the companies and banks keep up to but retained at 6.75 percent on on Monday. loan the refinancing needs of the $31bn in Cyprus, which accounts A man sits next to a billboard for a Russian bank in the Mediterranean city deposits of ¤20,000-¤100,000 and With Cyprus appearing to economy would be manageable. So for between a third and half of all of Limassol, yesterday. at 9.9 percent for amounts above be heading for a showdown its very important.” Cypriot deposits. AFP

Boost for Boeing Mobile roll-out cuts profits of Iliad PARIS: French media and tel- from ¤251.8m in 2011, but shares Core earnings before interest, ecommunications group Iliad, in the group leapt by more than taxes, depreciation and amortisa- which shook up the mobile mar- 6.35 percent on the Paris stock tion (Ebitda) gained 10.6 percent, ket with a cut-rate offer that exchange to ¤159.20, while the which Lombardini said was “fairly attracted 5.2 million clients market was off by 0.56 percent. exceptional for the first year of last year, posted a 26 percent The group invested almost mobile activity.” Sales were almost drop in its 2012 profit yesterday ¤950m in its operations last year, 50 percent higher at ¤3.1bn after owing to roll-out costs, while or 30 percent of sales, and chief Free added the mobile service to its second-half results were better executive Maxime Lombardini fixed-line, television and Internet than expected. said that it planned to maintain access operations, while aggregate Iliad, which owns the telecoms “a similar amount for 2013” to Ebidta climbed to ¤921.4m, which operator Free, reported a 2012 net underpin the group’s “very strong included a loss of ¤46.1m from the profit of ¤186.5m ($240m), down growth.” mobile unit. AFP

Five Ryanair 737-800 passenger jets at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, yesterday. Ryanair handed Boeing its largest European order yesterday with a deal worth $16bn at list prices to buy 175 jets, boosting the US planemaker and underlining the Irish airline’s domination of Europe’s low-cost market. Moderate pay UK to overhaul pensions hikes for German LONDON: Up to 400,000 more flat-rate payment. Critics of the Britons will qualify for a new new scheme say Britons would CEOs last year higher flat-rate state pension, have to work five years longer the government said yester- to qualify for a full pension — 35 BERLIN: The chief executives day after it announced it would rather than the current 30 — and of Germany’s 30 biggest compa- introduce the reform a year end up with less than they get nies took home ¤5.3m ($6.9m) earlier than expected. today. on average last year, a 3 percent The Conservative-led coali- The government has sought rise from 2011, but still below tion said the simplified scheme ways to stem the soaring cost of the European average, a study providing a flat-rate payment of its universal basic pension provi- showed yesterday. £144 ($220) a week, would benefit sion — which is projected to hit Based on the annual reports low earners, the self-employed 8.1 percent of economic output of 23 of the 30 companies in and women who have taken time by 2060. Germany’s blue-chip DAX stock out from work for childcare. It has already said the pen- index, the chief executives’ pay The change — one of the big- sionable age will rise to 67 for ranged from ¤2.1m for Lufthansa gest overhauls of Britain’s pen- both sexes by 2028, from 65 for chief Christian Franz to ¤14.5m sion system in decades — was men and 60 for woman. for Volkwagen CEO Martin expected to come into force in In a bid to try to force more Winterkorn, the study by consult- April 2017 but has been moved Britons to start saving for retire- ants Towers Watson said. forward to April 2016, the gov- ment, the government has also Winterkorn was therefore once ernment said. introduced an “auto-enrolment” again the highest paid chief execu- The current system includes scheme, under which employees tive in Germany, even if his sal- a basic pension, a second state will be automatically enrolled ary was down 13 percent from the pension and the ability to top into their company pension previous year due to new limits up pension contributions with scheme or a state scheme, while on bonuses introduced by the car- pension credits. This will all having the choice of opting out. maker. The study revealed that 10 be merged into the universal REUTERS DAX company CEOs took pay cuts of as much as 27 percent while 11 received pay hikes of as much as 32 percent. By comparison, the companies’ underlying profits, as measured by earnings before inter- est and tax, rose by 14 percent on average, the study revealed. • Bullion - Mumbai The country’s most powerful Gold (10 gm) Standard Rs. 29595 union IG Metall is calling for a 5.5-percent pay rise for 3.7 mil- Silver (1 kg) Rs. 54865 lion workers in the electrical, • Indian Rupees QR1 = 14.79 engineering, automobile and met- • Sensex alworking sectors in the upcoming BSE 19008.10 wage round, a demand dismissed NSE 5745.95 by employers as excessive. • Short-term investment plan from LIC International upto 6.4 percent return German bosses earned a lot less p.a. (in dollar) than their European counterparts, the study continued, with CEOs of • Housing loan from HDFC LTD Dow Jones Stoxx 50 Europe com- • Mutual Fund: Buy & Sell: SBI MF, HDFC MF, UTI MF, Birla Sun Life MF, panies taking home an average Tata MF, Reliance MF etc. ¤7.5m last year, the study showed. Contact: Investec, Tel: 44325060/44365060 email: [email protected] AFP WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 8,570.14 0.51 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 12,099.79 0.57 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 2,556.01 0.57 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,149.26 0.35 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,047.61 0.12 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5004.356 -23.063 -0.46 5174.4 4664.6 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 5,175.1 0.60 % QR187.9234 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 3804.33 -21.14 -0.55 3871.58 3600.81 UK ...... QR 5.4745 QR 5.5512 QE All Share Industrials 2,916.24 1.42 % SILVER QE All Share Insurance 1,899.62 2.11 % Dj Indu Average 14452.06 0 0 14539.3 12035.1 QR 3.3683 Euro ...... QR 4.6861 QR 4.7512 QE All Share Real Estate 1,530.42 0.28 % CA$ ...... QR 3.5206 QR 3.5899 Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Telecoms 1,168.87 0.51 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8339 QR 3.8889 QE All Share Transportation 1,475.05 0.23 % Hang Seng Inde/D 22041.86 -41.5 -0.19 23944.74 21997.72 Yen ...... QR 0.0378 QR 0.0386 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.7443 QR 3.8184 Iseq Overall/D 3949.02 42.99 1.1 3925.59 3396.67 CRUDE OIL Today Previous day Ind Re ...... QR 0.0663 QR 0.0676 19-03-2013 18-03-2013 Karachi 100 In/D 17693.37 201.37 1.15 18312.65 16036.31 Index 8,570.14 8,614.14 BRENT Pak Re ...... QR 0.0368 QR 0.0375 Change 44.00 39.43 Nikkei 225 Index 12468.23 247.6 2.03 12560.95 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0887 QR 0.0905 % 0.51 0.46 $107.78 SL Re ...... QR 0.0285 QR 0.0292 YTD% 2.53 3.05 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1563.62 1266.74 DUBAI Taka ...... QR 0.0460 QR 0.0469 Volume 5,636,569 4,065,898 Straits Times/D 3269.13 12.66 0.39 3319.19 3160.83 Nep Re ...... QR 0.0417 QR 0.0425 Value (QAR) 317,128,950.72 155,962,503.33 $106.14 Trades 4,231 2,853 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3915 QR 0.3992 Straits Times/D 2989.31 24.69 0.83 3035.78 2657.77 Up 12 | Down 22 | Unchanged 05

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 19-03-2013

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 B G Infra-B/D 52.8 -2.1 25088 Castrol Ind-A/D 321.1 -7.85 13575 Gangotri Tex-B/D 2.08 -0.1 3876 Kajaria Cer-B/D 183.6 0.05 6173 Onward Tech-T/D 44.05 1 1959 Imperial Tobac/D 2343 11 638345 A C C-A/D 1196.1 -29.15 33387 Century Enka-B/D 107.2 -2.8 2586 Garden P -B/D 52 -0.15 18215 Kalpat Power-B/D 78.4 -1.25 14992 Orchid Chem-B/D 74.05 -0.25 862688 Kingfisher/D 287.3 -0.1 1604845 Aarti Drugs-B/D 197.1 3.75 4242 Century Text-A/D 295.9 -14.35 219776 Goodricke-B/D 131.35 -0.9 2668 Kalyani Stel-B/D 39.75 -0.1 53072 Orient.Carb.-B/D 94.7 -1.15 50631 Land Secs Grou/D 817 1 459050 Aban Offs-B/D 282.85 -9.55 53583 Chambal Fert-B/D 51.75 -1.3 167589 Goodyear I -B/D 265.05 -3.75 2261 Kg Denim-B/D 13.94 -0.21 25195 Orient.Carb.-B/D 94.7 -1.15 50631 Legal & Genera/D 170.712 -1.7 4486543 Ador Welding-B/D 117.05 -0.95 1136 Chola Invest-B/D 280.5 -4.4 1671 Hcl Infosys-B/D 39 0 1243478 Kilburnengg-B/D 11.99 -0.02 1174 Pacific Indu-B/D 128.5 1.55 5790 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 49.745 -0.105 41336857 Aegis Logis-B/D 134.85 -7.6 9191 Chowgule St-B/D 11.33 -0.83 22038 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 8.2 -0.36 167719 Kin.Motor-B/D 7.95 -0.21 35096 Patspin India-/D 4.92 -0.28 27740 Marks & Sp./D 395.7 -2.4 2886326 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 117.85 3.25 1812374 Cipla-A/D 383.25 -7.55 138998 Himat Seide-B/D 33.3 -1.15 7613 Kinetic Eng-T/D 69.95 -1.35 3510 Radico Khait-B/D 134.05 -1.8 11718 Next/D 4133 -1 272428 Alembic-B/D 16.6 -0.45 8672 City Union Bk-/D 52.55 -1.75 59466 Hind Motors-B/D 9.36 -0.2 99628 Klg Systel-B/D 13.97 -0.03 4031 Rallis India-B/D 119.65 -2.25 21548 Pearson/D 1207 3 818933 Alfred Herb-B/D 227.5 9.5 2045 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1330.6 12.65 2406 Hind Org Chem-/D 12.1 -0.4 81049 Kopran-B/D 14.4 -0.69 23966 Rallis India-B/D 119.65 -2.25 21548 Prudential/D 1110 -5 2689323 Alkyl Amines-B/D 156.35 0.35 4135 Colgate-A/D 1332.4 4.75 13604 Hind Unilever-/D 453.4 -10.15 302629 Lakshmi Mach-B/D 1990.8 2.8 1109 Reliance Indus/D 346 -14.6 43661 Rank Group/D 171.4452 0.6 12772 Alok Indus-B/D 7.68 -0.33 2367012 Dai-Bichi Kar-/D 41.75 -0.25 10451 Hind.Petrol-A/D 293.4 -7.2 125635 Lloyd Steel-B/D 11.35 -0.09 39299 Ruchi Soya-B/D 61.1 -0.5 56817 Rentokil Initi/D 99.1 0.35 1191059 Andhra Paper-B/D 184.8 -11.65 21973 Dcm Financia-B/D 1.38 0.01 1716 Hindalco-A/D 93 -2.3 1275633 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 17.75 -0.9 12458 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 428.2 -7.55 8469 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1105 11 1505118 Apollo Tyre-A/D 84.65 0.25 113992 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 40.35 0.35 4801 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 784.15 -24.35 267373 Lumax Ind-B/D 338.9 -3.3 7829 Timexgroup-B/D 15.75 -0.4 19590 Rsa Insrance G/D 116 0 2826117 Asahi I Glass-/D 51.7 -0.65 25528 Dhampur Sugar-/D 46.9 -1.85 130817 I F C I-A/D 27.65 -1.1 2705372 Lupin-A/D 619.65 5.9 123055 Ultramarine-B/D 61.7 1.35 53451 Sainsbury(J)/D 370.7522 5.6 7731648 Ashok Leyland-/D 23.1 0.3 452401 Dr. Reddy-A/D 1794.3 -17.65 5769 Idbi-A/D 85.7 -2.1 470233 Lyka Labs-B/D 9.18 -0.21 18391 Unitech P -A/D 26.65 -1.05 4572424 Schroders/D 2121.5676 -3 72930 Bajaj Hold-A/D 893.25 -15.95 2459 E I H-B/D 59.8 -0.65 11102 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 84.95 -1.8 1853 Mah.Seamless-B/D 214.7 -5.35 1221 Severn Trent/D 1674 29 223795 Ballarpur In-B/D 17.6 -0.25 104738 E.I.D Parry-B/D 163.15 0.1 40200 India Cement-B/D 84.3 -0.25 80984 Mangalam Cem-B/D 137.15 -1.45 2182 LONDON Smith&Nephew/D 740.5 1.5 547128 Banaras Bead-T/D 36.1 -1.85 1650 Eicher Motor-A/D 2750 -8.8 85703 India Glycol-B/D 130.35 -4.15 13239 Mastek-B/D 128.5 -2 1758 Smiths Group/D 1339 11 159739 Bannari Aman-B/D 900 0 1265 Electrosteel-B/D 18.5 -0.4 228961 Indian Hotel-A/D 55.4 -0.55 55116 Max India L-A/D 223.65 -5.1 13021 Standrd Chart /D 1730 3.5 1014266 Bata India-A/D 713.15 -23.25 33182 Emco-B/D 21.25 -0.25 29069 Indusind-A/D 409.4 -6.05 298654 Mrpl-A/D 51.85 -1.5 107559 3I Group/D 323 -1.6 666629 Tate & Lyle/D 838.5 6 267500 Beml Ltd-B/D 172.7 -7.25 36598 Escorts Fin-B/D 3.58 -0.39 2443 J.B.Chemical-B/D 80.4 -1.1 10614 Nahar Spg.-B/D 76.5 -1.6 4070 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 1883.28 -7 359578 Tesco/D 381.804 -1 3559485 Bh Electronic-/D 1138 -19.05 1086 Escorts-B/D 55.2 -1.75 123515 Jbf Indu-B/D 101.85 -0.85 14291 Nath Seeds-B/D 4.36 -0.1 3046 B Sky B/D 900 9 1302424 Unilever/D 2745.64 10 473165 Bharat Bijle-B/D 460.8 -4.25 1046 Essar Oil-A/D 79.4 -3.95 1337417 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.39 0 37476 Nation Alum -A/D 37.8 -0.65 391862 Barclays/D 301.5595 -4.35 19556875 United Util Gr/D 696 12 1830001 Bharatgears-B/D 40 -0.45 2251 Eveready Indu-/D 17.1 -0.45 46102 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.03 -0.04 173509 Navneet Pub.-B/D 60 -0.05 22250 Bg Group/D 1193 8.5 1519969 Vodafone Group/D 188.477 3.55 38745200 Bhel-A/D 186.3 -9.9 996099 F D C-B/D 92.2 -0.3 11328 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 3.25 -0.02 4401 Nepc India-B/D 2.04 -0.01 2179 Bp/D 451.65 3.15 4484621 Whitbread/D 2569 4 121044 Bom.Burmah-B/D 112.65 -4 17540 Federal Bank-A/D 487.3 0.65 31288 Jik Indust-B/D 1.15 -0.06 55848 Neuland Lab-B/D 87.8 0.5 2827 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3497 14.5 632463 Bombay Dyeing-/D 88.65 -0.8 164898 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.57 -0.18 5788 Jindal Drill-B/D 207 -2.35 1809 Nrb Bearings-B/D 32.45 0.1 7977 Bt Group/D 272.23 1.4 4662841 Cable Corp.-B/D 19 0.2 6291 Finolex-B/D 95.2 -2.2 59552 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 99.3 -2.2 1704 O N G C-A/D 309.7 -7.65 556643 Centrica/D 352.075 2 5368268 Camph.& All-B/D 159.6 -5.05 1658 Gail-A/D 322.4 8.55 100788 Jmc Projects-B/D 78.2 -2.85 4371 Ocl India-B/D 150.45 -0.25 25731 Gkn/D 274.552 -0.3 1221507 Canfin Homes-B/D 152.75 -7.15 4103 Gammon India-B/D 25.15 -0.15 30909 Kabra Extr-B/D 28.25 -0.25 2241 Oil Country-B/D 40.35 -0.8 6363 Hsbc Holdings/D 722.5 2.3 5212207 WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Australia Dominicans beat Dutch to threatens to cut funding to top sports MELBOURNE: Australia will set up all-Caribbean final cut government funding to its top sports if they fail to bring governance standards up to scratch in the wake of the coun- Undefeated Dominicans to take on Puerto Rico in WBC title clash try’s London Olympics flop and the release of a clutch of embar- SAN FRANCISCO: Jose Reyes just two hits over four innings. rassing reports. smacked the go-ahead RBI sin- Netherlands starter Diegomar The Australian Sports gle as the Dominican Republic Markwell allowed six hits, four Commission (ASC), which holds rallied for a four-run fifth runs and walked one in 4 2/3 the purse strings for sports Down inning to beat the Netherlands innings. Under, said swimming, cycling, 4-1 and advance to their first Markwell, who pitches in the athletics, sailing, rowing, hockey World Baseball Classic (WBC) Netherlands domestic league, and basketball were the most final. gave up all four runs as he was well-funded sports and the first The favoured Dominicans facing a roster full of Major to see cuts of up to 20 percent were looking for redemption in League Baseball stars. if they failed to meet new man- yesterday’s semi-final against the “He pitched pretty good until datory standards. The ASC said Netherlands who beat them twice the fifth inning when they scored standards included improving in the 2009 event, knocking them four runs,” Netherlands manager organisation structures, the board out of the tournament. Hensley Meulens said. “He left a election processes and gender bal- “This is awesome. It is not couple of balls up.” ance, and having zero tolerance something you do every day,” Righthander Fernando for any lack of transparency on said Dominican pitcher Edinson Rodney got the final out of how sports spend money. Volquez. the game with a strikeout of There will also be public com- “It is like we have this one mis- Netherlands batter Jonathan pany level requirements for sports sion, just winning and winning as Schoop, who got caught looking financial reporting practices and a team.” on an 81 mph changeup. proper supervision by boards of The Dominicans will play That touched off a celebration sports science practices. Puerto Rico in an all-Caribbean in the dugout and on the field “While good governance does championship game today. as the Dominicans charged the not guarantee success, its absence Puerto Rico shocked two-time mound to mob Rodney. almost certainly guarantees fail- defending champions Japan 3-1 Some two hours before the ure,” ASC Chairman John Wylie in the first semi-final on Sunday. game, the stands at AT&T Park said in a statement on the agen- “The Baseball Classic is going were filled with Dominican sup- cy’s website (www.ausport.gov.au) to be the Caribbeans,” said porters dressed in blue and on Tuesday. Dominican Republic manager white, waving the national flag “The ASC believes that the Tony Pena. and swaying back and forth to Australian public has the right “It could be Puerto Rico or us Merengue music. to expect that sports receiving but it is going to belong to the With no US team remaining The Dominican Republic team celebrates after defeating the Netherlands during their semi-final World Baseball significant taxpayer funding will Caribbeans.” organizers lowered tickets prices Classic game in San Francisco, California, be well run.” Australia had its Reyes batted two-for-four, had to as cheap as five dollars for the lowest medal haul in 20 years at one RBI and scored a run while semi-finals. the London Olympics, prompt- Miguel Tejada batted two-for-four The Netherlands were please The Dominicans broke the field moving Reyes into scoring Edwin Encarnacion then singled ing local media to slam sports and had a run for the Dominicans they got as far as they did, becom- game open with four runs in the position at third base. on a line drive to centre field later authorities for wasting taxpayers’ who are a perfect 7-0 in the ing the first European team to bottom of the fifth. That led to a pitching change in the same inning, scoring Tejada money. A series of embarrassing tournament. reach the semis in the three- They tied the game on back-to- as righthander Tom Stuifbergen to make it 4-1. revelations have since come to Starter Volquez threw five tournament history of the World back doubles down the left field replaced starter Markwell. In the first, Wladimir Balentien light, with reviews exposing dis- innings, allowing just two hits, Baseball Classic. line by Carlos Santana and Moises Stuifbergen’s first pitch was hit a grounder off righthander ciplinary problems in the Olympic one run and striking out five bat- “They (Dominicans) took it for Sierra before Reyes smacked a in the dirt allowing Reyes to Volquez that scored Andrelton swim team, and a criminal probe ters in front of a crowd of 27,527 granted in 2009, but they came to two-out RBI single to centre field charge home from third and Simmons from third for the finding “widespread” doping at AT&T Park. Volquez got help play this year and that is why they to score Sierra and make it 2-1. make it 3-1. Netherlands’ lone run of the among both amateur and profes- from four relievers who allowed are undefeated,” Meulens said. Tejada then singled to centre Dominican first baseman game. REUTERS sional athletes. REUTERS NBA: Miami register 23rd Volleyball: Qatar SC win Under-16 title consecutive victory

MIAMI: Miami, down by 13 points with eight minutes remaining, rode LeBron James to a dramatic 105-103 victory over the valiant Boston Celtics yesterday. The result gave the Heat their 23rd consecutive victory, the second-longest winning streak in NBA history. Now only the 1971-72 Lakers and their 33-game streak are ahead of the Heat, who some- how managed to escape when it appeared the Celtics, playing without Kevin Garnett, were about to end the streak behind a career-best night by Jeff Green. James, who tied the score with 1:23 left, scored 13 of his team’s The players and officials of Qatar Sports Club, winners of the Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) under-16 title, final 22 points and hit a jumper pose for a picture along with Mohammad Ali Al Mubarak (centre), General Secretary of QVA, at QVA premises with 10.5 seconds left to put the on Sunday. PICTURE BY: ABDUL BASIT Heat ahead. Miami’s Shane Battier then blocked a drive by Green out of bounds with seven seconds left. Emery, Kane lead Blackhawks to Boston’s Paul Pierce then missed a fall-away 3-pointer from the right corner. Miami’s Dwyane Wade grabbed the rebound and victory over Avalanche in NHL the comeback was complete. “It means a lot to what we’re DENVER: Almost lost in the Crawford, wasn’t tested all that trying to build,” James said. “A Chicago Blackhawks’ historic often by the Avs but he came up tough-minded team on the road, points streak was a streak of big when needed to improve to it’s a hostile environment. We another kind. 11-0-0 this season. grew again tonight and that’s big LeBron James of the Miami Heat reacts after scoring a basket late in the This one is still going, too. “I just want to play well. Each for our team.” fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at theTD Garden in Boston, And this one the Colorado and every game is a new team, a Talking about what James did Massachusetts, yesterday. Avalanche couldn’t stop, either. new challenge and I just treat it down the stretch, Battier said, Ray Emery had 17 saves as I want to win one game at a “It’s just LeBron being LeBron. I to remain unbeaten this sea- time,” Emery said. don’t really have any other words that you guys haven’t already used assists. The win did away with son, helping Chicago knock off Patrick Kane and Jonathan before. He’s the best. Miami’s formality of clinching the Colorado 5-2 yesterday in the Toews provided the offense with a “You never take that for Southeast Division. first meeting since the Avalanche goal and two assists apiece for the NBA Results granted. Shame on anybody Green, getting his second halted the Blackhawks’ record Blackhawks, who’ve embarked on Philadelphia 101 Portland 100 that takes (James) for granted, straight start, this time with points streak. yet another streak: They’ve won because he’s a special talent.” Garnett sick, delivered the best Emery, the backup to Corey three straight to move to 3-2-0 Charlotte 119 Washington 114 Exactly five years earlier, the offensive game of his career, scor- after their NHL-record 21-0-3 Indiana 111 Cleveland 90 Celtics ended Houston’s 22-game ing 43 points but none in the final start to the season was ended in Dallas 127 Atlanta 113 streak and they almost did the nine minutes. NHL Results the Mile High City on March 8. Brooklyn 119 Detroit 82 same thing to the Heat. But they “Jeff was terrific,” Celtics coach NY Rangers 2 Carolina 1 In that game, Emery replaced Chicago Blackhawks’ Brent Miami 105 Boston 103 scored just seven points in the Doc Rivers said after TD Garden Tampa Bay 4 Philadelphia 2 Crawford in the third period. Seabrook (left) celebrates scor- Denver 119 Chicago 118 final 8:26. James, who has been fans starting chanting Green’s Dallas 4 Calgary 3 This time, Emery had everything ing a second period goal past Memphis 92 Minnesota 77 on fire during this streak, finished name during the game. Chicago 5 Colorado 2 under control. the Colorado Avalanche with with 37 points, 12 assists and “Yeah, I heard it,” Green said. “They’re a good team, a quick Golden State 93 New Orleans 72 Minnesota 3 Vancouver 1 an assist by team-mate Patrick seven rebounds. Mario Chalmers “It’s a good feeling, but you just team,” Emery said. “We had the Kane (right) in their NHL game in Phoenix 99 LA Lakers 76 scored 21 points and Wade had got to stay in the game. Think Anaheim 5 San Jose 3 lead early on and I thought we Denver, yesterday. NY Knicks 90 Utah 83 16 points, seven rebounds and six about the next play.” REUTERS Los Angeles 4 Phoenix 0 played really well.” AGENCIES WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Australia Windies chase sixth win leave door ajar for Home team spinner Shillingford hoping for assistance from pitch retired Mike BARBADOS: Tall spinner Shane against the inexperienced Zimbabweans. row in 1988 but their latest achievement T20 league. The CPL is scheduled to begin Shillingford returns home to Dominica “Hopefully I will get a good return again,” is still far from the halcyon days of calypso July 29, and will run till August 26. It will Hussey hoping to continue his heroics as the he said in a television interview on the eve cricket three decades ago. involve six franchise countries: Antigua & West Indies chase a sixth successive of the second of the two-Test series. Their latest streak is made up of two Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St. NEW DELHI: Australia are cricket Test victory when they take on West Indies coach Otis Gibson called wins over New Zealand last July, success in Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago. contemplating bringing Mike Zimbabwe, starting today. Shillingford’s role in the first Test excep- a two-match series in Bangladesh, followed So far there are six confirmed West Hussey (pictured) back from Shillingford was Man-of-the-Match tional, saying: “We expect the same again by the easy win over Zimbabwe, who were Indian players for the tournament: Chris retirement if he wants to stage after taking nine wickets in last week’s easy in Dominica. The spin department is strong playing their first Test in 14 months. Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Marlon Samuels, a middle-order return for the triumph in the first Test in Bridgetown, right now. We have four or five quality spin- The inexperienced Zimbabwe will give Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, and West Ashes. Barbados. ners to choose from.” wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva a late fitness Indies captain Darren Sammy. The 37-year- West Indies won by nine wickets in two- For the home side in the second Test, test as he recovers from a finger injury. If As of now, no decision has been made as old retired in and-a-half days as spin bowling proved scheduled to run through to Sunday, Gibson he fails, captain Brendan Taylor will return to which franchise Ponting will be associ- January after a surprise catalyst for success at the said there would be more focus on batting. to behind the stumps with batsman Sean ated with. the Sydney Kensington Oval. “One of our plans as a batting group is to Williams likely given a chance in the mid- This is now Ponting’s fourth interna- Test but It will be no surprise if the 30-year-old try and bat 140 to 150 overs in an innings. dle order. tional T20 team, as he is already a part since then his Shillingford, recalled to the Test side last (In Bridgetown), we got bowled out in a Meanwhile, former Australian captain of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Hobart absence from week, wreaks havoc at Windsor Park in day; that wasn’t the best for us,” he told the Ricky Ponting has announced his partici- Hurricanes in the Big Bash League, and the Australian Roseau, his home ground. official West Indies cricket website (www. pation in the Caribbean Premier League Surrey in English county cricket. team has been He got 10 wickets there last April against windiescricket.com). (CPL), becoming the first international Ponting retired in December last year sorely felt. Australia and says he wants similar success West Indies last got six Test wins in a player to be involved in the newly formed from international cricket. AGENCIES Coach Mickey Arthur indicated that he was interested in Hussey if the veteran shows interest. Akram keen to help PCB groom fast bowlers “We’d certainly listen to Mike Hussey if Mike Hussey came knocking at our door,” Arthur was KARACHI: Pakistan pace 3-0 last month in their recently quoted as saying by Australian great Wasim Akram yesterday concluded Test series. The hosts daily The Age. promised to help groom a future also hold a 2-1 lead in the ongoing Since retiring, Hussey has been generation of speedsters as five match one-day series. in good form in the domestic cir- his country looks to recapture Akram added Pakistan’s inabil- cuit. He has continued his run- former fast bowling glories. ity to make use of home-advan- scoring for Western Australia and Akram was part of a long line of tage, which allows players to excel, in his last two Sheffield Shield world-class Pakistani fast bowlers was a key factor holding back the matches he made unbeaten 99 and that began with Fazal Mahmood development of youngsters. 96. But by July 10, when the Ashes in the 1950s and featured the likes “Not playing at home is the key start with the first Test against of Imran Khan, Waqar Younis and factor in not producing quality England at Trent Bridge, Hussey Shoaib Akhtar. players. Until and unless you don’t would turn 38. But pace stocks have dwindled play top quality teams at home it Hussey, however, has brushed in recent years and Pakistan cur- will be hard to find quality play- aside the speculations about his rently have no fast bowlers among ers,” he said. return last week. the top 10 in either Test or one- Pakistan have not hosted “Nah, I don’t think so,” he said, day rankings. top-level international cricket adding that Australia had to stick Chief selector Iqbal Qasim last since terrorists attacked the by the squad they had chosen for week expressed disappointment Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore the tour. over the lack quality fast bowlers, in March 2009, an event which Arthur admits that Australia a concern which Akram hopes prompted foreign teams to shun dearly misses Hussey and ex- to help address by holding a two- tours to the country over security captain Ricky Ponting. week camp in April to unearth fears. Akram said it was time for “Yeah, we miss him (Hussey). new talent. cricket authorities to take con- We miss the aura of Ricky Akram, who is regarded as the cerns over fast-bowling more Ponting. But I’m hoping that best left-arm fast bowler ever to seriously. these younger players will take play at international level with “The PCB (Pakistan Cricket over that mantle in time to come. 414 Test and 502 one-day wick- Board) needs to lift the first- They’re nowhere near ready yet. ets, said Pakistan need to improve class cricket and find some quality Pakistani cricket legend and former team captain Wasim Akram (left) guides current cricketer Umar Gul during But in time to come, they’ve got to their bench strength to excel in fast bowlers. Once I get 10-12 fast a practice session at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in this May 13, 2007, file photo. Akram has promised to step up and take on those mantles the long form of the game. bowlers, I will work on them and help Pakistan cricket set-up by grooming young fast bowlers in the country. Akram picked up 414 Test and 502 because they’re going to be the “I am sure talent is there but they can be groomed to play at one-day wickets in 18-year international career. Akram retired after the 2003 World Cup. role models for the next genera- there is no plan B,” he said. “We international level,” said Akram. tion of cricketers,” he said. don’t have good bowlers for Tests The PCB is also trying to rope “I’m confident we’ve got the which was proved in the series in Waqar, with whom Akram With the emergence of format. But Akram said when it I believe if a fast bowler is good best players here. These guys just against South Africa where we formed a fearsome partnership Twenty20 cricket, the shortest comes to pace bowling, one size enough for Tests, then he must need to be given that confidence lacked in that department.” during the 1990s, for their national form of the game, teams around should fit all. be good for all formats and sus- and just need to stand up. I’m Pakistan were white-washed by cricket academy in Lahore, built the world have experimented with “It’s hard to find separate tain himself for the limited over pretty sure they will,” he said. world number one South Africa to groom young players. different bowling line-ups for each fast bowlers for three formats. matches as well.” AFP REUTERS Surgery for Starc ahead of Ashes in England

SYDNEY: Australian pace bowler to get the surgery done as soon as possi- a lower back problem that has also ruled of 31, he is viewed as the long-term suc- be confirmed in the squad if he came Mitchell Starc will have surgery later ble to ensure he was ready for the Ashes him out of the first four weeks of the cessor to De Villiers with the gloves. through a one-day domestic fixture in this week on an ankle injury as he races series beginning in July. Indian Premier League, where he plays South Africa lead the five-match series Christchurch today unscathed. the clock to be fit for the Ashes series “We were aware that Mitch would need for the Chennai Super Kings. against Pakistan 2-1 with matches to “Doug’s availability creates a real battle against England, Cricket Australia said surgery at some point in the future to “Faf has been troubled by low back come in Durban tomorrow and Benoni for spots for this deciding Test against yesterday. have the spurs removed,” he said. pain over the past while,” Proteas team on Sunday. England,” he said. The left-armer will return from the “He could have continued playing but manager Mohammed Moosajee said in In another cricket-related develop- “It also helps to manage the workload team’s tour of India early, missing the we want to take a proactive approach in a statement released by Cricket South ment, new Zealand coach coach Mike for a group of bowlers who have carried fourth Test, for the operation. managing Mitch to have him fit for the Africa yesterday. Hesson said s eamer Doug Bracewell will a heavy load during the first two Tests,” Australian team doctor Peter Brukner Ashes series in England.” “He was recently diagnosed with bony be added to Kiwi squad for the third he said. said Starc, who has taken 30 wickets in Australia are losing the four Test series inflammation in the lumbar spine and a Test against England if he can prove he Whether Bracewell breaks into the his nine-Test career, would have bone against India 3-0. six-week rest period has been advised.” is match fit. playing XI is another matter after cap- spurs on his right ankle removed. Meanwhile, South Africa have called De Kock played in three one-day Bracewell missed the first two Tests, tain Brendon McCullum on Monday “Mitch will have surgery later this up Quinton de Kock to their squad for internationals against New Zealand in earning a reprimand from management expressed a preference for sticking with week and we’ll assess his recovery as the two remaining one-day internationals January, where he kept wicket in place after he cut his foot while cleaning up the team that earned draws against he returns to bowling,” he said in a against Pakistan. of AB de Villiers. broken glass after a house party earlier England in Dunedin and Wellington. statement. The 20-year-old wicketkeeper-bats- Although the left-hander averaged this month. The rest of the squad is unchanged Coach Mickey Arthur said they wanted man replaces Faf du Plessis, who will rest only 25 with the bat with a highest score Hesson said the 22-year-old would from the first two Tests. AGENCIES

Golf-World Rankings Donald confident LONDON: World rankings yesterday (US unless stated, last Hamilton to critics: week’s positions in brackets): 1. (1) Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) ...... 11.50 2. (2) Tiger Woods ...... 10.35 ahead of Masters 3. (3) Luke Donald (England) ...... 7.16 You know nothing! 4. (4) Brandt Snedeker ...... 6.47 KUALA LUMPUR: Luke pressure in being the number 5. (5) Justin Rose (England) ...... 6.44 LONDON: Lewis Hamilton has they don’t know what they are Donald said yesterday that los- three going into the Masters.” 6. (6) Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) ...... 6.14 taken a swipe at critics, includ- talking about,” Hamilton told ing golf’s number one ranking This year’s Masters tourna- 7. (7) Adam Scott (Australia) ...... 5.93 ing former Formula One drivers, British reporters. had a silver lining, by allowing ment, considered by many to 8. (8) Steve Stricker ...... 5.83 who had warned that his move Hamilton’s decision to leave him to prepare for the com- be golf’s most coveted title, will 9. (9) Matt Kuchar ...... 5.46 to Mercedes was a mistake. McLaren, perennial champion- ing Masters championship free be held April 11-14 in Augusta, “It’s nice to prove people ship contenders who gave him his 10. (10) Phil Mickelson ...... 5.44 from the glare of the top-rank Georgia, in the United States. wrong,” the 2008 world champion F1 debut in 2007, for a Mercedes 11. (12) Ian Poulter (England) ...... 5.27 spotlight. Donald assumed the number- was quoted as saying yesterday team who were largely off the Donald, in Kuala Lumpur for one ranking in May 2011 and 12. (11) Lee Westwood (England) ...... 5.24 as he savoured his fifth-place pace last year was widely consid- this week’s Maybank Malaysian held it for nearly a year until he 13. (13) Bubba Watson ...... 5.03 finish at last weekend’s season- ered a gamble at the end of 2012. Open, said the tension and pres- and Northern Irishman Rory 14. (14) Keegan Bradley ...... 4.98 opening Australian Grand Prix in However Mercedes have looked sure of defending the top spot can McIlroy traded the spot several 15. (15) Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) ...... 4.91 Melbourne. far more competitive in testing be a distraction when preparing times, with McIlroy taking over 16. (17) Sergio Garcia (Spain) ...... 4.91 The 28-year-old Briton had and in practice while the new for important tournaments. The for good last August. Donald said 17. (16) Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) ...... 4.89 qualified third on the grid. McLaren has had a troubled start Englishman is yet to win a major. his form has been on an upswing, 18. (18) Jason Dufner ...... 4.81 “It has been everyone, particu- with Britain’s Jenson Button and “Naturally the whole point in noting his recent tie for third at 19. (19) Webb Simpson ...... 4.66 larly all the ex-drivers, a lot of Mexican Sergio Perez finished being the best is to be number the Tampa Bay Championships. them commenting and saying ninth and 11th respectively on 20. (21) Dustin Johnson ...... 4.49 one, best player on the planet, and “I am looking forward to (the that it was the worst decision Sunday. Button, the winner in 21. (20) Peter Hanson, Swe ...... 4.4 that is where I want to be too,” Masters) and in recent weeks ever, saying: ‘he’s going to fin- Australia three times in the four said Donald, now ranked third in my game has come together well 22. (22) Hunter Mahan, USA ...... 4.38 ish nowhere, they are going to be years prior to Sunday’s race, said the world. enough to give me confidence in 23. (23) Nick Watney, USA ...... 4.10 nowhere’. in Melbourne that McLaren had “But having said that, I have do ing well next month,” he said. 24. (24) Ernie Els, Zaf ...... 4.00 “And then they contradicted “fundamental things” to change. to agree that there is a little less REUTERS 25. (25) Bo Van Pelt, USA ...... 3.86 themselves, going the other way... REUTERS WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Soerensen Djokovic, Serena admits to doping head Miami fields COPENHAGEN: Rolf Soerensen, one of Denmark’s most successful professional Nadal and Federer to skip $8.5m event cyclists, admitted yesterday to using blood-boosting EPO and cortisone in the 1990s, ending MIAMI: World number ones “I need a few days off and I’ll Berdych, who could meet Murray more than a year of denials. Novak Djokovic and Serena move on to Miami,” said Djokovic, in a semi-final, will open against “I used EPO periodically in the Williams head the fields in who could become the first player either Daniel Gimeno-Traver or 90s,” Soerensen, now 47, said in a the WTA and ATP Masters since Andre Agassi in 2003 to lift Denis Istomin. statement. Miami hardcourt event that a third Miami title in a row. On the women’s side, Williams “I have also in some cases used begins today, although several Del Potro, who also ousted has a trophy haul that includes the substance cortisone. There is big names will be among the World No. 2 Andy Murray of Miami titles in 2002, 2003, 2004, no other excuse than that I did missing. Britain in the Indian Wells quar- 2007 and 2008. The 31-year-old what I felt compelled to do to be Rafael Nadal, who secured the ter-finals, is looking for big things American also reached the final an equal among peers,” he added. Indian Wells title on Sunday for at Miami as well after falling to in 1999 and 2009 and she could Sorensen, who won two stages his third title since his comeback Nadal in the Indian Wells final. become the first six-time Miami of the Tour de France in 1994 and from nagging knee injuries, and Djokovic won at Miami in 2007 winner. 1996, refused to identify other Swiss World No. 2 Roger Federer as well as the past two years and The 15-time Grand Slam cham- riders who used performance- are absent on the men’s side, has reached the final in four of pion is looking to sustain the enhancing drugs. which features 45 of the world’s the past six years. He will play 2012 form that brought seven “There will not be any names 50 top players. his opener Friday against either titles, including the US Open, here. No allegations against other Injured World No. 10 Samantha Gilles Muller or Lukas Rosol and Wimbledon and the London named individuals. It’s not my Stosur of Australia is missing on could face 30th seed Feliciano Olympics. style,” he said. the women’s side, having suffered Lopez of Spain in the third round. Williams will open against “The only thing I will say is that a right calf injury that forced her Reigning US Open and Olympic either Flavia Pennetta or Johanna I, as we all know today, was not to drop out of her quarter-final at champion Murray, who lost to Larsson on Thursday. alone in it.” Indian Wells. Djokovic in last year’s Miami final, Indian Wells runner-up A professional rider from 1986 Djokovic will try to claim his will try to add to his 2009 title, Caroline Wozniacki is a possi- through 2002, Soerensen won the fourth Miami title while Williams which came with a victory over ble quarter-final opponent for Liege-Bastogne-Liege race in 1993 attempts to take her sixth career Djokovic. Williams, provided the Danish and the Tour of Flanders in 1997. crown at the $8.5m tournament, Australian Bernard Tomic or a ninth seed escapes a fourth round He won a silver medal in the which provides first-round byes qualifier will await Murray in his that could see her face China’s Li road race at the 1996 Olympic to seeded players. first match. Na. Li is battling back after an Games, the first year profession- Williams will play her first Spanish third seed David ankle injury suffered in losing the als were allowed to compete, and event since reclaiming the World Ferrer, in Djokovic’s half of the Australian Open final. came close to winning the overall No. 1 ranking at Dubai, where she draw, looks to bounce back from Defending champion and fourth World Cup title on two occasions reached the final. a second-round defeat at Indian seed Agnieszka Radwanska of with a second place overall result Serbian star Djokovic lost to Wells. He will open against a Poland could meet Venus Williams in 1997 and third in both 1989 and Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro qualifier but del Potro could be a or Sloane Stephens in the fourth 1991. in the Indian Wells semi-finals, quarter-final opponent for Ferrer. round. US cyclist Lance Armstrong, ending his 22-match winning The South American will open World No. 3 Victoria Azarenka 41, admitted in January that he streak in a run that included a against against either Tobias and Indian Wells champion Maria Valeria Savinykh of Russia serves to Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor of Spain dur- used performance-enhancing fourth Australian Open title, his Kamke or Blaz Kavcic. Sharapova are on a semi-final col- ing a qualifying match at the Sony Open in Miami, Florida, US, yesterday. drugs during his record seven sixth career Grand Slam crown. Czech fourth seed Tomas lision course. REUTERS The tournament will end on March 31. Tour de France victories from 1999-2005. Armstrong was stripped of all seven Tour titles last year after a devastating report by the US Grand Slams lure Sharapova, not ranking Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which accused him of taking part LOS ANGELES: Maria Sharapova Wimbledon, Olympic and third-ranked Victoria claiming a second US crown in 1981, in one of the biggest cheating (pictured) rose to number two in the gold and the U.S. Open Azarenka of Belarus, the regards Azarenka and Sharapova as the operations in sports history. AFP rankings on Monday after her impres- as she piled up seven reigning Australian Open likeliest challengers to Williams for top sive title run at the BNP Paribas Open titles in a dazzling 2012 champion. spot. “Victoria has really come through,” but says she is motivated much more by campaign. “She played “Serena is the most said Austin. “She got mentally tougher, has Madrid Grand Slam glory than the prospect of tremendous, confident dangerous and she is the more belief, got speedier about the court, regaining the top spot. tennis. favourite at this point when got better movement and now she has the “Number one is a great number,” the “She’s also very she goes into tournaments two Grand Slams. mayor hails elegant Russian laughed after demolish- strong and very ath- because she has the most “She is the most likely challenger right ing eighth-seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki letic, so you need to weapons,” former world now. And then you have Maria. She is just 6-2, 6-2 in Sunday’s final of the elite WTA be consistent with number one Tracy Austin a great story because she’s already won so IOC visit a event at Indian Wells to land her 28th title her. She’s also a great said. much and yet the motivation never seems on the circuit. frontrunner. You’re “She’s an extraordinary to dissipate. success “The more consistent you are and the down a little bit and athlete and I think because “She just seems to love the challenge of better results that you have and the more she goes with it. She’s she has had some time off trying to improve as a tennis player and I wins that you’re able to get, the better a confidence player.” in her career, for extended just admire her so much for that because MADRID: Madrid mayor Ana chances you have of getting that spot. When it comes periods where she was she clearly has won enough, she clearly has Botella hailed the first day “Is it something that all of us want? to head-to-heads either injured or just away enough money.” of the International Olympic Absolutely. It’s a ‘no-brainer’ question. But between Sharapova from the game, she still has Austin said she had been hugely Committee’s Evaluation I think at this point in my career, titles and and Williams, it is the hunger.” impressed by the Russian’s fighting spirit Commission’s four-day inspec- Grand Slams are just a bigger priority.” virtually no-contest. Asked whether anyone after having surgery on her right shoulder tion of the city’s candidacy for Four-time Grand Slam Sharapova is well The Russian has won could get close to Williams in October 2008 before dropping out of the the 2020 Olympic Games a accustomed to the allure of being viewed as only twice in their 13 when the American was in top 100 in the rankings by May of the fol- success. the game’s best player, having become the career meetings with prime form, Austin replied: lowing year. After an introduction from fifth youngest woman to reach the top of her most recent victory dating back nine “Azarenka gave her a good show at the US “After the surgery, I am sure she was Spanish prime minister Mariano the world rankings, at the age of 18 in 2005. years to the Tour Championship in Los Open last year, losing 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in the concerned whether she was ever going to Rajoy, the committee had the For her to regain that top spot, however, Angeles. final. get that big weapon of a serve back again, opportunity to visit four of the she will have to overhaul American Serena Sharapova has been beaten in straight “Then we thought Serena was on her as most of us were. proposed sites, including Real Williams who, when fully fit and on her sets by Williams in their last six matches. game at the Australian Open in January “But she just kept on fighting and work- Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu game, is virtually unbeatable in women’s In the eyes of many, the battle for top and she lost to Sloane Stephens (in the ing and believing in herself, won the French stadium. tennis. spot in the women’s game could come down quarter-finals). So it’s certainly possible.” Open last year and got back to number one Botella said the committee “Serena was very dominant last year,” to a seemingly never-ending game of musi- Austin, who at 16 became the young- for a short time. It’s a really spectacular members were delighted to be Sharapova said of Williams, who won cal chairs between Williams, Sharapova est US Open champion in 1979 before story.” REUTERS met by Spanish captain Iker Casillas and presented with their own memento from the club. “The day has gone very well. Qatar ITF Junior Open 2013 kicks off in Doha There was nothing untoward and the questions we received were the ones we expected,” she told a DOHA: Four Qatari players press conference. are competing in the 1st Qatar “In the Bernabeu the mem- ITF Junior Open Tournament bers were very happy to be pre- which kicked off here at the sented with a shirt with their Khalifa International Tennis name on the back and meet and Squash Complex. players and directors, as they The Qatar national team play- did in all of the four venues we ers who are taking part in the visited.” event are Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Botella also reiterated her belief Abdullah Al Juffairi, Ali Abdel that the 1.5bn euros ($1.961bn, Reda and Abdullah Shnan. £1.297bn) left to invest in infra- A total of 32 players are com- structure was a perfectly man- peting in singles competitions and ageable figure over the seven year 16 players will be seen in action in period until the games would take the doubles teams. The grade 5 place and that the games would be event is contested by both boys and an economic boost to Madrid and girls, said Qatar Tennis Federation Spain as a whole. (QTF) in a press release. President of the Spanish Players from Russia, Great Olympic Committee, Alejandro Britain, Turkey, Sri Lanka, India, Blanco, meanwhile insisted the Italy, Serbia and Japan are tak- bid was different to the ones that ing part in the tournament which failed in their attempts to host ends on March 22. the 2012 and 2016 games. “The tournament organised Blanco said in particular the by Qatar Tennis Federation use of two of the other venues under the supervision of the visited by the commission on International Tennis Federation Monday - Retiro Park and Las will serve to enhance the skills Ventas bull ring which would and performance levels of the host the beach volleyball and bas- young players. The event is a ketball respectively - was based great platform where the play- on the success of famous public ers can show their abilities,” said landmarks such as Horse Guards Tariq Zainal of QTF. Action from the 1st Qatar ITF Junior Open Tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. The tournament is organised by Qatar Parade at the London Olympics THE PENINSULA Tennis Federation under the supervision of the International Tennis Federation. last year. AFP WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Ill-tempered clash

England’s Frank Lampard attends a press conference at the St George’s Park training com- plex, yesterday ahead of their 2014 World Cup qualifier against San Marino on March 22. Ferdinand still has England future, says Lampard

LONDON: Frank Lampard believes that Rio Ferdinand has not yet played his last game for England, despite the defender having withdrawn from the national squad this week. England manager Roy Hodgson had called Ferdinand up for the first time for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino Players of Al Arabi and Al Gharafa in a free-for-all commotion at the end of the semi-final match of Qatar Stars Cup at Qatar Sports Club, yesterday. Al Arabi won 2-1 to reach the final of the and Montenegro, only for the Qatar Stars Cup. PICTURE BY: MOHAMMED AL OBAIDLY 34-year-old to pull out, citing fit- ness concerns. Ferdinand won the last of his 81 caps in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland in June 2011. Despite his withdrawal, the Manchester United centre-back Al Arabi shock Al Gharafa insists that he still wishes to rep- resent his country, and Lampard says his current form means he Free-for-all commotion at Qatar SC; players trade punches and kicks deserves an opportunity. “He’s a top-drawer player, Rio, and he’s certainly not finished,” DOHA: Spirited Al Arabi yes- walk towards the match offi- Mustafa Mohammed Abdi could goal after sprinting into the box. minutes from time though, it was Lampard told a press conference terday edged title favourites Al cial. Marafee’s unwarranted soft only head wide. Eight minutes after the re- Al Gharafa who got the goal and it at England’s St George’s Park Gharafa 2-1 to reach the final of shoulder charge at Nene ticked off Minutes later the Leopards had start, Al Arabi went looking for a was Nene who was rewarded for training base in Burton upon the Qatar Stars Cup in a clash the Brazilian who took a swing at yet another chance to score first, second goal. This time Wanderely his persistence. Trent, central England. that saw free-for-all commotion the Al Arabi midfielder. this time Mark Bresciano releas- cut inside the box and flashed a The number 10 weaved into the “Looking at his performances at the end of the match. One swing from Nene created a ing Al Shammari with a brilliant shot across goal that keeper Ali box before drilling low into the against (Real) Madrid, especially Goals by Djordje Rakic (36) and commotion as players from both through ball. The midfielder took Abdulla did well to hold. bottom corner. away, he was outstanding. Wanderley (85) helped Al Arabi sides threw punches and kicks. too long though and the chance Just before the hour mark Al Al Gharafa were still celebrat- “Regular performances week stun Al Gharafa in the tense clash Seconds later, Marafee went for was gone. Gharafa introduced Brazilian ing when Al Arabi took the lead in and week out, he’s a top per- at Qatar Sports Club. a kung-fu strike at Nene, a scene Al Arabi responded to the pres- star Nene in place of Jawad Akeel for the second time. former, has been and still is. For the losers, Nene drilled a that was similar to Eric Cantona’s sure with an attack of their own Ahannach as the Leopards looked Kharja- later red-carded - “I don’t know the ins and outs shot home from an acute angle infamous kick at a Crystal Palace but Abdelaziz Mohamed’s shot for an equalizer. whipped in a dangerous free-kick of his future, but the way he’s in the 83rd minute. fan in 1995. was brilliantly saved by Abdulaziz Within minutes the former from the left which Wanderely playing at the minute, he’s one of Minutes later, Nene took a wild Both players were red carded Ali Abdulla. Paris Saint Germain star almost got on the end of to glance a the top defenders in the Premier swing with his left hand and hit by the referee as was Husseine Ten minutes before half-time scored but his shot trundled just great header into the back of League for sure.” Abdullah Marafee following a Kharja of Al Arabi. Al Arabi took the lead with a well wide of the post. the net. With Ferdinand’s fellow cen- stoppage in play caused by red Nene, joined Al Gharafa on worked goal. Al Gharafa were starting to It was a goal completely tre-backs Phil Jagielka, Michael card to Al Gharafa’s Fahad Al a two-and-a-half-year deal in Brazilian star Wanderley dominate and wanted to make the against the run of play but that Dawson and Gary Cahill all cur- Shammari for a rough foul on an January, is likely to face a stiff stormed clear, before feeding possession count. Nene forced a wasn’t something that bothered rently nursing injuries, Lampard Al Arabi player. punishment from Qatar Football Rakic who composed himself great save from Al Arabi keeper Abdulaziz Bennij or his players. said the timing of his former West Nene and Marafee had been Association’s (QFA) disciplinary before calmly slotting into the Kazim after drilling a vicious Al Gharafa came agonisingly Ham United team-mate’s with- each other throughout the clash committee. bottom corner. free-kick towards goal. close to an equaliser in the 90th drawal was unfortunate. but in injury time tempers frayed Both, Marafee and Kharja will Al Gharafa tried to get back Despite the pressure it was minute but Cisse’s header bounced “(I was) sorry for him and once again as both players fell in a miss the March 25 final. into the game immediately, but Abdulaziz Bennij’s side who went back off the bar before the ball the team. He’s been in fantastic heap following a rough tackle sec- Al Gharafa could have taken Djibril Cisse drilled a shot over straight up the park and almost was cleared to safety. form,” the midfielder said. AFP onds before the end of the match. the lead early after 12 minutes the bar. scored a second. This time Rakic The second semi-final between Just as referee showed the red following a fumble from Al Arabi Moments later the French failed to show the same com- Lekhwiya and Eljaish kicks off at card to Al Shammari, Marafee keeper Rajab Hamza Kassim. He striker wasted another chance posure in front of goal and sent 6.30pm tonight at Qatar Sports Japan, Canada deliberately came in Nene’s missed a corner from Alex but when he pulled his shot wide of a wild shot wide of goal. Eight Club. THE PENINSULA to clash in Doha friendly on Friday

DOHA: Asian giants Japan will take on Canada in a friendly match at the Khalifa Qatar national team play- International Stadium on ers take part in a training Friday. session in Doha yesterday. For Japan, the game is a tune- The Qatar team will play up for the FIFA 2014 World Cup Bahrain in the 2015 Asian qualifier against Jordan. Cup qualifier in Manama The Samurai Blue play their on March 22. Qatar next away match of the World Cup head to South Korea for qualifying campaign of Group B a 2014 FIFA World Cup in Amman on March 26. qualifying fixture on March Japan, which leads its qualify- 26. ing group, seeks its fifth straight appearance at the World Cup finals in Brazil. Japan need only one win to guarantee their berth. Japan have 13 points from four wins and a draw, ahead of Australia, Iraq and Oman on five points each, and Jordan on four points in Group B of the Asian Zone’s final qualifying round. Blatter unruffled by 2014 Cup delays Canada are out of contention in CONCACAF Zone, having fin- ished third behind Honduras and ZURICH: FIFA President Sepp Blatter told reporters at a news all a question of trust and confi- Panama in Group C. Blatter is unruffled by Brazil’s conference at FIFA headquarters dence and trust and confidence Japan is ranked 26th in the lat- stop-start preparations for the yesterday. from the FIFA side is totally est FIFA rankings released this 2014 World Cup, saying delays “When there is one year or less there,” added Blatter, seated month, while Canada is 68th. and hiccups are part and parcel to go before the World Cup, there alongside Brazil Sports minister The last and only time Japan English Premier League Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Andre Villas-Boas of the run-up to the tournament. is always the question of will they Aldo Rebelo. played Canada was at the 2001 “With the power of Brazil, and be ready. But they will be ready Brazil’s preparations have been Confederations Cup in Japan. (right) arrives with his manager at Aspire Academy, yesterday. Villas- I don’t only speak of the economic because it is the World Cup and dogged by delays to stadiums and The game is free of charge and Boas delivered a lecture for Aspire football coaches at the state-of-the- power but also with the willpower, nobody can afford not to be ready. other infrastructure and dead- starts from 7.05pm. Gates 2 and art Aspire Academy in Doha. Before his present job at Tottenham, the Brazil will be ready and will “There is no problem and I can lines have been repeatedly missed. 25 will open at 5.30pm, said the Portuguese had been coach of Porto, Academica and Chelsea. deliver a wonderful World Cup,” say, definitely, don’t be afraid. It’s REUTERS organisers. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 QOC and ICSS unveil Owen to quit ‘Save the Dream’ logo football at end Officials in Doha applaud Ivan Anaya’s unique gesture of season LONDON: Former England striker Michael Owen announced yes- terday that he will bring down the curtain on his professional career DOHA: The Qatar Olympic at the end of the current season. Committee (QOC) and The 33-year-old scored 40 goals in 89 appearances for England and International Centre for Sport won the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2001, but the latter years of his Security (ICSS) yesterday pre- career were disrupted by injuries. sented the first Save the Dream Following a three-year stint at Manchester United, he joined Stoke Award. City last year but has barely played since arriving at the Britannia The new ‘Save the Dream’ logo Stadium. He announced his retirement on his personal website, writ- was also unveiled at a Gala Dinner ing: “It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my on the first day of Securing Sport intention to retire from Professional Football at the end of this season.” 2013. Owen exploded onto the global scene at the 1998 World Cup in France ‘Save the Dream’, a joint inter- when he scored a famous solo goal against Argentina at the age of just national initiative to raise aware- 18. He scored 158 goals in 297 appearances for Liverpool, his formative ness amongst young athletes of the club, but his career lost momentum after he joined Real Madrid in 2004. dangers of sports results manipu- Unable to make an impression in Spain, he returned to England lation and its consequences, was with Newcastle the following year, but he became plagued by injuries first launched at 2012 Sorbonne- that ultimately curtailed his England career. ICSS Sport Integrity Symposium His spell at Manchester United yielded his first Premier League in Paris, France. winner’s medal, in 2011, but he was only ever used as a back-up player The initiative includes a panel and left the club when his contract expired last year. consisting of high-profile ath- “I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a letes from different sports and journey that like many young players starting out, I could only have regions around the world, as well dreamt of,” Owen added. “None of this would have been possible without as a multidisciplinary team com- the tremendous support I have received from managers, coaches, fellow posed of world-leading experts in players, back room staff, the supporters and my own personal sponsors.” education, communications, sport He went on to thank his family, including his father, Terry Owen, management and sport integrity. who was also a professional footballer. ‘Save the Dream’ athlete cap- “We did it my old mate!” Owen wrote. “From those freezing local tain, Italian football star and parks to terrorising the best defenders in the World on the biggest 2006 FIFA World Cup champion, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (second from stages of all. I couldn’t have done it without you.” Alessandro del Piero, delivered a left), Ivan Fernandez Anaya (centre) and Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS (far right), with two young As a schoolboy, Owen scored goals at a prolific rate and joined moving speech as part of a global athletes at the Securing Sport Gala Dinner 2013. Liverpool at the age of 12. He scored on his professional debut at video presentation. Wimbledon in 1997 and finished as the joint-top scorer in the Premier The ‘Save the Dream’ logo was League in his first two full seasons. also unveiled by Sheikh Saoud bin showed in a cross-country race in is not just something for the pro- said: “Save the Dream has been The 2000-01 campaign was Owen’s most accomplished. Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary Navarre, Spain in December 2012, fessional leagues and that is why designed as a major campaign He scored two late goals as Liverpool came from behind to beat General of QOC and Mohammed where he refused to take advan- the Qatar Olympic Committee, to generate a genuine dialogue Arsenal in the FA Cup final and also played a key role in his side’s Hanzab, President of the ICSS. tage when his rival and leading together with the ICSS, will strive around sports core values.” successes in the League Cup and the UEFA Cup. The design features of the logo runner, Kenyan Abel Mutai, mis- to ensure that integrity in sport Hanzab added: “Together with As a result, he became the first English player to be named European shows a character that is the takenly stopped short of the fin- is not just a dream but a reality.” the QOC and Alessandro Del Footballer of the Year since Kevin Keegan in 1979. embodiment of clean and fair ishing line. Instead Anaya guided Sheikh Abdullah Bin Piero, we will assemble a team of After an ultimately unsuccessful spell at Real Madrid, he returned sport. Mutai to the finish line, allowing Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, international ambassadors from to England in 2005, joining Newcastle for a club-record fee of £16.8m Confident and joyous with high him to win the race. Chairman of the Board of the world of sport, recognised ($25.4m, 19.6m euros). standards and ambition, the char- Speaking at the launch, Sheikh Ooredoo, said: “Sport is one of around the world for their repu- Following a promising start, he broke his foot on New Year’s Eve in acter is reaching for its goal. Saoud said: “Save the Dream is the main focus areas of Ooredoo’s tation and talent, to promote pos- 2005 and then sustained a serious knee ligament injury at the following The strapline for the initia- a timely reminder of the true corporate social responsibility itive messages around sport and year’s World Cup in Germany. tive is ‘save the dream for sport values of sport. The challenges strategy. Ooredoo is committed to its positive, character-building Newcastle were relegated in 2009 and Owen joined Manchester integrity’. The logo was developed sport faces today with match- supporting the ICSS and QOC in values.” United, netting a famous injury-time winner in a 4-3 win over derby by London-based creative agency, fixing and the spectre of organ- promoting our shared message of The ICSS President explained: rivals Manchester City shortly after arriving. Imagination. ised crime are incredibly serious. support for sport - from the foot- “This programme will hopefully He scored only 17 goals in his three years at Old Trafford, however, The first ‘Save the Dream’ Integrity begins at home, in the ball pitches of Doha to the playing become a powerful instrument and has scored just once since arriving at Stoke last year. award was presented to Spanish playground and on the school fields of Jakarta. Together, we can to prevent and protect the next One of his most memorable games for England saw him net a hat- athlete Ivan Fernandez Anaya. playing fields. Young people and score a goal for honest competi- generation of athletes and sports trick in a 5-1 win over Germany in September 2001, and he seemed Anaya’s award was for the athletes around the world need tion and the true values of sport.” stars around the world.” destined to break Bobby Charlton’s national scoring record of 49 goals. honesty and sportsmanship he to be aware that sport integrity Hanzab, President of the ICSS, THE PENINSULA However, having earned his last cap in March 2008, he was unable to rise any higher than fourth place in the England scoring charts. Sorbonne REUTERS University Michael Owen Factfile Trophy LONDON: Factfile on former England striker Michael Owen, who announced yesterday that he will retire from football at the end of the season: presented to Name: Michael James Owen Age: 33 BWF in Doha Date of birth: December 14, 1979 Place of birth: Chester, England DOHA: The International Position: Striker Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and the Paris 1 Club career University Pantheon-Sorbonne Liverpool (1996-2004) have announced the Badminton Appearances: 297 World Federation as the ben- Goals: 158 eficiary of the ICSS-Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University Real Madrid (2004-2005) Trophy. Appearances: 40 The ICSS-Paris 1 Pantheon- Mohammed Hanzab (second right), President of International Centre Sport Security (ICSS) and Sir David Richards Goals: 14 Sorbonne University Trophy (second left), Chairman of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), shake hands after signing an MoU for ‘outstanding achievement on the sidelines of Sport Security 2013 conference at Katara Cultural Village in Doha yesterday. Also seen are Newcastle United (2005-2009) in promoting sport integ- Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros (left), CEO of EPFL and Helmut Spahn, Executive Director of ICSS. Appearances: 79 rity’ was presented to Thomas PICTURES: SHAIVAL DALAL Goals: 30 Lund, Secretary General and Chief Operating Officer of the Manchester United (2009-2012) Badminton World Federation for Appearances: 52 their swift and resolute action Goals: 17 in banning four Badminton dou- bles teams from the London 2012 Stoke City (2012-2013) Olympic and Paralympic Games Appearances: 7 for match-fixing. Goals: 1 Speaking at a Gala Dinner hosted at Securing Sport 2013, Club career totals Secretary General Thomas Appearances: 475 Lund said: “The BWF is hon- Goals: 220 oured to receive the ICSS-Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University International career Trophy for outstanding achieve- England (1998-2008) ment in terms of promotion of Appearances: 89 core integrity principles in our Goals: 40 sport – badminton.” Debut: February 11, 1998 (vs Chile, London) Lund added: “No sport wishes Last appearance: March 26, 2008 (vs France, Paris) to have its integrity and commit- FROM LEFT: Andrew Cunningham, Global Head of Integrity at Betfair, Friedrich Stickler, President of the European ment to proper ethical behaviour Lotteries, and Paul Scotney, Director & Integrity Consultant at Sports Integrity Services, are seen during a Honours tested. However, when such inci- panel discussion on ‘The Internationalisation of Betting – Keeping Ahead of the Curve’ at Sports Security 2013 Club dents arise, it’s essential to stand conference at Katara Cultural Village in Doha yesterday. Premier League (1): 2010-11 firm and take appropriate action. FA Cup (1): 2000-01 The BWF would have liked to League Cup (3): 2000-01, 2002-03, 2009-10 avoid the Olympic disqualifica- again. Being recognised by the Badminton World Federation for Integrity. The ICSS is an interna- Community Shield (2): 2001, 2010 tions altogether but we are confi- ICSS and the Paris 1 University showing us all at the Olympic tional, not-for-profit institution UEFA Cup (1): 2000-01 dent that, as the world governing Pantheon-Sorbonne today gives Games last year that courageous that aims to help event organis- UEFA Super Cup (1): 2001 organisation for badminton, we us further assurance that our decisions with immediate conse- ers to stage safer major sporting took the right decision given the sport upholds the right values.” quences are not only necessary events. Individual circumstances.” Mohammed Hanzab, President but highly effective in dealing The Centre’s mission is to Ballon d’Or: 2001 BWF President Dr Kang Young of the ICSS, said: “It gives me with integrity challenges.” improve security, safety and PFA Players’ Player of the Year: 2008-09 Joong said: “The London 2012 enormous pleasure to present the This trophy is the launch for a integrity in sport by addressing Premier League Golden Boot: 1997-98 (shared), 1998-99 case has definitely been a learn- inaugural ICSS-Paris 1 Pantheon- collaboration between ICSS and real issues and providing world- (shared) ing curve for the BWF and we are Sorbonne University Trophy for the Paris 1 University Pantheon- leading services, skills, networks Premier League Player of the Season: 1997-98 committed to doing what it takes ‘outstanding achievement in Sorbonne with the aim to cre- and knowledge. BBC Sports Personality of the Year: 1998 to ensure this never happens promoting sport integrity’ to the ate next year an official price for THE PENINSULA Wednesday 20 March 2013 8 Jumada I 1434 Volume 18 Number 5644 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Hosts Sri Lanka beat hapless Bangladesh New captain Angelo Mathews leads side to series win

COLOMBO: Tillakaratne Scoreboard Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara struck half centuries as Sri Bangladesh (I innings): ...... 240 Lanka coasted to a seven- Sri Lanka (I innings): ...... 346 wicket series-clinching victory Bangladesh (II innings): over Bangladesh on the fourth Tamim Iqbal b Eranga ...... 59 day of the second and final Test Jahurul Islam st Chandimal b Herath ...... 48 yesterday. Mohd Ashraful b Herath...... 4 The win had been set up Mominul Haque c Karunaratne b Herath ...37 by left-arm spinner Rangana Mohd Mahmudullah b Herath ...... 0 Herath, who celebrated his 35th Mushfiqur Rahim c Mathews b Herath ...... 40 birthday with career-best figures Nasir Hossain b Herath ...... 0 of seven for 89 and his 200th Test Sohag Gazi c Lakmal b Herath ...... 26 wicket as Bangladesh were earlier Abul Hasan (not out) ...... 25 bowled out for 265 in their second Rubel Hossain b Dilshan ...... 7 innings. Robiul Islam b Eranga ...... 10 Dilshan hit a brisk 57 off 73 Extras (B-1, LB-4, NB-4) ...... 9 balls that included six fours and Total (all out) ...... 265 Sangakkara continued his amaz- Fall of wickets: 1-91, 2-96, 3-143, 4-143, ing form in the series to score 55 Sri Lankan cricketer and Man-of-the-Match Kumar Sangakkara (left) 5-160, 6-171, 7-202, 8-228, 9-239, 10- from 85 balls with eight fours. shaks hands with Ranagna Herath after their team’s victory in the second 265. It was the first time in four Test match against Bangladesh at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Bowling: Kulasekara 12-0-36-0 (nb1); Lak- innings that Sangakkara had Colombo yesterday. Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by seven wickets on the mal 9-1-26-0; Herath 36-9-89-7; Dilshan been dismissed below 100. He was penultimate day of the second and final Test in Colombo to clinch the 25-4-62-1; Eranga 15.4-3-39-2 (nb3); named Man-of-the-Series with a Mathews 3-2-8-0. series 1-0. total aggregate of 441 runs. Sri Lanka (II innings): British soccer player David Beckham poses at a branch of the Swedish The pair added 94 for the sec- D Karunaratne lbw Robiul ...... 16 fashion store H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) to give an autograph session and ond wicket and after they were slow left armer’s nagging accu- a 1-0 win after a draw in the first T Dilshan b Robiul ...... 57 present his collection of underwear in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. dismissed, Lahiru Thirimanne racy crushed Bangladesh. Test. “It was important to win a K Sangakkara b Gazi ...... 55 and Angelo Mathews with 13 “Since the legend Muttiah series because whoever you play L Thirimanne (not out) ...... 13 apiece carried Sri Lanka to their Muralitharan retired, Herath has against, you are under pressure A Mathews (not out) ...... 13 victory target of 160 for the loss been the man for us,” Mathews to win,” added the 25-year-old Extras (B-2, LB-1, NB-3) ...... 6 of three wickets. told reporters. all-rounder. Total (for 3 wkts) ...... 160 Dilshan was bowled by Robiul “He lands all six balls on the “We wanted to win the series Beckham is Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-125, 3-135. Islam playing an ambitious drive same spot which so many bowlers 2-0 but we couldn’t do that but Bowling: Robiul 11-0-42-2 (nb3); Abul 4-0- and Sangakkara was also bowled don’t do. With his variations he I thought we played some really 21-0; Gazi 13-1-47-1; Rubel 3-0-16-0; Na- when he tried to sweep Sohag takes a lot of wickets but he has good cricket in this Test and won. sir 4-0-11-0; Mahmudullah 3-0-12-0; Ashra- Gazi and the ball trickled onto a lot of control as well.” “We were under a little bit of ful 3.4-0-8-0 his stumps. Mathews was captaining his pressure, we had to win this game. highest paid Result: Sri Lanka win by seven wickets. Captain Mathews later show- country for the first time this We knew that we could do it.” Series: Sri Lanka clinch two-Test series 1-0. ered praise on Herath after the series and he was satisfied with AGENCIES football player

PARIS: David Beckham is out contract with the French giants in front as the highest-paid would be donated to charity. ICSS, European Professional player in world football, accord- In contrast, Messi’s income of ing to a report that appears in 35m euros includes 13m in salary yesterday’s edition of France and bonuses, with the remain- Football magazine. der coming from advertising and The veteran Englishman, who other sources. Ronaldo comes in Football Leagues sign MoU joined Paris Saint-Germain in third, with total income reaching January on a short-term deal 30m euros, including 13.5m euros DOHA: The International until the end of the season, is from salary and bonuses. Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) nearing the end of his playing The magazine also reports that and European Professional career but still comes in ahead Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho Football Leagues (EPFL) yes- of world player of the year Lionel is the best-paid coach in the world terday signed a Memorandum Messi and prolific Real Madrid game, earning 14m euros a year. of Understanding (MOU). star Cristiano Ronaldo. Behind him are two Italians, Signed during the second day France Football report that Carlo Ancelotti at PSG (12m of Securing Sport 2013, the MoU Beckham will earn 36m euros euros), and Marcello Lippi sets out an ongoing collabora- ($46.7m, £30.9m) in 2012-13, leav- at Chinese club Guangzhou tion between the two organisa- ing him just ahead of four-time Evergrande (11m). AGENCIES tions with the goal of advancing Ballon d’Or winner Messi. knowledge, sharing best practices, Beckham, who left the Los Top earners in optimizing security and integ- Angeles Galaxy in December, rity planning and cooperating to is reported to have earned an ensure safer sporting events in annual salary of 1.7m euros, with world of football the future. his income supplemented by 1.3m David Beckham Euros 36m The MoU was signed by ICSS euros in bonuses and some 33m Lionel Messi 35m President Mohammed Hanzab, Sir euros from other sources, includ- Cristiano Ronaldo 30m Dave Richards, EPFL Chairman, ing advertising deals. Samuel Eto’o 24m ICSS Executive Director, Helmut At Galaxy, Beckham was widely Neymar 20m Spahn and Emanuel Macedo de reported to have made more than FROM LEFT: Jose Luis Astiazaran, President of Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional, Emanuel Macedo de Sergio Aguero 19m Medeiros, the CEO of EPFL, at $250m over five years. The real- Medeiros, CEO, European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), Sir Dave Richards, EPFL Chairman, Mohammed Wayne Rooney 18m Katara Cultural Village. Hanzab, ICSS President, Helmut Spahn, ICSS Executive Director, and Frank Rutten, Managing Director of ity is the $250m was the potential Zlatan Ibrahimovic 17.5m Hanzab, President of the ICSS, Eredivisie, during a panel on the final day of Securing Sport 2013 at Katara Cultural Village in Doha. earnings for Beckham from all said: “The ICSS is committed to sources on and off the field. Yaya Toure 16.6m the advancement of knowledge Beckham had endorsement Fernando Torres 16.3m and capabilities in sport safety, challenges facing sport today are 400 international experts and Accreditation Partners MGA/ deals with Adidas, Gillette, Carlos Tevez 16.2m security and integrity, and is a numerous and wide-ranging. We stakeholders to share knowledge Intellitix, and Conference Motorola, PepsiCo and Walt David Silva 16.2m hub for information-sharing and must remain vigilant and active and best practice in sport, safety, Partners Atkins, QMIC and W&P Disney when he joined the Galaxy. Kaka 14.5m expertise across various aspects in our efforts to protect sport and security and integrity under the Longreach. Since 2007, he has partnered of sport security and integrity.” its integrity. Sharing knowledge theme of “Advancing the security The ICSS is based in Doha, with Giorgio Armani, Sharpie, Schweinstiger 14m He added: “This MoU with the and information is vital and this and integrity of sport to safeguard Qatar, an emerging centre for Yahoo, Electronic Arts, Samsung Philipp Lahm 13.5m EPFL is an important step for the MoU with the ICSS will assist our the future”. global sporting events including Electronics, Burger King, David Casillas 12.7m world of football which will help efforts to remain ahead.” The two-day event was sup- the 2006 Asian Games, the AFC Sainsbury and Breitling (some of Didier Drogba 12.6m protect the integrity of the game Securing Sport 2013, the lead- ported by Host Partner Katara, Asian Cup Qatar 2011 the 2011 these have since expired). Gianluigi Buffon 12.4m and assist in the staging of safe ing international sport security Official Car Sponsor Alfardan Pan Arab Games and the 2022 The 37-year-old Beckham Dario Conca 12.1m sporting events.” and integrity conference hosted Automobiles - Official BMW FIFA World Cup. revealed after signing for PSG Macedo de Medeiros said: “The by the ICSS, brought together Group importer in Qatar, THE PENINSULA that all money due to him from his Karim Benzema 12m