SUBSCRIPTION SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2013 RAJAB 23, 1434 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Indian minister ‘Perfect poison’: Pakistan’s new Bayern seal draws flak over Ricin used in 3 MPs sworn in, treble with ‘Kuwait6 gaffe’ recent cases7 face13 many tests German20 Cup Hagel issues stern Max 41º Min 28º High Tide warning to Beijing 06:44 & 18:35 Low Tide 00:08 & 12:46 40 PAGES NO: 15827 150 FILS Growing threat of cyberattacks worries US SINGAPORE: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel delivered a two-pronged message to Beijing - holding out hope for a slowly improving military relationship with the Asian giant while issuing a stern warning on cyberattacks coming from that country. But he was met with immedi- ate skepticism from the Chinese delegation in the audi- ence, who questioned America’s role in the Pacific. Speaking yesterday at a security conference in Singapore that he helped to form more than a decade ago, Hagel said: “The United States has expressed our concerns about the growing threat of cyber intrusions, some of which appear to be tied to the Chinese govern- ment and military.” While he is not the first US official to publicly blame China for computer-based attacks that steal data from US government and corporate networks, he delivered the rebuke in China’s backyard, with mem- bers of Beijing’s government in the audience. His comments triggered a wry response from Maj Gen Yao Yunzhu, director of the Center for China- America Defense Relations, at the People’s Liberation Army’s Academy of Military Science, who challenged him to better explain America’s intentions in its building up of the military across the region. “Thank you for men- tioning China several times,” she told Hagel, minutes after he concluded his remarks, and began taking ques- tions from the audience. As an audible murmur and some quiet chuckles rose from the crowd, she added that America’s new shift to the Pacific has been widely interpreted as an “attempt to counter China’s rising influence, and to offset the increasing military capabilities of the Chinese PLA. However, China is not convinced.” She asked Hagel how he can assure China that the increased military deploy- ments to the region are part of an effort to build a more positive relationship with Beijing. “That’s really the whole point behind closer military- to-military relationships,” Hagel responded. “We don’t want miscalculations and misunderstandings and misin- terpretations. And the only way you do that is you talk to each other.” He said the US welcomes a strong and emerging China that takes on responsibilities KUWAIT: Pigeons perch on a tree branches in Kuwait City. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Continued on Page 15 Erdogan defiant Iraq uncovers chemical weapon plot BAGHDAD: Iraq has captured a suspected Al- attack Iraqi Kurdish villages in the north. Five masks. They also displayed bottles of chemi- Qaeda cell that planned to produce chemical men were caught before they could manufac- cals and other lab equipment as well as as Turkey burns poisons such as mustard gas to attack Iraqi ture any gas or chemical weapons in remote controlled toy helicopters authorities forces and to ship overseas for attacks on makeshift factories in Baghdad and another said the men planned to use to disperse the ISTANBUL: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip “If this is about holding meetings, if Europe and the United States, the govern- province, Mohammed Al-Askari, a defense gas. Erdogan made a defiant call for an end to this is a social movement, where they ment said yesterday. The announcement was ministry spokesman told reporters. Bolstered by the Sunni Muslim rebellion the fiercest anti-government demonstra- gather 20, I will get up and gather made as investigators look into allegations “They got some programs from Al-Qaeda against Assad in Syria, Al-Qaeda in Iraq is tions in years yesterday, as thousands of 200,000 people. Where they gather over the use of sarin nerve gas in next-door outside Iraq, they were working ... to produce regaining ground and since the start of the protesters clashed with riot police in 100,000, I will bring together one million Syria where rebels and President Bashar Al- mustard gas ... and other gas,” he said. “There year has stepped up its campaign of attacks to Istanbul and Ankara for a second day. The from my party,” Erdogan said in a tele- Assad’s forces have blamed each other for are some confessions about organized cells to stoke sectarian conflict in Iraq. Western pow- unrest was triggered by government vised speech. “Every four years we hold using chemical weapons. smuggle them outside Iraq through a neigh- ers, including the United States and Britain, plans for a replica Ottoman-era barracks elections and this nation makes its choice During the height of the Iraq war, Al-Qaeda boring country in order to target Europe, say there is growing evidence of chemicals housing shops or apartments in Istanbul’s ... Those who have a problem with gov- in Iraq used chlorine gas in its explosives to America and different capitals.” Officials weapons use in the conflict in neighboring Taksim Square, long a venue for political ernment’s policies can express their opin- poison areas where their bombs detonated showed reporters three suspects dressed in Syria, where fighting has killed more than protest, but has widened into a broader ions within the framework of law and and Saddam Hussein used chemical gas to yellow jumpsuits with their heads covered by 80,000 people in two years. — Reuters show of defiance against Erdogan and his democracy,” he said. Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Police later pulled back from Gezi Park Party (AKP). in Taksim, where the demonstration start- Police fired teargas and water cannon ed peacefully on Monday with people Saudi, Egypt Arab Spring marks end down a major shopping street as crowds pitching tents in protest at trees being of protesters chanting “shoulder to shoul- torn up for the redevelopment. Waiters ink $1.6b deal of silence, submission der against fascism” and “government scurried out of luxury hotels lining the resign” marched towards Taksim, where square, on what should be a busy week- RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Egypt yesterday signed a 6 Drive for reform shifting to slow lane hundreds were injured in clashes on end for tourists in one of the world’s most billion riyal ($1.6 billion) agreement to link their elec- Friday. A police helicopter buzzed over- visited cities, ferrying lemons to protest- tricity grids, a project that will allow power trading DUBAI: On a recent blustery night, with tence for supposedly insulting the Amir, head as groups of mostly young men and ers, who squirted the juice in their eyes to between the two countries. Peak-time summer power a sandstorm kicking up, Kuwait’s own Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed A-Sabah. women, bandanas or surgical masks tied mitigate the effects of tear gas. “People consumption in Saudi Arabia falls between noon and Arab Spring was playing out on a quiet In previous times, that might have around their mouths, used Facebook and from different backgrounds are coming mid afternoon, when air conditioners are most inten- road of villas and tall palms. There a been the end of the affair. But 57-year-old Twitter on mobile phones to try to organ- together. sively used, while in Egypt peak time is after sunset. group of protesters gathered to recite a Al-Barrack’s supporters were determined Egypt’s Electricity Minister Ahmed Moustafa Emam ize and regroup in side streets. Continued on Page 15 speech - one after the other, word for to demonstrate that the Arab Spring said the linkage is expected to take 24-30 months to word - that accused Kuwait’s ruler, of stops for no one, and this week they won complete. “Egypt will pay for around 40 percent of the suppressing dissent. The speech had a partial victory when a court reversed cost while Saudi Arabia will pay for the remaining 60 been delivered last year by Musallam Al- the sentence and gave Barrack a chance percent,” Emam said after the signing ceremony in Barrack, then a parliament member, and to continue his principled dissent. Riyadh. “The Project will allow both countries to share had earned him a five-year prison sen- Continued on Page 15 power of up to 3,000 megawatts, and will achieve a return on investment of 13 percent for each country.” Power lines will be extended by around 1320 kms, 820 kms in Saudi Arabia and 480 kms in Egypt. The kingdom’s majority state-owned utility, Saudi Electricity Co (SEC), and Egypt’s state power company Egyptian Electric Holding Co will share the cost of a 20 km undersea cable. Emam said since peak hours in Egypt and Saudi Arabia fall at different times of the day, both countries will be able to divert resources as necessary to meet increased demand. He declined to give details on prices, saying tariff and commercial agreements have not yet been finalized. Emam said it would cost Egypt around 30 billion Egyptian pounds to generate an additional 3,000 megawatts itself. Saudi Transport, Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah bin Abdul- Rahman Al-Husayen said the project, when completed, will effectively lead to linking the power grids of 14 KUWAIT: In this file photo, Islamist, nationalist and liberal opposition groups Arab countries, including the six-member Gulf ISTANBUL: Smoke rises as Turkish protesters and riot policemen clash yesterday, march together in Kuwait City to protest the government’s amendment of the Cooperation Council.