ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER Magnificent Mirza wins stage 2 Sport | 19 Saturday 20 December 2014 • 28 Safar 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6285 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Qatar, Turkey widen ties Only an earthquake can change Qatar Emir, Erdogan sign deal to set up Supreme Strategic Committee DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh World Cup: Blatter Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on an official visit to Turkey, said in Ankara yesterday that rela- MARRAKECH: Only an FIFA had been under pres- tions between both countries “earthquake” can change sure to publish a redacted ver- were strategic and historic and FIFA’s decision to hold the sion to help shed light on what had become stronger in recent 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA happened during the process for years. President Sepp Blatter said the tournaments. The Emir and Turkish yesterday. In the statement, FIFA said President Recep Tayyib Erdogan “It would really need an earth- it had asked the Adjudicatory signed an agreement to set up a quake, extremely important new Chamber of the Independent Supreme Strategic Committee to elements to go back on this World Ethics Committee to publish the bolster cooperation in key fields. Cup in Qatar,” Blatter told a report in “an appropriate form” The panel will enhance coop- press conference after the FIFA once procedures against individu- eration in politics, economy, executive committee agreed to als are concluded. commerce, investment, educa- release a report on alleged cor- “I am pleased they have agreed. tion, culture, science, technol- ruption surrounding the tourna- It has been a long process to ogy, energy, agriculture and ments awarded to Russia in 2018 arrive at this point and I under- communications. and Qatar in 2022. stand the views of those who have The Emir and President Qatar in particular has faced been critical,” Blatter said. Erdogan also witnessed the sign- accusations over its bidding “We have always been deter- ing of a defence cooperation but has strongly denied any mined that the truth should be agreement. wrongdoing. known. That is, after all, why The Emir highlighted economic “At the current time, there is we set up an independent eth- and investment relations and the no reason to go back on our deci- ics committee with an investiga- importance of continuing Turkish sions. The two World Cups are in tory chamber that has means to investments in Qatar, especially the calendar, the only thing miss- undertake investigations on its since Turkish companies are ing is the precise dates for 2022, own.” international ones. “They are but these two World Cups will The decision follows a presen- welcome in Qatar,” he said. take place,” Blatter said, speak- tation by Domenico Scala, head On the agreement, the Emir The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressing a joint ing in German. of FIFA’s audit and compliance said the committee will help press conference in Ankara yesterday. The executive committee committee and one of six people enhance relations on all fronts. unanimously agreed to allow the to have seen the report. The Emir said his talks with publication “in an appropriate Garcia, who said the report President Erdogan dealt with practices of the Syrian regime form” of the report on the bidding should be published, spent 18 issues related to ties, noting and that they might lead to process for the 2018 and 2022 months investigating allegations that both countries’ views were negative consequences in future, $15bn Turkish investment in Qatar World Cups, but gave no indica- and interviewed 75 witnesses. identical and close on foreign besides the killing of children and DOHA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish tion of when it might happen. In November, FIFA’s eth- issues, particularly those related women, and dangerous groups investment in Qatar stood at about $15bn, which showed the It also decided to settle the ics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert to the region and its current might emerge and become out interest of the Qatari government in Turkish investment. He said long-running saga over the tim- issued a 42-page summary based developments. of control. “Turkey and Qatar at a joint press conference with the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin ing of the 2022 World Cup in on the report which identified The Emir said talks touched and all countries that have been Hamad Al Thani in Ankara that the volume of trade between Qatar in March. cases of “inappropriate conduct” on the Palestinian issue and the active in assisting the Syrian peo- both countries was about $600m, which he desired to raise to Soccer’s governing body had in many bids but said there was importance of restoring the rights ple must continue to support the $1bn, according to the website of Turkish news agency Anadolu. previously said it could not pub- not enough evidence to justify re- of the Palestinian people. troubled Syrians.” THE PENINSULA lish the 430-page report of former opening the bidding process. He described the issue as the The Emir said he would sup- investigator Michael Garcia for In yesterday’s statement, last colonial one and said it was port a political solution if it was warned against the danger of The Emir said talks also legal reasons but will now do Blatter reiterated that the bid- unacceptable for the world not to in line with the demands of the some groups there, which resulted touched on the situation in so once “ongoing procedures ding process for the awarding of support the Palestinian people. Syrian people “but, unfortu- from past practices of government Yemen, which he described as against individuals are con- the two tournaments would not On Syria, the Emir said there nately, there is no solution at the officials, and hoped that a national very serious for the region and cluded”, Blatter said in a state- be re-opened. had been warnings against the moment.” reconciliation would overcome the the world. THE PENINSULA ment yesterday. AGENCIES Speaking on Iraq, the Emir country’s problems. Continued on page 2 Candle-lit vigil for Peshawar victims Indian rupee may Poor visibility likely this morning breach 18-mark DOHA: The weather bureau has forecast a foggy morning today at places and said visibility could be as poor as one kilometre or less against riyal in some areas. The day will be partly cloudy and hazy inshore and offshore. Day temperatures will be moderate with the maximum BY SACHIN KUMAR hovering at around 23 to 24 degrees C. The night will be cold with the mercury dropping to 12 degrees in DOHA: The Indian rupee, Messaieed and Al Wakra and 13 degrees in Abu Samra and Al Khor. which recently fell close to In Doha and Dukhan, the night temperature is expected to be around 17.50 against Qatari riyal, is 16 degrees, while in Al Ruwais, the mercury level will be about 18 soon expected to touch 18-mark degrees. against riyal, experts say, add- ing it is just the matter of time. Ministry distributes 43,500 meals The rupee plunged to 17.44 against riyal on Monday and DOHA: Expatriates taking part in National Day celebrations at closed at 17.33 yesterday. West End Park on Thursday enjoyed sumptuous meals served by The free-fall has widened the the Ministry of Interior. The ministry distributed about 43,500 smiles of Indian expatriates who packets to people during expatriate community celebrations at plan to go on holiday to celebrate West End Park. The packets containing quality food were distrib- Christmas and New Year. The uted for breakfast, lunch and dinner during day-long celebrations, rupee has fallen close to nine per- a local Arabic daily said. The ministry had set up a tent for the cent since April when it appreci- celebrations. ated to 15.96 against the riyal. THE PENINSULA Girls light candles for victims of the attack by Taliban gunmen on the Army Public School in Peshawar during “Going by the persistent fall in the rupee in the recent months, a vigil in Quetta yesterday. At least 145 students and staff were killed on Tuesday. we expect it to breach 18 against the riyal in the near future. “Strengthening of the US dollar will lead to further depreciation of the rupee. With oil and gold National Day parade one of the best in GCC: Visitors prices heading down, the dollar BY YASIN ABU TAQIU KAKANDE has become a favourite of glo- families, stay for a week or so, enjoy festivi- walk with friends at Souq Waqif. Muharam with ordinary waiting at the borders for bal investors,” said Zuber Abdul ties and return by road. arrived in Qatar a day before the celebra- checking in. He said he had visited several Rahman, Operations Manager, Al DOHA: The parade that marks the start A large number of citizens from the UAE tions and was among the first to arrive at countries around the world but as a football Zaman Exchange. of National Day celebrations in Qatar is came to Qatar this year and many said they the Corniche on National Day. fan he was interested in seeing prepara- “It is unexpected gain for many one of the best in the region and draws a enjoyed the ride to take part in the cel- He said he had found the parade very tions by Qatar for the World Cup in 2022. Indian expatriates because of the large number of visitors from the neigh- ebrations and had no problems crossing interesting as he was always interested in “I visited Aspire Zone and saw the com- festive season.