ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER Monday 17 December 2012 4 Safar 1434 - Volume 17 Number 5551 Price: QR2 GCC markets Qatar to host in lacklustre exciting rallying mode next month Business | 21 Sport | 32 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Heavy rains Heir Apparent meets editors partially disrupt life Call for proper drainage systems DOHA: Incessant rains yester- hours of rain. A Nissan Patrol hit day partially paralysed life in an electricity pole and turned tur- the city and its outskirts as it tle on the Industrial Area Road led to traffic snarls, accidents late last night when the man and water-logging, especially in behind the steering wheel appar- low-lying areas, as angered civic ently tried to avoid a water logged The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with editors and journalists participating in the first annual Conference of Strategic and leaders called for proper drain- stretch. Policy Studies Research Centres in the Arab World held in Doha. age systems. An eye witness told this news- “We have asked the municipal paper it appeared to be a serious ministry and the Public Works accident as he could see a lot of Authority to put proper drainage blood on the spot of the mishap. New Doha airport to systems in place soon. Pumping There were traffic snarls as the Fire alarm stirs panic at Villaggio out logged water during the police cordoned off the area. rains is not a lasting solution,” The eye witness added he was open in April 2013 said the chairman of the Central surprised to see people driving in BY FAZEENA SALEEM told The Peninsula that it was new fire safety systems complying DOHA: The New Doha Municipal Council (CMC), Saud the same way as they did on nor- smoke, not fire, that set off the with safety rules. International Airport Al Hanzab. mal days. DOHA: A fire alarm at the alarm. The minor fire was caused Civil Defence sources told Al (NDIA) will be opened in Some vehicles skid and some “One must drive carefully when Villaggio Mall, which was the by a short circuit in the restau- Sharq that the smoke was caused April next year, the Qatar met serious accidents when it rains,” he said. scene of a devastating blaze late rant, he said. by burning coal that was being Civil Aviation Authority motorists tried to avoid water THE PENINSULA last May, caused panic yester- Captain Hamad Al Kuwari said used to barbeque chicken. (QCAA) announced puddles on the roads caused by Continued on page 8 day, making people run helter- the restaurant was closed down But Captain Al Kuwari insisted yesterday. skelter. The alarm was set off temporarily and would reopen in remarks to this newspaper that Airline firms will start around 5.45pm by smoke from soon after the short circuit is fixed. he had completed investigations shifting its offices to the new the kitchen of a restaurant in The Ministry of Interior, mean- and experts need not carry out any airport from April, Abdul Ezdan to build 50,000 housing units by 2014 the food court. while, said on its Twitter account further inspection. “It was a minor Aziz Al Nuaimi, Chairman of DOHA: Ezdan Holding Group signed an agreement with the No casualties or damage were that it was a false alarm as there incident, but people panicked and QCAA, told media persons on government to build 50,000 residential units by 2014 in a bid to reported. Normalcy soon returned was no fire or smoke. Sources said vacated the place.” the sideline of a metrologi- provide enough accommodation for the giant sport event -- Fifa to the place although there was a the new fire safety system installed A team of police and Civil cal conference held in Doha. World Cup 2022. partial evacuation at the sprawl- at the mall after the tragic May 28 Defence officials rushed to the Some 95.5 percent of the work The Group is currently working on several projects. At least 12 ing shopping complex. More than inferno which claimed 19 lives — 13 mall after being alerted about the of the new airport has been projects are expected to be completed in 2014, and another 31 will the evacuation by the mall man- of them children — was so sen- fire. They inspected the restaurant completed and the remaining be completed by 2018, said Ali Al Obaydali, Chief Executive Officer agement or the authorities, people sitive that it sets off even at the and recorded statements from will be finished before April, (CEO) of the Group, Al Sharq reported. Recently 45 new housing themselves ran out of the mall in slightest hint of smoke. employees for nearly two hours. Al Sharq reported yesterday. projects have been implemented, said Obaydali. THE PENINSULA panic. The mall reopened on September THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA A senior policeman at the scene 20 after its management installed Continued on page 8 MONDAY 17 DECEMBER 2012 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Global amateur radio fest begins BY RAYNALD C RIVERA DOHA: H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority, stressed the significant role amateur radio plays in the soci- ety during the opening of the Qatar international amateur radio festival yesterday at the Al Rayyan Theatre in Souq Waqif. Al Attiyah, who is also the Chairman of the Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS), who are hosting the event for the first time in the Middle East addressed hundreds in the audience com- prising officials of various ama- teur radio societies around the H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah receiving a sword from Dr Ahmed Al world and secondary students and Muhannadi, Vice-President of Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS), at Al boy scouts from Qatar. Rayyan Theatre yesterday. Sabaan Misma Al Jassim, General Secretay, “For developing countries ama- QARS, was also present. (KAMMUTTY VP) teur radio societies can promote technical expertise to help out in that more people are joining ama- around the world, using different the local communities,” he said, teur radio societies around the frequencies to cover all conti- adding amateur radio as a hobby world with an increasing number nents. There will also be a mobile has provided platform for train- of people seeking licences. station on the Corniche for ama- ing in electronics, broadcasting “That is why we as concerned teur radio to communicate to the theories, and telecommunication bodies are giving support to fur- world Qatar National Day and techniques. ther promote this hobby under the reflect the country’s achievements Al Attiyah also underscored the International Telecommunication in various sectors that have been importance of amateur radio for Union,” he said. realised under the leadership of A view of the artworks displayed at the exhibition. special needs persons, giving them This festival coincides during the the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin a good chance to keep in touch National Day and as part of its par- Khalifa Al Thani. with the world. ticipation to this important celebra- The call sign assigned specially UN rights centre hosts exhibition “Amateur radio also responds tion QARS will set up five stations for the National Day is A71QND. very quickly in times of crisis and in the Corniche area the celebration Members of the QARS Board and emergencies and provide support will take place in addition to special some guests will also take part DOHA: The UN Human Rights at Lusail Street Number 66, West representatives. The art exhibi- for telecom when ordinary chan- stations at the QARS headquarters during the festival. Training and Documentation Bay. tion not only included literature nels of communications are not for sending and receiving message Yesterday’s opening event also Centre for South-West Asia and The expo entitled registra- but also placards, pictures, ceram- functional,” he said. throughout the festival. featured presentations by experts the Arab Region held an arts tion and right to participate in ics, stone-sculptures, glasses, It is not surprising, he said, in The stations are set to com- which introduced amateur radio and photography exhibition to the public life depicting directly metals and wood made arts, jew- an era of advanced technology municate National Day message as a hobby and discussed the joint mark the International Human the Articles 19-21 of the dec- ellery, stitched and weaved items, programme for international Rights Day on December 10. laration of the International said a press release. amateur radio societies and The exhibition was held at Human Rights. Themes of the The event was an open exhibi- how to further strengthen the headquarters of the UN photography freedom of speech, tion to display the masterpieces their relations, among Human Rights Training and freedom for staging rallies and of all artists, professionals and others. Documentation Centre for South- rights to participate in govern- photographers. THE PENINSULA West Asia and the Arab Region ment directly or by being elected THE PENINSULA Greetings sent to Bahrain King DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has sent a cable of greetings to H M King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on the occasion of his coun- try’s National Day. The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a cable of greetings to King Hamad on the occasion. The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani has sent a cable of congratulations to the King of Bahrain.