QATAR | Page 7
Haniya
INDEX
QATAR 2 – 12, 32 COMMENT
REGION
ARAB WORLD
14
15 – 17
BUSINESS
CLASSIFIED
INTERNATIONAL 18 – 28 SPORTS
GULF TIMES
In brief
QATAR | Proposal
Go-ahead for rights
institutions network
The seventh annual meeting of
the Arab National Institutions for
Human Rights held recently in the
Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott
has unanimously approved
the proposal by Qatar National
Human Rights Committee
(NHRC) on establishing an Arab
national human rights institutions
network. According the proposal,
the network is to operate
on the basis of international
standards to encouraging for
the establishment of national
institutions on human rights in
countries that have not taken
this step yet. Qatar Human Rights
Committee will host the eighth
annual meeting of the Arab
National Institutions for Human
Rights in 2012.
ARAB WORLD | Unrest
7 die as Syria forces
seize Daraa mosque
Troops and snipers killed
six civilians yesterday in the
flashpoint Syrian city of Daraa,
activists said, as people buried
scores of people killed in a “day
of rage” on Friday. Activists
vowed to keep up the pressure on
the regime of President Bashar
al-Assad, promising a new week
of pro-democracy rallies. And
138 more members of Assad’s
ruling Baath Party quit in protest
at the deadly crackdown on
pro-democracy demonstrators.
At least 66 people were killed on
Friday when tens of thousands
of people demonstrated across
Syria, activists said. Page 17
ARAB WORLD | Page 15
29 – 31
33 – 36
37 – 43 Ultra-fuel-efficient
44 – 48
cars unveiled at QSTP
20% GDP
growth
forecast
By Pratap John
Chief Business Reporter
Q atar is expected to register the
largest Real GDP growth in the
world this year at 20%, ac-
cording to a QNB Capital review.
High oil prices and external de-
mand will boost production and
exports, benefiting Qatar, which
continues expansion in natural gas
production and makes large invest-
ments in infrastructure.
Higher oil revenues are likely to
lead to higher spending on social pro-
grammes, the report said.
In advanced economies the real
GDP for 2011-12 is projected to ex-
pand by around 2.5% and in emerging
and developing economies by 6.5%,
QNB Capital said.
In its latest World Economic Out-
look (WEO), published in April, the
International Monetary Fund main-
tained its global growth forecast at
4.4% for 2011 and at 4.5% for 2012,
while cutting its real GDP growth
forecasts for the MENA region in both
2011 and 2012 by 0.5% to 4.1% and
4.2% respectively.
One of the main indicators for a
global recovery and projected growth
is coming from strong retail sales in
emerging market economies and ad-
vanced economies. The downside
risks to the global outlook are mainly
due to geopolitical uncertainty.
The MENA region’s economic per-
formance is likely to diverge between
oil exporting and importing countries
in 2011. Oil importing countries have
felt the greatest impact from recent
events, with social unrest dampening
growth.
The IMF therefore expects that
growth in oil importing countries will
slow to 1.9% in 2011. Assuming that
the unrest is temporary, growth for oil
importers will recover to 4.5% in 2012.
The reduction in the MENA region
growth forecasts was a response to
the spreading social unrest in the
region, rising sovereign risk premi-
ums, and increasing import prices for
commodities. Evidence of this con-
traction is already occurring in some
countries as witnessed in the Egyp-
tian economy, which is estimated
to have contracted by 7% in the first
quarter of 2011.
In oil exporting countries, high
oil prices and external demand will
boost production and exports. Higher
oil revenues are likely to lead to high-
er spending on social programmes.
Qatar will lead the growth in this
group – as it continues expansion
in natural gas production and makes
large investments in infrastructure.
ready to
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SUNDAY Vol. XXXII No. 8247
May 1, 2011
Jumada-I 27, 1432 AH
www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals
Special award for Qatar
Saleh
refuses to
sign pact
AFP
Sanaa
A
deal aimed at ending three
months of bloody unrest in
Yemen was in tatters yesterday
after embattled President Ali Abdul-
lah Saleh refused to sign the Gulf-bro-
kered pact, the opposition said.
Abdullatif al-Zayani, the head of
the Gulf Co-operation Council which
tabled the plan, quit Sanaa after Saleh
declined to put his name to it “as
president of the republic,” opposition
spokesman Mohamed Qahtan said.
“This is an essential point in the
plan which we will not back down on,”
Qahtan told AFP.
The GCC deal proposes the forma-
tion of a government of national unity,
Saleh transferring power to his vice
president and an end to the deadly
protests that have rocked the impover-
ished country since late January.
Under the accord, the Yemeni
strongman would submit his resigna-
tion to parliament within 30 days, to be
followed two months later by a presi-
dential election.
However, a defiant Saleh has pub-
licly insisted on sticking to the consti-
tution in any transfer of power, even
though his ruling party has said it ac-
cepts the GCC plan.
Zayani had gone to Sanaa to formally
invite Saleh and his opponents to sign
HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, who is also the the power transfer deal, state media
president of Qatar Olympic Committee, receiving the special award from IOC said ahead of what was expected to be a
president Jacques Rogge at the presentation during the opening ceremony signing ceremony in Riyadh tomorrow.
of the 9th World Conference on Sport and the Environment at the Doha But he left the Yemeni capital empty-
Sheraton Convention Centre yesterday. The award was in recognition of handed after the president refused to
Qatar’s commitment to the environment and sustainable technology. sign the deal himself, instead assigning
Pages 2, 46 PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil one of his advisers to do so on his behalf.
 Gulf Times
2 Sunday, May 1, 2011

QATAR

Railway company team visits Lusail City

Q
atar Railways Company
(QRC) managing director
and board member Ab-
dullah bin Abdul-Aziz al-Subaie
led a high-level delegation to
Lusail City yesterday.
This visit followed al-Subaie’s
assumption of new office at Qatar
Railways Company. The delega-
tion toured new construction de-
velopments at Lusail City, includ-
ing underground tunnel works
being undertaken at three sites.
The construction of the Lusail
Light Rail Transit System project
is expected to be fully completed
in the last quarter of 2015.
The delegation comprised
Sultan al-Anzi, executive vice-
president (Operations), Qatar
Railways Development Compa-
ny, Mohamed Hamad al-Khalifa,
office manager of the managing
director, Ahmed al-Qabb, Lusail
Light Rail Transit project direc-
tor, Mohamed al-Ishrafy, project
manager, and Hassan al-Saie,
director (Public Relations) at
Qatar Railways Company.
Al-Subaie said, “The Lusail
Light Rail Transit system is a
core component of the state-
of-the-art transportation infra-
structure of Lusail City, one of
the largest and most ambitious
real estate development projects
being undertaken in the Middle
East and North Africa region.”
The Lusail Light Rail Transit
System is part of the Qatar Rail-
way project, a $30bn integrated
railway system that will cover all
major areas in the country and
will consist of three transport
modes: long distance, metro
and freight. It will feature 30km
of track, 7km of which are un-
derground, 24 stations (seven of
which are underground), service
depots, and a viaduct.
On April 6 Qatar Railways Com-
pany and Qatari Diar had signed a
five-year contract with Parsons
International and AECOM in New
York. The signing was witnessed
by HE the Prime Minister Sheikh
Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-
Thani and Ray LaHood, US Trans-
portation Secretary.
Lusail City, which covers 38
km² north of Doha, is not only
Qatar’s largest domestic real
estate project, but is one of the
most prestigious community
developments currently being
undertaken in the region and the
world at large.
“The Lusail Light Rail
Transit system is a core
component of the state-
of-the-art transportation
infrastructure of Lusail
City, one of the largest and
most ambitious real estate
development projects
being undertaken in the
Middle East and North
Africa region”
Qatar Railways Company is
a private company, which fol-
lows independent procedures
and laws according to interna-
tionally recognised standards.
It was founded to support and
co-ordinate the growth of Qa-
tar’s rail industry.
In addition to securing the
resources, personnel and or-
ganisational requirements nec-
essary to ensure the rail sector’s
sustainability, Qatar Railways
Company will also develop the
appropriate legal and legislative
frameworks to ensure that all lo-
cal and international regulations
and agreements are met.
Moreover, Qatar Railways
Company will oversee the man-
agement, operation and main-
tenance of all local railways and
their associated administrative
and industrial organisations,
and lead co-ordination efforts
with regional and international
rail networks.
Qatar Railways Company is
responsible for the development
of three projects: The integrated
Qatar Railways Project, which
will incorporate a metro system,
long-distance passenger travel,
and freight transport, the West
Bay People Mover, and Lusail Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz al-Subaie with the Qatar Railways Company delegation at the Lusail Light Rail
City’s Light-Rail Transit system. Transit system construction site.

Making Olympic Games environmentally friendly

By Ross Jackson “Unfortunately, expensive fa- The 1994 Games in Lillehammer, success of the site was ensured
Staff Reporter cilities that were built outside Norway, saw strict environmen- through good transport connec-
of urban areas to accommodate tal regulations in construction, tions and office facilities.
particular events are no longer with strong emphasis on the Environmental considerations

A
panel of experts has said
that environmental con-
cerns may soon force a
change in Olympic programmes,
particularly in events that are
historically significant but lack
mass participation such as bob-
sleighing.
Speaking at the Ninth World
Conference on Sport and the
Environment, Egidio Dansero,
from the Olympic and Mega
Event Research Observatory
at the University of Turin, said
that the 2006 Winter Olympic
Games rehabilitated many dis-
Egidio Dansero Richard Cashman Sigmun Loland used industrial sites in Turin.
in use.”
Building these kinds of sites
as a solution for future Games,
he said, is not sustainable, and
the only real alternatives are to
either always have the Games in
a fixed location or to cancel the
less popular and more resource-
demanding events.
Other speakers presented the
green credentials of previous
Olympic Games, claiming that
the 1994 Lillehammer Winter
Games and the 2000 Sydney
Summer Olympics have set the
benchmark for environmental
considerations in future bids.
use of public transport, locally
sourced materials and the use
of a mountain as a structure in
constructing facilities to reduce
climate control costs, according
to Sigmun Loland of the Norwe-
gian School of Sports Science.
Richard Cashman of the Uni-
versity of Technology, Sydney,
said that the site for the 2000
Games was chosen because it
was highly polluted from years of
industrial use and dumping. The
site was cleaned up and much
of the environment restored.
Construction met high environ-
mental standards and the future
have become one of the three
pillars of the Olympic Games
along with sport and culture,
with environment advocacy
groups playing a large part in
putting together the Sydney bid.
The panellists at yesterday’s
conference pointed out, how-
ever, that only so much can be
done to make the Games truly
environmentally friendly, as a
tremendous amount of travel
and construction will always be
required. How environmental
demands will affect the games
in the future remains to be seen.
Page 46
 Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 3

QATAR
Work of art

Qatar Charity
sends medical
aid to Misrata
QNA
Doha

Q
atar Charity has man-
aged to get a shipment
of medical supplies and
medicines into the Libyan city
of Misrata via the humanitarian
corridor which has been secured
through the UN World Food Pro-
gramme (WFP).
In a statement issued yester-
day, Qatar Charity said Qatar,
in co-ordination with its part-
ners on the Tunisian border, had
An over-sized plastic resin and aluminium sand cast candy sculpture made by French artist Laurence Jenkell is displayed in the gardens of brought into the western part
Qatar’s embassy as part of her exhibition in the Paris 8th district, yesterday. Jenkell’s sculptures are made with a kind of plastic resin designed of Libya food and medical aid
for injection or blow-moulding and aluminium sand casting that she uses to make larger-than-life size candy wrappers in colours. through Al-Dhahabiya crossing
in Tunisia after it was reopened. Qatar Charity relief items being unloaded.
It said the nearly 350tonnes
of aid, worth QR250,000, ar- 1,000kilos of macaroni, 400kilos children, in addition to the pro-
rived at Misrata several days ago of rice, 100 liters of oil in addi- vision of food and assistance to
aboard a World Food Programme tion to canned food and cheese. people stranded at the borders.

Qatar, Jordan to sign cultural agreement
QNA sarweh, was handed over by
Doha Jordanian Ambassador to Qa-
tar Ahmed Jalal Mefleh who
stressed during a meeting with
supporting co-operation be-
tween the two countries in cul-
ture. It also expressed the two
sides’ keenness on organising
consultation and coordination
between them on all cultural
issues during participation in
Arab conferences and meet-
ship. The relief items included
flour, rice, macaroni, potatoes
and cans of water sufficient for
23,000 people, in addition to
12tonnes of medicines and med-
ical appliances and three ambu-
lances.
Director of Relief and Emer-
Odrdor said that as a result of
the suffering of the Libyans at
home and the presence of heavy
casualties, mainly fractures,
Qatar Charity medical supplies
included bone fracture and joint
fracture fixation devices.
In February Qatar Charity
In the context of field co-or-
dination effort by Qatar Char-
ity, two batches of shipments
of medical aid were provided to
affected groups, with a value of
more than QR2,250,000.
A few days ago, Qatar Char-
ity announced that it will con-

H
E the Minister of Cul-
ture, Arts and Heritage
Dr Hamad bin Abdul
Aziz al-Kuwari has received an
official invitation to visit Jordan
to sign the final form of a cultural
agreement between the govern-
ments of Qatar and Jordan.
The invitation, addressed to
Dr Al-Kuwari from Jordanian
Minister of Culture Tariq Ma-
the Minister of Culture, Arts and
Heritage his country’s keenness
on strengthening relations be-
tween the two countries. He also
stressed his country’s keenness
on enhancing co-operation,
particularly in the culture sector.
An official source told the Qa-
tar News Agency (QNA) that the
draft agreement includes nine
points aimed at promoting and
cultural weeks, visits by artistic,
drama and musical troupes and
the holding of art exhibitions.
The draft agreement also
provided for the exchange of
visits by lecturers, poets and
men of letters in both coun-
tries, as well as the exchange
of invitations for participation
in festivals and cultural events
to be held in both countries,
ings, the source said.
It explained that a joint com-
mittee has been formed by the
two countries to work out and
follow up the agreement’s ex-
ecutive programme.
The source pointed out that
Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-
Kuwari has welcomed the invi-
tation, the date of which will be
set as soon as possible.
gency Director at Qatar Charity,
Mohamed Odrdor, said that re-
lief efforts for the affected Liby-
ans were continuing through the
Tunisian-Libyan borders, noting
that Qatar Charity has been able,
in co-operation with its partners
there, to send in sufficient quanti-
ties of food and medical supplies.
He added that the food items
contained 500kilos of flour,
launched, “relief campaign for
victims of the events of Libya”
allocating more than 3.5mn riy-
als for the benefit of the cam-
paign.
The assistance included a
number of shipments through
the Egyptian-Libyan and the
Tunisian-Libyan borders. The
relief items included medical
supplies, medicines and milk for
tribute to the establishment of
a QR30mn charity hospital in
Benghazi, in partnership and co-
ordination with United Nations
organisations to be named after
martyr Ali Al-Jaber, who was
one of the Qatar Charity found-
ers and member of its board of
directors. It has also begun to
buy and store quantities of food
worth QR150,000.
 Gulf Times
4 Sunday, May 1, 2011

QATAR
Robotic Surgery Centre carries out major ENT procedure
The centre, which is the only facil-
By Noimot Olayiwola ity in the world working to develop
Staff Reporter technology, knowledge and research
to improve healthcare, is planning to
conduct more ENT robotic surgeries
procedure done on an obese patient,
who was having breathing difficulty
and sleeplessness due to the obesity
and heavy snoring. And the opera-
tion was faster than we expected. We
personnel on the procedure,” QRSC
chairman Dr Abdulla al-Ansari said.
He said the centre would begin
paediatric robotic operations soon
with the first procedure to be carried
to do the paediatric robotic surgery in
two weeks,” he said while adding up to
150 people comprising doctors, nurs-
es, engineers, researchers and medical
students have been trained in basic
seven nurses were trained in robotic
procedure. “In QRSC, we are con-
ducting one-to-one training ses-
sions on simulation and we have seen
this form of training has accelerated
and thus boosting healthcare sys-
tem,” Dr al-Ansari said.
He said that training on simulation
has greatly reduced cases of compli-
cations, adding that the region has

T
he Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre after September. have been trying to do this since last out by May end. “We will start con- laparoscopy at the centre. the knowledge of the trainees as well very low complication rate compared
(QRSC) has successfully con- “We were impressed with the year and we have been training ENT ducting training for personnel on how He also said that 37 doctors and as helped improve quality of doctors to 10% in Europe.
ducted a major ENT procedure.

Planning body
awards student
research projects
T
he General Secretar-
iat for Development
Planning (GSDP) has
awarded two student re-
search projects at Carnegie
Mellon University in line
with Qatar’s National De-
velopment Strategy 2011-
2016.
The GSDP was present
as one of the judges in the
Meeting of the Minds event
held at Carnegie Mellon
University on April 26. This
yearly event highlights re-
search projects conducted
by undergraduate and post-
graduate students.
One of the projects
awarded was Advanced Wa-
ter Treatment Method for
Brackish Water Desalina-
tion - a doctorate research
thesis conducted by post-
graduate student Lichen
Han. The ultimate aim of
the research is to develop an
energy-efficient, low-cost
desalination technology for
creating a new, affordable
water source from brackish
waters.
This is a valuable re-
search to Qatar, as the
country has extremely
limited rechargeable wa-
ter sources, and therefore
there are needs for technol-
ogies that facilitate safe use
of impaired and unconven-
tional water sources.
The other project was
Human Organ Hub - an
undergraduate project con-
ducted by students Mo-
hamed al-Haddad, Ghanim
al-Sulaiti, Fatima Mujahid
and Rana Khalil.
The ultimate aim of the
research is to develop
an energy-efficient,
low-cost desalination
technology for creating
a new, affordable water
source from brackish
waters
The research project
combines medical and IT
concepts, and aims to de-
velop a system to help clin-
ics and hospitals in Qatar to
match donors with patients
for successful kidney trans-
plants. It contains a man-
agement system for both
patients and donors, and a
website to raise awareness
in the community.
It then integrates the do-
nor management system
and the patient manage-
ment system and through an
interface matches patients
against donors and vice ver-
sa, and generates reports for
the results.

Students unveil their
ultra-green machines
Q
atar University (QU) and
the Texas A&M University
at Qatar (TAMUQ) official-
ly unveiled their ultra fuel-efficient
cars at a grand opening ceremony
held at Qatar Science & Technology
Park (QSTP) yesterday.
These cars will compete in the
Shell Eco-Marathon global event
that will be held at the EuroSpeed-
way Lausitz track in Germany on
May 26.
The universities unveiled their
cars in the presence of QSTP
chairman Dr Tidu Maini, Qatar
University vice president for Re-
search Dr Hassan al-Derham, TA-
MUQ president Dr Mark Weichold
and Qatar Shell executive vice
president Andy Brown.
“For Qatar, this is a very unique
day, marking not only the de-
velopment of the first ultra fuel-
efficient cars ever built in Qatar,
but also the participation of two
Qatari universities in this high-
profile event. They are the first
educational institutions from the
Gulf ever to compete in the Shell
Eco-Marathon global event”, said
Maini.
Brown added: “At Shell, we val-
ue the opportunity to work with
the universities in Qatar. Work-
ing with students to develop new
fuel efficient vehicle concepts un-
leashes their talent and promotes
sustainable concepts for the fu-
ture. These benefits are in line
with Qatar National Vision 2030”.
QU teams unveiled their two
identical highly-futuristic vehi-
cles that will compete in the ‘Pro-
totype’ class. These cars have been
designed with a focus on maxim-
ising fuel efficiency through in-
novative design elements. One car
is equipped with a Gas to Liquids
Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 7
QATAR
(GTL) fuel engine while the other
runs on solar power.
Vehicles in the Shell Eco-Mar-
athon can use various fuels and
energy sources including GTL,
petrol, LPG, biofuels, compressed
natural gas, hydrogen, solar and
electrical power.
Shell has partnered with the
Qatar Science & Technology Park
to promote the Shell Eco-mara-
thon to Qatari universities.
The Shell Eco-marathon is a glo-
bal student competition that brings
together 400 teams from across the
world to build and run ultra fuel-
efficient vehicles. It is held each year
in Europe, the US and Asia.
The most fuel-efficient car ever
designed by a Shell Eco-marathon
student team was capable of driv-
ing 4,896.1km on a single litre of
fuel – the equivalent of driving
from Qatar to Paris. The Qatar University team and officials with their invention.
 Gulf Times
8 Sunday, May 1, 2011

QATAR

Summer incentives for

‘Dream’ cardholders
D
oha Bank’s Dream credit
cardholders will be eligi-
ble for a “cash back offer”
between May 1 and July 31.
The offer gives Doha Bank
cardholders “multiple opportu-
nities” to benefit throughout the
summer, whether they are trav-
elling or not, a bank release said.
Those opting to travel will
be rewarded with 5% cash back
every time they spend overseas
using Doha Bank’s Dream credit
card.
On top of that, purchases at
the Qatar Duty Free (Doha In-
ternational Airport) with a Doha
Bank Dream credit card will pro-
vide holders 25% cash back.
Attractive offers are also avail-
able for those using Doha Bank’s
Dream credit cards locally, the
bank said.
Doha Bank said: “Every time
one spends with one’s Doha
Bank credit card locally, be it
on booking air tickets at a lo-
cal travel agent or airline office,
shopping at a mall or a super-
market, eating out at a restau-
rant, renovating one’s home with
new furniture and electronics or
even withdrawing cash from an
ATM, one will have the chance
to be rewarded with up to 100%
cash back.
“A winner will be chosen eve-
ryday during the promotion, and
that winner will have all his local
spending for the day ‘wiped out’
up to a maximum of QR5,000.”
Doha Bank said that it has
always believed in offering the
“best value” to customers.
“Continuing with the huge
success of last summer’s 25%
cash back promotion, the lat-
est summer promotion goes a
step further by extending cash
back offers to all categories of
customer spends. In addition
to the amazing cash backs, cus-
tomers continue to enjoy Dream
loyalty points on all transactions
performed locally or overseas,”
Doha Bank said.
Coupled with features such as
“free-for-life”, “purchase pro-
tection”, “credit shield”, “com-
plimentary lounge access” and
the “lowest interest rates”, the
Doha Bank credit card is the
“most rewarding in the market”.
“The card provides a perfect
demonstration of the bank’s
leadership position in provid-
ing value to its customers,” Doha
Bank said.
Doha Bank Group chief execu-
tive R Seetharaman said: “As the
most preferred card in the mar-
ket, it is our commitment to our
loyal customers to constantly
provide outstanding value.
“From Colombo to Cairo, this
season, we aim to provide all
customers flying out of Doha
with amazing benefits. The ex-
citing savings extend not only on
international spend but also on
local expenses as well.”
Doha Bank head of Retail
Banking Louis Scotto said:
“Wherever your travels or visits
take you this summer, prepare to
be privileged.
“Our strategy is to maximise
value and reward our custom-
ers. We are committed to meet-
ing and exceeding customer ex-
pectations, and maintaining our
leadership in terms of perform-
ance, innovation and service. We
continue the tradition of offering
the strongest and most compel-
ling promotions in the market.”
Doha Bank Tower at West Bay.
Customers who do not have
a Doha Bank Dream credit card
can make use of the offer by
sending a text message ‘DREAM’
to 92610 or visiting any of the
bank branches.
More information is also
available on 44456000 (Hello
Doha) or www.dohabank.com.
qa.

Credit card deal for Nojoom members

A
ll members of Qtel’s loyalty
programme – Nojoom – can
now apply for the QNB Qtel
Nojoom Credit Card.
The “free-for-life” credit card
offers customers the chance to earn
Nojoom Points every time they
shop with the card.
Available in Gold and Plati-
num versions, these cards “trans-
form the shopping experience and
are fuelling a sense of excitement
throughout Qatar”, Qtel said.
To boost awareness of the QNB
Qtel Nojoom Card, there will be a
number of special booths at malls
and stores across the country,
where customers can easily sign up
as well.
Nojoom is Qtel’s “highly-popu-
lar” customer reward programme,
which enables members to earn
points that can be redeemed for a
huge range of rewards and experi-
ences.
Every time members use Qtel
services they earn Nojoom Points,
and – with the QNB Qtel Nojoom
Credit Card – they can also earn
points when they shop with their
card.
Points can be redeemed for Qtel
services or with a wide range of No-
joom Programme partners includ-
ing Bateel, Gardenia, Giant Stores,
Landmark Mall, Starlink, Qatar
Airways, and Qatar Cinemas.
Gold cardholders earn one No-
joom point for every QR10 spent,
while Platinum cardholders earn
QNB Qtel Nojoom promotion
material.
one Nojoom Point for every QR5
spent.
As a “unique feature”, cardhold-
ers have the opportunity to earn
monthly bonus points.
For Gold cardholders who spend
QR3,500 in a month, there is a
bonus of 2,000 Nojoom Points.
Platinum Cardholders who spend
QR7,000 in a month earn 5,000 No-
joom Points.
All new cardholders also receive a
bonus gift of 10,000 Nojoom Points
the first time they use their card.
To apply for the card, custom-
ers should have a registered Qtel
service number and valid Qatar ID
number.
More information on the QNB
Qtel Nojoom Credit Card can be
had from www.qnb.com.qa/qtel
or QNB’s Customer Care Centre at
44407777.
Nojoom Rewards Programme de-
tails can be found on the Nojoom
website via www.qtel.qa.

Event ‘shows strong

France-Qatar ties’
By Peter Townson The embassy has been
Staff Reporter ramping up efforts to hold
cultural exchange events in
Qatar, and yesterday they

F
rance’s Ambassador
to Qatar Gilles Bon-
naud has reiterated the
strength of links between his
country and Qatar, explain-
ing that French companies
are even more interested in
coming here since the suc-
cess of the country’s 2022
World Cup bid.
helped to organise a French
cuisine workshop in co-op-
eration with representatives
of the Lucien Barrière hotel
group, which operates prop-
erties in France and recently
opened the Naoura Barrière
in Marrakech.
The hotel group is fa-
mous for its restaurant, Fou-
qet’s, which it runs in Paris,
Cannes, Toulouse, and Mar-
rakech.
Yesterday’s event was
held at La Maison du Caviar,
where Fouqet’s chef Ber-
trand Schmitt passed on
professional tips for prepar-
ing French cuisine.
He was joined by Morroc-
can chef Rachid Maftouh,
who is an expert in combin-
ing the best of French cuisine
with Arabic flavouring.
Schmitt explained that he
wishes to bring restaurant
and home cooking as close to
each other as possible, to al-
low people to enjoy prepar-
ing and tasting top quality
food in their own homes.
Vice-president of glo-
bal sales for Barrière, Pascal
Visintainer, explained that
as well as the workshops,
the officials had held a re-
ception at the ambassador’s
residence on Wednesday
evening to welcome guests
and clients from Qatar,
which represents a signifi-
cant market to the group.
“At the moment, the Mid-
dle East is our second largest
market, after the French,” he
said, adding: “Qatar is the
second largest market within
the region, so it is very im-
portant to us.”
Although there are no
concrete plans to open a
property in the region, Vis-
intainer explained it is an
avenue that the president of
the company is exploring.
Bonnaud said that with
links between Qatari and
French officials and com-
munity members so strong,
there are many more events
to be arranged in the future.
He suggested that a per-
formance of Bizet’s The
Pearl Fishers opera could be
brought to Qatar in the near
future, but added that de-
tails have not yet been final-
ised.
 Gulf Times
10 Sunday, May 1, 2011

QATAR

Study on prevalence of autism

By Noimot Olayiwola children within the age range of among children aged between tional Centre for Special Needs scheduled for clinical assess- (GARP) to also optimise resourc-
Staff Reporter five to eight and already we have seven and 10 as well as among as well as some private physi- ment,” Dr al-Shaban explained. es for autism care.
some preliminary data based on 11-14 years-old at 30.7% each cians,” he said. Another speaker at the work- Other speakers in the morning
those children being diagnosed from the total of 179 children The study, which will be con- shop, Saudi-based Faisal Autism session of the workshop included

T
he Shafallah Medical Ge-
netics Centre has em-
barked on a study of the
prevalence of Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD) among children
in Qatar.
Autism is a brain disorder that
is associated with a wide range
of developmental problems, es-
pecially in communication and
social interaction.
It is estimated that one in eve-
ry 110 children is diagnosed with
autism, making it more common
Dr al-Muslamani
than childhood cancer, juvenile
diabetes and paediatric acquired
immune deficiency syndrome
combined.
“We have commenced ef-
forts to do a major study on the
prevalence of autism among our
at our laboratory,” SMGC senior
Research Scientist Dr Fouad al-
Shaban said yesterday.
He was speaking during a
presentation titled: ‘Prevalence
of Autism in Qatar’ at the two-
day Autism Workshop organ-
ised by the centre to discuss the
disorder and ways of curbing it
thus reducing the burden on the
health system.
“Based on the preliminary
study at the SMGC, we found
that autism is most prevalent
sampled,” Dr al-Shaban ex-
plained.
He added that the male/fe-
male ratio was one to five, an in-
dication that the disorder occurs
mostly among male children than
in females.
“These figures cannot be
generalised though as we are
still in the process of collecting
more data from various cen-
tres involved with the autism
treatment such as the Rumailah
Hospital and Doha Interna-
ducted in three phases and over
a period of two-three years, will
identify, preview and record all
children found with the disorder
in both public and private hospi-
tals, he mentioned.
“For the study, we are going to
randomly select samples from
a number of primary schools,
seek consent of parents or
guardians before we screen the
children for ASD using social
communication questionnaires
and all suspected cases will be
House (Dari) expert Dr Ahood
al-Muslamani cautioned that the
Gulf region might face a serious
budgetary health problems as in
the US if a standard unified Gulf
registry for the disorder was not
put in place.
“It is very pertinent to have
a standardised data collection
in a collaborative effort within
the Gulf in order to optimise the
cost of treating autism,” she said
while proposing the initiation of
a Gulf Autism Registry Project
Dr Eric Fombonne, who spoke
on ‘Epidemiology of ASD: rel-
evance, substantive results and
methodological challenges’ and
Dr Marwan al-Sharbati on find-
ings of a study ‘Autism Spectrum
Disorder in Oman’ during the
conference.
The workshop, which con-
cludes today, was conducted in
four sessions focusing on epide-
miology of autism, diagnosis of
autism, genetics of autism and
treatment of autism.

Enterprise Qatar organised live event

stresses leadership, customer service
E
ffective leadership, management
and the importance of customer
service topped the agenda this
weekend when Enterprise Qatar (EQ),
the organisation that is mandated with
supporting and promoting small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),
hosted its second live event as part of its
breakthrough, comprehensive and free
of charge SME Evolution Programme
designed to help companies double in
size within 36 months.
Organised in conjunction with Po-
tential, Enterprise Qatar’s partner and
the designer of the programme, the
event was attended by representatives
of scores of Qatar-based and regional
companies who all voiced their acclaim
of Enterprise Qatar’s highly significant
initiative.
The event was comprised of a series
of workshops and interactive sessions
with academics, industry experts and
local business people. The key topics
included a session on Entrepreneur-
ship and Leadership, a workshop on the
needs of SMEs in Qatar, a session on the
importance of customers for any busi-
ness, and an introduction to the Arabic
programme.
Enterprise Qatar Deputy Project Di-
rector, Noora al-Mannai, said: “After
the considerable success of our first
workshop earlier this month, Satur-
day’s session helped expand on some of
the themes introduced in that session
in addition to highlighting a range of
other topics that are critical to the suc-
cess of any business.”
The SME Evolution Program
is one of EQ’s first major ini-
tiatives aimed at improving the
country’s innovation ecosystem.
One of their projects is a free, web-
based training programme for SMEs.
Al-Mannai also said that Enterprise
Qatar is holding a business plan
competition, where potential entre-
preneurs can have their idea compete
against others in order to win sig-
nificant backing for their project by
EQ’s sponsors. 130 candidates have
proposed ideas and winners will be
announced soon.
EQ is also launching a business advi-
sory service, as well as creating centres
to assist fledgling businesses.
Enterprise Qatar will officially launch
with a revamped website in October-
November this year.

Delegates from Qatari and regional small and medium

sized businesses taking part in a training and develop-
ment conference sponsored by Enterprise Qatar.
 Gulf Times
12 Sunday, May 1, 2011

QATAR

Man jailed Over 400 attend ‘A Flower

Each Spring’ programme
for forgery ‘
A Flower Each Spring’ programme
conducted on Friday at Dossari Na-
ture Reserve with planting of the
Qullam sapling (Arthrocnemum glau-

of stamp
By Nour Abuzant
Staff Reporter
A
man has been sen-
tenced, in absentia,
to five years in jail
and subsequent deporta-
tion following his convic-
tion in forging the stamp of
Qatar’s embassy in Manila.
The Doha court of first
instance heard that the
Filipino, 33, presented a
“marriage contract” to
the Foreign Ministry in
Doha for attestation in July
2009. A clerk in the min-
istry found out that the
stamp on the document
was not original and in-
formed his boss about the
matter.
was not real and he still
presented them for further
attestation.
Jail term over
sexual assault
A man has been sen-
tenced to a year in jail
for kidnapping a French
woman and sexually
abusing her .
The 43-year-old local
was also slapped with a
fine of QR10,000 for driv-
ing under the influence of
liquor and had his driving
licence suspended for two
months.
The incident took place
on February 26 last year at
Zikrit.
According to charge-
A medical report
showed that the French-
woman suffered multiple
fractures.
The court dismissed
his claims and found the
plaintiff ’s statement rea-
sonable.
Deportation
for salesman
A salesman has been
sentenced to six months’
imprisonment and sub-
sequent deportation for
stealing electrical cables
from the store of his com-
pany in 2010.
The 23 -year-old told
the interrogators that he
stole 15 rolls of brass wires
worth QR3,100 and sold
cum), which has been chosen as this
year’s plant.
The annual green drive, now in its
13th year, is patronised by HH Sheikha
Moza bint Nasser and is conducted by
Friends of Environment Centre (FEC).
FEC secretary general Yousef al-
Kazim said he was satisfied with the re-
markable interest shown by the public.
Over 400 people attended the event
which featured several items to intro-
duce the Qullam and 12 previous plants
through drawings, research, poetry and
short stories on environment and end-
ed with a distribution of awards.
The last session, next week, will be
held on Thursday at The Landmark,
where around 500 attendants are ex-
pected. Many families from the GCC
countries are taking part in field trips
organised as part of the programme.
Al-Kazim said: “A Flower Each
Spring campaign is aimed at ensur-
ing that everyone is aware of the local
flora and the need to protect the natural
wealth of the country besides the rec-
reational aspect of the event.” Yousef al-Kazim is seen with students at Dossari Nature reserve on Friday. PICTURE: Thajuddin

A forensic test showed
that the stamp attributed
to the Qatar’s embassy in
Manila was unauthentic.
The document was also
attested by the Filipino
authorities, the judges
heard.
sheet, “the plaintiff was
riding a bicycle along
with her boyfriend, a
German, and she felt
tired. The accused of-
fered her a ride in his car.
The man sped with her
and the German followed
Katara to host
them for QR2,300. He said
that he was ready to return
the sum to the company.
The theft was discov-
TAMUQ welcomes mothers
ered when the sales man-
ager found the electrical
cables, holding his com-
of 2011 fall freshman class Kites Family Day
pany’s stamp, offered in

T
The Filipino who them.” the market for a price less exas A&M University Doha chapter and the Uni- of the reception is to give

worked in a private com-
pany forged the marriage
contract in an attempt to
benefit from the privi-
leges in allowances and
hikes given to married
employees.
Explaining the convic-
tion, the court said that
the accused knew very
well that the document
The plaintiff said that
the motorist tried to
sexually abuse her. She
switched off the engine
and jumped out of the
moving car.
The court heard that the
accused kept chasing the
two Europeans until they
asked the help of locals
camping near the seashore.
than usual. “The prices
were very low so I bought
them at least to inquire.”
Explaining the suspen-
sion of the jail penalty,
the court explained that
the accused had already
spent four months in the
jail and that his sponsor-
ing company had dropped
all claims.
at Qatar (TAMUQ)
welcomed the moth-
ers of its incoming 2011 fall
freshman class to a recep-
tion on Wednesday at the
Texas A&M Engineering
Building at Education City.
This annual event is geared
to introduce these moms to
the Aggie environment and
the university’s faculty and
staff. Former student and
Musheireb Properties CEO,
Issa al-Mohannadi, an en-
gineer, delivered the key-
versity’s Office of Student
and Community Relations
(OSCR).
The reception offers stu-
dents’ mothers the oppor-
tunity to network with each
other and discuss ways to
support the new Aggie stu-
dents. Many current and
former students attend the
reception each year with
their mothers to offer a
first-hand account of what
student life is like and an-
swer questions about what
parents a clear idea of en-
gineering and Texas A&M
at Qatar. Since the mother
is the heart of her house,
her understanding of the
benefits and importance
of engineering in our ever-
changing world will assist
her son or daughter in mak-
ing an informed decision
about their future.”
There are 126 Aggie
Moms chapters in the US,
part of an active organi-
sation helping Aggie stu-
T
he Cultural Village,
Katara, is set to host
kite enthusiasts from
seven countries next weekend
as the Katara International
Kites Family Day takes place,
featuring kite flying demon-
strations and workshops by
some of the world’s foremost
experts.
The event will take place
between 3-10pm on May 6
and 7 at the Esplanade in Ka-
tara, said a spokesperson, who
noted that teams from China,
shapes, sizes, and cultural
themes are to be seen dur-
ing Katara International Kites
Family Day, said the spokes-
person, adding: “Participating
teams will display a variety of
traditional, inflatable, sports,
and LED-equipped kites dur-
ing their performances.”
Liu Zhiping, a kite flyer as-
sociated with the Weifang
International Kite Festival
committee who will represent
China at the family day, com-
mented: “Most of the mem-

US envoy for Sudan in Doha talks note speech and discussed

his experiences as a student
at Texas A&M and how it
prepared him for success in
to expect during the com-
ing four years.
The university currently
boasts over 440 students.
dents achieve their goals
while adhering to the uni-
versity’s core values of in-
tegrity, loyalty, excellence,
India, Japan, Korea, Singa-
pore, The Netherlands, and
the US will be at the event to
bers in my team have been fly-
ing kites over 20 years, some
even have been flying kites for
entertain and educate specta- more than 30 years,” adding:

P
resident Obama has
dispatched Princeton
Lyman, the US Special
Envoy for Sudan, to the on-
going peace talks in Doha.
Lyman will join US sen-
ior adviser on Darfur Dane
Smith in urging the Suda-
nese government and Dar-
furi armed movements to
use the remaining weeks
of the Doha talks to reach a
political agreement, commit
to an immediate ceasefire,
and take immediate steps to
improve security and hu-
manitarian conditions on
the ground in Darfur.
Following their partici-
pation in the Doha talks,
Lyman and Smith will travel
to Darfur to evaluate condi-
tions on the ground and ex-
plore mechanisms to more
fully involve the Darfuri
people in the peace process.
The US special en-
voy also plans to travel to
Southern Kordofan, where
gubernatorial and legisla-
tive elections will be held
on May 2-4. There, he will
join other international
officials in observing the
polling process and will
discuss with Sudanese au-
thorities the way ahead on
the region’s popular con-
sultations, a critical ele-
ment of the 2005 Compre-
hensive Peace Agreement
that remains outstanding.
During his trip, the spe-
cial envoy will also meet
with Northern and South-
ern leaders in Khartoum
and Juba as part of sus-
tained dialogue with Su-
danese officials on a wide
range of issues, including
full and timely implemen-
tation of the 2005 agree-
ment and resolution of the
Darfur conflict.
the industry. The event was OSCR director Mariam leadership, selfless service tors on kite-flying.
hosted by the Aggie Moms al-Mannaie said: “The goal and respect. General manager of Katara,
Marcio Barbosa, said: “At Ka-
tara, our goal is to foster a rich
and continuous growth of arts
and culture in Qatar through
engaging activities that leave
a lasting, educational impact.”
“We believe that the Katara
International Kites Family Day
is a fun-filled and innovative
step towards this greater goal
and will draw a lot of specta-
tors, especially those who are
kite lovers, as well as those
who like to experience other
Mothers of freshmen Texas A&M Qatar students gathered for a meeting. cultures,” he added.
Kites in a variety of colours,
“We are all quite excited about
this event, and look forward
to putting on a great show in
Qatar.”
Qatar-based NGOs, includ-
ing Algannas Society, Child-
hood Cultural Center, Qatar
Fine Arts Society, Qatar Pho-
tographic Society, Qatar So-
ciety for Engineers, and Visual
Art Center, will host informa-
tive activity booths at the
event.
“On both days, the event
will conclude with 1,500 lan-
terns being lit and set adrift
over Katara,” added the
spokesperson.

VCUQ to showcase students’ work

Virginia Commonwealth
University in Qatar (VCUQ)
will unveil its ‘Senior
Showcase’ displaying the
work of graduating design
students after a reception at
the university this evening.
The showcase will give
potential employers the
chance to see students’
final thesis and research
projects, and provide them
with the opportunity to meet
Qatar’s graduating designers.
‘Senior Showcase’ is held
in conjunction with VCUQ’s
senior exhibition which will
also run until August 20 at the
gallery.
Gallery director of VCUQ,
Jochen Sokoly said: “This year
the gallery has worked in
tandem with the VCUQ Career
Development Committee to
create a senior showcase of
the best work of graduating
seniors.”
“The works on view comprise
couture fashion, furniture,
book projects, graphics, and
interior designs that reflect
the creativity and ingenuity
of our seniors and their hard
work as students - we are
very proud of them and wish
them all success for their
future,” he added.
Director of design
entrepreneurship and
industry affiliations, Matt
Woolman commented: “We
are proud to feature the entire
graduating class of 2011, 49
students from all three majors
- fashion design, graphic
design, interior design - for
the first time in a single
exhibition.”

Clinic begins dental care programme

The state-of-the-art Green
Health Dental Clinic has
launched a dental care
programme, “Spreading
Healthy Smiles” starting today.
“Those who would like to
perfect their smiles can avail
of the dental packages at the
clinic until June 30. Patients
would be entitled to receive
the well-equipped and highly
sophisticated clinic’s attractive
dental care plans at rock-
bottom rates,” a spokesman
said.
“There are so many reasons
to smile at Green Health
dental clinic. In line with its
immaculate and innovative
dental care plans, the clinic is
actively pursuing plans to hold
especially dedicated afternoon
and evening sessions for
children and senior citizens
every week,” said its director Dr
Mohamed Parvez.

National Day greetings sent

HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, HH the
Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and HE
the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin
Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani have sent congratulatory cables to
the King of Sweden and the Queen of the Netherlands on the
anniversary of their countries’ National Day.
 Gulf Times
14 Sunday, May 1, 2011
REGION
Iran MPs
urge end
to leader’s
‘boycott’
AFP
Tehran
I
ranian lawmakers have called on
President Mahmoud Ahmadine-
jad to end an eight-day boycott
and accept the supreme leader’s de-
cision to reinstate the intelligence
minister, Shargh daily reported yes-
terday.
More than 216 conservatives out
of the parliament’s 290 MPs wrote a
letter to Ahmadinejad after an “ex-
traordinary” meeting on Thursday,
urging him to accept the reinstate-
ment of Heydar Moslehi, the report
said quoting Tehran MP Reza Akra-
mi.
“You are expected to adhere to
the supreme leader (Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei) and put an end to that
which our enemies are taking ad-
vantage of,” the lawmakers wrote.
The all-powerful Khamenei rein-
stated Moslehi despite Ahmadinejad
having reportedly forced his res-
ignation, only minutes after it was
made public on April 17.
The interference sparked a row
within the regime’s leadership, lead-
ing to Ahmadinejad’s withdrawal
from public view as well as cabinet
meetings since April 22, and the
cancellation of a visit to Qom, the
Shia clerical city.
The absence is unusual for the
hardline president, who is ubiqui-
tous in the media and is also known
for his near daily public appearances
and speeches.
The crisis seems to have been ag-
gravated by accusations from ultra-
conservatives that Ahmadinejad’s
close aide and chief of staff, Esfandi-
ar Rahim Mashaie, was the one who
forced Moslehi’s ouster.
Ahmadinejad’s opponents have
rallied against Mashaie, whom the
president has staunchly defended,
accusing him of leading a “current of
deviation” aimed at destroying the
Islamic regime.
But Khamenei yesterday urged
state officials to refrain from ac-
tions which would give excuse to
“the enemy and create a tumult” for
the country, in remarks broadcast by
state television.
“(When) a tiny lack of coordina-
tion appears, the country is harmed,”
he said. “If the lack of coordination
is wide and the enemies are made
aware of them, (the enemies) create
an uproar. They revel. They rejoice
when an atmosphere of challenge
and confrontation comes to light” in
the country.
Khamenei’s remarks came a day
after his deputy representative in the
elite Revolutionary Guards, Mojtaba
Zolnour, accused Mashaie of driving
the crisis, and advised the president
to distance himself from his close
ally.
“Today, Mashaie is the actual
president. Mr Ahmadinejad has held
on to a decaying rope (by relying on)
Mr Mashaie... I hope that God will
rid the president from the evil of this
person,” he was quoted as saying by
various papers on Saturday.
As official media continue their
blackout on the crisis, Ahmadine-
jad’s chief media adviser, Ali Akbar
Javanfekr, wrote on his website on
Friday that the president was very
“concerned” that if he bowed to
pressure, his “achievements” would
be lost.
But he also stated Ahmadinejad
would “eventually” return to work
and put the issue behind him.
His remarks were echoed yester-
day by Tehran lawmaker Fatemeh
Aliya after her two-hour meeting
with Ahmadinejad, saying the presi-
dent would “continue his work.”
“The president has explanations
(for his boycott) which he will soon
offer” to the people, she was quoted
as telling Borna news agency, an off-
shoot of the state news agency IRNA.
Shakira in Abu Dhabi
6 killed as
protesters
shut down
port city
of Aden
AFP
Saana
T
wo servicemen and four
civilians were killed yes-
terday and at least an-
other 23 were wounded in south
Yemen during a shutdown called
by anti-government protesters,
officials said.
The defence ministry said an
officer and a soldier were killed
and two more soldiers were
wounded, but gave no further
details as tension mounted in the
restive region.
Local officials said protest-
ers opened fire on troops as they
tried to dismantle roadblocks set
up near Al Mansura neighbour-
hood in Aden to demonstrate
against the regime of President
Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Two soldiers and a civilian
were wounded there, they said.
They said troops moved into
the area from where they sus-
pected the attack was launched
and opened fire, killing at least
three civilians and wounding at
least another 15 more. The casu-
alties were taken to a hospital in
Aden, the south’s main port city,
a medical source said.
Another body was at a private
hospital, raising the number of
civilians killed in the area on
Saturday to four, the sources
said. A witness said he saw at
least three wounded policemen
being brought to the Naqib pri-
vate hospital.
Two buildings were also dam-
aged by mortar fire and some
people fled their homes, fearing
more violence, one resident said.
Much of Aden was paralysed
yesterday following the strike
call, local officials said. The city
has been a hotbed of protests
against Saleh who has been in
power for 32 years.
Four people were killed on
Thursday and Friday in southern
Yemen during clashes between
security forces and suspected Al
Qaeda activists.
In addition to anti-regime
protests against Saleh, Yemen
has also been battling a seces-
sionist movement in the south,
Colombian singer Shakira performs at a concert in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi on Friday night. a Shia rebellion in the north and
an Al Qaeda resurgence.
Gulf belongs to Iran: top officer GCC Secretary General condemns Morocco bombing
A
top Iranian military officer yesterday denounced HE the GCC Secretary General Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid al-Zayani has condemned the deadly
what he called an “Arab dictatorial front” and bombing that targeted a public cafe in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh on Thursday. The GCC
claimed that the “Persian Gulf has belonged to Iran chief said in a statement yesterday that this criminal and painful act is a terrorist action aimed
for ever”, media reports said. at undermining security and stability of Morocco and terrorizing the innocent. Such terrorist
“The Arab dictatorial regimes in the Persian Gulf are action contradicts humanitarian values and principles of all heavenly religions, he added,
unable to contain the popular uprisings,” General Hassan extending condolences to people of Morocco on demise of the innocent in this painful incident.
Firouzabadi, the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, was
widely quoted as saying by Iranian media yesterday.
“Instead of trying and failing to open an unworkable
front against Iran, these dictators should relinquish power,
end their savage crimes and let the people determine their
own future,” Firouzabadi said.
He also denounced “plots” by the Gulf Arab petro-mon-
archies to “carve out an identity for themselves by reject-
ing the identity of others,” referring to Iran.
“The Persian Gulf has always, is and shall always belong
to Iran,” the general said.
Firouzabadi, speaking on the annual “National Day of
the Persian Gulf”, also condemned the regional Arab mon-
archies for refusing to call the waterway between Iran and
its Arab neighbours by its “historical name.”
“With the arrival of the British and later the Americans
in the region, plots were hatched to try and change the
name with fake identities... to distort the history and iden-
tity of the Persian Gulf,” Firouzabadi said.
Iran has in the past claimed Bahrain as part of its terri-
tory, and it controls three islands in the southern Gulf that
are also claimed by the United Arab Emirates.
GULF CINEMA : Dum Maaro Dum (Hindi) 2.30 & 5.30pm;
Teen Thay Bai (Hindi) 8.30 & 11pm.
DOHA CINEMA: Ko (Tamil) 2.30 & 8pm Doubles
(Malayalam) 5.30 & 11pm.
MALL CINEMA (1): Al Rajol Al Ghamed Besalamto
(Arabic) 2.30pm; Monsters 4.45 & 11pm; The Company
Men 6.45 & 8.45pm.
MALL CINEMA (2): The Way Back 2.30pm, Hot Tub
Time Machine 5, 7, 9 & 11pm.
MALL CINEMA (3): Rio (3D) 2pm; Thor (3D) 4, 6.15, 8.45,
& 11.15pm.
ROYAL PLAZA Cinema Palace (1): Rio (3D) 2pm; Thor
(3D) 4, 6.30 & 9pm; My Soul To Take (3D) 11.30pm.
ROYAL PLAZA Cinema Palace (2): Monsters 2.30pm;
Hop 4.15, 6 & 7.45pm; Iron Clad 9.30 & 11.30pm.
ROYAL PLAZA Cinema Palace (3): Thor 3 & 11pm; Hot
Tub Time Machine 5, 7 & 9pm.
CINEMA LANDMARK (1): F.A.L.T.U. 2.30, 5.15, 8 & 11pm.
CINEMA LANDMARK (2): Rio (3D) 2.30pm; Thor (3D)
4.15, 6.45, 9 & 11.15pm.
CINEMA LANDMARK (3): Al Rajol Al Ghamed
Besalamto (Arabic) 3 & 5pm; Largo Winch 2 7pm; A
Little Bit Of Heaven 9.15 & 11.30pm.
 Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1 , 2011 15

Iraqi judge killed in bombing of home by insurgents; ministry official gunned down
AFP killing him and at least one of his chil-
Baghdad dren, police and judicial officials said.
Tuama al-Tamimi and one of his
children were killed in the attack,
25km north of Baghdad.
One of the judge’s bodyguards was
also shot dead overnight.
Tamimi’s killing, along with the
tary officials in Iraq, and comes with
just months to go before US forces
withdraw from Iraq completely.
“The judge was killed along with
ARAB WORLD
materials in two or three locations
around his house and blew it up at
around 5am.”
“The house collapsed,” he added.
with the judge’s wife and another child
being treated in hospital.
Also in Taji, gunmen wearing Iraqi
army uniforms stormed the home of

I
nsurgents planted bombs around but there were conflicting reports of murder of an industry ministry official, his wife and daughter,” police Captain Judicial spokesman Abdelsattar an industry ministry official and killed
the home of an Iraqi judge and blew whether any of Tamimi’s other family is the latest in a string of targeted at- Ahmed Fahd al-Khalidi said. “The in- Birakdar, however, said Tamimi was him and his daughter, the interior min-
it up yesterday north of Baghdad, members also died in the blast in Taji, tacks against senior civilian and mili- surgents put jerry cans of explosive killed along with three of his children, istry official said.

Haniya ready to quit

as part of unity deal
Hamas leader Ismail Haniya gle for the liberation of their land
says he is prepared to tender his and the recovery of their rights, as
resignation with the planned protected by Syria,” the ministry
signing of a reconciliation statement added.
agreement between his faction “Syria stresses the positive role
and Fatah played by Egypt and awaits further
Palestinian measures to implement
AFP what has been agreed,” the state-
Gaza ment added.
The reconciliation agreement to
be signed on Tuesday came after

I
smail Haniya, the prime minis-
ter of the Islamist Hamas move-
ment in power in the Gaza Strip,
said yesterday he was “ready to re-
sign.”
“I am prepared to tender my res-
ignation as part of the reconcili-
ation agreement between Hamas
and Fatah,” the secular party of Pal-
estinian Authority (PA) President
Mahmoud Abbas.
“This agreement is very impor-
tant and should boost efforts to end
the divisions and encourage unity
among Palestinians,” he added.
On Wednesday, the rival Palestin-
ian groups reached an “understand-
ing” in Cairo to set up a transitional
unity government and hold elections.
Egypt, which shares a border
with Gaza, has tried to bring the
two sides together since Hamas de-
feated Fatah loyalists in week-long
street battles four years ago, reduc-
ing their power base to the Israeli-
occupied West Bank.
Ismail Haniya waves after a press conference in Gaza City on Friday.
The PA prime minister, Salam
Fayyad, expressed the hope on
Wednesday that the agreement
could lead to “the reunification of
the nation, needed to enable our
people to decide their destiny and
to establish an independent state on
all territories occupied since 1967,
with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
The Palestinian factions were on
the verge of agreeing a deal in 2009
that would have led to a transitional
government ahead of elections
when Hamas pulled out.
Syria yesterday said it welcomed
the reconciliation agreement.
“Syria welcomes the positive re-
sults yielded by efforts to achieve
agreement between Palestinian
parties,” the foreign ministry said
in a statement published by the of-
ficial news agency Sana.
“Syria sees the forthcoming
signing of the reconciliation agree-
ment as a major victory for the Pal-
estinian people in their just strug-
more than 18 months of fruitless
talks and was applauded by the Pal-
estinians but strongly criticised by
Israeli leaders.
Hamas, which does not recognise
the Jewish state’s right to exist, is
considered a terrorist organisation
by Israel, the US and the European
Union.
The US is waiting to see if a new
Palestinian government is formed
before deciding on any changes to
its aid policy, officials said on Fri-
day.
“The current Palestinian govern-
ment remains in place and so our
assistance programmes continue,”
State Department policy planning
director Jacob Sullivan told report-
ers.
“If a new Palestinian government
is formed, we’re going to have to as-
sess it based on its policies at the
time and determine, then, the im-
plications for our assistance given
US law,” Sullivan said.
 Gulf Times
16 Sunday, May 1, 2011

ARAB WORLD
Wife of
Egypt Muslim Copt priest
summoned
Brotherhood AFP
Cairo

E
gypt’s prosecutor general

forms party
The new party will contest He added that the party will
45-50% of parliament’s contest 45-50% of parliament’s
508 elected seats in 508 elected seats in the Septem-
September polls ber polls, the first since a revolt
ousted president Hosni Mubarak
AFP in February.
Cairo He did not say why the group
had settled on that number.
The party, headed by Brother-
demanded yesterday that
the Coptic Church bring
forward a priest’s wife alleged by
Islamists to be held against her
will after converting to Islam, a
judicial source said.
However, church authorities
emerge from the polls and said refused to be served with a sum-
it would be willing to co-operate mons delivered by a bailiff, the
with secular groups in the Sep- source said.
tember election. The announcement came a
It has also pledged not to field a day after more than 2,000 peo-
candidate in a presidential elec- ple belonging to the Islamist
tion, to be held in November. Salafi group demonstrated out-
A tentative party programme side the church’s Cairo head-
leaked to the press in 2008 said quarters to demand Camellia

T
he formerly banned Mus-
lim Brotherhood, Egypt’s
best-organised move-
ment, said yesterday it formed
a non-theocratic party that will
contest up to half of parliament’s
seats in September elections.
Mohamed Hussein, the
group’s secretary general, told a
news conference the movement’s
council had decided to form the
Freedom and Justice Party.
“We have adopted the meas-
ures taken by the guidance coun-
cil regarding the Freedom and
Justice Party and adopted its
programme,” he said.
Mubarak could be executed: minister
Egypt’s ousted president Hosni
Mubarak could be executed if
convicted of involvement in the
deaths of anti-regime protesters,
the justice minister was quoted
yesterday as saying. Mubarak, who
was toppled in February after mass
protests, is under detention on sus-
picion of involvement in the deaths
of more than 800 people. “Abso-
lutely, the crime of killing protesters
could lead to a death sentence
if there is convincing evidence,”
hood politburo member Moham-
ed al-Mursi, will be “independ-
ent from the Brotherhood but
will co-ordinate with it,” he said
Mursi, who had run the Broth-
erhood’s previous parliamentary
campaigns, said the party was
not “theocratic.”
“It is not an Islamist party in
the old understanding; it is not
theocratic. It is a civil party.”
Egypt’s constitution bans par-
ties based on religion, class or re-
gionalism.
The Brotherhood has sought
to allay fears that an Islamist
parliamentary majority might
Abdel Aziz al-Gindi told Al Ahram
newspaper in response to a ques-
tion on whether Mubarak might be
executed. Shalash said testi-
mony by Mubarak’s former interior
minister Habib al-Adly, himself on
trial for ordering the shootings of
anti-regime protesters, would make
Mubarak an accomplice if proven.
Adly said he was ordered to use
violence against protesters by the
former leader. At least 846 were
killed in the protests.
that only an Egyptian Muslim
male could be president of the
country, causing a firestorm of
criticism at the time.
Hussein said after the press
conference that the Brotherhood
remained of the view that the
presidency could “only be un-
dertaken by a Muslim male.”
But Saed al-Katatni, Freedom
and Justice’s secretary general,
said the party “would not object
to any Egyptian” and added there
was a “multiplicity of views” in
the Islamist movement.
Brotherhood officials said the
party’s programme will be re-
leased at a later date.
In the past, the Brotherhood
ran candidates as independents
to circumvent a ban on the group
in place since 1954.
It won a fifth of seats in a 2005,
but fared badly in a November
2010 election that was wide-
ly seen as rigged to favour the
former ruling National Demo-
cratic Party.
The group, which recently
built a seven-story headquar-
ters decorated with its symbol of
crossed swords and a Qur’an, ap-
pears to have gained acceptance
from the country’s ruling mili-
Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie waves to journalists during a news conference in Cairo yesterday.
tary council after years of arrests
by Mubarak’s security forces.
But other groups who took part
in the 18-day revolt that ended
Mubarak’s regime have ex-
pressed fears of the Brotherhood
sweeping to power in an election
that secular groups would be too
disorganised to contest.
Its announcement that it
would contest up to half of the
seats in parliament will dismay
other political groups, said Diaa
Rashwan, an expert on Islam-
ist movements with the Ahram
Centre for Political and Strategic
Studies.
“This announcement will be
depressing for political forces in
Egypt,” he said, adding that oth-
er Islamist factions who said they
would participate might field
candidates for the 50% of seats.
But Rashwan said he did not
expect the Brotherhood to gain
more than a fifth of seats and that
the group’s clout was exagger-
ated under Mubarak’s regime.
“The revolution was not Is-
lamist. After the revolution, we
have to revise the idea that the
Brotherhood was the strongest
force in the country,” he said.
Shehata’s “release.”
“The prosecution has given
notice to the Coptic Church to
bring forward Camellia Shehata
to investigate complaints that
she was detained,” the source
said.
Shehata’s case became a cause
celebre in Egypt’s often tense
religious balance when Salafis
began holding regular protests
alleging that the church was
holding Shehata and another
priest’s wife and alleged convert,
Wafa Constantine.
The widely publicised cam-
paign was eventually cham-
pioned by an Al Qaeda-linked
group in Iraq that killed doz-
ens of Christians in a Baghdad
church in October and pledged
more attacks until the two wom-
en’s release.
On January 1, a suicide bomb-
er killed more than 20 people
outside a church in the Egyptian
coastal city of Alexandria after a
list of Coptic churches was pub-
lished on a jihadist website.
The church denies that the
women, who reportedly left
their husbands after domestic
disputes, have converted to Is-
lam.

Morocco king visits site

of Marrakesh bombing
AFP force in the square and also stepped up
Marrakesh their presence at the Ibn-Tofail hospital.
Experts from the US and Europe
have joined Moroccan investigators in
writer from London, according to the
Jewish Chronicle newspaper.
“The way in which this act was car-
ried out reminds us of the style nor-

M
orocco’s King Mohamed VI
flew into Marrakesh yester-
day to visit survivors of a dev-
astating bombing that killed 16 people,
and to see the site of the attack itself.
Amid tight security, King Mohamed
visited the popular Argana cafe in the
city’s main Djemaa El Fna square where
the bomb went off on Thursday—and
where floral tributes now lie scattered
outside the building’s wrecked facade.
Several hundred people, mainly
women and children stood nearby,
waving Moroccan flags and photos
of the king. Several of them shouted:
“Long live the king!”
From there, the monarch went on to
Ibn-Tofail hospital and a military hos-
pital in the city to visit some of those
injured in the blast.
Those still being treated in the hos-
pitals include three Moroccans, seven
French and two Dutch patients, the
country’s Map news agency reported.
Others among the 25 injured had already
left hospital, a medical source said.
Police and security officers were out in
the hunt for those behind the bombing,
the interior ministry said yesterday.
“American, French and Spanish ex-
perts are taking part in the inquiry,” the
ministry official said.
“It is an international incident as
many foreigners have died,” he added.
Thanks to two Dutch tourists they
have a photofit portrait of the sus-
pected bomber: a young, long-haired
clean-shaven Arab the couple saw with
two large bags in the cafe shortly before
the blast.
On Friday, Interior Minister Taeb
Cherkaoui said 13 of the 16 people
killed in the attack had been identified:
seven French nationals, two Canadi-
ans, two Moroccans, a Dutch national
and a British national.
A 10-year-old French girl was
among the victims, said Marie-Fran-
coise Auger, the mayor of her home-
town Herlies, near Lille, in northern
France. Her father was also seriously
wounded, she added.
The British victim was identified as
Peter Moss, 59, a father of two and a
mally used by the Al Qaeda organisa-
tion,” Cherkaoui said on Friday.
The device had been triggered by
remote control and the bomb had been
made up of nitrate and ammonium and
two TATP explosives, as well as nails,
he said.
Triacetone triperoxyde, or TATP, is
relatively easy to make and has sur-
faced in a number of recent investiga-
tions into attacks, including the July
2005 London bombings that killed 56
people and injured another 700.
A video posted on the Internet three
days before the bombing and attributed to
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
included a threat to attack Morocco.
It showed five young men, armed,
dressed in desert fatigues, their faces
covered by the Arab headdress, or she-
magh. AQIM has been active in coun-
tries in the region, notably carrying out
a series of kidnappings for ransom.
In his statement to parliament,
Cherkaoui promised the attack would
not stop the country’s pursuit of de-
mocracy and respect for human rights.

Morocco’s King Mohamed VI visits the Argana cafe where a bomb killed 16 people on Thursday in Marrakesh.
 Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1 , 2011 17

ARAB WORLD

Syrians vow
to fight on as
six more die
Activists vow to keep the protests for the week beginning “The town is a military zone
pressure on the Assad regime today. and the situation is tragic, but
and announce a schedule “The martyrs are eternal, but our morale is high,” Daraa activ-
of protests for the week the criminals will end up in the ist Abdullah Abazid said.
beginning today dustbins of history after being Abazid said one of the dead
judged and punished by the peo- yesterday was Osama Ahmed
AFP ple,” the group said on its Face- Assayasni, 27, son of the imam of
Damascus book page. “Freedom is inexora- Daraa’s Omari Mosque, who was
bly coming.” shot because he refused to reveal
The activists said country- where his father was hiding.

T
roops and snipers killed
six civilians yesterday
in the flashpoint city of
Daraa, activists said, as Syrians
buried scores of people killed in
a “day of rage” on Friday.
As the violence from seven
weeks of protests continued,
activists vowed to keep the pres-
sure on the regime of President
Bashar al-Assad, promising a
new week of pro-democracy
protests.
And 138 more members of As-
sad’s ruling Baath Party quit in
wide protests from today would
kick off a “week of breaking the
siege”—a reference to the be-
sieged southern city of Daraa and
the Damascus suburb of Douma,
which the army has controlled
since Monday.
Demonstrations would take
place today in Daraa and around
Damascus on Monday.
Rallies are planned on Tues-
day in the northern towns of
Banias and Jableh, Wednesday in
Homs, Talbisseh and in Tall Ka-
lakh on the border with Lebanon
He said troops had entered
the mosque and gunfire could be
heard there in the evening.
Meanwhile, he said a pregnant Demonstrators hold portraits of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and shout slogans during a pro-government rally in Damascus yesterday.
woman and her two children
died when their house was hit by
a rocket.
For its part, the military said
five soldiers were killed and two
captured by “armed terrorists”
in the Daraa region, while three
soldiers were killed when gun-
Fallout in Lebanon feared
AFP to transfer the crisis from one of the US and Saudi Arabia, of Lebanese MP Jamal Jarrah, a
men tried to cut off the highway Beirut country to another,” Ezzi said. backing Syrian protesters who member of Hariri’s Sunni Future
linking Homs to Hama. Damascus and Beirut have have taken to the streets since Movement, to rise up against the
A policeman in Daraa was also a turbulent history. Syria first March in increasingly angry regime of President Bashar al-

protest at the deadly crackdown
on pro-democracy demonstra-
tors, according to collective res-
ignation lists received by AFP in
Nicosia.
At least 66 people were killed
on Friday when tens of thou-
sands of people demonstrated
across Syria, activists said, while
authorities said nine members
of the security forces were shot
dead by “terrorist groups.”
The Syrian Revolution 2011,
a driving force of protests that
erupted on March 15, said the
blood of those who died “will
not have been spilled in vain”
and announced a schedule of
and nationwide night vigils on
Thursday.
Yesterday six more civilians
were killed when the army be-
gan pounding Daraa at dawn
while snipers opened fire from
rooftops on anyone venturing on
the streets, activists said.
“There are six dead” in Daraa,
one said, quoting witnesses.
“The town is besieged. Food,
water and medicine are running
out.”
Water and power have been
cut in Daraa as the situation
worsened after 3,000-5,000
troops backed by tanks stormed
the town on Monday.
among the dead, the military
said, adding that dozens of as-
sailants were killed and wound-
ed and 156 arrested.
Four soldiers were buried yes-
terday, the military said.
At least 582 have been killed by
security forces firing live rounds
and teargas since protests erupt-
ed, said the Committee of the
Martyrs of the 15 March Revolu-
tion, which has been keeping a
tally of the dead.
Also yesterday, 50 women
protested outside parliament in
Damascus calling for an end to
the sieges in Daraa and Douma,
a rights activist said in Nicosia.
U
nrest in Syria could
spread to neighbouring
Lebanon at any moment
in light of charges by Damascus
that Beirut’s pro-Western camp
is backing anti-regime protest-
ers, analysts say.
“Merely stating that Lebanese
parties are interfering in Syrian
affairs is equivalent to threaten-
ing to destabilise Lebanon, ir-
respective of whether charges of
funding and arming the protest-
ers are accurate,” said Ghassan
el-Ezzi, professor of political
science at the state-run Leba-
nese University.
“This could well be an attempt
sent its troops into Lebanon at
the height of the country’s 1975-
1990 civil war, where they re-
mained for 29 years.
Syria withdrew its forces from
Lebanon in April 2005, following
the assassination of ex-premier
Rafik al-Hariri, father of the
current acting prime minister
Saad al-Hariri.
The two countries formally
established diplomatic ties for
the first time in October 2008,
and along with Iran Syria con-
tinues to back a Hezbollah-led
camp in Lebanon.
Syria has accused Hariri’s al-
liance, which has the support
rallies demanding an end to 48
years of Baath party rule.
Experts say the charge may be
an early sign that Lebanon could
suffer the consequences of un-
rest in Syria.
“Undermining stability in
Lebanon is an easy matter: any
dispute here will turn into sec-
tarian strife in which Arab states,
Iran, Turkey and Western coun-
tries, such as France and the US,
get involved,” Ezzi said.
State-run Syrian television
aired alleged confessions by
three members of a “terror-
ist group” who said they had
received funds and arms from
Assad.
Damascus’s ambassador to
Lebanon, Ali Abdelkarim Ali,
has called for a local investiga-
tion into the case.
Hezbollah’s Al Manar tel-
evision also reported that Syrian
authorities confiscated drugs,
money and arms on seven boats
that had been heading from
northern Lebanon to the Syrian
port city of Latakia.
Syria “suspected the boats
were tied to the Future Move-
ment,” Al Manar said.
Lebanon has been the scene of
rallies both against and in sup-
port of Assad.

Gaddafi’s offer of truce,

negotiations is rejected
Reuters “We were the first to welcome a
Tripoli ceasefire and we were the first to ac-
cept a ceasefire ... but the Crusader
Nato attack has not stopped,” he said.
“Gaddafi’s regime has lost all credi-
bility,” council spokesman Abdel Hafiz
Ghoga said in a statement. “The time
for compromise has passed. The peo-

L
ibyan leader Muammar Gadd-
afi said yesterday he was ready
for a ceasefire and negotiations
provided Nato “stop its planes”, but he
refused to give up power as rebels and
Western powers demand.
The rebels and Nato rejected Gadd-
afi’s offer, saying it lacked credibility.
A spokesman for the insurgents said
the time for compromise had passed
and Nato said air strikes would go on
as long as Libyan civilians were being
threatened.
Weeks of Western air strikes have
failed to dislodge the Libyan leader,
instead imposing a stalemate on a war
Gaddafi looked to have been winning,
with government forces held at bay in
the east and around the besieged city
of Misrata while fighting for control of
the western mountains.
With neither side apparently able
to gain the upper hand, Gaddafi
struck a more conciliatory tone in an
80-minute televised address to the
nation in the early hours of yesterday.
“(Libya) is ready until now to enter a
ceasefire,” said Gaddafi, speaking from
behind a desk and aided by reams of
paper covered in what appeared to be
hand-written notes.
“The gate to peace is open.”
Gaddafi denied mass attacks on ci-
vilians and challenged Nato to find
him 1,000 people who had been killed
in the conflict, kindled by pro-democ-
racy uprisings elsewhere in the Arab
world.
“We did not attack them or cross
the sea ... why are they attacking us?”
asked Gaddafi, referring to European
countries involved in the air strikes.
“Let us negotiate with you, the coun-
tries that attack us. Let us negotiate.”
But as he spoke, Nato warplanes
hit three targets close to the televi-
sion building in Tripoli in what state
media said was an attempt to kill
Gaddafi who has ruled since a 1969
coup.
The air strikes left a large crater out-
side the attorney general’s office but
did not damage the building, and hit
two other government offices housed
in colonial-era buildings. It was not
immediately clear if there were any
casualties.
The rebels’ Transitional National
Council dismissed Gaddafi’s gesture,
saying the Libyan leader had repeat-
edly offered ceasefires only to contin-
ue violating human rights.
ple of Libya cannot possibly envisage
or accept a future Libya in which can-
not Gaddafi’s regime plays any role.”
The rebel military spokesman,
Colonel Ahmed Bani, said Gaddafi was
“playing dirty games” ... He doesn’t
speak honestly. We don’t believe him
and we don’t trust him”.
In Brussels, a Nato official said Lib-
yan authorities had announced cease-
fires several times before only to con-
tinue attacks on cities and civilians.
“We need to see actions, not words
... Any ceasefire must be credible and
verifiable,” the official said.
“Nato will continue operations un-
til all attacks and threats against civil-
ians have ceased, until all of Gaddafi’s
forces have returned to base and until
there is a full, safe and unhindered hu-
manitarian access to all people in need
of assistance,” he said.
Gaddafi refused to leave his North
African homeland or quit, the central
demand of the rebels, the US, and also
of France and Britain which are leading
the Nato air campaign.
“I’m not leaving my country,”
Gaddafi said. “No one can force me to
leave my country and no one can tell
me not to fight for my country.”

A Libyan rebel fighter shoots with a machine gun during house-to-house fighting against Gaddafi forces in Misrata yesterday.
 Gulf Times
18 Sunday, May 1, 2011
AMERICAS
Thousands homeless as
tornado deaths top 350
Deaths in worst-hit state
Alabama climb to 255, with
property insurance losses
estimated at $2bn to $5bn
Reuters
Pleasant Grove, Alabama
T
he death toll from the
second deadliest US tor-
nado outbreak on record
rose above 350 yesterday as
thousands of stunned survivors
camped out in the shattered
shells of their homes or moved
into shelters or with friends.
With some estimates putting
the number of homes and build-
ings destroyed close to 10,000,
state and federal authorities in
the US South were still coming
to terms with the scale of the
devastation from the country’s
worst natural catastrophe since
Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
One disaster risk modeler,
EQECAT, is forecasting insured
property losses of between $2bn
and $5bn from the havoc in-
flicted by the swarm of violent
twisters that gouged through
seven southern states this week.
The death toll in Alabama,
the hardest-hit state, rose to 255
yesterday, with at least 101 more
deaths reported in Mississippi,
Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia,
Virginia and Louisiana.
“We’re in the thousands of
homes completely gone ... It’s
not an exaggeration to say that
whole communities were wiped
out,” Yasamie August, spokes-
woman for the Alabama Emer-
gency Management Agency,
told Reuters.
In many communities in the
US South, the scenes of de-
struction with tangled piles of
rubble, timber, vehicles and
personal possessions recalled
the devastation seen in the re-
cent Japanese earthquake and
tsunami.
Power and water were still
out in many areas.
“It is like living in some other
world. Devastation is every-
where,” said Pastor John Gates
of the United Methodist Church
in Pleasant Grove, a commu-
nity with a population of some
10,000 west of Birmingham,
Alabama.
The death toll from the
week’s tornado outbreak, which
is still expected to rise, was the
second highest inflicted by this
kind of weather phenomenon in
US history.
In March 1925, 747 people
were killed after tornadoes hit
the US Midwestern states of
Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.
President Barack Obama,
mindful of criticism that presi-
dent George W Bush was too
slow to respond to the 2005
Katrina catastrophe, visited the
wrecked city of Tuscaloosa, Al-
abama, on Friday to pledge full
federal assistance for the states
hit.
Some of the twisters – the
winds of one in Smithville, Mis-
sissippi, was recorded reach-
ing 205mph (328kph) – picked
up people and cars and hurled
them through the air.
Rescuers were still search-
ing for bodies and those unac-
counted for. But the total of
missing was not clear.
An emergency worker surveys damage next to damaged cars and houses in a tornado stricken neighbourhood in Tuscalosa, Alabama.
Many whose homes only lost
roofs and windows were camp-
ing inside with tarps and plastic
sheeting over them, but those
whose houses were completely
razed were forced to move in
with family or friends or go into
government shelters.
“Most people are living in
the parts of their houses that
are still standing. But for some
people, you can’t even tell
where their houses were. They
are with family, friends or in
hotels,” said Gates, 63.
“We still have missing people
to find,” he added.
There were 659 people in pulled together, said Tammy
shelters across Alabama, Au- Straate, 29, a foster mother in
gust said. Tennessee had 233 Pleasant Grove who cares for
people in shelters. 11 children between the ages of
As state and federal authori- five and 16.
ties increased efforts to clear “For blocks and blocks, eve-
rubble and provide food and rything is just laid flat,” Straate
water to homeless survivors, added. “Our little community
volunteers in many local com- will never be the same. Some
munities also turned out to help people say they are just not go-
the most affected. ing to rebuild.”
“There’s lots of commotion Tornadoes are a regular fea-
with big trucks coming in and ture of life in the US South and
the sound of chainsaws. Big Midwest, but they are rarely so
grills are set up everywhere to devastating.
offer people food. Recovery could cost billions
The community has really of dollars and even with federal
Obama not giving
up on ‘Dream Act’
Reuters
Miami
P
resident Barack Obama has
vowed to fight for immigration
reform, a goal that has eluded
him and which matters deeply to His-
panic American voters, whose support
he needs for reelection in 2012.
In remarks delivered to several
thousand wildly cheering commu-
nity college students, Obama was also
courting support in the vital election
battleground state of Florida, which he
won in 2008 and wants to keep in his
column next year.
“I strongly believe we should fix our
broken immigration system. Fix it so it
meets our 21st century economic and
security needs,” Obama told a Miami
Dade College graduation ceremony.
The college serves tens of thousands
of Hispanic and African-American
students.
The president’s drive for immigra-
tion reform has so far taken a back seat
to more pressing matters, such as get-
ting the economy growing again and
driving through a massive overhaul of
healthcare.
In addition, the Democrats’ loss of
control of the House of Representa-
Superman renounces US citizenship
DPA
Los Angeles
T
he All-American hero Super-
man has dealt a devastating
blow to the country that adopt-
ed him when he arrived as a feeble al-
ien immigrant from the planet Kryp-
ton in 1938: He has renounced his US
citizenship.
Superman proclaimed the news in
the latest issue of Action Comics re-
leased on Wednesday.
The background story to the contro-
versial decision involved Superman’s
decision to fly to Iran to show support
for anti-government demonstrators
there – an action the Iranian regime
interprets as an act of war by the US.
“I’m tired of having my actions
construed as instruments of US pol-
icy,” Superman tells the president’s
national security adviser. “Which is
why I intend to speak before the UN
tomorrow and inform them that I am
renouncing my US citizenship.”
disaster aid it could compli-
cate efforts by affected states to
bounce back from recession.
The tornadoes mauled Ala-
bama’s poultry industry – the
state is the No. 3 US chicken
producer – halted a coal mine
and hurt other manufacturers
across the state.
The second-biggest US nu-
clear power plant, the Browns
Ferry facility in Alabama, may
be down for weeks after its
power was knocked out and
the plant automatically shut,
avoiding a nuclear disaster, of-
ficials said.
tives to Republicans last year makes
the chance of advancing immigration
legislation before the election remote.
But Obama, who formally an-
nounced his 2012 re-election cam-
paign earlier this month, must assure
Hispanic-American voters who helped
him win the White House that he will
not abandon efforts to overhaul US im-
migration policy.
The White House has held events
over the last two weeks to discuss im-
migration and to show Obama is still
pushing the issue and seeking to rally
public support.
Obama failed last year to pass the
“Dream Act”, which would have pro-
vided a path to citizenship for illegal
immigrants who were brought to the
US as children.
That failure was a serious let-down
for many Latin Americans, the fastest
growing ethnic group in the US and an
increasingly important voting bloc.
Obama said he had not given up.
“I will keep fighting alongside many
of you to make the ‘Dream Act’ the law
of the land,” he said. “It will be difficult
and it will take time.
“I know that some of you wish I
could just bypass Congress and change
the law myself. But that is not how de-
mocracy works.”
Superman is seen in this panel from the Action Comics issue #900.
“Truth, justice and the American
Way. It’s just not enough anymore,”
continued the Man of Steel referring
to his traditional mission statement.
Comic book experts compared the
development to the decision of Cap-
tain Marvel to give up his star-span-
gled costume in the aftermath of the
Watergate scandal.
Superman’s publishers defended
the move.
“Superman is a visitor from a dis-
Harper
woos
Liberals
Reuters
Richmond Hill, Ontario
C
onservative Canadian
Prime Minister Stephen
Harper made a direct
pitch yesterday to centrist Lib-
eral voters whose party has been
swamped by a late campaign
surge of the New Democratic
Party.
Harper’s plan to win a ma-
jority of seats in Parliament in
tomorrow’s elections counts on
the Liberals and NDP splitting
the vote on the left of Canada’s
political spectrum and then
winning over centrist Liberals
worried that the left-leaning
New Democrats will gain too
much power.
Conservatives currently have
a minority government.
“A vote for the Liberals is a
vote for an NDP government,”
Harper told a small rally near
Toronto.
It was the first time he has
made such a direct pitch since
the Liberals began a slide in
opinion polls midway in the five-
week campaign.
Polls show the Conservatives
with a comfortable lead going
into tomorrow’s elections, but
short of what they would likely
need to win a majority that does
not need some opposition party
support to stay in power.
New Democrats are in second
and Liberals in third place in the
polls.
Harper said a re-elected Con-
servative government would un-
veil its budget later this spring,
but was not more specific about
the date. If the Conservatives do
not win a majority government,
the budget could trigger another
election if opposition parties do
not support it.
The Conservatives’ campaign
plan had initially focused on
bashing the Liberals, their tradi-
tional main rival, but they have
been forced to retool with the
jump in NDP support that has
surprised most political pundits.
The New Democrats have
never governed Canada. Harp-
er’s stump speeches now frame
the race as a choice between a
Conservative government that
would ensure stability and a
NDP-led minority government
that would hurt the economy.
A sign of the Liberals’ fallen
fortunes was the Toronto Star
newspaper’s endorsement on
Saturday of the New Demo-
crats. Canada’s largest newspa-
per is traditionally pro-Liberal,
but urged readers to vote for the
NDP to prevent a Conservative
majority.
The NDP’s rise has been
fueled by voter disenchantment
with the other parties, including
the separatist Bloc Quebecois
in Quebec, and the charismatic
style of its leader Jack Layton,
who performed well in the lead-
ership debates.
Layton was campaigning on
Saturday in British Columbia
on the Pacific coast, where the
party hopes to take seats from
the Conservatives.
The spring budget vote would
be a key test for the Conserva-
tives if they fail to win a major-
ity since they would need to have
the support of at least one of the
opposition parties to pass it and
stay in power.
tant planet who has long embraced
American values. As a character and
an icon, he embodies the best of the
American Way,” co-publishers, Jim
Lee and Dan DiDio said in a statement.
“In a short story in Action Com-
ics #900, Superman announces his
intention to put a global focus on his
never ending battle, but he remains,
as always, committed to his adopted
home and his roots as a Kansas farm
boy from Smallville.”
 Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 19
BRITAIN

Royal couple delay

honeymoon after
lavish wedding
Prince to return to work before overseas
honeymoon; Worldwide, estimates have
put the global television and online
audience at 2.4bn people -- more than
one in three of the global population
Reuters
London
tal’s streets. Worldwide, estimates put the
global television and online audience at
2.4bn people -- more than one in three of the
global population if the figure is accurate.
Commentators praised the royal family for
striking a balance between choreographed
pomp -- military bands in black bearskin
hats and household cavalrymen in shining
breastplates -- and personal spontaneity at
the wedding.
Greek island of Corfu and the Scilly Isles off
England’s southwest coast.
The intense speculation over the couple’s
every move underlines the pressure they will
face as the future British king and queen liv-
ing in the full glare of the media spotlight.
Uncomfortable parallels have been drawn
between Middleton and William’s hugely
popular mother Princess Diana, who was
hounded by paparazzi right up to her death in

F
ollowing a spectacular Royal Wedding
that dazzled the world, Prince William
will go back to work as a search-and-
rescue pilot next week before taking his new
wife on honeymoon abroad.
The new Duke and Duchess of Cam-
bridge, looking fresh after partying into the
early hours in the wake of Friday’s wedding,
boarded a helicopter in the Buckingham Pal-
ace gardens yesterday for a weekend break at
a secret location in Britain.
The prince will resume his job as a search
and rescue pilot next week before the honey-
moon starts at an undisclosed date, the royal
family said in a statement.
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
have chosen not to depart for a honeymoon
immediately,” it said, using the new titles be-
stowed on Prince William, 28, and the former
Kate Middleton, 29, by Queen Elizabeth.
“The locations of both their private week-
end before the Duke returns to work and their
future honeymoon, which will be overseas,
will not be disclosed in advance,” it said,
pointedly ignoring feverish speculation as to
where the couple will go.
After a relationship of almost a decade,
they married in London’s towering 13th-
century Westminster Abbey on Friday as a
million cheering supporters lined the capi-
“The British still know how to combine
pageantry, solemnity, romance (and wild
hats) better than anyone else in the world,”
wrote Sarah Lyall in the New York Times.
William drove his bride the short journey
from Buckingham Palace to St James’s Palace
in his father’s open-top Aston Martin with
the licence plate “JU5T WED”.
Photographs of their kisses on the balcony
of Buckingham Palace carpeted newspaper
front pages. The day ended with a late-night
party for the couple’s friends and family,
for which Kate changed into a strapless off-
white dress and a cropped knitted cardigan
while William donned a black dinner jacket
and bow tie.
British media quoted one guest, Millie
Pilkington, as saying the speeches at the bash
were “absolutely hysterical”.
Newspapers were also awash with pictures
of Middleton’s sister and maid of honour
Pippa in a slinky dress which drew a chorus
of approval. “Is Pippa the most eligible wom-
an in the world?” asked the Daily Telegraph.
Like other details of the wedding, includ-
ing the designer of Middleton’s dress, the
honeymoon venue was a secret.
Suggestions have included the Seychelles,
Kenya, the Caribbean island of Mustique, an
island on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the
a Paris car crash in 1997 aged just 36.
Her death, and divorce from heir to the
throne Prince Charles the year before,
marked a low point for the royal family,
which has also been embroiled in scandal and
is seen by many as being out of touch with
the British public, particularly during austere
economic times.
But Middleton’s background -- she is the
first commoner to marry a prince close to
the British throne in over 350 years -- and
William’s personable style have helped re-
verse the monarchy’s rating in recent opinion
polls, at least for now.
Not that the wedding was universally ac-
claimed in a country where many people face
harder times, including unemployment and
cuts in social services, due to a government
austerity programme meant to cut Britain’s
huge budget deficit.
“The royal family have too many rights
in a country where other people are having
their state rights withdrawn. We are funding
a wedding of two people I’ve never met and I
don’t care about at all,” said London charity
worker Jessamy Barker, 29.
Middleton has been given the title Her
Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge,
after the queen made her grandson William Prince William and wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, walk together in Buckingham Palace, following their
the Duke of Cambridge to mark the marriage. wedding on Friday, in central London yesterday.

Kate’s ceremony dress Relief as marriage passes

without security scare
recreated in five hours sisted: “It wasn’t about making
AFP
London
royal couple to and from Westminster Abbey,
with cheering crowds kept at a distance behind
two sets of barriers. A large police presence could
AFP
London money, it was about the skills also be seen on rooftops near the wedding route,

B
and proving that anything can ritish police yesterday said their handling of with snipers and spotters scanning the streets
be done. It was a fantastic chal- the royal wedding had been an “amazing suc- below.

B
arely five hours after Kate
began her drive to West-
minster Abbey to marry
Prince William, a family tailor-
ing firm in London had put the
final touches to a replica of her
wedding dress.
The Alexander McQueen
gown worn by the new Duch-
ess of Cambridge was one of the
highlights of the royal wedding
and copies are expected to be
made across the world.
But the bride may have been
surprised at how fast the work
began.
“As soon as she was in the car,
we started to identify what the
lace was like and try to find as
close a copy as possible,” said
Raul Echeverria, owner of Alter-
ations Boutique in Marylebone.
When she stepped out of the
Rolls-Royce in front of the abbey
a few minutes later, revealing the
full Alexander McQueen gown
of ivory satin and lace, the team
went into overdrive.
“We looked at the pictures on
the television screen and once
we identified what fabric we
lenge.”
He added: “Obviously I’d have
to talk to my lawyer first to be
sure I’m not breaking any copy-
right rules!”
He is not the only one to get in
on the act -- replicas of Kate’s
dress are expected to hit the high
street as early as next week.
When Diana married Prince
Charles in 1981, copies of her
dress were in the shops within
hours, while Elizabeth Emanuel,
who designed the fairytale gown
with huge puff sleeves and a
Dressmakers Lucie Konirova (left) and Emile Karr put the final touches 7.6-metre train, is still asked to
on a replica of the wedding dress worn by Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, make reproductions.
at The Alterations Boutique in central London yesterday. In Marylebone, three people
worked on different aspects of
required, then we went to our hours to complete the project,” the garment at the same time,
suppliers and tried to match the said the 34-year-old. including hand-stitching the
fabrics,” Echeverria said. The dress was commissioned lace bodice which covered Kate’s
They ordered 10 metres of lin- by The Times newspaper, and arms and was pulled down to
ing, 10 metres of tulle for the veil, will be offered to a reader in a the waist to create an elegant
10 metres of netting, 15 metres of competition. But the boutique, V-neckline. Given the time
satin and four metres of lace, at a which Echeverria’s mother Mar- constraints, the team could not
cost approaching £1,000. ia Blazquez founded 30 years match the lace exactly -- on
“At the same time our de- ago, has already been asked to Kate’s dress, experts cut out
signers were creating a pattern make more. “We have had en- hundreds of delicate lace flowers
for the dress, and we put it all quiries already regarding the and sewed them onto ivory silk
together. It took us about five dress,” the owner said, but in- tulle to create a unique design.
cess” as their biggest security operation in a
generation passed off without a much-feared hitch.
Scotland Yard said their performance should
convince people that they can safely handle the
2012 London Olympics and Queen Elizabeth II’s
diamond jubilee next year.
Around 5,000 officers were on the streets of
London to police a million-strong crowd that
came out to cheer on Prince William and his new
bride Kate as they tied the knot.
Police made 55 arrests, including 25 for breach
of the peace, five for drunk and disorderly behav-
iour, and eight for carrying weapons of various
sorts.
Ten of the suspects were arrested carrying
climbing equipment and anti-monarchy plac-
ards.
Assistant Commissioner Lynne Owens said it
had been a “happy and safe” event.
She admitted there had been “nerves” before-
hand but said the decision to launch pre-event
raids had been “entirely justified”.
Threats to the wedding could have come from
extremists, Irish republican paramilitaries or an-
archists who have hijacked recent London pro-
tests against austerity measures.
However, the crowds were well-behaved and
did not try to break through police lines as they
slowly shepherded them towards Buckingham
Palace to see the couple kiss on the balcony.
Police officers had lined the route carrying the
“A number of individuals were arrested
who we felt were intent on causing
disruption, committing acts of
criminality or likely to cause alarm,
harassment or distress to the vast
majority of people who wanted to come
and celebrate this joyous occasion”
“We made it clear from the outset that we
would be robust, decisive and proportionate in
policing this event,” Owens said.
“When we undertook any action, it was on the
basis of intelligence.
“A number of individuals were arrested who we
felt were intent on causing disruption, commit-
ting acts of criminality or likely to cause alarm,
harassment or distress to the vast majority of
people who wanted to come and celebrate this
joyous occasion.”
The operation’s success “should convince
people that the Met is well able to handle next
year’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games,”
she added.
Meanwhile in Glasgow, an impromptu street
party that was organised on the Internet ended in
trouble, with 21 arrests made.
“The level of drunkenness was completely
unacceptable and frankly irresponsible,” said
Strathclyde Police Chief Superintendent Bernard
Higgins.

Balance of tradition and signs of modern monarchy

AFP and taste, and a determination to re- headline said on a full-page photo- image of the British monarchy thanks
London main as anchored as possible in their graph of the couple embracing. The to the addition of the middle-class
own normality,” the newspaper said. paper said the wedding had given the girl who had snared her prince.
The Australian press picked up the country a lift at a time of deep public “It is said that two billion people

T
he biggest royal wedding for 30
years succeeded in striking a
balance between tradition and
signs of a new, modern monarchy, the
British press and newspapers across
the world said yesterday.
Front pages from Warsaw to Syd-
ney were emblazoned with pictures
of Prince William and Kate at their
spectacular wedding in Westminster
Abbey on Friday.
The Times in Britain summed up
the new mood with a wraparound
front-page photograph of the couple
cruising down The Mall during their
impromptu drive in an open-top As-
ton Martin.
“Every element of the wedding re-
flected the couple’s shared humour
same theme, with the Daily Telegraph
tabloid highlighting the royal fam-
ily’s fresh new face.
“Beaming with happiness and ra-
diant with love, a remarkably relaxed
William and Catherine Middleton
looked like the university sweethearts
they were and the modern royals they
are,” it said under the headline “An
uncommon journey to love”.
Corriere della Sera in Italy said the
spin in the Aston Martin was “in the
style of James Bond”.
The front page of Britain’s biggest-
selling newspaper The Sun focused
on the unprecedented double kiss on
the Buckingham Palace balcony.
“You wait for years for a Royal kiss
then two come along at once,” its
spending cuts and economic auster-
ity.
“Britain showed the world yester-
day that it is in good heart, capable,
and open for business,” it said in an
editorial.
Germany’s Bild tabloid also found
the balcony scene irresistible, head-
lining its coverage: “Kate and Wil-
liam: Kiss! Kiss! Hurray!”.
It even gave readers precise tim-
ings: the first kiss lasted 0.7 seconds,
the second smacker was 1.5 seconds
long.
Newspapers in the Gulf gave front-
page coverage to the wedding in Lon-
don -- but left out the kiss.
In Poland, the Gazeta Wyborcza
focused on the renewal of the dusty
watched this wedding of pomp and
splendour which should renew the
British monarchy,” it said.
Turkish daily Gunes described Kate
as “the Cinderella of the Palace”.
She was a “commoner who had be-
come the wife, the duchess and the
princess”, said Croatia’s Vecernji List.
But in Australia, warnings were
sounded that despite the public rela-
tions success of the spectacle played
out on Friday, “the monarchy remains
capable of stumbling into scandal at
any moment”, The Australian said.
“But the wedding... shows it has
taken cues from corporate and ce-
lebrity image makers in a bid to more The British tabloid and broadsheet newspapers covered their front and inside pages
carefully craft its future,” the paper yesterday, with the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge that took
added. place at Westminster Abbey.
 Gulf Times
20 Sunday, May 1, 2011

BRITAIN BRITAIN/IRELAND

21 arrested
at Glasgow
street party
Guardian News & Media Higgins said: “It’s really disap-
London pointing that on the day of the
royal wedding we witnessed the
scenes we did. At one point my

P
olice in Glasgow made 21
arrests after trouble flared
at an unofficial street party
to celebrate the royal wedding.
One police officer was taken to
hospital with a head injury fol-
lowing the event, which was or-
ganised on Facebook.
Thousands turned out to the
party in Kelvingrove Park, which
turned rowdy shortly after the
music was switched off, reports
said.
There were claims police were
pelted with bottles and that
windows of police vehicles were
broken.
Strathclyde police said it made
21 arrests for a variety of offenc-
es, mostly related to disorderly
behaviour and drunkenness.
A spokesman for the police
said: “Police were aware of this
unplanned, unauthorised event
and put in place contingencies to
ensure an appropriate and pro-
portionate policing response.
“A statement was issued last
A woman sells balloons in St James’ Park, London yesterday, following the wedding of Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge in Westminster Abbey on Friday. night by Glasgow city council
urging people to stay away and
reminding them of the bylaw
which forbids the consump-
officers came under attack and
one was taken to hospital suf-
fering from a head injury. He has
been discharged and will make a
full recovery.
“We made a number of arrests
at the time and we will now study
CCTV footage and make further
arrests if appropriate. The level
of drunkenness was completely
unacceptable and frankly irre-
sponsible.”
Comments about the trouble
were left on Facebook. Tanja
Goral wrote: “I have seen six-
year-old kids there today, this
was suppose to be a fun event
and I feel sorry for the parents
who had their children witness
such idiotic acts. Get some-
thing good and it’s ruined. I can
bet that we will never be al-
lowed to do this again.”
Craig Easdale wrote: “This
was a great event, and the be-
haviour of everyone was good
on the whole, up until the po-
lice arrived. I feel if the event
was shut down more calmly a
lot of drama could have been
avoided, and the police defi-
nitely didn’t handle it as well as

Parties renew sense of

tion of alcohol in public places.
Despite this, people attended in
large numbers and police were
deployed to ensure public safety
and to try and facilitate a peace-
ful event.
“Initially it was a good-na-
they could have.”
Before the event, the Facebook
page’s creators, JJ Gardner and
Robbie Seath, urged partygoers
to “take it easy, help us keep the
rubbish under control and re-
member that there will be other

community in Walsall
tured event. However, as the day
progressed, a significant number
of persons became more intoxi-
cated resulting in disorder.”
Chief Superintendent Bernard
folk in the park who aren’t quite
as Royalist/Party mad as our-
selves.”
They said the council and po-
lice were aware of their plans.

As some partygoers
got to know neighbours for
the first time, organisers
hope it was the start of
more organised local action
By Patrick Barkham
London
homemade bunting. Most of all,
there were children: on scooters,
space-hoppers and bikes, kids
with their faces painted hurtled
around the car-cleared, closed
street.
“Most people are desperate to
give their kids a little bit of how
we were brought up,” said Gem-
ma Folk, a mother and drama
market with last-minute party
food. “Anybody would think
somebody was getting mar-
ried – I’m glad it ain’t me,” said
one man carrying a mallet on his
shoulder.
On the other side of the West
Midlands town, the bunting over
Clare Road rustled in a chilly
breeze as residents began their
“She’s a down-to-earth girl,”
said Marcos Peacock. “She”s not
snotty,” nodded Jennifer Lowe.
“They are like common peo-
ple, without any airs and graces,”
said Kathleen Reynolds, who got
up at 6am to watch the build-up
on TV.
“They are different from all
the other royals. They are laid-
chard Hackett, a retired union
leader sporting a Guardian re-
publican T-shirt. He was con-
vinced that the royal family “will
fizzle out eventually” despite
Official pictures show
this surge of patriotic fervour.
“They didn’t re-elect Churchill
after victory street parties, did
family wedding ‘buzz’
they?”
Most of all, residents saw their London Evening Standard was and from their point of view

“
It means everything to me,” teacher. party. One man in the street, back. They are like one of us parties as an emphatic statement London it was two families coming to-
said David Humphreys, 69, “I grew up playing on the who has Alzheimer’s and was -- you see how they drink,” of local pride and community. gether and that was the feeling,
standing on his front step street with my neighbours. That celebrating his 78th birthday, said Kevin Humpage, in his Eng- “I’m hugely proud of eve- the sense of family and love go-

as the onions sizzled on the bar-
becue at Westbourne Street.
“He’s married one of us,
hasn’t he? We’ve mixed together
now -- the top and the bottom.
It’s good for the country and
good for the people.”
David and his wife, Janet, have
lived on the terrace street in
Walsall for 47 years. In all those
decades it was only the marriage
of Prince William and Kate Mid-
dleton that brought residents to-
gether for a party.
Every television was on and
all front doors were open; there
was a barbecue the size of a
small car, a tent for the local
swing jazz combo, an acoustic
“lawn” where the local account-
ant-cum-harpist would play, a
gleaming Harley Davidson mo-
torbike, trestle tables laden with
homemade chocolate cake, ban-
ners, balloons and 500 metres of
is lost to us now.”
As well as a nostalgic recrea-
tion of a childhood that parents
felt was denied their kids, many
street partygoers were toasting
new friends, getting to know
their neighbours for the first
time.
“I’ve never felt we’ve pulled
together but today I’m speak-
ing to people I’ve never spoken
to,” said Dean Haycock, pink-
cheeked from cooking more
than 100 burgers in Westbourne
Street.
Six weeks ago, when residents
got together around a kitchen ta-
ble and decided to throw a party,
they hoped for 60 guests but
“it just mushroomed” and 120
joined celebrations that contin-
ued into the evening.
Across Walsall, the streets
were deserted but for people
rushing back from the super-
believed William and Kate were a
couple from Bloxwich; his enor-
mous birthday cake was lined up
next to one for Kate and Wills.
A big street party topic of
conversation was Harry’s hair.
“Harry could’ve had a haircut, it
looks like a bearskin,” exclaimed
Westbourne Street party organ-
iser Angela Steatham, as neigh-
bours -- and a neighbouring cat
-- craned their heads around the
balloons to watch the ceremony
on her television.
“She’s married the bald one,”
remarked one small child for-
lornly.
“Harry’s hair was like a mop,”
said Kathleen Reynolds. “But he
looked lovely -- so relaxed.”
Despite the pomp and finery
on show in London, many at the
street parties in Walsall regarded
the new Duchess of Cambridge
as “one of us.”
land shirt and slippers on his
garden bench bedecked with a
union flag.
“William seems one of the
lads really.”
As the sun came out, politics
crept in.
“The best thing about the roy-
al wedding? Tony Blair didn’t get
an invite,” quipped John Marlow,
sitting on his garden wall sup-
ping a can of beer.
Not every resident was swell-
ing with royalist pride. Six boys
were playing football in Clare
Road rather than watching the
wedding; they thought William
looked like Goofy from the Dis-
ney cartoons. And cooking on-
ions on Westbourne Street was
the man branded “Red Dick” by
local press during the winter of
discontent.
“Basically I think the royal
family are parasites,” said Ri-
ryone’s commitment and en-
ergy,” said Steatham. “If some
Conservative councillor tries to
hijack this and says it’s part of
Cameron’s big society, they can
forget it. It’s people coming to-
gether and we’ve been doing this
for years.”
The local community around
Westbourne Street had also
saved its post office and now, as
neighbours became friends, St-
eatham vowed it would be the
start of more organised action;
she and others hope to create a
food co-operative using local al-
lotments.
“What started as a party ac-
tually could be very far-reach-
ing,” she said, her voice almost
drowned out by the sound sys-
tem blasting out Louis Arm-
strong’s What a Wonderful
World.
-- Guardian News & Media
T
he official pictures of Wil-
liam and Kate’s wedding
were shot to show two
families coming together and
reveal the couple’s love for each
other, the photographer has said.
Speaking at Clarence House in
London, Hugo Burnand said he
hoped it looked “effortless, re-
laxed and friendly.”
He said his favourite photo-
graph was one of the newlyweds
with the bridesmaids and page
boys, but there were only sec-
onds to set it up and the children
were coaxed with promises of
jelly beans and sweets.
The pictures, taken in Buck-
ingham Palace’s throne room
immediately after the bride and
groom arrived from Westminster
Abbey, capture the Royal Family
and the Middletons in rapturous
mood.
Burnand said: “From where I
ing between everyone.
“They had their own buzz.
Everyone had their own buzz. It
was that excitement that I hope
you feel at most weddings.”
Burnand had only a short pe-
riod of time between the cou-
ple’s arrival at Buckingham
Palace and their appearance on
the balcony to take the official
photographs.He said Kate was a
keen photographer herself and
he discussed ideas for the main
family picture with her and Wil-
liam before hand.
“She had good ideas. She put
them to me. I used my technical
knowledge and together we came
up with that picture,” he said.
Asked about the mood be-
tween the couple, he said: “They
are so bloody nice. They are just
so nice as individuals and as a
pair, and they work so well to-
gether.”

Police name M11 coach crash victims
London Evening Standard sted. Karl Edwards, of the East of England
London Ambulance Service, said: “We worked as
safely and as quickly as possible to ensure
patients were assessed and treated in a
Kate’s bouquet at
New territory military memorial
Kate’s wedding bouquet was
placed yesterday on the grave of
in both directions between between junc- the unknown warrior at Westmin-
tion 8, the turn-off for Stansted Airport, ster Abbey, in line with royal tradi-
and junction 9 at Great Chesterford. It has tion, a palace spokeswoman said.
since reopened on both southbound and The new Duchess of Cambridge

T
wo people killed in a crash between a timely manner. northbound carriageways. asked for her green and white
coach and a lorry on the M11 motorway “Sadly, despite all efforts, two people Simon Posner, of the trade association bouquet to be left on the tomb,
have been named by the police. were declared deceased at the scene -- the Confederation of Passenger Transport which holds the remains of a
Lorry driver Zdzislaw Piorko, 53, from our thoughts are with their families at UK (CPT), said the coach had been carrying soldier who died in World War I
Maidstone in Kent, died at the scene along this time. passengers from the West Yorkshire area but has come to symbolise all of
with coach passenger Delia Walker, 63, “There were 49 other patients, whose who were heading to Folkestone, Kent, en Britain’s war dead.
from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, following injuries included neck and back pain, and route to Belgium for a shopping trip. Most British brides throw their
the accident early yesterday morning, Es- shock, and other minor injuries consistent “It was not one group of passengers, lots bouquet into the crowd and tradi-
sex Police said. with this kind of collision. Patients were of people will have booked a day trip from tion dictates that the woman who
A statement from the East of England then taken to hospitals in Cambridge, Har- around West Yorkshire, and the pick-up catches it will be the next to marry.
Ambulance Service said 50 passengers were low and Chelmsford.” points would have been in Castleford and But the queen’s mother Elizabeth
on board the coach when the accident hap- Three people injured in the crash re- Wakefield,” he said. began a more sombre ceremony
pened on the southbound carriageway of mained in hospital, the service said. “The great majority of passengers will for the royals when she left flow-
the M11 between Saffron Walden and Stan- The motorway was temporarily closed have been from the West Yorkshire area.” ers from her wedding to the future
King George VI in 1923 on the
grave, in memory of her brother
Sunny April in central England sets weather records Fergus, who was killed in 1915.
Kate’s bouquet of lily-of-the-valley,
The past month has been the warmest April in central England since the Lake District and Snowdonia, all parts of the UK were unusually dry sweet William and hyacinth was
records began more than 350 years ago, weather experts have revealed. thereafter. The MeteoGroup spokesman said: “There were some cooler placed on a white cushion on the
Provisional data issued by MeteoGroup UK, the weather division of the and cloudier days during the second week, but it was exceptionally warm tomb, which itself was surrounded
Press Association, showed it is the fourth sunniest April recorded in the and sunny between the 16th and 25th.” Mean maximum temperatures for by red poppies, the symbol used
UK over the last 100 years, according to the London Evening Standard. April ranged from 19.8C (68F) at St James’ Park in London to 9.8C (50F) in Britain to remember its lost
A spokesman for MeteoGroup said the month was also the sixth driest at Fair Isle in Scotland, and the mean minimum temperature was at least Prime Minister David Cameron plays a shot during a charity soldiers. The unknown warrior’s
April during the past century. 3.5c above the long-term average in all regions. The average temperature tennis match with former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker of body was brought from France
Although the first week of April was dominated by a strong south-wester- recorded in central England -- 11.9C (53F) -- was 3.9C above the long-term Germany at Chequers, in southern England yesterday. and buried on Armistice Day,
ly airflow, bringing heavy and prolonged rain to the Western Highlands, mean and was the highest for April since records began 353 years ago. November 11, 1920.

Cop slain,
church
torched
AFP
Moscow
S
everal gunmen killed a po-
lice officer early yesterday
in the largely Muslim re-
gion of Karachayevo-Cherkessia
where an ancient church was
also set on fire, officials said.
During a nighttime attack
several assailants approached an
off-duty police officer and shot
him in front of a bar in the Cau-
casus city of Cherkessk.
“He died of his wounds on the
spot,” spokesman for regional
investigators Sergei Shuvayev
told AFP.
Police detained several people
and were now looking to estab-
lish whether they were behind
the crime, he said, adding the
motive remained unclear.
Attacks on government of-
ficials and police are nearly an
every-day occurrence in the
nearby regions of Dagestan, In-
gushetia and Chechnya, a Cau-
casus province where Russia
fought two wars against separa-
tists in the 1990s.
The unrest fuelled by a Muslim
insurgency has in recent years
been spreading to other North
Caucasus regions like Stavropol
and Karachayevo-Cherkessia
which until now have rarely seen
the bloody attacks.
High crime rates in the Cauca-
sus are also due to a general sense
of lawlessness and impunity as
well as the easy availability of
guns.
In a separate pre-dawn inci-
dent, assailants set on fire an an-
cient church near the village of
Kosta-Khetagurovo in the same
region, a local police spokesman
said.
As a result of the arson, there
was largely no structural damage
to the church, which is perched
on a rock outside the village and
is built of stone, spokesman Ka-
zim Baibanov told AFP.
The fire had however damaged
the church’s wooden floors, he
said, adding that the unidenti-
fied assailants had also broken
the windows.
The Shaoninsky church dates
back to the 10th century and is
one of Russia’s oldest houses of
worship.
Baibanov said authorities
were looking into the incident,
declining to speculate who
might be behind the attack.
Last November assailants set
on fire two Christian Orthodox
churches and one Baptist church
in the region, all attacks coming
in the space of a day, he said.
SWEDEN
King Carl Gustaf
turns 65
Swedish King Carl Gustaf, who
turned 65 yesterday, was feted
by members of his family and a
large crowd at the Royal Palace in
Stockholm.
The king was cheered and
received scores of flowers and
cards from children, who lined up
in the outer courtyard to greet
him.
Traditionally, 65 has been the age
of retirement in Sweden but the
king has said he has no plans to
slow down.
Carl Gustaf became king in 1973
at the age of 27, succeeding his
grandfather Gustaf VI.
Barcelona ‘bikini ban’
AFP
Barcelona
T
ourists in Barcelona
who wander off the
beach onto the streets in
just their swimming costumes
– or even less – will now face
stiff fines.
The city hall voted on Friday
to ban “nudity or virtual nu-
dity in public places” and limit
swimming costumes to swim-
ming pools, beaches, adjacent
roads and beach walks.
Nudists who stray off their
designated areas of the beach
will be subject to fines of 300
to 500 euros ($450 to 750).
Those who wander into the
streets in bikinis, swimming
trunks or swimsuits face fines
of 120 to 300 euros.
Authorities in the city,
where the port and the beach
areas are adjacent to the his-
Qaeda suspects planned
bomb attack: Germany
Reuters
Karlsruhe
T
hree suspected Al Qaeda
members had been plan-
ning a bomb attack in
Germany for four months when
they were arrested, federal
prosecutors said.
Rainer Griesbaum, a federal
prosecutor, told a news confer-
ence yesterday that the trio, led
by a 29-year-old Moroccan, had
planned to detonate their device
in a crowded area but had not
yet picked a target.
“They were still in the experi-
mental phase,” Griesbaum said.
“They were planning to explode
a device packed with pieces of
metal in the midst of a large
crowd.”
Pilgrims gather
for John Paul II
‘Feast of Faith’
AFP
Vatican City
T
housands of pilgrims
thronged Rome yester-
day amid tight security
on the eve of a grand ceremony
that the Vatican called a “Feast
of Faith” to bring late pope
John Paul II closer to saint-
hood.
“May this feast of faith be a
precious occasion to open the
door to Christ,” Pope Benedict
XVI, who will preside over
today’s ceremony, wrote in a
message to Catholics around
the world on the front page of
the official Vatican newspaper.
In an editorial, the Osserva-
tore Romano newspaper called
it “an extraordinary event
without precedent in the last
1,000 years of the Church’s
history”.
Excitement also began
mounting among the crowds
of faithful milling around the
A member of the Italian Carabiniere carries out a security check before the opening of Circo
Massimo in Rome where the beatification ceremony for late pope John Paul II will be broadcast live
on a huge screen.
toric old town, earlier this year
put up posters discouraging
such behaviour.
They showed a couple in
swimming costumes with a
red line across it next to an-
other couple dressed normally
but without the red line.
With the new regulations,
city authorities hope to “en-
sure coexistence between
citizens in public areas” but
denied that they are “telling
people how they should dress”.
The owners of some tour-
ist shops welcomed the move,
but defenders of nudism were
outraged.
“It’s a ban that goes beyond
laws that decriminalised nu-
dity 22 years ago,” said Jacit
Ribas i Deix, the head of an
association for the defence of
nudity and who became well
known in Barcelona for walk-
ing and cycling naked through
the city.
German authorities said the
suspects, arrested on Friday,
had discussed planting the
bomb on a bus or at a bus stop.
The three were detained in
police raids in Duesseldorf and
the nearby city of Bochum at
6.30am on Friday after authori-
ties, who had been monitoring
the group, decided they might
be getting close to carrying out
an attack.
Prosecutors said the public
had not been in danger.
Bild newspaper reported that
the Eurovision Song Contest,
watched by more than 100mn
television viewers, was a pos-
sible target. The contest will
be held in the western city of
Duesseldorf on May 14.
The suspected ringleader, a
29-year-old college dropout
Vatican despite a persistent
drizzle and the ubiquitous sou-
venir peddlers.
“I couldn’t miss this, I had to
be a part of such a historic mo-
ment. We’ve only just arrived
but the atmosphere’s great,
it’s really exciting,” said Patri-
cia Wocial, 48, who had come
from Britain with her young
daughters.
The weekend of prayer,
which experts say could help
the Vatican burnish an image
badly tarnished by paedophile
priest scandals, kicked off with
a vigil in the ancient Roman
arena Circus Maximus.
At least 100,000 people at-
tended the vigil that started
at 1800 GMT yesterday to
hear those who were close to
John Paul II speak, including
his former personal secretary,
Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz.
Among the speakers was
Marie Simon-Pierre, the
French nun whose miraculous
healing from Parkinson’s dis-
True Finns chief now says helping
Portugal in Finland’s best interest
Reuters
Helsinki
T
he head of the euroscep-
tic True Finns said yes-
terday that helping Por-
tugal could be in Finland’s best
interest, the strongest sign yet
that the party could tone down
opposition to EU bailout plans.
Disagreement among Fin-
land’s three biggest parties over
the bailout package has raised
concerns that a new govern-
ment could disrupt EU plans to
help Portugal.
Asked in an interview with
broadcaster YLE whether the
True Finns could view aid to
Portugal as the best option for
Finland, party leader Timo Soi-
ni said: “That is possible too.
identified as Abdeladim El-K,
was charged with planning a
terror attack in Germany and
being a member of a foreign ter-
ror organisation.
The other two suspects are
still being questioned.
Griesbaum said the 29-year-
old Moroccan had attended an
Al Qaeda terror camp in the
Waziristan region of Pakistan
near the Afghan border in 2010.
He returned to Germany in
May 2010 and was attempting
to build a terror network here
with an estimated seven to eight
members.
“But it could also be more,”
said Joerg Ziercke, president of
the Federal Crime Office (BKA),
at the news conference at the
federal prosecutor’s office in
Karlsruhe. “We’ll learn more
A man takes picture of a large photo of pope John Paul II in downtown Rome. John Paul II will be
honoured today at a solemn beatification ceremony in Saint Peter’s basilica that will give the late
pontiff ‘blessed’ status for the world’s 1.1bn Catholics and put him on the path towards full sainthood.
ease is the official justification
for John Paul II’s beatification
after years of research by the
Vatican.
A second miracle is needed
before John Paul II can be de-
clared a saint.
While some pilgrims will
then head off to bed before
today’s beatification mass
starting at 0800 GMT, oth-
ers will take advantage of sev-
eral churches in central Rome
But keeping the Finnish peo-
ple’s autonomy … that is the
core.”
Finland’s previously obscure
True Finns party emerged as the
third-biggest party in an elec-
tion this month, after a cam-
paign focused on criticising aid
to indebted governments.
Finland’s parliament, unlike
others in the euro zone, has the
right to vote on EU requests for
bailout funds. Financial mar-
kets are concerned the True
Finns’ increased power and
likely participation in a coali-
tion government may hamper
bailout plans.
Portugal this month became
the third euro zone country
to seek foreign aid, following
Greece and Ireland.
Talks to form a coalition are
with our investigation.”
The suspects had cheered
Thursday’s bombing in Mar-
rakesh where 15 were killed,
Griesbaum said.
The other suspects are a
31-year-old electrician identi-
fied as Jamil S, who holds dual
German and Moroccan citizen-
ship, and a 19-year-old with
German and Iranian citizen-
ship, Amid C, who was about to
graduate from high school.
Jamil S was tasked with ar-
ranging the financing of the at-
tack and obtain identity papers
for Abdeladim El-K.
Amid C was responsible for
ensuring encrypted communi-
cation.
Germany’s Der Spiegel news
magazine reported yesterday
that the CIA (US Central Intel-
which are staying open all
night to pray to the late pope.
Some 500,000 pilgrims are
expected for the beatification
itself, which will confer the
status of “blessed” on a pope
who survived an assassination
attempt and helped fight Com-
munist rule during his nearly
27 years in office.
John Paul became pope in
1978 – the first non-Italian
pope in more than four cen-
turies. After 104 foreign trips
and a pontificate that gave
new strength to the Catholic
Church, he died in 2005 fol-
lowing years of ill health.
The late pope’s coffin has
been brought out of its rest-
ing place in a crypt under Saint
Peter’s basilica, and a phial of
John Paul’s blood, drawn from
him during his illness, has been
prepared as a relic for venera-
tion.
The Vatican fast-tracked
the beatification period after
mourners at John Paul’s funeral
clamoured for him to be made a
saint, drowning out critics who
accused him of having ignored
church ills such as corruption
and paedophilia.
One of the Vatican’s fierc-
est critics, German theologian
Hans Kung, said in an inter-
set to start next week, with the
focus on whether the leading
National Coalition Party, the
second-largest Social Demo-
crats and True Finns can agree
on Portugal aid. An early agree-
ment is crucial as European fi-
nance minister discuss Portugal
aid in mid-May.
Jyrki Katainen, head of the
National Coalition and prime
minister-in-waiting, said on
Friday Finland has only a few
days to decide whether to back
aid for Portugal. His party has
said the new government must
support EU plans.
Soini acknowledged the risk
of Portugal’s insolvency.
“That danger exists, as well
as for Greece and others. This
cannot be taken lightly. We
need to look carefully at what
EUROPE
ligence Agency) as well as Mo-
rocco’s intelligence agency had
worked with German authori-
ties on the investigation.
Ziercke said the three had
inspected public buildings and
downloaded information on ex-
plosives from the Internet.
“But we don’t have any indi-
cations that they were planning
a suicide bombing,” Ziercke
said.
Authorities said they decid-
ed to launch the raid on Friday
when the suspects discussed
making a “detonator for a
bomb” by extracting hexamine
from barbecue firelighters and
mixing that with hydrogen per-
oxide and citric acid.
Last year, a court in Dues-
seldorf convicted four mili-
tants who admitted planning “a
view with La Repubblica daily
that his reign was “authori-
tarian” adding: “He doesn’t
deserve to be presented to the
faithful as an example.”
After today’s beatification
mass, which will be led by Ben-
edict in front of Saint Peter’s
and shown on big screens in
the surrounding area, pilgrims
will be able to file past John
Paul II’s coffin in the basilica.
Among the attendees at the
mass will be Italian President
Giorgio Napolitano, Mexican
President Felipe Calderon and
Polish President Bronislaw
Komorowski – part of a large
Polish delegation for the late
Karol Wojtyla.
Zimbabwean President
Robert Mugabe, a liberation
hero who has been widely
condemned for human rights
abuses, also landed in Rome
yesterday under a special ex-
emption from a European Un-
ion travel ban to attend the
ceremony.
Italy’s opposition has also
been sceptical over the praise
for John Paul from twice-di-
vorced Prime Minister Silvio
Berlusconi, who will be at-
tending despite the Vatican’s
often pointed criticism of his
wild love life.
is possible and what is not,” he
said, adding that he was not
afraid of being accused of back-
pedalling on his pre-election
stance against EU policies.
“In politics, I’m not afraid of
anything,” he said.
But he also reiterated his
view that Finland’s position on
bailouts must change with a
new government.
Asked whether the True
Finns party still opposes Por-
tugal aid, increasing the ca-
pacity of the temporary bailout
fund and the launch of a per-
manent stability mechanism,
he replied: “That is the is-
sue which is being negotiated
now, whether it is possible for
the pre-election stance to be
changed ... but we cannot ap-
prove it as it was then.”
Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 21
monstrous bloodbath” with car
bomb attacks on US targets.
They were known as the
“Sauerland group” after the
area of western Germany where
they were caught.
European countries have
grappled with militant threats
for years, regularly arresting
individuals or groups suspected
of planning attacks some fear
could mirror bombings in Ma-
drid in 2004 and London in
2005 which killed more than
200 people.
Berlin views Germany as a
potential target because it has
nearly 5,000 military personnel
stationed in Afghanistan, the
third largest contingent of the
150,000-strong international
force fighting the Taliban-led
insurgency.
Officers in
German
cities
brace for
May Day
rioting
DPA
Berlin/Hamburg
T
housands of German po-
lice officers were prepar-
ing yesterday for the an-
nual May Day rioting in the cities
of Hamburg and Berlin.
In the capital Berlin, 6,000
officers from across the country
will be on duty as thousands of
protesters are expected to join
the “Revolutionary May 1 Dem-
onstration” organised by left-
wing radicals.
A police spokesman said they
would keep their distance if the
protests remained peaceful, but
planned to crack down on any
displays of violence.
“This dual strategy has proven
to work,” the spokesman said.
Left-wing organisations said
they were targeting capitalism
and the gentrification process
which has driven up prices in
city neighbourhoods as they be-
come appealing to more affluent
residents.
“We are sick of waiting and
today choose fire and stone,”
proclaimed one radical leftwing
website.
Since 1987, Berlin has experi-
enced radical left-wing violence
on May 1, a date associated with
a far older tradition of lighting
fires and celebrating to drive out
the winter on April 30.
Berlin officials were on the
alert ahead of a rally yesterday in
the eastern district of Friedrich-
shain, where the forced eviction
of a squat caused rioting earlier
this year.
Berlin has a long-standing au-
tonomous streak and a history of
house occupation as a political
act of resistance, which began
in West Berlin in the 1960s and
spread to abandoned buildings
in the former East after the fall of
the Berlin Wall.
Police in Hamburg also antici-
pated the first outbreaks of vio-
lence in the evening, when 2,000
left-wingers are to demonstrate
against the clearance of a former
theatre occupied by squatters
since 1989.
Officers were due to set up
a “danger zone” in which they
could search people or detain
them without evidence.
However, they said that not
all violence was politically-mo-
tivated.
“Often it is not only autono-
mists, but simply young people
prone to violence,” said a Ham-
burg police spokesman, adding
that such people enjoyed clashes
with the authorities.
Meanwhile, in the northern
city of Bremen around 4,000
people demonstrated against an
extremist right-wing rally yes-
terday, attended by around 200
neo-Nazis. 3,000 police officers
monitored the event.
 Gulf Times
22 Sunday, May 1, 2011

WORLD
Community festival

Museveni
vows to
defeat
protests
Accuses opposition of plotting to pepper spray before he was thrown into a
loot; says Besigye must respect the police pickup truck on Thursday. He was
law later released on bail and flew to Kenya
for treatment of injuries sustained in the
Reuters arrest.
Nairobi “Apparently it was actually that opposi-
tion leader who first sprayed pepper spray
against police officers,” Museveni said.

U
ganda’s President Yoweri Musev-
eni vowed yesterday to ‘defeat’ a
wave of deadly protests triggered
by rising food and fuel prices.
Museveni was fielding questions from
members of a Kenyan business club after
giving a speech that was briefly inter-
rupted by a man in the audience object-
ing to this week’s violent crackdown on
protestors in Uganda.
Two people were killed and at least 90
injured in the Ugandan capital Kampala
on Friday after police fired bullets and
teargas at crowds protesting against the
arrest of an opposition leader.
“It won’t escalate. We are going to de-
feat it,” Museveni said, accusing organis-
ers of the protests of plotting to destabi-
lise his government through looting.
“Their plans were to loot. To cause
people to loot people’s shops so that they
undermine our programme of recovery
and development,” he said.
The government will investigate the
deaths that occurred during the protests
and will arrest police officers found to
have acted unlawfully, he added.
Friday’s events followed weeks of
protests, which have the potential to
unnerve investors in east Africa’s third
Asked why Besigye was being arrested
for walking to work, Museveni, in power
since 1986, said the opposition leader
must get permission from police first.
“There is no problem for Besigye to
walk. Either to walk to work or to walk as
an exercise, whatever he wants there is no
problem... but we are asking him ‘please
inform the police so that you agree with ‘Burners’ light Chinese lanterns during the ‘Afrika Burn Festival’ in the Tankwa Karoo National Park, Ceres, South Africa on Friday night. Afrika Burn
them where you want to walk’,” he said. follows on from the ‘Burning Man’ in the US and is a week-long festival in the Tankwa Karoo region. The event sees a temporary, non-commercial sharing
The president had to stop briefly at and community building in the harsh badlands of the Karoo.
the beginning of his speech when a man
stood up and started to shout.
“Mr President, how can we as Kenyans
sit here and listen to you while you have
been brutalising Ugandans?” shouted
the man, before he was taken away by
Museveni’s security detail.
Museveni, who was on a one-day
private visit to the Kenyan capital, con-
tinued his address at a hotel just a five-
Ivory Coast police to question
minute drive from the Nairobi hospital
where Besigye is being treated.
He said the leaders of the five-nation
East African Community bloc may hold a
meeting to discuss food security.
ousted strongman next week
“We could have a dedicated summit. AFP “The police and the gendarmes will had been launched against Gbagbo jan’s Novotel Hotel on April 4 by
Uganda produces food easily and we are Abidjan begin hearing Laurent Gbagbo and and his associates for “crimes and of- armed men at the height of Ivory
going to quadruple food production by his wife next week from May 4. We fences” by his regime. Coast’s political crisis sparked by
doing a number of things including mi- have notified the (former) president Meanwhile, the justice minister Gbagbo’s refusal to step down despite

largest economy, aimed at forcing the
government to rein in soaring prices of
food and fuel.
At least seven people have been killed
during the weeks of protests which have
been led by Kizza Besigye, who was de-
feated by Museveni in a February presi-
dential election.
Television footage showed Besigye be-
ing beaten and drenched repeatedly with
cro-irrigation,” he said.
Uganda may use some of its earnings
from impending commercial oil produc-
tion to construct dams for electricity
generation, Museveni said. He attacked
donors for refusing to fund massive de-
velopment projects for Africa in the past.
“They are just interested in small
things like teaching you how to organise
elections,” he said.
I
vory Coast police and gendarmes
will next week begin interrogat-
ing deposed president Laurent
Gbagbo and his wife Simone over al-
leged crimes by his regime, the justice
minister said yesterday.
Gbagbo and his wife have been
placed under house arrest in sepa-
rate towns in the north of the country
after the strongman was arrested on
April 11 by forces loyal to President
Alassane Ouattara.
Laurent Gbagbo,” said Jeannot Koua-
dio Ahoussou.
“The hearings will take place at the
residences,” he said, adding that in all
some 200 people were to be interro-
gated.
Simone Gbagbo is being detained
in the northwestern Odienne town
and her husband in the town of Ko-
rhogo in the north of the country.
The government spokesman this
week said preliminary investigations
said that a probe into the kidnapping
of four foreigners - two French, a Be-
ninese and a Malaysian - earlier this
month in Abidjan revealed that ele-
ments of an elite pro-Gbagbo army
unit were the leading suspects.
“An investigation has been
launched over the kidnapping ...
There are several leads, the most seri-
ous being elements of the Republican
Guards,” said Ahoussou.
The four were seized from Abid-
losing the November 28 elections to
Ouattara.
Authorities have arrested the head
of the 2,500-strong Republican
Guard force Bruno Dogbo Ble, whose
unit was a key regime pillar and which
has been accused of violent attacks
against civilians.
Ouattara has taken the presidency
after his rival’s arrest and is strug-
gling to restore stability in the coun-
try after the devastating crisis.

Nigeria ruling party wins

in riot-hit northern states
Reuters assembly, in elections that were set back
Abuja seven days by logistical glitches.
Results show the PDP won governor-
ship elections held in the northern states
Congo elections set for Nov 28
Reuters timeframe,” the president of the elec-
Kinshasa toral commission, Daniel Ngoy Mu-
lunda, told a news conference in the
capital Kinshasa.
“We, the Congolese people, are tional reforms earlier this year which
ready for elections, but the authori- reduce the presidential vote to one
ties must ensure security for the round, meaning the winner would not
vote,” Kamerhe said. need an absolute majority. Critics said

N C
igeria’s ruling party has won de-
layed governorship elections in
two northern states where hun-
dreds died in rioting after a vote two
weeks ago.
The state governorship races are the
last stage of a month-long election proc-
ess deemed by observers and many Nige-
rians to have been the fairest in decades,
despite some of the country’s worst po-
litical violence for years.
Goodluck Jonathan won an April 16
presidential vote a week after his ruling
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lost a
chunk of its large majority in the national
of Bauchi and Kaduna on Thursday.
The votes were delayed by two days in
what the electoral commission said was
an attempt to allow “tempers to cool”.
Turnout for the polls was low as voters
feared a repeat of the bloody protests in
northern cities after Jonathan, a Chris-
tian from the south, was declared winner
of the presidential vote, defeating north-
ern Muslim Muhammadu Buhari.
The PDP has won 18 of the 24 governor-
ship elections held last week but those in
Imo state were inconclusive and there will
be further votes on May 6 to decide the
result.
ongo will hold its second
post-war presidential and
legislative elections on No-
vember 28, the electoral commission
said yesterday, a vote seen as a test of
President Joseph Kabila’s commit-
ment to democracy.
Analysts hope the polls will also be
an important step towards stability
for a country recovering from a con-
flict that ended in 2003, leaving more
than 5mn people dead.
“We are particularly sensitive to
the opposition’s demands to hold
elections within the constitutional
Opposition parties in the mineral-
rich, Central African nation had re-
quested the elections be held before
Kabila’s term ends in December.
Mulunda said provisional results
would be known by December 6.
The announcement of the electoral
calendar had been delayed repeat-
edly, leading to fears that all or part of
the vote would be postponed.
Leading opposition candidate Vi-
tal Kamerhe said he was happy with
some aspects of the calendar but re-
mained concerned about the trans-
parency of the vote.
The head of the UN peacekeeping
mission in the country, Roger Meece,
said the UN would provide logistical
assistance. “It’s an ambitious calen-
dar and there are major challenges,
but we’re very committed to doing
our part,” he said.
The vast country faces major chal-
lenges in organising the elections. Par-
liament has not yet agreed on an elec-
toral law and voter registration is only
complete in two out of 11 provinces.
Kabila, who came to power in 2001
following the assassination of his fa-
ther Laurent, signed off on constitu-
this was done to help his re-election.
He won internationally-organised
elections in 2006, but the vote was
marred by violent clashes between
his supporters and those of rival
candidate Jean Pierre Bemba, which
killed more than 300 people in the
capital. Bemba is now standing trial
for war crimes in The Hague.
Observers say unless the country’s
notoriously fractured opposition can
unite behind one candidate, Kabila
is likely to win, despite growing un-
popularity over his failure to tackle
corruption and instability.

Press freedom activists slam axing of royal skit

AFP to cancel after the royals report- “The BBC and the royal family had been three months in the
Sydney edly objected. should have shown more toler- making.
Clarence House, the private ance and perhaps a bit more of a Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd
office of Prince William’s father sense of humour.” last week urged the BBC to

P
ress freedom advocates yes-
terday slammed the axing of
a satirical Australian pro-
gramme about the royal wedding
on official request as a troubling
example for authoritarian regimes.
Paris-based Reporters With-
out Borders (RSF) said it “de-
plored” the BBC and Associated
Press Television News (APTN)
for “censoring satirical cover-
age” of the nuptials by Australian
comedy group The Chaser.
Notorious for breaching se-
curity at an Apec summit in an
Osama bin Laden costume, The
Yesterday’s morning newspapers in Australia show the keen interest of the Australia’s media in the Chaser had planned to broadcast
wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. With Prime Minister Julia Gillard attending the royal irreverent commentary over the
wedding, the country’s newspapers devoted front pages and lift-outs to the glamorous couple’s marriage. BBC’s live feed, but were forced
Charles, was widely cited as be-
ing behind last-minute changes
to broadcasting conditions for-
bidding the use of footage in any
comedy or satire.
The revisions led the BBC to
threaten to block Australia’s
public broadcaster ABC - host to
The Chaser - from any wedding
coverage if it did not comply.
“Satire is an important ele-
ment of free expression in a
democratic country,” RSF said in
a statement.
“This interference with Aus-
tralian broadcasting sends the
wrong message to many coun-
tries where the right to caricature
is constantly denied,” it added.
RSF noted comments from The
Chaser that a “large proportion
of the cost of the wedding is be-
ing paid for by the (British) pub-
lic” and that the value of parody
and satire in a democracy were
recognised under Australian law.
It was also critical of other roy-
al-imposed restrictions on cover-
age, which included the installa-
tion of signal-blocking equipment
to prevent the use of Twitter and
other sites on mobile phones in-
side Westminster Abbey.
RSF congratulated The Chaser
for responding to the situation
with a satirical letter to Queen
Elizabeth II requesting a “stay of
execution” for the show, which
“lighten up” and appreciate the
“Australian sense of humour.”
The Chaser released some of the
clips they had shot for the special
on You Tube yesterday, the cred-
its for which featured baked beans
and toast being sloshed over a
commemorative wedding plate.
One segment overlaid cap-
tions about the wedding on foot-
age and interviews with Libyan
rebels, screaming Afghan women
and victims of Japan’s devastat-
ing tsunami.
“I cannot sleep anymore,” the
programme dubbed a Japanese
woman in an evacuation centre
saying. “My mind is so active
with thoughts of Kate’s dress.”
 Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 23

EAST ASIA

Japan’s FM
Japan house passes reassures
budget on quake aid US on its
This is the first step in
fixing the damage in the
countryside and getting life
back on the rails, the bills are
plant’s operator says could take
all year to bring under control.
In the latest blow to Kan, one
of his advisers on the nuclear
global focus
likely to keep piling up crisis resigned in tears yesterday AFP searching for bodies.
in protest at what he called the Tokyo The relief operation has
Reuters government’s haphazard han- helped ease some of the re-
Tokyo dling of the situation. cent frictions between the US

J
“The prime minister’s of- apan has pledged that and Japan, whose center-left
fice and administrative or- it will stay active on the government that took office

J
apan’s lower house of parlia-
ment passed an emergency
budget yesterday worth ¥4tn
($48.5bn) for rebuilding after the
devastating March 11 earthquake
and tsunami, a downpayment
on the country’s biggest public
works effort in six decades.
The budget is expected to pass
into law tomorrow when the up-
per house of parliament votes
on it. Lawmakers in the oppo-
sition parties that control the
upper house have said they will
back the first round of spending
to finance such work as clearing
rubble in the disaster-stricken
northeast and building tempo-
rary housing for those who have
lost their homes.
The emergency budget, which
is likely be followed by more
reconstruction spending pack-
ages, is still dwarfed by the over-
all cost of damage caused by the
March 11 earthquake and tsuna-
mi, estimated at $300bn.
Reaching agreement on
subsequent packages is likely
to be much tougher as they
are expected to involve a mix
of taxes as well as borrowing
in the bond market, which
could strain Japan’s econo-
my, already struggling with
public debt twice the size of
Avenue of youth
Katsuaki Kozuka posing for a photograph with his wife at their home in Kawauchimura located in the
20-30km exclusion zone around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Most residents of Kawauchimura
have evacuated to Koriyama in order to avoid the radiation. Kozuka and some others remain in the area
of their own accord.
the $5tn economy.
Unpopular Prime Minister
Naoto Kan’s Democratic Party
controls parliament’s lower
house but needs opposition help
to pass bills because it lacks a
majority in the upper chamber,
which can block legislation.
Kan, who has come under
fire for his handling of the
crisis, has said Japan may
have to issue fresh govern-
ment bonds to fund any more
supplementary budgets.
If he is unable to steer those
budgets through parliament,
he may be forced to step down,
some analysts say.
Nearly a quarter of respond-
ents to a Kyodo news agency poll
released yesterday called for Kan
to resign immediately, up about
10 percentage points from a
similar survey last month. More
than three-quarters said Kan
is not exercising leadership in
dealing with the crisis.
The magnitude 9.0 earth-
quake and 15m tsunami that fol-
lowed threw Japan into its deep-
est crisis since World War Two,
killing about 14,700 people and
leaving some 11,000 more miss-
ing, and destroying tens of thou-
sands of homes.
It also crippled a nuclear pow-
er plant in Fukushima, 240km
north of Tokyo, that began leak-
ing radiation, a situation the
ganisations have made im-
promptu policy decisions,
like playing a whack-a-mole
game, ignoring proper pro-
cedures,” adviser Toshiso Ko-
sako, a professor of antiradia-
tion safety at the University
of Tokyo’s graduate school,
told a news conference.
The government found a slight
amount of radioactive substanc-
es in breast milk of seven women
in a survey covering 23 women in
five prefectures including Tokyo
and Fukushima, a news report
said yesterday.
The amount was below the
interim limits for milk and dairy
products under the Food Sani-
tation Law and poses no health
risks to babies, Kyodo News
agency reported citing Japan’s
health ministry.
Tokyo Electric Power Co’s
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear
plant was damaged by a magni-
tude-9 earthquake and tsunami
on March 11 and has leaked ra-
diation into the air and sea ever
since.
Several kinds of vegetables,
fish and raw milk from areas
near the plant have been already
banned due to high levels of ra-
diation detected in their sam-
ples.
world stage and main-
tain aid to Afghanistan as it
sought to ease US concerns
that the key Asian ally would
turn inward after its mega-
disaster.
Foreign Minister Takeaki
Matsumoto, who took of-
fice just two days before his
country was ravaged by one
of history’s most power-
ful earthquakes on March
11, flew to Washington for
talks on his first bilateral visit
overseas.
“We were hit by the earth-
quake, but we wish to emerge
stronger and to continue to
fulfill our responsibility in
the international commu-
nity,” Matsumoto said Friday
after talks with Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton.
“I would like to express
our gratitude for the support
given by the US and also con-
vey our determination to re-
cover,” he said.
Clinton and Matsumoto
said they discussed disaster
relief but also a range of glo-
bal issues such as the Middle
East along with key regional
priorities for Japan such as
diplomacy on North Korea
and China.
Clinton said that Japan
had made “critical contribu-
tions” to Afghanistan, a lead-
ing focus for the US as it tries
to find a political solution to
end its decade-long military
involvement.
Japan “just announced
that it will continue its finan-
cial assistance to Afghanistan
at the same level as before the
earthquake,” Clinton said.
“That is a remarkable ex-
ample of both leadership and
generosity that we appreci-
ate,” Clinton said. Japan in
2009 pledged up to $5bn in
aid to Afghanistan over the
following five years.
Matsumoto later left
Washington on a trip that
will take him to Belgium,
Germany and Senegal, where
he will go ahead with a pre-
viously scheduled aid con-
ference between Japan and
African leaders, a Japanese
official said.
The US military, which
stations some 47,000 troops
in Japan, mounted a round-
the-block relief operation
after the earthquake as it
ferried supplies, repaired
the key Sendai airport and
helped the grisly task of
in 2009 tried and failed to
renegotiate the location of a
key military base.
Despite the renewed spirit
of alliance, some US officials
have privately voiced con-
cern that Japan could turn
inward as it undertakes the
massive task of rebuilding
from the disaster that left
nearly 26,000 people dead or
missing.
The 9.0-magnitude earth-
quake struck just after Chi-
na surpassed Japan to be
the world’s second-largest
economy, a coincidence that
some experts have said could
make the disaster a symbolic
milestone of Tokyo’s waning
influence.
The US and especially Ja-
pan both have rocky relations
with China, which has been
seen as stepping up its claims
to disputed territories as its
economic and military clout
grow.
Clinton said that she con-
sulted with Matsumoto
about the Strategic and Eco-
nomic Dialogue, the main
forum for dialogue between
China and the US which will
take place in Washington on
May 9-10.
“I think there is a conver-
gence of views between the
two countries that we expect
China to play a constructive
role in the Asia-Pacific re-
gion,” Japanese foreign min-
istry spokesman Hidenobu
Sobashima said after the
talks.
Clinton and Matsumoto
also issued a joint call for
North Korea to give up its nu-
clear weapons, a long source
of tension with the commu-
nist state which tested atom-
ic bombs in 2006 and 2009.
But Clinton said that
North Korea needed to re-
duce tensions with South
Korea before the US would
consider calls backed by
China to resume six-nation
denuclearization talks.
“We would like to see
them engaging in meaning-
ful dialogue with the South
in the first instance prior to
any other steps that might be
taken,” Clinton said.
Matsumoto said Clinton
voiced understanding for
Japan’s concerns about the
fate of Japanese civilians who
were kidnapped by North
Korea in the 1970s and 1980s
to train the regime’s spies.

Trader abducted by suspected

Muslim rebels in Philippines
A Philppine-Chinese businessman has been kidnapped by
Young passers-by wait at a crossing as Japanese right-wing organisation members hold national flags during a demonstration in Tokyo’s young culture district Shibuya, suspected Muslim militants in the southern Philippines, a regional
Japan, yesterday. The demostrators protested against the government led by Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan. military commander said yesterday.
Nelson Lim, 56, was seized Friday outside his house in Jolo town on
Jolo Island, 1,000km south of Manila, Lieutenant Colonel Randolph
Cabangbang said.
Cabangbang said seven gunmen dragged the victim to a waiting
van and sped off toward nearby Patikul town, a known hideout for
the Al Qaeda-linked Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels.

Putin criticises Tokyo over slow Police recovered the van a few hours later, abandoned in the
village of Sandah in Patikul.
Abu Sayyaf rebels have been responsible for several high-profile
kidnappings and deadly terrorist attacks in the country.

reaction to nuclear crisis at plant Jazeera cameraman sought in

Reuters promptly brought electricity
Penza, Russia storage devices such as batteries
and accumulators to the complex
to help pump in water to cool
build (reactors) in seismically
dangerous zones..., which are
everywhere there,” he said.
Russian officials previously
and explanation to neighbours
about its steps to contain the
crisis.
Japanese Prime Minister Nao-
power at home and for export,
unlike several countries includ-
ing Germany.
Russia plans to spendbns of
Indonesia bomb plot case
Indonesian police want to question an Al-Jazeera cameraman in
connection with a foiled Good Friday church bombing, they said
yesterday.

R
ussian Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin criticised
Japan yesterday for its
“slow” reaction to its nuclear
disaster and for building nuclear
reactors in earthquake-prone
zones.
Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nu-
clear reactor complex was hit by a
massive earthquake and tsunami
on March 11, touching off the
world’s worst nuclear crisis since
Chernobyl in 1986 as radiation
from damaged reactors spewed
into the surroundings.
Putin said Japan should have
stricken reactors.
“But ... they didn’t manage to
do that on time, and then prob-
lems erupted,” he said, speaking
at a Russian nuclear industry
meeting in the Volga region city
of Penza, 630km southeast of
Moscow.
Putin also questioned Japan’s
decision to build nuclear power
stations in areas vulnerable to
earthquakes.
“As far as the Japanese are
concerned, they are in a unique
situation out there. I don’t know
why, it is their choice, but they
suggested Japan might be exag-
gerating the scope of the crisis to
reduce the liabilities of insurance
companies.
President Dmitry Medvedev
has called for new world rules
on nuclear plant safety to be
adopted.
Japan’s response to the cri-
sis, including the dumping of
contaminated water into the
sea, raised an outcry in South
Korea and public concern in
China. Tokyo offered apolo-
gies over perceptions that it
had not given enough warning
to Kan was publicly berated over
his government’s slow response
when he visited one evacuation
centre in the devastated region
earlier this month.
Almost all of Russia’s 32
working nuclear power reactors
were built during the Soviet era,
when the Chernobyl disaster
occurred. But Putin said yester-
day that Russian reactors were
secured by “modern methods of
protection”.
Moscow said after Japan’s dis-
aster that it had no intention of
curbing its drive for more nuclear
dollars over the next decade on
building new reactors to reduce
reliance on the oil and gas that
fuel its $1.5tn economy.
As the Japanese disaster un-
folded, Russia increased ship-
ments of liquefied natural gas
to Japan and also offered to
bolster coal and electricity sup-
plies to its neighbour, separated
by a 40km-wide Pacific Ocean
channel.
Putin earlier said the nuclear
accident in Japan and unrest in
the Arab world would boost glo-
bal demand for oil and gas.
Anti-terror police last week arrested a cameraman working for a
local television station, who they said had been hired by a terror
cell to film the attack for broadcast.
National police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said the Al-Jazeera
cameraman, who is Indonesian, had allegedly been offered a share
of the scoop by the arrested man, but had turned it down.
“We have a plan to question the cameraman as a witness,” Amar
said. “We don’t know yet when we will do so.”
He added that 20 suspects had so far been arrested in connection
with the foiled church bombing.
The same group recently sent out “book bombs” to several
addresses including those of liberal Muslim figures and a counter-
terrorism official. No one was killed in those attacks.
Indonesia has been rocked by a series of attacks staged by regional
terror network Jemaah Islamiyah in recent years, including the
2002 Bali bombings which killed 202 people.
 Gulf Times
24 Sunday, May 1 , 2011

EAST ASIA

China frees lawyer but HK trader

another disappears
Holding rights activist for
long periods without charge
and in harsh conditions is
getting the Chinese regime
lots of bad publicity
AFP
Beijing
latest lawyer to disappear since
China launched a blitz on gov-
ernment critics following calls
for protests to match those rock-
ing the Arab world.
The developments came after
the latest human rights dialogue
between the United States and
China in Beijing broke off with
the two countries at loggerheads
week later and a further 30 were
arrested on April 24 for trying to
hold an Easter service in defi-
ance of the officially atheist gov-
ernment.
Bob Fu, president of China
Aid, welcomed Teng’s release
but warned “China cannot con-
tinue to play this game by letting
one go and taking one in if China
na to improve its rights record.
But there was no breakthrough
and China on Thursday repeated
its insistence that its handling of
dissent was its own business.
Posner said the US side raised
sensitive issues such as re-
strictions on religious groups,
China’s handling of restive mi-
norities such as Tibetans and
stands up
serves its legal rights.”
for China
Residents of the semi-auton-
omous south China territory
generally enjoy civil liberties not
seen on the mainland, includ-
ing freedom of speech, under
dissidents
the “one country, two systems” AFP tivists in a Hong Kong news-
principle in place since Britain Beijing paper column, describing the
handed the city back to Beijing. imprisonment of tainted milk
More than 1,000 people took activist Zhao Lianhai as “the

C H
hina released human
rights lawyer Teng Biao
after ten weeks in custody
but a second lawyer has disap-
peared, rights groups said yes-
terday, amid an ongoing crack-
down on dissent.
Advocacy group China Aid
said Teng returned home at
3:30pm (0730 GMT) on Friday
but also stated that Li Fangping
disappeared around 5pm after
leaving the office building of an
Aids victims group in Beijing.
Teng Biao’s wife confirmed
that her husband had returned
home but said “it is not conven-
ient to speak now”.
“It’s a relief that Teng Biao has
been released after almost 70
days of unlawful confinement
at the hands of China’s security
forces,” said Phelim Kine, Asia
researcher at New York-based
Human Rights Watch (HRW).
In February, Teng and other
lawyers involved in defending
Chen Guangcheng, an activist
who has spoken out about forced
abortions in China, were ar-
rested, interrogated and beaten
by police following a meeting in
Beijing.
HRW also named Li as the
Hazy skyline
after talks failed to produce any
progress.
HRW’s Kine said Li’s disap-
pearance “suggests that security
forces are conducting a carefully
planned assault on outspoken
human rights defenders in a cal-
culated effort to eviscerate Chi-
na’s rights defence movement.”
Renee Xia, from Chinese Hu-
man Rights Defenders, said that
“nobody has any idea why (Li is
being detained) now”, but added
“it is not a surprise, he is a very
active human rights lawyer”.
China Aid said Teng and Li are
both active members of the Chi-
nese Christian Rights Defense
Association, which has come
to prominence since repeated
arrests of Christians in recent
months.
China’s communist govern-
ment has long frowned on re-
ligion and imposes controls on
faith by requiring groups to reg-
ister for government approval to
gather, despite an official policy
stipulating religious freedom.
On April 10, nearly 170 church
followers were rounded up by
police after trying to hold an
outdoor service in western Bei-
jing. Nearly 50 were detained a
wants to be seen as a responsible
international partner”.
US Assistant Secretary of
State Michael Posner on Thurs-
day accused China of “serious
backsliding” on human rights
after the two-day US-China
Human Rights Dialogue con-
cluded in the Chinese capital.
Chinese authorities have
launched their toughest cam-
paign against government critics
in years after anonymous online
appeals emerged in February
calling for weekly protests to
emulate those in the Arab world.
Scores of Chinese activists and
rights lawyers have been round-
ed up since the emergence of the
“Jasmine” campaign, which has
gone largely unheeded.
The US State Department
had made clear before the latest
dialogue that it would zero in on
China’s clampdown and a “neg-
ative trend of forced disappear-
ances, extra-legal detentions,
and arrests and convictions”.
Human rights groups had
urged the Americans to step up
pressure in the dialogue, which
has been criticised as a toothless
talking shop that had achieved
nothing so far in pressuring Chi-
Muslim Uighurs, and the deten-
tions of scores of rights lawyers
and activists.
These included the case of Ai
Weiwei, a prominent artist and
staunch critic of the Commu-
nist Party whose disappearance
into police custody in early April
sparked criticism from around
the world.
China’s army has warned an
image of detained artist Ai Wei-
wei briefly projected onto a Hong
Kong barracks amid a campaign
in the territory for his release
was illegal, a report said yester-
day.
An artist calling himself Cpak
Ming displayed an image of the
dissident’s face with the words
“Who’s Afraid of Ai Weiwei?”
on the barracks, police head-
quarters and other buildings this
week, the South China Morning
Post said.
A spokesman for the Hong
Kong garrison of the People’s Lib-
eration Army told the newspaper:
“No one can paint or project pic-
tures and images onto the outer
wall of the barracks without the
garrison’s permission.
“Such an offence is a breach
of Hong Kong law. The PLA re-
part in a protest march a week
ago demanding the release of Ai,
who was detained in early April
in Beijing for unspecified “eco-
nomic crimes”, sparking world-
wide condemnation.
Supporters say the detention
of the outspoken critic of Chi-
na’s Communist Party leaders
is political and forms part of a
crackdown on dissidents in re-
cent weeks, under which scores
of lawyers and campaigners have
been held.
A rash of stencilled, painted
graffiti in Ai’s support has also
appeared on the streets of the
financial hub this month and is
under investigation by police as
a possible case of criminal dam-
age, the Post reported.
The man responsible for the
“flash graffiti” projections of Ai
could not be contacted via his
Facebook page, the newspaper
said.
He has uploaded instructions
to the social networking site so
that Ai supporters could create
their own displays.
Legislator Ronny Tong Kun-
sun, a barrister, said he could not
see that the projections broke
the law.
ong Kong business-
man Lew Mon Hung
is an unlikely hero for
China’s growing legions of
dissidents.
The strait-laced financier
insists he is a Chinese patriot,
a point underscored by his
membership of a political ad-
visory body to Beijing.
He will not touch questions
about ending China’s one-
party rule and dismisses Hong
Kong’s pro-democracy camp,
frequently a thorn in Beijing’s
side, as “radicals”.
But the 62-year-old has
been anything but a muted
political appointee in recent
years, railing against China’s
jailing and mistreatment of
dissidents and arguing that
the country’s opaque justice
system is in serious need of re-
form to prevent abuse by po-
lice and the courts.
“I am a Chinese first and
foremost. I love my country,”
he said from a glitzy office in
Hong Kong’s financial core
covered from floor to ceiling
with articles he penned about
the city’s political freedoms
and human rights.
“(But) I’m here to serve the
people—I do what’s right. We
have a duty to speak up for the
people.”
One such person is artist Ai
Weiwei, who was locked up in
April as part of a major gov-
ernment crackdown on dis-
sent. The move followed on-
line calls for demonstrations
in China to emulate those that
have rocked the Arab world.
Chinese officials have re-
fused to reveal the wherea-
bouts of Ai, who is being held
for unspecified “economic
crimes,” sparking an outcry in
the West and proving to Lew
that “those in power have no
concept of justice.”
Lew’s outspoken views
have won him plenty of ad-
mirers in the former British
colony which guarantees civil
freedoms not seen in main-
land China.
“People on the street are
raising their thumbs at me and
saying ‘Way to go, you!’ he
said with a smile. It makes me
happy.”
However, his views have also
put him on a collision course
with Beijing and threaten to
cost him his job as a Hong
Kong delegate to the Chinese
People’s Political Consultative
Conference (CPPCC), a largely
toothless advisory body to the
central government that Lew
joined in 2008.
He regularly scolds Beijing’s
treatment of human rights ac-
injustice of the millennium”.
Lew ran full-page adver-
tisements in two Hong Kong
newspapers last year to pro-
test the jailing of Zhao—whose
son was among several hun-
dred thousand made ill by
tainted milk products in one
of the country’s worst public
health scandals—calling the
verdict a “guilty verdict for the
innocent”.
The businessman made a
proposal through the CPPCC
that the district court that de-
livered a harsh ruling against
Zhao should be held account-
able for unlawful acts, a move
credited as being partly re-
sponsible for the activist’s
subsequent release.
But Lew is equally critical of
Hong Kong’s own government
for banning Tiananmen activ-
ists Wang Dan and Wu’er Kaixi
from entering the city for de-
mocracy icon Szeto Wah’s fu-
neral in January.
Many top political figures
in the city’s pro-democracy
movement regularly lash out
at China’s leaders.
But Lew—who fled to Hong
Kong from China in 1973 and
later made a name for himself
in the mergers and acquisi-
tions business—is performing
a tough balancing act.
He says top Chinese officials
are well aware of his past—
swimming for nine hours from
the mainland to Hong Kong
with only his bathing trunks—
describing his flight during a
turbulent political period as
“unique historical circum-
stances.”
However, he does not have
much time for lawmakers and
activists who are calling for
full democracy in his adopted
home.
“They view Hong Kong as a
quasi-independent state—but
in reality we are “one country,
two systems,” he said, refer-
ring to the semi-autonomous
system under which Hong
Kong returned to China.
Nor will he support calls
by some activists for an end
to China’s one-party state,
adding that “it is too sensi-
tive for me to comment (fur-
ther).”
But the outspoken Lew in-
sists the spectacular rise of his
native land must “be accom-
panied by a respect for free-
dom, democracy, rule of law,
human rights, fairness, social
justice and other universal
values.”
“Only then will the nation’s
rise be a blessing to its people
and only then will it win the
respect of the world,” he said.

People drive amidst floating dust and sand storm on Jianwai Street in central Beijing yesterday. A strong sandstorm has hit some parts of Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur
Autonomous Region since Thursday morning. As the strong wind continues, the sandstorm is spreading to the region’s neighbouring areas, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Two dead in Thai

south attacks ahead
Fresh skirmishes after truce deal of premier’s visit
on Thailand-Cambodia border
AFP
Bangkok

AFP “Even though there is a re-
Bangkok cent ceasefire... Thailand still
breached it,” Cambodia’s For-
eign Minister Hor Namhong
morning, army sources in Thai-
land said.
Cambodia’s defence ministry
accused Thailand in a statement
ment spokesman Panitan
Wattanayagorn.
Hor Namhong returned yes-
terday from The Hague where
The stone structure has been
the focus of border tensions
since it was granted UN World
Heritage status in 2008 and 10
T
wo Thai troops died and nine were injured in bombings
that struck Thailand’s restive south yesterday just hours
before a visit by the prime minister, police said.
Unknown attackers detonated two bombs within a kilometre
of each other in the district of Raman in Yala, one of three insur-
gency-plagued provinces near Thailand’s border with Malaysia.

T
hai and Cambodian troops
exchanged fire on their
disputed border for a ninth
straight day yesterday, both sides
said, casting doubt on efforts to
end the countries’ bloodiest con-
flict in decades.
The latest hostilities at two
ancient temples on their shared
jungle frontier erupted just hours
after Cambodia announced a
second truce in as many days,
although Bangkok denied knowl-
edge of a new peace deal.
Each side has traded accusa-
tions of untrustworthiness in
solving a dispute that has killed
16 people and displaced more
than 85,000 civilians.
told reporters in Phnom Penh
yesterday.
“It shows that we cannot trust
our counterpart,” he said in com-
ments that echoed those made by
Thai officials a day earlier.
The latest flare-up was con-
firmed by both countries, but
while it was followed by a lull in
fighting, frontline soldiers re-
mained on alert.
“Clashes could happen at any
time,” Cambodian field com-
mander Suos Sothea said by tel-
ephone.
There were no reports of new
deaths, although at least 10 Thai
soldiers were injured in clashes
on Friday night and Saturday
of using grenades and firing mor-
tar rounds at Cambodian troops
in the latest clashes.
The two neighbours have come
under increasing international
pressure to stop the violence.
A first attempted truce on
Thursday, confirmed by the two
countries, proved short-lived
and Bangkok has contradicted
Phnom Penh’s latest claims,
saying Friday’s talks between
commanders on the ground did
not amount to a genuine break-
through.
“We actually have talked
at local officers’ level which I
hope will lead to a real cease-
fire,” said Thailand’s govern-
he had submitted a request to
the World Court to clarify a
1962 ruling about land around
the ancient Preah Vihear tem-
ple—an area that has inflamed
tensions between the two
neighbours.
“The request for the interpre-
tation by the court is a way to re-
solve the problem peacefully,” he
said at Phnom Penh airport.
The court ruled more than four
decades ago that the 900-year-
old temple belonged to Cam-
bodia, but both countries claim
ownership of a 4.6-sq-km sur-
rounding area.
Thailand said it had hired legal
advisors and would fight the case.
people died in hostilities be-
tween the neighbours there in
February.
The Thai-Cambodian frontier
has never been fully demarcated,
partly because it is littered with
landmines left over from years of
war in Cambodia.
The current unrest is cen-
tred around two other contested
temple complexes 150km west of
Preah Vihear, although there was
some fighting at the site itself on
Tuesday.
Seven Thai troops and eight
Cambodian soldiers have died
since the fighting began on April
22, and Bangkok has said a Thai
civilian was also killed.
The bloodshed coincided with a rare one-day visit to the
southern region by Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was due in
Raman on Saturday afternoon. A first roadside explosion injured
four soldiers shortly before noon.
It was followed by a gun battle and a second blast that killed
two troops responding to the initial bombing. Another five were
wounded. “All the victims, including the dead and injured, are
rangers,” police in Raman said.
Thailand urged authorities in the violence-ridden south to step
up security surveillance earlier this month as the bloody toll of
years of unrest continued to rise.
More than 4,500 people, both Muslims and Buddhists, have
died since shadowy insurgents launched an uprising in Thailand’s
southernmost region bordering Malaysia in early 2004.
The three southern provinces have been under emergency rule
since 2005, giving the military broad powers of arrest.
Abhisit, accompanied by his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, was
in the region to chair a meeting of a government body tasked with
mapping out strategic development for the south.
 Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 25

POLITICS
Sharif’s party seeks to
form rival alliance
The opposition Pakistan Muslim League-N of
former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is sharpening
plans to seek snap polls ahead of Senate elec-
tions early next year in a ‘panicked but calculated’
response to an emerging political alliance being
propped up by the ruling Pakistan People’s Party
of President Asif Zardari, apparently aimed at
stealing its Punjab stronghold.
A power-sharing deal between PPP and op-
position Pakistan Muslim League-Q of Shujaat
Hussain has reportedly triggered unease
within the PML-N, prompting the party to seek
a parallel electoral alliance with some other
groups.
HONOUR
Pakistan elected to
three UN subcommittees
The Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) of
the United Nations has elected Pakistan to the
membership of three of its subcommittees, an an-
nouncement said yesterday. Pakistan will join the
Commission on Narcotic Drugs for a three-year
term ending in 2015, the commission on Sustain-
able Development for a term ending in 2013 and
the Committee on Programme and Co-ordination
for a two-year term ending in 2014. Pakistan’s
membership of these committees will be man-
aged by the country’s permanent mission to the
United Nations. Diplomats view the country’s elec-
tion as recognition of Pakistan’s active participa-
tion in international co-operation efforts.
PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN
PUNISHMENT
26 Pakistanis in Saudi jails
for non-payment of diya
As many as 26 Pakistanis are jailed in Saudi
Arabia despite having served their sentences,
according to State Minister for Foreign Affairs
Hina Rabbani Khar. Taking into confidence the
National Assembly, Khar has said the prisoners
had not paid the diya – blood money – imposed
on them by Saudi authorities. The fines, she said,
range between 17,000 and 3.9mn Saudi riyals.
The Pakistanis are jailed mostly on offences like
theft, drug trafficking, road accidents and at least
one murder count.
Khar said that more than 73,000 Pakistanis had
been deported from various countries during
2009-2010.
EMPLOYMENT
Govt to launch Rs3bn
plan for fishermen
The government in Pakistan’s Balochistan prov-
ince is set to launch a Rs3bn project in the coastal
districts of Gwadar and Lasbela to improve the
livelihood of poor fishermen. Official sources
said yesterday that the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD) had agreed to
meet 85% cost of the project by providing a loan
of $30mn which would be approved by its execu-
tive board in Rome on May 10. The provincial
government and beneficiaries of the project will
contribute to the project in the form of funds
and kind. The project spreading over six years is
aimed at reducing poverty in Gwadar and Lasbela
districts and increasing incomes.
REVENUE
Tax rate on Pakistani
banks may go up
The Pakistan government is considering an option
to increase the tax rate on banks to improve its
deteriorating revenue collection, say industry
sources. Currently, the banks pay the same 35%
tax equal to corporate tax, however, the banking
sector has been one of the highest tax payers
before Shaukat Aziz took charge of the finance
ministry. The former finance minister, who later
became prime minister, himself a career banker,
drastically cut the tax rate on banks and eventual-
ly brought down the tax on banking sector at par
with corporate sector. Sources said the shortage
of revenue has forced the government to consider
every option for generating additional revenue.

Nato supply truck torched

Taliban rebels
declare start
of offensive in
Afghanistan
Offensive to start May 1, were bolstering security in an- ers have long anticipated a spike
targeting foreign, Afghan ticipation of attacks. in violence with the arrival of
troops, govt; Taliban warn “We do know for quite some the spring and summer “fight-
Afghan civilians to avoid time already that the insurgency ing season”, although the usual
target areas; Some UN staff plans an attempt to come out winter lull was not seen as US-
to be relocated after security with a surge of violence in cer- led forces pressed their attacks
threats tain areas of this country in the against insurgents, particularly
next days,” Blotz told Reuters. in the Taliban’s southern heart- Pakistani security officials inspect an oil tanker destined for Nato’s forces in Afghanistan, after it was torched by suspected
Reuters The United Nations said it was land. insurgents on the outskirts of Peshawar, the provincial capital of militancy-hit Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, yesterday. In
Kabul relocating some of its staff in Af- While Washington and ISAF 2010, more than 170 supply vehicles were torched and six people, most of them drivers, were killed in militant attacks on Nato
ghanistan after receiving “cred- commanders have trumpeted supply convoys. According to official figures, 80 per cent of Nato supplies are transported to Afghanistan via Pakistan.
ible threats” of increased attacks successes against a growing in-

T
he Taliban declared the
start of a spring offensive
across Afghanistan on
Saturday, warning they would
target foreign troops as well as
Afghan security forces and top
government officials in a wave of
attacks including suicide bomb-
ings.
In a statement, the Islam-
ists warned Afghan civilians to
stay away from public gather-
ings, military bases and convoys,
as well as Afghan government
centres and buildings, as these
would be the focus of attacks
starting on May 1.
The Taliban statement comes
in a “number of locations around
the country”.
The United Nations has been
the target of several insurgent
attacks over the past two years.
Earlier this month, seven inter-
national staff were killed after
protesters overran a UN com-
pound in northern Mazar-i-
Sharif.
The Taliban denied involve-
ment in that attack, but officials
said insurgents had been in-
volved in stirring up an already
angry crowd.
“The Leadership Council
of the Islamic Emirate
surgency since 30,000 extra US
troops were sent to Afghanistan
last year, the insurgency has
shown little sign of abating.
Violence across Afghanistan
hit record levels in 2010, with ci-
vilian and military casualties the
worst since US-backed Afghan
forces toppled the Taliban gov-
Benazir’s son not to jump
ernment in late 2001.
The Pentagon said in a report
on Friday that an overall increase
in violence was due in part to
increased targeting of insurgent
head-first into politics
safe havens and unseasonably Internews travelling here and meeting bumps when hearing him. In
mild weather. Karachi party leaders and members. He terms of sustaining the family
The Taliban did not say how listens and he takes his time legacy in Sindh, Bilawal has that
long their stepped-up campaign with making comments on is- natural appeal as Benazir’s son

just a day after senior military
officials and Western diplomats
warned they expected a surge in
attacks over the next week, be-
ginning on Sunday.
“The Leadership Council
of the Islamic Emirate of Af-
ghanistan wants to declare the
launching of the spring military
operations named as “Badar” to
be waged against the invading
Americans and their foreign al-
lies and internal supports,” the
Taliban said in an emailed state-
ment.
“Operations will focus on at-
tacks against military centres,
places of gatherings, airbases,
ammunition and logistical mili-
tary convoys of the foreign in-
vaders in all parts of the coun-
try,” the Taliban said.
Senior military officials told
Reuters on Friday that recent
intelligence reporting indicated
the campaign of increased vio-
lence would last about a week
and would be mounted by the
Taliban, supported by the Al
Qaeda-linked Haqqani network
and other insurgents.
Brigadier General Josef Blotz,
spokesman for the Nato-led In-
ternational Security Assistance
Force (ISAF), said coalition bases
of Afghanistan wants to
declare the launching
of the spring military
operations named as
“Badar” to be waged against
the invading Americans
and their foreign allies and
internal supports”
“As a precautionary measure
the United Nations is shifting its
staff from some of its regional
operational centres into safe lo-
cations for a short period. Staff
are not leaving their regions
and will continue working from
these locations,” said Kieran
Dwyer, spokesman for the UN
Mission in Afghanistan.
The Taliban said the targets
of the attacks would be foreign
forces, high-ranking officials of
President Hamid Karzai’s gov-
ernment, members of the cabi-
net and lawmakers, as well as the
heads of foreign and local com-
panies working for ISAF.
“All Afghan people should
bear in mind to keep away from
gatherings, convoys and centres
of the enemy so that they will
not become harmed during at-
tacks of Mujahideen against the
enemy,” the Taliban said.
Senior military command-
would last, but said it had been
codenamed “Badar” after a de-
cisive Muslim 7th century battle
victory in western Arabia that
Muslims attribute to divine in-
tervention.
In the statement, the Tali-
ban repeated their frequent
claim that fighting in Afghani-
stan would not end until foreign
troops had left the country. They
also called on Afghan govern-
ment officials and security forces
to switch sides to the insurgency.
Military commanders inter-
viewed by Reuters this week
were not sure why May 1 had
been chosen by the Taliban to
launch their renewed offensive.
The anticipated Taliban cam-
paign would not change the
coalition’s counterinsurgency
strategy put in place last year by
US General David Petraeus, the
commander of the 150,000 US
and ISAF troops in Afghanistan,
they said.
Under a programme agreed at
a Nato summit last year, ISAF
said it will begin handing securi-
ty responsibility to Afghan forc-
es in several areas from July. The
programme will end with the
withdrawal of all foreign combat
troops by the end of 2014.
P
akistan President Asif
Zardari announced this
week that his son Bila-
wal Bhutto-Zardari will take up
some “political responsibility”
this September.
However, ruling Pakistan
People’s Party leaders say that
Bilawal will not be jumping
headfirst into politics and will
first learn the workings of the
party inside-out.
According to PPP Member
of National Assembly and
the president’s media adviser
Farahnaz Ispahani said while
Bilawal is already familiar
with the party structure and
leadership, the new move will
see him being involved with
the party in an organised
manner.
Ispahani said that party
General Secretary Jahangir
Badar will take Bilawal un-
der his wing and he will be
working with senior provin-
cial leaders, such as current
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim
Shah. “Bilawal has specifi-
cally expressed interest in the
party’s youth wing, which
was very dear to Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto,”
she said.
Bilawal: entering politics?
“He will be looking into
modernising the Peoples Youth
Organisation, and bringing
in new ideas, media technol-
ogy etc through intellectual and
practical exercises.”
Bilawal, who turns 23 this
September, is two years away
from being eligible to run for a
provincial or national assembly
seat.
However, the PPP believes
that the idea is not for Bilawal to
jump into politics by contest-
ing elections, but to spend time
learning about the party.
“He is a keen learner,” said
Ispahani. “He has spent time
sues.”
While Bilawal has attracted
criticism for being the newest
symbol of dynasty politics in
the subcontinent, he garnered
praise for his stance on the as-
sassinations of former Punjab
Governor Salman Taseer and
former Minority Affairs Minis-
ter Shahbaz Bhatti.
Bilawal, who graduated from
Oxford University last year,
could emerge as PPP’s much-
needed progressive voice, given
what appears to be his interest
in social issues and stance on
minorities.
The timing of the announce-
ment is worth noting.
The PPP, like all other po-
litical parties, is looking at the
2013 elections. While it man-
aged to win a large number of
seats in the 2008 elections, ob-
servers noted that the party also
won the sympathy vote in the
wake of Benazir Bhutto’s assas-
sination.
By working with the youth
wing, Bilawal could possibly
galvanise young voters and
Bhutto family loyalists.
“He seems to have a natural
talent for public speaking. It’s
impossible to not have goose-
which Zardari can never have,”
remarked analyst Mosharraf
Zaidi.
While his late mother, former
prime minister Benazir Bhut-
to, faced opposition from the
party’s old guard when she re-
turned to Pakistan, Ispahani
said this would not be an issue
for Bilawal.
“There is a great deal of love
for the children,” she said.
“Benazir’s house in Dubai al-
ways had PPP leaders visiting
and the children know most
of them very well. When he
was voted as chairperson by
the Central Executive Com-
mittee, it was done with the
understanding that he would
lead the party but would spend
time learning and working for
it.”
Bilawal’s sisters, Bakhtawar
and Asifa, have also taken on
public roles, but there appears
to be no move yet to assign
them political responsibili-
ties. The three have met key
foreign leaders with President
Zardari.
Bilawal will be leading a PPP
delegation to China this sum-
mer before he starts working
with the party in the fall.

Power shortage expected to peak in Pakistan

Be firm with Pakistan on extremism: UK Although substantial rains in

various parts of Pakistan the
past week reduced the de-
mand for electricity, the power
deficit will not only continue
power deficit may touch an
alarming 8,000MW.
“It is an alarming situation
and all furnace oil-run power
plants will be non-operational
Internews Pakistani society of Lashkar-e- more insistent on the need to roll ficult, frustrating, enervating, ship for the US and Pakistan to to haunt the people but will from Sunday, exposing the
Karachi Taiba, a militant group blamed up that infrastructure,” he said. dangerous dealing with Pakistan replace the unbalanced — essen- swell to alarming levels in the country to unprecedented
for the deadly 2008 siege of But Miliband, who said he at the moment as a partner, try tially military-only relationship, next few days, say experts. power outages,” a senior
Mumbai. would soon travel to Pakistan, fulfilling your own interests in individual leader-based rela- Fuel stocks required for official at the Ministry of

W
estern powers must
be firm with Pakistan
about its need to crack
down on extremists, but there is
no alternative to continuing to
work directly with Islamabad,
British lawmaker David Mili-
band said on Friday.
Miliband, foreign secretary
from 2007 until Britain’s Labour
Party lost power last year, voiced
alarm at the influence inside
“We should be engaging with
Pakistan; on the other hand, I
feel very comfortable speaking
very plainly about the responsi-
bilities that they have,” Miliband
said at the Council on Foreign
Relations in Washington.
Pakistan needs to do more to
hold assailants for the Mum-
bai attack accountable and if
Lashkar-e-Taiba is expanding its
reach, “then we need to be even
called on the United States along
with the South Asian nation’s
neighbors to keep trying to en-
gage both politically and eco-
nomically.
“One of the most chill-
ing things I’ve heard and read
over the last few months is that
America has a choice about
whether or not to sever its links
with Pakistan,” Miliband said.
“Because if you think it dif-
South Asia without Pakistan as a
partner,” he said.
Miliband welcomed a letter sent
by President Barack Obama to
his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali
Zardari in late 2009, in which the
US leader offered expanded coop-
eration but demanded Islamabad
do more against Islamic militants
in India and Afghanistan.
“It was a very important step,
proposing a strategic relation-
tionship — of the past,” he said.
“I have criticised the Pakistani
government for the way in which
it failed adequately to respond to
the significance of the outreach,”
he said.
Pakistan has a historic rivalry
with India and helped create
Afghanistan’s Taliban, but it
abruptly sided with the United
States after the September 11,
2001 attacks.
thermal power generation
stand at 20,000 tonnes, only
enough to produce power for
consumption for one day. A
ship carrying 65,000 tonnes
of fuel, scheduled to arrive
at Port Qasim yesterday, has
been delayed and will now
arrive by May 2, 2011. In the
event that it fails to arrive
on the anticipated date, the
Water and Power confirmed
yesterday.
Federal Minister for Water and
Power, Naveed Qamar, has
convened a meeting of impor-
tant stakeholders to chalk out
a contingency plan to man-
age a gruelling power deficit
that will only become worse
as fuel-run power plants stop
functioning from today.
 Gulf Times
26 Sunday, May 1, 2011

INDIA
VIOLENCE
Aligarh university
closed after violence
Authorities yesterday closed the Aligarh
Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh a
day after clashes erupted on the campus. AMU
Registrar V K Abdul Jaleel said all students
have been ordered to vacate the hostel
within 48 hours. He also said examinations
scheduled for the day were postponed.
Their next date will be announced later. On
Friday there were three rounds of clashes
between armed groups of students. No one
was injured. Following the violence linked to
the university’s internal politics, the district
authorities advised the AMU registrar and the
proctor to close the university.
TOURISM
Goa plans to set
up golf course
Tourists will soon be able to tee off during their
vacations to Goa, with the state government
planning to open the first Professional Golfers
Association (PGA) standard golf course, officials
said yesterday. The tourism department floated an
expression of interest (EoI) inviting developers for
the project a few months ago and has short-listed a
proposal submitted by Leading Hotels Pvt Ltd and
the Four Seasons hospitality group. “The proposed
developers have identified Terekol in the Pernem
as the most ideal location for the golf course
project,” an official said, adding the golf course
could be set up under the large revenue generation
scheme floated by the central government.
CAMPAIGN
Delhi fines 21,600
smokers in 15 months
Despite a ban on smoking in public places,
people continue breaking the law and more
than 21,600 violators were fined New Delhi over
the last 15 months, according to Health Minister
A K Walia. “Between January 2010 and March
2011, a total of 181,000 places were inspected,
and 21,600 people and 3,200 tobacco vendors
were fined,” Walia said yesterday. The minister
said this while inaugurating a month-long “No
Tobacco” campaign in the national capital. The
campaign will include a number of programmes
such as debates, a poster competition, sports
meet and a rally. Walia urged people to avoid
smoking.
WILDLIFE
Rare animal rescued
from Jamia campus
A rare Small Indian Civet, a nocturnal and
terrestrial mammal, was recovered from the
campus of the Jamia Millia Islamia here, an
official said yesterday. Civet, an endangered
species under the Wildlife Act, was spotted
inside a cavity in a room at the university, which
then called the rescue team of NGO Wildlife
SOS. “Although it was visible, it was still at an
inaccessible location for a safe rescue,” said
Karthick Satynarayan from Wildlife SOS. The
team had to disturb the animal to drive it out in
the open. The moment the animal emerged, the
team safely secured it with the help of an animal
snare.
CRIME
Policemen held for
rape of tribal girls
Two Chhattisgarh policeman posted at the
Counter- Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College
(CTJWC) based in the Maoist insurgency-hit
Bastar region were arrested for the alleged rape
of two tribal girls, police said yesterday. An official
said the accused on Thursday took the girls to a
forested area near CTJWC and raped them. The
incident has triggered anger among the people
and the accused were suspended. CTJWC director
B K Ponwar, a retired army brigadier, said: “The
accused were basically cooks and were not part
of the policemen who are here to be trained for
guerrilla warfare. We handed them over to local
police to initiate strongest action as per the law.”

It’s party time in Gujarat

Hyderabad
tense after
attack on
MIM leader
IANS
Hyderabad

A
ndhra Pradesh legislator
and Majlis-e-Ittehadul
Muslimeen (MIM) leader
Akbaruddin Owaisi was injured
when assailants attacked him
here yesterday, sparking tension
in the old city of Hyderabad.
He was rushed to hospital
where his condition was report-
ed to be stable.
Another MIM legislator, Akbaruddin Owaisi: injured in
Ahmed Balala, was also injured attack
when he tried to save Owaisi.
One of the assailants was shot also bore bullet marks and blood
dead and two others were injured stains.
by the legislator’s security guards. Pehlwan had supported Majlis
A profusely bleeding Owaisi, Bachao Tehreek (MBT) against Artists perform during a full-dress rehearsal for the golden jubilee celebrations of the foundation of Gujarat state at the Sardar Patel cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. The
who is the MIM floor leader in Owaisi during the 2009 elec- foundation day of the western state will be celebrated today.
the state assembly, was rushed tions and had even clashed with
to the Owaisi Hospital in San- Owaisi’s supporters on a few oc-
tosh Nagar. casions.
State Home Minister P Sabita MIM sources said Pehlwan,
Indra Reddy quoted doctors at accused of being a land grabber,

CBI must act without

the hospital as saying that Ow-
aisi’s condition was stable.
Earlier, Additional Inspector
General of Police A R Anuradha
also told reporters outside the
hospital that Owaisi’s condition
attacked Owaisi as the legislator
had handed over to the authori-
ties a piece of land for building
houses for the poor after freeing
it from encroachers.
However, MBT leader Am-

fear or favour, says PM

was stable.
“Doctors are monitoring him
carefully. We are sure he will come
out safely,” she said while trying to
pacify angry MIM activists.
As tension gripped the old
city, shopkeepers downed shut-
ters and buses went off the roads.
Director General of Police
K Aravinda Rao said adequate
forces have been deployed to
maintain law and order.
“The situation is under con-
trol and we are not expecting any
serious trouble,” he said.
Doctors said three bullets were
removed from Owaisi’s body
jadullah Khan Khalid alleged
Owaisi had been harassing the
family of Pehlwan, whom he
called a businessman.
Pehlwan told a TV channel his
nephew was gunned down and
two other relatives were injured
by Owaisi’s security guards. He Prime Minister Manmohan constitutes a litmus test for CBI has to be sensitive to these Singh’s government is in the “There was complete abdi-
accused the legislator of target- Singh says handling of “high you,” Singh said at the opening but it has always to do what is eye of a storm over allegations cation of responsibility by the
ing him and his family. profile cases of corruption” is of a new CBI headquarters in right and correct. For an investi- that telecom licences were sold prime minister,” said senior
Angry MIM activists attacked a “litmus test” for the Central New Delhi. gating agency, there can be only at cut-rate prices in 2008 in BJP lawmaker Yashwant Sinha,
a hall and two hotels reportedly Bureau of Investigation “What is expected of you is one guiding beacon, only one exchange for kickbacks, depriv- a member of the Public Ac-
belonging to the family of Pehl- thorough investigation, fair ac- gold standard and that is the law ing the treasury of as much as counts Committee, in the most
wan. Agencies tion and quick results. The CBI of the land.” $40bn in revenues. direct opposition attack yet on
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar New Delhi should act without fear or favour It faces a second high-profile Singh.
Reddy, who reviewed the secu- and bring to book all those who graft scandal over last October’s “In India’s history there is
rity situation with his cabinet are guilty, irrespective of their Delhi Commonwealth Games. no precedent of this kind. Nine

while another surgery was likely
later to remove a fourth bullet.
The attack took place around
11.30am when Owaisi was visit-
ing his Chandrayangutta assem-
bly constituency in the old city
area of Hyderabad.
According to witnesses, four to
five people attacked Owaisi with
knives when he was getting into
his car after attending a meeting
in Barkas neighbourhood.
As an injured Owaisi tried to
take to the steering wheel, the
attackers opened fire at him.
His party colleague and legisla-
tor Balala rushed to Owaisi’s res-
cue. But Balala and his driver aide
also sustained bullet injuries.
According to the police chief,
security guards of the legislators
opened fire, killing one attacker.
Two are in serious condition,
the DGP said.
The drivers of the legislators
and a corporator of the MIM
were also injured in the attack
suspected to be mounted by Mo-
hamed Pehlwan and his relatives
over a land dispute.
Blood stains, bullets, knives,
mobile phones, footwear and
sunglasses were seen strewn
colleagues, rushed to the Owaisi
Hospital.
The 39-year-old Akbaruddin
Owaisi is the younger brother of
MIM president Asaduddin Ow-
aisi, a Lok Sabha member from
Hyderabad.
The younger Owaisi is the
leader of MIM in the state assem-
bly. The party has seven legisla-
tors in the 294-member house.
The leader is the managing
director of the Owaisi Hospital
and also heads a group of insti-
tutions, including medical and
engineering colleges.
He became the MIM floor
leader in the state assembly in
2004, replacing his elder brother
Asaduddin Owaisi, who moved
to the Lok Sabha in 2004 after
their father Sultan Salahuddin
Owaisi decided not to contest
elections due to ill health.
Salahuddin Owaisi, who dom-
inated the politics in Hyderabad
for four decades, was elected to
parliament for six consecutive
terms (1984-2004. He died in
2008 at the age of 77.
It was Salahuddin’s father
Moulana Abdul Wahid Owaisi
who revived the MIM in 1958
P
rime Minister Manmohan
Singh, whose government
has been roiled by a series
of corruption scandals, yester-
day urged the country’s top po-
lice agency to “act without fear
or favour.”
Singh’s comments came as
his Congress-led coalition reels
from a slew of scandals, with his
personal reputation on the line
amid charges that he has allowed
graft to go unchecked during his
seven years in office.
The prime minister noted that
the Central Bureau of Investiga-
tion (CBI) was investigating sev-
eral high-profile cases of cor-
ruption that have attracted wide
public attention.
“The handling of these cases
Kochi biennale to provide artists a platform
IANS
New Delhi
position or status,” he said.
“Whoever transgresses the
law of the land, however mighty,
has to be brought to book,” Singh
said.
The prime minister also ad-
vised the CBI to avoid the me-
dia and concentrate on work.
“I would advise you to put your
heads down and work hard,
away from the media glare, to
ensure early resolution of these
cases.”
He said it was important for
the agency to ensure that its
judgment was “rooted in hard
evidence and is not influenced
by extraneous factors.”
“Ours is an open and free so-
ciety. There will be many views
and opinions on all issues. The
will host a stakeholders event
in Venice in June to promote the
Kochi Biennale.
According to the organisers,
“Whoever transgresses
the law of the land,
however mighty, has
to be brought to book.
But there should be no
vendetta, no witch-hunt
and no harassment of the
innocent”
At the same time, Singh told
the CBI not to engage in witch-
hunts.
“There should be no vendetta,
no witch-hunt and no harass-
ment of the innocent,” he said.
He said the biennale will
translate “into a unique connec-
tor wherein current and future
generations will experience a
Last week the CBI arrested
Suresh Kalmadi, a senior Con-
gress lawmaker who was the top
organiser of the $6bn Games, on
corruption charges.
The CBI had earlier arrested
Singh’s former telecoms minis-
ter A Raja, government officials
and senior telecom company of-
ficials over the telecom scam.
The main opposition Bharati-
ya Janata Party (BJP) meanwhile
accused Singh and then finance
minister P Chidambaram of “di-
rect complicity” in corruption in
the telecom case.
The allegations came as the
government and opposition
clashed over the contents of a
parliamentary committee report
into the scandal.
47-year-old artist and cura-
tor said.
According to Riyas Komu,
joint curator of the event, “the
out of 10 decisions taken by
(then telecom minister) A Raja
were with the knowledge of the
prime minister,” Sinha told re-
porters.
A draft report sharply critical
of the government was narrowly
rejected by the PAC on which
government supporters are in a
slight majority.
The Congress has accused the
BJP of seeking to “destabilise”
the government.
The government fears the slew
of controversies could lead to a
repeat of the 1989 Bofors scan-
dal when Congress was voted
out of office over a gun deal in-
volving associates of then prime
minister Rajiv Gandhi, who were
accused of taking kickbacks.
of international and national
contemporary visual arts, will
automatically position Kochi
as an art-heritage destination.

around at the scene. Owaisi’s car
Pranab slams Buddhadeb
Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee yesterday slammed
West Bengal Chief Minister
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee for
demanding a judicial probe into
the Purulia arms drop case and
questioned what the Left Front
was doing all these years. “After
the arms drop incident, three
assembly elections have passed.
The fourth is going on. Today
an accused is raising allegations
and they are making a ruckus
over it and demanding judicial
with a new party constitution.
probe. What were they doing
for all these years? Were they
sleeping?” Mukherjee said in
Kolkata. Bhattacharjee on Friday
demanded a judicial inquiry
into the 1995 arms drop case.
His demand came within a day
of an interview given by prime
accused in the case Kim Davy,
who claimed the arms were
dropped to “destabilise” the state
government and that the central
government had played the role
of a facilitator.
M
ore than 65 artists from
45 countries will par-
ticipate in the Kochi-
Muziris Biennale in Kerala in
2012 that is set to position Kochi
as an “art-heritage destination”.
The art exhibition will be held
at select places, including Fort
Kochi and spice warehouses, or-
ganisers said.
The Kochi showcase is India’s
first-ever biennale modelled
on the Istanbul and Havana bi-
ennales and will be distinctly
different from the India Art
Summit which is also a trade
platform, the organisers said.
It will be held every two years.
The Kochi-Muziris Foundation
the Kochi-Muziris Biennale will
fill “a gap by giving artists from
India and Asia a platform to ex-
hibit their work.”
“It is the need of the hour for
the Indian art scene with art-
ists now being recognised and
Asia being looked at as a region
of artistic importance. The bi-
ennale will position itself as a
window to resonate the need for
a platform that encourages such
discourse towards appreciating
international and national art
practices,” Biennale Krishnama-
chari Bose, co-artistic director
and co-curator of and a leading
Indian contemporary artist and
curator of repute, said.
vital social force that enhances
and illuminates contemporary
living and social cohesiveness
towards a new, solid cosmopoli-
tan art world.
“The Indian art scene has
changed dramatically. But
there is an immense need of
awareness within the country
towards art and its practices.
We are oscillating between the
extremes of art markets which
are warming up towards Indi-
an art post-liberalisation and
on the other extreme, there
is a certain naiveté towards
the understanding of con-
temporary arts and its various
practices here in India,” the
biennale was conceived in late
spring of 2010.” Bose and Komu
were approached by the depart-
ment of cultural affairs, govern-
ment of Kerala, to “initiate a
large-scale festival of contem-
porary visual arts in the state.”
“Following the creation of
a non-profit organisation and
commitment from leading lights
of the Indian cultural establish-
ment, the Kochi-Muziriz Bien-
nale was established.
“With the preponderance of a
well- documented history, Ko-
chi will provide the necessary
backdrop for the Biennale and,
in turn, the Biennale, with its
agenda of showcasing the best
This will also foster and precipi-
tate the development of Indian
contemporary art across various
disciplines,” Komu said.
The exhibition will be held
every two years in selected ven-
ues and public sites in Kerala,
he said, including Fort Kochi,
the Mattanchery warehouses,
spice warehouses and historic
spaces across Kochi-Muziris
region.
“As a part of the project with
the Muziris Heritage Founda-
tion, the Biennale has also un-
dertaken the renovation of lo-
cal Durbar Hall by a team of
renowned architects and con-
servation experts,” Komu said.

Helicopter
carrying
Arunachal
CM missing
Agencies
Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
A
helicopter carrying Aru-
nachal Pradesh Chief
Minister Dorjee Khandu
has gone missing in bad weather
during what should have been a
75-minute flight.
Khandu was travelling yes-
terday with two other passen-
gers and two pilots from Tawang
to the state capital of Itanagar.
Skies were clear when the heli-
copter took off, but conditions
became cloudy and rainy as it
neared the Sella Pass over the
Himalayas.
Officials had earlier said the
helicopter had been traced to
Bhutan.
But Bhutan has denied any In-
dian helicopter had landed in its
territory.
“We have also heard through
the media about the helicopter
landing in Bhutan, but we don’t
have any reports of an Indian
helicopter landing in our ter-
ritory. But we have deployed
troops and local villagers to see if
any helicopter has landed here,”
S Duba, deputy commissioner of
Trashiyangtse district in Bhu-
tan adjoining Tawang, said by
phone.
“The official position is there
is no confirmation or news about
the helicopter. There has been
no direct contact with any of
the people on board and we re-
ally don’t know any details as of
now,” Takam Sanjay, an MP from
the northeastern state said.
“The fact of the matter is we
don’t know yet where the heli-
copter is,” Sanjay said.
The Pawan Hans AS350 B-3
helicopter had taken off from
Tawang at 9.50am and was
supposed to land in Itanagar at
11.30am.
According to Sanjay, the
chopper lost communication
with the ground after it flew past
the Sella Pass along the Chinese
border.
Federal Home Secretary G K
Pillai said a search will resume
with daylight today.
Two Indian Air Force helicop-
ters could not find the aircraft
during a search of the mountains
where it lost radio contact.
The government is in constant
touch with Bhutan to find out
about the missing chopper.
“We are in constant touch
with the central government at
the highest level. Initially we
were also told the chopper had
landed in Bhutan, but now there
are conflicting reports coming
in,” Sanjay said.
Around 2pm, Arunchal
Pradesh Governor J J Singh and
the state chief secretary spoke
to the media, and also gave tel-
ephone interviews to various
national TV channels, saying
the helicopter had landed safely
with all the passengers.
The chief minister’s adviser
Kiren Rijiju also confirmed the
news, saying the chopper had
landed somewhere in eastern
Bhutan adjoining Tawang dis-
trict due to bad weather and it
was flying back to Guwahati with
the chief minister on board.
In case of an engine failure,
there are slim chances of the
single-engine helicopter making
a safe landing.
On April 19, a Pawan Hans
helicopter crashed in Tawang,
killing 17 people and injuring six.
Report given
to speaker: Joshi
Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
chairman Murli Manohar Joshi
yesterday said he has submitted
a draft report on the 2G spectrum
allocation to Lok Sabha Speaker
Meira Kumar’s office.
The 270-page draft report on the
controversial telecom licence
allotment was rejected by 11 of 21
members of the panel belong-
ing to the Congress, the Dravida
Munnetra Kazhagam, Samajwadi
Party and the Bahujan Samaj
Party (BSP).
The Congress and its allies have
rubbished the leaked draft report
that pulled up Prime Minister Man-
mohan Singh for his “indirect” role
in the spectrum allocation scan-
dal. It also criticised P Chidambar-
am, who was the finance minister
when then telecom minister A
Raja sold scarce radio waves to
private telecom firms allegedly at
throwaway prices, causing the na-
tion colossal loss of revenue.
PM with the ‘crown prince’
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Party general secretary Rahul Gandhi wave to
supporters during a rally in Banda, in Uttar Pradesh state, yesterday. The two leaders blamed
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for the backwardness and poverty in the Bundelkhand
region of the northern state.
Infosys names banker
as its new chairman
Agencies
Bangalore
I
nfosys yesterday named a
prominent banker to take
charge of India’s second-
largest software exporter as
the firm struggles to boost per-
formance in the face of slow
global recovery.
Infosys Technologies ap-
pointed K V Kamath as chair-
man to replace founder N R
Narayana Murthy, who is slat-
ed to retire from the post at the
age of 65 in August as part of
a shake-up in its top manage-
ment.
Kamath, 63, the first non-
company founder to head the
software giant based in India’s
southern technology hub Ban-
galore, formerly headed India’s
largest private bank, ICICI.
“I am so happy he will be
steering the company in the
future,” Murthy told a news
conference as he announced
the appointment, which he
said had been a unanimous
choice.
Kamath, who has
been an independent
director on the Infosys
board since May 2009,
takes the helm as In-
dia’s flagship out-
sourcing sector
faces challenges
from a slow re-
covery in Eu-
rope and the
US and cur-
rency volatil-
ity.
Infosys said
US ‘rebuffed’ over Pak ties, past sanctions
Reuters
Washington
T
he US has fretted for
years that its ties to Pa-
kistan and past sanc-
tions against India would harm
its efforts to win arms deals
such as the $11bn fighter order
that slipped away from two US
suppliers this week, a US dip-
lomatic cable showed.
“Our ability to seize the op-
portunities presented by this
newly improved environment is
limited by the commonly held
view that the US will not prove
to be a reliable supplier of de-
fence equipment,” Timothy Ro-
emer, the US ambassador to In-
dia, said in an October 29, 2009,
cable to Michele Flournoy, a top
S D Shibulal, now chief oper-
ating officer, would become
chief executive, replacing S
Gopalakrishnan, who will be-
come executive co-chairman.
Murthy, who helped pioneer
India’s outsourcing industry
and is widely respected for his
business acumen and ethics,
will serve as chairman emeri-
tus of the company, which will
be realigned into new broad
business groups.
“I accept this position with
the deepest humility,” Kamath
said, paying tribute to Murthy
as someone who built a com-
pany “with integrity and de-
fined that as a core value.”
“No one can replace N R
Narayana Murthy,” Kamath,
currently non-executive
chairman of ICICI Bank, told
reporters. “What he did for In-
fosys epitomised the spirit of
the new India.”
Infosys, regarded as a bell-
wether for the $60bn Indian
export-focused outsourcing
sector, was founded by Murthy
and six other entrepreneurs
three decades ago with an in-
vestment of just $250.
US and other foreign
firms, drawn by India’s
vast, educated English-
speaking workforce and
labour costs that
are lower than
in the West,
have farmed
out a range of
jobs from an-
swering bank
client calls to
processing in-
surance claims.
Pentagon official then about to
visit India.
US officials from President
Barack Obama down subse-
quently pushed hard to sell US
fighter jets to India to crown
expanding security ties. The
US also is eyeing tens of bil-
lions of dollars in other potential
arms deals with India, the cable
showed.
In the end, India shortlisted
two European aircraft over Boe-
ing Company’s F/A-18 Super-
Hornet and Lockheed Martin
Corporation’s F-16, company
officials said.
Lockheed and Boeing are the
Pentagon’s No 1 and No 2 sup-
plier, respectively. Each is press-
ing to boost sales in India, which
plans to spend about $50bn in
the next five years to modern-
The appointment comes
after Infosys reported earlier
in April fiscal fourth-quarter
earnings which disappointed
investors and gave a weak out-
look for the current financial
year.
Kamath is a mechanical
engineer-turned banker who
is best known for turning ICI-
CI into India’s largest private
bank.
Kamath was born on De-
cember 2, 1947, in Manga-
lore, about 350km from Ban-
galore on the west coast, a
land of bankers from where
Canara Bank, Syndicate
Bank, Corporation Bank and
Karnataka Bank started dec-
ades ago.
He spent early years in Man-
galore, completing schooling
and pre-college studies from
St Aloysius School.
Kamath got a degree in me-
chanical engineering from the
Karnataka Regional Educa-
tional College, Surathkal.
After graduating in 1969,
he joined the prestigious In-
dian Institute of Management,
Ahmedabad (IIM-A) to do an
MBA.
Armed with the two degrees,
he began his career with ICICI
in 1971.
Kamath had break in service
with the ICICI Group when he
went to Asian Development
Bank in 1988. He returned to
the ICICI eight years later as its
managing director and CEO.
In ICICI, Kamath is remem-
bered for setting up branches,
ATMs and selling various kinds
of loan products aggressively.
ise old Soviet-era weapons and
technology.
Roemer announced on
Thursday he was leaving his
post for professional and fam-
ily reasons.
“The new environment” ref-
erence in his 2009 cable con-
cerned the emergence of Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh’s
government with “a clear man-
date not beholden to coalition
partners” for the first time since
post-Cold War US-Indian stra-
tegic ties took shape.
US competitors use the eco-
nomic sanctions imposed by
Washington after Indian nuclear
tests in 1998 to try to harm US
sales prospects, the cable said.
They also point to “our close
defence relationship with Pa-
kistan as rationale that the US
AI crippled
as strike by
pilots enters
fourth day
Air India says it has lost $6mn
in revenues due to a strike by
hundreds of its pilots
Agencies
New Delhi
F
lagship carrier Air India’s
woes deepened as it was
forced to cancel most of
its domestic flights by a pilots’
strike over pay that entered its
fourth day yesterday.
The financially ailing state-
run carrier, which says it has lost
$6mn in revenues so far due to
the strike, said it was operating
just 39 domestic flights out of its
regular 320.
The airline is “operating on
only trunk routes” to major In-
dian cities, an Air India spokes-
man said.
“We do not have any pilots,” he
added.
The airline, which at the start
of the strike had been able to op-
erate most flights, has also scaled
back international operations.
According to him, 100 domes-
tic flights of its subsidiary arm
Alliance Air were still active.
“Only the operations of Air
India’s main domestic arm are
effected. Our subsidiary Alliance
Air is still active with 100 flights
on the national network,” he said.
He said the airline had since
Thursday adopted a reduced op-
erations plan, where fewer flights
by wide-bodied aircraft would be
operated.
“Currently, our operations are
Nomads on the move
A man belonging to the Bakarwal community guides his horses on a mountainous region, some 150km
from the northern city of Jammu. Bakarwals are nomadic herders in Jammu and Kashmir, who wander
in search of good pastures for their cattle.
should not be trusted,” Roemer
wrote in the message obtained
by the anti-secrecy group
WikiLeaks.
The cable cited one unnamed
source as saying the Indian army
will never put US equipment in
divisions facing Pakistan, In-
dia’s historic foe, “because they
expect the US will stop military
supplies in the event of Indo-
Pak hostilities.”
The US Defence Department
said on Friday it was “deeply
disappointed” by rejection of the
US bid to supply 126 new fighter
aircraft. Instead, India set up a
contest between France’s Rafale
and the Eurofighter Typhoon
made by Britain, Germany, Italy
and Spain.
“We look forward to continu-
ing to grow and develop our de-
INDIA
going on smoothly. As we have
stopped ticket bookings, pas-
senger loads will also come down
and we will be able to tide over
this period,” the official said.
More than 800 pilots were
on strike, defying management
warnings of dismissal, while
non-unionised pilots, asked by
management to fill in for the
strikers, have begun calling in
sick in support of their col-
leagues.
The airline, which has con-
demned the strike as “illegal,
unfortunate and most irrespon-
sible,” has already sacked nine
pilots and suspended six others.
The Delhi High Court has
initiated contempt of court pro-
ceedings against the pilots, cit-
ing their “utter defiance” of its
orders to end their strike.
If found guilty, the pilots could
be sentenced to six months in jail.
“We’re more than willing to go
to jail,” Rishabh Kapur, general
secretary of the Indian Commer-
cial Pilots Association (ICPA),
told NDTV news.
An official rubbished rumours
about a possible lockout of Air
India.
“These are just rumours and
nothing more. How can the na-
tional carrier be locked out. We
have enough executive pilots to
operate our flights,” the official
said.
He alleged that some strik-
ing pilots may be behind the ru-
mours.
“It may be just to sensational-
ise their efforts in pressuring the
fence partnership with India,”
said Navy Commander Leslie
Hull-Ryde, a Pentagon spokes-
woman, “and remain convinced
that the US offers our defence
partners around the globe the
world’s most advanced and reli-
able technology.”
She said US officials were
closely studying Indian-provid-
ed documentation on the short-
listing decision, and looked for-
ward to a full “debrief” from the
Indian Air Force.
A State Department spokes-
woman, Heide Fulton, declined
to comment on Roemer’s 2009
cable as a matter of policy.
A senior State Department of-
ficial said the US was not aware
of any allegations of impropri-
ety “so far” in the fighter matter.
The full field included the two
Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 27
management that these rumours
are being floated by some strik-
ing pilots.”
According to the official, the
possibility of the imposition of
Essential Services Maintenance
Act (ESMA) or any other move
may be some time away as the
matter is in court.
“There is no basis in this lock-
out talk. The management has
said nothing, the government is
with us and the matter is in court.
We have even stopped booking,
so at the end, we are very com-
fortable,” the official said.
In 2007, the government
merged Air India with state-run
domestic carrier Indian Airlines
in a bid to create a more cost-
efficient national carrier.
The pilots on strike were all
originally hired by Indian Air-
lines and say that four years af-
ter the merger, they are still paid
significantly less than the pilots
from Air India.
They are demanding equal
wages, but the airline has said
no strike is legally permitted as a
case on wage parity and other is-
sues is pending before a tribunal.
“I hope sense will prevail upon
these people,” said Civil Aviation
minister Vayalar Ravi.
“Nobody can dictate terms to
the government, especially a few
pilots. They are one of the high-
est paid people in this country,”
Ravi, who has totally backed the
airline management.
Private airlines have cashed in
on the strike by hiking their fares
on routes served by Air India.
American planes, three Europe-
ans and a Russian model.
Asked about the possible im-
pact of any Indian concerns over
US reliability as a supplier, the
official said the elimination of
Boeing and Lockheed seemed to
be based on technical considera-
tions.
“I think, if anything, the
concerns are that it was only
made on that basis and without
looking at the wider strategic
implications of this,” the offi-
cial said.
In the past three years, India
has agreed to buy some $10bn
in US military hardware includ-
ing six Lockheed C-130J mili-
tary transport planes and eight
long-range Boeing P-8 maritime
reconnaissance and anti-sub-
marine warfare aircraft.
 Gulf Times
28 Sunday, May 1, 2011
SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL
US envoy due
in Lanka amid
war crimes
report snub
Assistant secretary of state
Robert Blake set to begin
a six-day trip to Sri Lanka
and Maldives for talks with
political leaders and civil
society
AFP
Washington
A
US envoy heads to Sri
Lanka next week to en-
courage a full accounting
over its civil war after the gov-
ernment angrily rejected UN-
backed allegations of atrocities,
officials have said.
Robert Blake, the assistant
secretary of state handling South
Asia, was to leave yesterday on
a six-day trip to Sri Lanka and
Maldives for talks with politi-
cal leaders and civil society, the
State Department said.
A US official said Blake’s visit
to Sri Lanka had originally been
planned a month ago and was
not linked to the war panel re-
port released on Monday but
that it was certain to come up in
conversation.
The report commissioned by
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-
moon found “credible allega-
tions” that both the Sri Lankan
army and Tamil Tiger rebels
had been involved in what could
amount to war crimes or crimes
against humanity.
The United Nations has esti-
mated that tens of thousands of
people died in the 2009 offensive,
in which the government killed
the top leadership of the Tamil
Tigers and ended their nearly 40-
year separatist insurgency.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister
Gamini Lakshman Peiris, meet-
ing with diplomats on Thursday,
denounced the report as “legal-
BNP vows to Mountain villages face food shortage
resist move
D
on election
By Mizan Rahman
Dhaka
M
ain opposition Bang-
ladesh Nationalist
Party (BNP), led by
former prime minister Kha-
leda Zia, has rejected ruling
Awami League’s proposal to
overhaul the caretaker system
of governance and warned
that it would resist move for
any future general election
under a political government.
Senior BNP leader Moudud
Ahmed said yesterday that
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasi-
na was planning to hold next
general elections under the
government of her own party
instead of a separate caretaker
government, “but BNP would
resist that at any cost”.
Hasina on Wednesday
placed the ruling party’s pro-
posal to a special parliamen-
tary committee on constitu-
tional amendment that if a
caretaker government fails to
hold elections in three-month
deadline, the immediate past
political (Awami League) gov-
ernment will hold it.
In this case, if Hasina’s pro-
posal is accepted by the par-
liament, the next general elec-
tion due in 2013 would be held
under her government if the
caretakers fail to hold it within
the stipulated time.
“Hasina would create such
a situation for the caretakers
that it could not hold the poll
any way with the 90-day dead-
ly, morally and substantively
flawed,” and accused the Unit-
ed Nations of trying to desta-
bilize the island.
But the United States has
welcomed the report, with US
Ambassador to the United Na-
tions Susan Rice calling for “an
independent and full account-
ing of the facts.”
Another US official, speak-
ing on condition of anonymity,
said the United States planned
a “candid dialogue” with Sri
Robert Blake: calling for an independent and full accounting of
the facts
line passed, thus allowing the
Awami League administration
to hold it,” Moudud said.
Coming down heavily on the
PM’s recent adverse remarks
on the necessity of the care-
taker government, he said the
evil design to grab state power
has been exposed through
it. The ruling party wants to
bring back its one-party rule
in Bangladesh, Ahmed added.
“Hasina would create
such a situation for the
caretakers that it could
not hold the poll any way
with the 90-day deadline
passed, thus allowing
the Awami League
administration to hold it”
With that purpose, he said,
the PM has made the observa-
tions against the necessity of a
caretaker government system.
Hasina’s slain father presi-
dent Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
had introduced one-party rule
in 1974, banning all other po-
litical groups thus stifling all
voices of democratic dissent
against his four-year auto-
cratic rule.
Moudud Ahmed said there
was a constitutional provision
to hold general elections under
a caretaker government. The
countrymen will never accept
any election under any politi-
cal government, he added.
He said a referendum is es-
sential if the government wants
to amend the Articles 7, 8, 48
and 56 of the constitution.
Lanka and other countries to
seek accountability over the
civil war.
“We strongly support the
secretary-general’s call for Sri
Lankan authorities to respond
constructively to the report,”
the official said.
The Tamil diaspora has
been actively pressing for an
accounting of the war, con-
tributing to calls by a number
of US lawmakers for an
international probe.
DPA
Dunai, Nepal
hnakumari Dangi and
her family will prob-
ably have to wait another
six months before they can get
enough to eat.
Dangi lives in Jhuphal village
in Dolpa, one of Nepal’s poor-
est districts, at an altitude of
2,987m on the edge of the Ti-
betan plateau.
The area is ranked one of the
worst in the world for food secu-
rity by the UN’s World Food Pro-
gramme (WFP), due to its inac-
cessibility and the harsh terrain.
The lean season has just begun
in Dolpa, where the arid, wind-
swept land only yields one har-
vest a year, producing enough
food for three to six months.
Government figures say food
deficit has tripled in recent
All in a day’s work
Bangladeshi daily labourers carry brick to shore from boats on the eve of May Day at Gabtoli
in Dhaka, yesterday. May Day is a public holiday in Bangladesh.
Prayers for Japan victims
Tibetans in exile pray for Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims on the 49th day following the disaster at Bouddhanath Stupa in
Kathmanduyesterday. Tibetans living in Nepal participated in the ceremony and offered prayers for the departed and healing of those
suffering from the disaster in Japan.
UN leader warns Nepal
over constitution delay
AFP
Kathmandu
U
N leader Ban Ki-moon
called on Nepal’s rival
parties yesterday to step
up efforts to agree a new con-
stitution with a May 28 deadline
fast looming.
The secretary-general said
Nepal was facing a new “decisive
point” in its efforts to get over
a decade of civil war between
Maoist rebels and the govern-
ment that ended five years ago.
“With Nepal’s constitutional
deadline less than one month
away, the secretary-general urg-
es all parties in Nepal to exert the
utmost effort in reaching con-
sensus on outstanding issues,
including the integration and
years, with most of the increase
since a 2009 drought.
“What we grow lasts us less
than six months,” explains Dangi
as her 12-year-old son ploughs
the field behind her to plant mil-
let. “We buy rice from the Food
Corporation and work for the
World Food Programme as la-
bourers in exchange for rice.”
The WFP pays each family 4kg
of rice per day of labour, for dig-
ging roads or irrigation canals.
But these projects don’t run all
year around.
Food has been scarce as long
as Dangi can remember, but has
been getting worse recently as
snow is falling until later in the
year, and the rains during grow-
ing season are less abundant.
“Rainfall and snowfall pat-
terns in the areas has been
changing over the years, wors-
ening the food production sce-
nario,” agriculture extension of-
rehabilitation of Maoist army
personnel and fundamental is-
sues regarding the new consti-
tution,” Ban’s spokesman Mar-
tin Nesirky said.
“At this decisive point in the
process, the secretary-general
calls on all parties to exercise
maximum flexibility in seeking
a common political ground to
enable them to fulfill their com-
mitments, including the adop-
tion of a new constitution by the
constituent assembly.”
Ban said in the statement
that “Nepal’s peace process has
already delivered significant
achievements. However, the
process remains overdue and in-
complete due to continuing dif-
ferences among the parties.”
Nepal’s parliament was elected
in 2008 with a two-year mandate to
ficer Hemraj Adhikari says.
The rains that do arrive with
the June monsoons are a mixed
blessing.
They water the region’s meagre
crops during the growing season,
but make access more difficult for
delivery of food while the people
wait for harvest time.
Access is only by air, or by
a four-day walk to the nearest
useable road.
The rains reduce the footpaths
to mud, unusable by people or
the mules they use to deliver
goods. And the downpours often
prevent aircraft from landing at
the area’s small airstrips.
This often halts the deliver-
ies by the government-run food
corporation.
The region mostly depends on
traditional crops called kodo and
chinu, which are minor millet va-
rieties. However, food preferences
have been changing over the years.
write a new constitution following
the end of the civil war and abolition
of the 240-year-old monarchy.
The term had to be extended
for one year in May last year after
Diplomat on war crimes to arrive today
US ambassador-at-large for war
crimes issues Stephen J Rapp is to
arrive in Dhaka today for a round of
meetings with senior Bangladeshi
government officials, political
leaders, civil society groups and the
media, an official announcement
said yesterday.
Prior to his appointment as the
ambassador-at-large for war crimes
issues, Rapp served as prosecutor
of the Special Court for Sierra
Leone beginning in January 2007,
leading the prosecutions of former
Padam Kumari brews millet
wine to sell in the local market,
so that she can buy rice with the
money. A kilogramme of subsi-
dized rice costs her Rs58 (0.7 US
cent), a not inconsiderable sum.
“My grandchildren prefer rice,
so we try to buy some for them,
even if we can’t afford it” she says.
For the past decade, govern-
ment has flown rice to the re-
gion, weather permitting, a
move criticised by experts who
say it increases the people’s de-
pendency on handouts.
“We’re trying to work with the
FAO (UN’s Food and Agriculture
Organisation) to help people
improve their cultivation tech-
niques, while also helping them
cope with climate change,” says
Adhikari.
The WFP says it is $21mn
short of the budget needed to
work in the 22 districts in the
region.
Garment units offer to
hire Libya returnees
By Mizan Rahman
Dhaka
T
he Garment Manufactur-
ers and Exporters Associ-
ation (BGMEA), a group-
ing of over 5,000 factories, will
employ nearly 35,000 Bangla-
deshis who returned from Libya
in garment industry by impart-
ing them training.
“We will provide employment
to workers who returned from Lib-
ya,” said Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin,
newly elected president of BGMEA,
when a trade body team called on
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, of-
ficials said yesterday.
the assembly failed to produce a
charter on time. Since then, lit-
tle progress has been made and
many in Nepal fear lawmakers
will miss the new deadline.
Liberian president Charles Taylor
and other persons alleged to bear
the greatest responsibility for the
atrocities committed during the
civil war in Sierra Leone.
During his tenure, his office
achieved the first convictions in
history for sexual slavery and
forced marriages as crimes against
humanity, as well as convictions for
attacks on peacekeepers and for
the recruitment and use of child
soldiers as violation of international
humanitarian law.
“Maybe we can only reach a
quarter of our beneficiaries next
year,” said Nicole Menage, the
organisation’s country repre-
sentative. “We are also affected
by food prices and the transpor-
tation is very expensive.”
“We feel there is a risk that
some will go hungry as we do not
have the budget.”
The poverty in the region also
means low literacy. Children
walk hours to fetch drinking wa-
ter, instead of going to school.
Life expectancy is just 44 years.
Almost all children under the
age of five are malnourished, and
around 7% are stunted, accord-
ing to the WFP.
Dangi understands little of
weather patterns or programme
budgets. But her ambitions for
future generations are clear:
“Our wish is that our children
could have food and education -
a dream of all Dolpalis.”
Briefing newsmen after the
meeting, press secretary Abul Ka-
lam Azad said the PM discussed
various issues of increasing export
and ready garments and expan-
sion of trade and business.
Lauding the BGMEA’a initia-
tive of arranging music compe-
tition for the garment workers,
the prime minister asked the
garment owners to arrange more
such programmes in future to
strengthen relations between
owners and workers.
“Arranging such programmes
will help flourish latent tal-
ent of the workers along with
strengthening relations between
owners and workers,” she added.
 Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 29
Universal soups up its
Fast and Furious franchise:
Time Out Page 6 COMMENT

An image of arrogance and authority

There are many edness. Comparing the US Congres- global businesses, in which they are
sional Budget Office’s medium-term paid based on their return on equity –
advantages to having an forecasts before (in January 2008) and unadjusted for any risk.
independent central bank after the crisis, this debt increase is a The world’s top independent
staggering 40% of GDP. financial minds have looked long and
run by professionals who Indeed, the reason there is a per- hard at these arrangements, and, given
can keep their distance ceived fiscal crisis in the US today what we have learned in recent years,
– along with spending cuts that will have found them worse than wanting
from politicians further hurt many people – is simple: (see the web page of Anat Admati at
the banks blew themselves up at great Stanford’s Graduate School of Busi-
By Simon Johnson cost to the American people, with ness for the details). In their view,
Washington major negative global implications. the big banks should be funded much
Most of the public-debt increase in more with equity – perhaps as much
the US and elsewhere is not due to any as 30% of their capitalisation. But

I
t is increasingly common to hear
prominent American and Euro-
pean central bankers proclaim,
with respect to the crisis of 2008-
2010, the following verdict: “We did
well.” Their view is that the various
government actions to support the
financial system helped to stabilise
the situation. Indeed, what could be
wrong when the US Federal Reserve’s
asset purchases may have actually
made money (which is then turned
over to the US Treasury)?
But to frame the issue in this way
is, at best, to engage in delusion. At
worst, however, it creates an image of
arrogance that can only undermine
the credibility on which central banks’
authority rests.
The real cost of the crisis is not
measured by the profit and loss
statement of any central bank – or by
whether or not the Troubled Asset
Relief Programme (TARP), run by the
Treasury Department, made or lost
money on its various activities.
The cost is 8mn jobs in the US
alone, with employment falling 6%
from its peak and – in a major depar-
ture from other post-1945 recessions
– remaining 5% below that peak today,
31 months after the crisis broke in
earnest.
The cost is also the increase in net
federal government debt held by the
private sector – the most accurate
measure of true government indebt-
kind of discretionary fiscal stimulus;
it’s all about the loss of tax revenue
that comes with a deep recession.
(And the Bush administration’s tax
cuts for the wealthiest, unfunded
Medicare prescription benefit and
debt-financed wars in Afghanistan
and Iraq have severely weakened the
long-term fiscal outlook.)
Finally, the cost of the crisis is mil-
lions of homes lost and lives damaged,
some permanently.
The issue is not whether the Fed,
or any central bank, should seek to
prevent the collapse of its country’s
banking system. To see the severe
effects of a banking crisis, look no
further than the 1930’s, a period that
Ben Bernanke studied in detail before
he became Fed chair. If the choice at
any particular moment is to provide
support or let the system collapse, you
should choose support.
But, more broadly, as Dennis
Lockhart, president of the Atlanta
Federal Reserve Bank, said last week at
a public conference organised by his
institution, we should not seek to op-
erate a system based on the principle
of “private gains and public losses”.
And these losses are massively
skewed in ways that are grossly inef-
ficient, in addition to being completely
unfair.
The private gains can be measured
most directly in the form of executive
compensation. From 2000 to 2008,
US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke: to see the severe effects of a banking crisis, look no further than the 1930’s, a
period that Bernanke studied in detail before he became Fed chairman.
the people running the top 14 US
financial institutions received cash
compensation (salary, bonus, and the
value of stock sold) of around $2.6bn.
Of this amount, around $2bn was
received by the five best-paid individ-
uals, who were also central to creating
the highly risky asset structures that
brought the financial system to the
edge of the abyss: Sandy Weil (built
Citigroup, which blew up shortly
after he left); Hank Paulson (greatly
expanded Goldman Sachs, lobbied for
allowing more leverage in investment
banks, then moved to the US Treasury
and helped save them); Angelo Mozilo
(built Countrywide, a central player in
irresponsible mortgage lending); Dick
Fuld (ran Lehman Brothers into the
ground); and Jimmy Cayne (ran Bear
Stearns into the ground).
The public losses are massive in
comparison: roughly $6tn, if we limit
ourselves just to the increase in federal
government debt. And leading bank
executives still insist that they should
be allowed to run highly leveraged
bankers strongly reject this approach
(because it would likely lower their
pay), as do central bankers (because
they are too much persuaded by the
protestation of bankers).
There are many advantages to
having an independent central bank
run by professionals who can keep
their distance from politicians.
But when the people at the apex of
these institutions insist that the
crisis response went well, and that
everything will be fine, even as the
financial behemoths that caused the
crisis lumber forward, their credibil-
ity inevitably suffers.
That should worry central bank-
ers, because their credibility is pretty
much all they have. The US Constitu-
tion, after all, does not guarantee the
Fed’s independence. Congress created
the Fed, which means that Congress
can un-create it. By assuming away
the damage that highly leveraged meg-
abanks can do, the myth of a “good
crisis” merely makes political pressure
on central banks all the more likely. —
Project Syndicate
„Simon Johnson, a former chief
economist of the IMF, is co-founder of
a leading economics blog, http://Base-
lineScenario.com, a professor at MIT
Sloan, a senior fellow at the Peterson
Institute for International Economics,
and co-author, with James Kwak, of 13
Bankers.

Weather report
The Great Escape II Ar Ruways
The Gulf
Three-day forecast
TODAY
High:36C
Low:25C
By Eric S. Margolis sympathisers. Since many Afghans turned over Taliban suspects to NDI als lament CIA’s “going cowboy.” Al Khuwayr
knew the Soviets were losing, regime for torture; Britain and Holland re- They say the agency’s primary goal Fuwayrit Partly cloudy-blowing
Special for Gulf Times dust&chance of std rain
supporters began hedging their bets by fused to do so. is providing the White House with Gulf of
Bahrain
informing and making side deals with The latest American plan for Af- balanced analysis, not indulging in

S
equels are rarely as good as
the original, but last week’s
Great Escape from Kanda-
har Prison II was almost
as exciting as the 2008 original in
which 800 Taliban prisoners were
busted out of Afghanistan’s Sorpoza
Prison.
This time around, 541 prisoners,
including 106 Taliban commanders,
the resistance. ghanistan is to hold key urban areas gunplay. Getting involved in fight- MONDAY
The same process is afoot today in using a somewhat reduced US garrison ing overseas will inevitably corrupt High: 35C
Afghanistan. The 150,000 western backed by a new army of mercenaries CIA, they warn, and bias its judg- Al Khawr Low: 24C
troops occupying that nation have lost run by the US Embassy in Kabul which ment. P Sunny
Al Jamayliyah
the military, political and psychologi- is being expanded to 1,000 personal – Washington just named a new
cal initiative. the world’s largest. CIA paramilitary ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan
Each US soldier in Afghanistan forces will play an ever larger role in Crocker, an ardent Bush neocon who Dukhan TUESDAY
costs a minimum of $1mn annually. Afghanistan. was ambassador to Iraq, where he
QATAR Doha High: 34C
Western forces are on the defensive, in was mocked for his rosy pronounce- Ar Rayyan Low: 24C
spite of all the ludicrously cheery war ments. Crocker replaces the gruff, able Clear

tunnelled their way out of the notori-
ous maximum security prison.
Great Escape II was a humiliat-
ing blow to American occupation
forces garrisoned in Kandahar, and
to Canada, which spent over $4mn
two years ago further fortifying the
prison. There were red faces and
finger-pointing all around. The US
bulletins – shades of Vietnam - from
Afghan resistance ex-general, Karl Eikenberry who kept
Umm Bab
Al Wakrah
Nato public relations officers. forces that we telling Washington what it did not
Fishermen’s forecast
No less an authority than Afghan want to hear. Yes-man Crocker can be
president Hamid Karzai recently called collectively call Taliban counted on to issue politically positive
Al Kiranah Umm Said
OFFSHORE DOHA
the ten-year US-led war, “ineffective,
apart from causing civilian casualties.”
know just about election-year reports on how well the
war is going.
Wind: NW 15-20/25 kts
Waves: 2-4/5 feet
Ouch! everything that goes But the war is not going well. Worse, INSHORE DOHA
Wind: NE-SE 08-18 kts
Washington seems to be concluding by waging war in Afghanistan, the US
it cannot defeat the national resist- on in the US-installed is relentlessly undermining and desta-
Waves: 1-2/3 feet

claimed Afghan prison official were

incompetent, corrupt, and in cahoots
ance militarily. Its Tajik, Uzbek and
Communist allies lack the power to
Afghan government, bilising Pakistan, an infinitely more
important nation.
Around the region
Weather Weather
with Taliban. combat Taliban outside of their ethnic military and police US-Pakistani relations have hit a
Abu Dhabi
today Max/min tomorrow Max/min
Of course the escape was an inside territories. new low as Washington keeps arm- Clear 40/27 M Sunny 38/26
Baghdad M Sunny 29/20 M Sunny 30/20
job. Afghan resistance forces that we The US is spending $6bn annually In line with this policy, the current twisting the Islamabad government Dubai Clear
Clear 37/28 36/26
collectively call Taliban know just training Afghan government troops US commander in Afghanistan, the it finances to follow policies contrary Kuwait City C Rain 32/24 Clear 34/25
about everything that goes on in the and police. Even so, Afghan govern- politically savvy Gen. David Petraeus, to Pakistan’s interests and public Manama P Sunny 33/25 M Sunny 31/24
US-installed Afghan government, ment forces are unreliable and in- was just named CIA director. He is opinion. Muscat Clear 34/28 M Sunny 36/28
military and police. competent. They are mostly Tajik and detested by Pakistan. CIA boss Leon WikiLeaks just published docu- Riyadh M Sunny 34/21 M Sunny 34/20
As I saw during the 1980’s anti- Uzbek, who are hated by the Pashtun Panetta will become Defense Secre- ments showing the US deems Tehran C Rain 23/15 M Sunny 24/13
Soviet struggle, every military offen- majority. tary. Pakistan’s crack intelligence service
sive by the Soviets and their puppet The feared, Communist-dominat- Petraeus’ new role confirms CIA is ISI a “terrorist group.” Washington
Afghan regime was telegraphed to ed Afghan intelligence service NDI fast becoming militarised as an active has clearly gone terrorism bonkers. Tehran

the mujahidin resistance days in
advance.
The Afghan Communist forces were
filled with mujahidin informers and
– son of the old Soviet-run KHAD combat arm of the US government. What next? Terrorist camels, terror-
– is efficient. It continues to brutally The Pentagon is also fast expanding its ist dogs, terrorist babies, terrorist
torture, abuse, and execute suspects. intelligence role. UFOs? Call this new dementia, SYRIA Baghdad
The US and Canada have routinely Veteran intelligence profession- AfPak brain fever.
Damascus IRAQ IRAN

Amman
KUWAIT

Live issues
JORDAN ARABIAN
GULF
Manama
BAHRAIN Doha
Abu Dhabi
QATAR Muscat
Riyadh UAE

Living together can come at a high cost EGYPT

SAUDI ARABIA
OMAN
RE
DS
EA

By Patrick Collinson meal law made by judges, instead? It listed by Forbes magazine as “self- a hole in our pocket, so we headed
London would be a charter for chancers and all made” (it seems he made lots of ties off to Harrods, perhaps more suit- Around the world
the no-win, no-fee merchants as they with the country’s first post-Soviet able for your average oligarch. It Weather Weather
trawl back through past relationships. prime minister), spends much of his found us a bathtub, sculpted from today Max/min tomorrow Max/min

S
eventeen years ago, Leon- A better solution would be education time back in Donetsk, from where he flawless white rock crystal quarried Athens Rain 23/15 Clear 24/15
Bangkok M Sunny 34/25 P Sunny 34/26
ard Kernott split up with his (school citizenship classes?), espe- runs a vast conglomerate of steel and in the Amazon and, hey, it’s only M Sunny C Rain 25/17
Beirut 22/16
girlfriend, Patricia Jones. They cially now that civil partnerships have mining businesses. £500,000. Now we’re talking, we Berlin Clear 18/04 Clear 16/04
had lived together, unmar- closed the obvious gap in the marriage So we thought we’d help out a bit thought. But even Harrods admitted Cairo Clear 29/21 Clear 35/15
ried, for eight years, but during that laws. Do we really want to have to con- with the refit, and popped along to it might struggle to fit out a flat and Cape Town Clear 26/17 T Storms 23/17
time Patricia had paid every penny of sult lawyers before starting any sort of Peter Jones, down the road on Sloane spend £60mn. Colombo T Storms 30/25 T Storms 30/26
Dhaka C Rain 36/25 Clear 36/26
the mortgage. Leonard gave her £100 relationship? No, thanks. Square. We looked for the most ex- In Donetsk, the locals might not Hong Kong P Sunny 28/23 P Sunny 29/23
a week for “expenses”, and Jones says Poor old Rinat Akhmetov. He pensive everything. The priciest sofa; quite see the funny side. Ukraine is Istanbul P Sunny 17/13 M Sunny 18/13
she offered him £20,000 when they coughs up £136mn for the world’s the most luxurious bed; the most agriculturally rich, but its people Jakarta T Storms 32/26 T Storms 33/26
split. most expensive apartment, on a busy absurdly priced pepper pot, that sort are dirt poor. Male life expectancy is Karachi Clear 35/26 Clear 35/26
London M Sunny 17/12 Clear 15/08
But last June, the court of appeal road in central London, then has to of thing. just 62. Its economy contracted 15% M Sunny M Sunny 35/26
Manila 35/26
ordered Jones to hand over half the find another 60mn for carpets and We found a bedsheet for £160. A in 2009, among the worst perform- Moscow Shower 16/06 P Cloudy 15/04
value of her Essex home now worth curtains. The Ukrainian billionaire has blender for £439. A fridge for £12,500. ances in the world. GDP per head is New Delhi Clear 40/27 Clear 40/27
£245,000 to Kernott. purchased two flats in the 1 Hyde Park Yep, that’s right, there are people, a just 1,485. Put it another way, the New York P Cloudy 19/10 Shower 16/09
Paris M Cloudy 22/11 P Cloudy 21/08
Next week the case is back in court, development and will knock them into few ice cubes short of a full tray, who cost of that one apartment off Hyde M Sunny C Storms 23/14
Sao Paulo 27/17
this time at the Supreme Court. Well- one 25,000 sq ft pad. The refit will will spend £12,500 on a fridge. But Park represents the annual income Seoul Windy 17/09 M Cloudy 18/09
intentioned advocates of rights for cost another £60mn, or so we’re told. even after scouring the store, our work of 135,000 Ukrainians. Still, I’m sure Singapore C Rain 33/27 T Storms 32/27
co-habitees argue that few understand Perhaps the cutlery tray will be lined experience person reckoned she’d Rinat earned every penny of that Sydney P Cloudy 21/14 Std Showers 21/15
they have no protection under “com- with a Persian rug. struggle to spend a hundred grand. “self-made” fortune. — Guardian Tokyo Cloudy 20/16 Clear 25/16
mon law”. But do we really want piece- Our Peter Beardsley-lookalike, That left us with £59.9mn burning News and Media
30 Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011
COMMENT
Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah
Managing Editor: Neil Cook
Production Editor: C. P. Ravindran
P.O.Box 2888
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editor@gulf-times.com
Telephone 44350478 (news),
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GULF TIMES
Birth of ‘a new
form of racism’ in
post-Obama US
America marked the sesquicentennial (that’s 150
years), of its civil war in April. And yet, even as the
milestone is acknowledged to have led on to the
breakdown of racial segregation and greater civil
liberties, the United States is still a nation that frets over
the authenticity of its first African-American president’s
nationality.
The ‘birther’ debate — whether or not President
Barack Obama was really born in the US, and therefore is
he really eligible for holding the highest office in the
land — was kicked back into the limelight last week by
the real estate tycoon Donald Trump.
More known for his slightly odd hairdo and a
colourful personal life (besides the reality TV show The
Apprentice, where he famously proclaims ‘You’re fired!’
to a hapless contestant each week), Trump may run for
president in 2012 as a Republican Party nominee.
In an NBC interview on Wednesday, the real estate
mogul cast doubts on Obama’s citizenship, prompting
the president to publish a longer version of his birth
certificate the next day, with a suggestion that his
Republican opponents should ‘get serious’.
While the air has been cleared for now, the rise of a
new, more insidious form of racism cannot be overlooked
in post-Obama America. Obama’s exotic background,
his schooling abroad, the middle name Hussain and,
yes, his race all contribute to the perception among
some Americans that the president is “other.” Despite
Obama himself claiming a Christian heritage, conspiracy
theorists insist he is a
The ‘birther’ Muslim ‘in secret’.
The ‘birther’ issue
issue is a is a crowd-pleaser the
crowd-pleaser Republicans are eager
the Republicans to cash in on, no matter
how misguided the entire
are eager to cash premise is. It is perhaps
in on no less bizarre than a
fourth grade history
teacher in Norfolk, Virginia who held a ‘mock auction
of black slaves’ using African-American and Hispanic
students as a lesson to illustrate the Civil War last month.
Why would a nation struggling with a soaring jobless
rate, and military participation in at least three major
conflicts abroad want assurance (after he has already
spent two years in the White House and announced
his decision to stand for re-election), on Obama’s
citizenship? Is it because the rise of an African-
American is unpalatable to the white majority of the
population?
For now, the long-form birth certificate has staunched
the debate somewhat, with critics starting to question
Trump’s own credentials for trying to become a
Republican nominee.
But the controversial Trump did not hesitate to pat
himself on the back for the whole gambit. “I am really
honoured, frankly, to have played such a big role in
hopefully getting rid of this issue,” said Trump, in
response to Obama’s move, making him look like he was
getting his political parties all mixed up.
How long before the Republican Party says “You’re
fired!” to Trump?
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Migration: Europe’s
test in north Africa
The best way to allay
European fears and prevent
uncontrolled migration is to
establish positive incentives,
and the practical means, for
potential migrants to stay
home
By Peter Sutherland
London
E
urope’s reaction to the historic
revolutions in North Africa
has vacillated between exhila-
ration and fear. The natural
instinct to celebrate and support
democratisation across the Mediter-
ranean has been tempered by concerns
that the crisis will spill onto European
shores.
A few leaders have invoked the
post-World War II Marshall Plan as
a model for large-scale European
development assistance for the region,
the aim being to ensure the sustain-
ability of a democratic transformation
and generate long-term political and
economic benefits for Europe. But the
mainstream reaction has been much
more fearful: media and politicians
throughout the European Union are
obsessing about the threat of waves of
migrants reaching their borders.
Such a threat should not be taken
lightly. Already, the controversy over
Tunisian migrants in Italy has started
to fray the political underpinnings that
allow free movement in the Schengen
area. The war in Libya, meanwhile,
could lead to many more thousands
of civilians fleeing the violence and
needing international protection.
So far, nearly 400,000 people have
filled refugee camps in Tunisia and
Egypt, and an estimated 20,000 have
ElBaradei seeks Iraq war probe
By Dr Cesar Chelala
New York
I
n his just published memoirs, The
Age of Deception, former chief UN
nuclear inspector Mohamed El-
Baradei asks that George W Bush
and officials in his administration
face international criminal investiga-
tion for the war in Iraq. One thing he
learned from the Iraq war, he says, is
that deliberate deception is not limited
to small countries ruled by ruthless
dictators.
ElBaradei is harshest in his com-
ments when criticising the 2002-2003
drive for war with Iraq, when he and
Swedish inspector Hans Blix led
UN missions looking for signs that
Saddam Hussain’s government had
revived nuclear, chemical or biological
weapons programmes. They found no
evidence that Saddam Hussain actu-
ally did so.
The Egyptian nuclear expert tells
about a meeting he and Blix held with
leading Bush administration officials.
In that meeting, held in October 2002,
they met with, among others, secre-
tary of state Colin Powell and National
reached Italy’s shores. Dealing with
any surge of asylum seekers will re-
quire the EU to strengthen its capacity
to offer temporary protection – and
possibly to reconsider how its overall
asylum system works. That the Union
has been moving towards a common
approach to border security, most vis-
ibly with the expansion of the Frontex
border agency, will be of help here.
But if Europe allows itself to be
consumed by the short-term crisis,
it risks squandering an extraordinary
long-term opportunity. By using this
moment strategically and wisely, the
EU would have a chance to reframe its
relationship with the southern Medi-
terranean (as it is being redubbed) to
promote generational development
and growth in ways that can address
Europe’s interests, too.
The best way to allay European fears
and prevent uncontrolled migration
is to establish positive incentives,
and the practical means, for poten-
tial migrants to stay home – most
significantly by creating jobs in the
southern Mediterranean. After all, the
vast majority of migrants leave home
reluctantly.
Yet, at the same time, as its baby
boomers retire en masse in the coming
decade, Europe will need workers at
all skill levels. The southern Mediter-
ranean can be the source of this labour,
given its huge youth bulge. The trick
will be to ensure that migrants are
given the chance to acquire the skills
that European employers need, and
that they have the chance to move in a
safe, legal, and orderly fashion.
Policies that help train the next gen-
eration of North Africans, and allow
them to circulate more freely between
Europe and their home countries, are
a much smarter solution than the cur-
rent approach, which sustains illegal
migration without meeting Europe’s
labour needs. This is an argument
Security adviser Condoleezza Rice.
They tried to convert the UN mission
into a cover for what Bush officials
wanted to be a United-States directed
inspection process.
Both he and Blix resisted, and
their teams carried out some 700
inspections of potential weapons
sites in Iraq, and found no evidence
supporting the US claims. Former
president Bush and his team rejected
ElBaradei and Blix’ findings, and
continued to insist on Iraq’s posses-
sion of weapons of mass destruction
to justify the war against that coun-
try. The unfortunate result is that
the US orchestrated a war in which
hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civil-
ians were killed as well as several
thousand US soldiers.
ElBaradei’s demand for Bush’s
prosecution is in line with several
previous actions by individuals and
legal and human rights organisa-
tions. In the book, The Prosecution of
George W Bush, former US prosecu-
tor Vincent Bugliosi argues that the
former president intentionally misled
Congress and the American people
about the evidence that he claimed
justified going to war with Iraq.
Can radiation
be beneficial?:
Time Out Page 13
not for more migration, but for better
migration – well thought out and
planned.
Of course, if Europe helps North
Africa build sustainable, prosper-
ous democracies, this would be the
greatest long-term deterrent to illegal
migration of all. It is worth recalling
that 50 years ago, the largest immi-
grant populations in northern Europe
hailed from Italy, Greece, Portugal,
and Spain.
As those countries prospered, the
emigres returned home: their coun-
tries eventually became engines of
European growth, and major export
markets for Germany, France, and
other EU member states. The same
arc of development can and should
be limned for the southern Mediter-
ranean.
Fortunately, research on migration
and development in recent years has
helped foster a range of policy tools
that Europe should be considering.
Experts and policymakers have been
devising many innovative programs,
including low-cost remittances from
migrants to their home countries,
efforts to strengthen ties between
diasporas and their homelands, and
initiatives that help skilled migrants
find proper employment, so that
qualified surgeons are not driving
taxis.
In thinking about how to reframe
the EU’s relationship with the south-
ern Mediterranean, we should draw on
these ideas as expansively as possible.
In order to connect our societies in
positive ways, we should seriously
consider liberalising trade regimes,
opening new avenues for legal migra-
tion, and vastly expanding the number
of students from the region who come
to Europe for education and profes-
sional training. After all, it was the
youth of North Africa, both at home
and abroad, whose notions of freedom
The strongest evidence against
Bush is a speech he gave on October
7 of 2002 in which he claimed that
Iraq posed an imminent threat to the
security of the US and was capable of
attacking America at anytime with his
stockpile of weapons of mass destruc-
tion, according to Bugliosi.
ElBaradei’s demand
for Bush’s prosecution
is in line with several
previous actions by
individuals and legal
and human rights
organisations
In addition, says Bugliosi, leading
officials in former president Bush’s
administration edited a declassified
version of the National Intelligence
Estimate (NIE) released to Congress
and the public in a way that made the
Iraqi threat look more ominous than
what it really was.
Bugliosi also asserts that far from
helped bring down dictators in Egypt
and Tunisia. Their talents and energy
should now be cultivated and har-
nessed to help rebuild their societies.
Responding to the challenges and
opportunities of this moment de-
mands the creation of strong part-
nerships among states, international
institutions, and non-governmental
actors. Since its inception in 2006,
the Global Forum on Migration and
Development (GFMD) has provided a
much-needed platform for dialogue
among states and other stakehold-
ers on issues related to migration and
development.
Its annual plenary sessions facilitate
the exchange of experiences and good
practices in a way that transcends
traditional “North-South” conflicts.
Among other changes that it has
spurred, the GFMD has compelled
governments to understand migra-
tion more holistically, and to develop
a “whole of government” approach
to addressing the opportunities and
challenges that it poses. It also has
highlighted the importance to devel-
opment of protecting migrant rights
and of fighting illegal migration.
The Global Forum has done its job
by generating and fostering ideas
that can make migration benefit the
development of countries of origin
and destination. It is high time that
these ideas are implemented. There
could be no greater opportunity for
doing so than this strategically crucial
window in the history of Europe and
the southern Mediterranean. If we do
not seize this moment for action, his-
tory could well pass us by. — Project
Syndicate
„Peter Sutherland is special represent-
ative of the United Nations secretary-
general for migration, former director
general of the WTO and a former EU
Commissioner.
making serious efforts to avoid go-
ing to war, former president Bush
considered the possibility of starting
a war by sending U2 reconnaissance
aircraft falsely painted in UN colours
on flights over Iraq along with fighter
escorts. If Saddam ordered them shot
down, that would constitute ground
for war.
In their seventh annual conven-
tion in Austin, Texas, Iraq Veterans
Against the War (IVAW) stated that the
growing body of evidence, including
testimony from British officials in the
Chilcot Inquiry, shows that Bush of-
ficials could be charged with criminal
offences against the US and violations
of international law for making false
claims about national self-defense.
Although there are formidable legal
barriers that may rule out such an
investigation, ElBaradei cites the war-
crimes prosecution of Serbia’s Slobo-
dan Milosevic as showing that, indeed,
it should be possible to do it. As the
IVAW stated: “It is time for America to
hold the officials responsible for this
war to account for their decisions.”
„Dr Cesar Chelala is a co-winner of an
Overseas Press Club of America award.

In love with royal family all over again
The amazing scenes
at William and Kate’s
wedding underline how
resilient the monarchy
is, only a few years after
the wounding episode of
Diana’s death
By Dominic Sandbrook
London
U
nlikely as it now sounds,
there was a time, not so long
ago, when the future of the
British monarchy seemed
in genuine doubt. After Friday’s na-
tional jamboree, however, the furore
surrounding Diana’s funeral in 1997,
when the House of Windsor suddenly
found itself on the receiving end of
unprecedented public anger, seems
like ancient history.
Once again the “Firm”, as the
royal family calls itself, has shown an
uncanny ability to capture the public
imagination and make itself the focus
for patriotic celebration in a way that
no other institution can match. For
years, republicans have been earnestly
predicting that the British would
soon tire of the flags, the carriages,
the pomp and the pageantry. But here
we are in 2011, 10 years after Stanley
Kubrick had us travelling to the depths
of space, waving our little union jacks.
Nothing changes, or so it seems.
On the surface, the wedding of
Prince William and Princess Cath-
erine, as we must get used to calling
her, looked little different from royal
weddings past: the Queen and Prince
Philip in 1947, say, or Princess Anne
and Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, or
Charles and Diana in 1981. For one
thing, it was uncannily well timed,
coming only weeks before the coali-
tion’s cuts really begin to bite. The
Firm has a curious knack of arranging
marriages during desperate economic
times: the Queen’s marriage, after all,
came during the depths of Clem-
ent Attlee’s postwar austerity, while
Charles and Diana got hitched only
weeks after the Brixton riots, at the
very moment when Margaret Thatch-
er’s monetarist medicine had sent the
Tories down to third place in the polls.
For timing, though, Anne and Mark
take the biscuit. Their big bash on 14
November 1973 came the day after
Edward Heath had announced a state
of emergency to deal with the unprec-
edented energy crisis that culminated
in the three-day week.
On the wilder shores of the Internet
you can find plenty of people who
think all this is some kind of palace
conspiracy. Sometimes, though, a
coincidence is just a coincidence.
Yet behind the bunting, there was
something different about Friday’s
occasion. For one thing, the social
and moral context has changed ut-
terly. Even in 1981, it would have been
unimaginable to have a Labour leader
with two children and a long-term
partner, but no wedding ring. Only
last month, however, official figures
showed that the marriage rate in Eng-
land and Wales had fallen to its lowest
level since 1862. People are not only
marrying much older the Queen was
21 when she tied the knot, whereas
Kate Middleton is 29, which would
once have been old enough to qualify
her for a place on the shelf but many
are not marrying at all. In the 1930s,
when the Queen was growing up,
only 6% of 40-year-old women were
unmarried. Today that figure is closer
to 30%. One of the great ironies of
the royal wedding, therefore, was that
millions of the people glued to their
screens have consciously decided not
to get married themselves.
The other striking thing is the almost
total absence of anti-monarchical sen-
timent. There have certainly been some
“anti” articles in liberal newspapers,
but their authors could probably hold
a republican conference in a telephone
box. In any case, serious opposition to
the monarchy seems to have lost any of
the edge it once had. Go back to 1981,
and you find Ken Livingstone, then
head of the Greater London Council
(GLC), ostentatiously spending the
day meeting families of Irish republi-
can prisoners at County Hall, before
releasing a thousand black balloons.
You even find a gaggle of ambitious
young Labour politicians, among them
Peter Mandelson, Harriet Harman and
People walk past the Queen Victoria Memorial opposite Buckingham Palace as workers take down the stands used for the
royal wedding media coverage by national and international media in London yesterday. Britain’s Prince William married his
longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton in Westminster Abbey on Friday.
Alistair Darling, taking a cross-channel
ferry to France to escape what they
called the “royalist orgy”. That’s the
same Harriet Harman, incidentally,
who offered her “warmest congratula-
tions” to the happy couple on behalf of
the Labour party.
The polls tell the wider story. In
August 1997, at the height of the post-
Diana hysteria, only 48% of Britons
thought the country would be worse
off without the monarchy. Today, that
figure is 63%. Two out of three of us
believe the monarchy is “relevant” to
life in Britain today, although I have to
confess I have never really understood
what that means. Six out of 10 of us
think the monarchy improves our im-
age around the world. And despite the
presence of David Beckham and Elton
John, more than half of us believe the
wedding celebrated “British values”,
compared with only 32% who thought
it was about glamour and celebrity.
Probably no other institution, with the
possible exception of the BBC, could
match approval ratings like those. Cer-
tainly no political party comes close.
And perhaps that offers a clue to
the monarchy’s extraordinary revival.
We are living, after all, in a ferociously
anti-political age. In an age when
Gillian Duffy is held up as a fount of
common sense, respect for politicians
has reached an all-time low. None
of the party leaders comes close to
representing public opinion: only 47%
of us approve of David Cameron, with
Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg lagging
behind on 32% and 28%. Thanks to
the expenses scandal, popular wisdom
casts the Palace of Westminster as a
trough and its inhabitants as venal,
grasping pigs. That Sally Bercow has
become one of Westminster’s most
famous women probably says it all.
By contrast, the monarchy is
virtually the only national institution
that still commands widespread and
instinctive respect. Its detachment
COMMENT
from the hurly-burly of parliamentary
politics has only added to its lustre.
Republicans may well retort that it
represents the cornerstone of a con-
servative political order, but it is pal-
pably clear that most people simply do
not believe them. Rightly or wrongly,
the Queen is seen as a genuinely non-
political, patriotic figure, the incarna-
tion of a vanished patriotic consensus.
In an age when so many young men
and women have lost their lives in
Iraq and Afghanistan, her grandsons’
military service, which might once
have been contentious, represents a
priceless political asset. Even Prince
Harry’s raucous partying has helped
to humanise the institution: in an odd
way, pictures of him staggering out of
Boujis show that he is not so different
from thousands of other young men
only a lot richer.
And yet as far as the monarchy is
concerned, the question of relevance
is basically beside the point. Back in
Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 31
1959, the Tory journalist Peregrine
Worsthorne predicted that the dis-
solution of the British empire would
have seismic consequences for the
domestic class system. In the long run,
he predicted, everything about the
traditional hierarchy would start to
look “foolish and tacky when related
to a second-class power on the de-
cline”. At the very least, people would
start to question the point of “main-
taining a Queen-Empress without an
empire to rule over”.
But as Friday’s pageantry reminded
us, Worsthorne’s prediction, though
apparently sensible, was completely
wrong. In fact, it is precisely the dis-
solution of British power, the decline
of deference and the tottering of the
old imperial order that explain the
institution’s resilience. Everything
else has changed; the monarchy, by
and large, has stayed the same. In an
age of globalisation, it is virtually the
only institution that remains defiantly,
unashamedly British. Shorn of its im-
perial connotations, it has become the
supreme focus for domestic patriot-
ism. Proposals for “Britishness days”
have come and gone, but only royal
events have people hanging out the
bunting, as my Oxfordshire neigh-
bours did. Other countries have na-
tional days. We have royal weddings.
No doubt republicans are telling
themselves that, soon enough, a new
generation will come to maturity who
care nothing for the baubles of monar-
chy and cannot wait to vote for Presi-
dent Miliband. Their predecessors
said the same thing in 1981. They were
even saying something like it when
Queen Victoria was on the throne.
The truth is that the British mon-
archy is one of the most resilient
institutions in the world. Its hold on
the popular imagination, as Friday
proved, shows no sign of slackening.
And if you really cannot stand Prince
William and his blushing bride, then I
have bad news for you. They are going
to be with us for the next 50 years. You
had better get used to them. — Guard-
ian News and Media
„Dominic Sandbrook is a historian
whose most recent book is State of
Emergency: The Way We Were: Brit-
ain, 1970-1974.
 Gulf Times
32 Sunday, May 1, 2011
QATAR
British expats celebrate
royal wedding in style
By Peter Townson
Staff Reporter
L
ove was most definitely
in the air this weekend as
Prince William walked
down the steps of Westminster
Abbey with his wife, the Duch-
ess of Cambridge, Kate Middle-
ton, marking the climax of what
has been a feverish buildup to
‘the wedding of the century.’
As the world watched, the
couple exchanged vows and
rings, and the man who will more
than likely become King of Eng-
land in the future beamed with
pride alongside his new bride.
The ceremony was full of
pomp and circumstance, and the
whole day displayed some of the
strange but wonderful traditions
associated with the British mon-
archy and large scale events such
as this.
Although a long way from
home, Qatar’s British commu-
nity enjoyed the opportunity to
share the occasion by attending
a number of special events at
hotels, private parties or sim-
ply in the comfort of their own
homes.
Hotels including the Ra-
mada Plaza, the Grand Hyatt,
Sheraton, Four Seasons and
the W hotel all hosted events
to mark the occasion, welcom-
ing guests to enjoy the atmos-
phere with other community
members, who applauded, sang
cheered, and at time shed tears
throughout the joyous morning
and afternoon.And the excite-
ment was not limited to Brit-
ish expatriates, as people of all
nationalities took the opportu-
nity to watch and take part in
what was a major global event.
Community members joined together to mark what was described as a ‘perfect wedding day.’
Gulf Times spoke to a
number of onlookers to get an
idea of their response to the
day’s events, the ceremony as
a whole, and of course, ‘the
dress.’
British teenager, Stephanie
enjoyed the event at a hotel
brunch, saying: “I thought
Kate looked stunning, gorgeous
and amazing!”
“It was a really entertain-
ing and emotional event and a
great moment in history. Even
though we are in Qatar every-
one has got together to join in
and celebrate this special occa-
sion,” she added.
Her sister, Natalie also en-
joyed the day, describing Kate’s
dress as “beautiful,” and saying
“I hope I look half as good on
my wedding day!” “I got tingles
when they stepped out of the
church as a married couple,” she
added. While some were looking
forward to the wedding, oth-
ers found themselves pleasantly
surprised watching the event
having lacked excitement be-
forehand.
Brit, Robert was one of those,
noting: “Although cynical given
the hype surrounding the event,
I was surprised by the level of
patriotic fervour instilled within
me.”
“I thought the grandeur of the
ceremony was communicated
really well, and I thoroughly en-
joyed the day,” he added.
Fellow British expat, Gregory
commented: “It was a wonder-
ful occasion and I will always re-
member where I was on the day
-- I’m already looking forward to
the next one!”
“It was particularly thrill-
ing when Kate finally emerged
from the car, and the hush
that descended on the room as
she revealed her magisterial
beauty was one of the defining
moments of the day,” he said.
Long term resident Cath-
erine, who arranged a party to
mark the occasion, explained
that she felt the need to cel-
ebrate the important day and
share the tradition associated
BRITAIN/IRELAND
with the event with her inter-
national friends.
“It was great to show what
can be done when the British
really pull out all the stops,”
she said, adding “nobody does
pomp and circumstance, pag-
eantry and tradition like the
British.”
“They genuinely looked like
a young couple in love, and
I think it was a really good
event for the British psyche
in these days of doom,” she
added.
Celebrating the day with
family and friends, Julia chose
to attend a special brunch at a
local hotel, and she expressed
her happiness at marking
the event in such a way. “It’s
great to feel part of everything
that’s going on,” she said,
adding “I thought Kate looked
very elegant and her sister
looking striking.”
“I think it’s really good for
the people in the UK to have
something to celebrate at the
moment. It really was a bril-
liant day,” she added.
General consensus suggest-
ed that ‘the dress’ was per-
fect for Kate, who appeared at
ease in her new role. Elegant
and stylish, many suggested
that the outfit reflected her
future as a global style icon,
tastefully combining tradition
and modernity with the lace
design adorning the graceful
dress.
Everyone queried expressed
their sense of enjoyment and
happiness following the cer-
emony, and the event displayed
how people from all over the
world love to celebrate such
important and fairytale-like
romances.
Rise in prices of
consumer goods
seen in March,
rents decline
S
ome consumer goods and
services purchased by
households in the coun-
try have shown an increase
in prices in March compared
with the same period last year,
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
released by Qatar Statistics
Authority reveals.
Consumer price index (CPI),
which measures changes in
the price level of consumer
goods and services purchased
by households, increased 1.8%
in March compared with the
same period in 2010, QSA said
last night.
The rise in CPI in March was
mainly due to ‘higher expens-
es’ on transport and communi-
cation, garments and food.
However, rents continue to
be under pressure with supply
outstripping demand as sug-
gested by reports prepared by
various market analysts. Rents
based on the CPI have come
down by 6.1% in March com-
pared with the same period last
year, QSA said.
Qatar Statistics Authority
said the CPI for March stood
at the same level as in Febru-
ary. The CPI for February 2011
had reached 108.6 points, data
indicate.
A comparison of the con-
sumer price index for March
with that of February this year
shows that though at the over-
all level, the CPI remained the
same, at major group levels,
there were some changes in
prices. Prices of medical care
went up by 1.2% and that of
food and beverages were up
0.8%.
These increases were how-
ever offset by the decline in
house rents (0.4%) and enter-
tainment, recreation and cul-
ture by 0.6%.
Compared to the consumer
price index of March 2010, the
CPI increase works out to 1.8%
in March, 2011.
Analysis by major groups
shows increases in the prices
of all groups (with the ex-
ception of rent) as prices of
clothing and footwear went up
10.1%, transport and commu-
nications 7.6%, miscellaneous
goods and services 5.4%, and
food & beverages, 5.2%. Rent
prices declined 6.1%.
Analysis by major
groups shows increases
in the prices of all
groups (with the
exception of rent), as
prices of clothing and
footwear went up
10.1%, transport and
communications 7.6%,
miscellaneous goods
and services 5.4%, and
food & beverages, 5.2%
A quarterly index has also
been computed, QSA said. The
average CPI for the first quar-
ter reached 108.5, showing an
increase of 1.3% over the pre-
vious quarter (Q4, 2010) and
an increase of 1.7% over the
corresponding period in 2010.
Most of the increases are in
clothing and footwear, food
and beverage, transportation,
miscellaneous goods and serv-
ices.
However, there has been
a decline in house rents, the
quarterly index shows.
 ANNUAL MEETING | Page 34 ASSETS RISE | Page 35

Buffett downplays Woqod posts

chance of Berkshire QR269mn gain
paying dividend in first quarter
WALL STREET | Page 36

GULF TIMES
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Jumada-I 27, 1432 AH

BUSINESS
DuPont ups offer price
Most US stock indexes
are at multi-year highs

for Danisco to $6.64bn

DuPont has raised its offer for Da-
nisco by 5% to $6.64bn, bowing to
pressure from dissident Danisco
shareholders who had complained
the initial offer was too low.
DuPont chief executive Ellen
Japan economic outlook
‘very severe’: BoJ governor
Kullman had aggressively courted
Danisco shareholders for weeks
to convince them to take the deal.
Danisco makes food additives.
A confluence of minority share-
holders who insisted on a higher
bid led Kullman to tweak the offer.
On Friday, Kullman announced Japan is facing its worst crisis “The BoJ sees the outlook for Japan’s ing earthquake would inflict on the risks to growth for the time being. facturing activity languishing at a two-
that Danisco’s largest shareholder, since World War Two after the economy as very severe,” Shirakawa economy. In a sign some in the BoJ were more year low.
Danish pension fund group ATP, 9.0 magnitude earthquake and told a financial committee meeting in Shirakawa reiterated that having just cautious about the economic outlook The BoJ eased policy days after the
had signed off on the deal. subsequent tsunami devastated its the lower house of parliament. expanded its asset purchasing scheme than Shirakawa, deputy governor Kiyo- quake by doubling to 10tn yen the funds
DuPont raised its offer to 700 northeast coast last month “We’d like to take appropriate policy days after the March 11 quake, the BoJ hiko Nishimura proposed on Thursday it sets aside for purchases of a range of
crowns per share ($139.28) from steps as needed while monitoring the preferred to spend more time examin- expanding the central bank’s asset buy- financial assets, such as government
665 crowns per share. Reuters economy and prices, taking into ac- ing the impact the step would have on ing scheme by ¥5tn ($62bn). bonds and corporate debt.
DuPont also lowered the per- Tokyo count that uncertainty over the outlook the economy. While the proposal was outvoted by If the central bank were to next ease
centage of Danisco shares it said is high,” he said. the board, some market players said it policy, the most likely step would be to
it would need to close the deal to Asked by a lawmaker whether the “We’d like to take appropriate may be a sign the BoJ may loosen policy expand the scheme again, sources fa-

80% from 90%. To de-list Danisco
from Denmark’s stock exchange
DuPont needs at least 90% of
Danisco shares.
By saying it now will move for-
ward if only 80% of shares tender,
DuPont is effectively admitting
it will run Danisco as a majority
shareholder until it is able to buy
90% of shares in the open market.
B
ank of Japan Governor Masaaki
Shirakawa said yesterday that the
country’s economic outlook was
very severe and that the central bank
would take appropriate action to sup-
port the economy.
But he offered few clues on whether
and when the BoJ would expand its as-
set-buying scheme, only saying that its
next policy step would depend on eco-
nomic conditions at the time.
BoJ would consider buying more gov-
ernment bonds to support the econo-
my, Shirakawa said only: “We’d like to
consider in earnest what would be the
desirable step to take.”
The BoJ kept monetary policy un-
changed on Thursday even as it low-
ered its growth forecast for the current
fiscal year, which began in April, and
warned of uncertainties over the extent
of damage that last month’s devastat-
policy steps as needed while
monitoring the economy and
prices, taking into account
that uncertainty over the
outlook is high”
But he also left open the possibility
of easing monetary policy further if
damage from the quake proved bigger
than expected, stressing that the cen-
tral bank was focusing on downside
as early as next month.
Japan is facing its worst crisis since
World War Two after the 9.0 magni-
tude earthquake and subsequent tsu-
nami devastated its northeast coast last
month.
Reflecting the economic impact,
factory output fell at a record monthly
pace in March, household spending
declined at a record annual rate and
another private survey showed manu-
miliar with the BoJ’s thinking say.
Aside from the government bonds
it purchases under the asset buying
scheme, the central bank buys ¥21.6tn
worth of long-term government bonds
from the market each year.
Some lawmakers have called on the
BoJ to buy more government bonds
from the market, or even underwrite
them directly, to help the government
fund the huge costs for reconstruction.

Obama energy fraud working

group set to meet tomorrow
Reuters the task force was formed.”
Washington The group, announced a week ago,
includes representatives from the
Commodity Futures Trading Commis-
Gas station operator Tony Chedid
said he paid $3.80 a gallon from a dis-
tributor for his station’s supplies. After
paying credit card fees, he makes only

A
n Obama administration panel
set up to investigate possible
fraud and manipulation in the
energy markets will meet for the first
time tomorrow as prices at the gaso-
line pumps soar and pressure for action
mounts.
The group will convene at the US
Justice Department and Attorney
General Eric Holder will make open-
ing remarks before members go behind
closed doors to begin their work, the
department said.
The national price for regular un-
leaded gasoline rose 3.50¢ to $3.88 in
the week through yesterday, increasing
pressure on Barack Obama just as his
presidential re-election bid gets un-
derway.
The group will look into whether
there were any illicit activities in the
energy markets. This week Holder told
reporters that he saw some “disturb-
ing” things but declined to say what
were his specific concerns.
Previous administrations have cre-
ated task forces to investigate possible
manipulation and fraud in the energy
markets, but none has resulted in any
significant cases or charges.
“Clearly, gas prices rise and fall,
there are market factors that are always
I think a part of that,” Holder told re-
porters on Tuesday.
“The question is whether or not it’s
something beyond that, and that’s why
sion, the Federal Trade Commission,
the Federal Reserve Board, Securities
and Exchange Commission and the De-
partments of Agriculture, Energy, Jus-
tice and Treasury.
Part of the administration’s broader
Financial Fraud Task Force, it will fo-
cus on any manipulation of oil and gas
prices, collusion, fraud or other viola-
tions of state and federal laws, among
other things.
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt
Romney, meanwhile, pumped his own
tank of gas and blamed Obama for the
surge in prices.
“It would be great if we had
more electric cars but it’s
going to be a long, long time
before that happens”
Romney played a little pump politics,
mingling with customers at Hillsbor-
ough Gas and Repair in Manchester,
New Hampshire, and listening to their
stories about how they are coping with
gas prices that are threatening Ameri-
ca’s fragile economic recovery.
“We cut back on frills, we don’t go
out as much,” Sharon Williams told him
as she filled up her Kia Optima.
Wearing blue jeans and a casual shirt,
Romney parked a Ford Escape at one of
the station’s gas pumps, where a regu-
lar gallon of gas cost $3.93, and paid
$38.72 to fill it up.
an average of 3¢ a gallon on the gas he
sells.
“It’s been downhill for the last two
years,” he said.
Romney, arguably the front-runner
in a wide Republican field in the 2012
race for the White House, said he be-
lieved Obama was contributing to oil
price pressures by not pursuing an en-
ergy policy aimed at drilling more and
increasing America’s supply.
This is leaving the impression with
the markets that the US energy sup-
ply will not be increasing, leading to
the expectation of higher oil prices and
pushing up the actual cost of gas at the
pump, he said.
“It’s a marketplace and if America is
not serious about getting our own en-
ergy resources in line, then we are going
to have higher and higher prices in part
today as a result of the expectations of
higher prices tomorrow,” Romney said.
Obama says US oil production
reached its highest level since 2003 last
year, and argues that money must be
spent to develop alternative sources of
energy to help alleviate higher prices in
the long run.
Romney said it is fine to develop al-
ternative power sources but stressed
that most cars run on carbon-based
fuel.
“It would be great if we had more
electric cars but it’s going to be a long,
long time before that happens,” he said.

Most top firms ‘unaffected’ by US rating

Reuters ing, ExxonMobil, Johnson & Johnson Some insurance companies and
New York and Microsoft. clearinghouses, on the other hand, are
“In certain circumstances, some is- more exposed to the fiscal situation of
suers have operational and financial the US, and as such their ratings are

A
change in the top rating of the
US would be unlikely to affect
the credit profiles of top rated
companies, including Microsoft Corp,
or US states and cities, Standard &
Poor’s said yesterday.
S&P last week changed its outlook
on the US to negative, warning that the
country’s long-term credit rating is at
risk of downgrade if policymakers can’t
agree on ways to reduce the deficit.
The move, however, does not change
the ratings agency’s views on the four
industrial companies that hold top rat-
ings from the S&P.
These are Automatic Data Process-
flexibility that is sufficient to withstand
sovereign and country risks,” S&P said.
Ratings on US states and cities are
also not affected by the US outlook
change as they typically have separate
revenue generating abilities.
“States generally have significant
independent latitude to raise revenues
and alter expenditures and therefore
can usually cut expenses to match a de-
crease in federal grants or allocations,”
S&P said.
US local government operating reve-
nues also come from either local sourc-
es or distributions from their state gov-
ernment, S&P said.
likely to also change in the event of a US
rating action.
The insurers “are heavily concentrated
in the US, and their domestic assets (no-
tably including US treasury and agency
securities) account for a large proportion
of their portfolios,” S&P said.
S&P changed its outlook on the top
rated insurers Knights of Columbus,
New York Life Insurance Co, North-
western Mutual Life Insurance Co,
Teachers Insurance & Annuity Asso-
ciation of America and United Services
Automobile Association to negative on
the same day as it revised the US sover-
eign outlook.
 Gulf Times
34 Sunday, May 1, 2011
BUSINESS
Buffett downplays chance
of Berkshire dividend
Berkshire Hathaway’ CEO
doubts most shareholders
want payout; Says his My
successor will be straight as
an arrow
Reuters
OMAHA, Nebraska
B
erkshire Hathaway chief
executive Warren Buffett
downplayed yesterday the
idea of a first-ever dividend for
shareholders, as he opened his
conglomerate’s annual meeting
for tens of thousands of people.
Berkshire, which some es-
timate will have a cash pile of
$50bn by the end of this year,
does not offer shareholders a
yield, which most people have
accepted for years. But lately,
some have said shareholders
might like the company to re-
turn cash.
“I’m not sure how many
would,” Buffett said, responding
to a question from a scrum of re-
porters and shareholders follow-
ing him through the exhibit floor
of the Qwest Center in Omaha.
Many of Berkshire’s portfolio
companies have booths on the
floor, demonstrating and selling
their products.
Buffett said he made a mistake
not to ask when David Sokol was
buying shares of Lubrizol Corp
while the former top lieuten-
ant was pitching the chemicals
company as a possible takeover
target for Berkshire Hathaway.
Sokol was widely considered
a top candidate to succeed Buf-
fett as Berkshire’s chief execu-
tive. But he resigned last month
after it was revealed that he had
bought $10mn of shares in Lu-
brizol. Sokol got a roughly $3mn
profit on that stake when Berk-
shire agreed to buy Lubrizol.
When Sokol first revealed he
owned Lubrizol stock, “I obvi-
Buffett: ‘I obviously made a big mistake ...’
ously made a big mistake by not sume Sokol was his most likely
saying, ‘Well when did you buy successor.
it’,” Buffett told shareholders. “Certainly, the candidate that
He said the Sokol situation, I think is the leading candidate
which has called into question now, I would lay a lot of money
Buffett’s management style, is on the fact that he is as straight
“inexplicable and inexcusable”. as an arrow,” Buffett said.
Now, with Sokol no longer in Berkshire Hathaway shares
the running to be his successor, have underperformed the
Buffett said he expects whoever broader S&P 500 since the
follows him as chief executive of depth of the credit crisis, rais-
Berkshire Hathaway will be “as ing the volume on the dividend
straight as an arrow.” question.
Prior to Sokol’s departure, Yet Buffett was in a light-
Berkshire had said it had four hearted mood as his walked
internal candidates to poten- the exhibits, despite questions
tially succeed Buffett as chief about performance and the
executive. Sokol scandal.
Buffett, 80, said he was not As is his custom, he made
sure it had been warranted to as- a beeline for the Dairy Queen
booth to get an orange cream bar,
which he continued to munch
on as he admired a model train
set at the Burlington Northern
booth.
The meeting began, as it does
annually, on a lighter note. The
early highlight was the ice-
cream-to-insurance conglomer-
ate’s annual movie. This year, the
animated short featured Buffett
defeating an evil trading machine
called “MBA” from the year 2085
with the help of ‘the Governator’,
former California governor Ar-
nold Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger and Larry
King were among the celebrities
who made voice cameos in the
movie.
Total affirms
growth plans
as oil price
boosts Q1
Reuters
Paris
F
rance’s Total pledged to
keep up spending to bol-
ster its oil and gas produc-
tion worldwide as higher crude
prices helped the energy group
report a 35% year-on-year rise
in quarterly net income.
France’s biggest company
with a market value of €400bn
said it would forge ahead with
investments, pegged at $20bn
for this year, as recent events in
the Middle East and Japan may
herald changes in energy de-
mand and the energy mix.
Total has been active on the
merger and acquisition front in
recent months in a drive to build
up its presence in energy-rich
countries such as Russia, Cana-
da, Brazil or Australia.
The Paris-based group has
recently purchased a $4bn
stake in Russian gas group No-
vatek after spending $3.2bn on
oil sands acquisitions last year.
Meanwhile, it has reduced its
exposure to low-margin Euro-
pean refinery activities by sell-
ing its holding in Spain’s Cepsa
for $5bn.
Total has announced it was
offering to pay up to $1.37bn
to take a majority stake in
US solar company SunPower
Corp as the oil and gas major
sought also to make inroads
into the market for renewable
energy.
These should bring in €10bn
in 2011, it said.
Total said on Friday night
adjusted net income, which
excludes unrealised gains re-
lated to increases in the value
of inventories, rose to €3.1bn
($4.60bn) in the first quarter of
2011 from 2.3bn a year earlier.
Conditions could kill
Cairn-Vedanta deal
seen costing $9.6bn
AFP
New Delhi
C
airn Energy has warned
India that imposing
conditions on the sale
of the British firm’s major-
ity stake in its Indian unit to
Vedanta could kill the deal, a
report said yesterday.
The energy exploration com-
pany has also told the Indian
government that the deadline
for sealing the transaction will
not be stretched beyond the
current extended deadline of
May 20, according to the Indian
Express newspaper.
Imposing conditions would
“inevitably cause the proposed
transaction to fail,” Cairn Ener-
gy chief Bill Gammell said in a
letter dated April 18, the news-
paper said.
The report came ahead of a
meeting expected early next
week of an Indian ministerial
panel formed to advise the cabi-
net on whether to approve Cairn
Energy’s plan to sell its majority
stake in Cairn India to London-
based resources giant Vedanta.
Last August, Vedanta offered
to buy up to a 60% stake in
Cairn India in a deal expected
to cost as much as $9.6bn.
But the sale has been held up
by by deep differences between
Cairn and its Indian state-
owned partner Oil and Natural
Gas Corp (ONGC) over the pay-
ment of royalties involving In-
dia’s biggest onshore oilfields.
ONGC gets just 30% of the
output from Cairn’s oilfields.
But it pays royalties on 100%
of the production under a “roy-
alty holiday” scheme dating
from the 1990s aimed at pro-
moting private oil exploration
in energy-hungry India.
ONGC has been pushing for
an equal share of the royalties
before the government ap-
proves the sale.
The cabinet is split over
whether the royalty row should
be settled before or after the
sale goes through.
Vedanta has already reported-
ly expressed its inability to pro-
ceed with the deal if it is asked to
share the royalty burden.
The panel headed by Finance
Minister Pranab Mukherjee
which is expected to meet late
tomorrow will send its recom-
mendations to the cabinet, but
no date has been set for a final
decision.
“... uncertainty over
the transaction has
resulted in the strategic
development and
businesses of all three of
Cairn Energy, Cairn India
and Vedanta essentially
being frozen”
The sale and the settlement
of disputes between Cairn and
ONGC are “two distinct is-
sues” that should be settled
following due process, Gam-
mell was quoted as saying by
the newspaper.
Gammell added that un-
certainty over the transaction
“has resulted in the strategic
development and businesses of
all three of Cairn Energy, Cairn
India and Vedanta essentially
being frozen”.
“The board of Cairn En-
ergy will not countenance any
further extension” of the deal
deadline beyond May 20, Gam-
mell added.
The impasse comes at a bad
time for India as foreign invest-
ment has plunged, with inves-
tors worrying about a slew of
corruption scandals that have
shaken the Congress govern-
ment, including a huge suspect-
ed telecoms licensing fraud.

Woqod posts QR269mn
net profit in first quarter
Company currently involved in the
implementation of some 16 new
projects
W
oqod (Qatar Fuel) has posted a
net profit of QR269mn in the
first quarter of 2011, up 8.9%
on the same period last year.
Assets totalled QR6.36bn in Q1, up
16.3% on the same period last year. Total
equity reached QR3.93bn, up 13.5% on
the same period last year.
Earnings per share (EPS), however,
declined to QR6.47 from QR7.86 last
year. This was due to Woqod’s capi-
tal base going up consequent on the
company issuing 20% bonus shares in
2010.
The first quarter results were an-
nounced following Woqod’s board of
directors’ meeting presided over by
chairman, HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-
Attiyah, Deputy Premier and Chief of The Q1 results were announced following Woqod’s board of directors’ meeting
Emiri Diwan. presided over by its chairman HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, Deputy Premier
Woqod vice-chairman and manag- and Chief of Emiri Diwan.
ing director Mohamed Turki al-Sobai
said the company was currently involved across the country. Some of these are
in the implementation of some 16 new nearing completion and will be commis-
projects. sioned in the first half of this year. The
As many as 12 petrol stations are now tendering process is on for an additional
under various stages of construction four petrol stations.
Barwa Q1 net jumps 161% to QR548mn
The Barwa Group has seen a 161% jump in its first quarter
net profit to QR548mn.
The company’s net profit in Q1, 2010 stood at QR210mn.
Increased revenues from rents and services and profit on
sale of properties and company stake in a subsidiary, along
with profits from re-appraising Barwa’s real estate invest-
ments, led to the profit jump, a statement said.
Further, Barwa Bank expanded its activities in 2011,
Saudi to post $25bn 2011 surplus
despite record spending plans
Saudi 2011 GDP to reach 5.8%, non oil to reach 5%;
inflation to remain between 5%-6%: NCB; Saudi to
spend over $213bn
Reuters
Jeddah
S
audi Arabia will post a 95bn riyal ($25bn) surplus
this year, despite its record spending plans, based
on an average oil price of $95 per barrel, a state-
owned bank said on Saturday.
The biggest Arab economy rolled out its third consec-
utive record budget for 2011, planning to spend 580bn
riyals, and has also announced additional fiscal hand-
outs of over $100bn to be spent on infrastructure and
other projects.
“Our estimates for the surplus, despite the govern-
ment’s increased spending plans, are expected to reach
close to 95bn riyals and government spending is expect-
ed to reach close to 846bn riyals,” National Commercial
Bank’s chief economist Said al-Shaikh said.
Speaking at a press conference in Jeddah, al-Shaikh
said business confidence in the world’s biggest oil ex-
porter will increase in the second quarter across various
sectors as a result of this increased spending.
“We see a jump in optimism across all variables,
whether we are talking volume of sales, new orders,
selling prices, or profit, all is showing an increase,” he
said.
NCB in collaboration with Dun & Bradstreet released
on Friday its survey for the Business Optimism Index for
the second quarter of 2011, surveying 500 businesses in
Brazil’s Vale plans to spend up to
$700mn on Oman plant expansion
Brazilian mining giant Vale said yesterday it was
planning to spend up to $700mn to double its
production of iron pellets in Oman.
Oman Vale, a subsidiary of Vale, in which state-run
Oman Oil Company owns a 30% stake, started
production on Saturday. It aims to produce some
9mn tonnes of iron pellets each year.
“We are going to spend between $600mn to
$700mn to double our production by September
2011 if the government is committed to supply us
gas,” Oman Vale’s country manager Sergio Marcio
De Freitas Leite told reporters.
Oman, which produces 1.3tn cu ft of gas per year,
had said earlier it was committed to supplying
natural gas to local projects to diversify away from
oil revenues.
The Gulf country depends heavily on income from
crude production of 860,000 bpd of oil, which
makes up about 70% of its revenues.
Leite said his company was hoping to further
expand its activities in the sultanate, which has
been relatively slow to exploit its sizeable mineral
resources.
“We are having talks to have a joint venture with
the Omani government to mine for nickel and
copper in the country. We are also keen to take
part in gas exploration as well,” Leite said.
North University area. These projects
are expected to be commissioned before
end-2011.
The Company has signed a contract
with the Cultural Village (Qatara) for
providing retail services through the
Sidra retail chain. The project is expected
to be completed by the year-end.
Woqod’s Tower at Al-Dafna is close to
completion. The project is expected to be
commissioned during the second half of
this year. Part of the tower will be leased
on commercial basis, Woqod said.
The product supply pipelines project
is currently executed by Qatar Petrole-
um on behalf of Woqod. The first phase,
which includes the setting up of 18 inch
pipe line to carry all types of petroleum
products from Mesaieed Refinery to
Doha Depot has been completed.
The second phase, which intends to
supply the New Doha International Air-
port with jet fuel (Jet-A1) will be com-
pleted and commissioned before the
opening of the airport.
Woqod’s brands of lubricants have
been widely accepted by local and re-
Woqod has signed two contracts with gional markets. The contracts for distri-
local companies for the establishment of bution have been signed in Iraq and the
vehicle inspection centres (FAHES). The UAE. Other agreements are expected to
first one will be located at Mesaimeer be signed with local agents in Jordan and
petrol station, while the second one at Kuwait, Woqod said.
which ‘positively’ contributed to the increase in the group’s Barwa Al-Sadd and the first phase of Barwa Commercial
consolidated revenues. Avenue is expected to go operational this year, which will
Barwa said the massive Q1 profit gains were ‘good sig- further increase rent revenues and foster the group’s cash
nals’ of the company taking the ‘right direction and picking flows.
up the right options’. Barwa’s earnings per share (EPS) reached QR1.41 in the
Barwa is focusing on contributing to the economic and first quarter compared with Dh80 per share in the same
urban boom that is witnessed by Qatar in all real estate and period last year.
supporting services.
est level since the survey began in Q1 2009, while the
manufacturing composite index rose to 70 points from
64 points, the index showed.
Saudi Arabia’s construction sector, supported by
government plans to boost its infrastructure develop-
ment, rose to 71 points from 66 points.
Al-Shaikh expects that with higher oil production,
expected to reach 9mn bpd in 2011, Saudi Arabia will see
GDP growth of 5.8%. Its non-oil sector will also rise by
5% as the government pushes forward with infrastruc-
ture projects.
Inflation, which dropped to 4.7% in March from 4.9 a
year earlier, is expected to rise on the increased spend-
ing but will not exceed 6%, al-Shaikh said.
“The spending programme ... is expected to raise in-
flation levels but we expect it to remain between 5-6%.
We do not see it exceeding that figure, at least not this
year,” he said.
Al-Shaikh also expected loan growth to continue in
2011, reaching growth levels of 10-12% as banks start
lending again to the private sector.
Bank lending slowed down in 2009 on concerns over
non-performing loans during the financial crisis but
National Commercial Bank chief economist has risen after banks took provisions to protect them
Said al-Shaikh said business confidence in against bad loans.
Saudi Arabia will increase in the second Last year, Saudi Arabia’s Central Bank Governor Mo-
quarter across various sectors as a result of hamed al-Jasser urged banks to be more conservative
increased spending and make sure provisions for bad loans exceed 100% of
their value.
the country, which revealed record levels in the non-oil Al-Shaikh said provisions for bad loans in Saudi Ara-
sector. bia were covered by 116% in 2010. Bad loans reached
The non-oil sector rose to 68 points in the second 27bn riyals, around 3.4% of total lending portfolios in
quarter from 65 points the previous quarter, its high- Saudi banks, he said.
BUSINESS
Weekly
Treasury
Update
DOLLAR
US Treasury prices rose on
Friday, punctuating an April rally
that lifted the market into positive
territory for the year, as traders
bet on slowing economic growth
and the Federal Reserve sticking
to a near-zero rate policy into 2012.
Barclays’ Treasury total return
index was up 1.05% month-to-date
through Thursday, bringing a year-
to-date rise of 0.89%. It fell 0.16% in
the first quarter. Investors stepped
back into bonds in April, brushing
aside for now concerns over the
record US deficit, a looming debt
ceiling and soaring oil and food
prices. The benchmark 10-year
note’s yield recorded its first
monthly decline in eight months,
while the two-year yield posted its
biggest monthly drop since Janu-
ary 2010.
Several factors next week could
slow the market’s early spring
bounce, analysts said. They include
a renewed focus on the budget
fight in Washington and typical
caution ahead of the government’s
payroll report on Friday. The US
Treasury will announce details of
its May quarterly refunding next
Wednesday. Benchmark 10-year
notes yields ended at 3.29%, down
from 3.31% late Thursday. They
broke through a series of chart
resistance levels and are poised
to test 3.20%, a level last seen in
mid-March during a safe-haven
rally days after a devastating
earthquake hit Japan.
If economic growth accelerates
meaningfully from the meagre
1.8% pace seen in the first quarter,
investors will likely shift their focus
back to inflation and the timing
of when the Fed will raise interest
rates to cool price pressures. Even
under these conditions, it will
be tough for Treasury Inflation-
Protected Securities to continue to
outpace their nominal counter-
parts.
EURO
The gap between German two-
year and 10-year bond yields hit its
tightest in a week on Friday after
data showing faster than expected
eurozone inflation brought the
prospect of further ECB interest
rate hikes into focus. The 2/10-year
yield spread narrowed to 146 bps
and if it falls below that, the Bund
curve will be at its flattest since
November 2010.
The Bund future was last at
122.68, one tick higher on the day,
in trade thinned by a UK public
holiday. Flash estimates showed
eurozone inflation for April at 2.8%
year on year, exceeding a forecast
of 2.7% and prompting the two-
year Schatz note to underperform.
Lower-rated eurozone debt yields
were relatively steady after the
recent strong sell-off led by Greece
over fears its debt may need to be
restructured. A probe by the Euro-
pean Union into investment banks
over possible collusion in credit
default swaps is unlikely to hit CDS
or bond markets, analysts said.
Range for previous week:
$1.4492-$1.4881
Range for this week:
$1.4432-$1.4941
STERLING
British gilt futures surged to with-
in a whisker of a new contract high
on Thursday, reversing the previous
day’s losses after overnight remarks
from Fed chairman Ben Bernanke
and weak British and American
data. The June gilt future settled 79
Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 35
ticks up on the day at 119.16, barely
10 ticks off a contract high and out-
performing Bunds on the back of a
two-year low in UK GfK consumer
morale and traders’ desire to close
speculative short positions before
the long holiday weekend.
This was the biggest one-day
gain since April 15, when lower
US inflation and renewed worries
about peripheral eurozone debt
boosted the appeal for core sover-
eigns. Gilts rose steadily through-
out the session. An initial boost
came from an overnight rise in US
Treasuries, after Bernanke signalled
that he was in no rush to scale back
support for the economy with the
US labour market still in a “very,
very deep hole”. This view was
vindicated by data on Thursday
showing an unexpected rise in the
number of Americans claiming
jobless benefit, on top of a sharp
slowdown in GDP growth in the first
quarter as higher food and petrol
costs hit consumer spending.
Unexpectedly weak inflation
data earlier this month and tepid
growth data this week have wiped
out any chance of an interest rate
hike in May. Markets are pricing in
around a 50% chance of a hike in
August and a 95% chance of a hike
by November.
The Monetary Policy Committee
will have the BoE’s latest growth
and inflation forecasts to hand for
their two-day monthly meeting
next week, which will dictate the
timing of the first move.
Range for previous week:
$1.6429 - $1.6745
Range for this week:
$1.6369 - $1.6805
YEN
Japanese government bond
prices were mostly higher on
Thursday, with some yields
touching one-month lows, as data
showed a sharp fall in Japan out-
put and after the Federal Reserve
pledged to hold short-term interest
rates near zero. Japanese industrial
output fell a record 15.3% in March,
more than economists’ forecast for
an 11.0% drop, prompting investors
to buy more JGBs. The yield on the
10year cash bonds marked a one-
month low of 1.200%, falling 1 basis
point from the previous day.
Benchmark June 10-year JGB
futures prices rose 0.11 point to
140.05, after hitting a one-month
peak of 140.08. JGB futures ex-
tended gains with the rise helped
by buying from commodity trading
advisors (CTAs), market players
said. Also, big Japanese banks
were seen selling cash bonds and
buying futures. The yield curve
steepened with the super long
sector - maturities such as 20- and
30-years - underperforming the
rest of the market.
The rejection of a proposal by
BoJ deputy governor Kiyohiko
Nishimura to expand the BoJ’s
pool of funds for asset buying
and market operations by ¥5tn
($61bn), to ¥45tn, reflected that
the central bank would not take
more easing steps unless there is
more economic data that implies
a slowdown for a long period of
time, market participants said.
Range for previous week:
¥81.02-¥82.77
Range for this week:
¥80.42-¥83.37
 Gulf Times
36 Sunday, May 1, 2011

BUSINESS
Saudi shares
Sell in May and go away? snap six-day
winning run
Not so fast on Wall Street Bloomberg
Riyadh

S
audi Arabian shares dropped
After a mixed batch of data this for the first time in six days
week, investors would need to see yesterday, reversing earlier
a solid gain in jobs to believe in gains, amid speculation that com-
sustainable economic growth ments by officials from the world’s
largest oil producer may lead to
Reuters lower crude prices.
New York Saudi Basic Industries Corp,
the world’s biggest petrochemi-
cals maker, and Al Rajhi Bank,

M
ajor US stock indexes are at
multi-year highs but Wall
Street does not seem to be
running out of steam, not just yet.
Robust corporate earnings and the
Federal Reserve’s promise to keep li-
quidity cheap have fuelled the Nas-
daq to a 10-year high and driven the
Dow and the S&P to their highest lev-
els since 2008.
“We are clearly seeing signs of
overbought conditions but there is
still a lot of optimism, especially
after the S&P broke well above the
1,340 range. The next ceiling is re-
ally not until the 1,400 level,” said
Stephen Massocca, managing direc-
tor of Wedbush Morgan in San Fran-
cisco.
Heading into May, a seasonally
weak month for stocks, the Dow and
the Nasdaq posted their best monthly
performance since December. At Fri-
day’s closing bell, the S&P 500 was up
8.4% for the year.
With earnings season coming to an
end, investors will shift their focus to
economic data next week, especially
the April employment report on Fri-
day. Investors will scrutinise the jobs
data for signs of improvement in the
labour market.
After a mixed batch of data this
week, investors would need to see a
solid gain in jobs to believe in sus-
tainable economic growth. Nasdaq’s
rebalancing of its index may also
cause a bit of a stir in the market next
week.
But despite the concerns, options
investors were buying less protection
against a market correction, accord-
ing to James Dailey, portfolio man-
ager of TEAM Asset Strategy Fund in
Robust corporate earnings and the Fed’s
promise to keep liquidity cheap have
fuelled the Nasdaq to a 10-year high.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
“It’s surprising, but ironically, the
put-to-call ratio on S&P 500 rose late
last week and early this week, but fell
in the last few days,” he said.
“We might see some reaction to the
overbought conditions depending on
the jobs number, but still, that would
be a minor pullback, maybe down to
test the 1,340 levels.”
Other economic data due next
week include the ISM manufacturing
data and domestic car sales on Mon-
day, the ISM services-sector data
on Wednesday, and weekly jobless
claims on Thursday.
Nasdaq will be rebalancing its
benchmark Nasdaq 100 index on
Monday that will slash Apple Inc’s
weighting. The rebalancing will af-
fect the relative weights of all the se-
curities in the index and cause popu-
lar index-tracking funds such as the
PowerShares QQQ to buy and sell
shares to match the new composition.
“Apple shares are likely to see some
volatility, but unlike 10 years ago,
hedge funds and traders start trading
on this (the rebalancing) from weeks
ahead, so it won’t be a huge event on
the overall market,” said Jack DeGan,
chief investment officer of Harbor
Advisory Corp in Portsmouth, New
Hampshire.
The CBOE Volatility Index or VIX,
Wall Street’s so-called fear gauge,
was relatively low, ending Friday’s
session below 15, although it was up
0.9% for the day.
“While conditions of being over-
bought and oversold can stick around
for a while, as a trader, I feel this mar-
ket is just too complacent. That is
why I advocate looking at insurance,
but also at this stage in the wave, ride
it and not try to swim against it,” said
Joe Cusick, senior market analyst at
Chicago-based online brokerage firm
optionsXpress.
The VIX usually moves inversely
with the S&P 500, tracking options
prices that investors are willing to
pay as protection on the price moves
of the underlying stocks.
So far, 324 of the S&P 500 compa-
nies have reported earnings, of which
73% were above analysts’ expecta-
tions, according to Thomson Reu-
ters data. In a typical quarter, 62% of
companies beat estimates.
the kingdom’s largest publicly
traded lender by market value,
led the losses.
The 146-member Tadawul All
Share Index declined 0.2%, the
gauge’s largest loss in almost two
weeks, to 6,710.56 at the 3.30pm
close in Riyadh. Three shares
dropped for every two stocks
that gained. The measure had
advanced as much as 0.5% in in-
traday trading.
“The discomfort expressed
at elevated crude prices by both
the Saudi oil minister and Saudi
Aramco chief last week is weigh-
ing down sentiment,” said Asim
Bukhtiar, an equity analyst at
Riyad Capital.
On April 26, Khalid al-Falih,
chief executive officer of Saudi
Arabian Oil Co, said his coun-
try, holder of one-fifth of the
world’s proven oil reserves, isn’t
“comfortable with oil prices
where they are today,” and that
it is “concerned about the im-
pact it could have on the global
economic growth.” On April 19,
Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi
said the current rise in the price
of oil is “unjustified.”
Crude for June delivery rose
1% to $113.93 a barrel, the high-
est settlement since Septem-
ber 22, 2008, on the New York
Mercantile Exchange on Friday.
Prices climbed 1.5% this week
and 34% in the past year.
Sabic declined 0.2%, the big-
gest drop since April 24, to 111.50
riyals and Al Rajhi tumbled 0.7%
to 76.75 riyals, the largest loss
since April 19.

Alshall Market Review

T
he Qatar Exchange (QE) showed a
negative performance during the
week starting April 24. The official
QE index fell 1.15% over the previous week’s
closing and finished the week at 8,548.30
points last Thursday, while the Alshall index
(cap weighted) closed at 1,200.07 points,
down 0.86% compared to the previous
week’s closing at 1,210.52.
Total value of trade during the five trading
days was QR1,654,185,850. This represents
a decrease of 0.84% compared to the value
of the previous week (QR1,668,209,914)
with five trading days. The financial sector
led the pack, accounting for 44.4% of the
total trading value, followed by the indus-
trial sector (20.6%) and the consumer serv-
ice sector (20.1%).
The number of shares traded declined to
40,126,574 with a daily average of 8,025,315.
This was lower by 14.4% compared to
the previous week’s number of shares at
46,869,314.
The number of deals fell to 22,854 with
a daily average of 4,571, which was lower
by 12.7% compared to the previous week’s
number of deals at 26,164.
Top five leading companies in terms of
value traded during the week were QNB,
which represented 14.5% of the total val-
ue traded, followed by Masraf Al Rayan
(10.6%), Barwa (8.4%), Industries Qatar
(7.2%) and Qatar Electricity & Water Co
(7.2%).
The most active companies in terms of
volume traded were Masraf Al Rayan which
represented 18.9% of total volume traded,
followed by Barwa (10.5), Nakilat (9.5%),
Mawashi (5.0%) and Al Khalij Commercial
Bank (5.0%).
Twenty-five stocks of a total 42 listed
companies advanced and ended the week
higher, while 16 stocks declined and ended
lower. One stock remained unchanged.
* Alshall Economic Services is a Qatar-
based advisory firm providing different
economic, business and corporate finance
advisory services to local institutions. It is
affiliated to Alshall Consulting and Invest-
ment Co in Kuwait.
* Analyses appearing in this weekly report
do not in any way constitute an offer or rec-
ommendation to invest in any of the listed
securities. Gulf Times and Alshall hereby
disclaim any responsibility or any direct or
indirect claim resulting from using this re-
port.
44 Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011
SPORT
GOLF
American Watson takes charge
‘I’ve gotten lucky enough to win two so far’
Reuters
New Orleans
L
ong-hitting American
Bubba Watson eagled the
par-five 11th for a sec-
ond consecutive day on
his way to a one-shot lead in the
second round of the New Orle-
ans Classic on Friday.
Joint pacesetter overnight
with Australian Matt Jones, the
left-hander fired a four-under-
par 68 in dazzling sunshine at
the TPC Louisiana and stayed
in front of the late starters as
the greens firmed up and wind
strengthened in the afternoon.
The 32-year-old Watson, from
nearby Bagdad in the Florida
panhandle, also recorded three
birdies and a lone bogey to take
control of the PGA Tour event
with a 10-under total of 134.
American Josh Teater, a rookie
on the circuit last year, briefly
got to 11 under before double-
bogeying the last for a 66 and
second place.
John Rollins carded a 69 to
lie third at eight under, a stroke
in front of fellow Americans Ja-
son Dufner (69), Webb Simp-
son (69) and Dean Wilson (64),
plus Australians John Senden
(67) and Jones (71). Watson, who
clinched his second PGA Tour
victory at the Farmers Insurance
Open in January, was delighted
to be heading into the weekend
in contention for another title.
“This is what we strive to do,”
the slim American told report-
ers. “We always want the pres-
sure. We always want the nerves,
the butterflies. We’re trying to
win golf tournaments.
“I’ve gotten lucky enough to
win two so far and I’m trying to
go for my third. It would be nice
to pull it off here in New Orle-
ans ... two and a half hours away
from where I grew up.
“I’ve just putted really well,
hit a lot of good tee shots and
stayed out of the water as much
as possible.” Asked if his strategy
would change for the weekend,
Watson replied: “No. If I could
play the same the next two days,
I have a great shot at winning.”
On Thursday, Watson eagled
the 11th after hitting a boom-
ing 343-yard drive followed by
a soaring six-iron over a cypress
tree that landed 32 feet from the
pin. On Friday, he eagled the
same hole after belting his tee
shot 329 yards down the fair-
way, striking his second from
244 yards to 20 feet and coolly
knocking in the putt.
“Yeah, that hole was good for
me,” he said with a smile. “I hit
two good shots. The fairway and
tee shot was a little scary for me
but it worked out today.”
British world number three
Luke Donald, beaten in a play-
off for The Heritage on Sunday,
was hot on Watson’s heels with
seven holes to play before losing
momentum. Eight under over-
all, Donald bogeyed the third,
his 12th hole of the day, and then
double-bogeyed the fourth be-
fore carding a 71 to end the round
five strokes off the pace.
“You’re going to make a few
mistakes occasionally,” said the
Englishman, who could become
world number one with vic-
tory this week. “Up until then I
played pretty solid golf.
“Through 29 holes, I only
missed a couple greens. But I’m
still there or thereabouts and the
greens are only going to get firm-
er. It will be a tough weekend.”
The cut fell at one-under 143
with last week’s Heritage cham-
pion Brandt Snedeker, former
world number one David Duval
and US Open champion Graeme
McDowell among those missing
out.
Germany’s Gal grabs
lead at Avnet Classic
New York: Germany’s Sandra
Gal birdied five of the final eight
holes for a five-under 67 and a
one-stroke lead after the second
round at the Avnet LPGA Classic
on Friday. Gal reached a seven-
under total of 137, one shot clear
of Amy Yang at the Robert Trent
Jones Golf Trail’s Magnolia
Grove complex.
Gal is in the middle of one of
the best runs of her career af-
ter winning the Kia Classic last
month for her maiden USLPGA
Tour victory. “Obviously, I’m
playing well,” Gal said. “I’m
just enjoying myself out there.
I mean, I’m not doing anything
really different. I’ve been playing
solid since the end of last year.
“Just winning, you know, I
think you get more comfort-
able at the top. Being in the lead
is something. You know, to be
there and feel comfortable there,
so that’s probably the difference
now.” Gal made bogey on holes
nine and 10 but she hit a rich
streak of form, making birdies on
holes 11, 12, 13, 16 and 17 to climb
to top spot on the leaderboard.
“It was kind of a slow start,”
Gal said. “Just made a couple
bogeys, at nine, 10, and that was
kind of like a turning point for
me. I kind of got down on myself
a little bit. Then I was like, ‘OK,
let’s just play one shot at a time
and be patient. The birdies are
going to come.’ They did, so I was
happy about that.”
Yang finished with a 68. She
made bogey on the first hole be-
fore birdieing 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17.
The Avnet is the tour’s lone
event during a six-week period.
Defending champion Se Ri Pak
shot 71 to match Suzann Pet-
tersen (68), Sun Young Yoo (68),
Jenny Suh (69) and Sarah Kemp
(70) at four under.

BASEBALL
Padres
suffer 7th
loss in 8
games
Agencies
Los Angeles
T
he San Diego Padres had
Dodgers closer Jonathan
Broxton on the ropes in
the ninth inning — a run
in and runners at first and third
with two outs.
Up stepped Nick Hundley,
who hit a line drive to left field
that was hooking away from old
pal Tony Gwynn Jr. But he fully
extended himself with a dive
to his backhand, and the ball
stuck in his glove. Los Angeles
escaped with a 3-2 victory, and
Gwynn’s former teammates
ended up with their seventh loss
in eight games.
“I knew he was in left after
the double-switch,” Hundley
said. “He’s a great outfielder.
I’ve seen him do it for 2 1/2
years now, so it’s definitely not
surprising, but disappointing
nonetheless.”
Gwynn, who didn’t make an
error in 117 games last year,
spent two seasons with the Pa-
dres after being acquired from
Milwaukee. The Dodgers signed
him as a free agent in December.
“Right before that happened,
I said, `Nothing drops,’ and
he made a great diving catch,”
Dodgers center fielder Matt
Kemp said. “When Tony gets in
the game, he makes things hap-
pen. He can steal a base, he can
get some hits and he can play
great defense. So we’re going to
need him just as much as any-
body else on this team. We’re
counting on a lot of guys to step
up and do big things.”
Padres starter Clayton Rich-
ard (1-2) allowed two runs and
eight hits in 5 2-3 innings. He
came in 4-0 with a 2.48 ERA in
six previous starts against the
Dodgers, including his only big
league shutout on Sept. 21 at Los
Angeles.
Juan Uribe gave the Dodg-
ers a 2-1 lead in the fourth with
his third homer, driving a 2-0
pitch to left-center. He started
at third base in place of Casey
Blake, put on the 15-day disa-
bled list Friday because of a
mysterious staph infection in
his left elbow.
“I fell behind 2-0 and gave
him the freedom to be aggres-
sive,” Richard said. “I mean, he’s
always aggressive, but he was
even more aggressive with a 2-0
count. That was more of a hin-
drance than the pitch he hit. It
was OK, location-wise.”
Andre Ethier extended his ma-
jor league record for the long-
est April hitting streak to 25
games. He doubled with two
outs in the fifth against Rich-
ard, a left-hander he had only
one hit against in 15 career at-
bats to that point. “The first two
at-bats he was pounding me in
hard, and I was still looking for
something out over the plate to
hit,” Ethier said. “He threw me
a sinking fastball down and in,
and I just happened to pull my
hands in enough, put a good
swing on it and put it out there
with a little topspin over (first
baseman Jorge) Cantu’s head
and luckily got a hit out of it.”
Kemp also homered for the
Dodgers in their first home
game since Commissioner Bud
Selig hired former Texas Rang-
ers president Tom Schieffer on
Monday to monitor the day-
to-day operations of the team.
The move capped a tumultu-
ous week that began with Major
League Baseball taking control
of the 122-year-old franchise
from embattled owner Frank
McCourt.
Ted Lilly (2-2) allowed a run
and five hits over six innings
before he was lifted for a pinch-
hitter with a 2-1 lead and run-
ners at second and third. The
left-hander, whose run support
since the start of last season is
the lowest in the majors, struck
out four and walked one while
improving to 7-3 against the Pa-
dres.
Results
Toronto. . . . . . . . . . 5
Cleveland. . . . . . . . 9
Washington . . . . . 3
Philadelphia . . . . 10
Seattle . . . . . . . . . . . 5
LA Angels . . . . . . . 8
Florida. . . . . . . . . . . 7
St. Louis . . . . . . . . . 5
Milwaukee. . . . . . . 5
Baltimore . . . . . . . 10
Kansas City . . . . . . 4
Pittsburgh . . . . . . . 3
NY Yankees . . . . . . . 3
Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
San Francisco. . . . . 0
NY Mets . . . . . . . . . . 3
Boston . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Tampa Bay. . . . . . . . 5
Cincinnati. . . . . . . . . 6
Atlanta. . . .3 (11 Inns)
Houston . . . . . . . . . . 0
CHI White Sox . . . . 4
Minnesota . . . . . . . . 3
Colorado. . . . . . . . . . 0
Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 45
SPORT
NBA
Grizzlies oust Spurs
Randolph scores 17 of 31 points in fourth quarter
Agencies switched to a best-of-seven se- the loss but happy for them and
Memphis ries. Golden State beat Dallas in what they have accomplished.”
2007. Gasol had 12 points and 13 re-
It’s an improbable victory for bounds for Memphis. Allen add-
T
he Memphis Grizzlies a franchise considered a good ed 11 points, and rookie Greivis
sealed a stunning upset bet for contraction in October, Vasquez had 11 off the bench
of top-ranked San An- best known for losing its first 12 playing 24 minutes with Mike
tonio in the first round playoff games for an unenviable Conley in foul trouble most of
of the NBA playoffs on Friday, NBA mark. This town desperate- the game.
beating the Spurs 99-91 to ly needed a hero, and the sellout Tony Parker led San Antonio
clinch their series 4-2 at the Fe- crowd tensed at every Spurs’ run with 23 points, Manu Ginobili
dEx Forum. Friday night and cheered every had 16, Tim Duncan 12 and An-
Grizzlies power forward Zach Memphis bucket. tonio McDyess 10.
Randolph scored 17 of his 31 As the final seconds ticked Duncan left the court five days
points in the fourth quarter on down, fans waved their white after turning 35 for what might
the night, taking over after the towels while a sign declaring have been the last time, not that
Spurs grabbed only their second “Grizzlies Win” glared around he said anything to his team-
lead of the game at 80-79, scor- the FedExForum. mates.
ing 10 of the next 14 points to San Antonio coach Gregg Pop- “And I don’t need to say any-
finish off the series in six games. ovich moved down the sideline thing,” Duncan said.
“He put the whole team on to congratulate Hollins with a The Spurs, winners of 61 games
his back and delivered,” team- hug and a word in his ear, while in the regular season and the dy-
mate Marc Gasol said. “That players shook hands. The Griz- nasty with four NBA titles with
was, for me on the court, one of zlies then gathered at midcourt Duncan, thought they had the
the most unreal performances in in a team celebration as the Spurs game in hand after McDyess hit
the fourth quarter in a long time. headed for the locker room. a jumper for an 80-79 lead with
The last 4 or 5 minutes of the “I think we’re all emotional,” 4:41 left.
game, he just carried us. It was Gasol said. “Some people might Randolph scored 10 of the next
unbelievable.” show it a little more, some peo- 14 for Memphis, with his hook
Guard Tony Allen said Ran- ple kept it more inside of them. putting Memphis ahead to stay
dolph demanded the ball, But we have an emotional team, at 81-80. Conley added a jump-
whooping and hollering for and we have an emotional city. I er, then Randolph hit a fallaway
teammates to pass to him. think we represent pretty good jumper, two free throws and an-
“That’s why they pay him the for the city of Memphis.” other fallaway jumper for an 89-
big bucks as Zach Randolph,” Al- Now the Grizzlies start the 82 lead with 1:55 left. Randolph
len said. “He’s a monster down semifinals Sunday in Oklahoma went to the bench to a huge cheer
there. He demands attention in City. with 3.4 seconds left.
that block.” Memphis dominated in closing “Emotion is high, not just for
Memphis coach Lionel Hollins out this series, outrebounding the Memphis Grizzlies but for
said Randolph let him know how the Spurs 43-32 and outscor- the whole city of Memphis and
much he had wanted to be on ing them in the paint 62-38 in the fans,” Randolph said. “It’s
the floor late the Grizzlies’ loss their best performance yet in something. It’s a great accom-
Wednesday night in San Anto- the postseason. The Grizzlies plishment. We’ve got to be hap-
nio. also held the NBA’s best 3-point py. We should be happy. But it’s
Hollins said he told Randolph shooters to 5-of-22 shooting, a quick turnaround. We’ve got a
he would have to have an even which had Popovich congratu- game Sunday, and we have to get
better game Friday. lating them on their team de- ready.”
Randolph certainly did. fense. As Randolph took over, the ex-
“From a pick-me-up perspec- “They were the better team, perienced Spurs turned the ball
tive, we just got on his back, and and they played better than we over three straight times. One
we rode him like he was an Eng- did,” Popovich said. “I thought desperate pass from Ginobili
lish warhorse,” Hollins said. “He their athleticism, their strength, went right off Parker’s hands.
was really carrying us, We were their size really hurt us offen-
just hanging on.” sively. We could not get a lot
Randolph’s performance done. We really had trouble Result
Tony Allen (L) of the Memphis Grizzlies grabs a rebound while defended by Gary Neal of the San helped the Grizzlies become only scoring against their defense. Memphis . . . . . . .99 San Antonio . . . . . .91
Antonio Spurs during the Grizzlies 99-91 win over the Spurs in Game Six of the Western Conference the second No. 8 seed to knock They deserve a lot of credit for (Memphis wins series 4–2)
quarter-finals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee on Friday. (AFP) off a No. 1 seed since the NBA that. Obviously, I am sad about
NHL
Lightning strike down
Caps, Sharks win opener
Reuters ny Lecavalier said. “It could have went either las Lidstrom scored on a slapshot midway
Washington way tonight.” through the first period and Detroit tried to
Tampa Bay netminder Dwayne Roloson nurse the one-goal lead through the remain-
held the Lightning close, making 21 of his 26 der their Western Conference semi-final
T
he Tampa Bay Lightning struck saves in the opening two periods. opener.
down the Washington Capitals 4-2 “I think we just did what we’ve been doing San Jose outshot Detroit by a two-to-
in a physical Eastern Conference all playoffs,” Stamkos said. “When we get the one margin over the final two periods and
semi-final series opener on Friday, lead, we obviously want to maintain it and Joe Pavelski scored the tying goal midway
while San Jose edged Detroit 2-1 in overtime we’ve been able to do that so far. through the third period. In overtime, Benn
in their Western opener. “But they had a lot of good chances and Ferriero scored to seal the win for the Sharks.
Following an early goal by Tampa Bay’s they’ve got a lot of firepower on that team.
Sean Bergenheim the Capitals took con- We had a couple of good bounces tonight, Concussion symptoms stalled
trol, drawing level before the end of the first Rollie (Roloson) made some big saves when Crosby’s comeback bid
through Alexander Semin and taking the he had to and it was a good team effort.”
lead early in the second period through Eric Tampa Bay’s Simon Gagne left the game PITTSBURGH: Sidney Crosby was never
Fehr. after his head bounced off the ice on a check close to returning to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Steve Downie’s pass deflected off the stick by Hannan, while defenseman Pavel Kubina for a Stanley Cup run, revealing on Friday
of Washington’s Scott Hannan late in the was also unable to finish the game due to a that the concussion-related symptoms that
second period to tie it at 2-2 and the Light- head injury. Washington defenseman John sidelined him since January have not gone
ning regained the lead on Steve Stamkos’ Carlson suffered a leg injury in the second away.
power-play goal just before the intermis- period and played just one shift in the third.
sion. “I thought we were in control of the game
The Lightning tightened up defensively in until the Downie goal, and that gave them Results
the third period and limited the Capitals to life,” Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said.
Tampa Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Washington. . . . . . . . . . 2
just five shots before Dominic Moore scored “But you can’t play river hockey. This wasn’t (Tampa Bay lead best-of-seven series 1–0)
Scott Hannan No 23 of the Washington Capitals collides with Sean
into an empty net in the final minute to com- the way we play. It was reverting back to an San Jose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Detroit . . . . . . . . . . .1 (OT) Bergenheim No 10 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game One of
plete the scoring. “It was definitely good to older day.” (San Jose lead best-of-seven series 1–0) the Eastern Conference semi-final during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup
get that first game,” Tampa Bay captain Vin- In San Jose, Red Wings captain Nick- Finals at the Verizon Center in Washington DC on Friday. (AFP)
TUSSLE
Major debate over golf world rankings
AFP the top spot. Current number belt after winning last year’s ald and Westwood) as #1 - a huge achievement for a man Westwood, saying the fact he
Icheon, South Korea one Lee Westwood and Ger- PGA Championship. that’s the system - but I think who slid from fourth to 250th has yet to win a Major is not im-
many’s Martin Kaymer have Several US columnists feel the system should give extra points in the world rankings just a few portant.
both been number one and if official rankings system, which for a Major win,” Faldo wrote. years ago. “The world rankings “Lee has played a lot of good
W
hen is the top- Westwood’s fellow Englishman rates players every week ac- The rankings take into account and the Major championships golf so I think he’s deserved to
ranked golfer in Luke Donald wins the US PGA cording to how they have per- tournaments from all six pro- are two completely separate be number one right now. He’s
the world not the Zurich Classic in New Orleans formed over a rolling two-year fessional tours. More points are things,” he said this week at the played very consistent over the
best player in the on Sunday he has a good chance period, has lost credibility and given for events with stronger Ballantine’s Championship in last couple of years, so you can’t
world? When he has not won a of overtaking them both. should be changed. fields. The Majors—the Mas- South Korea. really argue with it,” he said.
Major, according to some com- But the rankings success of the And no less a figure than six- ters, the British Open, the US “I’ve had a lot of chances to Six of the world’s top 10 are
mentators. two Englishmen has prompted time Major winner Nick Faldo, Open and the PGA Champion- win Majors recently and it just now from Europe and for Brit-
Since the fallout from a lu- some critics to pour scorn on the last Englishman before ship—score highest. hasn’t happened. The world ish former world number two
rid sex scandal ended Tiger the system—because neither Westwood to hold the number The Major question is a sore rankings are about consist- Colin Montgomerie, American
Woods’s record-breaking 281- has won one of the four Major one spot, took to Twitter last point for Westwood, who insists ency and playing well week-in, complaints about the ranking
week stint at the head of the championships, the holy grail week to question the ranking he has earned his place through week-out, which I tend to do.” system boil down to one thing—
rankings last year, an intriguing for any professional golfer. system. hard work and dedication, and Rising US star Dustin Johnson, frustration at no longer domi-
tussle has been under way for Kaymer has a Major under his “Nothing at all against (Don- the number one spot represents ranked 12 in the world, defended nating the game.
 Gulf Times
46 Sunday, May 1, 2011

SPORT

HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (5th from left), IOC president Jacques Rogge, Pal Schmitt, president of the Republic of Hungary are seen with IOC HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani delivering his welcome
Sport and Environment Award winners at the presentation during the opening ceremony of the 9th WCSE yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil address at the opening ceremony.

SPOTLIGHT CARBON-CUTTING CONCEPT

Qatar lands special Munich 2018

bid leaders
award as WCSE begins share unique
‘Qatar has made the environmental development as one of the four pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030’

By Suman Malla
Doha
is presented every two years to members
of the Olympic Movement (individuals,
groups or organisations) who are nomi-
nated by NOCs, International Federa-
environment,” said HH the Heir Appar-
ent. “Qatar has made the environmental
Over the next two days, participants
will discuss a range of environment-
green vision
development as one of the four pillars of related topics, including how sport can Sports Reporter protection; sustainable sport
the Qatar National Vision 2030, which contribute to the 2012 Rio +20 Earth Doha and regional development;

T
he 9th World Conference on tions or Continental Associations. This includes human, social, economic and Summit; ways to locally and globally and education and sustainable
Sport and the Environment year, 43 candidatures were submitted, environmental development areas.” implement the Olympic Movement’s development. ‘Flagship 18’ is

got underway here yesterday
with Qatar Olympic Committee
(QOC) winning a special award from the
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
for its commitment to the environment
and sustainable technology.
HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim
bin Hamad al-Thani, who is also the
president of QOC and IOC member re-
ceived the award from IOC president
Jacques Rogge amid a glittering ceremo-
ny at the Sheraton Convention Centre.
The IOC Sport and Environment Award
IOC Awards
Africa: 2010 FIFA World Cup Host City
Cape Town
Americas: IX South American Games
2010 Host City Medellin
Asia: Japan Swimming Federation
Europe: National Olympic Com-
mittee and Sports Confederation of
Denmark
Oceania: National Olympic Committee
of the Marshall Islands
Special Award for commitment to the
environment and sustainable technol-
ogy: Qatar Olympic Committee
FOOTBALL
with one winner selected for each of the
five continents.
The three-day conference with the
theme ‘Playing for a Greener Future,’ is
jointly organised by the IOC and QOC, in
conjunction with the United Nations En-
vironment Programme (UNEP).
A total of 550 delegates, drawn from
representatives of the world of sport,
industry, sponsors, the United Nations
system and NGOs, are attending the
conference. They share their expertise
on how sport is embracing the challenge
of reducing its environmental footprint
for social, economic, and environmental
benefit.
Earlier, addressing the opening session
of the conference, HH the Heir Apparent
expressed sincere appreciation to IOC
president Jacques Rogge and president
Pal Schmitt and fellow IOC members for
their confidence in the State of Qatar for
hosting and organising this conference,
highlighting the important links between
sports and the environment.
“The sports community is one of the
largest gatherings of humanity, includ-
ing athletes, fans and the media per-
sons and the community can be a driv-
ing force in the direction of maintaining
less polluted, safer and more sustainable
A
Rogge began his inaugural speech say- Agenda 21; how to make sports events Munich 2018 Bid outlined in Munich 2018’s ex-
ing, “We have seen the hospitality and the more sustainable; how sport can help Committee delega- haustive 186-page Environ-
organisational abilities of this city before — achieve Goal 7 (environmental sus- tion is promoting the mental Concept dossier.
most notably at the highly successful 2006 tainability) of the United Nations De- Bavarian capital’s Shedding lights on some
Asian Games — but it is always a pleasure velopment Programme’s Millennium groundbreaking environmental of the bid’s green attributes,
to experience Doha again. Development Goals; and the role of Ol- concept at the 9th World Con- Schwank said: “Our concept
“I offer my congratulations on your ympians in promoting respect for the ference on Sport and the Envi- is based on the sustainable use
winning bid for the 2022 FIFA World environment. ronment which got underway of existing world-class venues
Cup, and I know we can look forward to “It is a huge honour and a proud mo- in Doha yesterday. and infrastructure that were
another outstanding sporting event.” ment for the Qatar Olympic Committee Bid chair Katarina Witt, the first built for the Munich Ol-
Reiterating that environmental re- to be co-hosting the 9th World Sport two-time Olympic figure- ympiad in 1972.”
sponsibility and stewardship as part of and Environment Conference,” said QOC skating champion, is leading “There will be a minimal
IOC mission, Rogge said: “As the agenda general secretary Sheikh Saoud bin Ab- the delegation which also in- construction impact as almost
for this conference suggests, our envi- dulrahman al-Thani. cludes CEO Bernhard Schwank, 99% of the sport venues is al-
ronmental obligations require that we Thanking the IOC and UNEP for their secretary general of the Ger- ready used for sport or will be
do much more than reduce the environ- trust in Qatar, Sheikh Saoud bin Ab- man Olympic Sports Confeder- temporarily converted. All ex-
mental impact of the Olympic Games.” dulrahman al-Thani, chairman of the ation Michael Vesper and Boris isting venues will be renovat-
Applauding the winners for their dedi- conference Organising Committee said, Schwartz, head of Environment ed to make them at least 30%
cation to the environment while wish- “The IOC and UNEP have developed an and sustainability. more energy efficient,” he said.
ing the assembled delegation a success- influential Conference over recent years Munich is in race with Annecy “Just 1% of the total sports
ful three-day event, the IOC president that has stimulated real discussion and of France and PyeongChang of facility space will be con-
said: “Sport is a powerful tool for posi- provided thought-leadership to the glo- South Korea to host the 2018 verted into new permanent
tive change. Our task is to ensure we use bal sports sector. I have no doubt that Winter Games. The Interna- sports venues – that equates to
that tool for the benefit of the planet we this will be the case at this year’s confer- tional Olympic Committee will less than the size of a football
share. ence.” vote on the winning bid on July pitch.”
“We owe that to ourselves and to the “The motto adopted by the 9th edition 6 in Durban, South Africa. DOSB secretary general Ves-
future generations who will inherit this of this conference, ‘we play for a better Talking to a group of jour- per added, “It is very important
earth. The winners here tonight have environment’ reflects the close relation- nalists yesterday, bid CEO to the bid that every one of Mu-
embraced this concept and are worthy ship between sport and the environment Schwank said the Doha confer- nich 2018’s stakeholders shares
recipients of the IOC Sport and Environ- in which we conduct our sports activi- ence offers an ideal opportuni- our commitment to protecting
ment Award.” ties,” he said. ty for Munich 2018 to share its and enhancing the natural en-
vision for staging the first ever vironment.”
carbon-neutral Olympic and Citing examples of Germa-
Paralympic Winter Games. ny’s lead in sustainability, Ves-
He explained the delegation’s per, who is also the chairman of
primary focus will be on rais- the Munich 2018 Supervisory
ing awareness of Munich 2018’s Board, said “we are determined

Kalou keeps Chelsea hopes alive ‘Flagship 18’ initiative – a se-

ries of 18 pioneering projects
addressing the protection of
natural resources; climate
to build a greener future for Ba-
varia, Germany and the entire
Olympic Movement.”

DPA City and only three ahead of the striker put the ball into the Blackpool, who drew 0-0 at West Bromwich Albion, with
London sixth-placed Liverpool. net for the winner. home with Stoke City on Sat- 10 men after the sending-off
But Chelsea needed a couple Earlier, Blackburn improved urday, sit one place above the of Paul Scharner, came from Borussia crowned German champions
of massive strokes of luck to their chances of survival after bottom three on 35 points, but behind to beat Aston Villa

C
helsea’s Premier get the three points after San- they edged their way to a 1-0 only thanks to a superior goal 2-1, thanks to goals from Pe- BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund were crowned Bundesliga champi-
League title hopes dro had smashed Tottenham victory over Bolton Wander- difference to Wigan. ter Odemwingie and Youssouf ons yesterday with a 2-0 win at home against Nuremberg to land
are very much alive ahead in the first half with a ers. Charles N’Zogbia put Wigan Mulumbu. their first German league title since 2002.
after Salomon Kalou superb strike from long range. Martin Olsson’s 20th- ahead on 21 minutes but Ever- Sunderland have 41 points After last week’s shock defeat at relegation-threatened Borussia
scored in the 89th minute to First Lampard’s speculative minute goal proved enough to ton, who had a Mikel Arteta and may not be out of trouble Moenchengladbach, the hosts saw off Nuremberg to claim their
seal a dramatic 2-1 win over shot was spilled by Huerelho give Blackburn all three points penalty saved in the first half, yet after they were humbled seventh German title and a place in next season’s Champions
Tottenham Hotspur at Stam- Gomes as the ball squirmed and a cushion of three points equalized with 12 minutes 3-0 at home by Fulham, for League.
ford Bridge yesterday. between his legs but he looked over the bottom three, much to go when Leighton Baines whom Simon Davies scored The victory at a sold-out Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park stadium
A controversial goal from to have retrieved the ball just to the relief of manager Steve made no mistake from the twice. in front of 80,720 fans leaves Borussia eight points clear at the
Frank Lampard gave Chelsea before it crossed the line. Kean. spot after a hand ball. top of the table. After second-placed Bayer Leverkusen lost 2-0 at
an equaliser after Sandro’s But referee Andre Marriner “It was a big win for us,” he Cologne, Dortmund were confirmed champions.
opener for Tottenham and awarded the goal after consul- said. “We knew it would be “I’m just happy,” said coach Jurgen Klopp after his side gave him
substitute Kalou, on for Fern- tation with his linesman, even tough but Bolton were off the Results & standings the traditional beer shower. “I had thought it would feel differ-
ando Torres, poked the ball though television replays sug- back of a tough schedule and ent, more euphoric, but maybe that comes later. The team has
into the net one minute from gested Gomes had got there there was a big chance for us Blackburn . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Bolton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Man City 33 17 8 8 51 30 59 achieved extraordinary things, set high standards and handled
the end of normal time. just in time. to win. Blackpool. . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Stoke City. . . . . . . . . . . 0 Tottenham 34 14 13 7 50 43 55 every pressure situation very well.
Chelsea are now just three Chelsea, who had gone into “We can go into the West Chelsea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Tottenham. . . . . . . . . . . 1 Liverpool 34 15 7 12 51 39 52 “What these young guys have achieved is hard to put into words.
Sunderland. . . . . . . . . . 0 Fulham. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Everton 35 11 15 9 48 43 48
points behind Manchester the game with a 4-4-2 for- Ham game full of confidence West Brom . . . . . . . . . . 2 Aston Villa . . . . . . . . . . . 1
“The way they have taken our direction and used it on the pitch
Bolton 35 12 10 13 48 48 46
United at the top, putting the mation with Torres alongside and hopefully put the whole Wigan Athletic . . . . . . 1 Everton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Fulham 35 10 15 10 43 36 45
has been incredible.”
pressure onto the leaders go- Didier Drogba, switched to relegation thing to bed.” Playing today (GMT) Stoke 35 12 7 16 43 43 43 Paraguay striker Lucas Barrios proved his recent thigh injury is
ing into their clash with Arse- their favoured 4-3-3 at half- Wigan remain in the relega- Birmingham City v Wolves (1100) West Brom 35 11 10 14 51 65 43 behind him by opening the scoring for his 14th goal of the season
nal at the Emirates Stadium on time and they immediately tion zone as they could only Liverpool v Newcastle (1100) Newcastle 34 10 11 13 49 48 41 when he pounced on a blocked shot from Mario Goetze to fire
Arsenal v Man United (1305)
Sunday. improved. draw 1- 1 with Everton. Aston Villa 35 10 11 14 44 57 41 home on 32 minutes.
Man City v West Ham (1510) Sunderland 35 10 11 14 39 52 41
The result also puts a mas- Drogba tested Gomes from With three games apiece re- It was 2-0 at the break as Poland striker Robert Lewandowski
Standings P W D L F A Pts Blackburn 35 10 8 17 41 55 38
sive dent in Tottenham’s long range and Lampard twice maining, Blackburn have 38 beat goalkeeper Raphael Schaefer to the ball after a long pass
Man Utd 34 21 10 3 71 32 73 Birmingham 34 8 14 12 34 51 38
hopes of securing fourth spot. shot wide before a Drogba points, three better than Bir- Blackpool 35 9 8 18 48 70 35
from Germany defender Mats Hummels and tapped home on 43
The London side are now four mishit found Kalou, seeming- mingham City, who play Wol- Chelsea 35 21 7 7 66 28 70 minutes.
Arsenal 34 18 10 6 67 36 64 Wigan 35 7 14 14 35 58 35
points behind Manchester ly in an offside position, and verhampton on Sunday.
 Gulf Times
Sunday, May 1, 2011 47

SPORT
GOLF MOTOGP

Jimenez, Lorenzo on pole for

Rumford tied
for lead at Portuguese GP
Ballantine’s ‘The important thing is to take points and not to crash’
AFP
Reuters the lead with Jimenez. Lisbon
Seoul “That was some tricky pins
out there today. They were

M
placed up on the top part of all otoGP world cham-

S
pain’s Miguel Angel
Jimenez and Australian
Brett Rumford were in
the driving seat at the
Ballantine’s Championship on
Saturday before rain and the
threat of lighting brought an
early end to the third round.
The weather forced players
off the Blackstone Golf Club
course near the South Korean
capital just after the lead-
ers had completed their front
the tiers and ridges, and it was
pretty tricky trying to get on
the right tier,” he said.
“Obviously with the weath-
er and the rain, there’s a lot of
growth on the front nine which
made the greens really slow.
Speed was my biggest battle
out there and I just have to stay
patient and see what happens
tomorrow.”
Jimenez, 47, started the day
with consecutive birdies at
pion Jorge Lorenzo
took his first pole
position of the sea-
son in Portugal yesterday after a
late crash kept Italian Marco Si-
moncelli off the top spot.
The Spaniard, winner of the
previous race in front of his
home fans at Jerez, lapped the
Estoril circuit with a fastest lap
of one minute 37.161 seconds in
the final minutes as dark clouds
gathered overhead.
“All the lap times are very
close and in theory tomorrow
the race will be close,” said the
Yamaha rider, who is chasing his
fourth successive win from pole
at the track and has now chalked
up 17 poles in MotoGP.

GOING STRONG: Jimenez
nine, tied on 10-under.
The 33-year-old Rumford
fired an even-par 36 with a bo-
gey and a birdie and witnessed
his overnight lead slip away as
Jimenez holed three birdies to
make the turn at 33.
Rumford, chasing his
fourth European Tour title
at the event co-sanctioned
by the European, Asian and
Korean Tours, parred his first
six holes before he bogeyed the
seventh.
The Australian recovered
with a birdie on the eighth that
brought him back for a share of
the first and second holes and
added the third with a 15-foot
put on the eighth.
“I played very well in my
first nine holes. I hit it very
well and I’m happy with my
three birdies,” the pony-tailed
Spaniard said.
“Tomorrow’s a marathon
with 27 holes to play but I’m
feeling good.” Rhys Davies of
Wales was in third place, two
stokes behind with seven holes
remaining, while England’s
world number one Lee West-
wood was tied for 11th, four
strokes off the pace after 12.
START GRID
MotoGP
1. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/
Yamaha) 1:37.161, 2. Marco Simoncel-
li (ITA/Honda) at 0.133, 3. Dani Ped-
rosa (ESP/Honda) 0.163, 4. Casey
Stoner (AUS/Honda) 0.223, 5. Ben
Spies (USA/Yamaha) 0.705, 6. And-
rea Dovizioso (ITA/Honda) 0.912, 7.
Colin Edwards (USA/Yamaha) 0.919,
8. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Yamaha)
1.028, 9. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Duca-
ti) 1.110, 10. Hector Barbera (ESP/
Ducati) 1.202, 11. Hiroshi Aoyama
(JPN/Honda) 1.336, 12. Karel Abra- VROOMING AHEAD: Yamaha Factory Racing’s Spanish Jorge Lorenzo rides during the MotoGP free practice session of the Portugal Prix at Estoril’s
ham (CZE/Ducati) 1.625, 13. Nicky racetrack. (AFP)
Hayden (USA/Ducati) 1.761, 14. Loris
Capirossi (ITA/Ducati) 1.773, 15. Al- “The important thing is to en, I lost the front and crashed. track at the right moment. I hope highly critical afterwards of the
varo Bautista (ESP/Suzuki) 2.011, 16. take points and not to crash.” But anyway I am so happy for my we can have a normal race but marshals who appeared more
Randy de Puniet (FRA/Ducati) 2.217, Simoncelli, the Gresini Hon- rhythm for tomorrow’s race and I’m sure it’s going to be tight.” eager to help the Italian great
17. Toni Elias (ESP/Honda) 2.733 da rider who dominated Friday for how the bike is working,” he The top 10 riders on the grid than him.
Moto2: 1. Stefan Bradl (GER/Kalex) practice, did just that and will added. Spaniard Dani Pedrosa were separated by just 1.202 sec- The governing FIM upheld the
1:41.591, 2. Thomas Luthi (SUI/Suter) start Sunday’s race in second completed the front row of the onds. Lorenzo leads the cham- marshals behaviour as “safe and
at 0.163, 3. Julian Simon (ESP/Suter) place after he fell in the final starting grid on another Honda, pionship after two races with 45 appropriate” at a review of the
0.314, 4. Marc Marquez (ESP/Suter) minutes while lapping quicker returning after surgery on his points to Pedrosa’s 36. incident on Friday.
0.482, 5. Dominique Aegerter (SUI/ than Lorenzo. collarbone this month. Australian Casey Stoner, also Spain’s Alvaro Bautista re-
Suter) 0.552 “I am so disappointed because “It’s quite painful,” he told on a Honda, will start fourth turned for Suzuki, 42 days af-
125 cc: 1. Nicolas Terol (ESP/ after practice I believed I could BBC television. “But the situa- ahead of Lorenzo’s American ter breaking his thigh bone, and
Aprilia) 1:46.556, 2. Sandro Cortese do the pole position,” said the tion is like this and I will try my team mate Ben Spies in fifth qualified 15th of the 17 riders.
(GER/Aprilia) at 0.714, 3. Miguel Ol- Italian rider, who was leading the best tomorrow. I think the front while Italy’s nine-times world Germany’s Stefan Bradl took
iveira (POR/Aprilia) 0.849, 4. Hector race in Spain before his bike spat row is very good today with these champion Valentino Rossi will pole for the Moto2 race while
Faubel (ESP/Aprilia) 1.044, 5. Alberto him off with 16 laps remaining. conditions. have to start ninth on his Ducati. Spain’s championship leader
Moncayo (ESP/Aprilia) 1.194. “I did a little mistake, I pushed “It’s always difficult to choose Stoner and Rossi collided in Nicolas Terol was fastest in the
too hard in braking for turn sev- the right tyres and go out on the Spain and the Australian was 125cc class.

TENNIS MUNICH OPEN

Raonic battles through to semis Germany on

AFP
Portugal
roll as Mayer
S
econd seed Fernando

Raonic in the semi-finals

of the Estoril Open here yester-
day after the pair each finished
enters final
Verdasco will face up and
coming Canadian Milos

up rain-interrupted matches AFP the WTA tournament in Esto-

which began on Friday. Munich ril where she was beaten 6-1,
Verdasco, fighting to return to 6-2 by Spain’s Anabel Medina
the ATP Top 15, overcame South Garrigues on Saturday.

African seventh seed Kevin An-
derson 6-7 (2/7), 6-2, 6-3 while
the 27th-ranked Raonic beat
fourth-seeded Frenchman Gilles
Simon, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-3.
Raonic beat Verdasco in two
previous meetings this season, in
the San Jose final - the first title
for Raonic - and a week later in a
Memphis first round.
Raonic won with seven aces
and five breaks of the Simon
serve, taking two-and-a-half
hours to go through in his first
ATP season on clay.
Simon lead 5-6 when play
was suspended by darkness on
Friday, and returned to drop the
set in a tiebreaker, Raonic went
down two breaks in the second,
but recovered before Simon
again took a lead to level the
match at a set each.
In the third, the Frenchman
saved two match points before
Raonic prevailed.
The first semi-final will fea-
ture Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay
against his good friend Juan
Martin del Potro, the Argentine
eighth seed, who is building up
some form after missing much
of 2010 recovering from wrist
surgery.
Saturday’s women’s final at
RIGHT BEHIND IT: Milos Raonic of Canada returns a forehand to Gilles Simon of France during their Estoril Open tennis tournament in Oeiras, on the
outskirts of Lisbon. (AFP)
the Estadio Nacional was also
interrupted by the rain.
However, Spain’s Anabel Me-
dina Garrigues came back out
after the pause to round off her
victory against German Kristina
Barrois 6-1, 6-2 in 75 minutes
with six breaks of her 29-year-
old opponent’s serve.
Medina Garrigues was playing
her first WTA final of the year,
but 16th of her career and first
since 2009.
The Spaniard now holds nine
clay titles, level with leader Ve-
nus Williams among active play-
ers.
Results
Men Quarter-finals: Fernando
Verdasco (ESP x2) bt Kevin An-
derson (RSA x7) 6-7 (2/7), 6-2,
6-3; Milos Raonic (CAN x5) bt
Gilles Simon (FRA x4) 7-6 (7/4),
4-6, 6-3.
Women Final: Anabel Medina
Garrigues (ESP) bt Kristina Bar-
rois (GER) 6-1, 6-2.
G
ermany’s Florian
Mayer will try and
give his country a
second tennis title in
the space of a week yesterday
after reaching the final of Mu-
nich’s ATP tournament.
Fifth-seed Mayer advanced
to the fourth final of his career
by beating compatriot Philipp
Petzschner 6-3, 6-4 in Satur-
day’s semi-final and will face
seventh-seed Nikolay Dav-
ydenko in the final.
“I’m obviously very happy
and proud, it will be difficult
in the final, but I will try to
enjoy the moment,” said the
German, who is set to break
into the world’s top 30 for the
first time in his career.
Mayer is bidding to claim
Germany’s first ATP title since
Benjamin Becker won the
S’Hertogenbosch grasscourt
title in the Netherlands in
2009. German tennis is cur-
rently enjoying a purple patch
after Julia Goerges caused an
upset last Sunday by beating
world number one Caroline
Wozniacki to win Stuttgart’s
WTA tournament.
Compatriot Kristina Bar-
rois also reached the final of
Djokovic, Lopez reach
Serbia Open final
BELGRADE: Top seed Novak
Djokovic reached the Serbia
Open final without hitting
a ball yesterday after fellow
Serb Janko Tipsarevic pulled
out of their semi-final with a
thigh injury.
Djokovic, who will enter
Sunday’s final with a 26-0
record in 2011 after winning
four tournaments in a row in-
cluding the Australian Open in
January, meets Feliciano Lopez
after the Spaniard beat Italy’s
Filippo Volandri 7-6 6-2. Tip-
sarevic said after the quarter-
finals he was looking forward to
battle with close friend Djoko-
vic, but the injury he sustained
in a strength-sapping win over
Somdev Devvarman will also
force him to miss next week’s
Madrid Masters.
“Tipsarevic was forced to
withdraw from the tourna-
ment with a right leg injury
and the world number 36 will
also skip the Madrid Masters
next week,” the Serbia Open
organisers said on their web-
site.