Observer & Busness 10 Jan 2012 - Oman Observer

HM condolences to Kuwait Emir 

HIS Majesty Sultan Qaboos has sent a cable of condolences to 

Shaikh Sabah al Ahmed al Jabir al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, on 

the death of Shaikh Abdulaziz Shamlan Abdulaziz al Hamoud 

al Jarah al Sabah. His Majesty expressed his sincere condolences 

and sympathies to Shaikh Sabah and Al Sabah Family, 

praying to the Almighty to rest the deceased’s soul in peace and 

grant his family fortitude to bear the loss. — ONA 

Oman-UAE trade ties reviewed 

HIS Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy 

Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, received Sultan bin 

Said al Mansoori, UAE Economy Minister. Al Mansoori conveyed 

the greetings and best wishes of the UAE leader to His 

Majesty Sultan Qaboos and the Omani government and people. 

HH Sayyid Fahd and the guest discussed various aspects of cooperation 

between the two countries. Details, P2 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012/Safar 16, 1433 AH 

www.omanobserver.om editor@omanobserver.om 

BOOSTING TIES: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands begins a 3-day official visit 

today to boost bilateral relations. The picture shows His Majesty Sultan Qaboos 

with the Queen during her earlier visit to Oman on March 8, 2011. Details, P25 

New high security banknote issued 

MUSCAT — The Central 

Bank of Oman (CBO) has introduced 

to the public a new 

upgraded banknote of the denomination 

RO 50. 

The new banknote, valid 

from today, January 10, is 

distinguished for additional 

security features. 

The apex bank said in a 

statement released yesterday 

that the new banknote will 

be in circulation as a legal 

banknote alongside the existing 

banknotes, which shall 

continue to remain valid and 

circulated side by side. 

In addition to the general 

security features on the front 

of the upgraded new banknote, 

the front side is superimposed 

by the portrait of His 

Majesty Sultan Qaboos, along 

with His Majesty’s signature 

in the lower part of the note. 

A watermark picture of 

His Majesty appears on the 

left side of the note, while 

the national emblem (Khanjar) 

appears on top of the note. 

The apex bank’s name 

in Arabic “Central Bank of 

Oman” also appears on top 

of the note, with serial numbers 

on the right and left sides 

of the note and the category 

denomination in Arabic on 

the right and left sides of the 

note. Special banknote identification 

features for the blind 

are inserted on the right side 

of the new note. 

The reverse side of the 

note includes the phrase 

“Central Bank of Oman” in 

English on the upper part of 

the note, while the banknote’s 

denomination in English ap- 

pears on the right and left 

sides alongside the logo of 

the 40th National Day. 

The security features on 

the front of the note represent 

in intaglio portrait of His 

Majesty, twin step window, a 

holographic element (CBO’s 

main entrance), a tactile feature 

for the blind, colour and 

other features. — ONA 

Pictures on page 2 

Frequent rent hike illegal Low air fares to Khasab 

 

MUSCAT — Housing rents 

should not be increased for 

three years from the date of 

the contract that both parties 

entered into and any increase 

before that without the consent 

of the tenant is considered 

unilateral and is null and 

void. And hence, the tenant 

is not obliged to consider 

the clause, according to the 

department concerned at the 

Muscat Municipality. 

“There is a Royal Decree 

that stipulates that increase in 

rents should be legal and any 

hike is not permissible without 

the mutual agreement of 

the parties concerned during 

three years of the contract, 

and the percentage to be increased 

has to be ratified,” 

said Hamed Salem al Rasbi, 

Director-General, Investment 

and Revenue at the Muscat 

Municipality. 

He said: “Any increase 

within this period is void and 

hence the affected parties can 

seek justice from the court.” 

“It is not permitted to increase 

rent as and when the 

landlord wishes and it is not 

allowed by the law. Normally 

a maximum of 7 per cent increase 

is permissible on any 

ground.” To page 5 

Deals to train 753 Omanis 

MUSCAT — Seventeen 

agreements worth RO 2.27 

million for training of the 

national manpower at a 

number of private training 

institutions in various vocational 

specialities to meet 

needs of the labour market, 

were signed yesterday. 

Shaikh Abdullah bin 

Nasser al Bakri, Manpower 

Minister, signed the agreements 

including training 

of Omanis in various technical, 

administrative and 

craft fields. The training 

covers assistant steel structure 

blacksmith, foreign 

exchange work, cooling 

and air-conditioning, heavy 

equipment driving, accounting, 

Oracle, sales and construction 

foreman. 

Hamad bin Khamis al 

Amri, Under-Secretary of 

the Manpower Ministry, said 

that the training agreements 

translate the efforts of the 

government to avail training 

opportunities coupled with 

employment for job-seekers 

who desire to get training in 

different fields. 

He said the agreements 

cover 753 trainees and that 

the ministry will provide 

10,000 training opportunities 

inside and outside the 

Sultanate this year. To P2 

 

MUSCAT — Oman Air 

has announced new offer 

on flights from Muscat to 

Khasab, the Governorate of 

Musandam’s regional centre. 

From January 7, the national 

carrier began offering 

return flights with one month 

validity, at the special rate 

of RO 31. The reduced fare 

is being offered as part of 

Oman Air’s commitment to 

 

MUSCAT — One year after 

assuming his mission in Muscat, 

the Ambassador of Spain 

to the Sultanate, Jose Luis 

Rossio, appears determined 

to upgrade economic co-operation 

between the Sultanate 

and Spain. 

Rossio said that more and 

more Spanish companies are 

seeking investments in Oman 

to operate alongside existing 

meeting the needs of local 

communities, and it will only 

be available for citizens. 

An official from Oman 

Air’s Commercial Unit, 

said: “We are delighted that 

through this offer, we are 

enabling more people to visit 

Musandam and to experience 

its unique history, culture 

and hospitality. Of course, 

visitors will also have the opportunity 

to make the most of 

our services.” To page 5 

Spanish firms seek JVs 

firms that operate in the fields 

of engineering and technology, 

including the ones operating 

in Dhofar Governorate. 

He said Spain tops the 

list of European countries 

in terms of commercial exchange 

with the Sultanate, 

with the volume of bilateral 

commercial exchange crossing 

RO 1 billion. 

Spanish government deals 

seriously with the sectors of 

oil and industry. To page 3 

Prayer timing Fajr Dhuhr Asr Magrib Isha Weather Muscat M Nizwa Sohar Al Buraimi Sur Khasab Salalah 

EXCHANGE RATES 

GOLD 

Dollar per Omani Rial 

PRICE 

Muscat 05:31 am 12:19 pm 03:22 pm 05:42 pm 06:57 pm Max M 26 29 25 24 28 27 27 

Min 17 17 18 14 22 19 19 

Buying 0.382 Selling 0.388 $1,617.50

MUSCAT — His Highness 

Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood 

al Said, Deputy Prime 

Minister for the Council 

of Ministers received here 

yesterday Sultan bin Said al 

Mansoori, Economy Minister 

in the United Arab Emirates 

(UAE), who is currently 

on an official visit to the Sultanate. 

Al Mansoori conveyed 

the greetings and best wishes 

of the UAE leader to His 

Majesty Sultan Qaboos and 

the Omani government and 

people. 

HH Sayyid Fahd and the 

UAE official discussed various 

aspects of co-operation 

between the Sultanate and 

the UAE in economic, commercial 

and joint investment 

fields. 

They also considered 

ways to foster the Oman- 

UAE private sector partnership 

and reviewed regional 

and international issues of 

common concern. 

The UAE minister expressed 

his delight to visit 

the Sultanate and commended 

the accomplishments 

that the country has 

made during its modern 

renaissance. 

Meanwhile, Sayyid Khalid 

bin Hilal al Busaidy, 

Minister of the Diwan of the 

Royal Court, and Darwish 

bin Ismaeel al Balushi, Minister 

Responsible for Financial 

Affairs, also received the 

UAE minister in their offices 

here yesterday. 

During the meetings, 

aspects of existing cooperation 

between the two 

brotherly countries were 

discussed. 

The Sultanate and the 

UAE held a session of official 

talks at Al Bustan Palace 

Hotel yesterday. 

The Omani side in the session 

was led by Shaikh Saad 

bin Mohammed al Mardhouf 

al Saadi, Minister of Com- 

merce and Industry, while 

the visiting UAE Minister, 

Sultan al Mansoori, led his 

country’s team. 

Al Mansoor said that the 

meeting discussed joint ventures 

and obstacles facing 

tradesmen in the two countries, 

as well as setting up a 

vision for economic integra- 

tion within the context of a 

clear plan for economic integration. 

Al Mansoori told reporters 

that certificates of origin 

and customs procedures 

topped the agenda. 

He added that the session 

reviewed mega projects of 

concern to the Sultanate, 

including Al Duqm which, 

he described as a “strategic 

project” in which the UAE 

started investing through a 

joint refinery project. 

Al Mansoori affirmed that 

the volume of trade exchange 

is expanding in the interest of 

both sides. 

Meanwhile, Ahmed bin 

2 OMAN 

OMAN DAILY Observer 

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012 

Oman, UAE to boost economic co-operation 

Talks tackle obstacles facing tradesmen, review mega projects 

Hassan al Dheeb, Under- 

Secretary of the Commerce 

and Industry Ministry for 

Commerce and Industry, said 

that the session discussed 

promoting joint investment 

and unveiled UAE investment 

projects to be implemented 

shortly, including 

investments involving Oman 

Oil Company and UAE companies. 

In a statement to journalists, 

al Mansoori said that 

there is a desire from the 

UAE side to invest in the 

available industrial, tourism 

and service opportunities. 

He pointed out that existing 

Omani investments in the 

UAE focus on industrial, real 

estate and service fields. 

A presentation was given 

by Sulaiman bin Salim al 

Harasi of the Public Authority 

for Investment Promotion 

and Exports Development 

presented a paper on aspects 

of the Omani economy, services 

and incentives offered 

by authority to investors. 

— ONA 

New high security RO 50 note issued 

THE Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has introduced a new upgraded banknote of the 

denomination RO 50. The new banknote, valid from today, January 10, is distinguished 

for additional security features. The security features on the front of the note represent in 

intaglio portrait of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, twin step window, a holographic element 

(Main Entrance of the Central Bank of Oman), a tactile feature for the blind, colour — 

shift /colour fix magnetic windowed security thread, micro lettering, three dimensional 

mould — made watermark portrait, perfect see-through register, electrotype water mark 

and spark OVMI feature. — ONA 

YUSUF bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, receives 

Salman Bashir, Under-Secretary of the Pakistani Foreign Ministry. — ONA 

Oman, Pakistan seek to further enhance ties 

MUSCAT — The 4th political 

consultations session between 

the Foreign Ministries of the 

Sultanate and Pakistan was 

held at the Foreign Ministry 

yesterday. 

The Omani side was 

chaired by Ahmad bin Yousef 

al Harthy, Foreign Ministry's 

Under-Secretary for Diplomatic 

Affairs while the Pakistani 

side was chaired by Salman 

Bashir, Under-Secretary 

of the Pakistani Foreign Ministry. 

The consultations touched 

on means of enhancing cooperation 

between the two 

countries in bilateral, political, 

economic, cultural and scientific 

fields. 

The two parties expressed 

their satisfaction with the 

level of bilateral relations between 

the Sultanate and Pakistan 

on the political side. They 

stressed the importance of 

developing the economic relations 

to the level that matches 

the political relations. 

The political consultations 

were attended from Omani 

Pacts to establish labour care 

offices, train Omanis signed 

From page 1 

He said foreign training 

depends on a number of criteria 

that should be met by 

the applicants. He added that 

the ministry has increased the 

training allowance given to a 

trainee during the training period 

at the institutes from RO 

50 to RO 150. 

It is worth mentioning that 

the agreements were signed 

between the ministry and the 

Technical and Administrative 

Training Institute, Rehabilitation 

and Training Institute, 

Arab Institute for Administrative 

and Financial Studies, 

National Hospitality Institute, 

Training Institute of the 

Contractors Union Company, 

side by Saud bin Ahmad al 

Barwani, Head of West Asia 

Department, Mohammed bin 

said al Lawati, Sultanate's 

Ambassador to Pakistan and 

officials at the Foreign Ministry. 

From the Pakistani side it 

was attended by Nawab Zadah 

Amin, Pakistani Ambassador 

to the Sultanate, Mandhour al 

Haq, Director-General of the 

Middle East Department at 

the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, 

and a number of Pakistani 

officials. — ONA 

Technical Services Training 

Institute, Galfar Training Institute, 

MHD Institute, Polyglot 

Oman Institute, Bahwan 

Cybertech Institute, Khimji 

Training Institute and Dakhiliyah 

Technical Training 

Institute. 

The minister also signed an 

agreement to establish Labour 

Care offices in the Wilayat of 

Seeb. 

Al Amri added that the establishment 

of Labour Care 

offices in the Wilayat of Seeb 

comes within the ministry’s efforts 

to develop its services for 

the private sector and members 

of the society to ensure 

quick and smooth processing 

of transactions. — ONA

Tenders awarded for additional 

power, water projects works 

MUSCAT — The Tender 

Board yesterday awarded 

tenders worth RO 

10,614,620 for the following 

projects: 

1 — Additional works for 

the construction of water supply 

line from Al Amirat to the 

Psychiatric Hospital (Al Masarah) 

and the nearby areas in 

the Wilayat of Al Amirat in 

the Governorate of Muscat 

(RO 6,302,513). 

2 — Annual maintenance 

of the dust roads in the Governorates 

of A'Dhahirah 

and Al Batinah for the period 

from 2012 to 2015 

(RO 3,908,870). 

3 — Additional works 

for the construction of the 

water supply network for 

the Wilayat of A'Duqm (RO 

228,357). 


www.muscat-festival.com 

• Qurum Natural Park 

26 January - 23 February 

• Oman heritage & culture village 

• Asala T.V Program: 

Daily from 7:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m with participation 

from the following Wilayats: Al Buraymi 

• Al kamil wa Al wafi • Al Khaburah 

• Al Mudhaybi • Al Musanaah • Al Rustaq 

• As Suwayq • Barka • Bawshar • Bidiyyah 

• Jaalan Bani Bu Ali • Jaalan Bani Bu Hasan 

• Ibra • Ibri • Izki • Khasab • Manah • Mirbat 

• Mahut • Nakhal • Nizwa • Qurayyat • Saham 

• Samail • Shinas • Sohar • Sur 

• International festival for arts, 

heritage & creativity 

• Oman food festival 

• Omani and GCC Theatre plays 

8 & 15 February (omani Theatre plays) 

1- 2 February (Wonder land Arabic Theatre play 

for children) 

WITH THE SUPPORT OF: 

Ministry of Tourism 

for the construction of an independent 

power and water 

desalination plant in Al Ghubrah 

(RO 118,000). 


for the housekeeping and 

waste management at Mina 

Official Carrier 

al Fahl and Sohar Refineries 

(RO 56,880). 

The Board’s 1st meeting 

for 2012 under the chairmanship 

of Dr Rasheed bin al Safi 

al Huraibi, Chairman of the 

Tender Board. — ONA 

Spanish companies seek investments 

■From page 1 

And this opens wide scopes 

for future co-operation with 

the Sultanate, said Rossio, 

who regretted the language 

gap as an obstacle that needs 

to be addressed by sending 

more Omani students for 

study in Spain. He noted that 

By A Staff Reporter 

MUSCAT -- Several key components 

of the Salalah Beach 

project are complete and the 

New Year promises an exciting 

time for tourists visiting 

Salalah. 

Soon, a new landmark on 

the Salalah Beach promenade 

will open its doors -- the new 

5 star Juweira Boutique Hotel 

facing the marina front and 

Spanish is a living language 

spoken by millions and that it 

is an original language stemming 

from Latin rather than a 

sub-language or vernacular. 

Rossio said that arts and 

history could also be among 

the common grounds that link 

Spain and the Arab world. He 

offers guests a scenic view 

from the comfort of their own 

outdoor terraces overlooking 

the Indian Ocean. Each of the 

65 rooms, which include 21 

suites, is equipped with top 

class facilities offering comfortable 

and spacious relaxation. 

In addition to this, the resort 

will soon boast the Marina 

Apartment Blocks, which 

are in the finishing stage. The 

referred to the huge Islamic 

historical heritage in Spain 

which began after the conquest 

of Muslims to that part 

of the world in 718 AD. 

This common heritage, 

still visible in old gardens and 

palaces, is dear to the Spanish 

people. 

Key components of Salalah Beach project complete 

first of the finished apartments 

have already been handed 

over. The villas are in various 

stages of construction with the 

first few ready for handover. 

Further exciting additions 

will be ready to open later in 

the year as the marina will 

be ready for berthing in mid- 

2012 and the Rotana Hotel 

will open at the end of 2012, 

providing a further 400 rooms 

to the Salalah Beach project. 

SILVER SPONSORS 

MUSCAT — The Legal Committee 

at the Majlis Addawla 

yesterday held its 3rd meeting of 

the first annual sitting of the fifth 

term under the chairmanship of 

Mohammed bin Ali al Kyoumi, 

Head of the Committee. 

The meeting discussed a 

proposal to establish a constitutional 

judiciary by establishing 

an independent constitutional 

court or forming a department 

at the Supreme Court to be incharge 

of the constitutional judiciary, 

as per the provision of 

article No 70 of the Basic Law 

of the State. 

The meeting also discussed 

establishing a higher administrative 

court that will verify the 

judgments issued by the Court 

of Appeal of the administrative 

judiciary and establishing 

an independent authority 

for following up governmental 

projects or expanding the 

role and powers of the Tender 

Board in terms of following 

MUSCAT FESTIVAL EVENTS 2012 

• Naseem park 

26 January - 23 February 

• Village Family 

• Consumers exhibition 

• Amusement Park 

• Omani Music Concerts 

2 , 9 , 16 and 23 February 

• Riyam Park 

• Muscat fashion week 

21 - 23 February 

• The Wave, Muscat 

• Omani Traditional boat race 

9 - 10 February 

3 OMAN 



Setting up of constitutional court proposed 

MUSCAT — Ahmed bin 

Rashid al Ma'amari, Adviser 

at the Finance Ministry and 

Chairman of Oman Development 

Bank (ODB), said that 

since establishment and as 

of the end of October 2011, 

ODB has funded 15,000 

loans worth of RO 57 mil- 

up these projects. 

The meeting approved 

lion for small businesses and 

craftsmen. 

In a statement to Oman 

News Agency (ONA), al 

Ma'amari added that ODB 

provides up to RO 5,000 interest-free 

and up to six-year soft 

installment loans with oneyear 

grace period for small 

minutes of the previous meeting 

and viewed a follow up re- 

investors and craftsmen. This 

comes within ODB's efforts to 

encourage small projects and 

craftsmen who desire to practice 

commercial activities. 

He added that ODB, from 

its establishment to the end 

of October 2011, provided 

(36,977) loans worth RO 

• Tour of Oman 

Stage one : 14 February 

Circuit : Al Alam Palace - Wadi al Huwqayn 

Distance : 159 km 

Time : 12:00pm - 4:00pm 

Stage two : 15 February 

Circuit : Sur - Wadi Dayqah Dam 

Distance : 140.5 km 

Time : 12:30pm - 4:00pm 

Stage three : 16 February 

Circuit : Al Awabi (Al alya) - Bank Muscat HQ 


Time : 12:40pm - 4:00pm 

Stage four : 17 February 

Circuit : Bidbid (Nafa’a) - Al Wadi Al Kabir 


Time : 12:45pm - 4:30pm 

Stage five : 18 February 

Circuit : Royal Opera House - Jabal Al Akhdar 

Distance : 158 km 

Time : 12:00pm - 4:00pm 0pm 

Stage six : 19 February ary 

Circuit Circ rcuit : Al Khawd - Ma Matrah Corniche 

Distance Distanc : 130.5 km 

Time : 12:00pm p - 3:00pm 0pm p 

port of procedures for implementing 

its decisions. It also 

354 million to fund different 

economic activities. These 

projects have contributed to 

enhancing entrepreneurship. 

Al Ma'amari affirmed 

that ODB managed government 

funds, such as Sanad, 

income generating fund and 

agricultural development 

discussed the new items to the 

agenda. — ONA 

ODB provides loans to 15,000 small businesses, craftsmen 

Islamic finance conference on Jan 23 

MUSCAT — In collaboration 

with the Central Bank of 

Oman (CBO), Al Iktissad Wal 

Aamal will organise Oman’s 

First Islamic Finance and 

Banking Conference," during 

January 23rd and 24th at Al 

Bustan Palace Hotel. 

The conference will discuss 

latest developments on 

the heels of the permission 

granted for banks and financial 

institutions operating 

in the Sultanate, to provide 

banking and financial services 

compliant with Islamic law. 

Key issues related to the 

Islamic financial industry will 

also be discussed during the 

course of the two-day conference 

including: Policies and 

Regulatory Perspectives of Islamic 

Finance, Islamic Banking 

growth and International 

expansion, Islamic Finance 

and Capital Market Activities, 

Supervisory and Regulatory 

Role of Sharia Boards, Islamic 

Finance Socio-Economic Accountability. 

Elite speakers, academicians 

and senior representatives 

in finance and Islamic 

banking from different markets 

in the region will deliver the 

keynote speech at the conference's 

opening ceremony. The 

conference will draw around 

400 participants. — ONA 

fund. He added that the bank 

funds SMEs with about RO 

250,000. The major projects 

may get loans up to RO 1 million 

each and RO 3 million at 

maximum for the joint stock 

companies that offer 40 per 

cent of its shares for public 

subscription. — ONA

MUSCAT — High-ranking Toyota 

officials and a specially invited 

audience recently graced a special 

event held at Toyota showroom, 

Barka, to felicitate the owners of 

the brand new 2012 Toyota Camry. 

“It is a joy to see the enthusiasm 

with which the Omani customers 

have greeted the 2012 Toyota 

Camry. This has to be one of the 

most successful customer meets we 

have had,” remarked a senior group 

spokesperson. 

During the event, Keiichi 

Yoneda, the Project General Manager, 

shared his views on the new, 

improved Camry, “The new Camry 

is an indispensable model in the 

Toyota line-up. To further improve 

its position and reinforce its reputation, 

we set two objectives — to 

tackle the changed market of today. 

The first objective was to produce 

the best selling car in the 

mid-size sedan market, as Toyota’s 

backbone vehicle. 

The second was to refine Toyota’s 

safety and quality uncompromisingly. 

With these objectives, we wanted 

to create a mid-size sedan that 

would lead the world and set new 

standards in the coming era. Hence, 

we made the concept for the new 

Camry as the new era sedan, signifying 

a combination of greater 

emotional-appeal and rational attraction. 

Dwelling on the design philosophy 

and the thinking behind the 

All New Camry, he remarked, “To 

engage more emotionally with our 

customers, we enhanced the look, 

ride and drive factors. We gave the 

new Camry a fresh, contemporary 

style resulting in an enhanced look. 

We wanted to enhance the design 

with a modern, expressive style — 

4 OMAN 



New 2012 Camry customers felicitated 

Oman Environment Day 

marathon tomorrow 

MUSCAT — In celebration 

of Oman Environment Day, 

the Environment Society of 

Oman (ESO) will be joining 

the Ministry of Environment 

and Climate Affairs (MECA) 

on January 11 for events taking 

place at the Ministries 

Park in Al Khuwair under the 

theme of “Our Environment, 

Our life”. 

The event will include a 

marathon dedicated to the environment 

(4-6 pm), as well as 

an outdoor public exhibition 

(6-9 pm). 

In response to His Majesty 

Sultan Qaboos’ emphasis on 

the protection of the Omani 

environment and nature resources, 

January 8 of every 

year has been marked as the 

Oman Environment Day since 

1996, where environmental 

awareness and activities take 

place. 

ESO has invited its members 

and the public to show 

their environmental and athletic 

spirit by taking part in the 

marathon (approximately 3 

km), as well as enjoy the public 

exhibition. 

simple yet dynamic with precise 

lines and a nimble appearance from 

sporty grade “SE” to standard grade. 

For a better ride, we improved the 

ride comfort and achieved superior 

Noise, Vibration and Harshness levels. 

We also gave the Camry a new 

engine and transmission that deliver 

better performance for a better 

drive. Drivers can experience the 

agile suspension, with confident, 

accurate steering and linear acceleration. 

The new 2.5-litre 4-cylinder 

engine delivers better performance 

while using less fuel.” 

“I am quite confident that the 

new Camry will resonate with your 

emotions when you actually see it 

and drive it,” he added. 

Touching upon about the rationale 

behind Camry's global appeal, 

he said that it is entirely based upon 

proven “quality, durability and reliability 

(QDR) — so we paid special 

attention to improve and enhance it 

at every opportunity. We didn’t limit 

ourselves to QDR, and we further 

studied to improve the rational appeal 

in space and roominess. While 

the Camry’s external dimensions are 

similar to the previous generation, 

it has a more inviting and spacious 

interior, and a greater perception of 

space. We also worked on improving 

the fuel economy. It is now 12.5 

per cent more efficient than before, 

and only uses 7.8 litres of fuel per 

100 km,” he said. 

In closing, he summed up the 

developmental entire process with 

these words, “I believe we were 

able to create a Camry that is emotionally 

resonating and rationally attractive 

by having a fresh new look. 

A superior ride with exceptionally 

low noise, vibration and harshness. 

Enhanced “Drive” with the new 

engine and transmission. Impressive 

fuel efficiency. Advanced specs 

and safety features, and lastly, a reviewed 

and upgraded Toyota Quality, 

Durability and Reliability. Finally 

you can see that we have put a lot 

of thought, energy and passion into 

the new Camry. I hope you like it as 

much as I do. So please, enjoy,” he 

concluded with a flourish. 

During the event a highly informative 

and engaging skit was 

presented around the new Camry, 

spellbinding the audience. Hi-tech 

robots rolled by to uncover the new 

Camry for the audience to feast their 

eyes on. Thereafter, Yoneda handed 

over a symbolic key to many of 

the proud new customers who were 

present for the occasion. 

The recently launched Toyota 

Camry has already received excellent 

reviews from around the world 

and leading automotive journalists 

have dubbed it as the ‘Best Camry 

Ever'. 

MSM ends marginally down MUSCAT — The State's 

MUSCAT — Muscat Securities 

Market (MSM) general 

index closed at 5,733 points 

yesterday recording a fall by 

0.11 per cent. 

The MSM daily bulletin 

pointed out that the market's 

major sectors were the main 

losers. On the top came Services 

sector, which lost 0.23 per 

cent to close at 2,574 points 

compared to 2,580 points in 

close in the earlier session. 

The financial sector lost 0.17 

per cent and closed at 6,529 


MUSCAT — Electricity 

companies in Oman yesterday 

held a co-ordination 

meeting to chalk out a comprehensive 

media plan to reduce 

the incidents of tampering 

with electricity facilities 

during the current year. 

This step is part of the efforts 

to raise awareness of 

citizens and residents about 

the dangers of tampering 

with the electricity facilities 

to avoid any damages to this 

important and vital sector. 

The meeting, attended by 

HSE officials and corporate 

communication managers 

of the electricity companies, 

reviewed the proposed work 

mechanism to execute the 

awareness plan and the ways 

of its implementation. The 

meeting also discussed the 

reports of respective entities 

regarding the procedures and 

regulations of scraps sale in 

the Sultanate. 

The meeting also reviewed 

the awareness campaigns 

started by Muscat 

Electricity Distribution 

Company (MEDC) to reduce 

tampering incidents in 

the Muscat Governorate and 

discussed their implications 

on electricity services. 

points compared to 6,541 

points. The industry sector 

also retreated by 0.16 per cent 

and closed at 5,989 points 

compared to 5,998 points in 

the earlier session. 

The MSM daily bulletin 

added that trading value 

yesterday stood at RO 2.26 

million, a decline by (13.88 

per cent) compared to Sunday’s 

session, which stood at 

RO 2.63 million. The market 

value fell by (0.06 per cent) to 

reach RO 10.53 billion. 

At the end of the meeting, 

Dr Ghadeer al Wahibi 

was entrusted with the task 

The value of shares 

brought by foreign investors 

reached RO 195,830 comprising 

(8.65 per cent). The value 

of shares sold by foreign investors 

reached RO 389,550 

comprising (17.20 per cent). 

The total foreign investment 

declined by (8.55 per cent) to 

RO 173,720. 

Out of the 52 companies of 

which shares changed hands 

yesterday 11 companies rose, 

22 companies declined and 19 

companies stabilised. — ONA 

of heading the media team 

which manages the awareness 

campaign of the elec- 

tricity companies. 

The electricity companies 

are trying to rope in all seg- 

The all-new Camry is now 

available at Toyota showrooms all 

over Oman. 

In Oman, Toyota soars far above 

the rest — both in terms of market 

share as well as customer retention. 

Its pride of place made possible by 

an outstanding product and the ever-reliable 

support of Saud Bahwan 

Group. Added privileges available 

to Toyota customers include 6-year 

unlimited mileage protection plan, 

98 per cent parts availability and a 

vast sales, service and spares infrastructure/facility 

network spanning 

Oman. 

Workshop on audit laws 

Financial and Administrative 

Audit Institute (SFAAI) 

organised a workshop titled 

"Highlighting the State's Financial 

and Administrative 

Audit Laws" at the Institute 

of Public Administration yesterday. 

The workshop aims at familiarising 

participants with 

SFAAI laws, avoid conflicts 

of interest and SFAAI objectives, 

prerogatives, powers, 

system and work mechanism. 

More than 150 participants 

from various ministries and 

departments took part in the 

workshop. 

As the government’s financial 

watchdog, the SFAAI 

conducts special audits at 

the specific request of the 

government — for example, 

special audits of governmentcontrolled 

companies in the 

oil and gas sector or of pivotal 

financial institutions or 

government socio-economic 

programmes. — ONA 

Drive to reduce tampering of electricity facilities 

ments of the society to safeguard 

the properties of the 

electricity sector.


MUSCAT — Photovoltaic 

panels could be the suitable 

alternative of oil and gas in 

the Middle East countries and 

this can be used to tackle increasing 

demand of energy resources 

replacing fossil energy 

with renewable energy in the 

region, energy expert Dr Thomas 

Blaschke stated this in a 

recent presentation held at the 

German University of Technology 

in Oman (GUtech). 

Dr Thomas Blaschke is 

Professor of Geoinformatics 

and Deputy Director of the 

Centre for Geoinformatics at 

the University of Salzburg, 

Austria. 

Dr Blaschke cited German 

example and said “In 

Germany about 20 per cent of 

the electricity consumption is 

targeted through sustainable 

energy resources.” 

In his presentation titled 

‘Sustainable energy: Modelling 

and monitoring energy 

demand and supply’, Dr Blaschke 

said: “Currently Germany 

is one of the leading countries 

that has installed many 

photovoltaic panels.” 

Photovoltaic arrays convert 

solar radiation into direct current 

using semiconductors that 

produce electricity. According 

to Blaschke the lifespan of 

photovoltaic arrays is rather 

short; thus globally renewable 

energies cannot compete with 

conventional energies due to 

high prices. To forecast the 

energy demand and supply in 

a certain area or region GIS 

experts use geospatial data. 

“Our energy system is based 

on geographic relations,” said 

Blaschke. 

Scientists combine address 

data, population growth, and 

the amount of conventionally 

produced electricity, into a 

model to estimate for example 

the need for energy in a 

certain area. “Sustainable energy 

planning requires thinking 

“outside the box”. Here it 


applies thinking beyond lines 

and poles — where the technical 

component may only play 

a small role,” said Blaschke. 

He presented examples of 

concepts of sustainable energy 

planning from Germany 

and Austria. In the Bonn area 

the scientists evaluated if the 

region could be energy independent 

from fossil fuels. 

“Only if transportation 

distances are not too long, the 

purchase of renewable energies 

should be considered,” 

said Professor Blaschke. 

The renewable energy 

industry promises to accommodate 

all types of applications 

of smart grids, smart 

metering and pay on demand 

solutions. 

“Still, operational applications 

have very specific 

requirements and they significantly 

differ from longterm 

decision-making for a 

sustainable energy planning. 

The latter is well supported 

by Remote Sensing and Earth 

Observation in conjunction 

with GIS,” said Professor 

Blaschke, who is also head of 

the Research Studio iSPACE 

that specialises in energy modelling. 

5 OMAN 



MUSCAT — With two agreements 

inked yesterday, Oman 

LNG has extended yet again 

its portfolio of social investment 

initiatives to cover rehabilitation 

of houses for people 

with disabilities and people of 

limited income, and upgrade 

facilities at the Al Wafa Social 

Centre in Al Amerat. 

In the first instance Oman 

LNG will support, through an 

Photovoltaic panels suitable energy 

alternative in ME region: expert 

New commercial office at French embassy 

By Amal Ragab 

MUSCAT — The French 

Embassy in Muscat yesterday 

celebrated the opening of the 

new offices of its commercial 

unit which falls within the 


MUSCAT — Sultan Qaboos 

University will host 

the 8th International Scientific 

Conference for Medical 

Students in the GCC 

countries from January 28 

to February 1. 

The conference is held 

every year for medical students 

and international health 

professionals to gather in one 

place and share their knowl- 

embassy premises. 

French Ambassador Malika 

Barak told Oman Arabic 

daily reporters that 40 French 

companies operate now in 

the Sultanate in the sectors of 

electricity and water, while 

other French businesses like 

edge, experiences and new 

medical findings. 

The event will be attended 

by more than 1,500 delegates 

including both undergraduate 

and post-graduate medical 

students not only from 

the GCC countries, but from 

all over the world. 

The conference will include 

keynote presentations 

from renowned international 

scientists, oral and 

poster presentation sessions, 

Total and CGG Veritas, operate 

in the oil sector alongside 

Omani companies. 

Mark De Balon, Head of 

the Commercial and Economic 

Section, old Oman that 

French companies wish to 

contest tender for the Omani 

SQU to host conference for medical students 

workshops, a scientific and 

students’ exhibitions and a 

variety of interesting cultural 

events and exciting social 

programmes. 

The organisers said that 

all participants will benefit 

from this gathering as there 

will be sharing of experiences 

between the students, 

scientific and research exchange 

and useful workshops 

that are related to the 

medical field. 

Oman LNG signs pact to fund two more social initiatives 

railway project. 

De Balon pointed out that 

French exports to the Sultanate 

range between 400 and 

600 million euros per annum, 

including Airbus aircraft, 

medicines, poultry and foodstuff. 

The delegates will also 

get an opportunity to visit famous 

places in Oman during 

their stay here. 

Dr Yahya al Farsi, Dean 

of the College of Medicine 

and Health Sciences, said 

this conference is anticipated 

to have a great impact 

on “our medical students”, 

who are the future promising 

generation that will lead our 

healthcare sector in the GCC 

countries. 

Low air 

fares to 

Khasab 

From page 1 

“We are pleased that 

this promotion allows us to 

continue our promotion of 

year-round domestic tourism, 

which helps in boosting 

economic activity for local 

communities, and reduce the 

seasonal variations which 

arise through international 

tourism.” 

And in a move designed 

to reduce the number of unused 

bookings, minimise 

last-minute ticket changes 

and increase passenger 

choice, Oman Air has announced 

that it will be charging 

an RO 10 fee for flight 

changes and refunds. 

He added: “Our aim is 

to encourage people to use 

their booked flights. Unused 

bookings block seats and 

reduce the range of choices 

available to other passengers. 

This has the potential 

to impact on choice and convenience 

for other customers 

and the new RO 10 fee 

will help us to protect the 

interests of all of our passengers.” 

RO 90,000 funding, the rehabilitation 

of 30 houses for people 

living with disabilities and 

limited income in Sharqiyah 

South Governorate. 

The support will be undertaken 

with the co-ordination 

of the Directorate-General of 

Social Development in Sharqiyah 

South. 

Saif bin Hamad al Jabri, 

acting Director-General of 

Social Development — Sharqiya 

South, and Ali bin Saleh 

From page 1 

al Hashar, Oman LNG’s Chief 

Public Relations Officer, 

signed the first agreement. 

Under the second accord, 

the company, Oman’s premier 

liquefied natural gas (LNG) 

project will provide a shaded 

area for children’s playground 

at the Al Wafa Centre. The 

initiative is at the cost of RO 

10,000. 

The agreements, focusing 

primarily on social welfare, 

fall under the Empowering 

Frequent rent 

hike illegal 

When brought to his attention the recent case of a Filipina 

lady in Al Khuwair who was slapped with more than 

300 per cent increase in rent in less than two years, he 

said it was illegal on all counts and they cannot justify 

their action by any section of the law. 

There should be a contract meeting all the conditions 

of a valid contract and it should be signed by all parties 

concerned. If the tenant is not given a copy of the contract, 

he can ask for it and it is his right. “Without a valid 

contract, no legal claim can be entertained.” 

Regarding commercial buildings, the contract 

cannot be ended before the lapse of five years from the 

date of the first contract unless both parties agree to 

do so. 

“The tenant cannot be asked to vacate the place in less 

than five years taking into consideration that his business 

may suffer due to sudden shifting. But there is an exception 

to this. 

“The landlord can request the tenant to vacate the 

place for his own purposes such as opening an office of 

his own or for other familial reasons. In this case too, the 

tenant can approach the court if he is not fully convinced 

with the landlord’s version. The court, after studying the 

action and reaction involved in the case, passes verdict 

accordingly”. 

He further said Oman’s law gives equal consideration 

to all with no bias whatsoever. 

The affected parties can log to Muscat Municipality 

website and register a complaint. Alternatively, they 

can also call the hotline number 80077222 and file a 

complaint. 

Communities’ segment of the 

company’s three-pronged Social 

Investment Programme 

(SIP). 

Its other two distinct areas 

are Investing-in-People and 

Championing Innovation. 

Oman LNG had last month 

broadened its social support to 

cover a number of social centres 

in various parts of the Sultanate, 

including Al Wafa Social 

Centre, Nizwa, Child Growth 

Houses in Ibri and the Omani 

Women’s Association (OWA) 

Dhank, Omani Women’s Association 

in Muscat, and the Al 

Wafa Social Centre in Sur. 

“The accords signed yesterday 

are in line with company’s 

efforts at promoting and 

upgrading social welfare for 

different segments of the society. 

This in turn encourages 

the building of a strong society 

that values and cares for its 

people,” said Ali bin Saleh al 

Hashar.

6 THE WORLD 



Israel, Palestinians spar as peace contacts resume 

JERUSALEM — Israeli Foreign 

Minister Avigdor Lieberman dismissed 

newly rekindled diplomatic 

contacts with the Palestinians yesterday, 

accusing them of poor faith in 

peacemaking. 

Firing back as Israeli and Palestinian 

envoys prepared a second 

round of the low-key but potentially 

decisive exploratory talks later in the 

day, the Palestinians said Israel was 

at fault for cementing its hold on the 

occupied West Bank. 

Lieberman, a hardline coalition 

partner to Prime Minister Benjamin 

Netanyahu who is often sidelined in 

statecraft, told lawmakers in Jerusalem 

the Palestinians only agreed to 

resume contacts last week after being 

“dragged against their will” to Amman. 

The Jordan meeting was the first 

since direct talks stalled in late 2010, 

when Palestinian President Mahmud 

Abbas demanded a halt to Israeli settlement 

building before negotiations 

went any further. 

Israel had previously imposed a 

partial building freeze. 

“They are preparing a groundwork 

of excuses to shift responsibility 

for the talks’ failure to Israel,” 

Lieberman said, according to an official 

transcript of the parliamentary 

briefing. 

The Jordanian-hosted meeting 

was attended by the so-called Quartet 

of peace brokers — the United States, 

European Union, Russia and United 

Nations — which on October 26 gave 

the sides three months to submit their 

proposals on territory and security. 

The Palestinians see an insuperable 

obstacle in Israel’s expansion of 

Jewish settlements in the West Bank. 

They want their own state in the West 

Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza 

Strip — territories Israel captured in 

a 1967 war. 

Most countries deem the settlements 

illegal. 

Israel disputes this, and says it 

would keep certain settlement blocs 

under any peace deal in accordance 

with understandings reached in 2004 

with then-US president George W 

Bush. 

“All sides in the Quartet and our 

brothers in Jordan see a complete seriousness 

from the Palestinian side, 

and an Israeli attempt to turn these 

negotiations into a waste of time, 

with an intensified campaign of settlement-building,” 

said Yasser Abed 

Rabbo, senior adviser to Abbas. 

In Amman, a regional diplomatic 

source described the second round 

of talks, held behind closed doors, 

as a chance to assess longer-term 

CARS drive past a snow blower removing snow during heavy snowfall at the Wolfgang pass mountain 

road near the Swiss mountain resort of Davos. — Reuters 

Expelled 

for size 

SYDNEY — A towering 

New Zealand man with 

“shoulders like buttresses 

and legs like pylons” was 

awaiting deportation from 

Australia yesterday after his 

visa was revoked on grounds 

partly related to his size. 

Hayden Harlem Tewao, 

26, was ordered to return to 

New Zealand on character 

grounds after he acted as an 

“enforcer” in a 2010 robbery 

of a drug dealer, battering 

his face and causing serious 

injuries. 

He was also charged with 

resisting arrest over the incident 

and assaulting police, 

and damaging property after 

he accidentally pulled a stair 

rail from the wall during a 

fight with nightclub bouncers. 

Immigration Minister 

Chris Bowen cancelled Tewao’s 

visa on community 

protection grounds partly 

related to his “exceptionally 

large” stature — he stands 

2.1 metres tall and weighs 

about 200 kilos. 

“It is plain that what the 

minister had in mind when 

he referred to Mr Tewao’s 

size was that it played a role 

in the commission of the offence 

and contributed to the 

brutality of the attack,” the 

Federal Court said. — AFP 

London mulls Scottish 

independence vote WELLINGTON 

LONDON — The British government 

discussed proposals 

yesterday to give Scotland the 

legal powers to hold a referendum 

on independence, which 

could happen within the next 

18 months. 

Prime Minister David 

Cameron said a referendum 

should be held soon because 

the uncertainty about the issue 

was damaging Scotland’s 

economy, although he remains 

strongly opposed to the breakup 

of the United Kingdom. 

Scotland’s deputy first 

minister Nicola Sturgeon, of 

the pro-independence Scottish 

National Party (SNP), accused 

Cameron of “a blatant attempt 

to interfere” in an issue that 

should be decided by Scotland 

and its people. 

In elections in May, the 

SNP led by Alex Salmond won 

the first overall majority in the 

Edinburgh parliament since it 

opened in 1999, and promised 

to hold a referendum on independence. 

Cameron’s move is being 

seen as a ploy to force a referendum 

before the SNP wants 

it, in the belief that Salmond 

does not yet have enough support 

for independence. 

The prime minister said 

ahead of a cabinet meeting at 

which the issue was discussed 

that the uncertainty about the 

independence issue could have 

economic consequences. 

“This is very damaging for 

Scotland because all the time 

business is asking, is Scotland 

going to be part of the United 

Kingdom, are they going to 

stay together, should I invest?” 

he told Sky News. “And we’re 

beginning to see companies 

asking those questions.” 

Cameron’s official spokesman 

said the discussion in 

cabinet was led by Finance 

Minister George Osborne, 

who is in charge of a committee 

looking into the Scottish 

referendum issue. 

The spokesman said the 

government would set out its 

views to parliament “in coming 

days” after receiving final 

legal advice, but added that in 

the end it would be a matter 

for the Scottish people. 

“Any decision on Scotland’s 

future is for the people 

of Scotland to decide,” the 

spokesman told reporters. 

“The Prime Minister clearly 

has a view on the union and 

on the referendum, and he was 

setting that out yesterday, and 

he thinks that a referendum 

needs to be legal, fair and decisive.” 

It is believed Cameron’s 

government will give its backing 

for a binding referendum, 

but with certain conditions. 

These include that the referendum 

be held within 18 

months, rather than the 2014 

date planned by the SNP, 

and that it contain a simple 

question of whether Scotland 

should remain in the UK rather 

than multiple options. 

The SNP has said it wants 

the vote in 2014 to coincide 

with the 700th anniversary of 

the Battle of Bannockburn, a 

famous Scottish victory over 

the English. 

It is also thought to want a 

third “independence-lite” option 

instead of a simple yes-no 

referendum favoured by the 

British government. 

Any decision is likely to 

heighten the already open 

hostility between Cameron 

and Salmond. Speaking on 

Sunday, Cameron claimed 

that Salmond knew “that the 

Scottish people at heart don’t 

want a full separation from the 

United Kingdom”. 

“So he is trying to sort 

of make a situation where 

that bubbles up and happens, 

whereas I think we need some 

decisive action so we can clear 

up this issue.” — AFP 

prospects. 

“This is even more important” 

than the introductory meeting, the 

source said. “We have to see the follow-up, 

and what comes now.” 

Lieberman said that the Palestinians, 

who last year sidestepped Israel 

and defied Washington’s censure by 

applying directly for full UN membership, 

planned to resume this “internationalisation” 

campaign after 

January 26, the target date set by the 

Quartet. 

“Whoever talks about a ‘breakthrough’ 

with the Palestinians is 

clueless,” he said, according to the 

transcript. “The key word is ‘management’ 

of the conflict with the Palestinians.” 

Speaking to Reuters in the West 

Bank city of Ramallah, Abed Rabbo 

said: “We will turn to the international 

community, and the UN Secu- 

Australian woman survives 

bungee jump horror 

SYDNEY — An Australian woman whose 

bungee jumping cord snapped, plunging her 

head-first into raging crocodile-infested waters 

in Africa’s Zambezi River, yesterday described 

her “miracle” survival. 

Erin Langworthy, 22, was on holiday on 

New Year’s Eve when she took on the 111metre 

bungee jump from the Victoria Falls 

bridge above the river, which borders Zambia 

and Zimbabwe. 

But it all went horribly wrong when the 

cord snapped about halfway into the jump. 

The terrifying moment was caught on video 

and Langworthy is seen hitting the water with 

her feet still tied before being swept towards 

rapids. 

“It went black straight away and I felt like 

I’d been slapped all over,” she told Australia’s 

Channel Nine in an interview recounting the 

moment of impact. 

“As I went deeper down, the water got 

rity Council in any event, not only to 

condemn settlement construction but 

to demand direct international intervention 

to protect the two-state solution.” 

A Netanyahu spokesman had no 

immediate reaction to Lieberman’s 

remarks. The conservative premier 

has himself criticised Abbas for seeking 

a power-sharing pact with rival 

Hamas which rules Gaza and reject 

permanent coexistence with Israel. 

Abbas has also balked at Israel’s 

demand that he recognise it specifically 

as a Jewish state. 

But both sides have been rattled 

by popular upheavals that have bolstered 

radicals in Jordan and Egypt. 

Pro-Palestinian sentiment in both 

countries, among the few Arab countries 

to have relations with Israel, often 

backs Hamas rather than Abbas. 

— Reuters 

‘Time running out 

for Cyprus deal’ 

NICOSIA — UN chief Ban Ki-Moon warned Cyprus’s Greek 

and Turkish leaders they were running out of time to settle their 

dispute over the island, and urged them to break a deadlock in 

talks at a summit in New York later this month. 

In unusually blunt letters to both leaders, Ban laid out the 

differences between divided Cypriot communities that are still 

blocking efforts to reunify the country. 

“The negotiation ... currently finds itself at an impasse on 

several issues,” Ban wrote in both letters. 

“I am concerned that opportunities to successfully conclude 

negotiations will be limited once the Republic of Cyprus takes 

up the presidency of the European Union on July 1, 2012,” he 

added in the letters, dated January 4. 

Diplomats fear Cypriot politicians will be distracted by the 

presidency of the EU and spend less time on peace talks. They 

say the presidency could also alienate the island’s Turkish 

leaders and widen differences between the two sides. 

Greek Cypriots represent the whole of Cyprus in the EU, 

though in practice the island’s effective membership is confined 

to the Greek-dominated south. 

Ban has invited President Demetris Christofias, the Greek 

Cypriot leader, and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu to 

Greentree, New York, for talks on January 22-24. 

UN officials had hoped the discussions could produce some 

progress after three years of troubled negotiations. — Reuters 

Looters in NZ raid 

cargo from ship 

— New Zealand police were forced to shut 

down a popular beach yesterday to prevent looters raiding containers 

washed ashore from the stricken cargo ship Rena. 

The Rena, which had been stuck fast on a reef since October 

when it caused New Zealand’s worst maritime pollution 

disaster, broke in two in a storm on Sunday to send containers 

tumbling into the sea. 

Although the devastation was not as severe as maritime officials 

feared, the once-pristine beaches in the North Island resort 

area of Tauranga were littered with debris, mainly timber, 

plastics, bags of milk powder and polystyrene. 

There were four containers on the beach and Maritime New 

Zealand on-scene commander Alex van Wijngaarden said a 

sheen of oil “about 3 km long by 5-10 metres wide” was visible 

offshore. 

Wildlife response teams said they had only treated four 

oiled birds since the Rena broke up. 

When the ship ran aground on October 5, about 350 tonnes 

of oil spilled into the sea, killing at least 1,300 birds. An army 

of volunteers combed the coastline and saved hundreds more. 

At a time when the region is packed with summer holidaymakers, 

police closed Waihi beach for several hours and people 

were urged to stay out of the water in surrounding areas. 

“The expert advice we have received is for people not to 

approach items washed ashore for health reasons,” police sergeant 

Dave Litton said. 

Looters were taking off with what appeared to be milk 

powder and “we appeal to those people who have taken objects 

to return them to the beach where they can be managed 

by decontamination crews”. 

Clean-up crews were mobilised to remove the debris as 

Maritime New Zealand said it believed 150 shipping containers 

were washed overboard, not 300 as originally thought. 

About 700 containers remain on the Rena and a spokesman 

for the salvors, Matthew Watson, told Radio New Zealand that 

it had become “very, very dangerous and very difficult” to remove 

them. 

Although the bow of the ship remained stuck on the reef, 

the rear section of the vessel was causing concern as it moved 

around. — AFP 

colder and it must have snapped me out of it.” 

Langworthy, from Perth, said she had 

been white water rafting the previous day and 

remembered some of the safety tips to get 

through the looming rapids. 

“The water was going quite quickly and 

then I started to hear the roaring,” she said. 

“It’s like being in waves, you get sucked 

under and then you pop up so it’s very disorienting, 

I didn’t know which was up or down.” 

She managed to swim to the Zimbabwe side 

of the river, where she hauled herself out. 

“It was quite scary because a couple of times 

the rope actually got caught on some rocks or 

debris. I actually had to swim down and yank 

the bungee cord out of whatever it was caught 

on to make it to the surface.” 

Langworthy suffered a fractured collar 

bone as well as massive bruising in the accident 

and was taken to South Africa for treatment. 

— AFP 

GERMAN Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and 

his wife Doris Schroeder-Koepf. German media 

reported yesterday that Schroeder-Koepf intends to 

be a candidate of the Social Democratic Party for the 

regional elections in the state of Lower Saxony in 2013. 

THE wife of Turkish President Abdullah Gul, 

Hayrunnisa Gul (R), greets the spouse of Norwegian 

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, Ingrid Schulerud, at 

the Cankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara. — AFP 

THE leaders of Die Gruenen (Green Party) Cem 

Oezdemir (L) and Claudia Roth speak to the media 

before a conference of the party executive board in the 

eastern town of Woerlitz yesterday. — Reuters 

EMPLOYEES from SeaFrance, the trans-Channel 

ferry company, react as they gather outside the 

Commerce Tribunal courts in Paris yesterday. The 

court has ordered the liquidation of SeaFrance 

after rejecting a proposal to run the company as 

a participation co-operative company (Scop) by 

regrouping its employees. — Reuters 

A SUPPORTER of Democratic Progressive Party 

(DPP) Chairperson and presidential candidate Tsai 

Ing-Wen waves flags as Tsai’s motorcade moves 

through the streets during a campaign rally for the 

2012 presidential election in Chiayi county, southern 

Taiwan, yesterday. The upcoming presidential and 

legislative election will be held on January 14.

Families 

tired of 

7 AMERICAS 



waiting TEHRAN — A judge in Iran 

KUWAIT CITY — Families 

of Arab prisoners detained 

without trial at Guantanamo 

Bay since it opened 10 years 

ago are despairing of seeing 

them again soon despite US 

pledges to shut the facility. 

Fawzi al Odah and Fayez 

al Kandari, the only two 

Kuwaitis still at the centre, 

“may spend the rest of their 

lives in prison without trial,” 

said Odah’s father, Khaled, 

who heads a committee of 

families of detainees. 

“Our life has changed 

for the worse since 10 years 

ago. I am suffering having 

to endure missing my son 

and at the same time trying 

to alleviate the sufferings of 

the rest of my family,” Odah 

said. 

The duo are among detainees 

who did not receive 

approval for transfer from 

the US detention centre that 

was built as part of Washington’s 

“war on terror” 

because they are considered 

too dangerous to be released, 

Odah said. 

Ten Kuwaiti detainees 

have been released and sent 

back home and all of them 

got married and have children 

and are now leading 

normal lives, Odah said. 

Except for one, Mohammad 

al Ajmi, who is officially 

listed as missing while 

US and Iraqi authorities say 

he carried out a suicide attack 

in northern Iraq a few 

years ago. 

US authorities initially 

promised Kuwait to release 

Odah and Kandari, aged 34 

and 35 respectively, but they 

later retracted their pledge 

despite Kuwait agreeing to 

conditions that Odah’s father 

described as tough. 

The two were arrested 

in northern Pakistan in late 

2001 by tribesmen who sold 

them to the Pakistani army 

who in turn handed them 

over to the United States, he 

said. 

Both of them were on 

charity missions and were 

never involved in any act of 

fighting, he insisted. 

In total, 171 men remain 

in detention at Guantanamo 

Bay, Cuba. 

They come from 20 countries, 

but around half of them 

are from Yemen. 

Some 89 inmates have 

already received the green 

light for transfer. — AFP 

REPUBLICAN presidential candidate former US Senator Rick Santorum and his wife Karen Santorum wait to be 

introduced during a campaign stop at Stax’s Original Restaurant in Greenville, South Carolina. Santorum 

called himself the only “Reagan Conservative” during his speech to supporters. — AFP 

Republicans mount final 

New Hampshire blitz 

CONCORD, New Hampshire — Republican 

presidential hopefuls, led by frontrunner 

Mitt Romney, launched a final frenetic 

campaign push in New Hampshire 

yesterday on the eve of the first-in-thenation 

primary. 

Polls showed the former Massachusetts 

governor, who won Iowa’s caucus 

by a whisker last week, slipping slightly 

but still holding a commanding lead and 

looking to notch a second victory before 

the fight shifts to South Carolina. 

Romney’s rivals hoped for a shocking 

upset in New Hampshire’s bellwether 

nominating primary — where he lost in 

2008 to the eventual nominee, Senator 

John McCain — while they planned for 

an all-out assault on his record before the 

southern state’s January 21 vote. 

“I’m not worried. I’m happy,” Romney 

replied at a rally in Exeter when asked 

whether he feared his 15-point edge over 

his nearest rival, Texas congressman Ron 

Paul, might lead overconfident supporters 

to stay home today. 

Paul, a small-government champion 

whose opposition to overseas entanglements 

breaks with Republican orthodoxy, 

pumped up his passionate base of mostly 

young voters in Meredith by dismissing 

his competitors as agents of “the status 

quo.” 

“They don’t challenge the establishment,” 

said the lawmaker, who trails 

Romney in the polls by a 35 per cent to 

20 per cent margin. “I think the country 

is looking for something completely different.” 

A survey by Suffolk University in 

nearby Boston found support for former 

US envoy to China Jon Huntsman has increased 

to 11 per cent, and former House 

speaker Newt Gingrich was at nine per 

cent. 

Gingrich, savaged in what he has denounced 

as false attack ads by Romney allies, 

declared that turnabout was fair play 

and said he and an independent Super- 

PAC (political action committee) backing 

him would soon be taking the fight to the 

front runner. 

“This is a tough business, and should 

be, you’re trying to pick someone strong 

enough to be president of the United 

States, it’s just got to be factually correct,” 

he told reporters at a town hall meeting in 

a Mexican restaurant. 

The opinion poll found Christian conservative 

Rick Santorum had fallen to 

eight per cent — a slide pollsters have 

blamed on his virulent criticisms of gay 

rights — while Texas Governor Rick Perry 

was at one per cent. 

In the second of a pair of debates 

held barely 10 hours apart, Santorum on 

Sunday worked to soften an angry image 

shaped by his past comparisons of homosexuality 

to bestiality and by his fierce 

Chavez welcomes Ahmadinejad 

CARACAS — Venezuelan President 

Hugo Chavez dismissed a US warning 

to avoid close ties with Iran on Sunday, 

denouncing what he said was Washington’s 

attempt to dominate the world 

as he welcomed the Iranian president 

to the Latin American nation. 

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 

arrived at the start of a tour 

to shore up support from the region’s 

leftist leaders, as tough new Western 

sanctions aim to isolate the Islamic republic 

and target its vital oil exports. 

“A spokesman or spokeswoman in 

Washington from the State Department 

or the White House said it was 

not convenient for any country to get 

close to Iran. Well, the truth is, it made 

you laugh,” Chavez said in a televised 

speech. 

“They’re not going to be able to 

dominate this world. Forget about 

it (President Barack) Obama, forget 

about it. It would be better to think 

about the problems in your country, 

which are many,” he said. 

“We are free. The people of Latin 

America will never again kneel, dominated 

by the imperial Yankee. Never 

again,” he said, to applause from his 

audience at an oil processing facility. 

Obama signed measures into law 

on New Year’s Eve that will make it 

harder for most countries to buy Iranian 

oil. 

Ahmadinejad was met at Venezuela’s 

Maiquetia International Airport by 

an honour guard, a red carpet, and a reception 

committee of about 100 people 

led by Vice-President Elias Jaua. 

Wearing a grey suit and open-neck 

shirt, he did not speak to reporters 

but flashed a V-for-victory sign and 

pumped his fist in the air before climbing 

into his official car. 

Other regional leaders due to receive 

Ahmadinejad, like Nicaraguan 

President Daniel Ortega and Ecuadorean 

President Rafael Correa of Ecuador, 

have a similar ideological stance 

to Chavez, but fewer resources. 

Ahmadinejad has said little about 

the rising tensions with the West, leaving 

it to Iran’s military commanders to 

issue the most bellicose statements. 

Under increasing fire from rival 

hardliners aiming to stop his supporters 

making gains at an election in March, 

Ahmadinejad will hope the foreign 

tour will show voters he still has international 

clout and is not, as his critics 

say, a lame duck. — Reuters 

‘US will have the strongest military’ 

WASHINGTON — Defence Secretary 

Leon Panetta has cautioned global rivals 

not to misjudge US plans to slash military 

spending over the next decade, saying 

America would still field the world’s 

strongest military and nobody should 

“mess with that.” 

Panetta, speaking on CBS’s “Face 

the Nation,” also reiterated the tough US 

stance towards Iran’s threat to close the 

Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for oil 

shipping in the Gulf, saying the United 

States would not “tolerate” it. 

“That’s another red line for us and ... 

we will respond to them,” he said. 

General Martin Dempsey, chairman 

of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told “Face 

the Nation” Iran had been investing in 

the weapons they would need to close 

the strait but the United States had been 

working to “ensure if that happens, we 

can defeat that.” 

“The simple answer is, ‘Yes, they can 

block it,’” he said. “But we would take 

action and reopen the strait.” 

The tough talk comes days after President 

Barack Obama unveiled a new military 

strategy that calls for a smaller force 

as the United States cuts $487 billion in 

projected defence spending over the next 

decade in an effort to deal with the nation’s 

$14 trillion debt. 

The new strategy, which is meant to 

identify spending priorities as the military 

cuts back, calls for greater emphasis 

on Asia even as the Army and Marines 

shrink to become smaller and more agile 

forces. 

Dempsey said he worried that some 

countries might misunderstand the debate 

Americans are having over changing 

strategy and the need to cut defence 

spending. 

“There may be some around the 

world who see us as a nation in decline, 

and worse, as a military in decline. And 

nothing could be further from the truth,” 

Dempsey said. 

He said such a miscalculation could 

be “troublesome” in dealing with countries 

like Iran or North Korea. Panetta 

said US rivals should not misunderstand 

the situation. 

“I think the message that the world 

needs to understand is: America is the 

strongest military power and we intend 

to remain the strongest military power 

and nobody ought to mess with that,” he 

said. 

Obama and Congress agreed in August 

to cut some $487 billion in defence 

spending over the next decade. 

As part of the August deal, defence 

spending could be cut by another $600 

billion unless Congress compromises on 

an alternative. 

Congress missed a deadline for 

reaching a compromise that could have 

stopped the new defence cuts, but it could 

still take action to override the spending 

reductions before they are due to go into 

force next year. — Reuters 

opposition to gay marriage and gay adoptions. 

Asked what he would do if he had a 

son tell him he was gay, the former senator 

from Pennsylvania replied: “I would love 

him as much as I did the second before he 

said it. And I would try to do everything I 

can to be as good a father to him.” 

While Romney’s rivals escalated their 

attacks on him, notably in Sunday’s debate, 

he committed no major errors, 

making it unlikely that the assault would 

derail his better-funded, better-organised 

campaign. 

The debates could shape today’s vote, 

which may drive one or more candidates 

from the race, resetting a field that has 

been led alternately by Romney and successive 

conservatives who have surged 

and fallen back. 

A vast campaign war chest and highprofile 

endorsements have fed Romney’s 

image as the man to beat, but he faces 

stubborn doubts about his conservative 

credentials and has been unable to push 

his support from Republicans nationwide 

above 30 per cent. 

South Carolina is the first contest for 

the Republican nomination in the US 

South, where Romney faces pushback 

from conservatives who think he is a 

moderate flip-flopper and from evangelical 

Christians wary of his Mormon faith. 

— AFP 

US-Iran man sentenced 

to death for spying 

has sentenced a US-Iranian 

man to death for spying for 

the CIA, media reports said 

yesterday. 

Amir Mirzai Hekmati, a 

28-year-old former Marine 

born in the United States to an 

Iranian family, was “sentenced 

to death for co-operating with 

a hostile nation, membership 

of the CIA and trying to implicate 

Iran in terrorism,” the 

judge in Tehran ruled, the Fars 

and ISNA news agencies reported. 

Hekmati has 20 days to 

appeal, ISNA quoted chief 

prosecutor Gholam Hossein 

Mohseni Ejei as saying, without 

specifying when the sentence 

was handed down. 

The accused was shown on 

state television in mid-December 

saying in fluent Farsi and 

English that he was a Central 

Intelligence Agency operative 

sent to infiltrate Iran’s intelligence 

ministry. 

US auto 

industry 

‘is back’ 

DETROIT, Michigan — US 

Transportation Secretary 

Ray LaHood hailed the remarkable 

resurgence of the 

US auto industry and American 

manufacturing yesterday 

at the opening of the Detroit 

auto show. 

“As you look at these 

breathtaking vehicles, I ask 

you to remember they represent 

more than creative 

thinking and design,” La- 

Hood said. 

“They represent American 

factories bustling and 

humming, American workers 

churning out cars, and 

American families earning 

paycheques again.” 

The US auto industry 

shed 400,000 jobs in 2008 

— a pink slip for one in five 

autoworkers. 

But thanks to the President 

Barack Obama’s decision 

to bail out General 

Motors and Chrysler and the 

hard work of company executives 

and workers, they 

are now hiring workers at 

the “fastest rate in memory,” 

he said. — AFP 

He had been arrested 

months earlier. 

Iranian officials said his 

cover was blown by agents 

for Iran who spotted him at 

the US-run Bagram military 

air base in neighbouring Afghanistan. 

But Hekmati’s family in 

the United States told US media 

he had travelled to Iran to 

visit his grandmothers. 

His father, a teacher in the 

US state of Michigan, said 

Hekmati was not a spy. Relatives 

said they had tried in 

vain to hire different Iranian 

lawyers for him, rather than 

the government-appointed 

one. 

In his sole trial hearing, 

on December 27, prosecutors 

relied on Hekmati’s “confession” 

to say he tried to penetrate 

the intelligence ministry 

by posing as a disaffected 

former US soldier with classified 

information to give. 

Hekmati was tried as an 

Iranian citizen, not a US one, 

because Iran does not recognise 

dual nationality. 

The United States has demanded 

Hekmati’s release. 

The State Department said 

Iran did not permit diplomats 

from the Swiss embassy — 

which handles Washington’s 

interests in the absence of US- 

Iran ties — to see Hekmati before 

or during his trial. 

The death sentence comes 

after the case of three other 

Americans who were held in 

Iran on spying charges after 

hiking in 2009 along the unmarked 

Iran-Iraq border. All 

three were eventually released, 

one in 2010 and the other two 

in September 2011, despite 

being sentenced to eight years 

in prison. 

Hekmati’s case, though, 

comes as the temperature rises 

between Tehran and Washington 

over US-led moves to hit 

Iran’s oil exports as part of 

new sanctions.” — AFP 

Pizza chain apologises for 

racial slur on receipt 

WASHINGTON — US pizza company Papa John’s has issued 

an apology to a New York woman of Asian descent who was 

given a receipt that referred to her as “lady chinky eyes.” 

Minhee Cho, a communications manager for the journalism 

site ProPublica, posted a message with a photo of the offending 

receipt on her personal Twitter account after visiting one of 

the chain’s restaurants. 

“Hey @PapaJohns just FYI my name isn’t ‘lady chinky 

eyes,’” she wrote — prompting outrage on the popular microblogging 

site. 

The message itself was retweeted some 500 times and the 

photo quickly garnered over 150,000 views — hours later on 

Saturday, Papa John’s posted an apology on its Twitter and Facebook 

pages. 

“We are very upset by recent receipt issue in New York 

and sincerely apologise to our customer,” the company wrote 

on Twitter, adding that the employee involved “is being terminated.” 

On Facebook, the company said it was “extremely 

concerned” to learn of the incident. 

“This act goes against our company values, and we’ve 

confirmed with the franchisee that this matter was addressed 

immediately... We are truly sorry for this customer’s experience.” 

— AFP

MYANMAR democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi (C) applauds during a ceremony to unveil her National League for 

Democracy (NLD)’s new signboard at the NLD headquarters in Yangon yesterday. Suu Kyi could be given a job in 

Myanmar's government if she is elected to parliament in April by-elections, a presidential adviser said. — AFP 

Myanmar sanctions eased 

SYDNEY — Australia will remove 

former Myanmar ministers 

and tourism officials from 

its sanctions list in recognition 

of the country's moves toward 

democratic reform, Foreign 

Minister Kevin Rudd said 

yesterday. 

However, targeted financial 

sanctions and travel restrictions 

will still be applied 

to "nominated individuals" 

and an arms embargo will remain 

on Myanmar, formerly 

known as Burma, Rudd said 

in a statement. 

"We hope positive developments, 

such as the increased 

participation of opposition 

parties in the political process, 

the release of around 220 

political prisoners, and new 

labour laws that will legalise 

trade unions, will continue," 

Rudd said. 

"In this context we will 

keep our approach to sanctions 

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's 

former ambassador to the 

United States denied any involvement 

in drafting a memo 

that accused the army of plotting 

a coup and suggested on 

the first day of a Supreme 

Court commission yesterday 

he was being framed. 

Former envoy Husain 

Haqqani struck a defiant tone 

that was sure to do little to 

quell a scandal that has dominated 

Pakistani politics for the 

past three months and destabilised 

the civilian government. 

"I had no role in creating, 

drafting and/or delivering the 

memorandum to the (US) 

Chairman Joint Chiefs of 

Staff Admiral Michael Mullen," 

Haqqani said yesterday. 

"I have no knowledge of the 

origin, authenticity or purpose 

of the said memo." 

The murky scandal 

emerged last October when 

businessman Mansoor Ijaz, 

writing in a column in the Financial 

Times, said a senior 

under review. Australia retains 

the ability to add individuals 

to the sanctions list at any 

time, but members of Burma's 

new government who were 

not previously on Australia's 

sanctions list will not be listed 

at this time," he said. 

A civilian government took 

power in Myanmar in March 

with the blessing of a military 

that had ruled the secretive 

country since 1962. 

The government freed 230 

activists in October, going a 

long way towards meeting a 

demand by the West for the 

release of all political detainees 

before sanctions are lifted 

or reviewed. 

Momentum for scaling 

back or even ending sanctions 

gathered pace with an October 

amnesty and a visit by 

US Secretary of State Hillary 

Clinton in December. 

Former ministers and 

Pakistani diplomat had asked 

that the memo, seeking help to 

rein in the military, be sent to 

the US Defence Department. 

Ijaz says he wrote the 

memo following the secret 

US raid that killed Osama bin 

Laden in a Pakistani garrison 

town, embarrassing the Pakistani 

military. No evidence has 

emerged that the military was 

plotting a coup and the Pentagon 

at the time dismissed the 

memo as not credible. 

Ijaz later identified the 

diplomat as Haqqani, an ally 

of President Asif Ali Zardari 

and who says he was never 

liked by the military because 

of his advocacy for civilian 

supremacy. 

Ijaz says Haqqani conceived 

and dictated the memo 

in a May 9 phone call between 

the two. Haqqani denies the 

phone call was about the 

memo and says Ijaz has fabricated 

the controversy, which 

has been seized upon by Pakistani 

media and political op- 

deputy ministers who are no 

longer in politics, and tourism 

officials, will be removed 

from Australia's sanctions list, 

said Rudd. 

"There is much progress 

still to be made in Burma, and 

Australia continues to urge the 

release of all political prisoners, 

free and fair by-elections 

and the peaceful resolution of 

ethnic conflicts in Burma," he 

said. 

The Australian decision 

to ease its sanctions list was 

criticised by human rights 

campaigners who said more 

than 1,500 political prisoners 

remained detained and Australia 

should wait to see wider 

reforms before rewarding the 

military-backed government. 

"It is not appropriate for 

sanctions to be eased at this 

time," said Zetty Brake from 

The Burma Campaign. 

— Reuters 

Haqqani denies role in memo 

ponents, for his own reasons. 

"I was falsely accused in 

the media and (by) Mr Ijaz 

of being the person that communicated 

the contents of the 

memo," said Haqqani, dressed 

in a grey suit with a Pakistani 

flag pin on his lapel. 

Haqqani returned to Pakistan 

in November and resigned 

as ambassador in a bid 

to end the crisis, but petitions 

by opposition members to the 

Supreme Court led to yesterday's 

judicial commission. 

Ijaz has said he would appear 

before the commission 

but wants guarantees for his 

safety before travelling to Pakistan, 

he said yesterday, although 

he could take part via 

video-conference if he was 

unable to come in person. 

"I have insisted on being 

physically present and have 

instructed my counsel to not 

consider other options unless 

the government refuses permission 

for me to come," he 

wrote in an email. — Reuters 

Philippines jams mobile phone 

signals to deter bomb attack 

MANILA – Philippine authorities 

yesterday jammed mobile 

phone signals in areas where a 

religious procession attended 

by millions of Catholic devotees 

passed as part of efforts 

to deter a possible terrorist attack. 

National police chief Director 

General Nicanor Bartolome 

said the move would 

prevent terrorists from using 

mobile phone signals to trigger 

bombs as they have done 

in past attacks in the Philippines. 

"We all know the probability 

that cellular phones are 

used as detonators of bombs," 

he said. "We need to protect 

the citizenry." 

Interior Secretary Jesse 

Robredo said police and military 

intelligence authorities 

requested that mobile phone 

signals be disrupted during the 

6-kilometre procession around 

the streets of central Manila to 

the district of Quiapo. "The 

signals are not totally out, but 

the strength was calibrated," 

he said. 

Defence Secretary Voltaire 

Gazmin said security forces 

raided several safe houses of 

suspected terrorists in Manila 

ahead of the Feast of the Black 

Nazarene, but failed to arrest 

anyone. 

He said that based on information 

gathered so far, 

the suspects had already assembled 

a bomb using parts 

acquired in Manila. 

A sea of barefoot, maroonclad 

men and women swarmed 

around the Black Nazarene, a 

centuries-old, life-size statue 

of a dark-skinned Jesus Christ, 

as it was paraded on a carriage 

around central Manila. 

The devotees pushed and 

shoved to wipe cloths on the 

idol or the carriage in the belief 

that it has healing powers. 

Many jumped on the backs of 

8 

THE PHILIPPINES/SUBCONTINENT 



others to get nearer the statue. 

A stampede broke out at 

the start of the 6-kilometre 

procession en route to Quiapo 

Church from a seaside grandstand 

in Manila, while the 

carriage suffered mechanical 

problems. At least 324 people 

suffered minor injuries, according 

to the Red Cross and 

other emergency services. 

Police Director General 

Nicanor Bartolome estimated 

the crowd at about 3 million, 

while 3,000 more were inside 

the Quiapo Church. 

More than 10,000 police 

and hundreds of soldiers 

guarded the event. 

President Benigno Aquino 

III on Sunday warned that terrorists 

were plotting to disrupt 

the procession and urged devotees 

to be vigilant. The Black 

Nazarene is said to have been 

brought to the Philippines by a 

Spanish priest from Mexico in 

1606. — dpa 

Poultry items 

prices surge 

ISLAMABAD — While 

the prices of farm products 

have slightly eased after the 

first winter rain, the following 

cold wave has caused a 

surge in the prices of poultry 

products. 

As a result of rain and 

cloudy weather in the region 

for the past two days and the 

temperature dropping two 

degrees below the Celsius 

in the federal capital, the demand 

for chicken and eggs 

has surged significantly. 

The farm eggs have already 

reached their highest 

level of last year which was 

Rs 116 a dozen, and the distributors 

have started indicating 

the short supply due 

to heavy demand. 

“The eggs have already 

attained last year’s highest 

price level and the real cold 

is starting now. — Internews 

Drone strikes 

killed 609 

ISLAMABAD — The 

United States carried out 75 

drone attacks inside Pakistani 

territory during 2011 killing 

609 people, among them 

only three were Arab commanders 

of Al Qaeda; one 

was UK’s most wanted and 

just four were senior commanders 

of different factions 

of Pakistani militants, says 

Conflict Monitoring Centre’s 

annual report on drone 

attacks. 

It says that no drone attack 

was conducted in December 

last year. 

The report is based on the 

data collected from mainstream 

national and international 

media. 

“The CIA failed to eliminate 

more than four Al Qaeda 

leaders in its highly costly 

and controversial ‘assassination 

by drones’ campaign inside 

Pakistan during the year 

2011", the report says. 

— Internews 

Hope for 

peace pact 

MANILA — The Philippine 

government and the 

country's largest group said 

yesterday that they hoped a 

peace agreement would be 

signed this year as they held 

talks in Malaysia. 

Marvic Leonen, the government's 

chief negotiator 

with the Moro Islamic Liberation 

Front (MILF), said 

President Benigno Aquino 

III's government "wants to 

see the solution to the Bangsamoro 

(Muslim nation) 

question in motion when it 

leaves in a little over four 

years' time." 

An agreement should 

be reached so there would 

be enough time to implement, 

assess and fine-tune 

it before the next president 

takes office, he said in Kuala 

Lumpur, where the first formal 

talks since August began 

and were set to last until 

Wednesday. — dpa 

Pakistan, Taliban exchange 

bodies of troops after clashes 

PESHAWAR — Pakistani authorities 

yesterday recovered 

the bodies of 10 soldiers in 

an exchange of bodies with 

Taliban following a clash two 

weeks ago in the northwestern 

tribal region. 

An official of the military's 

media wing said the 10 

soldiers had been missing in 

Orakzai district since December 

21 when fighters attacked 

a checkpost and killed 13 others. 

One security official said 

the 23 soldiers were attacked 

in a late-night assault by up to 

100 heavily armed insurgents. 

Another security official 

said the 10 soldiers had been 

beheaded and their bodies recovered 

in an exchange with 

the Taliban. 

"They handed over the beheaded 

bodies of 10 officials 

while we handed over four 

bodies of militants to them," 

the official said. The Pakistani 

ISLAMABAD — Economic 

dividends of democracy accruing 

to the electorate do not 

appear too impressive as the 

representative Pakistani government 

enters an expected 

election year. 

Despite their distaste for 

the popular politics, a segment 

of the business is positioning 

itself to capitalise on the opportunities 

that general polls 

throw up. The total spending 

in the last general elections, 

according to informal intelligent 

guesstimates, was reported 

to be $2.22 billion. Now the 

figure is expected to increase 

significantly. 

The declared cost was a 

measly fraction running in few 

hundred million rupees. No 

consolidated figure of the real 

spending was reported. 

The question is who will 

finance such an expensive 

project in the country. The an- 

Taliban claimed responsibility 

but said 10 of their men had 

been killed. 

"We killed these soldiers 

during the clash. They had 

the bodies of our 10 people 

and we had in our custody the 

bodies of soldiers and the exchange 

of bodies took place 

today," said Tehreek-e-Taliban 

Pakistan (TTP) spokesman 

Ehsanullah Ehsan. 

The exchange comes four 

days after the corpses of 15 

members of Pakistan's paramilitary 

Frontier Constabulary 

(FC) were found in the small 

northwestern town of Shawa, 

in North Waziristan tribal region 

near the Afghan border, 

almost two weeks after they 

were kidnapped. 

The Tehreek-e-Taliban 

Pakistan claimed responsibility 

for those killings. The FC 

personnel were kidnapped late 

last month during a night-time 

swer is complex as the weak 

Election Commission has yet 

to focus effectively on the financial 

aspect of elections. 

The fact is that the rules governing 

financing are archaic 

and need revision. 

Besides, in Pakistan a major 

chunk of the cost of electioneering 

is covered by funds 

the rich individuals contribute, 

some voluntarily and others 

reluctantly, but companies do 

not support political parties 

through direct donations. 

The corporate world seems 

to be adjusting with the changing 

country’s power structure. 

Generally they hide their contempt 

for democracy behind 

the argument that politics is 

not a business of the business. 

However, in their individual 

capacity, they do support candidates 

and political parties 

financially. 

Some corporate execu- 

attack on a checkpoint in the 

northwestern town of Tank. 

Pakistan's seven tribal districts 

near the Afghan border, 

including North Waziristan, 

are strongholds of Taliban and 

Al Qaeda operatives. 

Fighters opposed to the 

government, particularly the 

nebulous TTP network, have 

carried out bomb and gun attacks 

across Pakistan since 

July 2007. 

A Nato air strike on the 

border killed 24 Pakistani soldiers 

on November 26, with 

Islamabad calling it a deliberate 

attack. 

Pakistan refused to take 

part in a Nato inquiry into 

the incident, having criticised 

previous investigations into 

cross-border attacks as worthless. 

Instead, it has sought a 

formal apology from US President 

Barack Obama. Islamabad 

has kept its Afghan border 

tives express frustration over 

demands of donations from 

political heavyweights they 

find difficult to ignore in the 

current political scenario, an 

informal limited survey based 

on interviews revealed. 

However, many manufacturers, 

vendors and service 

providers look forward to the 

election as an event that generates 

extra demand-driven 

business bonus for them. 

The printers, textiles, auto 

sector, commodity traders, 

contractors, realtors, lobbyists, 

advertisers, computer service 

providers, cell phone operators, 

media houses, security 

agencies, event managers, hoteliers, 

etc, hope a major spur 

in their activity over the year 

ahead and are gearing up for 

exciting times. 

People are generally too 

preoccupied with politics in 

the public discourse to notice 

closed to Natoconvoys since 

November 26, boycotted the 

Bonn conference on Afghanistan 

and ordered Americans to 

leave an air base understood to 

have been a hub for CIA drone 

strikes on the Taliban. 

The interior minister, meanwhile, 

said yesterday former 

president Pervez Musharraf 

will be arrested in connection 

with the assassination of 

former premier Benazir Bhutto 

if he returns to Pakistan, 

“There should be no doubt 

in anyone’s mind that Mr 

Musharraf will be arrested by 

the police as soon as he lands 

in Pakistan,” Rehman Malik 

said. Addressing a rally in 

southern port city of Karachi 

on Sunday via video hookup 

from Dubai, Musharraf said he 

would return at the end of the 

month to prepare for the next 

parliamentary elections. 

— AFP/dpa 

Elections budget to rise significantly 

the business side of elections. 

If five times bigger India is 

reported to have spent one trillion 

Indian rupees in the last 

election, it would be inappropriate 

to assume one-fifth of 

that amount being spent here. 

The figure of an election 

cost that one gets, based on 

simple arithmetic, is Rs 400 

billion. 

Many executives contacted 

did not want to be quoted but 

accepted the projected figure 

as credible. They lamented the 

absence of dependable data in 

this regard and demanded of 

the Election Commission to 

monitor and regulate election 

spending to avoid wastage of 

valuable national resources. 

The current spending limit 

specified in the rules of Election 

Commission on electioneering 

by a provincial assembly 

candidate is one million 

rupees. — Internews 

Cash compensation as power subsidy? 

ISLAMABAD — Pakistani 

government is considering 

following the Iranian model 

of restricting fuel and energy 

subsidies under which market 

prices are recovered from consumers 

who are then compensated 

through a cash grant. 

Under its economic reform 

plan, Iran recently replaced 

fuel and food subsidies with 

the cash transfer programme 

that was praised by most of 

its critics, including the International 

Monetary Fund and 

World Bank whose largest 

shareholder, US, maintains an 

aggressive posture towards it. 

An official told yesterday 

that Iran had adopted the costrecovery 

approach under its 

reform plan last year, done 

away with subsidies on fuel 

and introduced the cash transfer 

programme to make policy 

changes feasible. 

In the first year of implementation 

— that was delayed 

for a couple of months — Iran 

is reported to have saved over 

$6 billion, which is more than 

the reported Rs 500 billion 

loss Pakistan’s public sector 

corporations suffer every year. 

Pakistan set a target of providing 

Rs 50 billion subsidy 

to power sector consumers in 

the current year’s budget, but 

the amount is now estimated 

to increase to Rs 350 billion, 

owing to delay in implementation 

of a cabinet decision to 

pass on power tariff increases 

to consumers as the gap between 

sale price and cost of 

supply widened to about Rs 2 

per unit in the absence of any 

success in the loss-reduction 

programme. 

The official said the Iranian 

government had complemented 

its subsidy withdrawal 

programme with a significant 

programme of public education 

and communication, explaining 

the changes and how 

people could gain from cash 

transfers. 

“We are considering to 

adopt a similar approach and 

pursue a public communication 

plan to link cash transfers 

with the tariff increases,” he 

said. 

He said the relationship 

between the consumption behaviour 

of rich households and 

conservation and efficiency 

would be an important factor 

of the proposed strategy 

because there were benefits 

of increasing tariffs, more for 

those who could reduce consumption. 

“If the pricing signal leads 

to better management and use 

of electricity, it will reduce 

power generation needs, lower 

costs, increase conservation 

and reduce the gap between 

supply and demand.” 

The official, who currently 

works for the ministry 

of finance to advise on policy 

reforms, criticised a recent decision 

of the ministry of water 

and power under which the 

benefit of highly subsidised 

first 100 units was also provided 

to high-end consumers 

with monthly consumption of 

more than 700 units. 

“This is misuse of subsidy 

under which rich people are 

using cheap electricity for 

heating swimming pools at the 

cost of the national exchequer.” 

He said the government 

had firmed up policy recommendations 

to increase the 

slab for lifeline power consumers 

to 100 units per month 

from the existing 50. 

The rates for lifeline consumers 

will be gradually increased 

to about Rs 10 per 

unit over two to three years 

and they will get back the cost 

of 100 units through bank accounts 

or vouchers. This will 

encourage them to contain 

power consumption. The pattern 

will also be used for consumers 

using up to 300 units 

per month. All consumers using 

more than 300 units will 

be charged a little higher than 

the cost of power supply with 

higher rates for high-end consumers. 

— Internews 

SRI Lankan dancers perform during the annual Perahera festival of the historic Kelaniya Buddhist Temple in Kelaniya. 

Hundreds of devotees and onlookers gathered for the annual elephant pageant, held on the night before the full moon 

day in January, to commemorate the visit of Lord Buddha to the temple. Colourful dancers, drummers, whip crackers, 

fire eaters, musicians and devotees take part in the pageant that parades through the main streets of Kelaniya. — AFP

9 REGION 



RUSSIAN sailors standing to attention on board the Russian aircraft carrier Kuznetsov docked in the Syrian port of Tartous, along the Mediterranean Sea, as they wait 

for a visit by Syrian Minister of Defence General Dawood Rajiha. Right: Rajiha (L) is greeted on board the ship. — AFP 

League presses on with Syria mission 

DAMASCUS — The Arab 

League yesterday pressed on 

with its mission to halt 10 

months of bloodshed in Syria. 

Turkey, which has openly 

called for Syrian President 

Bashar al Assad to step down, 

meanwhile, called on the opposition 

to keep up its resistance 

through “peaceful means.” 

After a meeting with the 

opposition Syrian National 

Council on Sunday in Istanbul, 

a foreign ministry spokesman 

in Ankara urged the opposition 

to carry on with their resistance. 

“The Syrian opposition demands 

democracy and we told 

them during a meeting yesterday 

(Sunday) that this should 

be done through peaceful 

means,” he said, referring to 

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s 

talks with the SNC. 

Iraq police 

mark 90th 

birthday 

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s fledgling 

police force, completely 

reformed after the 2003 

US-led invasion, yesterday 

marked 90 years since its 

foundation at a time of sectarian 

tensions in the face of 

political deadlock. 

The force, which has 

apologised for acts committed 

during the rule of 

Saddam Hussein, held ceremonies 

in major cities such 

as Baghdad and Basra, after 

the army marked its 91st 

anniversary with a huge parade 

in the capital’s heavily-fortified 

Green Zone on 

Friday. 

Prime Minister Nuri al 

Maliki, attending a police 

parade in Baghdad, paid 

tribute to the force but called 

on political rivals to resist 

politicising it amid concerns 

among his opponents that 

exactly that is taking place. 

“We must not politicise 

the police — the most dangerous 

of problems will affect 

the security process if 

they become politicised,” 

Maliki said in a speech. 

The premier also voiced 

hope that the police will be 

able to handle security on 

their own across the country, 

without assistance from the 

Iraqi army, by next year. 

Official claims that Iraq’s 

security forces are largely 

able to maintain internal security, 

if not defend its borders, 

have been dealt a blow 

by two sets of deadly attacks 

since US forces completed 

their withdrawal three weeks 

ago. 

Interior ministry security 

forces, made up of city, oil 

and federal police as well as 

border guards and the facilities 

protection service, now 

number around 650,000, according 

to government figures 

issued in October. 

On Sunday, the interior 

ministry issued a statement 

apologising for the actions 

of police during Saddam’s 

rule. 

“Security forces in the interior 

ministry apologise for 

the practices that took place 

during the former regime,” 

the ministry said. “They 

were forced to carry out 

practices that were not their 

duties.” — AFP 

At a meeting in Cairo the 

same day, an Arab ministerial 

committee gave its observer 

mission to Syria the green 

light to carry on and pledged to 

boost the number of monitors. 

The committee “decided to 

give Arab League observers 

the necessary time to continue 

their mission according to the 

protocol,” which sets a onemonth 

term, renewable with 

the agreement of both sides. 

The ministers agreed to increase 

the number of observers 

and said they may seek 

“technical assistance from the 

United Nations” in the face of 

unrest that the world body said 

last month has cost more than 

5,000 lives. 

The committee urged Damascus 

“to fully and immediately 

implement its commitments” 

under the Arab 

plan, calling on all parties “to 

immediately stop all forms of 

violence.” 

The Syrian Revolution 

General Commission, grouping 

activists on the ground, 

said the meeting fell “short 

of expectations.” The League 

should use the “necessary 

means” to halt the violence or 

admit failure, it said. 

The head of the mission, 

General Mohammed Ahmed 

Mustafa al Dabi, is to give a 

report to the League on January 

19 on Syria’s compliance 

with the peace plan, the ministers 

said. 

Qatari Prime Minister 

Shaikh Hamad bin Jassem al 

Thani, who chaired the Cairo 

meeting, called on Syria to 

“take a historic decision” to 

stop the bloodshed. 

A report by the observ- 

ers discussed at the meeting 

showed that “killing has been 

reduced. But even one killing 

(is too much),” said Shaikh 

Hamad. 

Shaikh Hamad said the 

League hoped to raise the 

number of observers to 300 

“within the next few days” 

from around 163 now deployed. 

The team of Arab League 

monitors has been in Syria 

since December 26 to oversee 

a deal to protect civilians, but 

the death toll has mounted despite 

its presence. 

Security force fire killed 

at least three more civilians 

yesterday, the Syrian Observatory 

for Human Rights said in 

Nicosia. 

Two people were shot dead 

in the flashpoint central province 

of Hama and near Damas- 

cus, while a woman was killed 

in an attack by security forces 

in Idlib province of northwest 

Syria, the Britain-based watchdog 

said. 

It called for Arab monitors 

to travel to a region of Hama 

where it said 12 tanks and armoured 

personnel carriers had 

been deployed in violation of 

the peace plan. 

A television channel close 

to the government, Dunia, said 

a convoy of Arab monitors 

came under fire from a “terrorist 

group” in Syria’s third 

largest city, Homs, wounding 

a driver. 

In an apparent vote of confidence, 

Pope Benedict XVI 

said he hoped the Arab League 

mission would help promote 

dialogue between the government 

and its opponents. 

“I pray for a rapid end to 

IRAQI police women march during a parade to mark 90 years since its foundation in Baghdad yesterday. — AFP 

Bahrain court overturns 

death terms of two 

DUBAI — Bahrain’s cassation court yesterday annulled the 

death sentences of two people and the life imprisonment of 

three others convicted of killing two policemen in unrest last 

year, a lawyer said. 

Ali Abdullah Hasan al Singace and Abdul Aziz Abdullah 

Ibrahim Hussein were sentenced to death by a semi-military 

court established under a state of “national safety” declared by 

King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa ahead of the mid-March action 

on the month-long protests demanding democratic change. 

“The verdicts were annulled and sent to the lower court of 

appeal,” said lawyer Mohsen al Alawi, part of the team defending 

Singace. 

Initially, the National Safety Court of First Instance last 

April sentenced four defendants to death, and three to life in 

jail, including two tried in absentia. 

An appeal court commuted the sentences of two of the convicts 

to life in prison and upheld the death sentence of Singace 

and Hussein. The verdicts against those at large were not appealed. 

“This is a positive verdict. We are optimistic,” said Alawi, 

pointing out that a new witness, a policeman, has surfaced 

since the appeal verdict was announced. 

“His statement has been taken by the public prosecution 

and we shall use it,” in the forthcoming retrial, he said. 

The seven were accused of running over two policemen — 

Kashif Ahmed Manzur and Mohammed Farouk Abdulsamad. 

Their trial began on April 17, with BNA state news agency 

reporting at the time that the defendants were accused of committing 

voluntary homicide of public officials with “terrorist” 

aims. 

Witnesses addressed the tribunal and a video allegedly 

showing the attackers in cars hitting police was played, according 

to the agency. — AFP 

the bloodshed and the beginning 

of a fruitful dialogue 

between the political forces, 

encouraged by the presence 

of independent observers,” the 

head of the Roman Catholic 

Church said. 

Western efforts to raise 

the crisis at the UN Security 

Council have been stymied by 

Damascus ally Moscow. 

Russia has a recently expanded 

naval base at Tartus on 

Syria’s Mediterranean coast, 

where it docked a large flotilla 

headed by Admiral Kuznetsov 

on Saturday. 

Defence Minister General 

Dawood Rajiha paid tribute 

to Russia’s “consistent and 

honourable position in support 

of Syria,” when he 

toured the carrier on Sunday, 

the official Sana news agency 

reported. — AFP 

Yemen’s premier on Gulf 

tour to seek financial aid 

SANAA — Yemen’s Prime 

Minister Mohammed 

Basindawa began a tour to 

the country’s Gulf neighbours 

yesterday to seek urgently 

needed aid for an economy 

approaching collapse. 

Basindawa, formerly an 

opposition leader who is now 

leading a transitional government, 

heads in search of 

financial help while political 

tensions at home remain acute 

and protests continue against 

the deal that brought him to 

power. 

The tour aims to raise 

“immediate support to face 

Yemen’s budget deficit,” and 

will see the prime minister 

visit Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, 

Kuwait and Qatar, Basindawa 

told Al Arabiya news channel. 

“We are counting on this 

tour, mainly on the visit to 

Saudi Arabia... especially 

since we have inherited an 

empty treasury,” he said. 

Last month, UN agencies 

said nearly four million 

Yemenis will be affected by 

the country’s political and 

economic crisis in 2012, more 

than half of whom will suffer 

from acute food shortages. 

Meanwhile, Yemen’s interim 

government has approved 

a legal proposal to extend amnesty 

to President Ali Abdullah 

Saleh and his departing 

government, according to Al 

Jazeera broadcaster. 

The move surprised many 

in Yemen, where opposition 

forces have called for Saleh’s 

prosecution in the killing of 

hundreds of protesters during 

months of opposition demonstrations. 

The proposed law, which 

must be adopted by Parliament, 

was put forward by 

Yemen’s new national unity 

government, which includes 

opposition and loyalist ministers. 

The law opens the path for 

the departure of Saleh, in accordance 

with a long-standing 

proposal by the Gulf Co-operation 

Council to resolve the 

crisis. Saleh said in November 

he would depart but only under 

the condition that he receive 

amnesty. 

Saleh is titular president 

until February 21, when a new 

president is to be elected. The 

transitional government was 

formed in early December 

with equal weight to Saleh’s 

party and the opposition. 

The United Nations has 

called the political transition 

“precarious.” “It cannot 

be claimed that the unrest is 

over,” UN special envoy Jamal 

Benomar told the UN Security 

Council in late December. 

Benomar said Al Qaeda 

militants had been very active 

and gained ground in southern 

Yemen during the popular unrest 

against Saleh and the political 

vacuum there. He said 

the militants “very cleverly” 

exploited popular grievances 

against the government because 

of shortage in electricity 

and government services. 

“The development in the 

south is very worrying,” Benomar 

told reporters. — AFP 

Police blamed for 

deaths in Egypt 

CAIRO — Lawyers for 

victims’ families in the trial 

of ousted president Hosni 

Mubarak charged that 

Egyptian police were ordered 

to use lethal fire against 

protesters in the revolt which 

brought him down. 

The ailing, 83-year-old 

Mubarak lay on a stretcher 

in the defendants’ cage at the 

trial in which the prosecution 

has called for him to be 

hanged for the killing of 

hundreds of demonstrators in 

the January-February 2011 

revolt. 

Sameh Ashour, lead 

counsel for victims’ families 

in the Cairo trial, submitted 

official documents which he 

said showed that 160 police 

officers had been armed with 

automatic weapons and 4,800 

live rounds. 

The lawyer also showed 

a report from the Central 

Security Forces that four 

units, each made up of 50 

policemen, had been supplied 

with automatic weapons and 

ammunition. 

A speech by Mubarak 

on January 28, three days 

after the outbreak of the 

unrest, amounted to “implicit 

recognition of the use of 

force against demonstrators,” 

according to Ashour. 

Mubarak said he had 

given instructions for 

police “to protect the 

demonstrations... before they 

turn into riots.” 

Lawyers for civil 

plaintiffs have until today to 

present their case before the 

defence takes its turn, after 

the prosecution last week 

urged the court to sentence 

the fallen strongman to hang. 

“The law punishes 

premeditated murder with 

execution. The prosecution 

demands the maximum 

punishment,” Mustafa Khater 

told the presiding judge, 

Ahmed Refaat. 

Mubarak, detained in a 

military hospital where he 

is being treated for a heart 

condition, is on trial along 

with seven former security 

chiefs. The defence is to 

argue their innocence. 

Chief prosecutor Mustafa 

Suleiman told the court 

that Mubarak must have 

ordered police to open fire on 

protesters during the 18-day 

uprising that ended his threedecade 

rule on February 11, 

leaving more than 850 dead. 

Essam el Batawy, a 

defence lawyer, said the 

prosecution’s closing 

arguments were based, 

in part, on statements 

from witnesses they had 

questioned during their 

investigation who had not 

taken the stand. 

“They used partial quotes 

from their testimony,” he 

said. “We will insist on 

listening to these witnesses 

in court,” saying they will be 

called to testify. 

Mubarak went to trial on 

August 3, after protesters 

stepped up demonstrations 

calling on the ruling military 

to try him and other former 

regime officials. 

None of the police 

witnesses summoned by 

the prosecution has directly 

implicated Mubarak. 

The country’s military 

ruler, Field Marshal Hussein 

Tantawi, Mubarak’s defence 

minister for two decades, 

testified behind closed 

doors, but lawyers said 

he did not incriminate the 

ousted leader. — AFP 

Khamenei says Iran 

will resist sanctions 

TEHRAN — Iran will not falter in the face of Western-imposed 

sanctions, the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali 

Khamenei, said in comments broadcast on state television yesterday. 

“The firm decision of the Islamic Republic is to resist the 

pressures” of Western powers, Khamenei said. 

“While the Iranian people have travelled the road to success 

and see the signs of new victories to come, the (Western) oppressor 

is trying to frighten the Iranian people and officials by 

brandishing the threat of sanctions.” 

While analysts and some in Iran’s government have said 

the latest round of sanctions have hit Iran’s economy, the top 

leader dismissed claims that the strategy will block his country 

from pursuing its goals. 

“Western officials have declared on a number of occasions 

that, with sanctions and pressure, they want to discourage 

the people and lead officials to renounce their plans, but they 

are mistaken and they will not achieve their objectives,” said 

Khamenei. 

The European Union is joining the United States in ratcheting 

up sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, which 

the West believes masks a drive to develop an atomic weapons 

capability. 

Iran, which insists its nuclear programme is exclusively for 

peaceful purposes, has said it is “not concerned” by the imminent 

EU embargo. It says it will easily be able to sell its oil 

to other markets. 

Iranian political and military officials have threatened to 

close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf 

if their country is threatened by military action or if sanctions 

halt oil exports. — AFP 

UAE delays oil pipeline 

to bypass Hormuz 

ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has delayed the 

launch of a crucial oil pipeline to bypass the Straits of Hormuz to 

mid-2012, which analysts said would add to supply worries at a 

time when Iran threatens to block the strait for all the Gulf’s oil. 

Oil prices have remained elevated in recent weeks as Iran 

has threatened to block the strait should the West impose 

tougher sanctions on its oil industry as part of a standoff over 

Tehran’s nuclear programme. 

Flows through the strait are estimated at around 15-17 million 

barrels per day (bpd), or just under a fifth of global supplies, 

and a new pipeline would bypass it to carry most of the 

UAE’s oil, 1.5 million bpd, to global markets. 

“The pipeline is almost complete. Hopefully it will be operational 

within six months, by May, June,” the UAE’s Oil 

Minister, Mohammed bin Dhaen al Hamli, told reporters on 

the sidelines of an energy conference in Abu Dhabi. 

The previous deadline for the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline 

(ADCOP) project was set in April. 

“There is delay; it is a lot of work. It is not only construction 

of the project, but it also has to be filled,” Hamli said. 

The first tests have been done on the pipeline, industry 

sources said, adding that the first cargo from Fujairah was 

scheduled for May. 

The pipeline would link state oil firm Abu Dhabi National 

Oil Company’s Habshan oilfields to the port of Fujairah, one 

of the top three bunkering hubs and a major oil storage terminal 

outside the Straits. 

Abu Dhabi government-owned International Petroleum 

Investment Company (IPIC) is undertaking the project, and 

China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation 

is the engineering, procurement and construction contractor 

(EPC). — Reuters

NEWS IN BRIEF 

‘High command will decide 

about Mamata ministry’ 

STRAINING the ties with alliance 

partner Trinamool Congress further, the 

Congress' West Bengal unit yesterday 

said the decision on whether to leave 

the government will be taken by its 

party high command and not by the 

Trinamool's leadership. 

Taking the fight to the state secretariat 

itself for the first time, the Congress 

sought to remind Chief Minister Mamata 

Banerjee to perform her 'Raj Dharma 

(policy)' impartially. 

"Whether we will leave the state 

cabinet or not, it will be decided by our 

party high command. The day our high 

command asks us to leave the ministry, 

we will leave this ministry. We have not 

got ministries because of somebody’s 

wish or help. We have got ministries 

because of Congress high command,” 

said Manoj Chakraborty, Congress leader 

and Minister of State for Parliamentary 

Affairs. 

Delhi Governor expresses 

hope in MCD trifurcation 

DELHI Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna 

yesterday expressed hope that with 

trifurcation of the Municipal Corporation 

of Delhi (MCD) the day-to-day problems 

of residents will be addressed more 

“effectively” and “expeditiously". 

In his address to the Delhi Legislative 

Assembly on the opening day of the 

winter session, Khanna said: “With three 

new smaller municipal bodies, the dayto-day 

problems of the citizens of Delhi 

will be addressed more expeditiously and 

effectively.” 

“A widely shared desire will be 

realised shortly with trifurcation of 

the Municipal Corporation of Delhi,” 

Khanna said. The Bharatiya Janata 

Party (BJP) MLAs kept shouting 

anti-government slogans sporadically 

during Khanna's speech whenever 

he highlighted achievements of the 

Congress-led government. 

Cong highlights farmers 

plight in Madhya Pradesh 

THE Congress in Madhya Pradesh held 

a statewide 'jail bharo' (court arrest) 

agitation yesterday against the Shivraj 

Singh Chouhan government's failure 

to provide farmers with fertilisers and 

adequate power supply. 

While state Congress president 

Kantilal Bhuria led the protest in the 

state capital, leader of opposition in the 

assembly Ajay Singh Rahul was heading 

the stir in the financial capital Indore. 

Similar protests were being held in the 

other 48 districts of the state. 

"We have decided to observe 2012 as 

'Madhya Pradesh Bachao Year' against 

Chouhan's 'Aao Banaye Apna Madhya 

Pradesh' as the state government has 

failed to provide fertilisers and electricity 

to drought-hit farmers," Bhuria told 

reporters before launching the protest in 

Bhopal. 

Ten train passengers 

found drugged, robbed 

TEN passengers in a general, unreserved 

compartment of the Delhi-Patna 

Shramjeevi Express were yesterday 

found drugged at Danapur railway 

station near Patna and their valuables 

worth Rs 150,000 stolen, police said. 

The valuables included cash, cellphones, 

wrist watches and other belongings. The 

passengers were admitted at Danapur 

railway hospital where three of them are 

said to be unconscious. 

Ram Pukar Singh, a railway police 

official at Patna junction, said there has 

been a rise in cases of poor passengers 

being drugged. "The gang members first 

befriend the passengers on long distance 

trains. They offer tea, coffee, biscuits or 

other eatables laced with sedatives or 

intoxicants. When their prey becomes 

unconscious, they steal all the valuables," 

he said. 

TDSAT adjourns hearing 

on 3G roaming till Jan 17 

THE Telecom Disputes Settlement and 

Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) yesterday 

adjourned till January 17 the case on 3G 

roaming after the Department of Telecom 

(DoT) requested for a copy of the 

confidential agreements signed between 

operators. 

The DoT said being the licensor they 

should be given a copy of the agreements 

which have already been submitted to the 

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India 

(TRAI). Earlier this month, the DoT had 

challenged TDSAT's jurisdiction over 

the matter and stressed that the tribunal 

cannot entertain the petition which alters 

the licence conditions. 

A two-judge bench headed by Justice 

(retd) S B Sinha said the hearing on both 

the issues — whether the copy of the 

agreements should be disclosed to the 

DoT and if TDSAT had the jurisdiction 

to decide on the 3G roaming issue — 

will be discussed January 17. 

Last year, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and 

Idea Cellular had entered into roaming 

agreements to offer 3G services such as 

video calling, mobile TV and multimedia 

gaming. — IANS 

SRINAGAR — The Kashmir Valley, 

which had plunged into darkness on 

Friday evening after two transmission 

lines bringing electricity from 

the northern power grid snapped, 

was in for some respite yesterday after 

one of the lines was restored. 

"The 400 KV Kishenpur-Wagoora 

transmission line was restored 

on Sunday evening. Electric supply 

has been restored in most areas of 

Srinagar, Ganderbal, Badgam, Baramulla, 

Kupwara, Anantnag, Kulgam, 

Shopian, Pulwama and Bandipora 

towns, except for some local 

faults in south Kashmir's far-flung 

areas which are being corrected," 

said Muhammad Muzaffar Mattoo, 

chief engineer (electric maintenance) 

Kashmir. 

"We have restored power supply 

to Gulmarg. We have also restored 

electricity to the far-flung areas of 

Tangdhar and Keran. We are in the 

process of restoring the supply in 

Pahalgam," Mattoo informed. 

The electric supply in Kashmir 

has improved from a bare 87 megawatts 

to over 700 megawatts. 

"We are supplying over 700 megawatts 

of power in the valley and are 

importing more to take up the availability 

to 1,000 megawatts. This will 

restore normal supply throughout 

the valley today," said Mattoo. 

The chief engineer added that the 

other major power transmission line, 

the 220 KV Kishenpur-Pampore 

line, was also being restored. 

“The restoration work on the 

Kishenpur-Pampore line is on. The 

electric power situation is near normal 

now. All essential supplies, 

including those to hospitals, water 

filtration plants, airports, dewatering 

stations and the supply position 

to the consumers, are running on 

schedule. The worst is already over," 

the chief engineer said. 

Meanwhile, the Srinagar-Jammu 

highway, struck by a massive 

avalanche, was yesterday opened to 

10 INDIA 



A KASHMIRI boatman uses his oar to break through ice on Dal Lake in Srinagar yesterday. A cold 

wave further tightened its grip in Jammu and Kashmir with most places in the state recording sub-zero 

temperatures. The icy temperatures have frozen many bodies of water in Kashmir. — AFP 

Power supply nearly restored 

one-way traffic, allowing supplies to 

reach the snowed-in Kashmir Valley 

from the state's winter capital 

Jammu. 

Border Roads Organisation's 

chief engineer Brigadier T S Rawat, 

who is supervising the road opening 

operations, said: "Traffic will move 

on the road from Jammu to Srinagar. 

No vehicles will be allowed to travel 

in the opposite direction." 

He said all the stranded vehicles 

on the highway were allowed to 

move towards Srinagar. "Stranded 

vehicles carrying passengers and 

essential supplies to the valley have 

been allowed to move on priority 

basis on the highway," Rawat said. 

"I have been personally supervising 

the road clearance operations 

from Patnitop to Banihal tunnel. 

Our boys had a tough time cutting 

through the 15-foot-high avalanche 

that struck the road yesterday (Sunday) 

at Panthal," he said. — IANS 

Infosys prizes for noted scientists 

BANGALORE — Former president 

A P J Abdul Kalam yesterday 

awarded six distinguished scientists 

with the Infosys Prize 2011, instituted 

by the Infosys Science Foundation, 

a not-for-profit trust set up 

by India’s IT bellwether. 

The winners are Kanpur Genetic 

Algorithms Laboratory director 

Kalyanmoy Deb in engineering and 

computer science, Centre for Cellular 

and Molecular Biology scientist 

Imran Siddiqi in life sciences, 

Stanford University professor Kannan 

Soundararajan in mathematical 

sciences and Indian Institute of Science 

(IISc) physics professor Sriram 

Ramaswamy in physical sciences. 

University of Chicago professor 

Raghuram G Rajan and Centre 

for Policy Research chief executive 

Pratap Bhanu Mehta were awarded 

in Social Sciences (Economics and 

Political Science and International 

Relations respectively). 

In recognition of their outstanding 

achievements and contributions 

in scientific field and social arena, 

Kalam honoured each of the winners 

with a prize money of Rs 50 

CHENNAI — Nuclear power plant 

operator Nuclear Power Corporation 

of India Ltd (NPCIL) has restarted 

its second unit at its Madras 

Atomic Power Station (MAPS) that 

was shut down for maintenance and 

surveillance tests last week, said an 

official. 

"The unit was restarted on Sunday 

afternoon and it is now feeding 

110 MW to the grid. The generation 

will be increased to 150 MW soon," 

MAPS station director K Ramamurthy 

said. 

NPCIL has two units at MAPS, 

located at Kalpakkam around 80 km 

from Chennai, generating around 

150 MW each. The rated capacity 

of the reactors is 220 MW. 

"Availability of uranium is the issue 

in increasing generation," Ramamurthy 

said. He said the unit was 

taking necessary steps to augment 

the safety measures recommended 

by the Atomic Energy Regulatory 

Board (AERB) so as to secure the 

five-year operational licence rather 

than a temporary one. 

lakh ($100,000), a 22-karat gold 

medallion and a citation expounding 

the Infosys laureate’s work. 

The noted scientists were selected 

by the Foundation trustees and 

the eminent jury panels comprising 

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen for 

Social Sciences, Shrinivas Kulkarni 

(physical sciences), Pradeep K. 

Khosla (engineering and computer 

science), S.R. Varadhan (mathematical 

sciences) and Inder Verma (life 

sciences). 

The Foundation is funded by a 

corpus of Rs 100 crore (Rs10 billion), 

contributed by the trustees 

and an annual grant from the global 

software major. The Infosys Prize is 

amongst highest in terms of money 

given for any award in India. 

Trust president and the company’s 

former director T V Mohandas 

Pai also announced on the occasion 

that the Foundation would introduce 

a prize for Humanities from this 

year (2012) covering philosophy, 

history, archaeology, linguistics 

and literary studies. Congratulating 

the winners, Kalam said the awards 

celebrate the success of researchers, 

Both the units of MAPS have licences 

to operate till March 2012. 

Every nuclear power plant in 

India has to renew its operational 

licence once in five years. With the 

accident in Fukushima reactors in 

Japan, additional safety measures 

have been suggested by AERB to 

NPCIL for its units. The NPCIL has 

also been asked for an implementation 

road map. 

Meanwhile, in order to put into 

productive use its engineers at the 

stalled Kudankulam Nuclear Power 

Project (KNPP), the Nuclear Power 

Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) 

has started transferring them to 

other upcoming projects in India, an 

official said yesterday. 

"It has been three months since 

the work at the 2,000 MW power 

project came to a standstill. So some 

engineers have been transferred 

to the upcoming power projects at 

Kakrapar (Gujarat) and Rajasthan," 

a senior NPCIL official said on condition 

of anonymity. 

NPCIL is building two 700 MW 

their research work and their teachers 

from school to university. 

“We live in a knowledge-based 

era and a nation’s strength is truly 

judged by the quality of collective 

knowledge. It is important to recognise 

and encourage productive 

academic pursuits. Initiatives like 

Infosys Prize will boost the confidence 

of researchers in physical, 

biological and social sciences and 

related fields,” he said after presenting 

the awards. 

Lauding the winners for worldclass 

contributions in their respective 

areas of specialisation, Infosys 

chairman emeritus N R Narayana 

Murthy said the prestigious prize for 

the third year was a commitment to 

encourage the distinguished scientists 

at a time when it could make a 

greater difference to their career and 

attract young minds to research. 

“The winners’ effort and dedication 

to science, discovery and development 

will inspire educationists 

and researchers in India and world 

over to strive harder to excel in science 

and technology and attain global 

recognition,” he said.— IANS 

Nuke station restarts one unit 

atomic power plants in Gujarat and 

Rajasthan. He said around 12 officials 

belonging to mechanical, civil 

and fuel disciplines have been transferred 

from KNPP. 

India’s nuclear power plant operator 

NPCIL is building two 1,000 

MW atomic power reactors at Kudankulam 

in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli, 

around 650 km from Chennai, 

at an outlay of Rs 13,171 crore. 

The first unit was slated to be 

commissioned in December. However, 

villagers, citing fears for their 

lives and safety, brought all the 

project-related activities to a standstill. 

“The district administration 

monitors the number of people who 

enter the project site. They do not 

allow more than 100 officials in a 

day. We are sending people on rotation 

so that they do not lose their 

morale,” the NPCIL official said. 

He said the condition of the 

coolant water in the first reactor is 

being monitored and water chemistry 

maintained. — IANS 

‘Operation cover-up’ 

keeps officials busy 

LUCKNOW – With only two 

days to go before the January 

11 deadline, officials were 

yesterday busy covering up 

statues of Uttar Pradesh Chief 

Minister Mayawati and of elephants, 

the ruling BSP's symbol, 

in Noida and Lucknow 

to comply with the Election 

Commission order. 

While the implementation 

of Chief Election Commissioner 

S Y Quraishi‘s directive 

that all the statues must be 

covered by January 11 had begun 

on Sunday evening, work 

began in real earnest yesterday 

morning. 

“The task is huge and 

would require both the procurement 

of material and arrangement 

of manpower," said 

Lucknow District Magistrate 

Anil Kumar Sagar. “We will 

do our best to get the work 

completed latest by Wednesday 

evening.” 

The unusual order has 

sparked a debate across Uttar 

Pradesh, which holds assembly 

elections over seven phas- 

NEW DELHI — India kicks 

off its Africa diplomacy this 

year by rolling out the red 

carpet for President Amadou 

Toumani Toure of Mali, the 

landlocked mineral-rich West 

African country, during his 

three-day state visit that begins 

here today. 

Prime Minister Manmohan 

Singh will hold talks with 

Toure tomorrow to ramp up 

bilateral ties across the spectrum, 

including the intensification 

of economic ties and 

developmental co-operation 

between the two countries. 

The two sides will also discuss 

a cluster of global issues, 

including the international 

financial crisis, counter-terrorism, 

the UN reforms and 

climate change. 

Some agreements in the 

areas of developmental cooperation 

and capacity build- 

Partnership Summit in Andhra 

HYDERABAD — For the 

first time in nearly three years, 

Andhra Pradesh is set to bid 

for attracting investments 

when it hosts the 2012 Partnership 

Summit here from 

tomorrow. 

After months of agitation 

over the demand for separate 

Telangana state and the political 

uncertainty, which saw the 

state losing the 2010 Summit 

to Chennai and cancellation 

of last year's Global Investors' 

Meet, the state would be holding 

the premier mega business 

event. 

The state government says 

it has already received 140 

investment proposals worth 

Rs 3.15 lakh crore, with a potential 

for employing 2.5 lakh 

people, for the three-day summit. 

According to a statement 

from the chief minister's office, 

the proposals cover mega 

es in February. 

While opposition parties 

are thrilled over the Election 

Commission conceding their 

demand, the ruling Bahujan 

Samaj Party has taken strong 

exception to the EC move. 

“This is the right step. After 

all, Mayawati’s statues 

are all over the place together 

with those of elephants in the 

several parks and memorials 

created by her with government 

funds worth thousands 

of crores. How can those be 

kept open when we are not 

even allowed to put up posters 

or banners," said Samajwadi 

Party leader Shiv Pal Yadav. 

BSP spokesperson Swami 

Prasad Maurya countered him 

by labelling the poll panel's 

move unfair. 

“If elephants have to be 

wrapped up because elephant 

is also the BSP symbol and 

the Election Commission 

thinks the statues can influence 

voters, then why don’t 

they cover every lotus growing 

in ponds and not allow any 

ing are expected to be signed 

after the talks, said informed 

sources. Mali is Africa's second 

largest producer of long 

staple cotton after Egypt and 

the third largest producer of 

gold in the continent. 

Toure, popularly known 

as "soldier of democracy", 

will also address top industry 

leaders at an interactive lunch 

where he is expected to pitch 

for greater Indian investment 

in his country. 

The two sides will explore 

collaboration in areas of agriculture 

and agro-processing 

industries that have huge potential. 

India's relations with Mali 

have been steadily growing 

in the past decade. During 

2009-10, goods worth $42.24 

million were exported to Mali 

from India. 

Indian exports to Mali 

projects, public sector undertakings 

and sectors like information 

technology, power, 

infrastructure and tourism. 

Organised by the Confederation 

of Indian Industry 

(CII) with the theme "New 

Age Innovation Partnerships", 

the event will see the participation 

of policy-makers and 

business delegations from 

about 30 countries. The summit 

would be the platform for 

exploring the various facets of 

innovation that can drive future 

global growth and the role 

that India can play in fostering 

and strengthening the forces 

of such innovation. 

The countries which have 

so far confirmed their participation 

include the United 

States, China, Italy, Israel, 

Kuwait, the Czech Republic, 

Mali, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, 

Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, 

South Africa, Turkey, Uganda, 

individual on the street to raise 

his hand," he said, referring to 

the Bharatiya Janata Party's 

symbol of the lotus and the 

Congress's hand symbol. 

Some political analysts 

were of the view that the 

move could prove counterproductive 

and ultimately 

help Mayawati consolidate 

her Dalit vote bank. 

“I would not be surprised if 

Mayawati tries and twists this 

to gain sympathy by raising 

her usual ‘Dalit ki beti’ bogey 

to impress upon her voters that 

she was being targeted simply 

because she was a Dalit and 

that tomorrow the opposition 

could even pull down all those 

statues if she was voted out,” 

said veteran journalist P C 

Tandon. 

The Congress party, which 

leads the national ruling coalition, 

has been campaigning 

hard in Uttar Pradesh, India’s 

largest and most politically 

important state, but many experts 

predict Mayawati will 

retain power. — IANS 

Mali president arriving today 

includes electricity transmission, 

cotton fabrics, cycle 

parts, machinery and machine 

parts, transport equipment, 

drugs and pharmaceuticals 

and processed food items. 

India’s imports from Mali 

are limited to raw cotton and 

few agro products like shea 

nuts. India has provided several 

lines of credit (soft loans) 

to a swathe of infrastructure 

projects to Mali. 

These include $15 million 

for rural electrification, $12 

million for agro-machinery 

and tractor assembly plant, 

11 million in three tranches 

for electricity transmission 

and distribution projects from 

Cote D’Ivoire to Mali, $20.62 

million for acquiring railway 

coaches and locomotives from 

India and $15 million for development 

of agro-industries. 

— IANS 

FIREFIGHTERS aim coloured water at a target during the annual fire drill competition 

in Mumbai yesterday. Firefighters in Mumbai took part in the annual competition to 

enhance their emergency response during fire incidents. — Reuters 

the United Arab Emirates and 

Zambia. 

Singapore's Goh Chok 

Tong, Ghana's Hanna Tetteh, 

Sri Lanka's Rishad Bathiudeen, 

United Arab Emirates' 

Shaikha Lubna bint Khalid 

al Qasimi, Zambia's Robert 

Sichinga, and Zimbabwe's 

Welshman Ncube are among 

the ministers expected to participate 

in the summit. 

There will be plenary sessions 

on subjects like "Global 

economic shocks: perfect 

storm ahead", "The India and 

USA promise: partnership for 

progress", "India and Africa: 

joining hands", "India and 

China: a new dynamic", "New 

drivers of development", 

"Corporate global citizenship 

in the 21st century" and "A 

unified earth theory: combining 

solutions to extreme poverty 

and the climate crisis". 

— IANS

PRIME Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar with President Pratibha 

Patil after being awarded with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman yesterday. — AFP 

AIIMS exam racket busted 

NEW DELHI — An elaborate 

plan to leak the question paper 

for the post-graduate entrance 

test to the All India Institute of 

Medical Sciences (AIIMS) was 

busted with the arrest of five 

people, including a doctor, in 

the capital, police said yesterday. 

Deputy Commissioner of 

Police (Crime) Ashok Chand 

said the arrests were made 

from Delhi and Noida on Sunday. 

Those arrested include an 

MBBS graduate, an MBBS student 

and two MBA graduates. 

"The mastermind of the gang, 

Mohit Choudhary, a second year 

MBBS student, was caught red 

handed with photo copies of the 

entrance test papers on Sunday 

in the national capital. It was a 

racket to leak the question papers 

of the post-graduate medical 

exam organised by AIIMS," 

Chand said. 

According to police, Choud- 

By T N Shaji 

KOCHI — A rare breed of cow 

and its milk in Kerala has again 

hogged the limelight. The Vechur 

cow, acknowledged by 

the Guinness Book of World 

Records as the smallest in the 

world (90 cm in height), is in 

the news again after a scientific 

analysis of its milk confirmed 

medicinal properties. The cow 

is an indigenous breed of Kerala. 

The Kochi-based institute’s 

study was published in the International 

Journal of Functional 

and Evolutionary Genomics 

(GENE) on December 

30, 2011. 

The study by the SCMS 

Institute of Bioscience and 

Biotechnology Research & 

Development focused on the 

anti-bacterial property in the 

protein component of the cow's 

milk. 

“It is for the first time that 

hary, 23, resident of Bulandsahar 

(Uttar Pradesh) co-ordinated 

the whole racket. He was a second 

year MBBS student from 

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh). 

The other gang members 

were Kapil Kumar, 27, MBA 

graduate from Jamia Milia and 

Krishan Pratap Singh, 27, MA 

in public administration from 

Jamia Milia and MBA from 

IMT Meerut. 

Bhishma Singh, 27, who 

was operating computers in a 

rented accommodation in Noida, 

helped them in the racket, 

while Amit Punia, who did his 

MBBS from PGI Rohtak, was 

also part of the gang. Punia appeared 

in the exam along with 

the two MBA students posing 

as medical students. 

"The gang was very well organised. 

They hired two MBA 

students and one MBBS graduate 

in the exam organised on 

Sunday. They used high-end 

a report on the milk protein of 

the Vechur cow confirmed its 

medicinal property with solid 

molecular evidence,” director 

of the institute C Mohan Kumar 

said. 

The new finding could provide 

a shot in the arm for the 

rearing of Vechur cows, which 

had been categorised by the 

Food and Agriculture Organisation 

of the United Nations as 

a critical breed, implying that it 

was facing extinction. 

“Even though the medicinal 

property of the Vechur cow's 

milk had been accepted by Ayurveda, 

an ancient treatment 

science, we had no scientific 

evidence to substantiate our 

knowledge at the genomic level,” 

Kumar said. 

The study was conducted by 

the institute, in co-ordination 

with associate scientists Salini 

Bhasker and Anisha S. 

The Lactoferrin gene of the 

cow was sequenced and ex- 

mobile phones Sony Xperia and 

Nokia Lumina to scan the question 

paper. Using blue tooth and 

earphones, the scanned copy of 

the papers were sent to an email 

ID. One of the gang members 

Bhisham Singh, who was working 

in a computer operating 

room in Noida, provided photocopy 

of the papers to Choudhary," 

the police official said. 

As soon as Punia and the two 

MBA graduates received the 

question paper at the exam venue, 

they clicked a photograph of 

it and emailed it through blue 

tooth and earphone. "For this 

purpose they used high-end mobile 

phones," added Chand. 

"The gang was to collect 

around Rs 20 to Rs 30 lakh 

from each student," the official 

added. Choudhary was to get 

the solved answers and send 

them via sms to the students 

who had given money for the 

answers. — IANS 

BJP’s star campaigners 

NEW DELHI — Ailing former 

prime minister Atal Behari 

Vajpayee and Gujarat Chief 

Minister Narendra Modi are 

among the star campaigners 

for the Bharatiya Janata Party 

in the upcoming polls in Uttar 

Pradesh and Punjab. 

Even though Vajpayee is 

ailing and barely able to get up 

from his bed, the former prime 

minister, who is one the most 

charismatic leaders of the 

party, has been listed the first 

among the party campaigners 

in the two states. 

The list, which has been 

sent to the Election Commission 

for approval, also features 

the name of Modi. A star 

campaigner for the party, he 

was last year kept out of campaigning 

in Bihar after ally Janata 

Dal-United objected due 

to his communal image. 

Modi had also kept away 

from the party's national exec- 

utive meet, and was reportedly 

also upset with party leader L 

K Advani for launching his 

anti-corruption 'yatra' from 

Bihar instead of Gujarat, from 

where the octogenerian leader 

has been elected to the Lok 

Sabha. 

There were speculations of 

Modi staying away from Uttar 

Pradesh since Sanjay Joshi, 

a party worker from Gujarat 

who was suspended and then 

re-admitted to the party, is 

one of the main in-charges of 

the state. The other key campaigners 

are Advani, Arun 

Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and 

Murli Manohar Joshi. 

Other names include Madhya 

Pradesh Chief Minister 

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chhattisgarh 

Chief Minister Raman 

Singh, Jharkhand Chief Minister 

Arjun Munda and Bihar 

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil 

Modi. Former Rajasthan chief 

minister Vasundhara Raje, 

general secretaries Ananth 

Kumar, Ravi Shankar Prasad 

and Narendra Singh Tomar, 

deputy leader of the BJP in the 

Lok Sabha Gopinath Munde, 

and his Rajya Sabha counterpart 

S S Ahluwalia also figure 

in the list. 

Among the minority campaigners 

are prominent Muslim 

faces of BJP — Shahnawaz 

Hussain and Mukhtar 

Abbas Naqvi. From Bollywood 

and sports, there will be 

Shatrughan Sinha, Hema Malini, 

Smriti Irani and Navjyot 

Singh Sidhu. 

Others the BJP will field 

for campaigning include Kalraj 

Mishra, Vinay Katiyar, 

Ramlal, Yashwant Sinha, Uma 

Bharti, Varun Gandhi, Ramapati 

Ram Tripathi, Kesarinath 

Tripathi, Ramnath Kovind, 

Saudan Singh and Radha Mohan 

Singh. — IANS 

Cow milk can cure diseases! 

pressed for the first time. The 

gene sequence analysis showed 

mutations. 

“The three-dimensional 

structure analysis of the protein 

confirmed the ‘Arginine' position. 

Arginine is an amino acid 

with therapeutic functions like 

wound healing, cell proliferation, 

cell signalling, and management 

of cardio-vascular 

diseases,” Kumar said. 

“Based on recent reports 

on the nutritional therapies of 

‘Arginine' supplementation for 

wound healing and for cardiovascular 

diseases, the higher 

level of ‘Arginine' in the Lactoferrin 

protein of Vechur cow 

milk provides enormous scope 

for further therapeutic studies,” 

the journal, which reported the 

finding, said in its website. 

K R Jayarajan, the former 

managing director of the Ernakulam 

region of Milma said 

that only about 200 cows of the 

variety existed in Kerala. 

11 INDIA 



14 awarded for boosting 

country’s global image 

JAIPUR — President Pratibha Patil 

yesterday conferred the "Pravasi 

Bharatiya Samman" awards to 14 

eminent overseas Indians, including 

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister 

Kamla Persad Bissessar, and a 

Canada-based institution, for their 

outstanding contributions in enhancing 

India's image globally. 

"Indian overseas community 

is not only large, but is becoming 

increasingly influential in the economic, 

professional and political 

fields in the country in which they 

are now living. We are proud of their 

accomplishments," Patil said while 

addressing the valedictory function 

of the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 

here. 

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is 

the highest award conferred by the 

Indian government on Non-resident 

Indians and Persons of Indian Origin 

(PIOs) and institutions run by 

them for their contribution in serving 

the Indian diaspora and enhancing 

India's image in different parts 

of the world. 

Bissessar, a person of Indian 

origin who became the first female 

prime minister of Trinidad and To- 

NEW DELHI — In an effort to keep 

their sensitive ties on an even keel, 

India and China will next week hold 

the 15th round of boundary talks that 

will also provide them an opportunity 

to iron out differences over recent 

irritants like the Chinese denial of a 

visa to an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer. 

The talks, between National Security 

Adviser Shivshankar Menon and 

Dai Bingguo, China's special representative, 

are expected to be held 

around January 17, said informed 

sources. They will focus on evolving 

a framework for delineating the border 

on the map. 

The boundary talks were postponed 

in November after New Delhi 

refused to relent on China's objection 

to Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama's 

participation in a global Buddhist 

conference in New Delhi. 

The two sides are now in the second 

stage of boundary negotiations 

which entails evolving a framework 

for demarcating the disputed border. 

bago, is the most prominent among 

this year's awardees. 

The other Pravasi Bharatiya 

Samman awardees include: P V 

Radhakrishna Pillai from Bahrain, 

Sachchidanand Sahai from Cambodia, 

Deepak Naraindas Shivdasani 

from Cote D'Ivoire, Victor Shahed 

Smetacek from Germany, Prakash 

Lohia, chairman of Indorama Corporation, 

Jose Parayanken from 

Mozambique, Kiran Navinchandra 

Asher from Oman, Hassan Abdulkarim 

Chougule from Qatar, S R 

Nathan from Singapore, Khorshed 

Noshir Ginwala Rustomjee from 

South Africa, Rajesh Kumar Saraiya 

from Ukraine, Surendra Kumar 

Kaushik from US and Kalpalatha 

Kummamuri Guntupalli from US. 

Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce 

and Industry was also honoured 

for its contribution in bettering 

business and economic relations 

between the two countries. 

So far, 133 NRI and PIOs and 

three institutions run by NRIs or 

persons of Indian origin have been 

conferred the award. Overseas Indian 

Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi 

said the 10th edition of the annual 

The second stage is proving to be the 

“most difficult part of negotiations” 

as it will form the basis on which the 

new boundary will be fixed, said informed 

sources. 

The two sides are also expected to 

sign a landmark border mechanism 

that seeks to establish direct contact 

between New Delhi and Beijing in 

case of intrusions or incidents resulting 

from misperceptions arising from 

the Line of Actual Control. 

During the talks, the two sides are 

expected to discuss the likely visit to 

India of Xi Jinping, who is expected 

to succeed Chinese President Hu Jintao. 

The talks between Menon and Dai 

will also focus on ironing out recent 

differences over a host of issues that 

have shadowed ties between the two 

countries in the past few months. 

China recently denied visa to an 

IAF officer, who was to go as a member 

of the Indian military delegation 

to China, on grounds that he was 

from Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian 

diaspora meet saw the highest participation. 

Over 2,000 delegates from 59 

countries participated at the threeday 

event. The closing day of the 

event marked the 97th anniversary 

of homecoming of Mahatma Gandhi. 

The father of the nation had 

come back to India from South Africa 

on January 9, 1915. 

"Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a 

celebration of Indians living abroad. 

It is an occasion to welcome them 

to the land of their ancestors, to the 

country of their origin to interact 

with them and to reacquaint ourselves 

with each other," the president 

said. 

Meanwhile, chief ministers of 

several states yesterday urged overseas 

Indians to step up investment, 

assuring a business-friendly environment. 

Showcasing the development 

initiatives launched by their 

respective governments, they assured 

the non-resident Indians and 

persons of Indian origin at the 10th 

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here that 

their states would facilitate investment 

providing all possible support. 

— IANS 

Boundary talks with China next week 

northeastern state which is claimed 

by China. This led to India scaling 

down its delegation from the original 

30 to 15. The arrest of two Indian 

traders in the Chinese town of Yiwu, 

who were subsequently released after 

New Delhi's intense diplomatic intervention, 

also showed how fragile relations 

between the two rising Asian 

powers could be. 

Against this backdrop, China has 

declared that one of its top priorities 

this year would be to deepen strategic 

mutual trust with India. 

In an interview to Xinhua on Sunday, 

Liu Zhenmin, an assistant foreign 

minister of China, said: “China 

is willing to make joint efforts with 

India to continuously implement the 

important consensus reached between 

leaders of the two countries, 

maintain high-level exchanges, enhance 

strategic mutual trust, deepen 

mutually beneficial co-operation in 

various fields and properly handle issues 

concerning the bilateral relationship.” 

— IANS 

A CHILD enjoys a lollipop at Kalachakra Ground during the ninth day of the Kalachakra Festival in 

Bodhgaya yesterday. Kalachakra 2012, a festival of teachings and meditations takes place in the 

northern state of Bihar and is attended by Tibetan Spiritual Leader The Dalai Lama. — AFP 

Industry excited about biennale 

By Ashraf Padanna 

TRIVANDRUM — Not only tourism 

but the whole gamut of industries 

are excited about the prospects 

of Kochi-Muziris Biennale, which 

will be kicked off in the Kerala port 

city on December 12. 

The Confederation of Indian Industries 

(CII) believe that the threemonth-long 

festival of art will help 

boost the state's economy where 

tourism plays a major role. 

"Kochi, Kerala, India finds itself 

in the list of biennale thanks to (renowned 

artists) Nose (Krishnamachari) 

and Riyaz (Komu). Kerala 

and Kochi need to welcome the 

event and not allow detractors to kill 

the event," said CII Kerala chapter 

chairman Jose Dominic. "Art and 

culture can be powerful drivers for 

the economy especially in Kerala". 

India's own festival of contemporary 

art which is preparing for its 

debut this year has already drawn 

international attention with reputed 

media, including The New York 

Times, Forbes magazine and British 

Airways High Life besides a host of 

niche art magazines, listing it as one 

of the major cultural event to take 

place in 2012. 

"This event will be India’s largest 

contemporary public art event. It 

will display some of the best artwork 

by international artists ranging from 

film installation to painting sculpture, 

new media and performance 

art," says Forbes magazine which 

included it among the '13 cultural 

events to be seen at in 2012'. 

The art gala brought by renowned 

painter-curators to their home state 

taking much pain and still trying 

hard to convince the local artists, is 

expected to catapult the Kerala port 

city onto the world art map. It will 

also feature film, sculpture, installations, 

new media and performances 

by Indian and international artists. 

"We have already toured major 

centres of art events during the past 

one year promoting the event. Going 

by the response, we expect it to be a 

huge hit attracting world renowned 

artists, curators and architects to 

Kerala," said Krishnamachari. 

The promoters have identified a 

number of heritage sites from Fort 

Kochi to Kodungallur, where the 

legendary port that attracted traders 

from Arabia and Rome two millennia 

back is believed to be located, to 

be restored to its past glory where 

they'll work and exhibit them. Several 

nonconventional venues have 

also been identified for the event. 

"Last year, India hosted its first 

pavilion at the Venice Biennale. 

This year the country inaugurates 

a biennale of its own," the New 

York Times says noting that the 

most remarkable historical reclamation 

project is happening in 

Muziris.Most of the action will unfold 

in the colonial city of Kochi, 

whose contemporary art scene already 

offers more than a dozen venues, 

from the two-year-old David 

Hall — a 1695 Dutch colonial mansion 

— to the long-standing Kashi 

Art Café, a restaurant-gallery-garden-cafe. 

NEWS IN BRIEF 

Web-based Tagore 

bibliography launched 

A WEB-BASED bibliography of Nobel 

laureate Rabindranath Tagore's works 

was launched by Union Finance Minister 

Pranab Mukherjee in the capital yesterday 

to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary 

of the poet. Apart from works by 

Tagore, literary criticism and other works 

on Tagore published in India or abroad 

have been included in the bibliography, 

the Culture Ministry said in a statement. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mukherjee 

said: “The National Implementation Committee 

and the Ministry of Culture have 

undertaken several projects to celebrate 

the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore.” 

Mukherjee heads the committee set up to 

implement the programmes on the poet's 

150th birth anniversary. 

“The projects focus on the multi-faceted 

genius of Tagore, through cultural programmes, 

films, publications, workshops, 

research works, digitisation programmes 

and seminars,” Mukherjee said. The compilation 

of the bibliography, a continuous 

process, has been taken up by the Raja 

Rammohun Roy Library in Kolkata. 

Aarushi murder: Talwar to 

remain on bail till Feb 4 

GIVING Rajesh Talwar a breather, the 

Supreme Court yesterday directed that the 

dentist would continue to be on bail till 

February 4 when he will appear before a 

Ghaziabad court to face trial in the murder 

case of his teen daughter Aarushi. The 

apex court bench of Justice A K Ganguly 

and Justice J S Khehar passed the directions 

on a plea by Talwar seeking the 

continuation of his bail granted in 2008. 

The court said that its order allowing 

Talwar to remain on bail would not come 

in the way of both the Central Bureau 

of Investigation (CBI) and the Talwars 

taking further steps in pursuance of the 

on-going trial. 

Aarushi, 14, was found with her throat 

slit in her parents' Noida apartment on 

May 15, 2008. The family's domestic 

help, Hemraj, who was initially suspected 

to be the prime suspect, was also found 

dead on the apartment's terrace a day later. 

Museum staff training 

programme opened 

MUSEUMS have played an important 

role in our society by bringing people 

closer to their roots, Union Culture Minister 

Kumari Selja said yesterday, inaugurating 

a training programme for museum 

professionals. “Museum visits as an 

integral part of school life were important 

events which shaped our understanding 

of the growth of human life on earth,” she 

said. 

"The Leadership Training Programme, 

being organised by the ministry in collaboration 

with the British Museum, is a 

unique programme especially designed 

for Indian museum professionals," said 

Selja. 

“There are over 1,000 museums in India. 

Over 90 per cent of these are funded 

and maintained by the central and state 

governments and few renowned museums 

have also been set up through private efforts,” 

she said. 

Twenty professionals from 12 national 

level museums will participate in the programme. 

The Archaeological Survey of 

India manages 44 museums located near 

important historical sites, some of them in 

the remotest parts of the country. 

After Mamata, Pawar 

headache for Congress 

AFTER Trinamool Congress supremo 

Mamata Banerjee's angry outbursts, 

more headaches from allies seem to be 

in store for the Congress with Nationalist 

Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar's ultimatum 

to finalise by today seat-sharing 

for the upcoming Mumbai civic polls. 

Following Pawar's ultimatum, given 

on Sunday, Maharashtra Chief Minister 

Prithviraj Chavan is in Delhi to discuss 

the issue with senior Congress party 

leaders. He met senior party leader and 

Defence Minister A K Antony, a former 

state in charge, yesterday, and was also 

expected to meet Congress president 

Sonia Gandhi. 

Terming Pawar's statement as mere 

"political posturing to get a good deal 

ahead of the municipal corporation poll", 

political observers said "the Congress 

must assert itself". 

Supreme Court grants bail 

to Sukh Ram, two others 

THE Supreme Court yesterday granted 

interim bail till January 16 to former 

telecom minister Sukh Ram, 84, who was 

sentenced to three years' imprisonment in 

a 1993 telecom scam case. 

Besides Sukh Ram, the apex court 

bench headed by Justice P Sathasivam 

granted interim bail to Runu Ghosh, 

former director in the department of 

telecom, and Hyderabad-based businessman 

P Ramarao till January 16 when the 

court will take up for hearing their plea 

for regular bail. 

Sukh Ram is accused of showing undue 

favour to a cable supply company and 

accepting Rs 300,000 as bribe when he 

was a minister. In 2002, he was awarded a 

three-year jail term under the Prevention 

of Corruption Act. — IANS

Rural careers 

By Abdelrahman Youssef 

FAR from Egypt's cities where old allies might fear to 

face the electorate, figures from the earlier era have 

re-emerged to run for parliament in rural areas where 

sectarian rivalries can be played for political advantage. 

In Menya, 270 km south of Cairo, the Freedom Party put 

prominent local candidate Ihab Ramzy top of its list, helping 

it draw votes from the city's community. 

Some parties have dominated the staggered vote, Egypt's 

first free election in six decades, and a bloc of mostly newly 

established liberal parties is scrambling for remaining seats up 

for grabs in a final run-off votes today and tomorrow. 

But the courting of the some groups’ vote by former rulers 

in Menya and other cities is posing an added headache for the 

liberal alliance as it struggles to respond to the well organised 

vote-winning machine to gain a foothold in the assembly and 

exert its influence in the drawing up of new constitution. 

Ibrahim Gamil, 23, a jeweller in Menya who said he voted 

for the Freedom Party, was unmoved by the fact that its founders 

were once loyalists of earlier regime. "I want the guy on 

the top of the list. He is a good guy," said Gamil. 

Leaders of the Freedom Party say they are former members 

of the defunct National Democratic Party (NDP) but 

want people to give them a chance in Egypt's first free parliamentary 

vote. 

"I was a member of the NDP and I am proud of it," said 

Taher Abdel Hamid, a top Freedom Party official in Cairo. 

"Those who committed wrongdoing should be punished, but 

it isn't fair to generalise." 

For years, the NDP's rivals accused it of shoving them 

aside by stuffing ballot boxes, buying votes or intimidating 

voters into choosing its candidates. 

Many are wealthy businessmen, merchants and lawyers 

with deep roots in their home towns who offer a familiar face 

in a complex political landscape with thousands of parliamentary 

candidates and dozens of parties. 

One of the poorest parts of Egypt, Menya is also a stronghold 

of some religious groups. The Freedom Party, which 

identifies itself as liberal, said it had already won at least five 

seats in southern Egypt during the third stage of the staggered 

parliamentary vote before this week’s run-offs. 

Media mileage 

By John Grafilo 

THE acquittal of Anwar Ibrahim yesterday has boosted 

the opposition's chances in upcoming elections in 

Malaysia, political analysts and social activists said. 

James Chin, a political science professor at Monash University, 

said the acquittal would actually benefit both the opposition 

and the government. 

"It's good for the government since Prime Minister Najib 

Razak can go around the world and tell anyone that the court 

system in Malaysia is independent," he said. 

"It is also good for the opposition since Anwar can work 

for the elections full time now and doesn't have to worry about 

the trial." But he said Malaysians know that the acquittal did 

not mean the judiciary was an independent institution. 

"If the judiciary were independent, this trial would not have 

gone ahead," he said, adding that he believed government officials 

allowed a not-guilty verdict because "they calculated 

that the political price of a guilty verdict would be too high." 

Augustine Loorthusamy, an electoral reform advocate, said 

the opposition gained much from the acquittal but he expected 

the government's propaganda machine to promote the verdict 

as an example of fairness of the justice system. 

"They are going to town with that but the people know better," 

he said. "They would not get much media mileage from 

the acquittal of Anwar since the people already know that this 

government is not sincere in reforming the system." 

Loorthusamy said the opposition should concentrate on reforming 

election laws in order to have a chance on wresting 

control of the government, which has been in the hands of the 

ruling National Front since the country gained its independence 

in the 1950s. Anwar admitted that he was surprised by 

his acquittal since he and his supporters thought the government 

intended to send him to jail. 

"It was a surprise to everyone here because the general perception 

is with evidence that the conduct of the judiciary has 

not been fair," he said shortly after leaving the courtroom. 

"But we welcome the decision. Now, we have an agenda 

and we have to move forward." He also emphasised that his 

acquittal was not a vindication of the justice system. 

"To suggest that the judiciary is independent, I think it remains 

to be seen," he said. 

Young voters 

By Brigitte Dusseau 

TATIANA does not hide her tears of happiness as she 

gushes, "Ron Paul, you are my hero." She shouts her 

praise as the Republican presidential candidate graciously 

accepts to pose for a photo with her. 

The 32-year-old woman is among the many young people 

who came to a hotel ballroom in the small town of Meredith to 

meet with the 76-year-old Texan doctor ahead of today's primary 

in New Hampshire. The room is crowded and the applause is 

loud. "Revolution!" shout supporters. 

Dressed in a navy sweater and open-necked shirt, the oldest 

of the Republicans vying for the party's nomination elegantly 

explains his radical economic views, including his opposition 

to the Federal Reserve, the Department of Education, and US 

military interventions abroad. 

Paul on Sunday denounced the "military-industrial complex" 

and called for ending aid to Israel, which he even encouraged 

to become "the Hong Kong of the Middle East." He also 

talks about defending the Constitution and freedoms. 

The other candidates, he says, "support the status quo" while 

"the country is looking for something completely different." 

Voters in New Hampshire refuse to be taken for granted. 

With Ron Paul, a Libertarian running for president for the third 

time, they cannot hide their enthusiasm. 

Outside the hotel, near Lake Winnipesaukee, another of his 

young supporters held a huge sign declaring, "Ron Paul, we 

love you!" "He is the only one to tell the truth," says Tatiana 

Moroz, who wore a Ron Paul T-shirt and said she had decided 

to write a song dedicated to her favourite candidate. 

"He is the first candidate that really excites me," adds James 

Blalock, who came here from Chicago to hear Paul." 

"He brings people from different political spectrums together. 

He is anti-establishment, he respects our troops." 

Kyle Shattuck, a 34-year-old technician, came here with his 

mother, fiancee and brother — all Ron Paul fans. 

"He is not unelectable if people vote for him!" he says with 

indignation, rebuffing comments by some pundits who have 

questioned Paul's chances of winning the White House. 

This view is shared by Dawn McGill, a mother of three. 

She says even some Democrats have switched parties to vote 

for Paul in today's primary because of his commitment to civil 

liberties and his opposition to foreign wars. 

By Anne K Walters 

CRIES of 'Mitt, Mitt, Mitt' 

filled the small gymnasium of 

Exeter High School as hundreds 

of New Hampshire residents 

packed in to hear from the Republican 

candidate who seems poised to 

face President Barack Obama in the 

November elections. 

But Mitt Romney is taking no support 

for granted in his bid to secure 

the Republican nomination and a win 

today, when the small north-eastern 

state of New Hampshire heads to the 

polls, is key to that plan. 

New Hampshire, with a population 

of just 1.3 million, plays an outsized 

role in picking presidential contenders 

and has long held the first party 

primaries. Along with the small central 

state of Iowa, which held caucus 

meetings of party members last week, 

New Hampshire draws inordinate attention 

from candidates who spend 

months attempting to woo voters. 

12 

ANALYSIS/OPINION 



New Hampshire takes hard look at Romney 

Romney, a former governor of 

neighbouring Massachusetts, has 

long-standing ties to New Hampshire 

and has focused much of his effort 

here. His appeal to many supporters 

comes from his perceived ability to 

beat Obama and make use of his business 

experience to turn around the faltering 

US economy. 

"I believe he's the only one ready 

to be president," said Marsha Chapple 

after surveying the field of six major 

candidates. "I want someone who can 

walk in there right after the inauguration 

and get to work." 

But first Romney's campaign must 

do the difficult work of overcoming 

the rest of the Republican presidential 

field, which has spent much of the 

past months looking for an alternative 

candidate perceived as more conservative 

than Romney. 

In New Hampshire, each candidate 

gives voters the rare chance to interact 

with them up close and personal. 

One candidate, Jon Huntsman, has 

staked his entire campaign on such 

a strategy, refusing to participate in 

Iowa last week. 

Meanwhile, former Pennsylvania 

senator Rick Santorum who ended just 

eight votes behind Romney in Iowa is 

making a final push to persuade voters 

in the much less conservative New 

Hampshire. 

Supporters both from New Hampshire 

and flown in from elsewhere are 

hitting the streets to hand out campaign 

literature, knock on doors of 

undecided voters and make calls in 

support of candidates. 

Manchester, the state's largest city, 

has filled with national and international 

media and television cameras 

nearly outnumbering residents. 

Just blocks away, Romney's campaign 

headquarters is abuzz with dozens 

of volunteers, who packed folding 

tables and used their mobile phones 

and laptops to contact undecided voters 

for Romney's campaign. 

Bob Duffy was spending his after- 

TAIWAN’S Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson and presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen during a rally in Tainan. 

Wary of an election win 

By Amber Wang 

TAINAN, Kaohsiung, Chiayi — 

cities little known outside Taiwan, 

but in Saturday's presidential 

election they could hand victory to 

an opposition candidate expected to cool 

relations with China. 

The cities are in the island's south, 

where Taiwanese are traditionally wary 

of the mainland's embrace and where 

many are pinning their hopes on Tsai Ingwen, 

who is aiming to become Taiwan's 

first female head of state. 

"Little Ing elected," hundreds of people 

chanted on Sunday in Tainan, affectionately 

using Tsai's nickname as they 

caught a glimpse of her passing by in an 

open-top jeep. 

Morale is high among Tsai's followers 

who believe she has a real chance 

of regaining power for the Democratic 

Progressive Party (DPP) which lost to incumbent 

Ma Ying-jeou four years ago. 

Relations between China and Taiwan 

have improved markedly since Ma took 

office on a Beijing-friendly platform, 

allowing in more mainland tourists and 

signing an important trade pact. 

Ma is running for a second and final 

term, arguing that he can maintain prosperity 

in Taiwan through stable China 

ties, although some voters appear unconvinced. 

"I don't like China as it often 

bullies Taiwan and looks down on us," 

said 22-year-old student Liu Chia-wen as 

she took part in a major rally for Tsai in 

Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second-largest city. 

"I think Ma is leaning too much towards 

China and he hasn't done enough 

By Agnieszka Flak 

ONLY one in three Afghans 

has access to electricity despite 

years of spending to 

improve supply, and the country is 

still far too dependent on imported 

power, the head of the country's state 

owned power utility said. 

Abdul Razique Samadi, the chief 

executive officer at Da Afghanistan 

Breshna Sherkat (DABS), said the 

situation in the capital, Kabul, is far 

better than the rest of the country, 

with around 70 per cent of households 

connected. 

"Instead of having electricity for 

two hours, we have power for 24 

hours and it is quite reliable," he 

said. About half of India's 1.2 billion 

people have no access to power and 

less than a third of sub-Saharan Af- 

to uphold Taiwan's sovereignty." 

Tsai has given few details about where 

she would take Taiwan's mainland policy 

if elected, and China has been careful not 

to explicitly warn against her, fearing it 

could boost her support. 

But there is little doubt China would 

prefer four more years for Ma rather than 

a return of the DPP, whose then-leader 

Chen Shui-bian tried to push for more 

formal independence when he was president 

from 2000 to 2008. 

In a veiled reference to the DPP's 

track record, a spokesman for Beijing's 

Taiwan Affairs Office said last month 

that insisting on Taiwanese independence 

will "harm the peaceful development of 

relations." 

Southern voters are concerned the island 

has become too reliant on Beijing 

during Ma's term and dubious over the 

supposed benefits of closer ties. 

"We southerners are rooting for a Tsai 

victory," said Wu Jia-chi, a mother of two 

who runs a restaurant in Chiayi county. 

"I don't think we should open too 

much to China, which will want to have 

more control of Taiwan and eventually 

turn us into a second Hong Kong," she 

said, referring to the territory where British 

rule ended in 1997. 

Interviews with voters in the south lay 

bare the unease that remains to this day. 

Huang Li-chin, a rice distributor from 

a farming family in Tainan, criticised 

Beijing for "trying to buy its way into 

Taiwan people's hearts" while refusing to 

remove missiles targeting the island. 

"Taiwan may be small and weak and 

China may be rich and powerful but we 

rica is electrified. 

Connecting Afghans to power is 

key to boosting an economy weakened 

by war and improving living 

standards in a country with a poor 

record on health and education. 

Demand in Kabul has tripled over 

the past five years and is rising each 

year. Samadi estimates Afghanistan 

will need around 3,000 megawatts 

(MW) to meet the country's needs by 

2020, compared with current supply 

of around 600 MW. 

But demand is still so modest that 

his total forecast for 2020 is just 5 

per cent of what is consumed by the 

United Kingdom now — even though 

Afghanistan's population is already 

nearly half the size of Britain's. 

Power cuts are still a regular feature 

of life, especially at peak times, 

with more Afghans wanting to watch 

want to be our own masters and we don't 

want to become a province of China," 

she said. 

Huang is among those dismayed by 

a 2008 incident when police prevented 

demonstrators from displaying Taiwan's 

national flags during a visit by a top Chinese 

official. 

"If we don't have any dignity, it won't 

matter how much more money we can 

make from trade deals with China," she 

said. 

Tsai has sought to ease fears that her 

victory would stir up tensions, vowing to 

seek peace and dialogue with Beijing. 

Taiwan's young democracy has traditionally 

been defined by China policy but 

it is a less prominent factor in these elections 

due to voter apathy. National polls 

show Ma leading Tsai by as little as three 

percentage points. 

However, a recent China Times survey 

showed Tsai's support in the south 

was running at 48 per cent in southern 

Tainan, Yunlin and Chiayi, against 32 per 

cent for Ma, reflecting the strong feelings 

in the region. 

Shen Feng-piao, a retired businessman, 

said he believes China is using 

trade as a foil to push for its ultimate 

political goal of taking over Taiwan, and 

that it will pile pressure on Ma if he is 

re-elected. 

"I think Tsai won't move so fast like 

Ma but she won't be too radical. She can 

uphold Taiwan's sovereignty and maintain 

the status quo," he said. 

"No matter how big and strong China 

is, I want to live in a democracy and I 

want to elect my president." 

TV, use electric radiators or cook on 

electric stoves. 

To meet its shortfall, the country 

has to rely on expensive, noisy and 

polluting diesel generators. 

Access has improved since a new 

power line from Uzbekistan began 

transmitting electricity to Kabul 

in 2009. Land-locked Afghanistan 

also sources power from its other 

neighbours Iran, Turkmenistan and 

Tajikistan. 

More than half of total supply 

comes from imports and that is unlikely 

to change in the near term, Samadi 

said. 

Afghanistan's power stations — 

mainly hydro plants — have potential 

to produce around 500 MW, but 

actually churn out less than half because 

of water shortages and maintenance 

problems. 

noon making phone calls, but didn't 

simply settle on a candidate, instead 

attending events with some 10 major 

and minor candidates to give each a 

chance to sway his views. 

"I supported Mitt before, but I believe 

in hearing what others have to 

say," he said, stressing the fair shot 

given to each candidate in the state 

that prides itself on its independent 

streak and cherishes its motto. 

Duffy said he decided on Romney 

largely because of what he called his 

honesty and character, but also because 

of his business acumen to get 

the country's finances back in order. 

"In this case we need a turn-around 

person," he said. 

But although Romney leads big in 

pre-vote opinion surveys here, other 

candidates and their supporters are far 

from giving up and everyone thinks 

they are better poised to serve the 

party and the country. 

Among the most passionate are 

the young supporters of Ron Paul. 

By Chris Allbritton 

PAKISTAN'S former 

envoy to the United 

States, Husain Haqqani, 

is no stranger to intrigue. But 

even he didn't anticipate finding 

himself effectively imprisoned 

amid a scandal involving 

a shady memo, a businessman 

with unclear motives and allegations 

of treason. 

He is caught up in a tense 

stand-off between Pakistan's 

civilian leaders and its generals 

over a memo that accused 

the army of plotting a coup 

after the US raid that killed 

Osama bin Laden last May. 

Now fearing for his life, he 

has taken refuge in the home 

of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza 

Gilani in Islamabad. 

The scandal broke three 

months ago when businessman 

Mansoor Ijaz, writing 

in a column in the Financial 

Times, said a senior Pakistani 

diplomat had asked that the 

memo be delivered to the US 

Defence Department for help 

in reining in the military. 

Ijaz later identified the diplomat 

as Haqqani, who was 

never liked by the military for 

his strong advocacy of civilian 

supremacy. No evidence has 

emerged that the military was 

plotting a coup and the Pentagon 

at the time dismissed the 

memo as not credible. 

Haqqani returned to Pakistan 

in November and resigned 

as ambassador in a bid to end 

the crisis. He denies that he 

had anything to do with the 

memo and says he is fighting 

the traditional foes of civilian 

government in Pakistan. 

"Since the 1980s, there are 

powerful interests within the 

permanent state apparatus as 

well as outside who want to 

control the definition of what 

it means to be a Pakistani 

patriot," Haqqani said last 

Friday at the prime minister's 

residence. 

He avoided naming the 

powerful Directorate of Inter- 

Services Intelligence (ISI), but 

it was clear he considers parts 

of the spy agency responsible 

for his troubles in a scandal 

that the media has dubbed 

"memogate". 

Pakistan's Supreme Court 

set up a judicial commission 

"For now we are quite vulnerable. 

We are dependent and here we have 

a problem," Samadi said. 

Imports are also limited by an 

inadequate transmission network, 

and even though several projects are 

planned to strengthen power links, 

they will take years to complete. 

Despite millions of dollars of aid 

poured into the sector over the past 

10 years, many big projects that 

could light up all of Afghanistan still 

remain on the drawing board, have 

faced cost overruns or have been delayed 

due to security concerns. 

Afghanistan has the potential 

to produce up to 23,000 MW from 

its vast hydro, solar, wind, gas and 

thermal resources, but much of that 

remains unexploited due to ongoing 

conflict. 

There is currently around $200 

The Texas congressman appeals to 

the state's strong independent streak 

as a standard bearer for the party's 

libertarian wing: free market, socially 

liberal and opposed to US foreign intervention. 

Volunteer Jeremey Stull, a 21-yearold 

student, who travelled from Connecticut 

to stump for Paul, said he had 

supported Obama in the last election 

but now sees Paul's foreign policy and 

strict adherence to the constitution as 

the best option. 

"I don't think constitutionality is a 

radical position," he said. 

That message may be beginning 

to pay off, with Paul gaining ground 

in recent opinion polls to 20 per cent, 

closing in on the heavily favoured 

Romney with 35 per cent, in a Suffolk'7 

News Tracking poll. 

That poll also put Huntsman at 11 

per cent, followed by former speaker 

of the House of Representatives Newt 

Gingrich at 9 per cent and Santorum 

with 8 per cent. 

NEWSMAKER 

Caught in web 

of own scandal 

to investigate the memo, keeping 

Haqqani nervous. 

He has some allies still in 

Washington. Senators Mark 

Kirk, John McCain and Joe 

Lieberman issued a joint statement 

last Thursday decrying 

his treatment. 

"We are increasingly troubled 

by Ambassador Haqqani's 

treatment since he returned 

home to Pakistan, including 

the travel ban imposed on 

him," the senators said. 

"We urge Pakistani authorities 

to resolve this matter 

swiftly and consistent with 

civilian rule of law and to prevent 

the judicial commission 

investigating Ambassador 

Haqqani from becoming a political 

tool for revenge." 

"Memogate" encapsulates 

the two issues that have troubled 

Pakistan for decades, and 

which dominate national debate: 

the relationship between 

the military and civilian governments 

and Pakistan's ties 

with the United States. 

Friction between the civilian 

leadership and the generals 

has bedevilled the country 

for almost its entire existence. 

Another takeover could 

further tarnish the military's 

public image, which took a 

battering after the surprise Bin 

Laden operation by US Navy 

Seals that was widely seen as 

an intelligence failure. 

Army chief General Ashfaq 

Kayani last month dismissed 

coup rumours as speculation 

and said the army supported 

democracy. Pakistan's relationship 

with the US is just as 

contentious. Anti-Americanism 

is rampant, and any whiff 

of collusion with Washington 

can lead to accusations of treason, 

which Haqqani has — so 

far — successfully deflected. 

Electricity reaches only one in 3 Afghans 

million in donor funds flowing into 

the sector each year, but Samadi aims 

to make DABS more independent to 

negotiate the expected decline in foreign 

aid as most combat troops pull 

out by the end of 2014. The firm, 

which had turnover of $200 million 

in 2011, also urgently needs to 

strengthen its billing system, as it is 

currently owed around $40 million, 

mainly by the government. 

Samadi downplayed criticism 

that corruption has hampered revenue 

collection and the completion 

of projects. 

"Maybe 20 or 30 per cent (of the 

allegations are justified). Still, the 

government, the donors are doing 

well," he said. "This is a very difficult 

country to work in. Even if it is 

only a 50 per cent success, it's still a 

success," he said.

13 

PANORAMA 



A FILM production group shooting scenes for film The Soul of Bread in the southern Taiwan city of Kaohsiung. Right: Max Fang, chairman and CEO of Maxima Capital Management, 

stands in front of a billboard featuring The Soul of Bread, one of the two films jointly invested by a fund he operates. — AFP 

Taiwan’s IT wizards turn to the movies 

A 

S a long career devoted 

to Taiwan’s technology 

sector draws 

to a close, Max Fang has 

turned to an entirely new task 

— helping to build a globally 

competitive film industry on 

the island. 

To this end, 60-year-old 

Fang has launched a venture 

capital fund, much as he would 

do if he were to pour money 

into new IT start-ups, but with 

the crucial difference that the 

fund is solely meant for movie 

and TV projects. 

“Our eventual goal is to 

build a Chinese Hollywood,” 

said Fang, the chairman of 

Maxima Capital Investment 

which runs the TC-1 Culture 

Fund. 

The fund is bolstered not 

only by T$270 million ($9 

million) of risk-loving cash, 

but also by a comprehensive 

vision for where Taiwan’s 

economy should be heading 

in the coming years. 

Taiwan has been very successful 

in the IT industry, but 

as competition from other 

tech-savvy societies heats up, 

it is time to start thinking about 

new ways to prosper, according 

to Fang. And he has some 

ideas how. 

“Taiwan has become the 

hub of the Chinese-language 

entertainment industry. That 

position is entrenched and hard 

to challenge,” Fang said. 

“And as China gradually 

becomes richer, there will be 

rapid growth in the demand for 

films, televisions and musical 

programmes. That’s already 

a clear trend emerging on the 

mainland.” 

Fang’s idea has caught 

on, and investors in his fund 

include John Hsuan, former 

chairman of the world’s 

second-largest contract chip 

maker United Microelectronics 

Corp, and Stan Shih, the 

Elvis birthday 

kicks off big 

year for fans 

ON what would have 

been Elvis Presley’s 

77th birthday 

on Sunday, hundreds of fans 

from around the world made 

the annual pilgrimage to the 

Graceland mansion where 

the “King of Rock and Roll” 

lived. 

This year, the birthday 

celebration also served as the 

kick-off to what is expected 

to be a year of global Elvis 

mania marking the 35th 

anniversary of the beloved 

icon’s death. 

Memphis officials expect 

record numbers of visitors all 

year, leading to the August 16 

anniversary commemoration 

of his death at Graceland, 

where Presley is also buried. 

In Dusseldorf, Germany, 

a new Elvis Presley 

museum opened its doors 

in December; an “Elvis 

Cruise” departs from Florida 

to the Bahamas next week; 

and in Sao Paulo, Brazilian 

officials are planning one of 

the largest exhibits of Elvis 

memorabilia outside of the 

United States to open in 

September. 

“Every five years, we see 

history repeat itself and we 

expect that to happen again 

this year as fans remember 

Elvis Presley,” said Kevin 

Kane, president and CEO of 

the Memphis Convention and 

Visitors Bureau, who added 

that the city is preparing for a 

wave of visitors to exceed the 

typical 600,000 to 700,000 

fans who visit Graceland 

each year. 

Georgina Trejo, 55, 

from Mexico City is among 

the singer’s diehard fans 

who flew to Memphis to 

attend Presley’s birthday 

celebration, and plans to 

return with friends — all 

members of the Mexico City 

“Forever For Elvis Fan Club” 

— in August to observe his 

memorial ceremony. 

This year, 

Elvis Presley’s 

birthday 

celebration also 

serves as the 

kick-off to what 

is expected to be 

a year of global 

Elvis mania 

marking the 

35th anniversary 

of the beloved 

icon’s death 

“He sang the sound track 

of my life,” said Trejo, who 

was bundled up against the 

blustery Memphis morning in 

an Elvis-illustrated jacket and 

carried a black purse painted 

with dancing Elvises. 

“All the important 

moments in my life, I can 

remember Elvis’ songs 

playing.” 

Trejo said she has lost 

count of the number of times 

she has visited Graceland 

since the site first opened to 

the public in 1978. 

Presley’s popularity has 

endured since he released 

Blue Suede Shoes on his first 

studio album Elvis Presley 

in 1954. 

He has sold more than a 

billion albums since then and 

continues to out-earn many 

other living celebrities. 

Forbes magazine 

estimated Presley’s earnings 

at $55 million in 2011, 

exceeding contemporary 

superstars such as Taylor 

Swift and Justin Bieber. 

Graceland will open three 

exhibits to mark the 35th 

anniversary of Presley’s 

death. — AFP 

founder of computer vendor 

Acer. 

The fund reflects long-term 

changes in Taiwan’s economy, 

as the island, which left agriculture 

behind decades ago 

to take up manufacturing and 

then moved to technological 

innovation, may become a 

centre for creative industries. 

Taiwan is especially strong 

in the field of popular music 

and has massive influence in 

China and various Chinesespeaking 

communities in 

Southeast Asia. 

Heart-throb Jay Chou, to 

mention just one example, is 

as hot in the region as Justin 

Bieber is in the west. 

Another growth industry 

is TV programming, but is in 

the movies — where the island 

is experiencing a renaissance 

with titles such as history 

epic Warriors of the Rainbow: 

Seediq Bale — that Fang hopes 

for the big breakthrough. 

The fund, which was 

launched in late 2010, has invested 

an approximate total of 

T$40 million in two Taiwanese-Chinese 

co-productions 

premiering in January — The 

Soul of Bread and Perfect 

Two. 

Fang said he has especially 

high hopes for The Soul 

of Bread, starring rising star 

Michelle Chen as a Taiwanese 

woman pursued simultaneously 

by a local baker and a 

French gourmet. 

“We did not expect 

Michelle Chen to become so 

popular before shooting the 

film,” he said. 

Fang’s venture is part of a 

broader trend, with about 20 

similar Taiwanese funds earmarked 

for investment in the 

culture industry, each capitalised 

at T$200 million or more. 

Liang Liang, a senior 

movie analyst, said Taiwan’s 

movie industry has never been 

in a better position to win over 

the mainland market, now one 

of the top five markets in the 

world. 

“Hong Kong’s movie makers 

have switched their focus 

to the mainland in the past few 

years and while they jointly 

produced movies with Chinese 

partners, they have chosen 

to set certain restrictions on 

themselves,” he said. 

“On the contrary, Taiwanproduced 

movies are taking 

their own distinctive route, describing 

the free lifestyle of the 

people on the island.” 

Despite the optimism, the 

fate of Fang’s fund, and the 

20 others like it, remains to be 

seen. 

“Next year will be crucial 

not only to us, but to all venture 

capitalists investing in the 

sector. Should the results fail 

to meet the targets, many of 

them would be phased out,” 

Fang said. 

So far, at least, Taiwan’s 

film industry is no match for 

its technology sector. 

In the 11 months to November, 

box office revenues 

for 32 Taiwan-produced films 

totalled around T$700 million 

($23.17 million), according to 

statistics from the Government 

Information Office. 

The revenues of Taiwan’s 

IT industry, by contrast, came 

in at $121.2 billion in 2010, 

according to the Market Intelligence 

Centre, a quasi-official 

IT market and research firm. 

Li Ya-mei, an independent 

movie producer, pointed 

out that Taiwan and China are 

facing a cultural divide, as a 

result of the island’s self-rule, 

in place since the end of a civil 

war in 1949. 

“I don’t know how long it 

may take to overcome the barrier, 

but I know it’s not likely 

to be done within a short period 

of time,” she said. — AFP 

ELVIS Presley fans leave mementos at his grave at the Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, 

on Sunday on what would have been Presley’s 77th birthday. — AFP 

London marks 200 days till Olympics with legacy in mind 

LONDON marked 200 days to 

go until the opening ceremony 

of the 2012 Olympic Games in 

an upbeat mood yesterday, announcing 

new deals to secure the future of 

the mostly completed sites. 

Prime Minister David Cameron 

led a special meeting of his cabinet 

at the Olympic Park in east London, 

where he said organisers were “well 

on track” to delivering a lasting legacy 

for the whole of Britain. 

As London prepares to become 

the first city to host the Olympics for 

the third time, most of the venues are 

completed and tickets for all events 

— except the hundreds of thousands 

still available for football — are sold 

out. 

Organisers can take pride in the 

remarkable transformation of a once 

rundown area of scrapyards and 

workshops into a collection of hightech 

sporting venues, thousands 

of apartments and, eventually, a 

park. 

The government announced yesterday 

that ownership deals had been 

agreed for the Aquatics Centre, the 

Handball Arena and Anish Kapoor’s 

115-metre high red steel Orbit sculpture, 

ensuring they will survive beyond 

the Games. 

The operator of the Aquatics Centre 

expects 800,000 local users every 

BRITAIN’S Prime Minister David Cameron (L) and Deputy Prime 

Minister Nick Clegg ride a train to a cabinet meeting at the London 

2012 Olympic Games site in London yesterday. — AFP 

year, while the Handball Arena hopes 

to welcome 500,000 people a year 

for concerts, exhibitions and sports 

events. 

“Today, as we mark 200 days to 

go, and six out of the eight Olympic 

venues having already secured their 

future, we are well on track to delivering 

a lasting legacy for the whole of 

Britain,” Cameron said. 

The excitement has been marred 

however by the disappointment of 

hundreds of thousands of British 

fans who missed out on tickets for 

the Games in last year’s lottery, amid 

massive demand. 

There were also red faces last week 

when organisers LOCOG admitted 

they had mistakenly oversold tickets 

for synchronised swimming sessions 

and were forced to offer thousands of 

people tickets to other events. 

Adding to their blushes, the website 

for recipients to resell tickets they 

Sutherland’s touch on 

paternal emotions 

KIEFER Sutherland (pictured) is ready to let audiences 

get in touch with his emotional side. 

Sutherland told reporters on Sunday at the Television 

Critics Association panels for Fox, held in Los Angeles, 

that he was ready to transition from repressed action man Jack 

Bauer in 24 to an emotional father of an autistic son in the new 

Fox drama Touch. 

Touch tells the story of an evolving relationship of a father 

and his voiceless child who communicates through numbers, 

drawing connections between seemingly disconnected people 

and events across the world. 

Sutherland said stepping away from the character of Bauer 

into Martin Brohm, a former journalist and luggage handler 

whose wife was killed in the September 11 attacks, was refreshing. 

“The opportunity that I had in 24 to repress the character, 

informed the character beautifully for me. To be able to have 

the antithesis to that in this show, where he can openly show 

and have an emotional reaction to what is happening at this 

moment, is another fantastic opportunity,” said Sutherland. 

“The real choice to do this was not to get away from 24, the 

reason I could not turn this down was that it spoke to me on a 

really profound level.” 

Creator Tim Kring, 

who was behind the scifi 

series Heroes about 

ordinary people with superhuman 

capabilities, 

said he has long been interested 

“in this theme of 

interconnectivity.” 

“This is really a chance 

to continue what you 

would call social-benefit 

storytelling, the idea of 

using archetypal narrative 

to create and promote 

a positive energy in the 

world,” said Kring. 

The series will operate 

as stand-alone episodes 

with characters that interconnect 

throughout, tied 

together by the relationship between father and his autistic son 

as the son leaves a trail of clues through numbers to guide his 

father on a path of discovery. 

The character of the son, Jake, played by David Mazouz, is 

initially identified as autistic, but Kring was eager to emphasise 

that the show was not exploring autism specifically. 

“The show does not attempt to talk about autism, it’s not 

a show about autism,” said Kring, adding “as storytellers, we 

want to reserve the right to say there is some other idea floating 

above it, something spiritual or supernatural.” 

For 24 fans, Jack Bauer will be making a return as Sutherland 

confirmed he was shooting the 24 movie in late April 

this year. 

Sutherland and Mazouz will be joined by co-stars Danny 

Glover and Gugu Mbatha-Raw in Touch, premiering mid-season 

on Fox. — Reuters 

Device brings energy 

boost to e-show 

A 

BACKPACK is handy for carrying things around but how 

about one that can also charge your smartphone? 

That’s the promise of Powerbag, a backpack equipped with 

a built-in battery that is one of the thousands of new products 

going on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 

which opens in Las Vegas today. 

“It will charge all smartphones. It will charge all tablets, all 

e-readers, Bluetooth devices,” Dan Kurzon, vice-president of 

sales for Powerbag, said at a preview event for exhibitors at the 

annual high-tech gadget extravaganza. 

“Let’s say I have a bunch of devices,” Kurzon said. “I have 

an iPhone, an iPad, a BlackBerry. 

“I get to my hotel, I load up the bag with all those different 

devices and I plug it into the wall,” he said. “It’s going to 

charge up those devices and it’s going to charge up the battery 

on the bag.” 

Powerbag began selling the battery-equipped bags in October 

and offers several different styles, from a standard backpack 

to a messenger bag with a single shoulder strap to a rolling 

briefcase. 

Up to four mobile devices can be charged at once using the 

bags which feature 3000 mAh, 6000 mAh or 9000 mAh batteries 

depending on the style. 

Powerbags, which are made by RFA Brands, start at $140 

with the most expensive retailing for $250. — AFP 

Prime Minister David 

Cameron yesterday 

led a special meeting 

of his cabinet at the 

Olympic Park in east 

London, where he said 

organisers were “well 

on track” to delivering 

a lasting legacy for the 

whole of Britain 

do not want has been suspended because 

of technical problems. 

An additional one million tickets 

are due to go on sale in April once the 

final configuration of the stadiums 

has been worked out, and they are 

certain to be snapped up. 

But as the clock ticks down to the 

July 27 opening ceremony, chief organiser 

Sebastian Coe said the acid 

test of his organisation would be 

whether athletes could be delivered 

to their event on time, and ready to 

compete. 

“I never want an athlete telling 

me he did not make a final because 

the Olympic Village did not create 

the right atmosphere, or he did not 

get the right service or the transport 

did not work,” Coe told the Evening 

Standard newspaper last week. 

“The Games have to work for 

the most important client group, the 

athletes. I can’t screw it up for them. 

That would be a cardinal sin.” 

In an already congested city like 

London, few doubt that transport is 

one of the biggest issues the Games 

face. 

Specially reserved Olympic road 

lanes, reserved for athletes, officials 

and the media are designed to ensure 

competitors are not delayed but their 

effect is likely to be traffic snarl-ups 

elsewhere in the capital. 

British ministers are hoping the 

Olympics and the celebrations marking 

the queen’s 60 years on the throne 

this year will help lift the country out 

of the economic doldrums, as it faces 

the real prospect of a return to recession. 

But Cameron has faced criticism 

for ordering an additional £41 million 

to be spent on the opening and closing 

ceremonies of the Games, which 

many view as frivolous at a time of 

austerity. 

Slumdog Millionaire director 

Danny Boyle has the difficult task 

of ensuring that London’s opening 

ceremony can compete with the spectacular 

show staged by Beijing four 

years ago. — AFP

R 

F 

ENT-A-CAR 

Luxury Cars 

BMW 750il Mercedes 430SL 

on hourly & daily basis 

with chauffeur. 

Contact: 

Contact: 99337159/99359628 

95228450 

OR RENT FOR RENT 

SAVILLS OMAN 

QUALITY homes 

for rent throughout 

Capital Area 

Muscat. Contact: 

24692151. 

www.sav-oman.com 

3 BEDROOM deluxe 

flat for rent near Indian 

School Ghubra, with 

store, Split AC. Contact: 

98830838. 

A HOUSE of 10 rooms 

total area 2500. Southern 

Al Hail near to Al Hamad 

Mosque. 99489849. 

FULLY furnished 

apartment Bareeq Al 

Shatti Monthly Rental 

RO 800/- Contact: 

99888417. 

TWIN villa in The Wave, 

total area of 197 sqm, 

price: RO 170 thousand, 

monthly rent RO 850. 

99728459. 

4 VILLAS each with 

2 rooms, living room, 

kitchen, two bedrooms. 

7 km from Sohar Port 

99100777. 

BRAND new studio 

Flat in Al Hail, fully 

furnished, including 

Electricity & water for 

singles. 92817777. 

BRAND new apartments 

3 bedroom RO 450, 4 

bedroom RO 550 near 

Zakher mall Al Khuwair 

Contact: 95806606. 

VILLA for rent in Al 

Amerat (5/1). Contact: 

99438887. 

THREE bedroom flat 

at Mawaleh South with 

big hall, 3 bathrooms, 

kitchen, store, balcony 

and central split unit ACs. 

Contact: 97272730. 

VILLA at Mawaleh 

near Health Centre, 

five bedrooms. Contact 

99420312. 

FLAT for rent near 

church, south of Ghubra. 

Contact 99333919. 

A FLAT at Al Ghubra, 

consists of 3 bedrooms, 

ACs available (tiles). 

Wanted price RO 750 

Contact 99332907. 

FOR SALE 

Industrial land, 50,000 

sq m at Rusayl 

approved for 3 storey 

building with all services. 

Required price: 

Only RO 75 per sq m. 

Call the owner: 

93647210 

ASTC 

RENT A CAR 

4-wheel and 

saloon cars. 

95059259, 97885217 

OFFICE next to 

Carrefour at Mawaleh. 

Contact 92961111. 

FLAT at Al Hamriya 

99341112. 

FLATS at Al Mawaleh 

(directly from the 

owner). Contact 

92855558. 

FLAT for rent in Ruwi 

(Walja), 3 bedrooms, 2 

bathrooms and a kitchen. 

99328939 

NEW flat, 1 bedroom 

with sitting, 2 split 

ACs, RO 260, at Al 

Qurum 95570288, 

99358589. 

GOOD villa, 3 

bedrooms, sitting, 

dining, family hall, 

servant room, 7 split 

ACs, marble floor, 

RO 580 at Al Qurum 

95570288, 

99358589. 

1 FLAT with 

independent entrance 

in Al Khoudh Mazoon 

road. Flat consisting of 3 

rooms + S room + F hall 

& shaded car parking 

99416887, 99054090. 

ROOM at Hamriya 

99341112. 

SHOP near Ruwi bus 

stand 92107267 

A 

T 

FOR RENT 

9000M² of secured 

open land, with basic 

office and labour 

camp facilities in 

GHALA. To be 

leased for long and 

short term lease. 

Serious offers write 

to 2275/112. 

Tel : 24791485/ 

92137157 

CCOM AVAILABLE 

SHARING furnished 

in Ruwi 9972578/ 

24796250. 

OURS 

TOURS and cruises. 

Contact Marine Tourism 

92808636, 

www.alainain.com 

SPECIAL Rates on 

New Cars & 4 WDs 

RENTING & LEASING 

Tours and Airport Transfer 

Tel: 24582663 

GSM: 95859497, 

Fax: 24582664, 

abcrent@omantel.net.om 

S 

ERVICES 

P.C.O. (PEST 

CONTROL OMAN 

CO. LLC) 

Professionals who 

specialise in all types 

of Pest Control 

Services & Snake 

control and 

Guaranteed Termite 

Control. Also 

available Gel 

treatment for 

Cockroaches. 

Suppliers of UK 

Pesticides Chemicals, 

Snake Repellent, 

Cockroach Gels and 

Peripel treated 

Mosquito Nets. 

24787606, 

24787503, 

Fax: 24787607. 

Runib Trading LLC 

For all your Cleaning 

Services and including: 

1. Residential & 

Commercial cleaning 

service 

2. Regular or one-time 

cleaning, Spring cleaning 

3. Move-in/move-out 

cleaning 

4. Pest control, Gardening, 

Waste management. 

Contact: 98048868/ 

24499465 Fax: 24494167 

E-mail: runibtrd@gmail. 

com, sunny@runib.com, 

Web: www.runib.com 

TRANSFER and 

installation of 

furniture with 

packaging. 

96114982 

MARBLE 

CRYSTALLISATION, 

restore the original shine 

of your marble. 

24792998/99314807. 

MARBLE polishing 

and crystallisation, 

building, cleaning floor, 

floor polishing, carpet, 

sofa shampooing, pest 

control, anti-termite, 

shifting, maintenance. 

99504275. 

CARPET, sofa 

shampooing, 

GUARANTEED 

CLEANING. 

24793614/ 99314807 

1. A/C, Fridge & 

Washing Machine 

Servicing & Repairing 

2. Painting, Plumbing, 

Electrical & Carpentry 

Works. Contact: 

97014234/ 97123569, 

24504281. 

NEW and old house 

cleaning and floor 

polishing, painting, 

maintenance, carpentery, 

furniture shifting 

96642500. 

CLASSIFIED SECTION: 

OMAN DAILY Observer TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012 

HOOPOE SMART 

CARD SERVICES 

Sanad Service Centre 

We provide the following 

services: Typing, clearing 

all transactions related to 

government departments 

and private sector, eg 

labour agreement for 

Omanis and expatriates, 

typing of labour 

card for expatriates, 

typing of visas and 

document clearing from 

immigration department, 

Ministry of Commerce 

& Industry, Ministry of 

Manpower, Commercial 

names reservation, 

renewal of commercial 

registration, renewal 

of OCCI membership, 

attestation of all 

documents from OCCI 

& Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs. Renewal of 

labour cards through 

electronic payment or 

cash payment. 

Please note you may 

deliver your transaction 

through our e-mail 

and our representative 

will deliver it to your 

office personally after 

completion. Our address 

is: Ruwi, near Gulf 

Transport Co. (GTC), 

Fax: 24793331, GSM: 

98793665 (Direct) 

99231500. 

E-mail: hoopoeoman@ 

gmail.com 

AL FAHAD 

TRANSLATION 

SERVICES 

Translation of all kinds 

of legal, medical, and 

othe types of documents, 

Commercial Agencies, 

etc. Ruwi, near Gulf 


Fax: 24794286. GSM : 

98793665 (Direct) 

95959838. E-mail: 

bptland@gmail.com 

LANDRAIL TRADING 

& SERVICES (Smart 

Card) 

Ruwi, near Gulf 


Fax: 24780244, Tel: 

24789117, GSM 

98793666 (Dir), 

96777170. E-mail: 

landrailoman@gmail. 

com 

TO the owners of 

commercial/residential 

buildings and villas, we 

are specialised in fixing 

security and safety 

systems and advanced 

technology alarm 

systems. Contact 

99515419. 

Land for sale — 

Jifnain 

Commercial / 

Commercial/ 

Residential Land 

28,300 SQM at Jifnain 

in prime location 

exactly facing on 

Express Highway. 

Directly call to owner: 

99840555 

A 

Executive Office 

Services available 

Modern Furniture 

Personalised 

telephone line with 

receptionist services 

Unlimited wireless 

Internet PO Boxes 

address Executive 

conference room (10 

people) Prime 

location (Al Khuwair) 

Complimentary tea 

& coffee Service 

duration, quarterly. 

Contact: 99463334, 

99201763, 24479400. 

L 

NNOUNCEMENT 

OST 

ABBAS Nazam has lost 

Pakistani passport No. 

AK-1017721. Finder 

please handover to ROP. 

KASHEM Ali Miah has 

lost Bangladeshi passport 

No. V-0536222. Finder 


RAM Lallu Ganesh Ram 

has lost Indian passport 

No. J-9765232. Finder 


MUHAMMAD Ishaq 

Rahim Shah has lost 

Pakistani passport No. 

DH-1846971. Finder 


MUHAMMAD Akram 

Muhammad Aslam has 

lost Pakistani passport 

No. AD-1323832. Finder 


SOHEL Mostafa 

Sarnakar has lost 

Bangladeshi passport No. 

B-1414803. Finder please 

handover to ROP. 

Sulaiman Awlad Thani: 95181747 

Ali al Maashari: 99639264 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

G 

14 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

AFAQ WADI AL-MA’AWIL LLC 

CRANE (35 - 80 Ton) 

DOZER 

LOAD/ALL 

GRADER 

EXCAVATOR 

BACK HOE/LOADER 

FUEL TANKER 

SEWAGE TANKER 

WATER TANKER 

Available on very GOOD prices 

HP F1000 Printer 

RO 9.900 only 

HP F4500 4 in 1 Printer 

RO 24.500 only 

HP M1132 4 in 1 Laser Printer 

RO 54.900 only 

HP LJ1102 Laser Printer 

RO 30/900 only 

AII HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Samsung 

Cartridges also available. 

OOD NEWS 

FREE 

INFORMATION 

ABOUT ISLAM 

If you would like to 

know more about 

Islam, please call: 

Tel : 99425598, 

96050000, 99353988, 

99253818, 99341395, 

99379133, 

For ladies: 99415818, 

99321360, 99730723 

Or visit: 

www.islamfact.com 

AYURVEDIC 

Treatment, Yoga 

massage & slimming. 

Contact: 92504980/ 

24475280 , www. 

drsajjay.com 

W 

G 

F 

ANTED 

LAND REQUIRED 

REQUIRE commercial/ 

industrial land 

measuring 20,000 

to 30,000 Sq mtrs in 

and around Ghalal/ 

Halban/Rusayl on long 

term lease/purchase. 

Interested property 

owners may Contact: 

92892001 with all 

details. 

S 

ALE/BUYING 

OLD household furniture, 

carpet, curtain, wallpaper 

and fixing. 99834373. 

UEST HOUSE 

MURAHIB 

HOTEL 

APARTMENTS 

welcome our 

valuable GUESTS 

to our excellent 

location, 

AL KHUWAIR, 

near AL ZAWAWI 

MOSQUE, a single 

bedroom, a bedroom 

& majlis, two 

bedrooms & majlis 

24478087, 

Fax: 24482454. 

QURUM BEACH 

HOTEL. 24564070. 

OR SALE 

DIRECT from the 

owner: 2 bedrooms 

at Al Wadi al Kabir 

92919135 

COMPUTER SUPPLIES 

Ruwi: 24792792 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

DIRECT: 24649594 - FAX : 24649590 

e-mail: classified@omandaily.om 

CONTACT: 99310448 /99333506 /24505994 

FAX: 24504023. E-mail: afaqwadi@yahoo.com 

U 

MRAH/HAJ 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

AL Hikmani for HAJ 

and UMRAH — With 

a host of services 

including the following: 

Hiring luxurious 

coaches, arranging 

weekly trips, preparing 

visas for expats at 

cost-effective price, 

including transport, 

housing, meals 

and visits to shrine 

locations. Land and 

air trips weekly. 

(99311310, 24566016, 

99361982, 99707248, 

99322124. 

M 

A 

D 

MORNING STAR 

DRIVING SCHOOL 

— Learn driving 

manual/ automatic 

with professionally 

qualified male/ female 

trainees in brand new 

cars and flexible 

payments. Call: 

99043283, 

24478589, 24478505, 

www.chamberman. 

com/member/ 

morningstar 

www.morningstar.com 

C 

ANPOWER 

FRIENDS 

MANPOWER: Filipino 

housemaids and all kinds 

of workers. 24489268 

Tel/Fax: 24478153. 

INDONESIAN house 

maid start from RO 

740, Uganda RO 370, 

Sri Lankan RO 720, 

Ethiopia RO 390. 

Contact 24831448/ 

92801098/ 95330209. 

CCOM AVAILABLE 

A ROOM with attached 

washroom and sharing 

kitchen is available for a 

couple only. Near Qurum 

private school. Rent 

RO 160 (All utility bills 

included) 99051933/ 

24563618. 

RIVING SCHOOL 

ARGO 

CARGO transfer with 

attractive price to all 

areas in the Sultanate and 

outside of Oman 

(by truck). Contact 

00968-99171758 

al-haditha 

centre 

for vehicles repairing 

S 

PRIVATE school in 

North Al Hail would 

like to hire Teachers 

in the following 

subjects: English, 

Science, Maths & 

ICT 24541266, 

95339066. 

W 

Telephone: 24595951, 95306257. 

ITUATION VACANT 

ANTED 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Continued on P-15 

F 

O 

R 

H 

I 

R 

E 

High quality maintenance and repairing for 

all kinds of light and heavy vehicles 

(A certified workshop from ROP, Grade A) 

PRIVATE school 

in Muscat seeks 

fully qualified and 

experienced special 

need English teacher 

for elementary school. 

Forward your CV and 

recent photograph to: 

omaniacademy@gmail. 

com 

REQUIRE an 

experienced and dynamic 

staff for design and 

marketing of gift items. 

Should have good 

knowledge of computer 

specially on design 

applications like 3D 

Max. Should be able 

to market gift ideas to 

new clients. Required 

work experience 2-3 

years. Forward your 

CV to E-mail address: 

abualkhalil98@hotmail. 

com 

HOUSEMAID wanted 

full-time by expatriate 

family in Ruwi, should 

read and write English. 

Visa available, from 10 

to 12 morning and 7 to 9 

evening. 95602878 

WE need Ladies Staff 

for new beauty salon, 

located in Athaiba. 

Contact 92180734. 

REQUIRED General 

Practitioner, 

Gynaecologist, Female 

Dentist and a Nurse to 

work in a new medical 

centre at Wilayat of 

Mudhaibi. Contact 

99812298, 99240928. 

al_habsi2003@yahoo. 

com 

REQUIRED a Female 

Cook 93387962. 

URGENTLY required 

Qualified Mechanical/ 

Electrical/Electronics 

graduates/diploma, 

age max; 32. Send 

resume: ssi@omantel. 

net.om 


Salesman for our printing 

press. If any person 

interested 99733149, 

98287246. 


for design studio. 8 

-10 years experience 

min in fashion field. 

Contact Miss Smisha 

at 24542111, Fax: 

24541916. E-mail: your 

resume to: smiishaa@ 

gmail.com

SHIMLA sees the first heavy snowfall of the season early yesterday, turning the hill station more picturesque. — IANS 

Attempt to discover country on bicycles 

BHOPAL — Experience the real India on 

bicycle, with every spin of the wheel revealing 

a whole new world of adventure 

and mysticism. Pushing this philosophy 

and the accompanying thrill is a group of 

young men who have launched a novel 

bicycle-tour movement in India. 

Pradeep Sharma and his two friends 

are engineers working for multinational 

companies (MNCs) in Bangalore. But 

their quest for adventure and green concerns 

has driven them to launch cycle 

tours and encourage people to take to 

pedalling for fun. 

Pradeep hails from Morena district 

of Madhya Pradesh, while his friends 

Pankaj Mangal and Gaurav Mehendiratta 

respectively are from Jaipur (Rajasthan) 

and Delhi. The three are aged 28 and studied 

together in an engineering college in 

Ahmedabad. 

S 

15 

INDIA/CLASSIFIEDS 



ITUATION WANTED SITUATION WANTED SITUATION WANTED 

BE Electrical and 

Electronic Engineer having 

two years experience in 

Industrial field. Seeks 

suitable placement. 

Contact: 96681536. 

E-mail: morshedcuet@ 

yahoo.com 

INDIAN male, 46 years, 

23 yrs experienced civil 

engineer, woring as QScivil 

in Oman, looking 

for part-time/freelance 

works in estimating, qty. 

Surveying, prep of BOQ, 

etc. Contact: 96013166. 

They use films, music, songs, poetry, 

painting, photography, creative writing, 

books and rides to popularise bicycle 

tours and have also started a store in 

Bangalore — Art of Bicycle Trips. 

The novel idea came to them during a 

cycle trip in July 2010. The trio went on 

a 120-km bicycle trip from Bangalore to 

a Cauvery fishing camp. 

"After riding for around 60 km we 

sat under a statue of Mahatma Gandhi 

and started discussing our trip. We 

thought that for some bicycle is a utility 

and for others a revelation of human potential, 

but for us it was more of a new 

experience," Sharma recalled. "Through 

that experience, the idea of a bicycle 

movement and Art of Bicycle Trips 

emerged," Sharma said from Bangalore. 

"India's beauty actually lies in its rural 

areas. And bicycle is the best medium to 

MORE than 15 years 

Oman experienced 

Storekeeper/Salesman 

having valid Driving 

licence, on visit, seeks 

suitable placement 

99284879. 

IT professional, Indian 

male, Age: 29, having 

5 years experience in 

hardware, networking, PHP 

programming, SQL, seeks 

suitable position. Contact 

98677350 E-mail: 

emustafa_mca@yahoo.co.in 

INDIAN male, 26, 

B.Com with Tally, 5 years 

experience in accounts, 

Omani driving licence, 

seeks job 96470171. 

INDIAN female, electronics 

and communication 

engineer, seeks suitable 

position with work visa 

around Muscat area 

95924356. 

INDONESIAN female 

looking for household 

job, only for full-time 

93542338. 

Mailing Address: OBSERVER CLASSIFIEDS SECTION, P.O. Box 974, Muscat, P.C. 100 

Location: OEPPA HEAD OFFICE, Medinat Al Alam, 

Near Ministry of Information 24649 593, 594, 594, 595, 596, 597 

& OEPPA Ruwi Office, Next to Dhofar Bldg, Behind Ruwi Police Station 24785668 

get connected with its nature and people, 

directly. So we offer a simple and unique 

way to experience the real India. Bicycling 

opens up a whole new world of adventure, 

freedom and mysticism on every 

spin," Sharma said. 

The firm designs unique bicycle trips 

from day-long tours of within a city to safaris 

to other states including Karnataka, 

Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Tamil 

Nadu and Himachal Pradesh. 

One day-long safari has been named 

after the 1970s Bollywood hit Sholay and 

is called Sholay Adventure. Under it, riders 

can tour the region where the blockbuster 

was shot. We have 15 bicycles specially 

designed for different tours. So far 

70 to 80 groups (comprising 5-6 people) 

have taken our service, mostly foreigners. 

— IANS 

INDIAN male, BBM/ 

MBA in marketing & HR, 

having valid D/L, seeks 

suitable placement. Contact 

95473531/99784121. 

QUALIFIED Finance 

Manager with 10 years 

experience in reputed 

companies in contracting, 

manufacturing and trading 

fields, seeks immediate 

placement. 96251458. 

DIPLOMA in civil 

engineering, 19 years 

experience (16 years in 

Oman) in quantity survey, 

seeks suitable placement 

99360190, 96328687. 

INDIAN male, 32 years, 

MBA graduate, having 

more than 8 years 

experience in Europe 

& Asia in marketing & 

managerial, computer 

proficiency in MS Office 

& Tally, on visit, seeks 

suitable immediate 

placement in sales/ 

marketing/banking. 

97163101/ 99628440, 

E-mail: mkrishnankutty@ 

gmail.com 

MECHANICAL 

engineering graduate, 12 + 

years experience in project, 

people, performance, 

management, design 

validation, Gsigma, quality, 

currently with Caterpillar 

India as deputy manager, 

seeks suitable placement in 

Muscat 92283707. 

SUDANESE, Cisco 

certified CCNA-CCNP 

looking for job in hardware 

and networking field 

99066253. 

ARCHITECT, 3 years 

experience in Oman — 

decoration, landscape, 

construction, AutoCAD, 

Photoshop and 3D 

97164803. 

INDIAN male 29 yrs 

MSc, BSc in computers 

5+years of exp in network 

engineering 2 years 

of Oman exp, seeking 

suitable placement. CCNP, 

MCP certified. Contact: 

93223629. 

HYDROGEOLOGIST 

with long experience in 

Oman having valid 

Omani driving licence 

needs suitable 

placement. 95451104. 

shuja54@hotmail.com 

INDIAN male 25, 3 years 

experience in system 

administration [B.Com 

(computer applications) 

MCSA messaging in 

exchange server] Looking 

for a suitable placement 

in Oman. Contact: e-mail: 

sreesankarrs@gmail.com 

MALE, 23, Indian, MCA, 

PGDBA, B.Sc computer 

science, seeks suitable job. 

vineeth1000@gmail.com 

97310219. 

INDIAN male, 27 years 

experience in civil 

construction, project 

manager/co-ordinator, 20 

years experience in road 

construction Oman. Can 

join immediately with 

NOC. 99881794/ 

95081965. 

INDIAN male, 33, 

commerce graduate, 

having 8 years experience 

in accounts in Gulf, 

presently staying in Oman 

on visit visa, seeks suitable 

placement 95772160. 

BACHELOR of 

Engineering in Computer 

Science with 5 years 

experience in multinational 

company, business 

Development SAP 

& people soft. Good 

knowledge in Photoshop, 

Web design, seminar 

presentations. Holding 

advance diploma in Human 

Resource Management. 

E-mail: just4hansel@ 

gmail.com Contact 

95959494. 


experience in accounts/ 

finance (7 years in Oman) 

with Oman driving licence, 

seeks suitable placement. 

Contact: 98653345, 

e-mail: unniyath@gmail. 

com. 

YOUNG male Indian 

graduate with one and a 

half years local experience, 

currently pursuing CIMA, 

holds valid Omani driving 

license with excellent 

communication skills 

seeks suitable placement 

in accounts or finance 

department. Contact : 

97098973. 

INDIAN male with 

B.Com, MBA, 17 years 

of experience which 

includes 15 years of local 

experience and holds 

a valid Omani driving 

license seeks suitable 

placement in accounts 

or finance department. 

Contact: 99705790. 

ZAJEL weekly magazine evry saturday along with OMAN DAILY 

for advertising contact 

Mobile 96224397 95181747 

Tel 24649593 Fax 24649590 Email zajeloman@yahoocom 

Snowfall in Himachal throws life 

out of gear but cheers fruit farmers 

SHIMLA — Heavy snowfall, 

accompanied by blizzards, 

continued across Himachal 

Pradesh yesterday snapping 

transportation links but bringing 

cheer to fruit growers in 

the state. State capital Shimla 

saw a moderate spell of snowfall 

— 24.6 cm of snow — but 

recorded a minimum temperature 

of minus 2.9 degrees Celsius, 

the season's lowest. 

Other parts of Shimla 

district, especially the upper 

reaches, experienced heavy 

snowfall. These included Narkanda, 

Jubbal, Kotkhai and 

Khada Pathar. Reports said 

some of the areas in Jubbal, 

Narkanda and Kotkhai experienced 

up to three feet of snow 

in just a few hours. 

"Power cables have been 

snapped by the heavy snow," 

Rohit Thakur, a prominent apple 

grower from Jubbal, said. 

He said the area saw three to 

four feet of snow. 

However, the heavy snow 

has brought cheer to apple 

growers in the region. "The 

prolonged dry spell is finally 

over. This spell of snow is 

good for the apple, peach, 

plum, apricot and almond 

crops," Thakur said. 

Besides Shimla, other parts 

in the state too experienced 

snowfall. Manali received 

moderate snowfall of 19 cm 

early yesterday. It experienced 

a low of minus 1.4 degrees 

Celsius. Kalpa, 250 km from 

Shimla, saw 8.8 cm of snow 

while Keylong in Lahaul and 

Spiti district experienced 7 cm 

of snow. These towns saw the 

night temperature at 4.5 de- 

grees and 5.7 degrees Celsius 

below freezing point, respectively. 

The snowfall paralysed 

normal life and snapped road 

and air links. The cold weather 

resulted in the freezing of 

taps in posh residential areas 

in Shimla city such as the 

US Club and the Jakhu hills 

throughout the day. 

Flights in and out of 

Shimla were cancelled with 

Chief Minister Prem Kumar 

Dhumal cancelling his visit 

to Manali from here due to inclement 

weather. 

Incessant snow also hampered 

vehicular traffic on the 

highways in Shimla, Kinnaur, 

Chamba and Kullu districts. 

Vehicular traffic to upper 

Shimla and Kinnaur district 

remained suspended throughout 

the day beyond Shimla 

FILIPINA housemaid 

looking for job, with 

release letter 97096041. 


experience in automobile 

department, seeks suitable 

placement as transport, 

logistics or service 

manager. Valid ROP, DD01 

& DD03 licence. On a visit 

visa. Contact: Jayaseelan 

99121390. 

INDIAN male 39, 16 yrs 

exp, in import/export, 

freights, purchase, 

inventory, general 

management, MBA 

(logistics & supply 

chain), valid Omani D/L, 

seeks suitable placement. 

Contact: 99500670. 

INDIAN male, B Tech 

(EEE) , 7 yrs exp in 

Software CRM & SAP 

with IBM experience 

seeks suitable placement in 

Oman. Currently available 

in Oman with visit visa. 

Contact: 96352937, 

samlou1310@gmail.com 

LIGHT Driver (Pakistani), 

8 years experience in 

Oman, looking for a job. 

92179597. 

CLASSIFIED 

SECTION 

RUWI: 24785668 

Behind Royal Oman Police 

Adjacent to 

Dhofar Building 

city. The state road transport 

corporation sent some buses 

to Rohru via Vikasnagar and 

to Rampur and Kinnaur via 

Basantpur and Dhami. 

"The road link to picturesque 

Dalhousie and Chamba 

towns was partially restored 

on Monday," Superintendent 

of Police Madhu Sudan said. 

The towns had remained 

cut off for two days due to 

heavy snowfall near Banikhet, 

which is located on the 

Pathankot-Chamba national 

highway. 

The Met department's forecast 

has said that Western disturbances 

— storm systems 

originating from the Mediterranean 

Sea and moving across 

the Afghanistan-Pakistan region 

— would be totally withdrawn 

today. — IANS 

Unquenchable thirst for education in Jaunpur 

JAUNPUR — Broken roads 

and power cuts have failed to 

deter people in their drive for 

education in this eastern Uttar 

Pradesh district. They have set 

up more than 30 schools and 

technical institutes for youth 

of the area. 

If you drive between Imran 

Ganj to Guraini in the Shahganj 

sub-division of the district 

— a distance of some 10 

km — you can count about 40 

schools and technical institutes. 

Only about 10 of them 

are government run or aided. 

The area covers some 60 

villages, with a population 

of over 100,000. From primary 

schools to degree colleges, 

madrassas to computer 

and mobile phone repairing 

centres, the area offers a 

wide choice to parents anxious 

about their children's 

education. 

Ramdhani Rajbhar, a 

farmer of Amilo Pashurampur 

village, was confused about 

which school to choose for his 

son Sanjay. 

"When my son finished 

Class 5, it was very difficult 

for me to choose a school, 

as I felt that all schools are 

providing the best possible facilities," 

says Rajbhar. 

Mirza Azfar Baig, manager 

of the Mirza Anwar Baig 

Educational Society, remembers 

that earlier it was too 

hard to even open a school. 

"When we started, there 

was nothing but forest and 

some barren land. It was hard 

to run a school as there was 

lack of transportation and 

educational awareness," Azfar 

said. 

The Mirza Anwar Baig 

Educational Society was 

established in 1962 and at 

present runs three institutes 

— Abdul Aziz Ansari Degree 

College, Mirza Anwar 

Baig Intermediate College 

and Maulana Azad Taleemi 

Markaz (Islamic madrassa), 

where about 5,000 students 

are enrolled. 

Geeta Maurya, headmistress 

of R K Convent School 

in Khetasarai town, thinks 

that it is a sign of progress that 

people are now eager to give 

their kids good education. 

"This is a good thing that 

there are enough schools. If 

we have more schools then 

the student-teacher ratio will 

be better," says Maurya. 

Raghunath Yadav, a 

65-year-old tea maker of 

Khetasaria, says that unlike 

earlier, he can now spot 

many vehicles ferrying kids to 

schools. 

"There are more school 

vehicles in the mornings and 

evenings than local transport. 

You can see a series of at least 

50 yellow- and white-coloured 

buses and vans here daily," he 

said. — IANS 

LOOKING for job — 

House cleaning, labour 

works. 99529342. 

PRO (Omani), 4 years 

experience having 

valid D/L (PDO), seeks 

immediate placement in a 

reputed company 

92265302. 

OMANI seeks position in 

HSE. Jeebal3000@ 

gmail.com 

IRAQI civil engineer, one 

year experience outside 

Oman, speaking Arabic 

and English, excellent 

computer skills 

98956592. 

FILIPINO, female, 

Bachelor of Science and 

commerce graduate, a 

multitasking & 4 years 

experience as operations 

officer with secretarial 

skills in line with tourism 

mainly in transportation 

industry, knowledge in MS 

Office, business letter correspondences 

and highly 

levelled customer service 

oriented for immediate appointment 

92789467 / 

arcel_77@yahoo.com. 

Sulaiman Awlad 

Thani:95181747 

Ali al Maashari: 

99639264 

Saada: 

95919344

FLIGHT LIGHT SSCHEDULE 

CHEDULE 

ARRIVALS — TUESDAY 

Flight No Aircraft From / Via STA 

WY614 B737-8 Dubai 0005 

WY682 B737-8 Riyadh 0015 

WY648 B737-8 Kuwait 0015 

TK858 B737-8 Istanbul 0130 

BG021 DC10 Dacca-Chittagong 0130 

IX141 B737-8 Amritsar 0140 

PK225 B737-3 Karachi 0200 

QR170 A320 Doha 0315 

EY384 A320 Abu Dhabi 0350 

EK866 B777 Dubai 0355 

FZ041 B737-8 Dubai 0415 

GF560 E190 Bahrain 0425 

MS930 B737-8 Cairo 0500 

WY146 A330-200 Malpensa 0605 

WY122 A330-300 Munich 0630 

WY114 A330-300 Frankfurt 0645 

WY652 E175AR Bahrain 0700 

WY662 E175AR Doha 0700 

FZ043 B737-8 Dubai 0740 

WY132 A330-200 Paris 0745 

WY674 B737-8 Jeddah 0800 

WY202 B737-8 Bombay 0800 

WY914 B737-8 Salalah 0800 

WY632 ATR42 Abu Dhabi 0800 

WY602 B737-8 Dubai 0825 

WY326 B737-8 Islamabad 0900 

WY322 B737-8 Karachi 0900 

WY102 A330-300 London Heathrow 0900 

WY262 B737-8 Lucknow 0920 

EK862 B777 Dubai 0930 

QR166 A321 Doha 0950 

G9113 A320 Sharjah 0955 

EY382 A320 Abu Dhabi 1000 

PK191 ATR42 Gwadur 1045 

9W530 B737-8 Trivandrum 1045 

WY3302 ATR42 Mukhaizna 1045 

IX549 B737-8 Trivandrum 1050 

WY604 E175AR Dubai 1100 

WY916 E175AR Salalah 1200 

WY314 B737-8 Chittagong 1210 


IX337 B737-8 Calicut 1255 

WY918 ATR42 Khasab 1315 

WY606 B737-8 Dubai 1330 

WY924 A330-300 Salalah 1410 

IX815 B737-8 Mangalore 1425 

WY3304 ATR42 Mukhaizna 1445 

FZ045 B737-8 Dubai 1545 

RJ602 ERJ175 Amman 1545 

WY664 E175AR Doha 1615 

WY328 B737-8 Lahore 1640 



WY204 B737-8 Bombay 1655 

WY244 B737-8 Delhi 1710 

WY298 B737-8 Calicut 1750 

WY284 B737-8 Bangalore 1800 

WY216 B737-8 Trivandrum 1805 

GF564 A319 Bahrain 1810 

WY236 B737-8 Hyderabad 1835 


SV534 EMB170 Riyadh 1900 

TG507 A330 Bangkok-Karachi 1900 

G9117 A320 Sharjah 1905 

WY926 B737-8 Salalah 1945 

FZ047 B737-8 Dubai 2020 

WY620 E175AR Dubai 2020 

WY338 B737-8 Kathmandu 2100 

AI973 A320 Delhi 2125 

BA073 B777 London Heathrow-Abu Dhabi 2130 


WY926 B737-8 Salalah 2155 

AI907 A319 Madras 2200 

WY406 B737-8 Cairo 2215 

WY381 A330-300 Male-Colombo 2215 

LH618 A330 Frankfurt-Abu Dhabi 2225 


QR168 A320 Doha 2235 

LX242 A330 Zurich-Dubai 2235 

GF566 B737-7 Bahrain 2250 

WY228 B737-8 Cochin 2250 

WY624 ATR42 Al Ain 2305 

WY656 B737-8 Bahrain 2305 

WY668 B737-7 Doha 2310 

WY928 B737-8 Salalah 2310 

AI985 A321 Ahmedabad-Bombay 2310 

WY672 A330-300 Jeddah 2315 


WY686 B737-8 Dammam 2320 

9W534 B737-8 Cochin 2330 

WY816 A330-200 Bangkok 2335 

9W540 B737-8 Bombay 2340 

WY258 B737-8 Madras 2340 

QUOTATIONS FOR TODAY 

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if 

you want to test a man’s character, give 

him power. — Abraham Lincoln 

He who gives what he would as readily 

throw away, gives without generosity; 

for the essence of generosity is in self 

sacrifice. — Henry Taylor 

CINEMA 

FILM INFORMATION 

AL BAHJA CINEMA: 

24540856, 24540855. 

AL NASR CINEMA: 

24831358, 24831809 (after 3pm) 

AL SHATTI PLAZA: 

24607360, 24692656 (after 2pm) 

STARS CINEMA: 

24791641, 24792360 

MAJLIS A’SHURA 

ADDRESSES 

Keep in touch with Majlis Ash’shura’s 

news. 

Log on to the Majlis’s website: 

www.shura.om 

and the Majlis’s 

e-mail: info@shura.om 

Or write to the Majlis’s postal address: 

P O Box 981 

Postal Code 111, Muscat 

Tel: 24510344 / 24521427/ 

Fax 24510560 

INFORMATION 

MINISTRY WEBSITES 

Ministry: www.omanet.om 

Oman TV: 

www.oman-tv.gov.om 

Oman Radio: 

www.oman-radio.gov.om 

Omani Centre for Traditional Music: 

www.octm-folk.gov.om 

OMAN RADIO 

6.00 Opening, Royal Anthem, The Holy Quran, Preview of 

Morning Programme, Weather Forecast and Pharmacies 

on Duty; 6.15 Good Morning Oman; 7.00 News Bulletin; 

7.10 Good Morning Oman (Sat-Wed) with What the Paper 

Says; 9.00 News Headlines; 9.02 Piano; 10.00 

Instrumental Music; 11.00 Light Classical Music; 12.00 

News Headlines, 12.02 Midday Edition (Live) Sat-Wed; 

2.07 Around the World in 30 mins; 2:25 Jungle — On 

Road with 90.4 — Sat-Wed; 2.30 News Bulletin; 2.40 

Sports (Faiq) Daily except Thu & Fri; 2:50 Mix Music 

Except Thu & Fri; 3.00 Women in Focus — Nisham 

Repeat of Thu 6.40 & Fri 3.30 pm; 3.20 Radio Station 

Jingles and Programmes; 3.25 Mix Music; 3.30 Health 

Matters; 4.00 News Headlines; 4.02 Health Matters; 6.00 

Forts and Castles of Oman — Laxmi Repeat of Monday 

3.00 & Fri 2.40 pm;. 6.15 Radio Station Jingles and 

Programmes; 6.30 News Bulletin; 6.40 Mix Music; 7.00 

Football Lounge (Rumaitha); 8.00 News Headlines; 8.02 

Night Express; 10.00 News Bulletin; 10.10 Flash Back; 

11.15 Mix Music; 12.40 News Summary; 12.45 The Holy 

Quran; 01.00 National Anthem, Close Down. 

DEPARTURES 

Flight No Aircraft To / Via STD 

BA072 B777 Abu Dhabi-London Heathrow 0001 

AI986 A321 Bombay-Ahmedabad 0005 


9W539 B737-8 Bombay 0045 

KQ318 B737-8 Nairobi 0050 

WY601 B737-8 Dubai 0115 


WY261 B737-8 Lucknow 0125 

WY201 B737-8 Bombay 0130 

9W529 B737-8 Trivandrum 0130 

WY661 E175AR Doha 0130 


WY313 B737-8 Chittagong 0200 

WY325 B737-8 Islamabad 0220 

TK859 B737-8 Istanbul 0220 

WY321 B737-8 Karachi 0220 

IX816 B737-8 Abu Dhabi-Mangalore 0220 

PK226 B737-3 Karachi 0300 

BG022 DC10 Chittagong-Dacca 0300 

EK867 B777 Dubai 0500 

FZ042 B737-8 Dubai 0500 


QR171 A320 Doha 0550 

MS931 B737-8 Cairo 0600 



WY915 E175AR Salalah 0800 


FZ044 B737-8 Dubai 0820 

WY243 B737-8 Delhi 1000 

WY717 B737-8 Zanzibar-Dar-es-Salaam 1000 

WY327 B737-8 Lahore 1000 

WY825 A330-200 Kuala Lumpur 1000 

WY923 A330-300 Salalah 1005 

WY297 B737-8 Calicut 1005 

WY215 B737-8 Trivandrum 1010 

WY815 A330-200 Bangkok 1010 

WY917 ATR42 Khasab 1030 

WY605 B737-8 Dubai 1030 

WY381 A330-300 Male-Colombo 1030 

G9114 A320 Sharjah 1035 

WY203 B737-8 Bombay 1040 

EK863 B777 Dubai 1045 

EY383 A320 Abu Dhabi 1050 

QR167 A321 Doha 1055 


WY235 B737-8 Hyderabad 1115 

PK192 ATR42 Gwadur-Turbat 1130 

9W533 B737-8 Cochin 1145 

IX554 B737-8 Cochin-Trivandrum 1150 

WY337 B737-8 Kathmandu 1155 

WY663 E175AR Doha 1215 


WY405 B737-8 Cairo 1310 



IX350 B737-8 Calicut 1355 

WY101 A330-300 London Heathrow 1400 

WY227 B737-8 Cochin 1445 


IX142 B737-8 Abu Dhabi-Amritsar 1515 

WY671 A330-300 Jeddah 1540 

WY257 B737-8 Madras 1545 

FZ046 B737-8 Dubai 1630 

RJ603 ERJ175 Amman 1630 


WY925 B737-8 Salalah 1750 


GF565 A319 Bahrain 1855 

WY685 B737-8 Dammam 1905 

WY647 B737-8 Kuwait 1905 

WY927 B737-8 Salalah 1905 

WY681 B737-8 Riyadh 1910 

WY667 B737-7 Doha 1910 

WY655 B737-8 Bahrain 1915 

G9118 A320 Sharjah 1945 

SV535 EMB170 Riyadh 2000 

TG508 A330 Karachi-Bangkok 2005 

WY623 ATR42 Al Ain 2015 

WY613 B737-8 Dubai 2045 

FZ048 B737-8 Dubai 2105 

WY635 E175AR Abu Dhabi 2105 

WY913 B737-8 Salalah 2245 

AI908 A319 Madras 2300 

AI974 A320 Delhi 2310 


LX243 A330 Dubai-Zurich 2335 

QR169 A320 Doha 2335 

GF567 B737-7 Bahrain 2345 

LH619 A330 Abu Dhabi-Frankfurt 2345 

CRYPTIC PUZZLE 

ACROSS 

1 Sportsman causing a 

runner hesitation (5) 

6 Crazy about ceramics? 

(5) 

9 Out-of-this-world skill in 

main distribution (7) 

10 Measures taken to 

elevate oneself? (5) 

11 Daunt from taking the 

car into the Kentish area 

(5) 

12 The prize is in the bag! 

(5) 

13 Nationalist ready to 

cause civil disturbance? 

(7) 

15 Had an encounter with 

the police (3) 

17 One spilling the gore of 

his victims? (4) 

18 Something to wear for 

the dance (6) 

19 Protector of a soft little 

fellow (5) 

20 Her outcry is ruddy 

fruity! (6) 

22 Show sorrow at putting 

me out of work (4) 

24 Outwitted and put in the 

shade (3) 

25 Where, in sum, the rain 

is stormy (7) 

26 At school, they lead to a 

certain amount of better 

writing (5) 

27 Lord of Bolton? (5) 

28 Just the type to cow 

people (5) 

29 Something snappy to eat 

(7) 

30 Transport half a yard in 

play (5) 

31 Charges for tea at the 

Royal Society (5) 

DOWN 

2 A serviceable container 

(6) 

3 Striker back at the 

cinema (6) 

4 Academician’s princely 

title abroad (3) 

5 Strong drink (5) 

6 Anger with one’s love? 

16 

INFORMATION/LEISURE TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012 

PHARMACIES 

24-HOUR SERVICE 

Al Hashar ph, Ruwi 24783334 

Muscat ph, Ruwi, 24702542 

Al Sarooj, 24695536 

Scientific ph, Qurum, 24566601 

Ruwi, 24702850 

DAY DUTY 

Muscat Bombay 24795252 

Ahmed 24541856 

Muscat 24485740 

As Salam 24451092 

Sur Al Rawdah 25546454 

Buraimi The Modern 

25650755 

Ibri Al Huda 25692604 

Nizwa Al Hazfah 25426102 

Salalah Al Hashar 23297622 

NIGHT DUTY 

Muscat Al Hashar 24833115 

Almassa 

Muscat 24695536 

Mahaq 24421644 

Sur Al Fajr 25543113 

Buraimi Fajr Al Khaleej 

25654321 

Ibri Muscat 25689216 

Barka Badr Al Smaa 

26884910 

Rustaq Muscat 26878631 

Samayil Al Jinan 25351030 

Nizwa Qarn Al Rawdah 

25425012 

Salalah Waleed 23294905 

KHOULA HOSPITAL VISITING HOURS 

Private & Other Wards 

Working Days: 16:00-18:00. Weekends & Public 

Holidays: 10:-12:00, 16:00-18:00 

ICU 

Working Days: 16:00-17:00. Weekends & Public 

Holidays: 16:00-17:00 

Special Care Baby Unit 

Working Days: Parents may visit at any time. 

Weekends & Public Holidays: Parents may visit 

at any time 

(7) 

7 Formerly going ahead at 

half pace (4) 

8 Artist who brought about 

change? (6) 

12 Fatherly bloomer? (5) 

13 The Dog and Duck’s 

between the post office 

and the church (5) 

14 Lashed out with a right 

when vexed (5) 

15 Misguided lemon? (5) 

16 It’s significant when 

Tom’s out a bit late (5) 

18 Something extra round 

in buns, perhaps (5) 

19 Men appearing in an 

operatic part abroad (7) 

21 Smoky city! (6) 

22 Waltz time (6) 

23 Roll up to dad with a 

sickly look (6) 

25 It can also be worn 

around the fifth of 

November (5) 

26 He’s in jug (4) 

28 Sank in a little (3) 

EASY PUZZLE 

ACROSS 

1 Gambling game (5) 

CROSSWORD 

6 Celebration (5) 

9 In general (7) 

10 Country house (5) 

11 Abundant (5) 

12 Portents (5) 

13 Loss of memory (7) 

15 Meadow (3) 

17 Employer (4) 

18 Navigates (6) 

19 Undergarments (5) 

20 Was jealous (6) 

22 Certain (4) 

24 Fish eggs (3) 

25 Loser (4-3) 

26 Name (5) 

27 Keepsake (5) 

28 Garret (5) 

29 Raise (7) 

30 Stage whisper (5) 

31 Borders (5) 

DOWN 

2 Dialects (6) 

3 Sportsman (6) 

4 Eggs (3) 

5 Smell (5) 

6 Celestial bodies (7) 

7 Charity money (4) 

8 Cashier (6) 

12 Lubricated (5) 

13 Hand tool (5) 

YOUR STARS 

Hospital. . . . . . Board . . . . . . . Emergency 

Royal. . . . . . . .24599000 . . . .24590491 

Health Services Department 

Muttrah . . . . . .24797602 

Quriyat . . . . . .24845001 . . . .24845003 

SQH, Salalah .23211555 . . . .23211151 

Police . . . . . . .24603988 . . . .24603980 

Al Nahda. . . . .24831255 . . . .24837800 

Ibn Sina . . . . .24876322 . . . .24877361 

Nizwa . . . . . . .25439361 . . . .25425033 

Al Rustaq . . . .26875055 . . . .26877186 

Sumayil. . . . . .25350055 . . . .25350022 

Izki . . . . . . . . .25340033 . . . .25340033 

Haima . . . . . . .23436013 . . . .23436055 

Sohar . . . . . . .26840022 . . . .26840099 

14 Courage (5) 

15 Madagascan primate (5) 

16 Poplar (5) 

18 Musty (5) 

19 Transport (7) 

21 Books (6) 

22 Arranged (6) 

23 Steep valley (6) 

25 Living (5) 

26 Bound (4) 

28 Consumed (3) 

YESTERDAY’S 

CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS 

ACROSS: 1, O-cean 6, 

Larch 9, Mention 10, Snipe 

11, Youth 12, Milan 13, 

Sp-art-an 15, Lea 17, Here 

18, Sta-I-rs 19, Mitty 20, 

Fro-L-ic 22, Sire 24, Ta-n 

25, Sigh-ted 26, Blown 27, 

Cur-I-e 28, B-rain (-storm) 

29, Train-ER 30, Wanes 31, 

Dying. 

DOWN: 2, Can-ape 3, 

Ampere 4, Nee (rev.) 5, 

Stain 6, Loyalty 7, Anon 8, 

Cutter 12, Magi-c 13, Shift 

14, Arson 15, Licit 16, Asked 

18, Stein 19, Millers 21, 

Rag-USA 22, Sh-err-y 23, 

Region 25, Swain 26, Bit-e 

28, Bed. 

YESTERDAY’S EASY 

SOLUTIONS 

ACROSS: 1, Crept 6, Scope 

9, Respite 10, Often 11, 

Adore 12, State 13, Antique 

15, Let 17, Odes 18, Arcade 

19, Store 20, Teases 22, Fear 

24, Ass 25, Repents 26, 

Steed 27, Basil 28, Attic 29, 

Defence 30, Aster 31, Erred. 

DOWN: 2, Refund 3, Precis 

4, Ten 5, Spate 6, Stature 7, 

Cede 8, Parted 12, Suits 13, 

Aorta 14, Texas 15, Laden 

16, Tears 18, Armed 19, 

Settler 21, Essays 22, Fester 

23, Attire 25, Refer 26, Side 

28, Ace. 

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY: You will need to be extremely cautious in the coming year about some unusual 

transactions suggested to you, which are not in your usual sphere of activity. You must seek expert advice before 

investing any money without having a guarantee of tangible results. 

CAPRICORN 

TAURUS 

VIRGO 

(December 22- 

(April 21-May 20) 

(August 22-September 22) 

January 20) 

A plan for which you were 

A newly formed friendship 

All your actions are prompted 

unable to get he necessary 

may encroach too much on 

by your admirable character and every- support can be carried through successfully your time in the next few days, but do not 

body in contact with you is well aware of by you alone. You will feel proud of hav- begrudge it if there is a chance of estab- 

this rare qquality 

of yours. 

ing had the courage of your convictions. lishing a lasting bond. 

AQUARIUS 

GEMINI 

LIBRA 

(January 21- 

(May 21-June 21) 

February 19) 

(September 23- 

Don’t get into a heated argu- 

October 22) 

By defending your principles 

ment today over a trivial 

against all corners you will build up a 

Make sure that your extreme 

matter. Keep your temper and let the other 

great feeling of strength and be able to 

politeness towards everybody is not as- 

person lose face by over-reacting on a 

carry through any future plans you have 

sumed to be weakness on your part and 

matter of no importance. 

in mind. 

taken advantage of in an unfair way. 

PISCES 

CANCER 

SCORPIO 

(February 20-March 20) 

(June 22-July 21) 

(October 23- 

Do not abuse the great influ- 

A romantic association is 

November 21) 

ence you have over a very 

reaching the point where you 

Don’t exaggerate the impor- 

young person. Such youngsters need to be ought to make up your mind concerning 

tance of a casual remark made by a rather 

guided, not led, so don’t force him against the future. Have a frank talk and don’t 

thoughtless person who has most likely 

his will. 

keep the other person in suspense. 

forgotten all about it by now. 

ARIES 

(March 21-April 20) 

LEO 

(July 22-August 21) 

SAGITTARIUS 

(November 22- 

Discuss a joint arrangement 

You may rob a youngster of 

December 21) 

with your partner in detail, 

his pride of accomplishment 

Some members of the family 

and thus avoid disputes later on. If there if you supervise every step of his work. may not always be aware of and appreciate 

is no agreement now, wait awhile before Give him the opportunity to show what he your sacrifices in putting their pleasure 

mentioning it again. 

can do by himself. 

before your own. 

OTHER HOSPITALS 

Al Buraimi . . . .25650855 . . . .25652319 

Sur . . . . . . . . .25440244 . . . .25461373 

Tanam. . . . . . .25499011 . . . .25499033 

Masirah. . . . . .25404018 . . . .25404018 

Ibra . . . . . . . . .25470533 . . . .25470535 

Adam . . . . . . .25434167 . . . .25434055 

Bidiya . . . . . . .25483535 . . . .25483535 

Ibri. . . . . . . . . .25491011 . . . .25491990 

Saham . . . . . .26854427 . . . .26855148 

Khasab . . . . . .26830187 . . . .26830187 

Dibba . . . . . . .26836443 . . . .26836443 

Burkha . . . . . .26828397 . . . .26828397 

Sinaw . . . . . . .25474338 

ACROSS 

1 Decapitate (6) 

5 Passionate (6) 

9 Poetry (5) 

10 Pamper (6) 

11 Small (6) 

12 Spree (5) 

14 Pitcher (4) 

17 Managed (3) 

18 Vessel (4) 

20 Jockey (5) 

22 Fret (5) 

23 Amble (7) 

24 Twist (5) 

26 Storehouse (5) 

29 Voucher (4) 

30 Donkey (3) 

32 Finished (4) 

33 Longed (5) 

35 Mend (6) 

36 Squandered (6) 

37 Eater (5) 

38 Evaded (6) 

39 Bred (6) 

DOWN 

1 Supporter (6) 

2 Silent (6) 

3 Declare (4) 

FAISAL BIN ALI AL SAID MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24641650 

MUSEUM OF OMANI HERITAGE, 

Tel: 24600946 

CHILDREN’S SCIENCE MUSEUM. 

Tel: 24605368 

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24641374 

NATIONAL MUSEUM, Tel: 24701289 

SULTAN’S ARMED FORCES 

MUSEUM, Tel: 24312646 

CURRENCY MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24796102 

MUSCAT GATE MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24739005. 

OMANI-FRENCH MUSEUM (Bait 

Fransa), Tel: 24736613 

BAIT AL ZUBAIR, Tel: 24736688 

BAIT A’NAMAN, Tel: 24641300 

SOHAR FORT MUSEUM. 

Tel: 26844758 

NAHKAL FORT, Tel: 26781384 

BAIT AL MAKHAM. Tel: 24641300 

BAIT ADAM MUSEUM, QURUM, 

Tel: 24605033, 24605013 

OIL AND GAS EXHIBITION 

CENTRE AND PLANE-TARIUM, 

Tel: 24677834. 

PLANETARIUM, Tel: 24675542. 

AQUARIUM at the Marine Science 

and Fisheries Centre (located next to 

Marina Bandar Rowdha, Sidab). 

SALALAH MUSEUM, Tel: 23294549 

CULTURAL CENTRE, Tel: 23294549. 

SUR MARITIME MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24541466. 

BAIT AL BARANDA, Tel: 24714262. 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

4 Dissuade (5) 

5 Tree (5) 

6 Stagger (4) 

7 Reviser (6) 

8 Pact (6) 

13 Lacquer (7) 

15 Sorceress (5) 

16 Readjust (5) 

M USEUMS IN OMAN 

18 Drilled (5) 

19 Fire-raising (5) 

21 Uncooked (3) 

22 Marry (3) 

24 Scratched (6) 

25 Torn (6) 

27 Placard (6) 

28 Nursed (6) 

CARTOONS 

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 

EMERGENCY 9 9 9 9 

DG of Passports & Residency, 24569603 

DG of Customs, 24714626 

Traffic offences, 24510227/228 

ROP Public Relations, 24569270 

Consumer Complaints Cell, 24817013 

Muscat Governorate Headquarters, 24560021 

Muscat, 24736611 

Wattayah, 24677990 

Ruwi, 24701099 

Muttrah, 24712211 

Bausher, 24600099 

Al Amerat, 24875999 

Qurayat, 24845555 

A’Seeb, 24420099 

Al-Athaiba, 24521099 

AI-Khodh, 24425012 

Directorate of the University Security, 24513999 

Directorate of Traffic Muscat, 24567898 

Al Batinah Headquarters, 26840096 

Al Rustaq Division, 26875099 

Al Dakhiliyah, 25425099 

Nizwa Division, 25425099 

Samayil Division, 25350099 

Al Sharqiyah Headquarters, 25545070 

Ibra Division, 25570100 

Al Dhahirah Headquarters, 25650099 

Al Buraimi Division, 25650199 

Ibri Division, 25689099 

Al Wusta Headquarters, 23436099 

Haima Division, 23436211 

Special Task Force, 24560088 

Coastguard Headquarters, 24714888 

Dhofar Governorate Headquarters, 23234599 

Salalah Police Station, 23290099 

Thamrait Division, 23279099 

Musandam Governorate Headquarters, 

26730299 

Khasab Division, 26731502 

ROP websites: www.rop.gov.om, www.ropoman. 

net and 

e-mail: ropnet@omantel.net.om 

30 Pungent (5) 

31 Drain (5) 

33 Assistant (4) 

34 Challenge (4) 

YESTERDAY’S 

QUICK SOLUTION 

ACROSS: 4, Brash 7, 

Afresh 9, Era 10, Has 

12, Agent 13, Thaw 15, 

Lunge 17, Serene 19, 

Dash 20, Style 22, Tat 

24, Debated 27, Den 28, 

Learn 31, Hero 33, Angler 

35, Cater 37, Post 

38, Adder 39, Day 41, 

Aim 42, Banner 43, 

Grand. 

DOWN: 1, Cactus 2, 

Greasy 3, Ash 4, Brag 

5, Raged 6, Sinister 8, 

Hale 11, Suntanned 

14, Weld 16, Neat 18, 

Reed 21, Toreador 23, 

Tell 25, Beat 26, Deep 

29, Around 30, Nature 

32, Ocean 34, Grab 36, 

Arid 40, Yap. 

ADAM @ HOME by Brian Basset 

CALVIN AND HOBBES by Bill Watterson 

GARFIELD by Jim Davis 

STONE SOUP by Jan Eliot

KAPALUA, Hawaii — Steve 

Stricker recovered from a poor 

run around the turn with a 

stunning four-birdie finish to 

maintain a five-shot lead after 

Sunday's third round at the 

Tournament of Champions in 

Hawaii. 

Starting the round five 

strokes clear of the field, 

Stricker had his advantage 

trimmed to just one before he 

regained control with his sizzling 

late surge to fire a fourunder-par 

69. 

That gave the American 

world No 6, the highest-ranked 

player in the elite field, a 19under 

total of 200 in the PGA 

Tour's season-opening event at 

the Kapalua Resort. 

Defending champion 

Jonathan Byrd recovered from 

two early bogeys to card a sixbirdie 

67 for a share of second 

place with fellow American 

Webb Simpson (69) and Britain's 

Martin Laird (67). 

Two more Americans, 

Bryce Molder (67) and Kevin 

Na (71), were tied for fifth at 

11 under in the limited-field 

tournament which brings together 

PGA Tour winners from 

the previous season. 

"It was a struggle today," 

Stricker said after recording 

five birdies and a bogey on the 

hilly Plantation Course. "Not 

a lot of good things happened 

but I stayed patient. 

"I felt like things were 

going to turn my way coming 

in, and they did. It was a 

good finish and put me in a 

good position heading into 

tomorrow." 

Stricker, seeking his 12th 

victory on the PGA Tour, 

found the third round especially 

frustrating after carding 

a brilliant 10-under-par 63 the 

previous day. 

"I knew it was going to be 

tough, it always is," he said. 

"When you're leading a golf 

tournament, it's just hard to 

keep that momentum. 

"I had such a good day 

yesterday and when you're 

not making birdies, you feel 

like you are letting things slip 

away. I just felt like everybody 

was coming after me and I was 

kind of coming back to the 

pack. 

"Fortunately I had a good 

finish and we've got one more 

day. I've still got to come out 

and play good tomorrow." 

TOTAL CONTROL 

Another glorious day of 

sunshine on the Hawaiian 

island of Maui began with 

Stricker in total control but the 

17 SPORT 



Stricker keeps five-shot lead 

CHICAGO — Pavel Datsyuk's 

overtime winner helped 

the Detroit Red Wings move 

to the of the Central division 

with a 3-2 victory over the 

reeling Chicago Blackhawks 

on Sunday. 

With less than two minutes 

remaining in the extra period, 

Datsyuk gathered a rebound 

and lifted a wrist shot from 

a difficult angle into the net 

as the Red Wings rallied past 

their divisional rival, who 

were consigned to a fourth 

straight loss. 

"It was a good screen and I 

hopped on the puck," Datsyuk 

told reporters. "The goalie 

(Corey Crawford) just fell 

on the ice and I just shot and 

made sure I didn't miss." 

Chicago led 2-0 on first 

period goals from Dave Bolland 

and Patrick Sharp but 

could not hold on to the lead 

and are now mired in their 

longest losing skid since 

they dropped five straight in 

2009. 

Detroit's Valtteri Filppula 

cut the deficit to 2-1 later in 

the first and that scoreline 

stood until Daniel Cleary tied 

the game with just under five 

minutes remaining in regulation. 

Henrik Zetterberg assisted 

on both goals for the Red 

Wings. 

With the win, Detroit (26- 

14-1) moved into a three-way 

tie at the top of the division 

with St Louis and Chicago. 

DENVER — Tim Tebow 

threw an 80-yard touchdown 

pass to Demaryius Thomas 

only 11 seconds into over-time 

on Sunday to give Denver a 

stunning 29-23 NFL play-off 

upset of six-time Super Bowl 

champion Pittsburgh. 

Thomas caught the ball running 

across the middle, stiffarmed 

defender Ike Taylor 

and ran the last 60 yards into 

the end zone to put the Broncos, 

who lost their final three 

regular-season games, into the 

second round of the playoffs. 

“I don’t think it’s the first 

time our offense has clicked 

in but it certainly was well 

timed,” Broncos coach John 

Fox said. “I don’t think we 

reinvented the wheel. We just 

executed better. 

“A lot of that was because 

of our quarterback. He stepped 

up and played well and was a 

big part of our winning that 

game.” 

Southpaw quarterback Tebow 

recaptured the magic of 

his mid-season six-game win 

streak, throwing for 316 yards 

and two touchdowns and running 

for another. But his last 

play was his greatest, ending 

the shortest over-time in NFL 

playoff history. 

“They made the signifi- 

STEVE Stricker plays a shot during the third round of the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Sunday. — AFP 

Wings dump Blackhawks NEW YORK — "The Big 

DETROIT Red Wings’ Pavel Datsyuk celebrates his gamewinning 

goal against Chicago Blackhawks during the 

NHL game in Chicago on Sunday. — Reuters 

The Blackhawks earned 

a one-goal win over the Red 

Wings in the United Center 

on December 30 but have not 

won since. Sharp, who recorded 

his 20th goal of the season, 

left the game in the second period 

with an upper-body injury 

and did not return. He will be 

evaluated on Monday. 

Chicago also had a goal 

disallowed early in the third 

when it appeared a shot hit 

cant plays that allowed them 

to win,” Steelers coach Mike 

Tomlin said. “It was what we 

expected. He did a nice job. A 

lot of guys did.” 

Denver will visit New 

England next Saturday while 

Houston will travel to Baltimore 

next Sunday in American 

Conference secondround 

games. 

In Sunday’s other playoff 

game, Eli Manning threw 

three touchdown passes, two 

of them to Hakeem Nicks, and 

the New York Giants advanced 

with a 24-2 victory over visiting 

Atlanta. 

Manning completed 23-of- 

32 passes for 277 yards while 

Nicks caught six passes for 

115 yards as the Giants won 

the first play-off game in their 

new stadium for their first 

home playoff triumph since 

2000. 

“It’s special. It’s a big win,” 

Manning said. “The defense 

came out awesome and we 

were able to get some things 

going in the second half.” 

The Giants booked a second-round 

visit next Sunday to 

defending Super Bowl champion 

Green Bay while New 

Orleans, on a nine-game win 

streak, goes to San Francisco 

next Saturday in the other Na- 

goaltender Ty Conklin and 

crossed the line but it was not 

ruled as a score and could not 

be reviewed. 

Conklin finished with 29 

saves and stopped a penalty 

shot from Jimmy Hayes in the 

third to keep his team in the 

contest. 

Results: Ottawa Senators bt 

Philadelphia Flyers 6-4, Detroit Red 

Wings bt Chicago Blackhawks 3-2, 

Anaheim bt Columbus Blue Jackets 

7-4. — Reuters 

tional Conference matchup. 

“They are a great team,” 

Manning said of the Packers, 

who lost only once this season. 

“We played them tough. 

We have to give it our all. The 

44-year-old failed to make a 

fast start. 

He parred the first six holes 

before making his first birdie 

of the round at the seventh, 

where he rolled in a 20-footer 

to regain his five-stroke cushion 

over the chasing pack. 

However, he was the victim 

of a two-shot swing at the 

tricky par-three eighth after 

defense will have to continue 

to play well and we’ll have to 

make some big plays.” 

three-putting from long range 

for bogey. 

Playing partner Simpson 

sank a 21-foot birdie putt there 

to cut the lead to three. 

They each failed to birdie 

the par-five ninth but Simpson 

closed to within two strokes of 

the lead at 13 under when he 

knocked in a 10-footer at the 

par-four 10th. 

At the par-four 12th, Simpson's 

tee shot trickled into 

the right rough from where 

he struck a brilliant approach 

from 61 yards to six inches. 

The tap-in birdie putt put him 

one off the pace. 

Stricker, who found fairway 

bunkers off the tee at the 12th, 

13th and 14th, gave himself a 

much-needed boost when he 

birdied the par-five 15th after 

reaching the green in two and 

two-putting. 

Though Stricker made a 

hash of his approach at the 

par-four 16th, where his ball 

pitched below the hole and 

spun back down the slope 

off the front of the green, he 

chipped in for birdie from 22 

yards. 

That put him at 17 under 

and three ahead of the chasing 

pack. 

Stricker finished in style, 

knocking in a four-and-a-halffoot 

putt at the 17th and then 

ending up just short of the 

green in two at the par-five last 

and two-putting. — Reuters 

Tiger’s ex-coach writes tell-all book 

Miss", a tell-all book detailing 

Hank Haney's six years serving 

as swing coach for golf 

star Tiger Woods, is set to go 

on sale March 27, barely a 

week before the Masters tees 

off. A synopsis of the book 

on the Random House Incorporated 

website described 

Haney as being impressed by 

the work ethic of Woods. 

But it also noted how 

Haney saw the 14-time major 

champion was fearful of "the 

big miss", a woeful shot that 

would doom his chances in a 

tournament. 

And it mentions Haney's 

observations on how Woods 

used a variety of tactics to 

keep people from getting too 

close to him. 

Woods was 28 when he 

asked Haney to coach him in 

March of 2004. 

Haney said he spent 110 

days a year with Woods, staying 

at the Woods home more 

than 30 days a year to see him 

in relaxed moments. 

Woods, chasing the alltime 

record of 18 Majors won 

by Jack Nicklaus, won six 

majors while working with 

Haney, including the 2005 

Masters and British Open, the 

2006 British Open and PGA 

Championship, the 2007 PGA 

and the 2008 US Open. 

Woods snapped his drought 

last month with a triumph at 

the World Challenge. Woods 

FILE photo of Tiger Woods (right) and his coach Hank 

Haney on the putting green at Augusta National Golf Club 

during the 2009 Masters Tournament in Augusta. — AFP 

served as an honorary captain 

for Stanford University's 

American football team in a 

41-38 over-time loss to Oklahoma 

State in the Fiesta Bowl 

gridiron match-up last week. 

Woods attended Stanford for 

two years before his 1996 pro 

debut. 

Woods, nagged by injuries 

the past two seasons but 

healthy now, will open his 

2012 campaign on January 26 

at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 

against such rivals as 

England's World No 1 Luke 

Donald, US Open champion 

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland 

and defending champion 

Martin Kaymer of Germany. 

"I am looking to get off 

to a fast start and keep building 

from there," said Woods 

on his website. "Now that I 

am healthy, I feel I can keep 

building my game and confidence 

each week. 

"It was a great confidence 

boost and the perfect way to 

end the season and head into 

Christmas break. It's a culmination 

of all the hard work I 

have been able to put in off 

the course. 

"I am pretty close to delivering 

my best, week in and 

week out." 

Woods, ranked 23rd in the 

world, said he looks forward 

to testing such rivals as Donald 

and McIlroy in the upcoming 

season. 

"It is exciting for golf fans 

and I relish the challenge of 

going head-to-head with any 

number of the leading players 

on a Sunday afternoon," 

Woods said. — AFP 

The Packers visited the Giants 

last month and escaped 

with a 38-35 victory. 

Howard 

struggles but 

Magic win 

ORLANDO Magic’s Hedo Turkoglu of Turkey (left) 

shoots as Sacramento Kings’ J J Hickson defends 

during the NBA game in Sacramento, California, 

on Sunday. — Reuters 

NEW YORK — Dwight 

Howard failed to produce 

his usual magic but Orlando 

Magic did enough to defeat 

Sacramento Kings 104-97 

in NBA on Sunday and hand 

new Kings coach Keith Smart 

his first loss. 

Howard managed just five 

points while battling foul 

trouble in 20 minutes of play 

but Orlando still pulled out 

the win with a strong run in 

the fourth quarter. 

With the game tied at 87- 

87 with little more than five 

minutes remaining, Jason Richardson 

and Hedo Turkoglu 

knocked down back-to-back 

three-pointers as the visitors 

closed with a 14-7 run. 

Richardson had a seasonhigh 

22 points and Glen Davis 

had 20 and eight rebounds off 

the bench as the Magic improved 

to 6-3 despite trade 

rumours swirling around 

Howard, who will become 

a free agent at the end of the 

season. 

"You can either make excuses 

about that and get distracted, 

or you can overcome 

it," Orlando coach Stan Van 

Gundy told reporters. 

Sacramento coach Smart 

lost in his second game in 

charge after he took over from 

the fired Paul Westphal last 

week. The Kings won their 

first game under Smart with 

a spirited comeback over Mil- 

“High-powered is exactly 

what comes to mind when you 

talk about that crew,” Giants 

defender Justin Tuck said. 

“It’s going to be a big challenge 

and we’re looking forward 

to it.” 

At Denver, Pittsburgh’s Ben 

Roethlisberger connected with 

Jerricho Cotchery on a 31-yard 

touchdown passes with 3:48 to 

play, pulling the Steelers level 

at 23-23 and setting the stage 

for Tebow’s over-time heroics. 

Pittsburgh’s Ryan Mundy 

forced a fumble by Broncos 

rusher Willis McGahee and 

LaMarr Woodley recovered 

for the Steelers near midfield 

to set up the drive for the 

equalizer. 

Mike Wallace ran one yard 

on a sweep around the right 

side that capped an 87-yard, 

11-play march and pulled Pittsburgh 

within 20-13 with 4:29 

to play in the third quarter. 

Denver answered on Matt 

Prater’s 35-yard field goal 

with 13:10 to play but Shaun 

Suisham responded with a 

37-yard field goal 3:11 later 

to keep Pittsburgh within a 

touchdown. 

Suisham kicked field goals 

of 38 and 45 yards in the first 

quarter to give the Steelers a 

6-0 lead but the Broncos an- 

waukee. Sacramento's Tyreke 

Evans had 28 points and eight 

assists while DeMarcus Cousins 

added 16 and 10 rebounds. 

It was the second straight start 

for Cousins, who had clashed 

with Westphal leading to him 

being dropped from a game 

last week before returning to 

the team and coming off the 

bench. 

Following the game, 

Howard had a lengthy conversation 

with the 21-year-old 

Cousins, who has been criticised 

for showing a lack of 

maturity early in his career. 

"I just told him not to get 

into it with the referees. I said, 

'learn from me, learn from 

someone who has gotten on 

the wrong side of the refs'," 

said Howard, who picked up 

a technical foul in the third 

quarter. "I told him you don't 

want to have that reputation 

with the refs." The game was 

a razor-close contest throughout 

with the Magic holding a 

two-point lead at halftime and 

after the third quarter. 

Orlando made 10 threepointers 

to gain an advantage 

and capitalised on 17 Sacramento 

turnovers. 

Results: Minnesota Timberwolves 

bt Washington Wizards 93-72, 

Orlando Magic bt Sacramento Kings 

104-97, Oklahoma City bt San Antonio 

Spurs 108-96, Phoenix Suns bt 

Milwaukee Bucks 109-93, Portland 

Trailblazers bt Cleveland Cavs 98- 

78, LA Lakers bt Memphis Grizzlies 

90-82. — Reuters 

Broncos stun Steelers in thriller, Giants advance in play-offs 

DENVER Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (left) celebrates with team-mate Virgil Green after scoring a touchdown 

during the second quarter of the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver, Colorado, on Sunday. — Reuters 

swered quickly. 

Tebow threw a 30-yard 

touchdown pass to Eddie Royal 

96 seconds into the second 

quarter and followed with an 

8-yard touchdown run 2:48 later. 

Prater added field goals of 

20 and 28 yards to give Denver 

a 20-6 half-time lead. 

At New York, Atlanta took 

a 2-0 lead 1:16 into the second 

quarter on a rare safety when 

Manning was whistled for an 

intentional grounding penalty 

from his own end zone. 

But New York’s defense, 

among the NFL’s worst against 

the pass despite finishing third 

in quarterback sacks, shut 

down 4,000-yard passer Matt 

Ryan and sent Atlanta home 

after one playoff game for the 

second season in a row. 

“It’s incredibly disappointing 

but you have to deal with 

it,” Ryan said. “You have to 

move on.” 

Manning threw touchdown 

passes of 4 and 72 yards to 

Nicks in the second and third 

quarters respectively and 

added another of 27 yards to 

Mario Manningham in the 

fourth quarter to complete the 

rout. 

Results: Dever Broncos bt Pittsburgh 

Steelers 29-23, NY Giants bt 

Atlanta Falcons 24-2. — Reuters

ZURICH — Barcelona's Argentine 

forward Lionel Messi was yesterday 

named winner of the Fifa World 

Player for the third successive year, 

while the women's award went to the 

captain of Japan's World Cup winning 

team Homare Sawa. 

The 24-year-old, who made history 

by becoming the first Argentine 

player to win the award in 2009, beat 

off team-mate Xavi and Real Madrid's 

Cristiano Ronaldo. 

The award, announced at a glamorous 

gala in the Kongresshaus in 

Zurich, crowns a successful year for 

Messi, who won the Spanish league, 

the Champions League, the World 

Club Cup, as well as the Spanish and 

UEFA Super Cups with Barcelona. 

The forward, who received the 

trophy from former winner Ronaldo, 

received 47.88 per cent of the vote, 

beating Ronaldo, who was second 

with 21.60 per cent. Xavi picked up 

9.23 per cent of the vote. 

"It is a huge pleasure. It is the 

third time and it is a huge honour and 

I would like to share this award with 

my team-mates both in Barcelona 

and Argentina. I want to share this 

also with my team-mate Xavi. It is 

the fourth time we are here together 

and it is an honour to play together on 

the pitch," Messi said. 

Sawa denied Brazilian Marta a 

sixth successive triumph. 

The 33-year-old, who received her 

award from popstar Shakira, is the 

first-ever Asian winner of a World 

Player award. 

She beat Marta into second place 

by picking up 28.51 per cent of the 

votes, while the Brazilian received 

17.28. 

The coaches awards went to Ja- 

FORMER India football team captain Baichung Bhutia 

(right) shakes hands with Bayern Munich’s captain Philipp 

Lahm (left) as Bayern Munich’s coach Jupp Heynckes looks 

on during a news conference in New Delhi yesterday. 

pan's Norio Sasaki, who won the 

FIFA World Coach Women's Football 

award, while Messi's Barcelona 

18 SPORT 



Messi, Sawa win Fifa Ballon d’Or awards 

Lugano gives Ancelotti 

winning start at PSG 

PARIS — Diego Lugano 

saved Carlo Ancelotti's blushes 

on his official debut as Paris 

St Germain (PSG) coach 

with a stoppage time goal to 

secure a 2-1 French Cup win 

at fifth division Locmine on 

Sunday. 

Uruguay defender Lugano 

headed home from a Javier 

Pastore cross three minutes 

into injury time after the Argentine 

playmaker's opener 

had been cancelled out by 

Abou Maiga in the second 

half. 

"When you're 1-0 up you 

need in that kind of game to 

be able to add a second," PSG 

midfielder Christophe Jallet 

told Eurosport after PSG went 

through to the last 32. 

"It was not a great game 

from us but the most important 

is to qualify." 

PSG survived an early 

scare as Abou Maiga hit the 

bar after only four minutes 

and took control of the game 

although they struggled to 

break the deadlock. 

Pastore finally found the 

back of the net eight minutes 

into the second half from 

close range but missed two 

clear chances shortly afterwards. 

Maiga converted a penalty 

after Fabrice Peru was fouled 

in the box by Mamadou Sakho, 

only for Lugano to stab 

in the winner deep in stoppage 

time. 

Earlier, Toulouse became 

the latest Ligue 1 Cup casualty 

when they were knocked 

out 1-0 by third division team 

GFCO Ajaccio. 

Mickael Colloredo struck 

two minutes into the second 

half for the home side as Toulouse 

joined Caen, Sochaux, 

Lorient and Stade Brest on 

the list of top flight teams 

eliminated by lower league 

opposition. 

Elsewhere, Lisandro 

Lopez netted a first-half hattrick 

to give Olympique Lyon 

a 3-1 win at neighbours Lyonla-Duchere. 

— Reuters 

Ginola, Houllier defamation 

case set for March 

TOULON, France — David 

Ginola's defamation case 

against Gerard Houllier 

over disparaging remarks 

made by the former France 

coach in a recent book will 

be heard on March 7, a 

magistrates court in Toulon 

announced yesterday. 

Houllier resigned from 

his post as France manager 

in 1993 after their dramatic 

failure to qualify for 

the 1994 World Cup in the 

United States. 

Ranked as one of 

France's biggest sporting 

setbacks, Ginola was widely 

vilified for an over-hit 

cross that led to Emil Kostadinov 

scoring an 89th 

minute goal in a 2-1 win in 

Paris that took Bulgaria to 

the World Cup at France's 

expense. 

Ginola has accused 

Houllier of labelling him a 

'salaud' (bastard) in a book 

written by two journalists, 

'Secrets des Coachs' 

(Coaches' Secrets), over his 

role in the defeat by Bulgaria. 

— AFP 

BARCELONA — Barcelona 

slipped five points behind 

La Liga leaders Real Madrid 

when Alvaro Vazquez netted a 

shock late equaliser to snatch 

a 1-1 draw for Espanyol in the 

Catalan derby on Sunday. 

The champions were looking 

to improve their patchy 

away form at their local rivals 

and stay hard on the heels of 

Real, who thrashed Granada 

5-1 on Saturday. 

A gritty Espanyol had prepared 

a different script and 

the result leaves Barca on 38 

points from 17 matches, with 

Real on 43. Valencia are third 

on 34 after they came from 

two goals down to draw with 

struggling Villarreal earlier on 

Sunday. 

"The league is not over 

and I don't think we let a significant 

part of it slip away tonight," 

Barca coach Pep Guardiola, 

whose side are chasing 

a fourth straight La Liga title, 

told a news conference. 

"We have a very strong rival 

ahead of us but there are 

still a lot of very tough stadiums 

to visit," he added. 

"All we can do is look at 

ourselves. Continue doing the 

things we are doing well and 

improve those we are not." 

Guardiola deployed the 

team that won 3-1 at Real last 

month and they looked to be 

cruising to victory when Cesc 

Fabregas nodded them in front 

in the 16th minute at a chilly 

Cornella-El Prat stadium to 

take his league tally for the 

season to nine. 

Espanyol battled hard and 

did well to restrict the Spanish 

and European champions 

to one goal before substitute 

Vazquez struck with a header 

four minutes from time. 

The equaliser stunned 

NEW DELHI — Bayern Munich 

play a friendly international 

against India's national 

team today in one of the biggest 

football matches to be 

played in the South Asian 

country. 

The German league leaders 

are appearing at New Delhi's 

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in 

a match to raise money for the 

state of Sikkim, which was hit 

by an earthquake in September. 

For Indians, the spotlight 

is also on former captain 

Bhaichung Bhutia, who will 

lead the side in his final game 

following his retirement from 

international football last 

year. 

The match will put the 

focus on football in India, a 

cricket-crazy country which is 

slowly opening to the game. 

Barca into life and centre back 

Gerard Pique smashed a shot 

against the crossbar late on before 

Pedro had a shot cleared 

off the line, but they were unable 

to find a winner. 

Argentina forward Lionel 

Messi had an anonymous 

match by his standards, although 

he struck a shot against 

the post in the second half. 

It was Barca's fourth draw 

in eight away matches this 

term and they also crashed to 

a 1-0 reverse at Getafe at the 

end of the November. 

By contrast, they have taken 

25 points from a possible 

27 at their Nou Camp stadium, 

scoring 39 goals without 

reply. 

Aritz Aduriz came off the 

bench to snatch a late equaliser 

for Valencia as they recovered 

to draw 2-2 at regional rivals 

Villarreal earlier on Sunday. 

Goals from Marco Ruben 

and Gonzalo put Villarreal 

two up by the 18th minute at 

the Madrigal before Sofiane 

Feghouli pulled one back just 

before the break. 

The standard of Indian 

football has deteriorated in 

recent years, with the country 

slipping to the 162nd position 

on the Fifa rankings from the 

94th rank in 1996. 

The downfall of the twotime 

Asian Games champions 

is owed to lack of facilities, 

investment and promotion of 

talent at grassroot levels. 

"They (Bayern) have the 

best players in the world at 

the moment. 

"It will prove to be a great 

opportunity for players to 

know how much they need to 

work to match the level of top 

international players," Bhutia, 

who hails from Sikkim state, 

told reporters. 

Over the past months, 

several European clubs have 

looked at India, which is expected 

to generate annual rev- 

coach Pep Guardialo took the male 

award. 

The awards are voted for by the 

Barcelona five shy of Real 

after draw at Espanyol 

ESPANYOL’S Alvaro Vazquez celebrates a goal against 

Barcelona during their Spanish La Liga match at 

Cornella-El Prat Stadium near Barcelona on Sunday. 

Aduriz made the most of a 

defensive error three minutes 

from time to secure a draw that 

leaves Valencia four points 

ahead of neighbours Levante, 

who drew 0-0 at home to Real 

Mallorca on Saturday. 

Villarreal stay in relegation 

trouble on 16 points after 

an erratic and injury-plagued 

campaign. 

Sevilla's bid for a European 

qualification berth was dealt 

a blow when they lost 2-1 at 

Rayo Vallecano and slipped a 

point behind sixth-placed Malaga. 

It was a disappointing debut 

for Jose Antonio Reyes after 

the former Arsenal winger 

sealed a move back to Sevilla, 

the Andalusian club where he 

began his professional career, 

from Atletico Madrid last 

week. 

Athletic Bilbao were held 

0-0 at Getafe in the fourth 

goalless draw of the weekend 

and improving Real Betis 

beat Sporting Gijon 2-0 to 

climb above Atletico into 

10th. — Reuters 

enues of $2 billion by 2015 

through sport, according to a 

PriceWaterhouseCoopers report. 

Liverpool opened football 

schools in New Delhi last 

August and Inter-Milan has 

participated in a talent-hunt 

programme, the Hindustan 

Times reported. 

Manchester United also 

announced a non-residential 

football school for children 

while an under-16 football 

tournament was launched in 

Delhi recently. 

But for Bayern, it is about 

consolidating their relationship 

with the country. This 

will be their fifth visit to 

India since the first one in 

2005. 

Legendary goalkeeper Oliver 

Kahn's farewell match at 

Kolkata in 2008 remains the 

coaches and captains of the world's 

national teams, as well as international 

media. 

In his opening speech Fifa President 

Joseph Blatter acknowledged 

that it had been a difficult year for 

football. 

"With a family of 300 million, 

there are bound to be some devils 

amongst them. 

"There are a lot of devils, some 

very big ones, but we are determined 

to steer the ship back into clear and 

clean waters," he said. 

Earlier in the evening, Manchester 

United manager Sir Alex 

Ferguson and Barcelona coach Pep 

Guardiola were also awarded at the 

ceremony. 

Ferguson was given the Fifa Presidential 

Award for services to football, 

the 70-year-old Scot was presented 

with the award by Fifa President 

Sepp Blatter. 

Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola won 

the Fifa World Coach of the Year 

award 

Guardiola has been named the 

world’s best coach in 2011 after guiding 

Barcelona to five trophies including 

the Champions League, Spanish 

and Club World Cup. 

Guardiola won the honour ahead 

of Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho and 

Ferguson. 

Norio Sasaki won the award for 

best coach of a women’s team. He 

guided Japan to the 2011 Womens’s 

World Cup. 

Brazil’s Neymar picked up the 

Puskas Award for Best Goal. 

City appeal 

Kompany 

red card 

MANCHESTER — Manchester 

City lodged an appeal 

with the Football Association 

(FA) yesterday as 

they sought to overturn the 

red card handed out to Vincent 

Kompany in their FA 

Cup defeat by Manchester 

United. 

In a brief statement, Premier 

League leaders City said 

the appeal would be heard 

before tomorrow's League 

Cup semifinal against Liverpool 

at Eastlands. 

If an appeal is rejected, 

City will be without star 

defender Kompany for both 

legs of the semifinal and 

league games against Wigan 

and Tottenham. 

Kompany was, controversially, 

shown a straight 

red card by referee Chris 

Foy in the 12th minute of 

Cup holders' City's 3-2 third 

round loss at home to United 

on Sunday for a two-footed 

tackle on Nani even though 

he won the ball cleanly. 

City, already 1-0 down 

to an early Wayne Rooney 

goal, were 3-0 behind at 

the break after further goals 

from Danny Welbeck and 

Rooney. 

However, despite being 

down to 10 men, they 

hit back in the second half 

through Aleksandar Kolarov 

and Sergio Aguero. 

But it was not enough to 

prevent a defeat in the third 

round — the stage at which 

top-flight clubs enter the FA 

Cup — and with it the defence 

of the trophy City won 

after beating Stoke in last 

season's final. 

City lead reigning champions 

United by three points 

at the top of the Premier 

League table. — AFP 

Bayern put focus on football in India 

most memorable tie that Bayern 

have played in India with 

an estimated 100,000 fans 

watching the match. 

Bayern have also conducted 

some coaching clinics, 

promised a football school in 

Kolkata and selected youngsters 

from different cities to be 

trained in Munich, the Daily 

News and Analysis newspaper 

reported. 

"It is true that we want to 

expand our fan base, we look 

at India differently. It's a puzzle 

waiting to be solved," 

former German international 

Paul Breitner was quoted as 

saying by the daily. 

"We genuinely want Indian 

football to develop and 

be a part of the process, while 

also making brand Bayern famous 

in India." — dpa 

Ferguson warns 

Rooney is media’s 

new Gascoigne 

MANCHESTER — Manchester 

United manager 

Sir Alex Ferguson believes 

Wayne Rooney will have to 

get used to dealing with a level 

of press scrutiny not seen 

by an England player since 

Paul Gascoigne. 

Rooney scored twice as 

United dumped holders and 

local rivals Manchester City 

out of the FA Cup with a 3-2 

win at Eastlands on Sunday. 

But the weekend began 

with reports his relationship 

with Ferguson had been damaged 

beyond repair after he 

was left out of the team for the 

recent defeat against Blackburn 

following a poor training 

display after he stayed out late 

on Boxing Day. 

There had even been suggestions 

United could be 

ready to sell the England 

striker, possibly in the current 

transfer window. 

However, both parties 

swiftly distanced themselves 

from such talk after United 

survived an uncomfortable 

second half against a City 

side that played with 10 men 

for 79 minutes after defender 

Vincent Kompany was sent 

off. 

"There is absolutely no 

problem with Wayne Rooney," 

said Ferguson, who then 

compared the forward to 

former England midfielder 

Gascoigne, whose career became 

as notable for a series 

of lurid off-field headlines as 

it was for his undoubted onfield 

ability. 

"You hear this stuff all the 

time and what Wayne has to 

realise is the media have another 

Paul Gascoigne," Ferguson 

said. 

"They have a headline 

maker, whether it is good or 

bad, and Wayne is going to 

have to suffer that. 

"We have seen the good 

stuff today but any flaws will 

be absolutely annihilated by 

the press. That is what they 

are like," he added before 

United were paired with bitter 

rivals Liverpool in the fourth 

round. 

Rooney did submit a 

transfer request in October 

2010 but Ferguson insisted on 

Sunday: "There is no problem 

MANCHESTER — Wayne 

Rooney has slammed Manchester 

City manager Roberto 

Mancini's claim he got 

Vincent Kompany sent-off in 

Manchester United's 3-2 FA 

Cup derby win over the holders 

at Eastlands. 

Italian boss Mancini felt 

Rooney influenced referee 

Chris Foy into showing defender 

Kompany a red card 

for a two-footed challenge 

on Nani just 12 minutes into 

Sunday's incident-packed 

third round clash. 

But the England striker, 

who scored goals either side 

of Kompany's exit in a first 

half where Danny Welbeck 

also netted for United, defended 

himself on Twitter 

yesterday by saying: "Funny 

how people think i got kom- 

BERLIN — Bundesliga leaders 

Bayern Munich and champions 

Borussia Dortmund 

were locked in a war of words 

yesterday days after the latter 

snapped up forward Marco 

Reus, long a target for the Bavarians. 

The 22-year-old Borussia 

Moenchengladbach and 

Germany forward, who has 

scored 10 goals this season, 

agreed last week to join Dortmund 

at the end of the season 

in a five-year deal that is the 

biggest so far in the winter 

transfer period. "Dortmund 

have been successful in keeping 

up with their own understated 

position," Bayern 

sports director Christian Nerlinger 

told Bild. "This is now 

finished with this transfer. It is 

a whole new step." 

with the boy's temperament 

at all. 

"It is just off-the-field he 

is going to be spotlighted all 

the time." 

And Rooney stressed he 

wanted to spend many more 

years at Old Trafford. 

"I think everything that 

has been said is a lot of nonsense," 

Rooney said. 

"Because it is me, because 

it is Manchester United, it is 

blown out of context," the 26year-old, 

who joined United 

from Everton in 2004, added. 

"There is no problem with 

me at this club. I want to be at 

this club for a long time." 

Ferguson was unhappy 

United almost let slip a 3-0 

half-time lead — Danny Welbeck 

also netted before the 

break — against a City side 

who hit back through Aleksandar 

Kolarov and Sergio 

Aguero. 

"It was a careless performance 

in the second half," he 

said. "We should have been 

home and dry with a clear 

scoreline but we were too 

careless." 

By contrast City manager 

Roberto Mancini, whose side 

lead the Premier League by 

three points from champions 

United, was delighted with a 

fightback the Italian felt confirmed 

his team's title credentials. 

"Today was important for 

us for the league. Now I know 

we can win the league because 

of the character we showed. 

"United are the top squad 

in England but if we play like 

we did this (Sunday) afternoon, 

with the same attitude, 

the same strength, every game, 

we will win the league." 

The match also saw 37year-old 

United great Paul Scholes, 

who retired last season, 

come off the bench in the second 

half after the former England 

midfielder made himself 

available again following an 

injury crisis. 

"When I saw he was on 

the bench, I told (City coach) 

David (Platt), 'go on the bench, 

please!," joked Mancini. 

"But Paul Scholes is a fantastic 

player. He is no stranger 

to us but it was still an incredible 

surprise." — AFP 

Rooney rejects Mancini 

claim on Kompany red 

pany sent off. Im not ref. i 

didn't give red card. But it 

was a clear red card. 2 footed 

tackle." 

Mancini compared the actions 

of Rooney, seen speaking 

to Foy after Kompany's 

tackle and before the sendingoff, 

to his own in waving an 

imaginary red card during 

City's win over Liverpool last 

week. 

"It was not a red card," 

Mancini said after a defeat 

that saw City's defence of the 

FA Cup they won last season 

end after just one match. 

"Rooney told him his decision. 

"When I did this against 

Liverpool, people told me not 

to do it. 

"I said I was sorry and 

made a mistake." — AFP 

Bayern and Dortmund in 

war of words over Reus 

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes 

said Bayern had had a 

string of rivals over the years 

but remained top of the heap 

as challenges from clubs such 

as Werder Bremen, Gladbach 

and Dortmund faded after a 

few seasons. 

"Let's wait and see how 

long they can keep moving on 

this level," Heynckes said. 

Dortmund have repeatedly 

played down their chances 

of defending the title, saying 

they would be happy with a 

finish that would secure them 

European football next season. 

"Have no fear. When we 

decide to change our strategy 

we will make sure to let Mr 

Nerlinger know," Dortmund 

coach Juergen Klopp told reporters 

in response.

MUSCAT — Shamas made a 

blistering unbeaten 137 (55b, 

7x6 and 14x4) to help TECS 

register a 89 run win against 

Renaissance and maintain 

their unbeaten stint in an Al 

Ansari Group of Companies 

sponsored ‘C’ Division T20 

tournament. 

The first match of the morning 

was played during the 

weekend at the PDO Grounds. 

Electing to bat after winning 

the toss TECS — thanks 

to a 158 runs second wicket 

partnership between Shamas 

and opening batsman skipper 

Jayaprakash N D 51 (39b, 

4x4) piled on 242 for the loss 

of three wickets at the end of 

their quota of 20 overs. Opener 

Nishanth chipped in with a 

useful 23 (18b, 3x4). 

Renaissance with a required 

run rate of over 12 runs 

per over made 153 for the loss 

of nine wickets at the end of 

20 overs. Mohammed Yakub 

batting at No 3 scored 42 (26b) 

whilst opening batsman Rozario 

Blaise made 20 (18b). 

Rajesh Rao three for 23, 

Mughis three for 31 and M 

Shahzad two for 25 off four 

overs each shared the bowling 

honours. 

Brief scores: TECS 242 for the 

loss of three wickets off 20 overs 

(Shamas 137 n.o, Jayaprakash N D 

51 and Nishanth 23)) bt Renaissance 

153 for the loss of 9 wickets 20 overs 

(Mohammed Yakub 42 and Rozario 

Blaise 20, Rajesh Rao 3/23, Mughis 

3/31 and M Shahzad 2/25). 

Points: TECS 2 pts (4 games, 

8 points) and Renaissance 0 pt (4 

games, 0 point). 

SHAKEEL BOWLS 

MUSCAT TO WIN 

In the second match of the 

morning Shakeel Mahmood 

with enticing figures of five 

for 28 was instrumental in 

OCT Muscat’s 58 run win 

against OCT Mabella. The Al 

Ansari Group of Companies 

sponsored ‘C’ Division T20 

match was played at the same 

venue. 

Winning the toss and deciding 

to bat OCT Muscat lost 

Ahmed Mohammed 34 (22b, 

1x6 and 3x4) and Mohammed 

Ali 26 (19b, 4x4) leaving 

the score on 95 for the loss of 

four wickets in the 11th over. 

Skipper Mohammed Aslam 35 

(18b, 6x4) together Shoaib Ismail 

60 not out (31b, 1x6 and 

6x4) was associated in a 75 run 

fifth wicket partnership which 

helped the score to 186 for the 

loss of five wickets off the 20 

19 SPORT 



Schiavone upsets Stosur 

SYDNEY — Francesca Schiavone 

upset US Open champion 

Samantha Stosur's preparations 

for next week's Australian 

Open with a straight sets opening 

round win at the Sydney 

International yesterday. 

The Italian matched home 

favourite Stosur's power with 

aggression to secure a 6-2, 6-4 

win in 90 minutes in the feature 

match on Ken Rosewall 

Arena. 

The loss followed Stosur's 

second-round exit from the 

Brisbane International last 

week and has left the world 

number six short of match 

practice heading into the season's 

first Grand Slam starting 

in Melbourne on Monday. 

Schiavone, ranked 11, has 

been a tricky opponent for 

Stosur, beating her in the 2010 

French Open final and in last 

year's Fed Cup tie in Australia. 

"I think I was really aggressive, 

and she couldn't play her 

game at the best," said Schiavone, 

who next plays Daniela 

Hantuchova. 

"You have to play at a top 

level, and I think it's not easy 

for her to play here in Australia. 

I think to play at home, 

when you love something, is 

tough to catch it. 

"For the Australian Open it 

will be different. She has big 

power and big shoulders to do 

it." 

Stosur, who mastered Serena 

Williams in last year's US 

Open final, said she failed 

to cope with the centre court 

crowd's expectations. 

"I think today I certainly 

didn't handle that side of things 

at all well," Stosur said. 

"I think playing in Australia, 

I want to play the best I 

can play and do it all here this 

month right here right now. 

"Then when it doesn't happen, 

it's obviously disappointing. 

It probably makes it more 

disappointing here than any- 

where else." 

Defending champion Li 

Na, third seed Victoria Azarenka 

and eighth seed Marion 

Bartoli all progressed to the 

last 16. 

China's Li needed just an 

hour to sweep past Russia's 

Ekaterina Makarova 6-0, 6-3 

after reeling off the first nine 

games of the match. 

The French Open champion 

next faces South African 

Kvitova shrugs off talk of 

world No 1 ranking 

SYDNEY — Petra Kvitova 

will challenge Caroline Wozniacki 

for the world No 1 

ranking this week, though it is 

a subject the Czech prefers not 

to discuss. 

"I read in the newspaper 

that I can be No 1 in Sydney 

so I know, but this tournament 

is very tough," Kvitova told 

reporters ahead of her first 

match at the Sydney International 

today. 

"It's not easy to win these 

matches and this tournament. 

Wimbledon champion Kvitova, 

who plays Romanian Alexandra 

Dulgheru today, will 

replace Dane Wozniacki at the 

top of the rankings if she wins 

the Sydney title. 

MUSCAT — Coastal CC defeated 

Stars light CC by seven 

wickets in the final of the 

Welcome 2012 Cup day and 

night cricket tournament, 

FRANCESCA Schiavone of Italy hits a return to Samantha Stosur of Australia during 

their first round match at the Sydney International yesterday. — AFP 

Wozniacki opens against 

Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova, 

who beat her in straight 

sets at the same stage last year. 

Both Wozniacki and Kvitova, 

the top two seeds, have firstround 

byes. 

The 21-year-old Kvitova 

said she was feeling strong after 

taking to the mountains to 

help her cope with asthma. 

"I had 14 days in the mountains 

in Slovakia where there 

was snow and we did the fitness 

preparation," she said. 

"The altitude there is very 

good for my asthma and I can 

breathe well. 

"We did a lot of running 

and we were in the gym, and 

of course we could take the 

walk to the mountains and see 

the beautiful places there." 

Kvitova beat Wozniacki in 

three sets at the Hopman Cup 

in Perth last week. The mixedteam 

event carried no rankings 

points but still provided a 

confidence boost ahead of the 

Australian Open starting next 

week. 

"I'm happy that I won, but 

it's something different," Kvitova 

said. "It's tough to say 

anything because it was not 

about the points or rankings 

or anything like that. It was 

a good match for us to prepare 

for Sydney and for the 

grand slam. We saw a little bit 

how we have both prepared." 

— Reuters 

Chanelle Scheepers for a place 

in the quarter-finals. 

Li, the first Asian player to 

win a grand slam, beat Kim 

Clijsters in last year's Sydney 

final before losing to the Belgian 

two weeks later in the 

Australian Open final. 

"Last year is over," the 

world number five said. 

"I don't have to think about 

what I did already last year. I 

mean, everyone has to look 

Shamas slams unbeaten century to help TECS register win 

SHAMAS AND JAYAPRAKASH 

AUCKLAND — Colombian 

Alejandro Falla recovered 

from a poor start to beat 

American Donald Young 4-6, 

6-3, 6-3 in the first round of 

the Auckland ATP tournament 

yesterday. 

In one of only three matches 

played on the opening day as 

organisers rushed to complete 

the rain-disrupted qualifying 

tournament, Young broke Falla 

twice as he raced to a 4-0 lead 

in the opening set. 

The Colombian, who was 

only promoted to the main 

draw on the weekend, fought 

back breaking Young twice 

before losing the set when 

he dropped his serve for the 

third time. However, he then 

settled into the game, bustling 

forward to see what you should 

do right now." 

Azarenka only dropped 

three games in a 6-2, 6-1 defeat 

of Swiss qualifier Stefanie 

Voegele and takes on former 

world number one Jelena 

Jankovic in the next round. 

French Open semi-finalist 

Bartoli beat Slovenia's Polona 

Hercog 6-3, 6-3 to set up a 

showdown with Australian Jelena 

Dokic. 

Results: (x denotes seed): Women: 

1st Rd: Li Na (CHN x4) bt Ekaterina 

Makarova (RUS) 6-0, 6-3; 

Andrea Petkovic (GER) bt Anastasia 

Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 6-2, 6-3; Alexandra 

Dulgheru (ROM) bt Sofia 

Arvidsson (SWE) 6-1, 6-1; Victoria 

Azarenka (BLR x3) bt Stefanie 

Voegele (SUI) 6-2, 6-1; Marion 

Bartoli (FRA x8) bt Polona Hercog 

(SLO) 6-3, 6-3; Svetlana Kuznetsova 

(RUS) bt Vera Zvonareva (RUS 

x6) 6-1, 6-2; Daniela Hantuchova 

(SVK) bt Roberta Vinci (ITA) 7-5, 

6-2; Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 

bt Peng Shuai (CHN) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4; 

Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) bt Melinda 

Czink (HUN) 6-4, 6-2; Agnieszka 

Radwanska (POL x7) bt Urszula 

Radwanska (POL) 6-1, 6-1; Francesca 

Schiavone (ITA) bt Samantha 

Stosur (AUS x5) 6-2, 6-4; Jelena 

Jankovic (SRB) bt Julia Goerges 

(GER) 6-1, 3-1 (retired ill). 

Men: 1st Rd: Lukasz Kubot (POL) 

bt Ivan Dodig (CRO) 7-6 (7/4), 7-5; 

Ryan Sweeting (USA) bt Gilles 

Muller (LUX) 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-5; 

Denis Istomin (UZB) bt Pablo Andujar 

(ESP) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3; Jarkko 

Nieminen (FIN) bt James Duckworth 

(AUS) 6-2, 6-2; Matthew Ebden 

(AUS) bt Marcel Granollers (ESP 

x7) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3; Bobby Reynolds 

(USA) bt Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 

7-5, 6-3. — AFP 

Falla outsmarts Young 

in Auckland opener 

through the last two sets 6-3, 

6-3 as he grew accustomed to 

the windy conditions. 

"He played better at the 

beginning but then I started 

to move well and play better. 

I was fighting for every 

point and was focused," 

Falla said. 

"I think I'm playing well. 

I'm confident with my game. 

Today I made some unforced 

errors but this was normal." 

Results: Men’s first round (prefix 

number denotes seeding): 

6-Thomaz Bellucci (Brazil) bt Rui 

Machado (Portugal) 6-3 7-6(3); 

Alejandro Falla (Colombia) bt 

7-Donald Young (U S) 4-6 6-3 6-3 

— AFP 

Coastal CC defeat Stars light to lift Welcome 2012 Cup 

organised by the Oman Indo- 

Pak Friends, at the Al Rifa 

ground during the weekend. 

Sushant of Coastal CC was 

adjudged the best player of 

the tournament while the 

award for the best bowler 

went to Saleem of the same 

team. 

Chasing a target of 42 to win 

after Stars light had totalled 

41 for three wicket off eight 

overs, Coastal could get past 

the total in just 5.5 overs scoring 

44 for three wickets with 

Sushanth slamming 16 while 

Jeetu cracked an unbeaten 

11. Mohsin took two wickets. 

Altogether 16 teams participated 

in the championship. 

SHAKEEL MAHMOOD 

stipulated overs. 

Sharif Pindook picked up 

two wickets conceding 29 runs 

off four overs. 

Set a target of 187 for victory 

the OCT Mabella batsmen 

found runs hard to come by 

and were bowled out for 128 

off 16.4 overs with Sharif Pin- 

Action during the third OCCI-Companies Basketball Competition played at the Bausher 

Complex on Sunday. In the first match, Oman Cement Company (OCC) defeated Friendi 

Mobile 97-69 while CCC beat Al Rahba Integrated Projects 76-51. In the matches to be 

played today, Enhance will take on Nasma while Al Rahba Integrated Projects face Enka. 

England must start fast for 

sake of 2015, says Dallaglio 

LONDON — England’s new 

coaching regime might want 

time to bed in players but they 

will need to hit the ground 

running to avoid making 

things tough for themselves 

when they host the rugby 

World Cup in 2015, Lawrence 

Dallaglio said yesterday. 

Seeding for the tournament 

will be decided on the 

International Rugby Board's 

(IRB) rankings at the end 

of 2012 and former captain 

Dallaglio, an "ambassador" 

for the 2015 event, said what 

happens over the next few 

months will have a huge impact 

on England's hopes. 

"While performance and 

development are the buzzwords 

at the moment, results 

are key," Dallaglio told reporters 

at the opening of the 

new Twickenham headquarters 

of the 2015 tournament. 

"It's going to take a while 

for things to settle down but 

we don't really have that time 

as the Six Nations, the South 

Africa tour and four games 

in the autumn will go a long 

way to determining England's 

position in the draw." 

With England hosting all 

three southern hemisphere 

sides in November and also 

playing the Springboks on a 

tough three-Test tour in June, 

they desperately need to build 

up their ranking points during 

the Six Nations, which begins 

in four weeks. 

They are currently ranked 

fifth and if they remain outside 

the top four at the end 

of the year they face the unpleasant 

prospect of perhaps 

having New Zealand, South 

SAMEER MEHRAB 

dook contributing a valuable 

27 (22b, 5x4). 

Rashad Mohammed with 

three for 16 off 3.4 overs lent 

valuable support to Shakeel. 

Brief scores: OCT Muscat 186 

for the loss of 5 wickets off 20 overs 

(Shoaib Ismail 60 n.o, Mohammed 

Aslam 35, Ahmed Mohammed 34 

and Mohammed Ali 26, Sharif Pin- 

Africa or Australia in their 

pool and, if they lose a group 

match, facing a similarly 

daunting quarter-final. 

"Last time round we got 

lucky and got in a group with 

(seeded) Argentina but unfortunately 

we didn't capitalise 

on that in the way we performed 

in the World Cup," 

Dallaglio said. 

"Stuart Lancaster's first 

training camp and that first 

game in Scotland (on Feb. 

4) are critical for the next 12 

months because if they do get 

off to a good start they immediately 

get momentum." 

With the international 

retirement of Jonny Wilkinson, 

captain Lewis Moody 

and Steve Thompson and the 

probable exclusion of Mike 

Tindall, Mark Cueto and Nick 

Easter, there is room for plenty 

of new faces when caretaker 

coach Lancaster names his 

squad tomorrow. 

"You need to harness the 

desire within those players 

he believes still have a future, 

and an angry player is 

a valuable asset, and some 

of those players come with 

experience," said Dallaglio, 

who himself returned in great 

form to England after being 

stripped of the captaincy 

in 1999 following a tabloid 

sting. 

"Some of them will be 

looking to turn over a new 

leaf in their international 

careers and this gives us a 

chance, and them, to see how 

much they really are hurting. 

"There will be a number 

of new names, guys who are 

getting picked because they 

dook 2/29) bt OCT Mabella 128 all 

out off 16.4 overs (Sharif Pindook 

27; Shakeel Mahmood 5/28 and 

Rashad Mohammed 3/16). 

Points: OCT Muscat 2 pts (4 

games, 4 pts) and OCT Mabella 0 

pt (3 games, 0 pt). 

SAMEER HELPS HATAT 

REGISTER WIN 

In the third match of the day 

at the same venue Sameer Mehrab 

with figures of four for 

eight runs off 2.2 over helped 

OCT Hatat register a 29-run 

win against Towell CPD in 

low-scoring Raha Poly Products 

sponsored ‘D’ Division 

T20 match. 

Deciding to bat after winning 

the toss OCT Hatat were 

bowled out for 134 off 19.2 

overs with only opening batsman 

Khalid Moosa making a 

cameo 41 (15b). 

Omani player Suhaib al 

Balushi claimed three wickets 

conceding eight runs off 

four overs one of which was 

are bang in form, and a new 

captain. 

Dallaglio echoed the general 

media opinion that the 

captain would be either Tom 

Wood or Chris Robshaw, both 

likely starters in a new-look 

back row. 

"Tom Wood certainly fits 

the bill and probably shades it 

because he's spent more time 

in the England environment," 

he said. "But leadership is not 

just about one man it's about 

surrounding the captain with 

a group of leaders." 

Dallaglio said he supported 

Lancaster's decision to drop 

scrumhalf Danny Care from 

the Six Nations after he was 

caught drink-driving. 

"One of the big mantras of 

Clive Woodward was that you 

have to get things right off 

the field to get them right on 

the field and even the small 

things have a huge impact," 

he said. 

He also agreed with the 

decision to cancel the planned 

training camp in Portugal and 

take the players to junior club 

West Park Leeds in northern 

England before they return to 

their traditional plush base in 

Surrey (south west of London). 

"It makes sense as a preparation 

for playing in Scotland 

and goes along with the idea 

of trying to reconnect with 

the fans," he said. 

"You have to earn the right 

to be at Pennyhill Park and 

maybe Stuart's making that 

point." — Reuters 

a maiden over whilst Joshi 

Shailender and Sagara Chaminda 

Ratnayake bagged two 

wickets each conceding 14 and 

31 runs respectively. 

Towell CPD in their turn 

were bowled out for 105 off 

14.2 overs with a top score of 

57 (33b, 2x6 and 6x4) from 

opening batsman Waqar ul 

Hassan. 

Nasser Haider and Khalid 

Moosa lent valuable support to 

Sameer claiming two wickets 

each conceding 32 and 33 runs 

respectively. 

Brief scores: OCT Hatat 134 

all out off 19.2 overs (Khalid Moosa 

41, Suhaib Al Balushi 3/8, Joshi 

Shailender 2/14 and Sagara Chaminda 

Ratnayake 2/31) bt Towell CPD 

105 all out off 14.2 overs (Waqar 

ul Hassan 57, Sameer Mehrab 4/8, 

Nasser Haider 2/32 and Khalid 

Moosa 2/33). 

Points: OCT Hatat 2 pts (4 

games, 4 pts) and Towell CPD 0 pt 

(4 games, 0 pt).

Bresnan 

ruled out of 

Pak series 

DUBAI — England pace 

bowler Tim Bresnan has 

been ruled out of England’s 

three-Test series 

against Pakistan in the 

United Arab Emirates after 

failing to recover from 

an elbow injury, the England 

and Wales Cricket 

Board (ECB) said yesterday. 

Bresnan underwent 

surgery on the elbow last 

month but was unable to 

play in England’s opening 

warm-up game. 

“Bresnan tried to bowl 

today, having had an injection 

and a good rest,” 

Strauss told the ECB 

website (www.ecb.co.uk). 

“I think we were all 

expecting him to be absolutely 

fine. But it’s very 

painful and, given that, 

he’s probably not going to 

be able to play for two or 

three weeks. 

“That means he’s unable 

to play any part in 

the Test series, so he’s flying 

home.” 

Bresnan took 16 wickets 

in the three Tests he 

played against India at 

home last year — a series 

which lifted captain Andrew 

Strauss’s men to No 

1 in Test rankings. 

Graham Onions, who is 

already with the England 

team as cover for Bresnan, 

will be officially added to 

the squad. 

Strauss said off-spinner 

Graeme Swann would 

be sent to hospital for a 

precautionary scan on a 

tight leg muscle while fast 

bowler Chris Tremlett, 

who was ruled out of the 

opening match with an eye 

infection, would see a doctor 

later. 

Stricker keeps 

five-shot 

lead 

Page 17 

DUBAI — Steve Davies and 

Stuart Broad shared a resolute 

seventh-wicket stand of 61 to 

help an unimpressive England 

to win the three-day tour 

opener against ICC Combined 

XI by three wickets here yesterday. 

It was a case of second 

batting failure for the tourists 

as, chasing 261 to win, England 

owed the win to captain 

Andrew Strauss (78), Ian Bell 

(39) and Jonathan Trott (35) on 

the final day at the ICC Global 

Cricket Academy ground. 

Kevin Pietersen (1) and 

Eoin Morgan (3) flopped a 

second time in the match and 

when Bell departed at 199 for 

six, England looked down and 

out before Davies (37 not out) 

and Broad (31) saved their 

blushes. 

Despite the win England's 

batting looked rusty ahead of 

the first of three Tests against 

Pakistan which starts here 

from January 17. 

England will have another 

opportunity to settle their batting 

on the slow, dusty pitches 

here as they play the second 

warm-up game against a Pakistan 

Cricket Board XI, also in 

Dubai, from January 11 to 13. 

Strauss and Alastair Cook 

(26) looked solid during 

their opening stand of 63 but 

Afghanistan's spinner Mohammed 

Nabi (three for 66), 

George Dockrell (one for 28) 

and Majid Haq (one for 42) 

derailed on the run chase. 

Strauss and Trott added 70 

for the second wicket but England 

lost five more wickets 

before reaching the 200-mark. 

Strauss hit 13 boundaries and 

a six during his 96-ball innings 

but his departure put England 

in trouble. 

It was left to Broad and 

Davies to carry their team 

within one run of the victory. 

Earlier, the ICC Combined 

XI declared their second innings 

at 164 for nine with 

Afghanistan's wicket-keeper 

batsman Mohammed Shahzad 

notching a second half century 

of the match with a defiant 74. 

Shahzad, who scored 51 


Broad, Davies save England blushes 

COLOMBO — Sri Lanka's 

sports minister yesterday 

blasted the national cricket 

team's recent performances, 

saying the side was riven by 

politics and in 'crisis'. 

Mahindananda Aluthgamage 

vowed to deliver a stern 

lecture to the players when 

they return later this month 

from their tour of South Africa, 

where they last week lost 

the Test series 2-1. 

ENGLAND’S Stuart Broad (left) and Steven Davies pictured during the third day of their three-day practice match 

against ICC Combined XI at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai Sports City yesterday. — AFP 

in the first innings, held the 

Combined XI innings and 

added 43 for the eighth wicket 

with Haq who scored 256 not 

out. Shahzad hit 13 boundaries 

during his attractive 104-ball 

knock. 

Broad finished with three 

for 22, a match haul of seven 

wickets, while James Anderson 

took two for 62. 

Brief scores: ICC Combined 

XI 1st innings 281 and 

2nd innings 164 for 9 decl (K 

Coetzer 31, M Shahzad 74; 

Anderson 2/62, Broad 3/22) 

lost to England 1st innings 

185 for 8 decl and 2nd innings 

261 for 7 (261 A Strauss 78, A 

Cook 26, J Trott 35, I Bell 39, 

S Davies 37 n.o., S Broad 31; 

Nabi 3/66). 

Sri Lanka cricket in ‘crisis’, says minister 

"The Sri Lanka cricket team 

is in a crisis situation. It is very 

unfortunate," Aluthgamage 

told reporters. "The team is not 

clicking together off-field and 

it has shown in the results on 

the field." 

"Once the team returns, I 

plan to meet them," Aluthgamage 

said. "I feel there is a lot 

of internal politics within the 

team that is spilling over to the 

cricket pitch." 

Since the retirement of 

bowling star Muttiah Muralitharan 

in July 2010, Sri 

Lanka have won only one Test 

match, though they did reach 

the final of the one-day World 

Cup last year. 

Sri Lanka will now play 

five one-day internationals in 

South Africa starting tomorrow, 

before heading to a triseries 

tournament in Australia 

which also includes India. 

The government has often 

been accused of meddling in 

the sport and recent uncontested 

elections for the cricket 

board were mired in allegations 

of interference. 

Aluthgamage's comments 

came after Sri Lanka skipper 

Tillakaratne Dilshan blamed 

his side's inconsistent results 

on the island's weak domestic 

scene. 

"It is very difficult to find 

good cricketers. We have to 

correct our domestic structure. 

Coming from our club cricket 

to international cricket is a 

huge difference," he said after 

losing the Test series. 

Some players have complained 

about months of unpaid 

wages as the Sri Lanka board 

struggles with debts of $69 

million after building two new 

venues and revamping a third 

ground for the World Cup. 

Bayern put 

focus on football 

in India 

Page 18 

Marsh in illness 

scare ahead of 

Perth Test 

SYDNEY — Australian top 

order batsman Shaun Marsh 

was unable to fulfill a media 

engagement ahead of the third 

Test against India in Perth because 

of illness yesterday. 

Team officials said the 28year-old 

should be fit to train 

with the rest of the team today 

ahead of Friday's start to the 

Test at the Waca. 

Marsh won a race to be 

fit for the first Test but his 

form in the four-match series 

has been far from convincing, 

despite Australia making 

a strong start with emphatic 

wins in Melbourne and Sydney. 

Playing at number three in 

the batting order, Marsh has 

been out for a duck twice and 

made three in the second innings 

at the Melbourne Cricket 

Ground. 

Mike Hussey, who bucked 

his own run of poor form with 

a superb 150 not out in Sydney, 

replaced Marsh in yesterday's 

news conference and 

backed his fellow Western 

Australian to find his touch at 

SHUAN MARSH 

his home ground. "The Waca 

crowd always give the local 

guys a huge welcome and a 

louder roar than any other 

player, so he's got plenty of 

motivation to play exceptionally 

well in this Test," Hussey 

told reporters. 

"It's always tough when 

you have been out of the game 

for over a month to be able to 

come straight back into Test 

match cricket and perform 

straight away. 

"It does take a bit of time. 

But he has been working very 

hard and he's been hitting the 

ball very well in the nets. 

"So it's just a case of him 

being able to get through that 

first half an hour of his innings 

and then if he gets a start, I'm 

sure he'll want to turn it into a 

big hundred." 

Marsh, the son of former 

Australia opener Geoff 

Marsh, made his Test debut in 

Sri Lanka earlier this year and 

has been included in the 12man 

squad for the third Test 

against India. — Reuters

Asian markets mixed 

on Europe fears, US 

jobs data 

Page 22 

Global tech 

sales to cross 

$1tn in 2012 

LAS VEGAS — Smartphones 

and tablet computers will help 

push worldwide consumer 

electronics spending over $1 

trillion this year but growth 

is sluggish compared to last 

year, according to industry 

analysts. 

"Most product categories 

are slowing down or going 

into contraction," Steve Bambridge, 

global business director 

for GfK Boutique Research 

said on Sunday ahead of the 

annual Consumer Electronics 

Show (CES) in Las Vegas. 

"Really there's two main 

exceptions: tablets and 

smartphones," Bambridge 

said at a briefing for reporters 

before the official opening 

today of the high-tech gadget 

extravaganza. 

GfK and CES sponsor the 

Consumer Electronics Association 

(CEA) forecast that 

global spending on technology 

products will grow five per 

cent in 2012 to $1.04 trillion 

compared to eight per cent 

growth last year and $993 billion 

in sales. 

GfK and CEA said they 

expect smartphone sales to 

grow 22 per cent this year 

compared with 59 per cent 

last year while overall tablet 

sales are expected to double 

to more than 100 million this 

year. 

As demand slackens in the 

United States and Western 

Europe grapples with an economic 

crisis and wobbly euro 

emerging markets such as 

Brazil, China and India will 

increase their share of spending 

on consumer electronics, 

GfK and CEA said. 

Emerging economies are 

expected to account for 46 per 

cent of global tech sales revenue 

in 2012, up from 37 per 

cent in 2008, while developed 

economies will see their share 

fall to 54 per cent from 63 per 

Saham customer wins Al Heson prize 

BANKDHOFAR continues to announce the winners of Al Heson 

Saving Scheme weekly and monthly prize. The latest mega 

monthly prize of RO 100,000 went to Rashid Suliaman Suhail al 

Maamari. The prize cheque was handed over to the winner by Ali 

al Marzooki, Saham Branch Manager, BankDhofar. Page 22 

cent over the same period. 

CEA chief economist 

Shawn Dubravac said he expects 

more than 20,000 new 

products to launch at CES, 

which brings together over 

2,700 exhibitors from around 

the world to the cavernous Las 

Vegas Convention Center. 

Last year, more than 100 

tablet computers alone were 

unveiled at CES as rival 

manufacturers sought to cap- 

A GAMETEL wireless 

controller by Fructel. 

OSLO — Norway's Statoil announced yesterday 

a major oil discovery in the Barents Sea 

that could contain up to 300 million barrels of 

crude. 

The Havis prospect is the twin of Skrugard, 

another deposit Statoil discovered in April 

2011, confirming the potential of the waters as 

yet untapped in the Barents Sea. 

Together the two deposits could contain between 

400 and 600 million barrels of oil equivalent, 

Statoil said in a statement yesterday. 

"Skrugard and Havis open up a new petroleum 

province in the North," Statoil chief executive 

Helge Lund said in the statement. 

The two discoveries, which are located just 

seven kilometres apart but are not connected, 

could be developed together, which would 

limit costs. 

Covered by the same production licence, 

the two deposits are owned by Statoil, which 

holds 50 per cent, Eni of Italy, with 30 per cent 

and Norwegian state-owned company Petoro 

which owns the remaining 20 per cent. 

The two deposits remain modest in size 

compared with massive Norwegian fields such 

as Statfjord, which contains some 3.6 billion 

barrels and was found in 1974 in the North 

Sea. 

But they indicate there is potential for Arctic 

oil and gas riches for Norway, whose oil production 

has been on the decline for 10 years. 

After a peak in 2001, oil production in the 

Scandinavian country — the world's seventhbiggest 

exporter of black gold — has steadily 

decreased and is now around two million bar- 

ture the magic of Apple's hotselling 

iPad. 

Dubravac said he expects 

to see about 50 new tablets 

this year and a plethora of 

snazzy smartphones which he 

described as "more like fullfledged 

computers." 

Another hot product category 

at CES this year is 

expected to be the sleek, 

lightweight laptop computer 

known as the "ultrabook," 

Dubravac said. 

He said he expected to see 

between 30 and 50 ultrabooks 

launched at CES as computer 

makers again seek to make 

up ground on Apple and its 

popular MacBook Air. 

Getting the jump on the 

competition, Taiwan's Acer 

on Sunday took the wraps off 

what it said was the world's 

thinnest laptop computer, the 

Acer Aspire 5, which has a 

34-centimetre screen and is 

15 millimetres at its thickest 

point. — AFP 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 

By Ali Ahmed al Riyami 

MUSCAT — The Board of Directors 

of the Oman Chamber of Commerce 

and Industry (OCCI) held their first 

meeting of the current session, 2011- 

2014, under the chairmanship of 

Khalil bin Abdullah al Khonji, OCCI 

Chairman, and elected Ayman bin 

Abdullah al Hasani as Deputy Chairman, 

Shihab bin Yousuf bin Alawi 

as Secretary and Redha bin Juma al 

Saleh as Treasurer. 

Agenda for the new session was 

also discussed at the meeting. 

The Executive Council of the 

Chamber elected at the meeting are 

Rashid bin Amir al Mslahi, Salem bin 

Saleem al Junaibi and Ali bin Salem 

al Hajry. 

Al Khonji expressed his gratitude 

to His Majesty the Sultan for the confidence 

he placed on the board. 

"It has been a good motivation for 

them to dedicate all of their efforts 

and capabilities to serve and fulfil 

the objectives required for sustain- 

able, comprehensive development", 

he said. 

OCCI is committed in extending 

full co-operation for the development 

of various economic, production and 

service sector activities, he added. 

Further, he said, they would 

strengthen co-operation with the 

private sector for the growth of the 

economy. 

"This is to be achieved through 

regular co-ordination with various 

authorities so as to realise the set 

Commodities boom — for now 

THE annual return of investors and traders after weeks of hibernation 

has caused the usual chasing after potential profitable 

trades. Fresh money has been put to work and the energy sector 

and precious metals have so far been the main recipients triggering 

renewed safe haven buying of gold. Page 23 

OCCI elects board, committee heads; outlines agenda 

LONDON — Worries over 

Europe's banks and uncertain 

prospects for a hefty slate of 

euro zone debt sales this week 

kept markets volatile yesterday, 

with shares weaker and 

the single currency off lows but 

vulnerable to further losses. 

German and US data provided 

some relief but the euro 

zone's deep-seated problems 

kept investors wary, and a meeting 

between German Chancellor 

Angela Merkel and French 

President Nicolas Sarkozy will 

be closely watched for fresh 

developments. 

The MSCI world equity 

index held onto a slight gain 

of just 0.1 per cent despite a 

weaker session on Asian markets. 

The FTSEurofirst 300 index 

of top European shares gave 

up early gains to be slightly 

weaker, falling 0.3 per cent to 

1010.40 points, having been hit 

last week by worries over bank 

capital raising plans following 

a deeply discounted rights issue 

by UniCredit. 

Statoil makes major oil 

discovery in Barents Sea 

rels per day, just two-thirds of what it was a 

decade ago. 

The region has also become increasingly 

attractive after Norway and Russia in 2010 

ended a 40-year maritime border dispute over 

176,000 square kilometres, which paves the 

way for prospecting. 

According to the US Geological Service 

(USGS), the entire Arctic region could hold 13 

per cent of the world's as yet undiscovered oil 

reserves and 30 per cent of its natural gas. 

The region is however characterised by extreme 

cold, sea ice and total darkness in winter, 

making oil and gas drilling technically complex 

and costly. 

However, high oil prices and technological 

progress are making it attractive nonetheless. 

Environmentalists have meanwhile 

expressed concerns about oil prospecting 

in the Arctic waters due to its fragile 

ecosystem and sea life. — AFP 

Shares in Italy's biggest 

bank by assets fell again and 

trading in the rights to buy into 

the cash call were suspended, 

fuelling speculation other lenders 

may be deterred from using 

rights issues to plug capital 

shortfalls. 

UniCredit's rights issue is a 

litmus test for banking stocks 

at a time when many European 

lenders are under pressure to 

shore up their capital buffers 

to withstand the spreading debt 

crisis. 

The Italian bank's shares 

have lost 37 per cent since 

it priced the 7.5 billion euro 

($9.5 billion) capital increase, 

trading in the rights to buy into 

the cash call were suspended, 

fuelling speculation other lenders 

may be deterred from using 

rights issues to plug capital 

shortfalls. 

The euro, which fell to a 

16-month low in Asian trade 

of $1.2666, recovered to 

$1.2760 in volatile trade to 

stand up around 0.5 per cent 

for the day as traders covered 

goals and objectives outlined for the 

national economy and in the current 

eighth five-year plan", he said, adding 

they will proceed within the outlined 

framework, especially in relation to 

human resources development. 

He noted that during the previous 

term 2007-2010, the chamber was 

able to implement a number of activities 

and events aimed at strengthening 

the performance of private sector 

companies in implementing various 

developmental projects. This, he add- 

short positions. 

"These are testing times 

for the currency and the scale 

of the recent decline seems to 

have caught some people by 

surprise," said Geoffrey Yu, 

currency strategist at UBS. 

A busy week of government 

bond issues features triple-A 

issuers Germany, Netherlands 

and Austria, but most interest 

will be on sales by Spain and 

Italy on Thursday and Friday. 

"The main focus is still 

the Italian and Spanish supply. 

While we've got that lurking 

over us I think the market 

is likely to still be a little bit 

wary," said Eric Wand, strategist 

at Lloyds Bank in London. 

ed, was achieved by exploiting the favourable 

climate of development, as 

part of several fundamental pillars: 

•Restructuring of OCCI internally 

and externally, 

•Improving the branches, internal 

offices and external offices of the 

Chamber, 

•Expansion in the adoption of 

modern technology to improve and 

renew levels of service offered by the 

Chamber to its members, 

•Greater attention towards SMEs, 

Italian 10-year paper yielded 

around 7.13 per cent, firmly 

above the 7 per cent level 

widely seen as unsustainable. 

Spanish equivalent bonds were 

at 5.74 per cent. 

Friday's upbeat US jobs 

data showed the jobless rate 

dropped to a near three-year 

low of 8.5 per cent, and non- 

•Greater support of national products 

along with extra investment in 

sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, 

industry, tourism, services and scientific 

research. 

At regional and international levels, 

the Chamber supported ambitious 

projects in order to achieve Gulf and 

Arab integration — at pace with the 

trends of sustainable development 

in the Sultanate and to meet the demands 

from changes in the economy. 

Besides contributions made in supporting 

external economic relations 

and from entering into economic and 

investment co-operation agreements. 

The Chairman urged the new 

Board members to interact and respond 

with new ideas and visions 

and adopt proposals with the aim of 

achieving the objectives and goals 

envisaged for the national economy. 

He also called on members of the 

business community and private sector 

companies to keep up and interact 

more with the plans and programmes 

of OCCI, which embody the ambitions 

of the private sector. 

Euro zone woes outweigh economic hopes 

CHANCELLOR Angela Merkel with French President Nicolas Sarkozy upon 

his arrival at the Chancellery in Berlin yesterday. — AFP 

farm payrolls increased by 

200,000. Yesterday German 

exports jumped 2.5 per cent 

in November, unexpectedly 

widening the trade surplus in a 

sign Europe's largest economy 

is still outpacing peers. 

But rising debt tensions 

took the shine off both sets of 

figures, with a German magazine 

reporting on Saturday 

the International Monetary 

Fund was losing confidence in 

Greece's ability to clean up its 

public finances. 

Also, an adviser to Germany's 

finance minister told a 

Greek newspaper a 50 per cent 

writedown on Greek debt holdings 

— a key part of Greece's 

debt swap deal — was not 

enough to put the country's 

huge debt on a viable footing. 

Underscoring the bearish 

view on the euro, currency 

speculators boosted short positions 

in the currency to record 

levels in the week ended January 

3, data from the Commodity 

Futures Trading Commission 

showed on Friday. — Reuters

Panasonic launches Lumix G Series cameras 

By Kabeer Yousuf 

MUSCAT – Panasonic represented 

by Omasco are all set to 

increase its market share 22 per 

cent from the current 21 per 

cent with the launch of its new 

Lumix G micro system compact 

and light weight digital 

interchangeable lens system 

cameras which use a collection 

of features that put enormous 

photographic power in a palmsized 

camera. 

“We are aiming to increase 

our market share from the current 

21per cent to 22 per cent 

which is based on a realistic 

assessment”, George Alexander, 

General Manager- Retail, 

Engineering and Distribution 

at Omasco said. He said the 

cameras under the brand name 

are next to the leading ones in 

the market and are all set to 

reach the higher level in a short 

while. “We will very soon 

reach yet another milestone 

as far as our camera division 

is concerned and what really 

matters is the knowledge of 

the market and how you tailormake 

your products according 

to the market”. 

The Lumix G Series mod- 

OAB sponsors OEA conference 

MUSCAT — Oman Arab Bank (OAB) sponsored the fifth conference on “Demographical 

Changes and GCC Labour Market” organised by the Omani Economic Association 

(OEA) during January 7 to 8. 

The conference aimed at discussing the key challenges facing the GCC labour markets 

and the reality of these markets, exchanging expertise between the government 

and private sectors in providing jobs to the locals, and addressing as well the challenges 

in training and recruiting local manpower. It touched upon knowledge management, 

human resources development, labour market development, and head-hunting for local 

and foreign talents to participate in the conference, as it discussed solutions with local 

and international experiences in providing jobs. 

OAB’s sponsorship of this conference came to confirm the bank’s firm belief in 

the importance of finding radical solutions to provide job opportunities as well as the 

importance of educating and training human resources so as to cater for the labour 

market needs and positively contribute to the development march through reducing 

unemployment and ensuring a decent life standard to the largest number possible of 

the members of the society. 

Nawras voted most popular telecom choice 

NAWRAS has been named as the 

most popular choice of telecom service 

provider in the annual best brands 

survey carried out by a local business 

magazine. 

Over 800 respondents from students 

to senior managers voted for 

their top telecom service provider in 

the Sultanate with Nawras leading 

the field as the most popular choice. 

Nawras first appeared in the top slot 

in the 2007 survey when it was written 

that ‘little surprise was expressed 

at the company’s emergence as the 

number one brand’. 

The survey result reflects customers’ 

appreciation of the Nawras brand 

continuing to deliver different services to meet the diversified communication needs 

HONG KONG — Asian markets 

were mixed yesterday as 

worries over the euro zone 

debt crisis were tempered by 

better-than-expected US jobs 

data, while the under-pressure 

euro touched fresh lows. 

South Korea's benchmark 

Kospi index closed 0.90 per 

cent, or 16.65 points, down 

at 1,826.49, Sydney edged 

down 3.1 points to 4,105.4 and 

Hong Kong closed up 1.47 

per cent, or 272.66 points, at 

18,865.72. 

els launched yesterday at the 

Marina Bander Rawdha, set 

against the stunning landscape, 

are compact and comfortable 

to use, with features that are 

designed to let users truly enjoy 

exploring completely new 

realms of photography. The 

high-grade metal body combined 

with the 4/3-type sensor 

delivers high D-SLR-like performance, 

however in much 

smaller and lighter cameras 

and lenses than with a conventional 

D-SLR system. 

“With Panasonic’s G series 

of LUMIX cameras photographers 

can enjoy a new level of 

freedom, mobility and creativeness. 

These cameras come with 

enhanced features and func- 

Shanghai finished 2.89 per 

cent higher, or 62.49 points, 

at 2,225.89 after Chinese Premier 

Wen Jiabao said on Saturday 

that the government will 

boost confidence in the stock 

market, but gave no details. 

Financial markets in Japan 

were closed yesterday for a 

public holiday. 

"As expected, the black 

clouds from Europe stopped 

any US sunshine breaking 

through," Justin Harper, Head 

of Media and Research at IG 

tionality that make photography 

easy, more enjoyable and 

rewarding. Users can choose 

between the DMC-GF3, DMC- 

G3 and the DMC-GH2 all of 

which are capable of taking 

that perfect image or video”. 

Developed by Panasonic in 

cooperation with leading photographic 

engineers, the Micro 

Four Thirds standard system 

gives users the opportunity to 

explore the creativity aspect 

of taking photographs with a 

range of compact lenses (in total, 

eleven lenses from 35mm 

equivalent 14mm–600mm, 

and with the fixed-focus 3D 

lens you can even record 3D 

photos). It carefully preserves 

the image quality of the 4/3- 

Markets, said in a note. 

"This pessimism is being 

played out across equity and 

currency markets and is likely 

to be 2012's recurrent theme." 

Last week, European banks 

parked 455 billion euros ($577 

billion) in the safe haven of 

the European Central Bank 

overnight — a new record — 

preferring to earn low interest 

rather than taking on the risk 

of lending to each other. 

After a brief respite from 

bad headlines over the New 

22 

OMAN/INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012 

type sensor and offers excellent 

expandability and adaptability 

to future functions as 

well. The G series is renowned 

for its Micro Four Thirds System 

standard for high quality 

and wide compatibility. Furthermore, 

full-time Live View 

for setting up the perfect shot 

and the unique iA mode for 

capturing stunning photos with 

all the ease of a compact digital 

camera are just some of the 

user friendly features. 

The Live MOS offers the 

superior image quality of a 

CCD sensor and the lower 

power consumption of a 

CMOS sensor, efficiently capturing 

more light for brighter 

corners and enhanced resolution. 

The camera delivers fulltime 

live view shooting, while 

reproducing images with fine 

detail and rich gradation. What 

is more, the 4/3-type sensor 

enables the camera to be used 

with a host of lightweight 

zoom and wide-angle lenses. 

All Panasonic Lumix G Series 

cameras are compatible with 

advanced Micro Four Thirds 

and renowned Leica lenses, 

which stand up to any shooting 

situation with grandeur. Lumix 

G micro system cameras also 

BUSINESS ALERT 

of people in Oman. 

“We sincerely thank our customers for voting for Nawras and we are delighted and 

honoured to be named as Oman’s most popular choice for telecom services,” said Chief 

Executive Officer, Ross Cormack. 

“Great care is always taken to provide a comprehensive range of innovative services 

to suit the many different requirements of our customers, whether they are at home, 

at work or travelling. We consider it important to pay close attention to the details, from 

the provision of quality network coverage to consistent accuracy and transparency in 

billing as well as innovative products and services. 

“We believe our customers deserve the very best and we are constantly striving to 

reach new heights to enhance their communications experience in every way while 

staying true to our core values of delivering caring, excellent and pleasingly different 

services.” 

Nawras has won over 40 awards since launch in 2005 including a number recognising 

its brand value. Amongst this list is the Award for Brand Leadership at the Global 

Awards for Brand Excellence in 2009 and Brand of the Year from Superbrands Oman 

in 2010. Nawras was also recognised with an award at Asia’s Best Employer Brand 

Awards in 2011. 

Hayashi Fans celebrates one million mark 

HAYASHI Fans from Al Saleh Enterprises LLC celebrated one million Pieces sold 

recently in its Operations Office and Al Hail showroom attended by customers and 

end users. 

Hayashi products incorporate all the important factors such as quality and cost effectiveness, 

value for their money, whether it is in the form of advanced technology, 

longer life span or energy efficiency, said Sarah bint Mustafa bin Mukhtar al Lawatiya, 

Director, Al Saleh Enterprises LLC. 

The latest model Ceiling and Ventilating fans displayed in the venue enabled customers 

and end users to have the closer look of the product. From a humble beginning 

with ceiling fan the brand has grown in size and strength. Hayashi has a wide range 

comprising of ceiling fans and ventilating fans which includes Window mount type, 

Wall mount type, Ceiling mount type and Industrial type Fans. 

Chand Pasha, Commercial Manager, thanked his team for the achievements in the 

modest span of nine years. The brand is all set to meet the market demand as its products 

are widely accepted in innumerable projects, due to its durability and fascinating 

look. The ceiling fans are designed to provide comfort to the user by delivering a 

Year holiday period, the euro 

zone debt crisis has resurfaced 

with a vengeance, driving 

down the single currency and 

threatening Italy and Spain. 

The euro fell to a near-16month 

low of $1.2665 in early 

trade yesterday before recovering 

slightly to $1.2774 later 

in the day, but still off Friday's 

rate of $1.2792 in New York. 

It also slipped to 98.20 

yen, compared with 98.71 yen 

on Friday, as dealers worried 

about European leaders' abil- 

records not only high quality 

photo but also stunning video. 

The AVCHD format features 

almost twice the recording 

time in HD quality than the 

conventional Motion JPEG. 

In addition to the practical 

full-time AF, the Touch AF in 

video recording also lets users 

enjoy professional-like rack 

focusing. Just by pointing the 

subject, the focus is shifted to 

it and let it stand out to attract 

attention. Precision Contrast 

AF system of Lumix G micro 

system gains even higher speed 

realising approx. 0.09 second 

of light speed AF. Consecutive 

shooting is also improved 

for 4.2 fps in 16.0-megapixel 

full resolution. All cameras of 

Lumix G micro system adopt 

Contrast AF for its focus system. 

The phase-difference AF 

system is susceptible to mechanical 

margin of error. However, 

in contrast AF system, 

focusing is controlled by the 

image sensor so that no mechanical 

margin of error occurs 

to achieve precise focusing. 

Compared with the phase difference 

system AF, the contrast 

AF boasts higher accuracy especially 

in shooting with bright 

lens with small F value. 

ity to tame the region's fiscal 

woes and the possibility 

of credit rating downgrades 

across the debt-strapped euro 

zone. The dollar bought 76.88 

yen from 77.24 yen. 

Concerns about Spain and 

Italy are driving fears they 

could be next to need bailouts 

from the European Union and 

International Monetary Fund, 

after Greece, Ireland and Portugal. 

In Spain, the new economy 

minister has warned that 

banks may face up to 50-bil- 

McDonald’s Seeb branch 

Manager wins award 


MUSCAT — The McDonald’s 

Oman (Al Daud Restaurants 

LLC) ‘Restaurant Manager 

of the Year’ award was won 

by Ahmed al Afari, restaurant 

manager of McDonald’s 

Seeb, for his outstanding contributions 

and consistently 

delivering high standards of 

quality, service, cleanliness, 

value, Omanisation and total 

customer satisfaction 

Al Afari is the first Omani 

restaurant manager to have 

received such an award – the 

highest distinction given to a 

restaurant manager who exemplifies 

excellent performance 

and achievements throughout 

the year. 

Al Afari, who started as a 

Service Crew in McDonald’s, 

has developed himself into 

a successful restaurant manager. 

“Thanks to McDonald’s 

career and development programme”, 

Al Afari enthused. 

“The company does not only 

hone my skills, leadership and 

capabilities, but also recog- 

steady breeze of air. Hayashi fans are an unmatched example of path breaking technology. 

With its maximum air propulsion technology, it gives incomparable air spread and 

volume. 

Al Madina Logistics provides new services 

AL Madina Logistics now provides 3PL services for Vale Oman. As per the agreement, 

Al Madina Logistics will provide full warehouse management services for the Vale 

Oman facility at the Sohar Industrial Port, as well as full logistics services and inventory 

management. 

The importance of superior logistics services cannot be over emphasised. Mahmood 

Sakhi Albalushi, CEO, said that the soaring standards of Al Madina Logistics, 

their warehouse construction and management systems, logistics services, and highly 

professional staff are their strengths. Al Madina Logistics aims to set a benchmark for 

the provision of superior logistic services, and have nearly completed the first state-ofthe-art 

integrated distribution centre facility in Oman. 

Ahlibank MyHassad draw winners 

AHLIBANK announced recently the names of the MyHassad daily prize draw winners, 

Muhalhal Kadhim Ghuloom al Ajmi from Barka branch, Ali Marhoon Salim al 

Yaqoobi and Khursheed Qamar Sultan Mohammed From Main branch and Kathiya 

Salam Khamis al Waali from Ibri branch, were the lucky winners of RO 1,000 each 

for the week. MyHassad savings account continues to successfully satisfy the existing 

customers and attract new ones. 

BankDhofar Al Heson draw winner 

BANKDHOFAR continues to announce the winners of Al Heson Saving Scheme 

weekly and monthly prize. The latest mega monthly prize of RO 100,000 went to 

Rashid Suliaman Suhail al Maamari. The prize cheque was handed over to the winner 

by Ali al Marzooki, Saham Branch Manager, BankDhofar. 

The Al Heson draw has been gaining momentum over the years as people are steadily 

starting to appreciate the wealth of benefits that the account offers. This promotion 

embodies the bank’s firm commitment to its customers, in not only providing the very 

best in terms of products and services but also helping to educate people to manage 

their own finances; instead of just putting in their money. 

The scheme provides customers with an opportunity to save with the prospects to 

making one’s wishes come true faster. Both existing and new customers of BankDhofar 

are eligible to reap the benefits of its weekly and monthly prize draws. 

Asian stock markets mixed on Europe fears, US jobs data 

lion euros in bad loan provisions. 

There were also worries 

that another round of meetings 

among European leaders 

this week would produce few 

concrete debt-busting measures. 

"The tone for the euro remains 

weak into the ECB 

meeting on January 12," DBS 

Group Research said in a report. 

"Today’s meeting between 

German Chancellor Angela 

nises my efforts and achievements. 

This makes my journey 

with McDonald’s very fulfilling”. 

Commenting on Al Afari’s 

achievement, Ali K Daud, Development 

Licensee and President 

of McDonald’s Oman, 

said: “It gives me great pride 

that an Omani is named the 

‘Restaurant Manager of the 

Year’ for the first time. His 

achievement is a testament 

to our mission of providing 

greater job opportunities for 

Omanis and supporting their 

career growth within the or- 

Merkel and French President 

Nicolas Sarkozy is unlikely to 

deliver any surprises." 

The negative feeling stood 

in contrast to jobs data from 

the United States, where the 

unemployment rate dropped 

to 8.5 per cent in December, 

the lowest level in nearly three 

years, as hiring surged by 

200,000, topping forecasts for 

a 150,000 increase. 

Wall Street was mixed on 

Friday with the Dow Jones 

Industrial Average losing 0.45 

ganisation through various 

training and development programmes. 

I look forward to 

seeing more Omanis growing 

and building successful careers 

at McDonald’s”. 

The ‘Restaurant Manager 

of the Year’ award was presented 

by Ali K Daud, Development 

Licensee of McDonald’s 

Oman, Matt Abunasser, 

Senior Director of Operations, 

McDonald’s Middle East, and 

Christopher Charles, Market 

Manager during the company’s 

Annual Dinner, held at 

Crowne Plaza Muscat. 

per cent, the broad-based S&P 

500 slipping 0.25 per cent 

while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 

finished up 0.16 per cent. 

On oil markets, New York's 

main contract, West Texas Intermediate 

crude for delivery 

in February, was up 26 cents at 

$101.82 in afternoon trade. 

Brent North Sea crude for 

February gained 51 cents to 

$113.57. 

Gold was at $1,620.60 an 

ounce by 1010 GMT against 

$1,621.20 late Friday. — AFP

23 OMAN TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012 

OCCI elects board, committee 

heads, outlines agenda 

From page 21 

He said, this cannot be achieved without the 

joint efforts, togetherness and co-operation 

of all of the parties involved. The upcoming 

stage will bring even higher levels of co-operation 

and co-ordination between the public 

and private sectors with the Chamber acting as 

the point-of-contact between the two sectors 

throughout the coming period, he added. 

Meanwhile, the heads of specialised committees 

were selected at the meeting: 

Economic Committee and Food Safety 

Committee — Khalil bin Abdullah al Khonji, 

OCCI Chairman, Tourism Committee — Ibrahim 

bin Said al Nabahani, Industrial and Mining 

Sector Committee — Ayman bin Abdullah 

al Hasani, Banking Committee — Mustafa bin 

Ahmed al Lawati, Insurance and Finance Committee 

— Majid bin Abdulrahim al Bahrani, 

HRD and Labour Market Committee — 

Sahar Sa’ad al Ka’abi, Investment Promotion 

Committee — Ahmed bin Saleh Ba’abood, 

Services Committee — Redha Mohammed 

al Saleh, Real Estate Development Committee 

— Shihab bin Yousuf bin Alawi, Transportation 

Committee — Salem bin Saleem al 

Jenaibi, Businesswomen Forum Committee 

— Abeer bint Mohammed al Abduwaniya and 

SME Committee — Khalid bin Mohammed 

al Zubair. 

The Chairman stressed that the new formation 

of the specialised committees took into 

consideration the changes in the current economic 

climate and the requirements and needs 

of the private sector. 

New committees were formed under the 

names of SME Committee, Food Security 

Committee and Real Estate Committee. The 

Chairman called on the business community to 

interact with all of the committees by joining, 

communicating views and providing suggestions 

to them. 

The meeting also nominated the Chairmen 

THE annual return of 

investors and traders 

after weeks of hibernation 

has caused the usual 

chasing after potential profitable 

trades. Fresh money has 

been put to work and the energy 

sector and precious metals 

have so far been the main 

recipients as improved economic 

data, especially from 

the US, and not least the threat 

of conflict in the Arabian Gulf 

has lifted oil prices and triggered 

renewed safe haven 

buying of gold and silver. Also 

included in this week’s report 

are our views on the outlook 

for the first quarter. 

This week attention will 

focus on the annual rebalancing 

of the world’s two most 

followed commodity benchmarks, 

the Dow Jones-UBS 

Commodity Index (DJ-UBS 

CI) and the S&P GSCI Commodity 

Index (S&P GSCI). 

It is estimated that between 

$250 billion and $300 billion 

is invested directly or benchmarked 

against these two indices 

and it will be an important 

focus over the next couple of 

weeks as investor flows across 

underlying commodity futures 

can be quite significant. 

A quick look at the performance 

table for the first week of 

2012 reveals the DJ-UBS index 

returning a healthy 2 per 

cent primarily helped by gains 

in energy and precious metals. 

Soft commodities have generally 

been struggling and wheat 

prices on both sides of the 

Atlantic succumbed to profittaking 

following a strong end 

of year rally. 

2012 index rebalancing 

Each January, both the DJ- 

UBS CI and the S&P GSCI indices 

alter their current exposure 

of their baskets to bring 

them back to their original 

fundamental target weights 

and to allow for any new adjustments. 

The rebalancing 

is mostly but not exclusively 

a matter of selling the previous 

year’s outperformers and 

buying the underperformers 

to bring the portfolio composure 

back in line. This year 

we have an added twist, with 

Brent crude being added to 

the DJ-UBS index for the first 

time and WTI crude seeing 

its weight being reduced by a 

similar amount. 

The settlement price on 

January 6 will determine the 

final amount of contracts to be 

bought and sold with the actual 

exercise taking place from 

Monday, January 9, to Friday, 

January 13. Some 20 per cent 

of the rebalancing size will 

REDHA Juma al Saleh, Ayman Abdullah al Hasani and Shihab 

bin Yousuf bin Alawi 

be adjusted each day using 

the futures contracts’ closing 

prices on that day. 

Broadly speaking, agriculture, 

livestock and industrials 

will be bought while precious 

metals and energy will be sold 

with the exception of natural 

gas and the above mentioned 

Brent crude contract. 

It may potentially have an 

upside price impact on sugar, 

nickel, cotton, wheat and zinc 

as the estimated rebalancing 

size required represents a sig- 

nificant portion of the available 

liquidity of each commodity. 

Signs that traders had 

tried to pre-empt this buying 

was seen on Thursday when 

sugar dropped 5.2 per cent, 

the most since September, as 

fundamental news caused the 

price to drop and then be exacerbated 

by speculators who 

were forced to close long positions. 

With the S&P GSCI also 

reducing its exposure to WTI 

crude to the benefit of Brent 

crude and gas oil the total 

amount of WTI crude that 

needs to be sold is estimated 

at above $15 billion against 

more than $5 billion being 

bought in Brent crude. 

Although significant these 

amounts are still relatively 

small compared to the daily 

average volumes but have 

nevertheless helped trigger a 

significant outperformance of 

Brent crude this week. 

The spread has widened by 

$3 over the last week to above 

$11 indicating that traders and 

fund managers, who tracks the 

DJ-UBS, have been active already 

ahead of the big trades 

next week. 

of OCCI branches in various governorates: 

Ibrahim bin Said al Nabahani — Dakhiliyah 

Governorate, Shaikh Batti Mohammed al 

Niyadi — Al Buraimi Governorate, Hassan bin 

Hamed al Ma’eeni — Musandam Governorate, 

Salem bin Saleem al Junaibi — Al Wusta Governorate, 

Said bin Saleh al Kiyumi — Al Batinah 

South and North Governorates, Abdullah 

bin Salem al Rowas — Dhofar Governorate, 

Ali bin Salem al Hajry — Sharqiyah South 

and North Governorates and Ali bin Saleh al 

Kalbani — Dhahirah Governorate 

Al Khonji concluded by noting, other important 

factors include the provision of training 

for the national workforce — in order to 

improve their capabilities and efficiency in 

serving the nation and society, keeping pace 

with global economic developments, exerting 

efforts to increase the interaction of business 

communities in various economic activities 

and including them in the formulation of economic 

policies. 

Other needs include promoting Omani products 

locally and internationally by participating 

in trade exhibitions and hosting trade delegations, 

as well as the further activation of OCCI 

branches through the employment of economic 

services studies for each governorate. 

The participation of the private sector in 

formulating economic policies will be achieved 

via the representation of various committees 

and authorities that deal with economic concerns. 

While the attraction and promotion of 

foreign investment is sought to further increase 

national income and create new job opportunities 

for the country’s citizens. 

The Chairman re-emphasised the importance 

of improving services being offered by 

OCCI for the benefit of its members and the 

necessity of interacting with various companies 

and establishments of the private sector. 

Commodities boom – for now 

WEEKLY UPDATE 

By Ole S. Hansen 

Bracing for headwinds 

The first quarter will most 

likely produce a great amount 

of uncertainty as the market 

will be looking for clarity on 

many of the unanswered questions 

left from 2011, especially 

the all-important unknown of 

whether we will face another 

global recession in 2012. 

With our expectations for 

further dollar appreciation 

during the early stages of 

2012, the upside for the major 

commodity indices seems 

to be limited during the first 

quarter with investors likely 

to be very selective. 

Precious metals like gold 

and to certain extent silver 

will continue to benefit from 

continued risk aversion. 

Supporting factors also 

include the negative yield 

environment, currently seen 

among more than half of the 

G20 nations, combined with 

strong physical demand from 

central banks and emerging 

market investors. 

We see prices stabilising after 

a late 2011 correction with 

fresh investment flows driving 

the price towards 1,800 during 

Q1 and even higher later in the 

year. 

Technical update: the rally 

from the lows has put gold in 

a much better near-term situation 

with a close above the 

200-day moving average at 

$1,634 signalling further upside 

potential. Only a weekly 

close below $1,545 would 

shatter this projection and lead 

to a deeper correction. 

The author is Senior 

Commodity Strategist 

at Saxo Bank

BankMuscat wins top honours 

in Best Brands survey 


MUSCAT — In recognition 

of extraordinary distinctive 

brand-building initiatives, 

BankMuscat has been voted 

the Best Brand in the banking 

segment in the annual Best 

Brands in Oman survey conducted 

by a leading local business 

magazine. 

BankMuscat took an unassailable 

lead over its nearest 

competition scoring 520 

points in the top management 

choice compared to the 

runner-up which received 

only 130 points. In the popular 

choice, the bank scored 

4,270 points as against the 

790 points scored by the second 

place winner. 

“As every year, 

BankMuscat is way ahead 

of the rest. Few brands have 

seen such complete domination. 

BankMuscat has clearly 

emerged the favourite among 

people from all walks of life, 

irrespective of their age or 

position. What is most commendable 

is the margin by 

which BankMuscat has won 

the top spot,” the business 

magazine said, hailing the 

bank as the titan in the banking 

segment. 

Mohammed Mubarak al 

Hassani, Head — Corporate 

Communications, said: “The 

recognition as the top brand 

is a tribute to the largest banking 

family in Oman which has 

FRANKFURT — BMW 

posted record car sales for 

2011 and forecast that a boom 

in luxury cars would keep it 

ahead of rivals this year as 

the world's biggest maker of 

premium cars enjoys strong 

demand from China and the 

United States. 

The Munich-based company 

said yesterday that worldwide 

sales of BMW, MINI and 

Rolls-Royce cars rose 14.2 per 

cent to 1.67 million last year as 

it sold more X3 sport untility 

vehicles, 5 Series models and 

MINIs. 

Appetite for BMW's ultraluxury 

cars reached a new 

high, with annual sales of 

Rolls-Royce vehicles in 2011 

rising to the highest level in 

the company's 107-year history, 

jumping almost 31 per 

cent to 3,538 cars. 

Finance chief Friedrich 

Eichiner said last week he expected 

the global market for 

premium cars to grow at more 

than 8 per cent this year, more 

played a key role in establishing 

BankMuscat as the first 

choice for banking services. 

The emotional chord emanating 

from the brand has helped 

BankMuscat products and 

services to evolve over the 

years in tandem with specific 

customer requirements.” 

Al Hassani added: 

“BankMuscat recognises that 

building strong brand equity 

is an important recipe for success. 

The brand is associated 

with its commitment to the 

development of Omani citizens 

and society. BankMuscat 

strongly believes in the need 

for bringing about a positive 

change in the lives of different 

segments of society.” 

Al Hassani said: “The 

BankMuscat brand possesses 

the characteristics of innovation 

and creativity. The brand 

has evolved over time to become 

a brand personality. The 

brand possesses youthful and 

smart characteristics acquired 

through effective communication 

and initiatives which take 

than twice as fast as the overall 

car market, which should work 

in favour of BMW. 

Volkswagen said last week 

that 2011 sales of luxury 

Bentley cars rose 37 per cent 

to 7,003 after recording the 

brand's second-highest sales 

volume ever in December. 

Credit Suisse analyst Arndt 

Ellinghorst raised his target 

price on BMW shares to 76 

euros from 72 euros, saying he 

into account the wishes of customers.” 

The brand recall for 

BankMuscat was among the 

highest compared to previous 

years. Among the top management 

survey respondents, 40 

per cent of Omanis and 57 per 

cent of expatriates endorsed 

BankMuscat. In the popular 

choice, 52 per cent of Omanis 

and 54 per cent of expatriates 

voted for BankMuscat. The 

survey findings were mainly 

based on unaided recall, 

which implied superb brand 

exposure, indicating a clear 

competitive advantage in the 

brand space. 

In the top management category, 

a cross-section of executives 

at the level of chairmen, 

CEOs and general managers 

across industries were asked 

to spontaneously recall one 

brand in each category. In the 

popular choice category, a 

cross-section of people across 

Muscat were randomly selected 

from executives to senior 

managers to ensure a healthy 

mix of survey respondents, including 

Omanis, Asian, Western 

and Arab expatriates. 

With a brand value of $300 

million, BankMuscat was 

ranked among the top 500 

global banking brands by The 

Banker magazine in 2011. The 

bank also won the prestigious 

Asia’s Best Brand award in 

recognition of building a successful 

global brand. 

expects premium carmakers to 

come out ahead this year as the 

gap between the strong and the 

weak widens further. 

"Globalisation of demand 

and the emergence of wealth 

in emerging markets have 

widened the gap between global 

players with strong brand 

equity and weak domesticallydependent 

brands," Ellinghorst 

said in a note yesterday. 

BMW's biggest single mar- 

24 

OMAN/INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012 

Spain faces deficit 

challenge: Moody’s 

MADRID — Spain must 

squeeze an "unprecedented" 

40 billion euros ($51 billion) 

out of the budget in 2012 so 

as to meet its deficit-cutting 

target, Moody's warned yesterday. 

The New York-based rating 

agency said the new rightleaning 

Spanish government 

faced a much tougher task in 

2012 because of a significant 

budget overrun in 2011. 

The government announced 

on December 30 

that Spain's public deficit 

would come in at 8 per cent 

of gross domestic product in 

2011, down from 9.3 per cent 

in 2010 but way above the official 

6 per cent target. 

"The large fiscal deficit in 

2011 is credit negative and 

clearly illustrates the challenge 

facing authorities in 

bringing Spain's finances 

back onto a sustainable path," 

Moody's Investors Service 

said. Prime Minister Mariano 

Rajoy's Popular Party government 

has promised to stick 

to a 2012 target of cutting 

the deficit to 4.4 per cent of 

GDP. 

"Achieving this year's unchanged 

budget deficit target 

of 4.4 per cent of GDP for 

the general government sector 

requires an unprecedented 

effort," Moody's said in a report. 

"Under our assumptions 

the required adjustment is 

ket is the United States, where 

it sells about 18 per cent of its 

vehicles. It is followed by Germany 

and China, accounting 

for 17.8 per cent and almost 

14 per cent, respectively. 

BMW said the rate of sales 

growth slowed to 11.9 per cent 

in December. 

The shares were up 1.6 per 

cent at 56.44 euros by 1118 

GMT, making them the biggest 

gainer on the German bluechip 

index and outperforming 

the STOXX Europe 600 Automobiles 

& Parts index, which 

was up 0.4 per cent. 

BMW Chief Executive 

Norbert Reithofer earlier said 

in a newspaper interview 

that he was "very optimistic 

about the US market's growth 

prospects", after the German 

carmaker's sales grew by almost 

15 per cent there in 2011. 

Reithofer told The Wall Street 

Journal he expects vehicle 

sales growth to be fastest in 

the second half of the year 

thanks to the market launch of 

around 40 billion euros." 

That compared to a deficit 

reduction of about 28 billion 

euros in 2010 and 2011 

combined, it said. "Achieving 

such a massive fiscal adjustment 

amid slowing economic 

growth risks exacerbating the 

negative economic outlook," 

Moody's said. 

It forecast the Spanish 

economy would shrink by 

0.5-1 per cent in 2012 after 

growing 0.7 per cent in 2011. 

The government, which 

won power in November 

20 elections, has announced 

spending cuts of 8.9 billion 

euros, including a public sector 

wage freeze, and tax increases 

to bring in 6.275 billion 

euros. Combined, those 

measures added up to about 

15.2 billion euros, or 1.5 per 

cent of GDP, Moody's said. 

In addition, the government 

said last week it aimed 

to recoup 8.17 billion euros 

this year by fighting tax 

fraud, in particular boosting 

the number of tax inspectors 

and limiting the size of cash 

payments. "However, such 

revenues are notoriously difficult 

to estimate and recover," 

Moody's said. 

The new government's 

swift action showed its commitment 

to repairing state 

finances but more measures 

would be needed to bring 

Spain back to a sustainable 

path, Moody's said. — AFP 

BMW aims for top spot this year 

the new BMW 3 Series next 

month. One in three BMWs 

sold is a 3 Series, and the new 

car is crucial for BMW to fend 

off rivals Mercedes-Benz and 

Audi, the premium brand of 

Volkswagen. 

Reithofer's comments come 

as the Detroit Auto Show 

opened yesterday, where car 

makers are showing off upcoming 

models such as Cadillac's 

ATS, with which General 

Motors is squarely targeting 

BMW's 3 Series. 

BMW grabbed the top spot 

in the US luxury car market 

last year, edging out Toyota's 

Lexus and Daimler's Mercedes-Benz. 

Reithofer said he expects 

BMW to grow faster than the 

overall market this year, after 

entering the new year with 

strong orders. 

"We're starting 2012 with 

a very good order book and 

very young model range ... this 

should provide some momentum." 

— Reuters 

TEL: 24601003, 24600586 • FAX: 24600736 

• WEBSITE: www.salalahport.com 

BIZ BRIEFS 

Rolls-Royce posts record car sales 

LONDON — German-owned British 

luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce announced 

yesterday that sales rocketed to an alltime 

high last year, smashing its 33-yearold 

record, driven by demand from China 

and the United States. 

The group, which is owned by German 

auto giant BMW, said in a statement that 

production leapt 31 per cent to 3,538 cars 

in 2011. 

That compared with 2,711 in the previous 

year and was the highest-ever output 

in the 107-year history of Rolls-Royce. 

The 2011 performance beat the previous record of 3,347 cars set in 1978. Rolls-Royce, which 

is based at the Goodwood factory in West Sussex, southern England, also said China and 

the United States were now the "most significant individual markets" for the maker of ultraluxurious 

vehicles. 

"We had an outstanding year in 2011 and we should take a moment to reflect on this great 

British success story," said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer at Rolls-Royce 

Motor Cars. "Our business is in excellent shape. We are developing our dealer network, moving 

into new markets like South America, expanding our manufacturing operation in West 

Sussex to meet global demand and have plans to develop our product range. 

"At the core of this extraordinary success is a dedicated, committed and, above all, passionate 

workforce," he added. 

The company, purchased by BMW in 1998, said sales surged last year by 47 per cent 

across the Asia Pacific region, by 17 per cent in North America and by 23 per cent in the 

Middle East. 

In September, Rolls-Royce unveiled plans to expand its Goodwood factory to meet strong 

global demand for the group's personalised range of 'Ghost' and 'Phantom' models. Expansion 

work will start in February and take nine months to complete. 

Europe steelmakers file suit against China 

BRUSSELS — European steelmakers 

have filed an anti-subsidy complaint 

against cut-rate China imports blamed 

for undermining the EU industry, the European 

Steel Association (Eurofer) said 

yesterday. 

The complaint put to the European 

Commission on Friday is Eurofer's second 

recent move against Chinese steel imports 

after it called for an anti-dumping inquiry 

in November against organic coated steel 

from China, which is used in cars and 

construction. 

The latest complaint is against "massive subsidisation" through preferential loans, grants, 

tax breaks and cheap supplies across the entire spectrum of the industry — investment, production, 

sales and exports. 

"Clearly the miracle of the Chinese steel industry, which now counts for almost 50 per cent 

of global steel production, is not the result of free market forces," said Eurofer head Gordon 

Moffat. "The Chinese government at central, provincial and local level owns, directs and subsidises 

virtually every aspect of its steel industry and has financed huge excess capacities," he 

said. "By promoting a sector intrinsically lacking a genuine cost advantage, China continues 

to be the major cause of unfair competition in the global steel market, injuring in particular 

the European steel industry on the domestic and third markets." 

Late November, Eurofer said in filing an anti-dumping complaint that imports of organic 

coated steel had increased from 0.5 per cent in 2004 to 15 per cent in 2011, with the products 

sold well below prices of EU and other producers. 

The European steel industry has annual turnover of 190 billion euros ($242 billion) and 

employs 360,000 people in more than 500 sites in 23 European Union states. 

GSK to file lung drug despite poor data 

LONDON — GlaxoSmithKline will 

push ahead with filing its key new lung 

drug Relovair for regulatory approval 

in mid-2012, despite releasing a mixed 

batch of clinical trial results that disappointed 

some investors yesterday. 

Although the new once-a-day inhaled 

treatment did not show superiority 

to GSK's existing twice-daily drug 

Advair, Britain's biggest drugmaker 

said the totality of the data gave it confidence 

about the medicine's prospects. 

The convenience of Relovair's oncedaily 

dosing should give it an edge, which GSK hopes will help it carve out billions of dollars 

in sales as a replacement for Advair, which has worldwide revenue of more than $8 billion 

a year. Mark Clark, an analyst at Deutsche Bank, said the data was "poor" and the failure to 

beat Advair in clinical outcomes would reduce Relovair's commercial potential and GSK's 

pricing power for the product. 

"This means any advantage is limited to its once-versus twice-daily format," he said. 

Clark also believes GSK may now have trouble getting Relovair approved, since the results 

were inconsistent across trials and reports of fatal pneumonia in some of the studies 

were a potential concern. Analysts at Shore Capital said the lack of superiority to Advair 

could limit Relovair's commercial positioning but added the data would probably not impact 

its chances of winning of approval. Relovair, which is being developed with US-based Theravance, 

will be filed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the United States 

and Europe in the middle of the year. 

Yell begins debt purchase process 

LONDON — Yellow pages publisher Yell 

Group said it will begin its debt buyback 

process on January 10 and conclude it on 

or before January 19. 

As agreed by lenders in December, 

Yell has up to £159.5 million ($245.75 

million) available to repurchase part of 

its £2.6 billion debt at discounted market 

prices. 

The company's euro-denominated term 

loan B is offered at 32 per cent to face 

value in secondary trading, according to 

Thomson Reuters LPC data. 

The repurchase is part of the company's efforts to reduce its debt burden while it implements 

a number of strategic initiatives to shift from print operations to digital as the business 

is in decline. 

To ensure more flexibility, lenders to Yell in December agreed, among other things, to 

provide more headroom on its net debt to earnings (EBITDA) covenant until 2014 and reduce 

the amount of its revolving credit facility to £75 million from £172.6 million. 

Hannover Re insures some of L&G risks 

FRANKFURT — German reinsurer Hannover 

Re is insuring Legal and General 

against the risk that about 11,500 pensioners, 

former employees at British glass 

maker Pilkington, will live longer than 

expected. 

Hannover Re said yesterday it expected 

£800 million ($1.23 billion) in premiums 

from the deal, which covers about £1 billion 

worth of combined future pension that 

will go to the retirees, who on average are 

73 years old. 

Hannover Re expects to post about £60 million in additional premiums from the deal this 

year. 

"With this transaction we are cementing our leading position in the attractive longevity 

risks market," Chief Executive Officer Ulrich Wallin said. 

"We anticipate good business opportunities since it is likely that companies will increasingly 

seek to limit their direct pension obligations," he added. 

The reinsurer will not assume any investment and inflation risks linked to Legal and General's 

pension contracts. 

Since striking its first longevity block transaction in 1998 Hannover Re has taken pension 

obligations representing around 5 billion euros ($6.36 billion) in pension payouts, with a 

focus on blue-collar workers, it said. — Agencies

By KabeerYousuf 

THE bilateral relations between the 

Sultanate of Oman and The Netherlands 

date back to several centuries 

down the history. Both have long seafaring 

traditions, and encountered each other 

regularly, by the way not only in Oman 

but also in Zanzibar. 

In the 17th century the Dutch East 

India company had for a short while a 

consulate in Muscat and in the 19th century 

both parties even signed a free trade 

agreement. Those maritime relations 

are in no way history now: maritime cooperation 

still belongs to the core of the 

bilateral relations given the co-operation 

between Rotterdam and Oman in the Port 

of Sohar. 

Water in general is an issue that binds 

both countries together though from quite 

different angles: the Dutch have to make 

major efforts to pump the excess water 

out to the sea as fast as possible since a 

large part of the Netherland is below sea 

level. The Omanis on the other hand have 

to make efforts to keep as much water as 

possible in since every drop is valuable. 

Co-operation in economic 

and investment areas 

Both Oman and Netherlands are working 

hard on exploring newer vistas in economic, 

investment and other areas. Just 

before the State Visit the Agreement between 

the Kingdom and the Sultanate on 

Ten Tactics to Get Into The 

State of Flow 

Page 26 

the avoidance of double taxation and the 

prevention of fiscal evasion with respect 

to taxes on income entered into force. Tax 

treaties can play a vital role in achieving 

tax efficiency on cross-border investments 

and thus can stimulate cooperation. 

Mutual investments are on the rise and the 

volume of Omani investments in Holland 

is increasing on a steady scale mostly in 

real estate and shipping. On a reciprocal 

note, Holland’s Port of Rotterdam has 

made substantial investments in the Port 

of Sohar, together with the Omani Government. 

“My hope is that the Port and the 

Freezone next to the port will become 

ever bigger engines for the Omani economy 

and a major employment booster for 

Omanis. Holland has, of course, also been 

quite involved in Oman’s energy sector”, 

Stefan van Wersch, Dutch ambassador to 

the Sultanate told the Observer. 

“We have a substantial Dutch community 

in Oman, is obviously a direct result 

of the presence of Royal Dutch Shell, an 

Anglo-Dutch company. But we are active 

in many other fields such as wind and 

solar energy, food security, consultancy, 

logistics, environment, road safety, transport, 

shipbuilding, electronics, you name 

it. Crosscutting themes are always innovation 

and sustainability. 

“We recently had an architectural 

mission visiting in Oman and they showed 

the kind of schools that are nowadays built 

Complex exercises can help the old 

be more secure on their feet 

Page 27 

Healthy eating may 

helps ADHD kids 

Page 27 

All-girls team heading towards 

mountains 

Page 28 

Fea ures 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 

for vocational training”. 

Further enhancement of cultural 

and educational ties 

The Netherlands Embassy had in the 

last years some great events, such as the 

Rembrandt etchings exhibition in 2009 

in Muscat, and an Oman exhibition in the 

heart of Amsterdam in 2010. Those were 

real toppers, and it is not easy to emulate 

that level year after year. 

“We will have classical and jazz events 

coming up in March 2012, and I hope that 

very soon a Dutch orchestra will be able 

to perform in the Royal Opera House. But 

we are also working hard on the project of 

the shipwreck of the Amstelveen in 1763 

and the survival trek of the 30 castaways 

which I mentioned above. Actually we 

signed last year an MoU on this subject 

which is in a sense the perfect example 

of shared heritage, namely encounters of 

Dutch and Omanis in the desert 250 years 

ago. We are working on a documentary on 

this story”. 

The Dutch diplomatic mission in Muscat 

is giving the final touches to an exhibition 

and a maritime conference and is also 

looking into the possibility that Omani 

students or young professionals will have 

internships in Dutch museums. 

“Regarding education let me mention 

that we provide scholarships to young 

Omani professionals on a yearly basis: 

they get a chance to follow courses in the 

Netherlands that directly relate to their 

jobs. That could be water management, 

business administration, agriculture and 

fisheries or geography, just to name some 

fields. Thanks to the scholarships that His 

Majesty granted, more and more Omanis 

are now going to Dutch universities which 

provide high quality education in the English 

language. Through the initiatives 

of Prof Ruud Schotting, who holds the 

Sultan Qaboos Chair for Water Management 

at my alma mater the University of 

Utrecht, we also see a start of Dutch students 

studying in Oman”. 

MoUs to be signed 

Coinciding with the visit of Beatrix 

the Queen of the Netherlands who is visiting 

the Sultanate of Oman from together 

with Crown Prince Willem Alexander and 

Princess Maxima, the two friendly countries 

will sign six MoU’s on several issues, 

namely small and medium company, 

about vocational training and social-economic 

cooperation. 

“These are issues that are very topical 

in Oman right now and I am proud that 

the Sultanate and the Netherlands work 

together in these fields that really matter. 

But both sides will also sign some business 

contracts among which a big one on 

hazardous waste management”. There will 

also be an agreement on the environment 

in the area of the Port of Sohar. Within 

the context of the visit there will also be 

a speech by Prof RinnooyKan, Chairman 

of the Dutch Socio-Economic Council on 

Corporate Social Responsibility. 

At the beginning of the Queen’s visit 

she will have a briefing lunch with a large 

group of Omanis from different sectors 

of society: ministers and undersecretaries 

but also representatives of both houses 

of parliament, civil society organizations, 

education and business. “In a sense it 

will be a crash course on Oman and 

I am certain that the high-level 

delegation will highly appreciate their 

presentations and insights on Oman’s 

achievements and challenges”. 

Katy Perry thanks 

fans for support 

Page 28 

Closer ties boost Oman-Netherlands friendship 

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands 

Queen Beatrix of 

the Netherlands will 

begin a three-day 

official visit to the 

Sultanate from today. 

Queen Beatrix will 

be accompanied 

by Crown Prince 

Willem Alexander 

and his wife Princess 

Máxima, and other 

diginitaries 

Prince Willem-Alexander Princess Máxima 

Oman and the Netherlands are working on 

exploring newer vistas in economic, investment 

and other areas. Mutual investments are on the 

rise and the volume of Omani investments in 

Holland is increasing on a steady scale mostly 

in real estate and shipping. On a reciprocal 

note, Holland’s Port of Rotterdam has made 

substantial investments in the Port of Sohar, 

together with the Omani government 

‘Flowersome’ nations 

Just as the Oman’s soil is a wonderland 

with exotic flowers and that kind, 

the Dutch name is somewhat synonymous 

with beauty and exceptional flowers. The 

Netherlands is the Wall Street of global 

ornamental horticultural trade. Its favourable 

climate and important logistical hubs 

such as main port Schiphol, plus the development 

of high-quality production methods, 

have enabled the Dutch horticulture 

cluster to become particularly strong. The 

Netherlands is also the largest exporter 

and importer of cut flowers and potted 

plants, and they are the world’s main auction 

centre for both. In 2010, exports of 

flowers and related items amounted to no 

less than €5.5 billion. The famous Keukenhof 

flower fields yearly attract millions 

of visitors. 

For Netherlands, what started as a love 

affair with the precious tulip, originally 

imported from Turkey in the 16th century, 

has now become a global industry worth 

billions of dollars. From seed technology 

to greenhouse innovation and from auctioning 

to transport, the Dutch occupy an 

unrivalled position in the word of flowers. 

Today, some 6.821 companies make a 

living producing cut flowers and potted 

plants. Of the world’s 13 most important 

producers of tulip bulbs, Netherlands is 

the most dominant force with 88 per cent 

of production and a total surface of 10,800 

hectares (while the number 3, France, only 

produces 2.4 per cent of tulips on 293 hectares). 

The Dutch production of lily bulbs 

has a similarly unassailable position: we 

produce 77 per cent of lily bulbs, com- 

Stefan van Wersch, Dutch ambassador 

pared to second-placed France’s 0.8 per 

cent. The Netherlands accounts for 70 

per cent of EU trade in ornamental plant 

products, it accounts for 60 per cent of 

global trade in ornamental products and 

its share for flower bulbs is more than 90 

per cent. The Dutch are also the world’s 

largest exporter of seeds. Flowers, bulbs 

and trees contribute 35 per cent to Dutch 

trade surplus. The main export markets 

for ornamental horticulture are Germany, 

UK and France. 

The Dutch dominate the global production 

and trade of flower bulbs. With 10 billion 

bulbs in 2010, Netherlands accounts 

for 70 per cent of total global production. 

Some 75 per cent (a value of around €6 

million) is exported to more than 100 

countries, mainly the US, Japan, Germany 

and the UK. The Netherlands Embassy organized 

in the last years two major flower 

events, lastly during the National Day in 

2011. According to Ambassador van Wersch 

it is very well possible that such event 

will repeated again: “flowers are like our 

business card and business cards should 

be handed out on a regular basis.

26 SPOTLIGHT TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012 

Ten Tactics to Get Into The State of Flow 

LEADERSHIP CORNER 

By Susan Bagyura 

RECENTLY I was listening to 

a very successful entrepreneur 

as he told the story of 

how his life and business has completely 

changed during the past four 

years. He started his business in 2002 

while he was working a full-time job. 

Each night he made a game of learning 

how to do online marketing. At 

first he was losing money, but rather 

quickly he started making small sums 

of money. 

By 2004, he was doing his business 

full-time and that’s when everything 

changed. It was no longer 

a game or a fun challenge. He had 

goals, overheads and needed to make 

money. As soon as he changed the 

way he felt about what he was doing, 

he was no longer in the flow. For 4 

years, he was stressed out and working 

extremely long hours. His profits 

were meagre and his lifestyle was unsatisfactory. 

In 2007, while attending seminar, 

he suddenly discovered that his 

mindset was the cause of his business 

results. He hadn’t realised his 

playful and relaxed approach to his 

business was actually the reason it 

grew and was successful enough for 

him to leave his high paid engineering 

job. 

It was from that point that he made 

a mind shift and changed his business 

to adapt to this new attitude. Within 

18 months, his business exploded by 

400 per cent, work became fun and he 

was living his dream life. Instead of 

chasing clients, people were coming 

to him; so much so that he actually 

had to start turning business down. 

People came from around the world 

to work in his business enabling him 

to pick the very best. His company 

THE 21th Annual Sports Meet of 

Indian School Al Ghubra was held 

last month on the school grounds. 

Mahamood bin Mohamed al Abri, 

Director, International Schools Office 

was the Chief Guest on the occasion. 

The event was also graced by the various 

members of the School Management 

Committee, well-wishers and 

parents. 

Rovina D’Souza, Sports Captain- 

Girls presented the welcome address 

and Saayefa Tarerah offered a floral 

welcome to the Chief Guest. 

The splendid March Past was 

followed by the students of the four 

Houses of the school, Sohar, Muscat, 

Nizwa and Sur. The Chief Guest took 

the salute and officially inaugurated 

the event. 

The Sports for Peace Run, a unique 

feature of the Annual Sports Meet of 

Express gratitude on a 

daily basis. Gratitude 

magnifies happiness by 

as much as 25 per cent 

within 30 days 

was winning awards for their business 

practices. He started limiting 

his working hours to a maximum of 

45 and spending more time with his 

family. 

He created a state of flow in his 

life and business. What is flow? As 

he describes it, it’s being happy in the 

present with great visions of the future. 

The key is to love what you are 

doing while you are doing it and, as 

we are all here to grow and contribute, 

having big goals of where you want to 

be — but not having your happiness 

tied to those goals. If your happiness 

is tied to the goals, this is what creates 

stress and negativity. It may be 

counter-intuitive for some, but you 

will accelerate to your dreams faster 

if you are happy in the now. 

Start to notice the moments when 

you see flow happening in your life 

and then create more of those moments. 

Consciously make efforts 

to keep yourself in a state of flow. 

If you are in a job, career or even 

your own business and you don’t 

enjoy it; you’ll never get into a state 

of flow unless you either get out of 

that position or you make some major 

shifts. 

Here are the 10 tactics this entrepreneur 

used to put his life, business 

and team into a state of flow: 

1 Express gratitude on a daily basis. 

Gratitude magnifies happiness by 

as much as 25 per cent within 30 

days. He made it a daily practice 

and included all of his employees 

and clients. The company created 

a page on their website where people 

could post at least one thing 

that they are grateful for each day. 

2 Instead of having weekly meetings 

complaining about what went 

KACHCHHI wing of 

A Indian Social Club, 

Muscat will be staging 

acclaimed Gujarati play Jaa 

Tari Sathe Kitta on January 

27 at Le Grande Hall, Al Falaj 

Hotel at 7 pm starring Apara 

Mehta and Feiroz Bhagat. 

The play is presented by 

Baliwala Theaters, written by 

Imtiaz Patel and directed by 

Feiroz Bhagat. The other cast 

includes well-known artistes 

like Babul Bhavsar, Vaishali 

Shukla, Khushali Jariwala, 

Ajay Parekh, Pritesh Sodha 

and Mehul Joshi. 

After completing 260 

shows in India and Dubai, 

Canada and USA, this highly 

popular play is coming to win 

the hearts of drama lovers of 

Muscat. 

ISG featured the athletes who have 

brought fame and glory to their alma 

mater in the various National and International 

Sporting events. Bearing 

the Sports for Peace flag were Jhanvi 

Shah and Rhea Shah, the swimming 

sensations of ISG, who won medals at 

wrong, he asked his team to send 

him stories of cool things they did 

outside of work, achievements 

within the job, new sales or innovations. 

Then in a meeting, he 

would present an Awesomeness 

Report and they celebrated their 

successes throughout the past 

week. 

3 Ten per cent of the profits are 

shared with the employees every 

month. Linking the founders and 

management revenue goals with 

the employee goals led to complete 

alignment. People are more 

committed and willing to work extra 

just meet deadlines. 

4 He created software where everyone 

can appreciate and praise 

each other. Called the Sweet 

Sugar Love Machine, each day 

people send their co-workers an 

icon along with their praise for 

something they’ve done. Since 

the launch, all office pettiness, 

politics and unwillingness to help 

others has disappeared, leaving in 

its place a very close-knit team. 

5 The company instituted a 45/5 

rule which simply stated means 

no one works longer than 45 hours 

a week. Everyone must learn to 

be productive so that the work is 

completed within 40 hours. Fur- 

the CBSE National Swimming Meet. 

Various track events were held 

for the sub-junior, junior, intermediate 

and senior categories which saw 

some tough competition among the 

athletes. 

The young gymnasts of ISG won 

ther, 5 of those hours must be invested 

in learning new skills and/ 

or personal development. 

6 As he believes people learn more 

by teaching, they have implemented 

weekly sharing and teaching 

sessions to each other. Whenever 

someone attends a training, seminar 

or conference, they must teach 

what they have learned to the rest 

of the company. 

7 They hold weekly group meditations 

where he guides them to 

visualising their lives in 6 to 12 

months from now. He asks them 

to see what their life looks like, 

what job they are doing, what their 

bonus cheques look like, who their 

friends are, etc. The earlier steps 

like gratitude and praise raise the 

happiness level in the now, while 

the visualisations have them building 

great visions of their future. 

8 Company sponsored fun! They 

organise lots of parties and celebrating. 

He gives each employee 

two tickets each and asks them to 

bring their smartest friends to the 

party. This has created an excellent 

pool of potential employees 

because everyone loves the company 

spirit so much that they want 

to work there. 

9 He creates positive stamina in 

Cartoon by Fahad al Zadjali will appear in Observer every day 

the applause of the audience with 

some exceptional gymnastic exercises 

which included back spin, cart wheel, 

somersaults and many more. The audience 

was spell bound to see the students 

jump through the fire loop with 

skill and co-ordination. The group of 

the company by looking past the 

wrong, creating a bold, new vision 

of the future and staying focused 

on that vision. Whenever something 

goes wrong, rather than focus 

on the mess up, they have the 

employee create a vision board 

or a list of where they want their 

project to be. By focusing on the 

vision, they come up with new 

ideas to make that problem irrelevant 

and obsolete. 

10 The five people who you hang 

out will average out to who you 

become. He is constantly exposing 

his people to brilliant minds. 

Whenever someone comes to their 

city, he hosts a party and invites 

that person to it and then gives his 

employees a chance to learn from 

that person. He sends his employees 

to some of the biggest and 

most important conferences in the 

world so that they can be exposed 

to other great minds. 

While you raise your state of flow, 

raise your employees too. They will 

gain so much and so will you. 

(Susan Bagyura, a leadership 

coach and author, works with leaders 

to inspire success from the top down. 

The book is available at Family 

Bookshop in MQ or online at http:// 

www.thevisionaryleader.com) 

little children performing with hula 

hoops delighted the audience with 

their mettle and confidence. 

The students of classes 3, 4 and 

5 displayed some well co-ordinated 

‘Synchronised Dance’. The boys and 

girls of CBSE-I class 6 and 9 presented 

the ‘Laziam Drill’ to the beats of 

traditional music. The Yogasanas presented 

by the boys of class 3, 4 and 5 

was impressive. 

The boys of classes 6, 7 and 8 

performed the spectacular Pole Drill 

while the girls of the same class presented 

the Pyramid Formation. The 

students won the hearts of all present 

with their well orchestrated movements. 

The chief guest gave away the trophies 

to the well deserved winners. 

The overall winner of the 21th Sports 

Meet of ISG was Nizwa House. 

Dr Rajan Philips 

rajanph@yahoo.co.uk 

OCCASIONALLY, most of us tend to put off unpleasant 

or tedious tasks. A sophisticated term for this is 

procrastination. 

If we indulge in this behaviour only now and then it is 

quite understandable. But if we persistently put off crucial 

decisions and steps that could takes us forward in life, we 

risk literally ‘missing the bus’ — the flight, promotions at the 

workplace, deadlines and much more. If so, it is time to take 

remedial action. 

Procrastination that degenerates into a chronic habit has 

multiple ill effects. This view is substantiated by research 

studies. The resultant anxiety from procrastination may even 

interfere with our immune systems, and make us more susceptible 

to infections! We may lose mental focus that could 

lead to accidents. 

Furthermore, procrastination leads to stress and failures. It 

poses a threat to personal health, happiness and productivity 

of individuals. We end up with low self-esteem, self-control, 

self-confidence, and become vulnerable to depression and 

anxiety. The carry over effect can impact our workplace and 

communities. Putting off things is no solution. It only delays 

the inevitable and in the long-term multiplies our work. It 

gnaws into our inner peace. 

At the workplace, the -management and colleagues may 

consider such employees as unreliable, incompetent or just 

plain lazy. Such an image can cause irreversible damage 

to one’s credibility, commitment, morale and professional 

growth. 

When procrastination gets entrenched in our system we 

lose out on many opportunities that come our way. We may 

even lose our ability to recognise fresh opportunities. 

Regular procrastinators are often poor at time management. 

They retreat into the past and fail to take firm decisions 

in the present or act on their intentions. 

Some psychologists trace such a trait to the kind of childhood 

home environment the procrastinators had. Probably 

their strong-willed parents did not give them much room for 

creative expression or the blooming of their self confidence. 

So they grow up into diffident individuals who shy away from 

challenges and take refuge in procrastination as a means to 

avoid failure! Their fuzzy logic is: ‘If I never finish the task, 

you will never know how good or bad I am at it! “Thus they 

may avoid making mistakes, but we cannot move forward in 

life this way. 

Is there a way out of this state of affairs? Yes, but it is not 

easy. There are no ready made solutions. 

The first step is to gain the insight or understanding that 

procrastination is no solution to any problem we encounter. 

We must recognise the damage we do to ourselves and those 

who depend on us when we procrastinate. We must firmly resolve 

to get out of the habit in the interest of our physical, 

mental and emotional well-being. 

We must guard against boredom and complacency and 

stay motivated to avoid the temptation to procrastinate. Let us 

remember that we might become busier tomorrow than today. 

Our wise forefathers remind us: ‘Strike while the iron is hot’. 

According to a writer ‘Those who succeed are those who 

see opportunity where no one else sees it and takes timely 

action’. Let us overcome procrastination that blinds us to the 

opportunities around us. Out timely action will help us realise 

our true potential. 

Quotes: 

One of the greatest labour-saving inventions of today is 

tomorrow. — Vincent T Foss 

I like work. It fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for 

hours. — Jerome K Jerome 

Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after 

tomorrow. — Anon. 

I bought some books about procrastination ... but never got 

around to read them yet. — Mark Twain 

Santa visits Babyshop 

SANTA and his pet friends visited the major Babyshop 

outlets at Muscat in connection with the last week’s 

Christmas celebrations. Santa welcomed children who 

received goodies from the big man himself within the shop, 

amid a festive atmosphere that added to children's enjoyment. 

Santa made two visits to the shops. The visit was publicised 

to the customers of Babyshop through SMS to the Shukran 

members which ensured that there were large crowds waiting 

for Santa to make his appearance. 

Preetham Benakal 

Oman Daily Observer 

would like to take the lead 

in sharing the joy with its 

readers. Send us a colour 

photograph of your baby 

(below 10 years) along 

with name, date of birth, 

address, telephone 

number and parents’ 

names. Send in your 

baby’s picture and other 

details to: editor@ 

omanobserver.om; 

featuredesk@yahoo.co.in 

or Kids Corner, Oman 

Daily Observer, P O Box 

974, PC 100, Muscat, 

Sultanate of Oman

PEOPLE’S 

PLATFORM 

THE His Majesty’s 

Cup for best factories 

this year was exciting and 

encouraging. It gave away 

HM shield to eight companies 

instead the usual five. 

The HM Cup and Shield 

Awards for best factories are 

the most prestigious corporate 

awards that any manufacturing 

unit in Oman can win. 

The HM cup is undoubtedly 

a real mark of excellence and 

quality and therefore it opens 

new doors of business growth, 

partnership and other opportunities 

for the winners. 

It is heartening to notice 

that more and more small 

and medium enterprises are 

being awarded this Cup and 

Shield each year. 

The real benefit of winning 

the HM Cup or Shield 

award is that it is a unique 

mark of quality, of excellence, 

and it’s a real boost 

for morale, it’s a boost for 

the value that people place 

on that particular factory 

and its products, and the fact 

that around 40 to 46 factories 

apply for this award is a 

sign of the popularity of this 

award. 

RESEARCH by scientists 

from the Institute 

of Movement Sciences 

and Sport at the Swiss Federal 

Institute of Technology (ETH) 

shows that multi-task exercises 

can help prevent motor deficits 

in old age. Engaging in dual 

tasks, such as walking forward 

while holding a glass of water 

and counting backwards or 

standing on one leg and naming 

rivers, improves mental fitness 

and helps prevent falls, according 

to the researchers. It is 

important that the task isn’t too 

easy, as the exercise is only of 

benefit if it tests the pensioner 

to his or her limit and beyond. 

Winter blues need to 

be taken seriously 

Many people experience 

mood swings and sadness in 

winter but if the symptoms 

persist for longer than two 

weeks then the problem could 

be linked to depression and it is 

advisable to seek medical help, 

according to Munich psychologist 

Benjamin Martens. 

Fresh air, daylight and the 

company of others all help 

combat the winter blues. Experts 

recommend spending 

every available moment in the 

open air or meeting up with 

friends to help overcome any 

feelings of depression. 

Small breaks can help 

prevent burnout 

Employees can help avoid 

feelings of burnout by incorporating 

small breaks into their 

daily work routine such as 

walking around the block during 

lunchtime or ensuring that 

the weekend is free from all appointments. 

The challenges posed by 

everyday working life can 

only be overcome when the 

body enjoys regular periods 

27 

LETTERS/HEALTH TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012 

HM Cup for factories is a real morale booster 

Against this background 

it won’t be out of place to say 

that more categories for micro, 

small and medium enterprises 

must be created in the 

HM Cup and Shield competition 

as well as an award for 

a women entrepreneur. 

— Muhammad Hasan 

Editor: His Majesty’s 

Cup and Shield are no doubt 

the most prestigious and 

coveted awards in Oman. It 

has evolved over the years 

with many new and exciting 

changes from time to time. 

The need of the hour is to 

hold an open seminar with 

business leaders on how to 

make it more useful for the 

business community and 

how to increase its benefits 

for emerging companies. 

Oman’s media policy 

praiseworthy 

ON January 7, after 

a meeting between 

Oman’s Information Minister 

Hamad bin Mohammed 

al Rashdi, and Riyadh al 

Hassan, Chairman, Board 

of Palestinian News and 

Information Agency (PNIA), 

a MoU between ONA and 

PNIA was signed to enhance 

bilateral co-operation. 

Exercise for new mothers 

NEW mothers can begin 

moderate exercise for 

their abdominal and back 

muscles four to six weeks after 

giving birth if their doctor and 

midwife approve, according 

to Ingo Froboese, a professor 

at the Health Centre of the 

German Sport University in 

Cologne. 

“Mothers shouldn’t overdo 

it shortly after birth, though. 

Walks can be a good, healthy 

way to get started,” Froboese 

said, noting that women 

should give their body time 

to recuperate from pregnancy 

and labour. “So don’t go from 

naught to sixty right away,” he 

said. 

Ten minutes of light stretching 

exercises for the abdomen 

and back every other day are 

enough to start with. 

Froboese said the muscles 

should sting slightly after the 

exercises, an indication of 

the right intensity. Pilates and 

yoga, in particular, are good 

ways to get weakened pelvic 

floor muscles back into shape 

and prevent long-term problems. 

“After two or three months, 

workouts are OK, for example 

at a fitness club,” Froboese 

said. “Deep knee bends or 

machine exercises, like leg 

presses, are especially good.” 

Froboese also advised new 

mothers to boost their metabolism 

with everyday activities. 

“Go a lot of places on foot 

instead of by car, and climb 

the stairs instead of using the 

lift,” he said, pointing out that 

just 20 to 30 minutes of daily 

postpartum exercise were sufficient 

to get back into shape. 

Moderate endurance training 

is also possible with a 

baby in tow. 

“Grab the child and pram 

and take a brisk, 30-minute 

walk outdoors. 

It will do both you and 

your baby good,” Froboese 

remarked. The level of activity 

can be raised after about 

two months with exercise 

forms such as Nordic walking, 

swimming and cycling. 

“After a Caesarean section 

you should be very careful, 

however,” Froboese warned. 

The wound must be completely 

healed before major exercise 

is taken up. 

“This period normally lasts 

from four to six weeks, during 

which exercise is taboo,” 

he said. If the woman’s doctor 

and midwife give the green 

light, she can do light stretching 

exercises that can help the 

wound to heal by moderately 

stimulating the tissue. In particular, 

the exercises aid the 

alignment of the fibre structure 

in connective tissue. — dpa 

of relaxation, says Professor 

Johannes Siegrist from the 

Dusseldorf Institute for Medical 

Sociology. If workers don’t 

take enough breaks then they 

feel overstretched faster and at 

some stage will face burnout. 

Also, employees working 

in a permanently stressful environment 

feel under pressure 

faster when an unexpected 

event occurs as a lack of rest 

periods means they are incapable 

of reacting appropriately to 

the situation. 

15 minutes of exercise a day 

Taking a minimum of 15 

By Kerry Sheridan 

SIMPLY eating healthier 

may improve the behaviour 

of children with attention 

deficit hyperactivity 

disorder if therapy and medication 

fail, said a study published 

yesterday in the journal Pediatrics. 

Researchers, however, said 

that their review of recent controlled 

scientific studies had 

shown conflicting evidence 

on the impact of supplements 

and restricted diets — in some 

cases they were no better than 

Al Hassan said the MoU 

will open the door for multiple 

activities and help advance 

co-operation among 

correspondents and media 

organisations between the 

two sides. 

The co-operation between 

the two sides in this field assumes 

special significance 

in view of the negative role 

of media organisations of 

certain oppressive powers 

who want to tarnish the image 

of Palestine. The media 

exchanges and co-operation 

between Oman and Palestine 

will allow fair coverage of 

Palestinian affairs in Omani 

media and this is important 

especially at a time when 

Palestine is making all out 

efforts to gain full membership 

of the UN as an independent 

sate. 

In all fields of human en- 

minutes of exercise a day can 

extend life expectancy by up to 

three years, according to Germany’s 

Society of Neurologists 

and the Stroke Society. 

A regular programme of 

exercise can reduce the risk of 

stroke, cardiovascular illness, 

cancer and diabetes. The advice 

is based on a study of over 

400,000 participants in Taiwan 

whose health status was 

checked regularly over eight 

years. 

The study discovered that 

15 minutes of exercise a day 

made a surprising contribution 

to improving overall health. 

the placebo effect. 

Nutritional interventions 

should therefore be considered 

an alternative or secondary approach 

to treating ADHD, not a 

first-line attack, said the review 

by doctors at Northwestern 

University Medical School in 

Chicago. 

“Supplemental diet therapy 

is simple, relatively inexpensive, 

and more acceptable to 

patient and parent,” than strict 

additive-free diets that have 

been popular in the past, said 

the study. 

“Public education regard- 

deavour, Oman has always 

exuded a favourable, sympathetic 

and exemplary attitude 

towards the oppressed 

people of Palestine, which is 

a source of pride for Omanis, 

Arabs, Muslims and peaceloving 

and independent people. 

— Ali Ahmed 

Editor: Media co-operation 

between Arab and 

Muslim countries is key to 

fair reporting of their affairs. 

Media is power. Its proper 

use can put an end to many 

injustices. Friends of Palestine 

like Oman want fair reporting 

of their affairs. 

Omran and 

tourism sector 

OMRAN, mandated 

which 

by 

is 

the 

Government of Oman to 

The mortality rate for those 

who took the exercise was 14 

per cent lower than the inactive 

participants. 

Extrapolating the results 

over 30 years resulted in a 

projected extended life expectancy 

of three years as well as 

a reduced chance of developing 

cancer and diseases of the 

cardiovascular system. The 

conclusion was that the more 

a person exercises, the less 

chance they have of falling ill. 

The recommended 15 minutes 

a day is half what the 

World Health Organization advises 

people to take. — dpa 

ing a healthy diet pattern and 

lifestyle to prevent or control 

ADHD may have greater longterm 

success.” 

The study reviewed research 

published on the sugar-restricted, 

additive-free Feingold Diet, 

megavitamin therapies, omega-3 

fatty acid supplementation 

and the suspected link between 

ADHD and a “Western-style” 

high-fat, low-fiber diet. 

Three to five per cent of US 

schoolchildren, or nearly five 

million youths, are diagnosed 

with ADHD, which involves 

hyperactive behaviour, inabil- 

deliver major projects and 

manage tourism assets and 

investments, has received 

huge funds from the 

government in the recent 

past. 

It is true that the government 

has allocated huge funds 

to Omran in line with its vision 

of positioning tourism as 

a major economic driver of 

the future and as a generator 

of employment. 

From what we see in the 

press, it appears that Omran 

is always interested in publicity 

and used the local 

media to the fullest extent 

to feed it positive and imagebuilding 

reports. 

What the people want to 

know is how it utilises its 

resources, and whether its 

projects are financially selfsustaining? 

If so, then what 

is the period of cost recov- 

Drink more fluids: lower 

bladder cancer risk 

MEN who drink plenty of low-sugar fluids may 

reduce their risk for bladder cancer, new 

research suggests. 

Although the reason for the association between 

fluid intake and protection against cancer remains 

unknown, researchers theorise the fluids may flush 

out potential cancer-causing agents before they have 

a chance to cause any damage. 

In conducting the study, Jiachen Zhou, a doctoral 

candidate in epidemiology at Brown University, and 

colleagues evaluated the fluid intake of nearly 48,000 

men who were part of a long-term study. The men, 

who were aged 40 to 75 when they enrolled in the 

study in 1986, answered a questionnaire about their 

fluid intake every four years for more than two decades. 

The investigators found that the men with a high 

daily fluid intake, or those who drank more than 10 

cups per day, had a 24 per cent reduced risk for bladder 

cancer. The study authors concluded that doctors 

should tell their patients to drink plenty of low-sugar 

fluids. 

Although this link between fluid intake and bladder 

cancer risk was discovered 10 years ago, the association, 

the study found, was stronger among younger 

men. This could be due to the fact that the men drank 

less as they aged, particularly water, the researchers 

pointed out in a news release from the American Association 

for Cancer Research. 

The study findings — which revealed an association 

between fluid consumption and reduced cancer 

risk, but not a cause-and-effect — were slated for 

presentation on October 24 at the AACR International 

Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention 

Research, in Boston. 

ity to pay attention, and impulsivity. 

It is often treated with 

stimulant medications such as 

the controversial Ritalin drug. 

The precise causes of ADHD 

are unknown, although studies 

have pointed to hereditary factors 

as well as social and environmental 

influences. Eating 

high-sugar and high-fat foods 

may exacerbate symptoms, 

some research has shown. 

But while proposed interventions 

such as giving iron 

supplements or cutting out 

additives and food dyes have 

soared in popularity in recent 

years, the Pediatrics article said 

there is little solid science to 

back up those claims. 

For instance, the muchhyped 

Feingold Diet which advocates 

no red or orange color 

dyes in food as well as no apples, 

grapes, deli, sausage or 

hot dogs, was highly touted in 

the 1970s and 80s for improving 

symptoms in more than half 

of ADHD children. 

“Controlled studies failed to 

confirm the effectiveness of the 

diet to the extent claimed,” said 

the Pediatrics review, also noting 

that the regimen was very 

difficult for many parents to 

follow. 

Similarly, studies focused 

on getting rid of potential allergens 

in the diet such as wheat, 

eggs, chocolate, cheese and 

nuts, have shown limited success 

with some ADHD kids 

“but a placebo effect could not 

be excluded,” said the study. 

Even when it comes to sugar 

and diet soda, two elements 

which many parents believe 

can trigger hyperactivity in 

children, scientific studies have 

ery? 

What is the percentage 

of local raw materials in 

its projects and whether it 

sources its supplies and services 

from local Omani companies? 

While Omran has highsounding 

vision and mission, 

it seems it lacks transparency. 

In order to shed any misgivings 

and doubts, Omran 

would do well to hold free 

and frank media briefing sessions 

where one can ask any 

questions. 

— Omar Muhammad 

Editor: Gone are the 

days when transparency and 

other issues were not raised 

in public and media. Oman 

is very different now. Press 

freedom, transparency and 

fair play are now values of 

utmost importance. 

Do you have a word of appreciation for any services you received? Or suggestions for 

improvement? Observer is giving you an opportunity to rant or rave about anything and 

everything around you: Please write to: 

Badr Mohammed al Thanawi, Co-ordinator, 

Office of the Editor-in-Chief Tel: 24649451, Fax: 24649469; 

e-mail: featuredesk@yahoo.co.in 

been unable to prove a definitive 

link. 

“The majority of controlled 

studies fail to demonstrate 

a significant adverse effect of 

sucrose or aspartame,” said the 

study. 

The authors noted that 

avoiding high sugar foods in 

young children “may prevent 

diet-related exacerbations of 

ADHD.” 

But when parents restrict 

a child’s sugar intake in order 

to ward off bad behavior, their 

inherent belief that it will work 

is likely to blur any objective 

assessment of whether it works 

or not. 

“In practice, the link between 

sugar and hyperactive 

behaviour is so universal in the 

opinion of parents of children 

with ADHD that no controlled 

study or physician counsel is 

likely to change this perception.” 

The suspected role of zinc 

and iron-deficiency deserves 

further study, while megavitamin 

therapy has not been 

proven to work and may even 

be dangerous in the long term, 

it said. 

For many parents, simply 

paying more attention to feeding 

their kids a healthy diet, 

rich in fish, vegetables, fruit, 

legumes, and whole-grains, is 

likely to help. 

“A greater attention to the 

education of parents and children 

in a healthy dietary pattern, 

omitting items shown to 

predispose to ADHD, is perhaps 

the most promising and 

practical complementary or alternative 

treatment of ADHD,” 

said the study.

DAWN broke today with a thick mist in the valley, and 

the Golden Torches girls emerged shivering from their 

damp tents. Hot tea, and the sun rising above the dunes 

quickly helped raise the spirits of the team. 

By 09.30 the girls were ready to go, and had packed some 

thirty minutes quicker than yesterday, a sign that teamwork 

and communication are improving rapidly. The last 2 km of 

sand desert lay ahead, and within half an hour they had reached 

the tarmac road on the southern edge of Bidiya. For some it 

was a welcome relief from the soft, strenuous desert sand, but 

for others it was a sad moment to leave the wilderness behind 

for several days. 

The team walked single file down into the town of Bidiya, 

attracting many curious onlookers; numerous questions came 

from the local residents as they passed through the town and 

headed out on the Muscat road. The route north towards the 

mountains quickly took them to a quiet trail alongside the camel 

racing track, and after 14 km the team stopped for lunch in 

the shade of a tree, and a forty minute break was taken to rest 

weary legs. Pushing on after lunch, the girls completed another 

5 km before stopping at 1600 hrs. This was an excellent effort 

from the girls, making a total of 19.2 km walked in total. 

Tonight the team is camped on a savannah plain near to the 

end of the camel racing track. A beautiful sunset was enjoyed 

by all; now a full moon has risen, the campfire is burning and 

people are heading off for a well-earned sleep. 

OBSERVER SPECIAL 

Outward Bound Oman Salalah-Muscat 

41st National Day Youth Challenge 

— DAY 51 

Golden Torches Trading team wave 

goodbye to the desert. 

Current location: Camped 10 km from the 

town of Bidiya. 

Latitude: 22.30.35 North 

Longitude: 58.47.54 East 

28 ADVENTURE TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012 

Chief Executive Officer ABDULLAH BIN NASSIR AL RAHBI. Editor-in-Chief FAHMY BIN KHALID AL HARTHY 

Printers and Publishers OMAN ESTABLISHMENT FOR PRESS, PUBLICATION AND ADVERTISING 

On the 

Lighter Side 

Nizar al Musalmy 

BECAUSE times are tough and money is becoming 

scarce day by day and yet life has to go on, the father 

of junior has to seek his own means of survival. 

That is why this time he has decided to jot down some of 

the things to initiate during this New Year. As prices of all 

commodities continue to soar, he cannot help but feel the 

blow. He has to seek his own means of endurance. He understands 

very well that lifestyle determines the expenditure. 

The faster you adjust it to suit the current situation, 

the better. So he has to get into the mode of austerity measures. 

From now on, the mother of junior has to change her 

lifestyle a little bit. We have to opt for home-cooked meals 

and avoid as much as possible eating out. I know the mother 

of junior does not enjoy the business of stirring things in 

a pan and getting her fingers burnt but cooking can come in 

handy when things are really tight. I will have to convince 

her that not only will we be saving money, but also creating 

a family bond because food cooked by the wife’s hand 

is the most delicious a man can have. In most restaurants 

around, a meal for two can cost the same amount of money 

to shop for fresh food that will last several days. 

On my part, I will have to sell that V8 vehicle of ours. 

You see the problem is that we own that vehicle and yet the 

money we earn per month is equal to its fuel consumption. 

So we have to get rid of that car. Yes, everyone’s going to 

talk about how my standard has dropped, but the reality is 

you have to survive. After all, you do not know how those 

people you are trying to keep up with get their money. 

Another money saving strategy will be on hiring manual 

labour. Some of the housemaids don’t do their work 

properly, others make all sorts of demands and others go 

to the extent of escaping. This is enough headaches. Why 

spend money on paying someone to collect your rubbish 

when you can dump it yourself? Go an extra mile and make 

your garden. Not only will you be cutting costs, but also 

toning up your muscles. You do not need a plumber to fix 

a blocked sink when all it needs is a little pumping. Why 

pay money for the simplest of things to be done. Instead of 

taking your car to the washing bay, why don’t you wash 

it yourself? No more being obsessed with having things 

done for us. 

That gym membership also needs to be looked at. The 

father of junior pays a lot every month and rarely uses the 

facility. I think it is worthwhile cancelling the membership 

and consider jogging home from work three times a week. 

It is free and the results are the same. The next on the list 

is to, as much as possible, stay away from shopping malls. 

For example you can stay in for soccer games. There is 

nothing exciting like going out on a shopping spree at your 

much loved mall. Well, these financial times call for sacrifice. 

Wondering around shopping malls can lead you into 

unnecessary expenditures. If, for example, you have some 

notes or some credit cards in your wallet, chances are that 

if you are at a mall, you will be tempted to buy something 

and that something can be very expensive. 

These days prices are not like gravity, where one can 

anticipate they would start dropping soon. While prices of 

commodities are rising again and again and food prices are 

soaring, the salaries and incomes remain stagnant. So when 

it comes to surviving, people have to learn how to economise 

to avoid agonizing. 

Katy Perry thanks 

fans for support 

SI NGER 

Katy Perry 

has thanked 

her fans for their 

love and support 

while she 

was coping with 

her split from 

husband Russell 

Brand. 

“I am so grateful 

for all the love 

and support I’ve 

had from people 

around the world. 

You guys have 

made my heart 

happy again,” 

the 27-year-old 

singer wrote on 

her Twitter page, 

reports usmagazine.com 

Brand, 36, 

cited “irreconcilable differences” when he filed for divorce to 

end his one-year-old marriage. 

Bethenny Frankel to end her reality show: Reality TV 

star Bethenny Frankel is quitting reality show Bethenny Ever 

After after season three. 

The former Real Housewife of New York star has reportedly 

decided not to continue with the reality show based on her life. 

The show comes on Bravo-US TV channel. 

“Frankel is going to concentrate on her many business ventures. 

The door is open for other projects with Bravo,” showbizspy.com 

quoted a source as saying. 

Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising; P.O. Box 974, Postal Code 100, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman; Tel: 24649444, 24649450, 24649451, 24604563, 24699437 Fax: 24699643 Website: omanobserver.om 

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