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Qatar News World News Business News Sports News Entertainment Features Young Editors Commentary Editorial Photo Gallery Discussion Forum From Our Archives Search All Sections Local News World Watch Business Briefs Sports Corner Entertainment Free Newsletter e-mail: Contact Us Contact Details Advertising Newspaper Subscribe Letters To The Editor Site Feedback	Glittering prices The surge in gold prices has taken ordinary people by surprise. The lure of the yellow metal is too strong for its lovers to resist; so when the prices keep rising, they watch with great expectation for its fall. That’s the reason when gold prices rise there is a fall in consumer demand for the metal. According to World Gold Council, the demand for gold slumped 34 percent to 800.3 metric tonnes in the three months to the end of September, compared with the same period of 2008. However, demand rose 10 percent in the third quarter from the previous three months in tonnage terms, as the record-breaking metal won support from its safe-haven status. The price of gold is said to be directly linked to dollar. When the dollar falls, gold has to rise, assuming nothing else has changed in the supply and demand balance. This is the general perception, but one which is far from perfect because experts say there have been many cases when the price of gold did not keep up with changes in the value of the dollar or even ran counter to it. The reasons for the current surge in bullion are two: being buoyed by the weak US currency and recent central bank purchases of the precious metal. The rise in gold always represents an increasing lack of confidence in paper-based currencies. The debasement of the US dollar has a broad effect that undermines confidence in other currencies. Despite the surge in prices, gold as an investment is not a good option, because unlike other assets, it doesn’t yield a return. Holders simply incur capital gains or losses and these are as uncertain as those of other assets over the long term. Moreover, the investment of most people in this precious metal is in jewellery; jewellery can seldom be sold for cash, and even if they are exchanged for new jewellery, there is always the loss in ‘making charges’. At the same time, the investment in real estate or other capital-guaranteed financial products can yield a better income. The prices of the yellow metal have been rising to new levels recently. And consumers will get used to the new prices very soon. Gold has rallied 350 percent from the lows of 1999, but this pales in comparison to the 1976-1980 bull market in bullion. During this period, the prices rose by more than 750 percent. - Envoy’s name wrong Sir: I enjoyed reading the news concerning Indonesian Ambassador’s meeting with Minister of Justice and Social Affairs H E Dr Sultan bin Hassan Al Dhabett Al Dossary in The Peninsula. However, I am afraid that the Indonesian Ambassador’s name was spelt wrong. The Ambassador’s name is H M Rozy Munir and not Radhi Muner as printed in your daily. -Arifina Eka Sari, Third Secretary, Mind your words Sir: The comment by the QCA president M A Shahid in The Peninsula (Jan. 8) prompted me to write this. He supported the umpires by saying that they are humans and hence mistakes can happen! Those humans who keep on making mistakes are idiots. If they are there to commit mistakes why would any one need them? Come on now, the ICC are paying them. Will Shahid allow employees under him to make mistakes time and again? No, never! He must play some cricket to “Feel” it and then make such comments! Playing is not as easy as talking. -Bijoy V (Doha) English icons’ sale: A receipe for disaster This refers to the report on ‘English icons to be sold to Indian giant’ in The Peninsula, ( Jan 4). The report says that UK govt has role to play in sale of Ford’s units With Ford looking to balance their troubled books, but not looking to exit the United Kingdom – or the ‘outside USA’ auto-markets. Britain ought to be looking at ways of – on a temporary basis – assisting Ford, while revitalising and securing the British-brand auto industry. A south Asian (Indian) sale is a recipe for disaster. Instead, the UK government and Ford working with east Asian interests such as China and South Korea could be the most productive way ahead for all parties. Setting up a new, UK majority-owned auto/transportation-technology company (with Ford UK retaining a minority interest) ... encompassing the assets of Land Rover and Jaguar, and doing this with the ‘new’ company entering into long-term agreements with Ford would make constructive business sense. Doing this with the participation of one or two of the up-and-coming, effervescent Asian auto firm(s) such as a KIA or a Suzuki, would give the new firm both international reach and product-range scope. China’s emerging auto firms need to develop expertise in product development and marketing skills. Bringing in China and its passionately competitive auto firms as significant shareholder(s) would assist in making the project viable and productive in both a business and a multi-lateral, foreign-policy and trade-relation ship way. The UK govt working towards the formation of a ‘new’ multi-national ‘part public’ and ‘part private’ auto firm, encompassing Land Rover, Jaguar & several brands under licence from Ford, with east Asian participation – could be beneficial for all parties. -Roderick V Louis (Vancouver,Canada) Human Rights Lawyer.What use the ban? As quoted from a recent report, “US Surgeon General Richard Carmona has concluded that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. The report, which reviewed 20 years of evidence on the health hazards of exposure to secondhand smoke, found that even trace levels of exposure have immediate, damaging effects on non-smokers.” Even though the evidence is overwhelming, and there are “no smoking” signs posted everywhere, as I walk through the City Center Mall, TheMall and Landmark Mall I am constantly assaulted by smoke mostly from men in national dress smoking openly, usually right under the posted “no smoking” signs while security guards and coffee shop employees blithely ignore both the health risk and disrespect to other shown by the smokers. Why bother posting signs that are ignored. Instead why not actually enforce the no smoking laws so that everyone can enjoy a healthier, smoke free environment. -Jason, Doha, jfournierindoha@yahoo.com Duty of all to back Hamas, Palestinians The recent Israeli attack on the Palestinians is a violation of international law and further evidence that the international community is lying when it talks about spreading democracy. Not only is Hamas the legitimate government of the Palestinian people, it is also a legitimate national liberation movement fighting to free the Palestinian people from the foreign and oppressive occupation of Israeli. Just like Moses freed the Israelis from the oppression of the Pharaohs, Hamas is struggling to free the Palestinians from the oppression of Israel. Rather than being made slaves in a foreign land like the Israelis of ancient times, the Palestinians are being made slaves in their own land. For about fifty years international law has recognised the Palestinian peoples’ right to fight against their occupation. While attacks on civilians by any side to the conflict should be prohibited, the recent Palestinian attack on an Israeli military post and the capture of an Israeli soldier are clearly legitimate acts of this struggle. Moreover, several UN resolutions reiterating this right call on the international community to support the struggle of people fighting for their liberation. Such support further both democracy in the world and respect or international law. Instead of attacking Hamas and the Palestinian people the international community should be defending them against Israel. This would help to to spread democracy and protect international law in the Middle East more than any other undertaking in the last five years. -Dr. Curtis F.J. Doebbler, Professor of Law, An-Najah National University Nablus, Palestine, and, International A fair and honourable landlord Lately, all you read about in the newspapers is how Doha landlords are gouging tenants with massive rent increases, failing to do maintenance on the accommodation and being unfair towards them in many other ways. This letter, however, is about a landlord who has been fair and honourable and has met all commitments made by him and his firm. The landlord is Fahad Jaidah and the firm is Yacob Trading. In the five years we have dealt with Yacob Trading, rent increases have averaged less than 5.5 per cent per year. All maintenance on a fully furnished villa was carried out expeditiously, effectively and to a high standard. Our contacts were with Fahad directly if there were any problems, and actions to fix the problem was taken immediately. He committed to a given high standard of service when we rented from him in 2001 and he has maintained this same high standard throughout our time with him. It is with regret that we will no longer be his tenant. Due to the excessive carnage on the roads these days, we will be leaving his tenancy and moving closer to my office so there is less exposure to the traffic. So while there is a significant number of "unfair" landlords, there are some fair and honourable ones as well. Thanks Fahad for being one of the best. -M A Skill, Doha, thewanderers@qatar.net.qa We will miss Dr Shakil This is in reference to the news item published in The Peninsula ( June 1, 2006) regarding the resignation of PEC principal Dr Shakil Ahmad. He is a highly educated, respected and well-mannered person hailing from a highly educated family. He served the Pakistan community school with great dedication true teaching spirit. We will miss him a lot. We all pray for his future success in his career. -Feroz Afridi, PO Box no.19652, Doha Qatar, feroz1@qatar.net.qa A nasty act on hapless labourers Commuters driving along the road opposite the City Center witnessed a horrible incident on Thurday at around 8pm. The passenger of a white sports car that was being driven recklessly in between cars, rolled down his window and threw a can of soda and leftover food at the faces of labourers sitting on the pavement waiting for the bus. The driver of the white vehicle, along with his friend, both of whom are of Middle Eastern origin, laughed as they rolled up their window, and as they proceeded to dart in and out of traffic, other drivers who managed to see their degrading act began to shout and beep their horns at them, expressing their disgust at what they had witnessed. The Asian worker that was hit in the face, when asked if this was the first time he was the victim of such foolish and insensitive behaviour, told The Peninsula, “We are used to being treated inhumanely, whilst sitting here on the pavement waiting for our bus service to take us back to the camp. Many of us have had food, half empty soda cans, and other items thrown at us from cars. Especially during the evening when it seems that the youth is out looking for entertainment and use us as their target.” -Adeil A, Doha Look beyond that can I just want to add my comments on the Pepsi promotion on these days. First you have to spend another one riyal to sms the number and many times message is not delivered. But Qtel will charge you any way. Secondly if by chance you won a shirt or normal football you have to collect it from industrial area by wasting your time and fuel more than the cost of the giveaway item. This is not convenient for consumers. Pepsi people must keep at least small gifts with hyper or super markets. I will be grateful if you kindly let people know the actual situation. -Mohammad Farooq, Doha,fmfms@hotmail.com Don’t worry, you’ll have cats in the streets On May 26, G M Jayawardena wrote a letter to the editor siting the advantages of having street cats in Doha to help kill the rat popultion that exists in most port cities around the world. Now that Qatar has started its TNR, (Trap/Neuter/Return) programme along with the QCC, the Qatar Cat Coalition, Jayawardena is afraid that too many street cats will be killed or neutered and not returned to their neighbourhoods and rats will return to the city. He stated: “But beware – the recent drive against stray cats will give rats a chance to make a menacing comeback.” His fear might have crossed other peoples minds also. The QCC along with WSPA, World Society for the Protection of Animals, spent about 7 years preparing a good TNR programme for Qatar to help not only the street cats, but the Qatari people. We know the people want a clean, beautiful city, but also want the government to do so with compassion and respect for the cats.The TNR programme that was developed for Qatar was based on successful worldwide TNR programmes. As long as the government follows these guidelines with compassion towards the cats, the numbers of street cats should stabilise over time. And the cats can continue to keep the rat population down. But it is important to keep the QCC and WSPA active in the programme because of their expertise and knowledge of working with street cats. New developments are discovered constantly that might impact on vaccinations, neutering, health, treatment and handling of these animals. When a government agency oversees the ëhealth and handling’ of any group, it is important to have advocates that can speak for that group. And we all know that animals cannot speak for themselves; they and children are the most vulnerable. As the original founder of the QCC, I ask the people of Doha to support Nadine Ali bin Ali, the QCC current director, so she can continue to work with the Municipality. She is an intelligent, caring advocate for Qatar’s street cats and has worked tirelessly for them along with other key members of the QCC. Please be aware that new caring members are always needed, if you would like to help Qatar’s animals please contact: www.qataranimalwelfare.com Remember that the moral fibre of a country is perceived by the way it treats its most innocent and its most vulnerable. -Kathleen Franck, QCC Board of Advisors, qatarkat@yahoo.com Drop old stories Congratulations The Peninsula for giving us a new look. Local pages, Business and Doha scene pages are really worth reading. Photos on the last page look wonderful. Making Classified section available online edition will be a great thing. One thing I wanted to bring to your attention about stories in your India page, especially those by your Kerala correspondent’s stories. Almost all of them were published by other newspapers. For example “Keralite gives Pakistani a new lease of life” The Peninsula carried this after four days of publishing by other newspapers. All leading Malayalam newspapers and Gulf dailies published this news on page one. In today’s issue “Kerala communists go soft on faith” had already been carried by all the newspapers and TV channels three days ago. But The Peninsula correspondent took five days to translate these stories into English and send them to you. And the Peninsula carried them with a byline. If you don’t have Kerala stories to publish carry other state’s stories, but please avoid old stories. -Moideen, Doha-Qatar, moid8een@hotmail.com Rats are back As some of us know that rats on the streets of Doha was a menace in the 80s. Unlike other rodents the rats put us in a very difficult situations some times, for their ability to destroy electrical appliances especially the electrical wires. They can even reach the top floor of a five-storey building and damage electrical wires of appliances in the kitchen. The worst part is if they happened to damage the wire harness of a vehicle. Its not an easy job to repair if the auto electrical wires were damaged. Rats disappeared from Doha streets after the cats started showing their existence just after the 1st Gulf War. The stray cats are the victims of 1st Gulf War as they were left behind by the fleeing masters fearing of some disturbance in Qatar. Some cats are still surviving as long as 15 years in Doha braving all the toughest weather conditions. The stray cats had done a wonderful job eradicating the rats in Doha. Yet their population grew tremendously over the years. From time to time the stray cats were killed by poisoning in the past to reduce the population. This type of killing stopped after intervention by some animal lovers, especially Kathleen Frank and Kathy Bader, who founded the QCC through the Friends of the Environment Center in Doha. Recently more than 500 cats from many clonies perished from the demolishing work in Doha suburb. The stray cat control (culling) programme of the rodent control section of the municipality has also now reduced the stray cats population drastically, which was officially started from 02/04/2006. As a result the rats seemed to be of having a free lane to come back. -G M Jayawardena., P O Box 217., gmjaya@qatar.net.qa Well done, keep it up At the outset, I would like to congratulate you on the new look to the newspaper. Being a regular reader of the newspaper, I can see the change. Also, it is good that now there is an issue on Fridays. Good way to spend the weekend! -Ravi Subbaraman, Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration, Alfardan Automobiles Why bring problems into baklava I have been reading the ongoing comments on baklava. I was saddened that such a simple subject as gastronomy was originally written in terms of politics, or that Cyprus should be turned into the ‘villain of the piece’. However, now that that has happened, I would like to make a couple of observations regarding the situation on the Mediterranean island. My family do not have Cypriot, Greek or Turkish ethnic roots but have had extensive contact with the wonderful island and its beautiful inhabitants since my grandparents first visited it over 65 years ago. My own intimate knowledge of Cyprus and its people also spans decades. The whole island is beautiful; we know both the north and south and have friends from all parts of the island – both here in the Gulf and on the island itself. What I find most significant is that whether I visit my (Turkish) Cypriot friends in the north or my (Greek) Cypriot friends in the south, they refer to themselves simply as ‘Cypriots’. They regard the prefixes as something only foreigners use. They regard themselves as a single national population of one island. And universally, the opinions I hear from them is that if the Cypriot people themselves were allowed to set the ‘terms’ for ‘reunification’, there would be no problem. It is the interference and self-interest of other nations that has exacerbated the problem. As a journalist, I have interviewed Cypriots across the island – from government officials to military and police officers, farmers, businessmen, housewives and students – and it is a view they echo repeatedly, whether they are from the north or the south. Falling into the ‘outsider’ trap and continuing to use the terms ‘Greek and Turkish Cypriots’ for the purpose of clarification, I have several interesting quotes that just happen to be from Turkish Cypriots: one in his late 70s, the other in his early twenties. What they said was that they had more in common with the ‘Greek’ Cypriots than with the mainland Turks who have flooded onto the island, and for whom, regrettably, they show open disdain. The ‘Greek’ Cypriots I have interviewed also regard themselves as closest to the ‘Turkish Cypriots’; and indeed, we have friends from both communities who are inter-married, or who continue to live in bi-communal communities. They desperately want re-unification; but the so-called ‘Anan Plan’, according to them, was suddenly tilted – by a margin of something like 19 issues – in favour of a third nation’s interests at the last moment, just before the referendum. Our friends from the north agree that was, indeed the case. When you are aware of that, the outcome of the vote is hardly surprising – on either side of the ‘divide’. And needless to say, it’s one of the world’s big powers who the man on the street in both communities regards as having put an ignorant spoke in the wheel. -Gina Coleman, Doha Lanka lions’ prowess Sri Lanka’s 14 hour marathon 2nd innings prompted me to write this comments immediately at the end of the match, but I thought I will hold on for a few days until Sri Lanka start off another match to prove their batting talent as I was quite optimistic. It’s not fluke as many may think of Sri Lanka’s batting line-up. True enough the batting display has let down the Sri Lankan team in the recent past. I am very optimistic it’s peaking at the right time. With six half centuries and a patient knock by skipper Mahela Jayawardena will be a bitter pill to swallow for the English cricketers. They were on top of the game and as the commentators were saying “it’s a matter of time to Sri Lanka to hang on” and its’ all over. The commentators woke up when Sri Lanka choked up the overs upto last 28 on the final day, where they started commenting “its’ going to be difficult” for England with clouds coming on. Now that Sri Lanka’s much awaited batting line up has struck form we will have to wait and see how challenging it will be. England will have to contend not only the Sri Lanka’s top order of batting, the strong middle order and eventually the tail enders who all could hit the ball clean and smartly all over the field with the exception of Murali. Pace bowler Nuwan Kulasekera’s clean hitting will be a delight to watch.Full credit should go to Chaminda Vaas who guided this youngster to his maiden half century. I guess dropping as many as nine catches during Sri Lanka’s 2nd innings is not an excuse but a problem for England to think of. Yes, the British Lions just could not maul the Lankan Lions . At any given time never write off any team even if they are performing below par as cricket is a gentlemens game (funny game as well) as they say.... its’ a matter of believing in themselves and having absolute confidence to win against any strong opponents. -Imtiaz Zavahir, P O Box 3394 Let’s eat sweet, talk sweet Actually, it was a banner in Turkey, which read, “Baklava should unify us, not divide us”. Nobody wanted suffering in the island but Turkish Cypriots, equal founder of Cyprus, were ousted from the government, deprived from all their rights, subjected to mass killings and are still facing restrictions which hamper their commercial, social and cultural relations with the rest of the world on their daily life. I fall short of understanding how one individual from the Greek Cypriot Administration could mention “unity” despite the fact that it was the Greek Cypriots who said “NO” to the UN Secretary General Annan’s Plan – supported by almost everyone – which aimed at unity, at the referendumthat took place on April 24, 2004, while the Turkish Cypriots voted “YES” for reunification. Meanwhile, without going into origins, which everybody has the means to reach, I recommend to everyone to visit “Turkish Sweets House” at Salwa Road to taste real Turkish Baklava along with Turkish Coffee and Turkish Delight (Iokum). We have a saying in Turkey: “Eat sweet, talk sweet” but talk certainly with sincerity based on facts. -Naci Saribas, Ambassador, Republic of Turkey Are the airline bosses listening? This is to thank you for the editorial in (The Peninsula, May 21, 2006). We, few hapless lowpaid workers are praying to the Almighty God, to open the eyes of the greedy airline companies after reading the write-up. -Abu Muhammad, Doha, essem782@yahoo.com Give us more such stories The story by Ayse Alibeyoglu, titled ‘Former child camel jockey reminisces days of yore’ is the kind of story you should do more often. I managed to use it as a case study for my students in our ‘History of the Middle East’ class. The reason I chose to do so is because the reporter provided us with a different perspective regarding this controversial issue, a perspective different from the West, which was very refreshing. I would also like to thank ‘The Peninsula’ for providing us in the UAE with excellent coverage on the events taking place in Doha, Qatar. -Thomas Dickerson, Dubai-UAE, thomas_d@hotmail.com Jobless youth behind SWA stir Through these columns, I would like to ask the Pakistan government about its writ in the areas adjacent to South Waziristan Agency. Every sensible person knows that the government is facing a tough time in combating miscreants, the so-called Al Qaeda, who have also penetrated the settled areas. I belong to Tank, the southern district of the NWFP adjacent to the SWA, where the anti-government elements have taken the society hostage. The other day my younger brother telephoned me saying that the Taleban had forcefully closed all video shops and internet cafes in the city which had badly affected the business community. I think the people who are creating problems for the government in the settled areas like Tank and DI Khan are neither the Taleban nor Al Qaeda elements. These are jobless and deprived youths of the area who in the name of the Taleban are confronting the authorities to draw the attention of the government to this most neglected area. There is only one college in the area and where the staff is rarely present. Education plays a vital role in building character and, in the absence of proper education, the youths are indulging in awful activities. The womenís education is also pivotal to prevent the youth from waywardness, but it is horrible that there is no college for women in the district. In the absence of education it is very easy for criminals to misguide the youth in the name of Jihad. The non-existence of job opportunities in the area is pushing the younger generation towards extremism. If the government wants to establish its writ in the area, it should immediately give priority to promoting education, creating job opportunities for the educated people and providing openings of earning a livelihood for the labourers because the bullet is not enough to stop extremism. -Muhammad Suliman Sajid, feroz1@qatar.net.qa What’s wrong with Baklava story! As a former inhabitant of Northern Cyprus, I would like to comment on the article written on Baklavas. I do not agree with the Greek Cypriot Ambassador to Doha, claiming that the author is not aware that Cyprus is inhabited by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The reference made to “ethnically Greek Cyprus” was taken from the EU poster, this statement and perception was as a result shared by news websites around and not in any way a statement originally written by the author. However, the Cyprus Ambassador is contradicting himself, people are aware of the fact that Northern Cyprus (Turkish Cypriots) did not have a say on the national dishes that were chosen for the EU poster. Therefore, it is not a symbol of unity between the two halves, but a another example of how common understanding and communication is lacking between the two sides yet again. The author captured the variety of opinions surrounding ‘baklavas’ in an excellent manner. -Martin Smith, Doha, msmith@gmail.com Tastes great, but who pays for it? This has reference to one of Qatar’s star hotel’s promotion of their annual food festival, in which they have a Foie Gras presentation. While expressing my strong objection against this delicacy in the account of cruelty to animals, I request the concerned authority’s attention towards this strange cuisine which is a product of inhuman and cruel farming practice Upon browsing the internet for more details about the foie gras I was really embarrassed to realise that it is the latest version of cruelty towards animals. The Foie Gras literally means “fatty liver” in French (pronounced as ‘fwah grah’). The young ducks or geese are force fed with four pounds of corn mush down their throats through a long metal pipe each day for two to three weeks until they can barely move and are on the verge of organ rupture and death. The force-feeding process causes the ducks’ livers to swell up to ten times their normal size, inducing a disease that veterinarians call “hepatic lipidosis.” These fattened, diseased livers are served as “foie gras” an expensive cuisine in star hotels. The Animal Right Groups all over the world are now protesting against many types of cruelty towards animals and birds. Unfortunately, I could not find any such groups in Qatar and moreover, one group from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) who visited Qatar last week left the country without being able to meet any government officials. Their mission was to create an awareness against the trauma and stress inherent in transporting animals on week-long journey by sea. -Hashim K T, P O Box 50155, Mesaieed, Qatar, hthodika@rediffmail.com Delicious baklavas It was quite appetising to read about baklavas, my favourite sweet dish and a passion that I am sure I share with a lot of residents in Qatar. I was also fascinated reading so much on the international press, attributing the origin of baklavas to Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, Armenians and Arabs, the Chinese, the Mongols, the Turks. For those interested in intellectual pursuit I recommend the authoritative study by Paul D Buell, A Soup for Qan on the origins of the world of baklavas. What left a bittersweet taste is the reference to the “appropriation” of the name by the “Greek Cypriots” in a European Union event. What the author of the article seems to ignore is that Cyprus is inhabited both by Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots that the whole of Cyprus has joined the Union in 2004, even if the artificial occupation barrier prevents all Cypriot citizens from enjoying the full rights and benefits of the membership. Choosing, therefore, baklava as the national sweet of Cyprus was a reminder not of the mythical origins of the sweet but to all that unite us, our common heritage, whether it is food, culture, the suffering of an island that was never meant to be divided to North and South. On this I will agree with the author of the article, baklavas was chosen by Cyprus as their national sweet “to unite us, not to divide us”. -George C Kasoulides, Doha, gkasoulides@qatar.net.qa Unbearable travel expenses I am an Indian housewife staying with my husband and two children in Qatar and I appreciate your editorial about exploitation by airlines. All airline companies are exploiting passengers. Especially passengers bound to and from the Indian subcontinent. They are charging very low fare on the western (European Countries) and American routes. These are passengers working in big companies as engineers, accountants and other highly paid professions and all their expenses are generally paid their companies (majority of them work in oil companies). Many organisations here in Qatar and other Gulf countries had protested and given memoranda to Indian politicians who come here for mobilising funds for their families or other personnel gain. Almost all of them had gone back after making false promises on this issue. We know many families who have not gone for a vacation, to see their ageing parents and other family members (not as tourist to Paris or Singapore), for many years because of the travel expenses. I read your paper everyday. I heartfully congratulate you for publishing the paper on all seven days a week and with a new look. All your reports are interesting (with human touch or informative etc.). Your website is well maintained and updated. -Siya bind Usman, Doha Stop this exploitation Ever since Indians started coming to the Gulf searching for a livelihood, all airlines, including, India’s national carrier, had been exploiting the poor expatriates by systematically increasing the airfares. As an Indian expatriate, who has spent almost a decade in this region, I am a victim of this unscrupulous price hike being carried out by the ‘airline mafia’. Already, the airlines are charging a higher tariff to various Indian destinations. Now, I don’t absolutely find any logic in increasing the fare further. The reason airline authorities are giving is the hike in the petrol prices. But why the airlines are not making any steep increase in fares on other routes, eg on various US and European routes? Whatever answer they give will not satisfy me and millions of poor overseas workers such as me. -Ramesh Nair, Doha Rash driving The main cause for rising accidents on Qatar roads are due to rash driving or speeding. Rash drivers have disrespect for life and property, both of self and of others. These people’s attitude should be changed. Otherwise accidents will continue to take place and innocent people will continue to die. Authorities should look into this matter seriously. -Jennifer L, Doha Night only shift for the labourers As the climate conditions here are very harsh and unbearable, it will be a relief to workers if they can work at night in a slightly better weather. Many labourers voiced their concern at being forced to work long hours under such hazardous conditions. The number of labourers who suffered sun strokes and heat exhaustion in Qatar is large and many casualties went unnoticed. Govt should protect workers who are exposed to sweltering heat and they need to be helped. So often I read in the UAE newspapers about the night only shift calls. The public response to these calls are positive, and more and more people see this as a humane step. UAE authorities are also planning to implement night-only shifts to protect the labourers from the scorching heat. Kuwait has already implemented such measures to protect construction workers. The advantage of the night shifts are many. It would greatly benefit the workers and alleviate health problems. Illnesses due to dehydration can be minimised and it would also be a humanitarian gesture considering that we all sit in the comfort of air-conditioned climate while the poor workers suffer pathetically. Will the authorities take the necessary steps to protect the poor labourers. -Jimmy A, Doha What price? Sonia Gandhi resingned. And Rai Bareli had an election and that of course was a big expense on public account, why? Mrs Gandhi always lectures on communal harmony, anti violence etc. When she resigned, she should have thought of the aftermath. We didn’t expect such an act. She is considered as a role model in Indian politics for her act of not accepting the primeministership. That means power. And now her son and almost all prominent Congressmen canvassing in Raibereli. For What? -Basheer Ahmed, Alkhor, bachu253@yahoo.com Real improvement I have waited a couple of days since the re-launch of the Peninsula as I wanted to fully understand the improvements before I wrote to you. Having been able to spend some time with your wonderful ‘new-look’ paper, I have to say I am genuinely impressed by the quality of content, comment and analysis that The Peninsula offers. The Paper presents an intelligent and considered view of world events and is a tribute to you and your team. The excellent writing and editorial management is superbly complemented by the picture editing which has, along with the new layout, enhanced the image of the paper enormously. I wish you all the very best in your ongoing commitment to journalistic excellence and look forward very much to working with you further. -Fran McElwaine, General Manager, Hill & Knowlton Qatar Timely take I was happy to see that you chose an opinion of reason by Nicole Stracke: EU must steer away from US on Iran. Realising the implications of both a nuclear Iran and the possibility of another conflict in the region, the GCC countries are increasingly voicing their concern. The last two GCC summits in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh urged further assurances from Iran and called for a peaceful solution to the crisis. If the EU, together with Russia and China, encourages such an initiative, it would go a long way towards resolving the current impasse. That is the sort of work we need during the time that we must conterbalance a neo-fascism that uses network media clout and weapons to scapegoat nation after nation. -Wendell Solomons, Colombo cityvista@gmail.com That’s dangerous A few days ago I was travelling with one of my friend and passed through a petrol station. I saw people getting their tanks filled with the engine running. Do the people know the dangers involved in doing such a thing?? I asked the attendants about the safety briefing and told them to inform them about it. But they expressed helplessness and said people get angry if they are asked to turn off the car engines. I suggest petrol stations should refuse to refill unless the engines are turned off. -Jimmy Among the best I was astonished to see the daily peninsula Qatar newspaper published in newly style, and find it to the international standard. When I saw its layout, I thought, for the moment, its may be the European newspaper by the same name. I congratulate the editor and staff of the peninsula Qatar for its nice changes they brought forward to the readers. -Feroz afridi, President Pak pakhtu adabi tolana, Doha Innovative We are extremely delighted to see the new improved look of The Peninsula. Please accept out heartiest congratulations for your innovative work. We wish you success and may you add more feathers to your cap in all your endeavour. Our good wishes are always with you for your future success. -Mohammed Unni Olkara, General Manager, Transind, Doha Do more of it Earlier your newspaper used to carry the scrutiny items like labour problems, disputes etc. Where are the investigative stories? I must say the investigative pieces like “Beard costs Lankan Tea Boy job” made interesting reading. They added punch to The Peninsula newspaper, and we look forward to more such exposes. Thatís the way the print media can do justice to the poor and the needy ones. -Jennifer Correct yourself Could you please rectify the information you published in (The Peninsula, May 5, 06) article “Berlin woos tourists with slew of facilities: on page 3. Your article gives the impression that in total only 650,000 overnight visitors came to Germany in 2005. I assume your article refers to (650,000) GCC Visitors, considering the fact that 48.2 million (!) overnight visitors from abroad came to Germany in 2005: http://www.destatis.de/presse/ englisch/pm2006/p0950201.htm Press release, 6 March 2006 6 per cent increase in overnights of visitors from abroad in 2005 Wiesbaden – as reported by the Federal Statistical Office on the occasion of the International Tourism Fair (ITB) to take place in Berlin from Wednesday next week, the number of overnights of visitors from abroad in German accommodation establishments with nine or more beds and on camping sites was up 6.4 per cent to 48.2 million in 2005. Hence the all-time high (45.4 million) reached in 2004 was again exceeded in 2005. Many of your articles are written and researched in a very sloppy manner and I hope that after having changed your ‘look’, you will now also work on the quality of your content. -Andrew, Doha, aabo@mac.com Congrats! Congratulations on the launch of your new look of the Peninsula. I like the contemporary new layout and design. -Mariam Owens Commendabel NHRC’s report is really commendable. Qatar has shown the way for other countries to follow. Even countries like the mighty US are busy criticising others while turning a blind eye on rights violation in their backyard. Your coverage of the entire report was informative to many. Now we sincerely hope the concerned authorities will act on the various recommendations and suggestions in the report. -Abdul Jabbar Qtel, please Why it is now (for some months) to have direct communications through the ichat aol on internet? This is not good for the image of Qatar that Qtel has interrupted the possiblities for the thousands families in Europe to have contacts with their children working in your country. Please could the Qtel authorities please to restore the situation for our benefit. -Vayhair , Brussels, Commendable Right there I agree with your yesterday’s editorial on GCC summit, which called for more transparency in dealing with the Iran nuclear standoffs. If Iran wants nuclear, there is nothing that anyone can do to stop it. We can only slow down the process. If Tehran needs nuclear power, and wants to control the total cycle including enrichment, Brazil is the model. They are now doing enrichment under UN inspections after a lengthy inspection and certification process. However, it is the United States, which is acting as a world police, put the Iranian issue into a thorny one. -Antony Sebastian, Doha Well done, but can you … I have been an avid reader of your newspaper since arriving in Doha almost four years ago. I always thought it offers something of interest to most readers. The “new look” Peninsula in an excellent improvement and it offers much more news and special articles to suit most tastes. However, as the edition is much bigger than the previous one and covers many more subject, may I suggest that you have on the front page an index of the major and repetitive subjects covered by the paper? For example, sports, business news, crossword, etc. This helps us, the readers, to go directly to the subject we are most interested in without having to scan each and every page to find it. One more suggestion. I am an addict to crosswords but find difficulty in working on your puzzle, not because of its level of difficulty but rather where it is placed: in the middle of a page. I find it difficult to fold the newspaper into a position where I can easily write the solution. You have to fold the paper into thirds to get the puzzle into an easy position. I believe it would be much easier if the puzzle is placed in one corner of the page. Any corner will do. I hope my suggestions will meet with your approval. -Tony A Awad Quite appropriate The much-awaited facelift has come at the right time. The design is attractive and catchy; the pictures bigger and the stories attractive and readable. The overall get-up and the page design are indeed elegant, stylish and contemporary. It is aesthetically very appealing. I happened to see the new Peninsula on Sunday. The first change I noticed in your paper was on the opinion page cartoon. I hope it is going to be a permanent feature in your paper. I have one suggestion – please include some cartoons from international newspapers. Overall, the new Peninsula looks good. Your last page in the main section is worth reading. I wish you include some Bollywood news in that page. -Remesh Nair Dressed to kill The new look Peninsula looks dressed to kill. I had a hunch that you were up to something when I saw the trailer in your newspaper. It came as a pleasant surprise and I felt I was reading The Times or the Guardian. I like the way the pictures are used in the new pages. Your designer has done a neat job with surgical precision. -A Y Chandra Well done Congratulations on your new and improved design and expansion. I have been a regular customer of The Peninsula since February 1999, after arriving in Doha for my job and the change in the paper I noticed yesterday was a pleasent surprise to begin the morning/ As you continue your expansion, I hope you will also publish a weekend magazine with interesting articles. I am sure many other readers will share this opinion with me. Also continue your focus on local issues, particularly rash driving that is now witnessed everywhere in Doha. Keep up the good work. -T P Edgar Total surprise The new look Peninsula took me by total surprise. There is no doubt that this is a refreshing change. The new layout and hierarchy of stories beckon young readers like me to read the newspaper without fail. You have endorsed the adage that change is the only constant thing. -T K Haleem Well done, keep it up We have been getting The Peninsula ever since 1998 and have witnessed all its changes in staff and local contributors. What I enjoyed most about the "old" Peninsula was that it didn't simply look like every other newspaper. I liked the paper's traditional appearance--non-glossy paper, more print than pictures--as well as its clear layout and coverage of both international and national news. Local contributors (some good, some not so good) and occasional lapses in English gave it a unique, hometown feel. A "new" Peninsula? I was certain I wouldn't like it. But I do.The paper is much easier to read, even more informative, and has retained its clear layout. Congratulations. The "new" Peninsula still isn't like every other newspaper--it's better. -P. Morris, P O Box 2713 Traffic bottle necks As I have been Driving in the city during peak hours I am caught in the travel hold up. I hope the problem is a temporary one as roads in the city are getting a facelift for the Asian Games. I also hope that Asian games work on the roads gets completed at a fast pace so that vehicular traffic moves smoothly and that Doha residents are not out to face the music of the traffic on the roads and having to wait for long hours in traffic hold ups. -Jenny augusto, Al Khor Speeding vehicles on road I am new to Doha and I was amazed to see the speed limits on the roads. Some vehicles drivers seem to have no traffic sense and respect towards human beings. Every Where I travelled in Doha, I saw messages advising drivers of the threat of accidents but that does not seem to have a deterrent effect as I see and read accidents happenings on a regular basis. As a pedestrian walking on the road with the high speed vehicles go for reckless driving it is with fear that I cross the road. The speed of the vehicles touches a new high especially during the night when the vehicles pick more speed in careless manner. Hopefully the administration will come with measures like installing more radars on roads to curb this menace at the risk of human lives. -V Hegde, DOHA A fitting tribute to a legend You features story on the legendary Indian music director Naushad Ali was a fitting tribute to maestro, who died at the age of 86. (The Peninsula May 6) Although, Naushad had composed songs only for 68 films over the last 60 years, he had carved a niche for himself as a genius and master musician.He was music director par excellence. His compositions were unique because he fused different strains of music. He had scored music to non Hindi movies, including Dhwani in Malayalam, as well. -Amjad Ali Khan, Doha Prime Minister Tony Blair's dilemma British Prime Minister Tony Blair has always been a confident leader. His decision making capacities and political acumen have earned him the name of an able and tough leader, perhaps second only to George Bush Jr. Blair had always believed in his campaign theme "Things can only get better." But this didn't get better in the recent local elections in Britain as The Conservatives handed a stunning defeat to the Labour. Perhaps Blair's role in Iraq and Afghanistan plus incompetency of his cabinet colleagues must be still haunting him and his Labour Party. His face saving act of a major reshuffle on Friday aroused only laughter rather than accolades in Britain and abroad. Blair needs to know the ground reality if he really wishes to complete his term or embark on another Labour victory in general elections. -John Thomas, Doha TNR the best way to deal with stray cats The Qatar Cat Coalition’s Trap Neuter Return (TNR) Programme supports Qatar’s Public Health by Spaying and Neutering Cats. In your article “Putting Cats to Sleep with ‘humane’ touch”, (The Peninsula, April 11, 2006), Dr Al Sharafi, Director of Pest and Rodent Control of the MMAA said that “cats which will be put to sleep will be the ones who are diseased, noting that the animals can carry over 200 diseases. This statement is based on old ideas and has been proven wrong by contemporary research being conducted around the world. I have worked with feral cats for over 25 years in America and in Qatar. I have also worked with a TNR programme in both countries. For 4 years I conducted a TNR pilot programme at Education City in Doha with the feral or street cats in that area. We trapped the cats, had them spayed or neutered, named and catalogued each of them and tattooed a number in their ear. We also had them vaccinated and returned to the campus, where they were fed and watched over by caretakers. To my knowledge no one on campus caught any diseases from the QCC cat colonies at Education City. And over the 25 years I have worked closely with feral cats handling and feeding them, I have not caught any diseases from them. Very few cats should have to be put to sleep in a TNR programme due to disease. Spaying (females) and neutering (males) improves the cats health by reducing wandering, mating, and fighting. Spayed female cats do not go into heat and howl at night. Neutered male cats do not fight over female cats or spray their territories. Dr Al Sharafi also stated that the cats ‘93clearing the medical in a manner of speaking, are neutered then released, possible heading back to their local dumpsters. It is important to note that the initials TNR stand for Trap, Neuter, and return, not release. For this project to work the neutered cats have to be returned to their original neighborhood. If they are released somewhere other than their original home, there could be fighting for territorial habitat and food with the unfixed cats existing there. It will also put the neutered cat at physical risk because he will be crossing streets trying to find his/her way home. It is animal instinct to return to their original neighborhood. It is a common misconception to believe that feral cats pose a health hazard through risk of transmission of diseases. Available evidence indicates this is not true. For example, the 8000 acre campus of Stanford University is home to one of the oldest TNR programmes in the country started in 1989. The Environmental Health & Safety Department of the university, in consultation with the Santa Clara County Health Department, “determined that there is a general consensus that feral cats pose little health and safety risk to individuals on campus. The Stanford TNR programme continues to the present date, claiming reduction of the feral population from a total of 1500 cats at its beginning to 200 currently.” Cities and universities across America have come to the same conclusion as Stanford University and openly endorse TNR programmes as a public health benefit and cost saving to any community that properly employs it. The street cats in Doha also help resolve the rat problem which is chronic in most urban areas. The usefulness of feral cats in controlling rat populations is well documented. Roger Tabor, in his studies of London street cats, noted that one particularly adept tabby female was recorded as having caught 12,480 rats over a 6 year span. In Pennsylvania’s Longwood Gardens, feral cats’ are part of the integrated pest management control programme to protect certain plant life from damage by small rodents. In city environments where food sources such as garbage and rats cannot be permanently removed, “the feral cat population serves a very useful purpose and should rather be encouraged than fought.” TNR allows the cats to remain in the environment and continue to provide no-cost rat control, while at the same time stemming future population growth and curbing nuisance behavior such as noise and odor. The cat lovers in Qatar ask that the Ministry listen closely to the experience and knowledge of both WSPA and the QCC, as they have the expertise in working with feral cats. It is a complex issue and for it to succeed, we ask that the Ministry use compassion, care and respect in dealing with the street cats of Qatar. Please do not euthanise the cats for the sake of ease and expediency. QCC Board of Advisors Doha, Qatar qatarkat@yahoo.com -Kathleen Franck Crisis in Kerala communist party No CPM or LDF supporter can forget V S Achuthanandan’s fight against the corruption, malpractice and sex scandal in Kerala in the past decade. He has been always in the forefront of all peasant struggles and fight against all anti social activities in the tiny state. I feel pity to see the crocodile tears being shed by his political opponents and a section of the media who portrait V S as a person against development, and minorities, especially Muslims, and try to give him a comedian’s image. While considering the merits of V S, a few plain truths must be borne in mind. After all, no one, either VS or Pinarayi or anyother individual, is above the party in CPM. It should be noted that Nayanar became the most popular chief minister of Kerala only because he always accepted the majority decision of the party even though he might have other views than the party policy. It is natural to see some demonstrations and protests in some parts of Kerala. But when we watch certain media coverage, it is giving the impression that whole of Kerala is burning and CPM is going to split vertically. The same media has forgotten their earlier coverage about KR Gowriyamma and M V Raghavan who are surviving in Kerala politics only by the mercy of some caste politics. Conflicts and Crisis are always a part of democratic society. A democratic party like CPM will take a decision only after thorough discussion within party comrades. Considering Achuthanandan’s very long association with the party, I strongly feel that VS will rise to the occasion and will not give any room for his opponents to exploit the situation. Mesaieed ansar@qasco.com.qacal -Ansar, Mahe New rule on sponsorship change for Indians illogiThe new rule vis-a-vis Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from home town for Indian expatriates seeking a sponsorship change in Qatar, to say the least, is absurd and illogical. The Indian Embassy in Doha should take up this issue with Qatar’s Interior Ministry and Foreign Ministry and alleviate the problems faced by hundreds of Indian professionals. My son is born in Doha and had his schooling too in Doha. He went to India for a period of three years and completed his graduation and came back to Doha before taking up a job. Then he went to the UK for higher education and came back to Doha and joined a multi-national firm. All this while he had no problems. Now he got a better offer from a semi-government organisation but when he approached the immigration for a change of sponsorship (with due consent of the present employer) he was asked to produce a PCC from India. Obviously, I got in touch with the police authorities in my hometown, but they refused to entertain my plea saying that my son never lived in that area. Then I approached the Police Commissioner in the city where my son did his graduation, say eight years ago. He also expressed his inability saying he was not the right authority because my son was a student in that city, that too eight years ago. Will the Indian embassy in Doha or Qatar’s Interior Ministry work out a solution to this? Asking someone who has lived in this country for several years to get a PCC from his hometown is indeed illogical. And why single out Indians in this context? -Name and address withheld Careless media adding to anti-Muslim bIT IS MY opinion that the terms “Islamic Terrorist,” “Islamic Extremist,” “Islamist,” when describing something negative, and “ethnic Pakistani” as it related to one of the London bombers, who was (as I understand it) a British subject, all amount to defamation by the mainstream press of the entire global Muslim Community and all of its “persons,” excepting of course any actual Muslim terrorists themselves, for whom the terms would be correct. I believe that the use of these terms, and the constant publication of very detrimental reports in the USA and Western Europe is hardening positions and creating an atmosphere of fear and hate for everyone. This is evidenced by recent events in the USA, and the Dubai Ports World issue. I have been looking for an antidote for that poison ever since I watched CNN’s coverage of the London bombings last summer. I was so upset about the usage of these terms that 8 months ago I began producing a weekly current affairs program for BridgesTV (Muslim cable channel in the USA). Recently I interviewed the Dean of a School of Communications in the USA, and she was adamant that the freedom of speech and the press are absolute, and she would “fight for them to the death.” I’m with her in most cases, but, there are limits to the freedom of speech and press in the intentional tort of defamation. I have taped a 12 minute video, spelling out my views on this subject, in particular for the benefit of Muslim attorneys, globally, since I feel it is they that can best do something about this, and hopefully start to turn this situation around. The two links to my dissertation on this matter are as follows: Title of video: Defamation of Muslim Community – Part 1 Link to video: http://revver.com/video/16842/ Title of video: Defamation of Muslim Community – Part 2 Link to video: http://revver.com/video/16847/ Annapolis President of Words Matter dlconover@msn.comias -Skip Conover Reconstruction in Pakistan We, the people of Allai Valley in Pakistan, are thankful to you for highlighting our plight after the killer earthquake in October last year. We express our thanks also to NGOs in general and particularly Save the Children, Actionaid, Norwegian Refugees Council, Care International, ICRC, WFP for providence food and relief items. Without their help, it would have been impossible for the Government of Pakistan to cover such a huge area. The next problem is the distribution of cash amount of Rs150,000 for the reconstruction of houses in the earthquake-prone areas. If this task is given to NGOs, it is likely to end up in corruption and mismanagement. The NGOs will have to employee inspectors for the verification of the utilisation of funds and that is prone to massive corruption. There are two types of ownership in Allai Valley. One is actual ownership of land. The other is tenancy. If the amount is given to tenants, they may not be interested in the reconstruction of houses because it is not owned by them. The owner shall never let the amount go to the tenant because the tenant will take the money and migrate to somewhere else, leaving behind the house in ruin. The owners have to reconstruct houses because they would like to see the piece of land, where the houses are situated, to grow crops. It is requested that the next tranch of money be given to the owner rather than the tenants if the NGOs want the reconstruction of Allai. ALLAI VALLEY allaiwal@yahoo.com -SALEEM KHAN Expatriates prefer news about community events IT IS heartening to see news about socio-cultural activities of Pakistan community in our favourite newspaper The Peninsula. I see quite a few other changes in the paper as well which are welcomed by people like us who are ardent readers of your paper. Expats in Qatar want to read about their community-related activities rather than about multinational conferences, conventions and seminars. I would appreciate if you could give more coverage to our school activities as you have not been publishing school reports for quite some time. P O Box 11514 Doha Qatar luckyali1245@yahoo.com -Mehmood Alam Women must speak up I appreciate the boldness of the letter writer in revealing the harassment meted out to her by some uncivilised persons living in this friendly country.True, in most cases, women dare not speak about such indecent behaviour from some men, who must realise that they too have mothers and sisters. I had a shocking experience a couple of months ago at a leading hypermarket in Doha when a stranger threw his mobile phone number scribbled on a tissue paper at my chest. But I was not bold enough to take up the matter with the police (or even to tell my friends and relatives) for fear of unnecessary gossip and mental harassment.Now I appeal to all women not to feel shy of complaining about the acts of hooligans, who are a curse to the society. P O Box 14588, DOHAmen? -Farah N Will the law teach a lesson to lecherous I fully agree with the letter writer (The Peninsula, March 10) that Doha is one of the safest and peaceful places to live in. But those days are over. Women of all ages are being ogled at by these shameless people as a cheap commodity. I do not believe all men have these psychological disorders. For your information, women are being harassed or their modesty outraged at shopping centres, parks and the Corniche. Are some offices, especially of private firms, safe for women? Will the law reach out to teach a lesson or two to these lecherous men? P O Box 3749 Qatar -B Sandhu Eveteasing on the Corniche I have been living in Qatar for the past 22 years. My children studied here and are now well-settled. I proudly hailed Doha as a home rather than a second home. And I always believed Doha is one of the safest cities in the world to live in. But I would like to share with your readers a bizarre incident that happened last Wednesday on my favourite Corniche, so that others may be beware of such uncivilised incidents that would tarnish the image of a cultured society. I was on a usual stroll along the Corniche at around 7.30pm in the company of my granddaughter. Suddenly, one man appeared from the dark and tried to caress my granddaughter definitely not with good intentions. As I protested his act, another man followed us and continued eveteasing.. As I was rushing across the pavement to get into my car, another man flashed a QR500 note and coolly invited me to accompany him. Now tell me, is Doha now a home! I request the concerned authorities to keep an eye on these eve-teasers. Doha (Name and address given)the day -QS Congratulations on turning 10 Hearty congratulations to The Peninsula on turning 10. May this spirited newspaper celeberate many more successful anniversaries. The Penisula champions the cause of the diversity of opinion in Qatar and it has pretty well served the community of readers in the past 10 years, by presenting an informative, educative and entertaining mix. Kudos for the unique identity of the paper, with its elegant design and layout and the ‘International’ content. May be the paper should publish well-informed and erudite editorials of its own, to enlighten its readers about issues of the day and the times, even as it continues to publish the editorials of other regional and international newspapers. Bravo and continue the good work. P O Box 100001 Dukhan bhooma@qatar.net.qa -G Venkatesh You are already 10! Many happy returns of It is a pleasure to send greetings and heartfelt congratulations as you celebrate the 10th Anniversary of The Peninsula newspaper in pursuing journalistic truth. I am very much impressed with the unwavering professionalism of The Peninsula in its mission to inform the populace impartially and courageously so its readers can develop their own proper judgement. On the occasion of this significant milestone, the staff of the newspaper should be very proud of the publication and the success it has become. Taking into consideration of the proven longevity of newspapers, your newspaper is still relatively young and I wish you all success in the many many more years to come. Again, my congratulations and best wishes as you reflect on past achievements and look to continued successes in future. Turkey’s Ambassador to qatar -Naci Sanbas Central budget a raw deal for non-resident Indians The Indian budget of the year 2006-2007 was one of the best budgets when we consider the emphasis given to the agriculture, agro-processing, rural development, education, healthcare, industry, women empowerment, research, etc. When we look at the budget through the Non Resident Indian (NRI) angle, it is a very disappointing budget. It may also be the first budget which doesn’t mention NRIs and recognise their contributions to the nation. NRIs from GCC countries are remitting more than Rs100 crore to India a day. Sixty percent of this remittance is from low and middle income workers. We were happy when a minister for Overseas Indian Affairs took charge. But how will this minister’s promises materialise without budget allocation? When Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust conducted a survey among low and middle income NRIs from GCC countries, it found out that only two per cent is saving from the remittance made to India. Another finding is when 98 per cent of the participants had agreed that after they became NRIs their families’ lifestyle has improved, only five percent agreed they can lead a comfortable life when they return. It is an alarming issue, we realised, and the only solution is to cultivate the saving habit and make productive investment. We suggested to Finance Ministry to introduce a Systematic Investment Scheme for NRIs. We could not see any such proposal in the budget. The Securities Exchange Board of India had given approval for a tailor-made mutual fund called JM Pravasi Bandhu Fund long ago. We could not see the light of that fund even today. We request the Finance Ministry to introduce an investment plan at the earliest to attract low and middle income NRIs. NRIs were getting 40 per cent preferential allotment in Initial Public Offering of Indian companies. That was an excellent opportunity for NRI retail investors to invest Indian capital market. The government had withdrawn that facility and offered that segment to foreign institutional investors. We request the finance ministry to reinstate the reservation. When disinvestments take place of Public Sector Units, the government can provide more percentage to NRIs. This government had declared an insurance scheme for NRI workers, the details are not published and the implementation is still pending. We request the finance ministry to introduce the same at the earliest. Chairman Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust Sharjah www.pravasibandhu.com -K V Shamsudheen Indian budget is pro-development As I see it, Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram has come up with a positive and pro-development budget at micro level, which is good for long-term investors. The special allocation made for the development of infrastructure areas, especially rural infrastructure, electrification, telecommunication, employment generation etc are worth commending. The minister has done a great job in containing fiscal deficit, which will be 3.8 per cent of GDP in 2006-07. The thrust given to education and healthcare is a very welcome step and will do a world of good to the masses of India. Though there is no direct mention of anything new for NRIs as such, the initiatives taken to make the economy more conducive to investments are sure to help NRIs invest more in India and keeping the tax level constant is also another added factor. The power generation, education and biotechnology will be some of the most lucrative sectors the investors will be keenly looking at. As a retailer, I am a bit disappointed over the absence of any announcements in high growth areas such as retail. As a whole the industry will be happy as there are no major negatives. It has cut down customs duty and has covered lot of industries as well.” Managing Director EMKE Group Abu Dhabi -Yusuffali MA, A wishy-washy response AS IRONY would have it, the outrage expressed by Dr Peter Singer at what he felt was a shoddy reporting of the US-Islamic World Forum in your newspaper found its most emphatic corroboration in your reporter’s wishy-washy response. If only the reporter had not responded in such a foppish way, your paper still would have some face to save. -Arshad Mehmood, Doha, sh_mehmood2003@hotmail.com Rewarding bad management Rama Krisha’s letter dated February 21 has certainly been an eye-opener. Clearly, this is a matter that the authorities in Qatar, both the Qatar Central Bank and the relevant Ministries, should be tracking very closely. Qatar’s aspirations to become a regional player in banking will be hampered by such actions. I wonder how can renowned institutions endorse awards such as best bank in the country and region, given there is a core weakness in the bank towards managing their biggest asset – their human resources. -Steve, Doha, s_anderson1941@yahoo.co.uk A diehard fan cold-shouldered by Hingis Since the beginning of her tennis career, I have been an avid fan of Martina Hingis. I really wanted to see her in person. When I was in Saudi Arabia, I and my friends were contented watching her on television. Now that Hingis is here in Doha, it’s but natural that it would be my pleasure to meet her personally. But what a shocking experience I had! I met her face to face but she didn’t respond to my warm greeting. The worst of all was that she also turned down my offer of a simple handshake! Is Hingis a racist? I hope this message will reach her and will serve as a lesson. I am still on the positive note for her interpersonal relationship with fans! There is always a room for improvement! Moreover, I still wish for her good performance in the ongoing Qatar Total Open 2006. -Alberto B. Balita, Al Sadd, Doha What’s happening to Australia? As an Australian and as a Muslim, I am greatly concerned about what is happening to the wonderful place I have called home for over 30 years. I have never witnessed hatred and intolerance in this place of freedom as I do today. Whenever there is an incident involving any Muslims, anywhere across the globe, for some reason, ‘every’ Muslim must bear the blame. Is one truly justified in saying that every Muslim is violent, endorses violence and does not share values that are based on tolerance, freedom, equality and peace? What is happening in Australia today is mind-boggling! Fuelled by years of media-promoted generalisations of Muslims as being synonymous with violence, young Australians treat every person of ‘Middle Eastern appearance’ as a threat, forget the values that, Australian Treasurer Peter Costello says are synonymous with being ‘Australian’, and take to the streets in drunken, violent rampage against anyone who ‘fit’ the criteria of ‘violent threat’. Of course, this was based on appearance and not action. Coming from a person in a leadership position, Costello’s words are more destructive. Words such as his are what creates fear that manifests itself in hate crimes against humanity itself. Is this the future we want for Australia? A place of fear and hate? What happened in Cronulla, what Peter Costello is implying today is simply racist bigotry – something no Australia should stand for. To desire and to have peace, tolerance, equality and freedom, we must stand for these things – we must be these things. Do not judge a whole race according to the actions of a few; judge me, treat me, according to my own actions. Do we really want an Australia where this is denied to any individual? How can we ensure peace, tolerance, equality and freedom if we compromise on these values? Costello’s words guide us away from these values – these basic rights. Let us not be misguided by him. -Susan, Sydney, susanj@yahoo.com.au Come on, who is not racist in this world? The controversy over the offensive cartoons published by a Danish newspaper has again brought to the fore the issue of racism. Westerners are definitely racist, and that doesn’t need to be seconded. But tell me, who is not racist? This is not to condone the racism practised by the West, but to bring to the ground all those, irrespective of their religion and nationality, who have been hurling racism charges against others without bothering to think whether they themselves are free of this malaise. Europeans are racist when it comes to Muslims, Asians, Africans etc. When I was in Mumbai, African students studying there had told me how racist Indians were. We know that Arabs too are racist in their treatment of Asians and the same Arabs who rail against Westerners on the issue of cartoons would drool when they have to choose between Asians and Europeans. And I have a friend from my own state in India whose wife shows subtle traces of racism in her behaviour towards a daughter who is dark-complexioned compared to another daughter who is fair. So, racism is pervasive. Only the degree differs. Racism arises from the feeling that one race is superior to the other. The best way to confront it is by refusing to concede this superiority in any way. True, Westerners have placed themselves in a superior position, but that is because of the professionalism they have built into the conduct of their affairs and governance. Intellectually, culturally, and in all other fields, their notions of superiority are subjective. After all, everyone thinks that he is better than others. -Hisham H, Doha, Hisham100@gmail.com Irresponsible medical staff I am an American working in Qatar for a long time. I never had any complaints about the medical care being offered to patients, regardless of their nationalities, at the hospitals in Qatar until my recent visit to the dental department of Hamad Medical Corporation. I have had some bitter experience with some of the responsible (irresponsible) staff at the dental department of Rumaillah Hospital and Dental OPD Annex. They were arrogant, unprofessional and in simple terms, a disgrace to Hamad Medical Corporation and health service in Qatar. They seem to have forgotten the ethics and oath of medical profession. Concerned officials should intervene and conduct an impartial inquiry so that patients are given quality medical care with a friendly smile. -Alicia Kline Smith, DOHA, qataralicesmith08@yahoo.com Claims and reality THIS refers to Mr Rama Krishna’s letter “Is this just or even legal” (The Peninsula, February 21). While I congratulate him for taking a bold step to speak out, I also sympathise with him and his colleagues in the bank. The unprofessional approach adopted by the bank by using threats, and not allowing transfer of sponsorship and stopping incentives etc, just goes to show the weakness in management in addressing the human resource issues. If you have been here for sometime, you would have realised that there is a difference between claiming to be the best and being the best. -Babar, Doha, Qatar, banker17@yahoo.com Why US felt so helpless about the cartoon violence Who needs blasphemous cartoons to inflame the Muslim world when you’ve got the Bush administration’s prison system? One reason the White House is so helpless against the violence spawned by those Danish cartoons is that it has squandered so much of its moral standing at Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib. This month, the world got two chilling reminders of why both prisons must be closed. Last week, the United Nations Human Rights Commission issued a scathing report on the violations of democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law at Guantanamo Bay: indefinite arbitrary detentions, hearings that mock fair process and justice, coercive and violent interrogations, and other violations of laws and treaties. -George Curtis, PO Box 14075 - A biased report on US-Islamic World Forum As an organiser of the US-Islamic World Forum and a frequent reader of the Peninsula, I am writing you with great upset and disappointment at an article published in your newspaper (The Peninsula, February 21.) Your reporter Mr Mobin Pandit has done an unprofessional job and attempted to flame the already tense relations between the US and the Muslim world by following his own agenda. In covering the closing session of the Forum, a 90 minute session that covered everything from a listing of the Forum’s accomplishments and conclusions to speeches made by the former President of Nigeria (a Muslim) and the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijian, the reporter instead chose to write an entire article on one 30 second question. More importantly, his reporting on that question was false and full of mistakes and omissions. The reporter wrote his article with negative intent in mind, to make the readers believe that the question was an attack on the Forum and myself and that the Forum was unsuccessful. Instead a review of the transcript will show that the questioner, Mr. Salam Al Marayati, a Muslim American leader from the US, opened his question by praising the conference and Brookings efforts to link the US government with the concerns of its Muslim minority. I urge you to check the transcript yourself. I am also attaching below an additional thank you note that Salam sent to me just a few hours later. Indeed, rather than taking us by surprise, Salam is a friend whom I have known for almost five years and had called on in the session to make a statement. We have such confidence in him that he served as a speaker not only at the seminar on Bridging the Divide, but also at an ensuing Vidoeconference with students from around the world, including involving students from Qatar University and Georgetown Education city (that was also not reported in your paper). Your reporter also chose to not to report on my answer to Salam, in which I agreed with him that the US government should look at its “diversity as a strength.” Instead, your reporter tried to mislead your readers by reporting my asking our panel of distinguished guests for their replies as something nefarious. It is a moderator’s job to do so. Indeed, your reporter also tried to make it seem that we at Brookings are unaware of the importance of the Muslim minority or surprised at their concerns. Instead it is proven to be the opposite. At the Forum, we organised a task force meeting that was the very first to link Muslim American leaders with their counterparts from UK, France, Spain, India, etc. This comes after a conference in January that I personally organized bringing together American Muslim and US government officials, including Salam al Marayati-the questioner. Moreover, at the very session Mr. Pandit chose to attack me personally for somehow being surprised or not aware of the Muslim minority in the US, I had already discussed in my opening speech how such a Forum was personally important, as I had lost two friends on 9-11, both of whom were Muslim Americans! The last week saw Doha host an important conference that brought together a wide range of American and Muslim world leaders. But because of ‘negative’ reporting, your readers missed this news. Important issues were discussed, like Iraq and Palestine to the cartoon controversy and what to do about crises in youth and development. But your readers were left unawares. Important agreements were made, from a ten point action plan by American and Muslim scientists to set up an international program of technology partnerships to education reform initiatives at both the primary school and university level to an alliance made among US and Muslim minority leaders we gathered to battle Islamaphobia – again illustrating how wrong the reporting was. But your readers didn’t learn about them. Important political, business, media, civil society and arts leaders from the US and across the Muslim world gathered in Doha in a battle to seize back the discussion from the radicals on both sides. But your readers didn’t hear about them. Indeed, I find it ironic that one of the features stories in your paper today is a wire report on the singer Sami Yusef. One of the sessions at the Forum gathered the 15 of the biggest names in American and Muslim arts including musicians, moviemakers, novelists, and artists. All of these leaders were in Doha the last week. Sami Yusef was among them and along with Salman Ahmed (the Pakistani star that has sold more records – 26 million-than any other Muslim in History) had a small concert at the Ritz. The very subject of a feature story was in Doha for four days for our conference, yet your paper and your readers didn’t even know! Yet another thing missed by the laziness and negative agendas of your reporter. Your readers should be saddened that the shoddy reporting kept them from getting the news. I hope that you will take the appropriate actions to restore the reporting of the Peninsula to the highest standards that its readers expect. Our reporter replies The fact that the letter writer admits that my report was based on a question raised by a member of the audience during the question and answer session at the end of the forum, shows its correctness. His allegation that the forum was not covered and only this question was highlighted in a negative way is baseless since this report was just one of the many reports about the forum. The event’s coverage on all three days had been comprehensive. No one was misquoted. In his anger, the letter writer, perhaps, overlooked a big report appearing next to my report, which covered many of the achievements of the forum that he refers to in his letter. Mobin Pandit -Dr Peter W Singer, Director, Brookings Project on US Relations with the Islamic World We want action, not dialogues The humanitarian crisis is worsening in the occupied Palestinian territories. The situation could become worse once the US, Israel and their allies freeze financial aid and loans, infuriated by the victory of Hamas in the elections. In this context, the efforts being made by the United Nations are commendable. The UN has already appealed to Sweden and other kind-hearted nations to increase their humanitarian support to the people of Palestine as the situation in Gaza Strip and the West Bank continues to worsen. And there is widespread, and in several cases life-threatening, destitution. Over 60 per cent of the population now lives in acute poverty. Unemployment is 35 per cent and malnourishment is spreading. Do the developed countries want this situation to continue for ever and the Palestinians to suffer till the end of the world? We need action now, not meaningless dialogues. -Mahmoud Mousa, P O Box 4890, Doha Management’s pressure tactics Referring to Rama Krishna’s letter (The Peninsula, February 2), I wonder if this is just or even legal? I would like to add that the pressure tactics used by management of some local banks seem to be an indirect way of saying “leave the country” whether you like it or not. Someone having experience working in a financial organisation, of course, will find better opportunities in the same field. What does the management gain by restricting its staff from working elsewhere at the end of his service or contract? How can an organisation force its staff to sign such an undertaking? I must say I do not think Qatar labour laws allow the employers to treat their employees as bonded labourers. Rama Krishna’s letter was an eye-opener. -P S Ranganathan, Doha, psranganathan@indiainfo.com Traffic congestion at Al Tadamon roundabout I would like to bring to the attention of the authorities the inconvenience being caused to many motorists due to the faulty traffic control in the mornings at Al Tadamon roundabout, especially for those cars that are coming from the Mall Roundabout towards the Salwa Road on D-Ring Road. The traffic policemen stationed at Al Tadamon Roundabout give priority to the cars coming form the E ring Road which, is reasonable. But motorists from other directions are destined to spend more than 15 minutes every morning stranded at the roundabout. I think the authorities should try a better traffic control system to ease this congestion. -Babis, Doha, babis2004@panafonet.gr Sorry saga of health cards IF SOMEONE wants to apply for the HMC Health Card, initially he has to approach his concerned area health centre to register his name. To do this the applicant must have an electricity bill to prove the location of residence. Now it seems that the law has been amended or there is an instruction from the concerned authority not to accept any application at health centres from anyone if the applicant fails to submit an electricity bill in his/her name. Some Govt Health Centres are not registering the applicant’s name if the applicant does not have an electricity bill in his/her name. This is very strange. I don’t know if the Government of Qatar or Health Authority has amended the law recently. However, I am aware that there are lots of applicants who have been denied registration at various local health centres on the above ground. How is it possible for all residents to have electricity bills in their name? In some cases applicants even showed the tenancy contracts. In some cases apartment is in the name of real estate agent and the electricity bill will be in the agent’s name. These bills are not acceptable to the health centres anymore. In the present scenario of acute shortage of houses in Qatar, if somebody staying in a shared accommodation from where he would get an electricity bill in his name? Of course there is no way one house can have two electricity bills in the name of two different individuals who live in it. Is the electricity bill the only criterion to identify a resident? I would be thankful if someone from the Ministry clarifies on this. -Zubair AM, P. O. Box 47, Doha, subair@qp.com.qa Beware of duplicates Shops, super and hypermarkets in Qatar are flooded with duplicate and inferior quality products these days. The changing fast life style of people in Qatar is helping these cheats, who are literally fishing in troubled waters. Several shops and supermarkets sell clothes, leather goods, shoes, sanitary items and even food stuff under the name of famous brands. These unscrupulous merchants deceive the customers by making slight changes in colour of the design or spelling of the famous brands. The result: poor customers are being taken for a ride. Some goods simply say Japan or Italy. They won’t say Made in Italy, Made in France etc. A leading shop is selling Italian clothes (made in China and India) at throwaway prices. Beware of mobile phones that are being sold by second hand traders as well. What should be done in such cases? -Sara Kurien, P O Box 1635	Commentary Deforestation unlocking carbon reserves A bogus, pompous, ludicrous and overpriced job Todays Centerstage Commentary Archives November October Editorial Archives November October

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