SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2012
@alwatandaily
Issue No. 1440
16 PAGES
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Majority hints at returning to Determination Square
Mohammed Al-Salman, Mohammed Al-Khaldi, Osama Al-Qatari and Ahmed Al-Shemmari Staff Writers
KUWAIT: Members of the Majority Bloc hinted at fresh return to the Determination Square, amid a renewed escalation which coincides with the discussion of an array of interpellations, which its members intend to file against a number of ministers, including His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. Members representing the bloc announced plans to question the premier, the Ministers of Social Affairs and Labor as well as the Defense Minister. The bloc is expected to follow up on the two motions filed by a group of its members against the Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali. It has been reported that the bloc deferred discussion on the preferred mechanism to handle the said interpellations until the government’s stance transpires during Tuesday parliamentary session. This comes at a time when the Minority Bloc warned the government against further conces-
sions in favor of the Majority Bloc, which led to popular disgruntlement. Meanwhile, MP Dr. Faisal Al-Mislem of the Majority Bloc expressed “deep sorrow” for the current economic and political situation in the country, saying that anytime he visits Dubai and witnesses the level of development there he “feels sad over the state of affairs in Kuwait and gets concerned about its future.” Al-Mislem lamentably said that the authorities have missed a rare opportunity to address all the accumulated problems due to wrongful policies, adding that his utmost concern now is that the current parliamentary majority and the executive authority would fail to see the opportunity once more. The lawmaker hinted that youth activities will return to the Determination Square, unless there is respect for institutions, the rule of law, and accountability. In the same vein, MP Adnan Al-Mutawa asserted that the race for filing interpellation motions is considered to be a flagrant infringement on the executive authority due to what he de-
scribed as the obedience of certain ministers. Speaking to Al Watan, the lawmaker noted that certain MPs begin with demands for change in leadership positions, and then call for the reshuffling of ministers before they end up calling for the replacement of the ministers. The lawmaker stated that the concessions of the executive authority have caused an administrative shortfall and popular dismay. “The worst has not yet come due to the submissiveness of the government,” the MP deplorably said, suggesting that the continuation of certain parliamentary probe panels is intended to blackmail the government in a blatant manner. Al-Mutawa however noted that members of the minority are supportive of any reform-oriented interpellation filed by ‘moderate’ lawmakers. “We will not hesitate to endorse certain laws that serve public interest,” he said. For his part, MP Jamaan Al-Harbash expressed hope that coordination among members of the Majority will be maintained, stressed that coordination has become a popular demand. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Syria: Suicide vehicle bomb hits military compound
Kuwait says didn’t ask citizens to leave Lebanon Gulf states issue travel warning
BEIRUT: A source at Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied any reports saying that the embassy in Lebanon was fired at, adding that Kuwait did not ask its community to leave after the recent clashes with neighboring Syria have left 10 people dead. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain on Saturday urged their citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon. “The UAE foreign ministry has urged citizens not to travel to Lebanon until the tense security situation there is cleared,” the ministry said in an English-language statement carried on state news agency WAM. The advice has been issued “to guarantee the safety of its citizens,” senior foreign ministry official Issa Abdullah Al-Kalbani said in the More on 4 statement.
BEIRUT: A suicide vehicle bomb tore through the parking lot of a military compound in an eastern Syrian city on Saturday, killing nine people in the latest in a series of blasts in recent months targeting security installations, the country’s state media reported. State TV showed footage of damaged buildings, smoldering cars, and trucks turned upside down. Debris filled a street that was stained with blood. Attacks such as the blast in Deir el-Zour, a former transit hub for militants heading to fight US forces in nearby Iraq, have raised fears that Al-Qaeda-linked jihadis, possibly including Iraqis, have made strong inroads into Syria’s rebel movement. The report said the vehicle was rigged with 1,000 kilograms of explosives and did heavy damage to buildings up to 100 meters away. It added that the explosion left a crater five meters wide and 2 1/2 meters deep. More on 4
G8 leaders back Greece in euro zone Leaders support Annan Syria peace mission
CAMP DAVID: The Group of Eight countries (G8) leaders said it is “their imperative” to promote growth and jobs to reinvigorate the global economy, and gave their backing to Greece remaining in the euro zone. “We agree on the importance of a strong and cohesive Eurozone for global stability and recovery, and we affirm our interest in Greece remaining in the Eurozone while respecting its commitments,” the leaders said in a statement after meeting at this presidential retreat. Meanwhile, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told leaders of the G8 on Saturday that Russia would maintain the proportion of its foreign reserves held in euros. “Russian prime minister noted that we are
not going to cut the share of euro in our reserves in order not to send wrong signals on the situation in Europe,” said Stanislav Voskresensky, Russian G20 sherpa and deputy economy minister. He was speaking after G8 leaders discussed the eurozone crisis at their meeting at Camp David on Saturday. The Russian central bank’s annual report issued last Wednesday showed the central bank has lowered the share of the US and Canadian dollars in its foreign exchange reserve and increased its holdings in the euro. In addition, French President Francois Hollande said on Saturday that G8 countries had agreed to continue supporting UN and Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan’s Syrian peace efforts. “I insisted that all the participants support Kofi Anan’s mission so that observers can pro-
Yemen clashes kill 34 militants, soldiers
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Chelsea beat Bayern to win Champions League
vide protection of the Syrian people from their leaders,” Hollande said referring to UN personnel operating in the country. US President Barack Obama pledged to work with Europe to balance growth with debt reduction as world leaders try to prevent the worsening euro zone crisis from destabilizing the global economy. At the wooded Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains, Obama and leaders from other major economic powers are seeking ways to soothe financial markets after worries about Spain’s banking problems and the risk of a Greek exit from the euro zone sent world stocks to their lowest levels this year. “All of us are absolutely committed to making sure that both growth and stability, and fiscal consolidation, are part of an overall package in order to achieve the kind of prosperity for our citizens we all are looking for,” Obama said. -Reuters
MUNICH: Chelsea’s players celebrate with the trophy after their Champions League final soccer match against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in Munich, May 19, 2012. Chelsea stunned Bayern Munich to win the Champions League for the first time after a penalty shootout in the Allianz Arena after a tension-soaked final had ended 1-1 after extra time on Saturday. Didier Drogba, who had equalized for Chelsea two minutes from time, struck the winning kick past Manuel Neuer as the visitors edged the shootout 4-3 after Bastian Schweinsteiger’s last kick for Bayern had hit the post. Bayern, playing in their home stadium, laid siege to Chelsea’s goal for most of the game and appeared to have won it when Thomas Mueller finally made the breakthrough with an 83rd minute header past Petr Cech. Within touching distance of lifting the famous trophy for the first time since 2001, Bayern conceded with two minutes remaining when Drogba met a corner with a thumping header to give Neuer More on 16 no chance. - Agencies
Kuwaiti crude plunges $2.31 to $103.74 per barrel
KCIC announces Q1 net profit of KD 4.75 million
KUWAIT: Kuwait China Investment Company (KCIC) announced on Saturday its net profits skyrocketed by 157 percent to KD 4.75 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the corresponding period last year. The profits per share amounted to 93.5 percent in the three months ending on March 31, 2012, according to a press release issued by the Kuwait-based company. The value of the company’s assets went up by 6.15 percent by the end of 2011 which contributed to the growth of the value of invested capital by 5.62 percent in Q1-2012, it said. The total value of the Q1 revenues amounted to KD 5.80 million which reflects an increase by 124 percent over the KD 2.59 million revenues made in Q1-2011. The profits of the financial assets doubled in this period from the figure of Q1-2011. KCIC’s investments in other companies started to contribute positively
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Greece bridles at Merkel referendum suggestion
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in the company’s revenues, accounting for KD 0.64 million, the statement noted. The total net value of assets topped KD 87.15 million, growing up by 6.15 percent from the end of 2011. Commenting on the excellent financial results, KCIC’s Managing Director Ahmad Abdullatif Al-Hamad said his company was able to reduce its losses in 2011 by a half thanks to the new strategy. “Our strategy is based on the principle of purchase and protection of assets in order to ensure high returns in the long run,” the statement quoted Al-Hamad as saying. Founded on December 12, 2005, KCIC invests and offers investment services primarily in the Middle Eastern and Asian markets; its products and services include Private Equity - which provides access to long-term capital, and advisory support and a network of contacts to Asian investMore on 9 ment companies.
London 2012 Olympic torch relay starts
LONDON: Sailor Ben Ainslie was the first torchbearer as the Olympic flame began its 70-day journey around Britain and Ireland on Saturday ahead of the 2012 London Games. The flame arrived in Britain from Greece on Friday and was flown to Land’s End on Saturday by a Royal Navy helicopter before it was used to light the torch for the start of the 8,000 mile relay. Ainslie, who has won gold medals in sailing at the last three Olympics, then walked just 300 yards, allowing some of the 3,500 spectators lining the route in the morning sunshine to touch the gold-colored torch. The yachtsman, wearing the number 001 on his T-shirt as the first torchbearer, then passed on the torch to 18-year-old Anastassia Swallow, a surfer who is hoping that her sport will one day become an Olympic discipline. Ainslie, who on Friday won a sixth world title in the Finn class as he prepares for an attempt to win a fourth Olympic gold, said it had been a special moment for him to start the relay in his home county of Cornwall. “It was pretty emotional, so much effort has gone into getting the Olympics in London and it means so much to everyone involved,” he said. On its first day, the torch will be carried through Cornwall to the city of Plymouth.
Mourners pay their last respects by the coffin of Algerian singer Warda Al Jazairia during her funeral ceremony at Culture Palace in Algiers May 19, 2012. Al Jazairia died in a Cairo hospital on Thursday at the age of 72 after suffering a heart attack. She was famous as a singer performing classical Arab pop music and also appeared as an actress in Egyptian films. (Reuters)
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Buddhists carry lanterns in a parade during the Lotus Lantern Festival to celebrate the upcoming birthday of Buddha on May 28, on a street in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, May 19, 2012. (AP)
Guantanamo tribunal weighs separate 9/11 trials
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba: A special US military tribunal at Guantanamo is weighing whether to hold separate trials for five accused plotters of the Sept. 11 attacks, a defense lawyer said. The men, who are being held at Guantanamo Bay, were formally charged earlier this month with crimes that include murder and terrorism. They face the death penalty if convicted for their roles in the Al-Qaeda attacks that claimed 2,976 lives in New York, Washington and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. “The Guantanamo Bay military commission issued an unusual order for the prosecution to show cause why defendants in the 9/11 case should not be severed,”
James Connell, who represents Pakistani defendant Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, said in a statement. “Prosecutors generally favor a joint trial because it makes their case easier.” Connell said he requested the testimony of the man who ran the CIA’s interrogation program at black sites for the tribunal’s next session in June. Jose Rodriguez has acknowledged that his team “went to the border of legality” in interrogating Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the selfproclaimed mastermind of the 2001 attacks. Mohammed, a Kuwait-born Pakistani, was subjected 183 times to the simulated drowning technique known as waterboarding during the three years he was held at secret CIA prisons after his 2003 capture in Pakistan. He
was eventually transferred to Guantanamo in 2006. “Mr. Rodriguez has important information on that topic and there is no good reason the government should prohibit him from testifying,” Connell said. “The government is using every available tactic to suppress evidence of torture.” Three of the lawyers for the accused plotters have requested that eight “top officials” from the administrations of President Barack Obama and his predecessor George W. Bush also take the stand, said Commander Walter Ruiz, who represents Mustapha Al-Hawsawi of Saudi Arabia. He declined to name the individuals in question but noted they were from the “highest levels of the government.” -AFP