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Qatar for comprehensive solution to Syria crisis
QNA tive and sustainable outcome.
F Addressing the high-level Qatar has made every
oreign Minister H E meeting on accountability in effort to address the
Sheikh Mohammed bin Syria held on the sidelines of the enormous humanitarian
Abdulrahman Al Thani 72nd session of the United needs of the Syrian
has said that any tran- Nations General Assembly in
sition or solution in New York, the Foreign Minister people, Foreign Minister
Syria, without accountability for said that some six years since the H E Sheikh Mohammed
those involved in the commis- beginning of the crisis left no bin Abdulrahman Al
sion of violations and war doubt that the national judicial Thani said.
crimes, will not lead to an effec- system in Syria is unable or has
Foreign Minister holds series of no desire to prosecute any party
that committed any of the crimes
meetings in New York on Gulf crisis of brutality in Syria. He pointed
to the failure of the interna-
tional community to refer the
FOREIGN MINISTER H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Syrian file on these crimes,
Thani has met here separately with his counterparts Dr Vivian namely war crimes and crimes Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani addressing a high-level
Balakrishnan (Singapore) Ibrahim Ahmed Ghandour (Sudan), Anifah against humanity, to the Inter- meeting on accountability in Syria, on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the United Nations
Aman (Malaysia), Alfonso Dastis (Spain), Jorge Faurie (Argentina), and national Criminal Court. General Assembly in New York yesterday.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs David Satterfield. From this perspective the
During the meetings, the Foreign Minister discussed the unjust siege efforts of the State of Qatar
imposed on the State of Qatar and all humanitarian repercussions came in partnership with the in the investigation and the pros- Syrian crisis, supported initia- weapons, he added pointing that
caused by the blockade, stressing that dialogue is the only way to resolve group of friends of accountabil- ecution of those responsible for tives to stop violence, supported the Syrian crisis has many
the crisis. Foreign Minister also met with Secretary-General of Amnesty ity to address the UN General the most serious crimes, the Min- international efforts to prevent aspects that have received the
International Salil Shetty. They discussed the joint cooperation in human Assembly for the establishment ister said. terrorism and extremism and attention of the international
rights issues, in addition to a number of issues of common interest. of a neutral and independent Qatar called for a compre- expressed concern and condem- community.
international mechanism to assist hensive political solution to the nation of the use of chemical → Continued on page 2
95,000 Syrian kids to benefit
from new EAA-Unicef project
The Peninsula areas where security concerns societies. It is important that
prevent them from attending children who live in areas suf-
Education Above All (EAA) formal schools. Through a com- fering from armed conflict and
Foundation and the United prehensive self-study insecurity are protected, and
Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani Nations Children’s Fund curriculum, children will con- that they shouldn’t lose the
(centre), attending a session organised by the Business Council for International Understanding (Unicef) have announced a new tinue their education at home opportunity to go to school and
at Harvard Club in New York, yesterday. project to enable a further or in Community Learning Cen- dream of a better future,” said
95,000 children affected by the tres (CLCs), in safe learning Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari,
Qatar managed to break siege with ongoing conflict in Syria to environments. the Director of the Qatar Fund
access quality education with Inside Syria and in refugee- For Development.
co-financing by the Qatar Fund hosting countries, almost 12 Barron Segar, Unicef USA
pre-emptive plans: Economy Minister for Development (QFFD). million Syrian children require Executive Vice President and
This brings the total number humanitarian assistance – up Chief Development Officer, said:
of out of school children affected from half a million in 2012, “Education is one of the great-
by Syrian crisis and reached by according to latest Unicef est catalyst to transform the
New York undermine its position as an According to a statement the EAA Foundation to 1.2 mil- reports. Additionally, an esti- lives of the children of Syria.
QNA economically independent and issued today by the Ministry of lion, said a press release issued mated two million children who Getting kids affected by crisis
sovereign State, Qatar has suc- Economy and Commerce, the yesterday. live in hard-to-reach or back to learning is critical to
Minister of Economy and ceeded in strengthening its dialogue session was attended Together, EAA Foundation, besieged areas in Syria have restore a sense of normalcy to
Commerce H E Sheikh power and independence more by an elite of decision-makers, Unicef, UNHCR, UNRWA and the received limited humanitarian their lives and give them hope
Ahmed bin Jassim bin than ever, the Minister said at executive heads and senior dip- Qatar Fund For Development, assistance over the years. for a better future. Unicef is a
Mohammed Al Thani affirmed that the dialogue session organised lomatic officials. Qatar managed, have committed more than The Qatar Fund For Devel- global leader in delivering edu-
Qatar’s economy has proved its by the Business Council for under the wise guidance of the $60m in funding over seven opment emphasised that cation programs to children in
strength and resilience in the face International Understanding at the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin years to enable out of school education enjoys the largest emergencies. Through our part-
of many global challenges that their Harvard Club in New York under Hamad Al Thani, to break the children affected by the Syrian share of the Fund’s support, in nership with EAA Foundation,
impacts affected major economies the title “The Qatari economy siege by activating its strategies crisis into quality education. line with the State of Qatar’s for- we look forward to continuing
of the developed countries. under the current siege and the and pre-emptive plans that have In a drive to reach the most eign aid priorities. our work to help a generation
Despite the fact that more future”. The event was held on been in place for many years to marginalised, the extended pro- “Investing in education is of Syrian children realize their
than three months have elapsed the sidelines of Qatar’s partici- address any local or global cri- gramme will enroll out of school crucial and essential to address- full potential.”
since the illegal siege on the pation in the 72nd session of the ses, the Minister said. children living in refugee camps, ing extreme poverty and
State of Qatar, which aims to UN General Assembly. → Continued on page 2 besieged and hard-to-reach building safe and sustainable → Continued on page 2
Send international mission to document siege violations: NHRC chief
The Peninsula meetings with the victims to listen to their com- resulting from the siege. Al Marri thanked the High rights organizations, the Office of the High Com-
plaints, and document their psychological, material Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Ra’ad bin missioner in Geneva and the United Nations Special
The Chairman of the National Human Rights and moral damage they suffered. Zaid, for the efforts exerted by the Office of the High Procedures Office.
Committee (NHRC), Dr Ali bin Sumaikh Al This came during a meeting Dr Al Marri held Commissioner for Human Rights and for its positive Dr Al Marri also called for the urgent need to
Marri has renewed the call for urgent dis- with Dr Craig Mokhiber, Head of the Office of the and steadfast positions to confront the violations of work to facilitate the visits of the Special Rappor-
patch of an international technical mission to Qatar High Commissioner for Human Rights in New York, the siege countries since the beginning of the crisis. teur on unilateral coercive measures, the Special
and the siege countries to examine the grave human and Deputy Secretary-General for Human Rights Dr Al Marri gave Dr Craig Mokhiber, a detailed Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression,
rights violations committed by the blockading of the United Nations, within the framework of his explanation of the latest developments and the lat- and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion
countries. current visit to the United States to mobilise more est statistics regarding the violations documented to identify the repercussions of the siege on the State
The international technical mission, Dr Al Marri international human rights support against viola- since the beginning of the unhuman siege on the of Qatar and the siege countries, at the same time,
said should examine human rights violations com- tions of the human rights caused by the siege. Qatari people and residents in Qatar. He also briefed noting that the NHRC had received 3346 complaints
mitted by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain During the meeting, they discussed the positions the UN official on the actions taken by the National as a result of the siege imposed on Qatar, includ-
against nationals and residents of Qatar, and citi- of the High Commissioner for Human Rights from Human Rights Committee at regional and interna- ing 620 requests by families affected by this siege.
zens of the three countries themselves. the Gulf crisis and the international mechanisms of tional levels to address these violations, and the
He said the commission should hold direct human rights in the face of human rights violations results of his discussions with international human → See also page 20
02 HOME
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017
Exit permit: No Emir greets
Mali President
major complaints
QNA
EMIR H H Sheikh Tamim bin
Hamad Al Thani sent yester-
against firms day a cable of congratulations
to President of the Republic
of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar
Keita, on the occasion of the
anniversary of his country’s
Sidi Mohamed Reconciliation Independence Day.
The Peninsula Deputy Emir H H Sheikh
B Most of the Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani
rig. Salim Saqr Al grievances resolved and Prime Minister and Inte-
Muraikhi, the Head through rior Minister H E Sheikh
oGfr iethvaen cEexsi tC oPmermmiti-t reconciliation H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Fahad Al Sulaiti, CEO Alibfad ulAlalh bTihna Nnais searl sboin Ksehna-t
tee, has said that between employers of Education Above All; Khalifa Al Kuwari, CEO, Qatar Fund For Development; Irina Bokova, congratulations to the Prime
there are no collective griev- and employees. Director-General of Unesco, and Anthony Lake, Executive Director of Unicef, at the function. Minister of the Republic of
ances against particular 95,000 Syrian kids to benefit Mali, Abdoulaye Idrissa
companies and the complaints Committee has Maiga, on the occasion.
are at the individual level. rejected only two
He also said that most of the cases for exit permit
grievances had been resolved while all other cases from new EAA-Unicef project Al Rumaihi
through reconciliation between got approval.
employers and employees to meets Turkish
the satisfaction of both
parties. cases they could leave the same food minister
The Committee was set up day, for example, drivers who → Continued from page 1 education and progress towards financing contribution from
by the Ministry of Interior to are not responsible for finan- Dr Mary Joy Pigozzi, Execu- reducing this number has stag- ExxonMobil. The Peninsula
look into the grievances of cial issues and have documents tive Director of EAA nated since 2007. The partnership will con-
expatriates on exit permits, and proving their emergency cases. Foundation’s Educate A Child As part of EAA Foundation’s struct 25 new schools and Qatar’s Minister of
after it was set up no employer programme, said: “By enabling commitment to enabling 10 mil- provide access to education for Municipality and Envi-
can withhold exit permit to its No legal action the most marginalised out of lion out of school children into vulnerable and marginalized ronment H E
employee. Replying to a question school children affected by the quality education, two further children who have been Mohammed bin Abdullah Al
According to the article No. whether the committee could crisis in Syria into education, we partnership agreements have impacted by years of war, pov- Rumaihi has met with Minis-
(7) of the law No .(1/ 2017), an take legal action against com- are investing in the future of the been signed. erty, and a lack of basic ter of Food, Agriculture and
expatriate has the right to exit panies which prevent its country. Quality education is the EAA Foundation and infrastructure and social serv- Livestock of Turkey Dr Ahmet
from the country on leave or for workers from issuing exit per- driver of human development. UNESCO have partnered in ices. Through partnerships with Esref Fakibaba on the side-
an emergency or any other rea- mit, he said: “Until now there It is fundamental to reducing Pakistan to reach 100,000 out local government and officials lines of the “Turkish-Qatari
son after informing the are no collective grievances inequality, promoting well- of school children. Working with from the Ministry of Education, Agricultural Work Forum”
recruiter as per the labour against any particular company. being and building lasting peace the Government of Pakistan the the project in Angola will also which was organized by the
contract. Most of the cases are individ- and security. partnership will provide school be able to provide essential Federation of Turkish Cham-
To study the cases from all ual cases and against different “Urgent action is required to improvement plans, build gov- materials, such as desks, chalk- bers and bourses.
sides, the committee is coordi- companies. There exist some stem the growing number of ernment capacity and carryout boards and textbooks, as well as During the meeting, they
nating with other authorities grievances from companies children who find themselves community outreach. Also, 14 hire school teachers. discussed means of enhanc-
like the Ministry of Labour, the against workers because some- out of school. No child should remote districts across the coun- Education Above All (EAA) ing cooperation between the
National Human Rights Com- times workers want to travel be left without an education. It try with low primary school Foundation is an initiative State of Qatar and the Repub-
mittee, Search and Follow Up during the time which can badly is only through strong partner- enrollment rates will receive founded in 2012 by H H Sheikha lic of Turkey in the fields of
Departments at the Ministry of affect the company’s ships between governments, support to enroll children, pre- Moza bint Nasser. agriculture and food
Interior, among others. operations.” organisations and local commu- vent dropout and improve The Foundation envisions security.
“The committee has to take About the committee’s nities that we will realise the U. school facilities. bringing new life chances, real The Minister of Munici-
its decision on the appeal within work since the beginning of this N’s Sustainable Development In other project, EAA Foun- hope and opportunities to pality and Environment
three working days, and in year, he said that it has rejected Goals by 2030.” dation and RISE International improve the lives of poor and praised the strategic relations
some cases the complainant got only two cases for exit permit Worldwide, 121 million chil- will provide access to education marginalised children, youth between the State of Qatar
exit permit on the same day,” while all other cases got dren and adolescents are out of for 24,000 out of school chil- and women especially in the and the Republic of Turkey at
he said, adding that in some approval. primary and lower secondary dren in Angola with a $2 million developing world. the highest level.
Qatar ‘broke siege with pre-emptive plans’ Qatar for comprehensive
solution to Syria crisis
→ Continued from page 1
Minister of Economy and
Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin → Continued from page 1 the Foreign Minister said that
Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani The Foreign Minister said raising funds and aid is of no
pointed to the role of his Ministry that Qatar has made every use, unless aid is delivered to
and related parties in the devel- effort to provide assistance to the right beneficiaries.
opment and implementation of address the enormous human- The international commu-
these plans and stressing that itarian needs of the Syrian nity must therefore intensify its
these efforts contributed to the people, noting that Qatar has efforts to ensure the delivery of
maintenance of the normal daily always stressed the importance humanitarian assistance, as
life by finding alternative markets of stopping serious violations confirmed by Security Council
to the siege countries to import of human rights. resolutions related to the
goods and services. The Foreign Minister humanitarian situation in Syria,
The Minister said that Qatar Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani expressed Qatar’s desire to work he added.
was working on developing the during a session organised by the Business Council for International Understanding at Harvard seriously to ensure the proper He pointed out that since the
ncoecstess saanrdy mimecphroanvies mspse teod r,e dtiumcee Club in New York, yesterday. annewd emffeecchtiavnei sompe, raast iwone llo af st htoe bofe gQinatnairn hg aosf sthpea rcerdis inso, t ehfef oSrtta itne
and efficiency required for the activate coordination and coop- providing humanitarian assist-
import of goods and services, Middle East region. the vision and values set by the businesses, in addition to eco- eration between the UN’s ance to the Syrian people, adding
noting that the blockade contrib- In the same context, the Min- State of Qatar played a key role nomic and logistic zones that independent international mech- that at the Brussels Conference
uted to speeding up the pace of ister pointed out that the opening in enhancing the ability of the meet all the needs of the inves- anism and the International Qatar pledged to provide $100m,
launching initiatives, pro- of Hamad Port project comes as national economy to overcome tor. In this regard, the Minister Commission of Inquiry. “We are and so far it has fulfilled most of
grammes and laws, particularly part of a broader strategy aimed the difficulties imposed by the said that efforts are going on to certain that the day when the civ- the pledges made at both Brus-
those related to investment. at ensuring the continued flow siege countries, pointing out that complete the implementation of ilised world will be held sels and London conferences.
The measures imposed by the of alternative consumer goods Qatar’s GDP at constant 2013 logistics projects, which will accountable for its silence since “This is only a fraction of
siege countries had a positive and products to local markets at prices witnessed a growth of 2.5 contribute to reduce the short- the beginning of this crisis is not the total $1.6bn in financial and
impact on the economy, he said, the same level as before the cri- percent in the first quarter (Q1) age of storage space in order to far away,” he said. in-kind assistance provided by
adding that the State succeeded sis, adding that Qatar managed of 2017 compared to same quar- meet the need of small and Sheikh Mohammed bin Qatar through government sup-
in establishing alternative and through the port to reduce the ter previous year. medium companies and secure Abdulrahman Al Thani said that port and Qatari charities to
direct trade routes with a number direct negative consequences of As for the advantages of the advanced logistics services. the report of the International alleviate the suffering of the
of strategic venues around the the blockade, and that the business environment in the With regard to the legal and Independent Investigation Syrian people in Syria and in
world within a few days of the project will make the State of State of Qatar, he noted that the legislative frameworks set by the Commission issued this month the neighbouring countries,” he
imposition of the blockade. After Qatar an important commercial huge natural resources built on State to stimulate investment, he has confirmed the responsibil- said, extending thanks to Syr-
the arbitrary closure of its only center in the region. the revenues of natural gas pointed out that important laws ity of the Syrian regime forces ia’s neighbours and urging the
land border crossing, Qatar used HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim exports contributed to the have been enacted which have for the use of chemical weap- international community to
Hamad International Airport, one bin Mohammed Al Thani high- strength of the Qatari economy greatly facilitated the establish- ons in Khan Sheikun incident, continue supporting them to
of the best airports in the world, lighted the IMF report which and helped it withstand the arbi- ment of companies in the State which took place in April. bear this massive burden.
to ensure the normal movement affirmed that the Qatari banking trary measures taken by the of Qatar, including the issuance The Foreign Minister said The Foreign Minister pointed
of flights and cargo to more than sector remains sound, with high neighboring countries, especially of the Commercial Companies that international conferences that “.... the State of Qatar has
150 destinations around the world asset quality and strong capitali- after Qatar announced its inten- Law, which abolished minimum held to support Syria in Kuwait, taken initiatives in education and
via Qatar Airways, the best airline zation, adding that Supreme tion to increase its gas capital requirements for the London and finally the Brussels professional development in
in the world. Council for Economic Affairs and production by 30 percent. establishment of limited liabil- conference, in which Qatar has partnership with humanitarian
He also touched on the Investment approved the second The Minister added that the ity companies. participated, witnessed the and regional organisations,
launch of Hamad Port earlier this national development strategy State has developed flexible eco- He added that the State has announcement of large pledges including the Syrian Refugee
month, adding that the cost of which is characterized by a nomic policies that have provided non-Qatari investors by different countries, but the Education and Training Initia-
this project is estimated at greater focus on diversification of contributed to enhancing the with the opportunity to carry out benefit from those pledges can tive for 400,000 beneficiaries
$7.4bn and is capable of accom- economic activity. ease of doing business through investment projects in specific only be realised by fulfilling over five years and the (Educate
modating up to 7.5 million He added that the IMF said the launch of ‘Invest in Qatar’ economic fields, with a percent- them. a Child) initiative, which has
containers a year. that despite rising transport and office, which facilitates all pro- age ranging between 49% and Addressing the ministerial served about 985,000 children
He pointed out that Qatar food costs, overall inflation cedures for the foreign investor 100% in the sectors of agricul- meeting on the Syrian crisis in addition to the activities of
has all the logistical capabili- remained subdued 0.8 percent and provides support at all ture, industry, health, education, held by the European Union on Qatari civil society organizations
ties needed to import goods year-on-year-basis in June and stages of investment, in addition tourism, the development and the sidelines of the 72nd ses- and reuniting thousands of Syr-
directly to enhance its status as 0.2 percent in July. to providing advanced electronic exploitation of natural resources, sion of the United Nations ians with their families residing
a transit point for trade in the The Minister explained that services for the establishment of energy and mining. General Assembly in New York, in Qatar.”
MIDDLE EAST 03
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017
Iran vows to strengthen missiles capabilities
Tehran
AFP
“Whether you like it or not, we are going to
President Hassan Rou- strengthen our military capabilities which are
hani vowed yesterday necessary for deterrence. We will strengthen
that Iran would boost not only our missiles but also our air, land
its missile capabilities
despite warnings from and sea forces... When it comes to defending
Washington that it is ready to our country, we will ask nobody for their
ditch a landmark nuclear deal permission,” Rouhani said.
over the issue.
His comments came as Iran
displayed a new missile at a mil- and other Western governments. to carry a nuclear warhead and
itary parade marking the Rouhani hit out at those who has imposed new sanctions over
anniversary of the outbreak of “create problems for the peoples Tehran’s continuing launches
its devastating 1980-1988 war of our region every day and boast and tests.
with Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. of selling arms to the bloodthirsty There has been some sym-
“Whether you like it or not, Zionist regime which has been pathy for the US position from
we are going to strengthen our attacking the peoples of our France, whose President
military capabilities which are region for 70 years like a can- Emmanuel Macron said the deal
necessary for deterrence,” Rou- cerous tumour.” Criticism by the could be expanded to ban mis-
hani said in a speech broadcast Donald Trump administration of sile tests and cut a sunset clause
live on state television. a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran in the nuclear agreement that
“We will strengthen not only and major powers, including the would see Iran resume some
our missiles but also our air, land United States, has focused heav- uranium enrichment from 2025.
and sea forces... When it comes ily on Tehran’s continuing missile But even he insisted that the core
to defending our country, we will programme. deal not be dumped. Iran showed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrives to attend an armed forces parade in Tehran, yesterday.
ask nobody for their Tehran says that the missiles off a new missile, named Kho-
permission.” are entirely legitimate under the ramshahr after a southwestern news agency quoted Revolution- warheads only and has limited sufficient to reach Israel or US
Iran has said repeatedly that terms of the deal as they are not city, at an anniversary military ary Guards aerospace chief their range to a maximum of bases in the Gulf. Thus far, the
it has no choice but to boost its designed to carry a nuclear war- parade in the capital. “The Kho- General Amir Ali Hajizadeh as 2,000km, although command- UN nuclear watchdog and the US
defences as its regional rivals head. But Washington says they ramshahr missile has a range of saying. ers say they have the technology State Department have reported
Israel and Saudi Arabia sign huge breach the spirit of the agree- 2,000km and can carry multi- Iran says all of its missiles are to go further. That makes them that Tehran has complied with
arms contracts with Washington ment as they have the potential ple warheads,” the official IRNA designed to carry conventional only medium-range but still the terms of the nuclear deal.
21 dead as migrant boat sinks off Turkey’s Black Sea coast Syria oppn activist
and daughter
assassinated
Istanbul boat was believed to be carrying 70 Aegean Sea. Thousands died in the
AFP migrants, most of whom were Ira- perilous crossing. Responding to
qis. Unconfirmed media reports said international pressure, Turkey tight- Istanbul
Twenty-one people drowned the migrants had boarded the boat ened its sea borders and cracked AFP
and up to 15 more were miss- in Zonguldak which lies further to down on migrant smuggling rings as
ing yesterday after a fishing the east, and were trying to cross into part of a 2016 deal with the EU. Av eteran Syrian opposi-
boat carrying migrants sank off Tur- Romania. The numbers of migrants cross- tion activist and her
key’s Black Sea coast, the coast guard The boat reportedly sank due to ing the Aegean has now dwindled. journalist daughter
said. bad weather and rough waters. But increasing numbers, now rising were found stabbed to death
Forty migrants were rescued but Western Turkey and the Black Sea to hundreds within a month, are try- at their apartment in Istanbul,
search and rescue efforts were still had been hit by a heavy storm and ing to cross the Black Sea from Turkish reports yesterday, in
under way to find seven to nine peo- rains overnight. Turkey to EU member Romania. a crime supporters decried as
ple missing in the incident off the Turkey has emerged as a hub for Some 834 migrants were caught and an “assassination” to avenge
Kefken district, the statement said. migrants from trouble zones around 10 smugglers detained in seven Black their work.
The area lies about 130km east of the world including Syria, Iraq and Sea incidents between mid-August Friends raised alarm after
Istanbul. One pregnant woman who Afghanistan who are seeking a route and early September, according to being unable to reach
was rescued was taken to hospital west to the European Union. statistics published by Anadolu. Sep- Aroubeh Barakat and her
A wounded migrant girl is being taken to hospital but lost her baby, state-run Anadolu In 2015, around a million people arately, 237 migrants and five daughter Halla Barakat by tel-
after a fishing vessel carrying illegal migrants sank news agency said. undertook risky sea journeys to cross organisers were caught in two other ephone for two days, the
in the Black Sea off Turkey’s northwestern province Mehmet Unal, a local official in the Mediterranean to Europe, mostly incidents in the area whose timing Dogan and Anadolu news
of Kocaeli, yesterday. the nearby town of Kandira, said the to Greece from Turkey over the was not specified. agencies said.
Turkish police then
arrived at their apartment in
Kurds press historic independence the Uskudar district on the
Asian side of Istanbul and
found both women dead.
vote despite regional fears inveAsntiagadtoiolun scaoindc ltuhdee pdo thliecye
had been stabbed to death.
Unconfirmed reports said that
their throats had been cut.
Erbil referendum. held on a binding basis after
Reuters Turkish Prime Minister negotiations with Baghdad Iraq forces oust IS
Binali Yildirim said on live tel- would be “political suicide for
Iraqi Kurds are expected to evision yesterday the vote posed the Kurdish leadership and the from Sharqat town
vote on Monday to back an a threat to national security and Kurdish dream of independence.
independence drive that Ankara “will do what is neces- “An opportunity my generation
neighbouring countries and sary” to protect itself. He did not won’t see again”. The referen- Sharqat
Western powers fear could elaborate. dum raises most risk of ethnic AFP
break up the country and stir But Hoshyar Zebari, a sen- conflict in the oil city of Kirkuk,
broader regional ethnic and sec- ior advisor to Barzani, said: “This which lies outside the recog- Iraqi forces achieved the
tarian conflict. is the last five metres of the final nised boundaries of the Kurdish Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga (centre), the first goal of a new offen-
Kurdish red-white-green sprint and we will be standing region and is claimed by Bagh- presidential candidate of the National Super Alliance sive against the Islamic
tricolors set with a blazing our ground.” Many Kurds see the dad. Its population includes coalition, and his running-mate Kalonzo Musyoka (right) State group on just its second
golden sun adorn cars and vote, though non-binding, as a Arabs and Turkmen but it is and Moses Wetangula attend a press conference in Nairobi, day Friday, penetrating the
buildings throughout the semi- historic opportunity to achieve dominated by Kurds. yesterday. northern town of Sharqat,
autonomous northern Kurdistan self-determination a century Turkey has long claimed a ‘No constitutional crisis sources said.
region. Billboards exhort “the after Britain and France divided special responsibility in protect- Some residents celebrated
time is now - say ‘yes’ to a free the Middle East under the Sykes- ing ethnic Turkmen. Some of in the streets as government
Kurdistan!” Picot agreement. That Iraq’s Turkmen are Shi’ite and troops and paramilitaries
Massoud Barzani, president arrangement left 30 million affiliated to political parties if Kenya polls delayed’ entered the town centre and
of the Kurdish region since Kurds scattered over Iran, Tur- close to Iran. “We expect those tore down the black flags of
2005, has resisted efforts by the key, Syria and Iraq. who are against the referendum the jihadists who had ruled it
United Nations, the United Zebari said delaying the vote to cause trouble but we are with an iron fist for more than
States and Britain to delay the without guarantees it could be determined not to engage in any Nairobi October 26 -- prompting fears three years.
kind of violence, we don’t want AFP of a constitutional crisis if the Sharqat was the first goal
to give them any excuse to polls are not held within the of a major offensive launched
intervene or to question the Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta 60-day limit that expires Octo- on Thursday to recapture an
validity of the vote,’’ Zebari said. will remain president ber 31. “I wish to state IS-held enclave centred on
Tensions between the Kurd- until a new leader is categorically that there is no the insurgent bastion of Haw-
ish Regional Government (KRG) sworn in, the country’s attorney room for doubt as to what the ija, one of just two pockets still
and Baghdad hinge on oil reve- general said yesterday, seeking constitution provides,” Attorney controlled by the jihadists in
nue the Kurds see as the to assuage fears of a constitu- General Githu Muigai said at a Iraq. Sector operations chief
mainstay of a future Kurdish tional crisis if elections are press conference, called to clar- General Abdel Amir Yarallah
state. The Kurds have long delayed further. ify the law on the issue. said some 20 villages around
accused Baghdad of withhold- Questions have mounted “From the day a general Sharqat had also been recap-
ing budget payments to the over the status of the govern- election is declared to the day tured from IS.
region, while Baghdad has ment after the Supreme Court a new president or a re-elected After the defeat of IS in
opposed oil deals made by the annulled Kenyatta’s victory in president is sworn in, govern- second city Mosul in July and
Kurds without its consent. August’s presidential election ment continues without lacuna, the recapture of adjacent
A regional conflict could due to widespread without any void.” Muigai said areas, Hawija and neighbour-
theaten oil supply from Kurdish irregularities. Kenyatta would retain full exec- ing towns form the last
Kurds celebrate to show support for the independence and northern Iraqi fields to A planned re-run for Octo- utive authority, but would not enclave still held by IS in Iraq
referendum on September 25 in Erbil, yesterday. world markets, carried through ber 17 has already been delayed be permitted to make certain apart from a section of the
a pipeline to Turkey. once -- the vote is now set for appointments or dismissals. Euphrates Valley downstream
from the border with Syria.
04 ASIA
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017
Congress slams CBI registers
FIR in Ryan
Modi govt
school
murder case
over GDP slide
New Delhi
IANS
The CBI yesterday said it
New Delhi Fuel price hike has registered a case in
IANS connection with the
What costs the murder of a Class 2 student of
Mocking the govern- government or the Ryan International school
ment’s earlier claim of petroleum in Gurugram after it received
rise in GDP, the Con- companies Rs31 is the request from the Haryana
gress said what the ruling sold at Rs79 (rate in government.
dispensation had meant by that Mumbai). They make A Central Bureau of Inves-
was increase in prices of gas, profit on every litre tigation (CBI) official told IANS
diesel and petrol (GDP), and of Rs48. that the case was registered
added that it has now realised after the agency received the
that the economy needs a notification from the state
“boost of Viagra”. government and burden falls on government in the Ryan stu-
“They used to say our GDP farmers,” said senior Congress Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj meeting with US Secretary of State Rex dent’s murder case. “We have
will rise. The actual meaning of leader Kapil Sibal. Tillerson at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, yesterday. filed a case yesterday,” the
this is rise in prices of gas, die- “Instead of bringing down Sushma raises H1B visa official said.
sel and petrol. That is the GDP. the burden on the common The case was registered
One litre of crude oil costs about man they are increasing their under the sections of the mur-
Rs21 and after refining it, which burden. And their Minister says der, arms act, Protection of
costs about Rs9, ultimately it ‘Who buys petrol..somebody issue with Rex Tillerson Children from Sexual Offences
would cost about Rs31. who has a car and certainly (POCSO) Act and Juvenile Jus-
“What costs the govern- who is not starving’. “Look at tice Act.
ment or petroleum companies the arrogance and attitude of The CBI official further
Rs31 is sold at Rs79 (rate in the government,” added Sibal. said that a team of the agency
Mumbai). They make profit on “Why don’t they tax the one New York our trade and investment from India in Afghanistan, has reached Gurugram and
every litre of Rs48. “Who bears per cent people of India who IANS relations.” where he was recalibrating US will visit the school today to
this burden, the ordinary peo- own 58 percent wealth of the A State Department state- policy. collect more evidence in the
ple - those who ride motor country. During the UPA rule it External Affairs Minister ment said that they “looked Another topic that came up case.
cycles, those who drive their was 30 per cent. The poor are Sushma Swaraj took up forward to convening a 2+2 dia- in their discussions between The Haryana government
cars and also the farmers, who becoming poorer and rich the issues of H1B visas and logue” with Defence Minister Sushma Swaraj and Tillerson ordered a CBI inquiry into the
use diesel. Profit goes to the richer,” he said. the rights of illegal immigrant Nirmala Sitharaman and was the Global Entrepreneur- killing of seven-year-old
children when she met with US Defence Secretary James Mat- ship Summit (GES), which the Pradhuman Thakur on Sep-
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson tis in the near future. two countries are to co-host in tember 15. Pradhuman was
yesterday morning. The statement said that Till- Hyderabad, in November, the found dead with his throat slit
Ministry Spokesperson erson thanked Sushma Swaraj State Department said. inside the school’s washroom
Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet “for India’s contributions to sta- Trump’s daughter and his inside the Ryan International
that Sushma Swaraj “strongly bility and development in official adviser, Ivanka, who is School in Bhondsi area on the
raised the issue of H1B visa and Afghanistan and the region”. to lead the US delegation to the Sohna Road in Gurugram dis-
children falling under DACA pol- In speech on new Afghani- summit also met Sushma Swaraj trict on September 8, within
icy with Secretary Tillerson”. stan policy last month, US on Tuesday. an hour after his father
He also said the two of them President Donald Trump had This was the first one-on- dropped him.
“discussed regional issues, with said a “critical part of the South one meeting between the top Police alleged that school
a focus of Pakistan, Afghanistan Asia strategy for America is to diplomats of the two countries bus conductor, Ashok Kumar,
and terrorism” and “reviewed further develop its strategic since Tillerson, a former head 42, killed him with a knife
Congress workers shouting anti-government slogans during a all aspects all the bilateral rela- partnership with India”. of the oil giant Exxon Mobil, after the boy resisted an
protest against rising petrol prices, in Ahmedabad, yesterday. tionship, including expanding He also asked for more help became Secretary of State. attempt to sodomise him.
Karnataka court stays graft probe against Yeddyurappa
NEWS BYTES
Bengaluru interim stay against its inquiry Vedike, early this year. government control (de-notifi- Unesco condemns journalist’s death
IANS into the corruption charge,” said “The complainant (Appaiah) cation) does not arise, he said.
Justice Aravind Kumar after is a supporter of the ruling Con- Yeddyurappa had alleged PARIS: United Nations culture body Unesco yesterday deplored
The Karnataka High Court hearing both the parties. gress who accused that the state government was the killing of Shantanu Bhowmick, a TV reporter who was
yesterday stayed an “The delay by the ACB in Yedduurappa of benefitting using the ACB to target him “in beaten to death covering violent clashes in northeast India,
inquiry into the corruption registering the FIRs also caused monetarily by releasing the gov- retaliation” to the recent Income and called for a probe into his murder. “I condemn the kill-
charge against BJP MP and prejudice to the accused (Yed- ernment land (257 acres out of Tax raids on state Energy Min- ing of Shantanu Bhowmick,” said Unesco Director General
former Chief Minister B S Yed- dyurappa),” he observed. 3,546 acres) notified to form ister D K Shivakumar in early Irina Bokova. “I trust the authorities will conduct an inves-
dyurappa in a land deal for lack Yeddyaurappa, who repre- housing layouts in Bengaluru for August. tigation into this killing and bring its perpetrators to justice.
of evidence from the state Anti- sents Shivammoga constituency the public during his tenure as Justice Kumar also took It is essential that journalists be able to keep us informed of
Corruption Bureau (ACB). in the Lok Sabha and si the par- Chief Minister (2008-11),” BJP’s cognisance of Yeddyurappa’s events without fearing for their lives.” Bhowmick, a jour-
“As this court finds lack of ty’s state unit President, filed a spokesman B. Shantaram told submissions that the ACB had nalist for cable television channel Dinraat, was attacked
material in the complaint and writ petition in early August for IANS. not followed its rules, includ- on Wednesday outside Agartala, capital of Tripura state.
preliminary investigation by the quashing the FIRs, the ACB reg- As the land acquisition for ing seeking sanction from a
ACB for registering the two FIRs istered on a complaint by the residential layouts was not competent authority before Goa-Portuguese cultural fest kicks off
against the petitioner (Yeddy- Appaiah, a member of the social completed, the question of registering the FIRs against
urappa), this court grants an organisation Jana Samanya releasing it from the him. PANAJI: A two-month-long celebration of Goa’s colonial tryst
with Portugal, “Semana de Cultura Indo-Portuguesa”, got
underway in the coastal state yesterday, with a Portuguese
Kidnapped son film festival. Over a period of two months, Goa will celebrate
India’s smallest baby discharged after 132 days its colonial past with the Lusofonian state via the three-day
of tax official film festival, fusion foods and wine and musical galas in order
to promote cultural ties between the two regions. Organised
found dead MIAuNmSbai MayT 1h2e, b2a0b1y7, wduhroi nwga tsh beo 2rn2 nodn tpoe nedxrpaa Anvda hstihs il,u Dnirgesc,”t osra oidf SBuhruya- ifnes atsivsaolc giaotti ounn dweirthw tahye i Pno Pratungaujie ysees cteorndsauyla.te in Goa, the film
Nirvaan, India’s smallest wweeeigkh ot fo pf r6e1g0n agnmcsy,, w haitdh a2 2b icrmth Chil“dA C amreo, Snutrhy-al oHnogsp istatel.roid 8-year-old boy murdered by uncle
Bengaluru and youngest pre-term head size and a length of 32 cm. treatment was needed to help
IANS baby born after 22 weeks “Nirvaan had immature him breathe on his own. The HYDERABAD: In a gruesome incident, an eight-year-old boy
only, who had to remain in Neo- lungs at birth requiring ventila- steroid treatment also in the old city area here was kidnapped and murdered by his
A1 9-year-old son of an natal Intensive Care Unit for 132 tory support right from the increased his risk of having uncle yesterday due to jealousy, police said. The body of Abbas
Income Tax officer was days, was discharged from a city labour room. He required respi- infection and high blood sug- Hussain Razvi was recovered from Nagabowli graveyard under
found murdered after hospital here yesterday, said ratory support for 12 weeks ars which required antibiotic the limits of Rein Bazar police station. His head was crushed
his friends allegedly kid- hospital authorities. which included six weeks of ven- and insulin therapy. Multiple with a boulder. Police have arrested his paternal uncle Mir
napped him over a week ago According to doctors, Nir- tilator support. Multiple doses of blood transfusions, Oral feeds Jawwad, who allegedly picked up the boy from historic ‘Bibi
and demanded a Rs50 lakh vaan was treated by a team of surfactant injections were could be given only after three Ka Alawa’ around 3 a.m. by luring with him an offer of fruit
ransom for his release, police 14 doctors and 50 nursing staff. instilled into the breathing tube months of age,” said Avasthi. juice, took him to an isolated place and killed him brutally.
said yesterday. Six persons
have been arrested.
“We have arrested six sus-
pects after they admitted to India using chilli sprays to dissuade Rohingya influx
killing N Sharath and showed
the spot where they buried the
body at Ajjenahalli near
Kengeri on the city’s out-
skirts,” Jnanabharathi Circle New Delhi officials said yesterday. serious injury or arrest them, but declined to be identified as he mainly militants. The United
Inspector Rajendra Prasad Reuters Border forces in Hindu- we won’t tolerate Rohingya on was not authorised to speak to Nations has called the assault a
said here. majority India, which wants to Indian soil,” said a senior official media. “textbook example of ethnic
The accused are identified India has stepped up security deport around 40,000 Rohingya with the Border Security Force More than 420,000 cleansing”.
as Sharath’s friends Vishal, along its largely porous east- already living in the country, cit- (BSF) in New Delhi. Rohingya have fled to Bangla- Densely populated Bangla-
Shanth Kumar, and Kiran, and ern border with Bangladesh ing security risks, have been “We’re using grenades con- desh since Aug. 25, when a desh is struggling to shelter all
their accomplices Karan, and is using “chilli and stun gre- authorised to use “rude and taining chilli spray to stop coordinated attack by Rohingya the refugees desperate for space
Vinay and Vicky. A case of kid- nades” to block the entry of crude” methods to stop any infil- hundreds of Rohingyas trying to insurgents on Myanmar security to set up shacks, sparking wor-
nap and murder has been Rohingyas fleeing from violence tration attempts. enter India ... the situation is forces triggered a counteroffen- ries in India that the influx could
registered against all the six. in their homeland of Myanmar, “We don’t want to cause any tense,” added the official, who sive, killing at least 400 people, spill into its territory.
ASIA 05
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017
UN needs $200m
for Rohingya influx
Dhaka escaping ethnic unrest in Myan- putting together a plan right now
AFP mar, have overwhelmed that will be ready in about four
T Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar in or five days,” Watkins said.
he United Nations will under a month. He said that aid workers
need $200m over the The UN made an emergency were already struggling to get
next six months to face appeal for $78m on September food, medicine and drinking
the “catastrophic” 9, but UN resident coordinator water to the refugees, many of
influx of more than in Bangladesh, Robert Watkins, whom were limited to one meal
420,000 Rohingya refugees to said much more would be a day.
Bangladesh, a top UN official said needed as the exodus grows. The Doctors Without Borders
yesterday. “Our best estimate at this (MSF) group has warned that
The Rohingya Muslims, point is $200 million. We are refugee camps are on the brink
of a “public health disaster”, say-
International tribunal finds ing filthy water and faeces flow
through shanties now bursting
Myanmar guilty of ‘genocide’ with Rohingya. Rohingya Muslims stand in line to receive humanitarian aid at a makeshift camp in Teknaff,
“The fact that there are Bangladesh, yesterday.
430,000 refugees here is in fact
a catastrophic event. There is no
Kuala Lumpur question about that. We are coping the best we can,” Wat- more resilient. Some 100 tonnes of food,
Anatolia kins said. He also offered UN help in tents, sleeping mats and blankets
An international tribunal found the Myanmar government Big breakthrough with“ Wthee agroev weronrmkienngt vtoe rgye ht aorudt greofvuegrenems.ent attempts to register saernritv biny gS ainu dCi oAxr’asb Biaa hzaarv.e T shtaer tUedS
“guilty of genocide” against the Rohingya and other Mus- Our best estimate at assistance to all the people, to “The government has started has also pledged $32m to help
lim minorities. this point is $200m. make sure that everyone is cov- doing that. We have been offer- Bangladesh cope with the influx.
“The tribunal ruled that Myanmar is guilty of genocide against We are putting ered with shelter, getting food ing the government to assist with The International Organisa-
the people of Kachin and Muslim groups there,” Daniel Feierstein, together a plan right and getting access to healthcare our biometric registration tech- tion for Migration said the Saudi
head of seven-member Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal, said. now that will be ready and pure water and sanitation. nology and staff and that is still aid would be distributed “to
The tribunal, which convened in Kuala Lampur for five days, in about four or five This is our priority right now.” being negotiated with the some of the thousands of people
took into account various documentaries, expert evidence and days: UN official He described the govern- government.” who have arrived from Myan-
testimony of some 200 victims of the atrocities committed against ment allocation of new land for The registration could play mar with nothing and are now
the Rohingya, Kachin and other Muslim minority groups. a massive new refugee camp as an important role in any future camped out and living rough on
It called on the Myanmar government to put an end to the Robert Watkins a “big breakthrough”. accord to send Rohingya back to the side of the road or in muddy
violence against Muslim minorities. described the The 2,000 acres of land Myanmar, where the Buddhist- fields.”
“Visas and free access must be granted to the United Nation’s government allocation between two existing camps is dominated army has been “We urgently need more
Fact Finding to probe the atrocities committed against the of new land for a already being developed. accused of killing Rohingya and supplies like food, water, medi-
Rohingya, Kachin and other groups in Myanmar,” the tribunal massive new refugee “People have been supplied burning their villages. cine and shelter. We can and we
said in a statement. It said the government must amend its con- camp as a “big with building materials so they A huge relief operation has must do more,” Save the Chil-
stitution and abolish discriminatory laws to give rights and can build their own shelters in started with truck convoys car- dren International chief
citizenship to the oppressed minorities. breakthrough”. the short term. In the medium rying aid to some of the remotest executive Helle Thorning-
term they can build something border areas. Schmidt said.
North Korea may consider H-bomb test in Pacific Ocean Residents flee as
Bali volcano at
Seoul by a North Korean leader. How- “Kim Jong Un of North Kim said the North would tame the mentally deranged US highest alert level
Reuters ever, Kim’s foreign minister, Ri Korea, who is obviously a mad- consider the “highest level of dotard with fire,” Kim said in the
Yong Ho, said North Korea could man who doesn’t mind starving hard-line countermeasure in statement on the KCNA state
North Korea said yesterday consider a hydrogen bomb test or killing his people, will be history” against the United States news agency. Denpasar
it might test a hydrogen of an unprecedented scale over tested like never before,” Trump and that Trump’s comments had Asked about the North Reuters
bomb over the Pacific the Pacific Ocean. Ri said he did said, a day after announcing confirmed his own nuclear pro- Korean hydrogen bomb threat,
Ocean after President Donald not know Kim’s exact thoughts. additional sanctions on gram was “the correct path”. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson THOUSANDS of residents
Trump vowed to destroy the Japan, the only country ever Pyongyang. Pyongyang conducted its told ABC that diplomatic efforts were evacuated from villages
reclusive country, with leader to suffer an atomic attack, Trump said in his first sixth and largest nuclear test on will continue but all military near an active volcano on the
Kim Jong Un promising to make described the threat as “totally address to the United Nations on September 3 and has launched options were still on the table. Indonesian island of Bali, offi-
Trump pay dearly for his threats. unacceptable”. Tuesday he would “totally dozens of missiles this year as it “We are quite challenged” cials said yesterday, as the alert
Kim did not specify what The US president, who has destroy” North Korea, a country accelerates a programme aimed with the escalating rhetoric, he status was raised to the high-
action he would take against the not shrunk from fighting fire of 26 million people, if it threat- at enabling it to target the United said, but hoped increased sanc- est level, meaning an eruption
US or Trump. with fire in his rhetoric on North ened the United States and its States with a nuclear-tipped tions and “voices from every could be imminent.
South Korea said it was the Korea, sent another message Fri- allies, and called Kim a “rocket missile. corner of the world” would help Authorities warned peo-
first direct statement of its kind day on Twitter. man” on a suicide mission. “I will surely and definitely lead Kim to talks. ple to avoid camping or
hiking within a 9km radius of
the crater as seismic tremors
Govt eyes tax evaders to rattled some areas.
“Volcanic activity remains
high and there are indications
fund Marawi rebuilding of magma rising to the sur-
face and causing tremors,”
said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho
of the National Disaster Man-
Zamboanga City agement Agency.
Anatolia During a visit to “There should be zero
The reconstruction of Marawi, Duterte sppuebcliifcie da cratidviiutys inw ciathsein t htehree
Marawi City -- ravaged by said he would fund is an eruption,” Nugroho said.
four months of fighting -- reconstruction with
will come from tax-evading money from “guys Sri Lanka probes
cDoumtepraten sieasi,d P.resident Rodrigo who didn’t turn over
Much of the provincial cap- their proper taxes”. saree wedding
ital of Lanao del Sur has been
left in ruins by fighting between over child labour
security forces and pro-IS mil- Duterte has threatened to arrest
itants from the Maute group and the owners.
Abu Sayyaf, who seized the city “We will need a lot of Colombo
on May 23. money to rebuild,” Duterte said, AFP
Small pockets of resistance according to Rappler.
remain but the military has said “I have promised that to the A Sri Lankan couple is under
Villagers shout anti-Indian slogans following cross-border shelling by Indian Border Security it expects to take those in the people of Marawi and I will investigation for deploying
Force (BSF) at Dani Slariya village along the Sialkot Working Boundary, in Pakistan’s Punjab coming days. comply and abide by my hundreds of school chil-
province, yesterday. During a visit to Marawi, promise.” dren to carry the train of the
Six dead in Pakistan-India border clashes Duterte said he would fund Earlier this month, Defence bride’s saree during a wed-
reconstruction with money Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told ding ceremony, authorities
from “guys who didn’t turn over a Senate committee that Mara- said yesterday.
their proper taxes”, the Rappler wi’s “rehabilitation” would take About 250 students of a
Islamabad frontier dividing Indian-held The violence coincided with news website reported at least three years and cost state-owned school carried
AFP Kashmir from Pakistan’s Pun- a war of words between the arch yesterday. around $988.1m. the train of the 3.2km long
jab province, known as the rivals at the United Nations in He singled out the Mighty Australia, China, the Euro- saree worn by the bride as she
The Pakistani military yes- working boundary, Pakistani New York. Corporation, a tobacco firm pean Union, Japan, Thailand and the groom walked down
terday said six people officials said. During a speech to the gen- that faces a 37.88 billion Phil- and the US have all promised a main road in the central dis-
have been killed and over “Indian brutality on World eral assembly earlier this week ippine peso ($749.3m) tax aid to help rebuild the city. trict of Kandy Thursday, local
two dozen wounded in firing Peace Day martyred 6 innocent Pakistani Prime Minister Sha- evasion charge, as a source for Duterte placed the south- media reported.
by Indian troops, in the latest Pakistanis, injured 26 along hid Khaqan Abbasi accused much of the necessary ern island of Mindanao under Another 100 students
cross-border violence between working boundary in Chappar/ India of unleashing “massive financing. martial law following the attack served as flower girls at the
the nuclear-armed Harpal/Charwa Sector,” Major and indiscriminate force” in the The corporation has already on Marawi. wedding.
neighbours. General Asif Ghafoor, spokes- disputed region of Kashmir and offered to pay $494.3m to cover On Thursday, Duterte said The National Child Pro-
The incident occurred man of the country’s armed called for an international its tax shortfall, according to the that would be lifted “when it’s tection Authority (NCPA) said
within the last 24 hours near the forces, said on Twitter. investigation. Department of Finance, and safe”. it was probing the incident.
06 EUROPE
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017
UK seeks transition
deal after Brexit
Italy Proposal She urged the EU to be “cre-
AP ative” and forge a new economic
B May said Britain and relationship not based on any
ritain is prepared to the EU share “a current trade model.
abide by European profound sense of She rejected both a free-
Union rules and pay responsibility” to trade deal like the one Canada
into the bloc’s coffers ensure that their has struck with the bloc and Nor-
for two years after parting goes “smoothly way-style membership in the
leaving the EU in March 2019, and sensibly.” EU’s single market, saying nei-
Prime Minister Theresa May said ther option would be best for
yesterday in a conciliatory Britain or the bloc.
speech intended to revive found- May proposed a “Instead, let us be creative as
ering Brexit talks. transition period of well as practical in designing an
May traveled to Florence, “around two years” ambitious economic partnership
Italy “birthplace of the Renais- after Britain leaves which respects the freedoms and
snaengcoeti”a tiino nhso pweisth o tfh ree bEoUo tthinagt tshidee EsU t of owr othrke otwuto t he pwriisnhceisp loefs tohfe tBheri tEisUh, paenodp lteh,e” Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards during a rally in Florence, Italy, yesterday.
have stalled over issues includ- kinks in the final May said.
ing the price the UK must pay to Brexit deal. May proposed a transition EU in March, but negotiations an October meeting that “suffi- May wanted her speech to
leave and the rights of EU citi- period of “around two years” have yielded little progress on cient progress” has been made break the logjam, but she is
zens in Britain. after Britain leaves the EU for the key issues such as the status of on the divorce terms to move hamstrung by deep divisions
With 18 months to go before incensing members of her own two sides to work out the kinks the Ireland-Northern Ireland talks on to future relations and within her Conservative gov-
Britain leaves the EU, Brexit Cabinet-several of whom are in the final Brexit deal. border and the amount Britain trade. ernment. It is split between
negotiations have made little pushing for a clean break from “People and businesses - must pay to settle its financial So far, the signs are that Brit- supports of a clean-break “hard
progress, and the bloc’s senior the bloc. both in the UK and in the EU commitments to the bloc. ish hopes are in vain. Brexit,” including Foreign Sec-
officials have accused Britain of And although the speech was - would benefit from a period to EU officials say talks can’t The EU’s chief Brexit nego- retary Boris Johnson, and those
offering mixed signals and vague directly aimed at the 27 other EU adjust to the new arrangements move on to future relations with tiator, Michel Barnier, said such as Treasury chief Philip
proposals. nations, none of their leaders in a smooth and orderly way.” Britain until key divorce terms Thursday that “there is still today Hammond who want to soften
May’s speech was intended was in the audience to listen to May also signaled that the UK — the Irish border, the finan- major uncertainty on each of the the economic impact of Brexit
to kick-start the process before it. will pay a Brexit bill for leaving cial settlement and the rights of key issues of the first phase.” through a long transition
talks resume next week. But Standing in front of a back- the bloc, saying Britain “will hon- EU and British citizens hit by “To make progress, we are period.
while it was strong on praise for drop reading “Shared History, our commitments we have Brexit — have been agreed waiting for clear commitments On the Brexit bill, May said
the EU and shred European val- Shared Challenges, Shared made.” upon. from the UK on these precise other EU members need not
ues, the few concrete details in Future,” May said Britain and the The speech came before a Britain, however, wants to issues,” Barnier told Italian par- worry “that they will need to pay
the speech are far from address- EU share “a profound sense of new round of Brexit negotiations begin discussing future links, liamentarians in Rome. He said more or receive less over the
ing Brussels’ concerns. responsibility” to ensure that in Brussels next week. including trade and security he would “listen attentively and remainder of the current budget
May tried to offer an olive their parting goes “smoothly and Britain triggered a two-year cooperation. British negotiators constructively to Theresa May’s plan as a result of our decision
branch to the bloc without sensibly.” countdown to leaving from the hope EU leaders will decide at important speech.” to leave.”
Germany axe
Slovenia PM calls off
attacker sent to
border talks in Croatia
psychiatric ward
Berlin
AFP Ljubljana
Reuters Cerar called off
Aco Gmemrmittaend ctoo uar tp syyecshteiardtraiyc Slovenia’s Prime Minister, next week’s trip
ward a 37-year-old Kosovo Miro Cerar, has can- after his Croatian
man diagnosed as a paranoid celled a visit to Croatia, counterpart, Andrej
schizophrenic who wounded accusing the neighbouring Plenkovic, told
nine people in an axe ram- state of reigniting a long-run- the UN General
page. ning maritime dispute, his
The axe man, identified office said yesterday. Assembly that an
only as Fatmir H, ran away Cerar called off next international ruling
from police and was badly week’s trip after his Croatian on their shared
injured himself when he counterpart, Andrej Plenko- waters was invalid.
jumped off a four-metre vic, told the UN General
bridge. Assembly that an interna-
The mentally ill attacker, tional ruling on their shared from the former Yugoslavia
with a history of high anxiety waters was invalid. in 1991 as it disintegrated into
and self-harm, had “heard The Permanent Court of war and broke up.
voices” and hoped to be shot A police officer talks with local residents at a police cordon near to a house in Newport, Arbitration ruled in June that The dispute, which cen-
dead by police, the court was south Wales. Slovenia should have “unin- tres on the bay of Piran, held
told. Teen charged over London subway blast terrupted access” to the sea it up Croatian accession to the
The court’s ruling that the shares with Croatia. EU for many years. Only after
man could not be found Croatia objected at the both parties agreed to arbi-
legally culpable was in line time, and Plenkovic said he tration was Zagreb granted
with the demands of prose- London traveling on a District Line train” when the homemade bomb — had merely repeated his entry to the bloc in 2013 -
cutors, the defence and AP on September 15, and of using a hidden in a plastic bucket that country’s position at the UN. though it later withdrew from
co-plaintiffs. chemical compound known as was place in a plastic supermar- “In my speech there was the proceedings.
British police yesterday TATP to cause an explosion ket bag — partly detonated at nothing new about Croatia’s The Hague-based court
Greece makes charged an 18-year-old likely to endanger life,” police the height of the morning rush position, I mentioned the ruled that Slovenia gets the
man with attempted mur- said. hour. facts... We remain open for vast majority of the Piran bay
der and causing an explosion Hassan, who is reported to The attack sparked a huge dialogue with Slovenia and I area recognised as its territo-
measles shot over last week’s bomb attack on be from Iraq, was arrested on hunt for the perpetrators and invite Cerar to come to rial waters. In addition, the
the London subway. Saturday at the port of Dover, prompted officials to briefly raise Croatia on some other date,” tribunal established a 2.5 nau-
appeal The Metropolitan Police departure point for ferries to the national terrorism threat to Plenkovic told a cabinet ses- tical-mile wide and some 10
force said Ahmed Hassan will France. After his arrest, police the highest level, “critical.” sion in Zagreb. nautical-mile long corridor
appear in court later, accused of searched the suburban home of London police chief Cress- The countries have been through Croatian waters to
Athens planting the bomb at Parsons a couple who had fostered more ida Dick said that the “very arguing over a stretch of their give Slovenia much-coveted
AP Green station a week ago. than 200 children, including ref- dangerous” bomb was packed sea and land border since direct access to international
“Hassan is accused of ugees from the Middle East. with shrapnel and the carnage both declared independence waters.
HEALTH authorities in Greece attempting to “murder persons Thirty people were injured could have been much worse.
have issued a public appeal
to participate in vaccination
and booster shot programmes Macron signs decrees to implement labour reform
following a spike in measles
cases in the country amid an
outbreak in Europe.
The Greek Center for Dis- Paris promises to create jobs and “unprecedented wave of to make decrees, instead of a
ease Control and Prevention AP make the country more globally changes” to France’s social lengthy debate to pass the bill at
said that 166 cases had been competitive. model, along with a reform of parliament.
reported in the country in French President Emmanuel The measures aim to make unemployment benefits and a Hard-left lawmaker Jean-
2016 to 2017, with an increase Macron (pictured) has it easier for firms to hire and training plan for jobless people Luc Melenchon criticised Macron
in recent days. signed five decrees paving fire, simplify negotiations to be set up next year. as “authoritarian” and called for
More than 17,000 mea- the way to the implementation between employers and Labour minister Muriel Pen- a big protest in Paris on
sles cases have been reported of labour law measures aimed employees, and reduce the icaud said “this is a key moment Saturday.
in that period in 30 European at boosting economic growth. power of national collective because beyond a change in the “I think these measures can
countries monitored by the The move yesterday comes bargaining. law, it’s a mental shift in social be withdrawn”, he said.
European Center for Disease as unions and political oppo- Macron said during the sign- relationships, in labour rules On Thursday, a nationwide
Prevention and Control, nents stage a series of street ing ceremony at the Elysee and in the job market that we protest, backed by the hard-left
resulting in 40 deaths. protests, fearing the reforms will Palace that the first measures think is necessary and CGT trade union, gathered
The European agency weaken hard-won worker will start being applied next possible”. 132,000 people across France,
said the highest concentra- protections. week, and all will be imple- Opponents have denounced much less than in last week’s
tion of cases was reported in The labour market overhaul mented by the end of the year. the government’s decision to use protests, according to the Inte-
Romania. is the central pillar in Macron’s He lauded that the a special procedure allowing it rior ministry.
EUROPE 07
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017
Uproar over Catalonia independence vote
Barcelona Referendum row supporters of independence.
AFP “I don’t know if they see it,
D The arrests of 14 but any action which they take
emonstrators hit the Catalan government is a real boomerang against
streets of Barcelona officials on Wednesday them,” Catalan government
yesterday for a third and the seizure of spokesman Jordi Turull told a
day of protests nearly 10 million ballot news conference.
against the Spanish papers for the Catalonia’s regional govern-
authorities’ crackdown on prep- referendum have dealt ment insists the
arations for a banned a blow to the logistics referendum—deemed illegal by
independence referendum in of the vote, slated for Madrid—will go ahead despite
CataSloomniea . 2,000 people, many October 1, but also tpheen cdriancgk dthoew vno atned f rao rmul iSnpga siuns’-s
draped in red and yellow Cata- fired up supporters of Constitutional court.
lan independence flags, gathered independence. “Sorry, Spain. Catalonia is
outside a court on the outskirts voting on independence whether
of Barcelona where six Catalan Catalonia’s regional you like it or not,” read the head-
government officials, who were government insists line of an opinion piece by
detained on Wednesday, were the referendum will Catalonia’s President Carles
summoned for questioning. go ahead despite the Puigdemont published in the
“I see the detentions as a vio- crackdown and a Washington Post.
lation of human rights. It’s “After three centuries under
unheard of. For me we have ruling suspending the Spanish rule, on Oct. 1, citizens
returned to the Franco era,” said vote from Spain’s of Catalonia will finally have the
one demonstrator, 60-year-old Constitutional court. chance to exercise their right to
Josep Esteve. self-determination,” he added. Students gather in front of the historical headquarters of the University of Barcelona during
Cars honked their horns in Spanish authorities contin- a pro-referedum demonstration, in Barcelona, yesterday.
support of the protesters as they continues. Elsewhere, demon- ued their efforts to block the
drove by, prompting applause strators gathered outside referendum in the wealthy the company who asked not to another is in Tarragona. (ruling) Popular Party that wants
from the demonstrators. Some Barcelona’s High Court in the northeastern region of Spain be named said by telephone. Madrid has not said how to respect the law, they have
of those gathered called for a heart of the city, where dozens which is home to roughly 7.5 mil- Spain’s Interior Minister Juan many extra police from the pressured school directors, uni-
general strike. of people had camped out over- lion people. Ignacio Zoido sent a letter to the national police force and the versity rectors, public workers,
The six Catalan government night in tents while hundreds of Spain’s Guardia Civil police Catalan government warning the Guardia Civil force would be sent journalists, newspapers.”
officials inside the court—under students occupied the patio of searched a cardboard packag- Madrid was sending extra police but government spokesman Polls show Catalans are
investigation for alleged crimes the University of Barcelona. ing company in the town of to Catalonia who “will act if the Inigo Mendez de Vigo said they sharply divided on whether they
of disobedience, embezzlement The arrests of 14 Catalan gov- Odena near Madrid but found no illegal referendum is held”. would “reinforce and support” want independence or not, with
and prevarication—refused to ernment officials on Wednesday material that could be used in the The ministry has chartered Catalonia’s regional police force, the latest survey in July showing
answer questions. and the seizure of nearly 10 mil- vote, a spokesman for the police three cruise ships with a capac- the Mossos d’Esquadra. 49.4% against and 41.1% in
The presiding judge ordered lion ballot papers for the force said. ity for 6,600 passengers to house He accused the pro-separa- favour. Despite the divisions, a
their provisional release, though referendum have dealt a blow to “We guess they were look- the officers. tist camp of “harassing” of those large majority of Catalans want
they will have to appear weekly the logistics of the vote, slated ing for ballot boxes but we don’t Two of the ships are moored opposed to the referendum. to vote in a legitimate referen-
before the court while the probe for October 1, but also fired up have anything,” an employee of in the port of Barcelona while “They pressure offices of the dum to settle the matter.
Audrey Hepburn’s Merkel urges Germans to vote on Sunday
items up for auction
Berlin by rows over Holocaust denial,
Reuters a crime in Germany.
Polls show conservative
London arrived in London with to take Fears that apathy could Merkel, trusted by stability-lov-
AFP up a ballet scholarship in 1948, boost the far-right Alterna- ing Germans to stand up to
before she became one of the tive for Germany (AfD) in unpredictable leaders in the likes
Film scripts, dresses and world’s most famous actresses. an election tomorrow have of the United States, Russia and
other treasures from late The working script for the driven Chancellor Angela Mer- Turkey, is on track to win.
film legend Audrey Hep- 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffa- kel and her main rival to urge But the shape of her coali-
burn’s Swiss attic are going up ny’s”, including deleted scenes, their backers to go out and vote. tion is wide open.
for sale in London at an auction is another rarity being sold With many voters viewing a Most pollsters say a low turn-
that offers a remarkable insight along with numerous other fourth term for Merkel as almost out could boost the AfD, which
into her personal world. scripts featuring Hepburn’s inevitable and put off by a tur- has gained popularity by focus-
“My mother kept it in the hand-written notes. gid campaign - occasionally ing on migration and security.
attic, quite literally,” Hepburn’s Glamorous dresses by punctured by heckling and While mainstream parties
son Luca Dotti said at a view- designers including Givenchy tomato hurling in protest at Mer- have ruled out including the AfD
ing of the more than 500 lots at and Valentino -- which her son kel’s refugee policy - pollsters in any governing coalition, it is
Christie’s auction house ahead Sean Hepburn-Ferrer noted say turnout may be low. German Chancellor Angela Merkel during an election campaign poised to be the first far-right
of the sale next week. few would fit into -- have been A GMS poll on Thursday said rally of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Ulm, southern party to enter Germany’s parlia-
“My mother was not a col- put on display alongside play- 34 percent were not planning to Germany, yesterday. ment in over half a century.
lector but she kept every little ful clothing including a 1964 vote or were undecided, higher Gabriel said that not all AfD
bits and pieces for sentimental Spanish matador outfit. than the 29 percent who did not The party has been running Gabriel and some commenta- members or voters were Nazis,
reasons”. Hepburn was born in Bel- cast ballots in the last election in at between nine and 12 percent tors have likened the AfD to but the party has “people at the
An array of luggage being gium on May 4, 1929 and moved 2013. in surveys. The GMS poll and one Hitler’s Nazis. The AfD dismisses helm of the AfD that are inciting
sold off includes a battered to the Netherlands with her “My request to everyone is other also published on Thurs- such comparisons. people to hatred, that are trad-
black-lacquered suitcase she is family after the outbreak of that they vote, and vote for those day showed it chalking up gains Some of its members have ing in Nazi propaganda.”
believed to have World War II. parties that adhere 100 percent that look set to make it the third called for Germans to rewrite the Comments by some of the
to our constitution,” Merkel said, largest bloc in parliament. history books on the Nazi era party’s top members have
pointing to the AfD. Foreign Minister Sigmar and the party has been dogged caused outrage.
Authorities seek
Sweden lowers sentences of alleged attackers
extradition of
Denmark were previously convicted of attempted murder and endan-
AP three attacks. But the court in gering the public for an Russian hacker
Goteborg adjusted their sen- unexploded device found Jan-
AS wedish appeals court tences Friday, acquitting them uary 25 near a migrant Madrid
has lowered prison sen- of the third bomb attack campsite, and a November AP
tences for two men because there wasn’t enough blast outside a left-wing polit-
accused of carrying out attacks evidence. ical group’s offices in Sweden’s RUSSIAN authorities are
in southern Sweden targeting The court said Viktor Melin second largest city. fighting the extradition of an
migrants and a left-wing group. got six-and-half years — down The court says Jimmy alleged Russian hacker from
A visitor walks during a preview of Audrey Hepburn's The two, who are linked to from previously eight years Jonasson got two-and-half Spain to the US, the suspect’s
personal collection at Christie's auction house, in central right-wing extremist groups, and six months — for years — down from five years. lawyer said, in the latest move
London, yesterday. by Moscow to block US pros-
ecution of suspected Russian
cybercriminals.
Poland and Hungary persist with anti-migrant policies Pyotr Levashov, a
37-year-old known as one of
the world’s most notorious
hackers, was arrested earlier
this year while vacationing
Warsaw Italy has prompted the bloc’s encouraging ... because instead who is Poland’s leading politi- system, and blamed Poland’s with his family in Barcelona
AP executive Commission to open of mutual acceptance, the immi- cian despite not holding a opposition for having inspired on a request from the US,
up infringement procedures grant countries want to force us government post. EU censure. where authorities want him
The leaders of Poland and against the pair. to be like them, to be immigrant In a separate reproach of the The EU Commission has on charges of fraud and
Hungary insisted yesterday Following a meeting with his countries, too,” Orban said. EU, Szydlo accused the bloc of threatened Poland with potentially unauthorised interception of
that they will stick to their Polish counterpart in Warsaw, Poland’s Prime Minister being politically motivated in limiting its powers as a member. electronic communications.
anti-migrant policies in defiance Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Beata Szydlo echoed Orban’s criticizing her government’s Szydlo said in its criticism the Levashov’s lawyer, Marga-
of the European Union and Orban, said EU members must position and said security issues overhaul of the judiciary as being Commission “often exceeds its rita Repina, said a
warnings of sanctions. accept the fact that neither his were the main considerations, a threat to the rule of law. She powers and is guided by politi- counter-extradition request
The refusal by either govern- country nor Poland want to be and that their policies are “right.” told a pro-government, Catho- cal, not factual, motives.” was filed with Spanish author-
ment to back a EU plan designed “immigrant countries.” Orban also met with the lic radio station that EU leaders At their briefing Orban ities, before a hearing in Madrid
to ease the migration pressure “I told the prime minister leader of the ruling Law and Jus- have no authority to assess the vowed Hungary will side with to decide whether he should
on countries such as Greece and that I don’t see the situation as tice party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, changes in Poland’s court Poland. be handed to US authorities.
08 VIEWS
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017
EESSTTAABBLLIISSHHEEDD IINN 11999966
CHAIRMAN
SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI
[email protected]
ACTING MANAGING EDITOR
MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED
[email protected]
EDITORIAL
Cutting the glut
A landmark 2016 deal on output cuts reached
by 24 oil-producing countries can be
declared a success. There was a sense of Kurdish independence vote:
relief and joy as members of a panel
monitoring the production cut deal met in Vienna
yesterday to assess the progress of the deal. The
ministers attending the meeting announced that the
agreement has helped clear a supply glut that A historical perspective
depressed the market for a long time and as a result
oil prices are going up steadily. Oil prices have
increased more than 15 percent in the past three
months to trade above $56 a barrel and the upward
momentum is likely to continue, bringing huge relief advocating for the referendum aim at elsewhere. This mass atrocity was the
to producing countries. Lorenzo Kamel taking possession of a number of minor- result of a number of criminal policies
There was plenty of skepticism in the market Al Jazeera ity areas that are not part of Iraqi carried out by Saddam Hussein, as well
when the deal was announced in 2016 about its abil- Kurdistan. This includes the province of as of the historical context of the time
ity to arrest a deep fall in oil prices. There were two Kirkuk - an ethnically mixed area where (including the active role played by
arguments: first, the market was suffering from too W about 40 percent of Iraq’s oil reserves Kurds during Iran’s attack at Haj Omran,
much glut with the entry of new producers and the ith the possible exception of are located - as well as the Nineveh the Iraqi town conquered by Tehran’s
increase in output of old members, leading to an 17th-century philosopher, Plain, inhabited also by many Christians. forces on July 23, 1983).
unhealthy competition to grab market share, and Ahmad-i Khani, there is no The Israeli exception It is important to stress that this tragic
secondly, there were doubts whether all producers evidence that any Kurd These aspects have contributed to past does not mirror an accurate portrayal
would strictly abide by the deal. The deal itself was thought in terms of a whole strengthening the widespread opposition of much of the history of Iraq and its mul-
not easy to make and was reached after intense Kurdish people until the end of the 19th cen- to the referendum expressed by most tifaceted peoples. It is enough to mention
efforts and tough negotiations that dragged on for tury. There is an almost complete consensus players in and outside the Middle East. that support for Haider Al Abadi - the cur-
months in which Qatar played a seminal role. The among scholars that the Kurdish people - indi- This applies particularly to the US, Russia rent prime minister and a Shia - is today
difficulty was in getting all the major producers on cated in several British documents produced in and the EU, but also to Turkey and Iran: highest among the Sunni Arab population,
board. Russia, which is the first half of the 20th century as individuals the “Kurdish gambit” provided much fuel and that among the 23 prime ministers
one of the largest oil lead by a “tribesman”, or as “ a tribe who keep for Turkish-Iranian rapprochement in who held office in the country from 1921
producers of the world, very much to themselves” - represents an iden- recent months. to 1958, there were 12 Arab Sunnis, four
was not an Opec mem- tifiable group since possibly two millennia, but Israel represents a major exception to Arab Shias, four Kurdish Sunnis, two
ber and Opec succeeded it is equally clear that it was just little more than these trends. As noted by Prime Minister Christians and one Turkmen Sunni.
in persuading Moscow to one century ago that they, like Arabs and Turks, Benjamin Netanyahu, his country “sup- It is also noteworthy that Baghdad still
A landmark 2016 join them. Russian acquired an ethnic sense of identity as Kurds. ports the legitimate efforts of the Kurdish hosts nearly one million Kurds that have
deal on oil output Energy Minister Alexan- This happened in place of the idea of Ottoman people to achieve their own state”. Yet, never suffered from ethnic or sectarian
der Novak yesterday citizenship and membership of a religious com- this has little to do with idealist claims. violence. A meaningful percentage of the
cuts has proved expressed satisfaction munity, and did not result in any clear-cut The efforts made by the Palestinians to population of Basra is Sunni. Samarra, a
successful with about the success of the sense of “political loyalty”. achieve their own state would otherwise city with a Sunni majority, hosts two of
the prices going deal and said producers Transnational identities receive a similar treatment: Palestinians, the most important Shia ruins. The prov-
up gradually. needed a strategy Why then did the Kurds, like many other contrary to Iraqi Kurds, inces of Salahuddeen and Diyala, which
beyond March when the ethnic groups in the region, not identify them- have lived largely under the referendum’s promoters aim to
current deal would end. selves as a distinct people until a relatively the control of a foreign include within a new Kurdish State, have
The chances are that the recent past? Anthony Smith provided an indi- army for 50 years. represented for centuries the image of a
deal will be extended. rect answer to this focusing on the “rudiments Over a third of all of multi-faceted Iraq, within which the sep-
Having tasted the fruits of a nation”, that is a set of identifiers so fun- aration of one or more of its components
of collective action, it’s damental and so long-existing, so taken for could only create further violence and
unlikely that producers granted, that virtually no one had any need to The upcoming referendum, ethnic cleansing. Even more so consider-
will go back to their wayward ways which will again investigate them. Meron Benvenisti went a far from fostering “a ing that Kurds, like many other
push the prices down. Novak summarized the pro- step further and noted that “the whole game pole of stability” in the populations in Middle Eastern countries,
dkeuecper usp’ f etheeli npga cweh beunt hcoe nstaiindu: e“ Wouer n ceoeodr dnionta otendly j otoin t olafc ikd eonf tciotyn dneefcitnioitnio. nN raetifvleecst ds othne’t iqmumesitgiroann t’s region, goes against any bSuonasnti raenlidg iSohuisa abfrfailniacthioens s- - t hinact leuxdiisnt gp ar-
actions in full, but also work out a strategy their identity”. Among local people, different inclusive dimension and allel to ethnic or sectarian identity.
for the future, to which we will stick starting from senses of identities (connected to religious, is based on an outdated All this does not mean to suggest that
April 2018.” Opec, Russia and several other produc- local, transnational, land and family-related theory of secession that the past and present of the region should
ers have cut production by about 1.8 million barrels aspects) coexisted without any contradiction be seen in terms of a non-sectarian or
per day (bpd) since the start of 2017 as part of the between them. They were identities both dis- posits linguistic, ethnic or non-ethnic nationalism, but rather that a
deal. tinguishable and overlapping. As Barnett and religious homogeneity as scenario a la former Yugoslavia (1999) -
Producers are currently aiming at a price of $60 Telhami pointed out, one of the ways in which legitimate solutions. where the (mis)use of the principle of
a barrel, which is reasonable and achievable. Low the Middle Eastern context differs from others self-determination through the imposi-
oil prices don’t help anyone for two reasons. First, it “is that the national identity has had a tran- tion of ethnic homogeneity resulted in
will lead to a boost in consumption, and thus an snational character”. genocide - is not unrealistic, and that the
increase in pollution. Secondly, the low prices are It could be argued, correctly, that Kurdish the northern Iraqi exports, which are temporal and spatial specificities should
not always passed to the customers like in India communal mobilisation revolves around an shipped from Turkey’s Mediterranean be brought back to within their original
where the government is increasing fuel taxes phe- ethnic pole rather than a sectarian one. Yet port of Ceyhan, are channelled to Israel. A inclusive dimensions.
nomenally for easy money, thus depriving customers this consideration reveals less than what report published by the Financial Times The upcoming referendum, far from
of the price benefit. might be assumed. It fails, for instance, to shed on the period between May and August fostering “a pole of stability” in the
light on much of the fluid and multifaceted 2015 pointed out that about 77 percent of region, goes against any inclusive dimen-
region’s past, or to explain the reason why average Israeli demand for fuel comes sion and is based on an outdated theory
when European imperialists tried to create a from Iraqi Kurdistan. On top of this, major of secession that posits linguistic, ethnic
Kurdish state at Sevres in 1920, many Kurds military, energy and communication- or religious homogeneity as legitimate
fought alongside Ataturk to upend the treaty. related projects have been funded by solutions. Its approval and implementa-
QUOTE OF THE DAY The latter aspect is a reminder of the fact, in Israel in Iraqi Kurdistan. Finally, Israel tion would represent a new catastrophe
Nicholas Danforth’s words, “that political loy- (not dissimilarly from Saudi Arabia) per- for the Iraqi people, as well as a return to
alties can and do transcend national identities ceives the referendum as a way to the spirit of the Greco-Turkish Treaty,
in ways we would do well to realize today”. mitigate Iraqi (existing and potential) stra- signed at Lausanne in 1922-3, when the
Six months after the There are indeed little echoes of these tegic and economic power. All this sheds racialisation of identities, as well as the
triggering of (the cuonnilsaitdeerraal trieofnesr einn dthuem d secbhaetedsu sleudrr foour nSdeipntge mth-e lwighhotm on I strhaee rl ehaasso mnsa winhtayi nKeudr dvsa,r wioiuths eidthenntoit-iseesc, taacrqiauniriseadt,i ofonr othf ec ofimrsmt tuimnael in
EU divorce process), ber 25 in the semi-autonomous Kurdish forms of military, intelligence and busi- the region’s history, a legal validity.
it appears that the region of Northern Iraq. Indeed, the referen- ness collaborations since the 1960s, are This further confirms that, perhaps
position of the UK dum has, once again, little to do with Kurds’ perceived by many not only as a buffer today more than ever, each and every
legitimate grievances and much to share with against shared Arab adversaries but also Iraqi citizen is required to focus both on
is becoming more conflicting geopolitical agendas. as a regional strategic asset. reconstruction efforts and on finding her/
realistic. The proposed referendum aims to reassess The Iraqi interest his own peculiar way to get back into
the balance of power between Baghdad’s cen- The 1988 Anfal genocide, when - in history, rediscovering the permeabilities
Guy Verhofstadt tral government and the (marginalised, and at the context of the Iran-Iraq War - about and the specificities that for millennia
European Parliament’s times oppressed) highly divided Kurdish com- 70-80,000 men, women and children characterised the daily life in iklim-i
Brexit Chief munity in northern Iraq. And yet, there is were systematically massacred, is a still Irak, the ancient and prosperous “region
much more to it than this. Most of those visible scar in Iraqi Kurdistan and of Iraq”.
OPINION 09
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017
Catalonia is voting whether you like it or not
imperiling the Catalan economy,
Carles Puigdemont which is the motor of the Spanish
The Washington Post economy. Catalonia is responsible
for almost 20 percent of Spanish
GDP, and our exports comprise
some 25 percent of all Spanish
A exports. Spain is thus gravely dam-
fter three centuries under Spanish rule, on aging its own economy as well as
October 1, citizens of Catalonia will finally putting Catalonia’s at risk, and is
have the chance to exercise their right to even threatening to cut some of the
self-determination. More than 5 million social services to which Catalonia’s
eligible voters will have the right to decide people are entitled. Madrid is thus
on a simple question: “Do you want Catalonia to punishing each and every citizen of
become an independent state in the form of a Catalonia indiscriminately, whether
republic?” or not they actually want
The way to this historic referendum was paved by independence.
a majority decision of the Catalonian parliament. In The Spanish government has to
our last regional election in September 2015, pro- understand that its behaviour is
independence parties won 47.8 percent of the vote, unacceptable from the point of
which gave them an absolute majority of seats. view of democracy and civil rights.
Unionist parties won 39.1 percent of the votes, a clear Four decades after the death of the
defeat, while the rest of the votes went to parties that dictator Francisco Franco, we still
defend the right to self-determination but are not find that authoritarian instincts rule
necessarily in favour of independence. So there can at the heart of the Madrid govern-
be no denying the democratic legitimacy of our cur- ment. Respect for minorities is a
rent Catalonian government. For this reason, after fundamental human right, and the
making several unsuccessful efforts to agree on the right of self-determination is an
terms of the referendum with Spanish President Mar- irrevocable right of all nations.
iano Rajoy, I initiated the referendum. Our commitment to the right of
In stark contrast to the governments of Canada or Protesters against the referendum on independence in Catalonia holding Spanish flags as a pro- self-determination and to the will
Britain, Madrid has refused to accept this democratic independence demonstrator displays an Estelada (Catalan separatist flag) during a demonstration in of the Catalan people to decide its
challenge, and has opted instead for the path of Barcelona, yesterday. own future remains unshaken. The
authoritarian repression. In most repression of the Spanish govern-
parts of the developed world, police protect ballot the exercise of democracy. This is profoundly ment will not be able to change
boxes, polling stations, and voters. In Catalonia today, irresponsible. that. On October 1, citizens of Cata-
The Spanish government the situation is the opposite. Spanish security forces The Spanish government has also gravely violated lonia will exercise their right to
are confiscating ballots and ballot boxes, stripping the freedom of expression and of information. Not decide whether they want to
has to understand that its campaign posters from the walls, and intimidating only has it prohibited both public and private media become a new independent repub-
behaviour is unacceptable citizens. They have arrested officials of the Catalan from broadcasting advertisements about the referen- lic, just like other peoples of the
from the point of view government, tapped telephones, raided private resi- dum, it has also moved to block Catalan government world have done before them. This
of democracy and civil dences, and banned political rallies. websites that inform the public about the vote. is the moment of the people of
It seems incredible that this could happen in Madrid has even blocked proxy servers, a procedure Catalonia, but we are not alone in
rights. Four decades after Spain in the 21st century. One French journalist employed by only the most totalitarian regimes. The this fight. We call on democrats
the death of the dictator recently noted that the Spanish government is acting Spanish government not only wants to keep Catalans around the world to give support to
Francisco Franco, we still more like Nicolás Maduro’s Venezuelan dictatorship from voting, but also to prevent them from being this long struggle between freedom
find that authoritarian than a healthy European democracy. And consider informed. and authoritarianism.
the fact that Catalonia, Spain, and other European This de facto state of siege to which the Spanish
instincts rule at the heart of countries are currently on maximum alert against State has submitted Catalonia nullifies the autonomy
the Madrid government. terrorism. Instead of working to prevent possible conceded in 1979. A few days ago the central govern-
attacks, Spain’s police forces are working to prevent ment seized control over Catalonia’s finances, thus
Kim Jong Un, taking on Trump, makes it personal D-RING ROAD
POST BOX: 3488
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S
o much for keeping the US-North MANAGING EDITOR
Korea crisis a country-to-country TEL: [phone]
war of words. North Korea’s dicta-
tporre,s tiadkeinntg, hhaiss cmuaed freo imt a A dmeceirdiecda’lsy DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR
personal matter. TEL: [phone]
Put aside for a moment the name-call-
ing — “Rocket Man” from Donald Trump LOCAL NEWS SECTION
earlier this week, “mentally deranged US TEL: [phone]
dotard” from Kim Jong Un in comments
released yesterday. What really stands out BUSINESS NEWS SECTION
is the overall tone of Kim’s first-person TEL: [phone]
response — the first of its kind from the
North, Seoul says. SPORT NEWS SECTION
The North Korean leader’s personal TEL: [phone]
warning is aimed directly at Trump.
Dimt eaasvrpkoi ittdeys pp tilhceaenl tb Nyr oeoarf ttihhn lsKeusolstr seh,a ifsnot rrs ictohrneeie cmds sot hsetav pte anr t Nraollryt hin K forroenatn o df ethfeec Gtoorv Pearnrkm Seanntg C Homakp tleexa riinn gS eao puol,r ytreasitte orfd Nayo.rth Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a OTinENfLoL:@ I4Np4Ee6 Sn2E. c7Co5Tm0IO.1qNa
as it lays out what much of the world will
see as a frightening vision. In recent months, it has twice tested interconti- Hours later, North Korea’s foreign minister, citing that
North Korean leaders have long let nental ballistic missiles that could conceivably “highest level” phrase from Kim, told reporters in New York PUBLIC RELATIONS
their slavish state media and lower-level target the US mainland if perfected, launched two that Kim might have been signalling a plan to conduct a test TEL: [phone]
officials carry the burden of releasing reg- intermediate-range missiles that went soaring over of a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific. Ri Yong Ho didn’t elabo- [email protected]
ular threats to destroy Washington, Seoul US ally Japan, and carried out its sixth and most rate and said no one knew what decision Kim would make.
and Tokyo. That was before the arrival of powerful nuclear test yet. If Ri was referring to an atmospheric detonation of a ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT
Trump. In his statement, Kim said the president’s nuke, something that hasn’t happened since a Chinese test in TEL: [phone] / 780
The president’s repeated attempts to remarks “have convinced me, rather than frighten- 1980, it could endanger people and transportation across the FAX: [phone]
challenge Kim, using language remarkably ing or stopping me, that the path I chose is correct region. It would also be seen as extraordinarily provocative [email protected]
similar to that typically found in North and that it is the one I have to follow to the last.” by Washington, significantly raising the chances of US
Korean propaganda, seemed to reach a In a somewhat stilted translation provided by retaliation. CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT
zenith Tuesday when he vowed from the state media, Kim said his country is now consider- “We are talking about putting a live nuclear warhead on a TEL: [phone]
UN dais to “totally destroy North Korea” if ing “a corresponding, highest level of hard-line missile that has been tested only a handful of times,” said [email protected]
provoked. He followed that up by calling countermeasure in history.” Vipin Narang, a nuclear strategy expert at MIT. “It is truly ter-
Kim “obviously a madman” in a tweet. rifying if something goes wrong.” SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION
In a country where the Kim family For the moment though, tiny, impoverished North Korea
publicly enjoys near-godlike status, Kim’s has pulled off an international public relations coup by draw- TEL: [phone] / 839
decision to insert himself directly into the Put aside for a moment ing the world’s most powerful man into a direct war of words FAX: [phone]
tit-for-tat exchanges raises the stakes way the name-calling — “Rocket with its leader. [email protected]
above the level of anti-US propaganda Man” from Donald Trump And an exchange of threats is a game North Korea — a
North Koreans typically hear. nation that’s overshadowed on everything non-nuclear by its
Granted, Kim’s comments were fil- earlier this week, “mentally rich and vibrant southern rival — is more than willing to play. All thoughts and views
tered through the North’s state media, deranged US dotard” from It has, after all, for decades made the state-backed issuance expressed in these columns
wlsiuohcnihcis hae sshetiarmvtee. mS pterilonl,pt icat ogisua inlnddc baoe ne sfcfeeonirvtt aso bmultee t taohn tatht t eo Kreimle aJsoendg y Uens tienr dcoamy. mWehnatts osifd ienT twhimeo riNdldoa.rtitohn’s ain ccreuscsiaanl tp galrot roiffi ictas tiinotne roafc Ktiiomn iws aitbhe tthteed o iunt - aorfe t htheo nseew osfp tahpee wr.riters, not
world without the supreme leader’s really stands out is the large part by its success in portraying a leader willing and
approval. overall tone of Kim’s first- able to defy, with threats and proud disdain, a purported US- All correspondence
Kim’s statement also seems to signal person response — the first led campaign to crush North Korea with the toughest regarding Views and
mwinogornrreey swisn etgoa p pbroaoncsskp teuecpstt igst isov nbe entlh ltiehg ehe roNeronizrtot rhnh’s e— two airl ilc- oSef oitusl ksianyds .from the North, icmraavTgeirsnu:a mTbhplee’s sc tahhnarcnetaciotesn t hso.a svheo gwiv Keinm P sytoanngdyinagn gto jue-stt ow-thoaet wit ith Ompaiinleiodn t op athgee s should be
against Trump with action. America. [email protected]
10 AMERICAS
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2017
25 dead after Hurricane
Heading northwest
The hurricane was
headed northwest
Maria hits Caribbean and expected to
bring a storm surge -
ocean water pushed
inland - of as much
as 12 feet (3.7
Puerto Rico panel. Earlier news media modeler at Enki Research in meters) above
Reuters reports had the death toll on the Savannah, Georgia. The figures normal tide levels to
Hurricane Maria islan“Ad ta sth heig mh oasm 1e5n.t these are ianncdl ulodsesde sb iont bhu pshinyessisc afrlo dmam toaugre- psoaurttsh eoaf sttheer n
lashed the Turks fatalities we know of. We know ism. Maria’s tail end was still Bahamas and the
and Caicos Islands of other potential fatalities bringing drenching rain to Puerto Turks and Caicos
yesterday after through unofficial channels that Rico, and some parts of the island Islands.
destroying homes, we haven’t been able to con- could have accumulated totals
causing widespread flooding, firm,” said Hector Pesquera, the of up to 40 inches (101 cm) from The storm was
crippling economies and killing government’s secretary of pub- the storm, the US National Hur- expected to be closer
at least 25 people on Puerto Rico lic safety. ricane Center (NHC) said. to the US. East Coast
ahnudrrM oicatharneiare w Ctoaa rshi tbihtb ete hsaeenc Ciosanlardin bmdbsae.jaonr wstorerAkeretsod u tynoe dcs lteSeaarrdn da eyJub raainsn ,fd rp oesmoo mpthleee 1is4la dnEedlas ntehawsti howener oeref i Dnr eothpmeoi rnCtieacdrai ,bo wbneh taihcnhe, amthniedd dNBlHeeC rom sf aunidedax, tab dwyd etihenekg , Dtheea dAltyla Hnutircr iOcacenaen M ina rtihai sis N sOeAenA ’sw GitOhE HSu Erariscta snaet eJlolistee i(mtoapg)e i.n
this month and the strongest began to reopen businesses, has a population of about 71,000. that it was too soon
storm to hit the US territory of though they wondered how long Two people were killed in the to determine what, if northwest and expected to bring In the Dominican Republic,
Puerto Rico in nearly 90 years. they could operate without French territory of Guadeloupe any, direct effect it a storm surge - ocean water Maria damaged nearly 3,000
Iist lcaonmd’sp pleotweleyr k, annodc kseevde orault rtihve- ptoorwy.e r“ aTnhde rwei’tsh nliom iwteadt einrv, enno- aTnwdo o pneeo pinle t hdeie UdS w Vhiergni nth Ies lsatonrdms. would have on the pfeuesth (e3d.7 i nmlaentde r-s o) fa abso mveu ncho rams 1a2l hpeoompeles aton dh eleadd mtoo srhee tlhtearns 9, l,o3c0a0l
ers hit record flood levels. power, nothing,” said Rogelio roared past the Dominican US mainland. tide levels to parts of the south- emergency response agencies
Puerto Rico officials said yes- Jimenez, a 34-year-old restau- Republic on Thursday, accord- eastern Bahamas and the Turks reported. Some 25 towns
terday that six people had been rant worker, as he cleared fallen ing to local media outlet El Jaya. km) north of Grand Turk Island and Caicos Islands. remained cut off. In Dominica,
confirmed killed by the storm: roofing from the front of his Communications outages by 11am ET (1500 GMT) yester- The storm was expected to Maria damaged about 95 percent
Three died in landslides in Utu- pizzeria. throughout the region were day, the NHC. It was packing be closer to the US. East Coast of roofs, the UN Office for the
adno, in the island’s mountainous The storm was expected to making it difficult for officials to sustained winds of up to 125 and Bermuda by the middle of Coordination of Humanitarian
center; two drowned in flooding cause $45bn of damage across get a clear picture of the miles per hour (205km per hour), next week, the NHC said, adding Affairs said. It struck as a rare
in Toa Baja, west of San Juan, and the Caribbean, with at least damage. making it a Category 3 hurricane that it was too soon to determine Category 5 storm on Monday,
one died in Bayamon, also near $30bn of that in Puerto Rico, said By 11am ET (1500 GMT) yes- on the five-step Saffir-Simpson what, if any, direct effect it would obliterating the island’s vital
San Juan, after being stuck by a Chuck Watson, a disaster terday, Maria was 55 miles (90 scale. The hurricane was headed have on the US mainland. agricultural sector.
Trump readies new order to replace travel ban Campus hazing
under scrutiny
after student dies
Washington by federal courts before being rather than completely banning Obama-era guidance scrapped
Reuters allowed to go into effect with people from the countries on the Chicago
some limits by the US Supreme new list, would set up restric- AFP
President Donald Trump is Court in June, is scheduled to tions that differ by nation, based The Trump administration yesterday scrapped Obama-era
planning to replace his expire on Sunday. on cooperation with American guidance on investigating campus physical assault, replac- The governor of Louisi-
soon-to-expire travel ban The expiring ban blocked mandates, the threat the United ing it with new instructions that allow universities to require ana yesterday asked all
on people from six Muslim- entry into the United States by States believes each country higher standards of evidence when handling complaints. state-run universities to
majority countries with a new people from Iran, Libya, Soma- presents and other variables. DeVos has said that Obama’s policy had been unfairly skewed review policies on hazing,
one tailored on a country-by- lia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for “The Trump administration against those accused of assault and had “weaponised” the Edu- alcohol and drug abuse, after
country basis and affecting 90 days and locked out most will ensure we only admit those cation Department to “work against schools and against students.” a college student died under
slightly more nations, US media aspiring refugees for 120 days to who can be properly vetted and The change is the latest in Trump’s broader effort to roll back suspicious circumstances.
reported yesterday. give Trump’s administration will not pose a threat to national Obama policies. Women’s rights groups slammed yesterday’s Maxwell Gruver, a fresh-
Senior officials from the time to conduct a worldwide security or public safety,” a decision, saying it will discourage students from reporting assault. man at Louisiana State
Department of Homeland Secu- review of US vetting procedures White House official said with- The guidance released in 2011 and then updated in 2014 University in the southern US
rity, White House, State for foreign visitors. The review out providing details of the instructed universities to use a “preponderance of the evidence” state, died last week after he
Department and Justice Depart- also was intended to determine planned order. Trump, who standard when assessing and investigating a claim of assault. was rushed to the hospital
ment were due to brief reporters which countries presented par- promised as a candidate to DeVos’ new interim guidelines let colleges choose between from a fraternity house.
on “enhanced global security ticular security threats. The impose “a total and complete that standard and a “clear and convincing evidence” standard, Authorities who are investi-
measures” yesterday with infor- existing refugee ban expires on shutdown of Muslims entering which is harder to meet. Those rules will be in place temporar- gating the death said the
mation to be made public at 5pm October 24. The Wall Street Jour- the United States,” said the soon- ily while the Education Department gathers comments from 18-year-old was highly
(2100 GMT). Trump’s six-nation nal, quoting people familiar with to-expire ban was needed to interest groups and the public and writes new guidance. intoxicated.
travel ban, laid out in a March 6 the process, reported that the protect the United States from Governor John Bel
executive order that was blocked president’s forthcoming order, terrorism. Edwards ordered all state
universities and colleges to
review and take inventory of
Mexico extends search their abuse policies, and to
Royal farming... report back to him by Octo-
ber 29. “Over the years, there
for quake survivors hcoalvlee gbee eant hinlesttaicnsc, ess twudheenret
organizations, bands and
other groups sanctioned by
our universities have partic-
Mexico City disasters is three days, depend- ipated in a silent culture of
AFP ing on injuries, trapped survivors hazing or drug and alcohol
have been known to hang on for abuse,” Edwards said in a
Mexican authorities yes- many days more. That was the letter.
terday extended a case after a massive earthquake
search for survivors of that devastated Mexico City in Trump to dive
this week’s devastating earth- 1985, killing more than 10,000
quake that killed nearly 300 people. into Senate
people, with foreign rescue “The rescue and support
teams helping as the window for effort in the buildings that col- runoff in Alabama
finding anybody left alive was lapsed is still on,” Pena Nieto said
about to close. during a visit to the state of Pue-
That 72-hour-mark beyond bla, where the epicenter was. Montgomery
which hope is all but extin- “We are not suspending it. We AP
guished was to expire later have to keep up the rescue effort
Friday, three days after Tues- to keep finding survivors in the President Donald Trump
day’s 7.1 earthquake toppled rubble.” Authorities put the is test driving his polit-
dozens of buildings in Mexico death toll from Tuesday’s quake ical clout in a
US First Lady Melania Trump works in the White House kitchen garden with children from City and nearby central states. at 286 people, but it was Republican runoff election in
the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, at the White House, yesterday. Anguished families watch- expected to rise further with Alabama as he stumps for the
ing and waiting at buildings that scores still missing in Mexico establishment-backed
collapsed with their loved ones City. Volunteer rescuers work- incumbent over an upstart
inside pleaded with authorities ing through their third straight beloved by many of his own
Army sent to help quell Rio favela shootouts not to send in bulldozers while night fought off growing fatigue most ardent supporters.
there is still hope people could to remove tons of rubble. Buoyed by the sense the
be alive -- something the gov- In the capital’s central neigh- race is newly competitive,
ernment vowed not to do. borhood of Roma, rescue Trump heads to Huntsville,
Rio de Janeiro Rocinha favela, where approx- causing traffic snarls on one of “We know she’s alive and workers scrambled to locate up Alabama to campaign for Sen.
AFP imately 70,000 people live in a the city’s main east-west arter- we’re not leaving until she leaves to 23 people believed to be in the Luther Strange, appointed in
teeming collection of small ies. As the situation spun out of with us,” said Olinca Gonzalez, wreckage of a collapsed seven- February to temporarily fill
Brazilian soldiers deployed houses on steep hillsides over- control, army General Mauro 29, whose father’s wife worked story office building. the seat that opened up when
yesterday to help Rio de looking wealthy western Rio. Sinott told journalists that he in a Mexico City building that They had pulled 28 survivors Jeff Sessions became attor-
Janeiro police after heav- Amateur footage broadcast had agreed to deploy troops Fri- was flattened by the quake.Fam- from the mountain of rubble in ney general.
ily armed drug traffickers on Globo television showed men day in support of police, ilies were circulating fliers two days. But on Friday, despair Trump, who endorsed
rampaged through the country’s with a variety of rifles and pis- although not sending them demanding “No heavy was setting in. “Since yesterday, Strange last month, tweeted
most heavily populated favela, tols firing volley after volley in directly into the favela. “We will machinery.” they haven’t pulled anyone out,” yesterday: “Will be in Ala-
spraying bullets in the built-up a heavily built up area. A bus help to secure the region, con- President Enrique Pena wailed Xochitl Gonzalez, 39, bama tonight. Luther Strange
community. was set on fire near a major road trol traffic and control airspace, Nieto promised authorities were cousin of one of those trapped. has gained mightily since my
Intense gunfire exchanges tunnel underneath the favela, with the goal of freeing up police not giving up the search. “We don’t believe them any- endorsement, but will be very
between police and criminals and the main highway was tem- units to do more specifically Although experts say the more. There are people close. He loves Alabama, and
began early yesterday inside the porarily shut down by police, police work,” he said. average survival time in such decomposing in there.” so do I!”