Private sector hails budget
Web posted at: 4/4/2009 5:5:49
Source ::: The PENINSULA
BY MOBIN PANDIT
DOHA: The private sector has hailed the current budget and said higher allocations for public projects would help it overcome the challenges posed by the global economic downturn.
Private businesses are the biggest beneficiaries if outlays for development projects in a state budget are large, say businessmen.
And the fact that despite an estimated deficit of QR5.8bn due to falling oil prices in the global markets, if Qatar has earmarked huge funds for public spending, it reflects the government’s intention of keeping the private sector engaged in national development.
The paper also reports on joint exercises between U.S. marines and their Qatari counterparts.
Qatari and US troops in joint exercise
Web posted at: 4/4/2009 2:29:20
Source ::: The Peninsula
US Marines and Qatari Emiri Land Forces officers plot a point on a map during the first day of the military exercise.
DOHA: Qatari and American military forces are conducting a two-week joint military exercise designed to build and improve cooperation between both military forces and strengthen the defensive capabilities of both nations.
During Exercise Eastern Maverick 2009, which began on March 28, elements of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, including Marines and sailors will conduct a number of training exercises alongside the Qatari military, including small-unit vehicle training and live-fire exercises, as well as pilot training with the Qatari Air Force.
US Ambassador to Qatar Joseph LeBaron said: “The military relationship is a vital part of our bilateral relations with Qatar — a relationship that the United States values deeply.”
The ambassador added that the exercise, which is conducted annually, provides an excellent opportunity for both militaries to renew and strengthen the bonds that are vital to understanding and working with one another.
The US Marines and sailors are also taking time off from their exercise schedule to learn more about Qatari culture through visits to local schools and friendly sporting events with their Qatari military colleagues.
Finally, a third article, AFP (Agence France-Presse) discusses the perceived value of Obama's trip to Turkey in two days.
Obama poised to win hearts
Web posted at: 4/4/2009 0:48:11
Source ::: .AFPMuslims wait for the Friday congregational prayers at the Blue Mosque in Istanbul yesterday. US President Barack Obama will visit the mosque and the St Sophia museum during a two-day official visit which begins on Monday.
Obama, who will be visiting Turkey on Monday and Tuesday, has already made headway in winning over Turkish hearts since his election in January.
In 2005, only 9.3 percent of Turks said they trusted George W Bush - compared with 4.6 percent who trusted Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden - whereas in February 39.2 percent said they had confidence in Obama, making him “the most trusted leader” in Turkish eyes, according to a poll by the Infakto Research Workshop company.
While a Turkish businessman sought to make a fortune by claiming he was the manufacturer of the shoes thrown at Bush last year, a leading Turkish bank is now seeking to capitalise on Obama’s reassuring image, using a look-alike in a TV advertisement promoting “anti-crisis” loans.
“The Garanti Bank said it wanted to revitalise the economy and we thought that Obama is seen as the sole person who can stop the economic downturn,” said Bediz Eker, a manager at the company which shot the advertisement. Bush’s invasion of neighbouring Iraq in 2003, in which Ankara denied US troops permission to use its territory, led to an outpouring of solidarity with the Iraqis and fuelled fears here that the United States wants to fundamentally reshape the Middle East.
“The Turks hated Bush... Bush linked everything to terrorism and Islam and he was very wrong. He crusaded in a way,” Orhan Tekelioglu, an academic specialising in popular culture said.
“The Turks have a very positive feeling about Obama because he is not creating a world where he is going to act as the only leader... He says he wants to cooperate. Bush was not saying so,” he added. Tekelioglu noted that Obama’s ethnic origin was also appealing to the Turks.
