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quinta-feira, 8 de Novembro de 2007
segunda-feira, 5 de Novembro de 2007
The Times - Sainsbury’s suitor ranked second-worst in survey of sovereign wealth funds David Robertson in Doha
The Times - October 26, 2007
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which has put in a £10.6 billion bid for J Sainsbury, the supermarket chain, lacks appropriate transparency and accountability, according to new research into sovereign wealth funds.
The Peterson Institute for International Economics, a Washington think-tank, has ranked the world’s sovereign wealth funds according to their good citizenship. Peterson, which analyses each fund’s structure, governance, transparency, accountability and behaviour, ranks the QIA as second-worst in the world in these terms.
The growing power of sovereign wealth funds owned by oil-rich countries has raised concern in the West about blue-chip assets falling into the hands of foreign governments. Little is known about many of these funds, which has fuelled jitters about their motivation and ambition.
The QIA is bidding for Sainsbury’s through the Delta Two investment vehicle and it has also taken a 14 per cent stake in the London Stock Exchange. The fund is run by Sheikh Ha-mad bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, but little is known about its operations. Its value is thought to have soared in recent years as oil has shot to more than $90 a barrel, enabling Qatar to direct its vast surpluses into the QIA.
Sources in Doha said that the QIA had only six staff three years ago but now has more than 60 after a step-up in its acquisition drive. However, the fund’s secrecy has prompted concern over its ties to British institutions such as Sainsbury’s and the London Stock Exchange. The QIA turned down requests for an interview.
The QIA, estimated to have assets exceeding $50 billion (£24.3 billion), is ranked second-worst by the Peterson Institute. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is rated the worst. QIA ranks behind Iran’s oil stabilisation fund and Algeria’s revenue regulation fund.
The best government-owned fund belongs to New Zealand. The $10 billion superannuation fund ranks just ahead of Norway’s government pension fund and East Timor’s petroleum fund.
Sovereign wealth funds have existed for many years, but with oil’s recent rise, those of Middle Eastern countries have leapt in value. The entire market is thought to be worth $2 trillion and the largest single fund, Abu Dhabi’s, is estimated to be worth $500 billion to $875 billion. Norway has the second-largest fund, worth about $329 billion.
Qatar’s gas reserves have given the once undistinguished desert emirate the funds for an investment drive to diversify its economy for long-term prosperity. Part of this strategy is to build a portfolio of foreign assets, which includes the Four Seasons hotel chain.
Qatar has become an important Middle East power broker and yesterday declared its candidacy to host the 2016 Olympics. A huge party sent the message that the cost is no hurdle.
Fund of information
Peterson Institute rankings for sovereign wealth funds
Top 5
New Zealand Superannuation Fund $10bn
Norway Government Pension Fund $329bn
Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund $1bn
Canada Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund $15bn USA Alaska Permanent Fund $40bn
Bottom 5
UAE Mubadala Development Company $10bn
Brunei Investment Agenc $30bn
Singapore Investment Corporation $100bn-330bn Qatar Investment Authority $50bn UAE Abu Dhabi Investment Authority $500bn-875bn
Source: Peterson Institute (some fund sizes are estimates) ###
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which has put in a £10.6 billion bid for J Sainsbury, the supermarket chain, lacks appropriate transparency and accountability, according to new research into sovereign wealth funds.
The Peterson Institute for International Economics, a Washington think-tank, has ranked the world’s sovereign wealth funds according to their good citizenship. Peterson, which analyses each fund’s structure, governance, transparency, accountability and behaviour, ranks the QIA as second-worst in the world in these terms.
The growing power of sovereign wealth funds owned by oil-rich countries has raised concern in the West about blue-chip assets falling into the hands of foreign governments. Little is known about many of these funds, which has fuelled jitters about their motivation and ambition.
The QIA is bidding for Sainsbury’s through the Delta Two investment vehicle and it has also taken a 14 per cent stake in the London Stock Exchange. The fund is run by Sheikh Ha-mad bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, but little is known about its operations. Its value is thought to have soared in recent years as oil has shot to more than $90 a barrel, enabling Qatar to direct its vast surpluses into the QIA.
Sources in Doha said that the QIA had only six staff three years ago but now has more than 60 after a step-up in its acquisition drive. However, the fund’s secrecy has prompted concern over its ties to British institutions such as Sainsbury’s and the London Stock Exchange. The QIA turned down requests for an interview.
The QIA, estimated to have assets exceeding $50 billion (£24.3 billion), is ranked second-worst by the Peterson Institute. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is rated the worst. QIA ranks behind Iran’s oil stabilisation fund and Algeria’s revenue regulation fund.
The best government-owned fund belongs to New Zealand. The $10 billion superannuation fund ranks just ahead of Norway’s government pension fund and East Timor’s petroleum fund.
Sovereign wealth funds have existed for many years, but with oil’s recent rise, those of Middle Eastern countries have leapt in value. The entire market is thought to be worth $2 trillion and the largest single fund, Abu Dhabi’s, is estimated to be worth $500 billion to $875 billion. Norway has the second-largest fund, worth about $329 billion.
Qatar’s gas reserves have given the once undistinguished desert emirate the funds for an investment drive to diversify its economy for long-term prosperity. Part of this strategy is to build a portfolio of foreign assets, which includes the Four Seasons hotel chain.
Qatar has become an important Middle East power broker and yesterday declared its candidacy to host the 2016 Olympics. A huge party sent the message that the cost is no hurdle.
Fund of information
Peterson Institute rankings for sovereign wealth funds
Top 5
New Zealand Superannuation Fund $10bn
Norway Government Pension Fund $329bn
Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund $1bn
Canada Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund $15bn USA Alaska Permanent Fund $40bn
Bottom 5
UAE Mubadala Development Company $10bn
Brunei Investment Agenc $30bn
Singapore Investment Corporation $100bn-330bn Qatar Investment Authority $50bn UAE Abu Dhabi Investment Authority $500bn-875bn
Source: Peterson Institute (some fund sizes are estimates) ###
segunda-feira, 29 de Outubro de 2007
LUSA: Timor: «Fretilin não assumirá compromissos deste Governo»
Timor: «Fretilin não assumirá compromissos deste Governo»
Diário Digital / Lusa
29-10-2007 4:34:00
Um «futuro governo» da Fretilin não assumirá compromissos do actual Executivo timorense, afirmou o secretário-geral do partido, Mari Alkatiri, à Agência Lusa.
«Não haverá reconhecimento automático das decisões assumidas por este Governo inconstitucional», declarou Mari Alkatiri, entrevistado pela Lusa em Díli.
«Na melhor das hipóteses, os compromissos serão revistos caso a caso por um futuro governo da Fretilin«, acrescentou o secretário-geral do maior partido timorense, no regresso de um retiro de dirigentes e quadros no sul do país.
Mari Alkatiri explicou que a revisão recomendada pelo retiro da Fretilin visa «em particular os compromissos internacionais que violem a nossa soberania, ponham em causa a nossa independência e a exploração dos nossos recursos».
O ex-primeiro-ministro reafirmou a sua convicção de que «a Fretilin está condenada a vir ao poder, mais tarde ou mais cedo, e mais cedo do que tarde».
Os três dias de retiro em Holarua, distrito de Manufahi, serviram para a Fretilin «encontrar as brechas que permitiram que o golpe acontecesse em 2006 e que a conspiração, surgida já em 2002, se perpetuasse», afirmou Mari Alkatiri.
Segundo o dirigente da Fretilin, «agora está mais claro que Xanana Gusmão é um dos conspiradores e, se a justiça funcionar, chegar-se-á aos outros».
«Xanana Gusmão tem aliados internos e externos, mas não quero antecipar uma investigação mais séria», respondeu o ex-primeiro-ministro quando questionado sobre a quem se referia.
Mari Alkatiri adiantou que a Fretilin vai continuar a divulgar «provas», referindo a gravação de uma conversa telefónica, sem origem e sem data, que envolve um ex-deputado, o Procurador-Geral da República e o ex-chefe de gabinete de Xanana Gusmão.
«Esperávamos do Presidente da República uma reacção mais sensata à gravação«, explicou Mari Alkatiri sobre José Ramos-Horta, que questionou apenas a proveniência da gravação.
«Talvez ele esteja comprometido.»
«Temos mais dados que, em tempo oportuno, vamos divulgar», prometeu Mari Alkatiri.
Interrogado pela Lusa sobre a origem das alegadas «provas» e o acesso da Fretilin a elas, Mari Alkatiri respondeu apenas que «há muitas coisas».
«Este país é pequeno e as pessoas começaram a ficar frustradas« com o novo Governo», comentou o secretário-geral da Fretilin.
No retiro de Manufahi, a Fretilin «definiu estratégias para ultrapassar as dificuldades e acelerar a queda do Governo de Xanana Gusmão», afirmou Mari Alkatiri.
«De modo algum vamos colaborar com o Governo inconstitucional», sublinhou.
«Temos sido suficientemente tolerantes e tem sido nossa estratégia mostrar que eles são incapazes de governar, para que quando o Governo cair não digam que fomos nós que não permitimos que eles governassem».
A Fretilin, vencedora das eleições legislativas de 30 de Junho, não reconhece o IV Governo Constitucional, da Aliança para Maioria Parlamentar, chefiado pelo ex-Presidente da República Xanana Gusmão.
Os mais de mil participantes no retiro de Manufahi analisaram ainda os «problemas» herdados da luta de libertação nacional.
«A verdade é que a luta foi bem sucedida mas criou alguns problemas mal resolvidos, que nós herdámos nesta geração de liderança», afirmou Mari Alkatiri. «Temos que assumir isso e não podemos passar as culpas para os mortos, como muitas vezes Xanana Gusmão faz. Quem já morreu, já morreu.»
Coincidindo com o final do retiro da Fretilin, foram exibidos e homenageados os restos mortais de Vicente Reis, líder da resistência morto em 1979, enterrado em Manufahi.
Diário Digital / Lusa
29-10-2007 4:34:00
Um «futuro governo» da Fretilin não assumirá compromissos do actual Executivo timorense, afirmou o secretário-geral do partido, Mari Alkatiri, à Agência Lusa.
«Não haverá reconhecimento automático das decisões assumidas por este Governo inconstitucional», declarou Mari Alkatiri, entrevistado pela Lusa em Díli.
«Na melhor das hipóteses, os compromissos serão revistos caso a caso por um futuro governo da Fretilin«, acrescentou o secretário-geral do maior partido timorense, no regresso de um retiro de dirigentes e quadros no sul do país.
Mari Alkatiri explicou que a revisão recomendada pelo retiro da Fretilin visa «em particular os compromissos internacionais que violem a nossa soberania, ponham em causa a nossa independência e a exploração dos nossos recursos».
O ex-primeiro-ministro reafirmou a sua convicção de que «a Fretilin está condenada a vir ao poder, mais tarde ou mais cedo, e mais cedo do que tarde».
Os três dias de retiro em Holarua, distrito de Manufahi, serviram para a Fretilin «encontrar as brechas que permitiram que o golpe acontecesse em 2006 e que a conspiração, surgida já em 2002, se perpetuasse», afirmou Mari Alkatiri.
Segundo o dirigente da Fretilin, «agora está mais claro que Xanana Gusmão é um dos conspiradores e, se a justiça funcionar, chegar-se-á aos outros».
«Xanana Gusmão tem aliados internos e externos, mas não quero antecipar uma investigação mais séria», respondeu o ex-primeiro-ministro quando questionado sobre a quem se referia.
Mari Alkatiri adiantou que a Fretilin vai continuar a divulgar «provas», referindo a gravação de uma conversa telefónica, sem origem e sem data, que envolve um ex-deputado, o Procurador-Geral da República e o ex-chefe de gabinete de Xanana Gusmão.
«Esperávamos do Presidente da República uma reacção mais sensata à gravação«, explicou Mari Alkatiri sobre José Ramos-Horta, que questionou apenas a proveniência da gravação.
«Talvez ele esteja comprometido.»
«Temos mais dados que, em tempo oportuno, vamos divulgar», prometeu Mari Alkatiri.
Interrogado pela Lusa sobre a origem das alegadas «provas» e o acesso da Fretilin a elas, Mari Alkatiri respondeu apenas que «há muitas coisas».
«Este país é pequeno e as pessoas começaram a ficar frustradas« com o novo Governo», comentou o secretário-geral da Fretilin.
No retiro de Manufahi, a Fretilin «definiu estratégias para ultrapassar as dificuldades e acelerar a queda do Governo de Xanana Gusmão», afirmou Mari Alkatiri.
«De modo algum vamos colaborar com o Governo inconstitucional», sublinhou.
«Temos sido suficientemente tolerantes e tem sido nossa estratégia mostrar que eles são incapazes de governar, para que quando o Governo cair não digam que fomos nós que não permitimos que eles governassem».
A Fretilin, vencedora das eleições legislativas de 30 de Junho, não reconhece o IV Governo Constitucional, da Aliança para Maioria Parlamentar, chefiado pelo ex-Presidente da República Xanana Gusmão.
Os mais de mil participantes no retiro de Manufahi analisaram ainda os «problemas» herdados da luta de libertação nacional.
«A verdade é que a luta foi bem sucedida mas criou alguns problemas mal resolvidos, que nós herdámos nesta geração de liderança», afirmou Mari Alkatiri. «Temos que assumir isso e não podemos passar as culpas para os mortos, como muitas vezes Xanana Gusmão faz. Quem já morreu, já morreu.»
Coincidindo com o final do retiro da Fretilin, foram exibidos e homenageados os restos mortais de Vicente Reis, líder da resistência morto em 1979, enterrado em Manufahi.
COMMUNIQUÉ - "One Only Foundation, One Only Vision, One Only Party"
FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN
FRETILIN
COMMUNIQUÉ
"One Only Foundation, One Only Vision, One Only Party"
From the 25th to the 28th of October 2007, FRETILIN met in a National Retreat which was in Fahi-Luhan, Suku Holarua, District of Manufahi (Same).
The theme for the retreat was “Past, Present and Future Challenges”, and had the following specific objectives:
1. Undertake an analysis of the Party’s history, the affirmation of the goal of constructing the Rule of Law and the consequences of the coup plan against the FRETILIN government, which commenced on the 4th of December 2002 up to the crisis of 28 April 2006, and FRETILIN’s position regarding the current government.
2. Debate the Party’s perspectives for the consolidation of the Democracy and the Rule of Law, Sovereignty and National Independence and Timor-Leste’s relations with South East Asia, principally Australia and Indonesia, the Pacific, and the rest of the world.
During two days, Party representatives from thirteen districts, together with the Political Leadership debated the above mentioned issues and analyzed the many challenges that the Party confronts today, as well as its future challenges.
The many speeches during the retreat identified the following problems:
§ The need for an immediate readjustment of the Party’s grassroots structure;
§ The need for a review of the methods for implementing decisions taken by the Central Bodies of the Party;
§ Systematic diffusion of information to the public and mainly the members and supporters of the Party at grassroots level;
§ The need to re-establish payments of membership contributions, as already previously decided, in accordance with the Party Statutes, so as to guarantee the financial resources of the Party;
§ Increase the capacity of the organization at grassroots level, where weak;
§ Develop Party activities in accordance with the regulations and statutes of the Party;
§ Define a Plan of Action and Strategy to respond to the current situation and guarantee the defense of the national interest in accordance with the Constitution of the RDTL;
§ Develop an environment of mutual trust inside the Party to eliminate misunderstandings between the leadership and the members;
§ Increase the capacity of the management and membership through political training;
§ Increase the participation of women, Veterans, Former Combatants in the political activities of the Party, at all levels;
§ Within the context of advancing the Second Struggle for National Liberation, increase the patriotic conscience of the Maubere People;
§ Combat regionalist sentiments and develop the sentiment for the Party.
During the two days the Leadership and the Party representatives from thirteen districts, decided:
1. To hold open dialogue meetings in all districts to:
1.1 Consolidate the support base of the Party (Clandestine Organizations, Former Combatants and Veterans);
1.2 Mobilize and organize a National March for Peace, the Defence of Democratic Rights, Justice, Freedom and National Integrity.
2. Recommend to the Party leadership to decide formally on the restructuring/readjustment of the party at middle and grassroots levels.
3. Recommend to the Party Leadership, mainly the FRETILIN Central Committee and the National Political Committee to emit a Declaration that a future FRETILIN government will not recognize and will review on a case by case basis all international undertakings and agreements, such as any eventual debts with the World Bank, the IMF or other countries, which compromise the sovereignty of the nation, for exploration for oil and gas, and any others, which the de facto government led by Jose Alexandre Gusmao may enter into during the term of its unconstitutional governance.
4. Appeals to all Party members and the Maubere People to remain calm desist from any form of violence which can lead to instability in Timor-Leste.
5. Solidify the existing alliances with political forces such as the Democratic Alliance (KOTA and PPT parties), Timor-Leste Democratic Republican Party, Council for Popular Defence – Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and others.
6. Develop relations with internal and external political forces who hold a common interest.
7. Unconditionally reaffirm and support the appeal by the Party Leadership for National Peace and Stability.
Manufahi, 27 October 2007
2. Recommend to the Party leadership to decide formally on the restructuring/readjustment of the party at middle and grassroots levels.
3. Recommend to the Party Leadership, mainly the FRETILIN Central Committee and the National Political Committee to emit a Declaration that a future FRETILIN government will not recognize and will review on a case by case basis all international undertakings and agreements, such as any eventual debts with the World Bank, the IMF or other countries, which compromise the sovereignty of the nation, for exploration for oil and gas, and any others, which the de facto government led by Jose Alexandre Gusmao may enter into during the term of its unconstitutional governance.
4. Appeals to all Party members and the Maubere People to remain calm desist from any form of violence which can lead to instability in Timor-Leste.
5. Solidify the existing alliances with political forces such as the Democratic Alliance (KOTA and PPT parties), Timor-Leste Democratic Republican Party, Council for Popular Defence – Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and others.
6. Develop relations with internal and external political forces who hold a common interest.
7. Unconditionally reaffirm and support the appeal by the Party Leadership for National Peace and Stability.
Manufahi, 27 October 2007
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