US legal eagles fly in for Moscow case
By Neil Buckley in Moscow and Joanna Chung in New York
Published: June 29 2008 22:53 | Last updated: June 29 2008 22:53
Titans of the US legal system will argue before a Moscow judge on Monday over a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit being brought under American law that is highly unusual – even by the standards of Russian justice.
At issue is a $22.5bn damages claim against Bank of New York Mellon by the Russian Federal Customs Service with potentially far-reaching implications. It relates to a decade-old money laundering case that had been thought resolved.
Bank of New York reached a $14m settlement with US federal prosecutors in 2005 after two Russian émigrés, one a bank vice-president, admitted helping to launder $7bn of Russian money in the late 1990s. Now Russia is demanding billions in unpaid taxes on the money.
Russian customs has brought in Alan Dershowitz, the Harvard law professor who advised on the defence of OJ Simpson, as an expert witness. They are also fielding Robert Blakey, an author of the US racketeer-influenced and corrupt organisations (Rico) statute – which they are trying to use in the Moscow Arbitration Court. Bank of New York’s lawyers are fielding Dick Thornburgh, a former attorney-general and Pennsylvania governor.
The case is an important test of whether Rico can be applied outside the US. It will put a spotlight on President Dmitry Medvedev’s pledges to strengthen the Russian judiciary’s independence.
Background
Alan Dershowitz is the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at the Harvard Law School. As well as his legal work, he is known for his commentary on the Arab-Israeli conflict.
As a criminal appellate lawyer, Mr Dershowitz successfully argued to overturn the conviction of Claus von Bulow for the attempted murder of his wife. He also served as the appellate adviser in the trial of O.J. Simpson, the former American football player and actor.
Mr Dershowitz was made a full professor of law in 1967, aged 28, becoming, at that time, Harvard’s youngest full law professor.
As Mr Medvedev has admitted, Russian courts frequently become tools of state authorities or wealthy businessmen. Some Moscow observers suggest the BNY case could not have got this far without support from a high-level “sponsor” in government, the security services, or business – or one well-connected in all three areas.
Podhurst Orseck, the Miami-based lawyers representing Russian customs in association with a Moscow firm, are demanding $22.5bn damages, based on claimed direct and indirect losses to the Russian budget of $7.5bn. Rico allows damages to be trebled on a punitive basis.
BNY and its lawyers, Boies, Schiller & Flexner, insist the case is frivolous. They argue Rico claims cannot be brought outside the US, and a public, criminal law cannot be adjudicated on by a private commercial court.
“To be in the Moscow [Arbitration] Court trying to bring a US public law case such as Rico is barred by Russian and US law,” says Jonathan Schiller, co-founder of Boies, Schiller & Flexner and lead counsel on the BNY case. Mr Thornburgh backs that argument.
Mr Schiller also says the case lacks the two “predicate” crimes required for a Rico case. Bank of New York was never charged with or admitted to money-laundering, he says; it admitted only to monitoring failures. Lucy Edwards, the employee involved, and her husband Peter Berlin also admitted only to conspiracy to launder and violating reporting laws, not money-laundering itself.
But Mr Dershowitz and Mr Blakey argue Rico can be applied outside the US. That question, not the case’s merits, is the focus of Monday's’s hearing, with BNY attempting to dismiss the case. “There is nothing in the Rico statute or legislative history that precludes the Russian court from applying Rico,” says Mr Dershowitz, who adds it is “very important” for Rico laws to be applied extra-territorially.
He points out Rico is both a criminal and a civil law, and the Russians are seeking to apply only the civil part. “We have to prove that money laundering occurred, but that will not be hard to do. The burden of proof is much lighter in a civil case than in a criminal case.”
This is raising questions about whether BNY should establish a reserve against a possible loss. Ken Thomas, an independent expert retained by the Russian side’s lawyers, wrote this month to Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve chairman, warning an adverse ruling could not just damage the 12-largest US bank but pose potential systemic risks.
Mr Schiller says the bank has few assets that could be pursued in Russia, and a damages ruling could not be enforced in the US or many other countries where the bank has significant assets thanks to the “revenue rule” barring authorities from collecting foreign tax claims.
“The US will not permit, and has not for 200 years, the application of a foreign government’s tax laws in the United States,” he says. “Just as Russia would not expect the US to collect its taxes over there.”
BNY says US accounting rules require a reserve only if losses are “probable and reasonably estimable”.
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China, Russia and India lift company profiles
By Simon Briscoe, Bernard Simon, Peggy Hollinger and Mark Mulligan
Published: June 27 2008 23:15 | Last updated: June 27 2008 23:15
China, Russia and India – helped by their surging economies – have the fastest-growing presence in the FT500 list of the world’s most important companies, which is published on Saturday.
They have breached the top 10 and muster 50 companies between them in the top 500, against having hardly any presence a decade ago.
But the performance of the developed world in the rankings since the mid-1990s has been intriguing. The dominance of the US has weakened, yet the number of Canadian companies has risen.
In Europe, the number of British and Dutch companies has fallen and the amount of German and Swiss companies has been broadly stable. Yet, French and Spanish representation has nearly doubled since 1996, when the Financial Times published its first Global 500.
What accounts for some of these mature economy success stories?
In Canada’s case, its presence in the FT500 has risen from 10 to 24 companies since 1996.
The period has seen a seismic shift from the traditional financial services, manufacturing and transportation industries of Ontario and Quebec to the resource-rich western provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Strong commodity prices have bolstered the cash reserves of energy, mining and fertiliser producers, and made their shares a valuable currency to finance expansion and takeovers.
Capital spending in northern Alberta’s oil sands, estimated at C$20bn ($19.7bn) this year, now exceeds investment by the entire country’s manufacturing sector. Barrick Gold, still based in Toronto, has become the world’s top gold producer through several large acquisitions.
By contrast, the big five banks, which dominated corporate Canada a decade ago, have been held back by politicians’ refusal to allow mergers and takeovers in the sector for fear of triggering branch closures and job losses.
A handful of fast-growing, entrepreneurial businesses has also made a mark, notably Research In Motion, which manufactures the BlackBerry.
France’s economy may be sluggish, its consumers depressed and its politicians as wary of globalisation as ever, but the country’s companies are far from defeatist and their representation in the FT500 has risen from 18 to 31 companies. Success has come in spite of the costly imposition of the 35-hour work week at home, burdensome regulation and heavy social and fiscal charges.
Not only have French companies been aggressive buyers of businesses abroad to deliver the growth that was impossible at home, but some company bosses suggest they have been able to deliver higher returns there by using the survival techniques developed for a restrictive French market.
But not all of France’s gains can be put down to growth. Four of the new entrants since 1996 are privatisations, such as the partial sell-off that brought electricity group EDF and carmaker Renault to the market.
There have also been a number of mergers and takeovers creating companies of sufficient size – such as ArcelorMittal or EADS – to elbow their way into the FT500 ranks.
Spain has lifted its presence in the rankings from six to 14 companies. But even today, more than 20 years after Spanish companies began expanding abroad, the idea that one would run an airport, offer a mortgage or provide mobile telephone services in the UK, generate electricity in the US or operate a toll road in Canada might still cause surprise.
However, Ferrovial, Santander, Telefónica, Iberdrola and Cintra, are all Spanish companies that started life as small family concerns, state monopolies or private sector competitors and today are among the world’s biggest in their sectors.
Initially focused on buying privatised utilities and banks in Latin America, Spain’s big corporate names have, since the late 1990s, swung their spotlights on to North America and Europe, as cheap credit fuelled a mergers and acquisitions boom.
Having consolidated the fruits of their earlier forays, Spanish multinationals had both the financial muscle and managerial expertise to seek out other opportunities.
The liberalisation of the Spanish energy, telecommunications and financial services markets that came with European Union membership left many companies with little room to increase domestic market share, but still small enough to be taken over by European or US multinationals. The idea was to acquire or be acquired.
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Gazprom chief warns Ukraine on gas price
By Catherine Belton in Moscow
Published: June 28 2008 01:46 | Last updated: June 28 2008 01:46
The price Ukraine pays for gas imported from Russia could more than double next year, the head of Gazprom warned on Friday.
Alexei Miller said prices for Ukraine could rise to more than $400 (€254, £200) per 1,000 cubic metres in 2009 – up from $179.5 this year – if, as expected, the Russian state-controlled monopoly has to pay more for the gas it buys from Central Asia.
The increase could spark a new price dispute as Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukrainian prime minister, headed for Moscow on Friday evening.
Gazprom delivers more than a quarter of Europe’s gas supplies, mostly through Ukraine. Previous pricing disputes have led to disruptions in supplies to Europe.
Gazprom has signalled that deals with Central Asian suppliers could be reviewed upwards. It is yet to agree any new contracts.
Mr Miller’s comments came as Gazprom elected Viktor Zubkov, an ally of former president Vladimir Putin and a former prime minister, to take over from Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s president, as chairman of the world’s largest gas company at its annual meeting on Friday.
Arguing that state energy companies were set to dominate the global battle for new resources, Mr Miller told shareholders that Gazprom intended to extend its global reach by buying power and oil assets abroad.
He also said that Gazprom intended to expand its presence in the Russian oil sector.
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Berlusconi in race for immunity
By Guy Dinmore in Rome
Published: June 28 2008 02:46 | Last updated: June 28 2008 02:46
Racing against time before a verdict in a corruption trial involving Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s cabinet on Friday approved a bill that would give blanket immunity to the prime minister and three other senior officials.
The bill now moves to parliament, where Mr Berlusconi’s new centre-right coalition has a large majority. It could become law by the end of July if Giorgio Napolitano, the head of state, gives his assent.
Meanwhile, the trial in a Milan court of Mr Berlusconi and David Mills, a British lawyer, is nearing conclusion in spite of efforts by the prime minister’s legal team to remove a judge on grounds of bias.
“Either I work as prime minister or I dedicate my time preparing for court appearances. One cannot do both,” said Mr Berlusconi, billionaire media mogul and three-time prime minister.
“Now we are becoming a normal country,” he said, reiterating the official argument that Italy was falling in line with other democracies. Constitutional experts disagree, although some heads of state, including the presidents of France and Germany and the English sovereign, enjoy considerable immunity.
Twice in the past week Mr Berlusconi has denounced judges as anti-democratic and a “cancer”, accusing them of hounding him and denying the wishes of the “sovereign” electorate since he first took office in 1994. His outbursts have convinced commentators that his lawyers fear a guilty verdict in Milan. It would not be his first, and two stages of appeal exist, but some commentators have speculated that Mr Berlusconi might resign because of the damage to his standing after just a few weeks back in office.
Given his resounding poll success in April, resignation would seem unlikely. However, he runs the risk of repeating his 2001-2006 term, when his court battles overshadowed economic reform efforts.
Already the centre-left opposition has broken off dialogue on constitutional reform, accusing Mr Berlusconi of going too far with his “security” measures. Separately, the government has also tabled emergency legislation that would suspend some non-priority trials, including Mr Berlusconi’s, in order to speed up more urgent cases.
Mr Berlusconi is accused of giving $600,000 to Mr Mills, his former lawyer, to give false testimony in cases related to alleged secret accounts held in the billionaire’s business empire. Both men deny the charges.
Mr Berlusconi has faced the courts many times – 17 according to his lawyer – and undergone dozens of investigations. Either cases have been dismissed or convictions have lapsed during the appeals process because of the statute of limitations. Two other cases are pending.
The bill would shield the prime minister, president and speakers of both houses. In 2004 the Constitutional Court rejected a similar bill passed by the previous Berlusconi government. Ministers say this new bill meets the court’s objections. Constitutional experts disagree.
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Noodle Made in Japan Isn't Just About Ramen as Commodities Soar
By Yoshifumi Takemoto
More Photos/Details
June 27 (Bloomberg) -- From dusk till midnight, office workers in suits and T-shirted tourists crowd Fukuoka's open-air food stalls to perch on benches and slurp steaming pork-bone broth with thin, yellow noodles.
Hakata ramen, a specialty of Japan's southern island of Kyushu, is popular for its firm, chewy noodles made with high- protein wheat flour milled from grain grown in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Higher global prices have hit noodle sellers hard.
``Rising wheat and energy costs are hurting our business as we can't pass on the increases through higher ramen prices,'' says Yasutomo Yamagami, ladling soup into large bowls. Vendors in the port city keep prices as low as possible to win customers.
The solution may be just down the road, where scientists are testing new varieties of wheat in an effort to satisfy local tastes and reduce imports. The project is just one of the ways Japan is trying to lessen its reliance on overseas suppliers as commodity prices hover near record highs.
Nippon Steel Corp., the world's second-biggest maker of the metal, opened a furnace last month that cuts use of high-quality coking coal, which tripled to $300 a metric ton in the year through March. Shimaya Co., Japan's second-largest maker of powdered soup bases called dashi, uses more monosodium glutamate and less whey after the milk by-product quadrupled in price from late 2006 to mid-2007.
``Japan is good at coping, judging by what they did during the oil shortages'' in the 1970s, says Masayuki Kubota, who oversees $1.7 billion at Daiwa SB Investments Ltd. in Tokyo. ``It may take some time, but they can produce surprising results.''
Japan increased fuel efficiency after the price shock and now uses less oil for each $1,000 increase in gross domestic product than either the U.S. or Europe, according to the International Energy Agency.
Too Soft
In Fukuoka prefecture, Japan's second-largest wheat-growing area with an annual harvest of 68,000 tons, farmers traditionally could produce only lower protein varieties used to make a thick, white udon that is too soft for many diners' tastes.
``Wheat demand for making udon noodles in Fukuoka was saturated, and we had to create new opportunities,'' says Yuji Hamachi, the director of the Fukuoka Agricultural Research Center, which started looking for alternative crops in 2004.
Researchers tested 2,000 hybrids to find a variety that could thrive in Kyushu's humid, rainy climate. The crops were grown on test plots surrounding the hilltop center where scientists previously developed larger, sweeter strawberries now exported to Hong Kong, Thailand and the U.S.
`Very Tasty'
Three grain types were shortlisted and used in ramen dishes that were taste-tested by judges including Fukuoka Prefecture Governor Wataru Aso. In October 2006, he declared the winning noodle ``very tasty'' and said it improved the dish, according to Yoshihiro Kanegae, the prefecture's manager of rice farming.
The favored hybrid was planted last year at five farms in Fukuoka for harvesting this month. Researchers plan to grow enough wheat for 60 million servings of ramen, half the annual sales at Fukuoka's 2,500 ramen restaurants, by 2012.
That may help Japan, the world's biggest net food importer, achieve its goal of boosting food self-sufficiency to 45 percent in 2015 from 39 percent now.
``Given improving lifestyles in China and India, soaring grain prices are not a one-time phenomenon and Japan will not be able to buy as much food as we used to,'' Hamachi says.
This year's crop will be tested by Kyushu's largest flour mill, the Torigoe Co.
Won't Change
Success isn't guaranteed. The wheat has to win over vendors who fear that tampering with the dish, which has been popular for half a century, may reduce its appeal.
``I won't change the noodles I've used for decades,'' says Tadakatsu Takenaka, who has run a ramen stall in Fukuoka's Nagahama district since 1971.
More expensive imports mean stallholder Yamagami, who charges 500 yen ($4.62) for a bowl of Hakata ramen, is more amenable.
The government in April lifted the price of imported wheat sold to millers by 30 percent, the most since 1973. Japan imports around 5 million tons of the grain a year, meeting 87 percent of national consumption.
Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade reached a record $13.495 a bushel on Feb. 27 after adverse weather in 2007 curbed global yields.
Fukuoka-based restaurant chain Ippudo, which has 34 shops in Japan and opened one in New York in March, raised the cost of its most popular ramen dish by 15 percent to 750 yen in January, the first increase in 12 years.
The chain is considering a request from the regional government to use local wheat, spokeswoman Hisae Izumi says.
``If there is a stable supply of the wheat in enough volume, we may be able to use it,'' Izumi says.
At his port stall, Yamagami, who plans to open a restaurant, has already made up his mind.
``I can't wait for the new flour,'' he says. ``If we have a local alternative, that will help us.''
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トヨタ、シベリア鉄道で輸送 ロシア向け部品
トヨタ自動車は2009年春にも、ロシア工場への部品輸送でシベリア鉄道の利用を始める。国営ロシア鉄道と提携している三井物産に業務を委託、現在の船舶輸送から順次切り替える。輸送日数はほぼ3分の1になる見込み。世界的な燃料高や二酸化炭素（ＣＯ2）排出規制を背景に、国際物流での鉄道利用に弾みがついてきた。
部品を船で極東のウラジオストクに運び、トヨタの乗用車工場があるサンクトペテルブルク市まで鉄道で輸送する。輸送期間は20日程度の見込み。欧州回りの船舶を使う従来方式だと60日程度かかっていた。
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大手商社、配偶者の海外転勤同行者に休・復職制度導入
大手商社が配偶者が海外転勤になった社員の休職を認めたり、帰国後の再雇用を保証する制度を相次ぎ導入している。女性社員が夫の転勤を理由に退社するのを防ぐ狙い。好業績で事業を拡大している商社は慢性的な人材不足になっており、女性が働きやすい環境を整え定着率を上げる。
住友商事は4月に最大3年間の休職を認める新制度を導入。女性社員1人が利用している。「女性の離職率の大幅低下を期待している」（人事部）という。
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石原都知事の作家所得1784万円 都資産公開
東京都資産公開条例に基づき30日公開された2007年の所得報告書によると、作家の顔を持つ石原慎太郎東京都知事の「著述業等」の事業所得は1784 万円（前年比355万円増）だった。05年に出版された「息子たちと私 子供あっての親」（幻冬舎）などの文庫版の印税収入が中心。
1999年の知事就任以降も作家活動を続けており、2002年にベストセラーとなった「老いてこそ人生」の印税収入などで1億円を超えたこともある。
知事報酬などを加えた07年の所得総額（課税対象額）は4224万円（前年比267万円増）で、2年連続の増加となった。
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都議の平均所得1785万円 都資産公開
現職の東京都議会議員で昨年1年間を通じて都議だった118人の所得報告書も30日、公開された。1人当たりの平均所得は1785万円で、前年を295万円下回った。
会派別平均のトップは自民党で2087万円。以下、共産党が1707万円、民主党1619万円、公明党1562万円、地域政党の東京・生活者ネットワークが1524万円だった。上位20人の内訳は自民党17人、民主党2人、共産党1人。
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伊大聖堂の落書き、日本語多数
【フィレンツェ＝共同】ハートマークに相合い傘――。イタリア・フィレンツェの世界遺産登録地区にある「サンタ・マリア・デル・フィオーレ大聖堂」の壁には、これまで判明した京都産業大や岐阜市立女子短大の学生らによるもの以外にも多数の日本語の落書きが書かれていた。
観光客に混じり28日、大聖堂に入ると、クーポラ（円屋根）に上る階段の壁に多数の落書きが見つかった。特にひどいのは階段を上りきったクーポラの展望台。多くの観光客が市内の展望を楽しむ場所だ。
ほとんどはイタリア語、英語、スペイン語など欧米の言葉で書かれ、日本語は全体の1割程度だったが、ハートマークの中に多くの女性の名前が書かれ、その下に「本当の愛をさがしにいくよ」との落書きも。都内の私立大生を名乗るものもあった。
「落書きをしないで」とのイタリア語と英語の警告もあったが、警備員が少ないこともあり、効果は期待薄。落書きをしようとして止められた韓国人らしいグループもいた。
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奨学金返済、滞納９カ月で法的措置 学生支援機構
日本学生支援機構（旧日本育英会）は延滞の増加が指摘されている奨学金の返済について、9カ月以上の延滞者全員に対して法的措置をとることや、卒業生の延滞が改善しない大学の名前を公表することなどを柱とする返済促進策をまとめた。返済開始時期を現行の10月から、最初のボーナスが出た直後の7月に繰り上げることも検討する。
奨学金事業は2008年度予算での事業費が9305億円、貸与人数は120万人余に上る。進学率の上昇に伴って事業規模は拡大を続けており、延滞も増加。07年度末には2252億円に達した。同機構は有識者の検討会議で対応策を議論してきた。
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平均所得は２５００万円超 上位は世襲議員
2008年6月30日13時47分
３０日に発表された国会議員の０７年分所得報告書では、対象となった国会議員一人当たりの平均所得は２５８０万円で、０６年より約１４０万円増えた。２５００万円を超えたのは５年ぶりで、民主党の松野頼久衆院議員の突出した所得が影響している。所得上位には「世襲議員」が多い傾向も浮かび上がった。
０７年の１年間を通じて国会議員だった衆院議員４７５人、参院議員１７０人の計６４５人が対象で、昨年７月の参院選初当選組などは含まれない。
院ごとの平均は衆院２７０３万円、参院２２３５万円。政党別の平均は自民２４７１万円（前年比１１６万円減）▽民主３０４４万円（同８３０万円増）▽公明２０４１万円（同３万円減）▽共産１９８９万円（同３７万円増）▽社民２１７６万円（同２４万円減）▽国民新党２７０６万円（同３５０万円増）だった。
党首では、福田首相（自民党総裁）が前年比３７６万円増の２７２０万円で１位。民主党の小沢代表は、０６年には書籍出版で１５００万円超あった原稿料収入がほとんどなくなり、前年比２７１９万円減の２０５９万円だった。他の党首は国民新党の綿貫代表２６１６万円、社民党の福島党首２４５１万円、共産党の志位委員長２１７５万円、公明党の太田代表２千万円の順だった。
また、世襲議員は非世襲議員との「資産格差」がこれまで指摘されてきたが、所得面でも恵まれている傾向があるようだ。
国会議員を経験した親や親族をもつ世襲議員の平均所得３４６９万円に対し、非世襲は２２５６万円だった。当選回数別でみても世襲がほぼ上回っており、当選１回では世襲２５１６万円、非世襲２３１８万円。所得上位５０人でみると、半数近い２３人を世襲が占めた。
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麻生氏ら雑所得で存在感 ポスト福田、印税増やす
2008.6.30 20:35
麻生太郎氏麻生太郎氏
平成１９年分の国会議員所得報告書では、ポスト福田候補に挙げられる自民党の麻生太郎前幹事長や小池百合子元防衛相が、著書の印税などで「雑所得」を大幅に伸ばし存在感を示した。民主党では、年金記録不備問題で政府追及の先頭に立った長妻昭衆院議員が、引っ張りだこのテレビ出演料などで雑所得を大きく増やしたのが目立った。
麻生氏は昨年の参院選前に出版した著書「とてつもない日本」の印税やテレビ出演料などで前年に比べ４・６倍、１１１６万円の雑所得を計上。４６万円だった１８年からは実に２４・３倍。雑所得ランキングも３年で２１２位、６３位、４位とうなぎ上りだ。
小池氏も昨年８月の防衛相退任後に出版した、前事務次官との暗闘をめぐる著書「女子の本懐」が話題を呼び、印税や講演料などの雑所得は前年の５・７倍の１６５３万円に。順位も４６位から２位に躍り出た。
一方、民主党の長妻氏の雑所得は、テレビ出演料を中心に前年の１・５倍の４１０万円で、順位は５６位から１５位に上がった。
河野洋平衆院議長は約４０２８万円と所得を大幅に減らした。事務所によると、神奈川県平塚市内の建物の取り壊しに伴い賃貸収入がなくなったことなどが要因という。
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Mittal considering takeover of Rio Tinto: report
AFP
AFP - Monday, June 30 02:34 am
LONDON (AFP) - Steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, the biggest shareholder in ArcelorMittal, is considering entering the takeover battle for Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
(Advertisement)
Citing unnamed individuals familiar with the matter, the business daily said that Mittal was interested in securing larger supplies of iron ore.
"Mr Mittal has considered some involvement in the takeover, such as the idea of taking a stake in Rio through buying from existing shareholders," an unnamed banker was quoted as saying by the FT.
"On the other hand, he could wait until later when, quite possible, some of the iron ore assets (of Rio Tinto) go on sale as a result of demands by antitrust regulators."
Earlier this year, BHP Billiton increased its takeover proposal for Rio Tinto to 147.4 billion US dollars (94 billion euros), which would create a behemoth at a time when commodity prices are enjoying record highs because of surging demands for raw materials.
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Brazil's Petrobras ready to pump oil in Nigeria
AFP
AFP - Sunday, June 29 12:50 am
BRASILIA (AFP) - Brazil's state-run Petrobras on July 21 will start pumping oil from Nigeria's offshore Agbami oil field, in partnership with Total and Chevron-Texaco, the company said Saturday.
(Advertisement)
Currently rated at 100,000 barrels per day (bpd), the Agbami oil field is expected to yield 250,000 bpd next year, one third of which belongs to Petrobras, a company statement said.
Since 1998, when Agbami was first discovered, Petrobras has invested some 2.2 billion dollars in Nigeria, with an additional 1.4 billion dollars expected by 2013. It also has stakes in two other oil fields in the west African nation.
The Petrobras/Total/Chevron-Texaco consortium expects Nigeria's Akpo oil field to kick in next year with 185,000 bpd.
Petrobras said it plans to invest some 15 billion dollars from 2008 to 2012 in foreign oil ventures.
Currently, it has invested 6.6 billion dollars in 23 countries and extracts some 200,000 bpd of oil in eight countries including Angola, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, the United States and Venezuela.
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Tax means fewer travellers at main Dutch airport: report
AFP
AFP - Saturday, June 28 07:45 pm
THE HAGUE (AFP) - Some 50,000 fewer passengers are expected to use Amsterdam Schiphol airport, one of Europe's busiest, this summer on account of a Dutch environmental tax on flights, it was reported Saturday.
(Advertisement)
"We're expected zero growth in 2008, and in fact a decrease (in passenger numbers) in July and August," an airport spokesman was quoted as saying by the domestic ANP news agency.
The Netherlands is the only country that levies an environmental tax on flights departing the country -- 11.25 euros per passenger (17.75 dollars) for European destinations and 45 euros for intercontential points.
With higher fuel prices pushing up air fares worldwide, travel industry experts say the tax will hurt business at Schiphol and see many Dutch travellers go to nearby German airports instead.
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日本国債の格付け、「Ａ１」から「Ａａ３」に引き上げ 米ム社
2008.6.30 18:09
米格付け会社ムーディーズ・インベスターズ・サービスは３０日、日本国債の格付けを上から５番目の「Ａ１」から、４番目の「Ａａ３」に引き上げたと発表した。昨年１０月に続く引き上げで、見通しも「安定的」としている。「Ａａ３」は台湾やマカオと同じ。米英など先進７カ国（Ｇ７）の中では依然、最も低い。
ムーディーズは引き上げ理由について「政府、与党の財政再建への取り組みが強い。不安定な世界経済に対し、日本経済は強さを維持するとみられる」と説明している。
また「日本の物価上昇率は他の先進国に比べ緩やかで、経済の安定性を脅かしたり、日銀による予防的な金融引き締めにつながったりすることは考えにくい」と分析。日本は多額の債務を抱えているが「構造上の強みにより、極めて高水準の債務を維持していくことが可能」とみている。
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アジサイの葉食べ食中毒 大阪市の居酒屋で
2008年6月30日20時57分
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大阪市は３０日、大阪市都島区の男性会社員（２５）が同市北区の居酒屋で、だし巻き卵の下に敷かれていたアジサイの葉を食べ、シアン化水素（青酸）中毒になったと発表した。会社員は２６日にアジサイの葉を食べ、４０分後に嘔吐（おうと）した。現在は快方に向かっているという。
市によると、アジサイの葉や根には青酸配糖体と呼ばれる成分が含まれ、食べると体内の消化酵素で分解されて有害なシアン化水素になり、死亡する可能性もあるという。
この居酒屋はアジサイが有毒との認識がなく、６月に入って、従業員が季節感を出すために、自宅近くで摘んだ葉を刺し身のつまなどに使っていたという。市は居酒屋を３０日の１日間の営業停止にした。茨城県つくば市でも１３日、アジサイの葉を食べた８人が中毒になっている。
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旭鷲山が当選確実 モンゴル総選挙、与党が過半数獲得へ
2008年6月30日20時18分
【北京＝坂尻信義】６月２９日に投票されたモンゴル国民大会議（国会、定数７６）の総選挙は、３０日夕までの開票で最大与党・人民革命党（現有議席３９）が過半数議席を獲得して勝利する見通しとなった。最大野党の民主党（同２３）は伸び悩んだ。確定後、人民革命党を中心とする新政権が発足する見通し。
両党関係者や地元メディアによると、人民革命党は地方で票を伸ばし、３８議席前後を獲得。同党幹部は「首都ウランバートルでも８議席を獲得できる」と自信を見せた。モンゴル情勢に詳しい関係筋は「民主党は現有議席前後にとどまるのではないか」との見方を示した。
民主党は、将来の鉱物資源開発から得られる利益を国民１人あたりに１００万ツグリク（約１０万円）分配する方針を公約に掲げて優勢とみられていたが、人民革命党も１５０万ツグリク（約１５万円）を支給すると対抗した。
ウランバートルの選挙区では、大相撲の小結・旭鷲山として活躍した実業家バトバヤル氏が民主党から立候補し、知名度を生かしての当選が確実な情勢だ。
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相撲協会、信頼回復に決意 再発防止策には文科省難色
2008/05/26
１７歳の序ノ口力士、時太山（本名斉藤俊さん）が制裁による暴行を受け、けいこ後に急死したとされる事件から２６日でちょうど１年。日本相撲協会の北の湖理事長（元横綱）は「あのような悲しい出来事を絶対に起こしてはいけない。各師匠は肝に銘じ、しっかりとした指導で立派な力士を育てなければならない」と信頼回復への決意を新たにした。
相撲協会は昨秋、外部有識者も交えた「再発防止検討委員会」を発足させた。５月には同委員会がまとめた再発防止案が理事会で承認されたが、改革は思うように進んでいないのが現状だ。
実は斉藤さんの命日であるこの日に、北の湖理事長が監督官庁の文部科学省へ出向き、死亡事件に関する報告書を提出する予定だった。だが関係者によると、事前に文科省に書類を見せたところ、肝心の再発防止策の内容があまりにも物足りないとされ、書き直すことになったという。報告書の承認を得るために開催予定だった２５日の理事会も中止になった。
再発防止委の伊勢ノ海委員長（元関脇藤ノ川）は「今後も協会一丸となってやっていくし、５３部屋の全師匠も同じ思いだろう」と語気を強める。だが先月には新たな暴行問題が発覚し、外部役員の起用も本格的な人選には至っていない。相撲協会は重い宿題を背負ったまま、再出発への２年目を迎える。
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力士暴行死：愛知の時津風部屋宿舎で斉藤さんの一周忌法要
昨年６月に起きた大相撲の力士暴行死事件で亡くなった斉藤俊（たかし）さん（当時１７歳）＝序ノ口・時太山（ときたいざん）＝の一周忌法要が２９日、現場となった愛知県犬山市の時津風部屋宿舎で営まれた。
けいこ場には祭壇が設けられ、お経が読み上げられる中、時津風親方（元幕内・時津海）と豊ノ島ら３人の関取が献花し、手を合わせて冥福を祈った。
時津風親方は「二度とあってはいけないこと。肝に銘じて一生懸命、指導していく。力士はけいこに精進して、斉藤君のためにも（７月１３日からの名古屋場所で）いい結果を出せるよう頑張ってもらいたい」と話した。
この事件では、前時津風親方の山本順一被告（５８）＝元小結・双津竜＝と兄弟子３人が傷害致死罪で起訴されている。
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時王丸は番付から消える 力士急死事件の３被告
時津風部屋の力士急死事件で起訴され、出場停止中の兄弟子３人のうち、先場所は東序ノ口８枚目だった時王丸のしこ名が番付から消えた。これで引退となるわけではないが、再び土俵に上がる場合は新弟子と同じ前相撲からとなる。
３被告は昨年九州場所から休場中で、今場所で５場所連続全休となる。明義豊は西三段目９９枚目に降下し、怒濤は西序ノ口１２枚目に落ちた。
力士急死事件は２６日で１年を迎えた。日本相撲協会は裁判で有罪が確定すれば３力士を解雇とし、それまでは出場停止にする処分を下している。
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新銀行東京、１０１６億円分減資確定 株主総会で可決
2008年6月30日19時49分
経営再建のため、東京都が４００億円を追加出資した新銀行東京の株主総会が３０日開かれ、資本金を１５８９億円から５７２億円に減資する案が全会一致で可決された。１０１６億円の累積赤字は解消されるが、都が設立時に出資した１千億円のうち８５５億円の棄損が確定した。
総会には８８％の株を持つ都や、出資企業が出席。都は「旧経営陣の責任を明確にし、新事業も積極的に考えてほしい」と要望した。同行によると、今回の減資は「累積赤字を一掃して早期再建に取り組む」ため。追加出資４００億円は棄損されない。
出資企業も出資額の約８５％を棄損されたが、２５億円を出資した日立製作所は「経営監視は都に任せ、今後も立場は変わらない」、同額のＮＴＴコミュニケーションズは「再建計画の推移を見守る」、２０億円を出したあいおい損保は「０７年度に一部減損処理は済んでいる」としている。
また、東京都民銀行の内田泰司・元常務執行役員（６３）の社外取締役就任が認められ、経営監視強化のために取締役会会長が新設され、総会後の取締役会で元都副知事の大塚俊郎・同行取締役会議長の就任が決まった。
共産党都議団は同日、「さらなる損失をもたらす危険性が高い。都は都民の税金を守るため銀行から撤退すべきだ」とのコメントを出した。
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中央三井トラスト、７月に公的資金１７５７億円返済へ
2008年6月30日19時29分
中央三井トラスト・ホールディングスは３０日、国から投入された公的資金のうち１７５７億円分を７月中に返済すると発表した。残りは約１８７５億円で、来年８月までにすべて返す方針。
公的資金注入の結果、整理回収機構が中央三井トラストの優先株を簿価で３６３２億円分持っている。中央三井トラストは、このうち９９２億円分を買い入れ、さらに７６５億円分を普通株に転換。整理回収機構は普通株を市場で売る。整理回収機構には合計で約２４７４億円が入り、簿価との差額の７１７億円が国の利益になる見込みだ。
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
「証券界のドン」死去…田淵節也氏、波乱の生涯とは
「証券界のドン」死去…田淵節也氏、波乱の生涯とは
「証券界のドン」と呼ばれた野村証券元会長の田淵節也（たぶち・せつや）氏が２６日、心不全のため死去していたことが分かった。８４歳だった。野村をガリバーに育てた功績の一方、一連の証券不祥事で業界を追われるなど波乱の多い人生だった。
田淵氏は京大卒で、１９７８年に５４歳で社長就任。日本証券業協会会長や経団連副会長も務めた。田淵氏が「大タブチ」、後任社長の田淵義久氏は「小タブチ」とも呼ばれた。
９１年に特定顧客への損失補填問題や暴力団との取引が発覚して野村会長を引責辞任。９５年に取締役に復帰したが、９７年の総会屋への利益供与事件で辞任した。東京地検特捜部の事情聴取も２度受けた。
野村証券をテーマにした小説もある作家の高杉良氏は、田淵氏について「証券業界全体のことを考えて行動していた人で、野村の“中興の祖”だったことは間違いない。日本の証券業界にダイナミズムがあり、世界的に見ても輝いていた時代のリーダーだった」と評する。また、人となりについては「カリスマ性があり、パワーがある人だった半面、抹香くさいところもある人だった」と指摘。
一連の証券不祥事で晩節を汚した形となったが、高杉氏は「護送船団方式だった当時の状況からみれば、業界全体の必要悪という側面もあった。田淵氏自身は、決して不正な金を自分のポケットに入れるような私心のある人ではなかった」と話す。
経営評論家の針木康雄氏は「人情味があり、部下に慕われていた。野村を退いた後も“大タブチ詣で”が行われ、人事にも影響力を持っていたのではないか。野村ＯＢの企業経営者もよく田淵氏の元に報告に訪れていた」と語る。
針木氏は田淵氏が社長当時に語っていた印象的な言葉を思いだすという。
「『野村証券の経営者の中には清らかな小川が流れている』と、悪事をしないことを誇りにしていた。その後スキャンダルが起きたことで、本人はかなり戸惑ったのではないか」
通夜・告別式は近親者のみで行い、後日お別れの会を開く。
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Australia increases airline access to South Africa, Kenya
AFP
AFP - Saturday, June 28 05:57 am
SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia has signed a deal giving airlines greater access to routes servicing South Africa and Kenya, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday.
(Advertisement)
"These new arrangements will enable Australian and African airlines to take advantage of the growing tourism and commerce opportunities between our countries," Albanese said in a statement.
Under the deal, the number of weekly services Australian airlines can fly to South Africa will immediately double to 10, rising to 14 in October next year then rising again to three services a day in October 2010.
In return, South African airlines will be able to fly 21 flights a week to major Australians of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane by October 2010.
Both Australian and South African airlines will have unrestricted access to each other's regional airports.
Kenyan and Australian airlines will be able to codeshare flights and daily services will be available to airlines from both countries.
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Liechtenstein moves to end EU tax fraud row
AFP
AFP - Friday, June 27 06:13 pm
BRUSSELS (AFP) - Liechtenstein, at the centre of a major tax fraud row early this year, has pledged to boost cooperation with the EU in an effort to avoid future problems, a government spokesman said Friday.
(Advertisement)
"For Liechtenstein, it's a major policy shift," the spokesman said, after negotiations on an Anti-Fraud Agreement between Brussels and Vaduz were largely finalised Friday.
The agreement, when the last details are ironed out, will strengthen the exchange of information in the case of tax offences, with respect to both indirect and direct taxation, a statement said.
It also allows for the drawing up of more far-reaching rules on cooperation between Liechtenstein and foreign tax authorities.
In February, Germany launched a probe of rich citizens suspected of stashing billions of euros (dollars) in secret trusts in Liechtenstein to avoid paying tax.
Investigators in the United States, Britain, Australia, Italy, France, Sweden, Canada, New Zealand, Greece and Spain also launched investigations in an effort to track down taxpayers hiding money there.
"The strict protection of privacy and the basic rights of citizens will continue to apply in Liechtenstein and its financial center," Prime Minister Otmar Hasler said in the statement.
"With this cooperation agreement, however, measures against unlawful conduct will be provided that meet European standards," he said.
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France, Malta call for 'transparency' in EU tuna row
AFP
AFP - Friday, June 27 06:05 pm
VALLETTA (AFP) - Visiting French Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier complained Friday of a "lack of transparency" in the European Commission's decision to cut short the bluefin tuna fishing season.
(Advertisement)
Noting that Malta's Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino had told him that the Mediterranean nation's bluefin tuna catch this year was two-thirds less than in 2007, Barnier said: "We'd like to know, we must know where the tunas are."
Both France and Malta "expect the (European) Commission to communicate the precise figures" on tuna stocks, he told AFP before leaving for Cyprus to wrap up a tour of European capitals in preparation for the French EU presidency.
He called for a "precise and competent and transparent working relationship with the European Commission on this subject."
The EU's executive arm called an early halt to industrial bluefin tuna fishing at the peak of the season this month because it considered that quotas were filling up much faster than member states were declaring.
The move released a wave of protest, especially in France and Italy.
Barnier said: "It is a fact that if the resource is fragile and endangered, this is not only a question for the European fishermen. We must reinforce the rules, the management and the controls for all the fishermen of the Mediterranean," including in Libya and Turkey.
Pullicino, for his part, said: "As much as we are for sustainable fishing, we are for transparent information to (EU) member states in order to be in a position ourselves as well to curtail what needs to be curtailed. We want to be partners with the (European) Commission."
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Landlords told to lower unrealistic rents
By Sharlene Goff and Daniel Thomas
Published: June 27 2008 22:38 | Last updated: June 27 2008 22:38
Estate agents are rejecting landlords looking to rent out properties or advising them to lower their prices as a rush of new instructions, particularly in London, has far outstripped demand from tenants.
Homeowners unable to sell their properties are increasingly offering them for rent to cover mortgage costs. Although rents have been rising fast, agents said some of the prices landlords expected, or needed to meet their monthly outgoings, were too ambitious.
Savills has stopped accepting new rental stock at its Canary Wharf office and said it was being “very choosy” about what it took on in other areas. Meanwhile, Knight Frank said up to 40 per cent of its rental properties across central London were over-priced by 5-10 per cent, as landlords sought unrealistic rents.
High demand for rental accommodation, from households that have sold out of the market with a view to re-entering when prices drop and would-be first-time buyers priced out by rising borrowing costs, have enabled landlords to raise rents.
Year-on-year central London rental growth stood at 6.2 per cent at the end of the second quarter, while quarterly growth was 1.4 per cent, according to Savills. In some areas of London and the south, estate agents have seen annual rent increases of up to 15 per cent.
Agents at the Winkworth chain said rents in some areas of London and the south-east had increased by 10 per cent in just two months.
Agents believed rents might now be close to their peak in some prime markets. Strong supply, as well as a slowdown in demand from corporate clients, means some agents have substantial excess stock in London.
Tim Hyatt, head of lettings at Knight Frank, said the group had been taking twice as many instructions than this time last year. Half of the new stock was vacant.
“Last year saw rents rise 15 per cent and landlords are still expecting those in-creases but they are not happening any more,” he said.
In the south-east, agents said rents were still rising fast as demand and supply were more balanced.
“There is an interesting divide between London and the country,” said Kate Whotton, regional lettings director at Hamptons International. “In the last six months there has been a lot more supply in property in London so prices are somewhat flatter than in the country.”
But not all parts of the country have seen such strong growth in rents. Figures from Hometrack show places such as Nottingham and Manchester, where there has been an oversupply of new flats, rental growth has been much slower. In Liverpool and Newcastle rents had fallen since the start of 2007.
Higher rents are putting first-time buyers at risk of being priced out of both the rental and sales markets. Agents said many tenants coming to the end of agreements faced large increases, with some forced to move into cheaper properties. Meanwhile, the cost of buying is still high. Any benefits first-time buyers would gain from the softening in the market have largely been offset by higher mortgage costs and tighter lending practices.
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Caught between a rock and a hard place in pricey London
As a would-be first-time buyer, Tom Vandeputte is in one of a growing number of people increasingly caught between a rock and a hard place, writes Elaine Moore.
He and his girlfriend have saved for a deposit but are unable to find a suitable place for sale in their price range. At the same time they are facing a significant rise in their monthly rent that may force them to move out of their current home.
Mr Vandeputte, a 31-year- old freelance photographer, lives in a two-bedroom flat in east London along with his girlfriend and a flatmate.
He and his girlfriend have been looking to move into their own property for the past seven months, believing it is crucial to their plans for starting a family in the future.
The couple reckon they can afford a joint mortgage of about £215,000 ($429,000) with a combined income of £50,000 and would be able to put down a deposit of 10 per cent.
However, they say they have found no two-bedroom flats in their area for less than £350,000.
The pair were recently informed that their rent would be increased by £200 to £1,800 a month as a result of rising costs.
This, says Mr Vandeputte, has increased the urgency of his search for a property to buy but he is not optimistic. “Very few of my friends have been able to buy a house. Most of them rent,” he said.
“When you look at the prices our parents paid for property and where they are now it seems like an impossible task.”
Mr Vandeputte believes his only alternative may be to move abroad.
“My girlfriend is German so there is a possibility we may relocate to Hamburg,” he said.
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原油価格140ドル継続なら、産油国へ所得流出200兆円 08年推計
原油価格の高騰で、石油の消費国から産油国への所得移転が進んでいる。原油価格が現在の1バレル140ドル前後で年内推移した場合、日本を含むアジアや米国、欧州から中東・ロシアなどの産油国に流れるお金は約200兆円にのぼる見通し。1970年代の2度の石油ショック時を上回る「富の移転」が生じる見込みで、日本からも原油代金として国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の5％強にあたる企業や個人の「稼ぎ」が資源国に流出する計算だ。
所得移転の額は英ＢＰの石油貿易統計などから推計した。原油の貿易量が2007年並みで推移し、原油価格が08年の残りの期間中1バレル140ドルで推移すると想定。原油輸入国の「米国」「欧州」「日本」「中国やインドなど他のアジア地域」から、「中東」や「ロシアをはじめとする旧ソ連圏」などに支払う原油代金を計算した。
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年金記録に再び問題 社保庁調査、入力ミス「560万件」
社会保険庁は27日、厚生年金の紙台帳記録を抽出調査した結果、コンピューター記録に推定で560万件のミスがあることを明らかにした。記録をオンライン化した1986年以前に厚生年金に加入していた約2700万人は受給額に漏れがないかどうか点検が必要だ。5000万件の「宙に浮いた年金記録」の解明も進んでおらず、野党などは批判を強めている。
2万件の抽出調査で明らかになったミスは277件で、全体の1.4％。これを約4億件の紙台帳にあてはめて単純計算すれば、560万件に相当する。転記ミスが主因だが、中には標準報酬が間違っているものもあり、受け取る年金額が実際より少ない人もいるとみられる。
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政投銀、サブプライム損失300億円超 前期、純利益は３割減
日本政策投資銀行が、米国の信用力の低い個人向け住宅融資（サブプライムローン）問題による金融市場の混乱で、2008年3月期に300億円を上回る損失を計上したことが明らかになった。前期の純利益は500億円強にとどまり、前の期を3割程度下回ったもよう。今年10月の民営化に向け、投融資活動のリスク管理態勢の強化が課題になりそうだ。
政投銀は10月に株式会社となり、その5―7年後をメドに株式をすべて民間売却して完全民営化する予定。特殊法人として最後の通期決算となる08年3月期決算を来週発表する。
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東京のタクシー、客足戻らず 値上げ半年、節約志向響く
関東運輸局がまとめた東京地区（23区と武蔵野・三鷹市）の昨年12月―今年5月の運送収入（1日1台当たり）は前年同期比2.7％減少した。通常、運賃引き上げから約半年で客足は戻るとされるが、家計や企業の節約志向が強まり、客足は遠のいたままだ。
東京のタクシー料金は12月3日に上がり、初乗り料金（中型車）は660円から710円になった。関東運輸局が法人タクシーを対象に調べたところ、利用回数（1日1台当たり）は29.2回と前年同期より8％減った。大手の日本交通（東京・品川）は「景気低迷で昼間の個人利用が減っている」という。個人タクシーが加盟する日個連東京都営業協同組合は「法人利用も落ち込んでいる」としている。
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家電量販、展示商品も節電
大手家電量販店が店頭での節電を強化し、対象を展示商品などに広げる。ビックカメラは月内に、展示中の薄型テレビや照明機器の電源を切る取り組みを全店で始める。ケーズホールディングスも全店で実施する方針。エディオンはグループ店舗で看板の消灯時間を早める。環境保護への関心を高める消費者に企業の姿勢をアピールして省エネ家電の拡販につなげるほか、店舗のコスト削減を図る。
ビックは展示商品のうち、消費電力の大きい薄型テレビとパソコンの3割、照明機器と電話機、ファクスの5割で電源を落とす。平日の昼間など来店客が少ない時間は、顧客の反応次第で対象商品を増やすことも検討する。
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鹿島や大成、民間にも工事費用の上乗せ要請
鹿島や大成建設など建設各社は7月から、鋼材や燃料価格の高騰に伴う民間工事の費用上乗せを発注者に要請する方針だ。日本建設業団体連合会などは鉄筋・鉄骨の高騰で工事費全体が3.4―8.2％上昇したと試算、発注企業の業界団体などに契約後でも資材価格上昇分を上積みする協議に応じるよう求める。これを受けて建設各社は個別に3―8％程度の値上げ交渉に入る。
公共工事では国土交通省が、契約後に資材価格が急上昇した場合、工事費用の上積みを認める「単品スライド条項」の発動を決めている。民間工事の契約にも同様の条項があるため、建設各社はこれに基づき工事費用の見直しを求めていく。
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アマダ、工作機械で新工場 岐阜で200億円投資
板金機械最大手のアマダは200億円を投じて岐阜県で2010年に工作機械の新工場を建設する。11年度に工作機械の売上高を07年度比で6割増に引き上げ板金機械に次ぐ新たな収益源に育てる。工作機械は欧州や新興国向けに出荷が拡大し、国内大手も積極投資に動いている。アマダは今後、工作機械分野での合併・買収（Ｍ＆Ａ）も視野に入れて海外市場の開拓を進める。
アマダは金属板を加工する板金機械で独トルンプと世界首位の座を争うが、工作機械では売上高が約200億円と国内中堅にとどまっている。日本メーカーの工作機械受注は輸出拡大を追い風に伸びているため、大幅増産に乗り出す。
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全日空と物流４社、小口貨物急送をアジア展開
全日本空輸と日本通運など物流4社が出資する国際航空貨物会社、オールエクスプレス（東京・大田）は2009年10月までに、部品など小口貨物急送のサービス地域をアジア各地に広げる。08年7月1日のサービス開始時点の上海、香港に続き、タイや中国北部を相次ぎ追加。日本企業のアジア拠点間の輸送需要も取り込み、2011年度に売上高600億円をめざす。
日本からの輸出貨物は08年10月にタイと台湾を追加し、09年4月に中国北部と韓国、同10月にベトナムを加える。アジア各地から日本向けの輸入貨物は08年中に香港で取り扱いを始め、09年に他の地域を相次いで追加。輸出、輸入とも09年10月には日本企業の進出が活発なほぼすべての地域でサービスを展開できるようにする。
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青色ＬＥＤ訴訟の升永弁護士、事務所解散 大手に移籍
青色発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）訴訟などの巨額裁判を担当したことで知られる升永英俊弁護士（65）が今月末に事務所を解散し、7月1日付で所属弁護士らと大手のＴＭＩ総合法律事務所（東京・港）に移籍する。企業法務分野の中小事務所の苦境を象徴する事例といえそうだ。
升永弁護士が率いる東京永和法律事務所（東京・港）は1991年設立。特許や税務の訴訟を得意としている。最近、後継者難に直面し、ＴＭＩ総合に合流を打診していた。弁護士5人、弁理士4人、スタッフ4人のほぼ全員が移籍する。
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動き出す渋谷駅周辺改造、埼京線ホーム移設など
東京都、国土交通省、民間の鉄道事業者などがまとめている渋谷駅周辺の再開発の整備方針の概要が明らかになった。ＪＲ埼京線の渋谷駅ホームを北側に移し、山手線と並行させる。西口のバスターミナルを駅周囲に分散して移設し、跡地を広場にする。2012年度に東急東横線が東京メトロ副都心線と乗り入れるのを期に、周辺整備を加速する。
整備方針をまとめているのは、都、国交省のほか渋谷区、ＪＲ東日本、東京急行電鉄、東京メトロなどがメンバーの「渋谷駅街区基盤整備検討委員会」。週明けにも公表する。
現在、ＪＲ埼京線のホームは、東急東横線があるため、国道２４６号を挟んで南側にある。このため渋谷駅に乗り入れるほかの鉄道と離れており、乗り換えの不便さが指摘されている。しかし、12年度の副都心線との相互乗り入れにともない、東横線が東側に移るため、埼京線ホームの移設が可能になる。
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トラブル頻発の副都心線、改善対策に躍起
14日に開通した東京メトロ副都心線で運行トラブルが相次いだ。後発路線のため既存路線との複雑な乗り入れや、乗員らの不慣れも重なり、単純なトラブルが別のトラブルを呼ぶ“負の連鎖”が生まれた。東京メトロは運転士交代時に立ち会いを置いたり、案内板を変更。ようやくダイヤの乱れは収まってきたものの、今後に予断を許さないスタートとなった。
トラブルは開業から4日間連続した。16日夜には、約3時間、池袋―渋谷間の折り返し運転のみとなり、埼玉県和光市から東京・渋谷をつなぐという利便性の看板が崩れ、帰宅を急ぐ利用客から不満が相次いだ。
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北海道：１４支庁を９総合振興局に再編 条例成立へ
北海道の１４支庁を９総合振興局に再編し、その下に５振興局を置く道の支庁制度改革関連条例案は２８日未明の第２回定例道議会本会議で、与党の自民党・道民会議と公明党の賛成多数で可決、成立する。１９１０（明治４３）年に現行の支庁体制となって以来、再編は初めて。約１００年続いた支庁は北海道に深く根付いた地域単位で、再編後は道政のみならず道民生活の変化につながる可能性もある。
支庁制度改革は高橋はるみ知事が２期目の公約として掲げ、行財政改革の柱と位置付けていた。条例施行日は、支庁再編後も道議会議員の選挙区を現行のまま維持するため、国会で公職選挙法が改正された後に定める。道は来年４月１日施行を目指し、今後、国と調整に入る。
総合振興局は、現行支庁の２部門（地域振興、産業振興）体制から▽地域振興・管理▽道民生活▽産業振興▽社会資本－－の４部門に組織改正し、政策立案の機能やトップの権限を強化。職員数や業務量は支庁と同等の規模とする。
一方、振興局は、生活保護に関する業務や感染症検査、パスポートの発給事務など、住民に身近なサービスに機能を限定する。振興局になる留萌、根室、日高、檜山、石狩の５支庁は条例施行後３年程度をかけて業務・職員数とも現在の６割程度まで縮小される。
自民会派では振興局地域を地盤とする石塚正寛氏（留萌市）、松浦宗信氏（根室市）、藤沢澄雄氏（日高支庁）の３人が反対の立場だが、公明党を合わせ過半数の賛成を確保した。
本会議は２７日午後１時から開かれる予定だったが、事前の道州制・地方分権改革等推進調査特別委員会で野党の民主党・道民連合が徹底審議を求めたため、大幅にずれ込んだ。
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米で被爆者証言活動、「惨状初めて知った」と驚きの声
【バーリントン（米バーモント州）27日共同】広島市が呼び掛けている「全米原爆展」の第6陣となる被爆者証言活動が27日午後（日本時間28日未明）、米北東部バーモント州バーリントンで始まった。14歳で被爆した服飾デザイナーの長尾ナツミさん（77）＝広島市＝が市庁舎で体験を語り、若い聴衆から「惨状を初めて知った」と驚きの声が漏れた。
バーリントンは同州北西部のカナダ国境に近い人口約4万人の都市。体験証言は市庁舎ロビーで始まった原爆展に合わせ、ロビー脇の講堂で行われ、市民約20人が耳を傾けた。
長尾さんは「1日でも原爆のことを思い出したくなかった」と切り出し、仕事の師であるデザイナー森英恵さんから「子供たちに話をしてあげなさい」と勧められ、悩んだ末に証言を決心したエピソードを紹介。
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北九州市職員：出退勤システム修正し不正手当…懲戒免職に
北九州市は２７日、出退勤システムを修正できる権限を悪用し、不正に時間外手当の受給や有給休暇の取得を繰り返し総額約４１０万円を得ていたとして、小倉北区役所まちづくり整備課の坂田佳子職員（４１）を懲戒免職処分にしたと発表した。
市によると、坂田職員は０４年４月から同課の庶務担当で、課員の出退勤時刻をパソコン上で修正できる立場になった。その直後から３年１１カ月にわたり、時間外勤務をしていないのにしたように改ざん、１２８３時間分の時間外手当約３６０万円を不正受給した。
また同時期に、有給休暇を取得後にシステムの出勤簿画面から休暇を削除し、本来取得できる日数や時間を超えて年休や夏季休暇などを取得、５０万円余りを不正に得ていた。
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丸紅巨額詐欺：香港警察が斎藤容疑者を逮捕 資金洗浄容疑
総合商社「丸紅」の偽造稟議（りんぎ）書を使った巨額詐欺事件で、医療コンサルティング会社「アスクレピオス」（破産手続き中）前社長、斎藤栄功（しげのり）容疑者（４６）＝詐欺容疑などで逮捕＝が警視庁に逮捕される直前に、中国・香港でも現地警察にマネーロンダリング（資金洗浄）の疑いで逮捕されていたことが分かった。警視庁捜査２課は、斎藤容疑者が違法収益を海外で洗浄しようとした可能性もあるとみて追及する。【鳴海崇、杉本修作】
斎藤容疑者と丸紅の元社員ら計４人は０５年４月～０７年１１月、米証券大手リーマン・ブラザーズなど約２００の個人・法人に病院再生事業への投資を持ちかけて約１０８０億円を集めた。この事業は架空で、捜査２課は、当初からだまし取るつもりだったとみている。約４７０億円が回収不能になり、使途が分からなくなっている。
捜査関係者によると、斎藤容疑者は今年３月上旬、架空投資がアスク社の社内で発覚すると周囲と連絡を絶つようになった。さらにメディアが不正を報じた３月２８日の直前、香港に向け出国。現地でマンション一室を借りて生活し、関係者を通じて早期帰国を求める警察当局の求めを拒んでいたという。
ところが、香港滞在中に現地警察が斎藤容疑者のマネーロンダリングに関する情報を入手。今月１１日に同容疑で逮捕していた。現地の米国系銀行の口座には数千万円が入っていたという。
しかし、斎藤容疑者は百数十万円の保釈金を支払って２日後には釈放され、１５日朝に日本に帰国した。成田空港に到着後、捜査２課に詐欺などの疑いで逮捕された。
斎藤容疑者は投資家から集めた出資金の一部を、複数回に分けてスイスや中国・マカオの金融機関に移動させ、数億円をプールしていたことが既に明らかになっている。今回の香港の数千万円は、これとは別に送金されていた。
斎藤容疑者は「だました事実はない」と容疑を否認しているが、捜査２課は、多額の資金を海外に移動させていたことが、詐欺容疑の裏付けになるとみて、資金の流れの解明を進めている。
「証券界のドン」と呼ばれた野村証券元会長の田淵節也（たぶち・せつや）氏が２６日、心不全のため死去していたことが分かった。８４歳だった。野村をガリバーに育てた功績の一方、一連の証券不祥事で業界を追われるなど波乱の多い人生だった。
田淵氏は京大卒で、１９７８年に５４歳で社長就任。日本証券業協会会長や経団連副会長も務めた。田淵氏が「大タブチ」、後任社長の田淵義久氏は「小タブチ」とも呼ばれた。
９１年に特定顧客への損失補填問題や暴力団との取引が発覚して野村会長を引責辞任。９５年に取締役に復帰したが、９７年の総会屋への利益供与事件で辞任した。東京地検特捜部の事情聴取も２度受けた。
野村証券をテーマにした小説もある作家の高杉良氏は、田淵氏について「証券業界全体のことを考えて行動していた人で、野村の“中興の祖”だったことは間違いない。日本の証券業界にダイナミズムがあり、世界的に見ても輝いていた時代のリーダーだった」と評する。また、人となりについては「カリスマ性があり、パワーがある人だった半面、抹香くさいところもある人だった」と指摘。
一連の証券不祥事で晩節を汚した形となったが、高杉氏は「護送船団方式だった当時の状況からみれば、業界全体の必要悪という側面もあった。田淵氏自身は、決して不正な金を自分のポケットに入れるような私心のある人ではなかった」と話す。
経営評論家の針木康雄氏は「人情味があり、部下に慕われていた。野村を退いた後も“大タブチ詣で”が行われ、人事にも影響力を持っていたのではないか。野村ＯＢの企業経営者もよく田淵氏の元に報告に訪れていた」と語る。
針木氏は田淵氏が社長当時に語っていた印象的な言葉を思いだすという。
「『野村証券の経営者の中には清らかな小川が流れている』と、悪事をしないことを誇りにしていた。その後スキャンダルが起きたことで、本人はかなり戸惑ったのではないか」
通夜・告別式は近親者のみで行い、後日お別れの会を開く。
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Australia increases airline access to South Africa, Kenya
AFP
AFP - Saturday, June 28 05:57 am
SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia has signed a deal giving airlines greater access to routes servicing South Africa and Kenya, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday.
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"These new arrangements will enable Australian and African airlines to take advantage of the growing tourism and commerce opportunities between our countries," Albanese said in a statement.
Under the deal, the number of weekly services Australian airlines can fly to South Africa will immediately double to 10, rising to 14 in October next year then rising again to three services a day in October 2010.
In return, South African airlines will be able to fly 21 flights a week to major Australians of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane by October 2010.
Both Australian and South African airlines will have unrestricted access to each other's regional airports.
Kenyan and Australian airlines will be able to codeshare flights and daily services will be available to airlines from both countries.
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Liechtenstein moves to end EU tax fraud row
AFP
AFP - Friday, June 27 06:13 pm
BRUSSELS (AFP) - Liechtenstein, at the centre of a major tax fraud row early this year, has pledged to boost cooperation with the EU in an effort to avoid future problems, a government spokesman said Friday.
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"For Liechtenstein, it's a major policy shift," the spokesman said, after negotiations on an Anti-Fraud Agreement between Brussels and Vaduz were largely finalised Friday.
The agreement, when the last details are ironed out, will strengthen the exchange of information in the case of tax offences, with respect to both indirect and direct taxation, a statement said.
It also allows for the drawing up of more far-reaching rules on cooperation between Liechtenstein and foreign tax authorities.
In February, Germany launched a probe of rich citizens suspected of stashing billions of euros (dollars) in secret trusts in Liechtenstein to avoid paying tax.
Investigators in the United States, Britain, Australia, Italy, France, Sweden, Canada, New Zealand, Greece and Spain also launched investigations in an effort to track down taxpayers hiding money there.
"The strict protection of privacy and the basic rights of citizens will continue to apply in Liechtenstein and its financial center," Prime Minister Otmar Hasler said in the statement.
"With this cooperation agreement, however, measures against unlawful conduct will be provided that meet European standards," he said.
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France, Malta call for 'transparency' in EU tuna row
AFP
AFP - Friday, June 27 06:05 pm
VALLETTA (AFP) - Visiting French Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier complained Friday of a "lack of transparency" in the European Commission's decision to cut short the bluefin tuna fishing season.
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Noting that Malta's Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino had told him that the Mediterranean nation's bluefin tuna catch this year was two-thirds less than in 2007, Barnier said: "We'd like to know, we must know where the tunas are."
Both France and Malta "expect the (European) Commission to communicate the precise figures" on tuna stocks, he told AFP before leaving for Cyprus to wrap up a tour of European capitals in preparation for the French EU presidency.
He called for a "precise and competent and transparent working relationship with the European Commission on this subject."
The EU's executive arm called an early halt to industrial bluefin tuna fishing at the peak of the season this month because it considered that quotas were filling up much faster than member states were declaring.
The move released a wave of protest, especially in France and Italy.
Barnier said: "It is a fact that if the resource is fragile and endangered, this is not only a question for the European fishermen. We must reinforce the rules, the management and the controls for all the fishermen of the Mediterranean," including in Libya and Turkey.
Pullicino, for his part, said: "As much as we are for sustainable fishing, we are for transparent information to (EU) member states in order to be in a position ourselves as well to curtail what needs to be curtailed. We want to be partners with the (European) Commission."
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Landlords told to lower unrealistic rents
By Sharlene Goff and Daniel Thomas
Published: June 27 2008 22:38 | Last updated: June 27 2008 22:38
Estate agents are rejecting landlords looking to rent out properties or advising them to lower their prices as a rush of new instructions, particularly in London, has far outstripped demand from tenants.
Homeowners unable to sell their properties are increasingly offering them for rent to cover mortgage costs. Although rents have been rising fast, agents said some of the prices landlords expected, or needed to meet their monthly outgoings, were too ambitious.
Savills has stopped accepting new rental stock at its Canary Wharf office and said it was being “very choosy” about what it took on in other areas. Meanwhile, Knight Frank said up to 40 per cent of its rental properties across central London were over-priced by 5-10 per cent, as landlords sought unrealistic rents.
High demand for rental accommodation, from households that have sold out of the market with a view to re-entering when prices drop and would-be first-time buyers priced out by rising borrowing costs, have enabled landlords to raise rents.
Year-on-year central London rental growth stood at 6.2 per cent at the end of the second quarter, while quarterly growth was 1.4 per cent, according to Savills. In some areas of London and the south, estate agents have seen annual rent increases of up to 15 per cent.
Agents at the Winkworth chain said rents in some areas of London and the south-east had increased by 10 per cent in just two months.
Agents believed rents might now be close to their peak in some prime markets. Strong supply, as well as a slowdown in demand from corporate clients, means some agents have substantial excess stock in London.
Tim Hyatt, head of lettings at Knight Frank, said the group had been taking twice as many instructions than this time last year. Half of the new stock was vacant.
“Last year saw rents rise 15 per cent and landlords are still expecting those in-creases but they are not happening any more,” he said.
In the south-east, agents said rents were still rising fast as demand and supply were more balanced.
“There is an interesting divide between London and the country,” said Kate Whotton, regional lettings director at Hamptons International. “In the last six months there has been a lot more supply in property in London so prices are somewhat flatter than in the country.”
But not all parts of the country have seen such strong growth in rents. Figures from Hometrack show places such as Nottingham and Manchester, where there has been an oversupply of new flats, rental growth has been much slower. In Liverpool and Newcastle rents had fallen since the start of 2007.
Higher rents are putting first-time buyers at risk of being priced out of both the rental and sales markets. Agents said many tenants coming to the end of agreements faced large increases, with some forced to move into cheaper properties. Meanwhile, the cost of buying is still high. Any benefits first-time buyers would gain from the softening in the market have largely been offset by higher mortgage costs and tighter lending practices.
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Caught between a rock and a hard place in pricey London
As a would-be first-time buyer, Tom Vandeputte is in one of a growing number of people increasingly caught between a rock and a hard place, writes Elaine Moore.
He and his girlfriend have saved for a deposit but are unable to find a suitable place for sale in their price range. At the same time they are facing a significant rise in their monthly rent that may force them to move out of their current home.
Mr Vandeputte, a 31-year- old freelance photographer, lives in a two-bedroom flat in east London along with his girlfriend and a flatmate.
He and his girlfriend have been looking to move into their own property for the past seven months, believing it is crucial to their plans for starting a family in the future.
The couple reckon they can afford a joint mortgage of about £215,000 ($429,000) with a combined income of £50,000 and would be able to put down a deposit of 10 per cent.
However, they say they have found no two-bedroom flats in their area for less than £350,000.
The pair were recently informed that their rent would be increased by £200 to £1,800 a month as a result of rising costs.
This, says Mr Vandeputte, has increased the urgency of his search for a property to buy but he is not optimistic. “Very few of my friends have been able to buy a house. Most of them rent,” he said.
“When you look at the prices our parents paid for property and where they are now it seems like an impossible task.”
Mr Vandeputte believes his only alternative may be to move abroad.
“My girlfriend is German so there is a possibility we may relocate to Hamburg,” he said.
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原油価格140ドル継続なら、産油国へ所得流出200兆円 08年推計
原油価格の高騰で、石油の消費国から産油国への所得移転が進んでいる。原油価格が現在の1バレル140ドル前後で年内推移した場合、日本を含むアジアや米国、欧州から中東・ロシアなどの産油国に流れるお金は約200兆円にのぼる見通し。1970年代の2度の石油ショック時を上回る「富の移転」が生じる見込みで、日本からも原油代金として国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の5％強にあたる企業や個人の「稼ぎ」が資源国に流出する計算だ。
所得移転の額は英ＢＰの石油貿易統計などから推計した。原油の貿易量が2007年並みで推移し、原油価格が08年の残りの期間中1バレル140ドルで推移すると想定。原油輸入国の「米国」「欧州」「日本」「中国やインドなど他のアジア地域」から、「中東」や「ロシアをはじめとする旧ソ連圏」などに支払う原油代金を計算した。
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年金記録に再び問題 社保庁調査、入力ミス「560万件」
社会保険庁は27日、厚生年金の紙台帳記録を抽出調査した結果、コンピューター記録に推定で560万件のミスがあることを明らかにした。記録をオンライン化した1986年以前に厚生年金に加入していた約2700万人は受給額に漏れがないかどうか点検が必要だ。5000万件の「宙に浮いた年金記録」の解明も進んでおらず、野党などは批判を強めている。
2万件の抽出調査で明らかになったミスは277件で、全体の1.4％。これを約4億件の紙台帳にあてはめて単純計算すれば、560万件に相当する。転記ミスが主因だが、中には標準報酬が間違っているものもあり、受け取る年金額が実際より少ない人もいるとみられる。
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政投銀、サブプライム損失300億円超 前期、純利益は３割減
日本政策投資銀行が、米国の信用力の低い個人向け住宅融資（サブプライムローン）問題による金融市場の混乱で、2008年3月期に300億円を上回る損失を計上したことが明らかになった。前期の純利益は500億円強にとどまり、前の期を3割程度下回ったもよう。今年10月の民営化に向け、投融資活動のリスク管理態勢の強化が課題になりそうだ。
政投銀は10月に株式会社となり、その5―7年後をメドに株式をすべて民間売却して完全民営化する予定。特殊法人として最後の通期決算となる08年3月期決算を来週発表する。
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東京のタクシー、客足戻らず 値上げ半年、節約志向響く
関東運輸局がまとめた東京地区（23区と武蔵野・三鷹市）の昨年12月―今年5月の運送収入（1日1台当たり）は前年同期比2.7％減少した。通常、運賃引き上げから約半年で客足は戻るとされるが、家計や企業の節約志向が強まり、客足は遠のいたままだ。
東京のタクシー料金は12月3日に上がり、初乗り料金（中型車）は660円から710円になった。関東運輸局が法人タクシーを対象に調べたところ、利用回数（1日1台当たり）は29.2回と前年同期より8％減った。大手の日本交通（東京・品川）は「景気低迷で昼間の個人利用が減っている」という。個人タクシーが加盟する日個連東京都営業協同組合は「法人利用も落ち込んでいる」としている。
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家電量販、展示商品も節電
大手家電量販店が店頭での節電を強化し、対象を展示商品などに広げる。ビックカメラは月内に、展示中の薄型テレビや照明機器の電源を切る取り組みを全店で始める。ケーズホールディングスも全店で実施する方針。エディオンはグループ店舗で看板の消灯時間を早める。環境保護への関心を高める消費者に企業の姿勢をアピールして省エネ家電の拡販につなげるほか、店舗のコスト削減を図る。
ビックは展示商品のうち、消費電力の大きい薄型テレビとパソコンの3割、照明機器と電話機、ファクスの5割で電源を落とす。平日の昼間など来店客が少ない時間は、顧客の反応次第で対象商品を増やすことも検討する。
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鹿島や大成、民間にも工事費用の上乗せ要請
鹿島や大成建設など建設各社は7月から、鋼材や燃料価格の高騰に伴う民間工事の費用上乗せを発注者に要請する方針だ。日本建設業団体連合会などは鉄筋・鉄骨の高騰で工事費全体が3.4―8.2％上昇したと試算、発注企業の業界団体などに契約後でも資材価格上昇分を上積みする協議に応じるよう求める。これを受けて建設各社は個別に3―8％程度の値上げ交渉に入る。
公共工事では国土交通省が、契約後に資材価格が急上昇した場合、工事費用の上積みを認める「単品スライド条項」の発動を決めている。民間工事の契約にも同様の条項があるため、建設各社はこれに基づき工事費用の見直しを求めていく。
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アマダ、工作機械で新工場 岐阜で200億円投資
板金機械最大手のアマダは200億円を投じて岐阜県で2010年に工作機械の新工場を建設する。11年度に工作機械の売上高を07年度比で6割増に引き上げ板金機械に次ぐ新たな収益源に育てる。工作機械は欧州や新興国向けに出荷が拡大し、国内大手も積極投資に動いている。アマダは今後、工作機械分野での合併・買収（Ｍ＆Ａ）も視野に入れて海外市場の開拓を進める。
アマダは金属板を加工する板金機械で独トルンプと世界首位の座を争うが、工作機械では売上高が約200億円と国内中堅にとどまっている。日本メーカーの工作機械受注は輸出拡大を追い風に伸びているため、大幅増産に乗り出す。
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全日空と物流４社、小口貨物急送をアジア展開
全日本空輸と日本通運など物流4社が出資する国際航空貨物会社、オールエクスプレス（東京・大田）は2009年10月までに、部品など小口貨物急送のサービス地域をアジア各地に広げる。08年7月1日のサービス開始時点の上海、香港に続き、タイや中国北部を相次ぎ追加。日本企業のアジア拠点間の輸送需要も取り込み、2011年度に売上高600億円をめざす。
日本からの輸出貨物は08年10月にタイと台湾を追加し、09年4月に中国北部と韓国、同10月にベトナムを加える。アジア各地から日本向けの輸入貨物は08年中に香港で取り扱いを始め、09年に他の地域を相次いで追加。輸出、輸入とも09年10月には日本企業の進出が活発なほぼすべての地域でサービスを展開できるようにする。
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青色ＬＥＤ訴訟の升永弁護士、事務所解散 大手に移籍
青色発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）訴訟などの巨額裁判を担当したことで知られる升永英俊弁護士（65）が今月末に事務所を解散し、7月1日付で所属弁護士らと大手のＴＭＩ総合法律事務所（東京・港）に移籍する。企業法務分野の中小事務所の苦境を象徴する事例といえそうだ。
升永弁護士が率いる東京永和法律事務所（東京・港）は1991年設立。特許や税務の訴訟を得意としている。最近、後継者難に直面し、ＴＭＩ総合に合流を打診していた。弁護士5人、弁理士4人、スタッフ4人のほぼ全員が移籍する。
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動き出す渋谷駅周辺改造、埼京線ホーム移設など
東京都、国土交通省、民間の鉄道事業者などがまとめている渋谷駅周辺の再開発の整備方針の概要が明らかになった。ＪＲ埼京線の渋谷駅ホームを北側に移し、山手線と並行させる。西口のバスターミナルを駅周囲に分散して移設し、跡地を広場にする。2012年度に東急東横線が東京メトロ副都心線と乗り入れるのを期に、周辺整備を加速する。
整備方針をまとめているのは、都、国交省のほか渋谷区、ＪＲ東日本、東京急行電鉄、東京メトロなどがメンバーの「渋谷駅街区基盤整備検討委員会」。週明けにも公表する。
現在、ＪＲ埼京線のホームは、東急東横線があるため、国道２４６号を挟んで南側にある。このため渋谷駅に乗り入れるほかの鉄道と離れており、乗り換えの不便さが指摘されている。しかし、12年度の副都心線との相互乗り入れにともない、東横線が東側に移るため、埼京線ホームの移設が可能になる。
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トラブル頻発の副都心線、改善対策に躍起
14日に開通した東京メトロ副都心線で運行トラブルが相次いだ。後発路線のため既存路線との複雑な乗り入れや、乗員らの不慣れも重なり、単純なトラブルが別のトラブルを呼ぶ“負の連鎖”が生まれた。東京メトロは運転士交代時に立ち会いを置いたり、案内板を変更。ようやくダイヤの乱れは収まってきたものの、今後に予断を許さないスタートとなった。
トラブルは開業から4日間連続した。16日夜には、約3時間、池袋―渋谷間の折り返し運転のみとなり、埼玉県和光市から東京・渋谷をつなぐという利便性の看板が崩れ、帰宅を急ぐ利用客から不満が相次いだ。
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北海道：１４支庁を９総合振興局に再編 条例成立へ
北海道の１４支庁を９総合振興局に再編し、その下に５振興局を置く道の支庁制度改革関連条例案は２８日未明の第２回定例道議会本会議で、与党の自民党・道民会議と公明党の賛成多数で可決、成立する。１９１０（明治４３）年に現行の支庁体制となって以来、再編は初めて。約１００年続いた支庁は北海道に深く根付いた地域単位で、再編後は道政のみならず道民生活の変化につながる可能性もある。
支庁制度改革は高橋はるみ知事が２期目の公約として掲げ、行財政改革の柱と位置付けていた。条例施行日は、支庁再編後も道議会議員の選挙区を現行のまま維持するため、国会で公職選挙法が改正された後に定める。道は来年４月１日施行を目指し、今後、国と調整に入る。
総合振興局は、現行支庁の２部門（地域振興、産業振興）体制から▽地域振興・管理▽道民生活▽産業振興▽社会資本－－の４部門に組織改正し、政策立案の機能やトップの権限を強化。職員数や業務量は支庁と同等の規模とする。
一方、振興局は、生活保護に関する業務や感染症検査、パスポートの発給事務など、住民に身近なサービスに機能を限定する。振興局になる留萌、根室、日高、檜山、石狩の５支庁は条例施行後３年程度をかけて業務・職員数とも現在の６割程度まで縮小される。
自民会派では振興局地域を地盤とする石塚正寛氏（留萌市）、松浦宗信氏（根室市）、藤沢澄雄氏（日高支庁）の３人が反対の立場だが、公明党を合わせ過半数の賛成を確保した。
本会議は２７日午後１時から開かれる予定だったが、事前の道州制・地方分権改革等推進調査特別委員会で野党の民主党・道民連合が徹底審議を求めたため、大幅にずれ込んだ。
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米で被爆者証言活動、「惨状初めて知った」と驚きの声
【バーリントン（米バーモント州）27日共同】広島市が呼び掛けている「全米原爆展」の第6陣となる被爆者証言活動が27日午後（日本時間28日未明）、米北東部バーモント州バーリントンで始まった。14歳で被爆した服飾デザイナーの長尾ナツミさん（77）＝広島市＝が市庁舎で体験を語り、若い聴衆から「惨状を初めて知った」と驚きの声が漏れた。
バーリントンは同州北西部のカナダ国境に近い人口約4万人の都市。体験証言は市庁舎ロビーで始まった原爆展に合わせ、ロビー脇の講堂で行われ、市民約20人が耳を傾けた。
長尾さんは「1日でも原爆のことを思い出したくなかった」と切り出し、仕事の師であるデザイナー森英恵さんから「子供たちに話をしてあげなさい」と勧められ、悩んだ末に証言を決心したエピソードを紹介。
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北九州市職員：出退勤システム修正し不正手当…懲戒免職に
北九州市は２７日、出退勤システムを修正できる権限を悪用し、不正に時間外手当の受給や有給休暇の取得を繰り返し総額約４１０万円を得ていたとして、小倉北区役所まちづくり整備課の坂田佳子職員（４１）を懲戒免職処分にしたと発表した。
市によると、坂田職員は０４年４月から同課の庶務担当で、課員の出退勤時刻をパソコン上で修正できる立場になった。その直後から３年１１カ月にわたり、時間外勤務をしていないのにしたように改ざん、１２８３時間分の時間外手当約３６０万円を不正受給した。
また同時期に、有給休暇を取得後にシステムの出勤簿画面から休暇を削除し、本来取得できる日数や時間を超えて年休や夏季休暇などを取得、５０万円余りを不正に得ていた。
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丸紅巨額詐欺：香港警察が斎藤容疑者を逮捕 資金洗浄容疑
総合商社「丸紅」の偽造稟議（りんぎ）書を使った巨額詐欺事件で、医療コンサルティング会社「アスクレピオス」（破産手続き中）前社長、斎藤栄功（しげのり）容疑者（４６）＝詐欺容疑などで逮捕＝が警視庁に逮捕される直前に、中国・香港でも現地警察にマネーロンダリング（資金洗浄）の疑いで逮捕されていたことが分かった。警視庁捜査２課は、斎藤容疑者が違法収益を海外で洗浄しようとした可能性もあるとみて追及する。【鳴海崇、杉本修作】
斎藤容疑者と丸紅の元社員ら計４人は０５年４月～０７年１１月、米証券大手リーマン・ブラザーズなど約２００の個人・法人に病院再生事業への投資を持ちかけて約１０８０億円を集めた。この事業は架空で、捜査２課は、当初からだまし取るつもりだったとみている。約４７０億円が回収不能になり、使途が分からなくなっている。
捜査関係者によると、斎藤容疑者は今年３月上旬、架空投資がアスク社の社内で発覚すると周囲と連絡を絶つようになった。さらにメディアが不正を報じた３月２８日の直前、香港に向け出国。現地でマンション一室を借りて生活し、関係者を通じて早期帰国を求める警察当局の求めを拒んでいたという。
ところが、香港滞在中に現地警察が斎藤容疑者のマネーロンダリングに関する情報を入手。今月１１日に同容疑で逮捕していた。現地の米国系銀行の口座には数千万円が入っていたという。
しかし、斎藤容疑者は百数十万円の保釈金を支払って２日後には釈放され、１５日朝に日本に帰国した。成田空港に到着後、捜査２課に詐欺などの疑いで逮捕された。
斎藤容疑者は投資家から集めた出資金の一部を、複数回に分けてスイスや中国・マカオの金融機関に移動させ、数億円をプールしていたことが既に明らかになっている。今回の香港の数千万円は、これとは別に送金されていた。
斎藤容疑者は「だました事実はない」と容疑を否認しているが、捜査２課は、多額の資金を海外に移動させていたことが、詐欺容疑の裏付けになるとみて、資金の流れの解明を進めている。
Friday, June 27, 2008
Gazprom chief sets out world vision
Gazprom chief sets out world vision
By Ed Crooks and Carola Hoyos in London and Catherine Belton in Moscow
Published: June 26 2008 22:34 | Last updated: June 26 2008 22:43
Gazprom set out a vaulting vision of its future status as the world’s most powerful energy company on Thursday as it belittled Opec, saying the oil producers’ cartel had in effect lost control of the market.
Alexey Miller told the Financial Times that the world was undergoing “a great surge in oil and gas prices . . . which will end with prices at a radically new level”.
He added that even Opec had no real influence on prices. “Not a single decision has been passed of late that would really influence the global oil market.”
Mr Miller continued: “In the coming years Gazprom will be not just a major company in the world, but the most influential in the energy business,” adding that its target was to reach a market capitalisation of $1,000bn.
He also said international energy companies should invest in Russia only alongside state-controlled companies, such as Gazprom, if they wanted to succeed. He stressed that the Russian market was increasingly attractive to Gazprom as domestic gas prices rose, but also talked of plans for expansion in the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa. “We see North America as a region of our strategic interests,” he said, arguing that Gazprom was “creating a new configuration of gas supplies” to the US and Canada.
Gazprom hopes to serve the North American market from 2014 with liquefied natural gas from its proposed Shtokman project off Russia’s north coast.
“We are currently assessing several options of accessing the North American market,” he said, adding that Gazprom had received “many interesting proposals” from Canadian companies. He also confirmed that Gazprom was interested in the proposed Alaska gas pipeline.
Mr Miller said Gazprom was “quite close” to deals in Nigeria on joint ventures for production, gas utilisation to avoid flaring, and electricity generation. It also hopes to join in building a gas pipeline for exports from Nigeria.
But competition for gas and other energy resources was growing, he said, and stood by his prediction that the price of oil would hit $250 a barrel next year.
He also warned that Russian domestic demand was an increasingly potent destination for Gazprom’s production.
“Europe and Asia [have] encountered a new, powerful competitor, which is the Russian domestic market,” he said.
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Employers press UK ministers on migrants
By George Parker and John Willman in London
Published: June 26 2008 19:29 | Last updated: June 26 2008 19:29
Leading members of London’s financial services industry are to meet government ministers next week amid fears that new immigration rules could undermine the competitiveness of Europe’s premier financial centre and even lead to tycoons such as Bill Gates being turned away.
Employers in the City of London say they still do not know what they will be required to do under a new point-based system for migrant workers, and are worried that talented recruits from abroad who narrowly fail to accumulate sufficient points will be barred by an inflexible approach.
Kitty Ussher, City minister, on Thursday admitted the new system was arousing concerns in the financial centre – especially among international banks – but said she believed it would not cause any problems.
However, Ms Ussher said she and Liam Byrne, immigration minister, would hold talks with City employers next Wednesday to discuss how the points-based system “will work in practice” and to take on board any concerns.
“People have said to me that under the new system Bill Gates would be refused entry because he does not have a degree,” she said. “If he did want to come here, I suspect he may get in on the skills, experience and earnings categories.”
City businesses have broadly welcomed the new system, which replaces a plethora of work permit schemes with just five categories that give preference to entrepreneurs, financial high-fliers and skilled professionals.
However, the system is being phased in throughout this year and many details of how it will operate have yet to be decided.
There are also fears that the requirement for applicants to speak English could discriminate particularly against Japanese staff, who may not have a good grasp of the language.
The operation of the new system was raised by David Lewis, Lord Mayor of the City of London, in a keynote speech last week, when he said that “London is an international city or it is nothing”.
“There is some concern that, despite its laudable objective, the new points system will not in practice permit entry to some of the fresh foreign talent we need,” Mr Lewis said. “We must ensure those concerns are groundless.”
Ms Ussher said the system, based on the Australian model, would allow London to continue to attract the brightest people from around the world. “For intra-company transfers – which is often the situation with our international banks – the migrant has three years to learn basic English.”
Highly skilled migrants can already apply to work in the UK under Tier 1 of the system if they have enough points awarded on the basis of skills, experience, age and past earnings. Under Tier 2, which will come into effect in the autumn, employers will be able to sponsor skilled migrants if there is a shortage of local skills.
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Qatar to invest $8bn in Libyan companies
TRIPOLI, June 26 - Qatar will invest about $8bn in Libyan companies in the financial services, energy and real estate sectors, officials from the North African OPEC oil exporter said on Thursday.
Libya, with a population of 5 million and the biggest oil reserves in Africa, is moving to modernise, but faces an uphill struggle in a command economy where cash is still king, firms battle to get credit and politics dictate the progress of reform.
Visiting Qatari ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi watched as officials from both countries finalised the accords late on Wednesday, according to officials, who declined to be identified.
Barwa Real Estate Co, an affiliate of the Qatar Investment Authority’s $40 billion property wing, agreed a $2 billion deal with state-owned Libyan Development and Investment Co to develop leisure, commercial and residential facilities, the officials said.
Separately, Barwa said in a regulatory filing on the Doha bourse website on Thursday its international arm would invest in an energy project.
The two countries also agreed to set up a $2 billion joint investment fund, a $600 million Libyan-Qatari bank and a $300 million sport and services project, the officials said, declining to give further details.
Libya and Qatar also signed other accords on energy and water projects.
The deals are the latest between Qatar and Libya. The Gulf Arab nation, the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas and an oil exporter is looking to diversify its economy from hydrocarbons.
Qatar National Bank and Masraf al-Rayan two of Qatar’s largest lenders have either opened or are planning to open offices in Libya.
In February, Qatar Diar Real Estate Development, the real estate arm of the country’s sovereign wealth fund, set up a joint venture real estate firm with the Libyan government to invest in the North African country.
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Qatar Telecom in tender offer for Indosat
By John Aglionby in Jakarta
Published: June 27 2008 02:24 | Last updated: June 27 2008 02:24
Qatar Telecom on Friday said it plans to launch a tender offer to buy 44.9 per cent of Indosat, a move triggered by its $1.8bn acquisition of another 40.8 per cent of Indonesia’s second largest mobile phone company.
The Indosat deal will give Qatar Telecom a strong foothold in Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country. Indonesia has a mobile phone penetration rate of less than 30 per cent, much lower than its neighbours.
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Businessman draws fire over Egyptian law
By Heba Saleh in Cairo
Published: June 27 2008 01:54 | Last updated: June 27 2008 01:54
An anti-trust law adopted last week in Egypt has ignited a furious public debate about conflicts of interest.
Ahmed Ezz, a stalwart of the ruling National Democratic party who also controls some 60 per cent of steel production in the country, has been attempting to contradict allegations in the media and from the opposition that he influenced the law in order to protect his business interests.
Mr Ezz is the most prominent of a group of young businessmen closely associated with Gamal Mubarak, the son of the Egyptian president and a senior leader of the ruling party.
It has long been believed in Egypt that the younger Mr Mubarak is being groomed to succeed his father, though both men deny it.
“The presence of businessmen in government is evidence of chaos before it is proof of corruption,” said Diaa Rashwan, an analyst at the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. “There are no rules organising society. It is not known where are the limits of the businessman and those of the politician.”
The government’s draft anti-trust legislation had offered a full amnesty to anyone who reported monopolistic practices to the authorities, even if they were party to them. But parliament abolished that.
Mr Ezz subsequently introduced an amendment that was hastily adopted making whistleblowers liable to half of any financial penalty arising from their testimony.
NDP deputies in parliament also rejected a proposal in the government’s draft legislation to fine monopolies up to 15 per cent of profits realised through illegal practices. Instead the law now imposes a fine capped at about $55m (€34m, £28m).
The head of the country’s competition authority, Mona Yassin, was quoted in the government press as saying she did not consider the fine a sufficient deterrent against monopolistic practices by big producers.
She also said that punishing whistleblowers would act as a disincentive to those who wanted to go to the authorities. Her agency has been looking into allegations of anti-competitive practices by steel producers, but its report has been repeatedly delayed.
Mr Ezz has long been a target of attacks in the press because of the rising price of steel, which has sent construction costs soaring. His company and other producers have pointed out that the increases are tied to the rising costs of their imported raw materials.
Provoked into responding by the ferocious campaign against him, Mr Ezz, who normally shuns the press, has given a series of newspaper and television interviews denying that he has played any part in watering down the anti-trust law.
He told Al Masry El Youm newspaper that the legislation reflected the will of parliament and suggested there was a need to guard against “malicious” complaints.
Gamal Mubarak has injected new blood into the ossified party and is also credited with the pro-business tilt of the cabinet appointed in 2004, which includes several businessmen.
But in spite of a turnround in the economy which has produced three years of 7 per cent growth, many Egyptians are wary of the increasingly close relationship between business and government. And with the benefits of growth still to filter down this has increased hostility against figures such as Mr Ezz.
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China opens door to Europe but not to US
By Sundeep Tucker
Published: June 27 2008 01:51 | Last updated: June 27 2008 01:51
European investment banks have established momentum over their US rivals in the race to develop Chinese securities joint ventures, amid signs that Beijing is delaying the entry of Wall Street firms to the coveted marketplace.
Chinese authorities are opening up the sector to greater foreign investment after a two-year ban and bankers familiar with the situation believe it is significant that Europeans have made the running in recent weeks.
In the latest development Deutsche Bank has agreed a tie-up with Shanxi Securities to establish a venture that will offer investment banking services to mainland clients. It is expected to receive approval this year.
This month Credit Suisse secured regulatory approval to set up a securities joint venture with Founder Securities, a subsidiary of a mainland conglomerate, becoming the first foreign bank to gain entry since the moratorium was lifted in December. A five-year-old mainland securities joint venture part-owned by CLSA, the Asia-focused bank whose largest shareholder is France’s Crédit Agricole, has also gained approval to expand its business.
By contrast, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, which signed separate agreements with mainland partners to set up securities joint ventures, have each been waiting months for regulatory clearance. Other US firms including Merrill Lynch, JPMorgan and Lehman Brothers remain in discussions with potential mainland partners.
Only Goldman Sachs and UBS won approvals for mainland securities joint ventures before China stopped such deals, fearing that the more experienced overseas companies would dominate the industry.
People familiar with the matter believe the issue of approvals for ventures involving US firms has become tied to bilateral talks between China and the US over market access. Washington is lobbying Beijing to open its financial services sector to foreign groups while China wants its leading banks, after years of trying, to be allowed to set up and expand branch networks in the US.
One banking executive said: “By approving the Credit Suisse and CLSA applications, Beijing is sending a message to Washington: the Chinese securities market is opening, but Wall Street firms may have to wait until other issues are sorted out.”
Ironically, the delays in securing approvals come at an opportune time for Wall Street. Senior bankers for US firms in Asia said the internal focus was to stabilise after the subprime crisis.
The collapse of the mainland stock market this year could also benefit Wall Street, with valuations of local securities firms likely to fall significantly. “No one would turn away a Chinese securities licence but I doubt any of us are in a panic to get one,” said another banker.
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Finland hits back on wood tariffs
By David Ibison in Stockholm
Published: June 27 2008 03:00 | Last updated: June 27 2008 03:00
Finland yesterday said it was considering imposing tariffs on Russia in the latest escalation of a dispute over wood imports that threatens to undermine Moscow's international ambitions.
In its most aggressive step yet in a stand-off that could delay Russia's bid for membership in the World Trade Organisation and a partnership deal with the European Union, Helsinki said it might offer state aid to its struggling paper industry and pay for it with charges on the tens of thousands of trucks that cross Finland into Russia every year.
Speaking on the eve of today's EU-Russia summit in Siberia, where Russia's WTO membership is expected to be discussed, Finland's foreign trade minister said a system of transit fees could come into force next year.
Paavo Väyrynen added the warning that if Moscow proceeded with plans to raise its tariffs on wood exports next year then "the transit fees could be raised". He said: "A sustainable solution to wood tariffs has to be found as part of Russia's WTO membership."
The origins of the dispute lie in Moscow's decision to impose export duties on raw timber to promote its own wood processing industry. Moscow doubled tariffs on exports to $15 a cubic metre on April 1 and said it would raise them to $50 next year.
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Saudi amphetamine seizures soar
By Stephen Fidler in London
Published: June 26 2008 22:54 | Last updated: June 26 2008 22:54
Seizures of amphetamines have risen sharply in Saudi Arabia, suggesting a surge in consumption of the illegal stimulant in the kingdom, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia accounted for 28 per cent of all global amphetamine seizures in 2006, the latest year for which data are available, according to the UNODC’s annual report.
The quantities impounded in the kingdom started to rise sharply in 2004 and reached 12.3 tonnes in 2006. “This is equivalent to the sum of all UK seizures – the biggest amphetamine market in Europe – from 2000 to 2006,” the report said.
A further two tonnes of amphetamines destined for Saudi Arabia were seized in neighbouring Oman.
Antonio Maria Costa, the UN agency’s executive director, said his organisation was talking to the Saudi government about the trend, which appeared to have continued into last year.
“If you are asking me for an explanation, I don’t have it. I’m very perplexed,” said Mr Costa.
“Assuming that the efficiency of law enforcement doesn’t change very much over a short time, it suggests that this had been mostly for local consumption.”
In another important shift, the report noted a sharp increase in the area of coca cultivation in Colombia, reversing a five-year decline. It said that about 99,000 hectares were under coca bush last year – an increase of 21,000 hectares over 2006.
However, many of the areas now growing coca were higher and more remote than in the past and, as a result, yields were lower. This meant that overall cocaine output in Colombia had risen only a modest 1 to 2 per cent, the UNODC estimated.
Mr Costa said it was possible that eradication activity in Colombia had pushed cultivation into more remote areas.
He said the cocaine market seemed to be undergoing significant change. Colombia’s Farc guerrilla group, under whose protection much of Colombia’s coca is produced, was “in disarray”, he said, having lost some key leaders.
Colombian cartels had been pushed out of Mexico and, in the face of a slowly declining US market, new smuggling routes had been opened up to Europe via west Africa, threatening countries in that region such as Guinea-Bissau.
The journey to west Africa was made by aircraft or boat from Venezuela or Brazil. Small vessels tended to travel at night so they could not be picked up by satellite surveillance, and could make the transatlantic crossing in four to five nights, said Mr Costa.
In another development, he said Afghanistan rivalled traditional producers such as Morocco in the area of land under cannabis cultivation.
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Riyadh’s women’s mall lifts veil on business
By Andrew England
Published: June 26 2008 01:24 | Last updated: June 26 2008 01:24
Smoked glass screens hide the entrances to the Bab Rizq Jameel centre in Riyadh as though protecting some precious secret inside. Unlike most of the new shopping malls springing up in the Gulf, it has no windows.
Inside, however, the two-storey mall is all brightness: a hub of chic booths offering perfumes, cosmetics, clothes, handicrafts and – most significantly – a sanctuary where Saudi businesswomen can trade openly with other women.
Upstairs, Amani Hammad has an office where she runs a branch of her brother’s advertising company, while Samira Rasheed has a shop selling clothes, accessories and perfumes.
In total, there are about 60 businesswomen operating in the centre, which opened last month.
Women’s lives in the ultra-conservative kingdom are highly segregated, both socially and in the workplace. They are banned from driving and, apart from a tiny number of exceptions, are prevented from working in the same environment as men. Traditionally, many women have not sought jobs, instead marrying young and devoting their lives to raising families. Female unemployment in the oil-rich kingdom is estimated at more than 20 per cent.
Slowly, however, attitudes are beginning to change. A Saudi family-owned business – Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) – set up a non-profit scheme in 2003 under its corporate social responsibility programme that has helped thousands of women find employment and set up their own businesses.
The programme offers business loans to both men and women as well as job training and co-ordinates between job seekers and employers looking to hire, using consultants to research what companies are looking for and where there are opportunities.
Since 2007, it has also opened three female-only shopping malls – the one in Riyadh opened last month joining others in Jeddah and Dammam – under the Bab Rizq Jameel banner.
Women cannot work in normal malls but at Bab Rizq centres they can work and rent space for their own businesses. Those searching for jobs can visit to discuss their options with ALJ staff – other women.
“The objective is to empower women,” says Saad al-Ghamdi, senior vice-president at ALJ. “We need to show people there’s nothing wrong in working, that work is something that should be honourable.”
ALJ, whose core business interests include the automotive industry, property and electronics, donates 100m riyals ($26.7m, €17.2m, £13.5m) each year to the community services programme.
The organisation uses the funds to pay consultants and provide interest-free loans ranging from 5,000 riyals to 150,000 riyals to men and women seeking to set up their own businesses, as well as “micro-loans” ranging from 1,000 riyals to 5,000 riyals specifically for women.
Some 50,000 people have benefited from the loans, of which more than 65 per cent have been women.
Mrs Rasheed, a mother of five, says she has benefited both from the ALJ initiative and – just as importantly – from evolving attitudes.
She began her business some 10 years ago, working from home and designing women’s garments and accessories. She dreamed of opening a shop but, like other jobless women, knew she would not be able to get a loan.
Eighteen months ago, after discovering ALJ’s programme, she took a 25,000 riyal loan and moved her business into a female-only shopping centre. When the organisation opened its mall in Riyadh, she moved in.
“Without the loan I would be small and just in the house,” she says. “The first reason is the financial support; the second reason is we have become more developed. Day by day it is changing; you can communicate with people, there’s more newspapers, there’s more information.”
Last year, through loans and its job search programme, the scheme helped 22,000 people find some form of employment, the group says, including 14,000 women.
The group’s development plan is to open 20 new Bab Rizq Jameel centres across the country over the next three years, with the goal of creating 200 jobs a month from each location, says Ibrahim Badawood, director of ALJ’s community services programme.
It would also like to open branches in other countries where ALJ has a presence, including Egypt, Algeria and Turkey.
At present, the programme is only catering for between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of the demand in Saudi Arabia, officials say.
“We are just a drop in the ocean,” Mr Ghamdi says.
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Tabreed to sell cooling plants
By Robin Wigglesworth in Abu Dhabi
Published: June 27 2008 04:24 | Last updated: June 27 2008 04:24
A reshuffled board at Tabreed, the Middle East’s biggest cooling company, is pushing the company to support shares by selling $817m of refrigeration plants to finance the construction of new units.
The board of Tabreed is looking at raising about Dh1bn ($272m) a year through asset sales over the next three years, rather than borrowing to finance the construction of new, modern utilities. Concern over the expenditures has helped send shares down 23 per cent this year.
Tabreed, which means “cooling” in Arabic, is worth $809m on the Dubai stock exchange and is the Middle East’s biggest provider of so-called district cooling. While air conditioning uses electricity-run compressors to keep temperatures moderate, district cooling plants pump chilled water through pipes in buildings, in much the same way as the Soviet Union kept blocks of flats warm during winter.
The board “feel that the shares are very low, and I can’t argue with them about that”, said Karl Marietta, Tabreed deputy chief executive. “All that debt would put pressure on the company’s ability to maintain its investment-grade rating, and funding all that construction and growth puts pressure on profitability.”
Tabreed is considering selling between three and seven plants every year, which would affect profits “very positively” from 2009, said Mr Marietta. Tabreed, which was formerly known as National Central Cooling, appointed a chairman and seven new board members in March, who want the company to improve profitability.
The Dubai and Abu Dhabi-based company may also spin off parts of its other businesses in maintenance and services to focus on its core district cooling business, according to Mr Marietta. “It’s possible we might look into bringing in new investors, selling off some or all of our ownership, depending on the situation.”
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Unicredit, shifting east, plans 9,000 job cuts in western Europe
AFP
By Etienne Fontaine AFP - Thursday, June 26 01:05 pm
MILAN (AFP) - Unicredit, Italy's biggest bank by capitalisation, said on Thursday it would cut 9,000 jobs in western Europe and invest in central and eastern Europe to boost profits following massive acquisitions.
(Advertisement)
Staffing in western European markets, mainly Italy, Austria and Germany, is to be reduced, "which will affect some 9,000 of the 100,000 jobs" in the region, the company said in a statement presenting its strategic plan for 2008-10.
"(In) central and eastern Europe, the group will expand its network significantly, while in western Europe the focus will be on optimisation, efficiency, restructuring and cost control," the bank added.
The move reflects the attraction of the emerging eastern European economies where incomes are rising fast and consumers are demanding an increasing range of financial products.
"For the foreseeable future the CEE-region (central and eastern Europe) will continue to grow much faster than western Europe," the bank said.
Unicredit said it planned to open 1,300 branches in eastern Europe where 11,500 jobs will be created.
The Italian leader, which has a market capitalisation of 54 billion euros, has been on an acquisition streak over the last few years, snapping up German bank HVB, Italy's Capitalia, Ukraine's Ukrsotsbank and Kazakhstan's ATF, making it the leading bank in eastern Europe.
With Capitalia in its stable, it became what was then the biggest bank in the eurozone and the second-biggest in Europe, and says it has the biggest international network in eastern Europe with 3,600 branches.
The group employed 177,000 people as of the end of 2007, including 100,000 in western Europe.
By 2010, it expects the workforce to total about 180,000, half in eastern Europe, up from 44 percent.
Unicredit chairman Dieter Rampl said that following the string of acquisitions the bank would now concentrate on "extracting value" fom its activities.
By expanding in eastern and central Europe, it said revenues from the region would grow at an annual rate of 19 percent, compared with three percent in western Europe. Group revenues were forecast to increase by 6.7 percent between 2008 and 2010.
The cost-savings and investment will result in growth of net profit per share rising by 10-12 percent annually, excluding exceptional items, Unicredit said.
In eastern Europe the bank will pay particular attention to four countries with "high growth potential" -- Russia, Turkey, Romania and Ukraine -- where 900 of the 1,300 new branches will be located, it said.
Growth will be "more selective" in other countries such as Poland, Croatia, Bosnia and Bulgaria, where Unicredit is already the leading bank.
Some of the job cuts in western Europe are a result of the takeover of Capitalia last year when the two banks' computer systems were merged.
Following the announcement, shares in the bank shed 3.35 percent to 3.98 euros in mid-morning on the Milan stock exchange which was down one percent overall.
Its shares have lost over 40 percent in the past 12 months as a result of the ongoing crisis of the financial markets following the US subprime market collapse, the lowering of its first-quarter projections and the weakening of its capital ratios after the run of acquisitions.
Reacting to the plan, Deutsche Bank said it "seems prudent," while Cheuvreux said it "contains nothing especially new and confirms that Unicredit is affected by the slowdown."
Unicredit is aiming for a Tier 1 capital ratio -- the ratio of a bank's core equity capital to its total risk-weighted assets -- of 7.1 pecent in 2010, against 5.74 percent at the end of the first quarter.
The ratio, closely watched because of the financial crisis, should reach 6.2 percent by the end of 2008.
Unicredit boss Alessandro Profumo has reiterated that no capital increase will be needed to implement the new strategy.
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日本、ブルネイと租税条約締結で基本合意
額賀福志郎財務相は27日、日本とブルネイの両政府が租税条約の締結で基本合意したと発表した。来年の発効を目指す。日本企業がブルネイに置く支店について、課税の範囲を限定することや、配当や利子などにかかる税率に上限を設けることなどが柱。二重課税の排除や税負担の軽減につながる。
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５月の家計消費支出、3.2％減 ３カ月連続マイナス
総務省が27日発表した5月の家計調査によると、2人以上の世帯の消費支出は1世帯あたり28万8128円と、物価変動の影響を除いた実質で前年同月比 3.2％の減少となった。3カ月連続のマイナス。暫定税率の復活で値上がりしたガソリンの購入量が減少したほか、幅広い品目の実質支出が落ち込んだ。同省は消費の基調判断を「減少の兆しがみられる」から「減少傾向が続いている」と下方修正した。
曜日の影響で大型連休の休日数が少なかったことや燃油特別付加運賃（サーチャージ）の上昇などから、パック旅行費の支出が落ち込んだ。中国産食品を敬遠する傾向も続き、ウナギのかば焼きや冷凍食品の売れ行きもさえなかった。
暫定税率復活で値上がりしたガソリンに対する実質消費は前年同月比6.1％減となり、買い控えが広がった。ただ、5月下旬には翌月の価格上昇を見越した買いだめが再び発生し、落ち込みは限定的だった。
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歴史上の人物名、商標登録を制限 特許庁、審査基準見直しへ
「高杉晋作」や「吉田松陰」など歴史上の人物名は商標に使わずに――。特許庁は、企業や個人が歴史上の人物と全く関係ないのに、正当な理由なくその人物名を使った商標登録をできないようにする。来年1月にも商標登録の審査基準を改める。歴史上の人物の子孫や、人物とゆかりのある地域が「町おこし」に人物名を使いたいとの要望が出ていたためだ。
現在の商標登録の審査基準は、歴史上の人物名を使った商標を認めるかどうかを定めていない。新たな基準では(1)故人の子孫の承諾を得ているか(2)地元住民の感情を損ねないか――などの項目を追加。また、故人が有名である点を利用し、不正な利益を得る可能性があるかどうかについても追加を検討する。
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高等教育の強化明記 「骨太08」の最終案固まる
政府が27日に閣議決定する経済財政運営の基本方針「骨太方針2008」の最終案が固まった。調整が残っていた教育の項目では、高等教育の教育研究の強化や学校のＩＣＴ（情報通信技術）化の推進など10以上の個別施策を新たに掲げたうえで、「新たな時代に対応した教育上の諸施策に積極的に取り組む」と明記した。
教員の増員や財政支出の数値目標を巡り閣議決定が遅れている教育振興基本計画の扱いについては、原案通り「計画に基づき、我が国の未来を切り拓（ひら）く教育を推進する」との表現を残した。ただ教員数や財源に関する数値は盛りこまなかった。
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株主総会1315社開催 ノーリツ鋼機は社長人事覆る
3月期決算の上場企業の株主総会が27日、ピークを迎えた。警察庁によると、集中日としては前年より142社少ない1315社が全国で一斉に開催した。
写真処理機大手のノーリツ鋼機の株主総会が和歌山市内のホテルで開かれ、5割弱の株式を保有する創業家側がセイコーインスツルメンツ（現セイコーインスツル）元社長の茶山幸彦氏を含む3人の取締役を選任する人事案を提出し、可決された。社長昇格予定の喜田孝幸副社長ら5人の取締役を選任する会社案が覆され、総退陣する異例の事態となった。引き続き開いた取締役会で茶山氏が新社長に就任した。
プラント工事の失敗で巨額損失を出したＩＨＩは都内で株主総会を開いた。大幅な決算訂正で約16億円の課徴金支払いを勧告されていることについて、釜和明社長は「株主や関係者の方々に多大なご心配をかけ、改めて深くおわび申し上げる」と陳謝した。
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三菱商事、米天然ガス卸に出資 生産から販売、一貫体制に
三菱商事は米国の天然ガス卸売事業者、シーマ・エナジー（テキサス州）に資本参加した。34％を出資して取締役2人を派遣、経営にも関与する。テキサス州に確保している液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）の受け入れ基地で気化したガスを、シーマ社を通じて販売する。ガス田開発やＬＮＧ生産などの上流から、消費地での受け入れ・販売までの一貫体制を整える。
シーマ社を傘下に持つ持ち株会社から、保有株を買い取る。出資金額は明らかにしていない。
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乳価、年度中再交渉も 雪印、引き上げ受諾の可能性
雪印乳業の高野瀬忠明社長は26日、札幌市で会見し、チーズやバターの原料として酪農団体から調達する生乳の価格について「これまでは1年単位で決めてきたが、今後はフレキシブルになってくると思う」と述べ、4月から始まった2008年度中に再び乳価引き上げ交渉に応じる可能性を示唆した。引き上げを受け入れればバターや国産チーズの値上がりにつながる公算が大きい。
乳業会社と酪農団体は1月から翌年度の生乳価格について交渉し、年度中は合意した価格を維持するのが慣例だった。年度中の再交渉は異例だが、高野瀬社長は「飼料価格や原油の高騰で酪農家は厳しい。今年は（価格交渉は）終わり、とはならない」と語った。
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1800万円不正受給、元組員と妻逮捕 生活保護法違反容疑
実際には治療を受けていないのに診療費や交通費を請求し、生活保護費を不正受給していたとして、埼玉県警捜査4課は27日、生活保護法違反容疑で、埼玉県深谷市上野台、指定暴力団稲川会系元組員で韓国籍の崔鳳海容疑者（60）と、妻育代容疑者（44）を逮捕した。
2人がこれまでに不正受給した生活保護費は計約1800万円に上るとみられる。
調べでは、2人は昨年10月、自宅から約100キロ離れた群馬県みなかみ町の病院に「通院した」と偽り、診療費やタクシー代などの名目で、深谷市から計約14万円を不正に受け取った疑い。調べに対し、2人とも容疑を認めているという。
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諫早湾干拓事業、５年間の水門開放を命じる 佐賀地裁
有明海の漁業不振は、国営諫早湾干拓事業（長崎県）の潮受け堤防閉め切りが原因だとして、同海に面する長崎、佐賀、福岡、熊本各県の漁業者ら約2500 人が、国に堤防の撤去や排水門の開門などを求めた訴訟の判決で、佐賀地裁は27日、南北排水門の5年間常時開放を命じた。諫早湾の漁業被害と閉め切りの因果関係を認めた。
判決理由で神山隆一裁判長は「有明海の漁業被害と堤防閉め切りの因果関係はデータは不足しており認めるのは困難だが、諫早湾内とその近くの漁場については相当程度の立証がされている」と認定。「中・長期の開門調査に国が応じないのは、原告が主張する被害の立証を妨害するものと言わざるをえない」と厳しく非難した。ただ準備に必要な3年間は開門を猶予するとした。
諫早湾の干拓には、総事業費約2500億円が投じられ、費用対効果や環境への配慮をめぐり、大型公共事業の在り方が問われてきた。漁業被害については四県の漁業者らが公害等調整委員会に干拓事業との因果関係認定を求める裁定を申請したが棄却されていた。
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あなたの厚生年金が危ない…５６０万件に支給漏れ！？
政府は２７日、年金記録問題の関係閣僚会議を開き、社会保険庁のコンピューター上の厚生年金記録と、元になった紙台帳を照合するサンプル調査の結果、１．４％に入力ミスなどがあったと発表した。厚生年金の紙台帳は全体で約４億件あり、今回の入力ミスの割合である１．４％を単純に掛けると約５６０万件に相当する。これらの記録の持ち主には、本来の年金額が支払われない可能性があるのだ。
これまで舛添要一厚生労働相は、社保庁の後継組織「日本年金機構」が発足する２０１０年１月までに紙台帳との照合による記録補正を終える決意を示していたが、機構発足後に先送りされることも決まった。
調査は約２万件を抽出。２７７件で不一致があり、このうち４８件は紙台帳の情報が全く入力されていなかった。残りの不一致は加入・脱退の年月日や給料水準が２１５件、氏名や生年月日などが１８件（重複あり）。このほか破損や汚れなどで判読できない紙台帳が１１件あった。
紙台帳の記録をコンピューターに入力する際の漏れやミスが原因とみられるが、こうしたミスは年金額に影響するため、支給漏れが大量に発生している恐れもある。
同庁は今後の対策として、アルバイト職員を２５００－３１００人雇用し、１０、１１年度の２年間でコンピューター上の記録との突き合わせを集中的に実施する方針。ただ、予算の制約などから突き合わせは当面、申請に基づいて実施する。
今回のサンプル調査で明らかになった入力ミスは、基礎年金番号に未統合の「消えた」年金記録とは別問題。未統合記録がなくても、受給額が減ってしまう可能性があるだけに、福田政権にとって大きな打撃となりそうだ。
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年金記録：特定困難な記録 なお１９３４万件残る
社会保険庁は２７日の年金記録問題に関する関係閣僚会議で、宙に浮く５０９５万件の年金記録について、６月時点での解明状況を報告した。持ち主の早期特定が困難な「今後解明を進める記録」は、３月公表時点の２０２５万件から９１万件減ったものの、依然１９３４万件残っている。
３月までに５０９５万件の持ち主と想定される人に送られたねんきん特別便（１０３０万人分）のうち、記録訂正の有無を返信した人は、年金の受給者で２３８万人（７９．２％）、現役の加入者で３２１万人（４３．９％）の計５５９万人だった。「訂正あり」と答えた受給者は、２９．４％にとどまっている。現役加入者では、返信者の６９．１％が「訂正あり」と答えた。
５月に持ち主が特定され、社会保険事務所で正しい年金額（年額）を試算した６万６７９５件の記録については、新たに３６．２億円の給付に結びつくことも判明。１人当たり約５．４万円となる計算だ。
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東京・表参道の土地詐欺：ジャーナリスト、執行猶予判決に－－地裁
東京・表参道の一等地の取引を巡り、会社社長から多額の現金をだまし取ったとして詐欺罪などに問われたフリージャーナリスト、二瓶絵夢（えむ）被告（３２）に対し、東京地裁は２６日、懲役３年、執行猶予５年（求刑・懲役５年）を言い渡した。
河本雅也裁判長は、同日午前に懲役４年の実刑判決を受けた元国会議員秘書、市川和久被告（４６）と同格の首謀者と認定したが「反省の態度を示して弁償を進めている」として執行猶予を付けた。
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東京・中野区職員無断欠勤中給与訴訟：区長にも賠償責任－－高裁
東京都中野区が無断欠勤していた区職員（故人）に給与を支払ったのは違法として区民が給与の一部８２万円余の返還を求めた住民訴訟で、東京高裁（西田美昭裁判長）は２６日、１審・東京地裁判決（０６年１１月）が退けた田中大輔区長の賠償責任を認め、原告全面勝訴の判決を言い渡した。
区総務部職員は０４年２～５月に病気で無断欠勤したにもかかわらず、当時の総務課長は総務部長の指示で出勤簿に「出勤」と記載し給与を支給した。１審は上司２人の賠償責任を認めたものの、区長に対する請求は「出勤偽装を見抜けなかった」として棄却した。しかし西田裁判長は「区長は不正の理由を問いただしたり、是正しなかった」として、区長に対しても賠償を請求するよう区に命じた。
田中区長は「判決内容を十分検討し、今後の対応を決めたい」とのコメントを出した。
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Greenland denied on whale catch
By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News website, Santiago
Greenland village. Image: BBC
The first vote at this year's International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting has resulted in defeat for Greenland's request to expand its hunt.
Many countries were unconvinced that Greenlanders need the extra meat that catching 10 humpbacks would provide, and believe the hunt is too commercial.
A Greenland delegate said the decision would deprive its indigenous Inuit communities of much needed whale meat.
The EU's decision to vote as a bloc on the issue drew harsh criticism.
"It's the volume and scale of trade in Greenlandic hunts that is simply not appropriate"
Claire Bass, WSPA
Greenland whale hunt 'commercial'
"I deeply regret that the IWC was not able to fulfil its obligations when all its requirements were met by Greenland," said Amalie Jessen from Greenland's fisheries ministry.
"I feel those opposing our proposal just wanted to find new excuses not to award humpbacks; and I anticipate that when we bring the proposal back in a year's time, they will have prepared other excuses."
Top trade
Aboriginal or subsistence whaling is designed to allow indigenous communities with a documented nutritional and cultural need for whale meat to hunt, under quotas approved by IWC scientists.
Many delegations were not convinced that Greenland - or Denmark, which speaks for its Arctic territory within the IWC - had made the case that its people needed more whale meat.
ANNUAL ABORIGINAL SUBSISTENCE QUOTAS 2008-12
* Alaska/Chukotka: 56 bowheads
* Chukotka: 124 grays
* Greenland: 212 minkes, 19 fins, 2 bowheads
* Makah (Washington state, US): 5 grays
* Bequia (St Vincent and the Grenadines): 4 humpbacks
And a report issued last week by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) report raised questions over whether the hunt was too commercial.
Investigators found that about 25% of the meat was sold commercially, often through supermarkets.
"There's general acceptance that a limited amount of trade and sale in aboriginal hunts is acceptable," WSPA's marine mammals programme manager Claire Bass told BBC News.
"But really it's the volume and scale of trade in Greenlandic hunts that is simply not appropriate, and also the profit that's being made by third parties such as supermarkets and a private company that's processing the whales."
The IWC's scientific committee had concluded that taking 10 humpbacks each year would be sustainable. And a number of countries used this judgement to weigh in with some harsh words on Greenland's side.
"Am I to understand that in the spirit of saving money, the EU is proposing that we liquidate the (IWC) scientific committee?" asked Russia's IWC commissioner Valentin Ilyashenko.
Guide to the Great Whales
Right whale. Image: BBC
"A bloc has been created, all scientific arguments are useless... and the interests of countries here are divided by political motives."
Russia is home to the largest aboriginal hunt in the world, in Chukotka, and would be keen to pre-empt anything that might curtail that operation.
The US also voted on Greenland's side. Safeguarding the hunt of its Alaskan Inuit is a key domestic priority.
Greenland's claim to be acting solely on the basis of science and need was somewhat undermined by its offer to forego some of its annual fin whale quota if the humpback proposal went through.
Progress block
For the first time at IWC meetings, the EU had decided to formulate an agreed position and vote on it en bloc, as it does in other environmental treaty organisations.
On this occasion Denmark was excused, as it speaks for Greenland.
South Korea described the EU bloc vote as "interference with the legitimate process of this organisation and the due process of law".
A number of Caribbean speakers picked up the theme.
"We are seeing a group of countries, knowing perfectly well that they have the numbers to create confusion in our commission, is attempting to deny the human rights of a group of indigenous people," said Daven Joseph, a member of the St Kitts and Nevis delegation.
Counting whales: A fluky business
Southern right whale. Image: IWC
"At a time when the world is witnessing food shortages, we are seeing a small group of countries that are purporting to be world leaders depriving marginal peoples of the right to eat."
Japan too declared its support for the Greenland bid.
But environmental NGOs accused Japan and its Caribbean allies of hypocrisy, referring back to their blocking of quotas for subsistence whaling at the 2002 IWC meeting in Shimonoseki.
"Japan's intervention, saying how unfair and sad it was that the EU and others would not support a humpback quota for Greenland, can only be viewed as either a complete loss of memory or they are so cynical as to not remember their own actions in Shimonoseki," said Patricia Forkan, president of Humane Society International.
For seasoned IWC observers, the debate marked a return to the bitter tones of the past, after three days when the new spirit of conciliation has kept a lid on the fundamental divisions that endure.
Delegates had decided not to have any votes unless absolutely necessary, and this was the first time consensus could not be reached.
But the spat is not likely to affect the biggest material issue facing the commission - whether a compromise deal can be found between hunting and anti-hunting nations - though it does demonstrate that the inflammable nature of the whaling issue is very far from being dowsed.
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「そこまでやるか！」卸業者ら神港魚類に憤り ウナギ産地偽装
2008.6.26 23:54
中国産ウナギのかば焼きを愛知県三河一色産と偽装表示していたとされるウナギが入った段ボールを検査する東部衛生監視事務所の職員（右）＝２６日午前１１時１分、兵庫県神戸市東灘区・神洋冷凍 （竹川禎一郎撮影）中国産ウナギのかば焼きを愛知県三河一色産と偽装表示していたとされるウナギが入った段ボールを検査する東部衛生監視事務所の職員（右）＝２６日午前１１時１分、兵庫県神戸市東灘区・神洋冷凍 （竹川禎一郎撮影）
「そこまでやるか」「一色フーズが実在しないのか！」－。中国産ウナギのかば焼きが愛知県の「三河一色産」として販売されていた産地偽装。販売していたマルハニチロホールディングスの子会社「神港魚類」（神戸市兵庫区）と取引があった仲卸業者の多くは、業界大手の“看板”を信用して商品を仕入れており、信用を裏切った同社への憤りと失望をあらわにした。
同社と２０年来の取引があった北陸地方の水産卸会社の幹部社員は、偽装が発覚するまでの同社の印象を「取扱量も多く、すごい会社」と話す。４～６月、「同社の商品なら問題ない」と約３トン（約１５００万円相当）を仕入れた。
仕入れの際、「念のために」と提示を求めた産地証明書には「一色産」と記され、「一色フーズ」の社印が押されていた。
「まさか（一色フーズが）実在しない会社とは思わなかった」と振り返る。
値段は国産の平均的な相場で、「中国産でも（国産と同じように）しっかりと作られたウナギはあり、見分けることはできなかった」という。
６月中旬、神港魚類から「農林水産省の調査を受けている」と連絡があったが、詳しい内容は教えられず、報道で偽装を知った。
幹部社員は「調査と聞いたときに嫌な予感はしたが、そこまでやるかという思い。古いつきあいだけに残念」と悔しさをにじませた。
「神港魚類には謝罪と説明をしてもらわないと納得がいかない」
こう話すのは、同社と８年ほど前から取引があった香川県内の水産業者。
５～６月に「一色産」の産地証明がついたウナギ３８０キロを仕入れ、１９０キロを同県内のスーパーに卸した。
同社も「見た目では分からなかった」といい、従業員は「水産卸は信用のもとに成り立つ商売なのに、これでは詐欺だ」と語気を強めた。
広島県内の食品加工会社も、土用の丑（うし）の日（７月２４日）の売り上げを見込み通常の１５倍近いかば焼きを仕入れたが、偽装発覚を受け在庫をすべて返品。
同社に謝罪と説明を求めたが、回答がないままだという。
神港魚類によると、同社がかば焼きを販売したのは全国１６社。「こうした偽装のせいで商品としてのウナギが消費者から見放されていくと思うと、やりきれない」と涙ながらに訴える業者もあり、繁忙期を前に業界に暗雲が広がった。
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「ギョーザ事件で苦境」はウソ？ ウナギ偽装「魚秀」年初から計画 兵庫、徳島県警が強制捜査へ
2008.6.27 01:16
このニュースのトピックス：食の安全
水産物輸入販売会社「魚秀（うおひで）」（大阪市）が中国産ウナギを「愛知県三河一色産」と偽装表示した問題で、中谷彰宏社長ら同社幹部が今年１月から偽装販売を準備していたことが農林水産省の調査で分かった。中谷社長は、偽装の理由を記者会見で「（１月末の中国）ギョーザ中毒事件などで中国産ウナギの売れ行きが不振となったため」としていたが、同省は説明は虚偽とみている。兵庫、徳島両県警は２６日、利益目的の悪質な偽装表示と断定、詐欺や不正競争防止法違反（虚偽表示）に当たる疑いがあるとみて、強制捜査に乗り出す方針を固めた。
農水省などによると、中谷社長らは１月の早い段階で、偽装表示を計画。会社幹部数人で、偽装表示パッケージの準備や販売資金の調達などについて、詳細な役割分担を決め、偽装表示の準備を進めていた。ギョーザ事件発覚は同月３０日で、それ以前から準備は進められていたという。
一方、５月下旬から偽装情報が流れ始めると、周辺に「ギョーザ中毒事件などで在庫がたまってやむを得なかった」と弁解。農水省が偽装表示を発表した６月２５日には、中谷社長が会見で「ギョーザ事件などで中国産のウナギの売れ行きが不振となり、在庫をさばきたかった」と説明した。しかし、それ以前の同省の調査で、社長らはギョーザ事件には触れず、ただ「不良在庫をなくしたかった」と説明したという。
たまった中国産を国産と偽り、利益を得ることが偽装目的とみられ、警察当局は魚秀の実質的拠点がある徳島、ウナギを販売した神港魚類がある兵庫の両県警が合同捜査本部を設置するなどし、捜査にあたる。
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暴力団周辺者も関与 ウナギ偽装 ラベルに架空会社 ２商社へ手数料４０００万円 (1/2ページ)
2008.6.27 01:16
魚秀の産地偽装で、同社が暴力団の周辺者に手法を相談し、架空会社を製造者と記載した偽装ラベルを作らせていたことが２６日、関係者の話で新たに分かった。代金の支払いを受ける際も、偽装を知らない２商社と架空会社を経由させて、発覚を難しくさせていた。魚秀は、謝礼や代金、手数料などとして、この暴力団周辺関係者側に数千万円以上、２商社に４０００万円を流していたが、それでも偽装販売で約２億円近い利益を得ていたという。
一色フード
中国産のかば焼き２５６トンを「愛知県三河一色産」と偽装表示していた魚秀。関係者によると、中谷社長ら幹部は、手法について、徳島県の暴力団周辺関係者に相談。偽装ラベルを張って、かば焼きを箱詰めする四国の業者も紹介してもらい、その業者に“偽装表示”を委託。その料金や謝礼などとして、魚秀から周辺関係者側に流れた資金は数千万円以上とみられる。
こうして製造された偽装ラベルには、製造者として「一色フード」という架空会社を記載。住所は「愛知県岡崎市一色町字一色」となっていたが虚偽。その場所は山の中で、会社らしき建物は一戸もなかった。
隠蔽工作…
偽装されたかば焼きは、水産大手「マルハニチロホールディングス」の子会社「神港魚類」に販売。４９トンは卸業者を通じ市場に販売された。神港魚類から代金７億７０００万円を支払わせたが、その際も発覚しないように、徹底的な隠蔽（いんぺい）工作を行った。
魚秀が本当の製造者と発覚しないよう、７億７０００万円はまず都内の商社に振り込ませ、その商社はさらに別の商社に資金を振り込んだ。その上で、魚秀は商社に資金を銀行から引き出させ、中谷社長や別の役員に手渡しさせた。手渡しは４回に分け、架空会社の製造を装うため、一色フード名で領収書を発行する徹底ぶりだった。
隠蔽工作は、１月下旬から２月中旬、魚秀の役員が２商社側に、偽装など細かい事情を一切告げず「神港魚類との取引」と持ちかけ、協力させていた。２つの商社には、それぞれ約３５００万円と約５００万円の手数料が支払われた。
商社の役員は「商品のウナギは見たこともなかった。業界大手の神港魚類と取引できると喜んだ。契約関係や過去の経緯から販売しにくい相手に、関係ない会社を経由させて魚を売るという行為は業界では珍しくない。手数料も高かったし、引き受けた」と話す。
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三つ星シェフ「富裕税いや」、仏国籍捨てモナコに帰化
【パリ＝林路郎】フランス料理界の大物で、日本でも高級レストラン「ベージュ アラン・デュカス東京」などを手がけるシェフ、アラン・デュカス氏（５１）が、一定額以上の資産を持つ場合にかかる仏の富裕税を嫌って同国籍を捨て、隣国モナコに帰化し、仏社会に衝撃を与えている。
サルコジ仏大統領は、「仏料理を世界遺産に登録する」と公言してきたが、出はなをくじかれた形だ。
デュカス氏は、１９９０年に史上最年少の３３歳でレストランガイド「ミシュラン」の三つ星を獲得し、現在、パリ、東京、ニューヨークなどに計２０軒以上のレストランを持ち、２０００人近いスタッフを抱える。
資産家への優遇税制を取るモナコには、欧州各国の著名人が多く住む。デュカス氏は帰化により、フランスに富裕税を納める必要はなくなるという。
同氏の帰化は、モナコ元首のアルベール２世公が２３日の官報で発表。デュカス氏が翌日のテレビ番組で帰化の理由として、資産評価額の最高５０％の税率が適用される富裕税を挙げたため、仏国民議会（下院）では与党・民衆運動連合から富裕税廃止論が浮上。フィガロ紙は２５日、「この１０年で約５０００人が富裕税を理由に国籍を捨てた」などとする特集記事を組んだ。
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Tax exile chef puts France in a stew
By Paul Betts
Published: June 25 2008 20:32 | Last updated: June 25 2008 20:32
Alain Ducasse is probably the world’s most famous chef. He has accumulated more Michelin stars, 14 in all, than anyone else. He is today at the head of a gastronomic empire that employs nearly 2,000 people, with restaurants around the globe. He is even developing meals for astronauts for the European Space Agency. Understandably, he is regarded as the grand ambassador of modern French haute cuisine.
But Mr Ducasse, like so many of his rich countrymen, has decided to exile himself to escape France’s punitive wealth tax. He has just given up his French nationality and become a citizen of Monaco by sovereign order of Prince Albert II, ruler of the tiny Mediterranean tax haven.
For all the celebrity chef’s effusive explanations for changing nationality, his decision has inevitably sparked a noisy political controversy and renewed calls for the abolition of the French wealth tax, the so-called impôt sur la fortune. Mr Ducasse claims to have a “heartfelt” attachment to Monaco. After all, for 22 years he has been closely associated with the principality, where he runs the Louis XV restaurant in the Hotel de Paris. And it was in this luxurious establishment that he won his first three Michelin stars.
Mr Ducasse also insists that he will continue to pay French taxes on his many French ventures – he recently opened the new restaurant on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. But this has not prevented a revival of the French wealth tax dispute.
The issue remains something of a political taboo – even, it seems, for France’s current reforming president, Nicolas Sarkozy. As with the 35-hour week, no government seems prepared to scrap outright what has become an archaic and incongruous tax. For these days it hits not only the very rich, but also middle-class taxpayers who have seen the value of property shoot up. Individuals have to pay this extra levy if they own assets, including their primary residence, worth more than €770,000.
Opponents note that the Madrid government is abolishing a similar tax in Spain. They also argue that it undermines the competitiveness and attraction of France, from where numerous high net worth individuals continue to exile themselves to more friendly fiscal countries such as Belgium or Switzerland – not to mention Monaco, where gaining Monegasque nationality is like gold dust. Only about 60 people are granted it each year.
Mr Sarkozy tried to sidestep the issue last year by lowering the cap on individuals’ tax burden to 50 per cent from 60 per cent. But the opposition parties have argued that this has simply helped the rich at the expense of the middle classes.
The veteran Franco-Belgian rock star Johnny Hallyday touched off a similar controversy last year when he decided to exile himself to Gstaad in the Swiss Alps. A close friend of Mr Sarkozy, he later decided to return to France. It is unlikely that Mr Ducasse will do the same. That said, his highly publicised decision to become Monegasque could well provide the political stimulus in Paris to scrap the wealth tax.
Turkish delight
Amid the cheers and tears of last night’s European quarter-final championship match between Germany and Turkey, there was never any question of who would win the European financial football league. Since the beginning of this year, Turkish soccer teams listed on the stock market have easily outperformed their European peers.
The Dow Jones Stoxx football index – whose components include 27 publicly traded clubs across Europe, the EU enlarged region and Turkey – has gained 8 per cent so far this year. But Turkey has scored by far the most impressive performance with four clubs, including three Istanbul-based teams, in the index top 10 gainers.
The Istanbul club of Fenerbache is the leader with its stock rising 79 per cent since January. Second is Trabzonspor, whose shares have gained 70 per cent. Istanbul’s popular Galatasary is fourth, with its shares rising 39 per cent, while Besiktas, another Istanbul club, is ninth with a more modest 7 per cent share price increase.
Italy’s Roma is third but its 48 per cent share price rise is largely owed to speculation that George Soros could be interested in buying the club. The veteran Hungarian-born financier has tried to kick these rumours into touch, with little apparent success. Another Rome club, Lazio, has also seen its shares rise about 34 per cent this year, while the best-performing UK club in this stock market league is Sheffield United, with a 19 per cent gain.
The remarkable performance of Turkish clubs reflects the country’s fanatical passion for football. The Turkish national team has also stimulated football fever by pulling off some miraculous last-minute victories in the European championship qualifying rounds. In so doing, it has provided a little Turkish delight in otherwise glum financial markets.
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Ducasse Becomes Monaco Citizen; to Still Pay French Taxes
By Alan Katz
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June 24 (Bloomberg) -- Alain Ducasse, holder of 14 Michelin stars for his restaurants worldwide, became a citizen of Monaco, renouncing his French passport and lowering his taxes.
Ducasse, 51, who made his international reputation through the Louis XV restaurant in the Hotel de Paris in Monte-Carlo, said the move was a heartfelt choice and that tax benefits weren't the reason for his move.
``If I really wanted to save money I would have moved my companies offshore,'' Ducasse said on RTL radio today. ``My companies are in France and pay their taxes in France. My personal savings will be very slight. It's an affair of the heart.''
In addition to his restaurants there, Ducasse plans to open a cooking school in Monaco in 2010 that will teach French cuisine, in English, to students from around the world.
``Monaco invented me and built me,'' Ducasse said. ``And the ability to develop the image of my companies is stronger from Monaco than from France.''
Ducasse took over the Louis VX in 1986 at the request of Prince Rainier III, his company said in a statement released yesterday. Rainier died in 2005 and was succeeded by his son, Prince Albert II.
Ducasse said his move to become Monegasque was started by Rainier. He added that he will continue to pay French income taxes on his ``personal activities'' in France.
Ducasse runs 22 restaurants, inns, bistros and bakeries, as well as cooking schools and a food consultaning company, according to his Web site.
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Turkmenistan to export gas to China in 2009 - Berdymukhammedov
27.06.2008, 13.49
ASHGABAT, June 27 (Itar-Tass) - In 2009 Turkmenistan will be exporting natural gas from the right bank of the Amu Darya River through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to China, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov said making a welcoming address to the participants in the construction of a gas treatment facility at the Samandepe field that has been launched.
It is located on the right bank of Amu Darya and is part of the Bagtyyarlyk agreement territory according to the production sharing agreement with the Chinese National Oil and Gas Company. The future gas pipeline will run from this place.
“Diversification of the transportation of energy carriers to world markets is a priority sphere in the fulfilment of the country’s resource potential,” the president noted in his address. “According to independent foreign experts, our gas reserves are 24.6 trillion cubic metres,” the head of Turkmenistan stressed.
The cost of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline with a total length of 1,818 kilometres will exceed 6.7 billion US dollars, according to the state agency for management and use of hydrocarbon resources under the Turkmen president.
Over 500 million dollars have already been attracted for projects aimed at the development of the Bagtyyarlyk agreement territory. Complex work to prepare wells is currently underway. It is planned to build at the Samandepe gas field facilities for gas storage and treatment, as well as the compressor and measuring stations. In accordance with the general agreement on the construction of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline, the annual deliveries of natural gas will reach 30 billion cubic metres.
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Military-technical cooperation: does Russia need it?
15:04 | 26/ 06/ 2008
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Andrei Kislyakov) - Although sounding rhetorical, the question highlights one of the current weaknesses of Russia's defense industry.
In mid-June, General of the Army Nikolai Makarov, Chief of the General Staff of Russia, speaking at the Eurosatory-2008 defense exhibition in Paris, said "starting in 2011 we will begin formulating a new armament program through 2020." The program, he said, "should coordinate the development of all Russian weapons and equipment."
Makarov defined his mission at the Paris exhibition as "watching the direction of the world, minimizing possible mistakes and following the trends of the 2020s and 2030s."
The world, Europe in particular, is moving toward international cooperation, and abandoning the practice of each state developing and manufacturing its own weapon systems. The Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has served this purpose for almost ten years in Europe.
This cooperation has enabled a united Europe, early in the millennium, to expand to a new purchasing system. For example, a contract to buy 196 A-400M military transport planes for eight countries signed in Brussels in December 2001 was completed between Airbus Military and OCCAR, rather than between the manufacturer and each separate country.
Space is another arena for cooperation. The European Space Agency (ESA) coordinates the space efforts of all European nations involved in the program.
It is no secret that Russia's defense industry relies heavily on production facilities in Ukraine. Engines for strategic and converted launch vehicles are produced, for example, in Dneprepetrovsk, and there have been few complaints about their performance.
But NATO-dominated European military cooperation is one thing, and cooperation between Russian and Ukrainian defense plants is another thing. Today's reality is that most of Russia's defense products are manufactured abroad.
In mid-June, Russia's Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, strongly urged an end to dependence on Ukrainian production of aero and rocket engines. He said he wanted engines for the Kh-35, Kh-55 and Kh-59M strategic air-launched cruise missiles currently produced in Ukraine to be manufactured in Russia.
His motives are easy to understand. Ukraine's uncertain policy, its possible NATO membership, and its anti-Russian rhetoric force Russian leadership to seek other options.
But does Russia need to hurry? The companies fulfilling Russian orders are located in eastern Ukraine, a territory whose population is set firmly against NATO membership. Without backing from this industrialized region, Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO any time soon.
Self-reliance on armaments is a good thing, but partnership is necessary, too. Should we sever industrial cooperation on cruise missiles, we might lose contracts for the production of components for RS-20 Satan strategic intercontinental missiles as well - the linchpin of Russia's nuclear deterrence. Russian-Ukrainian Sea Launch space cooperation and much else could suffer.
Forget for a moment that we need to produce a full range of weapons in specific quantities and of specific quality. Is Russia's defense industry ready to take such a step?
In June, Mikhail Babich, deputy chairman of the State Duma's defense committee, said: "One-third of our defense plants are in the red or are about to go bankrupt. Another third are barely making ends meet. And only one third are doing moderately well." Speaking of lead times, he said frankly that "production of modern fourth and fifth generation weapons and military equipment sometimes takes several years, and unless we solve these problems, any business planning, investment, or retooling is out of the question."
Babich was optimistic when he mentioned "several years." Pantsyr-S1 and S-400 surface-to-air missile systems designed to repel space attacks show that at least ten years might be needed. Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov made a similar remark about the Pantsyr's lead-time. Speaking at the end of March in Tula, he said the developer, Tula's Instrument-Making Design Bureau, had repeatedly pushed back its deadlines. The reason, he said, was its failure "to establish sound relations with its suppliers and co-producers."
Maybe Russia should not hasten to sever relations with its Ukrainian manufacturers, especially since international experience shows us the advantages of multi-national cooperation in weapons production.
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Natural Gas 75% Gain Speeds Horizontal Drilling at Devon, Range
By Joe Carroll
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June 27 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. natural-gas producers are drilling wells previously deemed too costly and resurrecting abandoned fields from Appalachia to the Rockies, spurred by the biggest rally in fuel prices in eight years.
Devon Energy Corp. and Range Resources Corp. are drilling horizontal wells that cost three times as much as traditional vertical shafts to unlock gas from rock formations that were unprofitable to exploit before this year's 75 percent gain by gas futures. The number of active U.S. gas rigs rose to a nine- month high last week, according to a survey by Baker Hughes Inc.
``As prices are better you want to drill more wells to get more production on line as quick as possible,'' said Larry Pinkston, chief executive officer at Unit Corp., a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based gas producer and drilling-rig operator. ``So we definitely are drilling more wells.''
The rise in gas futures in New York this year exceeded the 45 percent surge in oil and all commodities besides coal. U.S. gas demand probably will grow 4 percent this year, double the rate of new supply, said Roger Read, an analyst at Natixis Bleichroeder Inc. in Houston.
Gas gained the most since prices more than doubled in the first half of 2000. This month, futures rose above $13 per million British thermal units for the first time since 2005, when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita idled wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Read attributed the gain to ``unrelenting growth in electric power demand,'' lower-than-expected imports and increasing demand for alternatives to coal and oil.
Producer Shares Rise
An index of independent energy producers in the Standard & Poor's 500 climbed 29 percent this year, led by gains of more than 60 percent at Southwestern Energy Co. and Chesapeake Energy Corp. All 10 index members get most of their output from gas. Unit Corp., which isn't in the index, jumped 75 percent. The S&P index of integrated producers such as Exxon Mobil Corp., driven more by oil wells and refining, has fallen 1.7 percent.
New drilling projects will boost U.S. gas supplies in 2009 by 3.6 percent, the biggest increase since 1994, Read said. Gas is the most widely used U.S. furnace fuel and the third-largest source of power generation, according to the Energy Department.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which oversees energy exploration on federal property, issued 7,124 permits to drill in the fiscal year ended Oct. 1, 5.7 percent more than fiscal 2006. Nine out of 10 of those permits were issued for projects in Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.
Drilling Accelerates
Range Resources, based in Fort Worth, Texas, increased its capital budget 40 percent this year to $1.27 billion to sink more wells in the Barnett Shale in Texas and the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Range Resources, which gets most of its production from the Barnett Shale, expects to begin pumping commercial volumes of gas from the Marcellus in early 2009.
Drilling horizontal wells in deep, hard deposits such as the Barnett Shale costs about $3 million each, compared with $1 million to $1.5 million for a vertical well, Range Resources President Jeffrey Ventura said in a telephone interview.
Horizontal drilling is costlier because it requires more sophisticated rigs with more powerful motors, said Michael McMahon, managing director of New York-based leveraged buyout firm Pine Brook Road Partners LLC, which bankrolled three new gas producers in the past 15 months.
Horizontal Wells
Horizontal drilling is the only way to tap formations that otherwise won't give up their gas, Ventura said.
``There some areas of the Barnett Shale that didn't work at all as vertical developments but are very commercial as horizontals,'' Ventura said. ``Rock formations that people thought were non-prospective are now prospective.''
Unit Corp.'s Pinkston plans to drill at least 280 wells this year, up 11 percent from 2007. The program will let the company replace at least 150 percent of the gas and oil it pumps for the next several years, he said.
The company, which also owns 131 onshore rigs and a pipeline business, built two new rigs this year and plans to add another two in the fourth quarter, Pinkston said. Unit will decide in the next few weeks whether to order more rigs for 2009 delivery, he said.
Competition for drilling equipment and rig crews is escalating costs for producers, said Pine Brook's McMahon.
Pine Brook, founded in 2006 by former Warburg Pincus Vice Chairman Howard Newman, is stockpiling about 20 miles of pipe, enough to excavate six wells, in response to delivery delays from pipe makers because of soaring demand, McMahon said.
By Ed Crooks and Carola Hoyos in London and Catherine Belton in Moscow
Published: June 26 2008 22:34 | Last updated: June 26 2008 22:43
Gazprom set out a vaulting vision of its future status as the world’s most powerful energy company on Thursday as it belittled Opec, saying the oil producers’ cartel had in effect lost control of the market.
Alexey Miller told the Financial Times that the world was undergoing “a great surge in oil and gas prices . . . which will end with prices at a radically new level”.
He added that even Opec had no real influence on prices. “Not a single decision has been passed of late that would really influence the global oil market.”
Mr Miller continued: “In the coming years Gazprom will be not just a major company in the world, but the most influential in the energy business,” adding that its target was to reach a market capitalisation of $1,000bn.
He also said international energy companies should invest in Russia only alongside state-controlled companies, such as Gazprom, if they wanted to succeed. He stressed that the Russian market was increasingly attractive to Gazprom as domestic gas prices rose, but also talked of plans for expansion in the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa. “We see North America as a region of our strategic interests,” he said, arguing that Gazprom was “creating a new configuration of gas supplies” to the US and Canada.
Gazprom hopes to serve the North American market from 2014 with liquefied natural gas from its proposed Shtokman project off Russia’s north coast.
“We are currently assessing several options of accessing the North American market,” he said, adding that Gazprom had received “many interesting proposals” from Canadian companies. He also confirmed that Gazprom was interested in the proposed Alaska gas pipeline.
Mr Miller said Gazprom was “quite close” to deals in Nigeria on joint ventures for production, gas utilisation to avoid flaring, and electricity generation. It also hopes to join in building a gas pipeline for exports from Nigeria.
But competition for gas and other energy resources was growing, he said, and stood by his prediction that the price of oil would hit $250 a barrel next year.
He also warned that Russian domestic demand was an increasingly potent destination for Gazprom’s production.
“Europe and Asia [have] encountered a new, powerful competitor, which is the Russian domestic market,” he said.
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Employers press UK ministers on migrants
By George Parker and John Willman in London
Published: June 26 2008 19:29 | Last updated: June 26 2008 19:29
Leading members of London’s financial services industry are to meet government ministers next week amid fears that new immigration rules could undermine the competitiveness of Europe’s premier financial centre and even lead to tycoons such as Bill Gates being turned away.
Employers in the City of London say they still do not know what they will be required to do under a new point-based system for migrant workers, and are worried that talented recruits from abroad who narrowly fail to accumulate sufficient points will be barred by an inflexible approach.
Kitty Ussher, City minister, on Thursday admitted the new system was arousing concerns in the financial centre – especially among international banks – but said she believed it would not cause any problems.
However, Ms Ussher said she and Liam Byrne, immigration minister, would hold talks with City employers next Wednesday to discuss how the points-based system “will work in practice” and to take on board any concerns.
“People have said to me that under the new system Bill Gates would be refused entry because he does not have a degree,” she said. “If he did want to come here, I suspect he may get in on the skills, experience and earnings categories.”
City businesses have broadly welcomed the new system, which replaces a plethora of work permit schemes with just five categories that give preference to entrepreneurs, financial high-fliers and skilled professionals.
However, the system is being phased in throughout this year and many details of how it will operate have yet to be decided.
There are also fears that the requirement for applicants to speak English could discriminate particularly against Japanese staff, who may not have a good grasp of the language.
The operation of the new system was raised by David Lewis, Lord Mayor of the City of London, in a keynote speech last week, when he said that “London is an international city or it is nothing”.
“There is some concern that, despite its laudable objective, the new points system will not in practice permit entry to some of the fresh foreign talent we need,” Mr Lewis said. “We must ensure those concerns are groundless.”
Ms Ussher said the system, based on the Australian model, would allow London to continue to attract the brightest people from around the world. “For intra-company transfers – which is often the situation with our international banks – the migrant has three years to learn basic English.”
Highly skilled migrants can already apply to work in the UK under Tier 1 of the system if they have enough points awarded on the basis of skills, experience, age and past earnings. Under Tier 2, which will come into effect in the autumn, employers will be able to sponsor skilled migrants if there is a shortage of local skills.
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Qatar to invest $8bn in Libyan companies
TRIPOLI, June 26 - Qatar will invest about $8bn in Libyan companies in the financial services, energy and real estate sectors, officials from the North African OPEC oil exporter said on Thursday.
Libya, with a population of 5 million and the biggest oil reserves in Africa, is moving to modernise, but faces an uphill struggle in a command economy where cash is still king, firms battle to get credit and politics dictate the progress of reform.
Visiting Qatari ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi watched as officials from both countries finalised the accords late on Wednesday, according to officials, who declined to be identified.
Barwa Real Estate Co, an affiliate of the Qatar Investment Authority’s $40 billion property wing, agreed a $2 billion deal with state-owned Libyan Development and Investment Co to develop leisure, commercial and residential facilities, the officials said.
Separately, Barwa said in a regulatory filing on the Doha bourse website on Thursday its international arm would invest in an energy project.
The two countries also agreed to set up a $2 billion joint investment fund, a $600 million Libyan-Qatari bank and a $300 million sport and services project, the officials said, declining to give further details.
Libya and Qatar also signed other accords on energy and water projects.
The deals are the latest between Qatar and Libya. The Gulf Arab nation, the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas and an oil exporter is looking to diversify its economy from hydrocarbons.
Qatar National Bank and Masraf al-Rayan two of Qatar’s largest lenders have either opened or are planning to open offices in Libya.
In February, Qatar Diar Real Estate Development, the real estate arm of the country’s sovereign wealth fund, set up a joint venture real estate firm with the Libyan government to invest in the North African country.
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Qatar Telecom in tender offer for Indosat
By John Aglionby in Jakarta
Published: June 27 2008 02:24 | Last updated: June 27 2008 02:24
Qatar Telecom on Friday said it plans to launch a tender offer to buy 44.9 per cent of Indosat, a move triggered by its $1.8bn acquisition of another 40.8 per cent of Indonesia’s second largest mobile phone company.
The Indosat deal will give Qatar Telecom a strong foothold in Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country. Indonesia has a mobile phone penetration rate of less than 30 per cent, much lower than its neighbours.
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Businessman draws fire over Egyptian law
By Heba Saleh in Cairo
Published: June 27 2008 01:54 | Last updated: June 27 2008 01:54
An anti-trust law adopted last week in Egypt has ignited a furious public debate about conflicts of interest.
Ahmed Ezz, a stalwart of the ruling National Democratic party who also controls some 60 per cent of steel production in the country, has been attempting to contradict allegations in the media and from the opposition that he influenced the law in order to protect his business interests.
Mr Ezz is the most prominent of a group of young businessmen closely associated with Gamal Mubarak, the son of the Egyptian president and a senior leader of the ruling party.
It has long been believed in Egypt that the younger Mr Mubarak is being groomed to succeed his father, though both men deny it.
“The presence of businessmen in government is evidence of chaos before it is proof of corruption,” said Diaa Rashwan, an analyst at the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. “There are no rules organising society. It is not known where are the limits of the businessman and those of the politician.”
The government’s draft anti-trust legislation had offered a full amnesty to anyone who reported monopolistic practices to the authorities, even if they were party to them. But parliament abolished that.
Mr Ezz subsequently introduced an amendment that was hastily adopted making whistleblowers liable to half of any financial penalty arising from their testimony.
NDP deputies in parliament also rejected a proposal in the government’s draft legislation to fine monopolies up to 15 per cent of profits realised through illegal practices. Instead the law now imposes a fine capped at about $55m (€34m, £28m).
The head of the country’s competition authority, Mona Yassin, was quoted in the government press as saying she did not consider the fine a sufficient deterrent against monopolistic practices by big producers.
She also said that punishing whistleblowers would act as a disincentive to those who wanted to go to the authorities. Her agency has been looking into allegations of anti-competitive practices by steel producers, but its report has been repeatedly delayed.
Mr Ezz has long been a target of attacks in the press because of the rising price of steel, which has sent construction costs soaring. His company and other producers have pointed out that the increases are tied to the rising costs of their imported raw materials.
Provoked into responding by the ferocious campaign against him, Mr Ezz, who normally shuns the press, has given a series of newspaper and television interviews denying that he has played any part in watering down the anti-trust law.
He told Al Masry El Youm newspaper that the legislation reflected the will of parliament and suggested there was a need to guard against “malicious” complaints.
Gamal Mubarak has injected new blood into the ossified party and is also credited with the pro-business tilt of the cabinet appointed in 2004, which includes several businessmen.
But in spite of a turnround in the economy which has produced three years of 7 per cent growth, many Egyptians are wary of the increasingly close relationship between business and government. And with the benefits of growth still to filter down this has increased hostility against figures such as Mr Ezz.
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China opens door to Europe but not to US
By Sundeep Tucker
Published: June 27 2008 01:51 | Last updated: June 27 2008 01:51
European investment banks have established momentum over their US rivals in the race to develop Chinese securities joint ventures, amid signs that Beijing is delaying the entry of Wall Street firms to the coveted marketplace.
Chinese authorities are opening up the sector to greater foreign investment after a two-year ban and bankers familiar with the situation believe it is significant that Europeans have made the running in recent weeks.
In the latest development Deutsche Bank has agreed a tie-up with Shanxi Securities to establish a venture that will offer investment banking services to mainland clients. It is expected to receive approval this year.
This month Credit Suisse secured regulatory approval to set up a securities joint venture with Founder Securities, a subsidiary of a mainland conglomerate, becoming the first foreign bank to gain entry since the moratorium was lifted in December. A five-year-old mainland securities joint venture part-owned by CLSA, the Asia-focused bank whose largest shareholder is France’s Crédit Agricole, has also gained approval to expand its business.
By contrast, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, which signed separate agreements with mainland partners to set up securities joint ventures, have each been waiting months for regulatory clearance. Other US firms including Merrill Lynch, JPMorgan and Lehman Brothers remain in discussions with potential mainland partners.
Only Goldman Sachs and UBS won approvals for mainland securities joint ventures before China stopped such deals, fearing that the more experienced overseas companies would dominate the industry.
People familiar with the matter believe the issue of approvals for ventures involving US firms has become tied to bilateral talks between China and the US over market access. Washington is lobbying Beijing to open its financial services sector to foreign groups while China wants its leading banks, after years of trying, to be allowed to set up and expand branch networks in the US.
One banking executive said: “By approving the Credit Suisse and CLSA applications, Beijing is sending a message to Washington: the Chinese securities market is opening, but Wall Street firms may have to wait until other issues are sorted out.”
Ironically, the delays in securing approvals come at an opportune time for Wall Street. Senior bankers for US firms in Asia said the internal focus was to stabilise after the subprime crisis.
The collapse of the mainland stock market this year could also benefit Wall Street, with valuations of local securities firms likely to fall significantly. “No one would turn away a Chinese securities licence but I doubt any of us are in a panic to get one,” said another banker.
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Finland hits back on wood tariffs
By David Ibison in Stockholm
Published: June 27 2008 03:00 | Last updated: June 27 2008 03:00
Finland yesterday said it was considering imposing tariffs on Russia in the latest escalation of a dispute over wood imports that threatens to undermine Moscow's international ambitions.
In its most aggressive step yet in a stand-off that could delay Russia's bid for membership in the World Trade Organisation and a partnership deal with the European Union, Helsinki said it might offer state aid to its struggling paper industry and pay for it with charges on the tens of thousands of trucks that cross Finland into Russia every year.
Speaking on the eve of today's EU-Russia summit in Siberia, where Russia's WTO membership is expected to be discussed, Finland's foreign trade minister said a system of transit fees could come into force next year.
Paavo Väyrynen added the warning that if Moscow proceeded with plans to raise its tariffs on wood exports next year then "the transit fees could be raised". He said: "A sustainable solution to wood tariffs has to be found as part of Russia's WTO membership."
The origins of the dispute lie in Moscow's decision to impose export duties on raw timber to promote its own wood processing industry. Moscow doubled tariffs on exports to $15 a cubic metre on April 1 and said it would raise them to $50 next year.
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Saudi amphetamine seizures soar
By Stephen Fidler in London
Published: June 26 2008 22:54 | Last updated: June 26 2008 22:54
Seizures of amphetamines have risen sharply in Saudi Arabia, suggesting a surge in consumption of the illegal stimulant in the kingdom, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia accounted for 28 per cent of all global amphetamine seizures in 2006, the latest year for which data are available, according to the UNODC’s annual report.
The quantities impounded in the kingdom started to rise sharply in 2004 and reached 12.3 tonnes in 2006. “This is equivalent to the sum of all UK seizures – the biggest amphetamine market in Europe – from 2000 to 2006,” the report said.
A further two tonnes of amphetamines destined for Saudi Arabia were seized in neighbouring Oman.
Antonio Maria Costa, the UN agency’s executive director, said his organisation was talking to the Saudi government about the trend, which appeared to have continued into last year.
“If you are asking me for an explanation, I don’t have it. I’m very perplexed,” said Mr Costa.
“Assuming that the efficiency of law enforcement doesn’t change very much over a short time, it suggests that this had been mostly for local consumption.”
In another important shift, the report noted a sharp increase in the area of coca cultivation in Colombia, reversing a five-year decline. It said that about 99,000 hectares were under coca bush last year – an increase of 21,000 hectares over 2006.
However, many of the areas now growing coca were higher and more remote than in the past and, as a result, yields were lower. This meant that overall cocaine output in Colombia had risen only a modest 1 to 2 per cent, the UNODC estimated.
Mr Costa said it was possible that eradication activity in Colombia had pushed cultivation into more remote areas.
He said the cocaine market seemed to be undergoing significant change. Colombia’s Farc guerrilla group, under whose protection much of Colombia’s coca is produced, was “in disarray”, he said, having lost some key leaders.
Colombian cartels had been pushed out of Mexico and, in the face of a slowly declining US market, new smuggling routes had been opened up to Europe via west Africa, threatening countries in that region such as Guinea-Bissau.
The journey to west Africa was made by aircraft or boat from Venezuela or Brazil. Small vessels tended to travel at night so they could not be picked up by satellite surveillance, and could make the transatlantic crossing in four to five nights, said Mr Costa.
In another development, he said Afghanistan rivalled traditional producers such as Morocco in the area of land under cannabis cultivation.
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Riyadh’s women’s mall lifts veil on business
By Andrew England
Published: June 26 2008 01:24 | Last updated: June 26 2008 01:24
Smoked glass screens hide the entrances to the Bab Rizq Jameel centre in Riyadh as though protecting some precious secret inside. Unlike most of the new shopping malls springing up in the Gulf, it has no windows.
Inside, however, the two-storey mall is all brightness: a hub of chic booths offering perfumes, cosmetics, clothes, handicrafts and – most significantly – a sanctuary where Saudi businesswomen can trade openly with other women.
Upstairs, Amani Hammad has an office where she runs a branch of her brother’s advertising company, while Samira Rasheed has a shop selling clothes, accessories and perfumes.
In total, there are about 60 businesswomen operating in the centre, which opened last month.
Women’s lives in the ultra-conservative kingdom are highly segregated, both socially and in the workplace. They are banned from driving and, apart from a tiny number of exceptions, are prevented from working in the same environment as men. Traditionally, many women have not sought jobs, instead marrying young and devoting their lives to raising families. Female unemployment in the oil-rich kingdom is estimated at more than 20 per cent.
Slowly, however, attitudes are beginning to change. A Saudi family-owned business – Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) – set up a non-profit scheme in 2003 under its corporate social responsibility programme that has helped thousands of women find employment and set up their own businesses.
The programme offers business loans to both men and women as well as job training and co-ordinates between job seekers and employers looking to hire, using consultants to research what companies are looking for and where there are opportunities.
Since 2007, it has also opened three female-only shopping malls – the one in Riyadh opened last month joining others in Jeddah and Dammam – under the Bab Rizq Jameel banner.
Women cannot work in normal malls but at Bab Rizq centres they can work and rent space for their own businesses. Those searching for jobs can visit to discuss their options with ALJ staff – other women.
“The objective is to empower women,” says Saad al-Ghamdi, senior vice-president at ALJ. “We need to show people there’s nothing wrong in working, that work is something that should be honourable.”
ALJ, whose core business interests include the automotive industry, property and electronics, donates 100m riyals ($26.7m, €17.2m, £13.5m) each year to the community services programme.
The organisation uses the funds to pay consultants and provide interest-free loans ranging from 5,000 riyals to 150,000 riyals to men and women seeking to set up their own businesses, as well as “micro-loans” ranging from 1,000 riyals to 5,000 riyals specifically for women.
Some 50,000 people have benefited from the loans, of which more than 65 per cent have been women.
Mrs Rasheed, a mother of five, says she has benefited both from the ALJ initiative and – just as importantly – from evolving attitudes.
She began her business some 10 years ago, working from home and designing women’s garments and accessories. She dreamed of opening a shop but, like other jobless women, knew she would not be able to get a loan.
Eighteen months ago, after discovering ALJ’s programme, she took a 25,000 riyal loan and moved her business into a female-only shopping centre. When the organisation opened its mall in Riyadh, she moved in.
“Without the loan I would be small and just in the house,” she says. “The first reason is the financial support; the second reason is we have become more developed. Day by day it is changing; you can communicate with people, there’s more newspapers, there’s more information.”
Last year, through loans and its job search programme, the scheme helped 22,000 people find some form of employment, the group says, including 14,000 women.
The group’s development plan is to open 20 new Bab Rizq Jameel centres across the country over the next three years, with the goal of creating 200 jobs a month from each location, says Ibrahim Badawood, director of ALJ’s community services programme.
It would also like to open branches in other countries where ALJ has a presence, including Egypt, Algeria and Turkey.
At present, the programme is only catering for between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of the demand in Saudi Arabia, officials say.
“We are just a drop in the ocean,” Mr Ghamdi says.
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Tabreed to sell cooling plants
By Robin Wigglesworth in Abu Dhabi
Published: June 27 2008 04:24 | Last updated: June 27 2008 04:24
A reshuffled board at Tabreed, the Middle East’s biggest cooling company, is pushing the company to support shares by selling $817m of refrigeration plants to finance the construction of new units.
The board of Tabreed is looking at raising about Dh1bn ($272m) a year through asset sales over the next three years, rather than borrowing to finance the construction of new, modern utilities. Concern over the expenditures has helped send shares down 23 per cent this year.
Tabreed, which means “cooling” in Arabic, is worth $809m on the Dubai stock exchange and is the Middle East’s biggest provider of so-called district cooling. While air conditioning uses electricity-run compressors to keep temperatures moderate, district cooling plants pump chilled water through pipes in buildings, in much the same way as the Soviet Union kept blocks of flats warm during winter.
The board “feel that the shares are very low, and I can’t argue with them about that”, said Karl Marietta, Tabreed deputy chief executive. “All that debt would put pressure on the company’s ability to maintain its investment-grade rating, and funding all that construction and growth puts pressure on profitability.”
Tabreed is considering selling between three and seven plants every year, which would affect profits “very positively” from 2009, said Mr Marietta. Tabreed, which was formerly known as National Central Cooling, appointed a chairman and seven new board members in March, who want the company to improve profitability.
The Dubai and Abu Dhabi-based company may also spin off parts of its other businesses in maintenance and services to focus on its core district cooling business, according to Mr Marietta. “It’s possible we might look into bringing in new investors, selling off some or all of our ownership, depending on the situation.”
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Unicredit, shifting east, plans 9,000 job cuts in western Europe
AFP
By Etienne Fontaine AFP - Thursday, June 26 01:05 pm
MILAN (AFP) - Unicredit, Italy's biggest bank by capitalisation, said on Thursday it would cut 9,000 jobs in western Europe and invest in central and eastern Europe to boost profits following massive acquisitions.
(Advertisement)
Staffing in western European markets, mainly Italy, Austria and Germany, is to be reduced, "which will affect some 9,000 of the 100,000 jobs" in the region, the company said in a statement presenting its strategic plan for 2008-10.
"(In) central and eastern Europe, the group will expand its network significantly, while in western Europe the focus will be on optimisation, efficiency, restructuring and cost control," the bank added.
The move reflects the attraction of the emerging eastern European economies where incomes are rising fast and consumers are demanding an increasing range of financial products.
"For the foreseeable future the CEE-region (central and eastern Europe) will continue to grow much faster than western Europe," the bank said.
Unicredit said it planned to open 1,300 branches in eastern Europe where 11,500 jobs will be created.
The Italian leader, which has a market capitalisation of 54 billion euros, has been on an acquisition streak over the last few years, snapping up German bank HVB, Italy's Capitalia, Ukraine's Ukrsotsbank and Kazakhstan's ATF, making it the leading bank in eastern Europe.
With Capitalia in its stable, it became what was then the biggest bank in the eurozone and the second-biggest in Europe, and says it has the biggest international network in eastern Europe with 3,600 branches.
The group employed 177,000 people as of the end of 2007, including 100,000 in western Europe.
By 2010, it expects the workforce to total about 180,000, half in eastern Europe, up from 44 percent.
Unicredit chairman Dieter Rampl said that following the string of acquisitions the bank would now concentrate on "extracting value" fom its activities.
By expanding in eastern and central Europe, it said revenues from the region would grow at an annual rate of 19 percent, compared with three percent in western Europe. Group revenues were forecast to increase by 6.7 percent between 2008 and 2010.
The cost-savings and investment will result in growth of net profit per share rising by 10-12 percent annually, excluding exceptional items, Unicredit said.
In eastern Europe the bank will pay particular attention to four countries with "high growth potential" -- Russia, Turkey, Romania and Ukraine -- where 900 of the 1,300 new branches will be located, it said.
Growth will be "more selective" in other countries such as Poland, Croatia, Bosnia and Bulgaria, where Unicredit is already the leading bank.
Some of the job cuts in western Europe are a result of the takeover of Capitalia last year when the two banks' computer systems were merged.
Following the announcement, shares in the bank shed 3.35 percent to 3.98 euros in mid-morning on the Milan stock exchange which was down one percent overall.
Its shares have lost over 40 percent in the past 12 months as a result of the ongoing crisis of the financial markets following the US subprime market collapse, the lowering of its first-quarter projections and the weakening of its capital ratios after the run of acquisitions.
Reacting to the plan, Deutsche Bank said it "seems prudent," while Cheuvreux said it "contains nothing especially new and confirms that Unicredit is affected by the slowdown."
Unicredit is aiming for a Tier 1 capital ratio -- the ratio of a bank's core equity capital to its total risk-weighted assets -- of 7.1 pecent in 2010, against 5.74 percent at the end of the first quarter.
The ratio, closely watched because of the financial crisis, should reach 6.2 percent by the end of 2008.
Unicredit boss Alessandro Profumo has reiterated that no capital increase will be needed to implement the new strategy.
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日本、ブルネイと租税条約締結で基本合意
額賀福志郎財務相は27日、日本とブルネイの両政府が租税条約の締結で基本合意したと発表した。来年の発効を目指す。日本企業がブルネイに置く支店について、課税の範囲を限定することや、配当や利子などにかかる税率に上限を設けることなどが柱。二重課税の排除や税負担の軽減につながる。
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５月の家計消費支出、3.2％減 ３カ月連続マイナス
総務省が27日発表した5月の家計調査によると、2人以上の世帯の消費支出は1世帯あたり28万8128円と、物価変動の影響を除いた実質で前年同月比 3.2％の減少となった。3カ月連続のマイナス。暫定税率の復活で値上がりしたガソリンの購入量が減少したほか、幅広い品目の実質支出が落ち込んだ。同省は消費の基調判断を「減少の兆しがみられる」から「減少傾向が続いている」と下方修正した。
曜日の影響で大型連休の休日数が少なかったことや燃油特別付加運賃（サーチャージ）の上昇などから、パック旅行費の支出が落ち込んだ。中国産食品を敬遠する傾向も続き、ウナギのかば焼きや冷凍食品の売れ行きもさえなかった。
暫定税率復活で値上がりしたガソリンに対する実質消費は前年同月比6.1％減となり、買い控えが広がった。ただ、5月下旬には翌月の価格上昇を見越した買いだめが再び発生し、落ち込みは限定的だった。
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歴史上の人物名、商標登録を制限 特許庁、審査基準見直しへ
「高杉晋作」や「吉田松陰」など歴史上の人物名は商標に使わずに――。特許庁は、企業や個人が歴史上の人物と全く関係ないのに、正当な理由なくその人物名を使った商標登録をできないようにする。来年1月にも商標登録の審査基準を改める。歴史上の人物の子孫や、人物とゆかりのある地域が「町おこし」に人物名を使いたいとの要望が出ていたためだ。
現在の商標登録の審査基準は、歴史上の人物名を使った商標を認めるかどうかを定めていない。新たな基準では(1)故人の子孫の承諾を得ているか(2)地元住民の感情を損ねないか――などの項目を追加。また、故人が有名である点を利用し、不正な利益を得る可能性があるかどうかについても追加を検討する。
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高等教育の強化明記 「骨太08」の最終案固まる
政府が27日に閣議決定する経済財政運営の基本方針「骨太方針2008」の最終案が固まった。調整が残っていた教育の項目では、高等教育の教育研究の強化や学校のＩＣＴ（情報通信技術）化の推進など10以上の個別施策を新たに掲げたうえで、「新たな時代に対応した教育上の諸施策に積極的に取り組む」と明記した。
教員の増員や財政支出の数値目標を巡り閣議決定が遅れている教育振興基本計画の扱いについては、原案通り「計画に基づき、我が国の未来を切り拓（ひら）く教育を推進する」との表現を残した。ただ教員数や財源に関する数値は盛りこまなかった。
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株主総会1315社開催 ノーリツ鋼機は社長人事覆る
3月期決算の上場企業の株主総会が27日、ピークを迎えた。警察庁によると、集中日としては前年より142社少ない1315社が全国で一斉に開催した。
写真処理機大手のノーリツ鋼機の株主総会が和歌山市内のホテルで開かれ、5割弱の株式を保有する創業家側がセイコーインスツルメンツ（現セイコーインスツル）元社長の茶山幸彦氏を含む3人の取締役を選任する人事案を提出し、可決された。社長昇格予定の喜田孝幸副社長ら5人の取締役を選任する会社案が覆され、総退陣する異例の事態となった。引き続き開いた取締役会で茶山氏が新社長に就任した。
プラント工事の失敗で巨額損失を出したＩＨＩは都内で株主総会を開いた。大幅な決算訂正で約16億円の課徴金支払いを勧告されていることについて、釜和明社長は「株主や関係者の方々に多大なご心配をかけ、改めて深くおわび申し上げる」と陳謝した。
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三菱商事、米天然ガス卸に出資 生産から販売、一貫体制に
三菱商事は米国の天然ガス卸売事業者、シーマ・エナジー（テキサス州）に資本参加した。34％を出資して取締役2人を派遣、経営にも関与する。テキサス州に確保している液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）の受け入れ基地で気化したガスを、シーマ社を通じて販売する。ガス田開発やＬＮＧ生産などの上流から、消費地での受け入れ・販売までの一貫体制を整える。
シーマ社を傘下に持つ持ち株会社から、保有株を買い取る。出資金額は明らかにしていない。
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乳価、年度中再交渉も 雪印、引き上げ受諾の可能性
雪印乳業の高野瀬忠明社長は26日、札幌市で会見し、チーズやバターの原料として酪農団体から調達する生乳の価格について「これまでは1年単位で決めてきたが、今後はフレキシブルになってくると思う」と述べ、4月から始まった2008年度中に再び乳価引き上げ交渉に応じる可能性を示唆した。引き上げを受け入れればバターや国産チーズの値上がりにつながる公算が大きい。
乳業会社と酪農団体は1月から翌年度の生乳価格について交渉し、年度中は合意した価格を維持するのが慣例だった。年度中の再交渉は異例だが、高野瀬社長は「飼料価格や原油の高騰で酪農家は厳しい。今年は（価格交渉は）終わり、とはならない」と語った。
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1800万円不正受給、元組員と妻逮捕 生活保護法違反容疑
実際には治療を受けていないのに診療費や交通費を請求し、生活保護費を不正受給していたとして、埼玉県警捜査4課は27日、生活保護法違反容疑で、埼玉県深谷市上野台、指定暴力団稲川会系元組員で韓国籍の崔鳳海容疑者（60）と、妻育代容疑者（44）を逮捕した。
2人がこれまでに不正受給した生活保護費は計約1800万円に上るとみられる。
調べでは、2人は昨年10月、自宅から約100キロ離れた群馬県みなかみ町の病院に「通院した」と偽り、診療費やタクシー代などの名目で、深谷市から計約14万円を不正に受け取った疑い。調べに対し、2人とも容疑を認めているという。
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諫早湾干拓事業、５年間の水門開放を命じる 佐賀地裁
有明海の漁業不振は、国営諫早湾干拓事業（長崎県）の潮受け堤防閉め切りが原因だとして、同海に面する長崎、佐賀、福岡、熊本各県の漁業者ら約2500 人が、国に堤防の撤去や排水門の開門などを求めた訴訟の判決で、佐賀地裁は27日、南北排水門の5年間常時開放を命じた。諫早湾の漁業被害と閉め切りの因果関係を認めた。
判決理由で神山隆一裁判長は「有明海の漁業被害と堤防閉め切りの因果関係はデータは不足しており認めるのは困難だが、諫早湾内とその近くの漁場については相当程度の立証がされている」と認定。「中・長期の開門調査に国が応じないのは、原告が主張する被害の立証を妨害するものと言わざるをえない」と厳しく非難した。ただ準備に必要な3年間は開門を猶予するとした。
諫早湾の干拓には、総事業費約2500億円が投じられ、費用対効果や環境への配慮をめぐり、大型公共事業の在り方が問われてきた。漁業被害については四県の漁業者らが公害等調整委員会に干拓事業との因果関係認定を求める裁定を申請したが棄却されていた。
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あなたの厚生年金が危ない…５６０万件に支給漏れ！？
政府は２７日、年金記録問題の関係閣僚会議を開き、社会保険庁のコンピューター上の厚生年金記録と、元になった紙台帳を照合するサンプル調査の結果、１．４％に入力ミスなどがあったと発表した。厚生年金の紙台帳は全体で約４億件あり、今回の入力ミスの割合である１．４％を単純に掛けると約５６０万件に相当する。これらの記録の持ち主には、本来の年金額が支払われない可能性があるのだ。
これまで舛添要一厚生労働相は、社保庁の後継組織「日本年金機構」が発足する２０１０年１月までに紙台帳との照合による記録補正を終える決意を示していたが、機構発足後に先送りされることも決まった。
調査は約２万件を抽出。２７７件で不一致があり、このうち４８件は紙台帳の情報が全く入力されていなかった。残りの不一致は加入・脱退の年月日や給料水準が２１５件、氏名や生年月日などが１８件（重複あり）。このほか破損や汚れなどで判読できない紙台帳が１１件あった。
紙台帳の記録をコンピューターに入力する際の漏れやミスが原因とみられるが、こうしたミスは年金額に影響するため、支給漏れが大量に発生している恐れもある。
同庁は今後の対策として、アルバイト職員を２５００－３１００人雇用し、１０、１１年度の２年間でコンピューター上の記録との突き合わせを集中的に実施する方針。ただ、予算の制約などから突き合わせは当面、申請に基づいて実施する。
今回のサンプル調査で明らかになった入力ミスは、基礎年金番号に未統合の「消えた」年金記録とは別問題。未統合記録がなくても、受給額が減ってしまう可能性があるだけに、福田政権にとって大きな打撃となりそうだ。
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年金記録：特定困難な記録 なお１９３４万件残る
社会保険庁は２７日の年金記録問題に関する関係閣僚会議で、宙に浮く５０９５万件の年金記録について、６月時点での解明状況を報告した。持ち主の早期特定が困難な「今後解明を進める記録」は、３月公表時点の２０２５万件から９１万件減ったものの、依然１９３４万件残っている。
３月までに５０９５万件の持ち主と想定される人に送られたねんきん特別便（１０３０万人分）のうち、記録訂正の有無を返信した人は、年金の受給者で２３８万人（７９．２％）、現役の加入者で３２１万人（４３．９％）の計５５９万人だった。「訂正あり」と答えた受給者は、２９．４％にとどまっている。現役加入者では、返信者の６９．１％が「訂正あり」と答えた。
５月に持ち主が特定され、社会保険事務所で正しい年金額（年額）を試算した６万６７９５件の記録については、新たに３６．２億円の給付に結びつくことも判明。１人当たり約５．４万円となる計算だ。
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東京・表参道の土地詐欺：ジャーナリスト、執行猶予判決に－－地裁
東京・表参道の一等地の取引を巡り、会社社長から多額の現金をだまし取ったとして詐欺罪などに問われたフリージャーナリスト、二瓶絵夢（えむ）被告（３２）に対し、東京地裁は２６日、懲役３年、執行猶予５年（求刑・懲役５年）を言い渡した。
河本雅也裁判長は、同日午前に懲役４年の実刑判決を受けた元国会議員秘書、市川和久被告（４６）と同格の首謀者と認定したが「反省の態度を示して弁償を進めている」として執行猶予を付けた。
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東京・中野区職員無断欠勤中給与訴訟：区長にも賠償責任－－高裁
東京都中野区が無断欠勤していた区職員（故人）に給与を支払ったのは違法として区民が給与の一部８２万円余の返還を求めた住民訴訟で、東京高裁（西田美昭裁判長）は２６日、１審・東京地裁判決（０６年１１月）が退けた田中大輔区長の賠償責任を認め、原告全面勝訴の判決を言い渡した。
区総務部職員は０４年２～５月に病気で無断欠勤したにもかかわらず、当時の総務課長は総務部長の指示で出勤簿に「出勤」と記載し給与を支給した。１審は上司２人の賠償責任を認めたものの、区長に対する請求は「出勤偽装を見抜けなかった」として棄却した。しかし西田裁判長は「区長は不正の理由を問いただしたり、是正しなかった」として、区長に対しても賠償を請求するよう区に命じた。
田中区長は「判決内容を十分検討し、今後の対応を決めたい」とのコメントを出した。
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Greenland denied on whale catch
By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News website, Santiago
Greenland village. Image: BBC
The first vote at this year's International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting has resulted in defeat for Greenland's request to expand its hunt.
Many countries were unconvinced that Greenlanders need the extra meat that catching 10 humpbacks would provide, and believe the hunt is too commercial.
A Greenland delegate said the decision would deprive its indigenous Inuit communities of much needed whale meat.
The EU's decision to vote as a bloc on the issue drew harsh criticism.
"It's the volume and scale of trade in Greenlandic hunts that is simply not appropriate"
Claire Bass, WSPA
Greenland whale hunt 'commercial'
"I deeply regret that the IWC was not able to fulfil its obligations when all its requirements were met by Greenland," said Amalie Jessen from Greenland's fisheries ministry.
"I feel those opposing our proposal just wanted to find new excuses not to award humpbacks; and I anticipate that when we bring the proposal back in a year's time, they will have prepared other excuses."
Top trade
Aboriginal or subsistence whaling is designed to allow indigenous communities with a documented nutritional and cultural need for whale meat to hunt, under quotas approved by IWC scientists.
Many delegations were not convinced that Greenland - or Denmark, which speaks for its Arctic territory within the IWC - had made the case that its people needed more whale meat.
ANNUAL ABORIGINAL SUBSISTENCE QUOTAS 2008-12
* Alaska/Chukotka: 56 bowheads
* Chukotka: 124 grays
* Greenland: 212 minkes, 19 fins, 2 bowheads
* Makah (Washington state, US): 5 grays
* Bequia (St Vincent and the Grenadines): 4 humpbacks
And a report issued last week by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) report raised questions over whether the hunt was too commercial.
Investigators found that about 25% of the meat was sold commercially, often through supermarkets.
"There's general acceptance that a limited amount of trade and sale in aboriginal hunts is acceptable," WSPA's marine mammals programme manager Claire Bass told BBC News.
"But really it's the volume and scale of trade in Greenlandic hunts that is simply not appropriate, and also the profit that's being made by third parties such as supermarkets and a private company that's processing the whales."
The IWC's scientific committee had concluded that taking 10 humpbacks each year would be sustainable. And a number of countries used this judgement to weigh in with some harsh words on Greenland's side.
"Am I to understand that in the spirit of saving money, the EU is proposing that we liquidate the (IWC) scientific committee?" asked Russia's IWC commissioner Valentin Ilyashenko.
Guide to the Great Whales
Right whale. Image: BBC
"A bloc has been created, all scientific arguments are useless... and the interests of countries here are divided by political motives."
Russia is home to the largest aboriginal hunt in the world, in Chukotka, and would be keen to pre-empt anything that might curtail that operation.
The US also voted on Greenland's side. Safeguarding the hunt of its Alaskan Inuit is a key domestic priority.
Greenland's claim to be acting solely on the basis of science and need was somewhat undermined by its offer to forego some of its annual fin whale quota if the humpback proposal went through.
Progress block
For the first time at IWC meetings, the EU had decided to formulate an agreed position and vote on it en bloc, as it does in other environmental treaty organisations.
On this occasion Denmark was excused, as it speaks for Greenland.
South Korea described the EU bloc vote as "interference with the legitimate process of this organisation and the due process of law".
A number of Caribbean speakers picked up the theme.
"We are seeing a group of countries, knowing perfectly well that they have the numbers to create confusion in our commission, is attempting to deny the human rights of a group of indigenous people," said Daven Joseph, a member of the St Kitts and Nevis delegation.
Counting whales: A fluky business
Southern right whale. Image: IWC
"At a time when the world is witnessing food shortages, we are seeing a small group of countries that are purporting to be world leaders depriving marginal peoples of the right to eat."
Japan too declared its support for the Greenland bid.
But environmental NGOs accused Japan and its Caribbean allies of hypocrisy, referring back to their blocking of quotas for subsistence whaling at the 2002 IWC meeting in Shimonoseki.
"Japan's intervention, saying how unfair and sad it was that the EU and others would not support a humpback quota for Greenland, can only be viewed as either a complete loss of memory or they are so cynical as to not remember their own actions in Shimonoseki," said Patricia Forkan, president of Humane Society International.
For seasoned IWC observers, the debate marked a return to the bitter tones of the past, after three days when the new spirit of conciliation has kept a lid on the fundamental divisions that endure.
Delegates had decided not to have any votes unless absolutely necessary, and this was the first time consensus could not be reached.
But the spat is not likely to affect the biggest material issue facing the commission - whether a compromise deal can be found between hunting and anti-hunting nations - though it does demonstrate that the inflammable nature of the whaling issue is very far from being dowsed.
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「そこまでやるか！」卸業者ら神港魚類に憤り ウナギ産地偽装
2008.6.26 23:54
中国産ウナギのかば焼きを愛知県三河一色産と偽装表示していたとされるウナギが入った段ボールを検査する東部衛生監視事務所の職員（右）＝２６日午前１１時１分、兵庫県神戸市東灘区・神洋冷凍 （竹川禎一郎撮影）中国産ウナギのかば焼きを愛知県三河一色産と偽装表示していたとされるウナギが入った段ボールを検査する東部衛生監視事務所の職員（右）＝２６日午前１１時１分、兵庫県神戸市東灘区・神洋冷凍 （竹川禎一郎撮影）
「そこまでやるか」「一色フーズが実在しないのか！」－。中国産ウナギのかば焼きが愛知県の「三河一色産」として販売されていた産地偽装。販売していたマルハニチロホールディングスの子会社「神港魚類」（神戸市兵庫区）と取引があった仲卸業者の多くは、業界大手の“看板”を信用して商品を仕入れており、信用を裏切った同社への憤りと失望をあらわにした。
同社と２０年来の取引があった北陸地方の水産卸会社の幹部社員は、偽装が発覚するまでの同社の印象を「取扱量も多く、すごい会社」と話す。４～６月、「同社の商品なら問題ない」と約３トン（約１５００万円相当）を仕入れた。
仕入れの際、「念のために」と提示を求めた産地証明書には「一色産」と記され、「一色フーズ」の社印が押されていた。
「まさか（一色フーズが）実在しない会社とは思わなかった」と振り返る。
値段は国産の平均的な相場で、「中国産でも（国産と同じように）しっかりと作られたウナギはあり、見分けることはできなかった」という。
６月中旬、神港魚類から「農林水産省の調査を受けている」と連絡があったが、詳しい内容は教えられず、報道で偽装を知った。
幹部社員は「調査と聞いたときに嫌な予感はしたが、そこまでやるかという思い。古いつきあいだけに残念」と悔しさをにじませた。
「神港魚類には謝罪と説明をしてもらわないと納得がいかない」
こう話すのは、同社と８年ほど前から取引があった香川県内の水産業者。
５～６月に「一色産」の産地証明がついたウナギ３８０キロを仕入れ、１９０キロを同県内のスーパーに卸した。
同社も「見た目では分からなかった」といい、従業員は「水産卸は信用のもとに成り立つ商売なのに、これでは詐欺だ」と語気を強めた。
広島県内の食品加工会社も、土用の丑（うし）の日（７月２４日）の売り上げを見込み通常の１５倍近いかば焼きを仕入れたが、偽装発覚を受け在庫をすべて返品。
同社に謝罪と説明を求めたが、回答がないままだという。
神港魚類によると、同社がかば焼きを販売したのは全国１６社。「こうした偽装のせいで商品としてのウナギが消費者から見放されていくと思うと、やりきれない」と涙ながらに訴える業者もあり、繁忙期を前に業界に暗雲が広がった。
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「ギョーザ事件で苦境」はウソ？ ウナギ偽装「魚秀」年初から計画 兵庫、徳島県警が強制捜査へ
2008.6.27 01:16
このニュースのトピックス：食の安全
水産物輸入販売会社「魚秀（うおひで）」（大阪市）が中国産ウナギを「愛知県三河一色産」と偽装表示した問題で、中谷彰宏社長ら同社幹部が今年１月から偽装販売を準備していたことが農林水産省の調査で分かった。中谷社長は、偽装の理由を記者会見で「（１月末の中国）ギョーザ中毒事件などで中国産ウナギの売れ行きが不振となったため」としていたが、同省は説明は虚偽とみている。兵庫、徳島両県警は２６日、利益目的の悪質な偽装表示と断定、詐欺や不正競争防止法違反（虚偽表示）に当たる疑いがあるとみて、強制捜査に乗り出す方針を固めた。
農水省などによると、中谷社長らは１月の早い段階で、偽装表示を計画。会社幹部数人で、偽装表示パッケージの準備や販売資金の調達などについて、詳細な役割分担を決め、偽装表示の準備を進めていた。ギョーザ事件発覚は同月３０日で、それ以前から準備は進められていたという。
一方、５月下旬から偽装情報が流れ始めると、周辺に「ギョーザ中毒事件などで在庫がたまってやむを得なかった」と弁解。農水省が偽装表示を発表した６月２５日には、中谷社長が会見で「ギョーザ事件などで中国産のウナギの売れ行きが不振となり、在庫をさばきたかった」と説明した。しかし、それ以前の同省の調査で、社長らはギョーザ事件には触れず、ただ「不良在庫をなくしたかった」と説明したという。
たまった中国産を国産と偽り、利益を得ることが偽装目的とみられ、警察当局は魚秀の実質的拠点がある徳島、ウナギを販売した神港魚類がある兵庫の両県警が合同捜査本部を設置するなどし、捜査にあたる。
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暴力団周辺者も関与 ウナギ偽装 ラベルに架空会社 ２商社へ手数料４０００万円 (1/2ページ)
2008.6.27 01:16
魚秀の産地偽装で、同社が暴力団の周辺者に手法を相談し、架空会社を製造者と記載した偽装ラベルを作らせていたことが２６日、関係者の話で新たに分かった。代金の支払いを受ける際も、偽装を知らない２商社と架空会社を経由させて、発覚を難しくさせていた。魚秀は、謝礼や代金、手数料などとして、この暴力団周辺関係者側に数千万円以上、２商社に４０００万円を流していたが、それでも偽装販売で約２億円近い利益を得ていたという。
一色フード
中国産のかば焼き２５６トンを「愛知県三河一色産」と偽装表示していた魚秀。関係者によると、中谷社長ら幹部は、手法について、徳島県の暴力団周辺関係者に相談。偽装ラベルを張って、かば焼きを箱詰めする四国の業者も紹介してもらい、その業者に“偽装表示”を委託。その料金や謝礼などとして、魚秀から周辺関係者側に流れた資金は数千万円以上とみられる。
こうして製造された偽装ラベルには、製造者として「一色フード」という架空会社を記載。住所は「愛知県岡崎市一色町字一色」となっていたが虚偽。その場所は山の中で、会社らしき建物は一戸もなかった。
隠蔽工作…
偽装されたかば焼きは、水産大手「マルハニチロホールディングス」の子会社「神港魚類」に販売。４９トンは卸業者を通じ市場に販売された。神港魚類から代金７億７０００万円を支払わせたが、その際も発覚しないように、徹底的な隠蔽（いんぺい）工作を行った。
魚秀が本当の製造者と発覚しないよう、７億７０００万円はまず都内の商社に振り込ませ、その商社はさらに別の商社に資金を振り込んだ。その上で、魚秀は商社に資金を銀行から引き出させ、中谷社長や別の役員に手渡しさせた。手渡しは４回に分け、架空会社の製造を装うため、一色フード名で領収書を発行する徹底ぶりだった。
隠蔽工作は、１月下旬から２月中旬、魚秀の役員が２商社側に、偽装など細かい事情を一切告げず「神港魚類との取引」と持ちかけ、協力させていた。２つの商社には、それぞれ約３５００万円と約５００万円の手数料が支払われた。
商社の役員は「商品のウナギは見たこともなかった。業界大手の神港魚類と取引できると喜んだ。契約関係や過去の経緯から販売しにくい相手に、関係ない会社を経由させて魚を売るという行為は業界では珍しくない。手数料も高かったし、引き受けた」と話す。
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三つ星シェフ「富裕税いや」、仏国籍捨てモナコに帰化
【パリ＝林路郎】フランス料理界の大物で、日本でも高級レストラン「ベージュ アラン・デュカス東京」などを手がけるシェフ、アラン・デュカス氏（５１）が、一定額以上の資産を持つ場合にかかる仏の富裕税を嫌って同国籍を捨て、隣国モナコに帰化し、仏社会に衝撃を与えている。
サルコジ仏大統領は、「仏料理を世界遺産に登録する」と公言してきたが、出はなをくじかれた形だ。
デュカス氏は、１９９０年に史上最年少の３３歳でレストランガイド「ミシュラン」の三つ星を獲得し、現在、パリ、東京、ニューヨークなどに計２０軒以上のレストランを持ち、２０００人近いスタッフを抱える。
資産家への優遇税制を取るモナコには、欧州各国の著名人が多く住む。デュカス氏は帰化により、フランスに富裕税を納める必要はなくなるという。
同氏の帰化は、モナコ元首のアルベール２世公が２３日の官報で発表。デュカス氏が翌日のテレビ番組で帰化の理由として、資産評価額の最高５０％の税率が適用される富裕税を挙げたため、仏国民議会（下院）では与党・民衆運動連合から富裕税廃止論が浮上。フィガロ紙は２５日、「この１０年で約５０００人が富裕税を理由に国籍を捨てた」などとする特集記事を組んだ。
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Tax exile chef puts France in a stew
By Paul Betts
Published: June 25 2008 20:32 | Last updated: June 25 2008 20:32
Alain Ducasse is probably the world’s most famous chef. He has accumulated more Michelin stars, 14 in all, than anyone else. He is today at the head of a gastronomic empire that employs nearly 2,000 people, with restaurants around the globe. He is even developing meals for astronauts for the European Space Agency. Understandably, he is regarded as the grand ambassador of modern French haute cuisine.
But Mr Ducasse, like so many of his rich countrymen, has decided to exile himself to escape France’s punitive wealth tax. He has just given up his French nationality and become a citizen of Monaco by sovereign order of Prince Albert II, ruler of the tiny Mediterranean tax haven.
For all the celebrity chef’s effusive explanations for changing nationality, his decision has inevitably sparked a noisy political controversy and renewed calls for the abolition of the French wealth tax, the so-called impôt sur la fortune. Mr Ducasse claims to have a “heartfelt” attachment to Monaco. After all, for 22 years he has been closely associated with the principality, where he runs the Louis XV restaurant in the Hotel de Paris. And it was in this luxurious establishment that he won his first three Michelin stars.
Mr Ducasse also insists that he will continue to pay French taxes on his many French ventures – he recently opened the new restaurant on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. But this has not prevented a revival of the French wealth tax dispute.
The issue remains something of a political taboo – even, it seems, for France’s current reforming president, Nicolas Sarkozy. As with the 35-hour week, no government seems prepared to scrap outright what has become an archaic and incongruous tax. For these days it hits not only the very rich, but also middle-class taxpayers who have seen the value of property shoot up. Individuals have to pay this extra levy if they own assets, including their primary residence, worth more than €770,000.
Opponents note that the Madrid government is abolishing a similar tax in Spain. They also argue that it undermines the competitiveness and attraction of France, from where numerous high net worth individuals continue to exile themselves to more friendly fiscal countries such as Belgium or Switzerland – not to mention Monaco, where gaining Monegasque nationality is like gold dust. Only about 60 people are granted it each year.
Mr Sarkozy tried to sidestep the issue last year by lowering the cap on individuals’ tax burden to 50 per cent from 60 per cent. But the opposition parties have argued that this has simply helped the rich at the expense of the middle classes.
The veteran Franco-Belgian rock star Johnny Hallyday touched off a similar controversy last year when he decided to exile himself to Gstaad in the Swiss Alps. A close friend of Mr Sarkozy, he later decided to return to France. It is unlikely that Mr Ducasse will do the same. That said, his highly publicised decision to become Monegasque could well provide the political stimulus in Paris to scrap the wealth tax.
Turkish delight
Amid the cheers and tears of last night’s European quarter-final championship match between Germany and Turkey, there was never any question of who would win the European financial football league. Since the beginning of this year, Turkish soccer teams listed on the stock market have easily outperformed their European peers.
The Dow Jones Stoxx football index – whose components include 27 publicly traded clubs across Europe, the EU enlarged region and Turkey – has gained 8 per cent so far this year. But Turkey has scored by far the most impressive performance with four clubs, including three Istanbul-based teams, in the index top 10 gainers.
The Istanbul club of Fenerbache is the leader with its stock rising 79 per cent since January. Second is Trabzonspor, whose shares have gained 70 per cent. Istanbul’s popular Galatasary is fourth, with its shares rising 39 per cent, while Besiktas, another Istanbul club, is ninth with a more modest 7 per cent share price increase.
Italy’s Roma is third but its 48 per cent share price rise is largely owed to speculation that George Soros could be interested in buying the club. The veteran Hungarian-born financier has tried to kick these rumours into touch, with little apparent success. Another Rome club, Lazio, has also seen its shares rise about 34 per cent this year, while the best-performing UK club in this stock market league is Sheffield United, with a 19 per cent gain.
The remarkable performance of Turkish clubs reflects the country’s fanatical passion for football. The Turkish national team has also stimulated football fever by pulling off some miraculous last-minute victories in the European championship qualifying rounds. In so doing, it has provided a little Turkish delight in otherwise glum financial markets.
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Ducasse Becomes Monaco Citizen; to Still Pay French Taxes
By Alan Katz
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June 24 (Bloomberg) -- Alain Ducasse, holder of 14 Michelin stars for his restaurants worldwide, became a citizen of Monaco, renouncing his French passport and lowering his taxes.
Ducasse, 51, who made his international reputation through the Louis XV restaurant in the Hotel de Paris in Monte-Carlo, said the move was a heartfelt choice and that tax benefits weren't the reason for his move.
``If I really wanted to save money I would have moved my companies offshore,'' Ducasse said on RTL radio today. ``My companies are in France and pay their taxes in France. My personal savings will be very slight. It's an affair of the heart.''
In addition to his restaurants there, Ducasse plans to open a cooking school in Monaco in 2010 that will teach French cuisine, in English, to students from around the world.
``Monaco invented me and built me,'' Ducasse said. ``And the ability to develop the image of my companies is stronger from Monaco than from France.''
Ducasse took over the Louis VX in 1986 at the request of Prince Rainier III, his company said in a statement released yesterday. Rainier died in 2005 and was succeeded by his son, Prince Albert II.
Ducasse said his move to become Monegasque was started by Rainier. He added that he will continue to pay French income taxes on his ``personal activities'' in France.
Ducasse runs 22 restaurants, inns, bistros and bakeries, as well as cooking schools and a food consultaning company, according to his Web site.
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Turkmenistan to export gas to China in 2009 - Berdymukhammedov
27.06.2008, 13.49
ASHGABAT, June 27 (Itar-Tass) - In 2009 Turkmenistan will be exporting natural gas from the right bank of the Amu Darya River through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to China, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov said making a welcoming address to the participants in the construction of a gas treatment facility at the Samandepe field that has been launched.
It is located on the right bank of Amu Darya and is part of the Bagtyyarlyk agreement territory according to the production sharing agreement with the Chinese National Oil and Gas Company. The future gas pipeline will run from this place.
“Diversification of the transportation of energy carriers to world markets is a priority sphere in the fulfilment of the country’s resource potential,” the president noted in his address. “According to independent foreign experts, our gas reserves are 24.6 trillion cubic metres,” the head of Turkmenistan stressed.
The cost of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline with a total length of 1,818 kilometres will exceed 6.7 billion US dollars, according to the state agency for management and use of hydrocarbon resources under the Turkmen president.
Over 500 million dollars have already been attracted for projects aimed at the development of the Bagtyyarlyk agreement territory. Complex work to prepare wells is currently underway. It is planned to build at the Samandepe gas field facilities for gas storage and treatment, as well as the compressor and measuring stations. In accordance with the general agreement on the construction of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline, the annual deliveries of natural gas will reach 30 billion cubic metres.
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Military-technical cooperation: does Russia need it?
15:04 | 26/ 06/ 2008
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Andrei Kislyakov) - Although sounding rhetorical, the question highlights one of the current weaknesses of Russia's defense industry.
In mid-June, General of the Army Nikolai Makarov, Chief of the General Staff of Russia, speaking at the Eurosatory-2008 defense exhibition in Paris, said "starting in 2011 we will begin formulating a new armament program through 2020." The program, he said, "should coordinate the development of all Russian weapons and equipment."
Makarov defined his mission at the Paris exhibition as "watching the direction of the world, minimizing possible mistakes and following the trends of the 2020s and 2030s."
The world, Europe in particular, is moving toward international cooperation, and abandoning the practice of each state developing and manufacturing its own weapon systems. The Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has served this purpose for almost ten years in Europe.
This cooperation has enabled a united Europe, early in the millennium, to expand to a new purchasing system. For example, a contract to buy 196 A-400M military transport planes for eight countries signed in Brussels in December 2001 was completed between Airbus Military and OCCAR, rather than between the manufacturer and each separate country.
Space is another arena for cooperation. The European Space Agency (ESA) coordinates the space efforts of all European nations involved in the program.
It is no secret that Russia's defense industry relies heavily on production facilities in Ukraine. Engines for strategic and converted launch vehicles are produced, for example, in Dneprepetrovsk, and there have been few complaints about their performance.
But NATO-dominated European military cooperation is one thing, and cooperation between Russian and Ukrainian defense plants is another thing. Today's reality is that most of Russia's defense products are manufactured abroad.
In mid-June, Russia's Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, strongly urged an end to dependence on Ukrainian production of aero and rocket engines. He said he wanted engines for the Kh-35, Kh-55 and Kh-59M strategic air-launched cruise missiles currently produced in Ukraine to be manufactured in Russia.
His motives are easy to understand. Ukraine's uncertain policy, its possible NATO membership, and its anti-Russian rhetoric force Russian leadership to seek other options.
But does Russia need to hurry? The companies fulfilling Russian orders are located in eastern Ukraine, a territory whose population is set firmly against NATO membership. Without backing from this industrialized region, Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO any time soon.
Self-reliance on armaments is a good thing, but partnership is necessary, too. Should we sever industrial cooperation on cruise missiles, we might lose contracts for the production of components for RS-20 Satan strategic intercontinental missiles as well - the linchpin of Russia's nuclear deterrence. Russian-Ukrainian Sea Launch space cooperation and much else could suffer.
Forget for a moment that we need to produce a full range of weapons in specific quantities and of specific quality. Is Russia's defense industry ready to take such a step?
In June, Mikhail Babich, deputy chairman of the State Duma's defense committee, said: "One-third of our defense plants are in the red or are about to go bankrupt. Another third are barely making ends meet. And only one third are doing moderately well." Speaking of lead times, he said frankly that "production of modern fourth and fifth generation weapons and military equipment sometimes takes several years, and unless we solve these problems, any business planning, investment, or retooling is out of the question."
Babich was optimistic when he mentioned "several years." Pantsyr-S1 and S-400 surface-to-air missile systems designed to repel space attacks show that at least ten years might be needed. Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov made a similar remark about the Pantsyr's lead-time. Speaking at the end of March in Tula, he said the developer, Tula's Instrument-Making Design Bureau, had repeatedly pushed back its deadlines. The reason, he said, was its failure "to establish sound relations with its suppliers and co-producers."
Maybe Russia should not hasten to sever relations with its Ukrainian manufacturers, especially since international experience shows us the advantages of multi-national cooperation in weapons production.
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Natural Gas 75% Gain Speeds Horizontal Drilling at Devon, Range
By Joe Carroll
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June 27 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. natural-gas producers are drilling wells previously deemed too costly and resurrecting abandoned fields from Appalachia to the Rockies, spurred by the biggest rally in fuel prices in eight years.
Devon Energy Corp. and Range Resources Corp. are drilling horizontal wells that cost three times as much as traditional vertical shafts to unlock gas from rock formations that were unprofitable to exploit before this year's 75 percent gain by gas futures. The number of active U.S. gas rigs rose to a nine- month high last week, according to a survey by Baker Hughes Inc.
``As prices are better you want to drill more wells to get more production on line as quick as possible,'' said Larry Pinkston, chief executive officer at Unit Corp., a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based gas producer and drilling-rig operator. ``So we definitely are drilling more wells.''
The rise in gas futures in New York this year exceeded the 45 percent surge in oil and all commodities besides coal. U.S. gas demand probably will grow 4 percent this year, double the rate of new supply, said Roger Read, an analyst at Natixis Bleichroeder Inc. in Houston.
Gas gained the most since prices more than doubled in the first half of 2000. This month, futures rose above $13 per million British thermal units for the first time since 2005, when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita idled wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Read attributed the gain to ``unrelenting growth in electric power demand,'' lower-than-expected imports and increasing demand for alternatives to coal and oil.
Producer Shares Rise
An index of independent energy producers in the Standard & Poor's 500 climbed 29 percent this year, led by gains of more than 60 percent at Southwestern Energy Co. and Chesapeake Energy Corp. All 10 index members get most of their output from gas. Unit Corp., which isn't in the index, jumped 75 percent. The S&P index of integrated producers such as Exxon Mobil Corp., driven more by oil wells and refining, has fallen 1.7 percent.
New drilling projects will boost U.S. gas supplies in 2009 by 3.6 percent, the biggest increase since 1994, Read said. Gas is the most widely used U.S. furnace fuel and the third-largest source of power generation, according to the Energy Department.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which oversees energy exploration on federal property, issued 7,124 permits to drill in the fiscal year ended Oct. 1, 5.7 percent more than fiscal 2006. Nine out of 10 of those permits were issued for projects in Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.
Drilling Accelerates
Range Resources, based in Fort Worth, Texas, increased its capital budget 40 percent this year to $1.27 billion to sink more wells in the Barnett Shale in Texas and the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Range Resources, which gets most of its production from the Barnett Shale, expects to begin pumping commercial volumes of gas from the Marcellus in early 2009.
Drilling horizontal wells in deep, hard deposits such as the Barnett Shale costs about $3 million each, compared with $1 million to $1.5 million for a vertical well, Range Resources President Jeffrey Ventura said in a telephone interview.
Horizontal drilling is costlier because it requires more sophisticated rigs with more powerful motors, said Michael McMahon, managing director of New York-based leveraged buyout firm Pine Brook Road Partners LLC, which bankrolled three new gas producers in the past 15 months.
Horizontal Wells
Horizontal drilling is the only way to tap formations that otherwise won't give up their gas, Ventura said.
``There some areas of the Barnett Shale that didn't work at all as vertical developments but are very commercial as horizontals,'' Ventura said. ``Rock formations that people thought were non-prospective are now prospective.''
Unit Corp.'s Pinkston plans to drill at least 280 wells this year, up 11 percent from 2007. The program will let the company replace at least 150 percent of the gas and oil it pumps for the next several years, he said.
The company, which also owns 131 onshore rigs and a pipeline business, built two new rigs this year and plans to add another two in the fourth quarter, Pinkston said. Unit will decide in the next few weeks whether to order more rigs for 2009 delivery, he said.
Competition for drilling equipment and rig crews is escalating costs for producers, said Pine Brook's McMahon.
Pine Brook, founded in 2006 by former Warburg Pincus Vice Chairman Howard Newman, is stockpiling about 20 miles of pipe, enough to excavate six wells, in response to delivery delays from pipe makers because of soaring demand, McMahon said.
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