MEDIA REACTION: U.S-INDIA NUCLEAR AGREEMENT,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002759 SIPDIS STATE FOR NP, AC, PM STATE FOR INR/MR STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU STATE FOR AID/APRE-A USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S-INDIA NUCLEAR AGREEMENT, U.S. ECONOMIC CRISIS, WAR AGAINST TERRORISM, PALESTINE, IRAQ; NEW DELHI. This cable reports on relevant media reaction from India's large non-English press. Embassy New Delhi reports on English-language media via email in the daily "Early Edition". USG customers please write to Geeta Krishali (KrishaliG@state.gov) to subscribe to the "Early Edition." -------------- U.S-INDIA NUCLEAR AGREEMENT -------------- ¶1. "GOVERNMENT OF HOLLOW PROMISES," op-ed in October 20 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by strategic analyst Brahma Chellaney: "After concluding the flawed nuclear deal with the US, PM Manmohan Singh should now be reminded of his assurance to allow a parliamentary probe into the deal. Not only has the Indian Parliament been sidelined, the deal is being thrust on India.... By contrast, U.S. President George Bush pursued it through a strong bipartisan consensus at home. The one-party mindset reduced India's negotiating capability and U.S. succeeded in imposing strict conditions at every stage. Singh's assurances about removal of restrictions on all aspects of cooperation and technology transfers pertaining to civil nuclear energy, ranging from nuclear fuel, nuclear reactors, to reprocessing spent fuel have turned out to be hollow. In any event, the U.S. can suspend all supplies forthwith serving a one-year termination notice, however extraneous." -------------- U.S. ECONOMIC CRISIS -------------- ¶2. "BUSH IN UNWANTED LIST," commentary in October 20 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by Renu Rajvanshi Gupta: "President George Bush's 8 year-term, which is ending soon, will be remembered as a black period in U.S. history. The Iraq invasion, in which the U.S. lost more than 4,000 soldiers and billions of dollars, was his folly. The entire world came forward to help the U.S. after 9/11. The Afghanistan decision can be defended, but not the decision to invade Iraq and his belligerence against Iran and North Korea. Bush's policies were a complete failure not only on the political, but the economic front. His policies are responsible for the collapse of Wall Street. The present U.S. situation is �A;being compared with the economic recession of 1929.... The situation is so bad that the Bush administration asked China for a loan to overcome its economic crisis. Now, only the time will decide the U.S. destiny." -------------- WAR AGAINST TERRORISM -------------- ¶3. "THE PEACE IN KASHMIR" editorial in the October 21, 2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily SAKAAL. "A phased out polling process will start in Kashmir from next month. Hopefully, a new state government will end the hostilities in the troubled region, although the NEW DELHI 00002759 002 OF 002 Election Commission has admitted the security risks involved in the very election process. While these risks do exist, it is welcome that the administration is ready to take on a separatist insurgency in the hope of durable peace. EleStions are not an end in itself, but the polling process can help in filling the political vacuum in a state which has been under federal rule since July following the collapse of the state government over a land row that triggered a revival of anti-India demonstrations in a Muslim-majority region." Similar editorial appeared in the October 21, 2008, Mumbai editions of Marathi dailies LOKSATTA and MAHARASHTRA TIMES. -------------- PALESTINE -------------- ¶4. "PLAN TO OUST MUSLIMS FROM JERUSALEM", editorial in October 20 right-of-center Urdu daily "Hindustan Express", New Delhi: "Zionist conspiracy to expel the Muslims from Jerusalem is neither new nor off the record. As per news pouring down from Jerusalem, the Israeli government is planning to oust 125, 000 Palestinians from Quds city. On the one hand, thousands of Jews from different parts of the world are being settled over there, while on the other hand, preparations are in full swing to uproot the primordial inhabitants. In fact, this very populace is the greatest impediment in the way of dirty Zionist designs. Hectic activities are on to banish the Muslims to the Western belts. Israel and its patrons should realize that they are converting the entire Middle East into a heap of gunpowder. Tragic aspect of the matter is that the world communities as well as the Muslim countries are mute spectators. They should rise to the occasion and thwart Israel's nefarious designs, before it is too late." -------------- IRAQ -------------- ¶5. "OPPOSITION TO NEW IRAQ-U.S. ACCORD", editorial in October 20 right-of-center Urdu daily "RASHTRIYA SAHARA", New Delhi: "There is strong resentment in Iraqi people over the new accord between Bush administration and the pro-United States government of Iraq. In fact, the reason behind the prevailing chaos, violence and civil strife in Iraq is the presence of American forces there. Their presence is also affecting the shattered economy of Iraq very adversely. Under these circumstances, stay of U.S. forces in Iraq has no justification. Albeit, pro-American elements are apprehensive that anti-U.S. forces may corner them after withdrawal of U.S. forces. As far as common Iraqi people are concerned, they, on all account, want their withdrawal. American people too want to call back the forces, and consider the American activities in Iraq as the most potent reason behind their economic and financial crisis." WHITE