MEDIA REACTION: WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS, U.S.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002780 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: WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS, U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, CHINA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS; 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." -------------- WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS -------------- ¶1. "EASY SOLUTION TO ECONOMIC CRISIS," op-ed in October 22 right-of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by former diplomat and parliamentarian Kuldip Nayar: "When you are hard up you reach for the money you have hidden. India or, for that matter, the entire South Asia, is facing the crisis of liquidity. And this is the time when politicians, industrialists and bureaucrats from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka should bring back the money they have stashed away in Swiss banks. The economic crisis, primarily because of Western wasteful living, brought the entire Europe, America and others together the other day at Washington to discuss how to overcome the situation. I wish New Delhi had taken the initiative to get the countries of South Asia around the same table. Manmohan Singh should try grouping the countries in South Asia into a common market. The world financial crisis can be turned into an opportunity for the region to lessen dollar transactions. We can meet most needs from our own resources." -------------- U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION -------------- ¶2. "OBAMA'S STEADY CLIMB," editorial in October 22 centrist DAINIK HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "Former Secretary of State Colin Powell's endorsement has come as a shot in the arm for Barack Obama. By all accounts Senator Obama is now miles ahead of McCain. Explaining his decision, General Powell said he was not happy with the negative campaigning by the McCain camp. He was also critical of the Republican Party's lurch into conservatism.... Basically, Obama is good for the world because he does not believe in unnecessary war-mongering. Change is badly needed in America. Obama is not just new and fresh, but he also represents the prospect of healthy change." ¶3. "UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS", editorial in October 22 right-of-center Urdu daily "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi: "Former U.S. Secretary of State, Collin Powell has established an imitable example by announcing his support of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama. He said Obama has the capability to mobilize people. Obama is the son of a black African. His father was a Muslim. He was brought up by his maternal grandparents, who dragged him to his early religion, Christianity. That is why his success would bring joy and pleasure not only to Black Africans, but also to Muslims internationally. The decision of Colin Powell is a harsh lesson for President George Bush. If his statement helps Obama, in any way, NEW DELHI 00002780 002 OF 002 George Bush will not be able to show his face in his own country." -------------- CHINA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶4. "THE POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CHINA-PAKISTAN BOND" op-ed article by Arvind Yeleri, Shanghai-based guest columnist, in the October 23, 2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily SAKAAL. "It is not at all surprising that the U.S.-India nuclear deal featured prominently in the bilateral discussion between Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese Premier Hu Jintao during the former's first state trip to Beijing. China and Pakistan have a long-standing and durable relationship, forged over decades of mutual animosity toward neighboring India, with whom they separately have fought wars. Against such a backdrop, Zardari's visit and his remarks on the U.S.-India nuclear deal send clear signals. The pact has upset both Beijing and Islamabad, especially because it enabled India to skirt international regulations regarding the purchase of nuclear fuel, something the U.S. has ruled out offering Pakistan. Pakistan is cozying up to China in order to check what many in Islamabad and Beijing fear to be a solidifying Indo-U.S. consensus in the region." MULFORD