MEDIA REACTION: ECONOMIC CRISIS, U.S.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002849 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: ECONOMIC CRISIS, U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IRAN-PAKISTAN-INDIA GAS PIPELINE AGREEMENT; 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." -------------- ECONOMIC CRISIS -------------- ¶1. "U.S. PREDICTION," editorial in the November 4 RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "Western countries, which dominate the world, have started showing signs of collapsing. According to the U.S. intelligence report if the current trend continues, China will emerge as the world's largest economy and topmost military power by 2025 followed by Russia and India. The rivalry among them will naturally grow. Will this rivalry create tensions in the world? The international community is already going through serious tensions. Basically, U.S. and some western countries control the international scenario at present and the tension is because of their opponents and those who want to change this trend. The terrorism emerged against it is the biggest challenge presently. It is difficult to assess the situation after the change in power balancing. But, we should not forget that the faith of the present China and Russia in democratic values is not certified. China can even cross the limits of cruelty and repression in its national interest. It is clear that the world dominated by these two will be nerve-wracking." -------------- U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION -------------- ¶2. "BIG DAY OF WORLD POLITICS TODAY," opinion article in the November 4 NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily by Sanjay Khati: "Today is the big day of the world politics as the world's most powerful leader will be elected. The U.S. elections are not just an internal matter of America, but its affects the whole world. Being a black Barack Obama4s candidacy has made these elections unique because the racism is still a major social problem in the U.S. The U.S. is going through a critical phase. It is deeply stuck in a financial crisis, Afghanistan and Iraq wars, 
war against terrorism and issues like global warming and global trade agreement. Now the world expects such a leadership to emerge that can bring change. Unlike Bush's aggressiveness, the world wants a more liberal and tolerant rule to be established. Obama is apt from this viewpoint. Choice of India: It is difficult to say who do the people of India like, but the majority of the U.S.- based 26 million Indians seem to be in Obama's favor." -------------- IRAN-PAKISTAN-INDIA GAS PIPELINE AGREEMENT -------------- ¶3. "THREE-NATION GAS PIPELINE AGREEMENT", editorial in the November 4 right-of-centre Urdu daily "MUNSIF", NEW DELHI 00002849 002 OF 002 Hyderabad: "Those, who like an independent and non- aligned foreign policy for the country, will heave a sigh of relief over the recent statement of our foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee on the Indo-Iran relationship. There is at least one matter, on which India wants to enter into agreement with Iran against the American wish and whim. America is hell bent to impose economic as well as political sanctions on Iran so that it may not be able to sell its oil and gas to any country (what was done to Iraq in the name of UNO). Indo-Iran relationship has a time-honored history. However, we had, under the coercive influence of the U.S., voted against Iran in the matter of Iranian nuclear project, but its acrimonious impact did not affect the IPI pipeline project. Its implementation may improve our relations not only with Iran but with Pakistan too." ¶4. "PRANAB MUKHERJEE VISITS IRAN", editorial in the November 3 right-of-center Urdu daily "SIASAT", Hyderabad: "Indo-Iran cultural, trade and other various bilateral relations are time-honored and deep-rooted. In the perspective of recent intimate relationship with the USA, there re apprehensions that it might affect Indo- Iran relations adversely. One of such examples is voting against Iran by India. Although, it is an open stand of India, that Iran has all the rights to continue its nuclear program for peaceful purposes, but Indian foreign policy seems to be working under increasing undue pressure tactics of the U.S. establishment. This pressure may hamper Indo-Iran trade relations. Now, it is the responsibility of both the governments that they should strive hard to strengthen their ancient traditional links, without giving the alien pressure any chance to rule the roost. They should also find out new dimensions of mutual cooperation and partnership. Under the prevalent circumstances, Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline may play a significant role." MULFORD