MEDIA REACTION: ECONOMIC CRISIS, U.S.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002849

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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."

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ECONOMIC CRISIS
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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."

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U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
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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."

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IRAN-PAKISTAN-INDIA GAS PIPELINE AGREEMENT
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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