MEDIA REACTION: U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION; NEW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 002895 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. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION; NEW DELHI-NOVEMBER 8-10, 2008. 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. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION -------------- ¶1. "CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR OBAMA" Sunday supplement special article in the November 9, 2008, Mumbai edition of left- of-center Marathi daily LOKSATTA. "The American media which is going gaga over Barack Obama's electoral victory is soon going to show its true colors. It will shower praises on Obama at the most for a year. But this vindictive U.S. media, especially entities like Rupert Murdoch's FOX channel which are openly devoted to the Republican cause, will rip Obama. As of now, these media entities have not found a suitable scandal to malign him. Some of them did try to question his American identity, while others harped on his religion. But Obama was able to counter these non-issues. But henceforth it may not be easy to counter criticism. And Obama knows that. He knows that he is expected to deliver results on three crucial fronts - economy, energy, and foreign policy. These challenges are daunting, and they would have been so for any president taking over the administration at this juncture. The Bush administration has messed up every aspect of life in America. The wrongdoings cannot be attributed to Bush alone, but the blame has to be shared by his neo-conservative lobby. Obama is expected to regulate the uncontrollable financial institutions of America. That is like taming a mad elephant. Anyone attempting to even go near the elephant is at great risk... We can only wish good luck to this young leader who has shown the readiness to deal with insurmountable problems..." ¶2. "U.S. VERSUS INDIA," op-ed article in the November 9 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by editor Sanjay Gupta: "Barack Obama has become President when the U.S. is passing through a critical phase. He has to deal with many challenges-the economic crisis, Iraq-war and situation in 
Afghanistan, Muslim anger, environment protection and the war against terrorism etc. India need not worry about Obama's policy, but it should be careful in the context of nuclear nonproliferation.... He has not become a ray of hope just for the blacks, but equally for the whites. It is a victory for Amerycan society, regardless of color. On the contrary, the Indian politicians divide the society in different classes in their narrow political interests. Those Indian politicians, who are thrilled by Obama' victory and dreaming of becoming prime minister, should understand that he has secured victory not by dividing, but by uniting the society." ¶3. "OBAMA AND INDIA," commentary by former Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Lalit Mansingh in the November 9 Amar Ujala Hindi daily: "Obama is inspired by Mahatma NEW DELHI 00002895 002 OF 004 Gandhi. It would not be surprising if he consults India on several issues... He considers Pakistan a perpetrator of terrorism and India will, certainly, benefit from this. He sees India as a natural U.S. ally and to maintain and to strengthen U.S.-India strategic partnership are his priorities. Non-resident Indians can also benefit as he perfectly understands the pain of racism. But his comments on Kashmir seem to be intrusive, and we are strictly against any interference. Obama will also want India to sign the CTBT and if India declines, it can affect our relations. He may want to halt outsourcing, but it would not be easy. In short, U.S. foreign policy may change, but America's good relations with India will not be affected." ¶4. "THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO RAISE QUESTIONS," analysis by strategic expert C. Udaybhaskar in the November 9 Amar Ujala Hindi daily: "There is no need to get worried about Obama's new policies and his promises made during elections because his hands will automatically be tied once he gets into the hot seat. India has been firm against any intervention on the Kashmir issue under the Shimla agreement. India should be patient, but alert to changing situation. If Obama pushes India to sign the CTBT and the NPT, it is of concern to India. We will have to wait to see what policy he adopts in this regard. This is the time to welcome the new President. He has expressed his opinion on all the issues including troops- withdrawing from Iraq, but its different when one becomes President -- there are many pressures -- moral, national and public interest." ¶5. "WHY SHOULD WE DOUBT OBAMA?" op-ed in the November 8 AMAR UJALA Hindi daily by former Minister of External Affairs K. Natwar Singh: "I am surprised with the way some lobbies in India doubt Barack Obama's policy on outsourcing, CTBT, Kashmir and nuclear nonproliferation. Outsourcing is not a major issue. We should be modest, but firm on our stand. When Clinton could not pressurize us on the CTBT and Kashmir issues why should we worry about Obama? We are already committed to nuclear nonproliferation. Obama himself is a supporter of the U.S.-India nuclear deal. If any condition is imposed on us, we will get the nuclear fuel and reactors from some other nation... His biggest challenge would be to deal with the Israel-Palestine conflict. If Obama seems to be inclined towards Israel on the West Asia dispute it would not take long for the Muslims to turn against him." ¶6. "THE SIGNALS THAT OBAMA WANTS TO SEND" editorial-page article in the November 10 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali by veteran journalist Pabitra Kumar Ghosh. "...What will be Obama's foreign policy? The entire world is interested to know about this... He has expressed his attitude towards India a number of times before, once through a letter to Manmohan Singh... But, there is concern about Kashmir... It could be Bill Clinton to act as his special envoy who, during his tenure as the U.S. President, told Pakistan that he would not allow the borders to alter with war in Kashmir. Obama has expressed his desire to have the Al Qaida obliterated so Pakistan, getting NEW DELHI 00002895 003 OF 004 relieved of the Kashmir concern, could devote itself fully to deal with the Al Qaida and the Taliban. Does it mean that he will ask India to sacrifice in order to resolve the Kashmir imbroglio? Will he try to placate Pakistan on the Kashmir issue...?" ¶7. "OBAMA: A NEW SPARK IN AMERICAN PSYCHE," editorial in the November 7 Cuttack nationalist Oriya SAMAJA. "As the first black president of the U.S., Barack Obama has created history. The American electorate has shown that democratic principles are above color and religion. Now it is for the new president to fulfill the American as well as global aspirations. Will he effect major changes in national and foreign policies? Will he redefine American ideals? A spectacular change in America's India policy is not expected. But Obama is in White House as a symbol of change. His victory is the reflection of change in the U.S. mindset." ¶8. "AMERICA'S NEW MOON" editorial in the November 5 Bhubaneswar nationalist Oriya SAMBADA. "...Barack Obama, the Black American has made it to the White House. It is a historic moment and it can be viewed as the new sunrise of hope and expectations for America and the world at large. Under the Bush Administration, America incurred both economic and military infamy. Now it falls on Obama's leadership to steer the country on the right path. Only time will tell how the new U.S. President shall answer the global hope but what is clear at the moment is that his victory symbolizes a change for the mankind. His victory does not end at the White House. In fact, it is the beginning of a long journey for humanity." ¶9. "BEYOND ANY MISUNDERSTANDING", editorial in the November 8 right-of-center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES", Mumbai: "To welcome the election of Barack Obama as the President of America, does not mean that we don't have any misgivings. Obama's elevation to the White House will, certainly not bring any substantial change in American policies vis-`-vis Palestine, Muslims and Islam. We have rolled out our red carpets for Obama because, in this perspective of ground realities of American history full of racial discrimination and Zionist supremacy, he, despite his being an Afro - American Catholic, made inroads into the White House. His victory enjoys an extraordinary significance in the global background of Zionist order. However, it also symbolizes the countdown of Zionist power." ¶10. "FOREMOST POLICY OF BARACK OBAMA", editorial in the November 9 right-of-center Urdu daily "SIASAT", Hyderabad: "Newly President of America, Barack Obama, in his first press conference on Friday, expressed his firm resolve to take care of a shattered economy. Taking charge of his office on 20th January 2009, he will take concrete steps to tackle the prevailing economic crisis. At present, one percent of wealthy people in America hold 20 per cent of the country's wealth. These are the people who use rulers like Bush in order to accomplish their own vested interests. Now, Obama has to decide whom he should NEW DELHI 00002895 004 OF 004 include in his team. His baseline team will be indicative of his future policies. The names so far include an Indian American, Sonal Shah, who has links with pro- Hindutva ideology organizations. After taking a decision to include such a lady, who has strong links with Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP),in the White House team, no one can predict that his South Asia policy will be unprejudiced. However, it seems that the foremost policy and agenda of the newly elected President is to restore confidence in the people." MULFORD