MEDIA REACTION: U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 002904 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, MIDDLE EAST, INDO - CHINA RELATIONS, AFGHANISTAN, GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS, OBAMA ON KASHMIR TANGLE; NEW DELHI- NOVEMBER 11-12, 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. "CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE," editorial in November 10 centrist HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "Iranian President Ahmedinejad's congratulatory message to US President- elect Barack Obama makes it evident that Obama's victory has raised optimism in the Muslim world, including Iran... The message indicates Iran's intention to improve diplomatic relations with the U.S. But, will Obama be able to take a significant initiative? He is a supporter of nuclear nonproliferation, while Iran is not ready to halt its uranium reprocessing. Ahmedinejad believes that Obama will not adopt the aggressive attitude of Bush and there will be a scope of reaching a compromise. He also expects U.S. despotism to end on issues like Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan. Actually, Obama has given assurances through his statements that his approach, unlike Bush's, would not be hypothetical, but practical. This has created fresh hope in the Muslim world. But, we will have to wait to see the U.S. stand in reality." ¶2. "OBAMA'S CHOICE: AN EVENT OR A PROCESS?" op-ed article by Bharatkumar Raut, editorial advisor to The Times of India group and a member of the Indian parliament in the November 12, 2008, Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily MAHARASHTRA TIMES. "The historic win of Barack Obama has justifiably generated an air of excitement and hope in the U.S. This atmosphere will remain so at least up to January 20, 2009, the day Obama will be sworn in as the 44th U.S. president. The point is what after that? ... In the last few years, the American voter was increasingly affected by many of George W. Bush's policies. The financial crisis struck hard in the last few months, but Americans, especially the unemployed people, were unhappy with the Republican rule. Naturally, these dissatisfied voters were not going to vote for Bush. Most of the votes won by Obama are the anti-Bush votes and the anti-war votes. Obama's racial identity has not been a deciding factor in the voting process. White Americans do not think that perceptively and they have not voted for an African-American because of any noble belief in the struggle against racial discrimination. The Democrats also only chose Obama as their presidential nominee because he was the only strong one who could have stood against Mc Cain. Hillary Clinton or John Edwards did not evoke confidence in the party...." ¶3. "CHANGE!" editorial-page article in November 12 nationalist Kolkata Bengali ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA by NEW DELHI 00002904 002 OF 004 staffer Jagari Bandopadhya. "...This much can be said that Obama has raised the significance of the word 'change' that was spread over his entire election process to a multi-dimensional level... This difference is much more pronounced in the context of the Reagans, Bushes, and McCains... Everybody knows that America lives with pluralism but the way the first black president-elect speaks of all forms of pluralism in a single breath is something of a change!... He has elevated himself to become a black hero from a hero of the blacks. Obama is not that inexperienced that he will make a remark without exercising caution after being elected the president. Is this, therefore, a consequence of political compulsion? ... For, his campaign and the election surveys raise a few questions. Who did vote for Obama? ... It must be remembered that of the total votes cast this time, 53 per cent were from women and he has received 60 per cent of these votes. How? His orientation towards the middle class and his promise to emphasize on the health services has become very important, especially n the realm of family economics. The votes that he bagged from the white men and women, a reflection of the hatred towards the Bush regime, were cast also because of this economic reason. Besides, women had special reasons to be interested about Obama because he has pleaded for the 'equal pay for equal work' policy...." ¶4. "POLITICS OF ETHICS AND ELECTION" editorial in November 12 Guwahati Assamese centrist DAINIK JANASADHARAN. "...The high standard of Barack Obama and John McCain's debates, as watched by millions of Indians on TV, has clearly demonstrated the intellectual gap that characterizes American and Indian democracy. In India, there is a lack of political ethics among leaders... In multi-party India, democracy exists only for namesake whereas the American democracy is so strong that its people can directly bring about changes when they want... India will never get a leader like Obama until its political leaders learn to rise above narrow party politics to think about the country." ¶5. "HOW MISERABLE THEY ARE!", editorial in November 11, right-of-center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES', Mumbai: "The first thing Obama did after his election as the President of America, pleased Israel, but it was not expected for us. The man, he appointed, as Chief of staff of the White House for next four years is not only a Jew but also a pro - Zionism and pro - Israel. On November 5, when America was celebrating the victory of Barack Obama, American Jet bombers were bombing, a marriage ceremony in Afghanistan, wherein 40 civilians including 10 women and 23 children were killed. All of them were non - combatants. Those who are afraid of, and impressed by America, are the persons who want to see their own problems solved by others. China, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE (United Arab Emirates) and OPEC countries rise to the occasion to save the faltering imperialistic and capitalistic system. If only Arab and other Muslim countries withdraw their financial and moral support to NEW DELHI 00002904 003 OF 004 America, American imperialism and imperialistic capitalism will die their own death. Under these circumstances, if in the times of a Black Catholic Christian American President, Barack Obama, Muslim countries face a bigger catastrophe than that of Iraq and Afghanistan, we will not be astonished." -------------- MIDDLE EAST -------------- ¶6. "INDIA AND GULF COUNTRIES," editovial in November 11 RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "In his first visit to Oman and Qatar, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is all set to make a mark in the bilateral relations with Gulf countries. During his three-day visit, the economic crisis, energy security and global issues were on the agenda. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Oman-Qatar-visit resulted in strengthening ties with the two countries. Besides being the main source of energy-import, several trade and investment interests of India are also linked to the Gulf countries. The Gulf and the Middle East are vital also from the security viewpoint. India is doing well in strengthening its ties with this region." -------------- INDO - CHINA RELATIONS -------------- ¶7. "INDO - CHINA BORDER DISPUTE", editorial in November 11, right-of-center Urdu daily "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi: "India - China border dispute is time - torn. Both the countries tried many a times to resolve the issue but it has not been solved as yet. Rather, it is becoming gradually, a chronic and crucial issue. China considers complete Arunachal Pradesh as its own part. Apart from it, many shortsighted leaders of China consider land up to district Gaya in Bihar state as part of their country. China is a communist country. It is habitual of crossing the neighboring land. Now India is not a banana state. It has capacity to give a tit - for - tat reply. In case of any war, it may give a befitting reply to China." -------------- AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶8. "OBAMA'S ORDEAL IN AFGHANISTAN", editorial in November 10, right-of-center Urdu daily "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi: "In his election meetings, Obama has already explained that he will allow military action within the territories of Pakistan in order to nab Osama Bin Laden. He will be apprehended at all costs. If it is true that he is alive and has taken shelter in border areas of Afghanistan, or tribal areas of Pakistan, it will be Herculean task for Obama's popular government to nab him. At present, Pakistan government is co-operating with American and NATO forces. In such a situation, America needs not to reprimand Pakistan. Any sort of strictness will make the NEW DELHI 00002904 004 OF 004 issue, a headache for Obama. He should, therefore, adopt a moderate policy in this region else his crown may become full of thorns." -------------- GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS -------------- ¶9. "THE WORLD NEEDS SUPPORT OF SAUDI KING ONCE AGAIN", editorial in November 10, right-of-center Urdu daily "HINDUSTAN EXPRESS", New Delhi: "The world was reeling under a worst recession in 1970s. America was at the verge of bankruptcy. The very existence of America was in peril. During these rainy days, America sought King's help and support. His Majesty opened the lid of his treasure trove and, thus saved America and the World Bank as well. Now, circumstances have already changed. Neither there is Soviet Union nor threat of communism and atheism, nor any threat of aggression by any neighboring state; but America is still enjoying the fruits of Joint Security Cooperation Commission. However, in consideration of all this, what did Saudi Arabia and the Islamic world received. This is the pertinent question, which keeps the heart and soul of the Muslim throughout the world, restless. Presently, Saudi King, agreed to extend his support to the world, once again. Oil rich Gulf States are ready to give their interest - free financial support to IMF, the World Bank and the banks of America and Britain. Let us see, what new wounds will the Middle - East, Islamic World and Saudi Arabia get in consideration of their support and cooperation?" -------------- OBAMA ON KASHMIR TANGLE -------------- ¶10. "OBAMA'S REMARKS ON KASHMIR", editorial in November 10, right-of-center daily "SIASAT", Hyderabad: "Expressing his opinion on Kashmir issue, the elected President, Barack Obama gave birth to a new controversy. He said that he wanted to depute former President Bill Clinton to solve the dispute between India and Pakistan. There is a wide resentment over the aforesaid statement in India. Kashmir issue is a bilateral Indo-Pak issue, and therefore, it should be solved bilaterally. They have the capacity to resolve their mutual disputes. America has no right or prerogative or locus standii to poke its nose into such mutual issues. In fact, it wants to dictate terms to both these countries. Now, it is the responsibility of both India and Pakistan to discourage any third party interference in their mutual dispute, else, it will be injurious to their interests. Once the U.S. finds an opportunity to intervene, it will no be an easy job to roll up its domination." MULFORD