MEDIA REACTION: U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, G-

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 002961 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 ELECTIONS, G- 20 MEET, PALESTINE, AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ; 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." -------------- U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS -------------- ¶1. "WILL HISTORY HELP RADIATE A NEW GLOW ON AMERICA, WITHIN AND WITHOUT?" editorial-page article in November 20 Kolkata pro-BJP Bengali daily BARTAMAN by Nashville- based columnist Subhankar Mukherjee. "Obama used a refreshing slogan during his campaign, 'Change we need.' He altered this soon after he has been elected. Did he then want to suggest that change stands for the transformation from White to Black? So, the President- elect's new slogan is: 'Yes, we can'... But will he able to really deliver? It would be a mammoth task for Obama to steer America ahead... Does he want to remain President for two terms like George Bush? However, this 'Obamania' is not likely to last for a long time. He may have been the cynosure of all eyes...but the White votes actually reflect an anti-establishment sentiment. If Obama cannot do anything in the next four years he will lose his support base... The Blacks may be euphoric and that will negatively impact the American society. White fundamentalists will not tolerate this and they will be instigated by Muslim extremists to perish those 'dark hands.'" ¶2. "SOUTH ASIA'S HOPE," op-ed in November 19 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by former Indian Ambassador to UK and Parliament member Kuldip Nayar. "The Indian reaction to Obama's telephone call to President Zardari was subdued. The general impression is that Pakistan has been singled out because it is an ally in the Afghanistan war. What amuses me is the obsession in the two countries or, for that matter, in South Asia, about the way America looks towards them. They strain every nerve to catch Washington's eye. This smacks of colonial slavish mentality which we have not been able to shake off even after six decades of independence. Incidentally, Bangladesh's regret is over the defeat of Senator John McCain, who had adopted a Bangladeshi girl. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are sovereign countries and their strength or weakness is from within, not without. They do not have to kowtow before any foreign country, however powerful. Washington cannot impose anything on them if they do not offer their neck. Then there is Obama's remark on Kashmir which has created a stir in India. The name of Clinton figured as the envoy. Obama's statement is an unnecessary diversion when New Delhi and Islamabad are engaged in bilateral talks to sort out Kashmir and other problems souring relations between the two countries. South Asia expects George W. Bush's cowboy diplomacy to come to an end. If it does not, Obama's victory speech may turn out to be yet another false promise held by a US President." NEW DELHI 00002961 002 OF 004 ¶3. "CHALLENGES FOR OBAMA" op-ed article by New Delhi- based foreign affairs editor Vijay Naik in the November 20, 2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily SAKAAL. "The Obama presidency will have to give a fresh impetus to foreign policy initiatives. The withdrawal of the U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq will be a top priority, and so will the moves to curb the presence of Taliban and Al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In his campaign, Obama spoke of apprehending Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The coming months will show how he acts upon it. Of course India will be a great help to Obama in the context of the war against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Obama's telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has to be viewed in this context. Obama, in his campaign speeches, has often iterated that he intends to maintain and strengthen diplomatic relations with India. Indians are therefore looking forward to Obama's future decisions...." Similar editorial appeared in the left-of-center Marathi daily AAPLA MAHANAGAR. ¶4. "OBAMA-OSAMA" editorial in the November 20, 2008 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR. "Even before taking the oath of office, President-elect Barack Obama has announced that nabbing dreaded fugitive Osama bin Laden, dead or alive, is high on his priority list. President Bush has also been trying to achieve the same thing, for the past five years, but has not succeeded thus far.... By using this language, Obama has delivered an important message to the world about the way he thinks.... The two important challenges that America faces today are recession and terrorism. Obama faces the onerous task of taking the bull by the horns vis-`-vis global recession and global terrorism. The world is waiting eagerly to watch Obama's battle against Osama." -------------- G-21 MEET -------------- ¶5. "G-20 SUMMIT", editorial in November 19 right-of- center Urdu daily "SIASAT", Hyderabad: "Explaining the reasons behind the current financial crisis, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that policies adopted by the developed countries are mainly responsible for it. He pointed out that developing countries are suffering for no faults on their part. There are strong possibilities that President-elect Barack Obama may call such a session of G-20 once again, because financial crisis is his first and foremost challenge to face. What is most needed is all countries should translate their resolutions into efficacious modus operandi by their collective efforts and endeavors. They should envisage a mechanism to keep the entire situation under strict surveillance. They must ensure that developing countries may be least affected by the crisis. India may play a key role in this regard." ¶6. "G-20 SUMMIT", editorial in November 19 right-of- center "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi: "The problem is more related to developing countries than the developed ones. NEW DELHI 00002961 003 OF 004 The financial crisis compelled the developed countries, directly, to be dependent on the developing countries. G- 20 Summit made it clear that not only the world is changing, its ideologies too, are undergoing a change." -------------- PALESTINE -------------- ¶7. "HUMAN TRAGEDY IN GAZA", editorial in November 19 right-of-center Urdu daily "INQUILAB", Mumbai: "Hamas occupied area of Palestine is, once again, reeling under a worst human tragedy and catastrophe. Israel has blocked all the routes leading to this area. As a result, no food, medicine and other necessities of life cannot be reinforced, any more. No law on earth can permit Israel for such activities in Gaza. Relief & Works Agency of the United Nations Organization too, has condemned Israel for such activities and termed them as the worst aggression. According to the spokesman of the Agency, "the situation is not only unacceptable, it is rather shameful." These activities of Israel are a stark violation of Geneva Convention. Despite peace champions like America, European Union and others, which claim themselves to be the flag-bearer of Human Rights, are mute spectators, and supporting Israel. To take revenge on Hamas, Israel is inflicting serious tortures to a whole community. Strong notice should be taken for such gross violation of Human Rights. Israel's evil designs cannot be permitted, at any cost." -------------- AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶8. "OBAMA TOES THE LINE OF BUSH", editorial in November 19 right-of-center Urdu daily "MUNSIF", Hyderabad: "In matters of so-called terrorism related to the al-Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden and Muslims, Obama has reiterated his firm resolve, toeing thereby the line of Bush. This should remove the vain hopes from Obama. His statement or resolve is in stark contrast of what he said talking about the over-all change. Issuing the warrant of death for Osama Bin Laden, Bush, in fact, has followed the uncivilized and tyrant rules of ancient times, Hitler and other oppressive fascist rulers. Obama wants to do the same. He may target a number of Islamic countries besides Pakistan. In this way, he may not bring any substantial policy change, and his recent statement is quite enough to strangle all optimism in this regard." ¶9. "OBAMA AND OSAMA", editorial in November 19 right-of- center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES", Mumbai: "The first colored President-elect, Barack Obama said, in his first interview after his victory, that the >gjz_,QO1+wV@Bush, al-Qaeda will die its own death. Obama will not NEW DELHI 00002961 004 OF 004 have to take much pain. Sometimes rulers need to create an imaginary enemy in order to divert the attention of people from serious internal issues, so that they may escape away from their wrath and fury. Considering Osama as his priority no. 1, if Obama starts wasting the American resources in it, it would mean that he is extending the policies of Bush. He has won the Presidential election in the name of a change. He must honor his promise by bringing a positive change throughout the length and breadth of the world." -------------- IRAQ -------------- ¶10. "ROLE REVERSAL," editorial in November 19 centrist HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "Under the pact signed with Iraq, U.S. troops will be withdrawn by December 31, 2011. The accord gives Iraq expanded legal jurisdiction when serious crimes are committed by U.S. troops. The U.S. has also agreed not to attack Iraq's neighbors from inside Iraq lessoning the possibility of an attack on Iran. However, this agreement is opposed and criticized on both fronts it is clear that the two nations will try to implement it. It is like a return of an intelligent foreign policy of U.S., which has learnt a lesson from Iraq invasion. It can also reflect in Afghanistan in the future. If the Taliban and Al-Qaida receives this message right it can start a new phase of peace in the West Asia." WHITE