MEDIA REACTION: MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS; NEW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 003050 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: MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS; 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." -------------- MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS -------------- ¶1. "THE STRENGTH OF THE NATION," editorial in the December 2 NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "Terrorist organizations have miserably failed to play the Islam card and influence India's Muslims. Terrorists have tried many times, but each time they failed. A sign if this is that Muslims in Kashmir defied the diktats of the militants by going out and voting in great numbers, under the shadow of the Mumbai attacks. India's Muslims have realized that the jehadis do not have the solutions to their problems. India's famous Darool Uloom seminary in Deoband recently issued an edict against terrorism, which was supported by over 6,000 Muslim scholars. Muslims in India have come out strongly against the Mumbai incident, openly venting their outrage on blogs and internet websites. One Muslim organization even lobbied against burying these terrorists on Indian soil. India's Muslims are not going to play into the hands of terrorists - that is the message that went out. India's Muslims have demonstrated that they are the strength of the nation." ¶2. "ANGER SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTIVE," editorial in the December 2 DAINIK BHASKAR Hindi daily: "The Mumbai attacks have caused pain and anger in the hearts of all Indians, and that is perfectly understandable. After all, the nation has been outraged. But can we harness this flow of negative energy into something positive? Can we channelize this anguish and find in it positive energy to move us forward? Can India's leaders convert this incident into an advantage. Will they stand up to the challenge? We need to be rational in our outbursts against Pakistan as well as our own leaders. Only constructive criticism will make our leaders responsible." ¶3. "WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?" editorial in the December 3, 2008 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR. "After the gruesome attacks on Mumbai last week, the debate on what should be done next to prevent recurrence of such terrorist incidents is gaining momentum... The country and its citizens feel a strong need for stringent laws and concrete action by the government. The people of this country are sick of hearing that government understands the pain of its citizenry. People want the government to pursue some tangible action with aggressiveness rather than offering mere lip service.... Isn't it ironic that our present-day government is scheduled to have a cabinet meeting on December 4 to urge the Sri Lankan government not to declare war against the LTTE there but is promising us that it will crush terrorists from Pakistan!" NEW DELHI 00003050 002 OF 004 ¶4. "WHAT ABOUT THE 'PAKISTANS' FLOURISHING IN INDIA?" editorial in the December 3, 2008, Mumbai edition of right-of-center Marathi daily SAAMNA. "Just as has happened in the past, Indian politicians, specially the Delhi-based Congress party heads, are currently mulling over strict military action against Pakistan. Angered and surcharged, these rulers wish to teach a lesson to Pakistan for its obvious connivance in the recent terrorist violence in Mumbai. But their words do not signify much action. In fact their responses are characteristic of the usual doublespeak. If they are that serious about the intended action on Pakistan, why can't they first stop the appeasement of Muslims in various pockets of India. Why is it that the mastermind of an earlier terrorist attack on the Indian parliament, Afzal Guru, has not been hanged despite Supreme Court orders? Indian administrators have to address themselves to the `Jehad' flourishing in their own country. Why talk about the terror camps in Karachi and Lahore when similar ones exist in cities like Mumbai too...." ¶5. "PAKISTAN'S TRICKERY" editorial in the December 3, 2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi daily NAVASHAKTI. "As is always the case, Pakistan has claimed innocence in the latest terrorist plot that shattered Mumbai. Much like a brazen administration which has mastered the art of deceit, Pakistan has asked for evidence of Pakistani complicity in the recent Mumbai attacks. This is the time for our rulers to not let this opportunity wither away. We have to put our best foot forward and not let Pakistan get away with its deception. Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only terrorist who is being interrogated about the nature of the plot, can provide enough leads in this direction. We should be able to produce strong evidence before the international community. Pakistan will then never be able to pronounce the usual 'we are not involved' line..." ¶6. "WHEN WILL POLITICIANS RETURN TO THEIR SENSES?" editorial in the December 3 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali daily, BARTAMAN. "Common people are gradually getting annoyed with politicians. Most of the political leaders make their moves with an eye on elections. Depending on the sittation, they play their communal cards and pose themselves as Hindu, Muslim, or Christian sympathizers but they never become humanitarian. Politicians perhaps failed to learn a lesson even after people rejected them in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks... It may be too late for them to realize the gravity of the situation." ¶7. "POLITICIANS AND PEOPLE," editorial in the December 3 independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. "This is for the first time that politicians face an obligation about their accountability to people... The situation has evolved with media activism as well... The reality that once elected, they will not have to become accountable...provides confidence to politicians. But people now point their fingers toward political leaders for their audacity, lack of sensitivity, selfishness, and for playing nasty politics with terrorism... Humanitarian NEW DELHI 00003050 003 OF 004 sensitivity does not have any place in their culture. Will they ever become sensitive?" ¶8. "INDIA IS NOT ALONE" editorial in the December 3, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily MUNSIF, Hyderabad (Circulation: 45,620): "The terror attack on Mumbai has drawn world attention towards India. The world community has not only expressed sympathy with us but also offered assistance and co-operation at this crucial moment. The positive attitude of our friends is highly appreciable and of course encouraging. As per our expectations, America is on the top of the countries to offer assistance in this regard. President Bush called twice to Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh assuring him full assistance in investigation of terror attacks on Mumbai. Secretary Rice is also visiting India to express solidarity with the country. Israel and the other countries particularly the British agencies have also come up for help... However Israel's involvement in investigations is dangerous as it is alleged that the terror attacks on Mumbai is the handiwork of the Zionist forces and the MOSSAD. So it wound not advisable to trust upon Israel as well as the pro-Zionism American and British agencies." ¶9. "BEYOND THE BORDERS", editorial in the December 2 right-of-center Urdu daily "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi (Circulation: 63,000): "In the background of current situation in Pakistan, ISI can never dare indulge in such activities because it is, itself, a victim of tremendous terrorism. Moreover, Pakistani government, under American pressure, is taking action against terrorists at its western borders. India should get most out of global sympathy with it. Concrete results may be obtained against terrorism by the cooperation of other countries particularly, that of Pakistan. Pakistan is our neighbor. In this capacity, it may play a positive role in Mumbai incidence. India should, therefore, make very diligent moves. It can make its current mission against terrorism, a success, only with the help of other countries including Pakistan." ¶10. "MURDER OF JUSTICE", op-ed in the December 2 right- of-center Urdu daily "HINDUSTAN EXPRESS", New Delhi (Circulation: 53,000) by columnist Moonisa Bushra Abidi: "Those who are relating the Mumbai incidence with Jammu and Kashmir militancy or Pakistan's "Islamic terrorism" deserve our sympathy for their ignorance. Why people other than Pakistanis cannot enter through the Gateway of India? Do traditional weapons ensure Pakistani hand? Why the followers of those who can enflame the entire Gujarat after putting Sabarmati Express on flames; those who are responsible for bomb-blasts in Nander, Malegaon, Modasa and Samjhauta Express, cannot do such activities? Why the followers of Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, cannot be held responsible for the Mumbai incidence? It is said that Nathuram Godse was in Muslim attire, when he assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. And what obstacles could stop them when they have their supporters in Police and Army?" ¶11. "INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS," editorial in December 03, NEW DELHI 00003050 004 OF 004 Bangalore-based independent Kannada daily KANNADA PRABHA (circulation: 180,000): "...So far India has not reacted to any provocations of Pakistan and Bangladesh. If India reacts to these intimidations, the relationship with Pakistan has to be reviewed. It will be really helpful to present the evidence, which is being collected in the recent Mumbai terror attacks, to prove the Pakistani hand during the discussions in the international forum. It is the responsibility of the government to take the national consensus into consideration before evolving any policy with regard to Pakistan." ¶12. "RELATIONSHIP IN TROUBLE," editorial in December 03, Bangalore-based independent Kannada daily VIJAY KANRNATAKA (circulation: 700,000): "...Pakistan, always, hesitates to take action against terrorists. It does not want to accept the fact that terrorists use Pakistan as a base. Instead of curbing terrorism, Pakistan chooses to provoke the public sentiment by propagating anti-India sentiments and that is politically helpful. Pakistan also feels that it is always better to keep the proxy war on than a direct war with India. The international community should condemn this attitude of Pakistan. US Secretary of State Rice is coming to India and India has to use this occasion to put pressure on Pakistan through Secretary Rice. Terrorists' bases should be rooted out. Criminals like Dawood Ibrahim and should be deported to India. Will the U.S. help India in this regard?" MULFORD