MEDIA REACTION: SECRETARY RICE VISIT TO INDIA

UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 08 NEW DELHI 003071 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: SECRETARY RICE VISIT TO INDIA AND PAKISTAN, IRAQ/STATEMENT OF BUSH; NEW DELHI. *********************** * Missing Section 001 * *********************** NEW DELHI 00003071 002 OF 008 help from sections of the establishment. This may be one of the reasons why the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, wants Pakistan to be actively and, what is more important, transparently pursuing the suspects. The reason why Washington is pushing the Pakistani authorities to get to the bottom of the jihadi operation is that it is well aware that if the patrons of the terrorists can get away after carrying out one of their most daring acts of murder and mayhem, then they will only become even bolder. The consequent threat to the American mainland, not to mention targets in Europe, is obvious. As commentators have noted, one objective of the attack on Mumbai was to make India lose patience with the peace process, thereby compelling Pakistan to move its troops to the eastern border. This will enable al-Qaeda and the Taliban to breathe more easily in their hideouts in the northwest and focus on more plans for creating havoc. The US, which is the primary target of the terrorists, has to guard against such a turn of events. Its only course, therefore, will be to convince the more responsible elements in Islamabad that turning a blind eye to the jihadi groups in the country will ultimately endanger Pakistan itself." ¶4. "INDIA MUST BUILD IRREFUTABLE CASE," ediorial in the December 5 left-of-center English daily DECCAN CHRONICLE (circulation: 1 million). "The manner in which Mr. Zardari has so implausibly - and ham-handedly - denied that the Mumbai attackers were Pakistanis cannot but give his credentials a setback. His observation is astounding. It flies in the face of the evidence collated so far by Indian investigators and corroborated by their American counterparts. U.S. Director of Intelligence Mike McConnell has all but named the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, in saying that those who attacked Mumbai last week were the same people who had planted bombs in Mumbai's suburban train two years ago, killing 200 people, and executed the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001. U.S.Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has noted that even if the terrorists were 'stateless' or 'non-state actors,' as Mr. Zardari has maintained, Pakistan could not shirk the responsibility of dealing with them as they operated from Pakistani territory. It is widely understood in specialist circles in this country, as well as in the United States and Western Europe, that terrorist training is handled in Pakistan by serving or retired Army officers and those belonging to the military's Inter-Services Intelligence. In the event, the information coming from the captured terrorist in Mumbai has to be treated with due circumspection. He is likely to attempt to sell dummies. Every caution must be exerted to prepare a dossier that will impress serious investigators anywhere. This may involve some coordination and forensic and legal assistance from others across the world who have been victims of terrorism. The necessity for this cannot be overemphasized." ¶5. "BALANCING ACT," editorial in the December 5 left-of- center English daily DECCAN HERALD (circulation: 350,000). "Rice's mission has been driven by the U.S.' NEW DELHI 00003071 003 OF 008 self interest. The Indian demarche has listed steps like handing over a number of wanted people to India. Immediate action on such requests may even weaken the government and disturb the present precarious arrangement of power in the country. The US too would not like to disturb that arrangement. The US would not like Pakistan to weaken its vigil on Afghan border in any manner and Rice's request to India to avoid actions of unintended consequences point in that direction. Therefore her call to Pakistan for robust action, but also expressing US' satisfaction with Pakistan's commitment to fight terrorism indicates that US may not push Pakistan beyond a point." ¶6. "PROPER MESSAGE TO PAKISTAN," editorial in the December 5 independent Kannada daily KANNADA PRABHA (circulation: 180,000). "It seems there is no change in the stand of Pakistan... At this point, India should be open to all possibilities including military action. The U.S. should sound a warning (to Pakistan) or initiate appropriate action if Pakistan does not help India in this hour of crisis. Otherwise, the visit of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be a wasteful exercise." ¶7. "ONE MORE CHANCE TO PAKISTAN," editorial in the December 5 left-of-center Kannada daily PRAJAVANI (circulation: 550,000). "During her visit to Pakistan, the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has specifically asked Pakistan to extend all possible help to investigate the terror attack in Mumbai and advised that urgent and tough action should be taken against terrorists. Pakistan's President, under severe pressure from the U.S., said that he would cooperate with India. Pakistan should not hesitate to take the help of India for rooting out terrorists from its soil." ¶8. "A STUBBORN PAKISTAN," editorial in the December 5 independent Kannada daily VIJAYA KARNATAKA (circulation: 700,000). "Even though India is talking tough against Pakistan, there is no imminent threat of a war between both the countries. Leaders of Pakistan have assured visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of all possible cooperation to India, which of course, is just an eye-wash. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari just cannot get away by saying that some 'stateless actors' are behind Mumbai attacks." ¶9. "OUR OPTIONS," editorial in the December 4 HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "How can one ignore the endless attacks across the border. It is such a proxy war, which has the same motive as a war has. The only difference is that it is killing the common man. But, this is not the time to lose temper because war can never be a solution to any problem... In fact, this is the right time to fight the diplomatic war with Pakistan. The entire world is in favor of India. The international community also believes that Pakistan is the hub of terrorism. This is the perfect time for stepping-up pressure on Pakistan at the international level to make its institutions end their relations with the terrorists. The ways of sending money to the terrorist organizations could be blocked. Only the NEW DELHI 00003071 004 OF 008 diplomatic assertiveness can be the best and the mosteffective answer to a proxy war." ¶10. "DIPLOMATIC WEAKNESS," editorial in the December 4 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "There is no doubt that India's first step toward increasing pressure on Pakistan has failed and India itself is also responsible for this to a certain extent. It should know that Pakistan would not agree to hand over India's most wanted terrorists. At least the strategists should know that the media should not be used for such sensitive issues. Now India should ensure that its next step is productive because the nation is not in a mood to wait. It should inspire the international community to deal with Pakistan, which has become a threat not just for South Asia but for the entire world, without any further delay. It should ask the United Nations to get active. India should not hesitate in taking any possible measure, except for the war, to bring Pakistan on the right track." ¶11. "AMERICA SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO INTERFERE", editorial in the December 5 right-of-center Urdu daily "SIASAT", Hyderabad: "What is happening in India is most condemnable, but India has complete ability and power to tackle the situation. In such a situation, visits by American and British investigating agencies and their suo motu investigations are extremely uncalled for. It is a sort of intervention in the internal affairs of India. Followed by aforesaid investigating teams, Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice too came to India on the direction of President George Bush. There are apprehensions that America wants to exploit the situation, and accomplish its vested interests in the name of sympathy to Indian people. This is most condemnable strategy. It is the responsibility of India to disallow America to interfere in the internal matters of India. It should not allow America, when India, itself, can make a position amongst the nations of the world. However, if foreign agencies are allowed to interfere in the ongoing investigations, it may discourage the national investigation and security agencies. It is extremely unfavorable to the nation." ¶12. "PAKISTAN, AMERICA AND INDIA", editorial in the December 5 right-of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS, New Delhi: "God forbid, lest America is playing any dual role. History of western imperialism is full of its dual roles. Standing on the debris of British imperialism, the democratic sultanate of America seems toeing the lines of erstwhile Great Britain. Our leaders should not be ignorant of any aspect of the prevailing situation. At this moment, we would like to request our government to share with the U.S., the concrete evidences, if any, so that the latter stops supporting its old friend rather apple of its eyes. Nevertheless, ever-growing madness of media trial should also be stopped simultaneously. We should teach a lesson to Pakistan so that it may not even think of committing acts of terrorism in future. We should also make our security arrangements insurmountable. Political leaders are free to do anything to conceal their drawbacks but they should not, at least, NEW DELHI 00003071 005 OF 008 play havoc with the nation's security. If you want to teach Pakistan a lesson, take practical initiatives. For God's sake, stop fanning useless tension, and exploiting people's sentiments by verbosity on media. We believe that the government will exercise wisdom, vision and diligence." ¶13. "AMERICA'S CLEAN CHIT TO PAKISTAN", editorial in the December 4 right-of-center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES", Mumbai: "Now, America too, stood in defense of Pakistan. On Tuesday, White House spokesperson, while talking to press reporters, said that Pakistan is not involved in terrorist activities in Mumbai. We want to say only this much, if the Indian government has concrete evidences in respect of its claims, it should share them with America so that it stops defending and supporting Pakistan. However, if Pakistan is found guilty, many options are open. First, efforts should be made to drag Pakistan to the International Court of Justice; secondly, it should be taught a lesson by an attack like that of the USA. We should like to say that government is free to do anything but it should stop vilification media propaganda against Muslim in the name of anti-terrorism initiatives. Thirdly, we believe that the Indian government will act diligently in this regard." ¶14. "LOOKING AT AMERICA," editorial in the December 5 CPI (M) Organ GANASHAKTI Bengali daily, Kolkata. "Communicating India's stand to the visiting U.S. SecState Rice implies that Delhi expects Washington to sustain its pressure on Pakistan. Delhi has bowed to Rice's strategy of insuring India's dependence on the U.S. on foreign policy issues. The U.S. has gotten a chance of exercising its big brotherly attitude in the midst of exchanges of arguments and counterarguments by India and Pakistan. But why should India become reliant on the U.S.? Why does India invoke a single country - the U.S. - in countering terrorism? Is the U.S. larger than the UN? Is it more powerful than the Security Council? ¶15. "HALF CITIZENS' FULL PATRIOTISM," editorial-page article in the December 5 CPI (M) Organ GANASHAKTI Bengali daily, Kolkata by Gautam Deb, West Bengal Minister of Housing and Public Health Engineering. "A competition has started in India to arouse a sense of nationalism and patriotism. People are trying to show off how anti-Pakistan they are! This is happening at a time especially when assembly elections are going on in six states and parliamentary elections are round the corner. Most of the media houses in India are not in the hands of reputed businessmen. These are run by mafia-like traders. They spend a few months every year in other countries. Their newspapers or television channels are more active in creating an aggressive attitude among people than to disseminate news. They are doling out baseless news. No language is enough to denounce the terror attacks in Mumbai. But consequences will be dangerous if some forces play with fire in this subcontinent. A tiny candle of democracy is burning in Pakistan. Whose hands woud be strengthened if that too is put out?" NEW DELHI 00003071 006 OF 008 ¶16. "NOT WORTHY OF A NEIGHBOR," editorial in the December 5 left-of-center Kolkata Bengali daily, SAMBAD PRATIDIN. "Let India-baiting across Pakistan be stopped. The neighboring country must take stern action against those who desecrated the Indian flag in Islamabad. How do anti- Indian organizations pursue their activities right in front of the Pakistani administration? It is now an established fact that terrorists involved in the Mumbai carnage had hatched the conspiracy on the Pakistani soil. People of India never want another war. Rather, they want peace. But that should not be construed as India's weakness. India will not continue to tolerate proxy-war from Pakistan. India has rightly communicated this message to Secretary of State Rice." ¶17. "PAKISTAN SHOULD NOT BE LEFT SCOT FREE," editorial in the December 5 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali daily, BARTAMAN. "Secretary of State Rice rushed to Delhi by curtailing her Europe trip only to restrain India from going to war against Pakistan. However, the way Pakistan rigidly sticks to its stand on the terrorist issue makes it uncertain how long the Indo-Pak relationship will remain in good spirit. India wants the U.S. to compel Pakistan into crushing terrorist training camps in the PoK. But the course of events indicates that America's any gentle advice to Pakistan will not do. On several earlier occasions too America had restrained Pakistan and India but that did not yield any positive result ultimately. Now the Taliban has also started threatening India. Will India and the U.S. remain inert even after this?" -------------- TERRORISM -------------- ¶18. "CAN TERRORISM BE CRUSHED?" editorial in the December 5 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR. "It's not impossible to put an end to terrorism. There are examples galore that convey how this menace can be dealt with determination. America freed Afghanistan from the clutches of the Taliban. The Sri Lankan army is fighting tooth and nail against the LTTE. Bhutan and Bangladesh are too taking punitive measures against terrorism or terrorists. Even China gunned down elements that could have fomented trouble during the last Olympics there.... What we rather our leaders need to learn is that terrorism can be crushed if there is a strong political will. How ever it is embarrassing for us to state that our political masters have become mute spectators to the endless barbarism inflicted by terrorists on the citizens. It is no doubt then that our politicians have lost all the confidence of the citizenry." -------------- IRAQ/STATEMENT OF BUSH -------------- ¶19. "REPENTENCE BY BUSH", editorial in the December 4 right-of-center Urdu daily "HINDUSTAN EXPRESS", New Delhi: "American President George Bush has, at last, NEW DELHI 00003071 007 OF 008 admitted that he had attacked Iraq on the basis of erroneous information. He also expressed his grief. The world community was bewildered over his audacity. Is it the same Bush, who attacked Iraq ignoring the resolutions of the Security Council, and brushing off reports submitted by the investigators? During his eight-year tenure, the world reeled under unparalleled restlessness, chaos, uncertainty and confusion. On 20th January 2009, he will be out of power gallery. His popularity graph touched its nadir, where he is seen as a villain instead of a hero. He is a target of all round condemnation for two reasons. First Iraq incursion, and secondly the financial crisis and economic recession throughout the world. His admission, in fact, is a confession of crimes, he committed, for which he should be prosecuted before the International Court of Justice. But who is going to prosecute him like Milosevic Slobodan? It is the high time, when the world community should envisage a concrete line of action in this regard, otherwise, in future America and its allies will target another country like Iraq and Afghanistan, and then any Bush, once again, will try to clean stains of blood from his sleeves by saying "I AM VERY SORRY"." ¶20. "ADMISSION BY BUSH", editorial in the December 4 right-of-center Urdu daily "SIASAT", Hyderabad: "Shamelessly, President George Bush admitted that other countries and members of Congress, who supported Iraq war, are also responsible for the failure of his administration. George Bush tried to alienate Muslim countries from the development and progress of the world. His self-confession, now, is the result of defeat and dishonor given to him by his people. Question is whether international courts of war crimes and legal luminaries will take any notice of Bush's confession? Whether he will be apprehended as a war crime and be prosecuted? It is a genuine case against him in the light of Geneva Convention. International laws are framed to such rulers, who become enemies of humanity by unjust use of their powers. George Bush is personally responsible for horrible wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and genocides therein. It is an implicit case of aggression prima facie. He plundered not only the world peace but also American economy. His successor will have to compensate his wrongs." ¶21. "BLUNDERS OF PRESIDENT BUSH", editorial in the December 4 right-of- centre Urdu daily "MUNSIF", Hyderabad: "The entire tenure of Bush is full of his incessant wrongs and misdeeds. No historian (even if he is an American) will exonerate him for his horrendous crimes. War against Iraq was a pre-conceived plan and Zionists joined hands in hatching conspiracies against Iraq. He waged a war against the Islamic world under the guise of war on terrorism. George Bush kept doing such activities in order to appease the Jewish lobby, which has extraordinary influence over the President as well as the American administration. And he, ultimately, paved the way for American economy disaster. Now, at the departure from the power gallery, if he is desirous to make his image better, he should confess all his NEW DELHI 00003071 008 OF 008 misdeeds. First of all, he should refute the imaginary terrorism of al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden vis a vis 9/11 incident. He should seek apology from the people of Sudan, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan. He should also confess his acts of terrorism in order to defame the Muslim community. Only then the world may think to exonerate him." MULFORD