MEDIA REACTION: INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS, GLOBAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 NEW DELHI 003152 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: INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS, GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS; NEW DELHI - DECEMBER 13-15, 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." -------------- INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶1. "PAKISTAN AT ITS DECEIVING BEST," op-ed article in December 14 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by security affairs specialist K. Subrahmanyam: "In the name of action, Pakistan has rounded up a handful of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. This is out of fear that U.S. may declare Pakistan terrorist-sponsor nation. Pakistan is neither honest nor serious about acting tough against terrorists... The fresh militant attack on NATO supply route is Pakistan's clear massage that it is in a position to blackmail U.S. and NATO nations. U.S. has become totally dependent on Pakistan for its supply route for US and Western forces battling in Afghanistan due to its tenacious attitude on Iran issue and the dispute with Russia on Georgia and ballistic missile defense issues. U.S. should not expect a big achievement till it gets free from its dependence on Pakistan by striking balance with Moscow and Tehran. Pakistan can also adopt the strategy of continuing getting U.S. aid and also intensifying attacks on the supplies for Western troops to such extent that they are forced to leave Afghanistan. And if U.S. loses in Afghanistan, it will be the Jihadis' victory and the entire world will have to bear its consequences." ¶2. "IMPORTANT INITIATIVE OF SECURITY COUNCIL," editorial in December 13 DAINIK BHASKAR daily: "It is clear from the United Nations Security Council's blacklisting Jamaat-ud-Dawa that the world backs India's argument that this organization and Lashkar-e-Taiba have the same roots. The important thing is that the irrefutable evidences presented by India and U.S. this time forced even China, which blocked the proposal in the past, to support it. But, it is noteworthy that Pakistan's action against terrorists is temporary... And this kind of groups restarts their activities changing name and place. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that the situation is pretty dangerous and Pakistan needs to act urgently. It is true that India's arguments and facts were taken seriously also because of the Bush Administration's activeness on this issue. After the ban now the terrorist training camps and the Madrasas, in the name of the charity, teaching to change the World from darul-harb to darul-Islam, running in Pakistan should be actually stopped." ¶3. "JOINT INITIATIVE," editorial in December 12 HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "India wanted the United Nations Security Council to declare Jamaat-ud-Dawa a terrorist organisation and it has done it. India's getting this kind of international backing is not a small thing. NEW DELHI 00003152 002 OF 005 Pakistan government may pretentiously freeze JuD assets and house arrest its leaders. It is necessary to carry forward the big UN success and this international pressure because the ISI and the rest of the terrorists have learnt to live with such UNSC bans... The whole world recognized that Pakistan is exporting terror. This proposal was presented twice earlier in the council, but China blocked it. This time also it, initially, opposed it, but it had to change its stance in the wake of the strong international pressure. Now it is time to plan the next strategy that how to use this embargo to mount pressure on Pakistan and to destroy this terror-export- processing zone." ¶4. "THE PRICE OF FREEDOM-I" editorial in December 15 Kolkata Bengali independent ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. "... The Pakistani media by bringing to the fore the confessions of Amir Kasav has reestablished...an essential truth. There is no alternative to an open media in the parlance of democratic practices. How the Pakistani government faces trouble following the statement of Amir is just one side of the event. On the other side is the truth coming to light as a result of the confession, which is hard, unpalatable, but that doesn't mean democracy can ignore it... This is the job of the media, as well as its responsibility. What has been accomplished by the Pakistani media in the face of an extremely difficult situation commands appreciation...." ¶5. "THE PRICE OF FREEDOM-II" editorial in December 15 Kolkata Bengali independent ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. "...Thanks to an active media the nationwide reaction of the common man, and the government of India as well, causing a shake up with issues related to defense, security and administration, is evident... Under these circumstances proposals to clip the wings of the media are dangerous... Even if it is assumed that live telecasts may have indirectly helped the terrorists, framing of legislation against the freedom of the media cannot be supported. This is not a question of practical benefits and difficulties but of democratic morality...." ¶6. "PAKISTANI DUPLICITY," editorial in December 15 Left- of-center Kolkata Bengali daily SAMBAD PRATIDIN. "That Pakistan has not been doing what it says is no surprise... It is under international pressure and the clear directive of the UN that Pakistan has been compelled to ban...Jamat-ud-Dawa... But, despite this ban and the arrest of some terrorist leaders, doubts will remain about Pakistan's sincerity to curb terrorism. Therefore, the government of India should never back out from its demand to have Dawood Ibrahim and other convicted terrorists extradited for trial in India. New Delhi must take a hard stand despite the U.S. Government's indirect efforts of mediation...." ¶7. "TERRORIST ATTACKS STILL THREATEN INDIA AND WEST BENGAL" editorial in December 15 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali BARTAMAN. "Pakistan's...Lashkar-e-Toiba is again hatching a plan for spilling blood on Indian soil... Kolkata as well as West NEW DELHI 00003152 003 OF 005 Bengal faces a greater danger, for the Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) of Bangladesh is also targmting Kolkata and West Bengal... Both receive arms and financial aid from Pakistan's ISI... That the Home Minister P. Chidambaram is not remaining indifferent to these threats is a relief... Practically, because of (Shivraj) Patil's inefficiency ... fundamentalist terrorist organizations like Jaish and Lashkar have been able to cause genocide in different parts of India in recent years. Chidambaram, so far, could be regarded as sincere in curbing terrorism...." ¶8. "PRESSURE ON PAKISTAN: THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE FOR NOW" op-ed article by columnist Suresh Bhatevara in the December 15, 2008, Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily MAHARASHTRA TIMES. "Thankfully, the ruling coalition and the opposition parties in India seem united against Pakistan. For the first time, all the political outfits in the Indian parliament have unanimously, and without mincing words, directly blamed Pakistan for the Mumbai terror attacks. The resolution to this effect that was passed in the ongoing parliament session, speaks of the general united mood against the neighboring country. While some members of parliament did raise the issue of a direct war against Pakistan, foreign affairs minister said that war is not the solution to the problem... The moot point to be asked here is why does India always finds itself tied down to a limited set of solutions in its counter-terrorism efforts? Why can't it think radically like the U.S. did in case of Iraq and Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks... India's dilemma stems from the fact that Pakistan has many faces and facets. While the ISI dominates Pakistan, one cannot rule out the existence of liberal peace-loving Pakistanis as well. It is therefore all the more difficult for India to pin down the neighbor. One wrong miscalculated military attack against the Jehadi elements can make life murkier in India. Worse is the fact that Western countries will not support India in that worst-case scenario...." Similar editorial appeared in centrist daily SAKAAL of December 15, 2008. ¶9. "EVIDENCE IS IN PAKISTAN ITSELF" editorial in the December 15, 2008 Mumbai-based right-of-center Gujarati daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR. "The father of a lone surviving terrorist involved in the Mumbai terror plot has confessed that Ajmal Kasab is his son. Until now, Pakistan was in a denial mode and was pressing for hard proof against all those involved in this dastardly attack. Now should India provide a photocopy of ration card or an electoral list carrying Ajmal Kasab's name? What more proof does Pakistan need than Kasab's own family recognizing him?... In its 61 years of existence, Pakistan has achieved nothing except nurturing vengeance and ill-will against India.... Pakistan is on the brink of being a failed state. It has become a danger spot for the global community.... India and Pakistan are two independent nations. However, where does Pakistan stand vis-`-vis its credibility and what is its future is a matter of serious analysis...." NEW DELHI 00003152 004 OF 005 ¶10. "TAKE STEPS WITHIN" editorial in the December 13, 2008 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT SAMACHAR. "The people of India are now sick of hearing war cries [against Pakistan]. What concerns them is what restricts the government of the day to take punitive action against those providing logistical support to terrorists within India? Infiltration across the border, sleeper cells, underworld operatives and pro-Pakistani elements are on the rise and expanding their network with impunity. Waging war with Pakistan will not yield the desired results until the enemy within is identified and exterminated...." ¶11. "MERE RESOLUTIONS WON'T HELP; NEED FOR CONCRETE ACTION" editorial in the December 13, 2008 Mumbai-based centrist Gujarati daily evening newspaper JANMABHOOMI. "The Indian parliament unanimously passed a resolution conveying its resolute commitment to crush any activity, like the one witnessed in Mumbai, that threatens India's unity and integrity. The nation which has been the victim of terrorism for five decades has displayed a firm resolve to take the bull by the horns vis-`-vis terrorism. In other words, the Indian parliament has issued a stern warning to Pakistan that if compelled India won't hesitate to initiate military action against Pakistan.... However, looking at present circumstances, war doesn't seem to be a valid option. What India should do is pressure the international community to compel Pakistan to dismantle terrorists' training camps operating in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.... If these diplomatic efforts fail only then should India consider the option of hot pursuit against Pakistan.... In the meantime, India should focus on strengthening its internal security apparatus, ensuring that such macabre incidents do not occur in the future." -------------- GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS -------------- ¶12. "NEED FOR A NEW FINANCIAL SYSTEM", editorial in December 13, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily "HINDUSTAN EXPRESS", New Delhi: "The greatest religious leader of Christiandom, Pope Benedict, at last said the present economic system is selfish and injudicious. This is what religious leaders of Islam have been sermonizing for the last one and a half millennia. No need to explain that the system, which the Pope is cursing, is the prevalent interest system. The question is, why doesn't the Pope specify that the economic system based on interest and interest-based trade and business is erroneous. No real peace will be established unless and until this exploitative financial system comes to an end. Long ago, Islam declared interest as unlawful. Muslims tried to eradicate this menace in order to save the poor and needy from exploitation. A large chunk of Muslim economists are, even today, making all out efforts to eradicate the curse of interest. American President George Bush and other world political and economic leaders are adamant that the world needs no new economic system. Think, once again, of a solution to the problem. How can the world NEW DELHI 00003152 005 OF 005 get rid of it?" ¶13. "PEOPLE'S VOICE", editorial in December 12, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES", Mumbai: "Economists agree that a new financial system is needed most to thwart the prevailing financial crisis. On the other hand, the Zionist lobby and the American leader, George W. Bush, are in favor of a recharged edition of a 60 year old system based on the IMF, World Bank and WTO. In fact, the world needs a new financial system, which must be completely devoid of interest, and reservations for elite classes. At present, only one such system is available: the Islamic economic system, which is free from the menace of interest. The economic crisis is so tremendous that it can subvert the super power status of America. According to predictions given by experts, America's downfall shall be completed between 2011 and ¶2020. Fareed Zakariya, editor of Newsweek, accepted in ambiguous words that the American economy is depending upon the wealth of China and Saudi Arabia. Yes, it is true that the American Titanic would be inundated if either of the aforesaid two countries withdraws its support to America." MULFORD