MEDIA REACTION: INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 003191

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E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS,
TERRORISM / MUMBAI ATTACKS, 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."

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INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS
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01. "DILIGENCE OF INDO-PAK LEADERSHIPS", editorial in
December 18, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily "RASHTRIYA
SAHARA", New Delhi: "Statements from Indo-Pak
leaderships, regarding rejection of any possibility of
war between the two countries, are a matter of
satisfaction for those circles worrying about possible
war between two South Asian nuclear powers. This time the
Indian government, demonstrating extreme patience and
sagacity, avoided any steps which might lead to war.
Destructive elements active in Pakistan committed some
mischief, which might have turned the prevailing tension
into clashes, but perceiving the sensitive situation the
world community rose to the occasion and pressured
Pakistan through diplomatic channels to take action
against mischievous elements within Pakistan. There was a
real fear these destructive elements might take advantage
of the tense war-like situation. Even today, the
possibility of war plays into the hands of those elements
which gain most from mutual clashes. Now, it is the
responsibility of Pakistan to open its eyes and take
concrete action against extremists active in its land."

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TERRORISM / MUMBAI ATTACKS
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02. "STRICT ACTION AGAINST TERROR," editorial in December
18 centrist NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "The steps being
taken by the Indian government to tackle terrorism are
welcome. The setting up of the National Investigation
Agency and strengthening of the Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act will go a long way toward containing
terrorism. Initially the UPA government was hesitant on
setting up the federal agency, in deference to Muslim
sensitivities. The Muslim community reacted strongly this
time against the Mumbai terror attacks. The resentment
among the people made the government realize that if it
does not take effective measures it will lose its
credibility. Finally, the NIA is now set to be
established. It was pending for a long time, because the
states were a major impediment. Under no circumstances
should the terror laws be misused, however."


03. "POSITIVE MUSLIM REACTION," column in December 18
right-of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by Mahip Singh:
"The resentment among the people against the 26 November
Mumbai terror and the reaction of India's Muslim
community abhorring the incident is significant. They
called it an un-Islamic act and demanded strong action
against Pakistan. The Mumbai Muslim Council even refused

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to bury the bodies of the terrorists. India's Muslims
have openly come out this time and want to show that they
are united with the nation in this critical time. It is a
matter of vital concern that the terrorists take great
pride in calling it a jihad. If Muslim religious
institutions in India raise their voice against these
non-religious acts executed in the name of the religion,
terrorism can be fought very effectively in this
country."


04. "NOW `FORCE ONE' FOR MUMBAI" editorial in the
December 19, 2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi
daily LOKMAT. "The idea of Force One, an elite commando
unit being set up in the aftermath of 26/11, is welcome.
Mumbai will soon have a commando force to tackle urban
terrorism of the kind it witnessed recently. Much along
the lines of the National Security Guard, Force One is to
be peopled primarily by Short Service Commission Officers
of the Indian Army. While such a force will exclusively
battle terrorists, Mumbai can become a safer place only
when these commandos get favorable anti-terror security
infrastructure in the city. Mumbai needs efficient
special courts which will try the captured terrorists.
Also, security along the city's coasts needs to be
stepped up. While the new force needs attention, even
other police stations need to be upgraded in terms of
manpower, vehicles and armed constables. Only then can we
expect a well-coordinated urban combat response..."

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IRAQ
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05. "IRAQI SHOE AND RESENTMENT OF THE OPPRESSED"
editorial in December 17 Guwahati Assamese independent
DAINIK JANASADHARAN. "...The 'shooing' incident is nothing
but a display of the Iraqi peoples' growing resentment
against the Bush Administration... America's Iraq policy
has made the country a big threat to world peace... and
Washington has deliberately ignored the fact for its own
economic gain. If Mantezar's shoe wakes up Washington
from its slumber, then there will be noticeable progress
in the war against Islamic terrorism. It may also be a
good lesson for President-elect Obama to learn."
MULFORD