MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS; NEW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 003234

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E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS; NEW
DELHI.

This countrywide cable reports on relevant media
reaction/opinion from India's large non-English press.
The Mission reports on English-language media via email
through the daily "Early Edition" summary.

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INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS
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1. "IT IS BETTER TO EVADE WAR", editorial in the December
22, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily "URDU TIMES", Mumbai:
"The most worrisome aspect of Indo-Pak imbroglio is that
both countries are nuclear states. Both of them will be
destroyed in the event of a nuclear war. India's economy
was growing at 9% annually, something already at risk due
to the global economic recession. If a war takes place,
the rate of growth and development may further decline to
3 or 4 per cent. It means the war will be disastrous for
India's progress and development. Under these
circumstances, war must be evaded at any cost."


2. "PREFERANCE FOR DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE", editorial in the
December 23, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily "SIASAT",
Hyderabad: "Pakistan is the only Islamic nuclear power in
the world. World powers particularly United States of
America are worried about Pakistan's nuclear weapons. If
these weapons of mass destruction were to fall into the
hands of terrorists active in Pakistan, it would be a
catastrophe for the entire world, especially the West.
From this perspective, any tension which pitches both the
countries against each other should be avoided. A number
of world powers are upset over emerging extremist
elements in Pakistan. These destructive forces are today
making India a target, but they may target other
countries tomorrow. Sagacious steps are most needed to
ensure durable peace not only in Pakistan but also
throughout the entire subcontinent. Any sort of tension
could bring the two nuclear states at daggers drawn. No
doubt, India received global moral support after Mumbai
attacks. It should now reciprocate by preferring
diplomatic pressure over military action."


3. "RATHER KIYANI IS BETTER, THINKS DELHI" front-page
analysis by New Delhi Bureau Chief Jayanta Ghosal in the
December 24 nationalist Kolkata Bengali ANANDABAZAR
PATRIKA. "...Under the changed circumstances India has
decided to exert pressure on the Pakistani Chief of Staff
Parwez Kiyani. The FBI is also extending unprecedented
help to India...and it is clear from American intelligence
reports that it is not only the 'non-state' actors but a
section of the state is also involved in the Mumbai
massacre... India, therefore, feels that another army coup
in Pakistan is only a matter of time. The U.S. had
dreamed of restoring peace in Pakistan by bringing
Benazir Bhutto's party back in power but the Pakistani
Army-ISI combine wants to establish before the world that
peace will not return during the Zardari regime.
Although Zardari is taking decision on issues like loans
from the World Bank or the IMF, Kiyani has the last word
on other issues. A section of the diplomatic community
in India feels that it will rather be better for India if

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Kiyani totally captures power. The Pakistani army or the
ISI cannot be controlled through negotiations with
Zardari but it will be easier if talks are held with
Kiyani."


4. "PAKISTAN'S LIMITLESS AUDACITY" editorial in the
December 24 Kolkata Bengali pro-BJP BARTAMAN. "... This
time the international community has kept up its pressure
on Pakistan ... Starting from the United States to Britain,
France, Germany, Israel, and others have all expressed
their annoyance with Pakistan on its handling of
terrorism... It is a big gain for India that attacks in
Mumbai received such international attention... But it has
also created a problem. The more the international
pressure intensifies, Islamabad's stand further turns to
duplicity. It is not yet clear whether this is
intentional or a mere display of the Pakistani
government's weakness... On earlier occasions, India and
for that matter, the U.S. had cautioned Pakistan against
abetting terrorism but every time Pakistan managed to
skirt the issue citing various excuses. Though Pakistan
is now facing ... attacks from the world community there
seems be no end to Pakistan's audacity."
MULFORD