December

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 003242 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: December 29, 2008 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. -------------- INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶1. "STUMBLING BLOCK IN THE PATH OF U.S.," op-ed in December 28 right-of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by strategic affairs specialist K. Subrahmanyam: "What Pakistan is doing is nothing but a ploy to make the U.S. continue the struggle on Afghanistan-Pakistan border for a long time. U.S. troops will, finally, get tired of it and return home. And Afghanistan will go in Taliban's hands. Thus, Pakistan could continue its agenda of creating turmoil in India with the Taliban support. India should not get provoked and should try to show U.S. Pakistan's reality... The result of spending almost US$100 million on Pakistan is that now U.S. has to fight with the stronger Taliban, well-equipped with the most advanced weapons. If U.S. really wants to win this war against the Taliban, it will have to reconsider its strategy. Now, it will depend on U.S. that which alternate way it finds for sending supplies to its troops in Afghanistan because Russia, Middle Asia and even Iran are anti-Taliban. Relying on Pakistan was the most unwise strategy." ¶2. "ONE MONTH LATER," editorial in December 28 centrist HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "India's diplomatic initiative seems to be turning ineffective within a month. And now Pakistan by creating war hysteria has conveyed the message to the world, especially the NATO nations, that the India-Pakistan war will affect the war against terrorism and since, both are nuclear countries this war will have dire consequences. After Kashmir this is Pakistan's new diplomatic ploy and India will have to find a diplomatic response to its Afghan-trick... India should prepare the international community for the destruction of the terrorist camps in Pakistan's soil. It should open new global fronts with Russia and China for peace and justice against terrorism. It should strengthen its loosening grip in the West Asia in order to prove that the leadership in South Asia is not weak, but skilful and it also has the foresight towards culture." ¶3. "INDIA AND PAKISTAN : AT THE THRESHHOLD OF WAR", editorial in the December 26, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi: "No principle remains enforced during war, therefore, New Delhi and Islamabad may be targeted in order to win the war. In case of any war between India and Pakistan; Iran, Britain and Israel may involve directly. Now, it is the responsibility of America, China and Russia to limit the Indo-Pak war so that this region may not become the centre-stage of the third world war. However, both the countries pitched NEW DELHI 00003242 002 OF 002 against each other a number of times since 1971, but war was evaded anyhow. However, clouds of war are hovering over the sub-continent due to terrorism supported by Pakistan. Leaders of both the countries are giving extremely irresponsible statements." ¶4. "ANNIVERSARY OF BENAZIR", editorial in the December 28, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily "RASHTRIYA SAHARA", New Delhi: "Most absurd aspect of this tense atmosphere is that the whole episode is a non-issue. In fact, anti- nation elements are responsible for the dispute. They were the people who assassinated Benazir. They massacred Pakistani people. They blasted bombs in our cities and towns and targeted our people. In such a situation, both the victimized neighboring nations should stand shoulders to shoulders against their common enemy. They are not expected to station their forces against each other, on the borders. It is also apprehended that MOSAD is blasting bombs in both the countries while guileless citizens are being arrested. Not only Pakistan is remembering Benazir at her first anniversary, she is being remembered by one and all who want better bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. Benazir was not a mere politician; she was rather a symbol of democracy for Pakistani people, addicted to military rules." MULFORD