MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 003253

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,
TERRORISM, OBAMA PRESIDENCY, KASHMIR, PALESTINE; 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. "WHO WANTS WAR?" op-ed article by columnist Anant
Bagaitkar in the December 29, 2008, Mumbai edition of
centrist Marathi daily SAKAAL. "As tempers ran high
after the Mumbai terror attacks, almost everyone was
putting forth the idea of a conventional war with
Pakistan, the notorious neighbor which houses terrorist
outfits on its soil. But as most military experts and
think tanks have by now agreed, India cannot afford a war
with a nuclear-armed Pakistan. Moreover, the precision
attacks on Pakistan's terror training camps are also not
feasible for India. Such a limited geo-political attack
is not practical. Therefore, India has to think of
resourceful ways in which Pakistan, particularly the
areas dominated by Lashkar-e-toiba and Taliban, are
brought under control. India can attempt an economic
blockade of Pakistan. India can even pit Pakistan's
terror camps against the Pakistani government. And of
course the most important task in this context will be to
retain the international pressure on Pakistan. This is a
real testing time for Indian leadership..."

--------------
TERRORISM
--------------


2. "LEARN FROM ISRAEL" editorial in the December 30,
2008 multi-edition right-of-center Gujarati daily GUJARAT
SAMACHAR. "....India needs to learn from Israel. However,
the present composition of our leadership is too old to
take tips from this small nation. Indian leaders are
just power hungry and have complete disregard for the
lives of its citizens. What more explanation do we need
in this regard than their laxity in bringing to justice
those who slaughtered innocent Indians on the Indian
soil!.... Unless India adopts the Israeli approach to
tackle terrorism emanating from Pakistan, the citizens of
India will have to bear this scourge and pay with their
lives."

--------------
OBAMA PRESIDENCY
--------------


3. "THE DEMON OF CORRUPTION IN AMERICA' editorial in the
December 30, 2008, Mumbai edition of centrist Marathi
daily SAKAAL. "Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich's
attempts to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacated
Senate seat once again brings home the rampant political
corruption in the U.S. Blagojevich was recorded on
telephone wiretaps trying to profit from his authority as
governor. Blagojevich is not the only one to arrange

NEW DELHI 00003253 002 OF 003


financial benefits in exchange for appointments to state
boards and commissions, state employment, state contracts
and access to state funds. Three former governors from
Illinois (the same state from where first U.S. President
Abraham Lincoln hailed) have gone to prison during the
past 35 years on corruption charges... President-elect
Obama promised during his campaign to fight corruption
and reduce the influence of lobbyists in Washington. But
the Blagojevich episode makes it more crucial for Obama
to keep that promise. It makes it even more incumbent
upon Obama to take decisive action to try to deal with
the culture of corruption that is so rife in American
politics. More than ever, Americans are expecting a new
day to dawn in American politics. But that can happen
only when strictest of actions is taken against the
offenders..."

--------------
KASHMIR
--------------


4. "OPPORTUNITY OF DEMOCRACY" editorial in December 30
Kolkata Bengali independent ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA:

"...The outcome of election in Kashmir may be considered a
proud moment for the Indian democracy ... There were many
elements in Kashmir which could have adversely affected
the conduct of a free and fair election ... With various
divisive forces trying to disrupt it, separatism could
have emerged as the main election issue... but, in reality,
it did not happen ... Although politics in Kashmir is
unique in many ways from the rest of the country, the
election has prepared a ground for the state to put
democracy to a new test."

--------------
PALESTINE
--------------


5. "BARBARISM", editorial in the December 29, 2008 right-
of-center Urdu daily "INQUILAB", Mumbai: "Israel has once
again proved that it neither cares for human lives nor
respects international laws. The Arab world is blubbering
over the Israeli military action in Gaza, and
demonstrations against Israeli aggression have started
throughout the Middle East and the Gulf. However, these
demonstrations will cut no ice because Arab leaders are
hand-tied. Under these circumstances, chances of
controlling Israel are dim. Recent happenings are bad
omen for the Middle East. They will not only sabotage all
peace-making efforts but an endless chain of violence
will also take place. It is high time when freedom
fighters of Palestine, and Tel Aviv should be convinced
for a cease fire. Inhuman treatment with Gaza and its
people should be immediately stopped. In this regard,
Arab countries will have to play an important role. The
issue should also be raised at the helm of UNO (United
Nations Organization) but any solution is unexpected from
this forum, because America is there to veto any
resolution against Israel. In this perspective, the only

NEW DELHI 00003253 003 OF 003


option left to Arab world is to sever their diplomatic
ties with Israel until it gets ready to give justice to
Palestinians"
MULFORD