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