MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 003259

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E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS,
BANGLADESH ELECTIONS, 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.

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INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS
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1. "INDIA IN SEARCH OF A STANCE VIS-A-VIS PAKISTAN"
editorial in the December 31, 2008, Mumbai edition of
centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT. "China's Vice Foreign
Minister He Yafei's visit to Pakistan seems to have eased
considerable tension between India and Pakistan. If
Pakistan's mellowed political stance is any indication,
Pakistan has for now realized the need to avoid
belligerent posturing and resume the peace dialogue....
Pakistan's leadership is not making provocative
statements about war with India, and ... the high-level
military cadre is talking about de-escalated tensions.
Now this rhetoric has to be taken with a pinch of salt.
But it is certainly in the interest of peace and security
in the region.... India cannot strain its relations with
Pakistan beyond a limit. At the same time, it cannot let
Pakistan get away with anti-India terror initiatives.
Pakistan's political stance changes periodically and
India needs to therefore adopt a suitable stance..."

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BANGLADESH ELECTIONS
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2. "BANGLADESH: WILL INDIA BE ABLE TO TAKE THE
ADVANTAGE?" editorial in the December 31, 2008 Mumbai-
based right-of-center Gujarati daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR.
"The results of the elections in the state of Jammu-
Kashmir and India's neighboring nation Bangladesh are a
barometer of sorts for the extremist and radical
elements.... The triumph of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami
League in the Bangladesh polls suggests the return of
moderates in the nation dominated by pro-Pakistan
elements. This is the ripe moment for India to utilize
her diplomatic skills in ensuring that such elements do
not rule the roost there henceforth. Bangladesh has also
become a safe haven for the ULFA and the Naga militants
who have been carrying out their nefarious activities in
India's northeastern states. The election results are a
golden opportunity lining for India to take steps to stop
all such anti-India activities on Bangladeshi soil....and
work with the new government there to flush out such
radical elements operating on Bangladeshi soil."


3. "A DEMOCRATIC OPPORTUNITY" editorial in December 31
Kolkata Bengali independent ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "... A
clean sweep by Sheik Hasina's Awami League-led
alliance...is a triumph of democracy... The shadow of
religious fundamentalism was very much there in
Bangladesh's pre-election political atmosphere... However,
people of Bangladesh have voiced their protest through
the democratic election, which is very significant in
view of the sub-continent's current volatile situation...

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The election has paved the way to begin a new chapter in
Indo-Bangladesh relations... The new Bangladesh government
is expected to carefully look into the allegation that
terrorist forces are using its soil to carry out anti-
India activities... It will not be comfortable for
Bangladesh also if terrorism takes its root in the
country."


4. "RETURN OF INDIA'S FRIEND" editorial in December 31
Kolkata Bengali left-of-center SAMBAD PRATIDIN: "...Sheik
Hasina's victory...is a clear mandate against terrorism and
communalism. For India also, her return to power is a
comforting change. Considering the prevailing situation
in the sub-continent it is important for India to get
Bangladesh by its side. India is likely to use the
opportunity to raise its longstanding demand that
terrorists are operating from Bangladesh and engage the
Hasina government to take prompt actions against them."

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PALESTINE
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5. "PALESTINE : IS THE WORLD - CONSCIENCE ALIVE?",
editorial in December 30, 2008 right-of-center Urdu daily
"MUNSIF", Hyderabad: "Countries giving every sort of
support to Israel tacitly, and providing only lip
services to Hamas and the Palestinian people, including
Islamic countries particularly Arab countries are mute
spectators of the Israeli's aggression and barbarism in
Gaza belt. As per their routine tradition, they appealed
to America once or twice and considered as they have
accomplished their bounden duty. On the one hand, Israeli
beasts are breaking the records of Changhiz and Halaku,
while on the other hand, Arab countries are demonstrating
their same old lackadaisical attitude. Our government is
also keeping mum over the holocaust. Perhaps Manmohan's
government adopted such a pro - Israel policy that it
does not have courage to even condemn the massacre,
without munching the words. Sometimes we get confused
whether it is the same India where Jawaharlal Nehru and
Indira Gandhi, loudly, favored and supported the
Palestinian movement?"


6. "IS IT NOT TERRORISM?" editorial in December 30, 2008
right-of-center Urdu daily "HAMARA SAMAJ", New Delhi:
"Massacre of Palestinians by Israel continued even today,
the third day. Yesterday, the United States of America
appealed to Israel that unarmed citizens should not be
made targets. But today's fresh incident revealed that
Israel does not have least regards for American appeals.
Israel also trampled the appeals for a cease fire made by
the so called world forum, the United Nations
Organization. The entire world community is a silent and
mute spectator because they think the blood shed by the
Zionist state is justified since the oppressed ones are
Muslims. In fact, America is supporting Israel
cryptically as usual. This is vindicated by the fact that
bombs dropped by Israeli bomber planes on the Islamic
University are of American make. Deliberate genocide of
guileless citizens is nothing but terrorism. So - called

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Human Rights Organizations should be made answerable to
this question. The whole world is looking at the naked
barbarism of Israel while the latter is adamant to break
all world records of butchery."
MULFORD