PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 13, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001029

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 13, 2009

Summary: Reports of "commandos descending on militants' chief
Fazlullah's stronghold in Swat to conduct search operation"
dominated headlines in all newspapers on Wednesday. All newspapers
highlighted report that "at least 10 people were killed in yet
another suspected U.S. drone attack" in South Waziristan near
Pak-Afghan border. Reports on the "National Assembly's strong
backing of military action against Taliban rebels in troubled areas"
also received extensive coverage. The remarks of U.S. Special Envoy
Holbrooke that the "U.S. was considering additional aid to Pakistan
to help hundreds of thousands of its citizens displaced by the
military offensive against Taliban" received prominent display.
President Zardari's statement that he made in an interview with NBC
TV that the "ISI along with the CIA conceived and gave birth to the
Taliban" was also highlighted.

Most major newspapers ran editorials analyzing various aspects of
the ongoing military operation including the escalating difficulties
of the Internally Displaced Persons. The liberal Urdu daily
"Express," observed that "it is the international community's
responsibility to help Pakistan deal with circumstances that emerged
as a result of the operation against extremists." The centrist
national daily "The News" wrote: "Some plan must also be put in
place to help the people caught up in the midst of fighting. Many
of them are the most impoverished residents of war-hit towns and
villages, who lack the resources to flee." The Lahore-based liberal
daily, "Daily Times," noted that the "population exodus from the
Malakand region should have been the first thing to come to mind
when the government decided to finally confront the Taliban in Swat
with military action." End Summary.

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News Stories
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"Troops Descend On Fazlullah Stronghold; ISPR Says 751 Militants
Killed So Far" "The News" (05/13)

"The Pakistan Army on Tuesday dropped heliborne troops, including
commandos, in the stronghold of militants' chief Maulana Fazlullah
to conduct a search operation, while security forces made
significant achievements in the operation. So far, 751 militants
had been killed in the ongoing operation while 29 personnel of
security forces were martyred, military spokesman Major-General
Athar Abbas said at a news briefing in Islamabad on Tuesday."

"Drone Attack Kills Ten More In SWA" "The News" (05/13)

"Twelve people were killed in yet another U.S. drone attack in South
Waziristan Agency (SWA) near the Pak-Afghan border on Tuesday
morning. Tribal sources said six, or possibly more, missiles were
fired at three to four houses at Sunrai Zyara Leeta border village
at 8 am."

"MPs Back Operation against Taliban" "Dawn" (05/13)

"The ongoing military action against Taliban rebels in the Malakand
division of the North West Frontier Province received a strong
backing in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Most of the speakers
said the rebels now deserved no mercy in view of their challenge, in
the garb religion, to everything that the Pakistani state stands
for."

"U.S. Ponders More Aid For Pak IDPs" "The Nation" (05/13)

"The Obama Administration is considering additional aid to Pakistan
to help hundreds of thousands of its citizens displaced by the
military offensive against Taliban in the Swat Valley, the top U.S.
envoy for the region Richard Holbrooke told the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee."

"U.S. Provides Emergency Electrical And Logistical Support Equipment
To IDP Camps" "Jang" (05/13)

"The people of the United States are providing logistical equipment
including generators and transformers to power water pumps and
lights benefitting more than 22,000 Internally Displaced Persons
(IDP) in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP),the U.S.
Embassy said in a statement on Monday."

"Two U.S. Senators Oppose Move For Pakistan Aid" "Dawn" (05/13)

"The Obama administration faced strong opposition from two Senators
- a Democrat and a Republican - to rush $497 million of emergency
aid to Pakistan. One of them, Senator Bob Corker, a Tennessee
Republican, said he was concerned that the Obama administration was
trying to rush emergency aid without proper congressional oversight
to a country where some of the leaders have been called 'Mr. 10 per
cent' because of their alleged corruption. 'It will be a monumental
mistake' if the administration sent aid to Pakistan without proper
congressional oversight, he said. Senator Bob Mendez, a Democrat
from New Jersey, said he had voted for bills supporting Pakistan on
several occasions in the past but he was not going to vote for this
move."

"All-Party Conference" "Dawn" (05/13)

"The U.S. Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan
Richard Holbrooke welcomed Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's
decision to call an all-party conference to discuss the situation in
Swat and the adjacent valleys, noting that other political parties
in Pakistan also had welcomed this suggestion."

"CIA, ISI Created Taliban Together, Says Zardari" "The News"
(05/13)

"President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan's Inter-Services
Intelligence along with the CIA conceived and gave birth to the
Taliban, Zardari told the NBC news channel in an interview on
Monday."

"CIA, Not ISI, Created Taliban, says Kaira" "The News" (05/13)

"Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira
has made it clear that the Taliban were the creation of CIA and not
the ISI, while addressing Pakistan community in New York."

"IDPs Fear Serious Repercussions For Govt. If Military Operation
Fails" "The News" (05/13)

"The hapless people of the Malakand region, displaced by the
military operation, want complete elimination of the militants to
dispel the impression that both parties to the conflict - Taliban
and government - are two faces of the same coin. Dozens of the
internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Swat, Dir and Buner
residing in various camps in Mardan stated this while talking to
'The News.'"

"Half Million Fresh IDPs Registered" "The News" (05/13)

"More than half a million people have fled fighting between the
military and Taliban in Malakand Division and registered with
authorities in the last 10 days, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said
on Tuesday."

"Deserted Buner Villages Are Ghost Towns" "The News" (05/13)

"Despite the fact that the security forces now control about 70 per
cent of the area in Buner, villages in the once busy and thriving
district are virtually ghost towns and those still remaining are
considering to leave due to the feeling of insecurity and lack of
basic services."

"Militants On The Run In Swat, Malakand, Says Malik" "The News"
(05/13)

"Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Tuesday said the situation in
Swat was under control and the militants were on the retreat.
Talking to journalists in Islamabad, Rehman Malik said that the
militants were on the run."

"Offensive In Swat - Boon Or Bane For Taliban?" "Dawn" (05/13)

"Monday's suicide attack that killed and maimed a large number of
people at a paramilitary check-post in Darra Adamkhel was not
entirely unexpected. Perhaps the only surprising element was its
timing and location. In the past, extremists associated with the
outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of Baitullah Mehsud have
been quick to hit back as a riposte to military operations in Swat
and its adjoining areas and/or in Waziristan. On this occasion,
they not only waited but also appear to have chosen a target
randomly."

"It's Time To Force U.S. Out: Nizami" "The Nation" (05/13)

"Editor-in-Chief daily 'The Nation' and Chairman 'Nazria Pakistan
Trust' Majid Nizami has said that the time has come to force the
U.S. to go out of Pakistan in order to save our nuclear assets and
destabilization of Pakistan. And if the rulers do not ask America
to get out, we should get rid of them."

"MoU Has Nothing To Do With India" "The News" (05/13)

"Commerce Secretary Salman Ghani has said the MoU signed between
Pakistan and Afghanistan in Washington for renegotiating Afghan
Transit Trade has nothing to do with India and is purely a bilateral
understanding, while talking to 'The News.'"

"Opposition In NA Assails Afghan Transit Trade MoU" "The News"
(05/13)

"The government came under attack in the National Assembly Tuesday
for signing in Washington a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
regarding Afghan transit trade that will allow India to use the
Pakistani land route for trade with Afghanistan.... Expressing
anguish over the signing of the MoU, Ayaz Amir said instead of being
treated on a par with India, we are now being bracketed with
Afghanistan."

"Experts Express Concern Over Afghan Transit Trade" "The News"
(05/13)

"The business experts including a former Foreign Secretary have
demanded of the government that the transit trade treaty with
Afghanistan should have been signed in Pakistan not in Washington
and the same should be displayed for the people as keeping it secret
and covert was creating doubts among the traders."

"Trilateral Summit Postponed" "The News" (05/13)

"The trilateral summit of the presidents of Pakistan, Iran and
Afghanistan, expected in Tehran on May 19, is likely to be
postponed, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said on Tuesday."

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Editorials/Op-eds
--------------

"IDPs Await International Assistance," an editorial in liberal Urdu
daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (05/13)

"Since Pakistan is playing a role in the war on terror to preserve
international peace, it is the international community's
responsibility to help Pakistan deal with circumstances that emerge
as a result of the operation against extremists. This help is
actually in the international community's interests."

"IDP Issues," an editorial in the centrist national English daily
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/13)

"Some plan must also be put in place to help the people caught up in
the midst of fighting. Many of them are the most impoverished
residents of war-hit towns and villages, who lack the resources to
flee. These people, like the IDPs, must not be punished for their
helplessness. All that is possible must therefore be done to show
them they have not been abandoned and that all that is possible is
being done to ensure their suffering is as limited as possible. A
failure to do so would benefit the Taliban."

"Prospects Of A 'Quick Finish' In Swat," an editorial in the
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (05/13)

"A population exodus from the Malakand region should have been the
first thing to come to mind when the government decided to finally
confront the Taliban in Swat with military action. But, as the
tragic drama of the refugees unfolds now, there are crucial
dimensions of the conflict that were not taken into account. One
can easily take in one's stride the initial difficulties faced by
the internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the Mardan and Swabi
camps. One knows from experience that in the coming days the camps
will settle down to normal functioning after an initial appearance
of chaos."

"Looking America In The Eye," an editorial in the second-largest,
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000)
(05/13)

"Addressing Pakistanis in New York, President Zardari said that
after getting the parliament's mandate, he will look America in the
eye as he talks about Pakistan's future.... If President Zardari is
really serious, instead of going on all these [foreign] trips he
should hold an all-parties conference to discuss the impact of the
military operation in Swat, FATA and Balochistan, and the inequities
faced by the people of NWFP and Balochistan and formulate a
comprehensive national strategy.... Only the Pakistani nation can
play a role in strengthening democracy and this can happen only when
the government - giving importance to the nation's sentiments -
raises the slogan of "Go America Go" and instead of using force,
adopts the path of dialogue."

"Muddled Numbers," an editorial in the centrist national English
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/13)

"If the majority of Taliban fatalities are caused by artillery and
airstrikes rather than by infantry - then who goes in and counts the
bodies afterwards? And who buries them? Where? We are told that
the army is prepared for 'hand-to-hand' fighting in Mingora. We are
told that the Taliban will be 'wiped out' of Swat and elsewhere. We
are told many things - and yet we are told nothing at the same time.
'700 dead' in the last four days?"

"Deceptive Aid," an editorial in the center-right national English
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/13)

"It is quite surprising to learn that out of $1.9 billion of the
U.S. aid, almost half would be spent on enhancing the security of
U.S. Embassy and consulates in Pakistan. This belies the common
impression given by the American leadership that the sum is directed
at strengthening the country's economy. It sounds pretty
devious.... The protection of U.S. missions in the country could
not serve the purpose of improving the economy. This is a sad
reflection on the way U.S. intends utilizing the aid while its
official, political and media circles keep harping on the theme of
billions of dollars doled out to Pakistan. Strangely also, the
Americans insist on the right use of the aid."

"Military Operation Should Be For A Short Period Of Time," an
editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang"
(cir. 300,000) (05/13)

"The flawed administration, lack of makeshift dwellings, almost no
healthcare, and food and absence of proper guidance for the IDPs
about their camps necessitate posting of such government officials
at the camps who are committed and devoted to this noble cause, or
else, maladministration and half-hearted measures will shatter the
trust of the international community, particularly the donor
countries and agencies on the Government of Pakistan. It is
regrettable that prior to the military operation, no one anticipated
the issue of a population exodus. And the problems and difficulties
of these unfortunate people reveal mismanagement and bad performance
of the government... Moreover, the government must confine the
military operation to a short span of time, and its framework and
objectives must also be clearly defined."

"Need To Deal With Foreign Agenda," an editorial in the
Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000)
(05/13)

"The two hundred years history of the United States clearly shows
that it has ruined many countries by exploiting them for its own
national interests. We can see what happened in Afghanistan and
Iraq, and now it is Pakistan's turn. The U.S. officials' hue and
cry that Pakistan has become a safe haven of Al Qaeda, Taliban and
terrorists, has some reason. If truth be told, the hidden objectives
of this uproar are same as those were in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now
it is up to our rulers that how do they deal with this threat, or
will they go on with the military operation against their own
people."

"Signs Of Consensus," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (05/13)

"The government, for its part, has accepted the opposition's call
for an all-parties conference to discuss the emerging situation.
For the first time, it is clear that the treasury and the opposition
alike believe the militants have gone too far and that our way of
life is in imminent danger. The time has come for all politicians
of any standing to state their case: do they support Talibanization
or wish to halt it in its tracks?"

"U.S. [IRI] Survey Report," an editorial in the second-largest,
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000)
(05/13)

"According to the U.S. International Republican Institute, President
Zardari's popularity has now dropped to 19 per cent, while Mian
Nawaz Sharif has been declared the most popular leader, with 75
percent support... This report by the IRI undoubtedly reflects the
awareness of the Pakistani nation, and this collective awareness
signals the supremacy of democracy. President Zardari and his party
must ponder why his popularity is declining and try to improve the
situation else the PPP's fate in the next elections will be similar
to that of the PML-Q's. On the other hand, Mian Nawaz Sharif has
come out as the most popular leader because his views have echoed
national sentiments. However, he should not rely on any certificate
from the U.S. to endorse his popularity because there seem to be
several U.S. objectives at work behind this validation."

"Can The Taliban Be Defeated?," an op-ed by S.M. Naseem in the
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn"
(cir. 55,000) (05/13)

"As for the local population, although it may not have much love for
the Taliban, they hardly see the security forces as their
protectors.... If the army wants to play its role in saving the
nation from the threat some believe it had helped create, it will
have to both reinvent itself internally and reconstruct its role in
societal transformation.... It needs to be realized that, like all
insurgencies, the Taliban insurgency can't be quashed through a
military operation alone, unless the people themselves are convinced
of its viciousness and futility.... It will be foolhardy to believe
that people at large will rise against the Taliban."

"Hammer And Anvil Action In Swat," an op-ed S.M. Hali in the
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000)
(05/13)

"It is imperative that the operation be supported wholeheartedly to
purge the region of the miscreants. This time if the government
means business, it should support the armed forces, more
importantly, the people have to be wholehearted in championing the
cause. The plight of the refugees requires international support.
The IDPs must be sheltered, fed, and aided to overcome the trauma of
the last few years of suppression, terror and fear. If the IDPs are
not supported in their moment of need, they can be exploited by
circumstances or the miscreants to turn to terror. The world owes
it to them to save them from the hammer and anvil of misery and
death."

"The Other Side Of War With Talibans," an op-ed Syed Ali Zafar in
the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000)
(05/13)

"This is a golden chance for the West, and particularly U.S., to
show its good side as well. People like Hillary, who has urged
Pakistan to start this war against Talibans, should now equally
forcefully tell the world that immediate aid should be provided to
these people. Surely this will show to the people that the West is
with them in the time of need and is not anti-Islam.... The needs
of the IDPs have to be met on a war footing parallel with the armed
conflict. A failure will mean that the anger of these people will
turn against Pakistan. The Talibans would then win a psychological
war and people may turn to them in retaliation."

"People's Response To The IDP Crisis," an op-ed by Rahimullah
Yusufzai in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir.
55,000) (05/13)

"The total number of IDPs is anybody's guess with all kinds of
figures floating around. They could have crossed the figure of 1.3
million by now.... As a military victory against the Taliban may
not come soon, the government will have to come up with better and
long-term plans to look after the IDPs."

"Our Million Plus Pakistanis," an op-ed by Nasim Zehra in the
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/13)

"The nightmare figure has crossed a one million. Refugees in their
own homeland, thousands of Pakistanis are daily escaping from the
killing fields of Swat and other areas.... Meanwhile, how
Pakistanis handle the refugee challenge will also impact on the
final outcome of Pakistan's counter-insurgency battle. It is a tall
order. The Pakistani state, society and the political class have no
choice but to rise to the occasion."

"History Repeats Itself - At Great Cost To Our Nation," an op-ed by
Shireen M. Mazari in the centrist national English daily "The News"
(cir. 55,000) (05/13)

"The Americans have finally got what they wanted thanks to the
pusillanimity of our leadership - both civil and military - and all
for the sake of temporary-relief dollars, five helicopters and a few
other expensive military toys which we should not need since we have
a nuclear deterrence in place at the strategic level.... Military
action against one's own people has never worked - certainly not for
Pakistan. Even when our militants were clearly supported by
external players, military action aggravated the situation....
Frankly, it seems more likely that the so-called Taliban may have
actually fled away and it is innocent people whose body count is
being shown to the U.S. as proof that the army is serious in
countering terrorism. The U.S. has prevailed and the nation is the
loser. "

"Moment Of Reckoning," an op-ed by Dr. Maleeha Lodhi in the centrist
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/13)

"The launch of a full-fledged military operation in Swat with strong
public support offers the government an unprecedented opportunity to
chart a decisive new course to halt and reverse the rising tide of
militancy that threatens the country.... Ultimately insurgencies
are defeated by political means even if the military instrument is
essential to create the conditions for these to come into play."

"Will U.S. Abandon Pakistan Again?," an op-ed by Brig. A.R. Bilal,
in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer"
(cir. 5,000) (05/13)

"Despite rebounding suspicions, the U.S. is adamant that its
relationship with Pakistan is for the long haul. However, Pakistani
infatuation with the U.S. has to be gauged on basis of objective
realities rather than rosy promises of an uncertain future.
Pakistanis wonder if it is going to be the post CENTO or post Jihad
scenario all over again.... The reality is that an ungrateful US
has not constructed a single university, hospital, dam, factory, sea
port, expressway, railroad, pipeline, electric power generation
station, subway, airport, bridge or tunnel in Pakistan. Of the
hundreds of billions of dollars spent by the U.S. on development,
only an insignificant sum has been spent on Pakistan. The long-term
economic needs of Pakistan have been disregarded."
Patterson