PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 21, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001107

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 21, 2009

Summary: The government's announcement of "Rs. eight billion relief
package for IDPs" dominated headlines in several major newspapers on
Thursday. Ambassador Patterson's discourse with a select group of
journalists garnered extensive media coverage. Her remarks that the
"U.S. had no contingency plan to 'secure or shift Pakistan's nuclear
arms' fearing their falling into the hands of militants" and that
the "militants on this side of the Pak-Afghan border might get
weapons and financial supports from Afghanistan's poppy money or
drug peddlers" were highlighted in dailies, "The Nation"; "Daily
Times"; "Business Recorder"; "Express"; "Nawa-i-Waqt"; "Jang";
"Ausaf"; "Islam"; and "Aaj Kal." Report and photographs of the
arrival of "U.S. humanitarian aid for IDPs" also received prominent
display. Some major dailies underscored the Secretary Clinton's
remarks that the "Obama administration would ensure that Pakistan
didn't divert U.S. assistance into any channel other than what it
was meant for."

Most major newspapers ran editorials on various facets of national
security, Pakistan-U.S. relations, and bilateral ties with India.
Commenting on the Secretary Clinton's statement on the "incoherent"
U.S. policy towards Pakistan, the center-right English daily "The
Nation," observed that "to many Pakistanis it has been a
well-thought out policy dictated by shortsighted self-interest."
Likewise, the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" wrote:
"If history is any guide, the U.S. has always played the proverbial
fair-weather friend to Pakistan. There has been a recurring pattern
in Pak-U.S. relations, which are based on short-term interest of the
U.S." Toeing the line, the liberal Urdu daily "Express," opined
that "there is a strong perception in Pakistan that whenever U.S.
achieves its objectives, it turns away its eyes, and when it needs
us another time, it gets back to us without any remorse." Whereas,
the prestigious English daily, "Dawn," noted that "America has done
well to extend a timely helping hand. Food from the U.S. will win
more friends among the people than the delivery of weapons to the
army." End Summary.

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News Stories
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"Rupees 8 Billion Relief And Rehabilitation Package For IDPs" "Dawn"
(05/21)

"The government announced on Wednesday a Rs8 billion relief package
for the internally displaced people. Relief work will be carried
out by various agencies and each family displaced from Swat and
other parts of Malakand division will get a one-time grant of Rupee
25,000. The package was approved at a meeting presided over by
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani,
President's spokesman Farhatullah Babar said."

"No Plan To 'Secure' Pak N-Arsenal: U.S. Envoy" "Daily Times," "The
Nation," "Business Recorder," "Jang," "Nawa-i-Waqt," "Express,"
"Ausaf," "Islam," "Aaj Kal," and "Ibrat" (05/21)

"U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson on Wednesday said that her
country had no contingency plan to 'secure or shift Pakistan's
nuclear arms' fearing their falling into the hands of militants.
The Ambassador told a group of journalists at the U.S. Embassy that
all such reports of the so-called think-tanks were baseless and
their sources were also unknown. 'I will describe this as
nonsense.' 'Technically, it is not possible to shift nuclear
arsenals to somewhere else,' she clarified.... She admitted that
the militants on this side of the Pak-Afghan border might get
weapons and financial support from Afghanistan's poppy money or drug
peddlers."

"U.S. To Keep An Eye On Aid Utilization, Says Hillary" "Dawn"
(05/21)

"The Obama administration would ensure that Pakistan did not divert
U.S. assistance into any channel other than what it was meant for,
Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State told a Senate Sub-Committee on
Wednesday. 'None of our aid will affect the efforts by Pakistan
regarding their nuclear stockpile,' Mrs. Clinton told the
Appropriations Sub-Committee on state and foreign operations."

"Pentagon Comfortable With Pak Nukes Safety" "The News" (05/21)

"The Pentagon has said it is comfortable with the protocols
Pakistani military has in place to ensure security of its nuclear
arsenal, even as the U.S. will take 'requisite action' if Taliban
ever tries hand on them. Such a statement from the Pentagon came a
day after the CIA Director Leon Panetta said the U.S. does not know
where all the Pakistani nuclear weapons are being kept, Defence
department spokesman, Geoff Morrell, told reporters at his daily
press briefing in Washington."

"U.S. Humanitarian Aid For Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
Arrives At Chakala AIR Base" "Dawn," "The Nation," "The News,"
"Daily Times," "Nawa-i-Waqt," "The Frontier Post" (05/21)

"Humanitarian aid provided by United States arrived at Chaklala AIR
Base near Islamabad this afternoon in response to an appeal for
urgently needed basic food, shelter, and supplies for Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North West Frontier Province. The
shipments, which arrived by U.S. military AIR transport included
air-conditioned tents and more than 120,000 pre-packed halal meals.
U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson delivered the supplies
to Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed, the government of Pakistan's
coordinator of all IDP relief operation. The Ambassador was
accompanied by the U.S. Embassy's chief military officer, Admiral
Michael LeFever."

"Kerry Voices Solidarity With IDPs" "Daily Times" (05/21)

"U.S. Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator John Kerry has
voiced his support for U.S. humanitarian relief for the people
displaced from Swat following the military offensive against the
Taliban, assuring Pakistan of long-term U.S. commitment, welcoming
the Obama administration's decision to send $110 million in
assistance for the displaced people of the Swat valley."

"U.S. Interests To Consume Half Of $1.9 Billion Aid" "The News"
(05/21)

"More than half of $1.9 billion assistance approved by the House
Committee in Washington early this month in the presence of
President Asif Zardari would be consumed for the purpose of U.S.
interests that include a new secured U.S. Embassy and Consulates in
Pakistan. Presidential camp is terming the aid approval as
significant achievement of the President's visit, but Pakistan will
marginally benefit from the amount in question, highly placed
sources told 'The News' in Islamabad on Tuesday."

"War Against Militancy For Country's Survival: Zardari" "The News"
(05/21)

"President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said Pakistan is fighting
the war of survival. He said the military operation was launched as
a last resort against the militants, who were challenging the writ
of the state. The president made these remarks while chairing a
meeting of Senators, MNAs and MPAs of the PPP and its allies from
the NWFP in Islamabad on Wednesday in the presidency to discuss the
political situation in the country, particularly the issue of the
internally displaced persons (IDPs)."

"Sultanwas cleared of militants" "Dawn" (05/21)

"Security forces have completely secured Sultanwas area in Buner
after crushing the tough resistance put up by Taliban and claimed
killing 80 militants. Military spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas said
at a press briefing on Wednesday that six vehicles being used by
terrorists clad in elite forces' uniform had been destroyed."

"200 Taliban Die In Maidan Operation" "The News" (05/21)

"Security forces on Wednesday claimed to have killed over 200
militants during the ongoing military operation in Maidan area of
Dir Lower since the launch of the offensive. Operational Commander
Brigadier Amal Zada, in charge of the ongoing military operation in
Dir Lower, told reporters in Timergara."

"Taliban's Use Of Landmines In Swat Condemned" "Daily Times"
(05/21)

"The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) denounced on
Wednesday the recent use of anti-personnel landmines by the Taliban
in Swat. 'According to reports from the area, residents in Mingora,
the epicenter of the fighting, have seen Taliban laying
anti-personnel mines in the town,' the organisation said in a press
statement issued in Geneva."

"Kohistanis On Verge Of Clash With Taliban" "The News" (05/21)

"A serious clash between the Taliban and a local Lashkar in the
scenic Kalam Valley of Swat district is imminent following recent
expansion of the militants to different areas of the district and
beyond. Sources told 'The News' on Wednesday after feeling
threatened by the Taliban, Kohistanis persuaded the Taliban to pull
out of Behrain Tehsil to save the local population from the
government's wrath amid the ongoing military operation in the
Malakand Division."

"Miscreants Warn Police, Lashkar In Matani" "The News" (05/21)

"The Matani police station, Peshawar and members of the Qaumi
Lashkar in the area have received threatening letters from militants
while intelligence officials held six suspects from a hotel in
Nishtarabad in Peshawar on Wednesday."

"3 Militant Commanders Held In Bajaur" "The News" (05/21)

"The security forces arrested three foreign militant commanders
during a checking in Alizai area of Khar tehsil in Bajaur Agency on
Wednesday."


"250,000 IDPs Unlikely To Leave Camps In 2009" "The News" (05/21)

"Up to 250,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are expected to
remain in camps through the end of the year as a result of fighting
between the security forces and insurgents in Malakand Division,
Rear Admiral Michael A. LeFever said on Wednesday."

"Haqqani Welcomes U.S. Aid For IDPs" "The News" (05/21)

"Welcoming U.S. humanitarian assistance for displaced people of Swat
Valley, Pakistan's Ambassador in Washington Husain Haqqani has said
that rebuilding efforts in the violence-hit northwestern areas would
require the same level of support as the country witnessed after
staggering earthquake in 2005."

"UN To Give Clarion Call For IDPs Today" "The News" (05/21)

"The United Nations is all set to make an internal but clarion
appeal in the donors meeting on Thursday on the internally displaced
persons (IDPs),seeking maximum financial assistance from the
representatives of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs),
Friends of Pakistan, G-8 member states and eminent Muslims
countries, a senior official in the Economic Affairs Division told
'The News.'"

"Govt. To Divert Rupees 25 Million Zakat Fund For IDPs' welfare"
"Dawn" (05/21)

"NWFP Minister for Zakat and Usher Zar Shaid told 'Dawn' on
Wednesday that Rupees 25 million Zakat fund would be diverted to
provide financial help and facilities to the IDPs of Swat, Dir and
Buner."

"3,000 Displaced Families Repatriated To Bajaur: Govt." "The News"
(05/21)

"The NWFP government on Wednesday said that over 3,000 families had
voluntarily gone back mostly from Jalozai and Kacha Garhi Camps to
their areas in Bajaur Agency."

"Uncontrolled IDPs Movement A Headache For Government" "The News"
(05/21)

"In an unusual situation, thousands of people from the conflict
areas such as Swat and Dir Lower are still getting displaced while
hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have started
returning to Bajaur Agency and Buner district. The uncontrolled
movement of so many people in NWFP has become a headache for the
government. The intensified military operation against the Taliban
militants in Malakand Division is uprooting an alarmingly high
number of people."
"Food Shortage Worsening In Restive Malakand Areas" "Daily Times"
(05/21)

"Civilians trapped by fighting in the country's north on Wednesday
said they were surviving on bread and water as the government's
offensive against the Taliban had closed roads and cut off food
supplies. The little food available was becoming increasingly
expensive, they told AFP, adding to concerns about the humanitarian
situation in the restive Malakand region, where hospitals have shut
their doors and electricity is erratic at best."

"IDPs, Villagers Protest Chopper Attack On Civilians" "The News"
(05/21)

"Villagers and internally displaced persons (IDPs) staged a
demonstration in Mardan on Wednesday to protest the attack by a
military helicopter in Buner on Tuesday in which a teenaged girl was
killed and several other civilians were injured. The protestors
complained that innocent civilians were being targeted during the
military operation against the militants."

"Arms Sent By U.S. To Afghan Forces End Up In Taliban Hands: Report"
"Dawn" (05/21)

"Pentagon munitions have leaked from Afghan forces to Taliban
militants, enabling them to fight an insurgency for years against
materially superior U.S. and Afghan forces, The New York Times
reported on Tuesday."

"Blake Confirmed As U.S. Man For South Asia" "Dawn" (05/21)

"The U.S. Senate Committee has approved the nomination of Robert
Blake for the post of Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian
Affairs. Mr. Blake would replace Richard Boucher, who is currently
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs."

"Ties With Pakistan High On New Singh Government's Agenda" "Dawn"
(05/21)

"Indian President Pratibha Patil appointed Dr Manmohan Singh for a
second term as prime minister on Wednesday and there were instant
signs that ties with Pakistan were high on the agenda of the
re-elected Congress party-led government."

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

"'Incoherent' Policy," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/21)

"Secretary of State Clinton was less than candid when she said that
the U.S. policy towards Pakistan over the last 30 years has been
'incoherent.' To many Pakistanis it has been a well-thought out
policy dictated by shortsighted self-interest.... To undo the
negative after-effects of its selfish policies, the U.S. needs to
pay heed to Pakistan's genuine concerns."

"Pak-U.S. Relations," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (05/21)

"The track record of Pakistan's relationship with the U.S. is not
very encouraging to arrive at optimistic conclusions. Historically,
the friendship lasts only as long as the United States' immediate
interests in the region are served. If history is any guide, the
U.S. has always played the proverbial fair-weather friend to
Pakistan. There has been a recurring pattern in Pak-U.S. relations,
which are based on short-term interest of the U.S.... Now when
Hillary has admitted the fact after 30 years it is necessary that
the U.S. should compensate Pakistan for the loss it has suffered
because of the U.S. policy. In the present situation every
Pakistani is right to question that is the present US policy towards
Pakistan is right? Simple saying 'thank you very much' will not be
enough."

"Assistance For IDPs - U.S. Must Change Its Attitude," an editorial
in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (05/21)

"There is a strong perception in Pakistan that whenever U.S.
achieves its objectives, it turns away its eyes, and when it needs
us another time, it gets back to us without any remorse. The war on
terror following 9/11 incidents is a clear indication of this
approach. This is the high time for the U.S. to put right its
attitude towards Pakistan, and learn lesson from its past mistakes."


"'Incoherent' U.S. Policy," an editorial in the Karachi-based
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000)
(05/21)

"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton again lamented America's
'incoherent' dealings with Pakistan over the last 30 years.... Now,
according to Ms. Clinton, the U.S. is busy building a 'clear,
honest' relationship with the popularly elected government in
Pakistan. Also on Tuesday, she announced an additional $110 Million
in emergency relief for persons displaced by the fighting in
Malakand. The suffering in the region is acute and America has done
well to extend a timely helping hand. Food from the U.S. will win
more friends among the people than the delivery of weapons to the
army."

"U.S. Plan To Send Troops On The Pretext Of Relief Operation," an
editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily
"Islam" (cir. 15,000) (05/21)

"If the U.S. really feels sorry for IPDs, it must pay compensation
to Pakistan for its huge losses incurred during the so-called war on
terror. And any U.S. move to send its troops to Pakistan is not
acceptable, and no one will welcome them here. In fact, the
affected people of the conflict zones consider U.S. responsible for
their miseries. They will stand up against the U.S. troops.
Pakistani government should also oppose any such plan of U.S. troops
on the pretext of relief operation."

"U.S. Dangerous Plan To Penetrate Its Troops In The Garb Of
Assistance For IDPs," an editorial in the popular rightist
Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (05/21)

"As far as the U.S. humanitarian assistance for the IDPs of Swat is
concerned, it is commendable, as it was Pakistan that had to bear
the brunt of the war on terror. If Pakistan is facing so many
crises, it is just because of the U.S. hegemonic designs, and now it
wants to send troops in the garb of relief operation for IDPs. The
U.S. must understand that Pakistan is neither an Afghanistan, nor a
country like Iraq. Pakistani people with the help of their troops
can deal with the current situation effectively."

"America: Thank you," editorial in the Karachi-based center-right
sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat" (cir. 33,000) (05/21)

"The terror and chaos that our country is going through these days
are unusual in our history, rarely one has seen such conditions in
the heart of Pakistan. If there is a single most factor
contributing to this chaos that is America and its allies in
Pakistan. Prime Minister surprised to the delegates of the All
Parties Conference when he claimed that the U.S. was playing double
game with Pakistan. America is the lion of the jungle, and free to
do contrary to any law and the sovereignty of Pakistan. It is
becoming clear now that Pakistan never approved the U.S. drone
attacks. The duplicity of the American policy is exposed by another
news report which revealed that $1.9 billion assistance to Pakistan
includes construction of new American consulate and diplomatic
premises in Pakistan. Pakistan now needs to tell America that enough
is enough whatever you did to us so far, please leave us alone now,
we will be thankful to you."

"Human Distress," an editorial in the centrist national English
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/21)

"The Pakistan government must remember that it is us who will live
with the consequences of events currently unfolding within our
country. We can only meet disaster by losing sight of this reality.
The government, therefore, must take a primary role in deciding what
is to be done and how the awful misery of the displaced can at least
be eased if not eliminated.... Pakistan must persuade the world and
its own people to help deliver this. It must also step up its own
efforts and do what it possibly can. Otherwise IDPs who are today
helpless victims will return home with anger in their hearts. We
must remember similar frustrations have contributed to the rise of
the Taliban. This reality alone should be enough to compel us to
gear up aid efforts."

"An Operation For Security Of The Country," an editorial in the
Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat"
(cir. 3,000) (05/21)

"Prime Minister Gilani believes that the objective of the operation
in Swat is to secure Pakistan from militancy and extremism, there is
no denying the fact that security of country should be on top
priority, but how about American attacks on Pakistan. Are those
attacks not threatening our security?"

"Things Fall Together," an editorial in the centrist national
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/21)

"The dividends of fighting the militants are coming in. But in all
this we need to keep our own vision and perspectives clear. The
need to take on the Taliban is primarily a need of the people of
Pakistan and not a tactic to please the west.... To succeed
Pakistan needs to ensure it is spearheading the entire operation and
holding all its various strands together tightly in its fist. It
must have itself a clear plan on exactly what needs to be done, at
what stage and why, so it can draw in the kind of help and support
it most needs to win a war that is multi-faceted and involves many
complexities."

"U.S. Double Standards For Freedom Of Press," an editorial note in
the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000)
(05/21)

"U.S. Embassy in Islamabad sent a letter to the daily Ausaf to
contradict a news report on the subject of the alleged involvement
of the Dick Cheney's death squad in the assassination of Benazir
Bhutto. It emphasized the importance of the freedom of press and
balanced reporting. Now question is whether the U.S. media fulfill
all parameters and standards of freedom of press as well. It is a
hard reality that the standard of U.S. freedom of the press is that
whenever their (American) interests are at stake, the U.S. media
makes unfounded propaganda, and at that time they don't bother about
that with freedom comes responsibility of making a distinction
between fact and fiction. Moreover, we would like to ask whether
the U.S. media is not spreading incorrect and baseless
misinformation about Pakistan nukes?"

"Why The IDPs Matter," an op-ed by Sherry Rehman in the centrist
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/21)

"The country has made a collective choice that it rejects non-state
actors that use the symbols and language of religious extremism to
advance a non-mainstream agenda through the use of force. If we
remain unclear about our resolve, or allow it to be confused with
disagreements on military tactics, or are slow to mitigate the
misery of the new IDPs, then we will lose the larger battle against
extremism.... Success will only be construed as real if we are able
to give [IDPs] their dignity and their lives back."

"Drawing the Right Lesson From Swat," an op-ed by Asif Ezdi in the
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/21)

"Military action never provides a solution to ills rooted in
socio-economic injustice. The basic cause of the current turmoil is
a feudal system that robs the common man of all hope of escape from
his miserable existence while the privileged few continue to pocket
national wealth..... This turmoil will not go away even if the
military operation achieves its aim of 'eliminating' the Taliban.
As long as the state does not seriously address issues of social
justice, political stability will also not be achieved."

"The Whole Picture," an op-ed by Kamila Hyat in the centrist
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/21)

"The failure on its part to deliver services to people has been a
key factor in allowing the Taliban to rise. In schools set up in IDP
camps, some 40 to 50 per cent of children from Swat have said their
families indeed support the Taliban, mainly because they have
improved infrastructure and services. We must not forget the same
frustrations and the same desperation exist in other places. If we
are to save ourselves these feelings can no longer be ignored. The
state needs to resurrect itself in a new role and put the needs of
people first."

"Peace in Af-Pak" an op-ed by Zafar Hilay in the centrist national
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/21)

"Defeating the Taliban and caring for the IDPs are formidable tasks
and when to these are added the additional tasks of good governance,
capable leadership, the elimination of corruption and myriad other
tasks, including a skilful handling of the economy, the burden is an
onerous one; and far too heavy for a government, particularly one
that is regarded as inept, inexperienced and unpopular."

"politics & Policies In Washington," an op-ed by Tariq Fatemi in the
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn"
(cir. 55,000) (05/21)

"There is a growing realization in Washington that it has only
limited options to deal with the current situation in Pakistan....
It is clear that during the next 12 to 18 months, the advocates of
counterinsurgency are likely to be given a freer hand to make a
concerted effort to eliminate the Al Qaeda leadership, even if this
means more frequent drone attacks and cross-border incursions into
Pakistan. But if that option fails, we can expect growing demands
that the U.S. review its overall strategy towards Afghanistan and
Pakistan."
Patterson