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. -------------- News Stories -------------- "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." -------------- 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