PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 22, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001115

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 22, 2009

Summary: Reports on the international pledge of "$224 million for
relief and rehabilitation of IDPs" dominated headlines in almost all
newspapers on Friday. All dailies highlighted report that the "U.S.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs approved a bipartisan legislation
tripling American economic assistance to Pakistan." Reports and
photographs of Ambassador Patterson's Lahore visit received
prominent display. Her meetings with Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief
Minister Shahbaz Sharif, members of the American Business Forum, and
visit to the Lahore Fort and the shrine of a 'Sufi' (mystic) saint
Madhu Lal were also highlighted. Pakistan Foreign Office
spokesman's remarks that "minimum nuclear deterrence would be
maintained" received extensive media coverage. Newspapers also
reported that President Obama "vowed not to back down on closing
Guantanamo Bay."

Most major dailies ran editorials on a variety of subjects including
the fallout of Swat military operation, plight of the internally
displaced persons, and the U.S.-Pakistan relationship. The
second-largest, center-right nationalist daily "Nawa-i-Waqt,"
observed that as "Secretary Clinton has realized that Pakistan's
present problems are a result of U.S. policies of the 80s, the U.S.
should admit its mistakes and instead of continuing this policy and
creating problems for our security and existence, it should adopt a
serious and workable policy to get us out of this quagmire."
Another Urdu daily, "Express," wrote: "If the U.S. is sincere in its
war on terror and if it wants Pakistan to succeed in the operation
in the north-western areas, it needs to stop the sale of weapons by
Afghan troops to the Taliban." Commenting on the Secretary
Clinton's remarks, the Lahore-based liberal daily, "Daily Times,"
noted that the "U.S.-Pakistan relationship has endured because both
have needed each other. There is hardly any incoherence in that."
End Summary.

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News Stories
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"Donors Pledge $224 Million For IDPs" "The News" (05/22)

"Pakistan on Thursday received pledges of $224 million for relief
and rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons (IPDs) during
a donors' meeting. However, the United Nations is to flash on
Friday an appeal to the world, seeking about $500-600 million, said
Minister of State for Economic Affairs Division Hina Rabbani Khar in
a press briefing."

"Maximum Support Assured By Donors" "Dawn" (05/22)

"The international community assured Pakistan on Thursday of maximum
financial and material support for the relief and rehabilitation of
the internally displaced persons, but held back formal announcement
till a flash appeal to be launched by the United Nations on Friday."


"U.S. House Panel Approves Bill To Triple Aid, But With Strings"
"Dawn" (05/22)

"The U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs has approved a
bipartisan legislation tripling American economic assistance to
Pakistan. The new legislation, once approved by both chambers of
the U.S. Congress, will bring $1.5 billion of annual aid to Pakistan
for a period of five years, which can be extended with congressional
approval. 'The legislation requires rigorous oversight and
auditing,' says a press release issued by the panel."

"The U.S. Benchmarks, Audits And Controls On Kerry-Lugar Aid Bill"
"The News" (05/22)

"The Pakistan-specific Kerry-Lugar Bill, moved in the US Senate two
weeks back, authorizes President Barack Obama to keep 'classified,'
if necessary, U.S. persons or entities that have received funds in
excess of $250,000 to avoid a security risk and provide a
justification for such classification. A clear overview emerging
from the reading of the proposed legislation showed that its movers,
Senators John F. Kerry (Democrat),Chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, and Richard Lugar (Republican),a senior member
on the panel, realized that Pakistan needed monetary assistance and,
therefore, was vulnerable. Washington will give this assistance but
monitor it very tightly so that its policy objectives are achieved."

"U.S. Must Help Pakistan With Economic Aid, Says Kerry" "The News"
(05/22)

"Senator John Kerry underscored the need for continued U.S. support
to help Pakistan take care of the people displaced from Swat
military offensive launched to eliminate Taliban from Malakand
region. Chairing on Thursday the Foreign Relations Committee that
received testimony from Admiral Mike Mullen, the top U.S. military
officer on U.S. policy toward Pakistan, Kerry recalled the goodwill
engendered by the U.S. relief efforts in the post-2005 earthquake
and called on building the current aid effort."

"Mullen Against Move To Link Aid With 'Rigid' Conditions" "Dawn"
(05/22)

"A senior U.S. Senator, Jim Webb, has moved an amendment to a bill
before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, requiring Pakistan
not to use American aid for the expansion of its nuclear program.
During a hearing of the Committee on Thursday, Admiral Mike Mullen,
Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said his biggest concern
was that 'conditioning all the money' meant for Pakistan could be
counter-productive."

"U.S. House Panel Rejects India Tag To Pak Aid" "The Nation"
(05/22)

"A U.S. congressional Committee on Wednesday approved a giant aid
package for Pakistan while dropping all conditions that referred to
India."

"U.S. Ambassador Visits Alamgiri Gate To Mark Completion Of
Conservation" "Dawn" (05/22)

"U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson stressed the need to 'protect
shared cultural heritage' on a visit to Lahore Fort's Alamgiri Gate,
marking the completion of another U.S.- funded conservation
project."

"U.S.-EU Ambassadors Call On Nawaz-Shahbaz Sharif; U.S. Should Stop
Drone Strikes And Fulfill Promise Of Resolving Kashmir Issue: Nawaz
Sharif" "Nawa-i-Waqt" (05/22)

"U.S. and EU Ambassadors yesterday held separate meetings with PML-N
leaders Mian Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif.... Mian Nawaz
Sharif said during the meeting that the U.S. should stop drone
strikes and should fulfill the promise President Obama made after
election on resolving the Kashmir issue.... American Ambassador
said that the U.S. understands the problems faced by Pakistan and
would cooperate fully in the rehabilitation of refugees."

"Pak Economy Has Potential For Investment, Anne" "The Nation"
(05/22)

"U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson has said that despite
economic and security challenges, Pakistan's economy is growing with
great potential for foreign investment. Pakistan's economy
stabilized after it signed agreement with the International Monetary
Fund (IMF),Patterson said while addressing the inauguration
ceremony of American Business Forum (ABF) in Lahore on Thursday."

"Minimum N-Deterrence Will Be Maintained: FO" "Dawn" (05/22)

"Pakistan 'indirectly' confirmed on Thursday that it was in the
process of expanding its nuclear program and said it was being done
to maintain credible nuclear deterrence in view of the changing
security environment in the region. 'Pakistan cannot remain
oblivious to increasing conventional asymmetries, unrelenting arms
acquisitions as well as preferential treatment being accorded to
certain countries in the region,' Foreign Office spokesman Abdul
Basit said at his weekly media briefing."

Obama Vows To Close Gitmo" "The News" (05/22)

"President Barack Obama on Thursday vowed not to back down on
closing Guantanamo Bay despite raging controversy, branding the camp
a 'mess' and decrying Bush-era anti-terror tactics as based on
fear."

"IDPs Crisis Can Lead To Greater Unrest in Pakistan" "The Nation"
(05/22)

"Five U.S. Senators have urged their President an immediate response
to the crisis in the NWFP and to provide assistance to the
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs in Pakistan in order to ensure
that it does not lead to greater unrest throughout the rest of the
country."

"Pakistan Not So Imperiled: Mullen" "The News" (05/22)

"The top U.S. military officer said on Thursday he was concerned
that the U.S. troop build up to roust insurgents from Afghanistan
could further destabilize Pakistan. However, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, speaking to the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, said the military planning was under way to try
to avoid that."

"Kayani Visits Daggar, Bucks Troops Up" "The News" (05/22)

"Chief of ARMY Staff (COAS) Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday
visited Daggar in the neighboring Buner district to see the ground
situation and appreciated the morale exhibited by the troops in
fight against militancy."

"No Need For U.S. Troops' Help: Kaira" "Dawn" (05/22)

"Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira
rejected on Thursday reports about possibility of U.S. troops
arriving in the country to support the government action in dealing
with insurgency and rehabilitation of displaced persons. He said at
a press conference that neither anyone had approached the government
nor there was any need for such a move because the country's armed
forces were fully capable of handling internal matters."

"Commander Surrenders In Mohmand; Taliban Agree To Leave Parts Of
Lower Dir" "Dawn" (05/22)

"Taliban in Adenzai tehsil of Lower Dir district agreed on Thursday
to wind up their camps and pull out of Asbanr and Gulabad areas
within two days. According to sources, the assurance was given to a
Jirga at a joint gathering of local people and Taliban. A local
Taliban 'commander' gave himself up to authorities in Mohmand Agency
on Thursday with five other militants."

"Captain Killed In Bomb Attack" "Dawn" (05/22)

"An ARMY captain and a Lance Naik were killed and five other
security men injured when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb
near the Islam Darra security check-post on the Timergara-Maidan
road on Thursday."

"Army Move To Block Supply Of Arms To Mingora Militants" "The News"
(05/22)

"Security forces took control on Thursday of a major portion of the
strategic Kamber bridge overlooking Mingora, military spokesman Maj.
Gen. Athar Abbas said. According to defence sources, terrorists had
built concrete bunkers and stored arms, ammunition and explosives in
caves in the area. An intense operation was under way to stop the
supply of weapons to militants in the town."

"Taliban Leader Killed In Swat Operation" "Daily Times" (05/22)

"Security forces said on Thursday that 'a number of Taliban' -
including an important commander, Abu Tariq, and five soldiers were
killed in 24 hours in the Swat operation, in the latest update on
the military offensive, seven Taliban were apprehended, said the
ISPR."

"Taliban Ousted By Kalam People" "Dawn" (05/22)

"Armed residents foiled an attempt by the Taliban to expand their
reach in more areas of Swat Valley, officials said on Thursday. The
attempted infiltration in Kalam indicated militants are feeling
pinched by an ARMY offensive and are seeking new shelter, while the
local resistance suggested growing public confidence in the
anti-Taliban operation."

"19 Killed In Dir Lower" "The News" (05/22)
"Nineteen people, including 11 suspected militants and three
security forces personnel, were killed in the ongoing military
operation and a roadside blast in the Maidan area of Dir Lower on
Thursday."

"Nine Killed In Tank Suicide Blast" "Daily Times" (05/22)

"At least nine people - four civilians and five security personnel -
were killed and 25 injured in a suicide attack near an FC fort in
Jandola area of Tank on Thursday evening, a private TV channel
reported."

"Thousands Flee As Waziristan Tense" "Daily Times" (05/22)

"Residents of South Waziristan are fleeing the agency amid a build
up of forces by the ARMY and the Taliban. 'Mehsuds are leaving their
areas in Sarwakai and Ladah tehsils for fears of an operation,'
local sources told 'Daily Times.'"

"Two 'Al Qaeda Men' Held, Explosives Seized" "Dawn" (05/22)

"The CID police in Karachi arrested on Thursday two suspected
militants of Al Qaeda and seized from them explosives and weapons."

"Pakistan, India In 'Rare Anti-Terror Cooperation'" "Dawn" (05/22)

"As the Pakistan ARMY battles extremists inside the country,
Pakistan and India have begun sharing intelligence on militants,
with the prodding of the United States, the Wall Street Journal
disclosed on Thursday."

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

"Pakistan's Problems And The U.S. Secretary Of State's Admission:
Stop Supporting Military Dictators Now, " an editorial in the
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt"
(cir. 150,000) (05/22)

"Now that Hillary Clinton has realized that Pakistan's present
problems are a result of U.S. policies of the 80s, the U.S. should
admit its mistakes and instead of continuing this policy and
creating problems for our security and existence, it should adopt a
serious and workable policy to get us out of this quagmire. For
this, it needs to stop the drone attacks immediately, stop
conspiracies against our nuclear program and give up its practice of
dictating our elected democratic civilian rulers like it has been
dictating our military dictators."

"How 'Incoherent' Is Pak-U.S. Relationship?," an editorial in the
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (05/22)

"The U.S.-Pakistan relationship has endured because both have needed
each other. There is hardly any incoherence in that. There have
been vicissitudes in it because one has global worries to take care
of, and the other is regionally obsessed with India. Without
reference to the U.S., it is for Pakistan to meditate over its
single-item foreign policy: can it go on risking its survival by
following an uncreative and imitative approach to its big neighbor,
India."

"Aid Package For Swat Affectees," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily
"Express" (cir. 25,000) (05/22)

"Drone attacks are fanning anti-U.S. sentiment in the Pakistani
public. Moreover, Afghanistan is constantly aiding the Taliban and
it seems as if they [the Taliban] are continuously getting supplies.
The proof of this is the New York Times report which reveals that
weapons provided to the Afghan ARMY are being sold to the
Taliban.... If the U.S. is sincere in its war on terror and if it
wants Pakistan to succeed in the operation in the north-western
areas, it needs to curb corruption in the Karzai government and stop
the sale of weapons by Afghan troops to the Taliban."

"Worrisome," an editorial in the center-right national English daily
"The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/22)

"The 'New York Times' has revealed that the arms and ammunition
seized from the militants had been supplied by the Afghan army....
It would be legitimate to suspect that militants inside Pakistan
were also getting their supplies from them. Some of the militant
outfits in Pakistan have been found using state-of-the-art military
equipment smuggled from Afghanistan.... Obviously, this cannot
happen without the necessary wherewithal and supply of arms. There
is a strong suspicion, and in some well-informed circles strong
conviction, both India and Afghanistan have a hand in it. It is a
common enemy that the U.S., Afghanistan and Pakistan are fighting.
But if the U.S. weapons continue to fall into the hands of militants
who are also aided by New Delhi and Kabul, the hope for victory
virtually recedes into oblivion."

"NYT Spills The Beans," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist
English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (05/22)

"The NYT report clearly shows that instead of demanding Pakistan to
do more, the United States needs to do more to stop infiltration of
militants and smuggling of weapons from Afghanistan to Pakistan.
The issue is quite clear but regrettably Pakistani leadership has
adopted a sheepish approach and has so far failed to take up the
matter seriously with Washington or other capitals. It is time that
Pakistan tells its 'friends' to stop double games and show sincerity
in eliminating the threat of terrorism."

"Supply Line Of Weapons And Money To Taliban," an editorial in
Hyderabad based liberal and independent Sindhi daily "Ibrat" (Cir.
80,000) (05/22)

"Besides fighting with Taliban we need to find out routes and
sources of funding and weapons to Taliban. In case of Afghanistan,
American papers are now reporting that American weapons may have
been given to Taliban by Afghan officials. One should not forget the
fact that some sections of the Pakistan ARMY have been reportedly
working with Taliban. Likewise, Musharraf's whole era was an
exponent of double game with the extremists and the U.S. It is vital
to sever the supply-line of Taliban and other extremist elements."

"Friends Of Dictatorship: American Role," an editorial in Hyderabad
based independent and liberal Sindhi Daily "Kawish" (cir 105,000)
(05/22)

"Pakistanis know very well that the U.S. has always sided with
Pakistani military dictators and when Ms. Clinton stated that, it
was not really a big revelation for us. What is new is the admission
on part of America's top-most diplomat that they committed mistake
by supporting dictators and they were responsible for creating mess
in Pakistan. Thankfully, Americans have learned their lesson in
Pakistan and realized their mistakes albeit after three decades."

"State Of The Operation," an editorial in the centrist national
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/22)

"It is clear people remain terrorized by the Taliban and anxious
about a situation in which they may, some months down the road,
return to a position of power.... So often have people seen a
half-hearted action against the Taliban, so many 'stops and starts'
have they witnessed, that they still lack faith that this time, the
operation is in earnest.... Lifting the sense of fear these men
cause will act to weaken (Taliban),to loosen their grip and to
demoralize their forces.... This spirit must be built on and taken
further. Eventually it will play a big part in the defeat of the
Taliban and in the reclaiming mental space from them."

"Pakistan's First (Or Rather Second) True War," an op-ed by Ayaz
Amir in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000)
(05/22)

"Mullah Omar and the Americans can fight it out among themselves.
That quarrel is none of our business and we should be no part of it.
But the Taliban in Pakistan are very much our problem because their
ideas and the idea of Pakistan just cannot co-exist. So while the
Americans are fighting their Taliban for their reasons, we have our
own compelling reasons to fight our home-grown Taliban.... Of
course it depends on us how we make use, or how we exploit, this
convergence of interests between us and the Americans.... How long
will this war last? We should be under no illusions on this score.
It will last as long as the Americans stay in Afghanistan.... So we
should prepare for the long haul as these dark clouds which encircle
us are not going to go away in a hurry."

"Taliban - Asset Or Enemy?," an op-ed by Saleem Safi in the centrist
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/22)

"The fact is that the problem of militancy will not be solved with
the success of the Swat operation because what is happening in Swat
and Dir is a part of a game being played in the region. And peace
will not be achieved unless militancy is eliminated from the whole
region. However, confusion surrounding the operation must be
cleared because at the moment it is benefiting the militants....
Thus the Pakistani establishment is confused whether to treat the
militants as enemies or assets. When these militants target the
Marriot in Islamabad, they are the number one enemies of security
forces but when they attack the Indian embassy in Kabul then they
act like an asset."

"Now South Waziristan IDPs," an editorial in the Islamabad-based
rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (05/22)

"The United States, western countries and some quarters within are
persuading the Government to launch a simultaneous operation in
Waziristan.... There could be many more arguments on merits and
demerits to the launching of operation in Waziristan but the civil
and military leadership must see that dragging feet by extending the
operation may not backfire.... Therefore, we would strongly
recommend the Government not to take hasty decisions as there is no
serious uprising in Waziristan, and to concentrate on cleansing Swat
from miscreants and rehabilitation of the IDPs before moving to
FATA."

"Growing Threats," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban
Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (05/22)

"It seems that the U.S. media continues its customary anti-Pakistan
propaganda drive, and it is also affecting the U.S. senior officials
too. Perhaps that is the reason that the U.S. Admiral Mike Mullen
had maintained last week that Pakistan was adding to its nukes. Such
reports also confirmed that the U.S. is coveting for Pakistani
nuclear program. We cannot rule out possibility of U.S hand behind
insurgency in Swat, Malakand and other adjoining areas."

"U.S. Obsession To Reach To Pakistan Nukes And Taliban's Attitude,"
an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf"
(cir. 10,000) (05/22)

"U.S. administration seeks to enter into Pakistan somehow to besiege
Pakistan nuclear facilities. That is why it is exerting pressure on
the government of Pakistan under the pretext that Pakistani nukes
may fall to Taliban. This conjecture is totally baseless and
nonsense that Taliban can ever break down the Pak military shield,
and enter into Pakistani nuclear facilities."
Patterson