PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 29, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001177

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 29, 2009

Summary: Reports and photographs of three "successive blasts,"
including a suicide attack, in different parts of the North West
Frontier Province (NWFP) "killing 13 people" dominated front pages
in all national dailies on Friday. "Desperate terrorist backlash
begins," read the lead story in the English daily, "The News." All
newspapers highlighted Chief of Army Staff General Kayani's resolve
that "army will defeat the elements which were out to destabilize
and harm the country." Also front-paged was "UN's renewed appeal
for IDP assistance." Ambassador Patterson's visit to a local IDP
camp in Swabi (NWFP) and announcement of "$26.6 million donation to
World Food Program" received wide coverage. Pakistan Foreign
Office's statement "rejecting Indian terms for resuming the
composite dialogue process" garnered prominent coverage. National
Security Adviser General Jones remarks "expressing U.S. satisfaction
over Pakistan's efforts to fight the Taliban" also figured
prominently.

Most major dailies continued to run editorials on the current law
and order situation in the country in the wake of ongoing military
operation against terrorists in the NWFP. The English daily, "Dawn,"
while underlining the need for "more information" for "evaluating
the success or otherwise of the military operation in Malakand
division" noted that "there is a need to verify the government's and
the army's claims and that will only be possible if reporters are
given more access to Malakand." Criticizing what it termed the
"head-hunting list" of terrorists published by the government, the
English daily, "The News," observed that "the money set aside for
'bounty' would be better spent in developing human intelligence
networks and investing in state-of-the-art electronic surveillance
equipment." An editorial in the liberal Sindhi language daily,
"Kawish," noted that "there seems now a possibility that terrorism
could go to other cities of the country as a reaction to Malakand's
military operation." End Summary.

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News Stories
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"Blasts, Suicide Attacks In Peshawar, D.I. Khan - Terrorists On The
Rampage" "Dawn" (05/29)

"A succession of blasts rocked the NWFP on Thursday, killing 13
people, including five policemen, and injuring over 90 others.
Three blasts, one of them a suicide attack targeting a police post,
took place in Peshawar and one suicide bombing at a security
check-post in Dera Ismail Khan, killing two policemen and a civilian
and injuring 11 others."

"Desperate Terrorist Backlash Begins" "The News" (05/29)

"Within 24 hours of the devastating bombing in Lahore, terrorists
have struck another provincial capital and a smaller city within
hours of each other."

"Suicide Bomber Kills 3 Policemen Near Peshawar" "Daily Times"
(05/29)

"Three policemen were killed and three others injured when a suicide
bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a police van on the
outskirts of the provincial capital on Thursday, according to
hospital sources and police."

"Kayani Vows To Crush Militancy" "Dawn" (05/29)

"Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on
Thursday that over 90 soldiers had lost their lives and 279 suffered
injuries during the operation Rah-i-Raast in Swat and adjoining
districts of the Malakand division and reiterated army's resolve to
defeat the elements which were out to destabilize and harm the
country."

"UN Renews Appeal For IDP Assistance" "Dawn" (05/29)

"The top United Nations humanitarian official made another
impassioned flash appeal on Thursday for additional $455 million for
three million internally displaced Pakistanis, since its earlier
appeal received only $88 million."

"U.S. Ambassador Patterson Announces $26.6 Million Donation To U.N.
World Food Program (WFP) During IDP Camp Visit" "Dawn," "The News,"
"The Nation," "Aaj-Kal," "Jang," "Din," and "Ausaf" (05/29)

"During a visit to the Yar Hussain internally displaced persons
(IDP) camp on Thursday, U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson announced
a $26.6 million award to the UN's World Food Program funding urgent
humanitarian relief efforts."

"India's Terms For Dialogue Rejected" "Dawn" (05/29)

"The Foreign Office rejected on Thursday India's conditions for
resuming the 'composite dialogue process' and said only constructive
engagement could produce tangible results for the resolution of all
outstanding issues, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said."

"Two Terrorists Killed In Peshawar Shootout" "The News" (05/29)

"Peshawar police killed two terrorists and nabbed two others in a
shootout during a 'cordon and search' operation was underway in the
Kissa Khawani Bazaar on Thursday, Inspector General of Police, NWFP
Naveed Khan told reporters."

"Taliban Warn Of Attacks On Four Cities" "Dawn" (05/29)

"Hakimullah Mehsud, a Deputy to Chief of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
Baitullah Mehsud, told 'The Associated Press' in a telephone call
that the attack in Lahore was in response to the military's ongoing
offensive to end the militants' control of the Swat valley. Talking
to Reuters, Hakimullah Mehsud also warned of more violence."

"U.S. Satisfied With Action" "Dawn" (05/29)

"The United States is so far satisfied with Pakistan's efforts to
fight the Taliban and strongly supports the military offensive in
Swat, says a top White House official. White House National
Security Adviser Gen James Jones told a Washington think-tank on
Wednesday evening that he was heartened also by the 'receptiveness'
of the Pakistani people to the military offensive."

"Petraeus Paid Secret Visit To Islamabad" "Dawn" (05/29)

"U.S. Central Command Chief Gen. David Petraeus paid a secret visit
to Islamabad on Tuesday to allay Pakistan's concerns that the
military build-up in Afghanistan by the United States would add to
its woes. 'Gen Petraeus told his interlocutors that the U.S. had
very few options other than to increase the number of troops in
Afghanistan and that all possible efforts would be made to minimize
its fallout on Pakistan,' a diplomatic source told 'Dawn.' U.S.
Embassy spokesman Lou Fintor confirmed the visit. He said Gen.
Petraeus had held 'productive meetings with civilian and military
leaders.'"

"Ex-Army Men Can Be Hired For Law, Order: PM" "The Nation" (05/29)

"Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday said that the
government could hire services of retired army personnel as a
stopgap arrangement till the training of law enforcement agencies,
particularly of police, to maintain law and order situation in
Malakand after completing the military operation."

"Militants' Attempt To Loot Relief Convoy Foiled: ISPR" "Dawn"
(05/29)

"Security forces on Thursday foiled an attempt by terrorists to loot
a convoy of army trucks carrying relief and food items for people
stranded in areas affected by the military operation, military
spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas told 'Dawn' on Thursday."

"Forces Enter Bahrain As Seven Militants Killed" "The News" (05/29)

"Security forces on Thursday entered Bahrain, while seven more
militants were killed and four others, including an important
commander, were arrested during the last 24 hours in the ongoing
operation in the Swat Valley, the Inter-Services Public Relations
(ISPR) said."

"Foreigner Among Six Taliban Held In Landi Kotal" "Daily Times"
(05/29)

"The security forces claimed to have arrested six Taliban, including
a foreigner, and seized a huge cache of arms from them on Thursday,
Frontier Corps (FC) Commander Colonel Asif told a press
conference."

"Rupees 46 Million Bounty For Capturing 21 TTP Leaders" "Dawn"
(05/29)

"The government of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) has announced
a bounty of Rs46 million for the capture of 21 terrorist commanders
of Tehrik-i-Taliban Swat (TTS),including its chief Maulana
Fazlullah, dead or alive or for information about their
whereabouts."

"Eight Militants Arrested In Frontier Region Of Kohat" "Dawn"
(05/29)

"Security forces arrested eight militants in Shindand and blew up
their three hideouts in Jawaki area during a search operation in
Frontier Region of Kohat on Thursday."

"Military Isolating Mehsud Before Final Showdown" "The Nation"
(05/29)

"Pakistani security forces are trying to corner the Pakistani
Taliban Chief, Baitullah Mehsud before a final showdown with him and
for that 'crucial talks' are underway with two other
Waziristan-based militant Commanders, Maulvi Nazir and Hafiz Gul
Bahadur."

"Pakistan Urges World To Fulfill Aid Pledges" "Dawn" (05/29)

"The government appealed to the international community on Thursday
to provide more assistance for relief and rehabilitation of the
internally displaced persons. At a meeting held to review relief
work for the IDPs, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani urged donor
countries to fulfill pledges of assistance they had made for the
affected people."

"Hundreds Leave As Troops Deployed In Kurram Agency" "The News"
(05/29)

"The government for the first time has deployed troops in remote
mountainous places of Kurram Agency, scene of bloody sectarian
clashes in the past, for a possible military operation against
militants. Also, hundreds of families were seen on Thursday fleeing
their homes in the troubled remote villages after deployment of the
security forces."

"Suspected Militants, Financiers Held In Khyber Agency" "The News"
(05/29)

"More than 20 suspected militants and their financiers have been
arrested in separate operations in Jamrud and Bara areas of Khyber
Agency on Wednesday night, sources told 'The News.'"

"Pakistan, India Nuclear Aims Prompt U.S. Concern" "The News"
(05/29)

"Sometime next year, at a tightly guarded site south of its capital,
Pakistan will be ready to start churning out a new stream of
plutonium for its nuclear arsenal, which will eventually include
warheads for ballistic missiles and cruise missiles capable of being
launched from ships, submarines or aircraft. About 1,000 miles to
the southwest, engineers in India are designing cruise missiles to
carry nuclear warheads, relying partly on Russian missile-design
assistance, said a report published in Washington Post on
Thursday."

"Pakistan To Get AWACS By October This Year: AIR Chief" "The News"
(05/29)

"Chief of the AIR Staff, AIR Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said
Pakistan would get AIR Warning And Control System (AWACS) by October
this year. Talking to media on Thursday, the AIR Chief said that
acquiring of spying satellite and AWACS by India has imbalanced the
power in the region."

"Builders Know How To Protect Nukes: A.Q. Khan" "The Nation"
(05/29)

"Renowned nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan has said that the
countries that are making nuclear weapons know how to protect them.
Talking to a private TV channel in Islamabad on Thursday, he said,
'West and U.S. do not want Pakistan have nuclear weapons, therefore,
they were deceiving the world by making baseless propaganda.'"

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

"More Information Needed," an editorial in the Karachi-based
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000)
(05/29)

"Evaluating the success or otherwise of Operation Rah-i-Raast in
Malakand division up to now has been difficult because of the lack
of independent reports from the area.... There is a need to verify
the government's and the army's claims and that will only be
possible if reporters are given more access to Malakand.... Without
independent verification such reports, the issue becomes one of the
state's word against the militants' and in such circumstances
disproving such rumors becomes impossible, with damaging
consequences for public support for the military operation."

"Head-Hunting," an editorial in the centrist national English daily
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/29)

"We now have our very own list of 'most wanted' - 21 men whose names
and photos were published by the NWFP government in the English and
Urdu press this week.... Simply, the cultural imperatives that
overlay Pashtun culture make it well-nigh impossible that Mehsud or
any other of those included in the 'wanted 21' list will be captured
as a result of treachery by anybody within their own culture....
The money set aside for 'bounty' would be better spent on developing
human intelligence networks and investing in state-of-the-art
electronic surveillance equipment."

"Blasts After A Brief Lull," an editorial in the Hyderabad based
independent and liberal Sindhi Daily "Kawish" (cir 105,000) (05/29)

"Cleary the terrorist activities in country's major cities are aimed
to put pressure on government to halt its ongoing operation against
terrorists. There now seems a possibility that terrorism could go
to other cities of the country as a reaction to Malakand operation.
We urge the government to put up effective security steps to ensure
safety of the people."

"Terrorism And Poor Performance Of Institutions," an editorial in
the Karachi-based center-right sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat"
(cir. 33,000) (05/29)

"Those who are terming Lahore blasts as a reaction to Malakand
operation are foreseeing more such attacks in other parts of the
country. Terrorism is a big problem but much bigger issue is the
poor performance of our institutions in handling such incident. If
the government could focus more on this aspect, we may see terrorism
subsiding in the country."

"New Determination?," an editorial in the centrist national English
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/29)

"Hitherto there has been an obvious reticence to take on some of the
terrorist and extremists that threaten all of us. The reasons for
this are - were - many and complex; ranging from those who saw the
terrorists as somehow 'on our side' to those who understood them
only in the context of them being a tool in the hand of external
forces.... Such men are not strangers come amongst us to fight some
proxy battle on behalf of foreign powers. They are our own people
who, for whatever reason, have gone down a path that leads them away
from the principles that our state was founded upon. Now is the
time for us all, every man woman and child who has an investment in
the stability and prosperity of Pakistan, to stand four-square
against them, for they are the evil that darkens all our lives."

"Baitullah Retaliates In Lahore," an editorial in the Lahore-based
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (05/29)

"The Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Chief 'Amir' Baitullah Mehsud
believes in retaliation, and this time he was reacting to the
beating his men in Swat are receiving from the Pakistan Army. There
is news about the besieged 4,000 militants there, which must have
upset him a great deal.... As the army finally takes on the
terrorists, more and more evidence of the 'international' nature of
this evil enterprise are coming to the fore."

"Terrorists Hit Lahore Again," an editorial in the Islamabad-based
rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (05/29)

"There could be many reasons for turning Lahore into an epicenter by
militants. Experts believe Lahore is considered as a heart of
Pakistan and may be militant organizations have managed some safe
havens in the city where suicide bombers are provided temporary stay
and explosive materials. Local support makes the job of the
terrorists easy to hit at their targets. We hope that the arrest of
six to eight suspects after the bombing would enable the
investigation agencies to unearth those behind the incident."

"Terrorism Questions," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (05/29)

"Seen in the context of the past such attacks, the situation seems
to be going out of control of the security personnel. And that
certainly raises a number of questions. Do the security personnel
have the required equipment and training to come up to the level of
preparedness and readiness of the terrorists to stop them?...
Another question that irks the thinking minds is that why the
security agencies fail to prevent a suicide attack from taking place
despite having information that such an attack is likely? It is now
common knowledge that not more than a few banned militant
organizations could be behind."

"The Blast In Lahore," an op-ed by M.A. Niazi in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/29)

"The bombing on Wednesday appears targeted at the ISI, whose Lahore
office was across the road from the actual target.... It may well
be too much of a price to pay, what with a senior ISI official dying
in the blast, but this blast should prove groundless all the USA's
suspicions of ISI backing of the militants. However, that is
unlikely."

"Vibrations After The Blast," an editorial in the centrist national
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/29)

"There is little doubt that the bombing was connected to the
military operation in Malakand. It hardly takes genius to work that
out. As the fighting continues in the north, with the Taliban under
more and more pressure, it is safe to predict that there will be
more attempts at such carnage in our towns and cities.... The fact
that those involved in executing and planning these attacks often go
scot-free is obviously a factor that encourages others to engage in
similar actions."

"Stand Up In The Name Of God," an op-ed by Qazi Hussain Ahmed in the
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu dailies "Nawa-i-Waqt"
(cir. 150,000) "Khabrain," (cir. 50,000) and "Express" (cir. 25,000)
(05/29)

"The country needs an honest leadership - a brave leadership that
could tell the United States that it is not ready to impose American
war upon its nation. It is not possible to fight your own nation.
Before this country starts disintegrating this leadership ought to
retire. All the political parties of the country including the
civil and military bureaucracy have failed to keep the country
united. People working under the U.S. policy would ultimately lead
us to an end where there would be semi-independent states of
Balochs, Pashtuns, Sindhis and Punjabis under the control of India,
and not Pakistan."

"The Enemy Is Us," an op-ed by Ayaz Amir in the centrist national
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/29)

"We are in a state of war, no doubt about it, and the enemy is as
much the likes of Baitullah Mehsud and Maulana Fazlullah as our
penchant for loose thinking. For thirty years the army chased
shadows in Afghanistan and the nation is paying the price of that
folly now. One can only hope that the army has finally exorcised
those shadows and ghosts and given up on such priceless notions as
'strategic depth' and 'strategic assets.' If the Taliban were ever
a strategic asset, what would be the definition of a strategic
liability?"

"Support The Army," an op-ed by Dr. Ijaz Ahsan in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/29)

"While calling for steps to ensure that there are a minimum number
of civilian casualties, we should fully support our Army and its
operation.... Whatever else we do or not do, we have to get rid of
the militancy and regain sovereignty over the whole of our country;
it is as simple as that.... Some people suspect that the Taliban,
or at least some of their leaders, are the agents of America. You
see, whether they are anyone's agents or are acting on their own, we
have to get rid of them. We should not be double-minded about
that."

"Imperative Need," an editorial in the center-right national English
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/29)

"Pakistan's nuclear status, while it is a thorn in the side of its
enemies and so called friends, has enabled the country to get a
respectable place in the comity of nations.... A sinister campaign
to deprive Pakistan of its nuclear muscle is underway....
Concurrently, there are fears in Western political circles that the
country is expanding its nuclear capability. The reality is that
Pakistan's nuclear doctrine contains no ambitions to enter into an
arms race with anyone, but simply to have a minimum deterrent
capability for its defence. That also ensures a strategic balance
in the region."

"India's Nuclear Stance," an editorial in the Karachi-based
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000)
(05/29)

"Mixed messages do not aid dialogue. If anything they serve to
obfuscate issues or harden black-and-white notions of who is right
and who is wrong. India needs to make up its mind on where it
stands vis-`-vis Pakistan. Are we or are we not partners in the
battle against militancy and terrorism? Or are we to remain
perennial adversaries locked in a no-win situation that can benefit
neither country?... Coordination is needed in the sphere of
counter-insurgency, the Kashmir dispute needs to be resolved,
Siachen discussed and Sir Creek taken to its fair and logical
conclusion. A single point agenda hinging on the Mumbai attacks
will simply not deliver. A holistic approach is in order."

"Secret Talks On Kashmir," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/29)

"Now with the renewed American interest that Pakistan should
wholeheartedly focus on the militants in the north, undisturbed by
any concern about the eastern border with India, the need to resolve
Kashmir has been felt once again by influential political circles in
the world.... It seems that covert pressure from outside is working
and New Delhi has decided to initiate secret diplomacy with the aim
of resolving the dispute. Let us keep our fingers crossed and hope
that India does not find another excuse to halt the process."

"In The Guise Of Suggestions," an op-ed by Tanweer Qaisar Shahid in
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (05/29)

"Admittedly, our establishment has made mistakes in the past. All
the Mujahid-making factories our intelligence agency set up to
counter the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and Kashmir in India have
now become a menace for us.... However, now that crushing the
Taliban successfully has become our goal, voices are being raised
from certain quarters that the military operation should be stopped
as such operations are never guarantees of success. It is also
being said that every war ends on the negotiation table, so why not
hold talks with the warring groups in Swat? Both these statements
are not true: did the Second World War end on the negotiation table;
or did the Tamil Tigers' terrorism end there?... It is also being
suggested that this fire [in Swat] can be put out if the government
gets mediation support from Maulana Masood Azhar (of
Jaish-i-Muhammad) and Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil (of Harkatul
Mujahideen). Do those who make such suggestions not know that
Maulana Masood Azhar is wanted by India for the Mumbai blasts; or
that the Pakistan government is on the record as having said that
Masood Azhar is not in Pakistan? Do these people not know what the
UN decided on December 10, 2008 with regards to Masood Azhar, Fazlur
Rehman Khalil, Al Rasheed Trust, Al Akhtar Trust and their patron
Mufti Rasheed Ahmad. Will Pakistan not be embarrassed at all forums
and at all levels if it makes the unwise move of producing Masood
Azhar now?"
Patterson