PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: June 02, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001198 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: June 02, 2009 Summary: Reports of abduction of over "500 students of the Razmak Cadet College (near South Waziristan) by suspected Taliban militants" dominated headlines in all newspapers on Tuesday. Various newspapers, however, reported conflicting figures of the kidnapped students ranging from 15 to 500. All dailies highlighted President Zardari's statement that "the war against militants is an all-out war." Reports on the launching of a "new offensive to secure Charbagh - a key Taliban stronghold to clear it off the militants" received prominent display. Several major dailies reported that U.S. Special envoy Holbrooke is "due this week to assess human crisis in IDPs camps." U.S. National Intelligence Director Blair's visit to Pakistan and his meetings with various government officials garnered extensive media coverage. Some newspapers also ran a Washington Post story that "drones hit 'high-value' Al Qaeda targets." Most major dailies ran editorials on the aftermath of the current military operation in Swat valley and adjoining areas. However, some papers editorialized a variety of other issues including Bruce Reidel's article in the Wall Street Journal suggesting a civilian nuclear deal with Pakistan, Iran's decision to close border with Pakistan and the new judicial policy. The centrist national English daily "The News," observed that "it seems inappropriate to be celebrating what seems like approaching victory in the battle for Swat." Another English language daily "The Nation," stressed that the "sooner the government ensures basic amenities to the people returning to their homes, the quicker the crisis caused by the largest ever internal displacement of the country's history would be resolved." The liberal Urdu daily "Express," while hailing the suggested U.S. offer of a civil nuclear cooperation as "encouraging" emphasized that "such cooperation should not be conditional." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Taliban Kidnap Over 500 Students" "Dawn" (06/02) "Tribal militants kidnapped over 500 students of the Razmak Cadet College from the Bakkakhel Frontier Region, Bannu, adjacent to the North Waziristan tribal region, on Monday, according to government and police officials. Details were sketchy but a senior security official said that 33 vehicles had started off from Razmak, with 540 cadets, teaching staff and their families after the principal of the college ordered its closure amid apprehensions about an impending military operation against militants." "Its All-Out War, Says Zardari" "The Nation" (06/02) "President Asif Ali Zardari has said that war against militancy is a total war and each and every section of society must rise to the occasion to defeat the mindset that creates and nurtures militancy." "Troops Fight For Charbagh Control" "The News" (06/02) "Security forces on Monday claimed to have killed 37 militants in the Swat Valley and the Buner district during the ongoing military operation against Taliban militants. Also, troops launched an operation in the Charbagh area of the valley to clear it of the militants." "Holbrooke Due This Week To Assess Human Crisis "The Nation" (06/02) "U.S. Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke, will head to Pakistan this week to examine the humanitarian crisis there as civilian flee fighting in Swat valley, the State Department said on Monday." "PM Wants U.S. To Do More For Displaced People" "Dawn" (06/02) "Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has called for enhanced, credible and actionable intelligence sharing and cooperation between Pakistan and the United States for the success of the war against militancy. Talking to Director of U.S. National Intelligence Dennis ¶C. Blair here on Monday, the prime minister said the army operation had been undertaken to eradicate militancy from the country." "High-Value Targets Hit By Drones: U.S. Paper" "Dawn" (06/02) "U.S. missiles from unmanned drones have eliminated about half of 20 prominent Al Qaeda and other extremist leaders the U.S. identify as 'high-value targets,' The Washington Post reported on Monday. All of them were killed along the Pakistan-Afghan border, the report said." "Forces On Standby To Catch 'Big Three': U.S. Paper" "Dawn" (06/02) "The US Special Operations Forces have standing orders to enter Pakistan if they have authentic information about the presence of the 'big three' in a particular area, The Washington Post reported on Monday. The report identified the 'big three,' as Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri and Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar." "U.S., Pakistan Flew 12 Joint Missions Over Fata" "Dawn" (06/02) "The U.S. and Pakistan flew 12 joint drone missions in the tribal areas this spring until Islamabad stopped participating in the missions, The Washington Post reported on Monday. Pakistan has long demanded joint ownership of U.S.-led drone missions into the tribal areas but so far the Americans have been reluctant to accept the Pakistani demand." "UN Chief Warns Of Severe Crisis" "Dawn" (06/02) "UN Secretary-General Ban Ki moon on Monday warned of a 'destabilizing secondary crisis' in Pakistan as the world body would be forced to cut humanitarian agencies services in the conflict region because of lack of funding by the world community." Transmitter Chip Latest CIA Weapon In Pakistan" "Daily Times" (06/02) "The CIA is giving Pakistani tribesmen electronic transmitters to help it target and kill Al Qaeda leaders, a tactic it suggests Pakistani military can also use. Over the last 18 months, U.S. officials claim, nine of the top 20 Al Qaeda figures have been killed in drone strikes. That success is reportedly in part thanks to the 'chips' that have become a source of fear." "Mastermind Of Islamabad Suicide Attacks Arrested" "Dawn" (06/02) "Police claimed on Monday to have arrested a mastermind of two suicide attacks in the capital in March and April. Fidaullah, who is a former student of Jamia Faridia, was arrested after two suspects held for the suicide attacks named him. He has also been accused of ambushing troops, beheading three men in Buner after accusing them of spying for security forces and providing shelter to suicide bombers." "Govt Declares Total War Till Total Victory" "The News" (06/02) "A high-level meeting on national security okayed on Monday the establishment of a new special anti-terrorist force (SATF) in all the four provinces and the federal capital." "Govt Employees Refuse To Return To Buner Despite Orders" "Daily Times" (06/02) "A majority of government employees from different departments in Buner district have refused to return and resume their duties, despite an NWFP government order to this effect, sources said on Monday." "Girls' School Blown Up In Mohmand" "Daily Times" (06/02) "The Taliban blew up another girls' school in Mohmand Agency on Monday. According to sources, Taliban had wired the government-run girls' school with an improvised explosive device in the Shewafarash area of Lakro tehsil, which they detonated early on Monday morning." "Conflicting Accounts Of Taftan Border 'Closure'" "Dawn" (06/02) "Iran has partially closed a border crossing into Pakistan following a deadly mosque bombing in southeastern Iran, two Pakistani officials near the border said on Monday. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, however, said the frontier was open. Qamar Masood, a senior official in Balochistan, said the crossing at Taftan had been closed for trading but that foot traffic was still being allowed." "Indian Strategic Partnership Offer Is Threat To Our Existence: General(r) Jamshed Ayaz" "Ummat" (Cir. 33,000) (06/02) "Maj. General (retd) Jamshed Ayaz, who heads Regional Study Institute, has said that the recent Indian offer of strategic partnership to Pakistan is a threat to our existence. He said that despite the U.S. assurances, India remained a threat to Pakistan as it continued to strive to turn Pakistan into a barren land by building dams and water reservoirs on the rivers heading to Pakistan." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Ruins Of War," an editorial in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/02) "It seems inappropriate to be celebrating what seems like approaching victory in the battle for Swat. . . The military is engaged in war, even if it is fought within the boundaries of its own country, and its primary target must be to win it. However, given the possibility of further fighting, in Waziristan and elsewhere, some basic parameters are required. The nature of this war and its goal of winning back not just territory but also hearts and minds, means sparing civilian suffering must be a key objective. . . The immediate priority must be to rush aid to Mingora and other areas." "Go For Reconstruction," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (06/02) ". . . There is no denying the fact that the ongoing operation has to be pursued to its logical end but it is equally important to focus on the reconstruction phase once the government is through with the resettlement issue in the areas that have so far been declared safe for the return of the IDPs. The sooner the government ensures basic amenities to the people returning to their homes, the quicker the crisis caused by the largest ever internal displacement of the country's history would be resolved." "Change In Indian And U.S. Stance," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/02) "U.S. offer of a civil nuclear cooperation with Pakistan [reference to Bruce Reidel's article in Wall Street Journal], on the lines of the U.S.- deal with India is encouraging, but such cooperation should not be conditional... The question is: why such conditions for Pakistan alone?.. Did the U.S. get such assurances from India also before signing the deal with it...?" "Civil Nuclear Deal With The U.S.," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (06/02) "Bruce Reidel's article could be seen as a signal from the U.S. administration although the U.S. government has not made any formal offer for civil nuclear cooperation with Pakistan... Although such a deal with the U.S. is in Pakistan's interests, but it needs to be given a great deal of thought... If the leaders feel that such a deal with the U.S. is required, it must be ensured that our relations and agreements with China are not harmed because while the U.S. can betray us China never will." "Securing Victory," an op-ed by Rasul Bakhsh Rais in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (06/02) ". . . As Afghanistan is largely an American baby and its responsibility in terms of security and reconstruction, we can only hope the U.S. will do better than it has done so far. We have a direct stake in the peace and political integrity of Afghanistan because its failures are going to affect our security very adversely. . ." "What We're Up Against In Waziristan," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (06/02) ". . . According to some estimates, Baitullah could have in his kitty around Rs 4 billion to spend annually. This money comes from drugs facilitated by Al Qaeda contacts, Arab money from the Gulf, money made from kidnapping for ransom, looting of banks, smuggling and "protection money" in general. He has weapons produced in Russia, the U.S. and India, and has been looting explosives produced at the Wah munitions factory. His strength has been built up during a period of benign neglect in Islamabad, which has been focusing on India as the country's premier threat. But Swat has proved that the Taliban can be taken on and defeated. The national consensus is there and crucial international support in these lean times is forthcoming too." "Winning The Peace" an op-ed by Dr Maleeha Lodhi in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/02) ". .. To repatriate the internally displaced persons (IDPs) back to their homes will be an extraordinary task. To resettle them in an environment where basic services are functioning and law enforcement is assured will be an even greater challenge. The situation cannot realistically be expected to normalize so easily or speedily in the aftermath of so much destruction and disruption. For these reasons and, in the absence of a viable civilian arrangement that can be fashioned in the near term, the army may have to prepare itself to remain in Swat longer than it may wish to. Establishing a cantonment in Mingora for a permanent presence in the heart of the region to prevent the return of militants and insure a secure environment for the residents of Swat now appears inevitable. . . "Plight Of The IDPs" an op-ed by Anees Jillani in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (06/02) ". . . It is apparent that the issue is not simply that of displacement; it is also of poverty. The families in the camp are totally dependent on the state and others for help. Helping them makes one feel better, but it is not a long-term solution to the problem of poverty in the country. What is required therefore is not only to improve their living conditions and provide necessary amenities in the camps, and to speed up the ongoing operation in Swat and the rest of Malakand to facilitate their return but to start thinking of development schemes to revitalize the areas these IDPs have come from." "Commendable Announcement To End Swat Operation," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (06/02) "It is commendable that Defense Secretary Syed Athar Ali has announced that the ongoing military operation in Swat would be accomplished within two or three days... It will pave way for the repatriation of the IDPs to their homes. Nevertheless, following the restoration of writ of the government, the decision of keeping the forces in the area may be a temporary remedy of this problem, but not a lasting solution, as there is likelihood of return of militants along with the homecoming of IDPs." "Good News Of Military Operation's Completion," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (06/02) "Defense Secretary Gen (retd) Syed Athar Ali has disclosed for the first time that Pakistan has the cooperation of friendly countries for the safety of its nuclear assets. However, he did not name any country in this respect.... Defense Secretary's passing remarks about safety of Pakistan's nuclear assets actually are very important from defense point of view. If the government has decided to utilize expertise of any other country for the protection of our nuclear assets then our parliament should be taken into confidence in this respect." "Next Phase In Buner," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (06/02) ". . . It is reassuring to see the federal government has not taken its eye off the ball and is trying to keep its focus on the operation in Malakand division. President Zardari chaired a meeting of top political, administrative and security officials on Monday, indicating that the government at least understands the need for the various arms of the state to stay informed about each others' actions. We have said it before and we'll say it again: counter-insurgency can only be successful if the full force of the state - political, administrative and military - is brought to bear against the militants." "Iran's Closure Of Border With Pakistan," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (06/02) "We [Pakistan and Iran] will have to combat with prudence the fire started by our enemy [American, Israel, India]. That is why Iran should reconsider its decision to close its border with Pakistan and should not take any hasty step that benefits our joint enemy." "Need For Regional Alliance," an editorial in the Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) (06/02) "Jamat Islami chief Syed Munawar Hassan after meeting Iranian Consul General in Karachi has told reporters that Pakistan needs to build a regional alliance to counter American and NATO occupation of this region which could also extend to the Central Asia. This is a right step in the right direction, as we believe Iran in concert with China can provide a leading role to the Muslim world in developing a resistance movement against the United States. Literally there is almost no resistance against the Americans in this part of the world. Pakistan too can play a key role. However if Iran and Pakistan hesitate to do so, then no one would be safe from the U.S. designs in future." "The Illegality Of Drones," an op-ed by Dr Tariq Hassan in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (06/02) ". . . There is mounting criticism at all levels in Pakistan against the U.S. drone attacks. However, the U.S. continues unabashedly to carry out targeted killings of suspected terrorists through drone attacks in Pakistan. Needless to say this drastic measure used as a counter-terrorism strategy is not consistent with either conventional or customary international law. . . Under the circumstances, President Obama should take the moral high ground and review his administration's policy of such targeting inside Pakistan. Even if it is not willing to reassess its legal position, Washington must re-evaluate it in the light of public policy given the moral hazard created by the immense human suffering produced by the attacks." Patterson