PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: June 05, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001236 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: June 05, 2009 Summary: Reports and photographs of President Obama's much-awaited address to the Muslim world dominated all front pages on Friday. His vow to "forge a 'new beginning' for Islam and America," and to end the "cycle of suspicion and discord" received prominent display. U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke's ongoing Pakistan visit continued to garner media coverage. Newspapers highlighted Mr. Holbrooke's visit to IDPs' camps in Swabi and Mardan and his pledge that the U.S. would extend "complete support" to Pakistan in the face of challenges from terrorism. Army Chief General Kayani's statement that "tide in Swat had turned against terrorists and their organized resistance was dying down at a fast pace" also received extensive coverage in all newspapers. Newspapers reported that the "security forces arrested three key leaders of TNSM (Tehrik-i-Nifaz Shariat Muhammadi)," however there were conflicting reports about the detention of its chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad. Most major dailies ran editorials on President Obama's address at Cairo University to re-define relations with the Muslim world and Ambassador Holbrooke's Pakistan visit. The prestigious English daily, "Dawn," called the presidential speech "a sweeping message that tried to show a softer, gentler side of the U.S., one that emphasized similarities and opportunities and not divisions with the Muslim world." The leading mass circulation Urdu daily "Jang," underlined that the "U.S. leadership must be told that the Muslim youth will continue to express their anger in the shape of extremism, fanaticism and militant tendencies, if issues like Palestine and Kashmir aren't resolved amicably." However, the popular Urdu-language daily "Ausaf," was cautious and observed that "every American president prior to Mr. Obama had expressed his desire to hold good ties with Muslim world, but no one ever took any concrete step to achieve this objective." The center-right national English daily "The Nation," described the address as "a refreshingly different, in thoughts, words and tone, from President Bush's often demeaning utterances." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Obama asks Muslims to make fresh beginning" "Dawn" (06/05) "Quoting from the Holy Quran for emphasis, President Barack Obama called for a 'new beginning between the United States and Muslims' on Thursday and said that together they could confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the timeless search for peace in the Middle East. 'This cycle of suspicion and discord must end,' Mr Obama said in a widely anticipated speech in one of the world's largest Muslim countries, an address designed to reframe relations after the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001, and the US-led war in Iraq." "Holbrooke Assures Support To Pakistan" "The News" (06/05) "US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has said his country will extend complete support to Pakistan in the face of challenges from terrorism." "Holbrooke Urges Help For IDPs" "Dawn" (06/05) "US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke urged the world community on Thursday to help the people displaced by the operation against militants in Swat and other parts of Malakand division and try to avert a humanitarian crisis." "Holbrooke Raps EU, OIC Over IDPs" "Daily Times" (06/05) "U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke urged European and Muslim nations on Thursday to help families displaced from Swat, questioning 'where are the Europeans? Where is the OIC?' 'The US is giving almost half of all the aid Pakistan has got. That's not right,' said Holbrooke while visiting Shah Mansoor Camp." "Holbrooke Calls On Nawaz" "The News" (06/05) "US Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke on Thursday called on Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and discussed bilateral issues with particular focus on the war against terrorism, PML-N sources said." "Tide Has Turned Against Terrorists, Says Kayani" "Dawn" (06/05) "Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Thursday that the tide in Swat had turned against terrorists and their organized resistance was dying down at a fast pace." "Three Key Leaders Of TNSM Arrested" "Dawn" (06/05) "Security forces arrested on Thursday three key leaders of the defunct Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi from its headquarters in Amandara, Malakand region. However, there were conflicting reports about the detention of TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad." "Confusion Reigns Over Sufi Muhammad's Arrest" "The News" (06/05) "There was confusion over the purported arrest of TNSM chief Sufi Mohammad due to the conflicting versions of the NWFP government and the military spokesman. Initially, the provincial government had reportedly confirmed the arrest of the aged cleric along with his deputy and others while the military authorities denied making any such arrest." "Kidnapped Students Freed" "Dawn" (06/05) "Militants in South Waziristan freed unconditionally all the kidnapped students and teachers of the Razmak Cadet College after holding talks with a tribal jirga on Thursday. The 45 students and two teachers were taken to the college after the militants turned them over to the jirga in Makeen." "Indian Envoy Conveys Concerns Over Saeed's Release" "Dawn" (06/05) "Pakistan told India on Thursday that terrorism could be dealt with through 'pragmatic cooperation' instead of mudslinging and browbeating. 'Pakistan's determination to eliminate terrorism in all forms and manifestations is unequivocal and beyond question. The way forward is to adopt a cooperative mode,' Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir told Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal, who called on him to convey his government's concern about the release of Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed." "India For Reshaping Ties With Pakistan" "Dawn" (06/05) "Indian President Pratibha Patil unveiled the government's domestic and foreign policy on Thursday, which includes an offer to reshape ties with Pakistan and a promise to expand with-ranging partnership with China." "Muslims Urged To Shun Alliances With 'Infidels' ""Dawn" (06/05) "Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has called for a long war against 'infidels and their agents' and warned Muslims that alliances with Christians and Jews would 'turn them into apostates'. 'Brace yourselves for a long war against the world's infidels and their agents,' he said in a recording posted on an Islamist website on Thursday." "Obama's Address Hypocritical: JI" "Dawn" (06/05) "Jamaat-i-Islami chief Syed Munawar Hasan on Thursday termed President Obama's address at Cairo University a master piece of hypocrisy and contradictory to the US policies. He was talking to media after meeting with banned outfit Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed at the latter's residence." "Taliban Commander Killed In Kohat" "Dawn" (06/05) "A commander of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan was killed in an encounter with police during an operation launched in the village of Kot on Thursday to rescue four kidnapped people, including a university professor." "School, Two Houses Blown Up In Buner" "Dawn" (06/05) "Militants blew up a government school and two houses of military officials on Thursday after security forces stepped up their offensive to destroy their redoubts in mountainous villages of the district. The security forces shelled suspected militant hideouts, but no casualty was reported." "Army Claims Killing 10 Militants In Swat, Buner" "Dawn" (06/05) "Ten terrorists were killed and six were captured, while six militant hideouts were destroyed in various areas of Swat and Buner on Wednesday and Thursday. The Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement that one soldier laid down his life and two others were injured." "Proof Against Hafiz Saeed Given To LHC" "The News" (06/05) "The federal and Punjab governments will shortly move a joint appeal in the Supreme Court against the Lahore High court order setting free Hafiz Saeed, as the attorney-general claimed on Thursday the government had furnished classified documentary evidence before LHC judges for keeping him under pre-emptive detention." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Reaching Out," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (06/05) "[The President's speech] was a sweeping message that tried to show a softer, gentler side of the U.S., one that emphasized similarities and opportunities and not divisions with the Muslim world.... At the very least... the speech was yet more evidence that the U.S. has put behind it the roughest edges of the Bush Years." "Muslim World Should Talk To President Obama Frankly," an editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (06/05) "President Obama's meeting with Saudi and Egyptian leaders and his address to the Muslim world can become a starting point for dialogue with Muslims across the world. For this purpose, the Muslim states must chalk out a common strategy to maintain ties with Washington but with national honor and dignity. In the light of that strategy, Muslim leaders must talk to President Obama candidly on issues like withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. The U.S. leadership must be told that the Muslim youth will continue to express their anger in the shape of extremism, fanaticism and militant tendencies if issues like Palestine and Kashmir aren't resolved amicably." "Rhetoric & Reality," an editorial in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/05) "None can deny that President Obama is a rhetorician the like of which America has not seen for decades. Both Clinton and Kennedy would find him hard to match for sheer eloquence and elegant phraseology - that on the surface is free of ambiguity. His address to the Al Azhar University in Cairo on Thursday was a model of its kind,. . . No American President has ever gone out of his way to reach out to the Muslim world in the way that President Obama has. We applaud that. But our applause is discreet rather than rapturous for these are as yet mere words. Were we ever to see all - or any - of them transition from rhetoric to reality then the applause would thunder across the world, and bring together the hands of every faith." "President Obama's Desire To Maintain Congenial Ties With Muslim World," an editorial note in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) "Every American president prior to Mr. Obama had expressed his desire to hold good ties with Muslim world, but no one ever took any concrete step to achieve this objective. Unlike his predecessors, if Mr. Obama takes positive and constructive steps to improve ties with Muslim states, and consequently Muslims feel that Mr. Obama is different from other American leaders, Muslim world will beyond doubt take ten steps forward to improve stained relationship with the United States. However, if President Obama doesn't come up to this benchmark, the gap between the U.S. and Muslim world will grow to be more wide." "A Refreshing Address," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (06/05) "President Barack Hussain Obama's address to the Muslim world delivered from the podium of Cairo University on Thursday was refreshingly different, in thoughts, words and tone, from President Bush's often demeaning utterances.... But if he endorses the Quranic aphorism he quotes, that the murder of one innocent person is the murder of all mankind, he needs to explain the innocent civilians' deaths that the drone attacks were causing. Mr Obama rightly remarked, 'no single speech' could remove the age-old cycle of suspicion between Muslims and the Western world. Rather, unless these sentiments were translated into comparable deeds, any number of speeches would turn out to be mere hot air." "Obama's Visit to Muslim Countries," an editorial in Karachi based independent and pro-left Sindhi Daily "Awami Awaz" (Cir. 70,000) (06/05) "President Obama's first visit to the Muslim countries is being seen very seriously and with lot of interest mainly because of commitments that he made during his election campaign to improve ties with Muslim world. 9/11 incident distanced the U.S. from Muslim countries, and this gap needs to be bridged sooner or later. Experts believe that unless America withdraws its forces from Afghanistan and Iraq, relations with Muslims won't improve. Above all if U.S. wants to remain an influential and a global power, it has to change its policy eventually." "Don't Turn Holbrooke Into A Viceroy," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (06/05) "U.S. Representative Richard Holbrooke's repeated Islamabad visits, his meetings with rulers, opposition leaders and other political and religious elements, his interference in pure internal matters of Pakistan and observations on our political issues show that he has been appointed as Pakistan's viceroy. It appears that government of Pakistan, the army and other institutions are obliged to obey his orders.... Addressing a press conference Holbrooke did not hesitate while saying that PPP and PML-N have agreed on repeal of 17th Amendment in the constitution. He also expressed concern over Hafiz Saeed's release.... Holbrooke hasn't uttered a word on Kashmir dispute which is a roadblock against establishment of peace in the region." "Holbrook's Pakistan Visit," an editorial in the Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) (06/05) "American attitude towards Pakistan and the present government has changed following the Swat operation. U.S. has been successful in pitching Pakistan Army and people against each other, as this helps reinforcing their occupation of Afghanistan." "Swat Operation, Richard Holbrooke And The Pakistani Leadership," an editorial in Lahore-based populist Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) "The need is for the Pakistan government to inform the U.S. Special Envoy of its problems. The government should emphasize on more aid for the IDPs, inform Mr. Holbrooke about Indian provocation, its water aggression and its attempts of involving Pakistan in terrorist acts. The government should inform [Mr. Holbrooke] that Pakistan is fearlessly fighting a war against terror that the U.S. started, but for which Pakistan is playing an effective role." "No Country Including The U.S. Has The Authority To Review Pakistani Judiciary's Verdicts'," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) "Responding to a question [on Hafiz Saeed's release], Ambassador Holbrooke said that, 'I have come to Pakistan to express support for the Pakistani people and do not want to comment on such questions; Pakistan has its own law, however, we are concerned at any step that encourages extremism.' According to another newspaper, Mr. Holbrooke said: 'Hafiz Saeed's release is Pakistan's internal matter; the U.S. is monitoring the situation." The question is: what law in the world authorizes an official of the U.S. administration to say that [he] is reviewing the judicial decision of an independent and sovereign nation?" "Malakand Affectees' Troubles And International Assistance," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/05) "The U.S. has announced an additional $200 million in aid for Malakand affectees while Special Envoy Holbrooke has said that the U.S. will provide more aid too. Following the successes of the Swat operation, the U.S. administration should not have any doubts about Pakistan's sincerity in the war on terror. However, other elements having an impact on this operation need attention. First is the drone attacks, and the second issue is the recovery of U.S.-made weapons from the terrorists. Both these elements are fanning anti-U.S. sentiments and are creating an impression in the public that on the one hand the U.S. is asking Pakistan to 'do more' against militants, yet on the other hand it is arming the Taliban. The U.S. administration should look into the issue of American weapons in terrorists' hands and ensure that this is not repeated. Also, the U.S. must stop drone strikes so that innocent deaths are avoided and the negative impact on the Swat operation is minimized." "U.S. Aid For IDPs Is Encouraging, But...," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) "America has announced an increase in Pakistan's assistance to help it combat IDP problem and the announcement should be welcomed. American President's Envoy noted that Islamic countries did not help Pakistan as they should have in this difficult time.... This is a fact that Pakistan is trapped in the war started by America.... And now America talks about the assistance package as if unmindful of the sacrifices given by the people and security forces.... We still appreciate America's help and its act of drawing other friends' attention toward the need for more assistance." "Army To Stay In Swat," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) ". . . The line taken by the NWFP government is that sharia law imposed through the Nizam-e Adl Regulation will remain intact. But we fear that unless the law is re-examined, it might hamper Malakand in its efforts to return to the status quo ante of economic self-sufficiency. The law might favor the small agricultural community and thus gain their support while leaving out the much larger, employment-intensive community engaged in the hotelling industry." "Assessing The Taliban Threat," an op-ed by Shaukat Qadir in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) ". . . Finally, it appears the political government has decided that enough is enough. The prime minister has promised that the recently started military operations will run their course throughout the NWFP and eliminate this threat once and for all. Time will tell but, perhaps, it is time for the usually silent but irrelevant majority to stand up collectively to be counted and become relevant, if only to ensure that the political leadership does not waver again." "Reactions To Hafiz Saeed's Release," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) "Sensitive to international opinion and keen to restart peace talks with India, Pakistan has decided to appeal the release of Mr. Saeed by the Lahore High Court. It was first reported that the prosecution had shown some special evidence to the honorable court; now it comes to light that it had not. How it seeks to appeal in order to overturn the decision of the court cannot be imagined. The truth is that Hafiz Saeed is out of 'protective custody,' free once again to speak as he sees fit in light of how the army performs in Swat and elsewhere." "U.S. Nervousness Over Release Of Hafiz Saeed," an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (06/05) "U.S Special Envoy Holbrooke has expressed concerns over the release of Jamaatud Dawaa's chief Hafiz Saeed saying that it puzzled the United States... Pakistani people were pleased with the Lahore High Court's verdict, but the U.S. is upset on this issue. This difference of opinion clearly shows that how divergent thoughts of Pakistanis and Americans are." "It Will Be Harmful To Prolong Military operation" an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (06/05) "Pakistan Army's announcement of continuing the military operation in Swat for another two months was made following meeting of the U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke with Pakistani officials. It seems that this decision is an outcome of the joint deliberations of Pakistan and American leaderships." "Balancing Priorities," an op-ed by Dr Masooda Bano in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/05) "The government and the military high command have made it clear that the current military operations won't be short despite the intensity of these operations. The operations are expected to carry on for at least seven months. This raises two important issues: one, will the military be able to sustain such intensive operations for that long?; two, the issue of internally displaced people will require serious attention as many of these people would not be able to return to their homes in the near future. Most important of all, the decision to opt for such an extreme military strategy has left Pakistan with very limited choices. If the military fails this time to quell the so-called 'Taliban' movement, however the government or the military defines it, the consequences will be devastating. . . The government needs to be more accountable to the public by sharing details of these operations and explaining how these military interventions fit in its long-term strategy --the actual fear right now is that there is none." "Help At Hand," an editorial in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/05) "It is then clear that the US intends to pursue a rather familiar carrot and stick strategy. It is willing to help Pakistan gain access to the funds it desperately requires, but at the same time it is determined also to press ahead with other agendas. These include an all-out effort against terror and action against groups such as the Jamaatud Dawa, but also a stable, less acrimonious political environment. There is no harm in going along with parts of the US agenda that suit our own interests. Both an end to the 17th Amendment and tackling terrorist outfits would seem to fall in line with this. But where the US seems to ready to intervene in our affairs, there is a need to adopt a tougher approach and make it clear that what we seek is a relationship based on cooperation and not one where dictation is the key word." "Terrorists May Get Access To U.S. Nukes," an editorial note in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (06/05) "There are some media reports that the U.S. administration accidentally posted on the internet a list of government and civilian nuclear facilities and their activities in the United States, and that the Pentagon has initiated an investigation on this issue... This is the account of a country, the U.S. whose government, think tanks and media are worrying about the future of Pakistani nukes and paying continuous hue and cry on the safety of them, despite Pakistan's all assurances about the security measures. The international community must mind it that if there is any nuclear terror attack anywhere in the world in future, only the United States will be held responsible for that as it has jeopardized the security of the whole world owing to its worst-ever criminal negligence on this extremely sensitive issue." "Obama's Appeal And Saudi Monarch's Avoidance," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (06/05) "American president Obama sought Saudi monarch Abdullah's help for controlling Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the King avoided giving a positive response.... The Saudi King surely considered Obama's appeal worthless because of his administration's anti-Muslim policies. The Taliban are the creation of America and it should deal with the situation." "UN's Appreciable Standpoint," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (06/05) "UN Human Rights Representative Philip Alston said at UN Human Rights Council that American drone attacks are causing large number of innocent people's death.... America should respect UN's opinion. American diplomats' rejection of UN Representative's statement is condemnable.... The government of Pakistan too should have some courage and take the matter of the innocent people's killing to UN." Patterson