PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JUNE 17, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001330 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JUNE 17, 2009 Summary: Reports and photographs of President Zardari's meeting with Indian Prime Minister Singh on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),and their agreement to hold "Foreign secretary-level talks" dominated headlines in all newspapers on Wednesday. Newspapers highlighted report that the "U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved Kerry-Lugar Bill," which is less restrictive than the one passed last week by the House of Representatives. All major dailies reported that the "Pakistan Army had formally received marching orders against Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud" and that the "preparatory phase of the offensive had begun." The security forces' claim of "killing 15 Taliban including a key foreign commander in Bajaur and Dir" also received front page display. An accused top Al Qaeda operative Khalid Sheikh Mohammad's claim to "have lied under torture by the CIA" also got extensive coverage. Most major dailies ran editorials on a host of subjects including the current military operation against Taliban militants, the aftermath of Iranian presidential election, talks with India and the provincial yearly budgets. Commenting on the forthcoming offensive against TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud, the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder," observed that the "truth is that in terms of dislocations and infrastructural damage the saga of Malakand operation is too dreadful to be revisited." The prestigious English daily, "Dawn," also noted that "this is no mean task and while the world realizes that Pakistan cannot go it alone in this fight, it has been slow to come to Islamabad's aid in combating both militancy and its socio-economic fallout." However the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt," continued harping upon the stereotype theme that "Americans are indulging in negative propaganda and increasing pressure on Pakistan in order to win the lost war in Afghanistan." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Pak-India Talks At Secretaries' Level Planned" "Dawn" (06/17) "The Pakistan-India peace process, stalled for eight months, got a fresh lease of life when President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Yekaterinburg (Russia) on Tuesday. The two sides agreed that their Foreign Secretaries would meet on 'mutually convenient dates' to be followed by another meeting of the two leaders on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Egypt in July." "Panel Approves Aid Bill" "Dawn" (06/17) "The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved a separate version of the aid to Pakistan (Kerry-Lugar Bill),which is less restrictive than the one passed last week by the House of Representatives. The Senate version sets fewer conditions on Islamabad to qualify for an annual aid of $1.5 billion for the next five years than the house bill, said an official announcement. The bill now goes to the full Senate for approval." "From Rah-e-Rast To Rah-e-Nijat: Army Ready To Enter South Waziristan" "Daily Times" (06/17) "The Pakistan Army has formally received marching orders against Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud and preparations for the first phase of a military operation in South Waziristan have already been completed, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Athar Abbas said on Tuesday." "15 Taliban Killed In Bajaur, Dir" "The News" (06/17) "Security forces on Tuesday claimed to have killed 15 militants, including a key foreign commander, known as Goraila, in Bajaur Agency and Dir Lower district. Sources told 'The News' that security forces heavily shelled positions of the militants in the Charmang area of Nawagai Tehsil with artillery from Khar, headquarters of the Bajaur Agency, Loisam and Tank Khatta camps, destroying several hideouts in the area." "Khalid Sheikh Claims To Have Lied Under CIA Torture" "Dawn" (06/17) "Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, an accused top Al Qaeda operative and self-confessed mastermind of the September 11 attacks, claimed to have lied under torture by the CIA, according to government transcripts released on Monday in Washington." "World Has Fought Only Symptoms, Not Disease, In Afghanistan: Zardari" "Daily Times" (06/17) "The international community has been fighting the symptoms of terrorism in Afghanistan for eight years, but has ignored the disease, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday. Addressing the ninth Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, he said Pakistan needed help to evolve a security mechanism to meet the threats of terrorism, narcotics and organized crime." "Ahmedzai Wazirs Scramble To Keep Their Areas Safe" "Daily Times" (06/17) "Ahmedzai Wazir tribes are making last-ditch efforts in a bid to keep a military offensive against Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan off their areas, amid shelling in the region, as the Taliban dig tunnels in mountains for protection against bombing, said elders and locals on Tuesday." "Key Taliban Commander Arrested" "The Nation" (06/17) "The security agencies arrested Anwarul Haq Mujahid, a prominent Afghan Commander and close associate of former Jihadi leader Maulvi Younis Khalis, along with four companions from Gul Bahar area of Peshawar, reliable sources disclosed on Tuesday." "TTP Threatens More Attacks On Prominent Clerics" "Daily Times" (06/17) "The Ministry of Interior has advised the home departments of all four provinces to tighten security after the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) threatened more suicide attacks on prominent religious leaders. 'Now it is your turn-we have sent a jacketwala (a man with a suicide vest) to mend clerics like you. We will also send jacketwalas to other clerics too,' sources told 'Aaj Kal' quoting a threatening letter addressed to a cleric." "Pakistan Faces Hardened Taliban Foe In Tribal Belt" "Daily Times" (06/17) "The Pakistan Army will face huge hurdles in its push to crush the Taliban in the Tribal Areas, where the Taliban are entrenched in a hostile terrain and slip easily across the Afghan frontier, analysts say. To dislodge Taliban and Al Qaeda from their mountain sanctuaries, Pakistan must work with Afghan and U.S. militaries, experts have said, or risk the rebels evaporating into hideouts over the border. Hasan Askari, a visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University, said taking on the Taliban in tribal zones where the government holds little sway will pose a much greater challenge than the Swat campaign." "UNHCR Releases 2008 Global Trends - Pakistan Hosting Largest Number Of Refugees" "Dawn" (06/17) "With about 1.8 million Afghans still in Pakistan, the country is host to the largest number of refugees in the world, says a new report of the UNHCR. According to the report - '2008 Global Trends, released on Tuesday - the country hosted the largest number of refugees in relation to its economic capacity-733 refugees per one dollar GDP per capita." "Muslim Charities Affected By War On Terror: Report" "Dawn" (06/17) "The U.S.-led war against terrorism has adversely impacted the Muslim charities and affected the religious freedom of Muslim donors in the United States, says a new report by the American Civil Liberty Union said on Monday." "SCO States Discuss Reducing Reliance On U.S." "The News" (06/17) "Leaders of emerging world powers discussed reducing their reliance on the United States, as well as boosting security and trade at two summits on Tuesday hosted by Russia but excluding the West, a common thread running through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Yekaterinburg." "Seven Killed In Anti-Nejad Protest Rally" "The News" (06/17) "At least seven civilians were killed when a military post was attacked near a mass rally in Tehran protesting the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, state radio (Tehran) announced on Tuesday." "Climate Changes To Increase Tensions In South Asia" "Dawn" (06/17) "U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry has warned that climate changes in South Asia could further deteriorate relations between the region's two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan. In a speech titled, 'Climate change and American foreign policy: security challenges, diplomatic opportunities,' Senator Kerry noted that 'nowhere is the nexus between today's threats and climate change more acute than in South Asia -- the home of Al Qaeda and the centre of our terrorist threat.' He said that scientists were now warning that the Himalayan glaciers, which supply water to almost a billion people from China to Afghanistan, could disappear completely by 2035. 'Think about what this means: Water from the Himalayas flows through India into Pakistan. India's rivers are not only vital to its agriculture, but absolutely central to its religious practice,' the senator said." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Getting The Chief Assassin," an editorial in the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (06/17) "A decisive battle is said to be in the making to eliminate Baitullah Mehsud and dismantle his network.... And that he is the man on the spot of the powers that are set about destabilizing Pakistan.... The truth is that in terms of dislocations and infrastructural damage the saga of Malakand operation is too dreadful to be revisited. If the non-military interventions appear to be isolating Baitullah Mehsud and his coterie, it is indeed a welcome development." "Need To Deliver," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (06/17) "It appears that what began in Swat, Buner and Dir is being extended to Waziristan and other parts of the tribal belt. Baitullah Mehsud and his Taliban HQ are now in the crosshairs, or so it seems. But this is no mean task and while the world realizes that Pakistan cannot go it alone in this fight, it has been slow to come to Islamabad's aid in combating both militancy and its socio-economic fallout.... The World Food Program is running out of food. The new U.S. aid-to-Pakistan bill may still be months in the making. The EU has failed us in our hour of need and the Muslim world more so. Pakistan needs logistical help in the physical fight against the Taliban. At the same time, people displaced by war need to be looked after, and not just in the immediate term.... As the Foreign Minister said, Pakistan cannot afford to divert from other sectors the kind of money needed to fight militancy and rehabilitate its victims. That could further harm the economy and make people poorer. And that may generate a new generation of militants." "Army Chief's Straight Talk And Responsibility Of Government," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (06/17) "Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has said that we don't need outsiders' advice for conducting the war against extremists.... Americans are not confined to recommendations; they are indulging in negative propaganda and increasing pressure on Pakistan in order to win the lost war in Afghanistan.... If Army Chief had addressed America in his speech then the government should also say that openly. There is a need to satisfy the people vis-`-vis the military operation.... The government and the army should heed Saudi Arabian Ambassador Ali Awaz Al Aseeri advice that bullet is not the solution to extremism and to counter extremism we need to seek help of enlightened religious scholars." "Army Chief's Stand Against Terrorists And Responsibilities Of Nation," an editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (06/17) "Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani's speech has made it abundantly clear that stubbornness of militants and terrorists made in effective all the options other than use of force. The use of force had become inevitable.... The Army Chief's speech also made it clear that all the religious and political forces should support the military operation.... In this connection, the Punjab Assembly's unanimous resolution in support of the military operation is an encouraging step." "Continue Dialogue Process Along With Use Of Force," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (06/17) "Although the Army Chief's flight in the F-16 was symbolic, it raised the troops' morale and sent a message to the terrorists that the troops are steadfast in their fight against terrorism. This act also put an end to western media propaganda that Pakistan is fighting this war half-heartedly.... The Army Chief is right when he says that the operation was necessary.... However, we also need to pay attention to the Army Chief's statement that force is not the solution to every issue. [Keeping this in mind] the dialogue process should continue simultaneously so that there is a permanent solution to the problem [of terrorism]." "Operation Rah-i-Rast," an editorial in Lahore-based populist Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 10,000) (06/17) "By physically participating in Operation Rah-i-Rast and saying that we do not need foreign advice, the Army Chief has demonstrated an important point: that we need to safeguard our independence and sovereignty at all fronts." "Military Operation: Punjab Assembly's Resolution," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (06/17) "All big and small political parties representing the people including the two major ones have given their verdict in favor of the military operation.... No doubt that dialogue for peace is the only route to conciliation, but Taliban don't believe in people's power, they describe democracy as infidelity.... We understand religious parties and leaders are duty bound to stop bloodshed among Muslims, why don't they move forward to make the Taliban lay down their arms and facilitate indirect talks between the government and Taliban." "War On Terror Is Not Just Pakistan's Responsibility," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/17) "According to the Finance Advisor, Pakistan is facing an annual loss of $8.5 billion in the war on terror; and the U.S. is not compensating us according to our expectations. Keeping this situation in mind, it is the responsibility of the U.S. and other allies frightened at the increasing terrorist incidents to stop making suggestions to Pakistan and step forward with practical measures to get it out of this financial crisis.... The U.S. should meet the costs being incurred in the war on terror, if this is not done, America will be responsible for the consequences." "Terrorism: Pakistan Seeks World's Help," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (06/17) "As the operation is being extended to Waziristan and some other areas, there are apprehensions that the number of IDPs could cross the figure of five hundred thousand whose relief and rehabilitation would become a major problem for a long time to come. If no adequate measures were adopted to take care of the IDPs, then the frustration could foment the trouble further. Apart from this, there are also issues like training, arming and funding of terrorists and the world will have to extend sincere cooperation in cutting supplies to terrorists. In this backdrop, the international community must respond quickly to the repeated appeals for assistance being made by Pakistani leaders, as time is of great essence." "Tribesmen on Their Own," an op-ed by Syed Irfan Ashraf in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (06/17) "As a tribal elder pointed out, before shifting his family to safety, 'The more people get displaced, the more the militants will be strengthened.' This saga is indicative of the fact that an indifferent official response only bolsters rogue elements. After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, it took militants almost seven years to establish their network in Pakistan's northwest. Almost every militant commander launched his own FM radio station in order to carve out his terror fiefdom. However, such developments went unnoticed by the powers that be." "Reflecting The Overindulged Mindset," an op-ed by Shireen M. Mazari in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/17) "Now that the state has declared its intent of taking out the TTP leadership, specifically Baitullah Mehsud, a more discriminatory and targeted strategy for FATA relying on more effective human intelligence and local tribal support would not only be more effective in the long run but would have more sustainability and less negative fallout in terms of civilian casualties and material destruction - all of which have their own long-term debilitating impact. Already we are seeing the spread of terrorism across the country with an increasing intensity as well.... Meanwhile, as to the puzzling question of why Baitullah Mehsud has survived for as long as he has, could it be old U.S. links, especially through his spokesman Muslim Khan, who spent eight years in the U.S. and still has relatives there? And is there now a deliberate attempt to fan sectarian violence and intra-Muslim hatred within Pakistan through brutal acts of terrorism and threats to Shia Imambargahs across the country at the behest of Baitullah Mehsud and his followers - similar to what the U.S. did in Iraq? There are strange linkages between our militants, criminal elements and our external detractors who seek to spread instability across the country." "COIN For Dummies," an op-ed by Lt. Gen. (R) Asad Durrani in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/17) "Moaning and groaning over the root-causes of the insurgency again would be in vain. Root-causes are embedded in history that cannot be rolled back. Those who created the Mujahideen rolled back a superpower, which became history. Their successors, the Taliban, are in the process of doing the same to its opposite number. We have to take care of their sidekick, the 'Pakistani Taliban.' Now that we have decided to fight this war, we should not make any excuses. That 'our army is not trained for an unconventional war', is a pretty lame one. All armies are trained in conventional warfare and then adapt to the task at hand. No one trains for COIN and then awaits an insurgency. And for God's sake do not threaten the world that if it did not come to our rescue we would go down the tube and take it along. It is dangerous to put a gun on our head, especially if it fired nuclear shots. What if we were dared to pull the trigger? Invoking external help to fight an internal war in any case was never a good idea. Incidentally, the U.S. has neither the sway nor the intent to arm-twist India to resolve Kashmir. So, do not hold your breath on that account. Having shed all the extra baggage that was holding us back, we should now get on with the war, which would indeed involve a bit of maneuvering and some battling. The maneuvering first." "The 'Grey' Prisoner," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/17) "What is undoubted is that she (Dr. Aafia Siddiqui) and her three children have been the victims of terrible abuse. No one deserves what they have been through; one child is in fact dead. Our government must therefore do all it can to ensure the FIA does indeed get access to Dr. Siddiqui. This could help uncover some of what happened. It may also lead to clues about terrorism in the country, about why she is regarded as a dangerous suspect by the U.S. and what can be done to prevent such cases taking place again." "Iran After Elections," an editorial in the Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) (06/17) "Unexpectedly, riots have erupted in neighboring country Iran after the presidential elections. A vote recount has been ordered by the Guardian Council, however, we must remember that any disturbance in Iran can make happy only the West, Israel and America. Americans E should not be given opportunities to intervene into Iran's internal matters." "Violent Protests In Iran," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (06/17) "America and its allies will be happy if the protest movement against the election results moves forward, for this will be a plus point for their objectives to sabotage Muslim unity. President-election Ahmedinejad should also play a positive role in this respect and purge his election of any dispute." "Trouble In Tehran," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/17) "He (Ahmadinejad) still wields significant power within Iran's set-up - and like many others seems to realize that while Ahmadinejad's ability to drive Washington to frenzy through his unguarded attacks on its policy may in some ways be pleasing, they are unproductive in that they fail to move towards any solution of key issues. Many Iranians recognize this. Most citizens seek an end to international isolation and a chance to play a part in the intricate politics of their region. U.S. President Barack Obama's softer stance towards the country has encouraged this line of thinking. Iranians seek a new order of things, a more positive relationship with the world and perhaps also greater cooperation with the U.S." "Needing Restraint," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (06/17) "The scenario somehow indicates that the Iranian people believe that the country lacks some of the basic ingredients of democracy despite holding regular, periodic elections. The demonstrations could be viewed as representing the aspirations of the Iranian people for greater freedom of expression and for the power of the clerics to be curtailed." "Ahmadinejad's Re-Election," an op-ed by Mazhar Qayyum Khan in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (06/17) "His victory makes the issues clear, as under him the Iranian stand on uranium enrichment, perception of Israel and ties with Hezbollah and Hamas have been quite well known and there is little likelihood of a shift. Thus with Ahmadinejad as President, the U.S. and the West would be able to move quickly from the present stage, tightening sanctions or taking whatever other action they deemed necessary if, as expected, Iran sticks to its present stand.... The U.S. and Western allies thought that Mirhossein Mousavi or, for that matter, another moderate leader could be brought round to roll back the uranium enrichment program through a negotiated deal, under pressure of sanctions or under threats of military action, they simply failed to realize that the national sentiment would not permit it." "Dialogue With India: Old Or New?," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (06/17) "The new dialogue should be about sorting out the consequences of past hostility, of policies that did not succeed but were insisted upon as a kind of national emblem of pride. It is only through a new dialogue that India and Pakistan can take care of the allegation they level at each other of 'interference.'... The old dialogue is not there to resume. New conditions dictate a new dialogue. Once assurances of non-interference are exchanged and mutual fear of military attack is removed, the 'non-core issues' will be ready to resolve, and Pakistan and India will be ready to talk sensibly about such more important issues as waters. The 'core issue,' as Pakistan's policy on Kashmir spells out, can be resolved only through peaceful means." "Zardari-Manmohan Meeting," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (06/17) "One welcome outcome from the meeting is that the leaders have agreed that the foreign secretaries of both the countries will meet soon for restarting the comprehensive composite dialogue between the two countries.... Peace is not just an ideal; it is also a long-term realism. Peace and cooperation between both great South Asian nations can guarantee prosperity and development on either side of the international frontiers. Forums like SCO offer the much-needed platform for the two countries to clear the atmosphere of mistrust and come up with solutions for the benefit of people of the whole region." "Talks With India At What Cost?," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (06/17) "This is regrettable that while India stubbornly sticks to Kashmir being its integral part stand and pushing us towards death by building 62 dams in violation of Indus Treaty, our rulers are feverish for dialogue and trade with India.... Our rulers should never demonstrate any flexibility on Pakistan's principled stand on Kashmir." "What Fruit Will The Zardari-Manmohan Handshake Bear?," an op-ed by Tanweer Qaiser Shahid in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/17) "Another important development took place on June 13 [besides the meeting between Rehman Malik and the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad]. The federal government, apparently, has finally allowed the Indian diplomatic staff in Islamabad to use regular number plates on their vehicles instead of the red diplomatic ones. Such permission has already been given to diplomats from other countries but was being denied to India.... Circles in Islamabad feel that one reason for giving the permission now was that Pakistan wanted the Zardari-Manmohan handshake to be a success at all costs so that hearts and doors could be unlocked." "Where Are You Heading?," an op-ed by Irfan Asghar in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (06/17) "Mr. Obama, you had taken on the mantle of the President of the United States amid much fanfare and a lot of hopes of change.... Mr. President, I ask you to identify the roadmap to accomplish what you have said. And even if you have the roadmap, pro-Israel lobby and anti-Muslim machinery will make it increasingly difficult for you to put that into effect.... Mr. President, act independently and do not give authority to other lobbies to take your decisions. At this time, the only way-out is to go for 'out of the box' solutions and offbeat approach. Please brush aside all sorts of fears and work to materialize your dreams as it is heaps better to agree to the fate like that of Kennedy than to go down in the chronicles of history as a feckless and mediocre President." "Obama's Cairo Address," an op-ed by Mushfiq Murshed in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (06/17) "Obama has attempted to rectify the distortions in the policies pursued by the previous administration and has laid the basis of a more imaginative and constructive foreign policy. However, some commentators have described the address as reminiscent of Wilsonian idealism and maintain that the road ahead in the way of implementation is strewn with problems and pitfalls. The president has set an extremely high benchmark for himself." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson