PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JUNE 18, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001353

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JUNE 18, 2009

Summary: President Asif Zardari's remarks made during his meeting
with European Commission's officials in Brussels that "Pakistan
seeks trade, not aid" dominated headlines in all major newspapers on
Thursday. Several newspapers also front-paged report that the
"Peshawar Airport closed after terror threat." Reports and
photographs of Ambassador Patterson's visit to IDPs camp in Swabi
and her reiteration that "U.S committed to continuing its support
for displaced families in Pakistan" received extensive coverage.
Newspapers ran the Secretary of State Clinton's statement
"applauding" the resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India.
The English language daily, "The News," and its sister Urdu
newspaper, "Jang," reported that President Obama's National Security
Advisor James Jones would visit Pakistan next week. A statement by
Qari Zain, a rival commander of Baitullah Mehsud claiming that the
"TTP Chief has links with India and Israel" also received prominent
coverage.

Most major dailies ran analytical editorials on President Zardari's
meeting with Indian Prime Minister Singh on the sidelines of
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. The prestigious
English daily, "Dawn," pointed out that "to revive the dialogue
after an impasse can be quite a challenge and invariably requires
the friendly intervention of friends - the U.S. on the present
occasion." Likewise, the center-right national English daily "The
Nation," noted that the "U.S. also played an important role in
encouraging the initiation of the dialogue." The Lahore-based
independent Urdu daily "Din," opined that the "meeting between the
two leaders has created the hope of resumption of bilateral talks.
However, our leaders must ensure that they do not put national
priorities on the back burner when these talks actually take place."
End Summary.

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News Stories
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"We Want Trade Not Aid, President Zardari Tells EU" "The News"
(06/18)

"The European Union said on Wednesday it would strengthen relations
with Pakistan and offered President Zardari counter-terrorism help
in his bid to defeat Taliban and other Islamic militants at home.
At a meeting that both sides called 'historic,' EU officials and
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari agreed to shift their
relationship from one that has long focused on trade to one that
also embraces regular discussions about security, good governance
and regional and global issues. A joint statement after the meeting
said the EU would step up relations with Pakistan in the fields of
development, education, science, security, counter-terrorism,
strengthening democracy, trade and other issues. President Zardari
pushed for greater access to European markets, saying that trade
rather than aid was his chief goal in a landmark summit with the EU.
'What I need is trade, not aid. I'm looking for MoUs (memorandums
of understanding) and not IoUs and I intend to get them,' he
added."

"Peshawar Airport Closed After Terror Threat" "Dawn" (06/18)

"The Peshawar International Airport was shut down on Wednesday after
an intelligence report warned of a terrorist attack on aircraft by a
militant group based in the tribal region, officials said. An
official said the airport would remain closed till Thursday night."


"United States Provides Supplies For Displaced Children In Swabi
District" "The Nation," "The News," "Jang," "Ausaf," "Islam,"
"Mashriq," "Nawa-i-Waqt," "Express," "Khabrain," and "Pakistan"
(06/18)

"U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson visited the Anbar Elementary
College Camp in Swabi District, where approximately 2,500 displaced
persons are currently residing. During her visit, the Ambassador
delivered school supplies for more than 500 displaced children
receiving instruction at the school. In addition, the Ambassador
provided 520 long-lasting flashlights that do not require batteries
to displaced households residing at both the Anbar site and Worker
Welfare Folks School, Shah Mansoor. 'We are committed to continuing
our support for displaced families in Pakistan and are prepared to
do more as the situation demands,' said Ambassador Patterson."
"Hillary Praises Resumption Of Indo-Pak Dialogue" "Daily Times" "The
News," "The Nation," (06/18)

"Applauding the resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India,
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday has voiced the
hope that New Delhi would support Islamabad's anti-terrorism
efforts. 'Of course, we believe that India and Pakistan actually
face a number of common challenges, and we welcome a dialogue
between them,' she said, addressing a meeting of the U.S.-India
Business Council."

"Obama's Security Advisor Due Next Week" "The News," "Jang" (06/18)
(06/18)

"Pakistan and the United States will be having highest-level
dialogue on the security issues next week in Islamabad when the
President Barack Hussain Obama's National Security Advisor (NSA)
general James L. Jones would be visiting the region."

"Zardari Sought Time To Act: Singh" "The News" (06/18)

"Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday that
President Asif Ali Zardari had sought more time to act against
anti-Indian militants because Islamabad's fight with the Taliban had
entered a crucial phase, Singh told reporters on his way back from
Russia, where the two leaders met on Tuesday."

"Indo-Pak Talks Meaningless Without Kashmir Issue: Former Army Chief
General Baig" "Ummat" (06/18)

"Pakistan's former Army Chief General (R) Aslam Baig has said that
resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan would prove
meaningless if the outstanding and core issue of Kashmir is not
addressed. He claimed that upcoming two months would be disastrous
for Americans in Afghanistan. He termed the U.S. presence as
root-cause of terrorism in this part of the world. He brushed aside
the notion that 'Afghan Taliban are fighting against Pakistan Army,'
and avowed that 'they do not want to fight against Pakistan Army.'"

"Kill Baitullah Now Or Else, Warns Rival Commander" "The News"
(06/18)

"Qari Zainuddin, a rival commander of Tehrik-e-Taliban Chief
Baitullah Mehsud, on Wednesday accused the TTP Chief of having links
with India and Israel. He acted against Islam as well as the country
and if not eliminated now, militancy would surge and problems for
the government would grow. In an exclusive interview with Geo News,
Zainuddin Mehsud said though Baitullah was wearing the cap of
Mujahideen but all his actions were against Islam and the country,
adding they would support military action against him."

"Baitullah Is U.S. Agent, Claims Former Close Aide" "The News"
(06/18)


"Haji Turkistan Betani, a former close aide of Baitullah Mahsud, has
claimed that assassination of Benazir Bhutto was plotted by
Baitullah. Talking to Sana Bucha in Crisis Cell Program of Geo
News, Haji Turkistan also revealed that Baitullah is an American
agent and this is the reason he has not been targeted by the U.S.
drones. Haji said that Baitullah is misguiding innocent youths on
the instigation by Israel and India to destroy mosques and
educational institutions and martyr religious scholars inside
Pakistan."

"Major Militants' Headquarters Destroyed" "The News" (06/18)

"Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik while talking to a private
TV channel on Wednesday said the government was candid in its
efforts to root out terrorism from the country and the major
headquarters of the militants had been destroyed."

"28 More Militants Killed In Dir, Swat" "The News" (06/18)

"As the armed villagers in Dir Upper district on Wednesday killed
six holed up Taliban fighters in Doog Darra area, the Army claimed
to have killed 22 more militants in the nearby Dir Lower and Swat
districts during the ongoing 'Rah-e-Rast' operation. Locals said a
cave in Kandao area of Ghazigay village, where the armed villagers
have surrounded the Taliban, was heavily shelled from Panakot and
Beranjo. Security forces have deployed artillery guns in these
areas to pound the positions of the militants to soften targets for
the Lashkar, which is using heavy weapons."

"Jets And Choppers Fly Sorties Over Waziristan" "Daily Times"
(06/18)

"Army surveillance planes flew over suspected Taliban strongholds in
Waziristan Agency, where a major operation is planned, and
helicopter gunships hit several targets in advance strikes on
Wednesday, officials said."

"Troops Kill 4 Militants In Bajaur" "The News" (06/18)

"Four militants were killed and several others injured as the
security forces expanded the ongoing operation against Taliban to
other areas in Charmang, Bajaur Agency on Wednesday."

"Five Terrorists Held" "Daily Times" (06/18)

"Police on Wednesday arrested three suspected terrorists, including
two would-be suicide bombers, in Rawalpindi; a suspected Taliban
from a mosque in Peshawar's Kissa Khawani Bazaar; and a notorious
terrorist from the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi group in Karachi. Police also
seized suicide jacket, a hand grenade, two pistols, 90 rounds and 2
kilograms of explosives."

"Taliban Vow To Continue War" "The Nation" (06/18)

"Swat-based Taliban have vowed to continue war against the
government till 'practical implementation' of Nizam-e-Adl in
Malakand Division, said Tehrik-e-Taliban spokesman Haji Muslim Khan
while talking to BBC on Wednesday via telephone from an unknown
location."

"Illegal Seminaries In Capital (Islamabad) Face Closure" "The News"
(06/18)

"The government has decided to close down all seminaries working
illegally in different parts of the federal capital. The Capital
Development Authority (CDA) has issued notice to one such
institution in a posh sector of the city, 'The News' learned on
Monday. 'There are 260 Madaris (seminaries) in the Islamabad
Capital Territory and around 15 of them are operating illegally,' an
official of the CDA told The News requesting anonymity."

"U.S. Lawmaker Urges Senate To Quickly Pass ROZs Bill" "Daily Times"
(06/18)

"Congressman Chris Van Hollen, a supporter of the recently-passed
Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) program in the U.S. House of
Representatives, has called on the Senate to approve the bill
urgently to help Pakistan secure its restive northwestern region."

"U.S. Denies Giving Combat Assistance To Pakistan" "Dawn" (06/18)

"Top U.S. Commander David Petraeus has denied that the U.S. is
providing direct combat assistance to Pakistan in its fight against
militants. 'We are not the source of it, this is a Pakistani
operation,' he said on Wednesday, as he listed U.S. financial and
material assistance. Some 100,000 rounds of ammunition and four
MI-17 cargo helicopters had been delivered, while more than $400
million in U.S. aid was sent to help the millions of refugees
displaced by fighting in the Swat valley. Some $447 million in
direct U.S. military assistance has also been pledged to Islamabad.
But, according to Gen. Petraeus, 'none of this is direct support in
combat,' the General said at a meeting with French journalists at
the U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida."

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

"Handshake In Russia," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (06/18)

"It is a happy development that New Delhi and Islamabad have decided
to reopen communications and discuss issues at the negotiating
table.... Nevertheless they will be important as they will set the
tone of the dialogue in the months to come. If they have a positive
impact on the atmospherics of the talks these encounters would have
been worth their while.... To revive the dialogue after an impasse
can be quite a challenge and invariably requires the friendly
intervention of friends - the U.S. on the present occasion.

"SCO Moot," an editorial in the center-right national English daily
"The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (06/18)

"President Zardari's 40-minutes talks with Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh indicated the beginning of a slow thaw between the
two countries.... U.S. also played an important role in encouraging
the initiation of the dialogue. The talks have been termed
important for they could revive the peace process, stalled for seven
months."

"The Hope Of Indo-Pak Talks Resumption," an editorial in the
Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) (06/18)

"The meeting between the two leaders has created the hope of
resumption of bilateral talks. However, our leaders must ensure
that they do not put national priorities on the back burner when
these talks actually take place. Otherwise, when the two leaders
meet again at Sharm El Sheikh, the meeting will carry a sense of our
defeat. We hope that the government will not do this [i.e. Ignore
national priorities]."

"Pakistan-Indian Dialogue - Parliament Should Decide Parameters," an
editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, often
sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (06/18)

"The situation demands that the government should take the nation
into confidence vis-`-vis our foreign policy on India.... What
communication took place with New Delhi in the backdrop of Indian
terrorists, arrested in Pakistan? What steps were taken to foil the
conspiracy to render Pakistan barren by stealing its water? What
response was given to the Indian tactics of undermining holding of
cricket world cup in Pakistan and harming Pakistan's trade? All the
steps should be taken in the light of agenda set by the Parliament,
which it will provide after reviewing the foreign policy threadbare.
In the past some unjustified Indian demands were accepted in order
to have good relations with India. Now is the time to act in
keeping with our constitution and the laws instead of arresting
people on others behest."

"Zardari-Manmohan Meeting: What Did We Gain, What Did We Lose?," an
editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (06/18)

"It appears that it was not a pleasant meeting, rather a session for
Indian Prime Minister to reprimand President Asif Ali Zardari and
repeating Americanized 'do more' mantra against terrorism. And this
humiliation was arranged by our leaders.... This meeting was
nothing, but an instrument to heap more terrorism blame on Pakistan
and seek guarantees for good moral character.... The nation can
rightly ask President Zardari as to what forced him to meet with the
Prime Minister of the country that was bent upon perpetrating
aggression."

"Indo-Pak Talks: The Thaw Begins," an editorial in liberal Urdu
daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/18)

"Undoubtedly, the meeting between Manmohan Singh and Asif Zardari
can be termed a positive development towards the resumption of
composite dialogue that has been suspended for the last eight
months. We must believe that there will be further steps towards
normalization of bilateral ties when the two leaders meet again at
the Non Aligned Movement summit in Sharm El Sheikh."

"Zardari-Manmohan Meeting," an editorial in the Karachi-based
right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000)
(06/18)

"Foreign Office is repeating archaic expressions to describe meeting
between President Zardari and Prime Minister Singh as a success,
however, there was nothing as such that could be termed as success
in this sidelines meeting. India just reiterated its accusations
against Pakistan, but Pakistani President Zardari remained silent,
did not utter even a single word on what India is doing against
Pakistan. Thanks to President that at least he raised the issue of
Kashmir. AMERICA has been urging Pakistan for quite some time to
resume talks with India, stop considering India as a threat, move
troops from Eastern border as Pakistan has to now fight a war of
existence in South Waziristan, but against whom? Our own people?"

"Time To Talk," an editorial in the populist, often sensational
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/18)

"The resumption of greater normalcy between Islamabad and New Delhi
is welcome. But while dialogue and negotiations between the two
nations are to be encouraged, and have in the past led to steps -
such as the cross-border bus services - that help people meet and
encourage contact between them, it is time now to fix a firmer goal.
Both nations have suffered immense losses due to terrorism."

"The Message From Yekaterinburg," an editorial in the Lahore-based
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (06/18)

"The war against terrorism should not be an India-Pakistan war. So
far it is, with Pakistan blaming India for mischief in Balochistan
and its 'Consulates' in Afghanistan; and India blaming Pakistan for
sheltering terrorists who attacked it last year and will continue to
attack it unless punished. If some media analysis is to be
believed, the operation against Baitullah Mehsud is also a kind of
India-Pakistan war. A new kind of dialogue between the two
countries is essential. And it can't be a rehash of what happened
in the past, in which some optimists saw 'great progress' but which
yielded no results."

"Zardari Should Have Discussed State Terrorism In (Indian Held
Kashmir (IHK)," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English
daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (06/18)

"We believe that there is no point in resuming the dialogue until
and unless India changes its hubristic attitude and shows commitment
and sincerity to engage into meaningful dialogue leading to
resolution of the core issues. The very fact that Dr. Manmohan
Singh made uncouth remarks at the time of handshake with President
Asif Ali Zardari shows that Indians have very little interest in
normalization of relations and want to continue building pressure on
the country on the so-called issue of terrorism. The way he talked
also gave an impression as if there is nothing else in
Pakistan-India context except terrorism."

"Passage Of Pakistan Aid Bill In The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations
Committee," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan"
(cir. 10,000) (06/18)

"American Senate's Foreign Relations Committee has approved the bill
for the provision of aid to Pakistan.... Pakistan's Ambassador to
the U.S., honorable Husain Haqqani's efforts played a great role in
having the new draft of the legislation approved and curtailing the
conditions that were made part of the bill in the House of
Representatives.... We appreciate the efforts the Pakistani
Ambassador is making in our national interest and congratulate him
for the same."

"Operation Rah-i-Nijat, After Operation Rah-i-Raast," an editorial
in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir.
15,000) (06/18)

"Admiral Mullen's secret trip to Pakistan soon after the Swat
operation began led many observers to say that he came with the
message that the U.S. was not interested in an operation in Swat,
but an operation in the tribal areas, especially South Waziristan,
as it believes these areas to be the real base of the Taliban and Al
Qaeda. Following this visit, the Pakistani government and the army
signaled that they would soon end the Swat operation and start it in
Waziristan.... Now the army and 'militants' are being made to fight
each other so that Pakistan can be destabilized internally. Things
have come to such a pass that Pakistan is also being taught that its
real enemy is not India but those religious forces in the country
that are resisting or opposing U.S. interests in the region.
Pakistan is being compelled to withdraw troops from its borders
[with India] and shift them to the tribal areas... It is important
for our political and military leaders to stop and ask: are we
becoming tools in the hands of our enemy-like friends for temporary
interests."

"Rah-i-Nijat," an op-ed by Hameed Akhtar in liberal Urdu daily
"Express" (cir. 25,000) (06/18)
"An operation against Baitullah Mehsud and his accomplices can prove
decisive in stopping terrorism and suicide attacks. But for this to
happen, the Pakistan Army needs the full support of the Pakistani
nation. Those who are still insisting that the operation be stopped
and dialogue with terrorists be held must also look at Baitullah
Mehsud's numerous 'feats.' I feel it is incumbent upon all
Pakistanis to participate in bringing to justice perpetrators [of
crimes] like the killing of Benazir Bhutto and that of a moderate
religious scholar like Maulana Sarfaraz Naeemi."

"Mohmand - Where Proactive Military Measures Worked," an op-ed by
Nasim Zahra in the populist, often sensational national English
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (06/18)

"The strategy focused on going after the Taliban commanders
proactively and essentially taking the war to their strongholds.
That is what seems to have paid off. It has put the Taliban
commanders on the defensive, restricted their movement and provided
confidence to the local population. Their camps have been
dismantled, and instead of just clearing the roads the Mohmand
Scouts have gone into their inner sanctuaries.... Another abiding
challenge area in Mohmand agency is the Suran valley area. Above it,
on the Pakistani Goraprai and Shoncrai posts, there is no U.S. or
Afghan presence on the other side of the border. In around mid-May,
after repeated complaints by Pakistanis, about 60 American troops
did base themselves opposite Pakistani posts. On the sixth day the
Taliban attacked them, leaving dead three soldiers and then the US
forces withdrew. Hence, the area is again unmanned and Afghan and
non-Afghan movement left unchecked."

"Obama's Mideast Agenda," an op-ed by Tariq Fatemi in the
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn"
(cir. 55,000) (06/18)

"Admittedly, the speed and resolve with which Obama has decided to
step into the quicksand of the Middle East imbroglio has caught the
Israelis off guard. But Netanyahu is a highly intelligent and
skilled politician, who will monitor the American domestic scene for
any chinks in its armor.... Obama has his task cut out for him.
Netanyahu will test his resolve and determination on all fronts,
domestically and externally, with a mix of rigidity and ingenuity.
The extreme religious right in the U.S. already is deeply suspicious
of Obama. This will be encouraged by the strong pro-Israeli
lobbies. Obama can take on this challenge only if he can assure his
electorate that what he plans to achieve will not only ensure
Israel's security, but also promote U.S. interests in the Middle
East."

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Patterson