PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 06, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001493 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 06, 2009 Summary: Reports on killing of militant commander Abu Jandal, a close aide of Swat Taliban chief Fazalullah dominated headlines in all newspapers on Monday. Newspapers also highlighted report that the "military planes bombed several areas in North Waziristan that resulted in killing of six people." Vice President Biden's remarks made in an interview with ABC News that "Israel (is) free to counter Iran 'threat'" received extensive coverage. Some major dailies highlighted a Sunday Times report that "Saudis 'give nod' to Israeli raid on Iran." Weekend newspapers highlighted reports that the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad hosted a reception to celebrate the 233rd anniversary of independence of the United States, and President Zardari attended the function. Ambassador Patterson's statement that the "U.S. stands with the people of Pakistan in building and maintain stable democratic traditions" received prominent display. Reports and photographs of Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano's visit to Pakistan and her meetings with senior Pakistani officials were also highlighted. Most major newspapers ran editorials on a variety of subjects including mass displacements in Waziristan, internal rift in Muslim League (Q),judicial reforms, appointment of the U.S. first Special Envoy to the Muslim communities and so forth. The prestigious English daily, "Dawn," while commenting on Farah Pandith's remarks, noted that "words alone cannot undo the damage done by the follies and atrocities of the Bush era and the misguided policies of those who preceded him in the White House." The populist, often sensational national English daily "The News," observed that "no matter, she (Ms. Pandith) launched into her new job with a rolling tide of empty platitudes worthy of one who is doubtless trained to get through a one-hour briefing with the reptiles of the Fourth Estate without giving away anything - especially anything that might rock the boat." However, the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" noted that "as the allied forces are also launching a massive operation in Helmand, Afghanistan, it is for sure that the extremists will attempt to sneak into Pakistan, therefore Pakistan will certainly need a large number of its troops to seal the Pak-Afghan border." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Top Fazlullah Aide, 10 Others Killed In Swat" "Dawn" (07/06) "A close aide of Maulana Fazlullah, the Chief of Taliban in Swat, and his 10 followers were killed during a clash in the Valley as the military prepared to wrap up the over two-month operation in the region. Security sources said that Ehsan alias Abu Jandal was killed in Qamber. Security forces had been facing tough resistance from the Taliban for some days in the area, Army spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas told AFP on Sunday." "Air Attacks Leave Six Dead In North Waziristan" "Dawn" (07/06) "Military planes bombed several areas in the Degan region of North Waziristan Agency on Sunday, killing six people and injuring five. Local people said the planes went into action at about 9.30 in the morning and bombed Momedkhel and Lend Said, some 20km west of Miramshah. Eight houses and a seminary were destroyed. Official sources said that suspected militant hideouts had been attacked and all the dead and injured people were militants. Security forces stepped up air strikes in North Waziristan after attacks on military convoys in the region." "Israel Free To Counter Iran 'Threat," Biden" "The News" (07/06) "Vice President Joe Biden seemed to give ISRAEL a green light for military action to eliminate Iran's nuclear threat, saying the U.S. 'cannot dictate to another sovereign nation what they can and cannot do.' 'Israel can determine for itself - it's a sovereign nation - what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else,' Biden told ABC's 'This Week' in an interview broadcast on Sunday." "Saudis 'Give Nod' To Israeli Raid On Iran: ST" "The Nation" (07/06) "The head of Mossad, Israel's overseas intelligence service, has assured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that SAUDI Arabia would turn a blind eye to Israeli jets flying over the kingdom during any future raid on Iran's nuclear sites, reports The Sunday Times." "Iran Ready To ISRAEL Attack On Nuclear Facilities: Alaeddin Broujerdi" "The Nation" website (07/06) "Iran is ready to take 'real and decisive' action if ISRAEL attacks its nuclear facilities, a senior Iranian parliamentary official said Monday. The remarks by Alaeddin Broujerdi, the head of Iran's parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, came after U.S. Vice President Joe Biden signaled that Washington would not try to prevent any such Israeli assault. Both the U.S. and ISRAEL are aware of the consequence of an erroneous decision, Broujerdi told reporters at the Iranian Embassy in Tokyo." "Zardari Attends U.S. Independence Anniversary Reception" "The News," "The Nation," "Pakistan Observer," "Business Recorder" (07/03) "President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday evening attended a reception at the residence of American Ambassador in Islamabad Anne W. Patterson. The reception was held to celebrate the 233rd anniversary of the independence of the United States." "America Stands With Pakistan In Building & Maintaining Democratic Traditions: Ambassador Anne W. Patterson" "Express," "Ausaf" (07/03) "The U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson said in her message on the eve of 233rd anniversary of the United States independence that on July 4th, 1776, the founders of the United States signed a Declaration of Independence and committed themselves to the principles of liberty, justice, and equality. She said that like all democracies, both the United States and Pakistan have and continue to face many challenges and sacrifices; and yet each challenge they overcome reinforces their strength and determination to never abandon democracy. 'We all share in a belief that freedom is a blessing from the Creator and will always be an inalienable birthright. As we celebrate the birth of our nation, the United States of America stands with the people of Pakistan in building and maintaining stable democratic traditions that allow freedom, the rule of law, and equality to flourish,' the U.S. diplomat added." "Zardari Urges Support For Civilian Security Apparatus" "The News" (07/04) "President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday underlined the need for strengthening the civilian security apparatus in Pakistan for effective fight against the militants. He was talking to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Ms. Janet Napolitano, who called on him at the Presidency in Islamabad on Friday. He also underlined the need for setting up the Reconstruction Opportunities Zones (ROZs) to provide jobs to the poor so as to take them away from extremists. Janet Napolitano said the U.S. administration was conscious of Pakistan's requirements in the ongoing fight against militancy and was keen on helping Pakistan in all ways possible." "PM Seeks U.S. Help To Fence Pak-Afghan Border" "Daily Times" (07/04) "Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said the Pak-Afghan border should be barricaded to block illegal crossings in the same way a wall separates Mexico from the United States. Talking to U.S. Secretary for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Gilani urged the U.S. to support Islamabad for a permanent solution with Afghanistan." "Mullen satisfied With Pak Action Against Taliban" "Daily Times," "The Nation" website (07/06) "U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen on Sunday acknowledged that Pakistan had recently made 'a lot of progress' in its fight against the Taliban insurgency in its northwest. 'They've taken significant military steps, had a significant impact and moved in a positive direction,' Mullen told CBS TV channel, comparing the current drive in Swat and other areas with the situation a year ago. Admiral Mullen, who has been engaging with Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani, said the Pakistani military was familiar with the topography of the area and was proceeding with its own plan to counter the threat." "Americans Could Enter Into Balochistan From Helmand: Pakistan Defense Experts" "Ummat" (07/06) "Pakistan's leading defense experts General (r) Talat Masood, Hamid Nawaz and General (r) Tariq Pervez have told this newspaper that American troops present in Helmand province can enter into Balochistan. They said that the Waziristan operation should be postponed, as fighting in Waziristan would be difficult and long. They also added that the U.S. presence in Helmand could be a threat to Iran also." "Militants Kill 2 Lashkar Men In Mohmand" "The News" (07/06) "Bodies of Muhammad Ayub and Said Muhammad, two volunteers of the tribal Lashkar, who were kidnapped by militants after a fierce clash in Fam Poka area, were found in the vicinity of Ambar tehsil in the restive Mohmand Agency on Sunday." "Two Killed In Dir Blasts" "Dawn" (07/06) "Two people were killed and 15 others injured in two bomb blasts on Sunday on the Dir-Kohistan road which also leads to Doog Darra in Upper Dir. Local authorities see the blasts as reaction to an offensive launched by a tribal Lashkar which is inflicting heavy losses on militants in Doog Darra." "Three Troops Martyred In Clash With Taliban" "The Nation" (07/06) "Three security forces personnel were martyred, six others injured and some terrorists were arrested from Rangeela area in Malakand during the last 24 hours, according to an ISPR update issued in Islamabad on Sunday." "Banned Outfits Claim Gains Against Each Other In Tirah" "The News" (07/06) "After pause for a year in the bloody clashes, the banned Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) and Ansar-ul-Islam (AI) on Sunday claimed killing and capturing each other's several men in the fresh fighting in Qamarkhel area of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency." "Bajaur Tops 'Cost Of Conflict' Catalogue" "The News" (07/06) "Bajaur Agency is atop the list in terms of human and material losses, while Khyber is the least affected agency in the ongoing war against insurgency, says a report recently released by the FATA Secretariat." "Capital Moot Denounces Terrorism" "The News" (07/06) "Speakers at a conference of religious scholars in Islamabad on Sunday urged the government to dismantle factories of suicide bombers in the country. They also called for expansion of the military offensive to those areas where terrorists had established their centers. The conference, presided over by Chief of Islami Tehrik, Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi, was attended by scholars from the four provinces, AJK and Northern Areas." "Hard-Hit IDPs May Fall To Militants" "The Nation" (07/06) "The majority of the displaced people from the region of Malakand may fall into the hands of Taliban if the government could not address the issues of mismanagement, inefficiency and corruption in the relief phase. 'We are fed up here. The government should allow us to return our homes. We don't have any complaints against either the security forces or the militant,' Nawab Khan, a weird young guy from a relief camp II shah Mansoor, Swabi, told 'The Nation' on telephone on Sunday." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Colossal Task," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/06) "America's first special representative to Muslim communities has a singular job on her hands. Farah Pandith says her primary responsibility is to 'know the next generation of [Muslim] thinkers.' She will, apparently, also be doing a lot of 'listening' while focusing on creativity, respect and nuance. This brief is as vague and all-encompassing as Ms. Pandith's job title, as well as her debut public statement in which she eschewed specifics and made no mention of Kashmir or Palestine. True, engaging in dialogue, listening to diverse viewpoints and respecting cultural nuances are key first steps on the long road to mutual respect and conflict resolution. But the journey cannot and must not end with an image-building exercise. Words alone cannot undo the damage done by the follies and atrocities of the Bush era and the misguided policies of those who preceded him in the White House." "Not Novel So Far," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/06) "It may be a little early to judge just how effective the newly appointed Farah Pandith, America's first special envoy to the Muslim communities; is going to be.... No matter, she launched into her new job with a rolling tide of empty platitudes worthy of one who is doubtless trained to get through a one-hour briefing with the reptiles of the Fourth Estate without giving away anything - especially anything that might rock the boat. She managed not to mention Kashmir or Palestine - quite a feat when one considers her job-description. She used words such as 'listening' and 'nuance' at least 20 times as she described in the vaguest terms what she was going to be doing." "Understanding Between Civilian And Military Leaderships A Good Omen," an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (07/06) "The consensus amid President Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and Army Chief Kayani to accomplish the military offensive soon is commendable. We hope that the internally displaced people will be allowed to return to their homes as soon as possible too. However, the government must ensure their safe repatriation, maintain security, and rehabilitate the basic infrastructure in the conflict-hit areas. As the allied forces are also launching a massive operation in Helmand, Afghanistan, it is for sure that the extremists will attempt to sneak into Pakistan, therefore Pakistan will certainly need a large number of its troops to seal the Pak-Afghan border. Consequently, it is vital to complete this military operation in Swat immediately, so that Pakistan Army can concentrate on Afghan border to secure it from extremist elements." "Early Repatriation Of IDPs Must Be Ensured," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (07/06) "It will be definitely a good news that President Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and Army Chief General Kayani have agreed to the early repatriation of the internally displaced persons of Swat valley, as hundreds of thousands conflict affected people are living in very miserable conditions in IDPs camps. The supply of relief goods and other services to these people was not satisfactory earlier, and now this situation is deteriorating day by day. And if the military operation extended for another month, the situation will become out of control." "Ending Swat Operation: Right Decision Of Political And Military Leadership," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-right sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat" (cir. 33,000) (07/06) "Pakistan top military and political leadership has taken right decision to quickly end Malakand operation and provide opportunity to IDPs to return to their homes. There is no doubt that displaced people are neither satisfied, nor happy with present state of affairs, they want to go back to their homes. International community did not take much interest in helping these affected people, so the right option now left with the government is to speed up ending the operation, and give people chance to return to their homes." "Time Frame For Completion Of Army Operation," an editorial in the Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) (07/06) "Pakistan has already expressed concern on the U.S. operation in Helmand, Afghanistan that could affect Pakistan. There is limit on number of troops that the U.S. can send and deploy in this province, consequently the likelihood is that the U.S. then would urge Pakistan to send troops on this side of the Afghan border. And Pakistani rulers who are subservient to America, and if they decide to open a new front, Pakistan will achieve nothing, but defeat and humiliation as these Pakhtoons have never accepted foreign occupation." "Swat operation And Return Of IDPs," an editorial in Hyderabad based liberal and independent Sindhi daily "Ibrat" (Cir. 80,000) (07/06) "The lasting gains of this fight would be achieved when the commanders of Taliban get killed, as long Fazullah and Baitullah Mehsud are free and alive, fears of regrouping would remain there." "Waziristan Displacements," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/06) "According to media accounts, some 40,000 people have already been displaced from North and South Waziristan - in anticipation of a full scale operation there.... Many people have begun moving out, fearing worse times ahead.... Many who have any choice in the matter have opted to move away, some with the means to do so setting up 'second homes' in Peshawar and elsewhere. They include some of Waziristan's best educated intellectuals and writers. Many among them have faced years of persecution from the Taliban and the majority no longer dare express their opinions or ideas. But still they hang on to the hope that they can one day return to their homeland.... We need to think ahead. If mass displacements do indeed take place in Waziristan, provisions need to be made for people coming down. Further on, we must also consider the future of Waziristan and ponder what can be done to bring it back to normalcy." "Need For U.S. Exit," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/06) "By now, the American policymakers would have learned the lesson of history that Afghans are a fiercely independent minded people who would not hesitate to risk even their lives to drive out foreign occupation. Unless these people know that there is a definite plan for the occupation forces to leave the country, there is absolutely no chance of winning them over either through coercion or negotiations. The resistance and unrest will continue to persist, with all its fall-out on military and financial resources of the U.S. and its allies. Long-term military engagement would cost them whatever goodwill they are left with after their scandalous aggression against Iraq." "Obama's Opening Shot," an editorial in the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (07/06) "Obama administration seems determined to stay put in Afghanistan till the Afghan government acquires confidence and competence to be in a position to replace the Marines. But will that happen? If past experience is any guide, one would be skeptical. The fact is that in the southern and eastern regions of Afghanistan, the Taliban are strongly entrenched, as they enjoy local support and when needed melt down into local population.... The key question remains: Will Americans stay there long enough to wait out the Taliban. We have no plausible answer to this question, except for recalling a comment by a Taliban leader: 'While the Americans have the watches, we have the time.'" "Vacuum," an op-ed by Dr. Hussain Ahmad Piracha in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (07/06) "... America is at the back of terrorists by supporting India and Israel to destabilize Pakistan and to get the control of its nuclear assets by providing them ammunition and money. It is making arrangements for the military training of terrorists by setting up training camps in Afghanistan. Our innocent citizens are being killed by American drone attacks and thus it is becoming a challenge to our sovereignty." "Fighting Terrorism," an op-ed by Talat Masood in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/06) "What we are facing today is an extraordinary situation where Pakistani Taliban have made it a passion to kill indiscriminately, are irrational, commit atrocities that one is hesitant to pen, leave aside show them on screen. They butchered their own comrades recently when they had to flee in haste during a military operation in Swat. In a recent TV interview a suicide bomber admitted having no qualms in killing anyone including his closest kith and kin if they would not follow his group's agenda. For them persecuting opponents and enslaving women is a matter of routine. Clearly, targeting the terrorist's leadership, camps and logistic bases is crucial. Equally important is to neutralize the ideology and media machine of the militants.... In order to fight terrorism effectively we have to counter extremism. How is it that proponents of such destructive and violent ideologies are able to attract donors and are able to easily recruit young people? People are asking is the government aware of the financial sources of Baitullah and Fazlullah and has it taken appropriate measures to block them? One additional source for militants is to project war on terror as crusade against Islam and use it as a means to generate funds for their global fight against West. Recruiting sources of militants should also be identified and efforts made to prevent young people from joining their ranks." "An Alternate 'Af-Pak' Strategy," an op-ed by Shahzad Chaudhry in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/06) "Pakistan shall need pervasive intelligence sharing from forces across to time their maneuvers well; without such coordination, with operations displaced in time, the effect will largely be dissipative and diffusive; the aim being to sanitize regions on both sides off the hardened and the criminal elements. Remember, these people, the malleable ones and those likely to turn their back on militancy, belong here; it is their land and they have a right over it. Hand it back to them with all their rights. Tie them into the mainstream; give them the means to move up the social ladder through bona fide socio-economic facilitation, and the momentum of the regional economic compulsions, suitably supported by other initiatives in education, health, and institutional services, will right all the doctrinal, socio-political and confrontationist distortions. This will be our only hope. 'Af-Pak' needs a rewrite, and a vastly different strategy." "The Obama Doctrine," an op-ed by Ahmad Faruqui in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/06) "The problem will not be solved by sending in more American troops. Unless the Afghans can be made to see the threat posed by the Taliban, this war will not be won. In fact, there is a good chance that the more numerous the Americans in Afghanistan, the more their predicament will resemble that of the French Legion in Algeria.... The solution is not just going to require a rebuilding of the Afghan army. It will require a rebuilding of the strategic culture of the country. And that has to begin with a repudiation of the hatred-based ideology of the Taliban." "Genesis Of Extremism," an op-ed by Khalid Iqbal in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/06) "Resistance against foreign occupation is another aspect that has the tendency of pushing the boundaries, of an otherwise legitimate struggle, to protrude into the realm of extremism. More often than not, the occupation forces term the freedom fighters as extremists. As activities of freedom fighters and extremists may produce similar end effects, the distinction between the two is a matter of respective political alignments.... Extremism is a hydra-headed monster; its breeding causes as well as sustaining factors are numerous. It comes to fore in various combinations. Hence, strategy to counter-extremism has to be specific for each setting." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson