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.

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News Stories
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"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."

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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