PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 20, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001652 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 20, 2009 Summary: Major Urdu dailies on Monday ran as their lead story Secretary Clinton's remarks in India that "those responsible for 9/11 are in Pakistan." Pegged to it was Pakistan Foreign Office denial terming the U.S. allegations as "baseless." In a front-page report from Washington, the English daily, "Dawn," reported that the "U.S. is sending another envoy (Richard Holbrooke) to the region for talks aimed at reviving the India-Pakistan dialogue." Newspapers also highlighted former President Pervez Musharraf's statement in London calling for "establishing dialogue with Taliban in Afghanistan." All papers ran the LA Times report quoting Defense Secretary Gates as saying that "Americans won't back long Afghan war." Secretary Clinton's remarks made during an interview with an Indian network and her interaction with media during her time in India dominated editorial themes. The English daily, "The News," observed that "Ms. Clinton's guarded response to a question on Kashmir also seems to be a throwback to past policies of stagnant and non-progressive U.S. diplomacy on the India-Pakistan peace process." The Urdu daily, "Nawa-i-Waqt" observed that "after the statement of Hillary Clinton, the government of Pakistan should press America for having the Kashmir issue resolved in keeping with the UN resolutions." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Perpetrators Of 9/11 In Pakistan, Says Hillary" "The News" (07/20) "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said perpetrators of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are in Pakistan. Talking to reporters in Gurgaon near New Dehli, she said terrorism posed a threat to the world. She expressed the hope that Pakistan would bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to book." "U.S. Allegation Rejected" "Dawn" (07/20) "The Foreign Office has termed baseless U.S. allegations regarding presence in Pakistan of perpetrators of terror incidents in the United States and India. Abdul Basit, the spokesman, said the culprits were in Afghanistan, according to a TV channel. He was reacting on Sunday to a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton alleging that the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack in the U.S. and the November 26 strike in India were in Pakistan." "Pakistan Has Nothing To Fear From My India Visit: Clinton" "Dawn" (07/20) "The meeting in Egypt between Prime Ministers Yousuf Raza Gilani and Manmohan Singh has ignited the hope that India and Pakistan will pursue a dialogue again, says U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who begins a five-day visit to India this week. In an interview to 'Dawn' newspaper and TV, Secretary Clinton assured the Pakistanis that they did not need to fear the outcome of her India visit." "Pakistanis Recognize Terrorism A Threat to Their Country: U.S." "Dawn" (07/20) "Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Sunday the U.S. had seen an evolving commitment, not only by the Pakistan government but also by Pakistani people, and recognition that terrorism within a country was a threat to that country." "Probe Into Mumbai Attacks Over: FO" "The Nation" (07/20) "On last year's Mumbai attacks, the Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told a private Indian channel that the investigations into 26/11 is over and that India will receive full support from their side, adding that Pakistan was fully cooperating with India in the probe." "U.S. Sending Holbrooke To Region" "Dawn" (07/20) "As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is completing her talks in New Delhi, the United States is sending another envoy to the region on Monday for talks aimed apparently at reviving the India-Pakistan dialogue. Richard Holbrooke, although an envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, will this time also visit India." "Kashmir Part Of Indo-Pak Talks: FO" "The News" (07/20) "Welcoming U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's remarks that India and Pakistan should settle the Kashmir problem bilaterally, Pakistan on Sunday said it looked forward to resumption of the Composite Dialogue to discuss the issue. 'Two countries have agreed to discuss this issue bilaterally by agreeing toQhe composite dialogue framework. And Kashmir dispute is a part of that framework,' Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told a private Indian channel." "Mush Proposes Talks With Taliban" "The News" (07/20) "Former President Pervez Musharraf said dialogue had to be established with the Taliban and political progress, rather than military might, would achieve a solution in Afghanistan, the former general told Britain's Sky News television." "Americans Won't Back Long Afghan War: Gates" "Dawn" (07/20) "Defense Secretary Robert Gates said U.S.-led forces must gain ground against insurgents in Afghanistan by next summer to avoid a public perception the war is unwinnable, the Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday. While noting that the Taliban militants would not be defeated within a year, Gates told the newspaper it was critical that the U.S. military and its allies show they were making progress in the Asian nation." "'Do More' Advice From ISAF Chief" "Dawn" (07/20) "Americans are again seeking to blame difficulties they are facing in their latest military campaign against Taliban in southern Afghanistan on 'insufficient cooperation' from Pakistan. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, is believed to have pursued this line in his secret visit to Islamabad over the weekend during which he met President Asif Ali Zardari and Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani." "Police Launch Counterattack In Swat, First Time" "The News" (07/20) "For the first time in the last two years of unrelenting militancy in the Swat Valley, the police launched a counterattack on the Taliban militants in Sambat Cham area of Matta Tehsil after the beheading of a Matta Police Station class-1V employee, Muhammad Iqbal, killing one militant besides demolishing seven houses." "64 Suspects Arrested" "The News" (07/20) "The Security forces and police in a joint search operation arrested 64 suspected militants and recovered arms in different parts of the district on Sunday. Arms, including six kilogram of explosives, two Kalashnikovs, four rifles, six pistols and several cartridges, were recovered from them." "3 Terrorists Killed, One Arrested: ISPR" "Dawn" (07/20) "Three terrorists were killed in a clash with security forces in Mauja Kando area of Malakand. Troops seized arms and ammunition and destroyed militants' hideouts, according to press release issued by the ISPR on Sunday." "Taliban Commanders' Arrested" "Dawn" (07/20) "Security forces arrested two key Taliban commanders and seized huge cache of arms and ammunitions during a search operation and targeted militant hideouts in different areas of Charmang tehsil in Bajaur tribal region on Sunday." "Militancy Caused Rupees 22 Billion Loss, Says Minister" "Dawn" (07/20) "NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain says the government has suffered a loss of Rupees 22 billion because of militancy and the military operation against Taliban." "IDPs' Repatriation Gains Momentum" "The News" (07/20) "Repatriation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their respective areas further intensified on the seventh day of the drive as an estimated 82,005 persons returned home on Sunday." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "America & Peace In South Asia," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/20) "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's acknowledgement that Washington has not always been understanding of Pakistan's needs in the long run, and that relations between the two countries have been contingent upon U.S. interest, is on the face of it a welcome admission but should be followed up with concrete action to make up for these past mistakes.... Ms. Clinton's guarded response to a question on Kashmir also seems to be a throwback to past policies of stagnant and non-progressive U.S. diplomacy on the India-Pakistan peace process.... If the U.S., on its part, wishes to sincerely build a long term relationship with Pakistan and change its negative perception here, then persisting with the policies of the past cannot be the way to go." "Hillary Clinton's Welcome Statement," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (07/20) "Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that longstanding Kashmir issue should be seen in the backdrop of emerging situation; the problems could only be solved by Pakistan and India jointly.... She said that America supports Pak-India dialogue, but it will not mediate to resolve the Kashmir dispute.... After the statement of Hillary Clinton, the government of Pakistan should press America for having the Kashmir issue resolved in keeping with the UN resolutions. Presently, Pakistan should go for talks only on Kashmir, because all the problems will be solved within no time if Kashmir is resolved." "Talks Should Resume Soon," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (07/20) "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statement is worth paying attention to in which she said that Pakistan has taken comprehensive action against terrorism which is why India should not ask for linking the talks with terrorism.... The politicians and scholars of both Pakistan and India should ensure that terrorism does not become a hurdle in the way of dialogue between two countQes. This fact should be accepted that Kashmir is the real dispute between the two countries. Both the countries could have exemplary relations if the Kashmir issue is resolved." "Fight Against Terror And India," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (07/20) "India doesn't give Pakistan the role the world wants to give it as the fighter against terrorism. It actually thinks it is a part of the problem, but no one listens to it. America thinks Pakistan is crucial in the fight against terrorism and is reacting positively to Islamabad's change of policy towards the Taliban. But, just when the U.S. Congress passes laws to reward Pakistan for its new policy, India wants Pakistan punished instead. This is where New Delhi, pushed by its domestic politics, is isolating itself." "Talks, Not Intervention, Are The Solution To Issues," an editorial in Lahore-based populist Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 10,000) (07/20) "Although India did not show much enthusiasm at the NAM Conference despite Pakistan's positive stance, it must be remembered that the Indian media is terming the Sharm El-Sheikh communiqu a victory for Islamabad. India has also agreed not to link talks to terrorism. This expression by India can be termed an important development in the improvement of bilateral relations." "U.S. Overture To Taliban," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (07/20) "In an important foreign policy speech she delivered at the Council of Foreign Relations in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took the position that her country's fight is not with the Taliban but al Qaeda.... She further said that her side stands ready to welcome anyone supporting the Taliban who renounces al Qaeda, and is willing to participate in the political process.... No wonder they have now reached the conclusion that the only way to break the stalemate is to talk in order to end the nearly 8-year long conflict. That is good news for Pakistan, which has paid a heavy price in terms of lives lost - both civilian and military - the nation's economy and its social fabric. Pakistan therefore has as much, if not bigger, a stake in the success of the peace overtures as the U.S. and its allies." "Staying On In Swat," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (07/20) "As the IDPs stream back to their homes in the division, they need the army in place for psychological reasons. On ground, troops are needed to help a rudimentary administration reassert itself and impose order on an area that had become the stronghold of the terrorists for nearly three years. The trauma of killings and beheadings is still fresh and trust in the permanence of the state is still shaky. Worse, warlord Fazlullah is still alive and broadcasting from his FM radio, reminding us that some areas of Malakand are still 'infected.'" "FATA 'Development'," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/20) "Infrastructure development, job creation and the provision of essential services such as education and healthcare facilities hold the key to a healthier future for the people of FATA. If it is to prosper, the tribal belt needs to be brought into the mainstream of Pakistani society. Otherwise this deprived region will remain a breeding ground for extremism." "Waziristan And After," an op-ed by Asad Munir in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/20) "Al Qaeda, the Jihadis, sectarian groups and the local and Afghan Taliban do not want to lose the safe havens of Waziristan. Losing this area will have a great setback to their overall strategy and future designs, especially with the loss of Swat.... Once Baitullah realizes that the establishment is serious, he may well ask for a deal, but this time, it is unlikely that he will get a positive response.... The army needs to persist with its operation and must not pause." "Expanding The Operation?," an op-ed by Syed Munawar Hasan in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/20) "U.S. President Obama is on record having said that as long as extremists are there in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the U.S. will have to stay there. Our perception, on the other hand, is that so long as the Americans stay in this region, peace will elude us. If the U.S. occupation in Afghanistan and its interference and the drone attacks in Pakistan continue, the people of these countries won't sit idle due to the U.S. fear. The U.S. will have to face the music and Pakistan too won't be safe from the consequences. But, unfortunately, the rulers are afraid of the U.S. while political bigwigs also feel honor in calling on the U.S. envoys." "The Taliban Exposed," an op-ed by Ahmad Faruqui in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/20) "The Taliban who portray themselves as liberators of the Pakhtun people are in fact the most tyrannical force the Pakhtun have seen in centuries. They need to be exposed for what they really stand for. So should the Pakistani Army stop the military campaign against the Taliban? Most certainly not!... But this should be accompanied by a civil offensive. Talibanism needs to be exterminated through a grass-roots campaign in mosques, in schools and in colleges.... People should be asked to vote 'yes' 'or 'no' on Talibanism. The Taliban now stand exposed and it is very likely that Talibanism will be defeated in the referendum. Such a vote will attract not only national but also international attention. It will simultaneously isolate the Taliban domestically and send a signal globally that the people of Pakistan are united in their opposition to terror and that the Pakistani nation, contrary to how E it is depicted in western media, does not pose a threat to world peace." Patterson