PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 22, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001670 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 22, 2009 Summary: Reports and photographs of "ferocious protests over power outages" throughout the country dominated front pages in all newspapers on Wednesday. All major dailies ran front-page reports on the arrival of U.S. Special Envoy Ambassador Richard Holbrooke in Islamabad. The English daily, "The News," quoted him as saying that the "U.S. will grant another $45 million to help the internally displaced persons." Newspapers gave prominent coverage to U.S. television ABC News report that the "missing U.S. soldier in Afghanistan might be in FATA." Secretary Clinton's remarks made during an interview to an Indian news show urging India "to help Pakistan fight terrorism" also received wide coverage. Also highlighted were remarks attributed to Pakistan's Interior Minister, currently visiting France, castigating the "U.S. ongoing bombing campaign against suspected militants in Pakistan." Most major dailies ran editorials on the recently inked U.S.-India defense deal. The English newspaper, "Daily Times," noted that "the Obama administration has extended the strategic relationship which the Bush administration started with India. Let us not allow the latest Indo-U.S. agreement to divert our attention from the internal threat we are facing from the Taliban and their extremist network all across Pakistan." Another English daily, "The Nation," observed that "the agreements are likely to set off an arms race in the subcontinent, and that cannot serve American national interest, especially as the other runner in the race will be Pakistan, distracted from the USA's war on terror in which it has so far been a resolute ally." The Urdu daily, "Express," wrote: "the defense deal between India and U.S. would be a source of enhancing the problems confronting the region. On the one hand the signing of this agreement is a reflection of the growing relationship between India and the U.S. and on the other there could be some hidden intentions behind this agreement that could have far reaching effects on the regional situation." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Ferocious Protests Over Power Outages Shake Punjab" "Dawn" (07/22) "Violent protests erupted in several districts of Punjab, mainly in Jhang, as traders observed a province-wide shutter-down strike against frequent disruptions in power supply. Reports from different parts of the province said the protesters blocked highways and city roads and staged demonstrations and sit-ins and damaged public and private property." "Holbrooke Arrives In Islamabad" "Daily Times" (07/22) "U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke arrived in the federal capital late on Tuesday. The U.S. special envoy would discuss the latest security situation and assess the rehabilitation process of the internally displaced persons from Swat. Diplomatic sources said Holbrooke would meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani and other security officials during his two-day visit. Holbrooke would also visit the IDPs but the plan has been kept secret due to security reasons." "U.S. To Give Another $45 Million For IDPs: Holbrooke" The News" (07/22) "The United States will announce the grant of another $45 million to help the internally displaced persons (IDPs). In an exclusive talk with 'The News,' U.S. Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, said the announcement to this effect could come in his joint press conference with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday." "Holbrooke May Demand Full-Fledged Action In South Waziristan" "The Nation" (07/22) "Richard Holbrooke, the Special U.S. Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, may demand a full-fledged military operation in South Waziristan in his talks with Pakistani leaders during his three-day visit to Islamabad, said a diplomatic source in Islamabad on Tuesday desiring not to be named." "Missing U.S. Soldier May Be In Pakistan" "Daily Times" (07/22) "A U.S. soldier kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan may have been taken across the border to Pakistan, complicating efforts to obtain his release, ABC News reported on Tuesday." "Hillary Urges India To Help Pakistan Fight Terrorism" "Dawn" (07/22) "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged India to help Pakistan fight terrorism, saying that such assistance would enhance India's stature as a global power. In an interview to an Indian news show, 'Frankly Speaking,' Secretary Clinton stressed that U.S. economic and military assistance to Pakistan would be linked to its progress in the fight against terrorism, but said she believed Pakistan was now committed to this fight." "Malik Slams U.S. Drone Strikes" "Dawn" (07/22) "Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday attacked the United States' ongoing bombing campaign against suspected militants in Pakistan. 'We said to the United States: 'You are a great champion of democracy, and here is a small democratic country with all voices saying stop the drones.' I think the U.S. must listen and must stop the drones,' Malik told France 24 Television." "U.S. Launches $75 Million Pre-Service Teachers Education Program (Pre-STEP) In Punjab" "Dawn," "The Statesman" (07/22) "A new five-year, $75 million U.S.-funded program to improve Pakistan's teacher skills and qualifications was officially launched in Lahore on Tuesday. The Pre-Service Teachers Education Program (Pre-STEP) program is a cooperative endeavor between the U.S. government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Punjab's Ministry of Education." "U.S. Lawmaker Highlights Urgency For ROZs Passage" "Daily Times" (07/22) "Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Chief sponsor of the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) legislation, urged the fast-track approval of the preferential trade program, saying it would strengthen U.S. national security and help Pakistan and Afghanistan offer economic hope as an antidote to Talibanization." "U.S. Lawmaker Rejects ISI-Taliban Nexus" "The Nation" (07/22) "In the interactive session, U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Chief sponsor of the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) legislation, said he was fully convinced about Pakistan's commitment to the fight against the Taliban. He told the gathering that the ISI no longer has links with the Taliban. 'With respect to changed attitude to the Taliban, right now, the Pakistani Army is engaged in military actions in Swat Valley and they are reportedly planning on taking actions against the Taliban in South Waziristan. So, I don't think there is any doubt with respect to fighting the Taliban. The evidence is pretty clear.'" "Another Setback For Baitullah; Mehsud Tribe Ditches Militants" "The Nation" (07/22) "Baitullah Mehsud, chief of Taliban Tehrik, faced another setback when traditional Jirga of Mehsud tribe announced their disassociation from the militant groups and assured to remain peaceful and loyal to the rule of law. Such a decision on the part of Mehsud tribe's traditional Jirga could further isolate Baitullah Mehsud." "Militant Strongholds In Dir Taken Over" "Dawn" (07/22) "Continuing their operation in Maidan tehsil of Lower Dir, security forces claimed on Tuesday to have killed 12 militants, including two ringleaders - Qari Hakimullah and Sher Khan. According to official sources, troops have taken control of militants' strongholds in Takatak, Undak, Misri Khani, Safaray and Kala Dag." "11 Militants Among 18 Killed In Swat" "The News" (07/22) "Security forces have killed 11 more militants in their hunt for the Taliban fighters in the Swat Valley, while suffering three fatalities. Locals said seven militants were killed in Damghar and Mamdherai areas of Kabal. They said the slain militants included two local commanders, identified as Khalifa and Pehlwan." "16 Killed In Khyber Clashes" "The News" (07/22) "At least 16 persons were killed in clashes between two rival groups in Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency on Tuesday. The sources said the clashes between volunteers of the banned outfits Lashkar-i-Islami and Ansar-ul-Islam continued for three days over the occupation of bunker known as Ghulam Ali Bunker in Tirah Valley." "Troops Seize Huge Quantity Of Ammunition Near Landi Kotal" "Daily Times" (07/22) "The Khyber Rifles and Khasadar have confiscated a huge quantity of ammunition at Loy Shelman Ghunda Khel, a far-flung area to the north of Landi Kotal, said Khyber Rifles Commandant Colonel Furqan at the Landi Kotal army camp." "10 Injured In Khuzdar, Quetta Explosions" "Daily Times" (07/22) "Six people were wounded when an explosive device went off in a busy market in Khuzdar, while four people including three women were injured in a grenade attack in Quetta on Tuesday." "NATO Oil Supplier kidnapped In Karachi" "Daily Times" (07/22) "According to a report, Sardar Shair Ali Mangal, an oil supplier of the NATO forces deputed in Afghanistan, was kidnapped from within the limits of Sahrah-e-Faisal police on Tuesday." "Efforts In New Dimension Needed To Solve Militancy Crisis: HRCP" "Daily Times" (07/22) "While welcoming the return of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Malakand to their homes as a positive development, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has warned the government that no cosmetic shift in security policies will solve the crisis of militancy and that efforts in a new dimension will be needed to achieve that end." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Indo-U.S. Arms Deal," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (07/22) "The Obama administration has extended the strategic relationship which the Bush administration started with India. Unfortunately, it is going to be viewed negatively in Pakistan within a restricted definition of what India's strategic vision is supposed to be. This is the way all military transactions by India are viewed in Pakistan. An alarmist scenario is put together by building upon the 'U.S.-Israel-India' axis in the region which threatens not only Pakistan but also the entire Islamic world.... Let us not allow the latest Indo-U.S.y agreement to divert our attention from the internal threat we are facing from the Taliban and their extremist network all across Pakistan." "Indo-U.S. Cooperation," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/22) "U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton signed two cooperation agreements with India on Monday.... The agreements are likely to set off an arms race in the Subcontinent, and that cannot serve American national interests, especially as the other runner in the race will be Pakistan, distracted from the United States' War on Terror in which it has so far been a resolute ally.... This visit by Ms. Clinton was meant to cement the growing of U.S. ties with India, which it has nominated in effect as its bulwark against China.... However, as U.S. engagement with India continues, and as it is sucked into the disputes India has with all its neighbors, it will realize the harm it is doing to its own national interests." "U.S.-India Defense Deals And Regional Peace," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (07/22) "The defense deal between India and U.S. would be a source of enhancing the problems already confronting the region. On the one hand the signing of this agreement is a reflection of the growing relationship between India and the U.S. and on the other there could be some hidden intentions behind this agreement that could have far reaching effects on the regional situation. One reason for this great U.S. blessing could be a desire to turn India into a power to counter China's increasing influence in the region.... The Indian leadership should understand that developed countries first create differences between developing countries and then fill their own coffers by selling expensive weapons to these [developing] countries. Non-realization of this conspiracy has led to a further weakening of developing countries. Hence, India and Pakistan should minimize their differences and cooperate with one another." "Simply Pleasing India, Or A New Anti-Pakistan Strategy?," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (07/22) "America and India have agreed on a big defense pact, which will be a giant leap towards provision of American weapons to India.... The Bush era civil nuclear technology treaty and Obama era's undue pressure on Pakistan, in connection with Mumbai attacks, have exposed the reality of America being just a friend of India.... By creating AFPAK term, America has attached Pakistan with Afghanistan for all practical purposes and India is now a top priority country for America.... The President and the Prime Minister should convene a meeting of the Parliament to debate the American role and our defense and foreign policy." "U.S.-India Nuclear And Defense Deals," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (07/22) "America wants to make India a big power for China while forgetting that Indian weaponization would increase Pakistan's apprehensions.... Pakistan is a nuclear country of the region, but everyone knows why Pakistan struggled for nuclear weapons.... Pakistan is facing power crisis.... Pakistan is also supporting America in the war on terror.... The government of Pakistan had been asking America for nuclear reactor for power generation. Now America has decided to provide two nuclear reactors to India. America should also pay attention to Pakistan's demand in this connection." "U.S.-India Defense Deals: Cause Of Concern For Pakistan," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (07/22) "If India has adopted a hypocritical policy towards Pakistan, so has the U.S. - as the U.S. is also intent on harming Pakistan in the guise of friendship. Pakistan needs to be cautious about the intent of both these countries." "Indo-U.S. Lethal Defence Pact," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (07/22) "It is understood that Washington is preparing India as a counter-weight to China and a power that could exercise its influence in the Gulf.... India is perhaps the only country, which as disputes with all its neighbors and has been using its military clout to browbeat them on different occasions. We believe that the new defence agreement and strategic nuclear accord would have disastrous consequences for regional and global peace in view of the track record of India." "Worrisome Deal," an editorial in the Peshawar-based, independent regional daily "The Frontier Post" (cir. 7,000) (07/22) "This Indo-U.S. defence deal cannot go without raising certain legitimate concerns in Pakistan.... Even at this point in time, that American discrimination against Pakistan is in full play in all its pristine glory.... Yet this U.S. discrimination should come as an eye-opener to our elites, who for pretty long have had contracted out for our foreign policy to the American lords and have now outsourced our internal policy to them as well. So much so, American interference even in our politics has become very incisive and decisive.... Still, if our elites are left with some wisdom, this U.S. discrimination must tell them telling if shove comes to push, their American friends will drop them in the dustbin like rotten eggs and embrace the Indians warmly and tightly. So they better wrest back our sovereignty they have leased out to their American masters and act as dictate this nation's supreme interests." "What Audacious Arrogance!," an op-ed by Shireen M. Mazari in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/22) "Clearly the Americans are suffering from an overdose of arrogance, especially when it comes to Pakistan and Afghanistan and no one exemplifies it better than Holbrooke who shows no interest in learning anything about Pakistan or its people, but comes over far too frequently to push our compliant leaders into doing U.S. bidding or simply to show the imperial colors. While Hillary Clinton happily agrees to sell all manner of hi-tech offensive weapons systems to India as well as agreeing to two nuclear power plants' sites to built by U.S. firms, we are being short changed again by the U.S. even as our soldiers are being compelled into the quagmire of FATA to match the U.S./NATO mess up in Afghanistan. However, we have no one but our leaders to blame for their continuing subservience to the U.S. It seems the only thing they ever seem to learn is the arrogance displayed by Washington, so that even as they bow before Yankee diktat, they treat their own nation with an arrogant disdain." "Home Truths," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/22) "Two IDP camps in Mardan were officially closed on Monday as there was little reason to keep them running after the recent exodus of homeward-bound refugees. This is welcome news but the road ahead is bound to be rocky.... The most pressing concern, however, is that of security. To this day, Taliban fighters are being engaged and killed in parts of Swat and security personnel too are dying. Some IDPs are refusing to go home until the influentials in their communities do the same. The element of fear has not been eradicated and it is the duty of the state to convince the people that it will not let them down again." "Considerable Progress," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/22) "Militant networks [have] in the past exploited the poverty in [the NWFP] by finding recruits among the local population. They [have] also been able to find a cause for their presence by harping on the theme of lack of justice backed by their demand for imposition of self-style Sharia. Therefore, while the government would have to undertake rehabilitation efforts like rebuilding schools, roads, hospitals and compensating the locals whose houses have been destroyed, it must invariably see to it that an effective criminal justice system is also enforced." "Skirmishes In Battle For Pakistan," an op-ed by Mahir Ali in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/22) "The U.S. may be the only country that has tried to live up to its commitments in the context of assisting refugees from Swat, yet the military authorities were understandably keen to avoid a visible American presence in the vicinity of the camps. That the U.S. has over the decades played a seriously deleterious role in Pakistani affairs is beyond dispute, but it has invariably done so at the behest and with the connivance of powerful local elements." "A Neo-Imperialist Collaborator," an op-ed by Basharat Hussain Qazilbash in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/22) "No matter how fierce the Afghans are in their resistance to the U.S., some of them know that they can achieve success only if they will have the backing of the Americans.... This shows the might of the American power.... The Afghans view the presence of the U.S. and NATO forces on their soil exactly like the Soviet occupying army in the 1980s. These neo-imperialists are likely to succeed in foisting Karzai for another four years as the President." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson