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.

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News Stories
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"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."

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Editorials/Op-eds
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"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