PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 30, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001748 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 30, 2009 Summary: Newspapers on Thursday gave prominence to reports that former President Musharraf "ignored Supreme Court's notice to defend his action of imposing state of emergency on November 3, 2007." All newspapers also highlighted Indian Prime Minister Singh's statement that the "two nuclear powers have to trust each other or risk war." Prime Minister Gilani's remarks that "any strings to aid would be unfair" received prominent coverage. Several major dailies reported that the "U.S. denounced the international response to Pakistan's humanitarian crisis (IDPs) as inadequate." Newspapers highlighted report that a "U.S. judge found Aafia (Siddiqui) fit to stand trial," on charges of attempting to kill American soldiers and FBI agents in Afghanistan. Most major newspapers ran editorials on U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke's recent remarks on Taliban funding, and insufficient aid for Swat IDPs. Commenting on the subject, the prestigious English daily, "Dawn," raised a question that "who sells them (Taliban) such sophisticated arms as rocket launchers and landmines and modern electronic communication gadgetry - and why?" The Lahore-based liberal English newspaper, "Daily Times," noted that the "fact is that the insurgency is very likely to have multiple sources of funding, not just one." However, another liberal Urdu daily "Express," underlined the "need to increase assistance to Pakistan, because it is fighting alone as a frontline ally in the war on terror." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Musharraf Ignores Notice As SC Continues Hearing" "Dawn" (07/30) "The Supreme Court went ahead with its hearing on the judges' case on Wednesday as former President Pervez Musharraf ignored its notice to defend his decision to impose emergency on November 3, 2007, in person or through a lawyer." "Pakistan, India Need to Build Trust: Singh" "Daily Times," "Dawn" (07/30) "Defending the Sharm El-Sheikh joint statement between India and Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday asserted the two nuclear powers have to trust each other or risk war. Dr. Singh told opposition leaders that his government needed no lessons in managing ties with Pakistan, whose stability was vital to India's progress." "Strings To Pak Aid Will Be Unfair: Gilani" "The News" (07/30) "Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday asked the international community to help Pakistan at this difficult juncture rather than creating hurdles in its way, as it was playing a major role as frontline state in the war against terror. In response to a question regarding the strings attached with the Kerry-Lugar bill, the Prime Minister said any strings to aid would be unfair." "U.S. Denounces Paltry Aid To Pakistan" "The News" (07/30) "The United States on Wednesday denounced the international response to Pakistan's humanitarian crisis as inadequate, with a senator saying that Gulf Arab States should contribute more, Assistant Secretary of State Eric Schwartz told a congressional hearing." "U.S. Judge Finds Aafia Fit To Stand Trial" "The News" (07/30) "Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, the Pakistan neuroscientist accused of attempting to kill American soldiers and FBI agents in Afghanistan, has been found competent to stand trial by a U.S. judge in New York City. The judge, Richard Berman of United States District Court, said on Wednesday that Ms. Siddiqi 'had a rational as well as a factual understanding of the proceedings against her' and could assist her lawyers with her defence. He set a trial date for October 19." "Accord With Tajikistan To Stop Supply Of Illegal Arms" "Dawn" (07/30) "Pakistan and Tajikistan pledged on Wednesday to intensify their efforts to curb militancy. President Asif Zardari said he would work with President Emomali Rakhmon to stem the flow of weapons and ammunition to militants. The Tajik leader urged President Zardari to work in close cooperation to prevent instability in Central Asia. The two states 'condemn terrorism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations and express their readiness to cooperate closely, bilaterally in combating these twin threats', said a memorandum signed by the leaders." "Taliban Kill MPA's Relative In Shangla" "The News" (07/30) "An anti-Taliban elder Haji Khalil and cousin of an MPA Fazlullah and relative of PML-Q NWFP chapter President Amir Muqam, who had supported the military operation against the militants, was killed and his son was injured when suspected militants stormed their home in Shangla district on Wednesday." "NWFP Orders Removal Of Afghan Prayer Leaders" "Daily Times" (07/30) "The NWFP government has ordered the Malakand administration to stop Afghan nationals serving as prayers leaders in different districts of the division from continuing their activities. A special cabinet meeting on law and order decided that all mosques should have local residents as prayer leaders." "Three Militants Killed In Waziristan" "Dawn" (07/30) "Three militants were killed and four paramilitary soldier injured during an exchange of fire in Dosali area of North Waziristan on Wednesday." "Three Injured In FC Fire After Military Convoy Attacked" "The News" (07/30) "Three persons, including two Khasadars and a pedestrian, were injured on Wednesday when Frontier Corps personnel opened fire after their convoy was targeted by a remote-controlled bomb blast in Sadukhel area of Khyber Agency." "Four Terrorists Killed, 21 Held In Swat" "The News" (07/30) "As many as four terrorists were killed, 21 others apprehended while one militant surrendered before the security forces during clearance and search operation in different parts of Malakand division, according to ISPR's updates issued on Wednesday." "20 Suspected Terrorists Arrested" "The News" (07/30) "At least 20 suspects including five Afghans have been arrested from different cities of Punjab, according to sources." "Usama, Deputy May Be In FATA: U.K. Envoy" "The Nation" (07/30) "The U.K. High Commissioner Robert Brinkley has expressed apprehension that Al Qaeda's leader Usama bin Laden and his second in command Al-Zawahri might be hiding in the tribal areas of Pakistan, while talking to media in Islamabad on Wednesday." "U.K. HC's Claim Of Al Qaeda Leaders' Presence Baseless: FO" "The News" (07/30) "Pakistan has said the claim made by British High Commissioner that Usama, Mullah Omar and Al-Zawahri were present in Pakistan was baseless, adding action will be taken in this respect if solid evidence is provided. Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said in his exclusive chat with Online on Wednesday." "U.S. Reaches Out To Second Tier Of Taliban Leaders" "Dawn" (07/30) "As part of a new strategy, the United States and its NATO allies in Afghanistan are trying to reach out to the second tier of the Taliban leadership, while continuing to use military force to tame or eliminate the hardcore. Gen Stanley McChrystal, the new U.S. commander in Afghanistan, provided some insight into the new strategy in an interview published on Wednesday." "Taliban Divided On New Code Of Conduct" "The News" (07/30) "Although there were differences among militants operating in Pakistan, the issuance of a new code of conduct by the Afghan Taliban Movement has further deepened the existing differences, 'The News' learned in Islamabad on Wednesday." "U.S. Looks For 8th Member Of North Carolina Group" "The News" (07/30) "The U.S. federal authorities are looking for an eighth alleged member of a North Carolina group, who, according to U.S. prosecutors, travelled to Pakistan in October 2008 for plotting 'violent Jihad' overseas, prosecutors said on Tuesday." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Funds For The Taliban," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/30) "Cutting off funding from abroad is a challenge because it is obvious that pro-Taliban elements do not use normal banking channels to transfer money.... Tackling this is a ticklish job.... The task is to scrutinize all transactions, as is humanly possible, and nab sympathizers of the terrorists. This, of course, requires coordination with the security agencies in the Gulf countries. For some mysterious reason, however, while we continue to hear about Taliban funding nobody seems to focus on the sources of arms for the militants. They have money, agreed, but who sells them such sophisticated arms as rocket launchers and landmines and modern electronic communication gadgetry - and why?" "Mystery Of Taliban Funds," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (07/30) "The fact is that the insurgency is very likely to have multiple sources of funding, not just one.... One cannot ignore the 'income' the Taliban count on through criminal activities. Not only do they allow criminal groups to kidnap people for huge ransoms, they levy their own taxes and 'protection money' in the areas where they have replaced the writ of the state.... Opposition to the Taliban among the local influential groups in Pakistan has grown because of the need of the Taliban to extort money from them to make up the funds for the purchase of weapons and explosives, paying off its foot-soldiers and compensating the families of the 'martyr' Taliban." "Disclosure Of Taliban Getting Funds From Other Countries," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (07/30) "There is a need to increase assistance to Pakistan, because it is fighting alone as a frontline ally in the war on terror, whereas, according to Mr. Holbrooke the Taliban are getting funds from several countries. As far as moderate Taliban are concerned, Pakistan has always held that the moderate among these should be included in the national mainstream. The U.S. must move forward in this respect, as it would help take the war on terror to its logical end." "Phenomenon Of Sympathizers Of Taliban," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (07/30) "There is substantial evidence that India and secret agencies of some other countries are providing all sorts of assistance to Taliban including funding, arms and ammunition and that is why they are sustaining their resistance in the face of full-fledged operation by Pakistan Army. There is, therefore, need to address this aspect of the problem and the U.S. should use its influence and resources to help stop this foreign assistance to militants." "U.S. Report On Pak-U.S. Cooperation," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (07/30) "Richard Holbrooke has admitted that the terrorists are getting funds from Europe and the Gulf. What action will he take against Europe? However, [Pakistani leaders] need to discuss these matters in the parliament and the nation too should be taken into confidence." "Another Dud Deal?," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/30) "Reports and comment in the foreign media are increasingly talking of the possibility of a deal being explored - or even done -- between the army and Baitullah Mehsud.... What is clear is that a month after the go-ahead for an operation in the Waziristans there is very little sign of movement, and every single one of the men on the government's 'most wanted' list remains at large despite considerable prices on their heads.... It is perhaps worth remembering that all the previous operations against the Taliban in Pakistan have ended in a peace deal which they have negotiated from a position of strength, and they still have powerful supporters in the establishment and the military. Either we beat Mehsud or he beats us. There is no middle ground - and no deal, either." "If U.S. Wants Peace, It Must Initiate Dialogue With Taliban," an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (07/30) "The U.S. must initiate dialogue with 'moderate' Taliban, but it must remember that all Taliban are moderates. And United States will have to negotiate with the committee that Taliban leader Mullah Umar will constitute for this purpose. The U.S. must understand the Taliban mindset, as every Taliban wants supremacy of Shariat laws in Afghanistan." "At Last Consensus On Political Solution Of Afghanistan," an editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (07/30) "There are some media reports that President Obama is willing to hold dialogue with sensible elements among Taliban before the next Congressional elections in Washington. It seems that the U.S., Britain and their allies have realized that the occupation of Afghanistan by foreign forces is not possible, and it is a historical reality. And U.S. craving to hold dialogue with moderate Taliban is not a new phenomenon, however, the consensus of President Obama, Afghan and Pakistani leaderships to find out a political solution of this problem is a significant development." "The Good And The Bad," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/30) "It is worth recalling that negotiations were what Washington had been opposing whenever Islamabad took that road in the past, accusing it of hobnobbing with militants, but Secretary Clinton now calls upon Pakistan 'to consider' a similar arrangement with the Pakistani Taliban. Strangely, however, Pakistani officials have been quoted as saying that they see no distinction between the good Taliban and the bad. They need to revisit the option. The country cannot afford to take inherently peaceful and patriotic citizens and distinction has to be made between the intractable lot and those who could be brought in the mainstream." "Contradictory U.S. Policy For Afghanistan And Pakistan; The Government Should Not Accept Any More Dictation From The U.S.," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (07/30) "Speaking with journalists in Brussels, U.S. Envoy Richard Holbrooke said that America supports dialogue with moderate Taliban. According to him, 70 percent supporters of the Taliban do not favor Mullah Omar and Al-Qaeda ideology.... With American Congress elections are to be held next year, the U.S. administration strongly feels about Americans reaction to the body bags that continuously arrive from Afghanistan, which could create immensely difficult situation for Democratic Party. That is why the Obama administration wants to be soft on the Taliban and wants to have Karzai government hold talks with the moderate Taliban.... Moreover, Afghan presidential election is due next month and America wants to see its puppet Karzai win it once more.... Going soft on the extremist Taliban has become a compulsion for Obama and Karzai." "New Malakand Pitfalls," an op-ed by I.A. Rehman in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/30) "Any plan to confine the militants to the tribal belt will not only be based on a flawed assessment it will also be impossible to implement. The key issue, however, is identification of forces that support peace. The population of the conflict-ravaged zone is not likely to back a government-militant accord as it will again put them at double jeopardy. Thus a compact for peace must be negotiated with the Malakand population which should have firm guarantees of a security cover. Only a compact like this will deter the militants from crossing the limits." "Afghanistan: Joe And Joya," an op-ed by I.M. Mohsin in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/30) "If the U.S. treats Afghanistan as a war, then it has to shoulder the burdens let loose by changing ground realities. Fatigue appears to be setting in among the foreign forces. The situation may get worse in August although already, as per BBC, 73 soldiers had died till day-before. Pakistan and U.S. must seriously deliberate on the developing crisis. Bad faith should give way to solidarity dictated by the sense of purpose.... Afghanistan is not Vietnam. U.S. can't just pull out like it did from Saigon of yore.... The role of Pakistan would remain crucial. Only she can help." "Mumbai Probe," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/30) "Pakistani investigators probing the terrorist attacks last November in Mumbai have concluded that 'Lashkar-e-Taiba' (LeT) activists conspired, abetted, planned, financed and established a communication network to carry out terror attacks in Mumbai.'... The terrorist attacks jeopardized the standing of the whole country and brought it into a state of near conflict with its biggest neighbor, and as such Pakistanis ought to know as much as possible about organizations and networks in their midst that are bent on dragging them into a state of perpetual conflict." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Feierstein