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.

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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