PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: AUGUST 10, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001850

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: AUGUST 10, 2009

Summary: Reports on the conflicting claims about the killing of
notorious militant Baitullah Mahsud's in a U.S. drone attack
continued to garner extensive media coverage on Monday. U.S.
National Security Advisor James Jones's statement that he had seen
"pretty conclusive" evidence that Baitullah had died in a drone
attack received prominent display in all major newspapers. Pegged
to it were reports quoting Pakistan Interior Minister Malik as
"challenging" Taliban to "prove that their leader is still alive."
The Foreign Office spokesman's statement denying "any drone attack
accord with U.S." received wide coverage. Secretary Clinton's
remarks that the "U.S. did a lot 'behind the scenes' to show support
for demonstrators contesting Iran's disputing presidential election
results" were also highlighted.

Most major newspapers ran editorials on the mystery about Baitullah
Mehsud's fate and its potential consequences. The center-right Urdu
daily "Pakistan," noted that "there can be no doubt in that
Baitullah Mehsud's death and withdrawal of militants from Swat has
strengthened Pakistan's position." The Lahore-based newspaper,
"Daily Times," advised that "this is the time for Pakistan to move
forward and reclaim its sovereignty from the Taliban." However, the
Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq," observed that the
"reports of killing of the Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud have
given good reason for the U.S. drone attacks, as this is the first
high-profile success for the United States, and it can try to
convince the international community that its drone strikes aren't
unjustified." End Summary.

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News Stories
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"Evidence 'Pretty Conclusive,' U.S. Official" "Dawn" (08/10)

"U.S. National Security Adviser Jim Jones said on Sunday he had seen
'pretty conclusive' evidence that Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah
Mehsud had died in a drone attack, Gen. Jones told NBC's 'Meet the
Press' when asked if Baitullah had been killed in a U.S. missile
strike on Wednesday."

"Malik Dares Taliban To Prove Mahsud Is Alive" "The New" (08/10)

"Interior Minister Rehman Malik has challenged the Taliban to prove
their leaders are still alive, after reports that two of them have
been killed in shootout at their Shoora meeting. Rehman Malik told
the BBC officials physical evidence showed that the top commander,
Baitullah Mehsud, was killed in a U.S. missile attack on Wednesday."


"DNA Test Soon, Says Interior Ministry" "Dawn" (08/10)

"Ambiguities about the death of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
chief Baitullah Mehsud will be over after DNA tests in two to three
days, Interior Secretary Kamal Shah said on Sunday. 'Experts will
match the DNA of Baitullah with that of his brother' the official
told 'Dawn.'"

"U.S., Pakistan Believe Baitullah Is Dead; Taliban Deny Claim"
"Dawn" (08/10)

"The U.S. and Pakistan are almost certain a U.S. missile strike
killed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud and that his
death led to a fierce power struggle among his deputies, officials
said on Sunday, despite claims and counter-claims as to the fate of
the country's most wanted man."

"U.S. Reviewing Baitullah's Killing: Clinton" "The Post" (08/10)

"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that her
government is taking stock of the matter of Baitullah Mehsud's
killing, reported a private TV channel. She said, 'We are mulling
over all the reports regarding the killing of Baitullah Mehsud.'"

"Baitullah Killing Seen As Major Blow To Taliban" "The News"
(08/10)

"With a shattering stroke from the sky, the United States appeared
to have dealt a major setback to extremist forces by killing the
charismatic leader of the Pakistani Taliban. 'We've buried him more
than once in the past. But assuming it is right, it is a pretty
E
significant step. He became a symbol of the Taliban's war on the
Pakistani state, much more than any other figure,' said Bruce
Riedel, a former CIA Officer and White House Adviser."

"Hakeemullah And Wali Both Dead: Turkistan" "Dawn" (08/10)

"Baitullah Mehsud had been killed along with 40 militants in a drone
strike last week and was buried in his house, says a commander of
the rival group. Haji Turkistan Bhittani, a commander of the
Abdullah Mehsud group, told various TV channels on Sunday that Qari
Hussain, mastermind of several suicide attacks, was seriously
injured in the attack. He said that Mufti Waliur Rehman and
Hakeemullah Mehsud, the two leading contenders for the top slot,
were also killed."

"Baitullah's Aide Says He Is Alive But Ill" "The News" (08/10)

"The mystery about Baitullah Mehsud's fate persisted on Sunday as
one of his commanders maintained that he left his father-in-law's
house before a U.S. drone attack that killed his wife. Maulana Noor
Said, who described himself as a deputy to Baitullah, insisted that
the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) founder and head survived the
drone strike. However, he conceded that Baitullah was ill and in
poor health."

"After Baitullah, Battle On For Taliban Treasure" "The News"
(08/10)

"A bloody feud that followed Baitullah Mehsud's death involving
about three-dozen best-trained Taliban fighters early on Wednesday
morning was actually a battle among various Taliban warlords to
control Rs 2 billion Taliban funds and ownership of arms and
ammunition worth about Rs 1 billion by grabbing the 'Emarat' (the
leadership) of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP),according to
senior security officials and knowledgeable Taliban sources.... An
intelligence official said: 'For about four years, some 3,500
trained fighters and dozens of suicide bombers blindly followed
Baitullah as he was the centre of gravity of terrorism in
Pakistan.'"

"FO Denies Any Drone Accord With U.S.; Urges Pak Access To Civil
Nuclear Technology" "The News" (08/10)

"Pakistan says the India-Israel nexus has posed serious threat to
the regional security stressing that countries of the region should
take utmost care on this count particularly in view of the
prevailing nuclear environment of the region. Foreign Office
spokesman Abdul Basit said this in an exclusive interview with
Online in Islamabad on Sunday. He went on to say that Pak-U.S.
strategic collaboration was gaining momentum in war against
terrorism. Drone attacks had caused more damage than benefit to
Pakistan. However, no accord existed between Pakistan and the US
with regard to drone attacks, he added."

"U.S. Was In League With Iran Protesters, Admits Clinton" "The News"
(08/10)

"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sunday that the United
States did a lot 'behind the scenes' to show support for
demonstrators contesting Iran's disputed presidential election
results, Clinton said in an interview with CNN broadcast on Sunday."


"11 Militants, 5 Lashkar Men Killed In Clash" "Dawn" (08/10)

"Eleven militants and five members of an anti-Taliban Lashkar were
killed in a fierce gun battle in Khwaizai tehsil in Mohmand tribal
region on Sunday morning, According to official sources."

"Blast Kills 2 Soldiers" "Dawn" (08/10)

"Two soldiers were killed and four others injured when their vehicle
was hit by a bomb on the Miramshah-Mir Ali road on Sunday, according
to official sources."

"Helicopters Target LI Hideout In Tirah" "Dawn" (08/10)

"Sources said that at least five helicopter gunships targeted the
Lashkar-i-Islam hideouts in the remote Tirah valley of Khyber Agency
on Sunday. Officials said that besides blowing up of an ammunition
depot, seven vehicles of the militants were also destroyed.
However, no loss of life was reported."

"Militants Loot FC Convoy In Kurram" "The News" (08/10)

"Suspected militants on Sunday looted convoy of the Frontier Corps
(FC) that was transporting medicines and other goods to the blocked
town of Parachinar in Kurram."

"U.S. Bigger Threat Than India: Pakistanis" "The Nation" (08/10)

"A survey commissioned by Al Jazeera has revealed a widespread
disenchantment in Pakistan with the United States for interfering
with what most people consider internal affairs. The polling was
conducted by Gallup Pakistan - an organisation affiliated with the
U.S.-based Gallup Inc -and more than 2,600 people took part."

"U.S. Pressure To Shun Pak, Iran Gas Pipe" "Pakistan Observer"
(08/10)

"The government of Pakistan is under severe U.S. pressure to
postpone Pak-Iran gas pipeline project due to which government is
committing delay to formally get the project approved from the
Federal Cabinet, a senior official in the Ministry of Petroleum on
the condition of anonymity told 'Online.'"

"Obama To sharpen Af-Pak Goals" "The Nation" (08/10)

"President Barack Obama will next month send Congress a new plan for
measuring progress in Pakistan and Afghanistan, in an effort to
build confidence among wavering Democrats and give sharper direction
to a costly and increasingly bloody war, according to White House
officials."

"Baloch Republican Army (BRA) Kills Four More Cops" "The News"
(08/10)

"Separatist rebels shot dead four more policemen and threatened to
execute other hostages unless government withdraws troops and
releases detainees in Balochistan. 'The bodies of four more
policemen were found early on Sunday, a senior police official Kalim
Ullah told reporters on Sunday."

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Editorials/Op-eds
--------------

"Baitullah Mehsud's Succession," an editorial in the center-right
Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (08/10)

"There can be no doubt that Baitullah Mehsud's death and withdrawal
of militants from Swat has strengthened Pakistan's position; and if
need be, Pakistan can talk with the Taliban from a position of
strength. However, no one should be under the illusion that Taliban
can be eliminated through force alone. Along with force, efforts
must also continue to find a political solution to the issue."

"Succession After Baitullah," an editorial in the Lahore-based
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (08/10)

"Succession in the TTP is not going to be easy. And the TTP is never
going to be the same. All qualities among the Pashtun are
individual, above all organizational talent not often found in
warriors. This is the time for Pakistan to move forward and reclaim
its sovereignty from the Taliban. Al Qaeda is in trouble in this
transition. The drones are getting too close for comfort, and more
and more people will now be inclined to take money to betray its
leaders' whereabouts. Under the circumstances, the news that Al
Qaeda may move out of the mountains and into the cities is
credible."

"Justification Of Drone Attacks," an editorial in the Peshawar-based
Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (08/10)

"The reports of killing of the Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud have
given good reason for the U.S. drone attacks, as this is the first
high profile success for the United States, and it can try to
convince the international community that its drone strikes aren't
unjustified. Owing to this situation, the government must make
public details of all the U.S. drone attacks, and their rate of
success. One or two successes neither validate such attacks, nor
can permit the U.S. to defy Pakistan's sovereignty. Even if the
United States can achieve its targets through drone attacks, it has
no right to assault a country. And if the U.S. considers the drone
very effective tool, then it should transfer this technology to its
frontline ally in this war."

"Wider Ripples?," an editorial in the populist, often sensational
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/10)

"Baitullah Mehsud was never a significant part of the Afghan
equation, but his death will have undoubted consequences perhaps
most particularly on the relationship between the Pakistan military
and the Americans. Washington may now use his death to pressure
Pakistan to 'do more' - which is going to challenge those in the
military establishment whose ambivalent relationship with the
Taliban tends to define them as future, if not current, assets....
Also, Mehsud's death will almost certainly bring an end to the
long-planned but never executed operation in the Waziristans. This
was a fight that the army would rather it did not have, if only
because there was unlikely to be a clear-cut win and they would be
facing an enemy entrenched over years and resourced to the eyeballs.
Now, they can wait and watch as the serious internal schisms within
the disparate groups that make up the Taliban translate into
internecine conflict, obviating the need to conduct a full-scale
operation. Assuming that Mehsud was killed by a drone it bolsters
the American case for more of the same; and there has been a
deafening silence from the ranks of those usually quick to condemn
every infringement of our sovereignty. Mehsud's (presumed) death is
significant but not definitive in terms of the wider conflict; a
conflict which will probably outlive any number of 'leaders.'"

"Taliban Shootout," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (08/10)

"The episode throws a garish light into the workings of the Taliban
in Pakistan, where it seemed that the law of the jungle operated at
its most naked, and where leadership was only retained by those most
ready to kill. And not kill the enemy, but one another. It also
signals the beginning of the breakdown of the Tehrik that has been
predicted for it, but those emerging from this internal struggle
will be fiercer and more hardened in purpose than before.... The
late Baitullah's network is still virtually intact, and unless it is
dismantled, the government can be sure that someone will take it
over."

"Fighting Militants," an editorial in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/10)

"Key Taliban figures, including Maulana Fazlullah, remain
unaccounted for. Recent militant incursions into Shangla and other
districts of NWFP indicate they retain their capacity to carry out
plans. This is disturbing. Many of Swat's wealthier and more
influential residents have chosen not to return to it. This means
that the ordinary people left to survive on their own will have even
less capacity to ward off a militant threat. This is a possibility
that needs to be guarded against. The 'Lashkars' need to be built
into a civilian defence force able to keep watch over the valley and
keep it safe."

"More Alive Than Dead?," an op-ed by Ejaz Haider in the Lahore-based
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (08/10)

"Rehman Malik says if Baitullah Mehsud (BM) is not dead the Taliban
should give evidence that he is alive. This one sure takes the cake.
It's almost like saying the onus of proving that he is alive is on
the Taliban because we 'know' he is dead! But why the hell would
the Taliban give evidence of whether BM is or is not dead? The
suspense works to their advantage, especially if the government
cannot give conclusive proof of his death. Even so we now have
reports suggesting BM is planning his own video release to prove he
is alive and kicking! It is of course possible that BM is in fact
dead and the Taliban are buying time to work out a succession
process before they announce that he has died of natural causes or
some such thing."

"Foreign Buying On Baitullah Mehsud's Death News!" news analysis by
Afzal Bajwa in the center-right national English daily "The Nation"
(cir. 20,000) (08/10)
"Pakistan's capital market that registered healthy buying on part of
the foreign players during the week ending Friday last is most
likely to get fresh attention of international investors after the
news about Taliban leader's death.... The potent fundamental
indicators of the market coupled with sentiment boosting news about
the death of most wanted leader of militant's Baitullah Mehsud
helped bulls to prevail towards the end of the week under-review."

"Afghan Elections," an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/10)

"Confronted by the existential threat posed by the Taliban/Al Qaida
combine, Pakistan and Afghanistan are doomed to cooperate. They
need to engage purposely and wholeheartedly because if they remain
at odds with each other, or work at cross-purposes, both will
suffer. Something approaching friendship must be forged. The
animus and suspicion that has traditionally existed won't do."

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Feierstein