PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: AUGUST 18, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001955 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: AUGUST 18, 2009 Summary: The U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke's Pakistan visit continued to garner front-page media coverage on Tuesday. His remarks made while talking to a select group of senior journalists that "President Zardari would hopefully complete his term" and that "Pakistan is gaining political stability" made headlines in several major newspapers. Reports of the killing of at least seven persons including three children in a bomb blast in Shabqadar (a town of NWFP) were also highlighted. All newspapers highlighted reports on the assassination of the chief of a banned religious (Sunni) outfit 'Sipah-e-Sahaba,' Ali Sher Haideri that sparked riots in several parts of province Sindh. The ISAF Commander General McChrystal's meeting with Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani also received extensive coverage. Newspapers reported that the security agencies arrested Baitullah's lieutenant commander Saifullah in Islamabad. In its editorial on Ambassador Holbrooke's offer to help ease Pakistan's energy crisis, the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News," noted that "we must also keep in view that while Holbrooke seems to be offering a prize for warding off the Taliban, in the longer run this is something we must be committed to because it is necessary for our own survival." In contrast, the liberal Urdu daily "Express," opined that "apparently the statement of the U.S. envoy to help Pakistan in the energy sector is good, but the government should not forget that such an offer may not be without some hidden objectives." Whereas the center-right national English daily "The Nation," observed that "if matters of vital interest to Pakistan continue to be put on the backburner, one wonders if the talks with important U.S. emissaries can in any way be dubbed as strategic dialogue." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Zardari To Complete Term: Holbrooke" "Daily Times" (08/18) "President Asif Zardari will hopefully complete his 'role' as the democratically elected head of Pakistan, U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke told senior journalists and editors during an informal interaction on Monday. He said there was a marked change in the political situation of Pakistan. Refraining from commenting on the internal politics of Pakistan, he said the situation had improved greatly from what he had observed during his first visit." "Holbrooke Says FODP Pledges To Start Materializing In September" "The News" (08/18) "The United States has assured Pakistan that $2 billion of the $5.28 billion committed by the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) in the Tokyo meeting would be released in 2009-2010. This includes payment of $1 billion ($500 million each from U.S. and Japan) in September. This assurance came from Mr. Richard Holbrooke, special U.S. representative on Pakistan and Afghanistan, during his meeting with Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, a senior official of the Ministry of Finance told 'The News.'... He said Holbrooke has informed us that President Obama has formed a joint task force for assisting Pakistan in overcoming the present energy crisis." "Energy Crisis Cannot Be Solved Overnight: Holbrooke" "Dawn" (08/18) "Richard Holbrooke's public statement a day earlier to help Pakistan overcome its energy crisis notwithstanding, the U.S. Special Envoy has acknowledged that the problem was too deep-rooted to be solved overnight. The crisis has been building up for 25 years and it's quite obvious that it cannot be solved in a few weeks, he told a group of inquisitive journalists who wanted to know if the American trouble-shooter for the region had a concrete plan to meet the challenge." "U.S. Lures Pakistan Away From IPI Gas-Line" "The Nation" (08/18) "Asking to stay away from Iranian gas pipe-line for enhanced American energy cooperation, the Washington left Islamabad in a fix on Monday to choose between nearest available gas line or help line from U.S. in tackling the ever-growing energy crisis. 'In case Pakistan withdraws the primary partnership of transnational Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) Gas Pipeline project, it would also get the American support to get funds committed by the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP),' sources told 'The Nation.' According to the sources, Rickard Holbrooke and Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin tossed these option during their meeting in Islamabad on Monday." "Gilani Hails Pak, U.S. Energy Task Force" "Pakistan Observer" (08/18) "Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has welcomed President Obama's initiative to form a joint task force for assisting Pakistan in overcoming the present energy crisis in the country." "Obama To Preside Over FODP Meeting; U.S. To Lit Our lights" "The News" (08/18) "U.S. President Barack Obama shall preside over the next critical meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) being held in New York on September 24th. This was confirmed in Islamabad on Monday by U.S. President's special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, during an informal, but on the record, conversation with a group of newspaper editors and senior journalists." "Obama Vows To Defeat Al Qaeda, Help Pakistanis" "The News" (08/18) "In a speech to veterans of Foreign wars in Phoneix, Arizona, President Barack Obama on Monday renewed his administration's resolve to defeat Al Qaeda but said military power alone will not lead to success in the fight against extremists and that the United States would help the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan to build the future they seem." "Drone Attacks Fuelling Anti-U.S. Feelings, PM Tells Holbrooke" "The News" (08/18) "Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday urged the U.S. to provide drone technology to enable Pakistan armed forces to take action against terrorists. He emphasized that the drone attacks remained a matter of public concern in Pakistan. They were counter-productive to government's efforts for isolating the terrorists and the concomitant collateral damage was exploited by the extremists for fuelling anti-Americanism in the country, he added." "Holbrooke Non-Committal Over End To Drone Attacks" "The News" (08/18) "U.S. President's special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke refusing to commit on 'no drone attacks in FATA' said that talks are continuing between Pakistan and the U.S. in this regard. While giving details to 'Online' members of the Parliament belonging to FATA headed by Parliamentary leader Munir Orakzai on Monday met Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and demanded from the U.S. government to stop drone attacks, as people living in tribal areas are furious, upset and livid over the U.S. actions." "Holbrooke, Fazl Discuss Political Issues" "Daily Times" (08/18) "U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke met Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Fazlur Rehman on Monday and exchanged views on various political issues." "If Baitullah Were Alive, He Would Be On TV: Holbrooke" "Daily Times" (08/18) "The United States knows that the leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Baitullah Mehsud, is dead because he has not appeared in public to prove that he is alive, U.S. envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke told CNN on Monday." "3 Children Among 7 Killed In Shabqadar Blast" "The News" (08/18) "At least seven persons, including three children and two women, were killed and nine others sustained injuries in a blast in a passenger vehicle at a petrol pump in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda district on Monday." "SSP Chief Ali Sher Haideri, Aide Shot Dead" "The News," "The Nation" (08/18) "The Chief of banned religious outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), Allama Ali Sher Hyderi, was shot dead along with his close associate Imtiaz Phulpoto, while chief of SSP Sindh chapter Maulana Abdul Karim Marri was injured in firing by some armed persons near Khairpur in the wee hours on Monday. One of the attackers was also killed when the guards of Allama Haideri retaliated. The killing sparked riots in interior Sindh and Karachi, in which two protesters were killed and several other were wounded when personnel of law enforcement agencies opened fire on mob to stop them from removing rail track." "U.S. General McChrystal Calls On Gen. Kayani" "Daily Times" (08/18) "General Stanley McChrystal, Commander International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan on Monday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and discussed important security issues and cooperation in the war on terror." "Baitullah's Lieutenant Held In Islamabad" "Dawn" (08/18) "A team of police and security agencies arrested Saifullah, a commander of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) along with an aide in Islamabad on Monday. Sources told 'Dawn.' that Saifullah, acted as a mediator between Baitullah Mehsud's TTP and Al Qaeda." "U.S. Setting Up Army Base In Capital With Zardari's Support" "The News" (08/18) "The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has accused President Asif Ali Zardari of backing the establishment of a U.S. army base in the federal capital on the pretext of the extension in the American Embassy, said (JI) Secretary General Liaquat Baloch, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Monday evening." "Presence Of Private U.S. Guards Scares Peshawarites" "The News" (08/18) "The reported presence of American security personnel in the provincial capital and their increasing movement in residential areas of the city has added to the anxiety of residents. Inspector General of Police NWFP Malik Naveed Khan, however, categorically denied the presence of personnel of any foreign security agency in Peshawar to protect the diplomats." "Indian PM Raises Fresh Alarm Of Terror Attack" "Dawn" (08/18) "Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday that militants in Pakistan were plotting new attacks on India as he urged security forces to stay on high alert. Mr. Singh told a summit on internal security attended by the Chief Ministers from India's states." "New Delhi Urged To Share Information" "Dawn" (08/18) "Pakistan on Monday asked India to share information that formed the basis of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's fears of more terror attacks allegedly being planned in Pakistan, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Helping Hands," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/18) "The energy crisis and the state of Pakistan's struggling economy topped the agenda as the U.S. Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan met the foreign minister on his latest trip to Islamabad. This represents a distinct change in focus, with Washington showing a willingness to help Pakistan tackle its most pressing concerns.... The time seems to have come to reap the benefits that stem from the operation against the militants.... While Holbrooke's words and a softened approach towards pulling Pakistan out of the ditch into which it has stumbled have put smiles on many faces, Washington will naturally put its own interests first. Any evidence of a militant resurgence could bring the stick out once more.... We must also keep in view that while Holbrooke seems to be offering a prize for warding off the Taliban, in the longer run this is something we must be committed to because it is necessary for our own survival." "Pakistan's Energy Crisis And Statement Of U.S. Special Envoy," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (08/18) "U.S. special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Holbrooke, has said that the U.S. will help Pakistan to resolve the latter's acute energy crisis. Apparently the statement of the U.S. Envoy to help Pakistan in the energy sector is good, but the government should not forget that such an offer may not be without some hidden objectives. Hence the government should be very cautious while inking any agreement with the U.S. in this regard." "What Strategic Dialogue?," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (08/18) "According to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, (U.S. Envoy Richard Holbrooke's) visit is in continuation of strategic dialogue to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in different fields. With a number of vital matters that Islamabad has pursued with Washington being constantly ignored, one wonders if there is anything on the agenda other than Pakistan's performance against the militants in areas bordering Afghanistan. To many, Mr. Holbrooke evokes the image of a taskmaster who turns up to review the progress made by Islamabad on issues vital to the U.S. and harangue the political and military leadership, duly lined up to meet him, on what needs to be done.... If matters of vital interest to Pakistan continue to be put on the backburner, one wonders if the talks with important U.S. emissaries can in any way be dubbed as strategic dialogue." "The Best Option," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (08/18) "U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has claimed that the U.S. will focus more on 'energy-related issues,' a laudable objective given Pakistan's acute electricity crisis but an area in which it is difficult to see an immediate American contribution to the solution.... One of the major initiatives that the Government of Pakistan is hoping to push through is the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.... So will the Americans continue to block access to international funding for the IPP or will they give Pakistan a viable alternative? With civilian nuclear cooperation ruled out by the U.S., there aren't many other options." "U.S. Cooperation To Overcome Energy Crisis," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (08/18) "Richard Holbrooke, Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan has said that U.S. would cooperate with Pakistan to help it overcome the energy crisis.... Anyhow the U.S. willingness to support Islamabad to overcome the energy shortages is though late yet a welcome development.... We would strongly recommend that Pakistan should also seek transfer of technology for power generation plants from the United States, China and France." "Welcome U.S. Assistance," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (08/18) "U.S. Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke said the U.S. had shifted its focus towards Pakistan's economy and the energy sector.... The U.S. seems to have realized that the social, political and administrative structures of Pakistan have suffered heavily as a result of militancy against the state and society. Ironically, the huge outlay of the American assistance in the war against terrorism has yet to produce any perceptible uplift in the economic fortunes of the common Pakistanis.... The U.S. envoy's statement is a welcome step given the U.S. background of making short term planning with regard to Pakistan." "New Foundation Of U.S. Friendship," an editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (08/18) "In his press conference after a meeting with Foreign Minister Qureshi, U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke said that the U.S. would make economic cooperation, not terrorism, the basis of its future relationship with Pakistan. Does it mean that the aid for Pakistan will be economic-specific and it will be deprived of all military assistance? India is doing its level best to block the transfer of any military hardware for Pakistan from all over the world." "End Of U.S. Interference Is A Panacea To All Problems," an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (08/18) "U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke has said that his country will help Pakistan to overcome its energy crisis. He further said that Pakistan itself would have to make any decision to launch a military operation in Balochistan. It is the need of the hour that our government must take all decisions on the national issues after getting approval from the Parliament rather than yielding to the U.S. dictate." "Holbrooke's Repeated Visits And Our National Interests," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (08/18) "Former chief of Intelligence Bureau Brigadier [retired] Imtiaz is on the record as having said that on the one hand, Mr. Holbrooke assures Mian Nawaz Sharif that the U.S. will not be a hurdle in a case against Musharraf, but on the other hand, pressuring President Zardari not to let any action take place against Musharraf.... If the U.S. continues with its present anti-Pakistan policies and does not end its romance with India, Pakistan should review its policy of repeatedly welcoming Mr. Holbrooke." "Richard Holbrooke's Four-Day Trip To Pakistan," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (08/18) "The Pakistani leadership must also realize that this is enough. We need to review our relationship with the U.S. All measures taken by the U.S. have only weakened Pakistan. These days, Islamabad is abuzz with reports of the U.S. building a 'super' Embassy there.... Why does the U.S. need super Embassy in Islamabad? The setting up of a super Embassy shows that the U.S. wants to remain in the country for a long period of time.... Our leaders' silence on the issue [of Embassy expansion] is also worrisome. Obviously, this is happening with the government's permission. What do our rulers have to say on this issue?" "U.S. Cooperation: Move Beyond Assurances," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (08/18) "Mian Nawaz Sharif's suggestion to Mr. Holbrooke is worth noting: he said that if the U.S. wants to see Pakistan strengthened, it should invest in the country, rather than give aid.... Mr. Holbrooke's concern at Pakistan's economic situation is encouraging. He has also assured Pakistan of support, but it is not yet clear what shape this support will take. We hope things become clearer during Mr. Holbrooke's trip to Karachi." "Energy Crisis And Implications Of Pak-U.S. Friendship," an editorial in Lahore-based populist Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 10,000) (08/18) "Speaking in the National Assembly, a PML-N MNA has said that arrangements are being made to house 7000 U.S. Marines in the U.S. Embassy. Two thousand Marines have already arrived in the U.S. What is the purpose for expanding the U.S. Embassy premises and increasing the number of U.S. Marines? Is a path being paved to set up a U.S. garrison [in Islamabad]; and if this happens, will our nuclear assets remain out of U.S. reach? Judging by this turn of events, it is not wrong to expect that our leadership will review former president [Musharraf's] policy of bowing before the U.S." "U.S. Strategy," an editorial in Karachi based Pro-Jihadi right-wing daily "Ummat" (Cir. 33,000) (08/18) "For over a decade the U.S. strategy has been to bring governments in power, and then exert pressure on them to work out on the American agenda. Pakistan remains the principal U.S. target and Washington is gradually getting hold of Pakistani politics. The expansion of the American Embassy and stationing of the Marines there is part of this strategy to get access to Pakistan's nuclear assets." "American Signal Of Operation In Balochistan," an editorial in the Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) (08/18) "U.S. Special Envoy Mr. Holbrooke's comments about PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif that keeping a distance with him would not be in the U.S. interest is not going to benefit PML-N anyway. These closer ties could be in the American interest, but not in Nawaz Sharif's own political interests. Nawaz Sharif needs to remove the impression that he too is willing to serve American interests." "Hysteria Over New U.S. Embassy" news analysis by Sadiq Saleem in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/18) "The usual America-bashers in Pakistan are going hysterical over the planned expansion of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad instead of seeing it as a symbol of the U.S. commitment to remain engaged with the country. If these people are to be believed, there is something sinister about the expansion of the U.S. Embassy. They have done no research on the size of American diplomatic missions in other countries and their bearing on U.S. relations with the host country. As is often the case, it is all about hyping up anti-American sentiment without sharing facts. The size of an Embassy reflects the nature and depth of relations between two countries. If Pakistan wants U.S. aid and U.S. military hardware then it should be pleased that the U.S. is committing resources and personnel to its relationship with Pakistan." "Increase In Suicide Rate Among U.S. Soldiers," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (08/18) "It is very unfortunate that President Obama is following in his predecessor's footsteps of creating unrest in the region through U.S. and Allied troops in Afghanistan. As a reaction to the continued military presence, not only is militancy on the rise in the region, so is the U.S. troop death-toll." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Feierstein