PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: SEPTEMBER 08, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002159

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: SEPTEMBER 08, 2009

Summary: The visits of U.S. Deputy Secretary Jacob Lew, and a
Congressional delegation led by Adam Smith continued to garner
extensive media coverage on the second consecutive day. Prime
Minister Gilani's statement urging United States to "expedite
passage of Kerry-Lugar bill and Reconstruction Opportunities Zones
bill by the Congress" received front page coverage in all major
newspapers on Tuesday. Newspapers also reported that the CODEL met
with Army Chief General Kayani and Interior Minister Malik. Reports
of the Deputy Secretary Lew's visit to Peshawar, Mardan and his
meetings with the senior NWFP officials and the Malakand IDPs were
also highlighted. The weekend editions of the newspapers
front-paged U.S. Embassy's spokesman remarks "rejecting" allegations
of U.S. involvement in the plane crash that killed former military
President Ziaul Haq.

Most major newspapers ran editorials on a host of subjects including
the Prime Minister Gilani's remarks on the disbursement of the U.S.
aid, prevailing sugar crisis, the Sri Lankan funding for terrorists
and so forth. The Karachi-based center-left independent national
English daily "Dawn," noted that "Capitol Hill is in no mood for a
repeat of the blank checks issued to the Musharraf regime." The
center-right national English daily "The Nation," advised that "what
is needed on the part of the government is to learn to live within
its means and get rid of its reliance of foreign aid. It will
otherwise continue to be dictated to on domestic and foreign
policies." Toeing the line, its Urdu sister newspaper, daily
"Nawa-i-Waqt," observed that "instead of requesting America to give
the assistance directly to the government of Pakistan, the Prime
Minister (Gilani) should have courage to tell everyone that Pakistan
will neither receive aid from America or any other country, nor will
we accept any plan or order against our national interest." End
Summary.

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News Stories
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"Gilani's Plea For Swift Passage Of U.S. Bills" "Dawn" (09/08)

"Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called upon the United
States on Monday to expedite passage of the Kerry-Lugar bill and
Reconstruction Opportunities Zones (ROZ) bill by the Congress for
delivering the peace dividend by way of investments in health,
industry and infrastructure sectors in Swat, Malakand and tribal
regions. Talking to a U.S. delegation comprising Congressmen Adam
Smith and Bobby Neal and Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford, he
stressed the need for channeling disbursement of U.S. financial
assistance through the established mechanism and institutions in
Pakistan to save on administrative expenses on projects run by the
USAID and NGOs."

"U.S. Legislators Call On COAS" "Business Recorder" (09/08)

"U.S. Congressman Adam Smith, Member of House Armed Services
Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence along
with Congressman Boby Bright and congress woman Gabrielle Giffords
called on chief of Army Staff (COAS),General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani
on Monday at General Headquarters (GHQ). The visiting dignitaries
remained with the chief of Army Staff for some time and discussed
matters of mutual interest."

"U.S. Delegation Meets Rehman Malik; Exchanges Views Of Mutual
Interest" "Jang" (09/08)

"A U.S. Congressional delegation, led by Congressman Adam Smith,
called on Minister for Interior Rehman Malik in Islamabad. The
bilateral relations between the U.S. and Pakistan and matters of
mutual interest were discussed in the meeting."

"CM Tells U.S. Team Malakand People Awaiting Compensation" "The
News" (09/08)

"NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti has said the morale of the
people of Malakand is high, however, they are waiting for the
reconstruction of their wrecked houses and compensation for other
losses. He expressed this while talking to a U.S. delegation, which
met him under Deputy Secretary of State for Resources and
Management, Mr. Jacob J. Lew, in Peshawar on Monday, says an
official communication."
"Owais Briefs U.S. Delegation About IDPs Rehabilitation Process"
"The Nation" (09/08)

"The visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Resources and
Management Jacob J. Lew accompanied by an eight-member delegation on
Monday called on the NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani at Governor's
House, Peshawar and exchanged views on the prevailing situation in
the region with special reference to the prospects for restoration
of peace and normalcy. The delegation, which also included U.S.
Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, took keen interest in the ongoing
measures for rehabilitation of internally displaced persons as well
as ensuring sustainable economic development in the terror-hit
areas."

"U.S. Ambassador Visits Gadoon Industrial Zone, ROZs Discussed" "The
News" (09/08)

"Ambassador of the United States of America (USA) to Pakistan, Anne

W. Patterson, leading a high level delegation, on Monday paid a
visit to Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate with respect to observe the
prospects of U.S. sponsored Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs).
The U.S. envoy visited different sections of the industrial zone and
also paid a detailed visit to Saif Textile Mills. Later, the U.S.
Ambassador attended a meeting held at the Saif Textile Mills in
regard to holding a discussion with industrialists about the setting
up of ROZs in the area. During the meeting, U.S. Ambassador
apprised the participants that the government of United States
wanted to set up ROZs in different industrial areas of Pakistan for
providing easy access for the country's goods to American markets."


"U.S. Denies Role In Zia Plane Crash" "Daily Times" (09/07)

"The U.S. on Sunday rejected allegations that it was in any way
involved in the plane crash that killed former president General
Ziaul Haq and several top Pakistani officials. U.S. Embassy
spokesman Richard Snelsire denied former Intelligence Bureau Chief
Brig (R) Imtiaz Ahmed's claims that the U.S. was behind the crash,
adding that, '[other] allegations that the U.S. tried to influence
or stall the investigations are baseless and untrue. We reject all
such allegations.' 'Dunya TV' quoted U.S. Embassy sources as saying
that since a U.S. official was also killed in the crash, it was in
their interest to get to the bottom of this mystery."

"U.S. Satisfied With Pakistan's Nuclear Security: Gates" "Dawn"
(09/08)

"The United States is satisfied with the security of Pakistan's
nuclear arsenal, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an
interview with Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based satellite news channel,
according to a transcript, calling the arrangements in place
'sufficient and adequate.'"

"No More Organized Resistance In Swat: ISPR" "The News" (09/08)

"Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major
General Athar Abbas on Monday said organized resistance in Swat and
Malakand has come to an end and the remaining terrorists and
miscreants are on the run."

"2 Foreigners Among 7 Killed In Drone Hits" "The News" (09/08)

"Seven persons including two foreign militants were killed and same
number of others injured in drone missile strikes by a CIA-operated
US spy plane in Machikhel village in the Mirali subdivision of the
restive North Waziristan Agency (NWA) on Monday evening, official
and tribal sources told 'The News' from Mirali by telephone."

"10 Militants Killed, Houses Of LI Leaders, Supporters Razed" "The
News" (09/08)

"Security forces claimed killing 10 more militants and demolishing a
dozen houses owned by the banned Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) leaders and
their supporters in different areas of the Bara subdivision of
Khyber Agency on the seventh day of the operation."

Roadside Blast Kills Five Soldiers In South Waziristan Agency" "The
News" (09/08)

"Five soldiers were killed and four others sustained injuries when a
roadside remote-controlled bomb planted by militants went off in the
Zariban Kot area in Tiarza Tehsil of South Waziristan Agency on
Monday."

"Balochistan Cantonment Plan Put On Hold" "Dawn" (09/08)

"In a move that might lower political temperature in strife-ridden
Balochistan, the government on Monday said work on setting up
cantonments in the province was being put on hold. Disclosing the
major move, the Balochistan Chief Minister said a formal
announcement about abandoning the construction of cantonments and
several relief measures would soon be made by Prime Minister Yousuf
Raza Gilani during his visit to the province."

"Confidential Report Sent To The Federal Government Regarding 200
Houses In Islamabad Being Used By Americans" "Khabrain" (09/08)

"A confidential intelligence report on the U.S. Embassy's rental of
over 200 houses in Islamabad has been sent to the Federal
Government. The report talks of American officials activities in
these houses and houses location in various sectors."

"Black-Water In Pakistan: Intelligence Agencies Submit Report To
Government" "Business Recorder" (09/08)

"The intelligence agencies of Pakistan have provided a detailed
report on about 200 houses, acquired by the U.S. Embassy in
different areas of the Federal capital, including the houses taken
on rent by the Black-water World-wide, informed sources said in
Islamabad on Monday."

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Editorials/Op-eds
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"American Aid," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (09/08)


"We are the ones asking for aid and the U.S. has every right to
decide how it should spend its money.... Still, it needs to be
asked whether the best efforts of top professionals may not produce
better results than those of low-paid government functionaries. Or
could it be that local people best understand local concerns? A
middle ground has to be found, for close cooperation is essential if
the greater good is to be achieved. Donors have learned from the
'90s and are unlikely to throw money at the kind of fly-by-night
NGOs that used to crop up like a rash whenever any development
project was floated. The government, for its part, must make an
honest assessment of its capacity and present a detailed plan of
operation that will satisfy lawmakers in the U.S. Capitol Hill is
in no mood for a repeat of the blank checks issued to the Musharraf
regime."

"Disbursing U.S. Aid," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/08)

"Washington insists on disbursing a large portion of the [$1.5
billion] assistance through NGOs. Prime Minister Gilani's argument
against using the NGO conduit is that it involves out of proportion
administrative expenses to the extent of 35 to 40 percent. Others
who object to the NGOs' involvement maintain that as U.S. agencies
would pick and choose the NGOs for the purpose, this would provide
undue leverage to Washington on civil society.... The argument
generally given in favor of diverting aid through the NGOs is that
there is rampant corruption in government departments.... In the
final analysis the beggars cannot be choosers. In the past also a
portion of the aid has gone back to the U.S. in lieu of the 'buy
America' policy and as payments to U.S. advisers and functionaries.
What is more the aid has never been without strings. What is needed
on the part of the government is to learn to live within its means
and get rid of its reliance of foreign aid. It will otherwise
continue to be dictated on domestic and foreign policies."

"Getting Rid Of U.S. Debts Is The Only Dignified Way Out," an
editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (09/08)

"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has stressed in a meeting with
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Resources and Management Jacob J.
Lew that America should distribute aid to Pakistan via Pakistani a
government mechanism as aid disbursement through NGO's increases the
expenses by 35-40 percent.... Instead of requesting America to give
the assistance directly to the government of Pakistan, the Prime
Minister should have courage to tell everyone that we will neither
receive aid from America or any other country nor will we accept any
plan or order against our national interest.... The time has come
for us to introduce austerity in our lives and block plans to turn
U.S. Embassy into a military base and banish Black-water operatives
and instruments of Jews and Hindus from Pakistan."

"Distribution Of U.S. Aid Through NGOs," an editorial in the
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (09/08)

"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's standpoint on American aid
distribution through American institutions and Pakistani NGOs echoes
the sentiments of Pakistani nation.... This aspect of the American
aid is preposterous that out of $1.5 billion the government will
practically get $300 million while the rest of the amount will go to
the agencies and NGOs.... America should be asked to form a
monitoring team comprising representatives of U.S. and Pakistan
administrations to oversee the aid distribution and welfare
projects."

"U.S. Needs Image Improvement," an editorial in the Islamabad-based
rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (09/08)

"The controversy about tragedy of mid-air crash that killed the then
President Ziaul Haq on August 17, 1988 has also resurfaced with
statements and counter statements on the cause of the crash and who
was behind. Prominent politician and son of the late President -
Ijaz-ul-Haq - is alleging that the United States forcefully stopped
the probe into the incident and his assertion has been corroborated
by an ex-master spy Brig (Retd) Imtiaz Ahmad.... The U.S. mission
in Islamabad has come out with a strong denial emphasizing that the
country was not behind scrapping of the investigations into the
unfortunate incident.... In our view, the claim of the U.S. Embassy
might be right but the fact remains that there is a general
impression in Pakistan that the U.S. was behind the Bahawalpur
crash.... Anyhow, leaving this aside, we may ask the U.S. to give
serious consideration to the phenomenon i.e. why in Pakistan or for
that matter in rest of the world wrongs are attributed to the U.S."


"Afghan Elections And Expansion In The U.S. Operation," an editorial
in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000)
(09/08)

"There are hints coming from Washington that America is thinking of
expanding the operation against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and
extending it to Pakistani tribal areas.... Recent U.S. statements
had been making it clear that America's real targets are those
leaders of al-Qaeda who are hiding in Pakistan.... If America wants
peace in the region then it should trust political process and
democracy instead of relying on more troops, weapons and war plans."


"Evaluating The Swat Test," an op-ed by Dr. Maleeha Lodhi in the
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir.
55,000) (09/08)

"In addition to regaining control of the region, Operation
Rah-e-Rast's accompanying goal has been to restore public confidence
in the law enforcement agencies and the civil administration so as
to create an environment unfavorable to the free movement of
insurgents and inhospitable to the re-emergence of militancy....
The establishment of hybrid security arrangement and conclusion of
the stabilization phase will dictate the army's ability to gradually
withdraw from the area, leaving behind a permanent garrison. Just
as imposing in the recovery phase are the 'build and rehabilitate'
challenges which also involve putting in place sustainable local
governance and justice systems. The outlook here is uncertain as
the civilian complement to the military operation has yet to come
into energetic play."

"Is America Our Friend?," an op-ed by Rasul Bakhsh Rais in the
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (09/08)

"The United States has come to occupy a central position in the
strategic environment of Afghanistan and Pakistan. This may not be
an ideal situation for us but that is the reality. Our rational
self-interest in this situation dictates that we help rebuild a
stable Afghanistan, help end the war and deepen our relationship
with the United States, taking it beyond the contingencies of
Afghanistan. There is genuine interest in the U.S. and other world
capitals in stabilizing and normalizing Pakistan by giving it a
democratic and developmental orientation. It depends on us how best
we leverage our position and advance our national interests."

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Patterson