PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002245

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

Summary: Reports on national political developments dominated
headlines in all major newspapers on Wednesday. All newspapers
front-paged the demand made by Chaudhary Nisar, Opposition leader in
the National Assembly, that an explanation be provided about former
President Musharraf's reported 'exit deal.' Newspapers also
highlighted Musharraf's refutation of "misusing" American military
aid. The English daily, "Dawn," ran a joint statement of the U.S.
senators - McCain, Lieberman and Graham warning that an "American
defeat in Afghanistan would further destabilize Pakistan." Reports
of "killing of 16 militants in different military operations in FATA
and Swat valley" also received extensive coverage.

Most major newspapers ran editorials on the tragic death of several
women in a stampede in Karachi as well as Musharraf's safe exit
deal. However, some dailies commented on the U.S. plan to engage
militants near the Pak-Afghan border and the recurring drone attacks
in that region. Commenting on the ongoing "military operation," the
second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" observed that
"this is regrettable that in pursuit of the obedient role in the war
of the U.S. interests even the sanctity of Ramadan had not been
considered and the military operation was continued despite local
Taliban's voluntary ceasefire." However, the independent national
English daily "Dawn" noted that "defeating militancy along the
Pak-Afghan border will require close cooperation between the
governments and security forces of both sides." Whereas, the
pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" wrote: "The U.S. has wasted
$800 billion in a futile adventure, which resulted in the killing of
millions of innocent people and growing poverty among its own
citizens." End Summary.

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News Stories
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"President Must Come Clean On Musharraf Deal" "The News" (09/16)

"The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday demanded of
President Asif Ali Zardari to apprise parliament and the nation of
the deal arranged by international powers with him which resulted in
'safe passage' for Pervez Musharraf, as revealed by the president a
day earlier. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, talking to reporters in his chambers in the
Parliament House in Islamabad on Tuesday, termed the statement of
President Zardari about safe passage to Musharraf as being violative
of national sovereignty."

"U.S. Aid Not Misused: Musharraf" "Dawn" (09/16)

"Former president Gen. (Retd) Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday denied
saying that while he was in power, he allowed using U.S. military
aid to Pakistan to strengthen its defenses against India. In a
statement issued in Philadelphia, Mr. Musharraf said the issue
highlighted by some Indian leaders and media was not even raised in
the interview."

"U.S. Responds Cautiously To Musharraf's Statement" "Dawn" (09/16)

"The U.S. State Department has reacted cautiously to an alleged
statement by the former president Pervez Musharraf that Pakistan has
used American military aid to strengthen its defenses against India.
'This is former president who has made these allegations ... But
simply we don't have the details to be able to respond to the
allegations,' State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told journalists
in Washington."

"America's Defeat To Destabilize Pakistan: U.S. Senators" "Dawn"
(09/16)

"Three powerful U.S. senators - John McCain, Joe Lieberman and
Lindsey Graham - warned on Tuesday that an American defeat in
Afghanistan would further destabilize Pakistan. In a joint
statement issued by their offices, they urged the Obama
administration to use 'decisive force' to defeat the extremists
operating in the Afghan-Pakistan region."

"Jets Strafe Bajaur; 16 Militants Killed" "The Nation" (09/16)

"Security forces on Tuesday killed 16 more militants in different
operations in FATA and Swat Valley. Fighter jets targeted suspected
hideouts of militants in Bajaur. Search operation was continuing in
Swat and Malakand Division, according to ISPR update."

"Changes In Law Planned To Curb Terror" "Dawn" (09/16)

"The government is introducing major changes to the anti-terrorism
law to give sweeping powers to law-enforcement agencies and courts
to effectively deal with militancy and terrorism, sources told
'Dawn.' 'We are living in a changed environment. The new
environment has thrown some new challenges and it has emerged that
the existing anti-terror law is inadequate and too weak to deal with
the new challenges,' a senior official said."

"Three Militants Killed" "Dawn" (09/16)

"Three militants were killed during an exchange of fire between
security forces and militants in Mangaltan area of Charbagh tehsil
on Tuesday."

"Six Taliban Camps Destroyed In Hangu" "Dawn" (09/16)

"The security forces blew up six camps of Taliban after entering
into Chappri Naryab area of Hangu district on Tuesday night."

"Taliban Destroy Medical Facility in Hangu" "Daily Times" (09/16)

"Taliban blew up a basic health unit in Hangu district on Tuesday,
police and local sources told reporters."

"Militant Leader, Sons, Supporters Surrender" "The News" (09/16)

"A militant commander, along with his two sons and other supporters,
surrendered to security forces in the Charbagh area of the Swat
Valley, while three insurgents were arrested from Matta bazaar on
Tuesday."

"Taliban Create New Stronghold" "The News" (09/16)

"The security agencies have found out that after erosion of the
Swat, Buner and Salarzai strongholds the Taliban have amassed on the
hard terrain between Batkhela and Jalala on the Mardan-Swat Highway,
and that is from where they perpetrate with the kind of suicide
attacks one of which was thwarted at Thana in Swat the other day."

"Taliban Reject UN Ceasefire Offer" "The News" (09/16)

"Rejecting the United Nations ceasefire offer on the occasion of Eid
and World Peace Day, the Taliban on Tuesday said the world body
should force foreign countries to withdraw their troops from
Afghanistan if it was interested in peace in the war-ravaged
country."

"Pledges Made To Pakistan Should Be Honored" "Dawn" (09/16)

"Lyn Pascoe, UN Under-Secretary General of political Affairs, said
in a press conference on Monday that it was important to ensure that
donor countries followed through on their pledges of money for
strengthening 'democratic Pakistan.'"

"Blasphemy Accused Found Dead In Jail" "Dawn" (09/16)

"Tension gripped Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial and Pasrur after a young
Christian man who was arrested on blasphemy charges was found dead
inside his jail cell on Tuesday. Jail Superintendent Ishtiaq Lodhi
claimed that the accused, Robert alias Fanish Masih, being kept in
solitary confinement, had committed 'suicide' in his cell. But his
relatives and members of the Christian community refused to accept
the jail authorities' claims and alleged that he was tortured to
death."

"Iran Suspicious Of U.S. Embassy Expansion" "The Nation" (09/16)

"Following the footsteps of China, Iran has also expressed
reservations over the increasingly expanding U.S. presence in the
region and called for concerted efforts by the Muslim Ummah to
counter U.S. designs, 'The Nation' has reliably learned on Tuesday."


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Editorials/Op-eds
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"Military Operation And Drone Attacks," an editorial note in the
second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000)
(09/16)

"It is regrettable that in pursuit of obedience to U.S. interests,
even the sanctity of has Ramadan not been considered and the
military operation was continued despite the local Taliban's
voluntary ceasefire.... The military operation and drone attacks
are causing the death of more or less 15 citizens every day. Why do
we have to continue with this bargain of loses.... The government
has given green signal to the army for the military operation in
Waziristan. The entire country might be engulfed in the American
war mongering like Afghanistan and Iraq if the American orders
continue to be implemented.... The rulers should see reason and
should pull themselves out of this war of American interests. The
military operation should be stopped and jirgas for peace, in
keeping with the tribal traditions, should be held."

"Pak-Afghan Border," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (09/16)

"If the U.S. does go ahead with a plan to engage militants near the
Pak-Afghan border from the Afghan side, it will fulfill a
long-standing demand of the state here for more to be done on that
side.... Increased activity by American troops along the border
runs the risk of 'hot pursuit' into Pakistani territory, a
possibility that would escalate tensions. Worse, if clear red lines
are not drawn beforehand, we could see a repeat of the controversial
U.S. raids, some aborted or repelled, in the Waziristan agencies in
September 2008. Unilateral action by the Americans inside Pakistan
would be a diplomatic and political disaster. Even joint military
actions would be fiercely opposed inside Pakistan and are untenable.
So the Americans must stay sensitive to Pakistan's internal
political and security dynamics, or else risk creating an even
bigger mess.... Defeating militancy along the Pak-Afghan border
will require close cooperation between the governments and security
forces of both sides. Ignore that fact and the militants will be
the only winners."

"Drone Threat," an editorial in the center-right national English
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/16)

"It is unfortunate that U.S. drone attacks have increased their
frequency during the month of Ramadan and will probably continue
into Eid as well. The U.S. has shown no concern for the
sensitivities of ordinary Pakistanis who are also falling prey to
these drone attacks. For every militant killed, more than triple
the amount of innocent Pakistanis also die. But that is just so
much 'collateral damage' to the U.S.... It is time to alter the
dynamics with the U.S. and a beginning needs to be made with the
elimination of the drones."

"U.S. Must Take Care Of Its Domestic Economy," an editorial in the
Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000)
(09/16)

"According to a recent report issued by the U.S. Census Bureau, the
poverty ratio has increased during the last five years due to the
surging economic depression and, at present, 40 million American
citizens are living in abject poverty. The U.S. provides billions
of dollars to other countries every year in the name of financial
assistance and loans while this report presents the other side of
the picture. The question arises why 40 million people are living
in poverty in the U.S., a country which provides hefty economic aid
and loans to almost the entire world? The answer may be simple and
easy to comprehend: the U.S. is reaping the fruits of the atrocities
it is committing across the world and the current economic
depression serves a divine warning for America. The U.S. has wasted
$800 billion in a futile adventure which resulted in the killing of
millions of innocent people and growing poverty among its own
citizens."

"Musharraf's Not So Great Exit," an editorial in the Lahore-based
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (09/16)

"There is nothing wrong, in our specific case, in having 'foreign
stakeholders' who usually end up securing us against our excesses.
All populist decisions taken by our governments brought us nothing
but poor results. This is not to say that Musharraf was some great
savior. Neither was he a great strategist, as was proved by Kargil
and his covert support of the Taliban; he was also no man of his
word. He may be safe from the hangman's noose but he will not be
able to play golf in Pakistan for a long time."

"President's Iftar-Dinner," an editorial in the Lahore-based
independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 5000) (09/16)

"Giving safe passage to former president Pervez Musharraf is not the
common man's problem. The common man wants Pervez Musharraf to be
present in Pakistan during hearing of petitions against him for
taking anti-public and anti-constitution measures. Even the right
to give safe passage to him rests only with the judiciary, in light
of the decisions on petitions against him."

"Safe Exit," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (09/16)

"To the surprise of no one, President Zardari has admitted that a
'safe exit' was engineered by international powers.... If the PML-N
really does want to see Mr. Musharraf tried it should take up at the
earliest the government's offer and table a parliamentary resolution
calling for Mr. Musharraf's trial. Let Parliament vote on the issue
and if it decides to call for Mr. Musharraf's trial, let the chips
fall where they may.... But there are also more pragmatic reasons
to avoid a fresh political crisis. The country is faced with myriad
problems, none of which will be solved or mitigated by trying Mr.
Musharraf. More crisis-solving and less crisis-creation, then, is
clearly the demand of the times."

"Can't We Resolve The 'Deal' Through Parliament?," an editorial in
the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir.
25,000) (09/16)

"President Zardari's remark that the guarantors included 'all
international and local powers, which have stakes in South Asia'
obviously brings to mind the role the United States must have
played, cashing in on the good offices of Saudi Arabia, to clinch
the deal. It would be too naove to think that the Americans
engineered Musharraf's ouster for the sake of democracy in Pakistan!
They needed sustained Pakistani support in its war on terror which
given dictator Musharraf's dwindling popularity was no more
possible."

"Twisted Honor," an editorial in the populist, often sensational
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (09/16)

"Deals have done little to make Pakistan a more stable or more
prosperous place. Indeed, by damaging democracy and giving a green
signal to dictators of the future to do just what Musharraf did,
they have harmed this cause. The trial of a former military chief
could have served to persuade the army of the desirability of
steering clear of political power. It now seems this message is not
to be sent out. The fact that President Zardari has spoken out
about the Musharraf deal raises further issues.... Our political
leaders must take a long, hard look at themselves and determine
where their loyalties lie."

"Pakistan to Dealistan," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/16)

"The admission of this deal has not come as a surprise to the
Pakistani nation which had assumed it had been short changed once
again by its elected leaders and their foreign allies. As we are
losing sovereignty on other fronts, with a virtual American invasion
of Pakistan, we have also lost control of our political system. The
people may hanker after democracy and often give their lives for it,
but for the ruling elite democracy is just a means of entering the
corridors of national power - only to barter away the nation to
external interests. So we have seen deals brokered by either the
U.S. and Britain or Saudi Arabia, sometimes perhaps all three
together, to bring leaders into power, take away leaders into exile,
and provide safe passage to others. The people of Pakistan may
vote, but it is the external actors and their deal-making prowess
with the local leaders that decide who will rule and how they will
rule. So it should not surprise anyone that our rulers adopt
policies suited to their foreign deal guarantors."

"Displacements," an editorial in the populist, often sensational
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (09/16)

"There is continued anticipation that soon an operation will need to
be launched in the Waziristan area which remains the main stronghold
of the militants. This would of course mean yet another
humanitarian crisis as people flee the area. The unrest that
simmers on in other agencies means too that it is not necessarily
from Waziristan alone that people will be displaced. It is
important to prepare for such an event. Stories being told by the
people of Swat increasingly reveal the extent of their suffering....
A strategy to deal with future displacements must now be drawn up
so that the worst sufferings can be averted."

"Obama's UNSC Nuclear Agenda," an op-ed by Shireen M. Mazari in the
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000)
(09/16)

"The UN Security Council is to meet on September 24 in a session to
be chaired by President Obama. The focus will be on arms control
and disarmament, specifically within the nuclear context.... So, if
the Obama Administration really wanted to zero in on the security
factor in the nuclear domain, it would have focused more on nuclear
safety and less on nuclear terrorism - which, while it can never be
eliminated as a concern, is not rationally a viable one at present.
However, it does have abundant political mileage which the U.S. and
its allies never tire of exploiting. All in all, it is unfortunate
to see Obama's electoral rhetoric on nonproliferation dissipate so
quickly - just as his rhetoric on the so-called war on terror has
slipped into Bush gear! With such a hostile and discriminatory
nonproliferation draft resolution before it, what will Pakistan's
stance be? Will Haqqani push the U.S. agenda as always or will the
FO hold its ground in the absence of its Secretary? Will our rulers
make us victims of yet another deal? We shouldn't hold our breath."


(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Patterson