PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002361 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 Summary: Reports of "killing of 12 militants including three Uzbek nationals in U.S. drone strikes and PAF (Pakistan Air Force) jetfighter bombing in South and North Waziristan" made front-page headlines in most major dailies on Wednesday. Newspapers also highlighted remarks attributed to Ambassador Patterson, published in The Washington Post, that Afghan Taliban's "Quetta Shura is high on Washington's list." Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani's statement that "Pakistan will not allow U.S. drones to attack Balochistan" received extensive media coverage too. The English language daily, "The News" reported that the "Pakistan Embassy in Washington hired another big-cost lobbyist Cassidy & Associates, while a furious debate is raging in Pakistan on the Kerry-Lugar bill." Commenting on the possibility of U.S. drone strikes on Quetta, the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News," wrote: "The specter of aerial strikes over a major city is simply unthinkable. Perhaps this is a result of Islamabad's failure to oppose the Predator strikes in our tribal areas." Criticizing the proposed strings attached to the Kerry-Lugar bill, the pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam," opined that "by accepting the shameful conditions of the Kerry-Lugar Bill, Pakistan will virtually become an American colony. The weaknesses of our rulers have provided the entire world a pretext to impose their decisions upon us." Toeing the line, the Islamabad-based English language daily, "Pakistan Observer," observed that "it is sheer diplomatic fiasco that the (Pakistan) government miserably failed to persuade Americans to drop highly objectionable and humiliating conditions attached to the original Kerry-Lugar Bill." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "U.S. Drone, PAF Jets Kill 12 In Waziristan; Three Uzbeks Among dead" "The News" (09/30) "Three Uzbek militants were reportedly among the nine people killed in two missile attacks by unmanned U.S. aircraft in South and North Waziristan tribal regions, while three militants were killed in Pakistani jets bombing on Tuesday." "Patterson Says Quetta Shura High On U.S. List" "Dawn" (09/30) "The United States has now turned its focus to Quetta, claiming that it has now become a major Taliban base from where Mullah Omar and his commanders plan and launch cross-border strikes into Afghanistan. On Tuesday, The Washington Post quoted U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson as saying that Quetta was high on Washington's list of terrorist bases in the region." "No Drone Strikes In Balochistan, Kayani Tells U.S." "Daily Times, "The Nation" (09/30) "Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani has said Pakistan will not allow U.S. drones to attack Balochistan, a private TV channel reported on Tuesday. Quoting sources in the ISPR, the channel reported that Kayani attended the 28th Tripartite Commission, consisting of senior military representatives from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan, where he met Afghan Army Chief General Bismullah Khan and ISAF Commander General McChrystal." "As Kerry-Lugar Boils, New Lobbyist Hired In DC" "The News" (09/30) "While a furious debate is raging in Pakistan on the Kerry-Lugar bill, focusing on who was responsible for this disaster, another almost a million-dollar lobbyist has been hired by Pakistan in Washington, though it is unclear how effective the move will be at this stage of the bill. The new company hired is Cassidy & Associates, one of the biggest lobbying firms in Washington...." "Kerry-Lugar Bill Imposes Restrictions On U.S., Not Pakistan: Haqqani" "The News," "Daily Times," "The Post" (09/30) "The U.S. Congress has not imposed any restrictions on Pakistan, rather restrictions have been imposed on the U.S. government through the Kerry-Lugar Bill, Pakistan's Ambassador to the U.S. Hussain Haqqani said on Monday. Haqqani made the comments in an interview with a private television channel. Since the Kerry-Lugar bill was legislated by the U.S. Congress, the conditions of this law apply to the U.S. government, not Pakistan, he said." "Over 10,000 Taliban In FATA: DG ISPR" "Daily Times" (09/30) "There are more than 10,000 Taliban present in Waziristan, including Uzbeks and other foreign militants, a private TV channel quoted Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Major General Athar Abbas as saying on Tuesday." "Lashkar Kills Three Militants In Swat; Security Forces Held 27 Militants" "The News" (09/39) "A Lashkar of the anti-Taliban villagers killed three militants in a clash in Kanju area of Swat Valley on Tuesday. Also, security forces held 27 militants during search operations while another 36 surrendered to the authorities. " "Four Security Men Injured In Darra Rocket Attack" "Dawn" (09/30) "Four security personnel were injured when militants attacked Spina Thana in Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel with rockets on Tuesday night." "Owner Of Security Firm Arrested" "Dawn" (09/30) "The owner of Inter-Risk Security Company, Capt (Retd) Syed Ali Ja Zaidi, who escaped Qest when police raided his house on Sept 19 and seized a large quantity of arms and ammunition, was arrested on Tuesday after the additional district and sessions judge cancelled his bail. The Inter-Risk Security Company provides security to diplomats. Its license was cancelled after unlicensed arms were recovered from his house." "Peace Linked To Resolution Of Kashmir: PM" "The News" (09/30) "Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday linked normalization of relations with India and peace in the region with the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. He said this while addressing a huge public gathering at the Shaheed Lalac Jan Stadium, Gilgit." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "And Now Quetta," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (09/30) "The specter of aerial strikes over a major city is simply unthinkable.(dm4M'yptof Islamabad's failure to oppose the Predator strikes in our tribal areas.... According to reports in the western media, there was an agreement to make a lot of noise but do nothing in more concrete terms to stop the unmanned aircraft. It is this that seems to have led to the new and still more audacious proposal to take out targets in a heavily populated area.... By doing so they put all of us at greater risk. The U.S. must be told there can be no drone strikes over heavily populated areas. Pakistan must voice the strongest opposition to this and dissuade Washington from finalizing a strategy for which the people of the country would never forgive it and indeed their own government." "A Double-Edged Sword," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/30) "If the news about the likely insertion of a provision, 'shoot at sight,' in the anti-terrorist laws whose toughening is supposed to be on the cards, has any truth, there is need for a rethink. For one thing, there must be a clear difference between the state and non-state actors. Security of citizens being a decisive factor in the evolution of the concept of state, it cannot go about murdering people on mere suspicion; it has to follow the law and constitution. For another, the proposed change could have dreadful consequences.... Reports keep appearing in the media, here as well as abroad, accusing the security forces of covertly murdering militants since the army has been doing mopping up operations in Swat. Under the circumstance, it would be a great folly to give such a handle to the law enforcement agencies." "Political Upheaval In FATA," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/30) "Though the perception that the conditions in FATA are reminiscent of the Middle Ages is quite valid, the official circles seem to have done little to bring it into the mainstream. The current picture is that poverty and unemployment are at an alarmingly high level. On the other hand, the U.S. drones are causing a staggering amount of loss of life and property. Worse still, plans for uplifting the region economically remain nothing more than hot air. Hardly any effort has been made to build basic infrastructure; and when exactly FATA can start producing goods under the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones for the U.S. market to consume is a big question. The government must realize that ignoring its problems is an option the country can ill-afford." "Convince FATA Parliamentarians," an editorial note in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (09/30) "... It would be better for the government to avoid extending the operation into Waziristan and come up with a replacement of the NWFP Governor, who is responsible for the Balochistan operation and compensate the people of FATA for their deprivations. If it does not happen then tomorrow the entire nation will follow the FATA parliamentarians protest against U.S. sponsored operation and will start a street agitation." "Resignation Of FATA Parliamentarian," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (09/30) "American designs in this region are cause of grave concern. The reports of mercenaries' activities, hired by military organizations, are rife. America has denied presence of Blackwater or any other agency, but public has seen movements of foreign intelligence agencies operatives in Islamabad and Peshawar. America has denied acquisition of 200 houses in Islamabad, but Interior Minister Rehman Malik has confirmed by saying that America has been given permission to buy 264 houses in Islamabad. Is it for the first time that any country has been allowed to buy so many houses in another country or has there been a tradition history of this? The American claim is also a cause of concern that Taliban leader Mullah Umar and his Shura members are hiding in Quetta and they are provided protection.... These are dangerous times.... Be warned that the wind blowing in FATA could spread to the entire country." "After All What The U.S. Want From Pakistan?" an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (09/30) "U.S. Secretary of State Clinton's statement that 'Pakistan is not doing enough in the war on terror' has once again proved the apprehensions of analysts that Pakistan would get nothing from its dependence over the U.S. aid other than humiliation and shame. Despite rendering countless sacrifices, we are far away from winning the confidence of the U.S. By accepting the shameful conditions of the Kerry-Lugar Bill, Pakistan will virtually become an American colony. The weaknesses of our rulers have provided the entire world a pretext to impose their decisions upon us." "Take Dreaded Kerry-Lugar Bill to Parliament," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (09/30) "It is a sheer diplomatic fiasco that the Government miserably failed to persuade Americans to drop highly objectionable and humiliating conditions attached to the original Kerry-Lugar Bill, which were obviously included on the insistence of anti-Pakistani lobbies and are there in the final version albeit with change of wording.... In view of the contemptuous conditions attached to the bill, it is rightly being viewed by majority of Pakistanis as a clear infringement on the country's sovereignty. They wonder how the Government has bartered away independence and sovereignty for the sake of paltry $1.5 billion.... One fails to understand what our diplomats and policy-making circles have been doing during the last over one year.... Under these circumstances, the apprehensions of the people are quite understandable and it would be appropriate if the issue is debated threadbare in Parliament and a response befitting an honorable nation be adopted vis-`-vis the bill." "Kerry-Lugar Bill: The Fruition of 62 Years," an op-ed by Mosharraf Zaidi in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (09/30) "Reading the Kerry-Lugar Bill exposes several pleasant realities. Its analysis of Pakistan's development challenges is succinct, to the point and reasonably comprehensive. The depth of analysis in the bill indicates genuine American interest in serious Pakistani issues.... The Kerry-Lugar Bill is a well-crafted document that makes no secrets of its motivations.... The Kerry-Lugar Bill is a bitter pill that Pakistan's strong and resilient people must swallow because they have repeatedly been failed by both their military dictators and their civilian megalomaniacs." "Kerry-Lugar Bill - Benchmarks For Ceding Sovereignty," an op-ed by Shireen M. Mazari in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/30) "We had official Pakistani circles jumping for joy with the passage of the Kerry-Lugar bill through the U.S. Senate.... The bill, till it becomes law after going through all the Congressional procedures, is not going to turn on the money tap for Pakistan, and there is an expectation that in the House of Representatives even more conditionalities may be latched on to what is already a conditionality-laden bill. Beyond this, what are of vital importance are the conditionalities the U.S. is seeking to push down our throats in order for this money to be doled out... And one has not even begun to calculate the hidden costs in terms of psychological damage to the nation, a culture of fear and mistrust and so on.... The question is, did the U.S. actually make fools out of the Pakistani leadership and its minions or did Haqqani know what was going on and sought to fool the Pakistani nation instead?... Under the present circumstances, for any Pakistani leader or state representative to applaud the Kerry-Lugar Bill is nothing short of political absurdity and an insult to the Pakistani nation." "The Price Of Aid," an op-ed Anees Jillani in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (09/30) "The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the revised version of the Kerry-Lugar Bill.... The government (Pakistan) must be rejoicing and claiming the U.S. Senate's approval as a major victory and proof of the international community's confidence in the present set-up.... But, at the same time, one wonders what direction the country's sovereignty has taken. It is totally an internal matter whether Pakistan's security forces subvert its political or judicial processes. All may oppose this, but does it make sense for foreign powers to dictate to another country how its political and judicial system should function? This is the price that a country like Pakistan has to pay for taking aid from others. Either it says no, or signs on the dotted line with a wide grin on its face, as if this was the best thing that has happened to the country since independence." "Lessons In Disaster," an op-ed by Anjum Niaz in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (09/30) "Will Obama and Zardari face failure should there be a clash between counter-insurgency (COIN) and counter-terrorism (COTE)? The naysayer - from military intelligence spooks down to doctoral candidates and research fellows in prestigious Washington think-tanks; from COIN and COTE experts to newspaper columnists and editors in America - paint a doomsday scenario in either case.... Obama is caught in Catch-22. Previously, he hoped that COIN would tame the Taliban and rout the region of terrorism. But today, he's not sure as conflicting views come out of his administration. 'Pakistan is the nuclear elephant in the room,' Obama is being reminded.'" "Asif right On Kashmir," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/30) "President Zardari has finally recognized the critical importance of Kashmir not only for the Pakistani nation but also for peace in the region. His commitment not to bargain on Kashmir, simply to satisfy India in order to improve bilateral relations in a transitory fashion, is to be welcomed.... President Zardari has given the right signals not only to India and the international community, but also to his own people. Let him stay this course regardless of the deals and lures India and its allies may offer. Sometimes one simply has to stick to principles and defend the rights of the oppressed - especially when these people are part of our own. That is why President Zardari reclaiming some of our lost space on Kashmir should be appreciated." "Trade With India Is Not Possible Without Resolving The Kashmir Issue," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (09/30) "Pakistan should not strengthen relations with India without resolving the Kashmir issue as it would otherwise be a waste of time. Similarly, Kashmiri leaders should also be included in the dialogue process so that durable solution can be worked out." "Linking Indo-Pak Ties With Mumbai Is Not Correct," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) (09/30) "It can be expected that after the approval of the Kerry-Lugar bill, Pakistan would head in the direction of establishing positive, durable and friendly relations with neighboring states. China's offer of mediation should not be ignored. There is a likelihood that India-Pakistan relations would improve if China plays a role." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson