PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: OCTOBER 01, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002375

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: OCTOBER 01, 2009

Summary: Reports that the U.S. Congress "okayed Kerry Lugar Bill"
tripling non military aid to Pakistan dominated front pages in all
newspapers on Thursday. Pegged to this story were reports that the
"U.S. Congress stalled a bill seeking to establish special trade
zones (ROZs)in certain areas of Pakistan." Newspapers also
highlighted remarks attributed to Punjab Governor Taseer's that "all
conditions tagged on to the $1.5 billion U.S. aid to Pakistan were
in line with our Pakistan's declared national policy." All
newspapers also highlighted the detailed Supreme Court judgment
declaring all actions taken by General Musharraf on November 3, 2007
as "unconstitutional and illegal." Several major newspapers
reported that "a video confirming the death of TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban
Pakistan) chief Baitullah Mehsud was received by the BBC."
Newspapers front-paged reports that "nine militants including five
foreigners were killed in a U.S drone attack in North Waziristan."
Balochistan Chief Minister Raisani's statement that "drone attacks
in Balochistan will jeopardize U.S. interests in the region"
received prominent coverage.

Commenting on the civilian casualties in recent drone strikes in the
border tribal areas, the populist, often sensational national
English daily "The News," noted that "these deaths are a tragedy.
That term, 'collateral damage', phrased by the Americans, continues
to disguise the horror of conflict." In its editorial, titled, "The
so-called 'Quetta Shura'", the Lahore-based liberal English
newspaper, "Daily Times," noted that "Pakistan cannot give the
go-ahead to U.S. drones. Even if a joint strategy is drawn up for
their use, it is going to be very difficult for Pakistan to allow
attacks on cities." The Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu
daily "Khabrain," raised question that "what did Pakistan get for
all its sacrifices? The Kerry-Lugar bill, every condition of which
is anti-state and akin to pawning the country." End Summary.

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News Stories
--------------

"U.S. Congress Approves Non-Military Aid Bill" "Dawn" (10/01)

"All legal hurdles for tripling U.S. aid to Pakistan were removed on
Wednesday when the House of Representatives unanimously approved a
bill that authorizes the administration to do so.... Wrapping up
months of sometimes divisive talks, the House of Representatives
scheduled a vote for Wednesday on the bill to ramp up aid to
Pakistan to $1.5 billion per year through 2014 focusing on education
and infrastructure."

"Congress Okays Kerry-Lugar Bill, With Apprehensions" "The News"
(10/01)

"The U.S. House of Representatives has passed unanimously the final
text of Kerry-Lugar Bill to triple the non-military assistance of
7.5 billion dollars for next five years with an option of renewing
the aid for another five years. The bill will now go to President
Obama for his signature to become an Act."

"U.S. Congress Stalls ROZs" "Dawn" (10/01)

"A bill seeking to establish special trade zones in certain areas of
Pakistan and Afghanistan is stalled on Capitol Hill.... Six months
ago, President Barack Obama asked Congress to give him two key tools
- aid and trade - to fight religious extremism in Afghanistan and
neighboring Pakistan. While both the Senate and the House accepted
his request for aid by tripling non-military assistance to Pakistan,
they reached an impasse on the ROZs."

"Taseer Tries Positive Spin On Kerry-Lugar Bill" "The Nation"
(10/01)

"Rejecting criticism of the strings attached to the Kerry-Lugar
Bill, Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer on Wednesday said that all
conditions tagged on to the $1.5 billion U.S. Aid to Pakistan per
year, 'were in line with our declared national policy on the issues
which also bother the U.S.,' the governor maintained while talking
to a group of journalists at Governor's House, Lahore."

"Salient Positive Features Of U.S. Aid Bill" "Dawn" (10/01)

"The bill to triple U.S. aid to Pakistan recognizes the 2009 the
Pakistani military offensive as a 'heroic act' and promises to help
Pakistan deal with the menace of extremism. It notes that military
operations in the NWFP and Fata displaced millions of residents in
one of the gravest humanitarian crises Pakistan has faced."

"U.S. Calls For 'True Strategic Partnership' With Pakistan" "Dawn"
(10/01)

"We need to forge a true strategic partnership with Pakistan and its
people, strengthen its democratic government, and work to make
Pakistan a source of stability in a volatile region, said
Congressman Howard L. Berman, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee on Wednesday."

"World Now Acknowledges Pak Sacrifices: Haqqani" "The News" (10/01)

"Pakistan Ambassador to Washington Hussain Haqqani said due to
concerted efforts of the last 14 months, the U.S. authorities have
started understand and acknowledge Pakistan sacrifices, rendered in
making the world more safe and thriving, while talking to 'Geo
News.'"

"FATA Projects - USAID To Route Funding Thru Government" "Dawn"
(10/01)

"In a major shift in its development policy, the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) has decided to stop
funding its partner organizations involved in uplift projects in the
Federally Administered Tribal Areas and disburse the funds through
the Government of Pakistan instead. Sources privy to this
development told 'Dawn' that the decision emerged from a review by
the U.S. of its assistance policy."

"Frightened Musharraf Acted Illegally; SC Issues Detailed Verdict In
Case Against November 3 Actions" "The News" (10/01)

"The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued the detailed 376-page
verdict, declaring the steps taken on November 3, 2007, by former
military dictator General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf as
unconstitutional and illegal."

"Taliban Release Video Of Slain Baitullah" "Dawn" (10/01)

"The Taliban have released a video which confirms that their leader
Baitullah Mehsud is dead. The video received by the BBC shows
Baitullah's body lying in a room. Baitullah was killed in a US
drone attack in South Waziristan on August 6."

"U.S. Drone Attack Kills Nine Militants" "Dawn" (10/01)

"Nine militants, five of them foreigners (three Uzbeks, one Arab and
one Chechen),were killed and four others injured in a missile
attack by a U.S. drone in Mirali area of North Waziristan on
Wednesday, a security official said."

"U.S. Can't Attack Balochistan, Says Raisani" "The News" (10/01)

"Rejecting reports about the presence of Taliban in the provincial
metropolis, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani
has said the U.S. would not commit the mistake of conducting drone
attacks in Balochistan, as it would not only harm the U.S. interests
in the province but also disrupt the supply line for NATO forces to
Afghanistan."

"U.S. Should Share Info On Attacks'" "The Post" (10/01)

"Pakistan has asked the United States to share information about the
presence of Taliban in Balochistan with Pakistan so that appropriate
action could be taken against such elements, Presidential spokesman
Farhatullah Babar told a private news channel in Islamabad on
Wednesday. Pakistan itself will take action against Taliban, after
verifying the information but would not allow America to attack
Balochistan on its own, he said."

"Pak-U.S. Ties Nosedive Over 'Quetta Shura' Charges" "The News"
(10/01)

"Relations between Pakistan and the United States over how to handle
the war against terror further nosedived with Washington's assertion
that it was contemplating airstrikes on Balochistan. Pakistan has
taken up reports of imminent airstrikes on Balochistan at the
highest level in the United States. In this regard, a senior
official told 'The News' that the matter had been taken up with
Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff and General
David Petraeus of the U.S. Central Command."

"Taliban Commander Says Mullah Omar Not In Pakistan" "The News"
(10/01)

"Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar is not in Pakistan and
the United States is only saying he is there to justify an expansion
of its drone missile strikes. Hayatullah Khan, Taliban Commander,
on Wednesday, told Reuters by telephone that the entire Taliban
leadership was in Afghanistan."

"Province-Wide Crackdown On Afghan Prayer Leaders Likely" "The News"
(10/01)

"The crackdown on Afghan prayer leaders is likely to be extended to
the entire Frontier province after arrest of many prayer leaders in
Malakand and Mardan divisions, a source disclosed on Wednesday.
Thousands of Afghan refugees are leading prayers in mosques in the
Frontier and Fata for the past many years."

"TTP Chief's Close Aide Nabbed" "The Nation" (10/01)

"A militant commander Mohammad Shah alias Mamay, a close aide of
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Chief Hakimullah Mehsud was arrested
in Hangu in Duaba on Wednesday, according to District Police Officer
Mir Chaman."

"Bajaur Elders Warned To Hand Over Militants" "Dawn" (10/01)

"The political administration of Bajaur Agency issued notices to
elders of Mamond tribe asking them to hand over wanted militants
within a week or face military action, officials said."

"Militants Lose More" "The Nation" (10/01)

"Amidst continued search operation in different parts of Swat
district, the security forces arrested four more militants while 12
others voluntarily surrendered on Wednesday."

"Swat Qaumi Jirga Wants Militant Hideouts Dismantled" "The News"
(10/01)

"The Swat Qaumi Jirga on Wednesday asked the security forces not to
rest on their laurels in operation against Taliban and completely
dismantle the hideouts and eliminate militants present in parts of
Matta, Kabal and other areas."

"NATO Troops Advised To Adopt Pakistan's Strategy" "Dawn" (10/01)

"The coalition forces fighting in Afghanistan need to draw lessons
from Pakistan's recent successes against extremists and try to adopt
Islamabad's anti-terrorism strategy, said Senator Josselin de Rohan,
president of the French Senate Standing Committee on Foreign
Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces, he told newsmen in Islamabad on
Wednesday."

"India, Pakistan Nearly Annihilated Each Other: Bill Clinton" "Dawn"
(10/01)

"Former US President Bill Clinton was seriously alarmed by "zealots"
in India and Pakistan who briefed him about their preparedness to
annihilate each other and he believes that Kargil was a close call,
says a new book based on secretly-taped conversations with him. The
Indian view was that in the event of a nuclear war it could emerge
the ultimate 'winner' after wiping off Pakistan but lose up to 500
million of its own people, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and
historian Taylor Branch has claimed in his 700-page book The Clinton
Tapes: Wrestling History with the President."

"Pakistan To Give India Transit Trade Facility" "Dawn" (10/01)

"Pakistan has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide
transit facilities to India for its trade with Afghanistan. This
was announced on Wednesday by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin
Fahim."

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

"Death By Drone," an editorial in the populist, often sensational
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/01)

"Over the past year it is estimated that at least 70 missile strikes
have taken place. The number of militants killed in the same period
is unknown, but some key leaders of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan
are thought to be among those felled. Unfortunately other victims
include women and children, whose only crime was to have been living
in Waziristan and to have been present in the wrong place at the
wrong time. These deaths are a tragedy. That term, 'collateral
damage,' phrased by the Americans, continues to disguise the horror
of conflict.... But the fact also is that the drone strikes have
acted to take out key figures.... The manner in which Baitullah was
tracked down and killed is an example of this.... It must be noted
the latest strikes have coincided with bombing raids over villages
by PAF planes. It is possible the U.S. and Pakistan are working
with each other to 'soften up' Waziristan before a full military
operation there. If the latest strikes signal joint action, this is
good news as far as the battle against militancy goes."

"The So-Called 'Quetta Shura'," an editorial in the Lahore-based
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/01)

"The U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson, has told the
Washington Post that the United States has now turned its focus to
Quetta.... Pakistan cannot give the go-ahead to U.S. drones. Even
if a joint strategy is drawn up for their use, it is going to be
very difficult for Pakistan to allow attacks on cities. Neither
will it be easy for Pakistan to clean up Quetta. Every time
Pakistan has tried to control the border, Afghanistan has objected
to it. We have had to remove the biometric system at Chaman because
of such objections. Similarly, Kabul has objected to Pakistan
sending back the Afghans to their own country. The U.S. must keep
all of these factors into mind before embarking on a policy based on
journalistic accounts with obvious slants."

"Military Leadership's Great Stance On Drone Attacks On
Balochistan," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right
Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (10/01)

"What did Pakistan get for all its sacrifices? The Kerry-Lugar
bill, every condition of which is anti-state and akin to pawning the
country. This bill puts the most emphasis on Pakistan's nuclear
assets and controlling the army.... If the U.S. continues to march
on unhindered, and carries out an attack on Quetta using the Taliban
Shura as a pretext, a day will come when it would attack Muridke and
Bahawalpur using Jaish-i-Muhammad and Lashkar-i-Taiba as an excuse.
This could even extend to Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Hence our
military and political leadership should take a strong stance."

"The U.S. Viper," an editorial in the center-right national English
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/01)

"It is interesting to note the confusion that prevails in
Patterson's imperialist mind. On the one hand, she admits that the
U.S. has little solid intelligence on Quetta, with no human or
predator intelligence. Yet, on the other, the U.S. is convinced
that Quetta is the stronghold of Mullah Omar and his Taliban - the
so-called 'Quetta Shura.... That is unfortunate for Pakistan
because after the latest statements coming from Ambassador
Patterson, it does not serve Pakistan's interests to have her remain
in Islamabad. She has declared openly that Pakistan had made clear
that its priorities were different from those of the Americans. She
has also asserted that 'there are people who do not threaten
Pakistan but who are extremely important to us.' Not only has she
chosen to publicly challenge whether Pakistan really controls its
territory - that, according to her, being a worry for the U.S. - she
has cast aspersions on the Pakistani leadership and nation as well.
As she declared imperially, 'You cannot tolerate vipers in your
bosom without getting bitten.' It is time the Pakistani authorities
understood clearly who the viper in our bosom is who keeps biting us
at every turn. And this viper needs to be thrown out of Pakistan -
according to diplomatic procedures of course - which would be the
clearest message we could send to the U.S. that there are certain
red lines no diplomat or foreign government representative can
cross."
"Kayani's Firm No To Attack On Quetta," an editorial in the
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir.
5,000) (10/01)

"American plan has started unfolding with confirmation by Ambassador
Anne W. Patterson that the Taliban militant group's leadership
council, dubbed in Washington as Quetta Shura, was now high on the
Obama administration's agenda.... There was also an intelligence
leak expressing intention of the U.S. administration to allow
bombing of Quetta.... It was in this perspective that Army Chief
General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani thought it appropriate to declare
unequivocally that the U.S. drone attacks would not be allowed in
Balochistan. In our view, General Kayani has done well by conveying
this to the U.S. during meeting of Tripartite Commission in Kabul,
as this reflects the mood and anger of the nation. However, we
firmly believe that mere statements would not suffice as Americans
have been violating Pakistan's sovereignty by launching continued
missile and drone attacks in FATA despite appeals by Pakistani
leadership against such a provocative approach to a complex issue.
We would suggest that both the civil/political and military
leadership should carry out in-depth exercises to assess fuller
implications of such an eventuality and firm up a response in line
with national dignity and honor. It is also responsibility of the
political leadership to mobilize local and international public
opinion against such aggressive and nefarious designs."

"U.S. Statement On Taliban Shura In Balochistan; The Threat Of Drone
Attacks And Defense Measures," an editorial in the second-largest,
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000)
(10/01)

"U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson's concern over Taliban activities in
Quetta is not a perfunctory statement, but a reflection of U.S.
plans. Unfortunately, the government has not taken a clear position
on this matter although the PM has said that the U.S. would not be
allowed to carry out drone strikes in Balochistan.... There would
be a threat to Pakistan's security and unity if these [drone]
attacks start in Balochistan because the incensed nation's reaction
can take any shape."

"U.S. Focus On Quetta," an editorial in the country's premier
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (10/01)

"It is highly unfortunate that despite a denial by Islamabad that
the leadership of the Afghan Taliban had not taken shelter in Quetta
or elsewhere in Balochistan the campaign to malign Pakistan on this
score continues unabated. U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson who
told The Washington Post that her country has now turned its focus
to Quetta is the latest to join it.... Pakistan, however, cannot
but give top priority to its national interests much the same way as
the U.S. or any other country would.... The U.S. has to abandon any
idea of targeting Quetta, which unlike FATA is the provincial
capital of Balochistan and a major Pakistani city with a large
population. Any misadventure would have countrywide repercussions
and weaken the front against terrorism built with considerable
effort by the government."

"The Need To Review U.S. Policies And Drone Strikes," an editorial
in the Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 10,000) (10/01)

"We hope that the government would stop America's increasing
influence in Pakistan. The U.S. Embassy should also be stopped from
building a military base in Pakistan under the guise of
diplomacy.... We hope that our rulers would use all possible
resources to safeguard national dignity. America should not be
allowed to carry out drone strikes in Balochistan; and all
facilities given to the U.S. - like logistic support, airports, land
routes -- by Musharraf should be withdrawn as they violate our
sovereignty."

"Taliban In Balochistan And U.S. Threats," an editorial in the
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (10/01)

"U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson has said that the Quetta Shura is at
the top of America's agenda, U.S. forces are deployed on the other
side of the Balochistan border and we have the capability to target
Taliban in and around Quetta.... Although the U.S. Ambassador has
said that there would not be any drone attacks on Quetta, it does
not take much time for the U.S. to change its mind. Balochistan is
a sensitive area, and Pakistan is ready to take on the Taliban even
there. The U.S. should just provide information to Pakistan in this
regard. The U.S. needs to review the situation clearly and avoid
carrying out drone strikes in Pakistani areas. The situation can
spin out of control if Americans try to act smart."

"Growing U.S. Influence In Pakistan," an editorial in the
Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (10/01)

"While our government is making all-out efforts to woo Washington,
the people are expressing their indifference, even hatred, against
the anti-Pakistani policies of the United States. It is the need of
the hour that the government take the nation into confidence while
formulating its domestic and foreign policies, reduce dependence on
financial assistance from the U.S, World Bank and the IMF, and
improve its relations with the neighboring countries with a view to
make Pakistan a welfare state."

"U.S. Complaint To Pakistani Media," an editorial in the popular
rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (10/01)

"A statement attributed to the U.S. Press Attach, Richard Snelsire,
that 'Pakistani media is going mad despite all rebuttals regarding
the extension in U.S. Embassy and the presence of Blackwater in
Pakistan' is totally irresponsible and contrary to the diplomatic
norms. In fact, after the government of Pakistan failed to satisfy
the nation on these matters, the media undertook the responsibility
to create awareness among the masses in this regard. Consequently,
the U.S. officials and the Pakistani government had to come clean on
this issue. Hence, any complaint from Mr. Snelsire, in this regard,
holds no water."

"The ISI's View," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/01)

"David Ignatius, in his latest op-ed column for The Washington Post,
'The view from Pakistan's spies,' has made a number of observations
that should be heeded by American policymakers. Granted access to
top officials at the ISI, including General Shuja Pasha, Ignatius
has zeroed in on the existing operational/strategic dichotomy: 'At
an operational level, the ISI is a close partner of the CIA.
Officers of the two services work together nearly every night on
joint operations against Al Qaeda in Pakistan's tribal areas. But
on the political level, there is mistrust on both sides. The United
States worries that the ISI isn't sharing all it knows. The
Pakistanis, meanwhile, view the United States as an unreliable ally
that starts fights it doesn't know how to finish.' Given that, as
Ignatius notes, Pakistan and the U.S. 'share common interests' this
is self-defeating and both sides are to blame.... As Ignatius
points out: 'People (Pakistani) want to help America more than we
sometimes think. But they want to be treated with respect - as full
partners, not as useful CIA assets.'"


"American Hypocrisy," an op-ed by Azam Khalil in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/01)

"As far as the Kerry-Lugar Bill is concerned, it would be advisable
for Mr. Yousuf Raza Gilani to try to renegotiate some of the strings
that have been attached with the financial assistance and try to
convince the American administrators that aid that can be withheld
on flimsy grounds by the Americans may not be acceptable to the
people of this country.... The Americans must also be informed that
the financial burden incurred by the Pakistanis of feeding Afghan
refugees and the cost of fighting the insurgency in some areas of
NWFP and Balochistan was a liability that squarely fell on American
shoulders because the Pakistani government was caught in a situation
that was the creation of the Americans; and therefore it was time
that the American administration accepted that responsibility and
paid up for this financial burden that has resulted in the crippling
of Pakistan's fragile economy."

"Infecundity Of Kerry-Lugar Bill," an op-ed by Mohammad Jamil in the
Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (10/01)

"It is rather strange that on the one hand the U.S. government says
that the money will be spent on the people while on the other the
bill among other things subjects security assistance to a
certification by Secretary of the State that Pakistani government is
continuing to cooperate with the U.S. in efforts to dismantle
supplier networks relating to the acquisition of nuclear
weapons-related materials.... Is this the reward for the sacrifices
of Pakistan and its armed forces for making the world safer place to
live in?... President Obama has indeed acknowledged that Pakistan's
armed forces have performed miracle by almost eliminating terrorists
and militants from Swat and Malakand Division. But a pat on the
back or lip-service does not help Pakistan; therefore Obama
administration should immediately review the harsh conditions
attached to the bill.... Last but not the least, President Obama
should tell its think-tanks and members of his administration to
stop harboring ideas of bombing Quetta to take out Mullah Omer and
al Qaeda leaders because the stories of Mullah Omer having been seen
in Quetta was disinformation to bring Pakistan into disrepute. In
2004 also, international media had carried such news but nobody had
any clue of Mullah Omer. And whenever American and NATA forces find
themselves in dire strait, there is talk of Al Qaeda leadership
ensconced in Pakistan."

"Kashmir At The Core," an editorial in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/01)

"Today the need to settle the matters is greater than ever before.
How this is to be done is a question we cannot instantly answer.
Like the story of the chicken and the egg it is impossible to say if
CBMs are a pre-requisite to settle Kashmir or if they should wait
till the core issue is resolved. There is no one answer. But we can
say without hesitation that Kashmir's future needs to be settled so
we can see greater peace in the region and an end to the militancy
that is inspired, at least in part, by the tensions over that
territory which have persisted for far too many years."

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Patterson