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. -------------- 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