PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: OCTOBER 07, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002424 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: OCTOBER 07, 2009 Summary: Reports reflecting debate on the Kerry-Lugar Bill continued to dominate front-pages in all newspapers on Wednesday. Prime Minister Gilani's statement portraying the Kerry-Lugar Bill as a "big success of the democratic government" made headlines in several newspapers. Some dailies also highlighted reports that the Pakistan Army "conveyed its strong aversion to the United States" that the "terms set in the Kerry-Lugar Bill on the national security interests of Pakistan are insulting and are unacceptable in their present formulation." Foreign Minister Qureshi's remarks, made after his meeting with Ambassador Holbrooke, that the "Kerry-Lugar Bill is not a compromise on Pakistan's sovereignty" also received prominent display. An English language newspaper reported that Ambassador Patterson called on PML President Chaudhary Shujaat and discussed various aspects of Pak-U.S. ties, particularly the Kerry-Lugar Bill. Editorializing the Kerry-Lugar Bill's 'strings', the center-right national English daily "The Nation," noted that "their acceptance in the present form carries grave and far-reaching implications. The government must seriously consider taking up the issue with the U.S. administration." In other news, all newspapers reported that the "Taliban claimed responsibility for suicide attack on UN's World Food Program Office in Islamabad." President Obama's remarks, vowing to "keep up anti-Al Qaeda fight" also received prominent display in several newspapers. Pakistan Foreign Secretary Bashir's remarks before the National Assembly's Standing Committee dispelling parliamentarians' concerns on the alleged fast spreading U.S. presence in Pakistan were also highlighted. The reports of the killing of seven militants when military planes and helicopter gunships attacked their strongholds in South Waziristan also received prominent coverage. End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Aid Bill Big Success Of Democratic Govt.: Gilani" "The News" (10/07) "Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has defended the Kerry-Lugar Bill, portraying it as a 'big success' of the democratic government as it is for the first time that the United States has supported a democratic government in Pakistan instead of dictatorship, he said while addressing a meeting of the parliamentary party of the coalition partners of the government." "Kerry-Lugar Bill Is An Insult, Army Tells U.S. Military" "The News" (10/07) "As anger mounts over the degrading language and observations in the Kerry-Lugar Bill on Pakistan's military services and intelligence agencies, the Army conveyed its share of protest to the United States when Commander of International Forces in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal met Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani at the GHQ on Tuesday, informed officials said. Kayani also protested over the controversial statements made by some U.S. officials in recent days. 'General McChrystal returned from the GHQ with an unambiguous message that the terms set in the Kerry-Lugar Bill on the national security interests of Pakistan are insulting and are unacceptable in their present formulation,' according to an official familiar with the content of the meeting." "Kerry-Lugar Bill No Compromise On Pakistan's Sovereignty: FM" "The News" (10/07) "Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that the Kerry-Lugar Bill is not a compromise on Pakistan's sovereignty rather it is a commitment of the U.S. administration to provide social and economic assistance to the people of Pakistan in the next five years, while talking to 'The News' after a meeting with U.S. special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke in Washington on Tuesday." "Consensus On Helping Pakistan: Holbrooke" "The News" (10/07) "Foreign Minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi and U.S. Special Representative Richard Holbrooke on Tuesday discussed wide-ranging Pakistan-U.S. partnership. Ambassador Holbrooke stressing Washington's support for a key South Asian ally said 'We are very pleased that the Congress passed the Kerry-Lugar bill with consent. It is a very strong demonstration of Congressional support for the people of Pakistan,' Holbrooke stated." "Hillary Urges Critics To Study Aid Bill" "The News" (10/07) "Pakistan and the U.S. said Wednesday the Kerry-Lugar Bill was aimed at a long-term relationship between the two countries. This was stated by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, at a press briefing after their meeting in Washington. Ms. Clinton said she discussed the bill with her counterpart. She advised the critics of the bill to read it carefully." "Pak Demand For Long-Term Commitment Correct: U.S." "The News" (10/07) "Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates vowed a sustained U.S. engagement with Pakistan and Afghanistan. The top American diplomat acknowledged that the Pakistanis are 'rightful' in asking about United States' long-term commitment to their country. Secretary Clinton commended the current Pakistani government's resolve to fight out militants in the restive Afghan border region, saying that this level of commitment was missing in the past." "Patterson, Shujaat Discuss Kerry-Lugar Bill" "The Nation" (10/07) "U.S. Ambassador Anne w. Patterson on Monday called on PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in Islamabad at his residence to discuss matters of mutual interest. The one-hour meeting, which was held in a cordial atmosphere, discussed various aspects of Pak-U.S. relations, particularly the Kerry-Lugar Bill. The PML-Q leadership presented its viewpoint and objections on Kerry-Lugar Bill." "Army Top Brass To Scrutinize U.S. Aid Bill" "Dawn" (10/07) "The Kerry-Lugar Bill is expected to consume a fair share of the corps commanders' time when they meet in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. There are indications that the U.S. aid legislation is likely to find little support at the General Headquarters and may ultimately sour relations between the armed forces and the government, which favors the bill and claims it as a major foreign policy success." "NA Sets Debate On U.S. Aid Bill After Govt. Defence" "Dawn" (10/07) "The National Assembly on Tuesday set Wednesday for the start of what could be a long opposition-sought debate on the Kerry-Lugar bill in the face of a strong government defence of the measure that will triple non-military U.S. aid to Pakistan." "FO Not Ruling Out Kerry-Lugar Bill Rejection In Present Form" "The News" (10/07) "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that it has made it very clear to the Obama administration that the provisions of the Kerry-Lugar Bill are very much those of the United States, and Pakistan has not undertaken any commitments in this regard. 'Pakistan has drawn red lines around areas which are in fact no-go areas for the United States. If any of these red lines are attempted to be crossed, we are going to say 'sorry' but we cannot go on with this arrangement any longer,' is one view given to 'The News by a top level Foreign Office functionary." "PPP, Allies At Odds On Kerry-Lugar Bill" "The News" (10/07) "The PPP-led coalition in the Parliament is sharply divided on the question of supporting the Kerry-Lugar Bill adopted by the U.S. Congress last week." "ANP to Take A Stand On Kerry-Lugar Bill After Study" "The News" (10/07) "The Awami National Party (ANP) has not yet decided to support the Kerry-Lugar Bill and the party Chief has appointed a three-member committee to examine it minutely before adopting a stance on the issue, a senior party official told 'The News' in Islamabad on Tuesday." "Parties' Moot Rejects Kerry-Lugar Bill" "The Nation" (10/07) "All Parties Conference on Tuesday have demanded that government should stop U.S. interference in the country's affairs and forward for its prestige and sovereignty. They also emphasized the rulers to disassociate them from the Kerry-Lugar Bill and urged them to reject the U.S. aid in terms of slavery." "Taliban Claim Responsibility For Attack On UN Office" "Dawn" (10/07) "The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed on Tuesday it had carried out Monday's suicide attack on the main office of UN's World Food Program in Islamabad and vowed further attacks on governments and foreign targets." "U.S. Vows To Keep Up Anti-Al Qaeda Fight" "Dawn" (10/07) "U.S. President Barack Obama vowed on Tuesday to target Al Qaeda wherever they took root, indicating that the ongoing review of his policy towards Pakistan and Afghanistan would not affect America's determination to fight the extremists, he told a gathering of senior U.S. Intelligence Officers near Washington." "U.S. Presence In National Interest: Foreign Secretary" "The News" (10/07) "Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir on Tuesday dispelled the lawmakers' concerns on the fast spreading U.S. presence in Pakistan, saying their expansion plan is not a matter of anxiety for the government.... He told the Parliamentarians representing the National Assembly Sub-Committee on Human Rights that their questions are loaded with concerns about Americans' presence but the government interprets it as a sign of growing ties with the U.S. that are in national interest." "7 Militants Die In Waziristan Air Strikes" "Dawn" (10/07) "Seven militants were killed when military planes and helicopter gunships attacked their positions in Nawaaz Kot, Makeen and adjacent areas in South Waziristan on Tuesday. Nine militants were injured, officials said." "19 Militants held In Swat" "The Nation" (10/07) "Amidst continued search operation in different parts of Malakand division on Tuesday, security forces arrested 19 militants while another activist of defunct Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi, Badshah Zeb, surrendered in Buner area, sources said." "Whose Country Is it Anyway; Two Dutch Diplomats Carrying Guns And Bombs Held, Released" "The News" (10/07) "Law enforcing agencies on Tuesday detained two diplomats of the Netherlands Embassy in a sensitive area of the federal capital and recovered arms, ammunition as well as explosives from their possession. The diplomats were later released on the intervention of their Embassy and an official of the U.S. Embassy." "Qureshi Joins U.S. Review Of Afghan Strategy" "Dawn" (10/07) "Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi joined the U.S. review process on Tuesday, the day President Barack Obama huddled with senior lawmakers to decide a future strategy for Pakistan and Afghanistan. After a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Mr. Qureshi vowed to continue to work with the United States to defeat extremists who were 'a threat, not just to Pakistan but to the entire world.'" "Man Appearing In Video Not Hakeemullah, Claims Malik" "Daily Times" (10/07) "Hakeemullah Mehsud is dead and it is possible that his look-alike might be his brother, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Tuesday." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "KLB (Kerry-Lugar Bill) Provokes Anger," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/07) "As the Kerry-Lugar Bill contains specific provisions that would hamstring Pakistan's freedom of action in certain important matters of internal concern, which is tantamount to an assault on its sovereign rights, it was bound to spawn countrywide anger and resentment.... The bill's conditions - particularly the provision of access to 'nuclear proliferators,' an issue long dead and buried; the elimination of imagined hideouts or abodes of militants hostile to the U.S., its allies and neighbors (India); and the oft-denied suspicion of hobnobbing of certain 'rogue' elements of Pakistan military intelligence agency with the Taliban forces - have greatly hurt public feelings. Their acceptance in the present form carries grave and far-reaching implications. The government must seriously consider taking up the issue with the U.S. administration." "Kerry-Lugar Bill: MPs Must Candidly Give Their Opinion," an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (10/07) "This is a welcome development that the Government itself presented the Kerry-Lugar Bill for debate in the National Assembly. Moreover, Federal Information Minister Kaira has also clarified that conditions put forth in the bill are not binding on us and that we will not accept these conditions.... Now that the National Assembly has the opportunity to debate the bill, the members should review the bill in the light of our national interest and by being above their party interests." "Debating The Kerry-Lugar Bill Is Right," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) (10/07) "The nation is not unanimous on the Kerry-Lugar bill. The opposition has a completely different view on the bill as compared to the government, prompting Punjab Governor Salman Taseer to say that the N-League is just looking for excuses to criticize the government. Instead of firing statement-bombs on each other through the newspapers on the price we will have to pay in terms of our sovereignty, the parliament should adopt a clear stance on the matter and give its final decision so as to end the nation's confusion." "PM, Punjab Chief Minister, Army Signals Non Acceptance Of Kerry-Lugar Bill," an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (10/07) "The government is considering to reject the Kerry-Lugar Bill. As per reports, the civilian and the military leaderships will examine, both individually and collectively, the U.S. strings attached to this bill. All this exercise has the support of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The Americans, who are accustomed to deal with a single person (Musharraf),are now facing stiff resistance from Pakistan. The army, media and the Opposition are creating awareness among the masses, and it will be impossible for the Americans to tame these patriotic forces." "Good Step To Present Kerry-Lugar Bill In Parliament," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (10/07) "The Kerry-Lugar Bill will be tabled in the National Assembly today (Wednesday) for debate. The entire political spectrum including the ruling coalition parties, and the Opposition consider this bill as an insult for the entire Pakistani nation, and have joined in hands opposing it. Pakistan has rendered countless sacrifices in the war on terror, but the conditionalities in the Kerry-Lugar Bill are notQnly a joke with us but also demonstrate that the United States has suspicions about our character." "The Purported U.S. Military Assistance," an editorial in the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (10/07) "If Pakistan was to agree to accept assistance lower than what is required it is doubtful if our army or the political government would be able to achieve the ambitious military targets with respect to FATA. The need of the hour for both the U.S. and Pakistan is to work within the parameters defined by convergence of interests in which national interests of the two countries need to be taken into account. The U.S. must understand that without the support of the Pakistani public no one, be he a military dictator or a woefully pliant civilian government, can deliver what the U.S. wants." "Where Did The Funds Go?," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/07) "Pakistan was the largest recipient of U.S. assistance under General Musharraf. It is about to receive even more of it under the Kerry-Lugar Bill. Because of what has happened in the past, there is a lack of trust between the donor and the recipient. Also, those who want to fight terrorism in Pakistan without American help - they actually believe Pakistan doesn't need to fight terrorism - want the American assistance rejected. Until an inquiry is held - and the time for that will come later - we will not know what actually happened. Now is the time to back the army and do whatever it takes to increase its capacity to fight the terrorists." "Kerry-Lugar Bill - A Critique," an op-ed by Nasim Zehra in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/07) "Just days before U.S. President Barack Hussain Obama will be signing the Kerry-Lugar bill thus turning it into law, Pakistan's political parties have woken up to the problems that it may pose -- a late awakening to say the least.... The ball is now in the court of Pakistan's elected legislators. As they formulate a response they must recognize that if Pakistan faces a financial crunch, the United States faces a strategic one. For the U.S. to walk away from Pakistan is a virtual impossibility at this juncture. It is far more unaffordable for them since Pakistan occupies more than 50 per cent of the space in their strategic calculation. Meanwhile $1.5 billion accounts for roughly three per cent of Pakistan's federal and provincial annual budgets. If Pakistan's legislators are able to rise to the occasion and craft a consensus response to the Kerry-Lugar bill, they will have proved their worth as men and women who are capable of promoting and protecting the interests and dignity of the citizens of the country. Otherwise, whether democracy or dictatorship, Pakistan's parliament is merely a rubber stamp which follows the will of a handful of individuals who exercise their authority overlooking constitutionally defined institutional mechanisms like the Cabinet, Defence Committee the Parliament." "Islamabad Bomb Blast And Hakeemullah Mehsud," an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (10/07) "The bomb attack on UN food program office proved that the government's claims of breaking the back of terrorists were not correct and the terrorists are still in a position to operate inside Islamabad red zone.... Having used the deterrence option [against terrorists], the government needs to pay attention to dialogue with the militants and development in their areas so that Hakeemullah Mehsud or anyone else does not feel the need for new activities." "Another Security Lapse," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (10/07) "In fact this is instant reaction of the militants against the government decision to launch operation in Waziristan. Now the militants are on the run as Waziristan is the main hub of their activities. However, with this blast at the most sensitive and high security place contradicts the government claim that it has broken the back of the militants. The blast is a serious lapse on the part of our security agencies. It has proved without any doubt that even foreigners are vulnerable to the terrorist attacks not to say about the security of the common man. The WFP is a totally welfare wing of the UN and it has nothing to do with any other activity." "Why Bombers Attack UN Offices," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (10/07) "It is quite obvious that the objective of such dastardly acts is to defame and destabilize Pakistan. There are different accounts of how it happened but one report suggests that the attack took place immediately after an important meeting of the U.S. officials with the UN staff, no one knows for what purposes.... But apparently the suicide bombers or master minds of such activities must be having, from their point of view, some cogent reason for carrying out attacks on UN targets, which might not be, strictly speaking, engaged in UN related activities alone. It is alleged that some of the UN offices in Islamabad, like many many other houses which are apparently meant for harmless purposes but a deeper look reveals that these are misused by the U.S./CIA for operations of various sorts. There are authentic reports that Americans are operating from at least two hundred houses of the capital.... Their presence and activities are not only adding to the day-to-day problems of inhabitants of these sectors but also threaten their very lives." "Confronting Terrorism," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/07) "In many ways the Taliban structures have become decentralized and functionally autonomous. In such a situation, the military's strategy of surrounding the militants in FATA, using covert means to disrupt them from within and using positive financial lures was a more comprehensive and viable approach. Now the U.S. is determined to undermine this and compel the military into launching a full scale, conventional military action into FATA which will have serious repercussions for the country - including impacting our security on the Eastern border with a presently belligerent India." "Enter, Hakeemullah," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/07) "The re-emergence on Monday of Tehrik-i-Taliban chief Hakeemullah Mehsud came as a major embarrassment for the Interior Ministry which was claiming that he had been killed in intra-Taliban fighting.... On Monday, Hakeemullah vowed to exact revenge for the killing of his predecessor Baitullah Mehsud.... An army of suicide bombers was waiting for orders, Hakeemullah warned, adding that the TTP had become stronger, not weaker, in the post-Baitullah period. This may not be true but such claims cannot be dismissed either given the intelligence black hole that is South Waziristan.... Hakeemullah Mehsud may talk big but it is clear that the Taliban are on the back foot. This is the time for a decisive assault.... Responsibility for Monday's suicide bombing in Islamabad has been claimed by the TTP, and more attacks can be expected if the Mehsud militants are taken head-on. But no setback, however big, should deter the state and the citizenry in their fight against the enemy within." "Al Qaeda Chooses Hakeemullah," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/07) "It is possible that Al Qaeda took its time sorting out the leadership problem. As Pashtuns and particularly as Mehsuds, the two leaders had almost equal credentials - Waliur Rehman controlled TTP's finances - and couldn't give up in favor of each other. Finally, it seems, Ayman Al Zawahiri has plumped for Hakimullah because of the support he gets from warlord Qari Hussain in Orakzai and the outreach he has in tribal agencies other than South Waziristan." "Alive And Kicking," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/07) "There is now no doubt that the Taliban, far from being defeated or cowed down, are as strong as and perhaps even stronger than they were before the death of Baitullah Mehsud. There is some sort of unity in their ranks, fragile perhaps, and the resources that they command are formidable.... Could our army - with India indulging in a little saber-rattling to the east - fight and win in the Waziristans? The best we can say is that it's a 'definite maybe.' While we await an answer, Hakeemullah's suicide bombers are ready to sacrifice themselves and as many of us as they can take with them. Taliban on the run? A definite 'NO'." "After Afghan Elections," an op-ed by Iftikhar Murshed in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/07) "India's intrusive Afghanistan policy is ill thought through and fraught with negative consequences.... The Afghans are fiercely independent and resent any form of external interference. New Delhi seems to have learnt nothing from the experience of imperial Britain, the Soviet Union and now the U.S.-NATO forces. There is no need for Islamabad to react by resurrecting its failed strategic depth policy. Instead it should prevail upon Washington not only to pressure India to downsize its presence in Afghanistan but also to resume the composite dialogue with Pakistan. The latter cannot be expected to take on the Taliban in the tribal areas if 80 per cent of its army is committed along the eastern border. The only sensible option available to Pakistan is a hands-off Afghan policy. Whatever the final outcome of the presidential election, only a multi-ethnic dispensation in Afghanistan supported by the people can effectively deal with the Taliban insurgency." "Iranian And Israeli Nuclear Plans," an editorial note in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir.25,000) (10/07) "Since the IAEA Chief has termed Israel's nuclear weapons dangerous for the entire region, the U.S. and other countries should stop criticizing the Iranian nuclear program only but must also focus on the Israeli program so that threats to the region can be eliminated. Israel's inflexible stance on the issue can prove devastating for the entire world." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson