PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: OCTOBER 08, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002434

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: OCTOBER 08, 2009

Summary: Reports that the top Pakistani military leadership
expressed "grave concern" over various clauses of the Kerry-Lugar
Bill dominated headlines in all newspapers on Thursday. All
newspapers also highlighted Prime Minister Gilani's assurance to the
National Assembly that the "apprehensions of parliamentarians and
armed forces over the legislation would be removed through
consensus." Reports of meeting between President Zardari and Prime
Minister Gilani to "discuss military's concerns on the Kerry-Lugar
Bill" also received extensive coverage. Some newspapers reported
that "President Obama has delayed signing the Kerry-Lugar Bill due
to criticism on the legislation in Pakistan." However, some major
dailies highlighted that the "signing is not delayed" and "President
hoped to sign the bill within the stipulated period of 10 days."
The English language daily, "The News," reported that "Senator Kerry
has planned an emergency visit to Pakistan to address the dissenting
voices."

Most major newspapers ran in-depth editorials on the ongoing
Kerry-Lugar Bill debate, and its far-reaching implications.
Commenting on the Pakistan Army's reservations on the legislation,
the prestigious English daily, "Dawn," noted that the Pakistan "army
high command has belatedly come around to expressing its concerns
and the fact that it has chosen to make its reservations public as
opposed to going through private governmental channels is
regrettable." However, the populist, often sensational national
English daily "The News," wrote: "To be fair to General Kayani and
his men, the language of the bill is harsh and unnecessarily crude
at various points. A more gracefully phrased piece of legislation
would have done everybody good." The liberal Urdu daily "Express,"
observed that the "Parliament is the most appropriate forum to
deliberate vital issues such as the Kerry-Lugar Bill."

In other news, all dailies front-paged reports that the Balochistan
High Court ordered registration of a case against former President
General Musharraf and other senior officials for killing Baloch
leader Akbar Bugti. Reports of killing of a top aide to Swat
Taliban leader Fazlullah, carrying a bounty of 10 million rupees,
were also highlighted. End Summary.

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News Stories
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"Corps Commanders Express Concern Over Kerry-Lugar" "Dawn" (10/08)

"The military-government differences on the conditions attached to
an aid legislation approved by the U.S. Congress, the so-called
Kerry-Lugar bill, became more pronounced on Wednesday after the
army's top commanders, through a carefully drafted press statement,
expressed their 'serious concerns' on some of the clauses of the
bill that they believe would affect 'national security.' At the
same time they asked the government to build a national response on
the controversial bill through a debate in the Parliament. Unlike a
benign two-line statement that is usually issued after most of the
corps commanders' meetings, the one released to the media on
Wednesday left absolutely no doubt that the top brass was not only
gravely disturbed over the conditions linked to the American aid
legislation, they wanted to make their views public instead of just
communicating them to the government through a formal channel."

"Political Equation Rocked By Kerry-Lugar Fiasco" "The News"
(10/08)

"The Pakistani political equation suddenly took a disturbing turn on
Wednesday when differences between the civilian government and the
Army high command surfaced over the Kerry-Lugar Bill and shook the
national scene. Amid fast-paced developments, which shocked the
country, confusion in the government and coalition ranks was evident
when Prime Minister Gilani, in a brief address to the National
Assembly, offered to build a consensus between the President and the
Army, implicitly admitting that things had suddenly changed."

"Certain Individuals Targeted Army, ISI" "The News" (10/08)

"When the top military commanders declared their serious concern
regarding clauses of the Kerry-Lugar Bill impacting on the national
security, the top brass had knowledge and evidence that a few
elements within the government deployed resources to lobby several
key United States congressmen for inclusion of anti-military and
anti-nuclear program segments in the controversial U.S. aid bill,
informed officials said. 'This is actually an attempt to cripple
the Pakistan Army and the ISI and it is not the first or last
attempt. There are some elements with clandestine job in all this,'
said an informed official, who disclosed that Pakistani security
officials were constantly getting information from their sources in
Washington that illustrated vast difference between the public and
private positions adopted by individuals and organizations
representing Pakistan's national interest in Washington."

"No Clash With Military Over Kerry-Lugar Bill: Government" "Dawn"
(10/08)

"The government rejected on Wednesday speculations about a clash
between the military and the civilian government over certain
conditions attached to the U.S. Kerry-Lugar Bill. Talking to
reporters after a meeting of the federal cabinet, Information
Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the U.S. assistance should be
allowed to come for development of the NWFP and tribal areas which
had been badly affected by terrorist activities."

"Gilani Vows To Push Through Kerry-Luger Bill" "Dawn" (10/08)

"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani vowed on Wednesday to get all
parties in the country on side to accept 7.5 billion dollars in aid
from the U.S., as a divided Parliament debated the issue.... 'The
government will remove reservations of Parliament and the armed
forces, if any, and build a national consensus on the issue,'
Gilani, keen to see the aid come through, told lawmakers on
Wednesday evening."

"Gilani, Zardari Discuss Concerns Over Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Daily
Times" (10/08)

"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday called on President
Asif Zardari at the Presidency and discussed the military top brass'
concerns regarding the Kerry-Lugar bill."

"It's Up To Parliament To Decide On U.S. Aid Bill: PM" "Daily Times"
(10/08)

"The government is not bound to accept the strings attached to the
Kerry-Lugar Bill and Parliament is empowered to take the final
decision on the matter, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani told the
National Assembly on Wednesday."

"Obama Delays Signing Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Pakistan Observer" (10/08)

"Obama has delayed signing Kerry-Lugar due to reports of criticism
on the bill in Pakistan, a private TV channel reported on
Wednesday."

"Bill Signing Not Delayed" "Dawn" (10/08)

"U.S. President Barack Obama hopes to sign the aid to Pakistan bill
within the stipulated period of 10 days, the bill has not been
delayed, U.S. officials told 'Dawn' on Wednesday. Earlier in the
day, the media in Pakistan reported that President Obama had delayed
signing the Kerry-Lugar bill because of an adverse reaction in the
country."

"Senator Kerry Rushing To Pakistan" "The News" (10/07)

"As opposition to the Kerry-Lugar Bill mounts with reservations
expressed by the Pakistan Army, Civil Society and Parliament,
Chairman U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator John
Kerry, has planned an emergency visit to Pakistan to address the
dissenting voices. He will be arriving in Pakistan in a week or so,
a credible source in Washington said."

"No Condition Put On Pakistan For $7.5 Billion Aid" Kerry" "The
News" (10/07)

"U.S. Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations
Committee, assured the Pakistanis that the recently passed
Kerry-Lugar Bill attaches no conditions to economic aid for their
country and has nothing to do with drone attacks or private security
firms as being associated with the legislation in the ongoing debate
in the media. Kerry, who along with other members of the
influential panel, met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi,
described the characterizations as inaccurate. He said the
legislation will not impinge on Pakistan's sovereignty. 'There is no
conditionality, whatsoever, in this legislation with respect to the
civilian assistance and the economic assistance that is provided,'
he told newsmen."

"White House Assessing Reaction In Pakistan" "The News" (10/08)

"Top-level behind the scene deliberations began in the White House
in Washington on Wednesday to re-evaluate the progress in war on
terror with particular emphasis on the situation in Pakistan. In
the first meeting held between Secretary of State Hilary Clinton,
National Security Advisor James Jones and Secretary Defence Robert
Gates the Pakistani reaction over the Kerry-Lugar Bill also
reportedly came under discussion. Sources in the White House
revealed that the situation evolving in Pakistan on the Kerry-Lugar
Bill has put the Obama Administration in an awkward position and a
number of key conservative hawks have asked to reassess the U.S.
efforts to find enduring partnership with Pakistan."

"U.S. Does Not Intend To Encroach On Pakistan's Sovereignty:
Qureshi" "Dawn" (10/08)

"'Those who have questions or doubts should read the legislation,
which is very clear in its intent,' says U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton while responding to the criticism that the
Kerry-Lugar bill encroaches upon Pakistan's sovereignty. She made
these remarks on Tuesday afternoon at a joint news conference with
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi who defended the bill saying
that the Americans had 'no intentions of trampling on Pakistan's
sovereignty or will the elected democratic government of Pakistan
ever allow any compromise on Pakistan's sovereignty.'"

"Aid Necessary For Pakistan: Zardari" "Daily Times" (10/08)

"President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday defended the Kerry-Lugar
bill and termed it necessary for Pakistan's economy, saying the aid
will benefit the people, not their leaders. According to a private
TV channel, Zardari said almost Rs 140 billion would be spent on
development projects every year under the bill."

"Zardari Takes It Personally" "The News" (10/08)

"The presidency is convinced that the opposition to the Kerry-Lugar
Bill by 'certain elements' is an attempt to de-legitimize Asif Ali
Zardari as President of Pakistan. 'All this is intended to malign
Zardari,' presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said when
approached by 'The News' to know the presidency's viewpoint on the
issue. He said the bill did not give an iota of impression that the
sovereignty of Pakistan or the supreme national interests had been
compromised."

"Army, Parliament, People On One Side, President On The Other" "The
News" (10/08)

"Opening the House debate on the controversial Kerry-Lugar Aid Bill,
leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar rightly described it as a
defining moment in our history. But what was even more defining was
the unmistakable dividing line drawn in the sand of our political
wasteland, with the President hunkering on one side and the
opposition, the army, and the popular will on the other. And while
the Prime Minister went through the motions of appearing to be
standing in the middle."

"U.S. Energy Coordinator To Visit Pakistan" "Pakistan Observer"
(10/08)

"David Goldwyn, the State Department's coordinator for international
energy engagement, will lead later this month a government team for
a dialogue with the Pakistani Government on energy policy and
investment. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told newsmen in a
joint appearance with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood
Qureshi that the U.S. team will focus on addressing Pakistan's
chronic energy shortfalls."

"Registration Of Bugti Case Against Musharraf Ordered" "Dawn"
(10/08)

"the Balochistan High Court has order the SHO of Dera Bugti Police
Station to register an FIR against former President Pervez Musharraf
and others in the murder case of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti."

"Top Aide Of Fazlullah Killed In Swat" "Dawn" (10/08)

"A militant leader Nisar alias Ghazi Baba, carrying a bounty of
Rupees 10 million was killed and his son was captured during a clash
with security personnel in Matta tehsil of Swat on Wednesday. He
was considered a close aide of Tehrik-i-Taliban Swat chief Maulana
Fazlullah."

"Focus On Pakistan At White House Meeting" "Dawn" (10/08)

"U.S. President Barack Obama gathered his top military and political
advisers in the secure White House Situation Room on Wednesday for
discussions that focused primarily on Pakistan, said White House
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs as the Washington Post noted that one
of the proposals being discussed is the 'Pakistan First' theory
'championed by Vice President Joe Biden.'"

"No U.S. Ground Involvement In Tribal Areas, Says Qureshi" "Daily
Times" (10/08)

"Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has ruled out the involvement
of U.S. ground troops in fighting extremists in the Tribal Areas,
saying that Pakistani forces are capable of combating terrorists on
its soil, he told CNN in an interview."

"'Tough Resistance' Expected In Waziristan" "Daily Times" (10/08)

"The Pakistani army expects Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters in the
South Waziristan tribal region to put up 'tough resistance' against
a military offensive, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, army's chief spokesman
said."

"'Rah-e-Nijat' Operation SWA Later This Month" " The News" (10/08)

"The Army will be launching an operation in South Waziristan
codenamed 'Rah-e-Nijat' sometime after mid-October but the
militants' supply lines have already been sealed off, informed
sources say. An ISPR spokesman would not comment on the exact time
frame."

"Taliban Kill Six Men Of Hakeemullah Group" "Dawn" (10/08)

"Afghan Taliban killed six militant leaders of the Hakeemullah
Mehsud group for refusing to release two men they had kidnapped.
According to sources, the two men, Shahid and Shah Nawaz, had been
kidnapped three days ago."

"Six Militants Killed In North Waziristan" "Dawn" (10/08)

"Troops killed six militants and injured two others in a clash in
Razmak area of North Waziristan on Wednesday, an official said."

"Anti-U.S. Rally" "The News" (10/08)

"Observing Anti-U.S. Day on completion of eight years of U.S. attack
on Afghanistan, the activists of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba the other
day staged a protest demonstration at the University of Peshawar
against U.S. interference in the affair of the country."

"WFP Suspends Food Distribution Among IDPs In Malakand" "Dawn"
(10/08)

"The World Food Program has suspended food distribution among
internally displaced persons (IDPs) in various parts of Malakand
division after the October 5 bomb attack on its office in Islamabad
that killed five aid workers."

"Foreigners Advised To Restrict Movement" "Dawn" (10/08)

"A number of Foreign Missions in Islamabad have advised their
citizens to restrict their movement after a fresh threat of
terrorist attacks in the capital, sources in the Interior Ministry
and diplomatic circles told 'Dawn' on Wednesday."

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

"Opposing Kerry-Lugar," an editorial in the Karachi-based
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000)
(10/08)

"The debate on the Kerry-Lugar bill's 'conditionalities' is inching
worryingly towards becoming a debate about national security versus
democracy.... All sides, though, must bear some of the blame.
While it is the government's executive prerogative to negotiate such
aid with foreign governments, domestically it failed to keep all the
various stakeholders in the loop, consult them frequently and get
their input. The government does not appear to have realized that
politics and the law intersect on matters such as the Kerry-Lugar
bill.... Army high command has belatedly come around to expressing
its concerns and the fact that it has chosen to make its
reservations public as opposed to going through private governmental
channels is regrettable.... Right or wrong, wise or unwise, the
Bill must not become the basis for fresh cleavages between the army
and the political opposition on one side and the government on the
other. The national security-democracy debate is not an either/or
issue - national security can and must be protected through the
democratic process. Even by Pakistani standards, it is too soon to
forget the damage caused by extra-constitutional interventions."

"Towards Confrontation," an editorial in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/08)

"The civilian government and the military are now quite openly at
odds over the conditions included in the Kerry-Lugar Bill.... To be
fair to General Kayani and his men, the language of the bill is
harsh and unnecessarily crude at various points. A more gracefully
phrased piece of legislation would have done everybody good.... The
President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister have all
strongly defended the Kerry-Lugar Bill as a triumph of their
policies and called on members of their party to back it. But what
they have failed to acknowledge is the impact of the bill on
Pakistan's sovereignty and the fact that it will strengthen the idea
that the U.S. is dictating terms. As always happens when rifts open
up, there are elements at work who seek to exploit them. We can see
this happening today. The need is for rationality and good sense to
kick in. Pakistan would benefit from the Kerry-Lugar Bill and the
aid offered under it, but portions of it could do with a redraft."

"Kerry-Lugar Bill And NRO: Parliament Is The Best Forum," an
editorial note in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir.25,000)
(10/08)

"One solution to the army's reservations about certain conditions
would be to out-rightly reject this assistance and to meet the
military's expenses through national resources. The other solution
would be to talk with the U.S. to review such [controversial]
conditions.... We also need to dispel the impression that there are
misunderstandings between the army and the government just because
of U.S. aid.... The U.S. is not doing Pakistan any favor by giving
this aid; in fact the losses we have faced due to the war on terror
are far more than the aid provided by the U.S. and its allies. Let
the parliament discuss the issue; it has the right to turn down this
aid if it comes to the conclusion that certain conditions included
therein mean compromising on national sovereignty. Parliament is
the most appropriate forum to deliberate vital issues such as the
Kerry-Lugar Bill."

"Brawling Over Kerry-Lugar Bill," an editorial in the Lahore-based
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/08)

"Prime Minister Gilani is proclaiming the bill a 'big success' of
his 'democratic government' and is ready to defend Pakistan's
acceptance of the American aid in parliament. His strong points
are, the bill is not addressed to Pakistan but to the Obama
administration, the money it allows to Pakistan is not a loan but a
grant, the conditionalities do not apply to social sector aid and
that Pakistan needs the money because it can't get it from
elsewhere.... Pakistan is getting $7.5 billion, and its stock
exchange is already responding to prospects of economic stability as
seen by foreign capital after the Kerry-Lugar Bill."

"Kerry-Lugar Bill: PM's Stance And Army's Concern," an editorial in
the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir.
150,000) (10/08)

"The country's armed forces have hinted at unacceptability of the KL
Bill and they also informed American General McChrystal about it.
The situation demands that the Bill should not only be discussed in
the National Assembly, but in the joint session of the
Parliament.... The nation cannot accept the aid that has been
arranged after compromising the national security."

"Kerry-Lugar Bill: How Important Is Consensus?," an editorial in the
country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir.
25,000) (10/08)

"Senator John Kerry, the architect of the legislation, told
reporters after he and other members of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee met visiting Foreign Minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi that
'no conditions' have been imposed, the Secretary of State is also
required to make an assessment of how effective a control the
government is exercising over the military, including oversight and
approval of defence budgets, chain of command, promotion of senior
commanders and civilian involvement in strategic planning.... It
would be unfortunate if this bill (Kerry-Lugar) was to divide the
nation. The government and opposition should use the forum of the
National Assembly to hammer out a consensus on the issue."

"Kerry-Lugar Bill: Consensus Needed," an editorial in the
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (10/08)

"The Kerry-Lugar Bill has been taken up in the National Assembly and
Corps Commanders meeting. The opinion expressed at the two forums
should be given a high level review in order to reach a national
consensus decision. The Parliament can reject the bill, but if it
does not do so then the bill's opponents should review their own
attitudes."

"NRO, KL - NA Is Proper Forum," an editorial in the Islamabad-based
rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (10/08)

"In the present-day context the issues of NRO and Kerry-Lugar Bill
have become subjects of heated debates and deserve to be critically
examined by the Parliament. NRO is fundamentally flawed one-man
legislation imposed on the nation, which is perceived to have jolted
the very moral fabric of the society.... Similarly, acceptance of
the humiliating conditions of the Kerry-Lugar Bill are, generally
speaking, perceived to be bartering away of national sovereignty.
The ignominious conditions and degrading observations should not be
acceptable to any self-respecting nation at any cost.... We hope
that the debate would be result-oriented, giving clear-cut direction
to the Government on how to proceed further on the controversial
issue."

"Superficial Discussion On The Kerry-Lugar Bill: U.S. Should Remove
Doubts," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily
"Din" (cir. 10,000) (10/08)

"While the nation is focused on the controversial clauses in the
Kerry-Lugar bill, the government is also concerned about unhindered
movement of Americans in the country. This concern touched the
extreme when illegal arms were recovered from security agencies
linked with the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan.... Instead of peddling
the Kerry-Lugar bill in the marketplace, [the government] should get
the help of experts in international law who can review it
threadbare. Subsequently, if a clause is found to be against our
sovereignty, an alternative viewpoint can be presented to the
U.S.... Pakistani apprehensions about the activities of the
Americans as well as the Kerry-Lugar bill need to be allayed."

"Objections On The Kerry-Lugar Bill And Democratic Government's
Responsibility," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu
daily "Waqt" (cir. 5,000) (10/08)

"We hope that that the Pakistani leadership would neither ignore
national sovereignty nor emulate a military dictator in kowtowing to
the U.S.... We hope the leaders would give ample time to the
parliamentarians to study the bill in the national assembly and
would not force them to act as a rubberstamp."

"Where's The Partnership?," an op-ed by Tariq Fatemi in the
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn"
(cir. 55,000) (10/08)

"It is an irony that the U.S. remains deeply unpopular even with
those states that have been the greatest beneficiaries of its
assistance.... The bill (Kerry-Lugar) has generated several
misgivings even among those (Pakistani) who favor cordial relations
with the U.S.... The conditions are much too onerous and
impractical. The U.S. should appreciate that an aid package viewed
as demeaning defeats the very purpose for which it is crafted....
The Kerry-Lugar bill is likely to generate fresh controversies and
sour relations as its primary message is that the U.S. views
Pakistan as incompetent, corrupt and unreliable, with assistance
being provided only because it is a 'critical task.' There is no
reflection on partnership between the two. Instead of hailing the
bill as a great success, the government should have pointed out the
pitfalls and expressed its reservations early on as vigorous and
timely lobbying could have improved its provisions."

"The Same War Hysteria," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/08)

"President Barack Obama's remark on a recent visit to the National
Counter-terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Virginia that he could not rule
out Al-Qaeda attacking the U.S. in the future recalls the same war
hysteria that his predecessor George W. Bush created and kept
trumpeting during his two dismal tenures.... One would hope that
Obama restrains himself from following this course if he wants to
make sure that he does not meet a similar fate."

"American Double-Standards," an editorial in the Lahore-based
populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (10/08)

"U.S. President Obama has said that Al Qaeda hideouts around the
world, including Pakistan, will be targeted. Meanwhile, U.S. State
Department spokesman has said that most of the 9/11 perpetrators
have crossed into Pakistan.... How does the U.S. know this? And if
they have reliable information, why is it not shared with Pakistan?
Similarly, it has been proven that no Pakistani was involved in the
9/11 attacks; the U.S. is implicating Pakistan just to achieve its
nefarious designs.... The government should protest at this
statement."

"Afghanistan Conundrum," an op-ed by Mohammad Jamil in the
Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (10/08)

"There is no industry to create employment opportunities to the
jobless, and no serious effort has been made by various governments
to promote agriculture. This leaves the unemployed at the mercy of
militants who look after them better than the state because of their
income from drug-trafficking. During the last eight years, warlords
had a free hand in drug-trafficking under American and NATO forces'
watch. Afghanistan is facing death and destruction for the last
three decades.... The question is why the U.S. and the West do not
realize that they can no more run the world according to their whim
and fancy. And why don't they understand that other countries have
the right to live according to their own way, their own faith and
their own culture.... The U.S. has spent more than one trillion
dollars on Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and if it had spent half of
this amount on improving the lives of the people in Afghanistan and
other underdeveloped regions, it was possible to reduce poverty,
crimes and extremism in the world."

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Patterson