PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TERRORISM, KERRY-LUGAR BILL,

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002474 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TERRORISM, KERRY-LUGAR BILL, SECURITY OF PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR, F-16 - OCTOBER 13, 2009 Summary: Reports and photographs of the "killing of 41 people in a suicide attack on a military convoy in Shangla" in NWFP dominated headlines in all newspapers on Monday. Newspapers also highlighted reports that "15 militants were killed in Bajaur when military planes shelled their hideouts in Mamond and Salarzai areas." In its editorial titled "More Violence" the prestigious English language newspaper, "Dawn," noted that "unless the apparatus that creates the militants is shut down, there will always be new militants to take the place of those killed or captured." President Zardari's remarks, made while talking to visiting U.S. Senator Inouye, urging the U.S. government to "address concerns" expressed by certain quarters in Pakistan on the Kerry Lugar bill, also received prominent display. Some major newspapers quoted Senator Inouye as reiterating that the "U.S. has no intention of influencing any Pakistani institution." Reports on the departure of Foreign Minister Qureshi to Washington "to express Pakistan's concerns over the KL bill" were also highlighted. Commenting on the U.S. aid bill, the leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" observed that the "U.S. should also refrain from ignoring the national interests of Pakistan which itself has fallen victim to terrorism after siding with the international community in the war on terror." The terror attack on the Pakistan military's General Headquarters (GHQ) over the weekend, sparking a gun-battle that resulted in killing of several army personnel and the assailants continued to garner front-page coverage on the third consecutive day. All newspapers reported that "three commandos died in hospital raising the death toll from a day-long hostage drama at the GHQ to 22." Editorializing the terror attack on the GHQ, the pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" wrote: "Due to its possible repercussions and far-reaching consequences, the attack on GHQ seems the most dangerous among all incidents of terrorism occurred in Pakistan to date." End Summary. -------------- Terrorism -------------- "Terror Attack In Shangla; 41 Dead, 60 Injured" "Dawn" (10/13) "At least 41 people, four soldiers and three policemen among them, were killed and 60 others injured when a teenage suicide bomber struck a military vehicle at 11am in a crowded market in Alpuri on Monday. It is the latest in a string of attacks amid warnings of an imminent offensive against insurgents in South Waziristan, security officials said." "15 Killed In Bajaur Air Strike" "Dawn" (10/13) "15 militants were killed and 28 injured in the fresh offensive when military planes shelled their hideouts in Mamond and Salarzai areas of Bajaur tribal region on Monday morning. Ground troops also used artillery to pound militants' positions, a press release issued by the Frontier Corps in Peshawar." "GHQ Siege Toll 22 As 3 More SSG Commandos Die" "The Nation" (10/13) "Three commandos died in hospital on Monday raising the death toll from a day-long hostage drama at the army headquarters over the weekend to 22, a military statement said." "Back-Channel Efforts To Isolate Group Of Baitullah" "Dawn" (10/13) "The government has started back-channel contacts with Taliban commanders in North Waziristan as part of an attempt to isolate insurgents of the Baitullah group before launching a full-scale military operation in South Waziristan. Well-placed sources said that a Jirga comprising more than 20 tribal elders arrived in Peshawar on Monday evening for talks with civilian and military leadership." "'GHQ Attackers Demanded Release Of 100 Terrorists: ISPR DG" "Daily Times" (10/13) "Taliban gunmen who took 42 people hostage at Pakistan's army headquarters on Saturday were demanding the release of about 100 terrorists, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Major-General Athar Abbas said on Monday." "GHQ Attack Planned In South Waziristan: Army" "Dawn" (10/13) "The army claimed on Monday that the ghastly attack on the General Headquarters had been planned in South Waziristan. Military spokesman Maj-Gen. Athar Abbas told journalists that a communication intercepted by security agencies had found Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Waliur Rahman asking his men to pray for the success of the operation after he had been informed by the attackers that the activity at the GHQ was under way." "TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) Warns Of More Attacks In Punjab And Sind" "Dawn" (10/13) "The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the Saturday's terror attack on the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and warned thatQ networks in Punjab and Sindh will carry out more attacks on government installations, TTP spokesman Azam Tariq told the 'Dawn' that the attack on the GHQ was the work of Taliban's Punjab Wing, masterminded by its Chief Amjad Farooqi." "GHQ Attackers' Leader One Of Army Defectors" "Daily Times" (10/13) "The leader of the attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) is one of several former military personnel to have joined terrorist groups, 'The Times' reported on Monday. Security officials have identified him as Muhammad Aqeel alias Dr. Usman and said that he was in the medical corps before joining terrorists based in North Waziristan." "NA Assures Armed Forces Of Support Against Terrorism" "Dawn" (10/13) "The National Assembly reassured on Monday support to the military to fight terrorism, suspending a debate on the so-called 'Kerry-Lugar Bill' of U.S. Aid to Pakistan after Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi left for Washington to convey possibly Islamabad's reQed views about the law." "Int'l Response Not Matching Pak Role In War On Terror" "Daily Times" (10/13) "Pakistan faces a 9/11-like situation every day as the price for its support to the international community, but what it has received in return does not match Pakistan's commitment, contribution and role in the war on terror, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said while addressing the 78th General Conference of Interpol in Singapore." "Police Launch Crackdown In Dera Ismail Khan" "Dawn" (10/13) "Police launched a crackdown in Dera Ismail Khan, sealing the offices of the banned Harkatul Mujahideen and arresting five people, DawnNews quoted official sources as saying. The raid also shut down an internet caf in the region, from which the police were able to recover data and hard drives." "U.S. Expert Suggests Special Courts For Terror Cases" "The News" (10/13) "As terrorism is an unusual phenomenon being faced by many countries of the world, a special system of laws and courts needs to be established to deal with the elements allegedly involved in it. This was proposed by Clifford D. May, President for Defence of Democracies, Washington, while addressing a seminar titled 'Terrorism & Freedom of Information,' which was organized by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in Islamabad on Monday." "American With Ammo Nabbed" "The Nation" (10/13) "The Airport Security Force (ASF) Monday detained an American at the Benazir Shaheed International Airport, Islamabad for keeping some rounds bullets in his laptop bag. The American who was identified as Richard Powel, was on his way to Dubai on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) No. PK-211 when ASF officials took him into custody." "More violence," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) "There are increasing indications that the audacious attack on the army GHQ in Rawalpindi was orchestrated by the south Punjab-Waziristan nexus of militancy, a nexus which is also known to extend to the Swat TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan). The message being sent by the militants to the state is unmistakable: attack us and we will retaliate against you in your cities and towns.... Unfortunately, the history of Pakistan's fight against militancy is a case study in missed opportunities and warning signs ignored until the damage is already caused. Why must we wait for militants in south Punjab to set fire to that part or other parts of Pakistan before we act against them? And why must we only try and kill or capture the militants that are attacking the state rather than shut down the pipeline that is churning out such elements? Unless the apparatus that creates the militants is shut down, there will always be new militants to take the place of those killed or captured." "Challenge Facing National Security And Its Solution," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (10/13) "Due to its possible repercussions and far-reaching consequences, the attack on GHQ seems to be the most dangerous among all the incidents of terrorism occurred in Pakistan to date. Being the strongest military power of the Muslim states, the internal stability of Pakistan is in the larger interest of the entire Muslim world. Hence, the government should renounce the unwarranted use of force to restore peace, and realize the need of dialogue in order to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country. We think that negotiations with the people involved in armed struggle will weaken the militancy in Pakistan ultimately." "End And Aftermath," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) "The world watched as the Taliban stuck the knife in. Newspapers in every continent carried it as a lead story and TV stations likewise. There for all to see was the stark reality of the war that we fight, a war that we are fighting for and on behalf of the rest of the world and not just ourselves. The entire nation is the front-line in the battle that now is joined, and the fight at the Rawalpindi GHQ is going to be remembered down the years, perhaps more than all the others that have preceded it.... A judgmental world will be watching us, waiting to see how we respond. Any response to that is less than firm and unequivocal is unacceptable. The GHQ raid was the tocsin, the final warning. Failure to heed the warning this time will be tantamount to surrender - and a future for all of us under the boot of the Taliban." "Precision Handling Of GHQ Predicament," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (10/13) "We have no doubt that the Army leadership would move swiftly to unearth the conspiracy and the elements behind it. According to experts, the way the attack was launched is not merely the handiwork of the Pakistani Taliban, who have claimed responsibility, but it hints at the involvement of foreign hand as well. It was a dangerous operation which involved organizational supporting, monitoring and guidance about targets. The attack leaves no doubt that the militants were trained like commandos, carried sophisticated weapons and appeared to be fully briefed about the situation on the ground and the directions they were to move. The arrest of the ringleader Aqeel alias Dr. Usman would help the investigating agencies in extracting very useful information and clues in reaching the conclusions." "'Dr. Usman': Last Desperate Act," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/13) "Aqeel alias Dr Usman has been caught in a seriously wounded state after the terrorist attack on the GHQ by his Amjad Farooqi Group. A 'mastermind' of several past terrorist attacks.... Now that he is in custody - one hopes fervently that he survives his wounds - the interrogators will surely get to the bottom of the mystery, and may even learn from him important strategic secrets on the eve of the military operation in South Waziristan." "Security Threats," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (10/13) "The first question that needs to be answered is how the terrorists were able to plan, organize and implement such a critical attack.... Though the operation against terrorists has fortunately ended successfully it leaves a lot of room for raising our defenses against the enemy. That terrorists reportedly had suicide jackets, improvised explosive devices, and grenades, etc, and were wearing army uniforms shows that there is still much to be done at the intelligence level to nip such terrorist attacks in the bud." "Terrorist Acts And Foreign Minister's Trip To The U.S.," an editorial in the Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 5000) (10/13) "No one can deny that pro-U.S. policies are leading to [terrorist] incidents that were beyond our imagination until 2006; the law and order situation is very worrisome. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has admitted that extremist attack on GHQ in Rawalpindi signals increasing threat from terrorism.... We hope that the Foreign Minister has a successful trip to the U.S. and he is able to convince the U.S. to act as a real friend and work together with Pakistan to end the root-cause of terrorism. Dual policies and contradictory stances [by the U.S.] will not work anymore." "Find The Sponsors Of Terrorists," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (10/13) "Even if all the terrorists in the country are eliminated, our enemies have the option of buying the services of terrorists in Afghanistan and sending them to Pakistan. Hence, the security of borders with Afghanistan is more important than vigilance of Punjab borders. We need to be cauQous on all fronts, especially those areas of the Punjab where terrorists are reported to be present." "U.S And British Role In The War On Terror," an editorial note in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir.25,000) (10/13) "There is no solution to the worsening [law and order] situation in Afghanistan except that NATO forces make a comprehensive strategy to eliminate Al Qaeda and Taliban in Afghanistan, and Pakistani forces eliminate extremists within Pakistan. We hope that British and the U.S. foreign offices will understand these ground realities and make an appropriate future strategy." "A New Official Tone?," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/13) "Presently, the Zardari government, under continuing U.S. pressure, is pushing the military to launch a premature operation in South Waziristan before the U.S. and NATO have managed to close the illegal arms trail from Afghanistan and before the situation in fully under control in Swat, as can be seen by the latest blasts. Is there a deliberate attempt to overstretch the army within the country?" "Military Operation In South Waziristan: Reasons And Implications," an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (10/13) "Now that the [South Waziristan] military operation has started, the nation wants it to be successful. However, the operation authorities should avoid large scale displacement of the local population, for winters are round the corner.... In order to stop Indian interference, Pakistan should talk to America in categorical terms to end Indian bases in Afghanistan. These Indian bases try to maintain the supplies to our enemies.... While carrying out the operation the army should not give America an opportunity to increase its influence on Pakistan via Kerry-Lugar bill and India should not be given a change for a mischief against Pakistan." "Security Stand-Off," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) "The ministry of foreign affairs has made it clear to missions in Islamabad that anyone found with weapons should not expect to find safety behind the cover of diplomatic immunity.... The embassies claim the weapons are intended to protect their employees and that they have little confidence in the ability of Pakistani security personnel to do the same.... The lack of coordination between different agencies and the tacit go-ahead apparently given to the embassies by the interior ministry to carry guns adds to the confusion." "Armed Diplomacy," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) "Foreign Missions are conscious of the fact that Pakistan's security forces have been overstretched because of the war on terror, and perhaps they think they are lightening the burden of the government by arranging for their own security. Another reason could be their lack of trust in our security agencies.... More unfortunately, the Foreign Office and the interior ministry do not seem to see eye to eye on the issue, the latter adopting a stance that appears to suggest that it condones the diplomats' behavior.... The Foreign Office now has reportedly decided to 'get tough' on the issue. However, before the FO does this it would be appropriate for the two Ministries and the various security agencies to develop a policy consensus on how armed diplomats - an oxymoron - are to be tackled." "GHQ And KLB (Kerry-Lugar Bill)," an op-ed by Mir Jamilur Rehman in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) "The attack on GHQ has shaken the public confidence further. Coming at the heels of the Peshawar blast, which killed and injured nearly 150 people, the attack on GHQ has spread despondency and traumatized the nation. However, the bravery shown by our officers and soldiers in the face of the veiled enemy was out of this world. The rescue of most of the hostages, military and civilian, was such a heroic effort that books could be written on it. It seems that the terrorists' target was COAS General Kayani." "United In Adversity," an op-ed by Kamila Hyat in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) "The attack on the GHQ (General Headquarters) will steel resolve. It is not something our military will take lying down. Pride and image have both been hurt. But we also need rational thinking to determine how best to fight militancy, on various fronts, attacking not just the suicide-jacket-wearing and grenade-hurling militants whose aim it is to maim and kill but also the poverty and frustration which gives them strength and fuels the organizations behind them." "Deciphering The GHQ Attack," an op-ed by Hassan Abbas in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) "This was neither the first attack on an army structure in the country nor the most deadly -- but it is unprecedented, given the extent of the breach of GHQ security, the confusion that it created in its initial stage and its timing vis-a-vis the planned launch of a ground operation in South Waziristan. It could be a transformational event for the army - strengthening its resolve against local militants, bridging internal divisions and forcing a review of intelligence estimates. However, jumping to conclusions without thorough investigation and reacting rashly based on preconceived notions would be highly counterproductive. Additionally, though Pakistan's nuclear installations are not in the immediate vicinity of GHQ, the nature of the attack raises questions about how security agencies would react if a future attack targets any of the nuclear weapons facilities." "Army's Options Can Go Beyond Waziristan," news analysis by Ahmed Quraishi in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/13) "Pressure is building on the Pakistani military to rush into South Waziristan in the aftermath of the GHQ attack and the spate of bombings targeting Pakistani civilians.... If the supply of weapons from Afghanistan to terrorists across western Pakistan does not cease, along with the growing Indian presence that is aimed at Pakistan, Islamabad should be ready to consider scaling down the supply of food and energy from Pakistani ports to that country. The attack on the GHQ and the murder of more than 80 Pakistanis in three major terrorist attacks in one week provides Pakistan an opportunity to conduct a major review of its policy and role in America's Afghan war. This chance must not go unexploited, say many Pakistani analysts." -------------- Kerry-Lugar Bill -------------- "Zardari Urges U.S. To Address Concerns Over Bill" "Dawn" (10/13) "President Asif Ali Zardari asked the U.S. government on Monday to address concerns expressed by certain quarters in Pakistan on the controversial Kerry-Lugar bill. 'The U.S. and Pakistan need to work together to alleviate these concerns,' the President said during a meeting in Islamabad with U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, Chief of the U.S. Senate Appropriation Committee." "U.S. Has No Plans To Influence Pak Institution" "Daily Times" (10/13) "The U.S. has no intention of influencing any Pakistani institution, U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye said on Monday, adding the U.S. was trying to help the Pakistani nation. During a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, the Chief of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee said it was in the interest of both countries to work together. In response, the President said the U.S. and Pakistan needed to work together to alleviate concerns regarding some of the provisions in the Kerry-Lugar bill." "Qureshi On Difficult Mission" "Dawn" (10/13) "Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi dashed on Monday to Washington for expressing Pakistan's concerns over the Kerry-Lugar bill, but with little hope of finding any favor. The decision to make last-minute efforts for finding a reprieve was taken at a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Foreign Minister Qureshi and ISI chief Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha over the weekend. "Difficult Task Awaits Qureshi In Washington" "Dawn" (10/13) "One of the major task awaiting Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the U.S. capital is to assure the American administration and Pakistani diplomats that Ambassador Hussain Haqqani still enjoys Islamabad's confidence. A flurry of media reports, all originating in Islamabad, claim that Mr. Haqqani is on his way out." "Haqqani to Be Replaced Within 48 Hours?" "The Nation" (10/13) "After strong criticism on Kerry-Lugar Bill in the country, the government has decided to replace Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani and an announcement is expected within next 48 hours. A private TV channel quoted well-informed official sources as saying country's Ambassador to the U.S. will be appointed as the presidential spokesman." "Parliament Should Have Final Say On Kerry-Lugar: Gilani" "Dawn" (10/13) "Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the U.S. Kerry-Ligar bill has positive as well as negative aspects and its controversial clauses need to be removed. The Prime Minister, who arrived in Beijing on Monday on a four-day official visit, told journalists accompanying him that Pakistan's response to the bill should be decided by Parliament." "Babar Defends Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Dawn" (10/13) "President's spokesman Farhatullah Babar has said that the language of the Kerry-Lugar Bill has quite a few things which could have been avoided or improved. However, he said, it would be unwise to reject the unconditional economic assistance of $7.5 billion because of its poor drafting, while speaking during a discussion on the U.S. Aid Bill organized by the Peshawar University, Peshawar on Monday." "Govt. Sought No Delay In Signing Of Kerry-Lugar Bill: Babar" "Daily Times" (10/13) "The government has not urged US President Barack Obama to delay signing the Kerry-Lugar bill, the president's spokesman Farhatullah Babar said on Monday. He was talking to 'Daily Times' after attending a discussion on the bill at Peshawar University." "ANP, MQM Voice Concern Over Kerry-Lugar Bill, Call For Changes" "Daily Times" (10/13) "The Awami National Party (ANP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) voiced concern over 'some controversial clauses' of the Kerry-Lugar bill, and recommended changes to them on Monday. Senator Babar Ghauri of the MQM asked the government to convene a roundtable conference of all political parties to achieve consensus on the bill." "Pakistan Aid Plan Hit As 'Counterproductive'" "Dawn" (10/13) "An economist at the U.S. international aid agency has protested that special envoy Richard Holbrooke is micromanaging a giant package to Pakistan in a 'shockingly counterproductive' way, a memo showed Monday. In a memorandum to State Department officials, C. Stuart Callison, a senior economist at USAID, complained that Holbrooke was insisting on personally approving every funding decision, usually made by the agency's local mission." "Gratuitous Language Blamed For U.S. Aid Bill Fiasco" "Dawn" (10/13) "Some of the popular anger in Islamabad is being manipulated by the Pakistani military, but some of it is 'a product of gratuitous language that was written into the legislation despite warnings that it would trigger just this sort of reaction,' Washing Post columnist David Ignatious said on Monday." "Kerry-Lugar Bill - Need For Comprehensive Consultation," an editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (10/13) "It is a matter of satisfaction that the government has ensured that its stance on the Kerry-Lugar Bill would be in line with the one that would be evolved as a result of the parliamentary debate on this issue. The expression of serious reservations from the Pakistan Army and the general public on this bill is an ample proof that the language used in the draft of this legislation was not right. The strings attached to this aid package are also contrary to the national interests of Pakistan. The strong reaction from the political and military leadership as well as the people against the Kerry-Lugar Bill has forced the U.S. officials to change their tone against Pakistan. Now it is the responsibility of our government to clearly apprise the U.S. administration about serious concerns of the Pakistani nation regarding this bill." "Foreign Minister's Departure To U.S. To Convey Reservations On Kerry-Lugar Bill," an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (10/13) "Foreign Minister Qureshi's visit to the U.S. aimed at negotiating the conditionalities of the Kerry-Lugar Bill is a good initiative. Apart from this bill, the government should also talk to the Obama Administration about the war on terror. There is evidences to prove that this is a war that has led our country on the threshold of total destruction." "Kerry-Lugar Bill In Parliament," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/13) "So Pakistan could well achieve 'unanimity' in Parliament as everybody fulminates against the Bill.... Efforts are apparently on to get President Barack Obama to invent some way of 'saving' the Kerry-Lugar Bill from Pakistani rejection. The American system itself will come under pressure if the U.S. Congress is asked to do something it has never done. But some influential U.S. analysts have already pointed out that American legislators need to understand that finger-wagging and being patronizing does not really work, especially where America's core interests are involved." "Dependence Syndrome," an op-ed by Javid Husain in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/13) "On the positive side, the [Kerry-Lugar] Bill triples the economic assistance for Pakistan to U.S. $1.5 billion thus according a much higher priority to economic assistance than to security assistance as the current state of our country requires.... Secondly, unlike the security assistance to be provided under the Kerry-Lugar Bill, the economic assistance under this Bill would be without any conditionalities. On the negative side, the Bill subjects the security assistance to Pakistan to extremely intrusive conditionalities which are repugnant to Pakistan's sovereignty and an affront to its national dignity.... Despite our dependence syndrome, we cannot allow ourselves to be treated like an American colony. It is surprising that our government failed to convey effectively our reservations to the U.S. government earlier after taking the various stakeholders into confidence through inter-ministerial consultations, something that our Foreign Minister is expected to do now during his forthcoming visit to the U.S." "Keeping Pakistan On Leash," an op-ed by Tarik Jan in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/13) "The Kerry-Lugar Bill is at best Orwellian in character, with an abnormal desire to monitor and control and thus reshape Pakistan in its own image. The impression the Bill conveys is holistic - it reins in civil administration, the armed forces, the alleged proliferationists, and the foreign policy apparatus. Thus the day the Bill was passed it stirred a wave of pain, anguish, and worst a sense of humiliation across the nation.... The Bill whether revised or not, deserves to be ignored with warm thanks." "The Kerry-Lugar Debate," an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/13) "Of course there are defects in the bill. It is a crassly crude method of taking to task the democratic dispensation that exists today for the follies of several dictators whom they supported and propped up. Besides, the Americans cannot draw up an indictment against a whole people or insult them merely to register their sense of hurt at the manner their money or interests had been handled by an earlier discredited coterie. For the Americans to shout 'thief' today and start taking precautions when they were aware of the robbery years ago and chose to do nothing is knavish not merely foolish. Nevertheless, we cannot let sentiment override national interest. America's support is important for a host of reasons and especially so when terrorists bent on taking over Pakistan have to be thwarted. There will be time enough, once this threat is eliminated, for point scoring and recrimination. Neither America nor Pakistan can afford to wreck cooperation forged over a difficult decade just to indulge their pique, or an irate Congress, that seems to have lost its marbles. A way out has to be found and lessons learnt." -------------- Pakistan's Nuclear Security -------------- "Pakistan's Safe Nuclear Assets," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (10/13) "We are thankful to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband for adoption realistic stance on the security of Pakistan's nuclear assets.... We expect from America and western countries that they will play effective role in making Pakistan's economy strong.... We request Hillary Clinton and David Miliband to fulfill their promises of financial assistance to IDPs of Swat and Malakand." "Safeguarding N-Weapons," an editorial in the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (10/13) "There are many who think the West's fear are unjustified as the establishment has evolved a foolproof command and control system, which ensures that whatever the situation in the country, the deadly weapons (N-Weapons) would not fall into unauthorized hands. The high profile terrorist strike inside the GHQ, considered the securest of secure places." -------------- F-16 -------------- "Pakistan To Get More F-16 Planes In 2010" "The News" (10/13) "The rolling out ceremony of first F-16 planes, due to be handed over to Pakistan next year, is set to be held in Lockheed Martin Headquarter at Dallas Forth Texas today (Tuesday). Chief of Pakistan Air Force Rao Qamar will be the chief guest. The 18 news aircraft will be equipped with the state-of-art radar, electronic warfare system and long-range air-to-air missile." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson