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
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"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