PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: KERRY-LUGAR BILL, TERRORISM,

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002496 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: KERRY-LUGAR BILL, TERRORISM, INDIA-CHINA, INDIA-PAKISTAN-RUSSIA, PAK-CHINA - OCTOBER 15, 2009 Summary: Reports that the "U.S. explanatory note diluted some conditions in the Kerry-Lugar bill" dominated headlines in almost all newspapers on Thursday. Newspapers also ran front page photographs of Senator Kerry and FM Qureshi addressing a press briefing in Washington. The English language newspaper, "The News," quoted Senator Kerry as saying that the "KLB doesn't impinge on Pakistan sovereignty." Some dailies published the complete text of the joint explanatory statement to accompany the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009. Commenting on the Kerry-Lugar bill, the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News," noted that "it is quite evident of course that the PPP government - like its U.S. counterpart had not anticipated the degree of anger the provisions of the bill would incite, especially within top military ranks." In other news, reports of "killing of 17 militants and some civilians were killed in jetfighters blitz in South Waziristan" received prominent display. Also underscored were reports that India "warned" China over its involvement in projects in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistani held Kashmir). Reports that Russian Prime Minister Putin announced his support for resumption of Composite Dialogue between Pakistan and India were also highlighted. Several newspapers reported a statement attributed to the Karachi-based U.S. Consul General Fakan that "Taliban (are) trying to establish base in Balochistan." National political developments dominated editorial themes in most major dailies. End Summary. -------------- Kerry-Lugar Bill -------------- News Story: "U.S. Note Dilutes Some Conditions In Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Dawn" (10/15) "The requirement for an effective civilian control over promotions and strategic planning in the Pakistani military is not mentioned in a new joint explanatory statement of the U.S. Congress issued on Wednesday. 'There is no intent to, and nothing in this act in any way suggests that there should be, any U.S. role in micromanaging internal Pakistani affairs or the internal operations of the Pakistani military,' said an explanatory note attached to the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009." News Story: "Kerry-Lugar Bill Doesn't Impinge On Pak Sovereignty, Kerry Tells Geo News" "The News" (10/15) 
"U.S. Senator John Kerry on Tuesday categorically denied that a major aid package would impinge on Pakistan's sovereignty, hitting back at growing criticism of the plan in the frontline nation. Kerry, a key author of the five-year $7.5 billion plan, said he would work to address concerns raised by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi who rushed back to Washington to air concerns about the new legislation. He was talking to Geo News special correspondent Adil Najam." News Story: "Kerry, Holbrooke Arriving In Pakistan" "Daily Times" (10/15) "U.S. Senator John Kerry and America's special envoy to the region Richard Holbrooke are scheduled to arrive in Islamabad, as Washington tries to step up its campaign against extremism in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Kerry would also be visiting Afghanistan and would return to the U.S. early next week, said Tomeika Bowden, a spokeswoman for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee which Kerry heads. The U.S. Senator is expected to consult Islamabad on the Kerry-Lugar bill that is being criticized in Pakistan. A private TV channel quoted sources that Holbrooke is coming to Pakistan to address Islamabad's concerns over the Kerry-Lugar bill." News Story: "U.S. Aid For Pakistan To Reach $19.96 Billion Next Year" "The News" (10/15) "The United States has provided over $16.36 billion in overt aid to Pakistan between fiscals 2001 and 2009, while an additional unconcealed aid request amounting to $3.6 billion for 2010 would help this figure rest at $19.96 billion next year, the American Congressional Research Service statistics updated till end September 2009 reveal." News Story: "Cabinet To Okay Kerry-Lugar Bill Next Week" "Pakistan Observer" (10/15) "Reliable political sources Wednesday claimed that the PPP-led Government has decided to approve the Kerry-Lugar Bill in a special Cabinet session most probably next week soon after the Parliamentary debate on the Bill is over.... The government leaders supportive of the Bill have concluded that after a clarification note issued by the United States there was no harm in approval of the American Assistance Bill." "News Story: Kerry-Lugar Bill Delay To Cost Pakistan $874 Million Aid, Says Tarin" "The News" (10/15) "Pakistan will be deprived of $874 million as budgetary support during fiscal 2009-10 in case the Kerry-Lugar Bill gets Delayed, and the huge budgetary gap will be bridged through the IMF's special facility. Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin responded to a query of a media person during a talk with reporters in Islamabad on Wednesday." News Story: "Opposition Boycotts Punjab Assembly Proceedings Over Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Dawn" (10/15) "Opposition members walked out of the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday when Speaker Rana Iqbal did not allow them to present a resolution seeking debate over Kerry-Lugar Bill (KLB)." News Story: "Opposition Walks Out Of NWFP PA Over Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Daily Times" (10/15) "The opposition in the NWFP Assembly walked out in protest from the House on Wednesday as the speaker did not allow them yet again to table a resolution against the Kerry-Lugar Bill." News Story: "ANP Senator Questions Army's Rejection Of Kerry-Lugar Bill" "The News" (10/15) "Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash of Awami National Party (ANP) on Wednesday raised a question as why the Army leadership rejected the Kerry-Lugar Bill while the Parliament was still having debate on the U.S. legislation." Editorial: "A different Note," in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/15) "It is quite evident of course that the PPP government - like its U.S. counterpart had not anticipated the degree of anger the provisions of the bill would incite, especially within top military ranks.... Rather than defending the Bill and clearly explaining its benefits to the people, (the Pakistani government) retreated immediately, saying clauses would be taken out. No attempt was made to build opinion on the fact that we do need greater government control on all institutions, so that we can have more efficient and more effective governance. Worse still, the military top brass was not taken into confidence beforehand. It would obviously have been easier at that point to build consensus and word the bill in a manner to avoid any perception of humiliation. We do not yet know what the consequences of this will be.... What is missing is a calm assessment of the bill, with an attempt to place both the pros and cons before the people so that a balance can be struck and passion replaced with reason." Editorial: "U.S. Snub For Pakistan," in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/15) "The Parliament needs to defend Pakistan's interests and send a firm message to the U.S. There is a national consensus on rejecting the Kerry-Lugar Bill in its present form and the parliament must play its role as the people's voice. The government also needs to shift its priorities from taking U.S. diktat to reflecting the voice of the nation. If the leaders lead from the front, the national will also make the sacrifices as always. Given the realities on the ground, it seems unlikely the U.S. will stop all aid if Pakistan rejects the Kerry-Lugar Bill, sine it needs Pakistan's cooperation desperately in Afghanistan, including from the Pakistani military that it continues to despise and distrust." E Opinion: "Language Of The Bill," Dr. Tariq Rahman in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/15) "Silence and polite language camouflage just what the bill's offensive and explicit language made public.... If the bill is not changed our civilian leaders will appear like paid stooges of America to our masses. This will decrease their capacity to fight terrorism and that is something which the world, and not just America, cannot afford. Compromise, balance and pragmatism are the essentials of good policies not stupidity, intransigence and anger." Opinion: "Kerry-Lugar Bill: A Closer Reading," I.A. Rehman in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/15) "The question whether any strings can be attached to aid is not relevant. It is too late for a habitual client such as Pakistan to ask its patrons to go on giving aid even if the recipient party acts in violation of the former's interest. The Commonwealth suspended Pakistan's membership when the military overthrew the civilian government. Respect for democratic governance is now a condition for the Commonwealth's membership.... Similarly, the authors of the bill (Kerry-Lugar Bill) have apparently assumed that in a democratic state the civilian leaders in government and Parliament should oversee military budget, strategic planning and promotions. They may be wrong in entertaining such ideas about Pakistan and in that case their minds could be disabused by our denial experts." Opinion: "Sovereignty Or Self-Perpetuation?," Fayyaz Ali Khan in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/15) "The Kerry-Lugar Bill's criticism is coming mostly from quarters who are known supporters, beneficiaries and perpetuators of the rule of the boots. Anyone who has read the full text of the Bill would not find a single clause that infringes upon the sovereignty of Pakistan.... In fact it would be fair to say that most of the anti-Kerry-Lugar Bill critics are advocating the adoption of a position that runs counter to our national interest. Also, it would be equally fair to assume that most of the critics will not have read the bill in its entirety and are also unaware of the fact that the certification clauses included in it are usual for most aid bills that the U.S. legislature passes." Opinion: "Kerry-Lugar Bill Is In Our Interest," M. Ahsan Yatu in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (10/15) "At present no agreement binds the U.S. to give economic aid to Pakistan. The Kerry-Lugar Bill in its final or yet to be revised form will help Pakistan have 7.5 billion dollars in five years. The amount and its distribution, time and spending wise, may not mean much to our 'big' 180 billion dollar economy, but besides dollars it would deliver more - a message to the world that Pakistan after sixty two years is changing is course, from a security state to a democratic entity to become part of the present modern world." Opinion: "The Kerry Lugar Bill Is Our Mistake," Moeed Yusuf in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/15) "The Americans are right in contending that they are responsible for dealing with the government, not with the cross-section of Pakistani society. The failure lies in the absence of domestic debate at our end, not in the U.S. having passed a Bill they were told (by our government) Pakistanis would welcome.... Rejecting the aid would lead to a flurry of diplomacy on both sides as the US tries to salvage the situation; ultimately, with an amendment from the Hill off the table, the result will be a rupture of the economic relationship.... The Bill is far from ideal but a rupture is worse. Perhaps next time, we could ensure that all Pakistani stakeholders are on the same page before we send a signal to DC. To do so, the government will have to take all views into account and the opposition will have to speak up before the fate of any issue is all but sealed." Opinion: "Kerry-Lugar Bill (KLB): A National Insult," Farooq Hameed Khan in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/15) "All stakeholders, in particular the armed forces should have been kept in the loop all along so that any clauses or provisions detrimental to our interests would have been taken care in a coordinated and transparent manner. Perhaps this lack of coordination and follow-up resulted in the last minute changes in KLB by the U.S. authorities becoming too late for us to react or undertake damage control.... Kerry-Lugar Bill came as a bomb-shell to our national pride. One wonders if this Bill was drafted in Washington or New Delhi. An insult to the Pakistani nation, the Kerry-Lugar Bill (KLB) in its present form needs revision. The Parliament would do a national service by examining and debating the KLB and redeem our national pride. Those responsible for the KLB fiasco must be held accountable to the state." -------------- Terrorism -------------- News Story: "17 Killed In South Waziristan Air Strikes" "Dawn" (10/15) "Warplanes hit militants' hideouts and some civilian areas in South Waziristan, leaving 17 militants and some non-combatants dead, according to sources, two planes bombed militant positions in Saam, Khasura, Spinkai, Gorgoray and Tangi Bazay areas. Security officials said the father of local Taliban leader Noor Wali Mehsud was killed when a bomb hit his house." News Story: "Around 90,000 Flee South Waziristan Fearing Operation" "Dawn" (10/15) "Tens of thousands of civilians have fled Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal region fearing an imminent army offensive against Taliban militants, officials said Wednesday." News Story: "Ilyas Kashmiri Alive, Lays Out Future Terror Strategy" "Daily Times" (10/15) "As the army gears up to stage a military operation against the Taliban in South Waziristan, Al Qaeda leader Muhammad Ilyas Kashmiri - believed to be the head of military operations - provided Asia Times Online with his views on what the upcoming battle will look like, what its targets will be and how it will impact the West in relation to the destabilization of Pakistan. Ilyas provided his first media interview to the newspaper in a bid to quash rumors that he had been killed in a drone attack [in September]." News Story: "Troops, Lashkar Flush Out Taliban From Stronghold In Bajaur" "Daily Times" (10/15) "Security forces evicted Taliban from one of their strongholds in Bajaur Agency on Wednesday, said officials. A tribal Lashkar also joined troops to flush out Taliban from Mullah Sayed areas in Salarzai tehsil, according to military officials. 'The forces and the Lashkar have occupied important heights in Damadola, a stronghold of the Taliban,' said a statement by the Frontier Corps Media Centre in Peshawar." News Story: "Taliban Trying to Establish Base In Balochistan: U.S." "Dawn" (10/15) "the Karachi-based U.S. Consul General, Mr. Stephen G. Fakan, said on Wednesday that it would be unrealistic to say that there were no Taliban in Balochistan. The diplomat said his country believed that the Taliban were trying to establish a strong base in Balochistan after having been defeated by the army in Swat and other areas, he said at a news conference in Quetta." News Story: "Army Deployed In Kala Dhaka" "Dawn" (10/15) "The army has established a base camp in Kala Dhaka, a provincially administered tribal area in Mansehra district, to flush out militants who have reportedly sneaked into the area from neighboring restive areas of Buner and Swat, Mansehra Assistant Coordination Officer Tasleem Khan confirmed the army deployment." News Story: "Attack On GHQ Being Probed, Says Kaira" "The News" (10/15) "Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Wednesday brushed aside speculations of changing the military high command.... He said the recent terrorist attack on the GHQ is being probed by military and civil security agencies and their findings would be assessed by the high command concerned. He said the enquiry report would be made public." News Story: "GHQ Is 'Out Of Bounds' For Malik" "Dawn" (10/15) "Interior Minister Rehman Malik faced an embarrassing situation on Wednesday when he was not allowed to enter the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi during a 'scheduled' visit to attend 'a ceremony' to pay homage to the army personnel who died during the siege on Saturday." News Story: "New Security Plan Chalked Out For GHQ" "Daily Times" (10/15) "Security in and around the army's General Headquarters (GHQ) has been beefed up and fresh advisory directions have been issued to all corps and brigade headquarters, directing them to improve security, a private TV channel reported on Wednesday." News Story: "U.S. Embassy Looking Into Disappearance Of Weapons: Spokesman" "The News" (10/15) "The U.S. Embassy has been found involved in importing sophisticated weapons to Pakistan without the permission and knowledge of the authorities here (Islamabad). The Foreign Office and the Commerce Ministry denied having authorized the U.S. or any other foreign mission to import huge quantity of weapons. However, the fact remains that the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad has brought to Pakistan at least two consignments of modern weapons during this year.... The U.S. spokesperson was also asked to comment on the allegations by some here that the U.S. Embassy has been involved in providing arms and ammunition to terrorist groups targeting Pakistani security agencies and the people here. Rick expressed his surprise over this question and asked 'The News' to go and visit Bara, Peshawar where one can find all sorts of U.S. weapons." Editorial: "Rewind To The Past," in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/15) "The timid approach taken by the government will act simply to weaken civilian institutions and add to the problems we face as a state. At a time when a fierce debate rages about the military's role in the country, the government needs to make its own presence felt and show that it is capable of leadership. People have a desire, and indeed a right, to know what happened at the GHQ. This is also important to prevent future lapses along similar lines. We expect the government to show its recognition of this and emulate examples of determination and integrity shown in the past rather than constantly running away from challenges." Opinion: "Wake Up, Please!," Hamid Mir in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/15) "Why is our government not explaining to the U.S. that increase in U.S. drone attacks has also increased deadly suicide bombings in Pakistan? We must fight our war on our own. Why is our political leadership not ready to realize that U.S. aggression in the region is the biggest strength of the Taliban and Al Qaeda? If we can defeat Taliban in Swat without U.S. drones, why not in South Waziristan? What we need is just a strong political will not only against the Taliban but also against any foreign interference in Pakistan. We need a well-coordinated joint strategy of political and army leadership. Who will give a wake-up call to the President." Opinion: "La Patrie En Danger - Time To Speak," Raedad Khan in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/15) "The American footprint in our country is growing larger and heavier by the day. Nuclear Pakistan is now an American colony and is used as a doormat on which the U.S. can wipe its blood-stained boots. American military personnel cross and re-cross our border without hindrance. Their drones violate our air space with the agreement of our government and kill innocent men, women and children - no questions asked and no public outrage. No self-respecting country, big or small, would tolerate such intrusions.... Farewell our dreams, sublime illusions, hopes, independence and our sovereignty. Today the survival of the country, its hard-won democracy, independent judiciary and liberties are on the line." Opinion: "Obama's Afghan Predicament?," Dr. Muqtedar Khan in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/15) "If he (President Obama) expands the war by sending another 40,000 U.S. troops into Afghanistan, the chances of alienating Afghans and exacerbating anti-Americanism across the region - something that he has struggled against since becoming President - will increase. Nothing acts more effectively as a recruiting tool for Al Qaeda and the Taliban than the sight of U.S. soldiers. It is also not clear that this will be the final surge. If he decides to shrink the war; withdraw from Afghanistan and only focus on Al Qaeda in Pakistan as suggested by Vice President Biden; Afghanistan will be surely lost to the Taliban. Once again it will become a safe haven for extremism, anti-Americanism and Al Qaeda. We will be back in October 2001... What the President needs to do is to think outside the box. He needs to understand that the Taliban is a regional force that seeks regional goals and may never become a global force. America is not and has never been the Taliban's target. Al Qaeda on the other hand is a global agency that targets the U.S. and exists solely to undermine what it sees as U.S. imperial designs in the Muslim World. My suggestion is that for now he make truce with the Taliban and focus on Al Qaeda." -------------- India-China -------------- News Story: "India Objects To Chinese Involvement In Azad Jammu And Kashmir" "Dawn" (10/15) "India raised the pitch of an increasingly testy row with China over disputed border areas on Wednesday, warning Beijing about its alleged involvement in Azad Jammu And Kashmir." -------------- India-Pakistan-Russia -------------- News Story: "Russia to support resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue" "The News" (10/15) "Russia has announced its support for the resumption of the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India while Pakistan and Russia have decided to re-engage in comprehensive process of dialogue through re-launching of the inter-governmental commission of the two countries by December next. The commission will cater to revamping and building of infrastructure, energy, rail links, heavy industries, trade and expansion of the Pakistan Steel Mills. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have agreed to strengthen Pakistan-Russia bilateral ties in an unscheduled meeting on the sidelines of the 8th heads of the government conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Beijing." -------------- Pak-China -------------- Editorial: "PM's Visit To China; More Cooperation," in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (circ. 25, 000) (10/15) "Pakistan-China cooperation will help meet Pakistan energy needs. During President Zardari's visit, China had offered cooperation in building small dams; these dams would not only help us control the energy crisis, but would also provide inexpensive electricity to the consumers.... China has never backed out of helping us, the need is only to implement all the agreements we have in place with it." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson