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