PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TERRORISM, KERRY-LUGAR BILL,

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002518 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TERRORISM, KERRY-LUGAR BILL, MISCELLANEOUS - OCTOBER 16, 2009 Summary: Reports and photographs of multiple terror attacks in Lahore, and blasts in Kohat and Peshawar that resulted in killing of several policemen, civilians and assailants dominated all front-pages on Friday and overshadowed reports of the signing of the 'Kerry-Lugar Bill' by President Obama. All major newspapers ran President Obama's remarks condemning the incidents. Editorializing the Thursday's spate of terror attacks, the prestigious English language daily, "Dawn," observed that "little proof is needed to show how intricately the violence in Punjab is linked to terror in the Frontier (NWFP)." PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif's statement rejecting the KLB as "not acceptable in the present form" received prominent display. Some major newspapers highlighted Foreign Minister Qureshi's remarks that the "U.S. Congressional statement answers Pakistani people's concerns over some provisions of the Kerry-Lugar bill." Commenting on the explanatory note, the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News," noted that "it does help to soften the impact of the bill and makes its distinctly more palatable, like a dose of cod liver oil followed by a heaped spoon of sugar." However, another popular Urdu language newspaper, "Ausaf," describe it as "a big success of the Pakistani masses, army and the opposition parties." Whereas, the pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" raised a question that "who will be the real beneficiary of this aid, Pakistan or the United States?" In other news, reports that "at least 32 militants and civilians were killed in air strikes in South Waziristan" received extensive coverage. Along with this story, newspapers reported that "four Afghan refugees were killed in a U.S. drone attack in North Waziristan." End Summary. -------------- Terrorism -------------- News Story: "Three Simultaneous Attacks in Lahore - Terror With A Vengeance" "The News" (10/16) "At least 19 people, including 14 security officials, were killed and 41 others sustained injuries in three separate terror attacks in Lahore on Thursday. All nine attackers were also shot dead by security personnel, officials said. The attacks were carried out at the FIA building on the Temple Road, the Manawan Police Training Centre and the Elite Police Academy on the Bedian Road. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan's (TTP) Amjad Farooqi group has claimed responsibility for the terror attacks in Lahore." News Story: "11 Killed In Kohat Car-Bombing" "The News" (10/16) "Eleven people, including three policemen, were killed and 22 others sustained injuries when an explosives-laden vehicle hit the building of Saddar police station located in the military area on Thursday. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack." News Story: "Child Dies, 12 Hurt In Peshawar Car-Bombing" "The News" (10/16) "A Seven-year-old child died and 12 other people, including two women, were injured in a powerful blast in Gulshan-e-Rahman Colony in Peshawar on Thursday. The explosion rocked the city at around 5:00 pm. It destroyed a complete block of the residential colony for government employees situated on the Kohat Road." News Story: Terror Attacks Underscore Threats From Extremists: U.S." "Dawn" (10/16) "U.S. President Barack Obama is concerned over the loss of life in new militant attacks in Pakistan, the White House said on Thursday, adding the strikes underscored the threat from extremists, said White House deputy spokesman Bill Burton as Obama flew to New Orleans on Air Force One. 'This shows once again that the militants in Pakistan threaten both Pakistan and the United States,' Burton said, adding that Obama had been encouraged by recent actions by the Pakistani military to tackle extremists." News Story: "Malik Fears More Terror Attacks" "The News" (10/16) "Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that "brave security forces" were alert to secure the country and they would handle the terrorists with iron hands. Talking to reporters during his visit to the Headquarters of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Lahore on Thursday evening, the Minister said that there might be some more terrorists attacks in the country as some top aides of the Taliban Shura, who were arrested recently, had disclosed that they had sent terrorists before Eid-ul-Fitr to carry out the attacks in various parts of the country." News Story: "Media To Be Next Target Of Terrorists: Report" "The News" (10/16) "Top intelligence sources have said the offices of private TV channels, National Press Club Islamabad, press clubs across country and offices of print media organizations will be the next target of terrorists. A senior security official said Thursday telephonic conversation of a commander of Baitullah Mehsud network had been intercepted wherein he was issuing directives to his subordinate commanders to target offices of security forces in all major cities of Pakistan besides attacking media offices all-over the country." News Story: "PERMA Asks TV Channels To Avoid Security Risk Footages" "The News" (10/16) "Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Mushtaque Malik has asked television channels to avoid broadcasting footages of terrorism and gory scenes. Such footages and news are security risk, cause panic and harassment in the society and also damage the economy, he said, while talking to media-persons on Thursday." "News Story: No Answers For Escalating Guerrilla War" "Daily Times" (10/16) "A recent avalanche of attacks killing more than 160 people has opened the floodgates to a widening guerrilla war in Pakistan that the government has no strategy to counter, analysts say." News Story: "Battle-Inoculated Militants' Last Stand? "Dawn" (10/16) "The militants' brazen attack on the heavily-guarded General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and almost simultaneous multiple and spectacular attacks in Kohat, Lahore and Peshawar have belied all assessments of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan breathing its last after the death of its leader Baitullah Mehsud. The TTP has bounced back - and with a vengeance. Indeed, those who had written off the TTP and were waiting for it to unravel are now gearing up for what they believe is the militant umbrella organization's last attempt to forestall an imminent military assault on their bastion in South Waziristan." News Story: "Reject U.S. And Attacks Will Stop, Hakimullah Mehsud Tells Army" "Daily Times" (10/16) "Hakimullah Mehsud, new leader of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP),on Thursday said his group was ready to stop its attacks if the government stopped 'following American orders,' Sky News reported." News Story: "32 Killed In South Waziristan Air Strikes" "Dawn" (10/16) "Military planes bombed suspected militant positions in Laddah, Nawazkot, Khaisora, Saam, Sararogha and Tiarza areas of South Waziristan on Thursday. At least 32 militants and non-combatants were killed in the air strikes." News Story: "U.S. Drone Kills 4 Afghan Refugees In North Waziristan Agency" "The News" (10/16) "Four Afghan refugees were killed in a U.S. drone attack near Darga Mandi on Ghulam Khan Road in North Waziristan Agency early on Thursday." News Story: "Critical Briefing To Leaders By COAS" "The News" (10/16) "Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is giving an important briefing to the leaders belonging to the ruling alliance and opposition parties at the prime Minister House today (Friday), 'The News' learned late on Thursday evening. According to a source, the Army Chief will brief political leaders on the planned military operation in South Waziristan Agency, aborted attempt by terrorists to attack the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and overall security situation in the country." News Story: "Hoti Terms South Waziristan Action 'Mother Of All Battles'" "The News" (10/16) "Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti has said that 'mother of all battles' is likely to be launched soon in South Waziristan to rout militants and help restore peace in the province, while talking to journalists in Peshawar." News Story: "Security Forces Kill Five Taliban In Swat" "Daily Times" (10/16) "Security forces killed at least five Taliban in Swat on Thursday during a search operation in Delai, an ISPR statement said. It said five more Taliban surrendered to the forces in Miandam, Barshaur and Tilligram." News Story: Now Orakzai Taliban Enforce 'Shariah'" "The Nation" (10/16) "After Swat now Tehrik Taliban Orakzai Agency chapter has enforced their self-made Islamic Shariah and ordered strict punishment for those who would violate Islamic injunctions. The announcement was made by Aslam Farooqi, Amir Tehrik Taliban Orakzai Agency chapter." News Story: "Militants Flown In To Negotiate With GHQ Attackers" "The News" (10/16) "Some key leaders of several Jihadi and sectarian organizations, including a jailed militant, were flown from Lahore, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan to the garrison town of Rawalpindi on special flights to hold talks with the hostage takers who had stormed the GHQ building on October 10, 2009, according to well-informed officials in Islamabad." Editorial: "Bloody Thursday," in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/16) "After Thursday's spate of attacks, little proof is needed to show how intricately the violence in Punjab is linked to terror in the Frontier.... Given the complex perspective on the militants' goals, it is difficult at the moment to gauge the extent of the success or failure of the latest bout of terror. If the terrorists believe they are fighting American imperialism then their assaults on innocent people make little sense. They are suspected of intensifying their violent campaign to stall or pre-empt an army operation in South Waziristan. But in that case the only effect these terror hits can have is to hasten the army's march and strengthen its resolve against the terrorists. Perhaps such a debate can be postponed - for what is clear is that the country is up against brainwashed elements controlled by commanders bent on death and destruction.... With the country in turmoil, there is no room for rhetoric and finger-pointing. Action is needed - urgently. The country is up against an enemy that is showing no signs of receding." Editorial: "Terror Unrelenting," in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/16) "The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has quickly claimed responsibility and the Lahore attack may have been a part of its bid to warn against an operation in South Waziristan. Police believe Punjab-based groups may have aided the TTP. The same partnership could be used again to stage more coordinated attacks. We do not yet know if a suicide bombing in Kohat that killed at least ten people was linked to the Lahore incidents. But the mere thought of strikes at the same time in different cities is terrifying. The war in our tribal areas has once more forced its way into our cities.... We must find out why it has occurred and come up with ways to stop the other bombers who even now may be chalking up their plans and detecting security weaknesses they can exploit." Editorial: "Terrorism At Full Blast," in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/16) "The militants' repeated target has been the security agencies. Though their readiness to meet the deadly challenge has improved and prospective suicide bids have been foiled with arrests, there is a dire need to tone up the intelligence gathering system. No doubt, in the times and circumstances we live in, it is impossible to rule out danger to life. But there is also no doubt that the kind of security consciousness that the situation demands we continue to lack. It is time to focus our efforts on this aspect. And, not the least, watch out for alien spoilers of peace who could be trying to force us to launch an untimely operation in South Waziristan." Editorial: "Pakistan Is Not Cambodia," in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (10/16) "A statement of the U.S. Consul General in Karachi, Stephen Fakan, in which he had termed Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, as a safe haven for Al Qaeda and Taliban operatives, is a stark violation of diplomatic norms. If he has any substantial evidence to prove his claim, then he should provide it to the U.S. Ambassador in Islamabad. The language used by Mr. Fakan shows that the U.S. want to turn Pakistan into another Cambodia." News Analysis: "Tall Claims Come Crashing Down," Ansar Abbasi in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/16) "The latest wave of terrorist attacks after the government's recent tall claims that it has successfully curbed the menace, nails the policy of solving the problem with the barrel of gun based on terribly failed Bush-Mush doctrine.... Options are limited for us but without giving a serious thought and taking into consideration the consequences of what we have been doing since 9/11 just to please the Americans and what we receive at the end, no improvement is expected. Military solution does not normally work against your own people. So far it has been United States' war and our blood." Editorial: "Triple Terror Attacks In Lahore," in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir.25,000) (10/16) "It is very encouraging for the nation that despite the repeated terror attacks, the government has not lost heart and aims to uproot terrorism.... The interior minister is right when he says that the nation should boycott terror outfits and that terrorists will be completely defeated when the public, the security agencies and the government join hands against this scourge." Editorials: "Terrorism Against The Security Forces In Lahore And Kohat; Remain Vigilant About The Enemy's Motives," in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (10/16) "Indian involvement in recent terrorism incidents cannot be ruled out. The attacks methodology resembles with Indian activities. It is also very much possible that America is involved in this terrorism in order to have Waziristan operation started immediately; Black Water's activities are not a secret. The terrorists used latest weapons in the recent incidents and our security agencies should see if these weapons resemble the weapons recovered from American diplomats and Black Water operatives." -------------- Kerry-Lugar Bill -------------- News Story: "Kerry-Lugar Bill Not Acceptable In Present Form, Says Nawaz" "The News" (10/16) "Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid and former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday made it clear that the PML-N would accept only that version of the Kerry-Lugar Bill whose conditions did not clash with the national interests." News Story: U.S. Congressional Statement Answers Kerry-Lugar Bill Concerns: Qureshi" "The News" (10/16) "Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi flew back to Islamabad on Wednesday evening with the hope that the U.S. Congressional explanatory statement on the intent of Kerry-Lugar Bill answers Pakistani people's concerns over some provisions of the $7.5 billion aid measure." News Story: "Obama Signs Kerry-Lugar Bill Into Law" "Dawn" (10/16) "U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday signed into law a bill that triples non-military aid to Pakistan to about $7.5 billion over the next five years, the White House said. 'This law is the tangible manifestation of broad support for Pakistan in the U.S., as evidenced by its bipartisan, bicameral, unanimous passage in Congress,' White House spokesman Robert Gates said." News Story: "The Changes Made By The Explanatory Note In Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Dawn" (10/16) "The United States has interpreted the Kerry-Lugar Bill in an ambiguous way as new words have been added while explaining the Bill and a few tricky portions have been omitted in the explanatory note." News Story: "U.S. Says Joint Statement Not Part of Kerry-Lugar Bill" "The News" (10/16) "Spokespersons for Senator John Kerry and Congressman Howard Berman have minced no words in saying that the joint explanatory statement signed by the two movers of the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill No: S-1707 and also Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House and the Senate, has been made part of the U.S. Congressional record. But they also stressed that this explanatory note is only a document of intent by the two movers of the Bill." News Story: "Holbrooke, Kerry To Arrive Next Week" "Daily Times" (10/16) "Richard Holbrooke, U.S. special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the chief author of the Kerry-Lugar Bill, Senator John Kerry, are expected to visit Pakistan early next week. Diplomatic sources said, they will assure the Pakistani leadership about the long-term U.S. commitment to Pakistan and its people and try to dispel the impression the U.S. is trying to micromanage the country." News Story: "Senate Divided Over Explanatory Note" "Dawn" (10/16) "The Senate witnessed on Thursday a unique division within the ruling PPP over the introduction of an amendment to a bill which was tabled for approval by the government." News Story: "Govt., Opposition Remain Far Apart On Kerry-Lugar" "Dawn" (10/16) "The government and opposition seemed still far apart in the National Assembly on Thursday on the Kerry-Lugar Bill of U.S. Aid to Pakistan as President Obama signed the draft into law, with a leading member of the ruling Pakistan people's Party accusing unspecified 'strong powers' of seeking to deny people the stipulated benefits of American funds." News Story: "Kerry-Lugar Bill A Gift For Nation, Says Fauzia" "The Nation" (10/16) "Terming Kerry-Lugar Bill (KLB) as a gift for Pakistan, member National Assembly and Secretary Information of Pakistan People's Party Fauzia Wahab Thursday said that the most discussed and criticized clauses of the bill were in conformity with the constitution of Pakistan. 'The bill poses no threat to the national security and dignity,' Fauzia Wahab while participating in the debate (in National Assembly) on the situation arising after the passage of Kerry-Lugar Bill." News Story: "Ayaz Amir Terms Explanatory Statement Latest U.S. Charade" "The News" (10/16) "The opposition in the National Assembly Thursday described the Kerry-Lugar Bill as a zero-sum game while rejecting the explanatory statement from the United States. Ayaz Amir described the explanatory statement attached with the Kerry-Lugar Bill as the 'latest Charade' that was termed by the Foreign Minister 'Historic.' The legislators started to lose interest in the debate on the Kerry-Lugar Bill as it continued for a week in the National Assembly and they found it was aimless practice for them." News Story: "Senators Reject U.S. Aid Bill 'Explanatory Note'" "Daily Times" (10/16) "The Senate on Thursday rejected the 'explanatory note' attached to the Kerry-Lugar bill, terming it 'old wine in a new bottle', adding that it clearly indicated Washington's intent remained unchanged." News Story: "Explanatory Note Is Mere Fluff: Analysts" "The News" (10/16) "A fairly lengthy explanatory note attached to the Kerry-Lugar Bill has no legal value for not being part of the U.S. legislation, senior officials and legal experts say. 'At best, the note that is gloss over the Bill can be described as guidelines for the executive, but it doesn't affect the basic legislation,' noted constitutional expert Senator Wasim Sajjad while talking to 'The News.'" News Story: 52 Per Cent Pakistanis Oppose Kerry-Lugar Bill" "The Nation" (10/16) "A recent poll conducted during the period September 27 - October 5 by Gallup Pakistan shows that Pakistani public's views and perceptions are highly critical of the latest Kerry-Lugar Bill, according to which the American aid to Pakistan is going to be triple." Editorial: "A Clearer Message?," in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/16) "The explanatory note attached to the Kerry-Lugar Bill following the Pakistani Foreign Minister's talks in Washington does not change the contents of the legislation.... But it does help to soften the impact of the Bill and makes it distinctly more palatable, like a dose of cod liver oil followed by a heaped spoon of sugar.... Possibly to assess how far the new note has helped calm the army, Senator John Kerry, one of the principal authors of the bill and Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, are also expected to visit Pakistan in the near future. Their action to try and salvage the situation for the Pakistan government indicates a desire to ensure stability in the country.... However, the main challenge now for the government is to see how strongly it can present the bill as an aid package that has the potential to significantly better the plight of Pakistan's people. All will, however, depend on how the Bill is implemented as it continues to provide the U.S. administration a lever which can be used at any stage to cut off our aid. The continued criticism of the legislation would subside only when what is practiced matches the promises made." Editorial: "U.S. Decision To Incorporate Explanatory Note In Kerry-Lugar Bill," in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (10/16) "Forcing the U.S. to retreat on the Kerry-Lugar Bill, and issue an explanatory note, is a big success for the Pakistani masses, army and the opposition parties. Now it would not be so easy for Washington to meddle into our internal affairs. But its past record shows that the U.S. does not give up its agenda so easily, rather it retreats under expediency but attacks again from some unexpected direction. Hence, the Pakistan Army and the people will have to remain more vigilant in future to foil any conspiracy of the United States." Editorial: "Kerry-Lugar Bill: Who Will Be The Real Beneficiary?," in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (10/16) Editorial: "Kerry-Lugar Bill: Who Will Be The Real Beneficiary?," in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (10/16) "The U.S. wants Pakistan's help to promote its own agenda in exchange of its financial assistance. Our rulers need dollars, and it seems that they have assured Washington of the success of this goal. The U.S. has therefore, promised to quench their thirst for money in the form of Kerry-Lugar Bill. Question arises here that why our friends like Saudi Arabia and China are not helping us in this hour of dire need? And why the U.S. want to provide assistance to Pakistan only by attaching conditionalities with the Kerry-Lugar Bill? Who will be the real beneficiary of this aid? Pakistan or the United States?" Editorial: "'Explaining' Kerry-Lugar," in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/16) "Yet, the fiasco over the Kerry-Lugar aid and 'conditionalities' has exposed problems in the domestic sphere that will take a lot of savvy to resolve. For one, the decision-making process of the state appears to be in tatters. Parliament was kept out of the loop and potentially influential bodies such as the cabinet committee on defence were not involved. For another, the army has publicly intervened and contradicted the government, which bodes ill for civil-military relations. If history is any guide, more than a handful of such controversies and the democratic order itself can come under attack. On the strategic side, the uproar over the Kerry-Lugar bill has exposed continuing differences in both the U.S. and Pakistani establishments." Editorial: "Kerry-Lugar Bill: After U.S. Explanations," in the leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (10/16) "The issuance of an explanatory note on the Kerry-Lugar Bill from the U.S. Congress demonstrates that Washington has realized the concerns of the Pakistanis regarding certain clauses of this legislation. Perhaps nothing more could be done at this stage. Nonetheless, this explanatory note has a moral value which the U.S. administration should honor. We should also keep it in mind that while extending our begging bowl, we cannot expect respect from those who give us charity. A country provides assistance to others only to safeguard it long-term or short-term interests. Our government should reduce its non-developmental expenditures and formulate policies to achieve the goal of self-reliance which is the only way to get rid of foreign aid." Editorial: "A Total Sell-Out," in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/16) "Perhaps it was too much to expect the Foreign Minister to assert Pakistan's interests before the U.S. decision-makers.... Additionally, the U.S. is now trying to dupe the Pakistani nation by declaring its intent of publishing a so-called 'Joint Explanatory Statement' which will be appended to the Law but will have no impact on the KLBL (Kerry-Lugar Bill Law) in legal terms.... So, effectively, the explanatory statement will be worthless for all but the political researchers who may find it in the Library of Congress along with the Law! For the Pakistani nation this merely reflects one more way in which the U.S. is seeking to make a fool out of them, abetted by a compliant leadership.... Valid Pakistani concerns about Kerry-Lugar Bill have been summarily dismissed thanks to American political arrogance, subservient ruling elite in Islamabad and a controversial Pakistani Ambassador in Washington, the KLBL will always remain as a major factor in the rising trust deficit between the U.S. and Pakistan." Editorial: "PPP And The Kerry-Lugar Bill," in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/16) "The argument that the U.S. grant to the civilian sector is 'peanuts' must be effectively countered by linking it to the 'endorsement' of Pakistan's economy by the U.S. and the Friends of Pakistan.... Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin says that, failing the U.S. assistance, Pakistan might go to the IMF for additional money. That is easier said than done. He might find the going rough. He also talks of floating international bonds to rake in the foreign exchange Pakistan needs; but here too he might find that the world is less sure about Pakistan after the break with the U.S.... The PPP needs to appear on the TV channels with more knowledge about the implications of rejecting the Bill. It needs to earmark members who are articulate and leave aside people who are inexpressive. This way it will stem the tide that threatens to turn inside the party too leaders, some of whom still adhere to the old Left "anti-imperialist" line." Editorial: "Kerry-Lugar's New Clothes To Subside Furore?," in the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (10/16) "Washington has travelled more than halfway to see that Pakistan's commitment to fight international terrorism remains intact. Confronted with Islamabad's take-it-or-leave-it kind of challenge on the Kerry-Lugar Bill (KLB),the Obama administration saved the day by securing a joint 'explanatory statement' of the U.S. Congress which tends to reduce the toxic impact of the reporting conditions outlined in the legislation.... Of course, they don't want to be seen working to undermine Pakistan's status as a sovereign entity, and one would not look askance on Senator Kerry's repeated assurances that the legislation 'does not seek in any way to compromise Pakistan's sovereignty.'" Editorial: "Window-Dressing Of Kerry-Lugar Bill," in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (10/16) "IN a bid to pacify injured sentiments of people of Pakistan, the U.S. Congress has issued a five-page explanatory note on the controversial Kerry-Lugar Bill.... It is good of the U.S. leadership and the Congress that they have tried to allay fears of Pakistan about the Kerry-Lugar Bill... we believe, the objective of 'enhanced partnership' would remain an elusive dream and the bill would instead breed more misunderstanding and confusion. No doubt, revision of the entire aid bill would not be advisable and feasible in view of the time factor but what the US administration might do is to seek from the Congress early amendments in the controversial clauses of the bill." Editorial: "Kerry-Lugar Bill Clarification," in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (10/16) "Now that the parliament has discussed the Bill (Kerry-Lugar Bill) and the U.S. administration has assured that there is no such thing as targeting Pakistan's sovereignty, the dissenters of the Bill at home should realize that listening to the world on this issue is in our own interest. There are issues before us today that need our immediate and focused attention. Our focus should now be shifted to timely and judicious distribution of the aid money." Editorial: "Kerry-Lugar Bill: Explanatory Note" in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (10/16) "One can say about the U.S. Congress's explanatory note that it made ineffective some clauses of Kerry-Lugar Bill and American objectives were explained. However, people will be waiting for Parliament's decision about the U.S. assistance." Editorial: "Kerry-Lugar Bill And The Congress' Explanatory Note" in the Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (10/16) "There is a need to fully review the details of the explanatory notes regarding Kerry-Lugar bill, and focus on the facts, rather than criticism for criticism's sake. This is necessary because some people are also saying that the conditions over which there has been much hue and cry in Pakistan do not even exist in the bill.... We hope that instead of going for a solo flight, our leadership will remove any reservations regarding the bill and will take all concerned parties into confidence in its final decision." Opinion: "The Kerry-Lugar Distraction," Ahmad Rafay Alam in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/16) "The Kerry-Lugar Bill has become the black-hole of Pakistani political debate. Its din of conflicting rhetoric and opinion drowns out everything else - even good sense. Sovereignty, which reference to any nearby encyclopedia will tell you, is a quality possessed by a sovereign, of having supreme and complete control over a territory. In light of the KLB (it's even got its own acronym),we seem to have got this concept mixed with ghairat. While all this is most amusing, it is no substitute for meaningful debate about the future of this country.... While the bill debate goes on consuming all the air in the room, the real challenges this country faces remain unaddressed. We are a country of nearly 170 million mostly poor and illiterate people that is facing an energy crisis, a population explosion and potential water scarcity.... And here we are, with this Kerry-Lugar Bill debate, talking of nothing but whether or not it is acceptable for Pakistan to be a beggar and a chooser. I would think that saner counsel ('get whatever you can get and be thankful') should prevail." Opinion: "Democracy Under A Cloud," Ayaz Amir in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/16) "Pakistan's American relationship will surely survive the Kerry-Lugar Bill (KLB) but Pakistani democracy - the post Feb 2008 phase of it - may not. One of the stated, indeed touted, aims of this bill is to strengthen democratic institutions. The way it is turning out, the KLB - or rather the manner of its handling by our diplomatic and political wizards - may well be the demolition explosive which brings the house of democracy (our perennial house of cards) down. Think again of the law of unintended consequences. To be fair to the KLB, it isn't the sole or primary cause of tensions between the Presidency and General Headquarters (GHQ). These tensions predate this controversy and centre on a growing level of mistrust between these two centers of power. But the KLB has brought this mistrust into the open." -------------- Miscellaneous -------------- News Story: USAID Projects To Continue, Says Director - Agency Not Suspending Current Program Portfolio" "Business Recorder" (10/16) "The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is exploring innovative ways to channel development funds through Pakistani government agencies and public, private, and nongovernmental institutions, but has no plans to suspend any existing projects, Mission Director Bob Wilson said on Thursday." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson