PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TOP STORIES, U.S. CONGRESSIONAL

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002739

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TOP STORIES, U.S. CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATION, TERRORISM/MILITARY, MISCELLANEOUS, POLITICAL - NOVEMBER
13, 2009

Summary: Most mainstream newspapers published the U.S. Embassy's
statement condemning the assassination of an Iranian Consulate Press
staffer in Peshawar. Newspapers also reported that the U.S.
donated emergency medical supplies to NWFP hospitals to treat trauma
victims. Reports that five U.S. Congressmen, led by John Tierney
(D-MA),visited Jalozai refugees camp were also highlighted. Prime
Minister Gilani's remarks that interactions between Pak-U.S.
lawmakers will help to remove misperceptions in the bilateral
relations received prominent display. Several major newspapers
highlighted reports that U.S. National Security Advisor Jones will
meet top political and military leaders on Friday (today).
Commenting on the security of Pakistan nuclear weapons, "Daily
Times" said that the National Command Authority (NCA) Bill will
allay Western apprehensions regarding this issue. "The Nation"
unleashes front page editorial against U.S. reporters. End Summary.


TOP STORIES

News Story: U.S. Condemns Killing: Iranian Consulate Official Shot
Dead In Peshawar "Daily Times" (11/13)

"Unidentified gunmen killed a Pakistani Abul Hassan Jaffery -
Director of Public Relations working for the Iranian consulate in
Peshawar on Thursday, said police. Cantonment Superintendent Police
Nisar Marwat told reporters the 'Iranian official could have been
the victim of a sectarian killing.'... Separately, the U.S. Embassy
said that Jaffery's killing was part of extremists' strategy to
'isolate Pakistan' and deprive the country of the international
community's support." (Story also front paged in all newspapers)

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

News Story: U.S. Donates $430,000 In Medical Supplies To NWFP "Daily
Times" (11/13)

"The U.S. government donated emergency medical supplies worth
$430,000 to NWFP hospitals to equip them to treat trauma victims.
The urgently needed medical equipment will replenish and expand
medical stocks at large hospitals in areas particularly prone to
mass casualty incidents."

News Story: U.S. Senators Praise Malakand IDPs' Role "The Nation"
(11/13)

"Five Senators of U.S. Congress, led by Senator John Tierney visited
Jalozai refugees camp and appreciated the role of Internally
Displaced Persons in the ongoing war against militancy. Addressing
the Jirga of Mohmand and Bajaur IDPs in Jalozai refugees camps they
said that the U.S. would not undermine the sacrifices given by
Pakistan Army and its people."

News Story: Interaction Between Pak-U.S. Lawmakers To Help Remove
Misperceptions: Prime Minister "Business Recorder," "The News"
(11/13)

"Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, while welcoming the growing
interaction between the parliamentarians of Pakistan and the United
States, has said that greater people-to-people contact will help in
removing the misperceptions and misgivings in the bilateral
relations between the two countries. The Prime Minister was talking
to a U.S. Congressional delegation, headed by Representative David
Price, who called on him at the PM's House in Islamabad on
Thursday." (Story also front paged in all newspapers)

News Story: PM Presses U.S. For Swift Refund Of CSF Expenses "Daily
Times" (11/13)

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday regretted the delay in
the reimbursement of the Coalition Support Fund at a time when the
country was fighting terrorism. The premier urged the U.S. to
fulfill its commitment towards the capacity building of law
enforcement agencies, he said while talking to a U.S. Congressional
delegation that called on him at Prime Minister's House. David Price
led the six-member delegation."

News Story: Pak, U.S. Ties To Be Strategic, Multifaceted: Naek "The
Frontier Post" (11/13)



"Chairman Senate Farooq H. Naek has said that Pakistan wanted to
build a long-term partnership and a relationship of trust with the
U.S. based on mutual respect and shared goals looking beyond narrow
paradigms of security and the war on terror. He was talking to a
U.S. Congressional Delegation headed by Mr. David Price, Chairman of
the House Democracy Partnership Commission, which called on him at
the Parliament House and discussed a host of issues pertaining to
Pak-U.S. relations."

Editorial: Demand That Foreign Aid Be Given Through Official
Agencies, an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan"
(cir. 10,000) (11/13)

"We strongly support Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's demand that
American assistance should be disbursed through government
institutions. However, we cannot deny the horrible corruption in
the administration.... Corruption is not just an issue for
Americans; it is the problem of entire Pakistan. We suggest that
government should hold an all parties conference to find ways and
means to tackle the problem."

Editorial: Managing Kerry-Lugar Aid, an editorial in the
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (11/13)

"Talking to a U.S. Congressional delegation on Wednesday, Prime
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani urged the U.S. 'to channel its economic
assistance through a transparent mechanism established by the
Government of Pakistan.'... The transparency and efficiency of the
supposed local partners (Pakistani NGOs) has rarely been
commendable. The cumulative upshot of this rather murky picture is
that all stakeholders in this panorama have skeletons in their
cupboards that need to be exorcised so that the intended
beneficiaries of this socio-economic aid package, the people of
Pakistan, can themselves bear witness to the true spirit and intent
of this aid package."

TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES

News Story: U.S. Adviser To Meet Political, Military Leaders "The
Post" (11/13)

"U.S. National Security Adviser James Jones will meet top political
and military leadership on Friday (today). Jones will meet high-ups
of the political and military leadership to discuss with them host
of bilateral issues like strategic relations, war against terrorism,
and other matters in length."

News Story: 17 Troops, 22 Militants Die In Fierce SWA Fighting "The
News" (11/13)

"Stiff Taliban resistance killed 17 soldiers on Thursday in the
military's deadliest day since the launching of a major offensive in
the South Waziristan Agency (SWA),security officials said. At least
15 soldiers were killed in clashes, while a roadside bomb killed two
soldiers in the Srarogha area further east, officials said. The
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) earlier said that five
soldiers and 22 militants were killed in the last 24 hours of the
offensive." (Story also front paged in all newspapers)

News Story: 40 Suspects Held In Bajaur; Hideouts Destroyed "The
News" (11/13)

"The political administration and security forces in a joint
operation apprehended 40 suspected persons in Khar tehsil of Bajaur
Agency on Thursday. Several hideouts of the militants were also
destroyed when forces shelled various areas in the agency."

Editorial: National Command Authority Bill, an editorial in the
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (11/13)

"A report of the Standing Committee on defence regarding the
National Command Authority (NCA) bill 2007 has been laid before the
National Assembly. The timing of the report's presentation suggests
to some observers the urgency of allaying the fears expressed by the
Western media ... in the context of the track record of the security


of Pakistan's nuclear weapons.... Until that desirable but
difficult to achieve goal is at hand, the NCA bill serves to ensure
the safety and security of Pakistan's arsenal and hopefully allay
Western apprehensions regarding this issue."

Opinion: Life Threat: A New Weapon To Silence U.S. Critics, an op-ed
by Ahmed Quraishi in the center-right national English daily "The
Nation" (cir. 20,000) (11/13)

"A rumpus is brewing in a small corner of the Pakistani media over
the safety of a New Delhi-based American journalist. Being a U.S.
citizen has its benefits and Mr. Mathew Rosenberg is lucky to have a
few coming to his defence in Pakistan. A couple of months ago a
Pakistani journalist's life came under threat in Swat. He escaped to
Washington where he was humiliated on landing, kept in detention for
two weeks and is entangled now in a legal mess. Mr. Rosenberg's
self-appointed defenders in the Pakistani media silently watched
that story without uttering a word, let alone writing editorials."

Editorial: Targeting Pak-Iran Ties, an editorial in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (11/13)

"There is clearly an agenda by some external forces to destroy our
relations with Iran.... The latest incident happened in the
terror-torn city of Peshawar on Thursday when the Director Public
Relations of the Iranian Consulate, Pakistani national Syed Jaffri,
was gunned down on his way to office. The incident reflects efforts
by external forces to aggravate the Pakistan-Iran equation.... Yet
for some inexplicable reason we are hostage to our external players'
agendas.... One has to wonder why our leadership is allowing vested
interests to hold Pakistan-Iran relations hostage."

Editorial: Sectarian Target?, an editorial in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (11/13)

"A Pakistani official employed at the Iranian consulate in Peshawar
has been killed. He becomes the latest victim of carefully planned
terrorism, executed by gunmen who lay await for him outside his
home. We have seen almost identical murders in recent weeks in
Islamabad. Terrorism in the Pakistan of today comes in many forms:
bombs and bullets are both a part of it. It must be assumed the
director of public relations at the consulate was attacked on the
basis of his sect."

Editorial: What Will Be The Post-Rahe Nijaat Roadmap?, an editorial
in the leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu
daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (11/13)

"There are indications that the Operation 'Rah-e-Nijaat' is going
ahead successfully and hopefully its targets would be achieved in
near future. But the question arises here what would be the roadmap
after the conclusion of this military operation? There are also
indications that Washington and the Taliban are heading towards
mutual dialogue. Have we prepared ourselves to cope with the
situation that will be created due to the possible withdrawal of the
American forces from Afghanistan and the retreat of militants in
Waziristan? It will be a folly to think that all of the terrorists
would be killed, or arrested during the military operation.
Actually, their remnants would leave no stone unturned to create
unrest by instigating the families who have lost their near and dear
ones in the terrorist attacks."

Editorial: Dealing With An Organized Onslaught Of Terrorism, an
editorial in the country's premier business newspaper, "Business
Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (11/13)

"The car bomb attack in Charsadda, killing 34 innocent people and
injuring nearly 100 others... Fearful of confronting the military
openly in South Waziristan, the terrorists have chosen to attack
unarmed and unwary citizens, which is a dastardly act.... The
present month is likely to see increased activity on the part of the
Taliban, which is indicative of the panic caused by the loss of
their stronghold in South Waziristan. They seem to be diverting much
of their human and physical assets to attacks inside the cities in a
bid to weaken the will of the government and the people who are
fully supporting the operation in Waziristan. The attacks are thus a
part of the psychological warfare the TTP is conducting. What is
needed is that the resolve to wipe out the menace of terrorism, for


all times to come, must not wilt."

Editorial: Lawlessness of NATO Trucks, an editorial note in the
second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000)
(11/13)

"NATO supply trucks have reportedly damaged the National Highway.
According to a press report, the NATO supply trucks usually carry
more than permissible load and they are not checked during the
journey.... Million of rupees will be required to repair the
damaged Indus Highway.... NATO trucks take the route of Karachi,
Hyderabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, DG Khan, DI Khan and Peshawar to
reach Afghanistan. For being exempted from checking the truck are
often found involved in illegal activities.... Intelligence
agencies reports about Indian weapons and terrorism material
smuggling into Pakistan through these trucks have already
surfaced.... Either the NATO supplies via Pakistan should be
stopped or the supply should be subjected to rigorous inspection.
Moreover, NATO should be asked to pay damages for breaking the
National Highway."

Opinion: Did Clinton's Visit Make A Difference?, an op-ed by
Najmuddin A. Shaikh in the Lahore-based liberal English language
daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (11/13)

"There has perhaps in the weeks that have passed been a visible
toning down of the anti-American rhetoric in the TV and press
commentaries and to that extent one can perhaps say that the visit
was successful. But did we ask the hard questions and did we do the
soul searching that Clinton's questions should have prompted? Did we
for instance raise the question of seeking American assistance in
removing the refugee camps from the Afghan border with Balochistan?
After all if the Quetta Shura is an issue, the first step should be
to remove the camps into which the Taliban can move with minimal
difficulty. Did we ask why the U.S. cannot persuade the Afghans to
accept the biometric identification system for legal border
crossings at Chaman and Torkham? If borders are to be secured,
surely you must start with the fact that border crossings have to be
controlled."

Opinion: Hillary Was Undeterred, an op-ed by Salahuddin Haider in
the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir.
5,000) (11/13)

"Hillary was not only undeterred in her mission to turn a new leaf
in relations with Pakistan but looks determined to do that whatever
the obstacles. She was the first American government functionary to
discard the procedural ways of talking only to those in authority,
and set a new style of establishing direct contacts with the people.
This was never done before in the 62 years of Pak-U.S. relationship.
The lady proved beyond any shadow of doubt that she had vision and
believed in what she thought was right."

Opinion: The Taliban And Al Qaeda, an op-ed by Dr. Masooda Bano in
the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News"
(cir. 55,000) (11/13)

"The U.S. thinks Pakistan is not doing enough to capture Al-Qaeda's
leadership. One of the main positions advanced by Hillary Clinton on
her trip to Pakistan was that the Pakistani military has to target
not just those who are attacking targets within Pakistan but also
those who are launching attacks in Afghanistan.... However, where
Ms. Clinton's concerns merited a more serious consideration was her
honest admission that it is difficult to believe that no one in the
Pakistani government knows about Al-Qaeda members and that the
government cannot actually catch them if it really wanted. This is
indeed a legitimate concern."

MISCELLANEOUS

News Story: Khalilzad In Islamabad For Damage Control "The News"
(11/13)

"President Asif Ali Zardari received a surprise guest on Wednesday
night when his old friend from his New York days, Zalmay Khalilzad,
had dinner with him to discuss what someone privy to his mission
described as 'restoring the confidence of his beleaguered friend in
a bunker.'... As Khalilzad travelled all the way from Washington,


the U.S. Embassy and the Foreign Office showed complete ignorance
about his presence in Pakistan. Khalilzad landed in Islamabad on
Tuesday night, one day ahead of U.S. National Security Adviser
Jones's arrival."

News Story: Afghanistan Must Not Be Terrorist Haven: NATO Chief "The
News" (11/13)

"Western allies need to bolster military training for Afghanistan so
it does not become a safe haven for terrorists and can assure its
own security, the head of NATO said on Thursday. NATO
Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he shared the concern
of the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan about sending more troops to
the country but stressed that the allies must stay the course and
commit more to training Afghan forces."

Editorial: Perhaps Wisdom Is Dawning On Obama, an editorial in the
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir.
5,000) (11/13)

"Though the U.S. President has not given any timeframe for vacation
of aggression yet the very fact that he is talking about not staying
for indefinite period is reflective of change of thinking in
Washington.... Though the American President is surrounded by
warmongers yet we believe that he will have to make a quick decision
about the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan where the invaders
are unlikely to be victors even if the war continues for decades
more. It will, therefore, be in the interest of the United States
itself to make preparations for withdrawal of troops at the earliest
possible."

Editorial: An Exit Option For U.S., an editorial in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (11/13)

"Whatever the causes of failure of the U.S.-led forces, and there
are more than one, the Obama administration should seriously
consider the offer of talks made by Mullah Wakil Mutawakkal, former
Taliban's Foreign Minister, contingent upon the foreign forces
leaving Afghanistan.... Obama rightly says that the U.S. would not
stay put in Afghanistan because he realizes that in this
post-imperialist age, no country can remain in occupation of another
against the wishes of the local people. With Mutawakkal telling the
Americans that the Taliban, unlike Al-Qaeda, do not have a global
agenda, they would be flexible and do not constitute a threat to the
world, the U.S. President should grab the opportunity to negotiate
an honorable exit."

Editorial: Afghanistan: Obama's claim and Mullah Mutawakkil's offer,
an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (11/13)

"In an interview to a news channel President Barack Obama has said
that America does not intend to stay in Afghanistan indefinitely....
Meanwhile, the White House spokesperson has said that before
sending troops to Afghanistan President Obama is reviewing the
situation in Pakistan.... According to press reports, Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton's Pakistan visit was aimed at finding avenues
to start talks with the Taliban and get Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's
cooperation in this respect.... America should accept dialogue
offer by Gulbadeen Hikmatyar and Mullah Abdul Wakeel and should
accept the condition of the troops' withdrawal.... Hikmatyar is
willing to give safe and respectable passage to America.... Obama
should not let this golden opportunity go waste."

Editorial: Measures Against Terrorism And Issues That Need
Attention, in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir.25, 000) (11/13)


"Worth noting is Afghan foreign minister of the Taliban era Wakeel
Ahmad Mutawakkil's statement that one faction of the Taliban is
willing to talk to the U.S. but for that to happen, the U.S. must
get ready to leave Afghanistan. Experts of Pakistan and Afghanistan
affairs say that the law and order situation in Pakistan would
improve a great deal if the allied forces succeed in controlling the
situation in Afghanistan. Hence the U.S. needs to give due
consideration to this issue."

Editorial: Withdrawal of Foreign Forces From Afghanistan, an


editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir.
55,000) (11/13)

"It seems that the United States is preparing to withdraw its forces
from Afghanistan and for this purpose Washington has approached
different powers to facilitate negotiations with the Taliban. The
present Afghan situation clearly demonstrates that it would be
impossible for the U.S. to eliminate Taliban even by sending more
troops to Afghanistan. Under these circumstances, we appreciate
timely advice from Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to the Obama
administration that the latter should take Pakistan on board
regarding its new Afghan policy."

Editorial: Is a Change in Afghanistan's Situation in the Offing?, an
editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily
"Islam" (cir. 15,000) (11/13)

"The reports emerging out of Afghanistan show that Washington will
not be in a position to maintain its military presence in that
country. The Obama administration has also expressed its willingness
to negotiate with the Taliban. Moreover, it has been dawned upon the
U.S. government that its Afghan-Pakistan policy is not practicable.
Any possible change in the Afghanistan will also affect the
situation in our country. We think that it is the need of the hour
that Pakistan improve its relations with old friends to anticipate
the future scenario."

POLITICAL ISSUES

News Story: Stop Military Operation In Balochistan, Nawaz Asks Govt.
"Daily Times" (11/13)

"Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Thursday
called on the government to immediately stop military operations in
Balochistan, if any were being conducted in the province. Nawaz's
demand came at a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
'Cases against Baloch leaders should be withdrawn [as well], and the
killers of Baloch leaders - particularly of Nawab Akbar Bugti - must
be brought to justice,' Nawaz told a press conference after the
meeting."

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Patterson