PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TOP STORIES, TERRORISM/MILITARY,

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002787 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TOP STORIES, TERRORISM/MILITARY, MISCELLANEOUS - NOVEMBER 19, 2009 Summary: All TV channels reported a suicide bomb blast in Peshawar that killed 19, and wounded several people on Thursday morning. President Obama's statement pledging to "end the Afghan war before leaving office" received wide media coverage on Thursday. Likewise, Secretary Clinton's remarks that Afghanistan faces 'critical moment' were also prominently displayed. Newspapers reported State Department spokesperson Kelly's remarks that U.S. is pleased with Pakistan's advances in South Waziristan. Also reported on the front pages was the rejection by the Indian Foreign Office that India does not need third-party mediation for ties with Pakistan. All major dailies also highlighted Pakistan Foreign Office's appreciation of U.S.-China commitment to peace and stability in South Asia. Along with these reports, newspapers ran Under Secretary Burns' remarks ruling out any mediation in Indo-Pakistan peace process. "Daily Times" lauded the U.S.-China resolve as a "positive development," while another English daily, "Dawn," termed President Obama's decision to seek China's help in improving Indo-Pak ties a "welcome move." End Summary. TOP STORIES News Story: Exit Strategy In New Policy: Obama "Dawn" (11/19) "U.S. President Barack Obama pledged on Wednesday to end the Afghan war before leaving office. In an interview with CNN, Mr. Obama said he would announce the results of his long-awaited review soon. It would include an exit strategy to avoid 'a multi-year occupation that won't serve the interests of the United States,' he said." (Story also covered in all newspapers) News Story: Karzai To Be Sworn In For New Term Today: Afghanistan Faces 'Critical Moment', Says Hillary "Daily Times" (11/19) "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday that Afghanistan faced a critical moment on the eve of President Hamid Karzai's inauguration for a second five-year term. Speaking after arriving in Kabul for the swearing-in ceremony, the top U.S. diplomat said there was now a 'clear window of opportunity' for Karzai to take action despite the controversy surrounding his re-election." (Story also covered in all newspapers) News Story: U.S. Pleased With Pakistan's Advances In S. Waziristan "Daily Times" (11/19) "U.S. State Department spokesperson Ian Kelly on Wednesday reaffirmed Washington's commitment to back Pakistan with economic 
and security assistance. As Pakistan made fresh gains in its anti-militant drive in South Waziristan, the United States said it is pleased with the success of the operation, taking place along the Pak-Afghan border region considered critical to security efforts in both countries." (Story also covered in all newspapers) News Story: Let No One Misjudge Our Resolve To Fight Terror: COAS "The News" (11/19) "Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that today the nation has been challenged as never before but he has full faith and conviction that the nation has the will and resolve to surmount these challenges as it stands fully united to confront them and ensure that its rightful identity is restored and the armed forces are fully alive to the complete spectrum of threat that confronts the nation." TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES News Story: Taliban In Tactical Retreat: TTP "Daily Times" (11/19) "The Taliban have 'voluntarily withdrawn' into the mountains under a strategy that will trap the army in the area, a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman said on Wednesday. We have not been defeated. Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq told journalists taken blindfold to a mountain top, AFP reported." News Story: U.S. Missile Hits Militants In North Waziristan: Officials "Dawn" (11/19) "At least four militants were killed and five others wounded in a U.S. drone missile strike in Pakistan's tribal region near the Afghan border, officials said Thursday." News Story: Drone Strikes Drop Significantly During SWA Offensive "Daily Times" (11/19) "The U.S. has "almost halted" drone strikes against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Waziristan after Islamabad made the request in a bid to maintain public support for 'Operation Rah-e-Nijaat' against the TTP, the officials told 'Daily Times' on Wednesday." News Story: Nine Militants Killed In Kurram, Bajaur "The News" (11/19) "Heavy artillery shelling by security forces in Kurram Agency killed five militants on Wednesday while four insurgents were killed when fighter jets blitzed their positions in Bajaur Agency." News Story: Whereabouts Of Fazlullah Being Investigated "Dawn" (11/19) "Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that the government is investigating whether Swat Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah is in the tribal areas or Afghanistan. Talking to journalists in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said Fazlullah had used an Afghan phone number, but there was a possibility that he was not in Afghanistan." MISCELLANEOUS News Story: No Afghan Exit Till Al-Qaeda Eliminated In Pakistan: U.S. "The News" (11/19) "Supporting U.S. General McChrystal's plan to send additional troops to Afghanistan, a former American general on Wednesday told the U.S. lawmakers that there should be no Afghan 'exit strategy' till the al-Qaeda leadership currently based in Pakistan is eliminated. Any exit of the US forces from the region would not only give the Taliban and al-Qaeda a sense of victory, but would also have adverse impact on the stability of Pakistan, Gen. (Retd) Wesley Clark, former North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing on Pakistan and Afghanistan." News Story: Pakistan Warns Against Early U.S. Withdrawal From Afghanistan "Daily Times" (11/19) "Pakistan on Wednesday warned Washington that a hasty and ill-planned U.S. pullout from Afghanistan could be disastrous for the region. Speaking at the 55th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Edinburgh, Senator Nayyer Husain Bokhari dispelled Western misgivings about Pakistan's commitment to the war on terrorism." News Story: Pakistan Urged Not To Fear Indo-U.S. Ties "Dawn" (11/19) "The United States assured Pakistan on Wednesday that it had nothing to fear from growing U.S.-India relations because Washington also valued its ties with Islamabad. At a briefing in Washington, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Robert Blake also addressed India's concern over a joint U.S.-China statement issued in Beijing on Tuesday which recognized China's role in improving India-Pakistan relations." (Story also covered in all newspapers) News Story: No Mediation In Indo-Pak Peace Process: U.S. "The Nation" (11/19) "Ruling out any mediation in the India-Pakistan peace process, the U.S. on Wednesday said it is for the two neighbors to decide on its 'scope, content and pace.' The U.S. supports resolution of outstanding disputes through dialogue, Under-Secretary of State for political Affairs Bill Burns said in a speech at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace - a key Washington-based think-tank." News Story: U.S.-China Stance On South Asia Welcomed "The News" (11/19) "Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed the U.S.-China joint reiteration to peace and stability in south Asia. The Foreign Office spokesman, while replying to a question, mentioned that the U.S. had sought Chinese role in resolving Pak-India differences." News Story: India Does Not Need Third-Party Mediation For Pakistan Ties "Daily Times" (11/19) "India on Thursday said it did not desire the help of a third country to improve its ties with Pakistan. 'The government of India is committed to resolving all outstanding issues with Pakistan through a peaceful bilateral dialogue in accordance with the Shimla agreement,' External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash told reporters. 'A third country's role cannot be envisaged nor is it necessary." News Story: Old U.S. Mining Town Elects Pakistani Mayor "Daily Times" (11/19) "Granite Falls residents are suspicious of any newcomers, let alone a native of Pakistan who moved to this rugged, blue-collar mining town to open his own bar. But 54-year-old Haroon Saleem has thrived, winning over the town with hard work and an easy smile. He has become so popular that, on November 3, he won the mayor's job in a landslide, getting 61 percent of the more than 800 votes cast -a result that residents say would have been inconceivable not long ago." News Story: JI Blasts Govt. Policies, U.S. Presence In Region "The Nation" (11/19) "Thousands of women took to the streets on Wednesday against U.S. presence in the region in a protest titled 'Go America Go Rally' organized by Women Wing of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Islamabad chapter. Addressing the rally, JI Amir Syed Munawar Hassan demanded of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Gilani and Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to inform the nation about the balance sheet of military operations, as terrorism had increased manifold." News Story: Helen Keller Friendship Community Centre opens in Capital "Daily Times," "The News" (11/19) "The U.S. Embassy joined the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education today to dedicate the Helen Keller Friendship Community Center in F-7 Markaz at the National Library and Resource Centre." Editorial: Indo-Pak Ties, an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (11/19) "The U.S. and China have stressed the improvement of relations between India and Pakistan for the promotion of 'peace, stability and development in South Asia.' It is a positive development that the two great powers in today's world - China and the U.S. - realize the importance of good relations between the two nuclear-armed nations of the subcontinent.... Pakistan itself is the worst victim of terrorism. India should work with Pakistan on devising a joint strategy to fight terrorism in the region. With the war on terror going on in South Asia, this region is of great importance to the peace of the world as well." Editorial: A Welcome Move, an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (11/19) "One must welcome President Barack Obama's decision to seek China's help in improving relations between Pakistan and India. In what observers have described as a significant departure from previous U.S. policy.... For Washington, the goals are clear: it wants Pakistan and India to patch up their differences, so that Islamabad can focus on the war on terror. It remains to be seen whether New Delhi will react positively to the Sino-American move. Specifically, the question is whether India will show flexibility and reduce troop strength on its western border to give Pakistan a free hand in crushing the enemy within. This is in India's interest too." Editorial: Indo-Pak Relations: U.S. Should Also Play A Role, an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (11/19) "President Obama has expressed the desire for a role by China for improving ties between Pakistan and India.... Pakistan never deviated from dialogue and renewal of peace with India. However, Indian attitude is bothersome and negative and it continues to hurl accusations on Pakistan. In order to improve Pakistan-India relations America has to play a positive role and India has to change its attitude." Editorial: U.S., China Can Help Improve Indo-Pak Ties, an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (11/19) "The joint statement issued after talks between President Obama and President Hu Jintao in Beijing stated that the two countries have agreed to work together to bring about stable and peaceful relations in all of South Asia. The joint statement is very encouraging and indicates the desire of the two big powers that they would work together and use their influence to bring the two South Asian rivals at the negotiating table and encourage them for the resolution of the contentious issues.... Now that a strong and clear message has been sent to New Delhi by the two major powers, we hope the Indian leadership would give a second thought to its belligerent stance and adopt the path of improving relations with Pakistan." Editorial: Major Achievements In Fighting Terror, an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (11/19) "Contrary to apprehensions expressed by different circles and quarters, Pakistan Army has achieved miraculous successes in its fight against militants in the hitherto dreaded South Waziristan Agency, which was being portrayed by the Western world as the epicenter of terrorism.... The speed with which the armed forces have proceeded in South Waziristan has baffled many especially the Western media but a minute analysis of the whole situation would reveal that the success was achieved through meticulous planning and great sacrifices.... It is, however, very important and pertinent to consolidate gains on a long-term basis." Editorial: Do Not Delay Important Decisions, an editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (11/19) "Our armed forces are effectively targeting the terrorists' strongholds in South Waziristan. The entire nation also owes indebtedness to the tribesmen who left their homes and suffered severe hardships to make the ongoing military operation a success. The government must work out a roadmap to integrate the tribesmen in mainstream Pakistani society as per their customs, and manage the possible fallouts after the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan." Editorial: Cryptograms, an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (11/19) "Decoding the various messages that come out of Afghanistan or those that are given to Afghanistan by its well-wishers is an arcane art form. The latest message has been delivered by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, while speaking at a meeting of the NATO parliamentary assembly in Edinburgh.... He probably had little choice but to say what he did, yet viewed from our end of the telescope his statement appears to bear little resemblance to what we understand ground realities to be. He concluded by delivering his own version of the 'Pakistan must do more' mantra by calling for more support for Pakistan to 'squeeze the life' out of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Messages are tailored to audiences and Miliband's audience in Edinburgh got what it wanted to hear. Decoding it for local consumption suggests a reality-disconnect that bodes ill for all of us." Editorial: British Proposal For Allied Forces' Withdrawal From Afghanistan, an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (11/19) "The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan is the precondition for Taliban to kick off negotiations. British Prime Minister Brown has also proposed an international conference to develop a strategy to quit Afghanistan by 2010. We think that the Taliban would be ready to address the 'reservations' of the U.S. and its allies provided the latter give them a chance to form government in Afghanistan." Opinion: Time To Quit Afghanistan?, an op-ed by Mohammad Jamil in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (11/19) "President Barack Obama is facing a big dilemma. If he continues with the policy of former President Bush vis-`-vis 'staying the course' in Afghanistan, he is in for a drubbing not only by the American public but also by the leaders of his own party.... There is no denying that the U.S. and its allies are stuck in a quagmire in Afghanistan, and they are looking for some scapegoat to cover up their failures.... Though the U.S. has increased its forces bringing the coalition total to 110,000, things are going from bad to worse.... The U.S. should prepare an exit strategy and let the people of Afghanistan decide their own destiny." Opinion: The Steely Strategy Syndrome, an op-ed by I.M. Mohsin in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (11/19) "In Afghanistan the U.S. has, generally, tried the 'steely' strategy for nine years. The main component of that policy appeared to be indiscriminate bombings by the air-force and advanced fire power. Resultantly, there were frequent killings of civilians which prompted even Karzai to protest.... Those ridiculing Obama are acting naove as Afghanistan, despite the bravery of the Vietnamese, could end up as much worse than their East-Asian quagmire. Its history, geography and traditions make it a conundrum for those who want to tame it with 'steel.' Ask Gorbachev! Obama has to use the 'soft power' for a settlement.... The U.S. must create goodwill by defining its mission as suggested by General Petraeus." Opinion: Leave Afghanistan Alone, an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (11/19) "Actually, the American presence in Afghanistan and America's unpopularity among Pakistanis has only served to divide Pakistan and lent the cause of the Taliban righteousness and legitimacy in the eyes of Pakistanis that it does not deserve.... America's assistance, valuable, reassuring and welcome as it might appear, is merely prolonging the day when the Pakistanis will have to confront and overcome the challenge posed by the extremists by dint of their own efforts.... Success or failure lies in our hands and not in the complexion of any future regime in Afghanistan or even whether America chooses to stay or leave though the chances of success will increase immeasurably if America does leave and confines its help to funding, appropriate weaponry and economic assistance to offset the costs of the war." Editorial: Towards IPI, an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (11/19) "During an official visit to New Delhi, the Iranian foreign minister on Tuesday invited India to join the IPI pipeline project. In response, the Indian prime minister has also reportedly shown his commitment to taking the three-nation mega project forward. Islamabad and Tehran have already signed a bilateral deal for the IPI natural gas pipeline... This is a welcoming sign as India's participation will finally lead the project to fruition which was conceived in 1994...." Editorial: The issue of Palestine's Independence And American Intransigence, in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir.25, 000) (11/19) "Once again, the real intent of the U.S. administration - involved in fruitless efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since long - has come to the fore. Addressing a press conference, Democratic Senator Ted Kaufman has said that demanding the UN for one-sided approval of Palestine's independence would be nothing but a waste of time and the U.S. would veto such a step.... There is no conflict between rival Democrats and Republicans on the Palestine issue.... The European Union's view is no different than the U.S.... Knowingly, the western powers are giving Israel the opportunity to occupy as much of Palestinian land as possible, so that later on a tiny Palestinian state would be formed just to show to the world." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson