PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: NOVEMBER 24, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002836

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: NOVEMBER 24, 2009

Media Reaction Summary: November 24, 2009

Summary: Ambassador Holbrooke's remarks that "Pakistan is being
closely consulted" on the ongoing policy-making process on
Afghanistan received prominent display in several major newspapers.
Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani's statement that the "U.S. would
have to take Pakistan on board" while formulating its new Afghan
policy dominated headlines on Tuesday. All newspapers highlighted
reports and photographs of the rollout ceremony of Pakistan's first
JF-17 Thunder aircraft built with Chinese cooperation. Reports of
the U.S. "back-channel" talks with Afghan Taliban also received
front-page coverage. Also highlighted were remarks of Pakistan's
permanent Envoy to the UN Hussain Haroon that "Pakistan is 'proud'
of its relationship with the United States." "The Nation" reported
that the Interior Ministry has informed the Supreme Court of
Pakistan that the "majority of missing persons were sold to U.S. in
Afghanistan for millions of dollars by the previous government." In
his op-ed in "The News," Senator Mushahid Hussain, advised the
government to "wake up from its slumber and get cracking on forging
a doable counter-terror strategy, which would be a force multiplier
for the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign." End Summary.


TOP STORIES

News Story: Pakistan Is Closely Consulted On Afghanistan: Holbrooke
"The News" (11/24)

"U.S. official envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke
rejected on Monday Islamabad's complaint that the U.S. had not
consulted Pakistan as closely as it should have on the ongoing
policy-making process on Afghanistan. The U.S., he said, had
consulted 'no other country more closely than Pakistan' on this
issue because no other country was more directly linked to it."
(Story also covered in all newspapers)

News Story: U.S. Can't Ignore Pakistan: Kayani "The News" (11/24)

"Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has stressed
that Washington will have to keep Pakistan on board while reviewing
its Afghan policy. He said Islamabad has a key role in ensuring and
maintaining peace in the region. The Army chief, jubilant over the
achievements of his troops first in Swat-Malakand and now in South
Waziristan, was informally talking to reporters at the historic
ceremony of the rolling out of the JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter
plane of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)." (Story also covered in all
newspapers)

News Story: First JF-17 Thunder Handed Over To PAF: Self-Reliance In
Defence Vital For Progress: PM "The News" (11/24)

"Progress and prosperity cannot be achieved without achieving
self-reliance in defence production, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza
Gilani said on Monday. Gilani was addressing a gathering of local
and foreign dignitaries and military officials at the handing-over
ceremony of the JF-17 Thunder, manufactured with Chinese assistance,
to the PAF." (Story also covered in all newspapers)

News Story: U.S. In Back-Channel Talks With Afghan Taliban "Dawn"
(11/24)

"After fighting a bloody war in Afghanistan for more than eight
years, the United States appears to have undertaken a re-think of
its policy and has started engaging the Taliban in negotiations
through Saudi and Pakistani intelligence agencies, highly-placed
sources told 'Dawn' on Monday." (Story also covered in all
newspapers)

News Story: Pakistan 'Proud' of Its Ties With U.S.: Haroon "The
Nation" (11/24)

"Pakistan is 'proud' of its relationship with the United States,
saying it has always given political, diplomatic and strategic
support to American objectives without any quid pro quo, Ambassador
Abdullah Hussain Haroon told medical doctors of Pakistani descent at
their annual dinner on Saturday night...."

TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES

News Story: Missing Persons Sold To U.S. in Afghanistan, SC Told
"The Nation" (11/24)

"Majority of missing persons had been shifted to Kabul first and
then handed over to the United States, earning bounties totaling
millions of dollars, according to a report on mission persons
presented by acting Attorney General Shah Khawar before the Supreme
Court of Pakistan."

News Story: 17 Militants Killed In Orakzai Blitz "The News" (11/24)


"Security forces claimed to have killed 17 militants in the
Shahukhel area in Orakzai Agency on Monday, while six civilians died
when a shell fired by security forces landed in a civilian area in
the neighboring Khyber Agency." (Story also covered in all
newspapers)

News Story: Nine Militants Killed In SWA: ISPR "The News" (11/24)

"Nine militants were killed and three soldiers sustained injuries in
the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijaat in South Waziristan Agency on
Monday. A media update of the military-run Inter-Services Public
Relations (ISPR) said security forces cleared the Golden Top west of
Pash Ziarat and Tabai Sar and consolidated their positions around
Lakhi Ghund and Bunker ridge on the Razmak-Makeen axis."

News Story: Six Civilians Killed In Landi Kotal Attack "Dawn"
(11/24)

"Six civilians were killed and 12 others injured when militants
attacked a security post in Landi Kotal bazaar with rockets on
Monday. Seven security personnel suffered injuries, an
administration official said."

Editorial: A Proud Moment, an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (11/24)

"Pakistan has produced its first JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat
aircraft, which has been handed over to Pakistan Air Force (PAF)....
It is indeed a moment of pride for the Pakistani nation that the
country has produced its first indigenously assembled fighter
jet.... By producing indigenous aircraft, Pakistan would be saving a
lot of money and would not have to depend on countries like the U.S.
in the future. In the past, we have had to lose a lot of money when
the U.S. backed out of its F-16 deal with us."

Editorial: Magnificent Roll Out Of JF-17, an editorial in the
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir.
5,000) (11/24)

"The skies of Pakistan witnessed one of the most fascinating and
thrilling events in the history of the country as the first
indigenously co-produced (with China) multi-role fighter aircraft
rolled out at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra on Monday....
This is indeed a milestone in the defence production arena for a
variety of reasons.... On this occasion, the nation also expresses
its gratitude to the time-tested friend of the country - China - of
which strategic support helped realize this dream. We are confident
that it would join hands in other areas of the defence production as
well as both of them face similar long-term threats to their
respective security."

Editorial: On The Run, an editorial in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (11/24)

"As militants from South Waziristan remain on the run, the military
is now reported to be moving in after them into the Kurram Agency
and more parts of Bajaur. There has also been movement by troops in
the Bara tehsil of the Khyber Agency.... It seems that the military
has finally realized that there is no option but to go after the
militants with all the resolve and force that can be mustered up....
But amidst optimism, we should also remember that the time will come
when we will also need to hunt down militants further afield."

Editorial: American Plan Against Afghan Taliban, an editorial in the
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (11/24)

"According to a report in New York Times, an anti Taliban militia
with the name Community Defense is being established, which is a
plan to trigger tribal rebellions. American and Afghan authorities
hope this way thousands of people would be integrated in
anti-Taliban armed struggle.... American administration should be
asked about the justification, under international law, of creating
armed gangs."

Opinion: Where's The Counter-Terror Strategy?, an op-ed by Mushahid
Hussain in the populist, often sensational national English daily
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (11/24)

"An interesting dynamic seems to be developing in today's Pakistan.
There is an inverse relationship between the success of Pakistan's
counter-insurgency and the failure of the country's
counter-terrorism. Clearly, since the beginning of the military
offensive in April, the militants are on the run but, concurrently,
they have run amok by striking Pakistan's urban population at a time
and target of their own choosing.... Let it not be said that the
sacrifices of Pakistan's soldiers and civilians were in vain simply
because the ruling elite was too busy pursuing their petty personal
interests. The people of Pakistan deserve better; at the minimum, an
expectation that the government perform its core duty of protecting
their lives and property, an area where the government performance
has been one vast failure. There is still time for the government to
wake up from its slumber and get cracking on forging a doable
counter-terror strategy, which would be a force multiplier for the
ongoing counter-insurgency campaign."

Opinion: Peace in Afghanistan, an op-ed by Javid Husain in the
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000)
(11/24)

"The U.S. is now essentially faced with the tasks of the elimination
of Al-Qaeda and its allies in Afghanistan to prevent any further
attacks on it and the restoration of peace in that country. The
successful completion of these tasks should enable it to withdraw
its forces from Afghanistan in an honorable manner.... The U.S. is
now at a crossroads. The ongoing review of the Afghan strategy by
the Obama Administration provides Washington with a useful
opportunity to change course with a view to eliminating the threat
of terrorism posed by Al-Qaeda to the U.S. security and taking
political initiatives to bring the conflict in Afghanistan between
the Pashtuns and the non-Pashtuns to an end. The use of force
against Al-Qaeda and its allies should continue to overcome their
threat to global and regional security."

Opinion: An Intrusive Power Wielder, an op-ed by Dr. S.M. Rahman in
the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000)
(11/24)

"In nutshell, America's military might has been dwarfed by the
rag-tag Afghan freedom fighters and its economic model is under
great stress. The hegemonic arrogance of USA cannot linger any
further. It needs renunciation of the desire to dominate over the
world particularly Eurasia, of which Af-Pak policy is a crude
reflection. Engagement with impoverished nations and respect for
diversity are the imperatives."

INDO-PAK RELATIONS

News Story: U.S. Can't Play Role Of Midwife In Indo-Pak Row:
Holbrooke "The News" (11/24)

"Richard Holbrooke, U.S. special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan,
has said that the United States wants good relations between India
and Pakistan but could not play the role of a midwife to settle the
disputes between the two countries. In a special briefing at the
U.S. State Department on Monday, he said the U.S. wanted excellent
ties between India and Pakistan but these relations were not
compatible."

News Story: Indian PM's Visit Won't Affect Ties With Pakistan: U.S.
"Daily Times" (11/24)

"The Indian prime minister's visit to Washington does not mean that
Pakistan is any less important for the U.S., U.S. special envoy for
Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke said on Monday. He said
Washington was seeking to improve relations with Pakistan, India and
China. "We want that every country gains from this relationship," he
added.

News Story: India Trying To Wriggle Out Of Talks, Says Qureshi
"Dawn" (11/24)

"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Monday that questions
raised by India's prime minister about the control of the Pakistani
army and the country's aims in Afghanistan were an excuse to delay
resumption of talks. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told CNN
International television on Sunday he was not clear if Pakistan's
president was in control of the army and that the country's
objectives in Afghanistan were not necessarily those of the United
States. 'I am disappointed,' Qureshi said. 'My feeling is India is
dragging its feet and is looking for excuses not to resume the
composite dialogue.'"

News Story: India Test-Fires Nuclear Capable Agni At Night "Dawn"
(11/24)

"India carried out its first nighttime test of a medium-range
missile on Monday, a defense ministry official said. The
surface-to-surface 'Agni-II' (Fire) missile - with a range of up to
2,000 kilometers - can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads
weighing up to 1,000 kilograms, the official said on condition of
anonymity in line with ministry rules."

News Story: Former Jihadi Says LT Running New Camps "Daily Times"
(11/24)

"The Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LT) has opened several new training camps in
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK),a former Lashkar member said. Abdullah
Muntazir, who is now an analyst on Islamist issues, said the
authorities had closed many Lashkar training camps in AJK after the
Mumbai attacks but that had had a limited impact."

Editorial: Listen India!, an editorial in the populist, often
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (11/24)

"Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is currently about to
experience American hospitality of the type associated with a
full-blown state visit. Wearily true to form he is using the
occasion to deliver unhelpful and negative statements about Pakistan
that drip oil on the fires that burn between us.... And do we really
use terror as an instrument of state policy - or is it that in
geopolitical terms it is currently flavor-of-the-month to present
Pakistan as a bubbling pot of wickedness?"

Editorial: Mr. Manmohan Singh, The [Kashmir] Border Will Certainly
Be Redefined, an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu
daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (11/24)

"Indian PM Manmohan Singh is visiting the U.S. at a time when the
U.S. is reviewing Afghan policy and in addition to Pakistan's role,
is desirous of an Indian role in the new Afghan scenario ....
Pakistan has given [U.S.] evidence of Indian involvement [in
Balochistan] and has also raised the issue of CIA's interference;
this means that the Satanic triumvirate of India-U.S.- Israel is
bent upon destabilizing Pakistan]. The Indian PM's statement [that
Kashmir's border cannot be re-defined] is also a link in this
chain].... Manmohan Singh needs to be reminded that just as Indian
borders were redrawn in 1947, so will Kashmir's borders be redefined
according to the wishes of the Kashmiris in the shape of accession
with Pakistan. Until then, trade with India should be stopped and
preparations be made for the final battle with India."

Editorial: Indian PM's Views, an editorial in the center-right Urdu
daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (11/24)

"On the Kashmir issue, the Indian PM has said that Kashmir's border
cannot be redrawn, although talks can be held with Pakistan on trade
and other issues. This statement by the Indian PM goes against the
spirit of harmony created as a result of bilateral talks. It can
also be said that India is backtracking.... Unfortunately, the
Congress government thinks that in the garb of fighting terrorism,
the Kashmiri struggle for independence can also be crushed. We would
like to warn that such an attitude can only increase hatred, not
resolve disputes."

Editorial: Manmohan Singh's Trip To The U.S. And Pakistan's
Reservations, an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu
daily "Din" (cir. 5000) (11/24)

"From his interviews and statements in the U.S., it seems that the
Indian PM wants to use this trip to increase Pakistan's political
and strategic problems. It is with this intent that he adopted a
tone on Kashmir that cannot be called conciliatory at all....
Pakistan also has reservations on India's defense procurements and
war preparations. If the U.S. wants our sincere cooperation in the
war [on terror] it should review its relations with India and remove
Pakistan's misgivings."

Editorial: India's Irrationality, an editorial in the center-right
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (11/24)

"The India Prime Minister is setting new records for aggravating the
already strained environment between Pakistan and India.... Clearly,
the Indian leadership is hitting out at Pakistan because the
Pakistani leadership is finally doing some plain talking regarding
India's role in fanning terrorism in Balochistan and FATA - and with
the apparent blessings of the U.S. which is allowing India to
conduct these covert operations from Afghan soil.... This is
unfortunate because it cannot hide India culpability in acts of
terror in Pakistan.... It is time the U.S. informed its strategic
partner's leadership, in the form of a belligerent Manmohan Singh,
presently in Washington, that it simply cannot afford to continue
its bellicosity towards Pakistan if it wants peace and progress in
the region."

Editorial: Indian Designs: Responsibility of Government, Politicians
and Military Leadership, an editorial in the leading mass
circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir.
300,000) (11/24)

"India wants to turn Pakistan into a market for its products by
promoting trade relations only while putting aside the festering
Kashmir issue. New Delhi is using Afghan soil, where it has set up
more than a dozen consulates, to destabilize Pakistan through
terrorist activities. Moreover, the U.S. military aid and full-scale
nuclear cooperation have also rejuvenated India's anti-Pakistan
ambitions. It is high time for our political and military leadership
to evolve a national strategy to counter Indian conspiracies,
especially in light of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the
United States and his forthcoming meeting with President Obama."


Editorial: India's Hand, an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (11/24)

"Since intelligence sharing between any two countries is a sensitive
issue, expecting rivals like Pakistan and India to be instantly
forthcoming on this count is not realistic. There is logic in the
U.S. stance that governments in Islamabad and New Delhi face a
common threat that is terrorism. Partition of the Indian
subcontinent is now a fact of history and vision demands that
progress be made towards the future with a measured consciousness of
history and a trust in the potential of mutual cooperation."

Editorial: Amnesty's Letter to President Barack Obama and Manmohan
Singh's Venomous Propaganda Against Pakistan, an editorial in the
popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (11/24)

"Amnesty International, in its letter to President Obama, has
alleged that Indian forces are committing large-scale violations of
human rights in the occupied Kashmir Valley. On the other hand,
Indian Prime Minister Singh has said that Pakistan wants the
immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in order to
take control of Kabul. We think that after these accusations from a
responsible Indian leader, the government of Pakistan must come out
of any delusion regarding the peaceful solution of the Kashmir
issue, and any future dialogue with New Delhi would be a futile
exercise."

Editorial: India: United States' Foolish Friend, an editorial in the
Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000)
(11/24)

"All indicators show that the U.S. is planning to withdraw its
forces from Afghanistan. Yet, it is also true that Washington has
not rejected other options and New Delhi wants to utilize this
aspect of U.S. policy with a view to promote its own interests in
the region. The Obama administration is facing tremendous pressure,
and only Pakistan can provide any relief to the United States. We
advise the U.S. government to beware of India's covert agenda at
this critical stage, and take any decision in the larger interest of
American people."

MISCELLANEOUS
News Story: White House Discusses End To Afghan War "The News"
(11/24)

"Participants of a discussion at the White House have called for
ending the war in Afghanistan, describing it a misuse of the U.S.
taxpayers' money and asked to divide Pakistan into three parts. The
discussion, organized by the White House Office for Public
Engagement, was held in the Eisenhower Executive Building to devise
the future policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan. The participants were
told that terrorism could not be eliminated from the region until
the Kashmir issue was resolved and the Indian involvement in
Balochistan was ended."

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Patterson