PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MARCH 19, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000600

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MARCH 19, 2009

Summary: A New York Times' report that President Obama and his top
aides are "considering expanding the American covert operations
against Taliban leaders to Balochistan" dominated headlines in all
newspapers on Thursday. All newspapers also reported that Pakistan
Foreign Office spokesman "downplayed" the report by terming it as
"speculative." Foreign Minister Qureshi's statement affirming that
the "U.S. will address (Pakistan's) concerns over drone attacks"
received prominent coverage. Reports of a "militant attack on
Malakand University killing four cops and a security guard" were
also highlighted. Several major dailies reported that the
"kidnappers of a Canadian journalist have threatened to kill her if
their demands were not met by March 30."

Newspapers ran editorials on a host of subjects such as the security
situation, aftermath of the restoration of judiciary, intelligence
sharing on Mumbai attacks, and so on. Commenting on the NYT's
report about possible drone attacks in Balochistan, the populist
daily, "Khabrain," cautioned that "such steps will increase existing
hatred against the United States." The centrist national daily,
"The News," observed that the "mood may be changing in Washington
with respect to the government of Pakistan, as there are reports in
the U.S. media that a "re-think is on regarding Nawaz Sharif." The
center-right national daily, "The Nation," noted that the "Obama
Administration seems particularly sensitive to the public sentiments
and unless he (President Zardari) comes half-way to make up with a
major political FORCE like the PML-N, he would fail to strengthen
democracy." End Summary.

--------------
News Stories
--------------

"U.S. Considering Strikes In Balochistan: NYT" "Dawn" (03/19)

"President Obama and his national security advisers are considering
expanding the American covert war in Pakistan far beyond the tribal
areas and striking at a different centre of Taliban power in
Balochistan, where top Taliban leaders are orchestrating attacks
into southern Afghanistan, says a report in the New York Times."

"Pakistan Dismisses U.S. Report On AIR Strikes" "The Nation"
(03/19)

"Pakistan on Wednesday asked the United States to review its policy
of drone attacks while dismissing as speculative an alarming U.S.
media report that Washington is considering to expand these attacks
beyond the tribal area to Balochistan Province, said Foreign
Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while addressing a press conference
in Islamabad at the Foreign Office."

"U.S. To Address Concerns Over Drone Attacks: Qureshi" "Dawn"
(03/19)

"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Wednesday the U.S.
had agreed to discuss Pakistan's concerns over drone attacks on its
territory during the second round of regional policy review meetings
scheduled in May 6-7."

"Balochistan Has No Safe havens, Says FC" "Dawn" (03/19)

"Inspector General of Frontier Corps Maj-Gen. Saleem Nawaz has
described as baseless reports that Mullah Omar and other Taliban
leaders and militants were hiding in Balochistan and said the
Taliban did not have political and tribal support in the province."

"Balochs To Resist Any U.S. Attack: Jamali" "The News" (03/19)

"Former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamil on Wednesday
stressed the need for unity to face American threat of attacking
Balochistan, saying that the nation will foil such evil designs,
while talking to a private TV channel."

"Congressmen Oppose Drone Attacks In Pakistan" "Dawn" (03/19)

"A bipartisan group of 15 U.S. congressmen warned the U.S.
administration on Wednesday that increased U.S. military activities
in Pakistan would have dangerous consequences for the entire region.
In a signed letter to President Barak Obama, the lawmakers also
opposed U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan, saying that it's the
continuation of the Bush administration's policies towards the
region."

"U.S., Others Keen To Help Pakistan, Says Qureshi" "The News"
(03/19)

"The government sent a strong appeal to the opposition leaders to
find a democratic way forward and take all outstanding issues to the
floor of parliament rather than on the streets. Political stability
is the key to success, progress and prosperity. Foreign policy is
above party interest and the need of the hour is national consensus.
If we want to take advantage of this situation then please I appeal
to all Pakistani politicians to strengthen my hands, otherwise I
cannot argue Pakistan's case,' Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi
told a hurriedly-called news conference at the Foreign Office.
Qureshi pleaded that at this moment all important world capitals are
looking at Pakistan sympathetically and are willing to help it
economically and politically."

"Haqqani Seeks Fast-Track U.S. Assistance For Pakistan" "The News"
(03/19)

"Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani has
called on Washington to bolster the democratic government's
concerted campaign against extremist threat with fast-track
provision of socio-economic assistance as it would held efforts to
enlist the much-needed widespread public support for the cause.
Taking part in a discussion on Pakistan in PBS TV channel's Charlie
Rose Program, the envoy acknowledged the moves underway in
Washington on expanding economic assistance for his key South Asian
country."

"India-Pakistan Differences Loom Over Afghan Talks" "Dawn" (03/19)

"Unabated bilateral tensions between India and Pakistan together
with their divergent approaches towards a solution to the mess in
Kabul are expected to distract the attention from, rather than put
the focus on, constructive discussions on Afghanistan at two
international conferences this month that are to discuss new
strategies for the war-torn nation, reports indicated on
Wednesday."

"Five Killed In Attack On Malakand University" "Dawn" (03/19)

"Four policemen and a watchman of the University of Malakand were
killed and three others suffered wounds when a group of armed
miscreants attacked a police mobile van at the main entrance of the
University of Malakand at Chakdara in the Lower Dir district at the
wee hours of Wednesday, official sources and eyewitnesses told
'Dawn.'"

"Life of Kidnapped Canadian Woman Journalist In Danger" "The News"
(03/19)

"Taliban militants holding the Canadian woman journalist, Khadija
Abdul Qahaar, in North Waziristan tribal region Wednesday threatened
to kill her if their demands were not met by the end of March....
The Taliban demanded two million dollars for her release."

"Deadline Set For Solecki Ends" "Dawn" (03/19)

"The Baloch Liberation United Front, which claims to have kidnapped
UN official John Solecki, has yet to announce a new deadline for
acceptance of its demands, as its earlier deadline passed on
Wednesday night."

"UNHCR Seeks Direct Talks With Kidnappers" "Dawn" (03/19)

"The United Nations is concerned about the health of its abducted
official John Solecki and is making all efforts to gain his safe
release, an official of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees said. A statement issued by the UNHCR in Islamabad on
Wednesday said that the world body was willing to speak directly to
Mr. Solecki's kidnappers in the spirit of being ready to listen and
to find a safe way for his release."

"Most Of Balochistan Libration United Front (BLUF) Demands Already
Met, Says Malik" "The News" (03/19)

"Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik has said that
the government was reviewing the demands made by captors of UNHCR
official John Solecki. Talking to Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab
Aslam Raisani in Islamabad on Wednesday, Malik said most of the
demands of Balochistan Libration United Front (BLUF),that claimed
responsibility for the kidnapping of the UNHCR official, have
already been fulfilled."

"Four Security Men Killed In Dir Gunfight" "The Nation" (03/19)

"Four security men were killed and fQr others wounded Wednesday in
a gunfight with militants in a northwest town near Swat Valley,
police said."

"Armed Militants Patrol Peshawar Roads" "The News" (03/19)

"Militants armed with rocket launchers and other sophisticated
weapons patrolled the Peshawar city roads on Wednesday, scaring the
commuters and dwellers of the nearby towns. It is learned that
suspected militants in around 12 double-cabin pickups patrolled the
Ring Road and Bara Road in the afternoon."

"Militants FORCE Closure Of CD Shops In Mardan" "The News" (03/19)

"Militants' threats have forced hundreds of compact disc (CDs)
dealers in Mardan district to pack up. A survey conducted by The
News revealed that so far over 100 music and CD shops had been blown
up in various areas of the district."

"Bomb Damages NATO Equipment Near Chaman Border (Quetta)" "The News"
(03/19)

"A suspected militant on Wednesday hurled a grenade at a NATO supply
truck carrying machinery destined for Afghanistan, damaging the
equipment, police said."

"Oil Tanker Blown Up" "The News" (03/19)

"A tanker transporting oil to NATO forces in Afghanistan was blown
up near Michini area (Landi Kotal) when an explosive device placed
beneath it exploded on Wednesday."

"NWFP Govt. Asks Swat Judges Not To Attend Courts Over Security
Concerns" "Daily Times" (03/19)

"The government on Wednesday directed the judges of subordinate
judiciary of the Peshawar High Court in Swat not to attend courts
and restrict themselves to their houses due to security concerns, a
civil judge cum judicial magistrate in Swat told 'Daily Times' on
Wednesday."

--------------
Editorials/Op-eds
--------------

"Plan To Extend Drone Attacks," an editorial in the Lahore-based
populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (03/19)

"According to a press report in America, President Obama and the
National Security Advisor are planning to widen the scope of
American drone attacks and want to include attacks on Taliban
hideouts in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan in this plan.
America should keep in mind that such steps will increase existing
hatred against America."

"A Change In Perception," an editorial in the centrist national
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (03/19)

"The mood may be changing in Washington with respect to the
government in Pakistan. In the U.S. media there have been several
reports that a re-think is on regarding Mian Nawaz Shairf.... The
current re-think we hear so much of comes at a time when in the U.S.
Senate there are calls for more aid to be extended to Pakistan to
prevent the country spiraling into turmoil. Pakistan needs economic
stability. But this can come only when its allies overseas and also
people within the country have greater faith in the abilities of its
leaders. The perception that governance is weak and ineffective,
whether accurate or inaccurate, adds to our problems."

"Basis Of Patch-Up," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (03/19)
"President Zardari should know that his standing, not only with the
people but also with the U.S. and the rest of the world, has
markedly suffered as a result of the lawyers' movement. Unlike Mr.
Bush, the Obama Administration seems particularly sensitive to the
public sentiment and unless he comes half-way to make up with a
major political FORCE like the PML(N),he would fail to strengthen
democracy."

"Peace, For Now," an op-ed by Ahmed Quraishi in the centrist
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (03/19)

"A failed political system won't change itself. Our ultimate goal
here should be the type of political system and not how it comes.
Pakistan needs a political system where political parties are
democratized and party leaderships are rotated through internal
ballot... Without this kind of change, the existing system will
continue to generate crises and encourage foreign intervention.
Here, it must be noted that the original sin of disturbing the
Pakistani political process is born by the United States and
Britain. The attempts at political manipulation by both countries
in Pakistan as far back as 2006 have destabilized Pakistan. Their
latest intervention might have turned to be positive but it was
designed to protect their interests inside the Pakistani
government."

"A Bomber In Hand," an editorial in the centrist national English
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (03/19)

"Somewhere in our country, young men and boys are recruited as
suicide bombers, carefully trained and brain-washed into believing
they are acting for the sake of religion before being released into
cities. Only when we uncover the system behind this will it become
possible to move effectively towards stopping the bombings."

"Rationale For Speedy Justice," an editorial in the Islamabad-based
rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (03/19)

"The apprehensions and opposition of the Western circles is quite
understandable but it is regrettable that some domestic quarters too
were in the forefront of the campaign to malign the
understanding.... In normal circumstances, the civil suit might
have taken years to settle but the Qazi disposed of the case just in
one day without any cost to the litigants. There were no fees for
lawyers, no formal FIR and no delays. The Qazi received application
on plain paper, called witnesses and decided the case instantly.
That is what the people of the region have been demanding on the
basis of their experience of the past."

"Don't Delay In Resolving Issues," an editorial in the leading mass
circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (03/19)

"It is a very alarming situation that the TNSM chief Sufi Mohammad
has stopped the judges in Swat to come to the office. And now this
cleric has moved ahead and prevented the lawyers and attorneys too
from pleading the cases on behalf of their clients, and described
this profession as contrary to the Shariat laws. In this state of
affairs, the lawyers in Swat are left with no other option except to
quit this profession, or leave Swat valley. So the government
authorities must find a way out of this sticky situation, and
resolve this issue immediately."

"Don't Ignore Us," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (03/19)

"American administration has approved the sale of eight ocean
surveillance aircraft worth $2.10 billion to India. America has
friendship with Pakistan, but actually it wants to see Pakistan
militarily weak.... Pakistan should use diplomatic channels to
raise the issue as to why balance of power is being disturbed with
the supply of military equipment to India."

"Need For Dialogue," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (03/19)

"Of course it is yet to be established that the LT was behind the
Mumbai or Lahore attacks. Still, it is clear that our biggest
enemies lie within. There are other reasons too why the architects
of the Mumbai carnage must be brought to book at the earliest.
Without greater strides on this count, progress is unlikely on the
core issue of Kashmir and other lingering disputes such as Siachen
and the demarcation of maritime borders."
Patterson