PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 07, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000738

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 07, 2009

Summary: All newspapers, without exception, highlighted Ambassador
Holbrooke and Admiral Mullen's Islamabad visit, and their meetings
with top Pakistani officials Tuesday. Their objective to "eliminate
Al Qaeda and Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan" also received
prominent coverage. Also highlighted on the front pages was the
government's decision to "formulate an integrated national security
policy to curb terrorism and extremism." President Obama's remarks
that the "U.S. was not, and never will be, at war with Islam"
garnered extensive media coverage. All major dailies reported that
"three female workers and a driver of a USAID-funded NGO were
allegedly killed by militants in Mansehra."

Most major dailies ran editorials on the current wave of terror and
suicidal attacks and the precarious security situation of the
country. The prestigious English language daily, "Dawn" noted that
"while it is important to remember that defeating militancy will be
a long, difficult and messy affair, Pakistanis have the right to
question the state's response so far in many, many areas." Whereas,
the mass circulation Urdu daily, "Jang," wrote: "If the U.S. wants
to see Pakistan's role in the anti-terror drive as decisive, then it
(U.S.) will have to pay attention to anti-Pakistan activities of
India inside Afghanistan." Commenting on the Ambassador Holbrooke
and Admiral Mullen's current visit to Islamabad, the center-right
national daily "The Nation," observed that they had come "armed with
the proverbial carrot and stick, as the U.S. has increased troops in
Afghanistan by 17,000 to be deployed in South of the country, which
means heightened activity alongside the Durand line." End Summary.

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News Stories
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"U.S. Officials Urge Steps To Eliminate Safe Havens" "Dawn" (04/07)

"U.S. special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke
and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen
arrived in Islamabad on Monday for talks with civil and defence
officials and the political leadership on combating militancy and
extremism in the region. They called on President Asif Ali Zardari
and discussed with him U.S. President Barack Obama's new strategy.
According to sources, the U.S. officials called for an effective
strategy to eliminate Al Qaeda and Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan,
which they alleged were being to carry out attacks against NATO
forces in Afghanistan. They promised that the U.S. would not walk
away from Pakistan."

"Taliban Shoora Hiding In Balochistan, Says Admiral Mullen" "Daily
Times" (04/07)

"The top leadership of the Taliban is hiding in Balochistan
province, Admiral Mike Mullen, the U.S. Chairman of Joint Chiefs of
Staff, has said. Pakistan lies at the core of America's strategic
concerns, said Richard Holbrooke, the new U.S. Special Envoy to
Afghanistan and Pakistan. Holbrooke and Admiral Mullen were talking
informally to a select group of invitees to dinner at U.S.
Ambassador Anne Patterson's house in the U.S. Embassy compound last
night."

"Pakistan Fighting Terror For Survival: Zardari" "Dawn" (04/07)

"President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday told top U.S. officials his
country was fighting terrorism for its own survival and would not
succumb to pressure by militants, a statement issued by the
presidency quoted Mr. Zardari as telling Admiral Mike Mullen,
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Richard Holbrooke,
special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, during a meeting on
Monday night."

"In No Way Will Government Give In To Taliban: Zardari" "The News"
(04/07)

"President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said the government would not
succumb to any pressure by militants, adding the process of dialogue
would be initiated with those who lay down arms and do not challenge
writ of the government. 'Military action is only one aspect of the
solution and that the government is pursuing the 3Ds (Dialogue,
Development, Deterrence) strategy,' he said while talking to U.S.
State Department's special representative on Afghanistan and
Pakistan Richard Holbrooke and Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of
Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, who called him at the Presidency in
Islamabad on Monday night."

"New Strategy On The Cards To Stem Insurgency" "Dawn" (04/07)

"The government decided on Monday to formulate an integrated
national security policy to curb terrorism and extremism. The
decision was taken at a meeting, presided over by Prime Minister
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, after a thorough review the security
situation, the increase in incidents of terrorism, especially
suicide attacks in Punjab."

"Special Force Planned To Curb Terrorism" "Dawn" (04/07)

"The Government has decided to form a special anti-terrorism force
to curb terrorism and suicide bombing. An Interior Ministry
official told 'Dawn' on Monday."

"U.S. Not At War With Islam, Says Obama" "The News" (04/07)

"'The United States is not and never will be at war with Islam,'
Obama said, in a major address to the Turkish parliament on the
final leg of his tour of Europe. Washington is seeking 'broad
engagement' with Muslim countries, he said, adding: 'We will listen
carefully, bridge misunderstanding... We will be respectful, even
when we do not agree.' Obama announced he would unveil in the
coming months 'specific programs' to enhance education and health
care and boost prosperity in Muslim countries by expanding trade and
investment."

"Pakistan, U.S. Disagree On Al Qaeda Threat: NYT" "The Nation"
(04/07)

"Pakistan's political and military circles don't agree with the
United States that the threat from Al-Qaeda and the Taliban is a
dire one as they view India as the enemy, The New York Times said
Monday, while citing analysts."

"Obama's Vision For Nukes Free World Borrows From Pakistan Thesis"
"The News" (04/07

"U.S. President Barack Obama's historic pronouncement in Prague the
other day to lead the world into a future without nuclear weapons
borrows heavily from a Pakistan theses, first spelled out by founder
of Pakistan's peaceful nuclear program Zulfikar Ali Bhutto 37 years
ago in 1972. While laying foundation of Pakistan's first nuclear
power reactor in Karachi, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had put forward the
proposal for a nuclear weapons free zone in South Asia."

"Obama Leaning Towards Pakistan Army, ISI" "The News" (04/07

"As President Obama promotes his new plan for Afghanistan and
Pakistan, there's a little-noticed part of the strategy that draws
on psychology more than bullets. It involves an effort by Joint
Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, CENTCOM Commander Gen. David
Petraeus, and other top U.S. officials to establish closer ties with
the heads of Pakistan's military and intelligence establishments."

"ISI Has Contacts With Extremists: Gates" "Dawn" (04/07)

"The ISI's contacts with the Hikmatyar, Haqqani and the Nazir groups
are a real concern for the United States, says U.S. Secretary of
Defence Robert Gates. In a recent interview to an Afghan television
channel, Mr. Gates also expressed concern over Pakistan's agreement
with the militants in Swat saying that such deals only allow the
militants to reassemble and revive their strength."

"U.S. Government Seeks Funds to Deploy 50 More Drones" "Dawn"
(04/07)

"U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates on Monday sought funds for 50
additional unmanned aircraft, same as those used against suspected
terrorist targets in Pakistan's tribal areas."

"Drone Attacks Threat To Country's Sovereignty: Parliamentary Body"
"The News" (04/07)

"The Parliamentary Committee on National Security on Monday
reiterated its stance of condemning the continuing U.S. drone
attacks in the tribal areas and termed it a threat to Pakistan's
sovereignty, asking the Obama administration to stop these attacks
immediately."

"U.S. Stresses Need To Deal With Terror Threat" "The News" (04/07)

"The United States, reacting to a Taliban leader's threats of
further terrorist attacks in Pakistan, underscored the need for
continued efforts to deal with the menace of terrorism as the
problem is not going to go away soon. The State Department said
Washington is under no illusion that the terrorists are trying to
hit the U.S. and its allies but added 'we have to keep working hard
to fight terrorism.' Spokesman Robert Wood said the Pakistani
government understands the terrorism threat to their country."

"U.S. Strategy For Afghanistan Lacks Political Component" "Daily
Times" (04/07)

"NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani has expressed concern that the new
U.S. administration may not be able to meet the goals set in a new
policy for Afghanistan, as it lacks the 'key component' of a
political solution. 'Where is the political strategy?' said the
governor in an interview with 'Daily Times.' 'It is still missing
... I do not see it.'"

"Taliban Vow To Defend Pakistan Against U.S. Attack" "The News"
(04/07

"Taliban in North Waziristan Agency on Monday warned of severe
backlash if the U.S. or NATO attacked Pakistan, pledging that
valiant tribesmen would defend their motherland side by side
Pakistan Army."

"Three Female NGO Workers, Driver Shot Dead In Mansehra" "The News"
(04/07)

"Three female workers of a USAID-funded project run by a
non-governmental organisation, Rise International, and their driver
were allegedly killed by militants in Mansehra on Monday."

"Swat Flogging Case: SC Irked By Officials' 'Helplessness'" "Dawn"
(04/07)

"The Supreme Court, which has taken notice of public flogging of a
teenage girl in Swat, came down hard on the government on Monday for
its helplessness in establishing the writ of the law in the troubled
valley and sought fortnightly reports from top officials on progress
into investigation into the incident."

"U.S. Expresses Relief Over Solecki's Release" "Dawn" (04/07)

"The United States voiced relief on Monday after an American
official working for the United Nations was released unharmed in
Pakistan following two months in captivity. 'We're obviously
relieved, as is his family,' State Department spokesman Robert Wood
told reporters."

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Editorials/Op-eds
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"Unabated Militancy," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (04/07)

"While it is important to remember that defeating militancy will be
a long, difficult and messy affair, Pakistanis have the right to
question the state's response so far in many, many areas. Consider
Baitullah Mehsud. Ensconced in his quasi-kingdom in South
Waziristan, the man has seemingly let loose a reign of terror on
Pakistan cities in recent months.... Can the Pakistan security
forces do absolutely nothing to nab or attack this man? And if our
military resources are indeed so poor, can we not elicit the
cooperation of the Americans to target him? Surely doing nothing -
which, other than periodic denunciations by public officials, is
what we are doing right now - is not an option."

"Experts' Piece Of Advice For President Obama," an editorial in the
leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000)
(04/07)

"U.S. defense and diplomatic experts have advised President Obama to
focus on Indian engagements in Afghanistan, and must remove
Pakistan's apprehensions on this issue. It is clear that the Indian
operatives are involved in terror acts in Pakistan. 24 Indian
consulates have become training centers for RAW (Indian intelligence
agency) agents. If the U.S. wants to see Pakistan's role in the
anti-terror drive as decisive, then it (U.S.) will have to pay
attention to anti-Pakistan activities of India inside Afghanistan,
or else the dream of enduring peace will on no account come true."

"A Reason For Concern," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/07)

"Till recently, top U.S. officials have been visiting Pakistan to
get briefing on the volatile situation in the region.... They have
come armed with the proverbial carrot and stick, as the U.S. has
increased troops in Afghanistan by 17,000, to be deployed in South
of the country, which means heightened activity alongside the Durand
line. The second aspect of the Af-Pak policy is much more
alarming.... Meanwhile, it is disconcerting to know that the
Americans are bent upon continuing drone attacks. What is worse,
the option of expanding the area of their operation into Balochistan
is also under consideration."

"Requirements For National Strategy Against Terrorism," an editorial
in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (04/07)

"The Government of Pakistan needs to reconsider its pro-America
policy before seeking help and cooperation from the political forces
and public to ward off the threat terrorism poses to country's
security. If the government is incapable to reconsider its
pro-America policy alone then it should convene a roundtable
conference of all the political and religious parties to devise the
strategy."

"Reduction In Nuclear Weapons, Obama Should Set An Example," an
editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (04/07)

"U.S. President Barack Obama has announced that he will undertake
concrete steps to purge the world of nuclear weapons.... This is a
fact that abundance of nuclear weapons poses a grave threat to the
world's peace and security, but it was the U.S. that used nuclear
weapons against Japan.... Obama should get rid of all the U.S.
nuclear weapons before asking other nuclear powers to follow
suit.... No Independent and sovereign state would agree to
unilateral reduction in its stock of nuclear weapons."

"U.S. President's Plan To Purge World Of Nuclear Weapons," an
editorial note in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000)
(04/07)

"President Barack Obama has unveiled the plan to purge the world of
nuclear weapons.... This proposal by the U.S. President can be
declared a welcome development only if all the [nuclear weapon]
state are treated alike. Moreover, any such campaign should start
with the dismantling of American nuclear weapons."

"American Officials' Pakistan Visit," an editorial in the
Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir.
50,000) (04/07)

"The U.S. should realize the fact that the difficulties Pakistan is
facing today are the result of its aggressive war policy that it
adopted in the campaign against terrorism. President Obama needs to
consider the content of the letter written to him by Democratic and
Republican Congressmen, asking him to reconsider the policy of more
troops for Afghanistan and learn a lesson from the Soviet debacle in
Afghanistan."

"Holbrooke's Two-Headed Hydra," an op-ed by Anjum Niaz in the
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/07)

"President Obama's point-man for 'Af-Pak' Richard Holbrooke is
hunkered at the American embassy in Islamabad. And so is U.S.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. The Americans
are in Pakistan to kill the two-headed hydra: militancy and
anti-U.S. sentiments. The monster meanwhile threatens to rain
destruction on mainland America itself. The ultimate nightmare is
the monster's control of Pakistan's nuclear assets."
"Hard Choices," an op-ed by Talat Masood in the centrist national
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/07)

"Pakistan finds itself caught between the militants on one side and
the Americans on the other and a combination of factors are
precipitating and determining the course of events... The question
arises, has Pakistan army the will and capacity to fight a
protracted and determined battle against militants? The more
important question is whether the civilian government has the
ability and leadership to galvanize the nation for supporting major
counterinsurgency operations, in case militant groups do not agree
to a peaceful settlement."

"Obama's Pakistan Plan," an op-ed by Shahid Javed Burki in the
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn"
(cir. 55,000) (04/07)

"This time President Obama has promised to be involved in Pakistan's
affairs in a different way.... What is likely to be an involvement
over an extended period of time is the goal of modernizing the
Pakistani society, polity and economy. This will help America with
the world of Islam since Pakistan is the second largest Muslim
country in the world. Not only that it occupies an exceptionally
delicate geographic space, one that is very important for American's
strategic interests."

"Drone Attacks Will Continue," an op-ed by Air Marshal (R) Ayaz
Ahmed Khan in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post"
(cir. 5,000) (04/07)

"The drone missile strikes have continued since three years, but the
terrorist capabilities to launch suicide attacks, ambush, kidnap for
ransom, and strike at random in Pakistan and Afghanistan remain
intact. Neither Washington, nor Islamabad could devise alternate
plans to reduce the terrorists' offensive capabilities and abilities
of movement, grouping and attack."

"Public Support For Counter-Terrorism," an op-ed by Mehlaqa Samdani
in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times"
(cir. 10,000) (04/07)

"With respect to U.S. drone strikes and Pakistani military
operations, there is growing acceptance in the U.S. that these are
justified if they kill 'suspected terrorists.' However, killing
people because they are terrorists, before they have been declared
as such by courts of law, amounts to assassination and murder."

"The Long Road To Talibanization," an op-ed by Nosheen Ali in the
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/07)

"The crisis in FATA and Swat has increasingly become reduced to a
narrative of the evil Taliban versus the helpless state and
society.... Instead of looking for saviors - be it a politician, a
judge, or a commando, we need to collectively engage in holistic
institution-building.... And most importantly, we need to question
the self-serving arrogance and impunity with which our military
claims to define and defend our 'national security.'"

"Conspiracies Of Anti-Islamic Forces," an editorial in the
Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat"
(cir. 3,000) (04/07)

"The flogging incident is used as an excuse to criticize Islamic
laws, and those elements that do not have understanding of Islamic
tenets unleashed uninterrupted attacks on Islam. Actually the
Islamic penal code was their real target, and not the incident. Now
people are blaming that Taliban do not believe in Sharia laws,
whereas the fact is that these elements do not believe in Sharia who
are disparaging Islamic laws in the garb of this incident."

"In The Name of 'Peace'," an op-ed by Dr. Farzana Bari in the
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/07)

"One is shocked, appalled and disgusted to see such blatant
violation of human rights by the Taliban, and angry with the federal
and the government of the NWFP that are shameless defending their
capitulation to the terror of the Tehrik-e-Taliban in the shape of
the 'Swat peace deal.'... No government functionary can act in Swat
without the consent of Tehrik-e-Taliban. Although the president of
Pakistan has ordered an inquiry into this case, people doubt whether
this inquiry will result in anything substantive..."

"India And Balochistan," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/07)

"India is fomenting trouble in Balochistan and has big money
invested in Iran to back up this penetration from the Iranian side.
More ominously, India is working in tandem with the regional states
to prevent the filling of the post-NATO power vacuum in Afghanistan
by Pakistan which is seeking 'strategic depth' against India."

"Free At Last," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (04/07)

"The release of John Solecki, the head of the UN Refugee Agency
Office in Quetta, is a piece of good news that is rare in Pakistan
these days.... We hope that the happy ending to this distressing
episode will not close the chapter on the political injustices in
Pakistan's most under-developed province that provoke Baloch
nationalists to resort to extreme measures."

"Safe And Sound," an editorial in the centrist national English
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/07)

"We are thankful that John Solecki has survived. He was lucky; as
some high-profile kidnap victims come to a grisly and miserable end.
Kidnapping in general terms, usually by criminals and not by persons
who claim to be ideologically or politically driven, is on the rise
across the nation...."

"Arrest The Drift," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/07)

"While the Islamabad attack was owned by Tehrik Taliban Pakistan
chief Baitullah Mehsud, another TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud
accepted responsibility for the Chakwal suicide attack. Both said
these were conducted to avenge the U.S. drone attacks. It is a
dastardly act to punish innocent people for acts committed by the
U.S."

"Facing Reality," an editorial in the centrist national English
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/07)

"The sectarian conflict that Chakwal never knew has taken a hold
there. This is the doing of our own people. Cover-ups and a
refusal to face what is happening to our country will take us
nowhere."

"Chakwal Slaughter," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (04/07)

"It proves that the terrorists have now decided to hit religious
places to create a new wave of sectarianism in the country. This
phenomenon is highly alarming.... Besides terrorism, Pakistan is
already facing too many crises. The country needs to get out of
this quagmire before it is too late."
Patterson