PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: April 23, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000856

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: April 23, 2009

Summary: Secretary of State Clinton's remarks that the "Pakistan
government is basically abdicating to the Taliban and to the
extremists" and Pakistan "poses a mortal threat to the security and
safety of our country and the world" dominated headlines in almost
all newspapers on Thursday. Newspapers highlighted Interior Advisor
Malik's statement that "Russia and India were supporting Balochistan
Liberation Army (BLA) for Balochistan secession bid." All
newspapers front-paged Senator Kerry's statement that the "Obama
administration does not seem to have 'a real strategy' for
Pakistan." Remarks attributed to Army Chief General Kayani that he
made during his meeting with the visiting U.S. Admiral Mullen that
"U.S. should stop drone attacks forthwith as these attacks were
taking us away from objectives of war" received prominent display.
Some major dailies also reported that President Obama invited
President Zardari and President Karzai to White House early next
month "to remove misunderstandings between the two neighboring
countries."

Most major dailies continued to run editorials on the growing
extremist threat in the country and its ominous consequences.
Commenting on the PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif's views against Taliban,
the prestigious English language daily, "Dawn," cautioned that the
"time in which to back the tide is fast running out. It is of vital
importance that other political leaders and parties recognize the
threat posed by the Taliban and their expansionist agenda." The
center-right Urdu daily, "Pakistan," noted that "Maulana Sufi
Mohammad had taken the responsibility for disarming the Taliban, but
the views he is expressing now and the acts being carried out by the
Taliban [in Swat and Buner] show that he is evading this
responsibility." The Lahore-based liberal daily, "Daily Times,"
observed that "it is the army that has to step forward and face the
Taliban. It has baulked so far because of adverse public opinion
and an equal lethal media tilt." End Summary.

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

"Pakistan Giving Up To Militants: Hillary" "Dawn" (04/23)

"US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday she
believed the Pakistani government was abdicating to the Taliban and
other militants. In a testimony before the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, Mrs Clinton warned that nuclear-armed Pakistan was
becoming a 'mortal threat' to the world."

"Russia, India Supporting BLA, Malik Tells Senate" "The News"
(04/23)

"The government on Wednesday startled the Senate by saying that
Russia and India were supporting the Balochistan Liberation Army
(BLA) in its secession bid, saying the same outfit had kidnapped
UNHCR official John Solecki."

"US 'Af-Pak' Strategy Inadequate: Kerry" "Dawn" (04/23)

"US Senator John Kerry, who returned from a visit to Islamabad
earlier this week, has said that the Obama administration does not
seem to have 'a real strategy' for Pakistan. In an interview with
USA Today, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said
the Obama administration's plan for that volatile country, rolled
out last month with great fanfare, 'is not a real strategy.'

"Mullen Calls On Kyani" "The News" (04/23)

"Visiting US chairman Joint Chief Of Staff Mike Mullen Wednesday
held an important meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General
Ashfaq Kayani and voiced grave concern over growing activities of
Taliban and Al-Qaeda that both U.S. and Pakistan would have to fight
together against extremists. Gen. Ashfaq Kayani while reiterating
determination to attach more importance to security of the country
during war against terrorists said U.S. should stop drone attacks
forthwith as these attacks were taking us away from objectives of
war."

"Zardari, Karzai Invited To White House" "Dawn" (04/23)

"US President Barack Obama has invited his counterparts from
Pakistan and Afghanistan to the White House early next month to
remove misunderstandings between the two neighboring countries, a US
official told reporters on Wednesday."

"Terrorism Not India Greatest Threat To Pakistan" Petraeus" "The
News" (04/23)

"The greatest threat facing Pakistan comes from terrorism not India,
US Army General David Petraeus said as he called on the government
in Islamabad to change its mindset towards its neighbor."

"US Concerned Over Taliban Expansion, Says State Dept" "Daily Times"
(04/23)

"The United States is concerned by the expansion of the Taliban in
Pakistan, a senior State Department official told AFP on Wednesday.
'This latest move is of concern to us,' the official told AFP on the
condition of anonymity. 'But we continue to work with the government
of Pakistan to counter Taliban and other violent extremists
operating in both Pakistan and Afghanistan,' the official added."

"US Wants To Share With Pakistan Army Tactics Honed In Iraq,
Afghanistan'" "Dawn" (04/23)

"The United States wants to substantially increase its ties with the
Pakistani military to help Islamabad combat the militants, a senior
US official said on Tuesday. 'We need to substantially increase our
military assistance and broaden the form,' Michhle Flournoy, U.S.
under-secretary of defense for policy, told a seminar in
Washington."

"Aid Package Likely To Be Without Tough Conditions" "Dawn" (04/23)

"The multi-billion US aid package for Pakistan is likely to be
without the harsh and derogatory conditions earlier feared,
diplomatic sources said on Wednesday. "I don't think that we are
going to see very harsh conditions," a senior diplomat said."

"PML-N Calls For Review Of Swat Agreement" "Dawn" (04/23)

"In an apparent policy shift, the Pakistan Muslim League-N told the
National Assembly on Wednesday that a controversial peace deal with
the Swat valley militants must be reviewed, while a key government
ally seemed justifying the Taliban's push in the area by calling for
Pakistan's withdrawal from the international anti-terror coalition."


"PM Says Govt May Revisit Nizam-I-Adl Accord" "Dawn" (04/23)

"Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said the government may
revisit the Nizam-i-Adl Regulation signed with TNSM chief Sufi
Mohammad if peace is not restored in the Malakand division."

"Owais Warns Swat Peace Saboteurs Of Stern Action" "The News"
(04/23)

"Expressing concern over the situation emerging in the wake of the
Swat peace deal, NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani on Wednesday said
those bent upon sabotaging implementation of Nizam-e-Adl Regulation
in Malakand Division would be dealt with an iron hand. The
government is committed to enforcing Nizam-e-Adl Regulation.
However, the growing incidents of kidnapping, looting and carjacking
in Swat and its adjoining districts will not be tolerated," a
handout quoted the governor as saying."

"Courts Stop Functioning In Buner" "Dawn" (04/23)

"Regular courts stopped functioning here on Wednesday after judicial
officers went on leave for an indefinite period in compliance with
directives of the Peshawar High Court."

"Taliban Lower Profile" "Dawn" (04/23)

"The terrorized people of Mingora were bewildered on Wednesday to
see the Taliban discontinue patrols, dismantling roadblocks and
withdraw to their previous positions. A spokesman said that the
chief of the Swat Taliban Maulana Fazlullah, had ordered his men to
abandon several check posts on main roads."

"Taliban Nearing Islamabad, Warns Fazl" "The News" (04/23)

"JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday made the startling
disclosure on the floor of the National Assembly that the Taliban
had reached near Mansehra and might soon reach Tarbela Dam. 'If the
Taliban continue to move at this pace, they will soon be knocking at
the doors of Islamabad as the Margala Hills seem to be the only
hurdle in their march towards the federal capital,' warned the JUI-F
chief while taking part in the debate on the presidential address to
parliament."

"Tribal Commander Asks Militants To Leave Darra." "The News"
(04/23)

"A tribal commander on Wednesday asked the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan
(TTP) militants to leave the area within 24 hours or face the
consequences. Sources said pamphlets had been distributed in the
main bazaar of Darra Adamkhel, saying that a group of about 300
fighters of different areas of Darra Adamkhel had been formed under
the leadership of Momin Khan Afridi."

"Taliban Will Stay In Buner Until Nizam-e-Adl Implementation: TTP"
"Daily Times" (04/23)

"The Taliban have said they will not leave Buner until the
Nizam-e-Adl was implemented in Malakand division. "The Taliban will
leave Buner after enforcement of the Nizam-e-Adl," Tehreek-e-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Muslim Khan told AFP from Swat. 'The
government writ is not being challenged' in Buner and the Taliban
were not creating problems for the administration there, he said"

"Residents Asked To Leave Orakzai Agency" "Daily Times" (04/23)

"Orakzai Agency residents have been warned to leave the area before
a major military offensive against the Taliban, as army gunship
helicopters and air force jets pounded the Taliban's positions in
the tribal agency on Wednesday, witnesses and officials said."

"UK Asked To Apologize To Pak Students" "The News" (04/23)

"Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the British Deputy High
Commissioner, Ray Kyles, to the Foreign Office and told him that an
apology to the 11 Pakistani students and their families was in
order, after the false charges of terrorism could not be proven
against them. It also urged Great Britain to immediately free the
boys and allow them to complete their education."

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

"Too Little, Too Late?," an editorial in the Karachi-based
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000)
(04/23)

"Not withstanding Mr Sharif's and his party's traditional alignment
with the religious right, the belated recognition that the TTP's
maneuverings constitute a serious danger to the nation's sovereignty
must be appreciated . . . time in which to back the tide is fast
running out. It is of vital importance that other political leaders
and parties recognize the threat posed by the Taliban and their
expansionist agenda. . . The Taliban are using the banner of
religion to mask their agenda for control of the country. That
agenda, and their methods, must be condemned in the strongest
possible terms and opposed through every means possible."

"Nizam-i-Adl Regulation, Nawaz Sharif's Reservations, Maulana Sufi's
Aggressive stance," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (04/23)

"No Muslim can object to the implementation of the Shariat of
Prophet Muhammad nor express reservations over it if that is the
Shariat Sufi Muhammad wants. However, if in the name of Shariat,
Sufi Muhammad wants to impose his own brand of it and adopts an
aggressive stand, neither will his wish be fulfilled, nor will he be
permitted to fulfill it...."

"Mian Nawaz Sharif's Views On The National Situation," an editorial
in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (04/23)

"Adopting a bold and courageous stance, Advisor on Interior Rehman
Malik has said that strong action will be taken if the Nizam-i-Adl
is not implemented, and said that the Taliban must abide by the deal
with the provincial government. These views by Mr Malik are similar
to Mian Nawaz Sharif's views that the militants must be stopped. The
government must also pay heed to Mian Nawaz Sharif's statement that
extremism in Swat and border areas can be eliminated through
economic development.... Mian Nawaz Sharif is also 100 percent right
in saying that drone attacks are fanning extremism."

"Nawaz Comes Out Of The Closet," an editorial in the centrist
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/23)

". . . Sharif's change of tune over the Taliban is clearly an
attempt to dispel the western suspicion that he is a closet
extremist at heart. The break with the ambivalence of the past will
strengthen the hands of those who have called for a broad national
consensus to face the extremist threat. After all, the PML-N is the
second largest party in the country and has a massive support base
in Punjab. Nawaz Sharif's belated decision to come off the fence
could be a sign that important sections of the population have
finally decided to come out of denial mode and accept that the
extremists are indeed knocking at the door."

"Worrisome Situation In Swat," an editorial in the center-right Urdu
daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (04/23)

"Maulana Sufi Muhammad and those who call themselves the Taliban
must understand that if the issues are not resolved through talks,
then using the other option would become inevitable. Under the peace
deal, Maulana Sufi Muhammad had taken the responsibility for
disarming the Taliban but the views he is expressing now and the
acts being carried out by the Taliban [in Swat and Buner] show that
he is evading this responsibility."

"The Army Must Face Up To Taliban," an editorial in the Lahore-based
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/23)

"The majority opinion . . . is now shifting away from a pro-Taliban
stance and conceding that Pakistan might have to fight them as
Pakistan's own war after all.... It is the army that has to step
forward and face the Taliban. It has baulked so far because of
adverse public opinion and an equally lethal media tilt.....
However, if this is not done, the people will have to fight the war
on their own.... Swat is the challenge staring us in the face. If
we don't accept it and fight the Taliban, then the world will have
to come and fight it the way it thinks fit."

"Adl Regulation and American Reservations," an editorial in the Urdu
daily "Waqt" (cir. 5000) (04/23)

"No good can come out of threats and demands by some Taliban
elements. We need not remind Sufi Muhammad that the Holy Quran says
that 'There is no compulsion in religion." This latest turn of
events has forced even Mian Nawaz Sharif to say that the Taliban
want control of other areas in addition to Swat and Malakand."

"Respect Peace Accord," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/23)

". . . The government has to abide by the deal. On the other hand
the Swat TTP and TNSM have to fulfill their obligations. Rants
against democracy and constitution have to end. Security personnel
abducted from various areas in Swat on Monday have to be urgently
released. There are disturbing reports from adjoining Buner
regarding Taliban of Afghan origin, having taken over local
administration. They have avowedly taken forcible possession of
private homes and vehicles. Actions of the sort constitute
violations of the accord and have to be stopped. Peace in Swat has
to be maintained at all costs."

"Both Government and TNSM Must Implement Peace Deal," an editorial
note in the Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam"
(cir. 15,000) (04/23)

"Both the government and the Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat-i- Muhammadi
(TNSM) must fulfill their responsibilities pertaining to the
Nizam-i-Adl Regulation, and no party should evade it in any case.
If the government has brokered this deal in the face of strong
internal and external resistance, it should demonstrate seriousness
to implement the deal unreservedly. Likewise, TNSM must also
refrain from taking solo-flight, and develop a framework about the
Islamic laws in collaboration with all eminent learned scholars,
reputed religious leaders and national political parties of the
country."

"The Lines Are Drawn," an op-ed by Ikram Sehgal in the centrist
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/23)

". . . On the issue of who is to exercise power in Swat, the TSNM
and the Tehrek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are daggers drawn, in not
accepting the rule of law in Pakistan they are one and same. Over TV
and radio, the spokesman for the TTP in Swat, Muslim Khan, made no
bones about the Taliban stance: (1) no laying down of arms; (2)
enforcement of their version of Nizam-e-Adl to be extended to the
settled areas of Pakistan; and (3) of not recognizing the
Constitution of Pakistan. If this precedent prevails, with what
logic can we refute and oppose nationalist and ethnic forces in
other areas of Pakistan from doing the same? Urgent and effective
remedial measures are needed, political, economic and military, and
not necessarily in that order, to stop this 'class war' with
religious overtones from spreading further."

"Pakistan At The Precipice," an op-ed by Dr Akmal Hussain in the
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (04/23)

"The events in Swat fit a pattern of strategy that is slowly being
unveiled. Only time will tell whether the Swat deal will give 'peace
in our time' as Chamberlain put it or will constitute what Churchill
called the 'end of the beginning.' For many Pakistanis who are now
leaving the country, this is the beginning of the end. It is time
for the government, the military and the people of Pakistan to grasp
the significance of the historic speech by Sufi Muhammad."

"Stop the Pakistani Taliban From Becoming Al Qaeda," an editorial in
the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (04/23)

"It seems as if the government and the state institutions have vowed
not to do anything except cry 'Taliban, Taliban.' The speed
expected by the nation in decision-making is not visible. At the
time of signing the deal with Sufi Muhammad's TNFM, we were told
that Sufi Muhammad is not linked to Taliban groups that are a source
of concern for the U.S. and the international community and that he
only wants implementation of the part of Shariah that deals with
justice. However after the implementation of the Nizam-i-Adl
regulation, the tone being adopted by Sufi Muhammad and his
spokesmen is the same as was adopted by Usama Bin Laden, Aiman Al
Zawahiri, Mullah Umar and other Al Qaeda/ Taliban leaders. This tone
has led even those political and social groups to distance
themselves from the TNFM that had earlier supported its demands...."


"Foreign Apprehensions And The PM's Clear Stance," an editorial in
the independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 5000) (04/22)

"Soon after assuming charge of his responsibilities, Prime Minister
Gilani had made it clear to the U.S. and the western world that he
will not be compelled to take dictation from any foreign power in
resolving the country's domestic problems. There are very few
politicians whose deeds match their words; PM Gilani has proven that
he says only what he intends to do."

"Swat: PM's Suggestion to the U.S.," an editorial in the
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (04/22)

"We fully support the deal between the NWFP government and Maulana
Sufi Muhammad for the establishment of peace in Swat and Malakand...
However, we would like to request Maulana Sufi Muhammad to avoid
extremism in expressing his views... In the current emotionally
charged atmosphere, we feel that responding to Sufi Muhammad's
remarks in the same tone [as was done in the Senate] will only
create more problems and resolve nothing... The PM's suggestion is
right on the spot, that the U.S. need not worry about Swat, Pakistan
will, God willing, resolve this issue itself."

"Security Is The Real Issue," an op-ed by I.A. Rehman in the
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn"
(cir. 55,000) (04/23)

"...Today, all efforts must be concentrated on the issue of security
- security of the state, all Muslim sects, women and of the ordinary
Pakistani who only wishes to feed his child. The whirlwind that has
already ravaged the Fata and Malakand Division is unlikely to allow
the politicians in Islamabad and Lahore time to quibble over comas
and full stops in the constitutional text. Besides the state's
integrity and the democratic system, cultures of all the communities
in Pakistan's federating units, the gains achieved after decades of
pursuit of modern knowledge, all of our arts and literature, indeed
the entire future of our children are at stake. At the moment
nothing is more urgent than mobilization of the instruments of state
power and people's energies to thwart the northern hordes' drive to
turn Pakistan into a forbidding wasteland."


"Test Of Politicians, Democratic System, Parliament And Judiciary,"
an editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily
"Jang" (cir. 300,000) (04/23)

"It is surprising that the standard-bearers of Islamic laws are
determined to raze the sovereignty, and defy the writ of the most
important Islamic country of the world, Pakistan, which is already a
target of anti-Islam forces. Its constitution already guarantees
that there will be no law contrary to the Islamic injunctions. And
to achieve this objective, several constitutional institutions such
as the Islamic Ideology Council, Federal Shariat Court and the
National Ombudsman are functioning in the country. The menace of
militancy and extremism is a test case for our political system,
democracy and the Parliament, and triumph in this test will
guarantee the existence of this country."

"Faltering Us Strategy," an op-ed by Masood Sharif Khan Khattak in
the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000)
(04/23)

"...If the US faces a setback in Pakistan like it did in Iran in
1979 it may never be able to stage a diplomatic comeback because the
regional power dynamics of the area would have changed dramatically.
The US should, therefore, sincerely befriend the people of Pakistan
wholeheartedly rather than toy with its internal political
dynamics."

"Holbrooke's Hard-Headed Critique," an op-ed by I. M. Mohsinin the
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000)
(04/23)

"President Obama is trying hard to salvage U.S.' honor through 'soft
power' along with some hangover of the gung-ho tactics of his
predecessor. ... Obama appears to be well-meaning but peace will
come if he can defy 'special interests' influencing U.S. policy and
win concord/friendship among the oppressed Muslims whose majority is
still moderate."

"Prepare For The War," an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly in the centrist
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/23)

". . . To defeat one devil we should be prepared to sup with
another. Talk of sovereignty, hidden U.S./Israeli/Indian
conspiracies to defang/break up Pakistan is just so much idle
prattle. Anyway, if the Taliban win the U.S. will not need to
'conspire to set the stage for their intervention' they will have a
ready made excuse. The war effort must be a national effort in which
the entire population and every segment of society plays their
assigned roles in the fight against the enemy and not, as at
present, to leave matters to a weak, demoralized and underpaid
police and overextended rangers while the army is ensconced in its
bunkers on the Line of Control looking over its shoulder passively
as large swathes of the country fall to the enemy."

"Enemies To The East," an op-ed by Kamila Hyat in the centrist
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/23)

"... The country's president has warned the world that terrorists
based in Pakistan threaten everyone. He has not said how this
threat is to be tackled. But answers have to be found. The only
option for Pakistan is to break free of the militant grip, focus on
building a new relationship with India and realize the only hope for
a brighter future lies in building regional harmony rather than in
waging war."

"Recommendations for Balochistan" an editorial in the liberal Urdu
daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (04/23)
"Balochistan is an issue requiring resolution for a long time. There
should be a debate on the recommendations and it should be decided
how many of these are workable. We feel that a debate on these
points would go a long way in putting out the flames in
Balochistan."

"Truth shared by Iranian President," an editorial in the
Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat"
(cir. 3,000) (04/22)

"Iranian President's remarks irked the western delegates at the UN
conference in Geneva on the issue of racism and discrimination. What
was wrong or objectionable in his remarks, as he was presenting
historical facts and figures? Will someone remind the West that the
killings of Muslims in Bosnia and Kashmir also come in the purview
of racism? It is strange to accuse Iranian president for disrupting
the conference; instead the western delegates must have stayed in
the conference to know the facts in order to get rid of the racial
discrimination."


Feierstein