PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 28, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000894

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 28, 2009

Summary: Security forces' claim of "inflicting heavy casualties on
militants in clashes in Lower Dir" along with the reports that "TNSM
suspended talks with government" dominated headlines in all
newspapers on Tuesday. President Zardari's statement that
"Pakistan's nuclear capability is in safe hands" received front page
coverage. Some major dailies highlighted report that Foreign
Minister Qureshi asked U.S. officials "not to panic over Taliban
advances in tribal areas." British Prime Minister Brown's Islamabad
visit garnered extensive media coverage. Newspapers reported that
"Pakistan and Britain vow to jointly fight terrorism."

Most major dailies ran editorials on the overall security situation
of the country with special reference to the ongoing military
operation in district Lower Dir (NWFP). The centrist national daily
"The News" underlined that "an all-out operation against the
militants must begin immediately - otherwise the perils faced by
Pakistan will only continue to grow ever-more threatening by the
day." In contrast, the second largest Urdu daily, "Nawa-i-Waqt,"
noted that "by showing haste in launching a military operation in
Lower Dir, the government has once again taken the situation towards
unrest." Commenting on the media reports of the U.S. apprehensions
on safety of nuclear arsenals, the populist Urdu daily "Khabrain"
advised the U.S. to "focus on trying to improve the situation in
Afghanistan rather than expressing concerns on Pakistan's nuclear
weapons." End Summary.

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News Stories
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"Troops Regain Control Of Key Areas; 40 Militants Killed, Claims FC"
"Dawn" (04/28)

"Security forces claimed on Monday that they had inflicted heavy
casualties on militants in clashes in Maidan area of Lower Dir
district. The clashes have caused a massive displacement. The
Frontier Corps said in a statement that more than 40 militants, two
'commanders' among them, had been killed in operation since Sunday.
It said troops had regained control of Lal Qila and flushed out
militants from Maidan valley, the native region of Sufi Mohammad,
chief of the banned TNSM."

"Lower Dir Under Control Of Security Forces: Malik" "Dawn" (04/28)

"Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed on Monday that Lower
Dir was under the 'complete control' of security forces, but
admitted that militants were active in Buner."

"TNSM-Govt. Talks On Hold" "The News" (04/28)

"The Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi on Monday suspended talks with
the government unless the newly-launched military operation in Dir
Lower is stopped. TNSM spokesman Ameer Izzat Khan accused the
government of violating the peace deal, holding it responsible for
any adverse consequence."

"N-Weapons In Safe Hands: Zardari" "Dawn" (04/28)

"President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday that security forces
could have eliminated militants in tribal areas if they possessed
the drone technology. 'The government possesses the will to fight
militants, but there are areas where capability needs to be
strengthened. The international community can play a significant
role in this regard,' the president said while talking to foreign
journalists. He ruled out the possibility of nuclear weapons
falling into wrong hands and said they were in safe hands."

"No Need To Panic, U.S. told; Pak, Afghan And Iranian FMs Agree To
Expand Cooperation" "The News" (04/28)

"The first meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan
and Iran was held in Kabul on Monday where, according to a joint
statement, there was recognition that the three countries and the
region face common and serious challenges and, in that regard,
emphasized the need to expand trilateral cooperation in various
fields.... Talking to The Associated Press on the sidelines of
meetings with his Afghan and Iranian counterparts, Foreign Minister
Shah Mahmood Qureshi asked U.S. officials on Monday not to panic
over Taliban advances in tribal areas, saying, his country would not
surrender or capitulate to militants."

"Pakistan, U.K. At One Against Terrorism: Brown" "The News" (04/28)

"Pakistan and Britain have expressed their firm resolve to jointly
fight terrorism and militancy to bring peace to the region as well
to the world at large. 'Today we have agreed a stronger and vital
relationship between the two countries to combat terrorism and
militancy. The two nations are victims of terrorism and both will
fight the menace jointly,' Brown said while addressing a joint press
conference with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime
Minister's House in Islamabad on Monday."

"People Run For Their Lives As Fighting Rages In Dir" "The News"
(04/28)

"The residents started leaving their homes for safer places. The
residents leaving the area said the operation had caused great
losses to life and property. The internally displaced persons
(IDPs) said they saw bodies lying in fields and pathways which could
not be removed due to curfew in the area."

"Washington Urged Against Dictating Terms To Islamabad" "The News"
(04/28)

"The U.S. should persuade India to pull back its troops from
Kashmir, so that Pakistan could focus more effectively on the fight
against violent extremism, a key Republican senator said, as U.S.
lawmakers urged Washington against dictating terms to Islamabad.
Appearing on the Fox News channel, Senator Kit Bond, the top
Republican on the Intelligence Committee, and Democratic Senator
Carl Levin, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, favored
the U.S. economic and security assistance for Pakistan, considered
by the Obama administration as critical to its anti-terrorism
success in Afghanistan.

"Pakistan To Get Most Of $1.5 Billion War Expenses Before June" "The
News" (04/28)

"Pakistan and the United States have put in place a new system,
under which Washington will ensure speedy reimbursement of
expenditures being incurred on war against terrorism, and the
services and facilities being rendered by Pakistan Armed Forces on
this vital front, a senior official at the Ministry of Finance told
'The News.' Under the new system, Pakistan is to get, before the
month of June in which the federal budget to be announced, most of
the total amount of $1.5 billion which the U.S. owes to Pakistan."

"NWFP govt. Tells Taliban To Leave Buner Or Face Action" "Daily
Times" (04/28)

"NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar on Monday warned the
Taliban of military action if they did not leave Buner district.
'Leave Buner or face action,' the Minister said while addressing a
news conference in Timergara."

"Full-Scale Military Operation Likely In Buner" "The News" (04/28)

"The Army is gearing up for launching a full-scale military
operation in the strategically located Buner district to defeat the
militants and secure control of the area to block their possible
advances to other areas, particularly Hazara, official sources told
'The News' on Monday."

"Taliban Capture Exchange, Loot NGO; Lawyers Warned Of Action As
Tension Escalates In Swat" "The News" (04/28)

"Tension in Swat Valley is fast escalating as Taliban continued
armed patrolling, threatened a group of lawyers and recalcitrant
militants of actions, captured telephone exchange in Sataal and
looted two NGO offices in Saidu Sharif."

"Troops Deployed Along Karakoram Highway" "Dawn" (04/28)

"The government on Monday deployed army troops on the Karakoram
Highway in Shangla, Battagram and Kohistan following attacks on some
NGO offices in Saidu sharif."

"56% In FATA See Afghan Taliban As 'Heroes': Survey" "Daily Times"
(04/28)
"Exactly 56 percent respondents described Afghanistan's Taliban as
'Islamic heroes fighting western occupation' in a survey conducted
by Community Appraisal and Motivation Program (CAMP) with the help
of the British High Commission in Islamabad."

"Tableeghi Jamaat Leaders Denounce Gunpoint Shariah" "Dawn" (04/28)

"In an unprecedented move, top leaders of the Tableeghi Jamaat
(Largest Muslim missionary group that preaches Islam, and believes
in non-violence) have denounced enforcement of Sharia at gunpoint,
religious extremism, militancy and terrorism. Leaders of the
Jamaat, who scrupulously avoid speaking on controversial issues,
also called for promoting inter-faith harmony, tolerance, human
rights, social justice and peace."

"Taliban Kill 'U.S. Spy'" "The News" (04/28)

"The Taliban militants killed a man in the tribal area accusing him
of spying for the U.S. forces stationed in Afghanistan. A note
found with the body said he was 'an important U.S. spy,' a local
administration official said on Monday requesting anonymity."

"NATO Warships Begin Exercise With Pakistan Navy" "Dawn" (04/28)

"NATO warships sailed out on Monday to take part in an exercise with
Pakistan Navy and its AIR units against piracy, terrorism and human
trafficking in the Arabian Sea.... The exercise will provide an
opportunity to reassess the timely FORCE availability by developing
mission-tailored units, both fleet and marines, augmented with
specialized modular units and command-and-control elements, capable
of flexibly switching roles and tasks, at and from the sea."

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

"End Of The Short 'Peace'?," an editorial in the centrist national
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/28)

"We cannot hope to get away by killing militants in one place and
striking accords with them in another. There needs to be a more
holistic plan in place to combat the militant threat. A failure to
do so will be disastrous, with the U.S. already issuing warnings
that it will step in if Pakistan fails.... The statement from the
Taliban that they have no plan to lay down arms till all Americans
leave Pakistan is just one indication of the growing tensions
between the government and the TNSM. It is also becoming clear that
the aged Sufi Muhammad Khan cannot deliver much, if anything at all,
of what he has promised. An all-out operation against the militants
must begin immediately - otherwise the perils faced by Pakistan will
only continue to grow ever-more threatening by the day."

"Haste In Military Operation," an editorial in the second-largest,
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000)
(04/28)

"By showing haste in launching a military operation in Lower Dir,
the government has once again taken the situation towards unrest.
Perhaps this operation is the result of the U.S. threats through
Hillary Clinton and other U.S. officials that the U.S. would bomb
Taliban hideouts itself if the government does not stop the Taliban
from advancing towards Islamabad.... What is the difference between
the present government and Musharraf's dictatorship if the present
rulers are also bowing to U.S. pressure and spilling Pakistanis
blood in military operations?"

"U.S. Threat Of Interference In Swat Is Meaningful," an editorial in
the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir.
50,000) (04/28)

"U.S. authorities should have faith that Pakistan's nuclear assets
are safe.... The Taliban had occupied Buner a few days ago, yet
just one operation by the armed forces was enough to drive them
away. The U.S. should focus on trying to improve the situation in
Afghanistan rather than expressing concerns on Pakistan's nuclear
weapons."

"Pakistan's Nuclear Assets, Hillary Clinton's Statement And The
Government," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (04/28)

"Even U.S. military officials have praised the command and control
system established by Pakistan after the nuclear tests.... Despite
this, from time to time, U.S. authorities try to pressurize Pakistan
and reveal their ill intent about Pakistan's nuclear program....
The government must lodge a strong protest against Hillary Clinton's
statement as it is akin to destabilizing Pakistan and encouraging
Pakistan's enemies."

"Doing More," an editorial in the center-right national English
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/28)

"If Secretary Clinton is sincere, she should listen to President
Zardari, who will have the opportunity during his forthcoming U.S.
visit, to tell her that the U.S. policies in the region do not
enable the achievement of U.S. goals, let alone Pakistani.
Secretary Clinton has revealed the abiding fear the U.S. has of the
Taliban, or their Al-Qaeda allies, getting a nuclear weapon, and
also the fear that this will be a Pakistani weapon.... It should be
noted that the U.S. concern over the safety of Pakistani nuclear
weapons has its origins in baseless Indian propaganda about them....
If Pakistan is to resist terror, the U.S. must provide it the means
with which to do so, such as sophisticated weapons."

"Results Of Growing American Pressure," an editorial in the
Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000)
(04/28)

"If we continue to abide by the U.S. policies blindly, the day is
not far when Pakistan will turn into another Afghanistan or Iraq.
Therefore, it is essential to see things not with an American
perspective, but we should formulate a unified national policy to
drive the country out of the present quandary. Any further delay
will take us to a point of no-return."

"U.S. And Pakistan Role In The Afghan War," an editorial in liberal
Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (04/28)

"Now that the global situation has taken a new turn and the war on
terror is affecting the entire world not just the U.S., it is
imperative that the new U.S. administration understand the ground
realities also. The U.S., and not Pakistan, is responsible for the
spread of terrorism around the world; hence eliminating terrorism is
also America's responsibility. Therefore, instead of mounting
pressure on Pakistan, the Obama administration should try to help
Pakistan and try to resolve its economic problems."

"No More 'Do More,' Please," an editorial in the country's premier
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (04/28)

"President Zardari would be agreeing to 'do more' at the cost of his
popularity - already under erosion thanks to the American media.
President Zardari wouldn't be able to concede anything beyond what
Pakistan has already committed to America's anti-terrorism war in
this region. He is incapacitated by the harsh reality that
Pakistan's losses, both in terms of human sufferings and economic
hardships, far exceed than those of its partners.' As he proceeds
to hear 'do more' mantra Pakistan's partnership has come under
sharper focus, as there is the public perception that its so-called
allies are busy conspiring to dispossess it of its nuclear
capability."

"Swat Agreement - An American Target," an editorial in the
Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat"
(cir. 3,000) (04/28)

"The U.S. has opposed the Swat Peace Deal, and the Pakistan
government cannot annoy Americans, thus the future of this accord
was uncertain right from the day one. U.S. continues to create hype
about Taliban and their capabilities and intentions. The idea behind
Swat Peace Deal was to separate common people from Taliban, but
Americans perhaps don't want to do so. Consequently, a bloody
conflict is to be unleashed soon, and more Pakistanis will be
butchered by one another that will be ours loss in the end."

"What Is America Looking For?," an editorial in the Karachi-based
center-right sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat" (cir. 33,000)
(04/28)

"It seems that the U.S. is giving an impression that Taliban can
takeover Islamabad and possibly can control Pakistan's nuclear
weapons. In that case, it would become inevitable for the U.S. to
come to rescue the nuclear arsenals to save the world from any
possible nuclear threat. Before reaching to this point, the U.S.
administration and the media are building momentum by raising fear
and uncertainty in Pakistan and about the future of Pakistan."

"Military Operation In Lower Dir," an editorial in the center-right
Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (04/28)

"It is not easy to face [U.S.] pressure.... However, the agreement
with Sufi Muhammad to deal with the Taliban issue in Swat and
Malakand needs to be implemented in letter and spirit. It is
encouraging to note that the government has said the operation in
Lower Dir does not affect the peace deal in Swat. Moreover, until
the Qazi Courts are established, undue pressure should not be
exerted for the surrender of weapons. On the other hand, the
Taliban must also try to understand the gravity of the situation.
According to the promise made earlier, they must hand over their
arms to the government and adopt the peaceful strategy of preaching
to set up an Islamic society."

"Peace Deal, U.S. Demands And The Operation," an editorial in the
Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir.5000) (04/28)

"The operation in Lower Dir is taking the situation in a direction
where chances of peace are again being minimized.... This change in
the national scenario demands that the government take a fresh look
at Pak-U.S. relations. The government should take steps that do not
compromise its autonomy and independence."

"Military Operation: Devise Clear Policy After Consultations," an
editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang"
(cir. 300,000) (04/28)

"The government must take all the political parties, coalition
partners and tribal elders into confidence on the military operation
against the militants, and chalk out a comprehensive and concrete
strategy to deal with this situation. The irresolution and
ambiguous approach have exacerbated the state of affairs, undermine
the national security, integrity and sovereignty, and provided other
countries an opportunity to meddle into our internal affairs."

"Dir Operation," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (04/28)

"Pakistan is ceding territory by the day and anyone who thinks that
the Taliban advance can somehow be confined to 'that' part of the
country is sadly mistaken.... Every single 'deal,' and there have
been many of them, has only allowed the Taliban to regroup and
prepare for fresh assaults against the federation. It has to be
acknowledged once and for all that the Taliban are the single
biggest enemy the country has ever faced since 1947.... It can only
be hoped that the operation in Dir is not a one-off move aimed at
countering western criticism of Pakistani inaction. To be
successful, it has to be part of a wider strategy of taking on the
Taliban with all the FORCE the military commands.... A clear
message needs to be sent that the government, the army and the
people of Pakistan are all on the same page."

"Peace In Malakand," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/28)

"There is a need on the part of the TNSM and TTP to avoid the path
that leads to confrontation and bloodshed. A free society allows
all interest groups and political parties to express their views in
order to gather support for them.... What is not allowed, however,
is recourse to the use of FORCE for the implementation of one's
program. Anyone attempting to do that is liable to be confronted by
the collective will of the people of Pakistan."

"First, We Must Have The Will To Fight The Taliban," an editorial in
the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (04/28)

"If the operation in Dir is not the beginning of a larger strategy
of dealing with the threat of the Taliban, it is bound to fail,
adding to the suffering of the people.... When the Taliban agree to
a ceasefire anywhere, they want to gain time to put in motion the
logistics of reinforcement. It is not a FORCE that you can defeat
in one area and hope that they will not return.... The army must
decide to mobilize at a scale commensurate with the FORCE of the
enemy being engaged, with the capacity to look after people who will
be displaced by conflict.... The kind of action required should
have needed consultations at the international level in order to
have a clear understanding about how risky the mobilization against
the Taliban will be in relation to the army's defence
responsibilities with regard to India."

"Taliban Terror," an editorial in the centrist national English
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/28)

"It is time that, as citizens, we fought back for our rights; for
our space and for our right to live without constant fear. So far
this struggle has not been taken up in earnest. It is time to push
back the tide and rescue our nation from a fate that will jeopardize
the future of all its citizens."

"Seeds Of Rebellion," an op-ed by Anjum Niaz in the centrist
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/28)

"General Kayani spoke and the Taliban left with their tails between
their legs in Buner, so we're told. Does this mean that unless the
Army Chief brandishes his stick in the air, the militants don't
listen to any lesser human? While we wish our soldiers Godspeed, we
need to be alert to the criticism creeping out from the West
regarding Pakistan's weakness to fight the extremists. Our Army
Chief has rightly denounced the hand-wringing while the GHQ has
castigated America and Britain for casting aspersions on the ISI.
But such sentiment is ephemeral, it quickly vanishes. If history
has taught us any lesson then we must watch what's happening around
us with eyes wide open."

"Faltering U.S. Strategy," an op-ed by Masood Sharif Khan Khattak in
the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000)
(04/28)

"It is in the long-term interest of the U.S. itself to seek peace
rather than continue to destabilize the region through a heavy
military presence in a combat role. It is also not going to be long
before the cash starved U.S. public starts calling for an end to the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; a call no U.S. administration will be
able to ignore. This region will then be lost to the U.S. for many
decades to come. Contrarily, indefinite U.S. military occupation of
Afghanistan will create a devastating turmoil in the region.
Resultantly, the U.S. will lose its present foothold in Afghanistan.
Without a doubt, it is now time for the U.S. to spread a new canvas
and paint afresh a picture of peace which has goodwill, development,
fraternity, tranquility and inter-faith harmony painted clearly if
it wants its influence and diplomatic presence in this region to
remain."

"Battle For Pakistan's Soul," an op-ed by Javid Husain in the
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000)
(04/28)

"The turmoil in FATA is directly linked to the continued fighting
and instability in Afghanistan and the presence of foreign forces in
that country.... The measure of the success of our diplomacy
vis-`-vis the Americans will be our ability to convince them that
failing such a new political dispensation, the restoration of peace
and stability in Afghanistan will remain a pipe dream and their
pressure on us to do more will merely destabilize Pakistan with
dangerous consequences for them and the whole region. What the
Americans need is to do more politically in Afghanistan instead of
relying on the brute use of FORCE to achieve their goals."
Feierstein