PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 29, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000911 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 29, 2009 Summary: Reports on launching of a "full-fledged operation against militants in Buner" dominated headlines in all dailies on Wednesday. Newspapers also highlighted a report that "militants took hostage 71 security officials after inviting them to talks at a local mosque" in district Buner. All major newspapers reported that both the Pentagon and the State Department "welcomed" Pakistan's latest military offensive against the Taliban, and "offered full support." The Taliban's warning to journalists "of dire consequences if they didn't stop 'propaganda' against their 'struggle for the enforcement of Shariah'" received prominent coverage. Some major dailies highlighted remarks of Admiral Mullen's spokesman that the CJCS was "very alarmed by the growing extremist threat in Pakistan and remained frustrated particularly by the political leadership's inability to confront that threat." Most major editorialists and columnists penned critiques on a host of subjects concerning national security and other issues. The prestigious English daily, "Dawn," maintained that the "country's experience with the Taliban must serve as a wake-up call if the present insurgency is to be quelled and future ones avoided." The mass circulation Urdu daily, "Jang," advised that "if it is crucial for our national security and existence to quit the U.S.-led alliance, we should not delay in formulating a strategy to abandon the coalition." The second largest Urdu daily, "Nawa-i-Waqt," underlined that "until the Kashmir issue is resolved according to the UN resolutions, we can neither move troops from the eastern borders, nor stop developing the nuclear program." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Forces Fall Upon Militants In Buner; ISPR Says Dir Operation Completed As 70 Militants Die" "The News" (04/29) "The security forces, backed by artillery, gunship choppers and jetfighters, launched a full-fledged operation against militants and targeted their suspected hideouts in different areas, besides placing the whole district under curfew on Tuesday. Military spokesman and Dir. Gen. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas claimed that the operation against militants in Lower Dir was successfully completed during which 70 to 75 militants were killed." "Action Triggered By Taliban Plan to Take Over Buner" "Dawn" (04/29) "Security forces launched a major operation in Buner on Tuesday after intelligence agencies intercepted a telephone conversation of Swat Taliban Chief Maulana Fazlullah with his 'commanders' which revealed their plan to take over the area after faking a withdrawal. The operation led by the inspector general of Frontier Corps (FC) was being backed by army troops and air force jets, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj-Gen Athar Abbas said at a press briefing." "71 Officials Taken Hostage In Buner" "The News" (04/29) "Armed militants in Pir Baba area of Buner district took hostage, at least, 71 security officials after inviting them to talks in a local mosque near the famous shrine, a source from the troubled district told 'The News.'" "Response Appropriate: U.S." "Dawn" (04/29) "Both the Pentagon and the State Department on Tuesday welcomed Pakistan's latest military offensive against the Taliban and offered full support. U.S. officials also hoped that Pakistan would 'sustain' this action, unlike in the past when the army either withdrew or ended up signing a peace deal. The operation against the militants in Dir and Buner was 'exactly the appropriate response' to halt the Taliban's progress, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said." "Give Up 'Propaganda,' Taliban Warn Journalists" "The News" (04/29) "Taliban have warned journalists of dire consequences if they did not stop 'propaganda' against their 'struggle for the enforcement of Shariah' in Malakand Division. A single-page message entitled "Intebah" or warning was issued by Taliban in Mingora on Tuesday." "Agencies Detain 'The News' Reporter In Peshawar" "The News" (04/29) "A reporter of 'The News,' Delawar Jan, was taken away by a security agency from his office here on Tuesday evening and detained until he disclosed the source of a news item which he had filed on Monday about a military operation in Buner. The reporter refused to disclose the source and the officials of the top security agency were not ready to release him." "Mullen 'Alarmed' Over Pakistan" "Daily Times" (04/29) "Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, is "very alarmed by the growing extremist threat in Pakistan and remains frustrated particularly by the political leadership's inability to confront that threat," his spokesman Capt. John Kirby, told CNN on Monday." "Pakistan's N-Weapons Are Safe: Mullen" "Dawn" (04/29) "Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen says the U.S. military feels confident Pakistan's nuclear weapons will not fall into militant hands, Capt. John Kirby, a spokesman for Admiral Mullen told CNN that America's top military commander believed that Pakistan's nuclear weapons were safe." "Pak Nukes Won't Fall Into Militant Hands: U.S." "The News" (04/29) "General David Petraeus, commander of the U.S. Central Command, said at the Kansas University that the increasing influence of extremist elements in Pakistan poses 'the most serious threat' to the very existence of that country, even as its nuclear weapons are safe as of now." "President Vows To Crush Militancy" "The Nation" (04/29) "Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani briefed President Asif Ali Zardari on the ongoing military operation against militants in Malakand division including Lower Dir and Buner in the Presidency on Tuesday. President Zardari said that no one will be allowed to challenge writ of government and no compromise would be made on country's sovereignty and national interest." "Zardari To Ask U.S. For Drones, Cobra Choppers" "The Nation" (04/29) "Pakistan would seek latest military weapons, drone technology, night vision goggles, cobra helicopters and financial support from United States to fight against terrorism, reliable sources told 'The Nation' on Tuesday. According to the sources, President Asif Ali Zardari would make these demands during his forthcoming visit to U.S." "Militants Set Up Base Camp In Kala Dhaka" "Dawn" (04/29) "Militants have infiltrated into Kala Dhaka, the tribal belt of Mansehra, from Buner and established a base camp in the area, official sources told 'Dawn' on Tuesday." "Taliban Asked To Abide By Peace Deal; Iftikhar Cites Reasons For Operation In Dir And Buner" "The News" (04/29) "Asking the Taliban to abide by the promise made with the NWFP government, provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain Tuesday dispelled the impression that they (government) had violated the peace deal by launching the operation in Dir. 'It were Taliban who violated the peace agreement by sneaking into Buner and Dir districts despite the enforcement of Nizam-e-Adl Regulation by the provincial government on their demand,' Iftikhar told a news conference in Peshawar." "TNSM Not Ready To Resume Talks In Sufi's Absence" "Dawn" (04/29) "Maulana Mohammad Alam, deputy chief of the Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi, has said his organization is not ready to resume talks with the government on the Swat accord or the ongoing military operation in the absence of Maulana Sufi Mohammad, while talking to 'Dawn' at the TNSM's Amandara office in Batkhela on Tuesday." "Officials Appeal For Global Help; Up To One Million Displaced In NWFP" "Dawn" (04/29) "Up to one million people are displaced in the NWFP where militants are feeding on local discontent and strife, humanitarian and local officials from Pakistan warned on Tuesday. Officials from the NWFP appealed for international relief aid at an unprecedented meeting with relief agencies and donor countries in Geneva." "Pakistanis Abroad Call For Decisive Action" "Dawn" (04/29) "By agreeing to implement a separate set of laws in Swat, the President and the Parliament also have signed away any real prospects for a stable, tolerant and progressive Pakistan, says a letter signed by more than a thousand prominent Pakistanis living abroad. 'Leaving aside the merits or demerits of the so-called Nizam-i-Adl Regulation, we believe that any agreement signed at the point of a gun and under threats from violent extremists can never lead to a lasting and just peace,' the letter said." "U.S. Move For Emergency Pakistan Aid Package" "Dawn" (04/29) "U.S. lawmakers - both in the Senate and the House of Representatives - said on Tuesday that they would support the Obama administration's move to seek $200-400 million in emergency aid for Pakistan. The package may be ready by the time President Asif Ali Zardari visits Washington on May 6 and 7." "War Merchants, Not Agencies, Behind Unrest In Balochistan: Asif" "The News" (04/29) "President Asif Ali Zardari has said the merchants of war do not want peace in Balochistan as they thrive on conflicts. He made these remarks during a meeting of the PPP senators, MNAs and MPAs from Balochistan at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Wake-Up Call," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (04/29) "While no doubt the Taliban must be routed in the areas they have usurped, their ideological moorings that allowed them to become such a danger must also be undermined so that neither they nor other groups of their seditious ilk can rise in a similar fashion to challenge the state's writ.... The country's experience with the Taliban must serve as a wake-up call if the present insurgency is to be quelled and future ones avoided." "Clear Policy Should Be Formulated According To Aspirations Of People," an editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (04/29) "All eyes are set at Pakistan, and our enemies are not only declaring us as a failed state, but also that Pakistani nation doesn't deserve a democratic system. They want to see that if Pakistanis can run their country or not. It is the responsibility of our rulers to arrange a comprehensive dialogue with the political, religious leaders, intellectuals, and policy experts to frame a permanent policy to deal with the present security disaster. If it is crucial for our national security and existence to quit the U.S.-led alliance, we should not delay in formulating a strategy to abandon the coalition." "Occupied Kashmir; Not Just Withdrawal Of Indian Troops, A Solution To The Dispute Is Also Needed," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (04/29) "Hillary Clinton's statement [about Pakistan's nuclear arsenal] has revealed the great game [being played out]. Kashmir and Pakistan's nuclear assets are a target not only for India but the U.S. also whereas Pakistan's security and future are linked with both these issues. Hence until the Kashmir issue is resolved according to UN resolutions, we can neither move troops from the eastern borders, nor stop developing the nuclear program." "Some Misconceptions About The Taliban," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/29) "The assertion that 'we helped the Taliban at first but we ended the training in 1989,' leaves out the entire swath of activities that involved the preparation of Jihadi organizations inside Pakistan used in Indian-administered Kashmir as 'freedom-fighters' despite the fact that they were beginning to be dubbed terrorists at the UN Security Council and put on watch-lists in the West. As Mr. Rehman Malik says, these Pakistan-trained militias are now with the Taliban." "If U.S. And West Want Peace, They Should Leave Taliban Issue To Pakistan," an editorial note in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (04/29) "The tribal areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan pose a much bigger challenge for the U.S. than insurgency in Iraq. The U.S. must understand that these people will not exhaust even after fighting incessantly for another fifty years. It is advisable for the American and British policy-makers to study the history of this part of the world very carefully, then they will be able to comprehend the mindset of these tribesmen. If the nuclear assets of Pakistan aren't the real target of the United States and Britain, then they should mend fences with Taliban, and leave Taliban issue to Pakistan to deal with." "Need To Adopt A Clear Stance," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (04/29) "There is a very strong perception in Pakistan that the U.S. is spreading misinformation to capture Pakistan's nuclear weapons. In fact, the war on terror is a tactic of this strategy. If U.S. considers that this perception is totally wrong, then it will have to assure Pakistani nation that it has no malicious intention about the Pakistan's nukes." "Last Ray Of Hope," editorial in the Karachi-based center-right sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat" (cir. 33,000) (04/29) "The ongoing operation in Dir and Buner obliterated the last ray of hope of peace in Malakand division. Government needs to immediately stop the military operation, and pursue the peace process seriously. No doubt the implementation of Nizam-e-Adl will take time, and the religious leaders should support this implementation. However, if the government pays no attention to this demand of religious forces, then day is not far away when the whole country will demand for Nizam-e-Adl." "Summer Snow," an editorial in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/29) "Islamabad too must learn to face facts rather than sulk over the world's reaction to the onward march of militants across its territory. The fact that the Taliban now control growing stretches of territory is an obvious reason for concern. Similar fears indeed exist within Pakistan itself and among Pakistanis based overseas. Islamabad can best serve its own ends by adding, to its demands that the U.S. and the U.K. not make attempts to dictate terms, a clear-cut response as to how it attempts to tackle terror." "Claim Of Not Accepting Any [U.S] Condition," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (04/29) "Addressing a press conference at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington D.C., Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen said that if the U.S. attaches conditions to assistance, we will decline and say 'no thank you.'... This statement by Mr. Tareen seems to meet the prerequisites of national dignity and sovereignty. However, we wish that our policies were actually formulated along these lines.... But who will believe these words [by Mr. Tareen] if heavy taxes are imposed on the people in exchange for assistance and yet claims would be made that no condition was accepted." "Those Criticizing Pakistan Should Look Within," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (04/29) "Whether it is the British PM, U.S. officials or other foreign leaders visiting Pakistan, the only thing they say is 'do more, control terrorism, control extremism.' Those who lecture Pakistan fail to recall that troops from a dozen NATO countries have failed to achieve desired results in Afghanistan in the last 8 years despite having all the resources and the latest weapons at their disposal. How, then, is it possible for an economically weak country with meager resources to control the monster of terrorism - created and raised by these western states - alone and without any help?" "Why Military Action Is Not The Answer," an op-ed by Shireen M. Mazari in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/29) "A beginning has to be made by altering the operational environment in the state's favor and that can only be done by distancing ourselves from the U.S., for it has now become part of our own terrorism problem. That is why U.S. dollars are not the answer but an aggravation of the problem given the perception of the U.S. within all levels of Pakistani society.... Military action can never resolve this issue - how many of our people will we kill? The solution lies in justice and restoration of dignity alongside a future of hope for the dispossessed." "Stop The Taliban Advance," an op-ed by Rubina Saigal in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/29) "The onslaught of the Taliban must be resisted with all the resources at our disposal - administrative, political, military, intellectual and cultural. If we have to fight them, we must fight.... The real issue is, why is a 600,000-strong army powerless against them? Why was the army not able to subdue an insurgency in Waziristan before the poison spread to the settled areas?" "Thank You, Sufi Mohammad," an op-ed Asif Ezdi in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/29) "To portray the ferment in Swat as a medieval backlash against modernism is either a blinkered view or a deliberately misleading one. It ignores or tries to cover up the fact that the wellspring of Islamic militancy in Pakistan is to be found in the alienation of the mass of the population by ruling elite which has used the state to protect and expand its own privileges, pushing the common man into deeper and deeper poverty and hopelessness.... In reality, it is Pakistan's ruling class, desperately clinging to its privileges, that is seeking to preserve an outdated medieval order." "The Grand Debate," an op-ed by Mohammad Waseem in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (04/29) "'Rightist' intellectuals and politicians, retired generals, bureaucrats, and diplomats and Islamists of various shades express their sincere opinion that the agreement with the Taliban in Swat should be given a 'chance.'... The liberals find it extremely frustrating that capitulation to non-state actors as a consequence of the lack of will or capacity of the state apparatuses to act in Swat was termed as peace.... The more the liberals seek to go beyond xenophobia and join the ranks of the world's forward-looking nations, the more they are criticized for pursuing an American agenda. Samson-like, the nation is headed for disaster. It sees conspiracy round every corner and traces this to the world hegemon." "Owning Responsibility For Terror," an op-ed by Mazhar Qayyum Khan in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/29) "American officials have repeatedly suggested that the aerial attacks are proving useful and have killed important Al-Qaeda and Taliban operatives and might even be intensified. Unless, the U.S. corrects its focus on the issue and comprehends the causes that are giving rise to militant feelings, it will find it hard to get the desired results. The cold-blooded murder of ordinary people, including women and children, raises a veritable outrage among the tribal people, known for harboring the feeling of vengeance for ages. Should one hope that the U.S. would re-examine the issue in the light of its fallout? Or would it have to wait for another three decades before realizing that the Predators hurling Hellfire missiles on tribal people were a big mistake?" "Obama's AfPak Policy," an op-ed by Dr. Shahida Wizarat in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/29) "Current overtures of the Obama administration towards Iran are attempts to deal with it only after settling with Pakistan. Pakistan and Iran would therefore be better off by nurturing a coalition rather than waiting for their respective turns. Furthermore Pakistan-China-Iran-Sri Lanka will be better off if they formed their nexus to deal with the AM-Britt-India-Afghan nexus. It will no doubt bring stability to the region and save it from death and destruction." "The Simple Questions By The Clueless In U.S.," a news analysis by Shaheen Sehbai in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/29) "The News" (04/29) "The U.S. capital is totally clueless on how to handle Pakistan. That state writ has vanished from big chunks of the country is understood. There is a general fear that the Pakistani establishment and the state is not very far from imploding. Already, top echelons of the Obama Administration think there is a dangerous power vacuum, which is being filled by the adventurous Taliban, now on a roll to grab power and territory, because they think the American might and the Pakistan military have not been able to stop their onward march in years after 9/11. How they should be stopped no one knows. The Washington power wielders have already spoken privately, and even publicly, to shake the military and political leadership of Pakistan into action, to do something." Feierstein