Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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09ISLAMABAD976 | 2009-05-07 12:19:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Islamabad |
VZCZCXYZ0002 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHIL #0976/01 1271219 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 071219Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2612 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 9352 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 5198 RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CCPA// IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0265 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 7283 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1270 RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI |
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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000976
SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 07, 2009 Summary: Reports and photographs of President Zardari's U.S. visit dominated all front pages on Thursday and overshadowed reports of "fierce clashes and explosions in Swat valley and Malakand region" that resulted in killing of 98 people including 47 militants. President Obama's statement made during a joint press conference in the White House that "U.S. would continue support to the democratic government of Pakistan" received prominent display. All newspapers highlighted the report that Secretary Clinton was "impressed with recent Pakistani military action against the Taliban." Report on signing of a MOU by Pakistan and Afghanistan to initiate talks on a transit trade agreement was also highlighted. All major dailies highlighted report that at least "22 militants were killed in a paramilitary force's raid" at a village in Buner. Most major dailies ran editorials on the brewing humanitarian crisis in Swat, military operation against Taliban and President Zardari's ongoing U.S. visit. In its editorial titled, "Hot and Cold," the English newspaper, "The News," noted that President Obama's "praise for the military last week must after all be rooted somewhere; it couldn't have come entirely out of the blue, especially as Obama has a reputation as a man who thinks out every move well in advance." Likewise, the Peshawar-based Urdu daily, "Mashriq," observed that the "U.S. officials issue statements in line with their needs and interests, therefore contradictions and discrepancies have become a everyday routine in their comments." Commenting on a Boston Globe report on Pakistan's nuclear surrender, the center-right national daily "The Nation" wrote: "There is no reason for us to open up on this highly sensitive issue before any foreign power and no one should ever be allowed to even discuss the possibility of our surrendering the most potent weapon of security." End Summary. -------------------------- News Stories -------------------------- "U.S. Stands By Pakistan Democratic Govt.: Obama" "The News" (05/07) "The United States would continue support to the democratic government of Pakistan, declared American President Barack Obama in Washington on Wednesday. He was addressing a joint press conference with President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan president Hamid Karzai at the Grand Foyer Hall of the White House. President Obama said his government is in touch with the Congress for the approval of economic assistance bill for Pakistan. The U.S. President pledged that his country would play a role in bringing Pakistan out of its present economic crisis by extending economic help." "Clinton Impressed By Operation" "The News" (05/07) "Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton ways she is optimistic that Afghanistan and Pakistan will fight extremists, and she is impressed with recent Pakistani military action against the Taliban. Clinton said, adding that there was 'resolve going forward' in the Islamabad government's struggle with the Taliban." "India To Get Afghan Transit Trade Route; Hillary Oversees Signing Of Accord" "Dawn" (05/07) "Pakistan and Afghanistan signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding to begin talks on a transit trade agreement which will ultimately allow India to use the Wagah-Khyber route for trade with Kabul. The memorandum of understanding commits the two 'countries to achieving a trade transit agreement by the end of the year, which we believe will have great economic benefits for both peoples,' said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who hosted the Afghan and Pakistani Presidents for the first round of the second trilateral talks." "Clinton Pays Tributes To Benazir, Haqqani" "The News" (05/07) "Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid rich tributes to Pakistan's former prime minister Benazir Bhutto at the State Department Wednesday on the occasion of the inaugural session of the trilateral strategic talks between Pakistan, the United States and Afghanistan." "President Urges Massive U.S. Support To Fight Insurgency" "The News" (05/07) "President Asif Ali Zardari has put across Pakistan's perspective on security issues with regard to counterinsurgency in the tribal areas and the overall fight against extremism when he met members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington at the Capitol Hill." "Pakistan To Get Five Choppers From U.S.: Malik" "The News" (05/07) "The United States will soon provide five helicopters to Pakistan to deal with insurgents effectively, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told APP on Wednesday. Senior U.S. officials conveyed the decision to the Interior Minister, saying Washington is prepared to help Pakistan in its fight against militants." "Fierce Gun-Battles In Swat, Malakand; 47 Militants, 15 Troops And 36 Civilians Killed" "Dawn" (05/07) "Forty-seven militants, 15 security personnel and 36 non-combatants were killed and several others wounded on Wednesday in fierce clashes and explosions in the Swat valley and Malakand region. Sources said the militants still had control over Mingora town." "No Military Operation Under Way In Swat: Iftikhar" "The News" (05/07) "NWFP Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain Wednesday said no military operation was underway in the restive Swat valley and the security forces were only retaliating against the illegal activities of the militants." "Print Media Shuts Down In Swat" "Daily Times" (05/07) "The print media in Swat has shut down publication due to the deteriorating security situation, local journalists told 'Daily Times' on Wednesday." "22 Perish In Buner FC Raid; Four Bodies Recovered" The News" (05/07) "At least 22 militants were killed on Wednesday after the paramilitary forces raided a village in Buner, the force said in a statement. The latest casualties in the Buner district came amid a military operation against the Taliban militants after they occupied police stations and started armed patrols." "'Spy' Beheaded In Buner" "Dawn" (05/07) "Militants beheaded a man on Wednesday after branding him a 'spy.' Sources said the man belonged to an influential family of Sultanwas. This is the first incident of beheading in Buner district." "Upper Dir Tribes Refuse To Confront Taliban" "Dawn" (05/07) "The Sultankhel and Paindakhel tribes on Wednesday opposed the activities of Taliban and possible action by security forces in the district when the district administration sought their help in expelling militants from Upper Dir, but elders of both the tribes refused to take up arms against Taliban." "Peshawar Valley Hosts 0.7 Million IDPs" "The News" (05/07) "In the wake of ongoing clashes between security forces and militants in tribal areas and some districts of the NWFP, the Peshawar valley is hosting more than 0.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs)." "15 Injured In D.I. Khan Mosque Bomb Blast" "The Nation" (05/07) "At least 17 people were wounded after unknown attackers threw a hand-grenade at a mosque on Wednesday in Dera Ismail Khan, troubled by sectarian violence, police said." "U.S. Legislator Questions Washington's Right To Bomb FATA" "Dawn" (05/07) "The House Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. Congress heard an unusual speech from a Republican lawmaker Ronald Ernest Paul, who described U.S. drone attacks as the bombing of a sovereign country and questioned America's right to do so. 'We are bombing a sovereign country. Where do we get the authority to do that? Did the Pakistani government give us written permission? Did the Congress give us written permission to expand the war and start bombing in Pakistan?' asked the U.S. lawmaker." "Religious Parties To Agitate Against Taliban, U.S." "The News" (05/07) "About two dozen religious parties from the Barelvi school of thought have decided to launch a countrywide campaign to resist Talibanization, oppose the U.S. drone attacks and Washington's intervention. They also decided to launch simultaneously 'Save Pakistan Campaign' in all the four provinces to counter the growing secessionist atmosphere in Balochistan and to create national harmony." -------------------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------------------- "Hot And Cold," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (05/07) "President Obama's praise for the military last week must after all be rooted somewhere; it couldn't have come entirely out of the blue, especially as Obama has a reputation as a man who thinks out every move well in advance.... The developments in Washington are then somewhat disquieting. What Pakistan does not need at this point is greater instability. This of course would only benefit the militants who in the past too have taken advantage of the weaknesses of government.... There is a danger that somewhere along the line this may be lost sight of, adding to the complications we already face and which are reflected in the new, wary relationship unfolding with the U.S." "Views Of U.S. Officials And Contradiction," an editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (05/07) "U.S. officials issue statements in line with their needs and interests, therefore contradictions and discrepancies have become a everyday routine in their comments. U.S. policies with reference to Pakistan and the compliance of our rulers are unbearable for people of Pakistan, as they (Pakistani rulers) never established ties with U.S. on the basis of equality and mutual respect. Perhaps, that is the reason that Americans always take Pakistan as their colony." "Nuclear Surrender?," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/07) "There is no reason for us to open up on this highly sensitive issue before any foreign power and no one should ever be allowed to even discuss the possibility of our surrendering the most potent weapon of security. The U.S., which spared no stratagem it could think of to scuttle Pakistan's nuclear program while it was under way, finds it hard to stomach the reality that it tested the weapon successfully as a tit-for-tat to India.... Islamabad ought to be extra vigilant against any foreign designs to dispossess it of the nuclear stockpile. There is no justification whatsoever for agreeing to engage the U.S. in discussions whose purpose of depriving us of these assets should not be hidden from our officials." "Condemnable Conspiracy To Eliminate Our Nuclear Technology; Is This The Agenda For President Zardari's U.S. Trip?," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (05/07) "U.S. newspaper Boston Globe claimed in a report yesterday that the U.S. and Pakistan have started a dialogue for the protection of Pakistan's nuclear assets and elimination of enriched uranium. According to the report, based on accounts of two U.S. officials who have discussed this with Pakistani authorities, America has suggested that Pakistan send its nuclear material including enriched uranium to the U.S. in a ship where it will be destroyed.... President Zardari was urged to cancel his trip to the U.S. to protest the U.S. taunt of calling our civil government weak in comparison to the military. But the President did not find it appropriate to cancel his foreign visit. There could be no greater tragedy for us if - as the Boston Globe has claimed -- the destruction of enriched uranium is part of President Zardari's agenda in the U.S." "Hostile Attitude Of U.S. Media Against Pakistan," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (05/07) "If we see in retrospect all the American media reports about Pakistan throughout the last two or three decades, we will find a commonality in those reports that those were full of hatred and ill-feeling against Pakistan. It is an open secret that most of the American media outlets are directly or in some way involved in propaganda war of Zionist lobby. And this Zionist lobby didn't digest the fact that Pakistan, a country with a frail economy has become a nuclear-powered state. Now, they want to capture Pakistan's nukes in the garb of this propaganda. But perhaps, they don't know that if the people of Pakistan can develop their nuclear capabilities, they are quite capable to jealously guard their nuclear assets too." "President Zardari's Difficult Trip To The U.S.," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) (05/07) "The presentation of the Kerry-Lugar Bill in the Senate is encouraging in that it reflects the U.S. intent of strengthening long-term ties with Pakistan. This is a step in the right direction. This bill is a clear demonstration of U.S. commitment to strengthen the civilian government and to improve the lives of ordinary Pakistanis.... " "Pakistan Gets Sucked In Trouble," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (05/07) "The emerging dreaded situation in Swat is a matter of grave concern to every patriotic Pakistani.... Attacks on and occupation of the symbols of governance is obviously unacceptable and could lead to large-scale hostilities for an indefinite period. That is what our friends in the United States wanted and alas they have succeeded in their nefarious designs." "Swat's Story," an editorial in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/07) "The truth is the Taliban had never laid down their arms, had made sure they never relinquished control of Mingora and, as some intelligence reports suggest, may never have intended to accept the 'accord' brokered by Sufi anyway. It is obvious the militants do not fall under the aging TNSM leader's control any longer. And even if we assume his intentions were good, those of the fighters crazed by power and a lust for blood were not. So, Swat's sad story continues. The government and the military must now work together to re-gain control over these areas and to ensure that those guilty of crime are not allowed to go scot free." "Victims Of Conflict," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (05/07) "The humanitarian crisis in the country's conflict zones is deepening by the day. Caught in the crossfire between militants and security forces, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forced to leave their homes. This human tragedy, which was years in the making, has now reached critical proportions.... Anti-Taliban sentiments may prove to be short-lived if the state does not look after these new as well as older refugees... It is imperative the government does all that it can to provide the displaced with adequate shelter, food and other basic necessities. Our friends abroad too must be asked to pitch in on an emergency footing." "Shadow Of The Taliban," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (05/07) "While the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and its supporters constitute a direct challenge to the authority and resources commanded by the state, it is equally worrying that the extremist right-wing ideology they represent and the tactics they employ are casting a shadow that looms far beyond their strongholds.... The fact is that the Taliban have already extracted a heavy toll in terms of civil liberties and freedoms of citizens. While the government and the security forces mull over methods to defeat the Taliban militarily, they would also do well to recall that the basic purpose of the state and its apparatus is to ensure the safety and personal freedoms of the citizens. It may require years to neutralize the Taliban threat in this deeper sense." "Human Exodus And War Against Taliban," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (05/07) "If the battle in Swat is to be won, Pakistan must be ready for the 'refugee' problem.... Islamabad must not seek to brush the camps under the carpet but highlight them as a component of the war on terrorism. The IDPs must not only be looked after well but be compensated for the financial losses they have endured so that that they are tempted to return, ensured of the repossession and reconstruction of the homes and businesses they have left behind." "Humanitarian Crisis," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/07) "With 1.1 million people thrown out of their homes and forced to live in uncertain conditions, this would constitute a humanitarian crisis of major magnitude. The question is whether the NWFP government is able to handle it.... There is a need on the part of the federal government to make available sufficient funds to deal with the situation. Before approaching international donors, it should launch an appeal for funds at home." "Swat: Need To Understand The Dangers," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (05/07) "Whether it is Swat or the Taliban's rise, imperialist U.S. should not forget the historic reality that these creatures are its own creation.... Special Envoy Holbrooke has clearly said that the Swat deal should be considered over and that President Zardari was already against the deal. Americans probably consider it a deal made on gunpoint. An impression is being created that Pakistan made the deal from a position of weakness. Now that the Taliban have rejected the deal and are waging war, and the Nizam-i-Adl is under threat, the government should make it clear to the world that it will never compromise on its security and that the operation against terrorists will continue." "Swat, Malakand: Peaceful Citizens' Exodus," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (05/07) "The nation should remember that the Taliban in Swat and other troubled areas are becoming a national security threat. Perhaps there was no other option except military operation to deal with the emerging situation in these areas. Maulana Sufi and his son-in-law Maulana Fazlullah have no control over the Taliban and they [the Taliban] are carrying out activities on their own. Only the army can now deal with this situation." "Taliban And Sharia," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (05/07) "The Taliban and the 'background phenomenon' of Al Qaeda base their worldview on their vision of Sharia without which they would virtually have no ideological locus standi. They have meted out harsh punishments to the 'non-practicing' Muslims of Khyber Agency and elsewhere on the basis of Sharia... The Taliban Sharia is disputed too.... The only thing different was Sufi Muhammad, and his family relationship with Fazlullah was actually symbolic of the relationship Al Qaeda has with the Muslim Ummah. The ANP may have won the battle by exposing this relationship as a false one." "Signs Of Disquiet In Washington," an op-ed by Tariq Fatemi in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (05/07) "Washington's expressions of impatience and hints of nostalgia for the military regime will be counter-productive. The Obama administration has to demonstrate faith in the democratic dispensation, for a multi-ethnic state, such as Pakistan, cannot but be a democracy, where all the constituent elements believe they are equal stakeholders. True, our democracy has been messy but only a government enjoying legitimacy can create the national consensus essential to confronting the militants. American threats and blandishments will only make matters worse." "A Letter From Pakistan/Princeton To President Obama," an op-ed by Sehar Tariq in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/07) "You (Obama) surround yourself with 'experts' on Pakistan but with no people who live amidst and understand this great mass of humanity. You talk to those who walk the corridors of influence in Washington but not those who form the real epicenters of power in Pakistan - its streets, its valleys and mountains. You continue to engage with the political and military leadership but ignore those who are the real forces of change - representatives of civil society, journalists, lawyers, Islamic scholars and students. The politicized epicenters of power are throbbing with people ready to resist the forces of extremism.... The people of Pakistan are ready to lock arms and battle this beast. The question is whether you will stand by the people of Pakistan in this battle on their terms or choose the Af-Pak policy of no hope and no change. You are either with us or against us - us the people - in whose veins the blood runs green not red!" "The Talibanization Of Minds," an op-ed by Kamila Hyat in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/07) "There is a need to win back the hearts of people, to address their needs - otherwise there is a danger that the Taliban will succeed in winning over this space too. They have indeed exploited the gap in wealth with immense dexterity in Swat and elsewhere, using desperate, impoverished people against feudal elements and linking this up with their warped religious ideology." Feierstein |