MEDIA REACTION: PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH ON AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001111



SIPDIS



STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO



STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU



E.O. 12958 N/A

TAGS: KMDR, KPAO, PGOV, OPRC, NP

SUBJ: MEDIA REACTION: MEDIA REACTION: PRESIDENTIAL

SPEECH ON AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN



1. SUMMARY: Nepal's popular English weekly

NewsFront (estimated circulation of 5,000) on

Monday, December 7, 2009 published an opinion piece

by a Nepal's Former Deputy Permanent Representative

to UN Binod P. Bista where the writer stated that

President Obama in his policy speech delivered a

clear message to the world at large. The piece

entitled "U.S. struggle against violent extremism

involving failed states," uses President Obama's

speech as an opportunity to urge Nepal's leaders to

'come together urgently to save Nepal from being

dragged into direct/indirect foreign occupation.'



SELECT EXCERPTS:



2. '... Acknowledging that 'struggle against violent

extremism will not be finished quickly' and also

outlining that extremism extends beyond the borders

of Afghanistan and Pakistan, Obama said that his

efforts would involve disorderly regions and failed

states... It would cost dearly to any nation in the

South Asian region to either ignore or belittle the

significance of the intended actions that the United

States is determined to take in collaboration with

its allies in its fight against terrorism. ...

Against this background, Nepal, rapidly approaching

the status of a failed state, cannot turn a blind

eye to the evolving new strategy and intended

actions planned by the United States with its allies

in the neighborhood.'



3. '...With the current law and order situation in

disarray, government being paralyzed in various

pretexts by the main opposition party, leaders of

major parties drifting away from a position of

understanding and unity of purpose, several factions

waging their class and ethnic struggles, Nepal is

inviting a serious disaster. ... Nepal's leaders

must first check the disorder that is quickly

engulfing the entire country. In fact, disorderly

situation alone is sufficient for the U.S. to take

action as it considers this factor to be aiding the

terrorist network in one form or another. ... The

leaders must work day and night to fulfill the two

outstanding obligations: constitution making and

meeting the requirements of comprehensive peace

accord. They will not be forgiven by the present

and future generations if Nepal were to lose its

freedom and sovereignty that is the only asset of

all Nepalis, hard earned but safely kept for

generations.'



BERRY