MEDIA REACTION: TALIBAN/PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001029 SIPDIS STATE FOR NP, AC, PM STATE FOR INR/MR STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU STATE FOR AID/APRE-A USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: TALIBAN/PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA, U.S./INDIA/PAKISTAN; NEW DELHI. This countrywide cable reports on relevant media reaction/opinion from India's large non-English press. The Mission reports on English-language media via email through the daily "Early Edition" summary. -------------- TALIBAN / PAKISTAN -------------- ¶1. "TALIBAN, TALIBAN, TALIBAN," editorial in May 17 Islamist Urdu bi-weekly DAWAT: "In the Taliban, the United States seems to have found a new imaginary foe. Today the word Taliban has been reduced practically to an expletive. The U.S. initially carried out intensive bombardments against the Taliban. Now, it is using - or rather, misusing -- Pakistan to wipe them out. For this, Pakistan has been rewarded with a massive bounty. As they say, first give the dog a bad name, then kill it. An attempt is being made to malign the Taliban's image, although they may at times have erred themselves." -------------- SRI LANKA -------------- ¶2. "DECISIVE END OF TIGERS," editorial in May 19 DAINIK BHASKAR Hindi daily: "Instead of celebrating, the Sri Lankan government should realize its increased responsibility. The injustice and discrimination against the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka, which created the LTTE and Prabhakaran, is not yet over. The government should bring about an honorable political resolution of the problem." ¶3. "END OF A FAILED TERRORIST," op-ed article in May 19 AMAR UJALA Hindi daily by strategic affairs specialist ¶C. Uday Bhaskar: "The armed struggle is over, but peace cannot be restored in Sri Lanka without resolving the problem which gave rise to the Tamil movement. India must pressure the Sri Lankan government to set right the wrongs of the ethnic divide... this is necessary because China, Pakistan and Iran would like to take advantage of the situation, given Sri Lanka's strategic importance." ¶4. "WILL PRABHAKARAN'S DEATH BRING PEACE TO LANKA?" editorial in May 20 centrist DIVYA BHASKAR Gujarati daily: "Does Prabhakaran's exit spell the end of a crusade for a separate Tamil state? It may seem so, but one must not forget that the Tamil-speaking diaspora around the world nurtures immense sympathy for the LTTE and its cause, as was evident in the huge protest rallies in Europe and America after Prabhakaran's death. The Sri Lankan government must ensure a permanent solution to this problem, failing which the rebellion could reignite." ¶5. "END OF LTTE" op-ed article by columnist Lata Raje in the May 20 centrist LOKMAT Marathi daily: "Prabhakaran's belief in violence ultimately NEW DELHI 00001029 002 OF 002 brought about his end. Attempts were made in the past to engage him in peace talks, but he blocked every effort that brought him close to the negotiating table." ¶6. "SUNSET IN (TAMIL) EELAM," editorial in May 20 Guwahati Assamese independent DAINIK JANASADHARAN. "It is too early to write the epitaph of the LTTE because the root of the problem has no military solution. If the Sri Lankan government does not take steps to politically address the Tamils' grievances, there is a possibility of a resurgent LTTE." ¶7. "JUST A MILITARY TRIUMPH," editorial in May 20, Bangalore-based independent Kannada daily KANNADA PRABHA: "Though Sri Lanka has achieved military victory over the LTTE, ethnic inequality is not over in the hearts and minds of the Tamils. The Sri Lankan government should ensure equal civil rights and security to the Tamil population, and strive to rebuild the lives of those affected by the conflict. India should also generously contribute to the cause." ¶8. "END OF A BLOODY BATTLE," editorial in May 19, Bangalore-based independent Kannada daily VIJAY KARNATAKA: "Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa should shoulder the responsibility of rebuilding the lives of those affected in the conflict." -------------- U.S./INDIA/PAKISTAN -------------- ¶9. "UNIQUE U.S.-PAKISTAN FRIENDSHIP," editorial in May 18 VIR ARJUN Hindi daily: "The U.S. is continuing its economic aid to Pakistan even though it knows the money is used against India. At the same time, the U.S. seeks very close relations with India. It is U.S patronage that emboldens Pakistan to constantly raise the Kashmir issue." BURLEIGH