MEDIA REACTION: SRI LANKA, TERRORORISM IN

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 001051 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: SRI LANKA, TERRORORISM IN INDIA, INDIA-U.S. RELATIONS, AFGHANISTAN-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. -------------- SRI LANKA -------------- ¶1. "END OF LTTE," editorial in May 5 centrist Oriya daily SAMAJA. "Although the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been crushed, the fundamental problems of equal rights and status for the Tamils persist. The Sri Lankan government has to ensure that the Tamil people get justice. India, along with the international community, will have to play a major role in the rehabilitation of the displaced people." -------------- TERRORISM IN INDIA -------------- ¶2. "LETS STOP TERRORISM IN INDIA TOO," editorial in May 22 centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT. "The defeat of the LTTE is good news. Even the Pakistani armed forces, however unwillingly, are now targeting Taliban hideouts. It is time India made focused efforts against terrorist groups active on its soil, especially the leftist Naxalite groups. We need political will; we can achieve results if we hit back in the manner that Sri Lanka did." -------------- INDIA-U.S. RELATIONS -------------- ¶3. "INDIA-U.S. RELATIONS," op-ed article in May 21 right-of-center Hindi daily DAINIK JAGRAN. "India is one of the closest U.S. allies at present. Indian voters have given a thumbs-up to U.S.-India relations. As Pakistan tears itself apart, the U.S. needs India more than ever. With India and the U.S. sharing goals and concerns, President Obama should stop neglecting India and visit India soon." -------------- AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN -------------- ¶4. "WHY SWAT BECAME A BATTLEFIELD," commentary in May 21 right-of-center Hindi daily DAINIK JAGRAN. "The U.S. made the mistake of enlisting jihadis like Osama and Mullah Omar against Russia, instead of the nationalist Pakhtoons and Afghans. Making Pakistan a strategic partner indicates U.S. short-sightedness. The United States always thinks of saving Afghan governments, not the people. The civil war-like situation in Swat Valley is a result of U.S. arrogance and Pakistani opportunism." BURLEIGH