MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN, OBAMA'S ECONOMIC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001081 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: PAKISTAN, OBAMA'S ECONOMIC POLICY, NORTH KOREA; 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. -------------- PAKISTAN -------------- ¶1. "PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR ARSENAL DANGEROUS TO THE WORLD: DOESN'T FRANCE KNOW THAT?" op-ed in May 28 centrist Marathi daily PRAHAAR. "While every neighboring country, particularly India, is worried about the prospect of Pakistani nuclear arms falling into the hands of Islamic insurgents, we hear news of negotiations between France and Pakistan over a nuclear deal. One wonders why France is not cognizant of Pakistan's dubious credentials." ¶2. "PAKISTAN FALLING APART," editorial in May 28 centrist Marathi daily SAKAAL. "Knowing the confusing state of affairs in Pakistan, it is very difficult to hold any one factor or force responsible for the latest terrorist attack in Lahore. The Pakistani army and the government have played duplicitous games. While committing themselves to the global war against terror, they have covertly, and even overtly, strengthened the insurgents over the years." ¶3. "PAKISTAN SUFFERS FROM ITS CREATION," editorial in May 28 centrist Gujarati daily DIVYA BHASKAR. "The Taliban have become desperate as was evident in yesterday's terror attack, the third such attack in Lahore. One cannot afford to take lightly the warnings by Baitullah Mehsud to carry out similar attacks within Pakistan. As far as America is concerned, the U.S. has no option but to treat Pakistan as a partner to fight terrorism. Leaving Pakistan orphaned would make the world more susceptible to terrorism." -------------- OBAMA'S ECONOMIC POLICY -------------- ¶4. "OBAMA'S ECONOMIC POLICY: THIS WILL HARM THEMSELVES," editorial in the May 28 independent Bengali daily ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. "President Obama's economic policy is barely intelligible and seems to lack rationale. One hopes that this irrational policy will be altered under internal pressure. India's Commerce Ministry need not take any initiative." -------------- NORTH KOREA -------------- ¶5. "WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO TAME NORTH KOREA?" editorial in the May 27 centrist Hindi daily NAVBHARAT TIMES. "By conducting its second and more powerful test, North Korea -- truly the world's biggest headache -- has shown that softness and decency will not work with it. NEW DELHI 00001081 002 OF 002 Already North Korea has delivered two big failures to President Obama. It is amazing that America, which managed to annex Iraq under the pretext of hidden weapons of mass destruction, has not been able to rein in North Korea." ¶6. "NORTH KOREA'S INTENTIONS," editorial in the May 27 centrist Hindi daily DAINIK HINDUSTAN. "By conducting a nuclear test, North Korea has shown that it is all for nuclear proliferation and has insatiable nuclear ambitions. One wonders why China is not putting pressure on North Korea to halt its nuclear program. As for India, we are in favor of a nuclear-free world, and we should be included in all diplomatic efforts." BURLEIGH