MEDIA REACTION: NORTH KOREA, AFGHANISTAN-

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001113

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: NORTH KOREA, AFGHANISTAN-
PAKISTAN, TERRORISM, PALESTINE, IRAN, NEPAL; 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.

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NORTH KOREA
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1. "NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION IN DANGER," op-ed in May
31 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Being
completely irresponsible and in violation of
international laws, North Korea's obtaining nuclear
weapons is a grave concern for international security.
It will put extra pressure on the major nuclear
countries and deepen the concern over nuclear weapons
falling into the wrong hands. In this context, Pakistan
cannot be forgotten. Since China is responsible for
nuclear proliferation in both of these countries, China
should deal with them."

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AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN
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2. "BURNING PAKISTAN," editorial in May 30 centrist
Hindi daily, NAVBHARAT TIMES: "The continuous terrorist
attacks in Lahore are a major concern for India because
Taliban terrorists could try to infiltrate into
Kashmir. India should tighten its security. Pakistan,
which is getting large amounts of U.S. aid to fight
terrorism, should eliminate the Taliban on its own.
India should put pressure on Pakistan through
neighboring countries to solve the Taliban problem
permanently."


3. "RISING TALIBAN INIMICAL TO PAKISTAN'S EXISTENCE,"
editorial in May 31 centrist Gujarati daily,
GUJARATMITRA: "The situation in Pakistan indicates
that the country is gradually moving in the direction
of serious internal strife. Most of the tribal areas
and the area near the Afghanistan border are virtually
controlled by the Taliban who are on a rampage,
attacking civilian areas intermittently, the most
recent example being the Lahore attack. The Pakistani
army will have to act decisively to eliminate this
danger that threatens Pakistan's own existence."


4. "HOW DANGEROUS IS THE TALIBAN FOR INDIA?" commentary
in May 31 centrist Hindi daily, NAVBHARAT TIMES: "The
Taliban could not be a threat to India without the
Pakistani Army and the ISI's backing. And the ISI will
continue to use the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-
Taiba against India. India must, therefore, strengthen
its internal security and constantly alert the
international community that, besides Al-Qaida and the
Taliban, it is time to take action against all of those
who are conducting anti-India activities. These
elements are eventually a threat to the Americans too."

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NEW DELHI 00001113 002 OF 002


TERRORISM
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5. "MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS: REAL CHALLENGE LIES AHEAD,"
editorial in June 1 centrist Marathi daily, LOKMAT:
"The international community has praised India for
avoiding an outrageous stance after the Mumbai terror
attacks. However, this global acclaim does not serve
India's cause. In fact, there are far too many areas
which India needs to pay attention to while dealing
with Pakistani terror. India has to deal with a
duplicitous America which does not feel the need to cut
down on military aid to the notorious Pakistan. It has
to also cope with countries like England and China
which have opposed the UNSC action against the chief of
the terrorist organization Jaish-e Mohammed, Maulana
Masood Azar."

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PALESTINE
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6. "CLINTON'S ADVICE TO ISRAEL," editorial in May 30
right-of-center Urdu daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "The U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statement that
Israel should at once stop the further development of
colonies in pursuance of its expansionist policies,
provides a ray of hope towards the resolution of the
Palestinian dispute. The development of Jewish colonies
can only be stopped if the Obama administration backs
the stand taken by America with firm instructions."

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IRAN
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7. "KILLINGS OF PEOPLE IN PRAYER," editorial in May 31
right-of-center Urdu daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "Blasts
in the Zahedan mosque were not just aimed at disrupting
the impending presidential polls in Iran, they could
also have been carried out to break apart the social
fabric of the country. The imam of Tehran, Jamiatullah
Ahmad Khatami, claimed that the blasts could have been
carried out by Israel and America to fan differences
between the Shia majority and the Sunni minority in the
country."

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NEPAL
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8. "NEPAL UNREST," editorial in June 1 independent
Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "The new government
in Nepal is bound to be short-lived. Maoists will have
to cooperate if they want to see Nepal change into a
republic. The people will not like anarchy again."
BURLEIGH