MEDIA REACTION: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001236

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: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH IN
CAIRO, PAKISTAN, INDO-PAK RELATIONS, H1N1 VIRUS, US-
INDIA RELATIONS; 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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PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH IN CAIRO
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1. "OBAMA'S EXPRESSION," op-ed in June 14 right-of-
center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "President Obama's
speech in Cairo was meant to assure the Islamic
community of American goodwill. Some warmly supported
it and some expressed a need for concrete actions,
particularly on the Palestine-Israel issue. It is
evident, however, that some vested interests in the
Muslim community are not in favor of change."


2. "HOW MUCH CHANGE WILL OBAMA'S SPEECH BRING?" op-ed
in June 13 centrist, independent Hindi daily, NAVBHARAT
TIMES: "Most Muslims have welcomed President Obama's
Cairo speech, so the U.S. will now need to walk the
talk. U.S. policies in Palestine, Afghanistan, and Iraq
are behind its anti-Islamic image. If Obama does not
get these reasons out of the way, nothing will change,
and Islamic terrorists will keep taking advantage of
them."


3. "PAKISTAN REJOICES OVER OBAMA'S CAIRO SPEECH," op-ed
in June 15 right-of-center Marathi daily, SAAMNA:
"Pakistan is particularly happy after President Obama's
Cairo address. That is because Obama's speech validates
Pakistan's political stance. Pakistan maintains that
terrorism has been imposed on the nation by other
neighboring countries. Obama reinforced this view and
in fact went to the extent of stating that Pakistan has
the right to combat terror, whatever that means.
Similarly, Obama has made it clear that U.S. aid to
Pakistan will continue."


4. "WHAT KIND OF ISLAM DOES OBAMA IMPLY?" op-ed in June
15 centrist Marathi daily, SAKAAL: "Obama's politics
are transparent and his oratory inspiring. But his
definition of Islam in his Cairo speech needs scrutiny.
In his bid to win over the Muslim world, President
Obama seems to have glorified Islam a bit too loudly.
Does he want us to forget that jihad and the Taliban
are also part of Islam? For him, the only negativism in
Islam is basically the opposition to Western countries
like the United States. But is that the only problem
with Islam, Mr. Obama?"

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PAKISTAN
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5. "RETALIATION AGAINST THE TALIBAN," editorial in June
13 independent Kolkata Bengali, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA:
"It is not possible for the Pakistani army to return to
the barracks, because Washington wants Islamabad to be

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sincere if it wants financial assistance. Pakistan,
being unable to withstand the American pressure and
under popular demand, has been forced to launch its
anti-terrorism fight. But the way the civilian
population has amassed arms to chase the Taliban away
not only in the Swat valley but also elsewhere makes it
clear that people do not like Jihadi terrorism."


6. "PESHAWAR'S EFFECT," editorial in June 13 right-of-
center Gujarati daily, GUJARAT SAMACHAR: "The bomb
blast in a Peshawar hotel is an indicator of the
Taliban's growing might aimed at drawing global
attention considering that many foreigners frequent the
hotel. It is also a reminder to the Obama
administration that what Pakistan needs is a concrete
roadmap to peace and stability and not American
largesse in the form of weapons and economic aid. It
remains to be seen if the Peshawar blast will open
America's eyes."

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INDO-PAK RELATIONS
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7. "MANMOHAN-ZARDARI MEET," editorial in June 14,
right-of-center Urdu daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA:
"Terrorism is a common scourge for India and Pakistan.
What is needed is for both the countries to sit
together and work out a strategy against terrorism. If
they make a joint task force against terrorism and
share secret information mutually, the menace of
terrorism may be controlled and contained."

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H1N1 VIRUS
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8. "BEWARE OF SWINE FLU," editorial in June 15 right-
of-center Gujarati daily, GUJARAT SAMACHAR: "Now that
the WHO has declared swine flu an pandemic, India needs
to be on her toes in the light of rising incidents of
H1N1 cases here. Just at a time when India's economy is
moving on the development track, such pandemics can put
the brake on India's growth and progress."

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U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS
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9. "Obama towards Pakistan," comment in June 13 Telugu
daily, Eenadu: "The relationship between India and
America was better during the Republican regime than
the Democratic period. Indians are just not getting
close to the Democrats. During the Republican regime
American foreign policy raised India to the sky, but
this attitude has changed during the current Democratic
period."
BURLEIGH