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. -------------- PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH IN CAIRO -------------- ¶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?" -------------- PAKISTAN -------------- ¶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 NEW DELHI 00001236 002 OF 002 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." -------------- INDO-PAK RELATIONS -------------- ¶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." -------------- H1N1 VIRUS -------------- ¶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." -------------- U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS -------------- ¶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