MEDIA REACTION: INDO-PAK RELATIONS, U.S.-INDIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001260 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: INDO-PAK RELATIONS, U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS / BURNS VISIT, 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. -------------- INDO-PAK RELATIONS -------------- ¶1. "NATURAL CONCLUSION," editorial in June 16 nationalist Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "It is not unnatural for Indian policymakers to conclude that Pakistan will not take action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack. The basic reason behind Pakistan's tenacious anti-India attitude is the U.S. Administration's blind support of Pakistan. Sometimes it looks like as if the U.S. is rewarding Pakistan for nurturing terrorism. Now it is clear that the Obama administration is intentionally making the same mistake as the Bush administration did. If it was not true, the U.S. would have not removed from the Pakistan assistance Bill those conditions which proposed that Pakistan would not allow the use of its territory to launch terror attacks against India. U.S. diplomats coming to Delhi to give us advice is unwarranted. Our Indian leadership is to be blamed for this." ¶2. "WHAT'S THE USE OF DIALOGUE WITH POLITICALLY CUNNING PAKISTAN?" editorial in June 17 right-of-center Gujarati daily, MUMBAI SAMACHAR: "The much hyped meeting between Indian Prime Minister Singh and Pakistani President Zardari in Russia is just a formality that is not going to deliver any concrete results. He is the same Pakistani president who disowned 10 terrorists that were killed by security forces during the Mumbai attacks. Can the same Zardari assure India that Pakistani soil will not be used for mounting attacks on India? The Pakistani leadership's approach smacks of its political cunning. A majority of Indian citizens is against any type of dialogue with Pakistan as it has stabbed India in the back every time she extended a hand of friendship." ¶3. "WILL THE MANMOHAN-ZARDARI MEETING BEAR FRUIT?" editorial in June 17 centrist Gujarati daily, DIVYA BHASKAR: "Pakistani President Zardari saw his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Singh as an opportunity to gain diplomatic mileage at the international level and convey to the world its sincerity in carrying forward the peace process with India. However, the truth is that Pakistan is following an agenda to gain global support through scaring the world by showing the monster of the Taliban. The need of the hour for Pakistan is to show sincerity in its approach by decimating terrorism emanating from its soil." -------------- U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS / BURNS VISIT -------------- ¶4. "MEANING OF BURNS TALKS," op-ed article in June 16 Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Under Secretary William NEW DELHI 00001260 002 OF 002 Burns during his recent visit to India said it remains the U.S. view that the resolution of Kashmir issue will have to take into account the views of the Kashmiri people. It is strange that after eight years of constantly strengthening U.S.-India relations, the Kashmir issue has once again emerged as a hurdle in this direction. He also asked India to cut its consulate in Afghanistan. All this is directly linked to Pakistan's interest on these issues. Actually, the Burns visit has set up a new base of complicated bilateral relations. Indian strategists should be prepared to see many policy initiatives and perplexities during the upcoming visit of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in July. If India really wants a fruitful Clinton visit, it will have to show some intelligent diplomacy." -------------- NORTH KOREA -------------- ¶5. "THE NORTH KOREAN THREAT," op-ed in June 17 centrist Marathi daily, LOKMAT: "That North Korea continues with its mischievous nuclear program is not a surprise any more. North Korea has tested nuclear weapons, test- fired missiles and generally made a nuisance of itself in the neighborhood. But the point is that China continues to support this ally, notwithstanding global pressure. At least in the near future, Beijing does not show readiness for any significant action against North Korea." BURLEIGH