Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NEWDELHI1263
2009-06-17 12:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:  

SPECIAL REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA COMMENTARY ON

Tags:  KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001263 

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: SPECIAL REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA COMMENTARY ON
IRAN'S ELECTIONS (CONTINUED)

Summary: More editorial commentary on the Iranian
elections appeared in the Indian media today.
Editorialists continued to see irregularities in the
elections, with some demanding "credibly-monitored,
fresh elections" and others exhorting President
Ahmadinejad to allow a recounting of the votes. Going a
step further, one writer said Ahmadinejad's victory
will simply mean the empowerment of non-state actors
like Hamas and Hizbollah. One columnist cautioned India
to guard against being prejudiced by the U.S. against
Iran. Commentary from India's leading English and
vernacular newspapers follows. End summary.

-- COMMENTARY IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PRESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001263

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: SPECIAL REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA COMMENTARY ON
IRAN'S ELECTIONS (CONTINUED)

Summary: More editorial commentary on the Iranian
elections appeared in the Indian media today.
Editorialists continued to see irregularities in the
elections, with some demanding "credibly-monitored,
fresh elections" and others exhorting President
Ahmadinejad to allow a recounting of the votes. Going a
step further, one writer said Ahmadinejad's victory
will simply mean the empowerment of non-state actors
like Hamas and Hizbollah. One columnist cautioned India
to guard against being prejudiced by the U.S. against
Iran. Commentary from India's leading English and
vernacular newspapers follows. End summary.

-- COMMENTARY IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PRESS


1. "IRAN ON THE BOIL," editorial in left-influenced THE
HINDU: "The official declaration of incumbent President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a runaway winner in a hotly
disputed and possibly rigged presidential election has
generated a white heat of popular anger that has no
precedent in Iran's post-revolution history. Three days
after the spontaneous protests began, cracks have
opened up in Iran's complex system of Islamic
governance. The explosive situation seems to have
divided the country's clerical establishment, a key
power centre. Only a free, fair, and credibly monitored
fresh election can heal a nation that is treading a
thin line between fear of theocratic authoritarianism
and hope of genuine reform that is not in conflict with
the revolution's fundamentals."


2. "IRAN AFTER THE ELECTIONS," op-ed in June 17
centrist THE TRIBUNE: "Ahmadinejad is an eyesore for
the Western world as he popularized the idea of the
nuclear program among the masses. His domestic policies
may not have earned him many domestic friends but his
foreign policy enjoys wide support. And probably this
is the only factor that has worked in his favor and got
him another term. The Arabs were praying hard to see a
return of reformist forces like Khatami in the form of
Moussavi, to mend the broken fences. Ahmadinejad's
victory will simply mean empowerment of non-state
actors like Hamas and Hizbollah in the region which may
further sour the unpleasant relationship between the
Arabs and Iran."


3. "IRAN ELECTIONS SHOW WAY FORWARD," editorial in
Chennai-based independent THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS:
"Iran's de facto ruler Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has
ordered a probe into the entire business. It remains to
be seen whether the inquiry wil be more than mere
window dressing, and how transparently it will
conducted. It does, however, indicate that Khamenei may
be responding, even if reluctantly, to public outcry.
And the momentum seems to be shifting away from the
religious hardliners. Any intervention by the
international community in the affairs of an
unfortunately theocratic country will neither help Iran
nor the world. For the outside world, especially U.S.
President Obama, 'least said, soonest mended' may be a
good policy. It must continue to engage with Tehran."

NEW DELHI 00001263 002 OF 002



-- EDITORIALS IN THE VERNACULAR PRESS


4. "IRAN'S CONTROVERSIAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION,"
editorial in June 17 nationalist Urdu daily, AKHBAR-E-
MASHRIQUE: "Ahmadinejad should read the writing on the
wall. He should keep in mind that there has been
countrywide violence in the wake of the election
results. He should, therefore, go in for recounting in
deference to the wishes of the opposition."


5. "THE AMERICAN LINK IN INDIA-IRAN RELATIONS," op-ed
in June 17 centrist Hindi daily, HINDUSTAN: "Very few
in India care about Iran because our new government
wants to keep its friend and partner the U.S. in good
humor. The U.S. has spared no efforts to demonize Iran
lately. From the way Ahmadinejad had to struggle
against his political opponents to win, it seems like
gross oversimplification to say the Iranian elections
were a sham. The U.S. does not want India and Iran to
come closer. It is always gunning for Iran, but
blissfully ignores Pakistan's wrongdoings and actually
rewards it! India should not give in to U.S. pressure.
We should decide our foreign policy keeping in mind our
national interests."


6. "IRAN ELECTIONS UNDER SCANNER," editorial in June 17
right-of-center Hindi daily, JANSATTA: "Ahmadinejad's
election has sparked off major protests in Iran and a
probe has been ordered. Maybe the only objective of the
probe is to gain respite from the ongoing protests. But
Ahmadinejad's election and the attempt to give it
legitimacy will always remain suspect. Meanwhile,
Iran's biggest challenge now will be to accommodate the
widespread demands for change in the country."
BURLEIGH