MEDIA REACTION: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH IN

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 001301 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, NAXALISM IN INDIA, IRAN'S ELECTIONS; 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 POSITIVE PEACE PROPOSAL," editorial in June 17 Kolkata Bengali magazine, DESH: "The question is to what degree hardcore Islamic nations and terrorist groups will respond to Obama's call. The Americans will have to shun their arrogance. On their part, the Islamic world will have to become rational and tolerant. If Obama's proposal fails for lack of cooperation it will be a historical blunder." -------------- NAXALISM IN INDIA -------------- ¶2. "MAOISM: COMMUNISTS' ANTI-INDIA TERRORISM," editorial in June 23 centrist Gujarati daily, DIVYA BHASKAR: "The turn of events in West Bengal's Lalgarh displays the Maoists' worst form of disruptive tendencies that pose a serious threat to India's security. This red brigade sees every government initiative from a Communist viewpoint, be it disinvestment, or the nuclear deal with America or foreign direct investment or economic reforms, and thereby hinders economic progress and development. The need of the hour is to take stern action and not allow this to spill over into full-fledged terrorism." -------------- IRAN'S ELECTIONS -------------- ¶3. "TURMOIL IN IRAN," editorial in June 22 Hindi daily, DAINIK HINDUSTAN: "Iran's supreme religious leader Ali Khamenei has clearly supported President Ahmedinejad. Despite that, the protest continues in Iran. If the majority refuses to accept Khamenei's decision, it is clear that this is a decisive moment in Iranian history. When Ahmadinejad was elected five years ago, even then there were allegations of rigging, but the matter subsided on Khamenei's intervention. But this time the people have come out on the streets and refuse to follow Khamenei's order. Actually, this time the conflict is not just between two political factions, but between fanaticism and liberalism." BURLEIGH