OBAMA SPEECH IN CAIRO: INDIA MEDIA REPORT III

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SUBJECT: OBAMA SPEECH IN CAIRO: INDIA MEDIA REPORT III
(CONTINUED)

SUMMARY: This is the third report on Indian media
reaction to President Obama's Cairo address to the
Muslim world (previous reports sent June 5 and 8). Two
weeks after the President's speech in Cairo coverage
was sporadic and the range of opinion was wide -- from
jibes that the President is trying to play God, to
fawning praise and optimism, to downright pessimism
that America's relations with the Muslim world are
irreparable. One newspaper even saw a cause for concern
for India, saying that the U.S. may NOW raise the
Kashmir issue to appease the Muslim world, particularly
Pakistan. Generally acknowledging President Obama's
gesture of goodwill, a majority of the editorialists
asked, "What next?" They urged the President to "walk
the talk" if the objectives of his speech were to be
realized. Following are notable reactions published in
the Urdu press read among some Indian Muslims (section
A) and the English and vernacular press (section B)
after June 8. END SUMMARY.

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SECTION A
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1. "OBAMA'S EFFORTS," editorial in June 8 right-of-
center Urdu daily, MUNSIF: "Obama cannot be held
responsible for the atrocities perpetrated by Bush, but
it is a fact that massacre and bloodshed in Afghanistan
and Iraq were committed by none other than Obama's
predecessor. To what extent can Obama ensure that
America is ready to open a new chapter of friendship
and harmony with the Islamic world? He can make a
breakthrough provided he prefers valor over
precaution."


2. "PREACHING IS OVER, NOW IT IS TIME TO PRACTICE," op-
ed article in June 9 right-of-center Urdu daily,
RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "The basic reason for tension
prevailing between the U.S. and the Muslim world is the
former's pro-Israel policy. Incursions into Iraq and
Afghanistan further fuelled the fire. He has delivered
a courageous speech. But the pertinent question is
whether mere words are enough to heal the wounds?"

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SECTION B
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3. "OBAMA TRYING TO BECOME SAVIOR OF THE WORLD," op-ed
in June 8 right-of-center Hindi daily, AMAR UJALA:
"President Obama is trying to become the savior of the
world, projecting himself as a messiah. The United
States, before advising others, should know that the
Israel-Arab conflict, terrorism in Pakistan and even
Al-Qaida are its own creations."


4. "DOES THIS NEW LANGUAGE SPEAK OF NEW POSSIBILITIES?"
editorial in June 11 independent Bengali daily,
ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "The importance of President
Obama's Cairo remarks is certainly different since he
wants to dissociate himself from his predecessor. He

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does not offer an immediate solution to any problem but
his objective is to show respect to the Arab and Muslim
world. The beginning was great. What next?"


5. "OBAMA'S NEW OUTLOOK," op-ed in June 10 Hindi daily,
DAINIK JAGRAN: "President Obama's Cairo speech had a
positive effect at the international level. At the same
time, however, there is a cause for concern for India.
The U.S. can raise the Kashmir issue anytime to appease
the Muslim world, particularly Pakistan. We should be
extremely careful and strengthen the Indian lobby in
America to counter this."


6. "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?"


7. "A NOVEL CALL FROM OBAMA'S IN CAIRO," editorial in
June 10 Guwahati Assamese left-of-center AMAR ASOM:
"Obama's call seems more honest and sincere compared to
other former U.S. presidents' rather proud and arrogant
overtures. It is in many ways a revolutionary move."
BURLEIGH