MEDIA REACTION: OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S MUSLIM

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001357 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: OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S MUSLIM OUTREACH; PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN IRAN, INDIA/PAKISTAN; 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. -------------- OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S MUSLIM OUTREACH -------------- ¶1. "OBAMA'S NEW KID ON THE KASHMIR BLOCK," editorial in June 30 left-of-center Marathi daily, MAHARASHTRA TIMES: "The Obama administration's appointment of Farah Pandith, a woman of Kashmiri-origin chosen to reach out to the Muslim world, has been welcomed. This is the first time the post of such a special representative has been created and a 41-year old has been entrusted with the task of interacting with Muslim countries, many of which obviously do not have a friendly relationship with the U.S. Only time will tell how well this American Muslim representative, who does not wear a burkha and who holds many Indian values close to her heart (her birthplace being Srinagar and her ancestral home Sopore in North Kashmir),brings the traditionalist Islamic countries closer to America." -------------- PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN IRAN -------------- ¶2. "IRAN'S ELECTORAL DISPUTE," editorial in June 29 right-of-center Urdu daily, SIASAT: "The U.S. and countries similar to it want chaos and instability in Iran. America and its cohorts are watching with glee the situation in Iran. Both the factions in Iran should understand this truth about America. Setting aside the internal conflict for power, the two factions should come to an understanding. The more the demonstrations, the greater will be the loss for Iran and its people. Moreover, Iran's enemies will get a chance to exploit the country." -------------- INDIA/PAKISTAN -------------- ¶3. "U.S. AID TO PAKISTAN," editorial in June 29 Hindi daily, VIR ARJUN: "The U.S. Senate recently passed a bill enhancing aid to Pakistan on the condition that it will be used for development purposes and not against India. The U.S. assumes that Pakistan will indeed put the money to proper use. Indian Defense Minister Antony's objection is right because it has been proved that Pakistan has spent all previous aid extracted from the U.S. on strengthening its military. He knows how the Pakistanis have misled the U.S. It is almost as if the U.S. wants to be deceived, because for Washington it is not difficult to find out how and where this money is used. The U.S. administration believes that Pakistan is fighting against the Taliban and thus, it is helping the latter in every possible way. Hopefully, NEW DELHI 00001357 002 OF 002 the U.S. will do something to address India's concerns on this issue." BURLEIGH