MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN, IRAQ, SINO-INDIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001372

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: PAKISTAN, IRAQ, SINO-INDIA
RELATIONS, NEPAL; 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.

--------------
PAKISTAN
--------------


1. "FAILED STATE," editorial in July 1 independent
Kolkata Bengali ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "Pakistan will
face more danger if the current turmoil is not
controlled and the uprooted people are not returned to
their homes, no matter what the President or the Prime
Minister says. Instability in Pakistan is also bound to
impact India, either in the form of terrorist attacks
or international diplomatic pressure."

--------------
IRAQ
--------------


2. "WITHDRAWAL OF AMERICAN FORCES FROM IRAQ: CONCERNS
GALORE," editorial in July 2 centrist Gujarati daily,
GUJARATMITRA: "President Obama has initiated the
implementation of one of his election promises of
bringing back American forces from Iraq. However, this
should not be taken to mean that peace prevails in
Iraq. It needs to be noted here that America has lost
more than it has gained through its Iraq
invasion. While Iraqi Prime Minister Nour al-Maliki has
described the American withdrawal as the re-
establishment of Iraqi sovereignty, only time will tell
whether peace and stability will take roots there."


3. "PROBLEMS OF AN ORPHAN," editorial in June 26
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA:
"Iraqi security forces are yet to achieve the
capability of combating Al Qaida. Whether the present
administration will be able to survive itself after the
U.S. troops withdraw remains doubtful. It will be
difficult for Shiite Iran to remain silent if the
withdrawal prompts a civil war in Iraq. Will Iraq then
split into three individual territories dominated by
the Shia, the Kurds, and the Sunnis? Will not Iran try
to take revenge against an orphaned Iraq?"

--------------
SINO-INDIA RELATIONS
--------------


4. "CHINA'S THREE-PRONGED PENETRATION INTO THE INDIAN
SUBCONTINENT," editorial in July 2 right-of-center
Gujarati daily, MUMBAI SAMACHAR: "It seems that our
leaders are ignorant towards the changing geopolitical
equations in the Indian subcontinent. According to the
reports, China has acquired land in Sri Lanka for
establishing an economic zone and to pump Chinese goods
into the Indian markets. Secondly, China is planning
to supply its products directly to Gulf countries using
the Karakorum highway. Thirdly, it is also active in

NEW DELHI 00001372 002 OF 002


trying to gain control over Nepal's political and
economic matters. One needs to remember that China is
an expansionist nation and has already merged Tibet,
Mongolia, and Manchuria with its mainland. India has
already experienced its 1962 defeat at the hands of the
Chinese military. The time is now for India to be
vigilant and not repeat history."

--------------
NEPAL
--------------


5. "PLOY OF MAOISTS IN NEPAL," Opinion piece in July 2
centrist Marathi daily, Sakaal: "The anti-Indian
Maoists in Nepal are falling prey to China's trap. The
ploy of China to increase its influence in all of
India's neighboring countries is also achieving
success. India indeed needs to be alert about the
political happenings in Nepal. While the monarchy
reigned supreme in Nepal and the people of Nepal
believed that their king was the reincarnation of Lord
Vishnu, there was no concern. But as the Maoist prowess
in Nepalese politics has increased, India's worries
have multiplied."
BURLEIGH