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