MEDIA REACTION: INDO-PAK RELATIONS, U.S.-

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001432

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: INDO-PAK RELATIONS, U.S.-
RUSSIA, U.S.-IRAN, NORTH KOREA; 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.

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INDO-PAK RELATIONS
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1. "A SHAMELESS CONFESSION," editorial in July 10
centrist Marathi daily, LOKMAT: "President Zardari made
a sensational admission, saying Pakistan nurtured
terrorists as a policy to achieve tactical objectives.
Now anything that Zardari does is not simple. So he
might take a u-turn and deny or twist the admission.
This admission could have been prompted by a series of
circumstances, which includes some straight talk done
by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Also, Zardari
has been under international and domestic pressure to
put some order into the Pakistani administration. He
faces political rivalry at every juncture of his
administrative life. Zardari is also mindful of the
U.S. Secretary of State visit to India. Zardari is just
trying to neutralize the scenario in his favor."


2. "RARE RECOGNITION," editorial in July 10 independent
Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "Zardari is
the first Pakistani President to openly admit his
country's covert activities. The question is does this
statement indicate that there is a distance between the
president and the highest military authorities? Still,
India will feel pleased with Zardari's remarks. No
doubt, the impact of Pakistan's anti-terror mechanism
will be felt more on its own national political scene
than on India. Hopefully, Islamabad realizes this
fundamental truth and takes steps."

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U.S.-RUSSIA
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3. "FRIENDLY PATH," editorial in July 9 Hindi daily,
DAINIK HINDUSTAN: "U.S. President Barack Obama's visit
to Russia has been successful in terms of advancing
nuclear weapon control, but he did not get a very warm
welcome in Russia. Both countries are troubled by
terrorism in the Middle East and they share good
synchronization on the issue. Obama's initiative of
nuclear disarmament can be useful for Russia because
through this Moscow can reduce pressure from NATO. If
Obama succeeds in assuring the Russians that neither is
he offensive toward Russia, nor does he want to
pressure it, then Russia can help him in the Middle
East. Obama is trying to prove that he understands the
reality of the multi-polar world. If he succeeds in
making the suspicious Russians trust his intentions,
perhaps he will be welcomed in Russia next time."

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U.S.-IRAN
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NEW DELHI 00001432 002 OF 002




4. "JOE BIDEN'S INAPPROPRIATE STATEMENT," editorial in
July 9 right-of-center Urdu daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA:
"US. Vice President Joe Biden's statement that the
Obama administration would not stop Israel if it
decided to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities has helped
to sabotage the possibility of easing tensions between
Iran and America. Apart from this, the statement also
negates the efforts of President Obama to normalize
America's relations with all Islamic countries,
including Iran, as well as the chance to present a
positive image of America in the Muslim world. This
very double standard has been the cause of the negative
image of the U.S. throughout the Muslim world."

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NORTH KOREA
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5. "NORTH KOREA EMBOLDENED BY CHINA," op-ed article in
July 9 Hindi daily, AMAR UJALA: "With the recent
missile tests, North Korea has once again proven that
nobody can stop its rogue behavior. The question
arises, why this hesitation for years in North Korea's
case? For years, China has been giving protection to
North Korea. By giving humanitarian economic aid, the
U.S. has showed it is a responsible nation. But Kim has
resisted falling into this trap. The question that
remains unanswered is why do the U.S. and its allies
tolerate North Korea? The fact is that China still
supports it. China can easily use North Korea to
obstruct the U.S. activities in East Asia. Now only the
people of North Korean, stunted by starvation, can
punish Kim. There is no other way."
BURLEIGH