MEDIA REACTION: INDO-PAK RELATIONS, G-8

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001439

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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, G-8
SUMMIT/ CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT, IRAQ; 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. "DOUBTS ABOUT ZARDARI'S INTENTIONS," editorial in
July 10 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN:
"Pakistan President Zardari's statement that his
country not only willfully created but also nurtured
terrorists as a policy to achieve tactical objectives
is important. However, confessions are not enough.
Where's the action? Zardari has said such things in the
past too, but his actions do not match his words. That
is the reason he is untrustworthy. At least India
should not believe a word, because the same Zardari
refuses to take action against the perpetrators of the
Mumbai attacks."


2. "MEANING OF CONFESSION," editorial in July 10
centrist Hindi daily, HINDUSTAN: "By admitting to
fostering terrorists, President Zardari has said
nothing that the world does not already know. But this
candid admission is unexpected. Has he made it under
U.S. pressure? If so, then why? His statement cannot be
seen as innocent; it definitely has a purpose. Wonder
what it is?"


3. "EXTREMISM: NUISANCE, NOT A SOLUTION," op-ed article
in July 13 centrist Gujarati daily, DIVYA BHASKAR: "The
recent statement by Pakistani President Zardari, that
Pakistan created and nurtured terrorists to achieve
short-term tactical objectives, is more remorseful than
reflective of the state of affairs in Pakistan. By
admitting this, Zardari seems to wash his hands of the
grave problem plaguing Pakistani society in general and
its polity in particular. This is also a lesson for all
those who take recourse to extremist and violent means
that such methods only create unrest and anarchy in
society. Pakistan serves as the best case study of how
fundamentalism and extremism can wreck havoc in a
society."

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G-8 SUMMIT/ CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT
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4. "THE SEGREGATIONIST G-8," editorial in July 13 left-
of-center Marathi daily, MAHARASHTRA TIMES: "After
quite a long time, India has been given the rightful
place in the G-8 summit deliberations. However, the
rules that the superpowers are applying to India are
pretty unfair. Even as these big powers expressed
concern over the rising temperatures, they expect a
country like India (now that it has been blessed with a
place on the negotiating table),to seek dramatic cuts
in greenhouse gas emissions. The wealthy nations,

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however, have failed to persuade the leaders of other
big developing countries to promise to cut their own
fast-spreading pollution. And that is because the
superpowers are themselves not doing enough for climate
control. Then what right do they have to set high
expectations from India?"


5. "HOLLOW PROMISES," editorial in July 12 centrist
Hindi daily, DAINIK BHASKAR: "The G-8 summit in Italy
was not as successful as it was expected. The world's
top leadership took note of the current critical issues
and problems, but could not come up with an agenda. The
biggest challenge is to overcome the present economic
downturn and get economies back on the right track. The
biggest contributors to global warming are the G-8
member nations, but they are not ready to cut down on
their carbon emission. PM Manmohan Singh raised many
correct and important issues on this occasion, but
India still has a long way to go to get a voice. The
proposal to expand G-8 should be welcomed. Otherwise,
international summits are just picnics."


6. "DECLARATION OF G5 COUNTRIES," editorial in July 11
right-of-center Urdu daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "G5
countries have demanded from G8 countries that they
should provide the developing countries with sufficient
technology and monetary help so that they may take
appropriate initiatives to reduce environmental losses.
There is no doubt that unless and until powerful
developed countries do not give up double standards on
all international issues including the issue of
environmental pollution, no joint effort can yield
results."

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IRAQ
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7. "ESCALATION IN IRAQI VIOLENCE," editorial in July 11
right-of-center Urdu daily, SIASAT: "Now it is the
responsibility of Iraqi security forces to finish the
six-year old aggressive occupation of American forces
with complete devotion and diligence. The security
forces should also make all efforts to stop serial bomb
blasts and continued violence throughout the country.
They should understand that most Iraqi people desire
the withdrawal of American forces from their land. It
is possible only when Iraqi security forces and police
accomplish their duty devotedly, and the widespread
violence is fully controlled. The present scenario of
attacks, bomb blasts and violence may provide the
stationed American forces with a justification to
extend their occupation."
BURLEIGH