MEDIA REACTION: CORONATION OF OBAMA; NEW DELHI.

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SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CORONATION OF OBAMA; 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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CORONATION OF OBAMA
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1. "BIRTH OF A NEW DREAM," editorial in January 22
centrist NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "In the U.S.,
thousands will attend a rock concert, but it gets tough
to get even a hundred people to a political gathering.
But they came for Obama -- in thousands, braving the
numbing cold. So, what made them come in such large
numbers? It's the man's charisma - his audacity of hope.
Usually professional speech writers write presidential
speeches. But it is believed that Obama penned his own
lines. Perhaps that is why it came out as so honest -
without rhetoric and theatrics! But the road is not
smooth for Obama. In history, no other President has seen
shares and stocks plummet to such low levels on his
inauguration day. In India, there is much concern and
apprehension over what Obama's strategy in this region
will be. For Indians, it is better to keep shut and not
indulge in speculative rhetoric until the Obama
Administration puts its cards on the table."


2. "HOPE FROM OBAMA," editorial in 22 January right-of-
center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "It is perhaps the
first time the rest of the world is investing as much
hope in a U.S. president as are the Americans. He is
under tremendous pressure to show immediate results on
both national and international fronts. But given the
complexity of the situation one should also consider that
he has neither taken over as the world's president, nor
does he have a magic wand. India also has high hopes as
he hinted that Afghanistan and Pakistan were his
priority. But he would not necessarily solve the problem
of terrorism the way India wants. India's reaction is
understandable on Obama's linking terrorism to the
Kashmir issue, but it is meaningless to be extra
skeptical or defensive. Similarly, India should also not
expect him to resolve those problems that it has to
tackle itself. Terrorism is such a problem. Whatever may
be Obama's policy toward terrorism in Pakistan, India
should have a concrete policy of its own on which it
could also show a little firmness."


3. "UNITED STATES OF OBAMA" editorial in the January 23,
2009 Mumbai-based centrist Gujarati evening daily
JANMABHOOMI. "Barack Obama's words 'Yes, we can' have
demonstrated that dreams can be converted into a
reality. The people of America and across the globe have
high expectations from this leader who has promised
change. However, what is important to keep in mind here
is that any change requires time and patience. The aura
of optimism and self-confidence surrounding Obama infuses
enthusiasm in the midst of economic recession and other
national and international challenges facing the new
administration.


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4. "OBAMA'S FLIGHT" (i.e. Soaring Performance) editorial
in the January 23, 2009, Mumbai edition of left-of-center
Marathi daily LOKSATTA. "On the very first day in the
Oval Office, President Barack Obama struck the right
warning note to Pakistan. He said U.S. aid to Pakistan
will depend on Pakistan's wholehearted cooperation in the
war on terror. Naturally, this warning has upset the
Pakistani establishment. Pakistan's ambassador to the
U.S., Hussain Huqqani, said Obama seemed biased against
Pakistan and that such threats will compel Pakistan to
review its ties with the U.S. That kind of diplomatic
response is not unlikely. Pakistan's foreign policy is
made up of narrow blackmailing strategies."


5. "HILLARY'S NEW ROLE" editorial in the January 23,
2009, Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily
MAHARASHTRA TIMES. "Finally Hillary Clinton has made it
to the post of Secretary of State. The delay for the
appointment was caused by an objection raised against her
husband, the ex-president Bill Clinton's fundraising
foundation. Concerns were raised in the senate about the
foundation's acceptance of large donations from foreign
countries and companies that could conflict with
Clinton's work as the Secretary of State. However,
Hillary Clinton seems to have won that battle. Now the
world is waiting for some results. As a former first
lady, she has a good understanding of foreign relations.
As a senator, Hillary Clinton did not make much of an
impact, other than positioning herself to take the plunge
in the presidential race."


6. "BARACK OBAMA'S COMMENDABLE FIRMNESS," editorial in
the January 23 pro-BJP Kolkata Bengali daily BARTAMAN.
"Obama's cautioning Pakistan clearly shows that he has
not forgotten his electoral promises. People expect
exactly this from a politician. The peace-loving, anti-
terror international community hopes that the President
of the most powerful nation will try to translate his
words into action. Obama has done a commendable job by
threatening to stop civilian assistance to Pakistan. He
is not yielding to Pakistan's blackmailing. Indian
politicians should learn a lesson from it."


7. "POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE," editorial in the January 23
independent Kolkata Bengali daily ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA.
"President Obama's foreign policy statement has mixed
significance for India. It's both positive and negative.
India does not figure in the list of Asian countries
identified by Obama as allies of the U.S. That a
Democratic President returned to the White House after
eight years and the text of his first foreign policy
statement does not mention the name of the U.S.' natural
ally -- India -- is significant indeed! During Bush's
regime U.S.-India relations achieved a new dimension.
Against this backdrop, it is a natural concern if India
fades from Washington's diplomatic radar. However, India
may take some solace for the time being from Obama
getting tough on Afghanistan, and warning Pakistan. Maybe
Obama's Washington will not loudly exhibit Indo-U.S.
friendship but will do nothing that negatively impacts
India. Obama will have to maintain a balance between the
Democratic lobby's 'anti-India' stance and India's

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importance to the U.S...."


8. "EXPECTATIONS FROM OBAMA" editorial in the January 23
Guwahati Assamese left-of-center ASAMIYA PRATIDIN. "What
Obama has inherited is an unending bloody war against
terrorism and a declining American economy. Both the
terrorist forces and the warmongers in the U.S. do not
want this war to end, and Obama may not be able to
completely break this cycle, but he will definitely try.
What the world expects from Obama is that his leadership
brings about peace and harmony, and not war. The coming
months will show whether Obama's America is ready for
that or not."


9. "OBAMA AND EXPECTATIONS", editorial in January 21
right-of-center Urdu daily INQUILAB, Mumbai: "If Obama
had reached the White House as an ordinary President in
usual circumstances, it would have been an unremarkable
occasion. But he is not an ordinary President. The eyes
of the entire world are at present focused on him,
particularly those of the people of Iraq, Afghanistan and
Palestine, and those of prisoners in Abu Graib and
Guantanamo, who have been detained without prosecution
and subjected to physical, mental and psychological
torture. Will Obama choose to play a key role in getting
them justice? The previous President entrapped them in
such a quagmire through his oppressive approach that they
cannot even demand justice. Will Obama take care of
democracy, liberty and human rights in their strict and
real senses? Democracy meant oppression, liberty meant
slavery and human rights meant supremacy of aggressors
under the regime of Bush. Obama is considered a ray of
hope. If he does not fulfill the aspirations of the
people, a crisis deeper than the prevailing economic
crisis will be inevitable."


10. "HOPES WITH OBAMA", editorial in January 22 right-of-
center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ, New Delhi: "It is true
that American democracy has given the world a new
dimension, a new ideology and a lesson of respect for
humanity, which may be considered as an ideal for
humanity. But, it is also true that American aggression
has written an unparalleled history of tyranny and
brutality. To harass the weak and feeble in order to
demonstrate its strength and sovereignty; to hatch
conspiracies to snatch the wealth of others; to trample
all principles in order to justify the existence of its
adopted son, Israel; to make efforts to demarcate new
geographical borders and supply weapons of destruction
the world over -- these are some of the black deeds of
America that have brought its rulers disrepute throughout
the world. Barack Hussein Obama is the beginning of a new
era in the history of America. The whole world has
expectations for him. It will be interesting to watch
what changes Obama's team brings during its 4-year
tenure. We hope that, in the new century, Obama will be a
powerful, strong and positive President of America, a
President who will try to clean the image of America, and
learn lessons from the errors, flaws and shortcomings of
the past."


11. "KNOCK AT THE DOOR FOR A CHANGE", editorial in

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January 22 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA,
New Delhi: "People say that everything changes in America
except its policies. Heads of government change every
four years but America's behavior with the third world
never changes. Sometimes Republicans come to power and
other times Democrats occupy the chair, but the modus
operandi of policy framers in the American Senate and
American Congress never changes. Every time the American
people elect their new President with great pomp and
show, but the President-elect does nothing except post
its puppets in countries around the world. Advocating for
a better democratic system in their country, the American
statesmen think it safe to safeguard the interests of
dictators, emperors and hot-headed rulers in other
countries. These champions of democracy often extend
their cooperation to non-democratic governments in allied
countries. But this time, the world is sensing a change
knocking on the door of world politics."


12. "INTENTIONS OF OBAMA", editorial in January 22 right-
of-center Urdu daily INQUILAB, Mumbai: "It is evident
from his speech that talks of the change Obama has called
for, it is not made up of lies, selfishness and frauds.
The situation seems to be a bit different. Since he hails
from a different racial, family, economic and social
background, his words and intentions therefore cannot be
discarded. Hoping he will keep his words, billions of
people throughout the world have belief and confidence in
Obama. On one hand there are a number of issues, while on
the other there is a mountain of hopes and expectations.
In our opinion, this is the real and greatest challenge
before Obama. History will feel proud of him, if he
stands successful in meeting that challenge."


13. "THESE FOUR YEARS............!" editorial in January 22
right-of-center Urdu daily URDU TIMES, Mumbai: "No doubt,
the period of George W. Bush was the worst period in the
history of mankind. But to suppose that the period of
Barack Hussein Obama will remove all stains of tyrannies
perpetrated during Bush's rule is to live in a fool's
paradise. What Bush did during his 8-year tenure cannot
be credited to Bush's account alone. Those were the pre-
conceived and well-deliberated decisions of the Bush
administration and the American government. The
Presidency of Obama is the beginning of the rule of
slaves. The person who took the oath in the White House
on January 20 is a son of those slaves who shed their
blood in constructing it in 1792. Besides, it is a fact
that the real rulers of America are Neo-Cons -- i.e.
White Anglo Saxon Protestant (WASP) Christians, who are
dedicated to serving Zionism, and protecting the Zionist
imperialist capitalist system."
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