MEDIA REACTION: SECSTATE INDIA VISIT, INDO-PAK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 001490 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: SECSTATE INDIA VISIT, INDO-PAK RELATIONS, PALESTINE, INDO-FRENCH RELATIONS/NUCLEAR DEAL WITH FRANCE, INDO-U.S. CIVIL NUCLEAR ACCORD; 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. -------------- SECSTATE INDIA VISIT -------------- ¶1. "TERRORISM, PAKISTAN AND HILLARY CLINTON'S INDIA VISIT," editorial in July 17 centrist Marathi daily NAVSHAKTI: "The Indian government is as usual is in a state of high alert in order to protect its financial capital - Mumbai -- from yet another terror attack. On the other hand, the Pakistani administration is only making some feeble (though made visible) attempts to dismantle the terrorist forces that it has so far openly supported against India, particularly Mumbai... Against this backdrop, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit assumes topmost importance. An important official of the Obama administration, Clinton is most likely to sweet-talk on the Af-Pak policy in which the U.S. wants India to send troops to strife- torn Afghanistan. India has so far refused the proposal of any direct military involvement in Afghanistan, though it has played a significant role in the rebuilding the war-ravaged Afghanistan. Let's see what Ms Clinton now offers in this context..." -------------- INDO-PAK RELATIONS -------------- ¶2. "STRATEGIC SINCERITY," editorial in July 17 right- of-center Gujarati daily, GUJARAT SAMACHAR: "Pakistani President Zardari's admission that Pakistan created and nurtured terrorists to achieve short-term tactical gains displays more stupidity than sincerity on part of the Pakistani leaders who have failed to nail such rogue elements. While no one bothered to heed Indian position on this, Zardari's comments have put Pakistan in the witness box. While this is welcome, we mustn't forget that this might be another master stroke by Pakistan's leadership to achieve strategic victory.... Now India should also corner Pakistan and up the ante of handing over dreaded criminal like Dawood Ibrahim to 
India for trial. This will test Pakistan's sincerity earnestly" ¶3. "PAKISTAN SAILING IN TWO BOATS," editorial in July 16 DAINIK HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "The roadblocks of terrorism and Kashmir in the path of the India-Pakistan talks are nothing new. We should instead pay attention to the positive signs from the Pakistan government, in the form of its recent confessions of truth. Pakistan could be doing all this under the pressure of the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit, but things are certainly looking up. Pakistan is now sailing in two boats -- of terror and peace -- at the same time. NEW DELHI 00001490 002 OF 003 Pakistan may still be up to its tricks, but it is also true that it is proposing to hold talks with open mind." -------------- PALESTINE -------------- ¶4. "PROPOSAL FOR AN INDEPENDENT PALESTINIAN STATE," editorial in July 16 right-of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "No power, capable of playing a key role in resolving Arab-Israel dispute, has ever acted sincerely. Recently, American heads of state are talking about the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but they use double entendre policies. The role of European Union in this regard is also no exception. However, if the European Union is honest and sincere, it should come forward to stop Israel from its obstinate attitude, imperialist intentions and construction of Jews colonies. The Union should play an effective role in this regard else such proposals will make the dispute more complicated." ¶5. "ARAB COUNTRIES AND PALESTINE," editorial in July 16 right-of-center Urdu daily MUNSIF: "Arab countries subjugated themselves to America by way of opportunism. As a result, Israel's conspiracies in Palestine increased manifold. Today, Israel has become so proudy, hot-headed and obstinate that it does not like to accept even Obama's proposals. Circumstances and diligence demand that the entire Arab world should refuse to accept the leadership of Mahmood Abbas and his comrades, and extend their full fledged support to Hamas as one and only representative of Palestine. It is high time when Arab countries should take effective steps else, the human history shall hold them as transgressors." -------------- - INDO-FRENCH RELATIONS/NUCLEAR DEAL WITH FRANCE -------------- - ¶6. "PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO FRANCE," editorial in July 16 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "In fact, after the civil nuclear energy accord with the U.S., and thereafter the green signal from NSG for nuclear fuel trade with India, France is one of those nations, which showed interest in nuclear trade with India. The bilateral nuclear agreement entered into in 2008 stands witness to it. Besides, there are wider possibilities of progress in mutual relation in other fields too. In a nutshell, Prime Minister's recent visit to France will be helpful in bringing the two countries in terms of culture and civilization. It may also enhance the role of France in the development of India." ¶7. "NEW CHAPTER OF FRIENDSHIP," editorial in July 16 NAI DUNIYA Hindi daily: "France has been India's friend NEW DELHI 00001490 003 OF 003 for a long time. It helped India run its nuclear reactor despite not being part of the Russian alignment when the U.S. stopped nuclear fuel supply to India. Considering this aspect, France's promise of cooperation for India's future nuclear programs is important. Many countries have eyes on India's nuclear program. The U.S. is trying hard to sell reactors to India. The U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is going to discuss the issue during her upcoming visit to India next week. Russia is already India's friend. So, India will not depend on just one nation for its energy security. If our options are open, we can avoid being bullied by the developed nations and it also becomes easy for us to negotiate with them." -------------- INDO-U.S. CIVIL NUCLEAR ACCORD -------------- ¶8. "DOUBTS OVER INDO-U.S. NUCLEAR ACCORD," editorial in July 16 right-of-center Urdu daily ETEMAAD: "The Indian government should express its explicit stand on implications of G-8 decision, and its impact on India. Since Obama administration has played a key role in framing rules and regulations for stopping the transfer of nuclear technology to non-NPT countries, it is suspected that America is bringing forth the same agenda, which is hidden in Hyde Act. It is seen, when the USA moves forward on any issue, other developed countries follow its steps after a bit shilly- shallying. The recent statement issued by G-8 countries means that Obama administration has given his consent to it. Under these circumstances America, an important party to the civil nuclear accord, should clarify the real position." ROEMER