MEDIA REACTION, NEW DELHI: SECSTATE INDIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001526 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, NEW DELHI: SECSTATE INDIA VISIT; U.S. AMBASSADOR TO INDIA, IRAN PALESTINE/ISRAEL; NEW DLEHI. 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. "DEAD WARRIOR IN A POLITICAL DRAMA," editorial-page article in July 23 independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "It is unethical for the U.S. to advise China and India to become responsible without spelling out its own agenda on environmental protection issues. Secretary Clinton's assurance that the U.S. will not do anything that might halt India's economic progress should not be considered as hollow because India's international importance is growing. One should not hold high hopes for the upcoming Copenhagen summit." -------------- U.S. AMBASSADOR TO INDIA -------------- ¶2. "DR. TIMOTHY ROEMER," editorial in July 23 left-of- center Marathi daily, LOKSATTA: "The Obama Administration's decision to appoint the distinguished Dr. Timothy Roemer as the U.S. ambassador to India is welcome. It shows that the U.S. wants to send the best possible representative to India, someone who is a former lawmaker and holds a doctorate degree in government and also heads a Washington think-tank on policy formation. The appointment reflects a determination to build strategic partnership with India. After the 9/11 attacks, Dr. Roemer used his position to support the work of a joint congressional inquiry into the nature of the attacks. He was the key sponsor of legislation to establish the 9/11 commission. His moderate, bipartisan politics and national security experience are very relevant to India." -------------- IRAN -------------- ¶3. "INTERNAL STRIFE IN IRAN," editorial in July 22 right-of-center Urdu daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "Iran, at present, is a target of forces who do not want to see the growth and development of any Muslim country, and hatch conspiracies to enfeeble the country. The Opposition's allegations regarding the presidential elections may have some truth, but to destabilize the country on that pretext will result in strengthening alien anti-Iran forces. It is the responsibility of the opposition parties to resolve their differences, despite their differences with Ahmadinejad, so that conspiracies hatched by alien forces are not successful." NEW DELHI 00001526 002 OF 002 -------------- PALESTINE/ISRAEL -------------- ¶4. "ISRAEL A CHALLENGE FOR OBAMA," editorial in July 22 right-of- center Urdu daily, ETEMAAD: "Israel challenged the US by rejecting once again its proposal to stop construction of Jewish colonies in Jerusalem. It was a demand by America and not by Palestinians. It is the moral obligation of Israel to accept the American proposal. However, if America keeps silent over the Israel obstinacy, while on the other hand persuading moderate Palestinians for talks, then Barack Obama's claim for a real peace in the Middle East will become a mockery. Such diplomacy may harm his trustworthiness. At present, he has a clean image." BURLEIGH