MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001595 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: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS, SECSTATE VISIT, MIDDLE EAST; 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. -------------- INDO-PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶1. "MISCONCEPTION OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN," op-ed in July 29 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "The media in both India and Pakistan failed to rise above their mindsets to welcome the outcome of the Sharm-el- Sheikh meetings. Hillary Clinton's statement that the two countries should resolve their problems bilaterally, and that the U.S. is not a mediator, should silence critics wanting to draw Washington into the imbroglio." ¶2. "DIALOGUE WITH A 'TERRORIST' NATION?" editorial in July 30 right-of-center Gujarati daily, MUMBAI SAMACHAR: "Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh clarifying in parliament that Pakistan has not submitted any dossier on Baluchistan smacks of Pakistan's dishonesty in misleading the world. India needs to be firm on her stand that there cannot be any dialogue with Pakistan until it takes credible action against those involved in spearheading terrorist activities in India." ¶3. "WILL THE SHARM-EL-SHEIKH DISGRACE EVER DISAPPEAR?" editorial in July 30 centrist Gujarati daily, DIVYA BHASKAR: "There seemed to be no grain of truth in Indian Prime Minister Singh's reply to parliament over the Indo-Pakistan joint statement issue. It is clear from the Sharm-El-Sheikh episode that India buckled under American pressure and bartered away her national interest. India needs to understand that if she intends to become a superpower she must learn to tell the truth even to America." ¶4. "HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN PAKISTAN-OCCUPIED KASHMIR," op-ed in July 30 centrist Marathi daily, NAVSHAKTI: "Major political outfits and media in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have intensified their protest against the complete neglect of the region by the Pakistani administration. Abdul Hamid Khan, chairperson of the Balawaristan National Front has long stated his goal of seeking severance from Pakistan. He has not minced words on how the Pakistani administration has been involved in efforts to alter the demographic profile of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit and Baltistan, reducing the indigenous people to a minority. India treats this revolt as Pakistan's domestic issue, especially because any military action against the perpetrators of crime in this region can be easily labeled by the Pakistani administration as interference. But the international community should be alert to the popular voice in PoK." -------------- NEW DELHI 00001595 002 OF 002 SECSTATE VISIT -------------- ¶5. "TOO EAGER TO PLEASE U.S.," commentary in July 29 Hindi daily, AMAR UJALA: "The two main agreements signed during Hillary Clinton's visit are a direct interference in India's political and economic sovereignty and independent foreign policy. Secondly, there is nothing bilateral about their structure. It is a straight imposition of the U.S. imperialist agenda and the UPA government's surrender. By signing the end- use monitoring agreement, India opened the doors of its strategic military organizations for U.S. surveillance. Besides India's security concerns, it is also a sacrifice of its sovereignty. It is unfortunate that the Manmohan Singh government seems to be ready to change country's stand for becoming an ally of the U.S." -------------- MIDDLE EAST -------------- ¶6. "PEACE IN WEST ASIA: NOT AN EASY TASK," op-ed in July 30 right-of-center Urdu daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "America has intensified its efforts for peace in West Asia. But the restoration of peace in this region is not an easy task. President Obama also offered direct talks to Iran which Israel terms its biggest enemy. In fact, the Israeli authorities and the American Zionist lobby consider President Obama's realistic policies a big hurdle in the way of their bad intensions. President Obama should be very careful about the threats not only to peace in West Asia but also to his life." ROEMER