MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS, THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001655 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, THE RELEASE OF AMERICAN JOURNALISTS, UNITED STATES; 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. -------------- INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶1. "MISCONCEPTIONS BEHIND INDIA'S PAK POLICY," op-ed in August 6 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Even though India's extended hand has been slapped again and again by Pakistan, right-minded Indians still desire peace and stability on the subcontinent -- but with dignity. Instead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's one-sided commitment to 'go more than half the way' to make peace with Pakistan, India's correct position should be that this depends on whether Pakistan wants peace or war. Singh's recent statements in Parliament point to the fallacies on which he has been reconstructing his Pakistan policy. Wishful thinking has long hobbled Indian foreign policy. Even God cannot help Pakistan kick terrorism. A de- terrorized Pakistan will become an extinct Pakistan." ¶2. "RELEASE OF HAFIZ SAEED," editorial in August 6 nationalist Hindi daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "The reprieve to Jamaat founder Hafiz Saeed in the Pakistan Supreme Court has shaken India, but it was not totally unexpected. If Pakistan insists that the evidence provided by India against Mumbai attackers is not enough, then there is no hope for any reconciliation. Pakistan has raised many questions about the Indian dossier, but there is no link between Saeed's case and the dossier. Pakistan is basically trying to hide behind excuses, but it should remember one thing -- not just India, but even countries like the United States want strict action against people like Saeed." ¶3. "WE OF COURSE KNOW WHAT ISI MEANS," editorial in August 7 right-of-center Urdu daily, HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik's confession that some ISI officers were sympathetic to terrorist groups is no new revelation. If Pakistan wants to amend its past blunders, it should reconsider its policies very honestly and take concrete steps instead of taking support of misguiding statements and lame excuses. It would be better for the existence of Pakistan to drop its double policy." ¶4. "PAKISTAN'S CONFESSION," editorial in August 7 right-of-center Urdu daily, HAMARA SAMAJ: "By admitting to a nexus between the ISI and the terrorist groups, Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik has authenticated our stand that the Pakistani government has been patronizing anti-India terrorists. However, it is welcome that Pakistani authorities have started taking concrete measures. If this situation continues, relations between India and Pakistan may switch to a pleasant mode." NEW DELHI 00001655 002 OF 002 ¶5. "PAKISTAN STILL ADAMANT ON SAEED QUESTION," analysis in August 7 independent Kolkata Bengali, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "Pakistan has caused comfort as well as concern for the Manmohan Singh government on the question of terrorism. The relief follows the Interpol alert, but the cause of discomfiture is Mohammed Saeed. Despite providing five dossiers on 26/11 to Pakistan the foreign office spokesman still maintains that these are not enough to book Saeed. Practically speaking, the UPA government cannot remain quiet because of the unwavering attitude of the Gilanis on the question of Saeed, although Manmohan Singh noted Pakistan's 'positive steps' in regard to terrorism. No doubt, India will closely watch Pakistan's next step." -------------- THE RELEASE OF AMERICAN JOURNALISTS -------------- ¶6. "CONSENSUS-UNITY DELIVERS RESULT," editorial in August 7 right-of-center Gujarati daily, MUMBAI SAMACHAR: "Former U.S. President Bill Clinton succeeded in getting two American journalists released by North Korea. As Indians, can't we expect the release of Sarbajit Singh who is languishing in Pakistani custody? The answer is that the world respects power and strength, which we as a nation lack. Also, this episode indicates how America as a nation stands united when it comes to serving national interests. Indian democracy has a lot to learn from these matured American and western democracies in this respect. We as Indians are losing much for the lack of unity and consensus on matters of national importance." -------------- UNITED STATES -------------- ¶7. "OBAMA'S BEER DIPLOMACY: A PROACTIVE PRESIDENT," op- ed in left-of-center Marathi daily, MAHARASHTRA TIMES: "It is welcome that President Obama attempted to sort out the race row between a white police sergeant and a black Harvard professor. This is the kind of maturity one expects in a democracy, that which is sadly lacking in India." ROEMER