MEDIA REACTION: WAR AGAINST TERRORISM, U.S.-

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001666

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E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: WAR AGAINST TERRORISM, U.S.-
INDIA RELATIONS, SECURITY IN SOUTH ASIA, INDO-PAKISTAN
RELATIONS; 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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WAR AGAINST TERRORISM
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1. "AFTER BAITULLAH," editorial in August 8 centrist
Hindi daily, DAINIK HINDUSTAN: "Pakistan Taliban leader
Baitullah Mehsud's killing in a U.S. drone attack does
not benefit the NATO forces struggling in Afghanistan
much, but it is a big relief for Pakistan. The U.S.
strategy is to weaken the Taliban in Pakistan so that
they are unable to shelter or support Afghan Taliban.
The success of the U.S. strategy will depend a lot on
the Pakistani army's cooperation. India should be alert
because terrorists can execute acts to increase tension
between India and Pakistan."


2. "TALIBAN'S SUPPORT SYSTEM CRASHES... HOPEFULLY,"
editorial in August 10 centrist Marathi daily,
NAVSHAKTI: "Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud's
death is a wonderful piece of news. It represents a
decisive leap for Pakistan's war against Islamist
militancy. While the mystery revolving around Mehsud's
dead body continues, one wishes luck to the CIA and
Pakistan in such AIR strikes that wipe out such
dreadful terrorists."


3. "ILLUSIVE BAITULLAH," editorial in August 10 right-
of-center Gujarati daily, GUJARAT SAMACHAR: "The
hullabaloo surrounding Pakistan's claim that Baitullah
Mehsud has been killed is difficult to digest. Even if
it were so, it would be foolhardy to believe that
Baitullah's exit would bring an end to
terrorism. Pakistan is notorious for such
disinformation. Nobody has seen Laden's or Baitullah's
bodies! Besides, the Americans are trying to justify
their support to Pakistan in the fight against
terrorism by trying to mislead the world through such
baseless news."


4. "PAKISTAN AND THE TALIBAN MOVEMENT," editorial in
August 9 right-of-center Urdu daily, SIASAT: "The
possible killing of Baitullah Mehsud may not mean the
end of the Taliban movement. It is the need of the day
for Pakistan as well as other countries to be aware of
the threat of their enemies. It is worth considering
how merely a few thousand Taliban gained so much power
in recent years and their motives behind capturing a
country. The Taliban are not getting popular among
Pakistani people because of their religious narrow
mindedness. In spite of this, if the movement is
active, then, there are certainly some anti-Islam
forces which are working behind this."

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U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS

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5. "RELATIONS BASED ON COMMON INTERESTS," op-ed in
August 9 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN:
"The U.S. has lost its financial supremacy, but
maintains its dominance in military, technical and
economic fields. In these fields, India can be a vital
U.S. ally because of its expertise in the English
language and its strong democratic credentials. In
these areas, there is also no clash of mutual
interests. The time difference between U.S. and India
too works very well for round the clock cooperation. In
fact, there are possibilities of brighter U.S.-India
bilateral cooperation."

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SECURITY IN SOUTH ASIA
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6. "ARIHANT'S AUSPICIOUS LAUNCH," commentary in August
8 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "The
launch of India's first nuclear submarine Arihant is an
occasion for pride, but the chest thumping is
unwarranted. India's public determination to acquire
such strategic capability is important. Like the May
1998 nuclear tests, India needs to adopt a firm posture
for enhancing its strategic relevance -- first
regionally and then globally. The Arihant launch has
symbolic significance not just for the Navy, but for
the entire nation."

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INDO-PAKISTAN RELATIONS
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7. "TERRORISM IS ALIVE," editorial in August 10
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA:
"New Delhi's initiative to establish good neighborly
relations with Islamabad is certainly important but
Pakistan must be categorically told that Delhi cannot
continue dialogues with Islamabad when Pakistan is
being used for anti-India activities. Washington too
should not expect this to happen. It is amazing that
Delhi will have to repeatedly draw Washington's
attention to Pakistan's lack of goodwill while
terrorists, pampered by Pakistan, kill innocent
Indians."
ROEMER