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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001666 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: 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. -------------- WAR AGAINST TERRORISM -------------- ¶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." -------------- U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS NEW DELHI 00001666 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶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." -------------- SECURITY IN SOUTH ASIA -------------- ¶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." -------------- INDO-PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶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