MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001753

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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,
ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN; 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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INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS
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1. "MANMOHAN'S STATEMENT," editorial in August 19
nationalist Hindi daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh's remarks on Monday that there
was credible information that terrorist groups based in
neighboring Pakistan were planning new attacks in India
may be news to him, but it's not news to Indians who
are used to cross-border terrorism from Pakistan for
over a decade and a half. In fact, India is surprised
when there are peace overtures, if any, from Pakistan!
Even as the PM was making this statement, Indian
security forces arrested nine Pakistanis off the
Gujarat coast."


2. "FLIP FLOP," editorial in August 19 Hindi daily,
DAINIK JAGRAN: "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left all
surprised when he said on Monday that India has
information that Pakistan-based terrorist groups are
plotting fresh attacks, and called on security forces
to stay on high alert. Why did he not share this
information on August 15, India's independence Day,
with the public? A day after the PM made his remark,
Home Minister P Chidambaram said there are terrorists
groups plotting attacks against India but there is no
specific threat of an imminent attack. Contradictory
postures show the confusion in the government on its
Pakistan policy, and will damage India's credibility,
nationally as well as internationally."


3. "AMERICA'S LACKEY," editorial in August 19 right-of-
center Gujarati daily, GUJARAT SAMACHAR: "One doesn't
understand why Indian leaders show much concern for the
deteriorating situation in Pakistan. We need to realize
that the Pakistani government is merely acting as
America's lapdog. The leaders there are merely
interested in getting the maximum amount of financial
aid from America, all under the ruse of the fight
against terrorism. It is foolhardy to shed tears for a
nation [Pakistan] whose own leaders are the biggest
obstacles to securing stability."


4. "IS OUR PRIME MINSTER PAKISTAN'S SPOKESPERSON?"
editorial in August 19 centrist Gujarati daily,
GUJARATMITRA: "The statements from Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh on impending threats from
Pakistan suggest a sort of imbalance in his
thoughts. Is it the same prime minister who in Sharm
el-Sheikh agreed to unconditional dialogue with
Pakistan? Now he is sending out alarm bells to his
countrymen to be vigilant! The role of the head of the
government is not merely to alert the citizens but also
to ensure their safety."


NEW DELHI 00001753 002 OF 002



5. "THE PRIME MINISTER'S WARNING AGAINST PAKISTAN,"
editorial in August 20 centrist Marathi daily, LOKMAT:
"It is admirable that our head-of-the-government has
pinpointed the security risk that Pakistan poses to
India. Not that such risks are not known to the
Pakistani government and the U.S., but it is always
advisable to be extra-cautious of a devious neighbor."

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ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
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6. "LACK OF FAITH IN AFGHAN POLLS," op-ed in August 19
nationalist Hindi daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "The
elections in Afghanistan are happening in the backdrop
of weak governance, illegal opium trade, poverty,
unemployment, hunger, terror and human rights
violations. All the candidates in the fray are
promising riddance from these ills that plague the
country. The fear of the Taliban is real. No candidate
has a clear victory in the elections. An atmosphere of
danger and uncertainty looms over Afghanistan. The
elections are unlikely to solve the country's bigger
problems. As of now, it's wait and watch!"
ROEMER