MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001753 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, 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. -------------- INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS -------------- ¶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." -------------- ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶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