MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS, INDIA-

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 001819

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: U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS, INDIA-
CHINA RELATIONS, INDIA NUCLEAR TEST, PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN, AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN
STRATEGY, IRAQ AND 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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U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS
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1. "LATE WISDOM DAWNS ON THE U.S.," editorial in
September 1 left-of-center Marathi daily, MAHARASHTRA
TIMES: "The U.S. has made a great and late discovery -
that Pakistan illegally modified missiles given by the
US to expand its capability to strike targets in India.
There have been countless instances when Pakistan has
trained its nuclear and conventional forces against
India, instead of dismantling Taliban and other
terrorist targets. But the U.S. has not paid much heed
to these glaring breaches on the part of Pakistan. Is
it the changing geo-politics that have brought about a
change of heart? Or is the U.S. finally convinced of
the risk posed by Pakistan?"

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INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS
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2. "CHINA'S TREACHEROUS INTENTIONS," op-ed in August 29
centrist Marathi daily, SAKAAL: "India cannot dismiss a
Chinese military strategist's objectionable anti-India
remarks recently posted on the Internet. The strategist
says that India can be easily broken into smaller
divisions, along political and parochial lines. This is
not an individual's opinion, but this is a widespread
sentiment of the Chinese government. China's support to
the insurgent guerilla groups in India's north-eastern
states betrays the same sentiment. Moreover, the
Chinese government has not taken any action against the
strategist who dared to challenge India's sovereignty."

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INDIA NUCLEAR TEST
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3. "NUCLEAR TEST UNDER A SCANNER," op-ed in August 31
right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Defense
scientist K. Santhanam, who coordinated India's nuclear
weapons program during the Pokhran nuclear tests in
1998, threw a bombshell declaring that the first and
most powerful of the three tests conducted was a dud.
Just because the truth is not always convenient does
not mean we demonize a senior scientist who dared speak
the truth. India should not expend its energies in
denying this revelation, but should instead get to the
truth of the matter. Santhanam is no ordinary man -
he's a scientist par excellence. All he wants to say is
that the last tests did not yield enough data, and
therefore India should not sign the CTBT and there is a
need to test more conclusively!"

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4. "FORGET N-TESTING, INDIA HAS MANY MORE CRYING
ISSUES," editorial in centrist August 31 Hindi daily,
NAVBHARAT TIMES: "K. Santhanam is one of several
scientists who believe that the doctrine of minimum
credible deterrence adopted by India is unacceptable
till the Hydrogen bomb is perfected. What's the big
deal about a scientist contesting India's 1998 nuclear
test in Pokharan? Effectiveness and accuracy of nuclear
tests are always argued and debated the world over. Why
do we in India make such a big issue of it? There are
bigger issues confronting the nation - like price rise,
recession etc."

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PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
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5. "AFGHAN ELECTIONS AND APPREHENSIONS," editorial in
August 31 right-of-center Urdu daily, SIASAT:
"According to some Afghanistan observers, America made
efforts to make the Hamid Karzai camp successful
because it wants to accomplish its vested interest in
Afghanistan and the entire South Asia. The Americans
say, however, that they had no role in the election
process. The U.S. desire is to make the election
process credible in the eyes of Afghan people. The
election commission should focus attention on
allegations and apprehensions of the people, or else
the significance and reliability of the election
process will be nullified."

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AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN STRATEGY
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6. "NEW TERROR TACTICS," editorial in August 18 Oriya
daily SAMAJA: "Continuous U.S. attacks on Pakistani
terror camps have unnerved the terrorists. Instead of
acting individually, these organizations are NOW coming
together under a common banner to face the American
drone attacks. That the terrorists are on the back foot
is evident from the declining number of training camps.
They are facing a severe financial crisis and the ISI
is also not in a position to help them. It seems the
terrorists are waiting for the American retreat. This
is the big opportunity to wipe them out. Both India and
America must NOW come closer with this end in view."

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IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN
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7. "IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WARS THREW AMERICAN SOLDIERS
ON THEIR BACK," commentary in August 31 right-of-center
Urdu daily, ETEMAAD: "Iraq and Afghanistan were the
main causes of the downright defeat of George W. Bush.
The country had to bear an extraordinary financial
pressure due to these issues. It would have been wise

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for America to withdraw its forces. America should read
the writing on the wall, or else its fate will not be
much different from that of the erstwhile Soviet
Union."
ROEMER