MEDIA REACTION: AL-QAEDA, PAKISTAN / WEAPON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001834

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: AL-QAEDA, PAKISTAN / WEAPON
MODIFICATION, INDIA AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN STRATEGY; 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.

--------------
AL-QAEDA
--------------


1. "FIRST SUICIDE ATTACK IN SAUDI ARABIA," editorial in
September 1 right-of-center Urdu daily, SIASAT: "Anti-
terrorism initiatives taken by SAUDI ARABIA have
increased al-Qaeda threats to this royal state. An
attempt to assassinate Prince Mohammad bin Naif is a
matter of serious concern for the Royal family, because
he is active against anti-al-Qaeda activities in SAUDI
Arabia. Instead of appeasing the US in matters of anti-
terrorism actions, SAUDI ARABIA should take care of its
own internal security, because the first suicide attack
in SAUDI ARABIA is a symbol of danger ahead."


2. "SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY TOO IS THE TARGET OF TERRORISM,"
editorial in September 1 right-of-center Urdu daily,
ETEMAAD: "After an attack on Prince Mohammad Naif, it
would be a misunderstanding to think that the present
policy is fruitful. In this perspective, American
policy has significantly influenced the day-to-day
happenings. Barack Obama's assurance of 'justice' to
Muslims has not been translated into action as yet. Had
the USA implemented its policies vis-`-vis the Muslims
sincerely, the policy to eradicate al-Qaeda would have
been fruitful."

--------------
PAKISTAN / WEAPON MODIFICATION
--------------


3. "PAKISTAN'S GAMES: WILL OBAMA STOP AID TO PAKISTAN?"
editorial in September 2 centrist Marathi daily,
NAVSHAKTI: "While the members of the U.S. Congress know
for a fact that Pakistan has often siphoned off
American military assistance for anti-India military
initiatives, it is now to be seen if this knowledge
results in a change in the Obama administration's
decision to grant further military aid to Pakistan.
Even as the U.S. Congress is currently considering the
proposals to spend billions of U.S. dollars over the
next five years to train and equip Pakistan's military
for counterinsurgency warfare, is it also not the right
time to see if this aid is being really used to fight
insurgency and terrorism? Or is the U.S. aid being
directed at building a huge nuclear arsenal in
akistan?"


4. "CAUTION REQUIRED," editorial in September 02,
Bangalore-based left-of-center Kannada daily,
PRAJAVANI: "The United States, which has resolved to
eliminate the Taliban, believes that Pakistan alone can
perform this task. Pakistan is modifying the weapons
supplied to it by the U.S. to fight the Taliban in such

NEW DELHI 00001834 002 OF 002


a way that they can be used against India. Pakistan has
agreed for an inspection by the U.S. authorities,
though, in reality, it is mere farce. India should
pressure the U.S. to see to it that no unconditional
military assistance is provided to Pakistan."


5. "DECEPTIVE PAKISTAN," editorial in September 1
nationalist Hindi daily, RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "The US has
accused Pakistan of illegally modifying US-made
missiles to target land-based targets in a potential
threat to India. The Pakistani establishment is always
under pressure to go after India. Pakistan's rulers
perpetually face three big problems - one, how to keep
the fire burning against India; two, to keep its
control over Afghanistan; and finally to make sure its
begging bowl is full of alms from the United States and
China. One can understand the strategic reasons behind
the U.S. giving military and financial assistance to
Pakistan. But why can't the U.S. put in place a
stringent mechanism to check that its assistance is not
being misused?"


6. "PROOF OF BAD INTENTION," editorial in September 1
Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "India should not keep
quiet regardless of the U.S. reaction to Pakistan's
illegal missile modification. It is evident that
Pakistan is misusing the U.S. aid against India rather
than fighting against terrorism, but the West,
especially the U.S., prefers to silently overlook it.
The Obama Administration is also following the policy
to keep Pakistan happy at any cost. This is the height
of the U.S. blind love for Pakistan. When will our
strategists clarify to the U.S. that its Pakistan
policy is extremely dangerous for India?"

--------------
AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN STRATEGY
--------------


7. "THIS TIME BALUCHISTAN," editorial in July 24
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA:
"There is no more time to play with fire. India
complains, Pakistan denies and Pakistan complains,
India denies. In the midst of this, terrorism
continues. Islamabad, by any means, must be compelled
to make a commitment to curb terrorism. India should
remain steadfast in following diplomatic norms and
avoid unnecessary arguments, no matter what the
criticism is."
ROEMER