MEDIA REACTION: 9/11 ANNIVERSARY, U.S. FOREIGN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001899 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: 9/11 ANNIVERSARY, U.S. FOREIGN POLICY, SINO-INDIA RELATIONS, PAKISTAN; 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. -------------- 9/11 ANNIVERSARY -------------- ¶1. "THE SHADOW OF 9/11 CONTINUES TO LINGER," editorial in September 11 centrist Marathi daily, NAVSHAKTI: "America became alert to the dangers of Islamic fundamentalism after the 9/11 attacks... But the counter- insurgency and counter-terrorism measures of the U.S. have their limitations, mainly because the U.S. is dependent on Pakistan, particularly the ISI, in its search of the 9/11 perpetrators. That is an irony in itself. Can an Islamic country, known for its fundamentalist stance, be trusted as an ally in the war against terror?" -------------- U.S. FOREIGN POLICY -------------- ¶2. "AMERICA'S STRATEGIC BLUNDER" editorial in September 11 right-of-center Gujarati daily, MUMBAI SAMACHAR: "America's lack of 'strategic depth' while formulating its Pakistan policy is fraught with hazards. Despite treating Pakistan as a front-line ally in the war against terrorism, America has not achieved desired results in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The answer is clear: America does not enjoy Pakistan's military support... It is high time for this superpower nation to introspect vis-`-vis its foreign policy initiatives failing which it may have to pay another heavy price." -------------- SINO-INDIA RELATIONS -------------- ¶3. "CHINA'S AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDE," commentary in September 10 right of center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRA, by strategic affairs specialist Brahma Chellaney: "China's muscle-flexing along the Himalayan frontier has dissipated hopes of a politically negotiated territorial-disputes settlement.... Increasing Chinese intrusions and border tensions are creating a 1962-like situation. Besides China's geo-strategic advantage, internationally, several factors are contributing to its greater assertiveness toward India. First, India's growing strategic ties with the U.S. The Obama administration's silence on the China-India boundary tensions reflects a fact that U.S.'s Asia policy is no longer guided by an overarching geopolitical framework as it had been during the Bush administration. Another factor is the weakening of China's Pakistan card against India." -------------- NEW DELHI 00001899 002 OF 002 PAKISTAN -------------- ¶4. "A.Q. KHAN'S REVELATIONS," editorial in September 10 right of center Hindi daily, AMAR UJALA: "Pakistani rogue scientist A.Q. Khan's new revelations not only expose his misdeeds, but also underline the role of the European and Gulf countries and the U.S.... Is nuclear material so easily available that Khan could get it when and where he wanted? Pakistan's nuclear program and its proliferation to other countries could have not have been possible without the government's support. The U.S. is also responsible for this. India's 1993 nuclear tests had to face strong U.S. opposition, but the latter kept quiet on Pakistan's nuclear program." ROEMER