MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN, PAKISTAN /

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001928 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, PAKISTAN / USA, INDIA-CHINA; 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 -------------- ¶1. "MUSHARRAF'S REVELATION EXPOSES U.S.," editorial in September 15 Hindi daily, DAINIK BHASKAR: "Pervez Musharraf is back to playing games. His admission that U.S. aid was diverted against India is nothing but a ploy to gain public support. During his forthcoming U.S. visit, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna should clearly tell Washington that its aid is harming India's interests. If the Obama Administration does not pay heed, we should firmly tell Washington it will affect our relationship." ¶2. "MUSHARRAF'S TRUTH," editorial in September 15 Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Musharraf's confession of using U.S. aid against India is not surprising. The U.S. is not monitoring Pakistan despite the Harpoon missile modification. Pakistan will continue to blackmail U.S. till the war on terror in Afghanistan does not get over... Just like Musharraf, Durrani also confessed that the reason behind the 1965 war was Pakistani intrusion.... Forget about bringing the Mumbai attack perpetrators to justice, Pakistan is not even accepting the evidences provided by India. India needs to be alert after these confessions." ¶3. "MUSHARRAF'S SILLY TALK," editorial in September 15 right-of-center Urdu daily INQUILAB: "A few days ago, General Parvez Musharraf said extremism and terrorism in Pakistan took birth because Muslims were being tyrannized in India. The former president wants to hide his failure in tackling the terrorism in Pakistan, and garner the support of America so that Washington may play an important role in stopping any possible action against him by Islamabad. As far as Indian Muslims are concerned, Musharraf should know that they do not need any alien help. Here in India, there is a democratically elected government, there are non- governmental organizations, and there is law and order, supremacy of law and judiciary. What we do not have is a Parvez Musharraf who makes the mockery of law and justice." ¶4. "NEED FOR CONSENSUS TO FIGHT TERRORRISM," editorial in September 16 right-of-center Gujarati daily, MUMBAI SAMACHAR: "Former Pakistani President Musharraf admitting that U.S. aid to Pakistan has been used to amass weapons against India exonerates what India has been claiming for years. Despite this, America continues to be a hindrance in the way of declaring Pakistan a terrorist state. India need not expect too much on this front from America. India needs to isolate Pakistan by adopting smart business policy of not trading with countries that have economic ties with NEW DELHI 00001928 002 OF 002 Pakistan. All political parties in India need to arrive at consensus and formulate anti-terrorism policy that works in India's interest." -------------- PAKISTAN / USA -------------- ¶5. "TRANSFER OF AMERICAN ARMS FROM IRAQ TO PAKISTAN," editorial in September 15 right-of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "The Pentagon has proposed transferring U.S. military equipment from Iraq to Pakistani security forces. Where they will be used? Who will be the targets of these weapons and what shall be the consequences thereof? No need to say that these weapons could be used against India. In fact, America is trying his level best to turn the entire South Asia into an Iraq. It is not the time to rejoice. It is rather the high time for serious deliberations, crying and seeks the blessings of Almighty." -------------- INDIA-CHINA -------------- ¶6. "THE RIDDLE OF INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS," op-ed in September 16 centrist Marathi Daily, SAKAL: "China is a very shrewd country. It did not accept Sikkim's integration with India for a long time. Now it has at least acknowledged that Sikkim is a part of India. But it has different thinking about Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. They have vested interests in both the regions. Experts there believe that China is not going to relent even one bit about its stand on Arunachal Pradesh. India has heavy deployment of troops to fight rebels and terrorists in the north east. China is watching keenly at this troop buildup too." ¶7. "THREATS FROM CHINA AND PAKISTAN," editorial in September 16 Assamese centrist daily, AJIR DAINIK BATORI: "Like Pakistan, China has reportedly stepped up its military and other activities along the border areas posing a threat to India... To ignore the threat will mean comprise with the country's security... India should not allow the recurrence of the 1962 war. Given China and Pakistan's anti-India disposition on various issues, India must take strong measures to fortify its borders and engage in diplomatic parleys to garner international support, particularly that of the U.S." ROEMER