MEDIA REACTION: NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION IN SOUTH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 001983 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: NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION IN SOUTH ASIA, INDO-PAK RELATIONS, INDIA-CHINA TENSIONS, BANGLADESH; 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. -------------- NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION IN SOUTH ASIA -------------- ¶1. "YOUR ATOM BOMB AND MINE," editorial in September 23 right-of-center Urdu daily, HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "When Pakistan was producing nuclear weapons of mass destruction, America not only turned its back on Pakistan, it often extended its full cooperation. No doubt, it was a part of its gameplan in the subcontinent. No doubt, it was a well conceived plot of China and Pakistan, which played a major role in spreading the atomic technology throughout the world, but America's role in this gameplan was nothing short of a selfish motive. However, America is still in need of Pakistan. When will we get rid of Uncle Sam's deceptive games, which are responsible for endless arms-races in the subcontinent?" ¶2. "THERE'S A BIG CALCULATION BEHIND A.Q.KHAN'S LETTER BOMB," editorial in the September 23 centrist Gujarati daily, DIVYA BHASKAR: "At last, father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb A.Q. Khan has spilt the beans. It is certainly a vindication of India's stand that A.Q. Khan would not have succeeded in the clandestine transfer of nuclear technology to nations like Iran, North Korea and Libya without the backing of Pakistani leaders. The timing of the release of this letter indicates the America strategy to tighten the noose around Pakistan. It is imperative for the international community to assess the situation and take all possible to steps to prevent Pakistan from failing." ¶3. "DR. KHAN'S LETTER BOMB," editorial in September 23 centrist Gujarati daily, JANMABHOOMI: "The letter bomb is just the tip of the iceberg of many more secrets that will come out if A.Q. Khan is set free. The 'double' role of nations like United States and Britain will also be exposed if Dr. Khan opens the Pandora's box. As far as India is concerned, she will have to tread cautiously over recent developments. Musharraf's revelations of U.S. aid being used to stockpile weapons against India, America's policy shift vis-`-vis Afghanistan and now this letter bomb. India needs to rethink it policy after taking all these into consideration." -------------- INDO-PAK RELATIONS -------------- ¶4. "DISCLOSURE BY 'THE NEWS'," editorial in September 23 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "It is known to one and all that the reason behind the prevailing tension between India and Pakistan is NEW DELHI 00001983 002 OF 003 Pakistan's weak stand on terrorism. Pakistan never showed sincerity in stopping the infiltration of Pakistan trained terrorists into Kashmir or bordering Indian areas. It also never kept its words made to the world community, particularly India, regarding closure of terrorist camps in Pakistani territories. The report published in "The News", referring to former President Musharraf's support of terrorism, is proof that Pakistani rulers keep patronizing terrorist activities against India." ¶5. "MUSHARRAF'S ADMISSION," op-ed article by columnist Shashikant Pitre in September 23 centrist Marathi daily, SAKAAL: "It is true that former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's admission of diversion of U.S. aid for anti-India activities is a sensational one. It is also the first such direct revelation made by a former-head-of-the-state of Pakistan. But there is hardly anything distinctly new in this admission. The U.S. has provided aid to Pakistan despite knowing the anti-India insurgency sponsored by Pakistan on the India-Pakistan border." ¶6. "THE EVIDENCE IS IN PAKISTAN ITSELF," editorial in September 23 right-of-center Urdu daily, URDU TIMES: "This time the ball is in Pakistan's court. Home Minister P. Chidambaram has explained that Pakistan will now have to gather evidence on its own land, particularly in matters related to Hafiz Saeed and his accomplices. If Pakistan wants an early start of Indo- Pak talks, it will have to make serious efforts to prosecute 26/11 culprits." ¶7. "THE DIALOGUE CONTINUES, BUT," op-ed In September 24 left-of-center Marathi daily, MAHANAGAR: "Pakistan wants to continue the bilateral dialogue with India, but it does not wish to conduct an honest inquiry into the 26/11 conspiracy that was hatched on its soil. India is rightly building the pressure on Pakistan as well as the U.S. India is willing to resume the dialogue with Pakistan only if the latter shows willingness to fight a joint war against terror." -------------- INDIA-CHINA TENSIONS -------------- ¶8. "SEE CHINA THROUGH PRISM OF FUTURE, NOT PAST," commentary in September 22 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "In the last few weeks the Indian media has been full of reports of skirmishes between Chinese and Indian troops, although these stories have been denied or played down by both governments. India is worried because China is always seemingly in its way - be it in international forums like United Nations and ADB, or by supplying arms to our enemy countries. Neighbors like Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar are good at playing the China card against India. It is not China that is intruding in our region - our neighbors are opening their doors to it. Let us set our own house in NEW DELHI 00001983 003 OF 003 order." -------------- BANGLADESH -------------- ¶9. "BANGLADESH'S CHALLENGES," op-ed in September 22 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Extremism is rearing its head again in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has become a haven for organizations banned in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. The United Liberation Front of Asom, the LTTE and other lawless groups operate from Bangladeshi soil and find it is safe to do so. Perhaps New Delhi can encourage some private investors to pump money into Bangladesh or set up joint ventures to produce what India requires. The problem is that New Delhi expects much more than Dhaka can deliver. There is a feeling that India is becoming increasingly conscious of emerging as a world power and tends to throw its weight around. New Delhi must alleviate suspicions through its actions." ROEMER