MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-CHINA, KASHMIR,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 002044 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-CHINA, KASHMIR, AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN, CLIMATE CONTROL, IRAN; 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-CHINA -------------- ¶1. "CHINA'S TOUGH CHALLENGE," editorial in Oct 3 right- of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "India-China tensions have been in the news lately. The difference between India and China is clearly reflected in the attitude of the two countries toward hosting international games. While China saw and used it as an opportunity display its national pride, India is trudging along shoddily, just completing a formality. If India wants to be on par with China, then we must first change our basic attitude and work culture." ¶2. "THE DRAGON IS NAUGHTY AT SIXTY," editorial in October 5 centrist Marathi daily, SAKAAL: "At the ripe age of sixty, the Chinese Red Dragon shows no sign of maturity. China is trying various and rather inconsequential ways to trouble India. A quasi-official blog in India advocates India to be cut into 30 pieces; the Chinese troops on India's borders often trouble the local people; the Chinese government has often openly staked claims to Arunachal Pradesh. India often disregards these antics as immature outbursts. But there are times when the dragon needs to be reprimanded as well." ¶3. "CHINA'S NAUGHTINESS" editorial in centrist Gujarati evening daily, JANMABHOOMI: "China has once again created controversy by issuing 'loose' visas to travelers residing in the Indian part of Kashmir. Earlier, China had issued similar loose Chinese visas to people of Arunachal Pradesh thereby indicating that Arunachal Pradesh was part of the Chinese mainland... By generating such controversies, China is only making its case weaker as it needs to understand that the Chinese economy is largely dependent on nations like America, Europe, and India. Any attempt to wrest regions away will only boomerang on China. Besides, it is high time for India to devise a long-term strategy to deal with such misadventures by China." Similar editorial appeared in October 2 editions of Gujarati dailies 'Gujarat Samachar and 'Divya Bhaskar.' -------------- KASHMIR -------------- ¶4. "NEFARIOUS ATTEMPT," editorial in Oct 3 right-of- center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Pakistan has been able to get the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) involved in the Kashmir dispute once again. The OIC has appointed a special envoy on Kashmir, Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman, a Saudi Arabian official, who is expected to endorse Pakistan's viewpoint on Kashmir in NEW DELHI 00002044 002 OF 003 international forums.... The OIC is out to ensnare India. It is quite evident that Indian diplomacy with the Muslim countries has not worked. Rahman is known to have a negative view of human rights situation in Indian Kashmir. The man only sees violations, not the good work being done by the state government and Union government of India. This is all under Pakistan's influence. India must make efforts to counter Pakistan's false propaganda with the OIC countries." -------------- AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN -------------- ¶5. "WATCH ON PAKISTAN," editorial in Oct 3 right-of- center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Af-Pak is like a thorn stuck in the throat of America. President Obama recently met with his top advisers on the issue. U.S. top commander in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal wants more troops in Afghanistan, and he has found support from Admiral Mullen. The good thing is that the US media is now playing a constructive role in unearthing facts - and the ISI is under the scanner. The US embassy in Islamabad will now monitor the use of American aid by Pakistan. Obama has already told Pakistan that there will be no blank checks. The US strategy has now stiffened - big brother is now all eyes! -------------- CLIMATE CONTROL -------------- ¶6. "KYOTO TO COPENHAGEN," op-ed article by columnist Ajay Lele in October 3 centrist Marathi daily, SAKAAL: "Even as the U.S. and other G-8 countries prepare to participate in the United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change at Copenhagen this December, it is time for introspection from the superpowers; for them to assess their own readiness to be part of the climate control regime that they enthusiastically want the developing world to follow. The U.S. is earnest in its attempts to cap the green-house gas emissions of other countries. But what about an honest pledge to stabilize concentrations of its own greenhouse gases at a defined level avoiding dangerous interference with the climate system? Unless the U.S. accepts legally binding emissions reductions targets, a new international accord on fighting climate change (after the Kyoto Protocol requirements expire in 2012) will not be a serious exercise." -------------- IRAN -------------- ¶7. "IRAN'S CONSTRUCTIVE STEP," editorial in Oct 3 centrist Hindi daily, NAVBHARAT TIMES: "Finally a breakthrough of sorts has come with Iran agreeing to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors access to the enrichment plant near the holy city of NEW DELHI 00002044 003 OF 003 Qom. Iran is a tough customer. Ahmedinejad has in the past threatened to stoop oil supplies if cornered. There is only that much one can do in arm-twisting Iran. This step is, therefore, very significant and no ordinary achievement." ROEMER