MEDIA REACTION: POTUS VISIT,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002078

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: POTUS VISIT,
NAXALISM/TERRORISM, AFGHANISTAN, SENTIMENT TOWARD THE
U.S.; 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.

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POTUS VISIT
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1. "OBAMA TURNS HIS BACK TO INDIA," editorial in
October 9 centrist Marathi daily, NAVSHAKTI: "U.S.
President Obama has often shown high regard for India,
Indian culture and values. In his presidential election
campaign, he often mentioned the image of the Hindu god
Lord Hanuman that is close to his heart. Obama's
reverence for Mahatma Gandhi has won him respect in
many Indian hearts. Against this backdrop, it is rather
shocking that Obama will not come to India in his
upcoming Asia tour. Obama's tour starts on November
11th, and we are soon approaching the first anniversary
of the Mumbai terror attacks. In his first Asian trip
as president, he will be visiting Japan, Singapore,
China and South Korea, the White House has announced.
What message is he sending across? Is India low on his
priority list?"

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NAXALISM/TERRORISM
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2. "BULLET FOR BULLET IS THE RIGHT RESPONSE TO
MAOISTS," editorial in the October 9 centrist Gujarati
daily, DIVYA BHASKAR: "The cold-blooded killing of 18
policemen in Maharashtra's Gadhchiroli district
yesterday is another chilling account of the brutality
unleashed by these extremist elements. This also
suggests that Maoists are in a state of war and NOW it
is up to the government to pay them back in the same
coin. This is India's not just internal security
problem but is also fraught with danger on borders as
Maoists derive their support from China. If India is to
secure her borders then she will first have to crush
the enemy within."

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AFGHANISTAN
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3. "AL-QAIDA IN AFGHANISTAN," editorial in October 8
right-of-center Urdu daily, SIASAT: "In order to
enfeeble the Taliban in Afghanistan, NATO and its
allies are busy day and night. Thousands of guileless
citizens are being massacred during skirmishes between
the government and the Taliban. Millions of people are
migrating in search of safer places. The very pertinent
question is from where terrorists are getting their
strength? Why do the intelligence agencies, that know
about al-Qaida's plans and strategies, fail to find out
the sources from which al-Qaida gets its strength?"


NEW DELHI 00002078 002 OF 002


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SENTIMENT TOWARD THE U.S.
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4. "A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE," editorial in October 7
Islamist Urdu bi-weekly, DAWAT: "People's apathy
against America and the West is increasing day by day.
Earlier, the feeling of hatred was seen amongst the
general masses only. There was no such hatred at the
level of the ruling class. Some courageous leaders have
come up in feeble and trampled nations. Yesterday, it
was only Fedel Castro, but NOW there is Ahmadinejad
too, to challenge the West. Muammar Qaddafi of Libya
and President Lolo from Brazil are also in the list of
anti-West and anti-American leaders amongst many
others. They have a common feeling to forge an
alliance. If Asian, African and Latin American
countries keep making an effort to forge unity among
themselves, the present tyrant and oppressive world
order could be changed."
ROEMER