MEDIA REACTION: ATTACK ON INDIAN EMBASSY IN

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 002092 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: ATTACK ON INDIAN EMBASSY IN KABUL, NUCLEAR ISSUES / NPT; 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. -------------- ATTACK ON INDIAN EMBASSY IN KABUL -------------- ¶1. "ATTACK ON INDIA NEMBASSY IN KABUL: WILL IT BE THE LAST?" editorial in October 12 centrist Gujarati daily, GUJARATMITRA: "The attack on the Indian embassy, the second in the last 15 months, indicates that the security situation in strife-torn Afghanistan is far from satisfactory. Secondly, the continuing uncertainty over the outcome of the presidential elections further aggravates the security scenario there. Under such circumstances, the extremist Taliban group becomes more active and aggressive. The attack on the Indian chancery is a case in point. While India welcomes U.S. Ambassador Roemer's statement that America stands firmly behind India, India will have to fight such threats of terrorism on her own strength." ¶2. "BAD OMEN IN AFGHANISTAN," editorial in October 10 Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "The attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul should be an eye opener for India and the international community, particularly the U.S. It is clear that there is no control over terrorists either in Afghanistan or in Pakistan.... The real source of terrorists' support lies in Pakistan. This attack has confirmed that the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI is still supporting the Taliban. It is really shocking that the U.S. continues its economic and military aid to Pakistan, despite having its own experts confirming that the latter is using it against India." -------------- NUCLEAR ISSUES / NPT -------------- ¶3. "WEAPON OF DISARMAMENT," editorial in October 12 Hindi daily DAINIK HINDUSTAN: "Obama wrote to the U.S. Congress that his administration was working with other countries on not allowing India to expand its nuclear program. It seems every year India will seek U.S. President's approval, which was said to be just a formality in the U.S.-India nuclear deal. But despite having a similar deal with China why does U.S. not say anything about its nuclear ambitions? And why does it have a soft attitude on Pakistan? If Obama maintains discrimination in the disarmament policy, it will certainly obstruct his and the world's goal of peace." ROEMER