MEDIA REACTION: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PAKISTAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 000211

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: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PAKISTAN
POLICY, U.S. ECONOMY, INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS, WAR
AGAINST TERROR; 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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PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PAKISTAN POLICY
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1. "OBAMA'S POSSIBLE PAKISTAN POLICY," editorial in
January 16 centrist Cuttack Oriya daily SAMAJA.
"Diplomatic conjecture about President Obama's possible
Pakistan policy points to the fact that Pakistan is
useful in safeguarding America's interest in the Indian
sub-continent. True, America has strengthened its ties
with India but its 'special approach' to Pakistan has not
declined. Pakistan is a nuclear power and that causes
the U.S. a bad headache. If the civilian government goes
due to its inability to fight terrorism, it is possible
that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal will pass into the hands
of Jihadis. Pakistan has explained to the U.S. that its
nuclear weapons are meant only for India. If it passes
into the hands of fundamentalists it will be a threat to
America as well. President Obama knows this and this
will determine how he chooses to deal with Islamabad."


2. "PAKISTAN'S N-ARSENAL," editorial in January 15 pro-
BJP Bhubaneswar Oriya daily SAMAYA. America is
concerned, and with good reason, that Pakistan's nuclear
arsenal is a threat to world safety. In fact, more than
the world, it is a threat to India. Under Gen.
Musharraf, Pakistan did launch attacks on the
fundamentalists. As a result, al Qaida, Taliban, and the
Lashkar-e-Toiba indulged in large scale violence in
Pakistan. Now, with the civilian government in power,
the fundamentalist threat seems to be on the rise. It is
feared that if the civilian government fails to govern
and fundamentalists wrest power, then with the nuclear
arsenal they may create havoc in the world. That's why
the U.S. and global diplomacy must see to it that the
civilian government stays in power in Islamabad."


3. "BARACK OBAMA AND INDIA" op-ed by Dr. Rashmi Bhure,
Professor in the February 3, 2009, Mumbai edition of
centrist Marathi daily SAKAL. "Carrying a huge weight of
expectations, Barack Obama has started working
immediately after his inauguration. In the war against
terror, the Obama administration's firm stand on
Pakistan's role has been welcomed by India. Obama has
said in the past that there should be a special
representative for South Asia. However, in actuality he
has appointed a special envoy for Afghanistan and
Pakistan. This is a positive step for India as India was
against having a special envoy for South Asia. It felt
that America had intentions of playing the role of a 'Big
Brother' in the region. It also felt that the U.S. wanted
to play the role of a neutral broker in the resolution of
the Kashmir conflict, which would amount to America's
policing in the region. Obama's South Asia experts seem
to have made Obama aware of the implications of the move

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to 'police' South Asia. It is for this very reason Obama
has avoided offending Delhi and has appointed former
Ambassador Richard Holbrooke for the job. Obama has
called India a natural ally. He also has the immense
influence of Mahatma Gandhi on him. So it is probable
that all this combined will lead to the improvement of
Indo-U.S. ties during his tenure."

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U.S. ECONOMY
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4. "LAVISHNESS IN RECESSION," editorial in February 2
centrist HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "In the wake of the
deepest and swiftest financial downturn in U.S. history,
some companies which are complaining of record losses and
the need for a financial bailout continue to hand out
massive bonuses to executives. One company is even
purchasing a plane worth $50 million for the comfortable
journey of its executives. U.S. President Barack Obama
has called this lavishness in this deep crisis shameful.
This is the time to cut down on all luxuries, save money
and use it correctly. Despite the crucial economic
downturn, finance companies have not changed their
attitude. They expect bailouts from the government, but
do not want to change their attitude. Such thinking will
not let them and, perhaps, anybody emerge from
recession."


5. "I'M YOUR MAN," editorial in the February 2
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA.
"The U.S. Government could have objected in the boardroom
itself while the decision was being made to offer huge
bonuses to corporate executives. There might be a
different objective behind making a public statement.
Many people are NOW jobless in the U.S. and some have
fallen victims of debt. Under this circumstance, the
President's popularity will naturally increase if he
censures top corporate executives for their fabulous
earnings. A sentiment like 'victory of the poor' must
have worked behind Obama's electoral win. It is not
unexpected that Obama will try to fan his popularity wave
this way. But he should remain cautious against confusing
economic reasoning while making political calculations."


6. "OBAMA'S ANGER: LARGESSE IN RECESSION" editorial in
the February 2, 2009 Mumbai-based centrist Gujarati
evening daily JANMABHOOMI. "U.S. President Barack Obama
has succeeded in getting approval for the stimulus
package he promised during his election campaign. While
this is his first major success after assuming office,
Obama has an uphill task of explaining to American
consumers the need to get rid of the habit of
uncontrolled expenditure. Besides, at a time when he is
making serious efforts to put the economy back on track,
the news about the top executives on Wall Street giving
themselves fat bonuses has rightly angered Obama. He has
described this as 'shameful' and 'irresponsible.' The
need of the hour for the United States and economies
around the world is to adopt a frugal way of life,

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controlling savings and expenses. President Obama has
shown the way. Even India needs to take a cue from this
to further strengthen its economy."

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INDIA/PAKISTAN RELATIONS
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7. "UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR," editorial in February 2
nationalist RASHTRIYA SAHARA Hindi daily: "The claim by
the Pakistan High Commissioner in the U.K. that
investigations had revealed that Pakistani soil was not
used for planning the Mumbai terror attacks is
objectionable. Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani later
condemned it, but his own statement is also different
from the Foreign Minister Kureshi's statement. How can a
diplomatic mission give such detailed statements without
consulting its Foreign Ministry? Pranab Mukherjee's
reaction is appropriate: that the Pakistan Government
should not talk through the media. India should be
prepared for rejection of evidence provided to Pakistan.
Pakistan agreed to cooperate with India only under U.S.
pressure. Thus, we should start our preparations based
on the Pakistan High Commissioner's statement. If
Pakistan denies the report sent to it we should take
action. Gilani's commitment in Davos to not let
Pakistan's soil be used for terrorism is meaningless as
long as no action is taken against the culprits of the
Mumbai attacks."


8. "DIPLOMATIC BANKRUPTCY," editorial in February 3
independent Kolkata Bengali daily ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA.
"Since the beginning Delhi has set its tone on a shrill
pitch and threatened to start war against Islamabad
unless the latter cooperates. But in reality, when
Pakistan does not show even a semblance of cooperation it
appears that beginning a war is not easy. Not keeping an
option open for a middle path exposes India's extreme
diplomatic weakness. Efficient diplomacy demands that
there must be some provision for a middle path,
especially in the case of India and Pakistan. This does
not enhance India's image in the international arena."


9. "BRING LIAR PAKISTAN'S SENSE TO ORDER" editorial in
the February 2, 2009 Mumbai-based centrist Gujarati
evening daily JANMABHOOMI. "Pakistan's behavior is a
good example of the saying that to tell one lie one has
to tell 100. Pakistan's flip-flop on the Mumbai
terrorist attacks last year shows that it is not serious
in bringing the guilty to justice. It is not only India
that faces risk from Al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiyba; even
America faces danger from such terrorist outfits. This
has also been articulated by prominent U.S. policy
adviser Ashley Tellis, who recently said that India is
acting as a 'sponge' between America and terrorist
elements in Pakistan. If Pakistan doesn't take steps then
India needs to explore 'other options' and take concrete
steps to nail Pakistan."

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WAR AGAINST TERROR
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10. "WHY SHOULD THERE BE ONLY DIPLOMATIC OBSTACLES?"
editorial in the February 2 CPI (M) Bengali Organ
GANASHAKTI. "Three months have passed since the Mumbai
terror attacks... but Pakistani politicians have been
making contradictory statements. At any rate, they should
hunt down the conspirators wherever they are. They should
be arrested from Pakistan or from anywhere else and given
exemplary punishment. Protracted dialogues will only
encourage terrorists to organize further attacks.
Diplomatic obstacles and arguments should not stand in
the way of combating terrorism."


11. "JOINT ACTION NEEDED AGAINST TERROR" op-ed by Praful
Bidwai in the February 3, 2009, Mumbai edition of
centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT. "Social groups in India
were successful in quelling the war jingoism in India
after the terror attacks. The organizations demanded that
both nations should desist from war and instead punish
the perpetrators of terror. But what amazed these groups
was Pakistan's constant denial in recognizing the
perpetrators. Everyone knows that if Pakistan starts a
war, its impact will be significant and can even expand
into a full blown war where nuclear weapons may be used.
A recent report stated that if 10 atom bombs are dropped
on five Pakistani and five Indian cities, it could lead
to the death of 2 million civilians and injure 1.5
million more. If 24 nuclear missiles are fired then the
resulting radiation could affect more than 200 million
people and a million would have fatal injuries. With such
grave consequences at stake, Pakistan must fight
determinedly against terrorism. India also should break
the walls of conflict and work towards mutual
cooperation. This would send America's new president
Barack Obama the right signals to re-design his policies
towards South Asia."
MULFORD