MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN, KASHMIR, NOBEL AWARD

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 002136

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: PAKISTAN, KASHMIR, NOBEL AWARD
FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA, CLIMATE CHANGE, IRAN, SHAHNAWAZ
HUSSAIN VISA ISSUE; 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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PAKISTAN
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1. "BLOOD-SOAKED WAZIRISTAN," editorial in October 20
right-of-center Hindi daily, AMAR UJALA: "Under growing
pressure from the U.S., the Pakistani Army launched a
major incursion into Waziristan in the hopes of
mounting a final offensive against the Pakistani
Taliban. India needs to keep its eyes open. Last time a
similar action was unleashed in Pakistan's Swat valley,
it pulled on for six to eight weeks. Pakistan would
love to see these militants spill over to Indian
Kashmir, like they did after the Russian war in 1990.
Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud has
threateed to dispatch terrorists to fight India. This
is a grave threat!"


2. "U.S. AID FOR PAKISTAN," editorial in October 10
Bhubaneswar Oriya SAMAYA: "The U.S. decision to inspect
use of its military aid to Pakistan does not diminish
the terror threat to India... India has naturally opposed
the U.S. move to send huge military aid to Pakistan
fearing that a part of it could be used against it. NOW
that Pakistan is getting the military aid, India will
have to beef up its defense. India has the courage and
confidence to defend itself, but does not have adequate
fighter planes, weapons etc. It should be borne in mind
that self-defense brooks no delay."

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KASHMIR
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3. "MUSLIM NATIONS HAVE NEVER APPRECIATED OR UNDERSTOOD
INDIA," op-ed in October 20 nationalist Hindi daily,
RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "Whether it be Palestine, Lebanon, or
the issue of Muslim countries in Africa struggling for
peace and development, India has always supported
Muslim nations in global forums. Even on Iraq and Iran,
India left no stone unturned in giving diplomatic
assistance. India's economic contribution to the
development of Afghanistan is well known. But despite
all this, Muslim countries have never given India any
appreciation. On the contrary, they always work against
India's interests. Recently the Organization of Islamic
Conference intervened directly in Indian affairs by
appointing a "special envoy" on Kashmir. Is this what
India gets for supporting the Muslim world?"

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NOBEL AWARD FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA
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4. "PEACE NOBEL FOR OBAMA," editorial in October 12

NEW DELHI 00002136 002 OF 003


Cuttack Oriya SAMAJA: "The Nobel Peace Prize to Obama
has surprised many including the U.S. President
himself. It may be argued that this Black incumbent in
the White House has done nothing remarkable for world
peace. But the fact remains that he is speaking and
campaigning seriously to get rid of nuclear weapons to
ensure safe living in the world. At the same time he
has started working seriously to control environmental
pollution and global warming. Critics may have many
things to say, but, it
seems the Nobel Committee has done well to choose Obama
who has the 'the audacity of hope' for a new world free
of fear."


5. "THE MYSTERY BEHIND OBAMA'S NOBEL," op-ed in left-
of-center Marathi daily, MAHARASHTRA TIMES: "Obama's
media managers promoted him as God's gift to the U.S.
and the world. But it was soon obvious that he is
failing to deliver the 'change' that he promised. His
popularity ratings have considerably lowered in the
last two months. Obama's global image took a severe
beating after he got the Nobel Peace Prize. He received
the prize for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen
international diplomacy and cooperation between
peoples. The point is where are those efforts reflected
and what kind of co-operation has he fostered, and in
which way?"

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CLIMATE CHANGE
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6. "ENVIRONMENT: CONTRADICTORY POLICY," editorial in
October 21 right-of-center Gujarati daily, MUMBAI
SAMACHAR: "Why aren't rich nations ready to bring down
their consumption levels? Why are only poorer nations
being pressured for emission cuts? Has our environment
minister Jairam Ramesh done any positive work on this?
He can be ranked number one when it comes to
politicizing environmental issues!"

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IRAN
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7. "SUICIDE ATTACK IN IRAN," editorial in October 20
right-of-center Urdu daily SIASAT: "The suicide attack
in Iran is a matter of concern for the entire area.
Countries around Iraq are already reeling under tumult,
and America, Israel and other countries are eying Iran
with nefarious designs in mind. It may be a part of the
strategy to harass Iran internally and destabilize it
instead of waging a direct war. The doubt gets
vindicated by the fact that both America and Israel
have been targeting Iran continuously. With all wisdom,
diligence and vision, Iran should try to find out the
conspirators of such a heinous crime, so that its
adversaries may not stand successful in getting their
conspiracies accomplished."


NEW DELHI 00002136 003 OF 003


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SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN VISA ISSUE
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8. "SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN'S U.S VISA," editorial in October
21 right-of-center Urdu daily AKHBAR-E-MASHRIQ: "Before
applying for a U.S visa, Indians should make sure their
name is not Khan or Hussain, as the U.S immigration
authorities are allergic to Muslim names. After film
star Shah Rukh Khan, former minister and BJP leader
Syed Shahnawaz Hussain is the recent victim of such an
attitude. After 9/11, the U.S is afraid of its own
shadow. It's really sad."
ROEMER