MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-US DEFENSE RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 002162 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-US DEFENSE RELATIONS, WAR AGAINST TERROR, AFGHANISTAN, IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM, MIDDLE EAST, INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS; 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-US DEFENSE RELATIONS -------------- ¶1. "US AMBASSADOR ROEMER'S VIEWS WELCOME," editorial in October 22 Hindi daily, VEER ARJUN: "US Ambassador Timothy Roemer recently said that America is ready to support India's drive to modernize its armed forces. The US is ready to support India in its drive to modernize its armed forces, Roemer said, inaugurating the Cope India 2009 joint air exercises. We whole- heartedly welcome the Ambassador's remarks. After all, U.S. and India are natural allies. As part of defense cooperation, we should make a joint strategy against the Taliban, for they are the common enemy of America and India." -------------- WAR AGAINST TERROR -------------- ¶2. "STOP SPREAD OF TERROR NETWORKS," op-ed in October 22 right-of-center Hindi daily, AMAR UJALA: "The speedy international spread of the Al-Qaeda, Taliban and other terrorist networks is alarming. Earlier it was thought that terrorism flourishes where there is illiteracy and social-economic backwardness. Then how do you explain the rise of radicalism in Europe and America? Without finding an answer to this question, the spread of terrorism cannot be stopped." ¶3. "IT IS IN PAKISTAN'S HAND TO CRUSH TERRORISM," editorial in October 23 centrist Gujarati daily, GUJARATMITRA: "The saying 'as you sow, so shall you reap' is perfectly applicable in the case of Pakistan. The monster of terrorism that Pakistan has nurtured over the years is out to devour its creator. While Pakistan depends on American help it conveniently eschews the reality that terrorists care a damn about who supports you. Pakistan will not succeed in crushing terrorism until it depends on a foreign country [America]. How nice would it be for all nations suffering from terrorism if only one nation [America] can bring an end to terrorism!" -------------- AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶4. "TROUBLED AFGHANISTAN," editorial in October 23 right-of-center Gujarati daily, GUJARAT SAMACHAR: "Peace seems to elude Afghanistan even now. The attack on the Indian chancery in Kabul has made it clear that the Taliban does not wish India's presence in the strife-torn region. Besides, it is surprising to NEW DELHI 00002162 002 OF 003 know that coalition forces, especially the U.S. and the U.K., equipped with modern weaponry are not able to tame Taliban which is regrouping itself and striking with even more ferocity." -------------- IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM -------------- ¶5. "VIENNA TALKS: EXPECTATIONS AND APPREHENSIONS," editorial in October 22 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "In the opinion of America and its allies, Iran is gaining the technique of producing atomic weapons under the pretence of Uranium enrichment, which is a real danger to world peace. It looks like European countries consider danger to Israel as danger to world peace. To the contrary, Israel is continuously threatening to attack Iran's atomic projects. America, Israel and European countries want Iran to abandon its atomic program under pressure or threats. Even the so-called champion of better U.S- Islamic relations, President Barack Obama, is a mute spectator of Israel's aggressive tendencies." -------------- MIDDLE EAST -------------- ¶6. "IRAN, AMERICA AND ISRAEL," editorial in October 23 right-of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "The International Atomic Energy Agency has presented a draft deal to Iran and Western powers to allay fears that Teheran might use an enriched-uranium stockpile to make nuclear weapons. On the other hand, Israel and the United States have commenced their largest ever joint military exercises to enhance Israel's defense capabilities. In short, the world powers are seriously working and doing a lot for the security of Israel. At this point we just wish to state that if a little bit of seriousness would have been adopted to save innocent Palestinians from the aggression of Israel, the Middle East would have not been on the verge of death and destruction today." -------------- INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS -------------- ¶7. "CHINA'S FUTURE PATH," op-ed by strategic expert Brahma Chellaney in October 22 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "A prosperous, militarily strong China cannot but be a threat to its neighbors, especially if there are no constraints on the exercise of Chinese power. While India celebrates diversity, China honors artificially enforced mono-culturalism. If China manages to resolve the contradictions between its two systems - market capitalism and political monocracy - it can emerge as a peer competitor to the United States. Political modernization, not economic modernization, thus is the central challenge staring at NEW DELHI 00002162 003 OF 003 China." ROEMER