MEDIA REACTION: SECSTATE VISIT TO PAKISTAN,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002214 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: SECSTATE VISIT TO PAKISTAN, INDIA-PAKISTAN, WAR AGAINST TERROR, CLIMATE CHANGE, CHINA; 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. -------------- SECSTATE VISIT TO PAKISTAN -------------- "HILLARY'S STRAIGHT TALK," editorial in November 2 centrist Hindi daily, DAINIK HINDUSTAN: "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's straight talk during her Pakistan trip was not only surprising for Pakistan, but also for those back home. Anti-U.S. emotion is strong in Pakistan. Most Pakistanis feel they are fighting a war that really is America's... They also hold India responsible for their problems. Clinton clearly said Pakistan had been sheltering terrorists and she dismissed U.S. mediation on Kashmir. Clinton's straight talk will change many equations and it will be interesting to watch it." "HILLARY'S STERN WORDS," editorial in November 2 centrist Marathi daily, NAVSHAKTI: "After a long time and possibly after much introspection, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said what most American policymakers have begun feeling about Pakistan. Clinton said al Qaeda leaders were present in Pakistan. That is no ordinary statement, considering the years spent by the U.S. to come to the moot point. It is the truth that India has been telling the U.S. ever since Pakistan declared its duplicitous support to the war against terrorism." "HILLARY'S WISHFUL THINKING," editorial in November 3 left-of-center Marathi daily, MAHARASHTRA TIMES: "Indians loved U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's blunt and long overdue remarks on Pakistan's unwillingness to be more forthcoming on counterterrorism operations against Al Qaeda and Taliban operatives on Pakistani soil. Clinton's statement makes for good diplomacy, but will it have any impact on Pakistan's stance toward Qaeda operatives? Is Clinton's warning enough to coax Pakistan to disrupt and dismantle Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, two anti-Indian terrorist organizations?" -------------- INDIA-PAKISTAN -------------- "RESUME BROKEN TIES," editorial in October 31 centrist Hindi daily, NAVBHARAT TIMES: "The resumption of India- Pakistan talks, stalled after the Mumbai terror attacks, is not very difficult. All you need is good intention, like PM Manmohan Singh expressed during his Kashmir visit. He proposed unconditional talks, but said Pakistan must first crack down on terrorists NEW DELHI 00002214 002 OF 002 active on its soil. Although there is no compulsion for India to talk to Pakistan, dialogue is critical for the sake of peace in South Asia. If there are tensions between India and Pakistan, only terrorists benefit." "CONSPIRACY AGAINST PEACE" editorial in November 3 Assamese centrist, DAINIK JANASADHARAN: "Anti-India conspirators in Pakistan support terrorist forces because they do not want India to prosper... They have many operational methods such as circulating fake notes to hinder India's economic growth. Neither Zardari nor Gilani can demonstrate courage to respond to Manmohan Singh's friendly overtures until Islamabad takes strong measures to neutralize these elements." -------------- CLIMATE CHANGE -------------- "AFTER KYOTO, COPENHAGEN," op-ed in October 31 right- of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "The debate on climate change is gaining momentum before the December Copenhagen conference. The developed countries are major carbon emitters, but they blame developing countries... India's environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's pro-US stance weakens the nation's ecological interests. It has sent the wrong message to the world. Developed nations have not transferred technology or given economic support to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emission so far. On climate change, India should avoid becoming a puppet in the hands of the developed countries." -------------- CHINA -------------- "INDIA TO MAINTAIN RELATIONS WITH CHINA TACTFULLY" edit-page article in November 3 Assamese left-of- center, ASAMIYA PRATIDIN: "China will continue to create a furor over border issues because it considers growing U.S.-India strategic relations a threat to its interests. China does not want America to get an advantageous position in the region. The best way to contain China is to make it understand that creating a war-like situation in border areas will push India closer to America." ROEMER