MEDIA REACTION: INDIA-PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002226 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-PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN; NEW DELHI. This countrywide cable reports o 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-PAKISTAN -------------- ¶1. "TALIBAN NOW WANT ALL OF PAKISTAN," editorial in November 3 Hindi daily, AMAR UJALA: "The Pakistani government has clearly lost control over the internal situation in the country. The Taliban want all of Pakistan, nothing less will do. Pakistan's neighbors are alarmed. Even Iran is wondering what's going on. The question is will Pakistan be able to prevent its nuclear weapons from falling into the wrong hands? As for India, one often sees contradictory statements on China and Pakistan by different ministers. It's best to go with the prime minister's statements for clarity." ¶2. "CHIDAMBARAM'S WARNING," editorial in November 3 Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "Taking a tough stance against Pakistan-based terrorist groups, India's Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has warned that any more Mumbai-type terrorist attacks on India would invite fierce retaliation. Chidambaram should be lauded for his bold statement. This is the first time India has spoken the language that Pakistan understands. Not only Pakistan, but the whole world needs to know that India's reservoir of patience is not unlimited. Another significant statement has come from Rahul Gandhi, who said there is no comparison between India and Pakistan and that India gives too much importance to Pakistan. India's ignoring Pakistan could actually be a serious blow to the latter." ¶3. "THE THREAT OF MAYHEM," editorial in November 4 centrist Marathi daily, LOKMAT: "The worsening political crisis in Pakistan is bad news for the world, but for India, it is a direct threat to internal security. The bigger cities of India, especially Mumbai, now live in fear of a major terrorist attack. There are enough intelligence reports which indicate the possibility of Al Qaeda and Taliban targeting Mumbai in the near future. These extremist elements operate freely in Pakistan, a fact acknowledged by US Secretary of State Clinton recently. Pakistan's bad politics affects India much more." -------------- AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶4. "THORN-LESS KARZAI," editorial in November 4 independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA: "Karzai must have heaved a sigh of relief with the unexpected turn of events, but Western countries, including the U.S. and Britain, may not find it as comfortable as his election was tainted. There is no indication of an end to the war or even the defeat of NEW DELHI 00002226 002 OF 002 the Taliban. America is not too keen on installing a puppet regime in Afghanistan. However, it wants Karzai to incorporate opposition politicians in his government so that his presidency gets legitimacy." ROEMER