MEDIA REACTION: PM SINGH'S U.S. VISIT, INDIA-

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002257 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: PM SINGH'S U.S. VISIT, INDIA- CHINA, TEXAS VIOLENCE, AFGHANISTAN, NUCLEAR NON- PROLIFERATION, PAKISTAN; 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. -------------- PM SINGH'S U.S. VISIT -------------- ¶1. "PM-OBAMA MEETING RAISES HOPES," op-ed article in November 8 Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN by strategic affairs specialist K. Subrahmanyam: "There are high expectations from PM Manmohan Singh's upcoming U.S. visit. U.S.-India relations have come a long way... These two democracies will have to jointly deal with the international terrorism threat... The nuclear deal was the backdrop of Singh's last U.S. visit. This time it is post-recession international structure.... China is another subject of common concern. It would be to India's advantage if this subject is discussed during this trip.... India should show more activeness on disarmament. It needs rapid economic reforms if it wants to play an effective role in the world, and prevent Chinese domination in Asia." -------------- INDIA-CHINA -------------- ¶2. "USING DALAI LAMA AS AN EXCUSE," editorial in November 6 right-of-center Hindi daily, AMAR UJALA: "Will the China-India malice ever end? China has accused India of souring relations over the Dalai Lama's visit to the disputed Tawang town in Arunachal Pradesh... India did the right thing by saying that there is no tension with China. Arunachal Pradesh is integral part of India and its people have given their verdict against China by coming out in large numbers to vote in the Indian elections." -------------- TEXAS VIOLENCE -------------- ¶3. "BLOOD-SHED IN AMERICA," editorial in November 8 right-of-center Urdu daily RASHTRIYA SAHARA: "Muslims living in the U.S., particularly those working with the government, will once again have to face embarrassment due to Nidal's murderous activity. Invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan by the former President Bush sent a message that the war on terror was against Islam.... Such aggressive activities by a few so-called Muslims discredit the entire Muslim community and malign the image of Islam." -------------- AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶4. "PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN AFGHANISTAN," editorial in NEW DELHI 00002257 002 OF 002 November 8 right-of-center Urdu daily SIASAT: "A new political alignment is needed most to establish peace in Afghanistan. Now it is the responsibility of President Obama and that of President Karzai to refrain from accomplishing their personal vested interests as it brings hardship to Afghan people." -------------- NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION -------------- ¶5. "IS NUCLEAR COMPETITION BRINGING THE WORLD TO DESTRUCTION?" op-ed in November 9 right-of-center Marathi daily, SAAMNA: "America feels that it only has the solemn right to conduct nuclear tests and produce atom bombs and atomic weapons. The U.S. may be the largest producer of atomic weapons in the world but that does not mean that it should possess the solitary right of decision in the modern world." -------------- PAKISTAN -------------- ¶6. "BAD INTENTIONS," editorial in November 6 right-of- center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "The revelation that two Pakistani terrorists arrested in the U.S. were planning to launch attacks in north India, including at Delhi's National Defense College, should be an eye- opener for both India and the U.S.... Despite U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's recent statement that she is not so sure about Pakistan's will to fight terrorists, there is no indication of reconsidering U.S. aid to Islamabad. The U.S. Administration may claim anything, but actually its Afghanistan-Pakistan policy has failed. U.S. aid has been grossly misused in both countries and leave alone combating terrorism the situation is rather worsening." ¶7. "WILL ZARDARI'S WINGS BE CLIPPED?" editorial in November 9 centrist Marathi daily, VARTAHAAR: "While the Taliban rebels in Pakistan have incited a huge fireball of violence, political temperatures are soaring due to the cold war between Pakistani President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani. Zardari must be surely repenting for selecting Yusuf Raze Gilani as Prime Minister. Gilani is an ambitious man who is out to cut the wings of Zardari. Gilani is achieving this with the help of Pakistan Muslim League leader and Ex- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif." ROEMER