MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-INDIA, PRESIDENT OBAMA,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002283

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: U.S.-INDIA, PRESIDENT OBAMA,
AFGHANISTAN; 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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U.S.-INDIA
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1. "U.S. COMPLEXITY," editorial in November 12 centrist
Hindi daily DAINIK HINDUSTAN: "The U.S. claim of
fighting terrorism and establishing peace in the world
seems to be feeble. It was disappointing that Indian
intelligence officials were not allowed to interrogate
David Headley, the American national accused of
plotting attacks in India. It is necessary to question
the Headley and the Canadian national Tahawwur Rana
because they are suspected to be linked to the Mumbai
terror attacks. It is clear that US-India coordination
in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks is still weak.
Hopefully PM Singh's forthcoming U.S.-visit will
strengthen coordination on terrorism between the two
countries."


2. "U.S. ABOUT-TURN," editorial in November 12 centrist
Hindi daily, NAI DUNIYA: "Indian intelligence was not
permitted to question David Headley and Tahawwur Rana
about their role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks perhaps
because the U.S. does not want to upset Pakistan. The
FBI, in its report, has kept two names secret and one
of them is suspected to be a Pakistani intelligence
agent.... The U.S. attitude is uncooperative. It talks
about the international cooperation on terrorism, but
wants to make it one-sided. It will end up paying heavy
a price for its softness towards Pakistan."

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PRESIDENT OBAMA
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3. "OBAMA PROMOTING PROGRESSIVE POLICIES" op-ed in
November 13 centrist Marathi daily SAKAL: "Obama before
assuming power selected the right people for the right
portfolios in his team. Bush's efficient Defense
minister Robert Gates was retained. Hillary Clinton was
appointed as the Secretary of State. The selection of
the right people indicated Obama's seriousness about
accomplishment of his tasks. When the economy is in a
downturn then the government should pump a lot of money
in the economy. This principle was put forward by John
Keynes. Obama saw to it that enough employment was
generated by spending money on building and maintaining
bridges and roads and such other infrastructural
activities. As a result more jobs were created."

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AFGHANISTAN
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4. "GORBACHOV'S SUGGESTION," editorial in November 12
right-of-center Urdu daily, HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "The

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suggestion given by the former President of erstwhile
USSR, Mikhail Gorbachov that America should think of
retrieval from Afghanistan in the light of Russian
experiences, is meaningful as well as important. In the
perspective of his experiences, he advised the U.S to
review its strategy on Afghanistan, and withdraw its
forces from there. He is prescribing a prescription of
amicable dialogue to get the people of Afghanistan rid
of violence and oppressions. Unfortunately the
suggestion has been given at a time when President
Obama is considering another reinforcement of 40,000
soldiers to Afghanistan. Let us see, which way Obama
goes. The way suggested by Gorbachov to avoid death and
destruction, or the way, General James Jones is
apprehensive thereof?"
ROEMER