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. -------------- U.S.-INDIA -------------- ¶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." -------------- PRESIDENT OBAMA -------------- ¶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." -------------- AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶4. "GORBACHOV'S SUGGESTION," editorial in November 12 right-of-center Urdu daily, HINDUSTAN EXPRESS: "The NEW DELHI 00002283 002 OF 002 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