MEDIA REACTION: NUCLEAR ISSUES, CLIMATE

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 002430 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: NUCLEAR ISSUES, CLIMATE CHANGE; 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. -------------- NUCLEAR ISSUES -------------- ¶1. "QUESTION MARK ON NUCLEAR SAFETY," editorial in December 2 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "At a time when the U.S. and other nations are moving on their respective nuclear initiatives with India, it is unfortunate if incidents such as the one at Kaiga nuclear plant happen, where there was radiation contamination. Such incidents can severely damage India's nuclear credentials at a time when we need it the most. India's detractors can have a field day making a case against nuclear concessions for India. The Indian security establishment needs to tighten its belt, as laggardness will not do in such strategic matters." -------------- CLIMATE CHANGE -------------- ¶2. "INDIA'S PIVOTAL ROLE ," editorial in December 2 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "PM Manmohan Singh has put developed nations on the back foot by making it clear that while India is willing to sign on to an ambitious global target for emissions reduction, it must be accompanied by an equitable burden sharing paradigm. Negotiations on a climate- change accord have been stymied as richer nations and developing countries disagree on issues such as emission-reduction targets. While it is true that the developed nations are responsible for the greenhouse gases, there is no use now arguing that developing nations should get concessions. It is now everyone's responsibility. But today technology makes it possible to cut emissions without compromising economic development. Developing nations should attempt to get such technologies from the rich nations." ¶3. "GLOBAL WARMING" editorial in December 2 right-of- center Gujarati daily, GUJARAT SAMACHAR: "The issue of global warming is more serious than was ever before. As the world leaders come to discuss this issue at the Copenhagen summit, we need to understand that the U.S. and other European nations are far more responsible for global warming than other countries. To maintain their supremacy they have been pressuring developing countries like India. While accepting this we must also acknowledge the fact that India needs to shed its lackadaisical attitude and take positive steps to tackle this global problem and ensure a safer environment for the future generations." ROEMER