Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NEWDELHI249
2009-02-11 01:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION: PAKISTAN/A.Q. KHAN, JOE BIDEN
how-toVZCZCXRO7968 PP RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHNEH DE RUEHNE #0249/01 0420149 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 110149Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5328 INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHHJJPI/PACOM IDHS HONOLULU HI RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 1535 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 4290 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 3521 RUEHNEH/AMCONSUL HYDERABAD 0250 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 1928 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5780 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 2376 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 9314 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 3344 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 5925 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7599 RHOVVKG/COMSEVENTHFLT RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 000249
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: PAKISTAN/A.Q. KHAN, JOE BIDEN
EUROPE VISIT, KYRGYZSTAN/AMERICA, AFGHANISTAN,
IRAQ/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.
--------------
PAKISTAN/A.Q. KHAN
--------------
01. "NUCLEAR OBSTINACY," editorial in the February 9
DAINIK HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "Nuclear proliferation and
terrorism are two important elements of Pakistan's
foreign policy with which it holds India and the rest of
the world to ransom. Pakistan has set free its rogue
nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan just a few days before the
arrival of special representative Richard Holbrooke. By
doing this Pakistan has cocked a snook at the U.S. Khan
is accused of passing sensitive nuclear technology to
nations such as Iran, Libya and North Korea, and he
himself has acknowledged it. One of the reasons he may
have been set free is that he is extremely popular in the
country. Also by freeing him, Pakistan has swept a
possible IAEA investigation under the carpet. This is
nuclear obstinacy. "
02. "HAS PAKISTAN'S HERO KHAN'S CHAPTER ENDED OR HAS IT
JUST BEGUN?" editorial in the February 10, 2009 Mumbai-
based right-of-center Gujarati daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR.
"Just when the countdown has begun for Pakistan to submit
its response to the Indian dossier on the 11/26 Mumbai
attacks, an incident has occurred that makes Pakistan's
role all the more uglier [in its commitment to fight
terrorism]. The acquittal of A Q Khan, disgraced nuclear
scientist and the father of a 'dirty bomb,' by a
Pakistani court has raised eyebrows in the international
community... This is also a grim reminder of Pakistan's
notoriety in making false promises in reigning in rogue
elements on its soil... NOW the grave concern before the
global community is what will be the repercussions of
Khan's release? This is also an open challenge to
America whose pressure had kept the noose tightened
around Khan until now."
--------------
JOE BIDEN EUROPE VISIT
--------------
03. "CHANGING AMERICA" editorial in the February 10,
2009, Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily
MAHARASHTRA TIMES. "President Barack Obama's heavy
reliance on peace and reconciliation is welcome and it
manifests itself in U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden's
maiden overseas visit to Europe. Biden's foreign policy
statements have struck the right chord in America's
relations around the world. Biden made a point to
reiterate the president's pledge to extend an open hand
to any nation (including Iran and Russia) that unclenched
a fist. Biden promised more openness with Russia
regarding proposed missile defense facilities in Poland
and the Czech Republic. He acknowledged that it would not
NEW DELHI 00000249 002 OF 004
be possible for the U.S. and Russia to agree on
everything, but hastened to add that the United States
and Russia can disagree and still work together. He added
that the U.S. would continue with its plans for a missile
defense shield in Central Europe. He proposed a shared
fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban with Russia as
part of an era of improved relations between Washington
and Moscow. Biden was also clear in the context of Iran.
He said the U.S. is willing to talk to Iran only if Iran
makes a clear choice -- either continue with the current
course or abandon the illicit nuclear program and support
meaningful incentives. He has made it amply clear that
the US would not back away from the use of force when all
else fails..."
--------------
KYRGYZSTAN/AMERICA
--------------
04. "DETERRENT JUSTICE OF QURBAN ALI BAIG", editorial in
the February 7 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ,
New Delhi: "If we have an overview of the present leaders
of the Islamic world, we come to a conclusion that the
political canvas & strategic moves of these leaders hinge
around the interests of America & the Jewish lobby. They
seem to have forgotten that the interests of the people
of their countries are getting jeopardized in the
process, for which they shall face the wrath sometime in
the future. Paying due respect to the sentiments of the
people, Kyrgyzstan, a country situated in West Asia has
declared its intention to shut down the current American
air base on its soil. The present political leadership in
the country headed by President Qurban Ali Baig has
marked its approval over the decision. The decision to
shut American air bases in Kyrgyzstan shall indeed prove
to be a gigantic blow to the Obama administration, since
United States had declared to send 30 thousand more
troops in Afghanistan recently."
--------------
AFGHANISTAN
--------------
05. "TOUGH CHALLENGE FOR U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY," op-ed in
the February 9 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by foreign
affairs columnist Vinay Kaura: "Afghanistan is one of
Barack Obama's stated foreign policy priorities. But
Obama will find it tough to deal with this humongous
Afghanistan problem that he has inherited. Special
representative Richard Holbrooke is leaving for Pakistan
and Afghanistan shortly, and soon thereafter Hillary
Clinton will make a trip to Asia. They will have to
decide how best to tackle the Taliban. Deploying an
additional 30,000 troops in Afghanistan is no solution -
finishing the Taliban's stranglehold over Afghanistan is.
Holbrooke will also have to decide if the U.S. wants to
continue banking on President Hamid karzai in the next
elections. Karzai's government has earned a bad name due
to alleged corruption and Karzai holds control only over
one-third of the country. The Pakistani Army will try to
NEW DELHI 00000249 003 OF 004
explain to Holbrooke that the Afghanistan and Kashmir
issues are interlinked. Hope Holbrooke can see through
this game plan and does not get hoodwinked."
06. "TARGETS OF OBAMA IN AFGHANISTAN", editorial in the
February 7 right-of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS,
New Delhi: "In the present circumstances the fire & fury
unleashed by America over Pakistan, al Qaeda & the
Taliban is certainly not unnatural. A prominent reason is
that America has not been able to make much hold over the
Pathan community in Afghanistan to turn them into
loyalists for quelling the Taliban. America thus has not
been able to get a similar success as in Iraq because of
a dearth of people who could dance to the American tunes
& get influenced by its tactics. It was much less than
what America had believed it would achieve in
Afghanistan. More the American fighter planes have bombed
& targeted the civilian population in Afghanistan,
determination of the Afghans has grown manifold while
their ire against the Americans has crossed all limits.
In the course of events, it is widely expected that
America is going to provide more firepower to its
oppressive onslaught in Afghanistan in view of the
rebellious stance of the common populace there."
07. "NO FAITH IN KARZAI?" editorial in the February 10
CPI(M) Bengali organ GANASHAKTI in Kolkata. "The U.S.-
led NATO troops in Afghanistan...are NOW themselves being
heckled by the Taliban. President Obama is worried to see
NATO in such a state. In this situation, America is no
longer inclined to attach so much importance on Karzai as
before, and will start building direct contact with
tribal leaders, instead. The Afghan administration has
become corrupt. So, Washington is compelled to explore an
alternative way of advancing its objectives. The
Taliban's activities have increased to such an extent
that they can strike Kabul any moment. America believes
it will have to compromise with tribal leaders if it
wants to maintain its position in Afghanistan. There is
no other option open for the U.S. But will America
survive even that way?"
--------------
IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN
--------------
08. "WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ, EMPHASIS ON AFGHANISTAN",
editorial in February 7 Islamist Urdu bi-weekly DAWAT,
New Delhi: "The new American president has declared to
withdraw itself from the Iraqi swamp; however, on the
other hand he has talked of more emphasis on Afghanistan,
which seems to be going astray after a sufficient control
was achieved there. It is being increasingly predicted
that the American & NATO forces in America shall have to
face a defeat. So far, six hundred & forty four American
soldiers have been killed in the country. The present
brewing situation in Afghanistan is far more precarious &
volatile than it was in 2001. That is precisely why
America intends to withdraw itself from Iraq & focus
entirely on Afghanistan. During the course of attacks in
NEW DELHI 00000249 004 OF 004
Iraq, permanent American air bases have come up in the
region. NOW it is the turn of Afghanistan, from where
America desires to keep many other countries on its
radar. The erstwhile American president attacked Iraq &
exerted his supremacy over the region. The remaining task
in the region around Afghanistan is being sought to be
fulfilled by his successor."
MULFORD
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: PAKISTAN/A.Q. KHAN, JOE BIDEN
EUROPE VISIT, KYRGYZSTAN/AMERICA, AFGHANISTAN,
IRAQ/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.
--------------
PAKISTAN/A.Q. KHAN
--------------
01. "NUCLEAR OBSTINACY," editorial in the February 9
DAINIK HINDUSTAN Hindi daily: "Nuclear proliferation and
terrorism are two important elements of Pakistan's
foreign policy with which it holds India and the rest of
the world to ransom. Pakistan has set free its rogue
nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan just a few days before the
arrival of special representative Richard Holbrooke. By
doing this Pakistan has cocked a snook at the U.S. Khan
is accused of passing sensitive nuclear technology to
nations such as Iran, Libya and North Korea, and he
himself has acknowledged it. One of the reasons he may
have been set free is that he is extremely popular in the
country. Also by freeing him, Pakistan has swept a
possible IAEA investigation under the carpet. This is
nuclear obstinacy. "
02. "HAS PAKISTAN'S HERO KHAN'S CHAPTER ENDED OR HAS IT
JUST BEGUN?" editorial in the February 10, 2009 Mumbai-
based right-of-center Gujarati daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR.
"Just when the countdown has begun for Pakistan to submit
its response to the Indian dossier on the 11/26 Mumbai
attacks, an incident has occurred that makes Pakistan's
role all the more uglier [in its commitment to fight
terrorism]. The acquittal of A Q Khan, disgraced nuclear
scientist and the father of a 'dirty bomb,' by a
Pakistani court has raised eyebrows in the international
community... This is also a grim reminder of Pakistan's
notoriety in making false promises in reigning in rogue
elements on its soil... NOW the grave concern before the
global community is what will be the repercussions of
Khan's release? This is also an open challenge to
America whose pressure had kept the noose tightened
around Khan until now."
--------------
JOE BIDEN EUROPE VISIT
--------------
03. "CHANGING AMERICA" editorial in the February 10,
2009, Mumbai edition of left-of-center Marathi daily
MAHARASHTRA TIMES. "President Barack Obama's heavy
reliance on peace and reconciliation is welcome and it
manifests itself in U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden's
maiden overseas visit to Europe. Biden's foreign policy
statements have struck the right chord in America's
relations around the world. Biden made a point to
reiterate the president's pledge to extend an open hand
to any nation (including Iran and Russia) that unclenched
a fist. Biden promised more openness with Russia
regarding proposed missile defense facilities in Poland
and the Czech Republic. He acknowledged that it would not
NEW DELHI 00000249 002 OF 004
be possible for the U.S. and Russia to agree on
everything, but hastened to add that the United States
and Russia can disagree and still work together. He added
that the U.S. would continue with its plans for a missile
defense shield in Central Europe. He proposed a shared
fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban with Russia as
part of an era of improved relations between Washington
and Moscow. Biden was also clear in the context of Iran.
He said the U.S. is willing to talk to Iran only if Iran
makes a clear choice -- either continue with the current
course or abandon the illicit nuclear program and support
meaningful incentives. He has made it amply clear that
the US would not back away from the use of force when all
else fails..."
--------------
KYRGYZSTAN/AMERICA
--------------
04. "DETERRENT JUSTICE OF QURBAN ALI BAIG", editorial in
the February 7 right-of-center Urdu daily HAMARA SAMAJ,
New Delhi: "If we have an overview of the present leaders
of the Islamic world, we come to a conclusion that the
political canvas & strategic moves of these leaders hinge
around the interests of America & the Jewish lobby. They
seem to have forgotten that the interests of the people
of their countries are getting jeopardized in the
process, for which they shall face the wrath sometime in
the future. Paying due respect to the sentiments of the
people, Kyrgyzstan, a country situated in West Asia has
declared its intention to shut down the current American
air base on its soil. The present political leadership in
the country headed by President Qurban Ali Baig has
marked its approval over the decision. The decision to
shut American air bases in Kyrgyzstan shall indeed prove
to be a gigantic blow to the Obama administration, since
United States had declared to send 30 thousand more
troops in Afghanistan recently."
--------------
AFGHANISTAN
--------------
05. "TOUGH CHALLENGE FOR U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY," op-ed in
the February 9 DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily by foreign
affairs columnist Vinay Kaura: "Afghanistan is one of
Barack Obama's stated foreign policy priorities. But
Obama will find it tough to deal with this humongous
Afghanistan problem that he has inherited. Special
representative Richard Holbrooke is leaving for Pakistan
and Afghanistan shortly, and soon thereafter Hillary
Clinton will make a trip to Asia. They will have to
decide how best to tackle the Taliban. Deploying an
additional 30,000 troops in Afghanistan is no solution -
finishing the Taliban's stranglehold over Afghanistan is.
Holbrooke will also have to decide if the U.S. wants to
continue banking on President Hamid karzai in the next
elections. Karzai's government has earned a bad name due
to alleged corruption and Karzai holds control only over
one-third of the country. The Pakistani Army will try to
NEW DELHI 00000249 003 OF 004
explain to Holbrooke that the Afghanistan and Kashmir
issues are interlinked. Hope Holbrooke can see through
this game plan and does not get hoodwinked."
06. "TARGETS OF OBAMA IN AFGHANISTAN", editorial in the
February 7 right-of-center Urdu daily HINDUSTAN EXPRESS,
New Delhi: "In the present circumstances the fire & fury
unleashed by America over Pakistan, al Qaeda & the
Taliban is certainly not unnatural. A prominent reason is
that America has not been able to make much hold over the
Pathan community in Afghanistan to turn them into
loyalists for quelling the Taliban. America thus has not
been able to get a similar success as in Iraq because of
a dearth of people who could dance to the American tunes
& get influenced by its tactics. It was much less than
what America had believed it would achieve in
Afghanistan. More the American fighter planes have bombed
& targeted the civilian population in Afghanistan,
determination of the Afghans has grown manifold while
their ire against the Americans has crossed all limits.
In the course of events, it is widely expected that
America is going to provide more firepower to its
oppressive onslaught in Afghanistan in view of the
rebellious stance of the common populace there."
07. "NO FAITH IN KARZAI?" editorial in the February 10
CPI(M) Bengali organ GANASHAKTI in Kolkata. "The U.S.-
led NATO troops in Afghanistan...are NOW themselves being
heckled by the Taliban. President Obama is worried to see
NATO in such a state. In this situation, America is no
longer inclined to attach so much importance on Karzai as
before, and will start building direct contact with
tribal leaders, instead. The Afghan administration has
become corrupt. So, Washington is compelled to explore an
alternative way of advancing its objectives. The
Taliban's activities have increased to such an extent
that they can strike Kabul any moment. America believes
it will have to compromise with tribal leaders if it
wants to maintain its position in Afghanistan. There is
no other option open for the U.S. But will America
survive even that way?"
--------------
IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN
--------------
08. "WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ, EMPHASIS ON AFGHANISTAN",
editorial in February 7 Islamist Urdu bi-weekly DAWAT,
New Delhi: "The new American president has declared to
withdraw itself from the Iraqi swamp; however, on the
other hand he has talked of more emphasis on Afghanistan,
which seems to be going astray after a sufficient control
was achieved there. It is being increasingly predicted
that the American & NATO forces in America shall have to
face a defeat. So far, six hundred & forty four American
soldiers have been killed in the country. The present
brewing situation in Afghanistan is far more precarious &
volatile than it was in 2001. That is precisely why
America intends to withdraw itself from Iraq & focus
entirely on Afghanistan. During the course of attacks in
NEW DELHI 00000249 004 OF 004
Iraq, permanent American air bases have come up in the
region. NOW it is the turn of Afghanistan, from where
America desires to keep many other countries on its
radar. The erstwhile American president attacked Iraq &
exerted his supremacy over the region. The remaining task
in the region around Afghanistan is being sought to be
fulfilled by his successor."
MULFORD