MEDIA REACTION: COPENHAGEN, AFGHANISTAN-

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002540 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: COPENHAGEN, AFGHANISTAN- PAKISTAN, HEADLEY CASE; 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. -------------- COPENHAGEN -------------- ¶1. "COPENHAGEN'S FAILURE," op-ed in December 20 right- of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "It is difficult to understand why President Obama called a face-saver accord a useful and unprecedented success! No unanimous agreement could be reached at Copenhagen, because of the Obama Administration's unrelenting attitude on the Kyoto Protocol like that of the Bush Administration. The result at Copenhagen was zero, despite so much wrangling. If developed and developing countries do not do something urgently to prevent climate change, the world will be destroyed." ¶2. "GIVING UP ON CLIMATE," editorial in December 21 Kolkata Bengali centrist SAMBAD PRATIDIN: "People across the world are dejected. There was an expectation that President Obama or Chinese Premier Jiabao would be able to give a direction, but both remained stuck to their own stand. As there is no fundamental difference between 'capitalist' America and 'socialist' China in polluting the climate with toxic gases, they could not rise above their selfish agenda. However, the Summit has clearly demonstrated the beginning of the end of the big powers' domination." ¶3. "COPENHAGEN'S BALANCE SHEET," editorial in December 21 centrist Marathi daily, PRAHAR: "The agreement cobbled between the US, China, India, Brazil and South Africa is no agreement at all. Though President Obama will pat his back for this empty treaty, it is a fact that his credibility at home and abroad has been compromised by this farcical outcome." ¶4. "COPENHAGEN FAILS TO TURN INTO COPEN 'HEAVEN'," editorial in December 21 centrist Gujarati daily, GUJARATMITRA: "An obstinate and adamant attitude of the developed world, led by none other than America, ensured that the Copenhagen climate summit was doomed to fail. This also reveals imperialistic mentality of America and Europe that want other nations to follow them in matters global. Such a rigid approach will only be catastrophic for the world." -------------- AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN -------------- ¶5. "OBAMA'S WAR," op-ed in December 20 right-of-center Hindi daily, DAINIK JAGRAN: "There has been criticism of granting the Nobel Peace Prize to Obama, who has announced a troops surge to Afghanistan. But the fact is that Obama's decision to augment troops is simply aimed at reaching a logical conclusion in the ongoing NEW DELHI 00002540 002 OF 002 war against terror. At the same time, India needs to be wary about the South Asia security scenario after the U.S. exits Afghanistan. To Obama's credit, he has clearly warned Pakistan's that its relations with terror groups will not be overlooked. If Obama thinks that the Pakistani army will finally cooperate in the war against terror, he could be wrong and there could be a massive U.S.-Pakistan confrontation, which will directly affect India." -------------- HEADLEY CASE -------------- ¶6. "WHEN WILL HEADLEY-RANA BE EXTRADITED?" editorial in December 19 centrist Gujarati daily evening newspaper, JANMABHOOMI: "The Headley-Rana episode has clarified one thing -- that America doesn't seem to be committed on cooperating India in the fight against terrorism. While Indian intelligence agencies believe very strongly that Headley was a double agent, the CIA has disowned him. Why is America reluctant of not extraditing Headley to India?" ¶7. "DAVID HEADLEY NETWORK AND AMERICA," editorial in December 19 right-to-center Urdu daily SIASAT: "America praises its friendship with India, on the one hand, while on the other hand, its cryptic activities are a matter of concern. If India succeeds in getting custody of Headley, the whole conspiracy may be disclosed." ROEMER